Five (5) sets: 65" x 126-1/2" with transom
One (1) set: 65" x 126-1/2 with AC provision
Two (2) sets: 39-1/2 x 125-1/2 - do -
One (1) set: 39-1/2" x 87" - do -
One (1) set: 39-1/2" x 223" - do -
One (1) set: 65" x 57-1/2" with transom
One (1) set: 65" x 74" - do -
P42,530.00
Hooven Alum Entrances & Fixed Windows Anolok
Finish with 6.0 mm Bronzepane Tinted Glass:chanrob1es virtual 1aw library
One (1) set: 100-1/2 x 76-1/2, double sash,
double acting swing door, with transom
Two (2) sets: 80" x 278" fixed panels P21,740.00
Exhibit "C-3" — Delivery Receipt dated 25 August 1983
Hoven Alum Sliding Windows Fabricated from
SD Sections Anolok Finish with 6.0 mm
Bronzepane Tinted Glass:
One (1) set: 45" x 191"
One (1) set: 45" x 302" P11,650.00
Add: Delivery and Installation 7,500.00
Less: 7% Discount 6,256.50
—————
P77,163.50
Exhibit "D-1" — Delivery Receipt dated 25 August 1983
For the supply of materials and installation of
aluminum stucco embossed sheet on spiral
staircase: One (1) set 32" H x 304" WL P5,310.00
Exhibit "E-1" — Delivery Receipt dated 25 August 1983
NU- main and cross runners
NU-5 Perimeter mouldings
G.I. Wire Hangers
Aluminum straps stiffeners
Blind rivets and screws P17,057.00
We have carefully and diligently considered the foregoing exhibits and we are fully convinced that the mass of documentary evidence adduced by respondent suffers from patent irregularities and material inconsistencies on their faces, raising serious questions requiring cogent explanations. These flaws inevitably deplete the weight of its evidence, with the result that for lack of the requisite quantum of evidence, respondent dismally failed in the lower court to discharge its burden necessary to prevail in this case.chanrob1es virtua1 1aw 1ibrary
Firstly, the quantity of materials and the amounts stated in the delivery receipts do not tally with those in the invoices covering them, notwithstanding that, according to HOOVEN OIC Alberto Villanueva, the invoices were based merely on the delivery receipts. 8 For instance, only eleven (11) items were listed in Exhs. "C-2" and "C-3" with a total worth of P77,163.50. But in Exh. "C," which was the invoice for Exhs. "C-2" and "C-3," there were thirteen (13) items enumerated for a total worth of P85,803.50. If Exh. "C" is supposed to be based on Exhs. "C-2" and "C-3," we cannot understand the apparent discrepancy in the items listed in those documents when they all referred to the same materials.
Secondly, the total value of the materials as reflected in all the invoices is P117,329.00 while under the delivery receipts it is only P112,870.50, or a difference of P4,458.00. Moreover, the materials listed in the two (2) Proposals, upon which HOOVEN based its claims, is only for the total sum of P104,870.00. Curiously then, why would the materials supposedly delivered by HOOVEN be more than what was contracted and purchased by Lagon? This circumstance underscores the need to reexamine the strength, if not weakness, of respondent’s cause.
Thirdly, under the Proposals HOOVEN bound itself to invoice the materials "when complete and ready for shipment." Oddly, the records show that the invoices were prepared several years after the materials were allegedly delivered and installed completely on petitioner’s building. Alberto Villanueva testified that their project with petitioner was completed sometime in August 1981 and that thereafter no further installation was done in the building. 9 But the disputed invoices marked Exhs. "A" and "B" were prepared only on 29 December 1982; Exhs. "C" and "D" were prepared only on 29 December 1984; and, Exh. "E" was prepared only on 29 November 1984. As for the delivery receipts, Exhs. "C-1," "C-2," "C-3" and "E-1" were prepared only on 25 August 1983 or two (2) years after the completion of the project, while Exh. "A-3" was prepared only on 8 December 1981 or some four (4) months after the date of completion.
Even more strange is the fact that HOOVEN instituted the present action for collection of sum of money against Lagon only on 24 February 1987, or more than five (5) years after the supposed completion of the project. Indeed, it is contrary to common experience that a creditor would take its own sweet time in collecting its credit, more so in this case when the amount involved is not miniscule but substantial.
