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DIVISION   FIRST DIVISION

[G.R. No. L-33320. May 30, 1983.] RAMON A. GONZALES, petitioner    petitioner  , vs. THE PHILIPPINE NATIONAL BANK,   respondent .

Ramon A. Gonzales in his own behalf.

 for respondent. Juan Diaz  for

SYLLABUS  

1.COMMERCIAL LAW; CORPORATION CODE; LIMITATIONS OF RIGHT OF INSPECTION UNDER THE NEW CODE (B.P. BLG. 68). — As may be noted, among the changes introduced in the new Code with respect to the right of inspection granted to a stockholder are the following: the records must be kept at the principal office of the corporation; the inspection must be made on business days; the stockholder may demand a copy of the excerpts of the records or minutes; and the refusal to allow such inspection shall subject the erring officer or agent of the corporation to civil and criminal liabilities. However, while seemingly enlarging the right of inspection, the new Code has prescribed limitations to the same. It is now expressly required as a condition for such examination that the one requesting it must not have been guilty of using improperly any information secured through a prior examination, and that the person asking for such examinations must be "acting in good faith and for a legitimate purpose in making his demand." 2.ID.; ID.; ID.; UNQUALIFIED PROVISION ON UNDER THE PREVIOUS LAW, NOW DISSIPATED BY THE CLEAR PROVISION OF SECTION 74 OF B.P. BLG. 68. — The unqualified provision on the right of inspection previously contained in Section 51, Act No. 1459, as amended, no longer holds true under the provisions of the present law. The argument of the petitioner that the right granted to him under Section 51 of the former Corporation law should not be dependent on the propriety of his motive or purpose in asking for the inspection of the books of the respondent bank loses whatever validity it might have had before the amendment of the law. If there is any doubt in the correctness of the ruling of the trial court that the right of inspection granted under Section 51 of the old Corporation Law must be dependent on a showing of proper motive on the part of the stockholder demanding the same, it now dissipated by the clear language of the pertinent provision contained in Section 74 of Batas Pambansa Blg. 68. 3.ID.; ID.; ID.; MODE OF ACQUISITIO ACQUISITION N OF ONE SHARE OF STOCK, AS EVIDENCE OF BAD FAITH AND ULTERIOR MOTIVE. — Although the petitioner has claimed that he has justifiable motives in seeking the inspection of the books of the respondent bank, he has not set forth the reasons and the purposes for which be desires such inspection, except to satisfy himself as to the truth of published reports regarding certain

transactions entered into by the respondent bank and to inquire into their validity. The circumstances under which he acquired one share of stock in the respondent bank purposely to exercise the right of inspection do not argue in favor of his good faith and proper motivation. Admittedly he sought to be a stockholder in order to pry into transactions entered into by the respondent bank even before he became a stockholder. His obvious purpose was to arm himself with materials which he can use against the respondent bank for acts done by the latter when the petitioner was a total stranger to the same. He could have been impelled by a laudable sense of civil consciousness, but it could not be said that his purpose is germane to his interest as a stockholder. 4.ID.; ID.; PROVIDES THAT CORPORATIONS CREATED BY CHARTERS SHALL BE GOVERNED PRIMARILLY Y BY SAID CHARTERS; RESPONDENT BANK WITH A CHARTER OF ITS OWN IS NOT GOVERNED BY THE CORPORATION CODE. — The Philippine National Bank is not an ordinary corporation. Having a charter of its own, it is not governed, as a rule, by the Corporation Code of the Philippines. Section 4 of the said Code provides: "SEC. 4. — Corporations created by special laws or charters. — Corporations created by special laws or charters shall be governed primarily by the provisions of the special law or charter creating them or applicable to them, supplemented by the provisions of this Code, insofar as they are applicable." The provision of Section 74 of Batas Pambansa Blg. 68 of the new Corporation Code with respect to the right of a stockholder to demand an inspection or examination of the books of the corporation may not be reconciled with the above-quoted provisions of the charter of the bank. It is not correct to claim, therefore, that the right of inspection under Section 74 of the new Corporation Code may apply in a supplementary supplementary capacity to the charter of the respondent bank.

D E C I S I O N 

VASQUEZ, J p:

Petitioner Ramon A. Gonzales instituted in the erstwhile Court of First Instance of Manila a special civil action for mandamus against the herein respondent praying that the latter be ordered to allow him to look into the books and records of the respondent bank in order to satisfy himself as to the truth of the published reports that the respondent has guaranteed the obligation of Southern Negros Development Corporation in the purchase of a US$23 million sugar-mill to be financed by Japanese suppliers and financiers; that the respondent is financing the construction of the P21 million Cebu-Mactan Bridge to be constructed by V.C. Ponce, Inc., and the construction of Passi Sugar Mill at Iloilo by the Honiron Philippines, Inc., as well as to inquire into the validity of said transactions. The petitioner has alleged had his written request for such examination was denied by the respondent. The trial court having dismissed the petition for mandamus, the instant appeal to review the said dismissal was filed. LLjur The facts that gave rise to the subject controversy have been set forth by the trial court in the decision herein sought to be reviewed, as follows: "'Briefly stated, the following facts gathered from the stipulation of the parties served as the backdrop of this proceeding.

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'Previous to the present action, the petitioner instituted several cases in this Court questioning different transactions entered entered into by the Bank with other parties. First among them is Civil Case No. 69345 filed on April 27, 1967, by petitioner as a taxpayer versus Sec. Antonio Raquiza of Public Works and Communications, the Commissioner of Public Highways, the Bank, Continental Ore Phil., Inc., Continental Ore, Huber Corporation, Allis Chalmers and General Motors Corporation. In the course of the hearing of said case on August 3, 1967, the personality of herein petitioner to sue the bank and question the letters of credit it has extended for the importation by the Republic of the Philippines of public works equipment intended for the massive development program of the President was raised. In view thereof, he expressed and made known his intention to acquire one share of stock from Congressman Justiniano Montano Montano which, on the following day, August 30, 1967, was transferred in his name in the books of the Bank.

The court a quo denied the prayer of the petitioner that he be allowed to examine and inspect the books and records of the respondent bank regarding the transactions mentioned on the grounds that t he right of a stockholder to inspect the record of the business transactions of a corporation granted under Section 51 of the former Corporation Law (Act No. 1459, as amended) is not absolute, but is limited to purposes reasonably related to the interest of the stockholder, must be asked for in good faith for a specific and honest purpose and not gratify curiosity or for speculative or vicious purposes; that such examination would violate the confidentiality of the records of the respondent bank as provided in Section 16 of its charter, Republic Act No. 1300, as amended; and that the petitioner has not exhausted his administrative remedies. remedies.  Assailing the conclusions conclusions of the lower lower court, the petitioner has as assigned signed the single error to the lower court of having ruled that his alleged improper motive in asking for an examination of the books and records of the respondent bank disqualifies him to exercise the right of a stockholder to such inspection under Section 51 of Act No. 1459, as amended. Said provision reads in part as follows:

'Subsequent to his aforementioned acquisition of one share of stock of the Bank, petitioner, in his dual capacity as a taxpayer and stockholder, filed the following cases involving the bank or the members of its Board of Directors to wit: '1.On October 18, 1967, Civil Case No. 71044 versus the

"Sec. 51.. . . The record of all business transactions of the corporation and the minutes of any meeting shall be open to the inspection of any director, member or stockholder of the corporation at reasonable hours."

Board of Directors of the Bank; the National Investment and Development Corp., Marubeni Iida Co., Ltd., and Agro-Inc. Dev. Co. or Saravia; '2.On May 11, 1968, Civil Case No. 72936 versus Roberto Benedicto and other Directors of the Bank, Passi (Iloilo) Sugar Central, Inc., Calinog-Lambunao Sugar Mill Integrated Farming, Inc., Talog sugar Milling Co., Inc., Safary Central, Inc., and Batangas Sugar Central Inc.; '3.On May 8, 1969, Civil Case No. 76427 versus Alfredo Montelibano and the Directors of both the PNB and DBP; 'On January 11, 1969, however, petitioner addressed a letter to the President of the Bank (Annex A, Pet.), requesting submission to look into the records of its transactions covering the purchase of a sugar central by the Southern Negros Development Corp. to be financed by Japanese suppliers and financiers; its financing of the Cebu-Mactan Bridge to be constructed by V.C. Ponce, Inc. and the construction of the Passi Sugar Mills in Iloilo. On January 23, 1969, the Asst. Vice President and Legal Counsel of the Bank answered petitioner's letter denying his request for being not germane to his interest as a one share stockholder and for the cloud of doubt as to his real intention and purpose in acquiring said share. (Annex B, Pet.) In view of the Bank's refusal, the petitioner instituted this action.'" (Rollo, pp. 16-18.) The petitioner has adopted the above finding of facts made by the trial court in its brief which he characterized as having been "correctly stated." (Petitioner-Appellant's Brief, pp. 5-7.) LLjur

Petitioner maintains that the above-quoted provision does not justify the qualification made by the lower court that the inspection of corporate records may be denied on the ground that it is intended for an improper motive or purpose, the law having granted such right to a stockholder in clear and unconditional terms. He further argues that, assuming that a proper motive or purpose for the desired examination is necessary for its exercise, there is nothing improper in his purpose for asking for the examination and inspection herein involved. Petitioner may no longer insist on his interpretation of Section 51 of Act No. 1459, as amended, regarding the right of a stockholder to inspect and examine the books and records of a corporation. The former Corporation Law (Act No. 1459, as amended) has been replaced by Batas Pambansa Blg. 68, otherwise known as the "Corporation Code of the Philippines." The right of inspection granted to a stockholder under Section 51 of Act No. 1459 has been retained, but with some modifications. The second and third paragraphs of Section 74 of Batas Pambansa Blg. 68 provide the following: "The records of all business transactions of the corporation and the minutes of any meeting shall be open to inspection by any director, trustee, stockholder or member of the corporation at reasonable hours on business days and he may demand, in writing, for a copy of excerpts from said records or minutes, at his expense.  Any officer or agent agent of the corpor corporation ation who shall rrefuse efuse to allow any director, trus trustee, tee, stockholder or member of the corporation to examine and copy excerpts from its records or minutes, in accordance with the provisions of this Code, shall be liable to such director, trustee, stockholder or member for damages, and in addition, shall be guilty of an offense which shall be punishable under Section 144 of this Code: Provided, That if such refusal is made pursuant to a resolution or order of the board of directors or trustees, the liability under this section for such action shall be imposed TH

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upon the directors or trustees who voted for such refusal: and Provided, further, That it shall be a defense to any action under this section that the person demanding to examine and copy excerpts from the corporation's records and minutes has improperly used any information secured through any prior examination of the records or minutes of such corporation or of any other corporation, or was not acting in good faith or for a legitimate purpose in making his demand."  As may be noted noted from the above-quoted above-quoted provis provisions, ions, among the changes changes introduced introduced in the new Code Code with respec respectt to the right of inspection granted to a stockholder are the following the records must be kept at the principal office of the corporation; the inspection must be made on business days; the stockholder may demand a copy of the excerpts of the records or minutes; and the refusal to allow such inspection shall subject the erring officer or agent of the corporation to civil and criminal liabilities. However, while seemingly enlarging the right of inspection, the new Code has prescribed limitations to the same. It is now expressly required as a condition for such examination that the one requesting it must not have been guilty of using improperly any information secured through a prior examination, and that the person asking for such examination must be "acting in good faith and for a legitimate purpose in making his demand." The unqualified provision on the right of inspection previously contained in Section 51, Act No. 1459, as amended, no longer holds true under the provisions of the present law. The argument of the petitioner that the right granted to him under Section 51 of the former Corporation Law should not be dependent on the propriety of his motive or purpose in asking for the inspection of the books of the respondent bank loses whatever validity it might have had before the amendment of the law. If there is any doubt in the correctness of the ruling of the trial court that the right of inspection granted under Section 51 of the old Corporation Law must be dependent on a showing of proper motive on the part of the stockholder demanding the same, it is now dissipated by the clear language of the pertinent provision contained in Section 74 of Batas Pambansa Blg 68.  Although the petitioner tioner has claimed claimed that he has ju justifiable stifiable motives in seeking the in inspection spection of the books of the respondent bank, he has not set forth the reasons and the purposes for which he desires such inspection, except to satisfy himself as to the truth of published reports regarding certain transactions entered into by the respondent bank and to inquire into their validity. The circumstances under which he acquired one share of stock in the respondent bank purposely to exercise the right of inspection do not argue in favor of his good faith and proper motivation. Admittedly he sought to be a stockholder in order to pry into transactions entered into by the respondent bank even before he became a stockholder. His obvious purpose was to arm himself with materials which he can use against the respondent bank for acts done by the latter when the petitioner was a total stranger to the same. He could have been impelled by a laudable sense of civic consciousness, but it could not be said that his purpose is germane to his interest as a stockholder.

