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FIRST DIVISION

 ALLAN C. GO, doing business under the name and stye ACG !"#ress Liner,

Petitioner, 

- versus - 

$ORTI$!R F. CORD!RO,

Respondent.x-----------------------------------------x

G.R. No. %&'()*

 

$ORTI$!R F. CORD!RO,

Petitioner, 

- versus - 

ALLAN C. GO, doing business underthe name and stye ACG !"#ress Liner, F!LI+! $.

LANDICO and VINC!NT D. T!CSON,

Respondents.

 G.R. No. %&'('(

 Present: PUNO, C.J., Chairperson,CARPIO MORALES,LEONARDO-DE CASTRO,ERSAMIN, !nd"ILLARAMA, #R., JJ . Pro$u%&!ted: M!' (, )*+*

x-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------x 

D!CISION

 

VILLARA$A, -R., J .

or revie is te De/ision0+1 d!ted M!r/ +2, )**( !s $odi3ied 4' te Reso%ution0)1d!ted #u%' )), )**( o3 te Court o3 Appe!%s 5CA6 in

CA-7.R. C" No. 28++9, i/ !33ir$ed it $odi3i/!tions te De/ision091 d!ted M!' 9+, )*** o3 te Re&ion!% Tri!% Court 5RTC6

o3 ue;on Cit', r!n/

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Cordero $!de to 5)6 trips to te AA Sip'!rd in ris4!ne, Austr!%i!, !nd on one 5+6 o//!sion even !//o$p!nied 7o !nd is 3!$i%'

!nd L!ndi/o, to $onitor te pro&ress o3 te 4ui%din& o3 te vesse%. e sou%dered !%% te expenses 3or !ir3!re, 3ood, ote

!//o$$od!tions, tr!nsport!tion !nd entert!in$ent durin& tese trips. e !%so spent 3or %on& dist!n/e te%epone /!%%s to /o$$uni/!te

re&u%!r%' it Ro4inson, 7o, Te/son !nd L!ndi/o.

oever, Cordero %!ter dis/overed t!t 7o !s de!%in& dire/t%' it Ro4inson en e !s in3or$ed 4' Dennis P!du! o3 !rtsi%!

Pi%ippines t!t 7o !s /!nv!ssin& 3or ! se/ond /!t!$!r!n en&ine 3ro$ teir /o$p!n' i/ provided te sip en&ine 3or te 3irstSEACAT )=. P!du! to%d Cordero t!t 7o instru/ted i$ to 3!x te reuested uot!tion o3 te se/ond en&ine to te P!r> Ro'!% ote%

in ris4!ne ere 7o !s ten st!'in&. Cordero tried to /ont!/t 7o !nd L!ndi/o to /on3ir$ te $!tter 4ut te' ere noere to 4e

3ound, i%e Ro4inson re3used to !nser is /!%%s. Cordero i$$edi!te%' 3%e to ris4!ne to /%!ri3' $!tters it Ro4inson, on%' to

3ind out t!t 7o !nd L!ndi/o ere !%re!d' tere in ris4!ne ne&oti!tin& 3or te s!%e o3 te se/ond SEACAT )=. Despite repe!ted

3o%%o-up /!%%s, no exp%!n!tion !s &iven 4' Ro4inson, 7o, L!ndi/o !nd Te/son o even $!de Cordero 4e%ieve tere ou%d 4e no

3urter s!%e 4eteen AA !nd AC7 Express Liner.

In ! !ndritten %etter d!ted #une )(, +88ed 4' AA.0+*1

As to te response o3 7o, L!ndi/o !nd Te/son to is de$!nd %etter, Cordero testi3ied 4e3ore te tri!% /ourt t!t on te s!$e d!',

L!ndi/o, !/tin& on 4e!%3 o3 7o, t!%>ed to i$ over te te%epone !nd o33ered to !$i/!4%' sett%e teir dispute. Te/son !nd L!ndi/o

o33ered to /onvin/e 7o to onor is ex/%usive distri4utorsip it AA !nd to pur/!se !%% vesse%s 3or AC7 Express Liner trou&

i$ 3or te next tree 596 'e!rs.In !n e33ort to !$i/!4%' sett%e te $!tter, L!ndi/o, !/tin& in 4e!%3 o3 7o, set up ! $eetin& it

Cordero on #une )8, +88< 4eteen 8:9* p.$. to +*:9* p.$. !t te M!/t!n Is%!nd Resort ote% %o44'. On s!id d!te, oever, on%'

L!ndi/o !nd Te/son /!$e !nd no re!son !s &iven 3or 7os !4sen/e. Te/son !nd L!ndi/o proposed t!t te' i%% /onvin/e 7o to

 p!' i$ US+,=**,***.** on te /ondition t!t te' i%% &et ! /ut o3 )*B. And so it !s !&reed 4eteen i$, L!ndi/o !nd Te/son

t!t te %!tter ou%d &ive i$ ! ee>%' st!tus report !nd t!t te $!tter i%% 4e sett%ed in tree 596 to 3our 5(6 ee>s !nd neiter p!rt'

i%% 3i%e !n !/tion !&!inst e!/ oter unti% ! 3in!% report on te proposed sett%e$ent. No su/ report !s $!de 4' eiter Te/son or

