OUTLINE IN REMEDIAL LAW 1

Atty. Victor Y. Eleazar

Arellano University
Scool o! La"
I. #eneral $rinci%les
A. &once%t o!
Re'e(ial La"
FUNDAMENTAL CONCEPTS
REMEDIAL LAW is that branch of law
which prscribs th !tho" of
nforcin# ri#hts or obtainin# r"rss
for thir in$asion [Bustos vs. Lucero,
81 Phil. 640]% It is also &nown as
A"'cti$ Law%
). S*+stantive La"
as Distin,*ise( !ro'
Re'e(ial La"
SU(STANTI)E LAW is on which
crats* "fins* an" r#+lats
ri#hts concrnin# lif* librt,* or
proprt,* or th powr of a#ncis
or instr+!ntalitis for th
a"!inistration of p+blic affairs%
PROCEDURAL LAW is th !tho" of
con"+ctin# a '+"icial proc"in#% It
incl+"s what$r is !brac" in
th tchnical tr!s* pla"in#s*
practic* an" $i"nc% It is th
!ans b, which th powr or
a+thorit, of a co+rt to har an"
"ci" a class of cass is p+t to
action [Manila Railroad vs. Atty.
eneral, !0 Phil. "!#]%
-URISDICTION is th powr to har
an" "ci" cass [$errera vs.
Baretto % &oa'uin, !" Phil. !4"]% It is
th powr with which co+rts ar
in$st" with th powr of
a"!inistrin# '+stic* that is* for
harin# an" "ci"in# cass% In or"r
for th co+rt to ha$ a+thorit, to
"ispos of a cas on th !rits* it
!+st ac.+ir '+ris"iction o$r th
s+b'ct !attr an" th partis
[Re(u)lic Planters Ban* vs. Molina,
166 +,RA #-]%
-URISDICTION )ENUE
Th a+thorit, to
har an"
"tr!in a cas
Th plac whr
th cas is to b
har" or tri"
A !attr of
s+bstanti$ law
A !attr of
proc"+ral law
Establishs a
rlation btwn
th co+rt an" th
s+b'ct !attr
Establishs a
rlation btwn
plaintiff an"
"fn"ant* or
ptitionr an"
rspon"nt
Fi/" b, law an"
cannot b
confrr" b, th
partis
Ma, b confrr"
b, th act or
a#r!nt of th
partis
). R*le-'a.in,
$o"er o! te
S*%re'e &o*rt
Sc% 0* Articl )III of th 1234
Constit+tion stats* 5Th S+pr!
Co+rt shall ha$ th followin#
powrs6 7 809 Pro!+l#at r+ls
concrnin# th protction an"
nforc!nt of th constit+tional
ri#hts* pla"in#* practic an"
proc"+r in all co+rts* th
a"!ission to th practic of law* th
int#rat" (ar* an" l#al assistanc
to th +n"rpri$il#"% S+ch r+ls
shall pro$i" a si!plifi" an"
in/pnsi$ proc"+r for th
sp", "isposition of cass* shall b
+nifor! for all co+rts of th sa!
#ra"* an" shall not "i!inish*
incras* or !o"if, s+bstanti$
ri#hts% R+ls of proc"+r of spcial
co+rts an" .+asi:'+"icial bo"is shall
r!ain ffcti$ +nlss "isappro$"
b, th S+pr! Co+rt%
1. Li'itations
on te r*le-'a.in,
%o"er o! te S*%re'e
&o*rt
S also Sc% ; of Articl )III of th
1234 Constit+tion which stats6 5Th
Con#rss shall ha$ th powr to
"fin* prscrib* an" apportion th
'+ris"iction of th $ario+s co+rts b+t
!a, not "pri$ th S+pr! Co+rt
of its '+ris"iction o$r cass
n+!rat" in Sction 0 hrof7
Not that in Sc% 0* onl, para#raphs
819 an" 8;9 spa& of th '+ris"iction
o$r cass% -+ris"iction o$r ths
cass rprsnts th irr"+cibl
'+ris"iction of th S+pr! Co+rt%
Th, incl+" ori#inal '+ris"iction
o$r cass affctin# "iplo!atic
rprsntati$s an" o$r ptitions
for certiorari* prohibition*
!an"a!+s* 'uo .arranto an"
habas corp+s* an" appllat
'+ris"iction o$r n+!rat" t,ps
of cass%
Art% )I* Sction <=* 1234
Constit+tion6 No law shall b pass"
incrasin# th appllat '+ris"iction
of th S+pr! Co+rt as pro$i"" in
this Constit+tion witho+t its a"$ic
an" conc+rrnc%
/a)ian v. 0esierto, >%R% No% 1;24?;*
Spt!br 1@* 1223
Th SC "clar" as +nconstit+tional
Sc% ;4 of Rp% Act No% @44=
8O!b+"s!an Act of 12329 to#thr
with Sc% 4* R+l III of A"!% Or"r
No% =4 8R+ls of Proc"+r of th
Offic of th O!b+"s!an9 an" an,
othr pro$ision of law or iss+anc
i!pl!ntin# RA @44= insofar as
th, pro$i" for appals in
a"!inistrati$ "isciplinar, cass
fro! th Offic of th O!b+"s!an
to th S+pr! Co+rt%
Sc% ;4 of RA @44= ra"s6 57 In all
a"!inistrati$ "isciplinar, cass*
or"rs* "ircti$s or "cisions of th
Offic of th O!b+"s!an !a, b
appal" to th S+pr! Co+rt b,
filin# a ptition for crtiorari within
tn 81=9 "a,s fro! rcipt of th
writtn notic of th or"r* "ircti$
or "cision or "nial of th !otion
for rconsi"ration in accor"anc
with R+l ?0 of th R+ls of Co+rt%A
Accor"in# to th SC* this pro$ision
$iolats th proscription in Sc% <=
of Art% )I of th Constit+tion* which
ra"s6 5No law shall b pass"
incrasin# th appllat '+ris"iction
of th S+pr! Co+rt as pro$i"" in
this Constit+tion witho+t its a"$ic
an" conc+rrnc%A
In 1ui2on v. 0esierto* >%R% NO%
1?=@12:;?* March 2* ;==1* SC
/plain" that with its r+lin# in
2
/a)ian* appals fro! "cisions of
th Offic of th O!b+"s!an in
a"!inistrati$ cass sho+l" b
appal" to th Co+rt of Appals
+n"r R+l ?<% If what is assail" is
an inci"nt in a cri!inal cas* th
propr r!", is a ptition for
crtiorari +n"r R+l @0* which
sho+l" b fil" with th S+pr!
Co+rt% This was ritrat" in Baviera
v. 3oleta* >%R% No% 1@=2=23* Octobr
1;* ;==@* whr th SC r+l" that
th r!", to challn# th
Rsol+tion of th O!b+"s!an at th
concl+sion of a prli!inar,
in$sti#ation was to fil a ptition
for crtiorari with th SC +n"r R+l
@0%
/. $o"er o!
te S*%re'e &o*rt to
a'en( an( s*s%en(
%roce(*ral r*les
(oth th 12<0 Constit+tion 8Articl
)III* Sc% 1<9 an" 124< Constit+tion
8Articl B* Sc% 0 809 pro$i"" that
r+ls of co+rt pro!+l#at" b, th
S+pr! Co+rt !a, b 5rpal"*
altr"* or s+ppl!nt"A b, th
l#islat+r% No si!ilar pro$ision
appars in th 1234 Constit+tion%
Not* in 4che5aray v. 6he +ecretary
o7 &ustice 8>%R% No% 1<;@=1* -an+ar,
12* 12229* -+stic P+no sai" that
Con#rss no lon#r has th powr to
a!n" th R+ls of Co+rt% C sai"*
Te r*le 'a.in,
%o"er o! tis &o*rt
"as e0%an(e(. This
Co+rt for th !irst ti'e
was #i$n th powr to
pro!+l#at r+ls
concrnin# th
protction an"
nforc!nt of
constit+tional ri#hts%
Th Co+rt was also
#rant" for th !irst
ti'e th powr to
"isappro$ r+ls of
proc"+r of spcial
co+rts an" .+asi:'+"icial
bo"is% )*t 'ost
i'%ortantly1 te 1234
&onstit*tion too.
a"ay te %o"er o!
&on,ress to re%eal1
alter1 or s*%%le'ent
r*les concernin,
%lea(in,1 %ractice
an( %roce(*re% In fin*
th powr to pro!+l#at
r+ls of pla"in#*
practic an" proc"+r
is no lon#r shar" b,
this Co+rt with
Con#rss* !or so with
th E/c+ti$% If th
!anifst intnt of th
1234 Constit+tion is to
strn#thn th
in"pn"nc of th
'+"iciar,* it is in+til to
+r#* as p+blic
rspon"nts "o* that
this Co+rt has no
'+ris"iction to control th
procss of /c+tion of
its "cisions* a powr
conc"" to it an" which
it has /rcis" sinc
ti! i!!!orial%
Th r+l:!a&in# powr of th SC
was appli" in 8ey(es v. ,ourt o7
A((eals* >%R% No% 1?10;?*
Spt!br 1?* ;==0* ?@2 SCRA @<<%
It hl" D
3
Th S+pr!
Co+rt !a, pro!+l#at
proc"+ral r+ls in all
co+rts% 8Articl )III* Sc%
0 809* 1234 Constit+tion9
It has th sol
prro#ati$ to a!n"*
rpal or $n stablish
nw r+ls for a !or
si!plifi" an"
in/pnsi$ procss*
an" th sp",
"isposition of cass% In
th r+ls #o$rnin#
appals to it an" to th
Co+rt of Appals*
partic+larl, R+ls ?;* ?<
an" ?0* th Co+rt allows
/tnsions of ti!*
bas" on '+stifiabl an"
co!pllin# rasons* for
partis to fil thir
appals% Ths
/tnsions !a, consist
of 10 "a,s or !or%
To stan"ar"iE th
appal prio"s pro$i""
in th R+ls an" to
affor" liti#ants fair
opport+nit, to appal
thir cass* th Co+rt
"!s it practical to
allow a frsh prio" of
10 "a,s within which to
fil th notic of appal
in th R#ional Trial
Co+rt* co+nt" fro!
rcipt of th or"r
"is!issin# a !otion for
a nw trial or !otion for
rconsi"ration%
Cncforth* this
Ffrsh prio" r+lF shall
also appl, to R+l ?=
#o$rnin# appals fro!
th M+nicipal Trial
Co+rts to th R#ional
Trial Co+rtsG R+l ?; on
ptitions for r$iw fro!
th R#ional Trial Co+rts
to th Co+rt of AppalsG
R+l ?< on appals fro!
.+asi:'+"icial a#ncis
to th Co+rt of Appals
an" R+l ?0 #o$rnin#
appals b, certiorari to
th S+pr! Co+rt% Th
nw r+l ai!s to
r#i!nt or !a& th
appal prio" +nifor!*
to b co+nt" fro!
rcipt of th or"r
"n,in# th !otion for
nw trial* !otion for
rconsi"ration
8whthr f+ll or partial9
or an, final or"r or
rsol+tion%
W th+s hol" that
ptitionrs sasonabl,
fil" thir notic of
appal within th frsh
prio" of 10 "a,s*
co+nt" fro! -+l, ;;*
1223 8th "at of rcipt
of notic "n,in# thir
!otion for
rconsi"ration9% This
prono+nc!nt is not
inconsistnt with R+l
?1* Sction < of th
R+ls which stats that
th appal shall b
ta&n within 10 "a,s
fro! notic of '+"#!nt
or final or"r appal"
fro!% Th +s of th
"is'+ncti$ wor" ForF
si#nifis "isassociation
4
an" in"pn"nc of
on thin# fro! anothr%
It sho+l"* as a r+l* b
constr+" in th sns
in which it or"inaril,
i!plis% Cnc* th +s
of ForF in th abo$
pro$ision s+pposs that
th notic of appal !a,
b fil" within 10 "a,s
fro! th notic of
'+"#!nt or within 10
"a,s fro! notic of th
Ffinal or"r*F which w
alra", "tr!in" to
rfr to th -+l, 1* 1223
or"r "n,in# th
!otion for a nw trial or
rconsi"ration%
Nithr "os this
nw r+l r+n co+ntr to
th spirit of Sction <2
of (P 1;2 which
shortn" th appal
prio" fro! <= "a,s to
10 "a,s to hastn th
"isposition of cass% Th
ori#inal prio" of appal
8in this cas March <:13*
12239 r!ains an" th
r.+ir!nt for strict
co!plianc still applis%
6he 7resh (eriod o7 1"
days )eco9es
si5ni7icant only .hen a
(arty o(ts to 7ile a
9otion 7or ne. trial or
9otion 7or
reconsideration% In this
!annr* th trial co+rt
which rn"r" th
assail" "cision is
#i$n anothr
opport+nit, to r$iw
th cas an"* in th
procss* !ini!iE
an"Hor rctif, an, rror
of '+"#!nt% Whil w
ai! to rsol$ cass
with "ispatch an" to
ha$ '+"#!nts of
co+rts bco! final at
so! "finit ti!* w
li&wis aspir to "li$r
'+stic fairl,%
)asic %rinci%les in 5*ris(iction6
819 $RIN&I$LE O7 T8E
E9ER&ISE O7 E:UITY
5URISDI&TION is a
sit+ation whr th co+rt is
call" +pon to "ci" a
contro$rs, an" rlas th
partis fro! thir
corrlati$ obli#ations b+t if
it wo+l" rs+lt in a"$rs
cons.+ncs to th
partis an" th p+blic* th
co+rt wo+l" #o b,on" its
powr to a$oi" n#ati$
cons.+ncs in th
rlas of th partis [A5ne
vs. 0irector o7 Lands, 181
+,RA :-#; 8a5a 6ele(hone
,o. vs. ,A, 48 +,A0 "#-]%
In A5ne vs. 0irector o7
Lands, whr th
$i"nc show" that
th plaintiff is th tr+
ownr of th lan"
s+b'ct of th fr
patnt an" titl was
#rant" to anothr an"
that th "fn"ant an"
his pr"cssor:in:
intrst wr n$r in
possssion throf* th
Co+rt* in th /rcis of
its .+it, '+ris"iction
5
an" witho+t or"rin# th
cancllation of sai" titl
iss+" +pon th patnt*
!a, "irct th
"fn"ant r#istr"
ownr to rcon$, th
proprt, to th plaintiff%
F+rthr* if th
"tr!inati$ facts ar
bfor th Co+rt an" it is
in a position to finall,
rsol$ th "isp+t* th
/p"itio+s
a"!inistration of '+stic
will b s+bsr$" b,
s+ch a rsol+tion an"
thrb, ob$iat th
n"lss protract"
proc"in#s cons.+nt
to th r!an" of th
cas of th trial co+rt%
Th Co+rt saw no n"
for r!an"in# th cas
for f+rthr proc"in#s*
an" hl" that th facts
an" th n"s of '+stic
in this cas r.+ir th
rcon$,anc of th
"isp+t" lot%
In Poso v. Mi<ares* A%M%
No% RT-:=;:1@2<* A+#+st
;1* ;==;* th S+pr!
Co+rt hl" that th
#nral r+l that it this
"os not r$iw a trial
co+rtIs "cision in an
a"!inistrati$
proc"in# sinc its
!ain concrn thrin is
to "tr!in th thical
rsponsibilitis of
'+"icial con"+ct is not
controllin#% Th facts of
th cas calls for th
/rcis of .+it,
'+ris"iction to th n"
that w rn"r co!plt
'+stic to all affct"
partis% As w ha$ sai"*
5E.+it, as th
co!pl!nt of l#al
'+ris"iction s&s to
rach an" "o co!plt
'+stic whr co+rts* of
law* thro+#h th
infl/ibilit, of thir r+ls
an" want of powr to
a"apt thir '+"#!nts to
th spcial
circ+!stancs of cass*
ar inco!ptnt so to
"o% E.+it, r#ar"s th
spirit of an" not th
lttr* th intnt an" not
th for!* th s+bstanc
rathr than th
circ+!stanc* as it is
$ario+sl, /prss" b,
"iffrnt co+rts%A
In""* a co+rt of .+it,
which has ta&n
'+ris"iction an"
co#niEanc of a ca+s
for an, p+rpos will
or"inaril, rtain
'+ris"iction for all
p+rposs an" awar"
rlif so as to
acco!plish f+ll '+stic
btwn th part,
liti#ants* pr$nt f+t+r
liti#ation an" !a&
prfor!anc of th
co+rtIs "cr prfctl,
saf to thos who !a,
b co!pll" to ob, it%
In this cas* th
rspon"nt -+"# was
not onl, "is!iss" fro!
th sr$ic b+t li&wis
6
his Rsol+tion in th
cri!inal cas r"+cin#
th pnalt, to @ ,ars to
nabl th acc+s" to
a$ail of probation was
consi"r" $oi"% In Cri!%
Cas No% ;?44* th
acc+s" pla"" #+ilt,
to ho!ici" was
sntnc" to ? ,ars* ;
!onths an" 1 "a, of
prision corrccional as
!ini!+! to 3 ,ars an"
1 "a, of prision !a,or
as !a/i!+!% On !otion
for rconsi"ration*
rspon"nt '+"#
!o"ifi" th sntnc to
; ,ars* ? !onths an" 1
"a, of prision
corrccional as
!ini!+! to @ ,ars an"
1 "a, of prision !a,or%
This was f+rthr r"+c"
to ; ,ars* ? !onths an"
1 "a, of prision
corrccional as
!ini!+! to @ ,ars of
prision corrccional as
!a/i!+!* th+s nablin#
th acc+s" to appl, for
probation% Th
Rsol+tion was st:asi"
in th a"!inistrati$
cas%
8;9 ELEMENTS O7
5URISDI&TION6
;1<
5*ris(iction
over te
s*+=ect
'atter or
;/<
5*ris(ictio
n over te
%arties
;><
5*ris(ictio
n over te
res
nat*re o!
te case
It is
confrr" b,
law 8(P
1;29* an"
"os not
"pn" on
th ob'ction
or th acts
or o!issions
of th
partis or
an,on of
th!
[Re(u)lic vs.
+an5alan5,
1"- +,RA
"1"]%

It is not
wai$abl*
/cpt in
cass of
stoppl to
.+stion or
rais
'+ris"iction
[6i<a9 vs.
+i)on5hano
y, !# +,RA
!-]%
It is
"tr!in"
+pon th
all#ations
!a" in th
co!plaint*
irrspcti$
of whthr
th plaintiff
is ntitl" or
not* to
-+ris"iction
o$r th
prson of
th plaintiff
is ac.+ir"
b, th filin#
of th
initiator,
pla"in#*
li& a
co!plaint%

-+ris"iction
o$r th
prson of
th
"fn"ant
is ac.+ir"
b, th
propr
sr$ic of
s+!!ons*
or b, his
$ol+ntar,
apparanc
in co+rt an"
his
s+b!ission
to th
a+thorit, of
th co+rt
[Para9ount
=ndustries
vs. Luna,
148 +,RA
"64]%

It is
ac.+ir" b,
th siE+r
of th thin#
+n"r l#al
procss
whrb, it
is bro+#ht
into act+al
c+sto", of
law* or it
!a, rs+lt
fro! th
instit+tion
of a l#al
proc"in#
whrin th
powr of
th co+rt
o$r th
thin# is
rco#niE"
an" !a"
ffcti$
[Banco>
4s(a?ol
/ili(ino vs.
Palanca, #:
Phil. !-1]%
7
rco$r
+pon th
clai!
assrt"
thrin* a
!attr
rsol$"
onl, aftr
an" as a
rs+lt of th
trial%

Ca+tion sho+l" b /rcis" in
appl,in# th "octrin of lachs or
stal "!an"s in 6i<a9% Th
principl of stoppl as a "fns to
a '+ris"ictional rror is !or of an
/cption rathr than th r+l% In
,ali9li9 v. Ra9ire2* ;=? Phil% ;0
8123;9* th S+pr! Co+rt obsr$"
that 6i<a9 was "$lopin# into a
#nral r+l rathr than as an
/cption% Th+s* in ,ali9li9* th SC
rf+s" to appl, 6i<a9 an" insta"
accor"" s+pr!ac, to th ti!:
honor" principl that th iss+ of
'+ris"iction is not lost b, wai$r or
stoppl%
In /i5ueroa v. Peo(le*
>%R% No% 1?4?=@* -+l, 1?*
;==3* -+stic Nach+ra
r$iw" th "iffrnt
cass in$ol$in# stoppl
b, '+ris"iction an" not"
that th Co+rt itslf has
wa$r" on this%
Nonthlss* w sho+l"
bar in !in" that
stoppl is not fa$or"
bca+s it is in th
nat+r of forfit+r of%
Moro$r* a '+"#!nt
rn"r" witho+t
'+ris"iction o$r th
s+b'ct !attr is $oi"%
;>< ELEMENTS O7 &RIMINAL
5URISDI&TION6
;1<
Territorial
=*ris(iction
;/<
5*ris(ictio
n over te
s*+=ect
'atter
;><
5*ris(ictio
n over te
%erson o!
te
acc*se(
It is
"tr!in"
b, th
#o#raphical
ara o$r
which a
co+rt
prsi"s*
an" th fact
that th
cri! was
co!!itt"*
or an, of its
ssntial
in#r"ints
too& plac
within sai"
ara [@+ vs.
&ueves, !#
Phil. 100]%
It is
"tr!in"
b, th
all#ations
of th
co!plaint
or
infor!ation
in
accor"anc
with th law
in forc at
th ti! of
th
instit+tion
of th
action* not
at th ti!
of its
co!!ission
[@+ vs.
Mallari, !4
Phil. #66]%
It is
ac.+ir" b,
th
$ol+ntar,
apparanc
or
s+rrn"r
of th
acc+s" or
b, his
arrst
[,hoc vs.
Aera, 64
Phil. 1066]%
&LASSES O7 5URISDI&TION6

>nral D powr to a"'+"icat all
contro$rsis /cpt thos /prssl,
withhl" fro! th plnar, powrs of
th co+rt%
8
Spcial or Li!it" D rstricts th
co+rts '+ris"iction onl, to partic+lar
cass an" s+b'ct to s+ch li!itations
as !a, b pro$i"" b, th
#o$rnin# law%
Ori#inal D powr of th co+rt to ta&
'+"icial co#niEanc of a cas
instit+t" for '+"icial action for th
first ti! +n"r con"itions pro$i""
b, law%
Appllat D a+thorit, of a co+rt
hi#hr in ran& to r:/a!in th final
or"r or '+"#!nt of a lowr co+rt
which tri" th cas now l$at"
for '+"icial r$iw%
E/cl+si$ D powr to a"'+"icat a
cas or proc"in# to th /cl+sion
of all othr co+rts at that sta#%
Conc+rrncHConfl+ntHCoor"inat D
powr confrr" +pon "iffrnt
co+rts* whthr of th sa! or
"iffrnt ran&s* to ta& co#niEanc
at th sa! sta# of th sa! cas
in th sa! or "iffrnt '+"icial
trritoris%
D. Nat*re o! $ili%%ine
&o*rts

1. Meanin, o! a
co*rt
Co+rts ar '+"icial trib+nals in
th a"!inistration an" "ispnsation
of '+stic% Th, /ist in $r,
ci$iliE" co+ntr, to rsol$ an" n"
"isp+ts in accor"anc with th law
pacf+ll,* or"rl,* a+thoritati$l,*
"finitl,* an" finall,% A co+rt is a
bo", in th #o$rn!nt to which
th p+blic a"!inistration of '+stic is
"l#at"%
;% &o*rt as
(istin,*ise( !ro' a
=*(,e
Th wor"s 5courts and
<ud5esA ar +s" s,non,!o+sl,
an" intrchan#abl,* #nrall,
spa&in#% (+t thr is an i!portant
"istinction btwn th co+rt* as
an ntit,* an" th prson who
occ+pis th position of a '+"#%
Co+rts !a, /ist witho+t a prsnt
'+"#% Thr !a, b a '+"#
witho+t a co+rt% Th '+"# !a,
bco! "is.+alifi"* b+t s+ch fact
"os not "stro, th co+rt% It
si!pl, !ans that th thr is no
'+"# to act in th co+rt% Th
co+rts of th Philippin Islan"s
wr crat" an" th '+"#s wr
appoint" thrto latr% In a fw
instancs* th '+"#s wr
appoint" bfor th co+rts wr
stablish"% A prson !a, b
appoint" a '+"# an" b assi#n"
to a partic+lar "istrict or co+rt
s+bs.+ntl,% 8Pa!int+an $%
Llornt* >%R% No% L:1=1??* -an+ar,
;4* 12109 -+ris"iction is $st" in
th co+rt an" not in th '+"#%
<. &lassi!ication o!
$ili%%ine co*rts
?. &o*rts o!
ori,inal an( a%%ellate
=*ris(iction
Co+rts of ori#inal '+ris"iction D Thos
whr a cas is ori#inall,
co!!nc"%
9
Appllat co+rts D Thos co+rts
whr a cas is r$iw"%
0% &o*rts o!
,eneral an( s%ecial
=*ris(iction
Co+rts of #nral '+ris"iction D
Co+rts which ta& co#niEanc of all
cass* ci$il or cri!inal* /cpt thos
assi#n" to spcial co+rts an"
co+rts of li!it" '+ris"iction%
Co+rts of spcial '+ris"iction D In
&alandoni v. +arcon* >%R% No% L:@?2@*
-an+ar, ;4* 120?* th SC /plain"
that whn th thn CFI ta&s
co#niEanc of lction protsts* it
acts as co+rts of spcial '+ris"iction%
In this sns* th, ha$ a li!it"
'+ris"iction% Th+s* th CFI has no
'+ris"iction o$r an lction protst
+ntil th spcial facts +pon which it
!a, ta& '+ris"iction ar /prssl,
shown in th !otion of protst%
Thr is no prs+!ption in fa$or of
'+ris"iction of a co+rt of li!it" or
spcial '+ris"iction%
@%
&onstit*tional
an( stat*tory
co*rts
Constit+tional co+rts D Thos
crat" b, th Constit+tion itslf*
e.5.* th S+pr! Co+rt% 8Art% )III*
1234 Constit+tion9
Stat+tor, co+rts D Thos crat" b,
th l#islat+r% Th CA* th RTC* an"
th MTC wr crat" b, (%P% (l#%
1;2* as a!n""%
4% &o*rts o!
la" an( e@*ity
Co+rts ar first an" for!ost
co+rts of law% E.+it, sho+l" b
appli" onl, in th absnc of an,
law #o$rnin# th rlationship
btwn th partis% Whil .+it,
!i#ht tilt on th si" of on part,*
th sa! cannot b nforc" so as
to o$rr+l positi$ pro$isions of law
in fa$or of th othr% E.+it, cannot
s+pplant or contra$n th law% Th
r+l !+st stan" no !attr how
harsh it !a, s!%
o 6a9io v. 6icson, .R. 8o.
1"48-", 8ove9)er 18, !004, 44#
+,RA 44
In this cas* th SC ritrat" th
r+l that a lss is not allow" to
challn# th titl of th lssor% It is
i!!atrial whthr th lssor ha"
an, titl at all to th proprt, at th
ti! th las was co!!nc"%
Cow$r* consi"rin# th pc+liar
circ+!stancs a$ailin# in th cas*
.+it, "!an"s that s+ch r+l b
rla/"% It wo+l" b #rossl, +n'+st if
aftr ha$in# pai" th ownr prior
rntals* ptitionr wo+l" still b
r.+ir" to pa, a#ain th sa!
rntal arrara#s to th lssor for
th lattrIs rtntion of th proprt,
aftr th tr!ination of th s+blas
contract% Not that th s+blas ha"
alra", /pir"* an" that th
arrara#s rfr to a s+bs.+nt
prio" not co$r" b, th sai"
s+blas%
E.+it, as th co!pl!nt of l#al
'+ris"iction s&s to rach an" to
co!plt '+stic whr co+rts of
10
law* thro+#h th infl/ibilit, of thir
r+ls an" want of powr to a"apt
thir '+"#!nts to th spcial
circ+!stancs of cass* ar
inco!ptnt to "o so% E.+it,
r#ar"s th spirit an" not th lttr*
th intnt an" not th for!* th
s+bstanc rathr than th
circ+!stanc* as it is $ario+sl,
/prss" b, "iffrnt co+rts%

Alon2o v. =nter9ediate A((ellate
,ourt, .R. 8o. L>:!8:#, May !8,
1-8:, 1"0 +,RA !"-
Th .+stion is so!ti!s as&"* in
srio+s in.+ir, or in c+rio+s
con'ct+r* whthr w ar a co+rt
of law or a co+rt of '+stic% Do w
appl, th law $n if it is +n'+st or
"o w a"!inistr '+stic $n
a#ainst th lawJ Th+s .+ri"* w
"o not .+i$ocat% Th answr is
that w "o nithr bca+s w ar a
co+rt both of law an" of '+stic% W
appl, th law with '+stic for that is
o+r !ission an" p+rpos in th
sch! of o+r Rp+blic% This cas is
an ill+stration%
This cas in$ol$s th application of
Art% 1=33* which ra"s6 5Sho+l" an,
of th hirs sll his hr"itar, ri#hts
to a stran#r bfor th partition*
an, or all of th co:hirs !a, b
s+bro#at" to th ri#hts of th
p+rchasr b, ri!b+rsin# hi! for
th pric of th sal* pro$i"" th,
"o so within th prio" of on !onth
fro! th ti! th, wr notifi" in
writin# of th sal b, th $n"or%A
-+rispr+"nc /plain" that th
notic !+st b in writin# an" not
!r act+al &nowl"#% Th SC*
whil conc"in# th absnc of an,
writtn notic* co+l" not accpt th
pri$at rspon"ntsK prtns that
th, wr +nawar of th sals
!a" b, thir brothr an" sistr in
12@< an" 12@?% (, r.+irin# writtn
proof of s+ch notic* th co+rts
wo+l" b closin# thir ,s to th
ob$io+s tr+th in fa$or of thir
palpabl, fals clai! of i#noranc*
th+s /altin# th lttr of th law
o$r its p+rpos% Th p+rpos is
clar no+#h6 to !a& s+r that th
r"!ptionrs ar "+l, notifi"% Th
SC was thn satisfi" that in this
cas th othr brothrs an" sistrs
wr act+all, infor!"* altho+#h not
in writin#* of th sals !a" in 12@<
an" 12@?* an" that s+ch notic was
s+fficint%
3% $rinci%le o!
=*(icial ierarcy
Altho+#h th SC* th CA an"
th RTC ha$ conc+rrnt '+ris"iction
to iss+ writs of crtiorari*
prohibition* !an"a!+s* .+o
warranto* habas corp+s* an"
in'+nction* s+ch conc+rrnc "os
not #i$ th ptitionr +nrstrict"
fr"o! of choic of co+rt for+!%
Th conc+rrnc of '+ris"iction is not
to b ta&n as accor"in# to partis
s&in# an, of th writs an absol+t*
+nrstrict" fr"o! of choic of
th co+rt to which application
thrfor will b "irct"% Thr is
aftr all a hirarch, of co+rts% That
hirarch, is "tr!inati$ of th
$n+ of appals* an" also sr$s as
a #nral "tr!inant of th
appropriat for+! for ptitions for
th /traor"inar, writs% A bco!in#
r#ar" for that '+"icial hirarch,
!ost crtainl, in"icats that
ptitions for th iss+anc of
11
/traor"inar, writs a#ainst first l$l
85infriorA9 co+rts sho+l" b fil"
with th R#ional Trial Co+rt* an"
thos a#ainst th lattr* with th
Co+rt of Appals% A "irct in$ocation
of th S+pr! Co+rtIs ori#inal
'+ris"iction to iss+ ths writs
sho+l" b allow" onl, whn thr
ar spcial an" i!portant rasons
thrfor* clarl, an" spcificall, st
o+t in th ptition% This is an
stablish" polic,% It is a polic,
ncssar, to pr$nt inor"inat
"!an"s +pon th Co+rtIs ti! an"
attntion which ar bttr "$ot"
to thos !attrs within its /cl+si$
'+ris"iction* an" to pr$nt f+rthr
o$r:crow"in# of th co+rtIs "oc&t%
8Cha!br of Ral Estat an"
(+il"rs Association* Inc% 8CRE(A9 $%
Scrtar, of A#rarian Rfor!* >%R%
No% 13<?=2* -+n 13* ;=1=9
2% Doctrine o!
non-inter!erence or
(octrine o! =*(icial
sta+ility
DO&TRINE O7 5UDI&IAL
STA)ILITY6 Th "octrin of
'+"icial stabilit, or non:
intrfrnc in th r#+lar or"rs
or '+"#!nts of a co:.+al co+rt*
as an accpt" a/io! in
a"'cti$ law* sr$s as an
ins+r!o+ntabl barrir to th
co!ptnc of a co+rt to
ntrtain a !otion* !+ch lss
iss+ an or"r* rlati$ to a
s+b'ct !attr which is +n"r th
custodia le5is of anothr co+rt b,
$irt+ of a prior writ of
attach!nt% In""* th polic, of
pacf+l co:/istnc a!on#
co+rts of th sa! '+"icial plan*
so to spa&* was aptl, "scrib"
in Parcon vs. ,A, 111 SCRA ;@;6
%%%-+ris"iction is $st" in
th co+rt not in an,
partic+lar branch or
'+"#* an" as a corollar,
r+l* th $ario+s
branchs of th Co+rt of
First Instanc of a
'+"icial "istrict ar a
coor"inat an" co:.+al
co+rts on branch
stan"s on th sa! l$l
as th othr% Un"+
intrfrnc b, on on
th proc"in#s an"
procsss of anothr is
prohibit" b, law% In th
lan#+a# of this Co+rt*
th $ario+s branchs of
th Co+rt of First
Instanc of a pro$inc or
cit,* ha$in# as th,
ha$ th sa! or .+al
a+thorit, an" /rcisin#
as th, "o conc+rrnt
an" coor"inat
'+ris"iction sho+l" not*
cannot* an" ar not
pr!itt" to intrfr
with thir rspcti$
cass* !+ch lss with
thir or"rs or
'+"#!nts%
a. Non-inter!erence in
Associations
Co+rts will not intrfr
with th intrnal affairs
of an +nincorporat"
association so as to
sttl "isp+ts btwn
th !!brs on
.+stion of polic,*
12
"isciplin* or intrnal
#o$rn!nt* so lon# as
th #o$rn!nt of th
socit, is fairl, an"
honstl, a"!inistr" in
confor!it, with its laws
an" th law of th lan"
an" no proprt, or ci$il
ri#hts ar in$a""%
Un"r s+ch
circ+!stancs* th
"cision of th
#o$rnin# bo", or
stablish" pri$at
trib+nal of th
association is bin"in#
an" concl+si$ an" not
s+b'ct to r$iw or
collatral attac& in th
co+rts% 8Lions Cl+b
Intrnational $% A!ors*
1;1 SCRA @;19
b% Non:intrfrnc of co+rts of
coor"inat '+ris"iction
No co+rt has th powr
to intrfr b, in'+nction
with th '+"#!nts or
or"rs of anothr co+rt
of conc+rrnt '+ris"iction
ha$in# th powr to
#rant th rlif so+#ht
b, in'+nction% This
"octrin of non:
intrfrnc is pr!is"
on th principl that a
'+"#!nt of a co+rt of
co!ptnt '+ris"iction
!a, not b opn"*
!o"ifi" or $acat" b,
an, co+rt of conc+rrnt
'+ris"iction% For
/a!pl* cass whrin
an /c+tion or"r has
bn iss+"* ar still
pn"in#* so that all th
proc"in#s on th
/c+tion ar still
proc"in#s in th s+it%
Sinc a partic+lar co+rt
ha" alra", ac.+ir"
'+ris"iction o$r th
collction s+it an"
rn"r" '+"#!nt in
rlation thrto* it
rtain" '+ris"iction to
th /cl+sion of all othr
coor"inat co+rts o$r
its '+"#!nt* incl+"in#
all inci"nts rlati$ to
th control an" con"+ct
of its !inistrial officrs*
na!l, th shriffs%
Th+s* th iss+anc b,
anothr RTC of th writ
of prli!inar, in'+nction
in was a clar act of
intrfrnc with th
'+"#!nt of (acolo"
RTC% 8>o $% Clr& of
Co+rt an" E/:Officio
Shriff of N#ros
Occi"ntal* >%R% No%
10?@;<* March 1<*
;==29
II. 5*ris(iction
A. 5*ris(iction over
te %arties
1. 8o"
=*ris(iction over te
%lainti!! is ac@*ire(
-+ris"iction is ac.+ir"
o$r th prson of th plaintiff
an" th s+b'ct !attr b, th
filin# of th co!plaint or
ptition% An action or
proc"in# is co!!nc" b,
13
th filin# of th co!plaint or
othr initiator, pla"in#% (,
that act* th '+ris"iction of th
co+rt o$r th s+b'ct !attr
or nat+r of th action or
proc"in# is in$o&" or
call" into acti$it, an" it is
th+s* that th co+rt ac.+irs
'+ris"iction o$r th s+b'ct
!attr or nat+r of th action%
It is b, that slf:sa! act of
th plaintiff or ptitionr of
filin# th co!plaint or ptition
b, which h si#nifis his
s+b!ission to th co+rtIs
powr an" a+thorit, that
'+ris"iction is ac.+ir" b, th
Co+rt o$r his prson%
;% 8o"
=*ris(iction over te
(e!en(ant is ac@*ire(
-+ris"iction o$r th
prson of th "fn"ant is
obtain" b, th sr$ic of
s+!!ons or othr corci$
procss +pon hi! or b, his
$ol+ntar, s+b!ission to th
a+thorit, of th co+rt%
). 5*ris(iction over
te s*+=ect 'atter
-+ris"iction o$r th
s+b'ct or nat+r of action is
confrr" b, law% It is proprl,
in$o&" b, filin# th co!plaint
or infor!ation%
1. Meanin, o!
=*ris(iction over
te s*+=ect
'atter
Cas6 Locsin v. 8issan Lease Phils.
=nc.* >%R% No% 1300@4* Octobr ;=*
;=1= D concpt of pri!ac, to th
l!nt of '+ris"iction
Locsin* at th ti! of his
s$ranc fro! Nissan* was th
lattrIs corporat officr% >i$n
LocsinIs stat+s as a corporat
officr* th RTC* not th Labor
Arbitr or th NLRC* has '+ris"iction
to har th l#alit, of th
tr!ination of his rlationship with
Nissan%
In this cas* th SC #a$
prc"nc to th !rits of th cas
an" pri!ac, to th l!nt of
'+ris"iction% -+ris"iction is th powr
to har an" r+l on a cas an" is th
thrshol" l!nt that !+st /ist
bfor an, .+asi:'+"icial officr can
act% Th Labor Arbitr "os not
ha$ '+ris"iction o$r th
tr!ination "isp+t Locsin bro+#ht*
an" sho+l" not b allow" to
contin+ to act on th cas aftr th
absnc of '+ris"iction has bco!
ob$io+s* bas" on th rcor"s an"
th law* $n if thr was a
proc"+ral flaw in .+stionin# th
'+ris"iction of th Labor Arbitr% In
!or practical tr!s* a contrar,
r+lin# will onl, ca+s s+bstantial
"la, an" incon$ninc as wll as
+nncssar, /pnss* to th point
of in'+stic* to th partis% This
concl+sion* of co+rs* "os not #o
into th !rits of tr!ination of
rlationship an" is witho+t pr'+"ic
to th filin# of an intra:corporat
"isp+t on this point bfor th
appropriat RTC%
14
,ivil +ervice ,o99ission v. Andal*
>R% No% 1304?2* Dc!br 1@* ;==2
D '+ris"iction o$r co+rt prsonnl
In pr$io+s cass* th Ci$il Sr$ic
Co!!ission rco#niE" th
"isciplinar, '+ris"iction of th
S+pr! Co+rt o$r co+rt
prsonnl% This is consonant with
Sction @* Articl )III of th 1234
Constit+tion $stin# in th S+pr!
Co+rt a"!inistrati$ s+pr$ision
o$r all co+rts an" th prsonnl
throf% Th+s6 5Sc% @% Th S+pr!
Co+rt shall ha$ a"!inistrati$
s+pr$ision o$r all co+rts an" th
prsonnl throf%A (, $irt+ of this
powr* it is onl, th S+pr! Co+rt
that can o$rs th '+"#sI an"
co+rt prsonnlIs a"!inistrati$
co!plianc with all laws* r+ls an"
r#+lations% No othr branch of
#o$rn!nt !a, intr+" into this
powr* witho+t r+nnin# afo+l of th
"octrin of sparation of powrs%
ReB Crder dated !1 0ece9)er !006
issued )y &ud5e Boni7acio +an2
Maceda, R6, Las Pinas Branch !:"
sus(endin5 Loida M. ena)e, Le5al
Researcher, sa9e court* A%M% =4:;:
2<:RTC* Octobr ;2* ;==2 D not $n
prsi"in# '+"# has "isciplinar,
a+thorit, o$r his prsonnl
Th #+i"lins in ffct at that ti!
th cas happn" wr alra",
thos fo+n" in A%M% No% =<:3:=;:SC*
which too& ffct in ;==? or two
,ars bfor th a"!inistrati$
char# of n#lct of "+t, was !a"
a#ainst >nab% -+"# Mac"a
sho+l" ha$ appli" ths nw
#+i"lins an" not Circ+lar No% <=:
21%
Sction 1* Chaptr )III of A%M% No%
=<:3:=;:SC* which pro$i"s th
#+i"lins for a"!inistrati$
"isciplin of co+rt !plo,s o$r
li#ht offnss* stats6
SECTION% 1%
Disciplinar, '+ris"iction
o$r li#ht offnss%D Th
E/c+ti$ -+"# shall
ha$ a+thorit, to act
+pon an" in$sti#at
a"!inistrati$
co!plaints in$ol$in#
li#ht offnss as "fin"
+n"r th Ci$il Sr$ic
Law an" R+ls
8A"!inistrati$ Co" of
12349* an" th Co" of
Con"+ct an" Ethical
Stan"ar"s for P+blic
Officials an" E!plo,s
8Rp+blic Act No% @41<9*
whr th pnalt, is
rpri!an"* s+spnsion
for not !or than thirt,
8<=9 "a,s* or a fin not
/c"in# thirt, 8<=9
"a,sI salar,* an" as
classifi" in prtinnt
Ci$il Sr$ic rsol+tions
or iss+ancs* fil" b, 8a9
a '+"# a#ainst a co+rt
!plo,* /cpt
law,rs* who both wor&
in th sa! station
within th E/c+ti$
-+"#Is ara of
a"!inistrati$
s+pr$isionG or 8b9 a
co+rt !plo, a#ainst
anothr co+rt !plo,*
/cpt law,rs* who
both wor& in th sa!
station within th
E/c+ti$ -+"#Is ara
15
of a"!inistrati$
s+pr$ision%
In th prc"in# instancs* th
E/c+ti$ -+"# shall con"+ct th
ncssar, in.+ir, an" s+b!it to th
Offic of th Co+rt A"!inistrator th
rs+lts throf with a
rco!!n"ation as to th action to
b ta&n thron* incl+"in# th
pnalt, to b i!pos"* if an,* within
thirt, 8<=9 "a,s fro! tr!ination of
sai" in.+ir,% At hisHhr "iscrtion*
th E/c+ti$ -+"# !a, "l#at
th in$sti#ation of co!plaints
in$ol$in# li#ht offnss to an, of th
Prsi"in# -+"#s or co+rt officials
within hisHhr ara of a"!inistrati$
s+pr$ision%
In th cas of a co!plaint 8a9 fil"
a#ainst co+rt !plo,s who ar
law,rs* or 8b9 fil" b, pri$at
co!plainants a#ainst co+rt
!plo,s* law,rs an" non:law,rs
ali&* th sa! shall b forwar""
b, th E/c+ti$ -+"# to th Offic
of th Co+rt A"!inistrator for
appropriat action an" "isposition% /
/ / 8E!phasis s+ppli"9
Th #+i"lins clarl, pro$i" that
th a+thorit, of '+"#s to "isciplin
rrin# co+rt prsonnl* +n"r thir
s+pr$ision an" char#" with li#ht
offnss* is li!it" to con"+ctin# an
in.+ir, onl,% Aftr s+ch in.+ir,* th
/c+ti$ '+"# is r.+ir" to
s+b!it to th OCA th rs+lts of th
in$sti#ation an" #i$ a
rco!!n"ation as to what action
sho+l" b ta&n% An /c+ti$ '+"#
"os not ha$ th a+thorit, to act
+pon th rs+lts of th in.+ir, an"
thraftr* if th co+rt !plo, is
fo+n" #+ilt,* +nilatrall, i!pos a
pnalt,* as in this cas% It is onl, th
S+pr! Co+rt which has th powr
to fin" th co+rt prsonnl #+ilt, or
not for th offns char#" an" thn
i!pos a pnalt,%
In th prsnt cas* -+"# Mac"a
s+spn"" >nab for th offns
of n#lct of "+t,% Un"r Sction
0;8(9* R+l I) of th R$is"
Unifor! R+ls on A"!inistrati$
Cass in th Ci$il Sr$ic* si!pl
n#lct of "+t, is a lss #ra$
offns which carris a pnalt, of
on !onth an" on "a, to si/
!onths s+spnsion for th first
offns% Un"r A%M% No% =<:3:=;:SC*
an /c+ti$ '+"# !a, onl,
con"+ct an in$sti#ation for all
offnss% Aftr th in$sti#ation* th
/c+ti$ '+"# is !an"at" to rfr
th ncssar, "isciplinar, action to
this Co+rt for appropriat action%
;% 5*ris(iction
vers*s te e0ercise o!
=*ris(iction
-+ris"iction is confrr"
b, s+bstanti$ law whil th
/rcis of '+ris"iction +nlss
othrwis pro$i"" b, th law
itslf is #o$rn" b, th R+ls
of Co+rt or b, th or"rs
iss+" fro! ti! to ti! b,
th S+pr! Co+rt%
Whr thr is
'+ris"iction o$r th prson
an" th s+b'ct !attr* th
"cision of all othr .+stions
arisin# in th cas is b+t an
/rcis of that '+ris"iction%
<% Error o!
=*ris(iction as
16
(istin,*ise( !ro'
error o! =*(,'ent
Aftr a co+rt has
obtain" '+ris"iction o$r th
partis an" th s+b'ct !attr
of th action* th fail+r to
#i$ notic of s+bs.+nt
stps in th proc"in#s "os
not "pri$ th co+rt of
'+ris"iction% If s+bstantial
in'+r, rs+lts fro! th fail+r
of notic an" co!plaint is "+l,
!a" throf* th act of th
co+rt !a, b hl" to b
rrono+s an" will b
corrct" in th propr
proc"in# b+t is not an act
witho+t or in /css of
'+ris"iction an" is not $oi"%
Th tr! /css of
'+ris"iction si#nifis that th
co+rt* boar" or officr has
'+ris"iction o$r a cas b+t
transcn"" th sa! or
act" witho+t a+thorit,%
?. 8o"
=*ris(iction is
con!erre( an(
(eter'ine(
Onl, th Constit+tion or law confrs
'+ris"iction o$r th s+b'ct !attr%
It cannot b fi/" b, th will of
partisG it cannot b ac.+ir"
thro+#h* or wai$"* nlar#" or
"i!inish" b,* an, act or o!ission
of th partis%
On th othr han"* what "tr!ins
th nat+r of th action as wll as
th co+rt* which has '+ris"iction o$r
th cas* is th all#ation !a" b,
th plaintiff in his co!plaint%
ustilo v. ustilo* >%R% No% 140?24*
Octobr 12* ;=11* @02 SCRA @12
Ptitionr Mar, -o, Ann an"
rspon"nt -os )icnt III ar
chil"rn of th lat Att,% Ar!an"o
>+stilo with "iffrnt !othrs% Th
"c"nt own" s$ral proprtis
an" was th prsi"nt of A%>% A#ro:
In"+strial Corporation in Ca"iE Cit,*
N#ros Occi"ntal% Followin# thir
fathrIs "ath* Mar, -o, an" -os
)icnt ntr" into a M!oran"+!
of A#r!nt 8MOA9* a"'+"icatin#
btwn th!sl$s thir fathrIs
proprtis% On of ths was
Cacin"a I!l"a* which th MOA
assi#n" to Mar, -o,% Cow$r* th
hacin"aIs titl r!ain" in th
na! of A%>% A#ro% Mar, -o,
i!!"iatl, too& possssion of th
lan" an" plant" s+#arcan on it% In
1224 -os )icnt* as prsi"nt of
A%>% A#ro* las" Cacin"a I!l"a
an" its far! i!pl!nts to
rspon"nt Tita S, Lo+n# for fi$
a#ric+lt+ral crop ,ars fro! 1224
+ntil ;==;% (in# financiall, har" +p*
Mar, -o, co+l" not "o an,thin#
abo+t it% Whn th las contract
was abo+t to /pir* Mar, -o,
a"$is" Lo+n# to s+rrn"r th lan"
to hr% (+t th lattr rf+s" to
,il" possssion an" contin+" to
c+lti$at th sa! for s+#arcan%
This pro!pt" Mar, -o, to fil an
action a#ainst -os )icnt an"
Lo+n# for rco$r, of possssion of
th hacin"a* cancllation of th
las contract* an" "a!a#s bfor
th R#ional Trial Co+rt 8RTC9 of
Ca"iE Cit,% -os )icnt fil" a
!otion to "is!iss !ainl, on th
#ro+n" that th Ca"iE RTC ha" no
'+ris"iction to har an" "ci" intra:
17
corporat "isp+ts* th propr
for+! bin# a spciall, "si#nat"
co!!rcial co+rt%

(oth th RTC an" CA r+l" in fa$or
of -os )icnt an" "is!iss" th
co!plaint for lac& of '+ris"iction
witho+t pr'+"ic to th r:filin# of
th cas in th propr co+rt%

ISSUE6 Whthr or not Mar, -o,Is
action prsnts an intra:corporat
"isp+t that blon#s to th
'+ris"iction of a spciall, "si#nat"
co!!rcial co+rt%

RULIN>6 It is a basic r+l that
'+ris"iction o$r th s+b'ct !attr
is "tr!in" b, th all#ations in
th co!plaint% It can b #lan"
fro! Mar, -o,Is all#ations in hr
co!plaint that hr cas is principall,
on for rco$r, of possssion%
I!!"iatl, +pon th /c+tion of
th MOA in 122<* Mar, -o, too&
possssion of Cacin"a I!l"a an"
start" plantin# s+#arcan on it% In
1224 Lo+n#* with th +s of forc*
too& o$r th proprt, with th far!
.+ip!nt an" i!pl!nts% Dspit
s$ral "!an"s to $acat an"
s+rrn"r Cacin"a I!l"a* Lo+n#
contin+" to c+lti$at an" plant
s+#arcans on th proprt, +p to
;==;* an" $n ntr" into a nw
las contract with -os )icnt%
Accor"in# to th SC* r#ar"lss of
th act+al con"ition of th titl to
th proprt,* th part, in pacabl
.+it possssion shall not b t+rn"
o+t b, a stron# han"* $iolnc or
trror% Th+s* a part, who can pro$
prior possssion can rco$r s+ch
possssion $n a#ainst th ownr
hi!slf% What$r !a, b th
charactr of his prior possssion* if
h has in his fa$or priorit, in ti! h
is ntitl" to r!ain on th proprt,
+ntil a prson ha$in# a bttr ri#ht
lawf+ll, 'cts hi!%

