1997 RULES OF CIVIL PROCEDURE, AS AMENDED

(RULES 1-71, RULES OF COURT)

EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 1997

Per Resolution of the Supreme Court in Bar Matter No. 803 Adopted in Baguio City on April
8, 1997

RULES OF COURT

Pursuant to the provisions of section 5 (5) of Article VIII of the Constitution, the Supreme
Court hereby adopts and promulgates the following rules concerning the protection and
enforcement of constitutional rights, pleading, practice and procedure in all courts, the
admission to the practice of law, the Integrated Bar, and legal assistance to the
underprivileged:

RULE 1

General Provisions

Section 1. Title of the Rules. — These Rule shall be known and cited as the Rules of Court.
(1)

Section 2. In what courts applicable. — These Rules shall apply in all the courts, except as
otherwise provided by the Supreme Court. (n)

Section 3. Cases governed. — These Rules shall govern the procedure to be observed in
actions, civil or criminal and special proceedings.

(a) A civil action is one by which a party sues another for the enforcement or protection
of a right, or the prevention or redress of a wrong, (1a, R2)

A civil action may either be ordinary or special. Both are governed by the rules for
ordinary civil actions, subject to the specific rules prescribed for a special civil action.
(n)

(b) A criminal action is one by which the State prosecutes a person for an act or
omission punishable by law. (n)

(c) A special proceeding is a remedy by which a party seeks to establish a status, a

right, or a particular fact. (2a, R2)

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Section 4. In what case not applicable. — These Rules shall not apply to election cases,
land registration, cadastral, naturalization and insolvency proceedings, and other cases not
herein provided for, except by analogy or in a suppletory character and whenever
practicable and convenient. (R143a)

Section 5. Commencement of action. — A civil action is commenced by the filing of the

original complaint in court. If an additional defendant is impleaded in a later pleading, the
action is commenced with regard to him on the dated of the filing of such later pleading,
irrespective of whether the motion for its admission, if necessary, is denied by the court.
(6a)

Section 6. Construction. — These Rules shall be liberally construed in order to promote

their objective of securing a just, speedy and inexpensive disposition of every action and
proceeding. (2a)

Civil Actions

Ordinary Civil Actions

RULE 2

Cause of Action

Section 1. Ordinary civil actions, basis of. — Every ordinary civil action must be based on
a cause of action. (n)

Section 2. Cause of action, defined. — A cause of action is the act or omission by which a
party violates a right of another. (n)

Section 3. One suit for a single cause of action. — A party may not institute more than one
suit for a single cause of action. (3a)

Section 4. Splitting a single cause of action; effect of. — If two or more suits are instituted
on the basis of the same cause of action, the filing of one or a judgment upon the merits in
any one is available as a ground for the dismissal of the others. (4a)

Section 5. Joinder of causes of action. — A party may in one pleading assert, in the
alternative or otherwise, as many causes of action as he may have against an opposing
party, subject to the following conditions:

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 (a) The party joining the causes of action shall comply with the rules on joinder of
parties;

(b) The joinder shall not include special civil actions or actions governed by special
rules;

(c) Where the causes of action are between the same parties but pertain to different
venues or jurisdictions, the joinder may be allowed in the Regional Trial Court
provided one of the causes of action falls within the jurisdiction of said court and the
venue lies therein; and

(d) Where the claims in all the causes action are principally for recovery of money,
the aggregate amount claimed shall be the test of jurisdiction. (5a)

Section 6. Misjoinder of causes of action. — Misjoinder of causes of action is not a ground

for dismissal of an action. A misjoined cause of action may, on motion of a party or on the
initiative of the court, be severed and proceeded with separately. (n)

RULE 3

Parties to Civil Actions

Section 1. Who may be parties; plaintiff and defendant. — Only natural or juridical persons,
or entities authorized by law may be parties in a civil action. The term "plaintiff" may refer to
the claiming party, the counter-claimant, the cross-claimant, or the third (fourth, etc.) —
party plaintiff. The term "defendant" may refer to the original defending party, the defendant
in a counter-claim, the cross-defendant, or the third (fourth, etc.) — party defendant. (1a)

Section 2. Parties in interest. — A real party in interest is the party who stands to be
benefited or injured by the judgment in the suit, or the party entitled to the avails of the suit.
Unless otherwise authorized by law or these Rules, every action must be prosecuted or
defended in the name of the real party in interest. (2a)

Section 3. Representatives as parties. — Where the action is allowed to be prosecuted and

defended by a representative or someone acting in a fiduciary capacity, the beneficiary shall
be included in the title of the case and shall be deemed to be the real property in interest. A
representative may be a trustee of an expert trust, a guardian, an executor or administrator,
or a party authorized by law or these Rules. An agent acting in his own name and for the
benefit of an undisclosed principal may sue or be sued without joining the principal except
when the contract involves things belonging to the principal. (3a)

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Section 4. Spouses as parties. — Husband and wife shall sue or be sued jointly, except as
provided by law. (4a)

Section 5. Minor or incompetent persons. — A minor or a person alleged to be incompetent,

may sue or be sued with the assistance of his father, mother, guardian, or if he has none, a
guardian ad litem. (5a)

Section 6. Permissive joinder of parties. — All persons in whom or against whom any right
to relief in respect to or arising out of the same transaction or series of transactions is alleged
to exist, whether jointly, severally, or in the alternative, may, except as otherwise provided
in these Rules, join as plaintiffs or be joined as defendants in one complaint, where any
question of law or fact common to all such plaintiffs or to all such defendants may arise in
the action; but the court may make such orders as may be just to prevent any plaintiff or
defendant from being embarrassed or put to expense in connection with any proceedings
in which he may have no interest. (6n)

Section 7. Compulsory joinder of indispensable parties. — Parties in interest without whom

no final determination can be had of an action shall be joined either as plaintiffs or
defendants. (7)

Section 8. Necessary party. — A necessary party is one who is not indispensable but who
ought to be joined as a party if complete relief is to be accorded as to those already parties,
or for a complete determination or settlement of the claim subject of the action. (8a)

Section 9. Non-joinder of necessary parties to be pleaded. — Whenever in any pleading in

which a claim is asserted a necessary party is not joined, the pleader shall set forth his
name, if known, and shall state why he is omitted. Should the court find the reason for the
omission unmeritorious, it may order the inclusion of the omitted necessary party if
jurisdiction over his person may be obtained.

The failure to comply with the order for his inclusion, without justifiable cause, shall be
deemed a waiver of the claim against such party.

The non-inclusion of a necessary party does not prevent the court from proceeding in the
action, and the judgment rendered therein shall be without prejudice to the rights of such
necessary party. (8a, 9a)

Section 10. Unwilling co-plaintiff. — If the consent of any party who should be joined as
plaintiff can not be obtained, he may be made a defendant and the reason therefor shall be
stated in the complaint. (10)

Section 11. Misjoinder and non-joinder of parties. — Neither misjoinder nor non-joinder of
parties is ground for dismissal of an action. Parties may be dropped or added by order of
the court on motion of any party or on its own initiative at any stage the action and on such

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terms as are just. Any claim against a misjoined party may be severed and proceeded with
separately. (11a)

Section 12. Class suit. — When the subject matter of the controversy is one of common or
general interest to many persons so numerous that it is impracticable to join all as parties,
a number of them which the court finds to be sufficiently numerous and representative as
to fully protect the interests of all concerned may sue or defend for the benefit of all. Any
party in interest shall have the right to intervene to protect his individual interest. (12a)

Section 13. Alternative defendants. — Where the plaintiff is uncertain against who of
several persons he is entitled to relief, he may join any or all of them as defendants in the
alternative, although a right to relief against one may be inconsistent with a right of relief
against the other. (13a)

Section 14. Unknown identity or name of defendant. — Whenever the identity or name of
a defendant is unknown, he may be sued as the unknown owner heir devisee, or by such
other designation as the case may require, when his identity or true name is discovered, the
pleading must be amended accordingly. (14)

Section 15. Entity without juridical personality as defendant. — When two or more persons
not organized as an entity with juridical personality enter into a transaction, they may be
sued under the name by which they are generally or commonly known.

In the answer of such defendant, the name and addresses of the persons composing said
entity must all be revealed. (15a)

Section 16. Death of party; duty of counsel. — Whenever a party to a pending action dies,
and the claim is not thereby extinguished, it shall be the duty of his counsel to inform the
court within thirty (30) days after such death of the fact thereof, and to give the name and
address of his legal representative or representatives. Failure of counsel to comply with his
duty shall be a ground for disciplinary action.

The heirs of the deceased may be allowed to be substituted for the deceased, without
requiring the appointment of an executor or administrator and the court may appoint a
guardian ad litem for the minor heirs.

The court shall forthwith order said legal representative or representatives to appear and be
substituted within a period of thirty (30) days from notice.

If no legal representative is named by the counsel for the deceased party, or if the one so
named shall fail to appear within the specified period, the court may order the opposing
party, within a specified time to procure the appointment of an executor or administrator for
the estate of the deceased and the latter shall immediately appear for and on behalf of the

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deceased. The court charges in procuring such appointment, if defrayed by the opposing
party, may be recovered as costs. (16a, 17a)

Section 17. Death or separation of a party who is a public officer. — When a public officer
is a party in an action in his official capacity and during its pendency dies, resigns, or
otherwise ceases to hold office, the action may be continued and maintained by or against
his successor if, within thirty (30) days after the successor takes office or such time as may
be granted by the court, it is satisfactorily shown to the court by any party that there is a
substantial need for continuing or maintaining it and that the successor adopts or continues
or threatens to adopt or continue to adopt or continue the action of his predecessor. Before
a substitution is made, the party or officer to be affected, unless expressly assenting thereto,
shall be given reasonable notice of the application therefor and accorded an opportunity to
be heard. (18a)

Section 18. Incompetency or incapacity. — If a party becomes incompetent or

incapacitated, the court, upon motion with notice, may allow the action to be continued by
or against the incompetent or incapacitated person assisted by his legal guardian or
guardian ad litem. (19a)

Section 19. Transfer of interest. — In case of any transfer of interest, the action may be
continued by or against the original party, unless the court upon motion directs the person
to whom the interest is transferred to be substituted in the action or joined with the original
party. (20)

Section 20. Action and contractual money claims. — When the action is for recovery of
money arising from contract, express or implied, and the defendant dies before entry of final
judgment in the court in which the action was pending at the time of such death, it shall not
be dismissed but shall instead be allowed to continue until entry of final judgment. A
favorable judgment obtained by the plaintiff therein shall be enforced in the manner
especially provided in these Rules for prosecuting claims against the estate of a deceased
person. (21a)

Section 21. Indigent party. — A party may be authorized to litigate his action, claim or
defense as an indigent if the court, upon an ex parte application and hearing, is satisfied
that the party is one who has no money or property sufficient and available for food, shelter
and basic necessities for himself and his family.

Such authority shall include an exemption from payment of docket and other lawful fees,
and of transcripts of stenographic notes which the court may order to be furnished him. The
amount of the docket and other lawful fees which the indigent was exempted from paying
shall be a lien on any judgment rendered in the case favorable to the indigent, unless the
court otherwise provides.

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Any adverse party may contest the grant of such authority at any time before judgment is
rendered by the trial court. If the court should determine after hearing that the party declared
as an indigent is in fact a person with sufficient income or property, the proper docket and
other lawful fees shall be assessed and collected by the clerk of court. If payment is not
made within the time fixed by the court, execution shall issue or the payment thereof, without
prejudice to such other sanctions as the court may impose. (22a)

Section 22. Notice to the Solicitor General. — In any action involving the validity of any
treaty, law, ordinance, executive order, presidential decree, rules or regulations, the court,
in its discretion, may require the appearance of the Solicitor General who may be heard in
person or a representative duly designated by him. (23a)

RULE 4

Venue of Actions

Section 1. Venue of real actions. — Actions affecting title to or possession of real property,
or interest therein, shall be commenced and tried in the proper court which has jurisdiction
over the area wherein the real property involved, or a portion thereof, is situated.

Forcible entry and detainer actions shall be commenced and tried in the municipal trial court
of the municipality or city wherein the real property involved, or a portion thereof, is situated.
(1[a], 2[a]a)

Section 2. Venue of personal actions. — All other actions may be commenced and tried
where the plaintiff or any of the principal plaintiffs resides, or where the defendant or any of
the principal defendants resides, or in the case of a non-resident defendant where he may
be found, at the election of the plaintiff. (2[b]a)

Section 3. Venue of actions against nonresidents. — If any of the defendants does not
reside and is not found in the Philippines, and the action affects the personal status of the
plaintiff, or any property of said defendant located in the Philippines, the action may be
commenced and tried in the court of the place where the plaintiff resides, or where the
property or any portion thereof is situated or found. (2[c]a)

Section 4. When Rule not applicable. — This Rule shall not apply.

(a) In those cases where a specific rule or law provides otherwise; or

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 (b) Where the parties have validly agreed in writing before the filing of the action on
the exclusive venue thereof. (3a, 5a)

RULE 5

Uniform Procedure In Trial Courts

Section 1. Uniform procedure. — The procedure in the Municipal Trial Courts shall be the
same as in the Regional Trial Courts, except (a) where a particular provision expressly or
impliedly applies only to either of said courts, or (b) in civil cases governed by the Rule on
Summary Procedure. (n)

Section 2. Meaning of terms. — The term "Municipal Trial Courts" as used in these Rules
shall include Metropolitan Trial Courts, Municipal Trial Courts in Cities, Municipal Trial
Courts, and Municipal Circuit Trial Courts. (1a)

Procedure In Regional Trial Courts

RULE 6

Kinds Of Pleadings

Section 1. Pleadings defined. — Pleadings are the written statements of the respective
claims and defenses of the parties submitted to the court for appropriate judgment. (1a)

Section 2. Pleadings allowed. — The claims of a party are asserted in a complaint,

counterclaim, cross-claim, third (fourth, etc.)-party complaint, or complaint-in-intervention.

The defenses of a party are alleged in the answer to the pleading asserting a claim against
him.

An answer may be responded to by a reply. (n)

Section 3. Complaint. — The complaint is the pleading alleging the plaintiff's cause or
causes of action. The names and residences of the plaintiff and defendant must be stated
in the complaint. (3a)

Section 4. Answer. — An answer is a pleading in which a defending party sets forth his
defenses. (4a)

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Section 5. Defenses. — Defenses may either be negative or affirmative.

(a) A negative defense is the specific denial of the material fact or facts alleged in the
pleading of the claimant essential to his cause or causes of action.

(b) An affirmative defense is an allegation of a new matter which, while hypothetically

admitting the material allegations in the pleading of the claimant, would nevertheless
prevent or bar recovery by him. The affirmative defenses include fraud, statute of
limitations, release, payment, illegality, statute of frauds, estoppel, former recovery,
discharge in bankruptcy, and any other matter by way of confession and avoidance.
(5a)

Section 6. Counterclaim. — A counterclaim is any claim which a defending party may have
against an opposing party. (6a)

Section 7. Compulsory counterclaim. — A compulsory counterclaim is one which, being

cognizable by the regular courts of justice, arises out of or is connected with the transaction
or occurrence constituting the subject matter of the opposing party's claim and does not
require for its adjudication the presence of third parties of whom the court cannot acquire
jurisdiction. Such a counterclaim must be within the jurisdiction of the court both as to the
amount and the nature thereof, except that in an original action before the Regional Trial
Court, the counter-claim may be considered compulsory regardless of the amount. (n)

Section 8. Cross-claim. — A cross-claim is any claim by one party against a co-party arising
out of the transaction or occurrence that is the subject matter either of the original action or
of a counterclaim therein. Such cross-claim may include a claim that the party against whom
it is asserted is or may be liable to the cross-claimant for all or part of a claim asserted in
the action against the cross-claimant. (7)

Section 9. Counter-counterclaims and counter-crossclaims. — A counter-claim may be

asserted against an original counter-claimant.

A cross-claim may also be filed against an original cross-claimant. (n)

Section 10. Reply. — A reply is a pleading, the office or function of which is to deny, or
allege facts in denial or avoidance of new matters alleged by way of defense in the answer
and thereby join or make issue as to such new matters. If a party does not file such reply,
all the new matters alleged in the answer are deemed controverted.

If the plaintiff wishes to interpose any claims arising out of the new matters so alleged, such
claims shall be set forth in an amended or supplemental complaint. (11)

Section 11. Third, (fourth, etc.)—party complaint. — A third (fourth, etc.) — party complaint
is a claim that a defending party may, with leave of court, file against a person not a party

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to the action, called the third (fourth, etc.) — party defendant for contribution, indemnity,
subrogation or any other relief, in respect of his opponent's claim. (12a)

Section 12. Bringing new parties. — When the presence of parties other than those to the
original action is required for the granting of complete relief in the determination of a
counterclaim or cross-claim, the court shall order them to be brought in as defendants, if
jurisdiction over them can be obtained. (14)

Section 13. Answer to third (fourth, etc.)—party complaint. — A third (fourth, etc.) — party
defendant may allege in his answer his defenses, counterclaims or cross-claims, including
such defenses that the third (fourth, etc.) — party plaintiff may have against the original
plaintiff's claim. In proper cases, he may also assert a counterclaim against the original
plaintiff in respect of the latter's claim against the third-party plaintiff. (n)

RULE 7

Parts of a Pleading

Section 1. Caption. — The caption sets forth the name of the court, the title of the action,
and the docket number if assigned.

The title of the action indicates the names of the parties. They shall all be named in the
original complaint or petition; but in subsequent pleadings, it shall be sufficient if the name
of the first party on each side be stated with an appropriate indication when there are other
parties.

Their respective participation in the case shall be indicated. (1a, 2a)

Section 2. The body. — The body of the pleading sets fourth its designation, the allegations
of the party's claims or defenses, the relief prayed for, and the date of the pleading. (n)

(a) Paragraphs. — The allegations in the body of a pleading shall be divided into
paragraphs so numbered to be readily identified, each of which shall contain a
statement of a single set of circumstances so far as that can be done with
convenience. A paragraph may be referred to by its number in all succeeding
pleadings. (3a)

(b) Headings. — When two or more causes of action are joined the statement of the
first shall be prefaced by the words "first cause of action,'' of the second by "second
cause of action", and so on for the others.

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 When one or more paragraphs in the answer are addressed to one of several causes
of action in the complaint, they shall be prefaced by the words "answer to the first
cause of action" or "answer to the second cause of action" and so on; and when one
or more paragraphs of the answer are addressed to several causes of action, they
shall be prefaced by words to that effect. (4)

(c) Relief. — The pleading shall specify the relief sought, but it may add a general
prayer for such further or other relief as may be deemed just or equitable. (3a, R6)

(d) Date. — Every pleading shall be dated. (n)

Section 3. Signature and address. — Every pleading must be signed by the party or counsel
representing him, stating in either case his address which should not be a post office box.

The signature of counsel constitutes a certificate by him that he has read the pleading; that
to the best of his knowledge, information, and belief there is good ground to support it; and
that it is not interposed for delay.

An unsigned pleading produces no legal effect. However, the court may, in its discretion,
allow such deficiency to be remedied if it shall appear that the same was due to mere
inadvertence and not intended for delay. Counsel who deliberately files an unsigned
pleading, or signs a pleading in violation of this Rule, or alleges scandalous or indecent
matter therein, or fails promptly report to the court a change of his address, shall be subject
to appropriate disciplinary action. (5a)

Section 4. Verification. — Except when otherwise specifically required by law or rule,

pleadings need not be under oath, verified or accompanied by affidavit .(5a)

A pleading is verified by an affidavit that the affiant has read the pleading and that the
allegations therein are true and correct of his knowledge and belief.

A pleading required to be verified which contains a verification based on "information and

belief", or upon "knowledge, information and belief", or lacks a proper verification, shall be
treated as an unsigned pleading. (6a)

Section 5. Certification against forum shopping. — The plaintiff or principal party shall
certify under oath in the complaint or other initiatory pleading asserting a claim for relief, or
in a sworn certification annexed thereto and simultaneously filed therewith: (a) that he has
not theretofore commenced any action or filed any claim involving the same issues in any
court, tribunal or quasi-judicial agency and, to the best of his knowledge, no such other
action or claim is pending therein; (b) if there is such other pending action or claim, a
complete statement of the present status thereof; and (c) if he should thereafter learn that
the same or similar action or claim has been filed or is pending, he shall report that fact

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within five (5) days therefrom to the court wherein his aforesaid complaint or initiatory
pleading has been filed.

Failure to comply with the foregoing requirements shall not be curable by mere amendment
of the complaint or other initiatory pleading but shall be cause for the dismissal of the case
without prejudice, unless otherwise provided, upon motion and after hearing. The
submission of a false certification or non-compliance with any of the undertakings therein
shall constitute indirect contempt of court, without prejudice to the corresponding
administrative and criminal actions. If the acts of the party or his counsel clearly constitute
willful and deliberate forum shopping, the same shall be ground for summary dismissal with
prejudice and shall constitute direct contempt, as well as a cause for administrative
sanctions. (n)

RULE 8

Manner of Making Allegations in Pleadings

Section 1. In general. — Every pleading shall contain in a methodical and logical form, a
plain, concise and direct statement of the ultimate facts on which the party pleading relies
for his claim or defense, as the case may be, omitting the statement of mere evidentiary
facts. (1)

If a defense relied on is based on law, the pertinent provisions thereof and their applicability
to him shall be clearly and concisely stated. (n)

Section 2. Alternative causes of action or defenses. — A party may set forth two or more
statements of a claim or defense alternatively or hypothetically, either in one cause of action
or defense or in separate causes of action or defenses. When two or more statements are
made in the alternative and one of them if made independently would be sufficient, the
pleading is not made insufficient by the insufficiency of one or more of the alternative
statements. (2)

Section 3. Conditions precedent. — In any pleading a general averment of the performance

or occurrence of all conditions precedent shall be sufficient. (3)

Section 4. Capacity. — Facts showing the capacity of a party to sue or be sued or the
authority of a party to sue or be sued in a representative capacity or the legal existence of
an organized association of person that is made a party, must be averred. A party desiring
to raise an issue as to the legal existence of any party or the capacity of any party to sue or
be sued in a representative capacity, shall do so by specific denial, which shall include such
supporting particulars as are peculiarly within the pleader's knowledge. (4)

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Section 5. Fraud, mistake, condition of the mind. — In all averments of fraud or mistake the
circumstances constituting fraud or mistake must be stated with particularity. Malice, intent,
knowledge, or other condition of the mind of a person may be averred generally.(5a)

Section 6. Judgment. — In pleading a judgment or decision of a domestic or foreign court,

judicial or quasi-judicial tribunal, or of a board or officer, it is sufficient to aver the judgment
or decision without setting forth matter showing jurisdiction to render it. (6)

Section 7. Action or defense based on document. — Whenever an action or defense is

based upon a written instrument or document, the substance of such instrument or
document shall be set forth in the pleading, and the original or a copy thereof shall be
attached to the pleading as an exhibit, which shall be deemed to be a part of the pleading,
or said copy may with like effect be set forth in the pleading. (7)

Section 8. How to contest such documents. — When an action or defense is founded upon
a written instrument, copied in or attached to the corresponding pleading as provided in the
preceding section, the genuineness and due execution of the instrument shall be deemed
admitted unless the adverse party, under oath specifically denies them, and sets forth what
he claims to be the facts, but the requirement of an oath does not apply when the adverse
party does not appear to be a party to the instrument or when compliance with an order for
an inspection of the original instrument is refused. (8a)

Section 9. Official document or act. — In pleading an official document or official act, it is

sufficient to aver that the document was issued or the act done in compliance with law. (9)

Section 10. Specific denial. — A defendant must specify each material allegation of fact the
truth of which he does not admit and, whenever practicable, shall set forth the substance of
the matters upon which he relies to support his denial. Where a defendant desires to deny
only a part of an averment, he shall specify so much of it as is true and material and shall
deny only the remainder. Where a defendant is without knowledge or information sufficient
to form a belief as to the truth of a material averment made to the complaint, he shall so
state, and this shall have the effect of a denial. (10a)

Section 11. Allegations not specifically denied deemed admitted. — Material averment in
the complaint, other than those as to the amount of unliquidated damages, shall be deemed
admitted when not specifically denied. Allegations of usury in a complaint to recover
usurious interest are deemed admitted if not denied under oath. (1a, R9)

Section 12. Striking out of pleading or matter contained therein. — Upon motion made by
a party before responding to a pleading or, if no responsive pleading is permitted by these
Rules, upon motion made by a party within twenty (20) days after the service of the pleading
upon him, or upon the court's own initiative at any time, the court may order any pleading to
be stricken out or that any sham or false, redundant, immaterial, impertinent, or scandalous
matter be stricken out therefrom. (5, R9)

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 RULE 9

Effect of Failure to Plead

Section 1. Defenses and objections not pleaded. — Defenses and objections not pleaded
either in a motion to dismiss or in the answer are deemed waived. However, when it appears
from the pleadings or the evidence on record that the court has no jurisdiction over the
subject matter, that there is another action pending between the same parties for the same
cause, or that the action is barred by a prior judgment or by statute of limitations, the court
shall dismiss the claim. (2a)

Section 2. Compulsory counterclaim, or cross-claim, not set up barred. — A compulsory

counterclaim, or a cross-claim, not set up shall be barred. (4a)

Section 3. Default; declaration of. — If the defending party fails to answer within the time
allowed therefor, the court shall, upon motion of the claiming party with notice to the
defending party, and proof of such failure, declare the defending party in default. Thereupon,
the court shall proceed to render judgment granting the claimant such relief as his pleading
may warrant, unless the court in its discretion requires the claimant to submit evidence.
Such reception of evidence may be delegated to the clerk of court. (1a, R18)

(a) Effect of order of default. — A party in default shall be entitled to notice of

subsequent proceedings but not to take part in the trial. (2a, R18)

(b) Relief from order of default. — A party declared in default may at any time after
notice thereof and before judgment file a motion under oath to set aside the order of
default upon proper showing that his failure to answer was due to fraud, accident,
mistake or excusable negligence and that he has a meritorious defense. In such case,
the order of default may be set aside on such terms and conditions as the judge may
impose in the interest of justice. (3a, R18)

(c) Effect of partial default. — When a pleading asserting a claim states a common
cause of action against several defending parties, some of whom answer and the
others fail to do so, the court shall try the case against all upon the answers thus filed
and render judgment upon the evidence presented. (4a, R18).

(d) Extent of relief to be awarded. — A judgment rendered against a party in default

shall not exceed the amount or be different in kind from that prayed for nor award
unliquidated damages. (5a, R18).

(e) Where no defaults allowed. — If the defending party in an action for annulment or
declaration of nullity of marriage or for legal separation fails to answer, the court shall

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 order the prosecuting attorney to investigate whether or not a collusion between the
parties exists, and if there is no collusion, to intervene for the State in order to see to
it that the evidence submitted is not fabricated. (6a, R18)

RULE 10

Amended and Supplemental Pleadings

Section 1. Amendments in general. — Pleadings may be amended by adding or striking

out an allegation or the name of any party, or by correcting a mistake in the name of a party
or a mistaken or inadequate allegation or description in any other respect, so that the actual
merits of the controversy may speedily be determined, without regard to technicalities, and
in the most expeditious and inexpensive manner. (1)

Section 2. Amendments as a matter of right. — A party may amend his pleading once as a
matter of right at any time before a responsive pleading is served or, in the case of a reply,
at any time within ten (10) days after it is served. (2a)

Section 3. Amendments by leave of court. — Except as provided in the next preceding

section, substantial amendments may be made only upon leave of court. But such leave
may be refused if it appears to the court that the motion was made with intent to delay.
Orders of the court upon the matters provided in this section shall be made upon motion
filed in court, and after notice to the adverse party, and an opportunity to be heard. (3a)

Section 4. Formal amendments. — A defect in the designation of the parties and other
clearly clerical or typographical errors may be summarily corrected by the court at any stage
of the action, at its initiative or on motion, provided no prejudice is caused thereby to the
adverse party. (4a)

Section 5. Amendment to conform to or authorize presentation of evidence. — When issues

not raised by the pleadings are tried with the express or implied consent of the parties they
shall be treated in all respects as if they had been raised in the pleadings. Such amendment
of the pleadings as may be necessary to cause them to conform to the evidence and to
raise these issues may be made upon motion of any party at any time, even after judgment;
but failure to amend does not effect the result of the trial of these issues. If evidence is
objected to at the trial on the ground that it is not within the issues made by the pleadings,
the court may allow the pleadings to be amended and shall do so with liberality if the
presentation of the merits of the action and the ends of substantial justice will be subserved
thereby. The court may grant a continuance to enable the amendment to be made. (5a)

Section 6. Supplemental pleadings. — Upon motion of a party the court may, upon
reasonable notice and upon such terms as are just, permit him to serve a supplemental

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pleading setting forth transactions, occurrences or events which have happened since the
date of the pleading sought to be supplemented. The adverse party may plead thereto within
ten (10) days from notice of the order admitting the supplemental pleading. (6a)

Section 7. Filing of amended pleadings. — When any pleading is amended, a new copy of
the entire pleading, incorporating the amendments, which shall be indicated by appropriate
marks, shall be filed. (7a)

Section 8. Effect of amended pleadings. — An amended pleading supersedes the pleading

that it amends. However, admissions in superseded pleadings may be received in evidence
against the pleader, and claims or defenses alleged therein not incorporated in the amended
pleading shall be deemed waived. (n)

RULE 11

When to File Responsive Pleadings

Section 1. Answer to the complaint. — The defendant shall file his answer to the complaint
within fifteen (15) days after service of summons, unless a different period is fixed by the
court. (la)

Section 2. Answer of a defendant foreign private juridical entity. — Where the defendant is
a foreign private juridical entity and service of summons is made on the government official
designated by law to receive the same, the answer shall be filed within thirty (30) days after
receipt of summons by such entity. (2a)

Section 3. Answer to amended complaint. — When the plaintiff files an amended complaint
as a matter of right, the defendant shall answer the same within fifteen (15) days after being
served with a copy thereof.

Where its filing is not a matter of right, the defendant shall answer the amended complaint
within ten (l0) days from notice of the order admitting the same. An answer earlier filed may
serve as the answer to the amended complaint if no new answer is filed.

This Rule shall apply to the answer to an amended counterclaim, amended cross-claim,
amended third (fourth, etc.)—party complaint, and amended complaint-in-intervention. (3a)

Section 4. Answer to counterclaim or cross-claim. — A counterclaim or cross-claim must

be answered within ten (10) days from service. (4)

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Section 5. Answer to third (fourth, etc.)-party complaint. — The time to answer a third
(fourth, etc.)—party complaint shall be governed by the same rule as the answer to the
complaint. (5a)

Section 6. Reply. — A reply may be filed within ten (10) days from service of the pleading
responded to. (6)

Section 7. Answer to supplemental complain. — A supplemental complaint may be

answered within ten (10) days from notice of the order admitting the same, unless a different
period is fixed by the court. The answer to the complaint shall serve as the answer to the
supplemental complaint if no new or supplemental answer is filed. (n)

Section 8. Existing counterclaim or cross-claim. — A compulsory counterclaim or a cross-

claim that a defending party has at the time he files his answer shall be contained therein.
(8a, R6)

Section 9. Counterclaim or cross-claim arising after answer. — A counterclaim or a cross-

claim which either matured or was acquired by a party after serving his pleading may, with
the permission of the court, be presented as a counterclaim or a cross-claim by
supplemental pleading before judgment. (9, R6)

Section 10. Omitted counterclaim or cross-claim. — When a pleader fails to set up a

counterclaim or a cross-claim through oversight, inadvertence, or excusable neglect, or
when justice requires, he may, by leave of court, set up the counterclaim or cross-claim by
amendment before judgment. (3, R9)

Section 11. Extension of time to plead. — Upon motion and on such terms as may be just,
the court may extend the time to plead provided in these Rules.

The court may also, upon like terms, allow an answer or other pleading to be filed after the
time fixed by these Rules. (7)

RULE 12

Bill of Particulars

Section 1. When applied for; purpose. — Before responding to a pleading, a party may
move for a definite statement or for a bill of particulars of any matter which is not averted
with sufficient definiteness or particularity to enable him properly to prepare his responsive
pleading. If the pleading is a reply, the motion must be filed within ten (10) days from service
thereof. Such motion shall point out the defects complained of, the paragraphs wherein they
are contained, and the details desired. (1a)

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Section 2. Action by the court. — Upon the filing of the motion, the clerk of court must
immediately bring it to the attention of the court which may either deny or grant it outright,
or allow the parties the opportunity to be heard. (n)

Section 3. Compliance with order. — If the motion is granted, either in whole or in part, the
compliance therewith must be effected within ten (10) days from notice of the order, unless
a different period is fixed by the court. The bill of particulars or a more definite statement
ordered by the court may be filed either in a separate or in an amended pleading, serving a
copy thereof on the adverse party. (n)

Section 4. Effect of non-compliance. — If the order is not obeyed, or in case of insufficient

compliance therewith, the court may order the striking out of the pleading or the portions
thereof to which the order was directed or make such other order as it deems just. (1[c]a)

Section 5. Stay of period to file responsive pleading. — After service of the bill of particulars
or of a more definite pleading, or after notice of denial of his motion, the moving party may
file his responsive pleading within the period to which he was entitled at the time of filing his
motion, which shall not be less than five (5) days in any event. (1[b]a)

Section 6. Bill a part of pleading. — A bill of particulars becomes part of the pleading for
which it is intended. (1[a]a)

RULE 13

Filing and Service of Pleadings, Judgments and Other Papers

Section 1. Coverage. — This Rule shall govern the filing of all pleadings and other papers,
as well as the service thereof, except those for which a different mode of service is
prescribed. (n)

Section 2. Filing and service, defined. — Filing is the act of presenting the pleading or other
paper to the clerk of court.

Service is the act of providing a party with a copy of the pleading or paper concerned. If any
party has appeared by counsel, service upon him shall be made upon his counsel or one of
them, unless service upon the party himself is ordered by the court. Where one counsel
appears for several parties, he shall only be entitled to one copy of any paper served upon
him by the opposite side. (2a)

Section 3. Manner of filing. — The filing of pleadings, appearances, motions, notices,

orders, judgments and all other papers shall be made by presenting the original copies
thereof, plainly indicated as such, personally to the clerk of court or by sending them by

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registered mail. In the first case, the clerk of court shall endorse on the pleading the date
and hour of filing. In the second case, the date of the mailing of motions, pleadings, or any
other papers or payments or deposits, as shown by the post office stamp on the envelope
or the registry receipt, shall be considered as the date of their filing, payment, or deposit in
court. The envelope shall be attached to the record of the case. (1a)

Section 4. Papers required to be filed and served. — Every judgment, resolution, order,
pleading subsequent to the complaint, written motion, notice, appearance, demand, offer of
judgment or similar papers shall be filed with the court, and served upon the parties affected.
(2a)

Section 5. Modes of service. — Service of pleadings motions, notices, orders, judgments

and other papers shall be made either personally or by mail. (3a)

Section 6. Personal service. — Service of the papers may be made by delivering personally
a copy to the party or his counsel, or by leaving it in his office with his clerk or with a person
having charge thereof. If no person is found in his office, or his office is not known, or he
has no office, then by leaving the copy, between the hours of eight in the morning and six
in the evening, at the party's or counsel's residence, if known, with a person of sufficient
age and discretion then residing therein. (4a)

Section 7. Service by mail. — Service by registered mail shall be made by depositing the
copy in the post office in a sealed envelope, plainly addressed to the party or his counsel at
his office, if known, otherwise at his residence, if known, with postage fully prepaid, and with
instructions to the postmaster to return the mail to the sender after ten (10) days if
undelivered. If no registry service is available in the locality of either the senders or the
addressee, service may be done by ordinary mail. (5a; Bar Matter No. 803, 17 February
1998)

Section 8. Substituted service. — If service of pleadings, motions, notices, resolutions,

orders and other papers cannot be made under the two preceding sections, the office and
place of residence of the party or his counsel being unknown, service may be made by
delivering the copy to the clerk of court, with proof of failure of both personal service and
service by mail. The service is complete at the time of such delivery. (6a)

Section 9. Service of judgments, final orders, or resolutions. — Judgments, final orders or

resolutions shall be served either personally or by registered mail. When a party summoned
by publication has failed to appear in the action, judgments, final orders or resolutions
against him shall be served upon him also by publication at the expense of the prevailing
party. (7a)

Section 10. Completeness of service. — Personal service is complete upon actual delivery.
Service by ordinary mail is complete upon the expiration of ten (10) days after mailing,
unless the court otherwise provides. Service by registered mail is complete upon actual

19
receipt by the addressee, or after five (5) days from the date he received the first notice of
the postmaster, whichever date is earlier. (8a)

Section 11. Priorities in modes of service and filing. — Whenever practicable, the service
and filing of pleadings and other papers shall be done personally. Except with respect to
papers emanating from the court, a resort to other modes must be accompanied by a written
explanation why the service or filing was not done personally. A violation of this Rule may
be cause to consider the paper as not filed. (n)

Section 12. Proof of filing. — The filing of a pleading or paper shall be proved by its
existence in the record of the case. If it is not in the record, but is claimed to have been filed
personally, the filing shall be proved by the written or stamped acknowledgment of its filing
by the clerk of court on a copy of the same; if filed by registered mail, by the registry receipt
and by the affidavit of the person who did the mailing, containing a full statement of the date
and place of depositing the mail in the post office in a sealed envelope addressed to the
court, with postage fully prepaid, and with instructions to the postmaster to return the mail
to the sender after ten (10) days if not delivered. (n)

Section 13. Proof of Service. — Proof of personal service shall consist of a written
admission of the party served, or the official return of the server, or the affidavit of the party
serving, containing a full statement of the date, place and manner of service. If the service
is by ordinary mail, proof thereof shall consist of an affidavit of the person mailing of facts
showing compliance with section 7 of this Rule. If service is made by registered mail, proof
shall be made by such affidavit and the registry receipt issued by the mailing office. The
registry return card shall be filed immediately upon its receipt by the sender, or in lieu thereof
the unclaimed letter together with the certified or sworn copy of the notice given by the
postmaster to the addressee. (10a)

Section 14. Notice of lis pendens. — In an action affecting the title or the right of possession
of real property, the plaintiff and the defendant, when affirmative relief is claimed in his
answer, may record in the office of the registry of deeds of the province in which the property
is situated notice of the pendency of the action. Said notice shall contain the names of the
parties and the object of the action or defense, and a description of the property in that
province affected thereby. Only from the time of filing such notice for record shall a
purchaser, or encumbrancer of the property affected thereby, be deemed to have
constructive notice of the pendency of the action, and only of its pendency against the
parties designated by their real names.

The notice of lis pendens hereinabove mentioned may be cancelled only upon order of the
court, after proper showing that the notice is for the purpose of molesting the adverse party,
or that it is not necessary to protect the rights of the rights of the party who caused it to be
recorded. (24a, R-14)

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 RULE 14

Summons

Section 1. Clerk to issue summons. — Upon the filing of the complaint and the payment of
the requisite legal fees, the clerk of court shall forthwith issue the corresponding summons
to the defendants. (1a)

Section 2. Contents. — The summons shall be directed to the defendant, signed by the
clerk of court under seal and contain (a) the name of the court and the names of the parties
to the action; (b) a direction that the defendant answer within the time fixed by these Rules;
(c) a notice that unless the defendant so answers plaintiff will take judgment by default and
may be granted the relief applied for.

A copy of the complaint and order for appointment of guardian ad litem if any, shall be
attached to the original and each copy of the summons. (3a)

Section 3. By whom served. — The summons may be served by the sheriff, his deputy, or
other proper court officer, or for justifiable reasons by any suitable person authorized by the
court issuing the summons. (5a)

Section 4. Return. — When the service has been completed, the server shall, within five
(5) days therefrom, serve a copy of the return, personally or by registered mail, to the
plaintiff's counsel, and shall return the summons to the clerk, who issued it, accompanied
by proof of service. (6a)

Section 5. Issuance of alias summons. — If a summons is returned without being served

on any or all of the defendants, the server shall also serve a copy of the return on the
plaintiff's counsel, stating the reasons for the failure of service, within five (5) days therefrom.
In such a case, or if the summons has been lost, the clerk, on demand of the plaintiff, may
issue an alias summons. (4a)

Section 6. Service in person on defendant. — Whenever practicable, the summons shall

be served by handling a copy thereof to the defendant in person, or, if he refuses to receive
and sign for it, by tendering it to him. (7a)

Section 7. Substituted service. — If, for justifiable causes, the defendant cannot be served
within a reasonable time as provided in the preceding section, service may be effected (a)
by leaving copies of the summons at the defendant's residence with some person of suitable
age and discretion then residing therein, or (b) by leaving the copies at defendant's office
or regular place of business with some competent person in charge thereof. (8a)

Section 8. Service upon entity without juridical personality. — When persons associated in
an entity without juridical personality are sued under the name by which they are generally

21
or commonly known, service may be effected upon all the defendants by serving upon any
one of them, or upon the person in charge of the office or place of business maintained in
such name. But such service shall not bind individually any person whose connection with
the entity has, upon due notice, been severed before the action was brought. (9a)

Section 9. Service upon prisoners. — When the defendant is a prisoner confined in a jail
or institution, service shall be effected upon him by the officer having the management of
such jail or institution who is deemed deputized as a special sheriff for said purpose. (12a)

Section 10. Service upon minors and incompetents. — When the defendant is a minor,
insane or otherwise an incompetent, service shall be made upon him personally and on his
legal guardian if he has one, or if none his guardian ad litem whose appointment shall be
applied for by the plaintiff. In the case of a minor, service may also be made on his father
or mother. (l0a, 11a)

Section 11. Service upon domestic private juridical entity. — When the defendant is a
corporation, partnership or association organized under the laws of the Philippines with a
juridical personality, service may be made on the president, managing partner, general
manager, corporate secretary, treasurer, or in-house counsel. (13a)

Section 12. Service upon foreign private juridical entities. — When the defendant is a
foreign private juridical entity which has transacted business in the Philippines, service may
be made on its resident agent designated in accordance with law for that purpose, or, if
there be no such agent, on the government official designated by law to that effect, or on
any of its officers or agents within the Philippines. (14a)

Section 13. Service upon public corporations. — When the defendant is the Republic of the
Philippines, service may be effected on the Solicitor General; in case of a province, city or
municipality, or like public corporations, service may be effected on its executive head, or
on such other officer or officers as the law or the court may direct. (15)

Section 14. Service upon defendant whose identity or whereabouts are unknown. — In any
action where the defendant is designated as an unknown owner, or the like, or whenever
his whereabouts are unknown and cannot be ascertained by diligent inquiry, service may,
by leave of court, be effected upon him by publication in a newspaper of general circulation
and in such places and for such time as the court may order. (16a)

Section 15. Extraterritorial service. — When the defendant does not reside and is not found
in the Philippines, and the action affects the personal status of the plaintiff or relates to, or
the subject of which is, property within the Philippines, in which the defendant has or claims
a lien or interest, actual or contingent, or in which the relief demanded consists, wholly or in
part, in excluding the defendant from any interest therein, or the property of the defendant
has been attached within the Philippines, service may, by leave of court, be effected out of
the Philippines by personal service as under section 6; or by publication in a newspaper of

22
general circulation in such places and for such time as the court may order, in which case
a copy of the summons and order of the court shall be sent by registered mail to the last
known address of the defendant, or in any other manner the court may deem sufficient. Any
order granting such leave shall specify a reasonable time, which shall not be less than sixty
(60) days after notice, within which the defendant must answer. (17a)

Section 16. Residents temporarily out of the Philippines. — When any action is commenced
against a defendant who ordinarily resides within the Philippines, but who is temporarily out
of it, service may, by leave of court, be also effected out of the Philippines, as under the
preceding section. (18a)

Section 17. Leave of court. — Any application to the court under this Rule for leave to effect
service in any manner for which leave of court is necessary shall be made by motion in
writing, supported by affidavit of the plaintiff or some person on his behalf, setting forth the
grounds for the application. (19)

Section 18. Proof of service. — The proof of service of a summons shall be made in writing
by the server and shall set forth the manner, place, and date of service; shall specify any
papers which have been served with the process and the name of the person who received
the same; and shall be sworn to when made by a person other than a sheriff or his deputy.
(20)

Section 19. Proof of service by publication. — If the service has been made by publication,
service may be proved by the affidavit of the printer, his foreman or principal clerk, or of the
editor, business or advertising manager, to which affidavit a copy of the publication shall be
attached and by an affidavit showing the deposit of a copy of the summons and order for
publication in the post office, postage prepaid, directed to the defendant by registered mail
to his last known address. (21)

Section 20. Voluntary appearance. — The defendant's voluntary appearance in the action
shall be equivalent to service of summons. The inclusion in a motion to dismiss of other
grounds aside from lack of jurisdiction over the person of the defendant shall not be deemed
a voluntary appearance. (23a)

RULE 15

Motions

Section 1. Motion defined. — A motion is an application for relief other than by a pleading.
(1a)

23
Section 2. Motions must be in writings. — All motions shall be in writing except those made
in open court or in the course of a hearing or trial. (2a)

Section 3. Contents. — A motion shall state the relief sought to be obtained and the grounds
upon which it is based, and if required by these Rules or necessary to prove facts alleged
therein, shall be accompanied by supporting affidavits and other papers. (3a)

Section 4. Hearing of motion. — Except for motions which the court may act upon without
prejudicing the rights of the adverse party, every written motion shall be set for hearing by
the applicant.

Every written motion required to be heard and the notice of the hearing thereof shall be
served in such a manner as to ensure its receipt by the other party at least three (3) days
before the date of hearing, unless the court for good cause sets the hearing on shorter
notice. (4a)

Section 5. Notice of hearing. — The notice of hearing shall be addressed to all parties
concerned, and shall specify the time and date of the hearing which must not be later than
ten (10) days after the filing of the motion. (5a)

Section 6. Proof of service necessary. — No written motion set for hearing shall be acted
upon by the court without proof of service thereof. (6a)

Section 7. Motion day. — Except for motions requiring immediate action, all motions shall
be scheduled for hearing on Friday afternoons, or if Friday is a non-working day, in the
afternoon of the next working day. (7a)

Section 8. Omnibus motion. — Subject to the provisions of section 1 of Rule 9, a motion

attacking a pleading, order, judgment, or proceeding shall include all objections then
available, and all objections not so included shall be deemed waived. (8a)

Section 9. Motion for leave. — A motion for leave to file a pleading or motion shall be
accompanied by the pleading or motion sought to be admitted. (n)

Section 10. Form. — The Rules applicable to pleadings shall apply to written motions so
far as concerns caption, designation, signature, and other matters of form. (9a)

RULE 16

Motion to Dismiss

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Section 1. Grounds. — Within the time for but before filing the answer to the complaint or
pleading asserting a claim, a motion to dismiss may be made on any of the following
grounds:

(a) That the court has no jurisdiction over the person of the defending party;

(b) That the court has no jurisdiction over the subject matter of the claim;

(c) That venue is improperly laid;

(d) That the plaintiff has no legal capacity to sue;

(e) That there is another action pending between the same parties for the same cause;

(f) That the cause of action is barred by a prior judgment or by the statute of limitations;

(g) That the pleading asserting the claim states no cause of action;

(h) That the claim or demand set forth in the plaintiff's pleading has been paid, waived,
abandoned, or otherwise extinguished;

(i) That the claim on which the action is founded is enforceable under the provisions
of the statute of frauds; and

(j) That a condition precedent for filing the claim has not been complied with. (1a)

Section 2. Hearing of motion. — At the hearing of the motion, the parties shall submit their
arguments on the questions of law and their evidence on the questions of fact involved
except those not available at that time. Should the case go to trial, the evidence presented
during the hearing shall automatically be part of the evidence of the party presenting the
same. (n)

Section 3. Resolution of Motion. — After the hearing, the court may dismiss the action or
claim, deny the motion, or order the amendment of the pleading.

The court shall not defer the resolution of the motion for the reason that the ground relied
upon is not indubitable.

In every case, the resolution shall state clearly and distinctly the reasons therefor. (3a)

Section 4. Time to plead. — If the motion is denied, the movant shall file his answer within
the balance of the period prescribed by Rule 11 to which he was entitled at the time of
serving his motion, but not less than five (5) days in any event, computed from his receipt
of the notice of the denial. If the pleading is ordered to be amended, he shall file his answer

25
within the period prescribed by Rule 11 counted from service of the amended pleading,
unless the court provides a longer period. (4a)

Section 5. Effect of dismissal. — Subject to the right of appeal, an order granting a motion
to dismiss based on paragraphs (f), (h) and (i) of section 1 hereof shall bar the refiling of the
same action or claim. (n)

Section 6. Pleading grounds as affirmative defenses. — If no motion to dismiss has been

filed, any of the grounds for dismissal provided for in this Rule may be pleaded as an
affirmative defense in the answer and, in the discretion of the court, a preliminary hearing
may be had thereon as if a motion to dismiss had been filed. (5a)

The dismissal of the complaint under this section shall be without prejudice to the
prosecution in the same or separate action of a counterclaim pleaded in the answer. (n)

RULE 17

Dismissal of Actions

Section 1. Dismissal upon notice by plaintiff. — A complaint may be dismissed by the

plaintiff by filing a notice of dismissal at any time before service of the answer or of a motion
for summary judgment. Upon such notice being filed, the court shall issue an order
confirming the dismissal. Unless otherwise stated in the notice, the dismissal is without
prejudice, except that a notice operates as an adjudication upon the merits when filed by a
plaintiff who has once dismissed in a competent court an action based on or including the
same claim. (1a)

Section 2. Dismissal upon motion of plaintiff. — Except as provided in the preceding

section, a complaint shall not be dismissed at the plaintiff's instance save upon approval of
the court and upon such terms and conditions as the court deems proper. If a counterclaim
has been pleaded by a defendant prior to the service upon him of the plaintiffs motion for
dismissal, the dismissal shall be limited to the complaint. The dismissal shall be without
prejudice to the right of the defendant to prosecute his counterclaim in a separate action
unless within fifteen (15) days from notice of the motion he manifests his preference to have
his counterclaim resolved in the same action. Unless otherwise specified in the order, a
dismissal under this paragraph shall be without prejudice. A class suit shall not be dismissed
or compromised without the approval of the court. (2a)

Section 3. Dismissal due to fault of plaintiff. — If, for no justifiable cause, the plaintiff fails
to appear on the date of the presentation of his evidence in chief on the complaint, or to
prosecute his action for an unreasonable length of time, or to comply with these Rules or
any order of the court, the complaint may be dismissed upon motion of the defendant or

26
upon the court's own motion, without prejudice to the right of the defendant to prosecute his
counterclaim in the same or in a separate action. This dismissal shall have the effect of an
adjudication upon the merits, unless otherwise declared by the court. (3a)

Section 4. Dismissal of counterclaim, cross-claim, or third-party complaint. — The

provisions of this Rule shall apply to the dismissal of any counterclaim, cross-claim, or third-
party complaint. A voluntary dismissal by the claimant by notice as in section 1 of this Rule,
shall be made before a responsive pleading or a motion for summary judgment is served
or, if there is none, before the introduction of evidence at the trial or hearing. (4a)

RULE 18

Pre-Trial

Section 1. When conducted. — After the last pleading has been served and filed, if shall
be the duty of the plaintiff to promptly move ex parte that the case be set for pre-trial (5a,
R20)

Section 2. Nature and purpose. — The pre-trial is mandatory. The court shall consider:

(a) The possibility of an amicable settlement or of a submission to alternative modes

of dispute resolution;

(b) The simplification of the issues;

(c) The necessity or desirability of amendments to the pleadings;

(d) The possibility of obtaining stipulations or admissions of facts and of documents

to avoid unnecessary proof;

(e) The limitation of the number of witnesses;

(f) The advisability of a preliminary reference of issues to a commissioner;

(g) The propriety of rendering judgment on the pleadings, or summary judgment, or

of dismissing the action should a valid ground therefor be found to exist;

(h) The advisability or necessity of suspending the proceedings; and

(i) Such other matters as may aid in the prompt disposition of the action. (1a, R20)

27
Section 3. Notice of pre-trial. — The notice of pre-trial shall be served on counsel, or on the
party who has no counsel. The counsel served with such notice is charged with the duty of
notifying the party represented by him. (n)

Section 4. Appearance of parties. — It shall be the duty of the parties and their counsel to
appear at the pre-trial. The non-appearance of a party may be excused only if a valid cause
is shown therefor or if a representative shall appear in his behalf fully authorized in writing
to enter into an amicable settlement, to submit to alternative modes of dispute resolution,
and to enter into stipulations or admissions of facts and of documents. (n)

Section 5. Effect of failure to appear. — The failure of the plaintiff to appear when so
required pursuant to the next preceding section shall be cause for dismissal of the action.
The dismissal shall be with prejudice, unless other-wise ordered by the court. A similar
failure on the part of the defendant shall be cause to allow the plaintiff to present his
evidence ex parte and the court to render judgment on the basis thereof. (2a, R20)

Section 6. Pre-trial brief. — The parties shall file with the court and serve on the adverse
party, in such manner as shall ensure their receipt thereof at least three (3) days before the
date of the pre-trial, their respective pre-trial briefs which shall contain, among others:

(a) A statement of their willingness to enter into amicable settlement or alternative

modes of dispute resolution, indicating the desired terms thereof;

(b) A summary of admitted facts and proposed stipulation of facts;

(c) The issues to be tried or resolved;

(d) The documents or exhibits to be presented stating the purpose thereof;

(e) A manifestation of their having availed or their intention to avail themselves of

discovery procedures or referral to commissioners; and

(f) The number and names of the witnesses, and the substance of their respective
testimonies.

Failure to file the pre-trial brief shall have the same effect as failure to appear at the pre-
trial. (n)

Section 7. Record of pre-trial. — The proceedings in the pre-trial shall be recorded. Upon
the termination thereof, the court shall issue an order which shall recite in detail the matters
taken up in the conference, the action taken thereon, the amendments allowed to the
pleadings, and the agreements or admissions made by the parties as to any of the matters
considered. Should the action proceed to trial, the order shall, explicitly define and limit the

28
issues to be tried. The contents of the order shall control the subsequent course of the
action, unless modified before trial to prevent manifest injustice. (5a, R20)

RULE 19

Intervention

Section 1. Who may intervene. — A person who has a legal interest in the matter in
litigation, or in the success of either of the parties, or an interest against both, or is so
situated as to be adversely affected by a distribution or other disposition of property in the
custody of the court or of an officer thereof may, with leave of court, be allowed to intervene
in the action. The court shall consider whether or not the intervention will unduly delay or
prejudice the adjudication of the rights of the original parties, and whether or not the
intervenor's rights may be fully protected in a separate proceeding. (2[a], [b]a, R12)

Section 2. Time to intervene. — The motion to intervene may be filed at any time before
rendition of judgment by the trial court. A copy of the pleading-in-intervention shall be
attached to the motion and served on the original parties. (n)

Section 3. Pleadings-in-intervention. — The intervenor shall file a complaint-in-intervention

if he asserts a claim against either or all of the original parties, or an answer-in-intervention
if he unites with the defending party in resisting a claim against the latter. (2[c]a, R12)

Section 4. Answer to complaint-in-intervention. — The answer to the complaint-in-

intervention shall be filed within fifteen (15) days from notice of the order admitting the same,
unless a different period is fixed by the court. (2[d]a, R12)

RULE 20

Calendar of Cases

Section 1. Calendar of cases. — The clerk of court, under the direct supervision of the
judge, shall keep a calendar of cases for pre-trial, for trial, those whose trials were adjourned
or postponed, and those with motions to set for hearing. Preference shall be given to habeas
corpus cases, election cases, special civil actions, and those so required by law. (1a, R22)

Section 2. Assignment of cases. — The assignment of cases to the different branches of a

court shall be done exclusively by raffle. The assignment shall be done in open session of
which adequate notice shall be given so as to afford interested parties the opportunity to be
present. (7a, R22)

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 RULE 21

Subpoena

Section 1. Subpoena and subpoena duces tecum. — Subpoena is a process directed to a

person requiring him to attend and to testify at the hearing or the trial of an action, or at any
investigation conducted by competent authority, or for the taking of his deposition. It may
also require him to bring with him any books, documents, or other things under his control,
in which case it is called a subpoena duces tecum. (1a, R23)

Section 2. By whom issued. — The subpoena may be issued by —

(a) the court before whom the witness is required to attend;

(b) the court of the place where the deposition is to be taken;

(c) the officer or body authorized by law to do so in connection with investigations

conducted by said officer or body; or

(d) any Justice of the Supreme Court or of the Court of Appeals in any case or
investigation pending within the Philippines.

When application for a subpoena to a prisoner is made, the judge or officer shall examine
and study carefully such application to determine whether the same is made for a valid
purpose.

No prisoner sentenced to death, reclusion perpetua or life imprisonment and who is confined
in any penal institution shall be brought outside the said penal institution for appearance or
attendance in any court unless authorized by the Supreme Court (2a, R23)

Section 3. Form and contents. — A subpoena shall state the name of the court and the title
of the action or investigation, shall be directed to the person whose attendance is required,
and in the case of a subpoena duces tecum, it shall also contain a reasonable description
of the books, documents or things demanded which must appear to the court prima
facie relevant. (3a, R23)

Section 4. Quashing a subpoena. — The court may quash a subpoena duces tecum upon
motion promptly made and, in any event, at or before the time specified therein if it is
unreasonable and oppressive, or the relevancy of the books, documents or things does not
appear, or if the person in whose behalf the subpoena is issued fails to advance the
reasonable cost of the production thereof.

30
The court may quash a subpoena ad testificandum on the ground that the witness is not
bound thereby. In either case, the subpoena may be quashed on the ground that the witness
fees and kilometrage allowed by these Rules were not tendered when the subpoena was
served. (4a, R23)

Section 5. Subpoena for depositions. — Proof of service of a notice to take a deposition,

as provided in sections 15 and 25 of Rule 23, shall constitute sufficient authorization for the
issuance of subpoenas for the persons named in said notice by the clerk of the court of the
place in which the deposition is to be taken. The clerk shall not, however, issue a
subpoena duces tecum to any such person without an order of the court. (5a, R23)

Section 6. Service. — Service of a subpoena shall be made in the same manner as

personal or substituted service of summons. The original shall be exhibited and a copy
thereof delivered to the person on whom it is served, tendering to him the fees for one day's
attendance and the kilometrage allowed by these Rules, except that, when a subpoena is
issued by or on behalf of the Republic of the Philippines or an officer or agency thereof, the
tender need not be made. The service must be made so as to allow the witness a
reasonable time for preparation and travel to the place of attendance. If the subpoena
is duces tecum, the reasonable cost of producing the books, documents or things
demanded shall also be tendered. (6a, R23)

Section 7. Personal appearance in court. — A person present in court before a judicial

officer may be required to testify as if he were in attendance upon a subpoena is sued by
such court or officer. (10, R23)

Section 8. Compelling attendance. — In case of failure of a witness to attend, the court or

judge issuing the subpoena, upon proof of the service thereof and of the failure of the
witness, may issue a warrant to the sheriff of the province, or his deputy, to arrest the
witness and bring him before the court or officer where his attendance is required, and the
cost of such warrant and seizure of such witness shall be paid by the witness if the court
issuing it shall determine that his failure to answer the subpoena was willful and without just
excuse. (11, R23)

Section 9. Contempt. — Failure by any person without adequate cause to obey a subpoena
served upon him shall be deemed a contempt of the court from which the subpoena is
issued. If the subpoena was not issued by a court, the disobedience thereto shall be
punished in accordance with the applicable law or Rule. (12a R23)

Section 10. Exceptions. — The provisions of sections 8 and 9 of this Rule shall not apply
to a witness who resides more than one hundred (100) kilometers from his residence to the
place where he is to testify by the ordinary course of travel, or to a detention prisoner if no
permission of the court in which his case is pending was obtained. (9a, R23)

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 RULE 22

Computation of Time

Section 1. How to compute time. — In computing any period of time prescribed or allowed
by these Rules, or by order of the court, or by any applicable statute, the day of the act or
event from which the designated period of time begins to run is to be excluded and the date
of performance included. If the last day of the period, as thus computed, falls on a Saturday
a Sunday, or a legal holiday in the place where the court sits, the time shall not run until the
next working day. (a)

Section 2. Effect of interruption. — Should an act be done which effectively interrupts the
running of the period, the allowable period after such interruption shall start to run on the
day after notice of the cessation of the cause thereof.

The day of the act that caused the interruption shall be excluded in the computation of the
period. (n)

RULE 23

Depositions Pending Action

Section 1. Depositions pending action, when may be taken. — By leave of court after
jurisdiction has been obtained over any defendant or over property which is the subject of
the action, or without such leave after an answer has been served, the testimony of any
person, whether a party or not, may be taken, at the instance of any party, by deposition
upon oral examination or written interrogatories. The attendance of witnesses may be
compelled by the use of a subpoena as provided in Rule 21. Depositions shall be taken only
in accordance with these Rules. The deposition of a person confined in prison may be taken
only by leave of court on such terms as the court prescribes. (1a, R24)

Section 2. Scope of examination. — Unless otherwise ordered by the court as provided by

section 16 or 18 of this Rule, the deponent may be examined regarding any matter, not
privileged, which is relevant to the subject of the pending action, whether relating to the
claim or defense of any other party, including the existence, description, nature, custody,
condition, and location of any books, documents, or other tangible things and the identity
and location of persons having knowledge of relevant facts. (2, R24)

Section 3. Examination and cross-examination. — Examination and cross-examination of

deponents may proceed as permitted at the trial under sections 3 to 18 of Rule 132. (3a,
R24)

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Section 4. Use of depositions. — At the trial or upon the hearing of a motion or an
interlocutory proceeding, any part or all of a deposition, so far as admissible under the rules
of evidence, may be used against any party who was present or represented at the taking
of the deposition or who had due notice thereof, in accordance with any one of the following
provisions;

(a) Any deposition may be used by any party for the purpose of contradicting or
impeaching the testimony of deponent as a witness;

(b) The deposition of a party or of any one who at the time of taking the deposition
was an officer, director, or managing agent of a public or private corporation,
partnership, or association which is a party may be used by an adverse party for any
purpose;

(c) The deposition of a witness, whether or not a party, may be used by any party for
any purpose if the court finds: (1) that the witness is dead, or (2) that the witness
resides at a distance more than one hundred (100) kilometers from the place of trial
or hearing, or is out of the Philippines, unless it appears that his absence was
procured by the party offering the deposition, or (3) that the witness is unable to attend
or testify because of age, sickness, infirmity, or imprisonment, or (4) that the party
offering the deposition has been unable to procure the attendance of the witness by
subpoena; or (5) upon application and notice, that such exceptional circumstances
exist as to make it desirable, in the interest of justice and with due regard to the
importance of presenting the testimony of witnesses orally in open court, to allow the
deposition to be used; and

(d) If only part of a deposition is offered in evidence by a party, the adverse party may
require him to introduce all of it which is relevant to the part introduced, and any party
may introduce any other parts. (4a, R24)

Section 5. Effect of substitution of parties. — Substitution of parties does not affect the right
to use depositions previously taken; and, when an action has been dismissed and another
action involving the same subject is afterward brought between the same parties or their
representatives or successors in interest, all depositions lawfully taken and duly filed in the
former action may be used in the latter as if originally taken therefor. (5, R24)

Section 6. Objections to admissibility. — Subject to the provisions of section 29 of this Rule,

objection may be made at the trial or hearing, to receiving in evidence any deposition or part
thereof for any reason which would require the exclusion of the evidence if the witness were
then present and testifying (6, R24)

Section 7. Effect of taking depositions. — A party shall not be deemed to make a person
his own witness for any purpose by taking his deposition. (7, R24)

33
Section 8. Effect of using depositions. — The introduction in evidence of the deposition or
any part thereof for any purpose other than that of contradicting or impeaching the deponent
makes the deponent the witness of the party introducing the deposition, but this shall not
apply to the use by an adverse party of a deposition as described in paragraph (b) of section
4 of this Rule. (8, R24)

Section 9. Rebutting deposition. — At the trial or hearing any party may rebut any relevant
evidence contained in a deposition whether introduced by him or by any other party. (9,
R24)

Section 10. Persons before whom depositions may be taken within the Philippines. —
Within the Philippines depositions may be taken before any judge, notary public, or the
person referred to in section 14 hereof. (10a, R24)

Section 11. Persons before whom depositions may be taken in foreign countries. — In a
foreign state or country, depositions may be taken (a) on notice before a secretary of
embassy or legation, consul general, consul, vice-consul, or consular agent of the Republic
of the Philippines, (b) before such person or officer as may be appointed by commission or
under letters rogatory; or (c) the person referred to in section 14 hereof. (11a, R24)

Section 12. Commission or letters rogatory. — A commission or letters rogatory shall be

issued only when necessary or convenient, on application and notice, and on such terms,
and with such direction as are just and appropriate. Officers may be designated in notices
or commissions either by name or descriptive title and letters rogatory may be addressed
to the appropriate judicial authority in the foreign country. (12a, R24)

Section 13. Disqualification by interest. — No deposition shall be taken before a person

who is a relative within the sixth degree of consanguinity or affinity, or employee or counsel
of any of the parties, or who is a relative within the same degree, or employee of such
counsel; or who is financially interested in the action. (13a, R24)

Section 14. Stipulations regarding taking of depositions. — If the parties so stipulate in

writing, depositions may be taken before any person authorized to administer oaths, at any
time or place, in accordance with these Rules and when so taken may be used like other
depositions. (14a, R24)

Section 15. Deposition upon oral examination; notice; time and place. — A party desiring
to take the deposition of any person upon oral examination shall give reasonable notice in
writing, to every other party to the action. The notice shall state the time and place for taking
the deposition and the name and address of each person to be examined, if known, and if
the name is not known, a general description sufficient to identify him or the particular class
or group to which he belongs. On motion of any party upon whom the notice is served, the
court may for cause shown enlarge or shorten the time. (15, R24)

34
Section 16. Orders for the protection of parties and deponents. — After notice is served for
taking a deposition by oral examination, upon motion seasonably made by any party or by
the person to be examined and for good cause shown, the court in which the action is
pending may make an order that the deposition shall not be taken, or that it may be taken
only at some designated place other than that stated in the notice, or that it may be taken
only on written interrogatories, or that certain matters shall not be inquired into, or that the
scope of the examination shall be held with no one present except the parties to the action
and their officers or counsel, or that after being sealed the deposition shall be opened only
by order of the court, or that secret processes, developments, or research need not be
disclosed, or that the parties shall simultaneously file specified documents or information
enclosed in sealed envelopes to be opened as directed by the court or the court may make
any other order which justice requires to protect the party or witness from annoyance,
embarrassment, or oppression. (16a, R24)

Section 17. Record of examination, oath; objections. — The officer before whom the
deposition is to be taken shall put the witness on oath and shall personally, or by some one
acting under his direction and in his presence, record the testimony of the witness. The
testimony shall be taken stenographically unless the parties agree otherwise. All objections
made at the time of the examination to the qualifications of the officer taking the deposition,
or to the manner of talking it, or to the evidence presented, or to the conduct of any party,
and any other objection to the proceedings, shall be noted by the officer upon the deposition.
Evidence objected to shall be taken subject to the objections. In lieu of participating in the
oral examination, parties served with notice of taking a deposition may transmit written
interrogatories to the officers, who shall propound them to the witness and record the
answers verbatim. (17, R24)

Section 18. Motion to terminate or limit examination. — At any time during the taking of the
deposition, on motion or petition of any party or of the deponent, and upon a showing that
the examination is being conducted in bad faith or in such manner as unreasonably to
annoy, embarrass, or oppress the deponent or party, the court in which the action is pending
or the Regional Trial Court of the place where the deposition is being taken may order the
officer conducting the examination to cease forthwith from taking the deposition, or may limit
the scope and manner of the taking of the deposition, as provided in section 16 of this Rule.
If the order made terminates the examination, it shall be resumed thereafter only upon the
order of the court in which the action is pending. Upon demand of the objecting party or
deponent, the taking of the deposition shall be suspended for the time necessary to make
a notice for an order. In granting or refusing such order, the court may impose upon either
party or upon the witness the requirement to pay such costs or expenses as the court may
deem reasonable. (18a, R24)

Section 19. Submission to witness; changes; signing. — When the testimony is fully
transcribed, the deposition shall be submitted to the witness for examination and shall be
read to or by him, unless such examination and reading are waived by the witness and by
the parties. Any changes in form or substance which the witness desires to make shall be

35
entered upon the deposition by the officer with a statement of the reasons given by the
witness for making them. The deposition shall then be signed by the witness, unless the
parties by stipulation waive the signing or the witness is ill or cannot be found or refuses to
sign. If the deposition is not signed by the witness, the officer shall sign it and state on the
record the fact of the waiver or of the illness or absence of the witness or the fact of the
refusal to sign together with the reason be given therefor, if any, and the deposition may
then be used as fully as though signed, unless on a motion to suppress under section 29 (f)
of this Rule, the court holds that the reasons given for the refusal to sign require rejection
of the deposition in whole or in part. (19a, R24)

Section 20. Certification, and filing by officer. — The officer shall certify on the deposition
that the witness was duly sworn to by him and that the deposition is a true record of the
testimony given by the witness. He shall then securely seal the deposition in an envelope
indorsed with the title of the action and marked "Deposition of (here insert the name of
witness)" and shall promptly file it with the court in which the action is pending or send it by
registered mail to the clerk thereof for filing. (20, R24)

Section 21. Notice of filing. — The officer taking the deposition shall give prompt notice of
its filing to all the parties. (21, R24)

Section 22. Furnishing copies. — Upon payment of reasonable charges therefor, the officer
shall furnish a copy of the deposition to any party or to the deponent. (22, R24)

Section 23. Failure to attend of party giving notice. — If the party giving the notice of the
taking of a deposition fails to attend and proceed therewith and another attends in person
or by counsel pursuant to the notice, the court may order the party giving the notice to pay
such other party the amount of the reasonable expenses incurred by him and his counsel
in so attending, including reasonable attorney's fees. (23a, R24)

Section 24. Failure of party giving notice to serve subpoena. — If the party giving the notice
of the taking of a deposition of a witness fails to serve a subpoena upon him and the witness
because of such failure does not attend, and if another party attends in person or by counsel
because he expects the deposition of that witness to be taken, the court may order the party
giving the notice to pay to such other party the amount of the reasonable expenses incurred
by him and his counsel in so attending, including reasonable attorney's fees. (24a, R24)

Section 25. Deposition upon written interrogatories; service of notice and of interrogatories.
— A party desiring to take the deposition of any person upon written interrogatories shall
serve them upon every other party with a notice stating the name and address of the person
who is to answer them and the name or descriptive title and address of the officer before
whom the deposition is to be taken. Within ten (10) days thereafter, a party so served may
serve cross-interrogatories upon the party proposing to take the deposition. Within five (5)
days thereafter, the latter may serve re-direct interrogatories upon a party who has served
cross-interrogatories. Within three (3) days after being served with re-direct interrogatories,

36
a party may serve recross-interrogatories upon the party proposing to take the deposition.
(25, R24)

Section 26. Officers to take responses and prepare record. — A copy of the notice and
copies of all interrogatories served shall be delivered by the party taking the deposition to
the officer designated in the notice, who shall proceed promptly, in the manner provided by
sections 17, 19 and 20 of this Rule, to take the testimony of the witness in response to the
interrogatories and to prepare, certify, and file or mail the deposition, attaching thereto the
copy of the notice and the interrogatories received by him. (26, R24)

Section 27. Notice of filing and furnishing copies. — When a deposition upon interrogatories
is filed, the officer taking it shall promptly give notice thereof to all the parties, and may
furnish copies to them or to the deponent upon payment of reasonable charges therefor.
(27, R24)

Section 28. Order for the protection of parties and deponents. — After the service of the
interrogatories and prior to the taking of the testimony of the deponent, the court in which
the action is pending, on motion promptly made by a party or a deponent, and for good
cause shown, may make any order specified in sections 15, 16 and 18 of this Rule which is
appropriate and just or an order that the deposition shall not be taken before the officer
designated in the notice or that it shall not be taken except upon oral examination. (28a,
R24)

Section 29. Effect of errors and irregularities in depositions. —

(a) As to notice. — All errors and irregularities in the notice for taking a deposition are
waived unless written objection is promptly served upon the party giving the notice.

(b) As to disqualification of officer. — Objection to taking a deposition because of

disqualification of the officer before whom it is to be taken is waived unless made
before the taking of the deposition begins or as soon thereafter as the disqualification
becomes known or could be discovered with reasonable diligence.

(c) As to competency or relevancy of evidence. — Objections to the competency of

witness or the competency, relevancy, or materiality of testimony are not waived by
failure to make them before or during the taking of the deposition, unless the ground,
of the objection is one which might have been obviated or removed if presented at
that time.

(d) As to oral examination and other particulars. — Errors and irregularities occurring
at the oral examination in the manner of taking the deposition in the form of the
questions or answers, in the oath or affirmation, or in the conduct of the parties and
errors of any kind which might be obviated, removed, or cured if promptly prosecuted,

37
 are waived unless reasonable objection thereto is made at the taking of the
deposition.

(e) As to form of written interrogatories. — Objections to the form of written

interrogatories submitted under sections 25 and 26 of this Rule are waived unless
served in writing upon the party propounding them within the time allowed for serving
succeeding cross or other interrogatories and within three (3) days after service of the
last interrogatories authorized.

(f) As to manner of preparation. — Errors and irregularities in the manner in which the
testimony is transcribed or the deposition is prepared, signed, certified, sealed,
indorsed, transmitted, filed, or otherwise dealt with by the officer under sections 17,
19, 20 and 26 of this Rule are waived unless a motion to suppress the deposition or
some part thereof is made with reasonable promptness after such defect is, or with
due diligence might have been, ascertained. (29a, R24)

RULE 24

Depositions Before Action or Pending Appeal

Section 1. Depositions before action; petition. — A person who desires to perpetuate his
own testimony or that of another person regarding any matter that may be cognizable in any
court of the Philippines may file a verified petition in the court of the place of the residence
of any expected adverse party. (1a R134)

Section 2. Contents of petition. — The petition shall be entitled in the name of the petitioner
and shall show: (a) that the petitioner expects to be a party to an action in a court of the
Philippines but is presently unable to bring it or cause it to be brought; (b) the subject matter
of the expected action and his interest therein; (c) the facts which he desires to establish by
the proposed testimony and his reasons for desiring to perpetuate it; (d) the names or a
description of the persons he expects will be adverse parties and their addresses so far as
known; and (e) the names and addresses of the persons to be examined and the substance
of the testimony which he expects to elicit from each, and shall ask for an order authorizing
the petitioner to take the depositions of the persons to be examined named in the petition
for the purpose of perpetuating their testimony. (2, R134)

Section 3. Notice and service. — The petitioner shall serve a notice upon each person
named in the petition as an expected adverse party, together with a copy of the petition,
stating that the petitioner will apply to the court, at a time and place named therein, for the
order described in the petition. At least twenty (20) days before the date of the hearing, the
court shall cause notice thereof to be served on the parties and prospective deponents in
the manner provided for service of summons. (3a, R134)

38
Section 4. Order and examination. — If the court is satisfied that the perpetuation of the
testimony may prevent a failure or delay of justice, it shall make an order designating or
describing the persons whose deposition may be taken and specifying the subject matter of
the examination and whether the depositions shall be taken upon oral examination or written
interrogatories. The depositions may be taken in accordance with Rule 23 before the
hearing. (4a, R134)

Section 5. Reference to court. — For the purpose of applying Rule 23 to depositions for
perpetuating testimony, each reference therein to the court in which the action is pending
shall be deemed to refer to the court in which the petition for such deposition was filed. (5a,
R134)

Section 6. Use of deposition. — If a deposition to perpetuate testimony is taken under this

Rule, or if, although not so taken, it would be admissible in evidence, it may be used in any
action involving the same subject matter sub-sequently brought in accordance with the
provisions of sections 4 and 5 of Rule 23. (6a, R134)

Section 7. Depositions pending appeal. — If an appeal has been taken from a judgment of
a court, including the Court of Appeals in proper cases, or before the taking of an appeal if
the time therefor has not expired, the court in which the judgment was rendered may allow
the taking of depositions of witnesses to perpetuate their testimony for in the event of further
proceedings in the said court. In such case the party who desires to perpetuate the
testimony may make a motion in the said court for leave to take the depositions, upon the
same notice and service thereof as if the action was pending therein. The motion shall state
(a) the names and addresses of the persons to be examined and the substance of the
testimony which he expects to elicit from each, and (b) the reason for perpetuating their
testimony. If the court finds that the perpetuation of the testimony is proper to avoid a failure
or delay of justice, it may make an order allowing the deposition to be taken, and thereupon
the depositions may be taken and used in the same manner and under the same conditions
as are prescribed in these Rules for depositions taken in pending actions. (7a, R134)

RULE 25

Interrogatories to Parties

Section 1. Interrogatories to parties; service thereof. — Under the same conditions

specified in section 1 of Rule 23, any party desiring to elicit material and relevant facts from
any adverse parties shall file and serve upon the latter written interrogatories to be answered
by the party served or, if the party served is a public or private corporation or a partnership
or association, by any officer thereof competent to testify in its behalf. (1a)

39
Section 2. Answer to interrogatories. — The interrogatories shall be answered fully in
writing and shall be signed and sworn to by the person making them. The party upon whom
the interrogatories have been served shall file and serve a copy of the answers on the party
submitting the interrogatories within fifteen (15) days after service thereof unless the court
on motion and for good cause shown, extends or shortens the time. (2a)

Section 3. Objections to interrogatories. — Objections to any interrogatories may be

presented to the court within ten (10) days after service thereof, with notice as in case of a
motion; and answers shall be deferred until the objections are resolved, which shall be at
as early a time as is practicable. (3a)

Section 4. Number of interrogatories. — No party may, without leave of court, serve more
than one set of interrogatories to be answered by the same party. (4)

Section 5. Scope and use of interrogatories. — Interrogatories may relate to any matters
that can be inquired into under section 2 of Rule 23, and the answers may be used for the
same purposes provided in section 4 of the same Rule. (5a)

Section 6. Effect of failure to serve written interrogatories. — Unless thereafter allowed by

the court for good cause shown and to prevent a failure of justice, a party not served with
written interrogatories may not be compelled by the adverse party to give testimony in open
court, or to give a deposition pending appeal. (n)

RULE 26

Admission by Adverse Party

Section 1. Request for admission. — At any time after issues have been joined, a party
may file and serve upon any other party may file and serve upon any other party a written
request for the admission by the latter of the genuineness of any material and relevant
document described in and exhibited with the request or of the truth of any material and
relevant matter of fact set forth in the request. Copies of the documents shall be delivered
with the request unless copy have already been furnished. (1a)

Section 2. Implied admission. — Each of the matters of which an admission is requested

shall be deemed admitted unless, within a period designated in the request, which shall not
be less than fifteen (15) days after service thereof, or within such further time as the court
may allow on motion, the party to whom the request is directed files and serves upon the
party requesting the admission a sworn statement either denying specifically the matters of
which an admission is requested or setting forth in detail the reasons why he cannot
truthfully either admit or deny those matters.

