Practice question
If a criminal fine and civil indemnity happen to be numerically equal, are they necessarily one obligation?
- No.
- Yes; equal numbers always mean identical legal obligations.
- Only the fine exists in every case.
- Only the indemnity exists in every case.
- The debtor may choose either label to erase both.
Legal references
- Nanzan v. People, G.R. No. 262084, April 3, 2024, main decision, fine versus civil indemnity and Article 38 preference: https://elibrary.judiciary.gov.ph/thebookshelf/showdocs/18/69480
- Revised Penal Code, Articles 38, 112 and 113, cited civil-payment and extinction rules: https://elibrary.judiciary.gov.ph/thebookshelf/showdocs/28/20426
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