National Power Corporation v. Court of Appeals

Summary

Dennis Coo purchased aluminum scrap wires which were later seized by PC and taken by NPC despite his acquittal in a related criminal case. Coo filed a replevin action to recover the property. The Supreme Court affirmed lower courts' rulings that Coo had proven his entitlement to possession through documentary evidence (sales invoice and way bill) while NPC's claims about property discrepancies were unsupported. The Court emphasized that replevin requires only proof of entitlement to legal possession, not ownership. NPC was held liable for nominal damages for violating Coo's property rights and attorney's fees for acting in bad faith by refusing to return the property after Coo's criminal acquittal. The decision reinforces the principle that preponderance of evidence governs civil cases and that wrongful detention of personal property entitles the rightful possessor to civil remedies.