Beruflich Dokumente
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Credit transactions include all transactions involving the purchase or loan of goods, services, or money in the
present with a promise to pay or deliver in the future.
2. Unsecured transactions or contracts of personal security – fulfillment by the debtor is supported only by
a promise to pay or the personal commitment of another
1. Bailment contracts
2. Contracts of guaranty and suretyship
3. Mortgage
4. Antichresis
5. Concurrence and preference of credits
MEANING OF SECURITY
Security (def). Something given, deposited, or serving as a means to ensure the fulfillment or enforcement of
an obligation or of protecting some interest in property.
KINDS OF SECURITY
2. Property or Real Security – when a mortgage, pledge, antichresis, charge, or lien or other device
used to have property held, out of which the person to be made secure can be compensated for loss.
BAILMENT
Bailment (def). The delivery of property of one person to another in trust for a specific purpose, with a contract,
that the trust shall be faithfully executed and the property returned or duly accounted for when the special purpose is
accomplished or kept until the bailor reclaims it.
To be legally enforceable, a bailment must contain all the elements of a valid contract, which are consent, object, and
cause or consideration. However, a bailment may also be created by operation of law.
PARTIES IN BAILMENT
1. Bailor – the giver; the one who delivers the possession of the thing bailed
2. Bailee – the recipient; the one who receives the possession or custody of the thing delivered
KINDS OF BAILMENT
Ex. My tito from the States makes padala a balikbayan box filled with spam through another relative who’s
flying to the Philippines on vacation. It only benefits my tito (the bailor). Or, Helen deposits Polsci’s baby
chair with the mysterious little guy who doesn’t smile in the bag depository counter outside the lib. In this
case, only Helen benefits (based on a true story).
1 and 2 are gratuitous bailments. There is no consideration because they are considered more as a favor by
one party to the other. Bailments under number 3 are mutual-benefit bailments, and they usually result from
business transactions.
Bailment for hire arises when goods are left with the bailee for some use or service by him always for some
compensation.
1. Hire of things – goods are delivered for the temporary use of the hirer
2. Hire of service – goods are delivered for some work or labor upon it by the bailee
3. Hire for carriage of goods – goods are delivered either to a common carrier or to a private person for the
purpose of being carried from place to place
4. Hire of custody – goods are delivered for storage
I. LOAN
GENERAL PROVISIONS
Art. 1933. By the contract of loan, one of the parties delivers to another, either something not consumable so that
the latter may use the same for a certain time and return it, in which case the contract is called a commodatum; or
money or other consumable thing, upon condition that the same amount of the same kind and quality shall be paid,
in which case the contract is simply called a loan or mutuum.
In commodatum the bailor retains the ownership of the thing loaned, while in simple loan, ownership passes to the
borrower.
Art. 1934. An accepted promise to deliver something by way of commodatum or simple loan is binding upon the
parties, but the commodatum or simple loan itself shall not be perfected until the delivery of the object of the
contract.
1. A real contract – the delivery of the thing loaned is necessary for the perfection of the contract
2. A unilateral contract – once the subject matter has been delivered, it creates obligations on the part of only
one of the parties (the borrower)
KINDS OF LOAN
1. Commodatum – where the lender delivers to the borrower a non-consumable thing so that the latter may
use it for a certain time and return the identical thing
2. Simple loan or mutuum – where the lender delivers to the borrower money or other consumable thing
upon the condition that the latter shall pay the same amount of the same kind and quality.
Credit means the ability of an individual to borrow money or things by virtue of the confidence or trust reposed
by a lender that he will pay what he may promise within a specified period.
Loan means the delivery by one party and the receipt by the other party of a given sum of money or other
consumable thing upon an agreement to repay the same amount of the same kind and quality, with or without
interest.
The concession of a credit necessarily involves the granting of loans up to the limit of the amountfixed in the
credit.
In loan, the borrower who does not pay is not criminally liable for estafa. His liability is only a civilliability for
the breach of the obligation to pay. This is because in loan, ownership of the thing is transferred to the borrower, so
there is no unlawful taking of property belonging to another.
Borrower goes to Lender and asks if he could borrow P10K at 6% interest per annum. Lender says okay, I will lend
you the money. This is an accepted promise to make a future loan. It is a consensual contract and is binding upon
the parties.
But is there a contract of loan at this point? No, because loan is a real contract and is perfected only upon delivery of
the thing.
FORM OF LOAN
There are no formal requisites for the validity of a contract of loan except if there is a stipulation for the payment of
interest. A stipulation for the payment of interest must be in writing.
CHAPTER 1 COMMODATUM
Art. 1935. The bailee in commodatum acquires the use of the thing loaned but not its fruits; if any compensation is
to be paid by him who acquires the use, the contract ceases to be a commodatum.
KINDS OF COMMODATUM
1. Ordinary commodatum
2. Precarium – one whereby the bailor may demand the thing loaned at will
NATURE OF COMMODATUM
Commodatum in simple terms is hiram – A agrees to lend his guard dog to his friend B for a week for free. B is
entitled to use the dog for this period. At the end of the week, B must return the dog to A. If the dog gives birth
while it is in the custody of B, the puppies (fruits) belong to A.
1. The bailee acquires the use of the thing but not its fruits, unless there is a stipulation to the contrary.
2. It is essentially gratuitous.
3. The purpose of the contract is the temporary use of the thing loaned for a certain time.
(So if the bailee is not entitled to use the thing, it is not commodatum but it may be a deposit.)
4. The subject matter is generally non-consumable real or personal property, though consumable goods
may also be the subject of commodatum if the purpose is not the consumption of the object (ex. Display of a
bottle of wine).
5. The lender need not be the owner of the thing loaned. It is enough that he has possessory interest in the
thing or right to use it which he may assert against the bailee and third persons though not against the
rightful owner. (Ex. A lessee may sublet the thing leased).
a. The death of either party extinguishes the contract unless there is a contrary stipulation for the
commodatum to subsist until the purpose is accomplished
b. The borrower cannot lend or lease the thing to a third person. However, members of the
borrower’s household may make use of the thing loaned except:
7. The parties may stipulate that the borrower may use the fruits of the thing, but this must only be
incidental to the use of the thing itself (because if it is the main cause, the contract may be one of usufruct).
1. Liability for ordinary expenses – The borrower should defray the expenses for the use and preservation of
the thing loaned.
2. Liability for loss of the thing – The general rule is the borrower is not liable for loss or damage due to
a fortuitous event. The owner bears the loss. But in the following cases, the borrower is liable for loss
through a fortuitous event:
a. if he devotes the thing to a purpose different from that for which it was loaned (bad faith) this is a
breach of the tenor of the obligation
b. if he keeps it longer than the period stipulated or after the accomplishment of the use for which the
commodatum has been constituted (delay)
c. if the thing loaned has been delivered with appraisal of its value unless there is a stipulation
exempting the bailee from responsibility in case of a fortuitous event this is equivalent to an
assumption of risk;
d. if he lends or leases the thing to a third person who is not a member of his household also a breach
of the tenor of the obligation;
e. if, being able to save either the thing borrowed or his own thing, he chose to save his own
(ingratitude).
3. Liability for deterioration of the thing - The borrower is not liable for the ordinary deterioration or wear
and tear of the thing that comes as a natural consequence of its use. This is borne by the lender. Reason:
Because the lender retains ownership so he should bear the loss from ordinary deterioration. Also, because
the purpose of commodatum is for the borrower to use the thing. Deterioration is a natural result of such
use.
4. Obligation to return the thing loaned – The borrower must return the thing as soon as the period
stipulated expires or the purpose has been accomplished. He cannot keep the thing as security for anything
that the lender may owe him, except for a claim for damages suffered because of the flaws of the thing
loaned.
So for example, Xilca earlier won a bet with Cayo, as a result of which, Cayo owes her a tuna sandwich. Cayo
loaned Alvin Ang’s Frisbee to Xilca for 10 days. At the end of the 10 days, Xilca cannot refuse to return Alvin
Ang’s frisbee to Cayo and hold it hostage until Cayo delivers the sandwich. Why? Because Xilca’s obligation
as a borrower is to return the thing after the period expires, and she cannot keep it as a security for anything
that Cayo may owe her.
Or, Xilca borrows Kim Chong’s car for 10 days. While the car is in Xilca’s possession, a tire explodes. Xilca
has to buy a new tire for P3,000. At the end of the 10 days, Xilca refuses to return the car unless Kim Chong
pays her the P3,000. Can Xilca refuse to return? No. In this case, Kim Chong owes Xilca P3,000 as an
extraordinary expense for the preservation of the thing. But even if Kim Chong owes Xilca money in
connection with the thing that he loaned, Xilca still cannot retain the car as security.
Exception: If the thing loaned has hidden defects and the borrower suffers damages as a result of the hidden
defect, the borrower can claim damages against the lender. Pending payment of the damages by lender to
borrower, borrower can keep the thing as a security. (see discussion below)
5. Liability of two or more bailees – When there are two or more borrowers to whom a thing is loaned in one
contract, there liability is solidary.
2. Precarium – Precarium is a kind of commodatum where the lender may demand the thing at will.
Precarium exists in the following cases:
a. If there is no stipulation as to the duration of the contract or to the use to which thething loaned
should be devoted
BUT, the lender may not demand the thing capriciously, arbitrarily, or whimsically, since this would give rise
to an action on the part of borrower for abuse of right under Articles 19, 20, and 21.
3. Right to demand return of thing for acts of ingratitude – If the borrower commits any of the acts
enumerated in Art. 765 of the Civil Code, the lender may demand the immediate return of the thing from the
borrower. (This applies to ordinary commodatum, since in precarium the lender can demand at will, subject to
the provisions against abuse of right)
a. Extraordinary expenses for the preservation of the thing – The lender should refund the
borrower the extraordinary expenses for the preservation of the thing, provided that the borrower
informs the lender before incurring the expense, unless the need is so urgent that the lender
cannot be notified without danger.
b. Extraordinary expenses arising from actual use of the thing – Extraordinary expenses arising
on the occasion of the actual use of the thing shall be borne by the lender and borrower on a 50-
50 basis, unless there is a contrary stipulation.
The lender is penalized for his failure to disclose a hidden flaw which causes damage because he is in a
position to prevent the damage from happening.
(HOT TIP) Example: Borrower borrows a 1970 Mitsubishi Lancer from Lender. Unfortunately,
Lender forgets to tell borrower that the car has a tendency to overheat after 10 minutes. So Borrower drives,
and after 10 minutes, the car stalls and overheats. Borrower opens the hood and sees lots of steam. He
opens the radiator cap to put water inside. Radiator water scalds his face, and he suffers from burns. Can he
claim damages from Lender and can he keep the car as security?
No, because in this case, Buyer should have known. He was, at least, in a position to know that the car just
might be prone to overheating since it was old already. And when he opened the hood and saw lots of steam,
he should have known that if he opened the radiator, very hot water would spray out. He should have taken
precautions when he opened the hood or he should have gone to a gas station or mechanic to have it fixed.
But since he was negligent, he has only himself to blame for the damage caused. The defect was not really
hidden since Borrower was in a position to know of it even if Lender did not inform him. Had he been more
careful, he would not have been scalded.
Can the lender tell Borrower: I don’t want to pay for the extraordinary expenses and damages that I owe you. Just
keep the thing, and let’s forget about my obligation.
No. The lender cannot exempt himself from the payment of the expenses or damages by abandoning the thing to the
borrower. This is because the expenses and damages may exceed the value of the thing loaned, and it would,
therefore, be unfair to allow the lender to just abandon the thing instead of paying for the expenses and damages.
A simple loan involves the payment of the equivalent and not the identical thing because the borrower acquires
ownership of the thing loaned. The term “return” is not used since the distinguishing character of the simple loan
from commodatum is the consumption of the thing.
CONSIDERATION
What is the consideration in this kind of contract? The promise of the borrower to pay is the consideration
for the obligation of the lender to furnish the loan.
There is no criminal liability for failure to pay a simple loan because the borrower acquires ownership of the thing.
Fungible things (def). Those which are usually dealt with by number, weight, or measure, so that any given unit or
portion is treated as the equivalent of any other unit or portion. Those which may be replaced by a thing of equal
quality and quantity. (ex. Rice, oil, sugar). If it cannot be replaced with an equivalent thing, then it is non-fungible.
Consumable things (def). Those which cannot be used without being consumed.
Whether a thing is consumable or not depends upon its nature. Whether a thing is fungible or not depends on
the intention of the parties.
BARTER
Barter (def). A contract where one of the parties binds himself to give one thing in consideration of the other’s
promise to give another thing. (in short, exchange of property)
If one person agrees to transfer the ownership of non-fungible things to another with the obligation on the part
of the latter to give things of the same kind, quantity, and quality, the contract is a contract of barter.
1. If the object is money – Payment must be made in the currency stipulated; otherwise it is payable in the
currency which is legal tender in the Philippines. According to Art. 1955, Art. 1250, is applicable in payments
of loans. 1250 provides that in case of extraordinary inflation or devaluation, the value of the currency at the
time of the establishment of the obligation (not at the time of payment) should be the basis for payment.
BUT JPSP thinks that this is rarely applied because it would create a bad precedent and would wreak havoc on
the economy. It would also shift the loss to the lender, which shouldn’t be the case since the loan is primarily
for the benefit of the borrower. So unless there’s a drastic economic situation, we shouldn’t adjust the value
of the currency. The obligation should be paid based on the value of the currency at the time of payment.
Ex: In 2000, Borrower borrowed $1,000 from Lender at the peso-dollar exchange rate of P50$1, payable in
2004. In 2004, FPJ becomes President, and as a result, the rate becomes P60-
$1. If the parties had agreed that payment would be in dollars, Borrower still has to pay $1,000. If the
parties had agreed that payment would be in pesos, Borrower should pay at the rate of P60 to a dollar, or
P60,000. Why? You cannot apply 1250 and base the amount due on the value of the currency in 2000
because the inflation is not so extraordinary as to warrant the adjustment.
2. If the object is a fungible thing other than money – Borrower must pay lender another thing of the same
kind, quality, and quantity. In case it is impossible to do so, the borrower shall pay its value at the time of
the perfection of the loan.
Why does the law require that the value of the thing be based on its value at the time of the perfection of the
loan? There’s a historical explanation: the rule was created at a time when there were still interest ceilings.
Thus, the reason for requirement is to prevent circumvention of the interest ceilings.
Even if there are no longer any interest ceilings, this rule is still applicable. So how do you opt out of it?
Stipulate! Put a stipulation that says that if it is impossible to pay a thing of the same kind, quality, and
quantity, borrower shall pay the market value of the thing at the time of payment.
There is no Usury Law anymore, but an interest rate may still be struck down for being unconscionable. The test of
an unconscionable interest rate is relative and there is a need to look at the parity/disparity in the status of the
parties and in their access to information during the negotiations.
Stipulation of interest
1. The interest rate stipulated by the parties, not the legal rate of interest, is applicable.
2. Default rule: If the parties do not stipulate an interest rate, the legal rate for loans andforbearances of money
is 12%.
For other sources of obligations, such as sale, and damages arising from injury to persons and loss of property
which do not involve a loan, the legal rate of interest is 6%.
4. It is only in contracts of loan, with or without security, that interest may be stipulated anddemanded.
5. Stipulation of interest must be mutually agreed upon by the parties and may not beunilaterally increased by
only one of the parties. This would violate consensuality and mutuality of contract (PNB v. CA). But the
parties can agree upon a formula for determining the interest rate, over which neither party has control (ex:
interest will be adjusted quarterly at a rate of 3% plus the prevailing 91-day T-bill rate, etc.). But if the
formula says “interest will be based on T-bill rates and other interest-setting policies as the bank may
determine,” this is not valid.
Escalation Clause – A clause which authorizes the automatic increase in interest rate.
An escalation clause is valid when it is accompanied by a De-Escalation Clause. A de-escalation clause is a clause
which provides that the rate of interest agreed upon will also be automatically reduced. There must be a specified
formula for arriving at the adjusted interest rate, over which neither party has any discretion.
1. Indemnity for damages – The debtor in delay is liable to pay legal interest as indemnity for damages even
without a stipulation for the payment of interest.
Example: Lender lends P10K at 10% interest with penalty interest of 6%. On due date, Borrower fails to pay.
Borrower only pays a year after. How much should he pay?
Borrower should pay the principal + interest on the loan + penalty interest
= 10K + 10% of 10K + 6% of 10K
= 10K + 1K + .6K
= 11,600
Lender lends P10K at 10% interest. On due date, Borrower fails to pay. Borrower only pays a year after.
How much should he pay?
Borrower should pay 10K + 10% of 10K (interest on the loan) + 10% of 10K (penalty interest)
= 10K + 1K + 1K
= 12,000
The penalty interest in this case is 10% since there is no penalty interest stipulated. The additional
interest is based on the regular interest of the loan.
Lender lends P10K, no interest. On due date, Borrower fails to pay. How much should Borrower pay a year
later?
Borrower should pay P10K + 12% of P10K = 11,200. The penalty interest is 12% since there is no interest
on the loan nor a penalty interest stipulated. The extra interest is based on the legal rate of interest.
If interest is payable in kind, its value shall be appraised at the current price of the products or goods at the time
and place of payment.
Take note that you should not confuse this with the rule when the principal obligation consists of goods other than
money. If the principal obligation consists in the payment of goods and it is impossible to deliver the goods, the
borrower should pay the value of the thing at the time of the constitution of the obligation.
But if interest is payable in kind, it should be appraised at its value at the time of payment.
Lender lends P100,000 payable in 2 years at 10% interest compounded per annum.
At the end of the first year, how much is due? Principal plus 10% interest = 110,000.
On the second year, the 110,000 becomes the new principal amount and it is what will earn the 10% interest. So at
the end of the second year, how much is due?
110,000 + 10% of 110,000
= 110,000 + 11,000
= 121,000
In compounding interest, you add the unpaid interest to the principal. The resulting amount is your new principal
which will then earn interest again.
What if the borrower pays interest when there is no stipulation providing for it?
If the debtor pays unstipulated interest by mistake, he may recover, since this is a case of solutio indebiti or
undue payment.
But if the debtor voluntarily pays interest (either unstipulated or stipulated by not in writing) because of some moral
obligation, he cannot later recover. The obligation to return the interest is a natural obligation.
If a person binds himself solidarily with the principal debtor, the provisions of Section 4, Chapter 3, Title 1 of this
Book shall be observed. In such case the contract is called a suretyship.
Guaranty (def.) A contract whereby the guarantor binds himself to the creditor to fulfill the obligation of the principal
debtor in case the latter should fail to do so.
In a contract of guaranty, the parties are the guarantor and the creditor.
1. Accessory: It is dependent for its existence upon the principal obligation guaranteed by it.
2. Subsidiary and Conditional: It takes effect only when the principal debtor fails in his obligation.
3. Unilateral:
a. It gives rise to obligations on the part of the guarantor in relation to the creditor andnot vice-versa.
(Although after its fulfillment, the principal debtor should indemnify the guarantor, but this obligation
is only incidental)
b. It may be entered into even without the intervention of the principal debtor.
4. Distinct Person: It requires that the person of the guarantor must be distinct from the person of the principal
debtor (you cannot guaranty your own debt). However, in a real guaranty, a person may guarantee his own
obligation with his own properties.
Classification of Guaranty
a. personal: the guaranty is the credit given by the person who guarantees the fulfillment of the
principal obligation (guarantor)
b. real: the guaranty is property. If the guaranty is immovable property: real mortgage or antichresis;
If the guaranty is movable property: pledge or chatter mortgage
3. As to origin:
c. judicial: required by a court to guarantee the eventual right of one of the parties in a case
4. As to consideration:
a. gratuitous: the guarantor does not receive anything for acting as guarantor
b. indefinite or simple: includes not only the principal obligation but also all its accessories, including
judicial costs.
If a person binds himself solidarily with the principal debtor, it is a contract of suretyship. The guarantor is called a
surety. Suretyship is governed by Articles 1207 to 1222 of the Civil Code on solidary obligations. Suretyship
dispenses with certain legal requirements/conditions precedent for proceeding against a guarantor.
What is the difference between passive solidarity (solidarity among debtors) and suretyship?
Review of oblicon: According to Tolentino, the two are similar in the following ways:
2. Both debtor and surety, after payment, may require that they be reimbursed.
The difference is that the lender cannot go after the surety right away. There has to be default on the part of the
principal debtor before the surety becomes liable. If it were mere solidarity among debtors, the creditor can go after
any of the solidary debtors on due date.
1. Contractual and Accessory BUT Direct: The contractual obligation of the surety is merely an accessory or
collateral to the obligation contracted by the principal. BUT, his liability to the creditor is direct, primary, and
absolute.
2. Liability is limited by the terms of the contract: The extent of a surety’s liability is determined only by
the terms of the contract and cannot be extended by implication.