L!ndi/o o, it turned out, !d no intention to do so !nd ere Fust 4u'in& ti$e !s te /!t!$!r!n vesse% !s due to !rrive 3ro$

Austr!%i!. Cordero ten 3i%ed ! /o$p%!int it te ure!u o3 Custo$s 5OC6 to proi4it te entr' o3 SEACAT )=

3ro$ Austr!%i! 4!sed on $isde/%!r!tion !nd underv!%u!tion. Conseuent%', !n A%ert Order !s issued 4' A/tin& OC Co$$issioner

 Ne%son T!n 3or te vesse% i/ in 3!/t !rrived on #u%' +?, +88

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ri&ts, tus deprivin& i$ o3 is due /o$$issions 54!%!n/e o3 unp!id /o$$ission 3ro$ te s!%e o3 te 3irst vesse% in te !$ount o3

US9+,=)).*+ !nd unp!id /o$$ission 3or te s!%e o3 te se/ond vesse% in te !$ount o3 US9)eise de/%!red in de3!u%t 3or 3!i%ure to 3i%e is !nser itin te period &r!nted 4' te tri!% /ourt. 0+91 As 3or 7o

!nd Te/son, teir $otion to dis$iss 4!sed on 3!i%ure to st!te ! /!use o3 !/tion !s %i>eise denied 4' te tri!% /ourt on e4ru!r' )2

+888.0+(1 Su4seuent%', te' 3i%ed teir Anser den'in& t!t te' !ve !n'tin& to do it te ter$in!tion 4' AA o3 Corderos

!utorit' !s ex/%usive distri4utor in te Pi%ippines. On te /ontr!r', te' !verred it !s Cordero o stopped /o$$uni/!tin& it

7o in /onne/tion it te pur/!se o3 te 3irst vesse% 3ro$ AA !nd !s not doin& is p!rt in $!>in& pro&ress st!tus reports !nd

!irin& te /%ients &riev!n/es to is prin/ip!%, AA, su/ t!t 7o en&!&ed te servi/es o3 L!ndi/o to 3%' to Austr!%i! !nd !ttend to te

do/u$ents needed 3or sip$ent o3 te vesse% to te Pi%ippines. As to te inuir' 3or te Pi%ippine pri/e 3or ! !rtsi%! sip en&ine 3or

AAs oter on-&oin& vesse% /onstru/tion, tis !s $ere%' reuested 4' Ro4inson 4ut i/ Cordero $isinterpreted !s indi/!tion t!t

7o !s 4u'in& ! se/ond vesse%. Moreover, L!ndi/o !nd Te/son !d no tr!ns!/tion !tsoever it Cordero o !d no do/u$ent to

so !n' su/ sip4ui%din& /ontr!/t. As to te supposed $eetin& to sett%e teir dispute, tis !s due to te $!%i/ious de$!nd o3

Cordero to 4e &iven US9,***,*** !s oterise e i%% expose in te $edi! te !%%e&ed underv!%u!tion o3 te vesse% it te OC. In

!n' /!se, Cordero no %on&er !d /!use o3 !/tion 3or is /o$$ission 3or te s!%e o3 te se/ond vesse% under te $e$or!ndu$ o3 

!&ree$ent d!ted Au&ust ?, +88? /onsiderin& te ter$in!tion o3 is !utorit' 4' AAs %!'ers on #une )2, +88en o3 te #une

)8, +88< $eetin& it L!ndi/o, Te/son !nd Att'. T!4uF!r! !t S!n&ri-%!s M!/t!n Is%!nd Resort, poto&r!ps t!>en in ris4!ne

soin& Cordero, 7o it is 3!$i%', Ro4inson !nd L!ndi/o, !nd !%so v!rious do/u$ents, /o$$uni/!tions, vou/ers !nd 4!n>

tr!ns$itt!%s ere presented to prove t!t: 5+6 Cordero !s proper%' !utori;ed !nd !/tu!%%' tr!ns!/ted in 4e!%3 o3 AA !s ex/%usive

distri4utor in te Pi%ippinesH 5)6 Cordero spent /onsider!4%e su$s o3 $one' in pursu!n/e o3 te /ontr!/t it 7o !nd AC7 Express

LinerH !nd 596 AA trou& Ro4inson p!id Cordero is /o$$issions 3ro$ e!/ s/edu%ed p!'$ent $!de 4' 7o 3or te 3irst

SEACAT )= pur/!sed 3ro$ AA pursu!nt to Sip4ui%din& Contr!/t No. ?

