FIRST DIVISION
November 22, 2017
G.R. No. 204289
FERNANDO MANCOL, JR., Petitioner
vs.
DEVELOPMENT BANK OF THE PHILIPPINES, Respondent
D E C I S I O N
TIJAM, J.:
Assailed in this Petition for Review on Certiorari1 is the Decision2 dated February 22, 2012 and Resolution3 dated September 27, 2012 of the Court of Appeals (CA), Visayas Station in CA-G.R. CEB-CV No. 03030, affirming the Orders dated June 13, 2008,4 November 4, 20085 and April 17, 20096 of the Regional Trial Court (RTC) of Calbayog City, Branch 31 in Civil Case No. 923.
Factual Antecedents
Respondent Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP), scheduled an Invitation to Bid for Negotiated Sale on October 13, 2004 at the Mezzanine Floor, over a residential lot with a two-storey building (subject property) covered by TCT No. 2041 located at Navarro Street, Calbayog City, and with Tax Declaration (TD) Nos. 9901006009317 and 9901006004798 with a purchase price of ₱l,326,000.9
In line with this, Fernando Mancol, Jr. (petitioner) executed a Special Power of Attorney (SPA)10 appointing his father, Fernando Mancol, Sr. (Mancol, Sr.), to represent and negotiate, on his behalf, the sale of the subject property. Pursuant to the SPA, Mancol, Sr. signed the Negotiated Offer to Purchase11 and Negotiated Sale Rules and Procedures/Disposition of Assets on a First-Come First Served Basis.12 DBP then issued an Official Receipt (O.R.) No. 344001813 dated October 13, 2004, in the name of Fernando R. Mancol, Jr., paid by Fernando M. Mancol, Sr., in the amount of ₱265,200, as initial payment for the purchase price of the subject property. During the negotiations, DBP officials allegedly agreed, albeit verbally, to: (1) arrange and effect the transfer of title of the lot in petitioner's name, including the payment of capital gains tax (CGT); and (2) to get rid of the occupants of the subject property.14
Petitioner paid the balance in the amount of ₱1,060,800, as evidenced by O.R. No. 344045115 dated December 10, 2004. Thereafter, DBP, through its Branch Manager Jorge B. Albarillo, executed a Deed of Absolute Sale,16 in petitioner's favor.
On December 21, 2004, petitioner made a deposit with DBP for the payment of the CGT and documentary stamp tax (DST) in the amount of ₱99,450. DBP acknowledged the deposit and issued O.R. No. 3440537.17
Sometime in 2006, DBP reneged on its undertaking based on the oral agreement. DBP returned to the petitioner all the pertinent documents of the sale and issued a Manager's Check (MC) No. 000095647518 in the amount of ₱99,450.19
In a Letter20 dated February 21, 2006, petitioner through its counsel demanded from DBP to comply with its verbal undertaking. He returned the MC and all pertinent documents affecting the sale of the subject property to DBP.
DBP, through its Letter21 dated April 22, 2006, disregarded the subsequent oral agreement and reminded petitioner that DBP has no obligation to eject the occupants and to cause the transfer of title of the lot in petitioner's name.
Meanwhile, Mancol, Sr. wrote a Letter22 dated May 15, 2006 to the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) requesting for a detailed computation of the CGT and DST with penalties and surcharges thereof affecting the sale of the subject property. The BIR, through its Letter23 dated May 24, 2006 came out with a detailed computation in the total of ₱160,700.88.
In a Letter24 dated June 2, 2006, petitioner proposed to DBP that he will facilitate the payment of the CGT and DST but DBP should shoulder the penalties and surcharges. The proposal, however, was turned down. As of March 7, 2007, the total amount to be paid which is necessary for the transfer of the title in petitioner's name ballooned to ₱183,553.61 and counting.25
On August 24, 2006, petitioner filed a Complaint26 for damages for breach of contract against DBP before the RTC of Calbayog City, Branch 31. He prayed that DBP be found to have breached its obligation with petitioner; that DBP be held liable to pay the aggregate amount of ₱160,700.88 and surcharges which may be imposed by the BIR at the time of payment; that DBP be ordered to pay damages and attorney's fees; and that DBP be ordered to return the MC dated February 8, 2006 for ₱99,450.
