GR L 19004; (June, 1964) (Digest)
G.R. No. L-19004. June 30, 1964.
RICHARD A. KLEPPER, plaintiff-appellee, vs. AMERICAN PRESIDENT LINES LTD., ET AL., defendants, AMERICAN PRESIDENT LINES, LTD., defendant-appellant.
FACTS
The Court of First Instance of Manila rendered a decision ordering defendant American President Lines, Ltd. to pay plaintiff Richard A. Klepper the sum of P6,729.50 as the value of damaged goods, plus P500.00 for sentimental value, legal interest, and P1,000.00 as attorney’s fees. This decision was affirmed by the Court of Appeals. On review, the Supreme Court modified the decision on November 29, 1960, limiting the carrier’s liability for the damaged goods to $500.00, but affirming the lower court’s decision “in all other respects.” The Supreme Court’s decision became final.
Upon remand for execution, the defendant tendered payment of P1,000.00 (the peso equivalent of $500.00), claiming it constituted full satisfaction of the judgment. Upon plaintiff’s refusal, the defendant deposited the amount with the court and moved for an entry of satisfaction of judgment. The trial court, however, issued an order requiring the defendant to additionally deposit the legal interest on the $500.00 from the filing of the complaint and the attorney’s fees of P1,000.00 as originally awarded.
ISSUE
Whether the Supreme Court’s decision, which limited the carrier’s liability for the value of the goods to $500.00 but affirmed the lower court’s decision “in all other respects,” also obligates the defendant to pay legal interest and attorney’s fees as part of the judgment.
RULING
Yes. The Supreme Court affirmed the trial court’s order. The appellant’s argument that requiring payment of interest and attorney’s fees nullifies the $500.00 liability limit is erroneous. The Court’s modification was specific: it reduced the base liability for the damaged goods to $500.00. The phrase “affirmed in all other respects” in the dispositive portion is clear and unambiguous. It expressly upheld all other aspects of the affirmed lower court decision, which included the awards for legal interest on the adjudged amount from the filing of the complaint and for attorney’s fees. These are distinct components of the judgment and are not subsumed within the $500.00 limitation for the actual goods. The liability cap applies solely to the valuation of the damaged cargo itself, not to the ancillary monetary awards of interest and fees, which were separately affirmed. Therefore, the defendant is liable for the $500.00, plus the stipulated interest thereon, and the attorney’s fees. The trial court correctly ordered their payment.