Case Digest (G.R. No. 97336) Core Legal Reasoning Model
Core Legal Reasoning Model
Facts:
Gashem Shookat Baksh, an Iranian medical student residing at the Lozano Apartments in Guilig, Dagupan City, courted Marilou T. Gonzales, a 22-year-old Filipino employee of Mabuhay Luncheonette, whom he met on August 3, 1986, through manager Johnny Rabino. Baksh proposed marriage on several occasions, which Gonzales accepted on August 20, 1987, on condition they wed after the semester in October. He then visited her parents in Banaga, Bugallon, Pangasinan, secured their consent, was photographed with the family, and wedding preparations ensued. Gonzales, a virgin, lived with him in his apartment and became pregnant, only for Baksh to induce an abortion. In early October his attitude changed: he maltreated, threatened her, and repudiated the marriage pact, claiming he was already married in Bacolod—though a pre-trial stipulation later established he was single. On October 27, 1987, Gonzales filed Civil Case No. 16503 in the Regional Trial Court (RTC) of Pangasinan seeking not less Case Digest (G.R. No. 97336) Expanded Legal Reasoning Model
Expanded Legal Reasoning Model
Facts:
- Background of the Parties and Relationship
- Private respondent Marilou T. Gonzales, a 22-year-old single Filipino woman of good moral character, was employed as a waitress and living in Dagupan City.
- Petitioner Gashem Shookat Baksh, a single Iranian exchange student taking up medicine at Lyceum-Northwestern Colleges, met Marilou in August 1986 and began courting her.
- On August 20, 1987, petitioner purportedly proposed marriage; they agreed to wed after the October semester and he visited her parents in Bugallon to secure their consent.
- Shortly thereafter, petitioner allegedly coerced Marilou into a live-in relationship at his apartment; she was a virgin at that time.
- Procedural History
- October 27, 1987: Marilou filed Civil Case No. 16503 for damages of not less than ₱45,000 for petitioner’s breach of promise to marry, actual expenses (₱600), attorney’s fees and costs.
- Petitioner’s Answer denied proposal, consent, mistreatment and alleged Marilou deceived him; counterclaimed ₱5,000 for expenses and ₱25,000 moral damages for malicious prosecution.
- January 25, 1988: Pre-Trial Order stipulated four facts on residence, employment, education and first meeting on August 3, 1986.
- October 16, 1989: RTC Branch 38, Lingayen, rendered judgment in favor of Marilou, awarding ₱20,000 moral damages, ₱3,000 attorney’s fees, ₱2,000 litigation expenses and costs.
- February 18, 1991: CA in CA-G.R. CV No. 24256 affirmed the RTC decision; found petitioner’s promise to marry was a fraudulent device to gain respondent’s virtue and parental approval.
- March 26, 1991: Petitioner filed a petition for certiorari under Rule 45 with the Supreme Court, contending Article 21 is inapplicable and he acted without bad faith or intent to marry.
Issues:
- Whether damages may be recovered for breach of promise to marry on the basis of Article 21 of the Civil Code of the Philippines.
Ruling:
- (Subscriber-Only)
Ratio:
- (Subscriber-Only)
Doctrine:
- (Subscriber-Only)