'Sec. 16.Confidentialinformation. — The Superintendent of Banks and the Auditor General, or other officers designated by law to inspect or investigate the condition of the National Bank, shall not reveal to any person other than the President of the Philippines, the Secretary of Finance, and the Board of Directors the details of the inspection or investigation, nor shall they give any information relative to the funds in its custody, its current accounts or deposits belonging to private individuals, corporations, or any other entity, except by order of a Court of competent jurisdiction.' 'Sec. 30.Penalties for violation of the provisions of this Act. — Any director, officer, employee, or agent of the Bank, who violates or permits the violation of any of the provisions of this Act, or any person aiding or abetting the violations of any of the provisions of this Act, shall be punished by a fine not to exceed ten thousand pesos or by imprisonment of not more than five years, or both such fine and imprisonment.'" The Philippine National Bank is not an ordinary corporation. Having a charter of its own, it is not governed, as a rule, by the Corporation Code of the Philippines. Section 4 of the said Code provides: "SEC. 4.Corporations created by special laws or charters. — Corporations created by special laws or charters shall be governed primarily by the provisions of the special law or charter creating them or applicable to them, supplemented by the provisions of this Code, insofar as they are applicable." The provision of Section 74 of Batas Pambansa Blg. 68 of the new Corporation Code with respect to the right of a stockholder to demand an inspection or examination of the books of the corporation may not be reconciled with the above quoted provisions of the charter of the respondent bank. It is not correct to claim, therefore, that the right of inspection under Section 74 of the new Corporation Code may apply in a supplementary capacity to the charter of the respondent bank. cdrep WHEREFORE, the petition is hereby DISMISSED, without costs. Melencio-Herrera, Plana and Gutierrez , Jr .,., JJ .,., concur.

Teehankee, concurs in the result. Relova J .,., is on leave.

We also find merit in the contention of the respondent bank that the inspection sought to be exercised by the petitioner would be violative of the provisions of its charter. (Republic Act No. 1300, as amended.) Sections 15, 16 and 30 of the said charter provide respectively as follows: "'Sec. 15.Inspection by Department of Supervision and Examination of the Central Bank. — The National Bank shall be subject to inspection by the Department of Supervision and Examination of the Central Bank.'

DIVISION  FIRST DIVISION  [G.R. No. 123793. June 29, 1998.]

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ASSOCIATED BANK, petitioner , vs. COURT OF APPEALS and LORENZO SARMIENTO JR., respondents.

requires the approval by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) of the articles of merger which, in turn, must have been duly approved by a majority of the respective stockholders of the constituent corporations. The same provision further states that the merger shall be effective only upon the issuance by the SEC of a certificate of merger.

Villanueva, Pacis, Mondragon & Cana Law Offices for petitioner.  Enrico Eric R. Castro for private respondent. 

SYNOPSIS  

 After the merger of Associated Banking Corporatiion on (ABC) and Citizens Bank aand nd Trust Company Company (CBTC), the private respondent executed in favor of Associated Bank a promissory note whereby respondent undertook undertook to pay the bank the sum of P2,500,000.00. The merger agreement provided that all references to CBTC shall be deemed for all intents and purposes references to the surviving bank, ABC, as if such references were direct references to  ABC. When private private respondent failed ailed to pay the remaining bala balance, nce, Associated Bank, the surviving surviving corporation, sued for collection. Private respondent denied the pertinent allegations in the complaint and alleged that the complaint states no cause of action because the promissory note was executed in favor of CBTC, not the  Associated Bank. Bank. Private respo respondent ndent was declar declared ed as in default for failure to ap appear pear at the pre-trial pre-trial conference and petitioner presented its evidence ex-parte. Thereafter, the trial court rendered judgment ordering private respondent to pay the bank his remaining balance plus interests and attorney's fees. On appeal, the Court of  Appeals held that that petitioner, which which was not priv privyy to the transaction, had no cause of action against pr private ivate respondent and that the earlier merger between the two banks could not have vested petitioner with any interest arising from the promissory note executed in favor of CBTC after such merger. Hence, this recourse. The Supreme Court held that the fact that the promissory note was executed after the effectivity of the merger does not militate against the petitioner where the agreement clearly provides that all contracts entered into in the name of CBTC shall be understood as pertaining to the surviving bank; that the merger provision being clear, plain and free of ambiguity, the same must be given its literal meaning; and that to let the private respondent enjoy the fruits of his loan without liability is unfair and unsconscionable, amountin amountingg to unjust enrichment.

SYLLABUS  

1.MERCANTILE LAW; CORPORATIONS; MERGER; EFFECT. — Ordinarily, in the merger of two or more existing corporations, one of the combining corporations survives and continues the combined business, while the rest are dissolved and all their rights, properties and liabilities are acquired by the surviving corporation. Althoug Althoughh there is a dissolution of the absorbed corporations, there is no winding up of their affairs or liquidation of their assets, because the surviving corporation automatically acquires all their rights, privileges and powers, as well as their liabilities. ACSaHc liabilities. ACSaHc   2.ID.; ID.; ID., EFFECTIVITY THEREOF THEREOF DETERMINED BY DATE OF SEC'S ISSUANCE OF CERTIFICATE OF MERGER. — The merger, however, does not become effective upon the mere agreement of the constituent corporations. The procedure to be followed is prescribed under the Corporation Code. Section 79 of said Code

3.ID.; ID.; ID.; ENTERED AGREEMENT PROVIDI N NG G THAT BANK, ALL CONTRACTS, IRRESP IRRESPECTIVE OF DATE EXECUTION, INTO BY ABSORBED SHALL PERTAIN TO ECTIVE SURVIVING BANKOF EMPOWERS SERVING BANK TO COLLECT OBLIGATIONS DUE TO ABSORBED BANK; CASE AT BAR. — The fact that the promissory note was executed after the effectivity date of the merger does not militate against petitioner. The agreement itself clearly provides that all  contracts  contracts — irrespective of the date of execution — entered into in the name of CBTC shall be understood as pertaining to the surviving bank, herein petitioner. Since, in contrast to the earlier aforequoted provision, the latter clause no longer specifically refers only to contracts existing at the time of the merger, no distinction clause must have been deliberately included in the agreement in order to protect the interests of the combining banks; specifically, to avoid giving the merger agreement a farcical interpretation aimed at evading fulfillment of a due obligation. Thus, although the subject promissory note names CBTC as the payee, the reference to CBTC in the note shall be construed, under the very provisions of the merger agreement, as a reference to petitioner bank, as if such reference [was a] direct reference to the latter for all intents and purposes. No other construction can be given to the unequivocal stipulation. Being clear, plain and free of ambiguity, the provision must be given its literal meaning and applied without a convoluted interpretation. Verba legis non est recedendum. In light of the foregoing, the Court holds that petitioner has a valid cause of action against private respondent. Clearly, the failure of private respondent to honor his obligation under the promissory note constitutes a violation of petitioners right to collect the proceeds of the loan it extended to the former. 4.CIVIL LAW; PRESCRIPTION OF ACTIONS; COLLECTION OF SUM OF MONEY BASED ON WRITTEN CONTRACT PRESCRIBES PRESCRIBES IN TEN (10) YEARS; CASE AT BAR. — Petitioner's suit for collection of a sum of money was based on a written contract and prescribes after ten years from the time its right of action arose. Sarmiento's obligation under the promissory note became due and demandable on March 6, 1978. Petitioner's complaint was instituted on August 22, 1985, before the lapse of the ten-year prescriptive period. Definitely, petitioner still had every right to commence suit against the payor/obligor, the private respondent herein. 5.REMEDIAL LAW; ACTIONS; LACHES; APPLIED TO AVOID INEQUITABLE SITUATION OR INJUSTICE; INAPPLICABLE WHERE CLAIM WAS FILED WITHIN PRESCRIPTIVE PERIOD. — Neither is petitioner's action barred by laches. The principle of laches is a creation of equity, which is applied not to penalize neglect or failure to assert a right within a reasonable time, but rather to avoid recognizing a right when to do so would result in a clearly inequitable situation or in an injustice. To require private respondent to pay the remaining balance of his loan is certainly not inequitable or unjust. What would be manifestly unjust and inequitable is his contention that CBTC is the proper party to proceed against him despite the fact, which he himself asserts, that CBTC's corporate personality has been dissolved by virtue of its merger with petitioner. To hold that no payee/obligee exists and to let private respondent enjoy the fruits of his loan without liability is surely most unfair and unconscionable, amounting to unjust enrichment at the expense of petitioner. Besides, this Court has held that the doctrine of laches is inapplicable where the claim was filed within the prescriptive period set forth under the law. 6.CIVIL LAW; OBLIGATIONS AND CONTRACTS; STIPULATIO STIPULATION N POUR AUTRUI ; CONSTRUED. — A stipulation pour autrui is is one in favor of a third person who may demand its fulfillment, provided he communicated his acceptance to the obligor before its revocation. An incidental benefit or interest, which another person gains, is not sufficient. The contracting parties must have clearly and deliberately conferred a favor upon a third person. TH

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7.ID.; ID.; ID.; REQUISITES. — Florentino vs. Encarnacion, Sr . enumerates the requisites for such contract: (1) the stipulation in favor of a third person must be a part of the contract, and not the contract itself; (2) the favorable stipulation should not be conditioned or compensated by any kind of obligation; and (3) neither of the contracting parties bears the legal representation or authorization of the third party. The "fairest test" in determining whether the third person's interest in a contract is a stipulation pour autrui  or  or merely an incidental interest is to examine the intention of the parties as disclosed by their contract. 8.REMEDIAL LAW; EVIDENCE; RES IPSA LOQUITUR  BAR.  BAR. — Private respondent also claims that he received no consideration for the promissory note and, in support thereof, cites petitioner's failure to submit any proof of his loan application and of his actual receipt of the amount loaned. These arguments deserve no merit. Res ipsa loquitur . The instrument, bearing the signature of private respondent, speaks for itself. Respondent Sarmiento has not questioned the genuineness and due execution thereof. No further proof is necessary to show that he undertook to pay P2,500.000, plus interest, to petitioner bank on or before March 6, 1978. This he failed to do, as testified to by petitioner's accountant. The latter presented before the trial court private respondent's statement of account as of September 30, 1986, showing an outstanding balance of P4,689,413.63 after deducting P1,000,000.00 paid seven months earlier. 9.ID.; ID.; PARTIAL PAYMENT, AN EXPRESS ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF OBLIGATION. — Furthermore such partial payment is equivalent to an express acknowledgment of his obligation. Private respondent can no longer backtrack and deny his liability to petitioner bank. A person cannot accept and reject the same instrument. TCaAHI  TCaAHI 

