SUPREME COURT DECISIONS

PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR THE LATEST ➔ SUPREME COURT DECISIONS

THIRD DIVISION

G.R. No. 138822. January 23, 2001

EVANGELINE ALDAY, Petitioner, v. FGU INSURANCE CORPORATION, respondent.

D E C I S I O N

GONZAGA-REYES, J.:

On 5 May 1989, respondent FGU Insurance Corporation filed a complaint with the Regional Trial Court of Makati ¹ alleging that petitioner Evangeline K. Alday owed it P114,650.76, representing unliquidated cash advances, unremitted costs of premiums and other charges incurred by petitioner in the course of her work as an insurance agent for respondent. ² Respondent also prayed for exemplary damages, attorneys fees, and costs of suit. ³ Petitioner filed her answer and by way of counterclaim, asserted her right for the payment of P104,893.45, representing direct commissions, profit commissions and contingent bonuses earned from 1 July 1986 to 7 December 1986, and for accumulated premium reserves amounting to P500,000.00. In addition, petitioner prayed for attorneys fees, litigation expenses, moral damages and exemplary damages for the allegedly unfounded action filed by respondent. ⁴ On 23 August 1989, respondent filed a Motion to Strike Out Answer With Compulsory Counterclaim And To Declare Defendant In Default because petitioners answer was allegedly filed out of time. ⁵ However, the trial court denied the motion on 25 August 1989 and similarly rejected respondents motion for reconsideration on 12 March 1990. ⁶ A few weeks later, on 11 April 1990, respondent filed a motion to dismiss petitioners counterclaim, contending that the trial court never acquired jurisdiction over the same because of the non-payment of docket fees by petitioner. ⁷ In response, petitioner asked the trial court to declare her counterclaim as exempt from payment of docket fees since it is compulsory and that respondent be declared in default for having failed to answer such counterclaim. ⁸cräläwvirtualibräry

In its 18 September 1990 Order, the trial court ⁹ granted respondents motion to dismiss petitioners counterclaim and consequently, denied petitioners motion. The court found petitioners counterclaim to be merely permissive in nature and held that petitioners failure to pay docket fees prevented the court from acquiring jurisdiction over the same. ¹⁰ The trial court similarly denied petitioners motion for reconsideration on 28 February 1991.

On 23 December 1998, the Court of Appeals ¹¹ sustained the trial court, finding that petitioners own admissions, as contained in her answer, show that her counterclaim is merely permissive. The relevant portion of the appellate courts decision ¹² is quoted herewith

Contrary to the protestations of appellant, mere reading of the allegations in the answer a quo will readily show that her counterclaim can in no way be compulsory. Take note of the following numbered paragraphs in her answer:

(14) That, indeed, FGUs cause of action which is not supported by any document other than the self-serving Statement of Account dated March 28, 1988 x x x

(15) That it should be noted that the cause of action of FGU is not the enforcement of the Special Agents Contract but the alleged cash accountabilities which are not based on written agreement x x x.

x x x x

(19) x x x A careful analysis of FGUs three-page complaint will show that its cause of action is not for specific performance or enforcement of the Special Agents Contract rather, it is for the payment of the alleged cash accountabilities incurred by defendant during the period form [sic] 1975 to 1986 which claim is executory and has not been ratified. It is the established rule that unenforceable contracts, like this purported money claim of FGU, cannot be sued upon or enforced unless ratified, thus it is as if they have no effect. x x x.

To support the heading Compulsory Counterclaim in her answer and give the impression that the counterclaim is compulsory appellant alleged that FGU has unjustifiably failed to remit to defendant despite repeated demands in gross violation of their Special Agents Contract x x x. The reference to said contract was included purposely to mislead. While on one hand appellant alleged that appellees cause of action had nothing to do with the Special Agents Contract, on the other hand, she claim that FGU violated said contract which gives rise of [sic] her cause of action. Clearly, appellants cash accountabilities cannot be the offshoot of appellees alleged violation of the aforesaid contract.

On 19 May 1999, the appellate court denied petitioners motion for reconsideration, ¹³ giving rise to the present petition.

