PHILJA Bulletin NO.69

Volume XVIII Issue No.
69 1
JanuaryMarch 2016 Volume XVIII Issue No. 69 ISSN 2244-5862
From the Chancellors Desk
Chief Justice Maria Lourdes P. A. Sereno addresses the delegates and guests of the Special Course on International Criminal Law and Security held on January 1822, 2016
at the PHILJA Training Center, Tagaytay City. Fifty-one participants attended the intensive five-day program, an inaugural program of the Academy intended to provide
training on areas of international law with concentration on settlement of disputes, as well as updates on the developments in international criminal law and security.
The start of 2016 was business as usual in the Philippine known as the Basic CET-TIP) in cooperation with the Justice
Judicial Academy with the conduct of the following Peace and Integrity of Creation, Inc. (JPIC), an NGO in the
activities pursuant to the Academys Regular Programs: the CARAGA Region, was likewise held for the benefit of the
74th Orientation Seminar-Workshop for Newly Appointed judges and other participants belonging in the region. A
Judges; the Judicial Career Enhancement Program for First series of activities under the newly developed module on the
Level Court Judges of the First Judicial Region; the Career Advanced Competency Enhancement Training in the Law on
Enhancement Program for Lawyers and Clerks of Court of Trafficking in Persons consisting of a Training of Trainers and
the National Capital Judicial Region (Batch 2: Quezon City, Las the first and second Pilot Programs (in Tagaytay and Aklan,
Pias, Marikina, Malabon and Valenzuela; Batch 3: Makati, respectively) were likewise launched during this quarter.
Pasig, Paraaque, Muntinlupa, Mandaluyong and Navotas); These projects were done in continuing partnership with
the Continuing Legal Education Program for Court Attorneys the AustraliaAsia Program against Trafficking in Persons
of the Court of Appeals (Visayas and Mindanao Stations), the (AAPTIP).
Sandiganbayan and the Court of Tax Appeals. We also assisted in the delivery of the 11th Biennial National
Several Special Focus seminar-workshops were also Convention and Seminar of the Court Legal Researchers
carried out, such as the Special Course on International Association of the Philippines (CLERAP) on their theme
Criminal Law and Security which was held in collaboration Moving Forward with Judicial Innovations and Reforms;
with the Office of the Chief Justice; and Training Seminars on the Convention and Seminar of the Judiciary Association of
the 2016 Revised Rules of Procedure for Small Claims Cases Clerks of the Philippines entitled The Judiciary Clerks Facing
for First Level Court Judges and Clerks of Court for the First, the Challenges of the Courts Modernization and the 21st
Fourth, Fifth, Sixth and Seventh Judicial Regions and the NCJR. National Convention and Seminar of the Philippine Women
Furthermore, the PHILJA Curriculum Review is well under way Judges Association (PWJA) proclaiming Philippine Women
with the holding of the Planning Workshop and Writeshop Judges: Dispensing Justice with a Gender Perspective.
activities. A Roundtable Discussion for Judges on Online Sexual
A Competency Enhancement Training for Judges, Exploitation of Children (OSEC) was launched in partnership
Prosecutors, Social Workers, and Law Enforcement with The Asia Foundation (TAF).
Investigators Handling Trafficking in Persons Cases (now (Continued on page 2)
2 JanuaryMarch 2016
Contents
Orders
From the Chancellors Desk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Memorandum Order No. 1-2016 Reorganizing the
Committee on Family Courts and Juvenile Concerns . . . 45
Judicial Views . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Memorandum Order No. 05-2016 Creating the
Training Programs and Activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Supreme Court Technical Working Group on Case
Judicial Moves . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Decongestion and Delay Reduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
First Impressions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Second Quarter Training Programs and Activities . . . 48
Doctrinal Reminders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
From the Chancellors Desk
Resolutions (Continued from page 1)
A.M. No. 10-4-20-SC The Internal Rules of the
Supreme Court . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 The Academy, through the Philippine Mediation Center
Office (PMCO), also conducted a number of activities
A.M. No. 08-8-7-SC The Rules of Procedure for supporting Alternative Dispute Resolution such as a Trainers
Small Claims Cases . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Training for Court-Annexed Mediation (CAM) and Judicial
Circulars Dispute Resolution (JDR); an Orientation Conference with
Stakeholders on CAM and Screening of Prospective Mediators
OCA Circular No. 03-2016 Supreme Court Health and PMC Unit Staff for the Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino and Aurora
and Welfare Plan Board Resolution No. 2015-26 Mediation Programs.
dated December 8, 2015 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Refresher/Advanced Courses for Court-Annexed
OCA Circular No. 11-2016 - Resolution Dated Mediators (Skills Enhancement Course) were also held in
November 16, 2015 in A.M. No. 03-03-03-SC various parts of the country where Mediation Programs are
(Amendment of A.M. 03-03-03-SC Dated June 17, in place, such as Cavite, Batangas, Quezon, Rizal, Bulacan,
2003, for the Expansion of the Coverage of Cases Laguna, Panay and Bacolod. A Roundtable Discussion and
Cognizable by the Special Commercial Courts to Writeshop on the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)
Include All Cases on Insolvency and Liquidation Mediation Policy, as well as a Specialized Mediation Training:
under the FRIA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Skills-Building Seminar-Workshop for SEC officials and
OCA Circular No. 14-2016 A.M. No. 07-3-09-SC employees were conducted.
(Re: Proposed Guidelines in the Disposition and/or We took note of the new rulings, doctrinal reminders,
Destruction of Court Records, Papers and Exhibits resolutions, circulars and orders of the Honorable Supreme
[Re: Simplified Guidelines for Disposing of Records Court along with OCA circulars.
of Long-decided Cases and Unneeded Documents
and Papers]) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 To our officials and staff, thank you for your hard work in
the previous year and may you all be continually inspired this
OCA Circular No. 19-2016 Court Resolution Dated New Year.
September 2, 2015 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
To our development partners, thank you for your ever
OCA Circular No. 103A-2015 Implementation of reliable support as we pursue our common goals.
Section 39 of Republic Act No. 9285 and Submission
To the Honorable Supreme Court, led by our own
of Inventory Reports in Relation Thereto . . . . . . . . . 40
Chairperson, the Honorable Chief Justice, Maria Lourdes P. A.
OCA Circular No. 37-2016 The Revised Rules of Sereno, we are very grateful for the affirmation of PHILJA and
Procedure for Small Claims Cases . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 our training programs and activities.
OCA Circular No. 40-2016 Constitutional To close, heres a thought which bears repeating: Que tus
Requirements and Rules in the Issuance of Arrest sueos sean ms grandes que tus mieds. May your dreams
and Search Warrants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 be bigger than your fears.
OCA Circular No. 63-2016 Requirement for All the best.
Deployment of Court Decongestion Officers . . . . . . 42
OCA Circular No. 65-2016 Requirement for ADOLFO S. AZCUNA
Deployment of Court Decongestion Officers . . . . . . 44 Chancellor
Volume XVIII Issue No. 69 3
Children in Conflict with the Law and Court Diversion Procedure:

Restorative Justice in Action* **
Hon. ANGELENE MARY W. QUIMPO-SALE
Presiding Judge
Regional Trial Court, Branch 106, Quezon City
I. INTRODUCTION lower than that prescribed by law for the crime committed;
The Juvenile Justice System in the Philippines is governed by and if the offender were over 15 years but under 18 years old,
Republic Act (RA) No. 9344, the Juvenile Justice and Welfare at least one degree lower than that prescribed by law.2 The
Act of 2006, a landmark piece of legislation that introduced offender, however, after trial and when found guilty by the
novel concepts, principles and procedure into our legal court was entitled to a suspended service of sentence which,
system and indubitably changed the face of juvenile justice under Article 80 of the Penal Code, was automatic without
in this country. need of application by the offender.
Juvenile justice in the Philippines, before RA No. 9344, Issued in 1974 during the early part of martial rule, PD
was largely governed by the Revised Penal Code, specifically No. 603 was the first comprehensive law on children. It
Article 12, paragraph 2 thereof and Presidential Decree (PD) re-enacted the provision of the Revised Penal Code on the
No. 603, the Child and Youth Welfare Code. At that time, minimum age of criminal responsibility which was over 9
terms such as restorative justice children in conflict with years old with discernment. It, however, amended Article
the law, diversion procedure,1 did not exist in our statute 80 of the Penal Code on suspension of service of sentence
books, let alone in Philippine jurisprudence and the Rules of by restricting the same only upon application by the minor-
Court. offender provided he or she must not have been convicted of
an offense punishable by death or life imprisonment, that he
The Revised Penal Code expressly provided for seven or she must not have once enjoyed suspension of sentence,
exempting circumstances from criminal liability, and one of and that he or she must not have been convicted for an offense
them was the minority of the offender. If the offender were by the Military Tribunal. PD No. 603 nonetheless went further
9 years old or below at the time of the commission of the by enumerating specific rights and responsibilities of the
offense, the offender would be exempt from criminal liability. child. It also emphasized the important role of parents in the
If the offender were over 9 years of age but below 15 years upbringing of the children and their corresponding liability for
but did not act with discernment, the offender would also wilful and negligent acts of their minor children. It stressed
be exempt from criminal liability; he however, had to be the involvement of the family and community in dealing with
committed to the care and custody of his family or to the care children, in general, and youthful offenders, in particular. The
of some institution or person charged with his surveillance Code prescribed the manner in which the young offender shall
and education. be treated as regards his physical and mental examination
If the offender were over 9 years of age but below 15 years upon apprehension; while on trial or pending appeal, in
old and acted with discernment, then the offender would not detention centers to be established for young offenders by
be exempt from criminal liability and would be subject to the Department of Local Government; or on recognizance to
the regular rules of criminal procedure. In the imposition of the custody of parents or other suitable person who shall be
the penalty, the offender who was over 9 years but under 15 responsible for the appearance of the offender in court; or
years of age, was entitled to a penalty at least two degrees committed to the care of the Department of Social Welfare
and Development in rehabilitation centers. The Code also
encouraged all barangay councils or local government units
* Paper delivered by Power Point presentation at the (1) Philippine Judicial
Academys training program entitled Competency Enhancement Training
to organize a Local Council for the Protection of Children
for Judges and Court Personnel Handling Cases Involving Children, July which, among others, shall take steps to prevent juvenile
2010; and at the (2) Regional Convention of the Asia Pacific Region of the delinquency.3
International Association of Women Judges, Taal Vista Hotel, Tagaytay
City, on May 14, 2015.

2
Article 68, Revised Penal Code.
** First of four-part series

3
Flora Eufemio, Non-Institutional Rehabilitation of Young Delinquents

1
The term diversion appears in Sec. 8 of RA No. 8369, The Family Courts and Offenders in the Philippines, Criminal Justice Journal, Vol. VIII, No. 3,
Act of 1997. Sept. Dec. 1988, p. 78.
4 JanuaryMarch 2016
Judicial Views (continued)
With all these provisions in the Code, PD No. 603 expressly Except for Manila, Quezon City and Caloocan City which had
and notably recognized the rights of the child and gave due their own youth detention centers11 most jails in the country
importance to the role of the family and community in caring did not have separate detention facilities for children.12 The
for the child, long before the Philippines ratified the UN daily food budget then was a total of only P35 and meals
Convention on the Rights of the Child in July 1990. did not take into account the nutritional needs of children.13
At that time in the 70s, all cases involving children, Many children complained of torture and abuse by police
whether criminal or civil, were under the jurisdiction of the officers and adult prisoners, and in Southern Mindanao, more
Juvenile and Domestic Relations Courts (JDRC). Created first in than 5 out of every 10 detained children suffered from sexual
1955 in the City of Manila, the JDRC handled all cases involving advances while in the custody of government authorities.14
children and the family, civil or criminal.4 The second JDRC In August 2005, CNN aired a special documentary on the
was established in Quezon City in 1966,5 and the third was in horrific conditions of Filipino children in jails.15 The Report
Caloocan City in 1969.6 showed images of children in the company of adult criminals
Additional Juvenile and Domestic Relations Courts such as murderers, rapists and other sex offenders housed
were created in 1978 in the cities and provinces all over the together in overcrowded prisons, making the children, some
country.7 In these courts, the trial of cases was governed by as young as 9 years old, vulnerable to the adult criminals.
the Rules of Court and the imposition of penalties for youthful There was an admission by the prison warden in the video
offenders was provided by Articles 68 and 80 of the Revised news report that the jail facility barely had resources to keep
Penal Code.8 all the inmates, more so the children, alive; that there were
few social workers to help the children, and there were not
Under the existing law then, children barely 9 years of age enough courts to try their cases swiftly. The prison, according
who were determined to have acted with discernment, were to the jail warden, had become a college of crime for child
actually imprisoned, often for petty crimes such as theft of prisoners, meaning, the children, while in prison, get
candy, vagrancy and violation of the 10 p.m. curfew imposed schooled and trained into committing more serious crimes
by local ordinances.9 In Manila, one child would often after their release from jail.16 This CNN feature was followed
have 25 casesranging from obstruction (peddling on the by a documentary by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation
sidewalk), peddling without a license, littering, riding a bicycle showing the plight of Filipino children in jail again.17
in tandem, to homicide, murder, etc.10 Children were usually
arrested in flagrante delicto and subsequently brought to (Continued on page 21)
jails where they were detained together with adult prisoners.
11
Manila had the Manila Youth Reception Center which was set up through

4
Republic Act No. 1401 entitled An Act Creating a Juvenile and Domestic the efforts of Justice Corazon Juliano-Agrava, Quezon City had the Molave
Relations Court in the City of Manila, Amending for This Purpose RA No. Youth Home set up through the efforts of Justice Leonor Ines-Luciano,
409 Otherwise Known as the Charter of the City of Manila. and Caloocan had the Sandigan, the Christian Children Foundation, set up
through Justice Regina Ordoez-Benitez.

5
Republic Act No. 4836 entitled An Act Creating a Juvenile and Domestic
Relations Court in Quezon City by Amending the Charter of Quezon City. 12
De Vera, supra note 9, citing House Bill No. 5065 entitled An Act Providing
Special Protection to Children in Conflict with the Law by Establishing a

6
Republic Act No. 5502 entitled An Act Revising RA No. 3278 otherwise
Comprehensive Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention under
known as the Charter of the City of Caloocan.
the Department of Justice, Appropriating Funds Therefor and for Other

7
Presidential Decree No. 1439 entitled Creating Additional Branches Purposes, 13th Congress, No. 110, February 13, 2006, Representative Etta
of the Courts of First Instance and City Courts, and New and Additional Rosales.
Juvenile and Domestic Relations Courts, in Certain Provinces and Cities. 13
The problems of children before the court were so great that Justice
This law created two additional branches of JDRC in Manila, a branch in
Corazon Juliano-Agrava, as presiding judge of the JDRC of Manila,
Pasay City and at least one JDRC in each of the 16 Judicial Districts (except
organized the Tahanan Outreach Projects and Services, Inc. (TOPS),
for the first and second Judicial Districts) all over the country.
composed of a group of businessmen, justices of the Supreme Court, as
8
Rosalina L. Luna Pison The Old and the New in the Handling of Cases well as trial judges for the purpose of attending to the various needs of the
Involving the Family, Women and Children in the Philippines, Speech children and their families. TOPS raised funds for the needs of the children
delivered at the National Summit on Family Courts, Manila Hotel, March in court, i.e., for their food, shelter, schooling, medical expenses and skills
12, 2010, unpublished paper, p. 2. development for the childrens parentsLuna Pison, supra note 8, at pp.
56.

9
Policy Paper of the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Council (JJWC), Keeping
the Minimum Age of Criminal Responsibility at 15 Years: When It is Not a 14
De Vera, supra note 9.
Matter of Choice citing UNICEF Child Protection, Trafficking, Commercial 15
Policy Paper of the JJWC, supra note 9, at p. 3 citing <http//picturetrail.
Sexual Exploitation, Violence Against Children, Juvenile Justice, Child
com/sfx/album/view/12420337>. The Website provides summary of the
Injury, p. 13. Also available at <http://www.unicef.org/epro/04_Child_
CNN Report by Chris Rogers. For transcript of the report see CNN website
protection.pdf>. See also Celina S. De Vera, Congressional Child Care: A
<http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0508/10/i_ins.01.html>.
Juvenile Attempt at Law-Making; Revisiting the Justice System for Children
in Conflict with the Law, LII UST Law Review 236 (AY 20072008). 16
Policy Paper of the JJWC, supra note 9.
10
Luna Pison, supra note 8.
17
Id.
Training Programs and Activities
PHILJA Celebrates 20th Foundation Day
In celebration of its 20th anniversary, the Philippine Judicial

Academy feted its former vice chancellor and 35 other
employees in a simple but festive ceremony, aptly dubbed as
PHILJA Soaring High @ 20, held on March 11 at the Court of
Appeals Auditorium in Manila.
Justice Justo P. Torres, Jr., was awarded a plaque
recognizing his 10-year distinguished service as PHILJA Vice
Chancellor (from 2005 to 2015) and as concurrent Acting
Chief for PHILJA Finance Office. The Academy further
extolled Justice Torres countless hours of devotion and
outstanding contribution in pursuing PHILJAs mandate, his
invaluable representation of PHILJA in various Supreme Court in the pursuit of excellence in the Judiciary. She received
committees, and his inspiring speeches delivered at various a certificate of recognition and a monetary incentive from
training programs and activities of the Academy, evincing his Chancellor Azcuna. To date, Atty. Clemente is the seventh
high regard for judicial education. recipient of the Chancellors Award. Previous awardees were
Incumbent PHILJA Vice Chancellor Justice Romeo J. Ms. Joan Marie C. Tejada (2010), Ms. Gloria M. Gatchalian
Callejo, Sr., accepted the award on Justice Torres behalf who (2011), Ms. Maria Luisa A. Magno (2012), Atty. Ronaldo M.
was unable to personally receive the award presented by Garcia (2013), Atty. Ria Corazon H. Berbano-Ablan (2014) and
PHILJA Chancellor Justice Adolfo S. Azcuna. Mr. Romulo M. Abancio, Jr. (2015).
Attorney Apple Jane B. Clemente, PHILJA Attorney IV, This years PHILJA Model Employees were Mr. Gregorio N.
received the coveted Chancellors Award for her dedication, Agojo, Cashier II, for the non-supervisory level, and Ms. Maria
efficiency, passion and steadfast commitment in performing Lourdes B. Dela Cruz, Budget Officer III, for the supervisory
her tasks as head of the Court Personnel Education Division of level. The awardees were first nominated by their peers and/
the Academic Affairs Office, for her leadership in the conduct or supervisors and were then voted by the members of the
of core programs, for her initiative in the implementation PHILJA Management Committee in secret balloting. Mr. Agojo
of special focus programs, for her strong work ethics, for and Ms. Dela Cruz each received a plaque and a monetary
going beyond the call of duty, and for her total commitment incentive.
6 JanuaryMarch 2016
Mr. Agojo was cited for religiously attending to his D. INSPIRATIONAL PUBLIC SERVANT AWARDS
duties and responsibilities with dedication, diligence, honesty 13. Customer Service Award In House
Ms. Elma A. Dreo
and integrity, and for always ensuring transparency and
14. Customer Service Award On Site
accountability in his dealings with others making him a good Ms. Jejen Q. Quilang-Allapitan
public servant. He also received a Loyalty Award for his 10
(Continued on page 13)
years of service to the Academy.
Ms. Dela Cruz, on the other hand, was recognized for
her genuine commitment, loyalty and honesty, utmost
PHILJA Representatives Attend
dedication, hard work, integrity and efficiency, and for Legal Forum on Cybercrime:
ensuring a harmonious working relationship with other office From Prevention to Prosecution
personnel making her a good role model in the workplace.
She was also a recipient of a Loyalty Award for her 15 years of PHILJA Chancellor Justice Adolfo S. Azcuna led the Academys
service to PHILJA. delegation to the Disini Tech Legal Forum on Cybercrime:
From Prevention to Prosecution held on February 24 at the
Atty. Clemente, Mr. Agojo and Ms. Dela Cruz will Dusit Thani Hotel Manila, Makati City.
automatically be nominated to the Supreme Court Program
on Awards and Incentives for Service Excellence (SC PRAISE) Joining Justice Azcuna were Ms. Ma. Beatriz A. Azcuna,
Committees Search for 2016 Model Employees and Special PHILJA Head Executive Assistant; Atty. Elmer DG. Eleria, Chief
Awardees. of Office for Administration; Atty. Ronaldo M. Garcia, PHILJA
Attorney IV; Atty. Apple Jane B. Clemente, PHILJA Attorney
Twenty special awards were also given to 21 PHILJA IV; and Ms. Joan Marie C. Tejada, Supervising Judicial Staff
employees and 1 PHILJA Consultant. Awardees were chosen Officer. Representatives from various government offices and
by the 129 PHILJA employees who participated in the peer- non-government offices, private law firms and companies
to-peer voting held simultaneously at PHILJA Manila and also attended the forum.
PHILJA Training Center in Tagaytay on March 7. Each of the
following awardees received a certificate, a trophy, and a Topics discussed during the forum were available
monetary incentive: investigation techniques to guide and manage cybercrime
incidents, digital forensic tools and procedures to analyze
A. PRAISE-WORTHY AWARDS networks making up a cybercrime event, and preserving
1. PHILJA Model Employee Award (Professional Level) digital evidence by Mr. Drexx Laggui, Principal Information
Ms. Judith B. del Rosario
2. PHILJA Public Relations Award
Security Consultant of Laggui & Associates, Inc., and Mr.
Atty. Ria Corazon H. Berbano-Ablan Mario B. Demarillas, Board of Trustee of the Association of
Ms. Joan Marie C. Tejada Certified Fraud Examiner Philippines & ISACA Manila Chapter;
3. PHILJA Ingenuity Award techniques to enhance interview skills for investigating
Mr. Joseph Arvin S. Cruz cybercrime cases by Mr. Jonathan Davison, Managing Director
4. PHILJA Outstanding Leader Award of the Forensic Interview Solutions, Ltd.; legal framework
Atty. Ria Corazon H. Berbano-Ablan
5. PHILJA Outstanding Laborer Award
and related laws on cybercrime, Republic Act No. 10175 and
Mr. Romeo A. Arcullo its implementing rules, and policies and programs of the
Department of Justice (DOJ)Office of Cybercrime by DOJ
B. MOVER AND SHAKER AWARDS
6. STAR (Strategic Thinker, Achiever and Results-Oriented) Award Acting Secretary and Chief of DOJ Office of the Cybercrime
Ms. Ma. Christina M. Molo-Recio Atty. Emmanuel L. Caparas; services provided by the National
Ms. Suzette P. Valdez Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and Philippine National Police
7. MVP (Multi-Tasking Valuable Partner) Award (PNP) to victims and complainants of cybercrime cases by
Ms. Honeylaine T. Rizarri Head Agent Ronald P. Aguto, Jr. of the NBI Cybercrime Division
8. GEM (Going the Extra Mile) Award
and PSupt. Jay D. Guillermo of the PNP Anti-Cybercrime
Ms. Elma A. Dreo
Group; implementing rules and regulations of the Cybercrime
C. EXCELLENT PERFORMERS IN SPECIFIC OCCUPATIONAL GROUP Prevention Act and challenges in prosecuting cybercrime cases
AWARDS
9. Executive Performer Award
by Atty. Jose Jesus M. Disini, Jr., Managing Partner, Disini and
Atty. Ronaldo M. Garcia Disini Law Office; and best practices in emergency response
10. Core Performer Award to cybercrime events by Mr. Albert P. de la Cruz, director of
Atty. Eric Voltaire A. Pablo the Philippine Computer Emergency Response Team. An open
11. Pillar Performer Award forum followed each presentation.
Ms. Joyce P. Abancio
12. Technical Skills Performer Award PHILJA is set to conduct a series of seminar-workshops on
Mr. Alexander D. Gobangco cybercrime this year.
Skills-Building Seminar-Workshop for Officials and Employees of the SEC

