Lawyer loses damage suit to power firm

CEBU, Philippines -  Controversial lawyer Raul Sesbreño loses his claim for damages against the Visayan Electric Company after the Supreme Court dismissed his appeal on the earlier decisions rendered by the lower courts.

Associate Justice Lucas Bersamin found no evidence to reverse the ruling of the Regional Trial Court which was affirmed by the Court of Appeals dismissing Sesbreño’s damage suit.

Sesbreño sued the power utility firm through its officials for alleged trespassing and illegal search in his residence on March 2, 1982. He was demanding for damages because a team from VECO entered his property conduct a search without securing a warrant from the court.

VECO personnel inspected Sesbreño’s residence in La Paloma Village, Labangon because of alleged contract violations. His electric meter was not functioning and could have been tampered with.

But Sesbreño said the inspection was conducted without his permission. The power firm contended that the purpose of the inspection was to determine electric pilferage.

The high tribunal held that the inspection was covered with a mission order from the company.

According to the Supreme Court, the lawyer had signed a meter service contract with VECO which authorized employees or representatives of the company to enter his premises at all reasonable hours without being liable to trespass to dwelling for the purpose of inspecting, installing, reading, removing, testing, replacing or disposing of its property.

The court added that Sesbreño also failed to establish his claim for damages. (FREEMAN)