PNTC COLLEGES, INC. vs. TIME REALTY, INC.
G.R. No. 219698, September 27, 2021
DOCTRINE:
Jurisprudence holds that there is unjust enrichment when a person unjustly retains a benefit to the loss of a another, or when a person retains money or property of another against the fundamental principles of jμstice, equity and good conscience. The statutory basis for the principle of unjust enrichment is Article 22 of the Civil Code which provides that '[e]very person who through an act of performance by another or any other means, acquires or comes into possession of something at the expense of the latter without just or legal ground, shall return the same to him. The principle of unjust enrichment under Article 22 of the Civil Code requires to conditions:
G.R. No. 219698, September 27, 2021
DOCTRINE:
Jurisprudence holds that there is unjust enrichment when a person unjustly retains a benefit to the loss of a another, or when a person retains money or property of another against the fundamental principles of jμstice, equity and good conscience. The statutory basis for the principle of unjust enrichment is Article 22 of the Civil Code which provides that '[e]very person who through an act of performance by another or any other means, acquires or comes into possession of something at the expense of the latter without just or legal ground, shall return the same to him. The principle of unjust enrichment under Article 22 of the Civil Code requires to conditions:
1. that a person is benefited without a valid basis or justification, and
2. that such benefit is derived at another’s expense or damage. There is no unjust
enrichment when the person who will benefit has a valid claim to such benefit.
FACTS:
PNTC Colleges, Inc. (PNTC) and Time Realty, Inc. (Time Realty) entered into a Contract of Lease for the latter’s property in Sampaloc Manila from 2005 – 2007. While the term of the lease ended on December 31, 2005 the contract was impliedly renewed on a monthly basis after the said date.
Eventually, Time Realty notified PNTC of its (Time Realty) intent not to extend the lease effective April 2007. It gave PNTC the option to either extend the lease only until April 2007 or transfer to the second floor of the same building. PNTC informed time Realty of its decision to terminate its lease which would take effect at the end of April 2007.
Sometime in April 2007, PNTC commenced the transfer of its operations to its new site in Intramuros, Manila. However, Time Realty alleged that PNTC did so without settling its (PNTC’s) outstanding rentals and services (electricity and water), plus interest/surcharges. Hence, Time Realty ordered PNTC to cease its moving out operations, then retained the remaining properties of PNTC in its premises.