3. Liability arises only if principal debtor is held liable: If the principal debtor and the surety are held
liable, their liability to pay the creditor would be solidary. But, the surety does not incur liability unless and
until the principal debtor is held liable.
a. A surety is bound by a judgment against the principal even though the party was not aparty to the
proceedings.
b. The creditor may sue, separately or together, the principal debtor and the surety(since they are
solidarily bound).
c. Generally, a demand or notice of default is not required to fix the surety’s liability.
d. An accommodation party (one who signs an instrument as maker, drawer, acceptor, orindorser
without consideration and only for the purpose of lending his name) is, in effect, a surety. He is thus
liable to pay the holder of the instrument, subject to reimbursement from the accommodated party.
Example: Tuks accommodates Shak so that he can obtain a loan from the bank. At the bottom of the
loan agreement, the following signatures appear:
4. Surety is not entitled to exhaustion: A surety is not entitled to the exhaustion of the properties of the
principal debtor since the surety assumes a solidary liability for the fulfillment of the principal obligation.
5. The undertaking is to the CREDITOR, not to the principal debtor: The debtor cannot claim that the
surety breached its obligation to pay for the principal obligation because there is no obligation as between the
surety and the debtor. If the surety does not pay, the principal debtor is still not relieved of his obligation.
Illustration:
A borrows P10,000 from B, with C agreeing to be the surety. A refuses to pay B out of spite. In this case, since C is a
surety, B can immediately demand payment from C.
If, in this case, C is a guarantor instead, B would have to exhaust all the property of A before he can collect from C.
it is not enough that A refuses to pay even if he can; in order for C to be liable, A would have to be unable to pay.
If you were a lender and the borrower offers as security either X as guarantor or a real estate mortgage,
which one would you choose?
Choose the mortgage. If you were the lender, a real estate mortgage is more advisable because you can collect
against the property. In a guaranty/surety, you would have to go against the guarantor or surety – you would have
to sue him, obtain judgment, and then execute judgment. This is subject to a lot of delays. The guarantor or surety
can stall your claim.
The cause of a contract of guaranty is the same cause which supports the principal obligation of the principal
debtor. There is no need for an independent consideration in order for the contract of guaranty to be valid. The
guarantor need not have a direct interest in the obligation nor receive any benefit from it. It is enough that the
principal obligation has consideration.
Art. 2049 A married woman may guarantee an obligation without the husband’s consent, but shall not thereby bind
the conjugal partnership, except in cases provided by law.
(3) Debts and obligations contracted by either spouse without the consent of the other to the extent that the family
may have been benefited.
A married woman who acts as guarantor without the consent of the husband binds only her separate property unless
the debt benefited the family.
There is no express prohibition against a married woman acting as guarantor for her husband.
Remember that now, in order to bind the absolute community, the consent of both spouses is needed. If only the
consent of one spouse is obtained, the absolute community will not be liable unless the obligation redounded to the
benefit of the community.
When the husband acts as a guarantor for another person without the consent of the wife, the guaranty binds only the
husband since the benefit really accrues to the principal debtor and not to the husband or his family. The exception is
if the husband is really engaged in the business of guaranteeing obligations because in this case, his occupation or
business is deemed to be undertaken for the benefit of the family.
Art. 2050. If a guaranty is entered into without the knowledge or consent, or against the will of the principal debtor,
the provisions of articles 1236 and 1237 shall apply.
A contract of guaranty is between the guarantor and the creditor. It can be instituted without the knowledge or even
against the will of the debtor, since the purpose of the contract is to give the creditor all the possible measures to
secure payment.
However, if the contract of guaranty is entered into without the knowledge or consent or against the will of the
principal debtor, the effect is like payment by a 3rd person:
1. The guarantor can only recover insofar as the payment has been beneficial to the debtor.
2. The guarantor cannot compel the creditor to subrogate him in the creditor’s rights such asthose arising from a
mortgage, guaranty or penalty.
If the guaranty was entered into with the consent of the principal debtor, the guarantor is subrogated to all the rights
which the creditor had against the debtor once he pays for the obligation.
Illustration:
In this case, C can only collect P6,000 from A since it was only the extent to which A was benefited by his payment.
If the loan was secured by a mortgage, C cannot foreclose the mortgage if A does not pay him because he is not
subrogated to the rights of B.
A guaranty is an accessory contract and cannot exist without a valid principal obligation. So if the principal obligation
is void, the guaranty is also void.
BUT, a guraranty may be constituted to guarantee the following defective contracts and natural obligations:
3. Natural obligations: even if the principal obligation is not civilly enforceable, the creditor maystill go after the
guarantor
Art. 2053. A guaranty may also be given as security for future debts, the amount of which is not yet known; there
can be no claim against the guarantor until the debt is liquidated. A conditional obligation may also be secured.
Continuing Guaranty (def) – A guaranty that is not limited to a single transaction but which contemplates a future
course of dealings, covering a series of transactions generally for an indefinite time or until revoked.
A continuing guaranty is generally prospective in its operation and is intended to secure future transactions
(generally does not include past transactions).
Examples:
1. Common example given by JPSP is the credit line – The bank allows you to borrow up to a certain
ceiling, but there is no release of funds yet. If you have an obligation with a third person and you default, the
third person just needs to inform the bank, and the bank will release the money. The money released will be
considered as a loan from the bank to you. The bank will allow the release of the money so long as it doesn’t
exceed the ceiling.
2. To secure payment of any debt to be subsequently incurred – If the contract states that the guaranty is
to secure advances made “from time to time,” “now in force or hereafter made,” or uses the words
“any debt,” “any indebtedness,” “any sum,” “any transaction,” the guaranty is a continuing guaranty.
3. To secure existing unliquidated debts – Future debts may also mean debts that already exist but whose
amount is still unknown.
Art. 2053 may be misleading because it says that a guaranty may be constituted to secure future debts. The
important thing to remember in the guaranty of future debts is that there must be an existing obligation already that
is being guaranteed. Because without that existing obligation, the guaranty would be void. Guaranty is an accessory
obligation, so it cannot exist without the principal.
Example: G guarantees the 10K loan that B owes L and any other indebtedness that B may incur against L.
This is a valid guaranty because there is already an existing obligation (the 10K loan).
G guarantees the loan that B and L will enter into tomorrow. This is not valid. Although it is for a future debt,
it is not valid under Article 2053 because there is no principal obligation yet. There is nothing to guarantee.
If the principal obligation is subject to a suspensive condition, the guarantor is liable only after the fulfillment of the
condition.
If it is subject to a resolutory condition, the happening of the condition extinguishes both the principal obligation and
the guaranty.
Art. 2054. A guarantor may bind himself for less, but not for more than the principal debtor, both as regards the
amount and the onerous nature of the conditions.
Should he have bound himself for more, his obligations shall be reduced to the limits of that of the debtor.
However, if the creditor sues the guarantor, the guarantor may be made to pay costs, attorney’s fees, and penalties
even if this will make his liability exceed that of the principal.
Example: G guaranteed B’s 100K obligation to L to the extent of 100K. As an extra consideration for lending
the money, L wants an additional 20K from guarantor (gravy, according to JPSP). Since 2054 provides that
the guarantor cannot bind himself for more than the principal debtor, how do the parties opt out of the rule?
Guarantor and Lender should enter into a new and separate agreement. They should take it out of the
context of the guaranty and have a new agreement in which L would (kunwari) perform some service for G in
consideration of the additional 20K
Art. 2055. A guaranty is not presumed; it must be express and cannot extend to more than what is stipulated
therein.
If it be simple or indefinite, it shall comprise not only the principal obligation, but also all its accessories, including
the judicial costs, provided with respect to the latter, that the guarantor shall only be liable for those costs incurred
after he has been judicially required to pay.
Reason for the rule: Because a guarantor assumes an obligation to pay for another’s debt without any benefit to
himself. Thus, it has to be certain that he really intends to incur such an obligation and that he proceeds with
consciousness of what he is doing.
A contract of guaranty, to be enforceable, must be in writing because it falls under the Statute of Frauds as a
“special promise to answer for the debt, default or miscarriage of another.” De Leon textbook says that surety is not
covered by the Statute of Frauds. JPSP says that a surety is still covered by the SOF since it is still a promise to
answer for the default of another person. What is not covered by the SOF is being a solidary co-debtor.
Construction of Guaranty
A guaranty is strictly construed against the creditor and in favor of the guarantor and is not to be extended
beyond its terms or specific limits. Doubts should be resolved in favor of the guarantor or surety.
Generally, a guarantor is liable only for the obligation of the debtor stipulated upon, and not to obligations
assumed PREVIOUS to the execution of the guaranty unless an intent to be so liable is clearly indicated.
(Prospective application of the guaranty)
However, this rule of construction is applicable only to an accommodation surety or one that is gratuitous. It
does not apply in cases where the surety is compensated with consideration. In such cases, the agreement is
interpreted against the surety company that prepared it.
Is a stipulation that says that the guaranty will subsist only until maturity of the obligation valid?
Generally, no. Such a stipulation would defeat the purpose of a guaranty which is to answer for the default of the
principal debtor. If the guaranty is only up to the date of maturity, there is no way that the guarantor can be liable
since default comes only at maturity date.
But Cayo pointed out a situation in class where this might be possible and JPSP agreed: If the lender asked for a
guaranty precisely because there was a danger of the borrower absconding or becoming insolvent prior to maturity
date, then the guaranty is valid.
1. Definite guaranty – The liability of the guarantor is limited to the principal debt, to the exclusion of
accessories.
2. Indefinite or simple guaranty – If the agreement does not specify that the liability of the guarantor is
limited to the principal obligation, it extends not only to the principal but also to all its accessories.
This is because in entering into the agreement, the principal could have fixed the limits of his responsibility
solely to the principal. If he did not fix it, it is presumed that he wanted to be bound not only to the principal
but also to all its accessories.
If the guarantor merely offers to become a guaranty, it does not become a binding obligation unless the creditor
accepts and notice of acceptance is given to the guarantor.
On the other hand, if the guarantor makes a direct or unconditional promise of guaranty (and not merely an offer),
there is no need for acceptance and notice of such acceptance from the creditor.
Art. 2056. One who is obliged to furnish a guarantor shall present a person who possesses integrity, capacity to bind
himself, and sufficient property to answer for the obligation which he guarantees.
The guarantor shall be subject to the jurisdiction of the court of the place where this obligation is to be complied
with.
Art. 2057. If the guarantor should be convicted in first instance of a crime involving dishonesty or should become
insolvent, the creditor may demand another who has all the qualifications required in the preceding article. The
case is excepted where the creditor has required and stipulated that a specified person should be the guarantor.
1. Integrity
2. Capacity to bind himself
3. Sufficient property to answer for the obligation which he guarantees
Jurisdiction over the guarantor belongs to the court where the principal obligation is to be fulfilled, in accordance with
the rule that accessory follows the principal.
The qualifications need only to be present at the time of the perfection of the contract. The subsequent loss of the
qualifications would not extinguish the liability of the guarantor, nor will it extinguish the contract of guaranty.
However, the creditor may demand another guarantor with the proper qualifications.
1. In case the guarantor is convicted in the first instance of a crime involving dishonesty (sincehe loses integrity)
2. In case the guarantor becomes insolvent (since he loses sufficient property to answer for the obligation which
he guarantees) there is no need for a judicial declaration of insolvency
The guaranty survives the death of the guarantor. The general rule is that a party’s contractual rights and obligations
are transmissible to his successors. The rules on guaranty do not expressly provide that the guaranty is extinguished
upon the death of the guarantor. Applying Art. 2057, the supervening incapacity of the guarantor does not extinguish
the guaranty but merely gives the creditor the right to demand a replacement. But the creditor can waive this right
and choose to hold the guarantor to his bargain. If he so chooses, the creditor’s claim passes to the heirs of the
deceased guarantor.
Where the creditor has stipulated in the original agreement that a specified person should be the guarantor, he is
bound by the terms of the agreement and he cannot thereafter deviate from it.
The liability of the guarantor is only accessory and subsidiary. Thus, in order for the creditor to collect from the
guarantor, the ff. conditions must be fulfilled:
1. The creditor should have exhausted all the property of the debtor; and
2. The creditor has resorted to all legal remedies against the debtor (ex. Accion pauliana/rescission of fraudulent
alienations)
No. Except in cases provided in 2059, Article 2062 says that creditor should proceed against the principal debtor
alone.
EXCEPTIONS:
What kind of insolvency? JPSP says it’s practical insolvency meaning assets are less than liabilities, but it still
depends on the situation.
Examples:
B borrows 100K from L guaranteed by G. B has 1M in assets which are all still with him and 1.5M in liabilities.
B defaults. Can L collect from G right away?
No. In this case, G still has the benefit of excussion. Why? Because even if B is apparently insolvent,
since his liabilities exceed his assets, there is still no claim against these assets by the other creditors. They
can still be accessed by L, and L can still file an action for collection of money against B. So in this case, even
if B is insolvent on paper, his properties are still with him, and he can still pay L. Therefore, G still should still
have the benefit of excussion.
B borrows 100K from L guaranteed by G. On due date, B defaults and has zero assets but has a 200K
credit/receivable from X. Can L collect from G.
Still no. L must file an action for collection and an accion subrogatoria so that he can exercise B’s right to
collect the money from X. Only if these actions fail can L then collect from G.
So even if the borrower has fled to the Bahamas, if he still has properties here, Lender must sue against the
property first before collecting from the guarantor.
• If exhausting the properties of the debtor would be useless since it would still not satisfy the obligation,
the guarantor cannot require the creditor to resort to these legal remedies against the debtor anymore,
since doing so would be a useless formality.
• In this case, it is not even necessary that the debtor is judicially declared insolvent or bankrupt.
How does the lender get around this requirement? If the lender wants to be able to go against the guarantor right
away without having to go through excussion, he must get the guarantor to either sign a waiver of the benefit of
excussion or make him solidarily liable (a surety).
Example: B borrowed 100k guaranteed by G. B defaulted. Lender made a demand for payment against G. G
paid. Later, G found out that he had the benefit of excussion. He demanded reimbursement from Lender.
Can G recover?
Art. 2061. The guarantor having fulfilled all the conditions required in the preceding article, the creditor who is
negligent in exhausting the property pointed out shall suffer the loss, to the extent of said property, for the
insolvency of the debtor resulting from such negligence.
To collect from the guarantor, the creditor must make a prior demand for payment from the guarantor.
1. When should the demand be made? The demand can only be made after judgment on thedebt.
2. How should it be made? The demand must be an actual demand. Joining the guarantor in the suit against
the principal is not the demand intended by law.
Guarantor tells Lender “Exhaust Borrower’s property first before collecting from me.” Is this enough for the Guarantor
to claim the benefit of excussion?
No. In order to demand that the creditor exhaust the properties of the principal debtor, the guarantor must:
1. Set up the benefit of excussion against the creditor upon demand for payment by the creditorfrom him; and
2. Point out to the creditor available property of the debtor within Philippine territory sufficient to cover the
amount of debt. (Therefore, property located abroad or which is not easily available is not included among
those that the guarantor can point out to the creditor.)
Once the guarantor has fulfilled the requisites for making use of the benefit of excussion, the creditor has the duty
to exhaust all the property of the debtor and to resort to all legal remedies against the debtor. If he fails to do so, he
shall suffer the loss to the extent of the value of the property.
Art. 2062. In every action by the creditor, which must be against the principal debtor alone, except in the cases
mentioned in Article 2059, the former shall ask the court to notify the guarantor of the action. The guarantor may
appear so that he may, if he so desires, set up such defenses as are granted him by law. The benefit of excussion
mentioned in article 2058 shall always be unimpaired, even if judgment should be rendered against the principal
debtor and the guarantor in case of appearance by the latter.
The creditor must sue the principal debtor alone. He cannot sue the guarantor with the principal or the guarantor
alone except in the cases mentioned in Art. 2059 where the guarantor loses the benefit of excussion.
The guarantor must be notified so that he may appear and set up his defenses if he wants to.
If the guarantor appears, he is still given the benefit of exhaustion event after judgment is rendered against the
principal debtor.
If he does not appear, judgment is not binding on him. Lender must sue the guarantor to claim against him.
So, collecting from the guarantor is really a two-step process. The purpose of the two-step process is to allow the
guarantor to make use of the benefit of excussion. The disadvantage is that there is a time lag between the judgment
against the principal debtor and the one against the guarantor, which allows the guarantor to hide his assets in the
meantime.
How to get around this two-step process: A bank guaranty or a letter of credit. In a bank guaranty, if the debtor
does not pay, the creditor need only inform the bank of the default and the bank releases the money. It’s like a
standing loan by the bank in favor of the debtor to answer for a debt in favor of third persons, in case he is unable to
pay.
Art. 2063. A compromise between the creditor and the principal debtor benefits the guarantor but does not prejudice
him. That which is entered into between the guarantor and the creditor benefits but does not prejudice the principal
debtor.
Reason: A compromise binds only the parties thereto and not third persons. Thus, it cannot prejudice the guarantor
or debtor who was not a party to the compromise.
Exception: If the compromise has a benefit in the nature of a stipulation in favor of a third person, the compromise
may bind that third person.
D and C agree to reduce the debt to 8K. G’s liability is also reduced to 8K in case D does not pay, since the
compromise is beneficial to G.
A sub-guarantor can demand the exhaustion of the properties both of the guarantor and of the principal debtor before
he pays the creditor.
Art. 2065. Should there be several guarantors of only one debtor and for the same debt, the obligation to answer for
the same is divided among all. The creditor cannot claim from the guarantors except the shares which they are
respectively bound to pay, unless solidarily has been expressly stipulated.
The benefit of division among the co-guarantors ceases in the same cases and for the same reasons as the benefit of
excussion against the principal debtor.
The following conditions must concur in order that several guarantors may claim the benefit of division:
In this case, the liability of the co-guarantors is joint. They are not liable to the creditor beyond the shares which
they are bound to pay.
Exceptions:
1.The co-guarantors cannot avail themselves of the benefit of division under the circumstances enumerated in Art.
2059 (RUSIA).
Art. 2066. The guarantor who pays the debtor must be indemnified by the latter.
Once the guarantor pays the principal obligation, the principal debtor must pay him back consisting of:
(TIED)
1. The Total amount of the debt – The guarantor has the right to demand reimbursement only when he has
actually paid the debt UNLESS there is a stipulation which gives him the right to demand reimbursement as
soon as he becomes liable even if he has not yet paid. The guarantor cannot ask for more than what he has
paid.
2. Interest – The guarantor is entitled to interest from the time notice of payment of the debt was made known
to the debtor. The notice is a demand upon the debtor to pay the guarantor. If he delays, he is liable for
damages in the form of interest. The guarantor can collect interest even if the principal obligation was a loan
without an interest. This is because
the right of the guarantor is independent of the principal obligation to the creditor. The basis of the right is
the delay of the debtor in reimbursing.
3. Expenses – This refers only to those expenses that the guarantor has to satisfy in accordance with law as a
consequence of the guaranty. This is limited to those expenses incurred by the guarantor after having
notified the debtor that payment has been demanded of him by the creditor.
1. Where the guaranty is constituted without the knowledge or against the will of the debtor, theguarantor can
only recover insofar as the payment had been beneficial to the debtor
2. Payment by a third person who does not intend to be reimbursed by the debtor is deemed tobe a donation,
which requires the debtor’s consent. But the payment is valid with respect to the creditor.
Art. 2067. The guarantor who pays is subrogated by virtue thereof to all the rights which the creditor had against
the debtor.
If the guarantor has compromised with the creditor, he cannot demand of the debtor more than what he has really
paid.
When the guarantor pays, he becomes subrogated to the rights of the creditor against the debtor. What happens
really is just a change in creditor. The guarantor becomes the creditor, but the obligation subsists in all other
aspects. He may, for example, foreclose a mortgage in case of failure of the debtor to reimburse him.
The right of subrogation is given to the guarantor so that he can enforce his right to indemnity/ to be reimbursed.
It arises by operation of law upon payment by the guarantor. The creditor need not formally cede his rights to the
guarantor.
But the right of subrogation is given only to the guarantor if he has the right to be reimbursed. If, for some reason,
he has no right to be reimbursed, he cannot subrogate either.
Compromise
B owes lender P1M. Lender was a good friend of Guarantor and agreed that if G became liable, he would only have to
pay P500K. If B defaults and Guarantor pays P500K, he can only recover P500K from B, not the original P1M.
Is there a situation where this rule would even be disadvantageous to the Debtor?
Yes. Let’s say there was no such rule. B owes L P1M. G, who was a compadre of L, brokered a deal with L, in
which they agreed that should G become liable, he would only pay P500K. Since there’s no rule, G tells B about the
deal with L. G tells B that if G pays the P500K, B should reimburse him P600K. This would give B a savings of P400
K, while G earns P100K. Everyone will be happy.
But since there is a rule that says that G cannot ask for more than what he has actually paid, G has no inducement,
no incentive to broker that deal with his compadre L. Why would he go through the trouble when in any case, he
would be getting the same amount that he pays?
