G.R. No. 168433 - UCPB General Insurance Co., Inc. v. Aboitiz Shipping Corp., Eagle Express Lines, Damco Intermodal Services, Inc. and Pimentel Customs Brokerage Co.
SECOND DIVISION
[G.R. NO. 168433 : February 10, 2009]
UCPB GENERAL INSURANCE CO., INC., Petitioner, v. ABOITIZ SHIPPING CORP. EAGLE EXPRESS LINES, DAMCO INTERMODAL SERVICES, INC., and PIMENTEL CUSTOMS BROKERAGE CO., Respondents.
D E C I S I O N
TINGA, J.:
UCPB General Insurance Co., Inc. (UCPB) assails the Decision1 of the Court of Appeals dated October 29, 2004, which reversed the Decision2 dated November 29, 1999 of the Regional Trial Court of Makati City, Branch 146, and its Resolution3 dated June 14, 2005, which denied UCPB's motion for reconsideration.
The undisputed facts, culled from the assailed Decision, are as follows:
On June 18, 1991, three (3) units of waste water treatment plant with accessories were purchased by San Miguel Corporation (SMC for brevity) from Super Max Engineering Enterprises, Co., Ltd. of Taipei, Taiwan. The goods came from Charleston, U.S.A. and arrived at the port of Manila on board MV "SCANDUTCH STAR". The same were then transported to Cebu on board MV "ABOITIZ SUPERCON II". After its arrival at the port of Cebu and clearance from the Bureau of Customs, the goods were delivered to and received by SMC at its plant site on August 2, 1991. It was then discovered that one electrical motor of DBS Drive Unit Model DE-30-7 was damaged.
Pursuant to an insurance agreement, plaintiff-appellee paid SMC the amount of P1,703,381.40 representing the value of the damaged unit. In turn, SMC executed a Subrogation Form dated March 31, 1992 in favor of plaintiff-appellee.
Consequently, plaintiff-appellee filed a Complaint on July 21, 1992 as subrogee of SMC seeking to recover from defendants the amount it had paid SMC.
On September 20, 1994, plaintiff-appellee moved to admit its Amended Complaint whereby it impleaded East Asiatic Co. Ltd. (EAST for brevity) as among the defendants for being the "general agent" of DAMCO. In its Order dated September 23, 1994, the lower court admitted the said amended complaint.
Upon plaintiff-appellee's motion, defendant DAMCO was declared in default by the lower court in its Order dated January 6, 1995.
In the meantime, on January 25, 1995, defendant EAST filed a Motion for Preliminary Hearing on its affirmative defenses seeking the dismissal of the complaint against it on the ground of prescription, which motion was however denied by the court a quo in its Order dated September 1, 1995. Such denial was elevated by defendant EAST to this Court through a Petition for Certiorari on October 30, 1995 in CA G.R. SP No. 38840. Eventually, this Court issued its Decision dated February 14, 1996 setting aside the lower court's assailed order of denial and further ordering the dismissal of the complaint against defendant EAST. Plaintiff-appellee moved for reconsideration thereof but the same was denied by this Court in its Resolution dated November 8, 1996. As per Entry of Judgment, this Court's decision ordering the dismissal of the complaint against defendant EAST became final and executory on December 5, 1996.
Accordingly, the court a quo noted the dismissal of the complaint against defendant EAST in its Order dated December 5, 1997. Thus, trial ensued with respect to the remaining defendants.
On November 29, 1999, the lower court rendered its assailed Decision, the dispositive portion of which reads:
WHEREFORE, all the foregoing premises considered, judgment is hereby rendered declaring DAMCO Intermodal Systems, Inc., Eagle Express Lines, Inc. and defendant Aboitiz Shipping solidarily liable to plaintiff-subrogee for the damaged shipment and orders them to pay plaintiff jointly and severally the sum of P1,703,381.40.
No costs.
SO ORDERED.