A four-day Specialized Mediation Training: Skills-Building Department Justina F. Callangan; laws implemented by SEC
Seminar-Workshop for Officials and Employees of the by Atty. Norma A. Tan-Olaya, Chief Counsel, SEC Markets and
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) was conducted Securities Regulation Department; and latest jurisprudence
by PHILJA on March 1 to 4 at the Ace Hotel and Suites in Pasig relating to SEC by Atty. Joel Marciano A. Florido, Securities
City. Review Counsel, SEC.
Forty-eight officials and employees of the SEC and its The next two days delved on the topics of mediation,
extension offices attended the program aimed at enabling the conflict management, negotiation, dispute resolution and
officials and employees learn and practice the skills required communication skills by PHILJA Professorial Lecturers Atty.
to settle disputes in SEC through mediation and developing Rita Linda V. Jimeno, Atty. Brenda Jay C. Angeles-Mendoza,
the requisite knowledge, attitude and skills for the effective Atty. Ronald S. Tolentino, Engr. Salvador P. Castro, Jr., and
performance of the different roles of a mediator. Court-Annexed Mediator Atty. Domingo Egon Q. Cayosa.
The first day sessions were devoted to discussions of the The fourth day topics focused on writing compromise
Philippine Judicial System and the Courts ADR mechanisms, agreements by Atty. Cayosa; and ethics in mediation and
and the role of lawyers in mediation by Makati City RTC Judge grievance machinery under the Interim Guidelines for
Selma P. Alaras, PHILJA Professorial Lecturer and Philippine Implementing Mediation in SEC by PHILJAs ADR Department
Mediation Center Office (PMCO) Executive Committee and ADR Grievance Committee Chair and Housing and
member; the 2006 Rules of Procedure of the SEC by Atty. Land Use Regulatory Board (HLURB) Commissioner Linda
Cyrus Richard A. Montesa, Securities Review Counsel, SEC; L. Malenab-Hornilla. She also facilitated a case simulation
the SEC Mediation Policy by SEC Commissioner Manuel exercise where participants applied what they have learned
Huberto B. Gaite; areas of concern on Securities Regulation in the conduct of mediation.
Code by SEC Director for Corporate Governance and Finance
Writeshop and Roundtable Discussion on

the Securities and Exchange Commission Mediation Policy
A two-day Writeshop and Roundtable Discussion on the on Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), as well as the existing
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Mediation Policy rules and guidelines on Court-Annexed Mediation (CAM) and
was conducted by the Philippine Judicial Academy, through Judicial Dispute Resolution (JDR).
the Philippine Mediation Center Office (PMCO), in partnership
Participants were then divided in four groups to draft
with the SEC, on February 22 to 23 at the SEC Building in
the different sections of the SEC Mediation Policy. They
Greenhills, Mandaluyong City.
later reconvened in plenary to discuss and finalize the draft
Nineteen participants from various offices of the SEC, Mediation Policy. The comprehensive SEC Mediation Policy
including their provincial and satellite offices, attended the provides the rationale for introducing ADR in the SEC. It also
two-day activity facilitated by Ms. Gloria Z. Seno, a PHILJA discusses the cases to be covered by mediation in the SEC;
lecturer and Managing Director of Resource Associates. the mediation process in the SEC; the mediation fees and
Among those who participated in the activity were 1 SEC mediators fee for SEC-accredited mediators; the qualification
Commissioner, 5 directors of various SEC Departments, 3 and accreditation of mediators; the Code of Ethical Standards
assistant directors, and 10 SEC lawyers and employees from for SEC mediators; and the SEC ADR Grievance Machinery.
the support services.
The final draft of the comprehensive SEC Mediation Policy
Sandiganbayan Associate Justice Geraldine Faith A. will be submitted to the SEC Chairperson for approval.
Econg, former PHILJA Chief of Office for PMC, oriented the
participants on the latest innovations of the Supreme Court (Atty. Jose C. Saluib, Jr.)
8 JanuaryMarch 2016
Orientation-Seminar
Hon. Linda B. Gumabol

74th Orientation Seminar-Workshop for
MTC, Kayapa, Nueva Vizcaya
Newly Appointed Judges
Date: January 26February 4, 2016 Region III
Venue: PHILJA Training Center, Tagaytay City Hon. Vanessa F. Bernardo-Agawin
Participants: 50 newly appointed judges, namely: MTC, Marilao, Bulacan
Hon. Perceveranda A. Dela Cruz
I. New Appointments
MTC, Arayat, Pampanga
Regional Trial Courts Region V
Region IV Hon. Dara SJ. Mallorca-Tormes
Hon. Edilwasif T. Baddiri MTC, Paracale, Camarines Norte
RTC, Br. 96, Catanauan, Quezon Hon. Jonel C. Martinez-Ursua
Hon. Romeo S. Buenaventura MTC, Jose Panganiban, Camarines Norte
RTC, Br. 59, Lucena City, Quezon Region VI
Hon. Rudiger G. Falcis II Hon. Conrado A. Estreller, Jr.
RTC, Br. 16, Cavite City, Cavite MTC, Cauayan, Negros Occidental
Hon. Mary Charlene V. Hernandez-Azura Hon. Mary Ann Charisma C. Gutierrez-Kho
RTC, Br. 22, Imus, Cavite MTC, Hinobaan, Negros Occidental
Hon. Paul B. Jagmis, Jr.
RTC, Br. 95, Roxas, Palawan Region VII
Hon. Alwen M. Paqueo
Region V MTC, San Fernando, Cebu
Hon. Maria Clarissa L. Pacis-Trinidad
RTC, Br. 36, Iriga City, Camarines Sur Region VIII
Hon. Teofilo B. Tambago Hon. Fidelina Q. Grapilon
RTC, Br. 46, Masbate City, Masbate MTC, Carigara, Leyte
Region VI Municipal Circuit Trial Courts
Hon. Ana Celeste P. Bernad
RTC, Br. 44, Bacolod City, Negros Occidental Region I
Hon. Vida A. Cortez-Jimeno
Region VII
12th MCTC: TagudinSuyo, Ilocos Sur
Hon. Maria Angelita B. Alcoran
RTC, Br. 37, Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental Region II
Hon. Amy I. Alafag-Verzola
Municipal Trial Courts in Cities 4th MCTC: LunaPudtolCalanasan, Apayao
Region IV Hon. Meliton C. Galia
Hon. Ireneo M. Lustre 8th MCTC: AngadananSan Guillermo, Isabela
MTCC, Sta. Rosa City, Laguna Hon. Greta Mae B. Gayagay
Hon. Liezel Rosario S. Mendoza 6th MCTC: KabugaoConner, Apayao
MTCC, Tagaytay City, Cavite Region IV
Region VII Hon. Maria Luwalhati C. Cruz
Hon. Erwin M. Ucat 4th MCTC: AlfonsoGeneral Aguinaldo, Cavite
MTCC, Br. 3, Tagbilaran City, Bohol Hon. Lucena D.C. Dacuan
Hon. Angie M. Ucat-Logarta 5th MCTC: Araceli-Dumaran, Palawan
MTCC, Br. 2, Tagbilaran City, Bohol Hon. Donna Lee S. Dunuan-Gobway
3rd MCTC: LoocAlcantaraSta. FeSan Jose, Romblon
Municipal Trial Courts Hon. Emery Joy M. Ma-Jabal
Region I 2nd MCTC: BansudGloria, Mindoro Oriental
Hon. Kode G. Daoas Hon. Grandis Rem T. Manalabe
MTC, Tadian, Mt. Province 10th MCTC: San FranciscoSan Andres, Quezon
Hon. Dioanne B. Palao
Region II 7th MCTC: QuezonBalabacBatarazaDr. Jose P. Rizal, Palawan
Hon. Catherine P. Bangi-Allas Hon. May Hazel M. Tagupa
MTC, Br. 1, Lal-lo, Cagayan 2nd MCTC: SilangAmadeo, Cavite
Region VI
Hon. Carmela Mae F. Mallada-Tunguia Career Enhancement Program
12th MCTC: CabatuanMaasin, Iloilo
Hon. Clarence G. Zerrudo
1st MCTC: JordanNueva ValenciaSibunag, Guimaras Career Enhancement Program for Lawyers/Clerks of Court of
Region VII the National Capital Judicial Region
Hon. Gerry Robertson P. Mira Batch 2
2nd MCTC: LaziMariaSan Juan, Siquijor Date: February 1012, 2016
Region VIII Venue: PHILJA Training Center, Tagaytay City
Hon. Allan G. Cornejo Participants: 69 CA-Mindanao Station, RTC and MeTC lawyers/
10th MCTC: CatarmanLope de Vega, Northern Samar clerks of court
Region X Batch 3
Hon. Maureen B. Feliza-Chua Date: March 1618, 2016
3rd MCTC: PlacerBacuag, Surigao del Norte Venue: PHILJA Training Center, Tagaytay City
Participants: 67 RTC and MeTC lawyers/clerks of court
Region XI
Hon. Clarissa M. Superable-Develos
6th MCTC: Jose Abad SantosSarangani, Davao del Sur
Continuing Legal Education Program
Region XII
Hon. Zarah D.C. Aguisando-Silvosa
3rd MCTC: PadadaKiblawan, Davao del Sur Continuing Legal Education Program for Court Attorneys
Hon. Mylene I. Amerol-Macumbal Court of AppealsMindanao Station
6th MCTC: TubodBaroyMagsaysay, Lanao del Norte Date: February 1516, 2016
Hon. Flerida Aisa V. Boloto Venue: Seda Centrio Hotel, Cagayan de Oro City
3rd MCTC: GanassiMadambaPagayawanPualas Participants: 45 court attorneys and observers
Lanao Del Sur
Hon. Helegarde S. De Pedro Court of AppealsVisayas Station
3rd MCTC: KauswaganPoonaPiagapo, Lanao del Norte Date: February 1819, 2016
Hon. Rakimah B. Macaraya Venue: Hotel Elizabeth, Cebu City
7th MCTC: Ditsaan-RamainBubongBuadiposo-Buntong Participants: 47 court attorneys
Lanao del Sur
Sandiganbayan and Court of Tax Appeals
II. Promotion Date: March 34, 2016
Venue: PHILJA Training Center, Tagaytay City
Regional Trial Courts Participants: 66 court attorneys
Region IV
Hon. Glenda R. Mendoza-Ramos
RTC, Br. 36, Calamba City, Laguna Special Focus Program
Hon. Edralin C. Reyes
RTC, Br. 43, Roxas, Mindoro Oriental
Special Course on International Criminal Law and Security
Region V
Date: January 1822, 2016
Hon. Soliman M. Santos, Jr.
Venue: PHILJA Training Center, Tagaytay City
RTC, Br. 61, Naga City, Camarines Sur
Participants: 51 judges, Supreme Court, Court of Appeals,
Region VI Sandiganbayan and Court of Appeals court attorneys, and
Hon. Kristine B. Tiangco-Vinculado representatives from the Office of the Executive Secretary,
RTC, Br. 16, Roxas City, Capiz Senate of the Philippines, Office of the Solicitor General, Public
Attorneys Office and Department of Foreign Affairs
Judicial Career Enhancement Program Training of Trainers on Advanced Competency Enhancement

(JCEP) Training on Trafficking in Persons Cases
Development Partner: AustraliaAsia Program to Combat
Trafficking in Persons (AAPTIP)
First Level Court Judges of the First Judicial Region Date: February 1, 2016
Date: February 2224, 2016 Venue: The Lake Hotel Tagaytay, Tagaytay City
Venue: PHILJA Training Center, Tagaytay City Participants: 22 judges, prosecutors, lecturers, PHILJA personnel
Participants: 80 MTCC, MTC and MCTC judges and representative from AAPTIP
10 JanuaryMarch 2016
Advanced Competency Enhancement Training for Judges, First Judicial Region

Prosecutors, Legal Researchers, Social Workers, and Law Date: February 24, 2016
Enforcement Investigators Handling Trafficking in Persons Venue: PHILJA Training Center, Tagaytay City
Cases Participants: 81 judges
Development Partner: AustraliaAsia Program to Combat Fifth Judicial Region
Trafficking in Persons (AAPTIP) Date: February 26, 2016
Date: February 24, 2016 Venue: Oriental Hotel, Legazpi City
Venue: The Lake Hotel Tagaytay, Tagaytay City Participants: 139 judges and clerks of court
Participants: 47 judges, prosecutors, court legal researchers,
social workers, prosecutors, and law enforcement investigators Sixth Judicial Region
Date: March 4, 2016
Date: March 1517, 2016 Venue: The Inns by The Oriental, Bacolod City
Venue: Crown Regency Resort and Convention Center Participants: 141 judges, clerks of court
Malay, Aklan
Participants: 28 judges, prosecutors, social workers, and law Seventh Judicial Region
enforcers Date: March 18, 2016
Venue: Harolds Hotel, Cebu City
Participants: 148 judges and clerks of court
Competency Enhancement Training for Judges, Prosecutors,
Social Workers and Law Enforcement Investigators Handling
Trafficking in Persons Cases
Development Partners: Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation
Roundtable Discussion
Integrated Development Center, Inc. and KKSCinemobile
Phase III PHILJA Curriculum Review: Planning and Workshop
Date: March 24, 2016 Date: February 10, 2016
Venue: Marco Polo Plaza, Davao City Venue: Bernas Center, Ateneo School of Law
Participants: 50 judges, prosecutors, social workers, law Rockwell, Makati City
enforcement investigators, and a representative from the Participants: 15 subcommittee members and secretariat/
Department of Justice (DOJ) documenters
Training Seminar on the 2016 Revised Rules of Procedure for PHILJA Curriculum Review: Writeshop
Small Claims Cases for First Level Court Judges and Clerks of Date: March 1516, 2016
Court Venue: PHILJA Training Center, Tagaytay City
NCJR and Fourth Judicial Region Participants: 13 subcommittee members and secretariat/
Date: January 18, 2016 documenters
Venue: Court of Appeals Auditorium, Manila
Participants: 342 judges and clerks of court Roundtable Discussions for Judges on Online Sexual
Exploitation of Children (OSEC)
Fourth Judicial Region (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Development Partners: United Nations Childrens Fund,
Palawan and Quezon) Australian EmbassyThe Philippines, and The Asia Foundation
Date: February 19, 2016 Date: March 9, 2016
Venue: PHILJA Training Center, Tagaytay City Venue: Manila Hotel, Manila
Participants: 116 judges and clerks of court Participants: 20 judges
Second Quarter 2016 Training Programs and Activities

