Civil Law 2- ObliCon- SECURITY BANK AND TRUST COMPANY vs. REGIONAL TRIAL COURT OF MAKATI, BRANCH 61, MAGTANGGOL EUSEBIO and LEILA VENTURA,

This is with regard to ART 1170- Interest rate from damages as stipulated by parties

Case of Security Bank and Trust Company vs. R.T.C MAKATI BR. 61 MAGTANGGOL EUSEBIO AND LEILA VENTURA
G.R.No. 113926 23October1996

FACTS OF THE CASE:
On April 27, 1983, private respondent Magtanggol Eusebio executed 3 Promissory Notes from different dates in favor of petitioner Security Bank and Trust Co. (SBTC) in the amounts of 100,000, 100,000, and 65,000. Respondent bound himself to pay the said amounts in six (6) monthly installments plus 23% interest per annum.On all the abovementioned promissory notes, private respondent Leila Ventura had signed as co-maker. Upon maturity there were still principal balance remaining on the notes. Eusebio refused to pay the balance payable, so SBTC filed a collection case against him. The RTC rendered a judgment in favor of SBTC, although the rate of interest imposed by the RTC was 12% p.a. instead of the agreed upon 23% p.a. The court denied the motion filed by SBTC to apply the 23% p.a. instead of the 12% p.a.

ISSUES OF THE CASE:

Did the RTC err in using 12% instead of the 23% as agreed upon by the parties?

- Yes, the rate of interest was agreed upon by the parties freely. Significantly, respondent did not question that rate.
- P.D. No. 1684 and C.B. Circular No. 905 no more than allow contracting parties to stipulate freely regarding any subsequent adjustment in the interest rate that shall accrue on a loan or forbearance of money, goods or credits.
- It is not for respondent court a quo to change the stipulations in the contract where it is not illegal. Furthermore, Article 1306 of the New Civil Code provides that contracting parties may establish such stipulations, clauses, terms and conditions as they may deem convenient, provided they are not contrary to law, morals, good customs, public order, or public policy.
- The 12% shall be applied for obligations arising from loans, or forbearance of money in the absence of express stipulations

HELD:
IN VIEW OF THE FOREGOING, the decision of the respondent court a quo, is hereby AFFIRMED with the MODIFICATION that the rate of interest that should be imposed be 23% per annum.

Obligations and Contracts Terms:
PROMISSORY NOTE - A written document in which a borrower agrees (promises) to pay back money to a lender according to specified terms. A written promise to pay a certain sum of money, at a future time, unconditionally.

A promissory note differs from a mere acknowledgment of debt, without any promise to pay, as when the debtor gives his creditor an I 0 U. In its form it usually contains a promise to pay, at a time therein expressed, a sum of money to a certain person therein named, or to his order, for value received. It is dated and signed by the maker. It is never under seal.

He who makes the promise is called the maker, and he to whom it is made is the payee.

I hope this helps.

Jeff David