G.R. No.

205548, February 07, 2018

DE LA SALLE MONTESSORI INTERNATIONAL OF MALOLOS, INC., Petitioner, v. DE LA SALLE BROTHERS, INC., DE LA SALLE
UNIVERSITY, INC., LA SALLE ACADEMY, INC., DE LA SALLE-SANTIAGO ZOBEL SCHOOL, INC. (FORMERLY NAMED DE LA
SALLE-SOUTH INC.), DE LA SALLE CANLUBANG, INC. (FORMERLY NAMED DE LA SALLE UNIVERSITY-CANLUBANG, INC.),
Respondents.

DECISION

JARDELEZA, J.:

Petitioner De La Salle Montessori International of Malolos, Inc. filed this petition for review on certiorari1 under Rule 45 of the Rules of
Court to challenge the Decision2 of the Court of Appeals (CA) dated September 27, 2012 in CA-G.R. SP No. 116439 and its
Resolution3 dated January 21, 2013 which denied petitioner's motion for reconsideration. The CA affirmed the Decision4 of the
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) En Banc dated September 30, 2010, which in turn affirmed the Order5 of the SEC Office
of the General Counsel (OGC) dated May 12, 2010 directing petitioner to change or modify its corporate name.

Petitioner reserved with the SEC its corporate name De La Salle Montessori International Malolos, Inc. from June 4 to August 3, 2007,6
after which the SEC indorsed petitioner's articles of incorporation and by-laws to the Department of Education (DepEd) for comments
and recommendation.7 The DepEd returned the indorsement without objections.8 Consequently, the SEC issued a certificate of
incorporation to petitioner.9

Afterwards, DepEd Region III, City of San Fernando, Pampanga granted petitioner government recognition for its pre-elementary and
elementary courses on June 30, 2008,10 and for its secondary courses on February 15, 2010.11

On January 29, 2010, respondents De La Salle Brothers, Inc., De La Salle University, Inc., La Salle Academy, Inc., De La Salle-
Santiago Zobel School, Inc. (formerly De La Salle-South, Inc.), and De La Salle Canlubang, Inc. (formerly De La Salle University-
Canlubang, Inc.) filed a petition with the SEC seeking to compel petitioner to change its corporate name. Respondents claim that
petitioner's corporate name is misleading or confusingly similar to that which respondents have acquired a prior right to use, and that
respondents' consent to use such name was not obtained. According to respondents, petitioner's use of the dominant phrases "La
Salle" and "De La Salle" gives an erroneous impression that De La Salle Montessori International of Malolos, Inc. is part of the "La
Salle" group, which violates Section 18 of the Corporation Code of the Philippines. Moreover, being the prior registrant, respondents
have acquired the use of said phrases as part of their corporate names and have freedom from infringement of the same.12

On May 12, 2010, the SEC OGC issued an Order13 directing petitioner to change or modify its corporate name. It held, among others,
that respondents have acquired the right to the exclusive use of the name "La Salle" with freedom from infringement by priority of
adoption, as they have all been incorporated using the name ahead of petitioner. Furthermore, the name "La Salle" is not generic in that
it does not particularly refer to the basic or inherent nature of the services provided by respondents. Neither is it descriptive in the sense
that it does not forthwith and clearly convey an immediate idea of what respondents' services are. In fact, it merely gives a hint, and
requires imagination, thought and perception to reach a conclusion as to the nature of such services. Hence, the SEC OGC concluded
that respondents' use of the phrase "De La Salle" or "La Salle" is arbitrary, fanciful, whimsical and distinctive, and thus legally
protectable. As regards petitioner's argument that its use of the name does not result to confusion, the SEC OGC held otherwise, noting
that confusion is probably or likely to occur considering not only the similarity in the parties' names but also the business or industry
they are engaged in, which is providing courses of study in pre-elementary, elementary and secondary education.14 The SEC OGC
disagreed with petitioner's argument that the case of Lyceum of the Philippines, Inc. v. Court of Appeals15 (Lyceum of the Philippines)
applies since the word "lyceum" is clearly descriptive of the very being and defining purpose of an educational corporation, unlike the
term "De La Salle" or "La Salle."16 Hence, the Court held in that case that the Lyceum of the Philippines, Inc. cannot claim exclusive
use of the name "lyceum."

