SECOND DIVISION

[G.R. No. 194642. April 6, 2015.]

NUNELON R. MARQUEZ , petitioner, v s . ELISAN CREDIT

CORPORATION , respondent.

DECISION

BRION , J : p

We resolve the present petition for review on certiorari 1 assailing the May 17,
2010 decision 2 and the November 25, 2010 resolution 3 of the Court of Appeals (CA)
in CA-G.R. SP No. 102144. 4
The Factual Antecedents
On December 16, 1991, Nunelon R. Marquez (petitioner) obtained a loan (first
loan) from Elisan Credit Corporation (respondent) for fty-three thousand pesos
(Php53,000.00) payable in one-hundred eighty (180) days. 5
The petitioner signed a promissory note which provided that it is payable in
weekly installments and subject to twenty-six percent (26%) annual interest. In case of
non-payment, the petitioner agreed to pay ten percent (10%) monthly penalty based on
the total amount unpaid and another twenty- ve percent (25%) of such amount for
attorney's fees exclusive of costs, and judicial and extrajudicial expenses. 6
To further secure payment of the loan, the petitioner executed a chattel
mortgage 7 over a motor vehicle. The contract of chattel mortgage provided among
others, that the motor vehicle shall stand as a security for the rst loan and "all other
obligations of every kind already incurred or which may hereafter be incurred." 8
Both the petitioner and respondent acknowledged the full payment of the rst
loan. 9
Subsequently, the petitioner obtained another loan (second loan) from the
respondent for fty- ve thousand pesos (P55,000.00) evidenced by a promissory note
10 and a cash voucher 11 both dated June 15, 1992.

The promissory note covering the second loan contained exactly the same terms
and conditions as the first promissory note.
When the second loan matured on December 15, 1992, the petitioner had only
paid twenty-nine thousand nine hundred sixty pesos (P29,960.00), leaving an unpaid
balance of twenty five thousand forty pesos (P25,040.00). 12
Due to liquidity problems, the petitioner asked the respondent if he could pay in
daily installments (daily payments) until the second loan is paid. The respondent
granted the petitioner's request. Thus, as of September 1994 or twenty-one (21)
months after the second loan's maturity, the petitioner had already paid a total of fty-
six thousand four-hundred forty pesos (P56,440.00), an amount greater than the
principal. 13
Despite the receipt of more than the amount of the principal, the respondent led
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 a complaint for judicial foreclosure of the chattel mortgage because the petitioner
allegedly failed to settle the balance of the second loan despite demand. 14
The respondent further alleged that pursuant to the terms of the promissory
note, the petitioner's failure to fully pay upon maturity triggered the imposition of the
ten percent (10%) monthly penalty and twenty-five percent (25%) attorney's fees.
The respondent prayed that the petitioner be ordered to pay the balance of the
second loan plus accrued penalties and interest. 15
Before the petitioner could le an answer, the respondent applied for the
issuance of a writ of replevin. The MTC issued the writ and by virtue of which, the motor
vehicle covered by the chattel mortgage was seized from the petitioner and delivered
to the respondent. 16
Trial on the merits thereafter ensued.
The MTC Ruling 17

The MTC found for the petitioner and held that the second loan was fully
extinguished as of September 1994.
It held that when an obligee accepts the performance or payment of an
obligation, knowing its incompleteness or irregularity and without expressing any
protest or objection, the obligation is deemed fully complied with. 18 The MTC noted
that the respondent accepted the daily payments made by the petitioner without
protest. The second loan having been fully extinguished, the MTC ruled that
respondent's claim for interests and penalties plus the alleged unpaid portion of the
principal is without legal basis.
The MTC ordered:
1. "the plaintiff Elisan Credit Corporation to return/deliver the seized motor
vehicle with Plate No. UV-TDF-193 to the possession of the defendant and
in the event its delivery is no longer possible, to pay the defendant the
amount of P30,000.00 corresponding to the value of the said vehicle;"
2. "the bonding company People's Trans-East Asia Insurance Corporation to pay
the defendant the amounts of P20,000.00 and P5,000.00 representing the
damages and attorney's fees under P.T.E.A.I.C Bond No. JCL (13)-00984;"
3. "the plaintiff is likewise directed to surrender to the defendant the originals of
the documents evidencing indebtedness in this case so as to prevent
further use of the same in another proceeding."
The RTC Ruling 19