40
Objections to any request for admission shall be submitted to the court by the party
requested within the period for and prior to the filing of his sworn statement as contemplated
in the preceding paragraph and his compliance therewith shall be deferred until such
objections are resolved, which resolution shall be made as early as practicable. (2a)

Section 3. Effect of admission. — Any admission made by a party pursuant to such request
is for the purpose of the pending action only and shall not constitute an admission by him
for any other purpose nor may the same be used against him in any other proceeding. (3)

Section 4. Withdrawal. — The court may allow the party making an admission under the
Rule, whether express or implied, to withdraw or amend it upon such terms as may be just.
(4)

Section 5. Effect of failure to file and serve request for admission. — Unless otherwise
allowed by the court for good cause shown and to prevent a failure of justice a party who
fails to file and serve a request for admission on the adverse party of material and relevant
facts at issue which are, or ought to be, within the personal knowledge of the latter, shall
not be permitted to present evidence on such facts. (n)

RULE 27

Production or Inspection of Documents or Things

Section 1. Motion for production or inspection; order. — Upon motion of any party showing
good cause therefor, the court in which an action is pending may (a) order any party to
produce and permit the inspection and copying or photographing, by or on behalf of the
moving party, of any designated documents, papers, books, accounts, letters, photographs,
objects or tangible things, not privileged, which constitute or contain evidence material to
any matter involved in the action and which are in his possession, custody or control, or (b)
order any party to permit entry upon designated land or other property in his possession or
control for the purpose of inspecting, measuring, surveying, or photographing the property
or any designated relevant object or operation thereon. The order shall specify the time,
place and manner of making the inspection and taking copies and photographs, and may
prescribe such terms and conditions as are just. (1a)

RULE 28

Physical and Mental Examination of Persons

41
Section 1. When examination may be ordered. — In an action in which the mental or
physical condition of a party is in controversy, the court in which the action is pending may
in its discretion order him to submit to a physical or mental examination by a physician. (1)

Section 2. Order for examination. — The order for examination may be made only on
motion for good cause shown and upon notice to the party to be examined and to all other
parties, and shall specify the time, place, manner, conditions and scope of the examination
and the person or persons by whom it is to be made. (2)

Section 3. Report of findings. — If requested by the party examined, the party causing the
examination to be made shall deliver to him a copy of a detailed written report of the
examining physician setting out his findings and conclusions. After such request and
delivery, the party causing the examination to be made shall be entitled upon request to
receive from the party examined a like report of any examination, previously or thereafter
made, of the same mental or physical condition. If the party examined refuses to deliver
such report, the court on motion and notice may make an order requiring delivery on such
terms as are just, and if a physician fails or refuses to make such a report the court may
exclude his testimony if offered at the trial. (3a)

Section 4. Waiver of privilege. — By requesting and obtaining a report of the examination

so ordered or by taking the deposition of the examiner, the party examined waives any
privilege he may have in that action or any other involving the same controversy, regarding
the testimony of every other person who has examined or may thereafter examine him in
respect of the same mental or physical examination. (4)

RULE 29

Refusal to Comply with Modes of Discovery

Section 1. Refusal to answer. — If a party or other deponent refuses to answer any question
upon oral examination, the examination may be completed on other matters or adjourned
as the proponent of the question may prefer. The proponent may thereafter apply to the
proper court of the place where the deposition is being taken, for an order to compel an
answer. The same procedure may be availed of when a party or a witness refuses to answer
any interrogatory submitted under Rules 23 or 25.

If the application is granted, the court shall require the refusing party or deponent to answer
the question or interrogatory and if it also finds that the refusal to answer was without
substantial justification, it may require the refusing party or deponent or the counsel advising
the refusal, or both of them, to pay the proponent the amount of the reasonable expenses
incurred in obtaining the order, including attorney's fees.

42
If the application is denied and the court finds that it was filed without substantial justification,
the court may require the proponent or the counsel advising the filing of the application, or
both of them, to pay to the refusing party or deponent the amount of the reasonable
expenses incurred in opposing the application, including attorney's fees. (1a)

Section 2. Contempt of court. — If a party or other witness refuses to be sworn or refuses

to answer any question after being directed to do so by the court of the place in which the
deposition is being taken, the refusal may be considered a contempt of that court. (2a)

Section 3. Other consequences. — If any party or an officer or managing agent of a party

refuses to obey an order made under section 1 of this Rule requiring him to answer
designated questions, or an order under Rule 27 to produce any document or other thing
for inspection, copying, or photographing or to permit it to be done, or to permit entry upon
land or other property or an order made under Rule 28 requiring him to submit to a physical
or mental examination, the court may make such orders in regard to the refusal as are just,
and among others the following:

(a) An order that the matters regarding which the questions were asked, or the
character or description of the thing or land, or the contents of the paper, or the
physical or mental condition of the party, or any other designated facts shall be taken
to be established for the purposes of the action in accordance with the claim of the
party obtaining the order;

(b) An order refusing to allow the disobedient party to support or oppose designated
claims or defenses or prohibiting him from introducing in evidence designated
documents or things or items of testimony, or from introducing evidence of physical
or mental condition;

(c) An order striking out pleadings or parts thereof, or staying further proceedings until
the order is obeyed, or dismissing the action or proceeding or any part thereof, or
rendering a judgment by default against the disobedient party; and

(d) In lieu of any of the foregoing orders or in addition thereto, an order directing the
arrest of any party or agent of a party for disobeying any of such orders except an
order to submit to a physical or mental examination. (3a)

Section 4. Expenses on refusal to admit. — If a party after being served with a request
under Rule 26 to admit the genuineness of any document or the truth of any matter of fact
serves a sworn denial thereof and if the party requesting the admissions thereafter proves
the genuineness of such document or the truth of any such matter of fact, he may apply to
the court for an order requiring the other party to pay him the reasonable expenses incurred
in making such proof, including attorney's fees. Unless the court finds that there were good
reasons for the denial or that admissions sought were of no substantial importance, such
order shall be issued. (4a)

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Section 5. Failure of party to attend or serve answers. — If a party or an officer or managing
agent of a party wilfully fails to appear before the officer who is to take his deposition, after
being served with a proper notice, or fails to serve answers to interrogatories submitted
under Rule 25 after proper service of such interrogatories, the court on motion and notice,
may strike out all or any part of any pleading of that party, or dismiss the action or proceeding
or any part thereof, or enter a judgment by default against that party, and in its discretion,
order him to pay reasonable expenses incurred by the other, including attorney's fees. (5)

Section 6. Expenses against the Republic of the Philippines. — Expenses and attorney's
fees are not to be imposed upon the Republic of the Philippines under this Rule. (6)

RULE 30

Trial

Section 1. Notice of Trial. — Upon entry of a case in the trial calendar, the clerk shall notify
the parties of the date of its trial in such manner as shall ensure his receipt of that notice at
least five (5) days before such date. (2a, R22)

Section 2. Adjournments and postponements. — A court may adjourn a trial from day to
day, and to any stated time, as the expeditious and convenient transaction of business may
require, but shall have no power to adjourn a trial for a longer period than one month for
each adjournment nor more than three months in all, except when authorized in writing by
the Court Administrator, Supreme Court. (3a, R22)

Section 3. Requisites of motion to postpone trial for absence of evidence. — A motion to

postpone a trial on the ground of absence of evidence can be granted only upon affidavit
showing the materiality or relevancy of such evidence, and that due diligence has been
used to procure it. But if the adverse party admits the facts to be given in evidence, even if
he objects or reserves the right to object to their admissibility, the trial shall not be
postponed. (4a, R22; Bar Matter No. 803, 21 July 1998)

Section 4. Requisites of motion to postpone trial for illness of party or counsel. — A motion
to postpone a trial on the ground of illness of a party or counsel may be granted if it appears
upon affidavit or sworn certification that the presence of such party or counsel at the trial is
indispensable and that the character of his illness is such as to render his non-attendance
excusable. (5a, R22)

Section 5. Order of trial. — Subject to the provisions of section 2 of Rule 31, and unless the
court for special reasons otherwise directs, the trial shall be limited to the issues stated in
the pre-trial order and shall proceed as follows:

44
 (a) The plaintiff shall adduce evidence in support of his complaint;

(b) The defendant shall then adduce evidence in support of his defense, counterclaim,
cross-claim and third-party complaints;

(c) The third-party defendant if any, shall adduce evidence of his defense,
counterclaim, cross-claim and fourth-party complaint;

(d) The fourth-party, and so forth, if any, shall adduce evidence of the material facts
pleaded by them;

(e) The parties against whom any counterclaim or cross-claim has been pleaded, shall
adduce evidence in support of their defense, in the order to be prescribed by the court;

(f) The parties may then respectively adduce rebutting evidence only, unless the
court, for good reasons and in the furtherance of justice, permits them to adduce
evidence upon their original case; and

(g) Upon admission of the evidence, the case shall be deemed submitted for decision,
unless the court directs the parties to argue or to submit their respective memoranda
or any further pleadings.

If several defendants or third-party defendants, and so forth, having separate defenses

appear by different counsel, the court shall determine the relative order of presentation of
their evidence. (1a, R30)

Section 6. Agreed statement of facts. — The parties to any action may agree, in writing,
upon the facts involved in the litigation, and submit the case for judgment on the facts agreed
upon, without the introduction of evidence.

If the parties agree only on some of the facts in issue, the trial shall be held as to the disputed
facts in such order as the court shall prescribe. (2a, R30)

Section 7. Statement of judge. — During the hearing or trial of a case any statement made
by the judge with reference to the case, or to any of the parties, witnesses or counsel, shall
be made of record in the stenographic notes. (3a, R30)

Section 8. Suspension of actions. — The suspension of actions shall be governed by the

provisions of the Civil Code. (n)

Section 9. Judge to receive evidence; delegation to clerk of court. — The judge of the court
where the case is pending shall personally receive the evidence to be adduced by the
parties. However, in default or ex parte hearings, and in any case where the parties agree
in writing, the court may delegate the reception of evidence to its clerk of court who is a

45
member of the bar. The clerk of court shall have no power to rule on objections to any
question or to the admission of exhibits, which objections shall be resolved by the court
upon submission of his report and the transcripts within ten (10) days from termination of
the hearing. (n)

RULE 31

Consolidation or Severance

Section 1. Consolidation. — When actions involving a common question of law or fact are
pending before the court, it may order a joint hearing or trial of any or all the matters in issue
in the actions; it may order all the actions consolidated, and it may make such orders
concerning proceedings therein as may tend to avoid unnecessary costs or delay. (1)

Section 2. Separate trials. — The court, in furtherance of convenience or to avoid prejudice,

may order a separate trial of any claim, cross-claim, counterclaim, or third-party complaint,
or of any separate issue or of any number of claims, cross-claims, counterclaims, third-party
complaints or issues. (2a)

RULE 32

Trial by Commissioner

Section 1. Reference by consent. — By written consent of both parties, the court may order
any or all of the issues in a case to be referred to a commissioner to be agreed upon by the
parties or to be appointed by the court. As used in these Rules, the word "commissioner"
includes a referee, an auditor and an examiner. (1a, R33)

Section 2. Reference ordered on motion. — When the parties do not consent, the court
may, upon the application of either or of its own motion, direct a reference to a commissioner
in the following cases:

(a) When the trial of an issue of fact requires the examination of a long account on
either side, in which case the commissioner may be directed to hear and report upon
the whole issue or any specific question involved therein;

(b) When the taking of an account is necessary for the information of the court before
judgment, or for carrying a judgment or order into effect.

46
 (c) When a question of fact, other than upon the pleadings, arises upon motion or
otherwise, in any stage of a case, or for carrying a judgment or order into effect. (2a,
R33)

Section 3. Order of reference; powers of the commissioner. — When a reference is made,

the clerk shall forthwith furnish the commissioner with a copy of the order of reference. The
order may specify or limit the powers of the commissioner, and may direct him to report only
upon particular issues, or to do or perform particular acts, or to receive and report evidence
only and may fix the date for beginning and closing the hearings and for the filing of his
report. Subject to other specifications and limitations stated in the order, the commissioner
has and shall exercise the power to regulate the proceedings in every hearing before him
and to do all acts and take all measures necessary or proper for the efficient performance
of his duties under the order. He may issue subpoenas and subpoenas duces tecum, swear
witnesses, and unless otherwise provided in the order of reference, he may rule upon the
admissibility of evidence. The trial or hearing before him shall proceed in all respects as it
would if held before the court. (3a, R33)

Section 4. Oath of commissioner. — Before entering upon his duties the commissioner
shall be sworn to a faithful and honest performance thereof. (14, R33)

Section 5. Proceedings before commissioner. — Upon receipt of the order of reference and
unless otherwise provided therein, the commissioner shall forthwith set a time and place for
the first meeting of the parties or their counsel to be held within ten (10) days after the date
of the order of reference and shall notify the parties or their counsel. (5a, R33)

Section 6. Failure of parties to appear before commissioner. — If a party fails to appear at

the time and place appointed, the commissioner may proceed ex parte or, in his discretion,
adjourn the proceedings to a future day, giving notice to the absent party or his counsel of
the adjournment. (6a, R33)

Section 7. Refusal of witness. — The refusal of a witness to obey a subpoena issued by

the commissioner or to give evidence before him, shall be deemed a contempt of the court
which appointed the commissioner. (7a R33)

Section 8. Commissioner shall avoid delays. — It is the duty of the commissioner to proceed
with all reasonable diligence. Either party, on notice to the parties and commissioner, may
apply to the court for an order requiring the commissioner to expedite the proceedings and
to make his report. (8a, R33)

Section 9. Report of commissioner. — Upon the completion of the trial or hearing or

proceeding before the commissioner, he shall file with the court his report in writing upon
the matters submitted to him by the order of reference. When his powers are not specified
or limited, he shall set forth his findings of fact and conclusions of law in his report. He shall

47
attach thereto all exhibits, affidavits, depositions, papers and the transcript, if any, of the
testimonial evidence presented before him. (9a, R33)

Section 10. Notice to parties of the filing of report. — Upon the filing of the report, the parties
shall be notified by the clerk, and they shall be allowed ten (10) days within which to signify
grounds of objections to the findings of the report, if they so desire. Objections to the report
based upon grounds which were available to the parties during the proceedings before the
commissioner, other than objections to the findings and conclusions therein, set forth, shall
not be considered by the court unless they were made before the commissioner. (10, R33)

Section 11. Hearing upon report. — Upon the expiration of the period of ten (10) days
referred to in the preceding section, the report shall be set for hearing, after which the court
shall issue an order adopting, modifying, or rejecting the report in whole or in part, or
recommitting it with instructions, or requiring the parties to present further evidence before
the commissioner or the court. (11a, R33)

Section 12. Stipulations as to findings. — When the parties stipulate that a commissioner's
findings of fact shall be final, only questions of law shall thereafter be considered. (12a,
R33)

Section 13. Compensation of commissioner. — The court shall allow the commissioner
such reasonable compensation as the circumstances of the case warrant, to be taxed as
costs against the defeated party, or apportioned, as justice requires. (13, R33)

RULE 33

Demurrer to Evidence

Section 1. Demurrer to evidence. — After the plaintiff has completed the presentation of
his evidence, the defendant may move for dismissal on the ground that upon the facts and
the law the plaintiff has shown no right to relief. If his motion is denied he shall have the
right to present evidence. If the motion is granted but on appeal the order of dismissal is
reversed he shall be deemed to have waived the right to present evidence. (1a, R35)

RULE 34

Judgment on the Pleadings

Section 1. Judgment on the pleadings. — Where an answer fails to tender an issue, or

otherwise admits the material allegations of the adverse party's pleading, the court may; on

48
motion of that party, direct judgment on such pleading. However, in actions for declaration
of nullity or annulment of marriage or for legal separation, the material facts alleged in the
complaint shall always be proved. (1a, R19)

RULE 35

Summary Judgments

Section 1. Summary judgment for claimant. — A party seeking to recover upon a claim,
counterclaim, or cross-claim or to obtain a declaratory relief may, at any time after the
pleading in answer thereto has been served, move with supporting affidavits, depositions
or admissions for a summary judgment in his favor upon all or any part thereof. (1a, R34)

Section 2. Summary judgment for defending party. — A party against whom a claim,
counterclaim, or cross-claim is asserted or a declaratory relief is sought may, at any time,
move with supporting affidavits, depositions or admissions for a summary judgment in his
favor as to all or any part thereof. (2a, R34)

Section 3. Motion and proceedings thereon. — The motion shall be served at least ten (10)
days before the time specified for the hearing. The adverse party may serve opposing
affidavits, depositions, or admissions at least three (3) days before the hearing. After the
hearing, the judgment sought shall be rendered forthwith if the pleadings, supporting
affidavits, depositions, and admissions on file, show that, except as to the amount of
damages, there is no genuine issue as to any material fact and that the moving party is
entitled to a judgment as a matter of law. (3a, R34)

Section 4. Case not fully adjudicated on motion. — If on motion under this Rule, judgment
is not rendered upon the whole case or for all the reliefs sought and a trial is necessary, the
court at the hearing of the motion, by examining the pleadings and the evidence before it
and by interrogating counsel shall ascertain what material facts exist without substantial
controversy and what are actually and in good faith controverted. It shall thereupon make
an order specifying the facts that appear without substantial controversy, including the
extent to which the amount of damages or other relief is not in controversy, and directing
such further proceedings in the action as are just. The facts so specified shall be deemed
established, and the trial shall be conducted on the controverted facts accordingly. (4a, R34)

Section 5. Form of affidavits and supporting papers. — Supporting and opposing affidavits
shall be made on personal knowledge, shall set forth such facts as would be admissible in
evidence, and shall show affirmatively that the affiant is competent to testify to the matters
stated therein. Certified true copies of all papers or parts thereof referred to in the affidavit
shall be attached thereto or served therewith. (5a, R34)

49
Section 6. Affidavits in bad faith. — Should it appear to its satisfaction at any time that any
of the affidavits presented pursuant to this Rule are presented in bad faith, or solely for the
purpose of delay, the court shall forthwith order the offending party or counsel to pay to the
other party the amount of the reasonable expenses which the filing of the affidavits caused
him to incur including attorney's fees, it may, after hearing further adjudge the offending
party or counsel guilty of contempt. (6a, R34)

RULE 36

Judgments, Final Orders and Entry Thereof

Section 1. Rendition of judgments and final orders. — A judgment or final order determining
the merits of the case shall be in writing personally and directly prepared by the judge,
stating clearly and distinctly the facts and the law on which it is based, signed by him, and
filed with the clerk of the court. (1a)

Section 2. Entry of judgments and final orders. — If no appeal or motion for new trial or
reconsideration is filed within the time provided in these Rules, the judgment or final order
shall forthwith be entered by the clerk in the book of entries of judgments. The date of finality
of the judgment or final order shall be deemed to be the date of its entry. The record shall
contain the dispositive part of the judgment or final order and shall be signed by the clerk,
within a certificate that such judgment or final order has become final and executory. (2a,
10, R51)

Section 3. Judgment for or against one or more of several parties. — Judgment may be
given for or against one or more of several plaintiffs and for or against one or more of several
defendants. When justice so demands, the court may require the parties on each side to file
adversary pleadings as between themselves and determine their ultimate rights and
obligations. (3)

Section 4. Several judgments. — In an action against several defendants, the court may,
when a several judgment is proper, render judgment against one or more of them, leaving
the action to proceed against the others. (4)

Section 5. Separate judgments. — When more than one claim for relief is presented in an
action, the court, at any stage, upon a determination of the issues material to a particular
claim and all counterclaims arising out of the transaction or occurrence which is the subject
matter of the claim, may render a separate judgment disposing of such claim. The judgment
shall terminate the action with respect to the claim so disposed of and the action shall
proceed as to the remaining claims. In case a separate judgment is rendered the court by
order may stay its enforcement until the rendition of a subsequent judgment or judgments

50
and may prescribe such conditions as may be necessary to secure the benefit thereof to
the party in whose favor the judgment is rendered. (5a)

Section 6. Judgment against entity without juridical personality. — When judgment is

rendered against two or more persons sued as an entity without juridical personality, the
judgment shall set out their individual or proper names, if known. (6a)

RULE 37

New Trial or Reconsiderations

Section 1. Grounds of and period for filing motion for new trial or reconsideration. — Within
the period for taking an appeal, the aggrieved party may move the trial court to set aside
the judgment or final order and grant a new trial for one or more of the following causes
materially affecting the substantial rights of said party:

(a) Fraud, accident, mistake or excusable negligence which ordinary prudence could
not have guarded against and by reason of which such aggrieved party has probably
been impaired in his rights; or

(b) Newly discovered evidence, which he could not, with reasonable diligence, have
discovered and produced at the trial, and which if presented would probably alter the
result.

Within the same period, the aggrieved party may also move for reconsideration upon the
grounds that the damages awarded are excessive, that the evidence is insufficient to justify
the decision or final order, or that the decision or final order is contrary to law. (1a)

Section 2. Contents of motion for new trial or reconsideration and notice thereof. — The
motion shall be made in writing stating the ground or grounds therefor, a written notice of
which shall be served by the movant on the adverse party.

A motion for new trial shall be proved in the manner provided for proof of motion. A motion
for the cause mentioned in paragraph (a) of the preceding section shall be supported by
affidavits of merits which may be rebutted by affidavits. A motion for the cause mentioned
in paragraph (b) shall be supported by affidavits of the witnesses by whom such evidence
is expected to be given, or by duly authenticated documents which are proposed to be
introduced in evidence.

A motion for reconsideration shall point out a specifically the findings or conclusions of the
judgment or final order which are not supported by the evidence or which are contrary to

51
law making express reference to the testimonial or documentary evidence or to the
provisions of law alleged to be contrary to such findings or conclusions.

A pro forma motion for new trial or reconsideration shall not toll the reglementary period of
appeal. (2a)

Section 3. Action upon motion for new trial or reconsideration. — The trial court may set
aside the judgment or final order and grant a new trial, upon such terms as may be just, or
may deny the motion. If the court finds that excessive damages have been awarded or that
the judgment or final order is contrary to the evidence or law, it may amend such judgment
or final order accordingly. (3a)

Section 4. Resolution of motion. — A motion for new trial or reconsideration shall be

resolved within thirty (30) days from the time it is submitted for resolution. (n)

Section 5. Second motion for new trial. — A motion for new trial shall include all grounds
then available and those not so included shall be deemed waived. A second motion for new
trial, based on a ground not existing nor available when the first motion was made, may be
filed within the time herein provided excluding the time during which the first motion had
been pending.

No party shall be allowed a second motion for reconsideration of a judgment or final order
(4a, 4, IRG)

Section 6. Effect of granting of motion for new trial. — If a new trial is granted in accordance
with the provisions of this Rules the original judgment or final order shall be vacated, and
the action shall stand for trial de novo; but the recorded evidence taken upon the former
trial, insofar as the same is material and competent to establish the issues, shall be used at
the new trial without retaking the same. (5a)

Section 7. Partial new trial or reconsideration. — If the grounds for a motion under this Rule
appear to the court to affect the issues as to only a part, or less than an of the matter in
controversy, or only one, or less than all, of the parties to it, the court may order a new trial
or grant reconsideration as to such issues if severable without interfering with the judgment
or final order upon the rest. (6a)

Section 8. Effect of order for partial new trial. — When less than all of the issues are ordered
retried, the court may either enter a judgment or final order as to the rest, or stay the
enforcement of such judgment or final order until after the new trial. (7a)

Section 9. Remedy against order denying a motion for new trial or reconsideration. — An
order denying a motion for new trial or reconsideration is not appealed, the remedy being
an appeal from the judgment or final order. (n)

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 RULE 38

Relief from Judgments, Orders, or Other Proceedings

Section 1. Petition for relief from judgment, order, or other proceedings. — When a
judgment or final order is entered, or any other proceeding is thereafter taken against a
party in any court through fraud, accident, mistake, or excusable negligence, he may file a
petition in such court and in the same case praying that the judgment, order or proceeding
be set aside. (2a)

Section 2. Petition for relief from denial of appeal. — When a judgment or final order is
rendered by any court in a case, and a party thereto, by fraud, accident, mistake, or
excusable negligence, has been prevented from taking an appeal, he may file a petition in
such court and in the same case praying that the appeal be given due course. (1a)

Section 3. Time for filing petition; contents and verification. — A petition provided for in
either of the preceding sections of this Rule must be verified, filed within sixty (60) days after
the petitioner learns of the judgment, final order, or other proceeding to be set aside, and
not more than six (6) months after such judgment or final order was entered, or such
proceeding was taken, and must be accompanied with affidavits showing the fraud,
accident, mistake, or excusable negligence relied upon, and the facts constituting the
petitioner's good and substantial cause of action or defense, as the case may be. (3)

Section 4. Order to file an answer. — If the petition is sufficient in form and substance to
justify relief, the court in which it is filed, shall issue an order requiring the adverse parties
to answer the same within fifteen (15) days from the receipt thereof. The order shall be
served in such manner as the court may direct, together with copies of the petition and the
accompanying affidavits. (4a)

Section 5. Preliminary injunction pending proceedings. — The court in which the petition is
filed may grant such preliminary injunction as may be necessary for the preservation of the
rights of the parties, upon the filing by the petitioner of a bond in favor of the adverse party,
conditioned that if the petition is dismissed or the petitioner fails on the trial of the case upon
its merits, he will pay the adverse party all damages and costs that may be awarded to him
by reason of the issuance of such injunction or the other proceedings following the petition,
but such injunction shall not operate to discharge or extinguish any lien which the adverse
party may have acquired upon, the property, of the petitioner. (5a)

Section 6. Proceedings after answer is filed. — After the filing of the answer or the
expiration of the period therefor, the court shall hear the petition and if after such hearing, it
finds that the allegations thereof are not true, the petition shall be dismissed; but if it finds
said allegations to be true, it shall set aside the judgment or final order or other proceeding

53
complained of upon such terms as may be just. Thereafter the case shall stand as if such
judgment, final order or other proceeding had never been rendered, issued or taken. The
court shall then proceed to hear and determine the case as if a timely motion for a new trial
or reconsideration had been granted by it. (6a)

Section 7. Procedure where the denial of an appeal is set aside. — Where the denial of an
appeal is set aside, the lower court shall be required to give due course to the appeal and
to elevate the record of the appealed case as if a timely and proper appeal had been made.
(7a)

RULE 39

Execution, Satisfaction and Effect of Judgments

Section 1. Execution upon judgments or final orders. — Execution shall issue as a matter
of right, or motion, upon a judgment or order that disposes of the action or proceeding upon
the expiration of the period to appeal therefrom if no appeal has been duly perfected. (1a)

If the appeal has been duly perfected and finally resolved, the execution may forthwith be
applied for in the court of origin, on motion of the judgment obligee, submitting therewith
certified true copies of the judgment or judgments or final order or orders sought to be
enforced and of the entry thereof, with notice to the adverse party.

The appellate court may, on motion in the same case, when the interest of justice so
requires, direct the court of origin to issue the writ of execution. (n)

Section 2. Discretionary execution. —

(a) Execution of a judgment or final order pending appeal. — On motion of the

prevailing party with notice to the adverse party filed in the trial court while it has
jurisdiction over the case and is in possession of either the original record or the
record on appeal, as the case may be, at the time of the filing of such motion, said
court may, in its discretion, order execution of a judgment or final order even before
the expiration of the period to appeal.

After the trial court has lost jurisdiction the motion for execution pending appeal may
be filed in the appellate court.

Discretionary execution may only issue upon good reasons to be stated in a special
order after due hearing.

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 (b) Execution of several, separate or partial judgments. — A several, separate or
partial judgment may be executed under the same terms and conditions as execution
of a judgment or final order pending appeal. (2a)

Section 3. Stay of discretionary execution. — Discretionary execution issued under the

preceding section may be stayed upon approval by the proper court of a sufficient
supersedeas bond filed by the party against whom it is directed, conditioned upon the
performance of the judgment or order allowed to be executed in case it shall be finally
sustained in whole or in part. The bond thus given may be proceeded against on motion
with notice to the surety. (3a )

Section 4. Judgments not stayed by appeal. — Judgments in actions for injunction,

receivership, accounting and support, and such other judgments as are now or may
hereafter be declared to be immediately executory, shall be enforceable after their rendition
and shall not, be stayed by an appeal taken therefrom, unless otherwise ordered by the trial
court. On appeal therefrom, the appellate court in its discretion may make an order
suspending, modifying, restoring or granting the injunction, receivership, accounting, or
award of support.

The stay of execution shall be upon such terms as to bond or otherwise as may be
considered proper for the security or protection of the rights of the adverse party. (4a)

Section 5. Effect of reversal of executed judgment. — Where the executed judgment is

reversed totally or partially, or annulled, on appeal or otherwise, the trial court may, on
motion, issue such orders of restitution or reparation of damages as equity and justice may
warrant under the circumstances. (5a)

Section 6. Execution by motion or by independent action. — A final and executory judgment

or order may be executed on motion within five (5) years from the date of its entry. After the
lapse of such time, and before it is barred by the statute of limitations, a judgment may be
enforced by action. The revived judgment may also be enforced by motion within five (5)
years from the date of its entry and thereafter by action before it is barred by the statute of
limitations. (6a)

Section 7. Execution in case of death of party. — In case of the death of a party, execution
may issue or be enforced in the following manner:

(a) In case of the death of the judgment obligee, upon the application of his executor
or administrator, or successor in interest;

(b) In case of the death of the judgment obligor, against his executor or administrator
or successor in interest, if the judgment be for the recovery of real or personal
property, or the enforcement of a lien thereon;

55
 (c) In case of the death of the judgment obligor, after execution is actually levied upon
any of his property, the same may be sold for the satisfaction of the judgment
obligation, and the officer making the sale shall account to the corresponding executor
or administrator for any surplus in his hands. (7a)

Section 8. Issuance, form and contents of a writ of execution. — The writ of execution shall:
(1) issue in the name of the Republic of the Philippines from the court which granted the
motion; (2) state the name of the court, the case number and title, the dispositive part of the
subject judgment or order; and (3) require the sheriff or other proper officer to whom it is
directed to enforce the writ according to its terms, in the manner hereinafter provided:

(a) If the execution be against the property of the judgment obligor, to satisfy the
judgment, with interest, out of the real or personal property of such judgment obligor;

(b) If it be against real or personal property in the hands of personal representatives,

heirs, devisees, legatees, tenants, or trustees of the judgment obligor, to satisfy the
judgment, with interest, out of such property;

(c) If it be for the sale of real or personal property to sell such property describing it,
and apply the proceeds in conformity with the judgment, the material parts of which
shall be recited in the writ of execution;

(d) If it be for the delivery of the possession of real or personal property, to deliver the
possession of the same, describing it, to the party entitled thereto, and to satisfy any
costs, damages, rents, or profits covered by the judgment out of the personal property
of the person against whom it was rendered, and if sufficient personal property cannot
be found, then out of the real property; and

(e) In all cases, the writ of execution shall specifically state the amount of the interest,
costs, damages, rents, or profits due as of the date of the issuance of the writ, aside
from the principal obligation under the judgment. For this purpose, the motion for
execution shall specify the amounts of the foregoing reliefs sought by the movant.(8a)

Section 9. Execution of judgments for money, how enforced. —

(a) Immediate payment on demand. — The officer shall enforce an execution of a

judgment for money by demanding from the judgment obligor the immediate payment
of the full amount stated in the writ of execution and all lawful fees. The judgment
obligor shall pay in cash, certified bank check payable to the judgment obligee, or any
other form of payment acceptable to the latter, the amount of the judgment debt under
proper receipt directly to the judgment obligee or his authorized representative if
present at the time of payment. The lawful fees shall be handed under proper receipt
to the executing sheriff who shall turn over the said amount within the same day to
the clerk of court of the court that issued the writ.

56
If the judgment obligee or his authorized representative is not present to receive
payment, the judgment obligor shall deliver the aforesaid payment to the executing
sheriff. The latter shall turn over all the amounts coming into his possession within the
same day to the clerk of court of the court that issued the writ, or if the same is not
practicable, deposit said amounts to a fiduciary account in the nearest government
depository bank of the Regional Trial Court of the locality.

The clerk of said court shall thereafter arrange for the remittance of the deposit to the
account of the court that issued the writ whose clerk of court shall then deliver said
payment to the judgment obligee in satisfaction of the judgment. The excess, if any,
shall be delivered to the judgment obligor while the lawful fees shall be retained by
the clerk of court for disposition as provided by law. In no case shall the executing
sheriff demand that any payment by check be made payable to him.

(b) Satisfaction by levy. — If the judgment obligor cannot pay all or part of the
obligation in cash, certified bank check or other mode of payment acceptable to the
judgment obligee, the officer shall levy upon the properties of the judgment obligor of
every kind and nature whatsoever which may be disposed, of for value and not
otherwise exempt from execution giving the latter the option to immediately choose
which property or part thereof may be levied upon, sufficient to satisfy the judgment.
If the judgment obligor does not exercise the option, the officer shall first levy on the
personal properties, if any, and then on the real properties if the personal properties
are insufficient to answer for the judgment.

The sheriff shall sell only a sufficient portion of the personal or real property of the
judgment obligor which has been levied upon.

When there is more property of the judgment obligor than is sufficient to satisfy the
judgment and lawful fees, he must sell only so much of the personal or real property
as is sufficient to satisfy the judgment and lawful fees.

Real property, stocks, shares, debts, credits, and other personal property, or any
interest in either real or personal property, may be levied upon in like manner and with
like effect as under a writ of attachment.

(c) Garnishment of debts and credits. — The officer may levy on debts due the
judgment obligor and other credits, including bank deposits, financial interests,
royalties, commissions and other personal property not capable of manual delivery in
the possession or control of third parties. Levy shall be made by serving notice upon
the person owing such debts or having in his possession or control such credits to
which the judgment obligor is entitled. The garnishment shall cover only such amount
as will satisfy the judgment and all lawful fees.

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 The garnishee shall make a written report to the court within five (5) days from service
of the notice of garnishment stating whether or not the judgment obligor has sufficient
funds or credits to satisfy the amount of the judgment. If not, the report shall state how
much funds or credits the garnishee holds for the judgment obligor. The garnished
amount in cash, or certified bank check issued in the name of the judgment obligee,
shall be delivered directly to the judgment obligee within ten (10) working days from
service of notice on said garnishee requiring such delivery, except the lawful fees
which shall be paid directly to the court.

In the event there are two or more garnishees holding deposits or credits sufficient to
satisfy the judgment, the judgment obligor, if available, shall have the right to indicate
the garnishee or garnishees who shall be required to deliver the amount due,
otherwise, the choice shall be made by the judgment obligee.

The executing sheriff shall observe the same procedure under paragraph (a) with
respect to delivery of payment to the judgment obligee. (8a, 15a)

Section 10. Execution of judgments for specific act. —

(a) Conveyance, delivery of deeds, or other specific acts; vesting title. — If a judgment
directs a party to execute a conveyance of land or personal property, or to deliver
deeds or other documents, or to perform, any other specific act in connection
therewith, and the party fails to comply within the time specified, the court may direct
the act to be done at the cost of the disobedient party by some other person appointed
by the court and the act when so done shall have like effect as if done by the party. If
real or personal property is situated within the Philippines, the court in lieu of directing
a conveyance thereof may by an order divest the title of any party and vest it in others,
which shall have the force and effect of a conveyance executed in due form of law.
(10a)

(b) Sale of real or personal property. — If the judgment be for the sale of real or
personal property, to sell such property, describing it, and apply the proceeds in
conformity with the judgment. (8[c]a)

(c) Delivery or restitution of real property. — The officer shall demand of the person
against whom the judgment for the delivery or restitution of real property is rendered
and all persons claiming rights under him to peaceably vacate the property within
three (3) working days, and restore possession thereof to the judgment obligee,
otherwise, the officer shall oust all such persons therefrom with the assistance, if
necessary, of appropriate peace officers, and employing such means as may be
reasonably necessary to retake possession, and place the judgment obligee in
possession of such property. Any costs, damages, rents or profits awarded by the
judgment shall be satisfied in the same manner as a judgment for money. (13a)

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 (d) Removal of improvements on property subject of execution. — When the property
subject of the execution contains improvements constructed or planted by the
judgment obligor or his agent, the officer shall not destroy, demolish or remove said
improvements except upon special order of the court, issued upon motion of the
judgment obligee after the hearing and after the former has failed to remove the same
within a reasonable time fixed by the court. (14a)

(e) Delivery of personal property. — In judgment for the delivery of personal property,
the officer shall take possession of the same and forthwith deliver it to the party
entitled thereto and satisfy any judgment for money as therein provided. (8a)

Section 11. Execution of special judgments. — When a judgment requires the performance
of any act other than those mentioned in the two preceding sections, a certified copy of the
judgment shall be attached to the writ of execution and shall be served by the officer upon
the party against whom the same is rendered, or upon any other person required thereby,
or by law, to obey the same, and such party or person may be punished for contempt if he
disobeys such judgment. (9a)

Section 12. Effect of levy on execution as to third person. — The levy on execution shall
create a lien in favor of the judgment obligee over the right, title and interest of the judgment
obligor in such property at the time of the levy, subject to liens and encumbrances then
existing. (16a)

Section 13. Property exempt from execution. — Except as otherwise expressly provided by
law, the following property, and no other, shall be exempt from execution:

(a) The judgment obligor's family home as provided by law, or the homestead in which
he resides, and land necessarily used in connection therewith;

(b) Ordinary tools and implements personally used by him in his trade, employment,
or livelihood;

(c) Three horses, or three cows, or three carabaos, or other beasts of burden, such
as the judgment obligor may select necessarily used by him in his ordinary
occupation;

(d) His necessary clothing and articles for ordinary personal use, excluding jewelry;

(e) Household furniture and utensils necessary for housekeeping, and used for that
purpose by the judgment obligor and his family, such as the judgment obligor may
select, of a value not exceeding one hundred thousand pesos;

(f) Provisions for individual or family use sufficient for four months;

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 (g) The professional libraries and equipment of judges, lawyers, physicians,
pharmacists, dentists, engineers, surveyors, clergymen, teachers, and other
professionals, not exceeding three hundred thousand pesos in value;

(h) One fishing boat and accessories not exceeding the total value of one hundred
thousand pesos owned by a fisherman and by the lawful use of which he earns his
livelihood;

(i) So much of the salaries, wages, or earnings of the judgment obligor for his personal
services within the four months preceding the levy as are necessary for the support
of his family;

(j) Lettered gravestones;

(k) Monies, benefits, privileges, or annuities accruing or in any manner growing out of
any life insurance;

(l) The right to receive legal support, or money or property obtained as such support,
or any pension or gratuity from the Government;

(m) Properties specially exempted by law.

But no article or species of property mentioned in this section shall be exempt from
execution issued upon a judgment recovered for its price or upon a judgment of foreclosure
of a mortgage thereon. (12a)

Section 14. Return of writ of execution. — The writ of execution shall be returnable to the
court issuing it immediately after the judgment has been satisfied in part or in full. If the
judgment cannot be satisfied in full within thirty (30) days after his receipt of the writ, the
officer shall report to the court and state the reason therefor. Such writ shall continue in
effect during the period within which the judgment may be enforced by motion. The officer
shall make a report to the court every thirty (30) days on the proceedings taken thereon until
the judgment is satisfied in full, or its effectivity expires. The returns or periodic reports shall
set forth the whole of the proceedings taken, and shall be filed with the court and copies
thereof promptly furnished the parties. (11a)

Section 15. Notice of sale of property on execution. — Before the sale of property on
execution, notice thereof must be given as follows:

(a) In case of perishable property, by posting written notice of the time and place of
the sale in three (3) public places, preferably in conspicuous areas of the municipal
or city hall, post office and public market in the municipality or city where the sale is
to take place, for such time as may be reasonable, considering the character and
condition of the property;

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 (b) In case of other personal property, by posting a similar notice in the three (3) public
places above-mentioned for not less than five (5) days;

(c) In case of real property, by posting for twenty (20) days in the three (3) public
places abovementioned a similar notice particularly describing the property and
stating where the property is to be sold, and if the assessed value of the property
exceeds fifty thousand (P50,000.00) pesos, by publishing a copy of the notice once a
week for two (2) consecutive weeks in one newspaper selected by raffle, whether in
English, Filipino, or any major regional language published, edited and circulated or,
in the absence thereof, having general circulation in the province or city;

(d) In all cases, written notice of the sale shall be given to the judgment obligor, at
least three (3) days before the sale, except as provided in paragraph (a) hereof where
notice shall be given the same manner as personal service of pleadings and other
papers as provided by section 6 of Rule 13.

The notice shall specify the place, date and exact time of the sale which should not be
earlier than nine o'clock in the morning and not later than two o'clock in the afternoon. The
place of the sale may be agreed upon by the parties. In the absence of such agreement,
the sale of the property or personal property not capable of manual delivery shall be held in
the office of the clerk of court of the Regional Trial Court or the Municipal Trial Court which
issued the writ of or which was designated by the appellate court. In the case of personal
property capable of manual delivery, the sale shall be held in the place where the property
is located. (18a)

Section 16. Proceedings where property claimed by third person. — If the property levied
on is claimed by any person other than the judgment obligor or his agent, and such person
makes an affidavit of his title thereto or right to the possession thereof, stating the grounds
of such right or title, and serves the same upon the officer making the levy and copy thereof,
stating the grounds of such right or tittle, and a serves the same upon the officer making the
levy and a copy thereof upon the judgment obligee, the officer shall not be bound to keep
the property, unless such judgment obligee, on demand of the officer, files a bond approved
by the court to indemnity the third-party claimant in a sum not less than the value of the
property levied on. In case of disagreement as to such value, the same shall be determined
by the court issuing the writ of execution. No claim for damages for the taking or keeping of
the property may be enforced against the bond unless the action therefor is filed within one
hundred twenty (120) days from the date of the filing of the bond.

The officer shall not be liable for damages for the taking or keeping of the property, to any
third-party claimant if such bond is filed. Nothing herein contained shall prevent such
claimant or any third person from vindicating his claim to the property in a separate action,
or prevent the judgment obligee from claiming damages in the same or a separate action
against a third-party claimant who filed a frivolous or plainly spurious claim.

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When the writ of execution is issued in favor of the Republic of the Philippines, or any officer
duly representing it, the filing of such bond shall not be required, and in case the sheriff or
levying officer is sued for damages as a result of the levy, he shall be represented by the
Solicitor General and if held liable therefor, the actual damages adjudged by the court shall
be paid by the National Treasurer out of such funds as may be appropriated for the purpose.
(17a)

Section 17. Penalty for selling without notice, or removing or defacing notice. — An officer
selling without the notice prescribed by section 15 of this Rule shall be liable to pay punitive
damages in the amount of five thousand (P5,000.00) pesos to any person injured thereby,
in addition to his actual damages, both to be recovered by motion in the same action; and
a person willfully removing or defacing the notice posted, if done before the sale, or before
the satisfaction of the judgment if it be satisfied before the sale, shall be liable to pay five
thousand (P5,000.00) pesos to any person injured by reason thereof, in addition to his actual
damages, to be recovered by motion in the same action. (19a)

Section 18. No sale if judgment and costs paid. — At any time before the sale of property
on execution, the judgment obligor may prevent the sale by paying the amount required by
the execution and the costs that have been incurred therein. (20a)

Section 19. How property sold on execution; who may direct manner and order of sale. —
All sales of property under execution must be made at public auction, to the highest bidder,
to start at the exact time fixed in the notice. After sufficient property has been sold to satisfy
the execution, no more shall be sold and any excess property or proceeds of the sale shall
be promptly delivered to the judgment obligor or his authorized representative, unless
otherwise directed by the judgment or order of the court. When the sale is of real property,
consisting of several known lots, they must be sold separately; or, when a portion of such
real property is claimed by a third person, he may require it to be sold separately. When the
sale is of personal property capable of manual delivery, it must be sold within view of those
attending the same and in such parcels as are likely to bring the highest price. The judgment
obligor, if present at the sale, may direct the order in which property, real or personal shall
be sold, when such property consists of several known lots or parcels which can be sold to
advantage separately. Neither the officer conducting the execution sale, nor his deputies,
can become a purchaser, nor be interested directly or indirectly in any purchase at such
sale. (21a)

Section 20. Refusal of purchaser to pay. — If a purchaser refuses to pay the amount bid
by him for property struck off to him at a sale under execution, the officer may again sell the
property to the highest bidder and shall not be responsible for any loss occasioned thereby;
but the court may order the refusing purchaser to pay into the court the amount of such loss,
with costs, and may punish him for contempt if he disobeys the order. The amount of such
payment shall be for the benefit of the person entitled to the proceeds of the execution,
unless the execution has been fully satisfied, in which event such proceeds shall be for the

62
benefit of the judgment obligor. The officer may thereafter reject any subsequent bid of such
purchaser who refuses to pay. (22a)

Section 21. Judgment obligee as purchaser. — When the purchaser is the judgment
obligee, and no third-party claim has been filed, he need not pay the amount of the bid if it
does not exceed the amount of his judgment. If it does, he shall pay only the excess. (23a)

Section 22. Adjournment of sale. — By written consent of the judgment obligor and obligee,
or their duly authorized representatives, the officer may adjourn the sale to any date and
time agreed upon by them. Without such agreement, he may adjourn the sale from day to
day if it becomes necessary to do so for lack of time to complete the sale on the day fixed
in the notice or the day to which it was adjourned. (24a)

Section 23. Conveyance to purchaser of personal property capable of manual delivery. —

When the purchaser of any personal property, capable of manual delivery, pays the
purchase price, the officer making the sale must deliver the property to the purchaser and,
if desired, execute and deliver to him a certificate of sale. The sale conveys to the purchaser
all the rights which the judgment obligor had in such property as of the date of the levy on
execution or preliminary attachment. (25a)

Section 24. Conveyance to purchaser of personal property not capable of manual delivery.
— When the purchaser of any personal property, not capable of manual delivery, pays the
purchase price, the officer making the sale must execute and deliver to the purchaser a
certificate of sale. Such certificate conveys to the purchaser all the rights which the judgment
obligor had in such property as of the date of the levy on execution or preliminary
attachment. (26a)

Section 25. Conveyance of real property; certificate thereof given to purchaser and filed
with registry of deeds. — Upon a sale of real property, the officer must give to the purchaser
a certificate of sale containing:

(a) A particular description of the real property sold;

(b) The price paid for each distinct lot or parcel;

(c) The whole price paid by him;

(d) A statement that the right of redemption expires one (1) year from the date of the
registration of the certificate of sale.

Such certificate must be registered in the registry of deeds of the place where the property
is situated. (27 a)

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Section 26. Certificate of sale where property claimed by third person. — When a property
sold by virtue of a writ of execution has been claimed by a third person, the certificate of
sale to be issued by the sheriff pursuant to sections 23, 24 and 25 of this Rule shall make
express mention of the existence of such third-party claim. (28a)

Section 27. Who may redeem real property so sold. — Real property sold as provided in
the last preceding section, or any part thereof sold separately, may be redeemed in the
manner hereinafter provided, by the following persons:

(a) The judgment obligor; or his successor in interest in the whole or any part of the
property;

(b) A creditor having a lien by virtue of an attachment, judgment or mortgage on the

property sold, or on some part thereof, subsequent to the lien under which the
property was sold. Such redeeming creditor is termed a redemptioner. (29a)

Section 28. Time and manner of, and amounts payable on, successive redemptions; notice
to be given and filed. — The judgment obligor, or redemptioner, may redeem the property
from the purchaser, at any time within one (1) year from the date of the registration of the
certificate of sale, by paying the purchaser the amount of his purchase, with the per
centum per month interest thereon in addition, up to the time of redemption, together with
the amount of any assessments or taxes which the purchaser may have paid thereon after
purchase, and interest on such last named amount at the same rate; and if the purchaser
be also a creditor having a prior lien to that of the redemptioner, other than the judgment
under which such purchase was made, the amount of such other lien, with interest.

Property so redeemed may again be redeemed within sixty (60) days after the last
redemption upon payment of the sum paid on the last redemption, with two per
centum thereon in addition and the amount of any assessments or taxes which the last
redemptioner may have paid thereon after redemption by him, with interest on such last
named amount, and in addition, the amount of any liens held by said last redemptioner prior
to his own, with interest. The property may be again, and as often as a redemptioner is so
disposed, redeemed from any previous redemptioner within sixty (60) days after the last
redemption, on paying the sum paid on the last previous redemption, with two per
centum thereon in addition, and the amounts of any assessments or taxes which the last
previous redemptioner paid after the redemption thereon, with interest thereon, and the
amount of any liens held by the last redemptioner prior to his own, with interest.

Written notice of any redemption must be given to the officer who made the sale and a
duplicate filed with the registry of deeds of the place, and if any assessments or taxes are
paid by the redemptioner or if he has or acquires any lien other than that upon which the
redemption was made, notice thereof must in like manner be given to the officer and filed
with the registry of deeds; if such notice be not filed, the property may be redeemed without
paying such assessments, taxes, or liens. (30a)

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Section 29. Effect of redemption by judgment obligor, and a certificate to be delivered and
recorded thereupon; to whom payments on redemption made. — If the judgment obligor
redeems he must make the same payments as are required to effect a redemption by a
redemptioner, whereupon, no further redemption shall be allowed and he is restored to his
estate. The person to whom the redemption payment is made must execute and deliver to
him a certificate of redemption acknowledged before a notary public or other officer
authorized to take acknowledgments of conveyances of real property. Such certificate must
be filed and recorded in the registry of deeds of the place in which the property is situated
and the registrar of deeds must note the record thereof on the margin of the record of the
certificate of sale. The payments mentioned in this and the last preceding sections may be
made to the purchaser or redemptioner, or for him to the officer who made the sale. (31a)

Section 30. Proof required of redemptioner. — A redemptioner must produce to the officer,
or person from whom he seeks to redeem, and serve with his notice to the officer a copy of
the judgment or final order under which he claims the right to redeem, certified by the clerk
of the court wherein the judgment or final order is entered, or, if he redeems upon a
mortgage or other lien, a memorandum of the record thereof, certified by the registrar of
deeds, or an original or certified copy of any assignment necessary to establish his claim;
and an affidavit executed by him or his agent, showing the amount then actually due on the
lien. (32a)

Section 31. Manner of using premises pending redemption; waste restrained. — Until the
expiration of the time allowed for redemption, the court may, as in other proper cases,
restrain the commission of waste on the property by injunction, on the application of the
purchaser or the judgment obligee, with or without notice; but it is not waste for a person in
possession of the property at the time of the sale, or entitled to possession afterwards,
during the period allowed for redemption, to continue to use it in the same manner in which
it was previously used, or to use it in the ordinary course of husbandry; or to make the
necessary repairs to buildings thereon while he occupies the property. (33a)

Section 32. Rents, earnings and income of property pending redemption. — The purchaser
or a redemptioner shall not be entitled to receive the rents, earnings and income of the
property sold on execution, or the value of the use and occupation thereof when such
property is in the possession of a tenant. All rents, earnings and income derived from the
property pending redemption shall belong to the judgment obligor until the expiration of his
period of redemption. (34a)

Section 33. Deed and possession to be given at expiration of redemption period; by whom
executed or given. — If no redemption be made within one (1) year from the date of the
registration of the certificate of sale, the purchaser is entitled to a conveyance and
possession of the property; or, if so redeemed whenever sixty (60) days have elapsed and
no other redemption has been made, and notice thereof given, and the time for redemption
has expired, the last redemptioner is entitled to the conveyance and possession; but in all
cases the judgment obligor shall have the entire period of one (1) year from the date of the

65
registration of the sale to redeem the property. The deed shall be executed by the officer
making the sale or by his successor in office, and in the latter case shall have the same
validity as though the officer making the sale had continued in office and executed it.

Upon the expiration of the right of redemption, the purchaser or redemptioner shall be
substituted to and acquire all the rights, title, interest and claim of the judgment obligor to
the property as of the time of the levy. The possession of the property shall be given to the
purchaser or last redemptioner by the same officer unless a third party adversely to the
judgment obligor. (35a)

Section 34. Recovery of price if sale not effective; revival of judgment. — If the purchaser
of real property sold on execution, or his successor in interest, fails to recover the
possession thereof, or is evicted therefrom, in consequence of irregularities in the
proceedings concerning the sale, or because the judgment has been reversed or set aside,
or because the property sold was exempt from execution, or because a third person has
vindicated his claim to the property, he may on motion in the same action or in a separate
action recover from the judgment obligee the price paid, with interest, or so much thereof
as has not been delivered to the judgment obligor, or he may, on motion, have the original
judgment revived in his name for the whole price with interest, or so much thereof as has
been delivered to the judgment obligor. The judgment so revived shall have the same force
and effect as an original judgment would have as of the date of the revival and no more.
(36a)

Section 35. Right to contribution or reimbursement. — When property liable to an execution

against several persons is sold thereon, and more than a due proportion of the judgment is
satisfied out of the proceeds of the sale of the property of one of them, or one of them pays,
without a sale, more than his proportion, he may compel a contribution from the others; and
when a judgment is upon an obligation of one of them, as security for another, and the
surety pays the amount, or any part thereof, either by sale of his property or before sale, he
may compel repayment from the principal. (37a)

Section 36. Examination of judgment obligor when judgment unsatisfied. — When the
return of a writ of execution issued against property of a judgment obligor, or any one of
several obligors in the same judgment, shows that the judgment remains unsatisfied, in
whole or in part, the judgment obligee, at any time after such return is made, shall be entitled
to an order from the court which rendered the said judgment, requiring such judgment
obligor to appear and be examined concerning his property and income before such court
or before a commissioner appointed by it at a specified time and place; and proceedings
may thereupon be had for the application of the property and income of the judgment obligor
towards the satisfaction of the judgment. But no judgment obligor shall be so required to
appear before a court or commissioner outside the province or city in which such obligor
resides or is found. (38a)

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Section 37. Examination of obligor of judgment obligor. — When the return of a writ of
execution against the property of a judgment obligor shows that the judgment remain
unsatisfied, in whole or in part, and upon proof to the satisfaction of the court which issued
the writ, that a person, corporation, or other juridical entity has property of such judgment
obligor or is indebted to him, the court may, by an order, require such person, corporation,
or other juridical entity, or any officer, or member thereof, to appear before the court or a
commissioner appointed by it, at a time and place within the province or city where such
debtor resides or is found, and be examined concerning the same. The service of the order
shall bind all credits due the judgment obligor and all money and property of the judgment
obligor in the possession or in the control of such person corporation, or juridical entity from
the time of service; and the court may also require notice of such proceedings to be given
to any party to the action in such manner as it may deem proper. (39a)

Section 38. Enforcement of attendance and conduct of examination. — A party or other

person may be compelled, by an order or subpoena, to attend before the court or
commissioner to testify as provided in the two preceding sections, and upon failure to obey
such order or subpoena or to be sworn, or to answer as a witness or to subscribe his
deposition, may be punished for contempt as in other cases. Examinations shall not be
unduly prolonged, but the proceedings may be adjourned from time to time, until they are
completed. If the examination is before a commissioner, he must take it in writing and certify
it to the court. All examinations and answers before a court commissioner must be under
oath, and when a corporation or other juridical entity answers, it must be on the oath of an
authorized officer or agent thereof. (40a)

Section 39. Obligor may pay execution against obligee. — After a writ of execution against
property has been issued, a person indebted to the judgment obligor may pay to the sheriff
holding the writ of execution the amount of his debt or so much thereof as may be necessary
to satisfy the judgment, in the manner prescribed in section 9 of this Rule, and the sheriff's
receipt shall be a sufficient discharge for the amount so paid or directed to be credited by
the judgment obligee on the execution. (41a)

Section 40. Order for application of property and income to satisfaction of judgment. — The
court may order any property of the judgment obligor, or money due him, not exempt from
execution, in the hands of either himself or another person, or of a corporation or other
juridical entity, to be applied to the satisfaction of the judgment, subject to any prior rights
over such property.

If, upon investigation of his current income and expenses, it appears that the earnings of
the judgment obligor for his personal services are more than necessary for the support of
his family, the court may order that he pay the judgment in fixed monthly installments, and
upon his failure to pay any such installment when due without good excuse, may punish
him for indirect contempt. (42a)

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Section 41. Appointment of receiver. — The court may appoint a receiver of the property
of the judgment obligor; and it may also forbid a transfer or other disposition of, or any
interference with, the property of the judgment obligor not exempt from execution. (43a)

Section 42. Sale of ascertainable interest of judgment obligor in real estate. — If it appears
that the judgment obligor has an interest in real estate in the place in which proceedings are
had, as mortgagor or mortgagee or other- wise, and his interest therein can be ascertained
without controversy the receiver may be ordered to sell and convey such real estate or the
interest of the obligor therein; and such sale shall be conducted in all respects in the same
manner as is provided for the sale of real state upon execution, and the proceedings thereon
shall be approved by the court before the execution of the deed. (34a)

Section 43. Proceedings when indebtedness denied or another person claims the property.
— If it appears that a person or corporation, alleged to have property of the judgment obligor
or to be indebted to him, claims an interest in the property adverse to him or denied the
debt, the court may authorize, by an order made to that effect, the judgment obligee to
institute an action against such person or corporation for the recovery of such interest or
debt, forbid a transfer or other disposition of such interest or debt within one hundred twenty
(120) days from notice of the order, and may punish disobedience of such order as for
contempt. Such order may be modified or vacated at any time by the court which issued it,
or by the court in which the action is brought, upon such terms as may be just. (45a)

Section 44. Entry of satisfaction of judgment by clerk of court. — Satisfaction of a judgment

shall be entered by the clerk of court in the court docket, and in the execution book, upon
the return of a writ of execution showing the full satisfaction of the judgment, or upon the
filing of an admission to the satisfaction of the judgment executed and acknowledged in the
same manner as a conveyance of real property by the judgment obligee or by his counsel
unless a revocation of his authority is filed, or upon the endorsement of such admission by
the judgment obligee or his counsel, on the face of the record of the judgment. (46a)

Section 45. Entry of satisfaction with or without admission. — Whenever a judgment is

satisfied in fact, or otherwise than upon an execution on demand of the judgment obligor,
the judgment obligee or his counsel must execute and acknowledge, or indorse an
admission of the satisfaction as provided in the last preceding section, and after notice and
upon motion the court may order either the judgment obligee or his counsel to do so, or may
order the entry of satisfaction to be made without such admission. (47a)

Section 46. When principal bound by judgment against surety. — When a judgment is
rendered against a party who stands as surety for another, the latter is also bound from the
time that he has notice of the action or proceeding, and an opportunity at the surety's request
to join in the defense. (48a)

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Section 47. Effect of judgments or final orders. — The effect of a judgment or final order
rendered by a court of the Philippines, having jurisdiction to pronounce the judgment or final
order, may be as follows:

(a) In case of a judgment or final order against a specific thing, or in respect to the
probate of a will, or the administration of the estate of a deceased person, or in respect
to the personal, political, or legal condition or status of a particular person or his
relationship to another, the judgment or final order is conclusive upon the title to the
thing, the will or administration or the condition, status or relationship of the person,
however, the probate of a will or granting of letters of administration shall only
be prima facie evidence of the death of the testator or intestate;

(b) In other cases, the judgment or final order is, with respect to the matter directly
adjudged or as to any other matter that could have been missed in relation thereto,
conclusive between the parties and their successors in interest, by title subsequent
to the commencement of the action or special proceeding, litigating for the same thing
and under the same title and in the same capacity; and

(c) In any other litigation between the same parties or their successors in interest, that
only is deemed to have been adjudged in a former judgment or final order which
appears upon its face to have been so adjudged, or which was actually and
necessarily included therein or necessary thereto. (49a)

Section 48. Effect of foreign judgments or final orders. — The effect of a judgment or final
order of a tribunal of a foreign country, having jurisdiction to render the judgment or final
order is as follows:

(a) In case of a judgment or final order upon a specific thing, the judgment or final
order, is conclusive upon the title to the thing, and

(b) In case of a judgment or final order against a person, the judgment or final order
is presumptive evidence of a right as between the parties and their successors in
interest by a subsequent title.

In either case, the judgment or final order may be repelled by evidence of a want of
jurisdiction, want of notice to the party, collusion, fraud, or clear mistake of law or fact. (50a)

Appeals

RULE 40

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Appeal From Municipal Trial Courts to the Regional Trial Courts

Section 1. Where to appeal. — An appeal from a judgment or final order of a Municipal Trial
Court may be taken to the Regional Trial Court exercising jurisdiction over the area to which
the former pertains. The title of the case shall remain as it was in the court of origin, but the
party appealing the case shall be further referred to as the appellant and the adverse party
as the appellee. (a)

Section 2. When to appeal. — An appeal may be taken within fifteen (15) days after notice
to the appellant of the judgment or final order appealed from. Where a record on appeal is
required, the appellant shall file a notice of appeal and a record on appeal within thirty (30)
days after notice of the judgment or final order.

The period of appeal shall be interrupted by a timely motion for new trial or reconsideration.
No motion for extension of time to file a motion for new trial or reconsideration shall be
allowed. (n)

Section 3. How to appeal. — The appeal is taken by filing a notice of appeal with the court
that rendered the judgment or final order appealed from. The notice of appeal shall indicate
the parties to the appeal, the judgment or final order or part thereof appealed from, and
state the material dates showing the timeliness of the appeal.

A record on appeal shall be required only in special proceedings and in other cases of
multiple or separate appeals.

The form and contents of the record on appeal shall be as provided in section 6, Rule 41.

Copies of the notice of appeal, and the record on appeal where required, shall be served
on the adverse party. (n)

Section 4. Perfection of appeal; effect thereof. — The perfection of the appeal and the effect
thereof shall be governed by the provisions of section 9, Rule 41. (n)

Section 5. Appellate court docket and other lawful fees. — Within the period for taking an
appeal, the appellant shall pay to the clerk of the court which rendered the judgment or final
order appealed from the full amount of the appellate court docket and other lawful fees.
Proof of payment thereof shall be transmitted to the appellate court together with the original
record or the record on appeal, as the case may be. (n)

Section 6. Duty of the clerk of court. — Within fifteen (15) days from the perfection of the
appeal, the clerk of court or the branch clerk of court of the lower court shall transmit the
original record or the record on appeal, together with the transcripts and exhibits, which he
shall certify as complete, to the proper Regional Trial Court. A copy of his letter of transmittal
of the records to the appellate court shall be furnished the parties. (n)

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Section 7. Procedure in the Regional Trial Court. —

(a) Upon receipt of the complete record or the record on appeal, the clerk of court of
the Regional Trial Court shall notify the parties of such fact.

(b) Within fifteen (15) days from such notice, it shall be the duty of the appellant to
submit a memorandum which shall briefly discuss the errors imputed to the lower
court, a copy of which shall be furnished by him to the adverse party. Within fifteen
(15) days from receipt of the appellant's memorandum, the appellee may file his
memorandum. Failure of the appellant to file a memorandum shall be a ground for
dismissal of the appeal.

(c) Upon the filing of the memorandum of the appellee, or the expiration of the period
to do so, the case shall be considered submitted for decision. The Regional Trial Court
shall decide the case on the basis of the entire record of the proceedings had in the
court of original and such memoranda as are filed. (n)

Section 8. Appeal from orders dismissing case without trial; lack of jurisdiction. — If an
appeal is taken from an order of the lower court dismissing the case without a trial on the
merits, the Regional Trial Court may affirm or reverse it, as the case may be. In case of
affirmance and the ground of dismissal is lack of jurisdiction over the subject matter, the
Regional Trial Court, if it has jurisdiction thereover, shall try the case on the merits as if the
case was originally filed with it. In case of reversal, the case shall be remanded for further
proceedings.

If the case was tried on the merits by the lower court without jurisdiction over the subject
matter, the Regional Trial Court on appeal shall not dismiss the case if it has original
jurisdiction thereof, but shall decide the case in accordance with the preceding section,
without prejudice to the admission of amended pleadings and additional evidence in the
interest of justice. (n)

Section 9. Applicability of Rule 41. — The other provisions of Rule 41 shall apply to appeals
provided for herein insofar as they are not inconsistent with or may serve to supplement the
provisions of this Rule. (n)

RULE 41

Appeal From The Regional Trial Courts

Section 1. Subject of appeal. — An appeal may be taken from a judgment or final order
that completely disposes of the case, or of a particular matter therein when declared by
these Rules to be appealable.

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No appeal may be taken from:

(a) An order denying a motion for new trial or reconsideration;

(b) An order denying a petition for relief or any similar motion seeking relief from
judgment;

(c) An interlocutory order;

(d) An order disallowing or dismissing an appeal;

(e) An order denying a motion to set aside a judgment by consent, confession or

compromise on the ground of fraud, mistake or duress, or any other ground vitiating
consent;

(f) An order of execution;

(g) A judgment or final order for or against one or more of several parties or in
separate claims, counterclaims, cross-claims and third-party complaints, while the
main case is pending, unless the court allows an appeal therefrom; and

(h) An order dismissing an action without prejudice.

In all the above instances where the judgment or final order is not appealable, the aggrieved
party may file an appropriate special civil action under Rule 65. (n)

Section 2. Modes of appeal. —

(a) Ordinary appeal. — The appeal to the Court of Appeals in cases decided by the
Regional Trial Court in the exercise of its original jurisdiction shall be taken by filing a
notice of appeal with the court which rendered the judgment or final order appealed
from and serving a copy thereof upon the adverse party. No record on appeal shall
be required except in special proceedings and other cases of multiple or separate
appeals where law on these Rules so require. In such cases, the record on appeal
shall be filed and served in like manner.

(b) Petition for review. — The appeal to the Court of Appeals in cases decided by the
Regional Trial Court in the exercise of its appellate jurisdiction shall be by petition for
review in accordance with Rule 42.

(c) Appeal by certiorari. — In all cases where only questions of law are raised or
involved, the appeal shall be to the Supreme Court by petition for review
on certiorari in accordance with the Rule 45. (n)

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Section 3. Period of ordinary appeal. — The appeal shall be taken within fifteen (15) days
from notice of the judgment or final order appealed from. Where a record on appeal is
required, the appellant shall file a notice of appeal and a record on appeal within thirty (30)
days from notice of the judgment or final order.

The period of appeal shall be interrupted by a timely motion for new trial or reconsideration.
No motion for extension of time to file a motion for new trial or reconsideration shall be
allowed. (n)

Section 4. Appellate court docket and other lawful fees. — Within the period for taking an
appeal, the appellant shall pay to the clerk of the court which rendered the judgment or final
order appealed from, the full amount of the appellate court docket and other lawful fees.
Proof of payment of said fees shall be transmitted to the appellate court together with the
original record or the record on appeal. (n)

Section 5. Notice of appeal. — The notice of appeal shall indicate the parties to the appeal,
specify the judgment or final order or part thereof appealed from, specify the court to which
the appeal is being taken, and state the material dates showing the timeliness of the appeal.
(4a)

Section 6. Record on appeal; form and contents thereof. — The full names of all the parties
to the proceedings shall be stated in the caption of the record on appeal and it shall include
the judgment or final order from which the appeal is taken and, in chronological order, copies
of only such pleadings, petitions, motions and all interlocutory orders as are related to the
appealed judgment or final order for the proper understanding of the issue involved, together
with such data as will show that the appeal was perfected on time. If an issue of fact is to
be raised on appeal, the record on appeal shall include by reference all the evidence,
testimonial and documentary, taken upon the issue involved. The reference shall specify
the documentary evidence by the exhibit numbers or letters by which it was identified when
admitted or offered at the hearing, and the testimonial evidence by the names of the
corresponding witnesses. If the whole testimonial and documentary evidence in the case is
to be included, a statement to that effect will be sufficient without mentioning the names of
the witnesses or the numbers or letters of exhibits. Every record on appeal exceeding twenty
(20) pages must contain a subject index. (6a)

Section 7. Approval of record on appeal. — Upon the filing of the record on appeal for
approval and if no objection is filed by the appellee within five (5) days from receipt of a
copy thereof, the trial court may approve it as presented or upon its own motion or at the
instance of the appellee, may direct its amendment by the inclusion of any omitted matters
which are deemed essential to the determination of the issue of law or fact involved in the
appeal. If the trial court orders the amendment of the record, the appellant, within the time
limited in the order, or such extension thereof as may be granted, or if no time is fixed by
the order within ten (10) days from receipt thereof, shall redraft the record by including
therein, in their proper chronological sequence, such additional matters as the court may

73
have directed him to incorporate, and shall thereupon submit the redrafted record for
approval, upon notice to the appellee, in like manner as the original draft. (7a)

Section 8. Joint record on appeal. — Where both parties are appellants, they may file a
joint record on appeal within the time fixed by section 3 of this Rule, or that fixed by the
court. (8a)

Section 9. Perfection of appeal; effect thereof. — A party's appeal by notice of appeal is

deemed perfected as to him upon the filing of the notice of appeal in due time.

A party's appeal by record on appeal is deemed perfected as to him with respect to the
subject matter thereof upon the approval of the record on appeal filed in due time.

In appeals by notice of appeal, the court loses jurisdiction over the case upon the perfection
of the appeals filed in due time and the expiration of the time to appeal of the other parties.

In appeals by record on appeal, the court loses jurisdiction only over the subject matter
thereof upon the approval of the records on appeal filed in due time and the expiration of
the appeal of the other parties.

In either case, prior to the transmittal of the original record or the record on appeal, the court
may issue orders for the protection and preservation of the rights of the parties which do not
involve any matter litigated by the appeal, approve compromises, permit appeals of indigent
litigants, order execution pending appeal in accordance with 2 of Rule 39, and allow
withdrawal of the appeal. (9a)

Section 10. Duty of clerk of court of the lower court upon perfection of appeal. — Within
thirty (30) days after perfection of all the appeals in accordance with the preceding section,
it shall be the duty of the clerk of court of the lower court:

(a) To verify the correctness of the original record or the record on appeal, as the case
may be aid to make certification of its correctness;

(b) To verify the completeness of the records that will be, transmitted to the appellate
court;

(c) If found to be incomplete, to take such measures as may be required to complete

the records, availing of the authority that he or the court may exercise for this purpose;
and

(d) To transmit the records to the appellate court.

If the efforts to complete the records fail, he shall indicate in his letter of transmittal the
exhibits or transcripts not included in the records being transmitted to the appellate court,

74
the reasons for their non-transmittal, and the steps taken or that could be taken to have
them available.

The clerk of court shall furnish the parties with copies of his letter of transmittal of the records
to the appellate court. (10a)

Section 11. Transcript. — Upon the perfection of the appeal, the clerk shall immediately
direct the stenographers concerned to attach to the record of the case five (5) copies of the
transcripts of the testimonial evidence referred to in the record on appeal. The
stenographers concerned shall transcribe such testimonial evidence and shall prepare and
affix to their transcripts an index containing the names of the witnesses and the pages
wherein their testimonies are found, and a list of the exhibits and the pages wherein each
of them appears to have been offered and admitted or rejected by the trial court. The
transcripts shall be transmitted to the clerk of the trial court who shall thereupon arrange the
same in the order in which the witnesses testified at the trial, and shall cause the pages to
be numbered consecutively. (12a)

Section 12. Transmittal. — The clerk of the trial court shall transmit to the appellate court
the original record or the approved record on appeal within thirty (30) days from the
perfection of the appeal, together with the proof of payment of the appellate court docket
and other lawful fees, a certified true copy of the minutes of the proceedings, the order of
approval, the certificate of correctness, the original documentary evidence referred to
therein, and the original and three (3) copies of the transcripts. Copies of the transcripts and
certified true copies of the documentary evidence shall remain in the lower court for the
examination of the parties. (11a)

Section 13. Dismissal of appeal. — Prior to the transmittal of the original record or the
record on appeal to the appellate court, the trial court may motu propio or on motion dismiss
the appeal for having been taken out of time. (14a)

RULE 42

Petition for Review From the Regional Trial Courts to the Court of Appeals

Section 1. How appeal taken; time for filing. — A party desiring to appeal from a decision
of the Regional Trial Court rendered in the exercise of its appellate jurisdiction may file a
verified petition for review with the Court of Appeals, paying at the same time to the clerk of
said court the corresponding docket and other lawful fees, depositing the amount of P500.00
for costs, and furnishing the Regional Trial Court and the adverse party with a copy of the
petition. The petition shall be filed and served within fifteen (15) days from notice of the
decision sought to be reviewed or of the denial of petitioner's motion for new trial or
reconsideration filed in due time after judgment. Upon proper motion and the payment of

75
the full amount of the docket and other lawful fees and the deposit for costs before the
expiration of the reglementary period, the Court of Appeals may grant an additional period
of fifteen (15) days only within which to file the petition for review. No further extension shall
be granted except for the most compelling reason and in no case to exceed fifteen (15)
days. (n)

Section 2. Form and contents. — The petition shall be filed in seven (7) legible copies, with
the original copy intended for the court being indicated as such by the petitioner, and shall
(a) state the full names of the parties to the case, without impleading the lower courts or
judges thereof either as petitioners or respondents; (b) indicate the specific material dates
showing that it was filed on time; (c) set forth concisely a statement of the matters involved,
the issues raised, the specification of errors of fact or law, or both, allegedly committed by
the Regional Trial Court, and the reasons or arguments relied upon for the allowance of the
appeal; (d) be accompanied by clearly legible duplicate originals or true copies of the
judgments or final orders of both lower courts, certified correct by the clerk of court of the
Regional Trial Court, the requisite number of plain copies thereof and of the pleadings and
other material portions of the record as would support the allegations of the petition.

The petitioner shall also submit together with the petition a certification under oath that he
has not theretofore commenced any other action involving the same issues in the Supreme
Court, the Court of Appeals or different divisions thereof, or any other tribunal or agency; if
there is such other action or proceeding, he must state the status of the same; and if he
should thereafter learn that a similar action or proceeding has been filed or is pending before
the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeals, or different divisions thereof, or any other tribunal
or agency, he undertakes to promptly inform the aforesaid courts and other tribunal or
agency thereof within five (5) days therefrom. (n)

Section 3. Effect of failure to comply with requirements. — The failure of the petitioner to
comply with any of the foregoing requirements regarding the payment of the docket and
other lawful fees, the deposit for costs, proof of service of the petition, and the contents of
and the documents which should accompany the petition shall be sufficient ground for the
dismissal thereof. (n)

Section 4. Action on the petition. — The Court of Appeals may require the respondent to
file a comment on the petition, not a motion to dismiss, within ten (10) days from notice, or
dismiss the petition if it finds the same to be patently without merit, prosecuted manifestly
for delay, or that the questions raised therein are too insubstantial to require consideration.
(n)

Section 5. Contents of comment. — The comment of the respondent shall be filed in seven
(7) legible copies, accompanied by certified true copies of such material portions of the
record referred to therein together with other supporting papers and shall (a) state whether
or not he accepts the statement of matters involved in the petition; (b) point out such
insufficiencies or inaccuracies as he believes exist in petitioner's statement of matters

76
involved but without repetition; and (c) state the reasons why the petition should not be
given due course. A copy thereof shall be served on the petitioner. (a)

Section 6. Due course. — If upon the filing of the comment or such other pleadings as the
court may allow or require, or after the expiration of the period for the filing thereof without
such comment or pleading having been submitted, the Court of Appeals finds prima
facie that the lower court has committed an error of fact or law that will warrant a reversal
or modification of the appealed decision, it may accordingly give due course to the petition.
(n)

Section 7. Elevation of record. — Whenever the Court of Appeals deems it necessary, it

may order the clerk of court of the Regional Trial Court to elevate the original record of the
case including the oral and documentary evidence within fifteen (15) days from notice. (n)

Section 8. Perfection of appeal; effect thereof. — (a) Upon the timely filing of a petition for
review and the payment of the corresponding docket and other lawful fees, the appeal is
deemed perfected as to the petitioner.

