Iloilo Jar Corp V Comglasco Corp
Iloilo Jar Corp V Comglasco Corp
Iloilo Jar Corp V Comglasco Corp
DECISION
MENDOZA, J : p
This petition for review on certiorari seeks to reverse and set aside the January
30, 2015 Decision 1(1) and June 17, 2015 Resolution 2(2) of the Court of Appeals
(CA) in CA-G.R. CV No. 01475, which overturned the February 17, 2005 Amended
Order 3(3) of the Regional Trial Court, Branch 37, Iloilo City (RTC).
The Antecedents:
On August 16, 2000, petitioner Iloilo Jar Corporation (Iloilo Jar), as lessor,
and respondent Comglasco Corporation/Aguila Glass (Comglasco), as lessee, entered
into a lease contract over a portion of a warehouse building, with an estimated floor
area of 450 square meters, located on a parcel of land identified as Lot 2-G-1-E-2 in
Barangay Lapuz, La Paz District, Iloilo City. The term of the lease was for a period of
three (3) years or until August 15, 2003. 4(4)
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demand letters, Comglasco no longer paid all rentals accruing from the said date. 5(5)
On September 14, 2003, Iloilo Jar sent a final demand letter to Comglasco, but
it was again ignored. Consequently, Iloilo Jar filed a civil action for breach of contract
and damages before the RTC on October 10, 2003. 6(6)
On June 28, 2004, Comglasco filed its Answer 7(7) and raised an affirmative
defense, arguing that by virtue of Article 1267 of the Civil Code (Article 1267), 8(8) it
was released from its obligation from the lease contract. It explained that the
consideration thereof had become so difficult due to the global and regional economic
crisis that had plagued the economy. Likewise, Comglasco admitted that it had
removed its stocks and merchandise but it did not refuse to pay the rentals because the
lease contract was already deemed terminated. Further, it averred that though it
received the demand letters, it did not amount to a refusal to pay the rent because the
lease contract had been pre-terminated in the first place.
On July 15, 2004, Iloilo Jar filed its Motion for Judgment on the Pleadings 9(9)
arguing that Comglasco admitted all the material allegations in the complaint. It
insisted that Comglasco's answer failed to tender an issue because its affirmative
defense was unavailing.
In its August 18, 2004 Order, 10(10) the RTC granted the motion for judgment
on the pleadings. It opined that Comglasco's answer admitted the material allegations
of the complaint and that its affirmative defense was unavailing because Article 1267
was inapplicable to lease contracts.
Comglasco moved for reconsideration but its motion was denied by the RTC in
its January 24, 2005 Order. 11(11) After formal defects in the original order were
raised, the RTC issued the assailed February 17, 2005 Amended Order wherein the
total amount of unpaid rentals to be paid was modified from P1,333,200.00 to
P333,300.00. Further, it changed the following: (a) award of attorney's fees from
P200,000.00 to P75,000.00; (b) litigation expenses from P50,000.00 to P30,000.00;
and (c) exemplary damages from P400,000.00 to P200,000.00.
The CA Ruling
In its January 30, 2015 decision, the CA reversed the amended order of the
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RTC. The appellate court was of the view that judgment on the pleadings was
improper as Comglasco's answer tendered an issue considering that Iloilo Jar's
material allegations were specifically denied therein. Further, the CA opined that even
if the same were not specifically denied, the answer raised an affirmative issue which
was factual in nature. It disposed:
Let the records be REMANDED to the RTC for the conduct of further
proceedings.
SO ORDERED. 12(12)
Iloilo Jar moved for reconsideration, but its motion was denied by the CA in its
assailed June 17, 2015 resolution.
ISSUES
II
Iloilo Jar argues that Comglasco's answer materially admitted the allegations of
the former's complaint, particularly, that the latter had removed its merchandise from
the lease premises and failed to pay subsequent rentals, after it had received the
demand letters sent. It points out that Comglasco brushed aside its obligation by
merely claiming that it was no longer bound by the lease contract because it was
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terminated due to the financial difficulties it was experiencing in light of the
economic crisis. Iloilo Jar insisted that Comglasco cannot rely on Article 1267
because it does not apply to lease contracts, which involves an obligation to give, and
not an obligation to do.
