G.R. No. L-1950. May 16, 1949
LAO SENG HIAN, CHENG TO, AND Y. S. WOO, PETITIONERS AND APPELLANTS, VS. NATIVIDAD ALMEDA LOPEZ, JUDGE OF MUNICIPAL COURT OF MANILA, AND JOSE M. OCAMPO, RESPONDENTS AND APPELLEES.
TUASON, J.:
claim at the rate of P5,250 a month, made in the complaint in an action for
unlawful detainer, removes the case from the jurisdiction of the municipal
court. The Court of First Instance, on an application for certiorari to the
municipal judge, ruled against the petitioner, defendant in the case for
unlawful detainer and appellant herein.
The allegation in question reads:
“Que en vista de la negativa de los demandados de dejar el
terreno y la casa o barong-barong construido en el mismo, el demandante sufre
los daños y perjuicios de P5,250 al mes, que es la cantidad que actualmente
puede la finca (puede) producir o tener mensualmente por ser sitio
comercial.”
The amount whose recovery is sought in this paragraph is
obviously intended to represent reasonable compensation for the use and
occupation of the premises. This intention is manifest from the allegations,
allegations which, following the injunction of section 2, Rule 1, and section
17, Rule 15 are to be construed liberally. It is not necessary to use the
precise language of the law or rule to give a pleading the effects intended by
the pleader.
This point being settled, the quantum of the money judgment
demanded is immaterial to the court’s jurisdiction. Any amount for rents or in
the nature of rents is allowable in an action of forcible entry or unlawful
detainer. This is so because rents or compensation for the use and occupation of
the premises is only incidental or accessory to the main action for the
restitution of possession unlawfully withheld. This rule is too familiar and too
well settled to require citations of authorities.
The decision of the Court of First Instance of Manila is
affirmed with costs against the appellant.
Moran, C. J., Ozaeta, Paras, Feria, Pablo, Perfecto,
Bengzon, Montemayor, and Reyes, JJ., concur.