Facts:

• The dispute involves Conchita Tan (Marman Trading) and Planters Products, Inc. (PPI) regarding the renewal of lease contracts for sulfuric acid and ammonium tanks in Limay, Bataan.
• The contracts, dated April 27, 1992, and June 10, 1992, had a ten-year term with an option for renewal based on mutually agreed terms.
• On December 4, 2001, Marman expressed an intent to renew the leases and proposed renewal terms.
• PPI responded with changes to the lease period, fees, escalation rate, and minimum volume requirements.
• Marman accepted the commercial terms but not the non-commercial conditions such as pipeline relocation and facility repairs.
• PPI refused to renew, alleging Marman's contract violations.
• Marman filed a specific performance complaint with the RTC in Makati, which ruled in Marman's favor, directing PPI to execute new leases.
• PPI appealed to the CA, which reversed the RTC's decision, prompting a petition to the Supreme Court.

Issue:

• (Unlock)

Ruling:

• The Supreme Court ruled that PPI's minor procedural defect (lack of page references in the appellate brief) did not warrant appeal dismissal.
• The Supreme Court affirmed the CA's decision that the parties had not agreed on all renewal lease terms; thus, no ...(Unlock)

Ratio:

• The Supreme Court emphasized that rigid application of procedural rules should not impede substantial justice.
• The absence of page references in PPI's appellate brief was considered a minor defect that did not affect the case's merits.
• The renewal clause in the original leases required mutual agre...continue reading