In its Comment, 14(14) dated February 11, 2016, Comglasco countered that its
answer raised material defenses which rendered judgment on the pleadings improper.
It asserted that judgment on the pleadings may be had only when the answer fails to
tender an issue or otherwise admits the material allegations of the adverse party's
pleading. Comglasco argued that even if the allegations in the complaint were deemed
admitted, the affirmative defenses it raised may give rise to factual controversies or
issues which should be subject to a trial.
In its Reply, 15(15) dated September 28, 2016, Iloilo Jar reiterated that
judgment on the pleadings was warranted because Comglasco's answer failed to
specifically deny the allegation in the complaint, and that the affirmative defense
alleged therein was improper because Article 1267 is inapplicable to a lease contract.
As such, it stressed that Comglasco's answer failed to tender an issue.
Rules of Procedure
strictly complied with;
Exceptions
It must be remembered that the right to appeal is not a natural right but merely
a statutory privilege; a party appealing is, thus, expected to comply with the
requirements of relevant rules otherwise he would lose the statutory right to appeal.
16(16)
A review of the records reveals that Iloilo Jar received the Notice of Resolution
of the assailed CA resolution on July 9, 2015. Pursuant to Section 2 Rule 45 of the
Rules of Court, 17(17) it had fifteen (15) days from receipt of the resolution or until
July 24, 2015 to file its petition for review on certiorari before the Court.
On the said date, however, Iloilo Jar filed a motion for extension to file the said
petition. In its September 2, 2015 Resolution, 18(18) the Court granted that same and
extended for thirty (30) days reckoned from the expiration of the reglementary period
within which to file the petition, with a warning that it would be the last extension to
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be given. In other words, Iloilo Jar had until August 23, 2015 to file its petition for
review on certiorari.
On August 24, 2015, Iloilo Jar again filed another motion for extension 19(19)
requesting an additional thirty (30) days. In its November 25, 2015 Resolution, 20(20)
the Court again granted the same and gave another 30-day extension reckoned from
August 24, 2015. Thus, it had until September 23, 2015 to file its petition.
Iloilo Jar, unfortunately, filed its petition for review only on September 24,
2015, 21(21) one day past the twice extended filing period. Again, procedural rules are
not lightly brushed aside as its strict compliance is necessary for the orderly
administration of justice. Thus, even if the filing of the petition was merely late for a
day, it is still a violation of the rules on appeal, which generally leads to its outright
denial.
The tardy filing, notwithstanding, the Court may still entertain the present
appeal. Procedural rules may be disregarded by the Court to serve the ends of
substantial justice. When a petition for review is filed a few days late, application of
procedural rules may be relaxed, where strong considerations of substantial justice are
manifest in the petition, in the exercise of the Court's equity jurisdiction. 22(22) In
CMTC International Marketing Corporation v. Bhagis International Trading
Corporation, 23(23) the Court did not strictly apply procedural rules as it would serve
the interest of justice, elucidating:
Time and again, this Court has emphasized that procedural rules should
be treated with utmost respect and due regard, since they are designed to
facilitate the adjudication of cases to remedy the worsening problem of delay in
the resolution of rival claims and in the administration of justice. From time to
time, however, we have recognized exceptions to the Rules, but only for the
most compelling reasons where stubborn obedience to the Rules would
defeat rather than serve the ends of justice.
The merits of Iloilo Jar's petition for review warrant a relaxation of the strict
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rules of procedure if only to attain justice swiftly. A denial of its petition will cause
the remand of the case, which based on the circumstances, will unnecessarily delay
the proceedings. Thus, the Court deems it wise to let Iloilo Jar's procedural lapse pass.
Judgment on the
pleadings vis-à-vis
Summary Judgment
On the other hand, under Rule 35 of the Rules of Court, a party may move for
summary judgment if there are no genuine issues raised.
