THIRD DIVISION
G.R. No. 202176, August 01, 2016
METROPOLITAN BANK & TRUST COMPANY, Petitioner, v. CHUY LU TAN, MR. ROMEO TANCO, DR. SY SE HIONG, AND TAN CHU HSIU YEN, Respondent.
D E C I S I O N
PERALTA, J.:
Before the Court is a petition for review on certiorari seeking to reverse and set aside the Decision1 and Resolution2 of the Court of Appeals (CA), dated March 20, 2012 and June 11, 2012, respectively, in CA-G.R. CV No. 92543. The assailed CA Decision reversed and set aside the July 17, 2008 Decision3 of the Regional Trial Court (RTC) of Makati City, Branch 61, in an action for collection of a sum of money, docketed as Civil Case No. 00-349, while the CA Resolution denied petitioner's motion for reconsideration.
The facts of the case are as follows:
chanRoblesvirtualLawlibraryBetween February 26, 19-96 and May 8, 1996, herein respondents Chuy Lu Tan (Chuy) and Romeo Tanco (Tanco) obtained five loans from herein petitioner Metropolitan Bank & Trust Company (Metrobank) with an aggregate amount of Nineteen Million Nine Hundred Thousand Pesos (P19,900,000.00). These loans are evidenced by five Promissory Notes executed by Chuy and Tanco on various dates.4 As security for the said loans, Chuy executed a Real Estate Mortgage5 on February 26, 1996 over a 1,449.70 square meter parcel of land in Quezon City covered by Transfer Certificate of Title No. RT-53314 (288923). In addition to the said mortgage, herein respondents Sy Se Hiong (Sy) and Tan Chu Hsiu Yen (Tan) also executed a Continuing Surety Agreement6 whereby they bound themselves to be solidarily liable with Chuy and Tanco for the principal amount of P19,900,000.00 "plus interests thereon at the rate or rates stated in the obligation secured thereby, any or all penalties, costs and expenses which may be incurred by [Metrobank] in granting and/or collecting the aforesaid obligations/indebtedness/instruments, and including those for the custody, maintenance, and preservation of the securities given therefor, as may be incurred by [Metrobank] before or after the date of [the] Surety Agreement."7chanrobleslaw
Subsequently, Chuy and Tanco failed to settle their loans despite Metrobank's repeated demands for payment. In a final demand letter dated October 27, 1999, Metrobank's counsel notified respondent Chuy that as of October 15, 1999, their obligations, comprising the principal amount loaned, together with interest and penalties, amounted to P24,353,062.03.8 Consequently, on December 14, 1999, Metrobank extrajudicially foreclosed the mortgage and the property was sold to it (Metrobank) as the highest bidder for the amount of P24,572,268.00.9chanrobleslaw
However, in separate letters to the respondents, which were all dated January 26, 2000, Metrobank claimed that after application of the bid price to the respondents' outstanding obligation and the payment of the costs of foreclosure, accrued interest, penalty charges, attorney's fees and other related expenses, there remained a deficiency of P1,641,815.00, as of January 15, 2000.10 As such, Metrobank demanded from respondents the payment of the said deficiency. For respondents' failure to heed Metrobank's demand, the latter filed a suit for collection of a sum of money with the RTC of Makati.
The case was then set for pre-trial. Subsequently, Chuy was declared in default for failure to attend the pre-trial and to file her pre-trial brief.
Thereafter, trial ensued wherein Metrobank was allowed to present its evidence ex parte against Chuy.
On July 17, 2008, the RTC rendered its Decision11 and disposed of the case as follows:
WHEREFORE, premises duly considered, judgment is hereby rendered ordering the herein defendants, namely, Chuy Lu Tan (Ms. Chuy), Romeo Tanco (Mr. Tanco), Sy Se Hong (Mr. Sy) and Tan Chu Hsiu Yen (Mr. Tan) to PAY, jointly and severally, the herein plaintiff Metropolitan Bank and Trust Company (Metrobank) the sum of ONE MILLION SIX HUNDRED FORTY-ONE THOUSAND EIGHT HUNDRED FIFTEEN PESOS (P1,641,815.00), with interest at the legal rate from 16 January 2000 until the amount is fully paid, and the cost of suit.Both petitioner and respondents, with the exception of Chuy, appealed the RTC Decision with the CA.
