Ting Ting Pua v. Sps. Lo Bun Tiong
Ting Ting Pua v. Sps. Lo Bun Tiong
Ting Ting Pua v. Sps. Lo Bun Tiong
HELD: YES
Although, in a suit for a recovery of sum of money the creditor has the burden of proof to show that the defendant had not paid the
amount of the contracted loan. However, it has been established that where creditor possesses and submits in evidence an instrument
showing the indebtedness, a presumption that the credit has not been satisfied and it is the defendant who is required to overcome the
presumption and prove there has actually been payment.
CA erred in stating the petitioner "failed to establish [the] alleged indebtedness in writing" given the checks issued by respondent
Caroline in 1988 and 1996 that were in the possession of gives rise to the presumption of a debt.
BASIS: In Pacheco v. Court of Appeals and Lim v. Mindanao Wines and Liqueur Galleria, the Court ruled that a check "constitutes an
evidence of indebtedness.; Under Section 24 of the Negotiable Instruments Law: Every negotiable instrument is deemed pima facie to
have been issued for a valuable consideration;
Sec. 16 of the Negotiable Instruments Law provides that when an instrument is no longer in the possession of the person who signed it
and it is complete in its terms "a valid and intentional delivery by him is presumed until the contrary is proved."
Respondents' other defenses are equally unconvincing and incredible; attested to by respondents' very own witness the respondent has a
documented history of issuing insufficiently checks for 69 times at the very least.
JUDGEMENT: Motion for Reconsideration is GRANTED and Reversing and setting aside CA decision
NOTE:
COURT ADDITIONALLY HELD: the respondent however is not obligated to pay for the interests since Article 1956 of the Civil Code,
which refers to monetary interest, specifically mandates that no interest shall be due unless it has been expressly stipulated in writing.
Instead petitioner is entitled only to the principal amount of the loan plus the allowable legal interest from the time of the demand, 70 at
the rate of 6% per annum.