Facts:

• The case involves West Coast Life Insurance Company (petitioner) and Severo Hernando and Jxian A. Buted (respondents).
• A civil case (No. 198) was filed by Juan A. Buted against the petitioner and Santiago Ranada for the collection of a specific sum of money in Laoag, Ilocos Norte.
• The petitioner argued that its office and principal place of business is in Manila, asserting that any legal action should be initiated there, as per paragraph (c) of section 14 of Act No. 1627, amended by Act No. 1862.
• The petitioner highlighted that Santiago Ranada, the other defendant, resides in Laoag, but maintained that this should not affect jurisdictional requirements for the insurance company.
• The justice of the peace court of Laoag assumed jurisdiction over the case, prompting the petitioner to file an original petition for certiorari to prevent the court from proceeding.

Issue:

• (Unlock)

Ruling:

• The Supreme Court denied the petition for certiorari filed by West Coast Life Insurance Company.
• The court affirmed that the justice of the peace court of Laoag had proper jurisdiction over...(Unlock)

Ratio:

• The court's decision was based on the interpretation of section 14 of Act No. 1627, which permits a single action against multiple defendants from different municipalities if jurisdiction is established over at least one defendant.
• Accepting the petitioner's argument would lead...continue reading