In its Answer with Counter-Claim,27 DBP alleged that the terms of the
Deed of Absolute Sale stated no condition that DBP will work on the document of transfer and to eject the occupants thereon.28 Assuming that DBP's officials made such a promise, DBP alleged that the same would not be possible since the petitioner did not give any money to DBP for other expenses in going to and from Calbayog City. DBP likewise alleged that it is not the bank's policy to work for the registration of the instrument of sale of properties.29 DBP further claimed that petitioner's unilateral act in issuing a check to DBP does not constitute as evidence to prove that DBP assumed the responsibility of registering the instrument of sale. By way of counterclaim, DBP averred that petitioner grossly violated the terms and conditions of the agreement of sale.30 Petitioner failed to pay, reimburse or assume the financial obligation consequent to the initiation and filing of the writ of possession by DBP against the occupants. Petitioner's failure was contrary to his promise and assurance that he will pay. Petitioner did not comply with the clear and express provisions of the Deed of Absolute Sale and of the rules and procedures of sale on negotiation. DBP, thus, prayed that the complaint be dismissed for lack of jurisdiction and that petitioner be ordered to assume the burden of initiating the ejectment suit and to pay DBP damages, attorney's fees and cost of suit amounting to ₱200,000.
On February 20, 2007, the RTC issued an Order31 declaring DBP in default by reason of its counsel's failure to appear during the pre-trial and to file its pre-trial brief.
Trial ensued.
During the trial, Rodel Villanueva testified32 that he was the one commissioned or ordered by a certain Atty. Mar De Asis (Atty. De Asis) of DBP, to go to BIR-Catbalogan, and to bring the following documents: a check worth PhP99,450.00, the amount for the CGT, the title, the TD, and the deed of sale.33
Mancol, Sr. testified34 that he signed the Negotiated Offer to Purchase and Negotiated Sale Rules and Procedures/Disposition of Assets on a First-Come First Served Basis on behalf of his son, by virtue of the SPA.35 He stated that after the execution and delivery of the Deed of Absolute Sale, DBP verbally agreed to facilitate the transfer of the title, the payment of the CGT, and to cause the vacation of the occupants of the house and lot. Although he admitted that the verbal agreement contradicted the negotiated rules and agreement.36 He stated that DBP undertook to get rid of the occupants, when its lawyer filed an Ex-Parte Motion for Issuance of a Writ of Possession37 dated January 11, 2005, which is pending in the RTC.38
On April 14, 2008, the R TC Decision39 ruled in favor of the petitioner, and ordered DBP to return to petitioner the amount of ₱99,450 deposited to it for payment of the CGT and DST; to pay the surcharges and/or interests on the CGT and DST as may be determined by the BIR from June 12, 2005 up to the date of payment; and to pay the petitioner attorney's fees in the amount of ₱l5,000. The RTC likewise dismissed DBP's counterclaim.40
Thereafter, DBP moved for the reconsideration41 of the RTC's Decision. DBP alleged, among others, that the testimonies of Villanueva and Mancol, Sr. were hearsay because their statements were based on facts relayed to them by other people and not based on their personal knowledge.
On June 13, 2008, the RTC Order42 granted DBP's motion and dismissed petitioner's complaint.
Petitioner moved for the reconsideration43 of the June 13, 2008 Order. For the first time, petitioner alleged that through his father, Mancol, Sr., he entered into a contemporaneous verbal agreement with DBP. He argued that since his father was his attorney-in-fact, then his father had personal knowledge of all transactions involving the sale of the subject property. The motion, however, was denied in the RTC Order44 dated November 4, 2008. The RTC affirmed with modification its June 13, 2008 Order, to read thus:
WHEREFORE, this court finds no reason to disturb its order dated June 13, 2008, subject only to a modification that [DBP] is directed to return to the [petitioner], the total amount of ₱99,450.00 deposited to it for the payment of the [CGT] and [DST], with interest of six percent (6%) per annum from December 21, 2004 until its return to the [petitioner].
