Alfredo Arquelada v. Philippine Veterans Bank

Summary

This unlawful detainer case involved 13 named petitioners leasing units in a 14-door apartment building acquired by Philippine Veterans Bank through foreclosure. The lessees accumulated substantial rental arrearages and failed to vacate despite bank's demands. The central legal issues were whether the Metropolitan Trial Court had jurisdiction over the unlawful detainer action filed before the 5-day period lapsed, and whether valid grounds existed for ejectment. The Supreme Court affirmed that jurisdiction was proper since the action was based on lease expiration under B.P. Blg. 877, not requiring prior demand to vacate. However, the Court exercised its discretionary power under Article 1687 of the Civil Code to extend the lease for six months, balancing the bank's property rights against the lessees' need for reasonable time to relocate. The decision clarified procedural requirements for unlawful detainer and demonstrated judicial discretion in lease extension cases.