(Continued from page 47)
Pre-Internship Orientation and Meeting with Judges,
Clerks of Court, Branch Clerks of Court, Mediation
Judicial Conference on Cybercrime Traineers and PMC Unit Staff
June 2324, PHILJA Training Center, Tagaytay City Nueva Vizcaya Mediation Program
Seminar-Workshop for Selected Judges on Financial June 28, Governors Garden Hotel, Solano, Nueva Vizcaya
Crimes and Money Laundering Aurora Mediation Program
June 2829, Manila Diamond Hotel, Manila July 1, Machiavelli Lodge, Baler, Aurora
Convention-Seminar
Orientation and Screening of Prospective Mediators and
PMC Unit Staff
11th Biennial National Convention and Seminar of the Court
Legal Researchers Association of the Philippines (CLERAP) Aurora Mediation Program
Theme: Moving Forward with Judicial Innovations and Reforms Date: February 16, 2016
Date: February 1719, 2016 Venue: Hall of Justice, Baler, Aurora
Venue: La Carmela Hotel, Malay, Aklan Participants: 24 prospective mediators and PMCU staff
Participants: 282 court legal researchers applicants
Nueva Vizcaya Mediation Program
Convention and Seminar of the Judiciary Association of Clerks Date: February 18, 2016
of the Philippines (JACOPHIL) Venue: Hall of Justice, Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya
Theme: The Judiciary Clerks Facing the Challenges of the Courts Participants: 31 prospective mediators and PMCU staff
Modernization applicants
Date: February 2224, 2016
Quirino Mediation Program
Venue: Villa Caceres Hotel, Naga City
Participants: 920 clerks
Venue: Hall of Justice, Cabarroguis, Quirino
Participants: 20 prospective mediators and PMCU staff
21st National Convention and Seminar of the Philippine
applicants
Women Judges Association (PWJA)
Theme: Philippine Women Judges: Dispensing Justice with a
Trainers Training for Court-Annexed Mediation
Gender Perspective
Date: January 2021, 2016
Date: March 911, 2016
Venue: Bayview Hotel, Roxas Boulevard, Manila
Venue: Manila Hotel, Manila
Participants: 26 lecturers
Participants: 396 judges
Refresher/Advanced Course for Court-Annexed Mediators
(Skills Enhancement Course)
Alternative Dispute Resolution Program
Cavite, Batangas and Quezon Mediation Programs
Orientation Conference with Stakeholders on Venue: Bayview Park Hotel, Roxas Boulevard, Manila
Court-Annexed Mediation Participants: 35 mediators
Nueva Vizcaya Mediation Program Rizal, Bulacan and Laguna Mediation Programs
Date: January 26, 2016 Date: February 45, 2016
Venue: 24/7 Inn, Solano, Nueva Vizcaya Venue: Bayview Park Hotel, Roxas Boulevard, Manila
Participants: 67 judges, clerks of court/branch clerks of court, Participants: 34 mediators
National Prosecution Service (NPS), Public Attorneys and
IBP lawyers, representatives from LGUs, NGOs, civil society, Roundtable Discussion and Writeshop on the Securities and
business sector, academe and media Exchange Commission (SEC) Mediation Policy
Quirino Mediation Program Venue: SEC Multi-Purpose Hall, EDSA, Mandaluyong City
Date: January 27, 2016 Participants: 19 SEC officials and personnel
Venue: Capitol Plaza Hotel and Restaurant, Cabarroguis, Quirino
Participants: 57 judges, clerks of courts/branch clerks of court, Specialized Mediation Training: Skills-Building Seminar-
National Prosecution Service (NPS), Public Attorneys and Workshop for Officials and Employees of the Securities and
IBP lawyers, representatives from LGUs, NGOs, civil society,
Exchange Commission (Skills-based Course)
academe and media
Date: March 14, 2016
Aurora Mediation Program Venue: Ace Hotel and Suites, Brixton Street, Pasig City
Date: January 28, 2016 Participants: 48 SEC officials and personnel
Venue: Carlitos Inn and Lodging House, Baler, Aurora
Participants: 59 judges, clerks of court/branch clerks of court, Trainers Training on Judicial Dispute Resolution
National Prosecution Service (NPS), PAO and IBP lawyers, and Date: March 1315, 2016
representatives from LGUs, NGOs, Civil Society, business sector, Venue: Manila Pavilion Hotel, Manila
academe and media Participants: 13 lecturers
Chief Justice Maria Lourdes P. A. Sereno (front row, center), Justice Diosdado M. Peralta (front row, 11th from left), PHILJA Chancellor Justice Adolfo S. Azcuna (front
row, 9th from left) and SC Public Information Office Chief Atty. Theodore O. Te (front row, first from right) with the participants of the 74th Orientation Seminar-
Workshop for Newly Appointed Judges held on January 26February 4, 2016 at the PHILJA Training Center, Tagaytay City.
Chief Justice Maria Lourdes P. A. Sereno (seated, center), PHILJA Chancellor Adolfo S. Azcuna (seated, 6th from right), PHILJA Chief of Office for Academic Affairs
Justice Delilah Vidallion Magtolis (seated, 5th from right) with the resource persons and participants of the Special Course on International Criminal Law and Security
held on January 1822, 2016 at the PHILJA Training Center, Tagaytay City.
Supreme Court Associate Justice Diosdado M. Peralta (seated, center) and Court of Appeals Justice Fernanda Lampas-Peralta (front row, seated, 13th from left) with the
participants of the Training Seminar on the 2016 Revised Rules of Procedure for Small Claims Cases for First Level Court Judges and Clerks of Court of the Fourth Judicial
Region (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan and Quezon) held on February 19, 2016 at the PHILJA Training Center, Tagaytay City.
PHILJA Celebrates 20th Foundation Day Justice Azcuna, in his closing message, stressed that
PHILJAs 20th anniversary is indeed a milestone, a historical
juncture in the life of the Academy as it continues its pursuit
15. Congeniality Award of judicial excellence not only in the country but in the entire
Mr. Rowel E. Saule
region as well. Justice Azcuna congratulated all the awardees
16. Positive Vibes Award
Ms. Lourdes V. de Castro for their remarkable performance, and challenged everyone
17. Go Green Award to carry out their duties exceedingly well.
Mr. Allan M. Vigal PHILJA was created by the Supreme Court on March 12,
D. SPECIAL RECOGNITION TO NON-PHILJA EMPLOYEE 1996 through Administrative Order No. 35-96 (Establishment
18. Outstanding Employee Detailed to PHILJA of the Philippine Judicial Academy). On February 26, 1998, the
Mr. Franklin C. Karganilla
Academy received its mandate through Republic Act No. 8557
E. BEST IN ATTENDANCE (An Act Establishing the Philippine Judicial Academy, Defining
19. Mr. Fontanillo S. Valentin Its Powers and Functions, Appropriating Funds Therefor, and
The 20th special award was presented to Atty. Orlando for Other Purposes). This law institutionalized PHILJA as a
B. Cario in grateful appreciation of his commitment and training school for justices, judges, court personnel, lawyers,
work as PHILJA Consultant from 2000 to 2016. Atty. Cario, and aspirants to judicial posts.
during his consultancy, prepared materials for the revision
of the Manual for Sheriffs, edited the Academys Electronic Training Seminar on
Fax Alerts, and researched new rulings of the Court as well as
doctrinal reminders published in the PHILJA Bulletin.
the 2016 Revised Rules of Procedure for
The six recipients of the PRAISE-Worthy Awards will also
Small Claims Cases for Judges
be automatically nominated to the 2016 Search for Model and Clerks of Court
Employees and Special Awardees. Three hundred forty-two first level court judges and selected
The Academy conferred loyalty awards to 10 clerks of court of the National Capital Judicial Region and
employees,who have reached 15 and 10 years of continuous Region IV-A attended the Academys first Training Seminar
service to PHILJA. Awardees for 15-year service were Ms. on the 2016 Revised Rules of Procedure for Small Claims
Joyce P. Abancio, Mr. Elizalde S. Carmona, Mr. Romil Q. De Cases for Judges and Clerks of Court held on January 18 at
Leon and Ms. Maria Lourdes B. Dela Cruz while awardees for the Court of Appeals Auditorium in Manila.
10-year service were Mr. Gregorio N. Agojo, Ms. Evangi Lee A. Supreme Court Associate Justice Diosdado M. Peralta,
Garcia, Ms. Gloria M. Gatchalian, Ms. Micaela J. Hosillos, Ms. Chairperson of the SC Special Committee on Small Claims, and
Maria Luisa A. Magno, and Ms. Marissa P. Mariano. Court of Appeals (CA) Associate Justice Fernanda Lampas-
Selected PHILJA officials and employees gave testimonial Peralta, member of the SC Special Committee on Small Claims
messages narrating their memorable experiences with Cases, comprehensively discussed the 2016 Revised Rules
PHILJA, and how working with the Academy has shaped their of Procedure for Small Claims Cases (A.M. No. 08-8-7-SC)
lives and careers. Justice Callejo represented the Academic approved by the Court on December 8, 2015. The Rules shall
Council, Judge Georgina D. Hidalgo represented the Board be effective on February 1, 2016.
of Trustees, Mr. Bernardo C. Fabro represented PHILJA Judge Jackie B. Crisologo-Saguisag of the Metropolitan
employees belonging to Salary Grades 310, Ms. Jennifer D. Trial Court Branch 67, Makati City, talked about the
Atienza represented those belonging to Salary Grades 1125, amendments in the sample orders and forms. Atty. Maria
and Atty. Ma. Melissa R. Dimson-Bautista represented the Alma Corazon H. Puncia from the Judicial Supervision and
PHILJA Lawyers. Monitoring Division of the Office of the Court Administrator
Video-taped messages of the three PHILJA employee Court Management Office guided the participants on how to
representatives were shown, however, by popular request, accomplish the new Small Claims Monitoring Form.
they were asked for a live delivery of their messages, The Special Committee on Small Claims Cases is
punctuated with sobs and laughter before 169 PHILJA composed of SC Justice Peralta as Chairperson; SC Justice
officials, employees and guests who attended the anniversary Lucas P. Bersamin as Vice Chairperson; and SC Justice Martin
program. S. Villarama, Jr., SC Justice Jose C. Mendoza, SC Justice
Among those who graced the whole-day anniversary Estela M. Perlas-Bernabe, CA Justice Lampas-Peralta, Court
program were Justice Jose C. Vitug, Court Administrator Administrator Jose Midas P. Marquez, Judge Crisologo-
Jose Midas P. Marquez, Deputy Court Administrator Raul B. Saguisag and Atty. Ma. Lourdes Evelyn B. Oliveros, as
Villanueva, and Judge Hidalgo. members.
Hon. REYNALDO P. CRUZ management at the National Center for State Courts (NCSC)
Associate Justice, Sandiganbayan based in the United States of America in 2006 and 2008. She
Appointed on January 20, 2016 also holds a Diploma in Urban and Regional Planning from the
University of the Philippines, a Certificate in Environmental
Justice Reynaldo P. Cruz majored Management, and a Certificate in International Criminal Law
in Journalism at the University of from Salzburg University, Austria.
the Philippines. He obtained his
Justice Econg obtained her Bachelor of Philosophy and
Bachelor of Laws degree in 1991,
Bachelor of Laws degrees from the University of San Carlos in
also from the University of the
Cebu City. She placed 15th in the 1993 Bar Examinations.
Philippines, while working as chief
of the Public Information Office
of the National Economic and Hon. MARIA THERESA V. MENDOZA-ARCEGA
Development Authority (NEDA). Associate Justice, Sandiganbayan
Appointed on January 20, 2016
In November 1991, he joined
the Bautista, Picazo, Buyco Tan Justice Maria Theresa V. Mendoza
and Fider Law Offices and engaged in litigation practice for Arcega started her judicial career
19 years with various law firms. He returned to government in 1990 as one of the Court
service in 2010 and served as Undersecretary and head of the Attorneys in the Office of then
Strategic Initiatives Management Office (SIMO) at the Office Supreme Court Associate Justice
of the President until his appointment to the Sandiganbayan Florenz Regalado. In 1991, she
on January 20, 2016. transferred to Malolos, Bulacan
Justice Cruz was born in Manila on July 8, 1955. His as Branch Clerk of Court of the
parents were both career public servants. Regional Trial Court of Bulacan,
Branch 13. She was appointed
Hon. GERALDINE FAITH A. ECONG Presiding Judge of the Municipal
Associate Justice, Sandiganbayan Trial Court of Bustos, Bulacan in 1997. She was promoted in
Appointed on January 20, 2016 2004 as Presiding Judge of the Regional Trial Court of Bulacan,
Branch 17, where she also served as Executive Judge of the
Justice Geraldine Faith A. Regional Trial Court of Bulacan until her appointment to the
Econg was appointed to the Sandiganbayan on January 20, 2016.
Sandiganbayan on January 20, Justice Arcega is a Professor of Law at the San Beda
2016. College, her alma mater, and at the Bulacan State University,
Before her appointment her home province, teaching Persons and Family Relations,
to the bench, Justice Econg Judicial and Legal Ethics. She is a PHILJA facilitator and
was a private law practitioner lecturer on various seminars here and abroad; a member of
specializing in natural resources the Supreme Court Committee on Family Courts and Juvenile
and environmental law. Her Concerns; and one of the three Philippine representatives
judicial career started when she designated by the Chief Justice to the International Hague
was appointed in 2002 as Judge Network of Judges.
of the Minglanilla Municipal Trial Court in Cebu, and later on Justice Arcega finished her Bachelor of Laws degree in
as Presiding Judge of RTC Branch 9, Cebu City in 2004. She 1990 from the San Beda College, Manila. She also earned a
then became the Judicial Reform Program Administrator of degree in accountancy, cum laude, at the University of the
the Supreme Courts Program Management Office in 2010; East, and is a Certified Public Accountant.
Acting Head of the Philippine Judicial Academys Philippine
Mediation Center Office (PMCO) in May 2015; and PHILJA She is also very much involved in the Philippine Trial
Chief of Office for PMC in July 2015. Judges League, Inc., Philippine Women Judges Association,
Philippine Judges Association, Rotary Club of Malolos Hiyas,
An Associate Mediator at the Singapore Mediation Center,
Justice Econg attended special courses in court and case (Continued on page 21)
Hon. KARL BELANDRES MIRANDA Hon. MICHAEL FREDERICK L. MUSNGI

Associate Justice, Sandiganbayan Associate Justice, Sandiganbayan
Appointed on January 20, 2016 Appointed on January 20, 2016
Justice Karl Belandres Miranda Associate Justice Michael

received his Bachelor of Science Frederick L. Musngi was the
in Business Management degree Undersecretary/Chief of Staff
from the Ateneo de Manila of the Office of the Executive
University, his Bachelor of Laws Secretary (OES), Office of the
degree from the University of the President. Concurrently, he
Philippines College of Law, and his headed the Office of Special
Master in Public Administration Concerns handling various
degree from the John F. Kennedy policy review, management, and
School of Government in Harvard executive operations. Among
University. others, he served as ex officio
member of the Board of Directors of the National Housing
He began working for the Office of the Solicitor General
Authority (NHA), Philippine National Railways (PNR), Maritime
in 1986. He rose from the ranks and was appointed Assistant
Industry Authority (MARINA), Urban Triangle Development
Solicitor General in 1999 to head the Sedfrey A. Ordoez
Commission (TriDev), Presidential Agrarian Reform Council
Division.
(PARC), and the Career Executive Service Board (CESB). He
During his stint in the OSG, Justice Miranda helped also sat as a member of the Judicial and Bar Council for the
handle many significant cases for the Government. Some selection of the new Supreme Court Chief Justice in 2012.
of these are the defense of the Ombudsmans finding of (Continued on page 21)
probable cause in the Priority Development Assistance Fund
(PDAF) cases; Sarah Balabagans appeal to the United Arab Hon. ZALDY V. TRESPESES
Emirates appellate court; the Flor Contemplacion case where Associate Justice, Sandiganbayan
he helped in desperate efforts to stay Flors execution in Appointed on January 20, 2016
Singapore, as well as the subsequent investigation conducted
Born on December 30, 1972 in
by the Government into the matter which resulted in the
Arevalo, Iloilo City, Justice Zaldy
passage of the landmark Migrant Workers Act; and the Gulf
V. Trespeses earned his Bachelor
War Claims of the Republic of the Philippines against Iraq
of Arts in Political Science degree
before the United Nations Compensation Commission in
(cum laude) in 1993 from the
Geneva, Switzerland.
University of San Agustin in
Justice Mirandas personal advocacy is to use law reform Iloilo City, with an award for
to attract the best to work for government. He believes that Leadership, Forensic Excellence
providing civil servants with compensation and benefits and Community Involvement. A
packages at par with the private sector is the best tool to member of the Fraternal Order
eliminate corruption in the public sector. In particular, his of Utopia, he obtained his Juris
efforts have helped contribute to the passage of Republic Doctor degree (Second Honors) from the Ateneo De Manila
Act No. 9417, the OSG Reform Law, and similar laws for other University School of Law in 1997.
agencies within the Department of Justice that have raised
After passing the 1997 Bar Examinations, Justice
employees salary grades and provided them many benefits.
Trespeses worked as a junior associate in a Makati-based law
In his spare time, Justice Miranda has been teaching in office for a year, then he transferred to another law firm and
the college inside the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City handled litigation for 11 years. In 2008, he was named partner
where prisoners are studying to earn a college degree while of the firm. That same year, Justice Trespeses completed his
serving their sentences. He assisted in setting up E-Dalaw Masters Degree in Social Justice and Global Development at
(electronic dalaw) computerized prison visitation facilities in St. Johns University (Rome Campus).
various jails and prisons around the country. He also helped
In October 2010, Justice Trespeses joined the office
put up the Bilibid Puzakals, the Bureau of Corrections first
of then newly appointed Supreme Court Associate Justice
soccer team composed of prisoners.
Maria Lourdes P. A. Sereno as Court Attorney VI. A year after
Justice Miranda was born on October 9, 1957. He is Chief Justice Sereno was appointed head of the Judiciary in
married and has three children. (Continued on page 21)
in the determination of just compensation should not be

taken against petitioner. After all, it is ultimately the
courts mandated duty to adjudge whether the parties
submissions are correct. It is the courts, not the litigants,
who decide on the proper interpretation or application of the
Remedial Law; Code of Muslim law and, thus, only the courts may determine the rightful
Personal Law compensation in accordance with the law and evidence
presented by the parties. It is incongruous for the court below
Jurisdiction of ShCC and ShDC to rule on issues of custody. to uphold a proposition merely because it was recommended
by a party, despite the same being erroneous. x x x
Following the doctrine, the ShCC, in cases involving
divorce, possesses the power to resolve the issue of custody, Peralta, J., National Power Corporation v. Elizabeth Manalastas and Bea
it being a related issue to the main cause of action. Castillo, G.R. No. 196140, January 27, 2016.
At this juncture, the question must be asked: By
recognizing the power of the ShCC to rule on the issue of
custody, would this effectively render Article 143 of PD No. Labor Law
1083 meaningless, considering that the same is unequivocal in
providing that the ShDC has the exclusive original jurisdiction
to decide on all cases involving custody? Two requirements in dealing with probationary employee.
The Court rules in the negative. In Abbott Laboratories v. Alcaraz, the Court stated that when
dealing with a probationary employee, the employer is
A distinction must be made between a case for divorce
made to comply with two requirements: first, the employer
wherein the issue of custody is an ancillary issue and a case
must communicate the regularization standards to the
where custody is the main issue. Jurisdiction in the former,
probationary employee; and second, the employer must
as discussed above, lies with the ShCC, as the main cause of
make such communication at the time of the probationary
action is divorce. The latter on the other hand, where the
employees engagement. If the employer fails to comply
main cause of action is one of custody, the same must be filed
with either, the employee is deemed as a regular and not a
with the ShDC, pursuant to Article 143 of PD No. 1083.
probationary employee.
Mendoza, J., Sheryl M. Mendez v. Sharia District Court, 5th Sharia An exception to the foregoing rule is when the job is
District, Cotabato City, Rasad G. Balindong (Acting Presiding Judge);
1st Sharia Circuit Court, 5th Sharia District, Cotabato City, Montano
self-descriptive, as in the case of maids, cooks, drivers, or
K. Kalimpo (Presiding Judge); and Dr. John O. Maliga, G.R. No. 201614, messengers.
January 12, 2016. xxxx
In the case at bench, the evidence is clear that when Verzo
was first hired by Enchanted, he was placed on a probationary
status. The letter, dated August 26, 2009, clearly reflects not
only the agreement of both parties as to the probationary
status of the employment and its duration, but also the
fact that Enchanted informed Verzo of the standards for his
regularization. x x x
Constitutional Law
xxxx
Determination of just compensation. In Philippine Daily Inquirer v. Magtibay, the Court

stressed that notice and hearing are not required in case a
The foregoing clearly dictates that valuation of the land probationary employee is not retained for failure to comply
for purposes of determining just compensation should not with the reasonable standards set by his employer. Thus:
include the inflation rate of the Philippine Peso because
Unlike under the first ground for the valid termination
the delay in payment of the price of expropriated land is
of probationary employment which is for cause, the
sufficiently recompensed through payment of interest on the
second ground does not require notice and hearing.
market value of the land as of the time of taking from the
Due process of law for this second ground consists of
landowner.
making the reasonable standards expected of the
Moreover, the fact that it was petitioners own counsel employee during his probationary period known to him
below that recommended the inclusion of the inflation rate at the time of his probationary employment. By the very
nature of a probationary employment, the employee Section 2 of the CARL explains that the agrarian reform
knows from the very start that he will be under close program is founded on the landless farmers right to own
observation and his performance of his assigned duties land. Thus, their protection must be given utmost importance.
and functions would be under continuous scrutiny by his
On the third requisite, public policy will be promoted by
superiors. It is in apprising him of the standards against
allowing the respondents to recover their land. The CARL
which his performance shall be continuously assessed
distributes agricultural land to landless farmers to improve
where due process regarding the second ground lies,
their quality of life. Returning the land to them will enhance
and not in notice and hearing as in the case of the first
ground. this public policy of agrarian reform.
[Emphases and Underscoring Supplied] Thus, the respondents may recover the subject properties.
Mendoza, J., Enchanted Kingdon, Inc. v. Miguel J. Verzo, G.R. No. Brion, J., Filinvest Land, Inc. v. Eduardo R. Adia, et al., G.R. No. 192629,
209559, December 9, 2015. November 25, 2015.
Liquidated damages, nature and purpose.

The liability for liquidated damages is governed by Articles
Civil Law 2226 to 2228 of the Civil Code, where the parties to a contract
are allowed to stipulate on liquidated damages to be paid
in case of breach. It is attached to an obligation in order to
Pari delicto doctrine, exception. ensure performance and has a double function: (1) to provide
We now go to the issue of whether the principle of pari delicto for liquidated damages, and (2) to strengthen the coercive
applies to this case. We answer in the negative. force of the obligation by the threat of greater responsibility
in the event of breach. The amount agreed upon answers
Filinvest claims that if the affidavits are void, this
for damages suffered by the owner due to delays in the
Court should consider the parties to be in pari delicto. Both
completion of the project.
parties came to court with unclean hands because they
voluntarily entered into the void transactions. Thus, the The Construction Agreement provides that upon failure
court should leave them where they areFilinvest possessing to complete the work agreed upon within the stipulated time,
the properties and the respondents keeping the money they the contractor agrees to pay the owner P43,800 for every day
received. of delay. As a pre-condition to such award, however, there
must be proof of the fact of delay in the performance of
We see no merit in Filinvests position.
the obligation.
In Torres, we ruled that the pari delicto doctrine does not
We have already ruled that the parties were mutually
apply in an agrarian reform case. To hold otherwise would
at fault. Petitioner is entitled to an extension of only 112
defeat the spirit and intent of the agrarian reform to free the
days counted from April 7, 1995 or until July 28, 1995. Thus,
tillers from the bondage of the soil. The policy of the law must
from July 28, 1995 to August 15, 1995, or a period of 18
be upheld.
days, petitioner had already been in default. Consequently,
To elaborate, Article 1416 of the Civil Code provides an respondent is entitled to P788,400 as liquidated damages.
exception to the pari delicto doctrine. Under this article,
the plaintiff may recover what he paid or delivered pursuant Jardeleza, J., BF Corporation v. Werdenberg International Corporation,
G.R. No. 174387, December 9, 2015.
to a void contract if the following requisites are met: (a) the
contract is not illegal per se but merely prohibited; (b) the
prohibition is for the plaintiffs protection; and (c) public Rescission, effect of.
policy will be enhanced by his recovery. These requisites are Rescission under Article 1191 has the effect of mutual
present in this case. restitution. In Velarde v. Court of Appeals:
On the first requisite, the affidavits here are merely Rescission abrogates the contract from its inception and
prohibited. A contract is illegal per se if, by universally requires a mutual restitution of benefits received.
recognized standards, it is inherently bad, improper, xxxx
immoral, or contrary to good conscience.
The Court of Appeals correctly ruled that both parties
Ordinarily, affidavits or contracts of sale are lawful. Only must be restored to their original situation as far as practicable,
Section 27 of the CARL made them unlawful. as if the contract was never entered into. Petitioners must
On the second requisite, the prohibition under Section relinquish possession of the delivered Minilab Equipment
27 of the CARL is meant to protect the farmer-beneficiaries. unit and accessories, while respondent must return the
Doctrinal Reminders
Civil Law (Continued)
amount tendered by petitioners as partial payment for the xxxx

