SUPREME COURT DECISIONS

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EN BANC

G.R. Nos. L-14991-94 May 30, 1960

JAIME T. BUENAFLOR, Petitioner, vs. CAMARINES SUR INDUSTRY CORPORATION, Respondent.

Manuel O. Chan and Vicente Ampil for petitioner.
Evaristo R. Sandoval and Claro T. Almeda for respondent.

BENGZON, J.:chanrobles virtual law library

Jaime T. Buenaflor has appealed the decision of the Public Service Commission which rejected his application to install and operate a 5-ton ice plant in Sabang (Calabanga, Camarines Sur) even as it permitted Camarines Sur Industry Corporation to build in that barrio, a factory with the same output.chanroblesvirtualawlibrarychanrobles virtual law library

On June 25, 1957, Buenaflor filed his said application (P. S. Case 107548) together with another application to establish a cold storage and refrigeration service of about 6,000 cubic feet capacity (P. S. Case 107549). The Commission, by order of September 12, 1957, set the applications for hearing on October 9, 1957, requiring applicant to publish them in two newspapers, and to serve copy thereof to I�igo Daza and Camarines Sur Industry Corporation (hereinafter called Camarines Corporation). These owned ice plants in neighboring municipalities and had been apparently selling ice to Sabang's inhabitants.chanroblesvirtualawlibrarychanrobles virtual law library

After receiving copy of Buenaflor's applications, the Camarines Corporation submitted to the Commission on October 1, 1957, its own two applications: one for authority to construct and manage a 5-ton ice plant, and another for a cold storage and refrigeration system, both in Sabang too (P. S. Cases 109874 and 109875). It likewise registered opposition to Buenaflor's proposed ice business, on the ground that it was the pioneer distributor of the commodity in that particular locality.chanroblesvirtualawlibrarychanrobles virtual law library

When the petitions of Buenaflor were called for hearing on October 9, 1957, the attorney for Camarines Corporation voicing its application, invited attention to his client's applications moved for postponement, and agreed to a joint hearing of the four applications of both parties on October 25, 1957.chanroblesvirtualawlibrarychanrobles virtual law library

On the last mentioned date, Buenaflor's attorneys presented a motion to dismiss the Camarines Corporation's applications, challenging its personality, inasmuch as its corporate life had expired in November 1953, in accordance with its own articles of incorporation. Surprised by the move, counsel of Camarines Corporation asked, and was granted, time to answer. Immediately thereafter, the corporators of Camarines Corporation got busy and executed on October 30, 1957, and registered October 31, 1957, new articles of incorporation of Camarines Sur Industry Corporation, and at the same time, notarized a deed of conveyance assigning to the new corporation, all the assets of the expired (old) corporation, together with its existing certificates of public convenience to operate ice factories in Naga and Magarao.chanroblesvirtualawlibrarychanrobles virtual law library

Without loss of time, the corporators of the defunct (old) corporation and the newly organized corporation petitioned the Public Service Commission for the approval of the conveyance, and on November 7, 1957, the Commission provisionally approved the transfer of assets, plus the certificates of public convenience.chanroblesvirtualawlibrarychanrobles virtual law library

On November 8, 1957, the Camarines Corporation (new) answered the motion to dismiss, by alleging - to the amazement of Buenaflor - its recent incorporation, plus its acquisition of the assets and certificates of the old Camarines Corporation with the Commission's approval as above described.chanroblesvirtualawlibrarychanrobles virtual law library

Reiterating his application, while resisting the Camarines Corporation, Buenaflor argued: (a) he was first to apply; (b) although the old Camarines Corporation had been operating an ice plant in Magarao town, only six kilometers away, it neglected to take trouble of applying until Buenaflor had made his application; (c) the preference which the new Camarines Corporation claims by virtue of the old corporation's having distributed ice in Sabang for the years previous to Buenaflor's application, should not be granted, because since 1953 such old corporation had ceased to be juridical entity, and could not lawfully continue in business nor invoke any protection or preference.chanroblesvirtualawlibrarychanrobles virtual law library

Evidence was presented in support of the applications and oppositions.chanroblesvirtualawlibrarychanrobles virtual law library

The Commission, in its decision of December 12, 1958, after settling forth the gist of the proofs submitted to it, made the following considerations and conclusions.

