NG Reyes Law Office

11/02/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1ADReC3DEW/?mibextid=wwXIfr

The (SC) has nullified the foreclosure of several properties after ruling that the interest charged on the unpaid bank loan was unfair and imposed without the borrower’s consent.

In a Resolution written by Associate Justice Ricardo R. Rosario, the SC’s Special Third Division granted the Motion for Reconsideration filed by Editha Ang and Violeta Fernandez, whose properties were foreclosed by United Coconut Planters Bank (UCPB) after they failed to pay a PHP 16-million loan.

Ang and Fernandez obtained a loan from UCPB. Based on the loan documents, however, UCPB was allowed to unilaterally adjust the interest rate every quarter based on market conditions.

When Ang and Fernandez failed to pay the total loan when it fell due, UCPB began to extrajudicially foreclose their properties.

Ang and Fernandez then filed a petition with the Regional Trial Court (RTC) to nullify the foreclosure sale, claiming that because the bank had the sole power to set and increase the interest rate, the rate was unfair and invalid.

The SC initially agreed that the interest rate was invalid but still upheld the foreclosure sale, ruling that the borrowers remained in default.

Upon reconsideration, however, the SC ruled that if the interest rate was unconscionable or imposed unilaterally by the lender, then any foreclosure that follows is also invalid.

The Court emphasized that under the Civil Code, contracts must be fair and mutually agreed upon. A contract that depends only on one party’s will is void.

In this case, the interest rate was solely determined by UCPB. Since the interest rate was invalid, the foreclosure of the properties was void.

The SC held that the borrowers should be given a chance to pay the loan at an interest rate agreed upon by both parties. Otherwise, they would be at the mercy of the lender and risk losing their property without a fair opportunity to settle their debt.

Read the full text of the Press Release at https://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/?p=152735.

Read the full text of the Decision at https://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/?p=152719.

Read the Dissenting Opinion of Senior Associate Justice Marvic M.V.F. Leonen https://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/?p=152726.

Copying of this content is subject to the SC PIO’s Credit Attribution Policy: https://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/credit-attribution-policy/.

09/02/2026

Lawyers’ Meeting (LM) to start off the week. Welcoming Atty. Krisha Gem Salagan to Reyes Law Office

19/11/2025

“### while probable cause should be determined in a summary manner, there is a need to examine the evidence with care to prevent material damage to a potential accused’s constitutional right to liberty, the guarantees of freedom and fair play, and to protect the State from the burden of unnecessary expenses in prosecuting alleged offenses and holding trials arising from false, fraudulent or groundless charges.” (Claridad v. Esteban, G.R. No. 191567, March 20, 2013)

12/02/2025

Here are some notable Supreme Court Decisions on Love

10/02/2025

'AS IS, WHERE IS' SALE. - Oftentimes, the lower prices of properties sold in an “as is, where is” basis attract buyers. Unfortunately, after acquisition, some issues start may arise such as hidden property defects, and even an undisclosed potential legal issue.

What if the property sold is encumbered with a legal dispute or liability to which you are held liable after the sale? Can you recover from the seller? This question has been answered by the Supreme Court in the case of National Development Company versus Madrigal Wan Hai Lines Corporation (G.R. No. 148332, September 30, 2003).

Read more at https://www.ngreyeslawoffice.com/articles/index.php?id=16

09/02/2025

SHOULDERING CONSTRUCTION PROJECT COST ESCALATION: LIABILITY OF THE CONTRACTOR, OR THE CLIENT?

By itself, building your dream house poses innumerable challenges. From selecting a competent and trustworthy contractor to project cost estimation, clients are mostly faced with missed turn-over date caused by weather unpredictability, subcontractor issues, fluctuation of the prices of supplies, difficulty in hiring skilled-manpower, and uncontrolled revisions of project scope. Name it and you'll have it.

But what if the prices of the construction projects went beyond the contract price? Who shall bear the costs?

For more information, see: https://www.ngreyeslawoffice.com/articles/index.php?id=15

02/12/2024

2024 Holidays Schedule

Dec. 23 - Open
Dec. 24-25 - Closed
Dec. 26-27 - Open
Dec. 30-Jan. 01 - Closed
Jan. 02, 2025 - Open

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You may reach us at
(049) 50 11 720 📞 ☎️
+63 977 318 6192 📱
[email protected]

We are located at
Ventura Center Building, Santa Rosa-Tagaytay Road, Don Jose, Santa Rosa City

16/10/2024

You may now also reach us through our landline number at (049) 50 11 720 📞 ☎️

25/07/2024

Please indulge me in celebrating this win. The client was sued for millions of alleged unpaid balance of the loan despite clear evidence of overpayment. The parties have no contract and hence, there was no stipulation as to payment of monetary interest. We moved for judgment on the pleadings and dispensed with the trial of the case, having only the law and the truth to rely on.

Indeed, the truth shall set us free.

This win is a liberation of the people from injustices, indeed the legal profession and the courts of law are social tools to aid the oppressed.

My utmost respect to the presiding judge for upholding the rule of law.

19/06/2024

JOB VACANCY
Law Office Messenger
P700.00 daily rate
With gas reimbursement
Place of assignment: Santa Rosa (Nuvali Area)

Qualifications
*Male/Female who has motorcycle
*Can drive around Manila, Laguna, Cavite and nearby locations
*Can follow instructions thoroughly
*Courteous and can do work with less supervision

For interested applicants, kindly send your resume here
[email protected]

29/04/2024

Illegally dismissed probationary employees, like regular employees, are entitled to backwages up to their actual reinstatement and not only until the end of their probationary period.

https://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/sc-illegally-dismissed-probationary-employees-entitled-to-backwages-from-time-compensation-withheld-up-to-actual-reinstatement/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR3ev0Vu-P1cG-9ZNLKQe-YA0VcGjsafMyLYlhEOMf4RowExOKtLcFTSEgk_aem_AaLNWi_FUOrGni8vxgJUEysUkQYPXbCUxWG-PLxr4JcRZ4VkYaC4yavARQslDIwaido7kHBcFfiEAwv9qQWRsbEV

SC: Illegally Dismissed Probationary Employees Entitled to Backwages from Time Compensation Withheld up to Actual Reinstatement April 29, 2024 Backwages due illegally dismissed probationary employees are not limited to the unexpired portion of the probationary period but cover the time when compensa...

23/04/2024

https://youtu.be/v4UYQhP11qA?si=JDC9_WxZPtneThfX

EPISODE 2: Data Subject, PIC and PIP, and AccountabilityNaisip mo na ba kung anong nangyayari sa ating personal information at sensitive personal information...