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Philippine Supreme Court Jurisprudence > Year 2015 > March 2015 Decisions > G.R. No. 193890, March 11, 2015 - ESTANISLAO AND AFRICA SINAMBAN, Petitioners, v. CHINA BANKING CORPORATION, Respondent.:




G.R. No. 193890, March 11, 2015 - ESTANISLAO AND AFRICA SINAMBAN, Petitioners, v. CHINA BANKING CORPORATION, Respondent.

PHILIPPINE SUPREME COURT DECISIONS

THIRD DIVISION

G.R. No. 193890, March 11, 2015

ESTANISLAO AND AFRICA SINAMBAN, Petitioners, v. CHINA BANKING CORPORATION, Respondent.

D E C I S I O N

REYES, J.:

Before this Court is a Petition for Review on Certiorari1 of the Decision2 dated May 19, 2010 of the Court of Appeals (CA) in CA-G.R. CV. No. 66274 modifying the Decision3 dated July 30, 1999 of the Regional Trial Court (RTC) of San Fernando City, Pampanga, Branch 45 for Sum of Money in Civil Case No. 11708.chanRoblesvirtualLawlibrary

Factual Antecedents

On Februaiy 19, 1990, the spouses Danilo and Magdalena Manalastas (spouses Manalastas) executed a Real Estate Mortgage (REM)4 in favor of respondent China Banking Corporation (Chinabank) over two real estate properties covered by Transfer Certificate of Title Nos. 173532-R and 173533-R, Registry of Deeds of Pampanga, to secure a loan from Chinabank of P700,000.00 intended as working capital in their rice milling business. During the next few years, they executed several amendments to the mortgage contract progressively increasing their credit line secured by the aforesaid mortgage. Thus, from P700,000.00 in 1990, their loan limit was increased to P1,140,000.00 on October 31, 1990, then to P1,300,000.00 on March 4, 1991, and then to P2,450,000.00 on March 23, 1994.5 The spouses Manalastas executed several promissory notes (PNs) in favor of Chinabank. In two of the PNs, petitioners Estanislao and Africa Sinamban (spouses Sinamban) signed as co-makers.

On November 18, 1998, Chinabank filed a Complaint6 for sum of money, docketed as Civil Case No. 11708, against the spouses Manalastas and the spouses Sinamban (collectively called the defendants) before the RTC. The complaint alleged that they reneged on their loan obligations under the PNs which the spouses Manalastas executed in favor of Chinabank on different dates, namely:chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary
  1. PN No. OACL 634-95, dated April 24, 1995, for a loan principal of P1,800,000.00, with interest at 23% per annum; the spouses Manalastas signed alone as makers.7

  2. PN No. OACL 636-95, dated May 23, 1995, for a loan principal of P325,000.00, with interest at 21% per annum; the spouses Sinamban signed as solidary co-makers;8

  3. PN No. CLF 5-93, dated February 26, 1991, for a loan principal of P1,300,000.00, with interest at 22.5% per annum; only Estanislao Sinamban signed as solidary co-maker.9
All of the three promissory notes carried an acceleration clause stating that if the borrowers failed to pay any stipulated interest, installment or loan amortization as they accrued, the notes shall, at the option of Chinabank and without need of notice, immediately become due and demandable. A penalty clause also provides that an additional amount shall be paid equivalent to 1/10 of 1% per day of the total amount due from date of default until fully paid, and the further sum of 10% of the total amount due, inclusive of interests, charges and penalties, as and for attorney's fees and costs.10

In Chinabank's Statement of Account11 dated May 18, 1998, reproduced below, the outstanding balances of the three loans are broken down, as follows:chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary
(a) PN No. OACL 636-95 has an outstanding principal of P325,000.00, cumulative interest of P184,679.00, and cumulative penalties of P258,050.00, or a total amount due of P767,729.00;

(b) PN No. OACL 634-95 has an outstanding principal of P1,800,000.00, cumulative interest of P1,035,787.50, and cumulative penalties of P1,429,200.00, or a total amount due of P4,264,987.50; and

(c) PN No. CLF 5-93 has an outstanding principal of P148,255.08, cumulative interest of P64,461.84, and cumulative penalties of P156,541.58, or a total amount due of P369,258.50. Note that from the original amount of P1,300,000.00, the loan principal had been reduced to only P148,255.08 as of May 18, 1998.12cralawlawlibrary
CHINA BANKING CORPORATION
San Fernando, Pampanga
SPS. DANILO & MAGDALENA MANALASTAS
STATEMENT OF ACCOUNT
As of May 18, 1998
PN NUMBER
PRINCIPAL
INTEREST
36%
PENALTY FEE
TOTAL
OACL 636-95
325,000.00
184,679.00
258,050.00
767,729.00
OACL 634-95
1,800,000.00
1,035,787.50
1,429,200.00
4,264,987.50
CLF 005-93
148,255.08
64,461.84
156,541.58
369,258.50
-----------------
-----------------
-----------------
-----------------
TOTAL
P 2.273.255.08
1.284.928.34
1.843.791.58
5,401,975.00
-----------------
TOTAL AMOUNT DUE-----------------------------------------
5,401,975.00
PLUS 10% ATTORNEY'S FEE--------------------------------
540,197.50
-----------------
5,942,172.50
ADD: OTHER EXPENSES
INSURANCE PREMIUM
22,618.37
POSTING OF NOTICE OF SALE
700.00
PUBLICATION FEE
17,500.00
REGISTRATION OF CERTIFICATE OF SALE (MISC.)
1,000.00
REGISTRATION OF CERTIFICATE OF SALE (REGISTER OF DEEDS)
Registration fee
10,923.00
Entry fee
30.00
Legal fund
20.00
BIR certification
60.00
Doc. stamps tax
69,000.00
Capital Gains tax
276,000.00
356,033.00
-------------
EXPENSES INCURRED ON OCULAR INSPECTION MADE ON
404.00
TCT#173532-R & TCT#173533-R
ATTORNEY'S FEE
18,000.00
416,255.37
LESS: BID PRICE
4,600,000.00
-------------------
GRAND TOTAL ------------------------------------------------
1,758,427.8713
On the basis of the above statement of account, and pursuant to the promissory notes, Chinabank instituted extrajudicial foreclosure proceedings against the mortgage security. The foreclosure sale was held on May 18, 1998, with Chinabank offering the highest bid of P4,600,000.00, but by then the defendants' total obligations on the three promissory notes had risen to P5,401,975.00, before attorney's fees of 10% and auction expenses, leaving a loan deficiency of P1,758,427.87.14 Thus, in the complaint before the RTC, Chinabank prayed to direct the defendants to jointly and severally settle the said deficiency, plus 12% interest per annum after May 18, 1998,15 the date of the auction sale.16

The spouses Sinamban, in their Answer17 dated February 26, 1999, averred that they do not recall having executed PN No. OACL 636-95 for P325,000.00 on May 23, 1995, or PN No. CLF 5-93 for P1,300,000.00 on February 26, 1991, and had no participation in the execution of PN No. OACL 634-95 for P1,800,000.00 on April 24, 1995. They however admitted that they signed some PN forms as co-makers upon the request of the spouses Manalastas who are their relatives; although they insisted that they derived no money or other benefits from the loans. They denied knowing about the mortgage security provided by the spouses Manalastas, or that the latter defaulted on their loans. They also refused to acknowledge the loan deficiency of P1,758,427.87 on the PNs, insisting that the mortgage collateral was worth more than P10,000,000.00, enough to answer for all the loans, interests and penalties. They also claimed that they were not notified of the auction sale, and denied that they knew about the Certificate of Sale18 and the Statement of Account dated May 18, 1998, and insisted that Chinabank manipulated the foreclosure sale to exclude them therefrom. By way of counterclaim, the Spouses Sinamban prayed for damages and attorney's fees of 25%, plus litigation expenses and costs of suit.