Petitioner filed an appeal before the SEC En Banc, which rendered a Decision17 on September 30, 2010 affirming the Order of the
SEC OGC. It held, among others, that the Lyceum of the Philippines case does not apply since the word "lyceum" is a generic word that
pertains to a category of educational institutions and is widely used around the world. Further, the Lyceum of the Philippines failed to
prove that "lyceum" acquired secondary meaning capable of exclusive appropriation. Petitioner also failed to establish that the term "De
La Salle" is generic for the principle enunciated in Lyceum of the Philippines to apply.18

Petitioner consequently filed a petition for review with the CA. On September 27, 2012, the CA rendered its Decision19 affirming the
Order of the SEC OGC and the Decision of the SEC En Banc in toto.

Hence, this petition, which raises the lone issue of "[w]hether or not the [CA] acted with grave abuse of discretion amounting to lack or
in excess of jurisdiction when it erred in not applying the doctrine laid down in the case of [Lyceum of the Philippines], that LYCEUM is
not attended with exclusivity."20

The Court cannot at the outset fail to note the erroneous wording of the issue. Petitioner alleged grave abuse of discretion while also
attributing error of judgment on the part of the CA in not applying a certain doctrine. Certainly, these grounds do not coincide in the
same remedy. A petition for review on certiorari under Rule 45 of the Rules of Court is a separate remedy from a petition for certiorari
under Rule 65. A petition for review on certiorari under Rule 45 brings up for review errors of judgment, while a petition for certiorari
under Rule 65 covers errors of jurisdiction or grave abuse of discretion amounting to excess or lack of jurisdiction. Grave abuse of
discretion is not an allowable ground under Rule 45.21 Nonetheless, as the petition argues on the basis of errors of judgment allegedly
committed by the CA, the Court will excuse the error in terminology.

The main thrust of the petition is that the CA erred in not applying the ruling in the Lyceum of the Philippines case which petitioner
argues have "the same facts and events"22 as in this case.

We DENY the petition and uphold the Decision of the CA.

As early as Western Equipment and Supply Co. v. Reyes,23 the Court declared that a corporation's right to use its corporate and trade
name is a property right, a right in rem, which it may assert and protect against the world in the same manner as it may protect its
tangible property, real or personal, against trespass or conversion.24 It is regarded, to a certain extent, as a property right and one
which cannot be impaired or defeated by subsequent appropriation by another corporation in the same field.25 Furthermore, in Philips
Export B.V. v. Court of Appeals,26 we held:

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A name is peculiarly important as necessary to the very existence of a corporation x x x. Its name is one of its attributes, an element of
its existence, and essential to its identity x x x. The general rule as to corporations is that each corporation must have a name by which
it is to sue and be sued and do all legal acts. The name of a corporation in this respect designates the corporation in the same manner
as the name of an individual designates the person x x x; and the right to use its corporate name is as much a part of the corporate
franchise as any other privilege granted x x x.

A corporation acquires its name by choice and need not select a name identical with or similar to one already appropriated by a senior
corporation while an individual's name is thrust upon him x x x. A corporation can no more use a corporate name in violation of the
rights of others than an individual can use his nan1e legally acquired so as to mislead the public and injure another x x x.27
Recognizing the intrinsic importance of corporate names, our Corporation Code established a restrictive rule insofar as corporate
names are concerned.28 Thus, Section 18 thereof provides:
Sec. 18. Corporate name. - No corporate name may be allowed by the Securities and Exchange Commission if the proposed name is
identical or deceptively or confusingly similar to that of any existing corporation or to any other name already protected by law or is
patently deceptive, confusing or contrary to existing laws. When a change in the corporate name is approved, the Commission shall
issue an amended certificate of incorporation under the amended name.
The policy underlying the prohibition in Section 18 against the registration of a corporate name which is "identical or deceptively or
confusingly similar" to that of any existing corporation or which is "patently deceptive" or "patently confusing" or "contrary to existing
laws," is the avoidance of fraud upon the public which would have occasion to deal with the entity concerned, the evasion of legal
obligations and duties, and the reduction of difficulties of administration and supervision over corporations.29

Indeed, parties organizing a corporation must choose a name at their peril; and the use of a name similar to one adopted by another
corporation, whether a business or a non-profit organization, if misleading or likely to injure in the exercise of its corporate functions,
regardless of intent, may be prevented by the corporation having a prior right, by a suit for injunction against the new corporation to
prevent the use of the name.30