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+. On te irst C!use o3 A/tion, te su$ tot!% o3 SITEEN MILLION TO UNDRED NINETJ ONETOUSAND TREE UNDRED ITJ TO AND ORTJ TREE CENTA"OS 5P+2,)8+,9=).(96!s !/tu!% d!$!&es it %e&!% interest 3ro$ )= #une +88< unti% 3u%%' p!idH

 ). On te Se/ond C!use o3 A/tion, te su$ o3 ONE MILLION PESOS 5P+,***,***.**6 !s $or!% d!$!&esH 9. On te Tird C!use o3 A/tion, te su$ o3 ONE MILLION PESOS 5P+,***,***.**6 !s exe$p%!r' d!$!&esH

!nd (. On te ourt C!use o3 A/tion, te su$ o3 ONE MILLION PESOS 5P+,***,***.**6 !s !ttorne's 3eesH Costs !&!inst te de3end!nts. SO ORDERED.0+-Open

Order !nd Ex-Parte Motion 3or En/!s$ent o3 Ce/> 3i%ed 4' Cordero. 0)21 On Nove$4er )8, )***, te tri!% /ourt re/onsidered its

Order d!ted Au&ust )+, )*** den'in& due /ourse to te noti/e o3 !ppe!% !nd 3ortit dire/ted te tr!ns$itt!% o3 te re/ords to te

CA.0)?1

On #!nu!r' )8, )**+, te CA rendered Fud&$ent &r!ntin& te petition 3or /ertior!ri in CA-7.R. SP No. 2*9=( !nd settin& !side te

tri!% /ourts orders o3 exe/ution pendin& !ppe!%. Cordero !ppe!%ed te s!id Fud&$ent in ! petition 3or revie 3i%ed it tis Court i/

!s eventu!%%' denied under our De/ision d!ted Septe$4er +?, )**).0)

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US+.**KP(9.** r!te6 it interest !t 2B per !nnu$ 3ro$ te ti$e o3 te 3i%in& o3 te /o$p%!int unti% te s!$e is 3u%%' p!id. As to

te P

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TE COURT O APPEALS ERRED IN NOT SUSTAININ7 TE #UD7MENT O TE TRIAL COURTAARDIN7 PETITIONER ACTUAL DAMA7ES OR IS COMMISSION OR TE SALE O TE SECOND"ESSEL, SINCE TERE IS SUICIENT E"IDENCE ON RECORD IC PRO"ES TAT TERE AS ASECOND SALE O A "ESSEL. 

A. TE MEMORANDUM O A7REEMENT DATED ? AU7UST +88?PRO"IDES TATRESPONDENT 7O AS CONTRACTUALLJ OUND TO UJ TO 5)6 "ESSELS ROMAA. . RESPONDENT 7OS POSITION PAPER AND COUNTER-AIDA"IT@POSITION PAPER TAT ERE ILED EORE TE UREAU O CUSTOMS, ADMITS UNDER OAT TAT EAD INDEED PURCASED A SECOND "ESSEL ROM AA. C. RESPONDENTS ADMITTED IN TEIR PRE-TRIAL RIE TAT TEJ AD PURCASEDA SECOND "ESSEL. 

II. 

TE COURT O APPEALS ERRED IN RULIN7 TAT PETITIONER IS NOT ENTITLED TO ISCOMMISSIONS OR TE PURCASE O A SECOND "ESSEL, SINCE IT AS PETITIONERS EORTSIC ACTUALLJ ACILITATED AND SET-UP TE TRANSACTION OR RESPONDENTS. 

III.

 TE COURT O APPEALS ERRED IN NOT IMPOSIN7 TE PROPER LE7AL INTEREST RATE ONRESPONDENTS UNPAID OLI7ATION IC SOULD E TEL"E PERCENT 5+)B6 ROM TE TIMEO TE REAC O TE OLI7ATION. 

I". 

TE COURT O APPEALS ERRED IN NOT SUSTAININ7 TE ORI7INAL AMOUNT OCONSEUENTIAL DAMA7ES AARDED TO PETITIONER J TE TRIAL COURT CONSIDERIN7 TEAD AIT AND RAUDULENT CONDUCT O RESPONDENTS IN MISAPPROPRIATIN7 TE MONEJ

O PETITIONER.09*1

 

Te /ontrovers' 4oi%s don to to 5)6 $!in issues: 5+6 eter petitioner Cordero !s te %e&!% person!%it' to sue te respondents 3or

 4re!/ o3 /ontr!/tH !nd 5)6 eter te respondents $!' 4e e%d %i!4%e 3or d!$!&es to Cordero 3or is unp!id /o$$issions !ndter$in!tion o3 is ex/%usive distri4utorsip !ppoint$ent 4' te prin/ip!%, AA.

