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 Bar Exam Question (1994)


BP 22; Memorandum Check (1994)


1. What is a memorandum check?

2. Is the "bouncing" thereof within the purview of BP Blg. 22?


Suggested Answer:


1. A "Memorandum Check" is an ordinary check, with the word "Memorandum", "Memo" or "Mem" written across its face, signifying that the maker or drawer engages to pay its holder absolutely thus partaking the nature of a promissory note. It is drawn on a bank and is a bill of exchange within the purview of Section 185 of the Negotiable Instruments Law (People vs. Judge David Nitafan, G.R. No. 75954, October 22, 1992).


2. Yes, a memorandum check is covered by Batas Pambansa No. 22 because the law covers any check whether it is an evidence of Indebtedness, or in payment of a pre-existing obligation or as a deposit or guarantee (People versus Nita-fan).


Bar Exam Question (1995)


BP 22; Memorandum Check (1995)


1. What is a memorandum check?

2. Is a person who issues a memorandum check without sufficient funds necessarily guilty of violating B.P. Blg. 22? Explain.

3. Jane is a money lender. Edmund is a businessman who has been borrowing money from Jane by rediscounting his personal checks to pay his loans. In March 1989, he borrowed P100,000 from Jane and issued to her a check for the same amount. The check was dishonored by the drawee bank for having been drawn against a closed account. When Edmund was notified of the dishonor of his check he promised to raise the amount within five days. He failed. Consequently, Jane sued Edmund for violation of the Bouncing Checks Law (BP. Blg. 22). The defense of Edmund was that he gave the check to Jane to serve as a memorandum of his indebtedness to her and was not supposed to be encashed. Is the defense of Edmund valid? Discuss fully.


Suggested Answer:


1. A memorandum check is an ordinary check with the word "Memorandum", "Memo", or "Mem" written across the face, signifying that the maker or drawer engages to pay its holder absolutely thus partaking the nature of a promissory note. It is drawn on a bank and is a bill of exchange within the purview of Section 185 of the Negotiable Instruments Law. (People vs. Nitafan, 215 SCRA 79)

2. Yes, a person who issued a memorandum check without sufficient funds is guilty of violating B.P. Blg. 22 as said law covers all checks whether it is an evidence of indebtedness, or in payment of a preexisting obligation, or as deposit or guarantee. (People vs. Nitafan)

3. The defense of Edmund is NOT valid. A memorandum check upon presentment is generally accepted by the bank. It does not matter whether the check is in the nature of a memorandum as evidence of indebtedness. What the law punishes is the mere issuance of a bouncing check and not the purpose for which it was issued nor the terms and conditions relating thereto. The mere act of issuing a worthless check is a malum prohibitum. The understanding that the check will not be presented at the bank but will be redeemed by the maker when the loan falls due is a mere private arrangement which may not prevail to exempt it from the penal sanction of B.P. Blg. 22. (People vs. Nitafan)



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1. Special Penal Laws