CIVIL LAW REVIEWER by Ruben F. BalaneLecture Notes on Civil Law Professor Ruben F. BalaneCHANGES IN THE NE CI!IL C"#E$. Grantin% of new ri%&ts' E(a)*le+ T&e Fa)il, Co-e erases t&e -istinction between natural an- s*urious c&il-ren. Now t&e,are lu)*e- to%et&er as .ille%iti)ate./ T&us0 s*urious c&il-ren are %iven ri%&ts.1. #ifferent solutions to ol- *roble)s' E(a)*le+ C&an%e in river course2. Clarification of ol- *rovisions' E(a)*le+ 3n-er t&e ol- Civil Co-e0 t&ere were onl, voi- an- voi-able contracts. it& t&e a--ition ofunenforceable an- rescissible contracts0 t&e NCC *rovi-es clarification4. Certain sub5ects o)itte-' E(a)*les+ T&e -owr, &as been o)itte-6 certain leases &ave also been o)itte-. T&e NCC is far fro)*erfect. T&ere are structural -efects. Certain t&in%s w&ic& s&oul- be in t&e *reli)inar, section arefoun- elsew&ere. An e(a)*le of t&is is t&e vices of consent. &, are t&e, foun- in contracts7 T&e,are relevant in all 5uri-ical transactions. Anot&er e(a)*le is t&e to*ic of -e%rees of relations&i*. T&is isfoun-onl,insuccession. #e%reesof relations&i*arerelevantinot&erboo8stoo. Finall,0w&,istra-ition foun- in t&e law on sales7 Tra-ition is not onl, i)*ortant in sales. Rat&er0 tra-ition is a )o-eof ac9uirin% owners&i*.PRELI:INAR; TITLEI. Effect an- A**lication of LawsArt. $. T&is Act s&all be 8nown as t&e ette0 unless it is ot&erwise*rovi-e- . . .=6HEREAS0 t&ere9uire)entt&at forlawstobeeffectiveonl,a*ublicationt&ereof int&e"fficialGa>ette will suffice &as entaile- so)e *roble)s0 a *oint reco%ni>e- b, t&e Su*re)e Court in TaCa-a0et al. vs. Tuvera0 et al. DG.R. No. E2F$G0 #ece)ber 1F0 $FHEI w&en it observe- t&at etteorinanews*a*erof%eneral circulation in t&e countr,6N"0THEREF"RE0 I0 C"RAA"NC. AB3IN"0 Presi-entof t&eP&ili**ines0 b,virtueof t&e*owersveste- in )e b, t&e Constitution0 -o &ereb, or-er+Sec. $. Laws s&all ta8e effect after fifteen -a,s followin% t&e co)*letion of t&eir *ublication eit&er int&e "fficial Ga>ette or in a news*a*er of %eneral circulation in t&e P&ili**ines0 unless it is ot&erwise*rovi-e-.Sec. 1. Article 1 of Re*ublic Act No. 2HE0 ot&erwise 8nown as t&e 0 t&e SC sai- t&at t&e *ossession of t&e antic&retic cre-it as *ossession in%oo- fait& since a -ifficult 9uestion of law was involve- N antic&resis. In t&is case0 t&e *arties were notver, 8nowle-%eable of t&e law.' Article 2 a**lies onl, to i%norance of P&ili**ine law. It -oes not a**l, to forei%n law. In PrivateInternational Law0forei%nlaw)ust be*rovenevenif it isa**licable. "t&erwise0 t&ecourtswill*resu)e t&e forei%n law to be t&e sa)e as P&ili**ine law.Art. 4. Laws s&all &ave no retroactive effect0 unless t&e contrar, is *rovi-e-.' Le( -e futuro 5u-e( -e *reterito DT&e law *rovi-es for t&e future0 t&e 5u-%e for t&e *astI.' Retroactive law N one w&ic& creates a new obli%ation an- i)*oses a new -ut, or attac&es a new-isabilit, wit& res*ect to transactions or consi-erations alrea-, *ast.' General Rule+ Law )ust be a**lie- *ros*ectivel,.' E(ce*tions+ $. If t&e statute *rovi-es for retroactivit,.E(ce*tion to t&e e(ce*tion+ a. E( *ost