 

 I. Real Party-in-Interest 

 

irst, on te issue o3 eter te /!se !d 4een 3i%ed 4' te re!% p!rt'-in-interest !s reuired 4' Se/tion ), Ru%e 9 o3 te Ru%es o3

Court, i/ de3ines su/ p!rt' !s te one 5+6 to 4e 4ene3ited or inFured 4' te Fud&$ent in te suit, or te p!rt' entit%ed to te !v!i%s

o3 te suit. Te purposes o3 tis provision !re: +6 to prevent te prose/ution o3 !/tions 4' persons itout !n' ri&t, tit%e or interest in

te /!seH )6 to reuire t!t te !/tu!% p!rt' entit%ed to %e&!% re%ie3 4e te one to prose/ute te !/tionH 96 to !void ! $u%tip%i/it' o3 suitsH

!nd (6 to dis/our!&e %iti&!tion !nd >eep it itin /ert!in 4ounds, pursu!nt to sound pu4%i/ po%i/'. 09+1 A /!se is dis$issi4%e 3or %!/> o3

 person!%it' to sue upon proo3 t!t te p%!inti33 is not te re!% p!rt'-in-interest, en/e &rounded on 3!i%ure to st!te ! /!use o3 !/tion.09)1

On tis issue, e !&ree it te CA in ru%in& t!t it !s Cordero !nd not P!$!n! o is te ex/%usive distri4utor o3 AA in

te Pi%ippines !s son 4' te Certi3i/!tion d!ted #une +, +88? issued 4' Ton' Ro4inson.0991 Petitioner 7o $entions te 3o%%oin&

do/u$ents !%so si&ned 4' respondent Ro4inson i/ st!te t!t P!$!n! M!r>etin& Corpor!tion represented 4' Mr. Morti$er .

Cordero !s !/tu!%%' te ex/%usive distri4utor: 5+6 %etter d!ted + #une +88? 09(1H 5)6 /erti3i/!tion d!ted = Au&ust +88? 09=1H !nd 596 %etter

d!ted = Au&ust +88? !ddressed to petitioner Cordero /on/ernin&/o$$issions to 4e p!id to P!$!n! M!r>etin& Corpor!tion. 0921 Su/

!pp!rent in/onsisten/' in n!$in& AAs ex/%usive distri4utor in te Pi%ippines is o3 no $o$ent. or !%% intents !nd purposes,

http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2010/may2010/164703.htm#_ftn30http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2010/may2010/164703.htm#_ftn31http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2010/may2010/164703.htm#_ftn32http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2010/may2010/164703.htm#_ftn33http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2010/may2010/164703.htm#_ftn33http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2010/may2010/164703.htm#_ftn34http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2010/may2010/164703.htm#_ftn34http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2010/may2010/164703.htm#_ftn35http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2010/may2010/164703.htm#_ftn35http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2010/may2010/164703.htm#_ftn36http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2010/may2010/164703.htm#_ftn36http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2010/may2010/164703.htm#_ftn30http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2010/may2010/164703.htm#_ftn31http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2010/may2010/164703.htm#_ftn32http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2010/may2010/164703.htm#_ftn33http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2010/may2010/164703.htm#_ftn34http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2010/may2010/164703.htm#_ftn35http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2010/may2010/164703.htm#_ftn36

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Ro4inson !nd AA de!%t on%' it Cordero o !%one $!de de/isions in te per3or$!n/e o3 te ex/%usive distri4utorsip, !s it

oter /%ients to o$ e !d si$i%!r%' o33ered AAs 3!st 3err' vesse%s. Moreover, te stipu%!ted /o$$issions 3ro$ e!/ pro&ress

 p!'$ents $!de 4' 7o ere dire/t%' p!id 4' Ro4inson to Cordero.09?1 Respondents L!ndi/o !nd Te/son ere on%' too !!re o3

Corderos !utorit' !s te person o !s !ppointed !nd !/ted !s ex/%usive distri4utor o3 AA, i/ /!n 4e &%e!ned 3ro$ teir !/t

o3 i$$edi!te%' 3urnisin& i$ it /opies o3 4!n> tr!ns$itt!%s ever'ti$e 7o re$its p!'$ent to Ro4inson, o in turn tr!ns3ers !

 portion o3 3unds re/eived to te 4!n> !//ount o3 Cordero in te Pi%ippines !s is /o$$ission. Out o3 tese p!rti!% p!'$ents o3 is

/o$$ission, Cordero ou%d sti%% &ive L!ndi/o !nd Te/son teir respe/tive /o$$ission, or /uts 3ro$ is on

/o$$ission. Respondents L!ndi/o !nd Te/son 3!i%ed to re3ute te eviden/e su4$itted 4' Cordero /onsistin& o3 re/eipts si&ned 4'

te$. S!id !$ounts ere !p!rt 3ro$ te e!r%ier expenses sou%dered 4' Cordero 3or L!ndi/os !ir%ine ti/>ets, tr!nsport!tion, 3ood !nd

ote% !//o$$od!tions 3or te trip to Austr!%i!.09 o3 person!%it' to sue on 4e!%3 o3 P!$!n!, 0981 !nd

did so on%' 4e3ore te CA en te' /ontended t!t it is P!$!n! !nd not Cordero, o !s !ppointed !nd !/ted !s ex/%usive

distri4utor 3or AA.0(*1 It !s Ro4inson o !r&ued in support o3 is $otion to dis$iss t!t !s 3!r !s s!id de3end!nt is /on/erned, te

re!% p!rt' p%!inti33 !ppe!rs to 4e P!$!n!, !&!inst te re!% p!rt' de3end!nt i/ is AA. 0(+1 As !%re!d' $entioned, te tri!% /ourt

denied te $otion to dis$iss 3i%ed 4' Ro4inson.