There is a clear need for an ice plant and a cold storage service in the barrio of Sabang and question to decide is who of the applicant should be granted the necessary authority inasmuch as we do not believe from the evidence that we should authorize two ice plants of 5 tons each and two cold storage chambers with a total capacity of 14,000 cubic feet. As to the ice plant service, we find that Buenaflor filed his application ahead of the Camarines Corporation but the evidence and our records show that the Camarines Corporation is really the pioneer ice plant in Magarao since 1945 which now has a capacity of 10 tons, and another ice plant established that the Camarines Corporation has been rendering ice service thru delivery in Sabang but we doubt whether its service has been adequate because there is satisfactory proof that ice also comes from other places. The fact, however, is that the Camarines Corporation cannot be said to have neglected its duty to serve Sabang and we believe that the shortage in its service has been due to the fact that the produce of its Naga and Magarao plants are needed for its other territories with not much to spare for Sabang. We think that as the pioneer ice plant operator in Naga and Magarao with authority to serve Sabang the Camarines Corporation, which has not abandoned its service in Sabang, is entitled to the protection of its investments and to put up an ice plant in Sabang, and that the Camarines Corporation has been rendering service therein although in a limited manner. We believe, therefore, that applicant Camarines Corporation has a better right than Buenaflor to the certificate for a 5-ton ice plant in Sabang. As to the cold storage service, we think that Buenaflor has a better right to the certificate.... By virtue of Buenaflor's right of priority in the filing of his application and the fact that he is as financially capable as the Camarines Corporation to install the service, we believe that the certificate for the cold storage service in Sabang should be granted to Buenaflor, but insamuch as we take notice of the fact that a cold storage operator also needs ice for the preservation of fish and other perishable foodstuffs when these cannot be immediately deposited in the refrigerating chambers and also to provide its customers with ice they need after the goods are removed from the chambers, we believe that applicant Buenaflor may also be granted a certificate for a one (1) ton ice plant in Sabang together with a certificate of 5,000 cubic feet cold storage service.

The Camarines Corporation did not appeal. Buenaflor appealed in so far as he was denied authority to erect a 5-ton ice plant.chanroblesvirtualawlibrarychanrobles virtual law library

Therefore, the question of cold storage service is not here in issue, since Buenaflor got it, and Camarines Corporation did not appeal.chanroblesvirtualawlibrarychanrobles virtual law library

As to the ice plant, Buenaflor insists he should be given authority to establish a 5-ton ice plant - not the new Camarines Corporation. His line of argument centers around the expiration of the old Corporation's charter in 1953; and we think he touches the vital spot.chanroblesvirtualawlibrarychanrobles virtual law library

It is admitted - and the Commission found--that the needs of Sabang Barrio will be conveniently served with the establishment of a 5-ton ice plant. But it elected to deny Buenaflor's application, even as it awarded the privilege to the new Camarines Corporation on the ground that it (the old corporation) had been serving ice in Sabang up to the time of Buenaflor's application, and was, consequently, the pioneer operator there.chanroblesvirtualawlibrarychanrobles virtual law library

The fact, however, is that since 1953, the old Corporation had been illegally plying its business of selling ice in Sabang because, under the Corporation Law, Sec. 77, after November 1953, it could not lawfully continue the business for which it had been established (operate ice plant, sell ice, etc). After November 1953, it could only continue to exist for three years for the purpose of prosecuting and defending suits by or against it, and of enabling it gradually to settle and close its affairs, to dispose and convey its property and to divide its capital stock. It could not, without violating the law, continue to sell ice. And yet, the Commission awarded the certificate on the basis of such serve and distribution of ice - applying the "prior operator" rule.¹ In other words, the new Camarines Corporation is rewarded, precisely because the old corporation, its predecessor, had violated the law during that period (1953-1957). We can not, and should not countenance such anomalous result.chanroblesvirtualawlibrarychanrobles virtual law library