Not convinced, defendants-appellants EAGLE and ABOITIZ now come to this Court through their respective appeals x x x4
The appellate court, as previously mentioned, reversed the decision of the trial court and ruled that UCPB's right of action against respondents did not accrue because UCPB failed to file a formal notice of claim within 24 hours from (SMC's) receipt of the damaged merchandise as required under Art. 366 of the Code of Commerce. According to the Court of Appeals, the filing of a claim within the time limitation in Art. 366 is a condition precedent to the accrual of a right of action against the carrier for the damages caused to the merchandise.
In its Memorandum5 dated February 8, 2007, UCPB asserts that the claim requirement under Art. 366 of the Code of Commerce does not apply to this case because the damage to the merchandise had already been known to the carrier. Interestingly, UCPB makes this revelation: "x x x damage to the cargo was found upon discharge from the foreign carrier onto the International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI) in the presence of the carrier's representative who signed the Request for Bad Order Survey6 and the Turn Over of Bad Order Cargoes.7 On transshipment, the cargo was already damaged when loaded on board the inter-island carrier."8 This knowledge, UCPB argues, dispenses with the need to give the carrier a formal notice of claim. Incidentally, the carrier's representative mentioned by UCPB as present at the time the merchandise was unloaded was in fact a representative of respondent Eagle Express Lines (Eagle Express).
UCPB claims that under the Carriage of Goods by Sea Act (COGSA), notice of loss need not be given if the condition of the cargo has been the subject of joint inspection such as, in this case, the inspection in the presence of the Eagle Express representative at the time the cargo was opened at the ICTSI.
UCPB further claims that the issue of the applicability of Art. 366 of the Code of Commerce was never raised before the trial court and should, therefore, not have been considered by the Court of Appeals.
Eagle Express, in its Memorandum9 dated February 7, 2007, asserts that it cannot be held liable for the damage to the merchandise as it acted merely as a freight forwarder's agent in the transaction. It allegedly facilitated the transshipment of the cargo from Manila to Cebu but represented the interest of the cargo owner, and not the carrier's. The only reason why the name of the Eagle Express representative appeared on the Permit to Deliver Imported Goods was that the form did not have a space for the freight forwarder's agent, but only for the agent of the shipping line. Moreover, UCPB had previously judicially admitted that upon verification from the Bureau of Customs, it was East Asiatic Co., Ltd. (East Asiatic), regarding whom the original complaint was dismissed on the ground of prescription, which was the real agent of DAMCO Intermodal Services, Inc. (DAMCO), the ship owner.
Eagle Express argues that the applicability of Art. 366 of the Code of Commerce was properly raised as an issue before the trial court as it mentioned this issue as a defense in its Answer to UCPB's Amended Complaint. Hence, UCPB's contention that the question was raised for the first time on appeal is incorrect.
Aboitiz Shipping Corporation (Aboitiz), on the other hand, points out, in its Memorandum10 dated March 29, 2007, that it obviously cannot be held liable for the damage to the cargo which, by UCPB's admission, was incurred not during transshipment to Cebu on
board one of Aboitiz's vessels, but was already existent at the time of unloading in Manila. Aboitiz also argues that Art. 366 of the Code of Commerce is applicable and serves as a condition precedent to the accrual of UCPB's cause of action against it.ςηαñrοblεš νιr†υαl lαω lιbrαrÿ
The Memorandum11 dated June 3, 2008, filed by Pimentel Customs Brokerage Co. (Pimentel Customs), is also a reiteration of the applicability of Art. 366 of the Code of Commerce.
It should be stated at the outset that the issue of whether a claim should have been made by SMC, or UCPB as SMC's subrogee, within the 24-hour period prescribed by Art. 366 of the Code of Commerce was squarely raised before the trial court.
In its Answer to Amended Complaint12 dated May 10, 1993, Eagle Express averred, thus:
The amended complaint states no cause of action under the provisions of the Code of Commerce and the terms of the bill of lading; consignee made no claim against herein defendant within twenty four (24) hours following the receipt of the alleged cargo regarding the condition in which said cargo was delivered; however, assuming arguendo that the damage or loss, if any, could not be ascertained from the outside part of the shipment, consignee never made any claim against herein defendant at the time of receipt of said cargo; herein defendant learned of the alleged claim only upon receipt of the complaint.13
Likewise, in its Answer14 dated September 21, 1992, Aboitiz raised the defense that UCPB did not file a claim with it and that the complaint states no cause of action.