e 3ind no error /o$$itted 4' te tri!% /ourt in overru%in& Ro4insons o4Fe/tion over te i$proper resort to su$$ons 4'

 pu4%i/!tion upon ! 3orei&n n!tion!% %i>e i$ !nd in !n a"tion in personam, notitst!ndin& t!t e r!ised it in ! spe/i!% !ppe!r!n/e

spe/i3i/!%%' r!isin& te issue o3 %!/> o3 Furisdi/tion over is person. Courts !/uire Furisdi/tion over te p%!inti33s upon te 3i%in& o3 te

/o$p%!int, i%e Furisdi/tion over te de3end!nts in ! /ivi% /!se is !/uired eiter trou& te servi/e o3 su$$ons upon te$ in te

$!nner reuired 4' %! or  trou& teir vo%unt!r' !ppe!r!n/e in /ourt !nd teir su4$ission to its !utorit'.0()1 A p!rt' o $!>es !

spe/i!% !ppe!r!n/e in /ourt /!%%en&in& te Furisdi/tion o3 s!id /ourt 4!sed on te &round o3 inv!%id servi/e o3 su$$ons is not dee$ed

to !ve su4$itted i$se%3 to te Furisdi/tion o3 te /ourt.0(91

In tis /!se, oever, !%tou& te Motion to Dis$iss 3i%ed 4' Ro4inson spe/i3i/!%%' st!ted !s one 5+6 o3 te &rounds te %!/> 

o3 person!% Furisdi/tion, it $ust 4e noted t!t e !d e!r%ier 3i%ed ! Motion 3or Ti$e to 3i%e !n !ppropri!te responsive p%e!din& even

 4e'ond te ti$e provided in te su$$ons 4' pu4%i/!tion. 0((1 Su/ $otion did not st!te t!t it !s ! /ondition!% !ppe!r!n/e entered to

uestion te re&u%!rit' o3 te servi/e o3 su$$ons, 4ut !n !ppe!r!n/e su4$ittin& to te Furisdi/tion o3 te /ourt 4' !/>no%ed&in& te

su$$ons 4' pu4%i/!tion issued 4' te /ourt !nd pr!'in& 3or !ddition!% ti$e to 3i%e ! responsive p%e!din&. Conseuent%', Ro4inson

!vin& !/>no%ed&ed te su$$ons 4' pu4%i/!tion !nd !%so !vin& invo>ed te Furisdi/tion o3 te tri!% /ourt to se/ure !33ir$!tive

re%ie3 in is $otion 3or !ddition!% ti$e, e e33e/tive%' su4$itted vo%unt!ri%' to te tri!% /ourts Furisdi/tion. e is no estopped 3ro$

!ssertin& oterise, even 4e3ore tis Court.0(=1

 

 II. Breach of Exclsi!e "istri#torshi$%&ontractal Interference an' 

 Res$on'ents (ia#ility for "a)a*es

 

In #$ %. Co$rt of &ppea's,0(21 tis Court ru%ed t!t te ri&t to per3or$ !n ex/%usive distri4utorsip !&ree$ent !nd to re!p te

 pro3its resu%tin& 3ro$ su/ per3or$!n/e !re propriet!r' ri&ts i/ ! p!rt' $!' prote/t. Tus, inFun/tion is te !ppropri!te re$ed' to

 prevent ! ron&3u% inter3eren/e it /ontr!/ts 4' straners to su/ /ontr!/ts ere te %e&!% re$ed' is insu33i/ient !nd te resu%tin&

inFur' is irrep!r!4%e. In t!t /!se, te 3or$er de!%er o3 te s!$e &oods pur/!sed te $er/!ndise 3ro$ te $!nu3!/turer

in En&%!nd trou& ! tr!din& 3ir$ in est 7er$!n' !nd so%d tese in te Pi%ippines. e e%d t!t te ri&ts &r!nted to te petitioner

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under te ex/%usive distri4utorsip !&ree$ent $!' not 4e di$inised nor rendered i%%usor' 4' te expedient !/t o3 uti%i;in& or

interposin& ! person or 3ir$ to o4t!in &oods 3or i/ te ex/%usive distri4utorsip !s /on/eptu!%i;ed, !t te expense o3 te so%e

!utori;ed distri4utor .0(?1

In te /!se !t 4!r, it !s est!4%ised t!t petitioner Cordero !s not p!id te 4!%!n/e o3 is /o$$ission 4' respondent

