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A government-owned water district extends PHP 900,000 to D for a water-system improvement project. D signs a promissory note but later defaults. After trial, the court renders a money judgment in favor of the water district. D shows a monthly take-home pay of PHP 18,500 and owns a house valued at PHP 2,000,000 and a motorcycle valued at PHP 150,000. The creditor moves for imprisonment of D for non-payment to enforce the judgment, and the court issues an arrest warrant. D challenges that imprisonment for debt is prohibited by the Constitution.
(a) Identify the controlling doctrine and the constitutional basis.
(b) Distinguish the enforcement remedies available for collecting a civil debt from imprisonment for debt.
(c) Apply the doctrine to the facts and determine whether the arrest is lawful and what remedies the creditor may pursue.