Philippine Supreme Court Jurisprudence


Philippine Supreme Court Jurisprudence > Year 2013 > January 2013 Decisions > G.R. No. 192986 : January 15, 2013 - ADVOCATES FOR TRUTH IN LENDING, INC. AND EDUARDO B. OLAGUER, Petitioners, v. BANGKO SENTRAL MONETARY BOARD, REPRESENTED BY ITS CHAIRMAN, GOVERNOR ARMANDO M. TETANGCO, JR., AND ITS INCUMBENT MEMBERS: JUANITA D. AMATONG, ALFREDO C. ANTONIO, PETER FAVILA, NELLY F. VILLAFUERTE, IGNACIO R. BUNYE AND CESAR V. PURISIMA, RESPONDENTS.:




G.R. No. 192986 : January 15, 2013 - ADVOCATES FOR TRUTH IN LENDING, INC. AND EDUARDO B. OLAGUER, Petitioners, v. BANGKO SENTRAL MONETARY BOARD, REPRESENTED BY ITS CHAIRMAN, GOVERNOR ARMANDO M. TETANGCO, JR., AND ITS INCUMBENT MEMBERS: JUANITA D. AMATONG, ALFREDO C. ANTONIO, PETER FAVILA, NELLY F. VILLAFUERTE, IGNACIO R. BUNYE AND CESAR V. PURISIMA, RESPONDENTS.

PHILIPPINE SUPREME COURT DECISIONS

EN BANC

[G.R. No. 192986, January 15, 2013]

ADVOCATES FOR TRUTH IN LENDING, INC. AND EDUARDO B. OLAGUER, Petitioners, v. BANGKO SENTRAL MONETARY BOARD, REPRESENTED BY ITS CHAIRMAN, GOVERNOR ARMANDO M. TETANGCO, JR., AND ITS INCUMBENT MEMBERS: JUANITA D. AMATONG, ALFREDO C. ANTONIO, PETER FAVILA, NELLY F. VILLAFUERTE, IGNACIO R. BUNYE AND CESAR V. PURISIMA, Respondents.

D E C I S I O N

REYES, J.:

Petitioners, claiming that they are raising issues of transcendental importance to the public, filed directly with this Court this Petition for Certiorari under Rule 65 of the 1997 Rules of Court, seeking to declare that the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Monetary Board (BSP-MB), replacing the Central Bank Monetary Board (CB-MB) by virtue of Republic Act (R.A.) No. 7653, has no authority to continue enforcing Central Bank Circular No. 905,1ςrνl1 issued by the CB-MB in 1982, which "suspended" Act No. 2655, or the Usury Law of 1916.cralawlibrary

Factual Antecedents

Petitioner "Advocates for Truth in Lending, Inc." (AFTIL) is a non- profit, non-stock corporation organized to engage in pro bono concerns and activities relating to money lending issues. It was incorporated on July 9, 2010,2ςrνl1 and a month later, it filed this petition, joined by its founder and president, Eduardo B. Olaguer, suing as a taxpayer and a citizen.cralawlibrary

R.A. No. 265, which created the Central Bank (CB) of the Philippines on June 15, 1948, empowered the CB-MB to, among others, set the maximum interest rates which banks may charge for all types of loans and other credit operations, within limits prescribed by the Usury Law. Section 109 of R.A. No. 265 reads:chanroblesvirtualawlibrary

Sec. 109. Interest Rates, Commissions and Charges. � The Monetary Board may fix the maximum rates of interest which banks may pay on deposits and on other obligations.cralawlibrary

The Monetary Board may, within the limits prescribed in the Usury Law fix the maximum rates of interest which banks may charge for different types of loans and for any other credit operations, or may fix the maximum differences which may exist between the interest or rediscount rates of the Central Bank and the rates which the banks may charge their customers if the respective credit documents are not to lose their eligibility for rediscount or advances in the Central Bank.cralawlibrary

Any modifications in the maximum interest rates permitted for the borrowing or lending operations of the banks shall apply only to future operations and not to those made prior to the date on which the modification becomes effective.cralawlibrary

In order to avoid possible evasion of maximum interest rates set by the Monetary Board, the Board may also fix the maximum rates that banks may pay to or collect from their customers in the form of commissions, discounts, charges, fees or payments of any sort. (Underlining ours)

On March 17, 1980, the Usury Law was amended by Presidential Decree (P.D.) No. 1684, giving the CB-MB authority to prescribe different maximum rates of interest which may be imposed for a loan or renewal thereof or the forbearance of any money, goods or credits, provided that the changes are effected gradually and announced in advance. Thus, Section 1-a of Act No. 2655 now reads:chanroblesvirtualawlibrary

Sec. 1-a. The Monetary Board is hereby authorized to prescribe the maximum rate or rates of interest for the loan or renewal thereof or the forbearance of any money, goods or credits, and to change such rate or rates whenever warranted by prevailing economic and social conditions: Provided, That changes in such rate or rates may be effected gradually on scheduled dates announced in advance.cralawlibrary

In the exercise of the authority herein granted the Monetary Board may prescribe higher maximum rates for loans of low priority, such as consumer loans or renewals thereof as well as such loans made by pawnshops, finance companies and other similar credit institutions although the rates prescribed for these institutions need not necessarily be uniform. The Monetary Board is also authorized to prescribe different maximum rate or rates for different types of borrowings, including deposits and deposit substitutes, or loans of financial intermediaries. (Underlining and emphasis ours)

In its Resolution No. 2224 dated December 3, 1982,3ςrνl1 the CB-MB issued CB Circular No. 905, Series of 1982, effective on January 1, 1983. Section 1 of the Circular, under its General Provisions, removed the ceilings on interest rates on loans or forbearance of any money, goods or credits, to wit:chanroblesvirtualawlibrary

Sec. 1. The rate of interest, including commissions, premiums, fees and other charges, on a loan or forbearance of any money, goods, or credits, regardless of maturity and whether secured or unsecured, that may be charged or collected by any person, whether natural or juridical, shall not be subject to any ceiling prescribed under or pursuant to the Usury Law, as amended. (Underscoring and emphasis ours)

The Circular then went on to amend Books I to IV of the CB's "Manual of Regulations for Banks and Other Financial Intermediaries" (Manual of Regulations) by removing the applicable ceilings on specific interest rates. Thus, Sections 5, 9 and 10 of CB Circular No. 905 amended Book I, Subsections 1303, 1349, 1388.1 of the Manual of Regulations, by removing the ceilings for interest and other charges, commissions, premiums, and fees applicable to commercial banks; Sections 12 and 17 removed the interest ceilings for thrift banks (Book II, Subsections 2303, 2349); Sections 19 and 21 removed the ceilings applicable to rural banks (Book III, Subsection 3152.3-c); and, Sections 26, 28, 30 and 32 removed the ceilings for non-bank financial intermediaries (Book IV, Subsections 4303Q.1 to 4303Q.9, 4303N.1, 4303P).4ςrνl1

On June 14, 1993, President Fidel V. Ramos signed into law R.A. No. 7653 establishing the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) to replace the CB. The repealing clause thereof, Section 135, reads:chanroblesvirtualawlibrary

Sec. 135. Repealing Clause. � Except as may be provided for in Sections 46 and 132 of this Act, Republic Act No. 265, as amended, the provisions of any other law, special charters, rule or regulation issued pursuant to said Republic Act No. 265, as amended, or parts thereof, which may be inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed. Presidential Decree No. 1792 is likewise repealed.