SO ORDERED.45
DBP sought reconsideration46 of the RTC Order dated November 4, 2008, which however, was denied by the RTC in its Order47 dated April 17, 2009. The RTC ruled that DBP has waived its right to question the return of ₱99,450 to the petitioner since DBP failed to refute such an issue in the RTC Decision dated April 14, 2008.
Both petitioner48 and DBP49 appealed the RTC Order dated June 13, 2008 and November 4, 2008, respectively, with the CA.
On February 22, 2012, the CA in its Decision,50 denied both appeals, the dispositive portion of which reads, thus:
WHEREFORE, in view of the foregoing premises, the appeals filed in this case are hereby DENIED. The assailed Orders dated June 13, 2008, November 4, 2008 and April 17, 2009 of the [RTC], Branch 31 of Calbayog City in Civil Case No. 923 are AFFIRMED. Costs to be shouldered equally by both parties.
SO ORDERED.51
Thereafter, petitioner filed a Motion for Partial Reconsideration,52 while DBP filed a Motion for Reconsideration,53 seeking the reversal of the CA Decision dated February 22, 2012. Both motions, however, were denied in the CA Resolution54 dated September 27, 2012.
Henceforth, only the petitioner filed the instant appeal anchored on the following arguments:
I. THE TESTIMONIES OF [PETITIONER'S] WITNESSES, [VILLANUEVA] AND [MANCOL, SR.] ARE BASED ON PERSONAL KNOWLEDGE AND NOT HEARSAY EVIDENCE, AND THAT THEY SUFFICIENTI.JY ESTABLISHED THE EXISTENCE AND VALIDITY OF A SUBSEQUENT ORAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN [PETITIONER] AND DBP TO (1) ARRANGE AND EFFECT THE TRANSFER OF THE TORRENS TITLE IN THE NAME OF [PETITIONER], INCLUDING PAYMENT OF [CGT] AND [DSTs], AND (2) TO GET RID OF THE OCCUPANTS IN THE SUBJECT PROPERTY[;]
II. UNDISPUTED RELEVANT AND MATERIAL EVIDENCE ON RECORD ESTABLISHED THE EXISTENCE AND VALIDITY OF THE SUBSEQUENT ORAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN MANCOL, JR. AND DBP, AND THAT TO IGNORE THEM IS TO SANCTION VIOLATION OF MANCOL. JR.'S DUE PROCESS RIGHTS[; AND]
III. [PETITIONER] IS ENTITLED TO THE PAYMENT OF' MORAL AND EXEMPLARY DAMAGES, ATTORNEY'S FEES AND COSTS OF SUIT.55
The petition/ails.
The above assignment of errors make it evident that the only issue involved in this appeal is one of fact: whether or not the testimonies of petitioner's witnesses, Villanueva and Mancol, Sr., should be given probative value to establish the alleged contemporaneous verbal agreement in the sale contract, i.e., that DBP bound itself to arrange and effect the transfer of title of the lot in petitioner's name; and, get rid of the occupants of the subject property.
We answer in the negative.
"The parol evidence rule forbids any addition to, or contradiction of, the terms of a written agreement by testimony or other evidence purporting to show that different terms were agreed upon by the parties, varying the purport of the written contract."56
This, however, is merely a general rule. Provided that a party puts in issue in its pleading any of the exceptions in the second paragraph of Rule 130, Section 957 of the Revised Rules on Evidence, a party may present evidence to modify, explain or add to the terms of the agreement. "Moreover, as with all possible objections to the admission of evidence, a party's failure to timely object is deemed a waiver, and parol evidence may then be entertained.58
In the case of Maunlad Savings & Loan Assoc., Inc. v. CA,59 the Court held that:
The rule is that objections to evidence must be made as soon as the grounds therefor become reasonably apparent. In the case of testimonial evidence, the objection must be made when the objectionable question is asked or after the answer is given if the objectionable features become apparent only by reason of such answer, otherwise the objection is waived and such evidence will form part of the records of the case as competent and complete evidence and all parties are thus amenable to any favorable or unfavorable effects resulting from the evidence.60 (Citations omitted)
Here, in order to prove the verbal agreement allegedly made by DBP, petitioner invoked the fourth exception under the parol evidence rule, i.e., the existence of other terms agreed to by the parties or their successors-in-interest after the execution of the written agreement, by offering the testimonies of Villanueva and Mancol, Sr.
