Commercial Law Summer Reviewer 2007
Commercial Law Summer Reviewer 2007
Commercial Law Summer Reviewer 2007
NEGOTIABLE INSTRUMENTS
LAW
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- always payable on - may be payable on charged with the collection of its tax liabilities, such
demand demand or at a fixed or bank must be deemed to have assumed the risk of a
determinable future time possible misuse thereof, as it appears to have fallen
short of the diligence expected from it. It may still,
- not necessary that it be - necessary that it be however, pursue an action against the person
presented for acceptance presented for responsible or who may have unjustly benefited.
acceptance
- drawn on a deposit - not drawn on a deposit
- the death of a drawer of a - the death of the drawer Pabugais vs. Sahijwani, 423 SCRA 596 (2004)
Generally, a manager’s check is not legal tender and
check, with knowledge by of the ordinary bill of
the creditor may accept or refuse it. But, payment by
the banks, revokes the exchange does not check may be accepted as valid if no prompt
authority of the banker to revoke the authority of objection is made.
pay the banker to pay
- must be presented for - may be presented for 2. Crossed check
payment within a payment within a Though the NIL is silent as to crossed checks, courts
reasonable time after reasonable time after its can take judicial cognizance of the practice that a
its issue (6 months) last negotiation. check crossed with two parallel lines in the upper left
hand corner means that it can only be deposited and
not converted to cash. The effects of a crossed check
Promissory Note vs. Check thus relate to the mode of payment – meaning that
PN CHECK the drawer intends it to be only for deposit by the
there are two (2) parties, there are three (3) parties, rightful person, the named payee.
the maker and the payee the drawer, the drawee
bank and the payee Bataan Cigar vs. CA
A holder of crossed-checks is not obliged to inquire,
may be drawn against always drawn against a when he acquires them, as to purpose for which the
any person, not bank checks were issued. A payee who further negotiates
necessarily a bank cross-checks that he accepted from someone cannot
may be payable on always payable on demand be considered a holder in good faith (and thus not a
demand or at a fixed or HIDC) is not applicable to this case. Here, when the
determinable future time payee acquired the checks, he duly deposited them in
his bank account, and therefore, the purpose behind
a promise to pay An order to pay the crossing was satisfied by the payee.
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become due; or
(d) With costs of collection or an attorney’s fee, in
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or where the acceptance of an instrument payable at a. Holder has prima facie authority to fill up
QuickTime™ and a TIFF (Uncompressed) decompressor the
a fixed period after sight is undated, any holder may
blanks therein. are needed to see this picture.
insert therein the true date of issue or acceptance,
and the instrument shall be payable accordingly. The b. It must be filled up strictly in accordance
insertion of a wrong date does not avoid the with the authority given and within a
instrument in the hands of a subsequent holder in reasonable time.
due course; but as to him, the date so inserted is to c. If negotiated to a holder in due course, it
is valid and effectual for all purposes as
be regarded as the true date.
though it was filled up strictly in
accordance with the authority given and
EFFECT WHEN A DATE IS INSERTED IN AN
within reasonable time. (Sec. 14)
INSTRUMENT
A holder may insert the true date of issuance or
acceptance, the insertion of a wrong date does not 2. Where only a signature on a blank paper
avoid the instrument in the hands of a subsequent was delivered:
holder in due course. As regards to the holder in due a. It was delivered by the person making it
course, the date inserted (even if it is a wrong date) is in order that it may be converted into a
regarded as the true date. negotiable instrument
b. The holder has prima facie authority to fill
it up as such for any amount. (Sec. 14)
DEFICIENCIES THAT DO NOT AFFECT THE
WHEN AN INSTRUMENT IS INCOMPLETE AND
RIGHTS OF A SUBSEQUENT HOLDER IN DUE
COURSE UNDELIVERED
1. Incomplete but delivered instrument (Sec.
14) Sec. 15. Where an incomplete instrument has not
2. Complete but undelivered (Sec. 16) been delivered, it will not, if completed and negotiated
3. Complete and delivered issued without without authority, be a valid contract in the hands of
consideration or a consideration consisting of any holder, as against any person whose signature
a promise which was not fulfilled (Sec 28) was placed thereon before delivery.