"WHEREFORE, judgment judgment is hereby rendered in favor of the plaintiff Associated Bank. The defendant Lorenzo Sarmiento, Jr. is ordered to pay plaintiff: 1.The amount of P4,689,413.63 with interest thereon at 14% per annum until fully paid; 2.The amount of P200,000.00 as and for attorney's fees; and 3.The costs of suit." On the other hand, the Court of Appeals resolved the case in this wise: wise: 5  "WHEREFORE, premises considered, considered, the decision appealed from, dated October 17, 1986 is REVERSED and SET ASIDE and another judgment rendered DISMISSING plaintiff-appellee's complaint, aint, docketed as Civil Case No. 85 -32243. There is no pronouncement as to costs." The Facts 

The undisputed factual antecedents, as narrated by the trial court and adopted by public respondent, are as follows:: 6  follows D E C I S I O N 

PANGANIBAN , J p:

In a merger, does the surviving corporation have a right to enforce a contract entered into by the absorbed company subsequent  to  to the date of the merger agreement, but prior to the issuance of a certificate of merger by the Securities and Exchange Commission? dctai The Case 

This is a petition for review under Rule 45 of the Rules of Court, seeking to set aside the Decision  Decision  1 of the Court of Appeals  Appeals 2 in CA-GR CV No. 26465 promulgated on January 30, 1996, which answered the above question in  in Civil Case No. the negative. The challenged Decision reversed and set aside the October 17, 1986 Decision  Decision 3 in 85-32243, promulgated by the Regional Trial Court of Manila, Branch 48, which disposed of the controversy in favor of herein petitioner as follows: follows : 4 

". . . [O]n or about September 16, 1975 Associated Banking Corporatio Corporationn and Citizens Bank and Trust Company merged to form just one banking corporation known as  Associated Citizens Citizens Bank, the ssurviving urviving bank. On or about Marc Marchh 10, 1981, the  Associated Citizens Citizens Bank change changedd its corporate name name to Associated Associated Bank by virtue virtue of the Amended Articles of Incorporation. On September 7, 1977, the defendant executed in favor of Associated Bank a promissory note whereby the former undertook to pay the latter the sum of P2,500,000.00 payable on or before March 6, 1978. As per said promissory note, the defendant agreed to pay interest at 14% per annum, 3%fees, per annum form of liquidatedtodamages, and attorney's in case in of the litigation equivalent 10% of thecompounded amount due.interests, The defendant, to date, still owes plaintiff bank the amount of P2,250,000.00 exclusive of interest and other charges. Despite repeated demands the defendant failed to pay the amount due. xxx xxx xxx . . . [T]he defendant denied all the pertinent allegations in the complaint and alleged as affirmative and[/]or special defenses that the complaint states no valid cause of action; that the plaintiff is not the proper party in interest because the promissory note was executed in favor of Citizens Bank and Trust Company; that the promissory note does not accurately reflect the true intention and agreement of the parties; that terms TH

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and conditions of the promissory note are onerous and must be construed against the creditor-payee bank; that several partial payments made in the promissory note are not properly applied; that the present action is premature; that as compulsory counterclaim the defendant prays for attorney's fees, moral damages and expenses of litigation.

IIIThe [trial court] erred and gravely abuse[d] its discretion in rendering the two as if in default orders dated May 22, 1986 and September 16, 1986 and in not reconsidering the same upon technical grounds which in effect subvert the best primordial interest of substantial justice and equity.

On May 22, 1986, the defendant was declared as if in default for failure to appear at the Pre-Trial Conference despite due notice.

IVThe court a quo  erred inasissuing the orders May 22, 1986 September 16, 1986 declaring appellant if in default due todated non-appearance ofand appellant's attending counsel who had resigned from the law firm and while the parties [were] negotiating for settlement of the case and after a one million peso payment had in fact been paid to appellee bank for appellant's account at the start of such negotiation on February 18, 1986 as act of earnest desire to settle the obligation in good faith by the interested parties.

 A Motion to Lift Order of Default and/or and/or Reconsidderation eration of Order dated May 22, 1986 1986 was filed by defendant's counsel which was denied by the Court in [an] order dated September 16, 1986 and the plaintiff was allowed to present its evidence before the Court ex-parte on October 16, 1986.  At the hearing before before the Court ex-parte, Esteban C. Ocampo tes testified tified that . . . he he is an accountant of the Loans and Discount Department of the plaintiff bank; that as such, he supervises the accounting section of the bank, he counterchecks all the transactions that transpired during the day and is responsible for all the accounts and records and other things that may[ ]be assigned to the Loans and Discount Department; that he knows the [D]efendant Lorenzo Sarmiento, Jr. because he has an outstanding loan with them as per their records; that Lorenzo Sarmiento, Jr. executed a promissory note No. TL-2649-77 dated September 7, 1977 in the amount of P2,500,000.00 (Exhibit A); that Associated Banking Corporation and the Citizens Bank and Trust Company merged to form one banking corporation known as the  Associated Citizens Citizens Bank and is now known as Associated Bank by virtue of its  Amended Articles of Incorporation; Incorporation; that there wer weree partial payme payments nts made but no nott full; that the defendant has not paid his obligation as evidenced by the latest statement of account (Exh. B); that as per statement of account the outstanding obligation of the defendant is P5,689,413.63 less P1,000,000.00 or P4,689,413.63 P4,689,413.63 (Exh. B, B -1); that a demand letter dated June 6, 1985 was sent by the bank thru its counsel (Exh. C) which was received by the defendant on November 12, 1985 (Exh. C, C-1, C-2, C-3); that the defendant paid only P1,000,000.00 which is reflected in the Exhibit C." Based on the evidence presented by petitioner, the trial court ordered Respondent Sarmiento to pay the bank his remaining balance plus interests and attorney's fees. In his appeal, Sarmiento assigned to the trial court several errors, namely:  namely: 7  "IThe [trial court] erred in denying appellant's motion to dismiss appellee bank's complaint on the ground of lack of cause of action and for being barred by prescription and laches. IIThe same lower court erred in admitting plaintiff-appellee bank's amended complaint while defendant-appellant's motion to dismiss appellee bank's original complaint and using/availing [itself of] the new additional allegations as bases in denial of said appellant's motion and in the interpretation and application of the agreement of merger and Section 80 of BP Blg. 68, Corporation Code of the Philippines.

VThe lower court erred in according credence to appellee bank's Exhibit B statement of account which had been merely requested by its counsel during the trial and bearing date of September 30, 1986. VIThe lower court erred in accepting and giving credence to appellee bank's 27-yearold witness Esteban C. Ocampo as of the date he testified on October 16, 1986, and therefore, he was merely an eighteen-year-old minor when appellant supposedly incurred the foisted obligation under the subject PN No. TL-2649-77 dated September 7, 1977, Exhibit A of appellee bank. VIIThe [trial court] erred in adopting appellee bank's Exhibit B dated September 30, 1986 in its decision given in open court on October 17, 1986 which exacted eighteen percent (18%) per annum on the foisted principal amount of P2.5 million when the subject PN, Exhibit A, stipulated only fourteen percent (14%) per annum and which was actually prayed for in appellee bank's original and amended complaints. VIIIThe appealed decision of the lower court erred in not considering at all appellant's affirmative defenses that (1) the subject PN No. TL-2649-77 for P2.5 million dated September 7, 1977, is merely an accommodation accommodation pour autrui  bereft  bereft of any actual consideration to appellant himself and (2) the subject PN is a contract of adhesion, hence, [it] needs [to] be strictly construed against appellee bank — assuming for granted that it has the right to enforce and seek collection thereof. IXThe lower court should have at least allowed appellant the opportunity to present countervailing evidence considering the huge amounts claimed by appellee bank (principal sum of P2.5 million which including accrued interests, penalties and cost of litigation totaled P4,689,413.63) and appellant's affirmative defenses — pursuant to substantial justice and equity." The appellate court, however, found no need to tackle all the assigned errors and limited itself to the question of "whether [herein petitioner had] established or proven a cause of action against [herein private respondent]."  Accordingly, Respondent Respondent Court held that the Associated Associated Bank hhad ad no cause of action action against Lo Lorenzo renzo Sarmiento TH

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Jr., since said bank was not privy to the promissory note executed by Sarmiento in favor of Citizens Bank and Trust Company (CBTC). The court ruled that the earlier merger between the two banks could not have vested  Associated Bank with any interest interest arising from thhee promissory note executed in favor avor of CBTC after  such  such merger. Thus, as earlier stated, Respondent Court set aside the decision of the trial court and dismissed the complaint. Petitioner now comes to us for a reversal of this ruling. ruling. 8  Issues 

In its petition, petitioner cites the following "reasons":  "reasons": 9  "IThe Court of Appeals erred in reversing the decision of the trial court and in declaring that petitioner has no cause of action against respondent over the promissory note. IIThe Court of Appeals also erred in declaring that, since the promissory note was executed in favor of Citizens Bank and Trust Company two years after the merger between Associated Banking Corporation andthere Citizens and Trust Company, respondent is not liable to petitioner because is noBank privity of contract between respondent and Associated Bank. LLjur IIIThe Court of Appeals erred when it ruled that petitioner, despite the merger between petitioner and Citizens Bank and Trust Company, is not a real party in interest insofar as the promissory note executed in favor of the merger." In a nutshell, the main issue is whether Associated Bank, the surviving corporation, may enforce the promissory note made by private respondent in favor of CBTC, the absorbed company, after the merger agreement had been signed. The Court's Ruling  

The petition is impressed with merit. The Main Issue:

 Associated Bank Assumed    All Rights of CBTC  CBTC  

Ordinarily, in the merger of two or more existing corporations, one of the combining corporation corporationss survives and continues the combined business, while the rest are dissolved and all their rights, properties and liabilities are acquired by the surviving corporation. corporation. 10  10  Although Although there is a dissolution of the absorbed corporations, there there is no winding up of their affairs or liquidation of their assets, because the surviving corporation automatically cally acquires all their rights, privileges and powers, as well as their liabilities.  liabilities. 11  11  The merger, however, does not become effective upon the mere agreement of the constituent corporations. The procedure to be followed is prescribed under the Corporation Code. 12 12a 12b Section 79 of said Code requires the approval by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) of the articles of merger which, in turn, must have been duly approved by a majority of the respective stockholders of the constituent corporations. The same provision further states that the merger shall be effective only upon the issuance by the SEC of a certificate of merger. The effectivity date of the merger is crucial for determining when the merged or absorbed corporation ceases to exist; and when its rights, privileges, properties as well as liabilities pass on to the surviving corporation. Consistent with the aforementioned Section 79, the September 16, 1975 Agreement of Merger , 13  13 which  Associated Banking Banking Corporation (ABC) and Citizens Citizens Bank and Tru Trust st Company (CBTC) (CBTC) entered into, into, provided that its effectivity "shall, for all intents and purposes, be the date when the necessary papers to carry out this [m]erger shall have been approved by the Securities and Exchange Commission. Commission."" 14  14  As As to the transfeerr of the properties ies of CBTC to ABC, the agreement provides: "10.Upon effective date of the Merger, all rights, privileges, powers, immunities, franchises, assets and property of [CBTC], whether real, personal or mixed, and including [CBTC's] goodwill and tradename, and all debts due to [CBTC] on whatever act, and all other things in action belonging to [CBTC] as of the effective date of the [m]erger shall be vested in [ABC], the SURVIVING BANK, without need of further act or deed, unless by express requirements of law or of a government agency, any separate or specific deed of conveyance to legally effect the transfer or assignment of any kind of property [or] asset is required, in which case such document or deed shall be executed accordingly; and all property, rights, privileges, powers, immunities, franchises and all appointments, designations and nominations, and all other rights and interests of [CBTC] as trustee, executor, administrator, registrar of stocks and bonds, guardian of estates, assignee, receiver, trustee of estates of persons mentally ill and in every other fiduciary capacity, and all and every other interest of [CBTC] shall thereafter be effectually the property of [ABC] as they were of [CBTC], and title to any real estate, whether by deed or otherwise, vested in [CBTC] shall not revert or be in any way impaired by reason thereof; provided, however, that all rights of creditors and all liens upon any property of [CBTC] shall be preserved and unimpaired and all debts, liabilities, obligations, duties and undertakings of [CBTC], whether contractual or otherwise, expressed or implied, actual or contingent, shall henceforth attach to [ABC] which shall be responsible therefor and may be enforced against [ABC] to the same extent as if the same debts liabilities, obligations, duties and undertakings have been originally incurred or contracted by [ABC], subject, however, to all rights, privileges,