The bank, however, failed to make a timely objection against the said testimonies during the trial since DBP was declared in default. Thus, DBP waived the protection of the parol evidence rule.
This notwithstanding, We stress that the admissibility of the testimonial evidence as an exception to the parol evidence rule does not necessarily mean that it has weight. Admissibility of evidence should not be confounded with its probative value.
"The admissibility of evidence depends on its relevance and competence, while the weight of evidence pertains to evidence already admitted and its tendency to convince and persuade."61 The admissibility of a particular item of evidence has to do with whether it meets various tests by which its reliability is to be determined, so as to be considered with other evidence admitted in the case in arriving at a decision as to the truth.62 The weight of evidence is not determined mathematically by the numerical superiority of the witnesses testifying to a given fact, but depends upon its practical effect in inducing belief on the part of the judge trying the case.63 "Admissibility refers to the question of whether certain pieces of evidence are to be considered at all, while probative value refers to the question of whether the admitted evidence proves an issue."64 "Thus, a particular item of evidence may be admissible, but its evidentiary weight depends on judicial evaluation within the guidelines provided by the rules of evidence."65
It is a basic rule in evidence that a witness can testify only on the facts that he knows of his own personal knowledge, i.e., those which are derived from his own perception.66 A witness may not testify on what he merely learned, read or heard from others because such testimony is considered hearsay and may not be received as proof of the truth of what he has learned, read or heard.67 Hearsay evidence is evidence, not of what the witness knows himself but, of what he has heard from others; it is not only limited to oral testimony or statements but likewise applies to written statements.68
The personal knowledge of a witness is a substantive prerequisite for accepting testimonial evidence that establishes the truth of a disputed fact.69 A witness bereft of personal knowledge of the disputed fact cannot be called upon for that purpose because his testimony derives its value not from the credit accorded to him as a witness presently testifying but from the veracity and competency of the extrajudicial source of his information.70
Guided by these precepts, Villanueva's testimony falls within the category of hearsay evidence. Contrary to petitioner's claim, Villanueva had no personal inkling as to the contemporaneous verbal agreement between petitioner and DBP. In fact, there was no such verbal agreement. As admitted by the petitioner, the alleged verbal agreement was entered into between DBP and Mancol, Sr., by virtue of the SP A. Villanueva has no personal knowledge of such fact. His testimony related only to the fact that Atty. De Asis ordered him to go to BIR-Catbalogan, and bring the following documents: a check worth ₱99,450, the amount for the CGT, title, TD, and the deed of sale. None of Villanueva's acts would suggest, even remotely, that he personally knew about the verbal agreement.
As correctly pointed out by the CA:
[Villanueva] did not personally witness the perfection of the alleged contemporaneous agreement between Mancol, Jr. and DBP. Furthermore, he had no personal knowledge of its existence. His testimony merely touched on the alleged denial by the Revenue Office of the payment of the [CGT] on the subject property and the subsequent execution of a new deed of conveyance by the DBP. It is clear then that his testimony did not bolster [petitioner's] allegation to any degree.71
The same conclusion can be drawn from Mancol, Sr.'s testimony. Although the records show that by virtue of an SP A executed by the petitioner, Mancol, Sr. signed the Negotiated Offer to Purchase, including the Negotiated Sale Rules and Procedures/Disposition of Assets on a First-Come First Served Basis, and that he made the initial payment for the sale, there is dearth of evidence to prove that indeed, he personally entered into a verbal agreement with DBP. Upon being asked what transpired after the delivery of the Deed of Absolute Sale, Mancol, Sr. simply answered that DBP agreed to undertake the transfer of title of the lot, and to oust the occupants. There was no mention as to who actually and personally appeared before DBP or any of its officials in order to forge the alleged verbal agreement. Thus:
(DIRECT EXAMINATION by Atty. Elino Chin, counsel for
Witness: [Mancol, Sr.])
x x x x
ATTY. CHIN
Q After the delivery of this Exh. "H'', what transpired?
A The bank agreed to facilitate the transfer of the title and the payment of the [CGT] to get rid of the present occupants of the house and lot.