Republic Bank v. Court of Appeals, 196 SCRA 100 WHEN AN INSTRUMENT IS COMPLETE BUT
Where the amount of the check was altered by UNDELIVERED
increasing it but the drawee bank failed to return it to
the collecting bank within 24 hours, the collecting Sec. 16. Every contract on a negotiable instrument is
bank is absolved from liability for the drawee bank incomplete and revocable until delivery of the
should detect the alteration. instrument for the purpose of giving effect thereto. As
between immediate parties, and as regards a remote
PNB v. Court of Appeals, 256 SCRA 491 party other than a holder in due course, the delivery,
The alteration of a serial number of a check is not in order to be effectual, must be made either by or
material and does not entitle the drawee bank which under the authority of the party making, drawing,
paid it to recover the payment. accepting, or indorsing, as the case may be; and in
such case the delivery may be shown to have been
conditional, or for a special purpose only, and not for
WHEN INSTRUMENTS ARE INCOMPLETE BUT the purpose of transferring the property in the
DELIVERED instrument. But where the instrument is in the hands
1. Where an instrument is wanting in any of a holder in due course, a valid delivery thereof by
material particular: all parties prior to him so as to make them liable to
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him is conclusively presumed. And where the duly authorized; but the mere addition of words
instrument is no longer in the possession of a party describing him as an agent, or as filling a
whose signature appears thereon, a valid and representative character, without disclosing his
intentional delivery by him is presumed until the principal, does not exempt him from personal liability.
contrary is proved.
SIGNATURE BY PROCURATIONQuickTime™ and a -
Rules On Delivery Of Negotiable Instruments operates as
1. Delivery is essential to the validity of any notice that the agent has a limited authority to sign.
TIFF (Uncompressed) decompressorare needed to see this picture.
negotiable instrument
2. As between immediate parties or those in like Effects:
cases, delivery must be with intention of 1. The principal is only bound if the agent acted
passing title within the limits of the authority given
3. An instrument signed but not completed by 2. The person who takes the instrument is
the drawer or maker and retained by him is bound to inquire into the extent and nature of
invalid as to him for want of delivery even in the authority given. (Sec. 21)
the hands of a holder in due course
4. But there is prima facie presumption of LIABILITY OF INFANTS AND CORPORATIONS
delivery of an instrument signed but not FOR THEIR INDORSEMENT OR ASSIGNMENT
completed by the drawer or maker and Sec. 22. The indorsement or assignment of the
retained by him if it is in the hands of a holder instrument by a corporation or by an infant passes the
in due course. This may be rebutted by proof property therein, notwithstanding that from want of
of non-delivery. capacity the corporation or infant may incur no liability
5. An instrument entrusted to another who thereon.
wrongfully completes it and negotiates it to a
holder in due course, delivery to the agent or EFFECT OF A FORGED SIGNATURE OR ONE
custodian is sufficient delivery to bind the MADE WITHOUT AUTHORITY
maker or drawer.
6. If an instrument is completed and is found in Sec. 23. When a signature is forged or made without
the possession of another, there is prima the authority of the person whose signature it
facie evidence of delivery and if it be a holder purports to be, it is wholly inoperative, and no right to
in due course, there is conclusive retain the instrument, or to give a discharge therefor,
presumption of delivery. or to enforce payment thereof against any party
7. Delivery may be conditional or for a special thereto, can be acquired through or under such
purpose but such do not affect the rights of a signature, unless the party against whom it is sought
holder in due course.
to enforce such right is precluded from setting up the
forgery or want of authority.
