Manuel D. Melotindos v. Melecio Tobias

Summary

An 87-year-old lawyer who had been leasing premises since 1953 was ejected for rental arrears and landlord's legitimate need. The Supreme Court affirmed lower court decisions ordering ejectment, rejecting the tenant's claim for lease extension under Article 1687 of the Civil Code. The Court emphasized that the provision grants discretionary relief, not an absolute right, and that the tenant had effectively received years of extension. The case demonstrates that age and length of occupancy alone do not justify indefinite tenancy when legitimate grounds for ejectment exist, including rental defaults and landlord's good faith need for the property.