unit received. Further, respondent cannot claim that the two In this case, Bernardina is deemed to have already waived
monthly installments should be offset against the amount the right to a retained area when she entered into a voluntary
awarded by the Court of Appeals to petitioners because the land transfer/direct payment scheme with respondents over
effect of rescission under Article 1191 is to bring the parties the property, without any qualification as to the exercise of
back to their original positions before the contract was her right of retention. Petitioners, as Bernardinas successors-
entered into. in-interest, are bound by her waiver.
Rescission under Article 1191 of the Civil Code need not be
Consent not necessary for validity of Transfer of Land under
judicially invoked.
PD No. 27.
When rescission is sought under Article 1191 of the Civil Code,
Petitioners argue that since the mode of acquisition of the
it need not be judicially invoked because the power to resolve
properties involved was through voluntary sale or direct
is implied in reciprocal obligations. The right to resolve allows
payment scheme, the civil law rules on co-ownership apply.
an injured party to minimize the damages he or she may
Thus, the sale contracts entered into by Bernardina should
suffer on account of the other partys failure to perform what
only affect her own share and not those of her children.
is incumbent upon him or her. When a party fails to comply
with his or her obligation, the other partys right to resolve the Their contention is completely devoid of merit.
contract is triggered. The resolution immediately produces It is settled in Hospicio de San Jose de Barili, Cebu City v.
legal effects if the non-performing party does not question Department of Agrarian Reform that land transfers mandated
the resolution. Court intervention only becomes necessary under PD No. 27 are not considered conventional sales under
when the party who allegedly failed to comply with his or her our civil laws. In Hospicio, we ruled that a provision in the law
obligation disputes the resolution of the contract. Since both prohibiting the sale of properties donated to a charitable
parties in this case have exercised their right to resolve under organization incorporated by the same law did not bar the
Article 1191, there is no need for a judicial decree before the implementation of agrarian reform laws as regards the
resolution produces effects. properties. x x x
Leonen, J., Spouses Alexander and Julie Lam, Doing Business under xxxx
the Name and Style COLORKWIK LABORATORIES AND COLORKWIK
PHOTO SUPPLY v. Kodak Philippines, Ltd., G.R. No. 167615, January 11,
Thus, for as long as the property is covered under PD
2016. No. 27, the obligation to transfer ownership of the property
arises. Consent of one, some or all of the co-owners to the
transfer is immaterial to its validity.
Agrarian Law
Jardeleza, J., Heirs of Spouses Hilario Marinas and Bernardina N.
Marinas v. Bernardo Frianeza, Rodrigo Frianeza, Alejandra Frianeza,
Right of retention, waiver of. Hilario Villena, Saturnino Villena, Federico Flores, Pedro Flores and
Marcelino Ramos, G.R. No. 179741, December 9, 2015.
As with any other right, this right of retention may be waived
by the landowner. In cases of voluntary transactions involving
covered land, a landowner seeking to exercise his right to
retain is presumed to have already exercised the same, or at
Criminal Law
the very least, expected to exercise it simultaneous to the
transaction. x x x Statutory Rape, elements of.
xxxx The gravamen of the offense of rape is sexual congress with
Administrative Order No. 4, Series of 1991 subsequently a woman by force and without consent. If the woman is
issued likewise provides: under 12 years of age, proof of force is not an element, as
the absence of a free consent is conclusively presumed as the
4. A landowner is deemed to have waived his right of
law supposes that a woman below this age does not possess
retention over a parcel of land by the performance
discernment and is incapable of giving intelligent consent
of any of the following acts:
to the sexual act. Conviction will therefore lie, regardless of
xxxx proof of force or intimidation provided sexual intercourse
b. Entering into a direct-payment scheme agreement is proven. Force, threat, or intimidation are not elements of
as evidenced by a Deed of Transfer over the subject statutory rape, therefore proof thereof is unneccesary. But
property; and if the woman is 12 years of age or over at the time she was
violated, sexual intercourse must be proven and also that it Also, it must be stressed that the board of directors, not the
was done through force, violence, intimidation or threat. president, exercises corporate power. While in the absence
of a charter or bylaw provision to the contrary the president
Failure to state the exact date and time of the commission of is presumed to have authority, the questioned act should
the crime of rape does not make the information defective. still be within the domain of the general objectives of the
companys business and within the scope of his or her usual
The argument is nonetheless specious. An information is
duties. Here, PRHTAI is an association of professional horse
intended to inform an accused of the accusations against
trainers in the Philippine horse racing industry organized
him and, as such, it must embody the essential elements of
as a non-stock corporation and it is committed to the
the crime charged by setting forth the facts and circumstances
uplifting of the economic condition of the working sector of
that have a bearing on the culpability and liability of the
the racing industry. It is not in its ordinary course of business
accused, so that he can properly prepare for and undertake
to enter into housing projects, especially not in such scale and
his defense. It is not necessary, however, for the information
magnitude so massive as to amount to P101,150,000.
to allege the date and time of the commission of the crime
with exactitude, unless time is an essential ingredient of Peralta, J., Philippine Race Horse Trainers Association, Inc. v. Piedras
the offense. In rape cases, the date of commission is not an Negras Construction and Development Corporation, G.R. No. 192659,
essential element of rape but what is material is its occurrence, December 2, 2015.
which in this case, was sufficiently established by AAA. Thus,
in a prosecution for rape, the material fact or circumstance
to be considered is the occurrence of the rape, not the time Remedial Law
of its commission. The failure to specify the exact date or
time when it was committed does not ipso facto make the
information defective on its face. Issuance of writ of possession, when bond is no longer
necessary.
Mendoza, J., People of the Philippines v. Bernardino Biala, G.R. No.
217975, November 23, 2015. Under Section 7 of Act No. 3135, as amended by Act No.
4118, the purchaser in a foreclosure sale may apply for a
writ of possession during the redemption period. Upon the
Commercial Law purchasers filing of an ex parte petition and posting of the
appropriate bond, the RTC shall, as a matter of course, order
the issuance of the writ of possession in the purchasers favor.
Doctrine of apparent authority, when not applicable. But equally well settled is the rule that a writ of possession
x x x The doctrine of apparent authority provides that a will issue as a matter of course, even without the filing and
corporation will be estopped from denying the agents approval of a bond, after consolidation of ownership and the
authority if it knowingly permits one of its officers or any other issuance of a new TCT in the name of the purchaser.
agent to act within the scope of an apparent authority, and it Upon expiration of the redemption period, the right of
holds him out to the public as possessing the power to do those the purchaser to the possession of the foreclosed property
acts. Apparent authority is derived not merely from practice. becomes absolute. This right to possession is based on the
Its existence may be ascertained through (1) the general purchasers ownership of the property. In like manner, the
manner in which the corporation holds out an officer or agent mere filing of an ex parte motion for the issuance of the writ
as having the power to act or, in other words, the apparent of possession would suffice and the filing of a bond is no
authority to act in general, with which it clothes him; or (2) longer necessary. This is because possession has become the
the acquiescence in his acts of a particular nature, with actual absolute right of the purchaser as the confirmed owner.
or constructive knowledge thereof, whether within or beyond
the scope of his ordinary powers. It requires presentation of Remedy to assail an order granting a writ of possession.
evidence of similar acts executed either in its favor or in favor
of other parties. It is not the quantity of similar acts which We find no merit in BPIs argument that the order of the RTC
establishes apparent authority, but the vesting of a corporate Br. 196 granting a writ of possession is merely interlocutory
officer with the power to bind the corporation. The doctrine from which no appeal may be taken.
does not apply, however, if the principal did not commit any In Mallari v. Banco Filipino Savings and Mortgage Bank,
act or conduct which a third party knew and relied upon in we ruled that it is the ministerial duty of the trial court to
good faith as a result of the exercise of reasonable prudence. issue a writ of possession in favor of the purchaser who has
In the present case, the aforementioned circumstances are already consolidated its title. After the consolidation of title in
lacking and, indubitably, neither did PNCDC act in good faith. the buyers name for failure of the mortgagor to redeem the
Doctrinal Reminders
Remedial Law (Continued)
property, the writ of possession becomes a matter of right. xxxx

Its issuance to a purchaser in an extrajudicial foreclosure x x x. In fact, the petitioner did not even briefly discuss
sale is merely a ministerial function. The trial court has no the alleged civil liability of the respondents. As such, it is
discretion on this matter. Hence, any assertion of discretion in apparent that the petitioners only desire was to appeal
connection with such issuance is misplaced, and a petition for the dismissal of the criminal case against the respondents.
certiorari is not a proper remedy. The order for the issuance Since estafa, however, is a criminal offense, only the OSG has
of a writ of possession being final, it is a proper subject for the power to prosecute the case on appeal. Therefore, the
appeal. petitioner lacked the personality or legal standing to question
the RTC decision.
Consolidation of petition for issuance of writ of possession
with proceedings for nullification of foreclosure; when not Reyes, J., Beams Philippine Export Corporation v. Marianita Castillo and
proper. Nida Quirante, G.R. No. 188372, November 25, 2015.
In Philippine Savings Bank, we upheld the consolidation of
a petition for the issuance of a writ of possession with an
ordinary civil action in order to achieve a more expeditious Extrinsic fraud as ground for annulment of judgment.
resolution of the cases. However, in the more recent case x x x [I]t must be emphasized that not every kind of fraud
of Espinoza v. United Overseas Bank Phils., we held that justifies the action of annulment of judgment. Only extrinsic
the consolidation of a petition for the issuance of a writ of fraud does. According to Cosmic Lumber Corporation v. Court
possession with the proceedings for nullification of foreclosure of Appeals, fraud is extrinsic when the unsuccessful party has
would be highly improper when title to the litigated property been prevented from fully exhibiting his case, by fraud or
had already been consolidated in the name of the mortgagee- deception practiced on him by his opponent, as by keeping
purchaser, as in the case of BPI. Otherwise, not only will the him away from court, a false promise of a compromise; or
very purpose of consolidation (which is to avoid unnecessary where the defendant never had knowledge of the suit, being
delay) be defeated but the procedural matter of consolidation kept in ignorance by the acts of the plaintiff; or where an
will also adversely affect the substantive right of possession attorney fraudulently or without authority connives at his
as an incident of ownership. defeat; these and similar cases which show that there has
never been a real contest in the trial or hearing of the case
Jardeleza, J., Bank of the Philippine Islands v. Spouses Johnson & Evelyn
Co & Jupiter Real Estate Ventures, Inc., G.R. No. 171172; Spouses are reasons for which a new suit may be sustained to set aside
Johnson & Evelyn Co represented by their heir Jobelle Co v. Bank of the and annul the former judgment and open the case for a new
Philippine Islands (as successor-in-interest of Far East Bank and Trust and fair hearing.
Company), G.R. No. 200061, November 9, 2015.
As a ground for annulment of judgment, extrinsic fraud
must arise from an act of the adverse party, and the fraud
The OSG is the appellate counsel of the People of the
must be of such nature as to have deprived the petitioner
Philippines in all criminal cases.
of its day in court. The fraud is not extrinsic if the act was
x x x. Under Presidential Decree No. 478, among the specific committed by the petitioners own counsel.
powers and functions of the OSG was to represent the
The case at bar is closely similar to, if not the same with
Government in the [SC] and the [CA] in all criminal proceedings
the case of Pinausukan Seafood House v. FEBTC. In this case,
x x x. This provision has been carried over to the Revised
the Court noticed that the petitions own language mentioned
Administrative Code particularly in Book IV, Title III, Chapter
mistake and gross negligence on the part of petitioners own
12 thereof. Clearly, the OSG is the appellate counsel of the
counsel. The petition even suggested that the negligence
People of the Philippines in all criminal cases.
of its counsel may constitute professional misconduct. The
Moreover, in Bautista v. Cuneta-Pangilinan, this Court Court then ruled that such neglect of counsel, even if it were
held that in criminal cases, the acquittal of the accused or the true, was not tantamount to extrinsic fraud because it did not
dismissal of the case against him can only be appealed by the emanate from any act of FEBTC as the prevailing party, and
OSG, acting on behalf of the State. The private complainant or did not occur outside the trial of the case. What is certain, for
the offended party may question such acquittal or dismissal purposes of application of Rule 47, is that mistake and gross
only insofar as the civil liability of the accused is concerned. negligence cannot be equated to the extrinsic fraud under
In the present case, a perusal of the petition for certiorari Rule 47.
filed by the petitioner before the CA discloses that it sought Peralta, J., Camilo Sibal v. Pedro Buquel, Santiago Buquel, Jr., Rosalinda
reconsideration of the criminal aspect of the decision of the Buquel, represented by Francisco Buquel, G.R. No. 197825, January 11,
RTC, not the civil aspect of the case. x x x 2016.
Legal Ethics Judicial Moves

Justice Mendoza-Arcega (Continued from page 14)
Disbarment as penalty for maintaining an illicit relationship. Kababaihang Manananggol ng BulacanIBP Bulacan
The penalty for maintaining an illicit relationship may either be Chapter, and RTC Judges Association of Bulacan.
suspension or disbarment, depending on the circumstances of For her body of work and her contribution to the legal
the case. In case of suspension, the period would range from and judicial profession, Justice Arcega received numerous
one year to indefinite suspension, as in the case of Cordova v. awards and recognition, most notable of which are the
Cordova, where the lawyer was found to have maintained an Felicissimo Feria Award as Outstanding Municipal Trial
adulterous relationship for two years and refused to support Court Judge by the Foundation for Judicial Excellence in
his family. On the other hand, there is a string of cases where 2002 and the Ulirang Ina award in 2015.
the Court meted out the extreme penalty of disbarment, to
She is married to Danilo G. Arcega, Jr. for more than
wit:
two decades. They have three children: Gaston Diego,
In Toledo v. Toledo, a lawyer was disbarred from the Luis Alfonso and Ana Sophia.
practice of law, when he abandoned his lawful wife and
cohabited with another woman who had borne him a child.
In Obusan v. Obusan, Jr., a lawyer was disbarred after Judicial Moves
Justice Musngi (Continued from page 15)
the complainant proved that he had abandoned her and
maintained an adulterous relationship with a married woman. He is a lawyer with extensive governance and public
The Court declared that the respondent failed to maintain administration experience acquired from more than a
the highest degree of morality expected and required of a decade of serving as a public official and law practitioner.
member of the Bar. His professional work as a practicing lawyer involved
xxxx litigation of various criminal, civil, and administrative
In the case at bench, Atty. Dabons misconduct and cases.
unrepentant demeanor clearly showed a serious flaw in his His previous government services include being the
character, his moral indifference to the sanctity of marriage Chief of Staff for the Undersecretary for Field Operations
and marital vows, and his outright defiance of established and Support Services, Department of Agrarian Reform
norms. All these could not but put the legal profession in (DAR). He also served as Acting Head of the Legal Division
disrepute and place the integrity of the administration of of the Department of Agriculture (DA) and as Department
justice in peril. Accordingly, the Court finds the need for Manager of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority Ecology
the imposition of the extreme administrative penalty of Center.
disbarment.
Justice Musngi graduated from the Ateneo de
Per Curiam: Nelson P. Valdez v. Atty. Antolin Allyson Dabon, Jr., A.C. No. Manila University in 1986 and passed the Philippine Bar
7353, November 16, 2015. Examinations in 1992.
Judicial Views
Judicial Moves
The Philippines found itself in the midst of Justice Trespeses (Continued from page 15)
national and international criticism, indignation and
condemnation. This time the Philippine government, since 2012, Justice Trespeses was promoted to the position of
it was a signatory to the United Nations Convention on the Judicial Staff Head of the Office of the Chief Justice (OCJ).
Rights of the Child,18 took a second look at the juvenile Soon after, he became Chief Justice Staff Head II, tasked
justice system in the country. Realizing the urgent need to to handle the adjudication team of the OCJ. He was
address the problems in the system and, at the same time, also assigned to represent the OCJ in various significant
comply with its obligations under the Convention and all committees. He was named Chief Protocol Officer of the
other international agreements related therewith, the Chief Justice, responsible for organizing and coordinating
government, with the help of private agencies, decided to important international events for the Chief Justice.
create and pass a new law significantly and substantially
different from the existing legislation. On January 20, 2016, he was appointed as Associate
Justice of the Sandiganbayan at the age of 43, currently

18
The Philippine Senate ratified the Convention on July 26, 1990.
the youngest of all the incumbent members.
4. Insertion of an additional section in Rule 2 defining