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defenses, set-offs and counterclaims which [CBTC] has or might have and which shall pertain to [ABC]. [ABC]."" 15 15   The records do not show when the SEC approved the merger. Private respondent's theory is that it took effect on the date of the execution of the agreement itself, which was September 16, 1975. Private respondent contends that, since he issued the promissory note to CBTC on September 7, 1977 — two years after  the  the merger agreement had been executed — CBTC could not have conveyed or transferred to petitioner its interest in the said note, which was not yet in existence at the time of the merger. Therefore, petitioner, the surviving bank, has no right to enforce the promissory note on private respondent; such right properly pertains only to CBTC.  Assuming that the he effectivity date of the merger was the date of its execution, w wee still cannot agr agree ee that petitioner no longer has any interest in the promissory note. A closer perusal of the merger agreement leads to a different conclusion. The provision quoted earlier has this other clause: "Upon the effective date of the [m]erger, all references to [CBTC] in any deed, documents, or other papers of whatever kind or nature and wherever found shall be deemed for all intents and purposes, references to [ABC], the SURVIVING BANK, as 16  (Emphasis supplied) ."  16 if such references were direct references to [ABC] . . . ."  Thus, the fact that the promissory note was executed after the effectivity date of the merger does not militate against petitioner. The agreement itself clearly provides that all  contracts  contracts — irrespective of the date of execution — entered into in the name of CBTC shall be understood as pertaining to the surviving bank, herein petitioner. Since, in contrast to the earlier aforequoted provision, the latter clause no longer specifically refers only to contracts existing at the time of the merger, no distinction should be made. The clause must have been deliberately included in the agreement in order to protect the interests of the combining banks; specifically, to avoid giving the merger agreement a farcical interpretation aimed at evading fulfillment of a due obligation.

Pour Autrui, Lack of Consideration  No Prescription  or Laches 

Private respondent's claim that the action has prescribed, pursuant to Article 1149 of the Civil Code, is legally untenable. Petitioner's suit for collection of a sum of money was based on a written contract and prescribes after ten years from the time its right of action arose.  arose. 19 19  Sarmiento's obligation under the promissory note became due and demandable on March 6, 1978. Petitioner's complaint was instituted on August 22, 1985, before the lapse of the ten-year prescriptive period. Definitely, petitioner still had every right to commence suit against the payor/obligor, the private respondent herein. Neither is petitioner's action barred by laches. The principle of laches is a creation of equity, which is applied not to penalize neglect or failure to assert a right within a reasonable time, but rather to avoid recognizing a right when to do so would result in a clearly inequitable situation situation  20  20 or in an injustice injustice.. 21  21 To require private respondent to pay the remaining balance of his loan is certainly not inequitable or unjust. What would be manifestly unjust and inequitable is his contention that CBTC is the proper party to proceed against him despite the fact, which he himself asserts, that CBTC's corporate personality has been dissolved by virtue of its merger with petitioner. To hold that no payee/obligee exists and to let private respondent enjoy the fruits of his loan without liability is surely most unfair and unconscionable, amounting to unjust enrichment at the expense of petitioner. Besides, this Court has held that the doctrine of laches is inapplicable where the claim was filed within the prescriptive period set forth under the law. law. 22 22   No Contract   Pour Autrui  

Thus, although the subject promissory note names CBTC as the payee, the reference to CBTC in the note shall be construed, under the very provisions of the merger agreement, as a reference to petitioner bank, "as if such reference [was a] direct reference to" the latter "for all intents and purposes."

No other construction can given to the unequivocal stipulation. clear, plain and free .ofVerba ambiguity, the est provision must be given itsbe literal meaning meaning   17 17  and applied without aBeing convoluted interpretation. interpretation legis non recedendum. 18  18  In light of the foregoing, the Court holds that petitioner has a valid cause of action against private respondent. Clearly, the failure of private respondent to honor his obligation under the promissory note constitutes a violation of petitioner's right to collect the proceeds of the loan it extended to the former. Secondary Issues:

Private respondent, while not denying that he executed the promissory note in the amount of P2,500,000 in favor of CBTC, offers the alternative defense that said note was a contract Pour autrui .

 A stipulation pour autrui  is  is one in favor of a third person who may demand its fulfillment, provided he communicated his acceptance to the obligor before its revocation. An incidental benefit or interest, which another person gains, is not sufficient. The contracting parties must have clearly and deliberately conferred a favor upon a third person. person. 23  23  24  enumerates the requisites for such contract: (1) the stipulation in favor of a third Florentino vs. Encarnacion Sr . 24 person must be a part of the contract, and not the contract itself; (2) the favorable stipulation should not be conditioned or compensated by any kind of obligation; and (3) neither of the contracting parties bears the legal representation or authorization of the third party. The "fairest test" in determining whether the third person's interest in a contract is a stipulation pour autrui  or  or merely an incidental interest is to examine the intention of the parties as disclosed by their contract. contract . 25 25  

Prescription Laches, Contract  

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We carefully and thoroughly perused the promissory note, but found no stipulation at all that would even resemble a provision in consideration of a third person. The instrument itself does not disclose the purpose of the loan contract. It merely lays down the terms of payment and the penalties incurred for failure to pay upon maturity. It is patently devoid of any indication that a benefit or interest was thereby created in favor of a person other than the contracting parties. In fact, in no part of the instrument is there any mention of a third party at all. Except for his barefaced statement, no evidence was proffered by private respondent to support his argument. Accordingly, his contention cannot be sustained. At any rate, if indeed the loan actually benefited a third person who undertook to 26   repay the bank, private respondent could have availed himself of the legal remedy of a third-party complaint.  complaint. 26 That he made no effort to implead such third person proves the hollowness of his arguments. cdrep

DECISION  

NACHURA, J p:

This is a petition for review on certiorari  under  under Rule 45 of the Rules of Court filed by Mindanao Savings and Loan  Association, Inc. (MSLAI), repres represented ented by its liiquidator, quidator, Philippin Philippinee Deposit Insura Insurance nce Corporation Corporation (PDIC), against respondents Edward R. Willkom (Willkom); Gilda Go (Go); Remedios Uy (Uy); Malayo Bantuas (sheriff Bantuas), in his capacity as sheriff of the Regional Trial Court (RTC), Branch 3 of Iligan City; and the Register of Deeds of Decision  2  Cagayan de Oro City. MSLAI seeks the reversal and setting aside of the Court of Appeals Appeals  1 (CA) Decision SEIcAD   dated March 21, 2007 and Resolution  Resolution 3 dated June 1, 2007 in CA-G.R. CV No. 58337. SEIcAD 

Consideration 

The controversy stemmed from the following facts: Private respondent also claims that he received no consideration for the promissory note and, in support thereof, cites petitioner's failure to submit any proof of his loan application and of his actual receipt of the amount loaned. These arguments deserve no merit. Res ipsa loquitur . The instrument, bearing the signature of private respondent, speaks for itself. Respondent Sarmiento has not questioned the genuineness and due execution

The First Iligan Savings and Loan Association, Inc. (FISLAI) and the Davao Savings and Loan Association, Inc. (DSLAI) are entities duly registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) under Registry Nos. 34869 and 32388, respectively, primarily engaged in the business of granting loans and receiving deposits from

thereof. furtherMarch proof is6,necessary he undertook P2,500,000,accountant. plus interest, to latter petitioner bank on No or before 1978. Thistoheshow failedthat to do, as testifiedtotopay by petitioner's The presented before the trial court private respondent's statement of account  account 27  27 as of September 30, 1986, showing an outstanding balance of P4,689,413.63 after deducting P1,000,000.00 paid seven months earlier. Furthermore, such partial payment is equivalent to an express acknowledgment acknowledgment of his obligation. Private respondent can no longer backtrack and deny his liability to petitioner bank. "A person cannot accept and reject the same 28   instrument." 28

the general public, and treated as banks. banks.  4 

WHEREFORE, the petition is GRANTED. The assailed Decision is SET ASIDE and the Decision of RTC-Manila, Branch 48, in Civil Case No. 26465 is hereby REINSTATED.

Meanwhile, on May 26, 1986, the Board of Directors of FISLAI passed and approved Board Resolution No. 86002, assigning its assets in favor of DSLAI which in turn assumed the former's liabilities.  liabilities. 8 

SO ORDERED. cdll

The business of MSLAI, however, failed. Hence, the Monetary Board of the Central Bank of the Philippines ordered its closure and placed it under receivership per Monetary Board Resolution No. 922 dated August 31, 1990. The Monetary Board found that MSLAI's financial condition was one of insolvency, and for it to continue in business would involve probable loss to its depositors and creditors. On May 24, 1991, the Monetary Board ordered the liquidation of MSLAI, with PDIC as its liquidator . 9 

Davide, Jr ., Bellosillo, Vitug  and  and Quisumbing, JJ ., concur.

SECOND DIVISION DIVISION   [G.R. No. 178618. October 20, 2010.] MINDANAO SAVINGS AND LOAN ASSOCIATION, INC., represented by its Liquidator, THE PHILIPPINE DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION, petitioner , vs. EDWARD WILLKOM; GILDA GO; REMEDIOS UY; MALAYO BANTUAS, in his capacity as the Deputy Sheriff of Regional Trial Court, Branch 3, Iligan City; and the REGISTER OF DEEDS of Cagayan de Oro City , respondents.

