Panda Transit v. Lazara P. Tolentino

Summary

The Supreme Court denied Panda Transit's petition challenging its liability for a bus accident that killed three passengers and injured others. The Court affirmed lower court findings that the bus company failed to overcome the presumption of negligence as a common carrier. Despite petitioner's claim that another vehicle caused the collision, evidence showed the proximate cause was their driver's negligence and the bus's road-unworthiness. The Court applied Civil Code provisions on quasi-delict and vicarious liability, holding that employers are liable for damages caused by employees acting within the scope of their duties unless they prove exercise of extraordinary diligence in selection and supervision. The decision reinforces the strict liability standards for common carriers and the rebuttable presumption of employer negligence in transportation accidents.