Except for the MTC's order directed to the bonding company, the RTC initially
affirmed the ruling of the MTC.
Acting on the respondent's motion for reconsideration, the RTC reversed itself.
Citing Article 1253 of the Civil Code, it held that "if the debt produces interest, payment
of the principal shall not be deemed to have been made until the interests have been
covered." It also sustained the contention of the respondent that the chattel mortgage
was revived when the petitioner executed the promissory note covering the second
loan.
The RTC ordered:
1. "the defendant to pay the plaintiff the following: a) P25,040.00, plus interest
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 thereon at the rate of 26% per annum and penalties of 10% per month
thereon from due date of the second promissory note until fully paid, b)
25% of the defendant's outstanding obligation as and for attorney's fees,
c) costs of this suit;"
2. "the foreclosure of the chattel mortgage dated December 16, 1991 and the sale
of the mortgaged property at a public auction, with the proceeds thereof to
be applied as and in payment of the amounts awarded in a and b above."
The CA Ruling 20

The CA affirmed the RTC's ruling with modification.

The CA observed that the disparity in the amount loaned and the amount paid by
the petitioner supports the respondent's view that the daily payments were properly
applied first for the payment of interests and not for the principal.
According to the CA, if the respondent truly condoned the payment of interests
as claimed by the petitioner, the latter did not have to pay an amount in excess of the
principal. The CA believed the petitioner knew his payments were rst applied to the
interests due.
The CA held that Article 1253 of the Civil Code is clear that if debt produces
interest, payment of the principal shall not be deemed made until the interests have
been covered. It ruled that even if the o cial receipts issued by the respondent did not
mention that the payments were for the interests, the omission is irrelevant as it is
deemed by law to be for the payment of interests rst, if any, and then for the payment
of the principal amount.
The CA, however, reduced the monthly penalty from ten percent (10%) to two
percent (2%) pursuant to Article 1229 of the Civil Code which gives the courts the
power to decrease the penalty when the principal obligation has been partly or
irregularly complied with by the debtor.
The dispositive portion of the CA decision provides:
"WHEREFORE, premises considered, the Petition is hereby DENIED for
lack of merit. The Order dated 07 May 2007 of the Regional Trial Court, Branch
222, Quezon City is hereby AFFIRMED with MODIFICATION that the penalty
charge should only be two (2%) per month until fully paid."
The CA denied the petitioner's Motion for Reconsideration dated May 17, 2010
on November 25, 2010 for failing to raise new matters. Hence, this present petition.
The Petition
The petitioner seeks the reversal of the CA's decision and resolution. He argues
that he has fully paid his obligation. Thus, the respondent has no right to foreclose the
chattel mortgage.
The petitioner insists that his daily payments should be deemed to have been
credited against the principal, as the o cial receipts issued by the respondent were
silent with respect to the payment of interest and penalties. He cites Article 1176 of the
Civil Code which ordains that "[t]he receipt of the principal by the creditor without
reservation with respect to the interest, shall give rise to the presumption that the
interest has been paid. The petitioner invokes Article 1235 of the Civil Code which
states that "[w]hen the obligee accepts the performance of an obligation, knowing its
incompleteness or irregularity, and without expressing any protest or objection, the
obligation is deemed fully complied with."
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 The petitioner denies having stipulated upon and consented to the twenty-six per
cent (26%) per annum interest charge, ten percent (10%) monthly penalty and twenty-
ve percent (25%) attorney's fees. According to the petitioner, he signed the
promissory note in blank.
The petitioner likewise disclaims receiving any demand letter from the
respondent for the alleged balance of the second loan after he had paid fty-six
thousand four-hundred forty pesos (Php56,440.00) as of September 1994, and further
argues that the chattel mortgage could not cover the second loan as it was annulled
and voided upon full payment of the first loan.
The Respondent's Case 21
The respondent claims that the daily payments were properly credited against
the interest and not against the principal because the petitioner incurred delay in the full
payment of the second loan.
It argues that pursuant to the terms and conditions of the promissory note, the
interest and penalties became due and demandable when the petitioner failed to pay in
full upon maturity. The respondent relies on Article 1253 of the Civil Code which
provides that if the debt produces interest, payment of the principal shall not be
deemed to have been made until the interests have been covered.
The respondent likewise maintains that the chattel mortgage could validly secure
the second loan invoking its provision which provided that it covers "obligations . . .
which may hereafter be incurred."
Issues
The petitioner raises the following issues for our resolution:
I. "WHETHER THE HONORABLE COURT OF APPEALS ERRED IN AFFIRMING THE
DECISION OF THE REGIONAL TRIAL COURT ORDERING THE PETITIONER
TO PAY THE RESPONDENT THE AMOUNT OF PHP24,040.00 PLUS
INTEREST AND PENALTY FROM DUE DATE UNTIL FULLY PAID; AND
II. "WHETHER THE HONORABLE COURT OF APPEALS ERRED IN AFFIRMING THE
DECISION OF THE REGIONAL TRIAL COURT ORDERING THE
FORECLOSURE AND SALE OF THE MORTGAGED PROPERTY." 22
In simpler terms, did the respondent act lawfully when it credited the daily
payments against the interest instead of the principal? Could the chattel mortgage
cover the second loan?
The Court's Ruling
We find the petition partly meritorious.
We rule that: (1) the respondent acted pursuant to law and jurisprudence when it
credited the daily payments against the interest instead of the principal; and (2) the
chattel mortgage could not cover the second loan.
Rebuttable presumptions; Article
1176 vis-à-vis Article 1253
There is a need to analyze and harmonize Article 1176 and Article 1253 of the
Civil Code to determine whether the daily payments made after the second loan's
maturity should be credited against the interest or against the principal.
Article 1176 provides that:

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 "The receipt of the principal by the creditor, without reservation with
respect to the interest, shall give rise to the presumption that said
interest has been paid.
xxx xxx xxx."
On the other hand, Article 1253 states:
"If the debt produces interest, payment of the principal shall not be
deemed to have been made until the interests have been covered."
The above provisions appear to be contradictory but they in fact support, and are
in conformity with, each other. Both provisions are also presumptions and, as such, lose
their legal efficacy in the face of proof or evidence to the contrary.
Thus, the settlement of the rst issue depends on which of these presumptions
prevails under the given facts of the case.
There are two undisputed facts crucial in resolving the rst issue: (1) the
petitioner failed to pay the full amount of the second loan upon maturity; and (2) the
second loan was subject to interest, and in case of default, to penalty and attorney's
fees.
But before proceeding any further, we rst tackle the petitioner's denial of the
genuineness and due execution of the second promissory note. He denies that he
stipulated upon and consented to the interest, penalty and attorney's fees because he
purportedly signed the promissory note in blank. 23
This allegation deserves scant consideration. It is self-serving and unsupported
by evidence.
As aptly observed by the RTC and the CA, the promissory notes securing the rst
and second loan contained exactly the same terms and conditions. They were mirror-
image of each other except for the date and amount of principal. Thus, we see
su cient basis to believe that the petitioner knew or was aware of such terms and
conditions even assuming that the entries on the interest and penalty charges were in
blank when he signed the promissory note.
Moreover, we nd it signi cant that the petitioner does not deny the genuineness
and due execution of the rst promissory note. Only when he failed to pay the second
loan did he impugn the validity of the interest, penalty and attorney's fees. The CA and
the RTC also noted that the petitioner is a schooled individual, an engineer by
profession, who, because of these credentials, will not just sign a document in blank
without appreciating the import of his action. 24
These considerations strongly militate against the petitioner's claim that he did
not consent to and stipulated on the interest and penalty charges of the second loan.
Thus, he did not only fail to fully pay the second loan upon maturity; the loan was also
subject to interest, penalty and attorney's fees.
Article 1176 in relation to Article 1253
Article 1176 falls under Chapter I (Nature and Effect of Obligations) while
Article 1253 falls under Subsection I (Application of Payments) , Chapter IV
(Extinguishment of Obligations) of Book IV (Obligations and Contracts) of the Civil
Code.
The structuring of these provisions, properly taken into account, means that
Article 1176 should be treated as a general presumption subject to the more speci c
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 presumption under Article 1253. Article 1176 is relevant on questions pertaining to the
effects and nature of obligations in general, while Article 1253 is speci cally pertinent
on questions involving application of payments and extinguishment of obligations.
A textual analysis of the above provisions yields the results we discuss at length
below:
The presumption under Article 1176 does not resolve the question of whether
the amount received by the creditor is a payment for the principal or interest. Under this
article the amount received by the creditor is the payment for the principal, but a doubt
arises on whether or not the interest is waived because the creditor accepts the
payment for the principal without reservation with respect to the interest. Article 1176
resolves this doubt by presuming that the creditor waives the payment of interest
because he accepts payment for the principal without any reservation.
On the other hand, the presumption under Article 1253 resolves doubts involving
payment of interest-bearing debts. It is a given under this Article that the debt produces
interest. The doubt pertains to the application of payment; the uncertainty is on whether
the amount received by the creditor is payment for the principal or the interest. Article
1253 resolves this doubt by providing a hierarchy: payments shall first be applied to the
interest; payment shall then be applied to the principal only after the interest has been
fully-paid.
Correlating the two provisions, the rule under Article 1253 that payments shall
rst be applied to the interest and not to the principal shall govern if two facts exist: (1)
the debt produces interest (e.g., the payment of interest is expressly stipulated) and (2)
the principal remains unpaid.
The exception is a situation covered under Article 1176, i.e., when the creditor