The spouses Manalastas were declared in default in the RTC Order19 dated April 6, 1999, and Chinabank was allowed to present evidence ex parte as against them, but at the pre-trial conference held on July 5, 1999, the spouses Sinamban and their counsel also did not appear;20 hence, in the Order21 dated July 5, 1999, the RTC allowed Chinabank to present evidence ex parte against the defendants before the Branch Clerk of Court. During the testimony of Rosario D. Yabut, Branch Manager of Chinabank-San Fernando Branch, all the foregoing facts were adduced and confirmed, particularly the identity of the pertinent loan documents and the signatures of the defendants. On July 21, 1999, the court admitted the exhibits of Chinabank and declared the case submitted for decision.22

Ruling of the RTC

On July 30, 1999, the RTC rendered its Decision23 with the following dispositive portion:chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary
WHEREFORE, premises considered, judgment is hereby rendered in favor of plaintiff China Banking Corporation and against defendant Sps. Danilo and Magdalena Manalastas and defendant Sps. Estanislao and Africa Sinamban to jointly and severally pay [Chinabank] the amount of P1,758,427.87, representing the deficiency between the acquisition cost of the foreclosed real estate properties and the outstanding obligation of defendants at the time of the foreclosure sale; interest at the legal rate of 12% per annum from and after May 18, 1998; attorney's fees equivalent to 10% of the aforesaid deficiency amount and the litigation and costs of suit.

SO ORDERED.24cralawlawlibrary
On Motion for Reconsideration25 of the spouses Sinamban dated August 27, 1999, to which Chinabank filed an Opposition26 dated September 14, 1999, the RTC in its Order27 dated October 22, 1999 set aside the Decision dated July 30, 1999 with respect to the spouses Sinamban, in this wise:chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary
As it is undisputed that Exhibit "B" (Promissory Note dated April 24, 1995 in the amount of P1,800,000.00), was not signed by the Spouses Sinamban it would not be equitable that the said defendants be made solidarity liable for the payment of the said note as co-makers of their co-defendants Spouses Manalastas who are the one[s] principally liable thereto. Prescinding from this premise, the movant spouses could only be held liable for the two (2) promissory notes they have signed, Promissory Notes dated May 23, 1995 in the amount of P325,000.00 and February 26, 1991 in the amount of P1,300,000.00, Exhibits "A" and "C", respectively. As the total amount of the said notes is only P1,625,000.00, so even if we would add the interests due thereon, there is no way that the said outstanding loan exceed[s] the acquisition cost of the foreclosed real estate properties subject hereof in the amount of P4,600,000.00. It would appear then that the Spouses Sinamban could not be held liable for the deficiency in the amount of P1,758,427.87 which should justly be borne alone by the defendant Spouses Manalastas. Guided by law and equity on the matter, the court will not hesitate to amend a portion of its assailed decision to serve the interest of justice.cralawred

WHEREFORE, premises considered, the decision dated July 30, 1999 is hereby Reconsidered and Set Aside with respect to the Spouses Estanislao and Africa Sinamban hereby Relieving them from any liability arising from the said Decision which is affirmed in toto with respect to Spouses Manalastas.

SO ORDERED.28 (Emphases ours)
The RTC ruled that the proceeds of the auction were sufficient to answer for the two PNs co-signed by the spouses Sinamban, including interest and penalties thereon, and therefore the spouses Manalastas should solely assume the deficiency of P1,758,427.87. Chinabank moved for reconsideration on November 11, 1999,29 to which the spouses Sinamban filed their comment/opposition on November 23, 1999.30

On December 8, 1999, the RTC set aside its Order dated October 22, 1999 and reinstated its Decision dated July 30, 1999, with modification, as follows:31ChanRoblesVirtualawlibrary
WHEREFORE, premises considered, the instant Motion for Reconsideration of plaintiff is Granted.

Order dated October 22, 1999 is hereby Set Aside.

Accordingly, the dispositive portion of the Decision dated July 30, 1999 is hereby Modified to read as follows:chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary
WHEREFORE, premises considered, judgment [is] hereby rendered in favor of plaintiff China Banking Corporation and against the defendant Sps. Danilo and Magdalena Manalastas and defendant Sps. Estanislao and Africa Sinamban, ordering them to pay as follows:

1. For defendant Sps. Danilo and Magdalena Manalastas, the amount of P1,758,427.87, the deficiency between the acquisition cost of the foreclosed real properties and their outstanding obligation;

2. For defendant Sps. Sinamban a percentage of P1,758,427.87, jointly and severally with the defendant Sps. [Manalastas] only on two (2) promissory notes;

3. The corresponding interests thereon at legal rate:

4. Attorney's fees; and

5. Costs of suit.
SO ORDERED.32cralawlawlibrary
This time the RTC held that the spouses Sinamban must, solidarity with the spouses Manalastas, proportionately answer for the loan deficiency pertaining to the two PNs they co-signed, since the mortgage security provided by the spouses Manalastas secured all three PNs and thus also benefited them as co-makers. But since they did not co-sign PN No. OACL 634-95, the deficiency judgment pertaining thereto will be the sole liability of the spouses Manalastas.chanRoblesvirtualLawlibrary

Ruling of the CA

From the Order dated December 8, 1999 of the RTC, the spouses Sinamban appealed to the CA on January 4, 2000, docketed as CA-G.R. CV. No. 66274, interposing the following errors of the RTC, viz:chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary
I

THE LOWER COURT ERRED WHEN IT HELD DEFENDANTS-APPELLANTS SPS. SINAMBAN LIABLE TO PAY A PERCENTAGE OF P1,758,427.87, JOINTLY AND SEVERALLY WITH THE DEFENDANTS SPS. MANALASTAS ON THE TWO PROMISSORY NOTES (EXHIBITS 'C' AND 'A').

II

THE LOWER COURT ERRED WHEN IT RECONSIDERED AND SET ASIDE ITS PREVIOUS ORDER DATED 22 OCTOBER 1999 RELIEVING DEFENDANTS-APPELLANTS SPS. SINAMBAN FROM ANY LIABILITY ARISING FROM THE DECISION DATED 30 JULY 1999.

