Text of the provision
Art. 1391. The action for annulment shall be brought within four years. This period shall begin: In cases of intimidation, violence or undue influence, from the time the defect of the consent ceases. In case of mistake or fraud, from the time of the discovery of the same. And when the action refers to contracts entered into by minors or other incapacitated persons, from the time the guardianship ceases.
(1301a)
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
The action for annulment prescribes in four years, counted: from the cessation of violence, intimidation, or undue influence; from the discovery of mistake or fraud; and for minors/incapacitated, from the end of guardianship.
Related provisions
- Article 1390 — Voidable Contracts.
- Article 1392 — Ratification Bars Annulment.
Cases citing this article
- First Philippine Holding Corporation vs. Trans Middle East (Phils.) Equities Inc, G.R. No. 179505, December 4, 2009 — read the decision on LawPhil →
- Heirs of Benigno Sumagang, represented by Jesus S. Abellanosa, et al. vs. Aznar Enterprises, G.R. No. 214315, August 14, 2019 — read the decision on LawPhil →
- Metropolitan Fabrics, Inc., et al. vs Prosperity Credit Resources, Inc. et al, G.R. No. 154390, March 17, 2014 — read the decision on LawPhil →
- Maria Cabotaje, et al. vs. Spouses Sotero Pudunan, et al, G.R. No. 134712, August 13, 2004 — read the decision on LawPhil →
- Bertini Cataluña Causing vs. People of the Philippines, G.R. No. 258524, April 8, 2026 — 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.