1.

In a complaint filed by the plaintiff, what is the effect of the defendants failure to file an answer within the
reglementary period? (1%)
(A) The court is allowed to render judgment motu proprio in favor of the plaintiff.
(B) The court motu proprio may declare the defendant in default, but only after due notice to the defendant.
(C) The court may declare the defendant in default but only upon motion of the plaintiff and with notice to the
defendant.
(D) The court may declare the defendant in default but only upon motion of the plaintiff, with notice to the
defendant, and upon presentation of proof of the defendants failure to answer.
(E) The above choices are all inaccurate.

2. The signature of counsel in the pleading constitutes a certification that __________. (1%)
(A) both client and counsel have read the pleading, that to the best of their knowledge, information and belief
there are good grounds to support it, and that it is not interposed for delay
(B) the client has read the pleading, that to the best of the clients knowledge, information and belief, there
are good grounds to support it, and that it is not interposed for delay
(C) the counsel has read the pleading, that to the best of the clients knowledge, information and belief, there
are good grounds to support it, and that it is not interposed for delay
(D) the counsel has read the pleading, that based on his personal information, there are good grounds to
support it, and that it is not interposed for delay
(E) The above choices are not totally accurate.

3. Extra-territorial service of summons is proper in the following instances, except __________. (1%)
(A) when the non-resident defendant is to be excluded from any interest on a property located in the
Philippines
(B) when the action against the non-resident defendant affects the personal status of the plaintiff and the
defendant is temporarily outside the Philippines
(C) when the action is against a non-resident defendant who is formerly a Philippine resident and the action
affects the personal status of the plaintiff
(D) when the action against the non-resident defendant relates to property within the Philippines in which the
defendant has a claim or lien
(E) All of the above.

4. Danny filed a complaint for damages against Peter. In the course of the trial, Peter introduced evidence on a
matter not raised in the pleadings. Danny promptly objected on the ground that the evidence relates to a
matter not in issue. How should the court rule on the objection? (1%)
(A) The court must sustain the objection.
(B) The court must overrule the objection.
(C) The court, in its discretion, may allow amendment of the pleading if doing so would serve the ends of
substantial justice.
(D) The court, in its discretion, may order that the allegation in the pleadings which do not conform to the
evidence presented be stricken out.
(E) The matter is subject to the complete discretion of the court.

5. Under the Rules on the Writ of Amparo, interim relief orders may be issued by the Court except:
a. production order;
b. witness protection order;
c. hold departure order;
d. temporary protection order.

6. X filed a motion for Bill of Particulars, after being served with summons and a copy of the complaint
However, X's motion did not contain a notice of hearing. The court may therefore:
a. require the clerk of court to calendar the motion.
b. motu proprio dismiss the motion for not complying with Rule 15.
c. allow the parties the opportunity to be heard.
d. return the motion to X's counsel for amendment.

7. A wants to file a Petition for Writ of Habeas Data against the AFP in connection with threats to his life
allegedly made by AFP intelligence officers. A needs copies of AFP highly classified intelligence reports
collected by Sgt. Santos who is from AFP. A can file his petition with:
a. RTC where AFP is located;
b. RTC where Sgt. Santos resides;
c. Supreme Court;
d. Court of Appeals.

8. A defendant who fails to file a timely Answer or responsive pleading will not be declared in default in:
a. probate proceedings where the estate is valued at P 1 00,000;
b. forcible entry cases;
c. collection case not exceeding P 100,000;
d. violation of rental law.
9. Being declared in default does not constitute a waiver of all rights. However, the following right is
considered waived:
a. be cited and called to testify as a witness
b. file a motion for new trial
c. participate in deposition taking of witnesses of adverse party
d. file a petition for certiorari

10. The filing of a complaint with the Punong Barangay involving cases covered by the Katarungang
Pambarangay Rules shall:
a. not interrupt any prescriptive period.
b. interrupt the prescriptive period for 90 days.
c. interrupt the prescriptive period for 60 days.
d. interrupt the prescriptive period not exceeding 60 days.