Petition for Certiorari

To justify their skipping the hierarchy of courts and going directly to this Court to secure a writ of certiorari, petitioners contend that the transcendental importance of their Petition can readily be seen in the issues raised therein, to wit:chanroblesvirtualawlibrary

a)
Whether under R.A. No. 265 and/or P.D. No. 1684, the CB-MB had the statutory or constitutional authority to prescribe the maximum rates of interest for all kinds of credit transactions and forbearance of money, goods or credit beyond the limits prescribed in the Usury Law;
b)
If so, whether the CB-MB exceeded its authority when it issued CB Circular No. 905, which removed all interest ceilings and thus suspended Act No. 2655 as regards usurious interest rates;
c)
Whether under R.A. No. 7653, the new BSP-MB may continue to enforce CB Circular No. 905.5ςrνl1

Petitioners attached to their petition copies of several Senate Bills and Resolutions of the 10th Congress, which held its sessions from 1995 to 1998, calling for investigations by the Senate Committee on Banks and Financial Institutions into alleged unconscionable commercial rates of interest imposed by these entities. Senate Bill (SB) Nos. 376ςrνl1 and 1860,7ςrνl1 filed by Senator Vicente C. Sotto III and the late Senator Blas F. Ople, respectively, sought to amend Act No. 2655 by fixing the rates of interest on loans and forbearance of credit; Philippine Senate Resolution (SR) No. 1053,8ςrνl1 10739ςrνl1 and 1102,10ςrνl1 filed by Senators Ramon B. Magsaysay, Jr., Gregorio B. Honasan and Franklin M. Drilon, respectively, urged the aforesaid Senate Committee to investigate ways to curb the high commercial interest rates then obtaining in the country; Senator Ernesto Maceda filed SB No. 1151 to prohibit the collection of more than two months of advance interest on any loan of money; and Senator Raul Roco filed SR No. 114411ςrνl1 seeking an investigation into an alleged cartel of commercial banks, called "Club 1821”, reportedly behind the regime of high interest rates. The petitioners also attached news clippings12ςrνl1 showing that in February 1998 the banks' prime lending rates, or interests on loans to their best borrowers, ranged from 26% to 31%.cralawlibrary

Petitioners contend that under Section 1-a of Act No. 2655, as amended by P.D. No. 1684, the CB-MB was authorized only to prescribe or set the maximum rates of interest for a loan or renewal thereof or for the forbearance of any money, goods or credits, and to change such rates whenever warranted by prevailing economic and social conditions, the changes to be effected gradually and on scheduled dates; that nothing in P.D. No. 1684 authorized the CB-MB to lift or suspend the limits of interest on all credit transactions, when it issued CB Circular No. 905. They further insist that under Section 109 of R.A. No. 265, the authority of the CB-MB was clearly only to fix the banks' maximum rates of interest, but always within the limits prescribed by the Usury Law.cralawlibrary

Thus, according to petitioners, CB Circular No. 905, which was promulgated without the benefit of any prior public hearing, is void because it violated Article 5 of the New Civil Code, which provides that "Acts executed against the provisions of mandatory or prohibitory laws shall be void, except when the law itself authorizes their validity.”

They further claim that just weeks after the issuance of CB Circular No. 905, the benchmark 91-day Treasury bills (T-bills),13ςrνl1 then known as "Jobo" bills14ςrνl1 shot up to 40% per annum, as a result. The banks immediately followed suit and re-priced their loans to rates which were even higher than those of the "Jobo" bills. Petitioners thus assert that CB Circular No. 905 is also unconstitutional in light of Section 1 of the Bill of Rights, which commands that "no person shall be deprived of life, liberty or property without due process of law, nor shall any person be denied the equal protection of the laws.”

Finally, petitioners point out that R.A. No. 7653 did not re-enact a provision similar to Section 109 of R.A. No. 265, and therefore, in view of the repealing clause in Section 135 of R.A. No. 7653, the BSP-MB has been stripped of the power either to prescribe the maximum rates of interest which banks may charge for different kinds of loans and credit transactions, or to suspend Act No. 2655 and continue enforcing CB Circular No. 905.cralawlibrary

Ruling

The petition must fail.cralawlibrary

A. The Petition is procedurally infirm.

The decision on whether or not to accept a petition for certiorari, as well as to grant due course thereto, is addressed to the sound discretion of the court.15ςrνl1 A petition for certiorari being an extraordinary remedy, the party seeking to avail of the same must strictly observe the procedural rules laid down by law, and non-observance thereof may not be brushed aside as mere technicality.16ςrνl1

As provided in Section 1 of Rule 65, a writ of certiorari is directed against a tribunal exercising judicial or quasi-judicial functions.17ςrνl1 Judicial functions are exercised by a body or officer clothed with authority to determine what the law is and what the legal rights of the parties are with respect to the matter in controversy. Quasi-judicial function is a term that applies to the action or discretion of public administrative officers or bodies given the authority to investigate facts or ascertain the existence of facts, hold hearings, and draw conclusions from them as a basis for their official action using discretion of a judicial nature.18ςrνl1

The CB-MB (now BSP-MB) was created to perform executive functions with respect to the establishment, operation or liquidation of banking and credit institutions, and branches and agencies thereof.19ςrνl1 It does not perform judicial or quasi-judicial functions. Certainly, the issuance of CB Circular No. 905 was done in the exercise of an executive function. Certiorari will not lie in the instant case.20ςrνl1

B. Petitioners have no locus standi
to file the Petition �


Locus standi is defined as "a right of appearance in a court of justice on a given question." In private suits, Section 2, Rule 3 of the 1997 Rules of Civil Procedure provides that "every action must be prosecuted or defended in the name of the real party in interest," who is "the party who stands to be benefited or injured by the judgment in the suit or the party entitled to the avails of the suit." Succinctly put, a party's standing is based on his own right to the relief sought.21ςrνl1

Even in public interest cases such as this petition, the Court has generally adopted the "direct injury" test that the person who impugns the validity of a statute must have "a personal and substantial interest in the case such that he has sustained, or will sustain direct injury as a result.”22ςrνl1 Thus, while petitioners assert a public right to assail CB Circular No. 905 as an illegal executive action, it is nonetheless required of them to make out a sufficient interest in the vindication of the public order and the securing of relief. It is significant that in this petition, the petitioners do not allege that they sustained any personal injury from the issuance of CB Circular No. 905.cralawlibrary

Petitioners also do not claim that public funds were being misused in the enforcement of CB Circular No. 905. In Kilosbayan, Inc. v. Morato,23ςrνl1 involving the on-line lottery contract of the PCSO, there was no allegation that public funds were being misspent, which according to the Court would have made the action a public one, "and justify relaxation of the requirement that an action must be prosecuted in the name of the real party-in-interest." The Court held, moreover, that the status of Kilosbayan as a people's organization did not give it the requisite personality to question the validity of the contract. Thus:chanroblesvirtualawlibrary

Petitioners do not in fact show what particularized interest they have for bringing this suit. It does not detract from the high regard for petitioners as civic leaders to say that their interest falls short of that required to maintain an action under the Rule 3, Sec. 2.24ςrνl1

C. The Petition raises no issues of
transcendental importance. � � �


In the 1993 case of Joya v. Presidential Commission on Good Government,25ςrνl1 it was held that no question involving the constitutionality or validity of a law or governmental act may be heard and decided by the court unless there is compliance with the legal requisites for judicial inquiry, namely: (a) that the question must be raised by the proper party; (b) that there must be an actual case or controversy; (c) that the question must be raised at the earliest possible opportunity; and (d) that the decision on the constitutional or legal question must be necessary to the determination of the case itself.cralawlibrary

In Prof. David v. Pres. Macapagal-Arroyo,26ςrνl1 the Court summarized the requirements before taxpayers, voters, concerned citizens, and legislators can be accorded a standing to sue, viz:chanroblesvirtualawlibrary

(1)
the cases involve constitutional issues;
(2)
for taxpayers, there must be a claim of illegal disbursement of public funds or that the tax measure is unconstitutional;
(3)
for voters, there must be a showing of obvious interest in the validity of the election law in question;
(4)
for concerned citizens, there must be a showing that the issues raised are of transcendental importance which must be settled early; and (5) for legislators, there must be a claim that the official action complained of infringes upon their prerogatives as legislators.

