Republic of the Philippines
SUPREME COURT
Manila
SECOND DIVISION
G.R. No. 195289 September 24, 2014
ROBINSON'S BANK CORPORATION (formerly THE ROY AL BANK OF SCOTLAND [PHILS.], INC.), Petitioner,
vs.
HON. SAMUEL H. GAERLAN, HON. HAKIM S. ABDULWAHID and HON. RICARDO R. ROSARIO, in their capacity as Associate Justices respectively of the Tenth Division of the Court of Appeals, and TRADE AND INVESTMENT DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION OF THE PHILIPPINES, Respondents.
D E C I S I O N
DEL CASTILLO, J.:
This Petition for Certiorari1 assails the July 19, 2010 Resolution2 of the Court of Appeals (CA) in CA-G.R. SP No. 104141, entitled "Trade and Investment Development Corporation of the Philippines, Petitioner, versus World Grannary Corporation, Respondent," as well as its December 6, 2010 Resolution3 denying the Motion for Reconsideration4 of herein petitioner Robinson's Bank Corporation5 (RBC).
Factual Antecedents
On December 4, 2006, Nation Granary, Inc. (now World Granary6 Corporation, or WGC) filed a Petition for Rehabilitation with Prayer for Suspension of Payments, Actions and Proceedings7 before the Regional Trial Court (RTC) of Lucena City, which was docketed as Special Proceedings No. 2006-77 and assigned to Branch 57.
WGC is engaged in the business of mechanized bulk handling, transport and storage, warehousing,drying, and milling of grains. It incurred loans amounting to ₱2.66 billion from RBC and other banks and entities such as herein private respondent Trade and Investment Development Corporation of the Philippines (TIDCORP). It appears thatRBC is both a secured and unsecured creditor,8 while TIDCORP is a secured creditor.9
On December 12, 2006, the RTC issued a Stay Order10 staying the enforcement of creditors’ claims; prohibiting WGC from disposing or encumbering its properties and paying its outstanding liabilities; prohibiting its suppliers from withholding their goods and services; appointing a rehabilitation receiver; and directing creditors and interested parties to file their respective comments to the Petition.
RBC filed its Opposition11 to the Petition for Rehabilitation.
In a July 27, 2007 Order,12 the RTC gave due course to the Petition for Rehabilitation and directed the receiverto evaluate the rehabilitation plan submitted by WGC, and thereafter submit his recommendations thereon. Accordingly, the receiver submitted his Report withRecommendation13 dated September 27, 2007, to which RBC and TIDCORP filed their respective Comments.14 Apparently, the Reportproposed, among others, a pari passu– or equal – sharing between the secured and unsecuredcreditors of the proceeds from WGC’s cash flow made available for debt servicing.15
In its Comment, TIDCORP among others took exception to the proposed pari passusharing, insisting that as a secured creditor, it should enjoy preference over unsecured creditors, citing law and jurisprudence to the effect that the law on preference of credits shall be observed inresolving claims against corporations under rehabilitation.16 It likewise claimed that WGC violated its Indemnity Agreement17 with TIDCORP – which required that while the agreement subsisted, WGC shall not incur new debts without TIDCORP’s approval18 – by obtaining additional loans without the knowledge and consent of the latter.
RBC filed an Opposition19 to TIDCORP’s Comment, arguing pertinently that TIDCORP’s objection to a pari passusharing of WGC’s cash flow proceeds and insistence on preferential treatment goes against the legal principle that during rehabilitation, both secured and unsecuredcreditors stand on equal footing, and that it is only when rehabilitation is nolonger feasible – and liquidation is the remaining option – that secured creditorsshall enjoy preference over unsecured creditors;20 that giving preference to TIDCORP would violate the Stay Order and impair the powers of the receiver; and thatany change in the contractual relations between TIDCORP and WGC relative to their Indemnity Agreement comes as a necessary consequence of rehabilitation,which TIDCORP may not be heard to complain.