How do you get out of this situation? B should “hire” G as his agent to broker the deal with L. As compensation for
the service rendered by G, B will pay him P100K. So the agreement is taken out of the context of the guaranty and
everyone is happy.
Art. 2068. If the guarantor should pay without notifying the debtor, the latter may enforce against him all the
defenses which he could have set up against the creditor at the time the payment was made.
Before he pays the creditor, guarantor should first give notice to the principal debtor. If he does not give notice, the
debtor may enforce all the defenses which he could have set up against the creditor at the time of payment.
Example: Debtor pays Creditor. But Creditor is sneaky and tells Guarantor that Debtor defaulted. So Guarantor
pays, without telling Debtor. Guarantor makes a demand for reimbursement from Debtor. Is Debtor liable?
No. Debtor can invoke the fact of payment to the Creditor against Guarantor. Had Guarantor given notice to
Debtor, he would have known of the defenses that Debtor had against Creditor which would have made him think
twice about paying. Guarantor’s remedy here is against sneaky Creditor.
Art. 2069. If the debt was for a period and the guarantor paid it before it become due, he cannot demand
reimbursement of the debtor until the expiration of the period unless the payment has been ratified by the debtor.
If the principal debt was one with a period, it becomes demandable only upon expiration of the period. Guarantor is
only liable if the debtor defaults, but there can be no default before the expiration of the period. If the guarantor still
pays before the expiration of the period, he must wait for the period to expire before he can collect from the debtor.
Exception: Guarantor need not wait for the period if the debtor ratifies payment or consents to it.
Art. 2070. If the guarantor has paid without notifying the debtor, and the latter not being aware of the payment,
repeats the payment, the former has no remedy whatever against the debtor, but only against the creditor.
Nevertheless, in case of gratuitous guaranty, if the guarantor was prevented by a fortuitous event from advising the
debtor of the payment, and the creditor becomes insolvent, the debtor shall reimburse the guarantor for the amount
paid.
This is like the situation in 2068, only this time, the guarantor pays before the debtor pays. Even in such a case,
guarantor still cannot recover from debtor because he should have informed debtor of his intention to pay. Had he
informed debtor, debtor would not have paid. Guarantor will suffer the loss of his failure to comply with his one and
only obligation before paying which is to notify the debtor.
1. It is a gratuitous guaranty
2. The guarantor was prevented by a fortuitous event from informing the debtor of payment
3. Creditor becomes insolvent
Remember that the culprit here, aside from the guarantor who did not inform the debtor, is the sneaky creditor who
nonchalantly received payment twice. If he is solvent, the guarantor must collect from him. But if he is insolvent and
the three requisites above are present, the guarantor can reimburse from the principal debtor.
Art. 2071. The guarantor, even before having paid, may proceed against the principal debtor:
(3) When the debtor has bound himself to relieve him from the guaranty within a specified period,and this period
has expired;
(4) When the debt has become demandable, by reason of the expiration of the period for payment;
(5) After the lapse of 10 years, when the principal obligation has no fixed period for its maturity unless it be of such
nature that it cannot be extinguished except within a period longer than 10 years;
(6) If there are reasonable grounds to fear that the principal debtor intends to abscond;
In all these cases, the action of the guarantor is to obtain release from the guaranty, or to demand a security that
shall protect him from any proceedings by the creditor and from the danger of insolvency of the debtor.
Under these 7 circumstances, the guarantor has these rights against the debtor BEFORE he makes payment:
The purpose is to enable the guarantor to take measures to protect his interest in view of the probability that debtor
would default and he would be called upon to answer for the obligation.
Art. 2072. If one, at the request of another, becomes a guarantor for the debt of a third person who is not present,
the guarantor who satisfies the debt may sue either the person so requesting or the debtor for reimbursement.
Art. 2073. When there are two or more guarantors of the same debtor and for the same debt, the one among them
who has paid may demand of each of the others the share which is proportionately owing from him.
If any of the guarantors should be insolvent, his share shall be borne by the others, including the payer, in the same
proportion.
The provisions of this article shall not be applicable, unless the payment has been made in virtue of a judicial
demand or unless the principal debtor is insolvent.
This article applies only if there are two or more guarantors of the same debtor for the same debt and one of them
has paid:
The liability of the guarantors is joint. If one of them pays the entire obligation, he is entitled to be reimbursed the
amount of the shares of the other guarantors.
Example: A, B, C guaranty the 90K loan of X. A pays 90K. A can collect 30 K each from B and C.
But unlike in an ordinary joint obligation, if one of the guarantors is insolvent, the co-guarantors must answer for his
share. In this sense, the obligation behaves like a solidary obligation.
Example: A, B, C guaranty the 90K loan of X. A pays 90K. B becomes insolvent. A and C must shoulder B’s share.
So their liabilities become 45K each. A can collect 45 K from C.
Art. 2074. In the case of the preceding article, the co-guarantors may set up against the one who paid, the same
defenses which would have pertained to the principal debtor against the creditor, and which are not purely personal
to the debtor.
A, B, C guaranty the obligation of X who was a minor. A pays. Can B and C refuse to reimburse him on the ground
that X is a minor? No, because the defense is personal to X.
Art. 2075. A sub-guarantor, in case of the insolvency of the guarantor for whom he bound himself, is responsible to
the co-guarantors in the same terms as the guarantor.
A, B, C are guarantors of X. D is a guarantor of A. C pays the entire obligation. A becomes insolvent. Can C
reimburse from D? Yes, according to Art. 2075.
Because guaranty is an accessory and subsidiary contract, it is extinguished once the principal obligation is
extinguished.
But the extinguishment of the guaranty does not always carry with it the extinguishment of the principal obligation.
Any agreement between the creditor and the principal debtor which essentially varies the terms of the principal
contract without the consent of the surety will release the surety from liability. This is because the alteration would
result in a novation of the principal contract which is consequently extinguished and replaced with a new one. Since
the old principal contract is extinguished, the accessory contract of guaranty/surety is also extinguished.
There must be a change which imposes a new obligation or added burden or which takes away some obligation
already imposed, changing the legal effect of the contract.
Examples:
1. Increase in the principal amount, regardless of the extent of the liability assumed by theguarantor
2. Substitution of the principal debtor
3. Extension or shortening of the term of the principal debt
Decrease in the amount of the principal obligation: The guaranty subsists and is benefited by the change since the
guarantor cannot bind himself for more than the principal obligation.
Art. 2077. If the creditor voluntarily accepts immovable or other property in payment of the debt, even if he should
afterwards lose the same through eviction, the guarantor is released.
This is a case of dacion. Since dacion extinguishes the principal obligation, the accessory obligation is also
extinguished and is not revived even if the creditor is subsequently evicted from the property.
Art. 2078. A release made by the creditor in favor of one of the guarantors, without the consent of the others,
benefits all to the extent of the share of the guarantor to whom it has been granted.
A, B, C are guarantors of X for 90K. The creditor releases A without the consent of B and C. The release should
benefit B and C to the extent of 30K (A’s share). They shall be liable only for 60K or 30K each.
A, B, C are guarantors of X for 90K. The creditor releases A with the consent of B and C. Since B and C consented to
the release, their liability is still 90K or 45K each.
Art. 2079. An extension granted to the debtor by the creditor without the consent of the guarantor extinguishes the
guaranty. The mere failure on the part of the creditor to demand payment after the debt has become due does not
of itself constitute any extension of time referred to herein.
If the creditor grants the debtor an extension of time within which to comply with the principal obligation, the
guaranty is extinguished. This is because the principal debtor could become insolvent during the extension period,
and the guarantor would not be able to ask for reimbursement.
But if the guarantor consents or waives his right under this article in advance, the extension will not extinguish the
guaranty.
It is immaterial whether the guarantor suffers actual prejudice as a result of the extension. The length of time of the
extension is also immaterial. As long as the period is extended, the guaranty is extinguished.
Can the guarantor sue the creditor for his delay in making a demand, thereby lengthening the risk of the insolvency of
the principal debtor? No.
Art. 2080. The guarantors, even though they are solidary, are released from their obligation whenever by some act
of the creditor they cannot be subrogated to the rights, mortgages and preference of the latter.
Art. 2081. The guarantor may set up against the creditor all the defenses which pertain to the principal debtor and
are inherent in the debt; but not those that are purely personal to the debtor.
4. Subsidiary, because the obligation of the creditor does not arise until fulfillment of the
principal obligation.
3. Requisites to bind third person/s – pledge, to bind third persons must be in a public
instrument; mortgage, must be registered in the proper registry.
A LOAN IS SECURED BY BOTH A PLEDGE AND A GUARANTY. CAN THE CREDITOR REFUSE
PAYMENT BY THE GUARANTOR AND CHOOSE TO FORECLOSE IN ORDER TO SATISFY THE
DEBT?
4. Disposal – Pledgor/mortgagor must have free disposal of the thing or capacity to dispose.
5. Ownership – Pledgor/mortgagor must be the absolute owner of the thing;
Pledge/mortgage is a direct lien on the property. It is better than guarantee because the property
pledged can be sold upon default by the debtor, unlike in guaranty where several requirements have
to be complied with first.
PROBLEM: D TRANSFERS PROPERTY TO C AND AT THE SAME TIME EXECUTES AN
INDEMNITY AGREEMENT; OR D TRANSFERS PROPERTY TO C TO SECURE AN EXISTING
OBLIGATION. HOW WILL THE TRANSFER BE CHARACTERIZED?
FREE DISPOSAL:
WHAT DO “FREE DISPOSAL” AND “CAPACITY TO DISPOSE” OF THE PROPERTY MEAN?
In case of corporations, the board should adopt a resolution to approve the pledge/mortgage. If what
is to be pledged or mortgaged constitutes all of the corporation’s assets, 2/3 of outstanding capital
stock must approve.
Rule on consent:
If pledgor/mortgagor is married, consent of spouse is needed; if agent, authorization of principal.
OWNERSHIP:
CAN FUTURE PROPERTY BE PLEDGED?
No, it is essential that the pledgor be the absolute owner of the thing.
Note: It is the sale and not the registration in the LTO that transfers ownership of a vehicle.
Note: A co-owner can only pledge/mortgage his ideal share in the co-ownership.
Note: A mortgagor can rely on what is on the face of the Torrens title.
(1)Article 2088. The creditor cannot appropriate the things given by way of pledge or mortgage, or
dispose of them. Any stipulation to the contrary is null and void.
WHAT DOES THE CREDITOR WITH THE PLEDGE/MORTGAGE WHEN THE DEBTOR DEFAULTS?
The creditor can move for the sale of the thing pledged or mortgaged.
WHAT IF THE CREDITOR WANTS TO ACQUIRE THE THING?
He may purchase it at the public auction.
WHAT IF THERE IS A STIPULATION THAT THE CREDITOR WILL ACQUIRE THE THING UPON
DEFAULT?
The stipulation (pactum commissorium) is null and void.
2. There should be a stipulation for AUTOMATIC appropriation or the thing in case of default by
the debtor.
ARE THERE ANY EXCEPTIONS TO PACTUM COMMISSORIUM?
Yes, Article 2112 provides that if the thing pledged or mortgaged is not sold in two public auctions, the
creditor may appropriate the same.
WHAT IS THE REASON FOR THE PROHIBITION?
The value of the thing pledged or mortgaged is usually more than the amount of the obligation.
WHAT HAPPENS TO THE CONTRACT OF PLEDGE/MORTGAGE IF THERE IS A STIPULATION
OF PACTUM COMMISSORIUM; IS IT VOID?
No, only the stipulation is void; the principal contract will subsist.
HOW CAN YOU OPT OUT OF THE PROHIBITION ON PACTO COMMISSORIO?
1. You can enter into another contract subsequent to the pledge/mortgage. The
prohibitionapplies only to stipulations made in the contract of pledge/mortgage.
2. The debtor can voluntarily cede the property to the creditor. This would in effect be a
novationof the pledge/mortgage.
3. There can be a stipulation where the debtor merely promises to sell; non-compliance
wouldgive the creditor, not a right to the property, but an action for damages.
4. There can be a stipulation granting the creditor authority to take possession and not
ownership of the property upon foreclosure.
Article 2089. A pledge or mortgage is indivisible, even though the debt may be divided among the
successors in interest of the debtor or of the creditor.
Therefore, the debtor’s heir who has paid a part of the debt cannot ask for the proportionate share of
extinguishment of the pledge or mortgage as long as the debt is not completely satisfied.
Article 2091. The contract of pledge or mortgage may secure all kinds of obligations, be they pure
or subject to a suspensive or resolutory condition.
Article 2093. In addition to the requisites prescribed in article 2085, it is necessary, in order to
constitute the contract of pledge, that the thing pledged be placed in the possession of the
creditor, or of a third person by common agreement.
Article 2094. All movables which are within commerce may be pledged, provided they are
susceptible of possession.
Article 2095. Incorporeal rights, evidenced by negotiable instruments, bills of lading, shares of
stock, bonds, warehouse receipts and similar documents may also be pledged. The instrument
proving the right pledged shall be delivered to the creditor, and if negotiable, must be indorsed.
Article 2096. A pledge shall not take effect against third persons if a description of the thing
pledged and the date of the pledge do not appear in a public instrument.
The problem here is: how do third persons check if the thing is pledged when the thing isn’t
represented by some sort of title which can be annotated?
They can’t but they should exercise diligence. Red flags would be failure or inability of debtor to show
the thing or the title to the thing.
No requirement as to form but to affect third persons, it must be in a public instrument (notarized
document).
Article 2097. With the consent of the pledgee, the thing pledged may be alienated by the pledgor or
owner, subject to the pledge.
The ownership of the thing pledged is transmitted to the vendee or transferee as soon as the pledgee
consents to the alienation, but the latter shall continue in possession.
Ex: pledgor pledges property to pledgee to secure a loan. Pledge is in a public instrument. Pledgor sell
property to third person/s without notice to pledgee – sale is valid but transfer of ownership is
suspended until pledgee consents.
Why would the pledgee want to be informed – administrative purposes; who gets property when
obligation is paid.
Article 2098. The contract of pledge gives a right to the creditor to retain the thing in his possession
or in that of a third person to whom it has been delivered, until the debt is paid.
Article 2099. The creditor shall take care of the thing pledged with the diligence of a good father of
a family; he has a right to the reimbursement of the expenses made for its preservation, and is
liable for its loss or deterioration, in conformity with the provisions of this Code.
Article 2100. The pledgee cannot deposit the thing pledged with a third person, unless there is a
stipulation authorizing him to do so.
The pledgee is responsible for the acts of his agents or employees with respect to the thing pledged.
If the pledgee deposits the thing with a third person without authorization, can the pledgor demand
resolution of the pledge agreement?
Article 2101. The pledgor has the same responsibility as a bailor in commodatum in the case under
article 1951.
[The pledgor who, knowing the flaws of the thing pledged, does not advise the pledgee of the same,
shall be liable to the latter of the damages which he may suffer by reason thereof.]
Article 2102. If the pledge earns or produces fruits, income, dividends, or interests, the creditor
shall compensate what he receives with those which are owing him; but if none are owing him, or
insofar as the amount may exceed that which is due, he shall apply it to the principal. Unless
there is a stipulation to the contrary, the pledge shall extend to the interest and earnings of the
right pledged.
In case of a pledge of animals, their offspring shall pertain to the pledgor or owner of animals
pledged, but shall be subject to the pledge, if there is no stipulation to the contrary.
The creditor who receives the fruits should apply them to whatever amount is owing (obligations due
and payable), if not due, the fruits just form part of the pledge.
If the period is for the benefit of the pledgee, even if the obligation is not due, he may compensate
against the interest or the principal, as the case may be.
Ex: Lender lends Borrower money, payable upon demand. To secure the loan, B pledges a goat. Here
the benefit of the period is for the creditor, L. L may then take the goat’s milk and offspring and
compensate against what is owing him even if the obligation is not yet due.
Article 2103. Unless the thing pledged is expropriated, the debtor continues to be the owner
thereof.
Nevertheless, the creditor may bring the actions which pertain to the owner of the thing pledged in
order to recover it from, or defend it against a third person.
If the thing is expropriated, the thing will continue with respect to the thing given. labo!
Article 2104. The creditor cannot use the thing pledged, without the authority of the owner, and if
he should do so, or should misuse the thing in any other way, the owner may ask that it be
judicially or extrajudicially deposited.
When the preservation of the thing pledged requires its use, it must be used by the creditor but only
for that purpose.
The creditor can only use the thing if he is authorized or its preservation requires use.
If he misuses it, the pledgor can demand extrajudicial deposit.
Article 2105. The debtor cannot ask for the return of the thing pledged against the will of the
creditor, unless and until he has paid the debt and its interest, with expenses in a proper case.
Article 2106. If through the negligence or willful act of the pledgee, the thing pledged is in danger
of being lost or impaired, the pledgor may require that it be deposited with a third person.
Though the pledgor cannot demand return of the thing unless the obligation is fulfilled, if the thing
pledged is in danger of being lost or impaired through the pledgee’s willful act or negligence, he may
require its deposit with a third person.
Article 2107. If there are reasonable grounds to fear the destruction or impairment of the thing
pledged, without the fault of the pledgee, the pledgor may demand the return of the thing, upon
offering another thing in pledge, provided the latter is of the same kind as the former and not of
Article 2109. If the creditor is deceived on the substance or quality of the thing pledged, he may
either claim another thing in its stead, or demand immediate payment of the principal obligation.
This is an instance where the debtor loses the benefit of the period: If the debtor dupes the creditor
as to the quality of the thing, the creditor may demand immediate payment or delivery of another
security.
Article 2110. If the thing pledged is returned by the pledgee to the pledgor or owner, the pledge is
extinguished. ANY STIPULATION TO THE CONTRARY SHALL BE VOID.
If subsequent to the perfection of the pledge, the thing is in the possession of the pledgor or owner,
there is a prima facie presumption that the same has been returned by the pledgee. This
same presumption exists if the thing pledged is in the possession of a third person who has
received it from the pledgor or owner after the constitution of the pledge.
If after the perfection of the pledge, the property is in the possession of the pledgor, as owner, the
presumption is that it was returned and extinction of the pledge, UNLESS the owner holds it as agent
of the pledgee.
*Article 2111. A statement in writing by the pledgee that he renounces or abandons the pledge is
sufficient to extinguish the pledge. For this purpose, neither the acceptance by the pledgor or
owner, nor the return of the thing pledged is necessary, the pledgee becoming a depositary.
PROBLEM: TO SECURE HIS LOAN, BORROWER PLEDGED HIS CAR TO LENDER. OUT OF THE
KINDNESS OF HIS HEART, LENDER COMPOSED A LETTER RENOUNCING THE PLEDGE. HE USED THE
CAR TO DRIVE TO THE POST OFFICE AND MAILED THE LETTER.
WHILE DRIVING HOME, LENDER SPOTTED BORROWER WITH LENDER’S WIFE AND FELT VERY ANGRY
AND JEALOUS.
WHEN BORROWER RECEIVED THE LETTER, HE WENT TO LENDER’S HOUSE TO RECOVER THE CAR
BUT LENDER REFUSED AND TOLD BORROWER TO PISS OFF. CAN LENDER REFUSE TO RETURN THE
CAR?
No. See Article 2111.
Article 2112. The creditor to whom the credit has not been satisfied in due time, may proceed
before a Notary Public to the sale of the thing pledged. This sale shall be made at a public auction,
and with notification to the debtor and the owner of the thing pledged in a proper case, stating the
amount for which the public sale is to be held.
Exception to pactum commissorium if the thing is not sold after two sales, the creditor may
appropriate the thing and it shall be considered as full payment for the entire obligation.
Article 2113. At the public auction, the pledgor or owner may bid. He shall, moreover, have a better
right if he should offer the same terms as the highest bidder.
The pledgee may also bid, but his offer shall not be valid if he is the only bidder.
The pledgor is allowed to bid and all things being equal, his bid shall be preferred over that of others.
The law wants to conserve the property in the owner.
The pledgee may also bid, but his offer shall not be valid if he is the only bidder because the law
seeks to prevent fraud. Fraud is possible if the parties had stipulated that the debtor shall be allowed
to the excess and the creditor, who is bidding alone, bids low.
Article 2114. All bids at the public auction shall offer to pay the purchase price at once. If any other
bid is accepted, the pledgee is deemed to have been received the purchase price, as far as the
pledgor or owner is concerned.
Article 2115. The sale of the thing pledged shall extinguish the principal obligation, whether or not
the proceeds of the sale are equal to the amount of the principal obligation, interest and expenses
in a proper case.
If the price of the sale is more than said amount, the debtor shall not be entitled to the excess,
unless it is otherwise agreed. If the price of the sale is less, neither shall the creditor be entitled to
recover the deficiency, notwithstanding any stipulation to the contrary.
HOW DO YOU GUARD AGAINST THE SITUATION OF NOT BEING ABLE TO RECOVER THE DEFICIENCY
IF YOU ARE THE PLEDGEE?