facto laws b. Laws w&ic& i)*air t&e obli%ation of contracts1. Penal laws insofar as it favors t&e accuse- w&o is not a &abitual cri)inal0 even t&ou%& at t&e ti)eof t&e enact)ent of suc& law final sentence &as alrea-, been ren-ere-.2. Re)e-ial laws as lon% as it -oes not affect or c&an%e veste- ri%&ts.4. &en t&e law creates new substantive ri%&ts unless veste- ri%&ts are i)*aire-.G. Curative laws Dt&e *ur*ose is to cure -efects or i)*erfections in 5u-icial or a-)inistrative*rocee-in%sIE. Inter*retative lawsQ. Laws w&ic& are of e)er%enc, nature or are aut&ori>e- b, *olice *ower DSantos vs. Alvare>6 PNB vs."ffice of t&e Presi-entIArt. G. Acts e(ecute- a%ainst t&e *rovisions of )an-ator, or *ro&ibitor, laws s&all be voi-0 e(ce*tw&en t&e law itself aut&ori>es t&eir vali-it,.' A )an-ator, law is one w&ic& *rescribes so)e ele)ent as a re9uire)ent Di.e.0 wills )ust be writtenN Article H?46 for) of -onations N Article Q4F'I' A *ro&ibitor, law is one w&ic& forbi-s so)et&in% Di.e.0 5oint wills N Article H$HI' General Rule+ Acts w&ic& are contrar, to )an-ator, or *ro&ibite- laws are voi-.' E(ce*tions+$. &en t&e law itself aut&ori>e- its vali-it, Di.e.0 lotto0 swee*sta8esI1. &en t&e law )a8es t&e act onl, voi-able an- not voi- Di.e.0 if consent is vitiate-0 t&e contract isvoi-able an- not voi-I2. &en t&e law )a8es t&e act vali- but *unis&es t&e violator Di.e.0 if t&e )arria%e is celebrate- b,so)eone wit&out le%al aut&orit, but t&e *arties are in %oo- fait&0 t&e )arria%e is vali- but t&e *ersonw&o )arrie- t&e *arties is liableI4. &en t&e law )a8es t&e act voi- but reco%ni>es le%al effects flowin% t&erefro) Di.e.0 Articles $4$1R $4$2I Art. E. Ri%&ts )a, be waive-0 unless t&e waiver is contrar, to law0 *ublic or-er0 *ublic*olic,0 )orals0 or %oo- custo)s0 or *re5u-icial to a t&ir- *erson wit& a ri%&t reco%ni>e- b, law.' &at one can waive are ri%&ts an- not obli%ations. E(a)*le0 a cre-itor can waive t&e loan but t&e-ebtor )a, not.' T&ere is no for) re9uire- for a waiver since a waiver is o*tional. ;ou can waive b, )ere inaction0refusin% to collect a -ebt for e(a)*le is a for) of waiver.' Re9uisites of a vali- waiver DHerrera vs. Boro)eoI$. E(istence of a ri%&t1. Pnowle-%e of t&e e(istence of t&e ri%&t2. An intention to relin9uis& t&e ri%&t Di)*lie- in t&is is t&e ca*acit, to -is*ose of t&e ri%&tI' General Rule+ Ri%&ts can be waive-.' E(ce*tions+ $. If waiver is contrar, to law0 *ublic or-er0 *ublic *olic,0 )orals or %oo- custo)s 1. Ift&e waiver woul- be *re5u-icial to a 2r- *art, wit& a ri%&t reco%ni>e- b, law. De.%.0 If A owes B P$?:0B can/t waive t&e loan if B owes C an- B &as no ot&er assets.I' E(a)*les of waivers w&ic& are *ro&ibite-+$. Re*u-iation of future in&eritance1. aiver of t&e *rotection of *actu) co))issoriu)2. aiver of future su**ort4. aiver of e)*lo,)ent benefits in a-vanceG. aiver of )ini)u) wa%eE. aiver of t&e ri%&t to revo8e a willArt. Q. Laws are re*eale- onl, b, subse9uent ones0 an- t&eir violation or nonMobservance s&all not bee(cuse-b,-isuse0 orcusto)or*racticetot&econtrar,.