The Regional Trial Court loses jurisdiction over the case upon the perfection of the appeals
filed in due time and the expiration of the time to appeal of the other parties.

However, before the Court of Appeals gives due course to the petition, the Regional Trial
Court may issue orders for the protection and preservation of the rights of the parties which
do not involve any matter litigated by the appeal, approve compromises, permit appeals of
indigent litigants, order execution pending appeal in accordance with section 2 of Rule 39,
and allow withdrawal of the appeal. (9a, R41)

(b) Except in civil cases decided under the Rule on Summary Procedure, the appeal shall
stay the judgment or final order unless the Court of Appeals, the law, or these Rules shall
provide otherwise. (a)

Section 9. Submission for decision. — If the petition is given due course, the Court of
Appeals may set the case for oral argument or require the parties to submit memoranda
within a period of fifteen (15) days from notice. The case shall be deemed submitted for
decision upon the filing of the last pleading or memorandum required by these Rules or by
the court itself. (n)

RULE 43

Appeals From the Court of Tax Appeals and Quasi-Judicial Agencies to the Court of
Appeals

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Section 1. Scope. — This Rule shall apply to appeals from judgments or final orders of the
Court of Tax Appeals and from awards, judgments, final orders or resolutions of or
authorized by any quasi-judicial agency in the exercise of its quasi-judicial functions. Among
these agencies are the Civil Service Commission, Central Board of Assessment Appeals,
Securities and Exchange Commission, Office of the President, Land Registration Authority,
Social Security Commission, Civil Aeronautics Board, Bureau of Patents, Trademarks and
Technology Transfer, National Electrification Administration, Energy Regulatory Board,
National Telecommunications Commission, Department of Agrarian Reform under Republic
Act No. 6657, Government Service Insurance System, Employees Compensation
Commission, Agricultural Invention Board, Insurance Commission, Philippine Atomic
Energy Commission, Board of Investments, Construction Industry Arbitration Commission,
and voluntary arbitrators authorized by law. (n)

Section 2. Cases not covered. — This Rule shall not apply to judgments or final orders
issued under the Labor Code of the Philippines. (n)

Section 3. Where to appeal. — An appeal under this Rule may be taken to the Court of
Appeals within the period and in the manner herein provided, whether the appeal involves
questions of fact, of law, or mixed questions of fact and law. (n)

Section 4. Period of appeal. — The appeal shall be taken within fifteen (15) days from
notice of the award, judgment, final order or resolution, or from the date of its last publication,
if publication is required by law for its effectivity, or of the denial of petitioner's motion for
new trial or reconsideration duly filed in accordance with the governing law of the court or
agency a quo. Only one (1) motion for reconsideration shall be allowed. Upon proper motion
and the payment of the full amount of the docket fee before the expiration of the
reglementary period, the Court of Appeals may grant an additional period of fifteen (15)
days only within which to file the petition for review. No further extension shall be granted
except for the most compelling reason and in no case to exceed fifteen (15) days. (n)

Section 5. How appeal taken. — Appeal shall be taken by filing a verified petition for review
in seven (7) legible copies with the Court of Appeals, with proof of service of a copy thereof
on the adverse party and on the court or agency a quo. The original copy of the petition
intended for the Court of Appeals shall be indicated as such by the petitioner.

Upon the filing of the petition, the petitioner shall pay to the clerk of court of the Court of
Appeals the docketing and other lawful fees and deposit the sum of P500.00 for costs.
Exemption from payment of docketing and other lawful fees and the deposit for costs may
be granted by the Court of Appeals upon a verified motion setting forth valid grounds
therefor. If the Court of Appeals denies the motion, the petitioner shall pay the docketing
and other lawful fees and deposit for costs within fifteen (15) days from notice of the denial.
(n)

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Section 6. Contents of the petition. — The petition for review shall (a) state the full names
of the parties to the case, without impleading the court or agencies either as petitioners or
respondents; (b) contain a concise statement of the facts and issues involved and the
grounds relied upon for the review; (c) be accompanied by a clearly legible duplicate original
or a certified true copy of the award, judgment, final order or resolution appealed from,
together with certified true copies of such material portions of the record referred to therein
and other supporting papers; and (d) contain a sworn certification against forum shopping
as provided in the last paragraph of section 2, Rule 42. The petition shall state the specific
material dates showing that it was filed within the period fixed herein. (2a)

Section 7. Effect of failure to comply with requirements. — The failure of the petitioner to
comply with any of the foregoing requirements regarding the payment of the docket and
other lawful fees, the deposit for costs, proof of service of the petition, and the contents of
and the documents which should accompany the petition shall be sufficient ground for the
dismissal thereof. (n)

Section 8. Action on the petition. — The Court of Appeals may require the respondent to
file a comment on the petition not a motion to dismiss, within ten (10) days from notice, or
dismiss the petition if it finds the same to be patently without merit, prosecuted manifestly
for delay, or that the questions raised therein are too unsubstantial to require consideration.
(6a)

Section 9. Contents of comment. — The comment shall be filed within ten (10) days from
notice in seven (7) legible copies and accompanied by clearly legible certified true copies
of such material portions of the record referred to therein together with other supporting
papers. The comment shall (a) point out insufficiencies or inaccuracies in petitioner's
statement of facts and issues; and (b) state the reasons why the petition should be denied
or dismissed. A copy thereof shall be served on the petitioner, and proof of such service
shall be filed with the Court of Appeals. (9a)

Section 10. Due course. — If upon the filing of the comment or such other pleadings or
documents as may be required or allowed by the Court of Appeals or upon the expiration of
the period for the filing thereof, and on the records the Court of Appeals finds prima facie that
the court or agency concerned has committed errors of fact or law that would warrant
reversal or modification of the award, judgment, final order or resolution sought to be
reviewed, it may give due course to the petition; otherwise, it shall dismiss the same. The
findings of fact of the court or agency concerned, when supported by substantial evidence,
shall be binding on the Court of Appeals. (n)

Section 11. Transmittal of record. — Within fifteen (15) days from notice that the petition
has been given due course, the Court of Appeals may require the court or agency concerned
to transmit the original or a legible certified true copy of the entire record of the proceeding
under review. The record to be transmitted may be abridged by agreement of all parties to

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the proceeding. The Court of Appeals may require or permit subsequent correction of or
addition to the record. (8a)

Section 12. Effect of appeal. — The appeal shall not stay the award, judgment, final order
or resolution sought to be reviewed unless the Court of Appeals shall direct otherwise upon
such terms as it may deem just. (10a)

Section 13. Submission for decision. — If the petition is given due course, the Court of
Appeals may set the case for oral argument or require the parties to submit memoranda
within a period of fifteen (15) days from notice. The case shall be deemed submitted for
decision upon the filing of the last pleading or memorandum required by these Rules or by
the court of Appeals. (n)

Procedure in the Court of Appeals

RULE 44

Ordinary Appealed Cases

Section 1. Title of cases. — In all cases appealed to the Court of Appeals under Rule 41,
the title of the case shall remain as it was in the court of origin, but the party appealing the
case shall be further referred to as the appellant and the adverse party as the appellee. (1a,
R46)

Section 2. Counsel and guardians. — The counsel and guardians ad litem of the parties in
the court of origin shall be respectively considered as their counsel and guardians ad litem in
the Court of Appeals. When others appear or are appointed, notice thereof shall be served
immediately on the adverse party and filed with the court. (2a, R46)

Section 3. Order of transmittal of record. — If the original record or the record on appeal is
not transmitted to the Court of Appeals within thirty (30) days after the perfection of the
appeal, either party may file a motion with the trial court, with notice to the other, for the
transmittal of such record or record on appeal. (3a, R46)

Section 4. Docketing of case. — Upon receiving the original record or the record on appeal
and the accompanying documents and exhibits transmitted by the lower court, as well as
the proof of payment of the docket and other lawful fees, the clerk of court of the Court of
Appeals shall docket the case and notify the parties thereof. (4a, R46)

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Within ten (10) days from receipt of said notice, the appellant, in appeals by record on
appeal, shall file with the clerk of court seven (7) clearly legible copies of the approved
record on appeal, together with the proof of service of two (2) copies thereof upon the
appellee.

Any unauthorized alteration, omission or addition in the approved record on appeal shall be
a ground for dismissal of the appeal. (n)

Section 5. Completion of record. — Where the record of the docketed case is incomplete,
the clerk of court of the Court of Appeals shall so inform said court and recommend to it
measures necessary to complete the record. It shall be the duty of said court to take
appropriate action towards the completion of the record within the shortest possible time.
(n)

Section 6. Dispensing with complete record. — Where the completion of the record could
not be accomplished within a sufficient period allotted for said purpose due to insuperable
or extremely difficult causes, the court, on its own motion or on motion of any of the parties,
may declare that the record and its accompanying transcripts and exhibits so far available
are sufficient to decide the issues raised in the appeal, and shall issue an order explaining
the reasons for such declaration. (n)

Section 7. Appellant's brief. — It shall be the duty of the appellant to file with the court,
within forty-five (45) days from receipt of the notice of the clerk that all the evidence, oral
and documentary, are attached to the record, seven (7) copies of his legibly typewritten,
mimeographed or printed brief, with proof of service of two (2) copies thereof upon the
appellee. (10a, R46)

Section 8. Appellee's brief. — Within forty-five (45) days from receipt of the appellant's brief,
the appellee shall file with the court seven (7) copies of his legibly typewritten,
mimeographed or printed brief, with proof of service of two (2) copies thereof upon the
appellant. (11a, R46)

Section 9. Appellant's reply brief. — Within twenty (20) days from receipt of the appellee's
brief, the appellant may file a reply brief answering points in the appellee's brief not covered
in his main brief. (12a, R46)

Section 10. Time of filing memoranda in special cases. — In certiorari, prohibition,

mandamus, quo warranto and habeas corpus cases, the parties shall file in lieu of briefs,
their respective memoranda within a non-extendible period of thirty (30) days from receipt
of the notice issued by the clerk that all the evidence, oral and documentary, is already
attached to the record. (13a, R46)

The failure of the appellant to file his memorandum within the period therefor may be a
ground for dismissal of the appeal. (n)

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Section 11. Several appellants or appellees or several counsel for each party. — Where
there are several appellants or appellees, each counsel representing one or more but not
all of them shall be served with only one copy of the briefs. When several counsel represent
one appellant or appellee, copies of the brief may be served upon any of them. (14a, R46)

Section 12. Extension of time for filing briefs. — Extension of time for the filing of briefs will
not be allowed, except for good and sufficient cause, and only if the motion for extension is
filed before the expiration of the time sought to be extended. (15, R46)

Section 13. Contents of appellant's brief. — The appellant's brief shall contain, in the order
herein indicated, the following:

(a) A subject index of the matter in the brief with a digest of the arguments and page
references, and a table of cases alphabetically arranged, textbooks and statutes cited
with references to the pages where they are cited;

(b) An assignment of errors intended to be urged, which errors shall be separately,

distinctly and concisely stated without repetition and numbered consecutively;

(c) Under the heading "Statement of the Case," a clear and concise statement of the
nature of the action, a summary of the proceedings, the appealed rulings and orders
of the court, the nature of the judgment and any other matters necessary to an
understanding of the nature of the controversy with page references to the record;

(d) Under the heading "Statement of Facts," a clear and concise statement in a
narrative form of the facts admitted by both parties and of those in controversy,
together with the substance of the proof relating thereto in sufficient detail to make it
clearly intelligible, with page references to the record;

(e) A clear and concise statement of the issues of fact or law to be submitted, to the
court for its judgment;

(f) Under the heading "Argument," the appellant's arguments on each assignment of
error with page references to the record. The authorities relied upon shall be cited by
the page of the report at which the case begins and the page of the report on which
the citation is found;

(g) Under the heading "Relief," a specification of the order or judgment which the
appellant seeks; and

(h) In cases not brought up by record on appeal, the appellant's brief shall contain, as
an appendix, a copy of the judgment or final order appealed from. (16a, R46)

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Section 14. Contents of appellee's brief. — The appellee's brief shall contain, in the order
herein indicated the following:

(a) A subject index of the matter in the brief with a digest of the arguments and page
references, and a table of cases alphabetically arranged, textbooks and statutes cited
with references to the pages where they are cited;

(b) Under the heading "Statement of Facts," the appellee shall state that he accepts
the statement of facts in the appellant's brief, or under the heading "Counter-
Statement of Facts," he shall point out such insufficiencies or inaccuracies as he
believes exist in the appellant's statement of facts with references to the pages of the
record in support thereof, but without repetition of matters in the appellant's statement
of facts; and

(c) Under the heading "Argument," the appellee shall set forth his arguments in the
case on each assignment of error with page references to the record. The authorities
relied on shall be cited by the page of the report at which the case begins and the
page of the report on which the citation is found. (17a, R46)

Section 15. Questions that may be raised on appeal. — Whether or not the appellant has
filed a motion for new trial in the court below he may include in his assignment of errors any
question of law or fact that has been raised in the court below and which is within the issues
framed by the parties. (18, R46)

RULE 45

Appeal by Certiorari to the Supreme Court

Section 1. Filing of petition with Supreme Court. — A party desiring to appeal

by certiorari from a judgment or final order or resolution of the Court of Appeals, the
Sandiganbayan, the Regional Trial Court or other courts whenever authorized by law, may
file with the Supreme Court a verified petition for review on certiorari. The petition shall raise
only questions of law which must be distinctly set forth. (1a, 2a)

Section 2. Time for filing; extension. — The petition shall be filed within fifteen (15) days
from notice of the judgment or final order or resolution appealed from, or of the denial of the
petitioner's motion for new trial or reconsideration filed in due time after notice of the
judgment. On motion duly filed and served, with full payment of the docket and other lawful
fees and the deposit for costs before the expiration of the reglementary period, the Supreme
Court may for justifiable reasons grant an extension of thirty (30) days only within which to
file the petition. (1a, 5a)

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Section 3. Docket and other lawful fees; proof of service of petition. — Unless he has
theretofore done so, the petitioner shall pay the corresponding docket and other lawful fees
to the clerk of court of the Supreme Court and deposit the amount of P500.00 for costs at
the time of the filing of the petition. Proof of service of a copy, thereof on the lower court
concerned and on the adverse party shall be submitted together with the petition. (1a)

Section 4. Contents of petition. — The petition shall be filed in eighteen (18) copies, with
the original copy intended for the court being indicated as such by the petitioner and shall
(a) state the full name of the appealing party as the petitioner and the adverse party as
respondent, without impleading the lower courts or judges thereof either as petitioners or
respondents; (b) indicate the material dates showing when notice of the judgment or final
order or resolution subject thereof was received, when a motion for new trial or
reconsideration, if any, was filed and when notice of the denial thereof was received; (c) set
forth concisely a statement of the matters involved, and the reasons or arguments relied on
for the allowance of the petition; (d) be accompanied by a clearly legible duplicate original,
or a certified true copy of the judgment or final order or resolution certified by the clerk of
court of the court a quo and the requisite number of plain copies thereof, and such material
portions of the record as would support the petition; and (e) contain a sworn certification
against forum shopping as provided in the last paragraph of section 2, Rule 42. (2a)

Section 5. Dismissal or denial of petition. — The failure of the petitioner to comply with any
of the foregoing requirements regarding the payment of the docket and other lawful fees,
deposit for costs, proof of service of the petition, and the contents of and the documents
which should accompany the petition shall be sufficient ground for the dismissal thereof.

The Supreme Court may on its own initiative deny the petition on the ground that the appeal
is without merit, or is prosecuted manifestly for delay, or that the questions raised therein
are too unsubstantial to require consideration. (3a)

Section 6. Review discretionary. — A review is not a matter of right, but of sound judicial
discretion, and will be granted only when there are special and important reasons thereof.
The following, while neither controlling nor fully measuring the court's discretion, indicate
the character of the reasons which will be considered:

(a) When the court a quo has decided a question of substance, not theretofore
determined by the Supreme Court, or has decided it in a way probably not in accord
with law or with the applicable decisions of the Supreme Court; or

(b) When the court a quo has so far departed from the accepted and usual course of
judicial proceedings, or so far sanctioned such departure by a lower court, as to call
for an exercise of the power of supervision. (4a)

Section 7. Pleadings and documents that may be required; sanctions. — For purposes of
determining whether the petition should be dismissed or denied pursuant to section 5 of this

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Rule, or where the petition is given due course under section 8 hereof, the Supreme Court
may require or allow the filing of such pleadings, briefs, memoranda or documents as it may
deem necessary within such periods and under such conditions as it may consider
appropriate, and impose the corresponding sanctions in case of non-filing or unauthorized
filing of such pleadings and documents or non-compliance with the conditions therefor. (n)

Section 8. Due course; elevation of records. — If the petition is given due course, the
Supreme Court may require the elevation of the complete record of the case or specified
parts thereof within fifteen (15) days from notice. (2a)

Section 9. Rule applicable to both civil and criminal cases. — The mode of appeal
prescribed in this Rule shall be applicable to both civil and criminal cases, except in criminal
cases where the penalty imposed is death, reclusion perpetua or life imprisonment. (n)

RULE 46

Original Cases

Section 1. Title of cases. — In all cases originally filed in the Court of Appeals, the party
instituting the action shall be called the petitioner and the opposing party the respondent.
(1a)

Section 2. To what actions applicable. — This Rule shall apply to original actions
for certiorari, prohibition, mandamus and quo warranto.

Except as otherwise provided, the actions for annulment of judgment shall be governed by
Rule 47, for certiorari, prohibition and mandamus by Rule 65, and for quo warranto by Rule
66. (n)

Section 3. Contents and filing of petition; effect of noncompliance with requirements. —

The petition shall contain the full names and actual addresses of all the petitioners and
respondents, a concise statement of the matters involved, the factual background of the
case, and the grounds relied upon for the relief prayed for.

In actions filed under Rule 65, the petition shall further indicate the material dates showing
when notice of the judgment or final order or resolution subject thereof was received, when
a motion for new trial or reconsideration, if any, was filed and when notice of the denial
thereof was received.

It shall be filed in seven (7) clearly legible copies together with proof of service thereof on
the respondent with the original copy intended for the court indicated as such by the
petitioner, and shall be accompanied by a clearly legible duplicate original or certified true

85
copy of the judgment, order, resolution, or ruling subject thereof, such material portions of
the record as are referred to therein, and other documents relevant or pertinent thereto. The
certification shall be accomplished by the proper clerk of court or by his duly authorized
representative, or by the proper officer of the court, tribunal, agency or office involved or by
his duly authorized representative. The other requisite number of copies of the petition shall
be accompanied by clearly legible plain copies of all documents attached to the original.

The petitioner shall also submit together with the petition a sworn certification that he has
not theretofore commenced any other action involving the same issues in the Supreme
Court, the Court of Appeals or different divisions thereof, or any other tribunal or agency; if
there is such other action or proceeding, he must state the status of the same; and if he
should thereafter learn that a similar action or proceeding has been filed or is pending before
the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeals, or different divisions thereof, or any other tribunal
or agency, he undertakes to promptly inform the aforesaid courts and other tribunal or
agency thereof within five (5) days therefrom.

The petitioner shall pay the corresponding docket and other lawful fees to the clerk of court
and deposit the amount of P500.00 for costs at the time of the filing of the petition.

The failure of the petitioner to comply any of the requirements shall be sufficient ground for
the dismissal of the petition. (n; Bar Matter No. 803, 21 July 1998)

Section 4. Jurisdiction over person of respondent, how acquired. — The court shall acquire
jurisdiction over the person of the respondent by the service on him of its order or resolution
indicating its initial action on the petition or by his voluntary submission to such jurisdiction.
(n)

Section 5. Action by the court. — The court may dismiss the petition outright with specific
reasons for such dismissal or require the respondent to file a comment on the same within
ten (10) days from notice. Only pleadings required by the court shall be allowed. All other
pleadings and papers, may be filed only with leave of court. (n)

Section 6. Determination of factual issues. — Whenever necessary to resolve factual

issues, the court itself may conduct hearings thereon or delegate the reception of the
evidence on such issue to any of its members or to an appropriate court, agency or office.
(n)

Section 7. Effect of failure to file comment. — When no comment is filed by any of the
respondents, the case may be decided on the basis of the record, without prejudice to any
disciplinary action which the court may take against the disobedient party. (n)

RULE 47

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Annulment of Judgments of Final Orders and Resolutions

Section 1. Coverage. — This Rule shall govern the annulment by the Court of Appeals of
judgments or final orders and resolutions in civil actions of Regional Trial Courts for which
the ordinary remedies of new trial, appeal, petition for relief or other appropriate remedies
are no longer available through no fault of the petitioner. (n)

Section 2. Grounds for annulment. — The annulment may be based only on the grounds
of extrinsic fraud and lack of jurisdiction.

Extrinsic fraud shall not be a valid ground if it was availed of, or could have been availed of,
in a motion for new trial or petition for relief. (n)

Section 3. Period for filing action. — If based on extrinsic fraud, the action must be filed
within four (4) years from its discovery; and if based on lack of jurisdiction, before it is barred
by laches or estoppel. (n)

Section 4. Filing and contents of petition. — The action shall be commenced by filing a
verified petition alleging therein with particularity the facts and the law relied upon for
annulment, as well as those supporting the petitioner's good and substantial cause of action
or defense, as the case may be.

The petition shall be filed in seven (7) clearly legible copies, together with sufficient copies
corresponding to the number of respondents. A certified true copy of the judgment or final
order or resolution shall be attached to the original copy of the petition intended for the court
and indicated as such by the petitioner.

The petitioner shall also submit together with the petition affidavits of witnesses or
documents supporting the cause of action or defense and a sworn certification that he has
not theretofore commenced any other action involving the same issues in the Supreme
Court, the Court of Appeals or different divisions thereof, or any other tribunal or agency if
there is such other action or proceeding, he must state the status of the same, and if he
should thereafter learn that a similar action or proceeding has been filed or is pending before
the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeals, or different divisions thereof, or any other tribunal
or agency, he undertakes to promptly inform the aforesaid courts and other tribunal or
agency thereof within five (5) days therefrom. (n)

Section 5. Action by the court. — Should the court find no substantial merit in the petition,
the same may be dismissed outright with specific reasons for such dismissal.

Should prima facie merit be found in the petition, the same shall be given due course and
summons shall be served on the respondent. (n)

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Section 6. Procedure. — The procedure in ordinary civil cases shall be observed. Should
trial be necessary, the reception of the evidence may be referred to a member of the court
or a judge of a Regional Trial Court. (n)

Section 7. Effect of judgment. — A judgment of annulment shall set aside the questioned
judgment or final order or resolution and render the same null and void, without prejudice to
the original action being refiled in the proper court. However, where the judgment or final
order or resolution is set aside on the ground of extrinsic fraud, the court may on motion
order the trial court to try the case as if a timely motion for new trial had been granted therein.
(n)

Section 8. Suspension prescriptive period. — The prescriptive period for the refiling of the
aforesaid original action shall be deemed suspended from the filing of such original action
until the finality of the judgment of annulment. However, the prescriptive period shall not be
suspended where the extrinsic-fraud is attributable to the plaintiff in the original action. (n)

Section 9. Relief available. — The judgment of annulment may include the award of
damages, attorney's fees and other relief.

If the questioned judgment or final order or resolution had already been executed the court
may issue such orders of restitution or other relief as justice and equity may warrant under
the circumstances. (n)

Section 10. Annulment of judgments or final orders of Municipal Trial Courts. — An action
to annul a judgment or final order of a Municipal Trial Court shall be filed in the Regional
Trial Court having jurisdiction over the former. It shall be treated as an ordinary civil action
and sections 2, 3, 4, 7, 8 and 9 of this Rule shall be applicable thereto. (n)

RULE 48

Preliminary Conference

Section 1. Preliminary conference. — At any time during the pendency of a case, the court
may call the parties and their counsel to a preliminary conference.

(a) To consider the possibility of an amicable settlement, except when the case is not
allowed by law to be compromised

(b) To define, simplify and clarify the issues for determination;

(c) To formulate stipulations of facts and admissions of documentary exhibits, limit the
number of witnesses to be presented in cases falling within the original jurisdiction of

88
 the court, or those within its appellate jurisdiction where a motion for new trial is
granted on the ground of newly discovered evidence; and

(d) To take up such other matters which may aid the court in the prompt disposition
of the case. (Rule 7, CA Internal Rules) (n)

Section 2. Record of the conference. — The proceedings at such conference shall be

recorded and, upon the conclusion thereof, a resolution shall be issued embodying all the
actions taken therein, the stipulations and admissions made and the issues defined. (n)

Section 3. Binding effect of the results of the conference. — Subject to such modifications
which may be made to prevent manifest injustice, the resolution in the preceding section
shall control the subsequent proceedings in the case unless, within five (5) days from notice
thereof, any party shall satisfactorily show valid cause why the same should not be followed.
(n)

RULE 49

Oral Argument

Section 1. When allowed. — At its own instance or upon motion of a party, the court may
hear the parties in oral argument on the merits of a case, or on any material incident in
connection therewith. (n)

The oral argument shall be limited to such matters as the court may specify in its order or
resolution. (1a, R48)

Section 2. Conduct of oral argument. — Unless authorized by the court, only one counsel
may argue for a party. The duration allowed for each party, the sequence of the
argumentation, and all other related matters shall be as directed by the court. (n)

Section 3. No hearing or oral argument for motions. — Motions shall not be set for hearing
and, unless the court otherwise directs, no hearing or oral argument shall be allowed in
support thereof. The adverse party may file objections to the motion within five (5) days from
service, upon the expiration of which such motion shall be deemed submitted for resolution.
(29, R49)

RULE 50

Dismissal of Appeal

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Section 1. Grounds for dismissal of appeal. — An appeal may be dismissed by the Court
of Appeals, on its own motion or on that of the appellee, on the following grounds:

(a) Failure of the record on appeal to show on its face that the appeal was taken within
the period fixed by these Rules;

(b) Failure to file the notice of appeal or the record on appeal within the period
prescribed by these Rules;

(c) Failure of the appellant to pay the docket and other lawful fees as provided in
section 5, Rule 40 and section 4 of Rule 41; (Bar Matter No. 803, 17 February 1998)

(d) Unauthorized alterations, omissions or additions in the approved record on appeal

as provided in section 4 of Rule 44;

(e) Failure of the appellant to serve and file the required number of copies of his brief
or memorandum within the time provided by these Rules;

(f) Absence of specific assignment of errors in the appellant's brief, or of page

references to the record as required in section 13, paragraphs (a), (c), (d) and (f) of
Rule 44;

(g) Failure of the appellant to take the necessary steps for the correction or completion
of the record within the time limited by the court in its order;

(h) Failure of the appellant to appear at the preliminary conference under Rule 48 or
to comply with orders, circulars, or directives of the court without justifiable cause; and

(i) The fact that the order or judgment appealed from is not appealable. (1a)

Section 2. Dismissal of improper appeal to the Court of Appeals. — An appeal under Rule
41 taken from the Regional Trial Court to the Court of Appeals raising only questions of law
shall be dismissed, issues purely of law not being reviewable by said court. Similarly, an
appeal by notice of appeal instead of by petition for review from the appellate judgment of
a Regional Trial Court shall be dismissed. (n)

An appeal erroneously taken to the Court of Appeals shall not be transferred to the
appropriate court but shall be dismissed outright. (3a)

Section 3. Withdrawal of appeal. — An appeal may be withdrawn as of right at any time

before the filing of the appellee's brief. Thereafter, the withdrawal may be allowed in the
discretion of the court. (4a)

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 RULE 51

Judgment

Section 1. When case deemed submitted for judgment. — A case shall be deemed
submitted for judgment:

A. In ordinary appeals. —

1) Where no hearing on the merits of the main case is held, upon the filing of
the last pleading, brief, or memorandum required by the Rules or by the court
itself, or the expiration of the period for its filing.

2) Where such a hearing is held, upon its termination or upon the filing of the
last pleading or memorandum as may be required or permitted to be filed by
the court, or the expiration of the period for its filing.

B. In original actions and petitions for review. —

1) Where no comment is filed, upon the expiration of the period to comment.

2) Where no hearing is held, upon the filing of the last pleading required or
permitted to be filed by the court, or the expiration of the period for its filing.

3) Where a hearing on the merits of the main case is held, upon its termination
or upon the filing of the last pleading or memorandum as may be required or
permitted to be filed by the court, or the expiration of the period for its filing. (n)

Section 2. By whom rendered. — The judgment shall be rendered by the members of the
court who participated in the deliberation on the merits of the case before its assignment to
a member for the writing of the decision. (n)

Section 3. Quorum and voting in the court. — The participation of all three Justices of a
division shall be necessary at the deliberation and the unanimous vote of the three Justices
shall be required for the pronouncement of a judgment or final resolution. If the three justices
do not reach a unanimous vote, the clerk shall enter the votes of the dissenting Justices in
the record. Thereafter, the Chairman of the division shall refer the case, together with the
minutes of the deliberation, to the Presiding Justice who shall designate two Justices
chosen by raffle from among all the other members of the court to sit temporarily with them,
forming a special division of five Justices. The participation of all the five members of the
special division shall be necessary for the deliberation required in section 2 of this Rule and
the concurrence of a majority of such division shall be required for the pronouncement of a
judgment or final resolution. (2a)

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Section 4. Disposition of a case. — The Court of Appeals, in the exercise of its appellate
jurisdiction, may affirm, reverse, or modify the judgment or final order appealed from, and
may direct a new trial or further proceedings to be had. (3a)

Section 5. Form of decision. — Every decision or final resolution of the court in appealed
cases shall clearly and distinctly state the findings of fact and the conclusions of law on
which it is based, which may be contained in the decision or final resolution itself, or adopted
from those set forth in the decision, order, or resolution appealed from. (Sec. 40, BP Blg.
129) (n)

Section 6. Harmless error. — No error in either the admission or the exclusion of evidence
and no error or defect in any ruling or order or in anything done or omitted by the trial court
or by any of the parties is ground for granting a new trial or for setting aside, modifying, or
otherwise disturbing a judgment or order, unless refusal to take such action appears to the
court inconsistent with substantial justice. The court at every stage of the proceeding must
disregard any error or defect which does not affect the substantial rights of the parties. (5a)

Section 7. Judgment where there are several parties. — In all actions or proceedings, an
appealed judgment may be affirmed as to some of the appellants, and reversed as to others,
and the case shall thereafter be proceeded with, so far as necessary, as if separate actions
had been begun and prosecuted, and execution of the judgment of affirmance may be had
accordingly, and costs may be adjudged in such cases, as the court shall deem proper. (6)

Section 8. Questions that may be decided. — No error which does not affect the jurisdiction
over the subject matter or the validity of the judgment appealed from or the proceedings
therein will be considered unless stated in the assignment of errors, or closely related to or
dependent on an assigned error and properly argued in the brief, save as the court may
pass upon plain errors and clerical errors. (7a)

Section 9. Promulgation and notice of judgment. — After the judgment or final resolution
and dissenting or separate opinions, if any, are signed by the Justices taking part, they shall
be delivered for filing to the clerk who shall indicate thereon the date of promulgation and
cause true copies thereof to be served upon the parties or their counsel. (n)

Section 10. Entry of judgments and final resolutions. — If no appeal or motion for new trial
or reconsideration is filed within the time provided in these Rules, the judgment or final
resolution shall forthwith be entered by the clerk in the book of entries of judgments. The
date when the judgment or final resolution becomes executory shall be deemed as the date
of its entry. The record shall contain the dispositive part of the judgment or final resolution
and shall be signed by the clerk, with a certificate that such judgment or final resolution has
become final and executory. (2a, R36)

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Section 11. Execution of judgment. — Except where the judgment or final order or
resolution, or a portion thereof, is ordered to be immediately executory, the motion for its
execution may only be filed in the proper court after its entry.

In original actions in the Court of Appeals, its writ of execution shall be accompanied by a
certified true copy of the entry of judgment or final resolution and addressed to any
appropriate officer for its enforcement.

In appealed cases, where the motion for execution pending appeal is filed in the Court of
Appeals at a time that it is in possession of the original record or the record on appeal, the
resolution granting such motion shall be transmitted to the lower court from which the case
originated, together with a certified true copy of the judgment or final order to be executed,
with a directive for such court of origin to issue the proper writ for its enforcement. (n)

RULE 52

Motion for Reconsideration

Section 1. Period for filing. — A party may file a motion for reconsideration of a judgment
or final resolution within fifteen (15) days from notice thereof, with proof of service on the
adverse party. (n)

Section 2. Second motion for reconsideration. — No second motion for reconsideration of

a judgment or final resolution by the same party shall be entertained. (n)

Section 3. Resolution of motion. — In the Court of Appeals, a motion for reconsideration

shall be resolved within ninety (90) days from the date when the court declares it submitted
for resolution. (n)

Section 4. Stay of execution. — The pendency of a motion for reconsideration filed on time
and by the proper party shall stay the execution of the judgment or final resolution sought
to be reconsidered unless the court, for good reasons, shall otherwise direct. (n)

RULE 53

New Trial

Section 1. Period for filing; ground. — At any time after the appeal from the lower court has
been perfected and before the Court of Appeals loses jurisdiction over the case, a party
may file a motion for a new trial on the ground of newly discovered evidence which could
not have been discovered prior to the trial in the court below by the exercise of due diligence

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and which is of such a character as would probably change the result. The motion shall be
accompanied by affidavits showing the facts constituting the grounds therefor and the newly
discovered evidence. (1a)

Section 2. Hearing and order. — The Court of Appeals shall consider the new evidence
together with that adduced at the trial below, and may grant or refuse a new trial, or may
make such order, with notice to both parties, as to the taking of further testimony, either
orally in court, or by depositions, or render such other judgment as ought to be rendered
upon such terms as it may deem just. (2a)

Section 3. Resolution of motion. — In the Court of Appeals, a motion for new trial shall be
resolved within ninety (90) days from the date when the court declares it submitted for
resolution. (n)

Section 4. Procedure in new trial. — Unless the court otherwise directs, the procedure in
the new trial shall be the same as that granted by a Regional Trial Court. (3a)

RULE 54

Internal Business

Section 1. Distribution of cases among divisions. — All the cases of the Court of Appeals
shall be allotted among the different divisions thereof for hearing and decision. The Court
of Appeals, sitting en banc, shall make proper orders or rules to govern the allotment of
cases among the different divisions, the constitution of such divisions, the regular rotation
of Justices among them, the filing of vacancies occurring therein, and other matters relating
to the business of the court; and such rules shall continue in force until repealed or altered
by the Supreme Court. (1a)

Section 2. Quorum of the court. — A majority of the actual members of the court shall
constitute a quorum for its sessions en banc. Three members shall constitute a quorum for
the sessions of a division. The affirmative votes of the majority of the members present shall
be necessary to pass a resolution of the court en banc. The affirmative votes of three
members of a division shall be necessary for the pronouncement of a judgment or final
resolution, which shall be reached in consultation before the writing of the opinion by any
member of the division. (Sec. 11, first par. of BP Blg. 129, as amended by Sec. 6 of EO 33).
(3a)

RULE 55

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Publications of Judgments and Final Resolutions

Section 1. Publication. — The judgments and final resolutions of the court shall be
published in the Official Gazette and in the Reports officially authorized by the court in the
language in which they have been originally written, together with the syllabi therefor
prepared by the reporter in consultation with the writers thereof. Memoranda of all other
judgments and final resolutions not so published shall be made by the reporter and
published in the Official Gazette and the authorized reports. (1a)

Section 2. Preparation of opinions for publication. — The reporter shall prepare and publish
with each reported judgment and final resolution a concise synopsis of the facts necessary
for a clear understanding of the case, the names of counsel, the material and controverted
points involved, the authorities cited therein, and a syllabus which shall be confined to points
of law. (Sec. 22a, R.A. No. 296) (n)

Section 3. General make-up of volumes. — The published decisions and final resolutions
of the Supreme Court shall be called "Philippine Reports," while those of the Court of
Appeals shall be known as the "Court of Appeals Reports." Each volume thereof shall
contain a table of the cases reported and the cases cited in the opinions, with a complete
alphabetical index of the subject matters of the volume. It shall consist of not less than seven
hundred pages printed upon good paper, well bound and numbered consecutively in the
order of the volumes published. (Sec. 23a, R.A. No. 296) (n)

Procedure In The Supreme Court

RULE 56

A. Original Cases

Section 1. Original cases cognizable. — Only petitions for certiorari,

prohibition, mandamus, quo warranto, habeas corpus, disciplinary proceedings against
members of the judiciary and attorneys, and cases affecting ambassadors, other public
ministers and consuls may be filed originally in the Supreme Court. (n)

Section 2. Rules applicable. — The procedure in original cases for certiorari,

prohibition, mandamus, quo warranto and habeas corpus shall be in accordance with the
applicable provisions of the Constitution, laws, and Rules 46, 48, 49, 51, 52 and this Rule,
subject to the following provisions:

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 a) All references in said Rules to the Court of Appeals shall be understood to also
apply to the Supreme Court;

b) The portions of said Rules dealing strictly with and specifically intended for
appealed cases in the Court of Appeals shall not be applicable; and

c) Eighteen (18) clearly legible copies of the petition shall be filed, together with proof
of service on all adverse parties.

The proceedings for disciplinary action against members of the judiciary shall be governed
by the laws and Rules prescribed therefor, and those against attorneys by Rules 139-B, as
amended. (n)

B. Appealed Cases

Section 3. Mode of appeal. — An appeal to the Supreme Court may be taken only by a
petition for review on certiorari, except in criminal cases where the penalty imposed is
death, reclusion perpetua or life imprisonment. (n)

Section 4. Procedure. — The appeal shall be governed by and disposed of in accordance

with the applicable provisions of the Constitution, laws, Rules 45, 48, sections 1, 2, and 5
to 11 of Rule 51, 52 and this Rule. (n)

Section 5. Grounds for dismissal of appeal. — The appeal may be dismissed motu
proprio or on motion of the respondent on the following grounds:

(a) Failure to take the appeal within the reglementary period;

(b) Lack of merit in the petition;

(c) Failure to pay the requisite docket fee and other lawful fees or to make a deposit
for costs;

(d) Failure to comply with the requirements regarding proof of service and contents of
and the documents which should accompany the petition;

(e) Failure to comply with any circular, directive or order of the Supreme Court without
justifiable cause;

(f) Error in the choice or mode of appeal; and

(g) The fact that the case is not appealable to the Supreme Court. (n)

Section 6. Disposition of improper appeal. — Except as provided in section 3, Rule 122

regarding appeals in criminal cases where the penalty imposed is death, reclusion

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perpetua or life imprisonment, an appeal taken to the Supreme Court by notice of appeal
shall be dismissed.

An appeal by certiorari taken to the Supreme Court from the Regional Trial Court submitting
issues of fact may be referred to the Court of Appeals for decision or appropriate action.
The determination of the Supreme Court on whether or not issues of fact are involved shall
be final. (n)

Section 7. Procedure if opinion is equally divided. — Where the court en banc is equally
divided in opinion, or the necessary majority cannot be had, the case shall again be
deliberated on, and if after such deliberation no decision is reached, the original action
commenced in the court shall be dismissed, in appealed cases, the judgment or order
appealed from shall stand affirmed; and on all incidental matters, the petition or motion shall
be denied.

Provisional Remedies

RULE 57

Preliminary Attachment

Section 1. Grounds upon which attachment may issue. — At the commencement of the
action or at any time before entry of judgment, a plaintiff or any proper party may have the
property of the adverse party attached as security for the satisfaction of any judgment that
may be recovered in the following cases:

(a) In an action for the recovery of a specified amount of money or damages, other
than moral and exemplary, on a cause of action arising from law, contract, quasi-
contract, delict or quasi-delict against a party who is about to depart from the
Philippines with intent to defraud his creditors;

(b) In an action for money or property embezzled or fraudulently misapplied or

converted to his own use by a public officer, or an officer of a corporation, or an
attorney, factor, broker, agent, or clerk, in the course of his employment as such, or
by any other person in a fiduciary capacity, or for a willful violation of duty;

(c) In an action to recover the possession of property unjustly or fraudulently taken,

detained or converted, when the property, or any part thereof, has been concealed,
removed, or disposed of to prevent its being found or taken by the applicant or an
authorized person;

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 (d) In an action against a party who has been guilty of a fraud in contracting the debt
or incurring the obligation upon which the action is brought, or in the performance
thereof;

(e) In an action against a party who has removed or disposed of his property, or is
about to do so, with intent to defraud his creditors; or

(f) In an action against a party who does not reside and is not found in the Philippines,
or on whom summons may be served by publication. (1a)

Section 2. Issuance and contents of order. — An order of attachment may be issued

either ex parte or upon motion with notice and hearing by the court in which the action is
pending, or by the Court of Appeals or the Supreme Court, and must require the sheriff of
the court to attach so much of the property in the Philippines of the party against whom it is
issued, not exempt from execution, as may be sufficient to satisfy the applicant's demand,
unless such party makes deposit or gives a bond as hereinafter provided in an amount equal
to that fixed in the order, which may be the amount sufficient to satisfy the applicant's
demand or the value of the property to be attached as stated by the applicant, exclusive of
costs. Several writs may be issued at the same time to the sheriffs of the courts of different
judicial regions. (2a)

Section 3. Affidavit and bond required. — An order of attachment shall be granted only
when it appears by the affidavit of the applicant, or of some other person who personally
knows the facts, that a sufficient cause of action exists, that the case is one of those
mentioned in section 1 hereof, that there is no other sufficient security for the claim sought
to be enforced by the action, and that the amount due to the applicant, or the value of the
property the possession of which he is entitled to recover, is as much as the sum for which
the order is granted above all legal counterclaims. The affidavit, and the bond required by
the next succeeding section, must be duly filed with the court before the order issues. (3a)

Section 4. Condition of applicant's bond. — The party applying for the order must thereafter
give a bond executed to the adverse party in the amount fixed by the court in its order
granting the issuance of the writ, conditioned that the latter will pay all the costs which may
be adjudged to the adverse party and all damages which he may sustain by reason of the
attachment, if the court shall finally adjudge that the applicant was not entitled thereto. (4a)

Section 5. Manner of attaching property. — The sheriff enforcing the writ shall without delay
and with all reasonable diligence attach, to await judgment and execution in the action, only
so much of the property in the Philippines of the party against whom the writ is issued, not
exempt from execution, as may be sufficient to satisfy the applicant's demand, unless the
former makes a deposit with the court from which the writ is issued, or gives a counter-bond
executed to the applicant, in an amount equal to the bond fixed by the court in the order of
attachment or to the value of the property to be attached, exclusive of costs. No levy on
attachment pursuant to the writ issued under section 2 hereof shall be enforced unless it is

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preceded, or contemporaneously accompanied, by service of summons, together with a
copy of the complaint, the application for attachment the applicant's affidavit and bond, and
the order and writ of attachment, on the defendant within the Philippines.

The requirement of prior or contemporaneous service of summons shall not apply where
the summons could not be served personally or by substituted service despite diligent
efforts, or the defendant is a resident of the Philippines temporarily absent therefrom, or the
defendant is a non-resident of the Philippines, or the action is one in rem or quasi in rem.
(5a)

Section 6. Sheriff's return. — After enforcing the writ, the sheriff must likewise without delay
make a return thereon to the court from which the writ issued, with a full statement of his
proceedings under the writ and a complete inventory of the property attached, together with
any counter-bond given by the party against whom attachment is issued, and serve copies
thereof on the applicant. (6a)

Section 7. Attachment of real and personal property; recording thereof. — Real and
personal property shall be attached by the sheriff executing the writ in the following manner:

(a) Real property, or growing crops thereon, or any interest therein, standing upon the
record of the registry of deeds of the province in the name of the party against whom
attachment is issued, or not appearing at all upon such records, or belonging to the
party against whom attachment is issued and held by any other person, or standing
on the records of the registry of deeds in the name of any other person, by filing with
the registry of deeds a copy of the order, together with a description of the property
attached, and a notice that it is attached, or that such real property and any interest
therein held by or standing in the name of such other person are attached, and by
leaving a copy of such order, description, and notice with the occupant of the property,
if any, or with such other person or his agent if found within the province. Where the
property has been brought under the operation of either the Land Registration Act or
the Property Registration Decree, the notice shall contain a reference to the number
of the certificate of title, the volume and page in the registration book where the
certificate is registered, and the registered owner or owners thereof.

The registrar of deeds must index attachments filed under this section in the names
of the applicant, the adverse party, or the person by whom the property is held or in
whose name it stands in the records. If the attachment is not claimed on the entire
area of the land covered by the certificate of title, a description sufficiently accurate
for the identification of the land or interest to be affected shall be included in the
registration of such attachment;

(b) Personal property capable of manual delivery, by taking and safely keeping it in
his custody, after issuing the corresponding receipt therefor.

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 (c) Stocks or shares, or an interest in stocks or shares, of any corporation or company,
by leaving with the president or managing agent thereof, a copy of the writ, and a
notice stating that the stock or interest of the party against whom the attachment is
issued is attached in pursuance of such writ;

(d) Debts and credits, including bank deposits, financial interest, royalties,
commissions and other personal property not capable of manual delivery, by leaving
with the person owing such debts, or having in his possession or under his control,
such credits or other personal property, or with his agent, a copy of the writ, and notice
that the debts owing by him to the party against whom attachment is issued, and the
credits and other personal property in his possession, or under his control, belonging
to said party, are attached in pursuance of such writ;

(e) The interest of the party against whom attachment is issued in property belonging
to the estate of the decedent, whether as heir, legatee, or devisee, by serving the
executor or administrator or other personal representative of the decedent with a copy
of the writ and notice that said interest is attached. A copy of said writ of attachment
and of said notice shall also be filed in the office of the clerk of the court in which said
estate is being settled and served upon the heir, legatee or devisee concerned.

If the property sought to be attached is in custodia legis, a copy of the writ of attachment
shall be filed with the proper court or quasi-judicial agency, and notice of the attachment
served upon the custodian of such property. (7a)

Section 8. Effect of attachment of debts, credits and all other similar personal property. —
All persons having in their possession or under their control any credits or other similar
personal property belonging to the party against whom attachment is issued, or owing any
debts to him, at the time of service upon them of the copy of the writ of attachment and
notice as provided in the last preceding section, shall be liable to the applicant for the
amount of such credits, debts or other similar personal property, until the attachment is
discharged, or any judgment recovered by him is satisfied, unless such property is delivered
or transferred, or such debts are paid, to the clerk, sheriff, or other proper officer of the court
issuing the attachment. (8a)

Section 9. Effect of attachment of interests in property belonging to the estate of a

decedent. — The attachment of the interest of an heir, legatee, or devisee in the property
belonging to the estate of a decedent shall not impair the powers of the executor,
administrator, or other personal representative of the decedent over such property for the
purpose of administration. Such personal representative, however, shall report the
attachment to the court when any petition for distribution is filed, and in the order made upon
such petition, distribution may be awarded to such heir, legatee or devisee, but the property
attached shall be ordered delivered to the sheriff making the levy, subject to the claim of
such heir, legatee, or devisee, or any person claiming under him. (9a)

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Section 10. Examination of party whose property is attached and persons indebted to him
or controlling his property; delivery of property to sheriff. — Any person owing debts to the
party whose property is attached or having in his possession or under his control any credit
or other personal property belonging to such party, may be required to attend before the
court in which the action is pending, or before a commissioner appointed by the court, and
be examined on oath respecting the same. The party whose property is attached may also
be required to attend for the purpose of giving information respecting his property, and may
be examined on oath. The court may, after such examination, order personal property
capable of manual delivery belonging to him, in the possession of the person so required to
attend before the court, to be delivered to the clerk of the court or sheriff on such terms as
may be just, having reference to any lien thereon or claim against the same, to await the
judgment in the action. (10a)

Section 11. When attached property may be sold after levy on attachment and before entry
of judgment. — Whenever it shall be made to appear to the court in which the action is
pending, upon hearing with notice to both parties, that the property attached is perishable,
or that the interests of all the parties to the action will be subserved by the sale thereof, the
court may order such property to be sold at public auction in such manner as it may direct,
and the proceeds of such sale to be deposited in court to abide the judgment in the action.
(11a)

Section 12. Discharge of attachment upon giving counter-bond. — After a writ of

attachment has been enforced, the party whose property has been attached, or the person
appearing on his behalf, may move for the discharge of the attachment wholly or in part on
the security given. The court shall, after due notice and hearing, order the discharge of the
attachment if the movant makes a cash deposit, or files a counter-bond executed to the
attaching party with the clerk of the court where the application is made, in an amount equal
to that fixed by the court in the order of attachment, exclusive of costs. But if the attachment
is sought to be discharged with respect to a particular property, the counter-bond shall be
equal to the value of that property as determined by the court. In either case, the cash
deposit or the counter-bond shall secure the payment of any judgment that the attaching
party may recover in the action. A notice of the deposit shall forthwith be served on the
attaching party. Upon the discharge of an attachment in accordance with the provisions of
this section, the property attached, or the proceeds of any sale thereof, shall be delivered
to the party making the deposit or giving the counter-bond, or to the person appearing on
his behalf, the deposit or counter-bond aforesaid standing in place of the property so
released. Should such counter-bond for any reason be found to be or become insufficient,
and the party furnishing the same fail to file an additional counter-bond, the attaching party
may apply for a new order of attachment. (12a)

Section 13. Discharge of attachment on other grounds. — The party whose property has
been ordered attached may file a motion with the court in which he action is pending, before
or after levy or even after the release of the attached property, for an order to set aside or
discharge the attachment on the ground that the same was improperly or irregularly issued

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or enforced, or that the bond is insufficient. If the attachment is excessive, the discharge
shall be limited to the excess. If the motion be made on affidavits on the part of the movant
but not otherwise, the attaching party may oppose the motion by counter-affidavits or other
evidence in addition to that on which the attachment was made. After due notice and
hearing, the court shall order the setting aside or the corresponding discharge of the
attachment if it appears that it was improperly or irregularly issued or enforced, or that the
bond is insufficient, or that the attachment is excessive, and the defect is not cured forthwith.
(13a)

Section 14. Proceedings where property claimed by third person. — If the property attached
is claimed by any person other than the party against whom attachment had been issued
or his agent, and such person makes an affidavit of his title thereto, or right to the possession
thereof, stating the grounds of such right or title, and serves such affidavit upon the sheriff
while the latter has possession of the attached property, and a copy thereof upon the
attaching party, the sheriff shall not be bound to keep the property under attachment, unless
the attaching party or his agent, on demand of the sheriff, shall file a bond approved by the
court to indemnify the third-party claimant in a sum not less than the value of the property
levied upon. In case of disagreement as to such value, the same shall be decided by the
court issuing the writ of attachment. No claim for damages for the taking or keeping of the
property may be enforced against the bond unless the action therefor is filed within one
hundred twenty (120) days from the date of the filing of the bond.

The sheriff shall not be liable for damages for the taking or keeping of such property to any
such third-party claimant, if such bond shall be filed. Nothing herein contained shall prevent
such claimant or any third person from vindicating his claim to the property, or prevent the
attaching party from claiming damages against a third-party claimant who filed a frivolous
or plainly spurious claim, in the same or a separate action.

When the writ of attachment is issued in favor of the Republic of the Philippines, or any
officer duly representing it, the filing of such bond shall not be required, and in case the
sheriff is sued for damages as a result of the attachment, he shall be represented by the
Solicitor General, and if held liable therefor, the actual damages adjudged by the court shall
be paid by the National Treasurer out of the funds to be appropriated for the purpose. (14a)

Section 15. Satisfaction of judgment out of property attached, return of sheriff. — If

judgment be recovered by the attaching party and execution issue thereon, the sheriff may
cause the judgment to be satisfied out of the property attached, if it be sufficient for that
purpose in the following manner:

(a) By paying to the judgment obligee the proceeds of all sales of perishable or other
property sold in pursuance of the order of the court, or so much as shall be necessary
to satisfy the judgment;

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 (b) If any balance remains due, by selling so much of the property, real or personal,
as may be necessary to satisfy the balance, if enough for that purpose remain in the
sheriff's hands, or in those the clerk of the court;

(c) By collecting from all persons having in their possession credits belonging to the
judgment obligor, or owing debts to the latter at the time of the attachment of such
credits or debts, the amount of such credits and debts as determined by the court in
the action, and stated in the judgment, and paying the proceeds of such collection
over to the judgment obligee.

The sheriff shall forthwith make a return in writing to the court of his proceedings under this
section and furnish the parties with copies thereof. (15a)

Section 16. Balance due collected upon an execution; excess delivered to judgment
obligor. — If after realizing upon all the property attached, including the proceeds of any
debts or credits collected, and applying the proceeds to the satisfaction of the judgment less
the expenses of proceedings upon the judgment any balance shall remain due, the sheriff
must proceed to collect such balance as upon ordinary execution. Whenever the judgment
shall have been paid, the sheriff, upon reasonable demand, must return to the judgment
obligor the attached property remaining in his hands, and any proceeds of the sale of the
property attached not applied to the judgment. (16a)

Section 17. Recovery upon the counter-bond. — When the judgment has become
executory, the surety or sureties on any counter-bond given pursuant to the provisions of
this Rule to secure the payment of the judgment shall become charged on such counter-
bond and bound to pay the judgment obligee upon demand the amount due under the
judgment, which amount may be recovered from such surety or sureties after notice and
summary hearing in the same action. (17a)

Section 18. Disposition of money deposited. — Where the party against whom attachment
had been issued has deposited money instead of giving counter-bond, it shall be applied
under the direction of the court to the satisfaction of any judgment rendered in favor of the
attaching party, and after satisfying the judgment the balance shall be refunded to the
depositor or his assignee. If the judgment is in favor of the party against whom attachment
was issued, the whole sum deposited must be refunded to him or his assignee. (18a)

Section 19. Disposition of attached property where judgment is for party against whom
attachment was issued. — If judgment be rendered against the attaching party, all the
proceeds of sales and money collected or received by the sheriff, under the order of
attachment, and all property attached remaining in any such officer's hands, shall be
delivered to the party against whom attachment was issued, and the order of attachment
discharged. (19a)

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Section 20. Claim for damages on account of improper, irregular or excessive attachment.
— An application for damages on account of improper, irregular or excessive attachment
must be filed before the trial or before appeal is perfected or before the judgment becomes
executory, with due notice to the attaching party and his surety or sureties setting forth the
facts showing his right to damages and the amount thereof. Such damages may be awarded
only after proper hearing and shall be included in the judgment on the main case.

If the judgment of the appellate court be favorable to the party against whom the attachment
was issued he must claim damages sustained during the pendency of the appeal by filing
an application in the appellate court, with notice to the party in whose favor the attachment
was issued or his surety or sureties, before the judgment of the appellate court becomes
executory. The appellate court may allow the application to be heard and decided by the
trial court.

Nothing herein contained shall prevent the party against whom the attachment was issued
from recovering in the same action the damages awarded to him from any property of the
attaching party not exempt from execution should the bond or deposit given by the latter be
insufficient or fail to fully satisfy the award. (20a)

RULE 58

Preliminary Injunction

Section 1. Preliminary injunction defined; classes. — A preliminary injunction is an order

granted at any stage of an action or proceeding prior to the judgment or final order, requiring
a party or a court, agency or a person to refrain from a particular act or acts. It may also
require the performance of a particular act or acts, in which case it shall be known as a
preliminary mandatory injunction. (1a)

Section 2. Who may grant preliminary injunction. — A preliminary injunction may be granted
by the court where the action or proceeding is pending. If the action or proceeding is pending
in the Court of Appeals or in the Supreme Court, it may be issued by said court or any
member thereof. (2a)

Section 3. Grounds for issuance of preliminary injunction. — A preliminary injunction may

be granted when it is established:

(a) That the applicant is entitled to the relief demanded, and the whole or part of such
relief consists in restraining the commission or continuance of the act or acts
complained of, or in requiring the performance of an act or acts either for a limited
period or perpetually;

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 (b) That the commission, continuance or non-performance of the act or acts
complained of during the litigation would probably work injustice to the applicant; or

(c) That a party, court, agency or a person is doing, threatening, or is attempting to

do, or is procuring or suffering to be done some act or acts probably in violation of the
rights of the applicant respecting the subject of the action or proceeding, and tending
to render the judgment ineffectual. (3a)

Section 4. Verified application and bond for preliminary injunction or temporary restraining
order. — A preliminary injunction or temporary restraining order may be granted only when:

(a) The application in the action or proceeding is verified, and shows facts entitling
the applicant to the relief demanded; and

(b) Unless exempted by the court the applicant files with the court where the action
or proceeding is pending, a bond executed to the party or person enjoined, in an
amount to be fixed by the court, to the effect that the applicant will pay to such party
or person all damages which he may sustain by reason of the injunction or temporary
restraining order if the court should finally decide that the applicant was not entitled
thereto. Upon approval of the requisite bond, a writ of preliminary injunction shall be
issued. (4a)

(c) When an application for a writ of preliminary injunction or a temporary restraining

order is included in a complaint or any initiatory pleading, the case, if filed in a multiple-
sala court, shall be raffled only after notice to and in the presence of the adverse party
or the person to be enjoined. In any event, such notice shall be preceded, or
contemporaneously accompanied, by service of summons, together with a copy of
the complaint or initiatory pleading and the applicant's affidavit and bond, upon the
adverse party in the Philippines.

However, where the summons could not be served personally or by substituted

service despite diligent efforts, or the adverse party is a resident of the Philippines
temporarily absent therefrom or is a nonresident thereof, the requirement of prior or
contemporaneous service of summons shall not apply.

(d) The application for a temporary restraining order shall thereafter be acted upon
only after all parties are heard in a summary hearing which shall be conducted within
twenty-four (24) hours after the sheriff's return of service and/or the records are
received by the branch selected by raffle and to which the records shall be transmitted
immediately.

Section 5. Preliminary injunction not granted without notice; exception. — No preliminary

injunction shall be granted without hearing and prior notice to the party or person sought to
be enjoined. If it shall appear from facts shown by affidavits or by the verified application

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that great or irreparable injury would result to the applicant before the matter can be heard
on notice, the court to which the application for preliminary injunction was made, may issue
a temporary restraining order to be effective only for a period of twenty (20) days from
service on the party or person sought to be enjoined, except as herein provided. Within the
said twenty-day period, the court must order said party or person to show cause, at a
specified time and place, why the injunction should not be granted, determine within the
same period whether or not the preliminary injunction shall be granted, and accordingly
issue the corresponding order. (Bar Matter No. 803, 17 February 1998)

However, and subject to the provisions of the preceding sections, if the matter is of extreme
urgency and the applicant will suffer grave injustice and irreparable injury, the executive
judge of a multiple-sala court or the presiding judge of a single sala court may issue ex
parte a temporary restraining order effective for only seventy-two (72) hours from issuance
but he shall immediately comply with the provisions of the next preceding section as to
service of summons and the documents to be served therewith. Thereafter, within the
aforesaid seventy-two (72) hours, the judge before whom the case is pending shall conduct
a summary hearing to determine whether the temporary restraining order shall be extended
until the application for preliminary injunction can be heard. In no case shall the total period
of effectivity of the temporary restraining order exceed twenty (20) days, including the
original seventy-two hours provided herein.

In the event that the application for preliminary injunction is denied or not resolved within
the said period, the temporary restraining order is deemed, automatically vacated. The
effectivity of a temporary restraining order is not extendible without need of any judicial
declaration to that effect and no court shall have authority to extend or renew the same on
the same ground for which it was issued.

However, if issued by the Court of Appeals or a member thereof, the temporary restraining
order shall be effective for sixty (60) days from service on the party or person sought to be
enjoined. A restraining, order issued by the Supreme Court or a member thereof shall be
effective until further orders. (5a)

Section 6. Grounds for objection to, or for motion of dissolution of, injunction or restraining
order. — The application for injunction or restraining order may be denied, upon a showing
of its insufficiency. The injunction or restraining order may also be denied, or, if granted,
may be dissolved, on other grounds upon affidavits of the party or person enjoined, which
may be opposed by the applicant also by affidavits. It may further be denied, or if granted,
may be dissolved, if it appears after hearing that although the applicant is entitled to the
injunction or restraining order, the issuance or continuance thereof, as the case may be,
would cause irreparable damage to the party or person enjoined while the applicant can be
fully compensated for such damages as he may suffer, and the former files a bond in an
amount fixed by the court conditioned that he will pay all damages which the applicant may
suffer by the denial or the dissolution of the injunction or restraining order. If it appears that

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the extent of the preliminary injunction or restraining order granted is too great, it may be
modified. (6a)

Section 7. Service of copies of bonds; effect of disapproval of same. — The party filing a
bond in accordance with the provisions of this Rule shall forthwith serve a copy of such bond
on the other party, who may except to the sufficiency of the bond, or of the surety or sureties
thereon. If the applicant's bond is found to be insufficient in amount, or if the surety or
sureties thereon fail to justify, and a bond sufficient in amount with sufficient sureties
approved after justification is not filed forthwith the injunction shall be dissolved. If the bond
of the adverse party is found to be insufficient in amount, or the surety or sureties thereon
fail to justify a bond sufficient in amount with sufficient sureties approved after justification
is not filed forthwith, the injunction shall be granted or restored, as the case may be. (8a)

Section 8. Judgment to include damages against party and sureties. — At the trial, the
amount of damages to be awarded to either party, upon the bond of the adverse party, shall
be claimed, ascertained, and awarded under the same procedure prescribed in section 20
of Rule 57. (9a)

Section 9. When final injunction granted. — If after the trial of the action it appears that the
applicant is entitled to have the act or acts complained of permanently enjoined the court
shall grant a final injunction perpetually restraining the party or person enjoined from the
commission or continuance of the act or acts of confirming the preliminary mandatory
injunction. (10a)

RULE 59

Receivership

Section 1. Appointment of receiver. — Upon a verified application, one or more receivers

of the property subject of the action or proceeding may be appointed by the court where the
action is pending or by the Court of Appeals or by the Supreme Court, or a member thereof,
in the following cases:

(a) When it appears from the verified application, and such other proof as the court
may require, that the party applying for the appointment of a receiver has an interest
in the property or fund which is the subject of the action or proceeding, and that such
property or fund is in danger of being lost, removed, or materially injured unless a
receiver be appointed to administer and preserve it;

(b) When it appears in an action by the mortgagee for the foreclosure of a mortgage
that the property is in danger of being wasted or dissipated or materially injured, and

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 that its value is probably insufficient to discharge the mortgage debt, or that the parties
have so stipulated in the contract of mortgage;

(c) After judgment, to preserve the property during the pendency of an appeal, or to
dispose of it according to the judgment, or to aid execution when the execution has
been returned unsatisfied or the judgment obligor refuses to apply his property in
satisfaction of the judgment, or otherwise to carry the judgment into effect;

(d) Whenever in other cases it appears that the appointment of a receiver is the most
convenient and feasible means of preserving, administering, or disposing of the
property in litigation.

During the pendency of an appeal, the appellate court may allow an application for the
appointment of a receiver to be filed in and decided by the court of origin and the receiver
appointed to be subject to the control of said court. (1a)

Section 2. Bond on appointment of receiver. — Before issuing the order appointing a

receiver the court shall require the applicant to file a bond executed to the party against
whom the application is presented, in an amount to be fixed by the court, to the effect that
the applicant will pay such party all damages he may sustain by reason of the appointment
of such receiver in case the applicant shall have procured such appointment without
sufficient cause; and the court may, in its discretion, at any time after the appointment,
require an additional bond as further security for such damages. (3a)

Section 3. Denial of application or discharge of receiver. — The application may be denied,

or the receiver discharged, when the adverse party files a bond executed to the applicant,
in an amount to be fixed by the court, to the effect that such party will pay the applicant all
damages he may suffer by reason of the acts, omissions, or other matters specified in the
application as ground for such appointment. The receiver may also be discharged if it is
shown that his appointment was obtained without sufficient cause. (4a)

Section 4. Oath and bond of receiver. — Before entering upon his duties, the receiver shall
be sworn to perform them faithfully, and shall file a bond, executed to such person and in
such sum as the court may direct, to the effect that he will faithfully discharge his duties in
the action or proceeding and obey the orders of the court. (5a)

Section 5. Service of copies of bonds; effect of disapproval of same. — The person filing a
bond in accordance with the provisions of this Rule shall forthwith serve a copy thereof on
each interested party, who may except to its sufficiency or of the surety or sureties thereon.
If either the applicant's or the receiver's bond is found to be insufficient in amount, or if the
surety or sureties thereon fail to justify, and a bond sufficient in amount with sufficient
sureties approved after justification is not filed forthwith, the application shall be denied or
the receiver discharged, as the case may be. If the bond of the adverse party is found to be
insufficient in amount or the surety or sureties thereon fail to justify, and a bond sufficient in

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amount with sufficient sureties approved after justification is not filed forthwith, the receiver
shall be appointed or re-appointed, as the case may be. (6a)

Section 6. General powers of receiver. — Subject to the control of the court in which the
action or proceeding is pending a receiver shall have the power to bring and defend, in such
capacity, actions in his own name; to take and keep possession of the property in
controversy; to receive rents; to collect debts due to himself as receiver or to the fund,
property, estate, person, or corporation of which he is the receiver; to compound for and
compromise the same; to make transfers; to pay outstanding debts; to divide the money
and other property that shall remain among the persons legally entitled to receive the same;
and generally to do such acts respecting the property as the court may authorize. However,
funds in the hands of a receiver may be invested only by order of the court upon the written
consent of all the parties to the action. (7a)

No action may be filed by or against a receiver without leave of the court which appointed
him. (n)

Section 7. Liability for refusal or neglect to deliver property to receiver. — A person who
refuses or neglects, upon reasonable demand, to deliver to the receiver all the property,
money, books, deeds, notes, bills, documents and papers within his power or control,
subject of or involved in the action or proceeding, or in case of disagreement, as determined
and ordered by the court, may be punished for contempt and shall be liable to the receiver
for the money or the value of the property and other things so refused or neglected to be
surrendered, together with all damages that may have been sustained by the party or parties
entitled thereto as a consequence of such refusal or neglect. (n)

Section 8. Termination of receivership; compensation of receiver. — Whenever the

court, motu proprio or on motion of either party, shall determine that the necessity for a
receiver no longer exists, it shall, after due notice to all interested parties and hearing, settle
the accounts of the receiver, direct the delivery of the funds and other property in his
possession to the person adjudged to be entitled to receive them and order the discharge
of the receiver from further duty as such. The court shall allow the receiver such reasonable
compensation as the circumstances of the case warrant, to be taxed as costs against the
defeated party, or apportioned, as justice requires. (8a)

Section 9. Judgment to include recovery against sureties. — The amount, if any, to be

awarded to any party upon any bond filed in accordance with the provisions of this Rule,
shall be claimed, ascertained, and granted under the same procedure prescribed in section
20 of Rule 57. (9a)

RULE 60

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Replevin

Section 1. Application. — A party praying for the recovery of possession of personal

property may, at the commencement of the action or at any time before answer, apply for
an order for the delivery of such property to him, in the manner hereinafter provided. (1a)

Section 2. Affidavit and bond. — The applicant must show by his own affidavit or that of
some other person who personally knows the facts:

(a) That the applicant is the owner of the property claimed, particularly describing it,
or is entitled to the possession thereof;

(b) That the property is wrongfully detained by the adverse party, alleging the cause
of detention thereof according to the best of his knowledge, information, and belief ;

(c) That the property has not been distrained or taken for a tax assessment or a fine
pursuant to law, or seized under a writ of execution or preliminary attachment, or
otherwise placed under custodia legis, or if so seized, that it is exempt from such
seizure or custody; and

(d) The actual market value of the property.

The applicant must also give a bond, executed to the adverse party in double the value of
the property as stated in the affidavit aforementioned, for the return of the property to the
adverse party if such return be adjudged, and for the payment to the adverse party of such
sum as he may recover from the applicant in the action. (2a)

Section 3. Order. — Upon the filing of such affidavit and approval of the bond, the court
shall issue an order and the corresponding writ of replevin, describing the personal property
alleged to be wrongfully detained and requiring the sheriff forthwith to take such property
into his custody. (3a)

Section 4. Duty of the sheriff. — Upon receiving such order, the sheriff must serve a copy
thereof on the adverse party, together with a copy of the application, affidavit and bond, and
must forthwith take the property, if it be in the possession of the adverse party, or his agent,
and retain it in his custody. If the property or any part thereof be concealed in a building or
enclosure, the sheriff must demand its delivery, and if it be not delivered, he must cause the
building or enclosure to be broken open and take the property into his possession. After the
sheriff has take possession of the property as herein provided, he must keep it in a secure
place and shall be responsible for its delivery to the party entitled thereto upon receiving his
fees and necessary expenses for taking and keeping the same. (4a)

Section 5. Return of property. — If the adverse party objects to the sufficiency of the
applicant's bond, or of the surety or sureties thereon, he cannot immediately require the

110
return of the property, but if he does not so object, he may, at any time before the delivery
of the property to the applicant, require the return thereof, by filing with the court where the
action is pending a bond executed to the applicant, in double the value of the property as
stated in the applicant's affidavit for the delivery thereof to the applicant, if such delivery be
adjudged, and for the payment of such sum, to him as may be recovered against the
adverse party, and by serving a copy of such bond on the applicant. (5a)

Section 6. Disposition of property by sheriff. — If within five (5) days after the taking of the
property by the sheriff, the adverse party does not object to the sufficiency of the bond, or
of the surety or sureties thereon; or if the adverse party so objects and the court affirms its
approval of the applicant's bond or approves a new bond, or if the adverse party requires
the return of the property but his bond is objected to and found insufficient and he does not
forthwith file an approved bond, the property shall be delivered to the applicant. If for any
reason the property is not delivered to the applicant, the sheriff must return it to the adverse
party. (6a)

Section 7. Proceedings where property claimed by third person. — If the property taken is
claimed by any person other than the party against whom the writ of replevin had been
issued or his agent, and such person makes an affidavit of his title thereto, or right to the
possession thereof, stating the grounds therefor, and serves such affidavit upon the sheriff
while the latter has possession of the property and a copy thereof upon the applicant, the
sheriff shall not be bound to keep the property under replevin or deliver it to the applicant
unless the applicant or his agent, on demand of said sheriff, shall file a bond approved by
the court to indemnify the third-party claimant in a sum not less than the value of the property
under replevin as provided in section 2 hereof. In case of disagreement as to such value,
the court shall determine the same. No claim for damages for the taking or keeping, of the
property may be enforced against the bond unless the action therefor is filed within one
hundred twenty (120) days from the date of the filing of the bond.

The sheriff shall not be liable for damages, for the taking or keeping of such property, to any
such third-party claimant if such bond shall be filed. Nothing herein contained shall prevent
such claimant or any third person from vindicating his claim to the property, or prevent the
applicant from claiming damages against a third-party claimant who filed a frivolous or
plainly spurious claim, in the same or a separate action.

When the writ of replevin is issued in favor of the Republic of the Philippines, or any officer
duly representing it, the filing of such bond shall not be required, and in case the sheriff is
sued for damages as a result of the replevin, he shall be represented by the Solicitor
General, and if held liable therefor, the actual damages adjudged by the court shall be paid
by the National Treasurer out of the funds to be appropriated for the purpose. (7a)

Section 8. Return of papers. — The sheriff must file the order, with his proceedings
indorsed, thereon, with the court within ten (10) days after taking the property mentioned
therein. (8a)

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Section 9. Judgment. — After trial of the issues the court shall determine who has the right
of possession to and the value of the property and shall render judgment in the alternative
for the delivery thereof to the party entitled to the same, or for its value in case delivery
cannot be made, and also for such damages as either party may prove, with costs. (9a)

Section 10. Judgment to include recovery against sureties. — The amount, if any, to be
awarded to any party upon any bond filed in accordance with the provisions of this Rule,
shall be claimed, ascertained, and granted under the same procedure as prescribed in
section 20 of Rule 57. (10a)

RULE 61

Support Pendente Lite

Section 1. Application. — At the commencement of the proper action or proceeding, or at

any time prior to the judgment or final order, a verified application for support pendente
lite may be filed by any party stating the grounds for the claim and the financial conditions
of both parties, and accompanied by affidavits, depositions or other authentic documents in
support thereof. (1a)

Section 2. Comment. — A copy of the application and all supporting documents shall be
served upon the adverse party, who shall have five (5) days to comment thereon unless a
different period is fixed by the court upon his motion. The comment shall be verified and
shall be accompanied by affidavits, depositions or other authentic documents in support
thereof. (2a, 3a)

Section 3. Hearing. — After the comment is filed, or after the expiration of the period for its
filing, the application shall be set for hearing not more than three (3) days thereafter. The
facts in issue shall be proved in the same manner as is provided for evidence on motions.
(4a)

Section 4. Order. — The court shall determine provisionally the pertinent facts, and shall
render such orders as justice and equity may require, having the regard to the probable
outcome of the case and such other circumstances as may aid in the proper resolution of
the question involved. If the application is granted, the court shall fix the amount of money
to be provisionally paid or such other forms of support as should be provided, taking into
account the necessities of the applicant and the resources or means of the adverse party,
and the terms of payment or mode for providing the support. If the application is denied, the
principal case shall be tried and decided as early as possible. (5a)

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Section 5. Enforcement of order. — If the adverse party fails to comply with an order
granting support pendente lite, the court shall, motu proprio or upon motion; issue an order
of execution against him, without prejudice to his liability for contempt. (6a)

When the person ordered to give support pendente lite refuses or fails to do so, any third
person who furnished that support to the applicant may, after due notice and hearing in the
same case obtain a writ of execution to enforce his right of reimbursement against the
person ordered to provide such support. (h)

Section 6. Support in criminal cases. — In criminal actions where the civil liability includes
support for the offspring as a consequence of the crime and the civil aspect thereof has not
been waived, reserved and instituted prior to its filing, the accused may be ordered to
provide support pendente lite to the child born to the offended party allegedly because of
the crime. The application therefor may be filed successively by the offended party, her
parents, grandparents or guardian and the State in the corresponding criminal case during
its pendency, in accordance with the procedure established under this Rule. (n)

Section 7. Restitution. — When the judgment or final order of the court finds that the person
who has been providing support pendente lite is not liable therefor, it shall order the recipient
thereof to return to the former the amounts already paid with legal interest from the dates of
actual payment, without prejudice to the right of the recipient to obtain reimbursement in a
separate action from the person legally obliged to give the support. Should the recipient fail
to reimburse said amounts, the person who provided the same may likewise seek
reimbursement thereof in a separate action from the person legally obliged to give such
support. (n)

Special Civil Actions

RULE 62

Interpleader

Section 1. When interpleader proper. — Whenever conflicting claims upon the same
subject matter are or may be made against a person who claims no interest whatever in the
subject matter, or an interest which in whole or in part is not disputed by the claimants, he
may bring an action against the conflicting claimants to compel them to interplead and
litigate their several claims among themselves. (1a, R63)

Section 2. Order. — Upon the filing of the complaint, the court shall issue an order requiring
the conflicting claimants to interplead with one another. If the interests of justice so require,

113
the court may direct in such order that the subject matter be paid or delivered to the court.
(2a, R63)

Section 3. Summons. — Summons shall be served upon the conflicting claimants, together
with a copy of the complaint and order. (3, R63)

Section 4. Motion to dismiss. — Within the time for filing an answer, each claimant may file
a motion to dismiss on the ground of impropriety of the interpleader action or on other
appropriate grounds specified in Rule 16. The period to file the answer shall be tolled and if
the motion is denied, the movant may file his answer within the remaining period, but which
shall not be less than five (5) days in any event, reckoned from notice of denial. (n)

Section 5. Answer and other pleadings. — Each claimant shall file his answer setting forth
his claim within fifteen (15) days from service of the summons upon him, serving a copy
thereof upon each of the other conflicting claimants who may file their reply thereto as
provided by these Rules. If any claimant fails to plead within the time herein fixed, the court
may, on motion, declare him in default and thereafter render judgment barring him from any
claim in respect to the subject matter.