11. A judicial compromise has the effect of _______ and is immediately executory and is not appealable.
a. Estoppel;
b. Conclusiveness of judgment;
c. Res Judicata;
d. Stare decisis.

12. When a party or counsel willfully or deliberately commits forum shopping, the initiatory pleading may:
a. be cured by amendment of the complaint.
b. upon motion, be dismissed with prejudice.
c. be summarily dismissed with prejudice as it may constitute direct contempt.
d. be stricken from the record.

13. X and Y, both residents of Bgy. II, Sampaloc, Manila entered into a P 100,000 loan agreement. Because Y
defaulted, X sued Y for collection and the complainant prayed for issuance of preliminary attachment. Y
moved to dismiss the complaint because there was no Barangay conciliation. The court should therefore:
a. dismiss X's complaint for prematurity.
b. dismiss X's complaint for lack of cause of action.
c. deny Y's motion because it is exempt from Barangay conciliation.
d. deny Y's motion because of the amount of the loan.

14. Atty. X fails to serve personally a copy of his motion to Atty. Y because the office and residence of Atty. Y
and the latter's client changed and no forwarding addresses were given. Atty. X's remedy is to:
a. Serve by registered mail;
b. Serve by publication;
c. Deliver copy of the motion to the clerk of court with proof of failure to serve;
d. Certify in the motion that personal service and through mail was impossible.

15. Under the Katarungan Pambarangay rules, the execution of an amicable settlement or arbitration award is
started by filing a motion for execution with the Punong Barangay, who may issue a notice of execution in the
name of the Lupon Tagapamayapa. Execution itself, however, will be done by:
a. a court-appointed sheriff.
b. any Barangay Kagawad.
c. Punong Barangay.
d. any member of the Pangkat ng Tagapagsundo.

16. The following are accurate statements on joinder of causes of action, except:
a. joinder of actions avoids multiplicity of suits.
b. joinder of actions may include special civil actions.
c. joinder of causes of action is permissive.
d. the test of jurisdiction in case of money claims in a joinder of causes of act1on, is the "totality rule".

17. W, a legal researcher in the RTC of Makati, served summons on an amended complaint on Z at the latter's
house on a Sunday. The service is invalid because:
a. it was served on a Sunday.
b. the legal researcher is not a "proper court officer".
c. (a) and (b) above
d. there is no need to serve summons on an amended complaint.
18. Atty. A drafts a pleading for his client wherein B admits certain facts prejudicial to his case. The pleading
was never filed but was signed by Atty. A. Opposing counsel got hold of the pleading and presents the same in
court. Which statement is the most accurate?
a. The prejudicial statements are not admissible because the unfiled document is not considered a pleading.
b. The prejudicial statements are not admissible because the client did not sign the pleading.
c. The prejudicial statements are not admissible because these were not made by the client in open court.
d. The prejudicial statements are not admissible because these were made outside the proceedings.

19. A judge of an MTC can hear and decide petitions for habeas corpus or applications for bail where:
a. the Supreme Court authorizes the MTC.
b. the judge is the Executive Judge of the MTC.
c. the judge of the RTC where the case is raffled has retired, was dismissed or had died.
d. in the absence of all the RTC Judges in the province or city.

20. Proof of service of summons shall be through the following, except :

a. written return of the sheriff;
b. affidavit of the person serving summons;
c. affidavit of the printer of the publication;
d. written admission of the party served.

21. The Sandiganbayan can entertain a quo warranto petition only in:
a. cases involving public officers with salary grade 27 or higher.
b. only in aid of its appellate jurisdiction.
c. as a provisional remedy.
d. cases involving "ill gotten wealth".

22. Leave of court is always necessary in:

a. a demurrer to evidence in a civil case.
b. a demurrer to evidence in a criminal case.
c. motion to amend a complaint.
d. third party complaint.
23. The mortgage contract between X, who resides in Manila, and Y, who resides in Naga, covering land in
Quezon provides that any suit arising from the agreement may be filed "nowhere else but in a Makati court". Y
must thus sue only in:
a. Makati;
b. Makati and/or Naga;
c. Quezon and/or Makati;
d. Naga.

