Pomposa Bonjoc v. Candelario Cuison

Summary

In this 1909 Supreme Court case, plaintiff Pomposa Bonjoc sued defendant Candelario Cuison for destroying her house and taking its materials. Defendant claimed the house was given as security for her deceased husband's debt via document 'Exhibit 2.' The Supreme Court affirmed the lower court's ruling that even if the document existed, defendant's own testimony showed it was merely a contract of guaranty, not ownership transfer. A guaranty contract does not grant rights of dominion including destruction of property. The Court noted contradictory testimonies made the evidence suspicious. Under Civil Code Article 1108 and procedural provisions, the Court awarded ₱500 for the house's value and ₱150 for damages from deprivation of use, rejecting defendant's claim that only legal interest should apply since this involved unlawful destruction, not monetary debt default.