the word vacancy as used in the Rules and the
consequent re-numbering of the succeeding sections
Sec. 6. Vacancy. Vacancy as used in these Rules shall
refer to vacancy due to retirement, death, permanent
disability, removal from office, or resignation of a
A.M. No. 10-4-20-SC Member of the Court.
5. Rule 2, Section 7 [to be re-numbered as Section 8]
Sec. 8. Resolutions of motions for reconsideration or
THE INTERNAL RULES OF THE SUPREME COURT clarification of decisions or signed resolutions and all
RESOLUTION other pleadings, motions and incidents subsequently
filed; creation of a Special Division. Motions for
WHEREAS, Section 3, paragraph (c), Rule 1 of The Internal
reconsideration or clarification of a decision or of a
Rules of the Supreme Court (Rules) directs the Committee
signed resolution, and all other pleadings, motions and
on Internal Rules of the Supreme Court (Committee) to
incidents subsequently filed in the case, shall be acted
recommend to the Court en banc the amendment, revision,
upon by the ponente and the other Members of the
or deletion of any of the Rules to reflect and achieve the
Division that rendered the decision or signed resolution.
objectives of justice, fairness and efficiency;
If the ponente has retired, is no longer a Member
WHEREAS, the Committee, in its meeting on July 24, 2015, of the Court, is disqualified, or has inhibited himself or
resolved to recommend certain amendments to the Rules; herself from acting on the motion for reconsideration
WHEREAS, after due deliberation, the Court en banc approved or clarification, or on any other pleading, motion and
the proposed amendments, subject to the modification incident subsequently filed, he or she shall be replaced
in Section 5 of Rule 2 that deliberation on a case shall be through raffle by a new ponente who shall be chosen
deferred to another date upon request of an absent regular among the Members of the Division who participated
Member of a Division, or that said Member shall be allowed in the rendition of the decision or signed resolution and
to leave his or her vote pursuant to Section 4 of Rule 12; who concurred therein. If only one Member of the Court
NOW, THEREFORE, the Court Resolved to APPROVE the who participated and concurred in the rendition of the
following amendments to the Rules: decision or signed resolution remains, he or she shall be
designated as the new ponente.
1. Rule 2, Section 3(l)
If a Member (not the ponente) of the Division which
Sec. 3. Court en banc matters and cases. The Court en rendered the decision or signed resolution has retired, is
banc shall act on the following matters and cases: no longer a Member of the Court, is disqualified, or has
xxxx inhibited himself or herself from acting on the motion for
reconsideration or clarification, or on any other pleading,
(l) subject to Section 12(b) of this rule, other division
motion and incident subsequently filed, he or she shall
cases that, in the opinion of at least three Members
be replaced through raffle by a replacement Member
of the Division who are voting and present, are
who shall be chosen from the other Divisions until a
appropriate for transfer to the Court en banc,
new Justice is appointed as replacement for the retired
provided that before a decision is rendered, any
Justice. Upon the appointment of a new Justice, he or
member of the Division may request the Court en
she shall replace the designated Justice as replacement
banc to take cognizance of cases that fall under
Member of the Special Division.
paragraph (m);
Any vacancy or vacancies in the Special Division shall
xxxx
be filled by raffle from among the other Members of the
3. Rule 2, Section 5 Court to constitute a Special Division of five Members.
Sec. 5. Composition and quorum of a Division. Unless the If the ponente and all the Members of the Division
Court en banc decrees otherwise, a quorum shall consist that rendered the Decision or signed Resolution are no
of a majority of all the Members of the Division, provided longer Members of the Court, the case shall be raffled
that deliberation on a case shall be deferred to another to any Member of the Court and the pleading, motion
date upon request of an absent regular Member of a or incident shall be acted upon by him or her with the
Division, or that said Member shall be allowed to leave participation of the other Members of the Division to
his or her vote pursuant to Section 4 of Rule 12. which he or she belongs.
6. Rule 8, Section 4 two weeks. Voting shall take place when the final
Sec. 4. Substitution of Member. When a vacancy occurs versions of the report and the reflections shall have
in a Division, another Member from the other Divisions been submitted.
shall be designated by the Chief Justice by rotation, e) The Court shall then assign to a Member the writing
according to a reverse order of seniority, to act as of its opinion based on the result of the voting. The
Member of the Division until a newly appointed Member Member assigned shall submit the majority opinion
assumes office. and the other Members may submit his or her
When a Member of the Division is on leave, he/she dissenting, separate, or concurring opinions based
shall no longer be replaced as long as there is a quorum solely on the final versions voted upon.
of at least three members, and said absent Member f) The majority opinion together with the other
who participated in the deliberation of the case shall be opinions shall be simultaneously filed with the
allowed to leave his or her vote pursuant to Section 4 of Chief Justice or the Division Chairperson and
Rule 12. promulgated as official Court actions in the case.
7. Rule 13, Section 4 g) Considering the collegial nature of Court actions,
Sec. 4. Continuance in deliberations. (a) The deliberation a Members vote during the final deliberation on a
in a case may be adjourned to another date to enable case cannot be unilaterally changed.
the Member who requested it to further study the case; These amendments shall take effect immediately upon
provided, however, that the total period of continuances publication in a newspaper of general circulation.
in the deliberation shall not exceed three months from November 10, 2015.
the date it was adjourned, unless the Court for good
(Sgd.) SERENO, CJ, CARPIO, VELASCO, Jr., LEONARDO-DE
reason extends such period.
CASTRO, BRION (on leave), PERALTA, BERSAMIN, DEL CASTILLO,
The immediately preceding rule shall likewise apply VILLARAMA, Jr., PEREZ, MENDOZA, REYES, PERLAS-BERNABE,
to actions on motions for reconsideration of the decisions LEONEN, JARDELEZA, JJ.
and resolutions of the Court, unless a Member, whose
vote in the original decision of a divided Court matters,
is about to retire. In such a situation, the action on the
motion for reconsideration submitted for resolution shall
be made before his or her retirement. A.M. No. 08-8-7-SC
8. Deletion of sections 5 and 7 of Rule 13; Replacement
thereof by a new provision on the decision-making
process; and Re-numbering of the affected sections
THE RULES OF PROCEDURE FOR SMALL CLAIMS CASES
Sec. 5. Decision-making process.
RESOLUTION
a) A Member who disagrees with the report and the
recommended action of the Member-in-Charge may WHEREAS, after a two-year pilot test, on March 18, 2010, the
submit to the Chief Justice or Division Chairperson, Rules of Procedure for Small Claims Cases was promulgated
furnishing a copy to other Members, his or her and made effective to all first level courts nationwide;
reflections, setting forth the reason or reasons for WHEREAS, from the time the Rules of Procedure for Small
such disagreement. Claims Cases was implemented, it has been found to be
b) A Member who agrees with the recommended an effective tool in providing a simplified and inexpensive
action but based on different reason or reasons recourse for litigants to assert their claims;
may, observing the same procedure, submit his or WHEREAS, due to its success, there is a need to introduce
her reflections stating such reason or reasons. amendments to the existing Rules to be more effective in
c) Unless the Court allows a longer period, the reducing the dockets of the first level courts, a wider coverage,
reflections must be submitted within a maximum and better access to the courts by the underprivileged, among
period of one month from the date the Member-in- others;
Charges report is presented to the Court. WHEREAS, on August 11, 2015, the Special Committee on Small
d) After the submission of the reflections, the Claims Cases (Committee) was created under Memorandum
Member-in-Charge may request for a vote on the Order No. 32-2015 to review the existing Rules of Procedure
report and the reflections or for time to respond for Small Claims Cases to fulfill the Judiciarys objective of
to such reflections within a maximum period of expediting trial and resolving cases effectively and efficiently.
Resolutions
A.M. No 08-8-7-SC (Continued)
for the disposition of small claims cases, and, introduce
WHEREAS, the Committee is composed of the following: innovations and best practices for the benefit of the
underprivileged;
Chairperson: Hon. Diosdado M. Peralta
Associate Justice, Supreme Court WHEREAS, acting on the recommendation of the Chairperson,
Vice Chairperson: Hon. Lucas P. Bersamin the Committee, and the TWG, submitting for the consideration
Associate Justice, Supreme Court and approval of the Court the proposed The Revised Rules
Members: Hon. Martin S. Villarama, Jr. of Procedure for Small Claims Cases, the Court resolved to
Associate Justice, Supreme Court APPROVE the same.
Hon. Jose C. Mendoza The Revised Rules shall take effect on February 1, 2016
Associate Justice, Supreme Court following its publication in two newspapers of general
Hon. Estela M. Perlas-Bernabe circulation.
Associate Justice, Supreme Court
December 8, 2015.
Hon. Jose Midas P. Marquez
Court Administrator, Supreme Court (Sgd.) SERENO, CJ, CARPIO, VELASCO, Jr., LEONARDO-DE CASTRO,
Hon. Fernanda Lampas-Peralta BRION, PERALTA, BERSAMIN, DEL CASTILLO, VILLARAMA,
Associate Justice, Court of Appeals Jr., PEREZ, MENDOZA, REYES, PERLAS-BERNABE, LEONEN,
Hon. Jackie B. Crisologo-Saguisag JARDELEZA, JJ.
Metropolitan Trial Court
Branch 67, Makati City THE 2016 REVISED RULES OF PROCEDURE
Atty. Ma. Lourdes E.B. Oliveros FOR SMALL CLAIMS CASES
Office of the Chief Justice
Secretary: Atty. Jason J. Zapanta Section 1. Title. These Rules shall be known as The Revised
Office of Associate Justice Rules of Procedure for Small Claims Cases.
Diosdado M. Peralta Sec. 2. Scope. These Rules shall govern the procedure
Assistant Secretary: Atty. Jilliane Joyce R. De Dumo in actions before the Metropolitan Trial Courts (MeTCs),
Office of the Chief Justice Municipal Trial Courts in Cities (MTCCs), Municipal Trial
Courts (MTCs) and Municipal Circuit Trial Courts (MCTCs) for
WHEREAS, to aid the Committee in reviewing pending issues payment of money where the value of the claim does not
on the Rules of Procedure for Small Claims Cases, a Technical exceed Two Hundred Thousand Pesos (P200,000) exclusive of
Working Group (TWG) was created as follows: interest and costs.
Chairperson: Hon. Fernanda Lampas Peralta Sec. 3. Objectives.
Associate Justice, Court of Appeals
Members: Hon. Jackie B. Crisologo-Saguisag (a) To protect and advance the constitutional right of
Metropolitan Trial Court persons to a speedy disposition of their cases;
Branch 67, Makati City (b) To provide a simplified and inexpensive procedure
Hon. Juris D. Dilinila-Callanta for the disposition of small claims cases; and,
Metropolitan Trial Court
(c) To introduce innovations and best practices for the
Branch 42, Quezon City
benefit of the underprivileged.
Hon. Maria Zoraida S. Zabat-Tuazon
Metropolitan Trial Court Sec. 4. Definition of Terms. For purposes of this Rule:
Branch 23, Manila City (a) Plaintiff refers to the party who initiated a small
Atty. Joachim Florencio Q. Corsiga claims action. The term includes a defendant who
Office of the Court Administrator has filed a counterclaim against plaintiff;
WHEREAS, the Committee and the TWG conducted several (b) Defendant is the party against whom the plaintiff
consultative meetings, tackling issues such as the threshold has filed a small claims action. The term includes a
amount, causes of action, and venue, among others; plaintiff against whom a defendant has filed a claim,
or a person who replies to the claim;
WHEREAS, on November 10, 2015, the Committee and
the TWG submitted its proposed The Revised Rules of (c) Person is an individual, corporation, partnership,
Procedure for Small Claims Cases, to protect and advance limited liability partnership, association, or other
the constitutional rights of persons to a speedy disposition of juridical entity endowed with personality by law;
their cases, provide a simplified and inexpensive procedure (d) Individual is a natural person;
(e) Motion means a partys request, written or oral, to However, if the plaintiff is engaged in the business of lending,
the court for an order or other action. It shall include banking and similar activities, and has a branch within
an informal written request to the court, such as a the municipality or city where the defendant resides, the
letter; Statement of Claim/s shall be filed where that branch is
located.
(f) Good cause means circumstances sufficient to justify
the requested order or other action, as determined Sec. 8. Joinder of Claims. Plaintiff may join in a single
by the judge; and, statement of claim one or more separate small claims
against a defendant provided that the total amount claimed,
(g) Affidavit means a written statement or declaration of
exclusive of interest and costs, does not exceed Two Hundred
facts that are sworn to or affirmed to be true.
Thousand Pesos (P200,000).
Sec. 5. Applicability. The Metropolitan Trial Courts,
Sec. 9. Affidavits. The affidavits submitted under this Rule
Municipal Trial Courts in Cities, Municipal Trial Courts, and
shall state only facts of direct personal knowledge of the
Municipal Circuit Trial Courts shall apply this Rule in all actions
affiants or based on authentic records, which are admissible
that are purely civil in nature where the claim or relief prayed
in evidence.
for by the plaintiff is solely for payment or reimbursement of
sum of money. A violation of this requirement shall subject the party,
and the counsel who assisted the party in the preparation
The claim or demand may be:
of the affidavits, if any, to appropriate disciplinary action.
(a) For money owed under any of the following: The inadmissible affidavit(s) or portion(s) thereof shall be
1. Contract of Lease; expunged from the record.
2. Contract of Loan; The non-submission of the required affidavits will cause
3. Contract of Services; the immediate dismissal of the claim or counterclaim.
4. Contract of Sale; or Sec. 10. Payment of Filing Fees. The plaintiff shall pay the
docket and other legal fees prescribed under Rule 141 of
5. Contract of Mortgage;
the Revised Rules of Court, unless allowed to litigate as an
(b) For liquidated damages arising from contracts; indigent. Exemption from the payment of filing fees shall be
(c) The enforcement of a barangay amicable settlement granted only by the Supreme Court.
or an arbitration award involving a money claim However, if more than five small claims are filed by one
covered by this Rule pursuant to Sec. 417 of Republic party within the calendar year, regardless of the judicial
Act No. 7160, otherwise known as The Local station, an additional filing fee of (P)500 shall be paid for every
Government Code of 1991. claim filed after the fifth claim, and an additional (P)100.00 or
Sec. 6. Commencement of Small Claims Action. A small a total of (P)600 for every claim filed after the 10th claim, and
claims action is commenced by filing with the court an another (P)100 or a total of (P)700 for every claim filed after
accomplished and verified Statement of Claim (Form 1-SCC) in the 15th claim, progressively and cumulatively.
duplicate, accompanied by a Certification Against Non-Forum If the plaintiff is engaged in the business of banking,
Shopping, Splitting a Single Cause of Action, and Multiplicity lending and similar activities, the amount of filing and other
of Suits (Form 1-A-SCC), and two duly certified photocopies legal fees shall be the same as those applicable to cases filed
of the actionable document/s subject of the claim, as well as under the regular rules.
the affidavits of witnesses and other evidence to support the
claim. No evidence shall be allowed during the hearing which A claim filed with a motion to sue as indigent (Form 6-SCC)
was not attached to or submitted together with the Statement shall be referred to the Executive Judge for immediate action
of Claim, unless good cause is shown for the admission of in case of multi-sala courts. If the motion is granted by the
additional evidence. Executive Judge, the case shall be raffled off or assigned to
the court designated to hear small claims cases. If the motion
The plaintiff must state in the Statement of Claim if he/ is denied, the plaintiff shall be given five days within which to
she/it is engaged in the business of lending, banking and pay the docket fees, otherwise, the case shall be dismissed
similar activities, and the number of small claims cases filed without prejudice. In no case shall a party, even if declared an
within the calendar year regardless of judicial station. indigent, be exempt from the payment of the P1,000 fee for
No formal pleading, other than the Statement of Claim/s service of summons and processes.
described in this Rule, is necessary to initiate a small claims Sec. 11. Dismissal of the Claim. After the court determines
action. that the case falls under these Rules, it may, from an
Sec. 7. Venue. The regular rules on venue shall apply. examination of the allegations of the Statement of Claim/s
Resolutions
A.M. No. 08-8-7-SC (continued)
and such evidence attached thereto, by itself, dismiss the Response within a non-extendible period of 10 days from
case outright on any of the grounds for the dismissal of the receipt of summons. The Response shall be accompanied by
case. The order of dismissal shall state if it is with or without certified photocopies of documents, as well as affidavits of
prejudice. witnesses and other evidence in support thereof. No evidence
shall be allowed during the hearing which was not attached to
If, during the hearing, the court is able to determine
or submitted together with the Response, unless good cause
that there exists a ground for dismissal of the Statement of
is shown for the admission of additional evidence.
Claim/s, the court may, by itself, dismiss the case even if such
ground is not pleaded in the defendants Response. Sec. 14. Effect of Failure to File Response. Should the
defendant fail to file his/her/its Response within the required
If plaintiff misrepresents that he/she/it is not engaged in
period, and likewise fail to appear on the date set for hearing,
the business of banking, lending or similar activities when in
the court shall render judgment on the same day, as may be
fact he/she/it is so engaged, the Statement of Claim/s shall
warranted by the facts alleged in the Statement of Claim/s.
be dismissed with prejudice and plaintiff shall be meted the
appropriate sanctions, such as direct contempt. Should the defendant fail to file his/her/its Response
within the required period but appears on the date set for
However, if the case does not fall under this Rule, but falls
hearing, the court shall ascertain what defense he/she/it
under summary or regular procedure, the case shall not be
has to offer which shall constitute his/her/its Response, and
dismissed. Instead, the case shall be re-docketed under the
proceed to hear or adjudicate the case on the same day as if a
appropriate procedure, and returned to the court where it
Response has been filed.
was assigned, subject to payment of any deficiency in the
applicable regular rate of filing fees. If a case is filed under Sec. 15. Counterclaims within the Coverage of this Rule. If
the regular or summary procedure, but actually falls under at the time the action is commenced, the defendant possesses
this Rule, the case shall be referred to the Executive Judge for a claim against the plaintiff that (a) is within the coverage of
appropriate assignment. this Rule, exclusive of interest and costs; (b) arises out of the
same transaction or event that is the subject matter of the
Sec. 12. Summons and Notice of Hearing. If no ground for
plaintiffs claim; (c) does not require for its adjudication the
dismissal is found, the court shall forthwith issue Summons
joinder of third parties; and (d) is not the subject of another
(Form 2-SCC) on the day of receipt of the Statement of Claim/s,
pending action, the claim shall be filed as a counterclaim in
directing the defendant to submit a verified Response.
the Response; otherwise, the defendant shall be barred from
The court shall also issue a Notice of Hearing (Form suing on the counterclaim.
4-SCC) to both parties, directing them to appear before it on
The defendant may also elect to file a counterclaim against
a specific date and time for hearing, with a warning that no
the plaintiff that does not arise out of the same transaction or
unjustified postponement shall be allowed, as provided in
occurrence, provided that the amount and nature thereof are
Section 21 of this Rule.
within the coverage of this Rule and the prescribed docket
The Summons to be served on the defendant shall be and other legal fees are paid.
accompanied by a copy of the Statement of Claim/s and
Sec. 16. Prohibited Pleadings and Motions. The following
documents submitted by plaintiff, and a blank Response Form
pleadings, motions, or petitions shall not be allowed in the
(Form 3-SCC) to be accomplished by the defendant.
cases covered by this Rule:
A Notice of Hearing shall accompany the Summons and
(a) Motion to dismiss the Statement of Claim/s;
shall contain: (a) the date of the hearing, which shall not be
more than 30 days from the filing of the Statement of Claim/s; (b) Motion for a bill of particulars;
and (b) the express prohibition against the filing of a motion (c) Motion for new trial, or for reconsideration of a
to dismiss or any other motion under Section 16 of this Rule. judgment, or for reopening of trial;
If Summons is returned without being served on any or (d) Petition for relief from judgment;
all of the defendants, the court shall order the plaintiff to (e) Motion for extension of time to file pleadings,
cause the service of summons and shall inform the court affidavits, or any other paper;
within 30 days from notice if said summons was served or
(f) Memoranda;
not; otherwise, the Statement of Claim/s shall be dismissed
without prejudice as to those who were not served with (g) Petition for certiorari, mandamus, or prohibition
summons. against any interlocutory order issued by the court;
Sec. 13. Response. The defendant shall file with the court (h) Motion to declare the defendant in default;
and serve on the plaintiff a duly accomplished and verified (i) Dilatory motions for postponement;
(j) Reply and rejoinder; explaining the nature, purpose and the rule of procedure of
(k) Third-party complaints; and small claims cases.
(l) Interventions. Sec. 23. Hearing. At the hearing, the judge shall first exert
efforts to bring the parties to an amicable settlement of
Sec. 17. Availability of Forms; Assistance by Court Personnel.
their dispute. If efforts at settlement fail, the hearing shall
The Clerk of Court or other court personnel shall provide such
immediately proceed in an informal and expeditious manner
assistance as may be requested by a plaintiff or a defendant
and be terminated within the same day.
regarding the availability of forms and other information
about the coverage, requirements as well as procedure for Any settlement (Form 8-SCC) or resolution of the dispute
small claims cases. shall be reduced into writing, signed by the parties and
submitted to the court for approval (Form 9-SCC and Form
Sec. 18. Appearance. The parties shall personally appear on
10-SCC).
the designated date of hearing.
Sec. 24. Decision. After the hearing, the court shall render
Appearance through a representative must be for a
its decision based on the facts established by the evidence
valid cause. The representative of an individual-party must
(Form 11-SCC), within 24 hours from termination of the
not be a lawyer, and must be related to or next-of-kin of the
hearing. The decision shall immediately be entered by the
individual-party. Juridical entities shall not be represented by
Clerk of Court in the court docket for civil cases and a copy
a lawyer in any capacity.
thereof forthwith served on the parties.
The representative must be authorized under a Special
The decision shall be final, executory and unappealable.
Power of Attorney (Form 7-SCC) to enter into an amicable
settlement of the dispute and to enter into stipulations or Sec. 25. Execution. When the decision is rendered, execution
admissions of facts and of documentary exhibits. shall issue upon motion (Form 12-SCC) of the winning party.
Sec. 19. Appearance of Attorneys Not Allowed. No attorney Sec. 26. Certification of documents. All documents
shall appear in behalf of or represent a party at the hearing, attached to the Statement of Claim/s or Response that are
unless the attorney is the plaintiff or defendant. required to be certified, except public or official documents,
shall be certified by the signature of the plaintiff or defendant
If the court determines that a party cannot properly
concerned.
present his/her claim or defense and needs assistance, the
court may, in its discretion, allow another individual who is Sec. 27. Applicability of the Rules of Civil Procedure. The
not an attorney to assist that party upon the latters consent. Rules of Civil Procedure shall apply suppletorily insofar as
they are not inconsistent with this Rule.
Sec. 20. Non-appearance of Parties. Failure of the plaintiff
to appear shall be cause for the dismissal of the Statement Sec. 28. Non-applicability. The rules on mediation/judicial
of Claim/s without prejudice. The defendant who appears in dispute resolution shall not apply, inasmuch as the parties
the absence of the plaintiff shall be entitled to judgment on a may enter into compromise at any stage of the proceedings.
permissive counterclaim. Sec. 29. Effectivity. These Revised Rules shall take effect
Failure of the defendant to appear shall have the same on February 1, 2016 following their publication in two
effect as failure to file a Response under Section 14 of newspapers of general circulation. They shall govern all cases
this Rule. This shall not apply where one of two or more filed after their effectivity, and also all pending proceedings,
defendants who are sued under a common cause of action except to the extent that in the opinion of the court, their
and have pleaded a common defense appears at the hearing. application would not be feasible or would work injustice, in
which case the procedure under which the cases were filed
Failure of both parties to appear shall cause the dismissal
shall govern.
with prejudice of both the Statement of Claim/s and the
counterclaim.
Small Claims Standard Forms*
Sec. 21. Postponement When Allowed. A request for The following forms shall be used. Substantial compliance
postponement of a hearing may be granted only upon proof therewith shall be sufficient. (See attached forms)
of the physical inability of the party to appear before the
court on the scheduled date and time. A party may avail of
only one postponement.
Sec. 22. Duty of the Court. At the beginning of the court * The forms are also available for download at the Supreme
session, the judge shall read aloud a short statement Court website - http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph
COOPERATIVE SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP
COOPERATIVE
(Kooperatiba) SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP
(Solong Pagmamay-ari)
(Kooperatiba) (Solong Pagmamay-ari)
DEFENDANTS HOME ADDRESS:
DEFENDANTS
(Pahatirang Sulat HOME ADDRESS:
sa Bahay ng Hinahabla)
(Pahatirang Sulat sa Bahay ng Hinahabla)
(City) _____________________________________________________________ __________
(City) _____________________________________________________________ __________
(Lungsod) Zip Code
28 (Lungsod)
(Province, if applicable)_________________________________________ Zip
(Province,
(Lalawigan,
(Lalawigan,
if kung
applicable)_________________________________________
kung
meron)
meron)
Code
JanuaryMarch 2016
__________
__________
Zip Code
Zip Code
Telephone No. _________________________________ Cellphone No. _______________________________
Telephone No. _________________________________ Cellphone
(Telepono Blg.) No. _______________________________
(Selpon Blg.)
Resolutions (Telepono Blg.) (Selpon Blg.)
A.M. No. 08-8-7-SC (continued) PLACE OF WORK: ________________________________________________________________________________
PLACE
(Lugar OFng WORK: ________________________________________________________________________________
Pinagtatrabahuan)
(Lugar ng Pinagtatrabahuan)
Telephone No.
(Telepono Blg.) _________________________________ Cellphone No. _______________________________
(Selpon Blg.)
(Telepono Blg.) (Selpon Blg.)
FORM 1-SCC
NAME OF DEFENDANTS REPRESENTATIVE: if applicable (must be a non-lawyer)
________________________________________________________
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ________________________________________________________
(Pangalan ng Kinatawan:)(kung meron) [dapat hindi abogado]
_______________________________ (Pangalan ng Kinatawan:)(kung meron) [dapat hindi abogado]
_______________________________ HOME ADDRESS: (City) _________________________________________ __________
HOME ADDRESS:
(Pahatirang Sulat(City) _________________________________________
sa Bahay) (Lungsod) __________
Zip Code
(Pahatirang
(Province, ifSulat sa Bahay) (Lungsod)
applicable)_________________________________________ Zip Code
__________
________________________________________, (Province, if kung
applicable)_________________________________________ __________
Plaintiff, (Lalawigan, meron) Zip Code
(Lalawigan, kung meron) Zip Code
Telephone No. _________________________________ Cellphone
(Telepono Blg.) No. _______________________________
(Selpon Blg.)
vs. Civil Case No.: __________________________ (Telepono Blg.) (Selpon Blg.)
For: _____________________________________
PLACE OF WORK: __________________________________________________
PLACE OF WORK: __________________________________________________
_________________________________________, (Lugar ng Pinagtatrabahuan)
Defendant. Telephone No. _________________________________ Cellphone No. _______________________________
x- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - x (Telepono Blg.) (Selpon Blg.)
If more than one (1) defendant, list next defendant here:
STATEMENT OF CLAIM If more than one (1) defendant, list next defendant here:
(Kung higit sa isa (1) ang hinahabla, ilagay ang susunod na hinahabla rito:)
(HABLA NG PAGSINGIL) (Kung higit sa isa (1) ang hinahabla, ilagay ang susunod na hinahabla rito:)
______________________________________ __________ __________ _________________
1. The personal circumstances of the parties are as follows: ______________________________________ __________ __________ _________________
NAME OF DEFENDANT/S SEX AGE CIVIL STATUS
(Ang bawat panig ay ang mga sumusunod) NAME OF DEFENDANT/S
(Pangalan ng Naghahabla)
SEX
(Kasarian)
AGE
(Edad)
CIVIL STATUS
(Katayuang Sibil)
______________________________________ __________ __________ _________________ (Pangalan ng Naghahabla) (Kasarian) (Edad) (Katayuang Sibil)
NAME OF PLAINTIFF/S SEX AGE CIVIL STATUS
(Pangalan ng Naghahabla) (Kasarian) (Edad) (Katayuang Sibil) INDIVIDUAL CORPORATION PARTNERSHIP
INDIVIDUAL CORPORATION PARTNERSHIP
(Tao/Indibidwal) (Korporasyon) (Bakasan)
(Put a check on any of the following)
(Pumili sa mga sumusunod at lagyan ng tsek) COOPERATIVE SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP
COOPERATIVE SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP
INDIVIDUAL CORPORATION PARTNERSHIP
(Tao/Indibidwal) (Korporasyon) (Bakasan) DEFENDANTS HOME ADDRESS:
DEFENDANTS
(Pahatirang SulatHOME ADDRESS:
sa Bahay ng Hinahabla)
(Pahatirang Sulat sa Bahay ng Hinahabla)
COOPERATIVE SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP (City) _____________________________________________________________ __________
(City) _____________________________________________________________ __________
(Kooperatiba) (Solong Pagmamay-ari) (Lungsod) Zip Code
(Lungsod) Zip Code
(Province, if applicable)_________________________________________ __________
NATURE OF BUSINESS: (Lalawigan, kung meron) Zip Code
(Uri ng Negosyo) Telephone No. _________________________________ Cellphone No. _______________________________
BANKING LENDING PLACE OF WORK: __________________________________________________
(Bangko) (Pagpapautang) PLACE OF WORK: __________________________________________________
OTHERS/PLEASE INDICATE ____________________________________________ Telephone No. _________________________________ Cellphone No. _______________________________
(Iba pang uri ng negosyo) (Telepono Blg.) (Selpon Blg.)
PLAINTIFFS HOME ADDRESS: (Pahatirang Sulat sa Bahay ng Naghahabla) NAME OF DEFENDANTS REPRESENTATIVE: if applicable (must be a non-lawyer)
(City) _____________________________________________________________ __________ ________________________________________________________
(Lungsod) Zip Code (Pangalan ng Kinatawan:)(kung meron) [dapat hindi abogado]
(Lalawigan, kung meron) Zip Code HOME ADDRESS: (City) ________________________________________ __________
Telephone No. _________________________________ Cellphone No. _________________________________ (Pahatirang Sulat sa Bahay) (Lungsod) Zip Code
(Telepono Blg.) (Selpon Blg.) (Province, if applicable)_________________________________________ __________
PLACE OF WORK: ________________________________________________________________________________ Telephone No. _________________________________ Cellphone No. _______________________________
(Lugar ng Pinagtatrabahuan) (Telepono Blg.) (Selpon Blg.)
Telephone No. _________________________________ Cellphone No. _________________________________
(Telepono Blg.) (Selpon Blg.) PLACE OF WORK: __________________________________________________
NAME OF PLAINTIFFS REPRESENTATIVE: if applicable (must be a non-lawyer) Telephone No. _________________________________ Cellphone No. _______________________________
______________________________________________________ (Telepono Blg.) (Selpon Blg.)
*Note: If you need more space, you can write at the back of this Form.
2. Plaintiff claims the defendant owes him/her/it P_________________________________________.
HOME ADDRESS: (City) __________________________________________ __________ (*Tala: Kung kailangan mo ng karagdagang patlang, maaari mong isulat sa likod ng Form na ito.)
(Ang Hinahabla ay umutang sa Naghahabla ng halagang)
(Pahatirang Sulat sa Bahay) (Lungsod) Zip Code
(Province, if applicable)___________________________________________ __________ (a) Why does the defendant owe plaintiff money?
(Lalawigan, kung meron) Zip Code (Bakit ang Hinahabla ay nagkautang ng salapi sa Naghahabla?)
Telephone No. _________________________________ Cellphone No. _______________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________
(Telepono Blg.) (Selpon Blg.) ______________________________________________________________________________________________.
(If you need more space, please use the back page). (Kung kailangan mo ng
PLACE OF WORK: ________________________________________________________________________________ karagdagang patlang, maaaring gamitin ang likod ng pahinang ito.)
(Lugar ng Pinagtatrabahuan) (b) When did this happen? (Kailan ito nangyari?)
Telephone No. ________________________________ Cellphone No. _______________________________
Date: ______________________________________________
(Petsa)
______________________________________ __________ __________ _________________ If no specific date, give the time period:
NAME OF DEFENDANT/S SEX AGE CIVIL STATUS (Kung walang tiyak na petsa, ibigay ang tantiyang panahon)
(Pangalan ng Naghahabla) (Kasarian) (Edad) (Katayuang Sibil) Date started: _____________________________________
(Petsa nagsimula)
Through: _________________________________________
INDIVIDUAL CORPORATION PARTNERSHIP (Hanggang)
NAME
(c) How OF DEFENDANTS
did you compute REPRESENTATIVE:
the money owediftoapplicable
you? (Do (must be a non-lawyer)
not include court costs or fees)
________________________________________________________
COOPERATIVE SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP ______________________________________________________________________________________________.
(Kooperatiba) (Solong Pagmamay-ari) (Paano mo kinuwenta ang salaping inutang sa iyo?) [Hindi kasama ang bayad sa
HOMEpagpapatala sa hukuman.]
ADDRESS: (City) ________________________________________ __________
DEFENDANTS HOME ADDRESS: (Pahatirang Sulat
(Pahatirang Sulat sa Bahay ng Hinahabla) 3. (a) Did you asksathe
Bahay) (Lungsod)
defendant to pay you before you filedZip Code
this case? (Siningil mo ba
(City) _____________________________________________________________ __________ ang Hinahabla
(Lalawigan, bago ka nagsampa ng kasong ito?)
kung meron) Zip Code
(Lungsod) Zip Code Telephone No. _________________________________
Yes No Cellphone No. _______________________________
(Province, if applicable)_________________________________________ __________ (Telepono Blg.) (Oo) (Selpon Blg.)
(Hindi)
Telephone No. _________________________________ Cellphone No. _______________________________ PLACEIfOF no,WORK:
explain:__________________________________________________
(Telepono Blg.) (Selpon Blg.) (Lugar_____________________________________________________________________________________________
ng Pinagtatrabahuan)
(Kung hindi, ipaliwanag)
PLACE OF WORK: ________________________________________________________________________________ (Telepono Blg.) (Selpon Blg.)
(b) How did you ask the defendant?
Telephone No. _________________________________ Cellphone No. _______________________________ *Note: If youPaano mo siningil
need more space, ang Hinahabla?)
you can write at the back of this Form.
(Telepono Blg.) (Selpon Blg.) (*Tala: Kung kailanganIn
mo ng karagdagang patlang,
person maaari mong isulat sa likod ng Form na ito.)
By phone
(Sa kanya mismo) (Sa telepono)
________________________________________________________ In writing Others (please specify)_____________________________
(Pangalan ng Kinatawan:)(kung meron) [dapat hindi abogado] (Sa sulat) (Iba pa) [pakisulat kung paano]
HOME ADDRESS: (City) _________________________________________ __________ (c) When did you do this? ____________________________________________________________
(Pahatirang Sulat sa Bahay) (Lungsod) Zip Code (Kailan mo ginawa ito?)
(Lalawigan, kung meron) Zip Code 4. What is your proof that defendant owes you money? ________________________________________
Telephone No. _________________________________ Cellphone No. _______________________________ (Ano ang iyong katibayan o pruweba na ang Hinahabla ay may utang na salapi sa iyo?)