&ent&ecourts-eclare-alawtobeinconsistent wit& t&e Constitution0 t&e for)er s&all be voi- an- t&e latter s&all %overn. A-)inistrativeor e(ecutive acts0 or-ers an- re%ulations s&all be vali- onl, w&en t&e, are not contrar, to t&e laws ort&e Constitution.' Article Q is obvious because ti)e )oves forwar-.' "nl, subse9uent laws can re*eal *rior laws eit&er t&rou%&+$. A re*ealin% clause1. Inco)*atibilit, of t&e subse9uent an- *rior laws' T&e violation of a law is not 5ustifie- even if+$. No one follows t&e law Di.e.0 non*a,)ent of ta(esI1. T&ere is a custo) to t&e contrar, ' T&e 1n- *ar. of Article Q is 5u-icial review in statutor, for).Art. H. Lu-icial -ecisions a**l,in% or inter*retin% t&e laws or t&e Constitution s&all for) a *art of t&ele%al s,ste) of t&e P&ili**ines.' T&is is a new *rovision ta8en fro) co))on law. 3n-er t&e civillaw tra-ition0 t&e court )erel,a**lies t&e law. However since t&e P&ili**ine le%al s,ste) is a co)bination of civil law an- co))onlaw0 courts a**l, statutes as well as resort to t&e -octrine of *rece-ent.Art. F. No 5u-%eor court s&all -eclinetoren-er 5u-%)entb, reasonoft&esilence0 obscurit,orinsufficienc, of t&e laws.Art. $?. In case of -oubt in t&e inter*retation or a**lication of laws0 it is *resu)e- t&at t&e law)a8in%bo-, inten-e- ri%&t an- 5ustice to *revail.' &at if t&e law is silent7 T&e court s&oul- ren-er a -ecision base- on 5ustice as state- in Article $?.Art. $$. Custo)s w&ic& are contrar, to law0 *ublic or-er or *ublic *olic, s&all not be countenance-.' &at if custo)s are not contrar, to law7 T&e custo) woul- be countenance-. However0 t&is -oesnot )ean t&at t&e custo) woul- &ave obli%ator, force.Art. $1. A custo) )ust be *rove- as a fact0 accor-in% to t&e rules of evi-ence.'T&elaw-oesn/t s*ecif,t&ecasesw&encusto)isrelevantinliti%ation. Butincasecusto)isrelevant0 it s&oul- be *roven.' Co))entators sa, t&at custo) is i)*ortant in cases involvin% ne%li%ence. For e(a)*le0 if a 8alesain :anila is b, custo) su**ose- to &ave rattan bas8ets to *revent *eo*le fro) sli**in%0 if a *ersonsli*s because t&ere is no rattan bas8et0 t&en &e can sue for ne%li%ence.Art. $2. &en t&e laws s*ea8 of ,ears0 )ont&s0 -a,s or ni%&ts0 it s&all be un-erstoo- t&at ,ears are oft&ree &un-re- si(t,Mfive -a,s eac&6 )ont&s0 of t&irt, -a,s6 -a,s0 of twent,Mfour &ours6 an- ni%&tsfro)sunsettosunrise. If )ont&sare-esi%nate-b,t&eirna)e0 t&e,s&all beco)*ute-b,t&enu)ber of -a,s w&ic& t&e, res*ectivel, &ave. In co)*utin% a *erio-0 t&e first -a, s&all be e(clu-e-0an- t&e last -a, inclu-e-.' Article $2 &as been su*erse-e- b, E(ecutive "r-er No. 1F1 Dt&e Revise- A-)inistrative Co-e of$FHQI N Boo8 $0 S2$.Sec. 2$. Le%alPerio-s. N e- outsi-e t&e P&ili**inesin accor-ance wit& t&e laws in force in t&e countr, w&ere t&e, were sole)ni>e- an- vali- t&ere assuc&0 is also vali- in t&e P&ili**ines.' E(ce*tion+ If t&e )arria%e is voi- un-er P&ili**ine law0 t&en t&e )arria%e is voi- even if it is vali- int&e countr, w&ere t&e )arria%e was sole)ni>e- .E(ce*tion to t&e e(ce*tion+$. Article 2G0 10 Fa)il, Co-eArt. 2G. T&e followin% )arria%es s&all be voi- fro) t&e