SO ORDERED.
A. THE TRIAL COURT ERRED IN NOT APPLYING THE INTEREST RATES, PENALTY CHARGES STIPULATED IN THE PROMISSORY NOTES ON THE UNPAID OBLIGATION OF [RESPONDENTS].On the other hand, respondents raised the following issues in their appeal, to wit:
B. THE TRIAL COURT ERRED IN NOT AWARDING ATTORNEY'S FEES IN FAVOR OF X X X METROBANK.12
On March 20, 2012, the CA promulgated its assailed Decision by reversing and setting aside the July 17, 2008 Decision of the RTC and dismissing Metrobank's complaint. The CA ruled that to allow Metrobank to recover the amount it seeks from respondents would be iniquitous, unconscionable and would amount to unjust enrichment.I
WHETHER THE TRIAL COURT ERRED IN FAILING TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE OF THE EXCESSIVE AND UNFOUNDED AMOUNT OF THE ALLEGED DEFICIENCY BALANCE DUE TO X X X METROBANK IN THE AMOUNT OF P1,641,815.00 CONSISTING OF PENALTIES AND SURCHARGES, WHEN THE VALUE OF THE PROPERTY FORECLOSED WAS ALREADY MORE THAN ENOUGH TO PAY THE DEBT IN FULL.II
WHETHER THE TRIAL COURT ERRED IN FINDING THAT [RESPONDENTS] ARE JOINTLY AND SEVERALLY LIABLE TO X X X METROBANK, DESPITE THE FACT THAT [RESPONDENTS] HAVE ESTABLISHED BY PREPONDERANCE OF EVIDENCE THAT [METROBANK] HAD ALREADY RECOVERED THE UNPAID BALANCE ON THE PRINCIPAL OBLIGATION AND ALREADY SUBSTANTIALLY GAINED FROM THE FORECLOSURE OF THE COLLATERAL PROPERTIES. AS A COURT OF EQUITY, THIS HONORABLE COURT SHOULD NOT TOLERATE AND SHOULD THEREFORE STRIKE OFF SUCH UNREASONABLE AND EXORBITANT PENALTIES AND SURCHARGES BEING CLAIMED BY [METROBANK] IN THIS CASE.III
WHETHER THE TRIAL COURT ERRED IN FAILING TO RULE THAT RESPONDENT DR. SY'S CONJUGAL PARTNERSHIP [PROPERTIES] WITH HIS WIFE LYDIA SY CANNOT BE HELD ANSWERABLE FOR [METROBANK'S] CLAIMS. HAVING ENTERED INTO THE SURETYSHIP AGREEMENT WITHOUT THE CONSENT OF HIS WIFE, THE CONJUGAL ASSETS OF DR. SY CANNOT BE HELD ANSWERABLE FOR ANY OF [METROBANK'S] CLAIMS ABSENT ANY SHOWING THAT IT REDOUNDED TO THE BENEFIT OF THEIR CONJUGAL PARTNERSHIP.13
THE HONORABLE COURT OF APPEALS ERRED IN REVERSING AND SETTING ASIDE THE TRIAL COURT'S DECISION DATED 17 JULY 2008.15In support of its contention, petitioner argues that the CA erred in denying its deficiency claim on the ground that such claim, which allegedly consisted almost entirely of interest and penalties, is iniquitous, unconscionable and exorbitant. Petitioner also posits that the CA erred in ruling that the mortgaged property is worth more than the bid price and, hence, bars petitioner from claiming any deficiency. Lastly, petitioner claims that its deficiency claim should not have been dismissed because respondents have admitted default in the payment of their obligations.
