CASE DIGEST OF G.R. No. L-6648.pdf - Victorias Planters...

Victorias Planters Association Inc., et al._ petitioners- appellees
vs.
Victorias Milling Corp. _respondent appellant
Ponente: Padilla, J.:
Facts: Several sugarcane farmers in Negros Occidental entered into a contract
with the North Negros Sugar Co. In. and Victorias Milling Co. Inc. wherein said
corporation will construct a sugar central or mill with the capacity of milling 300
tons of sugar every 24 hours. In the said contract it is stipulated that the sugar
cane planter’s produce will be milled by the said corporation for the period of 30
years. During the World War II comprising of 4 years and the post war period
comprising of 2 years the petitioners was not able to produce sugarcane and the
sugar central is destroyed. The North Central Sugar Co. Inc. did not reconstruct its
destroyed mill but rather made an arrangement with the planters that their
produce will be milled by Victorias Milling Co. Inc. herein respondent. In view of
the 30-year period of the milling contract the petitioner contended that the
contract is deemed terminated. On the other hand the respondent stated that
the contract speaks of “30 years milling period” not “30 years in time” and in view