Text of the provision
Art. 526. He is deemed a possessor in good faith who is not aware that there exists in his title or mode of acquisition any flaw which invalidates it. He is deemed a possessor in bad faith who possesses in any case contrary to the foregoing. Mistake upon a doubtful or difficult question of law may be the basis of good faith.
(433a)
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
A possessor is in good faith when unaware of any flaw in their title or mode of acquisition, and in bad faith otherwise. A mistake on a doubtful or difficult question of law may be a basis for good faith. Good or bad faith determines the possessor's rights to fruits and expenses.
Related provisions
- Article 525 — Concepts of Possession.
- Article 527 — Good Faith Is Presumed.
Cases citing this article
- Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company vs. Citi Appliance M.C. Corporation, G.R. No. 214546, October 9, 2019 — read the decision on LawPhil →
- Pen Development Corporation and Las Brisas Resort Corporation vs. Martinez Leyba, Inc, G.R. No. 211845, August 9, 2017 — read the decision on LawPhil →
- Dolores Alejo vs. Sps. Ernesto Cortez and Priscilla San Pedro, Sps. Jorge Leonardo and Jacinta Leonardo and the Register of Deeds of Bulacan, G.R. No. 206114, June 19, 2017 — read the decision on LawPhil →
- National Housing Authority vs. Manila Seedling Bank Foundation, G.R. No. 183543, June 20, 2016 — 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.