be%innin%+D1I T&ose sole)ni>e- b, an, *erson not le%all, aut&ori>e- to *erfor))arria%es unless suc&)arria%es were contracte- wit& eit&er or bot& *arties believin% in %oo- fait& t&at t&e sole)ni>in%officer &a- t&e le%al aut&orit, to -o so6 1.Article 2G0 20 Fa)il, Co-e Art. 2G. T&e followin% )arria%es s&all be voi- fro) t&e be%innin%+D2I T&ose sole)ni>e- wit&out license0 e(ce*t t&ose covere- t&e *rece-in% C&a*ter6 Even if t&e forei%n)arria%e -i- not co)*l, wit& eit&er s 1 an- 2 of Article 2G0 P&ili**ine law will reco%ni>e t&e )arria%eas vali- as lon% as it is vali- un-er forei%n law.Art. $E0 $. Real *ro*ert, as well as *ersonal *ro*ert, is sub5ect to t&e law of t&e countr, w&ere it issti*ulate-.' Le( situs or le( rei sitae %overns real or *ersonal *ro*ert, D*ro*ert, is sub5ect to t&e laws of t&ecountr, in w&ic& it is locate-I.' In Ta,a% vs. Ben%uet consoli-ate-0 t&e SC sai- t&at P&ili**ine law s&all %overn in cases involvin%s&ares of stoc8 of a P&ili**ine cor*oration even if t&e owner is in t&e 3S. Art. $E0 1. However0 intestatean- testa)entar, successions0 bot& wit& res*ect to t&e or-er of succession an- to t&e a)ount ofsuccessional ri%&ts an- to t&e intrinsic vali-it, of testa)entar, *rovisions0 s&all be re%ulate- b, t&enational law of t&e *erson w&ose succession is un-er consi-eration0 w&atever )a, be t&e nature oft&e *ro*ert, an- re%ar-less of t&e countr, w&erein sai- *ro*ert, )a, be foun-.' T&is is )erel, an e(tension of t&e nationalit, t&eor, in Article $G.' T&e national law of t&e -ece-ent re%ar-less of t&e location of t&e *ro*ert, s&all %overn. T&us0 t&enational law of t&e -ece-ent s&all -eter)ine w&o will succee-.' In :iciano vs. Bri)o0 t&e SC sai- t&at t&e will of a forei%ner containin% t&e con-ition t&at t&e law oft&e P&ili**ines s&oul- %overn re%ar-in% t&e -istribution of t&e *ro*erties is invali-.' In A>nar vs. Garcia0 w&at was involve- was t&e renvoi -octrine. In t&is case0 t&e -ece-ent was aciti>en of California w&oresi-e- int&e P&ili**ine. T&e *roble) was t&at un-er P&ili**ine law0 t&enational law of t&e -ece-ent s&all %overn. "n t&e ot&er &an-0 un-er California law0 t&e law of t&e statew&ere t&e -ece-ent &as &is -o)icile s&all %overn. T&e SC acce*te- t&e referral b, California law an-a**lie- P&ili**ine law Dsin%le renvoiI.' Proble)+ &at if t&e-ece-ent is aFili*ino-o)icile-inaforei%ncountr,w&ic&follows t&e-o)iciliar, t&eor,7 Accor-in% to Professor Balane0 one wa, to resolve t&e situation is t&is N P&ili**inelaw s&oul- %overn wit& res*ect to *ro*erties in P&ili**ine w&ile t&e law of t&e -o)icile s&oul- %overnwit&res*ectto*ro*ertieslocate-int&estateof -o)icile. Art. $Q. T&efor)san-sole)nitiesofcontracts0 wills0 an- ot&er *ublic instru)ents s&all be %overne- b, t&e laws of t&e countr, in w&ic&t&e, are e(ecute-. &en t&e acts referre- to are e(ecute- before t&e -i*lo)atic or consular officialsof t&e Re*ublic of t&e P&ili**ines in a forei%n countr,0 t&e sole)nities establis&e- b, P&ili**ine lawss&all be observe- in t&eir e(ecution. Pro&ibitive laws concernin% *ersons0 t&eir acts or *ro*ert,0 