Set a minimum bid (if this is actually allowed; JPSP says yes, book says no)
OR
Instead of selling the thing, just sue for the entire obligation.
OR
Stipulate that if the value of the pledge goes under a certain amount, then the debtor shall be obliged
to pledge additional securities.
Ex: 1M obligation, 1.5M worth of stocks pledged; stipulate that if the value goes below 1.3M then the
debtor will be obliged to pledge additional securities.
Without such a stipulation, can Article 2108 have the same effect?
Ex: 1M obligation, 1.5M worth of stocks pledged. When the stocks go down top 1.4M, can you claim
that the value of the pledge is diminishing and then choose to sell the stocks for 1.4M, keeping the
profits as security, pursuant to 2108?
JPSP says: “Maybe but speculative.” Probably not if the change in price is just a day-to-day
fluctuation.
PROBLEM: 1M IS SECURED BY A 700K MORTGAGE AND A 900K PLEDGE. IF YOU ARE THE LENDER,
AND THE BORROWER DEFAULTS, WHICH SECURITY TO YOU GO AFTER FIRST?
Go against the REM first, then take the whole pledge and make $$$! In REM, unlike in pledge, the
debtor is entitled to the excess and the creditor is entitled to recover the deficiency, as a default rule.
Article 2116. After the public auction, the pledgee shall promptly advise the pledgor or owner of the
result thereof.
This is to allow the debtor to take reasonable steps if he suspects that the sale was not honest.
Article 2117. Any third person who has any right in or to the thing pledged may satisfy the principal
obligation as soon as the latter becomes due and demandable.
The creditor cannot refuse payment by a third person WITH AN INTEREST in the thing pledged.
Third party can be a buyer of the thing or someone with a junior lien.
Why would a third person with a junior lien want to pay the obligation? The property may be more
valuable than the obligation and he may want his lien to become senior.
Under this article, the thing pledged is a credit which has become due. The creditor can thus collect
the amount due and compensate, DELIVERING THE SURPLUS TO THE DEBTOR.
The pledgee has the duty to collect any due credits, in line with the ordinary diligence required of him.
Article 2119. If two or more things are pledged, the pledgee may choose which he will cause to be
sold, unless there is a stipulation to the contrary.
He may demand the sale of only as many of the things as are necessary for the payment of the debt.
PROBLEM: A 1.5M DEBT IS SECURED BY 2M WORTH OF SMC SHARES. IF YOU ARE THE PLEDGEE,
HOW WOULD YOU SELL?
Sell all. You are not required to sell by piece.
Pledgor can restrict only if there are two pledges securing the obligation.
Article 2120. If a third party secures an obligation by pledging his own movable property under the
provisions of article 2085 he shall have the same rights as a guarantor under articles 2066 to
2070, and articles 2077 to 2081.
Article 2121. Pledges created by operation of law, such as those referred to in articles 546, 1731,
and 1994, are governed by the foregoing articles on the possession, care and sale of the thing as
well as on the termination of the pledge. However, after payment of the debt and expenses, the
remainder of the price of the sale shall be delivered to the obligor.
Article 2122. A thing under a pledge by operation of law may be sold only after demand of the
amount for which the thing is retained.
The public auction shall take place within one month after such demand. If, without just grounds,
the creditor does not cause the public sale to be held within such period, the debtor may require
the return of the thing.
In pledges by operation of law, the remainder of the sale price shall be delivered to the debtor.
The foregoing articles govern the following pledges by operation of law; BUT after sale, the excess, if
any, is returned to the pledgor:
• Possessor in good faith may retain the thing on which he spent for necessary expenses until
he is reimbursed.
• He who works on a movable may retain the same until paid for the work.
Article 2123. With regard to pawnshops and other establishments, which are engaged in making
loans secured by pledges, the special laws and regulations concerning them shall be observed,
and subsidiarily, the provisions of this Title.
REAL MORTGAGE
Art. 2124. Only the following property may be the object of a contract of mortgage:
(1) Immovables;
(2) Alienable real rights in accordance with the laws, imposed upon immovables.
Mortgage (def). A real estate mortgage is a contract whereby the debtor secures to the creditor
the fulfillment of a principal obligation, specially subjecting to such security immovable property
or real rights over immovable property in case the principal obligation is not complied with at the
time stipulated.
However, it is not an essential requisite of the contract of mortgage that the property remains in
the possession of the mortgagor. If the mortgagor delivers the property to the mortgagee, it can
still be a contract of mortgage, plus some other contract.
But a stipulation which says that the mortgage covers future improvements upon real property
already mortgaged is valid. This is because these future improvements are deemed included in
the real property by accession; they are not separate from the real property already subject of
the mortgage.
Art. 2125. In addition to the requisites stated in Article 2085, it is indispensable, in order that a
mortgage may be validly constituted, that the document in which it appears be recorded in the
Registry of Property. If the instrument is not recorded, the mortgage is nevertheless binding
between the parties.
The persons in whose favor the law establishes a mortgage have no other right than to
demand the execution and the recording of the document in which the mortgage is formalized.
Art. 1357. If the law requires a document or other special form, as in the acts and contracts
enumerated in the following article, the contracting parties may compel each other to observe
that form, once the contract has been perfected. This right may be exercised simultaneously
with the action upon the contract.
(1) Acts and contracts which have for their object the creation, transmission, modification, or
extinguishment of real rights over immovable property…
4. When the principal obligation becomes due, the property mortgaged may be alienated
for the payment to the creditor.
5. To prejudice third persons, the mortgage must be recorded in the Registry of Property.
But to affect third persons, there is a need to comply with the fifth requisite: The document of
mortgage must be recorded in the Registry of Property. This is because recording the
document in the Registry of Property serves as notice to 3rd persons. This is similar to the
requirement in pledge that the pledge be in a public document.
But the oral mortgage is not binding against third persons. And the mortgagee cannot register
the mortgage in the Registry of Property if it is an oral mortgage. So his remedy is to invoke Art.
1357 and 1358. 1357 provides that if there is already a valid contract, one party can compel the
other party to observe the proper form. In this case, since there is already a valid mortgage
between the parties, the mortgagee can compel the mortgagor to execute a public document of
mortgage, so that the mortgagee can then register it in the Registry of Property.
Remember that 1357 is only for convenience. Its purpose is to compel the mortgagor to
execute a public document, so that the mortgagee can register the mortgage. It does not
determine the validity or even the enforceability of the mortgage between the parties. Before
you can invoke it, there has to be a valid mortgage first.
Once the previously oral mortgage is in a public document and is subsequently registered in the
Registry of Property, it becomes binding on third persons.
Step 3: Pay the documentary stamp tax within the first five days of the succeeding month. The
doc stamp tax is a percentage of the value of the property mortgaged.
Step 4: Go to the Office of the Register of Deeds and pay the registration fees. Before you pay
the registration fees, the government will require you to update payment of realty taxes on the
property. After payment of the registration fees, the mortgage will be annotated on the title.
Problem: Mortgagor mortgages a house and lot worth 500K to Mortgagee to secure a principal
obligation of “100K and any and all future indebtedness.” The mortgage is registered.
Meanwhile, Mortgagor owes another creditor, X, 500K. The total indebtedness of Mortgagor to
Mortgagee eventually reaches 500K. On due date, Mortgagor fails to pay both X and
Mortgagee. The house and lot is his only property. X is able to obtain a writ or attachment on
the house and lot. Who has a better right to the house and lot – X or mortgagee?
1. That Mortgagee paid doc stamp taxes based only on the 100K debt, not on
thesucceeding 400K debt. So he even cheated the government of its revenues in this
case.
2. Besides, at the time of the mortgage, the 400K debt was non-existent.
Therefore, X has a better right with respect to the 4/5 which was not registered.
1. He can do a credit line arrangement in which he will give the debtor a ceiling up to
whichhe can borrow. The mortgage deed will say that the principal obligation is 500K,
but debtor has the choice of asking for a release of funds below this ceiling. This way,
the mortgagee is sure that the entire 500K loan is registered. But this is costly, since
the doc stamp tax will be based on the ceiling and not on the actual amount released.
2. The better solution is that the mortgagee should execute and register a new
documenteach time he releases funds to the mortgagor/debtor.
Art. 2126. The mortgage directly and immediately subjects the property upon which it is
imposed, whoever the possessor may be, to the fulfillment of the obligation for whose security
it was constituted.
In guaranty, the property of the guarantor is not subjected to a lien. The action of the creditor is
against the guarantor himself and not against his property. The creditor would still have to sue
the guarantor, obtain judgment, execute it, etc.
On the other hand, in mortgage, the property is subjected to a lien. It creates a real right which
is inseparable from the property mortgaged. It is enforceable against the whole world (provided
it is registered). Until the principal obligation is discharged, the mortgage follows the property
wherever it goes and subsists even if the ownership changes.
So if the mortgagor sells the mortgaged property, the property still remains subject to the
fulfillment of the obligation secured by it. All subsequent purchasers must respect the
mortgage, as long as it is registered, or even if it is not registered, if the purchaser knew that it
was mortgaged.
Since the mortgagor retains ownership of the mortgaged property, he can even mortgage it
again to another mortgagor (junior lien/encumbrance).
Art. 2127. The mortgage extends to the natural accessions, to the improvements, growing
fruits, and rents or income not yet received when the obligation becomes due, and to the
amount of the indemnity granted or owing to the proprietor from the insurers of the property
mortgaged, or in virtue of expropriation for public use, with the declarations, amplifications and
limitations established by law, whether the estate remains in the possession of the mortgagor,
or it passes into the hands of a third person.
Future property, in themselves, cannot be the subject matter of mortgage. But, the future
improvements, accessions, and fruits of property already mortgaged are also covered by the
mortgage. This is because they are deemed to be part of the principal thing which was already
existing at the time of the constitution of the mortgage.
Examples:
1. The mortgage deed contains a provision that “all property taken in exchange
orreplacement, as well as all buildings, machineries, and, equipment, and others that the
mortgagor may acquire, construct, install, attach, or use in its lumber concession shall
immediately become subject to the mortgage.”
2. JPSP example: In the mortgage deed, Mortgagor mortgages house and lot #1
andanother house and lot which he will acquire next month. The deed is registered. Is
this a valid mortgage?
Between mortgagor and mortgagee, the mortgage is valid with respect to both house
and lot #1 and #2. The remedy of the mortgagee, once mortgagor acquires the second
house and lot, is to compel the mortgagor to execute a public document evidencing the
mortgage of the 2nd house and lot and to register it, so that it would be binding on third
parties.
Art. 2128. The mortgage credit may be alienated or assigned to a third person, in whole or in
part, with the formalities required by law.
The mortgage credit is a real right, and under property law, real rights over immovables are
also considered immovables in themselves. Thus, they may be alienated or assigned to third
persons, in whole or in part, by the mortgagee who is the owner of the right. The assignee may
then foreclose the mortgage in case of nonpayment of the principal obligation.
The alienation or assignment of the mortgage credit is valid even if it is not registered.
Registration is only necessary to affect third persons.
Art. 2129. The creditor may claim from a third person in possession of the mortgaged property,
the payment of the part of the credit secured by the property which said third person
possesses, in the terms and with the formalities which the law establishes.
Art. 2129 does not really apply to all third persons in possession of the property. It only applies
to those in possession of the mortgaged property in the concept of owner. If the possession
by a third person is only as lessee, the creditor may not collect the credit from that third person.
When a mortgagor alienates/sells the mortgaged property to a third person, the creditor may
demand from him the payment of the principal obligation. This is because the mortgage credit
is a real right, which follows the property wherever it goes, even if its ownership changes.
However, before the creditor can collect from the third person, he must have made a demand
on the debtor, and the latter should have failed to pay.
Example: A mortgaged his land worth P5M in favor of B to secure a debt of P6M. A sold the
land to C.
On due date, B should demand payment of the P6M from A. If A fails to pay, B may foreclose
the mortgage. B may also choose to collect P5M (not P6M) from C, which is the part of the
principal obligation secured by the property sold to C. C is not liable for the deficiency of P1M in
the absence of a contrary stipulation. If C pays B, C can go after A for reimbursement.
Art. 2130. A stipulation forbidding the owner from alienating the immovable mortgaged shall be
void.
A stipulation forbidding the owner from alienating the mortgaged property is void for being
contrary to public policy because it is an undue impediment or interference on the transmission
of property. However, if the mortgagor alienates the property, the transferee must respect the
mortgage because it is a real right.
A stipulation that requires the mortgagor to notify the mortgagee in writing before he sells the
property is VALID. This is not a prohibition but a mere regulation.
Art. 2131. The form, extent and consequences of a mortgage, both as to its constitution,
modification and extinguishment, and as to the other matters not included in this Chapter shall
be governed by the provisions of the Mortgage Law and of the Land Registration Law.
FORECLOSURE
The essence of a mortgage is that upon default, the mortgagee can foreclose – he can sell the
property and apply the proceeds of the sale to the payment of the principal obligation.
What is foreclosure?
It is the remedy available to the mortgagee by which he subjects the mortgaged property to the
satisfaction of the obligation. It denotes the procedure adopted by the mortgagee to terminate
the rights of the mortgagor on the property and includes the sale itself.
The default rule is judicial foreclosure. You can only do extra-judicial foreclosure if the
mortgage deed has a provision which gives the mortgagee the special power of attorney to sell
the mortgaged property in accordance with Act 3135.
But these are only default rules. The parties may also stipulate that the sale will be a private
sale.
However, if the mortgagor defaults, the foreigner CANNOT foreclose extra-judicially. He can
only foreclose judicially. Moreover, he cannot bid or take part in any sale of the real
property in case of foreclosure.
First, check if there’s a stipulation saying that there will be a private sale. If there is such a
stipulation, the property can be sold at a private sale. If there is no such stipulation, then there
will be either judicial or extra-judicial foreclosure.
1. If it is a bank, the governing law is Act 3135, but there will be certain
exceptionsapplicable only to banking institutions, provided in Section 47 of the
General Banking Act.
Fourth, now that you know whether it’s judicial or extra-judicial foreclosure, let’s go through
each of the processes…
STEP 1: The mortgagee should file a petition for judicial foreclosure in the court which has
jurisdiction over the area where the property is situated
STEP 2: The court will conduct a trial. If, after trial, the court finds merit in the petition, it will
render judgment ordering the mortgagor/debtor to pay the obligation within a period not less
than 90 nor more than 120 days from the finality of judgment.
STEP 3: Within this 90 to 120 day period, the mortgagor has the chance to pay the obligation to
prevent his property from being sold. This is called the EQUITY OF REDEMPTION PERIOD.
STEP 5: There will be a judicial confirmation of the sale. After the confirmation of the
sale, the purchaser shall be entitled to the possession of the property, and all the
rights of the mortgagor with respect to the property are severed or terminated.
The equity of redemption period actually extends until the sale is confirmed. Even after the
lapse of the 90 to 120 day period, the mortgagor can still redeem the property, so
long as there has been no confirmation of the sale yet. Therefore, the equity of
redemption can be considered as the right of the mortgagor to redeem the property
BEFORE the confirmation of the sale.
IMPORTANT: After the confirmation of the sale, the mortgagor does not have
a right to redeem the property anymore. This is the general rule in judicial
foreclosures – there is no right of redemption after the sale is confirmed.
The exception to this rule is when the judicial foreclosure is done by a BANK. In
such a case, there is still a right of redemption within one year from the
registration of the sale.
STEP 6: The proceeds of the sale of the property will be disposed as follows:
1. First, the costs of the sale will be deducted from the price at which the
property was sold
1. Posting in at least 3 public places 20 days before the sale – usually in the Sheriff’s
office, the Assessor’s office, and the Register of Deeds.
This need not be done within a span of 21 days. For example, you can publish on
August 30, which is a Friday, then on September 2, which is a Monday, and then on
September 9, which is also a Monday. In this case, publication for three consecutive
weeks is completed within 11 days.
The notice should contain the description of the property to be sold, date, time, and place of the
sale, and the principal obligation to be satisfied by the sale of the mortgaged property.
There is no need for personal notice to the mortgagor, unlike in a guaranty. This is because
the mortgagor, having defaulted in the principal obligation, should expect that a foreclosure is
forthcoming. This is because the mortgagor, having defaulted in the principal obligation,
should expect that a foreclosure is forthcoming. If you’re the mortgagee, you would want to
surprise the mortgagor so the he cannot employ dilatory tactics such as getting an injunction in
order to delay the foreclosure. If you’re nasty, you should publish it in Abante, which is a
newspaper of general circulation, but which nobody consults for the purpose of checking if their
mortgaged property is about to be foreclosed.
Manner of conducting the sale: The sale should be under the direction of the sheriff of the
province, the justice or auxiliary justice of the peace of the municipality, or of a notary public of
the municipality, who shall be compensated with FIVE PESOS for each day of actual work
performed (wow $$$).
Mere inadequacy of price will not be sufficient to set aside the sale unless the price is so
inadequate as to shock the conscience.
The excess should first be applied to satisfy the junior liens and encumbrances on the property.
If there is still an excess, it goes to the mortgagor.
However, if the winning bidder already wants possession of the property, he may file a petition
in court to gain possession. He must give a bond equivalent to the rent for the use of the
property for 12 months. The bond will answer for any loss to the mortgagor if it is later found
that he was not in default in the mortgage obligation or that the conduct of the sale violated Act
3135. Upon approval of the bond, the court will issue a writ of possession in favor of the
purchaser.
Exception to this rule: If the party foreclosing is a BANK, Sec 47 of the General Banking
Law provides that the purchaser shall immediately have the right to take possession of
the property upon confirmation of the sale.
STEP 5: Redemption
The debtor has the right to redeem the property sold within one year from the date of the
sale, reckoned from date of execution of the certificate of sale since it is only from that date
that the sale takes effect as a conveyance.
The right of redemption is the right of the mortgagor to redeem the mortgaged
property within a certain period (in most cases, within 1 year) AFTER the sale of the
property in satisfaction of the mortgage debt. It is available to the mortgagor only
when the mortgage is foreclosed extrajudicially. It is not available in judicial
foreclosures, except when the mortgagee foreclosing is a bank.
On the other hand, equity of redemption is the right of the mortgagor in a judicial
foreclosure to pay the amount of his obligation BEFORE the confirmation of the sale of
the mortgaged property.
The debtor, his successors in interest, or any judicial creditor or judgment creditor
of the debtor, or any person having a junior encumbrance or lien on the property
may exercise the right of redemption.
How much should the one exercising the right of redemption pay?
The mortgagor (or whoever is redeeming the property) should pay the PURCHASE
PRICE of the property (not the amount of the original obligation anymore) plus
INTEREST OF 1% PER MONTH (this is according to De Leon, citing Rule 39 Section 28
of the Rules of Court. JPSP says interest is at 2% per month).
What happens if the debtor/mortgagor fails to redeem the property within the prescribed
period?
If the debtor/mortgagor fails to redeem the property within the prescribed period, the purchaser
has the absolute right to a writ of possession. From then on, the mortgagor loses his right over
the property.
Title to the property sold under a mortgage foreclosure remains with the mortgagor until the
expiration of the redemption period. The right of the purchaser at the foreclosure sale is merely
inchoate or contingent until after the period of redemption has expired without the right being
exercised. When the debtor/mortgagor fails to redeem within the period for redemption, the
purchaser’s right becomes final.
What happens if the mortgagor sells the property to a third person within the redemption
period?
The third person, in buying the property, is actually buying not the property itself but the right to
redeem the property and the right to possess it within the redemption period.
X mortgaged property to a Bank to secure a P1M loan at 17% interest. The mortgage was
foreclosed. At the sale, the property was sold to the Bank as the highest bidder for P800K.
The bank then sold the property to Y for P1.5M. If X wants to redeem the property, to
whom should he pay and how much?
X should pay to the Bank. He should pay only P1M - the amount of the principal obligation plus
interest at 17%, plus costs (Sec 47 General Banking Law: Remember, this is the exception to
the general rule that the mortgagor should pay the purchase price and 1% interest per month).
Y would then have a right to seek reimbursement from the Bank.
The right of redemption may be exercised by the mortgagee under the same terms, even if the
property is subsequently sold to a third party. A different rule would make it easy for the buyer
at the foreclosure sale to render the right of redemption nugatory simply by making a
conveyance of the property for an amount beyond the capacity of the mortgagor to pay.
But if the mortgagor is a businessman who waives the right to redeem in exchange for lower
interest rates, this waiver is valid because there is a fair exchange of value.
When the party foreclosing the mortgage is a BANK, the same procedure as in judicial or
extrajudicial foreclosure, as the case may be, is followed. However, the following are the
exceptions to the general rules, applicable only to banks:
But if the mortgagor foreclosing judicially is a bank, the mortgagor shall have a right to
redeem within one year from the sale.
2. Redemption Price
In extra-judicial foreclosure by a bank, the purchaser automatically has the right to take
possession after the confirmation of the sale.
