Espique, Daniel Jr., O.

Evidence 6:30-8:30 TTh

BPI-FAMILY SAVINGS BANK, Inc., petitioner, vs. COURT OF APPEALS, COURT OF TAX
APPEALS and CIR

Facts:
This case involves a tax refund on the year 1990 by the petitioner for an amount of
112,491.00.
On October 11, 1990, petitioner filed a written claim for refund in the amount of
P112,491.00 with the Commissioner of Internal Revenue alleging that it did not apply the 1989
refundable amount of P297,492.00 (including P112,491.00) to its 1990 Annual Income Tax
Return due to the alleged business losses it incurred for the same year. Without waiting for the
commissioner to act, petitioner filed a petition for review with the CTA.

The CA and CTA ruled that the petitioner declared in the same 1989 tax return that the
total refundable amount is to be applied as tax credit to the succeeding year.

The CA ruled that the petitioner failed to show proof that it has not credited to its 1990
Annual income Tax Return, the amount of P297,492.00 (including P112,491.00), so as to refute
its previous declaration in the 1989 Income Tax Return that the said amount will be applied as a
tax credit in the succeeding year of 1990. Having failed to submit such requirement, there is no
basis to grant the claim for refund.

Issue:

Whether or not petitioner is entitled to the refund of P112,491.00, representing excess

creditable withholding tax paid for the taxable year 1989.

Ruling:

The supreme court disagrees with the CA that the petitioner is not entitled to tax refund.
The return attached by the petitioner is proof that it acquired loss in the year 1990 and the
Bureau of Internal Revenue, for its part, failed to controvert petitioners claim. It presented no
evidence at all. Because it ought to know the tax records of all taxpayers, the CIR could have
easily disproved petitioners claim but, it did not do so.

Respondents argue that tax refunds are in the nature of tax exemptions and are to be
construed strictissimi juris against the claimant. Under the facts of this case, the SC hold that
petitioner has established its claim. Petitioner may have failed to strictly comply with the rules of
procedure, it may have even been negligent. SC stated that These circumstances, however,
should not compel the Court to disregard this cold, undisputed fact: that petitioner suffered a net
loss in 1990, and that it could not have applied the amount claimed as tax credits.

The petition is hereby GRANTED and the assailed Decision and Resolution of the Court of
Appeals REVERSED and SET ASIDE. The Commissioner of Internal Revenue is ordered to
refund to petitioner the amount of P112,491 as excess creditable taxes paid in 1989.
Espique, Daniel Jr., O.
Evidence 6:30-8:30 TTh

ABALOS VS CA

Facts:

These are two consolidated petitions for review (G.R. No. 106029. October 19, 1999 and
G.R. No. 105770. October 19, 1999) on certiorari under Rule 45 of the Revised Rules of Court
assailing the Decision of the Court of Appeals.

Fredisvinda, as administratrix of the Fishpond, leased the same to Oscar Fernandez for a
period of five years from July 1, 1979 to June 30, 1984. Fernandez, in turn, subleased the same
to petitioner Benjamin Abalos, who hired Arsenio Arellano as caretaker.

When the lease was nearing its termination date, Fernandez pleaded for a one-year
extension of the lease up to June 30, 1985 and was granted. On August 26, 1984, the Fishpond
was bidded to all the co-owners, for the lease thereof, starting July 1, 1985. Jorge Coquia,
through his son Anthony, won the bidding with a bid price of P250,000.00. Petitioner
Fernandezs bid was P151,000.00. Subsequently, petitioner Fernandez informed his sublessees
that he lost in the bidding.

Anthony Coquia, accompanied by police authorities from Dagupan City, proceeded to the
Fishpond to take possession of the property. However, Arellano refused to leave the premises,
contending that no orders from petitioner Abalos to do so.

On April 15, 1986, private respondents brought a Complaint for unlawful detainer against
the petitioners.

Petitioners Abalos and Arellano filed their Answer, that petitioner, with the acquiescence
and conformity of the other co-owners, renewed the sub-lease agreement for another five (5)
years, from July 1, 1984 to June 30, 1989, under the same condition as the first contract, with
the stipulation that they shall pay an escalation rate equal to ten percent (10%) of the original
rental of P118,000.00 per annum. They also alleged that Fernandez and the other co-owners
received advanced rentals for the sublease of the Fishpond.

On May 30, 1988, petitioners Abalos and Arellano surrendered the premises to Jorge
Coquia, rendering moot and academic the issue of possession pending before the MTCC.

MTCC renders judgment Ordering defendants Oscar Fernandez and Benjamin Abalos,
jointly and severally, to pay the plaintiffs P250,000.00 yearly as reasonable compensation of the
Lupo fishpond from July 1, 1985 up to March, 1983 when defendants vacated the premises.

Petitioners appealed the above Decision to Branch 44 of the RTC of Dagupan City which
reversed the Decision of the MTCC.

The RTC reasoned out that since the case involved the interpretation of the renewal of
the contract of lease between Oscar Fernandez and the plaintiffs, the matter involved is
incapable of pecuniary estimation therefore, the same is beyond the competence of the
Municipal Trial Court in Cities, Dagupan City.
Espique, Daniel Jr., O.
Evidence 6:30-8:30 TTh

ISSUES:

1. Was there renewal of the lease agreement of petitioner Abalos over the Fishpond for
another five years from July 1, 1984 to June 30, 1989?

2. Is petitioner Fernandez jointly and severally liable with petitioner Abalos in paying
private respondents the sum of P250,000.00 yearly, from July 1, 1985 to March 1988, as annual
rental for the Fishpond?

3. Was the dismissal of the cross-claim of petitioner Abalos against petitioner Fernandez
proper?

RULING:

The petitions are not impressed with merit. The petitions raise factual issues which are
not proper in an appeal on certiorari. It is a basic rule that only questions of law may be raised in
an appeal by certiorari under Rule 45 of the Rules of Court.

Regarding the first issue, Abalos cannot rely on the Addendum to support his claim of
renewal of lease. It must be noted that the addendum, dated August 16, 1979, was signed by
Corazon C. Fernandez as administratrix of the estate of the late Angel Fernandez, the father of
petitioner Fernandez, and a co-owner of the Fishpond. This means that the extension could not
have covered the entire Fishpond as Angel Fernandezs share thereof consisted only of a pro-
indiviso, undivided portion. It does not also appear that the private respondents agreed or
acquiesced in the extension of the lease. Moreover, subject addendum was not signed by the
other co-owners nor their representatives and neither was said addendum notarized before a
notary public.

Regarding the second issue, The SC sustain the finding that Fernandez and Abalos are
jointly and severally liable to the private respondents for the payment of the yearly rental of the
Fishpond amounting to P250,000.00 yearly from July 1, 1984 to March 1988 when petitioner
Abalos vacated the premises. This is because petitioner Fernandez, as lessee of the Fishpond,
and petitioner Abalos, as sublessee of the former, were obliged to surrender the leased
premises to the private respondents upon the expiration of the lease.

With respect to the third issue, The SC find the dismissal of petitioner Abalos cross-
claim against petitioner Fernandez proper. The petitions raise no substantial grounds justifying a
reversal of the respondent courts Decision. The Decision of the Court of Appeals is AFFIRMED
in toto.