III

THE LOWER COURT ERRED WHEN IT RENDERED THE VAGUE ORDER OF 8 DECEMBER 1999 (ANNEX 'B' HEREOF).33cralawlawlibrary
On May 19, 2010, the CA rendered judgment denying the appeal, the fallo of which reads:chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary
WHEREFORE, considering the foregoing disquisition, the appeal is DENIED. The Decision dated 30 July 1999 and the Order dated 08 December 1999 of the Regional Trial Court of San Fernando, Pampanga, Branch 45 in Civil Case No. 11708 are hereby AFFIRMED with MODIFICATION in that:
  1. Sps. Danilo and Magdalena Manalastas are solidarily liable for the deficiency amount of Php507,741.62 (inclusive of 10% attorney's fees) on Promissory Note No. OACL 634-95 dated 24 April 1995;

  2. Sps. Estanislao and Africa Sinamban are solidarily liable with Sps. Danilo and Magdalena Manalastas for the amount of Php844,501.90 (inclusive of 10% attorney's fees) on Promissory Note No. OACL00636-95 dated 23 May 1995;

  3. Estanislao Sinamban and Sps. Danilo and Magdalena Manalastas are solidarity� liable� for� the� amount� of Php406,184.35 (inclusive of 10% attorney's fees) on Promissory Note No. CLF 5-93 dated 26 February 1991; and

  4. The foregoing amounts shall bear interest at the rate of 12% per annum from 18 November 1998 until fully paid.
SO ORDERED.34 (Some emphasis ours)
Petition for Review to the Supreme Court

In this petition for review, the spouses Sinamban seek to be completely relieved of any liability on the PNs, solidary or otherwise, by interposing the following issues:chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary
5.1 Whether or not the Honorable Court of Appeals erred in not considering that the Sps. Sinamban's obligations under PN# OACL 636-95 dated May 23, 1995 in the principal sum of Php325,000.00 and PN# CLF 5-93 dated February 26, 1991� in the principal sum of Php 1,300,000.00 are more onerous and burdensome on their part as mere sureties (co-makers) of their co-defendants-spouses Danilo and Magdalena Manalastas' (hereinafter referred to as the "Sps. Manalastas") obligations over the same, compared to the Sps. Manalastas' sole obligation under PN# OACL 634-95 dated 24 April 1995 in the principal amount of Php1,800,000.00, such that the proceeds of the auction sale of the properties securing all the three (3) promissory notes should first be applied to satisfy the promissory notes signed by the Sps. Sinamban; and

5.2 Whether or not the Honorable Court of Appeals erred in not considering the facts indubitably showing that it is the Sps. Sinamban, as the debtors, and not the respondent bank, who are given the choice under Article 1252 of the Civil Code to have the proceeds of the auction sale applied as payments to their obligations under PN# OACL 636-95 dated 23 May 1995 and PN# CLF 5-93 dated 26 February 1991.35cralawlawlibrary
Ruling of the Court

The Court modifies the CA decision.

A co-maker of a PN who binds himself with the maker "jointly and severally" renders himself directly and primarily liable with the maker on the debt, without reference to his solvency.

"A promissory note is a solemn acknowledgment of a debt and a formal commitment to repay it on the date and under the conditions agreed upon by the borrower and the lender. A person who signs such an instrument is bound to honor it as a legitimate obligation duly assumed by him through the signature he affixes thereto as a token of his good faith. If he reneges on his promise without cause, he forfeits the sympathy and assistance of this Court and deserves instead its sharp repudiation."36

Employing words of common commercial usage and well-accepted legal significance, the three subject PNs uniformly describe the solidary nature and extent of the obligation assumed by each of the defendants in Civil Case No. 11708, to wit:chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary
"FOR VALUE RECEIVED, I/We jointly and severally promise to pay to the CHINA BANKING CORPORATION or its order the sum of PESOS x x x[.]"37 (Emphasis ours)
According to Article 2047 of the Civil Code,38 if a person binds himself solidarily with the principal debtor, the provisions of Articles 1207 to 1222 of the Civil Code (Section 4, Chapter 3, Title I, Book IV) on joint and solidary obligations shall be observed. Thus, where there is a concurrence of two or more creditors or of two or more debtors in one and the same obligation, Article 1207 provides that among them, "[t]here is a solidary liability only when the obligation expressly so states, or when the law or the nature of the obligation requires solidarity." It is settled that when the obligor or obligors undertake to be "jointly and severally" liable, it means that the obligation is solidary.39 In this case, the spouses Sinamban expressly bound themselves to be jointly and severally, or solidarily, liable with the principal makers of the PNs, the spouses Manalastas.

Moreover, as the CA pointed out, in Paragraph 5 of the PNs, the borrowers and their co-makers expressly authorized Chinabank, as follows:chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary
[T]o apply to the payment of this note and/or any other particular obligation or obligations of all or any one of us to the CHINA BANKING CORPORATION as the said Corporation may select, irrespective of the dates of maturity, whether or not said obligations are then due, any or all moneys, securities and things of value which are now or which may hereafter be in its hands on deposit or otherwise to the credit of, or belonging to, all or any one of us, and the CHINA BANKING CORPORATION is hereby authorized to sell at public or private sale such securities or things of value for the purpose of applying their proceeds to such payments.40cralawlawlibrary
Pursuant to Article 1216 of the Civil Code, as well as Paragraph 5 of the PNs, Chinabank opted to proceed against the co-debtors simultaneously, as implied in its May 18, 1998 statement of account when it applied the entire amount of its auction bid to the aggregate amount of the loan obligations.

The PNs were executed to acknowledge each loan obtained from the credit line extended by Chinabank, which the principal makers and true beneficiaries, the spouses Manalastas, secured with a REM they executed over their properties. As the RTC noted in its Order dated December 8, 1999, "the real estate mortgage was constituted to secure all the three (3) promissory notes," concluding that "[j]ust as the liability of the [spouses] Sinamban was lessened by the foreclosure proceedings, so must they also share in the deficiency judgment, in proportion to the PNs they co-signed with the [spouses] Manalastas, but not the entire deficiency judgment of P1,758,427.87."41

Significantly, in modifying the RTC's second amended decision, which provides for the pro rata distribution of the loan deficiency of P1,758,427.87, the C A first applied the entire net proceeds of the auction sale of P4,183,744.63 (after auction expenses of P416,255.37), to PN No. OACL 634-95, which on May 18, 1998 had an outstanding balance of P4,264,987.50, inclusive of interest and penalties, plus 10% attorney's fees, or a total of P4,691,486.25. Thus, P4,691,486.25 less P4,183,744.63 leaves a deficiency on PN No. OACL 634-95 of P507/741.62, which is due solely from the spouses Manalastas.

As for PN No. OACL 636-95, the CA ordered the spouses Sinamban to pay, solidarity with the spouses Manalastas, the entire amount due thereon, P844,501.90, consisting of the loan principal of P767,729.00 plus accrued interest, penalties and 10% attorney's fees; concerning PN No. CLF 5-93, the CA ordered the spouses Sinamban to pay, solidarity with the spouses Manalastas, the amount of P406,184.35, consisting of the balance of the loan principal of P369,258.50 plus accrued interest, penalties and 10% attorney's fees. The CA further ordered the payment of 12% interest per annum from November 18, 1998, the date of judicial demand, until fully paid, on the above deficiencies.

Article 1216 of the Civil Code provides that "[t]he creditor may proceed against any one of the solidary debtors or some or all of them simultaneously. The demand made against one of them shall not be an obstacle to those which may subsequently be directed against the others, so long as the debt has not been fully collected." Article 125242 of the Civil Code does not apply, as urged by the petitioners, because in the said article the situation contemplated is that of a debtor with several debts due, whereas the reverse is true, with each solidary debt imputable to several debtors.

While the CA correctly noted that the choice is given to the solidary creditor to determine against whom he wishes to enforce payment, the CA stated that Chinabank, in the exercise of the aforesaid option, chose to apply the net proceeds of the extrajudicial foreclosure sale first to the PN solely signed by spouses Manalastas.43 Thus, the net proceeds were applied first to PN No. OACL 634-95 in the principal amount of P1,800,000.00, instead of pro rata to all three PNs due.