Sometime in 1985, FISLAI and DSLAI entered into a merger, with DSLAI as the surviving corporation.  corporation. 5 The articles of merger were not registered with the SEC due to incomplete documentation. documentation.  6 On August 12, 1985, DSLAI changed its corporate name to MSLAI by way of an amendment to Article 1 of its Articles of Incorporation, but the amendment was approved by the SEC only on April 3, 1987. 1987.  7 

It appears that prior to the closure of MSLAI, Uy filed with the RTC, Branch 3 of Iligan City, an action for collection of sum of money against FISLAI, docketed as Civil Case No. 111-697. On October 19, 1989, the RTC issued a summary decision in favor of Uy, directing defendants therein (which included FISLAI) to pay the former the sum of P136,801.70, plus interest until full payment, 25% as attorney's fees, and the costs of suit. The decision was modified by the CA by further ordering the third-party defendant therein to reimburse the payments that would be made by the defendants. The decision became final and executory on February 21, 1992. A writ of execution was thereafter issued.  issued. 10  10  On April 28, 1993, sheriff Bantuas levied on six (6) parcels of land owned by FISLAI located in Cagayan de Oro City, and the notice of sale was subsequently published. During the public auction on May 17, 1993, Willkom was TH

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the highest bidder. A certificate of sale was issued and eventually registered with the Register of Deeds of Cagayan de Oro City. Upon the expiration of the redemption period, sheriff Bantuas issued the sheriff's definite deed of sale. New certificates of title covering the subject properties were issued in favor of Willkom. On September 20, 1994, Willkom sold one of the subject parcels of land to Go.  Go. 11  11  On June 14, 1995, MSLAI, represented by PDIC, filed before the RTC, Branch 41 of Cagayan de Oro City, a complaint for Annulment of Sheriff's Sale, Cancellation of Title and Reconv Reconveyance eyance of Proper Properties ties against respondents. 12 respondents. 12  MSLAI alleged that the sale on execution of the subject properties was conducted without notice to it and PDIC; that PDIC only came to know about the sale for the first time in February 1995 while discharging its mandate of liquidating MSLAI's assets; that the execution of the RTC decision in Civil Case No. 111-697 was illegal and contrary to law and jurisprudence, not only because PDIC was not notified of the execution sale, but also because the assets of an institution placed under receivership or liquidation such as MSLAI should be deemed in custodia legis and should be exempt from any order of garnishment, levy, attachment, or execution. execution. 13  13  SEIDAC  SEIDAC 

levied properties at public auction is valid. The CA went on to say that even if there had been a de facto merger between FISLAI and MSLAI (formerly DSLAI), Willkom, having relied on the clean certificates of title, was an innocent purchaser for value, whose right is superior to that of MSLAI. Furthermore, the alleged assignment of assets and liabilities executed by FISLAI in favor of MSLAI was not binding on third parties because it was not registered. Finally, the CA said that the validity of the auction sale could not be invalidated by the fact that the sheriff had no authority to conduct the execution sale sale.. 18  18  Petitioner's motion for reconsideration was denied in a Resolution dated June 1, 2007. Hence, the instant petition anchored on the following grounds: THE HONORABLE COURT OF APPEALS, CAGAYAN DE ORO COMMITTED GRAVE AND REVERSIBLE ERROR WHEN: (1)

In answer, respondents averred that MSLAI had no cause of action against them or the right to recover the subject properties because MSLAI is a separate and distinct entity from FISLAI. They further contended that the "unofficial merger" between FISLAI and DSLAI (now MSLAI) did not take effect considering that the merging companies did not comply with the formalities and procedure for merger or consolidation as prescribed by the Corporation Code of the Philippines. Finally, they claimed that FISLAI is still a SEC registered corporation and could not have been absorbed by petitioner.  petitioner.  14  14  On March 13, 1997, the RTC issued a resolution dismissing the case for lack of jurisdiction. The RTC declared that it could not annul the decision in Civil Case No. 111-697, having been rendered by a court of coordinate  jurisdiction.  15   jurisdiction. 15 

IT PASSED UPON THE EXISTENCE AND STATUS OF DSLAI (now MSLAI) AS THE SURVIVING ENTITY IN THE MERGER BETWEEN DSLAI AND FISLAI AS A DEFENSE IN AN ACTION OTHER THAN IN A QUO WARRANTO PROCEEDING UPON THE INSTITUTION OF THE SOLICITOR GENERAL AS MANDATED UNDER DHEaTS   SECTION 20 OF BATAS PAMBANSA BLG. 68. DHEaTS (2) IT REFUSED TO RECOGNIZE THE MERGER BETWEEN F[I]SLAI AND DSLAI WITH DSLAI AS THE SURVIVING CORPORATION.

On appeal, MSLAI failed to obtain a favorable decision when the CA affirmed the RTC resolution. The dispositive portion of the assailed CA Decision reads: WHEREFORE, premises considered, the instant appeal is DENIED. The decision assailed is AFFIRMED. We REFER Sheriff Malayo B. Bantuas' violation of the Supreme Court Administrativ Administrativee Circular No. 12 to the Office of the Court Administrator for appropriate action. The Division Clerk of Court is hereby DIRECTED to furnish the Office of the Court  Administrator a copy copy of this decision. decision. 16   SO ORDERED. ORDERED. 16 The appellate court sustained the dismissal of petitioner's complaint not because it had no jurisdiction over the case, as held by the RTC, but on a different ground. Citing Associated Bank Bank v. CA, 17 17  the CA ruled that there was no merger between FISLAI and MSLAI (formerly DSLAI) for their failure to follow the procedure laid down by the Corporation Code for a valid merger or consolidation. The CA then concluded that the two corporations retained their separate personalities; consequently, consequently, the claim against FISLAI is warranted, and the subsequent sale of the

(3) IT HELD THAT THE PROPERTIES SUBJECT OF THE CASE ARE NOT IN CUSTODIA LEGIS AND THEREFORE, THEREFORE, EXEMP EXEMPT T FROM GARNIS SHMENT, HMENT, LEV LEVY, Y, 19    ATTACHMENT OR EXECUTIO EXECUTION N. 19 To resolve this petition, we must address two basic questions: (1) Was the merger between FISLAI and DSLAI (now MSLAI) valid and effective; and (2) Was there novation of the obligation by substituting the person of the debtor? We answer both questions in the negative. Ordinarily, in the merger of two or more existing corporations, one of the corporations survives and continues the combined business, while the rest are dissolved and all their rights, properties, and liabilities are acquired by the Although there is a dissolution of th thee absorbed or m merged erged corporations, ions, there is no no surviving corporation. corporation. 20  20  Although winding up of their affairs or liquidation of their assets because the surviving corporation automatically ically acquires all their rights, privileges, and powers, as well as their liabilities. liabilities. 21  21  TH

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The merger, however, does not become effective upon the mere agreement of the constituent corporations.  corporations. 22 22   Since a merger or consolidation involves fundamental changes in the corporation, as well as in the rights of 23   stockholders and creditors, there must be an express provision of law authorizing them.  them. 23 The steps necessary to accomplish a merger or consolidation, as provided for in Sections 76 76,, 24  24 77 77,, 25 25  78 78,, 26 26   and 79  79 27  27 of the Corporation Code, are: (1)The board of each corporation draws up a plan of merger or consolidation. Such plan must include any amendment, if necessary, to the articles of incorporation of the surviving corporation, or in case of consolidation, all the statements required in the articles of incorporation of a corporation. (2)Submission of plan to stockholders or members of each corporation for approval. A meeting must be called and at least two (2) weeks' notice must be sent to all stockholders or members, personally or by registered mail. A summary of the plan must be attached to the notice. Vote of two-thirds of the members or of stockholders representing two-thirds of the outstanding capital stock will be needed. Appraisal rights, when proper, must be respected. (3)Execution of the formal agreement, referred to as the articles of merger o[r] consolidation, by the corporate officers of each constituent corporation. These take the place of the articles of incorporation of the consolidated corporation, or amend the articles of incorporation of the surviving corporation. (4)Submission of said articles of merger or consolidation to the SEC for approval. (5)If necessary, the SEC shall set a hearing, notifying all corporations concerned at least two weeks before. EACTSH EACTSH   28   (6)Issuance of certificate of merger or consolidation. consolidation. 28 Clearly, the merger shall only be effective upon the issuance of a certificate of merger by the SEC, subject to its 29  Where a prior determination that the merger is not inconsistent with the Corporation Code or existing laws.  laws. 29 party to the merger is a special corporation governed by its own charter, the Code particularly mandates that a favorable recommendation of the appropriate government agency should first be obtained. obtained. 30  30  In this case, it is undisputed that the articles of merger between FISLAI and DSLAI were not registered with the SEC due to incomplete documentation. Consequently, the SEC did not issue the required certificate of merger. Even if it is true that the Monetary Board of the Central Bank of the Philippines recognized such merger, the fact remains that no certificate was issued by the SEC. Such merger is still incomplete without the certification.

merger, the absorbed corporation ceases to exist but its rights and properties, as well as liabilities, shall be taken and deemed transferred to and vested in the surviving corporation corporation.. 31  31  The same rule applies to consolidation which becomes effective effective not upon mere agreement of the members but only upon issuance of the certificate of consolidation by the SEC.  SEC. 32  32 When the SEC, upon processing and examining the articles of consolidation, is satisfied that the consolidation of the corporations is not inconsistent with the provisions of the Corporation Code and existing laws, it issues a certificate of consolidation which makes 33  The new consolidated corporation comes into existence and the constituent the reorganization official.  official. 33 corporations are dissolved and cease to exist. exist. 34  34  There being no merger between FISLAI and DSLAI (now MSLAI), for third parties such as respondents, the two corporations shall not be considered as one but two separate corporations. A corporation is an artificial being created by operation of law. It possesses the right of succession and such powers, attributes, and properties expressly authorized by law or incident to its existence. existence.  35 I 35 Itt has a personality separate and distinct from the persons composing it, as well as from any other legal entity to which it may be related.  related. 36 36  Being separate entities, the property of one cannot be considered the property of the other. Thus, in the instant case, as far as third parties are concerned, the assets of FISLAI remain as its assets and cannot be considered as belonging to DSLAI and MSLAI, notwithstanding of Assignment whereinAs FISLAI assigned its assets and properties to DSLAI, and the latter assumedthe allDeed the liabilities of the former. provided in Article 1625 of the Civil Code, "an assignment of credit, right or action shall produce no effect as against third persons, unless it appears in a public instrument, or the instrument is recorded in the Registry of Property in case the assignment involves real property." The certificates of title of the subject properties were clean and contained no annotation of the fact of assignment. Respondents cannot, therefore, be faulted for enforcing their claim against FISLAI on the properties registered under its name. Accordingly, MSLAI, as the successor-in-interest erest of DSLAI, has no legal standing to annul the execution sale over the properties of FISLAI. With more reason can it not cause the cancellation of the title to the subject properties of Willkom and Go. CScTDE  CScTDE  Petitioner cannot also anchor its right to annul the execution sale on the principle of novation. While it is true that DSLAI (now MSLAI) assumed all the liabilities of FISLAI, such assumption did not result in novation as would release the latter from liability, thereby exempting its properties from execution. Novation is the extinguishment of an obligation substitution or change of the obligation subsequentanother one which extinguishes or modifies the first, eitherbybythe changing the object or principal conditions,bybya substituting in place of the debtor, or by subrogating a third person in the rights of the creditor. creditor.  37 37   It is a rule that novation by substitution of debtor must always be made with the consent of the creditor.  creditor. 38 38   Article Article 1293 of the Civil Code is explicit, thus:  Art. 1293.Novatioonn which consis consists ts in substituting a new debtor in the place of the original one, may be made even without the knowledge or against the will of the latter, but not without the consent of the creditor. Payment by the new debtor gives him the rights mentioned in Articles 1236 and 1237.

The issuance of the certificate of merger is crucial because not only does it bear out SEC's approval but it also marks the moment when the consequences of a merger take place. By operation of law, upon the effectivity of the TH

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In this case, there was no showing that Uy, the creditor, gave her consent to the agreement that DSLAI (now MSLAI) would assume the liabilities of FISLAI. Such agreement cannot prejudice Uy. Thus, the assets that FISLAI transferred to DSLAI remained subject to execution to satisfy the judgment claim of Uy against FISLAI. The subsequent sale of the properties by Uy to Willkom, and of one of the properties by Willkom to Go, cannot, therefore, be questioned by MSLAI. The consent of the creditor to a novation by change of debtor is as indispensable as the creditor's consent in conventional subrogation in order that a novation shall legally take place. place . 39 39  Since novation implies a waiver of the right which the creditor had before the novation, such waiver must be express.  express. 40 40   WHEREFORE , premises considered, the petition is DENIED. The Court of Appeals Decision dated March 21, 2007 and Resolution dated June 1, 2007 in CA-G.R. CV No. 58337 are AFFIRMED. SO ORDERED. TDcCIS  TDcCIS  Carpio, Leonardo-de Castro, * Peralta and Mendoza, JJ., concur.

