Pay vs Palanca -G.R. No. L-29900. June 28, 1974

Pay v.sPalanca
[G.R. No. L-29900. June 28, 1974]
 
Facts:
The promissory note indicated payment “upon demand”. Petitioner relied on this to mean that prescription would not lie unless there is demand from them. The petition was filed fifteen years after its issuance.
Petitioner George Pay is a creditor of the late Justo Palanca who... died in Manila on July 3, 1963.  The claim of the petitioner is based on a promissory note dated January 30, 1952, whereby the late Justo Palanca and Rosa Gonzales Vda. de Carlos Palanca promised to pay George Pay the amount of P26,900.00, with interest thereon at the rate... of 12% per annum.

The promissory note, dated January 30, 1962, is worded thus: "'For value received from time to time since 1947, we [jointly and severally promise to] pay to Mr. [George Pay] at his office at the China Banking Corporation the sum... of [Twenty Six Thousand Nine Hundred Pesos] (P26,900.00), with interest thereon at the rate of 12% per annum upon receipt by either of the undersigned of cash payment from the Estate of the late Don Carlos Palanca or upon demand.
 
Issue:
Whether or not a promissory note to be paid “upon demand” is immediately due and demandable.

​Held:
YES. Every obligation whose performance does not depend upon a future or uncertain event, or upon a past event unknown to the parties, is demandable at once (Art. 1179 of the New Civil Code). The obligation being due and demandable in this case, it would appear that the filing of the suit after fifteen years was much too late. Every obligation whose performance does not depend upon a future or uncertain event, or upon a past event... unknown to the parties, is demandable at once."