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Government vs. Frank Ed
Government vs. Frank Ed
CONTRACT ARE DETERMINED BY THE LAW OF THE PLACE WHERE THE CONTRACT IS
MADE
Matters bearing upon the execution, interpretation and validity of a contract are determined by
the law of the place where the contract is made. Matters connected with its performance are
regulated by the law prevailing at the place of performance. Matters respecting a remedy,
such as the bringing of suit, admissibility of evidence, and statutes of limitations, depend upon
the law of the place where the suit is brought. (The Government of the Philippine Islands vs.
George Frank. G.R. No. L-2935, March 23, 1909)
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MATTERS BEARING UPON THE EXECUTION, INTERPRETATION AND VALIDITY OF A
CONTRACT ARE DETERMINED BY THE LAW OF THE PLACE WHERE THE CONTRACT IS
MADE
FACTS:
The case seeks a reversal of the judgment of the lower court finding George Frank liable for sum of
money after a breach of contract of service as stenographer.
In 1903, in Chicago, USA, the defendant entered into a contract for a period of two years with
the plaintiff for which the former is hired as a stenographer. The parties agreed to a salary of 1,200
dollars per year and in addition, payment of expenses incurred in traveling from the said city of
Chicago to Manila, and the one-half salary during said period of travel. However, in 1904, the
defendant left the service of the plaintiff and refused to make a further compliance with the
terms of the contract.
The plaintiff commenced an action in the CFI of the city of Manila to recover from the
defendant the amount the plaintiff claimed had been paid to the defendant as expenses
incurred in traveling from Chicago to Manila, and as half salary for the period consumed in
travel. The defendant alleged in his special defense that he was a minor and therefore the
contract could not be enforced against him. The plaintiff claims that, by reason of the fact that,
under the laws of the Philippine Islands at the time the contract was made, male persons in
said Islands did not reach their majority until they had attained the age of 23 years, hence, he
was not liable under said contract, contending that the laws of the Philippine Islands governed.
ISSUE:
Is the contention of the defendant that he was a minor when he entered into the contract
tenable?
HELD:
NO. The defendant being fully qualified to enter into the contract at the place and time the
contract was made, he cannot plead infancy as a defense at the place where the contract is
being enforced. The record discloses that, at the time the contract was entered into in the
State of Illinois, he was an adult under the laws of that State and had full authority to
contract. It is not disputed—upon the contrary the fact is admitted—that at the time and place
of the making of the contract in question the defendant had full capacity to make the same.
No rule is better settled in law than that matters bearing upon the execution, interpretation
and validity of a contract are determined by the law of the place where the contract is made.
Matters connected with its performance are regulated by the law prevailing at the place of
performance. Matters respecting a remedy, such as the bringing of suit, admissibility of
evidence, and statutes of limitations, depend upon the law of the place where the suit is
brought.