The Court finds this factual conclusion of the CA not supported by any evidence or any previous arrangement. To the contrary, as clearly shown in its Statement of Account dated May 18, 1998, Chinabank opted to apply the entire auction proceeds to the aggregate amount of the three PNs due, P5,401,975.00 (before attorney's fees and auction expenses). Had it chosen to enforce the debts as ruled by the CA, the Statement of Account would have shown that the loan due on PN No. OACL 634-95 which is P4,691,486.25, should have been deducted first from the net auction proceeds of P4,183,744.63, arriving at a deficiency of P507,741.62 on PN No. OACL 634-95 alone; thereby, leaving no remainder of the proceeds available to partially settle the other two PNs. As it appears, the auction proceeds are not even sufficient to cover just PN No. OACL 634-95 alone.

But as the Court has noted, by deducting the auction proceeds from the aggregate amount of the three loans due, Chinabank in effect opted to apply the entire proceeds of the auction simultaneously to all the three loans. This implies that each PN will assume a pro rata portion of the resulting deficiency on the total indebtedness as bears upon each PN's outstanding balance. Contrary to the spouses Sinamban's insistence, none of the three PNs is more onerous than the others to justify applying the proceeds according to Article 1254 of the Civil Code, in relation to Articles 1252 and 1253.44 Since each loan, represented by each PN, was obtained under a single credit line extended by Chinabank for the working capital requirements of the spouses Manalastas' rice milling business, which credit line was secured also by a single REM over their properties, then each PN is simultaneously covered by the same mortgage security, the foreclosure of which will also benefit them proportionately. No PN enjoys any priority or preference in payment over the others, with the only difference being that the spouses Sinamban are solidarity liable for the deficiency on two of them.

Pursuant, then, to the order or manner of application of the auction proceeds chosen by Chinabank, the solidary liability of the defendants pertaining to each PN shall be as follows:chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary
a) PN No. OACL 634-95, with a balance as of May 18, 1998 of P4,264,987.50: its share in the total deficiency is computed as the ratio of P4,264,987.50 to P5,401,975.00, multiplied by P1,758,427.87, or P1,388,320.55, (not P507,741.62 as found by the CA);

b) PN No. OACL 636-95, with a balance of P767.729.00 as of May 18, 1998: its share in the deficiency is computed as the ratio of P767,729.00 to P5,401,975.00, multiplied by P1,758,427.87, or P249,907.87, (not P844,501.90 as computed by the CA);

c) PN No. CLF 5-93, with an outstanding balance of P369,258.50 as of May 18, 1998: its share in the deficiency is computed as the ratio of P369,258.50 to P5,401,975.00, multiplied by P1,758,427.87, or P120,199.45, (not P406,184.35 as found by the CA).

In short, in the CA decision, the spouses Manalastas would be solely liable on PN No. OACL 634-95 for only P507,741.62 (instead of the much bigger amount of P1,388,320.55 which this Court found), whereas the spouses Sinamban would be solidarily liable with the spouses Manalastas for a total deficiency of P1,250,686.25 on PN No. OACL 636-95 and PN No. CLF 5-93. But under the Court's interpretation, the spouses Sinamban are solidarily liable with the spouses Manalastas for only P370,107.32 on the said two PNs, for a significant difference of P880,578.93.

Pursuant to Monetary Board Circular No. 799, effective July 1, 2013, the rate of interest for the loan or forbearance of any money, goods or credits and the rate allowed in judgments, in the absence of an express contract as to such rate of interest, has been reduced to six percent (6%) per annum.

The subject three PNs bear interests ranging from 21% to 23% per annum, exclusive of penalty of 1% on the overdue amount per month of delay, whereas in its complaint, Chinabank prayed to recover only the legal rate of 12% on whatever judgment it could obtain. Meanwhile, the Monetary Board of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas in its Resolution No. 796 dated May 16, 2013, and now embodied in Monetary Board Circular No. 799, has effective July 1, 2013 reduced to 6%, from 12%, the legal rate of interest for the loan or forbearance of any money, goods or credits and the rate allowed in judgments, in the absence of stipulation.45 Since Chinabank demanded only the legal, not the stipulated, interest rate on the deficiency and attorney's fees due, the defendants will solidarily pay interest on their shares in the deficiency at the rate of 12% from November 18, 1998 to June 30, 2013, and 6% from July 1, 2013 until fully paid.cralawred

WHEREFORE, the Decision of the Court of Appeals dated May 19, 2010 in CA-G.R. CV No. 66274 is MODIFIED. The Decision dated July 30, 1999 and the Order dated December 8, 1999 of the Regional Trial Court of San Fernando City, Pampanga, Branch 45 in Civil Case No. 11708 are hereby AFFIRMED with MODIFICATIONS as follows:

1. Spouses Danilo and Magdalena Manalastas are solidarily liable for the deficiency amount of P1,388,320.55 (inclusive of 10% attorney's fees) on Promissory Note No. OACL 634-95 dated April 24, 1995;

2. Spouses Estanislao and Africa Sinamban are solidarily liable with spouses Danilo and Magdalena Manalastas for the deficiency amount of P249,907.87 (inclusive of 10% attorney's fees) on Promissory Note No. OACL 636-95 dated May 23, 1995;

3. Estanislao Sinamban and spouses Danilo and Magdalena Manalastas are solidarily liable for the deficiency amount of P120,199.45 (inclusive of 10% attorney's fees) on Promissory Note No. CLF 5-93 dated February 26, 1991; and

4. The foregoing amounts shall bear interest at the rate of twelve percent (12%) per annum from November 18, 1998 to June 30, 2013, and six percent (6%) per annum from July 1, 2013 until fully paid.

SO ORDERED.chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary

Velasco, Jr., (Chairperson), Peralta, Villarama, Jr., and Jardeleza, JJ., concur.

Endnotes:


1Rollo, pp. 9-26.

2 Penned by Associate Justice Celia C. Librea-Leagogo, with Associate Justices Remedios A. Salazar-Fernando and Michael P. Elbinias, concurring; id. at 28-53.

3 Issued by Judge Adelaida Ala-Medina; id. at 101-104.

4 Id. at 64-66.

5 Id. at 67-72.

6 Id. at 56-60.

7 Id. at 61.

8 Id. at 62.

9 Id. at 63.

10 Id. at 57.

11 Id. at 75.

12 Id.

13 Id.

14 Id. at 58-59.

15 But note that the PNs stipulated interest rates from 21% to 23% per annum, plus a penalty of 1% per month of delay.

16Rollo, p. 59.

17 Id. at 79-82.

18 Id. at 73-74.

19 Id. at 89.

20 Id. at 97.

21 Id.

22 Id. at 98.

23 Id. at 101-104.

24 Id. at 104.

25 Id. at 105-110.

26 Id. at 115-119.

27 Id. at 120-122.

28 Id. at 121-122.

29 Id. at 123-126.

30 Id. at 127-128.

31 Id. at 131-133.

32 Id. at 132-133.

33 Id. at 39-40.

34Id. at 49-50.

35 Id. at 18-19.

36Sierra v. Court of Appeals, G.R. No. 90270, July 24, 1992, 211 SCRA 785, 795.

37 Rollo, pp. 61-63.

38 Art. 2047. By guaranty a person, called the guarantor, binds himself to the creditor to fulfill the obligation of the principal debtor in case the latter should fail to do so.

