PREFACE

The Revised and Expanded Benchbook for Philippine Trial Courts is the
product of a Revision Committee headed by Professor Alfredo F. Tadiar as
Project Director. The Committee worked from September 2007 in 35 lengthy
meetings.

I, therefore, congratulate the team leader and members and thank them
for work well done. I am also grateful to the development partners, the United
States Agency for International Development (USAID), and the American Bar
Association-Rule of Law Initiative (ABA-ROLI) for providing funding for publishing
the Benchbook and the necessary training for its effective use, and for their
encouragement and support.

This new Benchbook replaces the first one prepared years ago by another
team. Hence, its being a revised and expanded work. It is primarily intended for
use by our judges but should likewise be of interest to prosecutors, defense
lawyers and The Bar at large.

The Philippine Judicial Academy, a unit of the Supreme Court with its own
charter, is tasked with the continuing training of judges and court personnel. It is
our hope that this revised and expanded Benchbook will contribute to the
attainment of that end.

Due to the growth of relevant materials, it was decided to divide the output
into two volumes. The guiding consideration has been to provide something that
is practical and easy to use. While we cannot guarantee absolute freedom from
errors or omissions, every effort has been made to make the publication as
accurate, correct and up to date as possible.

In a sense, a work of this nature is always one in progress, such that

future updates will have to be provided from time to time. Fortunately, the
Supreme Court has provided necessary funding for this purpose. PHILJA
welcomes suggestions and feedbacks from users and other stakeholders so that
the present offering will provide an effective service to all its users and in all our
courts.

Again, thank you and congratulations.

Manila, March 1, 2011.

ADOLFO S. AZCUNA
Chancellor
Philippine Judicial Academy