Bonifacio Pimentel v. Eugenio · G.R. 3377

Petitioner: Bonifacio Pimentel
Respondent: Eugenio Gutierrez
Citation: G.R. No. 3377
Court: Supreme Court
Division: First Division
Ponente: Johnson, J.
Decided: August 24, 1909

Summary

This 1909 Supreme Court case involved a loan contract dispute between Bonifacio Pimentel and three co-debtors who borrowed P3,000 at 10% annual interest in 1901. The defendants claimed a new payment arrangement and made partial payments totaling P785.38. The trial court erroneously held only one defendant liable for the full amount. The Supreme Court corrected this, ruling that under Civil Code Articles 1137-1138, the loan created joint liability, making each debtor responsible only for their proportionate share. The Court rejected the defendants' claim of a new payment arrangement but recognized the suspension of interest from December 1904. The decision established important precedents regarding joint versus several liability in loan contracts and the application of payments to interest versus principal under Philippine civil law.

Statutes applied

Related cases

Other Philippine cases on the same provisions and issues.

Bormaheco v. Malayan Insurance Company G.R. No. 156599
Central Bank of the Philippines v. Citytrust Banking Corporation G.R. No. 141835
Tirso Garcia v. Arsenia Enriquez G.R. No. 47461
Heirs of Marcelina Arzadon-Crisologo v. Agrifina Rañon G.R. No. 171068
Bogo-Medellin Milling Co. v. Court of Appeals G.R. No. 124699

By Intellegal Editorial Board · August 24, 1909

Search Philippine case law on Intellegal →

AI-assisted case analysis — for research only. Verify against the official decision. A research aid, not legal advice; using this page creates no attorney-client relationship. For legal advice, consult a Philippine lawyer. Verify every holding and citation against the official decision (Supreme Court E-Library / Official Gazette) before relying on it.