Gaisano Superstore v. Spouses Frank Rhedey

Summary

Spouses Frank and Jocelyn Rhedey purchased contaminated Cadbury chocolate bars from Gaisano Superstore in 2007-2008, finding them infested with maggots and cobwebs. Despite the absence of purchase receipts, the Supreme Court affirmed lower courts' findings that sufficient evidence existed through testimony to prove the purchase. The Court upheld petitioner's liability under the Consumer Act and quasi-delict principles, ruling that retailers have a duty to exercise due care in selling food products. The Court awarded P50,000 in temperate damages and P10,000 in attorney's fees (corrected from actual damages), with 6% annual interest. This case reinforces consumer protection standards and establishes that purchase receipts are not the exclusive means of proving commercial transactions in consumer protection cases.