Cr* -os )icnt an" Lo+n# !ainl,
ar#+" in thir Motion to Dis!iss
that inas!+ch as th s+b'ct
proprt, is in th na! of A%>% A#ro*
th nat+r of th clai! or
contro$rs, is on of intra:
corporat% Th Co+rt has r+l" in th
past that an action to rco$r
possssion is a plnar, action in an
or"inar, ci$il proc"in# to
"tr!in th bttr an" l#al ri#ht
to possss* in"pn"ntl, of titl%
(+t whr th partis rais th iss+
of ownrship* as in this cas* th
co+rts !a, pass +pon s+ch iss+ to
"tr!in who btwn th partis
has th ri#ht to possss th
proprt,% This a"'+"ication*
how$r* is not final an" bin"in# as
r#ar"s th iss+ of ownrshipG it is
!rl, for th p+rpos of rsol$in#
th iss+ of possssion whn it is
insparabl, connct" to th iss+
of ownrship% Th a"'+"ication on
th iss+ of ownrship* bin#
pro$isional* is not a bar to an action
btwn th sa! partis in$ol$in#
titl to th proprt,% Also* an, intra:
corporat iss+s that !a, b
in$ol$" in "tr!inin# th ral
ownr of th proprt, !a, b
thrsh" o+t in a sparat
proc"in# in th propr
co!!rcial co+rt%
0. Doctrine o!
%ri'ary =*ris(iction
NON-E98AUSTIONO7
ADMINISTRATIVE REMEDIES
18
It is inc+!bnt +pon th
part, who has an
a"!inistrati$ r!",
to p+rs+ th sa! to
its appropriat
concl+sion bfor
s&in# '+"icial
intr$ntion% Th Co+rt
has consistntl,
ritrat" th rational
bhin" th "octrin of
th /ha+stion of
a"!inistrati$ r!"is6
On of th rasons for
th "octrin of
/ha+stion is th
sparation of powrs*
which n'oins +pon th
-+"iciar, a bco!in#
polic, of non:
intrfrnc with
!attrs co!in#
pri!aril, 8albit not
/cl+si$l,9 within th
co!ptnc of th othr
"part!nts% Th thor,
is that th
a"!inistrati$
a+thoritis ar in a
bttr position to
rsol$ .+stions
a""rss" to thir
partic+lar /prtis an"
that rrors co!!itt"
b, s+bor"inats in thir
rsol+tion !a, b
rctifi" b, thir
s+priors if #i$n a
chanc to "o so7 It !a,
b a""" that strict
nforc!nt of th r+l
co+l" also rli$ th
co+rts of a consi"rabl
n+!br of a$oi"abl
cass which othrwis
wo+l" b+r"n thir
ha$il, loa"" "oc&ts%
Th fail+r to /ha+st
a"!inistrati$ r!"is*
how$r* "os not affct
th '+ris"iction of th
co+rt% Non:/ha+stion of
a"!inistrati$ r!"is
onl, rn"rs th action
pr!at+r* that th
5clai!" ca+s of action
is not rip for '+"icial
"tr!ination%A 8Mri"a
Watrwor&s District $%
(acarro* >%R% No%
1@022<* Spt!br <=*
;==39
$RIN&I$LE O7 $RIMARY
5URISDI&TION
It !a, occ+r that th
Co+rt has '+ris"iction to
ta& co#niEanc of a
partic+lar cas* which
!ans that th !attr
in$ol$" is also '+"icial
in charactr% Cow$r* if
th cas is s+ch that its
"tr!ination r.+irs
th /prtis*
spcialiE" s&ills an"
&nowl"# of th propr
a"!inistrati$ bo"is
bca+s tchnical
!attrs or intricat
.+stions of fact ar
in$ol$"* thn rlif
!+st first b obtain" in
an a"!inistrati$
proc"in# bfor a
r!", will b s+ppli"
b, th co+rts $n
tho+#h th !attr is
19
within th propr
'+ris"iction of th co+rt%
8Pi!ntl $% Snat
Co!!itt as a Whol*
>%R% No% 13441?* March
3* ;=119
This prcl+"s co+rts
fro! rsol$in#* in th
first instanc*
contro$rsis fallin#
+n"r th '+ris"iction of
a"!inistrati$ a#ncis%
Co+rts rco#niE that
a"!inistrati$ a#ncis
ar bttr .+ipp" to
sttl fact+al iss+s
within thir spcific fil"
of /prtis bca+s of
thir spcial s&ills an"
tchnical &nowl"#% For
this rason* a pr!at+r
in$ocation of th co+rtIs
'+"icial powr is oftn
str+c& "own* +nlss it
can b shown that th
cas falls +n"r an, of
th applicabl
/cptions% 8Cab+n#cal
$% LornEo* >%R% No%
1@=<@4* Dc!br 13*
;==29
-+stic Crrra !phasiE" that th
"octrins of pri!ar, '+ris"iction an"
fail+r to /ha+st a"!inistrati$
r!"is ar not s,non,!o+s an"
sho+l" b "istin#+ish" fro! on
anothr% In US $% Wstrn Pac% R%R%*
<0; U%S% 02 8120@9* -+stic Carlan
/plain" that /ha+stion applis
whr a clai! is co#niEabl in th
first instanc b, an a"!inistrati$
a#nc, alonG '+"icial intrfrnc is
withhl" +ntil th a"!inistrati$
procss has r+l" its co+rs% Pri!ar,
'+ris"iction on th othr han"
applis whr a clai! is ori#inall,
co#niEabl b, th co+rts an" co!s
into pla, whn$r nforc!nt of
th clai! r.+irs th rsol+tion of
iss+s which +n"r a r#+lator,
sch! ha$ bn plac" within th
spcial co!ptnc of an
a"!inistrati$ bo",G in s+ch a cas
th '+"icial procss is s+spn""
pn"in# rfrral of s+ch iss+s to
th a"!inistrati$ bo", for its
$iws%
In Tass, $% (r+nswic&* th Co+rt hl"
that th prtinnt .+stion to as& is
whthr rfrral to th a#nc, is
ncssar, to pro!ot +nifor!it,
an" whthr th a#nc,Is /prtis
wo+l" assist th co+rt in rsol$in#
"iffic+lt fact+al iss+s% Si!pl, p+t*
th pri!ar, '+ris"iction "octrin
as&s whthr an a#nc,Is r$iw of
th facts will b a !atrial ai" to th
co+rt +lti!atl, char#" with
appl,in# thos facts to th law%
A. Doctrine o!
a(erence o!
=*ris(iction
RULE OF ADCERENCE OF
-URISDICTION D Aftr its '+ris"iction
attach"* this '+ris"iction cannot b
o+st" b, s+bs.+nt $nts s+ch
as th t!porar, transfr of
$i"nc an" !atrial rcor"s of th
proc"in#s to anothr trib+nal
/rcisin# its own '+ris"iction o$r
anothr lction contst p+rs+ant to
th Constit+tion% This is th r+l of
a"hrnc of '+ris"iction% 8Mn"oEa
$% Co!lc* >%R% No% 133<=3*
Octobr 10* ;==29
20
INSTANCES WCEN A COURT MAL
LOSE -URISDICTION E)EN IF IT CAS
(EEN ATTACCED TO IT6
1Whn a s+bs.+nt law pro$i"s a
prohibition for th contin+"
/rcis of '+ris"iction [Rillora2a
vs. Arcia5a, !1 +,RA :1:]%
;Whr th law pnaliEin# an act
which is p+nishabl is rpal" b,
a s+bs.+nt law% Th rason is
that th Stat loss th powr to
prosc+t whn th law is
rpal"* hnc* th co+rt has no
!or powr to "ci" [Peo(le vs.
Pastor, :: Phil. 1000]%
<Whn acc+s" is "pri$" of his
constit+tional ri#ht s+ch as whr
th co+rt fails to pro$i" co+nsl
for th acc+s" who is +nabl to
obtain on an" "os not
intlli#ntl, wai$ his constit+tional
ri#ht [,have2 vs. ,A, !4 +,RA 66#]%
?Whn th proc"in#s in th co+rt
ac.+irin# '+ris"iction is tr!inat"*
aban"on" or "clar" $oi" [+even
vs. Pichay, 108 Phil. 41-]%
0Whn th stat+t /prssl,
pro$i"s* or is constr+" to th
ffct that it intn"" to oprat as
to actions pn"in# bfor its
nact!nt [Ben52on vs. =ncion5,
-1 +,RA !84]%
@Onc appal has bn prfct"
[Al9a vs. A))as, 18 +,RA 8#6]%
4Whn th law is c+rati$ [arcia
vs. Martine2, -0 +,RA ##1]%
4. O+=ections
to =*ris(iction over te s*+=ect
'atter
Lhuillier v. British Air.ays, >%R% No%
141=2;* March 10* ;=1=
Lh+illir fil" a co!plaint for
"a!a#s a#ainst (ritish Airwa,s
bfor RTC of Ma&ati% (ritish Airwa,s
!o$" to "is!iss th co!plaint on
th #ro+n"s of lac& of '+ris"iction
o$r th cas bas" on th Warsaw
Con$ntion% Accor"in# to SC* th
Warsaw Con$ntion has th forc
an" ffct of law in this co+ntr,% It
applis bca+s th air tra$l whr
th all#" tortio+s con"+ct
occ+rr" was btwn th UM an"
Ital,* which ar both si#natoris to
th Con$ntion% Sinc th
Con$ntion applis* thn th
'+ris"iction o$r th s+b'ct !attr
of th action is #o$rn" b, th
pro$isions throf% Un"r Articl ;3
819 of th Con$ntion* th plaintiff
!a, brin# th action for "a!a#s
bfor6 8a9 th co+rt whr th
carrir is "o!icil"G 8b9 th co+rt
whr th carrir has its principal
plac of b+sinssG 8c9 th co+rt
whr th carrir has an
stablish!nt b, which th contract
has bn !a"G or* 8c9 th co+rt of
th plac of "stination%
In this cas* (ritish Airwa,s is
"o!icil" in UM with Lon"on as its
principal plac of b+sinss% It
appars that th tic&t was iss+" in
Ro!* Ital, an" th plac of
"stination is also Ro!* Ital,%
Lh+illir thrfor has th option to
brin# hr cas bfor th co+rts of
Ro! in Ital, or in Lon"on* UM% Th
RTC of Ma&ati "i" not ha$
21
'+ris"iction o$r th cas fil" b,
Lh+illir%
Machado v. atdula* >%R% No%
10@;34* Fbr+ar, 1@* ;=1=
Th cas in$ol$" th '+ris"iction of
th Co!!ission on Sttl!nt of
Lan" Probl!s 8COSLAP9% Un"r EO
0@1* th COSLAP !a, in th
followin# cass* ass+! '+ris"iction
an" rsol$ lan" probl!s or
"isp+ts which ar critical an"
/plosi$ in nat+r consi"rin# for
instanc th lar# n+!br of th
partis in$ol$"* th prsnc or
!r#nc of social tnsion or
+nrst* or othr si!ilar critical
sit+ations r.+irin# i!!"iat
action6 8a9 btwn
occ+pantsHs.+attrs an" past+r
las a#r!nt hol"rs or ti!br
concssionairsG 8b9 btwn
occ+pantsHs.+attrs an"
#o$rn!nt rsr$ation #rantsG
8c9 btwn occ+pantsHs.+attrs
an" p+blic lan" clai!ants or
applicantsG 8"9 Ptitions for
classification* rlas an"Hor
s+b"i$ision of lan"s of th p+blic
"o!ainG an"* 89 othr si!ilar lan"
probl!s of #ra$ +r#nc, an"
!a#nit+"% In this cas* how$r*
th proprtis in$ol$" in th
"isp+t ar pri$at lan"s own" b,
pri$at partis* non of who is a
s.+attr* a patnt las a#r!nt
hol"r* a #o$rn!nt rsr$ation
#rant* a p+blic lan" clai!ant or a
!!br of an, c+lt+ral !inorit,%
Moro$r* th "isp+t btwn th
partis can har"l, b classifi" as
critical or /plosi$ in nat+r that
wo+l" #nrat social tnsion or
+nrst* or a critical sit+ation that
wo+l" r.+ir i!!"iat an" +r#nt
action% Th iss+s rais" in th cas
pri!aril, in$ol$ th application of
th Ci$il Co" pro$isions on Proprt,
an" th Eas!nt of Ri#ht of Wa,%
-+ris"iction o$r a s+b'ct !attr is
confrr" b, law an" not b, th
partisI action or con"+ct% Estoppl
#nrall, "os not confr
'+ris"iction o$r a ca+s of action to
a trib+nal whr non* b, law*
/ists%
Th opration of th principl of
stoppl on th .+stion of
'+ris"iction "pn"s +pon whthr
th lowr co+rt act+all, ha"
'+ris"iction or not% If it ha" no
'+ris"iction* b+t th cas was tri"
an" "ci"" +pon th thor, that it
ha" '+ris"iction* th partis ar not
barr"* on appal* fro! assailin#
s+ch '+ris"iction* for th sa! !+st
/ist as a !attr of law* an" !a,
not b confrr" b, consnt of th
partis or b, stoppl% Cow$r* if
th lowr co+rt ha" '+ris"iction* an"
th cas was har" an" "ci""
+pon a #i$n thor,* s+ch* for
instanc* as that th co+rt ha" no
'+ris"iction* th part, who in"+c" it
to a"opt s+ch thor, will not b
pr!itt"* on appal* to ass+! an
inconsistnt position D that th lowr
co+rt ha" '+ris"iction% Cr* th
principl of stoppl applis% Th
r+l that '+ris"iction is confrr" b,
law an" "os not "pn" +pon th
will of th partis* has no barin#
thron%
3. E!!ect o!
esto%%el on
o+=ections to
=*ris(iction
22
1u*an =nternational ,or(. v. $on.
Reyes* >%R% No% 13;4;2* Spt!br
;2* ;=1=
In this cas* '+"#!nt was rn"r"
a#ainst M+&an Inc% Whn th
"cision bca! final* a writ of
/c+tion was iss+" a#ainst it% Th
Shriff thn l$i" on $ario+s
prsonal proprtis fo+n" at what
was s+ppos" to b M+&+n Inc%Is
offic% M+&an Intrnational Corp%
thn fil" an Affi"a$it of Thir":Part,
Clai!% Plaintiff insist" that appl,in#
th principl of pircin# th $il of
corporat fiction* /c+tion sho+l"
proc" $n a#ainst M+&an
Intrnational Corp% It f+rthr ar#+"
that th filin# of th Affi"a$it an"
s+bs.+nt pla"in#s a!o+nts to
$ol+ntar, s+b!ission to th
'+ris"iction of th co+rt%
Th pr$ailin# r+l is La 8aval 0ru5
v. ,ourt o7 A((eals* ;<@ SCRA 43*
whr SC hl" that a spcial
apparanc bfor th co+rt
challn#in# its '+ris"iction o$r th
prson thro+#h a !otion to "is!iss
$n if th !o$ant in$o&s othr
#ro+n"s is not tanta!o+nt to
stoppl or wai$r b, th !o$ant of
his ob'ction to '+ris"iction o$r his
prson an" s+ch is not constit+ti$
of a $ol+ntar, s+b!ission to th
'+ris"iction of th co+rt%
Th principl of pircin# th $il of
corporat fiction an" th rs+ltin#
trat!nt of two rlat"
corporations as on an" th sa!
'+ri"ical prson with rspct to a
#i$n transaction* is basicall,
appli" onl, to "tr!in
stablish" liabilit,G it is not
a$ailabl to confr on th co+rt a
'+ris"iction it has not ac.+ir"* in
th first plac* o$r a part, not
i!pla"" in a cas% Elswis p+t* a
corporation not i!pla"" in a s+it
cannot b s+b'ct to th co+rtIs
procss of pircin# th $il of its
corporat fiction% In that sit+ation*
th co+rt has not ac.+ir"
'+ris"iction o$r th corporation an"
hnc* an, proc"in# ta&n
a#ainst th corporation an" its
proprt, wo+l" infrin# on its ri#ht
to "+ procss%
&. 5*ris(iction over
te iss*es
An /prssion +s" to "irct th
attntion to whthr th iss+ bin#
tri" an" "ci"" is within th
iss+s rais" b, th pla"in#s%
-+ris"iction o$r th s+b'ct is
confrr" b, law whil th
'+ris"iction o$r th iss+s is
confrr" b, th pla"in#s an" is
confrr" +pon b, th partis an"
!a, thrfor b wai$" s+ch as
whn an iss+ not rais" in th
pla"in#s is tri" b, i!pli"
consnt%
Not Sc% 0* R+l 1=6 A9end9ent to
con7or9 to or authori2e
(resentation o7 evidence% D Whn
iss+s not rais" b, th pla"in#s
ar tri" with th /prss or i!pli"
consnt of th partis* th, shall b
trat" in all rspcts as if th, ha"
bn rais" in th pla"in#s7 If
$i"nc is ob'ct" to at th trial
on th #ro+n" that it is not within
th iss+s !a" b, th pla"in#s*
th co+rt !a, allow th pla"in#s to
b a!n"" an" shall "o so with
libralit, if th prsntation of th
23
!rits of th action an" th n"s of
s+bstantial '+stic will b s+bsr$"
thrb,7
D. 5*ris(iction over
te res or %ro%erty in
liti,ation
Th co+rt cannot ac.+ir '+ris"iction
o$r th prson of a non:rsi"nt
"fn"ant% Procss sr$" b, th
co+rt is not nforcabl b,on" th
trritorial li!its of th Philippins%
An action !a, b fil" a#ainst a
non:rsi"nt "fn"ant which
affcts th prsonal stat+s of th
plaintiff or for th p+rpos of
proc"in# a#ainst th proprt, of a
non:rsi"nt "fn"ant s+ch as
forclos+r of !ort#a# or to obtain
a writ of attach!nt +n"r Sction
10* R+l 1?% (+t in s+ch cass*
'+ris"iction o$r th prson of th
"fn"ant is i!!atrial so lon# as
th co+rt ac.+irs '+ris"iction o$r
th res.
-+ris"iction o$r th prson of th
"fn"ant is ssntial in actions in
(ersona9 not in actions in re9 or
'uasi in re9 so lon# as th co+rt
"os not rn"r prsonal '+"#!nt
a#ainst th "fn"ant% Th+s* an
action to forclos a !ort#a#
a#ainst a non:rsi"nt "fn"ant
+pon who! sr$ic has bn
ffct" /cl+si$l, b, p+blication is
$ali" b+t no prsonal '+"#!nt for
th "ficinc, can b ntr"%
-+ris"iction o$r th res is ac.+ir"
ithr6 8a9 b, th siE+r of th
proprt, +n"r l#al procss
whrb, it is bro+#ht into act+al
c+sto", of law D act+al siE+r !a,
b ffct" b, attach!nt
proc"in#sG or 8b9 it !a, rs+lt
fro! th instit+tion of l#al
proc"in#s whrin +n"r spcial
pro$isions of law* th powr of th
co+rt is rco#niE" an" !a"
ffcti$ D E/a!pl6 lan"
r#istration cass or probat
proc"in#s whr '+ris"iction is
obtain" b, co!plianc with
proc"+ral r.+isits s+ch as
p+blication% Lac& of notic in a lan"
r#istration cas confrs no
'+ris"iction to th co+rt%
E% 5*ris(iction o!
&o*rts
1. S*%re'e
&o*rt
5URISDI&TION O7 T8E SU$REME
&OURT ;S&<6
1% Cass affctin# a!bassa"ors*
othr p+blic !inistrs an"
cons+ls* an" othr ptitions
for certiorari* prohibition*
!an"a!+s* 'uo .arranto* an"
habas corp+s%
;% All cass in$ol$in# th
constit+tionalit, of a trat,*
intrnational or /c+ti$
a#r!nt* or law* which shall
b har" b, th SC en )anc*
an" all othr cass which
+n"r th R+ls of Co+rt ar
r.+ir" to b har" en )anc*
incl+"in# thos in$ol$in# th
constit+tionalit,* application*
or opration of prsi"ntial
"crs* procla!ations*
or"rs* instr+ctions*
or"inancs* an" othr
r#+lations* shall b "ci""
with th conc+rrnc of th
24
!a'orit, of th M!brs who
act+all, too& part in th
"libration on th iss+s in
th cas an" $ot" thron
<% Cass on !attrs har" b, a
"i$ision shall b "ci"" or
rsol$" with th conc+rrnc
of a !a'orit, of th M!brs
who act+all, too& part in th
"librations on th iss+s in
th cas an" $ot" thron*
an" in no cas* witho+t th
conc+rrnc of at last thr
of s+ch M!brs%
?% Th S+pr! Co+rt has th
powr to6
8a9 /rcis ori#inal '+ris"iction
o$r cass affctin# a!bassa"ors*
othr p+blic !inistrs an" cons+ls*
an" o$r ptitions for certiorari*
prohibition* !an"a!+s* 'uo
.arranto* an" habas corp+s
8b9 r$iw* r$is* r$rs* !o"if,*
of affir! on appal or crtiorari* as
th law or th R+ls of Co+rt !a,
pro$i"* final '+"#!nts an" or"rs
of lowr co+rts in6
819 all cass in which
th constit+tionalit, or
$ali"it, of an, trat,*
intrnational or
/c+ti$ a#r!nt*
law prsi"ntial "cr*
procla!ation* or"r*
instr+ction* or"inanc*
or r#+lations is in
.+stionG
8;9 all cass in$ol$in#
th l#alit, of an, ta/*
i!post* assss!nt* or
toll* or an, pnalt,
i!pos" in rlation
thrtoG
8<9 all cass in which
th '+ris"iction of an,
lowr co+rt is in iss+G
8?9 all cri!inal cass
in which th pnalt,
i!pos" in reclusion
(er(etua or hi#hrG
809 all cass in which
onl, an rror or .+stion
of law is in$ol$"%
INTERNAL RULES OF TCE SUPREME
COURT
R+l ;* Sc% <6 ,ourt en )anc
9atters and cases% D Th Co+rt en
)anc shall act on th followin#
!attrs an" cass6
8a9 Cass in which th
constit+tionalit, or
$ali"it, of an, trat,*
intrnational or
/c+ti$ a#r!nt*
law* /c+ti$ or"r*
prsi"ntial "cr*
procla!ation* or"r*
instr+ction* or"inanc*
or r#+lation is in
.+stionG
8b9 Cri!inal cass in which
th appal" "cision
i!poss th "ath
pnalt, or reclusion
(er(etuaG
8c9 Cass in$ol$in# no$l
.+stions of lawG
8"9 Cass affctin#
a!bassa"ors* othr
p+blic !inistrs* an"
cons+lsG
25
89 Cass in$ol$in#
"cisions* rsol+tions*
an" or"rs of th Ci$il
Sr$ic Co!!ission* th
Co!!ission on
Elctions* an" th
Co!!ission on A+"itG
8f9 Cass whr th pnalt,
rco!!n"" or
i!pos" is th "is!issal
of a '+"#* th
"isbar!nt of a law,r*
th s+spnsion of an, of
th! for a prio" of
!or than on ,ar* or a
fin /c"in# ?=*===
psosG
8#9 Cass co$r" b, th
prc"in# para#raph
an" in$ol$in# th
rinstat!nt in th
'+"iciar, of a "is!iss"
'+"#* th rinstat!nt
of a law,r in th roll of
attorn,s* or th liftin#
of a '+"#Is s+spnsion
or a law,rIs s+spnsion
fro! th practic of lawG
8h9 Cass in$ol$in# th
"isciplin of a M!br
of th Co+rt* or a
Prsi"in# -+stic* or an,
Associat -+stic of th
coll#ial appllat
co+rtsG
8i9 Cass whr a "octrin
or principl lai" "own b,
th co+rt n banc or b,
a Di$ision !a, b
!o"ifi" or r$rs"G
8'9 Cass in$ol$in#
conflictin# "cisions of
two or !or "i$isionsG
8&9 Cass whr thr $ots
in a Di$ision cannot b
obtain"G
8l9 Di$ision cass whr th
s+b'ct !attr has a
h+# financial i!pact on
b+sinsss or affcts th
wlfar of th
co!!+nit,G
8!9 S+b'ct to Sction 11 8b9
of this r+l* othr
"i$ision cass that* in
th opinion of at last <
M!brs of th Di$ision
who ar $otin# an"
prsnt* ar appropriat
for transfr to th Co+rt
n bancG
8n9 Cass that th Co+rt en
)anc "!s of s+fficint
i!portanc to !rit its
attntionG an"*
8o9 All !attrs in$ol$in#
polic, "cisions in th
a"!inistrati$
s+pr$ision of all co+rts
an" thir prsonnl%
R+l ;* Sc% 116 Actions on cases
re7erred to the ,ourt en )anc% D Th
rfrral of a Di$ision cas to th
Co+rt n banc shall b s+b'ct to th
followin# r+ls6
8a9 Th rsol+tion of a
Di$ision "n,in# a
!otion for rfrral to th
Co+rt en )anc shall b
final an" shall not b
appalabl to th Co+rt
en )ancG
8b9 Th Co+rt n banc !a,*
in th absnc of
s+fficintl, i!portant
rasons* "clin to ta&
co#niEanc of a cas
rfrr" to it an" rt+rn
th cas to th Di$isionG
an"
26
8c9 No !otion for
rconsi"ration of a
rsol+tion of th co+rt
n banc "clinin#
co#niEanc of a rfrral
b, a Di$ision shall b
ntrtain"%
R+l ;* Sc% 1?6 Per curia9
decisions% D Unlss othrwis
r.+st" b, th M!br assi#n"
to writ th opinion of th Co+rt* th
"cision or rsol+tion shall b
rn"r" (er curia9
8a9 Whr th pnalt,
i!pos" is "is!issal
fro! sr$ic*
"isbar!nt* or in"finit
s+spnsion in
a"!inistrati$ cassG or
8b9 In an, othr cas b,
a#r!nt of th
!a'orit, of th M!brs
or +pon r.+st of a
M!br%
R+l <* Sc% ;6 6he ,ourt not a trier
o7 7acts% D Th Co+rt is not a trir of
factsG its rol is to "ci" cass
bas" on th fin"in# of fact bfor
it% Whr th Constit+tion* th law or
th Co+rt itslf* in th /rcis of its
"iscrtion "ci"s to rci$
$i"nc* th rcption of $i"nc
!a, b "l#at" to a M!br of
th Co+rt* or to on of th appllat
co+rts or its '+stics who shall
s+b!it to th Co+rt a rport an"
rco!!n"ation on th basis of th
$i"nc prsnt"%
R+l <* Sc% ;6 Advisory o(inions
(roscri)ed% D Th Co+rt cannot iss+
a"$isor, opinions on th stat an"
!anin# of laws* or ta& co#niEanc
of !oot an" aca"!ic .+stions*
s+b'ct onl, to notabl /cptions
in$ol$in# constit+tional iss+s%
R+l <* Sc% <6 ,ases .hen the
,ourt 9ay deter9ine 7actual issues%
D Th Co+rt shall rspct th fact+al
fin"in#s of lowr co+rts* +nlss an,
of th followin# sit+ations is prsnt6
8a9 Th concl+sion is a
fin"in# #ro+n""
ntirl, on spc+lation*
s+r!is an" con'ct+rG
8b9 Th infrnc !a" is
!anifstl, !ista&nG
8c9 Thr is #ra$ ab+s of
"iscrtionG
8"9 Th '+"#!nt is bas"
on a !isapprhnsion of
factsG
89 Th fin"in#s of fact ar
conflictin#G
8f9 Th coll#ial appllat
co+rt wnt b,on" th
iss+s of th cas* an"
thir fin"in#s ar
contrar, to th
a"!ission of both
appllant an" appllG
8#9 Th fin"in#s of fact of
th coll#ial appllat
co+rts ar contrar, to
thos of th trial co+rtG
8h9 Sai" fin"in#s of fact ar
concl+sions witho+t
citation of spcific
$i"nc on which th,
ar bas"G
8i9 Th facts st forth in th
ptition as wll as in th
ptitionrIs !ain an"
rpl, brifs ar not
"isp+t" b, th
rspon"ntsG
27
8'9 Th fin"in#s of fact of
th coll#ial appllat
co+rts ar pr!is" on
th s+ppos" $i"nc*
b+t ar contra"ict" b,
th $i"nc on rcor"G
an"
8&9 All othr si!ilar an"
/cptional cass
warrantin# a r$iw of
th lowr co+rtsI
fin"in#s of fact%
R+l 1=* Sc% ;6 ,on7identiality o7
court sessions% D Co+rt sssions ar
/c+ti$ in charactr* with onl, th
M!brs of th Co+rt prsnt% Co+rt
"librations ar confi"ntial an"
shall not b "isclos" to o+tsi"
partis* /cpt as !a, b pro$i""
hrin or as a+thoriE" b, th
Co+rt7
=n reB Letters o7 Atty. 4stelito P.
Mendo2a reB .R. 8o. 1:808# D
/li5ht Attendants and +te.ards
Association o7 the Phili((ines
E/A+APF v. Phili((ine Airlines, =nc.
EPALF, et al.* A%M% No% 11:1=:1:SC*
March 1<* ;=1; D ill+stration whr
th SC appli" its Intrnal R+ls to
rcall its Rsol+tion%
In partic+lar* th SC "isc+ss" R+l
; 8Th Opratin# Str+ct+rs9*
Sctions 4 8Rsol+tions of !otions
for rconsi"ration or clarification of
"cisions or si#n" rsol+tions an"
all othr !otions an" inci"nts
s+bs.+ntl, fil"G cration of a
Spcial Di$ision9 an" 2 8Effct or
ror#aniEation of Di$isions on
assi#n" cass9 throf* an" R+l 3
8Inhibition an" S+bstit+tion of
M!brs of th Co+rt9* Sction <
8Effcts of Inhibition9 throf%
Th+s* th !a'orit, of th SC hl" th
$iw that Sction 4 of R+l ; sho+l"
ha$ pr$ail" in consi"rin# th
raffl an" assi#n!nt of cass aftr
th ;
n"
MR was accpt" as a#ainst
th #nral r+l on inhibition +n"r
Sction <* R+l 3% Th +n"rl,in#
rason is Sction ? 8<9 of Articl )III
of th 1234 Constit+tion* which
stats6 5Cass or !attrs har" b, a
"i$ision shall b "ci"" or rsol$"
with th conc+rrnc of a !a'orit, of
th !!brs who act+all, too& part
in th "librations on th iss+s in
th cas an" $ot" thron* an" in
no cas* witho+t th conc+rrnc of
at last thr of s+ch !!brs%
Accor"in#l,* th !a'orit, concl+""
that th ponnt on th !rits of
th cas on r$iw sho+l" b chosn
fro! th r!ainin# participatin#
'+stics* na!l,6 -+stics Pralta
an" (rsa!in% Th+s* it rcall" th
Spt!br 4* ;=11 Rsol+tion*
which rsol$" to "n, with finalit,
PALIs ;
n"
MR% Ironicall,* as point"
o+t in th "issnt* -+stics (rion*
Pralta an" (rsa!in to#thr with
-+stics PrE an" Mn"oEa
constit+t" th Scon" Di$ision that
iss+" th Spt!br 4* ;=11
Rsol+tion%
Can th S+pr! Co+rt b a part, to
a casJ In A%M% No% ;=11:=4:SC*
Octobr ?* ;=11* @03 SCRA ?=1* th
S+pr! Co+rt was th co!plainant
a#ainst th rspon"nts:!plo,s
of th SC% Th cas was ntitl"
5+u(re9e ,ourt, ,o9(lainant
verses 4ddie A. 0el5ado, @tility
Gor*er ==, et al.A Aftr th initial
in$sti#ation* th Offic of
A"!inistrati$ Sr$ics of th SC
con"+ct" a for!al in$sti#ation%
28
Th OAS thn "irct" th
rspon"nts to s+b!it thir
rspcti$ writtn /planations%
Thraftr* th OAS s+b!itt" to
th SC its rco!!n"ations fin"in#
th rspon"nts #+ilt, of #ra$
!iscon"+ct an" rco!!n"" th
"is!issal of on of th rspon"nts
an" th s+spnsion of th r!ainin#
; rspon"nts% Th SC !o"ifi" th
fin"in#s an" rco!!n"ations an"
"is!iss" fro! th sr$ic all <
rspon"nts for #ra$ !iscon"+ct%
;% Co+rt of
Appals
-URISDICTION OF COURT OF
APPEALS 8CA96 Rp% Act No% 3;?@ D
incrasin# th n+!br of CA -+stics
to @2
;==2 Intrnal R+ls of th Co+rt of
Appals6
Prsi"in# -+stic an" @3
Associat -+sticsG sits n banc
or in ;< "i$isions of < -+stics
ach
14 Di$isions in Manila* <
Di$isions in Cb+* an" <
Di$isions in Ca#a,an " Oro
Sits n banc in th /rcis of
a"!inistrati$* cr!onial
an" non:a"'+"icati$ f+nctions
In ReB Letter o7 Presidin5 &ustice
,onrado M. Aas'ue2 &r. on ,A>.R.
+P 8o. 10#6-!, A%M% No% =3:3:11:CA*
Spt!br 2* ;==3* 0@? SCRA <@0*
th SC ha" th occasion to "isc+ss
so! of th prtinnt pro$isions of
th Intrnal R+ls of th Co+rt of
Appals 8IRCA9% Th cas rs+lt" in
th "is!issal of -+stic )icnt N%
Ro/as fro! th sr$ic* th
s+spnsion of -+stic -os L% Sabio -r%
for two 8;9 !onths witho+t pa,* th
s$r rpri!an" of Prsi"in#
-+stic Conra"o M% )as.+E -r%* th
rpri!an" of -+stic (in$ni"o L%
R,s* an" th a"!onition of -+stic
M,rna Di!aranan:)i"al%
Cr* -+stic Ro/as i#nor" or
rf+s" to act on th !otion for his
inhibition in $iolation of R+l )* Sc%
< of th IRCA* which pro$i"s that
th -+stic concrn" sho+l" rsol$
s+ch !otion in writin# with copis
f+rnish" th othr !!brs of th
Di$ision* th Prsi"in# -+stic* th
Raffl Co!!itt an" th Di$ision
Clr& of Co+rt% Accor"in# to th SC*
th obli#ation of th -+stic to act on
a !otion for inhibition +n"r th
IRCA is !an"ator,%
Un"r Sc% 11* R+l )III of th IRCA*
th Prsi"in# -+stic or an, on
actin# in his plac is a+thoriE" to
act on an, !attr not co$r" b,
th R+ls% Accor"in# to th SC* P-
)as.+E -r% was in"cisi$ in "alin#
with th t+r!oil arisin# fro! th
Meralco cas% C $acillat" an"
t!poriE" on rsol$in# th i!pass
btwn -+stic Sabio -r% an" -+stic
(%L% R,s o$r th chair!anship of
th Di$ision that sho+l" har an"
"ci" th Meralco cas% C sho+l"
ha$ con$n" th Co+rt en )anc as
soon as th all#" bribr, att!pt
on -+stic Sabio -r% was rport" to
hi! for it was an att!pt to corr+pt
a !!br of th Co+rt callin# for
th protction an" prsr$ation of
th int#rit, of th '+"icial
procsss of th Co+rt% Cnc* it
29
was an a"!inistrati$ !attr
co#niEabl b, th Co+rt en )anc
+n"r Sc% 0 8c9* R+l I of th IRCA
which pro$i"s that th Co+rt en
)anc shall a"opt 7 policis for th
protction an" prsr$ation of th
int#rit, of th '+"icial procsss%
1% Ori#inal '+ris"iction to iss+
writs of !an"a!+s*
prohibition* certiorari* ha)eas
cor(us* an" 'uo .arranto* an"
a+/iliar, writs or procsss*
whthr or not in ai" of its
appllat '+ris"iction
;% E/cl+si$ ori#inal '+ris"iction
o$r actions for ann+l!nt of
'+"#!nts of RTCs
<% E/cl+si$ appllat '+ris"iction
o$r all final '+"#!nts*
"cisions* rsol+tions* or"rs*
or awar"s of RTCs an" .+asi:
'+"icial a#ncis*
instr+!ntalitis* boar"s* or
o!issions* /cpt thos fallin#
within th appllat
'+ris"iction of th S+pr!
Co+rt in accor"anc with th
Constit+tion* th pro$isions of
th -+"iciar, Act of 12?3
?% Th CA shall ha$ th powr
to rci$ $i"nc an"
prfor! an, an" all acts
ncssar, to rsol$ fact+al
iss+s rais" in 8a9 cass
fallin# within its ori#inal
'+ris"iction* s+ch as actions for
ann+l!nt of '+"#!nts of
RTCs* 8b9 cass fallin# within
its appllat '+ris"iction whr
a !otion for nw trial bas"
onl, on nwl, "isco$r"
$i"nc is #rant" b, it%
<% Co+rt of Ta/
Appals D Rp% No% 20=<
incrasin# th n+!br
of CTA -+stics to 2
Sc% 4% -+ris"iction% : Th CTA
shall /rcis6
a% E/cl+si$ appllat
'+ris"iction to r$iw b, appal* as
hrin pro$i""6
1% Dcisions of th
Co!!issionr of Intrnal
R$n+ in cass in$ol$in#
"isp+t" assss!nts* rf+n"s
of intrnal r$n+ ta/s* fs
or othr char#s* pnaltis in
rlation thrto* or othr
!attrs arisin# +n"r th
National Intrnal R$n+ or
othr laws a"!inistr" b,
th (+ra+ of Intrnal
R$n+G
;% Inaction b, th
Co!!issionr of Intrnal
R$n+ in cass in$ol$in#
"isp+t" assss!nts* rf+n"s
of intrnal r$n+ ta/s* fs
or othr char#s* pnaltis in
rlations thrto* or othr
!attrs arisin# +n"r th
National Intrnal R$n+
Co" or othr laws
a"!inistr" b, th (+ra+ of
Intrnal R$n+* whr th
National Intrnal R$n+
Co" pro$i"s a spcific
prio" of action* in which cas
th inaction shall b "!" a
"nialG
<% Dcisions* or"rs or
rsol+tions of th R#ional
30
Trial Co+rts in local ta/ cass
ori#inall, "ci"" or rsol$"
b, th! in th /rcis of
thir ori#inal or appllat
'+ris"ictionG
?% Dcisions of th
Co!!issionr of C+sto!s in
cass in$ol$in# liabilit, for
c+sto!s "+tis* fs or othr
!on, char#s* siE+r*
"tntion or rlas of
proprt, affct"* fins*
forfit+rs or othr pnaltis
in rlation thrto* or othr
!attrs arisin# +n"r th
C+sto!s Law or othr laws
a"!inistr" b, th (+ra+ of
C+sto!sG
0% Dcisions of th
Cntral (oar" of Assss!nt
Appals in th /rcis of its
appllat '+ris"iction o$r
cass in$ol$in# th
assss!nt an" ta/ation of
ral proprt, ori#inall,
"ci"" b, th pro$incial or
cit, boar" of assss!nt
appalsG
@% Dcisions of th
Scrtar, of Financ on
c+sto!s cass l$at" to hi!
a+to!aticall, for r$iw fro!
"cisions of th Co!!issionr
of C+sto!s which ar a"$rs
to th >o$rn!nt +n"r
Sction ;<10 of th Tariff an"
C+sto!s Co"G
4% Dcisions of th
Scrtar, of Tra" an"
In"+str,* in th cas of non:
a#ric+lt+ral pro"+ct*
co!!o"it, or articl* an" th
Scrtar, of A#ric+lt+r in th
cas of a#ric+lt+ral pro"+ct*
co!!o"it, or articl* in$ol$in#
"+!pin# an" co+ntr$ailin#
"+tis +n"r Sction <=1 an"
<=;* rspcti$l,* of th Tariff
an" C+sto!s Co"* an"
saf#+ar" !as+rs +n"r
Rp+blic Act No% 33==* whr
ithr part, !a, appal th
"cision to i!pos or not to
i!pos sai" "+tis%
b% -+ris"iction o$r cass
in$ol$in# cri!inal offnss as hrin
pro$i""6
1% E/cl+si$ ori#inal
'+ris"iction o$r all cri!inal
offnss arisin# fro!
$iolations of th National
Intrnal R$n+ Co" or
Tariff an" C+sto!s Co" an"
othr laws a"!inistr" b,
th (+ra+ of Intrnal
R$n+ or th (+ra+ of
C+sto!s6 Pro$i""* how$r*
That offnss or flonis
!ntion" in this para#raph
whr th principal a!o+nt o
ta/s an" fs* /cl+si$ of
char#s an" pnaltis*
clai!" is lss than On
!illion psos 8P1*===*===%==9
or whr thr is no spcifi"
a!o+nt clai!" shall b tri"
b, th r#+lar Co+rts an" th
'+ris"iction of th CTA shall b
appllat% An, pro$ision of law
or th R+ls of Co+rt to th
contrar, notwithstan"in#* th
cri!inal action an" th
corrspon"in# ci$il action for
th rco$r, of ci$il liabilit, for
ta/s an" pnaltis shall at all
ti!s b si!+ltano+sl,
31
instit+t" with* an" 'ointl,
"tr!in" in th sa!
proc"in# b, th CTA* th
filin# of th cri!inal action
bin# "!" to ncssaril,
carr, with it th filin# of th
ci$il action* an" no ri#ht to
rsr$ th fillin# of s+ch ci$il
action sparatl, fro! th
cri!inal action will b
rco#niE"%
;% E/cl+si$ appllat
'+ris"iction in cri!inal
offnss6
a% O$r appals
fro! th '+"#!nts*
rsol+tions or or"rs of
th R#ional Trial Co+rts
in ta/ cass ori#inall,
"ci"" b, th!* in
thir rspct"
trritorial '+ris"iction%
b% O$r ptitions
for r$iw of th
'+"#!nts* rsol+tions
or or"rs of th R#ional
Trial Co+rts in th
/rcis of thir
appllat '+ris"iction
o$r ta/ cass ori#inall,
"ci"" b, th
Mtropolitan Trial
Co+rts* M+nicipal Trial
Co+rts an" M+nicipal
Circ+it Trial Co+rts in
thir rspcti$
'+ris"iction%
c% -+ris"iction o$r
ta/ collction cass as
hrin pro$i""6
1% E/cl+si$
ori#inal '+ris"iction
in ta/ collction
cass in$ol$in#
final an"
/c+tor,
assss!nts for
ta/s* fs*
char#s an"
pnaltis6
Pro$i""*
how$r* That
collction cass
whr th
principal a!o+nt
of ta/s an" fs*
/cl+si$ of
char#s an"
pnaltis* clai!"
is lss than On
!illion psos
8P1*===*===%==9
shall b tri" b,
th propr
M+nicipal Trial
Co+rt*
Mtropolitan Trial
Co+rt an"
R#ional Trial
Co+rt%
;% E/cl+si$
appllat
'+ris"iction in ta/
collction cass6
a% O$r
appals fro! th
'+"#!nts*
rsol+tions or
or"rs of th
R#ional Trial
Co+rts in ta/
collction cass
ori#inall, "ci""
b, th!* in thir
32
rspcti$
trritorial
'+ris"iction%
b% O$r
ptitions for
r$iw of th
'+"#!nts*
rsol+tions or
or"rs of th
R#ional Trial
Co+rts in th
E/rcis of thir
appllat
'+ris"iction o$r
ta/ collction
cass ori#inall,
"ci"" b, th
Mtropolitan Trial
Co+rts* M+nicipal
Trial Co+rts an"
M+nicipal Circ+it
Trial Co+rts* in
thir rspcti$
'+ris"iction% 8Rp%
Act No% 11;0 as
a!n"" b, Rp%
Act No% 2;3;9
?%
San"i#anba,an
As rstr+ct+r"* th San"i#anba,an
is prsntl, co!pos" of a Prsi"in#
-+stic an" fo+rtn 81?9 Associat
-+stics who sit in fi$ 809 Di$isions
of thr -+stics ach in th trial an"
"tr!ination of cass%
Th '+ris"iction of th
San"i#anba,an is prhaps on of
th !ost oftn a!n"" pro$isions
fro! th 124< Constit+tion to RA
3;?2 of 1224% (for RA 3;?2*
'+ris"iction of th San"i#anba,an
was "tr!in" on th basis of th
pnalt, i!posabl on th offns
char#"% Thn* it was a!n"" s+ch
that r#ar"lss of th pnalt,* so
lon# as a p+blic officr co!!itt"
th offns char#"* th
San"i#anba,an was $st" with
'+ris"iction% Un"r RA 3;?2* to
"tr!in whthr th
San"i#anba,an has '+ris"iction*
law,rs !+st loo& into two 8;9
critria* na!l,6 th nat+r of th
offns an" th salar, #ra" of th
p+blic official%

Th+s* Sc%? of RA 3;?2 pro$i"s that
th San"i#anba,an shall ha$
ori#inal /cl+si$ '+ris"iction o$r6
I%9 )iolations of RA <=12 8Anti:#raft
an" Corr+pt Practics Law9G
II%9 RA 1<42 8Forfit+r of Ill#all,
Ac.+ir" Walth9G
III%9 Cri!s b, p+blic officrs or
!plo,s !brac" in Ch% II* Sc%;
Titl )II* (oo& II of th RPC 8Cri!s
co!!itt" b, P+blic Officrs9
na!l,6
a9 Dirct (ribr, +n"r Art% ;1=
as a!n"" b, (P 341* Ma, ;2*
1230G
b9 In"irct (ribr, +n"r Art% ;11
as a!n"" b, (P 341* Ma, ;2*
1230G
c9 N+alifi" (ribr, +n"r Art%
;11:A as a!n"" b, RA 4@02* Dc%
1<* 122< 8Not6 RA 4@02 which
i!pos" th "ath pnalt, on
crtain hino+s cri!s was rpal"
b, RA 2<?@ which prohibits th
i!position of th "ath pnalt,9G
33
"9 Corr+ption of p+blic officials
+n"r Art% ;1;
whr on or !or of th acc+s"
ar officials occ+p,in# th followin#
positions in th #o$rn!nt whthr
in a pr!annt* actin# or intri!
capacit,* at th ti! of th
co!!ission of th offns6
19 Officials of th /c+ti$
branch occ+p,in# th positions of
r#ional "irctor an" hi#hr*
othrwis classifi" as >ra" ;4 an"
hi#hr* of th Co!pnsation an"
Position Classification Act of 1232
Rp+blic Act No% @4039 spcificall,
incl+"in#6
a9 Pro$incial #o$rnors* $ic:
#o$rnors* !!brs of th
san##+nian# panlalawi#an*
pro$incial tras+rrs* assssors*
n#inrs an" othr pro$incial
"part!nt ha"sG
b9 Cit, !a,ors* $ic:!a,ors*
!!brs of th san##+nian#
pan#l+n#so"* cit, tras+rrs*
assssors* n#inrs an" othr
"part!nt ha"sG
c9 Officials of th "iplo!atic
sr$ic occ+p,in# th position of
cons+l an" hi#hrG
"9 Philippin Ar!, an" Air forc
colonls* na$al captains an" all
officrs of hi#hr ran&G
9 Officrs of th PNP whil
occ+p,in# th position of Pro$incial
Dirctor an" thos hol"in# th ran&
of Snior S+printn"nt or hi#hrG
f9 Cit, an" pro$incial
prosc+tors an" thir assistantsG
officials an" th prosc+tors in th
Offic of th O!b+"s!an an"
spcial prosc+torG
#9 Prsi"nt* "irctors or
tr+sts or !ana#rs of #o$rn!nt
own" or controll" corporations*
stat +ni$rsitis or "+cational
instit+tions or fo+n"ationsG
;9 M!brs of Con#rss an"
Officials throf classifi" as >ra"
;4 an" +p +n"r th Co!pnsation
an" Classification Act of 1232G
<9 M!brs of th -+"iciar,
witho+t pr'+"ic to th pro$ision of
th Constit+tionG
?9 Chair!n an" !!brs of
Constit+tional Co!!issions* witho+t
pr'+"ic to th pro$ision of th
Constit+tionG
09 All othr national an" local
officials classifi" as >ra" ;4 an"
hi#hr +n"r th Co!pnsation an"
Position Classification Act of 1232%
I)%9 Othr offnss or flonis
whthr si!pl or co!pl/" with
othr cri!s co!!itt" in rlation
to thir offic b, th p+blic officials
an" !plo,s !ntion" abo$G
)%9 Ci$il an" Cri!inal Cass fil"
p+rs+ant to an" in connction with
EO 1* ;* 1? O 1?:A iss+" in 123@
)I%9 Ptitions for iss+anc of Writ of
!an"a!+s* prohibition* crtiorari*
habas corp+s* in'+nction an" othr
ancillar, writs an" procsss in ai"
of its appllat '+ris"ictionG
Pro$i""* '+ris"iction is not /cl+si$
34
of th S+pr! Co+rt
)II%9 Ptitions for N+o Warranto
arisin# or that !a, aris in cass
fil" or that !a, b fil" +n"r EO
1* ;* 1? O 1?:A
)III%9 OTCERS pro$i"" th acc+s"
blon#s to S> ;4 or hi#hr6
a%9 )iolation of RA @41< : Co"
of Con"+ct an" Ethical Stan"ar"s
b%9 )iolation of RA 4=3= : TCE
PLUNDER LAW
c%9 )iolation of RA 4@02 : Th
Cino+s Cri! Law 8Not6
rpal" b, RA 2<?@9
"%9 RA 21@= : )iolation of Th
Anti:Mon, La+n"rin# Law
whn co!!itt" b, a p+blic
officr 8Not6 a!n"" b, RA
1=1@4 which wai$" th
r.+ir!nt for th AMLC to
#i$ notic to s+spct"
la+n"rrs that thir ban&
"posits ar bin# !onitor"9
%9 PD ?@ rfrr" to as th
#ift:#i$in# "cr which
!a&s it p+nishabl for an,
official or !plo, to rci$
"irctl, or in"irctl, an" for
th pri$at prson to #i$ or
offr to #i$ an, #ift* prsnt
or othr $al+abl thin# on an,
occasion incl+"in# Christ!as*
whn s+ch #ift* prsnt or
$al+abl thin# is #i$n b,
rason of his official position*
r#ar"lss of whthr or not
th sa! is for past fa$ors or
th #i$r hops or /pcts to
rci$ a fa$or or bttr
trat!nt in th f+t+r fro!
th p+blic official or !plo,
concrn" in th "ischar# of
his official f+nctions% Incl+""
within th prohibition is th
throwin# of partis or
ntrtain!nt in honor of th
official or !plo, or his
i!!"iat rlati$s%
f%9 PD 4?2 which #rants
i!!+nit, fro! prosc+tion to
an, prson who $ol+ntaril,
#i$s infor!ation abo+t an,
$iolation of Art%;1=* ;11 or
;1; of th RPC* RA <=12*
Sc%<?0 of th NIRC* Sc%
<@=? of th C+sto!s an" Tariff
Co" an" othr pro$isions of
th sai" Co"s pnaliEin#
ab+s or "ishonst, on th
part of th p+blic officials
concrn" an" othr laws*
r+ls an" r#+lations
pnaliEin# #raft* corr+ption
an" othr for!s of official
ab+s an" who willin#l,
tstifis a#ainst th p+blic
official or !plo, s+b'ct to
crtain con"itions%
It sho+l" b not" that pri$at
in"i$i"+als can b s+" in cass
bfor th San"i#anba,an if th,
ar all#" to b in conspirac, with
th p+blic officr%
Th San"i#anba,an is $st" with
Appllat -+ris"iction o$r final
'+"#!nts* rsol+tions or or"rs of
th RTC whthr in th /rcis of
thir ori#inal or appllat '+ris"iction
o$r cri!s an" ci$il cass fallin#
within th ori#inal /cl+si$
'+ris"iction of th San"i#anba,an
35
b+t which wr co!!itt" b, p+blic
officrs blow Salar, >ra" ;4%
Consi"r th followin#6
819 If th acc+s" is a !+nicipal
!a,or char#" with !al$rsation*
which co+rt has '+ris"iction o$r
hi!J It is th San"i#anba,an that
has '+ris"iction o$r th !+nicipal
!a,or% It is th officialIs #ra" that
"tr!ins his or hr salar,* not th
othr wa, aro+n"% To "tr!in
whthr th official is within th
/cl+si$ '+ris"iction of th
San"i#anba,an* rfrnc sho+l" b
!a" to Rp% Act no% @403 an" th
In"/ of Occ+pational Sr$ics*
Position* Titls an" Salar, >ra"s%
An officialIs #ra" is not a !attr of
proof b+t a !attr of law which th
co+rt !+st ta& '+"icial notic% Sc%
??? 8"9 of th Local >o$rn!nt
Co" pro$i"s that th !+nicipal
!a,or shall rci$ a !ini!+!
!onthl, co!pnsation
corrspon"in# to Salar, >ra" ;4 as
prscrib" +n"r Rp% Act No% @403
an" th i!pl!ntin# #+i"lins
iss+" p+rs+ant thrto% 8Llornt -r%
$% San"i#anba,an* >%R% Nos%
1;;;24:23* -an+ar, 12* ;===9
8;9 If th acc+s" is a !+nicipal
!a,or char#" with rap* which
co+rt has '+ris"iction o$r hi!J Th
offns wo+l" fall +n"r 5Othr
offnss or flonis whthr si!pl
or co!pl/" with othr cri!s
co!!itt" in rlation to thir offic
b, th p+blic officials an"
!plo,s !ntion" abo$%A Thr
!+st how$r b a showin# that th
offns char#" was inti!atl,
connct" with th "ischar# of
official f+nctions of th acc+s"
!a,orG othrwis* '+ris"iction is with
th r#+lar co+rts%
B. Re,ional Trial
&o*rts
5URISDI&TION O7 RE#IONAL
TRIAL &OURTS ;RT&<6

1% In all ci$il actions in which th
s+b'ct of th liti#ation is
incapabl of pc+niar,
sti!ation
In +in5son5 v. =sa)ela +a.9ill*

33
SCRA @;< 812429* th SC hl" that6
In "tr!inin# whthr
an action is on th
s+b'ct !attr of which
is not capabl of
pc+niar, sti!ation
this Co+rt has a"opt"
th critrion of first
ascrtainin# th nat+r
of th principal action or
r!", so+#ht% If it is
pri!aril, for th
rco$r, of a s+! of
!on,* th clai! is
consi"r" capabl of
pc+niar, sti!ation*
an" whthr '+ris"iction
is in th !+nicipal
co+rts or in instanc
wo+l" "pn" on th
a!o+nt of th clai!%
Cow$r* whr th
basic iss+ is so!thin#
othr than th ri#ht to
rco$r a s+! of !on,*
whr th !on, clai!
is p+rl, inci"ntal to* or
a cons.+nc of* th
principal rlif so+#ht*
36
this Co+rt has
consi"r" s+ch whr
th s+b'ct of th
liti#ation !a, not b
sti!at" in tr!s of
!on,* an" ar
co#niEabl /cl+si$l,
b, co+rts of first
instanc 8now R#ional
Trial Co+rts9%
E/a!pls of actions incapabl of
pc+niar, sti!ation ar thos for
spcific prfor!anc* s+pport* or
forclos+r of !ort#a# or
ann+l!nt of '+"#!ntG also actions
.+stionin# th $ali"it, of a
!ort#a#* ann+llin# a "" of sal
or con$,anc an" to rco$r th
pric pai" an" for rscission* which
is a co+ntrpart of spcific
prfor!anc%
Th cas of Lu v. Lu Ym Sr.1 #.R.
No. 1B>A2C* is a classic ill+stration
of th "#r of "iffic+lt, in$ol$" in
"tr!inin# whthr a cas is
capabl or incapabl of pc+niar,
sti!ation% Th ob'cti$ of th
co!plaint in that cas was to
"clar as n+ll an" $oi" th iss+anc
of @==*=== +ns+bscrib" an"
+niss+" shars in L+"o an" L+,!
D$lop!nt Corporation 8LLDC9 for
a pric of 1H13 of thir ral $al+ for
bin# in.+itabl* ha$in# bn "on
in brach of "irctorIs fi"+ciar,Is
"+t, to stoc&hol"rs* in $iolation of
th !inorit, stoc&hol"rsI ri#hts*
an" with +n'+st nrich!nt% Th
co!plaint all#" th $al+ of th
shars as Php1*=34*=00*1=0% Is this
an action incapabl or capabl of
pc+niar, sti!atJ In th A+#+st
;@* ;==3 Dcision pnn" b, -+stic
Nach+ra* h concl+"" that th
s+b'ct !attr of th co!plaint was
incapabl of pc+niar, sti!ation%
Thr was no "issnt% Upon Motion
for Rconsi"ration* th sa!
"i$ision rsol$" on A+#+st ?* ;==2
that th co!plaint was capabl of
pc+niar, sti!at% -+stic Nach+ra
wrot* +pon "pr rflction an" to
th /tnt of th "a!a# or in'+r,
s+ffr" b, th plaintiffs fro! th
sal of th shars* th action can b
charactriE" as capabl of
pc+niar, sti!ation% -+stic Carpio:
Morals wrot a "issnt% Whn th
!attr was bro+#ht +p to th SC En
(anc* th Co+rt thro+#h -+stic
Carpio:Morals rsol$" that th
s+b'ct !attr of th co!plaint was
incapabl of pc+niar, sti!at%
8Fbr+ar, 10* ;=119 -+stic Nach+ra
"issnt"%
Not that th Co+rt cit" its intrnal
r+ls to '+stif, th cas bin#
"ci"" b, th co+rt n banc%
Anothr cas of intrst is Mi<ares v.
$on. Ranada* >%R% No% 1<2<;0* April
1;* ;==0* in$ol$in# th nforc!nt
of a fori#n '+"#!nt a#ainst th
Marcos Estat% Th ptitionrs
obtain" a '+"#!nt fro! th US
District Co+rt an awar" of o$r
USP1%2@? (illion b+t pai" onl,
Php?1= as "oc&t fs% Is this
capabl of pc+niar, sti!atJ
Accor"in# to -+stic Tin#a* th
co!plaint to nforc th US District
Co+rt '+"#!nt is on capabl of
pc+niar, sti!ation% (+t at th
sa! ti!* it is also an action bas"
on '+"#!nt a#ainst an stat* th+s
placin# it b,on" th a!bit of
Sction 48a9 of R+l 1?1% What
pro$ision thn #o$rns th propr
co!p+tation of th filin# fs o$r
37
th instant co!plaintJ For this cas
an" othr si!ilarl, sit+at"
instancs* w fin" that it is co$r"
b, Sction 48b98<9* in$ol$in# as it
"os* 5othr actions not in$ol$in#
proprt,%A
Notabl,* th a!o+nt pai" as "oc&t
fs b, th ptitionrs on th
pr!is that it was an action
incapabl of pc+niar, sti!ation
corrspon"s to th sa! a!o+nt
r.+ir" for 5othr actions not
in$ol$in# proprt,%A Th ptitionrs
th+s pai" th corrct a!o+nt of
filin# fs%
Not all cass that ar incapabl of
pc+niar, sti!at ar co#niEabl
b, th R#ional Trial Co+rt% Un"r
th Rp% Act No% 41@= 8Local
>o$rn!nt Co"9 as a!n""*
Sc% ?14 throf* actions to nforc
an a!icabl sttl!nt or
arbitration awar" r#ar"lss of th
a!o+nt in$ol$" is co#niEabl b,
th cit, or !+nicipal co+rt% Un"r
Sc% ?13 of RA 41@=* an action to
rp+"iat an a!icabl sttl!nt is
li&wis co#niEabl b, th cit, or
!+nicipal co+rt%
Th R$is" Matar+n#an#
Pa!baran#a, Law pro$i"s for a
two:tir" !o" of nforc!nt of
an a!icabl sttl!nt* to wit6 8a9
b, /c+tion b, th P+non#
(aran#a, which is .+asi:'+"icial an"
s+!!ar, in nat+r on !r !otion
of th part, ntitl" thrtoG an" 8b9
an action in r#+lar for!* which
r!", is '+"icial% Cow$r* th
!o" of nforc!nt "os not r+l
o+t th ri#ht of rscission +n"r Art%
;=?1 of th Ci$il Co"% Th
a$ailabilit, of th ri#ht of rscission
is apparnt fro! th wor"in# of Sc%
?14 itslf which pro$i"s that th
a!icabl sttl!nt F!a,F b
nforc" b, /c+tion b, th l+pon
within si/ 8@9 !onths fro! its "at
or b, action in th appropriat cit,
or !+nicipal co+rt* if b,on" that
prio"% Th +s of th wor" F!a,F
clarl, !a&s th proc"+r
pro$i"" in th R$is"
Matar+n#an# Pa!baran#a, Law
"irctor, or !rl, optional in
nat+r% 8Ra!nani $% Co+rt of
Appals* <@= SCRA @?09
In ,have2 v. ,ourt o7 A((eals* >%R%
No% 102?11* March 13* ;==0*
altho+#h th FMas+n"+anF /c+t"
b, ptitionr an" rspon"nt bfor
th Offic of th (aran#a, Captain
ha" th forc an" ffct of a final
'+"#!nt of a co+rt* ptitionrIs
non:co!plianc pa$" th wa, for
th application of Art% ;=?1 +n"r
which rspon"nt !a, ithr
nforc th co!pro!is* followin#
th proc"+r lai" o+t in th
R$is" Matar+n#an# Pa!baran#a,
Law* or r#ar" it as rscin"" an"
insist +pon his ori#inal "!an"%
Rspon"nt chos th lattr option
whn h instit+t" Ci$il Cas No%
01<2:):24 for rco$r, of +nraliE"
profits an" ri!b+rs!nt of
a"$anc rntals* !oral an"
/!plar, "a!a#s* an" attorn,Is
fs% Rspon"nt was not li!it" to
clai!in# P10=*===%== bca+s
altho+#h h a#r" to th a!o+nt in
th FMas+n"+an*F it is a/io!atic that
a co!pro!is sttl!nt is not an
a"!ission of liabilit, b+t !rl, a
rco#nition that thr is a "isp+t
an" an i!pn"in# liti#ation which
th partis hop to pr$nt b,
!a&in# rciprocal concssions*
38
a"'+stin# thir rspcti$ positions
in th hop of #ainin# balanc" b,
th "an#r of losin#% Un"r th
FMas+n"+an*F rspon"nt was onl,
r.+ir" to /c+t a wai$r of all
possibl clai!s arisin# fro! th
las contract if ptitionr f+ll,
co!plis with his obli#ations
thr+n"r% It is +n"isp+t" that
hrin ptitionr "i" not%

;% In all ci$il actions which
in$ol$ th titl to* or
possssion of* ral proprt,* or
an, intrst thrin* whr
th assss" $al+ of th
proprt, in$ol$" /c"s
P;=*===* or for ci$il actions in
Mtro Manila whr s+ch
$al+ /c"s P0=*=== /cpt
actions for forcibl ntr, into
an" +nlawf+l "tainr of lan"s
or b+il"in#s* ori#inal
'+ris"iction o$r which is
confrr" +pon th MTC*
MTC* an" MCTC
<% In all actions in a"!iralt, an"
!ariti! '+ris"iction whr
th "!an" or clai! /c"s
P<==*===* or in Mtro Manila
whr s+ch "!an" or clai!
/c"s P?==*===
?% In all !attrs of probat* both
tstat an" intstat* whr
th #ross $al+ of th stat
/c"s P<==*=== or probat
!attrs in Mtro Manila whr
s+ch $al+ /c"s P?==*===
0% In all actions in$ol$in# th
contract of !arria# an"
!arital rlations
@% In all cass not within th
/cl+si$ '+ris"iction of an,
co+rt* trib+nal* prson or bo",
/rcisin# '+ri"icial or .+asi:
'+"icial f+nctions
0aichi 4lectronics Manu7acturin5 v.
Aillara9a, >%R% No% 11;2?=*
No$!br ;1* 122?
Th !plo, $iolat" para#raph
fi$ of thir Contract of E!plo,!nt
"at" A+#+st ;4* 122=* which
pro$i"s6
That for a prio" of two
8;9 ,ars aftr
tr!ination of sr$ic
fro! EMPLOLER*
EMPLOLEE shall not in
an, !annr b
connct"* an"Hor
!plo,"* b a
cons+ltant an"Hor b an
infor!ati$ bo",
"irctl, or in"irctl,*
with an, b+sinss fir!*
ntit, or +n"rta&in#
n#a#" in a b+sinss
si!ilar to or in
co!ptition with that of
th EMPLOLER%
Daichi clai!" that Li!'+co bca!
an !plo, of An#l So+n"
Philippins Corporation* a
corporation n#a#" in th sa!
lin of b+sinss as that of Daichi
within two ,ars fro! -an+ar, <=*
122;* th "at of Li!'+coIs
rsi#nation% Daichi f+rthr all#"
that Li!'+co is hol"in# th position
of Ca" of th Matrial Mana#!nt
Control Dpart!nt* th sa!
position h hl" whil in th !plo,
of Daichi% Daichi so+#ht to rco$r
39
li.+i"at" "a!a#s in th a!o+nt of
P1==*===%== as pro$i"" for in
para#raph s$n of th contract*
which pro$i"s6
That a $iolation of th
con"itions st forth in
pro$isions Nos% 8;9 an"
809 of this contract shall
ntitl th EMPLOLER to
collct fro! th
EMPLOLEE th s+! of
ONE CUNDRED
TCOUSAND PESOS
8P1==*===%==9 b, wa, of
li.+i"at" "a!a#s an"
li&wis to a"opt
appropriat l#al
!as+rs to pr$nt th
EMPLOLEE fro!
accptin# !plo,!nt
an"Hor n#a#in#*
"irctl, or in"irctl,* in a
b+sinss si!ilar to or in
co!ptition with that of
th EMPLOLER* bfor
th laps of th
aforsai" prio" of TWO
8;9 LEARS fro! "at of
tr!ination of sr$ic
fro! EMPLOLER%
This iss+ is6 Is ptitionrKs clai! for
"a!a#s on arisin# fro! !plo,r:
!plo, rlationsJ
Ptitionr "os not as& for an, rlif
+n"r th Labor Co" of th
Philippins% It s&s to rco$r
"a!a#s a#r" +pon in th
contract as r"rss for pri$at
rspon"ntKs brach of his
contract+al obli#ation to its
F"a!a# an" pr'+"icF 8Rollo* p%
049% S+ch ca+s of action is within
th ral! of Ci$il Law* an"
'+ris"iction o$r th contro$rs,
blon#s to th r#+lar co+rts% Mor
so whn w consi"r that th
stip+lation rfrs to th post:
!plo,!nt rlations of th partis%
-+rispr+"nc has $ol$" th r+l
that clai!s for "a!a#s +n"r
para#raph ? of Articl ;14* to b
co#niEabl b, th Labor Arbitr*
!+st ha$ a rasonabl ca+sal
connction with an, of th clai!s
pro$i"" for in that articl% Onl, if
thr is s+ch a connction with th
othr clai!s can th clai! for
"a!a#s b consi"r" as arisin#
fro! !plo,r:!plo, rlations%
Husen Air and +ea +ervice v.
Ailla9or* ?@4 SCRA 1@3
Clai! for "a!a#s +n"r Art% ;14 of
th Labor Co" to b co#niEabl b,
th Labor Arbitr !+st ha$
rasonabl ca+sal connction with
an, of th clai!s pro$i"" for in
that articl% Whn th ca+s of
action is bas" on .+asi "lict or
tort which has no rasonabl
connction with an, of th clai!s
pro$i"" for in Art% ;14* '+ris"iction
o$r th action is with th r#+lar
co+rts%
In L+sn Air* th clai! for "a!a#s
is bas" on brach of !plo,!nt
contract prohibitin# n#a#!nt in
co!ptin# b+sinss aftr two ,ars
fro! rsi#nation%
,o9elec v. &ud5e 6rinidad>Pe
A5uirre* >%R% No% 141;=3*
Spt!br 4* ;==4 D Sction ;@3 of
th O!nib+s Elction Co"
spcificall, pro$i"s* r#ional trial
co+rts ha$ /cl+si$ '+ris"iction to
40
tr, an" "ci" an, cri!inal action or
proc"in#s for $iolation of th Co"
F/cpt thos rlatin# to th offns
of fail+r to r#istr or fail+r to
$ot%F Cow abo+t $iolation of
Sction ;@1 8E9 8<9 of th O!nib+s
Elction Co" which pnaliEs FAn,
prson who $ots in s+bstit+tion for
anothr whthr with or witho+t th
lattrIs &nowl"# an"Hor consntF
with a pnalt, of i!prison!nt of
not lss than on ,ar b+t not !or
than @ ,arsJ
Whil (P (l#% 1;2 lo"#s in
!+nicipal trial co+rts* !tropolitan
trial co+rts an" !+nicipal circ+it trial
co+rts '+ris"iction o$r cri!inal
cass carr,in# a pnalt, of
i!prison!nt of lss than on ,ar
b+t not /c"in# si/ ,ars*
followin# Sction ;@3 of th
O!nib+s Elction Co"* an, cri!inal
action or proc"in# which bars
th sa! pnalt,* with th
/cption of th thrin !ntion"
two cass* falls within th /cl+si$
ori#inal '+ris"iction of r#ional trial
co+rts%
4% In all ci$il actions an" ci$il
proc"in#s fallin# within th
/cl+si$ ori#inal '+ris"iction
of a -+$nil an" Do!stic
Rlations Co+rt an" of th
Co+rt of A#rarian Rlations as
now pro$i"" b, law
3% In all othr cass in which th
"!an"* /cl+si$ of intrst
an" "a!a#s of what$r
&in"* attorn,Is fs* liti#ation
/pnss* an" cost or th
$al+ of th proprt, in
contro$rs, /c"s
P<==*===* or in s+ch othr
cass in Mtro Manila whr
th "!an"* /cl+si$ of th
abo$:!ntion" it!s
/c"s P?==*===
A. 7a'ily
&o*rts
Re%. Act No. 3>A2 ;7a'ily
&o*rts Act o! 1224<
Sc% 0% -+ris"iction of Fa!il,
Co+rts% : Th Fa!il, Co+rts shall
ha$ /cl+si$ ori#inal '+ris"iction
to har an" "ci" th followin#
cass6
a9 Cri!inal cass whr on or
!or of th acc+s" is blow
i#htn 8139 ,ars of a# b+t not
lss than nin 829 ,ars of a# b+t
not lss than nin 829 ,ars of a# or
whr on or !or of th $icti!s is
a !inor at th ti! of th
co!!ission of th offns6 Pro$i""*
That if th !inor is fo+n" #+ilt,* th
co+rt shall pro!+l#at sntnc an"
ascrtain an, ci$il liabilit, which th
acc+s" !a, ha$ inc+rr"%
Un"r RA 2<??* Sc% @ throf* a
chil" in conflict with th law who is
10 ,ars of a# or +n"r at th ti!
of th co!!ission of th offns
shall b /!pt fro! cri!inal
liabilit,% A chil" abo$ 10 ,ars of
a# b+t blow 13 ,ars of a# shall
li&wis b /!pt fro! cri!inal
liabilit, +nlss h act" with
"iscrn!nt%
Th sntnc* how$r* shall b
s+spn"" witho+t n" of
application p+rs+ant to Prsi"ntial
Dcr No% @=<* othrwis &nown as
th FChil" an" Lo+th Wlfar Co"%F
41

b9 Ptitions for #+ar"ianship*
c+sto", of chil"rn* habas corp+s
in rlation to th lattrG
c9 Ptitions for a"option of
chil"rn an" th r$ocation throfG

"9 Co!plaints for ann+l!nt
of !arria#* "claration of n+llit, of
!arria# an" thos rlatin# to
!arital stat+s an" proprt, rlations
of h+sban" an" wif or thos li$in#
to#thr +n"r "iffrnt stat+s an"
a#r!nts* an" ptitions for
"issol+tion of con'+#al partnrship
of #ainsG
9 Ptitions for s+pport an"Hor
ac&nowl"#!ntG
f9 S+!!ar, '+"icial
proc"in#s bro+#ht +n"r th
pro$isions of E/c+ti$ Or"r No%
;=2* othrwis &nown as th FFa!il,
Co" of th PhilippinsFG
#9 Ptitions for "claration of
stat+s of chil"rn as aban"on"*
"pn"nt of n#lct" chil"rn*
ptitions for $ol+ntar, or in$ol+ntar,
co!!it!nt of chil"rnG th
s+spnsion* tr!ination* or
rstoration of parntal a+thorit, an"
othr cass co#niEabl +n"r
Prsi"ntial Dcr No% @=<*
E/c+ti$ Or"r No% 0@* 8Sris of
123@9* an" othr rlat" lawsG
h9 Ptitions for th constit+tion
of th fa!il, ho!G
i9 Cass a#ainst !inors
co#niEabl +n"r th Dan#ro+s
Dr+#s Act* as a!n""G
'9 )iolations of Rp+blic Act
No% 4@1=* othrwis &nown as th
FSpcial Protction of Chil"rn
A#ainst Chil" Ab+s* E/ploitation
an" Discri!ination Act*F as
a!n"" b, Rp+blic Act No% 4@03G
an"
&9 Cass of "o!stic $iolnc
a#ainst 8RA 2;@; of )AWCA96
19 Wo!n : which ar
acts of #n"r bas"
$iolnc that rs+lts*
or ar li&l, to rs+lt
in ph,sical* s/+al or
ps,cholo#ical har!
or s+ffrin# to
wo!nG an" othr
for!s of ph,sical
ab+s s+ch as
battrin# or thrats
an" corcion which
$iolat a wo!anKs
prsonhoo"*
int#rit, an"
fr"o! !o$!ntG
an"
;9 Chil"rn : which
incl+" th
co!!ission of all
for!s of ab+s*
n#lct* cr+lt,*
/ploitation*
$iolnc* an"
"iscri!ination an"
all othr con"itions
pr'+"icial to thir
"$lop!nt%
If an act constit+ts a cri!inal
offns* th acc+s" or battrr
shall b s+b'ct to cri!inal
proc"in#s an" th corrspon"in#
pnaltis%
42
If an, .+stion in$ol$in# an, of th
abo$ !attrs sho+l" aris as an
inci"nt in an, cas pn"in# in th
r#+lar co+rts* sai" inci"nt shall b
"tr!in" in that co+rt%
4.
Metro%olitan
Trial &o*rtsDM*nici%al
Trial &o*rts
5URISDI&TION O7
METRO$OLITAN TRIAL &OURTS1
MUNI&I$AL TRIAL &OURTS1
MUNI&I$AL &IR&UIT TRIAL
&OURTS6
In Ci$il Cass D
1% E/cl+si$ ori#inal '+ris"iction
o$r ci$il actions an" probat
proc"in#s* tstat an"
intstat* incl+"in# th #rant
of pro$isional r!"is in
propr cass* whr th $al+
of th prsonal proprt,*
stat* or a!o+nt of th
"!an" "os not /c"
Thr h+n"r" tho+san"
psos 8P<==*===%==9 or* in
Mtro Manila whr s+ch
prsonal proprt,* stat* or
a!o+nt of th "!an" "os
not /c" Fo+r h+n"r"
tho+san" psos
8P?==*===%==9* /cl+si$ of
intrst* "a!a#s of what$r
&in"* attorn,Ks fs* liti#ation
/pnss* an" costs* th
a!o+nt of which !+st b
spcificall, all#"6 Pro$i""*
That intrst* "a!a#s of
what$r &in"* attorn,Ks fs*
liti#ation /pnss* an" costs
shall b incl+"" in th
"tr!ination of th filin#
fs6 Pro$i""* f+rthr* That
whr thr ar s$ral clai!s
or ca+ss of actions btwn
th sa! or "iffrnt partis*
!bo"i" in th sa!
co!plaint* th a!o+nt of th
"!an" shall b th totalit, of
th clai!s in all th ca+ss of
action* irrspcti$ of whthr
th ca+ss of action aros o+t
of th sa! or "iffrnt
transactions

This 8Sc% << 819 of (%P% 1;2 as
a!n""9 !bo"is th totalit,
r+l* which si!pl, !ans that whr
thr ar s$ral clai!s or ca+ss of
actions btwn th sa! or
"iffrnt partis* !bo"i" in th
sa! co!plaint* th a!o+nt of th
"!an" shall b th totalit, of th
clai!s in all th ca+ss of action*
irrspcti$ of whthr th ca+ss
of action aros o+t of th sa! or
"iffrnt transactions% E/a!pl is
th cas of Pantranco 8orth 4I(ress
v. +tandard =nsurance ,o.* >%R% No%
1?=4?@* March 1@* ;==0* whr th
$icti! an" th ins+ranc co!pan,
wr co:plaintiffs in a s+it a#ainst
th b+s co!pan, rsponsibl for th
$hic+lar acci"nt%
Not that th first l$l co+rts now
ha$ '+ris"iction o$r probat
proc"in#s* tstat or intstat*
whr th $al+ of th stat "os
not /c" in Php<==*===* or in
Mtro Manila whr s+ch stat
"os not /c" Php?==*===% On
th othr han"* R+l 4<* Sc% 1
stats that 5If th "c"nt is an
inhabitant of th Philippins at th
ti! of his "ath* whthr a citiEn
or an alin* his will shall b pro$"*
43
or lttrs of a"!inistration #rant"*
an" his stat sttl"* in th Co+rt
of First Instanc in th pro$inc in
which h rsi"s at th ti! of his
"ath* an" if h is an inhabitant of a
fori#n co+ntr,* th Co+rt of First of
an, pro$inc in which h ha"
stat7A R+l 4< an" R+l 4?
sho+l" b consi"r" as ha$in#
bn a!n"" bca+s of Rp% Act
No% 4@21%
;% E/cl+si$ ori#inal '+ris"iction
o$r cass of forcibl ntr,
an" +nlawf+l "tainr6
Pro$i""* That whn* in s+ch
cass* th "fn"ant raiss
th .+stions of ownrship in
his pla"in#s an" th .+stion
of possssion cannot b
rsol$" witho+t "ci"in# th
iss+ of ownrship* th iss+
of ownrship shall b rsol$"
onl, to "tr!in th iss+ of
possssion

<% E/cl+si$ ori#inal '+ris"iction
in all ci$il actions which
in$ol$ titl to* or possssion
of* ral proprt,* or an,
intrst thrin whr th
assss" $al+ of th proprt,
or intrst thrin "os not
/c" Twnt, tho+san"
psos 8P;=*===%==9 or* in ci$il
actions in Mtro Manila* whr
s+ch assss" $al+ "os not
/c" Fift, tho+san" psos
8P0=*===%==9 /cl+si$ of
intrst* "a!a#s of what$r
&in"* attorn,Ks fs* liti#ation
/pnss an" costs6 Pro$i""*
That in cass of lan" not
"clar" for ta/ation
p+rposs* th $al+ of s+ch
proprt, shall b "tr!in"
b, th assss" $al+ of th
a"'acnt lots%F
Rp+blic Act No% 4@21 /pan"" th
MTCIs '+ris"iction to incl+" othr
actions in$ol$in# titl to or
possssion of ral proprt, 8accion
(u)liciana an" reinvindicatoria9
whr th assss" $al+ of th
proprt, "os not /c" P;=*===
8or P0=*===* for actions fil" in
Mtro Manila9% (ca+s of this
a!n"!nt* th tst of whthr an
action in$ol$in# possssion of ral
proprt, has bn fil" in th propr
co+rt no lon#r "pn"s soll, on
th t,p of action fil" b+t also on
th assss" $al+ of th proprt,
in$ol$"% Mor spcificall,* sinc
MTCs now ha$ '+ris"iction o$r
accion (u)liciana an" accion
reinvindicatoria 8"pn"in#* of
co+rs* on th assss" $al+ of th
proprt,9* '+ris"iction o$r s+ch
actions has to b "tr!in" on th
basis of th assss" $al+ of th
proprt,% 8Cr+E $% Cr+E* >%R% No%
14;;14* Spt!br 13* ;==29

What if th co!plaint "os not stat
th $al+ of th proprt,J
In Bernardo v. Aille5as* >%R% No%
13<<04* March 10* ;=1=* th
co!plaint fail" to all# th
assss" $al+ of th ral proprt,
in$ol$"% Altho+#h appllant in""
rais" th iss+ of '+ris"iction in his
answr* h ha" not fil" a !otion to
"is!iss on this #ro+n" nor ritrat"
th !attr thraftr b+t acti$l,
participat" in th proc"in#s aftr
th "nial of his "!+rrr to
$i"nc anchor" on th fail+r of
th plaintiffs to i"ntif, in thir
co!plaint all th hirs of th
44
r#istr" ownr an" s+ppos" lac&
of tchnical "scription of th
proprt, in th crtificat of titl%
Th Co+rt thn consi"r" th
appllant stopp" to .+stion th
trial co+rtIs '+ris"iction o$r th
s+b'ct !attr an" nat+r of th
cas ha$in# acti$l, p+rs+"
thro+#ho+t th trial* b, filin# $ario+s
pla"in#s an" prsntin# all
rl$ant "oc+!ntar, an"
tsti!onial $i"nc* his thor, that
th portion occ+pi" b, hi! is not
co$r" b, th Torrns titl of
)ill#as%
In Juina5oran v. ,ourt o7 A((eals*
0<1 SCRA 1=?* Co+rt hl" that a
co!plaint !+st all# th assss"
$al+ of th ral proprt, s+b'ct of
th co!plaint or th intrst
thron to "tr!in which co+rt
has '+ris"iction o$r th action% This
is bca+s th nat+r of th action
an" which co+rt has ori#inal an"
/cl+si$ '+ris"iction o$r th sa!
is "tr!in" b, th !atrial
all#ations of th co!plaint* th
t,p of rlif pra," for b, th
plaintiff an" th law in ffct whn
th action is fil"* irrspcti$ of
whthr th plaintiffs ar ntitl" to
so! or all of th clai!s assrt"
thrin% Absnt an, all#ation in th
co!plaint of th assss" $al+ of
th proprt,* it cannot b
"tr!in" whthr th RTC or th
MTC has ori#inal an" /cl+si$
'+ris"iction o$r th ptitionrKs
action% Th co+rts cannot ta&
'+"icial notic of th assss" or
!ar&t $al+ of th lan"%
In th cas of Ru)y +helter Builders
and Realty 0evelo(9ent ,or(. v.
/or9aran ===, 043 SCRA ;3<* th
"fn"ant fil" an O!nib+s Motion
in which h contn"" that th
"oc&t fs sho+l" b co!p+t" in
accor"anc with Sction 4 8a9* not
Sction 4 8b9 819* of R+l 1?1 of th
R+ls of Co+rt* as a!n"" b, A%M%
No% =?:;:=?:SC which too& ffct on
A+#+st 1@* ;==?% Tr+ no+#h* as
rco!p+t" b, th Clr& of Co+rt*
th "oc&t fs sho+l" ha$ bn
P4;=*<2;%@= an" not onl,
P1<*@??%;0 as what th plaintiff pai"
whn it fil" th co!plaint%
Sction 4 8a9* R+l 1?1 of th
R+ls of Co+rt ra"s6
SEC% 4% Clr&s of
R#ional Trial Co+rts% D
a9 For filin# an action
7 if th total s+! clai!"*
INCLUSI)E OF INTERESTS*
PENALTIES* SURCCAR>ES*
DAMA>ES OF WCATE)ER
MIND* AND ATTORNELIS FEES*
LITI>ATION EBPENSES AND
COSTS an"Hor in cass
in$ol$in# proprt,* th FAIR
MARMET $al+ of th REAL
proprt, in liti#ation STATED
IN TCE CURRENT TAB
DECLARATION OR CURRENT
QONAL )ALUATION OF TCE
(UREAU OF INTERNAL
RE)ENUE* WCICCE)ER IS
CI>CER* OR IF TCERE IS
NONE* TCE STATED )ALUE OF
TCE PROPERTL IN
LITI>ATION %%% AS ALLE>ED (L
TCE CLAIMANT* is6 RTabl of
fs o!itt"%S
If th action in$ol$s
both a !on, clai! an" rlif
prtainin# to proprt,* thn
45
th fs will b char#" on
both th a!o+nts clai!" an"
$al+ of proprt, bas" on th
for!+la prscrib" in this
para#raph a%
Manchester
0evelo(9ent
,or(oration v. ,ourt o7
A((eals 81?2 SCRA 0@;9
D Th co+rt ac.+irs
'+ris"iction o$r an,
cas onl, +pon pa,!nt
of th prscrib" "oc&t
f% An a!n"!nt of
th co!plaint or si!ilar
pla"in# will not thrb,
$st '+ris"iction in th
co+rt* !+ch lss th
pa,!nt of th "oc&t
f bas" on th
a!o+nt so+#ht in th
a!n"" pla"in#%
+un =nsurance C77ice,
Ltd. E+=CLF v. Asuncion
814= SCRA ;4?9 ::
Mo"ifi" r+lin# in
Manchester an" "cr"
that whr th initiator,
pla"in# is not
acco!pani" b, th
pa,!nt of th "oc&t
f* th co+rt !a, allow
pa,!nt of th f
within a rasonabl
prio" of ti!* b+t in no
cas b,on" th
applicabl prscripti$
or r#l!ntar, prio"%
Th aforsai" r+lin# was
!a" on th '+stification
that* +nli& in
Manchester, th pri$at
rspon"nt in +un
=nsurance C77ice, Ltd.
E+=CLF "!onstrat" his
willin#nss to abi" b,
th r+ls b, pa,in# th
a""itional "oc&t fs
r.+ir"%
In Cri!inal Cass D

1% E/cl+si$ ori#inal '+ris"iction
o$r all $iolations of cit, or
!+nicipal or"inancs
co!!itt" within thir
rspcti$ trritorial
'+ris"ictionG an"
;% E/cl+si$ ori#inal '+ris"iction
o$r all offnss p+nishabl
with i!prison!nt not
/c"in# si/ 8@9 ,ars
irrspcti$ of th a!o+nt of
fin* an" r#ar"lss of othr
i!posabl accssor, or othr
pnaltis* incl+"in# th ci$il
liabilit, arisin# fro! s+ch
offnss or pr"icat"
thron* irrspcti$ of th
&in"* nat+r* $al+ or a!o+nt
throfG pro$i""* how$r*
that in offnss in$ol$in#
"a!a# to proprt, thro+#h
cri!inal n#li#nc* th, shall
ha$ /cl+si$ ori#inal
'+ris"iction throf% RSc% ;* RA
4@21S%
In /i5ueroa v. Peo(le* >%R% No%
1?4?=@* -+l, 1?* ;==3* th offns
co!!itt" was rc&lss i!pr+"nc
rs+ltin# in ho!ici" which was fil"
with th RTC altho+#h th i!posabl
pnalt, for th cri! was (rision
correccional in its !"i+! an"
!a/i!+! prio"s* or ; ,ars* ?
!onths an" 1 "a, to @ ,ars* an"
thrfor within th '+ris"iction of
th MTC%
46
Dl#at" '+ris"iction D
Dl#at" -+ris"iction in
Ca"astral an" Lan"
R#istration Cass% D
Mtropolitan Trial
Co+rts* M+nicipal Trial
Co+rts* an" M+nicipal
Circ+it Trial Co+rts !a,
b assi#n" b, th
S+pr! Co+rt to har
an" "tr!in ca"astral
or lan" r#istration
cass co$rin# lots
whr thr is no
contro$rs, or
opposition* or contst"
lots whr th $al+ of
which "os not /c"
On h+n"r" tho+san"
psos 8P1==*===%==9*
s+ch $al+ to b
ascrtain" b, th
affi"a$it of th clai!ant
or b, a#r!nt of th
rspcti$ clai!ants if
thr ar !or than
on* or fro! th
corrspon"in# ta/
"claration of th ral
proprt,% Thir "cisions
in ths cass shall b
appalabl in th sa!
!annr as "cisions of
th R#ional Trial
Co+rts%
Not6 Th+s* "cisions of th
Mtropolitan Trial Co+rt /rcisin#
"l#at" '+ris"iction wo+l" b
appalabl to th Co+rt of Appals*
with th appllant filin# a notic of
appal%
3% Shariah
&o*rts
Strictl, spa&in#* ShariKa District
Co+rts "o not for! part of th
int#rat" '+"icial s,st! of th
Philippins% Sction ; of th -+"iciar,
Ror#aniEation Acts of 123= 8(%P%
(l#% 1;29 n+!rats th co+rts
co$r" b, th Act* co!prisin# th
int#rat" '+"icial s,st!% ShariKa
Co+rts ar not incl+"" in th
n+!ration notwithstan"in# that*
whn sai" (%P% (l#% 1;2 too& ffct
on A+#+st 1?* 1231* P%D% No% 1=3<
8othrwis &nown as FCo" of
M+sli! Prsonal Laws of th
PhilippinsF9 was alra", in forc%
Th ShariKa Co+rts ar !ntion" in
Sction ?0 of th Act onl, for th
p+rpos of incl+"in# th! Fin th
f+n"in# appropriations%F 8(ar Mattr
No% 4=;* Ma, 1;* 122?9 Not
how$r that Articl 1<4 of PD 1=3<
stats that th ShariIa co+rts ar
crat" as part of th '+"icial
s,st! an" ar co+rts of li!it"
'+ris"iction%
1% Th ShariKa District Co+rt
shall ha$ /cl+si$
ori#inal '+ris"iction o$r6
8a9 All cass in$ol$in#
c+sto",* #+ar"ianship*
l#iti!ac,* patrnit,
an" filiation arisin#
+n"r this Co"G
8b9 All cass in$ol$in#
"isposition* "istrib+tion
an" sttl!nt of th
stat of "cas"
M+sli!s* probat of
wills* iss+anc of lttrs
of a"!inistration or
appoint!nt of
a"!inistrators or
47
/c+tors r#ar"lss of
th nat+r or th
a##r#at $al+ of th
proprt,
8c9 Ptitions for th
"claration of absnc
an" "ath an" for th
cancllation or
corrction of ntris in
th M+sli! R#istris
!ntion" in Titl )I of
(oo& Two of this Co"G
8"9 All actions arisin#
fro! c+sto!ar,
contracts in which th
partis ar M+sli!s* if
th, ha$ not spcifi"
which law shall #o$rn
thir rlationsG an"
89 All ptitions for
!an"a!+s* prohibition*
in'+nction* crtiorari*
habas corp+s* an" all
othr a+/iliar, writs an"
procsss in ai" of its
appllat '+ris"iction%
;% Conc+rrntl, with /istin#
ci$il co+rts* th ShariKa
District Co+rt shall ha$
ori#inal '+ris"iction o$r6
8a9 Ptitions b, M+sli!s
for th constit+tion of a
fa!il, ho!* chan# of
na! an" co!!it!nt
of an insan prson to
an as,l+!G
8b9 All othr prsonal
an" ral actions not
!ntion" in para#raph
1 8"9 whrin th partis
in$ol$" ar M+sli!s
/cpt thos for forcibl
ntr, an" +nlawf+l
"tainr* which shall fall
+n"r th /cl+si$
ori#inal '+ris"iction of
th M+nicipal Circ+it
Co+rtG an"
8c9 All spcial ci$il
actions for intrpla"r
or "clarator, rlif
whrin th partis ar
M+sli!s or th proprt,
in$ol$" blon#s
/cl+si$l, to M+sli!s%
Appllat '+ris"iction
819 ShariKa District Co+rts shall
ha$ appllat '+ris"iction
o$r all cass tri" in th
ShariKa Circ+it Co+rts within
thir trritorial '+ris"iction%
8;9 Th ShariKa District Co+rt
shall "ci" $r, cas
appal" to it on th basis of
th $i"nc an" rcor"s
trans!itt" as wll as s+ch
!!oran"a* brifs or oral
ar#+!nts as th partis !a,
s+b!it%
7. 5*ris(iction over
s'all clai's1 cases
covere( +y te r*les on
S*''ary $roce(*re an(
)aran,ay &onciliation
RULES ON SUMMARY
$RO&EDURE
48
Sction 1% Scop% This r+l
shall #o$rn th s+!!ar, proc"+r
in Mtropolitan Trial Co+rts* th
M+nicipal Trial Co+rts in Citis*
M+nicipal Trial Co+rts* an" th
M+nicipal Circ+it Trial Co+rts in th
followin# cass fallin# within thir
'+ris"iction%
A. &ivil &ases6
1% All cass of forcibl ntr,
an" +nlawf+l "tainr irrspcti$ of
th a!o+nt of "a!a#s or +npai"
rntals so+#ht to b rco$r"%
Whr attorn,Is fs ar awar""*
th sa! shall not /c"
P;=*===%==%
;% All othr cass* /cpt
probat proc"in#s* whr th
total a!o+nt of th plaintiffIs clai!
"os not /c" P1==*===%== or
P;==*===%== in MTC* /cl+si$ of
intrst an" costs%
). &ri'inal &ases6
1% )iolations of traffic laws*
r+ls an" r#+lationsG
;% )iolations of th rntal lawG
<% )iolations of !+nicipal or
cit, or"inancsG
?% )iolations of (atas
Pa!bansa (ilan# ;; 8(o+ncin#
Chc&s Law9 D s also R+l 111*
Sc% 1 8b9G
0% All othr cri!inal cass
whr th pnalt, prscrib" b, law
for th offns char#" is
i!prison!nt not /c"in# @
!onths* or a fin not /c"in#
P1*===%==* or both* irrspcti$ of
othr i!posabl pnaltis*
accssor, or othrwis* or of th
ci$il liabilit, arisin# thrfro!6
Pro$i""* how$r* that in offnss
in$ol$in# "a!a# to proprt,
thro+#h cri!inal n#li#nc* this
R+l shall #o$rn whr th
i!posabl fin "os not /c"
P1=*===%==%
This R+l shall not appl, to a
ci$il cas whr th plaintiffIs ca+s
of action is pla"" in th sa!
co!plaint with anothr ca+s of
action s+b'ct to th or"inar,
proc"+rG nor to a cri!inal cas
whr th offns char#" is
ncssaril, rlat" to anothr
cri!inal cas s+b'ct to or"inar,
proc"+r%
RULES ON )ARAN#AY
&ON&ILIATION
A"!% Circ+lar No% 1?:2<
I% All "isp+ts ar s+b'ct to
(aran#a, conciliation p+rs+ant to
th R$is" Matar+n#an#
Pa!baran#a, Law Rfor!rl, P% D%
10=3* rpal" an" now rplac" b,
Scs% <22:?;;* Chaptr )II* Titl I*
(oo& III* an" Sc% 010* Titl I* (oo&
I)* R%A% 41@=* othrwis &nown as
th Local >o$rn!nt Co" of
1221S* an" prior rco+rs thrto is
a pr:con"ition bfor filin# a
co!plaint in co+rt or an,
#o$rn!nt offics* /cpt in th
followin# "isp+ts6

