Text of the provision
Art. 719. Whoever finds a movable, which is not treasure, must return it to its previous possessor. If the latter is unknown, the finder shall immediately deposit it with the mayor of the city or municipality where the finding has taken place. The finding shall be publicly announced by the mayor for two consecutive weeks in the way he deems best. If the movable cannot be kept without deterioration, or without expenses which considerably diminish its value, it shall be sold at public auction eight days after the publication. Six months from the publication having elapsed without the owner having appeared, the thing found, or its value, shall be awarded to the finder. The finder and the owner shall be obliged, as the case may be, to reimburse the expenses.
(615a)
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
Whoever finds a movable that is not treasure must return it to its previous possessor; if that person is unknown, the finder must deposit it with the mayor of the place of finding, who announces it publicly for two consecutive weeks. Perishable things may be auctioned eight days after publication, and if six months pass with no owner appearing, the thing or its value goes to the finder, with expenses reimbursed as the case may be.
Questions about this provision
Related provisions
- Article 718 — Finder Of Treasure On Another's Land.
- Article 721 — Ownership By Intellectual Creation.
Cases interpreting this article
- Authorities on this article will be added here as each is verified against primary sources.