Although resort to judgment on the pleadings might have been improper, there
was still no need to remand the case to the RTC for further proceedings. In Wood
Technology Corporation v. Equitable Banking Corporation (Wood Technology),
27(27) the Court ruled that summary judgment may be availed if no genuine issue for
trial is raised, viz.:
Similar to Wood Technology, the judgment rendered by the RTC in this case
was a summary judgment, not a judgment on the pleadings, because Comglasco's
answer raised an affirmative defense. Nevertheless, no genuine issue was raised
because there is no issue of fact which needs presentation of evidence, and the
affirmative defense Comglasco invoked is inapplicable in the case at bench.
A full blown trial would needlessly prolong the proceedings where a summary
judgment would suffice. It is undisputed that Comglasco removed its merchandise
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from the leased premises and stopped paying rentals thereafter. Thus, there remains
no question of fact which must be resolved in trial. What is to be resolved is whether
Comglasco was justified in treating the lease contract terminated due to the economic
circumstances then prevalent.
The principle of rebus sic stantibus neither fits in with the facts of the
case. Under this theory, the parties stipulate in the light of certain prevailing
conditions, and once these conditions cease to exist, the contract also ceases to
exist. xxx
Thus, the RTC was correct in ordering Comglasco to pay the unpaid rentals
because the affirmative defense raised by it was insufficient to free it from its
obligations under the lease contract. In addition, Iloilo Jar is entitled to attorney's fees
because it incurred expenses to protect its interest. The trial court, however, erred in
awarding exemplary damages and litigation expenses.
A Final Note
The Court admonishes Iloilo Jar' counsel for repeatedly failing to comply with
the rules of procedure and court processes. First, he belatedly filed the petition for
review. Second, Iloilo Jar's counsel failed to file its Reply within the time originally
allotted prompting the Court to require him to show cause why he should not be held
in contempt. 36(36) Personal obligations, heavy workload does not excuse a lawyer
from complying with his obligations particularly in timely filing the pleadings
required by the Court.
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WHEREFORE, the January 30, 2015 Decision and June 17, 2015 Resolution
of the Court of Appeals are REVERSED and SET ASIDE. The February 17, 2005
Amended Order of the Regional Trial Court, Branch 37, Iloilo City, is AFFIRMED
WITH MODIFICATION in that the award of exemplary damages and litigation
expenses is DELETED. The monetary award shall be subject to 12% per annum until
June 30, 2013 and 6% per annum from July 1, 2013 until fully satisfied.
SO ORDERED.
Footnotes
* Per Special Order No. 2416 dated January 4, 2017.
1. Penned by Associate Justice Pamela Ann Abella Maxino with Associate Justice
Gabriel T. Ingles and Associate Justice Renato C. Francisco, concurring; rollo, pp.
47-57.
2. Id. at 41-44.
3. Penned by Judge Jose D. Azarraga, id. at 104-107.
4. Id. at 22.
5. Id. at 23.
6. Id.
7. Id. at 87-90.
8. Article 1267. When the service has become so difficult as to be manifestly beyond
the contemplation of the parties, the obligor may also be released therefrom, in whole
or in part.
9. Id. at 91-96.
10. Id. at 97-100.
11. Id. at 101-103.
12. Id. at 56-57.
13. Id. at 26.
14. Id. at 199-205.
15. Id. 212-229.
16. Magsino v. de Ocampo, G.R. No. 166944. August 18, 2014, 733 SCRA 202, 210.
17. The petition shall be filed within fifteen (15) days from notice of the judgment or
final order or resolution appealed from, or of the denial of the petitioner's motion for
new trial or reconsideration filed in due time after notice of the judgment. On motion
duly filed and served, with full payment of the docket and other lawful fees and the
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deposit for costs before the expiration of the reglementary period, the Supreme Court
may for justifiable reasons grant an extension of thirty (30) days only within which to
file the petition.
18. Rollo, p. 17.
19. Id. 176-181.
20. Id. at 190.
21. Id. at 33.
22. Montajes v. People, 684 Phil. 1, 10-11 (2012).
23. 700 Phil. 575 (2012).
24. Id. at 581-582.
25. 671 Phil. 662 (2011).
26. Id. at 682-683.
27. 492 Phil. 106 (2005).
28. Id. at 115-116.
29. 338 Phil. 691 (1997).