If a person binds himself solidarily with the principal debtor, the provisions of Section 4, Chapter 3, Title I of this Book shall be observed, tn such case the contract is called a suretyship.

39Crystal v. Bank of the Philippine Islands, G.R. No. 172428, November 28, 2008, 572 SCRA 697, 703. See also Esca�o v. Ortigas, Jr., 553 Phil. 24, 39 (2007).

40] Rollo, pp. 61-63.

41 Id. at 132.

42 ART. 1252. He who has various debts of the same kind in favor of one and the same creditor, may declare at the time of making the payment, to which of them the same must be applied. Unless the parties so stipulate, or when the application of payment is made by the party for whose benefit the term has been constituted, application shall not be made as to debts which are not yet due.

If the debtor accepts from the creditor a receipt in which an application of the payment is made, the former cannot complain of the same, unless there is a cause for invalidating the contract.

43Rollo, p. 47.

44 Art. 1252. He who has various debts of the same kind in favor of one and the same creditor, may declare at the time of making the payment, to which of them the same must be applied. Unless the parties so stipulate, or when the application of payment is made by the party for whose benefit the term has been constituted, application shall not be made as to debts which are not yet due.

If the debtor accepts from the creditor a receipt in which an application of the payment is made, the former cannot complain of the same, unless there is a cause for invalidating the contract.

Art. 1253. If the debt produces interest, payment of the principal shall not be deemed to have been made until the interests have been covered.

Art. 1254. When the payment cannot be applied in accordance with the preceding rules, or if application can not be inferred from other circumstances, the debt which is most onerous to the debtor, among those due, shall be deemed to have been satisfied.

If the debts due are of the same nature and burden, the payment shall be applied to all of them proportionately.

45S.C. Megaworld Construction and Development Corporation v. Parada, G.R. No. 183804, September 11, 2013, 705 SCRA 584, 608; Nacar v. Gallery Frames, G.R. No. 189871 August 13, 2013, 703 SCRA 439, 455-456.



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March-2015 Jurisprudence                 

  • A.C. No. 7158, March 09, 2015 - YOLANDA A. ANDRES, MINETTE A. MERCADO, AND ELITO P. ANDRES , Complainants, v. ATTY. SALIMATHAR V. NAMBI, Respondent.

  • A.C. No. 5816, March 10, 2015 - DR. ELMAR O. PEREZ, Complainant, v. ATTY. TRISTAN A. CATINDIG AND ATTY. KAREN E. BAYDO, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 211497, March 18, 2015 - HOCHENG PHILIPPINES CORPORATION, Petitioner, v. ANTONIO M. FARRALES, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 190828, March 16, 2015 - ONOFRE V. MONTERO, EDGARDO N. ESTRA�ERO, RENING P. PADRE, GABRIEL A. MADERA, HERMINIO T. TACLA, NELSON C. VILORIA, DEMETRIO Q. PAJARILLO, ALFREDO R. AGANON, REYNALDO AVILA, ALBERT T. RUIZ, NESTOR Y. YAGO, HARTY M. TUPASI, AGUSTIN R. AVILA, JR. OR MARCOS R. AVILA, BONIFACIO B. GAANO, JOSELITO D. CUENTA, JONAS P. ESTILONG, DOMINADOR C. CANARIA, GENARO C. RONDARIS, HERARDO M. DULAY, FRANKLIN A. RAVINA, JR., AND RUBEN C. CABELLO, Petitioners, v. TIMES TRANSPORTATION CO., INC., AND SANTIAGO RONDARIS, MENCORP TRANSPORT SYSTEMS, INC., VIRGINIA R. MENDOZA AND REYNALDO MENDOZA, Respondents.

  • A.C. No. 7593, March 11, 2015 - ALVIN S. FELICIANO, Complainant, v. ATTY. CARMELITA BAUTISTA-LOZADA, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 195661, March 11, 2015 - UNKNOWN OWNER OF THE VESSEL M/V CHINA JOY, SAMSUN SHIPPING LTD., AND INTER-ASIA MARINE TRANSPORT, INC., Petitioners, v. ASIAN TERMINALS, INC., Respondent.

  • A.C. No. 5914, March 11, 2015 - SPOUSES ROGELIO AMATORIO AND AIDA AMATORIO, Complainants, v. ATTY. FRANCISCO DY YAP AND ATTY. WHELMA F. SITON-YAP, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 215630, March 09, 2015 - METROGUARDS SECURITY AGENCY CORPORATION (FORMERLY KNOWN AS BEEGUARDS CORPORATION) AND MS. MILAGROS T. CHAN, Petitioners, v. ALBERTO N. HILONGO, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 199113, March 18, 2015 - RENATO M. DAVID, Petitioner, v. EDITHA A. AGBAY AND PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 205300, March 18, 2015 - FONTERRA BRANDS PHILS., INC., Petitioner, v. LEONARDO1 LARGADO AND TEOTIMO ESTRELLADO, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 206019, March 18, 2015 - PHILIPPINE NATIONAL BANK, Petitioner, v. COMMISSIONER OF INTERNAL REVENUE, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 204757, March 17, 2015 - ATTY. JANET D. NACION, Petitioner, v. COMMISSION ON AUDIT, MA. GRACIA PULIDO-TAN, JUANITO ESPINO AND HEIDI MENDOZA, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 187836, March 10, 2015 - SOCIAL JUSTICE SOCIETY (SJS) OFFICERS, NAMELY, SAMSON S. ALCANTARA, AND VLADIMIR ALARIQUE T. CABIGAO, Petitioners, v. ALFREDO S. LIM, IN HIS CAPACITY AS MAYOR OF THE CITY OF MANILA, Respondent.; G.R. No. 187916 - JOSE L. ATIENZA, JR., BIENVINIDO M. ABANTE, MA. LOURDES M. ISIP-GARCIA, RAFAEL P. BORROMEO JOCELYN DAWIS-ASUNCION, MINORS MARIAN REGINA B. TARAN, MACAILA RICCI B. TARAN, RICHARD KENNETH B. TARAN, REPRESENTED AND JOINED BY THEIR PARENTS RICHARD AND MARITES TARAN, MINORS CZARINA ALYSANDRA C. RAMOS, CEZARAH ADRIANNA C. RAMOS, AND CRISTEN AIDAN C. RAMOS REPRESENTED AND JOINED BY THEIR MOTHER DONNA C. RAMOS, MINORS JAZMIN SYLLITA T. VILA AND ANTONIO T. CRUZ IV, REPRESENTED AND JOINED BY THEIR MOTHER MAUREEN C. TOLENTINO, Petitioners, v. MAYOR ALFREDO S. LIM, VICE MAYOR FRANCISCO DOMAGOSO, COUNCILORS ARLENE W. KOA, MOISES T. LIM, JESUS FAJARDO LOUISITO N. CHUA, VICTORIANO A. MELENDEZ, JOHN MARVIN C. NIETO, ROLANDO M. VALERIANO, RAYMUNDO R. YUPANGCO, EDWARD VP MACEDA, RODERICK D. VALBUENA, JOSEFINA M. SISCAR, SALVADOR PHILLIP H. LACUNA, LUCIANO M. VELOSO, CARLO V. LOPEZ, ERNESTO F. RIVERA,1 DANILO VICTOR H. LACUNA, JR., ERNESTO G. ISIP, HONEY H. LACUNA-PANGAN, ERNESTO M. DIONISO, JR. AND ERICK IAN O. NIEVA, Respondents.; CHEVRON PHILIPPINES INC., PETRON CORPORATION AND PILIPINAS SHELL PETROLEUM CORPORATION, Intervenors.