On June 6, 2008, the RTC issued an Order21 approving WGC’s rehabilitation plan, thus: WHEREFORE, the Rehabilitation Program submitted as Attachment "A" of the Report with Recommendation (On the Rehabilitation Program), dated September 27, 2007, of the Rehabilitation Receiver is hereby APPROVED with the following conditions to form part thereof:
1. that with the exception of the guarantee fees to TIDCORP (also known as PHILEXIM) all obligations of the petitioner should be settled on a pari-passubasis;
2. that the Rehabilitation Program should include a schedule of the equity infusion in the amount of Eighty Three Million Pesos;
3. that Petitioner should submit tothe Court, copy furnished the creditors, the schedule of contracts under negotiations with its prospective clients with informationsas to their status and proposed terms and conditions within thirty (30) days from receipt of this Order;
4. that Petitioner should submit tothe Court, copy furnished the creditors, a complete inventory of all the properties it bought using the proceeds from the LC/TR within thirty (30) days from receipt of this Order; and
5. that the Petitioner should include inthe Rehabilitation Program the repayment terms of the creditors on record not included therein, among whom is creditor Belmont Agricorp, Inc., furnishing copy thereof the concerned creditors.
The Petitioner is enjoined to strictlycomply with the provisions of the Rehabilitation Program, performing its obligations thereunder, and to take all the actions necessary to carry out the program, failing which the Court shall either upon motion, motu propio, or upon the recommendation of the Rehabilitation Receiver, terminate the proceedingsas provided for under the Rules.
The Rehabilitation Receiver is directed to strictly monitor the implementation of the program and submit a quarterly report on the progress thereof.
SO ORDERED.22
Ruling of the Court of Appeals
TIDCORP thus filed CA-G.R. SP No. 104141, which is a Petition for Review23 assailing the above June 6, 2008 Order on the ground that the trial court’s specific directive for WGC to settle its obligations on a pari passubasis is contrary to law and jurisprudence, as it unduly benefits unsecured creditors and thus prejudices its interests as a secured creditor. In addition, TIDCORP claimed that WGC violated its covenants under its Indemnity Agreement with TIDCORP by subsequently obtaining additional loans from RBC and other banks without TIDCORP’s knowledge and consent.24
TIDCORP argued that the banks – including RBC – which granted new loans to WGC in violation of its Indemnity Agreement contributed to TIDCORP’s present "iniquitous predicament" – that is, its rights as a secured creditor were "greatly impaired"; thus, these banks "should be held accountable" pursuant to the Civil Code provision that any "person who, contrary to law, willfully or negligently causes damage to another, shall indemnify the latter for the same."25 It maintained that for these reasons, it should be given preferential and special treatment among the WGC creditors.
TIDCORP thus prayed in its Petition thatthe portion of the assailed June 6, 2008 Order specifically directing that all WGC obligations be settled on a pari passubasis be reversedand set aside. It likewise sought injunctive relief.
RBC filed an Urgent Motion for Intervention with attached Comment in Intervention,26 which is anchored on its original claim and objection to TIDCORP’s position – that the latter may notenjoy preferential treatment over the other WGC creditors.27 Additionally, RBC argued that as an unsecured creditor which stood to be affectedby the outcome of TIDCORP’s Petition, it should have been impleaded in the Petition; since it was not impleaded, the Petition for review should be dismissed. Finally, RBC pointed out that TIDCORP actually knew of the additional loans WGC obtained as it approved, on July 26, 2006, WGC’s request for TIDCORP to increase itsguarantee on these additional loans.28 RBC therefore prayed that TIDCORP’s Petition for Review be dismissed; that the RTC’s June 6, 2008 Order be affirmed in toto; and that TIDCORP’s application for injunctive relief be denied.
In its Opposition29 seeking the dismissal of RBC’s Urgent Motion for Intervention, TIDCORP maintained that intervention is not allowed in rehabilitation proceedings, citing Rule 3,Section 1 of the Interim Rules of Procedure on Corporate Rehabilitation30 (Interim Rules), which applies even on appeal, since an appeal ismerely a continuation ofthe original action for rehabilitation.31 It added that the cases cited by RBC do not apply to the instant case, since they involved petitions for suspension of payments, while the instant case involves a petition for rehabilitation pursuant to the Interim Rules. Next, it claimed that RBC failed toshow that its participation would not delay the proceedings on appeal. Finally, it argued that a final determination of the appeal does not depend on RBC’s participation since rehabilitation proceedings are in remand binding on all interested and affected parties even if they did not participate in the proceedings.
