Why Receipts Matter: The Crucial Role of Proof of Payment
Just last week, my parents and I visited a furniture store in a well-known mall in a nearby city, primarily because they also sell oil diffusers. As a fragrance enthusiast, I am passionate about ensuring my living space smells inviting, as it not only leaves a lasting impression on guests but also provides me with a sense of relaxation and comfort. At the checkout counter, the cashier encountered an issue—the store had run out of receipt paper. The cashier then asked if it was acceptable for us to forgo a receipt for our purchase. As a lawyer, I firmly declined. I recalled a fundamental principle from my first year of law school: the critical importance of obtaining a receipt as evidence of payment. The Supreme Court, in Sugar Regulatory Administration v. Tormon (G.R. No. 195640, December 04, 2012) , underscored this point: "Well settled also is the rule that a receipt of payment is the best evidence of the fact of payment . In Monfort v. Aguinaldo, the receipts of payment, altho...