PERSONS LIABLE IN AN INSTRUMENT Notes:
General rule: A person whose signature does not
appear on the instrument is not liable. 1. Section 23 applies only to forged
Exception: signatures or signatures made without
1. One who signs in a trade or assumed name authority
2. Alterations such as to amounts or the like
(Sec. 18)
fall under section 124
2. A duly authorized agent (Sec. 19)
3. Forms of forgery are a) fraud in factum;
3. A forger (Sec. 23)
b) duress amounting to fraud; c)
fraudulent impersonation
WHEN AN AGENT IS LIABLE ON THE
4. Only the signature forged or made
INSTRUMENT
without authority is inoperative, the
instrument or other signatures which are
Sec. 20. Where the instrument contains or a person
genuine are not affected
adds to his signature words indicating that he signs
for or on behalf of a principal, or in a representative
capacity, he is not liable on the instrument if he was
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5. The instrument can be enforced by 3. The drawee bank can recover from the
holders to whose title the forged collecting bank
signature is not necessary 4. The payee can recover from the drawer
6. Persons who are precluded from setting 5. The payee can recover from the recipient of
up the forgery are a) those who warrant the payment, such as the collecting bank
or admit the genuineness of the signature 6. The payee cannot collect from the drawee
b) those who are estopped. bank
7. Persons who are precluded by warranting 7. The collecting bank bears the loss but can
are: a) indorsers; b) persons negotiating recover from the person to whom it paid
by delivery; c) acceptors. 8. If payable to bearer, the rules are the same
8. drawee bank is conclusively presumed to as in PN.
know the signature of its drawer 9. If the drawee has accepted the bill, the
9. if endorser’s signature is forged, loss will drawee bears the loss and his remedy is to
be borne by the forger and parties QuickTime™ and a
presumed to know the signature of the 10. If the drawee has not accepted the bill but has
indorser. The responsibility falls on the paid it, the drawee cannot recover from the
bank which last guaranteed the drawer or the recipient of the proceeds,
indorsement and not the drawee bank. absent any act of negligence on their part.
11. Where the payee’s signature is forged,
payments made by the drawee bank to LIABILITY OF BANK FOR ALLOWING PAYMENT
the collecting bank are ineffective. No ON CHECKS WHERE THE DRAWER’S
debtor/creditor relationship is created. An SIGNATURE IS FORGED
agency to collect is created between the
person depositing and the collecting Bank of P.I. vs. Casa Montessori Internationale,
bank. The drawee bank may recover 430 SCRA 261 (2004]
from collecting bank who may, in turn, Forgery is the counterfeiting of any writing, consisting
recover from the person depositing. of the signing of another’s name with intent to
defraud, is forgery.
Rules On Liabilities Of Parties On A Forged The bank which allows the payment on a check where
Instrument the signature is forged is liable to the depositor-
In a PN drawer. When one of two persons suffers the
1. A party whose indorsement is forged on a wrongful act of a third person, he whose negligence
note payable to order and all parties prior to was the proximate cause of the loss must bear the
him including the maker cannot be held liable loss. Pursuant to its prime duty to ascertain well the
by any holder genuineness of the signatures of its clientdepositors,
2. A party whose indorsement is forged on a the drawee-bank is expected to use reasonable
note originally payable to bearer and all business prudence. In the performance of that
parties prior to him including the maker may obligation, it is bound by its internal banking rules and
be held liable by a holder in due course regulation that form part of the contract it enters into
provided that it was mechanically complete with its depositors.
before the forgery A drawee bank must restore to the account of the
3. A maker whose signature was forged drawer the amounts of checks on which the signature
cannot be held liable by any holder of its president was forged even of the forger was the
independent auditor of the drawer, who was in charge
of reconciling the bank statements with the records of
In a BOE
the drawer.
