Compania Maritime V Limson

COMPANIA MARITIME V LIMSON (PATAJO, J., 1986)1 Facts: • Compania filed a complaint against Limson for collection of the sum of P44,701.54, which is the unpaid accounts for passage and freight on shipment of hogs, cattle and carabaos abroad Compania’s vessel. • Limson denied liability claiming that he was not the shipper nor had he authorized said shipments. He further set up a counterclaim for the refund of the rebate he was entitled to pursuant to their agreement. • The Court appointed a commissioner to examine the accounts involved before proceeding with the hearing. • The Report indicated that Limson’s claim amounted to P676,416.05, and Compania’s claim to P545,394.24. Compania’s claim was based among others on several bills signed by one “Perry” with Limson as the shipper and consignee, and some for others as shippers and consignee. • CFI: Ruled that Perry was not Limson’s authorized representative. Thus, he was not liable for the bills of lading not signed by him or his authorized representatives. Issue: WON the bills of lading signed by Perry should be accepted. Held/Ratio: YES. A shipper may be held liable for freightage on bills of lading signed by another person where the shipper appears as shipper or consignee, bills of lading where persons other than Limson appear as shipper, and bills of lading not signed by the shipper where the testimonial evidence shows that the goods shipped actually belong to him as the shipper. • As regards the controverted bills of lading signed by "Perry" with Limson as shipper or consignee, a witness testified that the signatures therein are those of Cipriano Magtibay alias "Perry" who took delivery of the cargoes stated therein after signing the delivery receipts. He was known to be the regular representative of Limson. • With respect to the unsigned bills of lading, delivery receipts were issued upon delivery of the shipments. Witnesses testified that the ordinary procedure at Compania's terminal office was to require the surrender of the original bill of lading, but when the bill of lading cannot be surrendered because it had not arrived or received by the consignee or assignee, the delivery of the cargo was authorized just the same, and the delivery receipt was prepared based on the ship's cargo manifests or ship's copy of the bill of lading. This accommodation was specially given Limson, because defendant was a regular shipper and ship chandler of plaintiff, and was a compadre of Cabling. • Regarding the controverted bills of lading in the name of other persons as shippers or consignees and signed by Perry, it was established that said bills of lading were for cattle and hogs-purchased by the defendant from his "viajeros" in Manila which were delivered to and received by Limson. •

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Jessa Alvarez