The parties in an interpleader action may file counterclaims, cross-claims, third-party

complaints and responsive pleadings thereto, as provided by these Rules. (4a, R63)

Section 6. Determination. — After the pleadings of the conflicting claimants have been filed,
and pre-trial has been conducted in accordance with the Rules, the court shall proceed to
determine their respective rights and adjudicate their several claims. (5a, R63)

Section 7. Docket and other lawful fees, costs and litigation expenses as liens. — The
docket and other lawful fees paid by the party who filed a complaint under this Rule, as well
as the costs and litigation expenses, shall constitute a lien or change upon the subject
matter of the action, unless the court shall order otherwise. (6a, R63)

RULE 63

Declaratory Relief and Similar Remedies

Section 1. Who may file petition. — Any person interested under a deed, will, contract or
other written instrument, or whose rights are affected by a statute, executive order or
regulation, ordinance, or any other governmental regulation may, before breach or violation
thereof bring an action in the appropriate Regional Trial Court to determine any question of
construction or validity arising, and for a declaration of his rights or duties, thereunder. (Bar
Matter No. 803, 17 February 1998)

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An action for the reformation of an instrument, to quiet title to real property or remove clouds
therefrom, or to consolidate ownership under Article 1607 of the Civil Code, may be brought
under this Rule. (1a, R64)

Section 2. Parties. — All persons who have or claim any interest which would be affected
by the declaration shall be made parties; and no declaration shall, except as otherwise
provided in these Rules, prejudice the rights of persons not parties to the action. (2a, R64)

Section 3. Notice on Solicitor General. — In any action which involves the validity of a
statute, executive order or regulation, or any other governmental regulation, the Solicitor
General shall be notified by the party assailing the same and shall be entitled to be heard
upon such question. (3a, R64)

Section 4. Local government ordinances. — In any action involving the validity of a local
government ordinance, the corresponding prosecutor or attorney of the local governmental
unit involved shall be similarly notified and entitled to be heard. If such ordinance is alleged
to be unconstitutional, the Solicitor General shall also be notified and entitled to be heard.
(4a, R64)

Section 5. Court action discretionary. — Except in actions falling under the second
paragraph of section 1 of this Rule, the court, motu proprio or upon motion, may refuse to
exercise the power to declare rights and to construe instruments in any case where a
decision would not terminate the uncertainty or controversy which gave rise to the action,
or in any case where the declaration or construction is not necessary and proper under the
circumstances. (5a, R64)

Section 6. Conversion into ordinary action. — If before the final termination of the case, a
breach or violation of an instrument or a statute, executive order or regulation, ordinance,
or any other governmental regulation should take place, the action may thereupon be
converted into an ordinary action, and the parties shall be allowed to file such pleadings as
may be necessary or proper. (6a, R64)

RULE 64

Review of Judgments and Final Orders or Resolutions of the Commission on

Elections and the Commission on Audit

Section 1. Scope. — This Rule shall govern the review of judgments and final orders or
resolutions of the Commission on Elections and the Commission on Audit. (n)

Section 2. Mode of review. — A judgment or final order or resolution of the Commission on

Elections and the Commission on Audit may be brought by the aggrieved party to the

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Supreme Court on certiorari under Rule 65, except as hereinafter provided. (n; Bar Matter
No. 803, 17 February 1998)

Section 3. Time to file petition. — The petition shall be filed within thirty (30) days from
notice of the judgment or final order or resolution sought to be reviewed. The filing of a
motion for new trial or reconsideration of said judgment or final order or resolution, if allowed
under the procedural rules of the Commission concerned, shall interrupt the period herein
fixed. If the motion is denied, the aggrieved party may file the petition within the remaining
period, but which shall not be less than five (5) days in any event, reckoned from notice of
denial. (n)

Section 4. Docket and other lawful fees. — Upon the filing of the petition, the petitioner shall
pay to the clerk of court the docket and other lawful fees and deposit the amount of P500.00
for costs. (n)

Section 5. Form and contents of petition. — The petition shall be verified and filed in
eighteen (18) legible copies. The petition shall name the aggrieved party as petitioner and
shall join as respondents the Commission concerned and the person or persons interested
in sustaining the judgment, final order or resolution a quo. The petition shall state the facts
with certainty, present clearly the issues involved, set forth the grounds and brief arguments
relied upon for review, and pray for judgment annulling or modifying the questioned
judgment, final order or resolution. Findings of fact of the Commission supported by
substantial evidence shall be final and non-reviewable.

The petition shall be accompanied by a clearly legible duplicate original or certified true copy
of the judgment, final order or resolution subject thereof, together with certified true copies
of such material portions of the record as are referred to therein and other documents
relevant and pertinent thereto. The requisite number of copies of the petition shall contain
plain copies of all documents attached to the original copy of said petition.

The petition shall state the specific material dates showing that it was filed within the period
fixed herein, and shall contain a sworn certification against forum shopping as provided in
the third paragraph of section 3, Rule 46.

The petition shall further be accompanied by proof of service of a copy thereof on the
Commission concerned and on the adverse party, and of the timely payment of docket and
other lawful fees.

The failure of petitioner to comply with any of the foregoing requirements shall be sufficient
ground for the dismissal of the petition. (n)

Section 6. Order to comment. — If the Supreme Court finds the petition sufficient in form
and substance, it shall order the respondents to file their comments on the petition within
ten (10) days from notice thereof; otherwise, the Court may dismiss the petition outright.

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The Court may also dismiss the petition if it was filed manifestly for delay or the questions
raised are too unsubstantial to warrant further proceedings. (n)

Section 7. Comments of respondents. — The comments of the respondents shall be filed

in eighteen (18) legible copies. The original shall be accompanied by certified true copies
of such material portions of the record as are referred to therein together with other
supporting papers. The requisite number of copies of the comments shall contain plain
copies of all documents attached to the original and a copy thereof shall be served on the
petitioner.

No other pleading may be filed by any party unless required or allowed by the Court. (n)

Section 8. Effect of filing. — The filing of a petition for certiorari shall not stay the execution
of the judgment or final order or resolution sought to be reviewed, unless the Supreme Court
shall direct otherwise upon such terms as it may deem just. (n)

Section 9. Submission for decision. — Unless the Court sets the case for oral argument, or
requires the parties to submit memoranda, the case shall be deemed submitted for decision
upon the filing of the comments on the petition, or of such other pleadings or papers as may
be required or allowed, or the expiration of the period to do so. (n)

RULE 65

Certiorari, Prohibition and Mandamus

Section 1. Petition for certiorari. — When any tribunal, board or officer exercising judicial or
quasi-judicial functions has acted without or in excess its or his jurisdiction, or with grave
abuse of discretion amounting to lack or excess of jurisdiction, and there is no appeal, or
any plain, speedy, and adequate remedy in the ordinary course of law, a person aggrieved
thereby may file a verified petition in the proper court, alleging the facts with certainty and
praying that judgment be rendered annulling or modifying the proceedings of such tribunal,
board or officer, and granting such incidental reliefs as law and justice may require.

The petition shall be accompanied by a certified true copy of the judgment, order or
resolution subject thereof, copies of all pleadings and documents relevant and pertinent
thereto, and a sworn certification of non-forum shopping as provided in the third paragraph
of section 3, Rule 46. (1a)

Section 2. Petition for prohibition. — When the proceedings of any tribunal, corporation,
board, officer or person, whether exercising judicial, quasi-judicial or ministerial functions,
are without or in excess of its or his jurisdiction, or with grave abuse of discretion amounting
to lack or excess of jurisdiction, and there is no appeal or any other plain, speedy, and

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adequate remedy in the ordinary course of law, a person aggrieved thereby may file a
verified petition in the proper court, alleging the facts with certainty and praying that
judgment be rendered commanding the respondent to desist from further proceedings in
the action or matter specified therein, or otherwise granting such incidental reliefs as law
and justice may require.

The petition shall likewise be accompanied by a certified true copy of the judgment, order
or resolution subject thereof, copies of all pleadings and documents relevant and pertinent
thereto, and a sworn certification of non-forum shopping as provided in the third paragraph
of section 3, Rule 46. (2a)

Section 3. Petition for mandamus. — When any tribunal, corporation, board, officer or
person unlawfully neglects the performance of an act which the law specifically enjoins as
a duty resulting from an office, trust, or station, or unlawfully excludes another from the use
and enjoyment of a right or office to which such other is entitled, and there is no other plain,
speedy and adequate remedy in the ordinary course of law, the person aggrieved thereby
may file a verified petition in the proper court, alleging the facts with certainty and praying
that judgment be rendered commanding the respondent, immediately or at some other time
to be specified by the court, to do the act required to be done to protect the rights of the
petitioner, and to pay the damages sustained by the petitioner by reason of the wrongful
acts of the respondent.

The petition shall also contain a sworn certification of non-forum shopping as provided in
the third paragraph of section 3, Rule 46. (3a)

Section 4. When and where petition filed. — The petition shall be filed not later than sixty
(60) days from notice of the judgment, order or resolution. In case a motion for
reconsideration or new trial is timely filed, whether such motion is required or not, the sixty
(60) day period shall be counted from notice of the denial of said motion.

The petition shall be filed in the Supreme Court or, if it relates to the acts or omissions of a
lower court or of a corporation, board, officer or person, in the Regional Trial Court
exercising jurisdiction over the territorial area as defined by the Supreme Court. It may also
be filed in the Court of Appeals whether or not the same is in aid of its appellate jurisdiction,
or in the Sandiganbayan if it is in aid of its appellate jurisdiction. If it involves the acts or
omissions of a quasi-judicial agency, unless otherwise provided by law or these Rules, the
petition shall be filed in and cognizable only by the Court of Appeals.

No extension of time to file the petition shall be granted except for compelling reason and
in no case exceeding fifteen (15) days. (4a) (Bar Matter No. 803, 21 July 1998; A.M. No.
00-2-03-SC)

Section 5. Respondents and costs in certain cases. — When the petition filed relates to the
acts or omissions of a judge, court, quasi-judicial agency, tribunal, corporation, board, officer

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or person, the petitioner shall join, as private respondent or respondents with such public
respondent or respondents, the person or persons interested in sustaining the proceedings
in the court; and it shall be the duty of such private respondents to appear and defend, both
in his or their own behalf and in behalf of the public respondent or respondents affected by
the proceedings, and the costs awarded in such proceedings in favor of the petitioner shall
be against the private respondents only, and not against the judge, court, quasi-judicial
agency, tribunal, corporation, board, officer or person impleaded as public respondent or
respondents.

Unless otherwise specifically directed by the court where the petition is pending, the public
respondents shall not appear in or file an answer or comment to the petition or any pleading
therein. If the case is elevated to a higher court by either party, the public respondents shall
be included therein as nominal parties. However, unless otherwise specifically directed by
the court, they shall not appear or participate in the proceedings therein. (5a)

Section 6. Order to comment. — If the petition is sufficient in form and substance to justify
such process, the court shall issue an order requiring the respondent or respondents to
comment on the petition within ten (10) days from receipt of a copy thereof. Such order shall
be served on the respondents in such manner as the court may direct together with a copy
of the petition and any annexes thereto.

In petitions for certiorari before the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeals, the provisions
of section 2, Rule 56, shall be observed. Before giving due course thereto, the court may
require the respondents to file their comment to, and not a motion to dismiss, the petition.
Thereafter, the court may require the filing of a reply and such other responsive or other
pleadings as it may deem necessary and proper. (6a)

Section 7. Expediting proceedings; injunctive relief. — The court in which the petition is
filed may issue orders expediting the proceedings, and it may also grant a temporary
restraining order or a writ of preliminary injunction for the preservation of the rights of the
parties pending such proceedings. The petition shall not interrupt the course of the principal
case unless a temporary restraining order or a writ of preliminary injunction has been issued
against the public respondent from further proceeding in the case. (7a)

Section 8. Proceedings after comment is filed. — After the comment or other pleadings
required by the court are filed, or the time for the filing thereof has expired, the court may
hear the case or require the parties to submit memoranda. If after such hearing or
submission of memoranda or the expiration of the period for the filing thereof the court finds
that the allegations of the petition are true, it shall render judgment for the relief prayed for
or to which the petitioner is entitled.

The court, however, may dismiss the petition if it finds the same to be patently without merit,
prosecuted manifestly for delay, or that the questions raised therein are too unsubstantial
to require consideration. (8a)

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Section 9. Service and enforcement of order or judgment. — A certified copy of the
judgment rendered in accordance with the last preceding section shall be served upon the
court, quasi-judicial agency, tribunal, corporation, board, officer or person concerned in such
manner as the court may direct, and disobedience thereto shall be punished as contempt.
An execution may issue for any damages or costs awarded in accordance with section 1 of
Rule 39. (9a)

RULE 66

Quo Warranto

Section 1. Action by Government against individuals. — An action for the usurpation of a

public office, position or franchise may be commenced by a verified petition brought in the
name of the Republic of the Philippines against:

(a) A person who usurps, intrudes into, or unlawfully holds or exercises a public office,
position or franchise;

(b) A public officer who does or suffers an act which, by the provision of law,
constitutes a ground for the forfeiture of his office; or

(c) An association which acts as a corporation within the Philippines without being
legally incorporated or without lawful authority so to act. (1a)

Section 2. When Solicitor General or public prosecutor must commence action. — The
Solicitor General or a public prosecutor, when directed by the President of the Philippines,
or when upon complaint or otherwise he has good reason to believe that any case specified
in the preceding section can be established by proof, must commence such action. (3a)

Section 3. When Solicitor General or public prosecutor may commence action with
permission of court. — The Solicitor General or a public prosecutor may, with the permission
of the court in which the action is to be commenced, bring such an action at the request and
upon the relation of another person; but in such case the officer bringing it may first require
an indemnity for the expenses and costs of the action in an amount approved by and to be
deposited in the court by the person at whose request and upon whose relation the same
is brought. (4a)

Section 4. When hearing had on application for permission to commence action. — Upon
application for permission to commence such action in accordance with the next preceding
section, the court shall direct that notice be given to the respondent so that he may be heard
in opposition thereto; and if permission is granted, the court shall issue an order to that

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effect, copies of which shall be served on all interested parties, and the petition shall then
be filed within the period ordered by the court. (5a)

Section 5. When an individual may commence such an action. — A person claiming to be

entitled to a public office or position usurped or unlawfully held or exercised by another may
bring an action therefor in his own name. (6)

Section 6. Parties and contents of petition against usurpation. — When the action is against
a person for usurping a public office, position or franchise, the petition shall set forth the
name of the person who claim to be entitled thereto, if any, with an averment of his right to
the same and that the respondent is unlawfully in possession thereof. All persons who claim
to be entitled to the public office, position or franchise may be made parties, and their
respective rights to such public office, position or franchise determined, in the same action.
(7a)

Section 7. Venue. — An action under the preceding six sections can be brought only in the
Supreme Court, the Court of Appeals, or in the Regional Trial Court exercising jurisdiction
over the territorial area where the respondent or any of the respondents resides, but when
the Solicitor General commences the action, it may be brought in a Regional Trial Court in
the City of Manila, in the Court of Appeals, or in the Supreme Court. (8a)

Section 8. Period for pleadings and proceedings may be reduced; action given precedence.
— The court may reduce the period provided by these Rules for filing pleadings and for all
other proceedings in the action in order to secure the most expeditious determination of the
matters involved therein consistent with the rights of the parties. Such action may be given
precedence over any other civil matter pending in the court. (9a)

Section 9. Judgment where usurpation found. — When the respondent is found guilty of
usurping into, intruding into, or unlawfully holding or exercising a public office, position or
franchise, judgment shall be rendered that such respondent be ousted and altogether
excluded therefrom, and that the petitioner or relator, as the case may be, recover his costs.
Such further judgment may be rendered determining the respective rights in and to the
public office, position or franchise of all the parties to the action as justice requires. (10a)

Section 10. Rights of persons adjudged entitled to public office; delivery of books and
papers; damages. — If judgment be rendered in favor of the person averred in the complaint
to be entitled to the public office he may, after taking the oath of office and executing any
official bond required by law, take upon himself the execution of the office, and may
immediately thereafter demand of the respondent all the books and papers in the
respondent's custody or control appertaining to the office to which the judgment relates. If
the respondent refuses or neglects to deliver any book or paper pursuant to such demand,
he may be punished for contempt as having disobeyed a lawful order of the court. The
person adjudged entitled to the office may also bring action against the respondent to
recover the damages sustained by such person by reason of the usurpation. (15a)

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Section 11. Limitations. — Nothing contained in this Rule shall be construed to authorize
an action against a public officer or employee for his ouster from office unless the same be
commenced within one (1) year after the cause of such ouster, or the right of the petitioner
to hold such office or position, arose, nor to authorize an action for damages in accordance
with the provisions of the next preceding section unless the same be commenced within
one (1) year after the entry of the judgment establishing the petitioner's right to the office in
question. (16a)

Section 12. Judgment for costs. — In an action brought in accordance with the provisions
of this Rule, the court may render judgment for costs against either the petitioner, the relator,
or the respondent, or the person or persons claiming to be a corporation, or may apportion
the costs, as justice requires. (17a)

RULE 67

Expropriation

Section 1. The complaint. — The right of eminent domain shall be exercised by the filing of
a verified complaint which shall state with certainty the right and purpose of expropriation,
describe the real or personal property sought to be expropriated, and join as defendants all
persons owning or claiming to own, or occupying, any part thereof or interest therein,
showing, so far as practicable, the separate interest of each defendant. If the title to any
property sought to be expropriated appears to be in the Republic of the Philippines, although
occupied by private individuals, or if the title is otherwise obscure or doubtful so that the
plaintiff cannot with accuracy or certainty specify who are the real owners, averment to that
effect shall be made in the complaint. (1a)

Section 2. Entry of plaintiff upon depositing value with authorized government depositary.
— Upon the filing of the complaint or at any time thereafter and after due notice to the
defendant, the plaintiff shall have the right to take or enter upon the possession of the real
property involved if he deposits with the authorized government depositary an amount
equivalent to the assessed value of the property for purposes of taxation to be held by such
bank subject to the orders of the court. Such deposit shall be in money, unless in lieu thereof
the court authorizes the deposit of a certificate of deposit of a government bank of the
Republic of the Philippines payable on demand to the authorized government depositary.

If personal property is involved, its value shall be provisionally ascertained and the amount
to be deposited shall be promptly fixed by the court.

After such deposit is made the court shall order the sheriff or other proper officer to forthwith
place the plaintiff in possession of the property involved and promptly submit a report thereof
to the court with service of copies to the parties. (2a)

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Section 3. Defenses and objections. — If a defendant has no objection or defense to the
action or the taking of his property, he may file and serve a notice of appearance and a
manifestation to that effect, specifically designating or identifying the property in which he
claims to be interested, within the time stated in the summons. Thereafter, he shall be
entitled to notice of all proceedings affecting the same.

If a defendant has any objection to the filing of or the allegations in the complaint, or any
objection or defense to the taking of his property, he shall serve his answer within the time
stated in the summons. The answer shall specifically designate or identify the property in
which he claims to have an interest, state the nature and extent of the interest claimed, and
adduce all his objections and defenses to the taking of his property. No counterclaim, cross-
claim or third-party complaint shall be alleged or allowed in the answer or any subsequent
pleading.

A defendant waives all defenses and objections not so alleged but the court, in the interest
of justice, may permit amendments to the answer to be made not later than ten (10) days
from the filing thereof. However, at the trial of the issue of just compensation whether or not
a defendant has previously appeared or answered, he may present evidence as to the
amount of the compensation to be paid for his property, and he may share in the distribution
of the award. (n)

Section 4. Order of expropriation. — If the objections to and the defenses against the right
of the plaintiff to expropriate the property are overruled, or when no party appears to defend
as required by this Rule, the court may issue an order of expropriation declaring that the
plaintiff has a lawful right to take the property sought to be expropriated, for the public use
or purpose described in the complaint, upon the payment of just compensation to be
determined as of the date of the taking of the property or the filing of the complaint,
whichever came first.

A final order sustaining the right to expropriate the property may be appealed by any party
aggrieved thereby. Such appeal, however, shall not prevent the court from determining the
just compensation to be paid.

After the rendition of such an order, the plaintiff shall not be permitted to dismiss or
discontinue the proceeding except on such terms as the court deems just and equitable.
(4a)

Section 5. Ascertainment of compensation. — Upon the rendition of the order of

expropriation, the court shall appoint not more than three (3) competent and disinterested
persons as commissioners to ascertain and report to the court the just compensation for the
property sought to be taken. The order of appointment shall designate the time and place
of the first session of the hearing to be held by the commissioners and specify the time
within which their report shall be submitted to the court.

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Copies of the order shall be served on the parties. Objections to the appointment of any of
the commissioners shall be filed with the court within ten (10) days from service, and shall
be resolved within thirty (30) days after all the commissioners shall have received copies of
the objections. (5a)

Section 6. Proceedings by commissioners. — Before entering upon the performance of

their duties, the commissioners shall take and subscribe an oath that they will faithfully
perform their duties as commissioners, which oath shall be filed in court with the other
proceedings in the case. Evidence may be introduced by either party before the
commissioners who are authorized to administer oaths on hearings before them, and the
commissioners shall, unless the parties consent to the contrary, after due notice to the
parties, to attend, view and examine the property sought to be expropriated and its
surroundings, and may measure the same, after which either party may, by himself or
counsel, argue the case. The commissioners shall assess the consequential damages to
the property not taken and deduct from such consequential damages the consequential
benefits to be derived by the owner from the public use or purpose of the property taken,
the operation of its franchise by the corporation or the carrying on of the business of the
corporation or person taking the property. But in no case shall the consequential benefits
assessed exceed the consequential damages assessed, or the owner be deprived of the
actual value of his property so taken. (6a)

Section 7. Report by commissioners and judgment thereupon. — The court may order the
commissioners to report when any particular portion of the real estate shall have been
passed upon by them, and may render judgment upon such partial report, and direct the
commissioners to proceed with their work as to subsequent portions of the property sought
to be expropriated, and may from time to time so deal with such property. The
commissioners shall make a full and accurate report to the court of all their proceedings,
and such proceedings shall not be effectual until the court shall have accepted their report
and rendered judgment in accordance with their recommendations. Except as otherwise
expressly ordered by the court, such report shall be filed within sixty (60) days from the date
the commissioners were notified of their appointment, which time may be extended in the
discretion of the court. Upon the filing of such report, the clerk of the court shall serve copies
thereof on all interested parties, with notice that they are allowed ten (10) days within which
to file objections to the findings of the report, if they so desire. (7a)

Section 8. Action upon commissioners' report. — Upon the expiration of the period of ten
(10) days referred to in the preceding section, or even before the expiration of such period
but after all the interested parties have filed their objections to the report or their statement
of agreement therewith, the court may, after hearing, accept the report and render judgment
in accordance therewith, or, for cause shown, it may recommit the same to the
commissioners for further report of facts, or it may set aside the report and appoint new
commissioners; or it may accept the report in part and reject it in part and it may make such
order or render such judgment as shall secure to the plaintiff the property essential to the

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exercise of his right of expropriation, and to the defendant just compensation for the property
so taken. (8a)

Section 9. Uncertain ownership; conflicting claims. — If the ownership of the property taken
is uncertain, or there are conflicting claims to any part thereof, the court may order any sum
or sums awarded as compensation for the property to be paid to the court for the benefit of
the person adjudged in the same proceeding to be entitled thereto. But the judgment shall
require the payment of the sum or sums awarded to either the defendant or the court before
the plaintiff can enter upon the property, or retain it for the public use or purpose if entry has
already been made. (9a)

Section 10. Rights of plaintiff after judgment and payment. — Upon payment by the plaintiff
to the defendant of the compensation fixed by the judgment, with legal interest thereon from
the taking of the possession of the property, or after tender to him of the amount so fixed
and payment of the costs, the plaintiff shall have the right to enter upon the property
expropriated and to appropriate it for the public use or purpose defined in the judgment, or
to retain it should he have taken immediate possession thereof under the provisions of
section 2 hereof. If the defendant and his counsel absent themselves from the court, or
decline to receive the amount tendered, the same shall be ordered to be deposited in court
and such deposit shall have the same effect as actual payment thereof to the defendant or
the person ultimately adjudged entitled thereto. (10a)

Section 11. Entry not delayed by appeal; effect of reversal. — The right of the plaintiff to
enter upon the property of the defendant and appropriate the same for public use or purpose
shall not be delayed by an appeal from the judgment. But if the appellate court determines
that plaintiff has no right of expropriation, judgment shall be rendered ordering the Regional
Trial Court to forthwith enforce the restoration to the defendant of the possession of the
property, and to determine the damages which the defendant sustained and may recover
by reason of the possession taken by the plaintiff. (11a)

Section 12. Costs, by whom paid. — The fees of the commissioners shall be taxed as a
part of the costs of the proceedings. All costs, except those of rival claimants litigating their
claims, shall be paid by the plaintiff, unless an appeal is taken by the owner of the property
and the judgment is affirmed, in which event the costs of the appeal shall be paid by the
owner. (12a)

Section 13. Recording judgment, and its effect. — The judgment entered in expropriation
proceedings shall state definitely, by an adequate description, the particular property or
interest therein expropriated, and the nature of the public use or purpose for which it is
expropriated. When real estate is expropriated, a certified copy of such judgment shall be
recorded in the registry of deeds of the place in which the property is situated, and its effect
shall be to vest in the plaintiff the title to the real estate so described for such public use or
purpose. (13a)

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Section 14. Power of guardian in such proceedings. — The guardian or guardian ad litem of
a minor or of a person judicially declared to be incompetent may, with the approval of the
court first had, do and perform on behalf of his ward any act, matter, or thing respecting the
expropriation for public use or purpose of property belonging to such minor or person
judicially declared to be incompetent, which such minor or person judicially declared to be
incompetent could do in such proceedings if he were of age or competent. (14a)

RULE 68

Foreclosure of Real Estate Mortgage

Section 1. Complaint in action for foreclosure. — In an action for the foreclosure of a

mortgage or other encumbrance upon real estate, the complaint shall set forth the date and
due execution of the mortgage; its assignments, if any; the names and residences of the
mortgagor and the mortgagee; a description of the mortgaged property; a statement of the
date of the note or other documentary evidence of the obligation secured by the mortgage,
the amount claimed to be unpaid thereon; and the names and residences of all persons
having or claiming an interest in the property subordinate in right to that of the holder of the
mortgage, all of whom shall be made defendants in the action. (1a)

Section 2. Judgment on foreclosure for payment or sale. — If upon the trial in such action
the court shall find the facts set forth in the complaint to be true, it shall ascertain the amount
due to the plaintiff upon the mortgage debt or obligation, including interest and other charges
as approved by the court, and costs, and shall render judgment for the sum so found due
and order that the same be paid to the court or to the judgment obligee within a period of
not less than ninety (90) days nor more than one hundred twenty (120) days from the entry
of judgment, and that in default of such payment the property shall be sold at public auction
to satisfy the judgment. (2a)

Section 3. Sale of mortgaged property; effect. — When the defendant, after being directed
to do so as provided in the next preceding section, fails to pay the amount of the judgment
within the period specified therein, the court, upon motion, shall order the property to be
sold in the manner and under the provisions of Rule 39 and other regulations governing
sales of real estate under execution. Such sale shall not affect the rights of persons holding
prior encumbrances upon the property or a part thereof, and when confirmed by an order of
the court, also upon motion, it shall operate to divest the rights in the property of all the
parties to the action and to vest their rights in the purchaser, subject to such rights of
redemption as may be allowed by law.

Upon the finality of the order of confirmation or upon the expiration of the period of
redemption when allowed by law, the purchaser at the auction sale or last redemptioner, if
any, shall be entitled to the possession of the property unless a third party is actually holding

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the same adversely to the judgment obligor. The said purchaser or last redemptioner may
secure a writ of possession, upon motion, from the court which ordered the foreclosure. (3a)

Section 4. Disposition of proceeds of sale. — The amount realized from the foreclosure
sale of the mortgaged property shall, after deducting the costs of the sale, be paid to the
person foreclosing the mortgage, and when there shall be any balance or residue, after
paying off the mortgage debt due, the same shall be paid to junior encumbrancers in the
order of their priority, to be ascertained by the court, or if there be no such encumbrancers
or there be a balance or residue after payment to them, then to the mortgagor or his duly
authorized agent, or to the person entitled to it. (4a)

Section 5. How sale to proceed in case the debt is not all due. — If the debt for which the
mortgage or encumbrance was held is not all due as provided in the judgment as soon as
a sufficient portion of the property has been sold to pay the total amount and the costs due,
the sale shall terminate; and afterwards as often as more becomes due for principal or
interest and other valid charges, the court may, on motion, order more to be sold. But if the
property cannot be sold in portions without prejudice to the parties, the whole shall be
ordered to be sold in the first instance, and the entire debt and costs shall be paid, if the
proceeds of the sale be sufficient therefor, there being a rebate of interest where such rebate
is proper. (5a)

Section 6. Deficiency judgment. — If upon the sale of any real property as provided in the
next preceding section there be a balance due to the plaintiff after applying the proceeds of
the sale, the court, upon motion, shall render judgment against the defendant for any such
balance for which, by the record of the case, he may be personally liable to the plaintiff,
upon which execution may issue immediately if the balance is all due at the time of the
rendition of the judgment; otherwise; the plaintiff shall be entitled to execution at such time
as the balance remaining becomes due under the terms of the original contract, which time
shall be stated in the judgment. (6a)

Section 7. Registration. — A certified copy of the final order of the court confirming the sale
shall be registered in the registry of deeds. If no right of redemption exists, the certificate of
title in the name of the mortgagor shall be cancelled, and a new one issued in the name of
the purchaser.

Where a right of redemption exists, the certificate of title in the name of the mortgagor shall
not be cancelled, but the certificate of sale and the order confirming the sale shall be
registered and a brief memorandum thereof made by the registrar of deeds upon the
certificate of title. In the event the property is redeemed, the deed of redemption shall be
registered with the registry of deeds, and a brief memorandum thereof shall be made by the
registrar of deeds on said certificate of title.

If the property is not redeemed, the final deed of sale executed by the sheriff in favor of the
purchaser at the foreclosure sale shall be registered with the registry of deeds; whereupon

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the certificate of title in the name of the mortgagor shall be cancelled and a new one issued
in the name of the purchaser. (n)

Section 8. Applicability of other provisions. — The provisions of sections 31, 32 and 34 of

Rule 39 shall be applicable to the judicial foreclosure of real estate mortgages under this
Rule insofar as the former are not inconsistent with or may serve to supplement the
provisions of the latter. (8a)

RULE 69

Partition

Section 1. Complaint in action for partition of real estate. — A person having the right to
compel the partition of real estate may do so as provided in this Rule, setting forth in his
complaint the nature and extent of his title and an adequate description of the real estate of
which partition is demanded and joining as defendants all other persons interested in the
property. (1a)

Section 2. Order for partition and partition by agreement thereunder. — If after the trial the
court finds that the plaintiff has the right thereto, it shall order the partition of the real estate
among all the parties in interest. Thereupon the parties may, if they are able to agree, make
the partition among themselves by proper instruments of conveyance, and the court shall
confirm the partition so agreed upon by all the parties, and such partition, together with the
order of the court confirming the same, shall be recorded in the registry of deeds of the
place in which the property is situated. (2a)

A final order decreeing partition and accounting may be appealed by any party aggrieved
thereby. (n)

Section 3. Commissioners to make partition when parties fail to agree. — If the parties are
unable to agree upon the partition, the court shall appoint not more than three (3) competent
and disinterested persons as commissioners to make the partition, commanding them to
set off to the plaintiff and to each party in interest such part and proportion of the property
as the court shall direct. (3a)

Section 4. Oath and duties of commissioners. — Before making such partition; the
commissioners shall take and subscribe an oath that they will faithfully perform their duties
as commissioners, which oath shall be filed in court with the other proceedings in the case.
In making the partition, the commissioners shall view and examine the real estate, after due
notice to the parties to attend at such view and examination, and shall hear the parties as
to their preference in the portion of the property to be set apart to them and the comparative
value thereof, and shall set apart the same to the parties in lots or parcels as will be most

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advantageous and equitable, having due regard to the improvements, situation and quality
of the different parts thereof. (4a)

Section 5. Assignment or sale of real estate by commissioners. — When it is made to

appear to the commissioners that the real state, or a portion thereof, cannot be divided
without prejudice to the interests of the parties, the court may order it assigned to one of the
parties willing to take the same, provided he pays to the other parties such amount as the
commissioners deem equitable, unless one of the interested parties asks that the property
be sold instead of being so assigned, in which case the court shall order the commissioners
to sell the real estate at public sale under such conditions and within such time as the court
may determine. (5a)

Section 6. Report of commissioners; proceedings not binding until confirmed. — The

commissioners shall make a full and accurate report to the court of all their proceedings as
to the partition, or the assignment of real estate to one of the parties, or the sale of the same.
Upon the filing of such report, the clerk of court shall serve copies thereof on all the
interested parties with notice that they are allowed ten (10) days within which to file
objections to the findings of the report, if they so desire. No proceeding had before or
conducted by the commissioners and rendered judgment thereon. (6a)

Section 7. Action of the court upon commissioners report. — Upon the expiration of the
period of ten (10) days referred to in the preceding section or even before the expiration of
such period but after the interested parties have filed their objections to the report or their
statement of agreement therewith the court may, upon hearing, accept the report and render
judgment in accordance therewith, or, for cause shown recommit the same to the
commissioners for further report of facts; or set aside the report and appoint new
commissioners; or accept the report in part and reject it in part; and may make such order
and render such judgment as shall effectuate a fair and just partition of the real estate, or of
its value, if assigned or sold as above provided, between the several owners thereof. (7)

Section 8. Accounting for rent and profits in action for partition. — In an action for partition
in accordance with this Rule, a party shall recover from another his just share of rents and
profits received by such other party from the real estate in question, and the judgment shall
include an allowance for such rents and profits. (8a)

Section 9. Power of guardian in such proceedings. — The guardian or guardian ad litem of

a minor or person judicially declared to be incompetent may, with the approval of the court
first had, do and perform on behalf of his ward any act, matter, or thing respecting the
partition of real estate, which the minor or person judicially declared to be incompetent could
do in partition proceedings if he were of age or competent. (9a)

Section 10. Costs and expenses to be taxed and collected. — The court shall equitably tax
and apportion between or among the parties the costs and expenses which accrue in the

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action, including the compensation of the commissioners, having regard to the interests of
the parties, and execution may issue therefor as in other cases. (10a)

Section 11. The judgment and its effect; copy to be recorded in registry of deeds. — If
actual partition of property is made, the judgment shall state definitely, by metes and bounds
and adequate description, the particular portion of the real estate assigned to each party,
and the effect of the judgment shall be to vest in each party to the action in severalty the
portion of the real estate assigned to him. If the whole property is assigned to one of the
parties upon his paying to the others the sum or sums ordered by the court, the judgment
shall state the fact of such payment and of the assignment of the real estate to the party
making the payment, and the effect of the judgment shall be to vest in the party making the
payment the whole of the real estate free from any interest on the part of the other parties
to the action. If the property is sold and the sale confirmed by the court, the judgment shall
state the name of the purchaser or purchasers and a definite description of the parcels of
real estate sold to each purchaser, and the effect of the judgment shall be to vest the real
estate in the purchaser or purchasers making the payment or payments, free from the claims
of any of the parties to the action. A certified copy of the judgment shall in either case be
recorded in the registry of deeds of the place in which the real estate is situated, and the
expenses of such recording shall be taxed as part of the costs of the action. (11a)

Section 12. Neither paramount rights nor amicable partition affected by this Rule. —
Nothing in this Rule contained shall be construed so as to prejudice, defeat, or destroy the
right or title of any person claiming the real estate involved by title under any other person,
or by title paramount to the title of the parties among whom the partition may have been
made, nor so as to restrict or prevent persons holding real estate jointly or in common from
making an amicable partition thereof by agreement and suitable instruments of conveyance
without recourse to an action. (12a)

Section 13. Partition of personal property. — The provisions of this Rule shall apply to
partitions of estates composed of personal property, or of both real and personal property,
in so far as the same may be applicable. (13)

RULE 70

Forcible Entry and Unlawful Detainer

Section 1. Who may institute proceedings, and when. — Subject to the provisions of the
next succeeding section, a person deprived of the possession of any land or building by
force, intimidation, threat, strategy, or stealth, or a lessor, vendor, vendee, or other person
against whom the possession of any land or building is unlawfully withheld after the
expiration or termination of the right to hold possession, by virtue of any contract, express
or implied, or the legal representatives or assigns of any such lessor, vendor, vendee, or

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other person, may, at any time within one (1) year after such unlawful deprivation or
withholding of possession, bring an action in the proper Municipal Trial Court against the
person or persons unlawfully withholding or depriving of possession, or any person or
persons claiming under them, for the restitution of such possession, together with damages
and costs. (1a)

Section 2. Lessor to proceed against lessee only after demand. — Unless otherwise
stipulated, such action by the lesser shall be commenced only after demand to pay or
comply with the conditions of the lease and to vacate is made upon the lessee, or by serving
written notice of such demand upon the person found on the premises if no person be found
thereon, and the lessee fails to comply therewith after fifteen (15) days in the case of land
or five (5) days in the case of buildings. (2a)

Section 3. Summary procedure. — Except in cases covered by the agricultural tenancy

laws or when the law otherwise expressly provides, all actions for forcible entry and unlawful
detainer, irrespective of the amount of damages or unpaid rentals sought to be recovered,
shall be governed by the summary procedure hereunder provided. (n)

Section 4. Pleadings allowed. — The only pleadings allowed to be filed are the complaint,
compulsory counterclaim and cross-claim pleaded in the answer, and the answers thereto.
All pleadings shall be verified. (3a, RSP)

Section 5. Action on complaint. — The court may, from an examination of the allegations
in the complaint and such evidence as may be attached thereto, dismiss the case outright
on any of the grounds for the dismissal of a civil action which are apparent therein. If no
ground for dismissal is found, it shall forthwith issue summons. (n)

Section 6. Answers. — Within ten (10) days from service of summons, the defendant shall
file his answer to the complaint and serve a copy thereof on the plaintiff. Affirmative and
negative defenses not pleaded therein shall be deemed waived, except lack of jurisdiction
over the subject matter. Cross-claims and compulsory counterclaims not asserted in the
answer shall be considered barred. The answer to counterclaims or cross-claims shall be
served and filed within ten (10) days from service of the answer in which they are pleaded.
(5 RSP)

Section 7. Effect of failure to answer. — Should the defendant fail to answer the complaint
within the period above provided, the court, motu proprio or on motion of the plaintiff, shall
render judgment as may be warranted by the facts alleged in the complaint and limited to
what is prayed for therein. The court may in its discretion reduce the amount of damages
and attorney's fees claimed for being excessive or otherwise unconscionable, without
prejudice to the applicability of section 3 (c), Rule 9 if there are two or more defendants.
(6, RSP)

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Section 8. Preliminary conference; appearance of parties. — Not later than thirty (30) days
after the last answer is filed, a preliminary conference shall be held. The provisions of Rule
18 on pre-trial shall be applicable to the preliminary conference unless inconsistent with the
provisions of this Rule.

The failure of the plaintiff to appear in the preliminary conference shall be cause for the
dismissal of his complaint. The defendant who appears in the absence of the plaintiff shall
be entitled to judgment on his counterclaim in accordance with the next preceding section.
All cross-claims shall be dismissed. (7, RSP)

If a sole defendant shall fail to appear, the plaintiff shall likewise be entitled to judgment in
accordance with the next preceding section. This procedure shall not apply where one of
two or more defendants sued under a common cause of action defense shall appear at the
preliminary conference.

No postponement of the preliminary conference shall be granted except for highly

meritorious grounds and without prejudice to such sanctions as the court in the exercise of
sound discretion may impose on the movant. (n)

Section 9. Record of preliminary conference. — Within five (5) days after the termination of
the preliminary conference, the court shall issue an order stating the matters taken up
therein, including but not limited to:

1. Whether the parties have arrived at an amicable settlement, and if so, the terms
thereof;

2. The stipulations or admissions entered into by the parties;

3. Whether, on the basis of the pleadings and the stipulations and admission made
by the parties, judgment may be rendered without the need of further proceedings, in
which event the judgment shall be rendered within thirty (30) days from issuance of
the order;

4. A clear specification of material facts which remain converted; and

5. Such other matters intended to expedite the disposition of the case. (8, RSP)

Section 10. Submission of affidavits and position papers. — Within ten (10) days from
receipt of the order mentioned in the next preceding section, the parties shall submit the
affidavits of their witnesses and other evidence on the factual issues defined in the order,
together with their position papers setting forth the law and the facts relied upon by them.
(9, RSP)

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Section 11. Period for rendition of judgment. — Within thirty (30) days after receipt of the
affidavits and position papers, or the expiration of the period for filing the same, the court
shall render judgment.

However, should the court find it necessary to clarify certain material facts, during the said
period, issue an order specifying the matters to be clarified, and require the parties to submit
affidavits or other evidence on the said matters within ten (10) days from receipt of said
order. Judgment shall be rendered within fifteen (15) days after the receipt of the last
affidavit or the expiration of the period for filing the same.

The court shall not resort to the foregoing procedure just to gain time for the rendition of the
judgment. (n)

Section 12. Referral for conciliation. — Cases requiring referral for conciliation, where there
is no showing of compliance with such requirement, shall be dismissed without prejudice,
and may be revived only after that requirement shall have been complied with. (18a, RSP)

Section 13. Prohibited pleadings and motions. — The following petitions, motions, or
pleadings shall not be allowed:

1. Motion to dismiss the complaint except on the ground of lack of jurisdiction over the
subject matter, or failure to comply with section 12;

2. Motion for a bill of particulars;

3. Motion for new trial, or for reconsideration of a judgment, or for reopening of trial;

4. Petition for relief from judgment;

5. Motion for extension of time to file pleadings, affidavits or any other paper;

6. Memoranda;

7. Petition for certiorari, mandamus, or prohibition against any interlocutory order

issued by the court;

8. Motion to declare the defendant in default;

9. Dilatory motions for postponement;

10. Reply;

11. Third-party complaints;

12. Interventions. (19a, RSP)

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Section 14. Affidavits. — The affidavits required to be submitted under this Rule shall state
only facts of direct personal knowledge of the affiants which are admissible in evidence, and
shall show their competence to testify to the matters stated therein.

A violation of this requirement may subject the party or the counsel who submits the same
to disciplinary action, and shall be cause to expunge the inadmissible affidavit or portion
thereof from the record. (20, RSP)

Section 15. Preliminary injunction. — The court may grant preliminary injunction, in
accordance with the provisions of Rule 58 hereof, to prevent the defendant from committing
further acts of dispossession against the plaintiff.

A possessor deprived of his possession through forcible from the filing of the complaint,
present a motion in the action for forcible entry or unlawful detainer for the issuance of a
writ of preliminary mandatory injunction to restore him in his possession. The court shall
decide the motion within thirty (30) days from the filing thereof. (3a)

Section 16. Resolving defense of ownership. — When the defendant raises the defense of
ownership in his pleadings and the question of possession cannot be resolved without
deciding the issue of ownership, the issue of ownership shall be resolved only to determine
the issue of possession. (4a)

Section 17. Judgment. — If after trial court finds that the allegations of the complaint are
true, it shall render judgment in favor of the plaintiff for the restitution of the premises, the
sum justly due as arrears of rent or as reasonable compensation for the use and occupation
of the premises, attorney's fees and costs. If a counterclaim is established, the court shall
render judgment for the sum found in arrears from either party and award costs as justice
requires. (6a)

Section 18. Judgment conclusive only on possession; not conclusive in actions involving
title or ownership. — The judgment rendered in an action for forcible entry or detainer shall
be conclusive with respect to the possession only and shall in no wise bind the title or affect
the ownership of the land or building. Such judgment shall not bar an action between the
same parties respecting title to the land or building.

The judgment or final order shall be appealable to the appropriate Regional Trial Court
which shall decide the same on the basis of the entire record of the proceedings had in the
court of origin and such memoranda and/or briefs as may be submitted by the parties or
required by the Regional Trial Court. (7a)

Section 19. Immediate execution of judgment; how to stay same. — If judgment is rendered
against the defendant, execution shall issue immediately upon motion unless an appeal has
been perfected and the defendant to stay execution files a sufficient supersedeas bond,
approved by the Municipal Trial Court and executed in favor of the plaintiff to pay the rents,

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damages, and costs accruing down to the time of the judgment appealed from, and unless,
during the pendency of the appeal, he deposits with the appellate court the amount of rent
due from time to time under the contract, if any, as determined by the judgment of the
Municipal Trial Court. In the absence of a contract, he shall deposit with the Regional Trial
Court the reasonable value of the use and occupation of the premises for the preceding
month or period at the rate determined by the judgment of the lower court on or before the
tenth day of each succeeding month or period. The supersedeas bond shall be transmitted
by the Municipal Trial Court, with the papers, to the clerk of the Regional Trial Court to which
the action is appealed.

All amounts so paid to the appellate court shall be deposited with said court or authorized
government depositary bank, and shall be held there until the final disposition of the appeal,
unless the court, by agreement of the interested parties, or in the absence of reasonable
grounds of opposition to a motion to withdraw, or for justifiable reasons, shall decree
otherwise. Should the defendant fail to make the payments above prescribed from time to
time during the pendency of the appeal, the appellate court, upon motion of the plaintiff, and
upon proof of such failure, shall order the execution of the judgment appealed from with
respect to the restoration of possession, but such execution shall not be a bar to the appeal
taking its course until the final disposition thereof on the merits.

After the case is decided by the Regional Trial Court, any money paid to the court by the
defendant for purposes of the stay of execution shall be disposed of in accordance with the
provisions of the judgment of the Regional Trial Court. In any case wherein it appears that
the defendant has been deprived of the lawful possession of land or building pending the
appeal by virtue of the execution of the judgment of the Municipal Trial Court, damages for
such deprivation of possession and restoration of possession and restoration of possession
may be allowed the defendant in the judgment of the Regional Trial Court disposing of the
appeal. (8a)

Section 20. Preliminary mandatory injunction in case of appeal. — Upon motion of the
plaintiff, within ten (10) days from the perfection of the appeal to the Regional Trial Court,
the latter may issue a writ of preliminary mandatory injunction to restore the plaintiff in
possession if the court is satisfied that the defendant's appeal is frivolous or dilatory or that
the appeal of the plaintiff is prima facie meritorious. (9a)

Section 21. Immediate execution on appeal to Court of Appeals or Supreme Court. — The
judgment of the Regional Trial Court against the defendant shall be immediately executory,
without prejudice to a further appeal that may be taken therefrom. (10a)

RULE 71

Contempt

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Section 1. Direct contempt punished summarily. — A person guilty of misbehavior in the
presence of or so near a court as to obstruct or interrupt the proceedings before the same,
including disrespect toward the court, offensive personalities toward others, or refusal to be
sworn or to answer as a witness, or to subscribe an affidavit or deposition when lawfully
required to do so, may be summarily adjudged in contempt by such court and punished by
a fine not exceeding two thousand pesos or imprisonment not exceeding ten (10) days, or
both, if it be a Regional Trial Court or a court of equivalent or higher rank, or by a fine not
exceeding two hundred pesos or imprisonment not exceeding one (1) day, or both, if it be
a lower court. (1a)

Section 2. Remedy therefrom. — The person adjudged in direct contempt by any court may
not appeal therefrom, but may avail himself of the remedies of certiorari or prohibition. The
execution of the judgment shall be suspended pending resolution of such petition, provided
such person files a bond fixed by the court which rendered the judgment and conditioned
that he will abide by and perform the judgment should the petition be decided against him.
(2a)

Section 3. Indirect contempt to be punished after charge and hearing. — After a charge in
writing has been filed, and an opportunity given to the respondent to comment thereon within
such period as may be fixed by the court and to be heard by himself or counsel, a person
guilty of any of the following acts may be punished for indirect contempt;

(a) Misbehavior of an officer of a court in the performance of his official duties or in

his official transactions;

(b) Disobedience of or resistance to a lawful writ, process, order, or judgment of a

court, including the act of a person who, after being dispossessed or ejected from any
real property by the judgment or process of any court of competent jurisdiction, enters
or attempts or induces another to enter into or upon such real property, for the purpose
of executing acts of ownership or possession, or in any manner disturbs the
possession given to the person adjudged to be entitled thereto;

(c) Any abuse of or any unlawful interference with the processes or proceedings of a
court not constituting direct contempt under section 1 of this Rule;

(d) Any improper conduct tending, directly or indirectly, to impede, obstruct, or

degrade the administration of justice;

(e) Assuming to be an attorney or an officer of a court, and acting as such without

authority;

(f) Failure to obey a subpoena duly served;

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 (g) The rescue, or attempted rescue, of a person or property in the custody of an
officer by virtue of an order or process of a court held by him.

But nothing in this section shall be so construed as to prevent the court from issuing process
to bring the respondent into court, or from holding him in custody pending such proceedings.
(3a)

Section 4. How proceedings commenced. — Proceedings for indirect contempt may be

initiated motu propio by the court against which the contempt was committed by an order or
any other formal charge requiring the respondent to show cause why he should not be
punished for contempt.

In all other cases, charges for indirect contempt shall be commenced by a verified petition
with supporting particulars and certified true copies of documents or papers involved
therein, and upon full compliance with the requirements for filing initiatory pleadings for civil
actions in the court concerned. If the contempt charges arose out of or are related to a
principal action pending in the court, the petition for contempt shall allege that fact but said
petition shall be docketed, heard and decided separately, unless the court in its discretion
orders the consolidation of the contempt charge and the principal action for joint hearing
and decision. (n)

Section 5. Where charge to be filed. — Where the charge for indirect contempt has been
committed against a Regional Trial Court or a court of equivalent or higher rank, or against
an officer appointed by it, the charge may be filed with such court. Where such contempt
has been committed against a lower court, the charge may be filed with the Regional Trial
Court of the place in which the lower court is sitting; but the proceedings may also be
instituted in such lower court subject to appeal to the Regional Trial Court of such place in
the same manner as provided in section 11 of this Rule. (4a; Bar Matter No. 803, 21 July
1998)

Section 6. Hearing; release on bail. — If the hearing is not ordered to be had forthwith, the
respondent may be released from custody upon filing a bond, in an amount fixed by the
court, for his appearance at the hearing of the charge. On the day set therefor, the court
shall proceed to investigate the charge and consider such comment, testimony or defense
as the respondent may make or offer. (5a)

Section 7. Punishment for indirect contempt. — If the respondent is adjudged guilty of

indirect contempt committed against a Regional Trial Court or a court of equivalent or higher
rank, he may be punished by a fine not exceeding thirty thousand pesos or imprisonment
not exceeding six (6) months, or both. If he is adjudged guilty of contempt committed against
a lower court, he may be punished by a fine not exceeding five thousand pesos or
imprisonment not exceeding one (1) month, or both. If the contempt consists in the violation
of a writ of injunction, temporary restraining order or status quo order, he may also be

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ordered to make complete restitution to the party injured by such violation of the property
involved or such amount as may be alleged and proved.

The writ of execution, as in ordinary civil actions, shall issue for the enforcement of a
judgment imposing a fine unless the court otherwise provides. (6a)

Section 8. Imprisonment until order obeyed. — When the contempt consists in the refusal
or omission to do an act which is yet in the power of the respondent to perform, he may be
imprisoned by order of the court concerned until he performs it. (7a)

Section 9. Proceeding when party released on bail fails to answer. — When a respondent
released on bail fails to appear on the day fixed for the hearing, the court may issue another
order of arrest or may order the bond for his appearance to be forfeited and confiscated, or
both; and, if the bond be proceeded against, the measure of damages shall be the extent
of the loss or injury sustained by the aggrieved party by reason of the misconduct for which
the contempt charge was prosecuted, with the costs of the proceedings, and such recovery
shall be for the benefit of the party injured. If there is no aggrieved party, the bond shall be
liable and disposed of as in criminal cases. (8a)

Section 10. Court may release respondent. — The court which issued the order imprisoning
a person for contempt may discharge him from imprisonment when it appears that public
interest will not be prejudiced by his release. (9a)

Section 11. Review of judgment or final order; bond for stay. — The judgment or final order
of a court in a case of indirect contempt may be appealed to the proper court as in criminal
cases. But execution of the judgment or final order shall not be suspended until a bond is
filed by the person adjudged in contempt, in an amount fixed by the court from which the
appeal is taken, conditioned that if the appeal be decided against him he will abide by and
perform the judgment or final order. (10a)

Section 12. Contempt against quasi-judicial entities. — Unless otherwise provided by law,
this Rule shall apply to contempt committed against persons, entities, bodies or agencies
exercising quasi-judicial functions, or shall have suppletory effect to such rules as they may
have adopted pursuant to authority granted to them by law to punish for contempt. The
Regional Trial Court of the place wherein the contempt has been committed shall have
jurisdiction over such charges as may be filed therefor. (n)

PART II — SPECIAL PROCEEDINGS

(Rule 72 to 109)

GENERAL PROVISION

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 RULE 72

Subject Matter and Applicability of General Rules

Section 1. Subject matter of special proceedings. — Rules of special proceedings are

provided for in the following cases:

(a) Settlement of estate of deceased persons;

(b) Escheat;

(c) Guardianship and custody of children;

(d) Trustees;

(e) Adoption;

(f) Rescission and revocation of adoption;

(g) Hospitalization of insane persons;

(h) Habeas corpus;

(i) Change of name;

(j) Voluntary dissolution of corporations;

(k) Judicial approval of voluntary recognition of minor natural children;

(l) Constitution of family home;

(m) Declaration of absence and death;

(n) Cancellation of correction of entries in the civil registry.

Section 2. Applicability of rules of civil actions. — In the absence of special provisions, the
rules provided for in ordinary actions shall be, as far as practicable, applicable in special
proceedings.

Settlement Of Estate Of Deceased Persons

RULE 73

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Venue and Process

Section 1. Where estate of deceased persons settled. — If the decedents is an inhabitant

of the Philippines at the time of his death, whether a citizen or an alien, his will shall be
proved, or letters of administration granted, and his estate settled, in the Court of First
Instance in the province in which he resides at the time of his death, and if he is an inhabitant
of a foreign country, the Court of First Instance of any province in which he had estate. The
court first taking cognizance of the settlement of the estate of a decedent, shall exercise
jurisdiction to the exclusion of all other courts. The jurisdiction assumed by a court, so far
as it depends on the place of residence of the decedent, or of the location of his estate, shall
not be contested in a suit or proceeding, except in an appeal from that court, in the original
case, or when the want of jurisdiction appears on the record.

Section 2. Where estate settled upon dissolution of marriage. — When the marriage is
dissolved by the death of the husband or wife, the community property shall be inventoried,
administered, and liquidated, and the debts thereof paid, in the testate or intestate
proceedings of the deceased spouse. If both spouses have died, the conjugal partnership
shall be liquidated in the testate or intestate proceedings of either.

Section 3. Process. — In the exercise of probate jurisdiction, Courts of First Instance may
issue warrants and process necessary to compel the attendance of witnesses or to carry
into effect theirs orders and judgments, and all other powers granted them by law. If a
person does not perform an order or judgment rendered by a court in the exercise of its
probate jurisdiction, it may issue a warrant for the apprehension and imprisonment of such
person until he performs such order or judgment, or is released.

Section 4. Presumption of death. — For purposes of settlement of his estate, a person shall
be presumed dead if absent and unheard from for the periods fixed in the Civil Code. But if
such person proves to be alive, he shall be entitled to the balance of his estate after payment
of all his debts. The balance may be recovered by motion in the same proceeding.

RULE 74

Summary Settlement of Estate

Section 1. Extrajudicial settlement by agreement between heirs. — If the decedent left no

will and no debts and the heirs are all of age, or the minors are represented by their judicial
or legal representatives duly authorized for the purpose, the parties may without securing
letters of administration, divide the estate among themselves as they see fit by means of a
public instrument filed in the office of the register of deeds, and should they disagree, they
may do so in an ordinary action of partition. If there is only one heir, he may adjudicate to
himself the entire estate by means of an affidavit filled in the office of the register of deeds.

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The parties to an extrajudicial settlement, whether by public instrument or by stipulation in
a pending action for partition, or the sole heir who adjudicates the entire estate to himself
by means of an affidavit shall file, simultaneously with and as a condition precedent to the
filing of the public instrument, or stipulation in the action for partition, or of the affidavit in the
office of the register of deeds, a bond with the said register of deeds, in an amount
equivalent to the value of the personal property involved as certified to under oath by the
parties concerned and conditioned upon the payment of any just claim that may be filed
under section 4 of this rule. It shall be presumed that the decedent left no debts if no creditor
files a petition for letters of administration within two (2) years after the death of the
decedent.

The fact of the extrajudicial settlement or administration shall be published in a newspaper

of general circulation in the manner provided in the nest succeeding section; but no
extrajudicial settlement shall be binding upon any person who has not participated therein
or had no notice thereof.

Section 2. Summary settlement of estate of small value. — Whenever the gross value of
the estate of a deceased person, whether he died testate or intestate, does not exceed ten
thousand pesos, and that fact is made to appear to the Court of First Instance having
jurisdiction of the estate by the petition of an interested person and upon hearing, which
shall be held not less than one (1) month nor more than three (3) months from the date of
the last publication of a notice which shall be published once a week for three (3)
consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation in the province, and after such
other notice to interest persons as the court may direct, the court may proceed summarily,
without the appointment of an executor or administrator, and without delay, to grant, if
proper, allowance of the will, if any there be, to determine who are the persons legally
entitled to participate in the estate, and to apportion and divide it among them after the
payment of such debts of the estate as the court shall then find to be due; and such persons,
in their own right, if they are of lawful age and legal capacity, or by their

guardians or trustees legally appointed and qualified, if otherwise, shall thereupon be

entitled to receive and enter into the possession of the portions of the estate so awarded to
them respectively. The court shall make such order as may be just respecting the costs of
the proceedings, and all orders and judgments made or rendered in the course thereof shall
be recorded in the office of the clerk, and the order of partition or award, if it involves real
estate, shall be recorded in the proper register's office.

Section 3. Bond to be filed by distributees. — The court, before allowing a partition in

accordance with the provisions of the preceding section, my require the distributees, if
property other than real is to be distributed, to file a bond in an amount to be fixed by court,
conditioned for the payment of any just claim which may be filed under the next succeeding
section.

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Section 4. Liability of distributees and estate. — If it shall appear at any time within two (2)
years after the settlement and distribution of an estate in accordance with the provisions of
either of the first two sections of this rule, that an heir or other person has been unduly
deprived of his lawful participation in the estate, such heir or such other person may compel
the settlement of the estate in the courts in the manner hereinafter provided for the purpose
of satisfying such lawful participation. And if within the same time of two (2) years, it shall
appear that there are debts outstanding against the estate which have not been paid, or
that an heir or other person has been unduly deprived of his lawful participation payable in
money, the court having jurisdiction of the estate may, by order for that purpose, after
hearing, settle the amount of such debts or lawful participation and order how much and in
what manner each distributee shall contribute in the payment thereof, and may issue
execution, if circumstances require, against the bond provided in the preceding section or
against the real estate belonging to the deceased, or both. Such bond and such real estate
shall remain charged with a liability to creditors, heirs, or other persons for the full period of
two (2) years after such distribution, notwithstanding any transfers of real estate that may
have been made.

Section 5. Period for claim of minor or incapacitated person. — If on the date of the
expiration of the period of two (2) years prescribed in the preceding section the person
authorized to file a claim is a minor or mentally incapacitated, or is in prison or outside the
Philippines, he may present his claim within one (1) year after such disability is removed.

RULE 75

Production of Will. Allowance of Will Necessary

Section 1. Allowance necessary. Conclusive as to execution. — No will shall pass either

real or personal estate unless it is proved and allowed in the proper court. Subject to the
right of appeal, such allowance of the will shall be conclusive as to its due execution.

Section 2. Custodian of will to deliver. — The person who has custody of a will shall, within
twenty (20) days after he knows of the death of the testator, deliver the will to the court
having jurisdiction, or to the executor named in the will.

Section 3. Executor to present will and accept or refuse trust. — A person named as
executor in a will shall, within twenty (20) days after he knows of the death of the testate, or
within twenty (20) days after he knows that he is named executor if he obtained such
knowledge after the death of the testator, present such will to the court having jurisdiction,
unless the will has reached the court in any other manner, and shall, within such period,
signify to the court in writing his acceptance of the trust or his refusal to accept it.

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Section 4. Custodian and executor subject to fine for neglect. — A person who neglects
any of the duties required in the two last preceding sections without excused satisfactory to
the court shall be fined not exceeding two thousand pesos.

Section 5. Person retaining will may be committed. — A person having custody of a will
after the death of the testator who neglects without reasonable cause to deliver the same,
when ordered so to do, to the court having jurisdiction, may be committed to prison and
there kept until he delivers the will.

RULE 76

Allowance or Disallowance of Will

Section 1. Who may petition for the allowance of will. — Any executor, devisee, or legatee
named in a will, or any other person interested in the estate, may, at any time after the death
of the testator, petition the court having jurisdiction to have the will allowed, whether the
same be in his possession or not, or is lost or destroyed.

The testator himself may, during his lifetime, petition the court for the allowance of his will.

Section 2. Contents of petition. — A petition for the allowance of a will must show, so far
as known to the petitioner:

(a) The jurisdictional facts;

(b) The names, ages, and residences of the heirs, legatees, and devisees of
the testator or decedent;

(c) The probable value and character of the property of the estate;

(d) The name of the person for whom letters are prayed;

(e) If the will has not been delivered to the court, the name of the person having
custody of it.

But no defect in the petition shall render void the allowance of the will, or the issuance of
letters testamentary or of administration with the will annexed.

Section 3. Court to appoint time for proving will. Notice thereof to be published. — When a
will is delivered to, or a petition for the allowance of a will is filed in, the court having
jurisdiction, such court shall fix a time and place for proving the will when all concerned may
appear to contest the allowance thereof, and shall cause notice of such time and place to

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be published three (3) weeks successively, previous to the time appointed, in a newspaper
of general circulation in the province.

But no newspaper publication shall be made where the petition for probate has been filed
by the testatorhimself.

Section 4. Heirs, devisees, legatees, and executors to be notified by mail or personally. —

The court shall also cause copies of the notice of the time and place fixed for proving the
will to be addressed to the designated or other known heirs, legatees, and devisees of the
testator resident in the Philippines at their places of residence, and deposited in the post
office with the postage thereon prepaid at least twenty (20) days before the hearing, if such
places of residence be known. A copy of the notice must in like manner be mailed to the
person named as executor, if he be not the petitioner; also, to any person named as
coexecutor not petitioning, if their places of residence be known. Personal service of copies
of the notice at lest (10) days before the day of hearing shall be equivalent to mailing.

If the testator asks for the allowance of his own will, notice shall be sent only to his
compulsory heirs.

Section 5. Proof at hearing. What sufficient in absence of contest. — At the hearing

compliance with the provisions of the last two preceding sections must be shown before the
introduction of testimony in support of the will. All such testimony shall be taken under oath
and reduced to writing. It no person appears to contest the allowance of the will, the court
may grant allowance thereof on the testimony of one of the subscribing witnesses only, if
such witness testify that the will was executed as is required by law.

In the case of a holographic will, it shall be necessary that at least one witness who knows
the handwriting and signature of the testator explicitly declare that the will and the signature
are in the handwriting of the testator. In the absence of any such competent witness, and if
the court deem it necessary, expert testimony may be resorted to.

Section 6. Proof of lost or destroyed will. Certificate thereupon. — No will shall be proved
as a lost or destroyed will unless the execution and validity of the same be established, and
the will is proved to have been in existence at the time of the death of the testator, or is
shown to have been fraudulently or accidentally destroyed in the lifetime of the testator
without his knowledge, nor unless its provisions are clearly and distinctly proved by at least
two (2) credible witnesses. When a lost will is proved, the provisions thereof must be
distinctly stated and certified by the judge, under the seal of the court, and the certificate
must be filed and recorded as other wills are filed and recorded.

Section 7. Proof when witnesses do not reside in province. — If it appears at the time fixed
for the hearing that none of the subscribing witnesses resides in the province, but that the
deposition of one or more of them can be taken elsewhere, the court may, on motion, direct
it to be taken, and may authorize a photographic copy of the will to be made and to be

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presented to the witness on his examination, who may be asked the same questions with
respect to it, and to the handwriting of the testator and others, as would be pertinent and
competent if the original will were present.

Section 8. Proof when witnesses dead or insane or do not reside in the Philippines. — If
the appears at the time fixed for the hearing that the subscribing witnesses are dead or
insane, or that

none of them resides in the Philippines, the court may admit the testimony of other
witnesses to prove the sanity of the testator, and the due execution of the will; and as
evidence of the execution of the will, it may admit proof of the handwriting of the testator
and of the subscribing witnesses, or of any of them.

Section 9. Grounds for disallowing will. — The will shall be disallowed in any of the following
cases:

(a) If not executed and attested as required by law;

(b) If the testator was insane, or otherwise mentally incapable to make a will, at
the time of its execution;

(c) If it was executed under duress, or the influence of fear, or threats;

(d) If it was procured by undue and improper pressure and influence, on the
part of the beneficiary, or of some other person for his benefit;

(e) If the signature of the testator was procured by fraud or trick, and he did not
intend that the instrument should be his will at the time of fixing his signature
thereto.

Section 10. Contestant to file grounds of contest. — Anyone appearing to contest the will
must state in writing his grounds for opposing its allowance, and serve a copy thereof on
the petitioner and other parties interested in the estate.

Section 11. Subscribing witnesses produced or accounted for where will contested. — If
the will is contested, all the subscribing witnesses, and the notary in the case of wills
executed under the Civil Code of the Philippines, if present in the Philippines and not insane,
must be produced and examined, and the death, absence, or insanity of any of them must
be satisfactorily shown to the court. If all or some of such witnesses are present in the
Philippines but outside the province where the will has been filed, their deposition must be
taken. If any or all of them testify against the due execution of the will, or do not remember
having attested to it, or are otherwise of doubtful credibility, the will may nevertheless, be
allowed if the court is satisfied from the testimony of other witnesses and from all the
evidence presented that the will was executed and attested in the manner required by law.

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If a holdgraphic will is contested, the same shall be allowed if at least three (3) witnesses
who know the handwriting of the testator explicitly declare that the will and the signature are
in the handwriting of the testator; in the absence of any competent witnesses, and if the
court deem it necessary, expert testimony may be resorted to.

Section 12. Proof where testator petitions for allowance of holographic will. — Where the
testator himself petitions for the probate of his holographic will and no contest is filed, the
fact that the affirms that the holographic will and the signature are in his own handwriting,
shall be sufficient evidence of the genuineness and due execution thereof. If the holographic
will is contested, the burden of disproving the genuineness and due execution thereof shall
be on the contestant. The testator to rebut the evidence for the contestant.

Section 13. Certificate of allowance attached to prove will. To be recorded in the Office of
Register of Deeds. — If the court is satisfied, upon proof taken and filed, that the will was
duly executed, and that the testator at the time of its execution was of sound and disposing
mind, and not acting under duress, menace, and undue influence, or fraud, a certificate of
its allowance, signed by the judge, and attested by the seal of the court shall be attached to
the will and the will and certificate filed and recorded by the clerk. Attested copies of the will
devising real estate and of certificate of allowance thereof, shall be recorded in the register
of deeds of the province in which the lands lie.

RULE 77

Allowance of Will Proved Outside of Philippines and Administration of Estate

Thereunder

Section 1. Will proved outside Philippines may be allowed here. — Wills proved and allowed
in a foreign country, according to the laws of such country, may be allowed, filed, and
recorded by the proper Court of First Instance in the Philippines.

Section 2. Notice of hearing for allowance. — When a copy of such will and of the order or
decree of the allowance thereof, both duly authenticated, are filed with a petition for
allowance in the Philippines, by the executor or other person interested, in the court having
jurisdiction, such court shall fix a time and place for the hearing, and cause notice thereof
to be given as in case of an original will presented for allowance.

Section 3. When will allowed, and effect thereof. — If it appears at the hearing that the will
should be allowed in the Philippines, the shall so allow it, and a certificate of its allowance,
signed by the judge, and attested by the seal of the court, to which shall be attached a copy
of the will, shall be filed and recorded by the clerk, and the will shall have the same effect
as if originally proves and allowed in such court.

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Section 4. Estate, how administered. — When a will is thus allowed, the court shall grant
letters testamentary, or letters of administration with the will annexed, and such letters
testamentary or of administration, shall extend to all the estate of the testator in the
Philippines. Such estate, after the payment of just debts and expenses of administration,
shall be disposed of according to such will, so far as such will may operate upon it; and the
residue, if any shall be disposed of as is provided by law in cases of estates in the
Philippines belonging to persons who are inhabitants of another state or country.

RULE 78

Letters Testamentary and of Administration, When and to Whom Issued

Section 1. Who are incompetent to serve as executors or administrators. — No person in

competent to serve as executor or administrator who:

(a) Is a minor;

(b) Is not a resident of the Philippines; and

(c) Is in the opinion of the court unfit to execute the duties of the trust by reason of
drunkenness, improvidence, or want of understanding or integrity, or by reason of
conviction of an offense involving moral turpitude.

Section 2. Executor of executor not to administer estate. — The executor of an executor

shall not, as such, administer the estate of the first testator.

Section 3. Married women may serve. — A married woman may serve as executrix or
administratrix, and the marriage of a single woman shall not affect her authority so to serve
under a previous appointment.

Section 4. Letters testamentary issued when will allowed. — When a will has been proved
and allowed, the court shall issue letters testamentary thereon to the person named as
executor therein, if he is competent, accepts the trust, and gives bond as required by these
rules.

Section 5. Where some coexecutors disqualified others may act. — When all of the
executors named in a will can not act because of incompetency, refusal to accept the trust,
or failure to give bond, on the part of one or more of them, letters testamentary may issue
to such of them as are competent, accept and give bond, and they may perform the duties
and discharge the trust required by the will.

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Section 6. When and to whom letters of administration granted. — If no executor is named
in the will, or the executor or executors are incompetent, refuse the trust, or fail to give bond,
or a person dies intestate, administration shall be granted:

(a) To the surviving husband or wife, as the case may be, or next of kin, or both, in
the discretion of the court, or to such person as such surviving husband or wife, or
next of kin, requests to have appointed, if competent and willing to serve;

(b) If such surviving husband or wife, as the case may be, or next of kin, or the person
selected by them, be incompetent or unwilling, or if the husband or widow, or next of
kin, neglects for thirty (30) days after the death of the person to apply for
administration or to request that administration be granted to some other person, it
may be granted to one or more of the principal creditors, if may be granted to one or
more of the principal creditors, if competent and willing to serve;

(c) If there is no such creditor competent and willing to serve, it may be granted to
such other person as the court may select.

RULE 79

Opposing Issuance Of Letters Testamentary. Petition And Contest For Letters Of

Administration

Section 1. Opposition to issuance of letters testamentary. Simultaneous petition for

administration. — Any person interested in a will may state in writing the grounds why letters
testamentary should not issue to the persons named therein as executors, or any of them,
and the court, after hearing upon notice, shall pass upon the sufficiency of such grounds. A
petition may, at the time, be filed for letters of administration with the will annexed.

Section 2. Contents of petition for letters of administration. — A petition for letters of

administration must be filed by an interested person and must show, so far as known to the
petitioner:

(a) The jurisdictional facts;

(b) The names, ages, and residences of the heirs, and the names and
residences of the creditors, of the decedent;

(c) The probable value and character of the property of the estate;

(d) The name of the person for whom letters of administration are prayed.

But no defect in the petition shall render void the issuance of letters of administration.

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Section 3. Court to set time for hearing. Notice thereof. — When a petition for letters of
administration is filed in the court having jurisdiction, such court shall fix a time and place
for hearing the petition, and shall cause notice thereof to be given to the known heirs and
creditors of the decedent, and to any other persons believed to have an interest in the
estate, in the manner provided in sections 3 and 4 of Rule 76.

Section 4. Opposition to petition for administration. — Any interested person may, by filing
a written opposition, contest the petition on the ground of the incompetency of the person
for whom letters are prayed therein, or on the ground of the contestant's own right to the
administration, and may pray that letters issue to himself, or to any competent person or
person named in the opposition.

Section 5. Hearing and order for letters to issue. — At the hearing of the petition, it must
first be shown that notice has been given as hereinabove required, and thereafter the court
shall hear the proofs of the parties in support of their respective allegations, and if satisfied
that the decedent left no will, or that there is no competent and willing executor, it shall order
the issuance of letters of administration to the party best entitled thereto.

Section 6. When letters of administration granted to any applicant. — Letters of

administration may be granted to any qualified applicant, though it appears that there are
other competent persons having better right to the administration, if such persons fail to
appear when notified and claim the issuance of letters to themselves.

RULE 80

Special Administrator

Section 1. Appointment of special administrator. — When there is delay in granting letters

testamentary or of administration by any cause including an appeal from the allowance or
disallowance of a will, the court may appoint a special administrator to take possession and
charge of the estate of the deceased until the questions causing the delay are decided and
executors or administrators appointed.

Section 2. Powers and duties of special adminsitrator. — Such special administrator shall
take possession and charge of the goods, chattels, rights, credits, and estate of the
deceased and preserve the same for the executors or administrator afterwards appointed,
and for that purpose may commence and maintain suits as administrator. He may sell only
such perishable and other property as the court orders sold. A special administrator shall
not be liable to pay any debts of the deceased unless so ordered by the court.

Section 3. When powers of special administrator cease. Transfer of effects. Pending suits.
— When letters testamentary or of administration are granted on the estate of the deceased,

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the powers of the special administrator shall cease, and he shall forthwith deliver to the
executor or administrator the goods, chattels, money, and estate of the deceased in his
hands. The executor or administrator may prosecute to final judgment suits commenced by
such special administrator.

RULE 81

Bond of Executors and Administrators

Section 1. Bond to be given issuance of letters. Amount. Conditions. — Before an executor

or administrator enters upon the execution of his trust, and letters testamentary or
administration issue, he shall give a bond, in such sum as the court directs, conditioned as
follows:

(a) To make and return to the court, within three (3) months, a true and complete
inventory of all goods, chattels, rights, credits, and estate of the deceased which
shall come to his possession or knowledge or to the possession of any other
person for him;

(b) To administer according to these rules, and, if an executor, according to the

will of the testator, all goods, chattels, rights, credits, and estate which shall at
any time come to his possession or to the possession of any other person for
him, and from the proceeds to pay and discharge all debts, legacies, and
charges on the same, or such dividends thereon as shall be decreed by the
court;

(c) To render a true and just account of his administration to the court within
one (1) years, and at any other time when required by the court;

(d) To perform all orders of the court by him to be performed.

Section 2. Bond of executor where directed in will. When further bond required. — If the
testator in his will directs that the executors serve without bond, or with only his individual
bond, he may be allowed by the court to give bond in such sum and with such surety as the
court approves conditioned only to pay the debts of the testator; but the court may require
of the executor a further bond in case of a change in his circumstance, or for other sufficient
case, with the conditions named in the last preceding section.

Section 3. Bonds of joint executors and administrators. — When two or more persons are
appointed executors or administrators the court may take a separate bond from each, or a
joint bond from all.

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Section 4. Bond of special administrator. — A special administrator before entering upon
the duties of his trust shall give a bond, in such sum as the court directs, conditioned that
he will make and return a true inventory of the goods, chattels, rights, credits, and estate of
the deceased which come to his possession or knowledge, and that he will truly account for
such as are received by him when required by the court, and will deliver the same to the
person appointed executor or administrator, or to such other person as may be authorized
to receive them.

RULE 82

Revocation of Administration, Death, Resignation, and Removal of Executors or

Administrators

Section 1. Administration revoked if will discovered. Proceedings thereupon. — If after

letters of administration have been granted on the estate of a decedent as if he had died
intestate, his will is proved and allowed by the court, the letters of administration shall be
revoked and all powers thereunder cease, and the administrator shall forthwith surrender
the letters to the court, and render his account with such time as the court directs.
Proceeding for the issuance of letters testamentary or of administration under the will shall
be as hereinbefore provided.

Section 2. Court may be remove or accept resignation of executor or administrator.

Proceeding upon death, resignation, or removal. — If an executor or administrator neglects
to render his account and settle the estate according to law, or to perform an order or
judgment of the court, or a duty expressly provided by these rules, or absconds, or becomes
insane, or otherwise incapable or insuitable to discharge the trust, the court may remove
him, or in its discretion, may permit him to resign. When an executor or administrator dies,
resign, or is removed the remaining executor or administrator may administer the the trust
alone, unless the court grants letters to someone to act with him. If there is no remaining
executor or administrator, administration may be to any suitable person.

Section 3. Acts before revocation, resignation, or removal to be valid. — The lawful acts of
an executor or administrator before the revocation of his letters testamentary or of
administration, or before his resignation or removal, shall have the like validity as if there
had been no such revocation, resignation, or removal.