While the Court may have shown in recent decisions a certain toughening in its attitude concerning the question of legal standing, it has nonetheless always made an exception where the transcendental importance of the issues has been established, notwithstanding the petitioners' failure to show a direct injury.27ςrνl1 In CREBA v. ERC,28ςrνl1 the Court set out the following instructive guides as determinants on whether a matter is of transcendental importance, namely: (1) the character of the funds or other assets involved in the case; (2) the presence of a clear case of disregard of a constitutional or statutory prohibition by the public respondent agency or instrumentality of the government; and (3) the lack of any other party with a more direct and specific interest in the questions being raised. Further, the Court stated in Anak Mindanao Party-List Group v. The Executive Secretary29ςrνl1 that the rule on standing will not be waived where these determinants are not established.cralawlibrary

In the instant case, there is no allegation of misuse of public funds in the implementation of CB Circular No. 905. Neither were borrowers who were actually affected by the suspension of the Usury Law joined in this petition. Absent any showing of transcendental importance, the petition must fail.cralawlibrary

More importantly, the Court notes that the instant petition adverted to the regime of high interest rates which obtained at least 15 years ago, when the banks' prime lending rates ranged from 26% to 31%,30ςrνl1 or even 29 years ago, when the 91-day Jobo bills reached 40% per annum. In contrast, according to the BSP, in the first two (2) months of 2012 the bank lending rates averaged 5.91%, which implies that the banks' prime lending rates were lower; moreover, deposit interests on savings and long-term deposits have also gone very low, averaging 1.75% and 1.62%, respectively.31ςrνl1

Judging from the most recent auctions of T-bills, the savings rates must be approaching 0%. In the auctions held on November 12, 2012, the rates of 3-month, 6-month and 1-year T-bills have dropped to 0.150%, 0.450% and 0.680%, respectively.32ςrνl1 According to Manila Bulletin, this very low interest regime has been attributed to "high liquidity and strong investor demand amid positive economic indicators of the country.”33ςrνl1

While the Court acknowledges that cases of transcendental importance demand that they be settled promptly and definitely, brushing aside, if we must, technicalities of procedure,34ςrνl1 the delay of at least 15 years in the filing of the instant petition has actually rendered moot and academic the issues it now raises.cralawlibrary

For its part, BSP-MB maintains that the petitioners' allegations of constitutional and statutory violations of CB Circular No. 905 are really mere challenges made by petitioners concerning the wisdom of the Circular. It explains that it was in view of the global economic downturn in the early 1980's that the executive department through the CB-MB had to formulate policies to achieve economic recovery, and among these policies was the establishment of a market-oriented interest rate structure which would require the removal of the government-imposed interest rate ceilings.35ςrνl1

D. The CB-MB merely suspended
the effectivity of the Usury Law
when it issued CB Circular No. 905.


The power of the CB to effectively suspend the Usury Law pursuant to P.D. No. 1684 has long been recognized and upheld in many cases. As the Court explained in the landmark case of Medel v. CA,36ςrνl1 citing several cases, CB Circular No. 905 "did not repeal nor in anyway amend the Usury Law but simply suspended the latter's effectivity;”37ςrνl1 that "a [CB] Circular cannot repeal a law, [for] only a law can repeal another law;”38ςrνl1 that "by virtue of CB Circular No. 905, the Usury Law has been rendered ineffective;”39ςrνl1 and "Usury has been legally non-existent in our jurisdiction. Interest can now be charged as lender and borrower may agree upon.”40ςrνl1

In First Metro Investment Corp. v. Este Del Sol Mountain Reserve, Inc.41ςrνl1 cited in DBP v. Perez,42ςrνl1 we also belied the contention that the CB was engaged in self-legislation. Thus:chanroblesvirtualawlibrary

Central Bank Circular No. 905 did not repeal nor in any way amend the Usury Law but simply suspended the latter's effectivity. The illegality of usury is wholly the creature of legislation. A Central Bank Circular cannot repeal a law. Only a law can repeal another law. x x x.43ςrνl1

In PNB v. Court of Appeals,44ςrνl1 an escalation clause in a loan agreement authorized the PNB to unilaterally increase the rate of interest to 25% per annum, plus a penalty of 6% per annum on past dues, then to 30% on October 15, 1984, and to 42% on October 25, 1984. The Supreme Court invalidated the rate increases made by the PNB and upheld the 12% interest imposed by the CA, in this wise:chanroblesvirtualawlibrary

P.D. No. 1684 and C.B. Circular No. 905 no more than allow contracting parties to stipulate freely regarding any subsequent adjustment in the interest rate that shall accrue on a loan or forbearance of money, goods or credits. In fine, they can agree to adjust, upward or downward, the interest previously stipulated. x x x.45ςrνl1

Thus, according to the Court, by lifting the interest ceiling, CB Circular No. 905 merely upheld the parties' freedom of contract to agree freely on the rate of interest. It cited Article 1306 of the New Civil Code, under which the contracting parties may establish such stipulations, clauses, terms and conditions as they may deem convenient, provided they are not contrary to law, morals, good customs, public order, or public policy.cralawlibrary

E. The BSP-MB has authority to
enforce CB Circular No. 905. �


Section 1 of CB Circular No. 905 provides that "The rate of interest, including commissions, premiums, fees and other charges, on a loan or forbearance of any money, goods, or credits, regardless of maturity and whether secured or unsecured, that may be charged or collected by any person, whether natural or juridical, shall not be subject to any ceiling prescribed under or pursuant to the Usury Law, as amended.” It does not purport to suspend the Usury Law only as it applies to banks, but to all lenders.cralawlibrary

Petitioners contend that, granting that the CB had power to "suspend" the Usury Law, the new BSP-MB did not retain this power of its predecessor, in view of Section 135 of R.A. No. 7653, which expressly repealed R.A. No. 265. The petitioners point out that R.A. No. 7653 did not reenact a provision similar to Section 109 of R.A. No. 265.cralawlibrary

A closer perusal shows that Section 109 of R.A. No. 265 covered only loans extended by banks, whereas under Section 1-a of the Usury Law, as amended, the BSP-MB may prescribe the maximum rate or rates of interest for all loans or renewals thereof or the forbearance of any money, goods or credits, including those for loans of low priority such as consumer loans, as well as such loans made by pawnshops, finance companies and similar credit institutions. It even authorizes the BSP-MB to prescribe different maximum rate or rates for different types of borrowings, including deposits and deposit substitutes, or loans of financial intermediaries.cralawlibrary

Act No. 2655, an earlier law, is much broader in scope, whereas R.A. No. 265, now R.A. No. 7653, merely supplemented it as it concerns loans by banks and other financial institutions. Had R.A. No. 7653 been intended to repeal Section 1-a of Act No. 2655, it would have so stated in unequivocal terms.cralawlibrary

Moreover, the rule is settled that repeals by implication are not favored, because laws are presumed to be passed with deliberation and full knowledge of all laws existing pertaining to the subject.46ςrνl1 An implied repeal is predicated upon the condition that a substantial conflict or repugnancy is found between the new and prior laws. Thus, in the absence of an express repeal, a subsequent law cannot be construed as repealing a prior law unless an irreconcilable inconsistency and repugnancy exists in the terms of the new and old laws.47ςrνl1 We find no such conflict between the provisions of Act 2655 and R.A. No. 7653.cralawlibrary

F. The lifting of the ceilings for interest
rates does not authorize stipulations
charging excessive, unconscionable,
and iniquitous interest.