In Philips Export B.V. v. Court of Appeals,31 the Court held that to fall within the prohibition of Section 18, two requisites must be
proven, to wit: (1) that the complainant corporation acquired a prior right over the use of such corporate name; and (2) the proposed
name is either: (a) identical, or (b) deceptively or confusingly similar to that of any existing corporation or to any other name already
protected by law; or (c) patently deceptive, confusing or contrary to existing law.32

With respect to the first requisite, the Court has held that the right to the exclusive use of a corporate name with freedom from
infringement by similarity is determined by priority of adoption.33

In this case, respondents' corporate names were registered on the following dates: (1) De La Salle Brothers, Inc. on October 9, 1961
under SEC Registration No. 19569; (2) De La Salle University, Inc. on December 19, 1975 under SEC Registration No. 65138; (3) La
Salle Academy, Inc. on January 26, 1960 under SEC Registration No. 16293; (4) De La SalleSantiago Zobel School, Inc. on October 7,
1976 under SEC Registration No. 69997; and (5) De La Salle Canlubang, Inc. on August 5, 1998 under SEC Registration No. Al998-
01021.34

On the other hand, petitioner was issued a Certificate of Registration only on July 5, 2007 under Company Registration No.
CN200710647.35 It being clear that respondents are the prior registrants, they certainly have acquired the right to use the words "De
La Salle" or "La Salle" as part of their corporate names.

The second requisite is also satisfied since there is a confusing similarity between petitioner's and respondents' corporate names. While
these corporate names are not identical, it is evident that the phrase "De La Salle" is the dominant phrase used.

Petitioner asserts that it has the right to use the phrase "De La Salle" in its corporate name as respondents did not obtain the right to its
exclusive use, nor did the words acquire secondary meaning. It endeavoured to demonstrate that no confusion will arise from its use of
the said phrase by stating that its complete name, "De La Salle Montessori International of Malolos, Inc.," contains four other distinctive
words that are not found in respondents' corporate names. Moreover, it obtained the words "De La Salle" from the French word
meaning "classroom," while respondents obtained it from the French priest named Saint Jean Baptiste de La Salle. Petitioner also
compared its logo to that of respondent De La Salle University and argued that they are different. Further, petitioner argued that it does
not charge as much fees as respondents, that its clients knew that it is not part of respondents' schools, and that it never
misrepresented nor claimed to be an affiliate of respondents. Additionally, it has gained goodwill and a name worthy of trust in its own
right.36

We are not persuaded.

In determining the existence of confusing similarity in corporate names, the test is whether the similarity is such as to mislead a person
using ordinary care and discrimination. In so doing, the Court must look to the record as well as the names themselves.37

Petitioner's assertion that the words "Montessori International of Malolos, Inc." are four distinctive words that are not found in
respondents' corporate names so that their corporate name is not identical, confusingly similar, patently deceptive or contrary to
existing laws,38 does not avail. As correctly held by the SEC OGC, all these words, when used with the name "De La Salle," can
reasonably mislead a person using ordinary care and discretion into thinking that petitioner is an affiliate or a branch of, or is likewise
founded by, any or all of the respondents, thereby causing confusion.39

Petitioner's argument that it obtained the words "De La Salle" from the French word meaning "classroom," while respondents obtained it
from the French priest named Saint Jean Baptiste de La Salle,40 similarly does not hold water. We quote with approval the ruling of the
SEC En Banc on this matter. Thus:
Generic terms are those which constitute "the common descriptive name of an article or substance," or comprise the "genus of which
the particular product is a species," or are "commonly used as the name or description of a kind of goods," or "characters," or "refer to
the basic nature of the wares or services provided rather than to the more idiosyncratic characteristics of a particular product," and are
not legally protectable. It has been held that if a mark is so commonplace that it cannot be readily distinguished from others, then it is
apparent that it cannot identify a particular business; and he who first adopted it cannot be injured by any subsequent appropriation or
imitation by others, and the public will not be deceived.

Contrary to [petitioner's] claim, the word salle only means "room" in French. The word la, on the other hand, is a definite article ("the")
used to modify salle. Thus, since salle is nothing more than a room, [respondents'] use of the term is actually suggestive.

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A suggestive mark is therefore a word, picture, or other symbol that suggests, but does not directly describe something about the goods
or services in connection with which it is used as a mark and gives a hint as to the quality or nature of the product. Suggestive
trademarks therefore can be distinctive and are registrable.