Before going into the substantive issues, the Court shall first dispose of some procedural matters raised by the parties. Petitioner claims that respondent is estopped from questioning her non-payment of docket fees because it did not raise this particular issue when it filed its first motion - the Motion to Strike out Answer With Compulsory Counterclaim And To Declare Defendant In Default with the trial court; rather, it was only nine months after receiving petitioners answer that respondent assailed the trial courts lack of jurisdiction over petitioners counterclaims based on the latters failure to pay docket fees. ¹⁴ Petitioners position is unmeritorious. Estoppel by laches arises from the negligence or omission to assert a right within a reasonable time, warranting a presumption that the party entitled to assert it either has abandoned or declined to assert it. ¹⁵ In the case at bar, respondent cannot be considered as estopped from assailing the trial courts jurisdiction over petitioners counterclaim since this issue was raised by respondent with the trial court itself the body where the action is pending - even before the presentation of any evidence by the parties and definitely, way before any judgment could be rendered by the trial court.

Meanwhile, respondent questions the jurisdiction of the Court of Appeals over the appeal filed by petitioner from the 18 September 1990 and 28 February 1991 orders of the trial court. It is significant to note that this objection to the appellate courts jurisdiction is raised for the first time before this Court; respondent never having raised this issue before the appellate court. Although the lack of jurisdiction of a court may be raised at any stage of the action, a party may be estopped from raising such questions if he has actively taken part in the very proceedings which he questions, belatedly objecting to the courts jurisdiction in the event that that the judgment or order subsequently rendered is adverse to him. ¹⁶ In this case, respondent actively took part in the proceedings before the Court of Appeals by filing its appellees brief with the same. ¹⁷ Its participation, when taken together with its failure to object to the appellate courts jurisdiction during the entire duration of the proceedings before such court, demonstrates a willingness to abide by the resolution of the case by such tribunal and accordingly, respondent is now most decidedly estopped from objecting to the Court of Appeals assumption of jurisdiction over petitioners appeal. ¹⁸cräläwvirtualibräry

The basic issue for resolution in this case is whether or not the counterclaim of petitioner is compulsory or permissive in nature. A compulsory counterclaim is one which, being cognizable by the regular courts of justice, arises out of or is connected with the transaction or occurrence constituting the subject matter of the opposing partys claim and does not require for its adjudication the presence of third parties of whom the court cannot acquire jurisdiction. ¹⁹cräläwvirtualibräry

In Valencia v. Court of Appeals, ²⁰ this Court capsulized the criteria or tests that may be used in determining whether a counterclaim is compulsory or permissive, summarized as follows:

1. Are the issues of fact and law raised by the claim and counterclaim largely the same?

2. Would res judicata bar a subsequent suit on defendants claim absent the compulsory counterclaim rule?

3. Will substantially the same evidence support or refute plaintiffs claim as well as defendants counterclaim?

4. Is there any logical relation between the claim and the counterclaim?

Another test, applied in the more recent case of Quintanilla v. Court of Appeals, ²¹ is the compelling test of compulsoriness which requires a logical relationship between the claim and counterclaim, that is, where conducting separate trials of the respective claims of the parties would entail a substantial duplication of effort and time by the parties and the court.

As contained in her answer, petitioners counterclaims are as follows:

(20) That defendant incorporates and repleads by reference all the foregoing allegations as may be material to her Counterclaim against FGU.

(21) That FGU is liable to pay the following just, valid and legitimate claims of defendant:

(a) the sum of at least P104,893.45 plus maximum interest thereon representing, among others, direct commissions, profit commissions and contingent bonuses legally due to defendant; and

(b) the minimum amount of P500,000.00 plus the maximum allowable interest representing defendants accumulated premium reserve for 1985 and previous years,

which FGU has unjustifiably failed to remit to defendant despite repeated demands in gross violation of their Special Agents Contract and in contravention of the principle of law that every person must, in the exercise of his rights and in the performance of his duties, act with justice, give everyone his due, and observe honesty and good faith.