It is settled that nothing in CB Circular No. 905 grants lenders a carte blanche authority to raise interest rates to levels which will either enslave their borrowers or lead to a hemorrhaging of their assets.48ςrνl1 As held in Castro v. Tan:49ςrνl1

The imposition of an unconscionable rate of interest on a money debt, even if knowingly and voluntarily assumed, is immoral and unjust. It is tantamount to a repugnant spoliation and an iniquitous deprivation of property, repulsive to the common sense of man. It has no support in law, in principles of justice, or in the human conscience nor is there any reason whatsoever which may justify such imposition as righteous and as one that may be sustained within the sphere of public or private morals.50ςrνl1

Stipulations authorizing iniquitous or unconscionable interests have been invariably struck down for being contrary to morals, if not against the law.51ςrνl1 Indeed, under Article 1409 of the Civil Code, these contracts are deemed inexistent and void ab initio, and therefore cannot be ratified, nor may the right to set up their illegality as a defense be waived.cralawlibrary

Nonetheless, the nullity of the stipulation of usurious interest does not affect the lender's right to recover the principal of a loan, nor affect the other terms thereof.52ςrνl1 Thus, in a usurious loan with mortgage, the right to foreclose the mortgage subsists, and this right can be exercised by the creditor upon failure by the debtor to pay the debt due. The debt due is considered as without the stipulated excessive interest, and a legal interest of 12% per annum will be added in place of the excessive interest formerly imposed,53ςrνl1 following the guidelines laid down in the landmark case of Eastern Shipping Lines, Inc. v. Court of Appeals,54ςrνl1 regarding the manner of computing legal interest:chanroblesvirtualawlibrary

II. With regard particularly to an award of interest in the concept of actual and compensatory damages, the rate of interest, as well as the accrual thereof, is imposed, as follows:

1. When the obligation is breached, and it consists in the payment of a sum of money, i.e., a loan or forbearance of money, the interest due should be that which may have been stipulated in writing. Furthermore, the interest due shall itself earn legal interest from the time it is judicially demanded. In the absence of stipulation, the rate of interest shall be 12% per annum to be computed from default, i.e., from judicial or extrajudicial demand under and subject to the provisions of Article 1169 of the Civil Code.cralawlibrary

2. When an obligation, not constituting a loan or forbearance of money, is breached, an interest on the amount of damages awarded may be imposed at the discretion of the court at the rate of 6% per annum. No interest, however, shall be adjudged on unliquidated claims or damages except when or until the demand can be established with reasonable certainty. Accordingly, where the demand is established with reasonable certainty, the interest shall begin to run from the time the claim is made judicially or extrajudicially (Art. 1169, Civil Code) but when such certainty cannot be so reasonably established at the time the demand is made, the interest shall begin to run only from the date the judgment of the court is made (at which time the quantification of damages may be deemed to have been reasonably ascertained). The actual base for the computation of legal interest shall, in any case, be on the amount finally adjudged.cralawlibrary

3. When the judgment of the court awarding a sum of money becomes final and executory, the rate of legal interest, whether the case falls under paragraph 1 or paragraph 2, above, shall be 12% per annum from such finality until its satisfaction, this interim period being deemed to be by then an equivalent to a forbearance of credit.55ςrνl1 (Citations omitted)

The foregoing rules were further clarified in Sunga-Chan v. Court of Appeals,56ςrνl1 as follows:chanroblesvirtualawlibrary

Eastern Shipping Lines, Inc. synthesized the rules on the imposition of interest, if proper, and the applicable rate, as follows: The 12% per annum rate under CB Circular No. 416 shall apply only to loans or forbearance of money, goods, or credits, as well as to judgments involving such loan or forbearance of money, goods, or credit, while the 6% per annum under Art. 2209 of the Civil Code applies "when the transaction involves the payment of indemnities in the concept of damage arising from the breach or a delay in the performance of obligations in general," with the application of both rates reckoned "from the time the complaint was tiled until the [adjudged] amount is fully paid." In either instance, the reckoning period for the commencement of the running of the legal interest shall be subject to the condition "that the courts are vested with discretion, depending on the equities of each case, on the award of interest."57ςrνl1 (Citations omitted)

WHEREFORE, premises considered, the Petition for certiorari is DISMISSED.

SO ORDERED.cralawlibrary

Sereno, C.J, Carpio, Velasco, Jr., Leonardo-De Castro,Peralta, Bersamin, Del Castillo, Abad, Villarama, Jr., Perez, Mendoza, Perlas-Bernabe, and Leonen, JJ., concur.
Brion, J., on leave.cralawlibrary

Endnotes:


1ςrνl1 Rollo, pp. 48-56.cralawlibrary

2ςrνl1 Id. at 40-45.cralawlibrary

3ςrνl1 Id. at 48-56.cralawlibrary

4ςrνl1 Id. at 10-12.cralawlibrary

5ςrνl1 Id. at 13.cralawlibrary

6ςrνl1 Id. at 31-32.cralawlibrary

7ςrνl1 Id. at 33.cralawlibrary

8ςrνl1 Id. at 34-35.cralawlibrary

9ςrνl1 Id. at 36-37.cralawlibrary

10ςrνl1 Id. at 38.cralawlibrary

11ςrνl1 Id. at 30.cralawlibrary

12ςrνl1 Id. at 26-29.cralawlibrary

13ςrνl1 Treasury bills are government debt securities issued by the Bureau of the Treasury with maturities of less than 1 year.cralawlibrary

14ςrνl1 Named after CB Governor Jose "Jobo" Fernandez.cralawlibrary

15ςrνl1 Chong v. Dela Cruz, G.R. No. 184948, July 21, 2009, 593 SCRA 311, 313-314.cralawlibrary

16ςrνl1 Sea Power Shipping Enterprises, Inc. v. Court of Appeals, 412 Phil. 603, 611 (2001).cralawlibrary

17ςrνl1 Sec. 1. Petition for certiorari. � When any tribunal, board or officer exercising judicial or quasi- judicial functions has acted without or in excess of its or his jurisdiction, or with grave abuse of discretion amounting to lack or excess of jurisdiction, and there is no appeal, nor any plain, speedy, and adequate remedy in the ordinary course of law, a person aggrieved thereby may file a verified petition in the proper court, alleging the facts with certainty and praying that judgment be rendered annulling or modifying the proceedings of such tribunal, board or officer, and granting such incidental reliefs as law and justice may require.cralawlibrary