The appropriation of the term "la salle" to associate the words with the lofty ideals of education and learning is in fact suggestive
because roughly translated, the words only mean "the room." Thus, the room could be anything - a room in a house, a room in a
building, or a room in an office.

xxx

In fact, the appropriation by [respondents] is fanciful, whimsical and arbitrary because there is no inherent connection between the
words la salle and education, and it is through [respondents'] painstaking efforts that the term has become associated with one of the
top educational institutions in the country. Even assuming arguendo that la salle means "classroom" in French, imagination is required
in order to associate the term with an educational institution and its particular brand of service.41
We affirm that the phrase "De La Salle" is not merely a generic term. Respondents' use of the phrase being suggestive and may
properly be regarded as fanciful, arbitrary and whimsical, it is entitled to legal protection.42 Petitioner's use of the phrase "De La Salle"
in its corporate name is patently similar to that of respondents that even with reasonable care and observation, confusion might arise.
The Court notes not only the similarity in the parties' names, but also the business they are engaged in. They are all private educational
institutions offering pre-elementary, elementary and secondary courses.43 As aptly observed by the SEC En Banc, petitioner's name
gives the impression that it is a branch or affiliate of respondents.44 It is settled that proof of actual confusion need not be shown. It
suffices that confusion is probable or likely to occur.45

Finally, the Court's ruling in Lyceum of the Philippines46 does not apply.

In that case, the Lyceum of the Philippines, Inc., an educational institution registered with the SEC, commenced proceedings before the
SEC to compel therein private respondents who were all educational institutions, to delete the word "Lyceum" from their corporate
names and permanently enjoin them from using the word as part of their respective names.

The Court there held that the word "Lyceum" today generally refers to a school or institution of learning. It is as generic in character as
the word "university." Since "Lyceum" denotes a school or institution of learning, it is not unnatural to use this word to designate an
entity which is organized and operating as an educational institution. Moreover, the Lyceum of the Philippines, Inc.'s use of the word
"Lyceum" for a long period of time did not amount to mean that the word had acquired secondary meaning in its favor because it failed
to prove that it had been using the word all by itself to the exclusion of others. More so, there was no evidence presented to prove that
the word has been so identified with the Lyceum of the Philippines, Inc. as an educational institution that confusion will surely arise if
the same word were to be used by other educational institutions.47

Here, the phrase "De La Salle" is not generic in relation to respondents. It is not descriptive of respondent's business as institutes of
learning, unlike the meaning ascribed to "Lyceum." Moreover, respondent De La Salle Brothers, Inc. was registered in 1961 and the De
La Salle group had been using the name decades before petitioner's corporate registration. In contrast, there was no evidence of the
Lyceum of the Philippines, Inc.'s exclusive use of the word "Lyceum," as in fact another educational institution had used the word 17
years before the former registered its corporate name with the SEC. Also, at least nine other educational institutions included the word
in their corporate names. There is thus no similarity between the Lyceum of the Philippines case and this case that would call for a
similar ruling.

The enforcement of the protection accorded by Section 18 of the Corporation Code to corporate names is lodged exclusively in the
SEC. By express mandate, the SEC has absolute jurisdiction, supervision and control over all corporations. It is the SEC's duty to
prevent confusion in the use of corporate names not only for the protection of the corporations involved, but more so for the protection
of the public. It has authority to de-register at all times, and under all circumstances, corporate names which in its estimation are likely
to generate confusion.48

Clearly, the only determination relevant to this case is that one made by the SEC in the exercise of its express mandate under the
law.49

Time and again, we have held that findings of fact of quasi-judicial agencies, like the SEC, are generally accorded respect and even
finality by this Court, if supported by substantial evidence, in recognition of their expertise on the specific matters under their
consideration, more so if the same has been upheld by the appellate court, as in this case.50

WHEREFORE, the Petition is DENIED. The assailed Decision of the CA dated September 27, 2012 is AFFIRMED.

SO ORDERED.

FACTS: Petitioner De La Salle Montessori International of Malolos, Inc. was asked by respondents De La Salle Brothers, Inc., De La
Salle University, Inc., La Salle Academy, Inc., De La Salle-Santiago Zobel School, Inc. (formerly De La Salle-South, Inc.), and De La
Salle Canlubang, Inc. (formerly De La Salle University-Canlubang, Inc.) to change its corporate name. Alleged misleading or confusingly
similar.

SEC OGC ordered petitioner to change corporate name. Said "La Salle" is not descriptive. Said there is priority registration in favor of
respondents. Said the Lyceum ruling does not apply. Said there is confusion because of the name and business model.