Section 4. Powers of new executor or administrator. Renewal of license to sell real estate.
— The person to whom letters testamentary or of administration are granted after the
revocation of former letters, or the death, resignation, or removal of a former executor or
administrator, shall have the like powers to collect and settle the estate not administered
that the former executor or administrator had, and may prosecute or defend actions
commenced by or against the former executor or administrator, and have execution on

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judgments recovered in the name of such former executor or administrator. An authority
granted by the court to the former executor or administrator for the sale or mortgage of real
estate may be renewed in favor of such person without further notice or hearing.

RULE 83

Inventory and Appraisal. Provision for Support of Family

Section 1. Inventory and appraisal to be returned within three months. — Within three (3)
months after his appointment every executor or administrator shall return to the court a true
inventory and appraisal of all real and personal estate of the deceased which has come into
his possession or knowledge. In the appraisement of such estate, the court may order one
or more of the inheritance tax appraisers to give his or their assistance.

Section 2. Certain article not to be inventoried. — The wearing apparel of the surviving
husband or wife and minor children., the marriage bed and bedding, and such provisions
and other articles as will necessarily be consumed in the substinence of the family of the
deceased, under the direction of the court, shall not be considered as assets, nor
administered as such, and shall not be included in the inventory.

Section 3. Allowance to widow and family. — The widow and minor or incapacitated
children of a deceased person, during the settlement of the estate, shall receive therefrom,
under the direction of the court, such allowance as are provided by law.

RULE 84

General Powers and Duties of Executors and Administrators

Section 1. Executor or administrator to have access to partnership books and property.

How right enforced. — The executor or administrator of the estate of a deceased partner
shall at all times have access to, and may examine and take copies of, books and papers
relating to the partnership business, and make examine and make invoices of the property
belonging to such partnership; and the surviving partner or partners, on request, shall exhibit
to him all such books, papers, and property in their hands or control. On the written
application of such executor or administrator, the court having jurisdiction of the estate may
order any such surviving partner or partners to freely permit the exercise of the rights, and
to exhibit the books, papers, and property, as in this section provided, and may punish any
partner failing to do so for contempt.

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Section 2. Executor or administrator to keep buildings in repair. — An executor or
administrator shall maintain in tenanble repair the houses and other structures and fences
belonging to the estate, and deliver the same in such repair to the heirs or devisees when
directed so to do by the court.

Section 3. Executor or administrator to retain whole estate to pay debts, and to administer
estate not willed. — An executor or administrator shall have the right to the possession and
management of the real as well as the personal estate of the deceased so long as it is
necessary for the payment of the debts and the expenses of administration.

RULE 85

Accountability and Compensation of Executors and Administrators

Section 1. Executor or administrator chargeable with all estate and income. — Except as
otherwise expressly provided in the following sections, every executor or administrator is
chargeable in his account with the whole of the estate of the deceased which has come into
his possession, at the value of the appraisement contained in the inventory; with all the
interest, profit, and income of such estate; and with the proceeds of so much of the estate
as is sold by him, at the price at which it was sold.

Section 2. Not to profit by increase or lose by decrease in value. — No executor or

administrator shall profit by the increase, or suffer loss by the decrease or destruction,
without his fault, of any part of the estate. He must account for the excess when he sells
any part of the estate for more than the appraisement, and if any is sold for the less than
the appraisement, he is not responsible for the loss, if the sale has justly made. If he settles
any claim against the estate for less than its nominal value, he is entitled to charge in his
account only the amount he actually paid on the settlement.

Section 3. When not accountable for debts due estate. — No executor or administrator
shall be accountable for debts due the deceased which remain uncollected without his fault.

Section 4. Accountable for income from realty used by him. — If the executor or
administrator uses or occupies any part of the real estate himself, he shall account for it as
may be agreed upon between him and the parties interested, or adjusted by the court with
their assent; and if the parties do not agree upon the sum to be allowed, the same may be
ascertained by the court, whose determination in this respect shall be final.

Section 5. Accountable if he neglects or delays to raise or pay money. — When an executor

or administrator neglects or unreasonably delays to raise money, by collecting the debts or
selling the real or personal estate of the deceased, or neglects to pay over the money he
has in his hands, and the value of the estate is thereby lessened or unnecessary cost or

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interest accrues, or the persons interested suffer loss, the same shall be deemed waste and
the damage sustained may be charged and allowed against him in his account, and he shall
be liable therefor on his bond.

Section 6. When allowed money paid as cost. — The amount paid by an executor or
administrator for costs awarded against him shall be allowed in his administration account,
unless it appears that the action or proceeding in which the costs are taxed was prosecuted
or resisted without just cause, and not in good faith.

Section 7. What expenses and fees allowed executor or administrator. Not to charge for
services as attorney. Compensation provided by will controls unless renounced. — An
executor or administrator shall be allowed the necessary expenses the care, management,
and settlement of the estate, and for his services, four pesos per day for the time actually
and necessarily employed, or a commission upon the value of so much of the estate as
comes into his possession and is finally disposed of by him in the payment of debts,
expenses, legacies, or distributive shares, or by delivery to heirs or devisees, of two per
centum of the first five thousand pesos of such value, one per centum of so much of such
value as exceeds five thousand pesos and does not exceed thirty thousand pesos, one-
half per centum of so much of such value as exceed one hundred thousand pesos. But in
any special case, where the estate is large, and the settlement has been attended with great
difficulty, and has required a high degree of capacity on the part of the executor or
administrator, a greater sum may be allowed. If objection to the fees allowed be taken, the
allowance may be re-examined on appeal.

If there are two or more executors or administrators, the compensation shall be

apportioned among them by the court according to the services actually
rendered by them respectively.

When the executors or administrator is an attorney, he shall not charge against

the estate any professional fees for legal services rendered by him.

When the deceased by will makes some other provision for the compensation
of his executor, that provision shall be a full satisfaction for his services unless
by a written instrument filed in the court he renounces all claim to the
compensation provided by the will.

Section 8. When executor or administrator to render account. — Every executor or

administrator shall render an account of his administration within one (1) year from the time
of receiving letters testamentary or of administration, unless the court otherwise directs
because of extensions of time for presenting claims against, or paying the debts of, the
estate, or for disposing of the estate; and he shall render such further accounts as the court
may require until the estate is wholly settled.

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Section 9. Examinations on oath with respect to account — The court may examine the
executor or administrator upon oath with respect to every matter relating to any account
rendered by him, and shall so examine him as to the correctness of his account before the
same is allowed, except when no objection is made to the allowance of the account and its
correctness is satisfactorily established by competent proof. The heirs, legatees,
distributees, and creditors of the estate shall have the same privilege as the executor or
administrator of being examined on oath on any matter relating to an administration account.

Section 10. Account to be settled on notice. — Before the account of an executor or

administrator is allowed, notice shall be given to persons interested of the time and place of
examining and allowing the same; and such notice may be given personally to such persons
interested or by advertisement in a newspaper or newspapers, or both, as the court directs.

Section 11. Surety on bond may be party to accounting. — Upon the settlement of the
account of an executor or administrator, a person liable as surety in respect to such account
may, upon application, be admitted as party to such accounting.

RULE 86

Claims Against Estate

Section 1. Notice to creditors to be issued by court. — Immediately after granting letters

testamentary or of administration, the court shall issue a notice requiring all persons having
money claims against the decedent to file them in the office of the clerk of said court.

Section 2. Time within which claims shall be filed. — In the notice provided in the preceding
section, the court shall estate the time for the filing of claims against the estate, which shall
not be more than twelve (12) not less than six (6) months after the date of the first publication
of the notice. However, at any time before an order of distribution is entered, on application
of a creditor who has failed to file his claim within the previously limited, the court may, for
cause shown and on such terms as are equitable, allow such claim to be filed within a time
not exceeding one (1) month.

Section 3. Publication of notice to creditors. — Every executor or administrator shall,

immediately after the notice to creditors is issued, cause the same to be published three (3)
weeks successively in a newspaper of general circulation in the province, and to be posted
for the same period in four public places in the province and in two public places in the
municipality where the decedent last resided.

Section 4. Filing of copy of printed notice. — Within ten (10) days after the notice has been
published and posted in accordance with the preceding section, the executor or
administrator shall file or cause to be filed in the court a printed copy of the notice

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accompanied with an affidavit setting forth the dates of the first and last publication thereof
and the name of the newspaper in which the same is printed.

Section 5. Claims which must be filed under the notice. If not filed, barred; exceptions. —
All claims for money against the decent, arising from contract, express or implied, whether
the same be due, not due, or contingent, all claims for funeral expenses and expense for
the last sickness of the decedent, and judgment for money against the decent, must be filed
within the time limited in the notice; otherwise they are barred forever, except that they may
be set forth as counterclaims in any action that the executor or administrator may bring
against the claimants. Where an executor or administrator commences an action, or
prosecutes an action already commenced by the deceased in his lifetime, the debtor may
set forth by answer the claims he has against the decedent, instead of presenting them
independently to the court as herein provided, and mutual claims may be set off against
each other in such action; and if final judgment is rendered in favor of the defendant, the
amount so determined shall be considered the true balance against the estate, as though
the claim had been presented directly before the court in the administration proceedings.
Claims not yet due, or contingent, may be approved at their present value.

Section 6. Solidary obligation of decedent. — Where the obligation of the decedent is

solidary with another debtor, the claim shall be filed against the decedent as if he were the
only debtor, without prejudice to the right of the estate to recover contribution from the
debtor. In a joint obligation of the decedent, the claim shall be confined to the portion
belonging to him.

Section 7. Mortgage debt due from estate. — A creditor holding a claim against the
deceased secured by mortgage or other colateral security, may abandon the security and
prosecute his claim in the manner provided in this rule, and share in the general distribution
of the assets of the estate; or he may foreclose his mortgage or realize upon his security,
by action in court, making the executor or administrator a party defendant, and if there is a
judgment for a deficiency, after the sale of the mortgaged premises, or the property pledged,
in the foreclosure or other proceeding to realize upon the security, he may claim his
deficiency judgment in the manner provided in the preceding section or he may rely upon
his mortgage or other security alone, and foreclosure the same at any time within the period
of the statute of limitations, and in that event he shall not be admitted as a creditor, and shall
receive no share in the distribution of the other assets of estate; but nothing herein contained
shall prohibit the executor or administrator from redeeming the property mortgaged or
pledged, by paying the debt for which it is held as security, under the direction of the court,
if the court shall adjudge it to be for the best interest of the estate that such redemption shall
be made.

Section 8. Claim of executor or administrator against an estate. — If the executor or

administrator has a claim against the estate he represents, he shall give notice thereof, in
writing, to the court, and the court shall appoint a special administrator, who shall, in the
adjustment of such claim, have the same power and be subject to the same liability as the

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general administrator or executor in the settlement of other claims. The court may order the
executor or administrator to pay to the special administrator necessary funds to defend such
claim.

Section 9. How to file a claim. Contents thereof. Notice to executor or administrator. — A

claim may be filed by delivering the same with the necessary vouchers to the clerk of court
and by serving a copy thereof on the executor or administrator. If the claim be founded on
a bond, bill, note, or any other instrument, the original need not be filed, but a copy thereof
with all indorsements shall be attached to the claim and filed therewith. On demand,
however, of the executor or administrator, or by order of the court or judge, the original shall
be exhibited, unless it be list or destroyed, in which case the claimant must accompany his
claim with affidavit or affidavits containing a copy or particular description of the instrument
and stating its loss or destruction. When the claim is due, it must be supported by affidavit
stating the amount justly due, that no payments have been made thereon which are not
credited, and that there are no offsets to the same, to the knowledge of the affiant. If the
claim is not due, or is contingent, when filed, it must also be supported by affidavits stating
the particulars thereof. When the affidavit is made by a person other than the claimant, he
must set forth therein the reason why it is not made by the claimant. The claim once filed
shall be attached to the record of the case in which the letters testamentary or of
administration were issued, although the court, in its discretion, and as a matter of
convenience, may order all the claims to be collected in a separate folder.

Section 10. Answer of executor or administrator. Offsets —Within fifteen (15) days after
service of a copy of the claim on the executor or administrator, he shall file his answer
admitting or denying the claim specifically, and setting forth the admission or denial. If he
has no knowledge sufficient to enable him to admit or deny specifically, he shall state such
want of knowledge. The executor or administrator in his answer shall allege in offset any
claim which the decedent before death had against the claimant, and his failure to do so
shall bar the claim forever. A copy of the answer shall be served by the executor or
administrator on the claimant. The court in its discretion may extend the time for filing such
answer.

Section 11. Disposition of admitted claim. — Any claim admitted entirely by the executor or
administrator shall immediately be submitted by the clerk to the court who may approve the
same without hearing; but the court, in its discretion, before approving the claim, may order
that known heirs, legatees, or devisees be notified and heard. If upon hearing, an heir,
legatees, or devisee opposes the claim, the court may, in its discretion, allow him fifteen
(15) days to file an answer to the claim in the manner prescribed in the preceding section.

Section 12. Trial of contested claim. — Upon the filing of an answer to a claim, or upon the
expiration of the time for such filing, the clerk of court shall set the claim for trial with notice
to both parties. The court may refer the claim to a commissioner.

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Section 13. Judgment appealable. — The judgment of the court approving or disapproving
a claim, shall be filed with the record of the administration proceedings with notice to both
parties, and is appealable as in ordinary cases. A judgment against the executor or
administrator shall be that he pay, in due course of administration, the amount ascertained
to be due, and it shall not create any lien upon the property of the estate, or give to the
judgment creditor any priority of payment.

Section 14. Costs. — When the executor or administrator, in his answer, admits and offers
to pay part of a claim, and the claimant refuses to accept the amount offered in satisfaction
of his claim, if he fails to obtain a more favorable judgment, he cannot recover costs, but
must pay to the executor or administrator costs from the time of the offer. Where an action
commenced against the deceased for money has been discontinued and the claim
embraced therein presented as in this rule provided, the prevailing party shall be allowed
the costs of his action up to the time of its discontinuance.

RULE 87

Actions By and Against Executors and Administrators

Section 1. Actions which may and which may not be brought against executor or
administrator. — No action upon a claim for the recovery of money or debt or interest
thereon shall be commenced against the executor or administrator; but to recover real or
personal property, or an interest therein, from the estate, or to enforce a lien thereon, and
actions to recover damages for an injury to person or property, real or personal, may be
commenced against him.

Section 2. Executor or administrator may bring or defend actions which survive. — For the
recovery or protection of the property or rights of the deceased, an executor or administrator
may bring or defend, in the right of deceased, actions for causes which survive.

Section 3. Heir may not sue until shall assigned — When an executor or administrator is
appointed and assumes the trust, no action to recover the title or possession of lands or for
damages done to such lands shall be maintained against him by an heir or devisee until
there is an order of the court assigning such lands to such heir or devisee or until the time
allowed for paying debts has expired.

Section 4. Executor or administrator may compound with debtor. — Within the approval of
the court, an executor or administrator may compound with the debtor of the deceased for
a debt due, and may give a discharge of such debt on receiving a just dividend of the estate
of the debtor.

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Section 5. Mortgage due estate may be foreclosed. — A mortgage belonging to the estate
of a deceased person, as mortgagee or assignee of the right or a mortgage, may be
foreclosed by the executor or administrator.

Section 6. Proceedings when property concealed, embezzled, or fraudulently conveyed. —

If an executor or administrator, heir, legatee, creditor or other individual interested in the
estate of the deceased, complains to the court having jurisdiction of the estate that a person
is suspected of having concealed, embezzled, or conveyed away any of the money, goods,
or chattels of the deceased, or that such person has in his possession or has knowledge of
any deed, conveyance, bond, contract, or other writing which contains evidence of or tends
or discloses the right, title, interest, or claim of the deceased, the court may cite such
suspected person to appear before it any may examine him on oath on the matter of such
complaint; and if the person so cited refuses to appear, or to answer on such examination
or such interrogatories as are put to him, the court may punish him for contempt, and may
commit him to prison until he submits to the order of the court. The interrogatories put any
such person, and his answers thereto, shall be in writing and shall be filed in the clerk's
office.

Section 7. Person entrusted with estate compelled to render account. — The court, on
complaint of an executor or administrator, may cite a person entrusted by an executor or
administrator with any part of the estate of the deceased to appear before it, and may require
such person to render a full account, on oath, of the money, goods, chattels, bonds, account,
or other papers belonging to such estate as came to his possession in trust for such
executor or administrator, and of his proceedings thereon; and if the person so cited refuses
to appear to render such account, the court may punish him for contempt as having
disobeyed a lawful order of the court.

Section 8. Embezzlement before letters issued — If a person, before the granting of letters
testamentary or of administration on the estate of the deceased, embezzles or alienates
any of the money, goods, chattels, or effects of such deceased, such person shall be liable
to an action in favor of the executor or administrator of the estate for double the value of the
property sold, embezzled, or alienated, to be recovered for the benefit of such estate.

Section 9. Property fraudulently conveyed by deceased may be recovered. When executor

or administrator must bring action. — When there is a deficiency of assets in the hands of
an executor or administrator for the payment of debts and expenses of administration, and
the deceased in his lifetime had conveyed real or personal property, or a right or interest
therein, or an debt or credit, with intent to defraud his creditors or to avoid any right, debt,
or duty; or had so conveyed such property, right, interest, debt or credit that by law the
conveyance would be void as against his creditors, and the subject of the attempted
conveyance would be liable to attachment by any of them in his lifetime, the executor or
administrator may commence and prosecute to final judgment an action for the recovery of
such property, right, interest, debt, or credit for the benefit of the creditors; but he shall not
be bound to commence the action unless on application of the creditors of the deceased,

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not unless the creditors making the application pay such part of the costs and expenses, or
give security therefor to the executor or administrator, as the court deems equitable.

Section 10. When creditor may bring action. Lien for costs. — When there is such a
deficiency of assets, and the deceased in his lifetime had made or attempted such a
conveyance, as is stated in the last preceding section, and the executor or administrator
has not commenced the action therein provided for, any creditor of the estate may, with the
permission of the court, commence and prosecute to final judgment, in the name of the
executor or administrator, a like action for the recovery of the subject of the conveyance or
attempted conveyance for the benefit of the creditors. But the action shall not be
commenced until the creditor has filed in a court a bond executed to the executor or
administrator, in an amount approved by the judge, conditioned to indemnify the executor
or administrator against the costs and expenses incurred by reason of such action. Such
creditor shall have a lien upon any judgment recovered by him in the action for such costs
and other expenses incurred therein as the court deems equitable. Where the conveyance
or attempted conveyance had been made by the deceased in his lifetime in favor of the
executor or administrator, the action which a credit may bring shall be in the name of all the
creditors, and permission of the court and filing of bond as above prescribed, are not
necessary.

RULE 88

Payment of the Debts of the Estate

Section 1. Debts paid in full if estate sufficient. — If, after hearing all the money claims
against the estate, and after ascertaining the amount of such claims, it appears that there
are sufficient assets to pay the debts, the executor or administrator pay the same within the
time limited for that purpose.

Section 2. Part of estate from which debt paid when provision made by will. — If the testator
makes provision by his will, or designates the estate to be appropriated for the payment of
his debts, the expenses of administration, or the family expenses, they shall be paid
according to the provisions of the will; but if the provision made by the will or the estate
appropriated, is not sufficient for that purpose, such part of the estate of the testator, real or
personal, as is not disposed of by will, if any shall be appropriated for that purpose.

Section 3. Personalty first chargeable for debts, then realty. — The personal estate of the
deceased not disposed of by will shall be first chargeable with the payment of debts and
expenses; and if said personal estate is not sufficient for tat purpose, or its sale would
redound to the detriment of the participants for the estate, the whole of the real estate not
dispose of by will, or so much thereof as is necessary, may be sold, mortgaged, or otherwise
encumbered for that purpose by the executor or administrator, after obtaining the authority

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of the court therefor. Any deficiency shall be met by contributions in accordance with the
provisions of section 6 of this rule.

Section 4. Estate to be retained to meet contingent claims. — If the court is satisfied that a
contingent claim duly filed is valid, it may order the executor or administrator to retain in his
hands sufficient estate to pay such contingent claim when the same becomes absolute, or
if the estate is insolvent, sufficient to pay a portion equal to the dividend of the other
creditors.

Section 5. How contingent claim becoming absolute in two years allowed and paid. Action
against distributees later. — If such contingent claim becomes absolute and is presented to
the court, or to the executor or administrator, within two (2) years from the time limited for
other creditors to present their claims, it may be allowed by the court if not disputed by the
executor or administrator and, if disputed, it may be proved and allowed or disallowed by
the court as the facts may warrant. If the contingent claim is allowed, the creditor shall
receive payment to the same extent as the other creditors if the estate retained by the
executor or administrator is sufficient. But if the claim is not so presented, after having
become absolute, within said two (2) years, and allowed, the assets retained in the hands
of the executor or administrator, not exhausted in the payment of claims, shall be disturbed
by the order of the court to the persons entitled to the same; but the assets so distributed
may still be applied to the payment of the claim when established, and the creditor may
maintain an action against the distributees to recover the debt, and such distributees and
their estates shall be liable for the debt in proportion to the estate they have respectively
received from the property of the deceased.

Section 6. Court to fix contributive shares where devisees, legalitees, or heirs have been
possession. — Where devisees, legalitees, or heirs have entered into possession of
portions of the estate before the debts and expenses have been settled and paid, and have
become liable to contribute for the payment of such debts and expenses, the court having
jurisdiction of the estate may, by order for that purpose, after hearing, settle the amount of
their several liabilities, and order how much and in what manner each person shall
contribute, and may issue execution as circumstances require.

Section 7. Order of payment if estate insolvent — If the assets which can be appropriated
for the payment of debts are not sufficient for that purpose, the executor or administrator
shall pay the debts against the estate, observing the provisions of Articles 1059 and 2239
to 2251 of the Civil Code.

Section 8. Dividends to be paid in proportion to claims. — If there are no assets sufficient

to pay the credits of any once class of creditors after paying the credits entitled to preference
over it, each creditor within such class shall be paid a dividend in proportion to his claim. No
creditor of any one class shall receive any payment until those of the preceding class are
paid.

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Section 9. Estate of insolvent non-resident, how disposed of. — In case administration is
taken in the Philippine of the estate of a person who was at the time of his death an
inhabitant of another country, and who died insolvent, hi estate found in the Philippines
shall, as far as practicable, be so disposed of that his creditors here and elsewhere may
receive each an equal share, in proportion to their respective credits.

Section 10. When and how claim proved outside the Philippines against insolvent resident's
estate paid. — If it appears to the court having jurisdiction that claims have been duly proven
in another country against the estate of an insolvent who was at the time of his death an
inhabitant of the Philippines, and that the executor or administrator in the Philippines had
knowledge of the presentation of such claims in such country and an opportunity to contest
their allowance, the court shall receive a certified list of such claims, when perfected in such
country, and add the same to the list of claims proved against the deceased person in the
Philippines so that a just distribution of the whole estate may be made equally among all its
creditors according to their respective claims; but the benefit of this and the preceding
sections shall not be extended to the creditors in another country if the property of such
deceased person there found is not equally apportioned to the creditors residing in the
Philippines and the other creditor, according to their respective claims.

Section 11. Order for payment of debts. — Before the expiration of the time limited for the
payment of the debts, the court shall order the payment thereof, and the distribution of the
assets received by the executor or administrator for that purpose among the creditors, as
the circumstances of the estate require and in accordance with the provisions of this rule.

Section 12. Orders relating to payment of debts where appeal is taken. — If an appeal has
been taken from a decision of the court concerning a claim, the court may suspend the order
for the payment of the debts or may order the distributions among the creditors whose
claims are definitely allowed, leaving in the hands of the executor or administrator sufficient
assets to pay the claim disputed and appealed. When a disputed claim is finally settled the
court having jurisdiction of the estate shall order the same to be paid out of the assets
retained to the same extent and in the same proportion with the claims of other creditors.

Section 13. When subsequent distribution of assets ordered. — If the whole of the debts
are not paid on the first distribution, and if the whole assets are not distributed, or other
assets afterwards come to the hands of the executor or administrator, the court may from
time to time make further orders for the distributions of assets.

Section 14. Creditors to be paid in accordance with terms of order. — When an order is
made for the distribution of assets among the creditors, the executor or administration shall,
as soon as the time of payment arrives, pay the creditors the amounts of their claims, or the
dividend thereon, in accordance with the terms of such order.

Section 15. Time for paying debts and legacies fixed, or extended after notice, within what
periods. — On granting letters testamentary or administration the court shall allow to the

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executor or administrator a time for disposing of the estate and paying the debts and
legacies of the deceased, which shall not, in the first instance, exceed one (1) year; but the
court may, on application of the executor or administrator and after hearing on such notice
of the time and place therefor given to all persons interested as it shall direct, extend the
time as the circumstances of the estate require not exceeding six (6) months for a single
extension not so that the whole period allowed to the original executor or administrator shall
exceed two (2) years.

Section 16. Successor of dead executor or administrator may have time extended on notice
within certain period. — When an executor or administrator dies, and a new administrator
of the same estate is appointed, the court may extend the time allowed for the payment of
the debts or legacies beyond the time allowed to the original executor or administrator, not
exceeding six (6) months at a time and not exceeding six (6) months beyond the time which
the court might have allowed to such original executor or administrator; and notice shall be
given of the time and place for hearing such application, as required in the last preceding
section.

RULE 89

Sales, Mortgages, and Other Encumbrances of Property of Decedent

Section 1. Order of sale of personalty. — Upon the application of the executor or

administrator, and on written notice to the heirs and other persons interested, the court may
order the whole or a part of the personal estate to be sold, if it appears necessary for the
purpose of paying debts, expenses of administration, or legacies, or for the preservation of
the property.

Section 2. When court may authorize sale, mortgage, or other encumbrance of realty to
pay debts and legacies through personalty not exhausted. — When the personal estate of
the deceased is not sufficient to pay the debts, expenses of administration, and legacies, or
where the sale of such personal estate may injure the business or other interests of those
interested in the estate, and where a testator has not otherwise made sufficient provision
for the payment of such debts, expenses, and legacies, the court, on the application of the
executor or administrator and on written notice of the heirs, devisees, and legatees residing
in the Philippines, may authorize the executor or administrator to sell, mortgage, or
otherwise encumber so much as may be necessary of the real estate, in lieu of personal
estate, for the purpose of paying such debts, expenses, and legacies, if it clearly appears
that such sale, mortgage, or encumbrance would be beneficial to the persons interested;
and if a part cannot be sold, mortgaged, or otherwise encumbered without injury to those
interested in the remainder, the authority may be for the sale, mortgage, or other
encumbrance of the whole of such real estate, or so much thereof as is necessary or
beneficial under the circumstances.

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Section 3. Persons interested may prevent such sale, etc., by giving bond. — No such
authority to sell, mortgage, or otherwise encumber real or personal estate shall be granted
if any person interested in the estate gives a bond, in a sum to be fixed by the court,
conditioned to pay the debts, expenses of administration, and legacies within such time as
the court directs; and such bond shall be for the security of the creditors, as well as of the
executor or administrator, and may be prosecuted for the benefit of either.

Section 4. When court may authorize sale of estate as beneficial to interested

persons. Disposal of proceeds. — When it appears that the sale of the whole or a part of
the real or personal estate, will be beneficial to the heirs, devisees, legatees, and other
interested persons, the court may, upon application of the executor or administrator and on
written notice to the heirs, devisees, and legatees who are interested in the estate to be
sold, authorize the executor or administrator to sell the whole or a part of said estate,
although not necessary to pay debts, legacies, or expenses of administration; but such
authority shall not be granted if inconsistent with the provisions of a will. In case of such
sale, the proceeds shall be assigned to the persons entitled to the estate in the proper
proportions.

Section 5. When court may authorize sale, mortgage, or other encumbrance of estate to
pay debts and legacies in other countries. — When the sale of personal estate, or the sale,
mortgage, or other encumbrance of real estate is not necessary to pay the debts, expenses
of administration, or legacies in the Philippines, but it appears from records and proceedings
of a probate court in another country that the estate of the deceased in such other country
is not sufficient to pay the debts, expenses of administration, and legacies there, the court
here may authorize the executor or administrator to sell the personal estate or to sell,
mortgage, or otherwise encumber the real estate for the payment of debts or legacies in the
other country, in same manner as for the payment of debts or legacies in the Philippines.

Section 6. When court may authorize sale, mortgage, or other encumbrance of realty
acquired on execution or foreclosure. — The court may authorize an executor or
administrator to sell mortgage, or otherwise encumber real estate acquired by him on
execution or foreclosure sale, under the same cicumstances and under the same
regulations as prescribed in this rule for the sale, mortgage, or other encumbrance of other
real estate.

Section 7. Regulation for granting authority to sell, mortgage, or otherwise encumber

estate. — The court having jurisdiction of the estate of the deceased may authorize the
executor or administrator to sell personal estate, or to sell, mortgage, or otherwise
encumber real estate, in cases provided by these rules and when it appears necessary or
beneficial under the following regulations.

(a) The executor or administrator shall file a written petition setting forth the debts due
from the deceased, the expenses of administration, the legacies, the value of the
personal estate, the situation of the estate to be sold, mortgaged, or otherwise

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 encumbered, and such other facts as show that the sale, mortgage, or other
encumbrance is necessary or beneficial.

(b) The court shall thereupon fix a time and place for hearing such petition, and cause
notice stating the nature of the petition, the reasons for the same, and the time and
place of hearing, to be given personally or by mail to the persons interested, and may
cause such further notice to be given, by publication or otherwise, as it shall deem
proper;

(c) If the court requires it, the executor or administrator shall give an additional bond,
in such sum as the court directs, conditioned that such executor or administrator will
account for the proceeds of the sale, mortgage, or other encumbrance;

(d) If the requirements in the preceding subdivisions of this section have been
complied with, the court, by order stating such compliance, may authorize the
executor or administrator to sell, mortgage, or otherwise encumber, in proper cases,
such part of the estate as is deemed necessary, and in case of sale the court may
authorize it to be public or private, as would be most beneficial to all parties
concerned. The executor or administrator shall be furnished with a certified copy of
such order;

(e) If the estate is to be sold at auction, the mode of giving notice of the time and place
of the sale shall be governed by the provisions concerning notice of execution sale;

(f) There shall be recorded in the registry of deeds of the province in which the real
estate thus sold, mortgage, or otherwise encumbered is situated, a certified copy of
the order of the court, together with the deed of the executor or administrator for such
real estate, which shall be as valid as if the deed had been executed by the deceased
in his lifetime.

Section 8. When court may authorize conveyance of realty which deceased contracted to
convey. Notice. Effect of deed. — Where the deceased was in his lifetime under contract,
binding in law, to deed real property, or an interest therein, the court having jurisdiction of
the estate may, on application for that purpose, authorize the executor or administrator to
convey such property according to such contract, or with such modifications as are agreed
upon by the parties and approved by the court; and if the contract is to convey real property
to the executor or administrator, the clerk of court shall execute the deed. The deed
executed by such executor, administrator, or clerk of court shall be as affectual to convey
the property as if executed by the deceased in his lifetime; but no such conveyance shall
be authorized until notice of the application for that purpose has been given personally or
by mail to all persons interested, and such further notice has been given, by publication or
otherwise, as the court deems proper; nor if the assets in the hands of the executor or
administrator will thereby be reduced so as to prevent a creditor from receiving his full debt
or diminish his dividend.

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Section 9. When court may authorize conveyance of lands which deceased held in trust.
— Where the deceased in his lifetime held real property in trust for another person, the court
may after notice given as required in the last preceding section, authorize the executor or
administrator to deed such property to the person, or his executor or administrator, for
whose use and benefit it was so held; and the court may order the execution of such trust,
whether created by deed or by law.

RULE 90

Distribution and Partition of the Estate

Section 1. When order for distribution of reside made. — When the debts, funeral charges,
and expenses of administration, the allowance to the widow, and inheritance tax, if any,
chargeable to the estate in accordance with law, have been paid, the court, on the
application of the executor or administrator, or of a person interested in the estate, and after
hearing upon notice, shall assign the residue of the estate to the persons entitled to the
same, naming them and the proportions, or parts, to which each is entitled, and such
persons may demand and recover their respective shares from the executor or
administrator, or any other person having the same in his possession. If there is a
controversy before the court as to who are the lawful heirs of the deceased person or as the
distributive shares to which each person is entitled under the law, the controversy shall be
heard and decided as in ordinary cases.

No distribution shall be allowed until the payment of the obligations above mentioned has
been made or provided for, unless the distributees, or any of them, give a bond, in a sum to
be fixed by the court, conditioned for the payment of said obligations within such time as the
court directs.

Section 2. Questions as to advancement to be determined. — Questions as to

advancement made, or alleged to have been made, by the deceased to any heir may be
heard and determined by the court having jurisdiction of the estate proceedings; and the
final order of the court thereon shall be binding on the person raising the questions and on
the heir.

Section 3. By whom expenses of partition paid. — If at the time of distribution the executor
or administrator has retained sufficient effects in his hands which may lawfully be applied
for the expenses of partition of the properties distributed, such expenses of partition may be
paid by such executor or administrator when it appears equitable to the court and not
inconsistent with the intention of the testator; otherwise, they shall be paid by the parties in
proportion to their respective shares or interest in the premises, and the apportionment shall
be settled and allowed by the court, and, if any person interested in the partition does not

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pay his proportion or share, the court may issue an execution in the name of the executor
or administrator against the party not paying the sum assessed.

Section 4. Recording the order of partition of estate. — Certified copies of final orders and
judgments of the court relating to the real estate or the partition thereof shall be recorded in
the registry of deeds of the province where the property is situated.

RULE 91

Escheats

Section 1. When an by whom petition filed. — When a person dies intestate, seized of real
property in the Philippines, leaving no heir or person by law entitled to the same, the Solicitor
General or his representative in behalf of the Republic of the Philippines, may file a petition
in the Court of First Instance of the province where the deceased last resided or in which
he had estate, if he resided out of the Philippines, setting forth the facts, and praying that
the estate of the deceased be declared escheated.

Section 2. Order for hearing. — If the petition is sufficient in form and substance, the court,
by an order reciting the purpose of the petition, shall fix a date and place for the hearing
thereof, which date shall be not more than six (6) months after the entry of the order, and
shall direct that a copy of the order be published before the hearing at least once a week
for six (6) successive weeks in some newspaper of general circulation published in the
province, as the court shall be deem best.

Section 3. Hearing and judgment. — Upon satisfactory proof in open court on the date fixed
in the order that such order has been published as directed and that the person died
intestate, seized of real or personal property in the Philippines, leaving no heir or person
entitled to the same, and no sufficient cause being shown to the contrary, the court shall
adjudge that the estate of the estate of the deceased in the Philippines, after the payment
of just debts and charges, shall escheat; and shall, pursuant to law, assign the personal
estate to the municipality or city where he last resided in the Philippines, and the real estate
to the municipalities or cities, respectively, in which the same is situated. If the deceased
never resided in the Philippines, the whole estate may be assigned to the respective
municipalities or cities where the same is located. Shall estate shall be for the benefit of
public schools, and public charitable institutions and centers in said municipalities or cities.

The court, at the instance of an interested party, or on its own motion, may order the
establishment of a permanent trust, so that the only income from the property shall be used.

Section 4. When and by whom claim to estate filed. — If a devisee, legatee, heir, widow,
widower, or other person entitled to such estate appears and files a claim thereto with the

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court within five (5) years from the date of such judgment, such person shall have
possession of and title to the same, or if sold, the municipality or city shall be accountable
to him for the proceeds after deducting reasonable charges for the care of the estate; but a
claim not made within the said time shall be forever barred.

Section 5. Other actions for escheat. — Until otherwise provided by law, actions reversion
or escheat of properties alienated in violation of the Constitution or of any statute shall be
governed by this rule, except that the action shall be instituted in the province where the
land lies in whole or in part.

General Guardians and Guardianship

RULE 92

Venue

Section 1. Where to institute proceedings. — Guardianship of a person or estate of a minor

or incompetent may be instituted in the Court of First Instance of the province, or in the
justice of the peace court of the municipality, or in the municipal court chartered city where
the minor or incompetent persons resides, and if he resides in a foreign country, in the Court
of First Instance of the province wherein his property or the party thereof is
situated; provided, however, that where the value of the property of such minor or
incompetent exceeds that jurisdiction of the justice of the peace or municipal court, the
proceedings shall be instituted in the Court of First Instance.

In the City of Manila the proceedings shall be instituted in the Juvenile and Domestic
Relations Court.

Section 2. Meaning of word "incompetent." — Under this rule, the word "incompetent"
includes persons suffering the penalty of civil interdiction or who are hospitalized lepers,
prodigals, deaf and dumb who are unable to read and write, those who are of unsound mind,
even though they have lucid intervals, and persons not being of unsound mind, but by
reason of age, disease, weak mind, and other similar causes, cannot, without outside aid,
take care of themselves and manage their property, becoming thereby an easy prey for
deceit and exploitation.

Section 3. Transfer of venue. — The court taking cognizance of a guardianship proceeding,

may transfer the same to the court of another province or municipality wherein the ward has
acquired real property, if he has transferred thereto his bona-fide residence, and the latter

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court shall have full jurisdiction to continue the proceedings, without requiring payment of
additional court fees.

RULE 93

Appointment of Guardians

Section 1. Who may petition for appointment of guardian for resident. — Any relative, friend,
or other person on behalf of a resident minor or incompetent who has no parent or lawful
guardian, or the minor himself if fourteen years of age or over, may petition the court having
jurisdiction for the appointment of a general guardian for the person or estate, or both, of
such minor or incompetent. An officer of the Federal Administration of the United States in
the Philippines may also file a petition in favor of a ward thereof, and the Director of Health,
in favor of an insane person who should be hospitalized, or in favor of an isolated leper.

Section 2. Contents of petition. — A petition for the appointment of a general guardian must
show, so far as known to the petitioner:

(a) The jurisdiction facts;

(b) The minority or incompetency rendering the appointment necessary or convenient;

(c) The names, ages, and residence of the relatives of the minor or incompetent, and
of the person having him in their care;

(d) The probable value and character of his estate;

(e) The name of the person for whom letters of guardianship.

The petition shall be verified; but no defect in the petition or verification shall render void the
issuance of letters of guardianship.

Section 3. Court to set time for hearing. Notice thereof. — When a petition for the
appointment of a general guardian is filed, the court shall fix a time and place for hearing
the same, and shall cause reasonable notice thereof to be given to the persons mentioned
in the petition residing in the province, including the minor if above 14 years of age or the
incompetent himself, and may direct other general or special notice thereof to be given.

Section 4. Opposition to petition. — Any interested person may, by filing a written

opposition, contest the petition on the ground of majority of the alleged minor, competency
of the alleged incompetent, or the insuitability of the person for whom letters are prayed,
and may pray that the petition be dismissed, or that letters of guardianship issue to himself,
or to any suitable person named in the opposition.

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Section 5. Hearing and order for letters to issue. — At the hearing of the petition the alleged
in competent must be present if able to attend, and it must be shown that the required notice
has been given. Thereupon the courts shall hear the evidence of the parties in support of
their respective allegations, and, if the person in question is a minor, or incompetent it shall
be appoint a suitable guardian of his person or estate, or both, with the powers and duties
hereinafter specified.

Section 6. When and how guardian for non-resident appointed. Notice. — When a person
liable to be put under guardianship resides without the Philippines but the estate therein,
any relative or friend of such person, or any one interested in his estate, in expectancy or
otherwise, may petition a court having jurisdiction for the appointment of a guardian for the
estate, and if, after notice given to such person and in such manner as the court deems
proper, by publication or otherwise, and hearing, the court is satisfied that such non-resident
is a minor or incompetent rendering a guardian necessary or convenient, it may appoint a
guardian for such estate.

Section 7. Parents as guardians. — When the property of the child under parental authority
is worth two thousand pesos or less, the father of the mother, without the necessity of court
appointment, shall be his legal guardian. When the property of the child is worth more than
two thousand pesos, the father or the mother shall be considered guardian of the child's
property, with the duties and obligations of guardians under this rules, and shall file the
petition required by section 2 hereof. For good reasons the court may, however, appoint
another suitable person.

Section 8. Service of judgment. — Final orders or judgments under this rule shall be served
upon the civil registrar of the municipality or city where the minor or incompetent person
resides or where his property or part thereof is situated.

RULE 94

Bonds of Guardians

Section 1. Bond to be given before issuance of letters. Amount. Condition. — Before a

guardian appointed enters upon the execution of his trust, or letters of guardianship issue,
he shall give a bond, in such sum as the court directs, conditioned as follows:

(a) To make and return to the court, within three (3) months, a true and complete
inventory of all the estate, real and personal, of his ward which shall come to
his possession or knowledge of any other person for him;

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 (b) To faithfully execute the duties of his trust, to manage and dispose of the
estate according to these rules for the best interests of the ward, and to provide
for the proper care, custody, and education of the ward;

(c) To render a true and just account of all the estate of the ward in his hands,
and of all proceeds or interest derived therefrom, and of the management and
disposition of the same, at the time designated by these rules and such other
times as the courts directs, and at the expiration of his trust to settle his
accounts with the court and deliver and pay over all the estate, effects, and
moneys remaining in his hands, or due from him on such settlement, to the
person lawfully entitled thereto;

(d) To perform all orders of the court by him to be performed.

Section 2. When new bond may be required and old sureties discharged. — Whenever it
is deemed necessary, the court may require a new bond to be given by the guardian, and
may discharge the sureties on the old bond from further liability, after due notice to
interested persons, when no injury can result therefrom to those interested in the estate.

Section 3. Bonds to be filed. Actions thereon. — Every bond given by a guardian shall be
filed in the office of the clerk of the court, and, in case of the breach of a condition thereof,
may be prosecuted in the same proceeding or in a separate action for the use and benefit
of the ward or of any other person legally interested in the estate.

RULE 95

Selling and Encumbering Property of Ward

Section 1. Petition of guardian for leave to sell or encumber estate. — When the income of
the estate under guardianship is insufficient to maintain the ward and his family, or to
maintain and educate the ward when a minor, or when it appears that it is for the benefit of
the ward that his real estate or some part thereof be sold, or mortgaged or otherwise
encumbered, and the proceeds thereof put out at interest, or invested in some productive
security, or in the improvement or security or other real estate of the ward, the guardian may
present a verified petition to the court by which he was appointed setting forth such facts,
and praying that an order issue authorizing the sale or encumbrance.

Section 2. Order to show cause thereupon. — If it seems probable that such sale or
encumbrance is necessary, or would be beneficial to the ward, the court shall make an order
directing the next of kin of the ward, and all persons interested in the estate, to appear at a
reasonable time and place therein specified to show cause why the prayer of the petition
should not be granted.

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Section 3. Hearing on return of order. Costs. — At the time and place designated in the
order to show cause, the court shall hear the proofs and allegations of the petitioner and
next of kin, and other persons interested, together with their witnesses, and grant and refuse
the prayer of the petition as the best interest of the ward require. The court shall make such
order as to cost of the hearing as may be just.

Section 4. Contents of order for sale or encumbrance, and how long effective. Bond. — If,
after full examination, it appears that it is necessary, or would be beneficial to the ward, to
sell or encumber the estate, or some portion of it, the court shall order such sale or
encumbrance and that the proceeds thereof be expended for the maintenance of the ward
and his family, or the education of the ward, if a minor, or for the putting of the same interest,
or the investment of the same as the circumstances may require. The order shall specify
the causes why the sale or encumbrance is necessary or beneficial, and may direct that
estate ordered sold be disposed of at either public or private sale, subject to such conditions
as to the time and manner of payment, and security where a part of the payment is deferred
as in the discretion of the court are deemed most beneficial to the ward. The original bond
of the guardian shall stand as security for the proper appropriation of the proceeds of the
sale, but the judge may, if deemed expedient, require an additional bond as a condition for
the granting of the order of sale. No order of sale granted in pursuance of this section shall
continue in force more than one (1) year after granting the same, without a sale being had.

Section 5. Court may order investment of proceeds and direct management of estate. —
The court may authorize and require the guardian to invest the proceeds of sales or
encumbrances, and any other of his ward's money in his hands, in real estate or otherwise,
as shall be for the best interest of all concerned, and may make such other orders for the
management, investment, and disposition of the estate and effects, as circumstances may
require.

RULE 96

General Powers and Duties of Guardians

Section 1. To what guardianship shall extend. — A guardian appointed shall have the care
and custody of the person of his ward, and the management of his estate, or the
manangement of the estate only, as the case may be. The guardian of the estate of a non-
resident shall have the management of all the estate of the ward within the Philippines, and
no court other than that in which such guardian was appointed shall have jurisdiction over
the guardianship.

Section 2. Guardian to pay debts of ward. — Every guardian must pay the ward's just debts
out of his personal estate and the income of his real estate, if sufficient; if not, then out of
his real estate upon obtaining an order for the sale or encumbrance thereof.

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Section 3. Guardian to settle accounts, collect debts, and appear in actions for ward. — A
guardian must settle all accounts of his ward, and demand, sue for, and receive all debts
due him, or may, with the approval of the court, compound for the same and give discharges
to the debtor, on receiving a fair and just dividend of the estate and effects; and he shall
appear for and represent his ward in all actions and special proceedings, unless another
person be appointed for that purpose.

Section 4. Estate to be managed frugally, and proceeds applied to maintenance of ward.

— A guardian must manage the estate of his ward frugally and without the waste, and apply
the income and profits thereof, so far as may be necessary, to the comfortable and suitable
maintenance of the ward and his family, if there be any; and if such income and profits be
insufficient for that purpose, the guardian may sell or encumber the real estate, upon being
authorized by order so to do, and apply to such of the proceeds as may be necessary to
such maintenance.

Section 5. Guardian may be authorized to join in partition proceedings after hearing. — The
court may authorized the guardian to join in an assent to a partition of real or personal estate
held by the ward jointly or in common with others, but such authority shall only be granted
after hearing, upon such notice to relatives of the ward as the court may direct, and a careful
investigation as to the necessity and propriety of the proposed action.

Section 6. Proceedings when the person suspected of embezzling or concealing property

of ward. — Upon complaint of the guardian or ward, or of any person having actual or
prospective interest in the estate of the ward as creditor, heir, or otherwise, that anyone is
suspected of having embezzled, concealed, or conveyed away any money, goods, or
interest, or a written instrument, belonging to the ward or his estate, the court may cite the
suspected person to appear for examination touching such money, goods, interest, or
instrument, and make such orders as will secure the estate against such embezzlement,
concealment or conveyance.

Section 7. Inventories and accounts of guardians, and appraisement of estates. — A

guardian must render to the court an inventory of the estate of his ward within three (3)
months after his appointment, and annually after such appointment an inventory and
account, the rendition of any of which may be compelled upon the application of an
interested person. Such inventories and accounts shall be sworn to by the guardian. All the
estate of the ward described in the first inventory shall be appraised. In the appraisement
the court may request the assistance of one or more of the inheritance tax appraisers. And
whenever any property of the ward not included in an inventory already rendered is
discovered, or suceeded to, or acquired by the ward, like proceedings shall be had for
securing an inventory and appraisement thereof within three (3) months after such
discovery, succession, or acquisition.

Section 8. When guardian's accounts presented for settlement. Expenses and

compensation allowed. — Upon the expiration of a year from the time of his appointment,

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and as often thereafter as may be required, a guardian must present his account to the court
for settlement and allowance. In the settlement of the account, the guardian, other than a
parent, shall be allowed the amount of his reasonable expenses incurred in the execution
of his trust and also such compensation for his services as the court deems just, not
exceeding fifteen per centum of the net income of the ward.

RULE 97

Termination of Guardianship

Section 1. Petition that competency of ward be adjudged, and proceedings thereupon. —

A person who has been declared incompetent for any reason, or his guardian, relative, or
friend, may petition the court to have his present competency judicially determined. The
petition shall be verified by oath, and shall state that such person is then competent. Upon
receiving the petition, the court shall fix a time for hearing the questions raised thereby, and
cause reasonable notice thereof to be given to the guardian of the person so declared
incompetent, and to the ward. On the trial, the guardian or relatives of the ward, and, in the
discretion of the court, any other person, may contest the right to the relief demanded, and
witnesses may be called and examined by the parties or by the court on its own motion. If
it be found that the person is no longer incompetent, his competency shall be adjudged and
the guardianship shall cease.

Section 2. When the guardian removed or allowed to resign. New appointment. — When a
guardian becomes insane or otherwise incapable of discharging his trust or unsuitable
therefor, or has wasted or mismanaged the estate, or failed for thirty (30) days after it is due
to render an account or make a return, the court may, upon reasonable notice to the
guardian, remove him, and compel him to surrender the estate of the ward to the person
found to be lawfully entitled thereto. A guardian may resign when it appears proper to allow
the same; and upon his resignation or removal the court may appoint another in his place.

Section 3. Other termination of guardianship. — The marriage or voluntary emancipation

of a minor ward terminates the guardianship of the peson of the ward, and shall enable the
minor to administer his property as though he were of age, but he cannot borrow the money
or alienate or encumber real property without the consent of his father or mother, or
guardian. He can sue and be sued in court only with the assistance of his father, mother or
guardian. The guardian of any person may be discharged by the court when it appears,
upon the application of the ward or otherwise, that the guardianship is no longer necessary.

Section 4. Record to be kept by the justice of the peace or municipal judge. — When a
justice of the peace or municipal court takes cognizance of the proceedings in pursuance
of the provisions of these rules, the record of the proceedings shall be kept as in the Court
of First Instance.

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Section 5. Service of judgment. — Final orders of judgments under this rule shall be served
upon the civil registrar of the municipality or city where the minor or incompetent person
resides or where his property or part thereof is situated.

RULE 98

Trustees

Section 1. Where trustee appointed. — A trustee necessary to carry into effect the
provisions of a will on written instrument shall be appointed by the Court of First Instance in
which the will was allowed, if it be a will allowed in the Philippines, otherwise by the Court
of First Instance of the province in which the property, or some portion thereof, affected by
the trust is situated.

Section 2. Appointment and powers of trustees under will. Executor of former trustee need
not administer trust. — If a testator has omitted in his will to appoint a trustee in the
Philippines, and if such appointment is necessary to carry into effect the provisions of the
will, the proper Court of First Instance may, after notice to all persons interested, appoint a
trustee who shall have the same rights, powers, and duties, and in whom the estate shall
vest, as if he had been appointed by the testator. No person succeeding to a trust as
executor or administrator of a former trustee shall be required to accept such trust.

Section 3. Appointment and powers of new trustee under written instrument. — When a
trustee under a written instrument declines, resigns, dies or removed before the objects of
the trust are accomplished, and no adequate provision is made in such instrument for
supplying the vacancy, the proper Court of First Instance may, after due notice to all persons
interested, appoint a new trustee to act alone or jointly with the others, as the case may be.
Such new trustee shall have and exercise the same powers, right, and duties as if he had
been originally appointed, and the trust estate shall vest in him in like manner as it had
vested or would have vested, in the trustee in whose place he is substituted and the court
may order such conveyance to be made by the former trustee or his representatives, or by
the other remaining trustees, as may be necessary or proper to vest the trust estate in the
new trustee, either or jointly with the others.

Section 4. Proceedings where trustee appointed abroad. — When land in the Philippines
is held in trust for persons resident here by a trustee who derives his authority from without
the Philippines, such trustee shall, on petition filed in the Court of First Instance of the
province where the land is situated, and after due notice to all persons interested, be
ordered to apply to the court for appointment as trustee; and upon his neglect or refusal to
comply with such order, the court shall declare such trust vacant, and shall appoint a new
trustee in whom the trust estate shall vest in like manner as if he had been originally
appointed by such court.

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Section 5. Trustee must file bond. — Before entering on the duties of his trust, a trustee
shall file with the clerk of the court having jurisdiction of the trust a bond in the amount fixed
by the judge of said court, payable to the Government of the Philippines and sufficient and
available for the protection of any party in interest, and a trustee who neglects to file such
bond shall be considered to have declined or resigned the trust; but the court may until
further order exempt a trustee under a will from giving a bond when the testator has directed
or requested such exemption and may so exempt any trustee when all persons beneficially
interested in the trust, being of full age, request the exemption. Such exemption may be
cancelled by the court at any time and the trustee required to forthwith file a bond.

Section 6. Conditions included in bond. — The following conditions shall be deemed to be

part of the bond whether written therein or not;

(a) That the trustee will make and return to the court, at such time as it may
order, a true inventory of all the real and personal estate belonging to him as
trustee, which at the time of the making of such inventory shall have come to
his possession or knowledge;

(b) That he will manage and dispose of all such estate, and faithfully discharge
his trust in relation thereto, according to law and the will of the testator or the
provisions of the instrument or order under which he is appointed;

(c) That he will render upon oath at least once a year until his trust is fulfilled,
unless he is excused therefrom in any year by the court, a true account of the
property in his hands and the management and disposition thereof, and will
render such other accounts as the court may order;

(d) That at the expiration of his trust he will settle his account in court and pay
over and deliver all the estate remaining in his hands, or due from him on such
settlement, to the person or persons entitled to thereto.

But when the trustee is appointed as a successor to a prior trustee, the court may dispense
with the making and return of an inventory, if one has already been filed, and in such case
the condition of the bond shall be deemed to be altered accordingly.

Section 7. Appraisal. Compensation of trustee. — When an inventory is required to be

returned by a trustee, the estate and effects belonging to the trust shall be appraised and
the court may order one or more inheritance tax appraisers to assist in the appraisement.
The compensation of the trustee shall be fixed by the court, if it be not determined in the
instrument creating the trust.

Section 8. Removal or resignation of trustee. — The proper Court of First Instance may,
upon petition of the parties beneficially interested and after due notice to the trustee and
hearing, remove a trustee if such removal appears essential in the interest of the petitioner.

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The court may also, after due notice to all persons interested, remove a trustee who is
insane or otherwise incapable of discharging his trust or evidently unsuitable therefor. A
trustee, whether appointed by the court or under a written instrument, may resign his trust
if it appears to the court proper to allow such resignation.

Section 9. Proceedings for sale or encumbrance of trust estate. — When the sale or
encumbrance of any real or personal estate held in trust is necessary or expedient, the court
having jurisdiction of the trust may, on petition and after due notice and hearing, order such
sale or encumbrance to be made, and the re-investment and application of the proceeds
thereof in such manner as will best effect the objects of the trust. The petition, notice,
hearing, order of sale or encumbrance, and record of proceedings, shall conform as nearly
as may be to the provisions concerning the sale or imcumbrance by guardians of the
property of minors or other wards.

RULE 99

Adoption and Custody of Minors

New Rule on Adoption, effective August 22, 2002

Section 1. Venue. — A person desiring to adopt another or have the custody of a minor
shall present his petition to the Court of First Instance of the province, or the municipal or
justice of the peace court of the city or municipality in which he resides.

In the City of Manila, the proceedings shall be instituted in the Juvenile and Domestic
Relations Court.

Section 2. Contents of petition. — The petition for adoption shall contain the same
allegations required in a petition for guardianship, to wit:

(a) The jurisdictional facts;

(b) The qualification of the adopter;

(c) That the adopter is not disqualified by law;

(d) The name, age, and residence of the person to be adopted and of his
relatives of the persons who have him under their care;

(e) The probable value and character of the estate of the person to be adopted.

Section 3. Consent of adoption. — There shall be filed with the petition a written consent
to the adoption signed by the child, if fourteen years of age or over and not incompetent,

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and by the child's spouse, if any, and by each of its known living parents who is not insane
or hopelessly intemperate or has not abandoned such child, or if there is no such parents
by the general guardian or guardian ad litem of the child, or if the child is in the custody of
an orphan asylum, children's home, or benevolent society or person, by the proper officer
of such asylum, home, or society, or by such person; but if the child is illegitimate and has
not been recognized, the consent of its father to the adoption shall not be required.

If the person to be adopted is of age, only his or her consent and that of the spouse, if any,
shall be required.

Section 4. Order for hearing. — If the petition and consent filed are sufficient in form and
substance, the court, by an order reciting the purpose of the petition, shall fix a date and
place for the hearing thereof, which shall not be more than six (6) months after the entry of
the order, and shall direct that a copy of the order be published before the hearing at least
once a week for three (3) successive weeks in some newspaper of general circulation
published in the province, as the court shall deem best.

Section 5. Hearing and judgment. — Upon satisfactory proof in open court on the date fixed
in the order that such order has been published as directed, that the allegations of petition
are true, and that it is a proper case for adoption and the petitioner or petitioners are able
to bring up and educate the child properly, the court shall adjudge that thenceforth the child
is free from all legal obligations of obedience and maintenance with respect to its natural
parents, except the mother when the child is adopted by her husband, and is, to all legal
intents and purposes, the child of the petitioner or petitioners, and that its surname is
changed to that the petitioner or petitioners. The adopted person or child shall thereupon
become the legal heir of his parents by adoption and shall also remain the legal heir of his
natural parents. In case of the death of the adopted person or child, his parents and relatives
by nature, and not by adoption, shall be his legal heirs.

Section 6. Proceedings as to the child whose parents are separated. Appeal. — When
husband and wife are divorce or living separately and apart from each other, and the
question as to the care, custody, and control of a child or children of their marriage is brought
before a Court of First Instance by petition or as an incident to any other proceeding, the
court, upon hearing the testimony as may be pertinent, shall award the care, custody, and
control of each such child as will be for its best interest, permitting the child to choose which
parent it prefers to live with if it be over ten years of age, unless the parent so chosen be
unfit to take charge of the child by the reason of moral depravity, habitual drunkenness,
incapacity, or poverty. If, upon such hearing, it appears that both parents are improper
persons to have the care, custody, and control of the child, the court may either designate
the paternal or maternal grandparent of the child, or his oldest brother or sister, or some
reputable and discreet person to take charge of such child, or commit it to any suitable
asylum, children's home, or benevolent society. The court may in conformity with the
provisions of the Civil Code order either or both parents to support or help support said
child, irrespective of who may be its custodian, and may make any order that is just and

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reasonable permitting the parent who is deprived of its care and custody to visit the child or
have temporary custody thereof. Either parent may appeal from an order made in
accordance with the provisions of this section. No child under seven years of age shall be
separated from its mother, unless the court finds there are compelling reasons thereof.

Section 7. Proceedings as to vagrant or abused child. — When the parents of any minor
child are dead, or by reason of long absence or legal or physical disability have abandoned
it, or cannot support it through vagrancy, negligence, or misconduct, or neglect or refuse to
support it, or treat it with excessive harshness or give it corrupting orders, counsels, or
examples, or cause or allow it to engage in begging, or to commit offenses against the law,
the proper Court of First Instance, upon petition filed by some reputable resident of the
province setting forth the facts, may issue an order requiring such parents to show cause,
or, if the parents are dead or cannot be found, requiring the fiscal of the province to show
cause, at a time and place fixed in the order, why the child should not be taken from its
parents, if living; and if upon the hearing it appears that the allegations of the petition are
true, and that it is order taking it from its parents, if living; and committing it to any suitable
orphan asylum, children's home, or benevolent society or person to be ultimately placed, by
adoption or otherwise, in a home found for it by such asylum, children's home, society, or
person.

Section 8. Service of judgment. — Final orders or judgments under this rule shall be served
by the clerk upon the civil registrar of the city or municipality wherein the court issuing the
same is situated.

RULE 100

Rescission and Revocation of Adoption

Section 1. Who may file petition; grounds. — A minor or other incapacitated person may,
through a guardian or guardian ad litem, petition for the rescission or revocation of his or
her adoption for the same causes that authorize the deprivation of parental authority.

The adopter may, likewise, petition the court for the rescission of revocation of the adoption
in any of these cases:

(a) If the adopted person has attempted against the file of the adopter;

(b) When the adopted minor has abandoned the home of the adopter for more
than three (3) years;

(c) When by other acts the adopted person has repudiated the adoption.

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Section 2. Order to answer. — The court in which the petition is filed shall issue an order
requiring the adverse party to answer the petition within fifteen (15) days from receipt of a
copy thereof. The order and a copy of the petition shall be served on the adverse party in
such manner as the court may direct

Section 3. Judgment. — If upon trial, on the day set therefor, the court finds that the
allegations of the petition are true, it shall render judgment ordering the rescission or
revocation of the adoption, with or without costs, as justice requires.

Section 4. Service of Judgment. — A certified copy of the judgment rendered in accordance

with the next preceding section shall be served upon the civil registrar concerned, within
thirty (30) days from rendition thereof, who shall forthwith enter the action taken by the court
in the register.

Section 5. Time within which to file petition. — A minor or other incapacitated person must
file the petition for rescission or revocation of adoption within the five (5) years following his
majority, or if he was incompetent at the time of the adoption, within the five (5) years
following the recovery from such incompetency.

The adopter must also file the petition to set aside the adoption within five (5) years from
the time the cause or causes giving rise to the rescission or revocation of the same took
place.

RULE 101

Proceedings for Hospitalization of Insane Persons

Section 1. Venue, Petition for commitment. — A petition for the commitment of a person to
a hospital or other place for the insane may be filed with the Court of First Instance of the
province where the person alleged to be insane is found. The petition shall be filed by the
Director of Health in all cases where, in his opinion, such commitment is for the public
welfare, or for the welfare of said person who, in his judgment, is insane and such person
or the one having charge of him is opposed to his being taken to a hospital or other place
for the insane.

Section 2. Order for hearing. — If the petition filed is sufficient in form and substance, the
court, by an order reciting the purpose of the petition, shall fix a date for the hearing thereof,
and copy of such order shall be served on the person alleged to be insane, and to the one
having charge him, or on such of his relatives residing in the province or city as the judge
may deem proper. The court shall furthermore order the sheriff to produce the alleged
insane person, if possible, on the date of the hearing.

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Section 3. Hearing and judgment. — Upon satisfactory proof, in open court on the date
fixed in the order, that the commitment applied for is for the public welfare or for the welfare
of the insane person, and that his relatives are unable for any reason to take proper custody
and care of him, the court shall order his commitment to such hospital or other place for the
insane as may be recommended by the Director of Health. The court shall make proper
provisions for the custody of property or money belonging to the insane until a guardian be
properly appointed.

Section 4. Discharge of insane. — When, in the opinion of the Director of Health, the person
ordered to be committed to a hospital or other place for the insane is temporarily or
permanently cured, or may be released without danger he may file the proper petition with
the Court of First Instance which ordered the commitment.

Section 5. Assistance of fiscal in the proceeding. — It shall be the duty of the provincial
fiscal or in the City of Manila the fiscal of the city, to prepare the petition for the Director of
Health and represent him in court in all proceedings arising under the provisions of this rule.

RULE 102

Habeas Corpus

Section 1. To what habeas corpus extends. — Except as otherwise expressly provided by

law, the writ of habeas corpus shall extend to all cases of illegal confinement or detention
by which any person is deprived of his liberty, or by which the rightful custody of any person
is withheld from the person entitled thereto.

Section 2. Who may grant the writ. — The writ of habeas corpus may be granted by the
Supreme Court, or any member thereof in the instances authorized by law, and if so granted
it shall be enforceable anywhere in the Philippines, and may be made returnable before the
court or any member thereof, or before a Court of First Instance, or any judge thereof for
the hearing and decision on the merits. It may also be granted by a Court of First Instance,
or a judge thereof, on any day and at any time, and returnable before himself, enforceable
only within his judicial district.

Section 3. Requisites of application therefor. — Application for the writ shall be by petition
signed and verified either by the party for whose relief it is intended, or by some person on
his behalf, and shall set forth:

(a) That the person in whose behalf the application is made is imprisoned or restrained
on his liberty;

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 (b) The officer or name of the person by whom he is so imprisoned or restrained; or,
if both are unknown or uncertain, such officer or person may be described by an
assumed appellation, and the person who is served with the writ shall be deemed the
person intended;

(c) The place where he is so imprisoned or restrained, if known;

(d) A copy of the commitment or cause of detention of such person, if it can be

procured without impairing the efficiency of the remedy; or, if the imprisonment or
restraint is without any legal authority, such fact shall appear.

Section 4. When writ not allowed or discharge authorized. — If it appears that the person
alleged to be restrained of his liberty is in the custody of an officer under process issued by
a court or judge or by virtue of a judgment or order of a court of record, and that the court
or judge had jurisdiction to issue the process, render the judgment, or make the order, the
writ shall not be allowed; or if the jurisdiction appears after the writ is allowed, the person
shall not be discharged by reason of any informality or defect in the process, judgment, or
order. Not shall anything in this rule be held to authorize the discharge of a person charged
with or convicted of an offense in the Philippines, or of a person suffering imprisonment
under lawful judgment.

Section 5. When the writ must be granted and issued. — A court or judge authorized to
grant the writ must, when a petition therefor is presented and it appears that the writ ought
to issue, grant the same forthwith, and immediately thereupon the clerk of the court shall
issue the writ under the seal of the court; or in case of emergency, the judge may issue the
writ under his own hand, and may depute any officer or person to serve it.

Section 6. To whom writ directed, and what to require. — In case of imprisonment or

restraint by an officer, the writ shall be directed to him, and shall command him to have the
body of the person restrained of his liberty before the court or judge designated in the writ
at the time and place therein specified. In case of imprisonment or restraint by a person not
an officer, the writ shall be directed to an officer, and shall command him to take and have
the body of the person restrained of his liberty before the court or judge designated in the
writ at the time and place therein specified, and to summon the person by whom he is
restrained then and there to appear before said court or judge to show the cause of the
imprisonment or restraint.

Section 7. How prisoner designated and writ served. — The person to be produced should
be designated in the writ by his name, if known, but if his name is not known he may be
otherwise described or identified. The writ may be served in any province by the sheriff or
other proper officer, or by a person deputed by the court or judge. Service of the writ shall
be made by leaving the original with the person to whom it is directed and preserving a copy
on which to make return or service. If that person cannot be found, or has not the prisoner

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in his custody, then the service shall be made on any other person having or exercising
such custody.

Section 8. How writ executed and returned. — The officer to whom the writ is directed shall
convey the person so imprisoned or restrained, and named in the writ, before the judge
allowing the writ, or in case of his absence or disability, before some other judge of the same
court, on the day specified in the writ, unless, from sickness or infirmity of the person
directed to be produced, such person cannot, without danger, be bought before the court or
judge; and the officer shall make due return of the writ, together with the day and the cause
of the caption and restraint of such person according to the command thereof.

Section 9. Defect of form. — No writ of habeas corpus can be disobeyed for defect of form,
if it sufficiently appears therefrom in whose custody or under whose restraint the party
imprisoned or restrained is held and the court or judge before whom he is to be bought.

Section 10. Contents of return. — When the person to be produced is imprisoned or

restrained by an officer, the person who makes the return shall state therein, and in other
cases the person in whose custody the prisoner is found shall state, in writing to the court
or judge before whom the writ is returnable, plainly and unequivocably:

(a) Whether he has or has not the party in his custody or power, or under restraint;

(b) If he has the party in his custody or power, or under restraint, the authority and the
true and whole cause thereof, set forth at large, with a copy of the writ, order
execution, or other process, if any, upon which the party is held;

(c) If the party is in his custody or power or is restrained by him, and is not produced,
particularly the nature and gravity of the sickness or infirmity of such party by reason
of which he cannot, without danger, be bought before the court or judge;

(d) If he has had the party in his custody or power, or under restraint, and has
transferred such custody or restraint to another, particularly to whom, at what time,
for what cause, and by what authority such transfer was made.

Section 11. Return to be signed and sworn to. — The return or statement shall be signed
by the person who makes it; and shall also be sworn by him if the prisoner is not produced,
and in all other cases unless the return is made and signed by a sworn public officer in his
official capacity.

Section 12. Hearing on return. Adjournments. — When the writ is returned before one
judge, at a time when the court is in session, he may forthwith adjourn the case into the
court, there to be heard and determined. The court or judge before whom the writ is returned
or adjourned must immediately proceed to hear and examine the return, and such other
matters as are properly submitted for consideration, unless for good cause shown the

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hearing is adjourned, in which event the court or judge shall make such order for the
safekeeping of the person imprisoned or restrained as the nature of the case requires. If the
person imprisoned or restrained is not produced because of his alleged sickness or infirmity,
the court or judge must be satisfied that it is so grave that such person cannot be produced
without danger, before proceeding to hear and dispose of the matter. On the hearing the
court or judge shall disregard matters of form and technicalities in respect to any warrant or
order of commitment of a court or officer authorized to commit by law.

Section 13. When the return evidence, and when only a plea. — If it appears that the
prisoner is in custody under a warrant of commitment in pursuance of law, the return shall
be considered prima facieevidence of the cause of restraint, but if he is restrained of his
liberty by any alleged private authority, the return shall be considered only as a plea of the
facts therein set forth, and the party claiming the custody must prove such facts.

Section 14. When person lawfully imprisoned recommitted, and when let to bail. — If it
appears that the prisoner was lawfully committed, and is plainly and specifically charged in
the warrant of commitment with an offense punishable by death, he shall not be released,
discharged, or bailed. If he is lawfully imprisoned or restrained on a charge of having
committed an offense not so punishable, he may be recommitted to imprisonment or
admitted to bail in the discretion of the court or judge. If he be admitted to bail, he shall
forthwith file a bond in such sum as the court or judge deems reasonable, considering the
circumstances of the prisoner and the nature of the offense charged, conditioned for his
appearance before the court where the offense is properly cognizable to abide its order of
judgment; and the court or judge shall certify the proceedings, together with the bond,
forthwith to the proper court. If such bond is not so filed, the prisoner shall be recommitted
to confinement.

Section 15. When prisoner discharged if no appeal. — When the court or judge has
examined into the cause of caption and restraint of the prisoner, and is satisfied that he is
unlawfully imprisoned or restrained, he shall forthwith order his discharge from confinement,
but such discharge shall not be effective until a copy of the order has been served on the
officer or person detaining the prisoner. If the officer or person detaining the prisoner does
not desire to appeal, the prisoner shall be forthwith released.

Section 16. Penalty for refusing to issue writ, or for disobeying the same. — A clerk of a
court who refuses to issue the writ after allowance thereof and demand therefor, or a person
to whom a writ is directed, who neglects or refuses to obey or make return of the same
according to the command thereof, or makes false return thereof, or who, upon demand
made by or on behalf of the prisoner, refuses to deliver to the person demanding, within six
(6) hours after the demand therefor, a true copy of the warrant or order of commitment, shall
forfeit to the party aggrieved the sum of one thousand pesos, to be recorded in a proper
action, and may also be punished by the court or judge as for contempt.

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Section 17. Person discharged not to be again imprisoned. — A person who is set at liberty
upon a writ of habeas corpus shall not be again imprisoned for the same offense unless by
the lawful order or process of a court having jurisdiction of the cause or offense; and a
person who knowingly, contrary to the provisions of this rule, recommits or imprisons, or
causes to be committed or imprisoned, for the same offense, or pretended offense, any
person so set at liberty, or knowingly aids or assists therein, shall forfeit to the party
aggrieved the sum of one thousand pesos, to be recovered in a proper action,
notwithstanding any colorable pretense or variation in the warrant of commitment, and may
also be punished by the court or judge granting the writ as for contempt.

Section 18. When prisoner may be removed from one custody to another. — A person
committed to prison, or in custody of an officer, for any criminal matter, shall not be removed
therefrom into the custody of another unless by legal process, or the prisoner be delivered
to an inferior officer to carry to jail, or, by order of the proper court or judge, be removed
from one place to another within the Philippines for trial, or in case of fire epidemic,
insurrection, or other necessity or public calamity; and a person who, after such
commitment, makes signs, or counter-signs any order for such removal contrary to this
section, shall forfeit to the party aggrieved the sum of one thousand pesos, to be recovered
in a proper action.

Section 19. Record of writ, fees and costs. — The proceedings upon a writ of habeas
corpus shall be recorded by the clerk of the court, and upon the final disposition of such
proceedings the court or judge shall make such order as to costs as the case requires. The
fees of officers and witnesses shall be included in the costs taxed, but no officer or person
shall have the right to demand payment in advance of any fees to which he is entitled by
virtue of the proceedings. When a person confined under color of proceedings in a criminal
case is discharged, the costs shall be taxed against the Republic of the Philippines, and
paid out of its Treasury; when a person in custody by virtue or under color of proceedings
in a civil case is discharged, the costs shall be taxed against him, or against the person who
signed the application for the writ, or both, as the court shall direct.

RULE 103

Change of Name

Section 1. Venue. — A person desiring to change his name shall present the petition to the
Court of First Instance of the province in which he resides, or, in the City of Manila, to the
Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court.

Section 2. Contents of petition. — A petition for change of name shall be signed and verified
by the person desiring his name changed, or some other person on his behalf, and shall set
forth:

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 (a) That the petitioner has been a bona fide resident of the province where the petition
is filed for at least three (3) years prior to the date of such filing;

(b) The cause for which the change of the petitioner's name is sought;

(c) The name asked for.

Section 3. Order for hearing. — If the petition filed is sufficient in form and substance, the
court, by an order reciting the purpose of the petition, shall fix a date and place for the
hearing thereof, and shall direct that a copy of the order be published before the hearing at
least once a week for three (3) successive weeks in some newspaper of general circulation
published in the province, as the court shall deem best. The date set for the hearing shall
not be within thirty (30) days prior to an election nor within four (4) month after the last
publication of the notice.

Section 4. Hearing. — Any interested person may appear at the hearing and oppose the
petition. The Solicitor General or the proper provincial or city fiscal shall appear on behalf
of the Government of the Republic.

Section 5. Judgment. — Upon satisfactory proof in open court on the date fixed in the order
that such order has been published as directed and that the allegations of the petition are
true, the court shall, if proper and reasonable cause appears for changing the name of the
petitioner, adjudge that such name be changed in accordance with the prayer of the petition.

Section 6. Service of judgment. — Judgments or orders rendered in connection with this

rule shall be furnished the civil registrar of the municipality or city where the court issuing
the same is situated, who shall forthwith enter the same in the civil register.

RULE 104

Voluntary Dissolution of Corporations

Section 1. Where, by whom and on what showing application made. — A petition for
dissolution of a corporation shall be filed in the Court of First Instance of the province where
the principal office of a corporation is situated. The petition shall be signed by a majority of
its board of directors or other officers having the management of its affairs, verified by its
president or secretary or one of its directors, and shall set forth all claims and demands
against it, and that its dissolution was resolved upon by a majority of the members, or, if a
stock corporation, by the affirmative vote of the stockholders holding and representing two-
thirds of all shares of stock issued or subscribed, at a meeting of its members or
stockholders called for that purpose.

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Section 2. Order thereupon for filing objections. — If the petition is sufficient in form and
substance, the court by an order reciting the purpose of the petition, shall fix a date on or
before which objections thereto may be filed by any person, which date shall not be less
that thirty (30) nor more than sixty (60) days after the entry of the order. Before such date a
copy of the order shall be published at least once a week for four (4) successive weeks in
some newspaper of general circulation published in the municipality or city where the
principal office of the corporation is situated, or, if there be no such newspaper, then in some
newspaper of general circulation in the Philippines, and a similar copy shall be posted for
four (4) weeks in three public places in such municipality or city.

Section 3. Hearing, dissolution, and disposition of assets. Receiver. — Upon five (5) days
notice given after the date on which the right to file objections as fixed in the order expired,
the court shall proceed to hear the petition and try any issue made by objections filed; and
if no such objection is sufficient, and the material allegations of the petition are true, it shall
render judgment dissolving the corporation and directing such disposition of its assets as
justice requires, and may appoint a receiver to collect such assets and pay the debts of the
corporation.

Section 4. What shall constitute record. — The petition, orders, proof of publication and
posting, objections filed, declaration of dissolution, and any evidence taken, shall constitute
the record in the case.

RULE 105

Judicial Approval of Voluntary Recognition of Minor Natural Children

Section 1. Venue. — Where judicial approval of a voluntary recognition of a minor natural

child is required, such child or his parents shall obtain the same by filing a petition to that
effect with the Court of First Instance of the province in which the child resides. In the City
of Manila, the petition shall be filed in the Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court.

Section 2. Contents of petition. — The petition for judicial approval of a voluntary

recognition of a minor natural child shall contain the following allegations:

(a) The jurisdictional facts;

(b) The names and residences of the parents who acknowledged the child, or of either
of them, and their compulsory heirs, and the person or persons with whom the child
lives;

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 (c) The fact that the recognition made by the parent or parents took place in a
statement before a court of record or in an authentic writing, copy of the statement or
writing being attached to the petition.

Section 3. Order for hearing. — Upon the filing of the petition, the court, by an order reciting
the purpose of the same, shall fix the date and place for the hearing thereof, which date
shall not be more than six (6) months after the entry of the order, and shall, moreover, cause
a copy of the order to be served personally or by mail upon the interested parties, and
published once a week for three (3) consecutive weeks, in a newspaper or newspaper of
general circulation in the province.

Section 4. Opposition. — Any interested party must, within fifteen (15) days from the
service, or from the last date of publication, of the order referred to in the next preceding
section, file his opposition to the petition, stating the grounds or reasons therefor.

Section 5. Judgment. — If, from the evidence presented during the hearing, the court is
satisfied that the recognition of the minor natural child was willingly and voluntarily made by
he parent or parents concerned, and that the recognition is for the best interest of the child,
it shall render judgment granting judicial approval of such recognition.