18ςrνl1 Chamber of Real Estate and Builders' Associations, Inc. (CREBA) v. Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC), G.R. No. 174697, July 8, 2010, 624 SCRA 556, 571.cralawlibrary

19ςrνl1 Central Bank of the Philippines v. CA, 158 Phil. 986, 993 (1974).cralawlibrary

20ςrνl1 In Philnabank Employees Association v. Estanislao (G.R. No. 104209, November 16, 1993, 227 SCRA 804), the Supreme Court refused to issue a writ of certiorari against the Secretaries of Finance and of Labor after noting that they did not act in any judicial or quasi-judicial capacity but were merely promulgating the implementing rules of R.A. No. 6971, the Productivity Incentives Act of 1990.cralawlibrary

21ςrνl1 Prof. David v. Pres. Macapagal-Arroyo, 522 Phil. 705, 755-756 (2006). (Citations omitted)

22ςrνl1 People of the Philippines and HSBC v. Vera, 65 Phil. 56, 89 (1937)

23ςrνl1 320 Phil. 171 (1995); 316 Phil. 652 (1995).cralawlibrary

24ςrνl1 Id. at 696.cralawlibrary

25ςrνl1 G.R. No. 96541, August 24, 1993, 225 SCRA 568.cralawlibrary

26ςrνl1 Supra note 21.cralawlibrary

27ςrνl1 Id.cralawlibrary

28ςrνl1 Supra note 18.cralawlibrary

29ςrνl1 G.R. No. 166052, August 29, 2007, 531 SCRA 583.cralawlibrary

30ςrνl1 Rollo, p. 27. In contrast, as reported in the October 10, 2012 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer, Section B-2-1, a recent 25-year treasury bond issue, government securities which mature in more than a year, carried an annual rate of 6.125%, way below 31%. It fetched P63 billion, more than double the government's original offer of P30 billion.cralawlibrary

31ςrνl1 See www.bsp.gov.ph/statistics.online.asp.cralawlibrary

32ςrνl1 Manila Bulletin article, November 13, 2012, p. B-1: "Treasury Bill Yields Tumble to Record Lows, 91-Day at 0.150%"

33ςrνl1 Id.cralawlibrary

34ςrνl1 Araneta v. Dinglasan, 84 Phil. 368, 373 (1949).cralawlibrary

35ςrνl1 Rollo, pp. 79-80, 103-105.cralawlibrary

36ςrνl1 359 Phil. 820 (1998).cralawlibrary

37ςrνl1 Security Bank and Trust Co. v. RTC-Makati, Branch 61, 331 Phil. 787, 793 (1996).cralawlibrary

38ςrνl1 Palanca v. Court of Appeals, G.R. No. 106685, December 2, 1994, 238 SCRA 593, 601.cralawlibrary

39ςrνl1 Sps. Florendo v. CA, 333 Phil. 535, 546 (1996).cralawlibrary

40ςrνl1 People v. Dizon, 329 Phil. 685, 696 (1996).cralawlibrary

41ςrνl1 420 Phil. 902 (2001).cralawlibrary

42ςrνl1 484 Phil. 843 (2004).cralawlibrary

43ςrνl1 Supra note 41, at 914, citing Medel v. CA, supra note 36, at 829; Security Bank and Trust v. RTC- Makati, Branch 61, supra note 37; Palanca v. CA, supra note 38.cralawlibrary

44ςrνl1 G.R. No. 107569, November 8, 1994, 238 SCRA 20.cralawlibrary

45ςrνl1 Id. at 25.cralawlibrary

46ςrνl1 Sps. Recana, Jr. v. CA, 402 Phil. 26, 35 (2001), citing City Government of San Pablo, Laguna v. Reyes, 364 Phil. 842 (1999).cralawlibrary

47ςrνl1 Berces v. Guingona, 311 Phil. 614, 620 (1995).cralawlibrary

48ςrνl1 Spouses Solangon v. Salazar, 412 Phil. 816, 822 (2001), citing Sps. Almeda v. CA, 326 Phil. 309 (1996).cralawlibrary

50ςrνl1 Id. at 232-233, citing Ibarra v. Aveyro, 37 Phil. 273, 282 (1917).cralawlibrary

51ςrνl1 Medel v. CA, supra note 36, at 830.cralawlibrary

52ςrνl1 First Metro Investment Corp. v. Este del Sol Mountain Reserve, Inc., supra note 41, at 918.cralawlibrary

53ςrνl1 See Castro v. Tan, supra note 49, at 240; Heirs of Zoilo Espiritu v. Landrito, G.R. No. 169617, April 3, 2007, 520 SCRA 383, 394; Cuaton v. Salud, 465 Phil. 999 (2004); Sps. Almeda v. CA, supra note 48; First Metro Investment Corp. v. Este Del Sol Mountain Reserve, Inc., supra note 41, at 918; Ruiz v. Court of Appeals, 449 Phil. 419, 433-435 (2003); Spouses Solangon v. Salazar, supra note 48.cralawlibrary

55ςrνl1 Id. at 95-97.cralawlibrary

56ςrνl1 G.R. No. 164401, June 2008, 555 SCRA 275.cralawlibrary

57ςrνl1 Id. at 288.



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January-2013 Jurisprudence                 

  • G.R. No. 188768 : January 07, 2013 - TML GASKET INDUSTRIES, INC., Petitioner, v. BPI FAMILY SAVINGS BANK, INC., RESPONDENT.

  • G.R. No. 193960 : January 07, 2013 - KARLO ANGELO DABALOS Y SAN DIEGO, Petitioner, v. REGIONAL TRIAL COURT, BRANCH 59, ANGELES CITY (PAMPANGA), REPRESENTED BY ITS PRESIDING JUDGE MA. ANGELICA T. PARAS­ QUIAMBAO; THE OFFICE OF THE CITY PROSECUTOR, ANGELES CITY (PAMPANGA); AND ABC, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 172590 : January 07, 2013 - MARY LOUISE R. ANDERSON, Petitioner, v. ENRIQUE HO, RESPONDENT.

  • A.M. No. P-12-3090 (Formerly A.M. OCA IPI No. 11-3662-P) : January 07, 2013 - MARIANO T. ONG, COMPLAINANT, VS. EVA G. BASIYA-SARATAN, CLERK OF COURT, REGIONAL TRIAL COURT, ILOILO CITY, BRANCH 32, RESPONDENT.

  • G.R. No. 177751 : January 07, 2013 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. FLORENCIO AGACER, EDDIE AGACER, ELYNOR AGACER, FRANKLIN AGACER AND ERIC***AGACER, ACCUSED-APPELLANTS.

  • G.R. No. 173559 : January 07, 2013 - LETICIA DIONA, REPRESENTED BY HER ATTORNEY-IN-FACT, MARCELINA DIONA, Petitioner, v. SONNY A. BALANGUE, ROMEO A. BALANGUE, REYNALDO A. BALANGUE, AND ESTEBAN A. BALANGUE, JR., RESPONDENTS.

  • G.R. No. 170634 : January 08, 2013 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. PEDRO BUADO, JR. Y CIPRIANO, ACCUSED-APPELLANT.

  • G.R. No. 201716 : January 08, 2013 - MAYOR ABELARDO ABUNDO, SR., Petitioner, v. COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS AND ERNESTO R. VEGA, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 188056 : January 08, 2013 - SPOUSES AUGUSTO G. DACUDAO AND OFELIA R. DACUDAO, Petitioners, v. SECRETARY OF JUSTICE RAUL M. GONZALES OF THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, RESPONDENT.