Ro4inson. ro$ te ti$e petitioner 7o !nd respondent L!ndi/o dire/t%' de!%t it respondent Ro4inson in ris4!ne, !nd /e!sed

/o$$uni/!tin& trou& petitioner Cordero !s te ex/%usive distri4utor o3 AA in te Pi%ippines, Cordero !s no %on&er in3or$ed o3 p!'$ents re$itted to AA in ris4!ne. In oter ords, Cordero !d /%e!r%' 4een /ut o33 3ro$ te tr!ns!/tion unti% te !rriv!% o3 te

3irst SEACAT )= i/ !s so%d trou& is e33orts. en Cordero /o$p%!ined to 7o, Ro4inson, L!ndi/o !nd Te/son !4out teir

!/ts preFudi/i!% to is ri&ts !nd de$!nded t!t te' respe/t is ex/%usive distri4utorsip, 7o si$p%' %et is %!'ers %ed 4' L!ndi/o

!nd Te/son !nd%e te $!tter !nd tried to sett%e it 4' pro$isin& to p!' ! /ert!in !$ount !nd to pur/!se i&-speed /!t!$!r!ns

trou& Cordero. oever, Cordero !s not p!id !n'tin& !nd orse, AA trou& its %!'er in Austr!%i! even ter$in!ted is

ex/%usive de!%ersip insistin& t!t is servi/es ere en&!&ed 3or on%' one 5+6 tr!ns!/tion, t!t is, te pur/!se o3 te 3irst SEACAT )=

in Au&ust +88?.

Petitioner 7o !r&ues t!t un%i>e in #$ %. Co$rt of &ppea's0( tr!ns$itt!%s !s te' previous%' did, !nd

dire/t%' de!%t it AA trou& Ro4inson re&!rdin& !rr!n&e$ents 3or te !rriv!% o3 te 3irst SEACAT )= in M!ni%! !nd ne&oti!tions

3or te pur/!se o3 te se/ond vesse% pursu!nt to te Me$or!ndu$ o3 A&ree$ent i/ Cordero si&ned in 4e!%3 o3 AA. As ! resu%

o3 respondents !/tu!tions, Cordero in/urred %osses !s e !s not p!id te 4!%!n/e o3 is /o$$ission 3ro$ te s!%e o3 te 3irst vesse

!nd is ex/%usive distri4utorsip revo>ed 4' AA.

Petitioner 7o /ontends t!t te tri!% !nd !ppe%%!te /ourts erred in o%din& te$ so%id!ri%' %i!4%e 3or Corderos unp!id

/o$$ission, i/ is te so%e o4%i&!tion o3 te prin/ip!% AA. It !s Ro4inson on 4e!%3 o3 AA o, in te %etter d!ted Au&ust =,

+88? !ddressed to Cordero, undertoo> to p!' /o$$ission p!'$ents to P!$!n! on ! st!&&ered pro&ress p!'$ent p%!n in te 3or$ o3

 per/ent!&e o3 te /o$$ission per p!'$ent. AA exp%i/it%' /o$$itted t!t it i%%, upon re/eipt o3 pro&ress p!'$ents, p!' to P!$!n!

teir 3u%% /o$$ission 4' te%e&r!pi/ tr!ns3er to !n !//ount no$in!ted 4' P!$!n! itin one to to d!'s o3 0AA1 re/eivin& su/

 p!'$ents.0=*1 Petitioner 7o 3urter $!int!ins t!t e !d not in !n' !' vio%!ted or /!used te ter$in!tion o3 te ex/%usive

distri4utorsip !&ree$ent 4eteen Cordero !nd AAH e !d !%so p!id in 3u%% te 3irst !nd on%' vesse% e pur/!sed 3ro$ AA.0=+1

i%e it is true t!t ! tird person /!nnot possi4%' 4e sued 3or 4re!/ o3 /ontr!/t 4e/!use on%' p!rties /!n 4re!/ /ontr!/tu!%

 provisions, ! /ontr!/tin& p!rt' $!' sue ! tird person not 3or 4re!/ 4ut 3or indu/in& !noter to /o$$it su/ 4re!/.

Arti/%e +9+( o3 te Civi% Code provides:

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Art. +9+(. An' tird person o indu/es !noter to vio%!te is /ontr!/t s!%% 4e %i!4%e 3or d!$!&es to teoter /ontr!/tin& p!rt'.

 

Te e%e$ents o3 tort inter3eren/e !re: 5+6 existen/e o3 ! v!%id /ontr!/tH 5)6 >no%ed&e on te p!rt o3 te tird person o3 te existen/e o3

! /ontr!/tH !nd 596 inter3eren/e o3 te tird person is itout %e&!% Fusti3i/!tion. 0=)1

Te presen/e o3 te 3irst !nd se/ond e%e$ents is not disputed. Trou& te %etters issued 4' Ro4inson !ttestin& t!t Cordero is te

ex/%usive distri4utor o3 AA in tePi%ippines, respondents ere /%e!r%' !!re o3 te /ontr!/t 4eteen Cordero !nd AA

represented 4' Ro4inson. In 3!/t, eviden/e on re/ord soed t!t respondents initi!%%' de!%t it !nd re/o∋ed Cordero !s su/

ex/%usive de!%er o3 AA i&-speed /!t!$!r!n vesse%s in te Pi%ippines. In t!t /!p!/it' !s ex/%usive distri4utor, petitioner 7o

entered into te Me$or!ndu$ o3 A&ree$ent !nd Sip4ui%din& Contr!/t No. ?

