PEOPLE’S BANK AND TRUST CO. VS. DAHICAN LUMBER COMPANY, GR NO. L-17500, 16 MAY 1967, 20 SCRA 84
PEOPLE’S BANK AND TRUST CO. VS. DAHICAN LUMBER COMPANY,
GR NO. L-17500, 16 MAY 1967, 20 SCRA 84
TOPIC/DOCTRINE
The stipulation in a mortgage contract that properties,
which the mortgagor may acquire, construct, install, attach or use in its lumber
concession, shall be subject to the mortgage lien is a common and logical
provision in cases where the original properties mortgaged are perishable or
subject to inevitable wear and tear or were intended to be sold or used but
with the understanding that they would be replaced with others to be thereafter
acquired by the mortgagor. Such a stipulation is lawful and not immoral and is
intended to maintain, insofar as possible, the original value of the properties
given as security.
FACTS
September 1948,
Atlantic, a West Virginia corporation licensed to do business in the
Philippines sold and assigned all its rights in the Dahican Lumber concession
to Dahican Lumber Company. To fully paid and develop the concession, DALCO
obtained a loan from the bank evidence by 5 promissory notes of $50K maturing
on different dates.
As security for the
payment of loans, DALCO mortgage five lands in Camarines Norte together with
the buildings existing thereon and other personal properties located in its
place of business. Another mortgage on the same properties was made in favor of
Atlantic to secure the payment of the unpaid balance.
Upon DALCO's and
DAMCO's failure to pay the fifth promissory note upon its maturity, the BANK
paid the same to the Export-Import Bank of Washington D.C. and the latter
assigned to the former its credit and the first mortgage securing it.
Subsequently, the BANK gave DALCO and DAMCO up to April 1,1953 to pay the
overdue promissory note. DALCO purchased various machineries, equipment, spare
parts and supplies in addition to, or in replacement of some of those already
owned and used by it on the date aforesaid. Pursuant to the provision of the
mortgage deeds quoted heretofore regarding "after acquired
properties", the BANK requested DALCO to submit complete lists of said
properties but the latter failed to do so. On December 16, 1952, the Board of
Directors of DALCO in a special meeting called for the purpose, passed a resolution
agreeing to rescind the alleged sales of equipment, spare parts and supplies by
CONNELL and DAMCO to it.On January 23, 1953, the BANK, in its own behalf and
that of ATLANTIC, demanded that said agreements be cancelled but CONNELL and
DAMCO refused to do so. As a result, on February 12,1953, ATLANTIC and the
BANK, commenced foreclosure proceedings in the Court of First Instance of
Camarines Norte against DALCO and DAMCO.
ISSUE
WON the "after acquired
properties" were subject to the deeds of mortgage mentioned heretofore.
Assuming that they are subject thereto.
RULING
Yes.
The court held that the stipulation in a mortgage contract
that properties, which the mortgagor may acquire, construct, install, attach or
use in its lumber concession, shall be subject to the mortgage lien is a common
and logical provision in cases where the original properties mortgaged are
perishable or subject to inevitable wear and tear or were intended to be sold
or used but with the understanding that they would be replaced with others to
be thereafter acquired by the mortgagor. Such a stipulation is lawful and not
immoral and is intended to maintain, insofar as possible, the original value of
the properties given as security.