4. Injunction
In ordinary extra-judicial foreclosure, the mortgagor may redeem the property after
it is sold within one year from the execution of the certificate of sale. There is no
distinction, whether the party redeeming is a natural or juridical person.
If the party foreclosing extrajudicially is a bank, the same rule as above is applicable
to natural persons. BUT, juridical persons may redeem the property subject only to
the following conditions:
b. and, it must not be later than 90 days from the date of the sale
What happens if there was a second mortgage constituted on the property that was
foreclosed?
If the property was mortgaged a second time, the second mortgage is subordinate
to the first mortgage. The first mortgagor has the right to foreclose the mortgage
upon default by the debtor.
1. If the first mortgagee forecloses judicially, before the sale is effected, the
junior mortgagee may exercise the equity of redemption vested in the
mortgagor. The junior mortgagee may satisfy the obligation of the
mortgagor to prevent the sale of the property.
What happens to the ownership of the property when the second mortgagee
exercises the right of redemption?
There are two interpretations – one under the Rules of Court and another
under the Civil Code.
But according to the Civil Code rules on payment (oblicon), the effect should
be like payment of an obligation by a third person, in which case, the
second mortgagee merely becomes subrogated in the right of the first
mortgagee to foreclose the mortgage.
3. If the property is sold for more than the amount of the obligation to the
firstmortgagee, the excess should be applied to the payment of the
obligation to the second mortgagee.
If you’re the second mortgagee, you can also foreclose, not the property (since
you cannot do that because the right of the first mortgagee is superior), but the
right of redemption instead. This is so that you would be the only one who can
exercise it when the proper time comes.
CHATTEL MORTGAGE
This definition under the Chattel Mortgage Law is no longer applicable. It is the
definition under Art. 2140 of the Civil Code that applies now.
4. When the principal obligation becomes due, the property mortgaged may be alienated
for the payment to the creditor.
5. To prejudice third persons, the mortgage must be recorded in the Chattel Mortgage
Registry.
If the first four requisites are present, there is already a valid mortgage between the parties –
mortgagor and mortgagee.
But to affect third persons, there is a need to comply with the fifth requisite: The document of
mortgage must be recorded in the Chattel Mortgage Registry. This is because recording the
document in the Chattel Mortgage Registry serves as notice to 3rd persons. This is similar to the
requirement in pledge that the pledge be in a public document and the requirement in Real
Estate Mortgage that it must be recorded in the Registry of Property.
Note that unlike in pledge, there is no need for actual delivery of the personal property to the
mortgagee.
To constitute a chattel mortgage, the parties must register the personal property
mortgaged in the Chattel Mortgage Register as security for the performance of an
obligation. However, if the chattel mortgage is not registered, it is still valid and
binding as between the parties. The requirement of registration is not for validity
but only for binding third parties.
The registration of the chattel mortgage creates a real right or lien which follows
the personal property wherever it goes. Registration gives the mortgagee
symbolic possession.
According to Sec. 5 of the Chattel Mortgage Law, the following form should be
sufficient:
That the said mortgagor hereby conveys and mortgages to the said
mortgagee all of the following-described personal property situated in the
municipality of Taytay Province of Rizal, and now in the possession of said
mortgagor, to wit:
This mortgage is given as security for the payment to the said Anna
del Castillo, mortgagee, of the sum of fifty pesos, with interest thereon at
the rate of twenty-five per centum per annum due on 25 December 2002.
The conditions of this obligation are such that if the mortgagor, his
heirs, executors, or administrators shall well and truly perform the full
obligation above stated according to the terms thereof, then this obligation
shall be null and void.
We severally swear that the foregoing mortgage is made for the purpose of
securing the obligation specified in the conditions thereof, and for no other purpose,
Sgd. Bhoy-B
Notary public
The mortgage is still valid between the parties, but it will not bind third persons,
such as creditors and subsequent encumbrancers. If there is no affidavit of good
faith, the mortgage will not be preferred as against these third persons.
Can you constitute a chattel mortgage to secure a future obligation or “a current obligation
plus any and all obligations hereinafter contracted by the mortgagor in favor of the
mortgagee”?
No. You can only constitute a chattel mortgage to secure debts or obligations that
are existing at the time the mortgage is constituted. If it is constituted to secure
an obligation that is not yet existent, it is void. The affidavit of good faith
executed by the mortgagor states that the mortgage is constituted to secure the
obligation specified therein and for no other purpose.
Section 7 of the Chattel Mortgage Law provides that as a general rule, you cannot
mortgage property that you do not own at the time of the constitution of the
mortgage. Therefore, you cannot mortgage future property.
But as an exception to this rule, the inventory of retail stores can be the subject of
chattel mortgage, even if technically, they may be acquired by the mortgagor after
the mortgage is constituted. This is because the after-acquired property is
actually in renewal or in replenishment of goods on hand when the mortgage was
executed. The SC came up with this exception in order not to hamper the
circulation of capital in the industry.
If the mortgagor pays the obligation, he gets a discharge from the mortgagee so
that he can then cancel the lien annotated on the title and in the Chattel Mortgage
Registry.
1. Right of Redemption
In case of default, the following persons may redeem the property before it
is sold, by paying the amount of the obligation plus costs and expenses
incurred from the breach:
a. the mortgagor
b. a subsequent mortgagee
c. a subsequent attaching creditor
3. Foreclosure
Can the mortgagee recover any deficiency after the sale of the property?
Unlike in pledge, the creditor can still file an action for recovery of any
deficiency in case the proceeds of the sale do not satisfy the entire
obligation, unless the situation is covered by the Recto Law.
Mortgagor mortgaged property worth 120K to secure a 100K loan. Mortgagor defaulted.
Mortgagee foreclosed. The property was sold to X for 70K. Should mortgagor redeem the
property?
Yes, because he can sell it for more than 70K and realize more than the amount of
the principal obligation.
Borrower borrows P1M from Lender. Borrower executes a deed of assignment by way of
security over the shares of stock in favor of Lender in order to secure payment of the loan.
It is stipulated that upon payment of the loan by Borrower, Lender will re-convey the
shares of stock to Borrower. What is this arrangement?
JPSP likes the implied trust theory better because there is a statutory basis. Art.
1454 of the Civil Code provides that if an absolute conveyance of property is made in
order to secure the performance of an obligation of the grantor toward the grantee, a
TRUST by virtue of law is established. If the fulfillment of the obligation is offered
by the grantor when it becomes due, he may demand the reconveyance of the
property to him.
What happens if there’s default? Art. 1454 does not cover this situation, which is
probably why the Supreme Court has characterized this type of transaction as a
pledge instead. JPSP thinks that if there’s default, ownership will be consolidated
in the lender/trustee. But if the parties don’t want any problem, they should
stipulate the precise effect of default.
Borrower borrows P10M from Lender. Borrower offers the following securities to Lender:
1. If he chooses the pledge, it is easier to foreclose, and he can get the excess
in case the shares of stock are sold for more than P10M.
But the disadvantage of choosing the guaranty is that the guarantor who is
worth P100M can afford to hire good lawyers who can stall the Lender’s
claim.
3. In the case of the real estate mortgage, it depends on how easy it would
beto dispose of the property. If it’s property at a prime spot in Makati, this
might be a good choice since it can probably be sold at a good price right
away. But if it’s located in the boondocks, the Lender may have a very
difficult time selling it.
Borrower borrows P10M from Lender. The loan is secured by a guaranty by X, who is worth
P100M, a real estate mortgage worth P8M, and a pledge worth P8M. If Borrower defaults,
what is the best way for Lender to proceed?
1. Foreclose the real estate mortgage first. Then get a deficiency judgment
forthe remaining P2M.
2. Then, foreclose the pledge because in pledge, he gets to keep the excess –
resulting in an upside of P6M.
3. The Guarantor is not yet an option since he has the benefit of excussion.The
Lender must first go through steps 1 and 2 and other remedies before
running after X.
Borrower borrows P10M from Lender. The loan is secured by a pledge worth P8M and a
guaranty by X. How should the Lender proceed in case of default by Borrower?
If Lender forecloses the pledge, he will have a deficiency of P2M, which he cannot
collect anymore. On the other hand, he cannot proceed against the guarantor
without foreclosing the pledge first.
So what should he do? He should sue Borrower in his capacity as debtor, not as a
pledgor, for collection of the debt. Then, he should attach the property pledged.
When judgment in his favor is rendered, he can then execute it against the
attached shares. The shares can be sold at an ordinary execution sale, not a
foreclosure sale. In this way, the shares will be taken out of the context of the
pledge, and any deficiency in the sale can still be recovered by the lender. After
the execution of the judgment on the shares, the Lender can then go after the
Guarantor for the deficiency.
ANTICHRESIS
Art. 2132. By the contract of antichresis the creditor acquires the right to receive the fruits of
an immovable of his debtor, with the obligation to apply them to the payment of the interest, if
owing, and thereafter to the principal of his credit.
Antichresis is a contract by which the creditor acquires the right to receive the fruits of an
immovable belonging to the debtor, with the obligation to apply them to the payment of the
interest, if owing, and thereafter to the principal of his credit.
Delivery is not required for the validity of the contract itself. BUT, it is required in order that the
creditor may receive the fruits.
GENERAL RULE: The general rule is that the contract of antichresis covers ALL the fruits of
the encumbered property.
If the parties do not want all of the fruits to be subject to the antichresis, they must STIPULATE
otherwise.
Is it essential for the contract to have a stipulation for interest in order to have an
accessory contract of antichresis?
No. It is not essential to the contract of antichresis that the loan that it guarantees should have
interest. There is nothing in the law that says that antichresis can only guarantee
interestbearing loans.
Like pledge and mortgage, antichresis gives a real right if it is registered in the Registry of
Property.
Answer: The contract is one of mortgage, not antichresis. In order for it to be a contract of
antichresis, it must be expressly agreed between creditor and debtor that the creditor, having
been given possession of the property, is to apply the fruits to the payment of interest, if owing,
and thereafter, to the principal.
Art. 2133. The actual market value of the fruits at the time of the application thereof to the
interest and principal shall be the measure of such application.
When it is time to apply the fruits to the payment of the interest or the principal, the creditor must
base the value of the fruits on their market value at the time of the application.
Example:
The property subject of the contract of antichresis has mango trees. In January, one kilo of
mangoes costs P50/kilo. But in May, when mangoes are in season, one kilo costs 25/kilo. If
interest is due in January, the creditor must apply the fruits to the payment of interest based on
the price of P50/kilo. If interest is due in May, he should compute at the price of P35/kilo.
Art. 2134. The amount of the principal and of the interest shall be specified in writing;
otherwise, the contract of antichresis shall be void.
Yes. The contract must state the amount of the principal and the interest IN WRITING. If
this form is not followed, the contract of antichresis is VOID. The requirement that it be in
writing is necessary not merely to bind third persons but to make the contract valid.
But even if the antichresis is void, the principal obligation is still valid.
Art. 2135. The creditor, unless there is a stipulation to the contrary, is obliged to pay the taxes
and charges upon the estate.
He is also bound to bear the expenses necessary for its preservation and repair.
The sums spent for the purposes stated in this article shall be deducted from the fruits.
What are the obligations of the creditor under the contract of antichresis?
If the creditor does not pay the taxes, he is required by law to pay indemnity for damages to
the debtor.
If the debtor pays the taxes on the property which the creditor should have paid, the amount
is to be applied to the payment of the debt. If the amount of taxes paid by the debtor is
enough to satisfy the principal obligation, then the loan and the antichresis are extinguished;
the creditor must return the property to the debtor.
The creditor must apply the fruits of the property to the payment of interest, if
owing, and thereafter to the principal.
Art. 2136. The debtor cannot reacquire the enjoyment of the immovable without first having
totally paid what he owes the creditor.
But the latter, in order to exempt himself from the obligations imposed upon him by the
preceding article, may always compel the debtor to enter again upon the enjoyment of the
property, except when there is a stipulation to the contrary.
When can the debtor get back the property subject of the antichresis?
The debtor can get it back only when he has totally paid the principal obligation. This is
because the property stands as a security for the payment of the principal obligation.
Is there an exception?
Yes. The exception to this rule is if the creditor does not want to pay the taxes and charges
upon the estate. In such a case, the creditor may compel the debtor to get the property back,
UNLESS there is a contrary stipulation (exception to the exception).
Art. 2137. The creditor does not acquire the ownership of the real estate for nonpayment of the
debt within the period agreed upon.
Every stipulation to the contrary shall be void. But the creditor may petition the court for
the payment of the debt or the sale of the real property. In this case, the Rules of Court on the
foreclosure of mortgages shall apply.
The creditor DOES NOT acquire ownership of the real estate. Any stipulation to the contrary
shall be void. This is because the contract of antichresis covers only the right to receive the
fruits from the estate, and not its ownership. Also, this is pactum commisorium, which is void.
Can the parties stipulate on an extra-judicial foreclosure? Yes, in the same manner that
they are allowed in pledge and mortgage.
Exception: Just like in a co-ownership, if the creditor repudiates the antichresis, he can acquire
the property by prescription.
Art. 2138. The contracting parties may stipulate that the interest upon the debt be
compensated with the fruits of the property which is the object of the antichresis, provided that
if the value of the fruits should exceed the amount of interest allowed by the laws against
usury, the excess shall be applied to the principal.
The creditor must first apply the fruits to the payment of the interest. If the value of the fruits
exceeds the value of the interest due, then the creditor should apply the excess to the principal.
The second part of this provision is no longer applicable, since there is no Usury Law anymore.
Art. 2139. The last paragraph of article 2085, and articles 2089 to 2091, are applicable to this
contract.
1. A third person, who is not a party to the principal contract, may offer his immovableunder
the contract of antichresis to secure the debt of another. (2085)
3. The indivisibility of the antichresis is not affected by the fact that the debtors are
notsolidarily liable. (2090)
Concurrence of credits implies the possession by two or more creditors of equal rights or
privileges over the same property or all of the property of a debtor.
It is the right held by a creditor to be preferred in the payment of his claim out of the debtor’s
assets above others. In other words, it is the right to be paid first.
1. Exception to the general rule – Because, generally, you have to pay your creditors
when the debt becomes due. There should be no rules as to who should be paid first.
Preference applies only when there are two or more creditors with separate claims
2. Does not create an interest in property – Preference simply creates a right to be paid
first from the proceeds of the sale of property of the debtor. It does not create a lien on
the property itself, but merely a preference in the application of the proceeds of the
property after it is sold.
3. The creditor does not have the right to TAKE the property or SELL it as
againstanother creditor – Preference is not a question as to who may take and sell
property belonging to the debtor. Preference applies after a sale, and it is a question of
application of the proceeds of the sale to satisfy the debt.
4. It must be asserted – If the right claimed is not asserted and maintained, it is lost. If
property has not been seized, it is open to seizure by another.
5. It must be maintained – Where a creditor released his levy, leaving the property in
possession of the debtor, thereby indicating that he did not intend to press his claim
further as to that specific property, he is deemed to have abandoned his claim of
preference.
There must be a proceeding such as an insolvency proceeding wherein the creditors can file
their claims. The right becomes significant only after the properties of the debtor have been
inventoried and liquidated, and the claims of the various creditors have been established.
Because before that, you have no way of knowing who the creditors are, and you have no
liquidated property out of which you can pay them.
A preference applies only to claims which do not attach to specific properties. A lien, on the
other hand, creates a charge on a particular property.
Can a creditor whose credit is not yet due assert a right to preference?
No. The title on Concurrence and Preference of Credits refers only to credits which are already
due.
Art. 2236. The debtor is liable with all his property, present and future, for the fulfillment of his
obligations, subject to the exemptions provided by law.
General Rule: A debtor is liable with ALL his property, present and future, for the fulfillment of
his obligations.
Art. 2237. Insolvency shall be governed by special laws insofar as they are not inconsistent
with this Code.
Art. 2238. So long as the conjugal partnership or absolute community subsists, its property
shall not be among the assets to be taken possession of by the assignee for the payment of
the insolvent debtor’s obligations, except insofar as the latter have redounded to the benefit of
the family. If it is the husband who is insolvent, the administration of the conjugal partnership
or absolute community may, by order of the court, be transferred to the wife or to a third
person other than the assignee.
If one of the spouses is insolvent, the assets of the CPG or AC do not pass to the assignee in
insolvency elected by the creditors or appointed by the court. The reason for this is that the
CPG or AC is distinct from the individual spouses. The exemption applies provided that:
The insolvency of the husband does not dissolve the CPG or AC.
Art. 2239. If there is property, other than that mentioned in the preceding article, owned by two
or more persons, one of whom is the insolvent debtor, his undivided share or interest therein
shall be among the assets to be taken possession of by the assignee for the payment of the
insolvent debtor’s obligation.
If there is a co-ownership (other than CPG or AC) and one of the co-owners becomes insolvent,
only his undivided share or interest in the property can be possessed by the assignee in
insolvency proceedings. Of course, the shares of the other co-owners cannot be taken
possession of by the assignee.
Art. 2240. Property held by the insolvent debtor as a trustee of an express or implied trust,
shall be excluded from the insolvency proceedings.
In a trust, the trustee is not the owner of the property, though he has legal title thereto. Since he
is not the absolute owner of the property held in trust, these properties should not be included in
insolvency proceedings.
The Civil Code classifies credits against a particular insolvent into three general categories:
Art. 2241. With reference to specific movable property of the debtor, the following claims or
liens shall be preferred:
(1) Duties, taxes and fees due thereon to the State or any subdivision thereof;
(3) Claims for the unpaid price of movables sold, on said movables, so long as
theyare in the possession of the debtor, up to the value of the same, and if the
movable has been resold by the debtor and the price is still unpaid, the lien
may be enforced on the price; this right is not lost by the immobilization of the
thing by destination, provided it has not lost its form, substance and identity;
neither is the right lost by the sale of the thing together with other property
for a lump sum, when the price thereof can be determined proportionally;
(4) Credits guaranteed with a pledge so long as the things pledged are in the
handsof the creditor, or those guaranteed by a chattel mortgage, upon the
things pledged or mortgaged, up to the value thereof;
(5) Credits for the making, repairs, safekeeping or preservation of personal property, on
themovable thus made, repaired, kept or possessed;
(6) Claims for laborers’ wages, on the goods manufactured or the work done;
(8) Credits between the landlord and the tenant, arising from the contract of tenancy onshares,
on the share of each in the fruits or harvest;
(9) Credits for transportation, upon the goods carried, for the price of the contract
andincidental expenses, until their delivery and for thirty days thereafter;
(10) Credits for lodging and supplies usually furnished to travelers by hotel keepers, on
themovables belonging to the guest as long as such movables are in the hotel, but not for
money loaned to the guests;
(11) Credits for seeds and expenses for cultivation and harvest advanced to the debtor,
uponthe fruits harvested;
(12) Credits for rent for one year, upon the personal property of the lessee existing on
theimmovable leased and on the fruits of the same, but not on money or instruments of
credit;
(13) Claims in favor of the depositor if the depositary has wrongfully sold the thing
deposited,upon the price of the sale.
First, you must remember that, aside from item (1) on taxes imposed in connection with the
movable, 2141 does establish the order of priority among these claims. It just enumerates the
preferred claims with respect to specific movables.
With respect to the same specific movable or immovable, creditors merely concur. There is no
preference among them, except that the State always gets paid the taxes imposed on the
property first.
(1) Taxes
Also, the property must still be in the hands of the public official. If it is sold to a purchaser for value
and in good faith, there can be no more claim on the movable.
To be a preferred credit:
If the movable is wrongfully taken, the preferred creditor may get it back within 30 days through
an accion subrogatoria, exercising the right of the debtor to recover property wrongfully taken
from him granted under Article 559.
Problem: The Debtor’s only property is a Jaguar worth P2.5M. His liabilities are:
These are the only preferred claims because they are the ones attached to the movable itself.
The income tax and the promissory note are not preferred because they are not attached to the
car.
1. P1M import duties – the State is always the priority with respect to preferred claims
2. The chattel mortgagee and the unpaid seller will then proportionally share the P1.5Mleft:
P1M will go to the mortgagee and 500K will go to the unpaid seller.
Note, however, that taxes are not always preferred. For example, income tax is not preferred
with respect to the Jaguar. In order to be preferred, the tax must be imposed on the movable
itself.
Problem: Government official used public funds to acquire a Jaguar from a seller in good
faith. Government official becomes insolvent. The Government wants to recover the car.
If you’re government counsel, how should you proceed?
The textbook answer would be that the government can go after the car in insolvency
proceedings. It has a preferred claim over the car under par. (2) of 2241. But, the
disadvantage of this is that, unlike the government claim for tax credits, it is not prioritized over
other special preferred claims. The government would have to share with the other creditors
who likewise have a special preferred claim on the Jaguar, such as an unpaid seller.
Under a trust agreement, X gave Investment House some money. Investment House
placed the money in a time deposit. Investment House issued promissory notes for its
obligations to other creditors.
If Investment House becomes insolvent, X can show that the money is not owned by
Investment House, so it should be excluded from the insolvency proceedings.