OF ACTION AND MULTIPLICITY OF SUITS
(c)
How did you compute the money owed to you? (Do not include court costs or fees)
How did you compute the money owed to you? (Do not include court costs or fees)
______________________________________________________________________________________________.
______________________________________________________________________________________________.
(Paano
(Paano mo
mo kinuwenta
kinuwenta ang
ang salaping
salaping inutang
inutang sa
sa iyo?)
iyo?) [Hindi
[Hindi kasama
kasama ang
ang bayad
bayad sa
sa I, _______________(name) ______________________ of legal age, ________(citizenship) ____________,
pagpapatala sa hukuman.] ______(civil status)_____, and a resident of __________ (residence)_________________________on
pagpapatala sa hukuman.]
oath, state:
3. (a)
(a) Did
Did you
you ask
ask the
the defendant
defendant to
to pay
pay you
you before
before you
you filed
filed this
this case? (Siningil mo
case? (Siningil mo ba
ba
ang Hinahabla bago ka nagsampa ng kasong ito?)
ang Hinahabla bago ka nagsampa ng kasong ito?) 1. That I am the ________________________________ in the above-entitled case have caused
29
this __________________________________ to be prepared; that I read and understood its
Volume XVIII Issue
Yes No. 69

Yes No
No contents which are true and correct of my own personal knowledge and/or based
(Oo)
(Oo) (Hindi)
(Hindi) on true records;
If no, explain:
If no, explain: 2. That I have not commenced any action or proceeding involving the same issue or
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________ subject matter, and specifically the same check/s in the Supreme Court, the Court
hindi, ipaliwanag)
(Kung hindi, ipaliwanag)
(Kung of Appeals or any other tribunal or agency, particularly before the Office of the
City Prosecutor of ________________________________________________________________________;
(b) How did you ask the defendant?
How did you ask the defendant? that to the best of my knowledge, no such action or proceeding is pending in the
Paano mo siningil ang Hinahabla?)
Paano mo siningil ang Hinahabla?) Supreme Court, the Court of Appeals or any other tribunal or agency, and that, if I
should learn thereafter that a similar action or proceeding has been filed or is
In person
In person By phone
By phone pending before these courts or tribunal or agency, I undertake to report that fact
(Sa kanya mismo)
(Sa kanya mismo) (Sa telepono)
(Sa telepono) to the Court within five (5) days therefrom.

In writing
In writing Others (please specify)_____________________________
Others (please specify)_____________________________ 3. That the filing of this case is not in violation of the rule against splitting a single
(Sa sulat)
(Sa sulat) (Iba pa) [pakisulat kung paano]
(Iba pa) [pakisulat kung paano] cause of action or multiplicity of suits.

(c) When did you do this? ____________________________________________________________

When did you do this? ____________________________________________________________ 4. That I knowingly and voluntarily waive and forego the institution of any criminal
(Kailan mo ginawa ito?)
(Kailan mo ginawa ito?) complaint for Violation of Batas Pambansa Blg. 22 against the defendant herein
based on the same check/s subject matter of this Small Claims Complaint.
4. What is your proof that defendant owes you money? ________________________________________
What is your proof that defendant owes you money? ________________________________________
ang iyong katibayan o pruweba na ang Hinahabla ay may utang na salapi sa iyo?)
(Ano ang iyong katibayan o pruweba na ang Hinahabla ay may utang na salapi sa iyo?)
(Ano IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this _____day of ___________, 20_____.

5. Did you attach your proof to this form?
Did you attach your proof to this form? ______________________
(Iyo bang inilakip ang katibayan o pruweba sa Form na ito?)
(Iyo bang inilakip ang katibayan o pruweba sa Form na ito?) Affiant

Yes
Yes No
No SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN to before me this ____________ day of ______________, 20_____.
(Oo)
(Oo) (Hindi)
(Hindi)

6. Was this claim referred to the barangay?
Was this claim referred to the barangay? ______________________
(Dumaan ba sa barangay ang paniningil na ito?)
(Dumaan ba sa barangay ang paniningil na ito?) NOTARY PUBLIC

Yes
Yes No
No Not Covered
Not Covered
(Oo)
(Oo) (Hindi)
(Hindi) (Hindi sakop)
(Hindi sakop)

State reason:
State reason: _________________________________________________
_________________________________________________ FORM 2-SCC
(Isulat ang dahilan)
(Isulat ang dahilan)

If yes,
If yes, do
do you
you have
have aa Certificate
Certificate to
to File
File Action
Action or
or aa Compromise
Compromise Agreement
Agreement executed
executed REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
before the barangay? _______________________
before the barangay? _______________________
_______________________________
(Kung oo,
(Kung oo, meron
meron ka
ka bang
bang Patunay
Patunay sasa Pagsampa
Pagsampa ng ng Kaso
Kaso oo Kasunduan
Kasunduan na
na isinagawa
isinagawa sa
sa
barangay?)
barangay?) _______________________________
_______________________________
6A. How many small claims cases have you filed within this calendar year prior
6-A. How many small claims cases have you filed within this calendar year prior
to this present case, in this court station and in the entire country: _________
to this present case, in this court station and in the entire country: _________ ________________________________________,
(Pang ilang kaso na itong isinampa mo sa loob ng kasalakuyang taon sa korte
(Pang ilang kaso na itong isinampa mo sa loob ng kasalakuyang taon sa korte Plaintiff,
na ito at sa buong bansa?)
na ito at sa buong bansa?)
vs. Civil Case No.: __________________________
7. By the filing of this action, plaintiff hereby waives any amount in excess of P200,000.00, For: _____________________________________
excluding interest and costs.
(Sa pagsampa ng kasong ito, ang Naghahabla ay isinusuko ang anumang halaga na higit _________________________________________,
sa P200,000.00, hindi kasama ang tubo at gastos sa pagsampa ng kasong ito.) Defendant.
x- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - x
PRAYER
SUMMONS
(PAGSAMO)
TO: _______________________________________
WHEREFORE, plaintiff respectfully prays for judgment ordering defendant to pay the ____________________________________________
amount of P _________________________, with interest at the rate of _______% per annum/per month ____________________________________________
from __________________________________ until fully paid.
GREETINGS:
(DAHIL DITO, ang Naghahabla ay magalang na sumasamo na igawad ang kapasiyahang
utusan ang Hinahabla na magbayad sa Naghahabla ng halagang P___________________________, pati You are hereby required, within ten (10) days from receipt of this Summons, to file with
ang tubo na ______% bawat taon/ buwan simula _______________________________ hanggang ganap o this Court and serve on plaintiff, your verified Response to the attached Statement of Claim.
lubos na mabayaran ito.) __________________________________, ____________, 20___. The form of the required Response is attached hereto.
You are required to submit with your Response certified copies of documents as well as
affidavits of any witness to stand as your evidence in this case. You must present the original
FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY _________________________________ document/s on the day of hearing.
(Para sa Opisyal na gamit lamang) PLAINTIFF A motion to dismiss is prohibited and shall not be entertained. Any ground for dismissal
- To be accomplished by the Branch Clerk of Court- (Naghahabla) should be included in your Response. Likewise, motions for bill of particulars and for
(Sasagutan ng Kawani ng Hukuman)
extension to file pleadings, affidavits or any other paper are prohibited.
1. Cause of action
Check Your failure to respond within the 10-day period AND TO APPEAR AT THE HEARING OF
Promissory Note THIS CASE will authorize the Court to render judgment.
Contract
Oral Written
Barangay Agreement Witness my hand under the seal of this Court, this _______day of ____________, 20_____, at
Others (Please specify): ____________________________, Philippines.
_________________________________.
________________________________
2. _____ Barangay conciliation required. BRANCH CLERK OF COURT
If yes, _____ Certificate to File Action
_____ Compromise Agreement attached.
_____ Barangay conciliation not required.
NOTE: FOR INQUIRIES, CALL TEL. #_________________
Please state the reason:
______________________________________________________.
FORM 3-SCC
FORM 1-A-SCC REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
_______________________________
VERIFICATION AND CERTIFICATION AGAINST
_______________________________
NON-FORUM SHOPPING, SPLITTING A SINGLE CAUSE
_______________________________
OF ACTION AND MULTIPLICITY OF SUITS
I, _______________(name) ______________________ of legal age, ________(citizenship) ____________, ________________________________________,

______(civil status)_____, and a resident of __________ (residence)_________________________on Plaintiff,
oath, state:
vs. Civil Case No.: __________________________
1. That I am the ________________________________ in the above-entitled case have caused For: _____________________________________
this __________________________________ to be prepared; that I read and understood its
contents which are true and correct of my own personal knowledge and/or based _________________________________________,
on true records; Defendant.
2. That I have not commenced any action or proceeding involving the same issue or x- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - x
subject matter, and specifically the same check/s in the Supreme Court, the Court
of Appeals or any other tribunal or agency, particularly before the Office of the RESPONSE
City Prosecutor of ________________________________________________________________________; (SAGOT)
that to the best of my knowledge, no such action or proceeding is pending in the
Supreme Court, the Court of Appeals or any other tribunal or agency, and that, if I Defendant/s state/s:
should learn thereafter that a similar action or proceeding has been filed or is (Ang Hinahabla ay nagsasaad:)
pending before these courts or tribunal or agency, I undertake to report that fact
to the Court within five (5) days therefrom.
1. Defendant denies the Statement of Claim for any of the following reasons: (Put a check
3. That the filing of this case is not in violation of the rule against splitting a single in any of the following)
cause of action or multiplicity of suits. (Tinatanggihan ng Hinahabla ang Habla ng Pagsingil sa alinmang sumusunod na
dahilan): [Pumili sa mga sumusunod at lagyan ng tsek]
_______________________________
________________________________________,
Plaintiff,
vs. Civil Case No.: __________________________

For: _____________________________________
30 _________________________________________,
JanuaryMarch 2016
Defendant.
Resolutions
x- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - x
A.M. No. 08-8-7-SC (continued) RESPONSE

(SAGOT)
Defendant/s state/s: FORM 4-SCC

(Ang Hinahabla ay nagsasaad:)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES

1. Defendant denies the Statement of Claim for any of the following reasons: (Put a check
in any of the following) _______________________________
(Tinatanggihan ng Hinahabla ang Habla ng Pagsingil sa alinmang sumusunod na _______________________________
dahilan): [Pumili sa mga sumusunod at lagyan ng tsek] _______________________________
(a) ____ Defendant does not owe plaintiff any money.

________________________________________,
(Ang Hinahabla ay walang pagkakautang na salapi sa Naghahabla.)
Plaintiff,
____ Defendant owes plaintiff only a portion of the amount claimed.
(Ang utang ng Hinahabla ay bahagi lamang ng halagang sinisingil ng
vs. Civil Case No.: __________________________
Naghahabla.)
For: _____________________________________
____ It is the plaintiff who owes defendant money.
(Ang Naghahabla ang siyang may utang na salapi sa Hinahabla.)
_________________________________________,
(b) If defendant owes plaintiff only a portion of the amount claimed, how much is Defendant.
this? x- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - x
(Kung ang utang ng Hinahabla ay bahagi lamang ng halagang sinisingil ng
Naghahabla, magkano ito?) NOTICE OF HEARING
______________________________________________________________________________________________. (ABISO NG PAGDINIG)
______________________________________________________________________________________________.
YOUR CASE IS SET for hearing before the Presiding Judge of this Court on
(c) If it is the plaintiff who owes defendant money, how much and when did this _____________________________________ at _____________________________.
happen?
(Kung ang Naghahabla ang siyang may utang na salapi sa Hinahabla, magkano at (Ang inyong kaso ay diringgin ng Pinunong Hukom ng Hukumang ito sa
kailan ito nangyari?) _______________________________, sa ganap na _________.)
______________________________________________________________________________________________.
________________________________________________________________________________________________. YOU MUST ATTEND THE HEARING. IF YOU CANNOT ATTEND BECAUSE IT IS
If no specific date, estimate the time period: PHYSICALLY IMPOSSIBLE FOR YOU TO DO SO, YOU MAY AUTHORIZE A REPRESENTATIVE
(Kung walang tiyak na petsa, ibigay ang tantiyang panahon) WHO IS NOT A LAWYER TO APPEAR FOR YOU. FOR THIS PURPOSE YOU SHOULD FILL UP
Date started ______________________________________
FORM 5-SCC (SPECIAL POWER OF ATTORNEY).
(Petsa nagsimula)
Through __________________________________________
(Hanggang) (KINAKAILANGAN NINYONG DUMALO SA PAGDINIG. KUNG HINDI KAYA NG KATAWAN
NINYO ANG PAGDALO NANG PERSONAL SA PAGDINIG NG IYONG KASO, MAAARI KANG
(d) How did you compute the money owed you? (Do not include court costs or fees for MAGPADALA NG IYONG KINATAWAN NA HINDI ABOGADO SA PAGDINIG. SA GANITONG
service.) LAYUNIN, PUNUAN NINYO ANG FORM 5-SCC [NATATANGING GAWAD-KAPANGYARIHAN -
(Paano mo kinuwenta ang salaping pagkakautang sa iyo?) (Huwag isama ang filing SPECIAL POWER OF ATTORNEY.])
fees at bayad sa serbisyo.)
______________________________________________________________________________________________.
WITNESS the Hon.______________________________________, Presiding Judge of this Court, this
______________________________________________________________________________________________.
____ day of ________________, 20___, at __________________________, Philippines.
2. If plaintiff owes you money, did you ask plaintiff to pay you?
(Kung ang Naghahabla ay siyang may pagkakautang sa iyo, siningil mo ba siya?) (Saksi si Kgg. __________________________________________, Pinunong Hukom ng Hukumang ito,
ngayong ____________________, 20___ dito sa ______________, Pilipinas.)
_____ Yes _____ No
(Oo) (Hindi)
____________________________________
Branch Clerk of Court
If yes, how?
(Sangay na Kawani ng Hukuman)
(Kung oo, paano?)
____ In person ____ Others (specify) ____________________________
(Sa kanya mismo) (Iba pa) [ano ito?] ___________________________
____ In writing NOTE: FOR INQUIRIES, CALL TEL. #____________
(Sa sulat) (Tala: Para sa katanungan, tumawag sa Korte sa Tel. Blg. _________)
____ By phone
(Sa telepono)
3. Do you have any proof? _____ Yes _____ No FORM 5-SCC

(Meron ka bang anumang katibayan?) (Oo) (Hindi)
What is this proof? _____ Receipt
(Anong katibayan ito?) (Resibo) _______________________________
_____ Other document
_______________________________
(Iba pang dokumento)
_______________________________
_____ Witness
(Saksi/testigo)
________________________________________,
4. As the Statement of Claim is baseless, defendant is entitled to the following Plaintiff,
counterclaims:
(Sa dahilang walang basehan ang Habla ng Pagsingil, ang Hinahabla ay may karapatan vs. Civil Case No.: __________________________
For: _____________________________________
sa mga ganting-habol na sumusunod)
_________________________________________,
______ Actual Damages for the value of the loss suffered by the filing of the case Defendant.
P__________________________________. x- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - x
(Bayad para sa aktwal na pinsalang idinulot ng pagsampa ng kaso)
PLAINTIFFS RETURN/MANIFESTATION
______ Costs of suit for the money defendant spent in filing a countercharge against
plaintiff P ______________________________.
(Kabayaran/Gastos sa kasong isinampa) This is to certify that on ____ (date)_________ and ________ (date)_________ _ ,the
undersigned tried to serve the Summons, Statement of Claim, together with the Annexes and
Notice of Hearing upon the defendant/s (name/s of defendant/s) , but failed and
________________________
unavailing on the ground that the said defendant/s was/were not around during the time of
DEFENDANT
service.
(Hinahabla)
However, on ___ (date) _____ , the Summons, Statement of Claims, Annexes
thereto and Notice of Hearing were served personally to (name of defendant who received)_,
VERIFICATION AND CERTIFICATION AGAINST NON-FORUM SHOPPING, SPLITTING A
as shown by her/his signature appearing at the lower portion of the summons.
SINGLE CAUSE OF ACTION AND MULTIPLICITY OF SUITS
(if with permissive counterclaim) WHEREFORE, the original copy of the Summons is respectfully returned to the
Honorable Court, DULY SERVED PERSONALLY.
(PAGPAPATOTOO O PAGPAPATUNAY NA WALANG IBANG KASONG
NAKASAMPA/NAKABINBIN SA IBANG HUKUMAN) _______________________, Philippines, (date).
(kapag may ganting habol na pinahihintulutan)
___________________________
PLAINTIFF
FORM 5-A-SCC
FORM 7-SCC
SPECIAL POWER OF ATTORNEY
_______________________________
_______________________________
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS:
_______________________________
I, _______________________________________________, of legal age, single/married, with residence