waives payment of the interest despite the presence of (1) and (2) above. In such case,
the payments shall obviously be credited to the principal.
Since the doubt in the present case pertains to the application of the daily
payments, Article 1253 shall apply. Only when there is a waiver of interest shall Article
1176 become relevant.
Under this analysis, we rule that the respondent properly credited the daily
payments to the interest and not to the principal because: (1) the debt produces
interest, i.e., the promissory note securing the second loan provided for payment of
interest; (2) a portion of the second loan remained unpaid upon maturity; and (3) the
respondent did not waive the payment of interest.
There was no waiver of interest
The fact that the o cial receipts did not indicate whether the payments were
made for the principal or the interest does not prove that the respondent waived the
interest.
We reiterate that the petitioner made the daily payments after the second loan
had already matured and a portion of the principal remained unpaid. As stipulated, the
principal is subject to 26% annual interest.
All these show that the petitioner was already in default of the principal when he
started making the daily payments. The stipulations providing for the 10% monthly
penalty and the additional 25% attorney's fees on the unpaid amount also became
effective as a result of the petitioner's failure to pay in full upon maturity.
In other words, the so-called interest for default 25 (as distinguished from the
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 stipulated monetary interest of 26% per annum) in the form of the 10% monthly penalty
accrued and became due and demandable. Thus, when the petitioner started making
the daily payments, two types of interest were at the same time accruing, the 26%
stipulated monetary interest and the interest for default in the form of the 10% monthly
penalty.
Article 1253 covers both types of interest. As noted by learned civilist, Arturo M.
Tolentino, no distinction should be made because the law makes no such distinction.
He explained:
"Furthermore, the interest for default arises because of non-performance
by the debtor, and to allow him to apply payment to the capital without
rst satisfying such interest, would be to place him in a better
position than a debtor who has not incurred in delay . The delay should
worsen, not improve, the position of a debtor." 26 [Emphasis supplied.]
The petitioner failed to specify which of the two types of interest the respondent
allegedly waived. The respondent waived neither.
In Swagman Hotels and Travel, Inc. v. Court of Appeals , 27 we applied Article
1253 of the Civil Code in resolving whether the debtor has waived the payments of
interest when he issued receipts describing the payments as "capital repayment." We
held that,
"Under Article 1253 of the Civil Code, if the debt produces interest,
payment of the principal shall not be deemed to have been made until the
interest has been covered. In this case, the private respondent would not
have signed the receipts describing the payments made by the
petitioner as "capital repayment" if the obligation to pay the interest
was still subsisting .
"There was therefore a novation of the terms of the three promissory
notes in that the interest was waived . . ." 28 [Emphasis supplied.]
The same ruling was made in an older case 29 where the creditor issued a receipt
which speci cally identi ed the payment as referring to the principal. We held that the
interest allegedly due cannot be recovered, in conformity with Article 1110 of the Old
Civil Code, a receipt from the creditor for the principal, that contains no stipulation
regarding interest, extinguishes the obligation of the debtor with regard thereto when
the receipt issued by the creditor showed that no reservation whatever was made with
respect to the interest.
In both of these cases, it was clearly established that the creditors accepted the
payment of the principal. The creditors were deemed to have waived the payment of
interest because they issued receipts expressly referring to the payment of the
principal without any reservation with respect to the interest. As a result, the interests
due were deemed waived. It was immaterial whether the creditors intended to waive
the interest or not. The law presumed such waiver because the creditors accepted the
payment of the principal without reservation with respect to the interest.
In the present case, it was not proven that the respondent accepted the payment
of the principal. The silence of the receipts on whether the daily payments were
credited against the unpaid balance of the principal or the accrued interest does not
mean that the respondent waived the payment of interest. There is no presumption of
waiver of interest without any evidence showing that the respondent accepted the daily
installments as payments for the principal.

