Title
Traders Royal Bank vs. Cuison Lumber Co., Inc.
Case
G.R. No. 174286
Decision Date
Jun 5, 2009
Traders Royal Bank cancels a contract of repurchase with Cuison Lumber Co., Inc. due to non-compliance with payment terms, leading to a legal battle over breach of contract and damages.
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Case Digest (G.R. No. 174286)

Facts:

  • Traders Royal Bank (petitioner) and Cuison Lumber Co., Inc. (CLCI) along with Josefa Jerodias Vda. de Cuison (respondents) are involved in the case.
  • CLCI, through its then-president Roman Cuison Sr., obtained two loans from the bank on July 14, 1978, and December 9, 1979, secured by a real estate mortgage.
  • CLCI failed to repay the loans, leading to the bank's extrajudicial foreclosure of the mortgage.
  • The bank emerged as the highest bidder at the public auction on August 1, 1985.
  • CLCI expressed its intention to restructure its loan obligations and repurchase the foreclosed property through written communications.
  • On July 31, 1986, Mrs. Cuison proposed terms for repurchase, including paying interest and additional expenses, followed by a 20% payment of the bid price, and amortizing the remaining balance over five years.
  • CLCI made partial payments, which the bank considered as "earnest money."
  • On October 20, 1986, the bank's board of directors laid down specific terms for the repurchase, which CLCI failed to meet.
  • Despite extensions, CLCI's payments were insufficient, and the bank eventually considered the repurchase agreement canceled.
  • CLCI and Mrs. Cuison filed a complaint for breach of contract, specific performance, damages, and attorney's fees.
  • The Regional Trial Court (RTC) ruled in favor of the respondents, ordering the bank to execute a Contract to Sell and pay damages.
  • The Court of Appeals (CA) affirmed the RTC's decision with modifications, deleting the awards for moral and exemplary damages, and attorney's fees.
  • The bank filed a petition for review on certiorari with the Supreme Court.

Issue:

  • (Unlock)

Ruling:

  • The Supreme Court granted the petition, reversing and setting aside the CA's decision.
  • The complaint for breach of contract, specific performance, damages, and attorney's fees filed by CLCI and Mrs. Cuison was dismissed.
  • The respondents were ordered to vacate the subject property and restore its possession to the petitioner bank.
  • The respondents were ordered to pay reasonable compensation for the use and occupation of the property, amounting to P1,123,500.00, less the amount of P485,000.00 representing deposits paid by the respondents.
  • They wer...(Unlock)

Ratio:

  • The Supreme Court found that while there was a perfected contract between the parties, the bank effectively canceled the contract due to CLCI's failure to comply with its obligations under the agreement.
  • A contract is perfected by mere consent, which requires a meeting of the offer and acceptance upon the thing and the caus...continue reading

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