On the other hand, when the old Camarines Corporation docketed its application October 1, 1957, it had no juridical personality, it had ceased to exist as a corporation and could not sue² nor apply for certificate, for it was incapable of receiving a grant³ . It was not even a corporation de facto⁴ . And then, there is no application subscribed by the new Camarines Corporation. Far from being mere technicality, these point support a conclusion which appears to be just and equitable, not only for the reasons already indicated, but also to compensate Buenaflor's diligence and courage in exposing the irregular practice⁵ of a "ghost" corporation foisting its services upon the unsuspecting public of Sabang and neighboring territory - enjoying a franchise without paying, perhaps, the corporate income tax⁶ and other burdens attached to corporate existence.chanroblesvirtualawlibrarychanrobles virtual law library

Remembering the Camarines Corporation's automatic cessation in November 1956 (three years after November 1953) we must decline to regard the new Camarines Corporation (formed October 30, 1957) as a continuation of the old.⁷ At most, it is the transferee of the properties of the old corporation (or more properly, the assets of the stockholders) plus the certificate of public convenience to operate the ice plant in Naga and Magarao.⁸ And yet, as stated, the new corporation has not filed any application for certificate of public convenience in Sabang, and has not published such application.chanroblesvirtualawlibrarychanrobles virtual law library

On these grounds, we think it was error to grant preferential treatment to the new Camarines Corporation over Jaime T. Buenaflor who, besides being qualified, in the eyes of the Commission, had applied for the privilege months in advance of the old Camarines Corporation, and of the incorporation of the new Camarines Corporation.chanroblesvirtualawlibrarychanrobles virtual law library

Wherefore, revoking the appealed decision in so far as it awarded the certificate to said Corporation, we hereby approve Buenaflor's application for five tons, instead of one ton, subject to the usual conditions imposed by the Public Service Commission on ice plant establishments.chanroblesvirtualawlibrarychanrobles virtual law library

Costs against Camarines Corporation.chanroblesvirtualawlibrarychanrobles virtual law library

Paras, C. J., Montemayor, Bautista Angelo, Labrador, Concepcion, Barrera, and Gutierrez David, JJ., concur.

Endnotes:

¹ Javier vs. Orlanes, 55 Phil., 468; Bachrach Motors Co. vs. Elchico, 91 Phil., 584; 48 Off. Gaz., 2700.chanroblesvirtualawlibrarychanrobles virtual law library

² Fletcher, Cyc. of Corp. (1942) Vol. XVI, 8116, 8118; Philippine Milling Co. vs. Court of Appeals, 100 Phil., 566; 53 Off. Gaz., 623.chanroblesvirtualawlibrarychanrobles virtual law library

³ R. C. L. Corporations par. 745.chanroblesvirtualawlibrarychanrobles virtual law library

⁴ Fletcher, op. cit. Vol. XVI, sec. 8113, 3842; 19 Corpus Juris Secundum, pp. 1486, 1562.chanroblesvirtualawlibrarychanrobles virtual law library

⁵ Not to say illegal.chanroblesvirtualawlibrarychanrobles virtual law library

⁶ Fletcher, supra, sec. 8129.chanroblesvirtualawlibrarychanrobles virtual law library

⁷ If it were a continuation, could it be made responsible for the laws violation in 1953-1957?chanrobles virtual law library

⁸ Buenaflor contends, apparently with some reason, that the transfer was ineffective, because upon ceasation of its corporate life, the certificate of public convenience of the old Camarines Corporation automatically reverted to the State (cf. Corpus Juris Secundum, sec. 1729). We do not, because we need not reach this issue.