Fourthly, the demand letter of 25 August 1983 10 sent to petitioner by respondent further betrays the falsity of its claims —
Dear Mr. Lagon:chanrob1es virtual 1aw library
The bearer, Mr. Fermin Pinero, is an authorized representative of this company. He will arrange for your acceptance of the complete aluminum and glass installation we have undertaken for your building. He has with him the delivery receipts for your signature so with a statement of account showing your balance. Kindly favor us with a partial payment to cover our operation costs. Also kindly relay to him all other installations you wish us to undertake.
Hoping for your favorable action, we shall remain.
Very Truly Yours,
Hooven Comalco Industries, Inc.
Davao Branch
(Sgd.) Alberto P. Villanueva
If, as claimed by HOOVEN, all the materials were completely delivered and installed in petitioner’s building as early as August 1981, why then would it demand partial payment only two (2) years later? This circumstance is very significant especially considering that under the Proposals the terms of payment should be 50% down "and the balance to be paid in full" upon completion. Moreover, it is surprising that the partial payment demanded was only "to cover operation costs." As correctly observed by petitioner, demand for payment of operation costs is typical of a still on-going project where the contractor needs funds to defray his expenses. If there was complete installation, why would respondent demand payment for operation costs only? Why not enforce the whole amount of indebtedness? All these clearly suggest that there was no full and complete delivery and installation of materials ordered by petitioner.chanrob1es virtua1 1aw 1ibrary
Fifthly, all the delivery receipts did not appear to have been signed by petitioner or his duly authorized representative acknowledging receipt of the materials listed therein. A closer examination of the receipts clearly showed that the deliveries were made to a certain Jose Rubin, claimed to be petitioner’s driver, Armando Lagon, and a certain bookkeeper. Unfortunately for HOOVEN, the identities of these persons were never been established, and there is no way of determining now whether they were indeed authorized representatives of petitioner. Paragraph 3 of each Proposal is explicit on this point —
3. . . . the seller’s responsibility ends with delivery of the merchandise to carrier in good condition, to buyer, or to buyer’s authorized "Receiver/Depository" named on the face of this proposal (Emphasis supplied).
As above specifically stated, deliveries must be made to the buyer or his duly authorized representative named in the contracts. In other words, unless the buyer specifically designated someone to receive the delivery of materials and his name is written on the Proposals opposite the words "Authorized Receiver/Depository," the seller is under obligation to deliver to the buyer only and to no other person; otherwise, the delivery would be invalid and the seller would not be discharged from liability. In the present case, petitioner did not name any person in the Proposals who would receive the deliveries in his behalf, which meant that HOOVEN was bound to deliver exclusively to petitioner.
Sixthly, it is also obvious from the contested delivery receipts that some important details were not supplied or were left in blank, i.e., truck numbers, persons who delivered the materials, invoice and s. o. numbers. The persons who delivered the materials were potential witnesses who could shed light on the circumstances surrounding the alleged deliveries of the materials to petitioner. Moreover, it could have been easier for HOOVEN to pinpoint responsibility to any of its employees for the non-delivery of the materials.
We are not unaware of the slipshod manner of preparing receipts, order slips and invoices, which unfortunately has become a common business practice of traders and businessmen. In most cases, these commercial forms are not always fully accomplished to contain all the necessary information describing the whole business transaction. The sales clerks merely indicate a description and the price of each item sold without bothering to fill up all the available spaces in the particular receipt or invoice, and without proper regard for any legal repercussion for such neglect. Certainly, it would not hurt if businessmen and traders would strive to make the receipts and invoices they issue complete, as far as practicable, in material particulars. These documents are not mere scraps of paper bereft of probative value but vital pieces of evidence of commercial transactions. They are written memorials of the details of the consummation of contracts.
Given this pathetic state of respondent’s evidence, how could it be said that respondent had satisfactorily proved its case? Essentially, respondent has the burden of establishing its affirmative allegations of complete delivery and installation of the materials, and petitioner’s failure to pay therefor. In this regard, its evidence on its discharge of that duty is grossly anemic. We emphasize that litigations cannot be properly resolved by suppositions, deductions, or even presumptions, with no basis in evidence, for the truth must have to be determined by the hard rules of admissibility and proof.
The Court of Appeals however faulted the trial court for supposedly relying solely on the results of the ocular inspection on the premises, which were not conclusive since the inspection was conducted several years after the disputed materials were allegedly installed therein.