________________________________________,
at ________________________________________________________ do hereby appoint, name and constitute
Plaintiff,
____________________________________________, likewise of legal age, single/married, with residence at
vs. Civil Case No.: __________________________ _______________________________________________________________, who is related to me and/or is my
For: _____________________________________ next-of-kin, and is not a lawyer, as my true and legal representative to act for and in my name
and stead and to represent me during the hearing of Civil Case No.________________, to enter into
_________________________________________, amicable settlement, to submit to alternative modes of dispute resolution and to make
Defendant. admissions or stipulations of facts and documents without further consultation from me.
x- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - x
I hereby grant my representative full power and authority to execute and perform every
PLAINTIFFS RETURN/MANIFESTATION act necessary to render effective the power to compromise as though I myself have so
performed it and hereby approving all that he may do by virtue of these presents.
This is to certify that on (date) and (date) , the undersigned tried to
serve the Summons, Statement of Claim, together with the Annexes and Notice of Hearing In witness whereof, I hereunto set my hand this ___________ day of ______________, 20______,
upon the defendant/s (name/s of defendant/s) , but failed and unavailing on the at ______________________________.
ground that the said defendant/s was/were not around during the time of service.
However, on (date) , the Summons, Statement of Claims, Annexes thereto and ______________________________
Notice of Hearing were served through (name of person who received) , who introduced Principal
himself/herself as a (relationship of the person to the defendant/s) , a person of
suitable age and discretion, residing therein, who signed at the lower portion of the _______________________________
summons. Agent
Substituted service was made after the undersigned exerted earnest efforts to serve the Witnesses: ___________________________________ ______________________________________________
Summons, together with the Statement of Claim, Annexes thereto and the Notice of Hearing
personally upon the defendant, which proved futile.
(ACKNOWLEDGMENT)
WHEREFORE, the original copy of the Summons is respectfully returned to the
Honorable Court, DULY SERVED.
________________________, Philippines, (date).
___________________________
PLAINTIFF
FORM 8-SCC
FORM 6-SCC _______________________________

_______________________________
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES _______________________________
_______________________________
________________________________________,
_______________________________ Plaintiff,
_______________________________
vs. Civil Case No.: __________________________
________________________________________, For: _____________________________________
Plaintiff,
_________________________________________,
vs. Civil Case No.: __________________________ Defendant.
For: _____________________________________ x- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - x
_________________________________________, JOINT MOTION

Defendant. (FOR DISMISSAL)
x- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - x
Plaintiff and defendant, unto this Honorable Court, respectfully allege that:
MOTION TO PLEAD AS INDIGENT
1. Plaintiff and defendant have mutually and voluntarily settled their claim and
_____________________, unto this Honorable Court, respectfully alleges that: counterclaim to the entire satisfaction of each other; and
1. I am a resident of ___________________________________________________________________; 2. The parties no longer have a cause of action against each other.
2. My gross income and that of my immediate family does not exceed __________________; WHEREFORE, premises considered, plaintiff and defendant respectfully pray that the
plaintiffs statement of claim and defendants counterclaim incorporated in his response be
3. I do not own real property with an assessed value of more than (amount as provided in dismissed.
the Revised Rules of Court, as amended) as shown by the attached Certification issued
by the Office of the City/Municipal Assessor and the City/Municipal Treasurers Office; Other reliefs just and equitable under the premises are likewise prayed for.
4. Due to financial constraint, I cannot afford to pay for the expenses of a court litigation as (place) , (date) .
I do not have enough funds for food, shelter and other basic necessities;
______________________________ ________________________________
5. Should the court render judgment in my favor, the amount of the docket and other legal Plaintiff Defendant
fees which I was exempted from paying shall be a lien on the judgment, unless the court
orders otherwise.
To the Branch Clerk of Court:
WHEREFORE, premises considered, it is respectfully prayed that I be exempted from
Please submit the foregoing motion for the consideration of the Court without hearing
the payment of docket and other legal fees as indigent pursuant to Section 21, Rule 3, in
and further argument from the parties.
relation to Section 18, Rule 141 of the Revised Rules of Court.
______________________________ ________________________________
Other reliefs just and equitable under the premises are likewise prayed for.
Plaintiff Defendant
___________________________
PLAINTIFF
Defendant denied plaintiffs claim on the ground of _____________________________________ and
set up a counterclaim for ________________________________________.
The parties, however, reached an amicable settlement and submitted to the court a
compromise agreement, the terms and conditions of which are as follows:
32 (terms and condition here) JanuaryMarch 2016

It appearing that the agreement is not contrary to law, morals, good customs, public
Resolutions moral and public policy, and pursuant to Articles 2028 and 2037 of the Civil Code of the
A.M. No. 08-8-7-SC (continued) Philippines, the same is hereby APPROVED and ADOPTED as the Decision of this court.
The parties are hereby ordered to faithfully comply with the terms and conditions of the
agreement.
FORM 9-SCC
WHEREFORE, judgment is hereby rendered approving the Compromise Agreement and
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES the parties are ordered to comply with the terms and conditions, as follows:
_______________________________ (The judge should define the rights and obligations of the parties under the judgment approving
_______________________________ the Compromise Agreement to be enforced by a Writ of Execution.)
_______________________________
SO ORDERED.
________________________________________,
Plaintiff, (place) , (date) .
vs. Civil Case No.: __________________________

For: _____________________________________ ________________________________
Presiding Judge
_________________________________________,
Defendant.
x- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - x
MOTION FOR APPROVAL OF COMPROMISE AGREEMENT
The parties respectfully allege that:

FORM 11SCC
1. Plaintiff filed this claim against defendant for:
_____________ collection of sum of money
_____________ liquidated damages _______________________________
_____________ enforcement of barangay agreement _______________________________
_______________________________
2. The parties have come to an amicable settlement and have executed a compromise
agreement with the following terms and conditions. (Title) (Case Number)
(copy terms and condition here) DECISION
3. The parties agree that the approval of this agreement by the Court shall put an end to This is a small claims action for (state which of the claims or demands below is the
this litigation, except for purposes of execution in case of default. subject of the action filed):
[For money owed under any of the following:
WHEREFORE, premises considered, the parties respectfully pray that the court approve
this agreement and render judgment on the basis thereof. 1. Contract of lease
2. Contract of loan
(place) , (date) . 3. Contract of services
4. Contract of sale
______________________________ ________________________________ 5. Contract of mortgage; or
Plaintiff Defendant
For liquidated damages arising from contracts;
The enforcement of a barangay amicable settlement or an arbitration award involving a

money claim covered by this Rule pursuant to Section 417 of Republic Act 7160, otherwise
known as The Local Government Code of 1991.]
FORM 10-SCC
Plaintiff alleges that (state material allegations and prayer in the Statement of Claim).
Defendant alleges that (state reasons for denial of the claim and other material
allegations in the Response including counterclaims, if any).
On (date), both parties appeared during the hearing conducted by (state name of Judge
_______________________________ who conducted the dispute resolution. State whether parties appeared personally or through
_______________________________ a specially authorized representative.)
_______________________________
Considering the failure of the parties to arrive at any settlement of the dispute, this
court proceeded with the hearing of the case which was terminated on _________________________.
________________________________________,
Plaintiff, The issue to be resolved by this court is whether____________________________________________.
vs. Civil Case No.: __________________________ Plaintiffs evidence consists of: (state documents of plaintiff, affidavits submitted if any
For: _____________________________________ and statements made by plaintiff and witnesses under oath during the hearing.)
_________________________________________, Defendants evidence consists of: (state documents of defendant, affidavits submitted if
Defendant. any and statements made by defendant and witnesses under oath during the hearing.)
x- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - x This court finds that the claim of plaintiff (or defendant in a counterclaim) is (state
whether meritorious or devoid of merit). Under Article/Section (state the applicable
provisions of law) or pursuant to established jurisprudence (cite applicable jurisprudence).
DECISION
In this case, this court found that (state first the factual findings established by the evidence
(BASED ON COMPROMISE AGREEMENT)
and then the legal conclusions).
Wherefore, the (claim/counterclaim) is (granted/denied). This court orders
Plaintiff filed this case against defendant for _____________________ in the amount of ________________________ to pay to _______________________ the amount of (state the monetary award
________________________. or damages) with interest of (if applicable under Civil Code and/or settled jurisprudence)
until fully paid.
Defendant denied plaintiffs claim on the ground of _____________________________________ and SO ORDERED.
set up a counterclaim for ________________________________________.
(place) , (date) .
The parties, however, reached an amicable settlement and submitted to the court a
compromise agreement, the terms and conditions of which are as follows:
________________________________
Presiding Judge
(terms and condition here)
Copy furnished:
It appearing that the agreement is not contrary to law, morals, good customs, public
All parties
moral and public policy, and pursuant to Articles 2028 and 2037 of the Civil Code of the
Office of the Clerk of Court of ______________________________
Philippines, the same is hereby APPROVED and ADOPTED as the Decision of this court.
The parties are hereby ordered to faithfully comply with the terms and conditions of the
agreement.
WHEREFORE, judgment is hereby rendered approving the Compromise Agreement and

the parties are ordered to comply with the terms and conditions, as follows:
(The judge should define the rights and obligations of the parties under the judgment approving
the Compromise Agreement to be enforced by a Writ of Execution.)
SO ORDERED.
SUPREME COURT HEALTH AND WELFARE PLAN

FORM 12-SCC BOARD RESOLUTION NO. 2015-26
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES DATED DECEMBER 8, 2015
_______________________________
_______________________________
WHEREAS, SC-BAC-GS CONTRACT NO. 2014-22 (Contract
_______________________________ for the Comprehensive Health Care Plan for the Lower
________________________________________,
Courts for One Year) will expire on December 31, 2015;
Plaintiff,
WHEREAS, it was discussed that extending the one-year
vs. Civil Case No.: __________________________
For: _____________________________________ contract with the MEDOCARE is not possible;
_________________________________________,
Defendant.
WHEREAS, on November 27, 2015, the Supreme Court
x- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - x Health and Welfare Plan Board of Directors, together with
the representatives of various Lower Court Associations,
MOTION FOR EXECUTION held an Emergency Meeting to determine the preferred
Plaintiff/Defendant, unto this Honorable Court, respectfully alleges that: health care plan for the lower courts employees;
1. On _________________________________, a judgment was rendered by the Court, the
dispositive portion of which reads: WHEREAS, since there is no new service provider as
2. The judgment is final, executory and unappealable. yet after December 31, 2015, and in order not to the
3. The defendant has not complied with the judgment. (sic) disrupt the health, benefits for the lower courts
WHEREFORE, premises considered, it is respectfully prayed that a writ of execution be
issued to implement the judgment of the Court dated ___________________________.
employees in the meantime that the bidding for the
____________________________________, _____________________________________.
health care plan is on process, the Board decided to
revert back to in-house plan (emphasis supplied);
_______________________________
Plaintiff/Defendant WHEREAS, the monthly contribution of the lower
courts employees health care plan will be consequently
adjusted from P270 to P75 onwards;
NOTICE OF HEARING
NOW THEREFORE, LET IT BE RESOLVED AS IT IS HEREBY
RESOLVED, to direct the FinanciaI Management Office,
NAME OF DEFENDANT (If filed by the Plaintiff)
NAME OF PLAINTIFF (If filed by the Defendant) Office of the Court Administrator to implement the
adjustment effective January 2016.
NAME OF CLERK OF COURT
Please be notified that the undersigned will submit the foregoing motion for the
January 7, 2016.
consideration and approval of the Court on _________________________________ at ____________________.
(place) , (date) .
(Sgd.) JOSE MIDAS P. MARQUEZ
_______________________________
Plaintiff/Defendant
Court Administrator
OCA CIRCULAR NO. 11-2016
TO: ALL PRESIDING JUDGES AND CLERKS OF COURT OF THE

OCA CIRCULAR NO. 03-2016 SECOND LEVEL COURTS
SUBJECT: RESOLUTION DATED NOVEMBER 16, 2015 IN A.M.
TO: ALL JUDGES AND EMPLOYEES OF THE FIRST AND SECOND NO. 03-03-03-SC (AMENDMENT OF A.M. 03-03-03-SC DATED
LEVEL COURTS JUNE 17, 2003, FOR THE EXPANSION OF THE COVERAGE OF
CASES COGNIZABLE BY THE SPECIAL COMMERCIAL COURTS
SUBJECT: SUPREME COURT HEALTH AND WELFARE PLAN TO INCLUDE ALL CASES ON INSOLVENCY AND LIQUIDATION
BOARD RESOLUTION NO. 2015-26 DATED DECEMBER 8, 2015 UNDER THE FRIA)
Quoted hereunder, for the information and guidance of all Pursuant to the Resolution dated November 16, 2015 in A.M.
judges and employees of the first and second level courts, is No. 03-03-03-SC, the Court en banc, among other matters,
the Supreme Court Health and Welfare Plan Board Resolution expanded the coverage of cases cognizable by the special
No. 2015-26 dated December 8, 2015: commercial courts by including all cases on insolvency and
Circulars
OCA CIRCULAR No. 11-2016 (continued)
liquidation under the Financial Rehabilitation and Insolvency

WHEREAS, sections 18 and 23 of Batas Pambansa Bilang
Act of 2010 (FRIA).
129 (The Judiciary Reorganization Act of 1980) authorize
The Resolution dated November 16, 2015, appended the Supreme Court to define the territorial authority of
herein as Annex A, was published in the Philippine Daily the branches of the Regional Trial Court to allow better
Inquirer and Philippine Star on January 14, 2016 and shall take access to justice;
effect on January 29, 2016.
WHEREAS, cases governed by the FRIA for (1) the
Accordingly, this Circular supersedes OCA Circular No. rehabilitation or sole proprietorships, (2) insolvency
206-2015 dated September 8, 2015. and liquidation of corporations, partnerships and other
Strict compliance is hereby enjoined. associations, and (3) insolvency and suspension of
payments/discharge of individuals, are likewise special
January 14, 2016.
cases that are commercial in nature;
WHEREAS, liquidation cases emanating from
(Sgd.) JOSE MIDAS P. MARQUEZ administrative proceedings, not from the FRIA, are
Court Administrator likewise commercial in nature;
WHEREAS, to streamline the court structure and promote
expediency and efficiency in handling special commercial
Annex A cases, the exercise of jurisdiction to hear and decide all
rehabilitation, insolvency and liquidation cases brought
EN BANC under the FRIA and those emanating from administrative
proceedings are best consolidated under the Special
A.M. NO. 03-03-03-SC Commercial Courts;
NOW, THEREFORE, the Court Resolves:
AMENDMENT OF A.M. NO. 03-03-03-SC DATED JUNE 17, 1. That (1) cases governed by the FRIA for (a) the
2003, FOR THE EXPANSION OF THE COVERAGE OF CASES rehabilitation of sole proprietorships, (b) the
COGNIZABLE BY THE SPECIAL COMMERCIAL COURTS TO insolvency and liquidation cases of corporations,
INCLUDE ALL CASES ON INSOLVENCY AND LIQUIDATION partnerships and other associations, and (c)
UNDER THE FRIA insolvency and suspension of payment/discharge
RESOLUTION of individuals, and (2) those liquidation cases
emanating from administrative proceedings shall
WHEREAS, Section 6 of Republic Act (RA) No. 10142, be heard and decided by the designated Special
otherwise known as the Financial Rehabilitation and Commercial Courts;
Insolvency Act of 2010 (the FRIA) empowers the Supreme
2. Upon the effectivity of this Resolution, all
Court to designate the courts that will hear and resolve
newly filed and pending cases mentioned in
cases brought thereunder and to promulgate the rules of
the immediately preceding paragraph shall be
pleading, practice, and procedure that will govern such
assigned or transferred to the designated Special
proceedings;
Commercial Courts having territorial jurisdiction
WHEREAS, in view of the passage of RA No. 8799, which over them;
transferred the jurisdiction of the Securities and Exchange
3. When there is no Special Commercial Court
Commission over all cases enumerated under Section 5 of
designated to hear and decide a case filed within
Presidential Decree No. 902-A, incIuding cases involving
a specific territory in accordance with the existing
rehabilitation of corporations, partnerships, and other
rules on venue, the case may be filed in the
associations, to the Regional Trial Courts, A.M. No. 03-03-
nearest designated Special Commercial Court
03-SC dated June 17, 2003 designated Special Commercial
within the judicial region of said territory; and
Courts to handle these cases, as well as intellectual
property cases; 4. In order to ensure a just and equitable distribution
of cases, the designated Special Commercial
WHEREAS, A.M. No. 03-03-03-SC needs to be further
Courts shall continue to participate in the raffle of
strengthened in order to address the gaps in venue caused
other cases. Provided, however, that the Executive
by the limited number of designated Special Commercial
Judge concerned shall adopt a procedure whereby
Courts per judicial region;
records period during which they shall forward