DIVISION   FIRST DIVISION [G.R. No. 99398. January 26, 2001.] CHESTER BABST, petitioner , vs. COURT OF APPEALS, BANK OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS, ELIZALDE STEEL CONSOLIDATED, INC., and PACIFIC MULTI-COMMERCIAL CORPORATION, respondents.

SYNOPSIS  

On January 17, 1983, Bank of the Philippine Islands, as successor-in-interest of Commercial Bank and Trust Company (CBTC), instituted with the Regional Trial Court of Makati City a complaint for sum of money docketed as Civil Case No. 49226 against Eliscon, Multi and Babst to enforce payment of a promissory note and three domestic letters of credit which Elizalde Steel Consolidated, Inc. executed and opened with the CBTC. After the defendants filed their respective answers, trial on the merits ensued. On February 20, 1987, the trial court rendered its decision in favor of the plaintiff and ordered herein defendant Eliscon to pay the amount of P2,795,240.67 due on the promissory note dated October 31, 1982; P3,963,322.08 due on three domestic letters of credit as of October 31, 1982; interest and related charges on the principal amounting to P2,102,232.02; attorney's fees. Likewise, the trial court ordered the defendants Pacific Multi-Commercial Corporation and Babst to pay jointly and severally with defendant Eliscon all the charges awarded against Eliscon. In due time, Eliscon, Multi and Babst filed their respective notices of appeal. On April 29, 1991, the Court of Appeals rendered a decision modifying the appealed decision by ordering appellant Eliscon to pay the amount awarded to the BPI.  Additionally, the appellate appellate court or ordered dered Eliscon Eliscon to reimburse ap appellants pellants Multi and and Babst whatev whatever er amount they shall have paid in said Eliscon's behalf particularly referring to the 3 letters of credit and other related charges. Hence, these consolidated petitions seeking the review of the decision of the Court of Appeals.

The found the meritorious. The ruled there exists a clear indication that BPI wasto aware of theCourt assumption bypetitions DBP of the obligations of Court Eliscon. Thethat authority granted by BPI to its account officer attend the creditors' meeting was an authority to represent the bank. When the court officer failed to object to the substitution of debtors, he did so in behalf of and for the bank. Even granting arguendo  that the account officer was not so empowered, BPI could have subsequently registered its objection to the substitution, especially after it had already learned that DBP had taken over the assets and assumed the liabilities of Eliscon. Its failure to do so can only mean an acquiescence in the assumption by DBP of Eliscon's obligation. BPI's conduct evinced a clear and unmistakable consent to the substitution of DBP for Eliscon as debtor. Hence, there was a valid novation, which resulted in the release of Eliscon from its obligation to BPI, whose cause of action should be directed against DBP as the new debtor. The original obligation having been extinguished, the contract of suretyship executed separately by Babst and Multi, being accessory obligations, are likewise extinguished.

[G.R. No. 104625. January 26, 2001.] SYLLABUS   ELIZALDE STEEL CONSOLIDATED, INC., petitioner  INC.,  petitioner , vs. COURT OF APPEALS, BANK OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS, PACIFIC MULTI-COMMERCIAL CORPORATION and CHESTER BABST, respondents BABST, respondents.

De Guzman, Florentino & Assoc. for C. Babst.  Antonio Barredo & Associates for respondent in 104625  

1.COMMERCIAL LAW; CORPORATIO 1.COMMERCIAL ON N LAW; MERGER; IN THE MERGER OF TWO EXISTING CORPORATIONS, ONE OF THE CORPORATIONS SURVIVES AND CONTINUES THE BUSINESS WHILE THE OTHER IS DISSOLVED AND ALL ITS RIGHTS, PROPERTIES AND LIABILITIES ARE ACQUIRED BY THE SURVIVING CORPORATIO CORPORATION. N. — At the outset, the preliminary issue of BPI's right of action must first be addressed. ELISCON and MULTI assail BPI's legal capacity to recover their obligation to CBTC. However, there is no question that there was a valid merger between BPI and CBTC. It is settled that in the merger of two existing corporations, one of the corporations survives and continues the business, while the other is dissolved and all its rights, properties and liabilities are acquired by the surviving corporation. Hence, BPI has a right to institute the case a quo. TCSEcI TCSEcI  

Padilla Law Office for respondent BPI

2.CIVIL LAW; CONTRACTS; SURETYSHIP; WHILE THE SURETY IS SOLIDARILY LIABLE WITH THE PRINCIPAL DEBTOR, HIS OBLIGATION TO PAY ARISES ONLY UPON THE PRINCIPAL DEBTOR'S FAILURE TH

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OR REFUSAL TO PAY; CASE AT BAR. — BPI gives no cogent reason in withholding its consent to the substitution, other than its desire to preserve its causes of action and legal recourse against the sureties of ELISCON. It must be remembered, however, that while a surety is solidarily liable with the principal debtor, his obligation to pay only arises upon the principal debtor's failure or refusal to pay. A contract of surety is an accessory promise by which a person binds himself for another already bound, and agrees with the creditor to satisfy the obligation if the debtor does not. A surety is an insurer of the debt; he promises to pay the principal's debt if the principal will not pay. In the case at bar, there was no indication that the principal debtor will default in payment. In fact, DBP, which had stepped into the shoes of ELISCON, was capable of payment. Its authorized capital stock was increased by the government. More importantly, the National Development Company took over the business of ELISCON and undertook to pay ELISCON's creditors, and earmarked for that purpose the amount of P4,015,534.54 for payment to BPI. 3.ID.; ID.; NOVATION; KINDS; IF THE ORIGINAL OBLIGATION IS EXTINGUISHED, THE CONTRACT OF SURETYSHIP IS LIKEWISE EXTINGUISHED. — BPI's conduct evinced a clear and unmistakable consent to the substitution of DBP for ELISCON as debtor. Hence, there was a valid novation which resulted in the release of ELISCON from its obligation to BPI, whose cause of action should be directed against DBP as the new debtor. Novation, in its broad concept, may either be extinctive or modificatory. It is extinctive when an old obligation is terminated by the creation of a new obligation that takes the place of the former; it is merely modificatory when the old obligation subsists to the extent it remains compatible with the amendatory agreement. An extinctive novation results or either by changing theperson object in or the principal (objective or real), or by substituting the mode, person of the debtor subrogating a third rights conditions of the creditor (subjective or personal). Under this novation would have dual functions — one to extinguish an existing obligation, the other to substitute a new one in its place — requiring a conflux of four essential requisites, (1) a previous valid obligation; (2) an agreement of all parties concerned to a new contract; (3) the extinguishment of the old obligation; and (4) the birth of a valid new obligation. The original obligation having been extinguished, the contracts of suretyship executed separately by Babst and MULTI, being accessory obligations, are likewise extinguished.

D E C I S I O N 

On June 8, 1973, ELISCON obtained from CBTC a loan in the amount of P8,015,900.84, with interest at the rate of 14% per annum, evidenced by a promissory note.  note. 2 ELISCON defaulted in its payments, leaving an outstanding indebtedness in the amount of P2,795,240.67 as of October 31, 1982.  1982.  3  The letters of credit, on the other hand, were opened for ELISCON by CBTC using the credit facilities of Pacific Multi-Commercial Corporation (MULTI) with the said bank, pursuant to the Resolution of the Board of Directors of Multi-Commercial MULTI adopted on August 31, 1977 which reads: WHEREAS, at least 90% of the Company's gross sales is generated by the sale of tin-plates manufactured by Elizalde Steel Consolidated, Inc.; WHEREAS, it is to the best interests of the Company to continue handling said tinplate line; WHEREAS, Elizalde Steel Consolidated, Consolidated, Inc. has requested the assistance of the Company in obtaining credit facilities to enable it to maintain the present level of its tin-plate manufacturing output and the Company is willing to extend said requested assistance; NOW, THEREFORE, for and in consideration of the foregoing premises —  BE IT RESOLVED AS IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED, That the PRESIDENT & GENERAL MANAGER, ANTONIO ROXAS CHUA, be, as he is hereby empowered to allow and authorize ELIZALDE STEEL CONSOLIDATED, CONSOLIDATED, INC. to avail and make use of the Credit Line of PACIFIC MULTI-COMME MULTI-COMMERCIAL RCIAL CORPORATION with the COMMERCIAL BANK & TRUST COMPANY OF THE PHILIPPINES, Makati, Metro Manila; RESOLVED, FURTHER, That the Pacific Multi-Commercial Corporation guarantee, as it does hereby guarantee, solidarily, the payment of the corresponding Letters of Credit upon maturity of the same;

 YNARES-SANTIAGO AGO, J p:

These consolidated petitions seek the review of the Decision dated April 29, 1991 of the Court of Appeals in CAG.R. CV No. 17282  17282  1 entitled, "Bank of the Philippine Islands, Plaintiff-Appellee versus Elizalde Steel Consolidated, Inc., Pacific Multi-Commercial Corporation, and Chester G. Babst, Defendants-Appellants."  AaCcST   AaCcST  The complaint was commenced principally to enforce payment of a promissory note and three domestic letters of credit which Elizalde Steel Consolidated, Inc. (ELISCON) executed and opened with the Commercial Bank and Trust Company (CBTC).

RESOLVED, FINALLY, That copies of this resolution be furnished the Commercial Bank & Trust Company of the Philippines, Makati, Metro Manila, for their information. 4  Subsequently, on September 26, 1978, Antonio Roxas Chua and Chester G. Babst executed a Continuing Suretyship,  5 whereby they bound themselves jointly and severally liable to pay any existing indebtedness of Suretyship, MULTI to CBTC to the extent of P8,000,000.00 each. Sometime in October 1978, CBTC opened for ELISCON in favor of National Steel Corporation three (3) domestic letters of credit in the amounts of P1,946,805.73, P1,946,805.73,  6 P1,702,869.32 P1,702,869.32  7 and P200,307.72,  P200,307.72, 8 respectively, which ELISCON used to purchase tin black plates from National Steel Corporation. ELISCON defaulted in its obligation TH

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to pay the amounts of the letters of credit, leaving an outstanding account, as of October 31, 1982, in the total amount of P3,963,372.08. P3,963,372.08.  9 

1)Ordering defendant ELISCON to pay the plaintiff the amount of P2,795,240.67 due on the promissory note, Annex "A" of the Complaint as of 31 October 1982 and the amount of P3,963,372.08 due on the three (3) domestic letters of credit, also as of 31 October 1982;

On December 22, 1980, the Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) and CBTC entered into a merger, wherein BPI, as the surviving corporation, acquired all the assets and assumed all the liabilities of CBTC CBTC.. 10  10 

2)Ordering defendant ELISCON to pay the plaintiff interests and related charges on the principal of said promissory note of P2,102,232.02 at the rates provided in said note from and after 31 October 1982 until full payment thereof, and on the principal of the three (3) domestic letters of credit of P3,564,349.25 interests and related charges at the rates provided in said letters of credit, from and after 31 October 1982 until full payment;

Meanwhile, ELISCON encountered financial difficulties and became heavily indebted to the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP). In order to settle its obligations, ELISCON proposed to convey to DBP by way of dacion en  pago all its fixed assets mortgaged with DBP, as payment for its total indebtedness in the amount of P201,181,833.16. On December 28, 1978, ELISCON and DBP executed a Deed of Cession of Property in Payment of Debt.  Debt. 11 11   In June 1981, ELISCON called its creditors to a meeting to announce the take-over by DBP of its assets.