Q You said that the bank agreed, is that in writing?
A Only verbal.
Q That does not contradict the negotiated rules and agreement?
A Yes, but there was a verbal undertaking for them to do what was agreed upon.
x x x x.72
Additionally, the RTC aptly observed that:
[N]owhere in the records would also reveal that the agreement to arrange and effect the transfer of title over the subject lot was entered into between [DBP] and [Mancol, Sr.], for and on behalf of the [petitioner].
x x x The [SPA] authorizes [Mancol, Sr.] to represent the [petitioner] and negotiate before the DBP, Catarman Branch on the invitation to bid on he sale of the lot covered by TCT No. 2041 scheduled on October 13, 2004, as well as to sign or execute and receive any paper or document necessary for said purposes. This explains why it was Mancol, Sr. who signed the Negotiated Offer to Purchase and the Negotiated Sale Rules and Procedure, and who paid to DBP the initial payment of the purchase price on October 13, 2004 in [petitioner's] behalf. It was not established however whether the subsequent payments and other transactions, including the act of entering into an oral agreement with [DBP] that it will effect the transfer of the subject title, were also carried out by Fernando Mancol, Sr. in behalf of [petitioner].
The [petitioner] fails [sic] to show with whom the [DBP] agreed to arrange and effect the transfer of the title in his name.1âwphi1 Thus, as there is no showing that it was [Mancol, Sr.] who entered into such agreement with [DBP] or that he was personally present during the perfection of the agreement and witnessed the same, any statement from the latter as to the circumstances relative to the perfection of such oral agreement would indeed be hearsay.73
Assuming for argument's sake that Mancol, Sr., on behalf of petitioner, entered into a verbal agreement with DBP, such agreement would remain unenforceable. Despite petitioner's insistence, the act of entering into a verbal agreement was not stipulated in the SPA. The authority given to Mancol, Sr. was limited to representing and negotiating, on petitioner's behalf, the invitation to bid on the sale of the subject lot, which is specifically worded as follows:
I, FERNANDO R. MANCOL, JR., xxx by these presents do hereby name, constitute and appoint my father Fernando M. Manco, Sr., as true and lawful attorney-in-fact, for me, in my name, place and to do and perform the following:
1. To represent and negotiate before the DBP Catarman Branch regarding the INVITATION TO BID FOR NEGOTIATED SALE scheduled on October 13, 2004 at the Mezzanine Floor, the subject Residential Lot with two storey building (TCT No. 2041) located at Navarro Street, Calbayog City; and
2. To sign, or execute and receive any paper or document necessary for the above purpose.
x x x x.74
There is nothing in the language of the SP A from which We could deduce the intention of petitioner to authorize Mancol, Sr. to enter into a verbal agreement with DBP. Indeed, it has been held that "[w]here powers and duties are specified and defined in an instrument, all such powers and duties are limited and are confined to those which are specified and defined, and all other powers and duties are excluded."75 Clearly, the power to enter into a verbal agreement with DBP is conspicuously inexistent in the SPA.
To adopt the intent theory advanced by petitioner, in the absence of clear and convincing evidence to that effect, would run afoul of the express tenor of the SPA. It would likewise be contrary to "the rule that a power of attorney must be strictly construed and pursued. The instrument will be held to grant only those powers which are specified therein, and the agent may neither go beyond nor deviate from the power of attorney."76
It is axiomatic that this Court will not review, much less reverse, the factual findings of the CA, especially where, as in this case, such findings coincide with those of the trial court, since this Court is not a trier of facts.
All told, therefore, the Court finds no reason or basis to grant the petition.
WHEREFORE, the petition is DENIED. The Decision dated February 22, 2012 and Resolution dated September 27, 2012 of the Court of Appeals, Visayas Station in CA-G.R. CEB-CV No. 03030 are AFFIRMED.
SO ORDERED.