On July 19, 2010, the first assailed Resolution was issued, which held thus:
As pointed out by the petitioner inits opposition, intervention is a prohibited pleading under Rule 3, Section 1 par 2 (g) of the Rules of Procedure On Corporate Rehabilitation to wit:
Section 1. Nature of proceeding-
x x x x
The proceedings shall also be summary and nonadversarial in nature. The following pleadings are prohibited:
x x x x
(g) Intervention
x x x x
In view of the foregoing, the instant motion is DENIED. The parties are directed to file their respective memoranda within fifteen (15) days from notice.
SO ORDERED.32
RBC filed a Motion for Reconsideration,33 arguing that the Interim Rules covering prohibited pleadings apply only during rehabilitation proceedings and before the rehabilitation court decides the case; after a decision is rendered, the Rules of Court34 apply. It cited the case of Leca Realty Corporation v. Manuela Corporation,35 which held as follows:
The issue posed before usin G.R. No. 166800 for certiorariand mandamusis whether the trial court erred in ruling that a motion for extension of time to file record on appeal is a prohibited pleading under Section 1 of the Interim Rules of Procedure on Corporate Rehabilitation which provides:
Section 1. Nature of Proceedings. – Any proceeding initiated under these Rules shall be considered in rem. Jurisdiction over all those affected by the proceedings shall be considered as acquired upon publication of the notice of the commencement of the proceedings in any newspaper of general circulation in the Philippines in the manner prescribed by these Rules. The proceedings shall also be summary and non-adversarial in nature. The following pleadings are prohibited:
a. Motion to Dismiss;
b. Motion for Bill of Particulars;
c. Motion for New Trial or For Reconsideration;
d. Petition for Relief;
e. Motion for Extension;
f. Memorandum;
g. Motion for Postponement;
h. Reply or Rejoinder;
i. Third Party Complaint;
j. Intervention;
x x x x
The prohibited pleadings enumerated above are those filed in the rehabilitation proceedings. Once the trial court decides the case and an aggrieved party appeals, the procedure to be followed is that prescribed by the Rules of Court as mandated by Section 5, Rule 3, of the same Interim Rules, thus:
The review of any order or decision of the court or on appeal therefrom shall be in accordance with the Rules of Court.36
In its Comment/Opposition,37 TIDCORP essentially argued that the cited pronouncement in the Leca Realtycase is a mere obiter dictum; that since RBC failed to file a Petition for Review of the trial court’s June 6,2008 Order, it cannot now move to intervene in TIDCORP’s Petition for Review as a substitute for its lost appeal; that there are no valid reasonsfor intervention; and that intervention would unnecessarily delay the proceedings.
In its second assailed Resolution of December 6, 2010, the CA remained unconvinced, stating that while the pronouncement in Leca Realtyis applicable to the case, it is nonetheless true that RBC may not resort to intervention as a substitute for a lost appeal, occasioned by its failure to file a Petition for Review within fifteen (15) days from notice of the trial court’s June 6, 2008 Order – which is the sanctioned procedure under Rule 8,Section 2 of the Rules of Procedure on Corporate Rehabilitation.38
Hence, RBC filed the instant Petition.
Issues
In the present recourse, petitioner argues that –
Respondent Justices gravely abused their discretion amounting to lack or excess of jurisdiction and failed to perform what their duty is under the Rules of Court:
1. WHEN THEY ERRED IN DECIDING THAT THE PROPER REMEDY OF THE PETITIONER WAS TO FILE A PETITION FOR REVIEW INSTEAD OF A MERE MOTION FOR INTERVENTION.
