- Petitioner
- Bp Oil
- Respondent
- Total Distribution & Logistic Systems
- Citation
- G.R. No. 214406
- Court
- Supreme Court
- Division
- Second Division
- Ponente
- Peralta, J.
- Decided
- February 6, 2017
Summary
BP Oil sued TDLSI for P36,440,351.79 representing moneys, stocks, and accounts receivables from a terminated commercial agency agreement for distribution of industrial lubricants. The RTC ruled for BP Oil based on sufficient evidence including TDLSI's April 30, 2001 letter (Exhibit 'J') admitting possession of the amounts. The CA reversed, finding Exhibit 'J' was not an actionable document requiring denial under oath and BP Oil failed to prove its case. The Supreme Court granted BP Oil's petition, ruling Exhibit 'J' was admissible evidence constituting an admission against interest that TDLSI failed to refute. The Court found BP Oil established its case by preponderance of evidence while TDLSI failed to present evidence to defeat the claim. The decision reinforced principles on burden of proof, admissions against interest, and proper interest rate computation in commercial collection cases.