3)Ordering defendant ELISCON to pay interests at the legal rate on all interests and related charges but unpaid as of the filing of this complaint, until full payment thereof; 4)Ordering defendant ELISCON to pay attorney's fees equivalent to 10% of the total amount due under the preceding paragraphs;

In October 1981, DBP formally took over the assets of ELISCON, including its indebtedness to BPI. Thereafter, DBP proposed formulas for theto settlement of all of ELISCON's to its creditors, but BPI expressly rejected the formula submitted it for not being acceptable. acceptable . 12 12 obligations   Consequently, on January 17, 1983, BPI, as successor-in-interest of CBTC, instituted with the Regional Trial Court of Makati, Branch 147, a complain complaintt 13 or sum of money against ELISCON, MULTI and Babst, which was 13  f or docketed as Civil Case No. 49226. ELISCON, in its Answer,  Answer, 14  14 argued that the complaint was premature since DBP had made serious efforts to TDEASC   settle its obligations with BPI. TDEASC Babst also filed his Answer alleging that he signed the Continuing Suretyship on the understanding that it covers only obligations which MULTI incurred solely for its benefit and not for any third party liability, and he had no knowledge or information of any transaction between MULTI and ELISCON. ELISCON. 15  15  MULTI, for its part, denied knowledge of the merger between BPI and CBTC, and averred that the guaranty under its board resolution did not cover purchases made by ELISCON in the form of trust receipts. It set up a crossclaim against ELISCON alleging that the latter should be held liable for any judgment which the court may render against it in favor of BPI. BPI . 16  16 

5)Ordering defendants Pacific Multi-Commercial Corporation and defendant Chester Babst to pay, jointly and severally with defendant ELISCON, the total sum of P3,963,372.08 due on the three (3) domestic letters of credit as of 31 October 1982 with interests and related charges on the principal amount of P3,963,372.08 at the rates provided in said letters of credit from 30 October 1982 until fully paid, but to the extent of not more than P8,000,000.00 in the case of defendant Chester Babst; 6)Ordering defendant Pacific Multi-Commercial Corporation and defendant Chester Babst to pay, jointly and severally plaintiff interests at the legal rate on all interests and related charges already accrued but unpaid on said three (3) domestic letters of credit as of the date of the filing of this Complaint until full payment thereof; DHCSTa DHCSTa   7)Ordering defendant Pacific Multi-Commercial Corporation and defendant Chester Babst to pay, jointly and severally, attorney's fees of not less than 10% of the total amount due under paragraphs 5 and 6 hereof. With costs. SO ORDERED. 18   In due time, ELISCON, MULTI and Babst filed their respective notices of appeal appeal.. 18

On February 20, 1987, the trial court rendered its Decision, Decision, 17 17  the dispositive portion of which reads: On April 29, 1991, the Court of Appeals rendered the appealed Decision as follows: WHEREFORE, in view of all the foregoing, the Court hereby renders judgment in favor of the plaintiff and against all the defendants:

WHEREFORE, the judgment appealed from is MODIFIED, to now read (with the underlining to show the principal changes from the decision of the lower court) thus:

TH

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1)Ordering appellant ELISCON to pay the appellee BPI the amount of P2,731,005 .60   due on the promissory note, Annex "A" of the Complaint as of 31 October 1982 and the amount of P3,963,372.08 due on the three (3) domestic letters of credit, also as of 31 October 1982;

 A.THE BANK OF OF THE PHILIPPINE NE ISLANDS IS NOT ENTIT ENTITLED LED TO RECO RECOVER VER FROM PETITIONER ELISCON THE LATTER'S OBLIGATION WITH COMMERCIAL BANK AND TRUST COMPANY (CBTC) B.THERE WAS A VALID NOVATION OF THE CONTRACT BETWEEN ELISCON

2)Ordering appellant ELISCON to pay the appellee BPI interests and related charges on the principal of said promissory note of P2,102,232.02 at the rates provided in said note from and after 31 October 1982 until full payment thereof, and on the principal of the three (3) domestic letters of credit of P3,564,349.25 interests and related charges at the rates provided in said letters of credit, from and after 31 October 1982 until full payment; 3)Ordering appellant ELISCON to pay appellee BPI interest at the legal rate on all interests and related charges but unpaid as of the filing of this complaint, until full payment thereof; 4)Ordering appellant Pacific Multi-Commercial Corporation and appellant Chester G. Babst to pay appellee BPI, jointly and severally with appellant ELISCON, the total sum ofwith P3,963,372.08 due on charges the threeon (3)the domestic letters of credit as of 31 October 1982 interest and related principal amount of P3,963,372.08 at the rates provided in said letters of credit from 30 October 1982 until fully paid, but to the extent of not more than P8,000,000.00 in the case of defendant Chester Babst; 5)Ordering appellant Pacific Multi-Commercial Corporation and defendant Chester Babst to pay, jointly and severally, appellee BPI interests at the legal rate on all interests and related charges already accrued but unpaid on said three (3) domestic letters of credit as of the date of the filing of this Complaint until full payment thereof and the plaintiff's lawyer's fees in the nominal amount of P200,000 .00 ; 6)Ordering appellant ELISCON to reimburse appellants Pacific Multi-Commercial Corporation and Chester Babst whatever amount they shall have paid in said Eliscon's behalf particularly referring to three (3) letters of credit as of 31 October 1982 and other related charges . ICESTA ICESTA  

 AND BPI THERE THERE BEING A PRIO OR R CONSENT TO AND APPR APPROVAL OVAL BY BPI OF THE SUBSTITUTION BY DBP AS DEBTOR IN LIEU OF THE ORIGINAL DEBTOR, ELISCON, THEREBY RELEASING ELISCON FROM ITS OBLIGATION TO BPI. C.PACIFIC MULTI COMMERCIAL CORPORATION AND CHESTER BABST CANNOT LAWFULLY RECOVER FROM ELISCON WHATEVER  AMOUNT THEY MAY BE REQUIRED REQUIRED TO PA PAY Y TO BPI AS S SURETIES URETIES OF ELISCON'S OBLIGATION TO BPI; THEIR CAUSE OF ACTION MUST BE DIRECTED AGAINST DBP AS THE NEWLY SUBSTITUTED DEBTOR IN PLACE OF ELISCON. D.THE DBP TAKEOVER OF THE ENTIRE ELISCON AMOUNTED TO AN ACT OF GOVERNMENT WASLIABILITIES A FORTUITOUS EVENT EXCULPATING ELISCON FROMWHICH FURTHER TO RESPONDENT BPI. E.PETITIONER ELISCON SHOULD NOT BE HELD LIABLE TO PAY RESPONDENT BPI THE AMOUNTS STATED IN THE DISPOSITIVE PORTION OF RESPONDENT COURT OF APPEALS' DECISION. DECISION . 21 21   BPI filed its Comment Commen t 22 22  raising the following arguments, to wit: 1.Respondent BPI is legally entitled to recover from ELISCON, MULTI and Babst the past due obligations with CBTC prior to the merger of BPI with CBTC. 2.BPI did not give its consent to the DBP take-over of ELISCON. Hence, no valid novation has been effected.

No costs.

3.Express consent of creditor to substitution should be recorded in the books.

SO ORDERED. ORDERED. 19  19 

4.Petitioner Chester G. Babst and respondent MULTI are jointly and solidarily liable to BPI for the unpaid letters of credit of ELISCON.

ELISCON filed a Motion for Reconsideration of the Decision of the Court of Appeals which was, however, denied 20  Subsequently, ELISCON filed a petition for review on certiorari , docketed in a Resolution dated March 9, 1992 1992.. 20 as G.R. No. 104625, on the following grounds:

5.The question of the liability of ELISCON to BPI has been clearly established. 6.Since MULTI and Chester G. Babst are guarantors of the debts incurred by ELISCON, they may recover from the latter what they may have paid for on account aATEDS   of that guaranty. aATEDS TH

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Chester Babst filed a Comment with Manifestation, Manifestation, 23 23  wherein he contends that the suretyship agreement he executed with Antonio Roxas Chua was in favor of MULTI; and that there is nothing therein which authorizes MULTI, in turn, to guarantee the obligations of ELISCON. In its Comment, Comment, 24 24  MULTI maintained that inasmuch as BPI had full knowledge of the purpose of the meeting in June 1981, wherein the takeover by DBP of ELISCON was announced, it was incumbent upon the said bank to formally communicate its objection to the assumption of ELISCON's liabilities by DBP in answer to the call for the meeting. Moreover, there was no showing that the availment by ELISCON of MULTI's credit facilities with CBTC, which was supposedly guaranteed by Antonio Roxas Chua, was indeed authorized by the latter pursuant to the resolution of the Board of Directors of MULTI. In compliance with this Court's Resolution dated March 17, 1993,  1993,  25  25 the parties submitted their respective memoranda.

Meanwhile, in a petition for review filed with this Court, which was docketed as G.R. No. 99398, Chester Babst alleged that the Court of Appeals acted without jurisdiction and/or with grave abuse of discretion when:

5.IN NOT FINDING THAT THE DACION EN PAGO BETWEEN DBP AND BPI RELIEVED ELISCON, MULTI AND BABST OF ANY LIABILITY TO BPI. 6.IN FINDING THAT MULTI AND BABST BOUND THEMSELVES SOLIDARILY WITH ELISCON WITH RESPECT TO THE OBLIGATION INVOLVED HERE. CASaEc   CASaEc 7.IN RENDERING JUDGMENT IN FAVOR OF BPI AND AGAINST ELISCON ORDERING THE LATTER TO PAY THE AMOUNTS STATED IN THE DISPOSITIVE PORTION OF THE DECISION; AND ORDERING PETITIONER AND MULTI TO PAY SAID AMOUNTS JOINTLY AND SEVERALLY WITH ELISCON.  ELISCON. 26  26  Petitioner Babst alleged that DBP sold all of ELISCON's assets to the National Development Company, for the latter to take over and continue the operation of its business. On September 11, 1981, the Board of Governors of the DBP adopted Resolution No. 2817 which states that DBP shall enter into a contractual arrangement arrangement with NDC for the latter to pay ELISCON's creditors, including BPI in the amount of P4,015,534.54. This was followed by a Memorandum of Agreement executed on May 4, 1983 by and between DBP and NDC, wherein they stipulated,   inter alia, that NDC shall pay to ELISCON's creditors, through DBP, the amount of P299,524,700.00. Among the creditors mentioned in the agreement was BPI, with a listed credit of P4,015,534.54.