1. The drawer’s account cannot be charged by
the drawee where the drawee paid
2. The drawer has no right to recover from the Astro-Electronics Corp. vs. Philguarantee, 411
collecting bank SCRA 462 (2003)
The Pres is personally liable. In signing his name
apart from being the Pres., he became a co-maker.
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Persons who write their names on the fact of PNs are to that time.
makers. Sec. 28. Absence or failure of consideration is matter
of defense as against any person not a holder in due
Metropolitan Waterworks & Sewerage System v. course; and partial failure of consideration is a
Court of Appeals, 143 SCRA 20 defense pro tanto, whether the failure is an
Where a depositor who was allowed to print its ascertained and liquidated amount or otherwise.
checks privately adopted no security measures in the Notes:
printing of the checks, 23 checks with forged 1. Absence of consideration is where no
signatures of the authorized signatories were consideration was intended to pass.
deposited over a period of three months, and the 2. Failure of consideration implies that
fraud was not discovered because of the failure of the consideration was intended but that it failed to
depositor to reconcile the bank statements with its
pass
records, the depositor must bear the loss because of
its negligence. 3. The defense of want of consideration is TIFF
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against a holder in due course are needed to see this picture.
Philippine National Bank v. Court of Appeals, 25
SCRA 693 4. A drawee who accepts the bill cannot allege
A drawee bank which paid a check on which the want of consideration against the drawer
signature of the drawer had been forged cannot
recover the payment from the collecting bank, Yang vs. CA, 409 SCRA 159 (2003)
because payment implies acceptance and an He who posits that there was no consideration, is
acceptor admits the genuineness of the signature of obliged to present convincing evidence to overthrow
the drawer. the presumption that every Negotiable Instrument is
acquired by every party for value.
Associated Bank v. Court of Appeals, 252 SCRA
620
While a drawee bank which paid several checks Samson v. Court of Appeals, 402 SCRA 348 Since
payable to order with forged endorsements can consideration is presumed, the maker is liable to pay
recover the payment from the collecting bank under a negotiable promissory note.
because the forged endorsement is inoperative, the
drawer must share one-half of the loss where the Villaluz v. Court of Appeals, 278 SCRA 540
drawer substantially contributed to the loss by Since a check which was dishonored for lack of funds
continuing to release the check to the forger although is presumed to have been issued for valuable
it knew the forger was no longer the cashier of the consideration. The drawer should be ordered to pay
drawer. its value if he failed to rebut the presumption.
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Prudencio v. Court of Appeals, 143 SCRA 7 To be EFFECTS WHEN A HOLDER STRIKES OUT AN TIFF
entitled to recover from an accommodation party, the (Uncompressed) decompressorQuickTime™ and a INDORSEMENT, WHICH
holder of a negotiable instrument must be a holder in IS NOT NECESSARY TO are needed to see this picture.
due course except for the notice of want of
consideration. HIS TITLE
Caneda v. Court of Appeals, 181 SCRA 762 Sec. 48. The holder may at any time strike out any
A party who signed a promissory note as indorsement, which is not necessary to his title. The
accommodation maker in favor of the payees, who indorser whose indorsement is struck out, and all
then indorsed it to a financing company, cannot raise indorsers subsequent to him, are thereby relieved
the defense that he did not receive any value but is from liability on the instrument.
entitled to reimbursement from the party
accommodated.
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the payee was insane, a minor or a (a) That the instrument is genuine and in all respects
corporation acting ultra vires. what it purports to be; (b) That he has a good title to
it;
LIABILITY OF A DRAWER (c) That all prior parties had capacity to contract; (d)
A drawer is secondarily liable. By drawing the That he has no knowledge of any fact which would
instrument, the drawer: impair the validity of the instrument or render it
1. Admits the existence of the payee, valueless.
2. The capacity of such payee to indorse
3. Engages that on due presentment, the But when the negotiation is by delivery only, the
instrument will be accepted or paid or both warranty extends in favor of no holder other than the
according to its tenor. immediate transferee.