x x x it is settled that if the proceeds of the sale are insufficient to cover the debt in an extrajudicial foreclosure of the mortgage, the mortgagee is entitled to claim the deficiency from the debtor. For when the legislature intends to deny the right of a creditor to sue for any deficiency resulting from foreclosure of security given to guarantee an obligation it expressly provides as in the case of pledges [Civil Code, Art. 2115] and in chattel mortgages of a thing sold on installment basis [Civil Code, Art. 1484(3)]. Act No. 3135, which governs the extrajudicial foreclosure of mortgages, while silent as to the mortgagee's right to recover, does not, on the other hand, prohibit recovery of deficiency. Accordingly, it has been held that a deficiency claim arising from the extrajudicial foreclosure is allowed.18Indeed, the fact that the mortgaged property was sold at an amount less than its actual market value should not militate against the right to such recovery.19 This Court has likewise ruled that in deference to the rule that a mortgage is simply a security and cannot be considered payment of an outstanding obligation, the creditor is not barred from recovering the deficiency even if it bought the mortgaged property at the extrajudicial foreclosure sale at a lower price than its market value notwithstanding the fact that said value is more than or equal to the total amount of the debtor's obligation.20 Thus, in the case of Suico Rattan & Buri Interiors, Inc. v. Court of Appeals, 21 this Court explained that:
Hence, it is wrong for petitioners to conclude that when respondent bank supposedly bought the foreclosed properties at a very low price, the latter effectively prevented the former from satisfying their whole obligation. Petitioners still had the option of either redeeming the properties and, thereafter, selling the same for a price which corresponds to what they claim as the properties' actual market value or by simply selling their right to redeem for a price which is equivalent to the difference between the supposed market value of the said properties and the price obtained during the foreclosure sale. In either case, petitioners will be able to recoup the loss they claim to have suffered by reason of the inadequate price obtained at the auction sale and, thus, enable them to settle their obligation with respondent bank. Moreover, petitioners are not justified in concluding that they should be considered as having paid their obligations in full since respondent bank was the one who acquired the mortgaged properties and that the price it paid was very inadequate. The fact that it is respondent bank, as the mortgagee, which eventually acquired the mortgaged properties and that the bid price was low is not a valid reason for petitioners to refuse to pay the remaining balance of their obligation. Settled is the rule that a mortgage is simply a security and not a satisfaction of indebtedness.As to petitioner's entitlement to the amount sought to be recovered, respondents, in their Special and Affirmative Defenses,22 contained in their Answer with Compulsory Counterclaim, as well as in their Appellant's Brief23 filed with the CA, never disputed the amount and computation of the deficiency sought to be recovered by petitioner. What respondents are insisting is that petitioner is barred from recovering any deficiency because the bid price is considerably inadequate as compared to the alleged actual value of the foreclosed property. However, as discussed above, the settled rule is that when there is right to redeem, the inadequacy of the price becomes immaterial since the judgment debtor may reacquire the property or sell his right to redeem.
The judge shall equitably reduce the penalty when the principal obligation has been partly or irregularly complied with by the debtor. Even if there has been no performance, the penalty may also be reduced by the courts if it is iniquitous or unconscionable.34In the instant case, the Court finds the eighteen percent (18%) penalty charge imposed by petitioner on the deficiency claim, computed from the time of default, as excessive and, accordingly, reduces it considering that petitioner was already able to recover a large portion of respondents' principal obligation. In consonance with prevailing jurisprudence,35 the Court finds it proper to reduce the rate of penalty charge imposed on the deficiency claim from eighteen percent (18%) per annum to twelve percent (12%) per annum.
[T]he attorney's fees here are in the nature of liquidated damages and the stipulation therefor is aptly called a penal clause. It has been said that so long as such stipulation does not contravene law, morals, or public order, it is strictly binding upon defendant. The attorney's fees so provided are awarded in favor of the litigant, not his counsel, x x x38The foregoing notwithstanding, even if such attorney's fees are allowed by law, as in the case of the above-discussed penalty charge, the courts still have the power to reduce the same if the said fees are unreasonable.39chanrobleslaw
Endnotes:
1 Penned by Associate Justice Amy C. Lazaro-Javier, with Associate Justices Andres B. Reyes, Jr. and Sesinando E. Villon, concurring; Annex "A" to Petition; rollo, pp. 44-57.
