Pananagutan ng bonding company bilang surety

Dr. Persida V. Rueda-Acosta / Magtanong Kay Attorney

Dear Chief Acosta,

Bago ko pinahiram ng malaking halaga ang aking kinakapatid, pinahanap ko muna siya ng bonding company at hiniling na pumasok sa kontrata na tinatawag na “suretyship” upang makasiguro akong mababayaran ako kahit anong mangyari. Limang buwan nang hindi nakakabayad ang kinakapatid ko kaya nagpadala na ako ng demand letter pero sinabi niyang nalugi na nang tuluyan ang kanyang negosyo. Dahil dito, pinadalhan ko ang bonding company ng sulat upang sana’y singilin na ang utang ng aking kinakapatid. Ngunit sinabihan ako ng bonding company na mababayaran lamang nila ako kung mapatutunayan kong binayaran na ako ng aking kinakapatid gamit ang kanyang mga ari-arian at may natira pang utang matapos maubos ang kanyang mga ari-arian. Tama ba ito? – Jay

Dear Jay,

Para sa inyong kaalaman, nakasaad sa Article 2047 ng Civil Code of the Philippines na:

“Article 2047. By Guaranty a person, called the guarantor, binds himself to the creditor to fulfill the obligation of the principal debtor in case the latter should fail to do so.

If a person binds himself solidarily with the principal debtor, the provisions of Section 4, Chapter 3, Title I of this Book shall be observed. In such case the contract is called suretyship.”

Ito rin ay tinalakay ng Korte Suprema sa kasong Trade and Investment Development Corporation of the Philippines vs. Asia Paces Corporation, et al. (G.R. No. 187403, February 12, 2014, Ponente: Honorable Associate Justice Estela M. Perlas-Bernabe) kung saan ipinaliwanag ang tungkol sa pananagutan ng surety sa kontrata ng suretyship:

“A surety is considered in law as being the same party as the debtor in relation to whatever is adjudged touching the obligation of the latter, and their liabilities are interwoven as to be inseparable. Although the contract of a surety is in essence secondary only to a valid principal obligation, his liability to the creditor is direct, primary and absolute; he becomes liable for the debt and duty of another although he possesses no direct or personal interest over the obligations nor does he receive any benefit therefrom. The fundamental reason therefor is that a contract of suretyship effectively binds the surety as a solidary debtor. This is provided under Article 2047 of the Civil Code which states:

x x x

Thus, since the surety is a solidary debtor, it is not necessary that the original debtor first failed to pay before the surety could be made liable; it is enough that the demand for payment is made by the creditor for the surety’s liability to attach.” (Binigyang-diin)

Bukod pa rito, nabanggit din mismo sa The Insurance Code (Republic Act No. 10607) ang sumusunod:

“SEC. 178. The liability of the surety or sureties shall be joint and several with the obligor and shall be limited to the amount of the bond. It is determined strictly by the terms of the contract of suretyship in relation to the principal contract between the obligor and the obligee.” (Binigyang-diin)

Samakatwid, hindi na ninyo kailangang patunayan na mayroon pang natitirang pagkakautang matapos ubusin ang lahat ng ari-arian ng taong umutang sa inyo upang kayo ay mabayaran ng bonding company alinsunod sa suretyship na kontrata. Sapat na mayroon kayong ginawang demand sa bonding company upang kayo ay bayaran sa kadahilanang ang pananagutan ng bonding company bilang surety ay solidary na nangangahulugang ang pananagutan ng bonding company ay tulad ng sa umutang sa inyo.

Nawa ay nasagot namin ang inyong mga katanungan. Nais naming ipaalala sa inyo na ang opinyon na ito ay nakabase sa inyong mga naisalaysay sa inyong liham at sa pagkakaintindi namin dito. Maaaring maiba ang opinyon kung mayroong karagdagang impormasyon na ibibigay. Mas mainam kung personal kayong sasangguni sa isang abogado.