Case Digested By: Jheanniver C. Nablo Paras, J.
Case Digested By: Jheanniver C. Nablo Paras, J.
Case Digested By: Jheanniver C. Nablo Paras, J.
,
respondent. Tansinsin and Yatco for petitioner. Marcial Esposo for respondent.
PARAS, J.:
FACTS:
Philippine Education Co., Inc., instituted in the Court of First Instance of Manila an
action against Vicente Tan alias Chan SY and the partnershipof Ngo Tian Tek and Ngo
Hay, for the recovery of some P16,070.14 unpaid cost of merchandise purchased by
Lee Guan Box Factory from Philippine Education Co., Inc.,and five other corporate
entitles which had previously assigned their credits to latter.
The Modern Box Factory was established at 603 Magdalena St. Manila. It was at first
owned by Ngo Hay, who three years later was joined by Ngo Tien Tek as a junior
partner. The modern Box Factory dealt in pare and similar merchandise and purchased
goods from the Philippines Education Co., Inc.,and its assignors. Then about the year
1930, the Lee Guan Box Factory was established a few meters from the Modern Box
Factory, under the management of Vicente Ta. Lee Guan Bix Factory.Through Vicente
Tan , sought credit with the plaintiff and its assignors. Ngo Hay, in conversations and
interviews with their officers and employees, represented that he was the principal
owner of such factory, that Lee Guan Box Factory was a subsidiary of the Modern Box
Factory. There is evidence that many goods purchased in the name of the Lee Guan
Box Factory were delivered to the Modern Box Factory by the employees of the
Philippine Education Co., Inc., and its assignors upon the express direction of Vicente
Tan. There is also evidence that the collectors of the sellers were requested by Vicente
Tan to collect from Modern Box Factory the bills against the Lee Guan Box Factory. In
the fact the record showsmany checks signed ny Ngo Hay or Ngo Tian Tek in payment
of accounts of the Lee Guan Box Factory.
Petitioner (Ngo Tian Tek and Ngo Hay) contend that the Court of Appeals erred In
holding that Lee Guan Box Factory was a subsidiary of the Modern Box Factory and in
disregarding the fact that the contract evidencing the debts in question were signed by
Vicente Tan alias Chan Sy.without any indication that tended to involve the Modern Box
Factory or the petitioner.
ISSUE:
Whether or not Ngo Tan Tek and Ngo Hay can be held liable for the credit contracted by
Vicente Tan?
RULING:
The plaintiff and the assignors have considered Ngo Hay, the Modern Box Factory and
Ngo Hay and Co. as one of the same, through the act of the partners themselves, and
that the proof as to Ngo Hay’s statements regarding the ownership of Lee Guan Box
Factory must be taken in that view. The circumstances that Vicente Tan alias Chan Sy
acted in his own name cannot save the petitioner. In view of said ownership, and
because contracts entered into by a factor of a commercial establishment knoen to
belong to a well known enterprise or associations shall be understoodas made for the
account of the owner of such enterprise or association,even when the factor has not so
stated at the time of execution, provided that such contracts involve objects comprised
in the line and business of the establishment. (Article 286.Code of Commerce) The fact
that Vicente Tan did not have any record power of attorney executed by the petitioner
will not operate to prejudice third persons, like the respondent Philippine Education Co.,
Inc., and its assignors.