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.
Related provisions
- Article 19 — the abuse-of-rights standard.
- Article 25 — restraint of extravagance in hard times.
Cases interpreting this article
- Authorities on this article will be added here as each is verified against primary sources.