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 Ideally, the respondent could have been more speci c by indicating on the
receipts that the daily payments were being credited against the interest. Its failure to
do so, however, should not be taken against it. The respondent had the right to credit
the daily payments against the interest applying Article 1253.
It bears stressing that the petitioner was already in default. Under the promissory
note, the petitioner waived demand in case of non-payment upon due date. 30 The
stipulated interest and interest for default have both accrued. The only logical result,
following Article 1253 of the Civil Code, is that the daily payments were rst applied
against either or both the stipulated interest and interest for default.
Moreover, Article 1253 is viewed as having an obligatory character and not
merely suppletory. It cannot be dispensed with except by mutual agreement. The
creditor may oppose an application of payment made by the debtor contrary to this
rule. 31
In any case, the promissory note provided that "interest not paid when due shall
be added to, and become part of the principal and shall likewise bear interest at the
same rate, compounded monthly." 32
Hence, even if we assume that the daily payments were applied against the
principal, the principal had also increased by the amount of unpaid interest and the
interest on such unpaid interest. Even under this assumption, it is doubtful whether the
petitioner had indeed fully paid the second loan.
Excessive interest, penalty
and attorney's fees
Notwithstanding the foregoing, we nd the stipulated rates of interest, penalty
and attorney's fees to be exorbitant, iniquitous, unconscionable and excessive. The
courts can and should reduce such astronomical rates as reason and equity demand.
Article 1229 of the Civil Code provides:
"The judge shall equitably reduce the penalty when the principal obligation has
been partly or irregularly complied with by the debtor. Even if there has been no
performance, the penalty may also be reduced by the courts if it is iniquitous or
unconscionable."
Article 2227 of the Civil Code ordains:
"Liquidated damages, whether intended as an indemnity or a penalty, shall be
equitably reduced if they are iniquitous or unconscionable.
More importantly, Article 1306 of the Civil Code is emphatic:
"The contracting parties may establish such stipulations, clauses, terms
and conditions as they may deem convenient, provided they are not contrary to
law, morals, good customs, public order, or public policy."
Thus, stipulations imposing excessive rates of interest and penalty are void for
being contrary to morals, if not against the law. 33
Further, we have repeatedly held that while Central Bank Circular No. 905-82 ,
which took effect on January 1, 1983, effectively removed the ceiling on interest rates
for both secured and unsecured loans, regardless of maturity, nothing in the said
circular could possibly be read as granting carte blanche authority to lenders to raise
interest rates to levels that would be unduly burdensome, to the point of oppression on
their borrowers. 34
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 In exercising this power to determine what is iniquitous and unconscionable,
courts must consider the circumstances of each case since what may be iniquitous and
unconscionable in one may be totally just and equitable in another. 35
In the recent case of MCMP Construction Corp. v. Monark Equipment Corp. , 36
we reduced the interest rate of twenty-four percent (24%) per annum to twelve percent
(12%) per annum; the penalty and collection charge of three percent (3%) per month, or
thirty-six percent (36%) per annum, to six percent (6%) per annum; and the amount of
attorney's fees from twenty- ve percent (25%) of the total amount due to ve percent
(5%).
Applying the foregoing principles, we hereby reduce the stipulated rates as
