Tuesday, December 05, 2006 Wagon seized from resort
A RESORT in Mactan Island had to surrender to the court a brand new Chrysler wagon worth P1.2 million, after a laundry firm filed a civil suit against it.
The Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 10 issued a writ of preliminary attachments in favor of the laundry firm in its case against Plantation Bay Hotel Inc.
It also directed the court sheriff to start levying the hotel’s properties to pay the cost of claim.
As of yesterday afternoon, the hotel turned over its Chrysler wagon to court sheriff Fortunato Vio-vicente.
But First Steam Laundry’s lawyer Deolito Alvarez said the wagon is only worth P1.2 million, which is about half the amount his client is claiming for unpaid bills.
The value of Chrysler’s “Town and Country” model has already depreciated, said Alvarez.
Assisting sheriff Antonio Billones said they have yet to levy a 2,009-square-meter lot owned by the hotel in Marigondon.
Plantation Bay is one of the hotels that will host the delegates to the week-long Association of Southeast Asian Nations Summit, which will start on Dec. 10. The levying might affect their services.
Plantation Bay public relations officer Kyra Cabaero said their lawyers are handling the problem.
The media waited at the lobby for the hotel lawyers.
Shortly after lunch, the lawyers and hotel officials left. Reporters learned later that the officials went straight to the Lapu-Lapu City RTC to turn over the vehicle.
Bills
When reporters reached the Lapu-Lapu City RTC, the Chrysler wagon was already there.
First Steam Laundry filed a complaint against Plantation Bay for unpaid bills amounting to P2,119,926.95.
The unpaid laundry services covered the months of May to September this year.
In response, the hotel said it will not honor the laundry firm’s transaction with its former housekeeping manager, who is not authorized to enter into any agreements in behalf of the hotel.
RTC Judge Soliver Peras noted in his order that the hotel paid its May 2006 obligation with the laundry firm.
“How then could they deny now that they have no agreement with the plaintiff?” he asked.
Peras said that “it is unjust for a person to retain benefit without paying for it.”
It is clear that the hotel benefited from the services of the laundry firm, Peras said. (OCP)