24. Cesar, age 16, a habitual offender, was caught in possession of .001 grams of marijuana. He was charged
for violation of Sec. 16 of R.A. 9165, The Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Law. The court which has
jurisdiction is:
a. the MTC;
b. the RTC;
c. Special Drugs Court;
d. Family Court.

25. A court can motu proprio dismiss a case on the following grounds, except :
a. failure to prosecute;
b. lack of jurisdiction over the parties;
c. litis pendentia;
d. prescription.

26. The MTC, acting as an Environmental Court, has original and exclusive jurisdiction over the following,
except:
a. criminal offenses punishable under the Chain Saw Act (R.A. 9175)
b. violation of the NIPAS Law (R.A. 7586)
c. violation of the Mining Laws
d. violation of Anti-Pollution Laws

27. With leave of court, a party may amend his pleading if:
a. there is yet no responsive pleading served.
b. the amendment is unsubstantial.
c. the amendment involves clerical errors of defect in the designation of a party.
d. the amendment is to conform to the evidence.

28. A decision or resolution of a division of the Supreme Court when concurred in by members who actually
took part in the deliberation on the issues in a case and voted thereon, is a decision or resolution of the
Supreme Court.
a. three (3);
b. five(S);
c. eight (8);
d. ten (10).

29. Sandiganbayan exercises concurrent jurisdiction with the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeals over:
a. Petitions for Writ of Certiorari and Prohibition;
b. Petitions for Writ of Habeas Corpus;
c. Petitions for Quo Warranto;
d. Petitions for Writ of Amparo and Habeas Corpus.

30. X filed a complaint with the RTC through ABC, a private letter forwarding agency. The date of filing of the
complaint shall be:
a. the date stamped by ABC on the envelope containing the complaint.
b. the date of receipt by the Clerk of Court.
c. the date indicated by the receiving clerk of ABC.
d. the date when the case is officially raffled.

31. Gary who lived in Taguig borrowed P1 million from Rey who lived in Makati under a contract of loan that
fixed Makati as the venue of any action arising from the contract. Gary had already paid the loan but Rey kept
on sending him letters of demand for some balance. Where is the venue of the action for harassment that
Gary wants to file against Rey?
(A) In Makati since the intent of the party is to make it the venue of any action between them whether based
on the contract or not.
(B) In Taguig or Makati at the option of Gary since it is a personal injury action.
(C) In Taguig since Rey received the letters of demand there.
(D) In Makati since it is the venue fixed in their contract.
32. Which of the following precepts forms part of the rules governing small claims?
(A) Permissive counterclaim is not allowed.
(B) The court shall render its decision within 3 days after hearing.
(C) Joinder of separate claims is not allowed.
(D) Motion to declare defendant in default is allowed.

33. Which of the following is NOT REGARDED as a sufficient proof of personal service of pleadings?
(A) Official return of the server.
(B) Registered mail receipt.
(C) Written admission of the party served.
(D) Affidavit of the server with a statement of the date, place and manner of service.

34. A sued B for ejectment. Pending trial, B died, survived by his son, C. No substitution of party defendant
was made. Upon finality of the judgment against B, may the same be enforced against C?
(A) Yes, because the case survived Bs death and the effect of final judgment in an ejectment case binds his
successors in-interest.
(B) No, because C was denied due process.
(C) Yes, because the negligence of Bs counsel in failing to ask for substitution, should not prejudice A.
(D) No, because the action did not survive Bs death.

35. A sued B in the RTC of Quezon City, joining two causes of action: for partition of real property and breach
of contract with damages. Both parties reside in Quezon City but the real property is in Manila. May the case
be dismissed for improper venue?
(A) Yes, since causes of action pertaining to different venues may not be joined in one action.
(B) No, since causes of action pertaining to different venues may be joined in the RTC if one of the causes of
action falls within its jurisdiction.
(C) Yes, because special civil action may not be joined with an ordinary civil action.
(D) No, since plaintiff may unqualifiedly join in one complaint as many causes of action as he has against
opposing party.