R1S Whr on part, is
th #o$rn!nt* or an,
s+b"i$ision or
instr+!ntalit, throfG
R;S Whr on part, is a
p+blic officr or
!plo, an" th
"isp+t rlats to th
49
prfor!anc of his
official f+nctionsG
R<S Whr th "isp+t
in$ol$s ral proprtis
locat" in "iffrnt citis
an" !+nicipalitis*
+nlss th partis
thrto a#r to s+b!it
thir "iffrnc to
a!icabl sttl!nt b,
an appropriat L+ponG
R?S An, co!plaint b, or
a#ainst corporations*
partnrships or '+ri"ical
ntitis* sinc onl,
in"i$i"+als shall b
partis to (aran#a,
conciliation proc"in#s
ithr as co!plainants
or rspon"nts RSc% 1*
R+l )I* Matar+n#an#
Pa!baran#a, R+lsSG
R0S Disp+ts in$ol$in#
partis who act+all,
rsi" in baran#a,s of
"iffrnt citis or
!+nicipalitis* /cpt
whr s+ch baran#a,
+nits a"'oin ach othr
an" th partis thrto
a#r to s+b!it thir
"iffrncs to a!icabl
sttl!nt b, an
appropriat L+ponG
R@S Offnss for which
th law prscribs a
!a/i!+! pnalt, of
i!prison!nt /c"in#
on R1S ,ar or a fin of
o$r fi$ tho+san" psos
8P0*===%==9G
R4S Offnss whr thr
is no pri$at offn""
part,G
R3S Disp+ts whr
+r#nt l#al action is
ncssar, to pr$nt
in'+stic fro! bin#
co!!itt" or f+rthr
contin+"* spcificall,
th followin#6

RaS Cri!inal
cass whr
acc+s" is +n"r
polic c+sto", or
"tntion RS
Sc% ?1; 8b9 819*
R$is"
Matar+n#an#
Pa!baran#a,
LawSG
RbS Ptitions for
habas corp+s b,
a prson ill#all,
"pri$" of his
ri#htf+l c+sto",
o$r anothr or a
prson ill#all,
"pri$" of or on
actin# in his
bhalfG
RcS Actions
co+pl" with
pro$isional
r!"is s+ch as
prli!inar,
in'+nction*
attach!nt*
"li$r, of
prsonal proprt,
an" s+pport
"+rin# th
pn"nc, of th
actionG an"
R"S Actions which
!a, b barr" b,
th Stat+t of
Li!itations%

R2S An, class of "isp+ts
which th Prsi"nt !a,
50
"tr!in in th intrst
of '+stic or +pon th
rco!!n"ation of th
Scrtar, of -+sticG
R1=S Whr th "isp+t
ariss fro! th
Co!prhnsi$ A#rarian
Rfor! Law 8CARL9
RScs% ?@ O ?4* R% A%
@@04SG
R11S Labor "isp+ts or
contro$rsis arisin#
fro! !plo,r:
!plo, rlations
RMonto,a $s% Esca,o* t
al%* 141 SCRA ??;G Art%
;;@* Labor Co"* as
a!n""* which #rants
ori#inal an" /cl+si$
'+ris"iction o$r
conciliation an"
!"iation of "isp+ts*
#ri$ancs or probl!s
to crtain offics of th
Dpart!nt of Labor
an" E!plo,!ntSG
R1;S Actions to ann+l
'+"#!nt +pon a
co!pro!is which !a,
b fil" "irctl, in co+rt
RS SanchE $s% T+paE*
103 SCRA ?02S%
II% Un"r th pro$isions of R% A%
41@= on Matar+n#an# Pa!baran#a,
conciliation* as i!pl!nt" b, th
Matar+n#an# Pa!baran#a, R+ls
an" R#+lations pro!+l#at" b, th
Scrtar, of -+stic* th crtification
for filin# a co!plaint in co+rt or an,
#o$rn!nt offic shall b iss+" b,
(aran#a, a+thoritis onl, +pon
co!plianc with th followin#
r.+ir!nts6
R1S Iss+" b, th L+pon
Scrtar, an" attst"
b, th L+pon Chair!an
8P+non# (aran#a,9*
crtif,in# that a
confrontation of th
partis has ta&n plac
an" that a conciliation
sttl!nt has bn
rach"* b+t th sa!
has bn s+bs.+ntl,
rp+"iat" 8Sc% ?1;*
R$is" Matar+n#an#
Pa!baran#a, LawG Sc%
;RhS* R+l III*
Matar+n#an#
Pa!baran#a, R+ls9G
R;S Iss+" b, th
Pan#&at Scrtar, an"
attst" b, th Pan#&at
Chair!an crtif,in# that6

RaS a confrontation
of th partis too&
plac b+t no
conciliationHsttl
!nt has bn
rach" 8Sc% ?RfS*
R+l III*
Matar+n#an#
Pa!baran#a,
R+ls9G or
RbS that no
prsonal
confrontation too&
plac bfor th
Pan#&at thro+#h
no fa+lt of th
co!plainant 8Sc%
?RfS* R+l III*
Matar+n#an#
Pa!baran#a,
R+ls9%
R<S Iss+" b, th P+non#
(aran#a, as r.+st"
b, th propr part, on
51
th #ro+n" of fail+r of
sttl!nt whr th
"isp+t in$ol$s
!!brs of th sa!
in"i#no+s c+lt+ral
co!!+nit,* which shall
b sttl" in accor"anc
with th c+sto!s an"
tra"itions of that
partic+lar c+lt+ral
co!!+nit,* or whr
on or !or of th
partis to th aforsai"
"isp+t blon# to th
!inorit, an" th partis
!+t+all, a#r" to
s+b!it thir "isp+t to
th in"i#no+s s,st!
of a!icabl sttl!nt*
an" thr has bn no
sttl!nt as crtifi"
b, th "at+ or tribal
la"r or l"r to th
P+non# (aran#a, of
plac of sttl!nt
8Scs% 1*? O 0* R+l IB*
Matar+n#an#
Pa!baran#a, R+ls9G
an"
R?S If !"iation or
conciliation fforts
bfor th P+non#
(aran#a, pro$"
+ns+ccssf+l* thr
ha$in# bn no
a#r!nt to arbitrat
8Sc% ?1= RbS* R$is"
Matar+n#an#
Pa!baran#a, LawG Sc%
1* c% 819* R+l III*
Matar+n#an#
Pa!baran#a, R+ls9* or
whr th rspon"nt
fails to appar at th
!"iation proc"in#
bfor th P+non#
(aran#a, 8<r" par% Sc%
3* a* R+l )I*
Matar+n#an#
Pa!baran#a, R+ls9*
th P+non# (aran#a,
shall not ca+s th
iss+anc at this sta# of
a crtification to fil
action* bca+s it is now
!an"ator, for hi! to
constit+t th Pan#&at
bfor who! !"iation*
conciliation* or
arbitration proc"in#s
shall b hl"%
III% All co!plaints an"Hor
infor!ations fil" or raffl" to ,o+r
salaHbranch of th R#ional Trial
Co+rt shall b carf+ll, ra" an"
scr+tiniE" to "tr!in if thr has
bn co!plianc with prior
(aran#a, conciliation proc"+r
+n"r th R$is" Matar+n#an#
Pa!baran#a, Law an" its
I!pl!ntin# R+ls an" R#+lations
as a pr:con"ition to '+"icial action*
partic+larl, whthr th crtification
to fil action attach" to th rcor"s
of th cas co!pl, with th
r.+ir!nts hrinabo$
n+!rat" in Par% IIG
I)% A cas fil" in co+rt
witho+t co!plianc with prior
(aran#a, conciliation which is a pr:
con"ition for for!al a"'+"ication
8Sc% ?1; RaS of th R$is"
Matar+n#an# Pa!baran#a, Law9
!a, b "is!iss" +pon !otion of
"fn"antHs* not for lac& of
'+ris"iction of th co+rt 8or9 for
fail+r to stat a ca+s of action b+t
for pr!at+rit, or fail+r to co!pl,
with a con"ition prc"nt for filin#
th clai!G an" rfr th cas !ot+
52
proprio to th appropriat (aran#a,
a+thorit, appl,in# b, analo#, Sc%
?=3 R#S* ;n" par%* of th R$is"
Matar+n#an# Pa!baran#a, Law
which ra"s as follows6
FTh co+rt in which non:
cri!inal cass not fallin#
within th a+thorit, of
th L+pon +n"r this
Co" ar fil" !a,* at
an, ti! bfor trial*
!ot+ proprio rfr cas
to th L+pon concrn"
for a!icabl sttl!nt%
SMALL &LAIMS &OURT
SEC% ;% Scop% T This R+l
shall #o$rn th proc"+r in
actions bfor th Mtropolitan Trial
Co+rts* M+nicipal Trial Co+rts in
Citis* M+nicipal Trial Co+rts an"
M+nicipal Circ+it Trial Co+rts for
pa,!nt of !on, whr th $al+
of th clai! "os not /c" On
C+n"r" Tho+san" Psos
8P1==*===%==9 /cl+si$ of intrst
an" costs%
SEC% ?% Applicabilit,% T Th
Mtropolitan Trial Co+rts* M+nicipal
Trial Co+rts in Citis* M+nicipal Trial
Co+rts* an" M+nicipal Circ+it Trial
Co+rts shall appl, this R+l in all
actions which ar6 8a9 p+rl, ci$il in
nat+r whr th clai! or rlif
pra," for b, th plaintiff is soll,
for pa,!nt or ri!b+rs!nt of
s+! of !on,* an" 8b9 th ci$il
aspct of cri!inal actions* ithr
fil" bfor th instit+tion of th
cri!inal action* or rsr$" +pon th
filin# of th cri!inal action in co+rt*
p+rs+ant to R+l 111 of th R$is"
R+ls Of Cri!inal Proc"+r%
Ths clai!s or "!an"s !a,
b6
8a9 For !on, ow" +n"r an,
of th followin#6
1% Contract of LasG
;% Contract of LoanG
<% Contract of Sr$icsG
?% Contract of SalG or
0% Contract of Mort#a#G
8b9 For "a!a#s arisin# fro!
an, of th followin#6
1% Fa+lt or n#li#ncG
;% N+asi:contractG or
<% ContractG
8c9 Th nforc!nt of a
baran#a, a!icabl sttl!nt or an
arbitration awar" in$ol$in# a !on,
clai! co$r" b, this R+l p+rs+ant
to Sc% ?14
In Cr)e v. u9aran5, A%M% No% MT-:
11:142;* Spt!br ;3* ;=11* @03
SCRA ;<1* rspon"nt '+"# was
fo+n" #+ilt, of +n"+ "la, in
rn"rin# a "cision an" $iolation of
th r+l of proc"+r for s!all
clai!s cass% Accor"in# to th SC*
th thor, bhin" th s!all clai!s
s,st! is that or"inar, liti#ation
fails to brin# practical '+stic to th
partis whn th "isp+t" clai! is
s!all bca+s th ti! an" /pns
r.+ir" b, th or"inar, liti#ation
procss is so "isproportionat to th
a!o+nt in$ol$" that it "isco+ra#s
a '+st rsol+tion of th "isp+t% Th
s!all clai!s procss is "si#n" to
f+nction .+ic&l, an" infor!all,%
Thr ar no law,rs* no for!al
pla"in#s an" no strict l#al r+ls of
$i"nc%
53
Th+s* th intnt of th law in
pro$i"in# th prio" to har an"
"ci" cass fallin# +n"r th R+l
of Proc"+r for S!all Clai!s Cass
which is within 0 "a,s fro! th
rcipt of th or"r of assi#n!nt is
$r, clar% Th /i#nc, of pro!pt
rn"ition of '+"#!nt in s!all
clai!s cass is a !attr of p+blic
polic,% Thr is no roo! for f+rthr
intrprtation% C is "+t,:bo+n" to
a"hr to th r+ls an" "ci" s!all
clai!s cass witho+t +n"+ "la,%
>% Totalit, R+l
Whr thr ar s$ral clai!s or
ca+ss of actions btwn th sa!
or "iffrnt partis* !bo"i" in th
sa! co!plaint* th a!o+nt of th
"!an" shall b th totalit, of th
clai!s in all ca+ss of action*
irrspcti$ of whthr th ca+ss
of action aros o+t of th sa! or
"iffrnt transaction% 8Sc% << 819*
(%P% No% 1;2* as a!n""9
NOTE6 W will follow th totalit, r+l
in (P 1;2 bca+s it is l!ntar,
in stat+tor, constr+ction that in cas
of conflict* s+bstanti$ law pr$ails
o$r proc"+ral laws%
III% Ci$il Proc"+r
A% Actions
Manchester R+l D All co!plaints*
ptitions* answrs an" othr si!ilar
pla"in#s sho+l" spcif, th a!o+nt
of "a!a#s bin# pra," for not
onl, in th bo", of th pla"in# b+t
also in th pra,r* an" sai"
"a!a#s shall b consi"r" in th
assss!nt of th filin# fs% An,
pla"in# that fails to co!pl, with
this r.+ir!nt shall not b
accpt" nor a"!itt"* or shall
othrwis b /p+n#" fro! th
rcor"%
+un =nsurance cas D Rla/ation of
th r+l
a% It is not si!pl, th filin# of th
co!plaint or appropriat
initiator, pla"in# b+t also th
pa,!nt of th prscrib"
"oc&t f that $sts a trial
co+rt with '+ris"iction o$r th
s+b'ct !attr or nat+r of
th action% Whr th filin# of
th initiator, pla"in# is not
acco!pani" b, pa,!nt of
th "oc&t f* th co+rt !a,
allow pa,!nt of th f
within a rasonabl ti! b+t
in no cas b,on" th
applicabl prscripti$ or
r#l!ntar, prio"%
b% Th sa! r+l applis to
pr!issi$ co+ntrclai!s*
thir" part, clai!s an" si!ilar
pla"in#s* which shall not b
consi"r" fil" +ntil an"
+nlss th filin# f
prscrib" thrfor is pai"%
Th co+rt !a, also allow
pa,!nt of sai" f within a
rasonabl ti! b+t also in no
cas b,on" its applicabl
prscripti$ or r#l!ntar,
prio"%
c% Whr th trial co+rt ac.+irs
'+ris"iction o$r a clai! b,
th filin# of th appropriat
pla"in# an" pa,!nt of th
prscrib" filin# f b+t*
s+bs.+ntl,* th '+"#!nt
awar"s a clai! not spcifi"
in th pla"in#* or if spcifi"*
54
th sa! has bn lft for
"tr!ination b, th co+rt*
th a""itional filin# f
thrfor shall constit+t a lin
on th '+"#!nt% It shall b
th rsponsibilit, of th Clr&
of Co+rt or his "+l, a+thoriE"
"p+t, to nforc sai" lin
an" assss an" collct th
a""itional f%
Ballatan v. ,ourt o7 A((eals* March
;* 1222* <=? SCRA <?* s+!!ariE"
th "iffrnt principls for th co+rt
to ac.+ir '+ris"iction +pon pa,!nt
of th "oc&t f6
a% Th r+l in this '+ris"iction is
that whn an action is fil" in
co+rt* th co!plaint !+st b
acco!pani" b, th pa,!nt
of th r.+isit "oc&t an"
filin# fs%
b% In ral actions* th "oc&t an"
filin# fs ar bas" on th
$al+ of th proprt, an" th
a!o+nt of "a!a#s clai!"* if
an,% Un"r R+l 1?1* Sc% 4
8a9* th basis of co!p+tin# th
"oc&t an" filin# fs in cass
in$ol$in# proprt, is th fair
!ar&t $al+ of th ral
proprt, in liti#ation stat" in
th c+rrnt ta/ "claration or
c+rrnt Eonal $al+ation of th
(IR* which$r is hi#hr* or if
thr is non* th stat" $al+
of th proprt, in liti#ation or
th $al+ of th prsonal
proprt, in liti#ation as
all#" b, th clai!ant%
c% If th co!plaint is fil" b+t th
fs ar not pai" at th ti!
of filin#* th co+rt ac.+irs
'+ris"iction +pon f+ll pa,!nt
of th fs within a rasonabl
ti! as th co+rt !a, #rant*
barrin# prscription%
"% Whr th fs prscrib" for
th ral action ha$ bn pai"
b+t th fs of crtain rlat"
"a!a#s ar not* th co+rt*
altho+#h ha$in# '+ris"iction
o$r th ral action* !a, not
ha$ ac.+ir" '+ris"iction o$r
th acco!pan,in# clai! for
"a!a#s%
% Accor"in#l,* th co+rt !a,
/p+n# thos clai!s for
"a!a#s* or allow* on !otion*
a rasonabl ti! for
a!n"!nt of th co!plaint
so as to all# th prcis
a!o+nt of "a!a#s an"
accpt pa,!nt of th
r.+isit l#al fs%
f% If thr ar +nspcifi" clai!s*
th "tr!ination of which
!a, aris aftr th filin# of
th co!plaint or si!ilar
pla"in#* th a""itional filin#
f thron shall constit+t a
lin on th '+"#!nt awar"%
Th sa! r+l also applis to
thir":part, clai!s an" othr
si!ilar pla"in#s%
$eirs o7 the late Reinoso +r. v. ,ourt
o7 A((eals* >%R% No% 11@1;1* -+l, 13*
;=11* @0? SCRA 1
Th r+l is that pa,!nt in f+ll of
th "oc&t fs within th
prscrib" prio" is !an"ator,% In
Manchstr $% Co+rt of Appals* it
was hl" that a co+rt ac.+irs
'+ris"iction o$r an, cas onl, +pon
th pa,!nt of th prscrib"
"oc&t f% Th strict application of
this r+l was how$r rla/" two
,ars aftr in th cas of +un
=nsurance C77ice Ltd. v. Asuncion*
55
whrin th Co+rt "cr" that
whr th initiator, pla"in# is not
acco!pani" b, th pa,!nt of th
"oc&t f* th co+rt !a, allow
pa,!nt of th f within a
rasonabl prio" of ti!* b+t in no
cas b,on" th applicabl
prscripti$ or r#l!ntar, prio"%
This r+lin# was !a" on th pr!is
that th plaintiff ha" "!onstrat"
his willin#nss to abi" b, th r+ls
b, pa,in# th a""itional fs
r.+ir"% Th+s* in th !or rcnt
cas of @nited Cverseas Ban* v.
Ros* th Co+rt /plain" that whr
th part, "os not "libratl,
intn" to "fra+" th co+rt in
pa,!nt of "oc&t fs* an"
!anifsts its willin#nss to abi" b,
th r+ls b, pa,in# a""itional fs
whn r.+ir" b, th co+rt* th
libral "octrin n+nciat" in S+n
Ins+ranc Offic* Lt"% an" not th
strict r#+lations st in Manchstr
will appl,% It has bn on rcor" that
th Co+rt in s$ral instancs
allow" th rla/ation of th r+l on
non:pa,!nt of "oc&t fs in or"r
to affor" th partis th opport+nit,
to f+ll, $ntilat thir cass on th
!rits%
/ed9an 0evelo(9ent ,or(. v.
A5caoili* >%R% No% 1@0=;0* A+#+st
<1* ;=11* @0@ SCRA <0? D Th
pr$ailin# r+l is that if th corrct
a!o+nt of "oc&t fs ar not pai"
at the ti9e o7 7ilin5, th TC still
ac.+irs '+ris"iction +pon f+ll
pa,!nt of th fs .ithin a
reasona)le ti9e as th co+rt !a,
#rant* )arrin5 (rescri(tion. 8(allatan
$% CA* <=? SCRA <?9 Th
5prscripti$ prio"A that bars th
pa,!nt of th "oc&t fs rfrs to
th prio" in which a spcific action
!+st b fil"* so that in $r, cas
th "oc&t fs !+st b pai" bfor
th laps of th prscripti$ prio"*
as pro$i"" in th applicabl laws*
partic+larl, Chaptr <* Titl )* (oo&
III of th Ci$il Co"* th principal law
on prscription of actions%
In lin with Sc% @* R+l 1 on th
libral constr+ction of th R+ls*
consi"r th classic stat!nt of th
Co+rt in Alonso v. Ailla9or6
Th rror in this cas is
p+rl, tchnical% To ta&
a"$anta# of it for othr
p+rposs than to c+r it
"os not appal to a fair
sns of '+stic% Its
prsntation as fatal to
th plaintiffKs cas
s!ac&s of s&ill rathr
than ri#ht% A liti#ation is
not a #a! of
tchnicalitis in which
on* !or "pl,
school" an" s&ill" in
th s+btl art of
!o$!nt an" position*
ntraps an" "stro,s th
othr% It is* rathr* a
contst in which ach
contn"in# part, f+ll,
an" fairl, la,s bfor th
co+rt th facts in iss+
an" thn* br+shin# asi"
as wholl, tri$ial an"
in"cisi$ all
i!prfctions of for!
an" tchnicalitis of
proc"+r* as&s that
'+stic b "on +pon th
!rits% Laws+its* +nli&
"+ls* ar not to b won
b, a rapirKs thr+st%
Tchnicalit,* whn it
56
"srts its propr offic
as an ai" to '+stic an"
bco!s its #rat
hin"ranc an" chif
n!,* "sr$s scant
consi"ration fro!
co+rts% Thr sho+l" b
no $st" ri#hts in
tchnicalitis% No liti#ant
sho+l" b pr!itt" to
challn# a rcor" of a
co+rt of ths Islan"s for
"fct of for! whn his
s+bstantial ri#hts ha$
not bn pr'+"ic"
thrb,% 8Alonso $%
)illa!or* 1@ Phil% <109
Filin# Fs
Ru)y +helter Builders and Realty
0evelo(9ent ,or(. v. /or9aran*
>%R% No% 14021?* Fbr+ar, 1=* ;==2
D A ral action in"isp+tabl, in$ol$s
ral proprt,% Th "oc&t fs for a
ral action wo+l" still b "tr!in"
in accor"anc with th $al+ of th
ral proprt, in$ol$" thrinG th
onl, "iffrnc is in what constit+ts
th accptabl $al+% In co!p+tin#
th "oc&t fs for cass in$ol$in#
ral proprtis* th co+rts* insta"
of rl,in# on th assss" or
sti!at" $al+* wo+l" now b
+sin# th fair !ar&t $al+ of th
ral proprtis 8as stat" in th Ta/
Dclaration or th Qonal )al+ation of
th (+ra+ of Intrnal R$n+*
which$r is hi#hr9 or* in th
absnc throf* th stat" $al+ of
th sa!%
Montaner v. +hariKa 0istrict ,ourt*
>%R% No% 14?240* -an+ar, ;=* ;==2 D
Filin# th appropriat initiator,
pla"in# an" th pa,!nt of th
prscrib" "oc&t fs $st a trial
co+rt with '+ris"iction o$r th
s+b'ct !attr% If th part, filin# th
cas pai" lss than th corrct
a!o+nt for th "oc&t fs bca+s
that was th a!o+nt assss" b,
th clr& of co+rt* th rsponsibilit,
of !a&in# a "ficinc, assss!nt
lis with th sa! clr& of co+rt% In
s+ch a cas* th lowr co+rt
concrn" will not a+to!aticall,
los '+ris"iction bca+s of a part,Is
rlianc on th clr& of co+rtIs
ins+fficint assss!nt of th
"oc&t fs% Cow$r* th part,
concrn" will b r.+ir" to pa,
th "ficinc,%
Proton Pili(inas v. Ban'ue 8acional
de Paris* >%R% No% 101;?;* -+n 10*
;==0 D In this cas* (NP fil" on
Spt!br 4* 1223 bfor th
Ma&ati R#ional Trial Co+rt 8RTC9 a
co!plaint a#ainst Proton pra,in#
that th, b or"r" to pa, 819
USP1*0??*23?%?= pl+s accr+"
intrst an" othr rlat" char#s
thron s+bs.+nt to A+#+st 10*
1223 +ntil f+ll, pai" an" 8;9 an
a!o+nt .+i$alnt to 0U of all s+!s
"+ fro! ptitionrs as attorn,Ks
fs% It was assss" b, th Ma&ati
RTC Clr& of Co+rt th a!o+nt of
Php<0;*11@%<=* which (NP pai"%
Accor"in# to th SC* Th clr& of
co+rt sho+l" th+s ha$ assss" th
filin# f b, ta&in# into
consi"ration Fth total s+!
clai!"* incl+si$ of intrst*
"a!a#s of what$r &in"*
attorn,Ks fs* liti#ation /pnss*
an" costs* or th stat" $al+ of th
proprt, in liti#ation%F As r#ar"s
th /chan# rat appli" b, th
Clr& of Co+rt* th SC hl" that in
th absnc of an, offic #+i" of
57
th rat of /chan# which sai"
co+rt f+nctionar, was "+t, bo+n" to
follow* h is prs+!pti$l, corrct in
appl,in# US P1 V P?< bca+s of
th prs+!ption of r#+larit, of th
clr& of co+rtKs application of th
/chan# rat* this how$r is
"isp+tabl% As s+ch* th
prs+!ption !a, b o$rt+rn" b,
th r.+isit rb+ttin# $i"nc% In
th cas at bar* Proton ha$
a".+atl, pro$n with
"oc+!ntar, $i"nc that th
/chan# rat whn th co!plaint
was fil" on Spt!br 4* 1223 was
US P1 V P?<%;1* an" not US P1 V
P?< as what th Clr& of Co+rt
appli"%
Re'uest 7or 8ational ,o99ittee on
Le5al Aid to 4Ie9(t Le5al Aid
,lients 7ro9 Payin5 /ilin5 and
0oc*et /ees* A%M% No% =3:11:4:SC*
A+#+st ;3* ;==2 :: Un"r th I(PIs
>+i"lins >o$rnin# th
Establish!nt an" Opration of
L#al Ai" Offics in All Chaptrs of
th I(P 8>+i"lins on L#al Ai"9*
th co!bin" F!ans an" !rit
tstsF shall b +s" to "tr!in
th li#ibilit, of an applicant for
l#al ai"% Accor"in# to th SC* th
F!ans an" !rit tstsF appar to
b rasonabl "tr!inants of
li#ibilit, for co$ra# +n"r th
l#al ai" pro#ra! of th I(P%
Nonthlss* th, !a, b i!pro$"
to ns+r that an, /!ption fro!
th pa,!nt of l#al fs that !a,
b #rant" to clints of th NCLA
an" th l#al ai" offics of th
$ario+s I(P chaptrs will rall,
f+rthr th ri#ht of accss to '+stic
b, th poor% This will #+arant that
th /!ption will nithr b
ab+s" nor tri$ialiE"% Th+s* th SC
pro!+l#at" A%M% No% =3:11:4:SC
8IRR96 R6 R+l on th E/!ption
Fro! th Pa,!nt of L#al Fs of
th Clints of th National
Co!!itt on L#al Ai" an" of th
L#al Ai" Offics in th Local
Chaptrs of th Int#rat" (ar of th
Philippins* which shall b obsr$"
b, th NCLA an" th l#al ai" offics
in I(P chaptrs nationwi" in
accptin# clints an" han"lin# cass
for th sai" clints%
Juery o7 Mr. Ro5er ,. Prioreschi reB
eIe9(tion 7ro9 le5al and 7ilin5 7ees
o7 the ood +he(herd /oundation
=nc.* A%M% No% =2:@:2:SC* A+#+st 12*
;==2 Rsol+tion :: Can th Co+rts
#rant to fo+n"ations who wor& for
in"i#nt an" +n"rpri$il#" popl*
th sa! option #rant" to in"i#nt
poplJ No% Th clar intnt an"
prcis lan#+a# of th afor.+ot"
pro$isions of th R+ls of Co+rt
in"icat that onl, a nat+ral part,
liti#ant !a, b r#ar"" as an
in"i#nt liti#ant% Th >oo" Shphr"
Fo+n"ation* Inc%* bin# a corporation
in$st" b, th Stat with a '+ri"ical
prsonalit, sparat an" "istinct
fro! that of its !!brs* is a
'+ri"ical prson% A!on# othrs* it
has th powr to ac.+ir an"
possss proprt, of all &in"s as wll
as inc+r obli#ations an" brin# ci$il or
cri!inal actions* in confor!it, with
th laws an" r#+lations of thir
or#aniEation% As a '+ri"ical prson*
thrfor* it cannot b accor"" th
/!ption fro! l#al an" filin# fs
#rant" to in"i#nt liti#ants% That
th >oo" Shphr" Fo+n"ation* Inc%
is wor&in# for in"i#nt an"
+n"rpri$il#" popl is of no
!o!nt% Clarl,* th Constit+tion
has /plicitl, pr!is" th fr
58
accss cla+s on a prsonIs po$rt,*
a con"ition that onl, a nat+ral
prson can s+ffr%
Un"r Sc% 0* R+l 1* a ci$il action is
co!!nc" b, th filin# of th
ori#inal co!plaint in co+rt%
Can ,o+ fil a co!plaint or ptition
b, r#istr" !ailJ S(C Nots wrot
5An action can b co!!nc" b,
filin# th co!plaint b, r#istr"
!ail% In which cas* it is th "at of
!ailin# that is consi"r" as th
"at of filin# an" not th "at of th
rcipt throf b, th clr& of
co+rt%A Consi"r also Sc% < of R+l
1<* which ra"s6 5Th filin# of
pla"in#s7shall b !a" b,
prsntin# th ori#inal copis
throf* plainl, in"icat" as s+ch*
prsonall, to th clr& of co+rt or +y
sen(in, te' +y re,istere(
'ail.A Cow abo+t th pa,!nt for
th filin# fJ Th sa! sction
f+rthr ra"s6 5In th scon" cas*
th "at of th !ailin# of 7
pla"in#s* or any oter %a%er or
%ay'ents or (e%osits1 as so"n
+y te %ost o!!ice sta'% on te
envelo%e or te re,istry recei%t1
shall b consi"r" as th "at of
thir filin#* pa,!nt* or "posit in
co+rt%A
1% Manin# of
or"inar, ci$il
actions
R+l <* Sc% < 8a96 A ci$il action is
on b, which a part, s+s anothr
for th nforc!nt or protction of
a ri#ht* or th pr$ntion or r"rss
of a wron#%
A ci$il action !a, ithr b or"inar,
or spcial% (oth ar #o$rn" b, th
r+ls for or"inar, actions* s+b'ct to
th spcific r+ls prscrib" for a
spcial ci$il action%
;% Manin# of
spcial ci$il
actions
It is also ci$il action an" #o$rn"
b, th r+ls for or"inar, action b+t
bca+s of its pc+liar, nat+r* it is
s+b'ct to th spcific r+ls
prscrib" for th!* partic+larl,
R+l @; to R+l 41* "pn"in# on
th spcial ci$il action in$ol$"%
<% Manin# of
cri!inal actions
R+l <* Sc% < 8b96 A cri!inal action
is on b, which th Stat prosc+ts
a prson for an act or o!ission
p+nishabl b, law%
?% Ci$il actions
$rs+s Spcial
proc"in#s
Ci$il actions as a r+l is #o$rn" b,
th or"inar, r+ls* which is fro!
R+l 1 to 0@% Spcial ci$il actions ar
li&wis #o$rn" b, th or"inar,
r+ls b+t bca+s of its pc+liar
nat+r* it is s+b'ct to th spcific
r+ls +n"r R+l @; to 41 "pn"in#
on th spcial ci$il action in$ol$"%
0% Prsonal actions
an" ral actions
ral action6 8a9 s+b'ct is th
ownrship or possssion of ral
proprt,
59
8b9 fo+n"" on pri$it, of
ral stat
8c9 fil" in th co+rt
whr th proprt, or an, part
throf is sit+at"
8"9 /a!pl6 accion
reinvindicatoria
prsonal action6 8a9 prsonal
proprt, is so+#ht to b rco$r"
or
whr "a!a#s
for brach of contract ar so+#ht
8b9 fo+n"" on
pri$it, of contract
8c9 fil" in th co+rt
whr th plaintiff or an, of th
"fn"ants rsi"
at th option of th plaintiff
8"9 /a!pl6 action
for a s+! of !on,
/ar 4ast Ban* and 6rust ,o. v.
+(ouses Pla2a, >%R% No% 10??32* -+l,
;0* ;==< D An action to co!pl th
!ort#a# to accpt pa,!nt an"
for th cons.+nt cancllation of a
ral stat !ort#a# is a prsonal
action if th !ort#a# has not
forclos" th !ort#a# an" th
!ort#a#or is in possssion of th
pr!iss sinc nithr th
!ort#a#orIs titl to nor possssion
of th proprt, is in .+stion% 8s
Caran"an# $% Co+rt of Appals* 10
April 1233* 1@= SCRA ;@@9 Contrar,
to ptitionrsI contntion*
rspon"nts "o not .+stion th
$ali"it, of th ral stat !ort#a#
th, ntr" into% In fact th,
+phol" its $ali"it, sinc th, ar
willin# to pa, thir obli#ation +n"r
th contract aftr which th contract
sho+l" thn b "clar" witho+t
l#al ffct% Also* thr is as ,t no
transfr of titl fro! rspon"nts to
ptitionrs% Rspon"nts !aintain
that th titl r!ains in thir na!
an" th, ar still in act+al ph,sical
possssion of th proprt,% Thr is
no forclos+r ,t of th !ort#a#%
Cnc* thr is no titl to th lan" to
b affct" b, th action%
!i/" action6 8a9 both ral an"
prsonal proprtis ar in$ol$"
8b9 fo+n"" on pri$it,
of ral stat an" contract
8c9 th r+ls on $n+
of ral actions shall #o$rn
8"9 /a!pl6 accion
reinvindicatoria with a clai! for
"a!a#s
@% Local an"
transitor, actions
local action !+st b bro+#ht in a
partic+lar plac whr th s+b'ct
proprt, or a portion throf is
locat" +nlss thr is an
a#r!nt to th contrar, 8Sc% ?*
R+l ?9% E/a!pl6 action to rco$r
ral proprt,
transitor, action is "pn"nt on
th plac whr th part, rsi"s
r#ar"lss of whr th s+b'ct
ca+s of action aros 8Sc% ?* R+l
?9% E/a!pl6 action to rco$r s+!
of !on,
4% Actions in r!*
in prsona! an"
.+asi in r!
Actions in re96 8a9 "irct" a#ainst
th thin# itslf
8b9 '+ris"iction o$r
th prson of th "fn"ant is not
r.+ir"
60
8c9 a proc"in# to
"tr!in th stat or con"ition of
a thin#
8"9 '+"#!nt is
bin"in# on th whol worl"
89 /a!pl6 probat
proc"in#
Actions in (ersona96 8a9 "irct"
a#ainst th partic+lar prson
8b9 '+ris"iction
o$r th prson of th "fn"ant
is r.+ir"
8c9 an action to
i!pos a rsponsibilit, or
liabilit, +pon
a prson "irctl,
8"9 '+"#!nt is
bin"in# onl, +pon th partis
i!pla"" or
thir s+ccssors in intrst
89 /a!pl6
action for spcific prfor!anc
Actions 'uasi in re96 8a9 "irct"
a#ainst partic+lar prsons
8b9 '+ris"iction
o$r th prson of th "fn"ant
is not
r.+ir" as lon# as '+ris"iction o$r
th res is
ac.+ir"
8c9 a
proc"in# to s+b'ct th intrst of
a
na!"
"fn"ant o$r a partic+lar proprt,
to an
obli#ation or lin b+r"nin# it
8"9 '+"#!nt is
bin"in# +pon partic+lar prsons
89 /a!pl6
action for partition
Actions for "a!a#s bas" on .+asi:
"licts ar pri!aril, an" ffcti$l,
actions for th rco$r, of a s+! of
!on, for th "a!a#s s+ffr"
bca+s of th "fn"antIs all#"
tortio+s act% Th "a!a#s clai!"
in s+ch actions rprsnt th
!ontar, .+i$alnt of th in'+r,
ca+s" to th plaintiff b, th
"fn"ant* which ar th+s so+#ht to
b rco$r" b, th plaintiff% This
!on, clai! is th principl so+#ht*
an" is not !rl, inci"ntal thrto
or a cons.+nc throf% 8Ini#o $%
-+"# P+r#anan* >%R% No% 1@@34@*
March ;?* ;==@9
If it is capabl of pc+niar,
sti!ation* '+ris"iction will "pn"
on th $al+ of th "!an"
/cl+si$ of intrsts* "a!a#s of
what$r &in"* attorn,Is fs*
liti#ation /pnss an" costs* or
$al+ of th proprt, in contro$rs,
that will "tr!in th '+ris"iction of
th co+rt% Th othr for! of
"a!a#s $n if not ssntial for
p+rposs of '+ris"iction !+st
how$r b spcifi" in th filin#
fs%
Ulti!at Ob'cti$ Tst D If th rlif
"!an"" is on which !a, not b
#rant" +n"r th law* it "os not
charactriE or "tr!in th
nat+r of th action% Th rlif to
which th plaintiff is ntitl" bas"
on th facts all#" b, hi! in his
co!plaint altho+#h it is not th
rlif "!an"" is what "tr!ins
th nat+r of th action% Th+s* a
pra,r for ann+l!nt or rscission of
th sal "os not oprat to ffct
th f+n"a!ntal an" pri!
ob'cti$ an" nat+r of th action*
which is to rco$r ral proprt, an"
is th+s a ral action% Th ann+l!nt
of th sal is onl, scon"ar,%
61
Inci"ntal Tst D If it is pri!aril, for
rco$r, of a s+! of !on,* it is
capabl of pc+niar, sti!ation%
Whr th basic iss+ is so!thin#
othr than th ri#ht to rco$r a
s+! of !on, or is p+rl, inci"ntal
to or as a cons.+nc of th
principl rlif so+#ht li& spcific
prfor!anc* action for s+pport or
for ann+l!nt of contract* it is not
capabl of pc+niar, sti!ation%
Mr Cons.+nc Tst D An action
to co!pl "fn"ant to accpt th
#oo"s an" pa, "a!a#s* rscission
of contract an" ri!b+rs!nt of
contract pric* an" action for
spcific prfor!anc of stip+lation
in a las contract s+ch as to
!aintain th lss in pacf+l
possssion of th pr!iss wr
hl" to b incapabl of pc+niar,
sti!ation as th a!o+nts to b
collct" ar b+t a cons.+nc of
spcific prfor!anc which fall
+n"r th '+ris"iction of th RTC
r#ar"lss of a!o+nt so+#ht to b
rco$r"%
Consi"r th cas of Lu v. Lu H9 +r.*
>%R% No% 10<@2= "isc+ss" in Part I%
In th A+#+st ;@* ;==3 Dcision
pnn" b, -+stic Nach+ra* th SC
concl+"" that th s+b'ct !attr of
th co!plaint was incapabl of
pc+niar, sti!ation% Thr was no
"issnt% Upon Motion for
Rconsi"ration* th sa! "i$ision
rsol$" on A+#+st ?* ;==2 that th
co!plaint was capabl of pc+niar,
sti!at% -+stic Nach+ra wrot*
+pon "pr rflction an" to th
/tnt of th "a!a# or in'+r,
s+ffr" b, th plaintiffs fro! th
sal of th shars* th action can b
charactriE" as capabl of
pc+niar, sti!ation% -+stic Carpio:
Morals wrot a "issnt% Whn th
!attr was bro+#ht +p to th SC En
(anc* th Co+rt thro+#h -+stic
Carpio:Morals rsol$" that th
s+b'ct !attr of th co!plaint was
incapabl of pc+niar, sti!at%
8Fbr+ar, 10* ;=119 -+stic Nach+ra
"issnt"%
E/propriation s+it is incapabl of
pc+niar, sti!ation an"
accor"in#l, falls +n"r th
'+ris"iction of th RTC r#ar"lss of
th $al+ of th s+b'ct proprt,%
8(aran#a, San Ro.+ $% Pastor* >%R%
No% 1<332@* -+n ;=* ;===9
Accor"in# to Crrra* '+ris"iction to
ann+l or rscin" sttl!nts or
arbitration bfor th Matar+n#an
Pa!baran#a, or to nforc a!icabl
sttl!nt or awar" bfor th
(aran#a,* which ar cass
incapabl of pc+niar, sti!ation*
falls +n"r th /cl+si$ '+ris"iction
of th !+nicipal trial co+rt of th
(aran#a, in$ol$"% Th a+thorit, of
th MTC to "tr!in .+stions
incapabl of pc+niar, sti!ation
+n"r th abo$ for!+lation is
thrfor b,on" ca$il%
Classification of actions for
nforc!nt of fori#n '+"#!nt D
Altho+#h classifi" as on capabl
of pc+niar, sti!ation* it is also an
action bas" on '+"#!nt a#ainst
an stat* th+s placin# it b,on" th
a!bit of Sction 4 8a9 of R+l 1?1%
Th applicabl pro$ision is Sction 4
8b9 8<9 of R+l 1?1 in$ol$in# 5othr
actions not in$ol$in# proprt,A
whr onl, th blan&t filin# f of
!ini!al a!o+nt of Php;*===%== is
62
r.+ir"% 8Mi'ars $% Rana"a* >%R%
No% 1<2<;0* April 1;* ;==09
1% Manin# of
ca+s of action
A ca+s of action is th act or
o!ission b, which a part, $iolats a
ri#ht of anothr%
R.+isits of a ri#ht of action6 8a9
th /istnc of a l#al ri#ht of th

Plaintiff
8b9 a
corrlati$ obli#ation of th

"fn"ant to rspct plaintiffIs ri#htG
an
"*
8c9 an
act or
o!issi
on of
th
"fn"
ant
in
$iolati
on of
th
plaintif
fIs
l#al
ri#
ht
;% Ri#ht of Action
$rs+s Ca+s of
action
El!nts of a Ri#ht of Action6
8a9 Th /istnc of a ca+s
of action "fin" as th
act or o!ission b, which
a part, $iolats a ri#ht
of anothr
8b9 Th prfor!anc of all
con"itions prc"nt to
th brin#in# of th
action
8c9 Th ri#ht to brin# an"
!aintain th action
!+st b in th prson
instit+tin# it
Con"itions prc"nt
8a9 /ha+stion of
a"!inistrati$ r!"is
8b9 arbitration as a con"ition
prc"nt for co+rt action
Constr+ction In"+str,
Arbitration
Co!!ission 8CIAC9 D
rco+rs !a, b
a$ail" of whn$r
th contract contains
a cla+s for th
s+b!ission of a
f+t+r contro$rs, to
arbitration
Rp% Act No% 2;30 or
Altrnati$ Disp+t
Rsol+tion Act of
;==?
(aran#a, Conciliation
8Matar+n#an#
Pa!baran#a,9
Articl 101* Fa!il, Co" D If it is
shown that no arnst fforts wr
in fact !a" to sttl th
contro$rs, a!on# !!brs of th
sa! fa!il,* th cas !+st b
"is!iss"%
<% Fail+r to stat
a ca+s of action
63
Whr thr is a "fct or an
ins+fficinc, in th stat!nt of th
ca+s of action* a co!plaint !a, b
"is!iss" not bca+s of an
absnc or a lac& of ca+s of action
b+t bca+s th co!plaint 5stats
no ca+s of action%A 8Sc% 1 R#S* R+l
1@9 Th "is!issal will thrfor b
anchor" on a fail+r to stat a
ca+s of action%
This "os not !an that th plaintiff
has no ca+s of action% It onl,
!ans that th plaintiffIs all#ations
ar ins+fficint for th co+rt to &now
that th ri#hts of th plaintiff wr
$iolat" b, th "fn"ant%
?% Tst of th
s+fficinc, of a
ca+s of action
Th tst of th s+fficinc, of th
facts all#" in th co!plaint as
constit+tin# a ca+s of action is
whthr or not a"!ittin# th facts
all#"* th co+rt co+l" rn"r a
$ali" $r"ict in accor"anc with th
pra,r of th co!plaint%
0% Splittin# a
sin#l ca+s of
action an" its
ffcts
Splittin# of a sin#l ca+s of action D
th filin# of on or a '+"#!nt +pon
th !rits in an, on is a$ailabl as
a #ro+n" for th "is!issal of th
othrs
Filin# of on D R+l 1@* Sction
1 89 D that thr is anothr
action pn"in# btwn th
sa! partis for th sa!
ca+s
-+"#!nt +pon th !rits D
R+l 1@* Sction 1 8f9 D that
th ca+s of action is barr"
b, a prior '+"#!nt7
A part, cannot split a sin#l ca+s of
action into parts an" s+ on ach
part sparatl,%
R+ls in actions /:"licto6
A sin#l tort #i$s ris b+t to
on ca+s of action no !attr
how !an, it!s of "a!a#s
!a, ha$ bn ca+s" to on
prson
Whn b, a sin#l "lict or
wron#* s$ral ri#hts ar
$iolat" blon#in# to "iffrnt
prsons* s$ral ca+ss aris
on bhalf of s+ch prsons
Whr a prson is #+ilt, of
two c+lpabl trans#rssions on
th proprt, ri#hts of anothr*
s+ch as th r+ination of th
a#ric+lt+ral frtilit, or +tilit, of
th soil of th proprt, an" for
th +na+thoriE" +s of sai"
proprt, as a "+!psit or
"pot* h !a, b hl" liabl
to pa, "a!a#s for both th
rasonabl $al+ of th +s of
th lan" an" th occ+pation of
th pr!iss
Whn thr ar sparat
tort+o+s acts rs+ltin# in
"iffrnt in'+ris* sparat
ca+ss of action aris an"
s$ral actions !a, b
!aintain"
(+t if onl, on in'+r, rs+lt"
fro! s$ral wron#f+l acts for
brach of contract of carria#
an" for .+asi:"lict* onl, on
ca+s of action ariss $n if
64
th n#li#nt act was
co!!itt" b, s$ral prsons%
Do+bl rco$r, for th sa!
act or o!ission is prohibit"%
@9ale v. ,ano5a Par* 0evelo(9ent
,or(.* >%R% No% 1@4;?@* -+l, ;=*
;=11* @0? SCRA 100 D Th first
'ct!nt cas was fil" bfor th
las contract /pir"% All#"l,*
th lss $iolat" th contract*
which pro$i"" that h !a, not
+tiliE th s+b'ct pr!iss for othr
p+rposs witho+t th lssorIs prior
writtn consnt% Th lss how$r
constr+ct" rsta+rant b+il"in#s an"
othr co!!rcial stablish!nts on
th lot wihto+t first sc+rin# th
r.+ir" writtn consnt fro! th
lssor an" th ncssar, pr!its
fro! th association% Th MTC
"ci"" th cas in fa$or of th
lssor% Cow$r on appal th cas
was r$rs" th "cision on th
#ro+n" that it was bin#
pr!at+rl, fil"% Th lssor thn
wnt to th CA on ptition for
r$iw%
Whil th ptition for r$iw was
pn"in#* th lssor fil" th scon"
'ct!nt s+it on th #ro+n" of
/piration of th las contract*
which th MTC #rant"% Cow$r* on
appal* th RTC r$rs" th
"cision on th #ro+n" of litis
(endentia% On ptition for r$iw*
th CA rinstat" th MTC "cision
hol"in# that thr was no litis
(endentia bca+s th two ci$il
cass ha$ "iffrnt ca+ss of
action%
Accor"in# to th SC* #nrall,* a
s+it !a, onl, b instit+t" for a
sin#l ca+s of action% If two or !or
s+its ar instit+t" on th basis of
th sa! ca+s of action* th filin#
of on or a '+"#!nt on th !rits
in an, on is a #ro+n" for th
"is!issal of th othrs%
S$ral tsts /ist to ascrtain
whthr two s+its rlat to a sin#l
or co!!on ca+s of action to wit6
8a9 whthr th sa! $i"nc
wo+l" s+pport an" s+stain both th
first an" scon" ca+ss of action
8also &nown as th 5sa! $i"ncA
tst9G 8b9 whthr th "fnss in
on cas !a, b +s" to
s+bstantitat th co!plaint in th
othrG an"* 8c9 whthr th cas+ of
action in th scon" cas /ist" at
th ti! of th filin# of th first
co!plaint% Of th <* th <
r"
on is
spciall, applicabl to this cas%
Th facts clarl, show that th filin#
of th first 'ct!nt cas was
#ro+n"" on th lssIs $iolation of
stip+lations in th las contract
whil th filin# of th scon" cas
was bas" on th /piration of th
las contract% At th ti! th lssor
fil" th first 'ct!nt co!plaint*
th las contract was still in ffct%
It was onl, at th /piration of th
las contract that th ca+s of
action in th scon" 'ct!nt
co!plaint accr+" an" !a"
a$ailabl to th rspon"nt as a
#ro+n" for 'ctin# th lss% Th+s*
th ca+s of action in th scon"
cas was not ,t in /istnc at th
ti! of filin# of th first 'ct!nt
cas%
)LEIs co!!nt6 Th ca+s of action
is on for +nlawf+l "tainr% Thr
!a, b "iffrnt #ro+n"s for filin#
th +nlawf+l "tainr s+ch as
$iolation of th stip+lations of th
65
contract* non:pa,!nt of rnt* or
/piration of th las contract% It
wo+l" appar that th SC has
sanction" th filin# of s+ccssi$
co!plaints for +nlawf+l "tainr for
as lon# as th #ro+n" thrfor is
"iffrnt% Consi"r th followin#
probl!6 Th lss $iolat" th
stip+lations of th las contract b+t
contin+" to pa, th rnt% Th lssor
thn fil" a co!plaint for +nlawf+l,
"tainr on this #ro+n"% Whil th
cas is pn"in#* th lss fail" to
pa, th rnt% Can th lssor fil
anothr co!plaint for +nlawf+l
"tainr on this #ro+n"J
S+bs.+ntl,* th las contract
/pir"% Can th lssor fil a thir"
co!plaint for +nlawf+l "tainr on
this #ro+n" $n if th first an"
scon" co!plaints ar still pn"in#J
@% -oin"r an"
!is'oin"r of
ca+ss of action
-oin"r of ca+ss of action D a part,
!a, in on pla"in# assrt in th
altrnati$ or othrwis as !an,
ca+ss of action as h !a, ha$
a#ainst an opposin# part, s+b'ct to
th followin# con"itions6
a% th part 'oinin# th ca+ss of
action shall co!pl, with th
r+ls on 'oin"r of partis
b% th 'oin"r shall not incl+"
spcial ci$il actions or actions
#o$rn" b, spcial r+ls
c% whr th ca+ss of action ar
btwn th sa! partis b+t
prtain to "iffrnt $n+s or
'+ris"ictions* th 'oin"r !a,
b allow" in th RTC
pro$i"" on of th ca+ss of
action falls within th
'+ris"iction of sai" co+rt an"
th $n+ lis thrinG an"
"% whr th clai!s in all th
ca+ss of action ar principall,
for rco$r, of !on,* th
a##r#at a!o+nt clai!"
shall b th tst of '+ris"iction
Not6 Th absnc of +nit, of
probl!s is no lon#r a bar to
'oin"r of ca+ss of action% Th
prsnt r+l r!o$" th rstriction
of $n+* '+ris"iction* an" ca+ss of
action arisin# fro! !on,* th sa!
nat+r or charactr or si!ilar
transactions% Th onl, #ro+n"s to
rf+s 'oin"r of ca+ss of action
ar6 819 th r+ls on 'oin"r of
partis which r.+irs that 8a9 th
clai!s aris fro! th sa! or sris
of transactions* an" 8b9 thr is a
co!!on .+stion of law or factG 8;9
it !+st not b co#niEabl b,
"iffrnt trib+nalsG an"* 8<9 'oin"r
of or"inar, an" spcial ci$il actions%
Th rstriction on 'oin"r of partis
"os not appl, whr th partis ar
th sa! altho+#h th ca+ss of
action ar sparat an" "istinct
fro! on anothr%
A clai! on a pro!issor, not
a#ainst thr "fn"ants !a, not
b 'oin" with a clai! +n"r anothr
pro!issor, not a#ainst two of th
"fn"ants for thr is a !is'oin"r
of partis* th thir" "fn"ant in th
first ca+s of action not ha$in# an
intrst in th scon" ca+s of
action% 81 Moran* p% 120* 1220 E"%*
cit" in 1 Crrra* p% <;0* ;=== E"%
an" 1 Crrra* p% ?22* ;==4 E"%9
Probl! bas" on RianoIs Ci$il
Proc"+r6 D is th "btor of C for
P<0=T "+ on -an+ar, 0* ;==3% D
66
li&wis ows C P<0=T "+ on
Fbr+ar, 1<* ;==3% (oth "bts ar
$i"nc" b, "istinct pro!issor,
nots% D has not pai" th "bts
"spit "!an"% Each "bt is a
sparat ca+s of action bca+s
ach is th s+b'ct of "iffrnt
transaction% Cow$r* +n"r th r+l
on 'oin"r of ca+ss of action* C !a,
fil a sin#l s+it a#ainst D for th
collction of both "bts* "spit th
clai!s bin# act+all, sparat
ca+ss of actions an" ha$in# arisn
o+t of "iffrnt transactions%
Ass+! that asi" fro! th abo$
clai!s* C as lssor also wants to
'ct D fro! th apart!nt occ+pi"
b, D as lss% Ma, th action b
'oin" with th clai!s for !on,J
No% An action for 'ct!nt is a
spcial ci$il action% This &in" of
action cannot b 'oin" with
or"inar, actions% Th 'oin"r "os
not incl+" spcial ci$il actions or
thos actions #o$rn" b, spcial
r+ls% Th r+l is clar6 5Th 'oin"r
shall not incl+" spcial ci$il actions
or actions #o$rn" b, spcial
r+ls%A 8Sc% 0 8b9* R+l ;* R+ls of
Co+rt9 Conf+sion in th application
of proc"+ral r+ls wo+l" crtainl,
aris fro! th 'oin"r of or"inar,
an" spcial ci$il actions in a sin#l
co!plaint%
S+pposin# CIs law,r still fil" in
on co!plaint th !on, clai!s an"
co!plaint for 'ct!nt* what
sho+l" b "onJ D cannot fil a
!otion to "is!iss bca+s
!is'oin"r of ca+ss of action is not
a #ro+n" for "is!issal of an action%
8Sc% @* R+l ;9 On !otion of D or on
th initiati$ of th co+rt* th ca+ss
of action can b s$r" an"
proc"" with sparatl,% Sinc
th 'ct!nt co!plaint is o+tsi"
th '+ris"iction of th RTC* +pon
s$ranc it will ha$ to b
"is!iss"* not bca+s of !is'oin"r
of ca+ss of action* b+t bca+s of
lac& of '+ris"iction o$r th s+b'ct
!attr of th s+it%
C% Partis to Ci$il Actions
1% Ral Partis in
intrstG
In"ispnsabl
partisG
Rprsntati$s as
partisG Ncssar,
partisG In"i#nt
PartisG Altrnati$
"fn"ants
Pro>7or9a (arty
8avarro v. 4sco)ido* No$!br ;4*
;==2 :: Un"r Articl 1=3 of th
Fa!il, Co"* th con'+#al
partnrship is #o$rn" b, th r+ls
on contract of partnrshipG bin# a
co:ownr th wif can fil th
co!plaint for rco$r, of proprt,
witho+t incl+"in# th h+sban"G th
h+sban" is not an in"ispnsabl
part, an" h onl, n"s to b
i!pla"" as a pro:for!a part, to
th s+it bas" on Sction ? of R+l
<%
NOTE6 Th stat!nt of th co+rt in
th "cision that non:'oin"r of
in"ispnsabl part, is not a #ro+n"
to "is!iss action IS MISLEADIN>%
Th ffct of fail+r to incl+" an
in"ispnsabl part, is fo+n" in
Sction 4 +n"r which thr will b
no final "tr!ination of th action%
Sction 11 on ffcts of non:'oin"r
67
of partis !+st b ra" in rlation to
Sction 4% Whn an in"ispnsabl
part, is not bfor th co+rt* th
action sho+l" b "is!iss"
8Arclona $% CA* ;3= SCRA ;=9

,arandan5 v. 0e u29an*
No$!br ;2* ;==@ D Th wif in
this cas was not an in"ispnsabl
part, in th action for rco$r, of
!on,G as s+ch* sh n" not b
i!pla"" in th s+it%
Personality to sue
Within th fra!wor& of th
Constit+tion* th Estat sho+l" b
consi"r" an artificial or '+ri"ical
prson for th p+rposs of th
sttl!nt an" "istrib+tion of his
stat which incl+" th /rcis
"+rin# th '+"icial a"!inistration
throf th /rcis of thos ri#hts
an" f+lfil!nt of thos obli#ations of
his Estat which s+r$i$s aftr his
"ath% 8Li!'oco $% Intstat of
Fra#ant* >%R% No% L:44=* April ;4*
12?39
Sinc an stat is a '+ri"ical prson*
th a"!inistrator !a, fil th
co!plaint "irctl, to co+rt* witho+t
th sa! #oin# to th (aran#a,
L+pon for arbitration% 8)"a% "
(orro!o $% Po#o,* 1;@ SCRA ;149
=ndis(ensa)le (arty
Th #nral r+l with rfrnc to
th !a&in# of partis in a ci$il action
r.+irs* of co+rs* th 'oin"r of all
ncssar, partis whr possibl*
an" th 'oin"r of all in"ispnsabl
partis +n"r an, an" all con"itions*
thir prsnc bin# a sine 'ua non
for th /rcis of '+"icial powr% It
is prcisl, Fwhn an in"ispnsabl
part, is not bfor th co+rt 8that9
th action sho+l" b "is!iss"%F Th
absnc of an in"ispnsabl part,
rn"rs all s+bs.+nt actions of
th co+rt n+ll an" $oi" for want of
a+thorit, to act* not onl, as to th
absnt partis b+t $n as to thos
prsnt% 8Arclona $% Co+rt of
Appals* <?0 Phil% ;0=G ritrat" in
(+lawan $% A.+n"* -+n ;;* ;=11
whr an in"ispnsabl part, was
not i!pla"" in th cas9
In Bula.an v. A'uende* th SC
not" that "+rin# th proc"in#s
bfor th trial co+rt* th answrs of
Lap an" th R#istr of D" sho+l"
ha$ pro!pt" th trial co+rt to
in.+ir f+rthr whthr thr wr
othr in"ispnsabl partis who
wr not i!pla""% Th trial co+rt
sho+l" ha$ ta&n th initiati$ to
i!pla" A.+n" as "fn"ant or to
or"r (+lawan to "o so as !an"at"
+n"r Sction 11* R+l < of th
R+ls of Co+rt% Th b+r"n to
i!pla" or to or"r th i!pla"in#
of in"ispnsabl partis is plac" on
(+lawan an" on th trial co+rt*
rspcti$l,%
In +e(ulveda &r. v. Pelae2* 8-an+ar,
<1* ;==09 ?0= SCRA <=;* whn an
in"ispnsabl part, is not bfor th
co+rt* th action sho+l" b
"is!iss"% E/plainin# Sc% 4 of R+l
<* -+stic R#ala"o sai"* th
prsnc of all in"ispnsabl partis
is a con"ition sine 'ua non for th
/rcis of '+"icial powr% It is
prcisl, whn an in"ispnsabl
part, is not bfor th co+rt that th
action sho+l" b "is!iss"% Th+s*
th plaintiff is !an"at" to i!pla"
all th in"ispnsabl partis*
68
consi"rin# that th absnc of on
s+ch part, rn"rs all s+bs.+nt
actions of th co+rt n+ll an" $oi" for
want of a+thorit, to act* not onl, as
to th absnt partis b+t $n as to
thos prsnt% On who is a part, to
a cas is not bo+n" b, an, "cision
of th co+rt* othrwis* h will b
"pri$" of his ri#ht to "+ procss%
Witho+t th prsnc of all th othr
hirs as plaintiffs* th trial co+rt
co+l" not $ali"l, rn"r '+"#!nt
an" #rant rlif in fa$or of th
pri$at rspon"nt% Th fail+r of
th pri$at rspon"nt to i!pla"
th othr hirs as partis:plaintiffs
constit+t" a l#al obstacl to th
trial co+rt an" th appllat co+rtIs
/rcis of '+"icial powr o$r th
sai" cas* an" rn"r" an, or"rs
or '+"#!nts rn"r" thrin a
n+llit,% To ritrat* th absnc of
an in"ispnsabl part, rn"rs all
s+bs.+nt actions of th co+rt n+ll
an" $oi" for want of a+thorit, to act*
not onl, as to th absnt partis b+t
$n as to thos prsnt% Cnc* th
trial co+rt sho+l" ha$ or"r" th
"is!issal of th co!plaint%

