California Clothing, Inc. vs. Quinones

CALIFORNIA CLOTHING, INC. AND MICHELLE YBANEZ VS.
SHIRLEY QUINONES
GR NO. 175822; OCTOBER 23, 2013
J. PERALTA
TOPIC: HUMAN RELATIONS (PRINCIPLE OF ABUSE OF RIGHTS)
FACTS: Respondent Shirley Quinones, a reservation ticketing agent in Cebu Pacific, bought
a black jeans at Guess USA Botique located at second floor of Robinsons Department Store,
however when she was already leaving the area, a Guess employee, herein petitioner,
approached and informed her that she failed to pay the item. Respondent insisted that she
already paid the jeans as she was issued a receipt. She then suggested that they talk about the
matter in her office located at the basement of the mall. When she arrived at the office, the
Guess employees allegedly subjected her to humiliation in front of the clients of Cebu Pacific
and repeatedly demanded payment.
On the same day of the incident, the Guess employees allegedly gave a letter to the Dir. Of
Cebu Pacific Air narrating the incident, but refused to receive it as it did not concern the
office. Another letter was allegedly sent to the Cebu Pacific Office in Robinson’s but again
was refused. Respondent also claimed that HR of Robinson’s was furnished of said letter and
the latter in fact conducted an investigation for purposes of cancelling respondent’s
Robinson’s credit card. With the above experience, respondent claimed to have suffered
physical anxiety, sleepless nights, mental anguish, fright, serious apprehension, besmirched
reputation, moral shock and social humiliation. She thus filed the Complaint for Damages
before the RTC against petitioners California Clothing, Inc. (California Clothing), Excelsis
Villagonzalo (Villagonzalo), Imelda Hawayon (Hawayon) and Ybañez. She demanded the
payment of moral, nominal, and exemplary damages, plus attorney’s fees and litigation
expenses.
On their answer, the Guess employees emphasized that they were gentle and polite in talking
to respondent and it was the latter who was arrogant in answering their questions. As
counterclaim, petitioners and the other defendants sought the payment of moral and
exemplary damages, plus attorney’s fees and litigation expenses.
RTC dismissed both the complaint and counterclaim of the parties. The trial court found no
evidence to prove bad faith on the part of the Guess employees to warrant the award of
damages. It concluded that petitioners believed in good faith that respondent failed to make
payment, and that when they demanded payment from respondent, they merely exercised a
right under the honest belief that no payment was made. Also, RTC did not find it damaging
for respondent when the confrontation took place in front of Cebu Pacific clients, because it
was respondent herself who put herself in that situation by choosing the venue for discussion.
On appeal, CA reversed and set aside RTC’s decision ordering plaintiffs to jointly and
solidarily pay moral damages to Shirley Quinones. CA found preponderance of evidence
showing that they acted in bad faith in sending the demand letter to respondent’s employer.
Further, it found respondent’s possession of both the official receipt and the subject black
jeans as evidence of payment.
ISSUE: WON there was abuse of rights when petitioner, Guess employees, went overboard
in sending letter to Cebu Pacific Office that made to subject Shirley Quinones to ridicule,
humiliation and similar injury.
RULING: Yes, there is abuse of rights.
Under the abuse of rights principle found in Article 19 of the Civil Code, a person must, in
the exercise of legal right or duty, act in good faith. He would be liable if he instead acted in
bad faith, with intent to prejudice another.
Initially, there was nothing wrong with petitioners asking respondent whether she was paid or
not. However, considering that respondent was in possession of the item purchased from the
shop, together with the official receipt of payment issued by petitioners, the latter cannot
insist that no such payment was made on the basis of a mere speculation. Their claim should
have been proven by substantial evidence.
It is evident from the circumstances of the case that petitioners went overboard and tried to
force respondent to pay the amount they were demanding. In the guise of asking for
assistance, petitioners even sent a demand letter to respondent’s employer not only informing
it of the incident but obviously imputing bad acts on the part of respondent.
It can be inferred from the foregoing that in sending the demand letter to respondent’s
employer, petitioners intended not only to ask for assistance in collecting the disputed amount
but to tarnish respondent’s reputation in the eyes of her employer. To malign respondent
without substantial evidence and despite the latter’s possession of enough evidence in her
favor, is clearly impermissible. A person should not use his right unjustly or contrary to
honesty and good faith, otherwise, he opens himself to liability.
The exercise of a right must be in accordance with the purpose for which it was established
and must not be excessive or unduly harsh. In this case, petitioners obviously abused their
rights.
Respondent is entitled to award of moral damages and attorneys fees.

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CALIFORNIA CLOTHING, INC. AND MICHELLE YBANEZ VS.

Respondent is entitled to award of moral damages and attorneys fees.

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