2Id. at 58.
3 Penned by Judge J. Cedrick O. Ruiz; Annex "OO" to Petition; id. at 194-202.
4 See Annexes "E", "F", "G", "H" and "I" to Petition, id. at 66-70.
5 Annex "J" to Petition, id. at 71 -72.
6 Annex "L" to Petition, id. at 75.
7Id.
8 Annex "M" to Petition, id. at 76-77.
9 See Certificate of Sale, Annex "U" to Petition, id. at 89-90.
10 See Annexes "W", "X", "Y" and "Z" to Petition, id. at 92-103.
11 Annex "OO" to Petition, id. at 194-202. (Emphasis in the original)
12 Annex "UU" to Petition, id. at 240.
13 Annex "VV" to Petition, id. at 275-276.
14 Annex "AAA" to Petition, id. at 365-387.
15Rollo, p. 23.
16Bank of the Philippine Islands v. Reyes, 680 Phil. 718, 725 (2012).
17 688 Phil. 33(2012).
18Id. at 47-48, citing Philippine National Bank v. Court of Appeals, G.R. No. 121739, June 14, 1999, 308 SCRA 229, 235.
19BPI Family Savings Bank, Inc. v. Spouses Avenido, 678 Phil. 148, 162 (2011), citing Prudential Bank v. Martinez, 267 Phil. 644, 650 (1990).
20Bank of the Philippine Islands v. Reyes, supra note 16.
21 524 Phil. 92, 113-114 (2006). (Emphasis ours)
22Rollo, pp. 116-118.
23Id. at 259-291.
24Sycamore Ventures Corporation, et al. v. Metropolitan Bank and Trust Co., 721 Phil. 290, 300 (2013). (Emphasis ours)
25cralawred Bank of the Philippines Islands v. Reyes, supra note 16, at 727, citing New Sampaguita Builders Construction Inc. v. Philippine National Bank, 479 Phil. 483, 514-515 (2004); The Abaca Corporation of the Phils, v. Garcia, 338 Phil. 988, 993 (1997); Gomez v. Gealone, GR. No. 58281, November 13, 1991, 203 SCRA 474, 486; Prudential Bank v. Martinez, supra note 19, at 650; Francia v. Intermediate Appellate Court, 245 Phil. 717, 726 (1988); Vda. de Gordon v. Court of Appeals, 196 Phil. 159, 165 (1981).
26Bank of the Philippine Islands v. Reyes, supra note 16, at 729.
27The Parents-Teachers Association of St. Mathew Christian Academy, et al. v. The Metropolitan Bank and Trust Co., 627 Phil. 669, 690 (2010).
28Bank of the Philippine Islands v. Reyes, supra note 16, at 729.
29Maynilad Water Supervisors Association v. Maynilad Water Services, Inc., G.R. No. 198935, November 27, 2013. 711 SCRA 110, 122.
30Id.
31Spouses Mallari v. Prudential Bank (now Bank of the Philippines Islands), 710 Phil. 490, 498-499 (2013), citing Villanueva v. Court of Appeals, 671 Phil. 467, 478 (2011); Garcia v. Court of Appeals, 249 Phil. 739 (1988).
32Id., citing Ruiz v. Court of Appeals, 449 Phil. 419 (2003).
33Id.
34Emphasis supplied.
35RGM Industries, Inc. v. United Pacific Capital Corporation, 689 Phil 660, 665 (2012); Bank of the Philippine Islands, Inc. v. Spouses Yu, et al, 624 Phil. 408, 420 (2010).
36Lim v. Security Bank Corporation, G.R. No. 188539, March 12,2014,718 SCRA 709, 718.
37 349 Phil. 769 (1998).
38Barons Marketing Corp. v. CA, supra, at 780, citing Polytrade Corporation v. Blanco, 140 Phil. 604, 609 (1969).
39Lim v. Security Bank Corporation, supra note 35.
40RGM Industries, Inc. v. United Pacific Capital Corporation, supra note 34, at 665-666.
41Nacar v. Gallery Frames, et al., 716 Phil. 267 (2013).