Report: ARTICLE 1 of the CIVIL CODE (R.A. No. 386)

ARTICLE 1. THIS ACT SHALL BE KNOWN AS THE "CIVIL CODE OF THE PHILIPPINES." (n)

Civil Code of the Philippines is the basic law governing persons and family relation, property and property rights, ownership of modifications, the modes of acquiring ownership and the obligations and contracts.

It is the product of codification of private law in the Philippines.

Public Law - governs relationship between individuals and the government, usually deals with issue that affect the society as a whole.

Private Law - involves relationship between individuals, rights and obligations, families, businesses and small group and exist to assist citizens in disputes that involve private matter. Its scope is more specific than public law.

Concept of Civil code

Civil Code is defined as a collection of laws, which regulates the private relations of the members of civil society, determining the respective rights and obligations, with reference to person, things and civil acts (1 Tolentino, Civil Code, p. 10, 1974 ed.)

Sources of the Philippine Civil Code.

The sources of the Civil Code of the Philippines are the following:

(1) Civil Code of Spain of 1889;

(2) Codes and laws of other countries, such as Spain, the various States of the United States of America, like California and Louisiana, France, Argentina, Mexico, Switzerland, England and Italy;

(3) Judicial decisions of the Supreme Court of the Philippines, of the U.S.A., Spain and other countries;

(4)Philippine laws or statutes such as the Code of Civil Procedure (Act No. 190). The Rules of Court, The Marriage Law (Act No. 3613), The Divorce Law (Act No. 2710), The Family Code (E.O. 229, as amended by E.O No. 227), and The Inter-Country Adaption Law (R.A. No. 8043);

(5) Works of jurists and commentators of various nations;

(6) Filipino customs and traditions; and

(7) The Code Commission itself. (See: Report of the Code Commission, pp 2-3)

- This act is composed of many articles that protects and provides one's rights, duties and obligations, and protection of private interest. It also regulates the relationship of individuals, not only among themselves but with the state.

As a citizen under a particular country/territory, Philippines, knowing the law means taking responsible steps and act legally.

Reference:

Family Code of the Philippines by Judge Ed Vincent S. Albano