Section 6. Service of judgment upon civil registrar. — A copy of the judgment rendered in
accordance with the preceding section shall be served upon the civil registrar whose duty it
shall be to enter the same in the register.

RULE 106

Constitution of Family Home

Section 1. Who may constitute. — The head of a family owning a house and the land on
which it is situated may constitute the same into a family home by filing a verified petition to
that effect with the Court of First Instance of the province or city where the property is
located. In the City of Manila, the petition shall be filed in the Juvenile and Domestic
Relations Court.

When there is danger that a person obliged to give support may lose his or her fortune
because of grave mismanagement or on account of riotous living, his or her spouse, if any,
and a majority of those entitled to be supported by him or by her may petition the Court of
First Instance for the creation of the family home.

Section 2. Contents of petition. — The petition shall contain the following particulars:

(a) Description of the property;

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 (b) An estimate of its actual value;

(c) A statement that the petitioner is actually residing in the premises;

(d) The encumbrances thereon;

(e) The names and addresses of all the creditors of the petitioner or head of the family
and of all mortgages and other persons who have an interest in the property;

(f) The names of all the beneficiaries of the family home.

Section 3. Notice and publication. — The court shall notify the creditors, mortgagees and
all other persons who have an interest in the estate, of the filing of the petition, causing
copies thereof to be served upon them, and published once a week for three (3) consecutive
weeks in a newspaper of general circulation. The petition shall, moreover, be caused to be
posted in a conspicuous place in the parcel of land mentioned therein, and also in a
conspicuous place of the municipal building of the municipality or city in which the land is
situated, for at least fourteen (14) days prior to the day of the hearing.

Section 4. Objection and date of hearing. — In the notice and publication required in the
preceding section, the court shall require the interested parties to file their objection to the
petition within a period of not less than thirty (30) days from receipt of notice or from the
date of last publication, and shall fix the date and time of the hearing of the petition.

Section 5. Order. — After hearing, if the court finds that the actual value of the proposed
family home does not exceed twenty thousand pesos, or thirty thousand pesos in chartered
cities, and that no third person is prejudiced thereby, or that creditors have given sufficient
security for their credits, the petition shall be approved.

Section 6. Registration of order. — A certified copy of the order of the court approving the
establishment of the family home shall be furnished the register of deeds who shall record
the same in the registry of property.

RULE 107

Absentees

Section 1. Appointment of representative. — When a person disappears from his domicile,

his whereabouts being unknown, and without having left an agent to administer his property,
or the power conferred upon the agent has expired, any interested party, relative or friend
may petition the Court of First Instance of the place where the absentee resided before his
dis-appearance, for the appointment of a person to represent him provisionally in all that

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may be necessary. In the City of Manila, the petition shall be filed in the Juvenile and
Domestic Relations Court.

Section 2. Declaration of absence; who may petition. — After the lapse of two (2) years
from his disapperance and without any news about the absentee or since the receipt of the
last news, or of five (5) years in case the absentee has left a person in charge of the
administration of his property, the declaration of his absence and appointment of a trustee
or administrative may be applied for by any of the following:

(a) The spouse present;

(b) The heirs instituted in a will, who may present an authentic copy of the same.

(c) The relatives who would succeed by the law of intestacy; and

(d) Those who have over the property of the absentee some right subordinated
to the condition of his death.

Section 3. Contents of petition. — The petition for the appointment of a representative, or

for the declaration of absence and the appointment of a trustee or an administrator, must
show the following:

(a) The jurisdictional facts;

(b) The names, ages, and residences of the heirs instituted in the will, copy of
which shall be presented, and of the relatives who would succeed by the law of
intestacy;

(c) The names and residences of creditors and others who may have any
adverse interest over the property of the absentee;

(d) The probable value, location and character of the property belonging to the
absentee.

Section 4. Time of hearing; notice and publication thereof. — When a petition for the
appointment of a representative, or for the declaration of absence and the appointment of
a trustee or administrator, is filed, the court shall fix a date and place for the hearing thereof
where all concerned may appear to contest the petition.

Copies of the notice of the time and place fixed for the hearing shall be served upon the
known heirs, legatees, devisees, creditors and other interested persons, at least ten (10)
days before the day of the hearing, and shall be published once a week for three (3)
consecutive weeks prior to the time designated for the hearing, in a newspaper of general
circulation in the province or city where the absentee resides, as the court shall deem best.

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Section 5. Opposition. — Anyone appearing to contest the petition shall state in writing his
grounds therefor, and serve a copy thereof on the petitioner and other interested parties on
or before the date designated for the hearing.

Section 6. Proof at hearing; order. — At the hearing, compliance with the provisions of
section 4 of this rule must first be shown. Upon satisfactory proof of the allegations in the
petition, the court shall issue an order granting the same and appointing the representative,
trustee or administrator for the absentee. The judge shall take the necessary measures to
safeguard the rights and interests of the absentee and shall specify the powers, obligations
and remuneration of his representative, trustee or administrator, regulating them by the
rules concerning guardians.

In case of declaration of absence, the same shall not take effect until six (6) months after
its publication in a newspaper of general circulation designated by the court and in the
Official Gazette.

Section 7. Who may be appointed. — In the appointment of a representative, the spouse

present shall be preferred when there is no legal separation. If the absentee left no spouse,
or if the spouse present is a minor or otherwise incompetent, any competent person may
be appointed by the court.

In case of declaration of absence, the trustee or administrator of the absentee's property

shall be appointed in accordance with the preceding paragraph.

Section 8. Termination of administration. — The trusteeship or administration of the

property of the absentee shall cease upon order of the court in any of the following cases:

(a) When the absentee appears personally or by means of an agent;

(b) When the death of the absentee is proved and his testate or intestate heirs
appear;

(c) When a third person appears, showing by a proper document that he has
acquired the absentee's property by purchase or other title.

In these cases the trustee or administrator shall cease in the performance of his office, and
the property shall be placed at the disposal of whose may have a right thereto.

RULE 108

Cancellation Or Correction Of Entries In The Civil Registry

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Section 1. Who may file petition. — Any person interested in any act, event, order or decree
concerning the civil status of persons which has been recorded in the civil register, may file
a verified petition for the cancellation or correction of any entry relating thereto, with the
Court of First Instance of the province where the corresponding civil registry is located.

Section 2. Entries subject to cancellation or correction. — Upon good and valid grounds,
the following entries in the civil register may be cancelled or corrected: (a) births: (b)
marriage; (c) deaths; (d) legal separations; (e) judgments of annulments of marriage; (f)
judgments declaring marriages void from the beginning; (g) legitimations; (h) adoptions; (i)
acknowledgments of natural children; (j) naturalization; (k) election, loss or recovery of
citizenship; (l) civil interdiction; (m) judicial determination of filiation; (n) voluntary
emancipation of a minor; and (o) changes of name.

Section 3. Parties. — When cancellation or correction of an entry in the civil register is

sought, the civil registrar and all persons who have or claim any interest which would be
affected thereby shall be made parties to the proceeding.

Section 4. Notice and publication. — Upon the filing of the petition, the court shall, by an
order, fix the time and place for the hearing of the same, and cause reasonable notice
thereof to be given to the persons named in the petition. The court shall also cause the
order to be published once a week for three (3) consecutive weeks in a newspaper of
general circulation in the province.

Section 5. Opposition. — The civil registrar and any person having or claiming any interest
under the entry whose cancellation or correction is sought may, within fifteen (15) days from
notice of the petition, or from the last date of publication of such notice, file his opposition
thereto.

Section 6. Expediting proceedings. — The court in which the proceeding is brought may
make orders expediting the proceedings, and may also grant preliminary injunction for the
preservation of the rights of the parties pending such proceedings.

Section 7. Order. — After hearing, the court may either dismiss the petition or issue an
order granting the cancellation or correction prayed for. In either case, a certified copy of
the judgment shall be served upon the civil registrar concerned who shall annotated the
same in his record.

RULE 109

Appeals in Special Proceedings

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Section 1. Orders or judgments from which appeals may be taken. — An interested person
may appeal in special proceedings from an order or judgment rendered by a Court of First
Instance or a Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court, where such order or judgment:

(a) Allows or disallows a will;

(b) Determines who are the lawful heirs of a deceased person, or the distributive share
of the estate to which such person is entitled;

(c) Allows or disallows, in whole or in part, any claim against the estate of a deceased
person, or any claim presented on behalf of the estate in offset to a claim against it;

(d) Settles the account of an executor, administrator, trustee or guardian;

(e) Constitutes, in proceedings relating to the settlement of the estate of a deceased

person, or the administration of a trustee or guardian, a final determination in the lower
court of the rights of the party appealing, except that no appeal shall be allowed from
the appointment of a special administrator; and

(f) Is the final order or judgment rendered in the case, and affects the substantial rights
of the person appealing unless it be an order granting or denying a motion for a new
trial or for reconsideration.

Section 2. Advance distribution in special proceedings. — Notwithstanding a pending

controversy or appeal in proceedings to settle the estate of a decedent, the court may, in its
discretion and upon such terms as it may deem proper and just, permit that such part of the
estate may not be affected by the controversy or appeal be distributed among the heirs or
legatees, upon compliance with the conditions set forth in Rule 90 of this rules.

THE REVISED RULES OF CRIMINAL PROCEDURE

(As amended, December 1, 2000)

RULE 110

Prosecution of Offenses

Section 1. Institution of criminal actions. — Criminal actions shall be instituted as follows:

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 (a) For offenses where a preliminary investigation is required pursuant to section 1 of
Rule 112, by filing the complaint with the proper officer for the purpose of conducting
the requisite preliminary investigation.

(b) For all other offenses, by filing the complaint or information directly with the
Municipal Trial Courts and Municipal Circuit Trial Courts, or the complaint with the
office of the prosecutor. In Manila and other chartered cities, the complaint shall be
filed with the office of the prosecutor unless otherwise provided in their charters.

The institution of the criminal action shall interrupt the running period of prescription of the
offense charged unless otherwise provided in special laws. (1a)

Section 2. The Complaint or information. — The complaint or information shall be in writing,

in the name of the People of the Philippines and against all persons who appear to be
responsible for the offense involved. (2a)

Section 3. Complaint defined. — A complaint is a sworn written statement charging a

person with an offense, subscribed by the offended party, any peace officer, or other public
officer charged with the enforcement of the law violated. (3)

Section 4. Information defined. — An information is an accusation in writing charging a

person with an offense, subscribed by the prosecutor and filed with the court. (4a)

Section 5. Who must prosecute criminal actions. — All criminal actions commenced by a
complaint or information shall be prosecuted under the direction and control of the
prosecutor. However, in Municipal Trial Courts or Municipal Circuit Trial Courts when the
prosecutor assigned thereto or to the case is not available, the offended party, any peace
officer, or public officer charged with the enforcement of the law violated may prosecute the
case. This authority cease upon actual intervention of the prosecutor or upon elevation of
(This Section was repealed by A.M. No. 02-2-07-SC effective May 1, 2002)
the case to the Regional Trial Court.

The crimes of adultery and concubinage shall not be prosecuted except upon a complaint
filed by the offended spouse. The offended party cannot institute criminal prosecution
without including the guilty parties, if both alive, nor, in any case, if the offended party has
consented to the offense or pardoned the offenders.

The offenses of seduction, abduction and acts of lasciviousness shall not be prosecuted
except upon a complaint filed by the offended party or her parents, grandparents or
guardian, nor, in any case, if the offender has been expressly pardoned by any of them. If
the offended party dies or becomes incapacitated before she can file the complaint, and she
has no known parents, grandparents or guardian, the State shall initiate the criminal action
in her behalf.

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The offended party, even if a minor, has the right to initiate the prosecution of the offenses
of seduction, abduction and acts of lasciviousness independently of her parents,
grandparents, or guardian, unless she is incompetent or incapable of doing so. Where the
offended party, who is a minor, fails to file the complaint, her parents, grandparents, or
guardian may file the same. The right to file the action granted to parents, grandparents or
guardian shall be exclusive of all other persons and shall be exercised successively in the
order herein provided, except as stated in the preceding paragraph.

No criminal action for defamation which consists in the imputation of the offenses mentioned
above shall be brought except at the instance of and upon complaint filed by the offended
party. (5a)

The prosecution for violation of special laws shall be governed by the provisions thereof. (n)

Section 6. Sufficiency of complaint or information. — A complaint or information is sufficient

if it states the name of the accused; the designation of the offense given by the statute; the
acts or omissions complained of as constituting the offense; the name of the offended party;
the approximate date of the commission of the offense; and the place where the offense
was committed.

When an offense is committed by more than one person, all of them shall be included in the
complaint or information. (6a)

Section 7. Name of the accused. — The complaint or information must state the name and
surname of the accused or any appellation or nickname by which he has been or is known.
If his name cannot be ascertained, he must be described under a fictitious name with a
statement that his true name is unknown.

If the true name of the accused is thereafter disclosed by him or appears in some other
manner to the court, such true name shall be inserted in the complaint or information and
record. (7a)

Section 8. Designation of the offense. — The complaint or information shall state the
designation of the offense given by the statute, aver the acts or omissions constituting the
offense, and specify its qualifying and aggravating circumstances. If there is no designation
of the offense, reference shall be made to the section or subsection of the statute punishing
it. (8a)

Section 9. Cause of the accusation. — The acts or omissions complained of as constituting

the offense and the qualifying and aggravating circumstances must be stated in ordinary
and concise language and not necessarily in the language used in the statute but in terms
sufficient to enable a person of common understanding to know what offense is being
charged as well as its qualifying and aggravating circumstances and for the court to
pronounce judgment. (9a)

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Section 10. Place of commission of the offense. — The complaint or information is sufficient
if it can be understood from its allegations that the offense was committed or some of the
essential ingredients occurred at some place within the jurisdiction of the court, unless the
particular place where it was committed constitutes an essential element of the offense or
is necessary for its identification. (10a)

Section 11. Date of commission of the offense. — It is not necessary to state in the
complaint or information the precise date the offense was committed except when it is a
material ingredient of the offense. The offense may be alleged to have been committed on
a date as near as possible to the actual date of its commission. (11a)

Section 12. Name of the offended party. — The complaint or information must state the
name and surname of the person against whom or against whose property the offense was
committed, or any appellation or nickname by which such person has been or is known. If
there is no better way of identifying him, he must be described under a fictitious name.

(a) In offenses against property, if the name of the offended party is unknown, the
property must be described with such particularity as to properly identify the offense
charged.

(b) If the true name of the of the person against whom or against whose properly the
offense was committed is thereafter disclosed or ascertained, the court must cause
the true name to be inserted in the complaint or information and the record.

(c) If the offended party is a juridical person, it is sufficient to state its name, or any
name or designation by which it is known or by which it may be identified, without
need of averring that it is a juridical person or that it is organized in accordance with
law. (12a)

Section 13. Duplicity of the offense. — A complaint or information must charge but one
offense, except when the law prescribes a single punishment for various offenses. (13a)

Section 14. Amendment or substitution. — A complaint or information may be amended, in

form or in substance, without leave of court, at any time before the accused enters his plea.
After the plea and during the trial, a formal amendment may only be made with leave of
court and when it can be done without causing prejudice to the rights of the accused.

However, any amendment before plea, which downgrades the nature of the offense charged
in or excludes any accused from the complaint or information, can be made only upon
motion by the prosecutor, with notice to the offended party and with leave of court. The court
shall state its reasons in resolving the motion and copies of its order shall be furnished all
parties, especially the offended party. (n)

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If it appears at any time before judgment that a mistake has been made in charging the
proper offense, the court shall dismiss the original complaint or information upon the filing
of a new one charging the proper offense in accordance with section 19, Rule 119, provided
the accused shall not be placed in double jeopardy. The court may require the witnesses to
give bail for their appearance at the trial. (14a)

Section 15. Place where action is to be instituted. —

(a) Subject to existing laws, the criminal action shall be instituted and tried in the court
of the municipality or territory where the offense was committed or where any of its
essential ingredients occurred.

(b) Where an offense is committed in a train, aircraft, or other public or private vehicle
while in the course of its trip, the criminal action shall be instituted and tried in the
court of any municipality or territory where such train, aircraft or other vehicle passed
during such its trip, including the place of its departure and arrival.

(c) Where an offense is committed on board a vessel in the course of its voyage, the
criminal action shall be instituted and tried in the court of the first port of entry or of
any municipality or territory where the vessel passed during such voyage, subject to
the generally accepted principles of international law.

(d) Crimes committed outside the Philippines but punishable under Article 2 of the
Revised Penal Code shall be cognizable by the court where the criminal action is first
filed. (15a)

Section 16. Intervention of the offended party in criminal action. — Where the civil action
for recovery of civil liability is instituted in the criminal action pursuant to Rule 111, the
offended party may intervene by counsel in the prosecution of the offense. (16a)

RULE 111

Prosecution of Civil Action

Section 1. Institution of criminal and civil actions. — (a) When a criminal action is instituted,
the civil action for the recovery of civil liability arising from the offense charged shall be
deemed instituted with the criminal action unless the offended party waives the civil action,
reserves the right to institute it separately or institutes the civil action prior to the criminal
action.

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The reservation of the right to institute separately the civil action shall be made before the
prosecution starts presenting its evidence and under circumstances affording the offended
party a reasonable opportunity to make such reservation.

When the offended party seeks to enforce civil liability against the accused by way of moral,
nominal, temperate, or exemplary damages without specifying the amount thereof in the
complaint or information, the filing fees thereof shall constitute a first lien on the judgment
awarding such damages.

Where the amount of damages, other than actual, is specified in the complaint or
information, the corresponding filing fees shall be paid by the offended party upon the filing
thereof in court.

Except as otherwise provided in these Rules, no filing fees shall be required for actual
damages.

No counterclaim, cross-claim or third-party complaint may be filed by the accused in the

criminal case, but any cause of action which could have been the subject thereof may be
litigated in a separate civil action. (1a)

(b) The criminal action for violation of Batas Pambansa Blg. 22 shall be deemed to include
the corresponding civil action. No reservation to file such civil action separately shall be
allowed.

Upon filing of the aforesaid joint criminal and civil actions, the offended party shall pay in full
the filing fees based on the amount of the check involved, which shall be considered as the
actual damages claimed. Where the complaint or information also seeks to recover
liquidated, moral, nominal, temperate or exemplary damages, the offended party shall pay
additional filing fees based on the amounts alleged therein. If the amounts are not so alleged
but any of these damages are subsequently awarded by the court, the filing fees based on
the amount awarded shall constitute a first lien on the judgment.

Where the civil action has been filed separately and trial thereof has not yet commenced, it
may be consolidated with the criminal action upon application with the court trying the latter
case. If the application is granted, the trial of both actions shall proceed in accordance with
section 2 of this Rule governing consolidation of the civil and criminal actions. (cir. 57-97)

Section 2. When separate civil action is suspended. — After the criminal action has been
commenced, the separate civil action arising therefrom cannot be instituted until final
judgment has been entered in the criminal action.

If the criminal action is filed after the said civil action has already been instituted, the latter
shall be suspended in whatever stage it may be found before judgment on the merits. The
suspension shall last until final judgment is rendered in the criminal action. Nevertheless,

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before judgment on the merits is rendered in the civil action, the same may, upon motion of
the offended party, be consolidated with the criminal action in the court trying the criminal
action. In case of consolidation, the evidence already adduced in the civil action shall be
deemed automatically reproduced in the criminal action without prejudice to the right of the
prosecution to cross-examine the witnesses presented by the offended party in the criminal
case and of the parties to present additional evidence. The consolidated criminal and civil
actions shall be tried and decided jointly.

During the pendency of the criminal action, the running of the period of prescription of the
civil action which cannot be instituted separately or whose proceeding has been suspended
shall be tolled. (n)

The extinction of the penal action does not carry with it extinction of the civil action. However,
the civil action based on delict shall be deemed extinguished if there is a finding in a final
judgment in the criminal action that the act or omission from which the civil liability may arise
did not exist. (2a)

Section 3. When civil action may proceeded independently. — In the cases provided for in
Articles 32, 33, 34 and 2176 of the Civil Code of the Philippines, the independent civil action
may be brought by the offended party. It shall proceed independently of the criminal action
and shall require only a preponderance of evidence. In no case, however, may the offended
party recover damages twice for the same act or omission charged in the criminal action.
(3a)

Section 4. Effect of death on civil actions. — The death of the accused after arraignment
and during the pendency of the criminal action shall extinguish the civil liability arising from
the delict. However, the independent civil action instituted under section 3 of this Rule or
which thereafter is instituted to enforce liability arising from other sources of obligation may
be continued against the estate or legal representative of the accused after proper
substitution or against said estate, as the case may be. The heirs of the accused may be
substituted for the deceased without requiring the appointment of an executor or
administrator and the court may appoint a guardian ad litem for the minor heirs.

The court shall forthwith order said legal representative or representatives to appear and be
substituted within a period of thirty (30) days from notice.

A final judgment entered in favor of the offended party shall be enforced in the manner
especially provided in these rules for prosecuting claims against the estate of the deceased.

If the accused dies before arraignment, the case shall be dismissed without prejudice to any
civil action the offended party may file against the estate of the deceased. (n)

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Section 5. Judgment in civil action not a bar. — A final judgment rendered in a civil action
absolving the defendant from civil liability is not a bar to a criminal action against the
defendant for the same act or omission subject of the civil action. (4a)

Section 6. Suspension by reason of prejudicial question. — A petition for suspension of the

criminal action based upon the pendency of a prejudicial question in a civil action may be
filed in the office of the prosecutor or the court conducting the preliminary investigation.
When the criminal action has been filed in court for trial, the petition to suspend shall be
filed in the same criminal action at any time before the prosecution rests. (6a)

Section 7. Elements of prejudicial question. — The elements of a prejudicial question are:

(a) the previously instituted civil action involves an issue similar or intimately related to the
issue raised in the subsequent criminal action, and (b) the resolution of such issue
determines whether or not the criminal action may proceed. (5a)

RULE 112

Preliminary Investigation

Section 1. Preliminary investigation defined; when required. — Preliminary investigation is

an inquiry or proceeding to determine whether there is sufficient ground to engender a well-
founded belief that a crime has been committed and the respondent is probably guilty
thereof, and should be held for trial.

Except as provided in section 7 of this Rule, a preliminary investigation is required to be

conducted before the filing of a complaint or information for an offense where the penalty
prescribed by law is at least four (4) years, two (2) months and one (1) day without regard
to the fine. (1a)

Section 2. Officers authorized to conduct preliminary investigations. —

The following may conduct preliminary investigations:

(a) Provincial or City Prosecutors and their assistants;

(b) Judges of the Municipal Trial Courts and Municipal Circuit Trial Courts;

(c) National and Regional State Prosecutors; and

(d) Other officers as may be authorized by law.

Their authority to conduct preliminary investigations shall include all crimes cognizable by
the proper court in their respective territorial jurisdictions. (2a)

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Section 3. Procedure. — The preliminary investigation shall be conducted in the following
manner:

(a) The complaint shall state the address of the respondent and shall be accompanied
by the affidavits of the complainant and his witnesses, as well as other supporting
documents to establish probable cause. They shall be in such number of copies as
there are respondents, plus two (2) copies for the official file. The affidavits shall be
subscribed and sworn to before any prosecutor or government official authorized to
administer oath, or, in their absence or unavailability, before a notary public, each of
who must certify that he personally examined the affiants and that he is satisfied that
they voluntarily executed and understood their affidavits.

(b) Within ten (10) days after the filing of the complaint, the investigating officer shall
either dismiss it if he finds no ground to continue with the investigation, or issue a
subpoena to the respondent attaching to it a copy of the complaint and its supporting
affidavits and documents.

The respondent shall have the right to examine the evidence submitted by the
complainant which he may not have been furnished and to copy them at his expense.
If the evidence is voluminous, the complainant may be required to specify those which
he intends to present against the respondent, and these shall be made available for
examination or copying by the respondent at his expense.

Objects as evidence need not be furnished a party but shall be made available for
examination, copying, or photographing at the expense of the requesting party.

(c) Within ten (10) days from receipt of the subpoena with the complaint and
supporting affidavits and documents, the respondent shall submit his counter-affidavit
and that of his witnesses and other supporting documents relied upon for his defense.
The counter-affidavits shall be subscribed and sworn to and certified as provided in
paragraph (a) of this section, with copies thereof furnished by him to the complainant.
The respondent shall not be allowed to file a motion to dismiss in lieu of a counter-
affidavit.

(d) If the respondent cannot be subpoenaed, or if subpoenaed, does not submit

counter-affidavits within the ten (10) day period, the investigating officer shall resolve
the complaint based on the evidence presented by the complainant.

(e) The investigating officer may set a hearing if there are facts and issues to be
clarified from a party or a witness. The parties can be present at the hearing but
without the right to examine or cross-examine. They may, however, submit to the
investigating officer questions which may be asked to the party or witness concerned.

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 The hearing shall be held within ten (10) days from submission of the counter-
affidavits and other documents or from the expiration of the period for their
submission. It shall be terminated within five (5) days.

(f) Within ten (10) days after the investigation, the investigating officer shall determine
whether or not there is sufficient ground to hold the respondent for trial. (3a)

Section 4. Resolution of investigating prosecutor and its review. — If the investigating

prosecutor finds cause to hold the respondent for trial, he shall prepare the resolution and
information. He shall certify under oath in the information that he, or as shown by the record,
an authorized officer, has personally examined the complainant and his witnesses; that
there is reasonable ground to believe that a crime has been committed and that the accused
is probably guilty thereof; that the accused was informed of the complaint and of the
evidence submitted against him; and that he was given an opportunity to submit
controverting evidence. Otherwise, he shall recommend the dismissal of the complaint.

Within five (5) days from his resolution, he shall forward the record of the case to the
provincial or city prosecutor or chief state prosecutor, or to the Ombudsman or his deputy
in cases of offenses cognizable by the Sandiganbayan in the exercise of its original
jurisdiction. They shall act on the resolution within ten (10) days from their receipt thereof
and shall immediately inform the parties of such action.

No complaint or information may be filed or dismissed by an investigating prosecutor without

the prior written authority or approval of the provincial or city prosecutor or chief state
prosecutor or the Ombudsman or his deputy.

Where the investigating prosecutor recommends the dismissal of the complaint but his
recommendation is disapproved by the provincial or city prosecutor or chief state prosecutor
or the Ombudsman or his deputy on the ground that a probable cause exists, the latter may,
by himself, file the information against the respondent, or direct any other assistant
prosecutor or state prosecutor to do so without conducting another preliminary investigation.

If upon petition by a proper party under such rules as the Department of Justice may
prescribe or motu proprio, the Secretary of Justice reverses or modifies the resolution of the
provincial or city prosecutor or chief state prosecutor, he shall direct the prosecutor
concerned either to file the corresponding information without conducting another
preliminary investigation, or to dismiss or move for dismissal of the complaint or information
with notice to the parties. The same rule shall apply in preliminary investigations conducted
by the officers of the Office of the Ombudsman. (4a)

Section 5. Resolution of investigating judge and its review. — Within ten (10) days after the
preliminary investigation, the investigating judge shall transmit the resolution of the case to
the provincial or city prosecutor, or to the Ombudsman or his deputy in cases of offenses
cognizable by the Sandiganbayan in the exercise of its original jurisdiction, for appropriate

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action. The resolution shall state the findings of facts and the law supporting his action,
together with the record of the case which shall include: (a) the warrant, if the arrest is by
virtue of a warrant; (b) the affidavits, counter-affidavits and other supporting evidence of the
parties; (c) the undertaking or bail of the accused and the order for his release; (d) the
transcripts of the proceedings during the preliminary investigation; and (e) the order of
cancellation of his bail bond, if the resolution is for the dismissal of the complaint.

Within thirty (30) days from receipt of the records, the provincial or city prosecutor, or the
Ombudsman or his deputy, as the case may be, shall review the resolution of the
investigating judge on the existence of probable cause. Their ruling shall expressly and
clearly state the facts and the law on which it is based and the parties shall be furnished
with copies thereof. They shall order the release of an accused who is detained if no
probable cause is found against him. (5a)

Section 6. When warrant of arrest may issue. — (a) By the Regional Trial Court. — Within
ten (10) days from the filing of the complaint or information, the judge shall personally
evaluate the resolution of the prosecutor and its supporting evidence. He may immediately
dismiss the case if the evidence on record clearly fails to establish probable cause. If he
finds probable cause, he shall issue a warrant of arrest, or a commitment order if the
accused has already been arrested pursuant to a warrant issued by the judge who
conducted the preliminary investigation or when the complaint or information was filed
pursuant to section 7 of this Rule. In case of doubt on the existence of probable cause, the
judge may order the prosecutor to present additional evidence within five (5) days from
notice and the issue must be resolved by the court within thirty (30) days from the filing of
the complaint of information.

(b) By the Municipal Trial Court. — When required pursuant to the second paragraph of
section 1 of this Rule, the preliminary investigation of cases falling under the original
jurisdiction of the Metropolitan Trial Court, Municipal Trial Court in Cities, Municipal Trial
Court, or Municipal Circuit Trial Court may be conducted by either the judge or the
prosecutor. When conducted by the prosecutor, the procedure for the issuance of a warrant
or arrest by the judge shall be governed by paragraph (a) of this section. When the
investigation is conducted by the judge himself, he shall follow the procedure provided in
section 3 of this Rule. If the findings and recommendations are affirmed by the provincial or
city prosecutor, or by the Ombudsman or his deputy, and the corresponding information is
filed, he shall issue a warrant of arrest. However, without waiting for the conclusion of the
investigation, the judge may issue a warrant of arrest if he finds after an examination in
writing and under oath of the complainant and his witnesses in the form of searching
question and answers, that a probable cause exists and that there is a necessity of placing
the respondent under immediate custody in order not to frustrate the ends of justice.

(c) When warrant of arrest not necessary. — A warrant of arrest shall not issue if the
accused is already under detention pursuant to a warrant issued by the municipal trial court
in accordance with paragraph (b) of this section, or if the complaint or information was filed

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pursuant to section 7 of this Rule or is for an offense penalized by fine only. The court shall
then proceed in the exercise of its original jurisdiction. (6a)

Section 7. When accused lawfully arrested without warrant. — When a person is lawfully
arrested without a warrant involving an offense which requires a preliminary investigation,
the complaint or information may be filed by a prosecutor without need of such investigation
provided an inquest has been conducted in accordance with existing rules. In the absence
or unavailability of an inquest prosecutor, the complaint may be filed by the offended party
or a peace office directly with the proper court on the basis of the affidavit of the offended
party or arresting officer or person.

Before the complaint or information is filed, the person arrested may ask for a preliminary
investigation in accordance with this Rule, but he must sign a waiver of the provisions of
Article 125 of the Revised Penal Code, as amended, in the presence of his counsel.
Notwithstanding the waiver, he may apply for bail and the investigation must be terminated
within fifteen (15) days from its inception.

After the filing of the complaint or information in court without a preliminary investigation,
the accused may, within five (5) days from the time he learns of its filing, ask for a preliminary
investigation with the same right to adduce evidence in his defense as provided in this Rule.
(7a; sec. 2, R.A. No. 7438)

Section 8. Records. — (a) Records supporting the information or complaint. — An

information or complaint filed in court shall be supported by the affidavits and counter-
affidavits of the parties and their witnesses, together with the other supporting evidence and
the resolution on the case.

(b) Record of preliminary investigation. — The record of the preliminary investigation,

whether conducted by a judge or a fiscal, shall not form part of the record of the case.
However, the court, on its own initiative or on motion of any party, may order the production
of the record or any its part when necessary in the resolution of the case or any incident
therein, or when it is to be introduced as an evidence in the case by the requesting party.
(8a)

Section 9. Cases not requiring a preliminary investigation nor covered by the Rule on
Summary Procedure. —

(a) If filed with the prosecutor. — If the complaint is filed directly with the prosecutor
involving an offense punishable by imprisonment of less four (4) years, two (2) months
and one (1) day, the procedure outlined in section 3(a) of this Rule shall be observed.
The prosecutor shall act on the complaint based on the affidavits and other supporting
documents submitted by the complainant within ten (10) days from its filing.

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 (b) If filed with the Municipal Trial Court. — If the complaint or information is filed
directly with the Municipal Trial Court or Municipal Circuit Trial Court for an offense
covered by this section, the procedure in section 3(a) of this Rule shall be observed.
If within ten (10) days after the filing of the complaint or information, the judge finds
no probable cause after personally evaluating the evidence, or after personally
examining in writing and under oath the complainant and his witnesses in the form of
searching question and answers, he shall dismiss the same. He may, however,
require the submission of additional evidence, within ten (10) days from notice, to
determine further the existence of probable cause. If the judge still finds no probable
cause despite the additional evidence, he shall, within ten (10) days from its
submission or expiration of said period, dismiss the case. When he finds probable
cause, he shall issue a warrant of arrest, or a commitment order if the accused had
already been arrested, and hold him for trial. However, if the judge is satisfied that
there is no necessity for placing the accused under custody, he may issue summons
instead of a warrant of arrest. (9a)

RULE 113

Arrest

Section 1. Definition of arrest. — Arrest is the taking of a person into custody in order that
he may be bound to answer for the commission of an offense. (1)

Section 2. Arrest; how made. — An arrest is made by an actual restraint of a person to be

arrested, or by his submission to the custody of the person making the arrest.

No violence or unnecessary force shall be used in making an arrest. The person arrested
shall not be subject to a greater restraint than is necessary for his detention. (2a)

Section 3. Duty of arresting officer. — It shall be the duty of the officer executing the warrant
to arrest the accused and to deliver him to the nearest police station or jail without
unnecessary delay. (3a)

Section 4. Execution of warrant. — The head of the office to whom the warrant of arrest
was delivered for execution shall cause the warrant to be executed within ten (10) days from
its receipt. Within ten (10) days after the expiration of the period, the officer to whom it was
assigned for execution shall make a report to the judge who issued the warrant. In case of
his failure to execute the warrant, he shall state the reasons therefor. (4a)

Section 5. Arrest without warrant; when lawful. — A peace officer or a private person may,
without a warrant, arrest a person:

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 (a) When, in his presence, the person to be arrested has committed, is actually
committing, or is attempting to commit an offense;

(b) When an offense has just been committed, and he has probable cause to believe
based on personal knowledge of facts or circumstances that the person to be arrested
has committed it; and

(c) When the person to be arrested is a prisoner who has escaped from a penal
establishment or place where he is serving final judgment or is temporarily confined
while his case is pending, or has escaped while being transferred from one
confinement to another.

In cases falling under paragraph (a) and (b) above, the person arrested without a warrant
shall be forthwith delivered to the nearest police station or jail and shall be proceeded
against in accordance with section 7 of Rule 112. (5a)

Section 6. Time of making arrest. — An arrest may be made on any day and at any time of
the day or night. (6)

Section 7. Method of arrest by officer by virtue of warrant. — When making an arrest by

virtue of a warrant, the officer shall inform the person to be arrested of the cause of the
arrest and of the fact that a warrant has been issued for his arrest, except when he flees or
forcibly resists before the officer has opportunity to so inform him, or when the giving of such
information will imperil the arrest. The officer need not have the warrant in his possession
at the time of the arrest but after the arrest, if the person arrested so requires, the warrant
shall be shown to him as soon as practicable. (7a)

Section 8. Method of arrest by officer without warrant. — When making an arrest without a
warrant, the officer shall inform the person to be arrested of his authority and the cause of
the arrest, unless the latter is either engaged in the commission of an offense, is pursued
immediately after its commission, has escaped, flees or forcibly resists before the officer
has opportunity so to inform him, or when the giving of such information will imperil the
arrest. (8a)

Section 9. Method of arrest by private person. — When making an arrest, a private person
shall inform the person to be arrested of the intention to arrest him and cause of the arrest,
unless the latter is either engaged in the commission of an offense, is pursued immediately
after its commission, or has escaped, flees, or forcibly resists before the person making the
arrest has opportunity to so inform him, or when the giving of such information will imperil
the arrest. (9a)

Section 10. Officer may summon assistance. — An officer making a lawful arrest may orally
summon as many persons as he deems necessary to assist him in effecting the arrest.

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Every person so summoned by an officer shall assist him in effecting the arrest when he
can render such assistance without detriment to himself. (10a)

Section 11. Right of officer to break into building or enclosure. — An officer, in order to
make an arrest either by virtue of a warrant, or without a warrant as provided in section 5,
may break into any building or enclosure where the person to be arrested is or is reasonably
believed to be, if he is refused admittance thereto, after announcing his authority and
purpose. (11a)

Section 12. Right to break out from building or enclosure. — Whenever an officer has
entered the building or enclosure in accordance with the preceding section, he may break
out therefrom when necessary to liberate himself. (12a)

Section 13. Arrest after escape or rescue. — If a person lawfully arrested escapes or is
rescued, any person may immediately pursue or retake him without a warrant at any time
and in any place within the Philippines. (13)

Section 14. Right of attorney or relative to visit person arrested. — Any member of the
Philippine Bar shall, at the request of the person arrested or of another acting in his behalf,
have the right to visit and confer privately with such person in the jail or any other place of
custody at any hour of the day or night. Subject to reasonable regulations, a relative of the
person arrested can also exercise the same right. (14a)

RULE 114

Bail

Section 1. Bail defined. — Bail is the security given for the release of a person in custody
of the law, furnished by him or a bondsman, to guarantee his appearance before any court
as required under the conditions hereinafter specified. Bail may be given in the form of
corporate surety, property bond, cash deposit, or recognizance. (1a)

Section 2. Conditions of the bail; requirements. — All kinds of bail are subject to the
following conditions:

(a) The undertaking shall be effective upon approval, and unless cancelled, shall
remain in force at all stages of the case until promulgation of the judgment of the
Regional Trial Court, irrespective of whether the case was originally filed in or
appealed to it;

(b) The accused shall appear before the proper court whenever required by the court
of these Rules;

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 (c) The failure of the accused to appear at the trial without justification and despite
due notice shall be deemed a waiver of his right to be present thereat. In such case,
the trial may proceed in absentia; and

(d) The bondsman shall surrender the accused to the court for execution of the final
judgment.

The original papers shall state the full name and address of the accused, the amount of the
undertaking and the conditions herein required. Photographs (passport size) taken within
the last six (6) months showing the face, left and right profiles of the accused must be
attached to the bail. (2a)

Section 3. No release or transfer except on court order or bail. — No person under detention
by legal process shall be released or transferred except upon order of the court or when he
is admitted to bail. (3a)

Section 4. Bail, a matter of right; exception. — All persons in custody shall be admitted to
bail as a matter of right, with sufficient sureties, or released on recognize as prescribed by
law or this Rule (a) before or after conviction by the Metropolitan Trial Court, Municipal Trial
Court, Municipal Trial Court in Cities, or Municipal Circuit Trial Court, and (b) before
conviction by the Regional Trial Court of an offense not punishable by death, reclusion
perpetua, or life imprisonment. (4a)

Section 5. Bail, when discretionary. — Upon conviction by the Regional Trial Court of an
offense not punishable by death, reclusion perpetua, or life imprisonment, admission to bail
is discretionary. The application for bail may be filed and acted upon by the trial court despite
the filing of a notice of appeal, provided it has not transmitted the original record to the
appellate court. However, if the decision of the trial court convicting the accused changed
the nature of the offense from non-bailable to bailable, the application for bail can only be
filed with and resolved by the appellate court.

Should the court grant the application, the accused may be allowed to continue on
provisional liberty during the pendency of the appeal under the same bail subject to the
consent of the bondsman.

If the penalty imposed by the trial court is imprisonment exceeding six (6) years, the accused
shall be denied bail, or his bail shall be cancelled upon a showing by the prosecution, with
notice to the accused, of the following or other similar circumstances:

(a) That he is a recidivist, quasi-recidivist, or habitual delinquent, or has committed

the crime aggravated by the circumstance of reiteration;

(b) That he has previously escaped from legal confinement, evaded sentence, or
violated the conditions of his bail without valid justification;

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 (c) That he committed the offense while under probation, parole, or conditional
pardon;

(d) That the circumstances of his case indicate the probability of flight if released on
bail; or

(e) That there is undue risk that he may commit another crime during the pendency
of the appeal.

The appellate court may, motu proprio or on motion of any party, review the resolution of
the Regional Trial Court after notice to the adverse party in either case. (5a)

Section 6. Capital offense defined. — A capital offense is an offense which, under the law
existing at the time of its commission and of the application for admission to bail, may be
punished with death. (6a)

Section 7. Capital offense of an offense punishable by reclusion perpetua or life

imprisonment, not bailable. — No person charged with a capital offense, or an offense
punishable by reclusion perpetua or life imprisonment, shall be admitted to bail when
evidence of guilt is strong, regardless of the stage of the criminal prosecution. (7a)

Section 8. Burden of proof in bail application. — At the hearing of an application for bail
filed by a person who is in custody for the commission of an offense punishable by
death, reclusion perpetua, or life imprisonment, the prosecution has the burden of showing
that evidence of guilt is strong. The evidence presented during the bail hearing shall be
considered automatically reproduced at the trial, but upon motion of either party, the court
may recall any witness for additional examination unless the latter is dead, outside the
Philippines, or otherwise unable to testify. (8a)

Section 9. Amount of bail; guidelines. — The judge who issued the warrant or granted the
application shall fix a reasonable amount of bail considering primarily, but not limited to, the
following factors:

(a) Financial ability of the accused to give bail;

(b) Nature and circumstances of the offense;

(c) Penalty for the offense charged;

(d) Character and reputation of the accused;

(e) Age and health of the accused;

(f) Weight of the evidence against the accused;

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 (g) Probability of the accused appearing at the trial;

(h) Forfeiture of other bail;

(i) The fact that accused was a fugitive from justice when arrested; and

(j) Pendency of other cases where the accused is on bail.

Excessive bail shall not be required. (9a)

Section 10. Corporate surety. — Any domestic or foreign corporation, licensed as a surety
in accordance with law and currently authorized to act as such, may provide bail by a bond
subscribed jointly by the accused and an officer of the corporation duly authorized by its
board of directors. (10a)

Section 11. Property bond, how posted. — A property bond is an undertaking constituted
as lien on the real property given as security for the amount of the bail. Within ten (10) days
after the approval of the bond, the accused shall cause the annotation of the lien on the
certificate of title on file with the Register of Deeds if the land is registered, or if unregistered,
in the Registration Book on the space provided therefor, in the Registry of Deeds for the
province or city where the land lies, and on the corresponding tax declaration in the office
of the provincial, city and municipal assessor concerned.

Within the same period, the accused shall submit to the court his compliance and his failure
to do so shall be sufficient cause for the cancellation of the property bond and his re-arrest
and detention. (11a)

Section 12. Qualifications of sureties in property bond. — The qualification of sureties in a

property bond shall be as follows:

(a) Each must be a resident owner of real estate within the Philippines;

(b) Where there is only one surety, his real estate must be worth at least the amount
of the undertaking;

(c) If there are two or more sureties, each may justify in an amount less than that
expressed in the undertaking but the aggregate of the justified sums must be
equivalent to the whole amount of bail demanded.

In all cases, every surety must be worth the amount specified in his own undertaking over
and above all just debts, obligations and properties exempt from execution. (12a)

Section 13. Justification of sureties. — Every surety shall justify by affidavit taken before
the judge that he possesses the qualifications prescribed in the preceding section. He shall
describe the property given as security, stating the nature of his title, its encumbrances, the

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number and amount of other bails entered into by him and still undischarged, and his other
liabilities. The court may examine the sureties upon oath concerning their sufficiency in such
manner as it may deem proper. No bail shall be approved unless the surety is qualified.
(13a)

Section 14. Deposit of cash as bail. — The accused or any person acting in his behalf may
deposit in cash with the nearest collector or internal revenue or provincial, city, or municipal
treasurer the amount of bail fixed by the court, or recommended by the prosecutor who
investigated or filed the case. Upon submission of a proper certificate of deposit and a
written undertaking showing compliance with the requirements of section 2 of this Rule, the
accused shall be discharged from custody. The money deposited shall be considered as
bail and applied to the payment of fine and costs while the excess, if any, shall be returned
to the accused or to whoever made the deposit. (14a)

Section 15. Recognizance. — Whenever allowed by law or these Rules, the court may
release a person in custody to his own recognizance or that of a responsible person. (15a)

Section 16. Bail, when not required; reduced bail or recognizance. — No bail shall be
required when the law or these Rules so provide.

When a person has been in custody for a period equal to or more than the possible
maximum imprisonment prescribe for the offense charged, he shall be released
immediately, without prejudice to the continuation of the trial or the proceedings on appeal.
If the maximum penalty to which the accused may be sentenced is destierro, he shall be
released after thirty (30) days of preventive imprisonment.

A person in custody for a period equal to or more than the minimum of the principal penalty
prescribed for the offense charged, without application of the Indeterminate Sentence Law
or any modifying circumstance, shall be released on a reduced bail or on his own
recognizance, at the discretion of the court. (16a)

Section 17. Bail, where filed. — (a) Bail in the amount fixed may be filed with the court
where the case is pending, or in the absence or unavailability of the judge thereof, with any
regional trial judge, metropolitan trial judge, municipal trial judge, or municipal circuit trial
judge in the province, city, or municipality. If the accused is arrested in a province, city, or
municipality other than where the case is pending, bail may also be filed with any regional
trial court of said place, or if no judge thereof is available, with any metropolitan trial judge,
municipal trial judge, or municipal circuit trial judge therein.

(b) Where the grant of bail is a matter of discretion, or the accused seeks to be
released on recognizance, the application may only be filed in the court where the
case is pending, whether on preliminary investigation, trial, or on appeal.

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 (c) Any person in custody who is not yet charged in court may apply for bail with any
court in the province, city, or municipality where he is held. (17a)

Section 18. Notice of application to prosecutor. — In the application for bail under section
8 of this Rule, the court must give reasonable notice of the hearing to the prosecutor or
require him to submit his recommendation. (18a)

Section 19. Release on bail. — The accused must be discharged upon approval of the bail
by the judge with whom it was filed in accordance with section 17 of this Rule.

Whenever bail is filed with a court other than where the case is pending, the judge who
accepted the bail shall forward it, together with the order of release and other supporting
papers, to the court where the case is pending, which may, for good reason, require a
different one to be filed. (19a)

Section 20. Increase or reduction of bail. — After the accused is admitted to bail, the court
may, upon good cause, either increase or reduce its amount. When increased, the accused
may be committed to custody if he does not give bail in the increased amount within a
reasonable period. An accused held to answer a criminal charge, who is released without
bail upon filing of the complaint or information, may, at any subsequent stage of the
proceedings and whenever a strong showing of guilt appears to the court, be required to
give bail in the amount fixed, or in lieu thereof, committed to custody. (20a)

Section 21. Forfeiture of bond. — When the presence of the accused is required by the
court or these Rules, his bondsmen shall be notified to produce him before the court on a
given date and time. If the accused fails to appear in person as required, his bail shall be
declared forfeited and the bondsmen given thirty (30) days within which to produce their
principal and to show cause why no judgment should be rendered against them for the
amount of their bail. Within the said period, the bondsmen must:

(a) produce the body of their principal or give the reason for his non-production; and

(b) explain why the accused did not appear before the court when first required to do
so.

Failing in these two requisites, a judgment shall be rendered against the bondsmen, jointly
and severally, for the amount of the bail. The court shall not reduce or otherwise mitigate
the liability of the bondsmen, unless the accused has been surrendered or is acquitted.
(21a)

Section 22. Cancellation of bail. — Upon application of the bondsmen, with due notice to
the prosecutor, the bail may be cancelled upon surrender of the accused or proof of his
death.

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The bail shall be deemed automatically cancelled upon acquittal of the accused, dismissal
of the case, or execution of the judgment of conviction.

In all instances, the cancellation shall be without prejudice to any liability on the bond. (22a)

Section 23. Arrest of accused out on bail. — For the purpose of surrendering the accused,
the bondsmen may arrest him or, upon written authority endorsed on a certified copy of the
undertaking, cause him to be arrested by a police officer or any other person of suitable age
and discretion.

An accused released on bail may be re-arrested without the necessity of a warrant if he

attempts to depart from the Philippines without permission of the court where the case is
pending. (23a)

Section 24. No bail after final judgment; exception. — No bail shall be allowed after the
judgment of conviction has become final. If before such finality, the accused has applies for
probation, he may be allowed temporary liberty under his bail. When no bail was filed or the
accused is incapable of filing one, the court may allow his release on recognizance to the
custody of a responsible member of the community. In no case shall bail be allowed after
the accused has commenced to serve sentence. (24a)

Section 25. Court supervision of detainees. — The court shall exercise supervision over all
persons in custody for the purpose of eliminating unnecessary detention. The executive
judges of the Regional Trial Courts shall conduct monthly personal inspections of provincial,
city, and municipal jails and their prisoners within their respective jurisdictions. They shall
ascertain the number of detainees, inquire on their proper accommodation and health and
examine the condition of the jail facilities. They shall order the segregation of sexes and of
minors from adults, ensure the observance of the right of detainees to confer privately with
counsel, and strive to eliminate conditions inimical to the detainees.

In cities and municipalities to be specified by the Supreme Court, the municipal trial judges
or municipal circuit trial judges shall conduct monthly personal inspections of the municipal
jails in their respective municipalities and submit a report to the executive judge of the
Regional Trial Court having jurisdiction therein.

A monthly report of such visitation shall be submitted by the executive judges to the Court
Administrator which shall state the total number of detainees, the names of those held for
more than thirty (30) days, the duration of detention, the crime charged, the status of the
case, the cause for detention, and other pertinent information. (25a)

Section 26. Bail not a bar to objections on illegal arrest, lack of or irregular preliminary
investigation. — An application for or admission to bail shall not bar the accused from
challenging the validity of his arrest or the legality of the warrant issued therefor, or from
assailing the regularity or questioning the absence of a preliminary investigation of the

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charge against him, provided that he raises them before entering his plea. The court shall
resolve the matter as early as practicable but not later than the start of the trial of the case.
(n)

RULE 115

Rights of Accused

Section 1. Rights of accused at the trial. — In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall
be entitled to the following rights:

(a) To be presumed innocent until the contrary is proved beyond reasonable doubt.

(b) To be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation against him.

(c) To be present and defend in person and by counsel at every stage of the
proceedings, from arraignment to promulgation of the judgment. The accused may,
however, waive his presence at the trial pursuant to the stipulations set forth in his
bail, unless his presence is specifically ordered by the court for purposes of
identification. The absence of the accused without justifiable cause at the trial of which
he had notice shall be considered a waiver of his right to be present thereat. When
an accused under custody escapes, he shall be deemed to have waived his right to
be present on all subsequent trial dates until custody over him is regained. Upon
motion, the accused may be allowed to defend himself in person when it sufficiently
appears to the court that he can properly protect his right without the assistance of
counsel.

(d) To testify as a witness in his own behalf but subject to cross-examination on

matters covered by direct examination. His silence shall not in any manner prejudice
him.

(e) To be exempt from being compelled to be a witness against himself.

(f) To confront and cross-examine the witnesses against him at the trial. Either party
may utilize as part of its evidence the testimony of a witness who is deceased, out of
or can not with due diligence be found in the Philippines, unavailable or otherwise
unable to testify, given in another case or proceeding, judicial or administrative,
involving the same parties and subject matter, the adverse party having the
opportunity to cross-examine him.

(g) To have compulsory process issued to secure the attendance of witnesses and
production of other evidence in his behalf.

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 (h) To have speedy, impartial and public trial.

(i) To appeal in all cases allowed and in the manner prescribed by law. (1a)

RULE 116

Arraignment and Plea

Section 1. Arraignment and plea; how made. —

(a) The accused must be arraigned before the court where the complaint or
information was filed or assigned for trial. The arraignment shall be made in open
court by the judge or clerk by furnishing the accused with a copy of the complaint or
information, reading the same in the language or dialect known to him, and asking
him whether he pleads guilty or not guilty. The prosecution may call at the trial
witnesses other than those named in the complaint or information.

(b) The accused must be present at the arraignment and must personally enter his
plea. Both arraignment and plea shall be made of record, but failure to do so shall not
affect the validity of the proceedings.

(c) When the accused refuses to plead or makes a conditional plea, a plea of not
guilty shall be entered for him. (1a)

(d) When the accused pleads guilty but presents exculpatory evidence, his plea shall
be deemed withdrawn and a plea of not guilty shall be entered for him. (n)

(e) When the accused is under preventive detention, his case shall be raffled and its
records transmitted to the judge to whom the case was raffled within three (3) days
from the filing of the information or complaint. The accused shall be arraigned within
ten (10) days from the date of the raffle. The pre-trial conference of his case shall be
held within ten (10) days after arraignment. (n)

(f) The private offended party shall be required to appear at the arraignment for
purposes of plea bargaining, determination of civil liability, and other matters requiring
his presence. In case of failure of the offended party to appear despite due notice, the
court may allow the accused to enter a plea of guilty to a lesser offense which is
necessarily included in the offense charged with the conformity of the trial prosecutor
alone. (cir. 1-89)

(g) Unless a shorter period is provided by special law or Supreme Court circular, the
arraignment shall be held within thirty (30) days from the date the court acquires

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 jurisdiction over the person of the accused. The time of the pendency of a motion to
quash or for a bill of particulars or other causes justifying suspension of the
arraignment shall be excluded in computing the period. (sec. 2, cir. 38-98)

Section 2. Plea of guilty to a lesser offense. — At arraignment, the accused, with the
consent of the offended party and the prosecutor, may be allowed by the trial court to plead
guilty to a lesser offense which is necessarily included in the offense charged. After
arraignment but before trial, the accused may still be allowed to plead guilty to said lesser
offense after withdrawing his plea of not guilty. No amendment of the complaint or
information is necessary. (sec. 4, circ. 38-98)

Section 3. Plea of guilty to capital offense; reception of evidence. — When the accused
pleads guilty to a capital offense, the court shall conduct a searching inquiry into the
voluntariness and full comprehension of the consequences of his plea and require the
prosecution to prove his guilt and the precise degree of culpability. The accused may
present evidence in his behalf. (3a)

Section 4. Plea of guilty to non-capital offense; reception of evidence, discretionary. —

When the accused pleads guilty to a non-capital offense, the court may receive evidence
from the parties to determine the penalty to be imposed. (4)

Section 5. Withdrawal of improvident plea of guilty. — At any time before the judgment of
conviction becomes final, the court may permit an improvident plea of guilty to be withdrawn
and be substituted by a plea of not guilty. (5)

Section 6. Duty of court to inform accused of his right to counsel. — Before arraignment,
the court shall inform the accused of his right to counsel and ask him if he desires to have
one. Unless the accused is allowed to defend himself in person or has employed a counsel
of his choice, the court must assign a counsel de oficio to defend him. (6a)

Section 7. Appointment of counsel de oficio. — The court, considering the gravity of the
offense and the difficulty of the questions that may arise, shall appoint as counsel de
oficio only such members of the bar in good standing who, by reason of their experience
and ability, can competently defend the accused. But in localities where such members of
the bar are not available, the court may appoint any person, resident of the province and of
good repute for probity and ability, to defend the accused. (7a)

Section 8. Time for counsel de oficio to prepare for arraignment. — Whenever a counsel de
oficio is appointed by the court to defend the accused at the arraignment, he shall be given
a reasonable time to consult with the accused as to his plea before proceeding with the
arraignment. (8)

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Section 9. Bill of particulars. — The accused may, before arraignment, move for a bill of
particulars to enable him properly to plead and to prepare for trial. The motion shall specify
the alleged defects of the complaint or information and the details desired. (10a)

Section 10. Production or inspection of material evidence in possession of prosecution. —

Upon motion of the accused showing good cause and with notice to the parties, the court,
in order to prevent surprise, suppression, or alteration, may order the prosecution to
produce and permit the inspection and copying or photographing of any written statement
given by the complainant and other witnesses in any investigation of the offense conducted
by the prosecution or other investigating officers, as well as any designated documents,
papers, books, accounts, letters, photographs, objects or tangible things not otherwise
privileged, which constitute or contain evidence material to any matter involved in the case
and which are in the possession or under the control of the prosecution, police, or other law
investigating agencies. (11a)

Section 11. Suspension of arraignment. — Upon motion by the proper party, the
arraignment shall be suspended in the following cases:

(a) The accused appears to be suffering from an unsound mental condition which
effective renders him unable to fully understand the charge against him and to plead
intelligently thereto. In such case, the court shall order his mental examination and, if
necessary, his confinement for such purpose;

(b) There exists a prejudicial question; and

(c) A petition for review of the resolution of the prosecutor is pending at either the
Department of Justice, or the Office of the President; provided, that the period of
suspension shall not exceed sixty (60) days counted from the filing of the petition with
the reviewing office. (12a)

RULE 117

Motion to Quash

Section 1. Time to move to quash. — At any time before entering his plea, the accused
may move to quash the complaint or information. (1)

Section 2. Form and contents. — The motion to quash shall be in writing, signed by the
accused or his counsel and shall distinctly specify its factual and legal grounds. The court
shall consider no ground other than those stated in the motion, except lack of jurisdiction
over the offense charged. (2a)

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Section 3. Grounds. — The accused may move to quash the complaint or information on
any of the following grounds:

(a) That the facts charged do not constitute an offense;

(b) That the court trying the case has no jurisdiction over the offense charged;

(c) That the court trying the case has no jurisdiction over the person of the accused;

(d) That the officer who filed the information had no authority to do so;

(e) That it does not conform substantially to the prescribed form;

(f) That more than one offense is charged except when a single punishment for
various offenses is prescribed by law;

(g) That the criminal action or liability has been extinguished;

(h) That it contains averments which, if true, would constitute a legal excuse or
justification; and

(i) That the accused has been previously convicted or acquitted of the offense
charged, or the case against him was dismissed or otherwise terminated without his
express consent. (3a)

Section 4. Amendment of the complaint or information. — If the motion to quash is based

on an alleged defect of the complaint or information which can be cured by amendment, the
court shall order that an amendment be made. (4a)

If it is based on the ground that the facts charged do not constitute an offense, the
prosecution shall be given by the court an opportunity to correct the defect by amendment.
The motion shall be granted if the prosecution fails to make the amendment, or the
complaint or information still suffers from the same defect despite the amendment. (n)

Section 5. Effect of sustaining the motion to quash. — If the motion to quash is sustained,
the court may order that another complaint or information be filed except as provided in
section 6 of this rule. If the order is made, the accused, if in custody, shall not be discharged
unless admitted to bail. If no order is made or if having been made, no new information is
filed within the time specified in the order or within such further time as the court may allow
for good cause, the accused, if in custody, shall be discharged unless he is also in custody
for another charge. (5a)

Section 6. Order sustaining the motion to quash not a bar to another prosecution; exception.
— An order sustaining the motion to quash is not a bar to another prosecution for the same

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offense unless the motion was based on the grounds specified in section 3 (g) and (i) of this
Rule. (6a)

Section 7. Former conviction or acquittal; double jeopardy. — When an accused has been
convicted or acquitted, or the case against him dismissed or otherwise terminated without
his express consent by a court of competent jurisdiction, upon a valid complaint or
information or other formal charge sufficient in form and substance to sustain a conviction
and after the accused had pleaded to the charge, the conviction or acquittal of the accused
or the dismissal of the case shall be a bar to another prosecution for the offense charged,
or for any attempt to commit the same or frustration thereof, or for any offense which
necessarily includes or is necessarily included in the offense charged in the former
complaint or information.

However, the conviction of the accused shall not be a bar to another prosecution for an
offense which necessarily includes the offense charged in the former complaint or
information under any of the following instances:

(a) the graver offense developed due to supervening facts arising from the same act
or omission constituting the former charge;

(b) the facts constituting the graver charge became known or were discovered only
after a plea was entered in the former complaint or information; or

(c) the plea of guilty to the lesser offense was made without the consent of the
prosecutor and of the offended party except as provided in section 1 (f) of Rule 116.

In any of the foregoing cases, where the accused satisfies or serves in whole or in part the
judgment, he shall be credited with the same in the event of conviction for the graver
offense. (7a)

Section 8. Provisional dismissal. — A case shall not be provisionally dismissed except with
the express consent of the accused and with notice to the offended party.

The provisional dismissal of offenses punishable by imprisonment not exceeding six (6)
years or a fine of any amount, or both, shall become permanent one (1) year after issuance
of the order without the case having been revived. With respect to offenses punishable by
imprisonment of more than six (6) years, their provisional dismissal shall become permanent
two (2) years after issuance of the order without the case having been revived. (n)

Section 9. Failure to move to quash or to allege any ground therefor. — The failure of the
accused to assert any ground of a motion to quash before he pleads to the complaint or
information, either because he did not file a motion to quash or failed to allege the same in
said motion, shall be deemed a waiver of any objections based on the grounds provided for
in paragraphs (a), (b), (g), and (i) of section 3 of this Rule. (8)

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 RULE 118

Pre-Trial

Section 1. Pre-trial; mandatory in criminal cases. — In all criminal cases cognizable by the
Sandiganbayan, Regional Trial Court, Metropolitan Trial Court, Municipal Trial Court in
Cities, Municipal Trial Court and Municipal Circuit Trial Court, the court shall after
arraignment and within thirty (30) days from the date the court acquires jurisdiction over the
person of the accused, unless a shorter period is provided for in special laws or circulars of
the Supreme Court, order a pre-trial conference to consider the following:

(a) plea bargaining;

(b) stipulation of facts;

(c) marking for identification of evidence of the parties;

(d) waiver of objections to admissibility of evidence;

(e) modification of the order of trial if the accused admits the charge but interposes a
lawful defense; and

(f) such other matters as will promote a fair and expeditious trial of the criminal and
civil aspects of the case. (secs. 2 and 3, cir. 38-98)

Section 2. Pre-trial agreement. — All agreements or admissions made or entered during

the pre-trial conference shall be reduced in writing and signed by the accused and counsel,
otherwise, they cannot be used against the accused. The agreements covering the matters
referred to in section 1 of this Rule shall be approved by the court. (sec. 4, cir. 38-98)

Section 3. Non-appearance at pre-trial conference. — If the counsel for the accused or the
prosecutor does not appear at the pre-trial conference and does not offer an acceptable
excuse for his lack of cooperation, the court may impose proper sanctions or penalties. (se.
5, cir. 38-98)

Section 4. Pre-trial order. — After the pre-trial conference, the court shall issue an order
reciting the actions taken, the facts stipulated, and evidence marked. Such order shall bind
the parties, limit the trial to matters not disposed of, and control the course of the action
during the trial, unless modified by the court to prevent manifest injustice. (3)

RULE 119

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Trial

Section 1. Time to prepare for trial. — After a plea of not guilty is entered, the accused shall
have at least fifteen (15) days to prepare for trial. The trial shall commence within thirty (30)
days from receipt of the pre-trial order. (sec. 6, cir. 38-98)

Section 2. Continuous trial until terminated; postponements. — Trial once commenced shall
continue from day to day as far as practicable until terminated. It may be postponed for a
reasonable period of time for good cause. (2a)

The court shall, after consultation with the prosecutor and defense counsel, set the case for
continuous trial on a weekly or other short-term trial calendar at the earliest possible time
so as to ensure speedy trial. In no case shall the entire trial period exceed one hundred
eighty (180) days from the first day of trial, except as otherwise authorized by the Supreme
Court. (sec. 8, cir. 38-98).

The time limitations provided under this section and the preceding section shall not apply
where special laws or circulars of the Supreme Court provide for a shorter period of trial. (n)

Section 3. Exclusions. — The following periods of delay shall be excluded in computing the
time within which trial must commence:

(a) Any period of delay resulting from other proceedings concerning the accused, including
but not limited to the following:

(1) Delay resulting from an examination of the physical and mental condition of the
accused;

(2) Delay resulting from proceedings with respect to other criminal charges against
the accused;

(3) Delay resulting from extraordinary remedies against interlocutory orders;

(4) Delay resulting from pre-trial proceedings; provided, that the delay does not
exceed thirty (30) days;

(5) Delay resulting from orders of inhibition, or proceedings relating to change of

venue of cases or transfer from other courts;

(6) Delay resulting from a finding of the existence of a prejudicial question; and

(7) Delay reasonably attributable to any period, not exceed thirty (30) days, during
which any proceeding which any proceeding concerning the accused is actually under
advisement.

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(b) Any period of delay resulting from the absence or unavailability of an essential witness.

For purposes of this subparagraph, an essential witness shall be considered absent when
his whereabouts are unknown or his whereabouts cannot be determined by due diligence.
He shall be considered unavailable whenever his whereabouts are known but his presence
for trial cannot be obtained by due diligence.

(c) Any period of delay resulting from the mental incompetence or physical inability of the
accused to stand trial.

(d) If the information is dismissed upon motion of the prosecution and thereafter a charge
is filed against the accused for the same offense, any period of delay from the date the
charge was dismissed to the date the time limitation would commence to run as to the
subsequent charge had there been no previous charge.

(e) A reasonable period of delay when the accused is joined for trial with a co-accused over
whom the court has not acquired jurisdiction, or, as to whom the time for trial has not run
and no motion for separate trial has been granted.

(f) Any period of delay resulting from a continuance granted by any court motu proprio, or
on motion of either the accused or his counsel, or the prosecution, if the court granted the
continuance on the basis of its findings set forth in the order that the ends of justice served
by taking such action outweigh the best interest of the public and the accused in a speedy
trial. (sec. 9, cir. 38-98)

Section 4. Factors for granting continuance. — The following factors, among others, shall
be considered by a court in determining whether to grant a continuance under section 3(f)
of this Rule.

(a) Whether or not the failure to grant a continuance in the proceeding would likely
make a continuation of such proceeding impossible or result in a miscarriage of
justice; and

(b) Whether or not the case taken as a whole is so novel, unusual and complex, due
to the number of accused or the nature of the prosecution, or that it is unreasonable
to expect adequate preparation within the periods of time established therein.

In addition, no continuance under section 3(f) of this Rule shall be granted because of
congestion of the court's calendar or lack of diligent preparation or failure to obtain available
witnesses on the part of the prosecutor. (sec. 10, cir. 38-98)

Section 5. Time limit following an order for new trial. — If the accused is to be tried again
pursuant to an order for a new trial, the trial shall commence within thirty (30) days from
notice of the order, provided that if the period becomes impractical due to unavailability of

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witnesses and other factors, the court may extend it but not to exceed one hundred eighty
(180) days from notice of said order for a new trial. (sec. 11, cir. 38-98)

Section 6. Extended time limit. — Notwithstanding the provisions of section 1(g), Rule 116
and the preceding section 1, for the first twelve-calendar-month period following its
effectivity on September 15, 1998, the time limit with respect to the period from arraignment
to trial imposed by said provision shall be one hundred eighty (180) days. For the second
twelve-month period, the limit shall be one hundred twenty (120) days, and for the third
twelve-month period, the time limit shall be eighty (80) days. (sec. 7, cir. 38-98)

Section 7. Public attorney's duties where accused is imprisoned. — If the public attorney
assigned to defend a person charged with a crime knows that the latter is preventively
detained, either because he is charged with a bailable crime but has no means to post bail,
or, is charged with a non-bailable crime, or, is serving a term of imprisonment in any penal
institution, it shall be his duty to do the following:

(a) Shall promptly undertake to obtain the presence of the prisoner for trial or cause
a notice to be served on the person having custody of the prisoner requiring such
person to so advise the prisoner of his right to demand trial.

(b) Upon receipt of that notice, the custodian of the prisoner shall promptly advise the
prisoner of the charge and of his right to demand trial. If at anytime thereafter the
prisoner informs his custodian that he demands such trial, the latter shall cause notice
to that effect to sent promptly to the public attorney.

(c) Upon receipt of such notice, the public attorney shall promptly seek to obtain the
presence of the prisoner for trial.

(d) When the custodian of the prisoner receives from the public attorney a properly
supported request for the availability of the prisoner for purposes of trial, the prisoner
shall be made available accordingly. (sec. 12, cir. 38-98)

Section 8. Sanctions. — In any case in which private counsel for the accused, the public
attorney, or the prosecutor.

(a) Knowingly allows the case to be set for trial without disclosing that a necessary
witness would be unavailable for trial;

(b) Files a motion solely for delay which he knows is totally frivolous and without merit;

(c) Makes a statement for the purpose of obtaining continuance which he knows to
be false and which is material to the granting of a continuance; or

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 (d) Willfully fails to proceed to trial without justification consistent with the provisions
hereof, the court may punish such counsel, attorney, or prosecution, as follows:

(1) By imposing on a counsel privately retained in connection with the defense

of an accused, a fine not exceeding twenty thousand pesos (P20,000.00);

(2) By imposing on any appointed counsel de oficio, public attorney, or

prosecutor a fine not exceeding five thousand pesos (P5,000.00); and

(3) By denying any defense counsel or prosecutor the right to practice before
the court trying the case for a period not exceeding thirty (30) days. The
punishment provided for by this section shall be without prejudice to any
appropriate criminal action or other sanction authorized under these rules. (sec.
13, cir. 38-98)

Section 9. Remedy where accused is not brought to trial within the time limit. — If the
accused is not brought to trial within the time limit required by Section 1(g), Rule 116 and
Section 1, as extended by Section 6 of this rule, the information may be dismissed on motion
of the accused on the ground of denial of his right of speedy trial. The accused shall have
the burden of proving the motion but the prosecution shall have the burden of going forward
with the evidence to establish the exclusion of time under section 3 of this rule. The
dismissal shall be subject to the rules on double jeopardy.

Failure of the accused to move for dismissal prior to trial shall constitute a waiver of the right
to dismiss under this section. (sec. 14, cir. 38-98)

Section 10. Law on speedy trial not a bar to provision on speedy trial in the Constitution. —
No provision of law on speedy trial and no rule implementing the same shall be interpreted
as a bar to any charge of denial of the right to speedy trial guaranteed by section 14(2),
article III, of the 1987 Constitution. (sec. 15, cir. 38-98)

Section 11. Order of trial. — The trial shall proceed in the following order:

(a) The prosecution shall present evidence to prove the charge and, in the proper
case, the civil liability.

(b) The accused may present evidence to prove his defense, and damages, if any,
arising from the issuance of a provisional remedy in the case.

(c) The prosecution and the defense may, in that order, present rebuttal and sur-
rebuttal evidence unless the court, in furtherance of justice, permits them to present
additional evidence bearing upon the main issue.

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 (d) Upon admission of the evidence of the parties, the case shall be deemed
submitted for decision unless the court directs them to argue orally or to submit written
memoranda.

(e) When the accused admits the act or omission charged in the complaint or
information but interposes a lawful defense, the order of trial may be modified. (3a)

Section 12. Application for examination of witness for accused before trial. — When the
accused has been held to answer for an offense, he may, upon motion with notice to the
other parties, have witnesses conditionally examined in his behalf. The motion shall state:
(a) the name and residence of the witness; (b) the substance of his testimony; and (c) that
the witness is sick or infirm as to afford reasonable ground for believing that he will not be
able to attend the trial, or resides more than one hundred (100) kilometers from the place
of trial and has no means to attend the same, or that other similar circumstances exist that
would make him unavailable or prevent him from attending the trial. The motion shall be
supported by an affidavit of the accused and such other evidence as the court may require.
(4a)

Section 13. Examination of defense witness; how made. — If the court is satisfied that the
examination of a witness for the accused is necessary, an order will be made directing that
the witness be examined at a specified date, time and place and that a copy of the order be
served on the prosecutor at least three (3) days before the scheduled examination. The
examination shall be taken before a judge, or, if not practicable, a member of the Bar in
good standing so designated by the judge in the order, or if the order be made by a court of
superior jurisdiction, before an inferior court to be designated therein. The examination shall
proceed notwithstanding the absence of the prosecutor provided he was duly notified of the
hearing. A written record of the testimony shall be taken. (5a)

Section 14. Bail to secure appearance of material witness. — When the court is satisfied,
upon proof or oath, that a material witness will not testify when required, it may, upon motion
of either party, order the witness to post bail in such sum as may be deemed proper. Upon
refusal to post bail, the court shall commit him to prison until he complies or is legally
discharged after his testimony has been taken. (6a)

Section 15. Examination of witness for the prosecution. — When it satisfactorily appears
that a witness for the prosecution is too sick or infirm to appear at the trial as directed by the
order of the court, or has to leave the Philippines with no definite date of returning, he may
forthwith be conditionally examined before the court where the case is pending. Such
examination, in the presence of the accused, or in his absence after reasonable notice to
attend the examination has been served on him, shall be conducted in the same manner as
an examination at the trial. Failure or refusal of the accused to attend the examination after
notice shall be considered a waiver. The statement taken may be admitted in behalf of or
against the accused. (7a)

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Section 16. Trial of several accused. — When two or more accused are jointly charged with
any offense, they shall be tried jointly unless the court, in its discretion and upon motion of
the prosecutor or any accused, orders separate trial for one or more accused. (8a)

Section 17. Discharge of accused to be state witness. — When two or more persons are
jointly charged with the commission of any offense, upon motion of the prosecution before
resting its case, the court may direct one or more of the accused to be discharged with their
consent so that they may be witnesses for the state when, after requiring the prosecution to
present evidence and the sworn statement of each proposed state witness at a hearing in
support of the discharge, the court is satisfied that:

(a) There is absolute necessity for the testimony of the accused whose discharge is
requested;

(b) The is no other direct evidence available for the proper prosecution of the offense
committed, except the testimony of said accused;

(c) The testimony of said accused can be substantially corroborated in its material
points;

(d) Said accused does not appear to be the most guilty; and

(e) Said accused has not at any time been convicted of any offense involving moral
turpitude.

Evidence adduced in support of the discharge shall automatically form part of the trial. If the
court denies the motion for discharge of the accused as state witness, his sworn statement
shall be inadmissible in evidence. (9a)

Section 18. Discharge of accused operates as acquittal. — The order indicated in the
preceding section shall amount to an acquittal of the discharged accused and shall be a bar
to future prosecution for the same offense, unless the accused fails or refuses to testify
against his co-accused in accordance with his sworn statement constituting the basis for
the discharge. (10a)

Section 19. When mistake has been made in charging the proper offense. — When it
becomes manifest at any time before judgment that a mistake has been made in charging
the proper offense and the accused cannot be convicted of the offense charged or any other
offense necessarily included therein, the accused shall not be discharged if there appears
good cause to detain him. In such case, the court shall commit the accused to answer for
the proper offense and dismiss the original case upon the filing of the proper information.
(11a)

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Section 20. Appointment of acting prosecutor. — When a prosecutor, his assistant or
deputy is disqualified to act due to any of the grounds stated in section 1 of Rule 137 or for
any other reasons, the judge or the prosecutor shall communicate with the Secretary of
Justice in order that the latter may appoint an acting prosecutor. (12a)

Section 21. Exclusion of the public. — The judge may, motu proprio, exclude the public
from the courtroom if the evidence to be produced during the trial is offensive to decency or
public morals. He may also, on motion of the accused, exclude the public from the trial,
except court personnel and the counsel of the parties. (13a)

Section 22. Consolidation of trials of related offenses. — Charges for offenses founded on
the same facts or forming part of a series of offenses of similar character may be tried jointly
at the discretion of the court. (14a)

Section 23. Demurrer to evidence. — After the prosecution rests its case, the court may
dismiss the action on the ground of insufficiency of evidence (1) on its own initiative after
giving the prosecution the opportunity to be heard or (2) upon demurrer to evidence filed by
the accused with or without leave of court.

If the court denies the demurrer to evidence filed with leave of court, the accused may
adduce evidence in his defense. When the demurrer to evidence is filed without leave of
court, the accused waives the right to present evidence and submits the case for judgment
on the basis of the evidence for the prosecution. (15a)

The motion for leave of court to file demurrer to evidence shall specifically state its grounds
and shall be filed within a non-extendible period of five (5) days after the prosecution rests
its case. The prosecution may oppose the motion within a non-extendible period of five (5)
days from its receipt.

If leave of court is granted, the accused shall file the demurrer to evidence within a non-
extendible period of ten (10) days from notice. The prosecution may oppose the demurrer
to evidence within a similar period from its receipt.

The order denying the motion for leave of court to file demurrer to evidence or the demurrer
itself shall not be reviewable by appeal or by certiorari before judgment. (n)

Section 24. Reopening. — At any time before finality of the judgment of conviction, the
judge may, motu proprio or upon motion, with hearing in either case, reopen the proceedings
to avoid a miscarrage of justice. The proceedings shall be terminated within thirty (30) days
from the order grating it. (n)

RULE 120

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Judgment

Section 1. Judgment definition and form. — Judgment is the adjudication by the court that
the accused is guilty or not guilty of the offense charged and the imposition on him of the
proper penalty and civil liability, if any. It must be written in the official language, personally
and directly prepared by the judge and signed by him and shall contain clearly and distinctly
a statement of the facts and the law upon which it is based. (1a)

Section 2. Contents of the judgment. — If the judgment is of conviction, it shall state (1) the
legal qualification of the offense constituted by the acts committed by the accused and the
aggravating or mitigating circumstances which attended its commission; (2) the participation
of the accused in the offense, whether as principal, accomplice, or accessory after the fact;
(3) the penalty imposed upon the accused; and (4) the civil liability or damages caused by
his wrongful act or omission to be recovered from the accused by the offended party, if there
is any, unless the enforcement of the civil liability by a separate civil action has been
reserved or waived.