Si!ilarl,* in Moldes v. Aillanueva*
?@3 SCRA @24 8A+#+st <1* ;==09* all
hirs ar in"ispnsabl partis to an
action to n+llif, a D" of
E/tra'+"icial Sttl!nt with
N+itclai!% Th absnc of
in"ispnsabl part, rn"rs all
s+bs.+nt actions of th co+rt n+ll
an" $oi"% E/plainin# Sc% 4 of R+l
4* -+stic Call'a wrot* 5An
in"ispnsabl part, is on who has
s+ch an intrst in th contro$rs,
or s+b'ct !attr that a final
a"'+"ication cannot b !a"* in his
absnc* witho+t in'+rin# or
affctin# that intrst% A part, who
has not onl, an intrst in th
s+b'ct !attr of th contro$rs,*
b+t also has an intrst of s+ch
nat+r that a final "cr cannot b
!a" witho+t affctin# his intrst
or la$in# th contro$rs, in s+ch a
con"ition that its final "tr!ination
!a, b wholl, inconsistnt with
.+it, an" #oo" conscinc% C is a
prson in whos absnc thr
cannot b a "tr!ination btwn
th partis alra", bfor th co+rt
which is ffcti$* co!plt* or
.+itabl% In ,o99issioner Andrea
0. 0o9in5o v. $er)ert Mar*us 49il
+cheer* th Co+rt hl" that th
'oin"r of in"ispnsabl partis is
!an"ator,% Witho+t th prsnc of
in"ispnsabl partis to th s+it* th
'+"#!nt of th co+rt cannot attain
ral finalit,% Stran#rs to a cas ar
not bo+n" b, th '+"#!nt
rn"r" b, th co+rt% Th absnc
of an in"ispnsabl part, rn"rs all
s+bs.+nt actions of th co+rt n+ll
an" $oi"* with no a+thorit, to act
not onl, as to th absnt part, b+t
also as to thos prsnt% Th
rsponsibilit, of i!pla"in# all th
in"ispnsabl partis rsts on th
ptitionrHplaintiff% Li&wis* in
Metro(olitan Ban* and 6rust
,o9(any v. $on. /loro 6. Ale<o* th
Co+rt r+l" that th $i"nt ai! an"
intnt of th R+ls r#ar"in# th
'oin"r of in"ispnsabl an"
ncssar, partis is a co!plt
"tr!ination of all possibl iss+s*
not onl, btwn th partis
th!sl$s b+t also as r#ar"s to
othr prsons who !a, b affct"
b, th '+"#!nt% A $ali" '+"#!nt
cannot $n b rn"r" whr
thr is want of in"ispnsabl
partis%
69
)LEIs co!!nt6 Followin# ths
prono+nc!nts* can ,o+ now !o$
to "is!iss a co!plaint bca+s not
all in"ispnsabl part, has bn
i!pla""J No% Un"r Sc% 11* R+l
<* non:'oin"r of partis is not a
#ro+n" for th "is!issal of an
action% What thn is ,o+r r!", in
cas thr is fail+r or rf+sal to
i!pla" an in"ispnsabl part,J
Sc% 2 of R+l < spa&s of non:
'oin"r of ncssar, part,% It thn
o+tlins th proc"+r to 5not 'oinA
a ncssar, part,% Th+s* 5whn$r
in an, pla"in# in which a clai! is
assrt" a ncssar, part, is not
'oin"* th pla"r shall st forth his
na!* if &nown* an" shall stat wh,
h is o!itt"% Sho+l" th Co+rt fin"
th rason for th o!ission
+n!ritorio+s* it !a, or"r th
incl+sion of th o!itt" ncssar,
part, if '+ris"iction o$r his prson
!a, b obtain"%A S(C Nots
f+rthr stats6 5Onl, whn th part,
or"r" to i!pla" th
in"ispnsabl part, rf+ss or fails
to "o so shall th cas b "is!iss"
on th #ro+n" of "isob"inc to th
R+ls or or"rs of th co+rt +n"r
Sc% <* R+l 14%
(+t what if th plaintiff fails to
i!pla" an in"ispnsabl part,% In
th cass of +e(ulveda &r. an"
Moldes* th plaintiffs thrin was of
th blif that thr was no n" to
i!pla" ths partis* ,t th SC
sai" this is fatal to th co!plaint%
)LEIs opinion6 Th co+rtIs attntion
sho+l" b call" r#ar"in# th
o!ission% In t+rn* th co+rt will ha$
to r.+ir th plaintiff to i!pla"
th o!itt" in"ispnsabl part,% In
th $nt that th TC "isa#rs an"
ss no n" to i!pla" th part,*
as in th cass of +e(ulveda &r. an"
Moldes* an, '+"#!nt thrin is
assailabl% Not that in th cass of
+e(ulveda &r. an" Moldes* it was th
SC who not" th fatal o!ission an"
st asi" th "cision of th TC an"
CA on this #ro+n"* which was not
$n rais" b, th appllant%
=ndis(ensa)le (arty v. 8ecessary
(arty
Th cas of +eno v. Man5u)at* >%R%
No% L:??<<2* Dc!br ;* 1234* 10@
SCRA 11<* ill+strats th "iffrnc
btwn an in"ispnsabl part, an"
a ncssar, part% Crisanta is th
ownr of a parcl of lan"* which sh
sol" in fa$or of Marcos* An"rs an"
(in$ni"o% S+bs.+ntl,* An"rs
an" (in$ni"o sol" thir shars in
fa$or of Marcos% Marcos thn sol"
th lan" in fa$or of th Spo+ss
L+Ea!% Crisanta now fil" a
co!plaint for rfor!ation of th
D" of Sal an" th ann+l!nt of
th sal% Sh clai!" that th sal
in fa$or of Marcos sho+l" b
consi"r" an .+itabl !ort#a#
an" thr th s+bs.+nt sal in
fa$or of th Spo+ss L+Ea! sho+l"
b ann+ll"% Sh s+" Marcos an"
th Spo+ss L+Ea!% Cow$r* th
trial co+rt was of th blif that
An"rs an" (in$ni"o ar
in"ispnsabl partis an" sho+l" b
i!pla""% Is th trial co+rt corrctJ
Un"r Sction 4* R+l <*
in"ispnsabl partis !+st alwa,s
b 'oin" ithr as plaintiffs or
"fn"ants* for th co+rt cannot
proc" witho+t th!% Ncssar,
partis !+st b 'oin"* +n"r
Sction 3 of th sa! R+l* in or"r
70
to a"'+"icat th whol contro$rs,
an" a$oi" !+ltiplicit, of s+its%
In"ispnsabl partis ar thos with
s+ch an intrst in th contro$rs,
that a final "cr wo+l" ncssaril,
affct thir ri#hts* so that th co+rts
cannot proc" witho+t thir
prsnc% Ncssar, partis ar
thos whos prsnc is ncssar,
to a"'+"icat th whol contro$rs,*
b+t whos intrsts ar so far
sparabl that a final "cr can b
!a" in thir absnc witho+t
affctin# th!%
In th prsnt cas* thr ar no
ri#hts of "fn"ants An"rs an"
(in$ni"o to b saf#+ar"" if th
sal sho+l" b hl" to b in fact an
absol+t sal or if th sal is hl" to
b an .+itabl !ort#a#%
Dfn"ant Marcos bca! th
absol+t ownr of th s+b'ct
proprt, b, $irt+ of th sal to hi!
of th shars of th afor!ntion"
"fn"ants in th proprt,% Sai"
"fn"ants no lon#r ha$ an,
intrst in th s+b'ct proprt,%
Cow$r* bin# partis to th
instr+!nt so+#ht to b rfor!"*
thir prsnc is ncssar, in or"r
to sttl all th possibl iss+s of til
contro$rs,% Whthr th "isp+t"
sal b "clar" an absol+t sal or
an .+itabl !ort#a#* th ri#hts of
all th "fn"ants will ha$ bn
a!pl, protct"% Spo+ss L+Ea! in
an, $nt !a, nforc thir ri#hts
a#ainst "fn"ant Marcos%
In fact Crisanta was not aftr
"fn"ants An"rs an" Man#+bat as
shown b, thir non:incl+sion in th
co!plaint an" thir opposition to
th !otion to incl+" sai"
"fn"ants in th co!plaint as
in"ispnsabl partis% It was onl,
bca+s of th or"r of th co+rt a
.+o that th, incl+"" th sai"
"fn"ants in th co!plaint% Th
lowr co+rt rrono+sl, hl" that
th sai" "fn"ants ar
in"ispnsabl partis%
This notwithstan"in#* "fn"ants
An"rs an" (in$ni"o not bin#
in"ispnsabl partis b+t onl,
propr partis* thir 'oin"r as
partis "fn"ants was corrctl,
or"r" bin# in accor"anc with
Sc% 3 of R+l <%
=ndi5ent (arty
A%M% No% =3:11:4:SC
8IRR96 R6 R+l on th
E/!ption Fro! th
Pa,!nt of L#al Fs
of th Clints of th
National Co!!itt on
L#al Ai" an" of th
L#al Ai" Offics in th
Local Chaptrs of th
Int#rat" (ar of th
Philippins
R+l on th E/!ption
Fro! th Pa,!nt of
L#al Fs of th Clints
of th National
Co!!itt on L#al Ai"
8NCLA9 an" of th L#al
Ai" Offics in th Local
Chaptrs of th
Int#rat" (ar of th
Philippins 8I(P9
ARTICLE I)
Tsts of In"i#nc,
71
Sction 1% 6ests
7or deter9inin5 .ho
9ay )e clients o7 the
8,LA and the le5al aid
o77ices in local =BP
cha(ters% D Th NCLA or
th chaptr l#al ai"
co!!itt* as th cas
!a, b* shall pass +pon
r.+sts for l#al ai" b,
th co!bin"
application of th !ans
an" !rit tsts an" th
consi"ration of othr
rl$ant factors
pro$i"" for in th
followin# sctions%
Sction ;% Means
test; eIce(tion% D 8a9
This tst shall b bas"
on th followin# critria6
8i9 th applicant an" that
of his i!!"iat fa!il,
!+st ha$ a #ross
!onthl, inco! that
"os not /c" an
a!o+nt "o+bl th
!onthl, !ini!+! wa#
of an !plo, in th
plac whr th
applicant rsi"s an" 8ii9
h "os not own ral
proprt, with a fair
!ar&t $al+ as stat"
in th c+rrnt ta/
"claration of !or than
Thr C+n"r"
Tho+san" 8P<==*===%==9
Psos%
In this connction*
th applicant shall
/c+t an affi"a$it of
in"i#nc, 8print" at th
bac& of th application
for!9 statin# that h
an" his i!!"iat
fa!il, "o not arn a
#ross inco!
abo$!ntion"* nor
own an, ral proprt,
with th fair $al+
afor!ntion"*
s+pport" b, an
affi"a$it of a
"isintrst" prson
attstin# to th tr+th of
th applicantIs affi"a$it%
Th latst inco! ta/
rt+rn an"Hor c+rrnt ta/
"claration* if an,* shall
b attach" to th
applicantIs affi"a$it%
8b9 Th !ans tst
shall not b applicabl
to applicants who fall
+n"r th
"$lop!ntal l#al ai"
pro#ra! s+ch as
o$rsas wor&rs*
fishrfol&* far!rs*
laborrs* in"i#no+s
c+lt+ral co!!+nitis*
wo!n* chil"rn an"
othr "isa"$anta#"
#ro+ps%
Sction <% Merit
test% D A cas shall b
consi"r" !ritorio+s if
an assss!nt of th
law an" $i"nc at
han" "iscloss that th
l#al sr$ic will b in
ai" of '+stic or in th
f+rthranc throf*
ta&in# into consi"ration
th intrsts of th part,
an" thos of socit,% A
cas fails this tst if*
72
aftr consi"ration of
th law an" $i"nc
prsnt" b, th
applicant* it appars
that it is intn""
!rl, to harass or
in'+r th opposit part,
or to wor& opprssion or
wron#%
Sction ?% Cther
relevant 7actors that
9ay )e considered% D
Th ffct of l#al ai" or
of th fail+r to rn"r
th sa! +pon th r+l
of law* th propr
a"!inistration of '+stic*
th p+blic intrst
in$ol$" in a #i$n cas
an" th practic of law
in th localit, shall
li&wis b consi"r"%
Whn an application to liti#at as an
in"i#nt liti#ant is fil"* th co+rt
shall scr+tiniE th affi"a$its an"
s+pportin# "oc+!nts s+b!itt" b,
th applicant to "tr!in if th
applicant co!plis with th inco!
an" proprt, stan"ar"s prscrib"
in th prsnt Sction 12 of R+l
1?1Tthat is* th applicantKs #ross
inco! an" that of th applicantKs
i!!"iat fa!il, "o not /c" an
a!o+nt "o+bl th !onthl,
!ini!+! wa# of an !plo,G an"
th applicant "os not own ral
proprt, with a fair !ar&t $al+ of
!or than Thr C+n"r" Tho+san"
Psos 8Php<==*===%==9% If th trial
co+rt fin"s that th applicant !ts
th inco! an" proprt,
r.+ir!nts* th a+thorit, to
liti#at as in"i#nt liti#ant is
a+to!aticall, #rant" an" th #rant
is a !attr of ri#ht%
Cow$r* if th trial co+rt fin"s that
on or both r.+ir!nts ha$ not
bn !t* thn it wo+l" st a
harin# to nabl th applicant to
pro$ that th applicant has Fno
!on, or proprt, s+fficint an"
fa!il,%F In that harin#* th a"$rs
part, !a, a""+c co+ntr$ailin#
$i"nc to "ispro$ th $i"nc
prsnt" b, th applicantG aftr
which th trial co+rt will r+l on th
application "pn"in# on th
$i"nc a""+c"% In a""ition*
Sction ;1 of R+l < also pro$i"s
that th a"$rs part, !a, latr still
contst th #rant of s+ch a+thorit,
at an, ti! bfor '+"#!nt is
rn"r" b, th trial co+rt* possibl,
bas" on nwl, "isco$r" $i"nc
not obtain" at th ti! th
application was har"% If th co+rt
"tr!ins aftr harin#* that th
part, "clar" as an in"i#nt is in
fact a prson with s+fficint inco!
or proprt,* th propr "oc&t an"
othr lawf+l fs shall b assss"
an" collct" b, th clr& of co+rt% If
pa,!nt is not !a" within th ti!
fi/" b, th co+rt* /c+tion shall
iss+ or th pa,!nt of prscrib"
fs shall b !a"* witho+t
pr'+"ic to s+ch othr sanctions as
th co+rt !a, i!pos% 8Al#+ra $%
L>U of Cit, of Na#a* Octobr <=*
;==@9
;% Co!p+lsor, an"
pr!issi$ 'oin"r
of partis
Pantranco 8orth 4I(ress v.
+tandard =nsurance* ?0< SCRA ?3;
8March 1@* ;==09 :: Pr!issi$
73
'oin"r of partis r.+irs that6 8a9
th ri#ht to rlif ariss o+t of th
sa! transaction or sris of
transactionsG 8b9 thr is a .+stion
of law or fact co!!on to all th
plaintiffs or "fn"antsG an" 8c9 s+ch
'oin"r is not othrwis proscrib"
b, th pro$isions of th R+ls on
'+ris"iction an" $n+% In this cas*
th ins+r" an" th ins+ranc
co!pan, fil" th co!plaint a#ainst
Pantranco North% Th clai! of th
ins+r" was for th balanc of th
cost of th rpair whil th
ins+ranc co!pan,Is clai! was for
th a!o+nt it pai" to th ass+r" as
th s+bro#% Th+s* thr is a sin#l
transaction co!!on to all* that is*
PantrancoIs b+s hittin# th rar si"
of th 'pn,% Thr is also a
co!!on .+stion of fact* that is*
whthr ptitionrs ar n#li#nt%
Thr bin# a sin#l transaction
co!!on to both rspon"nts*
cons.+ntl,* th, ha$ th sa!
ca+s of action a#ainst ptitionrs%
To "tr!in i"ntit, of ca+s of
action* it !+st b ascrtain"
whthr th sa! $i"nc which is
ncssar, to s+stain th scon"
ca+s of action wo+l" ha$ bn
s+fficint to a+thoriE a rco$r, in
th first% Cr* ha" rspon"nts fil"
sparat s+its a#ainst ptitionrs*
th sa! $i"nc wo+l" ha$ bn
prsnt" to s+stain th sa! ca+s
of action% Th+s* th filin# b, both
rspon"nts of th co!plaint with
th co+rt blow is in or"r% S+ch
'oin"r of partis a$oi"s !+ltiplicit,
of s+it an" ns+rs th con$nint*
sp", an" or"rl, a"!inistration of
'+stic%
<% Mis'oin"r an"
non:'oin"r of
partis
A)la2a v. Re(u)lic* A+#+st 11* ;=1=
Ma, a brothr brin# an action for th
"claration of th absol+t n+llit, of
th !arria# of his "cas"
brothr sol!niE" +n"r th
r#i! of th ol" Ci$il Co"J (oth
th trial co+rt an" CA hl" that h*
not bin# a part, in th assail"
!arria#* ha" no ri#ht to brin# th
action%
Accor"in# to th SC* th ptitionr
all#" hi!slf to b th lat
CrsncianoIs brothr an" s+r$i$in#
hir% Ass+!in# that th ptitionr
was as h clai!" hi!slf to b*
thn h has a !atrial intrst in
th stat of Crsnciano that will
b a"$rsl, affct" b, an,
'+"#!nt in th s+it% In""* a
brothr li& th ptitionr* albit not
a co!p+lsor, hir +n"r th laws of
s+ccssion* has th ri#ht to s+cc"
to th stat of a "cas" brothr
+n"r th con"itions stat" in Articl
1==1 an" Articl 1==< of th Ci$il
Co"%
Not that th ori#inal cas was a
spcial proc"in# ntitl" In r6
Ptition for th N+llification of th
!arria# contract btwn
Crscncio an" Lonila% Accor"in# to
th SC* Lonila th wif an" Lila
th all#" "a+#htr sho+l" b
na!" partis to th cas* th,
bin# in"ispnsabl partis to th
cas% -+stic (rsa!in /plain"
that it is not fatal sinc ptitionr
can still a!n" th ptition in or"r
74
to i!pla" an in"ispnsabl part, to
th cas%
What abo+t A%M% No% =;:11:1=:SCJ
Accor"in# to th SC* altho+#h A%M%
No% =;:11:1=:SC pro$i"s that onl,
th h+sban" or wif !a, fil a
ptition for th "claration of
absol+t n+llit, of $oi" !arria#s*
this li!itation "!arcats a lin to
"istin#+ish btwn !arria#s
co$r" b, th Fa!il, Co" an"
thos sol!niE" +n"r th r#i!
of th Ci$il Co"% In Carlos $%
San"o$al 804? SCRA 11@9* th
followin# ar /cpt" fro! th
li!itation6 8a9 thos co!!nc"
bfor March 10* ;==<* th
ffcti$it, of A%M% No% =;:11:1=:SCG
an"* 8b9 thos !arria#s clbrat"
"+rin# th ffcti$it, of th Ci$il
Co" an" thos !arria#s
clbrat" +n"r th Fa!il, Co"
b+t bfor March 10* ;==<%
Relucio v. Lo(e2 8-an+ar, 1@* ;==;9
D In a ptition for appoint!nt of
sol a"!inistratri/ of con'+#al
partnrship of proprtis* forfit+r*
tc%* th !istrss is a total stran#r
to th s+it% Sh is not an
in"ispnsabl part, or $n a
ncssar, part,% A ral part, in
intrst is on who stan"s Fto b
bnfit" or in'+r" b, th '+"#!nt
of th s+it%F In this cas* th
!istrss wo+l" not b affct" b,
an, '+"#!nt in Spcial Proc"in#s
M:<@<=% If sh is not a ral part, in
intrst* sh cannot b an
in"ispnsabl part,% An
in"ispnsabl part, is on witho+t
who! thr can b no final
"tr!ination of an action% Cr
participation in Spcial Proc"in#s
M:<@:<= is not in"ispnsabl%
Crtainl,* th trial co+rt can iss+ a
'+"#!nt or"rin# Albrto -% LopE
to !a& an acco+ntin# of his
con'+#al partnrship with
rspon"nt* an" #i$ s+pport to
rspon"nt an" thir chil"rn* an"
"issol$ Albrto -% LopEK con'+#al
partnrship with rspon"nt* an"
forfit Albrto -% LopEK shar in
proprt, co:own" b, hi! an"
ptitionr% S+ch '+"#!nt wo+l" b
prfctl, $ali" an" nforcabl
a#ainst Albrto -% LopE% Nor can th
!istrss b a ncssar, part, in
Spcial Proc"in#s M:<@<=% A
ncssar, part, as on who is not
in"ispnsabl b+t who o+#ht to b
'oin" as part, if co!plt rlif is
to b accor"" thos alra",
partis* or for a co!plt
"tr!ination or sttl!nt of th
clai! s+b'ct of th action% In th
cont/t of hr ptition in th lowr
co+rt* rspon"nt wo+l" b
accor"" co!plt rlif if Albrto -%
LopE wr or"r" to acco+nt for
his all#" con'+#al partnrship
proprt, with rspon"nt* #i$
s+pport to rspon"nt an" hr
chil"rn* t+rn o$r his shar in th
co:ownrship with ptitionr an"
"issol$ his con'+#al partnrship or
absol+t co!!+nit, proprt, with
rspon"nt%
?% Class S+it
In Ad9. Matter 8o. 88>1>646B ReB
Re'uest o7 the $eirs o7 the
Passen5ers o7 0o?a Pa2 to set aside
the Crder o7 &ud5e B.A.
,hin5cuan5co, (ro9ul5ated on
March #1, 1-88, 102 SCRA @;<* th
SC too& occasion to "istin#+ish th
r+ls on pr!issi$ 'oin"r of
partis an" class s+it% What is
75
cont!plat" in a class s+it is that
8a9 th s+b'ct !attr in contro$rs,
is of co!!on or #nral intrst to
!an, prsons* an" 8b9 thos
prsons ar so n+!ro+s as to !a&
it i!practical to brin# th! all
bfor th co+rt to 'oin th! all as
partis% On th othr han"* if thr
ar !an, prsons who ha$ "istinct*
sparat ri#hts a#ainst th sa!
part, or #ro+p partis* b+t thos
ri#hts aris fro! th sa!
transaction or sris of transactions
an" thr ar co!!on .+stions of
fact or law rs+ltin# thrfro! th
for!r !a, 'oin as plaintiffs in on
action a#ainst th sa! "fn"ants%
Th last sntnc of R+l <* Sc% 1;
on Class S+it ra"s6 5An, part, in
intrst shall ha$ th ri#ht to
intr$n to protct his in"i$i"+al
intrst%A This is on instanc whr
intr$ntion is a !attr of ri#ht an"
not a""rss" to th "iscrtion of
th co+rt%
0% S+its a#ainst
ntitis witho+t
'+ri"ical
prsonalit,
R+l <* Sc% 10% 4ntity
.ithout <uridical
(ersonality as
de7endant% D Whn two
or !or prsons not
or#aniE" as an ntit,
with '+ri"ical prsonalit,
ntr into a transaction*
th, !a, b s+" +n"r
th na! b, which th,
ar #nrall, or
co!!onl, &nown%
In th answr of s+ch
"fn"ant* th na!s
an" a""rsss of th
prsons co!posin# sai"
ntit, !+st all b
r$al"%
R+l 1?* Sc% 3% +ervice
u(on entity .ithout <uridical
(ersonality%
:: When persons
associated in an
entity without
juridical
personality are sued
under the name by
which they are
generally 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.
R+l <@* Sc% @%
&ud59ent a5ainst entity
.ithout <uridical
(ersonality% T Whn
'+"#!nt is rn"r"
a#ainst two or !or
prsons s+" as an
ntit, witho+t '+ri"ical
prsonalit,* th
76
'+"#!nt shall st o+t
thir in"i$i"+al or propr
na!s* if &nown% 8@a9
@% Effct of "ath
of part, liti#ant
Borlon5an v. Buenaventura
8Fbr+ar, ;4* ;==@9 D Un"r
Sctions 1* ; an" < of R+l ?0 of th
R+ls of Co+rt* th prfction of an
appal b, wa, of a ptition for
r$iw bfor th SC is con"ition"
+pon th followin# r.+isits6 819
pa,!nt of th r.+ir" "oc&t an"
othr lawf+l fsG an" 8;9 th filin#
of th $rifi" ptition within 10
"a,s fro! rcipt of th assail"
"cision or within th /tn""
prio" #rant" b, th Co+rt% In this
cas* (orlon#an pai" th "oc&t an"
othr fs% Cow$r* h fail" to
satisf, th scon" r.+isit bca+s
h "i" on April 11* ;==0 bfor h
co+l" fil th ptition% Th ptition
fil" an" $rifi" b, (orlon#anIs
co+nsl is a !r scrap of papr
bca+s h no lon#r has th
a+thorit, to rprsnt his "cas"
clint% Th sttl" r+l is that
attorn,:clint rlationship is
tr!inat" +pon th clintIs "ath%
A "a" clint has no prsonalit, an"
cannot b rprsnt" b, an
attorn,%
D% )n+
Not th r+l on $n+ on actions
#o$rn" b, spcial r+ls%
R+l on Dclaration of Absol+t
N+llit, of )oi" Marria#s an"
Ann+l!nt of $oi"abl !arria#s
8A%M% No% =;:11:1=:SC9* Sc% ?
throf stats that $n+ is whr
ptitionr or th rspon"nt has
bn rsi"in# for at last @ !onths
prior to th "at of th filin#* or in
th cas of non:rsi"nt rspon"nt*
whr h !a, b fo+n" in th
Philippins* at th lction of th
ptitionr%
R+l on L#al Sparation 8A%M% No%
=;:11:11:SC9* Sc% ; 8c9 throf
pro$i"s for a si!ilar r+l on $n+%
R+l on A"option of Minors 8A%M% No%
=;:@:=;:SC9* Sc% @ throf* $n+ is
whr th prospcti$ a"opti$
parnts rsi"%
1% )n+ $rs+s
-+ris"iction
a9 )n+ is th plac whr th cas
is to b har" or tri"G '+ris"iction is
th a+thorit, to har an" "tr!in
a cas
b9 )n+ is a !attr of proc"+ral
lawG '+ris"iction is s+bstanti$
c9 )n+ stablish" a rlation
btwn plaintiff an" "fn"ant* or
ptitionr an" rspon"ntG
'+ris"iction stablishs a rlation
btwn th co+rt an" th s+b'ct
!attr
"9 )n+ !a, b confrr" b, th
act or a#r!nt of th partisG
'+ris"iction is fi/" b, law an"
cannot b confrr" b, a#r!nt
of th partis
9 )n+ is not a #ro+n" for a 9otu
(ro(rio "is!issal 8/cpt in cass
s+b'ct to s+!!ar, proc"+rG Sc%
?* R+l on S+!!ar, Proc"+r9G
lac& of '+ris"iction o$r th s+b'ct
77
!attr is a #ro+n" for a 9otu
(ro(rio "is!issal
;% )n+ of ral
actions
eneral Millin5 ,or(. v. @yten5su*
?2? SCRA ;?1 D Th co!plaint
so+#ht th "li$r, of OCTs%
Accor"in# to th SC* th cas is not
a ral action r.+irin# th all#ation
of th assss" $al+ of th
proprt, b+t on which was
incapabl of pc+niar, sti!ation%
Th co!plaint bas" its ca+s of
action on ptitionrIs rf+sal to
s+rrn"r th OCTs% As pri!ar,
rlif* th co!plaint so+#ht th
"li$r, b, ptitionr of th sai"
OCTs% Clarl,* th s+b'ct !attr of
th cas at bar was not a real action
re'uirin5 an alle5ation o7 the
assessed value o7 the (ro(erty b+t
on which was incapabl of
pc+niar, sti!ation% Cnc* it was
within th '+ris"iction of th RTC%
An, othr cons.+nc of th
pri!ar, rlif so+#ht in th
co!plaint co+l" not proprl, b a
basis for i!p+#nin# th '+ris"iction
of th trial co+rt%
<% )n+ of
prsonal actions
$yatt 4levators and 4scalators ,or(.
v. oldstar 4levators Phils.* ?4<
SCRA 4=0 D For practical p+rposs* a
corporation is in a !taph,sical
sns a rsi"nt of th plac whr
its principal offic is locat" as
stat" in th articls of
incorporation% Sinc th principal
plac of b+sinss of a corporation
"tr!ins its rsi"nc or "o!icil*
thn th plac in"icat" in its
articls of incorporation bco!s
controllin# in "tr!inin# th $n+
for this cas%
olden Arches 0evelo(9ent ,or(.
v. +t. /rancis +'uare $oldin5 =nc.*
@?= SCRA ;;4 D Altho+#h
rspon"ntIs A!n"" Articls
in"icats that its principal b+sinss
a""rss is at 5Mtro ManilaA* $n+
was proprl, lai" in Man"al+,on#
sinc that is whr it ha" act+all,
bn rsi"in# or hol"in# its principal
offic at th ti! it fil" its
co!plaint%
?% )n+ of
actions a#ainst
non:rsi"nts
R+l ?* Sc% <6 Venue of
actions against non-
residents. :: If any of
the defendants does
not reside and is
not found in the
Philippines, and the
action affects the
personal status of
the plaintiff, or
any property of said
defendant located in
the Philippines, the
action may be
commenced and tried
in the court of the
place where the
plaintiff resides,
or where the
property or any
portion thereof is
situated or found.
0% Whn th R+ls
on )n+ Do not
Appl,
78
R+l ?* Sc% ?6 When Rule
not applicable. -- This
ule shall not apply!
8a9 In thos cass whr
a spcific r+l or law
pro$i"s othrwisG or
8b9 Whr th partis
ha$ $ali"l, a#r" in
writin# bfor th filin#
of th action on th
/cl+si$ $n+ throf%
Consi"r th cas of Aillanueva v.
&ud5e Mos'ueda, >%R% No% L:03;34*
A+#+st 12* 123;* whr th
s+ppl!ntar, las a#r!nt of
btwn th lssor an" lss
pro$i"" that if th lssor $iolats
th contract* h can b s+" in
Manila an" if th lss $iolats th
contract* h can b s+" in
Masantol* Pa!pan#a% (onifacio
rsi"" at Masantol% )illan+$a
rsi"" in Ton"o whil th las"
pr!iss was locat" in Manila% Th
lssor thn fil" an 'ct!nt s+it in
Masantol* Pa!pan#a% Th lss
!o$" to "is!iss th co!plaint for
i!propr $n+% Th M+nicipal Trial
Co+rt "ni" th !otion* Th lss
fil" a ptition for crtiorari with th
thn CFI of Pa!pan#a b+t it
"is!iss" th ptition% Th+s* th
lss wnt to th SC on crtiorari%
Th SC hl" that th M+nicipal Trial
Co+rt of Masantol* Pa!pan#a li&
an, othr infrior co+rts has
/cl+si$ ori#inal '+ris"iction to
ntrtain 'ct!nt s+its% It
/plain" that Sc% 1 of R+l ?
pro$i"in# that 5Forcibl ntr, an"
"tainr actions shall b
co!!nc" an" tri" in th
M+nicipal Trial Co+rt of th
M+nicipalit, or cit, whrin th ral
proprt, in$ol$"* or a portion
throf is sit+at"A "os not rfr to
th '+ris"iction o$r th s+b'ct
!attr b+t onl, to th plac whr
th 'ct!nt s+it !a, b bro+#ht%
Sc% ?* R+l ? f+rthr pro$i"s that
th r+l on $n+ shall not appl,
whr th partis ha$ $ali"l,
a#r" in writin# bfor th filin# of
th action on th /cl+si$ $n+
throf%
@% Effcts of
Stip+lations on
)n+
In @ni9asters ,on5lo9eration =nc.
v. ,A, >%R% No% 112@04* Fbr+ar, 4*
1224* th a#r!nt ra" as
follows6 5All s+its arisin# o+t of this
A#r!nt shall b fil" withHin th
propr Co+rts of N+Eon Cit,%A Th
co!plaint for "a!a#s was how$r
fil" in Tacloban Cit, whr
Uni!astrs hol"s offic% Is $n+
proprl, lai"J
Accor"in# to th SC* +nlss th
partis !a& $r, clar* b,
!plo,in# cat#orical an" s+itabl,
li!itin# lan#+a#* that th, wish th
$n+ of actions btwn th! to
b lai" onl, an" /cl+si$l, at a
"finit plac* an" to "isr#ar" th
prscriptions of R+l ?* a#r!nts
on $n+ ar not to b r#ar"" as
!an"ator, or rstricti$* b+t !rl,
pr!issi$* or co!pl!ntar, of
sai" r+l% Th fact that in thir
a#r!nt th partis spcif, onl,
on of th $n+s !ntion" in R+l
?* or fi/ a plac for thir actions
"iffrnt fro! thos spcifi" b,
79
sai" r+l* "os not* witho+t !or*
s+ffic to charactriE th
a#r!nt as a rstricti$ on%
Thr !+st* to rpat* b
acco!pan,in# lan#+a# clarl, an"
cat#oricall, /prssin# thir
p+rpos an" "si#n that actions
btwn th! b liti#at" onl, at
th plac na!" b, th!*
r#ar"lss of th #nral prcpts of
R+l ?G an" an, "o+bt or +ncrtaint,
as to th partisK intntions !+st b
rsol$" a#ainst #i$in# thir
a#r!nt a rstricti$ or
!an"ator, aspct% An, othr r+l
wo+l" pr!it of in"i$i"+al*
s+b'cti$ '+"icial intrprtations
witho+t stabl stan"ar"s* which
co+l" wll rs+lt in prc"nts in
hoplss inconsistnc,%
In his sparat opinion* -+stic
R#ala"o* s+##st" what h
tr!" as 5so! para!tric
.+alificationsA in a#r!nts
"!an"in# litral co!plianc b, th
partis6
Th r+l is that if th
partis to a contract
!rl, a#r on th
$n+ of an, cas
arisin# thrfro!* in
a""ition to or asi" fro!
th l#al $n+ pro$i""
thrfor b, th R+ls of
Co+rt or th law* that
stip+lation is !rl,
pr!issi$ an" th
partis !a, choos to
obsr$ th sa! or
insist on th altrnati$
$n+s in th R+ls or
th law%
If* on th othr han"*
s+ch $n+ stip+lation
contains .+alif,in#*
rstricti$* !an"ator, or
/cl+sionar, tr!s
in"icatin# that th
a""itional for+! shall b
th +naltrabl $n+ of
prospcti$ s+its eI
contractu btwn
th!* thn s+ch
a#r!nt shall
ncssaril, b obsr$"
to th /cl+sion of an"
shall bar rsort to
anothr for+! which
wo+l" othrwis ha$
bn th r#l!ntar,
prscription of $n+ for
th cas%
Of th lattr #nr ar
th +s of s+ch
.+alif,in# wor"s li&
eIclusively, only, solely,
li9ited to, in no other
(lace, to the eIclusion
o7, or othr tr!s
in"icati$ of a clar an"
cat#orical intnt to la,
th $n+ at a spcific
plac an" thrb,
wai$in# th #nral
pro$isions of th R+ls
or th law on $n+ or
proscribin# th filin# of
s+it in an, othr
co!ptnt co+rt%
Ths #+i"lins sho+l"
accor"in#l, b "rawn
fro! th "cision in this
cas* vi2%6 819 th
a#r!nt on $n+
shall* in th first
instanc* b nor!all,
80
consi"r" as !rl,
pr!issi$G 8;9 to b
rstricti$* th lan#+a#
or tr!inolo#,
!plo," in th
stip+lation !+st b
+n.+i$ocal an" a"!it
of no contrar, or
"o+btf+l intrprtationG
8<9 in cas of
irrconcilabl "o+bt* th
$n+ pro$ision shall b
"!" to b
pr!issi$G an" 8?9 in
ascrtainin# th intnt
in that pro$ision which
rasonabl, a"!its of
!or than on !anin#*
th constr+ction sho+l"
b a"opt" which !ost
con"+cs to th
con$ninc of th
partis%
E% Pla"in#s
1% Min"s of
Pla"in#s
Lucas v. &ud5e /a)ros 8-an+ar, <1*
;===9 D cas +n"r th R+ls on
S+!!ar, Proc"+r% Th prohibit"
pla"in# of a !otion for
rconsi"ration applis onl, whr
th '+"#!nt so+#ht to b
rconsi"r" is on rn"r" on th
!rits% As hl" b, th SC in &oven v.
,ourt o7 A((eals* ;1; SCRA 4==
in$ol$in# Sc% 10 8c9 of th R+ls on
S+!!ar, Proc"+r* latr Sc% 12
8c9 of th R$is" R+ls on
S+!!ar, Proc"+r ffcti$
No$!br 10* 12216 FTh !otion
prohibit" b, this Sction is that
which s&s rconsi"ration of th
'+"#!nt rn"r" b, th co+rt
a7ter trial on the 9erits of th cas%F
Cr* th or"r of "is!issal iss+"
b, rspon"nt '+"# "+ to fail+r
of a part, to appar "+rin# th
prli!inar, confrnc is ob$io+sl,
not a '+"#!nt on th !rits aftr
trial of th cas% Cnc* a !otion for
th rconsi"ration of s+ch or"r is
not th prohibit" pla"in#
cont!plat" +n"r Sction 12 8c9
of th prsnt R+l on S+!!ar,
Proc"+r% Th+s* rspon"nt '+"#
co!!itt" no #ra$ ab+s of
"iscrtion* nor is sh #+ilt, of
i#noranc of th law* in #i$in# "+
co+rs to th !otion for
rconsi"ration s+b'ct of th
prsnt co!plaint%
N(6 Th Or"r s+b'ct of th !otion
for rconsi"ration "is!iss" th
co!plaint bca+s of th fail+r of
th plaintiff an" his co+nsl to
appar at th prli!inar,
confrnc "spit "+ notic%
In &ali'ue v. 0andan 8No$!br ;3*
;==<9* th SC !phasiE" th
libral intrprtation of th r+ls
sa,in# that not all law,rs ar #ift"
with th s&ill to craft pla"in#s that
f+ll, !t th r.+ir!nts as to
s+bstanc an" for!% In this cas* th
"fn"ant insta" of filin# an
answr to th co!plaint for
'ct!nt s+b!itt" a -oint Co+ntr
Affi"a$it% This cas calls for a libral*
not a tchnical an" ri#i"*
intrprtation of th r+ls on
S+!!ar, Proc"+r in th li#ht of
th prsnc rathr than a total
absnc of a rsponsi$ pla"in#% A
pr+sal of th rspon"ntsI -oint
Co+ntr Affi"a$it shows that it
"isp+t" th !atrial all#ations of
th Co!plaint an" prsnt" $ali"
81
iss+s for th lowr co+rtIs
rsol+tion* s+ch as th ownrship of
th s+b'ct lot* th prio" of las*
ri#ht of ri!b+rs!nt for
i!pro$!nts an" th ri#ht to 'ct
rspon"nts% FR+ls of pla"in#s ar
intn"" to sc+r a !tho" b,
which th iss+s !a, b proprl,
lai" bfor th co+rt% Whn thos
iss+s ar alra", clar bfor th
co+rt* th "ficinc, in th
obsr$anc of th r+ls sho+l" not
b #i$n +n"+ i!portanc% What is
i!portant is that th cas b
"ci"" +pon th !rits an" that it
sho+l" not b allow" to #o off on
proc"+ral points%F
a% Co!plaint
R+l @* Sc% <6
,o9(laint% T Th
co!plaint is th
pla"in# all#in# th
plaintiffKs ca+s or
ca+ss of action% Th
na!s an" rsi"ncs of
th plaintiff an"
"fn"ant !+st b
stat" in th co!plaint%
8<a9
b% Answr
R+l @* Sc% ?6 Ans.er%
T An answr is a
pla"in# in which a
"fn"in# part, sts
forth his "fnss% 8?a9
819 N#ati$ "fnss
R+l @* Sc% 0 8a96 A
n#ati$ "fns is th
spcific "nial of th
!atrial fact or facts
all#" in th pla"in#
of th clai!ant ssntial
to his ca+s or ca+ss of
action%
8;9 N#ati$ pr#nant
A n#ati$ pr#rant is a for! of
n#ati$ /prssion which carris
with it an affir!ation or at last an
i!plication of so! &in" fa$orabl
to th a"$rs part,% It is a "nial
pr#nant with an a"!ission of th
s+bstantial facts all#" in th
pla"in#% Whr a fact is all#"
with .+alif,in# or !o"if,in#
lan#+a# an" th wor"s of th
all#ation as so .+alifi" or !o"ifi"
ar litrall, "ni"* has bn hl"
that th .+alif,in# circ+!stancs
alon ar "ni" whil th fact itslf
is a"!itt"% 8Rp+blic $%
San"i#anba,an* >%R% No% 10;10?*
-+l, 10* ;==<9
8<9 Affir!ati$ Dfnss
R+l @* Sc% 0 8b96 An
affir!ati$ "fns is an
all#ation of a nw
!attr which* whil
h,pothticall, a"!ittin#
th !atrial all#ations
in th pla"in# of th
clai!ant* wo+l"
n$rthlss pr$nt or
bar rco$r, b, hi!%
Th affir!ati$ "fnss
incl+" fra+"* stat+t of
li!itations* rlas*
pa,!nt* ill#alit,*
stat+t of fra+"s*
stoppl* for!r
rco$r,* "ischar# in
ban&r+ptc,* an" an,
othr !attr b, wa, of
82
confssion an"
a$oi"anc% 80a9
c% Co+ntrclai!s
R+l @* Sc% @6
,ounterclai9% T A
co+ntrclai! is an,
clai! which a "fn"in#
part, !a, ha$ a#ainst
an opposin# part,% 8@a9
819 Co!p+lsor,
co+ntrclai!
R+l @* Sc% 46
,o9(ulsory
counterclai9% T A
co!p+lsor,
co+ntrclai! is on
which* bin# co#niEabl
b, th r#+lar co+rts of
'+stic* ariss o+t of or is
connct" with th
transaction or
occ+rrnc constit+tin#
th s+b'ct !attr of th
opposin# part,Ks clai!
an" "os not r.+ir for
its a"'+"ication th
prsnc of thir" partis
of who! th co+rt
cannot ac.+ir
'+ris"iction% S+ch a
co+ntrclai! !+st b
within th '+ris"iction of
th co+rt both as to th
a!o+nt an" th nat+r
throf* /cpt that in
an ori#inal action bfor
th R#ional Trial Co+rt*
th co+ntr:clai! !a,
b consi"r"
co!p+lsor, r#ar"lss
of th a!o+nt% 8n9
+(ouses Mendiola v. ,ourt o7
A((eals* >%R% NO% 1024?@* -+l, 13*
;=1;
Accor"in#l,* a co+ntrclai! is
co!p+lsor, if6 8a9 it ariss o+t of or
is ncssaril, connct" with th
transaction or occ+rrnc which is
th s+b'ct !attr of th opposin#
part,Is clai!G 8)9 it "os not r.+ir
for its a"'+"ication th prsnc of
thir" partis of who! th co+rt
cannot ac.+ir '+ris"ictionG an" 8c9
th co+rt has '+ris"iction to
ntrtain th clai! both as to its
a!o+nt an" nat+r* /cpt that in
an ori#inal action bfor th RTC*
th co+ntrclai! !a, b consi"r"
co!p+lsor, r#ar"lss of th
a!o+nt%
A co!p+lsor, co+ntrclai!
that a "fn"in# part, has at th
ti! h fils his answr shall b
contain" thrin% P+rs+ant to
Sction ;* R+l 2 of th 1224 Rules
o7 ,ivil Procedure* a co!p+lsor,
co+ntrclai! not st +p shall b
barr"%
Th fo+r tsts to "tr!in
whthr a co+ntrclai! is
co!p+lsor, or not ar th followin#*
to wit6
8a9 Ar th iss+s of fact
or law rais" b, th
clai! an" th
co+ntrclai! lar#l, th
sa!J
8)9 Wo+l" res <udicata
bar a s+bs.+nt s+it on
"fn"antIs clai!s*
absnt th co!p+lsor,
co+ntrclai! r+lJ
8c9 Will s+bstantiall, th
83
sa! $i"nc s+pport
or rf+t plaintiffIs clai!
as wll as th
"fn"antIs
co+ntrclai!J an"
8d9 Is thr an, lo#ical
rlation btwn th
clai! an" th
co+ntrclai!* s+ch that
th con"+ct of sparat
trials of th rspcti$
clai!s of th partis
wo+l" ntail a
s+bstantial "+plication
of ffort an" ti! b, th
partis an" th co+rtJ
Of th fo+r* th on co!pllin# tst
of co!p+lsorinss is th lo#ical
rlation btwn th clai! all#"
in th co!plaint an" that in th
co+ntrclai!% S+ch rlationship
/ists whn con"+ctin# sparat
trials of th rspcti$ clai!s of th
partis wo+l" ntail s+bstantial
"+plication of ti! an" ffort b, th
partis an" th co+rtG whn th
!+ltipl clai!s in$ol$ th sa!
fact+al an" l#al iss+sG or whn th
clai!s ar offshoots of th sa!
basic contro$rs, btwn th
partis% If ths tsts rs+lt in
affir!ati$ answrs* th
co+ntrclai! is co!p+lsor,%
Th fo+r tsts ar affir!ati$l,
!t as far as th Ma&ati cas was
concrn"% Th Ma&ati cas ha" th
lo#ical rlation to th Manila cas
bca+s both aros o+t of th
/tra'+"icial forclos+r of th ral
stat !ort#a# constit+t" to
sc+r th pa,!nt of ptitionrsI
cr"it p+rchass +n"r th
"istrib+torship a#r!nt with
Shll% Spcificall,* th ri#ht of Shll
to "!an" th "ficinc, was
pr"icat" on th $ali"it, of th
/tra'+"icial forclos+r* s+ch that
thr wo+l" not ha$ bn a
"ficinc, to b clai!" in th
Manila cas ha" Shll not $ali"l,
forclos" th !ort#a#% As arlir
shown* Ra!onIs ca+s of action for
ann+l!nt of th /tra'+"icial
forclos+r was a tr+ co!p+lsor,
co+ntrclai! in th Manila cas%
Th+s* th Ma&ati RTC co+l" not ha$
!iss" th lo#ical rlation btwn
th two actions%
8;9 Pr!issi$
co+ntrclai!
Banco de Cro v. ,ourt o7 A((eals*
?@3 SCRA 1@@ 8A+#+st ;0* ;==09 D
Th co+ntrclai! !+st b /istin#
at th ti! of filin# th answr*
tho+#h not at th co!!nc!nt of
th action for +n"r Sction < of th
for!r R+l 1=* th co+ntrclai! or
cross:clai! which a part, !a, a$r
in his answr !+st b on which h
!a, ha$ Fat the ti9eF a#ainst th
opposin# part,% That phras can
onl, ha$ rfrnc to th ti! of
th answr% Crtainl, a pr!at+r
co+ntrclai! cannot b st +p in th
answr% This constr+ction is not onl,
/plicit fro! th lan#+a# of th
aforcit" pro$isions b+t also sr$s
to har!oniE th aforcit" sctions
of R+l 1=* with sction ? of th
sa! r+l which pro$i"s that Fa
co+ntrclai!7which ithr !at+r"
or was ac.+ir" b, a part, a7ter
servin5 his (leadin5 !a,* with th
pr!ission of th co+rt* b
prsnt" as a co+ntrclai!7b,
s+ppl!ntal pla"in# bfor
'+"#!nt%F Th+s a part, who fails to
intrpos a co+ntrclai! altho+#h
84
arisin# o+t of or is ncssaril,
connct" with th transaction or
occ+rrnc of th plaintiffIs s+it b+t
which "i" not /ist or !at+r at th
ti! sai" part, fils his answr is
not thrb, barr" fro! intrposin#
s+ch clai! in a f+t+r liti#ation%
Whil (DO co+l" ha$* aftr th
Locsins fil" on March ;@* 1222 a
S+ppl!ntal Co!plaint in Ci$il
Cas No% N:23:<0<<4* st +p* in its
S+ppl!ntal Answr* its clai!
s+b'ct of Ci$il Cas No% MC:22:2<0*
a#ain ass+!in# ar5uendo that it is a
Co!p+lsor, Co+ntrclai!* th
sttin# +p of s+ch Faftr:ac.+ir"
co+ntrclai!*F is !rl, pr!issi$*
not co!p+lsor,%
8<9 Effct on th
Co+ntrclai! whn th
co!plaint is "is!iss"
R+l 14* Sc% ;%
0is9issal u(on 9otion
o7 (lainti77. " #$cept 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 plaintiff%s
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 &'() days
from notice of the motion
he manifests his
preference to have his
counterclaim resolved in
the same action. *nless
otherwise specified in
the order, a dismissal
under this paragraph
shall be without
prejudice. + class suit
shall not be dismissed or
compromised without the
approval of the court.
ule ',, -ec. ..
Dismissal due to fault of
plaintiff. D 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
ules or any order
of the court, the
complaint may be
dismissed upon
motion of the
defendant or 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.
85
)LEIs co!!nt6 Th ri#ht to
prosc+t th co+ntrclai! is
a$ailabl if th "is!issal is +pon
!otion of th plaintiff or "+ to th
fa+lt of th plaintiff% In both
instancs* th "is!issal of th
co!plaint shall b witho+t pr'+"ic
to th ri#ht of th "fn"ant to
prosc+t his co+ntrclai! in a
sparat action +nlss7h
!anifsts his prfrnc to ha$ his
co+ntrclai! rsol$" in th sa!
action%
"% Cross:clai!s
R+l @* Sc% 36 Cross-
claim. " + 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.
-uch 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.
Ma, a plaintiff fil a cross:clai!
a#ainst his co:plaintiffJ Ls* th
r+ls si!pl, rfr to a part, a#ainst
a co:part,%
Ma, a thir":part, "fn"ant fil a
crossclai! a#ainst th plaintiffJ Ls*
+n"r Sc% 1<* R+l @* 5In propr
cass* h 8thir":part, "fn"ant9
!a, also assrt a co+ntrclai!
a#ainst th ori#inal plaintiff in
rspct of th lattrIs clai! a#ainst
th thir":part, plaintiff%
% Thir" 8fo+rth* tc%9 part,
co!plaints
Philtranco +ervice 4nter(rises =nc. v.
Paras* >%R% No% 1@12=2* April ;0*
;=1; D R.+isits for a <
r"
part,
action ar6
8a9 that th part, to b
i!pla"" !+st not ,t
b a part, to th actionG
8b9 that th clai!
a#ainst th <
r"
part,
"fn"ant !+st blon#
to th ori#inal
"fn"antG
8c9 th clai! of th
ori#inal "fn"ant
a#ainst th <
r"
part,
"fn"ant !+st b
bas" +pon th
plaintiffIs clai! a#ainst
th ori#inal "fn"antG
an"*
8"9 th "fn"ant is
att!ptin# to transfr to
th <
r"
part, "fn"ant
th liabilit, assrt"
a#ainst hi! b, th
ori#inal plaintiff%
S Sa!ala $% -+"# )ictor* 14=
SCRA ?0< 8Fbr+ar, ;1* 12329 for
r!", o$r% D E!rita was a
passn#r of a 'pn, "ri$n b,
)ir#ilio an" own" b, spo+ss
>arcia% A b+s "ri$n b, Lonar"o
an" own" b, P+rificacion b+!p"
th bac& portion of a "li$r, $an
which in t+rn colli"" with th
'pn, rs+ltin# in in'+ris to
E!rita% Th lattr fil" a co!plaint
for "a!a#s bas" on brach" of
contract of carria# a#ainst )ir#ilio
an" th spo+ss >arcia% In t+rn* th
86
spo+ss >arcia fil" a <
r"
part,
co!plaint a#ainst P+rificacion an"
Lonar"o% Th lattr "fn"ants
fil" a ?
th
part, co!plaint a#ainst
I!prial Ins+ranc Inc%* th ins+rr
of th b+s%
Sc% 1<* R+l @ stats that th <
r"
part, "fn"ant !a, all# in his
answr his "fnss* co+ntrclai!s
or cross:clai!s incl+"in# s+ch
"fns that th <
r"
part, plaintiff
!a, ha$ a#ainst th ori#inal
plaintiffIs clai!% In propr cass* th
<
r"
part, "fn"ant !a, also assrt
a co+ntrclai! a#ainst th ori#inal
plaintiff in rspct of th lattrIs
clai! a#ainst <
r"
part, plaintiff%
Not that Sc% 11 of R+l @ !ntions
5contrib+tion* in"!nit,*
s+bro#ation or an, othr rlif* in
rspct of his opponntIs clai!%A
Un"r this R+l* a prson not a part,
to an action !a, b i!pla"" b,
th "fn"ant ithr 8a9 on an
all#ation of liabilit, to th lattrG 8b9
on th #ro+n" of "irct liabilit, to
th plaintiffG or* 8c9 both 8a9 an" 8b9%
Th sit+ation in 8a9 is co$r" b, th
phras 5for contrib+tion* in"!nit,
or s+bro#ationA whil 8b9 an" 8c9 ar
s+bs+!" +n"r th catch all
phras 5or an, othr rlif in rspct
of his opponntIs clai!%A Th+s* it is
not a pr:r.+isit for attach!nt of
th liabilit, to <
r"
part, "fn"ant
an" its "ri$r that <
r"
part, plaintiff
b first "clar" an" fo+n" liabl to
th plaintiff for th brach of its
contract of carria# with hi!%
In /irestone 6ire and Ru))er
,o9(any o7 the Phili((ines v.
6e9(on5*o 8;4 SCRA ?139* th SC
!phasiE" th nat+r of a thir":
part, co!plaint* partic+larl, its
in"pn"nc fro! th !ain cas6
Th thir":part,
co!plaint is* thrfor*
a proc"+ral "$ic
whrb, a Fthir" part,F
who is nithr a part,
nor pri$, to th act or
"" co!plain" of b,
th plaintiff* !a, b
bro+#ht into th cas
with la$ of co+rt* b,
th "fn"ant* who acts
as thir":part, plaintiff to
nforc a#ainst s+ch
thir":part, "fn"ant a
ri#ht for contrib+tion*
in"!nit,* s+bro#ation
or an, othr rlif* in
rspct of th plaintiffIs
clai!% 6he third>(arty
co9(laint is actually
inde(endent o7 and
se(arate and distinct
7ro9 the (lainti77Ks
co9(laint. Wr it not
for this pro$ision of th
R+ls of Co+rt* it wo+l"
ha$ to b fil"
in"pn"ntl, an"
sparatl, fro! th
ori#inal co!plaint b, th
"fn"ant a#ainst th
thir":part,% (+t th
R+ls pr!it "fn"ant
to brin# in a thir":part,
"fn"ant or so to
spa&* to liti#at his
sparat ca+s of action
in rspct of plaintiffIs
clai! a#ainst a thir"
part, in th ori#inal an"
principal cas with th
ob'ct of a$oi"in#
circ+itr, of action an"
87
+nncssar,
prolifration of laws+its
an" of "isposin#
/p"itio+sl, in on
liti#ation th ntir
s+b'ct !attr arisin#
fro! on partic+lar st
of facts% 7 Whn la$
to fil th thir":part,
co!plaint is proprl,
#rant"* th Co+rt
rn"rs in ffct two
'+"#!nts in th sa!
cas* on on th
plaintiffIs co!plaint an"
th othr on th thir":
part, co!plaint% Whn
h fin"s fa$orabl, on
both co!plaints* as in
this cas* h rn"rs
'+"#!nt on th
principal co!plaint in
fa$or of plaintiff a#ainst
"fn"ant an" rn"rs
anothr '+"#!nt on th
thir":part, co!plaint in
fa$or of "fn"ant as
thir":part, plaintiff*
or"rin# th thir":part,
"fn"ant to ri!b+rs
th "fn"ant what$r
a!o+nt sai" "fn"ant
is or"r" to pa,
plaintiff in th cas%
/ailure o7 any o7 said
(arties in such a case to
a((eal the <ud59ent as
a5ainst hi9 9a*es such
<ud59ent 7inal and
eIecutory7%
It follows thn that th plaintiff in
th !ain action !a, not b
r#ar"" as a part, to th thir":
part, co!plaintG nor !a, th thir":
part, "fn"ant b r#ar"" as a
part, to th !ain action% As for th
"fn"ant* h is part, to both th
!ain action an" th thir":part,
co!plaint b+t in "iffrnt capacitis
D in th !ain action* h is th
"fn"antG in th thir":part,
co!plaint* h is th plaintiff%
,0,P v. ,uenca* ?@@ SCRA 41?
8A+#+st 1;* ;==09 D Phras 5r!",
o$rA was f+rthr /plain"% In this
cas* Mala,an Ins+ranc fil" a
co!plaint for s+! of !on, a#ainst
Ultra Intrnational* E"ilbrto an"
Ro"olfo pra,in# for in"!nit, of th
a!o+nt it pai" to >oo",ar% Ro"olfo
fil a !otion for la$ to fil <
r"
part, co!plaint a#ainst CDCP now
PNCC% Th TC hl" Ultra
Intrnational an" PNCC 'ointl, an"
soli"aril, liabl to Mala,an Ins+ranc
+n"r th in"!nit, a#r!nt% It
"is!iss" th co!plaint a#ainst
E"ilbrto an" Ro"olfo% Ultra
Intrnational an" PNCC appal" th
"cision to th CA b+t Mala,an
Ins+ranc "i" not% Th CA affir!"
th appal" "cision in toto% PNCC
thn appal" to th SC% Accor"in#
to th SC* th <
r"
part, "fn"ant
cannot b hl" 'ointl, an" s$rall,
liabl with th <
r"
part, plaintiff
whr cas a#ainst so! of th <
r"
part, "fn"ant plaintiffs was
"is!iss"% If onl, th <
r"
part,
"fn"ant fils an appal* th
"cision in th !ain cas bco!s
final% Thrfor* th CAIs "cision in
th !ain action hol"in# Ultra
Intrnational liabl to Mala,an
Ins+ranc an" "is!issin# th cas
as a#ainst th C+ncas bca! final
an" /c+tor, whn non of th
sai" partis fil" an appal with th
SC% Th SC f+rthr hl" <
r"
part,
plaintiff Ro"olfo i!pla"" PNCC as
88
a r!", o$r* an" not as on
"irctl, liabl to Mala,an Ins+ranc%
Sinc PNCCIs liabilit, is #ro+n"" on
that of C+ncaIs* it is i!prati$
that th lattr b first a"'+"#"
liabl to Mala,an Ins+ranc bfor
PNCC !a, b hl" liabl%
f% Co!plaint:in:
intr$ntion
R+l 12* Sction 16 Gho
9ay intervene. " +
person who has a legal
interest in the matter in
litigation, or in the
success of either of the
parties, or an interest
against both, or is so
situated as to be
adversely affected by a
distribution or other
disposition of property
in the custody of the
court or of an officer
thereof may, with leave
of court, be allowed to
intervene in the action.
The court shall consider
whether or not the
intervention will unduly
delay or prejudice the
adjudication of the
rights of the original
parties, and whether or
not the intervenor%s
rights may be fully
protected in a separate
proceeding.
ule '/, -ec. .!
Pleadings-in-
intervention. " The
intervenor shall file a
complaint-in-intervention
if he asserts a claim
against either or all of
the original parties, or
an answer-in-intervention
if he unites with the
defending party in
resisting a claim against
the latter.
To warrant intr$ntion* two
r.+isits !+st conc+r6 8a9 th
!o$ant has a l#al intrst in th
!attr in liti#ation* an" 8b9
intr$ntion !+st not +n"+l, "la,
or pr'+"ic th a"'+"ication of th
ri#hts of th partis nor sho+l" th
clai! of th intr$nor b capabl of
bin# proprl, "ci"" in a sparat
proc"in#% 8Maba,o Far!s* Inc% $%
Co+rt of Appals* <3@ SCRA 11=9
Th intrst* which ntitls a prson
to intr$n in a s+it* !+st in$ol$
th !attr in liti#ation an" of s+ch
"irct an" i!!"iat charactr that
th intr$nor will ithr #ain or los
b, th "irct l#al opration an"
ffct of th '+"#!nt% 8>arcia $%
Da$i"* @4 Phil% ;42 812<29
In Bon>Mar Realty and +(ort ,or(. v.
+(ouses de u29an, >%R% No%
13;1<@:<4* A+#+st ;2* ;==3* (on:
Mar was allow" to intr$n in Ci$il
Cas No% 0@<2< sinc h is not a
!r stran#r to th liti#ation b+t a
ncssar, part, who !+st b 'oin"
in th s+it if co!plt rlif is to b
accor"" as to thos alra",
partis* or for a co!plt
"tr!ination or sttl!nt of th
clai! s+b'ct of th action%
#% Rpl,
R+l @* Sc% 1=6 Reply. D
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
89
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 th plaintiff wishs to
intrpos an, clai!s
arisin# o+t of th nw
!attrs so all#"* s+ch
clai!s shall b st forth
in an a!n"" or
s+ppl!ntal co!plaint%
Th r+l is* if a part, "os not fil a
rpl,* all th nw !attrs all#" in
th answr ar "!"
contro$rt"% Whn is a rpl,
ncssar,J Crrra cits <
instancs6
8a9 whr th answr
all#s th "fns of
+s+r, in which cas a
rpl, +n"r oath sho+l"
b !a"G othrwis* th
all#ation of +s+rio+s
intrst shall b "!"
a"!itt" 8S+n (ros%
Appliancs Inc% $%
Cal+nta"* 1@ SCRA 320
812@@9G S also last
sntnc of Sc% 11*
R+l 3 which ra"s6
5All#ations of +s+r, in
a co!plaint to rco$r
intrst ar "!"
a"!itt" if not "ni"
+n"r oath%A In +un
Bros* th SC hl" if it is
all#" that "fn"ant
ntr" into a contract
of loan with plaintiff in
which th lattr
collct" a +s+rio+s
intrst thr is n" to
"n, th transaction
+n"r oath* an" if no
oath is ta&n th onl,
thin# a"!itt" is th
all#ation that th
intrst is +s+rio+s an"
not that th contract
ntr" into is a loan%
Th nat+r of th
transaction is not
a"!itt"% Th fact that
what is all#" is that
th transaction was a
loan +n"r th #+is of a
con"itional contract of
sal an" that b,
incrasin# its pric b,
10=U th consi"ration
bca! +s+rio+s* s+ch
is not "!" a"!itt"
b, th !r fail+r to
"n, th answr +n"r
oath% This transaction
!+st still b pro$n
bfor +s+r, can b
in$o&"%
8b9 whr th "fns in
th answr is bas" on
an actionabl "oc+!nt*
a rpl, +n"r oath
p+rs+ant to Sc% 3* R+l
3 !+st b !a"G
othrwis* th
#n+innss an" "+
/c+tion of th
"oc+!nt shall b
"!" a"!itt"
8Toribio $% (i"in* 1<?
SCRA 1@; 812309% In
6ori)io* th SC obsr$"
that th sit+ation
90
obtainin# is not a
co!!on on% Th +s+al
cas is btwn plaintiff
an" "fn"ant whr*
th lattr* as his
"fns* wo+l" prsnt
a "oc+!nt to which
both partis ar partis
an" which stats that
th for!r rlin.+ishs
his ri#hts to th
"fn"ant% In th cas at
bar* w ha$ a sit+ation
whr th "fn"ant
prsnt" a "oc+!nt in
his "fns* a "oc+!nt
to which th plaintiff is a
part, b+t to which
"fn"ant is not% Th+s*
th .+stion ariss as to
whthr or not th
"oc+!nt is incl+"" as
a ncssar, part of th
"fns so as to !a& it
actionabl% Th SC thn
not" that th "" of
sal /c+t" b, th
ptitionrs in fa$or of
thir brothr Dionisio is
an ssntial an"
in"ispnsabl part of
thir "fns to th
all#ation that th
ptitionrs ha" n$r
"ispos" of thir
proprt,% Th+s* Sctions
4 an" 3 of R+l 3 appl,
an" th propr
proc"+r was for th
ptitionrs to spcificall,
"n, +n"r oath th
#n+innss an" "+
/c+tion of th
.+stion" ""s of sal
an" to st forth what
th, clai! to b th
facts% Cow$r* th
of ptitionrsK co+nsl in
not proprl, "raftin# a
rpl, to th answr an"
an answr to th
co+ntr clai! is not
ncssaril, fatal to thir
ca+s%
8c9 Rpl, is ncssar, to
st +p affir!ati$
"fnss on th
co+ntrclai! 8Rosario $%
MartinE* 2; Phil% 1=@?
8120;9%
;% Pla"in#s
allow" in s!all
clai! cass an"
cass co$r" b,
th r+ls on
s+!!ar,
proc"+r
In s!all clai! cass* th pla"in#s
allow" ar6 8a9 $rifi" Stat!nt
of Clai!G 8b9 $rifi" RsponsG 8c9
co!p+lsor, co+ntrclai!* which
shall b incorporat" in th
rsponsG an"* 8"9 pr!issi$
co+ntrclai! pro$i"" that th
a!o+nt an" nat+r throf ar
within th co$ra# of th R+l an"
th prscrib" "oc&t an" othr
l#al fs ar pai"%
In cass co$r" b, th r+ls on
s+!!ar, proc"+r* th pla"in#s
allow" ar6 8a9 co!plaintG 8b9
co!p+lsor, co+ntrclai!s an"
crossclai!s pla"" in th answrG
an"* 8c9 answr%
<% Parts of a pla"in#
a% Caption
91
R+l 4* Sction 16
Caption. D The caption
sets forth the name of
the court, the title of
the action, and the
docket number if
assigned.
Th titl of th action
in"icats th na!s of
th partis% Th, shall
all b na!" in th
ori#inal co!plaint or
ptitionG b+t in
s+bs.+nt pla"in#s* it
shall b s+fficint if th
na! of th first part,
on ach si" b stat"
with an appropriat
in"ication whn thr
ar othr partis%
Thir rspcti$
participation in th cas
shall b in"icat"%
b% Si#nat+r an" a""rss
R+l 4* Sc% <6 Signature
and address. D 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 bo$.
Th si#nat+r of co+nsl
constit+ts a crtificat
b, hi! that h has ra"
th pla"in#G that to th
bst of his &nowl"#*
infor!ation* an" blif
thr is #oo" #ro+n" to
s+pport itG an" that it is
not intrpos" for "la,%
An +nsi#n" pla"in#
pro"+cs no l#al ffct%
Cow$r* th co+rt !a,*
in its "iscrtion* allow
s+ch "ficinc, to b
r!"i" if it shall
appar that th sa!
was "+ to !r
ina"$rtnc an" not
intn"" for "la,%
Co+nsl who
"libratl, fils an
+nsi#n" pla"in#* or
si#ns a pla"in# in
$iolation of this R+l* or
all#s scan"alo+s or
in"cnt !attr thrin*
or fails to pro!ptl,
rport to th co+rt a
chan# of his a""rss*
shall b s+b'ct to
appropriat "isciplinar,
action%
c% )rification an"
crtification a#ainst for+!
shoppin#
R+l 4* Sc% ?6
Verification. D E$cept
when otherwise
specifically
re0uired by law or
rule, pleadings need
not be under oath,
verified or
accompanied by
affidavit.
A pla"in# is $rifi" b,
an affi"a$it that th
affiant has ra" th
pla"in# an" that th
92
all#ations thrin ar
tr+ an" corrct of his
&nowl"# an" blif%
A pla"in# r.+ir" to
b $rifi" which
contains a $rification
bas" on Finfor!ation
an" blif*F or +pon
F&nowl"#* infor!ation
an" blif*F or lac&s a
propr $rification* shall
b trat" as an
+nsi#n" pla"in#%
R+l 4* Sc% 06
,erti7ication a5ainst 7oru9
sho((in5% D Th plaintiff or
principal part, shall
crtif, +n"r oath in th
co!plaint or othr
initiator, pla"in#
assrtin# a clai! for
rlif* or in a sworn
crtification ann/"
thrto an"
si!+ltano+sl, fil"
thrwith6 8a9 that h
has not thrtofor
co!!nc" an, action
or fil" an, clai!
in$ol$in# th sa!
iss+s in an, co+rt*
trib+nal or .+asi:'+"icial
a#nc, an"* to th bst
of his &nowl"#* no
s+ch othr action or
clai! is pn"in# thrinG
8b9 if thr is s+ch othr
pn"in# action or clai!*
a co!plt stat!nt of
th prsnt stat+s
throfG an" 8c9 if h
sho+l" thraftr larn
that th sa! or si!ilar
action or clai! has bn
fil" or is pn"in#* h
shall rport that fact
within fi$ 809 "a,s
thrfro! to th co+rt
whrin his aforsai"
co!plaint or initiator,
pla"in# has bn fil"%
Fail+r to co!pl, with
th for#oin#
r.+ir!nts shall not
b c+rabl b, !r
a!n"!nt of th
co!plaint or othr
initiator, pla"in# b+t
shall b ca+s for th
"is!issal of th cas
witho+t pr'+"ic* +nlss
othrwis pro$i""*
+pon !otion an" aftr
harin#% Th s+b!ission
of a fals crtification or
non:co!plianc with an,
of th +n"rta&in#s
thrin shall constit+t
in"irct cont!pt of
co+rt* witho+t pr'+"ic
to th corrspon"in#
a"!inistrati$ an"
cri!inal actions% If th
acts of th part, or his
co+nsl clarl,
constit+t willf+l an"
"librat for+!
shoppin#* th sa! shall
b #ro+n" for s+!!ar,
"is!issal with pr'+"ic
an" shall constit+t
"irct cont!pt* as wll
as a ca+s for
a"!inistrati$
sanctions%
Not spcial r+ls of proc"+r in
Dclaration of N+llit, of )oi"
Marria#s% Sc% 3 of A%M% No% =;:11:
93
1=:SC stats that th answr !+st
b $rifi" b, th rspon"nt
hi!slf an" not b, co+nsl or
attorn,:in:fact% Sc% 0 8a9 of A%M%
No% =;:11:11:SC on L#al Sparation
pro$i"s for a si!ilar r+l%
Th prson who sho+l" $rif, th
pla"in# is not ncssaril, th
plaintiff or principal part,% It !+st b
$rifi" b, a prson who can attst
that th all#ations contain" in th
pla"in# ar tr+ an" corrct of his
prsonal &nowl"# or bas" on
a+thntic rcor"s%
Not all pla"in#s ha$ to b $rifi"%
Pla"in#s co$r" b, th r+ls on
s+!!ar, proc"+r !+st b
$rifi"% Th+s* a co!plaint for
collction of a s+! of !on, not
co$r" b, th r+ls on s+!!ar,
proc"+r n" not b $rifi" b+t
!+st contain a crtification a#ainst
for+! shoppin#%
819 R.+ir!nts of a
corporation /c+tin# th
$rificationHcrtification of
non:for+! shoppin#
Ada. 0e /or9oso v. P8B, -+n 1*
;=11
Rspctin# th appllat co+rtIs
"is!issal of ptitionrsI appal "+
to th fail+r of so! of th! to
si#n th thrin acco!pan,in#
$rification an" crtification a#ainst
for+!:shoppin#* th Co+rtIs
#+i"lins for th bnch an" bar in
Altres v. 49(leo* which wr c+ll"
Ffro! '+rispr+"ntial
prono+nc!nts*F ar instr+cti$6
For th #+i"anc of th bnch an"
bar* th Co+rt rstats in caps+l
for! th '+rispr+"ntial
prono+nc!nts alra", rflct"
abo$ rspctin# non:co!plianc
with th r.+ir!nts on* or
s+b!ission of "fcti$* $rification
an" crtification a#ainst for+!
shoppin#6
19 A "istinction
!+st b !a" btwn
non:co!plianc with th
r.+ir!nt on or
s+b!ission of "fcti$
$rification* an" non:
co!plianc with th
r.+ir!nt on or
s+b!ission of "fcti$
crtification a#ainst
for+! shoppin#%
;9 As to
$rification* non:
co!plianc thrwith or
a "fct thrin "os
not ncssaril, rn"r
th pla"in# fatall,
"fcti$% Th Co+rt
!a, or"r its
s+b!ission or corrction
or act on th pla"in# if
th attn"in#
circ+!stancs ar s+ch
that strict co!plianc
with th R+l !a, b
"ispns" with in or"r
that th n"s of '+stic
!a, b sr$" thrb,%
<9 )rification is
"!" s+bstantiall,
co!pli" with whn on
who has a!pl
&nowl"# to swar to
th tr+th of th
94
all#ations in th
co!plaint or ptition
si#ns th $rification*
an" whn !attrs
all#" in th ptition
ha$ bn !a" in #oo"
faith or ar tr+ an"
corrct%
?9 As to
crtification a#ainst
for+! shoppin#* non:
co!plianc thrwith or
a "fct thrin* +nli&
in $rification* is
#nrall, not c+rabl b,
its s+bs.+nt
s+b!ission or corrction
throf* +nlss thr is a
n" to rla/ th R+l
on th #ro+n" of
Fs+bstantial co!pliancF
or prsnc of Fspcial
circ+!stancs or
co!pllin# rasons%F
09 Th crtification
a#ainst for+! shoppin#
!+st b si#n" b, all
th plaintiffs or
ptitionrs in a casG
othrwis* thos who "i"
not si#n will b "ropp"
as partis to th cas%
Un"r rasonabl or
'+stifiabl
circ+!stancs* how$r*
as whn all th plaintiffs
or ptitionrs shar a
co!!on intrst an"
in$o& a co!!on ca+s
of action or "fns* th
si#nat+r of onl, on of
th! in th crtification
a#ainst for+! shoppin#
s+bstantiall, co!plis
with th R+l%
@9 Finall,* th
crtification a#ainst
for+! shoppin# !+st b
/c+t" b, th part,:
pla"r* not b, his
co+nsl% If* how$r* for
rasonabl or '+stifiabl
rasons* th part,:
pla"r is +nabl to
si#n* h !+st /c+t a
Spcial Powr of
Attorn, "si#natin# his
co+nsl of rcor" to si#n
on his bhalf%
Ban* o7 Phili((ine =slands v. ,ourt o7
A((eals 8Octobr @* ;=1=9 :: Th
r.+ir!nt +n"r A"!inistrati$
Circ+lar No% =?:2? for a crtificat of
non:for+! shoppin# is !an"ator,%
Th s+bs.+nt co!plianc with
sai" r.+ir!nt "os not /c+s a
part,Ks fail+r to co!pl, thrwith in
th first instanc% In thos cass
whr this Co+rt /c+s" th non:
co!plianc with th r.+ir!nt of
th s+b!ission of a crtificat of
non:for+! shoppin#* it fo+n" spcial
circ+!stancs or co!pllin#
rasons which !a" th strict
application of sai" Circ+lar clarl,
+n'+stifi" or in.+itabl%
In this cas* (PI "i" not s+b!it an,
proof of a+thorit, in th first
instanc bca+s it "i" not bli$
that a boar" rsol+tion $i"ncin#
s+ch a+thorit, was ncssar,% It
$n clai!" that it was not
r.+ir" to s+b!it on% Latr* it
!rl, attach" to its opposition a
spcial powr of attorn, iss+" b,
Mr% Mabi#tin#* a ban& $ic:prsi"nt*
95
#rantin# Asis an" On# th a+thorit,
to fil th co!plaint% Th+s* no "irct
a+thorit, to fil a co!plaint was
initiall, $r #i$n b, (PI D th
corporat ntit, in whos na! an"
bhalf th co!plaint was fil"% Onl,
in its Rpl, to th Co!!nt to
plaintiffIs Opposition to th Motion
to Dis!iss "i" (PI Fb# th &in"
in"+l#nc of th Conorabl Co+rt
as it ina"$rtntl, fail" to s+b!it
with th Spcial Powr of Attorn,
th Corporat Scrtar,Is Crtificat
which a+thoriE" Mr% Qosi!o
Mabi#tin# to appoint his s+bstit+ts%F
E$n this s+b!ission* how$r* was
a ro+n"abo+t wa, of a+thoriEin# th
filin# officrs to fil th co!plaint%
Th+s* +n"r th #i$n facts* th SC
concl+"" that* rathr than an
ina"$rtnc* thr was an initial
+nwa$rin# stanc that th
s+b!ission of a spcific a+thorit,
fro! th boar" was not ncssar,%
In bl+ntr tr!s* th o!ission of th
r.+ir" boar" rsol+tion in th
co!plaint was nithr an /c+sabl
"ficinc, nor an o!ission that
occ+rr" thro+#h ina"$rtnc% In
th +s+al co+rs in th han"lin# of a
cas* th fail+r was a !ista& of
co+nsl that (PI n$r car" to
a"!it b+t which n$rthlss bo+n"
it as a clint%
+antos v. ,ourt o7 A((eals, >%R% No%
1?12?4* -+l, 0* ;==1 D It is tr+ that
insofar as $rification is concrn"*
th SC has hl" that thr is
s+bstantial co!plianc if th sa!
is /c+t" b, an attorn,* it bin#
prs+!" that facts all#" b, hi!
ar tr+ to his &nowl"# an" blif%
Cow$r* th sa! "os not appl,
as r#ar"s th r.+ir!nt of a
crtification a#ainst for+! shoppin#%
Sction <* R+l ?@* of th 1224
R+ls of Ci$il Proc"+r /plicitl,
r.+irs D
/ / / Th ptitionr shall
also s+b!it to#thr
with th ptition a sworn
crtification that h has
not thrtofor
co!!nc" an, othr
action in$ol$in# th
sa! iss+s in th
S+pr! Co+rt* th
Co+rt of Appals or
"iffrnt "i$isions
throf* or an, othr
trib+nal or a#nc,G if
thr is s+ch othr
action or proc"in#* h
!+st stat th stat+s of
th sa!G an" if h
sho+l" thraftr larn
that a si!ilar action or
proc"in# has bn
fil" or is pn"in# bfor
th S+pr! Co+rt* th
Co+rt of Appals* or
"iffrnt "i$isions
throf* or an, othr
trib+nal or a#nc,* h
+n"rta&s to pro!ptl,
infor! th aforsai"
co+rts an" othr trib+nal
or a#nc, throf within
fi$ 809 "a,s thrfro! /
/ /
It is clar fro! th abo$:.+ot"
pro$ision that th crtification !+st
b !a" b, ptitionr hi!slf an"
not b, co+nsl sinc it is ptitionr
who is in th bst position to &now
whthr h has pr$io+sl,
co!!nc" an, si!ilar action
96
in$ol$in# th sa! iss+s in an,
othr trib+nal or a#nc,%
Ptitionrs ar#+ that whil it !a,
b tr+ that th, ar in th bst
position to &now whthr th, ha$
co!!nc" an action or not* this
infor!ation !a, b "i$+l#" to thir
attorn, an" thr is nothin#
ano!alo+s or biEarr abo+t this
"isclos+r% Th, f+rthr !aintain
that th, /c+t" a +(ecial Po.er
o7 Attorney spcificall, to a+thoriE
thir co+nsl to /c+t th
crtification on thir bhalf%
W ar awar of o+r r+lin# in BA
+avin5s Ban* v. +ia that a
crtification a#ainst for+! shoppin#
!a, b si#n" b, an a+thoriE"
law,r who has prsonal &nowl"#
of th facts r.+ir" to b "isclos"
in s+ch "oc+!nt% Cow$r* BA
+avin5s Ban* !+st b "istin#+ish"
fro! th cas at bar bca+s in th
for!r* th co!plainant was a
corporation* an" hnc* a '+ri"ical
prson% Thrfor* that cas !a"
an /cption to th #nral r+l that
th crtification !+st b !a" b,
th ptitionr hi!slf sinc a
corporation can onl, act thro+#h
nat+ral prsons% In fact* ph,sical
actions* %#%* si#nin# an" "li$r, of
"oc+!nts* !a, b prfor!" on
bhalf of th corporat ntit, onl,
b, spcificall, a+thoriE"
in"i$i"+als% In th instant cas*
ptitionrs ar all nat+ral prsons
an" thr is no showin# of an,
rasonabl ca+s to '+stif, thir
fail+r to prsonall, si#n th
crtification% It is notworth, that
PEPSI in its Co!!nt stat" that it
was ptitionrs th!sl$s who
/c+t" th $rification an"
crtification r.+ir!nts in all thir
pr$io+s pla"in#s% Co+nsl for
ptitionrs ar#+s that as a !attr
of polic,* a +(ecial Po.er o7
Attorney is /c+t" to pro!ptl,
an" ffcti$l, !t an,
contin#nc, rlati$ to th han"lin#
of a cas% This ar#+!nt onl,
wa&ns thir position sinc it is
clar that at th o+tst no '+stifiabl
rason ,t /ist" for co+nsl to
s+bstit+t ptitionrs in si#nin# th
crtification% In fact* in th cas of
nat+ral prsons* this polic, sr$s
no l#al p+rpos% Con$ninc
cannot b !a" th basis for a
circ+!$ntion of th R+ls%
Petition 7or Relie7 7ro9 &ud59ent is
an initiatory (leadin5
8orris v. Parentela &r. 8Fbr+ar, ;4*
;==<9 :: Ptition for rlif fro!
'+"#!nt is a nw ptition whr a
part, s&s rlif bas" on #ro+n"s
"iffrnt fro! thos in th ori#inal
cas na!l, FAME% It is an initiator,
pla"in# that r.+irs a crtification
a#ainst for+! shoppin#%
Obsr$ation6 Not that +n"r R+l
<3* th ptition shall b fil" 5in
s+ch co+rt an" in th sa! casA
whr th '+"#!nt or final or"r is
ntr"* or an, othr proc"in# is
thraftr ta&n a#ainst a part, in
an, co+rt thro+#h FAME% 8Sc% 1*
R+l <39 It will also b fil" 5in s+ch
co+rt an" in th sa! casA whr
th '+"#!nt or final or"r is
rn"r" b, an, co+rt in a cas* an"
a part, thrto* b, FAME has bn
pr$nt" fro! ta&in# an appal%
8Sc% ;* R+l <39
97
Do ,o+ sr$ a cop, of th ptition
on th a"$rs part, p+rs+ant to
R+l 1<J Accor"in# to Sc% ?* R+l
<3* if th ptition is s+fficint in for!
an" s+bstanc to '+stif, rlif* th
co+rt shall iss+ an or"r r.+irin#
th a"$rs part, to answr th
ptition within 10 "a,s fro! rcipt
throf% Th or"r shall b sr$" in
s+ch !annr as th co+rt !a, "irct
to#thr with copis of th ptition
an" th acco!pan,in# affi"a$its% It
wo+l" appar thn that thr is no
n" to sr$ th ptition on th
a"$rs part, bfor filin# th
sa!% Rathr* th co+rt will sr$ a
cop, of th ptition an" th
acco!pan,in# affi"a$its on th
a"$rs part, to#thr with th
Or"r r.+irin# it to fil its answr%
In reen Asia ,onstruction and
0evelo(9ent ,or(oration v. ,ourt
o7 A((eals 80=3 SCRA 429 cit" in
6he Parents>6eachers Association o7
+t. Matthe. ,hristian Acade9y v.
Metro Ban** >%R% No% 14@013* March
;* ;=1=* whr th iss+ of $ali"it,
of th Crtificat of Non:For+!
Shoppin# was .+stion" in an
application for th iss+anc of a Writ
of Possssion* th SC hl" that6
/ / / it bars strssin#
that a crtification on
non:for+! shoppin# is
r.+ir" onl, in a
co!plaint or a ptition
which is an initiator,
pla"in#% In this cas*
th s+b'ct ptition for
th iss+anc of a writ of
possssion fil" b,
pri$at rspon"nt is
not an initiator,
pla"in#% Altho+#h
pri$at rspon"nt
"no!inat" its
pla"in# as a ptition* it
is !or proprl, a
!otion% What
"istin#+ishs a !otion
fro! a ptition or othr
pla"in# is not its for!
or th titl #i$n b, th
part, /c+tin# it* b+t
its p+rpos% Th p+rpos
of a !otion is not to
initiat liti#ation* b+t to
brin# +p a !attr arisin#
in th pro#rss of th
cas whr th !otion
is fil"%
It is not ncssar, to initiat an
ori#inal action in or"r for th
p+rchasr at an /tra'+"icial
forclos+r of ral proprt, to
ac.+ir possssion% E$n if th
application for th writ of possssion
was "no!inat" as a 5ptitionA* it
was in s+bstanc !rl, a !otion%
In""* an, insi#nificant laps in th
crtification on non:for+! shoppin#
fil" b, th M(TC "i" not rn"r th
writ irr#+lar% Aftr all* no
$rification an" crtification on non:
for+! shoppin# n" b attach" to
th !otion%
S also Ancheta v. Metro)an** ?4=
SCRA 104* whr th SC hl" that a
ptition for a writ of possssion
+n"r R+l 4 of Act No% <1<0 is not a
co!plaint or an initiator, pla"in#%
"% Effct of th si#nat+r of
co+nsl in a pla"in#
It constit+ts a crtificat b, hi!
that h has ra" th pla"in#G that
to th bst of his &nowl"#*
98
infor!ation* an" blif thr is #oo"
#ro+n" to s+pport itG an" that it is
not intrpos" for "la,%
?% All#ations in a pla"in#
a% Mannr of !a&in#
all#ations
R+l 3* Sction 1% In
general. " #very pleading
shall contain in a
methodical and logical
form, a plain, concise
and direct statement of
the ultimate facts on
which the party pleading
relies for his claim or
defense, as the case may
be, omitting the
statement of mere
evidentiary facts.
If a "fns rli" on is
bas" on law* th
prtinnt pro$isions
throf an" thir
applicabilit, to hi! shall
b clarl, an" concisl,
stat"%
819 Con"ition prc"nt
R+l 3* Sc% <% Conditions
precedent. " In any
pleading a general
averment of the
performance or occurrence
of all conditions
precedent shall be
sufficient.
8;9 Fra+"* !ista&* !alic*
intnt* &nowl"# an" othr
con"ition of th !in"*
'+"#!nts* official "oc+!nts
or acts
R+l 3* Sc% 0% Fraud
mista!e condition of the
mind. D In all
averments of fraud
or mistake, the
circumstances
constituting fraud
or mistake must be
stated with
particularity.
1alice, intent,
knowledge or other
condition of the
mind of a person may
be averred generally.
b% Pla"in# an
actionabl "oc+!nt
R+l 3* Sc% 4% "ction or
defense based on
document. D 2henever 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
e$hibit, which shall
be deemed to be a
part of the
pleading, or said
copy may with like
effect be set forth
in the pleading.
R+l 3* Sc% 3% #o$ to
contest such documents. "
2hen an action or defense
is founded upon a written
instrument, copied in or
attached to the
corresponding pleading as
99
provided in the preceding
section, the genuineness
and due e$ecution of the
instrument shall be
deemed admitted unless
the adverse party, under
oath, specifically denies
them, and sets forth what
he claims to be the
facts3 but the
re0uirement of an oath
does not apply when the
adverse party does not
appear to be a party to
the instrument or when
compliance with an order
for an inspection of the
original instrument is
refused.
Asian ,onstruction and
0evelo(9ent ,or(. v. Mendo2a* >%R%
No% 14@2?2* -+n ;4* ;=1; D Char#
in$oics ar not actionabl
"oc+!nts (er se as ths 5onl,
pro$i" "tails on th all#"
transactions% Ths "oc+!nts n"
not b attach" to or stat" in th
co!plaint as ths ar $i"ntiar,
in nat+r%
In Phili((ine Ban* o7
,o99unications v. ,ourt o7 A((eals*
120 SCRA 0@4* th "oc+!nt whos
#n+innss an" "+ /c+tion is
"!" a"!itt" n" not b
for!all, offr" in $i"nc% Th
ffct is to rli$ th plaintiff fro!
th "+t, of /prssl, prsntin#
s+ch "oc+!nts as $i"nc sinc
th, ar consi"r" as '+"icial
a"!issions%
Th followin# "fnss* not bin#
inconsistnt with th #n+innss
an" "+ /c+tion ar not wai$"
"spit fail+r to spcficiall, "n,
+n"r oath th actionabl
"oc+!nt6 8a9 Fra+"G 8b9 EstopplG
8c9 Want or Ill#alit, of
Consi"rationG 8"9 Mista&G 89
Pa,!ntG 8f9 Minorit, or I!bcilit,G
8#9 D+rssG 8h9 Stat+t of
Li!itationsG an"* 8i9 Co!pro!is%
Th followin# "fnss ar how$r
"!" wai$"6 8a9 For#r, in th
si#nat+rG 8b9 Una+thoriE"
si#nat+r as in th cas of an a#nt
si#nin# for th principalG 8c9 th
Corporation was not a+thoriE"
+n"r its chartr to si#n th
instr+!ntG 8"9 Want of "li$r,G or*
89 at th ti! th "oc+!nt was
si#n"* it was not in th wor"s an"
fi#+rs /actl, as st o+t in th
pla"in#%
c% Spcific "nials
819 Effct of fail+r to !a&
spcific "nials
R+l 3* Sc% 1=% Specific
denial. D + defendant
must specify each
material allegation
of fact the truth of
which he does not
admit and, whenever
practicable, shall
set forth the
substance of the
matters upon which
he relies to support
his denial. 2here a
defendant desires to
deny only a part of
an averment, he
shall specify so
much of it as is
true and material
and shall deny only
the remainder. 2here
a defendant is
without knowledge or
100
information
sufficient to form a
belief as to the
truth of a material
averment made in the
complaint, he shall
so state, and this
shall have the
effect of a denial.
8;9 Whn a spcific
"nial r.+irs an oath
R+l 3* Sc% 11* 5All#ations of
+s+r, in a co!plaint to rco$r
+s+rio+s intrst ar "!"
a"!itt" if not "ni" +n"r oath%A
0% Effct of fail+r to pla"
R+l 2* Sc% <% 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 re0uires the
claimant to submit
evidence. -uch reception
of evidence may be
delegated to the clerk of
court.
Th r+l rfrs to a "fn"in# part,*
which !ans that it is not onl, a
"fn"ant who fails to answr who
!a, b "clar" in "fa+lt%
Ma, a "fn"ant who fails to answr
a co!plaint that has bn a!n""
as a !attr of ri#ht b "clar" in
"fa+ltJ No bca+s 5an answr
arlir fil" !a, sr$ as th
answr to th a!n"" co!plaint if
no nw answr is fil"%A
Ma, a plaintiff who fails to answr a
co!p+lsor, co+ntrclai! b
"clar" in "fa+ltJ As a r+l* an
answr to a co+ntrclai! or cross:
clai! is r.+ir" an" faill+r to
answr is a #ro+n" for "fa+lt%
Cow$r* a co+ntrclai! n" not
b answr" whr th answr
wo+l" b a rptition of th
all#ations in th co!plaint
8Na$arro $% (llo* 1=; Phil% 1=12
812039 or whr th iss+s rais" in
th co+ntrclai! ar insparabl
fro! thos pos" in th co!plaint%
8Sar!into $% -+an* 1;= SCRA ?=<9
Th+s* a plaintiff who fails or chooss
not to answr a co!p+lsor,
co+ntrclai! !a, not b "clar" in
"fa+lt* principall, bca+s th
iss+s rais" in th co+ntrclai! ar
"!" a+to!aticall, 'oin" b, th
all#ations in th co!plaint% 8>o'o $%
>o,ala* <0 SCRA 0049