  • G.R. No. 187606, March 09, 2015 - NORMA V. JAVATE, Petitioner, v. SPOUSES RENATO J. TIOTUICO AND LERMA C. TIOTUICO, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 207133, March 09, 2015 - SWIRE REALTY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION, Petitioner, v. JAYNE YU, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 207747, March 11, 2015 - SPOUSES CHIN KONG WONG CHOI AND ANA O. CHUA, Petitioners, v. UNITED COCONUT PLANTERS BANK, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 209383, March 11, 2015 - SEACREST MARITIME MANAGEMENT, INC., ROLANDO B. MAGCALE, AND SEALION SHIPPING LIMITED � UNITED KINGDOM, Petitioners, v. MAURICIO G. PICAR, JR., Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 183511, March 25, 2015 - REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES, Petitioner, v. EMETERIA G. LUALHATI, Respondent.

  • A.C. No. 10679, March 10, 2015 - PO1 JOSE B. CASPE, Complainant, v. ATTY. AQUILINO A. MEJICA, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 203774, March 11, 2015 - CARGILL PHILIPPINES, INC., Petitioner, v. COMMISSIONER OF INTERNAL REVENUE, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 198024, March 16, 2015 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. RAFAEL CUNANAN Y DAVID ALIAS �PAENG PUTOL�, Accused-Appellant.

  • G.R. No. 212054, March 11, 2015 - ST. LUKE�S MEDICAL CENTER, INC., Petitioner, v. MARIA THERESA V. SANCHEZ, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 200983, March 18, 2015 - REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES, Petitioner, v. HUANG TE FU, A.K.A. ROBERT UY, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 175433, March 11, 2015 - ATTY. JACINTO C. GONZALES, Petitioner, v. MAILA CLEMEN F. SERRANO, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 201427, March 18, 2015 - TEOFILO B. ADOLFO, Petitioner, v. FE. T. ADOLFO, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 155701, March 11, 2015 - LIM TECK CHUAN, Petitioner, v. SERAFIN UY AND LEOPOLDA CECILIO, LIM SING CHAN @ HENRY LIM, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 176908, March 25, 2015 - PURISIMO M. CABAOBAS, EXUPERIO C. MOLINA, GILBERTO V. OPINION, VICENTE R. LAURON, RAMON M. DE PAZ, JR., ZACARIAS E. CARBO, JULITO G. ABARRACOSO, DOMINGO B. GLORIA, AND FRANCISCO P. CUMPIO, Petitioners, v. PEPSI-COLA PRODUCTS, PHILIPPINES, INC., Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 200620, March 18, 2015 - ROBERTO L. ABAD, MANUEL D. ANDAL, BENITO V. ARANETA, PHILIP G. BRODETT, ENRIQUE L. LOCSIN AND ROBERTO V. SAN JOSE, Petitioners, v. PHILIPPINE COMMUNICATIONS SATELLITE CORPORATION, REPRESENTED BY VICTOR AFRICA, Respondent.

  • A.C. No. 10132, March 24, 2015 - HEIRS OF PEDRO ALILANO REPRESENTED BY DAVID ALILANO, Complainants, v. ATTY. ROBERTO E. EXAMEN, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 209843, March 25, 2015 - TAIWAN KOLIN CORPORATION, LTD., Petitioner, v. KOLIN ELECTRONICS CO., INC., Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 203655, March 18, 2015 - SM LAND, INC., Petitioner, v. BASES CONVERSION AND DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY AND ARNEL PACIANO D. CASANOVA, ESQ., IN HIS OFFICIAL CAPACITY AS PRESIDENT AND CEO OF BCDA, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 209227, March 25, 2015 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. CHARLIE OROSCO, Accused-Appellant.

  • G.R. No. 205469, March 25, 2015 - BPI FAMILY SAVINGS BANK, INC., Petitioner, v. ST. MICHAEL MEDICAL CENTER, INC., Respondent.

  • OCA IPI NO. 14-220-CA-J, March 17, 2015 - RE: COMPLAINT DATED JANUARY 28, 2014 OF WENEFREDO PARRE�O, ET AL., AGAINST HON. CELIA C. LIBREA-LEAGOGO, HON. ELIHU A. YBA�EZ AND HON. AMY C. LAZARO-JAVIER, ASSOCIATE JUSTICES OF THE COURT OF APPEALS, RELATIVE TO CA G.R. SP NO. 108807

  • G.R. No. 206381, March 25, 2015 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. DANIEL MATIBAG Y DE VILLA @ �DANI� OR �DANILO,� Accused-Appellant.

  • G.R. No. 192284, March 11, 2015 - ALEX TIONCO Y ORTEGA, Petitioner, v. PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Respondent.

  • A.C. No. 8330, March 16, 2015 - TERESITA B. ENRIQUEZ, Complainant, v. ATTY. TRINA DE VERA, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 183212, March 16, 2015 - WALLEM PHILIPPINES SERVICES, INC. AND WALLEM SHIP MANAGEMENT, LTD., Petitioners, v. HEIRS OF THE LATE PETER PADRONES, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 179640, March 18, 2015 - HACIENDA CATAYWA/MANUEL VILLANUEVA, owner, JOEMARIE VILLANUEVA, manager, MANCY AND SONS ENTERPRISES, INC., Petitioners, v. ROSARIO LOREZO, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 212496, March 18, 2015 - NESTOR BRACERO, Petitioner, v. RODULFO ARCELO AND THE HEIRS OF VICTORIANO MONISIT, namely: LOURDES MENCHAVEZ, ROGELIO RUELO, AND MARTINIANA APOR, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 196750, March 11, 2015 - MA. ELENA R. DIVINAGRACIA, AS ADMINISTRATRIX OF THE ESTATE OF THE LATE SANTIAGO C. DIVINAGRACIA, Petitioner, v. CORONACION PARILLA, CELESTIAL NOBLEZA, CECILIA LELINA, CELEDONIO NOBLEZA, AND MAUDE NOBLEZA, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 209370, March 25, 2015 - FORT BONIFACIO DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION, Petitioner, v. VALENTIN L. FONG, Respondent.

  • A.C. No. 8826, March 25, 2015 - SHIRLEY OLAYTA-CAMBA, Complainant, v. ATTY. OTILIO SY BONGON, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 203240, March 18, 2015 - NORTHERN ISLANDS, CO., INC., Petitioner, v. SPOUSES DENNIS AND CHERYLIN* GARCIA, DOING BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME AND STYLE �ECOLAMP MULTI RESOURCES,�, Respondents.

  • A.C. No. 8776, March 22, 2015 - ANTONINA S. SOSA, Complainant, v. ATTY. MANUEL V. MENDOZA, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 209283, March 11, 2015 - CECILIA RACHEL V. QUISUMBING, Petitioner, v. LORETTA ANN P. ROSALES, MA. VICTORIA V. CARDONA AND NORBERTO DELA CRUZ, IN THEIR CAPACITIES AS CHAIRPERSON AND MEMBERS, RESPECTIVELY, OF THE COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS, Respondent.