UCPB obviously made a gross misrepresentation to the Court when it claimed that the issue regarding the applicability of the Code of Commerce, particularly the 24-hour formal claim rule, was not raised as an issue before the trial court. The appellate court, therefore, correctly looked into the validity of the arguments raised by Eagle Express, Aboitiz and Pimentel Customs on this point after the trial court had so ill-advisedly centered its decision merely on the matter of extraordinary diligence.
Interestingly enough, UCPB itself has revealed that when the shipment was discharged and opened at the ICTSI in Manila in the presence of an Eagle Express representative, the cargo had already been found damaged. In fact, a request for bad order survey was then made and a turnover survey of bad order cargoes was issued, pursuant to the procedure in the discharge of bad order cargo. The shipment was then repacked and transshipped from Manila to Cebu on board MV Aboitiz Supercon II. When the cargo was finally received by SMC at its Mandaue City warehouse, it was found in bad order, thereby confirming the damage already uncovered in Manila.15
In charging Aboitiz with liability for the damaged cargo, the trial court condoned UCPB's wrongful suit against Aboitiz to whom the damage could not have been attributable since there was no evidence presented that the cargo was further damaged during its transshipment to Cebu. Even by the exercise of extraordinary diligence, Aboitiz could not have undone the damage to the cargo that had already been there when the same was shipped on board its vessel.
That said, it is nonetheless necessary to ascertain whether any of the remaining parties may still be held liable by UCPB. The provisions of the Code of Commerce, which apply to overland, river and maritime transportation, come into play.
Art. 366 of the Code of Commerce states:
Art. 366. Within twenty-four hours following the receipt of the merchandise, the claim against the carrier for damage or average which may be found therein upon opening the packages, may be made, provided that the indications of the damage or average which gives rise to the claim cannot be ascertained from the outside part of such packages, in which case the claim shall be admitted only at the time of receipt.
After the periods mentioned have elapsed, or the transportation charges have been paid, no claim shall be admitted against the carrier with regard to the condition in which the goods transported were delivered.ςηαñrοblεš νιr†υαl lαω lιbrαrÿ
The law clearly requires that the claim for damage or average must be made within 24 hours from receipt of the merchandise if, as in this case, damage cannot be ascertained merely from the outside packaging of the cargo.
In Philippine Charter Insurance Corporation v. Chemoil Lighterage Corporation,16 Petitioner, as subrogee of Plastic Group Phil., Inc. (PGP), filed suit against respondent therein for the damage found on a shipment of chemicals loaded on board respondent's barge. Respondent claimed that no timely notice in accordance with Art. 366 of the Code of Commerce was made by petitioner because an employee of PGP merely made a phone call to respondent's Vice President, informing the latter of the contamination of the cargo. The Court ruled that the notice of claim was not timely made or relayed to respondent in accordance with Art. 366 of the Code of Commerce.
The requirement to give notice of loss or damage to the goods is not an empty formalism. The fundamental reason or purpose of such a stipulation is not to relieve the carrier from just liability, but reasonably to inform it that the shipment has been damaged and that it is charged with liability therefor, and to give it an opportunity to examine the nature and extent of the injury. This protects the carrier by affording it an opportunity to make an investigation of a claim while the matter is still fresh and easily investigated so as to safeguard itself from false and fraudulent claims.17
We have construed the 24-hour claim requirement as a condition precedent to the accrual of a right of action against a carrier for loss of, or damage to, the goods. The shipper or consignee must allege and prove the fulfillment of the condition. Otherwise, no right of action against the carrier can accrue in favor of the former.18
The shipment in this case was received by SMC on August 2, 1991. However, as found by the Court of Appeals, the claims were dated October 30, 1991, more than three (3) months from receipt of the shipment and, at that, even after the extent of the loss had already been determined by SMC's surveyor. The claim was, therefore, clearly filed beyond the 24-hour time frame prescribed by Art. 366 of the Code of Commerce.