Ma, a "fn"ant who fails to answr
a s+ppl!ntal co!plaint b
"clar" in "fa+ltJ No* th answr
to th co!plaint shall sr$ as th
answr to th s+ppl!ntal
co!plaint if no nw or s+ppl!ntal
answr is fil"% 8R+l 11* Sc% 4* ;
n"
sntnc9
1% Fail+r to pla"
"fnss an" ob'ctions
,an the trial court 9otu (ro(rio
dis9iss the co9(laintL
101
Un"r Sc% 1* R+l 2* 57 whn it
appars fro! th pla"in#s or th
$i"nc on rcor" that th co+rt
has no '+ris"icition o$r th s+b'ct
!attr* that thr is anothr action
pn"in# btwn th sa! partis
for th sa! ca+s* or that th
action is barr" b, a prior '+"#!nt
or b, th stat+t of li!itations* th
co+rt shall "is!iss th clai!%A
Un"r Sc% ? of R$is" R+ls on
S+!!ar, Proc"+r* th co+rt fro!
an /a!ination of th all#ations
thrin an" s+ch $i"nc as !a,
b attach" thrto* "is!iss th
cas o+tri#ht on an, of th #ro+n"s
apparnt thrfro! for th "is!issal
of a ci$il action% Th+s* th co+rt !a,
9otu (ro(rio "is!iss th co!plaint
on th #ro+n" of i!propr $n+ if
its apparnt on th all#ations of
th co!plaint%
;% Fail+r to pla" a
co!p+lsor,
co+ntrclai! an" cross:
clai!
R+l 11* Sc% 2%
Counterclaim or cross-
claim arising after
ans$er. D +
counterclaim or a
cross-claim which
either matured or
was ac0uired 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.
R+l 11* Sc% 1=% &mitted
counterclaim or cross-
claim. " 2hen a pleader
fails to set up a
counterclaim or a cross-
claim through oversight,
inadvertence, or
e$cusable neglect, or
when justice re0uires, he
may, by leave of court,
set up the counterclaim
or cross-claim by
amendment before
judgment.
Th plaintiff !a, still st +p a
co+ntrclai! b, a!n"in# th
co!plaint as a !attr of ri#ht or at
an, ti! bfor a rsponsi$
pla"in# is sr$"%
@% Dfa+lt
a% Whn a "claration of
"fa+lt is propr
R+l 2* Sc% <* 5If th
"fn"in# part, fails to
answr within th ti!
allow" thrfor* th
co+rt shall* +pon !otion
of th clai!in# part,
with notic to th
"fn"in# part,* an"
proof of s+ch fail+r*
"clar th "fn"in#
part, in "fa+lt%A
b% Effct of an or"r of "fa+lt
R+l 2* Sc% < 8a96 'ffect
of order of default. - +
party in default shall be
entitled to notice of
subse0uent proceedings
102
but not to take part in
the trial.
Pascua v. /lorendo 8April <=* 12309
:: Co!plainants ar not
a+to!aticall, ntitl" to th rlif
pra," for onc th "fn"ants ar
"clar" in "fa+lt% Fa$orabl rlif
can b #rant" onl, aftr th co+rt
has ascrtain" that th rlif is
warrant" b, th $i"nc offr"
an" th facts pro$n b, th
prsntin# part,% It wo+l" b
!anin#lss to r.+ir prsntation
of $i"nc if $r, ti! th othr
part, is "clar" in "fa+lt* a
"cision wo+l" a+to!aticall, b
rn"r" in fa$or of th non:
"fa+ltin# part, an" /actl,
accor"in# to th tnor of his pra,r%
S also a<udo v. 6raders Royal
Ban** March ;1* ;==@%
In a<udo* SC /plain" that th
proscription a#ainst th awar" of
+nli.+i"at" "a!a#s is si#nificant
bca+s it !ans that th "a!a#s
!+st b pro$" con$incin#l, in
accor"anc with th .+ant+! of
$i"nc r.+ir" in ci$il cass%
c% Rlif fro! an or"r of
"fa+lt
R+l 2* Sc% < 8b96 Relief
from order of default. -
+ 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 e$cusable 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.
In Lina v. ,ourt o7 A((eals* 1<0
SCRA @<4 812309* th SC "isc+ss"
th $ario+s r!"is of a "fn"ant
"clar" in "fa+lt6
8a9 fil a !otion +n"r
oath to st asi" th
or"r of "fa+lt on th
#ro+n" that his fail+r to
answr was "+ to
FAME* an" that h has a
!ritorio+s "fnsG
8b9 if '+"#!nt has bn
rn"r"* h !a, fil a
!otion for nw trial
+n"r Sction 1 8a9 of
R+l <4G
8c9 if th "fn"ant
"isco$rs th "fa+lt
aftr th '+"#!nt has
bco! final an"
/c+tor,* h !a, fil a
ptition for rlif fro!
'+"#!nt +n"r R+l <3G
8"9 h !a, also appal
fro! th '+"#!nt
rn"r" a#ainst hi! as
contrar, to th $i"nc
or th law%
In Lina* -+stic Crrra "issnt"
citin# 0i9ayacyac v. ,A* 2< SCRA
;@0 8Spt!br ;4* 12429* insistin#
that crtiorari still lis whn s+ch
appal "os not pro$ to b a !or
sp", an" a".+at r!",% In
Di!a,ac,ac* -+stic Aba" Santos
sai"* th or"inar, r!", which
sho+l" b a$ail" b, a part, who
has bn "clar" in "fa+lt an"
103
'+"#!nt rn"r" a#ainst hi! is
that of appal an" not crtiorari% Th
r+l is not witho+t /cptions% Th+s*
altho+#h appal is a$ailabl*
crtiorari still lis whn s+ch appal
"os not pro$ to b a !or sp",
an" a".+at r!",%
In Ar'uero v. ,ourt o7 A((eals, >%R%
No% 1@3=0<* Spt!br ;1* ;=11*
@03 SCRA 4=* citin# th cas of
Martine2 v. Re(u)lic* >%R% No%
1@=320* Octobr <=* ;==@* 0=@
SCRA 1<?* /plain" that th ?
th
r!",* which is an appal fro! th
'+"#!nt* is anchor" on Sc% ;*
R+l ?1 of th 12@? R+ls% E$n
aftr th "ltion of that pro$ision
+n"r th 1224 R+ls* th SC "i" not
hsitat to /prssl, rl, on th
Lina "octrin* incl+"in# th
prono+nc!nt that a "fa+lt"
"fn"ant !a, appal fro! th
'+"#!nt rn"r" a#ainst hi!% Th
"fa+lt" "fn"ant has th ri#ht to
appal an" assail th '+"#!nt on
th #ro+n" that th a!o+nt of th
'+"#!nt is /cssi$ or is "iffrnt
in &in" fro! that pra," for* or that
th plaintiff fail" to pro$ th
!atrial all#ations of his co!plaint*
or that th "cision is contrar, to
law% S+ch part, "clar" in "fa+lt
is proscrib" fro! s&in# a
!o"ification or r$rsal of th
assail" "cision on th basis of th
$i"nc s+b!itt" b, hi! in th
Co+rt of Appals* for if it wr
othrwis* h wo+l" thrb, allow"
to r#ain his ri#ht to a""+c
$i"nc* a ri#ht which h lost in th
TC whn h was "clar" in "fa+lt*
an" which h fail" to ha$ $acat"%
Not that th appllat co+rt
can r$iw th assail" "cision an"
is not prcl+"" fro! r$rsin# th
sa! bas" soll, on th $i"nc
s+b!itt" b, th plaintiff%

"% Effct of a partial
"fa+lt
R+l 2* Sc% < 8c96 477ect
o7 (artial de7ault% : Whn
a pla"in# assrtin# a
clai! stats a co!!on
ca+s of action a#ainst
s$ral "fn"in#
partis* so! of who!
answr an" th othrs
fail to "o so* th co+rt
shall tr, th cas
a#ainst all +pon th
answrs th+s fil" an"
rn"r '+"#!nt +pon
th $i"nc prsnt"%
% E/tnt of rlif
R+l 2* Sc% < 8"96
4Itent o7 relie7 to )e
a.arded% : A '+"#!nt
rn"r" a#ainst a part,
in "fa+lt shall not
/c" th a!o+nt or
b "iffrnt in &in" fro!
that pra," for nor
awar" +nli.+i"at"
"a!a#s%
In what othr instanc !a, a
'+"#!nt b, "fa+lt b rn"r"
$n if th "fn"ant has fil" an
answrJ Un"r Sc% 0* R+l ;2* 5If a
part, or an officr or !ana#in#
a#nt of a part, wif+ll, fails to
appar bfor th officr who is to
ta& his "position* aftr bin#
sr$" with a propr notic* or fails
to sr$ answrs to intrro#atoris
s+b!itt" +n"r R+l ;0 aftr
104
propr sr$ic of s+ch
intrro#atoris* th co+rt on !otion
an" notic* !a, stri& o+t all or an,
part of an, pla"in# of that part,* or
"is!iss th action or prooc"in# or
an, part throf* or ntr a
'+"#!nt b, "fa+lt a#ainst that
part,* an" in its "iscrtion* or"r
hi! to pa, rasonabl /pnss
inc+rr" b th othr* incl+"in#
attorn,Is fs%A
f% Actions whr "fa+lt ar
not allow"
R+l 2* Sc% < 896
Ghere no de7aults
allo.ed% : If th
"fn"in# part, in an
action for ann+l!nt or
"claration of n+llit, of
!arria# or for l#al
sparation fails to
answr* th co+rt shall
or"r th prosc+tin#
attorn, to in$sti#at
whthr or not a
coll+sion btwn th
partis /ists* an" if
thr is no coll+sion* to
intr$n for th Stat
in or"r to s to it that
th $i"nc s+b!itt"
is not fabricat"%
Not spcial r+l of proc"+r on
Dclaration of Absol+t N+llit, of
)oi" Marria#* Sc% 3 8;9 throf*
which stats6 If th rspon"nt fails
to fil an answr* th co+rt shall not
"clar hi! or hr in "fa+lt% Sc% 3
8<9 f+rthr stats that whr no
answr is fil" or if th answr "os
not tn"r an iss+* th co+rt shall
or"r th P+blic Prosc+tor to
in$sti#at whthr coll+sion /ists
btwn th partis%
Spcial r+l of proc"+r in L#al
Sparation* Sc% 0 8b9 an" 8c9
pro$i"s for a si!ilar r+l%
4% Filin# an"
Sr$ic of
pla"in#s
Not "istinction btwn s+bstit+t"
sr$ic of s+!!ons an" s+bstit+t"
sr$ic of pla"in#s%
Un"r Sc% 3* R+l 1<* if sr$ic of
pla"n#s* !otions* notics*
rsol+tions* or"rs an" othr paprs
cannot b !a" ithr b, prsonal
sr$ic or b, !ail bca+s th offic
an" plac of rsi"nc of th part,
or his co+nsl is +n&nown*
s+bstit+t" sr$ic !a, b !a" b,
"li$rin# a cop, to th clr& of
co+rt with proof of fail+r of both
prsonal sr$ic an" sr$ic b,
!ail% Th sr$ic is co!plt at th
ti! of s+ch "li$r,%
Un"r Sc% 4* R+l 1?* if* for
'+stifiabl ca+ss* th "fn"ant
cannot b sr$" within a
rasonabl ti! as pro$i"" in Sc%
@* R+l 1?* sr$ic !a, b ffct"
8a9 b, la$in# copis of th
s+!!ons at th "fn"antIs
rsi"nc with so! prson of
s+itabl a# an" "iscrtion thn
rsi"in# thrin* or 8b9 b, la$in#
th copis at th "fn"antIs offic
or r#+lar plac of b+sinss with
so! co!ptnt prson in char#
throf%
105
I% Pa,!nt
of "oc&t
fs
Sc% 1* R+l 1?16 Upon th filin# of
th pla"in# or othr application
which initiats an action or
proc"in#* th fs prscrib"
thrfor shall b pai" in f+ll* +nlss a
sta##r" basis of pa,!nt is
allow" b, th R+ls% ///
II% Filin#
$rs+s
sr$ic of
pla"in#s
Distin#+ish btwn s+bstit+t"
sr$ic of pla"in# an" s+bstit+t"
sr$ic of s+!!ons D Un"r Sc% 3*
R+l 1<* 5If sr$i of pla"in#s*
!otions* notics* rsol+tions* or"rs
an" othr paprs cannot b !a"
+n"r th two prc"in# sctions*
th offic an" plac of rsi"nc of
th part, or his co+nsl bin#
+n&nown* sr$ic !a, b !a" b,
"li$rin# th cop, to th clr& of
co+rt* with proof of fail+r of both
prsonal sr$ic an" sr$ic b,
!ail% Th sr$ic is co!plt at th
ti! of s+ch "li$r,%A Un"r Sc% 4*
R+l 1?* 5If* for '+stifiabl ca+ss*
th "fn"ant cannot b sr$"
within a rasonabl ti! as pro$i""
in th prc"in# sction* sr$ic
!a, b ffct" 8a9 b, la$in#
copis of th s+!!ons at th
"fn"antIs rsi"nc with so!
prson of s+itabl a# an"
"iscrtion thn rsi"in# thrin* or
8b9 b, la$in# th copis at
"fn"antIs offic or r#+lar plac of
b+sinss with so! co!ptnt
prson in char# throf%A
III% Prio"s of
filin# of
pla"in#s
In what instancs is th prio" to
answr within 10 "a,sJ
a% Answr to a co!plaint*
within 10 "a,s aftr sr$ic of
s+!!ons +nlss a "iffrnt prio" is
fi/" b, th co+rt% 8R+l 11* Sc% 19
b% Answr to an a!n""
co!plaint whn th a!n"!nt is
!a" as a !attr of ri#ht* within 10
"a,s aftr bin# sr$" with a cop,
throf% 8R+l 11* Sc% <9
c% Answr to a thir"
8fo+rth* tc%9:part, co!plaint* within
10 "a,s aftr sr$ic of s+!!ons*
+nlss a "iffrnt prio" is fi/" b,
th co+rt% 8R+l 11* Sc% 09
Th prio" is 1= "a,s in th
followin# instancs6
a% In cass co$r" b, th
R+ls on S+!!ar, Proc"+r*
"fn"ant shall within 1= "a,s fro!
sr$ic of s+!!ons fil his answr
to th co!plaint% 8Sc% 0* R+ls on
S+!!ar, Proc"+r9
b% Answr to an a!n""
co!plaint whn th a!n"!nt is
not a !attr of ri#ht* within 1= "a,s
fro! notic of th or"r of a"!ittin#
th sa!% 8R+l 11* Sc% <* ;
n"
para#raph9
c% Answr to an a!n""
co+ntrclai!* a!n"" cross:clai!*
a!n"" thir" 8fo+rth* tc%9:part,
co!plaint* an" a!n"" co!plaint:
in:intr$ntion* within 1= "a,s fro!
106
notic of th or"r of a"!ittin# th
sa!% 8R+l 11* Sc% <* <
r"
para#raph9
"% Answr to a
co+ntrclai! or cross:clai! !+st b
answr" within 1= "a,s fro!
sr$ic% 8R+l 11* Sc% ?9
% A rpl, !a, b fil"
within 1= "a,s fro! sr$ic of th
pla"in# rspon"" to% 8R+l 11*
Sc% @9
f% A s+ppl!ntal
co!plaint !a, b answr" within
1= "a,s fro! notic of th or"r
a"!ittin# th sa!% 8R+l 11* Sc%
49
In what instanc is th prio"
"iffrnt fro! ithr 1= or 10 "a,sJ
a% Whr th "fn"ant is
a fori#n pri$at '+ri"ical ntit, an"
sr$ic of s+!!ons is !a" on th
#o$rn!nt official "si#nat" b,
law to rci$ th sa!* th answr
shall b fil" within <= "a,s aftr
rcipt of s+!!ons b, s+ch ntit,%
8R+l 11* Sc% ;9
b% Whr th "fn"ant is
sr$" s+!!ons b, p+blication
+n"r Sc% 10* R+l 1?% An, or"r
#rantin# s+h la$ shall spcif, a
rasonabl ti! which shall not b
lss than @= "a,s aftr notic within
which th "fn"ant !+st answr%
I)% Mannr
of filin#
Filin# is th act of
prsntin# th pla"in#
or othr papr to th
clr& of co+rt% 8R+l 1<*
Sc% ;9
R+l 1<* Sc% <6 (anner
of filing. D 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
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.
)% Mo"s of
sr$ic
107
Sr$ic of pla"in#s* !otions*
notics* or"rs* '+"#!nts an" othr
paprs shall b !a" ithr
prsonall, or b, !ail% 8R+l 1<* Sc%
09
819
Prson
al
sr$ic
R+l 1<* Sc% @6 Personal
service. " -ervice of the
papers may be made by
delivering personally a
copy to the party or his
counsel, or by leaving it
in his office with his
clerk or with a person
having charge thereof. If
no person is found in his
office, or his office is
not known, or he has no
office, then by leaving
the copy, between the
hours of eight in the
morning and si$ in the
evening, at the party%s
or counsel%s residence,
if known, with a person
of sufficient age and
discretion then residing
therein.
8;9
Sr$ic
b,
!ail
R+l 1<* Sc% 46 Service
by mail. D -ervice by
registered mail
shall be made by
depositing the copy
in the office, in a
sealed envelope,
plainly addressed to
the party or his
counsel at his
office, if known,
otherwise at his
residence, if known,
with postage fully
pre-paid, and with
instructions to the
postmaster to return
the mail to the
sender after ten
&l4) days if
undelivered. If no
registry service is
available in the
locality of either
the sender or the
addressee, service
may be done by
ordinary mail.
In Ben5uet 4lectric ,oo( v. 8LR,*
;=2 SCRA 00 8Ma, 13* 122;9
stabish" th r+l that th
trans!ission thro+#h a pri$at
carrir or lttr forwar"r is not a
rco#niE" !o" of filin# pla"in#s%
Th "at of act+al rcipt b, th
co+rt an" not th "at of "li$r, to
th pri$at co+rir is "!" th
"at of th filin# of th pla"in#%
8<9
S+bstit
+t"
sr$ic
R+l 1<* Sc% 36
Substituted service. D If
service of
pleadings, motions,
notices,
resolutions, orders
and other papers
cannot be made under
the two preceding
sections, the office
and place of
residence of the
party or his counsel
108
being unknown,
service may be made
by delivering the
copy to the clerk of
court, with proof of
failure of both
personal service and
service by mail. The
service is complete
at the time of such
delivery.
S+bstit+t" sr$ic of pla"in#s*
!otions* notics* rsol+tions* or"rs
an" othr paprs sho+l" b
"istin#+ish" fro! s+bstit+t"
sr$ic of s+!!ons%
8?9
Sr$ic
of
'+"#!
nts*
final
or"rs
or
rsol+t
ions
R+l 1<* Sc% 26 Service
of )udgments final
orders or resolutions. D
5udgments, final
orders or
resolutions shall be
served either
personally or by
registered mail.
2hen 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
e$pense of the
prevailing party.
809
Prioriti
s in
!o"s
of
sr$ic
an"
filin#
In ,ity o7 0u9a5uete v. Phili((ine
Ports Authority, >%R% No% 1@324<*
A+#+st ;?* ;=11* @0@ SCRA 1=;* th
SC not" that th co+nsl for th
Cit, hol"s offic in D+!a#+t Cit,*
N#ros Orintal* in th )isa,as whil
th co+nsl for th PPA hol"s offic
in N+Eon Cit,* Mtro Manila in
L+Eon% >i$n th consi"rabl
"istanc btwn th offics of
ths two co+nsls* prsonal sr$ic
of pla"in#s an" !otions b, on
+pon th othr was clarl, not
practical an" a writtn /planation
as to wh, prsonal sr$ic was not
"on wo+l" onl, b s+prfl+o+s%
8@9
Whn
sr$ic
is
"!
"
co!pl
t
R+l 1<* Sc% 1=6
Completeness of service.
D Personal service is
complete upon actual
delivery. -ervice by
ordinary mail is
109
complete upon the
e$piration of ten
&'4) days after
mailing, unless the
court otherwise
provides. -ervice by
registered mail is
complete upon actual
receipt by the
addressee, or after
five &() days from
the date he received
the first notice of
the postmaster,
whichever date is
earlier.
849
Proof
of
filin#
an"
sr$ic
R+l 1<* Sc% 1;6 Proof
of filing. D The filing
of a pleading or
paper shall be
proved by its
e$istence 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 same3 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
&'4) days if not
delivered.
R+l 1<* Sc% 1<6 Proof
of service. D 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 , of this
ule. If service is
made by registered
mail, proof shall be
made by such
affidavit and the
registry receipt
issued by the
110
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.
3% A!n"!nt
a%
A!n"!nt
as a !attr
of ri#ht
A9end9ent in case o7 <urisdictional
issues on the ori5inal (leadin5
Crrra in his boo& R!"ial Law
sai"* 5Th r+l that a plaintiff !a,
not a!n" his ca+s of action for
p+rpos of $stin# th co+rt with
'+ris"iction which it "os not ha$
+n"r th ori#inal co!plaint* onl,
applis if a rsponsi$ pla"in# ha"
alra", bn fil" an" thrfor*
la$ of co+rt is r.+ir"% (for th
filin# of a rsponsi$ pla"in#* th
plaintiff !a, a!n" his pla"in# as
a !attr of co+rs witho+t la$ of
co+rt* an" this is tr+ $n if a
!otion to "is!iss has bn fil"*
bca+s th lattr is not a
rsponsi$ pla"in#%A
Th+s* in +oledad v. Ma9an5un* 3
SCRA 11= 812@<9* th contntion
that th M+nicipal Co+rt rr" in
a"!itt" th a!n"" co!plaint
bca+s it has no '+ris"iction o$r
th ori#inal co!plaint was hl" as
+ntnabl bca+s of plaintiffIs ri#ht
to a!n" his pla"in# onc as a
!attr of co+rs $n if thr is a
pn"in# !otion to "is!iss%
Riano in his boo& Ci$il Proc"+r
sai"* 5A fair ra"in# of '+rispr+"nc
rco#niEs th ri#ht of pla"r to
a!n" his co!plaint bfor a
rsponsi$ pla"in# is sr$" $n
if its ffct is to corrct a
'+ris"ictional "fct% Th ar#+!nt
that th co+rt cannot allow s+ch
t,p of a!n"!nt sinc th co+rt
!+st first possss '+ris"iction o$r
th s+b'ct !attr of th co!plaint
bfor it can act on an, a!n"!nt
has no application +pon an
a!n"!nt that is !a" as a
!attr of ri#ht%A
A9end9ent in case o7 lac* o7 cause
o7 action in ori5inal (leadin5
Ma, a co!plaint that lac&s a ca+s
of action at th ti! it was fil" b
c+r" b, th accr+al of a ca+s of
action "+rin# th pn"nc, of th
casJ This was th basic iss+
rais" in +.a59an $otels and
6ravel =nc. v. ,ourt o7 A((eals* ?00
SCRA 140% Accor"in# to th SC* a
co!plaint whos ca+s of action has
not ,t accr+" cannot b c+r" or
r!"i" b, an a!n"" or
s+ppl!ntal pla"in# all#in# th
/istnc or accr+al of a ca+s of
action whil th cas is pn"in#%
Th c+rin# ffct +n"r Sc% 0* R+l
1= is applicabl onl, if a ca+s of
action in fact /ists at th ti! th
co!plaint is fil"* b+t th co!plaint
111
is "fcti$ for fail+r to all# th
ssntial facts%
b%
A!n"!nt
s b, la$ of
co+rt
c% For!al
a!n"!nt
"%
A!n"!nt
s to confor!
to or
a+thoriE
prsntation
of $i"nc
% Diffrnt
fro!
s+ppl!nta
l pla"in#s
f% Effct of
a!n""
pla"in#
F% S+!!ons
Phila9li7e v. Breva* ??; SCRA ;14
8No$!br 11* ;==?9 D Cas sho+l"
not b "is!iss" si!pl, bca+s
ori#inal s+!!ons was wron#f+ll,
sr$"% It sho+l" b "iffic+lt to
conci$* for /a!pl* that whn a
"fn"ant prsonall, appars bfor
a co+rt co!plainin# that h ha" not
bn $ali"l, s+!!on"* that th
cas fil" a#ainst hi! sho+l" b
"is!iss"% An alias s+!!ons can b
act+all, sr$" on sai" "fn"ant%
1% Nat+r an"
p+rpos of
s+!!ons in
rlation to actions
in prsona!* in
r! an" .+asi in
r!
;% )ol+ntar,
apparanc
In Ati*o 6rans =nc. and ,hen5 Lie
8avi5ation ,o. Ltd. v. Prudential
uarantee and Assurance =nc., >%R%
No% 1@40?0* A+#+st 14* ;=11* Ati&o
Trans was sr$" with s+!!ons
thr+ its cashir Cristina whil Chn#
Li* a fori#n shippin# co!pan,
"oin# b+sinss in th Philippins
thr+ its "+l, a+thoriE" shipa#nt
"fn"ant Ati&o Trans* was sr$"
with s+!!ons thr+ its a#nt% (oth
"fn"ants wr "clar" in "fa+lt%
-+"#!nt was thn rn"r" a#ainst
th two "fn"ants b, th
Mtropolitan Trial Co+rt of Ma&ati
Cit,% Ati&o Trans thn fil" its Notic
of Appal to th R#ional Trial Co+rt*
its M!oran"+! of Appal* its
Motion for Rconsi"ration* an" its
Ptition for R$iw of th "cision of
th RTC% It n$r .+stion" th
'+ris"iction of th MTC o$r its
prson%
Accor"in# to th SC* whn th
"fn"ant is a "o!stic corporation*
sr$ic of s+!!ons !a, b !a"
onl, +pon th prsons n+!rat"
in Sction 11* R+l 1? of th R+ls of
Co+rt% Cow$r* '+ris"iction o$r th
prson of th "fn"ant can b
ac.+ir" not onl, b, propr sr$ic
of s+!!ons b+t also b, "fn"antIs
$ol+ntar, apparanc witho+t
/prssl, ob'ctin# to th co+rtIs
'+ris"iction* as !bo"i" in Sction
;=* R+l 1? of th R+ls of Co+rt*
$iE6
112
SEC% ;=% )ol+ntar,
apparanc% D Th
"fn"antIs $ol+ntar,
apparanc in th action
shall b .+i$alnt to
sr$ic of s+!!ons% Th
incl+sion in a !otion to
"is!iss of othr #ro+n"s
asi" fro! lac& of
'+ris"iction o$r th
prson of th "fn"ant
shall not b "!" a
$ol+ntar, apparanc%
In th cas at bnch* whn Ati&o
fil" its Notic of Appal*
M!oran"+! of Appal* Motion for
Rconsi"ration of th Dcision of
th RTC* an" Ptition for R$iw* it
n$r .+stion" th '+ris"iction of
th MTC o$r its prson% Th filin#
of ths pla"in#s s&in#
affir!ati$ rlif a!o+nt" to
$ol+ntar, apparanc an"* hnc*
rn"r" th all#" lac& of
'+ris"iction !oot% In Pal9a v. alve2
8@10 SCRA 3@9 this Co+rt ritrat"
th oft:rpat" r+l that Fth filin#
of !otions s&in# affir!ati$ rlif*
s+ch as* to a"!it answr* for
a""itional ti! to fil answr* for
rconsi"ration of a "fa+lt
'+"#!nt* an" to lift or"r of "fa+lt
with !otion for rconsi"ration* ar
consi"r" $ol+ntar, s+b!ission to
th '+ris"iction of th co+rt%F
Moro$r* ptitionrsI contntion is
a !r aftrtho+#ht% It was onl, in
thir M!oran"+! fil" with this
Co+rt whr th, clai!"* for th
first ti!* that Ati&o was not
proprl, sr$" with s+!!ons% In
La 8aval 0ru5 ,or(oration v. ,ourt
o7 A((eals 8;<@ SCRA 439 it was
hl" that th iss+ of '+ris"iction
o$r th prson of th "fn"ant
!+st b sasonabl, rais"% Failin#
to "o so* a part, who in$o&" th
'+ris"iction of a co+rt to sc+r an
affir!ati$ rlif cannot b allow"
to "isa$ow s+ch '+ris"iction aftr
+ns+ccssf+ll, tr,in# to obtain s+ch
rlif%
MTC how$r "i" not ac.+ir
'+ris"iction o$r th prson of Chn#
Li% (for it was a!n"" b, A%M%
No% 11:<:@:SC* Sction 1; of R+l 1?
of th R+ls of Co+rt ra"s6
SEC% 1;% Sr$ic +pon
fori#n pri$at '+ri"ical
ntit,% D Whn th
"fn"ant is a fori#n
pri$at '+ri"ical ntit,
which has transact"
b+sinss in th
Philippins* sr$ic !a,
b !a" on its rsi"nt
a#nt "si#nat" in
accor"anc with law for
that p+rpos* or* if thr
b no s+ch a#nt* on th
#o$rn!nt official
"si#nat" b, law to
that ffct* or on an, of
its officrs or a#nts
within th Philippins%
El+ci"atin# on th abo$ pro$ision
of th R+ls of Co+rt* this Co+rt
"clar" in Pioneer =nternational,
Ltd. v. uadi2, &r. 80<0 SCRA 03?9
that whn th "fn"ant is a fori#n
'+ri"ical ntit,* sr$ic of s+!!ons
!a, b !a" +pon6
1% Its rsi"nt a#nt
"si#nat" in
113
accor"anc with law for
that p+rposG
;% Th #o$rn!nt
official "si#nat" b,
law to rci$ s+!!ons
if th corporation "os
not ha$ a rsi"nt
a#ntG or*
<% An, of th
corporationIs officrs or
a#nts within th
Philippins%
In th cas at bnch* no s+!!ons
was sr$" +pon Chn# Li in an,
!annr prscrib" abo$% It sho+l"
b rcall" that Ati&o Trans was not
proprl, sr$" with s+!!ons as
th prson who rci$" it on bhalf
of Ati&o* cashir Cristina* is not on
of th corporat officrs n+!rat"
in Sction 11 of R+l 1? of th R+ls
of Co+rt% Th MTC ac.+ir"
'+ris"iction o$r th prson of Ati&o
Trans not thr+ $ali" sr$ic of
s+!!ons b+t b, th lattrIs
$ol+ntar, apparanc% Th+s* thr
bin# no propr sr$ic of s+!!ons
+pon Ati&o to spa& of* it follows
that th MTC n$r ac.+ir"
'+ris"iction o$r th prson of Chn#
Li% To r+l othrwis wo+l" crat
an abs+r" sit+ation whr sr$ic of
s+!!ons is $ali" +pon th
p+rport" principal b+t not on th
lattrIs co:"fn"ant c+! p+tati$
a#nt "spit th fact that sr$ic
was co+rs" thr+ sai" a#nt% In""*
in or"r for th co+rt to ac.+ir
'+ris"iction o$r th prson of a
"fn"ant fori#n pri$at '+ri"ical
ntit, +n"r Sction 1;* R+l 1? of
th R+ls of Co+rt* thr !+st b
prior $ali" sr$ic of s+!!ons +pon
th a#nt of s+ch "fn"ant%
Also* th rcor"s of this cas is
brft of an, showin# that cashir
Cristina is a #o$rn!nt official
"si#nat" b, law to rci$
s+!!ons on bhalf of Chn# Li or
that sh is an officr or a#nt of
Chn# Li within th Philippins%
Cnc* hr rcipt of s+!!ons
bars no si#nificanc insofar as
Chn# Li is concrn"% At this
point* w !phasiE that th
r.+ir!nts of th r+l on
s+!!ons !+st b strictl, follow"*
lst w ri" ro+#hsho" on
"fn"antIs ri#ht to "+ procss%

With r#ar" to Chn# LiIs filin# of
n+!ro+s pla"in#s* th sa!
cannot b consi"r" as $ol+ntar,
apparanc% Unli& Ati&o Trans*
Chn# Li n$r so+#ht affir!ati$
rlif othr than th "is!issal of th
co!plaint on th #ro+n" of lac& of
'+ris"iction o$r its prson% Fro! th
$r, b#innin#* it has consistntl,
.+stion" th $ali"it, of th
sr$ic of s+!!ons an" th
'+ris"iction of th MTC o$r its
prson%
It "os not scap o+r attntion
tho+#h that Chn# LiIs pla"in#s
"o not in"icat that th sa! wr
fil" b, wa, of spcial apparanc%
(+t ths* to o+r !in"* ar !r
inacc+racis in th titl of th
pla"in#s% What is i!portant ar th
all#ations contain" thrin which
consistntl, rsist" th '+ris"iction
of th trial co+rt% Th+s* Chn# Li
cannot b consi"r" to ha$
s+b!itt" itslf to th '+ris"iction of
th co+rts%

In fin* sinc th MTC n$r
ac.+ir" '+ris"iction o$r th prson
114
of Chn# Li* its "cision insofar as
Chn# Li is concrn" is $oi"%
Th+s* Chn# Li was i!proprl,
"clar" in "fa+lt%
Appl,in# th abo$ "is.+isition* th
MTC li&wis rr" in "clarin#
Chn# Li in "fa+lt% Sttl" is th
r+l that a "fn"ant cannot b
"clar" in "fa+lt +nlss s+ch
"claration is prc"" b, a $ali"
sr$ic of s+!!ons%

<% Prsonal sr$ic
AMENDMENT OF SECTION 1;* RULE
1? OF TCE RULES OF COURT ON
SER)ICE UPON FOREI>N PRI)ATE
-URIDICAL ENTITL% As a!n""* sai"
pro$ision of th R+ls of Co+rt now
ra"s6
SEC% 1;% Sr$ic +pon fori#n
pri$at '+ri"ical ntit,% T Whn th
"fn"ant is a fori#n pri$at
'+ri"ical ntit, which has transact"
b+sinss in th Philippins* sr$ic
!a, b !a" on its rsi"nt a#nt
"si#nat" in accor"anc with law
for that p+rpos* or* if thr b no
s+ch a#nt* on th #o$rn!nt
official "si#nat" b, law to that
ffct* or on an, of its officrs or
a#nts within th Philippins%
If th fori#n pri$at '+ri"ical
ntit, is not r#istr" in th
Philippins or has no rsi"nt a#nt*
sr$ic !a,* with la$ of co+rt* b
ffct" o+t of th Philippins
thro+#h an, of th followin# !ans6
a9 (, prsonal sr$ic
co+rs" thro+#h th
appropriat co+rt in th
fori#n co+ntr, with th
assistanc of th
Dpart!nt of Fori#n
AffairsG
b9 (, p+blication onc in
a nwspapr of #nral
circ+lation in th co+ntr,
whr th "fn"ant
!a, b fo+n" an" b,
sr$in# a cop, of th
s+!!ons an" th co+rt
or"r b,:r#istr" !ail
at th last &nown
a""rss of th
"fn"antG
c9 (, facsi!il or an,
rco#niE" lctronic
!ans that co+l"
#nrat proof of
sr$icG or
"9 (, s+ch othr !ans
as th co+rt !a, in its
"iscrtion "irct%
?% S+bstit+t"
sr$ic
In +a9artino v. Raon 8-+l, <* ;==;9*
th rt+rn fail" to show th rason
wh, prsonal sr$ic co+l" not b
!a"% It fail" to stat that pro!pt
an" prsonal sr$ic was rn"r"
i!possibl% Th+s* th s+bstit+t"
sr$ic was consi"r" inffcti$%
SC cit" SC A"!% Circ+lar No% 02
iss+" on No$!br 12* 1232 which
strss" th i!portanc of strict
co!plianc with th r.+isits for a
$ali" s+bstit+t" sr$ic of
s+!!ons% It stats6 5Th s+bstit+t"
sr$ic sho+l" b a$ail" onl, whn
th "fn"ant cannot b sr$"
pro!ptl, in prson% I!possibilit, of
pro!pt sr$ic sho+l" b shown b,
statin# th fforts !a" to fin" th
"fn"ant prsonall, an" th fail+r
of s+ch fforts% Th stat!nt
115
sho+l" b !a" in th proof of
sr$ic% This is ncssar, bca+s
s+bstit+t" sr$ic is in "ro#ation
of th +s+al !tho" of sr$ic%A
Th rt+rn !+st show th followin#6
8a9 in"icat th i!possibilit, of
sr$ic of s+!!ons within a
rasonabl ti!G 8b9 spcif, th
fforts /rt" to locat th
"fn"antG 8c9 stat that th
s+!!ons was sr$" +pon a prson
of s+fficint a# an" "iscrtion who
is rsi"in# in th a""rss* or who is
in char# of th offic or r#+lar
plac of b+sinss of th "fn"ant%
8-os $% (o,on* Octobr ;<* ;==<9
Not* in &ose* whn s+bstit+t"
sr$ic was rsort" to b, th
procss sr$r all#"l, bca+s
fforts to sr$ th s+!!ons
prsonall, on th "fn"ants fail"*
th plaintiffs fil" a !otion for la$
to ffct s+!!ons b, p+blication*
which was #rant"% Th SC hl" that
5/tratrritorial sr$ic of s+!!ons
or s+!!ons b, p+blication applis
onl, whn th action is in re9 or
'uasi in re9% Th first is an action
a#ainst th thin# itslf insta" of
a#ainst th "fn"antIs prsonG in
th lattr* an in"i$i"+al is na!" as
"fn"ants an" th p+rpos is to
s+b'ct that in"i$i"+alIs ri#ht in a
pic of proprt, to th obli#ation or
loan b+r"nin# it% In th instant
cas* what was fil" bfor th TC
was an action for spcific
prfor!anc "irct" a#ainst th
"fn"ants% Whil th s+it
inci"ntall, in$ol$" a pic of lan"*
th ownrship or possssion throf
was not p+t in iss+ sinc th, "i"
not assrt an, intrst or ri#ht o$r
it% Moro$r* an action for spcific
prfor!anc is an action in
(ersona9% Ca$in# fail" to sr$ th
s+!!ons on "fn"ants proprt,*
th RTC "i" not $ali"l, ac.+ir
'+ris"iction o$r thir prsons%
)LEIs co!!nt6 In &ose* -+stic
Pan#aniban !a" a swpin#
stat!nt that sr$ic of p+blication
is applicabl in actions in re9 an"
'uasi in re9 b+t not in prsonal
s+its s+ch as an action for spcific
prfor!anc% Crrra not" that
+n"r pr$io+s r+lin#s* s+!!ons b,
p+blication has bn hl" as not
pr!issibl in actions in (ersona9%
This accor"in# to Crrra is 5too
broa" an" sho+l" not b !a" to
appl, to rsi"nt "fn"ants% It is
onl, whn th "fn"ant is not a
rsi"nt of th Philippins an"
cannot b fo+n" in th Philippins
that th co+rt cannot ac.+ir
'+ris"iction o$r its prson in actions
in (ersona9%
In Asiavest Li9ited v. ,ourt o7
A((eals 8Spt!br ;0* 12239* th
SC /plain" that in an action in
(ersona9* '+ris"iction o$r th
prson of th "fn"ant is
ncssar, for th co+rt to $ali"l, tr,
an" "ci" th cas% -+ris"iction
o$r th prson of a rsi"nt
"fn"ant who "os not $ol+ntaril,
appar in co+rt can b ac.+ir" b,
prsonal sr$ic of s+!!ons as
pro$i"" +n"r Sc% @* R+l 1?% If h
cannot b prsonall, sr$" with
s+!!ons sr$ic !a, b affct"
b, s+bstit+t" sr$ic in accor"anc
with Sc% 3% If h is t!poraril, o+t
of th co+ntr,* an, of th of th
followin# !o"s of sr$i !a, b
rsort" to6 819 s+bstit+t" sr$ic
st forth in Sc% 3G 8;9 sr$ic
116
o+tsi" th co+ntr, with la$ of
co+rtG 8<9 sr$ic b, p+blication also
with la$ of co+rtG or 8?9 an, othr
!annr th co+rt !a, "!
s+fficint%
Othrwis stat"* a rsi"nt
"fn"ant in an action in (ersona9
who cannot b b prsonall, sr$"
with s+!!ons !a, b s+!!on"
ithr b, !ans of s+bstit+t"
sr$ic in accor"anc with R+l 1?*
Sc% 3 or b, p+blication as pro$i""
in Sc% 14 an" 13 of th sa! R+l%
It is whn th action in (ersona9 is
a#ainst a non:rsi"nt "fn"ant
who cannot b fo+n" in th
Philippins an" "os not $ol+ntaril,
s+b!it hi!slf to th '+ris"iciton of
th Philippins that s+!!ons b,
p+blication cannot b !a" +pon
hi! for th p+rpos of ac.+irin#
'+ris"iction% In s+ch cas* prsonal
sr$ic of s+!!ons within th stat
is ssntial to th ac.+isition of
'+ris"iction o$r his prson% This
!tho" of sr$ic is possibl if s+ch
"fn"ant is ph,sicall, prsnt in
th co+ntr,% If h is not fo+n"
thrin* th co+rt cannot ac.+ir
'+ris"iction o$r his prson* an"
thrfor cannot $ali"l, tr, an"
"ci" th cas a#ainst hi!%
Manotoc v. ,A* ?22 SCRA ;1 8A+#+st
1@* ;==@9
819 I!possibilit, of Pro!pt Prsonal
Sr$ic :: Th part, rl,in# on
s+bstit+t" sr$ic or th shriff
!+st show that "fn"ant cannot b
sr$" pro!ptl, or thr is
i!possibilit, of pro!pt sr$ic%
Sction 3* R+l 1? pro$i"s that th
plaintiff or th shriff is #i$n a
Frasonabl ti!F to sr$ th
s+!!ons to th "fn"ant in
prson* b+t no spcific ti! fra! is
!ntion"% FRasonabl ti!F is
"fin" as Fso !+ch ti! as is
ncssar, +n"r th circ+!stancs
for a rasonabl, pr+"nt an"
"ili#nt !an to "o* con$nintl,*
what th contract or "+t, r.+irs
that sho+l" b "on* ha$in# a
r#ar" for th ri#hts an" possibilit,
of loss* if an,* to th othr part,%F
Un"r th R+ls* th sr$ic of
s+!!ons has no st prio"%
Cow$r* whn th co+rt* clr& of
co+rt* or th plaintiff as&s th shriff
to !a& th rt+rn of th s+!!ons
an" th lattr s+b!its th rt+rn of
s+!!ons* thn th $ali"it, of th
s+!!ons lapss% Th plaintiff !a,
thn as& for an alias s+!!ons if th
sr$ic of s+!!ons has fail"% What
thn is a rasonabl ti! for th
shriff to ffct a prsonal sr$ic in
or"r to "!onstrat i!possibilit,
of pro!pt sr$icJ To th plaintiff*
Frasonabl ti!F !ans no !or
than s$n 849 "a,s sinc an
/p"itio+s procssin# of a
co!plaint is what a plaintiff wants%
To th shriff* Frasonabl ti!F
!ans 10 to <= "a,s bca+s at th
n" of th !onth* it is a practic for
th branch clr& of co+rt to r.+ir
th shriff to s+b!it a rt+rn of th
s+!!ons assi#n" to th shriff for
sr$ic% Th ShriffIs Rt+rn
pro$i"s "ata to th Clr& of Co+rt*
which th clr& +ss in th Monthl,
Rport of Cass to b s+b!itt" to
th Offic of th Co+rt A"!inistrator
within th first tn 81=9 "a,s of th
s+cc"in# !onth% Th+s* on !onth
fro! th iss+anc of s+!!ons can
b consi"r" Frasonabl ti!F
117
with r#ar" to prsonal sr$ic on
th "fn"ant%
Shriffs ar as&" to "ischar# thir
"+tis on th sr$ic of s+!!ons
with "+ car* +t!ost "ili#nc* an"
rasonabl pro!ptnss an" sp"
so as not to pr'+"ic th
/p"itio+s "ispnsation of '+stic%
Th+s* th, ar n'oin" to tr, thir
bst fforts to acco!plish prsonal
sr$ic on "fn"ant% On th othr
han"* sinc th "fn"ant is
/pct" to tr, to a$oi" an" $a"
sr$ic of s+!!ons* th shriff
!+st b rso+rcf+l* prs$rin#*
cann,* an" "ili#nt in sr$in# th
procss on th "fn"ant% For
s+bstit+t" sr$ic of s+!!ons to
b a$ailabl* thr !+st b s$ral
att!pts b, th shriff to prsonall,
sr$ th s+!!ons within a
rasonabl prio" Rof on !onthS
which $nt+all, rs+lt" in fail+r
to pro$ i!possibilit, of pro!pt
sr$ic% FS$ral att!ptsF !ans
at last thr 8<9 tris* prfrabl, on
at last two "iffrnt "ats% In
a""ition* th shriff !+st cit wh,
s+ch fforts wr +ns+ccssf+l% It is
onl, thn that i!possibilit, of
sr$ic can b confir!" or
accpt"%
8;9 Spcific Dtails in th Rt+rn ::
Th shriff !+st "scrib in th
Rt+rn of S+!!ons th facts an"
circ+!stancs s+rro+n"in# th
att!pt" prsonal sr$ic% Th
fforts !a" to fin" th "fn"ant
an" th rasons bhin" th fail+r
!+st b clarl, narrat" in "tail in
th Rt+rn% Th "at an" ti! of th
att!pts on prsonal sr$ic* th
in.+iris !a" to locat th
"fn"ant* th na!Hs of th
occ+pants of th all#" rsi"nc
or ho+s of "fn"ant an" all othr
acts "on* tho+#h f+til* to sr$
th s+!!ons on "fn"ant !+st b
spcifi" in th Rt+rn to '+stif,
s+bstit+t" sr$ic% Th for! on
ShriffIs Rt+rn of S+!!ons on
S+bstit+t" Sr$ic prscrib" in th
Can"boo& for Shriffs p+blish" b,
th Philippin -+"icial Aca"!,
r.+irs a narration of th fforts
!a" to fin" th "fn"ant
prsonall, an" th fact of fail+r%
S+pr! Co+rt A"!inistrati$
Circ+lar No% 0 "at" No$!br 2*
1232 r.+irs that Fi!possibilit, of
pro!pt sr$ic sho+l" b shown b,
statin# th fforts !a" to fin" th
"fn"ant prsonall, an" th fail+r
of s+ch fforts*F which sho+l" b
!a" in th proof of sr$ic%
8<9 A Prson of S+itabl A# an"
Discrtion :: If th s+bstit+t"
sr$ic will b ffct" at
"fn"antIs ho+s or rsi"nc* it
sho+l" b lft with a prson of
Fs+itabl a# an" "iscrtion thn
rsi"in# thrin%F A prson of
s+itabl a# an" "iscrtion is on
who has attain" th a# of f+ll
l#al capacit, 813 ,ars ol"9 an" is
consi"r" to ha$ no+#h
"iscrn!nt to +n"rstan" th
i!portanc of a s+!!ons%
FDiscrtionF is "fin" as Fth abilit,
to !a& "cisions which rprsnt a
rsponsibl choic an" for which an
+n"rstan"in# of what is lawf+l*
ri#ht or wis !a, b prs+ppos"F%
Th+s* to b of s+fficint "iscrtion*
s+ch prson !+st &now how to ra"
an" +n"rstan" En#lish to
co!prhn" th i!port of th
s+!!ons* an" f+ll, raliE th n"
to "li$r th s+!!ons an"
118
co!plaint to th "fn"ant at th
arlist possibl ti! for th prson
to ta& appropriat action% Th+s* th
prson !+st ha$ th Frlation of
confi"ncF to th "fn"ant*
ns+rin# that th lattr wo+l"
rci$ or at last b notifi" of th
rcipt of th s+!!ons% Th shriff
!+st thrfor "tr!in if th
prson fo+n" in th all#" "wllin#
or rsi"nc of "fn"ant is of l#al
a#* what th rcipintIs
rlationship with th "fn"ant is*
an" whthr sai" prson
co!prhn"s th si#nificanc of th
rcipt of th s+!!ons an" his "+t,
to i!!"iatl, "li$r it to th
"fn"ant or at last notif, th
"fn"ant of sai" rcipt of
s+!!ons% Ths !attrs !+st b
clarl, an" spcificall, "scrib" in
th Rt+rn of S+!!ons%
8?9 A Co!ptnt Prson in Char# ::
If th s+bstit+t" sr$ic will b
"on at "fn"antIs offic or r#+lar
plac of b+sinss* thn it sho+l" b
sr$" on a co!ptnt prson in
char# of th plac% Th+s* th
prson on who! th s+bstit+t"
sr$ic will b !a" !+st b th
on !ana#in# th offic or b+sinss
of "fn"ant* s+ch as th prsi"nt
or !ana#rG an" s+ch in"i$i"+al
!+st ha$ s+fficint &nowl"# to
+n"rstan" th obli#ation of th
"fn"ant in th s+!!ons* its
i!portanc* an" th pr'+"icial
ffcts arisin# fro! inaction on th
s+!!ons% A#ain* ths "tails !+st
b contain" in th Rt+rn%
Pascual v. Pascual 8Dc!br ?*
;==29 D ritrat" th #+i"lins in
Manotoc%
0% Constr+cti$
sr$ic 8b,
p+blication9
a% Sr$ic
+pon a
"fn"ant
whr his
i"ntit, is
+n&nown or
whr his
whrabo+ts
ar +n&nown
b% Sr$ic
+pon
rsi"nts
t!poraril,
o+tsi" th
Philippins
@% E/tra:trritorial
sr$ic* whn
allow"
4% Sr$ic +pon
prisonrs an"
!inors
3% Sr$ic +pon
p+blic
corporations
Th cas of Re(u)lic v. 0o9in5o*
>%R% No% 140;22* Spt!br 1?*
;=11* @04 SCRA @;1* !anat"
fro! a co!plaint for spcific
prfor!anc with "a!a#s a#ainst
th DPWC* R#ion III% S+!!on was
iss+" an" sr$" on th DPWC* pr
th Proof of Sr$ic* 5thro+#h Nora
CortE* Clr& III of sai" offic as
shown b, hr si#nat+r an"
sta!p" !ar& rci$" b, sai"
offic apparin# on th ori#inal
s+!!ons%A DPWC was "clar" in
119
"fa+lt an" Do!in#o was allow" to
prsnt $i"nc eI (arte. Th
'+"#!nt of "fa+lt bca! final
an" thraftr* a writ of /c+tion
was iss+" a#ainst DPWC% Th OS>
thn fil" a ptition for ann+l!nt of
'+"#!nt with th CA ar#+in# that
th Rp+blic was not i!pla"" as
an in"ispnsabl part,% Th CA
"is!iss" th ptition%
Accor"in# to th SC* 5whn a s+it is
"irct" a#ainst an +nincorporat"
#o$rn!nt a#nc,* which bca+s
it is +nincorporat"* posssss no
'+ri"ical pronalit, of its own* th
s+it is a#ains th a#nc,Is principal*
i%%* th Stat% In $eirs o7 Ma9erto
Man5uiat v. ,ourt o7 A((eals* 0@;
SCRA ?;;* whr s+!!ons was
sr$" on th (+ra+ of
Tlco!!+nications 8(+Tl9 which
was an a#nc, attach" to th
Dpart!nt of Transportation an"
Co!!+nications 8DOTC9* th SC
cit" R+l 1?* Sc% 1< which
pro$i"s that whr th "f"ant is
th Rp+blic of th Philippins*
sr$ic of s+!!ons !+st b !a"
on th Solicitor >nral% Th (+Tl is
an a#nc, attach" to th DOTC
crat" +n"r E%O% No% 0?@ on -+l,
;<* 12427 It is in"isp+t"l, part of
th Rp+blic an" s+!!ons sho+l"
ha$ bn sr$" on th Solicitor
>nral%
In this cas* th co!plaint for
spcific prfor!anc with "a!a#s
is a#ainst th DPWC* R#ion III% Th
DPWC an" its r#ional offic ar
!rl, a#nts of th Rp+blic*
which is th ral part, in intrst%
Th+s* as !an"at" b, Sc% 1<* R+l
1? of th R+ls of Co+rt* s+!!ons
in this cas sho+l" ha$ bn sr$"
on th OS>%
It is th "+t, of th plaintiff to
i!pla" all th ncssar, or
in"ispnsabl partis for th
co!plt "tr!ination of th
action% It was inc+!bnt +pon
Do!in#o to na! an" i!pla" th
propr "fn"ant in his co!plaint*
which is th Rp+blic* an" ca+s th
sr$ic of s+!!ons to !a" +pon
th officr !an"at" b, law% Th
fact that th OS> ntr" its
apparanc in othr ci$il cass
whr th s+!!ons wr sr$"
onl, +pon th DPWC R#ion III has
no barin# in this cas%
)LEIs COMMENT6 R+l 1?* Sc% 1<*
sa,s 5sr$ic !a, b ffct" on
th Solicitor >nralA i!pl,in# that
it is an option an" that th s+!!ons
!a, b sr$" on th #o$rn!nt
a#nc, concrn"% Apparntl,* this
&in" of intrprtation is not $ali"%
Th SC was !phatic in Re(u)lic v.
0o9in5o that 5s+!!ons in this cas
sho+l" ha$ bn sr$" on th
OS>%A
2% Proof of sr$ic
>% Motions
1% Motions in
#nral
a% Dfinition
of a !otion
b% Motions
$rs+s
pla"in#s
120
c% Contnts
an" for! of
!otions
"% Notic of
harin# an"
harin# of
!otions
&ehan +hi((in5 ,or(. v. 8/A* ?44
SCRA 431 D th p+rpos of th r+l
is "!" "+l, sr$" if th a"$rs
part, has bn har" thro+#h
pla"in#s fil" in opposition to th
!otion%
In ,ity o7 0u9a5uete v. Phili((ine
Ports Authority, >%R% No% 1@324<*
A+#+st ;?* ;=11* @0@ SCRA 1=;* th
SC citin# th cas of Phili((ine
8ational Ban* v. Paneda, >%R% No%
1?2;<@* Fbr+ar, 1?* ;==4* 010
SCRA @<2* hl" that $n if th
!otion !a, b "fcti$ for fail+r
to a""rss th notic of harin# of
sai" !otion to th partis
concrn"* th "fct was c+r" b,
th co+rtIs ta&in# co#niEanc
throf an" th fact that th
a"$rs part, was othrwis notifi"
of th /istnc of sai" pla"in#%
Thr is s+bstantial co!plianc with
th for#oin# r+ls if a cop, of th
sai" !otion for rconsi"ration was
f+rnish" to th othr part,%
% O!nib+s
!otion r+l
f% Liti#at"
an" / part
!otions
E/a!pls of non:liti#at" !otions6
In de los Reyes v. Ra9nani* >%R% No%
1@21<0* -+n 13* ;=1=* th
ptitionr ar#+" that th s+b'ct
!otion was "fcti$ for lac& of a
notic of harin#% Accor"in# to th
SC* th !otion was a non:liti#io+s
!otion% Whil* as a #nral r+l* all
writtn !otions sho+l" b st for
harin# +n"r Sction ?* R+l 10 of
th R+ls of Co+rt* /cpt" fro!
this r+l ar non:liti#io+s !otions or
!otions which !a, b act" +pon
b, th co+rt witho+t pr'+"icin# th
ri#hts of th a"$rs part,%
Rspon"nt is ntitl" to th
iss+anc of th final crtificat of
sal as a !attr of ri#ht an"
ptitionr is powrlss to oppos th
sa!% Cnc* th s+b'ct !otion
falls +n"r th class of non:liti#io+s
!otions% At an, rat* th trial co+rt
#a$ ptitionr an opport+nit, to
oppos th s+b'ct !otion as in fact
h fil" a Co!!ntH Opposition on
March 1* ;==? bfor th trial co+rt%
Ptitionr cannot* thrfor* $ali"l,
clai! that h was "ni" his "a, in
co+rt%
#% Pro:for!a
!otions
;% Motions for (ill
of Partic+lars
a% P+rpos
an" whn
appli" for
Ghat (leadin5s can )e the su)<ect
o7 a 9otion 7or )ill o7 (articularsL
R+ls sa,* 5(for rspon"in# to a
pla"in#* a part, !a, !o$ for a
"finit stat!nt or for a bill of
partic+lars of an, !attr which is
121
not a$rr" with s+fficint
"finitnss or partic+larit, to
nabl hi! proprl, to prpar his
rsponsi$ pla"in#% Th+s* th
followin# pla"in#s ar co$r"6 8a9
Co!plaint* th Answr bin# th
rsponsi$ pla"in#G 8b9 Answr* th
Rpl, bin# th rsponsi$
pla"in#G 8c9 Co+ntr:clai! or cross:
clai!* th answr thrto bin# th
rsponsi$ pla"in#G 8"9 Thir":Part,
Co!plaint* th answr thrto bin#
th rsponsi$ pla"in#G an" 89
Rpl,* b+t no rsponsi$ pla"in# is
pr!itt" b, th R+ls%
Th R+ls f+rthr stat* 5if th
pla"in# is a rpl,* th !otion !+st
b fil" within tn 81=9 "a,s fro!
sr$ic throf%A Crrra sai"* if th
pla"in# is a rpl,* this is '+st li&
sa,in# if no rsponsi$ pla"in# is
pr!itt" b, th R+ls% Th for!r
R+l ra"s* 5(for rspon"in# to a
pla"in# or* if no rsponsi$
pla"in# is pr!itt" b, ths r+ls
7A
Period to 7ile res(onsive (leadin5 in
case o7 a9end9ent (ursuant to an
order 5rantin5 )ill o7 (articulars
Probl!6 Dfn"ant fil" a !otion
for bill of partic+lars* which th trial
co+rt #rant"% Th+s* plaintiff was
"irct" to co!pl, with th or"r%
Un"r R+l 1;* Sc% <* if th !otion
is #rant"* co!plianc !+st b
ffct" within 1= "a,s fro! notic
of th or"r% Th plaintiff in this cas
has th option to fil a sparat
pla"in# or an a!n"" pla"in#*
sr$in# a cop, throf on th
a"$rs part,% What if th plaintiff
opt" to fil a sparat pla"in#J
Upon rcipt of th sparat
pla"in#* th "fn"ant has to fil
his rsponsi$ pla"in# accor"in# to
Sc% 0 of R+l 1;* within th prio"
to which h was ntitl" at th ti!
of th filin# his !otion* which shall
not b lss than fi$ 809 "a,s in an,
$nt%
What if th plaintiff opt" to fil an
a!n"" co!plaint* how !an, "a,s
"os th "fn"ant has to fil his
rsponsi$ pla"in#J Do w appl,
Sc% < of R+l 11* which stats*
5Whr th plaintiff fils an
a!n"" co!plaint as a !attr of
ri#ht* th "fn"ant shall answr
th sa! within 10 "a,s aftr bin#
sr$" with a cop, throf%A Or* "o
w appl, Sc% 0 of R+l 1;* #i$in#
th "fn"ant th r!ainin# prio"
to which h was ntitl" at th ti!
of th filin# of his !otion for bill of
partic+lars* which shall not b lss
than 0 "a,s in an, $nt%
)LEIs position6 W sho+l" appl, R+l
1; bca+s th a!n"!nt was
!a" p+rs+ant to an or"r "irctin#
th plaintiff to s+b!it a bill of
partic+lars or a !or "finit
stat!nt of an, !attr all#" in
th co!plaint% In othr wor"s* th
a!n"!nt in this cas was not
!a" as a !attr of ri#ht p+rs+ant
to th pro$isions of R+l 1=%
b% Actions of
th co+rt
c%
Co!plianc
with th
or"r an"
ffct of
nonco!plian
c
122
"% Effct on
th prio" to
fil a
rsponsi$
pla"in#
<% Motion to
Dis!iss
a% >ro+n"s
Articl 101 8Fa!il, Co"9 D No s+it
btwn !!brs of th sa!
fa!il, shall prospr +nlss it sho+l"
appar fro! th $rifi" co!plaint
or ptition that arnst fforts
towar" a co!pro!is ha$ bn
!a"* b+t that th sa! ha$
fail"% If it is shown that no s+ch
fforts wr in fact !a"* th cas
!+st b "is!iss"%
b% Rsol+tion
of Motion
c% R!"is
of plaintiff
whn th
co!plaint is
"is!iss"
"% R!"is
of th
"fn"ant
whn th
!otion is
"ni"
% Effct of
"is!issal of
co!plaint on
crtain
#ro+n"s
f% Whn
#ro+n"s
pla"" as
affir!ati$
"fnss
#% (ar b,
"is!issal
h%
Distin#+ish
" fro!
"!+rrr to
$i"nc
+n"r R+l
<<
C% Dis!issal of Actions
Un"r Sc% 1* R+l 14* th co!plaint
!a, b "is!iss" b, th plaintiff b,
filin# a notic of "is!issal at an,
ti! bfor sr$ic of th answr or
of a !otion for s+!!ar, '+"#!nt%
It is thrfor possibl that th
plaintiff wo+l" fil a notic of
"is!issal witho+t his &nowin# that
an answr has bn sr$" on hi!
an" fil" with th Co+rt b,
r#istr" !ail% An" th Co+rt
actin# +pon th notic iss+" an
or"r confir!in# th "is!issal%
What if it t+rns o+t that in"" an
answr has bn fil" in co+rt an"
sr$" on th plaintiff b, r#istr"
!ail bfor th notic of "is!issal
was fil"J If bfor th co+rt co+l"
iss+ an or"r confir!in# th
"is!issal it rci$s th answr or
!otion for s+!!ar, '+"#!nt* th
co+rt sho+l" "isr#ar" th notic of
"is!issal% Th plaintiff wo+l" thn
ha$ to fil a !otion +n"r Sc% ;% If
it iss+s an or"r confir!in# th
"is!issal b+t $nt+all, rci$s
123
th answr or !otion for s+!!ar,
'+"#!nt* th "fn"ant will ha$ to
fil th appropriat !otion
.+stionin# th confir!ation of th
"is!issal% Th co+rt !a, thn ha$
to "isr#ar" th notic of "is!issal
in $iw of th filin# of an answr or
!otion for s+!!ar, '+"#!nt%
1% Dis!issal +pon
notic b, plaintiffG
Two:"is!issal r+l
In +tron5.orld ,onstruction ,or(. v.
Perello, ?2@ SCRA 4== D "is!issals
bas" on pars% 8f9* 8h9 an" 8i9 of
Sction 1 bar th rfilin# of th
sa! action or clai!* or with
pr'+"ic% Dis!issal bas" on th
rst of th #ro+n"s n+!rat" ar
witho+t pr'+"ic bca+s th, "o
not prcl+" th rfilin# of th sa!
action%
In Pin5a v. $eirs o7 er9an
+antia5o, ?2? SCRA <2< D Un"r
Sc% <* R+l 14* th "is!issal of th
co!plaint "+ to th fa+lt of th
plaintiff "os not ncssaril, carr,
with it th "is!issal of th
co+ntrclai!* co!p+lsor, or
othrwis% Th "is!issal of th
co!plaint is witho+t pr'+"ic to th
ri#ht of th "fn"ants to prosc+t
th co+ntrclai!%
;% Dis!issal +pon
!otion b, plaintiffG
ffct on /istin#
co+ntrclai!
<% Dis!issal "+ to
th fa+lt of
plaintiff
Probl!6 Is th "is!issal of th
co!plaint "+ to th fa+lt of th
plaintiff +n"r Sc% <* R+l 14 also
witho+t pr'+"ic to th ri#ht of th
"fn"ant to prosc+t his
co+ntrclai!J )LE !aintains that
th "fn"ant can insist on his
co+ntrclai! altho+#h th pro$ision
that th "is!issal is li!it" to th
co!plaint is fo+n" onl, in Sc% ;%
Aftr all* if th cons.+nc of a
"is!issal of th co!plaint +pon
!otion of th plaintiff is witho+t
pr'+"ic to th ri#ht of th
"fn"ant to prosc+t his
co+ntrclai!* with !or rason
sho+l" it b witho+t pr'+"ic to
sai" ri#ht of th "fn"ant if th
"is!issal of th co!plaint is "+ to
th fa+lt of th plaintiff%
?% Dis!issal of
co+ntrclai!*
cross:clai! or
thir":part,
co!plaint
I% Pr:trial
1% Concpt of pr:
trial
;% Nat+r an"
p+rpos
<% Notic of pr:
trial
?% Apparanc of
partisG ffct of
fail+r to appar
In cas of non:apparanc of th
plaintiff at th pr:trial* th action
!a, b "is!iss" +n"r Sc% 0* R+l
13% Can th "fn"ant insist on his
124
co+ntrclai!J -+stic Fria opin"
that th 5"fn"ant who appars in
th absnc of th plaintiff !a, b
allow" to prsnt $i"nc on his
co+ntrclai!* if an,%A 8S Crrra*
p% 3149
Paredes v. Aerano 8Octobr 1;*
;==@9 :: Th absnc of co+nsl for
"fn"ants at pr:trial "os not i(so
7acto a+thoriE th '+"# to "clar
th "fn"ant as in "fa+lt an"
or"r th prsntation of $i"nc
eI (arte% It bars strssin# that
nothin# in th R+ls of Co+rt
sanctions th prsntation of
$i"nc eI (arte +pon instancs
whn co+nsl for "fn"ant is
absnt "+rin# pr:trial% Th R+ls "o
not co+ntnanc strin#nt
constr+ction at th /pns of
'+stic an" .+it,% In this cas* th
"fn"ants wr prsnt b+t thir
co+nsl "i" not appar "spit "+
notic%
0% Pr:trial brifG
ffct of fail+r to
appar
A%M% No% =<:1:=2:SC 8A+#+st 1@*
;==?9 >+i"lins to b obsr$" b,
trial '+"#s an" clr&s of co+rt in th
con"+ct of pr:trial an" +s of
"position:"isco$r, !as+rs%
So! fat+rs ar as follows6
1% S+!!ons shall contain a
r!in"r to "fn"ant to obsr$
rstraint in filin# a !otion to "is!iss
an" insta" all# th #ro+n"s
throf as "fnss in th answr%
;% Iss+ an or"r r.+irin#
th partis to a$ail of intrro#atoris
to partis 8R+l ;09* r.+st for
a"!ission b, a"$rs part, 8R+l
;@9* or !a& +s of "positions
+n"r R+l ;< or othr !as+rs
+n"r R+ls ;4 an" ;4 within 0 "a,s
fro! filin# of th answr%
<% Within 0 "a,s fro! filin#
of rpl,* plaintiff !+st pro!ptl,
!o$ / part that th cas b st
for pr:trial confrnc% If h fails to
"o so* th (ranch COC shall iss+
notic of pr:trial%
?% Pr:trial (rif% No
$i"nc shall b allow" to b
prsnt" an" offr" "+rin# th
trial in s+pport of a part,Is $i"nc:
in:chif othr than thos that ha"
bn arlir i"ntifi" an"
pr!ar&" "+rin# th pr:trial
/cpt if allow" b, th co+rt for
#oo" ca+s shown% (rif !+st
in"icat th appro/i!at n+!br of
ho+rs that will b r.+ir" b, th
partis for th prsntation of thir
rspcti$ witnsss% R+l on
contnts of prtrial brif !+st b
strictl, co!pli" with% Th partis
ar bo+n" b, rprsntations an"
stat!nts in thir rspcti$
prtrial brifs%
0% Rfr th cas to th
Philippin M"iation Cntr for
p+rposs of !"iation if a$ailabl%
@% Pr:!ar&in# of /hibits
bfor th (ranch COC an" attach"
to th rcor"s aftr co!parison%
4% Min+ts of prli!inar,
confrnc% Not* prli!inar,
confrnc +n"r R+ls on
S+!!ar, Proc"+r is "iffrnt%
125
3% Acti$ rol of th '+"#
in pr:trial
2% A"hr to th on:"a,
/a!ination of witnss r+l
1=% Most i!portant witnss
r+l
11% Us of affi"a$its of
witnsss as "irct /a!ination% In
.+stion an" answr for!%
@% Distinction
btwn pr:trial
in ci$il cas an"
pr:trial in cri!inal
cas
Th R+ls on pr:trial ar "iffrnt in
ptitions for "claration of n+llit, of
!arria# an" l#al sparation%
A%M% No% =;:11:1=:SC
Sction 1<% Effct of
fail+r to appar at th
pr:trial% D 8a9 If th
ptitionr fails to appar
prsonall,* th cas
shall b "is!iss"
+nlss his co+nsl or a
"+l, a+thoriE"
rprsntati$ appars
in co+rt an" pro$s a
$ali" /c+s for th non:
apparanc of th
ptitionr%
8b9 If th rspon"nt has
fil" his answr b+t fails
to appar* th co+rt
shall proc" with th
pr:trial an" r.+ir th
p+blic prosc+tor to
in$sti#at th non:
apparanc of th
rspon"nt an" s+b!it
within fiftn "a,s
thraftr a rport to
th co+rt statin#
whthr his non:
apparanc is "+ to
an, coll+sion btwn
th partis% If thr Is no
coll+sion* th co+rt shall
r.+ir th p+blic
prosc+tor to intr$n
for th Stat "+rin# th
trial on th !rits to
pr$nt s+pprssion or
fabrication of $i"nc%
A%M% No% =;:11:11:SC
Sction 1=% 477ect o7
7ailure to a((ear at the
(re>trial. : 819 If th
ptitionr fails to appar
prsonall,* th cas
shall b "is!iss"
+nlss his co+nsl or a
"+l, a+thoriE"
rprsntati$ appars
in co+rt an" pro$s a
$ali" /c+s for th non:
apparanc of th
ptitionr%
8;9 If th rspon"nt
fil" his answr b+t fails
to appar* th co+rt
shall proc" with th
pr:trial an" r.+ir th
p+blic prosc+tor to
in$sti#at th non:
apparanc of th
rspon"nt an" s+b!it
within fiftn "a,s a
rport to th co+rt
statin# whthr his non:
apparanc is "+ to
126
an, coll+sion btwn
th partis% If thr is no
coll+sion th co+rt shall
r.+ir th p+blic
prosc+tor to intr$n
for th Stat "+rin# th
trial on th !rits to
pr$nt s+pprssion or
fabrication of $i"nc%
Not that in th pr:trial* th
prsnc of th ptitionr is
!an"ator,% CHsh cannot si!pl,
appar thro+#h hisHhr attorn,:in:
fact% If hHsh cannot attn" th pr:
trial confrnc* hisHhr co+nsl
!+st pro$ a $ali" /c+s for
hisHhr non:apparanc%
On th othr han"* if th "fn"ant
fil" his answr b+t fails to appar in
th pr:trial confrnc* th co+rt
sho+l" proc" with th pr:trial
an" r.+ir th p+blic prosc+tor to
con"+ct a coll+sion in$sti#ation%
Not that a coll+sion in$sti#ation
was not ncssar, in th first plac
sinc th "fn"ant ha" fil" an
answr%
4% Altrnati$
Disp+t Rsol+tion
8ADR9
-% Intr$ntion
Intr$ntion is n$r an
in"pn"nt action b+t is a+/illar,
an" s+ppl!ntal to th /istin#
liti#ation% It is !rl, collatral*
accssor,* or ancillar, to th
principal action%
Is intr$ntion an initiator, pla"in#
r.+irin# a crtification a#ainst
for+! shoppin#J Un"r Sc% <* R+l
12* th intr$ntion shall b !a"
b, co!plaint fil" an" sr$" in
r#+lar for! an" !a, b answr"
as if it wr an ori#inal co!plaint%
)LE !aintains that th co!plaint:in:
intr$ntion is an initiator, pla"in#%
1% R.+isits for
intr$ntion
In Airra Mall 6enants Association =nc.
v. Airra Mall reenhills Association
=nc.* >%R% No% 13;2=;* Octobr 0*
;=11* @03 SCRA 4;3* th SC citin#
th cas of 4Iecutive +ecretary v.
8ortheast /rei5ht* >%R% No% 14201@*
14 March ;==2* 031 SCRA 4<@* hl"
that D
Intr$ntion is not a
!attr of absol+t ri#ht
b+t !a, b pr!itt" b,
th co+rt whn th
applicant shows facts
which satisf, th
r.+ir!nts of th
stat+t a+thoriEin#
intr$ntion% Un"r o+r
R+ls of Co+rt* what
.+alifis a prson to
intr$n is his
possssion of a l#al
intrst in th !attr in
liti#ation or in th
s+ccss of ithr of th
partis* or an intrst
a#ainst bothG or whn h
is so sit+at" as to b
a"$rsl, affct" b, a
"istrib+tion or othr
"isposition of proprt, in
th c+sto", of th co+rt
or an officr throf% As
r#ar"s th l#al
intrst as .+alif,in#
factor* this Co+rt has
127
r+l" that s+ch intrst
!+st b of a "irct an"
i!!"iat charactr so
that th intr$nor will
ithr #ain or los b,
th "irct l#al
opration of th
'+"#!nt% Th intrst
!+st b act+al an"
!atrial* a concrn
which is !or than !r
c+riosit,* or aca"!ic or
snti!ntal "sirG it
!+st not b in"irct an"
contin#nt* in"irct an"
r!ot* con'ct+ral*
cons.+ntial or
collatral% Cow$r*
notwithstan"in# th
prsnc of a l#al
intrst* pr!ission to
intr$n is s+b'ct to
th so+n" "iscrtion of
th co+rt* th /rcis
of which is li!it" b,
consi"rin# Fwhthr or
not th intr$ntion will
+n"+l, "la, or
pr'+"ic th
a"'+"ication of th ri#hts
of th ori#inal partis
an" whthr or not th
intr$norIs ri#hts !a,
b f+ll, protct" in a
sparat proc"in#%
Th SC f+rthr hl" that altho+#h
)MTA co+l" alwa,s fil a sparat
cas a#ainst Orti#as* ori#inal
plaintiff in th cas* allowin# )MTA
to intr$n will facilitat th or"rl,
a"!inistration of '+stic an" a$oi" a
!+ltiplicit, of s+its%
;% Ti! to
intr$n
Altho+#h Sc% ;* R+l 12 sa,s th
!otion to intr$n !a, b fil" at
an, ti! bfor rn"ition of
'+"#!nt b, th trial co+rt*
intr$ntion was allow" $n on
appalG allow" to intr$n in a cas
pn"in# bfor th SCG allow" aftr
'+"#!nt whr it is ncssar, to
protct so! intrst which cannot
othrwis b protct"G an"* !a, b
allow" for th p+rpos of
prsr$in# th intr$norIs ri#ht to
appal%
In Pinlac v. ,ourt o7 A((eals, >%R%
No% 21?3@* Spt!br 1=* ;==<* th
Rp+blic thro+#h th OS>
intr$n" in th cas whn th
ptitionrsI !otion for
rconsi"ration was pn"in# bfor
th SC% Accor"in# to th SC* th r+l
on intr$ntion* li& all othr r+ls of
proc"+r is intn"" to !a& th
powrs of th Co+rt f+ll, an"
co!pltl, a$ailabl for '+stic% It is
ai!" to facilitat a co!prhnsi$
a"'+"ication of ri$al clai!s
o$rri"in# tchnicalitis on th
ti!linss of th filin# throf%
In""* in /cptional cass* th
Co+rt has allow" intr$ntion
notwithstan"in# th rn"ition of
'+"#!nt b, th trial co+rt% In on
cas* intr$ntion was allow" $n
whn th ptition for r$iw of th
assail" '+"#!nt was alra",
s+b!itt" for "cision in th
S+pr! Co+rt%
In Ma5o v. ,ourt o7 A((eals*
intr$ntion was #rant" $n aftr
th "cision bca! final an"
/c+tor,* th+s D
128
7Th pr!issi$ tnor
of th pro$ision on
intr$ntion shows th
intntion of th R+ls to
#i$ to th co+rt th f+ll
!as+r of "iscrtion in
pr!ittin# or "isallowin#
th sa!% (+t n"lss
to sa,* this "iscrtion
sho+l" b /rcis"
'+"icio+sl, an" onl,
aftr consi"ration of all
th circ+!stancs
obtainin# in th cas%
<% R!", for th
"nial of !otion to
intr$n
M% S+bpona
Sc% ;* R+l ;1 n+!rats th
prsons who !a, iss+ a s+bpona%
Un"r Sc% <* R+l <;* th
co!!issionr 5!a, iss+
s+bponas an" s+bponas duces
tecu97A
1% S+bpona "+cs
tc+!
;% S+bpona a"
tstifican"+!
>ro+n"s for .+ashal of s+bponas6 If
s+bpona duces tecu9* it !a, b
.+ash" on th #ro+n" that 8a9 it is
+nrasonabl an" opprssi$G 8b9
th rl$anc, of th boo&s*
"oc+!nts or thin#s "os not
apparG 8c9 if th prson in whos
bhalf th s+bpona is iss+" fails
to a"$anc th rasonabl cost of
th pro"+ction throfG or* 8"9 th
witnss fs an" &ilo!tra#
allow" b, th R+ls wr not
tn"r" whn th s+bpona was
sr$"% If s+bpona ad
testi7icandu9* it !a, b .+ash" on
th #ro+n" that 8a9 th witnss is
not bo+n" thrb,G or 8b9 th
witnss fs an" &ilo!tra#
allow" b, th R+ls wr not
tn"r" whn th s+bpona was
sr$"%
<% Sr$ic of
s+bpona
?% Co!pllin#
attn"anc of
witnsssG
Cont!pt
0% N+ashin# of
s+bpona
L% Mo"s of Disco$r,
1% Dpositions
pn"in# actionG
Dpositions bfor
action or pn"in#
appal
,o<uan5co v. ,alua5, L:420;* -+l,
<=* 1200* Unrport" D trial co+rt
has '+ris"iction to "irct* in its
"iscrtion* that a "position shall
not b ta&n* if thr ar $ali"
rasons for so r+lin#%
That th ri#ht of a part, to ta&
"positions as !ans of "isco$r, is
not /actl, absol+t is i!plicit in th
pro$isions of th R+ls of Co+rt cit"
b, appllants th!sl$s* sctions
1@ an" 13 of R+l ;?* which ar
prcisl, "si#n" to protct partis
an" thir witnsss* whn$r in th
opinion of th trial co+rt* th !o$
to ta& thir "positions +n"r th
129
#+is of "isco$r, is act+all,
intn"" to onl, anno,* !barrass
or opprss th!% In s+ch instancs*
ths pro$isions /prssl, a+thoriE
th co+rt to ithr pr$nt th
ta&in# of a "position or stop on
that is alra", bin# ta&n% 8Ca#+iat
$% Con% >+illr!o E% Torrs* >%R% No%
L:;0?31* Octobr <1* 12@2* <= SCRA
1=@9
a% Manin#
of "position
b% UssG
Scop of
/a!ination
A part, witho+t co+rt intr$ntion
can ta& a "position of an, prson
aftr answr has bn sr$"% This
ri#ht how$r is not absol+t% Th
trial co+rt !a, in its "iscrtion or"r
that a "position shall not b ta&n%
Th TCIs "iscrtion on this !attr
!+st nonthlss b /rcis" not
arbitraril,* capricio+sl, or
opprssi$l,* b+t in a rasonabl
!annr an" in consonanc with th
spirit of th law% 8A+to#raphics Inc%
$% CA* ;;? SCRA 1239 In
Auto5ra(hics* PAL rsort" to
"position "+rin# th trial sta# of
witnsss* which it intn"" to
prsnt in co+rt b+t opt" to "o so
b, "position% Also* th Notic to
Ta& Dposition in"icat" that it will
b bfor a -+"# in Ma&ati or his
(ranch Clr& of Co+rt%
c% Whn !a,
ob'ctions to
a"!issibilit,
b !a"
In Aeran v. ,ourt o7 A((eals* 104
SCRA ?<3* consi"rin# that th
"position was ta&n lon# aftr th
answr ha" bn fil" an" sr$"*
thr was no n" to s& th
appro$al of th TC for th ta&in# of
th "position* notic of s+ch ta&in#
bin# s+fficint% La$ of co+rt for
ta&in# "positions sho+l" how$r
b "istin#+ish" fro! th appro$al
of th co+rt for th +s of th
"position% Th+s* with r#ar" to th
+s of a "position* thr is
occasion for th co+rt to /rcis its
"iscrtion* th propr ti! bin#
whn th "position is for!all,
offr" in $i"nc%
"% Whn
!a, ta&in#
of "position
b
tr!inat"
or its scop
li!it"
;% Writtn
intrro#atoris to
a"$rs partis
a%
Cons.+nc
s of rf+sal
to answr
b% Effct of
fail+r to
sr$
writtn
intrro#atori
s
<% R.+st for
A"!ission
130
a% I!pli"
a"!ission
b, a"$rs
part,
b%
Cons.+nc
s of fail+r
to answr
r.+st for
a"!ission
c% Effct of
a"!ission
"% Effct of
fail+r to fil
an" sr$
r.+st for
a"!ission
?% Pro"+ction or
inspction of
"oc+!nts or
thin#s
0% Ph,sical an"
!ntal
/a!ination of
prsons
A5ustin v. ,A 8-+n 10* ;==09 D
Motion for th iss+anc of an or"r
"irctin# all th partis to s+b!it
th!sl$s to DNA patrnit, tstin#
p+rs+ant to R+l ;3% This was th
first cas whr th a"!issibilit, of
DNA tstin# as a !ans of
"tr!inin# patrnit, was th focal
iss+ in contro$rs,%
$errera v. Al)a 8-+n 10* ;==09 D
Motion to Dirct th ta&in# of DNA
patrnit, tstin# to abbr$iat
proc"in#s% Th iss+ was whthr
a DNA tstin# is a $ali" probati$
tool in this '+ris"iciton to "tr!in
filiation% Th cas +s" th Aalle<o
stan"ar"s o+tlin" in Peo(le v.
Aalle<o.
@% Cons.+ncs
of rf+sal to
co!pl, with
!o"s of
"isco$r,
M% Trial
1% A"'o+rn!nts
an"
postpon!nts
;% r.+isits of
!otion to
postpon trial
a% for
absnc of
$i"nc
b% for illnss
of part, or
co+nsl
<% A#r"
stat!nt of facts
?% Or"r of trialG
r$rsal of or"r
0% Consoli"ation or
S$ranc of
harin# or trial
Hu v. Basilio Ma5no ,onstruction*
>%R% No% 1<34=1:=; 8Octobr 14*
;==@9 D whn two or !or cass
in$ol$ th sa! partis an" affct
closl, rlat" s+b'ct !attrs* th,
!+st b consoli"at" an" 'ointl,
tri"* in or"r to sr$ th bst
131
intrsts of th partis an" to sttl
/p"itio+sl, th iss+s in$ol$"%
@% Dl#ation of
rcption of
$i"nc
4% Trial b,
co!!issionrs
a% Rfrnc
b, consnt
or or"r"
on !otion
b% Powrs of
th
co!!ission
r
c%
Co!!ission
rIs rportG
notic to
partis an"
harin# on
th rport
N% D!+rrr to E$i"nc
1% >ro+n"
;% Effct of "nial
<% Effct of #rant
?% Wai$r of ri#ht
to prsnt
$i"nc
0% D!+rrr to
$i"nc in a ci$il
cas $rs+s
"!+rrr to
$i"nc in a
cri!inal cas
R+l 112* Sc% ;<% Aftr prosc+tion
rsts its cas* co+rt !a, "is!iss
action on #ro+n" of ins+ffficinc, of
$i"nc 819 on its own initiati$
aftr #i$in# th prosc+tion th
opport+nit, to b har"* or 8;9 +pon
"!+rrr to $i"nc fil" with or
witho+t la$ of co+rt%
If co+rt "nis th "!+rrr to
$i"nc fil" with la$ of co+rt*
th acc+s" !a, a""+c $i"nc
in his "fns% Whn th "!+rrr
to $i"nc is fil" witho+t la$ of
co+rt* acc+s" wai$s th ri#ht to
prsnt $i"nc an" s+b!its th
cas for '+"#!nt on th basis of
th $i"nc of prosc+tion%
Acc+s" has non:/tn"ibl prio"
of 0 "a,s aftr prosc+tion rsts its
cas to !o$ for la$ of co+rt to
fil "!+rrr to $i"nc% If #rant"*
h has non:/tn"ibl prio" of 1=
"a,s to fil "!+rrr to $i"nc
fro! notic%
An or"r "n,in# !otion for la$ of
co+rt or "!+rrr to $i"nc itslf
shall not b r$iwabl b, appal or
b, crtiorari bfor '+"#!nt%
O% -+"#!nts an" Final
Or"rs
1% -+"#!nt
witho+t trial
;% Contnts of a
'+"#!nt
<% -+"#!nt on
th pla"in#s
132
Th answr fails to tn"r an iss+ if
it "os not co!pl, with th
r.+ir!nts for a spcific "nial
st o+t in Sc% 1= of R+l 3G an"* it
wo+l" a"!it th !atrial all#ations
of th a"$rs part,Is pla"in#s not
onl, whr it /prssl, confsss
th tr+thf+lnss throf b+t also if it
o!its to "al with th! at all%
In "fa+lt +n"r R+l 2* th
'+"#!nt shall not /c" th
a!o+nt or b "iffrnt in &in" fro!
that pra," for% Li.+i"at" "a!a#s
ar not to b awar""% It pro$i"s6
5Thr+pon* th co+rt shall proc"
to rn"r '+"#!nt #rantin# th
clai!ant s+ch rlif as his pla"in#
!a, warrant* +nlss th co+rt in its
"iscrtion r.+irs th clai!ant to
s+b!it $i"nc%
In cas of non:apparanc of th
"fn"ant in pr:trial +n"r R+l 13*
it 5shall b a ca+s to allow th
plaintiff to prsnt his $i"nc /
part an" th co+rt to rn"r
'+"#!nt on th basis throf%A
In '+"#!nt on th pla"in#s +n"r
R+l <?* th co+rt !a, "irct
'+"#!nt on s+ch pla"in#%
Can a !otion for '+"#!nt on th
pla"in#s b #rant" eI (arteJ Th
SC in 0ino v. Aalencia* 140 SCRA
?=@* /plain" that Sc% 1 of R+l <?
8for!rl, Sc% 1 of R+l 129 "os not
stat whthr th !otion for
'+"#!nt on th pla"in# !a, b
consi"r" eI>(arte or onl, aftr
notic of harin# sr$" on th
a"$rs part,% A !otion for a
'+"#!nt on th pla"in#s* whr
th answr a"!its all th !atrial
a$r!nts of th co!plaint is on
that !a, b consi"r" eI>(arte
bca+s* +pon th partic+lar facts
prsnt" an" lai" bfor th co+rt*
th plaintiff is ntitl" to th
'+"#!nt% (si"s* th p+rpos of
th law in r.+irin# th filin# of
!otions at last < "a,s bfor th
harin# throf is to a$oi" s+rpriss
+pon th opposit part, an" to #i$
th lattr ti! to st+", an" !t
th ar#+!nts of th !o$ant% This
p+rpos has bn s+fficintl,
co!pli" with* th ptitionr ha$in#
fil" an opposition to th sai"
!otion%
Not* +n"r Sc% ;* R+l 13* "+rin#
th pr:trial* th co+rt shall consi"r
58#9 th proprit, of rn"rin#
'+"#!nt on th pla"in#s* or
s+!!ar, '+"#!nt* or of "is!issin#
th action sho+l" a $ali" #ro+n"
thrfor b fo+n" to /ist%A
?% S+!!ar,
'+"#!nts
(, #n+in iss+ is !ant an iss+
of fact which calls for th
prsntation of $i"nc as
"istin#+ish" fro! an iss+ which is
fictitio+s an" contri$"* st +p in
ba" faith an" patntl, +ns+bstantial
so as not to constit+t a #n+in
iss+ for trial%
4strada v. ,onsolacion 8-+n ;2*
124@9* 41 SCRA 0;<* ill+strats th
ffct of non:fa!iliarit, with th r+l
on s+!!ar, '+"#!nt% Plaintiff
all#" in his co!plaint for "a!a#s
that his wif was a passn#r of a
'pn, own" an" oprat" b, th
"fn"antG that as a co!!on
carrir* "fn"ant wr b, law an"
contract obli#" to con"+ct his wif
133
safl, to hr "stination% Th
"fn"ant all#" in his answr that
th ca+s of th acci"nt was th
n#li#nc of thir" prsons o$r
who! sh ha" no s+pr$ision an"
control% Sh thn fil" a !otion for
s+!!ar, '+"#!nt a#ainst th
plaintiff on th #ro+n" that thr is
no #n+in iss+ as to an, !atrial
fact in th cas /cpt as to th
a!o+nt of "a!a#s "fn"ant was
s&in# fro! th plaintiff b, wa, of
co+ntrclai!% Cr !otion was
s+pport" b, affi"a$its an"
ann/s% Plaintiff oppos" th
!otion b+t fail" to prsnt an,
co+ntr:affi"a$it% Th TC thn iss+"
an or"r "crin# that th
"fn"ant ha$ '+"#!nt
s+!!aril, a#ainst plaintiff* an" st
th cas for harin# to "tr!in
th a!o+nt of "a!a#s "+ th
"fn"ant on hr co+ntrclai!%
Th !a'orit, opin" that what was
onl, an intrloc+tor, or"r "irctin#
that a harin# b con"+ct" for th
p+rpos of ascrtainin# th a!o+nt
of "a!a#s% It was a "tr!ination
of th TC of a prli!inar, point or
"irctin# so! stps in th
proc"in#s b+t not a "isposition of
th !rits% Thr was no '+"#!nt
,t an" thrfor th ptition for
crtiorari was pr!at+r%
-+stic (arr"o whil conc+rrin# in
th rs+lts /plain" that it is onl,
fro! th consi"ration an" appraisal
of th facts all#" +n"r oath b,
th partis an"Hor thir witnsss in
thir affi"a$its s+b!itt" with th
!otion an" th corrspon"in#
opposition that th TC !a,
"tr!in if thr is a triabl
#n+in iss+% Whn a part, a#ainst
who! a s+!!ar, '+"#!nt is as&"
fails to s+b!it co+ntr:affi"a$its to
s+pport th opposition* a s+!!ar,
'+"#!nt is rasonabl,* if not
+n"niabl, propr%
In Re(u)lic v. +andi5an)ayan 8-+l,
10* ;==<9* ?=@ SCRA 12= D Th
phras 5an,ti! aftr th pla"in#
in answr thrto has bn sr$"A
!ans 5at an, sta# of th
liti#ation%A Whn$r it bco!s
$i"nt at an, sta# of th liti#ation
that no triabl iss+ /ists* or that
th "fnss rais" b, th
"fn"ants ar sha! or fri$olo+s*
plaintiff !a, !o$ for s+!!ar,
'+"#!nt%
Ban* o7 Phili((ine =slands v. Hu, >%R%
No% 13?1;;* -an+ar, ;=* ;=1=
A s+!!ar, '+"#!nt is apt whn
th ssntial facts of th cas ar
+ncontst" or th partis "o not
rais an, #n+in iss+ of fact%
Cr* to rsol$ th iss+ of th
/cssi$ char#s all#"l,
incorporat" into th a+ction bi"
pric* th RTC si!pl, ha" to loo& at
a9 th pla"in#s of th partisG b9
th loan a#r!nts* th
pro!issor, not* an" th ral stat
!ort#a#s btwn th!G c9 th
forclos+r an" bi""in# "oc+!ntsG
an" "9 th a"!issions an" othr
"isclos+rs btwn th partis
"+rin# pr:trial% Sinc th partis
a"!itt" not onl, th /istnc*
a+thnticit,* an" #n+in /c+tion
of ths "oc+!nts b+t also what
th, stat"* th trial co+rt "i" not
n" to hol" a trial for th rcption
of th $i"nc of th partis%
134
(PI contn"s that a s+!!ar,
'+"#!nt was not propr #i$n th
followin# iss+s that th partis
rais"6 19 whthr or not th loan
a#r!nts btwn th! wr
$ali" an" nforcablG ;9 whthr or
not th L+s ha$ a ca+s of action
a#ainst (PIG <9 whthr or not th
L+s ar propr partis in intrstG ?9
whthr or not th L+s ar stopp"
fro! .+stionin# th forclos+r
proc"in# aftr ntrin# into a
co!pro!is a#r!nt with
Ma#nacraftG 09 whthr or not th
pnalt, char#s an" fs an"
/pnss of liti#ation an"
p+blication ar /cssi$G an" @9
whthr or not (PI $iolat" th
Tr+th in Ln"in# Act%