2. WHEN THEY SUMMARILY DENIED THE PETITIONER’S URGENT MOTION FOR INTERVENTION, DESPITE THE CLEAR SHOWING THAT PETITIONER HAS LEGAL INTEREST IN AND WILL BE ADVERSELY AFFECTED BY THE MATTERS RAISED BY PRIVATE RESPONDENT IN ITS PETITION AND THAT THE INTERVENTION WILL NOT UNDULY DELAY THE PROCEEDINGS.39
Petitioner’s Arguments
In its Petition and Reply,40 petitioner RBC maintains that the CA committed patent error and grave abuse of discretion in failing to discern that it is not assailing the trial court’s judgment – specifically its June 6, 2008 Order – but rather seeks its affirmance in toto, and that its sole objective was simply to obtain a dismissal of TIDCORP’s Petition for Review; that it would have been improper for it to initiate a new case given that its rights and liabilities as WGC creditor are so interwoven with and inseparable from TIDCORP’s; that intervention was prompted by TIDCORP’s allegation in itsPetition for Review that the creditor banks – including RBC – are responsible for TIDCORP’s present situation and must be held accountable to it for their willful acts; that in claiming preferential treatment over the other creditors in the Petition for Review, TIDCORP disregards law and settled jurisprudence to the effect that during rehabilitation proceedings, creditors should stand on equal footing; that in view of TIDCORP’s actions, RBC stood to be affected and thus must intervene to protect its rights and interests; that intervention is necessary to prevent multiplicity of suit and conflicting decisions that may arise from cases that may be filed by the other creditors.
Petitioner thus prays that the assailed dispositions be reversed and that it be allowed to intervene inCA-G.R. SP No. 104141.
Private Respondent’s Arguments
In its Comment,41 TIDCORP insists that the Rules of Procedure on Corporate Rehabilitation apply even on appeal, as it is merely a continuation of the proceedings below; that intervention is prohibited under the said Rules; that the CA exercised sound discretion in disallowing RBC’s motion to intervene; that intervention would have resulted in delay; that the conditions for intervention are not present in RBC’s case, since RBC’s interest in the case is merely inchoate and indirect; that since RBC is already a party to the rehabilitation case, intervention on its part was improper asit may be availed of only by a third party, not an original party to the case; that RBC’s arguments are speculative; and that the Petition lacked a valid verification and certification against forum-shopping for lack of proof of authority that the individual who prepared the Petition was authorized to sign or file the same.
Our Ruling
The Court partially grants the Petition.
Incipiently, on the procedural issue covering verification and the certification against forum-shopping, it must be said that the matter has been rendered irrelevant by this Court’s November 26, 2012 Resolution42 which gave due course to the Petition. Indeed, TIDCORP no longer reiterated the issue in its Memorandum.43
Next, it is beyond question that under Rule 3, Section 5 of the Rules of Procedure on Corporate Rehabilitation, the review of any order or decision of the rehabilitation court or on appeal therefrom shall be in accordance with the Rules of Court, unless otherwise provided.44 This being the case, there is no visible objection to RBC’s participation in CA-G.R. SP No. 104141 as it stands to be injured or benefited by the outcome ofTIDCORP’s Petition for Review – being both a secured and unsecured creditor of WGC.
To recall, TIDCORP’s Petition for Review in CA-G.R. SP No. 104141 sought to 1) nullify the pari passusharing scheme directedby the trial court; 2) declare RBC and the other creditor banks– which granted additional loans to WGC after the latter executed its Indemnity Agreement with TIDCORP – guilty of violating TIDCORP’s rights; and 3) grant preferential and special treatment to TIDCORP over other WGC creditors. These remedies would undoubtedly affect not merely the rights of RBC, but of all the other WGC creditors as well, as their standing or status as creditors would be somewhat downgraded, and the manner of recovery of their respective credits will be altered if TIDCORP’s prayer is granted. Not to mention that some of them are in danger ofbeing held liable on TIDCORP’s accusations relative to its Indemnity Agreement with WGC. Surely, if TIDCORP’s arguments are to be considered and its remedies granted, the other creditors should be given the opportunityto be heard by way of comment or opposition; they are entitled to due process. "In its most basic sense, the right to due process is simply that every man is accorded a reasonable opportunity to be heard. Its very concept contemplates freedom from arbitrariness, as what it requires is fairness or justice. It abhors all attempts to make an accusation synonymous with liability."45
Thus, the nature of TIDCORP’s Petition in CA-G.R. SP No. 104141 is such that the other creditors like RBC must be allowed to participate in the proceedings. They have aninterest in the controversy where a final decree would necessarily affect their rights. Indeed, the appellate court, on its own, should have seen that the rights of RBC stand to be adversely affected by the remedies prayed for by TIDCORP. Thus, the CA could have ordered RBC to file its comment in CA-G.R. SP No. 104141 and allowed to participate therein. Just as the trial court allowed RBC and TIDCORP toparticipate in the proceedings below, the CA should have likewise allowed RBC to participate in the proceedings before it. This is only fair and logical considering that, as admitted by TIDCORP, RBC is already a party in the rehabilitation case, and that the instant Petition for Review is merely a continuation ofthe proceedings below.1âwphi1
To disallow the participation of RBC constitutes an evasion of the appellate court’s positive duty to observe due process,a gross and patent error that can be considered as grave abuse of discretion.46 Likewise, when an adverse effect on the substantial rights of a litigant results from the exercise of the court’s discretion, certiorarimay issue.47 If not, this Court possesses the prerogative and initiative to take corrective action when necessary to prevent a substantial wrong or to do substantial justice.
