Recitation Q&A (Articles 1179–1222)
Art. 1179 – Pure obligations and conditional obligations
Problem 1: Daniel promised to pay Emma ₱50,000 without mentioning any condition or date.
Emma demanded payment immediately, but Daniel argued he could pay anytime since no period
was set. Is he correct?
Answer: No. This is a pure obligation demandable at once, even without a stipulated period.
Daniel must pay immediately. (Art. 1179)
Problem 2: Leo promised to give May his camera if she gets hired by a certain company. May
passed all interviews but the company decided to freeze hiring indefinitely. Does the obligation
arise?
Answer: No. The obligation does not arise because the suspensive condition (her hiring) did not
occur. (Art. 1179)
Art. 1180 – Obligation with a period dependent on the debtor’s will
Problem 1: Carlo bound himself to pay Mia “when I am ready.” Mia insists on immediate payment,
but Carlo refuses. What is the effect?
Answer: The obligation is void because the period depends solely on the debtor’s will. (Art. 1180)
Problem 2: Karlo promised to deliver rice “once I have harvested enough.” His harvest failed due
to pests. Is the obligation valid?
Answer: No. The obligation is void since the period’s fulfillment depends entirely on the debtor’s
will. (Art. 1180)
Art. 1181 – Effects of happening of condition
Problem 1: Sofia promised to transfer her land title to Arnel if he finishes law school. He
graduated and passed the Bar. Can Arnel now compel delivery?
Answer: Yes. Upon the happening of the suspensive condition, the obligation becomes effective
and demandable. (Art. 1181)
Problem 2: A contractor promised to give a 10% refund if the building is not finished by December
2025. December passed and the project was incomplete. What is the effect?
Answer: The resolutory condition occurred; the obligation to refund 10% took effect. (Art. 1181)
Art. 1182 – Conditions depending on the debtor’s will are void
Problem 1: Jude promised to pay ₱100,000 to Pia “if I decide so.” Pia sues him for collection. Will
she succeed?
Answer: No. The condition is void because it depends solely on the debtor’s will. (Art. 1182)
Problem 2: Marlo promised his creditor that he would deliver a laptop “if I feel generous enough.”
What is the effect?
Answer: The obligation is void since the suspensive condition is purely potestative on the debtor.
(Art. 1182)
Art. 1183 – Impossible conditions and those contrary to good customs are void
Problem 1: Anna promised to pay Bea ₱5,000 if Bea swims across the Pacific Ocean. Is this
condition valid?
Answer: No. The condition is physically impossible, hence void. (Art. 1183)
Problem 2: Luis promised to give ₱10,000 to Carlo if Carlo cheats on his exam. What is the effect
of the obligation?
Answer: It is void because the condition is contrary to good morals. (Art. 1183)
Art. 1184 – Suspensive condition with a period
Problem 1: Jona promised to deliver her piano if Kim passes the CPA exam before 2027. Kim
passed in 2028. What is the effect?
Answer: The obligation is extinguished because the condition was not fulfilled within the period.
(Art. 1184)
Problem 2: Lara promised to give her brother a laptop if he graduates before 2026. He graduated
in 2025. What is the effect?
Answer: The suspensive condition was fulfilled within the period; the obligation is demandable.
(Art. 1184)
Art. 1185 – Conditions not to do an act within a period
Problem 1: Mark promised not to sell his land within 3 years. After 2 years, he sold it. What is the
effect?
Answer: The obligation is violated; the condition not to do an act was breached within the
prohibited period. (Art. 1185)
Problem 2: Alex bound himself not to open a competing café until 2027. In 2026, he opened one.
What happens?
Answer: The obligation is violated since the act was done before the period expired. (Art. 1185)
Art. 1186 – Constructive fulfillment of condition
Problem 1: Ella promised to sell her house to Ramon if Ramon gets a bank loan. Ramon applied
and qualified, but Ella bribed the bank manager to deny the loan. Is the obligation deemed
fulfilled?
Answer: Yes. Under constructive fulfillment, the condition is deemed fulfilled if the obligor
voluntarily prevents its happening. (Art. 1186)
Problem 2: Juan promised his farm to Ana if Ana secures a business permit. Ana complied with
all requirements, but Juan used his influence to block the permit. Is the condition considered
fulfilled?
Answer: Yes. The obligor’s wrongful prevention of the condition makes it deemed fulfilled. (Art.
1186)
Art. 1187 – Effects of fulfillment of suspensive condition (retroactive)
Problem 1: Pedro promised to sell his house to Mario if Mario wins the lottery. Mario won in June
2026. What is the effect of the obligation retroactively?
Answer: The obligation is effective retroactively to the day the obligation was constituted, subject
to rules on fruits and interests. (Art. 1187)
Problem 2: Liza promised to give Carlo her car if he becomes a CPA. He passed the exams in
2027. Who is entitled to the car’s fruits (e.g., income from rentals) earned before 2027?
Answer: The creditor (Carlo) acquires the right retroactively from the constitution of the obligation,
but pending the condition, the debtor is entitled to fruits unless stipulated otherwise. (Art. 1187)
Art. 1188 – Rights of creditors and debtor during pendency of condition
Problem 1: D owes C ₱50,000 if D passes the licensure exam. While waiting, D tries to sell his
only property. Can C protect his rights?
Answer: Yes. The creditor may take steps to preserve his rights before the fulfillment of the
condition. (Art. 1188)
Problem 2: In the same case, may D recover payments he voluntarily made before passing the
exam?
Answer: Yes, the debtor may recover what he paid by mistake before the condition is fulfilled.
(Art. 1188)