NOEL GIMENEZ TIJAM
Associate Justice
WE CONCUR:
MARIA LOURDES P.A. SERENO
Chief Justice
Chairperson
TERESITA J. LEONARDO-DE CASTRO
Associate Justice |
MARIANO C. DEL CASTILLO
Associate Justice |
FRANCIS H. JARDELEZA
Associate Justice
C E R T I F I C A T I O N
Pursuant to the Section 13, Article VIII of the Constitution, 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
1 Rollo, pp. 8-33.
2 Penned by Associate Justice Ramon Paul L. Hernando, with Associate .Justices Edgardo L. Delos Santos and Victoria Isabel A. Paredes concurring; id. at 36-49.
3 Id. at 51-51A.
4 Penned by Judge Reynaldo B. Clemens; id. at 183-184.
5 Id. at 218-221.
6 Id. at 235-236.
7 Id. at 56.
8 Id. at 57.
9 Id. at 52, 79.
10 Id. at 79.
11 Id. at 55.
12 Id. at 58-60.
13 Id. at 61.
14 Id. at 14, 53.
15 Id. at 62.
16 Id. at 63-64.
17 Id. at 65.
18 Id. at 73.
19 Id. at 53.
20 Id. at 74.
21 Id. at 75.
22 Id. at 76.
23 Id. at 77.
24 Id. at 78.
25 Id. at 80.
26 Id. at 52-54.
27 Id. at 81-84.
28 Id. at 81.
29 Id. at 82.
30 Id.
31 Id. at 92.
32 Id. at 93-101.
33 Id. at 23-24, 97-98, 100.
34 Id. at 101-131.
35 Id. at 104-106.
36 Id. at 113-114.
37 Id. at 66-72.
38 Id. at ll7.
39 Id. at 161-172.
40 Id. at 171-172.
41 Id. at 178-182.
42 Id. at 183-184.
43 Id. at 185-200.
44 Id. at 218-221.
45 Id. at 221.
46 Id. at 222-233.
47 Id. at 235-236.
48 Id. at 241-268.
49 Id. at 272-283.
50 Id. at 36-49.
51 Id. at 49.
52 Id. at 309-324.
53 Id. at 326-331.
54 Id. at 51-51A.
55 Id. at 21.
56 Seaoil Petroleum Corp. v. Autocorp Group, et al., 590 Phil. 410, 418 (2008).
57 Sec. 9. Evidence of written agreements. - When the terms of an agreement have been reduced to writing, it is considered as containing all the terms agreed upon and there can be, between the parties and their successors-in-interest, no evidence of such terms other than the contents of the written agreement.
However, a party may present evidence to modify, explain or add to the terms of the written agreement if he puts in issue in his pleading:
(a) An intrinsic ambiguity, mistake or imperfection in the written agreement;
(b) The failure of the written agreement to express the true intent and agreement of the / parties thereto;
(c) The validity of the written agreement; or
(d) The existence of other terms agreed to by the parties or their successors[-]in[-]interest after the execution of the written agreement.
x x x x
58 Spouses Paras v. Kimwa Construction and Development Corp., 757 Phil. 582, 591 (2015).
59 399 Phil. 590 (2000).
60 Id. at 600.
61 Dra. Dela Liana v. Biong, 722 Phil. 743, 759 (2013).
62 Justice Ricardo J. Francisco, "Evidence, Rules of Court in the Philippines Rules 128-134," pp. 10-11, Rex Printing Company, Inc. (3'd Edition, 1996), citing Evidence Handbook by Donigan, Fisher, Reeder and Williams, pp. 6-7.
63 Id.
64 Lepanto Consolidated Mining Co. v. Dumapis, et.al., 584 Phil. 100, 110 (2008).
65 De Guzman v. Tumolva, 675 Phil. 808, 819 (2011) citing Tating v. Marcella, 548 Phil. 19, 28 (2007).
66 Section 36, Rule 130 of the Rules of Court.
67 Gulam v. Spouses Santos, 532 Phil. 168, 178 (2006).
68 Miro v. Vda. de Erederos, 721 Phil. 772, 790 (2013).
69 Da. Jose, et al. v. Angeles, et al., 720 Phil. 451, 465 (2013).
70 Patula v. People, 685 Phil. 376, 393 (2012).
71 Rollo, p. 45.
72 Id. at 113-114.
73 Id. at 184.
74 Id. at 79.
75 Mercado v. Allied Banking Corporation, 555 Phil. 41l, 423 (2007).
76 Id.
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