(+t ths ar iss+s that co+l" b
ra"il, rsol$" bas" on th facts
stablish" b, th pla"in#s an" th
a"!issions of th partis% In""*
(PI has fail" to na! an,
"oc+!nt or it! of fact that it
wo+l" ha$ want" to a""+c at th
trial of th cas% A trial wo+l" ha$
bn s+ch a #rat wast of ti! an"
rso+rcs%
4state o7 Li9 ,hen5 v. Bacala, >%R%
No% 1?2@=<* March 1?* ;==4
Th thor, of s+!!ar, '+"#!nt is
that* altho+#h an answr !a, on its
fac appar to tn"r iss+s
r.+irin# trial* if it is "!onstrat"
b, affi"a$its* "positions or
a"!issions that thos iss+s ar not
#n+in b+t sha! or fictitio+s* th
co+rt is '+stifi" in "ispnsin# with
th trial an" rn"rin# s+!!ar,
'+"#!nt% It was "$is" to ai"
partis in a$oi"in# th /pns an"
loss of ti! in$ol$" in a trial%

In this cas* th partis a#r" that
a co!!itt b for!" to con"+ct
an oc+lar inspction to "tr!in
whthr th, ar clai!in# th sa!
proprt,% Th trial co+rt appro$"
th fin"in# of th co!!itt* stat"
in th Co!!issionrIs Rport* that
rspon"nts ar clai!in# a proprt,
which is also bin# clai!" b,
ptitionr% Consi"rin# that th
partis a#r" to th for!ation of a
co!!itt* th, ar bo+n" b, its
fin"in#% It is sttl" that whn a
rfr 8th co!!issionrs in this
cas9 is appoint"* h bco!s for
th ti! bin# an accr"it" a#nt
an" an officr of th co+rt* an" th
rfrnc is clarl, a '+"icial
proc"in#% What th rfr "os
whil actin# within th scop of his
official "+t, is* thrfor* in th
cont!plation of law* "on b, th
co+rt itslf% Cnc* his concl+sions
!+st b ass+!" to b corrct +ntil
rror is proprl, shown* which is not
so in th prsnt cas%
It !+st b rcall" that
rspon"ntsI !ain "fns is that
th, ar occ+p,in# a proprt,
"iffrnt fro! that bin# clai!" b,
ptitionr% Cons.+ntl,* bas" on
th Co!!issionrIs Rport*
rspon"nts fail" to pro$ that
th, ar th ri#htf+l ownrs of th
"isp+t" lan" consi"rin# that what
th, own is a "iffrnt ara%
At an, rat* ptitionr has shown
that as arl, as A+#+st 12* 12<2*
th Trib+nal " Aplacion 8now
Co+rt of Appals9 rn"r" a
Dcision "clarin# Li! Chin#* th
pr"cssor of Att,% -os Li!* hrin
135
rprsntati$ of ptitionr* th
ownr of th proprt,%
Clarl,* a s+!!ar, '+"#!nt was
corrctl, rn"r" b, th trial co+rt
sinc thr was no !or #n+in
fact+al iss+ to b rsol$"%
It is sttl" that a co+rt !a, #rant a
s+!!ar, '+"#!nt to sttl
/p"itio+sl, a cas if* on !otion of
ithr part,* thr appars fro! th
pla"in#s* "positions* a"!issions*
an" affi"a$its that no i!portant
iss+s of fact ar in$ol$"* /cpt
th a!o+nt of "a!a#s% In s+ch
$nt* th !o$in# part, is ntitl"
to a '+"#!nt as a !attr of law%
$eirs o7 8icolas +. ,a)i5as v.
Li9)aco, >%R% No% 140;21* -+l, ;4*
;=11* @0? SCRA @?< D Th SC citin#
Asian ,onstruction and
0evelo(9ent ,or(. v. Phili((ine
,o99ercial =nternational Ban*, ?33
SCRA 12;* /plain" th concpt of
s+!!ar, '+"#!nt in this wis6
S+!!ar, or
acclrat" '+"#!nt is
a proc"+ral tchni.+
ai!" at w"in# o+t
sha! clai!s or "fnss
at an arl, sta# of
liti#ation thrb,
a$oi"in# th /pns
an" loss of ti! in$ol$"
in a trial%
Unr th R+ls*
s+!!ar, '+"#!nt is
appropriat whn thr
ar no #n+in iss+s of
fact which call for th
prsntation of $i"nc
in a f+ll:blown trial% E$n
if on thir fac th
pla"in#s appar to
rais iss+s* whn th
affi"a$its* "positions
an" a"!issions show
that s+ch iss+s ar not
#n+in* thn s+!!ar,
'+"#!nt as prscrib"
b, th R+ls !+st ns+
as a !attr of law% Th
"tr!inati$ factor*
thrfor* in a !otion
for s+!!ar, '+"#!nt*
is th prsnc or
absnc of a #n+in
iss+ as to an, !atrial
fact%

a% for th
clai!ant
b% for th
"fn"ant
c% whn th
cas not
f+ll,
a"'+"icat"
"% affi"a$its
an"
attach!nts
0% -+"#!nt on
th pla"in#s
$rs+s s+!!ar,
'+"#!nts
In Bas)as v. +ayson, >%R% No%
14;@@=* A+#+st ;?* ;=11* @0@ SCRA
101* th SC "istin#+ish" '+"#!nt
on th pla"in#s fro! s+!!ar,
'+"#!nts in this wis6 5Si!pl,
stat"* what "istin#+ishs a
'+"#!nt on th pla"in#s fro! a
s+!!ar, '+"#!nt is th prsnc
136
of iss+s in th Answr to th
Co!plaint% Whn th Answr fails to
tn"r an, iss+* that is* if it "os
not "n, th !atrial all#ations in
th co!plaint or a"!its sai"
!atrial all#ations of th a"$rs
part,Is pla"in#s b, a"!ittin# th
tr+thf+lnss throf an"Hor o!ittin#
to "al with th! at all* a '+"#!nt
on th pla"in#s is appropriat% 8Tan
$% D la )#a* ?3? SCRA 0<39 On th
othr han"* whn th Answr
spcificall, "nis th !atrial
a$r!nts of th co!plaint or
assrts affir!ati$ "fnss* or in
othr wor"s raiss an iss+* a
s+!!ar, '+"#!nt is propr
pro$i"" that th iss+ rais" is not
#n+in% A 5#n+in iss+A !ans
an iss+ of fact which calls for th
prsntation of $i"nc* as
"istin#+ish" fro! an iss+ which is
fictitio+s or contri$" or which "os
not constit+t a #n+in iss+ for
trial% 8Woo" Tchnolo#, Corp% $%
E.+itabl (an&in# Corp%* ?01 SCRA
4;?9
@% Rn"ition of
'+"#!nts an"
final or"rs
+e(arate <ud59ent D Sc% 0* R+l <@
D Whn !or than on clai! for
rlif is prsnt" in an action* th
co+rt* at an, sta#* +pon
"tr!ination of th iss+s !atrial
to a partic+lar clai! an" all
co+ntrclai!s arisin# o+t of th
transaction or occ+rrnc which is
th s+b'ct !attr of th clai!* !a,
rn"r a sparat '+"#!nt
"isposin# of s+ch clai!%
+everal <ud59ent D Sc% ?* R+l <@ D
In an action a#ainst s$ral
"fn"ants* th co+rt !a,* whn a
s$ral '+"#!nt is propr* rn"r
'+"#!nt a#ainst on or !or of
th!* la$in# th action to proc"
a#ainst th othrs% -+stic Fria
point" o+t that a s$ral '+"#!nt
is an /a!pl of a !+ltipl appal%
-+stic Crrra how$r obsr$"
that +n"r Sc% 1 8f9* R+l ?1* no
appal !a, b ta&n fro! 5a
'+"#!nt or final or"r for or
a#ainst on or !or of s$ral
partis or in sparat clai!s*
co+ntrclai!s* cross:clai!s an"
thir":part, co!plaints whil th
!ain cas is pn"in#* +nlss th
co+rt allows an appal thrfro!%A
Partial <ud59ent D Sc% ?* R+l <0 D
If on !otion for s+!!ar, '+"#!nt*
'+"#!nt is not rn"r" +pon th
whol cas or for all th rlifs
so+#ht an" a trial is ncssar,* th
co+rt at th harin# of th !otion*
b, /a!inin# th pla"in#s an" th
$i"nc bfor it an" b,
intrro#atin# co+nsl shall ascrtain
what !atrial facts /ist witho+t
s+bstantial contro$rs, an" what
ar act+all, an" in #oo" faith
contro$rt"% It shall thr+pon
!a& an or"r spcif,in# th facts
that appar witho+t s+bstantial
contro$rs,* incl+"in# th /tnt to
which th a!o+nt of "a!a#s or
othr rlif is not in contro$rs,*
an" "irctin# s+ch f+rthr
proc"in#s in th action as ar '+st%
Th facts so spcifi" shall b
"!" stablish" an" trial shall
b con"+ct" on th contro$rt"
facts accor"in#l,%
A partial s+!!ar, '+"#!nt "os
not how$r finall, "ispos of th
action% It is !rl, an intrloc+tor,
137
or"r an" not a final '+"#!nt an"
is not appalabl% As /plain" in
+=+ v. Phili((ine Ailla5e $otel* ?<3
SCRA 0@4* 5what th r+ls
cont!plat is that th appal fro!
th partial s+!!ar, '+"#!nt shall
b ta&n to#thr with th '+"#!nt
that !a, b rn"r" in th ntir
cas aftr a trial is con"+ct" on th
!atrial facts on which a s+bstantial
contro$rs, /ists%
/ernando v. +anta9aria 8Dc!br
1=* ;==?9 : a cas of s$ral
'+"#!nt

: Frnan"o obtain" on < sparat
occasions a loan fro! Ch+a for 0%0
Million% As sc+rit, sh /c+t" a
REM o$r hr Ma&ati proprt,%
(for th <r" loan co+l" b
rlas"* sh /c+t" a D" of
Absol+t sal o$r th proprt, in
fa$or of Ch+a in consi"ration of <
Million +pon th ass+ranc of (orrs
who act" as Ch+aKs a#nt that th
"" was a !r for!alit,% Sh
larn" that hr titl was cancll"
an" a nw on was iss+" to Ch+a%
Sh also larn" that Ch+a sol" th
proprt, to U, an" a nw titl was
iss+" in fa$or of th lattr%
: Frnan"o thn fil" th followin#
ca+ss of action6 8a9 ann+l!nt of
th ""s of sal in fa$or of Ch+a
an" U, an" th cancllation of th
titls iss+" in th na! of Ch+a
an" U,G 8b9 rco$r, of crtain
a!o+nts of !on, fro! (orrsG an"
8c9 rco$r, of "a!a#s a#ainst all
th "fn"ants%
: RTC rn"r" '+"#!nt "is!issin#
th co!plaint a#ainst Ch+a an" U,
b+t th cas was to proc" a#ainst
(orrs%
: Notic of appal sho+l" b
acco!pani" b, a rcor" on appal%
Rational is to nabl th appllat
co+rt to "ci" th appal witho+t
th ori#inal rcor"s% Which sho+l"
r!ain with th co+rt a .+o pn"in#
"isposal of th cas with rspct to
th othr "fn"ants%
Articl )III* Sction 10 819 of th
1234 Constit+tion on prio"s to
"ci" cass D All cass or !attrs
fil" aftr th ffcti$it, of this
Constit+tion !+st b "ci"" or
rsol$" within ;? !onths fro! "at
of s+b!ission for th SC an"* +nlss
r"+c" b, th SC* 1; !onths for all
lowr coll#iat co+rts* an" <
!onths for all othr lowr co+rts%
In 4chaus v. ,ourt o7 A((eals, >%R%
No% 04<?<* -+l, ;<* 122=* 122 SCRA
<31* thr was all#"l, a $rbal
or"r appro$in# th rcor" on
appal in opn co+rt% What was
s+bs.+ntl, rlas" b, th Co+rt
was an or"r hol"in# in ab,anc
th appro$al of th rcor" on appal
+ntil aftr th consi"ration an"
rsol+tion of th othr part,Is
pn"in# !otion% Accor"in# to -+stic
Nar$asa* 5Ti! honor" an" of
constant obsr$anc is th principl
that no '+"#!nt* or or"r whthr
final or intrloc+tor,* has '+ri"ical
/istnc +ntil an" +nlss it is st
"own in writin#* si#n"* an"
pro!+l#at"* i%%* "li$r" b, th
-+"# to th Clr& of Co+rt for filin#*
rlas to th partis an"
i!pl!ntation* an" that in""*
$n aftr pro!+l#ation* it "os not
bin" th partis +ntil an" +nlss
138
notic throf is "+l, sr$" on
th! b, an, of th !o"s
prscrib" b, law% This is so $n if
th or"r or '+"#!nt has in fact
bn orall, prono+nc" in th
prsnc of th partis* or a "raft
throf "rawn +p an" si#n" an"Hor
cop, throf so!how ra" or
ac.+ir" b, an, part,% In tr+th* $n
aftr pro!+l#ation 8i%%* filin# with
th clr& of co+rt9* an" $n aftr
sr$ic on th partis of notic of an
or"r or '+"#!nt* th Co+rt
rn"rin# it in"isp+tabl, has plnar,
powr to rcall an" a!n" or r$is
it in s+bstanc or for! on !otion of
an, part, or $n !ot+ proprio*
pro$i"" that in th cas of a final
or"r or '+"#!nt* th sa! has not
attain" finalit,%A
In Marco((er Minin5 ,or(oration v.
Li.ana5 Paras Brios, et al.*
8Spt!br 12* 12339 1@0 SCRA ?@?
812319* th SC was !phatic that
th TCIs powr to altr or !o"if, or
$n st asi" its own "cisions can
onl, b "on at an,ti! )e7ore th
"cision bco!s final% Onc a
'+"#!nt has bco! final an"
/c+tor,* th TC can no lon#r
a!n" or corrct /cpt for clrical
rrors or !ista&s%
Birao5o v. 8o5rales and
Li9*aichon5, >%R% No% 1421;=* -+l,
<=* ;==2* 02? SCRA ?<?
As an inci"nt to this cas*
-+stic R+bn R,s was
a"!inistrati$l, hl" liabl for
ca+sin# th rlas to th p+bic an
+npro!+l#at" Dcision of th SC
en )anc which contain" th
si#nat+rs of 1? Associat -+stics%
Th C- ha" ,t to si#n th Dcision
an" crtif, th sa!% -+stic R,s
was $nt+all, !t" with a pnalt,
of a fin of Php0==T%
In a last:"itch" att!pt to
!+""l th iss+s* (irao#o obsr$"
that th Dcision "at" April 1* ;==2
is a co!plt t+rn:aro+n" fro! th
r+lin# !bo"i" in th Dcision
writtn b, -+stic R+bn T% R,s
which* altho+#h +npro!+l#at"* was
nonthlss si#n" b, fo+rtn 81?9
Associat -+stics an" appro$" b,
th Co+rt n banc on -+l, 10* ;==3%
C "cri" th absnc of an
/planation in th Dcision "at"
April 1* ;==2 for th sai" "part+r
or t+rn:aro+n"%
S+ch a position "sr$s scant
consi"ration%
Th Co+rt in Belac v.
,o99ision on 4lections, hl" that a
"cision !+st not onl, b si#n" b,
th -+stics who too& part in th
"libration* b+t !+st also b
pro!+l#at" to b consi"r" a
Dcision* to wit6
RA] true decision o7 the
,ourt is the decision
si5ned )y the &ustices
and duly (ro9ul5ated.
Be7ore that decision is
so si5ned and
(ro9ul5ated, there is no
decision o7 the ,ourt to
s(ea* o7. Th $ot cast
b, a !!br of th
Co+rt aftr th
"libration is alwa,s
+n"rstoo" to b s+b'ct
to confir!ation at th
ti! h has to si#n th
"cision that is to b
139
pro!+l#at"% Th $ot is
of no $al+ if it is not
th+s confir!" b, th
-+stic castin# it% Th
p+rpos of this practic
is apparnt% M!brs of
this Co+rt* $n aftr
th, ha$ cast thir
$ots* wish to prsr$
thir fr"o! of action
till th last !o!nt
whn th, ha$ to si#n
th "cision* so that
th, !a, ta& f+ll
a"$anta# of what th,
!a, bli$ to b th
bst fr+it of thir !ost
!at+r rflction an"
"libration% In
consonanc with this
practic* bfor a
"cision is si#n" an"
pro!+l#at"* all
opinions an" concl+sions
stat" "+rin# an" aftr
th "libration of th
Co+rt* r!ain in th
brasts of th -+stics*
bin"in# +pon no on* not
$n +pon th -+stics
th!sl$s% Of co+rs*
th, !a, sr$ for
"tr!inin# what th
opinion of th !a'orit,
pro$isionall, is an" for
"si#natin# a !!br
to prpar th "cision
of th Co+rt* b+t in no
wa, is that "cision
bin"in# +nlss an" +ntil
si#n" an" pro!+l#at"%
W a"" that at an, ti!
bfor pro!+l#ation* th
(onencia !a, b
chan#" b, th
(onente. In""* if an,
!!br of th co+rt
who !a, ha$ alra",
si#n" it so "sirs* h
!a, still with"raw his
conc+rrnc an"
r#istr a .+alification
or "issnt as lon# as th
"cision has not ,t
bn pro!+l#at"% A
pro!+l#ation si#nifis
that on th "at it was
!a" th '+"# or
'+"#s who si#n" th
"cision contin+" to
s+pport it%
Th+s* an +npro!+l#at" "cision is
no "cision at all% At th $r, last*
th, ar part of th confi"ntial
intrnal "librations of th Co+rt
which !+st not b rlas" to th
p+blic% A "cision bco!s bin"in#
onl, aftr it is $ali"l, pro!+l#at"%
Until s+ch oprati$ act occ+rs*
thr is rall, no "cision to spa&
of* $n if so! or all of th -+stics
ha$ alra", affi/" thir si#nat+rs
thrto% D+rin# th intr$nin#
prio" fro! th ti! of si#nin# +ntil
th pro!+l#ation of th "cision*
an, on who too& part in th
"libration an" ha" si#n" th
"cision !a,* for a rason* $ali"l,
with"raw onIs $ot* thrb,
prsr$in# onIs fr"o! of action%
4% Entr, of
'+"#!nt an" final
or"r
P% Post -+"#!nt
R!"is
140
1% Motion for Nw
Trial or
rconsi"ration
a% >ro+n"s
Sc% 0* R+l <4 allows th filin# of a
scon" !otion for nw trial%
Accor"in# to -+stic Fria* th
scon" !otion for nw trial !a, b
fil" within th r!ainin# prio"
aftr ""+ctin# th ti! "+rin#
which th first !otion was pn"in#%
Th !otion !+st b bas" on a
#ro+n" not /istin# whn th first
!otion was !a"G othrwis* it will
not intrr+pt th prio" within which
to appal%
b% Whn to
fil
Accor"in# to Fria* 5Th scon"
!otion for nw trial !a, b fil"
within th r!ainin# prio" aftr
""+ctin# th ti! "+rin# which th
first !otion was pn"in#%A Crrra
not" that +n"r R+ls ?;* ?< an"
?0* th co!p+tation of th prio" to
fil a ptition for r$iw 8or appal
b, crtiorari9 is ithr fro! rcipt
of th "cision or notic of th
"nial of a !otion for nw trial or
!otion for rconsi"ration an" th
prio" to fil is not fro! rcipt of
th "cision b+t fro! rcipt of th
notic of th "nial of th !otion%
c% Dnial of
th !otionG
ffct
Antonio v. Re5ister o7 0eeds o7
Ma*ati ,ity* >%R% No% 130@@<* -+n
;=* ;=1; D Sinc thr is no bar for
ptitionr to fil a !otion for
rconsi"ration so as to #i$ th
RTC opport+nit, to r$rs itslf
bfor l$atin# th !attr for th
appllat co+rtsI r$iw* appal is
th prscrib" r!", fro! th
"nial of s+ch !otion an" not
anothr !otion for rconsi"ration%
Whil Sction 1 of R+l ?1 of th
R+ls of Co+rt incl+"s 5an or"r
"n,in# a !otion for nw trial or
rconsi"rationA in th n+!ration
of +nappalabl !attrs* this Co+rt
clarifi" in Juelnan v. A$/
Phili((ines, =nc% 8?<< SCRA @<19 that
s+ch rfrs to a !otion for
rconsi"ration of an intrloc+tor,
or"r an" th "nial of a !otion for
rconsi"ration of an or"r of
"is!issal is a final or"r* thrfor*
appalabl% Moro$r* a scon"
!otion for rconsi"ration fro! a
final '+"#!nt or or"r is prohibit"*
hnc* can n$r intrr+pt th
prio" to prfct an appal%
"% >rant of
th !otionG
ffct
% R!",
whn !otion
is "ni"*
Frsh 10:"a,
prio" r+l
8ey(es v. ,A : SC cit" cass of
Juelnan v. A$/ Phil. 8-+l, 4* ;==?9
an" A(uyan v. $alde9an
8Spt!br ;=* ;==?9 whr it was
hl" that an or"r "n,in# a !otion
for rconsi"ration of a '+"#!nt is
a final or"r cont!plat" in Sc% <*
R+l ?1% In both cass* th SC sai"
th ptitionr ha" th r!ainin#
ti! of th 10:"a, appal prio" to
fil a notic of appal%
141
Not6 ;n" par% of Sc% <* R+l ?1
sa,s%%%FTh prio" to appal shall b
intrr+pt" b, a ti!l, !otion for
nw trial or rconsi"ration%%%F
SC hl" 8a9 to stan"ar"iE th
appal prio"s an" 8b9 to affor"
liti#ants fair opport+nit, to appal
thir cass* it was "!" practical
to allow a frsh prio" of 10 "a,s%
Th r+l applis to R+l ?=* ?1* ?;*
?< an" ?0%
;% Appals in
>nral
a% -+"#!nts
an" final
or"rs
s+b'ct to
appal
Pahila>arrido v. 6orto5o, >%R% No%
10@<03* A+#+st 14* ;=11* @00 SCRA
00< :: Th "istinction btwn a
final or"r an" an intrloc+tor,
or"r is wll &nown% Th first
"isposs of th s+b'ct !attr in its
ntirt, or tr!inats a partic+lar
proc"in# or action* la$in#
nothin# !or to b "on /cpt to
nforc b, /c+tion what th co+rt
has "tr!in"* b+t th lattr "os
not co!pltl, "ispos of th cas
b+t la$s so!thin# ls to b
"ci"" +pon% An intrloc+tor, or"r
"als with prli!inar, !attrs an"
th trial on th !rits is ,t to b
hl" an" th '+"#!nt rn"r"%
Th tst to ascrtain whthr or not
an or"r or a '+"#!nt is
intrloc+tor, or final is6 "os th
or"r or '+"#!nt la$ so!thin#
to b "on in th trial co+rt with
rspct to th !rits of th casJ If
it "os* th or"r or '+"#!nt is
intrloc+tor,G othrwis* it is final%
Th or"r "at" No$!br 1;*
;==;* which #rant" th application
for th writ of prli!inar, in'+nction*
was an intrloc+tor,* not a final*
or"r* an" sho+l" not b th s+b'ct
of an appal% Th rason for
"isallowin# an appal fro! an
intrloc+tor, or"r is to a$oi"
!+ltiplicit, of appals in a sin#l
action* which ncssaril, s+spn"s
th harin# an" "cision on th
!rits of th action "+rin# th
pn"nc, of th appals% Pr!ittin#
!+ltipl appals will ncssaril,
"la, th trial on th !rits of th
cas for a consi"rabl ln#th of
ti!* an" will co!pl th a"$rs
part, to inc+r +nncssar,
/pnss* for on of th partis !a,
intrpos as !an, appals as thr
ar inci"ntal .+stions rais" b,
hi! an" as thr ar intrloc+tor,
or"rs rn"r" or iss+" b, th
lowr co+rt% An intrloc+tor, or"r
!a, b th s+b'ct of an appal* b+t
onl, aftr a '+"#!nt has bn
rn"r"* with th #ro+n" for
appalin# th or"r bin# incl+""
in th appal of th '+"#!nt itslf%
Th r!", a#ainst an intrloc+tor,
or"r not s+b'ct of an appal is an
appropriat spcial ci$il action +n"r
R+l @0* pro$i"" that th
intrloc+tor, or"r is rn"r"
witho+t or in /css of '+ris"iction or
with #ra$ ab+s of "iscrtion% Thn
is crtiorari +n"r R+l @0 allow" to
b rsort" to%
b% Mattrs
not
appalabl
142
+(ouses Mendiola v. ,ourt o7
A((eals* >%R% No% 1024?@* -+l, 13*
;=1;
It is tr+ that th ori#inal t/t of
Sction 1* R+l ?1 of th 1224 Rules
o7 ,ivil Procedure /prssl, li!it"
an appal to a '+"#!nt or final
or"r* an" proscrib" th ta&in# of
an appal fro! an or"r "n,in# a
!otion for nw trial or
rconsi"ration* a!on# othrs* vi26
Sction 1% Su)<ect o7
a((eal% T An appal
!a, b ta&n fro! a
'+"#!nt or final or"r
that co!pltl, "isposs
of th cas* or of a
partic+lar !attr thrin
whn "clar" b, ths
R+ls to b appalabl%
No appal !a, b ta&n
fro!6
8a9 An or"r "n,in# a
!otion for nw trial or
rconsi"rationG
8b9 An or"r "n,in# a
ptition for rlif or an,
si!ilar !otion s&in#
rlif fro! '+"#!ntG
8c9 An intrloc+tor,
or"rG
8"9 An or"r "isallowin#
or "is!issin# an appalG
89 An or"r "n,in# a
!otion to st asi" a
'+"#!nt b, consnt*
confssion or
co!pro!is on th
#ro+n" of fra+"* !ista&
or "+rss* or an, othr
#ro+n" $itiatin# consntG
8f9 An or"r of
/c+tionG
8#9 A '+"#!nt or final
or"r for or a#ainst on
or !or of s$ral
partis or in sparat
clai!s* co+ntrclai!s*
cross:clai!s an" thir":
part, co!plaints* whil
th !ain cas is
pn"in#* +nlss th
co+rt allows an appal
thrfro!G an"
8h9 An or"r "is!issin#
an action witho+t
pr'+"ic%
In all th abo$
instancs whr th
'+"#!nt or final or"r
is not appalabl* th
a##ri$" part, !a, fil
an appropriat spcial
ci$il action +n"r R+l
@0% 8n9
Th incl+sion of th or"r
"n,in# a !otion for nw trial or a
!otion for rconsi"ration in th list
of iss+ancs of a trial co+rt not
su)<ect to a((eal was b, rason of
s+ch or"r not bin# th final or"r
tr!inatin# th proc"in#s in th
trial co+rt% This nat+r of th or"r is
rflct" in Sction 2 of R+l <4 of
th 1224 Rules o7 ,ivil Procedure*
which "clars that s+ch or"r
"n,in# a !otion for nw trial or
rconsi"ration is not appalabl*
5th r!", bin# an appal fro!
th '+"#!nt or final or"r%A
In $eirs o7 +(ouses 6eo7ilo M.
Reterta and 4lisa Reterta v. +(ouses
Loren2o Mores and Air5inia Lo(e2*
th Co+rt f+rthr /po+n""6
143
Th rstriction a#ainst
an appal of a "nial of
a 9otion 7or
reconsideration
in"pn"ntl, of a
'+"#!nt or final or"r
is lo#ical an"
rasonabl% A 9otion 7or
reconsideration is not
p+ttin# forwar" a nw
iss+* or prsntin# nw
$i"nc* or chan#in#
th thor, of th cas*
b+t is onl, s&in# a
rconsi"ration of th
'+"#!nt or final or"r
bas" on th sa!
iss+s* contntions* an"
$i"nc ithr
bca+s6 8a9 th
"a!a#s awar"" ar
/cssi$G or 8)9 th
$i"nc is ins+fficint
to '+stif, th "cision or
final or"rG or 8c9 th
"cision or final or"r is
contrar, to law% (,
"n,in# a 9otion 7or
reconsideration* or b,
#rantin# it onl, partiall,*
thrfor* a trial co+rt
fin"s no rason ithr to
r$rs or to !o"if, its
'+"#!nt or final or"r*
an" la$s th '+"#!nt
or final or"r to stan"%
Th r!", fro! th
"nial is to assail th
"nial in th co+rs of
an appal of th
'+"#!nt or final or"r
itslf%
In Juelnan v. A$/ Phili((ines, =nc.*
how$r* th Co+rt has intrprt"
th proscription a#ainst appalin#
th or"r "n,in# a !otion for
rconsi"ration to rfr onl, to a
!otion for rconsi"ration fil"
a#ainst an intrloc+tor, or"r* not to
a !otion for rconsi"ration fil"
a#ainst a '+"#!nt or final or"r* to
wit6
RTShis Co+rt fin"s that
th proscription a#ainst
appalin# fro! an or"r
"n,in# a !otion for
rconsi"ration rfrs to
an intrloc+tor, or"r*
an" not to a final or"r
or '+"#!nt% That that
was th intntion of th
abo$:.+ot" r+ls is
#athr" fro!
Pa5ta*han v. ,=R* <2
SCRA ?00 812419* cit"
in abo$:.+ot" portion
of th "cision in
Rp+blic* in which this
Co+rt hl" that an or"r
"n,in# a !otion to
"is!iss an action is
intrloc+tor,* hnc* not
appalabl%
Th rational bhin" th
r+l proscribin# th
r!", of appal fro!
an intrloc+tor, or"r is
to pr$nt +n"+ "la,*
+slss appals an"
+n"+ incon$ninc to
th appalin# part, b,
ha$in# to assail or"rs
as th, ar pro!+l#at"
b, th co+rt* whn th,
can b contst" in a
sin#l appal% Th
appropriat r!", is
144
th+s for th part, to wait
for th final '+"#!nt or
or"r an" assi#n s+ch
intrloc+tor, or"r as an
rror of th co+rt on
appal%
Th "nial of th !otion
for rconsi"ration of an
or"r of "is!issal of a
co!plaint is not an
intrloc+tor, or"r*
how$r* b+t a final
or"r as it p+ts an n"
to th partic+lar !attr
rsol$"* or sttls
"finitl, th !attr
thrin "ispos" of* an"
nothin# is lft for th
trial co+rt to "o othr
than to /c+t th
or"r%
Not bin# an
intrloc+tor, or"r* an
or"r "n,in# a !otion
for rconsi"ration of an
or"r of "is!issal of a
co!plaint is ffcti$l,
an appal of th or"r of
"is!issal itslf%
Th rfrnc b,
ptitionr* in his notic
of appal* to th March
1;* 1222 Or"r "n,in#
his O!nib+s MotionT
Motion for
Rconsi"ration sho+l"
th+s b "!" to rfr
to th -an+ar, 14* 1222
Or"r which "clar"
hi! non:s+it" an"
accor"in#l, "is!iss"
his co!plaint%
If th proscription
a#ainst appalin# an
or"r "n,in# a !otion
for rconsi"ration is
appli" to an, or"r*
thn thr wo+l" ha$
bn no n" to
spcificall, !ntion in
both abo$:.+ot"
sctions of th R+ls
5final or"rs or
'+"#!ntsA as s+b'ct of
appal% In othr wor"s*
fro! th ntir
pro$isions of R+l <2
an" ?1* thr can b no
!ista&in# that what is
proscrib" is to appal
fro! a "nial of a
!otion for
rconsi"ration of an
intrloc+tor, or"r%
In A(uyan v. $alde9an, too* th
Co+rt cat#oriE" an or"r "n,in#
th !otion for rconsi"ration as
th final rsol+tion of th iss+s a
trial co+rt arlir pass" +pon an"
"ci""* an" accor"in#l, hl" that
th notic of appal fil" a#ainst th
or"r of "nial was "!" to rfr
to th "cision s+b'ct of th !otion
for rconsi"ration%
S+bs.+ntl,* in 8ey(es v. ,ourt o7
A((eals* whr th "cisi$ iss+
was whthr or not th appal was
ta&n within th r#l!ntar,
prio"* with ptitionrs contn"in#
that th, ha" ti!l, fil" thir
notic of appal bas" on thir
s+b!ission that th prio" of appal
sho+l" b rc&on" fro! -+l, ;;*
1223* th "a, th, ha" rci$" th
final or"r of th trial co+rt "n,in#
thir !otion for rconsi"ration 8of
145
th or"r "is!issin# thir
co!plaint9* insta" of on March <*
1223* th "a, th, ha" rci$" th
Fbr+ar, 1;* 1223 or"r "is!issin#
thir co!plaint* th Co+rt* citin#
Juelnan v. A$/ Phili((ines, =nc. an"
A(uyan v. $alde9an* r+l" that th
rcipt b, ptitionrs of th "nial
of thir !otion for rconsi"ration
fil" a#ainst th "is!issal of thir
co!plaint* which was a final or"r*
start" th rc&onin# point for th
filin# of thir appal* to wit6
R+l ?1* Sction < of th
1224 R+ls of Ci$il
Proc"+r stats6
SEC% <% Period o7
ordinary a((eal% W Th
appal shall b ta&n
within fiftn 8109 "a,s
fro! th notic of th
'+"#!nt or final or"r
appal" fro!% Whr a
rcor" on appal is
r.+ir"* th appllant
shall fil a notic of
appal an" a rcor" on
appal within thirt, 8<=9
"a,s fro! th notic of
'+"#!nt or final or"r%
Th prio" to appal
shall b intrr+pt" b, a
ti!l, !otion for nw
trial or rconsi"ration%
No !otion for /tnsion
of ti! to fil a !otion
for nw trial or
rconsi"ration shall b
allow"%
(as" on th for#oin#*
an appal sho+l" b
ta&n within 10 "a,s
fro! th notic of
'+"#!nt or final or"r
appal" fro!% A final
'+"#!nt or or"r is on
that finall, "isposs of a
cas* la$in# nothin#
!or for th co+rt to "o
with rspct to it% It is an
a"'+"ication on th
!rits which*
consi"rin# th
$i"nc prsnt" at
th trial* "clars
cat#oricall, what th
ri#hts an" obli#ations of
th partis arG or it !a,
b an or"r or '+"#!nt
that "is!isss an action%
As alra", !ntion"*
ptitionrs ar#+ that
th or"r of -+l, 1* 1223
"n,in# thir !otion for
rconsi"ration sho+l"
b constr+" as th
5final or"r*A not th
Fbr+ar, 1;* 1223 or"r
which "is!iss" thir
co!plaint% Sinc th,
rci$" thir cop, of
th "nial of thir
!otion for
rconsi"ration onl, on
-+l, ;;* 1223* th 10:
"a, r#l!ntar, prio"
to appal ha" not ,t
laps" whn th, fil"
thir notic of appal on
-+l, ;4* 1223%
What thrfor sho+l"
b "!" as th 5final
or"r*A rcipt of which
tri##rs th start of th
10:"a, r#l!ntar,
prio" to appal D th
146
Fbr+ar, 1;* 1223 or"r
"is!issin# th co!plaint
or th -+l, 1* 1223 or"r
"is!issin# th MRJ
In th rcnt cas of
Juelnan v. A$/
Phili((ines, =nc.* th trial
co+rt "clar" ptitionr
N+lnan non:s+it" an"
accor"in#l, "is!iss"
his co!plaint% Upon
rcipt of th or"r of
"is!issal* h fil" an
o!nib+s !otion to st it
asi"% Whn th
o!nib+s !otion was
fil"* 1; "a,s of th 10:
"a, prio" to appal th
or"r ha" laps"% C
latr on rci$"
anothr or"r* this ti!
"is!issin# his o!nib+s
!otion% C thn fil" his
notic of appal% (+t this
was li&wis "is!iss"
W for ha$in# bn fil"
o+t of ti!%
Th co+rt a 'uo r+l"
that ptitionr sho+l"
ha$ appal" within 10
"a,s aftr th "is!issal
of his co!plaint sinc
this was th final or"r
that was appalabl
+n"r th R+ls% W
r$rs" th trial co+rt
an" "clar" that it was
th denial o7 the 9otion
7or reconsideration of an
or"r of "is!issal of a
co!plaint which
constit+t" th 7inal
order as it was what
n"" th iss+s rais"
thr%
This prono+nc!nt was
ritrat" in th !or
rcnt cas of A(uyan v.
$alde9an et al. whr
w a#ain consi"r" th
or"r "n,in# ptitionr
Ap+,anIs !otion for
rconsi"ration as th
final or"r* which finall,
"ispos" of th iss+s
in$ol$" in th cas%
(as" on th
afor!ntion" cass*
w s+stain ptitionrsI
$iw that the order
dated &uly 1, 1--8
denyin5 their 9otion 7or
reconsideration was th
7inal order cont!plat"
in th R+ls%
As th aftr!ath of ths r+lin#s*
th Co+rt iss+" its rsol+tion in
A%M% No% =4:4:1;:SC to appro$
crtain a!n"!nts to R+ls ?1*
?0* 03 an" @0 of th Rules o7 ,ourt
ffcti$ on Dc!br ;4* ;==4%
A!on# th a!n"!nts was th
"listin# of an or"r "n,in# a
!otion for nw trial or !otion for
rconsi"ration fro! th
n+!ration fo+n" in Sction 1*
R+l ?1 of th 1224 Rules o7 ,ivil
Procedure of what ar not
appalabl% Th a!n"" r+l now
ra"s6
Sction 1% +u)<ect o7
a((eal.M An appal !a,
b ta&n fro! a
'+"#!nt or final or"r
that co!pltl, "isposs
147
of th cas* or of a
partic+lar !attr thrin
whn "clar" b, ths
R+ls to b appalabl%
No appal !a, b ta&n
fro!6
8a9 An or"r "n,in# a
ptition for rlif or an,
si!ilar !otion s&in#
rlif fro! '+"#!ntG
8b9 An intrloc+tor,
or"rG
8c9 An or"r "isallowin#
or "is!issin# an appalG
8"9 An or"r "n,in# a
!otion to st asi" a
'+"#!nt b, consnt*
confssion or
co!pro!is on th
#ro+n" of fra+"* !ista&
or "+rss* or an, othr
#ro+n" $itiatin# consntG
89 An or"r of
/c+tionG
8f9 A '+"#!nt or final
or"r for or a#ainst on
or !or of s$ral
partis or in sparat
clai!s* co+ntrclai!s*
cross:clai!s an" thir":
part, co!plaints* whil
th !ain cas is
pn"in#* +nlss th
co+rt allows an appal
thrfro!G an"
8#9 An or"r "is!issin#
an action witho+t
pr'+"ic%
In an, of th for#oin#
circ+!stancs* th
a##ri$" part, !a, fil
an appropriat spcial
ci$il action as pro$i""
in R+l @0%
(as" on th for#oin#
"$lop!nts* Shll an" Taban#aoIs
appal* albit s!in#l, "irct"
onl, at th Octobr 0* 1222 "nial of
thir !otion for rconsi"ration* was
propr% Th+s* w s+stain th CAIs
"nial for bin# in accor" with th
r+ls an" prtinnt prc"nts% W
f+rthr point o+t that for ptitionrs
to insist that th appal was li!it"
onl, to th assail" rsol+tion of
Octobr 0* 1222 was ob'cti$l,
rrono+s* bca+s Shll an"
Taban#ao /prssl, in"icat" in
thir appllantIs brif that thir
appal was "irct" at both th
Fbr+ar, <* 1223 "cision an" th
Octobr 0* 1222 rsol+tion%
c% R!",
a#ainst
'+"#!nts
an" or"rs
which ar
not
appalabl
"% Mo"s of
appal
819
Or"ina
r,
appal
8;9
Ptitio
n for
r$iw
8<9
Ptitio
n for
r$iw
on
148
crtior
ari
+evilleno v. ,arilo 8Spt!br 1?*
;==49 :: -+ris"iction of a co+rt o$r
th s+b'ct !attr of a cas is a
!attr of law% Cons.+ntl,* iss+s
which "al with th '+ris"iction of a
co+rt o$r th s+b'ct !attr of a
cas ar p+r .+stions of law%
% Iss+s to
b rais" on
appal
Can th appllat co+rt consi"r
!attrs not assi#n" as rrors on
appalJ In eneral Millin5 ,or(. v.
Ra9os, >%R% No% 12<4;<* -+l, ;=*
;=11* @0? SCRA ;0@* citin# th cas
of 0ia9onon v. 0e(art9ent o7 La)or
and 49(loy9ent* <;4 SCRA ;3<*
th SC /plain" that an appllat
co+rt has a broa" "iscrtionar,
powr in wai$in# th lac& of
assi#n!nt of rrors in th followin#
instancs6
8a9 >ro+n"s not assi#n" as
rrors b+t affctin# th
'+ris"iction of th co+rt
o$r th s+b'ct !attrG
8b9 Mattrs not assi#n" as
rrors on appal b+t ar
$i"ntl, plain or
clrical rrors within
cont!plation of lawG
8c9 Mattrs not assi#n" as
rrors on appal b+t
consi"ration of which is
ncssar, in arri$in# at
a '+st "cision an"
co!plt rsol+tion of
th cas or to sr$ th
intrsts of '+stic or to
a$oi" "ispnsin#
pic!al '+sticG
8"9 Mattrs not spcificall,
assi#n" as rrors on
appal b+t rais" in th
trial co+rt an" ar
!attrs of rcor" ha$in#
so! barin# on th
iss+ s+b!itt" which
th partis fail" to rais
or which th lowr co+rt
i#nor"G
89 Mattrs not assi#n" as
rrors on appal b+t
closl, rlat" to an
rror assi#n"G an"*
8f9 Mattrs not assi#n" as
rrors on appal b+t
+pon which th
"tr!ination of a
.+stion proprl,
assi#n" is "pn"nt%
In eneral Millin5 ,or(. cas* par%
8c9 was appli" for accor"in# to th
SC* thr wo+l" b a '+st an"
co!plt rsol+tion of th appal if
thr is a r+lin# on whthr th
Spo+ss Ra!os wr act+all, in
"fa+lt in thir obli#ation to >MC%
f% Prio" of
appal
R+l ?1* Sc% < : FCow$r* appals
in habas corp+s cass shall b
ta&n within fort,:i#ht 8?39 ho+rs
fro! notic of th '+"#!nt or final
or"r appal" fro!%F
#% Prfction
of appal
h% Appal
fro!
'+"#!nts
149
or final
or"rs of th
MTC
i% Appal
fro!
'+"#!nts
or final
or"rs of th
RTC
Maca.i.ili old Minin5 And
0evelo(9ent ,o. v. ,A 8Octobr 1;*
12239 :: < !o"s of appal fro!
"cisions of th RTC
: or"inar, appal or appal b, writ
of rror +n"r R+l ?1 whr
'+"#!nt was rn"r" in a ci$il or
cri!inal cas b, th RTC in th
/rcis of its ori#inal '+ris"iction%
Th appal is ta&n on .+stions of
fact or !i/" .+stions of fact an"
law%
: ptition for r$iw +n"r R+l ?;
whr '+"#!nt was rn"r" b,
th RTC in th /rcis of its
appllat '+ris"iction% Th appal is
ta&n to th CA on .+stions of fact*
of law* or !i/" .+stions of fact
an" law%
: ptition for r$iw on crtiorari to
th SC +n"r R+l ?0% Th appal is
l$at" to th SC onl, on .+stions
of law% 8s Rp+blic $% Malabanan*
Octobr @* ;=1=9
'% Appal
fro!
'+"#!nts
or final
or"rs of th
CA
&% Appal
fro!
'+"#!nts
or final
or"rs of th
CTA
l% R$iw of
final
'+"#!nts
or final
or"rs of th
COA
!% R$iw of
final
'+"#!nts
or final
or"rs of th
COMELEC
n% R$iw of
final
'+"#!nts
or final
or"rs of th
CSC
o% R$iw of
final
'+"#!nts
or final
or"rs of th
O!b+"s!an
p% R$iw of
final
'+"#!nts
or final
or"rs of th
NLRC
.% R$iw of
final
'+"#!nts
or final
150
or"rs of
.+asi:'+"icial
a#ncis
Ro9 v. RoIas % ,o., =nc., >%R% No%
1@2<<1* Spt!br 0* ;=11* @0@
SCRA @21 D Sc% @1 of R%A% @@04
clarl, !an"ats that '+"icial r$iw
of DAR or"rrs ar #o$rn" b, th
R+ls of Co+rt% Th R+ls "irct that
it is R+l ?< that #o$rns th
proc"+r for '+"icial r$iw of
"cisions* or"rs* or rsol+tions of
th DAR Scrtar,% In this cas* th
ptitionrs sho+l" ha$ assail"
bfor th CA th Or"rs of th DAR
thro+#h a Ptition for R$iw +n"r
R+l ?<% Insta"* it p+rs+" a
spcial ci$il action for certiorari
+n"r R+l @0%
An5eles v. aite* No$!br ;0*
;==2 D Th SC +phl" M!o Circ+lar
No% 03 iss+" b, th Offic of th
Prsi"nt iss+" on -+n <=* 122<
which stats6 5No appal fro! or
ptition for r$iw
"cisionsHor"rsHrsol+tions of th
Scrtar, of -+stic on prli!inar,
in$sti#ation of cri!inal cass shall
b ntrtain" b, th Offic of th
Prsi"nt /cpt thos in$ol$in#
offnss p+nishabl b, rcl+sion
prpt+a to "ath%A
Auto Pro9inence ,or(. v.
Ginter)orn, -an+ar, ;4* ;==2* 044
SCRA 01 D In this cas* th
in$sti#atin# prosc+tor fo+n"
probabl ca+s for stafa an" fil"
th Infor!ation% Upon Ptition for
R$iw* th Dpart!nt of -+stic
r$rs" th rsol+tion an" "irct"
th with"rawal of th Infor!ation%
(for th R#ional Trial Co+rt*
acc+s" fil" an Ur#nt Motion for
th Dtr!ination or R:
"tr!ination of Probabl Ca+s
an"Hor Motion to Dfr Proc"in#s*
or in th altrnati$* Motion for R:
In$sti#ation with Motion to Rcall
Warrant of Arrst% Fro! th DO-*
co!plainant fil" ptition for
crtiorari +n"r R+l @0 .+stionin#
th rsol+tion% Th Co+rt of Appals
how$r "is!iss" th ptition%
Co!plainant thn wnt to th SC*
which consi"r" th iss+ !oot
an" aca"!ic whn th RTC
rsol$" to "is!iss th Infor!ation
altho+#h thr was still a pn"in#
Motion for Rconsi"ration%
/ilda9s Phar9a =nc. v. ,ourt o7
A((eals* March <=* ;==?* ?;@ SCRA
?@= D Th SC citin# Bautista v. ,ourt
o7 A((eals* <@= SCRA @13* R+l ?<
is not th propr r!",% Th
r!", in th absnc of #ra$
ab+s of "iscrtion is to prsnt
$i"ncG othrwis* crtiorari +n"r
R+l @0%
Crosa v. Roa* -+l, 1?* ;==@* ?20
SCRA ;; D Altho+#h th SC sai" R+l
?< is not propr* it !a" no
rfrnc at all to pr$io+s r+lin#s
/cpt th Bautista cas% Accor"in#
to th SC* th r!", is a ptition
for r$iw to th Offic of th
Prsi"nt%
6an v. Peo(le* April 1;* ;==; D
-+stic )it+# sai" nithr th
Constit+tion nor th R+ls of
Cri!inal Proc"+r /cl+si$l, $sts
in th SC th powr to har cass on
appal in which onl, an rror of law
is in$ol$"% Th Co+rt of Appals
+n"r R+l ?; an" ?? is a+thoriE"
to "tr!in rrors of fact* of law* or
both% -+stic N+is+!bin# how$r
151
.+alifi" that th !i/" .+stions of
law an" fact that !a, b rais" in
th Co+rt of Appals is not a p+r
.+stion of law% Th phras rrors of
fact* or law* or both fo+n" in R+l ?;
an" an, .+siton of fact or law in
R+l ?? !+st b +n"rstoo" to
!an .+stion of fact or !i/"
.+stions of fact an" law whn
rfrrin# to cass fallin# within th
appllat '+ris"iction of th Co+rt of
Appals%
<% Rlif fro!
'+"#!nts* or"rs
an" othr
proc"in#s
Is th r!", a$ailabl in cri!inal
cassJ In Basco v. ,ourt o7 A((eals,
>%R% No% 1;0;2=* Fbr+ar, ;2* ;===*
th SC r$rs" an" st asi" th
or"r of th TC "n,in# th ptition
for rlif fro! '+"#!nt in th
cri!inal cas% In $ilario v. Peo(le,
001 SCRA 121* th cas was
r!an"" to th TC to hol" harin#s
on th ptition for rlif fro!
'+"#!nt an" r+l on th !rits%
Acc+s" all#" h instr+ct" his
law,r to appal th '+"#!nt of
con$iction b+t his law,r "i" not% In
0el Rosario v. ,edillo* ??1 SCRA 4=*
th SC "frr" r+lin# on th
a"!inistrati$ liabilit, of th '+"#
bca+s of a pn"in# ptition for
rlif fro! '+"#!nt in th cri!inal
cas fil" b, th co!plainant%
Mesina v. Meer, >%R% No% 1?@3?0*
-+l, ;* ;==;
Rlif fro! '+"#!nt is an
.+itabl r!", an" is allow"
onl, +n"r /cptional
circ+!stancs an" onl, if fra+"*
acci"nt* !ista&* or /c+sabl
n#li#nc is prsnt% Whr th
"fn"ant has othr a$ailabl or
a".+at r!", s+ch as a !otion
for nw trial or appal fro! th
a"$rs "cision* h cannot a$ail
hi!slf of this r!",%
Un"r th 1224 R$is" R+ls
of Ci$il Proc"+r* th ptition for
rlif !+st b fil" within si/t, 8@=9
"a,s aftr th ptitionr larns of
th '+"#!nt* final or"r or othr
proc"in# to b st asi" an" !+st
b acco!pani" with affi"a$its
showin# th fra+"* acci"nt*
!ista&* or /c+sabl n#li#nc
rli" +pon* an" th facts
constit+tin# th ptitionrIs #oo"
an" s+bstantial ca+s of action or
"fns* as th cas !a, b% Most
i!portantl,* it sho+l" b fil" with
th sa! co+rt* which rn"r" th
"cision* vi26
FSction 1% Ptition for
rlif fro! '+"#!nt*
or"r* or othr
proc"in#s. : Whn a
'+"#!nt or final or"r
is ntr"* or an, othr
proc"in# is thraftr
ta&n a#ainst a part, in
an, co+rt thro+#h fra+"*
acci"nt* !ista&* or
/c+sabl n#li#nc*
h !a, fil a ptition in
s+ch co+rt an" in th
sa! cas pra,in# that
th '+"#!nt* or"r or
proc"in# b st
asi"%F
152
As r$is"* R+l <3 ra"icall,
"parts fro! th pr$io+s r+l as it
now allows th Mtropolitan or
M+nicipal Trial Co+rt which "ci""
th cas or iss+" th or"r to har
th ptition for rlif% Un"r th ol"
r+l* ptition for rlif fro! th
'+"#!nt or final or"r of !+nicipal
trial co+rts sho+l" b fil" with th
r#ional trial co+rt* vi26
FSction 1% Ptition to
Co+rt of First Instanc
for Rlif fro! -+"#!nt
of infrior co+rt% : Whn
a '+"#!nt is rn"r"
b, an infrior co+rt on a
cas* an" a part,
thrto b, fra+"*
acci"nt* !ista&* or
/c+sabl n#li#nc*
has bn +n'+stl,
"pri$" of a harin#
thrin* or has bn
pr$nt" fro! ta&in#
an appal* h !a, fil a
ptition in th Co+rt of
First Instanc of th
pro$inc in which th
ori#inal '+"#!nt was
rn"r"* pra,in# that
s+ch '+"#!nt b st
asi" an" th cas tri"
+pon its !rits%
Sction ;% Ptition to
Co+rt of First Instanc
for rlif fro! th
'+"#!nt or othr
proc"in# throf% :
Whn a '+"#!nt or"r
is ntr"* or an, othr
proc"in# is ta&n
a#ainst a part, in a
Co+rt of First Instanc
thro+#h fra+"* acci"nt*
!ista&* or /c+sabl
n#li#nc* h !a, fil
a ptition in s+ch co+rt
an" in th sa! ca+s
pra,in# that th
'+"#!nt* or"r or
proc"in# b st
asi"%F
Ptitionrs ar#+ that apart
fro! this chan#* th prsnt R+l
/tn"s th r!", of rlif to
incl+" '+"#!nts or or"rs of th
Co+rt of Appals sinc th R+l +ss
th phras Fan, co+rtF% W "isa#r%
Th proc"+ral chan# in R+l
<3 is in lin with R+l 0* prscribin#
+nifor! proc"+r for !+nicipal an"
r#ional trial co+rts an" "si#nation
of !+nicipalH!tropolitan trial
co+rts as co+rts of rcor"% Whil
R+l <3 +ss th phras Fan, co+rtF*
it rfrs onl, to
!+nicipalH!tropolitan an" r#ional
trial co+rts%
Th proc"+r in th Co+rt of
Appals an" th S+pr! Co+rt ar
#o$rn" b, sparat pro$isions of
th R+ls of Co+rt an" !a,* fro!
ti! to ti!* b s+ppl!nt" b,
a""itional r+ls pro!+l#at" b, th
S+pr! Co+rt thro+#h rsol+tions
or circ+lars% As it stan"s* nithr th
R+ls of Co+rt nor th R$is"
Intrnal R+ls of th Co+rt of
Appals allow th r!", of ptition
for rlif in th Co+rt of Appals%
a% >ro+n"s
for a$ailin#
of th
r!",
153
+a9onte v. +./. 8a5uiat =nc.
8Octobr ;* ;==29 :: PtitionrIs
clai! that Sction 1* R+l <3 of th
R+ls of Co+rt "os not r.+ir that
ptitionr sho+l" stat th rason
wh, h "i" not a$ail of th r!",
of appal "sr$s scant
consi"ration% Cis fail+r to a$ail of
th r!", of appal within th
r#l!ntar, prio" "spit rcipt
of th RTC "cision rn"r" th
sa! final an" /c+tor,% C cannot
b allow" to assail th RTC
"cision which ha" bco! final in a
ptition for rlif fro! '+"#!n
whn thr was no all#ations of
fra+"* acci"nt* !ista&* or
/c+sabl n#li#nc which
pr$nt" hi! fro! intrposin# an
appal% S+ch appal co+l" ha$
corrct" what h bli$" to b an
rrono+s '+"icial "cision% To
ritrat* ptition for rlif is an
.+itabl r!", that is allow"
onl, in /cptional cass whr
thr is no othr a$ailabl or
a".+at r!", which is not
prsnt in ptitionrIs cas% Th+s*
ptitionrKs rsort to a ptition for
rlif +n"r R+l <3 was not propr
an" th CA corrctl, r+l" that th
RTC "i" not co!!it #ra$ ab+s of
"iscrtion in "n,in# th ptition for
rlif fro! '+"#!nt%
Sction <* R+l <3 of th R+ls of
Co+rt r.+irs that th ptition !+st
b acco!pani" with affi"a$its of
!rits showin# th fra+"* acci"nt*
!ista&* or /c+sabl n#li#nc
rli" +pon b, ptitionr an" th
facts constit+tin# th ptitionrKs
#oo" an" s+bstantial ca+s of action
or "fns as th cas !a,b% Whil
a ptition for rlif witho+t a
sparat affi"a$it of !rit is
s+fficint whr facts constit+tin#
ptitionrIs s+bstantial ca+s of
action or "fns* as th cas !a,
b* ar all#" in a $rifi" ptition
sinc th oath l$ats th ptition
to th sa! cat#or, as a sparat
affi"a$it* th ptition for rlif fil"
b, ptitionr was not $n $rifi"%
Th+s* th CA "i" not rr in no lon#r
consi"rin# th !rits of th cas%
b% Ti! to
fil ptition
c% Contnts
of ptition
In Re(u)lic v. ,ourt o7 A((eals, >%R%
No% 100?0=* A+#+st @* ;==3* th SC
hl" that th ptition for ann+l!nt
of "cr co!pli" with th
proc"+ral r.+ir!nts +n"r R+l
?4% Th+s* it proprl, all#" lac& of
'+ris"iction as th #ro+n" for th
ann+l!nt of th "cr% Sinc th
co!plaint is #ro+n"" on lac& of
'+ris"iction o$r th s+b'ct of th
action* ptitionr n" not all#
that th or"inar, r!"is of nw
trial* appal* ptition for rlif or
othr appropriat r!"is ar no
lon#r a$ailabl thro+#h no fa+lt of
ptitionr% 8Anchta $% Anchta* ?@3
Phil% 2== R;==?S9
?% Ann+l!nt of
-+"#!nts or final
or"rs an"
rsol+tions
Sc% 1* R+l ?4* rfrs to 5'+"#!nts
or final or"rs an" rsol+tions in ci$il
actions of th R#ional Trial Co+rt%A
It is not a$ailabl in cri!inal cass%
In Lla9as v. ,ourt o7 A((eals*
Spt!br ;2* ;==2* ritratin# th
154
cas of Peo(le v. Bitan5a* 0;0 SCRA
@;<* th SC hl" that r!", of
ann+l!nt of '+"#!nt cannot b
a$ail" of in cri!inal cass%
a% >ro+n"s
for
ann+l!nt
Manila v. allardo>Man2o, >%R% No%
1@<@=;* Spt!br 4* ;=11* @04
SCRA ;= D Cas st!!" fro! an
action for 'ct!nt fil" b,
rspon"nts a#ainst ptitionrs% Th
MTC r+l" in fa$or of th
rspon"nts% On appal* th RTC
r$rs" th MTC "cision an"
fo+n" that th ptitionrs ha$
/rcis" thir option to b+, th
las" proprt, b+t th rspon"nts
rf+s" to honor th sa!% Th+s*
th RTC "irct" th rspon"nts to
/c+t a "" of absol+t sal in
fa$or of th ptitionrs% Th
rspon"nts fil" a !otion for
rconsi"ration b+t this was "ni"
for ha$in# bn fil" o+t of ti!%
Abo+t ? ,ars latr* rspon"nts
fil" a ptition for ann+l!nt of
'+"#!nt assailin# th '+ris"iction of
th RTC to "irct th! in an
'ct!nt cas to /c+t a "" of
sal in fa$or of th ptitionrs% Th
CA ann+ll" th "cision of th RTC
sa,in# that th RTC clarl, act"
witho+t '+ris"iction whn it or"r"
th rspon"nts to sll thir
proprtis to th ptitionrs% Th
or"r to sll can b !a" onl, b, a
co+rt in an action for spcific
prfor!anc +n"r its /cl+si$
'+ris"iction an" not in th /rcis
of its appllat '+ris"iction in an
appal" 'ct!nt s+it% Wors* th
rlif #rant" b, th sa! co+rt was
not $n pra," for b, th
ptitionrs in thir Answr an"
position papr bfor th MTC%
Accor"in# to th SC* lac& of
'+ris"iction as a #ro+n" for
ann+l!nt of '+"#!nt rfrs to
ithr lac& of '+ris"iction o$r th
prson of th "fn"in# part, or
o$r th s+b'ct !attr of th clai!%
In a ptition for ann+l!nt of
'+"#!nt bas" on lac& of
'+ris"iciton* ptitionr !+st show
not !rl, an ab+s of "iscrtion
b+t an absol+t lac& of '+ris"iction%
Lac& of '+ris"iction !ans absnc
of or no '+ris"iction* that is* th
co+rt sho+l" not ha$ ta&n
co#niEanc of th ptition bca+s
th law "os not $st it with
'+ris"iction o$r th s+b'ct !attr%
-+ris"iction o$r th nat+r of th
action or s+b'ct !attr is confrr"
b, law%
Thr is no "isp+t that th RTC is
$st" with appllat '+ris"iction
o$r 'ct!nt cass "ci"" b, th
MTC% A '+"#!nt in a "tainr cas
"isposs of no othr iss+ than
possssion an" stablishs onl, who
has th ri#ht of possssion b+t b, no
!ans constit+ts a bar to an action
for "tr!ination of who has th
ri#ht or titl of ownrship% In this
cas* th RTC act" in /css of its
'+ris"iction in "ci"in# th appal of
ptitionrs whn insta" of si!pl,
"is!issin# th co!plaint an"
awar"in# an, co+ntrclai! for costs
"+ to th ptitionrs* it or"r" th
rspon"nts to /c+t a "" of
absol+t sal in fa$or of th
ptitionrs on th basis of its own
intrprtation of th contract of
las which #rant" th ptitionrs
th option to b+, th las"
155
pr!iss% This cannot b "on in an
'ct!nt cas%
Cow$r* s+ch rrono+s #rant of
rlif to th "fn"ants on appal is
b+t an /rcis of '+ris"iction of th
RTC% -+ris"iction is not th sa! as
th /rcis of '+ris"iction% As
"istin#+ish" fro! th /rcis of
'+ris"iction* '+ris"iction is th
a+thorit, to "ci" a ca+s* an" not
th "cision rn"r" thrin% Th
#ro+n" for ann+l!nt of "cision is
absnc of* or no '+ris"ictionG that
is* th co+rt sho+l" not ha$ ta&n
co#niEanc of th ptition bca+s
th law "os not $st it with
'+ris"iction o$r th s+b'ct !attr%
Antonio v. Re5ister o7 0eeds o7
Ma*ati ,ity* >%R% No% 130@@<* -+n
;=* ;=1; D Apart fro! th
r.+ir!nt that th /istnc of
5/trinsic fra+"A or 5lac& of
'+ris"ictionA sho+l" b a!pl,
"!onstrat"* on who "sirs to
a$ail this r!", !+st con$inc
that th or"inar, an" othr
appropriat r!"is* s+ch as an
appal* ar no lon#r a$ailabl for
ca+ss not attrib+tabl to hi!% This
is clarl, pro$i"" +n"r Sction 1*
R+l ?4 of th R+ls of Co+rt%
A ptition for ann+l!nt of
'+"#!nt can onl, b bas" on
5/trinsic fra+"A an" 5lac& of
'+ris"ictionA an" cannot prospr on
th basis of 5#ra$ ab+s of
"iscrtionA% (, anchorin# hr
ptition on th all#" #ra$ ab+s
of "iscrtion that attn"" th
"is!issal of hr co!plaint an" th
"nial of hr two 8;9 !otions for
rconsi"ration* ptitionr* is* in
ffct* nlar#in# th concpt of
5lac& of '+ris"ictionA% As this Co+rt
pr$io+sl, clarifi" in Re(u)lic o7
the Phili((ines v. NO $oldin5s, =nc%
801; Phil% ;0<9 5lac& of '+ris"ictionA
as a #ro+n" for th ann+l!nt of
'+"#!nts prtains to lac& of
'+ris"iction o$r th prson of th
"fn"in# part, or o$r th s+b'ct
!attr of th clai!% It "os not
cont!plat 5#ra$ ab+s of
"iscrtionA consi"rin# that
5'+ris"ictionA is "iffrnt fro! th
/rcis throf%
Ann+l!nt of '+"#!nt is a
rco+rs .+itabl in charactr*
allow" onl, in /cptional cass as
whr thr is no a$ailabl or othr
a".+at r!",% R+l ?4 of th
1224 R+ls of Ci$il Proc"+r* as
a!n""* #o$rns actions for
ann+l!nt of '+"#!nts or final
or"rs an" rsol+tions* an" Sction
; throf /plicitl, pro$i"s onl, two
#ro+n"s for ann+l!nt of
'+"#!nt* i%%* /trinsic fra+" an"
lac& of '+ris"iction% Th +n"rl,in#
rason is tracabl to th notion
that ann+llin# final '+"#!nts #os
a#ainst th #rain of finalit, of
'+"#!nt% Liti#ation !+st n" an"
tr!inat so!ti! an"
so!whr* an" it is ssntial to an
ffcti$ a"!inistration of '+stic
that onc a '+"#!nt has bco!
final* th iss+ or ca+s in$ol$"
thrin sho+l" b lai" to rst% Th
basic r+l of finalit, of '+"#!nt is
#ro+n"" on th f+n"a!ntal
principl of p+blic polic, an" so+n"
practic that at th ris& of
occasional rror* th '+"#!nt of
co+rts an" th awar" of .+asi:
'+"icial a#ncis !+st bco! final
at so! "finit "at fi/" b, law%
156
8Ra!os $% -+"# Co!bon# -r%* 01=
Phil% ;449
Th law sanctions th ann+l!nt of
crtain '+"#!nts which* tho+#h
final* ar +lti!atl, $oi"%
Ann+l!nt of '+"#!nt is an
.+itabl principl not bca+s it
allows a part,:liti#ant anothr
opport+nit, to ropn a '+"#!nt
that has lon# laps" into finalit, b+t
bca+s it nabls hi! to b
"ischar#" fro! th b+r"n of bin#
bo+n" to a '+"#!nt that is an
absol+t n+llit, to b#in with% 8(arco
$% Co+rt of Appals* ?@0 Phil% <29
Aillanueva v. 8ite* -+l, ;0* ;==@ D
E/a!pl of /trinsic fra+"
Barco v. ,ourt o7 A((eals* >%R% No%
1;=034* -an+ar, ;=* ;==?* ?;= SCRA
1@; D cas in$ol$in# ill#iti!ac,
b% Prio" to
fil action
c% Effcts of
'+"#!nt of
ann+l!nt
0% Collatral attac&
of '+"#!nts
N% E/c+tion*
Satisfaction an" Effct of
-+"#!nts
E/c+tion is a procss pro$i"" b,
law for th nforc!nt of a final
'+"#!nt% It is iss+" a#ainst th
'+"#!nt "btor or obli#or%
1% Diffrnc
btwn finalit, of
'+"#!nt for
p+rposs of
appalG for
p+rposs of
/c+tion
Final '+"#!nt or or"r is on which
"isposs of th whol s+b'ct !attr
or tr!inats th partic+lar
proc"in#s or action la$in#
nothin# to b "on b, th co+rt b+t
to nforc b, /c+tion what has
bn "tr!in"%
Th+s* th tst to "tr!in whthr
a '+"#!nt or or"r is final or
intrloc+tor, is to ascrtain if th
'+"#!nt or or"r la$s nothin#
!or for th co+rt to "o with rspct
to th !rits of th cas% If it la$s
nothin# !or for th co+rt to "o*
thn it is finalG othrwis* it is an
intrloc+tor, or"r%
;% Whn /c+tion
shall iss+
a% E/c+tion
as a !attr
of ri#ht
Sction 1% '*ecution upon
)udgments or final
orders. D E$ecution
shall issue as a
matter of right, on
motion, upon a
judgment or order
that disposes of the
action or proceeding
upon the e$piration
of the period to
appeal therefrom if
no appeal has been
duly perfected.
157
If th appal has bn
"+l, prfct" an"
finall, rsol$"* th
/c+tion !a, forthwith
b appli" for in th
co+rt of ori#in* on
!otion of th '+"#!nt
obli#* s+b!ittin#
thrwith crtifi" tr+
copis of th '+"#!nt
or '+"#!nts or final
or"r or or"rs so+#ht
to b nforc" an" of
th ntr, throf* with
notic to th a"$rs
part,%
Th appllat co+rt !a,*
on !otion in th sa!
cas* whn th intrst
of '+stic so r.+irs*
"irct th co+rt of ori#in
to iss+ th writ of
/c+tion%
b%
Discrtionar
, /c+tion
Sc% ;% Discretionary
e*ecution.