Art. 2242. With reference to specific immovable property and real rights of the debtor, the
following claims, mortgages and liens shall be preferred, and shall constitute an encumbrance
on the immovable or real right:
(2) For the unpaid price of real property sold, upon the immovable sold;
(5) Mortgage credits recorded in the Registry of Property upon the real
estatemortgaged;
(6) Expenses for the preservation or improvement of real property when the law
authorizesreimbursement upon the immovable preserved or improved;
(8) Claims of co-heir in the partition of an immovable among them, upon the real property
thusdivided;
(9) Claims of donors of real property for pecuniary charges or other conditions imposed
uponthe donee, upon the immovable donated;
(10) Credits of insurers, upon the property insured, for the insurance premium for two years.
(1) Taxes
Capital gains tax is NOT a preferred credit because it is really a tax on income and not on the
property itself.
There is no need to register the sale in order for the unpaid seller to have a preferred claim
against the immovable.
(5) Mortgage
The mortgage must be registered in the Registry of Property in order for the credit to be a
preferred claim against the immovable.
(7) Credits annotated in the Registry of Property in virtue of judicial order, attachment, or
execution
The credit is preferred only with respect to other attachments, not to other kinds of credit.
Therefore, this does not share equally with the other claims. It merely provides that a credit by
Unlike the other special preferred credits, these credits do not share
proportionately in the property upon which they are imposed. To determine the
order of priority among several credits of this kind, their dates should be the
basis. The first one to be registered will be prioritized over the others.
Again, 2242, is not an order of priority, with the exception of taxes imposed upon the
immovable, which is prioritized. 2242 is merely an enumeration.
Why isn’t there a provision for malfeasance or misfeasance with respect to immovables?
Corrupt public officials can easily hide movables, which is why it would be more difficult to
recover them. Hence, there is a provision giving the government preference with respect to
movables. But in the case of immovables, the corrupt public officials cannot really hide them.
The government can establish a preferred claim over them simply by attaching. (This is the
reason given by JPSP. For the reason of the Code Commission, ask Pelagio Cuison).
Problem: Debtor’s only assets are a house and lot worth P5M, a car worth P1M, and jewelry
worth 500K. Among Debtor’s liabilities are a real estate mortgage on the house and lot to
secure a loan worth P3M and a chattel mortgage on the car to secure a loan worth P500K.
Debtor has other obligations worth P6M. What are the preferred credits? How much free
property does Debtor have?
With respect to the house and lot, the real estate mortgage is preferred. With respect to the car,
the chattel mortgage is preferred.
To determine the value of the Debtor’s free property, pay off the preferred claims first:
House and Lot worth P5M – P3M REM obligation = P2M excess
The excess after the preferred claims have been satisfied will go to the free property of the
debtor:
Free property = Jewelry worth 500K + P2M excess from House and Lot + 500K excess from car
= 500K + 2M + 500K
= 3M
The free property of Debtor is worth P3M. The other creditors for P6M will then line up for this
portion according to the order of priority established in Art. 2244 if they are ordinary preferred
credits and 2245 if they are common credits.
Problem: Realty Company entered into a contract to sell with X. Under the contract to sell,
X will sell the lot to Realty Company, and Realty Company will pay the price in installments.
Realty Company failed to pay the installments in full. The lot was used in a condominium
project. How can X collect from Realty Company, in case it becomes insolvent?
X should claim that he still owns the lot since the contract was merely a contract TO sell.
JPSP says that if you’re a creditor, you should avoid the preferred claim route because you
would rather not line up along with the other creditors. You should find a way to be the owner of
the thing that you’re after – such as, proving that it’s an implied trust or a contract to sell, etc.
Art. 2243. The claims or credits enumerated in the two preceding articles shall be considered
as mortgages or pledges of real or personal property, or liens within the purview of legal
provisions governing insolvency. Taxes mentioned in No. 1 article 2241, and No. 1, article
2242, shall first be satisfied.
2243 gives the rule that taxes due on the movable or on the immovable concerned should be
satisfied first. The rest of the special preferred claims share equal preference among
themselves.
Art. 2244. With reference to other property, real and personal of the debtor, the following
claims or credits shall be preferred in the order named:
(1) Proper funeral expenses for the debtor, or children under his or her parental authority
whohave no property of their own, when approved by the court;
(3) Expenses during the last illness of the debtor or his or her spouse and children under
hisor her parental authority, if they have no property of their own;
(4) Compensation due the laborers or their dependents under laws providing for indemnity
fordamages in case of labor accident, or illness resulting from the nature of the
employment;
(5) Credits and advancements made to the debtor for support of himself or herself, and
family,during the last year preceding the insolvency;
(6) Support during the insolvency proceedings, and for three months thereafter;
(8) Legal expenses, and expenses incurred in the administration of the insolvent’s estate
forthe common interest of the creditors, when properly authorized and approved by the
court;
(9) Taxes and assessments due the national government other than those mentioned
inArticles 2241, No. 1, and 2242, No. 1;
(11) Taxes and assessments due any city or municipality, other than those indicated
inArticles 2241, No. 1, and 2242, No. 1;
(14) Credits which, without special privilege, appear in (a) a public instrument; or (b) in
afinal judgment, if they have been the subject of litigation. These credits shall have
preference among themselves in the order of priority of the dates of the instruments
and of the judgments respectively.
Once the special preferred claims under 2241 and 2242 have been satisfied, the property
remaining constitute the debtor’s free property. The debtor’s free property will then be used to
pay ordinary preferred claims in the order established in 2244. Unlike 2241 and 2242, 2244 is
not merely an enumeration; it establishes the order of priority. Also, unlike 2241 and 2242,
2244 does not establish a preference with respect to specific property of the debtor. The
preference is with respect to the mass of properties of the debtor remaining after the special
preferred claims have been satisfied.
Important Items
Art. 110 of the Labor Code has modified 2244 by moving labor claims to number (1), ahead of funeral
expenses. Labor claims are still not in the level of special preferred claims under 2241 and 2242. The
Labor Code merely moved it up to the top of the list of ordinary preferred claims. Also, Art. 110 of the
Labor Code has removed the one-year limitation.
Note that this is unlike special preferred claims where a tax is imposed upon a specific movable or
immovable property. Special preferred claims, as provided by 2243, enjoy first preference with
respect to the property upon which they are imposed.
Under 2244, on the other hand, taxes of other kinds are only ordinary preferred credits and are only
9th, 10th, and 11th priorities with respect to the free portion of the property of the debtor. Examples
are income tax, license fees, and capital gains tax. These are not imposed on specific property of the
debtor, so they are ordinary preferred claims, which can be collected against the debtor’s free
property.
Taxes owing the national government should be satisfied first, followed by the provincial government,
then the city or municipal government.
This paragraph contains the rule of preference when you have several credits appearing in public
instruments or in a final judgment. To determine the order of preference among them, just consider
the date. First in time, priority in right, sabi nga ni CLV.
Example:
Common Credits
Art. 2245. Credits of any other kind or class, or by any other right or title not comprised in the four
preceding articles, shall enjoy no preference.
If it is not among those mentioned in 2241, 2242, and 2244, it is a common credit. Creditors with
common credits have to line up for the excess of the debtor’s property after claims under 2241, 2242,
and 2244 have been satisfied. There is no order of preference among common creditors; they share
whatever is left in proportion to their credit, regardless of date.
Art. 2247. If there are two or more credits with respect to the same specific movable property, they
shall be satisfied pro rata, after the payment of duties, taxes and fees due the State or any
subdivision thereof.
Art. 2248. Those credits which enjoy preference in relation to specific real property or real rights,
exclude all others to the extent of the value of the immovable or real right to which the preference
refers.
Art. 2249. If there are two or more credits with respect to the same specific real property or real
rights they shall be satisfied pro rata, after the payment of the taxes and assessments upon the
immovable property or real right.
Art. 2250. The excess, if any, after the payment of the credits which enjoy preference with respect
to specific property, real or personal, shall be added to the free property which the debtor may
have, for the payment of other credits.
Art. 2251. Those credits which do not enjoy any preference with respect to specific property and
those which enjoy preference, as to the amount paid, shall be satisfied according to the following
rules:
(2) Common credits referred to in article 2245 shall be paid pro rata regardless of dates.
Group these assets into two: the Preferred Group and the Free Property Group.
Those assets with special preferred claims under 2241 and 2242 imposed upon them belong to the
Preferred Group.
Those without special preferred claims will constitute the debtor’s Free Property.
Remember to take out property held by the debtor only in the capacity of trustee. He may have legal
title to it, but the beneficial title and ownership actually belong to another person. Since the property
does not belong to the debtor, they should not be included in the proceedings. The same goes for
property of the AC of CPG, property held as lessee or usufructuary, etc.
Make four groups – (1) special preferred credits on movables, (2) special preferred credits on
immovables, (3) ordinary preferred credits, and (4) common credits.
For the special preferred claims, look out for the following because they are the most common:
1. For movables:
2. For immovables:
Put the ordinary preferred claims under 2244 together. List them down according to the order under
2244, since 2244 already gives the order of preference. Remember, though, that labor claims are on
top. The most common are:
1. labor claims
2. taxes other than those imposed directly upon a movable or an immovable, such as
incometaxes and license fees (In the following order: national government, provincial
government, city or municipal government).
3. credits in a final judgment or in a public document, such as notarized promissory notes
Put the other credits not falling under these three together. These are the common claims. The usual
example is a promissory note in a private instrument.
First: Take the value of the specific movable/immovable upon which the preferred claim is imposed.
What if you have more than one preferred creditor over the same property?
Ex: The claims against a car are: import duties, chattel mortgage, and unpaid seller.
In this case, pay the taxes first. Since the mortgage creditor and the unpaid seller are both
special preferred creditors, they will share the balance proportionately. There will only be
proportionate sharing in case the value of the thing after payment of taxes is not enough to
satisfy all of the special preferred claims against it. If the value of the thing is sufficient, then
all the special preferred claims must be paid in full.
Fourth: If, after paying the taxes and other special preferred claims, there is an excess, take the value
of the excess and add it to the debtor’s Free Property.
Fifth: If the value of the specific property is not enough to satisfy the taxes and other special preferred
claims, and there is a deficiency, follows these rules:
a. If the deficiency is in a credit arising from a pledge, real mortgage, or chattel mortgage,
put the deficiency in the ordinary preferred credits group. Why do we know right away
that it is an ordinary preferred credit? It is a credit in a public instrument, so it is an
ordinary preferred credit under (14) of 2244. You know it’s in a public instrument because
it was treated at first as a special preferred credit, and the requirement under 2241 and
2242 is that these transactions be registered (for real and chattel mortgage) or be in a
public document (for pledge).
b. If the deficiency is in a credit arising from a transaction that is not in a public document or
is not contained in a final judgment (ex: unrecorded sale), put the deficiency in the
common credits group.
After you have satisfied all of the special preferred claims, update the following:
You may have to add to the Free Property Group if, after satisfying the special preferred
claims, you have an excess. Make sure that you add the excess to the Free Property Group.
Add up the entire value of the Free Property Group because this is what you will use to settle
the ordinary preferred claims and the common claims.
If there was a deficiency in satisfying the special preferred claims, the deficiency will be an
ordinary preferred credit if it is notarized or is contained in a final judgment.
If there was a deficiency in satisfying the special preferred claims, the credit will be a common
credit if it is not notarized or contained in a final judgment.
List down all the ordinary preferred claims in the order in which they are listed in 2244. This is the
order of preference among them.
Whatever is remaining of the debtor’s free property will be used to satisfy the common claims. Since
these will not be enough to cover the debtor’s remaining liabilities (he’s insolvent), the common
creditors will share the balance in proportion to the amount of their credit, regardless of the date.
Most probably, JPSP will just ask us to list the order of preference of several credits. So my
suggestion is to make the lists mentioned above and just update the list of ordinary preferred claims
and common claims after satisfying the special preferred claims, in case there is an excess or
deficiency.
Examples:
On January 1, 2002, Debtor executes a promissory note for 500K in a private instrument.
On March 1, 2002, he executes a Real Estate Mortgage over his house and lot worth P3M to
secure a P5M loan. On the same date, he also executes a notarized promissory note for
P1M. On September 1, 2002, a creditor is able to obtain a favorable judgment against
Debtor for P100K. Debtor becomes insolvent. What is the order of priority of his creditors’
claims?
1. The mortgage credit should be satisfied first. But since it is for P5M and the house and lot
isonly worth P3M, there will be a deficiency of P2M. The P2M will be an ordinary preferred
credit.
2. Next in priority are the notarized promissory note for P1M and the P2M deficiency on
themortgage credit. They are both ordinary preferred credits under (14) of 2244. Since they
were executed on the same date, they enjoy the same order of preference and will share
proportionately in the free property of the Debtor.
3. The last to be satisfied will be the promissory note in a private instrument, which is a
commoncredit.
The debtor’s assets are a house and lot, a car, and cash. He is insolvent. His obligations
are as follows:
Car
Free Property
Cash
[Let’s assume that there was a deficiency in settling the claims of these three creditors]
1. Import duty
2. Chattel mortgage creditor
Add:
Deficiency in claim of
Real estate mortgage creditor dated June 1, 2002
1. Income tax
2. License fees
3. Proportionate sharing:
Notarized promissory note dated March 1, 2002
Unpaid seller’s deficiency, sale dated March 1, 2002
Deficiency in judgment credit, dated March 1, 2002
What is insolvency?
It denotes the state of a person whose liabilities are more than his assets.
1. Suspension of Payments
2. Petition for Voluntary Insolvency
3. Petition for Involuntary Insolvency
I. SUSPENSION OF PAYMENTS
Suspension of payments is the postponement, by court order, of the payment of debts of one who,
while possessing sufficient property to cover his debts, foresees the impossibility of meeting them
when they respectively fall due (solvent but not liquid).
A debtor may file a petition for suspension of payments either under The Insolvency Law or PD
902-A.
1. The debtor has continued access to the assets and resources of the corporation; and
1. PD 902-A is more lenient than the Insolvency Law. Under the Insolvency Law,
thedebtor must be solvent but not liquid. Under PD 902-A, even if the corporation is
insolvent, as long as it is under Rehabilitation Receiver or Management Committee, it
can file for suspension of payments.
2. Under the Insolvency Law, the creditors have a say on whether to grant the
petition.Under PD 902-A, only the court decides.
3. Under PD 902-A even secured creditors are covered by the suspension; there are
noexceptions. All claims are suspended. Under the Insolvency Law, secured creditors
are not covered by the suspension; they may foreclose upon default.
2. foreseeing the impossibility of meeting them when they respectively fall due
(NOTLIQUID)
The debtor may either be a natural or juridical person (Although, as mentioned already, if you’re
a corporation, it would be better to file the petition under PD 902-A, not under the Insolvency
Law).
The petition should be accompanied by a verified list of all of his creditors, debts and
liabilities, a statement of his assets and liabilities, and the proposed agreement that he
requests from his creditors.
2. The court will issue an order calling for the meeting of all creditors. The meeting
shouldtake place not less than 2 weeks nor more than 8 weeks from the date of the
order.
3. The order will be published and notice sent to all the creditors of the debtor.
Quorum Requirement: To have a valid meeting, the creditors present must represent
at least 60% of the total liabilities of the debtor.
Ex: A has liabilities worth P10,000 as follows: creditor X: 3,000; creditor Y: 3,000, and
creditor Z: 4,000. If X and Y are present, there will be a quorum because they represent
6,000 or 60% of the total liabilities of A.
Majority required to approve the proposal: A double majority consisting in 2/3 of the
number of creditors voting, which 2/3 must represent at least 60% of the total liabilities
of the debtor.
Example: There are 99 creditors representing total liabilities worth P100K. What is the
majority required to approve any proposal?
The majority required is 66 creditors (2/3 of the number of creditors voting), who
must, in addition, represent at least P60K worth of liabilities.
What if the debtor owes one creditor a total of P60K, is his single vote a valid majority?
No. Because although he met the requirement of 60% of the liabilities, he does not
constitute 2/3 of the number of creditors voting. There must be a double majority.
6. Objections, if any, to the decision must be made within 10 days following the meeting.
7. Issuance of the order of the court directing that the agreement be carried out in case
thedecision is declared valid, or when no objection to said decision has been presented.
1. No disposition of his property may be made by the debtor except those made in
theordinary course of business;
2. No payments may be made by the debtor except those made in the ordinary course
ofbusiness;
3. Upon request to the court, all pending executions against the debtor shall be
suspendedexcept execution against property especially mortgaged.
Why is it in the interest of the debtor to refrain from making any disposition or payment
other than those in the ordinary course of business?
Dispositions or payments made which are not in the ordinary course of business may indicate
that the debtor connived with a creditor into voting in favor of the suspension of payments by
buying his vote. Also, this shows that the debtor is liquid after all, and therefore, does not need
to be placed in a state of suspension of payments.
1. Persons having claims for personal labor, maintenance, expense of last illness
andfuneral of the wife or children of the debtor incurred in the 60 days immediately
preceding the filing of the petition; and
2. Persons having legal or contractual mortgages. They can foreclose upon default inspite
of the suspension of payment.
(But take note that this does not apply if the petition was filed under PD 902-A, in which
case, ALL creditors are covered by the suspension of payments. This rule applies only
when the petition is filed under the Insolvency Law.)
What are the grounds for questioning the decision of the meeting?
1. Procedural defects in the calling and holding of the meeting, and the deliberations
conducted, which caused prejudice to the rights of the creditors;
2. Fraudulent connivance between a creditor and the debtor for the creditor to vote in
favor of the proposed agreement;
If there is proof that the debtor somehow bribed the creditor or bought his vote, the
decision of the meeting can be set aside. However, it is legal to give OTHER incentives
to the creditor, such as higher interest rates. These are not bribes but merely incentives
to induce them to vote in favor of suspension.
Ex: There are 99 creditors with claims worth P100K total. 1 creditor represents 60K
worth of credits, while the other 98 creditors represent a total of 40K. The one creditor
is in favor of suspension of payments, while the other 98 are against it. How will this
one creditor manipulate the situation in order to approve the petition?
He has already complied with the 60% requirement. His problem is the 2/3 of the
creditors requirement, since he only represents 1/99 of the creditors. What he can do is
to assign some of his credits to 200 other people. That way, they will represent 201/299
of the creditors, with a total claim of 60K. This is enough to meet the double majority
requirement. BUT, this is a ground for questioning the decision of the meeting.
The date of the filing of the petition is important for purposes of reckoning certain periods, such
as the residency requirement.
1. his place of residence and the period of residence therein prior to the filing of thepetition;
2. his inability to pay all his debts in full;
3. his willingness to surrender all his property, estate, and effects not exempt
fromexecution for the benefit of his creditors;
4. an application to be adjudged insolvent.
a. a full and true statement of all debts and liabilities of the insolvent debtor, and
b. an outline of the facts giving rise or which might give rise to a cause of
actionagainst the insolvent debtor
b. an outline of the facts giving rise or which might give rise to a right of action
infavor of the insolvent debtor.
The court need not conduct a hearing before declaring the debtor insolvent and
taking his assets. This is because the petition is voluntary on the part of the debtor. It is
not adversarial.
8. Discharge of the debtor, upon his application, except if the debtor is a corporation.
What are the effects of an order declaring the petitioning debtor insolvent?
1. The sheriff takes possession of all the assets of the debtor which are not exempt
fromexecution until the appointment of a receiver or an assignee.
2. The payment to the debtor of any debts due to him and the delivery to the debtor or
toany person for him any property belonging to him, and the transfer of any property by
him are forbidden.
3. All civil proceedings pending against the insolvent debtor shall be stayed.
If the petitioner is a corporation, JPSP thinks that the better route is still to file for suspension of
payments under PD 902-A instead of filing for voluntary insolvency.
If the petitioner is a natural person, his only incentive to file a petition for voluntary insolvency is
that he will get a discharge from past debts and liabilities (corporations do not get this
discharge). But otherwise, there are very few advantages in filing for voluntary insolvency. The
debtor should just fight it out with his creditors, since filing for voluntary insolvency is not just
demeaning but will even affect the debtor’s credit-worthiness later on. After filing for voluntary
insolvency, no one will trust that debtor enough to lend him money again.
A petition for involuntary insolvency is not an ordinary personal action for collection of debts. Its
purpose is to impound all of the non-exempt property of the debtor, to distribute it equitably
among his creditors, and to release him from further liability.
Why does it have to be three creditors? Why is it not enough for one creditor to file the
petition?
Insolvency proceedings contemplate competing claims of several creditors over the assets of
the insolvent debtor. If there is only one creditor, there are no competing claims. The creditor
can just go to court and file a simple action to collect.
But if you’re the single creditor of one debtor, there may be instances when you would
want to file a petition for involuntary insolvency against the debtor.
