Ma. Luisa Benedicto v. Hon. Intermediate Appellate Court

Summary

This case established the liability of registered owners of common carrier vehicles for cargo loss even after vehicle transfer. Greenhills Wood Industries hired a truck registered to Ma. Luisa Benedicto to transport lumber, but the cargo never arrived and the driver disappeared. Despite Benedicto's claim that she had sold the truck to another person, the Supreme Court held her liable under the doctrine that registered owners of public utility vehicles remain responsible for operations to protect public interests. The Court extended the registered owner doctrine from passenger injury cases to goods carriage, emphasizing that common carriers owe extraordinary diligence for both passengers and cargo under Civil Code provisions. The decision reinforced public policy protecting shippers who rely on vehicle registration certificates when contracting transportation services.