36. What is the doctrine of judicial stability or non interference?

(A) Once jurisdiction has attached to a court, it can not be deprived of it by subsequent happenings or events.
(B) Courts will not hear and decide cases involving issues that come within the jurisdiction of administrative
tribunals.
(C) No court has the authority to interfere by injunction with the judgment of another court of coordinate
jurisdiction.
(D) A higher court will not entertain direct resort to it unless the redress sought cannot be obtained from the
appropriate court.

37. In which of the following cases is the plaintiff the real party in interest?
(A) A creditor of one of the co-owners of a parcel of land, suing for partition
(B) An agent acting in his own name suing for the benefit of a disclosed principal
(C) Assignee of the lessor in an action for unlawful detainer
(D) An administrator suing for damages arising from the death of the decedent

38. The defendant in an action for sum of money filed a motion to dismiss the complaint on the ground of
improper venue. After hearing, the court denied the motion. In his answer, the defendant claimed prescription
of action as affirmative defense, citing the date alleged in the complaint when the cause of action accrued.
May the court, after hearing, dismiss the action on ground of prescription?
(A) Yes, because prescription is an exception to the rule on Omnibus Motion.
(B) No, because affirmative defenses are barred by the earlier motion to dismiss.
(C) Yes, because the defense of prescription of action can be raised at anytime before the finality of judgment.
(D) No, because of the rule on Omnibus Motion.

39. Summons was served on "MCM Theater," a business entity with no juridical personality, through its office
manager at its place of business. Did the court acquire jurisdiction over MCM Theaters owners?
(A) Yes, an unregistered entity like MCM Theater may be served with summons through its office manager.
(B) No, because MCM has no juridical personality and cannot be sued.
(C) No, since the real parties in interest, the owners of MCM Theater, have not been served with summons.
(D) Yes since MCM, as business entity, is a de facto partnership with juridical personality.

40. A party aggrieved by an interlocutory order of the Civil Service Commission (CSC) filed a petition for
certiorari and prohibition with the Court of Appeals. May the Court of Appeals take cognizance of the
petition?
(A) Yes, provided it raises both questions of facts and law.
(B) No, since the CSC Chairman and Commissioners have the rank of Justices of the Court of Appeals.
(C) No, since the CSC is a Constitutional Commission.
(D) Yes, since the Court of Appeals has jurisdiction over the petition concurrent with the Supreme Court.
41. Which of the following stipulations in a contract will supersede the venue for actions that the rules of civil
procedure fix?
(A) In case of litigation arising from this contract of sale, the preferred venue shall be in the proper courts of
Makati.
(B) Should the real owner succeed in recovering his stolen car from buyer X, the latter shall have recourse
under this contract to seller Exclusively before the proper Cebu City court.
(C) Venue in case of dispute between the parties to this contract shall solely be in the proper courts of Quezon
City.
(D) Any dispute arising from this contract of sale may be filed in Makati or Quezon City.

42. Which of the following NOT TRUE regarding the doctrine of judicial hierarchy?
(A) It derives from a specific and mandatory provision of substantive law.
(B) The Supreme Court may disregard the doctrine in cases of national interest and matters of serious
implications.
(C) A higher court will not entertain direct recourse to it if redress can be obtained in the appropriate courts.
(D) The reason for it is the need for higher courts to devote more time to matters within their exclusive
jurisdiction.

43. Defendant Dante said in his answer: "1. Plaintiff Perla claims that defendant Dante owes her P4,000 on
the mobile phone that she sold him; 2. But Perla owes Dante P6,000 for the dent on his car that she
borrowed." How should the court treat the second statement?
(A) A cross claim
(B) A compulsory counterclaim
(C) A third party complaint
(D) A permissive counterclaim