- Statute
- Civil Code
- Article
- Art. 26
- Topic
- Respect for dignity, personality, privacy and peace of mind
- Status
- In force
- Book
- Preliminary Title
- Chapter
- CHAPTER 2 Human Relations (n)
- Year
- 1949
- Cited by
- Multiple Supreme Court decisions
The provision
ARTICLE 26. Every person shall respect the dignity, personality, privacy and peace of mind of his neighbors and other persons. The following and similar acts, though they may not constitute a criminal offense, shall produce a cause of action for damages, prevention and other relief: (1) Prying into the privacy of another's residence; (2) Meddling with or disturbing the private life or family relations of another; (3) Intriguing to cause another to be alienated from his friends; (4) Vexing or humiliating another on account of his religious beliefs, lowly station in life, place of birth, physical defect, or other personal condition.
Intellegal Wiki · In plain terms
Everyone must respect the dignity, personality, privacy, and peace of mind of others. Acts like prying into another's private life, meddling in their family relations, or intriguing to cause them harm can give rise to a civil action for damages — even if they are not crimes. It protects personal dignity beyond the reach of criminal law.
An editorially maintained plain-language explanation of this provision — not legal advice.
Intellegal Wiki · How the courts apply it
In Rodrigo Concepcion v. Court of Appeals, the Supreme Court held: Unfounded, defamatory imputations that invade a person's dignity, privacy, and peace of mind give rise to a cause of action for damages under Article 26 of the Civil Code, independently of libel.
One leading Supreme Court case applying this provision.
Key points
Article 26 directs every person to respect the dignity, personality, privacy, and peace of mind of others. It then lists acts that — though they may not be crimes — give rise to a cause of action for damages, prevention, and other relief: prying into the privacy of another's residence; meddling with or disturbing another's private life or family relations; intriguing to alienate a person from their friends; and vexing or humiliating another on account of religious beliefs, station in life, place of birth, physical defect, or other personal condition.
The provision protects relational and dignitary interests and is frequently paired with Article 19, Article 21, and the rules on moral damages.
Cases applying this article
- Rodrigo Concepcion v. Court of Appeals G.R. No. 120706
- Globe Mackay Cable v. The Honorable Court of Appeals G.R. No. 81262
- Sps. Melchor v. Sps. Bbb G.R. No. 235737
- Maria Teresa Dino Basa-Egami v. Dr. Lisa Grace Bersales G.R. No. 249410
- Paul Ambrose v. Louella Suque-Ambrose G.R. No. 206761
- Irene Diaz Rivera v. Republic of the Philippines G.R. No. 238259
- Zenaida R. Gregorio v. Court of Appeals G.R. No. 179799
- Republic of the Philippines v. Jocelyn Asusano Kikuchi G.R. No. 243646
Other Supreme Court decisions also apply this article.