10 Sumacad Et Al. vs. Province of Samar and PNB
10 Sumacad Et Al. vs. Province of Samar and PNB
10 Sumacad Et Al. vs. Province of Samar and PNB
Held: Yes. There was implied acceptance on the part of drawee. Nevertheless, it was merely
subsidiarily liable, the drawer being primarily liable. Decision affirmed.
Ratio: In view of the fact that as early as May 12, 1950, upon its own request, it was furnished
with photo static copies of the check in question; and on May 14, 1950, it went to the trouble of
requiring James McGuire to present the check to the provincial treasurer and provincial auditor
for necessary certification, it voluntarily assumed the obligation of holding so much of the
deposit of the province of Samar as would be sufficient to cover the amount of the check, or
before allowing the withdrawal that exhausted said deposit, of making the necessary inquiry on
the matter. In our opinion, an implied acceptance of the check by the Appellant bank was
thereby created. The request by the Appellant bank from the Bureau of Posts for photo static
copies of the check and the subsequent requirement by it for its presentation by James McGuire
to the provincial treasurer and the provincial auditor for certification, would be an empty gesture
if the Appellant did not thereby mean to assume the obligation of paying the check and holding
sufficient deposit of the drawer for the purpose. Even so, Appellants resulting obligation is
merely subsidiary, the province of Samar being primarily liable to pay the check.
Padilla, dissenting: The only party liable for the payment of the check is the Province, the drawer.
The drawee cannot be held subsidiarily liable because the check was not presented to it for
payment hence it follows that it was not able to refuse payment. The requests for the photostatic
copies as well as the certifications did not create an obligation on the part of the drawee to pay
the amount of the check. The fact the PNB actually requested for these shows that the original
check had not been presented to the drawee.