Facts:

• The case involves Jose M. Katigbak (plaintiff and appellee) and Tai Hing Co., represented by Po Sun Suy and Po Ching (defendants and appellants).
• Gabino Barreto Po Ejap owned a parcel of land with improvements, which was mortgaged to the Philippine National Bank.
• On November 29, 1921, Po Tecsi granted Gabino a general power of attorney to manage his properties.
• On December 15, 1921, Po Tecsi acknowledged a debt of P68,000 to Gabino for properties sold to him.
• Gabino sold the land to Jose M. Katigbak on November 22, 1923, using the power of attorney, but the sale was not recorded.
• Po Tecsi continued to occupy the property and leased it to Uy Chia, with the lease recorded.
• After Po Tecsi's death on November 26, 1926, his son Po Sun Suy became the estate administrator and collected rents.
• Katigbak filed a complaint for unpaid rents against Tai Hing Co., later amending it to include Po Sun Suy and Po Ching.
• The lower court ruled in favor of Katigbak, ordering the defendants to pay P28,500 in unpaid rents and legal interest.

Issue:

• (Unlock)

Ruling:

• The Court of First Instance of Manila had jurisdiction to try the case on its merits.
• Gabino Barreto Po Ejap was authorized to sell the land to Jose M. Katigbak under the power of attorney executed by Po Tecsi.
• Claims for unpaid rents accrued before Po Tecsi's death must be presented to the commi...(Unlock)

Ratio:

• The court affirmed the jurisdiction of the Court of First Instance of Manila, stating that actions for rent recovery are personal and transitory, allowing the plaintiff to choose the venue.
• The court noted that the intervenors, by raising ownership questions, submitted to the court's jurisdiction.
• The power of attorney was deemed g...continue reading