ISSUES:

1. What are the requisites regarding the prohibition under Section 18 re corporate name?
2. Who are the priority registrants and, therefore, those who have better right over the name "De La Salle" or "La Salle"?
3. What is the test to say if there is "confusing similarity in corporate names"?
4. Do the four additional words "Montessori International of Malolos, Inc." remove the confusion?
5. Is "De La Salle" a generic term?
6. Does the Lyceum ruling apply?
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HELD: We DENY the petition and uphold the Decision of the CA.

ISSUE [1]: The policy underlying the prohibition in Section 18 against the registration of a corporate name which is "identical or
deceptively or confusingly similar" to that of any existing corporation or which is "patently deceptive" or "patently confusing" or
"contrary to existing laws," is the avoidance of fraud upon the public which would have occasion to deal with the entity concerned, the
evasion of legal obligations and duties, and the reduction of difficulties of administration and supervision over corporations.[29]
In Philips Export B.V. v. Court of Appeals,[31] the Court held that to fall within the prohibition of Section 18, two requisites must be
proven, to wit: (1) that the complainant corporation acquired a prior right over the use of such corporate name; and (2) the proposed
name is either: (a) identical, or (b) deceptively or confusingly similar to that of any existing corporation or to any other name already
protected by law; or (c) patently deceptive, confusing or contrary to existing law.[32]

With respect to the first requisite, the Court has held that the right to the exclusive use of a corporate name with freedom from
infringement by similarity is determined by priority of adoption.[33]

ISSUE [2]: Respondents' corporate names were registered as early as October 9, 1961 and as late as August 5, 1998.[34] On the other
hand, petitioner was issued a Certificate of Registration only on July 5, 2007 under Company Registration No. CN200710647.[35] It
being clear that respondents are the prior registrants, they certainly have acquired the right to use the words "De La Salle" or "La Salle"
as part of their corporate names.

The second requisite is also satisfied since there is a confusing similarity between petitioner's and respondents' corporate names. While
these corporate names are not identical, it is evident that the phrase "De La Salle" is the dominant phrase used.

ISSUE [3]: In determining the existence of confusing similarity in corporate names, the test is whether the similarity is such as to
mislead a person using ordinary care and discrimination. In so doing, the Court must look to the record as well as the names
themselves.[37]

ISSUE [4]: Petitioner's assertion that the words "Montessori International of Malolos, Inc." are four distinctive words that are not
found in respondents' corporate names so that their corporate name is not identical, confusingly similar, patently deceptive or contrary
to existing laws,[38] does not avail. As correctly held by the SEC OGC, all these words, when used with the name "De La Salle," can
reasonably mislead a person using ordinary care and discretion into thinking that petitioner is an affiliate or a branch of, or is likewise
founded by, any or all of the respondents, thereby causing confusion.[39]

ISSUE [5]: Petitioner's argument that it obtained the words "De La Salle" from the French word meaning "classroom," while
respondents obtained it from the French priest named Saint Jean Baptiste de La Salle,[40] similarly does not hold water.

We affirm that the phrase "De La Salle" is not merely a generic term. Respondents' use of the phrase being suggestive and may properly
be regarded as fanciful, arbitrary and whimsical, it is entitled to legal protection.[42] Petitioner's use of the phrase "De La Salle" in its
corporate name is patently similar to that of respondents that even with reasonable care and observation, confusion
might arise. The Court notes not only the similarity in the parties' names, but also the business they are engaged in. They are all
private educational institutions offering pre-elementary, elementary and secondary courses.[43] As aptly observed by the SEC En Banc,
petitioner's name gives the impression that it is a branch or affiliate of respondents.[44] It is settled that proof of actual confusion need
not be shown. It suffices that confusion is probable or likely to occur.[45]

ISSUE [6]: The Court's ruling in Lyceum of the Philippines[46] does not apply.

In that case, the Lyceum of the Philippines, Inc., an educational institution registered with the SEC, commenced proceedings before the
SEC to compel therein private respondents who were all educational institutions, to delete the word "Lyceum" from their corporate
names and permanently enjoin them from using the word as part of their respective names.

The Court there held that the word "Lyceum" today generally refers to a school or institution of learning. It is as generic in character as
the word "university." Since "Lyceum" denotes a school or institution of learning, it is not unnatural to use this word to designate an
entity which is organized and operating as an educational institution. Also, no evidence presented to prove confusion.[47]

There is thus no similarity between the Lyceum of the Philippines case and this case that would call for a similar ruling.

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