follows: the interest of twenty-six percent (26%) per annum is reduced to two percent
(2%) per annum; the penalty charge of ten percent (10%) per month, or one-hundred
twenty percent (120%) per annum is reduced to two percent (2%) per annum; and the
amount of attorney's fees from twenty- ve percent (25%) of the total amount due to
two percent (2%) of the total amount due.
We believe the markedly reduced rates are reasonable, equitable and just under
the circumstances.
It is not entirely the petitioner's fault that he honestly, albeit wrongly, believed that
the second loan had been fully paid. The respondent is partly to blame for issuing
receipts not indicating that the daily payments were being applied against the interest.
Moreover, the reduction of the rates is justi ed in the context of its computation
period. In Trade & Investment Dev't. Corp. of the Phil. v. Roblett Industrial Construction
Corp., 37 we equitably reduced the interest rate because the case was decided with
nality sixteen years after the ling of the complaint. We noted that the amount of the
loan swelled to a considerably disproportionate sum, far exceeding the principal debt.
It is the same in the present case where the complaint was led almost twenty-
years ago. 38
The Chattel Mortgage could
not cover the second loan
The chattel mortgage could not validly cover the second loan. The order for
foreclosure was without legal and factual basis.
I n Acme Shoe, Rubber and Plastic Corp. v. Court of Appeals , 39 the debtor
executed a chattel mortgage, which had a provision to this effect:
"In case the MORTGAGOR executes subsequent promissory note or notes
either as a renewal of the former note, as an extension thereof, or as a new loan,
or is given any other kind of accommodations such as overdrafts, letters of
credit, acceptances and bills of exchange, releases of import shipments on
Trust Receipts, etc., this mortgage shall also stand as security for the payment
of the said promissory note or notes and/or accommodations without the
necessity of executing a new contract and this mortgage shall have the same
force and effect as if the said promissory note or notes and/or
accommodations were existing on the date thereof." 40 [Emphasis supplied.]
In due time, the debtor settled the loan covered by the chattel mortgage.
Subsequently, the debtor again borrowed from the creditor. Due to nancial
constraints, the subsequent loan was not settled at maturity.
On the issue whether the chattel mortgage could be foreclosed due to the
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 debtor's failure to settle the subsequent loan, we held that,
"[c]ontracts of security are either personal or real. . . . In contracts of real
security, such as a pledge, a mortgage or an antichresis, that ful llment is
secured by an encumbrance of property — in pledge, the placing of movable
property in the possession of the creditor; in chattel mortgage, by the execution
of the corresponding deed substantially in the form prescribed by law; . . . —
upon the essential condition that if the principal obligation becomes due and
the debtor defaults, then the property encumbered can be alienated for the
payment of the obligation, but that should the obligation be duly paid,
then the contract is automatically extinguished proceeding from the
accessory character of the agreement. As the law so puts it, once the
obligation is complied with, then the contract of security becomes,
ipso facto , null and void ." 41
While a pledge, real estate mortgage, or antichresis may exceptionally
secure after-incurred obligations so long as these future debts are accurately
described, a chattel mortgage, however, can only cover obligations existing at
the time the mortgage is constituted. Although a promise expressed in a
chattel mortgage to include debts that are yet to be contracted can be
a binding commitment that can be compelled upon, the security itself,