(22) That as a result of the filing of this patently baseless, malicious and unjustified Complaint, and FGUs unlawful, illegal and vindictive termination of their Special Agents Contract, defendant was unnecessarily dragged into this litigation and to defense [sic] her side and assert her rights and claims against FGU, she was compelled to hire the services of counsel with whom she agreed to pay the amount of P30,000.00 as and for attorneys fees and stands to incur litigation expenses in the amount estimated to at least P20,000.00 and for which FGU should be assessed and made liable to pay defendant.

(23) That considering further the malicious and unwarranted action of defendant in filing this grossly unfounded action, defendant has suffered and continues to suffer from serious anxiety, mental anguish, fright and humiliation. In addition to this, defendants name, good reputation and business standing in the insurance business as well as in the community have been besmirched and for which FGU should be adjudged and made liable to pay moral damages to defendant in the amount of P300,000.00 as minimum.

(24) That in order to discourage the filing of groundless and malicious suits like FGUs Complaint, and by way of serving [as] an example for the public good, FGU should be penalized and assessed exemplary damages in the sum of P100,000.00 or such amount as the Honorable Court may deem warranted under the circumstances.²²cräläwvirtualibräry

Tested against the abovementioned standards, petitioners counterclaim for commissions, bonuses, and accumulated premium reserves is merely permissive. The evidence required to prove petitioners claims differs from that needed to establish respondents demands for the recovery of cash accountabilities from petitioner, such as cash advances and costs of premiums. The recovery of respondents claims is not contingent or dependent upon establishing petitioners counterclaim, such that conducting separate trials will not result in the substantial duplication of the time and effort of the court and the parties. One would search the records in vain for a logical connection between the parties claims. This conclusion is further reinforced by petitioners own admissions since she declared in her answer that respondents cause of action, unlike her own, was not based upon the Special Agents Contract. ²³ However, petitioners claims for damages, allegedly suffered as a result of the filing by respondent of its complaint, are compulsory. ²⁴cräläwvirtualibräry

There is no need for petitioner to pay docket fees for her compulsory counterclaim. ²⁵ On the other hand, in order for the trial court to acquire jurisdiction over her permissive counterclaim, petitioner is bound to pay the prescribed docket fees. ²⁶ The rule on the payment of filing fees has been laid down by the Court in the case of Sun Insurance Office, Ltd. v. Hon. Maximiano Asuncion ²⁷-

1. It is not simply the filing of the complaint or appropriate initiatory pleading, but the payment of the prescribed docket fee, that vests a trial court with jurisdiction over the subject-matter or nature of the action. Where the filing of the initiatory pleading is not accompanied by payment of the docket fee, the court may allow payment of the fee within a reasonable time but in no case beyond the applicable prescriptive or reglementary period.

2. The same rule applies to permissive counterclaims, third-party claims and similar pleadings, which shall not be considered filed until and unless the filing fee prescribed therefor is paid. The court may allow payment of said fee within a reasonable time but also in no case beyond its applicable prescriptive or reglementary period.

3. Where the trial court acquires jurisdiction over a claim by the filing of the appropriate pleading and payment of the prescribed filing fee but, subsequently, the judgment awards a claim not specified in the pleading, or if specified the same has been left for determination by the court, the additional filing fee therefor shall constitute a lien on the judgment. It shall be the responsibility of the Clerk of Court or his duly authorized deputy to enforce said lien and assess and collect the additional fee.

The above mentioned ruling in Sun Insurance has been reiterated in the recent case of Suson v. Court of Appeals. ²⁸ In Suson , the Court explained that although the payment of the prescribed docket fees is a jurisdictional requirement, its non-payment does not result in the automatic dismissal of the case provided the docket fees are paid within the applicable prescriptive or reglementary period. Coming now to the case at bar, it has not been alleged by respondent and there is nothing in the records to show that petitioner has attempted to evade the payment of the proper docket fees for her permissive counterclaim. As a matter of fact, after respondent filed its motion to dismiss petitioners counterclaim based on her failure to pay docket fees, petitioner immediately filed a motion with the trial court, asking it to declare her counterclaim as compulsory in nature and therefore exempt from docket fees and, in addition, to declare that respondent was in default for its failure to answer her counterclaim. ²⁹ However, the trial court dismissed petitioners counterclaim. Pursuant to this Courts ruling in Sun Insurance , the trial court should have instead given petitioner a reasonable time, but in no case beyond the applicable prescriptive or reglementary period, to pay the filing fees for her permissive counterclaim.