  • A.C. No. 10672, March 18, 2015 - EDUARDO A. MAGLENTE, Complainant, v. ATTY. DELFIN R. AGCAOILI, JR., Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 208908, March 11, 2015 - THE COFFEE BEAN AND TEA LEAF PHILIPPINES, INC. AND WALDEN CHU, Petitioners, v. ROLLY P. ARENAS, Respondent.

  • A.C. No. 10695, March 18, 2015 - CRESCENCIANO M. PITOGO, Complainant, v. ATTY. JOSELITO TROY SUELLO, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 200759, March 25, 2015 - FAJ CONSTRUCTION & DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION, Petitioner, v. SUSAN M. SAULOG, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 207988, March 11, 2015 - THE PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. BRIAN MERCADO Y SARMIENTO, Accused-Appellant.

  • G.R. No. 185374, March 11, 2015 - SIMPLICIA CERCADO-SIGA AND LIGAYA CERCADO-BELISON, Petitioners, v. VICENTE CERCADO, JR., MANUELA C. ARABIT, LOLITA C. BASCO, MARIA C. ARALAR AND VIOLETA C. BINADAS, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 176033, March 11, 2015 - FELILIBETH AGUINALDO AND BENJAMIN PEREZ, Petitioners, v. REYNALDO P. VENTUS AND JOJO B. JOSON, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 205492, March 11, 2015 - REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES, Petitioner, v. SPOUSES DANTE AND LOLITA BENIGNO, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 202805, March 23, 2015 - ROSARIO BANGUIS-TAMBUYAT, Petitioner, v. WENIFREDA BALCOM-TAMBUYAT, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 202943, March 25, 2015 - THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, REPRESENTED BY SECRETARY ENRIQUE T. ONA, AND THE FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION (FORMERLY THE BUREAU OF FOOD AND DRUGS), REPRESENTED BY ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF HEALTH NICOLAS B. LUTERO III, OFFICER-IN-CHARGE, Petitioners, v. PHILIP MORRIS PHILIPPINES MANUFACTURING, INC., Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 160914, March 25, 2015 - MARCELA M. DELA CRUZ, Petitioner, v. ANTONIO Q. HERMANO AND HIS WIFE REMEDIOS HERMANO, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 189296, March 11, 2015 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. RECTO ANGNGAO Y MAKAY AND ROBERT CARLIN Y PECDASEN, ACCUSED, RECTO ANGNGAO Y MAKAY, Accused-Appellant.

  • G.R. No. 202989, March 25, 2015 - COMGLASCO CORPORATION/AGUILA GLASS, Petitioner, v. SANTOS CAR CHECK CENTER CORPORATION, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 167052, March 11, 2015 - BANK OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS SECURITIES CORPORATION, Petitioner, v. EDGARDO V. GUEVARA, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 183531, March 25, 2015 - EASTERN TELECOMMUNICATIONS PHILIPPINES, INC., Petitioner, v. COMMISSIONER OF INTERNAL REVENUE, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 184301, March 23, 2015 - GE MONEY BANK, INC. (FORMERLY KEPPEL BANK PHILIPPINES, INC.), Petitioner, v. SPOUSES VICTORINO M. DIZON AND ROSALINA L. DIZON, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 198753, March 25, 2015 - JOSE �PEPE� SANICO, Petitioner, v. PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES AND JENNIFER SON-TENIO, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 202970, March 25, 2015 - NATANYA JOANA D. ARGEL, Petitioner, v. GOV. LUIS C. SINGSON, IN HIS CAPACITY AS THE GOVERNOR OF THE PROVINCE OF ILOCOS SUR, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 197556, March 25, 2015 - WATERFRONT CEBU CITY CASINO HOTEL, INC. AND MARCO PROTACIO, Petitioners, v. ILDEBRANDO LEDESMA, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 211199, March 25, 2015 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff and Appellee, v. RANDY ROLLO Y LAGASCA, Defendant and Appellant.

  • G.R. No. 173241, March 25, 2015 - SILICON PHILIPPINES, INC. (FORMERLY INTEL PHILIPPINES MANUFACTURING, INC.), Petitioner, v. COMMISSIONER OF INTERNAL REVENUE, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 193809, March 23, 2015 - SATURNINO NOVECIO, GAVINO NOVECIO, ANASTACIO GOLEZ, ABUNDIO SOMBILON, BERTING RODRIGUEZ, MELITON CATALAN, Petitioners, v. HON. RODRIGO F. LIM, JR., AS CHAIRMAN, HON. LEONCIA R. DIMAGIBA AS PONENTE AND AS MEMBER AND HON. ANGELITA A. GACUTAN AS MEMBER, FORMER TWENTY-THIRD DIVISION, COURT OF APPEALS, MINDANAO STATION, HON. JUDGE BENJAMIN ESTRADA, IN HIS CAPACITY AS PRESIDING JUDGE OF BRANCH 9, RTC, MALAYBALAY, BUKIDNON, MARIA CARMEN J. TUAZON, REP. BY HER ATTORNEY-IN-FACT, LOPE DUROTAN, Respondents.; VERGELIO ROSALES, LUIS TEQUILIO, GREGORIO PANANGIN, JOSEPH RODRIQUEZ, EDDIE RODRIGUEZ, Petitioners, v. HON. RODRIGO F. LIM, JR., AS CHAIRMAN, HON. LEONCIA R. DIMAGIBA AS PONENTE AND AS MEMBER DESIGNATED AS ACTING CHAIRPERSON, PER SPECIAL ORDER NO. 1955 DATED MARCH 23, 2015. DESIGNATED AS ACTING MEMBER VICE ASSOCIATE JUSTICE ANTONIO T. CARPIO, PER SPECIAL ORDER NO. 1956 DATED MARCH 23, 2015. AND HON. ANGELITA A. GACUTAN AS MEMBER, FORMER TWENTY-THIRD DIVISION, COURT OF APPEALS, MINDANAO STATION, HON. JUDGE BENJAMIN ESTRADA, IN HIS CAPACITY AS PRESIDING JUDGE OF BRANCH 9, RTC, MALAYBALAY, BUKIDNON, MANUEL V. NIETO, REP. BY HIS ATTORNEY-IN-FACT, LOPE DUROTAN, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 207422, March 18, 2015 - ANGEL ABAD, Petitioner, v. HERMINIO DELA CRUZ, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 208685, March 09, 2015 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. RODRIGO CASACOP Y DE CASTRO, Accused-Appellant.

  • G.R. No. 211159, March 18, 2015 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. MARCELINO OLOVERIO, Accused-Appellant.