30. Id. at 700-701.
31. G.R. No. 202989, March 25, 2015, 754 SCRA 481.
32. Article 2208 (2) of the Civil Code.
33. Ramos v. China Southern Airlines Co. Ltd., G.R. No. 213418, September 21, 2016.
34. Oyster Plaza Hotel v. Melivo, G.R. No. 217455, October 5, 2016, citing Nacar v.
Gallery Frames, 716 Phil. 267 (2013).
35. Canon 1, Rule 10.03, Canon 12, Rule 12.03, Rule 18.02 and Rule 18.03.
36. Rollo, p. 211.
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Endnotes
1 (Popup - Popup)
1. Penned by Associate Justice Pamela Ann Abella Maxino with Associate Justice
Gabriel T. Ingles and Associate Justice Renato C. Francisco, concurring; rollo, pp.
47-57.
2 (Popup - Popup)
2. Id. at 41-44.
3 (Popup - Popup)
3. Penned by Judge Jose D. Azarraga, id. at 104-107.
4 (Popup - Popup)
4. Id. at 22.
5 (Popup - Popup)
5. Id. at 23.
6 (Popup - Popup)
6. Id.
7 (Popup - Popup)
7. Id. at 87-90.
8 (Popup - Popup)
8. Article 1267. When the service has become so difficult as to be manifestly beyond
the contemplation of the parties, the obligor may also be released therefrom, in whole
or in part.
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9 (Popup - Popup)
9. Id. at 91-96.
10 (Popup - Popup)
10. Id. at 97-100.
11 (Popup - Popup)
11. Id. at 101-103.
12 (Popup - Popup)
12. Id. at 56-57.
13 (Popup - Popup)
13. Id. at 26.
14 (Popup - Popup)
14. Id. at 199-205.
15 (Popup - Popup)
15. Id. 212-229.
16 (Popup - Popup)
16. Magsino v. de Ocampo, G.R. No. 166944. August 18, 2014, 733 SCRA 202, 210.
17 (Popup - Popup)
17. The petition shall be filed within fifteen (15) days from notice of the judgment or
final order or resolution appealed from, or of the denial of the petitioner's motion for
new trial or reconsideration filed in due time after notice of the judgment. On motion
duly filed and served, with full payment of the docket and other lawful fees and the
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deposit for costs before the expiration of the reglementary period, the Supreme Court
may for justifiable reasons grant an extension of thirty (30) days only within which to
file the petition.
18 (Popup - Popup)
18. Rollo, p. 17.
19 (Popup - Popup)
19. Id. 176-181.
20 (Popup - Popup)
20. Id. at 190.
21 (Popup - Popup)
21. Id. at 33.
22 (Popup - Popup)
22. Montajes v. People, 684 Phil. 1, 10-11 (2012).
23 (Popup - Popup)
23. 700 Phil. 575 (2012).
24 (Popup - Popup)
24. Id. at 581-582.
25 (Popup - Popup)
25. 671 Phil. 662 (2011).
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26 (Popup - Popup)
26. Id. at 682-683.
27 (Popup - Popup)
27. 492 Phil. 106 (2005).
28 (Popup - Popup)
28. Id. at 115-116.
29 (Popup - Popup)
29. 338 Phil. 691 (1997).
30 (Popup - Popup)
30. Id. at 700-701.
31 (Popup - Popup)
31. G.R. No. 202989, March 25, 2015, 754 SCRA 481.
32 (Popup - Popup)
32. Article 2208 (2) of the Civil Code.
33 (Popup - Popup)
33. Ramos v. China Southern Airlines Co. Ltd., G.R. No. 213418, September 21, 2016.
34 (Popup - Popup)
34. Oyster Plaza Hotel v. Melivo, G.R. No. 217455, October 5, 2016, citing Nacar v.
Gallery Frames, 716 Phil. 267 (2013).
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35 (Popup - Popup)
35. Canon 1, Rule 10.03, Canon 12, Rule 12.03, Rule 18.02 and Rule 18.03.
36 (Popup - Popup)
36. Rollo, p. 211.
37 (Popup - Popup)
* Per Special Order No. 2416 dated January 4, 2017.
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