Petitioner asserts that the trial court should have declared respondent in default for having failed to answer her counterclaim. ³⁰ Insofar as the permissive counterclaim of petitioner is concerned, there is obviously no need to file an answer until petitioner has paid the prescribed docket fees for only then shall the court acquire jurisdiction over such claim. ³¹ Meanwhile, the compulsory counterclaim of petitioner for damages based on the filing by respondent of an allegedly unfounded and malicious suit need not be answered since it is inseparable from the claims of respondent. If respondent were to answer the compulsory counterclaim of petitioner, it would merely result in the former pleading the same facts raised in its complaint. ³²cräläwvirtualibräry

WHEREFORE , the assailed Decision of the Court of Appeals promulgated on 23 December 1998 and its 19 May 1999 Resolution are hereby MODIFIED. The compulsory counterclaim of petitioner for damages filed in Civil Case No. 89-3816 is ordered REINSTATED. Meanwhile, the Regional Trial Court of Makati (Branch 134) is ordered to require petitioner to pay the prescribed docket fees for her permissive counterclaim (direct commissions, profit commissions, contingent bonuses and accumulated premium reserves), after ascertaining that the applicable prescriptive period has not yet set in. ³³cräläwvirtualibräry

SO ORDERED.

Melo, (Chairman), Vitug, Panganiban, and Sandoval-Gutierrez, JJ., concur.

---

Endnotes:

¹ Branch 134.

² Docketed as Civil Case No. 89-3816.

³ Rollo, 42-44.

⁴ Ibid., 53-63.

⁵ RTC Records, 37-39.

⁶ Ibid., 46, 93.

⁷ Ibid., 96-102.

⁸ Ibid., 110-125.

⁹ Judge Ignacio M. Capulong

¹⁰ Rollo, 105.

¹¹ Fourth Division, composed of Justices Jesus M. Elbinias, ponente and Chairman; Eugenio S. Labitoria; and Marina L. Buzon.

¹² Rollo, 36-39.

¹³ Ibid., 41.

¹⁴ Ibid., 332.

¹⁵ Philippine National Construction Corporation v. National Labor Relations Commission, 307 SCRA 218 (1999).

¹⁶ National Steel Corporation v. Court of Appeals, 302 SCRA 522 (1999).

¹⁷ CA Records, 88-115.

¹⁸ ABS-CBN Supervisors Employees Union Members v. ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corporation, 304 SCRA 489. See also Stilianopulos v. City of Legaspi; 316 SCRA 523 (1999); Pantranco North Express, Inc. v. Court of Appeals, 224 SCRA 477 (1993).

¹⁹ Rule 6, section 7; BA Finance v. Co, 224 SCRA 163 (1993); Javier v. Intermediate Appellate Court, 171 SCRA 609 (1989).

²⁰ 263 SCRA 275 (1996).

²¹ 279 SCRA 397 (1997).

²² Rollo, 61-62.

²³ Ibid., 58-59, 60.

²⁴ Santo Tomas University Hospital v. Surla, 294 SCRA 382 (1998); Intestate Estate of Amado B. Dalisay v. Marasigan, 257 SCRA 509 (1996).

²⁵ Quintanilla v. Court of Appeals, supra.

²⁶ Suson v. Court of Appeals, 278 SCRA 284 (1997).

²⁷ 170 SCRA 274 (1989).

²⁸ Supra. See also Cabaero v. Cantos, 271 SCRA 391 (1997).

²⁹ RTC Records, 110-125.

³⁰ Rollo, 342-343.

³¹ Gegare v. Court of Appeals, 297 SCRA 587 (1998).

³² Ballecer v. Bernardo, 18 SCRA 291(1966); Navarro v. Bello, 102 Phil 1019 (1958).

³³ Suson v. Court of Appeals, supra.