8a9 E/c+tion of a
'+"#!nt or final or"r
pn"in# appal%T On
!otion of th pr$ailin#
part, will notic to th
a"$rs part, fil" in
th trial co+rt whil it
has '+ris"iction o$r th
cas an" is in
possssion of ithr th
ori#inal rcor" or th
rcor" on appal* as th
cas !a, b* at th ti!
of th filin# of s+ch
!otion* sai" co+rt !a,*
in its "iscrtion* or"r
/c+tion of a '+"#!nt
or final or"r $n
bfor th /piration of
th prio" to appal%
Aftr th trial co+rt has
lost '+ris"iction* th
!otion for /c+tion
pn"in# appal !a, b
fil" in th appllat
co+rt%
Discrtionar, /c+tion
!a, onl, iss+ +pon
#oo" rasons to b
stat" in a spcial or"r
aftr "+ harin#%
8b9 E/c+tion of s$ral*
sparat or partial
'+"#!nts%T A s$ral
sparat or partial
'+"#!nt !a, b
/c+t" +n"r th
sa! tr!s an"
con"itions as /c+tion
of a '+"#!nt or final
or"r pn"in# appal%

-ec. .. Stay of
discretionary e*ecution.

Discrtionar, /c+tion
iss+" +n"r th
prc"in# sction !a,
b sta," +pon appro$al
b, th propr co+rt of a
s+fficint s+prs" as
bon" fil" b, th part,
a#ainst who! it is
"irct"* con"ition"
+pon th prfor!anc of
th '+"#!nt or or"r
allow" to b /c+t"
158
in cas it shall b finall,
s+stain" in whol or in
part% Th bon" th+s
#i$n !a, b proc""
a#ainst on !otion with
notic to th s+rt,%

-ec. 6. +udgments not
stayed by appeal.

-+"#!nts in actions for
in'+nction* rci$rship*
acco+ntin# an" s+pport*
an" s+ch othr
'+"#!nts as ar now or
!a, hraftr b
"clar" to b
i!!"iatl, /c+tor,*
shall b nforcabl
aftr thir rn"ition an"
shall not b sta," b,
an appal ta&n
thrfro!* +nlss
othrwis or"r" b,
th trial co+rt% On
appal thrfro!* th
appllat co+rt in its
"iscrtion !a, !a& an
or"r s+spn"in#*
!o"if,in#* rstorin# or
#rantin# th in'+nction*
rci$rship*
acco+ntin#* or awar" of
s+pport%
Th sta, of /c+tion
shall b +pon s+ch
tr!s as to bon" or
othrwis as !a, b
consi"r" propr for
th sc+rit, or
protction of th ri#hts
of th a"$rs part,%

-ec. (. 'ffect of
reversal of e*ecuted
)udgment.

Whr th /c+t"
'+"#!nt is r$rs"
totall, or partiall,* or
ann+ll"* on appal or
othrwis* th trial co+rt
!a,* on !otion* iss+
s+ch or"rs of
rstit+tion or rparation
of "a!a#s as .+it,
an" '+stic !a, warrant
+n"r th
circ+!stancs%
@r)an Ban* =nc. v. Pena, >%R% No%
1?0314* Octobr 12* ;=11* @02
SCRA ?13
In this cas* /c+tion
pn"in# appal was #rant" b, th
lowr co+rt% In this cas* th trial
co+rt s+pport" its "iscrtionar,
#rant of /c+tion bas" on th
all#" collction s+it fil" a#ainst
PXa b, his cr"itor frin" for
PhP<*===*===% Accor"in# to th SC*
th !r fact that Att,% PXa was
alra", s+b'ct" to a collction s+it
for pa,!nt of th loan proc"s h
+s" to prfor! his sr$ics for
Urban (an& is not an accptabl
rason to or"r th /c+tion
pn"in# appal a#ainst th ban&%
Financial "istrss arisin# fro! a lon
collction s+it an" not "+ to th
a"$anc" a# of th part, is not an
+r#nt or co!pllin# rason that
wo+l" '+stif, th i!!"iat l$, on
th proprtis of Urban (an&
pn"in# appal% That PXa wo+l"
!a" liabl in th collction s+it
fil" b, his cr"itor:frin" wo+l" not
rasonabl, rs+lt in rn"rin#
ill+sor, th final '+"#!nt in th
instant action for a#ntIs
co!pnsation%
159
PXaIs p+rport" "iffic+lt, in
pa,in# th loan proc"s +s" to
prfor! his sr$ics "os not
o+twi#h th in'+r, or "a!a#s that
!i#ht rs+lt sho+l" Urban (an&
obtain a r$rsal of th '+"#!nt* as
it "i" in this cas%
Th+s* th SC concl+"" that
th pn"nc, of a collction s+it b,
a thir" part, cr"itor which cr"it
was obtain" b, th winnin#
'+"#!nt cr"itor in anothr cas* is
not a s+fficintl, #oo" rason to
allow /c+tion pn"in# appal as
th R+ls of Co+rt pro$i"%
On th othr han"* th CA
affir!" th #rant of th /c+tion
pn"in# appal citin# as a""itional
rason th clos+r of th ban&%
Accor"in# to th SC* ptitionrKs
all#"l, prcario+s financial
con"ition* how$r* is not b, itslf a
'+rispr+"ntiall, co!pllin#
circ+!stanc warrantin# i!!"iat
/c+tion% Th financial "istrss of a
'+ri"ical ntit, is not co!parabl to
a cas in$ol$in# a nat+ral prson T
s+ch as a $r, ol" an" sic&l, on
witho+t an, !ans of li$lihoo"* an
hir s&in# an or"r for s+pport
an" !onthl, allowanc for
s+bsistnc* or on who "is%
In""* th all#" financial
"istrss of a corporation "os not
o+twi#h th lon# stan"in# #nral
polic, of nforcin# onl, final an"
/c+tor, '+"#!nts% Crtainl,* a
'+ri"ical ntit, li& ptitionr
corporation has* othr than
/traor"inar, /c+tion* altrnati$
r!"is li& loans* a"$ancs*
intrnal cash #nration an" th li&
to a""rss its prcario+s financial
con"ition%
E/c+tion pn"in# appal is
an /traor"inar, r!", allow"
onl, whn thr ar rasons to
bli$ that th '+"#!nt "btor
will not b abl to satisf, th
'+"#!nt "bt if th appals
procss will still ha$ to b await"%
It r.+irs proof of circ+!stancs
s+ch as insol$nc, or att!pts to
scap* abscon" or $a" a '+st
"bt% In /lorendo v. Para9ount
=nsurance ,or(% 8;= -an+ar, ;=1=*
@1= SCRA <449* th SC /plain"
that th /c+tion pn"in# appal is
an /cption to th #nral r+l that
/c+tion iss+s as a !attr of
ri#ht* whn a '+"#!nt has bco!
final an" /c+tor,6
As s+ch /cption* th
co+rtIs "iscrtion in
allowin# it !+st b
strictl, constr+" an"
fir!l, #ro+n"" on th
/istnc of #oo"
rasons% F>oo"
rasons*F it has bn
hl"* consist of
co!pllin#
circ+!stancs that
'+stif, i!!"iat
/c+tion lst th
'+"#!nt bco!s
ill+sor,% Th
circ+!stancs !+st b
s+prior* o+twi#hin#
th in'+r, or "a!a#s
that !i#ht rs+lt sho+l"
th losin# part, sc+r a
r$rsal of th
'+"#!nt% Lssr
rasons wo+l" !a& of
/c+tion pn"in#
160
appal* insta" of an
instr+!nt of solicit+"
an" '+stic* a tool of
opprssion an" in.+it,%
Th prsnc or th absnc
of #oo" rasons r!ains th
,ar"stic& in allowin# th r!", of
/c+tion pn"in# appal* which
sho+l" consist of /cptional
circ+!stancs of s+ch +r#nc, as to
o+twi#h th in'+r, or "a!a# that
th losin# part, !a, s+ffr* sho+l"
th appal" '+"#!nt b r$rs"
latr% Th+s* th Co+rt hl" that $n
th financial "istrss of th
pr$ailin# co!pan, is not s+fficint
rason to call for /c+tion pn"in#
appal6
In a""rssin# this iss+*
th Co+rt !+st strss
that th /c+tion of a
'+"#!nt bfor its
finalit, !+st b fo+n""
+pon #oo" rasons% Th
,ar"stic& r!ains th
prsnc or th absnc
of #oo" rasons
consistin# of /cptional
circ+!stancs of s+ch
+r#nc, as to o+twi#h
th in'+r, or "a!a#
that th losin# part,
!a, s+ffr* sho+l" th
appal" '+"#!nt b
r$rs" latr% >oo"
rason i!ports a
s+prior circ+!stanc
that will o+twi#h in'+r,
or "a!a# to th
a"$rs part,% In th
cas at bar* ptitionr
fail" to show
Fpara!o+nt an"
co!pllin# rasons of
+r#nc, an" '+stic%F
Ptitionr cits as #oo"
rason !rl, th fact
that Fit is a s!all:ti!
b+il"in# contractor that
co+l" ill:affor" th
protract" "la, in th
ri!b+rs!nt of th
a"$ancs it !a" for th
aforsai" incras"
costs of % % % constr+ction
of th Rrspon"ntKsS
b+il"in#s%F
In Phili((ine Ban* o7
,o99unications v. ,ourt o7 A((eals
8;< Spt!br 1224* ;42 SCRA
<@?9* th Co+rt "ni" /c+tion
pn"in# appal to a '+ri"ical ntit,
which all#"l, was in financial
"istrss an" was facin# ci$il an"
cri!inal s+its with rspct to th
collction of a s+! of !on,% It
r+l" that th financial "istrss of
th pr$ailin# part, in a final
'+"#!nt which was still pn"in#
appal !a, not b li&n" to th
sit+ation of a nat+ral prson who is
ill* of a"$anc" a# or ",in# as to
'+stif, /c+tion pn"in# appal6
It is si#nificant to
strss that pri$at
rspon"nt Falcon is a
'+ri"ical ntit, an" not a
nat+ral prson% E$n
ass+!in# that it was
in"" in financial
"istrss an" on th
$r# of facin# ci$il or
$n cri!inal s+its* th
i!!"iat /c+tion of
a '+"#!nt in its fa$or
pn"in# appal cannot
b '+stifi" as FalconIs
sit+ation !a, not b
161
li&n" to a cas of a
nat+ral prson who !a,
b ill or !a, b of
a"$anc" a#% E$n th
"an#r of /tinction of
th corporation will not
pr s '+stif, a
"iscrtionar, /c+tion
+nlss thr ar
showin#s of othr #oo"
rasons* s+ch as for
instanc* i!pn"in#
insol$nc, of th
a"$rs part, or th
appal bin# patntl,
"ilator,% (+t $n as to
th lattr rason* it was
not" in A.+ino $s%
Santia#o 81@1 SCRA 04=
R1233S9* that it is not for
th trial '+"# to
"tr!in th !rit of a
"cision h rn"r" as
this is th rol of th
appllat co+rt% Cnc*
it is not within
co!ptnc of th trial
co+rt* in rsol$in# a
!otion for /c+tion
pn"in# appal* to r+l
that th appal is
patntl, "ilator, an"
rl, on th sa! as its
basis for fin"in# #oo"
rason to #rant th
!otion% Onl, an
appllat co+rt can
apprciat th "ilator,
intnt of an appal as an
a""itional #oo" rason
in +phol"in# an or"r for
/c+tion pn"in#
appal which !a, ha$
bn iss+" b, th trial
co+rt for othr #oo"
rasons* or in cass
whr th !otion for
appal is fil" with th
appllat co+rt in
accor"anc with Sction
;* para#raph 8a9* R+l
<2 of th 1224 R+ls of
Co+rt%
What is wors*
onl, on cas was
act+all, fil" a#ainst
Falcon an" this is th
co!plaint for collction
fil" b, Soli"ban&% Th
othr cass ar
Fi!pn"in#F* so it is
sai"% Othr than sai"
Soli"ban& cas* FalconIs
s+r$i$al as a bo",
corporat cannot b
thratn" b,
anticipat" liti#ation%
This notwithstan"in#*
an" $n ass+!in# that
thr was a srio+s
thrat to FalconIs
contin+" corporat
/istnc* w hol" that
it is not tanta!o+nt nor
$n si!ilar to an
i!pn"in# "ath of a
nat+ral prson% Th
!atrial /istnc of a
'+ri"ical prson is not on
th sa! plan as that
of h+!an lif% Th
s+r$i$al of a '+ri"ical
prsonalit, is clarl,
o+twi#h" b, th lon#
stan"in# #nral polic,
of nforcin# onl, final
an" /c+tor,
'+"#!nts%
In cass whr th two or
!or "fn"ants ar !a"
s+bsi"iaril, or soli"aril, liabl b, th
162
final '+"#!nt of th trial co+rt*
"iscrtionar, /c+tion can b
allow" if all th "fn"ants ha$
bn fo+n" to b insol$nt%
Consi"rin# that onl, Urban (an&*
an" not th othr i#ht in"i$i"+al
"fn"ants* was latr on consi"r"
b, th Co+rt of Appals to ha$
bn Fin "an#r of insol$nc,*F is
not s+fficint rason to allow
/c+tion pn"in# appal* sinc th
liabilit, for th awar" to PXa was
!a" 8albit* !ista&nl,9 soli"aril,
liabl to#thr with th ban&
officrs%
In /leIo Manu7acturin5 ,or(.
v. ,olu9)us /ood, =nc.* an" Paci7ic
Meat ,o9(any, =nc% 811 April ;==0*
?00 SCRA ;4;9* both Col+!b+s
Foo"* Inc%* 8Col+!b+s Foo"9 an"
Pacific Mat Co!pan,* Inc%* 8Pacific
Mat9 wr fo+n" b, th trial co+rt
thrin to b soli"aril, liabl to
Fl/o Man+fact+rin#* Inc%* 8Fl/o
Man+fact+rin#9 for th principal
obli#ation of PhP;*204*;4=%==% Th
lowr co+rt also #rant" /c+tion
pn"in# appal on th basis of th
insol$nc, of Col+!b+s Foo"* $n
if Pacific Mat was not fo+n" to b
insol$nt% Affir!in# th r$rsal
or"r" b, th Co+rt of Appals* this
Co+rt r+l" that sinc thr was
anothr part, who was soli"aril,
liabl to pa, for th '+"#!nt "bt*
asi" fro! th insol$nt Col+!b+s
Foo"* thr was no #oo" rason to
allow th /c+tion pn"in# appal6
R#ar"in# th stat of
insol$nc, of ,olu9)us* th cas of
Phili((ine 8ational Ban* v. Puno 81=
Fbr+ar, 12329* th SC hl"6
FWhil this Co+rt
in s$ral cass has hl"
that insol$nc, of th
'+"#!nt "btor or
i!!innt "an#r throf
is a #oo" rason for
"iscrtionar, /c+tion*
othrwis to await a
final an" /c+tor,
'+"#!nt !a, not onl,
"i!inish b+t !a, n+llif,
all chancs for rco$r,
on /c+tion fro! sai"
'+"#!nt "btor* W
ar constrain" to r+l
othrwis in this
partic+lar cas% In th
aforcit" cass* thr
was ithr onl, on
"fat" part, or
'+"#!nt "btor who
was* how$r* insol$nt
or thr wr s$ral
s+ch partis b+t all wr
insol$nt* hnc th
aforsai" rational for
"iscrtionar, /c+tion
was prsnt% In th cas
at bar* it is +n"isp+t"
that* ass+!in# MMIC is
insol$nt* its co:
"fn"ant PN( is not% It
cannot* thrfor* b
pla+sibl, ass+!" that
th '+"#!nt !i#ht
bco! ill+sor,G if MMIC
cannot satisf, th
'+"#!nt* PN( will
answr for it% It will b
obsr$" that* +n"r th
"ispositi$ portion of th
'+"#!nt hrinbfor
.+ot"* th liabilit, of
PN( is ithr s+bsi"iar,
or soli"ar,%
163
Th+s* whn thr
ar two or !or
"fn"ants an" on is
not insol$nt* th
insol$nc, of a co:
"fn"ant is not a #oo"
rason to '+stif,
/c+tion pn"in#
appal if thir liabilit,
+n"r th '+"#!nt is
ithr s+bsi"iar, or
soli"ar,% In this cas*
Pacific was a"'+"#" to
b soli"aril, liabl with
Col+!b+s% Thrfor*
th lattr is not th onl,
part, that !a, b
answrabl to Fl/o% Its
insol$nc, "os not
a!o+nt to a #oo"
rason to #rant
/c+tion pn"in#
appal%
Si!ilarl,* th trial co+rt in this
cas fo+n" Urban (an& an" all i#ht
in"i$i"+al ban& officrs soli"aril,
liabl to Att,% PXa for th pa,!nt
of th PhP;3*0==*=== awar"% Cnc*
ha" th '+"#!nt bn +phl" on
appal* Att,% PXa co+l" ha$
"!an"" pa,!nt fro! an, of th
nin "fn"ants% Th+s* it was a
!ista& for th Co+rt of Appals to
ha$ affir!" /c+tion pn"in#
appal bas" soll, on th
rci$rship of Urban (an&* whn
thr wr i#ht othr in"i$i"+al
"fn"ants* who wr soli"aril,
liabl b+t wr not shown to ha$
bn insol$nt% Sinc Urban (an&Is
co:"fn"ants wr not fo+n" to
ha$ bn insol$nt* thr was no
#oo" rason for th Co+rt of Appals
to i!!"iatl, or"r /c+tion
pn"in# appal* sinc Att,% PXaIs
awar" co+l" ha$ bn satisfi" b,
th i#ht othr "fn"ants*
spciall, whn th " Lon >ro+p
fil" its s+prs"as bon"%
In a""ition* a '+"#!nt
cr"itor of a ban&* which has bn
or"r" b, th (SP to b s+b'ct of
rci$rship* has to fall in lin li&
$r, othr cr"itor of th ban& an"
fil its clai! +n"r th propr
proc"+rs for ban&s that ha$ bn
ta&n o$r b, th PDIC% Un"r
Sction <= of Rp+blic Act No% 4@0<*
othrwis &nown as th Nw Cntral
(an& Act* which pr$ail" at that
ti!* onc a ban& is +n"r
rci$rship* th rci$r shall
i!!"iatl, #athr an" ta& char#
of all th assts an" liabilitis of th
ban& an" a"!inistr th sa! for
th bnfit of its cr"itors an" all of
th ban&Is assts shall b
consi"r" as +n"r c+sto"ial l#is
an" /!pt fro! an, or"r of
#arnish!nt* l$,* attach!nt or
/c+tion% In th Min+t Rsol+tion
of th Montar, (oar" of th (SP*
Urban (an& was not onl, pr$nt"
fro! "oin# b+sinss in th
Philippins b+t its asst an" affairs
wr plac" +n"r rci$rship as
pro$i"" for +n"r th sa! law% In
fact* $n PXa hi!slf ass+r" th
PDIC* as rci$r of Urban (an&*
that h wo+l" not sch"+l or
+n"rta& /c+tion sals of th
ban&Is assts for as lon# as th
ban& r!ains in rci$rship% Until
th appro$al of th rhabilitation or
th initiation of th li.+i"ation
proc"in#s* all cr"itors of th
ban& +n"r rci$rship shall stan"
on .+al footin# with rspct to
"!an"in# satisfaction of thir
"bts* an" cannot b /tn""
164
prfrr" stat+s b, an /c+tion
pn"in# appal with rspct to th
ban&Is assts6
7 RtSo /c+t th
'+"#!nt wo+l" +n"+l,
"plt th assts of
rspon"nt ban& to th
ob$io+s pr'+"ic of
othr cr"itors% Aftr th
Montar, (oar" has
"clar" that a ban& is
insol$nt an" has
or"r" it to cas
oprations* th (oar"
bco!s th tr+st of
its assts for th .+al
bnfit of all th
"positors an" cr"itors%
Aftr its insol$nc,* on
cr"itor cannot obtain
an a"$anta# or
prfrnc o$r anothr
b, an attach!nt*
/c+tion or othrwis%
Until thr is an
appro$" rhabilitation
or th initiation of th
li.+i"ation proc"in#s*
cr"itors of th ban&
stan" on .+al footin#
with rspct to
"!an"in# satisfaction
of thir "bts* an"
cannot b affor""
spcial trat!nt b, an
/c+tion pn"in#
appal with rspct to
th ban&Is assts%
Moro$r* ass+!in# that th
CA was corrct in fin"in# a rason to
'+stif, th /c+tion pn"in# appal
bca+s of th s+pr$nin# $nt of
Urban (an&Is clos+r* th
ass+!ption b, th EI( of th
liabilitis of Urban (an& !ant that
an, /c+tion pn"in# appal can
b #rant" onl, if EI( itslf is shown
to b +nabl to satisf, PXaIs
'+"#!nt awar" of PhP;3*0==*===%
That is not at all th cas% In '+st on
partic+lar sal on /c+tion hrin*
EI( offr" to answr in cash for a
s+bstantial part of PXaIs clai!s* as
$i"nc" b, EI(Is capacit, an"
willin#nss to r"! th /c+t"
proprtis 8con"o!ini+! +nits sol"
to intr$nor Uni!#a9 b, tn"rin#
!ana#rIs chc&s for !or than
PhP;; Million which is alra",
44%04U of PXaIs total awar" fro!
th trial co+rt% Th fact that EI(Is
offr to ta& o$r Urban (an& !ans
it was abl to satisf, th (SPIs
concrn that all l#iti!at liabilitis
of Urban (an& b "+l, "ischar#"%
Nithr will th Co+rt accpt
th trial co+rtIs +nfo+n""
ass+!ption that Urban (an&Is
appal was !rl, "ilator,* as in
fact* th PhP;3*0==*=== awar" #i$n
b, th trial co+rt was o$rt+rn" b,
th appllat co+rt an" $nt+all,
b, this Co+rt%
Moro$r* at th ti! th
Spcial Or"r of -+"# Cnr, TrociXo
of th RTC:(a#o Cit, ca! o+t in
1222* Urban (an& ha" assts worth
!or than PhP11 (illion an" ha" a
nt worth of !or than PhP; (illion%
Thr was no rason thn to bli$
that Urban (an& co+l" not satisf, a
'+"#!nt of PhP;3*0==*===* a s+!
that was onl, 1U of its nt worth*
an" 1H0 of 1U of its total assts of
PhP11*2<<*<3<*@<=% Urban (an& was
$n #i$n a Sol$nc,* Li.+i"it, an"
Mana#!nt Ratin# of 3;%32 o$r
1== b, no lss than th (SP an"
165
rport"l, ha" li.+i" assts
a!o+ntin# to PhP;*=<@*343% In fact*
no all#ation of i!pn"in#
insol$nc, or att!pt to abscon"
was $r rais" b, Att,% PXa an"
,t* th trial co+rt #rant" /c+tion
pn"in# appal%
Sinc th ori#inal or"r
#rantin# /c+tion pn"in# appal
was co!pltl, $oi" for containin#
no '+stifiabl rason* it follows that
an, affir!anc of th sa! b, th
Co+rt of Appals is li&wis $oi"%
As an /cption to th #nral
r+l that onl, final '+"#!nts !a,
b /c+t"* th #rant of /c+tion
pn"in# appal !+st prforc b
bas" on F#oo" rasons%F Ths
rasons !+st consist of co!pllin#
or s+prior circ+!stancs
"!an"in# +r#nc, which will
o+twi#h th in'+r, or "a!a#s
s+ffr"* sho+l" th losin# part,
sc+r a r$rsal of th '+"#!nt or
final or"r% Th circ+!stancs that
wo+l" rasonabl, '+stif, s+prior
+r#nc,* "!an"in# intri!
/c+tion of PXaIs clai!s for
co!pnsation an"Hor "a!a#s*
ha$ alra", bn sttl" b, th
financial capacit, of th i#ht othr
co:"fn"ants* th appro$al of th
s+prs"as bon"s* th s+bs.+nt
ta&o$r b, EI(* an" th s+ccssor
ban&Is stabl financial con"ition*
which can answr for th '+"#!nt
"bt% Th+s* PXaIs intrst as a
'+"#!nt cr"itor is alra", wll:
protct"%
<% Cow a '+"#!nt
is /c+t"
@r)an Ban* =nc. v. Pena, >%R% No%
1?0314* Octobr 12* ;=11* @02
SCRA ?13
First* contrar, to th #nral r+ls
on /c+tion* no opport+nit, was
#i$n to Urban (an& or th othr co:
"fn"ants to pa, th '+"#!nt
"bt in cash or crtifi" chc&%
(for proc"in# on th l$,in#
an" #arnishin# prsonal an" ral
proprtis* "!an" !+st b !a"
b, th shriff a#ainst th '+"#!nt
"btors* Urban (an& an" th i#ht
othr in"i$i"+al ban& officrs* for th
i!!"iat pa,!nt of th awar"
s+b'ct of th /c+tion pn"in#
appal% It has not bn shown
whthr Urban (an& an" its officrs
an" "irctors wr affor"" s+ch an
opport+nit,% Insta" of #arnishin#
prsonal proprtis of th ban&* th
shriff in/plicabl, proc"" to
l$, s+bstantial ral proprtis of
th ban& an" its officrs at th
onst%
Scon"* ass+!in# that Urban (an&
an" its officrs "i" not possss
s+fficint cash or f+n"s to pa, for
th '+"#!nt "bt pn"in# appal*
th, sho+l" ha$ bn #i$n th
option to choos which of thir
proprtis to b #arnish" an"Hor
l$i"% In this cas* Urban (an&
/rcis" its option b, prsntin# to
th shriff $ario+s parcls of lan"*
whos $al+s a!o+nt to !or than
PhP4@*33;*2;0 an" wr s+fficint
to satisf, th '+"#!nt "bt% A!on#
thos prsnt" b, th ban&* onl,
th proprt, locat" in Ta#a,ta,
was l$i" +pon b, th shriff% No
s+fficint rason was rais" wh, th
ban&Is chosn proprtis wr
r'ct" or ina".+at for p+rposs
166
of sc+rin# th '+"#!nt "bt
pn"in# appal% Wors* th Shriff
proc"" with #arnishin# an"
l$,in# on as !an, proprtis of
Urban (an& an" its officrs* in
"isr#ar" of thir ri#ht to choos
+n"r th r+ls%
Thir"* th p+blic a+ction sals
con"+ct" in th /c+tion pn"in#
appal sol" !or proprtis of
Urban (an& an" th "irctors than
what was s+fficint to satisf, th
"bt% In""* th consr$ati$ $al+
of th proprtis l$i" hrin b,
th shriff a!o+ntin# to !or than
PhP131*212*12=* consistin# of pri!
con"o!ini+! +nits in th hart of
th Ma&ati (+sinss "istrict* a lot in
Ta#a,ta, Cit,* shars in /cl+si$
cl+bs* an" shars of stoc&* a!on#
othrs* was !or than s+fficint to
answr for th PhP;3*0==*===
'+"#!nt "bt si/ ti!s o$r%
Rathr than stop whn th
proprtis sol" ha" appro/i!at"
th !ontar, awar"* th /c+tion
sal pn"in# appal contin+" an"
+n"+l, bnfitt" Att,% PXa* who*
as '+"#!nt cr"itor an"* at ti!s*
th winnin# bi""r* p+rchas" !ost
of th proprtis sol"%
Fo+rth* it was s+pr!l,
"isconcrtin# how Urban (an&*
thro+#h its s+ccssor EI(* was
+n"+l, "pri$" of th opport+nit,
to r"! th proprtis* $n aftr
prsntin# !ana#rIs chc&s .+al
to th p+rchas pric of th
con"o!ini+! +nits sol" at th
/c+tion sal% No rason was
offr" b, th trial co+rt or th
shriff for r'ctin# th r"!ption
pric tn"r" b, EI( in or"r to
rco$r th proprtis /c+t" an"
sol" in p+blic a+ction pn"in#
appal%
Finall,* th Co+rt cannot t+rn a blin"
, to th fact that thr was
alra", a s+fficint s+prs"as
bon" #i$n to answr for what$r
!ontar, awar" will b #i$n in th
n"% To rcall* th D Lon >ro+p
ha" alra", tn"r" a s+prs"as
bon" of PhP?=*===*=== in th Co+rt
of Appals to pr$nt /c+tion
pn"in# appal o$r thir
proprtis% In fact* $n Urban (an&
tn"r" a sparat s+prs"as
bon" of .+al a!o+nt with this
Co+rt* for a total of PhP3=*===*===
to sc+r an, '+"#!nt to b
awar"" to Att,% PXa% That
/c+tion sals o$r th proprtis
of '+"#!nt "btors proc""
"spit th thr:fol" $al+ of
sc+ritis co!par" to th a!o+nt
of th awar" in"icats ba" faith* if
not !alic* with rspct to th
con"+ct of th /c+tion pn"in#
appal%
a% E/c+tion
b, !otion or
b,
in"pn"nt
action
Sc% @% '*ecution by
motion or by independent
action. D A final and
e$ecutory judgment
or order may be
e$ecuted on motion
within five &()
years from the date
of its entry. +fter
the lapse of such
time, and before it
is barred by the
167
statute of
limitations, a
judgment may be
enforced by action.
The revived judgment
may also be enforced
by motion within
five &() years from
the date of its
entry and thereafter
by action before it
is barred by the
statute of
limitations.
Accor"in# to Crrra* th stat!nt
in th prsnt r+l that6 5Th
r$i$" '+"#!nt !a, also b
nforc" b, !otion within fi$ 809
,ars fro! th "at of its ntr, an"
thraftr b, action bfor it is
barr" b, th stat+t of li!itationsA
is in consonanc with an" a rt+rn
to th "octrin in P8B v. Bondoc* 1?
SCRA 44= that th 1=:,ar
prscripti$ prio" co!!nc to r+n
fro! th "at of finalit, of th
r$i$" '+"#!nt an" not of th
ori#inal '+"#!nt% Cons.+ntl,* for
as lon# as th ori#inal '+"#!nt was
r$i$" within th prscripti$
prio" th r$i$" '+"#!nt !a,
also b nforc" b, !otion within 0
,ars fro! th "at of its ntr, an"
thraftr b r$i$" b, action
bfor it is barr" b, th stat+t of
li!itations% This aban"ons P8B v.
0eloso* <; SCRA ;@@G ,ontinental
Ban* v. 6ion5co* 2? SCRA 410G an"*
Lu2on +urety ,o. v. =A,* -+n <=*
1234* 101 SCRA @0;* an" all othr
"cisions to th sa! ffct%
Fria points o+t that this r+l
aban"ons th r+lin# in th cas of
Lu2on +urety ,o. v. =A, to th ffct
that thr can b onl, on action for
r$i$al of '+"#!nt an" that th
r$i$" '+"#!nt can onl, b
nforc" b, !otion for /c+tion or
!on, clai! within fi$ ,ars fro!
its ntr,% Th r+l follows th ol"
r+lin# in th cas of P8B v. Bondoc
that a r$i$" '+"#!nt is a#ain
nforcabl b, !otion within 0
,ars an" b, anothr action within
1= ,ars fro! its finalit,%
Riano si!ilarl, opin" that so!
r+lin#s 8PN( $% DlosoG L+Eon S+rt,
Co% Inc% $% IAC9 aftr P8B v. Bondoc
hl" that th 1=:,ar prio" sho+l"
r+n fro! th finalit, of th ori#inal
'+"#!nt an" not fro! th finalit, of
th r$i$" '+"#!nt% Th r+lin# in
0eloso practicall, aban"on"
(on"oc on th !attr of th
rc&onin# point of th prscripti$
prio"% Bondoc* how$r* was
rs+rrct" in th prsnt pro$ision
of Sc% @ of R+l <2 which "clars
in its last sntnc that 5Th r$i$"
'+"#!nt !a, also b nforc" b,
!otion within 0 ,ars fro! th "at
of its ntr, an" thraftr b, action
bfor it is barr" b, th stat+t of
li!itations%A
Riano f+rthr opin" that th nw
action* i%%* to r$i$ th '+"#!nt
wo+l" ncssaril, rais f+n"a!ntal
iss+s of whthr or not th plaintiff
has a ri#ht to ha$ th '+"#!nt
r$i$" an" to ha$ a nw ri#ht of
nforc!nt fro! its r$i$al* iss+s
b, thir nat+r ar incapabl of
pc+niar, sti!ation% In$itabl,* h
wrot* 5a liti#ant !a, fin" hi!slf in
a sit+ation whr h fils th action
in th R#ional Trial Co+rt to r$i$
a '+"#!nt rn"r" b, a M+nicipal
Trial Co+rt%A
168
)LEIs co!!nts6 Consi"r th cas
of Mi<ares v. $on. Ranada* >%R% No%
1<2<;0* April 1;* ;==0% Accor"in# to
th SC* th action to nforc a
fori#n '+"#!nt is capabl of
pc+niar, sti!ation b+t at th
sa! ti!* it is also an action bas"
on '+"#!nt a#ainst an stat* th+s
placin# it b,on" th a!bit of Sc% 4
8a9 of R+l 1?1% In this cas* th
applicabl pro$isionis co$r" b,
Sc% 4 8b9 8<9 in$ol$in# as it "os
5othr actions not in$ol$in#
proprt,%A Followin# this r+lin#* an
action to r$i$ a '+"#!nt is
capabl of pc+niar, sti!ation%
b% Iss+anc
an" contnts
of a writ of
/c+tion
Sc% 3% =ssuance, 7or9 and
contents o7 a .rit o7
eIecution%
:: Th writ of /c+tion
shall6 819 iss+ in th
na! of th Rp+blic of
th Philippins fro! th
co+rt which #rant" th
!otionG 8;9 stat th
na! of th co+rt* th
cas n+!br an" titl*
th "ispositi$ part of
th s+b'ct '+"#!nt or
or"rG an" 8<9 r.+ir
th shriff or othr
propr officr to who! it
is "irct" to nforc
th writ accor"in# to its
tr!s* in th !annr
hrin aftr pro$i""6

8a9 If th /c+tion b
a#ainst th proprt, of
th '+"#!nt obli#or* to
satisf, th '+"#!nt*
with intrst* o+t of th
ral or prsonal proprt,
of s+ch '+"#!nt
obli#orG
8b9 If it b a#ainst ral or
prsonal proprt, in th
'an"s of prsonal
rprsntati$s* hirs*
"$iss* l#ats*
tnants* or tr+sts of
th '+"#!nt obli#or* to
satisf, th '+"#!nt*
with intrst* o+t of s+ch
proprtisG
8c9 If it b for th sal of
ral or prsonal
proprt,* to sll s+ch
proprt,* "scribin# it*
an" appl, th proc"s
in confor!it, with th
'+"#!nt* th !atrial
parts of which shall b
rcit" in th writ of
/c+tionG
8"9 If it b for th
"li$r, of th
possssion of ral or
prsonal proprt,* to
"li$r th possssion of
th sa!* "scribin# it*
to th part, ntitl"
thrto* an" to satisf,
an, costs* "a!a#s*
rnts* or profits co$r"
b, th '+"#!nt o+t of
th prsonal proprt, of
th prson a#ainst
who! it was rn"r"*
an" if s+fficint prsonal
proprt, cannot b
169
fo+n"* thn o+t of th
ral proprt,G an"
89 In all cass* th writ
of /c+tion shall
spcificall, stat th
a!o+nt of th intrst*
costs* "a!a#s* rnts*
or profits "+ as of th
"at of th iss+anc of
th writ* asi" fro! th
principal obli#ation
+n"r th '+"#!nt% For
this p+rpos* th !otion
for /c+tion shall
spcif, th a!o+nts of
th for#oin# rlifs
so+#ht b, th !o$ant%
c% E/c+tion
of
'+"#!nts
for !on,
In ,o9eta v. ,ourt o7 A((eals, >%R%
No% 1?1300* Fbr+ar, @* ;==1* th
SC /plain" that th !annr of
/c+tion of !on, '+"#!nts is
#o$rn" b, Sction 10* R+l <2 of
th R+ls of Co+rt* which was thn
in forc* th+s6
Sc% 10% 4Iecution o7
9oney <ud59ents. D Th
officr !+st nforc an
/c+tion of a !on,
'+"#!nt b, l$,in# on
all th proprt,* ral an"
prsonal proprt, of
$r, na! an" nat+r
whatso$r* an" which
!a, b "ispos" of for
$al+* of th '+"#!nt
"btor not /!pt fro!
/c+tion* or on a
s+fficint a!o+nt of
s+ch proprt,* if thr
b s+fficint* an" sllin#
th sa!* an" pa,in# to
th '+"#!nt cr"itor or
his attorn,* so !+ch of
th proc"s as will
satisf, th '+"#!nt%
An, /css in th
proc"s o$r th
'+"#!nt an" th
accr+in# costs !+st b
"li$r" to th
'+"#!nt "btor* +nlss
othrwis "irct" b,
th '+"#!nt or or"r of
th co+rt% Whn thr is
!or proprt, of th
'+"#!nt "btor than is
s+fficint to satisf, th
'+"#!nt an" accr+in#
costs* within th $iw of
th officr* he 9ust levy
only on such (art o7 the
(ro(erty as is a9(ly
su77icient to satis7y the
<ud59ent and costs. III
8!phasis an" italics
s+ppli"9
N(6 This has bn a!n""% S
Sc% 2* R+l <2% Th prtinnt
pro$ision of Sc% 2 8b9* R+l <2*
stats6 5If th '+"#!nt obli#or
cannot pa, all or part of th
obli#ation in cash* crtifi" ban&
chc& or othr !o" of pa,!nt
accptabl to th '+"#!nt obli#*
th officr shall l$, +pon th
proprtis of th '+"#!nt obli#or of
$r, &in" an" nat+r whatso$r
which !a, b "ispos" of for $al+
an" not othrwis /!pt fro!
/c+tion #i$in# th lattr th
option to i!!"iatl, choos which
proprt, or par throf !a, b
l$i" +pon* s+fficint to satisf, th
170
'+"#!nt% If th '+"#!nt obli#or
"os not /rcis th option* th
officr shall first l$, on th
prsonal proprtis* if an,* an" thn
on th ral proprtis if th prsonal
proprtis ar ins+fficint to answr
for th '+"#!nt%A
)LEIs co!!nt6 Altho+#h Sc% 2 8b9*
R+l <2 si!pl, stat th 5officr
shall l$, +pon th proprtis of th
'+"#!nt obli#or of $r, &in" an"
nat+r whatso$r which !a, b
"ispos" of for $al+ an" not
othrwis /!pt fro! /c+tion7A
this sho+l" not b licns for th
shriff to l$, on all of th
proprtis of th '+"#!nt obli#or%
C sho+l" l$, onl, on s+ch part of
th proprt, as is a!pl, s+fficint to
satisf, th '+"#!nt an" costs%
This pro$ision sho+l" b ra" in
rlation to th for#oin#* Sction ;1*
also of R+l <2* pro$i"s that D
SEC% ;1% $o. (ro(erty
sold on eIecution; Gho
9ay direct 9anner and
order o7 sale. D All sals
of proprt, +n"r
/c+tion !+st b !a"
at p+blic a+ction* to th
hi#hst bi""r* btwn
th ho+rs of nin in th
!ornin# an" fi$ in th
aftrnoon% A7ter
su77icient (ro(erty has
)een sold to satis7y the
eIecution, no 9ore shall
)e sold% Ghen the sale
is o7 real (ro(erty,
consistin5 o7 several
*no.n lots, they 9ust
)e sold se(aratelyG or*
whn a portion of s+ch
ral proprt, is clai!"
b, a thir" prson* h
!a, r.+ir it to b sol"
sparatl,% Whn th
sal is of prsonal
proprt, capabl of
!an+al "li$r,* it !+st
b sol" within $iw of
thos attn"in# th sal
an" in s+ch parcls as
ar li&l, to brin# th
hi#hst pric% Th
'+"#!nt "btor* if
prsnt at th sal* !a,
"irct th or"r in which
proprt,* ral or
prsonal* shall b sol"*
whn s+ch proprt,
shall consist of s$ral
&nown lots or parcls
which can b sol" to
a"$anta# sparatl,%
Nithr th officr
hol"in# th /c+tion
nor his "p+t, can
bco! a p+rchasr* nor
b intrst" "irctl, or
in"irctl, in an,
p+rchas at s+ch sal%
8!phasis an" italics
s+ppli"9
N(6 This is now Sc% 12 of R+l <2%
Th prsnt r+l still rtains th
sa! wor"in# of th sntnc in
italics% Th+s* 57 Aftr s+fficint
proprt, has bn sol" to satisf, th
/c+tion* no !or shall b sol" an"
an, /css proprt, or proc"s of
th sal shall b pro!ptl, "li$r"
to th '+"#!nt obli#or or his
a+thoriE" rprsntati$* +nlss
othrwis "irct" b, th '+"#!nt
or or"r of th co+rt% Whn th sal
is of ral proprt,* consistin# of
171
s$ral &nown lots* th, !+st b
sol" sparatl,7A
In ,o9eta* th s+b'ct lots wr
sol" en 9asse, not sparatl, as
abo$ pro$i""% To satisf, th
'+"#!nt in th a!o+nt of
Php04*<2@%30* th shriff l$i" on
/c+tion an" sol" in p+blic a+ction
< co!!rcial lots locat" at
>+a"al+p* Ma&ati* which wr
consr$ati$l, $al+" at Php0==T%
Th +n+s+all, low pric for which
th, wr sol" to th $n"* not to
!ntion his $h!nt +nwillin#nss
to allow r"!ption thrin* onl,
sr$s to hi#htn th "+bio+snss
of th transfr%
Th+s* th SC or"r" th
rspon"nts to accpt th tn"r of
r"!ption !a" b, th ptition
an" to "li$r th propr crtificat
of r"!ption to th lattr%
If th shriff l$i" on <= parcls of
lan" to satisf, a clai! of Php<==T
an" $nt+all, sol" th sa! in
p+blic a+ction* what sho+l" th
'+"#!nt "btor "oJ Accor"in# to
th SC in uian5 v. ,o, >%R% No%
1?@22@* -+l, <=* ;==?* th r!", is
to fil a !otion to n+llit, th l$,
an" sal of th proprtis at p+blic
a+ction in $iolation of Scs% 10 an"
;1* R+l <2 of th R+ls of Co+rt
bfor th trial co+rt% This is
confor!abl, with th r+lin# in
0eltaventures Resources =nc. v.
,a)ato, <;4 SCRA 0;1* whr th
SC /plain" that what$r
irr#+laritis attn"" th iss+anc
an" /c+tion of th alias writ of
/c+tion sho+l" b rfrr" to th
sa! a"!inistrati$ trib+nal which
rn"r" th "cision% This is
bca+s an, co+rt which iss+" a
writ of /c+tion has th inhrnt
powr for th a"$anc!nt of
'+stic to corrct rrors of its
!inistrial officrs an" to control its
own procsss%
Thraftr* th r!", of th
'+"#!nt "btor fro! an a"$rs
rsol+tion of th TC on its !otion
wo+l" b a ptition for crtiorari
+n"r R+l @0 of th R+ls of Co+rt*
if th trial co+rt co!!itt" a #ra$
ab+s of its "iscrtion a!o+ntin# to
/css or lac& of '+ris"iction%
"% E/c+tion
of
'+"#!nts
for spcific
acts
Sc% 1=% 4Iecution o7
<ud59ents 7or s(eci7ic act%
8a9 Con$,anc* "li$r,
of ""s* or othr
spcific actsG $stin#
titl% : If a '+"#!nt
"ircts a part, who
/c+t a con$,anc of
lan" or prsonal
proprt,* or to "li$r
""s or othr
"oc+!nts* or to
prfor! an, othr
spcific act in
connction thrwith*
an" th part, fails to
co!pl, within th ti!
spcifi"* th co+rt !a,
"irct th act to b "on
at th cost of th
"isob"int part, b,
so! othr prson
appoint" b, th co+rt
172
an" th act whn so
"on shall ha$ li&
ffct as if "on b, th
part,% If ral or prsonal
proprt, is sit+at"
within th Philippins*
th co+rt in li+ of
"irctin# a con$,anc
throf !a, b an or"r
"i$st th titl of an,
part, an" $st it in
othrs* which shall ha$
th forc an" ffct of a
con$,anc /c+t" in
"+ for! of law%
8b9 Sal of ral or
prsonal proprt,%T If
th '+"#!nt b for th
sal of ral or prsonal
proprt,* to sll s+ch
proprt,* "scribin# it*
an" appl, th proc"s
in confor!it, with th
'+"#!nt%
8c9 Dli$r, or
rstit+tion of ral
proprt,%: Th officr
shall "!an" of th
prson a#ainst who!
th '+"#!nt for th
"li$r, or rstit+tion of
ral proprt, is rn"r"
an" all prson clai!in#
ri#hts +n"r hi! to
pacabl, $acat th
proprt, within thr 8<9
wor&in# "a,s* an"
rstor possssion
throf to th '+"#!nt
obli#G othrwis* th
officr shall o+st an"
s+ch prsons thrfro!
with th assistanc* if
ncssar, of appropriat
pac officrs* an"
!plo,in# s+ch !ans
as !a, b rasonabl,
ncssar, to rta&
possssion* an" plac
th '+"#!nt obli# in
possssion of s+ch
proprt,% An, costs*
"a!a#s* rnts or
profits awar"" b, th
'+"#!nt shall b
satisfi" in th sa!
!annr as a '+"#!nt
for !on,%
8"9 R!o$al of
i!pro$!nts on
proprt, s+b'ct of
/c+tion%: Whn th
proprt, s+b'ct of th
/c+tion contains
i!pro$!nts
constr+ct" or plant"
b, th '+"#!nt obli#or
or his a#nt* th officr
shall not "stro,*
"!olish or r!o$ sai"
i!pro$!nts /cpt
+pon spcial or"r of th
co+rt iss+" +pon
!otion of th '+"#!nt
obli# aftr "+
harin# an" aftr th
for!r has fail" to
r!o$ th sa! within
a rasonabl ti! fi/"
b, th co+rt%
89 Dli$r, of prsonal
proprt,%: In '+"#!nts
for th "li$r, of
prsonal proprt,* th
officr shall ta&
possssion of th sa!
an" forthwith "li$r it
to th part, ntitl"
173
thrto an" satisf, an,
'+"#!nt for !on, as
thrin pro$i""%
% E/c+tion
of spcial
'+"#!nts
Sc% 11% '*ecution of
special )udgments. D
When a judgment
re0uires 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 e$ecution
and shall be served
by the officer upon
the party against
whom the same is
rendered, or upon
any other person
re0uired thereby, or
by law, to obey the
same, and such party
or person may be
punished for
contempt if he
disobeys such
judgment.
f% L$, on
/c+tion in
#nral
de los Reyes v. Ra9nani* >%R% No%
1@21<0* -+n 13* ;=1=
A '+"#!nt "bt is nforc" b, th
l$, an" sal of th "btorIs
proprt,% Th iss+anc of th final
crtificat of sal to th p+rchasr
at th /c+tion sal is a !r
for!alit, +pon th "btorIs fail+r to
r"! th proprt, within th
r"!ption prio"%
In this cas* aftr th cas was
"ci"" on Octobr 11* 1244* a writ
of /c+tion was iss+" b, th TC%
On -+n @* 1243* th shriff
con"+ct" a p+blic a+ction o$r th
proprt, l$i" +pon on /c+tion% A
writ of possssion was iss+" on
No$!br 14* 1243% On March 3*
122=* th crtificat of sal was
annotat" on th titl% Thraftr*
th ta/s "+ on th sal wr pai"
wr pai" on Spt!br ;@* ;==1% It
was onl, on Fbr+ar, 14* ;==? that
th rspon"nt fil" a !otion for th
iss+anc of a final crtificat of sal
in hr fa$or% Ptitionr ar#+" that
th Octobr 11* 1244 Dcision was
not ti!l, /c+t" bca+s of
rspon"ntIs fail+r to sc+r th
final crtificat of sal within 1=
,ars fro! th ntr, of sai"
'+"#!nt% This is rrono+s% As
corrctl, hl" b, th trial co+rt* th
Octobr 11* 1244 Dcision was
alra", nforc" whn th s+b'ct
proprt, was l$i" an" sol" on -+n
@* 1243 which is within th fi$:,ar
prio" for th /c+tion of a
'+"#!nt b, !otion +n"r Sction
@* R+l <2 of th R+ls of Co+rt%
It is li&wis not "isp+t" that
ptitionr fail" to r"! th
s+b'ct proprt, within on ,ar
fro! th annotation of th
crtificat of sal on TCT No%
?3=0<4% Th /piration of th on:
,ar r"!ption prio" forclos"
ptitionrIs ri#ht to r"! th
s+b'ct proprt, an" th sal
thrb, bca! absol+t% Th
174
iss+anc thraftr of a final
crtificat of sal is a !r for!alit,
an" confir!ation of th titl that is
alra", $st" in rspon"nt% Th+s*
th trial co+rt proprl, #rant" th
!otion for iss+anc of th final
crtificat of sal%
#% Effct of
l$, on thir"
prsons
+olidu9 v. ,ourt o7 A((eals* >%R%
No% 1@1@?4* -+n ;;* ;==@
P+rs+ant to Sction 14* R+l <2 of
th R$is" R+ls of Co+rt* a thir":
part, clai!ant has two r!"is*
s+ch as* an action for "a!a#s
a#ainst th shriff to b bro+#ht
within 1;= "a,s fro! th filin# of th
bon"* an" a sparat an"
in"pn"nt action to $in"icat his
clai! to th proprt,% In th cas at
bar* ptitionrKs an" intr$norKs
r!", a#ainst th bon" pro$" to
b +na$ailin# bca+s of th
"isp+t" or"r of th rspon"nt
-+"# cancllin# th in"!nit,
bon"% S+ch an or"r as wll as th
or"r "n,in# a !otion to
rconsi"r th sa! in ffct
"iscar"" or .+ash" th thir":part,
clai!s% What thn wo+l" th r!",
b of th thir":part, clai!antsJ
In th cas of +erra vs. Rodri5ue2*
/// this Co+rt 8First Di$ision9* thr+
Mr% -+stic Ma&asiar* r+l"6
Fro! th "nial of
a thir":part, clai! to
"fat th attach!nt
ca+s" to b l$i" b, a
cr"itor* nithr an
appal nor a ptition for
crtiorari is th propr
r!",% Th r!", of
ptitionr wo+l" b to
fil a sparat an"
in"pn"nt action to
"tr!in th
ownrship of th
attach" proprt, or to
fil a co!plaint for
"a!a#s char#abl
a#ainst th bon" fil" b,
th '+"#!nt cr"itor in
fa$or of th pro$incial
shriff%
In Lara vs. Bayona* L:42;=* Ma, 1=*
1200* this Co+rt* thr+ Mr% -+stic
Concpcion* latr Chif -+stic* in
"n,in# th ptition for crtiorari to
st asi" th or"r of th lowr
co+rt .+ashin# th thir":part, clai!
of a chattl !ort#a#* hl"6
P+rs+ant to this
pro$ision* nothin#
contain" thrin shall
pr$nt ptitionr Ffro!
$in"icatin# his clai! to
th proprt, b, an,
propr action%F Nithr
"os th or"r
co!plain" of "pri$
ptitionr hrin of th
opport+nit, to nforc
his all#" ri#hts b,
appropriat
proc"in#s% In short* h
has anothr Fplain*
sp", an" a".+at
r!", in th or"inar,
co+rs of law*F an"*
hnc is not ntitl"
ithr to a writ of
crtiorari or to a writ of
prohibition%
175
Th Co+rt f+rthr hl" that sinc th
thir":part, clai!ant is not on of th
partis to th action* h co+l" not*
strictl, spa&in#* appal fro! th
or"r "n,in# its clai!* b+t sho+l"
fil a sparat ri$in"icator, action
a#ainst th /c+tion cr"itor or a
co!plaint for "a!a#s a#ainst th
bon" fil" b, th '+"#!nt cr"itor
in fa$or of th shriff% Th ri#hts of a
thir":part, clai!ant sho+l" b
"ci"" in a sparat action to b
instit+t" b, th thir" prson% In
fin* th appal that sho+l" b
intrpos"* if th tr! FappalF !a,
b proprl, !plo,"* is a sparat
ri$in"icator, action a#ainst th
/c+tion cr"itor or co!plaint for
"a!a#s to b char#" a#ainst th
bon" fil" b, th '+"#!nt cr"itor
in fa$or of th shriff%
In Buado v. ,ourt o7 A((eals, >%R%
No% 1?0;;;* April ;?* ;==2* th SC
hl" that 5Apart fro! th r!", of
trcria a$ailabl to a thir":part
clai!ant or to a stran#r to th
forclos+r s+it a#ainst th shriff or
officr ffctin# th writ b, sr$in#
on hi! an affi"a$it of his titl an" a
cop, throf +pon th '+"#!nt
cr"itor* a thir":part, clai!ant !a,
also rsort to an in"pn"nt
sparat action* th ob'ct of which
is th rco$r, of ownrship or
possssion of th proprt, siE" b,
th shriff* as wll as "a!a#s
arisin# fro! wron#f+l siE+r an"
"tntion of th proprt,% If a
sparat action is th rco+rs* th
thir":part, clai!ant !+st instit+t in
a for+! of co!ptnt '+ris"iction an
action* "istinct an" sparat fro!
th action in which th '+"#!nt is
bin# nforc"* $n bfor or
witho+t n" of filin# a clai! in th
co+rt that iss+" th writ%
A thir":part, clai! !+st b
fil" a prson othr than th
'+"#!nt "btor or his a#nt% In
othr wor"s* onl, a stran#r to th
cas !a, fil a thir":part, clai!%
This la"s +s to th .+stion6
Is th h+sban"* who was not a part,
to th s+it b+t whos con'+#al
proprt, is bin# /c+t" on
acco+nt of th othr spo+s bin#
th '+"#!nt obli#or* consi"r" a
Fstran#rJF
In "tr!inin# whthr th
h+sban" is a stran#r to th s+it*
th charactr of th proprt, !+st
b ta&n into acco+nt% In Mariano v.
,ourt o7 A((eals* which was latr
a"opt" in +(ouses ,hin5 v. ,ourt
o7 A((eals* this Co+rt hl" that th
h+sban" of th '+"#!nt "btor
cannot b "!" a Fstran#rF to
th cas prosc+t" an" a"'+"#"
a#ainst his wif for an obli#ation
that has r"o+n"" to th bnfit of
th con'+#al partnrship% On th
othr han"* in 8a5uit v. ,ourt o7
A((eals an" +y v. 0iscaya* th Co+rt
stat" that a spo+s is "!" a
stran#r to th action whrin th
writ of /c+tion was iss+" an" is
thrfor '+stifi" in brin#in# an
in"pn"nt action to $in"icat hr
ri#ht of ownrship o$r his /cl+si$
or paraphrnal proprt,%
P+rs+ant to Mariano how$r*
it !+st f+rthr b sttl" whthr
th obli#ation of th '+"#!nt
"btor r"o+n"" to th bnfit of
th con'+#al partnrship or not%
Ptitionrs ar#+ that th
obli#ation of th wif arisin# fro!
hr cri!inal liabilit, is char#abl to
th con'+#al partnrship% W "o not
a#r%
176
Thr is no "isp+t that
contst" proprt, is con'+#al in
nat+r% Articl 1;; of th Fa!il,
Co" /plicitl, pro$i"s that
pa,!nt of prsonal "bts
contract" b, th h+sban" or th
wif bfor or "+rin# th !arria#
shall not b char#" to th con'+#al
partnrship /cpt insofar as th,
r"o+n"" to th bnfit of th
fa!il,%
Unli& in th s,st! of
absol+t co!!+nit, whr liabilitis
inc+rr" b, ithr spo+s b, rason
of a cri! or 'uasi>delict is
char#abl to th absol+t
co!!+nit, of proprt,* in th
absnc or ins+fficinc, of th
/cl+si$ proprt, of th "btor:
spo+s* th sa! a"$anta# is not
accor"" in th s,st! of con'+#al
partnrship of #ains% Th con'+#al
partnrship of #ains has no "+t, to
!a& a"$anc pa,!nts for th
liabilit, of th "btor:spo+s%
Parnthticall,* b, no strtch
of i!a#ination can it b concl+""
that th ci$il obli#ation arisin# fro!
th cri! of slan"r co!!itt" b,
Erlin"a r"o+n"" to th bnfit of
th con'+#al partnrship%
To ritrat* con'+#al proprt,
cannot b hl" liabl for th
prsonal obli#ation contract" b,
on spo+s* +nlss so! a"$anta#
or bnfit is shown to ha$ accr+"
to th con'+#al partnrship%
In uadalu(e v. 6ronco* this
Co+rt hl" that th car which was
clai!" b, th thir":part,
co!plainant to b con'+#al proprt,
was bin# l$i" +pon to nforc Fa
'+"#!nt for s+pportF fil" b, a
thir" prson* th thir":part, clai! of
th wif is propr sinc th
obli#ation which is prsonal to th
h+sban" is char#abl not on th
con'+#al proprt, b+t on his
sparat proprt,%
In Rural Ban* o7 +anta Bar)ara
EPan5asinanF =nc. v. Manila Mission
o7 the ,hurch o7 &esus ,hrist o7
Latter>day +aints =nc., >%R% No%
1<=;;<* A+#+st 12* ;==2* th SC
consi"r" th Motion to Rlas
Proprt, fro! Attach!nt fil" b,
rspon"nt bfor th RTC as a
Motion for Intr$ntion in Ci$il Cas
No% D:1=03<* p+rs+ant to th scon"
para#raph of Sction 1@* R+l <2* in
rlation to R+l 12 of th R+ls of
Co+rt% Rspon"nt* to $in"icat its
clai! to th s+b'ct proprt,* !a,
intr$n in th sa! cas* i%%* Ci$il
Cas No% D:1=03<* instit+t" b,
ptitionr a#ainst th spo+ss
Soli$n* in which th sai" proprt,
was attach"% Rspon"nt has th
prsonalit, to intr$n* as it Fis so
sit+at" as to b a"$rsl, affct"
b, a "istrib+tion or othr "isposition
of proprt, in th c+sto", of th
co+rt or of an officr throf%F Th
RTC* in actin# +pon an" #rantin# th
Motion to Rlas Proprt, fro!
Attach!nt in its Or"r "at" 2
Octobr 1220* is "!" to ha$
allow" rspon"nt to intr$n in
Ci$il Cas No% D:1=03<%
?% Proprtis
/!pt fro!
/c+tion
Sc% 1<% Property e*empt
from e*ecution. " E$cept
as otherwise
e$pressly provided
by law, the
following property,
and no other, shall
177
be e$empt from
e$ecution!