But what of the damage already discovered in the presence of Eagle Express's representative at the time the shipment was discharged in Manila? The Request for Bad Order Survey and Turn Over Survey of Bad Order Cargoes, respectively dated June 17, 1999 and June 28, 1991, evince the fact that the damage to the cargo was already made known to Eagle Express and, possibly, SMC, as of those dates.
Sec. 3(6) of the COGSA provides a similar claim mechanism as the Code of Commerce but prescribes a period of three (3) days within which notice of claim must be given if the loss or damage is not apparent. It states:
Sec. 3(6). Unless notice of loss or damage and the general nature of such loss or damage be given in writing to the carrier or his agent at the port of discharge or at the time of the removal of the goods into the custody of the person entitled to delivery thereof under the contract of carriage, such removal shall be prima facie evidence of the delivery by the carrier of the goods as descibed in the bill of lading. If the loss or damage is not apparent, the notice must be given within three days of the delivery.
Said notice of loss or damage may be endorsed upon the receipt of the goods given by the person taking delivery thereof.
The notice in writing need not be given if the state of the goods has at the time of their receipt been the subject of joint survey or inspection.
UCPB seizes upon the last paragraph which dispenses with the written notice if the state of the goods has been the subject of a joint survey which, in this case, was the opening of the shipment in the presence of an Eagle Express representative. It should be noted at this point that the applicability of the above-quoted provision of the COGSA was not raised as an issue by UCPB before the trial court and was only cited by UCPB in its Memorandum in this case.
UCPB, however, is ambivalent as to which party Eagle Express represented in the transaction. By its own manifestation, East Asiatic, and not Eagle Express, acted as the agent through which summons
and court notices may be served on DAMCO. It would be unjust to hold that Eagle Express's knowledge of the damage to the cargo is such that it served to preclude or dispense with the 24-hour notice to the carrier required by Art. 366 of the Code of Commerce. Neither did the inspection of the cargo in which Eagle Express's representative had participated lead to the waiver of the written notice under the Sec. 3(6) of the COGSA. Eagle Express, after all, had acted as the agent of the freight consolidator, not that of the carrier to whom the notice should have been made.
At any rate, the notion that the request for bad order survey and turn over survey of bad cargoes signed by Eagle Express's representative is construable as compliant with the notice requirement under Art. 366 of the Code of Commerce was foreclosed by the dismissal of the complaint against DAMCO's representative, East Asiatic.
As regards respondent Pimentel Customs, it is sufficient to acknowledge that it had no participation in the physical handling, loading and delivery of the damaged cargo and should, therefore, be absolved of liability.
Finally, UCPB's misrepresentation that the applicability of the Code of Commerce was not raised as an issue before the trial court warrants the assessment of double costs of suit against it.
WHEREFORE, the petition is DENIED. The Decision of the Court of Appeals in CA-G.R. CV No. 68168, dated October 29, 2004 and its Resolution dated June 14, 2005 are AFFIRMED. Double costs against petitioner.
SO ORDERED.
Endnotes:
1 Rollo, pp. 34-42; penned by Associate Justice Aurora Santiago-Lagman with the concurrence of Associate Justices Portia Aliño-Hormachuelos and Rebecca De Guia-Salvador.
2 Id. at 45-48.
3 Id. at 50-51.
4 Id. at 35-37.
5 Id. at 259-279.
6 Id. at 89.
7 Id. at 90.
8 Id. at 259.
9 Id. at 233-258.
10 Id. at 297-327.
11 Id. at 371-387.
12 Id. at 150-157.
13 Id. at 153.
14 Id. at 94-98.
15 Id. at 14-15; Petition for Review on Certiorari dated August 1, 2005.
16 G.R. No. 136888, June 29, 2005, 462 SCRA 77; See also Federal Express Corporation v. American Home Assurance Company, G.R. No. 150094, August 18, 2004, 437 SCRA 50.
17 Philippine American General Insurance Co., Inc. v. Sweet Lines, Inc., G.R. No. 87434, August 5, 1992, 212 SCRA 194, 208.
18 Philippine Charter Insurance Corporation v. Chemoil Litherage Corporation, supra note 13 at 87.