1.IT AFFIRMED THE LOWER COURT'S HOLDING THAT THERE WAS NO NOVATION INASMUCH AS RESPONDENT BANK OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS (OR BPI) HAD PRIOR CONSENT TO AND APPROVAL OF THE SUBSTITUTION AS DEBTOR BY THE DEVELOPMENT BANK OF THE PHILIPPINES (OR DBP) IN THE PLACE OF ELIZALDE STEEL CONSOLIDATED, INC. (OR ELISCON) IN THE LATTER'S OBLIGATION TO BPI. 2.IT CONFIRMED THE LOWER COURT'S CONCLUSION THAT THERE WAS NO IMPLIED CONSENT OF THE CREDITOR BANK OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS TO THE SUBSTITUTION BY DEVELOPMENT BANK OF THE PHILIPPINES OF THE ORIGINAL DEBTOR ELIZALDE STEEL CONSOLIDATED, INC. 3.IT AFFIRMED THE LOWER COURT'S FINDING OF LACK OF MERIT OF THE CONTENTION OF ELISCON THAT THE FAILURE OF THE OFFICER OF BPI, WHO WAS PRESENT DURING THE MEETING OF ELISCON'S CREDITORS IN JUNE 1981 TO VOICE HIS OBJECTION TO THE ANNOUNCED TAKEOVER BY THE DBP OF THE ASSETS OF ELISCON AND ASSUMPTION OF ITS LIABILITIES, CONSTITUTED AN IMPLIED CONSENT TO THE ASSUMPTION BY DBP OF THE OBLIGATIONS OF ELISCON TO BPI. 4.IN NOT TAKING JUDICIAL NOTICE THAT THE DBP TAKEOVER OF THE ENTIRE ELISCON WAS AN ACT OF GOVERNMENT CONSTITUTING A FORTUITOUS EVENT EXCULPATING NG ELISCON FROM ANY LIABILITY TO BPI.

Furthermore, petitioner Babst averred that the assets of ELISCON which were acquired by the DBP, and later transferred to the NDC, were placed under the Asset Privatization Trust pursuant to Proclamation No. 50, issued by then President Corazon C. Aquino on December 8, 1986. In its Comment, Comment, 27 27  BPI countered that by virtue of its merger with CBTC, it acquired all the latter's rights and interest including all receivables; that in order to effect a valid novation by substitution of debtors, the consent of the creditor must be express; that in addition, the consent of BPI must appear in its books, it being a private corporation; that BPI intentionally did not consent to the assumption by DBP of the obligations of ELISCON because it wanted to preserve intact its causes of action and legal recourse against Pacific Multi-Commercial Corporation and Babst as sureties of ELISCON and not of DBP; that MULTI expressly bound itself solidarily for ELISCON's obligations to CBTC in its Resolution wherein it allowed the latter to use its credit facilities; and that the suretyship agreement executed by Babst does not exclude liabilities incurred by MULTI on behalf of third parties, such as ELISCON. ELISCON likewise filed a Comment, Comment, 28 28  wherein it manifested that of the seven errors raised by Babst in his petition, six are arguments which ELISCON itself raised in its previous pleadings. It is only the sixth assigned error — that the Court of Appeals erred in finding that MULTI and Babst bound themselves solidarily with ELISCON —  that ELISCON takes exception to. More particularly, ELISCON pointed out the contradictory positions taken by Babst in admitting that he bound himself to pay the indebtedness of MULTI, while at the same time completely disavowing and denying any such obligation. It stressed that should MULTI or Babst be finally adjudged liable under the suretyship agreement, they cannot lawfully recover from ELISCON, but from the DBP which had been substituted as the new debtor. 29  admitting the correctness of the petition and adopting the Comment of ELISCON MULTI filed its Comment, Comment, 29 insofar as it is not inconsistent with the positions of Babst and MULTI. TH

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 At the outset, the the preliminary issue issue of BPI's rigght ht of action must first be address addressed. ed. ELISCON aand nd MULTI assail BPI's legal capacity to recover their obligation to CBTC. However, there is no question that there was a valid merger between BPI and CBTC. It is settled that in the merger of two existing corporations, one of the corporations survives and continues the business, while the other is dissolved and all its rights, properties and liabilities are acquired by the surviving corporation. corporation. 30 30  Hence, BPI has a right to institute the case  a quo. We now come to the primordial issue in this case — whether or not BPI consented to the assumption by DBP of aEDCSI   the obligations of ELISCON. aEDCSI  Article 1293 of the he Civil Code provides: provides: Novation which consists in substituting a new debtor in the place of the original one, may be made even without the knowledge or against the will of the latter, but not without the consent of the creditor. Payment by the new debtor gives him the rights mentioned in articles 1236 and 1237. BPI contends that in order to have a valid novation, there must be an express consent of the creditor. In the case of Testate Estate of Mota, et al . v . Serra, 31  31 this Court held: It should be noted that in order to give novation its legal effect, the law requires that the creditor should consent to the substitution of a new debtor. This consent must be given expressly for the reason that, since novation extinguishes the personality of the first debtor who is to be substituted by a new one, it implies on the part of the creditor a waiver of the right that he had before the novation, which waiver must be express under the principle of renuntiatio non præsumitur , recognized by the law in declaring that a waiver of right may not be performed [ should read : presumed] unless the will to waive is indisputably shown by him who holds the right. right.  32  32  The import of the foregoing ruling, however, was explained and clarified by this Court in the later case of  Asia 33  in this wise: Banking Corporation v . Elser  33 The aforecited article 1205 [now 1293] of the Civil Code does not state that the creditor's consent to the substitution of the new debtor for the old be express, or given at the time of the substitution, and the Supreme Court of Spain, in its judgment of June 16, 1908, construing said article, laid down the doctrine that "article 1205 of the Civil Code does not mean or require that the creditor's consent to the change of debtors must be given simultaneously with the debtor's consent to the substitution, its evident purpose being to preserve the creditor's full right, it is sufficient that the latter's consent be given at any time and in any form whatever, while the agreement of the debtors subsists." The same rule is stated in the Enciclopedia Juridica Española, volume 23, page 503, which reads: "The rule that this kind of novation, like all others, must be express, is not absolute; for the existence of the consent may well be inferred from the acts of the creditor, since volition may as well be expressed by deeds as by words." The understanding between Henry W. Elser and the principal director of Yangco, Rosenstock & Co., Inc., with respect to Luis R. Yangco's stock in said

corporation, and the acts of the board of directors after Henry W. Elser had acquired said shares, in substituting the latter for Luis R. Yangco, are a clear and unmistakable expression of its consent. When this court said in the case of Estate of Mota vs. Serra (47 Phil ., 464), that the creditor's express consent is necessary in order that there may be a novation of a contract by the substitution of debtors, it did not wish to convey the impression that the word "express" was to be given an unqualified meaning, as indicated in the authorities or cases, both Spanish and American, cited in said decision. 34 34   Subsequently, in the case of Vda. e Hijos de Pio Barretto y Cia ., Inc . v . Albo & Sevilla, Inc ., et al ., 35 35  this Court reiterated the rule that there can be implied consent of the creditor to the substitution of debtors. In the case at bar, Babst, MULTI and ELISCON all maintain that due to the failure of BPI to register its objection to the take-over by DBP of ELISCON's assets, at the creditors' meeting held in June 1981 and thereafter, it is deemed to have consented to the substitution of DBP for ELISCON as debtor. SDTaHc  SDTaHc  We find merit in the argument. Indeed, there exist clear indications that BPI was aware of the assumption by DBP of the obligations of ELISCON. In fact, BPI admits that —  "the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP), for a time, had proposed a formula for the settlement of Eliscon's past obligations to its creditors, including the plaintiff [BPI], but the formula was expressly rejected by the plaintiff as not acceptable (long before the filing of the complaint at bar)."  bar)." 36  36  The Court of Appeals held that even if the account officer who attended the June 1981 creditors' meeting had expressed consent to the assumption by DBP of ELISCON's debts, such consent would not bind BPI for lack of a specific authority therefor. In its petition, ELISCON counters that the mere presence of the account officer at the meeting necessarily meant that he was authorized to represent BPI in that creditors' meeting. Moreover, BPI did not object to the substitution of debtors, although it objected to the payment formula submitted by DBP.

Indeed, the authority granted by BPI to its account officer to attend the creditors' meeting was an authority to represent the bank, such that when he failed to object to the substitution of debtors, he did so on behalf of and for the bank. Even granting arguendo that the said account officer was not so empowered, BPI could have subsequently registered its objection to the substitution, especially after it had already learned that DBP had taken over the assets and assumed the liabilities of ELISCON. Its failure to do so can only mean an acquiescence in the assumption by DBP of ELISCON's obligations. As repeatedly pointed out by ELISCON and MULTI, BPI's objection was to the proposed payment formula, not to the substitution itself. BPI gives no cogent reason in withholding its consent to the substitution, other than its desire to preserve its causes of action and legal recourse against the sureties of ELISCON. It must be remembered, however, that while a surety is solidarily liable with the principal debtor, his obligation to pay only arises upon the principal debtor's failure or refusal to pay. A contract of surety is an accessory promise by which a person binds himself for TH

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another already bound, and agrees with the creditor to satisfy the obligation if the debtor does not not.. 37  37 A  A surety is 38   an insurer of the debt; he promises to pay the principal's debt if the principal will not pay. pay . 38 In the case at bar, there was no indication that the principal debtor will default in payment. In fact, DBP, which had stepped into the shoes of ELISCON, was capable of payment. Its authorized capital stock was increased by the 39 More importantly, the National Development Company took over the business of ELISCON and government.  39  government. undertook to pay ELISCON's creditors, and earmarked for that purpose the amount of P4,015,534.54 for payment 40   to BPI.  BPI. 40

WHEREFORE, the consolidated petitions petitions are GRANTED. The appealed Decision of the Court of Appeals, which held ELISCON, MULTI and Babst solidarily liable for payment to BPI of the promissory note and letters of credit, is REVERSED and SET ASIDE. BPI's complaint against ELISCON, MULTI and Babst is DISMISSED. SO ORDERED. Davide, Jr ., C .J ., Puno, Kapunan and Pardo, JJ ., concur.

Notwithstanding the fact that a reliable institution backed by government funds was offering to pay ELISCON's debts, not as mere surety but as substitute principal debtor, BPI, for reasons known only to itself, insisted in going after the sureties. The course of action chosen taxes the credulity of this Court. At the very least, suffice it to state that BPI's actuation in this regard runs counter to the good faith covenant in contractual relations, provided for by the Civil Code, to wit:  ARTICLE 19.Every 19.Every person must, must, in the exercis exercisee of his rights and in the performa performance nce of his duties, act with justice, give everyone his due, and observe honesty and good faith. HcTEaA  HcTEaA   ARTICLE 1159.Obligations Obligations arising arising from contract have the force of law between th thee contracting parties and should be complied with in good faith. BPI's conduct evinced a clear and unmistakable consent to the substitution of DBP for ELISCON as debtor. Hence, there was a valid novation which resulted in the release of ELISCON from its obligation to BPI, whose cause of action should be directed against DBP as the new debtor. Novation, in its broad concept, may either be extinctive or modificatory. It is extinctive when an old obligation is terminated by the creation of a new obligation that takes the place of the former; it is merely modificatory when the old obligation subsists to the extent it remains compatible with the amendatory agreement. An extinctive novation results either by changing the object or principal conditions (objective or real), or by substituting the person of the debtor or subrogating a third person in the rights of the creditor (subjective or personal). Under this mode, novation would have dual functions — one to extinguish an existing obligation, the other to substitute a new one in its place — requiring a conflux of four essential requisites, (1) a previous valid obligation; (2) an agreement of all parties concerned to a new contract; (3) the extinguishment of the old obligation; and (4) the birth of a valid new obligation. obligation. 41  41  The original obligation having been extinguished, the contracts of suretyship executed separately by Babst and MULTI, being accessory obligations, are likewise extinguished. extinguished. 42  42  Hence, BPI should enforce its cause of action against DBP. It should be stressed that notwithstanding the lapse of time within which these cases have remained pending, the prescriptive period for BPI to file its action was 43   interrupted when it filed Civil Case No. 49226. 49226. 43 TH

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