First, how do you do this? Since you’re only one creditor, you cannot file the petition because
the Insolvency Law requires that it be filed by at least three creditors. To get around this
requirement, you should assign some of the credit to at least two other persons. After waiting
for 30 days (cooling-off period), you can file the petition.
The petition for involuntary insolvency can be used as a tool to harass or pressure a debtor into
settling his obligation with the single creditor.
Example: Creditor extends a loan to a Foreign Company, which is publicly listed in the Hong
Kong Stock Exchange. Foreign Company fails to pay, and since it is a foreign company, it has
no assets in the Philippines which Creditor can run after. What should Creditor do?
Creditor should first assign some of the credit to two other companies, wait 30 days, then file
the petition for involuntary insolvency against Foreign Company. News of the Foreign
Company’s insolvency will reach Hong Kong, and the price of its shares will go down. To stop
the share prices from going down, Foreign Company will be forced to settle the obligation, so
that Creditor will withdraw the petition. (According to JPSP, Creditor can do this even if Foreign
Company is not actually insolvent. It’s just a legal tactic to get Foreign Company to settle the
obligation.)
There are 13 acts of insolvency mentioned in Sec. 20 of the Insolvency Law. These
may be grouped into three general categories (See p. 568 of De Leon for the complete
list):
But the petition should allege at least one of the 13 specific acts of insolvency
mentioned in the law. This is a jurisdictional requirement.
3. be accompanied by a bond, approved by the court with at least two sureties, in such
penal sum as the court shall direct.
The purpose of the bond is for the petitioners to answer for the costs, expenses, and
damages resulting in the filing of the petition. For example, in the earlier case of the
single creditor who files the petition against the Foreign Company just to humiliate him,
the bond will answer for damages that Foreign Company can prove as a result of the
wrongful filing of the petition.
1. Filing of the petition by three or more creditors in the RTC where the debtor resides
orhas his place of business.
2. Issuance of the order requiring the debtor to show cause why he should not beadjudged
insolvent.
This is in contrast with voluntary insolvency, where there is no need for a hearing. In
involuntary insolvency, there is a hearing because the proceedings are adversarial. The
debtor is given a chance to refute the claim of the petitioners that he is insolvent.
Note that between the filing of the petition and the adjudication of the case by the
court, there is a period of time during which the debtor still has his assets. While the
case is being decided by the court, the debtor can dissipate his assets in the meantime.
To protect themselves from this situation, the creditors should either ask the court for an
injunction or for a receiver who will hold the properties of the debtor.
The assignee must be elected within two to eight weeks from the date of the order of
the adjudication.
12. Discharge of the debtor on his application, except if the debtor is a corporation.
IV. ASSIGNEES
What is an assignee?
An assignee is the person elected by the creditors or appointed by the court to whom an
insolvent debtor makes an assignment of all his property for the benefit of his creditors. The
assignment vests title to all the assets of the debtor in favor of the assignee.
The assignee represents the insolvent as well as the creditors in voluntary and involuntary
proceedings.
Creditors who have filed their claims in the office of the clerk of court at least two days prior to
the scheduled election may participate.
OR
2. he has surrendered the security to the sheriff or receiver of the estate of the insolvent.
If you were the secured creditor, why would you surrender the security?
If the security is not enough to cover the obligation, you might as well participate in the election
if you think that the portion that will be allotted to you will be greater than the value that you will
realize from the sale of the security.
In order to validly elect an assignee, the majority of the creditors both in number and in the
amount of credit they represent (another case of double majority) should vote for the same
assignee.
If the creditors do not attend the meeting or fail or refuse to elect an assignee, or if the assignee
fails to qualify or subsequently becomes incapacitated, the court will appoint the assignee.
The assignee is required to give a bond for the faithful performance of his duties, within five
days from his election, in an amount to be fixed by the court, with two or more sureties. The
bond will answer for any liability that the assignee may incur to persons aggrieved by his actions
as assignee.
Yes, because the assignee earns a substantial fee. According to Section 42 of the Insolvency
Law, the assignee earns commissions at the following rates:
7% for the first P1,000 that he will be able to liquidate from the properties of the debtor;
5% for sums exceeding P1,000 but less than P10,000; and 4% for sums exceeding
P10,000.
So if the amount that you can liquidate is P100M, you will earn P4M.
Aside from this fee, the assignee will also have other benefits, such as reimbursements of his
expenses and the opportunity to refer legal or accounting matters to his firm, if he is a lawyer or
a CPA.
1. The assignee takes the property in the same conditions that the insolvent held it.
2. Upon appointment, the legal title to all the property of the insolvent is vested in
theassignee, and the control of the property is vested in the court. But the title of the
assignee retroacts to the date of the filing of the petition for insolvency.
3. All actions to recover all the estate, debts, and effects of the insolvent shall be broughtby
the assignee and not by the creditors.
The assignee has the powers of administration over the property of the insolvent. Having
these powers, he can sue and recover claims belonging to the debtor, take into possession all
of the property of the debtor, recover property fraudulently conveyed by the debtor, etc (for a
complete enumeration, see p. 586-587 of De Leon).
The assignee does not have powers of disposition. For acts of disposition, such as sale of
the property of the insolvent debtor or payment of the creditor’s shares, the assignee must
obtain a court order.
Take note of Section 37, which provides that if any person, who knows of the pending or
imminent insolvency proceedings concerning the debtor, embezzles or disposes of any of the
This relates only to embezzlement of the debtor’s property, and not to assignments of credit
made by the creditors behind each other’s backs.
It is a part of the fund arising from the assets of the estate of the insolvent debtor, rightfully
allocated to a creditor entitled to a share in the fund. It is paid by the assignee only upon order
of the court.
According to JPSP, if you’re a creditor, you may not want to do involuntary insolvency
because there are a lot of costs – assignee’s fees, legal costs, etc. It might be better is you
could obtain a global settlement. (I don’t know, though, what “global” means.)
Disregard the rules in Sec. 48-50 of the Insolvency Law. The applicable rules are those under
the Civil Code on Concurrence and Preference of Credits (Articles 2236-2251).
But take note of Section 48, which provides that property found among the property of the
insolvent debtor but which are not really owned by him should be taken out of the proceedings.
Examples are property held in trust or as a lessor or usufructuary, etc. After taking them out,
apply the rules under the Civil Code.
In case of voluntary insolvency, the petition may be filed by all or any of the partners.
In case of involuntary insolvency, the petition may be filed by three or more creditors of the
partnership or one or more of the partners.
Can a partnership be declared insolvent even if the partners constituting the same are
solvent?
Yes. A partnership may be declared insolvent notwithstanding the solvency of the partners
constituting it. The creditors of the partnership, after first exhausting its assets, may proceed
against the solvent general partners who are proportionately liable with their separate property.
The partnership is automatically dissolved by the insolvency of any partner or of the partnership
(Art. 1830, Civil Code).
Partnerships get a discharge from the obligations, if they apply for one. In contrast,
corporations do not get a discharge.
Corporations do not get a discharge because their creditors can only go after the assets of the
corporation. The creditors cannot collect any deficiency from the stockholders. If the
stockholders want a fresh start, they can just put up a new corporation and start with a clean
slate. There is no need to get a discharge in order to have a fresh start.
But if it’s a partnership, and the assets of the partnership are not enough to cover its liabilities,
the creditors can still go after the general partners for the deficiency. This is why it makes
sense to give them a discharge.
How do you distribute the net proceeds of the properties of the partnership?
1. The net proceeds of the partnership property shall be used to pay the debts of
thepartnership.
2. The net proceeds of the individual estate of each partner shall be used to pay
individualdebts.
3. If there is any surplus in the property of any general partner after paying his
individualdebts, a proportionate part of this surplus will be added to the partnership
assets and will be used to pay partnership debts.
4. If there is any surplus in the property of the partnership, the surplus shall be added tothe
assets of the individual partners in proportion to their interests in the partnership.
The property and assets of the corporation will be distributed to the creditors. Unlike in
partnership, the property of the stockholders of the corporation cannot be used to pay the
creditors of the corporation. However, the corporation will not be allowed to get a discharge.
What are the debts which may be proved (collected) against the estate of the insolvent
debtor?
1. All debts due and payable at the time of the adjudication of insolvency;
2. All debts existing at the time of the adjudication of insolvency but not payable until a
future time.
4. Other contingent debts and liabilities contracted by the insolvent if the contingency
shall happen before the order of final dividend; and
5. Any claim for reimbursement of a person who has answered, in whole or in part, for the
insolvent’s debt as bail, surety, or guarantor or otherwise.
It is a claim in which the liability depends on a future and uncertain event. For example, the
claim of a surety is a contingent claim because the surety can only claim reimbursement from
the principal debtor once he himself has paid the obligation. But before the surety pays the
principal obligation, he has no claim for reimbursement against the principal debtor.
A claim based on a contingency which has not happened at the time of the pendency of the
proceedings cannot be proved in the proceedings, since there is no real claim yet. But, if the
contingency happens after the termination of the proceedings, the creditor can still claim from
the debtor. The discharge granted the debtor from his existing debts does not cover those
debts that could not have been proved in the insolvency proceedings.
What happens to obligations of the insolvent debtor that arise after the commencement
of the proceedings?
These debts cannot be proved in the proceedings. But the creditor can still collect from the
debtor, since the discharge given to the debtor cannot apply to claims that could not have been
proved in the insolvency proceedings.
2. Claims of secured creditors unless they waive the right to foreclose or surrender the
security;
5. Support
Can a creditor set up compensation/offset his own debts against the insolvent debtor?
This is the case of Uy-Tong v. Silva. Compensation can be set up against the insolvent debtor
but only for those debts which arose at least 30 days before the filing of the insolvency
VIII. COMPOSITIONS
What is composition?
1. The offer of the terms of composition must be made after the filing in court of
theschedule of property and submission of the list of creditors;
2. The offer must be accepted in writing by a double majority of the creditors – majority
of the number of creditors representing a majority of the claims;
3. It must be made after depositing the consideration to be paid and the cost of
theproceedings;
It can be challenged by any party in interest within six months after it has been confirmed on the
ground of fraud.
IX. DISCHARGE
What is discharge?
Discharge is the privilege given to the insolvent, freeing him from all liabilities proved during the
insolvency proceedings.
No. The debtor must ask for it within three months to one year after he is adjudicated insolvent.
The debtor cannot get a discharge if he is in bad faith or does acts to the prejudice of his
creditors.
A discharge may be revoked by the court if a creditor can prove that it was fraudulently
obtained. The creditor must file the petition to revoke it within one year from the date of the
discharge.
It is a parting with the property of the insolvent for the benefit of a creditor with the result that the
estate of the insolvent is diminished and other creditors are prejudiced.
2. the transaction is made within 30 days before the filing of the petition for insolvency;
4. the person receiving a benefit has reason to believe that the debtor is insolvent and
thatthe transfer is made in order to defeat or prejudice the rights of other creditors.
If made within 30 days before the filing of insolvency proceedings, the transfer is void.
If made after the filing of insolvency proceedings, it is rescissible for being in fraud of creditors.
Another remedy of the creditors is to file a criminal complaint against the insolvent debtor.
1. it is not made in the usual and ordinary cause of business of the debtor; or
2. it is made under a confession of judgment.
Within 30 days before the filing of the petition for insolvency, Debtor sells a car worth
P1M to Buyer for 900K. Is this a fraudulent conveyance?
No. There is a fair exchange of value, so the transaction does not really prejudice the creditors.
Art. 1962. A deposit is constituted from the moment a person receives a thing belonging to
another, with the obligation of safely keeping it and of returning the same. If the safekeeping
of the thing delivered is not the principal purpose of the contract, there is no deposit but some
other contract.
It is the receipt by a person of a thing belonging to another with the obligation of safely keeping
it and of returning it.
It is essential that the depositary is not the owner of the property deposited.
2. Unilateral if the deposit is gratuitous – because only the depositary has an obligation;
Bilateral if the deposit is for compensation – gives rise to obligations on the part of both
the depositary and the depositor.
The principal purpose is the safekeeping of the thing delivered. If safekeeping is merely an
accessory or secondary obligation, it is not a deposit, but another contract, such as
commodatum, lease, or agency.
Only movables can be the subject matter of deposit. If you leave a kid a Gymboree or at Kids at
Work, it’s not a deposit, but maybe a contract of service.
JPSP Examples:
1. You park your car at the car park of Power plant. Is it a contract of deposit? No,
because the purpose is not safekeeping. The purpose is merely convenience, so that
you have a place to leave your car while you shop or watch a movie or go to school.
2. You park your car at the Dela Rosa car park. Is it a contract of deposit? Still, no, even
if, unlike the car park of Power plant, the sole reason for the existence of the Dela Rosa
car park is for people to leave their cars there. It’s still not a deposit because the
purpose is not safekeeping. People who park there just want the space. It’s a short
term lease of space.
So, legally, it is not a deposit. And even for practical purposes, it should not be treated
as a deposit. If it were a deposit, if the car is lost, the owner of the car park (the
depositary) will shoulder the loss. The direct result of this is that parking fees will go up
because it would have to cover insurance costs in addition to the regular parking fee.
No. Deposit is a real contract and requires delivery of the subject matter in order to be
perfected.
Yes, there is a contract. It is a contract of future deposit. It is perfected by mere consent, and is
binding upon the parties.
Kinds of Deposit
2. Extra-judicial
(a) Voluntary – delivery is made by the will of the depositor or by two or more persons
each of whom believes himself entitled to the thing deposited; or
(b) Necessary – made in compliance with a legal obligation, or on the occasion of any
calamity, or by travelers in hotels and inns, or by travelers with common carriers.
Art. 1965. A deposit is a gratuitous contract except when there is an agreement to the contrary
or unless the depositary is engaged in the business of storing goods.
1. Contrary stipulation
3. Where property is saved from destruction without knowledge of the owner – In this case,
the owner is bound to pay the person who saved his property just compensation
Reason: The main purpose of deposit is safekeeping. Since real property may not disappear or
may not be lost, there is no point in entrusting them to someone for safekeeping.
A gives the keys to his house to B for safekeeping. Is this a deposit of the house? No, since
the house is an immovable which cannot be the proper subject matter of deposit. The
relationship is an agency.
But if it is a judicial deposit, even immovable property can be a valid subject matter. The reason
is that the purpose of a judicial deposit is different. It is to protect the rights of the parties to the
suit.
EXCEPTIONS: Deposit is necessary in the following cases: (See discussion under necessary
deposit)
2. if it takes place on the occasion of any calamity, such as fire, storm, flood,
pillage,shipwreck, or other similar events;
Art. 1968. A voluntary deposit is that wherein the delivery is made by the will of the depositor.
A deposit may also be made by two or more persons each of whom believes himself entitled
to the thing deposited with a third person, who shall deliver it in a proper case to the one to
whom it belongs.
The main difference is that in voluntary deposit, the depositor is free to choose the depositary.
In necessary deposit, the depositor lacks the freedom to choose the depositary.
Generally, the depositor should be the owner of the thing, but it is not an essential element of
deposit. The depositary cannot even require the depositor to prove that he is the owner of the
thing.
If there are two or more persons each claiming the rightful ownership of a thing, pending the
resolution of their conflicting claims, they may deposit the thing with a third person. The third
person assumes the obligation to deliver to the person to whom it belongs. The depositary can
file an action for interpleader to compel the depositors to settle their conflicting claims.
Ex: A and B both claim to own a dog. While they are trying to settle the ownership of the dog,
they can deposit the dog with C. C can file an action for interpleader to compel A and B to
settle the ownership of the dog. C’s obligation is to eventually deliver the dog to whomever is
the rightful owner.
There are no formal requirements for the validity of a contract of deposit. The only thing
necessary is delivery of the thing.
Art. 1970. If a person having capacity to contract accepts a deposit made by one who is
incapacitated, the former shall be subject to all the obligations of the depositary, and may be
compelled to return the thing by the guardian, or administrator or the person who made the
deposit or by the latter himself if he should acquire capacity.
X, who is insane, deposits her basketball with Boy-B. Can Boy-B refuse to return the
basketball later on, on the ground that the deposit was not valid because of the incapacity
of X?
No. If the depositary is capacitated, he is subject to all the obligations of a depositary whether
or not the depositor is capacitated. Hence, he must return the property to the legal
representative of X or to X herself if she should recover sanity. Persons who are capacitated
cannot allege the incapacity of those with whom they contract.
JPSP example: Five tinedyers aged 13 to 15 check into a hotel to go on a drinking binge.
They deposit some jewelry at the front desk for safekeeping.
Yes, but it may be annulled for want of capacity of the tinedyers. It’s actually a voidable
contract, which is valid until annulled.
The hotel should return the jewelry to their legal representative. The hotel should not
return to the tinedyers because if subsequently, the tinedyers lose the jewelry, the hotel
could be made liable for the loss. But definitely, the hotel cannot retain the jewelry, or else,
its personnel would be liable for estafa.
Art. 1971. If the deposit has been made by a capacitated person with another who is not, the
depositor shall only have an action to recover the thing deposited while it is still in the
possession of the depositary, or to compel the latter to pay him the amount by which he may
be enriched or benefited himself with the thing or its price. However, if a third person who
acquired the thing acted in bad faith, the depositor may bring an action against him for its
recovery.
This is the rule that applies if you deposit with a minor or other incapacitated person.
If the depositary is incapacitated, while the depositor is capacitated, the incapacitated does not
incur the obligations of a depositary.
If the thing was transferred to a third person who was in bad faith, the depositor can recover the
thing from him. If the transferee was in good faith, the depositor cannot recover from him. The
depositor can only go after the incapacitated for the value of the thing.
Boy-B deposits his watch with X, who looks like she’s 22 but is actually 13. Can Boy-B
recover the watch?
If the watch is still in the possession of X, Boy-B can recover the watch itself from X.
If X has already sold the watch to Hon, a buyer in good faith and for value, Boy-B cannot
recover the watch. He can only compel X to return the price that Hon paid for the watch (the
benefit that X received from the sale of the watch). So if the watch is worth P10,000 but X sold
it to Hon for P5,000, Boy-B can only recover P5,000 from X.
But if Hon was a buyer in bad faith, Boy-B can recover the watch itself from Hon.
Art. 1972. The depositary is obliged to keep the thing safely and to return it, when required, to
the depositor or to his heirs and successors, or to the person who may have been designated
in the contract. His responsibility with regard to the safekeeping and loss of the thing shall be
governed by the provisions of Title I of this Book.
If the deposit is gratuitous, this fact shall be taken into account in determining the
degree of care that the depositary must observe.
1. Safekeeping
2. Return of the thing, but only when required
Duty of Safekeeping
As a general rule, the depositary must exercise the same diligence as he would exercise over
his OWN property. He should exercise the diligence of a good father of a family. The reasons
for this rule are:
2. Because it is presumed that the depositor, in choosing the depositary, took into
accountthe diligence which the depositary normally exercises with respect to his own
property.
BUT, if under the circumstances, a greater degree of care towards the thing deposited is
necessary, the depositary must exercise such extraordinary care. If, in this case, the thing
deposited is lost and the depositary only exercised the same diligence as he would towards his
own property, he is liable to the depositor for the loss.
The loss of the thing while it is in the possession of the depositary raises a presumption of fault
on his part.
The thing deposited must be returned to the depositor when he claims it, even though a
specified term or time for such may have been stipulated in the contract and such time has not
yet expired.
Art. 1973. Unless there is a stipulation to the contrary, the depositary cannot deposit the thing
with a third person. If deposit with a third person is allowed, the depositary is liable for the loss
if he deposited the thing with a person who is manifestly careless or unfit. The depositary is
responsible for the negligence of his employees.
GENERAL RULE: The depositary cannot deposit the thing with a third person.
Reason for the rule: Deposit is founded on trust and confidence. It is presumed that in choosing
the depositary, the depositor took into account his personal qualifications.
EXCEPTION: The parties may stipulate that the depositary may deposit the thing with a third person.
But there is a limitation – the depositary cannot choose a third person who is manifestly careless or
unfit.
What happens if the depositary deposits the thing with a third person, and it is lost?
2. Generally, if the thing is deposited with a third person with permission of the
depositor, and the thing is lost through fortuitous event, the depositary is not liable
for the loss.
3. If the thing is lost through the negligence of the depositary’s employees, the
depositary is liable for the loss (The employee is the agent of the depositary;
principal bears the loss resulting from the negligence of his agent). Here, it is not
necessary that the employees be manifestly careless or unfit, but it is necessary that
the loss be through negligence.
Art. 1974. The depositary may change the way of the deposit if under the circumstances
he may reasonable presume that the depositor would consent to the change if he knew of
the facts of the situation. However, before the depositary may make such change, he
shall notify the depositor thereof and wait for his decision, unless delay would cause
danger.
GENERAL RULE: The depositary should not change the way or manner of the deposit as
agreed upon.
EXCEPTION: The depositary may change it if there are circumstances indicating that the
depositor would consent to the change. However, the depositary should first notify and wait
for the decision of the depositor.
If delay would cause danger, the depositary need not wait for the consent of the depositor.
