Statute
Civil Code
Article
Art. 428
Topic
Ownership in General
Status
In force
Book
BOOK II PROPERTY, OWNERSHIP, AND ITS MODIFICATIONS
Title
TITLE II OWNERSHIP
Chapter
CHAPTER 1 Ownership in General
Formerly
Art. 348a of the old Civil Code
Year
1949
Cited by
Multiple Supreme Court decisions

The provision

The owner has the right to enjoy and dispose of a thing, without other limitations than those established by law. The owner has also a right of action against the holder and possessor of the thing in order to recover it. (348a)

Intellegal Wiki · In plain terms

This provision defines ownership: the owner may enjoy and dispose of the thing — use it, take its fruits, and transfer it — subject only to limits set by law. It also gives the owner a right of action to recover the property from anyone who holds or possesses it (the basis of an accion reivindicatoria). Ownership therefore carries both the freedom to use and dispose, and the power to recover the thing from others.

An editorially maintained plain-language explanation of this provision — not legal advice.

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Civil Code, Art. 428 is found in CHAPTER 1 Ownership in General of TITLE II OWNERSHIP of BOOK II PROPERTY, OWNERSHIP, AND ITS MODIFICATIONS of the Civil Code of the Philippines (Republic Act No. 386).

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Reviewed by the Intellegal Legal Team for currency against amending laws and Supreme Court jurisprudence.

Research aid — not legal advice. Verify the current text against the Official Gazette. Provisions may have been amended or repealed. Using this page creates no attorney-client relationship. For legal advice, consult a Philippine lawyer.