Text of the provision
Art. 26. Every person shall respect the dignity, personality, privacy and peace of mind of his neighbors and other persons. The following and similar acts, though they may not constitute a criminal offense, shall produce a cause of action for damages, prevention and other relief:
(1) Prying into the privacy of another's residence;
(2) Meddling with or disturbing the private life or family relations of another;
(3) Intriguing to cause another to be alienated from his friends;
(4) Vexing or humiliating another on account of his religious beliefs, lowly station in life, place of birth, physical defect, or other personal condition.
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
This protects dignity, personality, privacy, and peace of mind as legal interests. The listed acts — prying into a home's privacy, meddling in another's family life, alienating someone from their friends, or humiliating a person for their beliefs, status, origin, or defects — give rise to a civil action for damages, prevention, and other relief even when they are not crimes. The enumeration is illustrative ("and similar acts"), not exclusive.
Questions about this provision
- My boss publicly humiliated me in front of my coworkers over a minor mistake — do I have any legal recourse for that?
- My landlord let himself into my rented unit while I was out, without telling me — is that a violation of my rights?
- What can I do if a neighbour interferes with my privacy and peace of mind?
Related provisions
- Article 19 — the abuse-of-rights standard.
- Article 25 — restraint of extravagance in hard times.
Cases citing this article
- MVRS Publications, Inc., et al. vs. Islamic Da'Wah Council of the Philippines, Inc., et al, G.R. No. 135306, January 28, 2003 — read the decision on LawPhil →
- Sps. Melchor and Yolanda Dorao vs. Sps. BBB and CCC, By Themselves and as Natural Guardians of Their Minor Daughter Aaa, G.R. No. 235737, April 26, 2023 — read the decision on LawPhil →
- Zenaida R. Gregorio vs. Court of Appeals, et al, G.R. No. 179799, September 11, 2009 — read the decision on LawPhil →
- RCPI vs. Alfonso Verchez, et al, G.R. No. 164349, January 31, 2006 — read the decision on LawPhil →
- Eduardo M. Cojuangco, Jr., et al. vs. Sandiganbayan, et al, G.R. No. 120640, August 8, 1996 — 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.