NICOLAS SANCHEZ, plaintiff-appellee, vs. SEVERINA RIGOS, defendantappellant.1972 June 14En BancG.R. No.

L-25494D E C I S I O N FACTS Rigos agreed to sell to Sanchez a parcel of land in an instrument. Several tenders of payment made by Sanchez within said period, were rejected by Mrs. Rigos. On March 12, 1963, the former deposited said amount with the CFI and commenced against the latter the present action, for specific performance and damages. Defendants alleged that the contract between the parties "is a unilateral promise to sell, and the same being unsupported by any valuable consideration, is null and void.

ISSUE W/N Sanchez may validly exercised its option to purchased even without consideration, when the offer was accepted before it was withdrawn by the offeror. HELD Yes. It is true that 'An accepted unilateral promise to buy or sell a determinate thing for a price certain is binding upon the promisor if the promise is supported by a consideration distinct from the price. However, since there may be no valid contract without a cause or consideration, the promisor is not bound by his promise and may, accordingly, withdraw it. Pending notice of its withdrawal, his accepted promise partakes, however, of the nature of an offer to sell which, if accepted, results in a perfected contract of sale. In short, if acceptance is made before a withdrawal, it constitutes a binding contract of sale, even though the option was not supported by a sufficient consideration.