8a9 Th '+"#!nt
obli#orKs fa!il, ho! as
pro$i"" b, law* or th
ho!sta" in which h
rsi"s* an" lan"
ncssaril, +s" in
connction thrwithG
+(ouses de Mesa v. +(ouses Acero,
7.. 8o. '9(4:6, 5anuary ':, ;4'; "
+lthough the property sold in
e$ecution sale was the family home of
the petitioners, the -< held that the
claim for e$emption from e$ecution
should be set up and proved to the
-heriff before the sale of the
property in public auction.
Th r+ls on constit+tion of
fa!il, ho!s* for p+rposs of
/!ption fro! /c+tion* co+l" b
s+!!ariE" as follows6
First* fa!il, rsi"ncs constr+ct"
bfor th ffcti$it, of th Fa!il,
Co" or bfor A+#+st <* 1233 !+st
b constit+t" as a fa!il, ho!
ithr '+"iciall, or /tra'+"iciall, in
accor"anc with th pro$isions of
th Ci$il Co" in or"r to b /!pt
fro! /c+tionG
Scon"* fa!il, rsi"ncs
constr+ct" aftr th ffcti$it, of
th Fa!il, Co" on A+#+st <* 1233
ar a+to!aticall, "!" to b
fa!il, ho!s an" th+s /!pt fro!
/c+tion fro! th ti! it was
constit+t" an" lasts as lon# as an,
of its bnficiaris act+all, rsi"s
thrinG
Thir"* fa!il, rsi"ncs which wr
not '+"iciall, or /tra'+"iciall,
constit+t" as a fa!il, ho! prior to
th ffcti$it, of th Fa!il, Co"*
b+t wr /istin# thraftr* ar
consi"r" as fa!il, ho!s b,
opration of law an" ar
prospcti$l, ntitl" to th bnfits
accor"" to a fa!il, ho! +n"r
th Fa!il, Co"%
Cr* th s+b'ct proprt,
bca! a fa!il, rsi"nc
so!ti! in -an+ar, 1234% Thr
was no showin#* how$r* that th
sa! was '+"iciall, or /tra'+"iciall,
constit+t" as a fa!il, ho! in
accor"anc with th pro$isions of
th Ci$il Co"% Still* whn th Fa!il,
Co" too& ffct on A+#+st <* 1233*
th s+b'ct proprt, bca! a
fa!il, ho! b, opration of law an"
was th+s prospcti$l, /!pt fro!
/c+tion% Th ptitionrs wr th+s
corrct in assrtin# that th s+b'ct
proprt, was a fa!il, ho!%
Th fa!il, ho!Is /!ption fro!
/c+tion !+st b st +p an"
pro$" to th Shriff bfor th sal
of th proprt, at p+blic a+ction%
Dspit th fact that th
s+b'ct proprt, is a fa!il, ho!
an"* th+s* sho+l" ha$ bn /!pt
fro! /c+tion* w n$rthlss
r+l that th CA "i" not rr in
"is!issin# th ptitionrsI co!plaint
for n+llification of TCT No% T:;;1400
8M9% W a#r with th CA that th
ptitionrs sho+l" ha$ assrt" th
s+b'ct proprt, bin# a fa!il,
ho! an" its bin# /!pt" fro!
/c+tion at th ti! it was l$i"
or within a rasonabl ti!
thraftr% As th CA aptl, point"
o+t6
178
In th li#ht of th facts
abo$ s+!!ariE"* it is
$i"nt that appllants
"i" not assrt thir clai!
of /!ption within a
rasonabl ti!%
Crtainl,* rasonabl
ti!* for p+rposs of th
law on /!ption* "os
not !an a ti! aftr
th /piration of th
on:,ar prio"
pro$i"" for in Sction
<= of R+l <2 of th
R+ls of Co+rt for
'+"#!nt "btors to
r"! th proprt,
sol" on /c+tion*
othrwis it wo+l"
rn"r n+#ator, final
bills of sal on /c+tion
an" "fat th $r,
p+rpos of /c+tion D
to p+t an n" to
liti#ation% / / /
Th for#oin# "isposition is in
accor" with th Co+rtIs No$!br
;0* ;==0 Dcision in $onrado v.
,ourt o7 A((eals, whr it was
cat#oricall, stat" that at no othr
ti! can th stat+s of a rsi"ntial
ho+s as a fa!il, ho! can b st
+p an" pro$" an" its /!ption
fro! /c+tion b clai!" b+t
bfor th sal throf at p+blic
a+ction6
Whil it is tr+ that th
fa!il, ho! is
constit+t" on a ho+s
an" lot fro! th ti! it
is occ+pi" as a fa!il,
rsi"nc an" is /!pt
fro! /c+tion or forc"
sal +n"r Articl 10< of
th Fa!il, Co"* s+ch
clai! for /!ption
sho+l" b st +p an"
pro$" to th Shriff
bfor th sal of th
proprt, at p+blic
a+ction% Fail+r to "o so
wo+l" stop th part,
fro! latr clai!in# th
/!ption% As this Co+rt
r+l" in o9e2 v.
ealone6
Altho+#h th R+ls of
Co+rt "os not prscrib
th prio" within which
to clai! th /!ption*
th r+l is* n$rthlss*
wll:sttl" that th
ri#ht of /!ption is a
prsonal pri$il#
#rant" to th '+"#!nt
"btor an" as s+ch* it
!+st b clai!" not b,
th shriff* b+t b, th
"btor hi!slf at th
ti! of th l$, or within
a rasonabl prio"
thraftrG
FIn th absnc of
/prss pro$ision it has
$ario+sl, hl" that clai!
8for /!ption9 !+st b
!a" at th ti! of th
l$, if th "btor is
prsnt* that it !+st b
!a" within a
rasonabl ti!* or
pro!ptl,* or bfor th
cr"itor has ta&n an,
stp in$ol$in# f+rthr
costs* or bfor
a"$rtis!nt of sal* or
at an, ti! bfor sal*
or within a rasonabl
179
ti! bfor th sal* or
bfor th sal has
co!!nc"* b+t as to
th last thr is contrar,
a+thorit,%F
In th li#ht of th facts
abo$ s+!!ariE"* it is
slf:$i"nt that
appllants "i" not assrt
thir clai! of /!ption
within a rasonabl
ti!% Crtainl,*
rasonabl ti!* for
p+rposs of th law on
/!ption* "os not
!an a ti! aftr th
/piration of th on:
,ar prio" pro$i"" for
in Sction <= of R+l <2
of th R+ls of Co+rt for
'+"#!nt "btors to
r"! th proprt,
sol" on /c+tion*
othrwis it wo+l"
rn"r n+#ator, final
bills of sal on /c+tion
an" "fat th $r,
p+rpos of /c+tionTto
p+t an n" to liti#ation%
W sai" bfor* an" W
rpat it now* that
liti#ation !+st n" an"
tr!inat so!ti! an"
so!whr* an" it is
ssntial to an ffcti$
a"!inistration of '+stic
that* onc a '+"#!nt
has bco! final* th
winnin# part, b not*
thro+#h a !r
s+btrf+#* "pri$" of
th fr+its of th $r"ict%
W now r+l that clai9s
7or eIe9(tion 7ro9
eIecution o7 (ro(erties
under +ection 1! o7 Rule
#- o7 the Rules o7 ,ourt
9ust )e (resented
)e7ore its sale on
eIecution )y the sheri77%
8citations o!itt"9
Ritratin# th for#oin# in +(ouses
Aersola v. ,ourt o7 A((eals, this
Co+rt stat" that6
Un"r th cit"
pro$ision* a fa!il, ho!
is "!" constit+t"
on a ho+s an" lot fro!
th ti! it is occ+pi"
as a fa!il, rsi"ncG
thr is no n" to
constit+t th sa!
'+"iciall, or
/tra'+"iciall,%
Th sttl" r+l is that
th ri#ht to /!ption
or forc" sal +n"r
Articl 10< of th Fa!il,
Co" is a prsonal
pri$il# #rant" to th
'+"#!nt "btor an" as
s+ch* it !+st b clai!"
not b, th shriff* b+t b,
th "btor hi!slf
bfor th sal of th
proprt, at p+blic
a+ction% It is not
s+fficint that th
prson clai!in#
/!ption !rl,
all#s that s+ch
proprt, is a fa!il,
ho!% This clai! for
/!ption !+st b st
+p an" pro$" to th
Shriff% / / / 8!phasis
s+ppli" an" citations
o!itt"9
180
Ca$in# fail" to st +p
an" pro$ to th shriff
th s+ppos" /!ption
of th s+b'ct proprt,
bfor th sal throf
at p+blic a+ction* th
ptitionrs now ar
barr" fro! raisin# th
sa!% Fail+r to "o so
stop th! fro! latr
clai!in# th sai"
/!ption%
In""* th fa!il, ho!
is a sacr" s,!bol of
fa!il, lo$ an" is th
rpositor, of chrish"
!!oris that last
"+rin# onIs lifti!% It
is li&wis witho+t
"isp+t that th fa!il,
ho!* fro! th ti! of
its constit+tion an" so
lon# as an, of its
bnficiaris act+all,
rsi"s thrin* is
#nrall, /!pt fro!
/c+tion* forc" sal or
attach!nt%

Th fa!il, ho! is a
ral ri#ht* which is
#rat+ito+s* inalinabl
an" fr fro!
attach!nt% It cannot b
siE" b, cr"itors
/cpt in crtain spcial
cass% Cow$r* this
ri#ht can b wai$" or
b barr" b, laches b,
th fail+r to st +p an"
pro$ th stat+s of th
proprt, as a fa!il,
ho! at th ti! of th
l$, or a rasonabl
ti! thraftr%
In this cas* it is +n"isp+t" that th
ptitionrs allow" a consi"rabl
ti! to laps bfor clai!in# that
th s+b'ct proprt, is a fa!il,
ho! an" its /!ption fro!
/c+tion an" forc" sal +n"r th
Fa!il, Co"% Th ptitionrs allow"
th s+b'ct proprt, to b l$i"
+pon an" th p+blic sal to proc"%
On 819 ,ar laps" fro! th ti!
th s+b'ct proprt, was sol" +ntil a
Final D" of Sal was iss+" to
Cla+"io an"* latr* AracliIs Torrns
titl was cancll" an" a nw on
iss+" +n"r Cla+"ioIs na!* still*
th ptitionr r!ain" silnt% In
fact* it was onl, aftr th
rspon"nts fil" a co!plaint for
+nlawf+l "tainr* or appro/i!atl,
fo+r 8?9 ,ars fro! th ti! of th
a+ction sal* that th ptitionrs
clai!" that th s+b'ct proprt, is
a fa!il, ho!* th+s* /!pt fro!
/c+tion%
For all intnts an" p+rposs* th
ptitionrsI n#li#nc or o!ission
to assrt thir ri#ht within a
rasonabl ti! #i$s ris to th
prs+!ption that th, ha$
aban"on"* wai$" or "clin" to
assrt it% Sinc th /!ption +n"r
Articl 10< of th Fa!il, Co" is a
prsonal ri#ht* it is inc+!bnt +pon
th ptitionrs to in$o& an" pro$
th sa! within th prscrib"
prio" an" it is not th shriffIs "+t,
to prs+! or rais th stat+s of th
s+b'ct proprt, as a fa!il, ho!%
Th ptitionrsI n#li#nc or
o!ission rn"rs thir prsnt
assrtion "o+btf+lG it appars that it
181
is a !r aftrtho+#ht an" artific
that cannot b co+ntnanc"
witho+t "oin# th rspon"nts
in'+stic an" "pri$in# th fr+its of
th '+"#!nt awar" in thir fa$or%
Si!pl '+stic an" fairnss an"
.+itabl consi"rations "!an"
that Cla+"ioIs titl to th proprt,
b rspct"% E.+it, "ictats that
th ptitionrs ar !a" to s+ffr
th cons.+ncs of thir
+n/plain" n#li#nc%
8b9 Or"inar, tools an"
i!pl!nts prsonall,
+s" b, hi! in hs tra"*
!plo,!nt* or
li$lihoo"G
8c9 Thr horss* or
thr cows* or thr
carabaos* or othr
basts of b+r"n s+ch as
th '+"#!nt obli#or
!a, slct ncssaril,
+s" b, hi! in his
or"inar, occ+pationG
8"9 Cis ncssar,
clothin# an" articls for
or"inar, prsonal +s*
/cl+"in# 'wlr,G
89 Co+shol" f+rnit+r
an" +tnsils ncssar,
for ho+s&pin#* an"
+s" for that p+rpos b,
th '+"#!nt obli#or
an" his fa!il,* s+ch as
th '+"#!nt obli#or
!a, slct* of a $al+
not /c"in# on
h+n"r" tho+san"
psosG
8f9 Pro$isions for
in"i$i"+al or fa!il, +s
s+fficint for fo+r
!onthsG
8#9 Th profssional
libraris an" .+ip!nt
of '+"#s* law,rs*
ph,sicians* phar!acists*
"ntists* n#inrs*
s+r$,ors* clr#,!n*
tachrs* an" othr
profssionals* not
/c"in# thr
h+n"r" tho+san" psos
in $al+G
8h9 On fishin# boat an"
accssoris not
/c"in# th total
$al+ of on h+n"r"
tho+san" psos own"
b, a fishr!an an" b,
th lawf+l +s of which
h arns his li$lihoo"G
8i9 So !+ch of th
salaris* wa#s* or
arnin#s of th
'+"#!nt obli#or of his
prsonal sr$ics within
th fo+r !onths
prc"in# th l$, as
ar ncssar, for th
s+pport of his fa!il,G
8'9 Lttr" #ra$stonsG
8&9 Monis bnfits*
pri$il#s* or ann+itis
accr+in# or in an,
!annr #rowin# o+t of
an, lif ins+rancG
8l9 Th ri#ht to rci$
l#al s+pport* or !on,
or proprt, obtain" as
182
s+ch s+pport* or an,
pnsion or #rat+it, fro!
th >o$rn!ntG
8!9 Proprtis spciall,
/!pt b, law%

(+t no articl or spcis
of proprt, !ntion" in
his sction shall b
/!pt fro! /c+tion
iss+" +pon a '+"#!nt
rco$r" for its pric or
+pon a '+"#!nt of
forclos+r of a
!ort#a# thron%
In olden +un /inance ,or(. v.
Al)ano, A%M% No% P:11:;333* -+l, ;4*
;=11* @0? SCRA <40* th SC hl"
that in "tr!inin# proprtis to b
l$i" +pon* th R+ls r.+ir th
shriff to l$, onl, on thos
5proprtis of th '+"#!nt "btorA
which ar 5not othrwis /!pt
fro! /c+tion%A For p+rposs of th
l$,* a proprt, is "!" to b
blon# to th '+"#!nt "btor if h
hol"s a bnficial intrst in s+ch
proprt, that h can sll or
othrwis "ispos of for $al+% In a
contract of !ort#a#* th "btor
rtains bnficial intrst o$r th
proprt, notwithstan"in# th
nc+!branc* sinc th !ort#a#
onl, sr$s to sc+r th f+lfill!nt
of th principal obli#aiton% In""*
$n if th "btor "fa+lts* this fact
"os not oprat to $st in th
cr"itor th ownrship of th
proprt,G th cr"itor !+st still
rsort to forclos+r proc"in#s%
Th+s* a !ort#a#" proprt, !a,
still b l$i" +pon b, th shriff to
satisf, th '+"#!nt "btorIs
obli#ations* as what happn" in th
prsnt cas% Aftr ascrtainin# th
'+"#!nt "btorIs intrst o$r th
proprt,* th shriff can proprl,
nforc th l$, thron%
0% Proc"in#s
whr proprt, is
clai!" b, thir"
prsons
R+l <2* Sc% 1@6 If th proprt,
l$i" on is clai!" b, an, prson
othr than th '+"#!nt obli#or or
his a#nt* an" s+ch prson !a&s
an affi"a$it of his titl thrto or
ri#ht to th possssion throf*
statin# th #ro+n"s of s+ch ri#ht or
titl* an" sr$s th sa! +pon th
officr !a&in# th l$, an" a cop,
throf +pon th '+"#!nt obli#*
th officr shall not b bo+n" to
&p th proprt,* +nlss s+ch
'+"#!nt obli#* on "!an" of th
officr* fils a bon" appro$" b, th
co+rt to in"!nif, th thir":part,
clai!ant in a s+! not lss than th
$al+ of th proprt, l$i" on% In
cas of "isa#r!nt as to s+ch
$al+* th sa! shall b "tr!in"
b, th co+rt iss+in# th writ of
/c+tion% No clai! for "a!a#s for
th ta&in# or &pin# of th
proprt, !a, b nforc" a#ainst
th bon" +nlss th action thrfor
is fil" within on h+n"r" twnt,
81;=9 "a,s fro! th "at of th filin#
of th bon"%
Th officr shall not b liabl for
"a!a#s for th ta&in# or &pin#
of th proprt,* to an, thir":part,
clai!ant if s+ch bon" is fil"%
Nothin# hrin contain" shall
pr$nt s+ch clai!ant or an, thir"
prson fro! $in"icatin# his clai! to
th proprt, in a sparat action* or
183
pr$nt th '+"#!nt obli# fro!
clai!in# "a!a#s in th sa! or a
sparat action a#ainst a thir":part,
clai!ant who fil" a fri$olo+s or
plainl, sp+rio+s clai!%
Whn th writ of /c+tion is iss+"
in fa$or of th Rp+blic of th
Philippins* or an, officr "+l,
rprsntin# it* th filin# of s+ch
bon" shall not b r.+ir"* an" in
cas th shriff or l$,in# officr is
s+" for "a!a#s as a rs+lt of th
l$,* h shall b rprsnt" b, th
Solicitor >nral an" if hl" liabl
thrfor* th act+al "a!a#s
a"'+"#" b, th co+rt shall b pai"
b, th National Tras+rr o+t of
s+ch f+n"s as !a, b appropriat"
for th p+rpos%
a% in rlation
to thir"
part, clai!
in
attach!nt
an" rpl$in
Sc% 1?* R+l 046 If th
proprt, attach" is
clai!" b, an, prson
othr than th part,
a#ainst who!
attach!nt ha" bn
iss+" or his a#nt* an"
s+ch prson !a&s an
affi"a$it of his titl
thrto* or ri#ht to th
possssion throf*
statin# th #ro+n"s of
s+ch ri#ht or titl* an"
sr$s s+ch affi"a$it
+pon th shriff whil
th lattr has possssion
of th attach"
proprt,* an" a cop,
throf +pon th
attachin# part,* th
shriff shall not b
bo+n" to &p th
proprt, +n"r
attach!nt* +nlss th
attachin# part, or his
a#nt* on "!an" of th
shriff* shall fil a bon"
appro$" b, th co+rt to
in"!nif, th thir":
part, clai!ant in a s+!
not lss than th $al+
of th proprt, l$i"
+pon% In cas of
"isa#r!nt as to s+ch
$al+* th sa! shall b
"ci"" b, th co+rt
iss+in# th writ of
attach!nt% No clai! for
"a!a#s for th ta&in#
or &pin# of th
proprt, !a, b
nforc" a#ainst th
bon" +nlss th action
thrfor is fil" within
on h+n"r" twnt,
81;=9 "a,s fro! th "at
of th filin# of th bon"%
Th shriff shall not b
liabl for "a!a#s for
th ta&in# or &pin# of
s+ch proprt, to an,
s+ch thir":part,
clai!ant* if s+ch bon"
shall b fil"% Nothin#
hrin contain" shall
pr$nt s+ch clai!ant or
an, thir" prson fro!
$in"icatin# his clai! to
th proprt,* or pr$nt
th attachin# part, fro!
clai!in# "a!a#s
a#ainst a thir":part,
clai!ant who fil" a
184
fri$olo+s or plainl,
sp+rio+s clai!* in th
sa! or a sparat
action%
Whn th writ of
attach!nt is iss+" in
fa$or of th Rp+blic of
th Philippins* or an,
officr "+l, rprsntin#
it* th filin# of s+ch bon"
shall not b r.+ir"*
an" in cas th shriff is
s+" for "a!a#s as a
rs+lt of th attach!nt*
h shall b rprsnt"
b, th Solicitor >nral*
an" if hl" liabl
thrfor* th act+al
"a!a#s a"'+"#" b,
th co+rt shall b pai"
b, th National
Tras+rr o+t of th
f+n"s to b appropriat"
for th p+rpos% 81?a9
Sc% 4* R+l @=6 If th
proprt, ta&n is
clai!" b, an, prson
othr than th part,
a#ainst who! th writ of
rpl$in ha" bn iss+"
or his a#nt* an" s+ch
prson !a&s an
affi"a$it of his titl
thrto* or ri#ht to th
possssion throf*
statin# th #ro+n"s
thrfor* an" sr$s
s+ch affi"a$it +pon th
shriff whil th lattr
has possssion of th
proprt, an" a cop,
throf +pon th
applicant* th shriff
shall not b bo+n" to
&p th proprt, +n"r
rpl$in or "li$r it to
th applicant +nlss th
applicant or his a#nt*
on "!an" of sai"
shriff* shall fil a bon"
appro$" b, th co+rt to
in"!nif, th thir":
part, clai!ant in a s+!
not lss than th $al+
of th proprt, +n"r
rpl$in as pro$i"" in
sction ; hrof% In cas
of "isa#r!nt as to
s+ch $al+* th co+rt
shall "tr!in th
sa!% No clai! for
"a!a#s for th ta&in#
or &pin#* of th
proprt, !a, b
nforc" a#ainst th
bon" +nlss th action
thrfor is fil" within
on h+n"r" twnt,
81;=9 "a,s fro! th "at
of th filin# of th bon"%
Th shriff shall not b
liabl for "a!a#s* for
th ta&in# or &pin# of
s+ch proprt,* to an,
s+ch thir":part,
clai!ant if s+ch bon"
shall b fil"% Nothin#
hrin contain" shall
pr$nt s+ch clai!ant or
an, thir" prson fro!
$in"icatin# his clai! to
th proprt,* or pr$nt
th applicant fro!
clai!in# "a!a#s
a#ainst a thir":part,
clai!ant who fil" a
fri$olo+s or plainl,
sp+rio+s clai!* in th
185
sa! or a sparat
action%
Whn th writ of
rpl$in is iss+" in
fa$or of th Rp+blic of
th Philippins* or an,
officr "+l, rprsntin#
it* th filin# of s+ch bon"
shall not b r.+ir"*
an" in cas th shriff is
s+" for "a!a#s as a
rs+lt of th rpl$in* h
shall b rprsnt" b,
th Solicitor >nral*
an" if hl" liabl
thrfor* th act+al
"a!a#s a"'+"#" b,
th co+rt shall b pai"
b, th National
Tras+rr o+t of th
f+n"s to b appropriat"
for th p+rpos% 84a9
@% R+ls on
R"!ption
Sc% ;4% Gho 9ay redee9
real (ro(erty so sold% D Ral
proprt, sol" as
pro$i"" in th last
prc"in# sction* or
an, part throf sol"
sparatl,* !a, b
r"!" in th !annr
hrinaftr pro$i""* b,
th followin# prsons6

8a9 Th '+"#!nt
obli#or* or his s+ccssor
in intrst in th whol
or an, part of th
proprt,G
8b9 A cr"itor ha$in# a
lin b, $irt+ of an
attach!nt* '+"#!nt or
!ort#a# on th
proprt, sol"* or on
so! part throf*
s+bs.+nt to th lin
+n"r which th
proprt, was sol"% S+ch
r"!in# cr"itor is
tr!" a r"!ptionr%
In ,ayton v. 3eonniI 6radin5 ,or(.,
>%R% No% 1@20?1* Octobr 2* ;==2*
th MaXoscas !ort#a#" thir
proprt, in fa$or of Fa!il, Sa$in#s
(an& in Ma, 123=% Thraftr*
Qonni/ fil" a co!plaint for a s+!
of !on, with "a!a#s an" pra,r
for a writ of prli!inar, attach!nt
a#ainst th MaXoscas% Th
!ort#a#" proprt, was l$i" on
attach!nt* which was annotat"
on th titl in -+l, 1231% Thraftr*
th MaXoscas sol" th proprt, in
fa$or of Ca,ton for which th,
/c+t" a D" of Absol+t Sal
with Ass+!ption of Mort#a# in
Spt!br 1231% Th "" how$r
was not r#istr" bca+s th titl
was with Fa!il, Sa$in#s (an&% In th
!anti!* a "cision was rn"r"
in th co!plaint for a s+! of !on,
hol"in# th MaXoscas liabl to
Qonni/% S+bs.+ntl,* Ca,ton
"fa+lt" in th pa,!nt of th
!ort#a#% Th+s* Fa!il, Sa$in#s
/tra'+"iciall, forclos" th
proprt,% Ca,ton was "clar" th
hi#hst bi""r% Who !a, r"!
th proprt, that was forclos"J
Sc% ;4% Who !a,
r"! ral proprt, so
sol"% D Ral proprt,
sol" as pro$i"" in th
last prc"in# sction*
or an, part throf sol"
186
sparatl,* !a, b
r"!" in th !annr
hrinaftr pro$i""* b,
th followin# prsons6
8a9 Th '+"#!nt
obli#or* or his s+ccssor
in intrst in th whol
or an, part of th
proprt,G
8b9 A cr"itor ha$in# a
lin b, $irt+ of an
attach!nt* '+"#!nt or
!ort#a# on th
proprt, sol"* or on
so! part throf*
s+bs.+nt to th lin
+n"r which th
proprt, was sol"% S+ch
r"!in# cr"itor is
tr!" a r"!ptionr%
Ri#ht of r"!ption is th
prro#ati$ to rac.+ir a
!ort#a#" proprt, aftr
r#istration of th forclos+r sal%
It /ists onl, in th cas of th
/tra'+"icial forclos+r of th
!ort#a#% No s+ch ri#ht is
rco#niE" in a '+"icial forclos+r
+nlss th !ort#a# is a ban&% An
attachin# cr"itor ac.+irs th ri#ht
to r"! th "btorIs attach"
proprt, s+bs.+ntl, forclos"
/tra:'+"iciall, b, a thir" part,%
Th Fs+ccssor:in:intrstF of
a '+"#!nt "btor incl+"s on to
who! th "btor has transfrr" his
stat+tor, ri#ht of r"!ptionG on to
who! th "btor has con$," his
intrst in th proprt, for th
p+rpos of r"!ptionG on who
s+cc"s to th intrst of th
"btor b, opration of lawG on or
!or 'oint "btors who wr 'oint
ownrs of th proprt, sol"G or his
spo+s or hirs%

A Fr"!ptionr*F on th othr
han"* is a cr"itor with a lin
s+bs.+nt to th '+"#!nt which
was th basis of th /c+tion sal%
If th lin of th cr"itor is prior to
th '+"#!nt +n"r which th
proprt, was sol"* h is not a
r"!ptionr an"* thrfor* cannot
r"! bca+s his intrsts in his
lin ar f+ll, protct"* sinc an,
p+rchasr at p+blic a+ction of sai"
proprt, ta&s th sa! s+b'ct to
s+ch prior lin which h has to
satisf,% Unli& th '+"#!nt "btor*
a r"!ptionr !+st pro$ his ri#ht
to r"! b, pro"+cin# th
"oc+!nts call" for b, Sction <=*
R+l <2 8Proof r.+ir" of
r"!ptionr9 of th R+ls of Co+rt%
In th instant cas* th
Ca,tons a$r that as s+ccssor:in:
intrst of th MaXoscas b, $irt+ of
th "" of absol+t sal with
ass+!ption of !ort#a#* th, ha$
a bttr ri#ht than Qonni/ to
r"! th proprt,% This stanc
"sr$s scant consi"ration%
In""* th, ar s+ccssors in
intrst of th MaXoscas% Cow$r*
thir s+ppos" titl or ri#ht o$r th
proprt, is +nr#istr" an"* as
s+ch* th sa! cannot affct thir"
prsons% This is bca+s it is
r#istration that is th oprati$ act
to con$, or affct th lan" insofar
as thir" prsons ar concrn"% A
""* !ort#a#* las* or othr
$ol+ntar, instr+!nt* /cpt a will*
p+rportin# to con$, or affct
con$,anc in$ol$in# r#istr"
187
lan"* shall not ta& ffct as a
con$,anc or bin" th lan" b+t
shall oprat onl, as a contract
btwn th partis an" as $i"nc
of a+thorit, of th R#istr of D"s
to !a& r#istration%

Th +nr#istr" sal of th
ho+s an" lot to th Ca,tons b, th
MaXoscas cannot pr'+"ic th ri#ht
of r"!ption #rant" b, law in
fa$or of Qonni/% Th l$, on
attach!nt of Qonni/ on th
s+b'ct proprt, was "+l, rcor""
on TCT No% S:2=3<@% Th+s* th l$,
on attach!nt crat" a
constr+cti$ notic to all prsons
fro! th ti! of s+ch r#istration%
Th rcor" is notic to th ntir
worl"% All prsons ar char#" with
th &nowl"# of what it contains%
All prsons "alin# with th lan" so
rcor""* or an, portion of it* !+st
b char#" with notic of what$r
it contains% Th p+rchasr is char#"
with notic of $r, fact shown b,
th rcor" an" is prs+!" to &now
$r, fact which th rcor"
"iscloss%

Whn a con$,anc has bn
proprl, rcor""* s+ch rcor" is
constr+cti$ notic of its contnts
an" all intrsts* l#al an"
.+itabl* incl+"" thrin% Un"r
th r+l of notic* it is prs+!"
that th p+rchasr has /a!in"
$r, instr+!nt of rcor" affctin#
th titl% S+ch prs+!ption is
irrf+tabl% C is char#" with
notic of $r, fact shown b, th
rcor" an" is prs+!" to &now
$r, fact which an /a!ination of
th rcor" wo+l" ha$ "isclos"%
This prs+!ption !a, not b
o$rco! b, proof of innocnc or
#oo" faith% Othrwis* th $r,
p+rpos an" ob'ct of th law
r.+irin# a rcor" wo+l" b
"stro,"% S+ch prs+!ption !a,
not b "fat" b, proof of want of
&nowl"# of what th rcor"
contains* an, !or than on !a, b
pr!itt" to show that h was
i#norant of th pro$isions of th law%
Th r+l that all prsons !+st ta&
notic of th facts that th p+blic
rcor" contains is a r+l of law% Th
r+l !+st b absol+t% An, $ariation
wo+l" la" to n"lss conf+sion an"
+slss liti#ation%

Qonni/ has ac.+ir" b,
opration of law th ri#ht of
r"!ption o$r th forclos"
proprtis% (, $irt+ of th RTC
"cision in Ci$il Cas No% ;14<* it
ha" th ri#ht to r"! th
proprt,% This is p+rs+ant to Sction
@ of Act No% <1<0* as a!n"" b,
Act No% ?113* which pro$i"s6
SECTION @% In all
cass in which an
/tra'+"icial sal is
!a" +n"r th spcial
powr hrinbfor
rfrr" to* th "btor*
his s+ccssors in
intrst or an, '+"icial
cr"itor or '+"#!nt
cr"itor of sai" "btor*
or an, prson ha$in# a
lin on th proprt,
s+bs.+nt to th
!ort#a# or "" of
tr+st +n"r which th
proprt, is sol"* !a,
r"! th sa! at an,
ti! within th tr! of
on ,ar fro! an" aftr
th "at of th salG an"
188
s+ch r"!ption shall
b #o$rn" b, th
pro$isions of sctions
fo+r h+n"r" an" si/t,:
fo+r to fo+r h+n"r" an"
si/t,:si/* incl+si$* of
th Co" of Ci$il
Proc"+r* in so far as
ths ar not
inconsistnt with th
pro$isions of this Act%
Th writ of attach!nt
ntitl" th attachin# cr"itor to
/rcis th ri#ht to r"! th
forclos" proprtis% A writ of
attach!nt that has bn l$i" on
ral proprt, or an, intrst thrin
blon#in# to th '+"#!nt "btor
crats a lin which nothin# can
"stro, b+t its "issol+tion%

@r)an Ban* =nc. v. Pena, >%R% No%
1?0314* Octobr 12* ;=11* @02
SCRA ?13
Th r+l is that* whr th /c+t"
'+"#!nt is r$rs" totall, or
partiall,* or ann+ll" D on appal or
othrwis D th trial co+rt !a,* on
!otion* iss+ s+ch or"rs of
rstit+tion or rparation of "a!a#s
as .+it, an" '+stic !a, warrant
+n"r th circ+!stancs% 8Sc% 0*
R+l <29 Th R+ls of Co+rt
prcisl, pro$i"s for rstit+tion
accor"in# to .+it,* in cas th
/c+t" '+"#!nt is r$rs" on
appal% FIn an /c+tion pn"in#
appal* f+n"s ar a"$anc" b, th
losin# part, to th pr$ailin# part,
with th i!pli" obli#ation of th
lattr to rpa, th for!r* in cas
th appllat co+rt cancls or
r"+cs th !ontar, awar"%F
Th SC a"opt" with !o"ification
th r+ls of rstit+tion /po+n""
b, rtir" -+stic FlornE D%
R#ala"o in his s!inal wor& on ci$il
proc"+r% 8S R#ala"o* R!"ial
Law Co!pn"i+!* )ol% I* ;==; E"%*
p% ?;?9 In cass in which rstit+tion
of th pr!at+rl, /c+t"
proprt, is no lon#r possibl*
co!pnsation shall b !a" in fa$or
of th '+"#!nt "btor in th
followin# !annr6
a% If th p+rchasr at th
p+blic a+ction is th '+"#!nt
cr"itor* h !+st pa, th f+ll
$al+ of th proprt, at th
ti! of its siE+r* with
intrst%
b% If th p+rchasr at th
p+blic a+ction is a thir" part,*
an" titl to th proprt, has
alra", bn $ali"l, an"
ti!l, transfrr" to th na!
of that part,* th '+"#!nt
cr"itor !+st pa, th a!o+nt
raliE" fro! th shriffIs sal
of that proprt,* with intrst%
c% If th '+"#!nt awar" is
r"+c" on appal* th
'+"#!nt cr"itor !+st rt+rn
to th '+"#!nt "btor onl,
th /css rci$" o$r an"
abo$ that to which th
for!r is ntitl" +n"r th
final '+"#!nt* with intrst%
In s+!!ar,* Urban (an& is ntitl"
to co!plt rstoration an" rt+rn
of th proprtis l$i" on /c+tion
consi"rin# th absol+t r$rsal of
th awar" of "a!a#s* +pon th
pa,!nt of th '+"#!nt "bt
hrin a!o+ntin# to PhP?*0==*===*
189
with intrst as in"icat" in th
"ispositi$ portion% With rspct to
in"i$i"+al ptitionrs* th, ar
ntitl" to th absol+t rstit+tion of
thir /c+t" proprtis* /cpt
whn rstit+tion has bco!
i!possibl* in which cas PXa shall
b liabl for th f+ll $al+ of th
proprt, at th ti! of its siE+r*
with intrst% Whthr Urban (an&
an" th ban& officrs an" "irctors
ar ntitl" to an, clai! for
"a!a#s a#ainst PXa an" his
in"!nit, bon" is bst $ntilat"
bfor th trial co+rt* as prscrib"
+n"r th proc"+ral r+ls on
/c+tion pn"in# appal%
4% Ti! an"
!annr of* an"
a!o+nts pa,abl
on* s+ccssi$
r"!ptions
In ,ayton v. 3eonniI 6radin5 ,or(.,
>%R% No% 1@20?1* Octobr 2* ;==2*
th SC /plain" Sc% ;3* which
ra"s D
Sction ;3% 6i9e and
9anner o7, and a9ounts
(aya)le on, successive
rede9(tions; notice to
)e 5iven and 7iled% D Th
'+"#!nt obli#or* or
r"!ptionr* !a,
r"! th proprt,
fro! th p+rchasr* at
an, ti! within on 819
,ar fro! th "at of
th r#istration of th
crtificat of sal* b,
pa,in# th p+rchasr
th a!o+nt of his
p+rchas* with on pr
cnt+! pr !onth
intrst thron in
a""ition* +p to th ti!
of r"!ption* to#thr
with th a!o+nt of an,
assss!nts or ta/s
which th p+rchasr
!a, ha$ pai" thron
aftr p+rchas* an"
intrst on s+ch last
na!" a!o+nt at th
sa! ratG an" if th
p+rchasr b also a
cr"itor ha$in# a prior
lin to that of th
r"!ptionr* othr
than th '+"#!nt +n"r
which s+ch p+rchas
was !a"* th a!o+nt
of s+ch lin* with
intrst%
Proprt, so r"!"
!a, a#ain b r"!"
within si/t, 8@=9 "a,s
aftr th last r"!ption
+pon pa,!nt of th
s+! pai" on th last
r"!ption* with two
pr cnt+! thron in
a""ition* an" th
a!o+nt of an,
assss!nts or ta/s
which th last
r"!ptionr !a, ha$
pai" thron aftr
r"!ption b, hi!* with
intrst on s+ch last:
na!" a!o+nt* an" in
a""ition* th a!o+nt of
an, lins hl" b, sai"
last r"!ptionr prior
to his own* with intrst%
Th proprt, !a, b
a#ain* an" as oftn as a
r"!ptionr is so
"ispos"* r"!"
190
fro! an, pr$io+s
r"!ptionr within
si/t, 8@=9 "a,s aftr th
last r"!ption* on
pa,in# th s+! pai" on
th last pr$io+s
r"!ption* with two
pr cnt+! thron in
a""ition* an" th
a!o+nts of an,
assss!nts or ta/s
which th last pr$io+s
r"!ptionr pai" aftr
th r"!ption thron*
with intrst thron*
an" th a!o+nt of an,
lins hl" b, th last
r"!ptionr prior to his
own* with intrst%
Writtn notic of an,
r"!ption !+st b
#i$n to th officr who
!a" th sal an" a
"+plicat fil" with th
r#istr, of ""s of th
plac* an" if an,
assss!nts or ta/s
ar pai" b, th
r"!ptionr or if h
has or ac.+irs an, lin
othr than that +pon
which th r"!ption
was !a"* notic
throf !+st in li&
!annr b #i$n to th
officr an" fil" with th
r#istr, of ""sG if s+ch
notic b not fil"* th
proprt, !a, b
r"!" witho+t
pa,in# s+ch
assss!nts* ta/s* or
lins%
Accor"in#l,* to constit+t $ali"
r"!ption* th a!o+nt tn"r"
!+st co!pl, with th followin#
r.+ir!nts6 819 it sho+l"
constit+t th f+ll a!o+nt pai" b,
th p+rchasrG 8;9 with on prcnt
pr !onth intrst on th p+rchas
pric in a""ition* +p to th ti! of
r"!ptionG 8<9 to#thr with th
a!o+nt of an, assss!nts or ta/s
which th p+rchasr !a, ha$ pai"
thron aftr p+rchasG 8?9 intrst
on th ta/s pai" b, th p+rchasr
at th rat of on prcnt pr
!onth* +p to th ti! of th
r"!ptionG an" 809 if th p+rchasr
b also a cr"itor ha$in# a prior lin
to that of th r"!ptionr* othr
than th '+"#!nt +n"r which s+ch
p+rchas was !a"* th a!o+nt of
s+ch othr lin* with intrst%
In /rcisin# th ri#ht of
r"!ption* th tn"r of pa,!nt
!+st b for th f+ll a!o+nt of th
p+rchas pric% Othrwis* to allow
pa,!nt b, install!nts wo+l" b
to allow th in"finit /tnsion of
th r"!ption prio"%

Th a!o+nt tn"r" b, Qonni/
!a, b consi"r" s+fficint for
p+rposs of r"!ption* altho+#h it
fail" to incl+" th a!o+nt of ta/s
pai" b, th Ca,tons% Th pa,!nt of
th f+ll a!o+nt of th p+rchas
pric an" intrst thron sho+l" b
"!" as s+bstantial co!plianc*
consi"rin# that Qonni/
i!!"iatl, pai" th a!o+nt of
ta/s whn appris" of th
"ficinc,%
In 4stanislao, &r. v. ,ourt o7 A((eals*
th Co+rt rla/" its r+ls on th
r"!ptionrIs fail+r to pa, th
191
ta/s pai" b, th p+rchasr% Th
Co+rt r+l" in this wis* $iE%6
Thr ar a""itional
a!o+nts to b !a" in
or"r to ffct a $ali"
r"!ption r.+ir" b,
law* b+t* as rspon"nt
Ci:Lil" Ralt,* Inc%
fail" to co!pl, with
crtain r.+ir!nts*
ptitionrsK fail+r to
pa, ths a""itional
a!o+nts !a, b
consi"r" /c+s"% As
pro$i"" in R+l <2* Y<=
of th 12@? R+ls of
Co+rt* th r"!ptionr
!+st also pa, th
assss!nt or ta/s
pai" b, th p+rchasr%
Cow$r* th lattr !+st
#i$ notic to th officr
who con"+ct" th sal
of th assss!nts or
ta/s pai" b, hi! an"
fil th sa! with th
R#istr, of D"s% / / /%
/ / / /
Ptitionrs wr not
f+rnish" b, rspon"nt
Ci:Lil" Ralt,* Inc% s+ch
stat!nt of acco+nt%
Nithr was s+ch
stat!nt fil" with th
R#istr, of D"s%
Rspon"nt Ci:Lil"
Ralt,* Inc% clai!" that
a stat!nt of acco+nt
8E/h% 3:C an" E/h% 3:D9
was f+rnish" th offic
of Att,% (asco* th
notar, p+blic who ha"
con"+ct" th sal* as
rci$" b, EliEabth
Ro.+* an !plo,
thrin% Cow$r* Att,%
(asco "ni" ha$in#
rci$" th stat!nt%
Ptitionrs wr
thrfor '+stifi" in not
pa,in# an, assss!nts
or ta/s which
rspon"nt Ci:Lil"
Ralt,* Inc% !a, ha$
pai"%
Li&wis* in Rosals $% Lboa* th
Co+rt r+l" that th fail+r to pa,
th "lin.+nt ral stat ta/s on
th proprt, will not rn"r th
r"!ption $oi"% This is in
consonanc with th polic, of th
law to ai" rathr than to "fat th
ri#ht of r"!ption% Th prtinnt
portion of th "cision ra"s6
In fin* W hol" that th
fail+r of th !ort#a#or
P"ro Oli$rio to tn"r
th a!o+nt of P4?0%?4
rprsntin# th
"lin.+nt ral stat
ta/s of th s+b'ct
proprt,* th
r#istration f of P<%==
an" th intrst thron
of P=%=?* th ShriffKs
Co!!ission in th s+!
of P22%3;* an" th
"ficinc, intrst on
th p+rchas pric of
th s+b'ct proprt,* will
not rn"r th
r"!ption in .+stion
n+ll an" $oi"* it ha$in#
bn stablish" that h
has s+bstantiall,
co!pli" with th
r.+ir!nts of th law
to ffct a $ali"
192
r"!ption* with his
tn"r of pa,!nt of th
p+rchas pric an" th
intrst thron within
twl$ 81;9 !onths fro!
th "at of th
r#istration of th sal%
This r+lin# is in
ob"inc of th polic,
of th law to ai" rathr
than to "fat th ri#ht
of r"!ption%
In Ha( v. 0y +r.* >%R% No% 1413@3*
-+l, ;4* ;=11* @0? SCRA 02<* th SC
/plain" that th tn"r of th
r"!ption !on, !a, b !a" to
th p+rchasr of th lan" or to th
shriff% If !a" to th shriff* it is his
"+t, to accpt th tn"r an"
/c+t th crtificat of
r"!ption%
In this cas* th Ral Estat
Mort#a#s co$r" @ lots% Th
!ort#a#or "fa+lt"% Th+s* th
!ort#a# /tra'+"icall, forclos"
th !ort#a# an" was th hi#hst
bi""r for th @ lots% Can th
r"!ptionr r"! onl, ; lots or
is h obli#" to r"! all @ lotsJ
Th SC /plain" that th r.+isits
for a $ali" r"!ption ar6 819 th
r"!ption !+st b !a" within 1;
!onths fro! th ti! of th
r#istration of th sal in th Offic
of th R#istr of D"sG 8;9
pa,!nt of th p+rchas pric of
th proprt, in$ol$" pl+s 1U
intrst pr !onth thron in
a""ition* +p to th ti! of
r"!ption* to#thr with th
a!o+nt of an, assss!nts or ta/s
which th p+rchasr !a, ha$ pai"
thron aftr th p+rchas* also
with 1U intrst on s+ch last na!"
a!o+ntG an"* 8<9 writtn notic of
th r"!ption !+st b sr$" on
th officr who !a" th sal an" a
"+plicat fil" with th R#istr of
D"s of th pro$inc%
Th SC f+rthr /plain" that th
"octrin of in"i$isibilit, of !ort#a#
+n"r Art% ;=32 of th Ci$il Co"
"os not appl, onc th !ort#a# is
/tin#+ish" b, a co!plt
forclos+r throf% Onc th
!ort#a# is /tin#+ish" b, a
co!plt forclos+r throf* sai"
"octrin of in"i$isibilit, cass to
appl, sinc* with th f+ll pa,!nt of
th "bt* thr is nothin# !or to
sc+r% Th+s* thr is nothin# in th
law that prohibits pic!al
r"!ption of proprtis sol" at on
forclos+r proc"in#%
3% E/a!ination of
-+"#!nt Obli#or
Whn -+"#!nt is
+nsatisfi"
Whn th rt+rn of a writ of
/c+tion iss+" a#ainst proprt, of
a '+"#!nt obli#or* or an, on of
s$ral obli#ors in th sa!
'+"#!nt* shows that th '+"#!nt
r!ains +nsatisfi"* in whol or in
part* th '+"#!nt obli#* at an,
ti! aftr s+ch rt+rn is !a"* shall
b ntitl" to an or"r fro! th
co+rt which rn"r" th sai"
'+"#!nt* r.+irin# s+ch '+"#!nt
obli#or to appar an" b /a!in"
concrnin# his proprt, an" inco!
bfor s+ch co+rt or bfor a
co!!issionr appoint" b, it* at a
spcifi" ti! an" placG an"
proc"in#s !a, thr+pon b ha"
for th application of th proprt,
193
an" inco! of th '+"#!nt obli#or
towar"s th satisfaction of th
'+"#!nt% (+t no '+"#!nt obli#or
shall b so r.+ir" to appar
bfor a co+rt or co!!issionr
o+tsi" th pro$inc or cit, in which
s+ch obli#or rsi"s or is fo+n"%
2% E/a!ination of
Obli#or of
-+"#!nt Obli#or
Whn th rt+rn of a writ of
/c+tion a#ainst th proprt, of a
'+"#!nt obli#or shows that th
'+"#!nt r!ains +nsatisfi"* in
whol or in part* an" +pon proof to
th satisfaction of th co+rt which
iss+" th writ* that a prson*
corporation* or othr '+ri"ical ntit,
has proprt, of s+ch '+"#!nt
obli#or or is in"bt" to hi!* th
co+rt !a,* b, an or"r* r.+ir s+ch
prson* corporation* or othr
'+ri"ical ntit,* or an, officr or
!!br throf* to appar bfor
th co+rt or a co!!issionr
appoint" b, it* at a ti! an" plac
within th pro$inc or cit, whr
s+ch "btor rsi"s or is fo+n"* an"
b /a!in" concrnin# th sa!%
Th sr$ic of th or"r shall bin"
all cr"its "+ th '+"#!nt obli#or
an" all !on, an" proprt, of th
'+"#!nt obli#or in th possssion
or in th control of s+ch prson*
corporation* or '+ri"ical ntit, fro!
th ti! of sr$icG an" th co+rt
!a, also r.+ir notic of s+ch
proc"in#s to b #i$n to an, part,
to th action in s+ch !annr as it
!a, "! propr%
1=% Effct of
-+"#!nt or Final
Or"rs
Un"r Sc% ?4* R+l <2* th ffct of
a '+"#!nt or final or"r rn"r"
b, a co+rt of th Philippins* ha$in#
'+ris"iction to prono+nc th
'+"#!nt or final or"r* !a, b as
follows6

1% In cas of a
'+"#!nt or final or"r
a#ainst
a9 a
spcific thin#* or
b9 in
rspct to th
probat of a will*
or
c9 th
a"!ini
stratio
n of
th
stat
of a
"cas
"
prson
* or
"9 in
rspc
t to
th
prson
al*
politic
al* or
l#al
con"iti
on or
stat+s
of a
partic+
lar
prson
or his
194
rlatio
nship
to
anoth
r*
it shall b
concl+si$ +pon
th titl to th
thin#* th will or
a"!inistration* or
th con"ition*
stat+s or
rlationship of th
prson% Cow$r*
th probat of a
will or #rantin# of
lttrs of
a"!inistration
shall onl, b pri!a
faci $i"nc of
th "ath of th
tstator or
intstat%

;% In othr
cass* th '+"#!nt or
final or"r is*
a9 with
rspct to th
!attr "irctl,
a"'+"#"*
or
b9 as to
an,
othr
!attr
that
co+l"
ha$
bn
rais"
in
rlatio
n
thrt
o*
it shall b
concl+si$
btwn th
partis an" thir
s+ccssors in
intrst b, titl
s+bs.+nt to th
co!!nc!nt of
th action or
spcial
proc"in#*
liti#atin# for th
sa! thin# an"
+n"r th sa!
titl an" in th
sa! capacit,%
In ,o v. Peo(le o7 the Phili((ines,
>%R% No% 1@=;@0* -+l, 1<* ;==2* th
SC hl" that +n"r th r+l of
concl+si$nss of '+"#!nt* th
'+"#!nt in th labor cas bars th
cas a#ainst th acc+s" for
$iolation of SS laws as th rlif
so+#ht in th lattr cas is
in/tricabl, rlat" to th r+lin# in
th labor cas to th ffct that th
pri$at co!plainants ar not
!plo,s of th ptitionr:
acc+s"% Altho+#h th cas in$ol$s
a cri!inal char#* still th fin"in#s in
th labor cas ar bin"in# hrin
bca+s th sa! facts ar th
s+b'ct of both cass% What is
"cisi$ is that th iss+s alra",
liti#at" in a final an" /c+tor,
'+"#!nt prcl+" th principl of
bar b, prior '+"#!nt* an aspct of
th "octrin of rs '+"icita an" $n
+n"r th "octrin of law of th cas
D th rliti#ation of th sa! iss+ in
anothr action so lon# as it r!ains
+nr$rs"* it sho+l" b concl+si$
195
+pon th partis an" thos in pri$it,
with th!% Th "ict+! thrin lai"
"own bca! th law of th cas
an" what was onc irr$ocabl,
stablish" as th controllin# l#al
r+l or "cision contin+s to b
bin"in# btwn th sa! partis
as lon# as th facts on which th
"cision was pr"icat" contin+ to
b th facts of th cas bfor th
co+rt% Cnc* th bin"in# ffct an"
nforcabilit, of that "ict+! can no
lon#r b rs+rrct" anw sinc
s+ch iss+ ha" alra", bn
rsol$" an" finall, lai" to rst* if
not b, th principl of rs '+"icata*
at last b, concl+si$nss of
'+"#!nt%
Rs '+"icata has two concpts% Th
first is bar b, prior '+"#!nt +n"r
R+l <2* Sc% ?4 8b9 an" th scon"
is concl+si$nss of '+"#!nt +n"r
R+l <2* Sc% ?4 8c9% (oth concpts
ar fo+n"" on th principl of
stoppl* an" ar bas" on th
sal+tar, p+blic polic, a#ainst
+nncssar, !+ltiplicit, of s+its%
Li& th splittin# of ca+ss of action*
rs '+"icata in in p+rs+anc of s+ch
polic,% Mattrs sttl" b, a co+rtIs
final '+"#!nt sho+l" not b
liti#at" +pon or in$o&" a#ain%
Rliti#ation of iss+s alra", sttl"
!rl, b+r"ns th co+rts an" th
ta/pa,rs* crats +nasinss an"
conf+sion* an" wasts $al+abl ti!
an" nr#, that co+l" b "$ot" to
worthir cass%
In s+!* th final an" /c+tor,
NLRC "cision to th ffct that th
acc+s" wr not th !plo,s of
th acc+s" was bin"in# to th
cri!inal cas for $iolation of SS
laws%
<% In an, othr
liti#ation btwn th
sa! partis or thir
s+ccssors in intrst*
a9 that
onl, is
"!
" to
ha$
bn
a"'+"#
" in a
for!r
'+"#!
nt or
final
or"r
which
appar
s +pon
its
fac to
ha$
bn
so
a"'+"#
"* or
b9 which
was
act+all
, an"
ncss
aril,
incl+"
"
thrin
or
ncss
ar,
thrt
o*
it shall b concl+si$
btwn th partis an"
196
thir s+ccssors in
intrst
In +el5a v. Brar, >%R% No% 140101*
Spt!br ;1* ;=11* th SC
/plain" 5-+rispr+"nc ta+#ht +s
wll that res <udicata +n"r th first
concpt +n"r R+l <2* Sc% ?4 8b9
or as a bar a#ainst th prosc+tion
of a scon" action /ists whn thr
is i"ntit, of partis* s+b'ct !attr
an" ca+s of action in th first an"
scon" actions% Th '+"#!nt in th
first action is final as to th clai! or
"!an" in contro$rs,* incl+"in#
th partis an" thos in pri$it, with
th!* not onl, as to $r, !attr
which was offr" an" rci$" to
s+stain or "fat th clai! or
"!an"* b+t as to an, othr
a"!issibl !attr which !i#ht ha$
bn offr" for that p+rpos an" of
all !attrs that co+l" ha$ bn
a"'+"#" in that cas% In contrast*
res <udicata +n"r th scon"
concpt +n"r R+l <2* Sc% ?4 8c9
or stoppl b, '+"#!nt /ists whn
thr is i"ntit, of partis an"
s+b'ct !attr b+t th ca+ss of
action ar co!pltl, "istinct% Th
first '+"#!nt is concl+si$ onl, as
to thos !attrs act+all, an"
"irctl, contro$rt" an"
"tr!in" an" not as to !attrs
!rl, in$ol$" hrin%
In hr Co!plaint in Ci$il Cas
No% ;4@* rspon"nt alra", all#"
hr ri#ht to r"!ption an" pra,"*
a!on# othrs* th RTC:(ranch 00 to
or"r rspon"nt l#all, ntitl" to
r"! th s+b'ct proprt, for th
pric of P0;*===%==% Th Dcision
"at" Ma, 3* 122@ of th RTC:
(ranch 00 nithr "isc+ss"
rspon"ntIs ri#ht to r"!ption
nor or"r" in its "crtal portion
for ptitionrs to accpt
rspon"ntIs offr to r"! th
s+b'ct proprt,% In consonanc with
th pro$isions of R+l <2* Sction ?4
of th R+ls of Co+rt cit" abo$* w
hol" that all th !attrs within th
iss+s rais" in Ci$il Cas No% ;4@
wr lai" bfor RTC:(ranch 00 an"
pass" +pon b, it% Rs+ltantl,* th
silnc of th Dcision "at" Ma, 3*
122@ in Ci$il Cas No% ;4@ on
rspon"ntIs ri#ht to r"!ption
in$o&" b, th lattr "os not !an
that RTC:(ranch 00 "i" not ta&
co#niEanc of th sa!* b+t rathr*
that RTC:(ranch 00 "i" not "!
rspon"nt ntitl" to sai" ri#ht%

R#ar"lss of whthr or not
RTC:(ranch 00 rr" in not or"rin#
th r"!ption b, rspon"nt of th
s+b'ct proprt, in th Dcision
"at" Ma, 3* 122@ in Ci$il Cas No%
;4@* sai" '+"#!nt can no lon#r b
r$iw" or corrct" b, RTC:
(ranch 0@ in Ci$il Cas No% 04<% An,
rror co!!itt" b, RTC:(ranch 00
in th Dcision "at" Ma, 3* 122@ in
Ci$il Cas No% ;4@ co+l" onl, b
r$iw" or corrct" on appal%
Altho+#h rspon"nt initiall, fil" an
appal of sai" '+"#!nt bfor th
Co+rt of Appals* sh $nt+all,
fil" a !otion to with"raw th sa!*
which was #rant" b, th appllat
co+rt% Cnc* th Dcision "at"
Ma, 3* 122@ attain" finalit,%
11% Enforc!nt
an" Effct of
Fori#n -+"#!nts
or Final Or"rs
Sc% ?3* R+l <2* th ffct of a
'+"#!nt or final or"r of a trib+nal
197
of a fori#n co+ntr,* ha$in#
'+ris"iction to rn"r th '+"#!nt
or final or"r is as follows6
8a9 In cas of a '+"#!nt
or final or"r +pon a
spcific thin#* th
'+"#!nt or final or"r
is concl+si$ +pon th
titl to th thin#G an"
8b9 In cas of a
'+"#!nt or final or"r
a#ainst a prson* th
'+"#!nt or final or"r
is prs+!pti$ $i"nc
of a ri#ht as btwn
th partis an" thir
s+ccssors in intrst b,
a s+bs.+nt titl%

In ithr cas* th '+"#!nt or
final or"r !a, b rpll" b,
$i"nc of a want of '+ris"iction*
want of notic to th part,*
coll+sion* fra+"* or clar !ista& of
law or fact%
R% Proc"+r bfor
th Co+rt of Appals
1%
Ori#inal
cass 8R+l ?@9
;%
Prli!inar,
Confrnc 8R+l
?39
<% Oral
Ar#+!nt 8R+l
?29
?%
Dis!issal of
Appal 8R+l 0=9
0%
-+"#!nt 8R
+l 019
ReB Letter o7 Presidin5 &ustice
,onrado M. Aas'ue2 &r. on ,A>.R.
+P 8o. 10#6-! EAntonio Rosete v.
+4,F, Spt!br 2* ;==3
IRCA* Sc% ; R+l )I pro$i"s6 Whn*
in an ori#inal action or ptition for
r$iw* an, of ths actions or
proc"in#s* na!l,6 819 #i$in# "+
co+rsG 8;9 #rantin# of writ of
prli!inar, in'+nctionG 8<9 #rantin#
of nw trialG an"* 8?9 #rantin# of
/c+tion pn"in# appal* ha$
bn ta&n* th cas shall r!ain
with th -+stic to who! th cas is
assi#n" for st+", an" rport an"
th -+stics who participat"
thrin* r#ar"lss of thir transfr
to othr Di$isions in th sa!
station% Th+s* th .+stions pos"
wr as follows6
: Will th cas r!ain with
-+stic Sabio as Actin# Chair!an of
th Spcial 2
th
Di$ision who
participat" in th initial rsol+tion
of th casJ
: Will th cas r$rt to th
r#+lar 2
th
Di$ision with -+stic
R,s as Chair!anJ
P- )as.+E was of th opinion
that th Spcial 2
th
Di$ision sho+l"
contin+ rsol$in# th in'+nction
pra,r in th ptition bca+s it was
th Di$ision that iss+" th
Rsol+tion #rantin# th TRO an"
sttin# th harin# on th
198
application for th iss+anc of a writ
of prli!inar, in'+nction%
F+rthr!or* th 2
th
Di$ision !a,
not b allow" to rsol$ th
pn"in# inci"nts bca+s ; of its
!!brs -+stics R,s an"
(r+slas "i" not participat in th
harin#%
$eirs o7 &BL Reyes v. ,A, <<3 SCRA
;3; D Th SC !phaticall, r+l" that
th CA has no a+thorit, to iss+
i!!"iat /c+tion pn"in#
appal of its own "cision%
Discrtionar, /c+tion +n"r R+l
<2 is allow" pn"in# appal of a
'+"#!nt or final or"r of th trial
co+rt* +pon #oo" rasons to b
stat" in a spcial or"r aftr "+
harin#% A '+"#!nt of th CA
cannot b /c+t" pn"in# appal%
Onc final an" /c+tor,* th
'+"#!nt !+st b r!an"" to th
lowr co+rt whr a !otion for its
/c+tion !a, b fil" onl, aftr its
ntr,% In othr wor"s* bfor its
finalit,* th '+"#!nt cannot b
/c+t"% Thr can b no
"iscrtionar, /c+tion of a "cision
of th CA%
@% Motion
for
Rconsi"ration
8R+l 0;9
4% Nw
Trial 8R+l 0<9
3%
Intrnal
(+sinss 8R+l 0?9
2%
P+blica
tion of
-+"#!
nts
an"
Final
Rsol+
tions
8R+l
009
S% Proc"+r bfor
th S+pr! Co+rt
1% Ori#inal
cass
;% Prli!inar,
Confrnc
<% Oral
Ar#+!nt
?% -+"#!nt
Peo(le v. ,aruncho* -an+ar, ;<*
122?* a cas of !+ch a"o abo+t
nothin#% It shows how ti! is a
cr+cial factor in rsol$in# a cas%
Accor"in# to -+stic Crrra* as of
Spt!br ;=* 123;* th consns+s
thn was6 1= $ot" to #rant th
ptition* ; $ot" to "is!iss it* whil
; too& no part% As of Spt!br <=*
123;* @ $ot" to #rant th ptition*
0 $ot" to "is!iss it whil ; too& no
part% As of -+n ;<* 123<* ? $ot" to
#rant th ptition* 4 $ot" to
"is!iss it* ; too& no part whil 1 was
absnt% As of Spt!br ;4* 123<* 0
$ot" to #rant th ptition* 0 $ot"
to "is!iss* ; too& no part an" 1 was
on sic& la$% E$nt+all,* th
ptition was "is!iss" for lac& of
ncssar, $ots to #rant th sa!%
199
0% Motion for
Rconsi"ration
a% No
scon"
!otion
for
rcons
i"rati
on of a
'+"#!
nt or
final
rsol+t
ion b,
th
sa!
part,
shall
b
ntrt
ain"%
Lea5ue o7 ,ities o7 the Phili((ines
EL,PF v. ,o9elec
In th ori#inal "cision of th
Co+rt pro!+l#at" on No$!br 13*
;==3* th SC n banc b, a !a'orit,
$ot str+c& "own th 1@ Cit,hoo"
laws%
Th SC n banc b, a !a'orit,
"ni" th first !otion for
rconsi"ration on March <1* ;==2%
Th SC n banc b, a split $ot
"ni" th scon" !otion for
rconsi"ration on April ;3* ;==2%
With th "nial of th scon" !otion
for rconsi"ration* th Dcision of
th SC bca! final an" /c+tor,
an" rcor"" in th (oo& of Entris
of -+"#!nt%
On Dc!br ;1* ;==2* th
SC n banc +nprc"nt"l,
r$rs" th No$!br 13* ;==3
Dcision% Th !a'orit, /plain"
that th @:@ $ot on th scon"
!otion for rconsi"ration
ncssaril, rs+lt" in th "nial of
th scon" !otion for
rconsi"ration% On th othr han"*
th !inorit, opin" that th ti:$ot
cannot rs+lt in an, or"r or
"ircti$%
200