- Petitioner
- Florentino Cursino
- Respondent
- Hon. Pedro Jl. Bautista
- Citation
- G.R. No. 50335
- Court
- Supreme Court
- Division
- Third Division
- Ponente
- Bidin, J.
- Decided
- August 7, 1989
Summary
This unlawful detainer case involved landlord Maria James seeking to eject tenant Florentino Cursino for non-payment of rent. Cursino defaulted on October-December 1977 rentals but paid them late after receiving a demand letter, then refused to vacate claiming protection under P.D. No. 20. The Supreme Court affirmed lower courts' decisions favoring the landlord, ruling that P.D. No. 20 only suspends ejectment for indefinite period leases, not for non-payment of rent. The Court emphasized that late payment of back rentals does not automatically restore the lease contract without the lessor's consent, and that the landlord's demand to vacate followed by the tenant's refusal makes continued possession unlawful. This case clarifies the scope of P.D. No. 20's rent control protections and reinforces landlords' rights to terminate leases for material breaches.