Iglesia ni Cristo V. Judge Proferanda.

Facts: Petitioners in the herein case avers that the respondents have not successfully fulfilled the procedural requirements namely the verification against non-forum shopping as provided for under section 5 of rule 7 of the rules on civil procedure, stating further that Only one respondent signed the said verification in the name if Enrique G. Santos, who according to the Petitioners once again is not a proper representative of the heirs of the deceased.

Issue: Whether or not the respondents fullfiled the requirement of verification against forum shopping and if Enrique G. Santos has the capacity to represent the others in the case at bar.

Held: The court held that rules of procedure are established to secure substantial justice. Being instruments for the speedy and efficient administration of justice, they may be used to achieve such end, not to derail it. In particular, when a strict and literal application of the rules on nonforum shopping and verification will result in a patent denial of substantial justice, these may be liberally construed. The ends of justice are better served when cases are determined on the merits As to the Capacity of Enrique G. Santos to represent, the court held that they find no necessity to show such authority. Respondents herein are co-owners of the subject property. As such coowners, each of the heirs may properly bring an action for ejectment, forcible entry and detainer, or any kind of action for the recovery of possession of the subject properties. Thus, a co-owner may bring such an action, even without joining all the other co-owners as co-plaintiffs, because the suit is deemed to be instituted for the benefit of all