  • G.R. No. 180919 : January 09, 2013 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. MELBA L. ESPIRITU, PRIMITIVA M. SERASPE, SIMPRESUETA M. SERASPE. A.K.A “AILEEN,” ACCUSSED, SIMPRESUETA M. SERASPE A.K.A. "AILEEN," ACCUSED-APPELLANT.

  • G.R. No. 201447 : January 09, 2013 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. ANASTACIO BROCA, AMISTOSO Y ACCUSED-APPELLANT.

  • G.R. No. 192050 : January 09, 2013 - NELSON VALLENO Y LUCITO, Petitioner, v. PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, RESPONDENT.

  • G.R. No. 179003 : January 09, 2013 - ANTONIO L. TAN, JR., Petitioner, v. YOSHITSUGU MATSUURA AND CAROLINA TANJUTCO, RESPONDENTS. - G.R. NO. 195816 - ANTONIO L. TAN, JR., Petitioner, v. JULIE O. CUA, RESPONDENT.

  • G.R. No. 170770 : January 09, 2013 - VITALIANO N. AGUIRRE II AND FIDEL N. AGUIRRE, Petitioners, v. FQB+7, INC., NATHANIEL D. BOCOBO, PRISCILA BOCOBO AND ANTONIO DE VILLA, RESPONDENTS.

  • G.R. No. 170498 : January 09, 2013 - METROPOLITAN BANK & TRUST COMPANY, Petitioner, v. ABSOLUTE MANAGEMENT CORPORATION, RESPONDENT.

  • G.R. No. 170022 : January 09, 2013 - REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES, Petitioner, v. CESAR ENCELAN, RESPONDENT.

  • G.R. No. 155113 : January 09, 2013 - PHILIPPINE BANK OF COMMUNICATIONS, Petitioner, v. PRIDISONS REALTY CORPORATION, ANTONIO GONZALES, BORMACHECO, INC., NAZARIO F. SANTOS, TERESITA CHUA TEK, CHARITO ONG LEE, AND ERNESTO SIBAL, RESPONDENTS.

  • G.R. No. 185595 : January 09, 2013 - MA. CARMINIA C. CALDERON REPRESENTED BY HER ATTORNEY-IN­ FACT, MARYCRIS V. BALDEVIA, Petitioner, v. JOSE ANTONIO F. ROXAS AND COURT OF APPEALS, RESPONDENTS.

  • G.R. No. 181826 : January 09, 2013 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, APPELLEE, VS. HONG YEN E AND TSIEN TSIEN CHUA, APPELLANTS.

  • G.R. No. 192727 : January 09, 2013 - RAUL B. ESCALANTE, Petitioner, v. PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES AND THE HONORABLE COURT OF APPEALS, FORMER SPECIAL TWENTIETH DIVISION AND EIGHTEENTH DIVISION, COURT OF APPEALS, CEBU CITY, RESPONDENTS.

  • G.R. No. 183035 : January 09, 2013 - OPTIMA REALTY CORPORATION, Petitioner, v. HERTZ PHIL. EXCLUSIVE CARS, INC., RESPONDENT.

  • G.R. No. 160932 : January 14, 2013 - SPECIAL PEOPLE, INC. FOUNDATION, REPRESENTED BY ITS CHAIRMAN, ROBERTO P. CERICOS, Petitioner, v. NESTOR M. CANDA, BIENVENIDO LIPAYON, JULIAN D. AMADOR, BOHOL PROVINCIAL CHIEF, REGIONAL DIRECTOR, AND NATIONAL DIRECTOR, RESPECTIVELY, ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT BUREAU, DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES, AND THE SECRETARY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES, ALL SUED IN BOTH THEIR OFFICIAL AND PRIVATE CAPACITIES, RESPONDENTS.

  • G.R. No. 178611 : January 14, 2013 - ESTRELLA ADUAN ORPIANO, Petitioner, v. SPOUSES ANTONIO C. TOMAS AND MYRNA U. TOMAS, RESPONDENTS.

  • G.R. No. 182976 : January 14, 2013 - MANILA ELECTRIC COMPANY (MERALCO), Petitioner, v. ATTY. PABLITO M. CASTILLO, DOING BUSINESS UNDER THE TRADE NAME AND STYLE OF PERMANENT LIGHT MANUFACTURING ENTERPRISES AND GUIA S. CASTILLO, RESPONDENTS.

  • G.R. No. 192986 : January 15, 2013 - ADVOCATES FOR TRUTH IN LENDING, INC. AND EDUARDO B. OLAGUER, Petitioners, v. BANGKO SENTRAL MONETARY BOARD, REPRESENTED BY ITS CHAIRMAN, GOVERNOR ARMANDO M. TETANGCO, JR., AND ITS INCUMBENT MEMBERS: JUANITA D. AMATONG, ALFREDO C. ANTONIO, PETER FAVILA, NELLY F. VILLAFUERTE, IGNACIO R. BUNYE AND CESAR V. PURISIMA, RESPONDENTS.

  • G.R. No. 201796 : January 15, 2013 - GOVERNOR SADIKUL A. SAHALI AND VICE-GOVERNOR RUBY M. SAHALL, Petitioners, v. COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS (FIRST DIVISION), RASHIDIN H. MATBA AND JILKASI J. USMAN, RESPONDENTS.

  • A.M. OCA IPI No. 10-25-SB-J : January 15, 2013 - RE: COMPLAINT OF LEONARDO A. VELASCO AGAINST ASSOCIATE JUSTICES FRANCISCO H. VILLARUZ, JR., ALEX L. QUIROZ, AND SAMUEL R. MARTIRES OF THE SANDIGANBAYAN.

  • A.M. OCA IPI No. 12-202-CA-J : January 15, 2013 - RE: VERIFIED COMPLAINT OF AMA LAND, INC. AGAINST HON. DANTON Q. BUESER, HON. SESINANDO E. VILLON and HON. RICARDO R! ROSARIO, ASSOCIATE JUSTICES OF THE COURT OF APPEALS.

  • G.R. No. 191691 : January 16, 2013 - ROMEO A. GONTANG, IN HIS OFFICIAL CAPACITY AS MAYOR OF GAINZA, CAMARINES SUR, VS. PETITIONER, ENGR. CECILIA ALAYAN, RESPONDENT.

  • G.R. No. 175209 : January 16, 2013 - ROLANDO L. CERVANTES, Petitioner, v. PAL MARITIME CORPORATION AND/OR WESTERN SHIPPING AGENCIES, PTE., LTD., RESPONDENTS.