In case the judgment is of acquittal, it shall state whether the evidence of the prosecution
absolutely failed to prove the guilt of the accused or merely failed to prove his guilt beyond
reasonable doubt. In either case, the judgment shall determine if the act or omission from
which the civil liability might arise did not exist. (2a)

Section 3. Judgment for two or more offenses. — When two or more offenses are charged
in a single complaint or information but the accused fails to object to it before trial, the court
may convict him of as many offenses as are charged and proved, and impose on him the
penalty for each offense, setting out separately the findings of fact and law in each offense.
(3a)

Section 4. Judgment in case of variance between allegation and proof. — When there is
variance between the offense charged in the complaint or information and that proved, and
the offense as charged is included in or necessarily includes the offense proved, the
accused shall be convicted of the offense proved which is included in the offense charged,
or of the offense charged which is included in the offense proved. (4a)

Section 5. When an offense includes or is included in another. — An offense charged

necessarily includes the offense proved when some of the essential elements or ingredients
of the former, as alleged in the complaint or information, constitute the latter. And an offense
charged is necessarily included in the offense proved, when the essential ingredients of the
former constitute or form a part of those constituting the latter. (5a)

Section 6. Promulgation of judgment. — The judgment is promulgated by reading it in the

presence of the accused and any judge of the court in which it was rendered. However, if
the conviction is for a light offense, the judgment may be pronounced in the presence of his

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counsel or representative. When the judge is absent or outside of the province or city, the
judgment may be promulgated by the clerk of court.

If the accused is confined or detained in another province or city, the judgment may be
promulgated by the executive judge of the Regional Trial Court having jurisdiction over the
place of confinement or detention upon request of the court which rendered the judgment.
The court promulgating the judgment shall have authority to accept the notice of appeal and
to approve the bail bond pending appeal; provided, that if the decision of the trial court
convicting the accused changed the nature of the offense from non-bailable to bailable, the
application for bail can only be filed and resolved by the appellate court.

The proper clerk of court shall give notice to the accused personally or through his
bondsman or warden and counsel, requiring him to be present at the promulgation of the
decision. If the accused tried in absentia because he jumped bail or escaped from prison,
the notice to him shall be served at his last known address.

In case the accused fails to appear at the scheduled date of promulgation of judgment
despite notice, the promulgation shall be made by recording the judgment in the criminal
docket and serving him a copy thereof at his last known address or thru his counsel.

If the judgment is for conviction and the failure of the accused to appear was without
justifiable cause, he shall lose the remedies available in these rules against the judgment
and the court shall order his arrest. Within fifteen (15) days from promulgation of judgment,
however, the accused may surrender and file a motion for leave of court to avail of these
remedies. He shall state the reasons for his absence at the scheduled promulgation and if
he proves that his absence was for a justifiable cause, he shall be allowed to avail of said
remedies within fifteen (15) days from notice. (6a)

Section 7. Modification of judgment. — A judgment of conviction may, upon motion of the

accused, be modified or set aside before it becomes final or before appeal is perfected.
Except where the death penalty is imposed, a judgment becomes final after the lapse of the
period for perfecting an appeal, or when the sentence has been partially or totally satisfied
or served, or when the accused has waived in writing his right to appeal, or has applied for
probation. (7a)

Section 8. Entry of judgment. — After a judgment has become final, it shall be entered in
accordance with Rule 36. (8)

Section 9. Existing provisions governing suspension of sentence, probation and parole not
affected by this Rule. — Nothing in this Rule shall affect any existing provisions in the laws
governing suspension of sentence, probation or parole. (9a)

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 RULE 121

New Trial or Reconsideration

Section 1. New trial or reconsideration. — At any time before a judgment of conviction

becomes final, the court may, on motion of the accused or at its own instance but with the
consent of the accused, grant a new trial or reconsideration. (1a)

Section 2. Grounds for a new trial. — The court shall grant a new trial on any of the following
grounds:

(a) The errors of law or irregularities prejudicial to the substantial rights of the accused
have been committed during the trial;

(b) The new and material evidence has been discovered which the accused could not
with reasonable diligence have discovered and produced at the trial and which if
introduced and admitted would probably change the judgment. (2a)

Section 3. Ground for reconsideration. — The court shall grant reconsideration on the
ground of errors of law or fact in the judgment, which requires no further proceedings. (3a)

Section 4. Form of motion and notice to the prosecutor. — The motion for a new trial or
reconsideration shall be in writing and shall state the grounds on which it is based. If based
on a newly-discovered evidence, the motion must be supported by affidavits of witnesses
by whom such evidence is expected to be given or by duly authenticated copies of
documents which are proposed to be introduced in evidence. Notice of the motion for new
trial or reconsideration shall be given to the prosecutor. (4a)

Section 5. Hearing on motion. — Where a motion for a new trial calls for resolution of any
question of fact, the court may hear evidence thereon by affidavits or otherwise. (5a)

Section 6. Effects of granting a new trial or reconsideration. — The effects of granting a

new trial or reconsideration are the following:

(a) When a new trial is granted on the ground of errors of law or irregularities
committed during the trial, all proceedings and evidence affected thereby shall be set
aside and taken anew. The court may, in the interest of justice, allow the introduction
of additional evidence.

(b) When a new trial is granted on the ground of newly-discovered evidence, the
evidence already adduced shall stand and the newly-discovered and such other
evidence as the court may, in the interest of justice, allow to be introduced shall be
taken and considered together with the evidence already in the record.

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 (c) In all cases, when the court grants new trial or reconsideration, the original
judgment shall be set aside or vacated and a new judgment rendered accordingly.
(6a)

RULE 122

Appeal

Section 1. Who may appeal. — Any party may appeal from a judgment or final order, unless
the accused will be placed in double jeopardy. (2a)

Section 2. Where to appeal. — The appeal may be taken as follows:

(a) To the Regional Trial Court, in cases decided by the Metropolitan Trial Court,
Municipal Trial Court in Cities, Municipal Trial Court, or Municipal Circuit Trial Court;

(b) To the Court of Appeals or to the Supreme Court in the proper cases provided by
law, in cases decided by the Regional Trial Court; and

(c) To the Supreme Court, in cases decided by the Court of Appeals. (1a)

Section 3. How appeal taken. —

(a) The appeal to the Regional Trial Court, or to the Court of Appeals in cases decided
by the Regional Trial Court in the exercise of its original jurisdiction, shall be taken by
filing a notice of appeal with the court which rendered the judgment or final order
appealed from and by serving a copy thereof upon the adverse party.

(b) The appeal to the Court of Appeals in cases decided by the Regional Trial Court
in the exercise of its appellate jurisdiction shall be by petition for review under Rule
42.

(c) The appeal to the Supreme Court in cases where the penalty imposed by the
Regional Trial Court is death, reclusion perpetua, or life imprisonment, or where a
lesser penalty is imposed but for offenses committed on the same occasion or which
arose out of the same occurrence that gave rise to the more serious offense for which
the penalty of death, reclusion perpetua, or life imprisonment is imposed, shall be by
filing a notice of appeal in accordance with paragraph (a) of this section.

(d) No notice of appeal is necessary in cases where the death penalty is imposed by
the Regional Trial Court. The same shall be automatically reviewed by the Supreme
Court as provided in section 10 of this Rule.

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 (e) Except as provided in the last paragraph of section 13, Rule 124, all other appeals
to the Supreme Court shall be by petition for review on certiorari under Rules 45. (3a)

Section 4. Publication of notice of appeal. — If personal service of the copy of the notice of
appeal can not be made upon the adverse party or his counsel, service may be done by
registered mail or by substituted service pursuant to sections 7 and 8 of Rule 13. (4a)

Section 5. Waiver of notice. — The appellee may waive his right to a notice that an appeal
has been taken. The appellate court may, in its discretion, entertain an appeal
notwithstanding failure to give such notice if the interests of justice so require. (5a)

Section 6. When appeal to be taken. — An appeal must be taken within fifteen (15) days
from promulgation of the judgment or from notice of the final order appealed from. This
period for perfecting an appeal shall be suspended from the time a motion for new trial or
reconsideration is filed until notice of the order overruling the motion shall have been served
upon the accused or his counsel at which time the balance of the period begins to run. (6a)

Section 7. Transcribing and filing notes of stenographic reporter upon appeal. — When
notice of appeal is filed by the accused, the trial court shall direct the stenographic reporter
to transcribe his notes of the proceedings. When filed by the People of the Philippines, the
trial court shall direct the stenographic reporter to transcribe such portion of his notes of the
proceedings as the court, upon motion, shall specify in writing. The stenographic reporter
shall certify to the correctness of the notes and the transcript thereof, which shall consist of
the original and four copies, and shall file the original and four copies with the clerk without
unnecessary delay.

If death penalty is imposed, the stenographic reporter shall, within thirty (30) days from
promulgation of the sentence, file with the clerk original and four copies of the duly certified
transcript of his notes of the proceedings. No extension of time for filing of said transcript of
stenographic notes shall be granted except by the Supreme Court and only upon justifiable
grounds. (7a)

Section 8. Transmission of papers to appellate court upon appeal. — Within five (5) days
from the filing of the notice of appeal, the clerk of the court with whom the notice of appeal
was filed must transmit to the clerk of court of the appellate court the complete record of the
case, together with said notice. The original and three copies of the transcript of
stenographic notes, together with the records, shall also be transmitted to the clerk of the
appellate court without undue delay. The other copy of the transcript shall remain in the
lower court. (8a)

Section 9. Appeal to the Regional Trial Courts. —

(a) Within five (5) days from perfection of the appeal, the clerk of court shall transmit
the original record to the appropriate Regional Trial Court.

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 (b) Upon receipt of the complete record of the case, transcripts and exhibits, the clerk
of court of the Regional Trial Court shall notify the parties of such fact.

(c) Within fifteen (15) days from receipt of the said notice, the parties may submit
memoranda or briefs, or may be required by the Regional Trial Court to do so. After
the submission of such memoranda or briefs, or upon the expiration of the period to
file the same, the Regional Trial Court shall decide the case on the basis of the entire
record of the case and of such memoranda or briefs as may have been filed. (9a)

Section 10. Transmission of records in case of death penalty. — In all cases where the
death penalty is imposed by the trial court, the records shall be forwarded to the Supreme
Court for automatic review and judgment within five (5) days after the fifteenth (15) day
following the promulgation of the judgment or notice of denial of a motion for new trial or
reconsideration. The transcript shall also be forwarded within ten (10) days after the filing
thereof by the stenographic reporter. (10a)

Section 11. Effect of appeal by any of several accused. —

(a) An appeal taken by one or more of several accused shall not affect those who did
not appeal, except insofar as the judgment of the appellate court is favorable and
applicable to the latter;

(b) The appeal of the offended party from the civil aspect shall not affect the criminal
aspect of the judgment or order appealed from.

(c) Upon perfection of the appeal, the execution of the judgment or final order
appealed from shall be stayed as to the appealing party. (11a)

Section 12. Withdrawal of appeal. — Notwithstanding the perfection of the appeal, the
Regional Trial Court, Metropolitan Trial Court, Municipal Trial Court in Cities, Municipal Trial
Court, or Municipal Circuit Trial Court, as the case may be, may allow the appellant to
withdraw his appeal before the record has been forwarded by the clerk of court to the proper
appellate court as provided in section 8, in which case the judgment shall become final. The
Regional Trial Court may also, in its discretion, allow the appellant from the judgment of a
Metropolitan Trial Court, Municipal Trial Court in Cities, Municipal Trial Court, or Municipal
Circuit Trial Court to withdraw his appeal, provided a motion to that effect is filed before
rendition of the judgment in the case on appeal, in which case the judgment of the court of
origin shall become final and the case shall be remanded to the latter court for execution of
the judgment. (12a)

Section 13. Appointment of counsel de oficio for accused on appeal. — It shall be the duty
of the clerk of the trial court, upon filing of a notice of appeal, to ascertain from the appellant,
if confined in prison, whether he desires the Regional Trial Court, Court of Appeals or the
Supreme Court to appoint a counsel de oficio to defend him and to transmit with the record

233
on a form to be prepared by the clerk of court of the appellate court, a certificate of
compliance with this duty and of the response of the appellant to his inquiry. (13a)

RULE 123

Procedure in the Municipal Trial Courts

Section 1. Uniform Procedure. — The procedure to be observed in the Metropolitan Trial

Courts, Municipal Trial Courts and Municipal Circuit Trial Courts shall be the same as in the
Regional Trial Courts, except where a particular provision applies only to either of said
courts and in criminal cases governed by the Revised Rule on Summary Procedure. (1a)

RULE 124

Procedure in the Court of Appeals

Section 1. Title of the case. — In all criminal cases appealed to the Court of Appeals, the
party appealing the case shall be called the "appellant" and the adverse party the "appellee,"
but the title of the case shall remain as it was in the court of origin. (1a)

Section 2. Appointment of counsel de oficio for the accused. — If it appears from the record
of the case as transmitted that (a) the accused is confined in prison, (b) is without counsel de
parte on appeal, or (c) has signed the notice of appeal himself, the clerk of court of the Court
of Appeals shall designate a counsel de oficio.

An appellant who is not confined in prison may, upon request, be assigned a counsel de
oficio within ten (10) days from receipt of the notice to file brief and he establishes his right
thereto. (2a)

Section 3. When brief for appellant to be filed. — Within thirty (30) days from receipt by the
appellant or his counsel of the notice from the clerk of court of the Court of Appeals that the
evidence, oral and documentary, is already attached to the record, the appellant shall file
seven (7) copies of his brief with the clerk of court which shall be accompanied by proof of
service of two (2) copies thereof upon the appellee. (3a)

Section 4. When brief for appellee to be filed; reply brief of the appellant. — Within thirty
(30) days from the receipt of the brief of the appellant, the appellee shall file seven (7) copies
of the brief of the appellee with the clerk of court which shall be accompanied by proof of
service of two (2) copies thereof upon the appellant.

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Within twenty (20) days from receipt of the brief of the appellee, the appellant may file a
reply brief traversing matters raised in the former but not covered in the brief of the appellant.
(4a)

Section 5. Extension of time for filing briefs. — Extension of time for the filing of briefs will
not be allowed except for good and sufficient cause and only if the motion for extension is
filed before the expiration of the time sought to be extended. (5a)

Section 6. Form of briefs. — Briefs shall either be printed, encoded or typewritten in double
space on the legal size good quality unglazed paper, 330 mm. in length by 216 mm. in width.
(6a)

Section 7. Contents of brief. — The briefs in criminal cases shall have the same contents
as provided in sections 13 and 14 of Rule 44. A certified true copy of the decision or final
order appealed from shall be appended to the brief of appellant. (7a)

Section 8. Dismissal of appeal for abandonment or failure to prosecute. — The Court of

Appeals may, upon motion of the appellee or motu proprio and with notice to the appellant
in either case, dismiss the appeal if the appellant fails to file his brief within the time
prescribed by this Rule, except where the appellant is represented by a counsel de oficio.

The Court of Appeals may also, upon motion of the appellee or motu proprio, dismiss the
appeal if the appellant escapes from prison or confinement, jumps bail or flees to a foreign
country during the pendency of the appeal. (8a)

Section 9. Prompt disposition of appeals. — Appeals of accused who are under detention
shall be given precedence in their disposition over other appeals. The Court of Appeals shall
hear and decide the appeal at the earliest practicable time with due regard to the rights of
the parties. The accused need not be present in court during the hearing of the appeal. (9a)

Section 10. Judgment not to be reversed or modified except for substantial error. — No
judgment shall be reversed or modified unless the Court of Appeals, after an examination
of the record and of the evidence adduced by the parties, is of the opinion that error was
committed which injuriously affected the substantial rights of the appellant. (10a)

Section 11. Scope of judgment. — The Court of Appeals may reverse, affirm, or modify the
judgment and increase or reduce the penalty imposed by the trial court, remand the case to
the Regional Trial Court for new trial or retrial, or dismiss the case. (11a)

Section 12. Power to receive evidence — The Court of Appeals shall have the power to try
cases and conduct hearings, receive evidence and perform any and all acts necessary to
resolve factual issues raised in cases (a) falling within its original jurisdiction, (b) involving
claims for damages arising from provisional remedies, or (c) where the court grants a new
trial based only on the ground of newly-discovered evidence. (12a)

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Section 13. Quorum of the court; certification or appeal of cases to Supreme Court. —
Three (3) Justices of the Court of Appeals shall constitute a quorum for the sessions of a
division. The unanimous vote of the three (3) Justices of a division shall be necessary for
the pronouncement of a judgment or final resolution, which shall be reached in consultation
before the writing of the opinion by a member of the division. In the event that the three (3)
Justices can not reach a unanimous vote, the Presiding Justice shall direct the raffle
committee of the Court to designate two (2) additional Justices to sit temporarily with them,
forming a special division of five (5) members and the concurrence of a majority of such
division shall be necessary for the pronouncement of a judgment or final resolution. The
designation of such additional Justices shall be made strictly by raffle and rotation among
all other Justices of the Court of Appeals.

Whenever the Court of Appeals finds that the penalty of death, reclusion perpetua, or life
imprisonment should be imposed in a case, the court, after discussion of the evidence and
the law involved, shall render judgment imposing the penalty of death, reclusion perpetua,
or life imprisonment as the circumstances warrant. However, it shall refrain from entering
the judgment and forthwith certify the case and elevate the entire record thereof to the
Supreme Court for review. (13a)

Section 14. Motion for new trial. — At any time after the appeal from the lower court has
been perfected and before the judgment of the Court of Appeals convicting the appellant
becomes final, the latter may move for a new trial on the ground of newly-discovered
evidence material to his defense. The motion shall conform with the provisions of section 4,
Rule 121. (14a)

Section 15. Where new trial conducted. — When a new trial is granted, the Court of Appeals
may conduct the hearing and receive evidence as provided in section 12 of this Rule or refer
the trial to the court of origin. (15a)

Section 16. Reconsideration. — A motion for reconsideration shall be filed within fifteen
(15) days after from notice of the decision or final order of the Court of Appeals, with copies
served upon the adverse party, setting forth the grounds in support thereof. The mittimus
shall be stayed during the pendency of the motion for reconsideration. No party shall be
allowed a second motion for reconsideration of a judgment or final order. (16a)

Section 17. Judgment transmitted and filed in trial court. — When the entry of judgment of
the Court of Appeals is issued, a certified true copy of the judgment shall be attached to the
original record which shall be remanded to the clerk of the court from which the appeal was
taken. (17a)

Section 18. Application of certain rules in civil to criminal cases. — The provisions of Rules
42, 44 to 46 and 48 to 56 relating to procedure in the Court of Appeals and in the Supreme
Court in original and appealed civil cases shall be applied to criminal cases insofar as they
are applicable and not inconsistent with the provisions of this Rule. (18a)

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 RULE 125

Procedure in the Supreme Court

Section 1. Uniform procedure. — Unless otherwise provided by the Constitution or by law,

the procedure in the Supreme Court in original and in appealed cases shall be the same as
in the Court of Appeals. (1a)

Section 2. Review of decisions of the Court of Appeals. — The procedure for the review by
the Supreme Court of decisions in criminal cases rendered by the Court of Appeals shall be
the same as in civil cases. (2a)

Section 3. Decision if opinion is equally divided. — When the Supreme Court en banc is
equally divided in opinion or the necessary majority cannot be had on whether to acquit the
appellant, the case shall again be deliberated upon and if no decision is reached after re-
deliberation, the judgment of conviction of the lower court shall be reversed and the accused
acquitted. (3a)

RULE 126

Search and Seizure

Section 1. Search warrant defined. — A search warrant is an order in writing issued in the
name of the People of the Philippines, signed by a judge and directed to a peace officer,
commanding him to search for personal property described therein and bring it before the
court. (1)

Section 2. Court where application for search warrant shall be filed. — An application for
search warrant shall be filed with the following:

a) Any court within whose territorial jurisdiction a crime was committed.

b) For compelling reasons stated in the application, any court within the judicial region
where the crime was committed if the place of the commission of the crime is known,
or any court within the judicial region where the warrant shall be enforced.

However, if the criminal action has already been filed, the application shall only be made in
the court where the criminal action is pending. (n)

Section 3. Personal property to be seized. — A search warrant may be issued for the search
and seizure of personal property:

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 (a) Subject of the offense;

(b) Stolen or embezzled and other proceeds, or fruits of the offense; or

(c) Used or intended to be used as the means of committing an offense. (2a)

Section 4. Requisites for issuing search warrant. — A search warrant shall not issue except
upon probable cause in connection with one specific offense to be determined personally
by the judge after examination under oath or affirmation of the complainant and the
witnesses he may produce, and particularly describing the place to be searched and the
things to be seized which may be anywhere in the Philippines. (3a)

Section 5. Examination of complainant; record. — The judge must, before issuing the
warrant, personally examine in the form of searching questions and answers, in writing and
under oath, the complainant and the witnesses he may produce on facts personally known
to them and attach to the record their sworn statements, together with the affidavits
submitted. (4a)

Section 6. Issuance and form of search warrant. — If the judge is satisfied of the existence
of facts upon which the application is based or that there is probable cause to believe that
they exist, he shall issue the warrant, which must be substantially in the form prescribed by
these Rules. (5a)

Section 7. Right to break door or window to effect search. — The officer, if refused
admittance to the place of directed search after giving notice of his purpose and authority,
may break open any outer or inner door or window of a house or any part of a house or
anything therein to execute the warrant or liberate himself or any person lawfully aiding him
when unlawfully detained therein. (6)

Section 8. Search of house, room, or premise to be made in presence of two witnesses. —

No search of a house, room, or any other premise shall be made except in the presence of
the lawful occupant thereof or any member of his family or in the absence of the latter, two
witnesses of sufficient age and discretion residing in the same locality. (7a)

Section 9. Time of making search. — The warrant must direct that it be served in the day
time, unless the affidavit asserts that the property is on the person or in the place ordered
to be searched, in which case a direction may be inserted that it be served at any time of
the day or night. (8)

Section 10. Validity of search warrant. — A search warrant shall be valid for ten (10) days
from its date. Thereafter it shall be void. (9a)

Section 11. Receipt for the property seized. — The officer seizing property under the
warrant must give a detailed receipt for the same to the lawful occupant of the premises in

238
whose presence the search and seizure were made, or in the absence of such occupant,
must, in the presence of at least two witnesses of sufficient age and discretion residing in
the same locality, leave a receipt in the place in which he found the seized property. (10a)

Section 12. Delivery of property and inventory thereof to court; return and proceedings
thereon. — (a) The officer must forthwith deliver the property seized to the judge who issued
the warrant, together with a true inventory thereof duly verified under oath.

(b) Ten (10) days after issuance of the search warrant, the issuing judge shall
ascertain if the return has been made, and if none, shall summon the person to whom
the warrant was issued and require him to explain why no return was made. If the
return has been made, the judge shall ascertain whether section 11 of this Rule has
been complained with and shall require that the property seized be delivered to him.
The judge shall see to it that subsection (a) hereof has been complied with.

(c) The return on the search warrant shall be filed and kept by the custodian of the
log book on search warrants who shall enter therein the date of the return, the result,
and other actions of the judge.

A violation of this section shall constitute contempt of court.(11a)

Section 13. Search incident to lawful arrest. — A person lawfully arrested may be searched
for dangerous weapons or anything which may have been used or constitute proof in the
commission of an offense without a search warrant. (12a)

Section 14. Motion to quash a search warrant or to suppress evidence; where to file. — A
motion to quash a search warrant and/or to suppress evidence obtained thereby may be
filed in and acted upon only by the court where the action has been instituted. If no criminal
action has been instituted, the motion may be filed in and resolved by the court that issued
the search warrant. However, if such court failed to resolve the motion and a criminal case
is subsequent filed in another court, the motion shall be resolved by the latter court. (n)

RULE 127

Provisional Remedies in Criminal Cases

Section 1. Availability of provisional remedies. — The provisional remedies in civil actions,

insofar as they are applicable, may be availed of in connection with the civil action deemed
instituted with the criminal action. (1a)

Section 2. Attachment. — When the civil action is properly instituted in the criminal action
as provided in Rule 111, the offended party may have the property of the accused attached

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as security for the satisfaction of any judgment that may be recovered from the accused in
the following cases:

(a) When the accused is about to abscond from the Philippines;

(b) When the criminal action is based on a claim for money or property embezzled or
fraudulently misapplied or converted to the use of the accused who is a public officer,
officer of a corporation, attorney, factor, broker, agent, or clerk, in the course of his
employment as such, or by any other person in a fiduciary capacity, or for a willful
violation of duty;

(c) When the accused has concealed, removed, or disposed of his property, or is
about to do so; and

a) When the accused resides outside the Philippines. (2a)

REVISED RULES ON EVIDENCE

(Rules 128-134, Rules of Court)

AS AMENDED PER RESOLUTION

ADOPTED ON MARCH 14, 1989

PART IV

RULES OF EVIDENCE

RULE 128

General Provisions

Section 1. Evidence defined. — Evidence is the means, sanctioned by these rules, of

ascertaining in a judicial proceeding the truth respecting a matter of fact. (1)

Section 2. Scope. — The rules of evidence shall be the same in all courts and in all trials
and hearings, except as otherwise provided by law or these rules. (2a)

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Section 3. Admissibility of evidence. — Evidence is admissible when it is relevant to the
issue and is not excluded by the law of these rules. (3a)

Section 4. Relevancy; collateral matters. — Evidence must have such a relation to the fact
in issue as to induce belief in its existence or non-existence. Evidence on collateral matters
shall not be allowed, except when it tends in any reasonable degree to establish the
probability or improbability of the fact in issue. (4a)

RULE 129

What Need Not Be Proved

Section 1. Judicial notice, when mandatory. — A court shall take judicial notice, without the
introduction of evidence, of the existence and territorial extent of states, their political
history, forms of government and symbols of nationality, the law of nations, the admiralty
and maritime courts of the world and their seals, the political constitution and history of the
Philippines, the official acts of legislative, executive and judicial departments of the
Philippines, the laws of nature, the measure of time, and the geographical divisions. (1a)

Section 2. Judicial notice, when discretionary. — A court may take judicial notice of matters
which are of public knowledge, or are capable to unquestionable demonstration, or ought
to be known to judges because of their judicial functions. (1a)

Section 3. Judicial notice, when hearing necessary. — During the trial, the court, on its own
initiative, or on request of a party, may announce its intention to take judicial notice of any
matter and allow the parties to be heard thereon.

After the trial, and before judgment or on appeal, the proper court, on its own initiative or on
request of a party, may take judicial notice of any matter and allow the parties to be heard
thereon if such matter is decisive of a material issue in the case. (n)

Section 4. Judicial admissions. — An admission, verbal or written, made by the party in the
course of the proceedings in the same case, does not require proof. The admission may be
contradicted only by showing that it was made through palpable mistake or that no such
admission was made. (2a)

RULE 130

Rules of Admissibility

A. OBJECT (REAL) EVIDENCE

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Section 1. Object as evidence. — Objects as evidence are those addressed to the senses
of the court. When an object is relevant to the fact in issue, it may be exhibited to, examined
or viewed by the court. (1a)

B. DOCUMENTARY EVIDENCE

Section 2. Documentary evidence. — Documents as evidence consist of writing or any

material containing letters, words, numbers, figures, symbols or other modes of written
expression offered as proof of their contents. (n)

1. Best Evidence Rule

Section 3. Original document must be produced; exceptions. — When the subject of inquiry
is the contents of a document, no evidence shall be admissible other than the original
document itself, except in the following cases:

(a) When the original has been lost or destroyed, or cannot be produced in court,
without bad faith on the part of the offeror;

(b) When the original is in the custody or under the control of the party against whom
the evidence is offered, and the latter fails to produce it after reasonable notice;

(c) When the original consists of numerous accounts or other documents which
cannot be examined in court without great loss of time and the fact sought to be
established from them is only the general result of the whole; and

(d) When the original is a public record in the custody of a public officer or is recorded
in a public office. (2a)

Section 4. Original of document. —

(a) The original of the document is one the contents of which are the subject of inquiry.

(b) When a document is in two or more copies executed at or about the same time,
with identical contents, all such copies are equally regarded as originals.

(c) When an entry is repeated in the regular course of business, one being copied
from another at or near the time of the transaction, all the entries are likewise equally
regarded as originals. (3a)

2. Secondary Evidence

Section 5. When original document is unavailable. — When the original document has been
lost or destroyed, or cannot be produced in court, the offeror, upon proof of its execution or
existence and the cause of its unavailability without bad faith on his part, may prove its

242
contents by a copy, or by a recital of its contents in some authentic document, or by the
testimony of witnesses in the order stated. (4a)

Section 6. When original document is in adverse party's custody or control. — If the

document is in the custody or under the control of adverse party, he must have reasonable
notice to produce it. If after such notice and after satisfactory proof of its existence, he fails
to produce the document, secondary evidence may be presented as in the case of its loss.
(5a)

Section 7. Evidence admissible when original document is a public record. — When the
original of document is in the custody of public officer or is recorded in a public office, its
contents may be proved by a certified copy issued by the public officer in custody thereof.
(2a)

Section 8. Party who calls for document not bound to offer it. — A party who calls for the
production of a document and inspects the same is not obliged to offer it as evidence. (6a)

3. Parol Evidence Rule

Section 9. Evidence of written agreements. — When the terms of an agreement have been
reduced to writing, it is considered as containing all the terms agreed upon and there can
be, between the parties and their successors in interest, no evidence of such terms other
than the contents of the written agreement.

However, a party may present evidence to modify, explain or add to the terms of written
agreement if he puts in issue in his pleading:

(a) An intrinsic ambiguity, mistake or imperfection in the written agreement;

(b) The failure of the written agreement to express the true intent and agreement of
the parties thereto;

(c) The validity of the written agreement; or

(d) The existence of other terms agreed to by the parties or their successors in interest
after the execution of the written agreement.

The term "agreement" includes wills. (7a)

4. Interpretation Of Documents

Section 10. Interpretation of a writing according to its legal meaning. — The language of a
writing is to be interpreted according to the legal meaning it bears in the place of its
execution, unless the parties intended otherwise. (8)

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Section 11. Instrument construed so as to give effect to all provisions. — In the construction
of an instrument, where there are several provisions or particulars, such a construction is,
if possible, to be adopted as will give effect to all. (9)

Section 12. Interpretation according to intention; general and particular provisions. — In the
construction of an instrument, the intention of the parties is to be pursued; and when a
general and a particular provision are inconsistent, the latter is paramount to the former. So
a particular intent will control a general one that is inconsistent with it. (10)

Section 13. Interpretation according to circumstances. — For the proper construction of an

instrument, the circumstances under which it was made, including the situation of the
subject thereof and of the parties to it, may be shown, so that the judge may be placed in
the position of those who language he is to interpret. (11)

Section 14. Peculiar signification of terms. — The terms of a writing are presumed to have
been used in their primary and general acceptation, but evidence is admissible to show that
they have a local, technical, or otherwise peculiar signification, and were so used and
understood in the particular instance, in which case the agreement must be construed
accordingly. (12)

Section 15. Written words control printed. — When an instrument consists partly of written
words and partly of a printed form, and the two are inconsistent, the former controls the
latter. (13)

Section 16. Experts and interpreters to be used in explaining certain writings. — When the
characters in which an instrument is written are difficult to be deciphered, or the language
is not understood by the court, the evidence of persons skilled in deciphering the characters,
or who understand the language, is admissible to declare the characters or the meaning of
the language. (14)

Section 17. Of Two constructions, which preferred. — When the terms of an agreement
have been intended in a different sense by the different parties to it, that sense is to prevail
against either party in which he supposed the other understood it, and when different
constructions of a provision are otherwise equally proper, that is to be taken which is the
most favorable to the party in whose favor the provision was made. (15)

Section 18. Construction in favor of natural right. — When an instrument is equally

susceptible of two interpretations, one in favor of natural right and the other against it, the
former is to be adopted. (16)

Section 19. Interpretation according to usage. — An instrument may be construed

according to usage, in order to determine its true character. (17)

C. TESTIMONIAL EVIDENCE

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1. Qualification of Witnesses

Section 20. Witnesses; their qualifications. — Except as provided in the next succeeding
section, all persons who can perceive, and perceiving, can make their known perception to
others, may be witnesses.

Religious or political belief, interest in the outcome of the case, or conviction of a crime
unless otherwise provided by law, shall not be ground for disqualification. (18a)

Section 21. Disqualification by reason of mental incapacity or immaturity. — The following

persons cannot be witnesses:

(a) Those whose mental condition, at the time of their production for examination, is
such that they are incapable of intelligently making known their perception to others;

(b) Children whose mental maturity is such as to render them incapable of perceiving
the facts respecting which they are examined and of relating them truthfully. (19a)

Section 22. Disqualification by reason of marriage. — During their marriage, neither the
husband nor the wife may testify for or against the other without the consent of the affected
spouse, except in a civil case by one against the other, or in a criminal case for a crime
committed by one against the other or the latter's direct descendants or ascendants. (20a)

Section 23. Disqualification by reason of death or insanity of adverse party. — Parties or

assignor of parties to a case, or persons in whose behalf a case is prosecuted, against an
executor or administrator or other representative of a deceased person, or against a person
of unsound mind, upon a claim or demand against the estate of such deceased person or
against such person of unsound mind, cannot testify as to any matter of fact occurring before
the death of such deceased person or before such person became of unsound mind. (20a)

Section 24. Disqualification by reason of privileged communication. — The following

persons cannot testify as to matters learned in confidence in the following cases:

(a) The husband or the wife, during or after the marriage, cannot be examined without
the consent of the other as to any communication received in confidence by one from
the other during the marriage except in a civil case by one against the other, or in a
criminal case for a crime committed by one against the other or the latter's direct
descendants or ascendants;

(b) An attorney cannot, without the consent of his client, be examined as to any
communication made by the client to him, or his advice given thereon in the course
of, or with a view to, professional employment, nor can an attorney's secretary,
stenographer, or clerk be examined, without the consent of the client and his

245
 employer, concerning any fact the knowledge of which has been acquired in such
capacity;

(c) A person authorized to practice medicine, surgery or obstetrics cannot in a civil

case, without the consent of the patient, be examined as to any advice or treatment
given by him or any information which he may have acquired in attending such patient
in a professional capacity, which information was necessary to enable him to act in
capacity, and which would blacken the reputation of the patient;

(d) A minister or priest cannot, without the consent of the person making the
confession, be examined as to any confession made to or any advice given by him in
his professional character in the course of discipline enjoined by the church to which
the minister or priest belongs;

(e) A public officer cannot be examined during his term of office or afterwards, as to
communications made to him in official confidence, when the court finds that the
public interest would suffer by the disclosure. (21a)

2. Testimonial Privilege

Section 25. Parental and filial privilege. — No person may be compelled to testify against
his parents, other direct ascendants, children or other direct descendants. (20a)

3. Admissions and Confessions

Section 26. Admission of a party. — The act, declaration or omission of a party as to a

relevant fact may be given in evidence against him. (22)

Section 27. Offer of compromise not admissible. — In civil cases, an offer of compromise
is not an admission of any liability, and is not admissible in evidence against the offeror.

In criminal cases, except those involving quasi-offenses (criminal negligence) or those

allowed by law to be compromised, an offer of compromised by the accused may be
received in evidence as an implied admission of guilt.

A plea of guilty later withdrawn, or an unaccepted offer of a plea of guilty to lesser offense,
is not admissible in evidence against the accused who made the plea or offer.

An offer to pay or the payment of medical, hospital or other expenses occasioned by an

injury is not admissible in evidence as proof of civil or criminal liability for the injury. (24a)

Section 28. Admission by third party. — The rights of a party cannot be prejudiced by an
act, declaration, or omission of another, except as hereinafter provided. (25a)

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Section 29. Admission by co-partner or agent. — The act or declaration of a partner or
agent of the party within the scope of his authority and during the existence of the
partnership or agency, may be given in evidence against such party after the partnership or
agency is shown by evidence other than such act or declaration. The same rule applies to
the act or declaration of a joint owner, joint debtor, or other person jointly interested with the
party. (26a)

Section 30. Admission by conspirator. — The act or declaration of a conspirator relating to

the conspiracy and during its existence, may be given in evidence against the co-conspirator
after the conspiracy is shown by evidence other than such act of declaration. (27)

Section 31. Admission by privies. — Where one derives title to property from another, the
act, declaration, or omission of the latter, while holding the title, in relation to the property,
is evidence against the former. (28)

Section 32. Admission by silence. — An act or declaration made in the presence and within
the hearing or observation of a party who does or says nothing when the act or declaration
is such as naturally to call for action or comment if not true, and when proper and possible
for him to do so, may be given in evidence against him. (23a)

Section 33. Confession. — The declaration of an accused acknowledging his guilt of the
offense charged, or of any offense necessarily included therein, may be given in evidence
against him. (29a)

4. Previous Conduct as Evidence

Section 34. Similar acts as evidence. — Evidence that one did or did not do a certain thing
at one time is not admissible to prove that he did or did not do the same or similar thing at
another time; but it may be received to prove a specific intent or knowledge; identity, plan,
system, scheme, habit, custom or usage, and the like. (48a)

Section 35. Unaccepted offer. — An offer in writing to pay a particular sum of money or to
deliver a written instrument or specific personal property is, if rejected without valid cause,
equivalent to the actual production and tender of the money, instrument, or property. (49a)

5. Testimonial Knowledge

Section 36. Testimony generally confined to personal knowledge; hearsay excluded. — A

witness can testify only to those facts which he knows of his personal knowledge; that is,
which are derived from his own perception, except as otherwise provided in these rules.
(30a)

6. Exceptions To The Hearsay Rule

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Section 37. Dying declaration. — The declaration of a dying person, made under

the consciousness of an impending death, may be received in any case wherein his death
is the subject of inquiry, as evidence of the cause and surrounding circumstances of such
death. (31a)

Section 38. Declaration against interest. — The declaration made by a person deceased,
or unable to testify, against the interest of the declarant, if the fact is asserted in the
declaration was at the time it was made so far contrary to declarant's own interest, that a
reasonable man in his position would not have made the declaration unless he believed it
to be true, may be received in evidence against himself or his successors in interest and
against third persons. (32a)

Section 39. Act or declaration about pedigree. — The act or declaration of a person
deceased, or unable to testify, in respect to the pedigree of another person related to him
by birth or marriage, may be received in evidence where it occurred before the controversy,
and the relationship between the two persons is shown by evidence other than such act or
declaration. The word "pedigree" includes relationship, family genealogy, birth, marriage,
death, the dates when and the places where these fast occurred, and the names of the
relatives. It embraces also facts of family history intimately connected with pedigree. (33a)

Section 40. Family reputation or tradition regarding pedigree. — The reputation or tradition
existing in a family previous to the controversy, in respect to the pedigree of any one of its
members, may be received in evidence if the witness testifying thereon be also a member
of the family, either by consanguinity or affinity. Entries in family bibles or other family books
or charts, engravings on rings, family portraits and the like, may be received as evidence of
pedigree. (34a)

Section 41. Common reputation. — Common reputation existing previous to the

controversy, respecting facts of public or general interest more than thirty years old, or
respecting marriage or moral character, may be given in evidence. Monuments and
inscriptions in public places may be received as evidence of common reputation. (35)

Section 42. Part of res gestae. — Statements made by a person while a starting occurrence
is taking place or immediately prior or subsequent thereto with respect to the circumstances
thereof, may be given in evidence as part of res gestae. So, also, statements accompanying
an equivocal act material to the issue, and giving it a legal significance, may be received as
part of the res gestae. (36a)

Section 43. Entries in the course of business. — Entries made at, or near the time of
transactions to which they refer, by a person deceased, or unable to testify, who was in a
position to know the facts therein stated, may be received as prima facieevidence, if such
person made the entries in his professional capacity or in the performance of duty and in
the ordinary or regular course of business or duty. (37a)

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Section 44. Entries in official records. — Entries in official records made in the performance
of his duty by a public officer of the Philippines, or by a person in the performance of a duty
specially enjoined by law, are prima facie evidence of the facts therein stated. (38)

Section 45. Commercial lists and the like. — Evidence of statements of matters of interest
to persons engaged in an occupation contained in a list, register, periodical, or other
published compilation is admissible as tending to prove the truth of any relevant matter so
stated if that compilation is published for use by persons engaged in that occupation and is
generally used and relied upon by them therein. (39)

Section 46. Learned treatises. — A published treatise, periodical or pamphlet on a subject

of history, law, science, or art is admissible as tending to prove the truth of a matter stated
therein if the court takes judicial notice, or a witness expert in the subject testifies, that the
writer of the statement in the treatise, periodical or pamphlet is recognized in his profession
or calling as expert in the subject. (40a)

Section 47. Testimony or deposition at a former proceeding. — The testimony or deposition

of a witness deceased or unable to testify, given in a former case or proceeding, judicial or
administrative, involving the same parties and subject matter, may be given in evidence
against the adverse party who had the opportunity to cross-examine him. (41a)

7. Opinion Rule

Section 48. General rule. — The opinion of witness is not admissible, except as indicated
in the following sections. (42)

Section 49. Opinion of expert witness. — The opinion of a witness on a matter requiring
special knowledge, skill, experience or training which he shown to posses, may be received
in evidence. (43a)

Section 50. Opinion of ordinary witnesses. — The opinion of a witness for which proper
basis is given, may be received in evidence regarding —

(a) the identity of a person about whom he has adequate knowledge;

(b) A handwriting with which he has sufficient familiarity; and

(c) The mental sanity of a person with whom he is sufficiently acquainted.

The witness may also testify on his impressions of the emotion, behavior, condition or
appearance of a person. (44a)

8. Character Evidence

Section 51. Character evidence not generally admissible; exceptions: —

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 (a) In Criminal Cases:

(1) The accused may prove his good moral character which is pertinent to the
moral trait involved in the offense charged.

(2) Unless in rebuttal, the prosecution may not prove his bad moral character
which is pertinent to the moral trait involved in the offense charged.

(3) The good or bad moral character of the offended party may be proved if it
tends to establish in any reasonable degree the probability or improbability of
the offense charged.

(b) In Civil Cases:

Evidence of the moral character of a party in civil case is admissible only when
pertinent to the issue of character involved in the case.

(c) In the case provided for in Rule 132, Section 14, (46a, 47a)

RULE 131

Burden of Proof and Presumptions

Section 1. Burden of proof. — Burden of proof is the duty of a party to present evidence on
the facts in issue necessary to establish his claim or defense by the amount of evidence
required by law. (1a, 2a)

Section 2. Conclusive presumptions. — The following are instances of conclusive

presumptions:

(a) Whenever a party has, by his own declaration, act, or omission, intentionally and
deliberately led to another to believe a particular thing true, and to act upon such
belief, he cannot, in any litigation arising out of such declaration, act or omission, be
permitted to falsify it:

(b) The tenant is not permitted to deny the title of his landlord at the time of
commencement of the relation of landlord and tenant between them. (3a)

Section 3. Disputable presumptions. — The following presumptions are satisfactory if

uncontradicted, but may be contradicted and overcome by other evidence:

(a) That a person is innocent of crime or wrong;

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(b) That an unlawful act was done with an unlawful intent;

(c) That a person intends the ordinary consequences of his voluntary act;

(d) That a person takes ordinary care of his concerns;

(e) That evidence willfully suppressed would be adverse if produced;

(f) That money paid by one to another was due to the latter;

(g) That a thing delivered by one to another belonged to the latter;

(h) That an obligation delivered up to the debtor has been paid;

(i) That prior rents or installments had been paid when a receipt for the later one is
produced;

(j) That a person found in possession of a thing taken in the doing of a recent wrongful
act is the taker and the doer of the whole act; otherwise, that things which a person
possess, or exercises acts of ownership over, are owned by him;

(k) That a person in possession of an order on himself for the payment of the money,
or the delivery of anything, has paid the money or delivered the thing accordingly;

(l) That a person acting in a public office was regularly appointed or elected to it;

(m) That official duty has been regularly performed;

(n) That a court, or judge acting as such, whether in the Philippines or elsewhere, was
acting in the lawful exercise of jurisdiction;

(o) That all the matters within an issue raised in a case were laid before the court and
passed upon by it; and in like manner that all matters within an issue raised in a
dispute submitted for arbitration were laid before the arbitrators and passed upon by
them;

(p) That private transactions have been fair and regular;

(q) That the ordinary course of business has been followed;

(r) That there was a sufficient consideration for a contract;

(s) That a negotiable instrument was given or indorsed for a sufficient consideration;

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 (t) That an endorsement of negotiable instrument was made before the instrument
was overdue and at the place where the instrument is dated;

(u) That a writing is truly dated;

(v) That a letter duly directed and mailed was received in the regular course of the
mail;

(w) That after an absence of seven years, it being unknown whether or not the
absentee still lives, he is considered dead for all purposes, except for those of
succession.

The absentee shall not be considered dead for the purpose of opening his succession till
after an absence of ten years. If he disappeared after the age of seventy-five years, an
absence of five years shall be sufficient in order that his succession may be opened.

The following shall be considered dead for all purposes including the division of the estate
among the heirs:

(1) A person on board a vessel lost during a sea voyage, or an aircraft with is
missing, who has not been heard of for four years since the loss of the vessel
or aircraft;

(2) A member of the armed forces who has taken part in armed hostilities, and
has been missing for four years;

(3) A person who has been in danger of death under other circumstances and
whose existence has not been known for four years;

(4) If a married person has been absent for four consecutive years, the spouse
present may contract a subsequent marriage if he or she has well-founded
belief that the absent spouse is already death. In case of disappearance, where
there is a danger of death the circumstances hereinabove provided, an absence
of only two years shall be sufficient for the purpose of contracting a subsequent
marriage. However, in any case, before marrying again, the spouse present
must institute a summary proceedings as provided in the Family Code and in
the rules for declaration of presumptive death of the absentee, without prejudice
to the effect of reappearance of the absent spouse.

(x) That acquiescence resulted from a belief that the thing acquiesced in was
conformable to the law or fact;

(y) That things have happened according to the ordinary course of nature and ordinary
nature habits of life;

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(z) That persons acting as copartners have entered into a contract of copartneship;

(aa) That a man and woman deporting themselves as husband and wife have entered
into a lawful contract of marriage;

(bb) That property acquired by a man and a woman who are capacitated to marry
each other and who live exclusively with each other as husband and wife without the
benefit of marriage or under void marriage, has been obtained by their joint efforts,
work or industry.

(cc) That in cases of cohabitation by a man and a woman who are not capacitated to
marry each other and who have acquire properly through their actual joint contribution
of money, property or industry, such contributions and their corresponding shares
including joint deposits of money and evidences of credit are equal.

(dd) That if the marriage is terminated and the mother contracted another marriage
within three hundred days after such termination of the former marriage, these rules
shall govern in the absence of proof to the contrary:

(1) A child born before one hundred eighty days after the solemnization of the
subsequent marriage is considered to have been conceived during such
marriage, even though it be born within the three hundred days after the
termination of the former marriage.

(2) A child born after one hundred eighty days following the celebration of the
subsequent marriage is considered to have been conceived during such
marriage, even though it be born within the three hundred days after the
termination of the former marriage.

(ee) That a thing once proved to exist continues as long as is usual with things of the
nature;

(ff) That the law has been obeyed;

(gg) That a printed or published book, purporting to be printed or published by public

authority, was so printed or published;

(hh) That a printed or published book, purporting contain reports of cases adjudged
in tribunals of the country where the book is published, contains correct reports of
such cases;

(ii) That a trustee or other person whose duty it was to convey real property to a
particular person has actually conveyed it to him when such presumption is necessary
to perfect the title of such person or his successor in interest;

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 (jj) That except for purposes of succession, when two persons perish in the same
calamity, such as wreck, battle, or conflagration, and it is not shown who died first,
and there are no particular circumstances from which it can be inferred, the
survivorship is determined from the probabilities resulting from the strength and the
age of the sexes, according to the following rules:

1. If both were under the age of fifteen years, the older is deemed to have
survived;

2. If both were above the age sixty, the younger is deemed to have survived;

3. If one is under fifteen and the other above sixty, the former is deemed to have
survived;

4. If both be over fifteen and under sixty, and the sex be different, the male is
deemed to have survived, if the sex be the same, the older;

5. If one be under fifteen or over sixty, and the other between those ages, the
latter is deemed to have survived.

(kk) That if there is a doubt, as between two or more persons who are called to
succeed each other, as to which of them died first, whoever alleges the death of one
prior to the other, shall prove the same; in the absence of proof, they shall be
considered to have died at the same time. (5a)

Section 4. No presumption of legitimacy or illegitimacy. — There is no presumption of

legitimacy of a child born after three hundred days following the dissolution of the marriage
or the separation of the spouses. Whoever alleges the legitimacy or illegitimacy of such
child must prove his allegation. (6)

RULE 132

Presentation of Evidence

A. EXAMINATION OF WITNESSES

Section 1. Examination to be done in open court. — The examination of witnesses

presented in a trial or hearing shall be done in open court, and under oath or affirmation.
Unless the witness is incapacitated to speak, or the questions calls for a different mode of
answer, the answers of the witness shall be given orally. (1a)

Section 2. Proceedings to be recorded. — The entire proceedings of a trial or hearing,

including the questions propounded to a witness and his answers thereto, the statements

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made by the judge or any of the parties, counsel, or witnesses with reference to the case,
shall be recorded by means of shorthand or stenotype or by other means of recording found
suitable by the court.

A transcript of the record of the proceedings made by the official stenographer, stenotypist
or recorder and certified as correct by him shall be deemed prima facie a correct statement
of such proceedings. (2a)

Section 3. Rights and obligations of a witness. — A witness must answer questions,

although his answer may tend to establish a claim against him. However, it is the right of a
witness:

(1) To be protected from irrelevant, improper, or insulting questions, and from harsh
or insulting demeanor;

(2) Not to be detained longer than the interests of justice require;

(3) Not to be examined except only as to matters pertinent to the issue;

(4) Not to give an answer which will tend to subject him to a penalty for an offense
unless otherwise provided by law; or

(5) Not to give an answer which will tend to degrade his reputation, unless it to be the
very fact at issue or to a fact from which the fact in issue would be presumed. But a
witness must answer to the fact of his previous final conviction for an offense. (3a,
19a)

Section 4. Order in the examination of an individual witness. — The order in which the
individual witness may be examined is as follows;

(a) Direct examination by the proponent;

(b) Cross-examination by the opponent;

(c) Re-direct examination by the proponent;

(d) Re-cross-examination by the opponent. (4)

Section 5. Direct examination. — Direct examination is the examination-in-chief of a

witness by the party presenting him on the facts relevant to the issue. (5a)

Section 6. Cross-examination; its purpose and extent. — Upon the termination of the direct
examination, the witness may be cross-examined by the adverse party as to many matters
stated in the direct examination, or connected therewith, with sufficient fullness and freedom

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to test his accuracy and truthfulness and freedom from interest or bias, or the reverse, and
to elicit all important facts bearing upon the issue. (8a)

Section 7. Re-direct examination; its purpose and extent. — After the cross-examination of
the witness has been concluded, he may be re-examined by the party calling him, to explain
or supplement his answers given during the cross-examination. On re-direct-examination,
questions on matters not dealt with during the cross-examination, may be allowed by the
court in its discretion. (12)

Section 8. Re-cross-examination. — Upon the conclusion of the re-direct examination, the

adverse party may re-cross-examine the witness on matters stated in his re-direct
examination, and also on such other matters as may be allowed by the court in its discretion.
(13)

Section 9. Recalling witness. — After the examination of a witness by both sides has been
concluded, the witness cannot be recalled without leave of the court. The court will grant or
withhold leave in its discretion, as the interests of justice may require. (14)

Section 10. Leading and misleading questions. — A question which suggests to the witness
the answer which the examining party desires is a leading question. It is not allowed, except:

(a) On cross examination;

(b) On preliminary matters;

(c) When there is a difficulty is getting direct and intelligible answers from a witness
who is ignorant, or a child of tender years, or is of feeble mind, or a deaf-mute;

(d) Of an unwilling or hostile witness; or

(e) Of a witness who is an adverse party or an officer, director, or managing agent of

a public or private corporation or of a partnership or association which is an adverse
party.

A misleading question is one which assumes as true a fact not yet testified to by the witness,
or contrary to that which he has previously stated. It is not allowed. (5a, 6a, and 8a)

Section 11. Impeachment of adverse party's witness. — A witness may be impeached by

the party against whom he was called, by contradictory evidence, by evidence that his
general reputation for truth, honestly, or integrity is bad, or by evidence that he has made
at other times statements inconsistent with his present, testimony, but not by evidence of
particular wrongful acts, except that it may be shown by the examination of the witness, or
the record of the judgment, that he has been convicted of an offense. (15)

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Section 12. Party may not impeach his own witness. — Except with respect to witnesses
referred to in paragraphs (d) and (e) of Section 10, the party producing a witness is not
allowed to impeach his credibility.

A witness may be considered as unwilling or hostile only if so declared by the court upon
adequate showing of his adverse interest, unjustified reluctance to testify, or his having
misled the party into calling him to the witness stand.

The unwilling or hostile witness so declared, or the witness who is an adverse party, may
be impeached by the party presenting him in all respects as if he had been called by the
adverse party, except by evidence of his bad character. He may also be impeached and
cross-examined by the adverse party, but such cross-examination must only be on the
subject matter of his examination-in-chief. (6a, 7a)

Section 13. How witness impeached by evidence of inconsistent statements. — Before a

witness can be impeached by evidence that he has made at other times statements
inconsistent with his present testimony, the statements must be related to him, with the
circumstances of the times and places and the persons present, and he must be asked
whether he made such statements, and if so, allowed to explain them. If the statements be
in writing they must be shown to the witness before any question is put to him concerning
them. (16)

Section 14. Evidence of good character of witness. — Evidence of the good character of a
witness is not admissible until such character has been impeached. (17)

Section 15. Exclusion and separation of witnesses. — On any trial or hearing, the judge
may exclude from the court any witness not at the time under examination, so that he may
not hear the testimony of other witnesses. The judge may also cause witnesses to be kept
separate and to be prevented from conversing with one another until all shall have been
examined. (18)

Section 16. When witness may refer to memorandum. — A witness may be allowed to
refresh his memory respecting a fact, by anything written or recorded by himself or under
his direction at the time when the fact occurred, or immediately thereafter, or at any other
time when the fact was fresh in his memory and knew that the same was correctly written
or recorded; but in such case the writing or record must be produced and may be inspected
by the adverse party, who may, if he chooses, cross examine the witness upon it, and may
read it in evidence. So, also, a witness may testify from such writing or record, though he
retain no recollection of the particular facts, if he is able to swear that the writing or record
correctly stated the transaction when made; but such evidence must be received with
caution. (10a)

Section 17. When part of transaction, writing or record given in evidence, the remainder,
the remainder admissible. — When part of an act, declaration, conversation, writing or

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record is given in evidence by one party, the whole of the same subject may be inquired
into by the other, and when a detached act, declaration, conversation, writing or record is
given in evidence, any other act, declaration, conversation, writing or record necessary to
its understanding may also be given in evidence. (11a)

Section 18. Right to respect writing shown to witness. — Whenever a writing is shown to a
witness, it may be inspected by the adverse party. (9a)

B. AUTHENTICATION AND PROOF OF DOCUMENTS

Section 19. Classes of Documents. — For the purpose of their presentation evidence,
documents are either public or private.

Public documents are:

(a) The written official acts, or records of the official acts of the sovereign authority,
official bodies and tribunals, and public officers, whether of the Philippines, or of a
foreign country;

(b) Documents acknowledge before a notary public except last wills and testaments;
and

(c) Public records, kept in the Philippines, of private documents required by law to the
entered therein.

All other writings are private. (20a)

Section 20. Proof of private document. — Before any private document offered as authentic
is received in evidence, its due execution and authenticity must be proved either:

(a) By anyone who saw the document executed or written; or

(b) By evidence of the genuineness of the signature or handwriting of the maker.

Any other private document need only be identified as that which it is claimed to be. (21a)

Section 21. When evidence of authenticity of private document not necessary. — Where a
private document is more than thirty years old, is produced from the custody in which it
would naturally be found if genuine, and is unblemished by any alterations or circumstances
of suspicion, no other evidence of its authenticity need be given. (22a)

Section 22. How genuineness of handwriting proved. — The handwriting of a person may
be proved by any witness who believes it to be the handwriting of such person because he
has seen the person write, or has seen writing purporting to be his upon which the witness
has acted or been charged, and has thus acquired knowledge of the handwriting of such

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person. Evidence respecting the handwriting may also be given by a comparison, made by
the witness or the court, with writings admitted or treated as genuine by the party against
whom the evidence is offered, or proved to be genuine to the satisfaction of the judge. (23a)

Section 23. Public documents as evidence. — Documents consisting of entries in public

records made in the performance of a duty by a public officer are prima facie evidence of
the facts therein stated. All other public documents are evidence, even against a third
person, of the fact which gave rise to their execution and of the date of the latter. (24a)

Section 24. Proof of official record. — The record of public documents referred to in
paragraph (a) of Section 19, when admissible for any purpose, may be evidenced by an
official publication thereof or by a copy attested by the officer having the legal custody of
the record, or by his deputy, and accompanied, if the record is not kept in the Philippines,
with a certificate that such officer has the custody. If the office in which the record is kept is
in foreign country, the certificate may be made by a secretary of the embassy or legation,
consul general, consul, vice consul, or consular agent or by any officer in the foreign service
of the Philippines stationed in the foreign country in which the record is kept, and
authenticated by the seal of his office. (25a)

Section 25. What attestation of copy must state. — Whenever a copy of a document or
record is attested for the purpose of evidence, the attestation must state, in substance, that
the copy is a correct copy of the original, or a specific part thereof, as the case may be. The
attestation must be under the official seal of the attesting officer, if there be any, or if he be
the clerk of a court having a seal, under the seal of such court. (26a)

Section 26. Irremovability of public record. — Any public record, an official copy of which is
admissible in evidence, must not be removed from the office in which it is kept, except upon
order of a court where the inspection of the record is essential to the just determination of a
pending case. (27a)

Section 27. Public record of a private document. — An authorized public record of a private
document may be proved by the original record, or by a copy thereof, attested by the legal
custodian of the record, with an appropriate certificate that such officer has the custody.
(28a)

Section 28. Proof of lack of record. — A written statement signed by an officer having the
custody of an official record or by his deputy that after diligent search no record or entry of
a specified tenor is found to exist in the records of his office, accompanied by a certificate
as above provided, is admissible as evidence that the records of his office contain no such
record or entry. (29)

Section 29. How judicial record impeached. — Any judicial record may be impeached by
evidence of: (a) want of jurisdiction in the court or judicial officer, (b) collusion between the
parties, or (c) fraud in the party offering the record, in respect to the proceedings. (30a)

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Section 30. Proof of notarial documents. — Every instrument duly acknowledged or proved
and certified as provided by law, may be presented in evidence without further proof, the
certificate of acknowledgment being prima facie evidence of the execution of the instrument
or document involved. (31a)

Section 31. Alteration in document, how to explain. — The party producing a document as
genuine which has been altered and appears to have been altered after its execution, in a
part material to the question in dispute, must account for the alteration. He may show that
the alteration was made by another, without his concurrence, or was made with the consent
of the parties affected by it, or was otherwise properly or innocent made, or that the
alteration did not change the meaning or language of the instrument. If he fails to do that,
the document shall not be admissible in evidence. (32a)

Section 32. Seal. — There shall be no difference between sealed and unsealed private
documents insofar as their admissibility as evidence is concerned. (33a)

Section 33. Documentary evidence in an unofficial language. — Documents written in an

unofficial language shall not be admitted as evidence, unless accompanied with a
translation into English or Filipino. To avoid interruption of proceedings, parties or their
attorneys are directed to have such translation prepared before trial. (34a)

C. OFFER AND OBJECTION

Section 34. Offer of evidence. — The court shall consider no evidence which has not been
formally offered. The purpose for which the evidence is offered must be specified. (35)

Section 35. When to make offer. — As regards the testimony of a witness, the offer must
be made at the time the witness is called to testify.

Documentary and object evidence shall be offered after the presentation of a party's
testimonial evidence. Such offer shall be done orally unless allowed by the court to be done
in writing. (n)

Section 36. Objection. — Objection to evidence offered orally must be made immediately
after the offer is made.

Objection to a question propounded in the course of the oral examination of a witness shall
be made as soon as the grounds therefor shall become reasonably apparent.

An offer of evidence in writing shall be objected to within three (3) days after notice of the
unless a different period is allowed by the court.

In any case, the grounds for the objections must be specified. (36a)

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Section 37. When repetition of objection unnecessary. — When it becomes reasonably
apparent in the course of the examination of a witness that the question being propounded
are of the same class as those to which objection has been made, whether such objection
was sustained or overruled, it shall not be necessary to repeat the objection, it being
sufficient for the adverse party to record his continuing objection to such class of questions.
(37a)

Section 38. Ruling. — The ruling of the court must be given immediately after the objection
is made, unless the court desires to take a reasonable time to inform itself on the question
presented; but the ruling shall always be made during the trial and at such time as will give
the party against whom it is made an opportunity to meet the situation presented by the
ruling.

The reason for sustaining or overruling an objection need not be stated. However, if the
objection is based on two or more grounds, a ruling sustaining the objection on one or some
of them must specify the ground or grounds relied upon. (38a)

Section 39. Striking out answer. — Should a witness answer the question before the
adverse party had the opportunity to voice fully its objection to the same, and such objection
is found to be meritorious, the court shall sustain the objection and order the answer given
to be stricken off the record.

On proper motion, the court may also order the striking out of answers which are
incompetent, irrelevant, or otherwise improper. (n)

Section 40. Tender of excluded evidence. — If documents or things offered in evidence are
excluded by the court, the offeror may have the same attached to or made part of the record.
If the evidence excluded is oral, the offeror may state for the record the name and other
personal circumstances of the witness and the substance of the proposed testimony. (n)

RULE 133

Weight and Sufficiency of Evidence

Section 1. Preponderance of evidence, how determined. — In civil cases, the party having
burden of proof must establish his case by a preponderance of evidence. In determining
where the preponderance or superior weight of evidence on the issues involved lies, the
court may consider all the facts and circumstances of the case, the witnesses' manner of
testifying, their intelligence, their means and opportunity of knowing the facts to which there
are testifying, the nature of the facts to which they testify, the probability or improbability of
their testimony, their interest or want of interest, and also their personal credibility so far as

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the same may legitimately appear upon the trial. The court may also consider the number
of witnesses, though the preponderance is not necessarily with the greater number. (1a)

Section 2. Proof beyond reasonable doubt. — In a criminal case, the accused is entitled to
an acquittal, unless his guilt is shown beyond reasonable doubt. Proof beyond reasonable
doubt does not mean such a degree of proof, excluding possibility of error, produces
absolute certainly. Moral certainly only is required, or that degree of proof which produces
conviction in an unprejudiced mind. (2a)

Section 3. Extrajudicial confession, not sufficient ground for conviction. — An extrajudicial

confession made by an accused, shall not be sufficient ground for conviction, unless
corroborated by evidence of corpus delicti. (3)

Section 4. Circumstantial evidence, when sufficient. — Circumstantial evidence is sufficient

for conviction if:

(a) There is more than one circumstances;

(b) The facts from which the inferences are derived are proven; and

(c) The combination of all the circumstances is such as to produce a conviction

beyond reasonable doubt. (5)

Section 5. Substantial evidence. — In cases filed before administrative or quasi-judicial

bodies, a fact may be deemed established if it is supported by substantial evidence, or that
amount of relevant evidence which a reasonable mind might accept as adequate to justify
a conclusion. (n)

Section 6. Power of the court to stop further evidence. — The court may stop the
introduction of further testimony upon any particular point when the evidence upon it is
already so full that more witnesses to the same point cannot be reasonably expected to be
additionally persuasive. But this power should be exercised with caution. (6)

Section 7. Evidence on motion. — When a motion is based on facts not appearing of record
the court may hear the matter on affidavits or depositions presented by the respective
parties, but the court may direct that the matter be heard wholly or partly on oral testimony
or depositions. (7)

RULE 134 1

Perpetuation of Testimony

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Section 1. Petition. — A person who desires to perpetuate his own testimony or that of
another person regarding any matter that may be cognizable in any court of the Philippines,
any file a verified petition in the court of the province of the residence of any expected
adverse party.

Section 2. Contents of petition. — The petition shall be entitled in the name of the petitioner
and shall show: (a) that the petitioner expects to be a party to an action in a court of the
Philippines by is presently unable to bring it or cause it to be brought; (b) the subject matter
of the expected action and his interest therein; (c) the facts which he desires to establish by
the proposed testimony and his reasons for desiring to perpetuate it; (d) the names of a
description of the persons he expects will be adverse parties and their addresses so far as
known; and (e) the names and addresses of the persons to be examined and the substance
of the testimony which he expects to elicit from each, and shall ask for an order authorizing
the petitioner to take the depositions of the persons to be examined named in the petition
for the purpose of perpetuating their testimony.

Section 3. Notice and service. — The petitioner shall thereafter serve a notice upon each
person named in the petition as an expected adverse party, together with a copy of a
petition, stating that the petitioner will apply to the court, at a time and place named therein,
for the order described in the petition. At least twenty (20) days before the date of hearing
the notice shall be served in the manner provided for service of summons.

Section 4. Order of examination. — If the court is satisfied that the perpetuation of the
testimony may prevent a failure or delay of justice, it shall make an order designating or
describing the persons whose deposition may be taken and specifying the subject matter of
the examination, and whether the depositions shall be taken upon oral examination or
written interrogatories. The depositions may then be taken in accordance with Rule 24
before the hearing.

Section 5. Reference to court. — For the purpose of applying Rule 24 to depositions for
perpetuating testimony, each reference therein to the court in which the action is pending
shall be deemed to refer to the court in which the petition for such deposition was filed.

Section 6. Use of deposition. — If a deposition to perpetuate testimony is taken under this

rule, or if, although not so taken, it would be admissible in evidence, it may be used in any
action involving the same subject matter subsequently brought in accordance with the
provisions of Sections 4 and 5 of Rule 24.

Section 7. Depositions pending appeal. — If an appeal has been taken from a judgment of
the Regional Trial Court or before the taking of an appeal if the time therefor has not expired,
the Regional Trial Court in which the judgment was rendered may allow the taking of
depositions of witnesses to perpetuate their testimony for use in the event of further
proceedings in the said court. In such case the party who desires to perpetuate the
testimony may make a motion in the said Regional Trial Court for leave to take the

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depositions, upon the same notice and service thereof as if the action was pending therein.
The motion shall show (a) the name and the addresses of the persons to be examined and
the substance of the testimony which he expects to elicit from each; and (b) the reason for
perpetuating their testimony. If the court finds that the perpetuation of the testimony is proper
to avoid a failure or delay of justice, it may make an order allowing the depositions to be
taken, and thereupon the depositions may be taken and used in the same manner and
under the same conditions as are prescribed in these rules for depositions taken in actions
pending in the Regional Trial Court. (7a)

Footnote

This rule will be transposed to Part 1 of the Rules of Court on Deposition and
Discovery.

RULE 135

Powers and Duties of Courts and Judicial Officers

Section 1. Courts always open; justice to be promptly and impartially administered. —

Courts of justice shall always be open, except on legal holidays, for the filing of any pleading,
motion or other papers, for the trial of cases, hearing of motions, and for the issuance of
orders or rendition of judgments. Justice shall be impartially administered without
unnecessary delay.

Sec 2. Publicity of proceedings and records. — The sitting of every court of justice shall be
public, but any court may, in its discretion, exclude the public when the evidence to be
adduced is of such nature as to require their exclusion in the interest of morality or decency.
The records of every court of justice shall be public records and shall be available for the
inspection of any interested person, at all proper business hours, under the supervision of
the clerk having custody of such records, unless the court shall, in any special case, have
forbidden their publicity, in the interest of morality or decency.

Section 3. Process of superior courts enforced throughout the Philippines. — Process

issued from a superior court in which a case is pending to bring in a defendant, or for the
arrest of any accused person, or to execute any order or judgment of the court, may be
enforced in any part of the Philippines.

Section 4. Process of inferior courts. — The process of inferior courts shall be enforceable
within the province where the municipality or city lies. It shall not be served outside the
boundaries of the province in which they are compromised except with the approval of the
judge of first instance of said province, and only in the following cases:

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 (a) When an order for the delivery of personal property lying outside the province is
to be complied with;

(b) When an attachment of real or personal property lying outside the province is to
be made;

(c) When the action is against two or more defendants residing in different provinces;
and

(d) When the place where the case has been brought is that specified in a contract in
writing between the parties, or is the place of the execution of such contract as
appears therefrom.

Writs of execution issued by inferior courts may be enforced in any part of the part of the
Philippines without any previous approval of the judge of first instance.

Criminal process may be issued by a justice of the peace or other inferior court, to be served
outside his province, when the district judge, or in his absence the provincial fiscal, shall
certify that in his opinion the interest of justice require such service.

Section 5. Inherent powers of court. — Every court shall have power:

(a) To preserve and enforce order in its immediate presence;

(b) To enforce order in proceedings before it, or before a person or persons

empowered to conduct a judicial investigation under its authority;

(c) To compel obedience to its judgments, orders and processes, and to the lawful
orders of a judge out of court, in a case pending therein;

(d) To control, in furtherance of justice, the conduct of its ministerial officers, and of
all other persons in any manner connected with a case before it, in every manner
appertaining thereto;

(e) To compel the attendance of persons to testify in a case pending therein;

(f) To administer or cause to be administered oaths in a case pending therein, and in

all other cases where it may be necessary in the exercise of its powers;

(g) To amend and control its process and orders so as to make them conformable to
law and justice;

(h) To authorize a copy of a lost or destroyed pleading or other paper to be filed and
used instead of the original, and to restore, and supply deficiencies in its records and
proceedings.

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Section 6. Means to carry jurisdiction into effect. — When by law jurisdiction is conferred
on a court or judicial officer, all auxiliary writs, processes and other means necessary to
carry it into effect may be employed by such court or officer; and if the procedure to be
followed in the exercise of such jurisdiction is not specifically pointed out by law or by these
rules, any suitable process or mode of proceeding may be adopted which appears
comfortable to the spirit of the said law or rules.

Section 7. Trials and hearings; orders in chambers. — All trials upon the merits shall be
conducted in open court and so far as convenient in a regular court room. All other acts or
proceeding may be done or conducted by a judge in chambers, without the attendance of
the clerk or other court officials.

Section 8. Interlocutory orders out of province. — A judge of first instance shall have power
to hear and determine, when within the district though without his province, any interlocutory
motion or issue after due and reasonable notice to the parties. On the filing of a petition for
the writ of habeas corpus or for release upon bail or reduction of bail in any Court of First
Instance, the hearings may be had at any place in the judicial district which the judge shall
deem convenient.

Section 9. Signing judgments out of province. — Whenever a judge appointed or assigned

in any province or branch of a Court of First Instance in a province shall leave the province
by transfer or assignment to another court of equal jurisdiction, or by expiration of his
temporary assignment, without having decided a case totally heard by him and which was
argued or an opportunity given for argument to the parties or their counsel, it shall be lawful
for him to prepare and sign his decision in said case anywhere within the Philippines. He
shall send the same by registered mail to the clerk of the court where the case was heard
or argued to be filed therein as of the date when the same was received by the clerk, in the
same manner as if he had been present in court to direct the filing of the judgment. If a case
has been heard only in part, the Supreme Court, upon petition of any of the parties to the
case and the recommendation of the respective district judge, may also authorize the judge
who has partly heard the case, if no other judge had heard the case in part, to continue
hearing and to decide said case notwithstanding his transfer or appointment to another court
of equal jurisdiction.

RULE 136

Court Record and General Duties of Clerk and Stenographers

Section 1. Arms and great seal of court. — The arms and great seal of the Supreme Court
are these:

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Arms — Paleways of two pieces azure and gules superimposed a balance or center with
two tablets containing the commandments of God or on either side; a chief argent with three
mullets or equidistant from each other; in point of honor, avoidargent over all the sun
rayonant or with eight major and minor rays.

The great seal of the Supreme Court shall be circular in form, with the arms as described in
the last preceding paragraph and a scroll argent with the following inscriptions: Lex
Populusque, and surrounding the whole a garland of laurel leaves; in or around the garland
the text "Supreme Court, Republic of the Philippines."

The arms and the seal of the Court of Appeals shall be the same as that of the Supreme
Court with the only difference that in the seal shall bear around the garland and text "Court
of Appeals, Republic of the Philippines."

The arms and the seal of the Court of First Instance shall be the same as that of the
Supreme Court with the only difference that in the seal shall bear around the garland and
text "Court of First Instance, the name of the province, Republic of the Philippines."

Section 2. Style of process. — Process shall be under the seal of the court from which it
issues, be stayed "Republic of the Philippines, Province or City of . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ." to
be signed by the clerk and bear date the day it actually issued.

Section 3. Clerk's office. — The clerk's office, with the clerk or his deputy in attendance,
shall be open during business hours on all days except Sundays and legal holidays. The
clerk of the Supreme Court and that of the Court of Appeals shall keep office at Manila and
all papers authorized or required to be filed therein shall be filed at Manila.

Section 4. Issuance by clerk of process. — The clerk of a superior court shall issue under
the seal of the court all ordinary writs and process incident to pending cases, the issuance
of which does not involve the exercise of functions appertaining to the court or judge only;
and may, under the direction of the court or judge, make out and sign letters of
administration, appointments of guardians, trustees, and receivers, and all writs and
process issuing from the court.

Section 5. Duties of the clerk in the absence or by direction of the judge. — In the absence
of the judge, the clerk may perform all the duties of the judge in receiving applications,
petitions, inventories, reports, and the issuance of all orders and notices that follows as a
matter of course under these rules, and may also, when directed so to do by the judge,
receive the accounts of executors, administrators, guardians, trustees, and receivers, and
all evidence relating to them, or to the settlement of the estates of deceased persons, or to
guardianship, trusteeships, or receiverships, and forthwith transmit such reports, accounts,
and evidence to the judge, together with his findings in relation to the same, if the judge
shall direct him to make findings and include the same in his report.

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Section 6. Clerk shall receive papers and prepare minutes. — The clerk of each superior
court shall receive and file all pleadings and other papers properly presented, endorsing on
each such paper the time when it was filed, and shall attend all of the sessions of the court
enter its proceedings for each day in a minute book to be kept by him.

Section 7. Safekeeping of property. — The clerk shall safely keep all records, papers, files,
exhibits and public property committed to his charge, including the library of the court, and
the seals and furniture belonging to his office.

Section 8. General docket. — The clerk shall keep a general docket, each page of which
shall be numbered and prepared for receiving all the entries in a single case, and shall enter
therein all cases, numbered consecutively in the order in which they were received, and,
under the heading of each case and complete title thereof, the date of each paper filed or
issued, of each order or judgment entered, and of each other step taken in the case so that
by reference to a single page the history of the case may be seen.

Section 9. Judgment and entries book. — The clerk shall keep a judgment book containing
a copy of each judgment rendered by the court in order of its date, and a book of entries of
judgments containing at length in chronological order entries of all final judgments or orders
of the court.

Section 10. Execution book. — The clerk shall keep an execution book in which he or his
deputy shall record at length in chronological order each execution, and the officer's return
thereon, by virtue of which real property has been sold.

Section 11. Certified copies. — The clerk shall prepare, for any person demanding the
same, a copy certified under the seal of the court of any paper, record, order, judgment, or
entry in his office, proper to be certified, for the fees prescribed by these rules.

Section 12. Other books and duties. — The clerk shall keep such other books and perform
such other duties as the court may direct.

Section 13. Index; separating cases. — The general docket, judgment book, entries book
and execution book shall each be indexed in alphabetical order in the names of the parties,
and each of them. If the court so directs, the clerk shall keep two or more of either or all of
the books and dockets above mentioned, separating civil from criminal cases, or actions
from special proceedings, or otherwise keeping cases separated by classes as the court
shall deem best.

Section 14. Taking of record from the clerk's office. — No record shall be taken from the
clerk's office without an order of the court except as otherwise provided by these rules.
However, the Solicitor General or any of his assistants, the provincial fiscal or his deputy,
the attorneys de oficio shall be permitted, proper receipt, to withdraw from the clerk's office
the record of any cases in which they are interested.

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Section 15. Unprinted papers. — All unprinted documents presented to the superior courts
of the Philippines shall be written on paper of good quality twelve and three inches in length
by eight and one-half inches in width, leaving a margin at the top and the left-hand side not
less than one inch and one-half in width. Papel catalan, of the first and second classes,
legal cap, and typewriting paper of such weight as not to permit the writing of more than one
original and two carbons at one time, will be accepted, provided that such papers is of the
required size and of good quality. Documents written with ink shall not be of more than
twenty-five lines to one page. Typewritten documents shall be written double spaced. One
side only of the page will be written upon, and the different sheets will be sewn together,
firmly, by five stitches in the left -hand border in order to facilitate the formation of
the expediente, and they must not be doubled.