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inter3eren/e, te de3end!nt $ust !ve !/ted it $!%i/e or $ust !ve 4een driven 4' pure%' i$pure re!sons to inFure te p%!inti33H in

oter ords, is !/t o3 inter3eren/e /!nnot 4e Fusti3ied. e 3urter exp%!ined t!t te ord indu/e re3ers to situ!tions ere ! person

/!uses !noter to /oose one /ourse o3 /ondu/t 4' persu!sion or inti$id!tion. As to te !%%e&!tion o3 priv!te respondent in s!id /!se

t!t petitioner indu/ed te eirs o3 te %!te !i Tonin! Sepi to se%% te propert' to petitioner despite !n !%%e&ed rene!% o3 te ori&in!%

%e!se /ontr!/t it te de/e!sed %!ndoner, e ru%ed !s 3o%%os:

Assu$in& ex ratia ar$menti t!t petitioner >ne o3 te /ontr!/t, su/ >no%ed&e !%one !s not su33i/ient

to $!>e i$ %i!4%e 3or tortuous inter3eren/e. x x x urter$ore, te re/ords do not support te !%%e&!tion o3 priv!te respondent t!t petitioner in!$"e!  te eirs

o3 !i Tonin! Sepi to se%% te propert' to i$. Te ord indu/e re3ers to situ!tions ere ! person /!uses !noter to/oose one /ourse o3 /ondu/t 4' persu!sion or inti$id!tion. Te re/ords so t!t te de/ision o3 te eirs o3 te%!te !i Tonin! Sepi to se%% te propert' !s /o$p%ete%' o3 teir on vo%ition !nd t!t petitioner did !4so%ute%'notin& to in3%uen/e teir Fud&$ent. Priv!te respondent i$se%3 did not pro33er !n' eviden/e to support is /%!i$. In

 short, e%en ass$min that pri%ate respon!ent *as a+'e to pro%e the rene*a' of his 'ease "ontra"t *ith ai oninaSepi, the fa"t *as that he *as $na+'e to pro%e ma'i"e or +a! faith on the part of petitioner in p$r"hasin the

 propert. herefore, the "'aim of tort$o$s interferen"e *as ne%er esta+'ishe! .0=?1

In teir Anser, respondents denied !vin& !n'tin& to do it te unp!id 4!%!n/e o3 te /o$$ission due to Cordero !nd te

eventu!% ter$in!tion o3 is ex/%usive distri4utorsip 4' AA. Te' &!ve ! di33erent version o3 te events t!t tr!nspired 3o%%oin&

te si&nin& o3 Sip4ui%din& Contr!/t No. ?

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Counter-A33id!vit@Position P!per 3or te I$porter d!ted Nove$4er +2, +88

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E%seere, e exp%!ined t!t en ! ri&t is exer/ised in ! $!nner i/ does not /on3or$ it te nor$sensrined in Arti/%e +8 !nd resu%ts in d!$!&e to !noter, ! %e&!% ron& is tere4' /o$$itted 3or i/ teron&doer $ust 4e responsi4%e. Te o4Fe/t o3 tis !rti/%e, tere3ore, is to set /ert!in st!nd!rds i/ $ust 4eo4served not on%' in te exer/ise o3 ones ri&ts 4ut !%so in te per3or$!n/e o3 ones duties. Tese st!nd!rds !re te3o%%oin&: !/t it Fusti/e, &ive ever'one is due !nd o4serve onest' !nd &ood 3!it. Its !ntitesis, ne/ess!ri%', is!n' !/t evin/in& 4!d 3!it or intent to inFure. Its e%e$ents !re te 3o%%oin&: 5+6 Tere is ! %e&!% ri&t or dut'H 5)6i/ is exer/ised in 4!d 3!itH 596 3or te so%e intent o3 preFudi/in& or inFurin& !noter. en Arti/%e +8 is vio%!ted,!n !/tion 3or d!$!&es is proper under Arti/%es )* or )+ o3 te Civi% Code. Arti/%e )* pert!ins to d!$!&es !risin&3ro$ ! vio%!tion o3 %! x x x. Arti/%e )+, on te oter !nd, st!tes:

Art. )+. An' person o i%%3u%%' /!uses %oss or inFur' to !noter in ! $!nner t!t is /ontr!r' to$or!%s, &ood /usto$s or pu4%i/ po%i/' s!%% /o$pens!te te %!tter 3or te d!$!&e.

