G.R. No. 123892 - Soler vs. Court of Appeals

Petitioner Jazmin Soler is a University of Santo Tomas Fine Arts graduate and licensed interior designer.
Respondents are The Commercial Bank of Manila (COMBANK, formerly Boston Bank of the Philippines) and its Ermita Branch manager, Nida Lopez.
In November 1986, at the instance of Rosario Pardo, petitioner met with Lopez, who requested renovation designs and agreed to pay Soler a professional fee of ₱10,000.

The parties discussed renovation of the conference room, carpeting, wallpaper, bookshelves, second-floor clerical area, kitchen, ceiling, and teller booths.
Soler obtained building blueprints, hired draftsman Jackie Barcelon and architects Cruz and De Mesa, and paid them (Engineer: ₱4,000; Cruz & De Mesa: ₱5,000; Barcelon: ₱6,000). She also solicited quotations from suppliers.
By December 1986, Soler submitted the completed designs; Lopez expressed approval but later refused payment, claiming the designs did not conform to bank policy.

In early 1987, petitioner’s demands for her fee and return of blueprints were ignored.
May–June 1987 demand letters went unanswered.
October 13, 1987: Soler filed a complaint in the RTC of Pasig for collection of professional fees and damages.
November 19, 1990: RTC rendered judgment awarding Soler ₱15,000 (quantum meruit), ₱5,000 attorney’s fees, ₱2,000 litigation expenses, ₱5,000 exemplary damages, and costs.
October 26, 1995: The Court of Appeals reversed, holding no contract existed between Soler and COMBANK.
Soler petitioned the Supreme Court, which granted certiorari.

Whether an enforceable, perfected contract existed between Soler and COMBANK through Lopez.
Whether Lopez had authority to bind COMBANK to the agreement.