however, does not come into existence or arise until after a chattel
mortgage agreement covering the newly contracted debt is executed
either by concluding a fresh chattel mortgage or by amending the old
contract conformably with the form prescribed by the Chattel
Mortgage Law . Refusal on the part of the borrower to execute the agreement
so as to cover the after-incurred obligation can constitute an act of default on
the part of the borrower of the nancing agreement whereon the promise is
written but, of course, the remedy of foreclosure can only cover the debts extant
at the time of constitution and during the life of the chattel mortgage sought to
be foreclosed." 42 [Emphasis supplied.]
We noted that the Chattel Mortgage Law 43 requires the parties to the contract
to attach an affidavit of good faith and execute an oath that —
". . . (the) mortgage is made for the purpose of securing the obligation
speci ed in the conditions thereof, and for no other purposes , and that
the same is a just and valid obligation, and one not entered into for the
purposes of fraud." 44
It is obvious therefore that the debt referred in the law is a current, not an
obligation that is yet merely contemplated . 45
The chattel mortgage in the present case had the following provision:
". . . in consideration of the credit accommodation granted by the MORTGAGEE
to the MORTGAGOR(S) in the amount of FIFTY-THREE THOUSAND ONLY
PESOS (P53,000.00) . . . and all other obligations of every kind already incurred
or which may hereafter be incurred, for or accommodation of the
MORTGAGOR(S) , as well as the faithful performance of the terms and
conditions of this mortgage . . ." 46 [Emphasis supplied.]
The only obligation speci ed in the chattel mortgage contract was the rst loan
which the petitioner later fully paid. By virtue of Section 3 of the Chattel Mortgage Law,
47 the payment of the obligation automatically rendered the chattel mortgage
terminated; the chattel mortgage had ceased to exist upon full payment of the rst
loan. Being merely an accessory in nature, it cannot exist independently of the principal
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 obligation.
The parties did not execute a fresh chattel mortgage nor did they amend the
chattel mortgage to comply with the Chattel Mortgage Law which requires that the
obligation must be speci ed in the a davit of good faith. Simply put, there no longer
was any chattel mortgage that could cover the second loan upon full payment of the
first loan. The order to foreclose the motor vehicle therefore had no legal basis.
WHEREFORE , in view of the foregoing ndings and legal premises, we
PARTIALLY GRANT the petition. We MODIFY the May 17, 2010 Decision and the
November 25, 2010 Resolution of the Court of Appeals in CA G.R. SP No. 102144.
ACCORDINGLY , petitioner Nunelon R. Marquez is ORDERED to pay:
1. Twenty- ve thousand forty pesos (P25,040.00) representing the amount of
the unpaid balance of the second loan;
2. Interest of two percent (2%) per annum on the unpaid balance to be computed
from December 15, 1992 48 until full payment;
3. Penalty of two percent (2%) per annum on the unpaid balance to be computed
from December 15, 1992;
4. Attorney's Fees of two percent (2%) of the total amount to be recovered.
The total amount to be recovered shall further be subject to the legal interest
rate of six percent (6%) per annum from the finality of this Decision until fully paid. 49
Respondent Elisan Credit Corporation, on the other hand, is ORDERED to
return/deliver the seized motor vehicle with Plate No. UV-TDF-193, subject of the
chattel mortgage, to the possession of the petitioner; in the event its delivery is no
longer possible, to pay the petitioner the amount of P30,000.00 corresponding to the
value of the said vehicle.
No pronouncement as to costs.
SO ORDERED .
Carpio, Del Castillo, Mendoza and Leonen, JJ., concur.
Footnotes

