Professional Documents
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Economic Facts of The Relation Test 160S171 (1988), Sevilla v. CA and
Economic Facts of The Relation Test 160S171 (1988), Sevilla v. CA and
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* SECOND DIVISION.
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from the respondent CourtÊs recital of facts, that the parties had
contemplated a principalagent relationship, rather than a joint
management or a partnership.
Same; Same; Same; The agency being one coupled with an
interest cannot be revoked at wilL·But unlike simple grants of a
power of attorney, the agency that we hereby declare to be
compatible witJb the intent of the parties, cannot be revoked at
will. The reason is that it is one coupled with an interest, the
agency having been created for the mutual interest of the agent and
the principal. It appears that Lina Sevilla is a bona fide travel
agent herself, and as such, she had acquired an interest in the
business entrusted to her. Moreover, she had assumed a personal
obligation for the operation thereof, holding herself solidarily liable
for the payment of rentals. She continued the business, using her
own name, after Tourist World had stopped further operations. Her
interest, obviously, is not limited to the commissions she earned as
a result of her business transactions. but one that extendB to the
very subject matter of the power of management delegated to her. It
is an agency that, as we said, cannot be revoked at the pleasure of
the principal. Accordingly, the revocation complained of should
entitle the petitioner, Lina Sevilla, to damages.
Same; Same; Damages; For unwarranted revocation of the
contract of agency, Tourist World Service, Inc. should be sentenced to
pay damages.·We rule, therefore, that for its unwarranted
revocation of the contract of agency, the private respondent, Tourist
Worid Service, Inc., should be sentenced to pay damages. Under the
CivU Code, moral damages may be awarded for „breaches of
contract where the defendant acted ... in bad faith.‰
Same; Same; Same; Same; Respondeni Eliseo Canilao likewise
ordered to respond for the same damages in a solidary capacity.
·The respondent, Eliseo Canilao, as a joint tortfeasor, is likewise
hereby ordered to respond for the same damages in a solidary
capacity.
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SARMIENTO, J.:
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On the foregoing facts and in the light of the errors assigned the
issues to be resolved are:
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„1. Appellant Mrs. Lina O. Sevilla, a prominent social figure and wife of
an eminent eye, ear and nose specialist as well as a society columnist,
had been in the travel business prior to the establishment of the joint
business venture with appellee Tourist World Service, Inc. and appellee
Eliseo Canilao, her compadre, she being the godmother of one of his
children, with her own clientele, coming mostly from her own social circle
(pp. 3–6 tsn. February 16,1965).
„2. Appellant Mrs. Sevilla was signatory to a lease agreement dated 19
October 1960 (Exh. „A") covering the premises at A, Mabini St., she
expressly warranting and holding [sic] herself ÂsolidarilyÊ liable with
appellee Tourist World Service, Inc. for the prompt payment of the
monthly rentals thereof to other appellee Mrs. Noguera (pp. 14–15, tsn.
Jan. 18,1964).
„3. Appellant Mrs. Sevilla did not receive any salary from appellee
Totuist World Service, Inc., which had its own separate office located at
the Trade & Commerce Building; nor was she an employee thereof,
having no participation in nor connection with said business at the Trade
& Commerce Building (pp. 16–18 tsn. id.).
„4. Appellant Mrs. Sevilla earned commissions for her own
passengers, her own bookings, her own business (and not for any of the
business of appeUee Tourist World Service, Inc.) obtained from the
airline companies. She shared the 7% commissions given by the airline
companies, giving appellee Tourist World Service, Inc. 3% thereof and
retaining 4% for herself (pp. 18 tsn. id.)
„5, Appellant Mrs. Sevilla likewise shared in the expenses of
maintaining the A. Mabini St. office, paying for the salary of an office
secretary, Miss Obieta, and other sundry expenses,
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aside from designing the office furniture and supplying some office
furnishings (pp. 15, 18 tsn. April 6, 19650, appelle Tourist World Service,
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Inc., shouldering the rental and other expenses in apeellant Mrs. Sevilla
(p. 35 tsn. Feb. 16, 19650.
„6. It was the understanding between them that appellant Mrs.
Sevilla would be given the title of branch manager for appearanceÊs sake
only (p. 31 tsn. id.), appellee Eliseo Canilao admitting that it was just a
title for dignity (p. 36 tsn. June 18, 1965·testimony of appellee Eliseo
Canilao; pp. 38–39 tsn. April 6, 1965·testimony of corporate secretary
Gabino Canilao). "(pp. 2–5, AppellnatÊs Reply Brief)
Upon the other hand, Appelle TWS contend that the appellant was
an employee of the appellee Tourist Worls Service, Inc., and as such
1
was designated manager."
xxx xxx xxx
2
The trial court geld for the private respondents on the
premise that the private respondent, Tourist World Service,
Inc., being the true lessee, it was within its prerogative
3
to
terminate the lease and padlock the premises. It likewise
found the petitioner. Lina Sevilla, to be a mere employee of
said Tourist World Service, Inc., and4
as much, she was
bound by the
5
acts of her employer. The respondent Court
of Appeals rendered an affirmance.
The petitioner now claim that the respondent Court, in
sustaining the lower court, erred. Specially, they state:
I.
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1 Rollo, 30–35.
2 Court of Ifrst Instance of Manila, Branch XIX, Montess, Agustin,
Presiding Judge.
3 Rollo, id., 55; Reocrd on Appeal, 38.
4 Record on Appeal, id., 37–38.
5 Gaviola, Jr., Ramon, J., Reyes, Luis, and De Castro, Pacifico, JJ.,
Concurring.
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II.
III.
IV.
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14 Id., 47.
15 BAUTISTA, TREATISE ON PHILIPPINE PARTNERSfflP LAW 34
(1978).
16 Op Cit., 37. In Tuason v. Bolaños [95 Pbfl. 106 (1954)], this Court
distinguished between a joint venture and a partnership but this view
has since raised questions from authorities. According to Campos, there
seems to be no fundamental distinction between the two forms of
business combinations. [See CAMPOS, THE CORPORATION CODE12
(1981).] For purposes of this case, we use the terms of interchangeably.
17 See rollo, id.
18 CIVIL CODE, art. 1868.
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21 Id., 31.
22 Id,
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ART. 21. Any person who wilfully causes loss or injury to another in
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26 27
as nominal and/or temperaie damages, to be just, fair,
and reasonable under the circumstances.
WHEREFORE, the Decision promulgated on January
23, 1975 as well as the Resolution issued on July 31,1975,
by the respondent Court of Appeals is hereby REVERSED
and SET ASIDE. The private respondent, Tourist World
Service, Inc., and Eliseo Canilao, are ORDERED jointly
and severally to indemnify the petitioner, Lina Sevilla, the
sum of P25,000.00 as and for moral damages, the sum of
P10,000.00, as and for exemplary damages, and the sum of
P5,000.00, as and for nominal and/or temperate damages.
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26 Supra,art. 2221.
27 Supra, art. 2224.
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