BALDOMERO INCIONG, JR VS.

CA and PBC
G.R. No. 96405. June 26, 1996
FACTS OF THE CASE:
In February 1983, Rene Naybe took out a loan from Philippine Bank of
Communications (PBC) in the amount of P50k. For that he executed a
promissory note in the same amount. Naybe was able to convince Baldomero
Inciong and Gregorio Pantanosas to co-sign with him as co-makers. The
promissory note went due and it was left unpaid. PBC demanded payment from
the three but still no payment was made. PBC then sue the three but PBC later
released Pantanosas from its obligations. Naybe left for Saudi Arabia hence
cant be issued summons and the complaint against him was subsequently
dropped. Inciong was left to face the suit. He argued that that since the
complaint against Naybe was dropped, and that Pantanosas was released from
his obligations, he too should have been released.
STAMENT OF RELEVANT ISSUE:
Whether or not Inciong should be held liable.
SUPREME COURTS HOLDING:
Yes. Inciong is considering himself as a guarantor in the promissory
note. And he was basing his argument based on Article 2080 of the Civil Code
which provides that guarantors are released from their obligations if the
creditors shall release their debtors. It is to be noted however that Inciong did
not sign the promissory note as a guarantor. He signed it as a solidary comaker.
A guarantor who binds himself in solidum with the principal debtor does
not become a solidary co-debtor to all intents and purposes. There is a
difference between a solidary co-debtor and a fiador in solidum (surety). The
latter, outside of the liability he assumes to pay the debt before the property
of the principal debtor has been exhausted, retains all the other rights,
actions and benefits which pertain to him by reason of the fiansa; while a
solidary co-debtor has no other rights than those bestowed upon him.

Because the promissory note involved in this case expressly states that
the three signatories therein are jointly and severally liable, any one, some
or all of them may be proceeded against for the entire obligation.

The

choice is left to the solidary creditor (PBC) to determine against whom he will
enforce collection. Consequently, the dismissal of the case against Pontanosas
may not be deemed as having discharged Inciong from liability as well. As
regards Naybe, suffice it to say that the court never acquired jurisdiction over
him. Inciong, therefore, may only have recourse against his co-makers, as
provided by law.