Arti/%e )+ re3ers to !/ts "ontra +on$s mores !nd !s te 3o%%oin& e%e$ents: 5+6 Tere is !n !/t i/ is %e&!%H 5)6 4ut i/ is /ontr!r' to $or!%s, &ood /usto$, pu4%i/ order, or pu4%i/ po%i/'H !nd 596 it is done it intent  to inFure.

A /o$$on te$e runs trou& Arti/%es +8 !nd )+, !nd t!t is, te !/t /o$p%!ined o3 $ust 4e intention!%.02(1

 

Petitioner 7os !r&u$ent t!t e, L!ndi/o !nd Te/son /!nnot 4e e%d %i!4%e so%id!ri%' it Ro4inson 3or !/tu!%, $or!% !nd

exe$p%!r' d!$!&es, !s e%% !s !ttorne's 3ees !!rded to Cordero sin/e no %! or /ontr!/t provided 3or so%id!r' o4%i&!tion in tese

/!ses, is eu!%%' 4ere3t o3 $erit. Con3or$!4%' it Arti/%e )+8( o3 te Civi% Code, te responsi4i%it' o3 to or $ore persons o !re

%i!4%e 3or te u!si-de%i/t is so%id!r'.02=1 In Lafare Cement Phi'ippines, In". %. Continenta' Cement Corporation,0221 e e%d:

6O7bigations arising 1rom tort are, by their nature, a/ays soidary. 8e ha2e assiduousy maintained

this ega #rin0i#e as eary as %9%: in +orcester !. ,ca)$o , in i/ e e%d: 

x x x Te di33i/u%t' in te /ontention o3 te !ppe%%!nts is t!t te' 3!i% to re/o∋e t!t te 4!sis o3 te present !/tion is tort. Te' 3!i% to re/o∋e te univers!% do/trine t!t e!/ Foint tort3e!sor is not on%' individu!%%' %i!4%e 3or te tort in i/ e p!rti/ip!tes, 4ut is !%so Foint%' %i!4%eit is tort 3e!sors. x x x

 It $!' 4e st!ted !s ! &ener!% ru%e t!t Foint tort 3e!sors !re !%% te persons o /o$$!nd,

insti&!te, pro$ote, en/our!&e, !dvise, /ounten!n/e, /ooper!te in, !id or !4et te /o$$ission o3 !tort, or o !pprove o3 it !3ter it is done, i3 done 3or teir 4ene3it. They are ea0h iabe as

#rin0i#as, to the same e"tent and in the same manner as i1 they had #er1ormed the /rong1ua0t themse2es. x x x

 #oint tort 3e!sors !re Foint%' !nd sever!%%' %i!4%e 3or te tort i/ te' /o$$it. Te persons

inFured $!' sue !%% o3 te$ or !n' nu$4er %ess t!n !%%. E!/ is %i!4%e 3or te o%e d!$!&es /!used 4' !%%, !nd !%% to&eter !re Foint%' %i!4%e 3or te o%e d!$!&e. It is no de3ense 3or one sued !%one,t!t te oters o p!rti/ip!ted in te ron&3u% !/t !re not Foined it i$ !s de3end!ntsH nor is it!n' ex/use 3or i$ t!t is p!rti/ip!tion in te tort !s insi&ni3i/!nt !s /o$p!red to t!t o3 teoters.x x x

 #oint tort 3e!sors !re not %i!4%e pro rata. Te d!$!&es /!n not 4e !pportioned !$on& te$,

ex/ept !$on& te$se%ves. Te' /!nnot insist upon !n !pportion$ent, 3or te purpose o3 e!/ p!'in&!n !%iuot p!rt.Te' !re Foint%' !nd sever!%%' %i!4%e 3or te o%e !$ount. x x x

 A p!'$ent in 3u%% 3or te d!$!&e done, 4' one o3 te Foint tort 3e!sors, o3 /ourse s!tis3ies!n' /%!i$ i/ $i&t exist !&!inst te oters. Tere /!n 4e 4ut s!tis3!/tion. Te re%e!se o3 one o3 te Foint tort 3e!sors 4' !&ree$ent &ener!%%' oper!tes to dis/!r&e !%%. x x x

 O3 /ourse, te /ourt durin& tri!% $!' 3ind t!t so$e o3 te !%%e&ed tort 3e!sors !re %i!4%e !nd

t!t oters !re not %i!4%e. Te /ourts $!' re%e!se so$e 3or %!/> o3 eviden/e i%e /onde$nin& oterso3 te !%%e&ed tort 3e!sors. And tis is true even tou& te' !re /!r&ed Foint%' !nd sever!%%'.02?1 0EMPASIS SUPPLIED.1

 

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Te ru%e is t!t te de3end!nt 3ound &ui%t' o3 inter3eren/e it /ontr!/tu!% re%!tions /!nnot 4e e%d %i!4%e 3or $ore t!n te

!$ount 3or i/ te p!rt' o !s indu/ted to 4re!> te /ontr!/t /!n 4e e%d %i!4%e. 02