1. Rollo, pp. 10-30. The petition is filed under Rule 45 of the Rules of Court.
2. Id. at 32-42. Penned by Associate Justice Rodil V. Zalameda and concurred in by Associate
Justice Mario L. Guariña III and Associate Justice Apolinario D. Bruselas, Jr.

3. Id. at 44-45. Penned by Associate Justice Rodil V. Zalameda and concurred in by Associate
Justice Mario L. Guariña III and Associate Justice Apolinario D. Bruselas, Jr.
4. The CA a rmed the May 7, 2007 order of the Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 222 —
Quezon City, which reversed and set aside the February 20, 2004 decision of the
Metropolitan Trial Court (MTC), Branch 43 — Quezon City.

5. Supra note 1, at 2.
6. Rollo, p. 79.

7. Id. at 81. The chattel mortgage was duly registered in the O ce of the Registry of Deeds in
Novaliches, Quezon City.
8. Supra note 1, at 12. Emphasis supplied.
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 9. Rollo, pp. 12, 168.

10. Id. at 82.

11. Id. at 83.

12. Id. at 13, 169.

13. Id. at 14, 168.

14. Id. at 71-77.

15. Id. at 171.

16. Supra note 2, at 34.

17. Rollo, pp. 57-61.

18. Id. at 60. Article 1235, Civil Code.

19. Id. at 62-70.

20. Supra note 2.

21. Rollo, pp. 164-172.

22. Supra note 1, at 19.

23. Supra note 1, at 13.

24. Supra note 2, at 39.

25. ARTURO M. TOLENTINO, CIVIL CODE OF THE PHILIPPINES Vol. IV, 313 (1960).

26. Id.
27. 495 Phil. 161 (2005).

28. Id. at 175. Emphasis supplied.

29. Hill v. Veloso, 31 Phil. 160 (1915).

30. Supra note 10.

31. Supra note 25, citing Manresa.

32. Supra note 10.

33. Planters Development Bank v. Spouses Lopez , G.R. No. 186332, October 23, 2013, 708
SCRA 481, citing Imperial v. Jaucian , 471 Phil. 484, 494-495 (2004); and Castro v.
Tan, G.R. No. 168940, November 24, 2009, 605 SCRA 231, 237-238.
34. Macalinao v. Bank of the Philippine Islands , G.R. No. 175490, September 17, 2009, 600
SCRA 67, 76-78, citing Imperial v. Jaucian , G.R. 149004, April 14, 2004, 427 SCRA
517, Tongoy v. Court of Appeals, No. L-45645, June 28, 1983, 123 SCRA 99.
35. Id.

36. G.R. No. 201001, November 10, 2014.

37. 523 Phil. 362, 367 (2006), cited in Planters Development Bank v. Spouses Lopez, supra
note 33.
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 38. Supra note 14. The complaint was filed on August 16, 1995.
39. 329 Phil. 531 (1996).

40. Id. at 536.

41. Id. at 538-539.

42. Id. at 539.

43. Act 1508 as amended dated July 2, 1906.

44. Supra note 39, at p. 540.

45. Id.
46. Supra note 7.

47. Sec. 3. Chattel mortgage de ned. — A chattel mortgage is a conditional sale of personal
property as security for the payment of a debt, or the performance of some other
obligation speci ed therein, the condition being that the sale shall be void upon the
seller paying to the purchaser a sum of money or doing some other act named. If the
condition is performed according to its terms the mortgage and sale
immediately become void , and the mortgagee is thereby divested of his title.
[Emphasis supplied.]

48. The maturity date of the second loan.

49. Section 1 of BSP Circular No. 799 dated July 1, 2013.

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