Notice to the depositor of the change is sufficient.
JPSP example:
A deposited jewelry with B, a resident of Lamitan. B did not feel so secure with the
jewelryin Lamitan, so he deposited the jewelry with a bank in Davao. A sued B for
damages for depositing the jewelry with a third person without A’s authorization. What is
B’s defense?
B can invoke Article 1974. Under the circumstances, B can infer that A wouldconsent
to the change of the manner of deposit.
Art. 1975. The depositary holding certificates, bonds, securities or instruments which earn
interest shall be bound to collect the latter when it becomes due, and to take such steps
as may be necessary in order that the securities may preserve their value and the rights
corresponding to them according to law.
The above provision shall not apply to contracts for the rent of safety deposit
boxes.
JPSP example:
No. The instrument is an order instrument. B cannot collect the interest due on it because
he is neither an indorsee nor an authorized agent of A.
The contract for rent of safety deposit boxes is not an ordinary contract of lease of things
because the full and absolute possession and control of the safety deposit box is not given
to the party renting.
It is actually a special kind of deposit. It is a contractual relation between the parties. The
liability rules are governed by the Civil Code provisions on obligations and contracts, and
not on donations.
Is a stipulation which exempts the bank from liability for the things contained in the safety
deposit box valid?
The stipulation is void. Even if as a rule, the Bank may limit its liability to some extent by
agreement or stipulation, the agreement or stipulation must not be contrary to law and
public policy.
The law on deposit provides that the depositary is liable for loss due to fraud, negligence,
delay, or contravention of the tenor of the agreement. Any contrary stipulation would be
void.
Art. 1976. Unless there is a stipulation to the contrary, the depositary may commingle
grain or other articles of the same kind and quality, in which case the various depositors
shall own or have a proportionate interest in the mass.
GENERAL RULE: The depositary may commingle grain or other articles of the same kind
and quality.
De Leon example:
Yes, since there is no stipulation forbidding it. B will own 30/60 or ½ of the whole pile; C
will own 20/60 or 1/3; and D will own 10/60 or 1/6.
But if the articles deposited by different depositors are not of the same kind and quality, or
if there is a stipulation forbidding it, the depositary must keep them separate or at least
identifiable, since he must return to each depositor the very same thing deposited.
Art. 1977. The depositary cannot make use of the thing deposited without the express
permission of the depositor.
However, when the preservation of the things deposited requires its use, it must be
used but only for that purpose.
GENERAL RULE: The depositary CANNOT make use of the thing deposited.
EXCEPTIONS:
1. When the depositor has expressly given his permission. Permission cannot be
implied, and it is not presumed.
2. When the preservation of the thing requires its use, it may be used but only for that
purpose.
Ex: When you deposit a car with someone for a week, the depositary should start
the car everyday, in order to prevent the battery from getting discharged.
Reason for the rule: The principal purpose of deposit is safekeeping, not use of the thing.
If the purpose is use, it is not deposit anymore.
If the depositary uses the thing deposited without permission of the depositor, he shall be
liable for damages. In addition, if the thing is lost even through fortuitous event, the
depositary shall bear the loss.
Art. 1978. When the depositary has permission to use the thing deposited, the contract
loses the concept of a deposit and becomes a loan or commodatum, except where
safekeeping is still the principal purpose of the contract.
The permission shall not be presumed, and its existence must be proved.
What happens if the depositor gives the depositary permission to use the thing?
It depends.
Bank deposits are in the nature of an irregular deposit but they are really loans (See Article
1980).
Art. 1979. The depositary is liable for the loss of the thing through a fortuitous event:
(1) If it is so stipulated;
(4) If he allows others to use it, even though he himself may have beenauthorized to use
the same.
GENERAL RULE: The depositary is not liable for loss of the thing through fortuitous event.
EXCEPTIONS:
1. Stipulation
Take note that the rule is different in commodatum. In commodatum, the members
of the borrower’s household are allowed to use the thing without liability on the part
of the borrower.
If the thing is lost in the custody of the depositary, the presumption is that it was lost
through his fault. He has the burden of proving that the loss was not due to his own fault.
Art. 1980. Fixed, savings, and current deposits of money in banks and similar institutions
shall be governed by the provisions concerning simple loan.
Bank deposits are really loans to a bank because the bank has the obligation to pay the
depositor the amount deposited, but not the exact same money that was deposited (as in
deposit).
Relationship is Debtor-Creditor
The relationship between the bank and its depositors is thus that of debtor (bank) and
creditor (depositor). Hence:
1. If the bank fails to pay its obligation to the depositor, it is not a breach oftrust
arising from the depositary’s failure to return the subject matter of the deposit.
Since there is no breach of trust, it will not constitute estafa through
misappropriation.
2. A bank can generally compensate or set off the deposit in its hands for thepayment
of any indebtedness to it on the part of the depositor, provided that the legal
requisites of compensation are present. In a true deposit, compensation is not
allowed.
Art. 1981. When the thing deposited is delivered closed and sealed, the depositary must
return it in the same condition, and he shall be liable for damages should the seal or lock
be broken through his fault.
Fault on the part of the depositary is presumed, unless there is proof to the
contrary.
As regards the value of the thing deposited, the statement of the depositor shall be
accepted, when the forcible opening is imputable to the depositary, should there be no
proof to the contrary. However, the courts may pass upon the credibility of the depositor
with respect to the value claimed by him.
When the seal or lock is broken, with or without the depositary’s fault, he shall keep
the secret of the deposit.
Art. 1982. When it becomes necessary to open a locked box or receptacle, the depositary
is presumed authorized to do so, if the key has been delivered to him; or when the
instructions of the depositor as regards the deposit cannot be executed without opening
the box or receptacle.
1. B must return the baul in the same condition – it must be locked whenreturned.
2. If the lock of the baul is broken through B’s fault, he shall be liable to A fordamages.
B is presumed negligent until proved otherwise.
How is the value of the thing determined in case the baul is opened? Ultimately, the
court will decide the value of damages that B should pay, since the parties will
always get into a dispute over the value of the thing
(i.e. A would inflate the price, B would undervalue it, etc.)
3. If the lock of the baul is broken, with or without B’s fault, B must keep the secret of
the deposit.
1. When there is presumed authority – authority is presumed if the key has been
delivered to him; or
2. When there is necessity for opening the box in order to execute the instructions of
the depositor as regards the deposit
JPSP example:
Shakadivas delivers a locked box to Tuks for deposit. Shak leaves right away without
giving Tuks an opportunity to ask him why there is a ticking sound coming from inside the
box. Tuks is afraid that it might be a bomb. Can he open it without liability?
Tuks cannot. The only instances when a depositary can open the box without incurring
liability is if there is presumed authority or if there is necessity for opening it in order to
execute the instructions of the depositor. These two instances are not present in the
situation of Tuks. He should just hope and pray that it’s just a watch in there.
Art. 1983. The thing deposited shall be returned with all its products, accessories, and
accessions.
Should the deposit consist of money, the provisions relative to agents in article
1896 shall be applied to the depositary.
The obligation of the depositary is to return the thing when the depositor demands, along
with all its products, accessories, and accessions. The depositor is entitled to the products,
accessories, and accessions of the thing because he is the owner of the thing.
Art. 1984. The depositary cannot demand that the depositor prove his ownership of the
thing deposited.
Nevertheless, should he discover that the thing has been stolen and who its true
owner is, he must advise the latter of the deposit.
If the owner, in spite of such information, does not claim it within the period of one
month, the depositary shall be relieved of all responsibility by returning the thing
deposited to the depositor.
If the depositary has reasonable grounds to believe that the thing has not been
lawfully acquired by the depositor, the former may return the same.
1. If the depositary finds out that the thing was stolen AND he knows the realowner, his
obligation is to INFORM the real owner of the deposit (it is not to return the thing to
the real owner yet).
The real owner must claim the thing within one month. If he claims it within a
month, the depositary should give it to the real owner. If the real owner fails to
make a claim within a month, the depositary’s obligation will be extinguished by
returning the thing to the depositor.
2. If the depositary has reasonable grounds to believe that the thing has notbeen
lawfully acquired by the depositor, the depositary may return the thing to the
depositor (not to the real owner, since in this case, the real owner is not known).
But according to JPSP, if the depositary discovers that the thing was stolen and someone
else is claiming to be the real owner, the more prudent thing to do would be to file an action
for interpleader and consign the thing in court. It is not safe to follow 1984 because if the
claim of the alleged real owner turns out to be false, the depositary will be liable for giving
the thing to someone else or for refusing to return it to the depositor (estafa).
Art. 1985. When there are two or more depositors, if they are not solidary, and the thing
admits of division, each one cannot demand more than his share.
When there is solidarity or the thing does not admit of division, the provisions of Articles
1212 and 1214 shall govern. However, if there is a stipulation that the thing should be
returned to one of the depositors, the depositor shall return it only to the person
designated.
When there are two or more depositors, the default rule is like that in joint obligations –
each depositor cannot demand more than his share from the depositary. This rule applies if
the thing is divisible and there is no solidarity among the depositors.
If there is solidarity or if the thing is indivisible, the rule on solidary obligations is applicable.
Each one of the depositors may do whatever may be useful to the others but not anything
which may be prejudicial. The depositary can return the thing deposited to any of the
depositors unless a demand for its return has been made by one of them, in which case,
delivery should be made to him who made the demand.
The parties may also stipulate that the thing be returned to a specific depositor. In this
case, the depositary can only return to the depositor stipulated, even if he does not make a
demand.
Art. 1986. If the depositor should lose his capacity to contract after having made the
deposit, the thing cannot be returned except to the persons who may have the
administration of his property and rights.
Art. 1987. If at the time the deposit was made a place was designated for the return of
the thing, the depositary must take the thing deposited to such place; but the expenses
for transportation shall be borne by the depositor.
If no place has been designated for the return, it shall be made where the thing
deposited may be, even if it should not be the same place where the deposit was made,
provided that there was no malice on the part of the depositary.
1. First, follow the stipulation of the parties. The expenses for transportationshall be
borne by the depositor since the deposit was constituted for his benefit.
However, there must be no malice on the part of the depositary. For example, the
depositary, not wanting to return the thing anymore, moves it to the Cordillera
mountains, so that the depositor would have a hard time claiming it. In this case,
the depositary would be liable for damages.
Art. 1988. The thing deposited must be returned to the depositor upon demand even
though a specified period of time for such return may have been fixed.
This provision shall not apply when the thing is judicially attached while in the
depositary’s possession or should he have been notified of the opposition of a third person
to the return or the removal of the thing deposited. In these cases, the depositary must
immediately inform the depositor of the attachment or opposition.
GENERAL RULE: The depositary must return the thing upon demand by the depositor even
if the period for the deposit has not lapsed.
If the deposit is for compensation, and the depositor demands the return of the thing before
the period for deposit has lapsed, the depositor must still pay the depositary the full
compensation agreed upon. This is because the period in this case is for the benefit of both
the depositary and the depositor.
EXCEPTION TO THE GENERAL RULE: The depositary should not return the thing to the
depositor if there is a court order enjoining him from returning the thing to the depositor
(when there is attachment).
The law says that the depositary can also refuse to return the thing if there is an opposition
to its return by a third person (here, there is no court order). However, as discussed
earlier, the more prudent thing to do in this case is not to refuse to return the thing to the
depositor but to file an action for interpleader because there is a danger that the depositary
would be liable for damages if the claim of the third person turns out to be false.
As a general rule, the depositary should wait for either the period of the deposit to lapse or
for the depositor to demand the return of the thing before he can return the thing
deposited.
But, if the following requisites are present, he may return the thing to the depositor even
before the period of the deposit has lapsed or before it is demanded:
If the depositary refuses to accept, the depositor can consign the thing in court.
But if the deposit is for compensation, the depositary cannot return the thing until the
expiration of the period or until it is demanded by the depositor.
Art. 1990. If the depositary by force majeure or government order loses the thing and
receives money or another thing in its place, he shall deliver the sum or the thing to the
depositor.
The depositary is not liable for the loss of the thing either by force majeure or government
order.
But, if in place of the thing lost, the depositary receives money or another thing, he must
deliver it to the depositor.
Ex: If the thing is expropriated by the government, the indemnity paid by the government
must be turned over by the depositary to the depositor.
Art. 1991. The depositor’s heir who in good faith may have sold the thing which he did not
know was deposited, shall only be bound to return the price he may have received or to
assign his right of action against the buyer in case the price has not been paid him.
First, take note that there seems to be a typo in this provision: it should read “The
depositary’s heir…” if it is to make any sense.
A deposits a car with B. While the car is still in B’s custody, B dies. C, B’s son, finds the car
among his dad’s stuff and thinks that the car belonged to his dad. C sells the car to D.
What are the liabilities of C?
If D has already paid C, C must return to A the price that D paid for the car (not the value
of the car).
If D has not yet paid, C may assign to A his right to collect from D the selling price of the
car.
Art. 1992. If the deposit is gratuitous, the depositor is obliged to reimburse the depositary
for the expenses he may have incurred for the preservation of the thing deposited.
If the deposit is gratuitous, the depositor should shoulder the costs of preservation because
he is the owner of the thing.
If the deposit is for compensation, the depositary should shoulder the costs of preservation
of the thing because the compensation is deemed to include the costs of preservation.
Example: A deposits a dog with B for 30 days for a compensation of P500. B buys a sack of
dog food. By the 10th day, the dog food has run out. Can B ask for more money from A?
A can refuse to give more money and argue that in charging the compensation for the
deposit, B should have factored in the expected expenses of preserving the dog. But it still
depends on the intention of the parties.
Art. 1993. The depositor shall reimburse the depositary for any loss arising from the
character of the thing deposited, unless at the time of the constitution of the deposit, the
former was not aware of, or was not expected to know the dangerous character of the
thing, or unless he notified the depositary of the same, or the latter was aware of it
without advice from the depositor.
GENERAL RULE: The depositor should compensate the depositary for any loss that the
depositary may suffer from the character of the thing deposited.
Example: A deposits a dog with B. It turns out that the dog has rabies. The dog bites B,
and as a result, B has to get anti-rabies shots. A must pay for the damage caused and the
cost of B’s shots.
EXCEPTIONS: In the following cases, the depositor need not reimburse the depositary for
any loss arising from the character of the thing deposited:
1. If at the time of the deposit, the depositor was not aware of the dangerous character
of the thing;
2. If at the time of the deposit, the depositor was not expected to know the dangerous
character of the thing;
3. If the depositor notified the depositary of the dangerous character of the thing; or
4. If the depositary was aware of the dangerous character of the thing even without the
advice of the depositor.
Art. 1994. The depositary may retain the thing in pledge until full payment of what may
be due him by reason of the deposit.
Compare this rule with the rule in commodatum, in which the borrower may generally not
retain the thing as a security for anything that the lender may owe him (remember the
frisbee example?).
(2) In case of a gratuitous deposit, upon the death of either the depositor or the
depositary.
But if the deposit is for compensation, it is not extinguished by the death of either
party since it is not personal in nature. Hence, the rights and obligations of the
parties are transmissible to their heirs.
(2) When it takes place on the occasion of any calamity, such as fire, storm,flood, pillage,
shipwreck, or other similar events.
Art. 1997. The deposit referred to in No. 1 of the preceding article shall be governed by
the provisions of the law establishing it, and in case of its deficiency, by the rules on
ordinary deposit.
The deposit mentioned in No. 2 of the preceding article shall be regulated by the
provisions concerning voluntary deposit and by article 2168.
Art. 1998. The deposit of effects made by travelers in hotels or inns shall also be regarded
as necessary. The keepers of hotels or inns shall be responsible for them as depositaries,
provided that notice was given to them, or to their employees, of the effects brought by
the guests and that, on the part of the latter, they take the precautions which said hotel-
keepers or their substitutes advised relative to the care and vigilance of their effects.
Art. 2168. When during a fire, flood, story, or other calamity, property is saved from
destruction by another person without the knowledge of the owner, the latter is bound to
pay the former just compensation.
Example:
In pledge, when the creditor uses the thing pledged without the authority of the
owner or misuses it in any other way, the owner may ask that it be judicially or
extrajudicially deposited.
Example: A fire razes Y’s house. X goes inside and gets Y’s TV for the purpose of
saving it. X becomes the depositary of the TV.
a. The hotel or inn should have been previously informed about the effects
brought by the guests; and
The liability extends not just to effects inside the rooms but also to property of the
guests in the annexes, such as cars in the garage.
Example: You go to Edsa Shangri-La to eat at the Garden Café. You turn your car
over to the valet. Is there a contract of deposit?
What if you wanted to shop in Megamall, but since you didn’t want to go through
the trouble of looking for parking in Megamall, you just used the Edsa Shangri-La
valet service – are you still a guest?
No. Although you need not check-in in order to be considered a guest, you must
at least use the principal services of the hotel – the gym, the pool, meeting place at
the lobby, etc. Valet parking is not a principal service of the hotel.
If you’re the guest, you should: (a) give notice to the hotel of the effects you have
brought into the hotel and (b) take the precautions prescribed for their safekeeping.
But do you need to give an itemized listing of your valuables every time you go into
a hotel?
This is governed by Articles 1733, 1734, 1735 of the Civil Code under Lease.
Common carriers are generally responsible for the loss, destruction, and
deterioration of the goods, unless due to fortuitous event or the fault of the owner of
the goods.
Art. 2000. The responsibility referred to in the two preceding articles shall include the loss
of, or injury to the personal property of the guests caused by the servants or employees
of the keepers of hotels or inns as well as by strangers; but not that which may proceed
from any force majeure. The fact that travelers are constrained to rely on the vigilance of
the keeper of the hotels or inn shall be considered in determining the degree of care
required of him.
Art. 2001. The act of a thief or robber, who has entered the hotel is not deemed force
majeure, unless it is done with the use of arms or through an irresistible force.
Art. 2002. The hotel-keeper is not liable for compensation if the loss is due to the acts of
the guests, his family, servants or visitors, or if the loss arises from the character of the
things brought into the hotel.
When is the hotel liable for the loss of the effects of its guests?
1. When the loss is caused by the employees of the hotel or by strangers, provided the
guest followed the two requisites under Art. 1998 (notice and precaution).
2. When the loss is caused by the act of a thief or a robber done without the use of
arms and irresistible force.
So as a general rule, if armed men enter the hotel and steal your things, the hotel is
excused from liability because it is considered a fortuitous event. However, if the
hotel failed to take reasonable precautions (ex: secluded island with only one
security guard stationed near the shore and lots of foreigners checked in), it will still
be liable for its negligence.
2. When the loss is due to the acts of the guest (who is the owner of the thing),his
family, servants, or visitors; and
3. When the loss arises from the character of the things brought into the hotel
Example of thing where the loss arises from the character of the thing: If you
bring a Dalmatian, or a snake, or Cyrus’ pet hamster into the hotel, by the very
nature of these pets, they could easily get lost in the premises.
Art. 2003. The hotel-keeper cannot free himself from responsibility by posting notices to
the effect that he is not liable for the articles brought by the guest. Any stipulation
between the hotel-keeper and the guest whereby the responsibility of the former as set
forth in Articles 1998 to 2001 is suppressed or diminished shall be void.
Even if the hotel-keeper posts signs or puts these little fine-print stipulations that it is not
liable for any loss, it cannot escape its liabilities as a depositary under Articles 1998 to
2001.
Reason: You cannot waive the liability of one who is guilty of gross negligence. Gross
negligence is equivalent to fraud or bad faith. And as we all know, a waiver of future fraud
is void. It is contrary to law, morals, and public policy.
However, this only applies to a contract of deposit. In the case of carparks, the fine print on
the tickets always contains a waiver of liability by the owner of the carpark for any loss
within its premises. This waiver is valid because, as discussed already, the contract with
the carpark is not a deposit but only a short-term lease.
Art. 2004. The hotel-keeper has a right to retain the things brought into the hotel by the
guest, as a security for credits on account of lodging, and supplies usually furnished to
hotel guests.
This is another pledge created by operation of law. If you do not pay your hotel bills, the
hotel can keep your stuff as a security. Moreover, you will be liable for estafa.
Art. 2008. The depositary of property sequestrated is bound to comply, with respect to
the same, with all the obligations of a good father of a family.
Examples:
Unlike extra-judicial deposit, where the purpose is safekeeping, the purpose of judicial
deposit is to maintain the status quo during the pendency of the litigation to insure the right
of the parties to the property in case of a favorable judgment. This means that in case of
favorable judgment, the party will be assured that there will be property to satisfy the
execution of the judgment.
Unlike extra-judicial deposit, where the object must be a movable, a judicial deposit can
cover both movable and immovable property.
You annotate the attachment on the title with the Register of Deeds.
The person appointed by the court as depositary has the obligation to take care of the thing
with the diligence of a good father of a family. He may not be relieved of his responsibility
until the litigation is ended or until the court so orders.
Art. 2009. As to matters not provided for in this Code, judicial sequestration shall be
governed by the Rules of Court.