  • G.R. No. 160138 : January 16, 2013 - AUTOMOTIVE ENGINE REBUILDERS, INC. (AER), ANTONIO T. INDUCIL, LOURDES T. INDUCIL, JOCELYN T. INDUCIL AND MA. CONCEPCION I. DONATO, Petitioners, v. PROGRESIBONG UNYON NG MGA MANGGAGAWA SA AER, ARNOLD VILLOTA, FELINO E. AGUSTIN, RUPERTO M. MARIANO II, EDUARDO S. BRIZUELA, ARNOLD S. RODRIGUEZ, RODOLFO MAINIT, JR., FROILAN B. MADAMBA, DANILO D. QUIBOY, CHRISTOPHER R. NOLASCO, ROGER V. BELATCHA, CLEOFAS B. DELA BUENA, JR., HERMINIO P. PAPA, WILLIAM A. RITUAL, ROBERTO CALDEO, RAFAEL GACAD, JAMES C. CAAMPUED, ESPERIDION V. LOPEZ, JR., FRISCO M. LORENZO, JR., CRISANTO LUMBAO, JR., AND RENATO SARABUNO, RESPONDENTS.; G.R. NO. 160192 - PROGRESIBONG UNYON NG MGA MANGGAGAWA SA AER, ARNOLD VILLOTA, FELINO E. AGUSTIN, RUPERTO M. MARIANO II, EDUARDOS. BRIZUELA, ARNOLD S. RODRIGUEZ, RODOLFO MAINIT, JR., FROILAN B. MADAMBA, DANILO D. QUIBOY, CHRISTOPHER R. NOLASCO, ROGER V. BELATCHA, CLEOFAS B. DELA BUENA, JR., HERMINIO P. PAPA, WILLIAM A. RITUAL, ROBERTO CALDEO, RAFAEL GACAD, JAMES C. CAAMPUED, ESPERIDION V. LOPEZ, JR., FRISCO M. LORENZO, JR., CRISANTO LUMBAO, JR., AND RENATO SARABUNO, Petitioners, v. AUTOMOTIVE ENGINE REBUILDERS, INC., AND ANTONIO T. INDUCIL, RESPONDENTS.

  • OCA I.P.I. NO. 11-3631-RTJ : January 16, 2013 - KAREEN P. MAGTAGÑOB, COMPLAINANT, VS. JUDGE GENIE G. GAPAS-AGBADA, RESPONDENT.

  • G.R. No. 179628 : January 16, 2013 - THE MANILA INSURANCE COMPANY, INC., PETITIONER. VS. SPOUSES ROBERTO AND AIDA AMURAO, RESPONDENTS.

  • G.R. No. 199149 : January 22, 2013 - LIWAYWAY VINZONS-CHATO, Petitioner, v. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ELECTORAL TRIBUNAL AND ELMER E. PANOTES, RESPONDENTS.; G.R. NO. 201350 - ELMER E. PANOTES, Petitioner, v. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ELECTORAL TRIBUNAL AND LIWAYWAY VINZONS-CHATO, RESPONDENTS.

  • Adm. Case No. 6148 : January 22, 2013 - FLORENCE MACARUBBO, TEVES COMPLAINANT, VS. ATTY. EDMUNDO L. MACARUBBO, RESPONDENT. - RE: PETITION (FOR EXTRAORDINARY MERCY) OF EDMUNDO L. MACARUBBO.

  • G.R. No. 199612 : January 22, 2013 - RENATOM. FEDERICO, Petitioner, v. COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS, COMELEC EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND OSMUNDO M. MALIGAYA, RESPONDENTS.

  • G.R. No. 193897 : January 23, 2013 - UNIVERSITY OF THE EAST, DEAN ELEANOR JAVIER, RONNIE GILLEGO AND DR. JOSE C. BENEDICTO, Petitioners, v. ANALIZA F. PEPANIO AND MARITI D. BUENO, RESPONDENTS.

  • G.R. No. 177783 : January 23, 2013 - HEIRS OF FAUSTO C. IGNACIO, namely MARFEL D. IGNACIO MANALO, MILFA D. IGNACIO­MANALO AND FAUSTINO D. IGNACIO, Petitioners, v. HOME BANKERS SAVINGS AND TRUST COMPANY, SPOUSES PHILLIP AND THELMA RODRIGUEZ, CATHERINE, REYNOLD & JEANETTE, ALL SURNAMED ZUNIGA, RESPONDENTS.

  • Adm. Case No. 5530 - Sps. Arcing and Cresing Bautista, et al. v. Atty. Arturo Cefra

  • Adm. Case No. 6148 - Florence Teves Macarubbo, Complainant; v. Atty. Edmundo L. Macarubbo, Respondent; Re: Petition (for Extraordinary Mercy) of Edmundo L. Macarubbo

  • OCA I.P.I. No. 11-3631-RTJ - Kareen P. Magtag

  • Adm. Case No. 6475 - Fe A. Ylaya v. Atty. Glenn Carlos Gacott

  • G.R. No. 160138 - AUTOMOTIVE ENGINE REBUILDERS, INC. (AER), ANTONIO T. INDUCIL, LOURDES T. INDUCIL, JOCELYN T. INDUCIL and MA. CONCEPCION I. DONATO, Petitioners, v. PROGRESIBONG UNYON NG MGA MANGGAGAWA SA AER, ARNOLD VILLOTA, FELINO E. AGUSTIN, RUPERTO M. MARIANO II, EDUARDO S. BRIZUELA, ARNOLD S. RODRIGUEZ, RODOLFO MAINIT, JR., FROILAN B. MADAMBA, DANILO D. QUIBOY, CHRISTOPHER R. NOLASCO, ROGER V. BELATCHA, CLEOFAS B. DELA BUENA, JR., HERMINIO P. PAPA, WILLIAM A. RITUAL, ROBERTO CALDEO, RAFAEL GACAD, JAMES C. CAAMPUED, ESPERIDION V. LOPEZ, JR., FRISCO M. LORENZO, JR., CRISANTO LUMBAO, JR., and RENATO SARABUNO, Respondents.; G.R. No. 160192 - PROGRESIBONG UNYON NG MGA MANGGAGAWA SA AER, ARNOLD VILLOTA, FELINO E. AGUSTIN, RUPERTO M. MARIANO II, EDUARDO S. BRIZUELA, ARNOLD S. RODRIGUEZ, RODOLFO MAINIT, JR., FROILAN B. MADAMBA, DANILO D. QUIBOY, CHRISTOPHER R. NOLASCO, ROGER V. BELATCHA, CLEOFAS B. DELA BUENA, JR., HERMINIO P. PAPA, WILLIAM A. RITUAL, ROBERTO CALDEO, RAFAEL GACAD, JAMES C. CAAMPUED, ESPERIDION V. LOPEZ, JR., FRISCO M. LORENZO, JR., CRISANTO LUMBAO, JR., and RENA TO SARABUNO, Petitioners, v. AUTOMOTIVE ENGINEREBUILDERS, INC., and ANTONIO T. INDUCIL, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 160932 - Special People, Inc. Foundation represented by its Chairman, Roberto P. Cericos v. Nestor M. Canda, et al.

  • G.R. No. 167158 - Virginia Judy Dy and Gabriel Dy v. Philippine Banking Corporation

  • G.R. No. 166967 - Edna J. Jaca v. People of the Philippines, et al.; G.R. No. 166974 - Alan C. Gaviola v. People of the Philippines; G.R. No. 167167 - Eustaquio B. Cesa v. People of the Philippines

  • G.R. No. 170022 - Republic of the Philippines v. Cesar Encelan

  • G.R. No. 169005 - Winston F. Garcia, in his capacity as President and General Manager of the GSIS v. Court of Appeals and Rudy C. Tesoro

  • G.R. No. 170054 - Goya, Inc. v. Goya, Inc. Employees Union-FFW

  • G.R. No. 170498 - Metropolitan Bank & Trust Company v. Absolute Management Corporation

  • G.R. No. 170634 - People of the Philippines v. Pedro Buado, Jr., y Cipriano

  • G.R. No. 170770 - Vitaliano N. Aguirre II and Fidel N. Aguirre II and Fidel N. Aguirre v. FQB+, Inc., Nathaniel D. Bocobo, Priscila Bocobo and Antonio De Villa

  • G.R. No. 171677 - Philippine National Bank, substituted by Tranche 1 (SPV-AMC), Inc. v. Rina Parayno Lim and Puerto Azul Land, Inc.