x x x In the exercise of our superintending control over inferiorcourts, we are to be guided by all the circumstances of each particular case "as the ends of justice may require." So it is that the writ will be granted where necessary to prevent a substantial wrong or to do substantial justice.48
While TIDCORP is correct in arguing that intervention is not the proper mode for RBC coming to the CA since it is already a party to the rehabilitation proceedings, this merely highlights the former’s error in not allowing the latter to participate in the proceedings in CA-G.R. SP No. 104141 just as it underscores the appellate court’s blunder in not ordering that RBC be allowed to comment or participate in the case so that they may be given the opportunity to be heard on TIDCORP’s allegations and accusations. And while RBC chose the wrong mode for interposing its comments and objections in CA-G.R. SP No. 104141, this does not necessarily warrant the outright denial ofits chosen remedy; the Court is not so rigid as to be precluded from adopting measures to insure that justice would be administered fairly to all parties concerned. If TIDCORP must pursue its Petition for Review, then RBC should be allowed to comment and participate in the proceedings. There is no other solution to the impasse.
Finally, the CA committed another patent error in declaring that RBC’s proper remedy was not to move for intervention, but to file a Petition for Review of the trial court’s June 6, 2008 Order. It failed to perceive the obvious fact that there is nothing about the trial court’s order that RBC questioned; quite the contrary, it sought to affirm the said order in totoand simply prayed for the dismissal of TIDCORP’s Petition for Review.There is thus no legal and logical basis for its conclusion thatRBC should have resorted toa Petition for Review just the same.
With the foregoing conclusions arrived at and the view taken of the case, the CA is hereby directed to allow RBC tofile its comment and participate in the proceedings; thereafter, the CA shall continue with the proceedings in CA-G.R. SP No. 104141.
WHEREFORE, the Petition is partially GRANTED. The assailed July 19, 2010 and December 6, 2010 Resolutions of the Court of Appeals in CA-G.R. SP No. 104141 are SET ASIDE. The Court of Appeals is hereby directed to allow petitioner Robinson’s Bank Corporation to file its comment and to participate in CA-G.R. SP No. 104141.
SO ORDERED.
MARIANO C. DEL CASTILLO
Associate Justice
WE CONCUR:
ARTURO D. BRION
Associate Justice
Acting Chairperson
MARTIN S. VILLARAMA, JR.* Associate Justice |
JOSE CATRAL MENDOZA Associate Justice |
MARVIC M.V.F. LEONEN
Associate Justice
A T T E S T A T I O N
I attest that the conclusions in the above Decision had been reached in consultation before the case was assigned to the writer of the opinion of the Court's Division.
ARTURO D. BRION
Associate Justice
Acting Chairperson
C E R T I F I C A T I O N
Pursuant to Section 13, Article VIII of the Constitution and the Division Acting Chairperson's Attestation, I certify that the conclusions in the above Decision had been reached in consultation before the case was assigned to the writer of the opinion of the Court's Division.
MARIA LOURDES P. A. SERENO
Chief Justice
Footnotes
* Per Raffle dated September 15, 2014.
1 Rollo, pp. 3-29.
2 Id. at 31-32; penned by Associate Justice Samuel H. Gaerlan and concurred in by Associate Justices Hakim S. Abdulwahid and Ricardo R. Rosario.
