Spouses Dante Cruz v. Sun · G.R. 186312

Petitioner: Spouses Dante Cruz
Respondent: Sun Holidays
Citation: G.R. No. 186312
Court: Supreme Court
Division: Third Division
Ponente: Carpio Morales, J.
Decided: June 29, 2010

Summary

Spouses Cruz sued Sun Holidays Inc. for damages after their son Ruelito died when the resort's boat M/B Coco Beach III capsized on September 11, 2000, during transportation from Puerto Galera to Batangas. The Supreme Court reversed lower court decisions, ruling that Sun Holidays is a common carrier under Civil Code Article 1732 because its ferry services are integral to its resort business. As a common carrier, it must exercise extraordinary diligence for passenger safety. The Court found Sun Holidays negligent for allowing the boat to sail despite PAGASA storm warnings, making the incident foreseeable rather than fortuitous. The Court awarded ₱50,000 death indemnity, ₱8,316,000 for loss of earning capacity, ₱100,000 moral damages, ₱100,000 exemplary damages, attorney's fees, and 12% annual interest. This case establishes important precedent on common carrier liability for resort transportation services.

Statutes applied

Civil Code, Art. 1732

Related cases

Other Philippine cases on the same provisions and issues.

Transimex Co. v. Mafre Asian Insurance Corp. G.R. No. 190271
Virgines Calvo Doing Business Under the Name v. Ucpb General Insurance Co. G.R. No. 148496
A.F. Sanchez Brokerage Inc. v. The Hon. Court of Appeals G.R. No. 147079
Philippine American General Insurance Company v. Pks Shipping Company G.R. No. 149038
Mr. & Mrs. Engracio Fabre, Jr. v. Court of Appeals G.R. No. 111127
Estrellita M. Bascos v. Court of Appeals G.R. No. 101089
C.V. Gaspar Salvage & Lighterage Corporation v. Lg Insurance Company G.R. No. 206892
Jaime Sabeniano, Jr. v. The Court of Appeals G.R. No. 167837

By the Intellegal Editorial Board · June 29, 2010

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