an-t&ose w&ic& &ave for t&eir ob5ect *ublic or-er0 *ublic *olic, an- %oo- custo)s s&all not be ren-ere-ineffective b, laws or 5u-%)ents *ro)ul%ate-0 or b, -eter)inations or conventions a%ree- u*on in aforei%n countr,.'Le(loci celebrationisDfor)al re9uire)entsof contracts0 wills0 an-ot&er*ublicinstru)entsare%overne- b, t&e countr, in w&ic& t&e, are e(ecute-I' T&ere is no conflict between t&e $st of Article $E an- t&e $st of Article $Q since t&e, tal8 of 1-ifferent t&in%s.' T&us0 t&e for)al re9uire)ents of a contract involvin% real *ro*ert, in t&e P&ili**ines )ust follow t&efor)al re9uire)ents of t&e *lace w&ere t&e contract was entere- into. However0 if w&at is involve- isnot t&e for)al re9uire)ents0 t&en t&e law of t&e *lace w&ere t&e *ro*erties Dw&et&er real or *ersonalIare locate- s&all %overn.Art. $H. In )atters w&ic& are %overne- b, t&e Co-e of Co))erce an- s*ecial laws0 t&eir -eficienc,s&all be su**lie- b, t&e *rovisions of t&is Co-e.III. Hu)an RelationsArt. $F. Ever, *erson )ust0 in t&e e(ercise of &is ri%&ts an- in t&e *erfor)ance of &is -uties0 act wit&5ustice0 %ive ever,one &is -ue0 an- observe &onest, an- %oo- fait&.Art. 1?. Ever, *erson w&o0 contrar, to law0 willfull, or ne%li%entl, causes -a)a%e to anot&er0 s&allin-e)nif, t&e latter for t&e sa)e.Art. 1$. An, *erson w&o willfull, causes loss or in5ur, to anot&er in )anner t&at is contrar, to )orals0%oo- custo)s or *ublic *olic, s&all co)*ensate t&e latter for t&e -a)a%e.Art. 11. Ever, *erson w&o t&rou%& an act of *erfor)ance b, anot&er0 or an, ot&er )eans0 ac9uires orco)es into *ossession of so)et&in% at t&e e(*ense of t&e latter wit&out 5ust or le%al %roun-0 s&allreturn t&e sa)e to &i).Art. 12. Even w&en an act or event causin% -a)a%e to anot&er/s *ro*ert, was not -ue to t&e fault orne%li%ence of t&e -efen-ant0 t&e latter s&all be liable for in-e)nit, if t&rou%& t&e act or event &e wasbenefite-.Art. 14. In all contractual0 *ro*ert, or ot&er relations0 w&en one of t&e *arties is at a -isa-vanta%e onaccount of &is )oral -e*en-ence0 i%norance0 in-i%ence0 )ental wea8ness0 ten-er a%e or ot&er&an-ica*0 t&e courts )ust be vi%ilant for &is *rotection.Art. 1G. T&ou%&tless e(trava%ance in e(*enses for *leasure or -is*la, -urin% a *erio- of acute *ublicwant or e)er%enc, )a, be sto**e- b, or-er of t&e courts at t&e instance of an, %overn)ent or*rivate c&aritable institution.Art. 1E. Ever, *erson s&all res*ect t&e -i%nit,0 *ersonalit,0 *rivac, an- *eace of )in- of &is nei%&borsan- ot&er *ersons. T&e followin% an- si)ilar acts0 t&ou%& t&e, )a, not constitute a cri)inal offense0s&all *ro-uce a cause of action for -a)a%es0 *revention an- ot&er relief+D$I Pr,in% into t&e *rivac, of anot&er/s resi-ence6D1I :e--lin% wit& or -isturbin% t&e *rivate life or fa)il, relations of anot&er6D2I Intri%uin% to cause anot&er to be alienate- fro) &is frien-s6D4I !e(in% or &u)iliatin% anot&er on account of &is reli%ious beliefs0 lowl, station in life0 *lace of birt&0*&,sical -efect0 or ot&er *ersonal con-ition.Art. 1Q. An, *erson sufferin% )aterial or )oral loss because a *ublic servant or e)*lo,ee refuses orne%lects0 wit&out 5ust cause0 to *erfor) &is official -ut, )a, file an action for -a)a%es an- ot&errelief a%ainst &e latter0 wit&out *re5u-ice to an, -isci*linar, a-)inistrative action t&at )a, be ta8en.Art. 1H. 3nfair co)*etition in a%ricultural0 co))ercial or in-ustrial enter*rises or in labor t&rou%& t&euse of force0 inti)i-ation0 -eceit0 )ac&ination or an, ot&er un5ust0 o**ressive or &i%&&an-e- )et&o-s&all %ive rise to a ri%&t of action b, t&e *erson w&o t&ereb, suffers -a)a%e.Art. 1F. &en t&e accuse- in a cri)inal *rosecution is ac9uitte- on t&e %roun- t&at &is %uilt &as notbeen *rove- be,on- reasonable -oubt0 a civil action for -a)a%es for t&e sa)e act or o)ission )a, beinstitute-. Suc& action re9uires onl, a *re*on-erance of evi-ence. 3*on )otion of t&e -efen-ant0 t&ecourt )a, re9uire t&e *laintiff to file a bon- to answer for -a)a%es in case t&e co)*laint s&oul- befoun- to be )alicious. If in a cri)inal case t&e 5u-%)ent of ac9uittal is base- u*on reasonable -oubt0t&e court s&all so -eclare. In t&e absence of an, -eclaration to t&at effect0 it )a, be inferre- fro) t&ete(t of t&e -ecision w&et&er or not t&e ac9uittal is -ue to t&at %roun-.Art. 2?. &en a se*arate civil action is brou%&t to -e)an- civil liabilit, arisin% fro) a cri)inal offense0an- no cri)inal *rocee-in%s are institute- -urin% t&e *en-enc, of t&e civil case0 a *re*on-erance ofevi-ence s&all li8ewise be sufficient to *rove t&e act co)*laine- of.Art. 2$. &ent&ecivil actionis base-onanobli%ationnot arisin%fro)t&e act or o)issionco)*laine- of as a felon,0 suc& civil action )a, *rocee- in-e*en-entl, of t&e cri)inal *rocee-in%s an-re%ar-less of t&e result of t&e latter.Art. 21. An, *ublic officer or e)*lo,ee0 or an, *rivate in-ivi-ual0 w&o -irectl, or in-irectl, obstructs0-efeats0violates orin an,)anner i)*e-es or i)*airs an, of t&e followin%ri%&ts an- liberties ofanot&er *erson s&all be liable to t&e latter for -a)a%es+D$I Free-o) or reli%ion6D1I Free-o) of s*eec&6D2I Free-o) to write for t&e *ress or to )aintain a *erio-ical *ublication6D4I Free-o) fro) arbitrar, or ille%al -etention6DGI Free-o) of suffra%e6DEI T&e ri%&t a%ainst -e*rivation of *ro*ert, wit&out -ue *rocess of law6DQI T&e ri%&t to a 5ust co)*ensation w&en *rivate *ro*ert, is ta8en for *ublic use6DHI T&e ri%&t to t&e e9ual *rotection of t&e laws6DFI T&e ri%&t to be secure in one/s *erson0 &ouse0 *a*ers0 an- effects a%ainst unreasonable searc&esan- sei>ures6D$?I T&e libert, of abo-e an- of c&an%in% t&e sa)e6D$$I T&e *rivac, of co))unication an- corres*on-ence6D$1I T&e ri%&t to beco)e a )e)ber of associations or societies for *ur*oses not contrar, to law6D$2I T&eri%&t tota8e*art ina*eaceableasse)bl,to*etitiont&eGovern)ent for re-ressof%rievances6D$4I T&e ri%&t to be a free fro) involuntar, servitu-e in an, for)6D$GI T&e ri%&t of t&e accuse- a%ainst e(cessive bail6D$EI T&e ri%&t of t&e accuse- to be &ear- b, &i)self an- counsel0 to be infor)e- of t&e nature an-cause of t&e accusation a%ainst &i)0 to &ave a s*ee-, an- *ublic trial0 to )eet t&e