3 Id. at 34-38.
4 Id. at 260-265.
5 Formerly ABN-AMRO Bank and Royal Bank of Scotland (Philippines), Inc.
6 Or Grannary, per records.
7 Rollo, pp. 40-65.
8 Id. at 43.
9 Id. at 49.
10 Id. at 68-70.
11 Id. at 71-83.
12 Id. at 85-91.
13 Id. at 92-98.
14 Id. at 99-116 (RBC Comment); 117-132 (TIDCORP Comment).
15 Id. at 96.
16 Citing State Investment House, Inc. v. Court of Appeals, 342 Phil. 893 (1997).
17 Rollo, pp. 133-142.
18 Id. at 140.
19 Id. at 146-154.
20 Citing Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation v. Intermediate Appellate Court, 378 Phil. 10 (1999); Alemar’s Sibal & Sons, Inc. v. Elbinias, G.R. No. 75414, June 4, 1990, 186 SCRA 94; and the Interim Rules of Procedure on Corporate Rehabilitation.
21 Rollo, pp. 156-161; penned by Judge Adolfo V. Encomienda.
22 Id. at 160-161.
23 Id. at 162-191.
24 Id. at 177.
25 Article 20.
26 Rollo, pp. 198-214.
27 Reiterating Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation v. Intermediate Appellate Court, supra note 20; Alemar’s Sibal & Sons, Inc. v. Elbinias, supra note 20; and its arguments in its Comment and Opposition to TIDCORP’s Comment on the receiver’s September 27, 2007 Report with Recommendation.
28 Rollo, pp. 215-217; TIDCORP Secretary’s Certificate dated August 1, 2006.
29 Id. at 224-233.
30 Rule 3 GENERAL PROVISIONS
Section 1. Nature of Proceedings. - Any proceeding initiated under these Rules shall be considered in rem. Jurisdiction over all those affected by the proceedings shall be considered as acquired upon publication of the notice of the commencement of the proceedings in any newspaper of general circulation in the Philippines in the manner prescribed by these Rules.
The proceedings shall also be summary and non-adversarial in nature. The following pleadings are prohibited:
a. Motion to dismiss;
b. Motion for a bill of particulars;
c. Motion for new trial or for reconsideration;
d. Petition for relief;
e. Motion for extension;
f. Memorandum;
g. Motion for postponement;
h. Reply or Rejoinder;
i. Third party complaint; and
j. Intervention.
31 Citing People v. Hon. Laguio, Jr., 547 Phil. 296 (2007) and Guy v. Asia United Bank, 561 Phil. 103 (2007).
32 Rollo, pp. 31-32.
33 Id. at 260-265.
34 1997 RULES OF CIVIL PROCEDURE.
35 560 Phil. 369 (2007).
36 Id. at 377-378.
37 Rollo, pp. 266-277.
38 Rule 8 PROCEDURAL REMEDIES
Section 2. Review of Decision orOrder on Rehabilitation Plan. - An order approving or disapproving a rehabilitation plan can only be reviewed through a petition for review to the Court of Appeals under Rule 43 of the Rules of Court within fifteen (15) days from notice of the decision or order.
39 Rollo, p. 15.
40 Id. at 328-337.
41 Id. at 304-317.
42 Id. at 341-342.
43 Id. at 366-384.
44 Rule 3 GENERAL PROVISIONS
Section 5. Executory Nature of Orders. - Any order issued by the court under these Rules is immediately executory. A petition to review the order shall not stay the execution of the order unless restrained or enjoined by the appellate court. Unless otherwise provided in these Rules, the review of any order or decision of the court or an appeal therefrom shall be in accordance with the Rules of Court; provided, however, that the reliefs ordered by the trial or appellate courts shall take into account the need for resolution of proceedings in a just, equitable and speedy manner.
45 Philippine National Construction Corporation v. National Labor Relations Commission, 354 Phil. 274, 282 (1998).
46 See Land Bank of the Philippines v. Pagayatan, G.R. No. 177190, February 23, 2011, 644 SCRA 133, 148 (citation omitted).
47 Negros Oriental Planters Association, Inc. v. Hon. Presiding Judge, RTC-Negros Occ., Br. 52, Bacolod City, 595 Phil. 1158, 1168 (2008).
48 Gutib v. Court of Appeals, 371 Phil. 293, 307 (1999).
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