Romel P. Almeda v. Leonor A. Cariño

Summary

This case involves breach of contracts to sell real property between private parties. Ponciano Almeda and Avelino Cariño entered into agreements in 1980 for the sale of properties in Biñan, Laguna worth over P2.9 million total, with 12% annual interest on unpaid balances. Despite receiving deeds of sale and having titles transferred, Almeda failed to pay the remaining balance of P477,589.47. After demands were ignored, Cariño sued successfully. The Supreme Court affirmed awards of the unpaid balance with contractual 12% interest, P150,000 nominal damages for violation of contractual rights, and P15,000 attorney's fees. The decision reinforces the binding nature of contractual interest rates and the propriety of nominal damages for technical violations of rights. The case also demonstrates how prolonged litigation tactics can justify damage awards, as petitioners employed sixteen different lawyers over the case's decade-long duration.