witnesses face toface0 an- to &ave co)*ulsor, *rocess to secure t&e atten-ance of witness in &is be&alf6D$QI Free-o) fro) bein% co)*elle- to be a witness a%ainst one/s self0 or fro) bein% force- to confess%uilt0 or fro) bein% in-uce- b, a *ro)ise of i))unit, or rewar- to )a8e suc& confession0 e(ce*tw&en t&e *erson confessin% beco)es a State witness6D$HI Free-o) fro) e(cessive fines0 or cruel an- unusual *unis&)ent0 unless t&e sa)e is i)*ose- orinflicte- in accor-ance wit& a statute w&ic& &as not been 5u-iciall, -eclare- unconstitutional6 an-D$FI Free-o) of access to t&e courts. In an, of t&e cases referre- to in t&is article0 w&et&er or not t&e-efen-ant/s act or o)issionconstitutes a cri)inal offense0 t&e a%%rieve- *art, &as a ri%&t toco))ence an entirel, se*arate an- -istinct civil action for -a)a%es0 an- for ot&er relief. Suc& civilaction s&all *rocee- in-e*en-entl, of an, cri)inal *rosecution Dif t&e latter be institute-I0 an- )at be*rove-b,a*re*on-eranceof evi-ence. T&ein-e)nit,s&all inclu-e)oral -a)a%es. E(e)*lar,-a)a%es )a, also be a-5u-icate-. T&e res*onsibilit, &erein set fort& is not -e)an-able fro) a 5u-%eunless &is act or o)ission constitutes a violation of t&e Penal Co-e or ot&er *enal statute.Art. 22. Incasesof -efa)ation0 frau-0 an-*&,sical in5uriesacivil actionfor -a)a%es0 entirel,se*arate an- -istinct fro) t&e cri)inal action0 )a, be brou%&t b, t&e in5ure- *art,. Suc& civil actions&all *rocee- in-e*en-entl, of t&e cri)inal*rosecution0 an- s&all re9uire onl, a *re*on-erance ofevi-ence.Art. 24. &en a )e)ber of a cit, or )unici*al *olice force refuses or fails to ren-er ai- or *rotectionto an, *erson in case of -an%er to life or *ro*ert,0 suc& *eace officer s&allbe *ri)aril, liable for-a)a%es0 an- t&e cit, or )unici*alit, s&all be subsi-iaril, res*onsible t&erefor. T&e civil action &ereinreco%ni>e- s&all be in-e*en-ent of an, cri)inal *rocee-in%s0 an- a *re*on-erance of evi-ence s&allsuffice to su**ort suc& action.Art. 2G. &en a *erson0 clai)in% to be in5ure- b, a cri)inal offense0 c&ar%es anot&er wit& t&e sa)e0for w&ic& no in-e*en-ent civil action is %rante- in t&is Co-e or an, s*ecial law0 but t&e 5ustice of t&e*eace fin-s no reasonable %roun-s to believe t&at a cri)e &as been co))itte-0 or t&e *rosecutin%attorne, refuses or fails to institute cri)inal *rocee-in%s0 t&e co)*laint )a, brin% a civil action for-a)a%es a%ainstt&ealle%e-offen-er.Suc&civil action)a,besu**orte-b,a *re*on-eranceofevi-ence. 3*on t&e -efen-ant/s )otion0 t&e court )a, re9uire t&e *laintiff to file a bon- to in-e)nif,t&e -efen-ant in case t&e co)*laint s&oul- be foun- to be )alicious. If -urin% t&e *en-enc, of t&ecivil action0 an infor)ation s&oul- be *resente- b, t&e *rosecutin% attorne,0 t&e civil action s&all besus*en-e- until t&e ter)ination of t&e cri)inal *rocee-in%s.Art. 2E. PreM5u-icial 9uestions0 w&ic&)ust be-eci-e-beforean,cri)inal *rosecution)a,beinstitute-or )a,*rocee-0 s&all be%overne-b,rules of court w&ic&t&eSu*re)eCourt s&all*ro)ul%ate an- w&ic& s&all not be in conflict wit& t&e *rovisions of t&is Co-e.