  • G.R. No. 175842, March 18, 2015 - NILO MACAYAN, JR. Y MALANA, Petitioner, v. PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 189949, March 25, 2015 - CASTILLEJOS CONSUMERS ASSOCIATION, INC. (CASCONA), Petitioner, v. JOSE S. DOMINGUEZ, ISIAS Q. VIDUA, VICENTE M. BARRETO, JOSE M. SANTIAGO, JOSE NASERIV C. DOLOJAN, JUAN FERNANDEZ, HONORARIO DILAG, JR., FIDEL CORREA, ALICIA MERCADO, LECIRA JUAREZ, ATTY. FULGENCIO VIGARE, JR., ANGELITO U. SACRO, MILDRED ESGUERRA, ANTONIO APALISOK, SALAMAN D. MANGCA, DANILO S. SEGOBRE, EDMUNDO D. ENGAO, P/SUPT. ROLAND FELIX, P/SUPT. JERRY SUMBAD, P/INSP. GERRY HADUCA, P/INSP. ROBIN FUGIRAN, COOPERATIVE DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (CDA), BARTOLOME GALARITA, JR., WILFRE0O JIMENEZ, HITLER UNTAL, JOEL JOHN PACTORES, ROLLY CADORNA, RUDY ELIPSE, IBRAHIM LAHI, RODOLFO BONIFACIO, JR., ANECITO VIEJO, JR., JONARD IRAN, ANGELITO BALDONAZA, NIKKO DAJAY, ROLANDO ASPA, JESON CABATINGAN, JOBERT UGANG (SECURITY GUARDS), JOHN DOES (MEMBERS OF THE ZAMBALES PROVINCIAL MOBILE GROUP OF THE PHILIPPINE NATIONAL POLICE), Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 178407, March 18, 2015 - METROPOLITAN BANK AND TRUST COMPANY, Petitioner, v. S.F. NAGUIAT ENTERPRISES, INC., Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 155405, March 18, 2015 - THE HEIRS OF EUGENIO LOPEZ, SR. NAMELY, OSCAR M. LOPEZ, MANUEL M. LOPEZ AND PRESENTACION L. PSINAKIS, Petitioners, v. THE HONORABLE FRANCISCO QUERUBIN, IN HIS CAPACITY AS PRESIDING JUDGE OF THE REGIONAL TRIAL COURT OF ANTIPOLO, BRANCH 74, THE HEIRS OF ALFONSO SANDOVAL AND HIS WIFE ROSA RUIZ, REPRESENTED BY THEIR ATTORNEY-IN-FACT, MRS. IMELDA RIVERA, Respondents.; G.R. No. 164092 - HEIRS OF EUGENIO LOPEZ, Petitioners, v. ALFONSO SANDOVAL AND ROMAN OZAETA, JR., Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 212635, March 25, 2015 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. CHARLIE SORIN Y TAGAYLO, Accused-Appellant.

  • G.R. No. 171127, March 11, 2015 - NOEL CASUMPANG, RUBY SANGA-MIRANDA AND SAN JUAN DE DIOS HOSPITAL, Petitioners, v. NELSON CORTEJO, Respondent.; G.R. No. 171217 - DRA. RUBY SANGA-MIRANDA, Petitioner, v. NELSON CORTEJO, Respondent; G.R. No. 171228 - SAN JUAN DE DIOS HOSPITAL, Petitioner, v. NELSON CORTEJO, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 197115, March 23, 2015 - REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES, REPRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE, Petitioner, v. FEDERICO DACLAN, JOSEFINA COLLADO AND HER HUSBAND FEDERICO DACLAN, TEODORO DACLAN AND MINVILUZ DACLAN AS SURVIVING HEIRS OF DECEASED JOSE DACLAN, Respondents.; [G.R. NO. 197267] - FEDERICO DACLAN, JOSEFINA COLLADO, TEODORO DACLAN AND MINVILUZ DACLAN AS SURVIVING HEIRS OF DECEASED JOSE DACLAN, Petitioners, v. REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES, REPRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE AND PROVINCE OF LA UNION, REPRESENTED BY ITS PROVINCIAL GOVERNOR, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 160728, March 11, 2015 - CLT REALTY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION, Petitioner, v. PHIL-VILLE DEVELOPMENT AND HOUSING CORPORATION, REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES (THROUGH THE OFFICE OF THE SOLICITOR GENERAL), AND THE REGISTER OF DEEDS OF METRO MANILA DISTRICT III, CALOOCAN CITY, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 193038, March 11, 2015 - JOSEFINA V. NOBLEZA, Petitioner, v. SHIRLEY B. NUEGA, Respondent.

  • G.R. Nos. 211789-90, March 17, 2015 - DR. REY B. AQUINO, Petitioner, v. COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS, Respondent.

  • A.C. No. 8261, March 11, 2015 - JESSIE T. CAMPUGAN AND ROBERT C. TORRES, Complainants, v. ATTY. FEDERICO S. TOLENTINO, JR., ATTY. RENATO G. CUNANAN, ATTY. DANIEL F. VICTORIO, JR., AND ATTY. ELBERT T. QUILALA, Respondents.; A.C. No. 8725 - JESSIE T. CAMPUGAN AND ROBERT C. TORRES, Complainants, v. ATTY. CONSTANTE P. CALUYA, JR., AND ATTY. ELBERT T. QUILALA, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 206267, March 25, 2015 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. RONNIE BUAT ALIAS DATU SINSUAT, Accused-Appellant.

  • G.R. No. 182886, March 09, 2015 - SPOUSES SALVADOR P. NORBERTE, JR. AND ELIZABETH S. NORBERTE, Petitioners, v. SPOUSES FELICISIMO G. MEJIA AND ELVIRA C. MEJIA AND/OR THEIR HEIRS, REPRESENTED BY ALEXIS MEJIA-QUERUBIN, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 169407, March 25, 2015 - BANK OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS, Petitioner, v. AMADOR DOMINGO, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 201248, March 11, 2015 - LETICIA NAGUIT AQUINO, MELVIN NAGUIT, ROMMEL NAGUIT, ELMA NAGUIT TAYAG, YSSEL L. NAGUIT, ROSALINA NAGUIT AUMENTADO, RIZEL NAGUIT CUNANAN, CARIDAD NAGUIT PARAJAS, MILLIE NAGUIT FLORENDO, MARNEL NAGUIT, EDUARDO NAGUIT, JOSE NAGUIT, ZOILO NAGUIT, AND AMELIA NAGUIT DIZON, REPRESENTED BY YSSEL L. NAGUIT, Petitioners, v. CESAR B. QUIAZON, AMANDA QUIAZON, JOSE B. QUIAZON AND REYNALDO B. QUIAZON, REPRESENTED BY JAIME B. QUIAZON, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 193890, March 11, 2015 - ESTANISLAO AND AFRICA SINAMBAN, Petitioners, v. CHINA BANKING CORPORATION, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 191945, March 11, 2015 - NATIONAL POWER CORPORATION, Petitioner, v. SOCORRO T. POSADA, RENATO BUENO, ALICE BALIN, ADRIAN TABLIZO, TEOFILO TABLIZO, AND LYDIA T. OLIVO, SUBSTITUTED BY HER HEIRS, ALFREDO M. OLIVO, ALICIA O. SALAZAR, ANITA O. ORDONO, ANGELITA O. LIM, AND ADELFA O. ESPINAS, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 175493, March 25, 2015 - REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES, Petitioner, v. HEIRS OF GABRIEL Q. FERNANDEZ, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 197546, March 23, 2015 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. BAYANI DE LEON, ANTONIO DE LEON, DANILO DE LEON AND YOYONG DE LEON, Accused-Appellants.

  • G.R. No. 195956, March 11, 2015 - ABS-CBN CORPORATION, Petitioner, v. FELIPE GOZON, GILBERTO R. DUAVIT, JR., MARISSA L. FLORES, JESSICA A. SOHO, GRACE DELA PE�A-REYES, JOHN OLIVER T. MANALASTAS, JOHN DOES AND JANE DOES, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 184355, March 23, 2015 - ARNULFO A.K.A. ARNOLD JACABAN, Petitioner, v. PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 179047, March 11, 2015 - SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION, Petitioner, v. SUBIC BAY GOLF AND COUNTRY CLUB, INC. AND UNIVERSAL INTERNATIONAL GROUP DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION, Respondents.