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holder, and who, upon taking it up, would have a right 4. Not necessary to Indorser (Sec. 115)
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(a) By payment in due course by or on behalf of the all prior parties TIFF (Uncompressed) decompressorare needed to see
principal debtor; this picture.
(b) By payment in due course by the 3. The party may strike out his own and all
party accommodated, where the subsequent indorsements
instrument is made or accepted for 4. The party may negotiate the instrument again
accommodation;
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EXCEPTIONS: 1. The drawer and the drawee are one and the
1. An instrument cannot be renegotiated where same
it is payable to order of a 3 rd person and has 2. The drawee is a fictitious person
been paid by the drawer 3. The drawee has no capacity to contract.
2. Instrument cannot be renegotiated where it
was made or accepted for accommodation Acceptance - the signification by the drawee of his
and it has been paid by the party assent to the order of the drawer. It is an act by
accommodated. which a person on whom the BOE is drawn assents
to the request of the drawer to pay it.
WHEN RENUNCIATION BY A HOLDER
DISCHARGES AN INSTRUMENT ACCEPTANCE MAY BE:
1. Made in favor of a person primarily liable 1. actual
2. Made at or after maturity of the instrument 2. constructive
3. In writing or the instrument is delivered up to 3. general
the person primarily liable . 4. qualified
Notes:
1. If renounced in favor of a party secondarily liable, REQUISITES OF AN ACTUAL ACCEPTANCE
only he is exonerated from liability and all parties
subsequent to him. 2. Discharge by novation is 1. In writing
allowed. 2. Signed by the drawee
3. Must not express that the drawee will perform
General rule: When materially altered, without his promise by any other means than
the consent of all parties liable, the instrument is payment of money
avoided 4. Communicated or delivered to the holder
Except as against:
1. The party who has made the alteration Note:
2. The party who authorized or A holder has a right to:
assented to the alteration. 1. require that acceptance be written on the bill
Subsequent indorsers Exception: and if refused, treat it as if dishonored (Sec.
If in the hands of a HDC, may be enforced 133)
according to its original tenor 2. refuse to accept a qualified acceptance and
may treat it as dishonored (Sec. 142)
Material Alteration - if it alters the effect of the
instrument. CONSTRUCTIVE ACCEPTANCE
Sec. 137. Where a drawee to whom a bill is delivered
Sec. 125 Any alteration, which changes — (a) for acceptance destroys the same, or refuses within
The date; twenty-four hours after such delivery, or within such
(b) The sum payable, either for principal or interest; other period as the holder may allow, to return the bill
(c) The time or place of payment;
accepted or non-accepted to the holder, he will be
(d) The number or the relations of the parties; (e)
deemed to have accepted the same.
The medium or currency in which payment is to be
made;
PRESENTMENT FOR ACCEPTANCE
1. If necessary to fix the maturity of the bill
Or which adds a place of payment where no place of
2. If it is expressly stipulated that it shall be
payment is specified, or any other change or addition
presented for acceptance
which alters the effect of the instrument in any
3. If the bill is drawn payable elsewhere than the
respect, is a material alteration.
residence or place of business of the drawee.
QuickTime™ and a
INSTANCES WHEN A BOE MAY BE TREATED AS SUMMARY ON TIFF (Uncompressed) decompressorare needed to see this
A PN picture.PRESENTMENT FOR
ACCEPTANCE OF BILLS OF EXCHANGE:
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Notes:
1. Protest - formal statement in writing made by
a notary under his seal of office at the request
of the holder, in which it is declared that the
same was presented for payment or
acceptance (as the case may be) and such
was refused
2. It means all steps or acts accompanying the
dishonor of a bill or note necessary to charge
an indorser
3. Required when the instrument is a foreign bill
of exchange.
4. It must be made on the same date of
dishonor, by a notary/respectable citizen of
the place in the presence of 2 credible
witnesses so recourse to secondary parties
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