Text of the provision
Art. 1370. If the terms of a contract are clear and leave no doubt upon the intention of the contracting parties, the literal meaning of its stipulations shall control. If the words appear to be contrary to the evident intention of the parties, the latter shall prevail over the former.
(1281)
Civil Code of the Philippines, Republic Act No. 386, approved June 18, 1949, effective August 30, 1950. Reproduced in full; verified verbatim against the LawPhil and ChanRobles official-text renderings.
What this article means
If the terms of a contract are clear, their literal meaning controls. But if the words appear contrary to the evident intention of the parties, the intention prevails over the words. The primary rule of contract interpretation.
Related provisions
- Article 1369 — Procedure for Reformation.
- Article 1371 — Contemporaneous and Subsequent Acts.
Cases citing this article
- Metropolitan Bank & Trust Company vs. G & P Builders, Incorporated, Spouses Elpidio and Rose Violet Paras, Spouses Jesus and Ma. Consuelo Paras and Victoria Paras, G.R. No. 189509, November 23,2015 — read the decision on LawPhil →
- Enrique C. Abad, et al. vs. Goldloop Properties, Inc, G.R. No. 168108, April 13, 2007 — read the decision on LawPhil →
- Spouses Lourdes V. Rafael and Raul I. Rafael vs. Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), G.R. No. 252073, July 18, 2022 — read the decision on LawPhil →
- Carlos J. Valdes, Gabriel A.S. Valdes, Fatima Dela Conception and Asuncion V. Mercado, G.R. No. 208140, July 12, 2021 — read the decision on LawPhil →
- Voltaire Hans N. Bongcaya, doing business under the name and style of VHB Biopro, G.R. No. 225438, January 20, 2021 — read the decision on LawPhil →
Compiled automatically from Supreme Court decisions published on LawPhil that expressly cite this article, most frequently cited first. A listing means the decision cites the provision — it is not a statement that the case is the leading authority, and it does not show whether a ruling has since been modified or abandoned. Always read the decision itself.