We disagree. The ocular inspection was made by the judge himself, at the request of both petitioner and respondent, for the exclusive purpose of determining whether the materials subject of this case were actually delivered and installed. There is therefore no basis to give little evidentiary value on the results of the ocular inspection, as the Court of Appeals would, and charge the trial court with error for relying thereon. It is now rather late for any of the parties to disclaim them, especially when they are not in his or its favor. Furthermore, a cursory reading of the decision of the court a quo will at once show that it was not premised solely on the results of the ocular inspection but was likewise predicated on other evidence presented by the parties and well-considered facts and circumstances discussed by the trial court in its ratio decidendi. We cannot ignore the factual findings of the trial court, which must carry great weight in the evaluation of evidentiary facts, and in the absence of any indication showing grave error committed by trial court, the appellate court is bound to respect such findings of fact.
We hasten to add however that petitioner is not entirely free from any liability to Respondent. Petitioner admitted the delivery of materials under Exhs. "A" and its submarkings, "B" and its submarkings, "D," "D-1" and "E." With respect to Exh. "C-2," petitioner acknowledged his obligation under the first heading, Items Nos. 3, 4 and 5, and the second heading, and denied the rest. Consequently, he should be made liable therefor in the total amount of P58,786.65. From this amount, petitioner’s down payment of P48,000.00 should be deducted.chanrob1es virtua1 1aw 1ibrary
It is insisted by petitioner in his appeal brief filed before the Court of Appeals that the second item under the second heading of Exh. "C-2" should be excluded in the computation since he never admitted liability therefor.
We are not persuaded. The transcript of stenographic notes shows that during the ocular inspection counsel for respondent manifested in effect that petitioner admitted the delivery and installation of the second item in his building, and petitioner did not interpose any objection to respondent’s manifestation —
ATTY. QUIÑONES:chanrob1es virtual 1aw library
We would like to make of record that defendant (Lagon) admits that plaintiff (Hooven Cornalco) delivered and installed Item No. 1 under the second column of Exhibit "C-2" which is the front door of the ground floor.
ATTY. RICO:chanrob1es virtual 1aw library
Defendant however adds that these were installed in 1981 and had already paid for the said item.
ATTY. QUIÑONES:chanrob1es virtual 1aw library
I would like to make of record also that defendant admits the delivery and installation of Item No. 2 under the second column of Exhibit "C-2" as having been delivered and installed by the plaintiff in 1981 with the qualification, however, that he had already paid the same.
COURT:chanrob1es virtual 1aw library
Are you stating that all these installed items on the ground floor were all paid by you?
MR. LAGON:chanrob1es virtual 1aw library
Yes, Your Honor. 11
Petitioner cannot now be heard to complain against its inclusion in the computation of his liability since his silence virtually amounted to acquiescence. The silence of one of the contracting parties and his failure to protest against the claims of the other party, when he is chargeable with the duty to do so, strongly suggest an admission of the veracity and validity of the other party’s claims.
In sum, petitioner’s total liability to respondent may be computed as follows:chanrob1es virtual 1aw library
(1) Items under Exh. "A," consisting of 17
light diffusers at P40.00 each P680.00
(2) Items under Exh. "B," consisting of 23
light boxes at P40.00 each 3,220.00
(3) Third, fourth and fifth items under the first
heading of Exh. "C-2" which on the basis of
their measurements constitute only 1/3 of
the total costs of materials listed therein 14,176.65
(4) Items under the second heading of
Exh. "C-2" 21,740.00
(5) Items under Exhs. "D" and "D-1" 4,860.00
(6) Items under Exh. "E-1" 14,110.00
—————
P58,786.65
Less: Stipulated 7% discount 4,408.99
—————
P54,377.66
Less: Advance payment made by petitioner
to Hooven Comalco 48,000.00
—————
Unpaid Balance of petitioner P6,377.66
Notwithstanding the breach of contract by respondent in failing to deliver and install in the premises of petitioner all the stipulated materials, we nevertheless accede to the right of respondent to recover the unpaid balance from petitioner for the materials actually delivered.
The next point of inquiry is the propriety of awarding damages, attorney’s fees and litigation expenses.
We are not in accord with the trial court’s ruling that petitioner is entitled to actual damages to the extent of the undelivered materials and undone labor in the amount of P26,120.00. There is no proof that petitioner already paid for the value of the undelivered and uninstalled materials to Respondent. Therefore, petitioner may not be deemed to have suffered any such damage. We have declared in no uncertain terms that actual or compensatory damages cannot be presumed but must be proved with reasonable degree of certainty. 12 A court cannot rely on speculations, conjectures or guesswork as to the fact of damage but must depend upon competent proof that they have indeed been suffered by the injured party and on the basis of the best evidence obtainable as to the actual amount thereof. 13 It must point out specific facts that could provide the gauge for measuring whatever compensatory or actual damages were borne.