Section 16. Printed papers. — All papers require by these rules to be printed shall be
printed with blank ink on unglazed paper, with pages six inches in width by nine inches in
length, in pamphlet form. The type used shall not be smaller than twelve point. The paper
used shall be of sufficient weight to prevent the printing upon one side from being visible
upon the other.

Section 17. Stenographer. — It shall be the duty of the stenographer who has attended a
session of a court either in the morning or in the afternoon, to deliver to the clerk of court,
immediately at the close of such morning or afternoon session, all the notes he has taken,
to be attached to the record of the case; and it shall likewise be the duty of the clerk to
demand that the stenographer comply with said duty. The clerk of court shall stamp the date
on which such notes are received by him. When such notes are transcribed the transcript
shall be delivered to the clerk, duly initiated on each page thereof, to be attached to the
record of the case.

Whenever requested by a party, any statement made by a judge of first instance, or by a

commissioner, with reference to a case being tried by him, or to any of the parties thereto,
or to any witness or attorney, during the hearing of such case, shall be made of record in
the stenographic notes.

Section 18. Docket and other records of interior courts. — Every justice of the peace and
municipal judge shall keep a well-bound book labeled "docket" in which he shall enter for
each case:

(a) The title of the case including the names of all the parties;

(b) The nature of the case, whether civil or criminal, and if the latter, the offense
charged;

(c) The date of issuing preliminary and intermediate process including orders of arrest
and subpoenas, and the date and nature of the return thereon;

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 (d) The date of the appearance or default of the defendant;

(e) The date of presenting the plea, answer, or motion to quash, and the nature of the
same;

(f) The minutes of the trial, including the date thereof and of all adjournments;

(g) The names and addresses of all witnesses;

(h) The date and nature of the judgment, and, in a civil case, the relief granted;

(i) An itemized statement of the coast;

(j) The date of any execution issued, and the date and contents of the return thereon;

(k) The date of any notice of appeal filed, and the name of the party filing the same.

A justice of the peace or municipal judge may keep two dockets, one for civil and one for
criminal cases. He shall also keep all the pleadings and other papers and exhibits in cases
pending in his court, and shall certify copies of his docket entries and other records proper
to be certified, for the fees prescribed by these rules. It shall be necessary for the justice of
peace or municipal judge to reduce writing the testimony of witnesses, except that of the
accused in preliminary investigations.

Section 19. Entry on docket of interior courts. — Each justice of the peace or municipal
judge shall, at the beginning and in from of all his entries in his docket, make and subscribe
substantially the following entry:

A docket of proceedings in cases before . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .; justice of the

peace) or municipal judge) of the municipality (or city) of . . . . . . . . . . . ., in the province
of . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Republic, of the Philippines.

Witness my signature,

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Justice of Peace (or Municipal Judge)

RULE 137

Disqualification of Judicial Officers

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Section 1. Disqualification of judges. — No judge or judicial officer shall sit in any case in
which he, or his wife or child, is pecuniarily interested as heir, legatee, creditor or otherwise,
or in which he is related to either party within the sixth degree of consanguinity or affinity,
or to counsel within the fourth degree, computed according to the rules of the civil law, or in
which he has been executor, administrator, guardian, trustee or counsel, or in which he has
been presided in any inferior court when his ruling or decision is the subject of review,
without the written consent of all parties in interest, signed by them and entered upon the
record.

A judge may, in the exercise of his sound discretion, disqualify himself from sitting in a case,
for just or valid reasons other than those mentioned above.

Section 2. Objection that judge disqualified, how made and effect. — If it be claimed that
an official is disqualified from sitting as above provided, the party objecting to his
competency may, in writing, file with the official his objection, stating the grounds therefor,
and the official shall thereupon proceed with the trial, or withdraw therefrom, in accordance
with his determination of the question of his disqualification. His decision shall be forthwith
made in writing and filed with the other papers in the case, but no appeal or stay shall be
allowed from, or by reason of, his decision in favor of his own competency, until after final
judgment in the case.

RULE 138

Attorneys and Admission to Bar

Section 1. Who may practice law. — Any person heretofore duly admitted as a member of
the bar, or hereafter admitted as such in accordance with the provisions of this rule, and
who is in good and regular standing, is entitled to practice law.

Section 2. Requirements for all applicants for admission to the bar. — Every applicant for
admission as a member of the bar must be a citizen of the Philippines, at least twenty-one
years of age, of good moral character, and resident of the Philippines; and must produce
before the Supreme Court satisfactory evidence of good moral character, and that no
charges against him, involving moral turpitude, have been filed or are pending in any court
in the Philippines.

Section 3. Requirements for lawyers who are citizens of the United States of America. —
Citizens of the United States of America who, before July 4, 1946, were duly licensed
members of the Philippine Bar, in active practice in the courts of the Philippines and in good
and regular standing as such may, upon satisfactory proof of those facts before the
Supreme Court, be allowed to continue such practice after taking the following oath of office:

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 I . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ., having been permitted to continue in the practice
of law in the Philippines, do solemnly swear that I recognize the supreme authority of
the Republic of the Philippines; I will support its Constitution and obey the laws as
well as the legal orders of the duly constituted authorities therein; I will do no
falsehood, nor consent to the doing of any in court; I will not wittingly or willingly
promote or sue any groundless, false or unlawful suit, nor give aid nor consent to the
same; I will delay no man for money or malice, and will conduct myself as a lawyer
according to the best of may knowledge and discretion with all good fidelity as well as
to the courts as to my clients; and I impose upon myself this voluntary obligation
without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion. So help me God.

Section 4. Requirements for applicants from other jurisdictions. — Applicants for admission
who, being Filipino citizens, are enrolled attorneys in good standing in the Supreme Court
of the United States or in any circuit court of appeals or district court therein, or in the highest
court of any State or Territory of the United States, and who can show by satisfactory
certificates that they have practiced at least five years in any of said courts, that such
practice began before July 4, 1946, and that they have never been suspended or disbarred,
may, in the discretion of the Court, be admitted without examination.

Section 5. Additional requirements for other applicants. — All applicants for admission other
than those referred to in the two preceding section shall, before being admitted to the
examination, satisfactorily show that they have regularly studied law for four years, and
successfully completed all prescribed courses, in a law school or university, officially
approved and recognized by the Secretary of Education. The affidavit of the candidate,
accompanied by a certificate from the university or school of law, shall be filed as evidence
of such facts, and further evidence may be required by the court.

No applicant shall be admitted to the bar examinations unless he has satisfactorily

completed the following courses in a law school or university duly recognized by the
government: civil law, commercial law, remedial law, criminal law, public and private
international law, political law, labor and social legislation, medical jurisprudence, taxation
and legal ethics.

Section 6. Pre-Law. — No applicant for admission to the bar examination shall be admitted
unless he presents a certificate that he has satisfied the Secretary of Education that, before
he began the study of law, he had pursued and satisfactorily completed in an authorized
and recognized university or college, requiring for admission thereto the completion of a
four-year high school course, the course of study prescribed therein for a bachelor's degree
in arts or sciences with any of the following subjects as major or field of concentration:
political science, logic, english, spanish, history and economics.

Section 7. Time for filing proof of qualifications. — All applicants for admission shall file with
the clerk of the Supreme Court the evidence required by section 2 of this rule at least fifteen
(15) days before the beginning of the examination. If not embraced within section 3 and 4

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of this rule they shall also file within the same period the affidavit and certificate required by
section 5, and if embraced within sections 3 and 4 they shall exhibit a license evidencing
the fact of their admission to practice, satisfactory evidence that the same has not been
revoked, and certificates as to their professional standing. Applicants shall also file at the
same time their own affidavits as to their age, residence, and citizenship.

Section 8. Notice of Applications. — Notice of applications for admission shall be published

by the clerk of the Supreme Court in newspapers published in Pilipino, English and Spanish,
for at least ten (10) days before the beginning of the examination.

Section 9. Examination; subjects. — Applicants, not otherwise provided for in sections 3

and 4 of this rule, shall be subjected to examinations in the following subjects: Civil Law;
Labor and Social Legislation; Mercantile Law; Criminal Law; Political Law (Constitutional
Law, Public Corporations, and Public Officers); International Law (Private and Public);
Taxation; Remedial Law (Civil Procedure, Criminal Procedure, and Evidence); Legal Ethics
and Practical Exercises (in Pleadings and Conveyancing).

Section 10. Bar examination, by questions and answers, and in writing. — Persons taking
the examination shall not bring papers, books or notes into the examination rooms. The
questions shall be the same for all examinees and a copy thereof, in English or Spanish,
shall be given to each examinee. Examinees shall answer the questions personally without
help from anyone.

Upon verified application made by an examinee stating that his penmanship is so poor that
it will be difficult to read his answers without much loss of time., the Supreme Court may
allow such examinee to use a typewriter in answering the questions. Only noiseless
typewriters shall be allowed to be used.

The committee of bar examiner shall take such precautions as are necessary to prevent the
substitution of papers or commission of other frauds. Examinees shall not place their names
on the examination papers. No oral examination shall be given.

Section 11. Annual examination. — Examinations for admission to the bar of the Philippines
shall take place annually in the City of Manila. They shall be held in four days to be
disignated by the chairman of the committee on bar examiners. The subjects shall be
distributed as follows: First day: Political and International Law (morning) and Labor and
Social Legislation (afternoon); Second day: Civil Law (morning) and Taxation (afternoon);
Third day: Mercantile Law (morning) and Criminal Law (afternoon); Fourth day: Remedial
Law (morning) and legal Ethics and Practical Exercises (afternoon).

Section 12. Committee of examiners. — Examinations shall be conducted by a committee

of bar examiners to be appointed by the Supreme Court. This committee shall be composed
of a Justice of the Supreme Court, who shall act as chairman, and who shall be designated
by the court to serve for one year, and eight members of the bar of the Philippines, who

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shall hold office for a period of one year. The names of the members of this committee shall
be published in each volume of the official reports.

Section 13. Disciplinary measures. — No candidate shall endeavor to influence any

member of the committee, and during examination the candidates shall not communicate
with each other nor shall they give or receive any assistance. The candidate who violates
this provisions, or any other provision of this rule, shall be barred from the examination, and
the same to count as a failure against him, and further disciplinary action, including
permanent disqualification, may be taken in the discretion of the court.

Section 14. Passing average. — In order that a candidate may be deemed to have passed
his examinations successfully, he must have obtained a general average of 75 per cent in
all subjects, without falling below 50 per cent in any subjects. In determining the average,
the subjects in the examination shall be given the following relative weights: Civil Law, 15
per cent; Labor and Social Legislation, 10 per cent; Mercantile Law, 15 per cent; Criminal
Law; 10 per cent: Political and International Law, 15 per cent; Taxation, 10 per cent;
Remedial Law, 20 per cent; Legal Ethics and Practical Exercises, 5 per cent.

Section 15. Report of the committee; filing of examination papers. — Not later than
February 15th after the examination, or as soon thereafter as may be practicable, the
committee shall file its report on the result of such examination. The examination papers
and notes of the committee shall be filed with the clerk and may there be examined by the
parties in interest, after the court has approved the report.

Section 16. Failing candidates to take review course. — Candidates who have failed the
bar examinations for three times shall be disqualified from taking another examination
unless they show the satisfaction of the court that they have enrolled in and passed regular
fourth year review classes as well as attended a pre-bar review course in a recognized law
school.

The professors of the individual review subjects attended by the candidates under this rule
shall certify under oath that the candidates have regularly attended classes and passed the
subjects under the same conditions as ordinary students and the ratings obtained by them
in the particular subject.

Section 17. Admission and oath of successful applicants. — An applicant who has passed
the required examination, or has been otherwise found to be entitled to admission to the
bar, shall take and subscribe before the Supreme Court the corresponding oath of office.

Section 18. Certificate. — The supreme Court shall thereupon admit the applicant as a
member of the bar for all the courts of the Philippines, and shall direct an order to be entered
to that effect upon its records, and that a certificate of such record be given to him by the
clerk of court, which certificate shall be his authority to practice.

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Section 19. Attorney's roll. — The clerk of the Supreme Court shall kept a roll of all attorneys
admitted to practice, which roll shall be signed by the person admitted when he receives his
certificate.

Section 20. Duties of attorneys. — It is the duty of an attorney:

(a) To maintain allegiance to the Republic of the Philippines and to support the
Constitution and obey the laws of the Philippines.

(b) To observe and maintain the respect due to the courts of justice and judicial
officers;

(c) To counsel or maintain such actions or proceedings only as appear to him to be

just, and such defenses only as he believes to be honestly debatable under the law.

(d) To employ, for the purpose of maintaining the causes confided to him, such means
only as are consistent with truth and honor, and never seek to mislead the judge or
any judicial officer by an artifice or false statement of fact or law;

(e) To maintain inviolate the confidence, and at every peril to himself, to preserve the
secrets of his client, and to accept no compensation in connection with his client's
business except from him or with his knowledge and approval;

(f) To abstain from all offensive personality and to advance no fact prejudicial to the
honor or reputation of a party or witness, unless required by the justice of the cause
with which he is charged;

(g) Not to encourage either the commencement or the continuance of an action or

proceeding, or delay any man's cause, from any corrupt motive or interest;

(h) Never to reject, for any consideration personal to himself, the cause of the
defenseless or oppressed;

(i) In the defense of a person accused of crime, by all fair and honorable means,
regardless of his personal opinion as to the guilt of the accused, to present every
defense that the law permits, to the end that no person may be deprived of life or
liberty, but by due process of law.

Section 21. Authority of attorney to appear. — an attorney is presumed to be properly

authorized to represent any cause in which he appears, and no written power of attorney is
required to authorize him to appear in court for his client, but the presiding judge may, on
motion of either party and on reasonable grounds therefor being shown, require any
attorney who assumes the right to appear in a case to produce or prove the authority under
which he appears, and to disclose, whenever pertinent to any issue, the name of the person

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who employed him, and may thereupon make such order as justice requires. An attorneys
wilfully appear in court for a person without being employed, unless by leave of the court,
may be punished for contempt as an officer of the court who has misbehaved in his official
transactions.

Section 22. Attorney who appears in lower court presumed to represent client on appeal.
— An attorney who appears de parte in a case before a lower court shall be presumed to
continue representing his client on appeal, unless he files a formal petition withdrawing his
appearance in the appellate court.

Section 23. Authority of attorneys to bind clients. — Attorneys have authority to bind their
clients in any case by any agreement in relation thereto made in writing, and in taking
appeals, and in all matters of ordinary judicial procedure. But they cannot, without special
authority, compromise their client's litigation, or receive anything in discharge of a client's
claim but the full amount in cash.

Section 24. Compensation of attorneys; agreement as to fees. — An attorney shall be

entitled to have and recover from his client no more than a reasonable compensation for his
services, with a view to the importance of the subject matter of the controversy, the extent
of the services rendered, and the professional standing of the attorney. No court shall be
bound by the opinion of attorneys as expert witnesses as to the proper compensation, but
may disregard such testimony and base its conclusion on its own professional knowledge.
A written contract for services shall control the amount to be paid therefor unless found by
the court to be unconscionable or unreasonable.

Section 25. Unlawful retention of client's funds; contempt. — When an attorney unjustly
retains in his hands money of his client after it has been demanded, he may be punished
for contempt as an officer of the Court who has misbehaved in his official transactions; but
proceedings under this section shall not be a bar to a criminal prosecution.

Section 26. Change of attorneys. — An attorney may retire at any time from any action or
special proceeding, by the written consent of his client filed in court. He may also retire at
any time from an action or special proceeding, without the consent of his client, should the
court, on notice to the client and attorney, and on hearing, determine that he ought to be
allowed to retire. In case of substitution, the name of the attorney newly employed shall be
entered on the docket of the court in place of the former one, and written notice of the
change shall be given to the advance party.

A client may at any time dismiss his attorney or substitute another in his place, but if the
contract between client and attorney has been reduced to writing and the dismissal of the
attorney was without justifiable cause, he shall be entitled to recover from the client the full
compensation stipulated in the contract. However, the attorney may, in the discretion of the
court, intervene in the case to protect his rights. For the payment of his compensation the
attorney shall have a lien upon all judgments for the payment of money, and executions

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issued in pursuance of such judgment, rendered in the case wherein his services had been
retained by the client.

Section 27. Attorneys removed or suspended by Supreme Court on what grounds. — A

member of the bar may be removed or suspended from his office as attorney by the
Supreme Court for any deceit, malpractice, or other gross misconduct in such office, grossly
immoral conduct, or by reason of his conviction of a crime involving moral turpitude, or for
any violation of the oath which he is required to take before the admission to practice, or for
a wilfull disobedience of any lawful order of a superior court, or for corruptly or willful
appearing as an attorney for a party to a case without authority so to do. The practice of
soliciting cases at law for the purpose of gain, either personally or through paid agents or
brokers, constitutes malpractice.

Section 28. Suspension of attorney by the Court of Appeals or a Court of First Instance. —
The Court of Appeals or a Court of First Instance may suspend an attorney from practice
for any of the causes named in the last preceding section, and after such suspension such
attorney shall not practice his profession until further action of the Supreme Court in the
premises.

Section 29. Upon suspension by the Court of Appeals or Court of First Instance, further
proceedings in Supreme Court. — Upon such suspension, the Court of Appeals or the Court
of First Instance shall forthwith transmit to the Supreme Court a certified copy of the order
of suspension and a full statement of the facts upon which the same was based. Upon the
receipt of such certified copy and statement, the Supreme Court shall make a full
investigation of the facts involved and make such order revoking or extending the
suspension, or removing the attorney from his office as such, as the facts warrant.

Section 30. Attorney to be heard before removal or suspension. — No attorney shall be

removed or suspended from the practice of his profession, until he has had full opportunity
upon reasonable notice to answer the charges against him, to produce witnesses in his own
behalf, and to be heard by himself or counsel. But if upon reasonable notice he fails to
appear and answer the accusation, the court may proceed to determine the matter ex parte.

Section 31. Attorneys for destitute litigants. — A court may assign an attorney to render
professional aid free of charge to any party in a case, if upon investigation it appears that
the party is destitute and unable to employ an attorney, and that the services of counsel are
necessary to secure the ends of justice and to protect the rights of the party. It shall be the
duty of the attorney so assigned to render the required service, unless he is excused
therefrom by the court for sufficient cause shown.

Section 32. Compensation for attorneys de oficio. — Subject to availability of funds as may
be provided by the law the court may, in its discretion, order an attorney employed as
counsel de oficio to be compensates in such sum as the court may fix in accordance with
section 24 of this rule. Whenever such compensation is allowed, it shall be not less than

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thirty pesos (P30) in any case, nor more than the following amounts: (1) Fifty pesos (P50)
in light felonies; (2) One hundred pesos (P100) in less grave felonies; (3) Two hundred
pesos (P200) in grave felonies other than capital offenses; (4) Five Hundred pesos (P500)
in capital offenses.

Section 33. Standing in court of person authorized to appear for Government. — Any official
or other person appointed or designated in accordance with law to appear for the
Government of the Philippines shall have all the rights of a duly authorized member of the
bar to appear in any case in which said government has an interest direct or indirect.

Section 34. By whom litigation conducted. — In the court of a justice of the peace a party
may conduct his litigation in person, with the aid of an agent or friend appointed by him for
the purpose, or with the aid an attorney. In any other court, a party may conduct his litigation
personally or by aid of an attorney, and his appearance must be either personal or by a duly
authorized member of the bar.

Section 35. Certain attorneys not to practice. — No judge or other official or employee of
the superior courts or of the Office of the Solicitor General, shall engage in private practice
as a member of the bar or give professional advice to clients.

Section 36. Amicus Curiae. — Experienced and impartial attorneys may be invited by the
Court to appear as amici curiae to help in the disposition of issues submitted to it.

Section 37. Attorneys' liens. — An attorney shall have a lien upon the funds, documents
and papers of his client which have lawfully come into his possession and may retain the
same until his lawful fees and disbursements have been paid, and may apply such funds to
the satisfaction thereof. He shall also have a lien to the same extent upon all judgments for
the payment of money, and executions issued in pursuance of such judgments, which he
has secured in a litigation of his client, from and after the time when he shall have the caused
a statement of his claim of such lien to be entered upon the records of the court rendering
such judgment, or issuing such execution, and shall have the caused written notice thereof
to be delivered to his client and to the adverse paty; and he shall have the same right and
power over such judgments and executions as his client would have to enforce his lien and
secure the payment of his just fees and disbursements.

RULE 138-A

Law Student Practice Rule

Section 1. Conditions for student practice. — A law student who has successfully
completed his 3rd year of the regular four-year prescribed law curriculum and is enrolled in
a recognized law school's clinical legal education program approved by the Supreme Court,
may appear without compensation in any civil, criminal or administrative case before any

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trial court, tribunal, board or officer, to represent indigent clients accepted by the legal clinic
of the law school.

Section 2. Appearance. — The appearance of the law student authorized by this rule, shall
be under the direct supervision and control of a member of the Integrated Bar of the
Philippines duly accredited by the law school. Any and all pleadings, motions, briefs,
memoranda or other papers to be filed, must be signed by the supervising attorney for and
in behalf of the legal clinic.

Section 3. Privileged communications. — The Rules safeguarding privileged

communications between attorney and client shall apply to similar communications made
to or received by the law student, acting for the legal clinic.

Section 4. Standards of conduct and supervision. — The law student shall comply with the
standards of professional conduct governing members of the Bar. Failure of an attorney to
provide adequate supervision of student practice may be a ground for disciplinary action.
(Circular No. 19, dated December 19, 1986).

RULE 139

Disbarment or Suspension of Attorneys

Section 1. Motion or complaint. — Proceedings for the removal or suspension of attorneys

may be taken by the Supreme Court on its own motion or upon the complaint under oath of
another in writing. The complaint shall set out distinctly, clearly, and concisely the facts
complained of, supported by affidavits, if any, of persons having personal knowledge of the
facts therein alleged and shall be accompanied with copies of such documents as may
substantiate said facts.

Section 2. Service or dismissal. — If the complaint appears to merit action, a copy thereof
shall be served upon the respondent, requiring him to answer the same within ten (10) days
from the date of service. If the complaint does not merit action, or if the answer shows to
the satisfaction of the Supreme Court that the complaint is not meritorious, the same shall
be dismissed.

Section 3. Investigation by Solicitor General. — Upon the issues raised by the complaint
and answer, or upon failure of the respondent to answer, the case shall be referred to the
Solicitor General for investigation to determine if there is sufficient ground to proceed with
the prosecution of the respondent. In the investigation conducted by the Solicitor General,
the respondent shall be given full opportunity to defend himself, to produce witnesses in his
own behalf, and to be heard by himself and counsel. However, if upon reasonable notice,
the respondent fails to appear, the investigation shall proceed ex parte.

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Section 4. Report of the Solicitor General. — Based upon the evidence adduced at the
hearing, if the Solicitor General finds no sufficient ground to proceed against the respondent,
he shall submit a report to the Supreme Court containing his findings of fact and conclusion,
whereupon the respondent shall be exonerated unless the court orders differently.

Section 5. Complaint of the Solicitor General. Answer of respondent. — If the Solicitor

General finds sufficient ground to proceed against the respondent, he shall file the
corresponding complaint, accompanied with all the evidence introduced in his investigation,
with the Supreme Court, and the respondent shall be served by the clerk of the Supreme
Court with a copy of the complaint with direction to answer the same within fifteen (15) days.

Section 6. Evidence produced before Solicitor General available. — The evidence

produced before the Solicitor General in his investigation may be considered by the
Supreme Court in the final decision of the case, if the respondent had an opportunity to
object and cross-examine. If in the respondent's answer no statement is made as to any
intention of introducing additional evidence, the case shall be set down for hearing, upon
the filing of such answer or upon the expiration of the time to file the same.

Section 7. Commissioner to investigate and recommend. Rules of evidence. — Upon

receipt of the respondent's answer, wherein a statement is made as to his desire to
introduce additional evidence, the case shall be referred to a commissioner who, in the
discretion of the court, may be the clerk of the Supreme Court, a judge of first instance, or
an attorney-at-law for investigation, report, and recommendation. The Solicitor General or
his representative shall appear before the commissioner to conduct the prosecution. The
respondent shall be given full opportunity to defend himself, to produce additional evidence
in his own behalf, and to be heard by himself and counsel. However, if upon reasonable
notice the respondent fails to appear, the investigation shall proceed ex parte. The rules of
evidence shall be applicable to proceedings of this nature.

Section 8. Report of commissioner and hearing. — Upon receipt of the report of the
commissioner, copies of which shall be furnished the Solicitor General and the respondent,
the case shall be set down for hearing before the court, following which the case shall be
considered submitted to the court for its final determination.

Section 9. Procedure in Court of Appeals or Courts of First Instance. — As far as may be

applicable, the procedure above outlined shall likewise govern the filing and investigation of
complaints against attorneys in the Court of Appeals or in Courts of First Instance. In case
of suspension of the respondent, the judge of the court of first instance or Justice of the
Court of Appeals shall forthwith transmit to the Supreme Court a certified copy of the order
of suspension and a full statement of the facts upon which same is based.

Section 10. Confidential. — Proceedings against attorneys shall be private and confidential,
except that the final order of the court shall be made public as in other cases coming before
the court.

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 RULE 139-A

Integrated Bar of the Philippines

Section 1. Organization. — There is hereby organized an official national body to be known

as the "Integrated Bar of the Philippines," composed of all persons whose names now
appear or may hereafter be included in the Roll of Attorneys of the Supreme Court.

Section 2. Purposes. — The fundamental purposes of the Integrated Bar shall be to elevate
the standards of the legal profession, improve the administration of justice, and enable the
Bar to discharge its public responsibility more effectively.

Section 3. Regions. — The Philippines is hereby divided into nine Regions of the Integrated
Bar, to wit:

(a) Northern Luzon, consisting of the provinces of Abra, Batanes, Benguet, Cagayan,
Ifugao, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Isabela, Kalinga-Apayao, La Union, Mountain
Province, Nueva Vizcaya, and Quirino.

(b) Central Luzon, consisting of the provinces of Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija,
Pampanga, Pangasinan, Tarlac, and Zambales;

(c) Greater Manila, consisting of the City of Manila and Quezon City;

(d) Southern Luzon, consisting of the provinces of Batangas, Cavite, Laguna,

Marinduque, Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Quezon, and Rizal;

(e) Bicolandia, consisting of the provinces of Albay, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur,
Catanduanes, Masbate, and Sorsogon;

(f) Eastern Visayas, consisting of the provinces of Bohol, Cebu, Eastern Samar,
Leyte, Northern Samar, Samar, and Southern Leyte;

(g) Western Visayas, consisting of the provinces of Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Iloilo,
Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, Palawan, Romblon, and Siquijor.

(h) Eastern Mindanao, consisting of the provinces of Agusan del Norte, Agusan Del
Sur, Bukidnon, Camiguin, Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, Davao Oriental, Misamis
Oriental, Surigao del Norte, and Surigao del Sur; and

(i) Western Mindanao, consisting of the cities of Basilan and Zamboanga, and the
provinces of Cotabato, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Misamis Occidental, South
Cotabato, Sulu, Zamboanga del Norte, and Zamboanga del Sur.

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In the event of the creation of any new province, the Board of Governors shall, with the
approval of the Supreme Court, determine the Region to which the said province shall
belong.

Section 4. Chapters. — A Chapter of the Integrated Bar shall be organized in every

province. Except as hereinbelow provided, every city shall be considered part of the
province within which it is geographically situated.

A separate Chapter shall be organized in each of the following political subdivisions or

areas;

(a) The sub-province of Aurora;

(b) Each congressional district of the City of Manila;

(c) Quezon City;

(d) Caloocan City, Malabon and Navotas;

(e) Pasay City, Makati, Mandaluyong and San Juan del Monte;

(f) Cebu City; and

(g) Zamboanga City and Basilan City.

Unless he otherwise registers his preference for a particular Chapter, a lawyer shall be
considered a member of the Chapter of the province, city, political subdivision or area where
his office, or, in the absence thereof, his residence is located. In no case shall any lawyer
be a member of more than one Chapter.

Each Chapter shall have its own local government as provided for by uniform rules to be
prescribed by the Board of Governors and approved by the Supreme Court, the provisions
of Section 19 of this Rule notwithstanding.

Chapters belonging to the same Region may hold regional conventions on matters and
problems of common concern.

Section 5. House of Delegates. — The Integrated Bar shall have a House of Delegates of
not more than one hundred twenty members who shall be apportioned among all the
Chapters as nearly as may be according to the number of their respective members, but
each Chapter shall have at least one Delegate. On or before December 31, 1974, and every
four years thereafter, the Board of Governors shall make an apportionment of Delegates.

The term of the office of Delegate shall begin on the date of the opening of the annual
convention of the House and shall end on the day immediately preceding the date of the

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opening of the next succeeding annual convention. No person may be a Delegate for more
than two terms.

The House shall hold an annual convention at the call of the Board of Governors at any time
during the month of April of each year for the election of Governor, the reading and
discussion of reports including the annual report of the Board of Governors, the transaction
of such other business as may be referred to it by the Board, and the consideration of such
additional matters as may be requested in writing by at least twenty Delegates. Special
conventions of the House may be called by the Board of Governors to consider only such
matters as the Board shall indicate. A majority of the Delegates who have registered for a
convention, whether annual or special, shall constitute a quorum to do business.

Section 6. Board of Governors. — The Integrated Bar shall be governed by a Board of

Governors. Nine Governors shall be elected by the House of Delegates from the nine
Regions on the representation basis of one Governor from each Region. Each Governor
shall be chosen from a list of nominees submitted by the Delegates from the Region,
provided that not more than one nominee shall come from any Chapter. The President and
the Executive Vice President, if chosen by the Governors from outside of themselves as
provided in Section 7 of this Rule, shall ipso facto become members of the Board.

The members of the Board shall hold office for a term of one year from the date of their
election and until their successors shall have been duly elected and qualified. No person
may be a Governor for more than two terms.

The Board shall meet regularly once every three months, on such date and such time and
place as it shall designate. A majority of all the members of the Board shall constitute a
quorum to do business. Special meetings may be called by the President or by five members
of the Board.

Subject to the approval of the Supreme Court, the Board shall adopt By-Laws and
promulgate Canons of Professional Responsibility for all members of the Integrated Bar.
The By-Laws and the Canons may be amended by the Supreme Court motu propio or upon
the recommendation of the Board of Governors.

The Board shall prescribe such other rules and regulations as may be necessary and proper
to carry out the purposes of the Integrated Bar as well as the provisions of this Rule.

Section 7. Officers. — The Integrated Bar shall have a President and an Executive Vice
President who shall be chosen by the Governors immediately after the latter's election,
either from among themselves or from other members of the Integrated Bar, by the vote of
at least five Governors. Each of the regional members of the Board shall be ex officio Vice
President for the Region which he represents.

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The President and the Executive Vice President shall hold office for a term of one year from
the date of their election and until their successors shall have duly qualified. The Executive
Vice President shall automatically become the President for the next succeeding full term.
The Presidency shall rotate from year to year among all the nine Regions in such order or
rotation as the Board of Governors shall prescribe. No person shall be President or
Executive Vice President of the Integrated Bar for more than one term.

The Integrated Bar shall have a Secretary, a Treasurer, and such other officers and
employees as may be required by the Board of Governors, to be appointed by the President
with the consent of the Board, and to hold office at the pleasure of the Board or for such
terms as it may fix. Said officers and employees need not be members of the Integrated
Bar.

Section 8. Vacancies. — In the event the President is absent or unable to act, his duties
shall be performed by the Executive Vice President; and in the event of the death,
resignation, or removal of the President, the Executive Vice President shall serve as Acting
President during the remainder of the term of the office thus vacated. In the event of the
death, resignation, removal, or disability of both the President and the Executive Vice
President, the Board of Governors shall elect an Acting President to hold office until the next
succeeding election or during the period of disability.

The filling of vacancies in the House of Delegates, Board of Governors, and all other
positions of Officers of the Integrated Bar shall be as provided in the By-Laws. Whenever
the term of an office or position is for a fixed period, the person chosen to fill a vacancy
therein shall serve only for the unexpired term.

Section 9. Membership dues. — Every member of the Integrated Bar shall pay such annual
dues as the Board of Governors shall determine with the approval of the Supreme Court. A
fixed sum equivalent to ten percent (10%) of the collection from each Chapter shall be set
aside as a Welfare Fund for disabled members of the Chapter and the compulsory heirs of
deceased members thereof.

Section 10. Effect of non-payment of dues. — Subject to the provisions of Section 12 of

this Rule, default in the payment of annual dues for six months shall warrant suspension of
membership in the Integrated Bar, and default in such payment for one year shall be a
ground for the removal of the name of the delinquent member from the Roll of Attorneys.

Section 11. Voluntary termination of membership; re-instatement. — A member may

terminate his membership by filing a written notice to that effect with the Secretary of the
Integrated Bar, who shall immediately bring the matter to the attention of the Supreme Court.
Forthwith he shall cease to be a member and his name shall be stricken by the Court from
the Roll of Attorneys. Reinstatement may be made by the Court in accordance with rules
and regulations prescribed by the Board of Governors and approved by the Court.

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Section 12. Grievance procedures. — The Board of Governors shall provide in the By-Laws
for grievance procedures for the enforcement and maintenance of discipline among all the
members of the Integrated Bar, but no action involving the suspension or disbarment of a
member or the removal of his name from the Roll of Attorneys shall be effective without the
final approval of the Supreme Court.

Section 13. Non-political Bar. — The Integrated Bar shall be strictly non-political, and every
activity tending to impair this basic feature is strictly prohibited and shall be penalized
accordingly. No lawyer holding an elective, judicial, quasi-judicial, or prosecutory office in
the Government or any political subdivision or instrumentality thereof shall be eligible for
election of appointment to any position in the Integrated Bar or any Chapter thereof shall be
considered ipso facto resigned from his position as of the moment he files his certificate of
candidacy for any elective public office or accepts appointment to any judicial, quasi-judicial,
or prosecutory office in the Government or any political subdivision or instrumentality
thereof.

Section 14. Positions honorary. — Except as may be specifically authorized or allowed by

the Supreme Court, no Delegate or Governor and no national or local Officer or committee
member shall receive any compensation, allowance or emolument from the funds of the
Integrated Bar for any service rendered therein or be entitled to reimbursement for any
expense incurred in the discharge of his functions.

Section 15. Fiscal matters. — The Board of Governors shall administer the funds of the
Integrated Bar and shall have the power to make appropriations and disbursements
therefrom. It shall cause proper Books of Accounts to be kept and Financial Statements to
be rendered and shall see to it that the proper audit is made of all accounts of the Integrated
Bar and all the Chapters thereof.

Section 16. Journal. — The Board of Governors shall cause to be published a quarterly
Journal of the Integrated Bar, free copies of which shall be distributed to every member of
the Integrated Bar.

Section 17. Voluntary Bar associations. — All voluntary Bar associations now existing or
which may hereafter be formed may co-exist with the Integrated Bar but shall not operate
at cross-purposes therewith.

Section 18. Amendments. — This Rule may be amended by the Supreme Court motu
propio or upon the recommendation of the Board of Governors or any Chapter of the
Integrated Bar.

Section 19. Organizational period. — The Commission on Bar Integration shall organize
the local Chapters and toward this end shall secure the assistance of the Department of
Justice and of all Judges throughout the Philippines. All Chapter organizational meetings
shall be held on Saturday, February 17, 1973. In every case, the Commission shall cause

285
proper notice of the date, time and place of the meeting called to organize a Chapter shall
constitute a quorum for the purpose, including the election of a President, a Vice President,
a Secretary, a Treasurer, and five Directors.

The Commission shall initially fix the number of Delegates and apportion the same among
all the Chapters as nearly as may be in proportion to the number of their respective
members, but each Chapter shall have at least one Delegate. The President of each
Chapter shall concurrently be its Delegate to the House of Delegates. The Vice President
shall be his alternate, except where the Chapter is entitled to have more than one Delegate,
in which case the Vice President shall also be a Delegate.

The Board of Directors of the Chapter shall in proper cases elect additional as well as
alternate Delegates.

The House of Delegates shall convene in the City of Manila on Saturday, March 17, 1973
for the Purpose of electing a Board of Governors. The Governors shall immediately assume
office and forthwith meet to elect the Officers of the Integrated Bar. The Officers so chosen
shall immediately assume their respective positions.

Section 20. Effectivity. — This Rule shall take effect on January 16, 1973.

RULE 139-B

Disbarment and Discipline of Attorneys

Section 1. How Instituted. — Proceedings for the disbarment, suspension, or discipline of

attorneys may be taken by the Supreme Court motu propio, or by the Integrated Bar of the
Philippines (IBP) upon the verified complaint of any person. The complaint shall state clearly
and concisely the facts complained of and shall be supported by affidavits of persons having
personal knowledge of the facts therein alleged and/or by such documents as may
substantiate said facts.

The IBP Board of Governors may, motu propio or upon referral by the Supreme Court or by
a Chapter Board of Officers, or at the instance of any person, initiate and prosecute proper
charges against erring attorneys including those in the government service.

Six (6) copies of the verified complaint shall be filed with the Secretary of the IBP or the
Secretary of any of its chapter who shall forthwith transmit the same to the IBP Board of
Governors for assignment to an investigator.

A. PROCEEDINGS IN THE INTEGRATED BAR OF THE PHILIPPINES

Section 2. National Grievance Investigators. — The Board of Governors shall appoint from
among IBP members an Investigator or, when special circumstances so warrant, a panel of

286
three (3) investigators to investigate the complaint. All Investigators shall take an oath of
office in the form prescribed by the Board of Governors. A copy of the Investigator's
appointment and oath shall be transmitted to the Supreme Court.

An Investigator may be disqualified by reason of relationship within the fourth degree of

consanguinity of affinity to any of the parties of their counsel, pecuniary interest, personal
bias, or his having acted as counsel to his acting as such Investigator. Where the
Investigator does not disqualify himself, a party may appeal to the IBP Board of Governors,
which by majority vote of the members present, there being a quorum, may order his
disqualification.

Any Investigator may also be removed for cause, after due hearing, by the vote of at least
six (6) members of the IBP Board of Governors. The decision of the Board of Governors in
all cases of disqualification or removal shall be final.

Section 3. Duties of the National Grievance Investigator. — The National Grievance

Investigators shall investigate all complaints against members of the Integrated Bar referred
to them by the IBP Board of Governors.

Section 4. Chapter assistance to complainant. — The proper IBP Chapter may assist the
complainant(s) in the preparation and filing of his complaint(s).

Section 5. Service or dismissal. — If the complaint appears to be meritorious, the

Investigator shall direct that a copy thereof be served upon the respondent, requiring him to
answer the same within fifteen (15) days from the date of service. If the complaint does not
merit action, or if the answer shows to the satisfaction of the Investigator that the complaint
is not meritorious, the same may be dismissed by the Board of Governors upon his
recommendation. A copy of the resolution of dismissal shall be furnished the complainant
and the Supreme Court which may review the case motu propio or upon timely appeal of
the complainant filed within 15 days from notice of the dismissal of the complainant.

No investigation shall be interrupted or terminated by reason of the desistance, settlement,

compromise, restitution, withdrawal of the charges, or failure of the complainant to
prosecute the same, unless the Supreme Court motu propio or upon recommendation of
the IBP Board of Governors, determines that there is no compelling reason to continue with
the disbarment or suspension proceedings against the respondent. (Amendment pursuant
to Supreme Court Resolution dated May 27, 1993 re Bar Matter 356).

Section 6. Verification and service of answer. — The answer shall be verified. The original
and five (5) legible copies of the answer shall be filed with the Investigator, with proof of
service of a copy thereof on the complainant or his counsel.

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Section 7. Administrative counsel. — The IBP Board of Governors shall appoint a suitable
member of the Integrated Bar as counsel to assist the complainant of the respondent during
the investigation in case of need for such assistance.

Section 8. Investigation. — Upon joinder of issues or upon failure of the respondent to

answer, the Investigator shall, with deliberate speed, proceed with the investigation of the
case. He shall have the power to issue subpoenas and administer oaths. The respondent
shall be given full opportunity to defend himself, to present witnesses on his behalf, and be
heard by himself and counsel. However, if upon reasonable notice, the respondent fails to
appear, the investigation shall proceed ex parte.

The Investigator shall terminate the investigation within three (3) months from the date of
its commencement, unless extended for good cause by the Board of Governors upon prior
application.

Willful failure or refusal to obey a subpoena or any other lawful order issued by the
Investigator shall be dealt with as for indirect contempt of court. The corresponding charge
shall be filed by the Investigator before the IBP Board of Governors which shall require the
alleged contemnor to show cause within ten (10) days from notice. The IBP Board of
Governors may thereafter conduct hearings, if necessary, in accordance with the procedure
set forth in this Rule for hearings before the Investigator. Such hearing shall as far as
practicable be terminated within fifteen (15) days from its commencement. Thereafter, the
IBP Board of Governors shall within a like period of fifteen (15) days issue a resolution
setting forth its findings and recommendations, which shall forthwith be transmitted to the
Supreme Court for final action and if warranted, the imposition of penalty.

Section 9. Depositions. — Depositions may be taken in accordance with the Rules of Court
with leave of the investigator(s).

Within the Philippines, depositions may be taken before any member of the Board of
Governors, the President of any Chapter, or any officer authorized by law to administer
oaths.

Depositions may be taken outside the Philippines before diplomatic or consular

representative of the Philippine Government or before any person agreed upon by the
parties or designated by the Board of Governors.

Any suitable member of the Integrated Bar in the place where a deposition shall be taken
may be designated by the Investigator to assist the complainant or the respondent in taking
a deposition.

Section 10. Report of Investigator. — Not later than thirty (30) days from the termination of
the investigation, the Investigator shall submit a report containing his findings of fact and
recommendations to the IBP Board of Governors, together with the stenographic notes and

288
the transcript thereof, and all the evidence presented during the investigation. The
submission of the report need not await the transcription of the stenographic notes, it being
sufficient that the report reproduce substantially from the Investigator's personal notes any
relevant and pertinent testimonies.

Section 11. Defects. — No defect in a complaint, notice, answer, or in the proceeding or

the Investigator's Report shall be considered as substantial unless the Board of Governors,
upon considering the whole record, finds that such defect has resulted or may result in a
miscarriage of justice, in which event the Board shall take such remedial action as the
circumstances may warrant, including invalidation of the entire proceedings.

Section 12. Review and decision by the Board of Governors.

a) Every case heard by an investigator shall be reviewed by the IBP Board of

Governors upon the record and evidence transmitted to it by the Investigator with his
report. The decision of the Board upon such review shall be in writing and shall clearly
and distinctly state the facts and the reasons on which it is based. It shall be
promulgated within a period not exceeding thirty (30) days from the next meeting of
the Board following the submittal of the Investigator's Report.

b) If the Board, by the vote of a majority of its total membership, determines that the
respondent should be suspended from the practice of law or disbarred, it shall issue
a resolution setting forth its findings and recommendations which, together with the
whole record of the case, shall forthwith be transmitted to the Supreme Court for final
action.

c) If the respondent is exonerated by the Board or the disciplinary sanction imposed

by it is less than suspension or disbarment (such as admonition, reprimand, or fine) it
shall issue a decision exonerating respondent or imposing such sanction. The case
shall be deemed terminated unless upon petition of the complainant or other
interested party filed with the Supreme Court within fifteen (15) days from notice of
the Board's resolution, the Supreme Court orders otherwise.

d) Notice of the resolution or decision of the Board shall be given to all parties through
their counsel. A copy of the same shall be transmitted to the Supreme Court.

B. PROCEEDINGS IN THE SUPREME COURT

Section 13. Supreme Court Investigation. — In proceedings initiated motu propio by the
Supreme Court or in other proceedings when the interest of justice so requires, the Supreme
Court may refer the case for investigation to the Solicitor-General or to any officer of the
Supreme Court or judge of a lower court, in which case the investigation shall proceed in
the same manner provided in sections 6 to 11 hereof, save that the review of the report of
investigation shall be conducted directly by the Supreme Court.

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Section 14. Report of the Solicitor General of other Court-designated Investigator. — Based
upon the evidence adduced at the investigation, the Solicitor General or other Investigator
designated by the Supreme Court shall submit to the Supreme Court a report containing his
findings of fact and recommendations for the final action of the Supreme Court.

C. COMMON PROVISIONS

Section 15. Suspension of attorney by Supreme Court. — After receipt of respondent's

answer or lapse of the period therefor, the Supreme Court, motu propio, or at the instance
of the IBP Board of Governors upon the recommendation of the Investigator, may suspend
an attorney from the practice of his profession for any of the causes specified in Rule 138,
Section 27, during the pendency of the investigation until such suspension is lifted by the
Supreme Court.

Section 16. Suspension of attorney by the Court of Appeals or a Regional Trial Court. 1 —
The Court of Appeals or Regional Trial Court may suspend an attorney from practice for
any of the causes named in Rule 138, Section 27 2, until further action of the Supreme
Court in the case.

Section 17. Upon suspension by Court of Appeals or Regional Trial Court, further
proceedings in Supreme Court. — Upon such suspension, the Court of Appeals or a
Regional Trial Court shall forthwith transmit to the Supreme Court a certified copy of the
order of suspension and a full statement of the facts upon which the same was based. Upon
receipt of such certified copy and statement, the Supreme Court shall make a full
investigation of the case and may revoke, shorten or extend the suspension, or disbar the
attorney as the facts may warrant.

Section 18. Confidentiality. — Proceedings against attorneys shall be private and

confidential. However, the final order of the Supreme Court shall be published like its
decisions in other cases.

Section 19. Expenses. — All reasonable and necessary expenses incurred in relation to
disciplinary and disbarment proceedings are lawfull charges for which the parties may be
taxed as costs.

Section 20. Effectivity and Transitory Provision. — This Rule shall take effect June 1, 1988
and shall supersede the present Rule 139 entitled "DISBARMENT OR SUSPENSION OF
ATTORNEYS". All cases pending investigation by the Office of the Solicitor General shall
be transferred to the Integrated Bar of the Philippines Board of Governors for investigation
and disposition as provided in this Rule except those cases where the investigation has
been substantially completed.

Footnotes

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 1 This section and the following Section 17 sepersede Section 9 of Rule 139.

2 The text of Rule 138, Section 27 reads: "SEC. 27. Attorneys removed or suspended
by the Supreme Court on what grounds. — A member of the bar may be removed or
suspended form his office as attorney by the Supreme Court for any deceit,
malpractice or other gross misconduct in such office, grossly immoral conduct, or by
reason of his conviction of a crime involving moral turpitude, or for any violation of the
oath which he is required to take before admission to practice, or for a willful
disobedience of any lawful order of a superior court, or for corruptly or willfully
appearing as an attorney for a party to a case without authority so to do. The practice
of soliciting cases at law for the purpose of gain, either personally or through paid
agents or brokers, constitutes malpractice.

RULE 140

Charges Against Judges of First Instance

Section 1. Complaint - All Charges against judges of first instance shall be in writing and
shall set out distinctly, clearly, and concisely the facts complained of as constituting the
alleged serious misconduct or inefficiency of the respondent, and shall be sworn to and
supported by affidavits of persons who have personal knowledge of the facts therein
alleged, and shall be accompanied with copies of documents which may substantiate said
facts.

Section 2. Service or dismissal. - If the charges appear to merit action, a copy thereof shall
be served upon the respondent, requiring him to answer within ten (10) days from the date
service. If the charges do not merit action, or if the answer shows to the satisfaction of the
court that the charges are not meritorious, the same shall be dismissed.

Section 3. Answer; hearing. - Upon the filing of respondents answer or upon the expiration
of the time for its filing, the court shall assign one of its members, a Justice of the Court of
Appeals or a judge of first instance to conduct the hearing of the charges. The Justice or
judge so assigned shall set a day for the hearing, and notice thereof shall be served on both
parties. At such hearing the parties may present oral or written evidence.

Section 4. Report - After the hearing, the Justice or judge shall file with the Supreme Court
a report of his findings of fact and conclusions of law, accompanied by the evidence
presented by the parties and the other papers in he case.

Section 5. Action - After the filing of the report, the court will take such action as the facts
and the law may warrant.

Section 6. Confidential. - Proceedings against judges of first instance shall be private and
confidential.

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 RULE 142

Cost

Section 1. Cost ordinarily follow results of suit. — Unless otherwise provided in these rules,
cost shall be allowed to the prevailing party as a matter of course, but the court shall have
power, for special reasons, to adjudge that either party shall pay the costs of an action, or
that the same be divided, as may be equitable. No costs shall be allowed against the
Republic of the Philippines unless otherwise provided by law.

Section 2. When action or appeal dismissed. — If an action or appeal is dismissed for want
of jurisdiction or otherwise, the court nevertheless shall have the power to render judgment
for cost, as justice may require.

Section 3. Cost when appeal frivolous. — Where an action or appeal is found to be

frivolous, double or treble cost may be imposed on the plaintiff or appellant, which shall be
paid by his attorney, if so ordered by the court.

Section 4. False allegations. — An averment in a pleading made without reasonable cause

and found untrue shall subject the offending party to the payment of such reasonable
expenses as may have been necessarily incurred by the other party by reason of such
untrue pleading. The amount of expenses so payable shall be fixed by the judge in the trial,
and taxed as costs.

Section 5. No cost for irrelevant matters. — When the record contains any unnecessary,
irrelevant, or immaterial matter, the party as whose instance the same was inserted or at
whose instance the same was printed, shall not be allowed as costs any disbursement for
preparing, certifying, or printing such matter.

Section 6. Attorney's fees as cost. — No attorney's fees shall be taxed as costs against the
adverse party, except as provided by the rules of civil law. But this section shall have no
relation to the fees to be charged by an attorney as against his client.

Section 7. Restriction of cost. — If the plaintiff in any action shall recover a sum not
exceeding ten pesos as debt or damages, he shall recover no more cost than debt or
damages, unless the court shall certify that the action involved a substantial and important
right to the plaintiff in which case full cost may be allowed.

Section 8. Costs, how to taxed. — In inferior courts, the costs shall be taxed by the justice
of the peace or municipal judge and included the judgment. In superior courts, costs shall
be taxed by the clerk of the corresponding court on five days' written notice giving by the
prevailing party to the adverse party. With this notice shall be served a statement of the
items of the cost claimed by the prevailing party, verified by his oath or that of his attorney.
Objections to the taxation shall be made in writing, specifying the items objected to. Either

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party may appeal to the court from the clerk's taxation. The costs shall be inserted in the
judgment if taxed before its entry, and payment thereof shall be enforced by execution.

Section 9. Cost in justice of the peace or municipal courts. — In an action or proceeding

pending before a justice of the peace or municipal judge, the prevailing party may recover
the following cost, and no other:

(a) For the complaint or answer, two pesos;

(b) For the attendance of himself, or his counsel, or both, on the day of trial, five pesos;

(c) For each additional day's attendance required in the actual trial of the case, one
peso;

(d) For each witness produced by him, for each day's necessary attendance at the
trial, one peso, and his lawful traveling fees;

(e) For each deposition lawfully taken by him and produced in evidence, five pesos;

(f) For original documents, deeds, or papers of any kind produced by him; nothing;

(g) For official copies of such documents, deeds, or papers, the lawful fees
necessarily paid for obtaining such copies;

(h) The lawful fees paid by him for service of the summons and other process in the
action;

(i) The lawful fees charged against him by the judge of the court in entering and
docketing and trying the action or proceeding.

Section 10. Cost in Court of First Instance. — In an action or proceeding pending in a Court
of First Instance, the prevailing party may recover the following costs, and no other:

(a) For the complaint or answer, fifteen pesos;

(b) For his own attendance, and that of his attorney, down to and including final
judgment, twenty pesos;

(c) For each witness necessarily produced by him, for each day's necessary
attendance of such witness at the trial, two pesos, and his lawful traveling fees;

(d) For each deposition lawfully taken by him, and produced in evidence, five pesos;

(e) For original documents, deeds, or papers of any kind produced by him, nothing;

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 (f) For official copies of such documents, deeds, or papers, the lawful fees necessarily
paid for obtaining such copies;

(g) The lawful fees paid by him in entering and docketing the action or recording the
proceedings, for the service of any process in action, and all lawful clerk's fees paid
by him.

Section 11. Costs in Court of Appeals and in Supreme Court. — In an action or proceeding
pending in the Court of Appeals or in the Supreme Court, the prevailing party may recover
the following costs, and no other:

(a) For his own attendance, and that of his attorney, down to and including final
judgment, thirty pesos in the Court of Appeals and fifty pesos in the Supreme Court;

(b) For official copies of record on appeal and the printing thereof, and all other copies
required by the rules of court, the sum actually paid for the same;

(c) All lawful fees charged against him by the clerk of the Court of Appeals or of the
Supreme Court, in entering and docketing the action and recording the proceedings
and judgment therein and for the issuing of all process;

(d) No allowance shall be made to the prevailing party in the Supreme Court or Court
of Appeals for the brief or written or printed arguments of his attorney, or copies
thereof, aside from the thirty or fifty pesos above stated;

(e) If testimony is received in the Supreme Court or Court of Appeals not taken in
another court and transmitted thereto, the prevailing party shall be allowed the same
cost for witness fees, depositors, and process and service thereof as he would have
been allowed for such items had the testimony been introduced in a Court of First
Instance;

(f) The lawful fees of a commissioner in an action may also be taxed against the
defeated party, or apportioned as justice requires.

Section 12. Costs when witness fails to appear. — If a witness fails to appear at the time
and place specified in the subpoena issued by any inferior court, the cost of the warrant of
arrest and of the arrest of the witness shall be paid by the witness if the court shall determine
that his failure to answer the subpoena was wilful or without just excuse.

Section 13. Costs when the person cited for examination in probate proceedings. — When
a person is cited, on motion of another, to appear before the court to be examined in probate
proceedings, the court may, in its discretion tax costs for the person so cited and issue
execution therefor, allowing the same fees as for witnesses in Courts of First Instance.

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 RULE 143

Applicability of the Rules

These rules shall not apply to land registration, cadastral and election cases, naturalization
and insolvency proceedings, and other cases not herein provided for, except by analogy or
in a suppletory character and whenever practicable and convenient.

The Lawphil Project - Arellano Law Foundation

RULE 144

Effectiveness

These rukes shall take effect on January 1, 1964. They shall govern all cases brought after
they take effect, and also all furtherproceedings in cases then pending. except to the extent
that in the opinion of the court their application would not be feasible or would work injustice,
in which event the former procedure shall apply.

A.M. No. 07-9-12-SC

(25 September 2007)

THE RULE ON THE WRIT OF AMPARO

SECTION 1. Petition. – The petition for a writ of amparo is a remedy available to any person
whose right to life, liberty and security is violated or threatened with violation by an unlawful
act or omission of a public official or employee, or of a private individual or entity.

The writ shall cover extralegal killings and enforced disappearances or threats thereof.

SEC. 2. Who May File. – The petition may be filed by the aggrieved party or by any qualified
person or entity in the following order:

a. Any member of the immediate family, namely: the spouse, children and parents of the
aggrieved party;
b. Any ascendant, descendant or collateral relative of the aggrieved party within the
fourth civil degree of consanguinity or affinity, in default of those mentioned in the
preceding paragraph; or
c. Any concerned citizen, organization, association or institution, if there is no known
member of the immediate family or relative of the aggrieved party.

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The filing of a petition by the aggrieved party suspends the right of all other authorized
parties to file similar petitions. Likewise, the filing of the petition by an authorized party on
behalf of the aggrieved party suspends the right of all others, observing the order
established herein.

SEC. 3. Where to File. – The petition may be filed on any day and at any time with the
Regional Trial Court of the place where the threat, act or omission was committed or any of
its elements occurred, or with the Sandiganbayan, the Court of Appeals, the Supreme Court,
or any justice of such courts. The writ shall be enforceable anywhere in the Philippines.

When issued by a Regional Trial Court or any judge thereof, the writ shall be returnable
before such court or judge.

When issued by the Sandiganbayan or the Court of Appeals or any of their justices, it may
be returnable before such court or any justice thereof, or to any Regional Trial Court of the
place where the threat, act or omission was committed or any of its elements occurred.

When issued by the Supreme Court or any of its justices, it may be returnable before such
Court or any justice thereof, or before the Sandiganbayan or the Court of Appeals or any of
their justices, or to any Regional Trial Court of the place where the threat, act or omission
was committed or any of its elements occurred.

SEC. 4. No Docket Fees. – The petitioner shall be exempted from the payment of the
docket and other lawful fees when filing the petition. The court, justice or judge shall docket
the petition and act upon it immediately.

SEC. 5. Contents of Petition. – The petition shall be signed and verified and shall allege
the following:

a. The personal circumstances of the petitioner;

b. The name and personal circumstances of the respondent responsible for the threat,
act or omission, or, if the name is unknown or uncertain, the respondent may be
described by an assumed appellation;
c. The right to life, liberty and security of the aggrieved party violated or threatened with
violation by an unlawful act or omission of the respondent, and how such threat or
violation is committed with the attendant circumstances detailed in supporting
affidavits;
d. The investigation conducted, if any, specifying the names, personal circumstances,
and addresses of the investigating authority or individuals, as well as the manner and
conduct of the investigation, together with any report;
e. The actions and recourses taken by the petitioner to determine the fate or
whereabouts of the aggrieved party and the identity of the person responsible for the
threat, act or omission; and
f. The relief prayed for.

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The petition may include a general prayer for other just and equitable reliefs.

SEC. 6. Issuance of the Writ. – Upon the filing of the petition, the court, justice or judge
shall immediately order the issuance of the writ if on its face it ought to issue. The clerk of
court shall issue the writ under the seal of the court; or in case of urgent necessity, the
justice or the judge may issue the writ under his or her own hand, and may deputize any
officer or person to serve it.

The writ shall also set the date and time for summary hearing of the petition which shall not
be later than seven (7) days from the date of its issuance.

SEC. 7. Penalty for Refusing to Issue or Serve the Writ. – A clerk of court who refuses
to issue the writ after its allowance, or a deputized person who refuses to serve the same,
shall be punished by the court, justice or judge for contempt without prejudice to other
disciplinary actions.

SEC. 8. How the Writ is Served. – The writ shall be served upon the respondent by a
judicial officer or by a person deputized by the court, justice or judge who shall retain a copy
on which to make a return of service. In case the writ cannot be served personally on the
respondent, the rules on substituted service shall apply.

SEC. 9. Return; Contents. – Within seventy-two (72) hours after service of the writ, the
respondent shall file a verified written return together with supporting affidavits which shall,
among other things, contain the following:

a. The lawful defenses to show that the respondent did not violate or threaten with
violation the right to life, liberty and security of the aggrieved party, through any act or
omission;
b. The steps or actions taken by the respondent to determine the fate or whereabouts
of the aggrieved party and the person or persons responsible for the threat, act or
omission;
c. All relevant information in the possession of the respondent pertaining to the threat,
act or omission against the aggrieved party; and
d. If the respondent is a public official or employee, the return shall further state the
actions that have been or will still be taken:

i. to verify the identity of the aggrieved party;

ii. to recover and preserve evidence related to the death or disappearance of the
person identified in the petition which may aid in the prosecution of the person
or persons responsible;
iii. to identify witnesses and obtain statements from them concerning the death or
disappearance;

297
 iv. to determine the cause, manner, location and time of death or disappearance
as well as any pattern or practice that may have brought about the death or
disappearance;
v. to identify and apprehend the person or persons involved in the death or
disappearance; and
vi. to bring the suspected offenders before a competent court.

The return shall also state other matters relevant to the investigation, its resolution and the
prosecution of the case.

A general denial of the allegations in the petition shall not be allowed.

SEC. 10. Defenses not Pleaded Deemed Waived. — All defenses shall be raised in the
return, otherwise, they shall be deemed waived.

SEC. 11. Prohibited Pleadings and Motions. – The following pleadings and motions are
prohibited:

a. Motion to dismiss;
b. Motion for extension of time to file return, opposition, affidavit, position paper and
other pleadings;
c. Dilatory motion for postponement;
d. Motion for a bill of particulars;
e. Counterclaim or cross-claim;
f. Third-party complaint;
g. Reply;
h. Motion to declare respondent in default;
i. Intervention;
j. Memorandum;
k. Motion for reconsideration of interlocutory orders or interim relief orders; and
l. Petition for certiorari, mandamus or prohibition against any interlocutory order.

SEC. 12. Effect of Failure to File Return. — In case the respondent fails to file a return,
the court, justice or judge shall proceed to hear the petition ex parte.

SEC. 13. Summary Hearing. — The hearing on the petition shall be summary. However,
the court, justice or judge may call for a preliminary conference to simplify the issues and
determine the possibility of obtaining stipulations and admissions from the parties.

The hearing shall be from day to day until completed and given the same priority as petitions
for habeas corpus.

SEC. 14. Interim Reliefs. — Upon filing of the petition or at anytime before final judgment,
the court, justice or judge may grant any of the following reliefs:

298
(a) Temporary Protection Order. – The court, justice or judge, upon motion or motu
proprio, may order that the petitioner or the aggrieved party and any member of the
immediate family be protected in a government agency or by an accredited person or
private institution capable of keeping and securing their safety. If the petitioner is an
organization, association or institution referred to in Section 3(c) of this Rule, the
protection may be extended to the officers involved.

The Supreme Court shall accredit the persons and private institutions that shall
extend temporary protection to the petitioner or the aggrieved party and any member
of the immediate family, in accordance with guidelines which it shall issue.

The accredited persons and private institutions shall comply with the rules and
conditions that may be imposed by the court, justice or judge.

(b) Inspection Order. — The court, justice or judge, upon verified motion and after due
hearing, may order any person in possession or control of a designated land or other
property, to permit entry for the purpose of inspecting, measuring, surveying, or
photographing the property or any relevant object or operation thereon.

The motion shall state in detail the place or places to be inspected. It shall be
supported by affidavits or testimonies of witnesses having personal knowledge of the
enforced disappearance or whereabouts of the aggrieved party.

If the motion is opposed on the ground of national security or of the privileged nature
of the information, the court, justice or judge may conduct a hearing in chambers to
determine the merit of the opposition.

The movant must show that the inspection order is necessary to establish the right of
the aggrieved party alleged to be threatened or violated.

The inspection order shall specify the person or persons authorized to make the
inspection and the date, time, place and manner of making the inspection and may
prescribe other conditions to protect the constitutional rights of all parties. The order
shall expire five (5) days after the date of its issuance, unless extended for justifiable
reasons.

(c) Production Order. – The court, justice or judge, upon verified motion and after due
hearing, may order any person in possession, custody or control of any designated
documents, papers, books, accounts, letters, photographs, objects or tangible things,
or objects in digitized or electronic form, which constitute or contain evidence relevant
to the petition or the return, to produce and permit their inspection, copying or
photographing by or on behalf of the movant.

299
 The motion may be opposed on the ground of national security or of the privileged
nature of the information, in which case the court, justice or judge may conduct a
hearing in chambers to determine the merit of the opposition.

The court, justice or judge shall prescribe other conditions to protect the constitutional
rights of all the parties.

(d) Witness Protection Order. – The court, justice or judge, upon motion or motu
proprio, may refer the witnesses to the Department of Justice for admission to the
Witness Protection, Security and Benefit Program, pursuant to Republic Act No. 6981.

The court, justice or judge may also refer the witnesses to other government
agencies, or to accredited persons or private institutions capable of keeping and
securing their safety.

SEC. 15. Availability of Interim Reliefs to Respondent. – Upon verified motion of the
respondent and after due hearing, the court, justice or judge may issue an inspection order
or production order under paragraphs (b) and (c) of the preceding section.

A motion for inspection order under this section shall be supported by affidavits or
testimonies of witnesses having personal knowledge of the defenses of the respondent.

SEC. 16. Contempt. – The court, justice or judge may order the respondent who refuses to
make a return, or who makes a false return, or any person who otherwise disobeys or resists
a lawful process or order of the court to be punished for contempt. The contemnor may be
imprisoned or imposed a fine.

SEC. 17. Burden of Proof and Standard of Diligence Required. – The parties shall
establish their claims by substantial evidence.

The respondent who is a private individual or entity must prove that ordinary diligence as
required by applicable laws, rules and regulations was observed in the performance of duty.

The respondent who is a public official or employee must prove that extraordinary diligence
as required by applicable laws, rules and regulations was observed in the performance of
duty.

The respondent public official or employee cannot invoke the presumption that official duty
has been regularly performed to evade responsibility or liability.

SEC. 18. Judgment. — The court shall render judgment within ten (10) days from the time
the petition is submitted for decision. If the allegations in the petition are proven by
substantial evidence, the court shall grant the privilege of the writ and such reliefs as may
be proper and appropriate; otherwise, the privilege shall be denied.

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SEC. 19. Appeal. – Any party may appeal from the final judgment or order to the Supreme
Court under Rule 45. The appeal may raise questions of fact or law or both.

The period of appeal shall be five (5) working days from the date of notice of the adverse
judgment.

The appeal shall be given the same priority as in habeas corpus cases.

SEC. 20. Archiving and Revival of Cases. – The court shall not dismiss the petition, but
shall archive it, if upon its determination it cannot proceed for a valid cause such as the
failure of petitioner or witnesses to appear due to threats on their lives.

A periodic review of the archived cases shall be made by the amparo court that shall, motu
proprio or upon motion by any party, order their revival when ready for further proceedings.
The petition shall be dismissed with prejudice upon failure to prosecute the case after the
lapse of two (2) years from notice to the petitioner of the order archiving the case.

The clerks of court shall submit to the Office of the Court Administrator a consolidated list
of archived cases under this Rule not later than the first week of January of every year.

SEC. 21. Institution of Separate Actions. — This Rule shall not preclude the filing of
separate criminal, civil or administrative actions.

SEC. 22. Effect of Filing of a Criminal Action. – When a criminal action has been
commenced, no separate petition for the writ shall be filed. The reliefs under the writ shall
be available by motion in the criminal case.

The procedure under this Rule shall govern the disposition of the reliefs available under the
writ of amparo.

SEC. 23. Consolidation. – When a criminal action is filed subsequent to the filing of a
petition for the writ, the latter shall be consolidated with the criminal action.

When a criminal action and a separate civil action are filed subsequent to a petition for a
writ of amparo, the latter shall be consolidated with the criminal action.

After consolidation, the procedure under this Rule shall continue to apply to the disposition
of the reliefs in the petition.

SEC. 24. Substantive Rights. — This Rule shall not diminish, increase or modify
substantive rights recognized and protected by the Constitution.

SEC. 25. Suppletory Application of the Rules of Court. – The Rules of Court shall apply
suppletorily insofar as it is not inconsistent with this Rule.

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SEC. 26. Applicability to Pending Cases. – This Rule shall govern cases involving
extralegal killings and enforced disappearances or threats thereof pending in the trial and
appellate courts.

SEC. 27. Effectivity. – This Rule shall take effect on October 24, 2007, following its
publication in three (3) newspapers of general circulation.

A.M. No. 12-8-8-SC

JUDICIAL AFFIDAVIT RULE

Whereas, case congestion and delays plague most courts in cities, given the huge volume
of cases filed each year and the slow and cumbersome adversarial syste1n that the judiciary
has in place;

Whereas, about 40% of criminal cases are dismissed annually owing to the fact that
complainants simply give up con1ing to court after repeated postponements;

Whereas, few foreign businessmen make long-term investments in the Philippines because
its courts are unable to provide ample and speedy protection to their investments, keeping
its people poor;

Whereas, in order to reduce the time needed for completing the testimonies of witnesses in
cases under litigation, on February 21, 2012 the Supreme Court approved for piloting by
trial courts in Quezon City the compulsory use of judicial affidavits in place of the direct
testimonies of witnesses;

Whereas, it is reported that such piloting has quickly resulted in reducing by about two-thirds
the time used for presenting the testimonies of witnesses, thus speeding up the hearing and
adjudication of cases;

Whereas, the Supreme Court Committee on the Revision of the Rules of Court, headed by
Senior Associate Justice Antonio T. Carpio, and the Sub-Committee on the Revision of the
Rules on Civil Procedure, headed by Associate Justice Roberto A. Abad, have
recommended for adoption a Judicial Affidavit Rule that will replicate nationwide the
success of the Quezon City experience in the use of judicial affidavits; and

Whereas, the Supreme Court En Banc finds merit in the recommendation;

NOW, THEREFORE, the Supreme Court En Banc hereby issues and promulgates the
following:

Section 1. Scope. - (a) This Rule shall apply to all actions, proceedings, and incidents
requiring the reception of evidence before:

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 (1) The Metropolitan Trial Courts, the Municipal Trial Courts in Cities, the
Municipal Trial Courts, the Municipal Circuit Trial Courts, and the Shari' a Circuit
Courts but shall not apply to small claims cases under A.M. 08-8-7-SC;

(2) The Regional Trial Courts and the Shari'a District Courts;

(3) The Sandiganbayan, the Court of Tax Appeals, the Court of Appeals, and
the Shari'a Appellate Courts;

(4) The investigating officers and bodies authorized by the Supreme Court to
receive evidence, including the Integrated Bar of the Philippine (IBP); and

(5) The special courts and quasi-judicial bodies, whose rules of procedure are
subject to disapproval of the Supreme Court, insofar as their existing rules of
procedure contravene the provisions of this Rule.1

(b) For the purpose of brevity, the above courts, quasi-judicial bodies, or investigating
officers shall be uniformly referred to here as the "court."

Section 2. Submission of Judicial Affidavits and Exhibits in lieu of direct testimonies. - (a)
The parties shall file with the court and serve on the adverse party, personally or by licensed
courier service, not later than five days before pre-trial or preliminary conference or the
scheduled hearing with respect to motions and incidents, the following:

(1) The judicial affidavits of their witnesses, which shall take the place of such
witnesses' direct testimonies; and

(2) The parties' docun1entary or object evidence, if any, which shall be attached
to the judicial affidavits and marked as Exhibits A, B, C, and so on in the case
of the complainant or the plaintiff, and as Exhibits 1, 2, 3, and so on in the case
of the respondent or the defendant.

(b) Should a party or a witness desire to keep the original document or object evidence
in his possession, he may, after the same has been identified, marked as exhibit, and
authenticated, warrant in his judicial affidavit that the copy or reproduction attached
to such affidavit is a faithful copy or reproduction of that original. In addition, the party
or witness shall bring the original document or object evidence for comparison during
the preliminary conference with the attached copy, reproduction, or pictures, failing
which the latter shall not be admitted.

This is without prejudice to the introduction of secondary evidence in place of the original
when allowed by existing rules.

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Section 3. Contents of judicial Affidavit. - A judicial affidavit shall be prepared in the
language known to the witness and, if not in English or Filipino, accompanied by a
translation in English or Filipino, and shall contain the following:

(a) The name, age, residence or business address, and occupation of the witness;

(b) The name and address of the lawyer who conducts or supervises the examination
of the witness and the place where the examination is being held;

(c) A statement that the witness is answering the questions asked of him, fully
conscious that he does so under oath, and that he may face criminal liability for false
testimony or perjury;

(d) Questions asked of the witness and his corresponding answers, consecutively
numbered, that:

(1) Show the circumstances under which the witness acquired the facts upon
which he testifies;

(2) Elicit from him those facts which are relevant to the issues that the case
presents; and

(3) Identify the attached documentary and object evidence and establish their
authenticity in accordance with the Rules of Court;

(e) The signature of the witness over his printed name; and

(f) A jurat with the signature of the notary public who administers the oath or an officer
who is authorized by law to administer the same.

Section 4. Sworn attestation of the lawyer. - (a) The judicial affidavit shall contain a sworn
attestation at the end, executed by the lawyer who conducted or supervised the examination
of the witness, to the effect that:

(1) He faithfully recorded or caused to be recorded the questions he asked and

the corresponding answers that the witness gave; and

(2) Neither he nor any other person then present or assisting him coached the
witness regarding the latter's answers.

(b) A false attestation shall subject the lawyer mentioned to disciplinary action,
including disbarment.

Section 5. Subpoena. - If the government employee or official, or the requested witness,

who is neither the witness of the adverse party nor a hostile witness, unjustifiably declines

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to execute a judicial affidavit or refuses without just cause to make the relevant books,
documents, or other things under his control available for copying, authentication, and
eventual production in court, the requesting party may avail himself of the issuance of a
subpoena ad testificandum or duces tecum under Rule 21 of the Rules of Court. The rules
governing the issuance of a subpoena to the witness in this case shall be the same as when
taking his deposition except that the taking of a judicial affidavit shal1 be understood to
be ex parte.

Section 6. Offer of and objections to testimony in judicial affidavit. - The party presenting
the judicial affidavit of his witness in place of direct testimony shall state the purpose of such
testimony at the start of the presentation of the witness. The adverse party may move to
disqualify the witness or to strike out his affidavit or any of the answers found in it on ground
of inadmissibility. The court shall promptly rule on the motion and, if granted, shall cause
the marking of any excluded answer by placing it in brackets under the initials of an
authorized court personnel, without prejudice to a tender of excluded evidence under
Section 40 of Rule 132 of the Rules of Court.

Section 7. Examination of the witness on his judicial affidavit. - The adverse party shall
have the right to cross-examine the witness on his judicial affidavit and on the exhibits
attached to the same. The party who presents the witness may also examine him as on re-
direct. In every case, the court shall take active part in examining the witness to determine
his credibility as well as the truth of his testimony and to elicit the answers that it needs for
resolving the issues.

Section 8. Oral offer of and objections to exhibits. - (a) Upon the termination of the testimony
of his last witness, a party shall immediately make an oral offer of evidence of his
documentary or object exhibits, piece by piece, in their chronological order, stating the
purpose or purposes for which he offers the particular exhibit.

(b) After each piece of exhibit is offered, the adverse party shall state the legal ground
for his objection, if any, to its admission, and the court shall immediately make its
ruling respecting that exhibit.

(c) Since the documentary or object exhibits form part of the judicial affidavits that
describe and authenticate them, it is sufficient that such exhibits are simply cited by
their markings during the offers, the objections, and the rulings, dispensing with the
description of each exhibit.

Section 9. Application of rule to criminal actions. - (a) This rule shall apply to all criminal
actions:

(1) Where the maximum of the imposable penalty does not exceed six years;

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 (2) Where the accused agrees to the use of judicial affidavits, irrespective of the
penalty involved; or

(3) With respect to the civil aspect of the actions, whatever the penalties
involved are.

(b) The prosecution shall submit the judicial affidavits of its witnesses not later than
five days before the pre-trial, serving copies if the same upon the accused. The
complainant or public prosecutor shall attach to the affidavits such documentary or
object evidence as he may have, marking them as Exhibits A, B, C, and so on. No
further judicial affidavit, documentary, or object evidence shall be admitted at the trial.

(c) If the accused desires to be heard on his defense after receipt of the judicial
affidavits of the prosecution, he shall have the option to submit his judicial affidavit as
well as those of his witnesses to the court within ten days from receipt of such
affidavits and serve a copy of each on the public and private prosecutor, including his
documentary and object evidence previously marked as Exhibits 1, 2, 3, and so on.
These affidavits shall serve as direct testimonies of the accused and his witnesses
when they appear before the court to testify.

Section 10. Effect of non-compliance with the judicial Affidavit Rule. - (a) A party who fails
to submit the required judicial affidavits and exhibits on time shall be deemed to have waived
their submission. The court may, however, allow only once the late submission of the same
provided, the delay is for a valid reason, would not unduly prejudice the opposing party, and
the defaulting party pays a fine of not less than P 1,000.00 nor more than P 5,000.00 at the
discretion of the court.

(b) The court shall not consider the affidavit of any witness who fails to appear at the
scheduled hearing of the case as required. Counsel who fails to appear without valid
cause despite notice shall be deemed to have waived his client's right to confront by
cross-examination the witnesses there present.

(c) The court shall not admit as evidence judicial affidavits that do not conform to the
content requirements of Section 3 and the attestation requirement of Section 4 above.
The court may, however, allow only once the subsequent submission of the compliant
replacement affidavits before the hearing or trial provided the delay is for a valid
reason and would not unduly prejudice the opposing party and provided further, that
public or private counsel responsible for their preparation and submission pays a fine
of not less than P 1,000.00 nor more than P 5,000.00, at the discretion of the court.

Section 11. Repeal or modification of inconsistent rules. - The provisions of the Rules of
Court and the rules of procedure governing investigating officers and bodies authorized by
the Supreme Court to receive evidence are repealed or modified insofar as these are
inconsistent with the provisions of this Rule.1âwphi1

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The rules of procedure governing quasi-judicial bodies inconsistent herewith are hereby
disapproved.

Section 12. Effectivity. - This rule shall take effect on January 1, 2013 following its
publication in two newspapers of general circulation not later than September 15, 2012. It
shall also apply to existing cases.

Manila, September 4, 2012.

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