For the purpose of the preceding articles, obligation to give definite things and those which are not susceptible of partial performance shall be deemed to be indivisible.
When the obligation has for its object the execution of a certain number of days of work, the accomplishment of work by metrical units, or analogous things which by their nature are susceptible of partial performance, it shall be divisible.
However, even though the object or service may be physically divisible, an obligation is indivisible if so provided by law or intended by the parties.
In obligations not to do, divisibility or indivisibility shall be determined by the character of the prestation in each particular case. (1151a)
Para sa mga susunod na artikulo, ang obligasyon na magbigay ng natatanging mga bagay at para sa mga gawaing hindi maaaring magawa nang pahapyaw ay inaakalang hindi na mahahati.
Kung ang pagtupad ng obligasyon ay sumasaklaw sa arawan o ang pagganap nito ay masusukat, o di kaya ito mga bagay na analogo na maaaring magawa nang pahapyaw, ito ay mahahati.
Ngunit kahit ang isang bagay o serbisyo ay pwedeng mahati nang pisikal, ang obligasyon ay mananatiling buo kung ito ay nakasaad sa batas o di kaya ay intensyong maging buo ng baway partido.
Para sa mga obligasyong hindi paggawa, and pagigin buo o di buo nito ay itatakda ng karakter ng prestation ng bawat kaso.
Discussion:
Effect of illegality of a part of a contract
- Divisible Contract – if the contract is divisible and a part of it is illegal, the illegal part of the contract is considered void and not enforceable.
- Indivisible Contract – if the contract is indivisible and a part of it is illegal, the entire contract is considered void and not enforceable.
Effect of partial performance of an indivisible contract
When an obligation is indivisible, it is not susceptible to partial performance, therefore, a debtors who only does a part of the obligation cannot revocer payment for the partial work that he has done because for an indivisible contract, partial performance is equivalent to non-performance.
Case Illustration: Angel Jose Warehousing Co. Inc. vs. Chelda Enterprises (23 SCRA 119)
Obligations and Contracts 