But we agree with petitioner that he is entitled to moral damages. HOOVEN’s bad faith lies not so much on its breach of contract — as there was no showing that its failure to comply with its part of the bargain was motivated by ill will or done with fraudulent intent — but rather on its appalling temerity to sue petitioner for payment of an alleged unpaid balance of the purchase price notwithstanding knowledge of its failure to make complete delivery and installation of all the materials under their contracts. It is immaterial that, after the trial, petitioner was found to be liable to respondent to the extent of P6,377.66. Petitioner’s right to withhold full payment of the purchase price prior to the delivery and installation of all the merchandise cannot be denied since under the contracts the balance of the purchase price became due and demandable only upon the completion of the project. Consequently, the resulting social humiliation and damage to petitioner’s reputation as a respected businessman in the community, occasioned by the filing of this suit provide sufficient grounds for the award of P50,000.00 as moral damages.chanrob1es virtua1 1aw 1ibrary
Moreover, considering the fact that petitioner was drawn into this litigation by respondent and was compelled to hire an attorney to protect and defend his interest, and taking into account the work done by said attorney throughout the proceedings, as reflected in the record, we deem it just and equitable to award attorney’s fees for petitioner in the amount of P30,000.00. 14 In addition, we agree with the trial court that petitioner is entitled to recover P46,554.50 as actual damages including litigation expenses as this amount is sufficiently supported by the evidence. 15
WHEREFORE, the assailed Decision of the Court of Appeals dated 28 April 1997 is MODIFIED. Petitioner Jose V. Lagon is ordered to pay respondent Hooven Comalco Industries, Inc., P6,377.66 representing the value of the unpaid materials admittedly delivered to him. On the other hand, respondent is ordered to pay petitioner P50,000.00 as moral damages, P30,000.00 as attorney’s fees and P46,554.50 as actual damages and litigation expenses.
SO ORDERED.
Mendoza and Quisumbing, JJ., concur.
Endnotes:
1. Decision penned by Associate Justice B. A. Adefuin-de la Cruz, concurred in by Associate Justices Gloria C. Paras (now retired) and Ricardo P. Galvez (now Solicitor General).
2. Resolution penned by Associate Justice B. A. Adefuin-de la Cruz, concurred in by Associate Justices Consuelo Ynares-Santiago (now Supreme Court Justice) and Presbitero J. Velasco, Jr.
3. Exhs. "F" and "F-1."cralaw virtua1aw library
4. Exh. "G."cralaw virtua1aw library
5. 26 August 1991 Decision penned by Judge Romeo D. Marasigan, RTC-Br. 16, Davao City.
6. See Imperial v. Court of Appeals, G.R. No. 102037, 17 July 1996, 259 SCRA 65, 71
7. Reyes v. Court of Appeals, G.R. No. 110207, 11 July 1996, 258 SCRA 651.
8. TSN, 8 September 1988, p. 98.
9. TSN, 2 June 1989, pp. 243-244.
10. Exh. "H."cralaw virtua1aw library
11. TSN, 9 October 1987, pp. 12-13 (Ocular Inspection).
12. Del Mundo v. Court of Appeals, G.R. No. 104576, 20 January 1995, 240 SCRA 348; Development Bank of the Philippines v. Court of Appeals, G.R. No. 110053, 16 October 1995, 249 SCRA 331; Del Rosario v. Court of Appeals, G.R. No. 118325, 29 January 1997, 267 SCRA 158, 171.
13. Del Rosario v. Court of Appeals, id.
14. Art. 2208. In the absence of stipulation, attorney’s fees and expenses of litigation, other than judicial costs, cannot be recovered, except: (1) When exemplary damages are awarded; (2) When the defendant’s act or omission has compelled the plaintiff to litigate with third persons or to incur expenses to protect his interest; (3) In criminal cases of malicious prosecution against the plaintiff; (4) In case of a clearly unfounded civil action or proceeding against the plaintiff; (5) Where the defendant acted in gross and evident bad faith in refusing to satisfy the plaintiff’s valid, just and demandable claim; (6) In actions for legal support; (7) In actions for the recovery of wages of household helpers, laborers and skilled workers; (8) In actions for indemnity under the workmen’s compensation and employer’s liability laws; (9) In separate civil action to recover civil liability arising from a crime; (10) When at least double judicial costs are awarded; and (11) In any other case where the court deems it just and equitable that attorney’s fees and expenses of litigation should be recovered. In all cases, the attorney’s fees and expenses of litigation must be reasonable (New Civil Code).
15. The trial court erroneously computed the amount of litigation expenses it awarded to petitioner; instead of P45,534.50 it should be P46,554.50.