Question

Mr. Santos is a farmer residing in a rural community in the Philippines. For generations, it has been a customary practice in their community for farmers to share a portion of their harvest with the barangay captain as a sign of respect and gratitude for his leadership and support.

However, Mr. Santos refuses to comply with this customary practice and argues that it is not enforceable because it is not written in any law. He believes that he has the right to keep the entirety of his harvest and that the barangay captain has no legal basis to demand a share.

Discuss the effect and application of laws with regard to customs, specifically in this scenario. Can the customary practice of sharing a portion of the harvest be enforced against Mr. Santos? Explain your answer and cite relevant provisions of the Civil Code, particularly Articles 11 and 12.