  • G.R. No. 173425 - Fort Bonifacio Develoment Corp v. Commissioner of Internal Revenue and Revenue District Officer, Revenue District No. 44, Taguig and Pateros, Bureau of Internal Revenue

  • G.R. No. 173520 - National Power Corporation v. Spouses Rodolfo Zabala and Lilia Baylon

  • G.R. No. 173559 - Leticia Diona, rep. by her attorney-in-fact, Marcelina Diona v. Romeo A. Balangue, Sonny A. Balangue, Reynaldo A. Balangue, and Esteban A. Balangue, Jr.

  • G.R. No. 174191 - Nenita Quality Foods Corporation v. Crisostomo Galabo, et al.

  • G.R. No. 174436 - Juanita Ermita

  • G.R. No. 174882 - Mondragon Personal Sales, Inc. v. Victoriano S. Sola, Jr.

  • G.R. No. 175209 - Rolando L. Cervantes v. PAL Maritime Corporation and/or Western Shipping agencies, Pte., Ltd.

  • G.R. No. 177751 - People of the Philippines v. Florencio Agacer, et al.

  • G.R. No. 177167 - Nelson B. Gan v. Galderma Philippines, Inc. and Rosendo C. Veneracion

  • G.R. No. 178312 - Land Bank of the Philippines v. Heirs of Spouses Jorja Rigor Soriano and Magin Soriano

  • G.R. No. 177783 - Heirs of Fausto C. Ignacio v. Home Bankers Savings and Trust co., et al.

  • G.R. No. 178611 - Estrella Aduan Orpiano v. Spouses Antonio C. Tomas and Myrna U. Tomas

  • G.R. No. 179003 - Antonio L Tan, Jr. v. Yoshitsugu Matsuura and Carolina Tanjutco; G.R. No. 195816 - Antonio L. Tan, Jr. v. Julie O Cua

  • G.R. No. 179382 - Spouses Benjamin C. Mamaril and Sonia P. Mamaril v. The Boy Scout of the Philippines, et al.

  • G.R. No. 179628 - The Manila Insurance Company, Inc. v. Spouses Roberto and Aida Amurao

  • G.R. No. 180036 - Situs Development Corporation, et al. v. Asia Trust Bank, et al.

  • G.R. No. 180463 - Republic of the Philippines v. AFP Retirement and Separation Benefits System, et al.

  • G.R. No. 180919 - People of the Philippines v. Simpresueta M. Seraspe, accused-appelant

  • G.R. No. 181218 - Republic of the Philippines, represented by the Department of Public Works and Highways v. Heirs of Spouses Pedro Bautista and Valentina Malabanan

  • G.R. No. 181738 - General Milling Corporation v. Violeta L. Viajar

  • G.R. No. 182457 - People of the Philippines v. Antonio Basallo y Asprec

  • G.R. No. 182976 - Manila Electric Company (MERALCO) v. Atty. P.M. Castillo, doing business under the trade name and style of Permanent Light Manufacturing Enterprises, et al.

  • G.R. No. 183035 - Optima Realty Corporation v. Hertz Phil., Exclusive, Inc.

  • G.R. No. 183896 - Syed Azhar Abbas v. Gloria Goo Abbas

  • G.R. No. 185595 - Ma. Carminia C. Calderon (formerly Ma. Carminia Calderon-Roxas), represented by her attorney-in-fact, Marycris V. Baldevia v. Jose Antonio F. Roxas

  • G.R. No. 186069 - Jesus L. Cabahug and Coronacion M. Cabahug v. National Power Corporation

  • G.R. No. 187048 - Poeple of the Philippines v. Benjamin Peteluna and Abundio Binondo

  • G.R. No. 188299 - Heirs fo Luis A. Luna, et al. v. Ruben S. Afable, et al.

  • G.R. No. 188603 - People of the Philippines v. Ramil Rarugal Alias "Amay Bisaya"

  • G.R. No. 188635 - Brenda L. Nazareth, Regional Director, Department of Science and Technology, etc. v. The Hon. Reynaldo A. Villar, Hon. Juanito G. Espino, Jr., et al.

  • G.R. No. 188768 - TML Gasket Industries, Inc. v. BPI Family Savings Bank, Inc.

  • G.R. No. 190969 - Baron A. Villanueva, et al. v. Edna R. Caparas

  • G.R. No. 191691 - Romeo A. Gontang, in his official capacity as Mayor of Gainza, Camarines Sur

  • G.R. No. 192050 - Nelson Valleno y Lucito v. People of the Philippines

  • G.R. No. 192289 - Kamarudin K. Ibrahim v. Commission on Elections and Rolan G. Buagas

  • G.R. No. 192532 - Spouses Ricardo and Elena Golez v. Spouses Carlos adn Amelita Navarro

  • G.R. No. 192986 - Advocates for Truth in Lending, Inc. & Eduardo B. Olaguer v. Bangko Sentral Monetary Board, Represented by its Chairman, Governor Armando M. Tatangco, Jr., etc.

  • G.R. No. 193507 - People of the Philippines v. Rey Monticalvo y Magno

  • G.R. No. 193643 - Antonio D. Dayao, Rolando P. Ramirez and Adelio R. Capco v. Commission on Elections and LPG Marketers; G.R. No. 193704 - Federation of the Philippine Industries, Inc. v. Commission on Elections and LPG Marketers Association, Inc.

  • G.R. No. 193897 - University of the East, Dean Eleanor Javier, Ronnie Gillego and Dr. Jose C. Benedicto v. Analiza F. Pepanio and Mariti D. Bueno

  • G.R. No. 193960 - Karlo Angelo Dabalos y San Dieo v. Regional Trial Court, Branch 59, Angeles City, etc., et al.

  • G.R. No. 194236 - People of the Philippines v. Patricio Rayon, Sr.

  • G.R. No. 194352 - Maxicare PCIB Cigna Healthcare (now Maxicare Healthcare Corporation), Eric S. Nubla, Jr. M.D. and Ruth A. Asis, M.D. v. Marian Brigitte A. Contreras, M.D.

  • G.R. No. 197384 - Sampaguita Auto Transport Corporation v. National Labor Relations Commission, et al.

  • G.R. No. 197507 - Rivulet Agro-Industrial Corporation v. Anthony Parungao, et al.

  • G.R. No. 198501 - Kestrel Shipping Co., Inc./Capt. Amador P. Servillon and Atlantic Manning Ltd. v. Francisco D. Munar

  • G.R. No. 199149 - Liwayway Vinzons-Chato v. House of Representatives Electoral Tribunal and Elmer E. Panotes; G.R. No. 201350 - Elmer E. Panotes v. House of Representatives Electoral Tribunal and Liwayway Vinzons-Chato

  • G.R. No. 199324 - Executive Secretary, et al. v. Forerunner Multi Resources, Inc.

  • G.R. No. 199338 - Eleazar S. Padillo v. Rural Bank of Nabunturan, Inc., et al.

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  • A.M. No. P-12-3099, January 15, 2013 - OFFICE OF THE COURT ADMINISTRATOR, Complainant, v. LARRIZA P. BACANI, CLERK OF COURT IV, MUNICIPAL TRIAL COURT IN CITIES, MEYCAUAYAN, BULACAN, Respondents.

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