every rehabilitation, insolvency or liquidation case
such records to the concerned Regional Disposal
assigned or transferred to a Special Commercial
Committee or Metropolitan Trial Court Disposal
Court shall be duly credited to such court.
Committee, as the case may be, for proper disposal.
This Resolution shall take effect 15 days following its
Henceforth, the annual records disposal period shall
publication in the Official Gazette or in two newspapers of
take place during the first week of January. The first and
national circulation.
second level courts shall submit the updated inventory of
November 16, 2015 their terminated cases to the SC, through the OCA, on or
before November 30 of each year. Likewise, they shall post
(Sgd.) SERENO, CJ, CARPIO, VELASCO, Jr., LEONARDO-
the required notices to the general public on or before
DE CASTRO, BRION, PERALTA, BERSAMIN, DEL CASTILLO,
November 30 of each year. They shall observe the whole
VILLARAMA, Jr., PEREZ, MENDOZA, REYES, PERLAS-BERNABE,
month of February of each year as the period for retrieval
LEONEN, JARDELEZA, JJ.
of residual records by interested parties, and the month of
March of each year as the period for the actual disposal of
residual records.
The Resolution containing the Guidelines for the
OCA CIRCULAR NO. 14-2016 disposition and/or destruction of court records, papers, and
exhibits is appended herein as Annex A and shall take effect
immediately.
TO: ALL PRESIDING JUDGES AND CLERKS OF COURT OF THE Accordingly, this Circular amends OCA Circular No. 142-
FIRST AND SECOND LEVEL COURTS 2015 dated July 9, 2015.
SUBJECT: A.M. NO. 07-3-09-SC (RE: PROPOSED GUIDELINES For your information, guidance, and strict compliance.
IN THE DISPOSITION AND/OR DESTRUCTION OF COURT January 19, 2016.
RECORDS, PAPERS AND EXHIBITS [RE: SIMPLIFIED
GUIDELINES FOR DISPOSING OF RECORDS OF LONG-DECIDED (Sgd.) JOSE MIDAS P. MARQUEZ
CASES AND UNNEEDED DOCUMENTS AND PAPERS]) Court Administrator
In its Resolution in A.M. No. 07-3-09-SC dated December
16, 2015, the Court en banc issued the Guidelines in the
disposition and/or destruction of court records, papers, and Annex A
exhibits. Notable among other provisions are the following:
1. The first and second level courts shall conduct an EN BANC
inventory of their terminated cases and submit the
same to the Supreme Court (SC), through the Office A.M. NO. 07-3-09-SC
of the Court Administrator (OCA), on or before April
30, 2016. RE: PROPOSED GUIDELINES IN THE DISPOSITION AND/
2. The first and second level courts shall observe the OR DESTRUCTION OF COURT RECORDS, PAPERS, AND
whole month of July 2016 as the official records EXHIBITS
disposal period during which the segregation of RE: SIMPLIFIED GUIDELINES FOR DISPOSING OF RECORDS
disposable or residual records and their physical OF LONG-DECIDED CASES AND UNNEEDED DOCUMENTS
extraction by the judges and court personnel shall AND PAPERS
take place. During this period, hearings shall be held
as far as practicable. To focus on records disposal, WHEREAS, the first and second level courts have over the
the regular conduct of inventory of pending cases in years accumulated voluminous records of long-decided
July 2016 shall be dispensed with. cases and unneeded documents and files;
3. The first and second level courts shall observe the WHEREAS, parties and lawyers involved in cases that
whole month of August 2016 as the period for were already decided or completely terminated have the
retrieval of residual records by interested parties. primary responsibility of keeping and preserving copies
of court documents and records affecting their rights and
4. The first and second level courts shall observe obligations;
September 2016 as the actual disposal of residual
Circulars
WHEREAS, even though the duty of the courts is to keep limited to, applications for writs of habeas
and maintain only records of active and properly archived corpus, amparo or habeas data, temporary
cases, the courts continue to hold records of cases that restraining orders, permanent protection
were decided or completely terminated, but only for a orders, bails, and lifting of warrants of arrest,
reasonable length of time to enable interested parties to as well as the need to arraign the detained
secure copies before these records are disposed of with accused;
the exception of the decisions and proofs of their finality;
ii. The Executive Judges shall continue to raffle
WHEREAS, the Office of the Clerk of Court at each station cases to the different branches;
also accumulated documents and records that have
iii. No application for leave by judges and all
long ceased to be of practical use and whose copies are
court personnel shall be approved, except
presumably kept by the parties and by their notaries, or
for the most compelling reasons, to be
are stored in dedicated government repositories;
determined by the Court Administrator; and
WHEREAS, overstaying records and files 1) expose court
iv. To focus on records disposal, the regular
personnel and persons attending to their cases to dust
conduct of inventory of pending cases in July
and allergens that imperil their health; 2) place the judges,
2016 shall be dispensed with.
court personnel, the general public and the entire Hall of
Justice under the risk of fires; 3) impede passage along the c. Retrieval of Residual Records. The first and second
corridors, stairways, and fire exits where some of these level courts shall resume their regular business on
records are stored; and 4) are an eyesore in the Halls of August 1, 2016. They shall, however, observe the
Justice; whole month of August 2016 as the period for
retrieval of residual records by interested parties,
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the above and
as follows:
pursuant to its powers under Section 6, Article VIII,
1987 Constitution, the Supreme Court hereby issues the i. Within the month of August 2016, any
following guidelines for full observance and compliance: interested party may file an application to
take possession of any residual record, file,
1. Timelines and Procedure for Records Disposal. All
or document subject of disposal under the
first and second level courts, except newly-organized
Guidelines, on a first-come, first-served
courts which do not have terminated cases yet, or
basis. This application shall be filed before
those courts whose records have been completely lost
the branch concerned, or if not known,
due to calamities, fire, etc., shall observe the following
before the Office of the Clerk of Court of the
timelines in connection with the implementation of
station. The attached application form shall
these guidelines:
be used for this purpose. No application shall
a. Submission and Inventory of Terminated Cases. be entertained after this period.
The first and second level courts shall conduct
ii. The court shall approve the application once
an inventory of their terminated cases based on
the documents are found, except when a
their updated docket books and submit the same
compelling reason exists not to approve the
to the Supreme Court, through the Office of the
same.
Court Administrator, on or before April 30, 2016.
iii. An application fee of Five Hundred Pesos
b. Physical Segregation and Extraction of Records.
(P500) shall be collected and deposited in
The first and second level courts shall observe the
the JDF account before the residual records
whole month of July 2016 as the official records
requested are released to the requesting
disposal period during which the segregation of
party. This fee shall be waived for pauper
disposable or residual records and their physical
litigants, as indicated in their respective
extraction by the judges and court personnel
pleadings, and for any interested party who
shall take place. During this period:
qualifies as a pauper litigant, provided the
i. Hearings in all first and second level same is indicated in the application and
courts shall be held during this period the documents supporting the claim are
as far as practicable, more so for urgent attached.
matters and incidents including, but not
d. Actual Disposal of Remaining Residual Records. courts shall also post notices to the general public
After acting on the last request for residual that the first and second level courts shall observe the
records filed within the period for retrieval of whole month of July 2016 as the period for records
residual records by interested parties, the first disposal, during which period hearings in all first and
and second level courts shall observe September second level courts shall be held as far as practicable,
2016 as the actual disposal of residual records more so for urgent matters and incidents including,
period during which they shall forward such but not limited to, applications for writs of habeas
records to the concerned Regional Disposal corpus, amparo or habeas data, temporary restraining
Committee (RDC) or Metropolitan Trial Court orders, permanent protection orders, bails, and lifting
Disposal Committee (MeTCDC), as the case may of warrants of arrest, as well as the need to arraign
be, for proper disposal. The RDC or MeTCDC the detained accused.
shall look for at least three different individuals
The notice shall also include an advisory to
or entities interested in purchasing the residual
litigants, lawyers, and other interested persons who
records for recycling and award the same to the
may want to obtain the disposable residual records of
highest offer.
all terminated cases five years and above in age, to
Should there be less than three buyers apply for such records before the branch that decided
or none at all, the Chairperson of the RDC or the cases. The application for these records shall be
MeTCDC shall issue a certification attesting to this in writing and filed during the month of August 2016.
fact and how the residual records were disposed Absent such application, the pertinent record shall be
in accordance with law. The proceeds of the sale subject to disposal as provided below.
shall be deposited in the JDF.
This shall be done by posting the Guidelines and
2. Notice and Publication by the Supreme Court. The notices outside courtrooms and in other conspicuous
Supreme Court, through the Office of the Court areas (e.g, entrances of Halls of Justice, City or
Administrator (OCA), shall cause the publication Municipal Halls, and the Post Office) on or before April
of a notice to the general public, on or before April 30, 2016.
30, 2016, that the first and second level courts shall
4. Case Files Subject to Selective Disposal. The first and
observe the whole month of July 2016 as the period
second level courts shall dispose of most or some of
for records disposal, during which period hearings in
the contents of terminated cases as follows:
all first and second level courts shall be held as far as
practicable, more so for urgent matters and incidents a. Files of Terminated Cases that are 20 years and
including, but not limited to, applications for writs of above in age. In cases 20 years and above in age,
habeas corpus, amparo or habeas data, temporary the courts shall extract the following from the
restraining orders, permanent protection orders, records of each case:
bails, and lifting of warrants of arrest, as well as the i. The final decisions, orders, or resolutions,
need to arraign the detained accused. including those of the appellate courts, if any;
The notice shall also include an advisory to ii. The proof of identity of the accused in
litigants, lawyers, and other interested persons who criminal cases; and
may want to obtain the disposable residual records
iii. The corresponding entry of judgment, if any.
of all terminated cases five years and above in age,
to apply for such records before the branch that The above shall be saved and compiled
decided the cases. The application for the retrieval according to the year they were issued and
of these records shall be in writing and filed during arranged alphabetically according to the surname
the month of August 2016. Absent such application, of the first plaintiff, except in criminal cases where
the pertinent records shall be subject to disposal as the surnames are to be arranged according to the
herein provided. surname of the first accused. The compilation
shall be accompanied by a table of contents to
This notice shall be published in two newspapers
facilitate search, and kept for storage. The rest of
of general circulation in the Philippines.
the records shall be disposed as provided below.
3. Notice by the Trial Courts. To supplement the
b. Files of Terminated Cases that are five years and
newspaper publication, the first and second level
above in age. In cases that are five years and
Circulars
above but less than 20 years in age, the courts 5. Determining Case Age. The age of a case shall be
shall extract the following from the records of based on the date when the decision, final order,
each case: or resolution disposing the case became final and
i. The decision, final order, or resolution, executory. If this is not ascertainable, the 60th day
including those of the appellate courts, if any; counted from the date of the decision, final order, or
resolution shall be the basis.
ii. The corresponding entry of judgment, if there
be any; 6. The Presiding Judge and the Branch Clerk of Court
shall plan and supervise the works, assign the tasks
iii. The complaint and answer if it is a civil case; to court personnel, and ensure their accomplishment.
iv. The information and proof of identity of the Records of terminated cases that have been forwarded
accused in criminal cases; to the Office of the Clerk of Court for storage shall
be disposed by the branch concerned. Records of
v. The exhibits of the parties; and
terminated cases decided by courts that have ceased
vi. Portions of the records needed for the to exist shall be disposed by the Office of the Clerk of
execution of the judgment. Court.
The above shall also be compiled according 7. Records in the Office of the Clerk of Court. For the
to the year they were issued and arranged Office of the Clerk of Court, old records shall be
alphabetically according to the surname of the disposed of as follows:
first plaintiff, except in criminal cases where the
a. In extrajudicial foreclosure of mortgage, the
surnames are to be arranged according to the
corresponding records shall be disposed of after
surname of the first accused. The compilation
10 years, counted from the date of issuance of the
shall be accompanied by a table of contents to
certificate of sale, except for the certificate of sale
facilitate search, and kept for storage. The rest of
which shall be kept for 20 years and thereafter
the records shall be disposed.
disposed, provided that they have been audited
c. Files of Terminated Cases to be Retained and cleared for disposal by the Fiscal Monitoring
Regardless of Age. The following case records Division, Court Management Office (FMD-CMO),
shall be kept in office storage regardless of age: OCA;
i. Land registration cases, including those b. Notarized documents covering the transfer of
covered by the Comprehensive Agrarian real property on file with the Office of the Clerk
Reform Program Law, with respect to the of Court shall be kept for 20 years and disposed
following records: of after that period. Other notarized documents
1) The petition and answer; shall be kept for 10 years and dispose of after
that period. Notarial commissions and the
2) The decision, final order, or resolution,
corresponding signature cards shall be retained
including those of the appellate courts, if
for 10 years from the dates of their issuance and
any;
disposed of after that period;
3) The entry of judgment, if any; and
c. Clearances and certifications issued by the Clerk
4) The Original Certificate of Title, if any. of Court that are five years in age or older;
ii. Estate cases, provided that their fully litigated d. File copies of monthly financial reports on the
incidents, which have been decided with Fiduciary Fund (FF), Sheriffs Trust Fund (STF),
finality, shall be dealt with in the manner Judiciary Development Fund (JDF), Special
provided in paragraph 4(a) and (b) above. Allowances for the Judiciary Fund (SAJF), General
iii. Support cases where support has not been Fund (GF), Legal Research Fund (LRF), Victims
legally terminated, except records pertaining Compensation Fund (VCF), and Mediation Fund
to non-adversarial matters; and (MF) that have been audited and cleared for
disposal by the FMD-CMO, OCA;
iv . Cases that may have historical or academic
value, as determined by the judge. e. File copies of receipts of official receipts of trust
funds and non-withdrawable legal fees (FF, STF,
JDF, SAJF, GF, LRF, VCF, and MF) that have been scanned/electronic copy shall be stored in a central
audited and cleared for disposal by the FMD- information facility at the Office of the Clerk of Court
CMO, OCA; in each station concerned, out of which certified
f. Bank confirmation records that have been audited copies may be issued.
and cleared for disposal by the FMD-CMO, OCA; 12. Expenses for Records Disposal. As provided in the
g. Logbooks of raffled cases transmitted to the General Provisions of the General Appropriations
branches that are five years in age or older, Act, the monthly allowance for Extraordinary and
provided that these have been audited and Miscellaneous Expenses (EME) released to judges may
cleared for disposal by the FMD-CMO, OCA; be used to purchase equipment and supplies needed,
if any, for the conduct of Records Disposal.
h. Logbooks of the bonds received by the Office of
the Clerk of Court and transmitted to the branches 13. Annual Records Disposal Period. A Records Disposal
that are five years in age or older, provided that Period shall henceforth be conducted annually during
these have been audited and cleared for disposal the first week of January where the segregation of
by the FMD-CMO, OCA; disposable or residual records and their physical
extraction by judges and court personnel shall take
i. Logbooks of received mail matters that are five place. Thereafter, the retrieval of residual records and
years in age or older; actual disposal of records shall follow in accordance
j. Logbooks of mailed letters and orders that are with the procedure herein provided.
five years in age or older; and 14. Repeal of Past Issuances. Administrative Order No.
k. Duplicate Copies of Marriage Certificates of 103-2011 dated July 11, 2011, and all other prior court
marriages solemnized by the court, provided that issuances on the subject of records disposal that are
these have been audited and cleared for disposal inconsistent with these guidelines shall be deemed
by the FMD-CMO, OCA. superseded.
8. Exhibits in Terminated Cases. Exhibits in terminated 15. Effectivity. These guidelines shall take effect
cases shall likewise be disposed in accordance with immediately.
existing laws, together with the disposable records of Manila, December 16, 2015.
said cases as provided in these Guidelines.
9. Lost or Destroyed Records. For records that are lost (Sgd.) SERENO, CJ, CARPIO, VELASCO, Jr., LEONARDO-
or destroyed, a certification to that effect shall be DE CASTRO, BRION, PERALTA, BERSAMIN, DEL CASTILLO,
made by the Presiding Judge or the Clerk of Court, as VILLARAMA, Jr., PEREZ, MENDOZA, REYES, PERLAS-BERNABE,
the case may be. LEONEN, JARDELEZA, JJ.
10. Disposal of Records of Family Court Cases and Other
Confidential Cases. The Chair of the RDC or MeTCDC
shall ensure that records of family court cases
and other confidential cases are disposed through
OCA CIRCULAR NO. 19-2016
shredding.
11. Scanning of Retained Records. Should the courts TO: THE COURT OF APPEALS, SANDIGANBAYAN, COURT OF
acquire the capacity to scan or electronically copy TAX APPEALS, REGIONAL TRIAL COURTS, SHARIA DISTRICT
court records, they shall have the preserved records of COURTS, METROPOLITAN TRIAL COURTS, MUNICIPAL TRIAL
cases five years and above and 20 years and above in COURTS IN CITIES, MUNICIPAL TRIAL COURTS, MUNICIPAL
age scanned and electronically copied. After scanning, CIRCUIT TRIAL COURTS, SHARIA CIRCUIT COURTS,
the physical records shall be disposed of through THE OFFICE OF THE CHIEF STATE PROSECUTOR, PUBLIC
recycling, as provided in paragraph 1(d) herein. The ATTORNEYS OFFICE AND THE INTEGRATED BAR OF THE
retained records of land registration cases, including PHILIPPINES
those covered by the Comprehensive Agrarian
SUBJECT: COURT RESOLUTION DATED SEPTEMBER 2, 2015
Reform Program, estate cases, support cases, and
cases which have historical or academic value, shall Pursuant to September 2, 2015 Resolution of the Court en
likewise be scanned but will not be disposed. The banc, in A.C. No. 7425 (Elizabeth Dupaya v. Atty. Plaridel L.
Villacete), the Court AFFIRMED the Resolution No. XIX-2010-
Circulars
455 dated August 28, 2010 passed by the Integrated Bar of they have encountered in the implementation of Section 39,
the Philippines Board of Governors, the relevant portions of Republic Act No. 9285, and in the submission of inventory
which are quoted as follows: reports in relation thereto, which were the subject of OCA
Circular No. 34-2012, dated April 27, 2012, and reiterated
On February 27, 2009, the Commission on Bar
in OCA Circular No. 111-2014, dated August 22, 2014. Said
Discipline of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines
problems are briefly stated as follows:
(IBP) recommended the suspension of Villacete from
the practice of law for six months for lack of good 1. Notwithstanding the issuance of the abovementioned
moral character. On August 28, 2010, the IBP Board OCA Circulars, there are only few cases that have
of Governors passed Resolution No. XIX-2010-455, been filed with the CIAC over a 3-year period,
adopting the report and recommendation of the which indicates the under-reporting of the required
Investigating Commissioner, thus: referrals. A possible cause is the acceptance by the
trial courts for docketing of construction disputes
RESOLVED to ADOPT and APPROVE, as it is that are disguised as merely for collection of a
hereby unanimously ADOPTED and APPROVED
sum of money which, if examined carefully, would
the Report and Recommendation of the
have revealed that the cause of action is unpaid
Investigating Commissioner of the above-
construction work;
entitled case, herein made part of this
Resolution as Annex A; and, finding the 2. There is the reluctance of some judges to dismiss
recommendation fully supported by the the construction disputes without any motion being
evidence on record and the applicable laws filed. Such hesitation is misplaced, considering that
and rules, and considering Respondents lack of the aforesaid OCA Circulars have precisely given the
good moral character, Atty. Plaridel L. Villacete judges the authority to dismiss said disputes; and
is hereby SUSPENDED from the practice of law
3. There is likewise the plaintiffs perceived difficulty of
for six months.
access to the Makati-based CIAC in contrast with the
However, since Villacete had long ceased practicing easier access to the nearby courts, which problem has
law and has no more intention to resume in the future, he been effectively addressed, whereby construction
is deemed to have already served his suspension from the disputes can now be filed by virtue of an arrangement
practice of law from the date of the IBP Resolution or on between the Construction Industry Authority of the
August 28, 2010 up to February 28, 2011. Philippines (ClAP) and the Department of Trade and
Industry (DTI) at the ClAP Windows in the DTI Regional
WHEREFORE, the Court AFFIRMS the Integrated Bar of Offices as follows: a) Region 1 [San Fernando City,
the Philippines Board of Governors Resolution No. XIX-2010- La Union]; b) Region 3 [Angeles City, Pampanga]; c)
455 dated August 28, 2010. (Emphasis added) Region 5 [Legazpi City, Albay]; d) Region 7 [Cebu City,
For your information, guidance and strict compliance. Cebu]; Region 10 [Cagayan de Oro City]; Region 11
[Davao City]; and CAR [Baguio City].
January 21, 2016.
In view of the foregoing and in order to more effectively
(Sgd.) JOSE MIDAS P. MARQUEZ enforce the exclusive and original jurisdiction of the CIAC over
Court Administrator construction disputes in the Philippines as provided in Section
39 of RA No. 9285, as well as to reduce the increased judicial
workload occasioned by such disputes, all concerned judges
are hereby DIRECTED to:
OCA CIRCULAR NO. 103A-2015
(1) REVIEW judiciously all pending civil cases for collection
of sum of money to determine whether they arise from
TO: ALL PRESIDING JUDGES AND CLERKS OF COURT OF THE construction disputes with arbitration clauses of the
REGIONAL TRIAL COURTS contending parties not later than the pre-trial conference.
In the affirmative, they shall DISMISS such cases and
SUBJECT: IMPLEMENTATION OF SECTION 39 OF REPUBLIC REFER the same to the CIAC or the appropriate ClAP
ACT NO. 9285 AND SUBMISSION OF INVENTORY REPORTS Windows in DTI Regional Offices for proper arbitration,
IN RELATION THERETO with advice to the plaintiff as to where to file his/her
The Construction Industry Arbitration Commission (CIAC) case, UNLESS both parties, assisted by their respective
through its Chairman, Mr. Manuel M. Cosico, and Members, counsels, shall submit to the Regional Trial Court a written
Messrs. Antonio A. Abola and Emilio Lolito J. Tumbocon, agreement that the dispute shall be exclusively resolved
has invited the attention of this Office on the problems that by the trial court, rather than the CIAC; and
(2) SUBMIT, within 15 days from notice, an inventory of such Strict compliance is hereby enjoined.
construction disputes filed in their respective courts, January 27, 2016.
to the Court Management Office, Office of the Court
Administrator, using the attached Form No. 1. (Sgd.) JOSE MIDAS P. MARQUEZ
Accordingly, this Circular amends the OCA Circular No. Court Administrator
103-2015 dated June 1, 2015.
Form No. 1
INVENTORY OF CONSTRUCTION DISPUTES
No. Case No. Case Title Date Filed Latest Status (If Not Yet Referred to CIAC)
Prepared by: __________________ Verified by: ______________________

Clerk-in-Charge Clerk of Court/OIC
Noted: ________________________
Presiding Judge
These quarterly reports are due on or before the 10th of

OCA CIRCULAR NO. 37-2016 the month following every quarter:
Quarterly Periods Due date (on or before)
TO: ALL EXECUTIVE JUDGES, PRESIDING JUDGES, CLERKS January to March 10th of April
OF COURT, AND BRANCH CLERKS OF COURT OF THE FIRST April to June 10th of July
LEVEL COURTS EXCEPT SHARIA CIRCUIT COURTS July to September 10th of October
October to December 10th of January
SUBJECT: THE REVISED RULES OF PROCEDURE FOR SMALL
CLAIMS CASES All pending and decided cases starting from January 2016
shall be included in the first quarterly report.
In view of the effectivity of the Revised Rules of Procedure
for Small Claims Cases on February 1, 2016 pursuant to the For your information and strict compliance.
Resolution dated December 8, 2015 of the Court en banc in January 29, 2016.
A.M. No. 08-8-7-SC, and the irregular and erratic submission
of reports on small claims cases, the reporting of small (Sgd.) JOSE MIDAS P. MARQUEZ
claims cases using the Small Claims Cases Monitoring System Court Administrator
(SC2MS) is temporarily suspended. Pending update of the
SC2MS, all concerned judges and clerks of court are directed
to send soft: copies of their quarterly reports on small claims
cases using the attached template (downloadable from the OCA CIRCULAR NO. 40-2016
Supreme Court website), through either:
1. electronic mail: smallclaims@sc.judiciary.gov.ph, or
2. by post or courier (using a CD or USB) to: TO: ALL JUDGES OF FIRST AND SECOND LEVEL COURTS
RE: SC2MS SMALL CLAIMS CASES SUBJECT: CONSTITUTIONAL REQUIREMENTS AND RULES IN
Judicial Supervision and Monitoring Division THE ISSUANCE OF ARREST AND SEARCH WARRANTS
Office of the Court Administrator In view of persistent reports on the pernicious issuance of
Supreme Court defective warrants, all judges are enjoined to strictly observe
Padre Faura Street the constitutional requirements and rules in the issuance of
Ermita, 1000 Manila warrants.
Circulars
1. In the issuance of warrants of arrest, the judge shall 5. The heads of the National Bureau of Investigation
determine the existence of probable cause. What (NBI), the Philippine National Police (PNP), the Anti-
the law requires as personal determination on the Crime Task Force (ACTAF) and the Philippine Drug
part of a judge is that he should not rely solely on the Enforcement Agency (PDEA) shall personally endorse
report of the investigating prosecutor. This means (or authorize) all applications for search warrants
that the judge should consider not only the report involving heinous crimes, illegal gambling, illegal
of the investigating prosecutor but also the affidavit possession of firearms and ammunitions as well as
and the documentary evidence of the parties, the violations of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs
counter-affidavit of the accused and his witnesses, Act of 2002, the Intellectual Property Code, the
as well as the transcript of stenographic notes taken Anti-Money Laundering Act of 2001, the Tariff and
during the preliminary investigation, if any, submitted Customs Code, as amended, and other relevant laws
to the court.1 As long as the evidence presented that may hereafter be enacted by Congress, and
shows a prima facie case against the accused, the included by the Supreme Court, for the search of the
trial court judge has sufficient ground to issue a places to be particularly described therein, and the
warrant of arrest.2 seizure of property or things as prescribed in Rule
2. In such instances, the judge has the option either: 126 of the Rules of Court, and to issue the warrants,
to issue the warrant of arrest if there is necessity to if justified.10
place the accused under custody;3 to refuse to issue 6. The authorized judges shall keep a special docket
the warrant if there is no probable cause;4 or, to book listing the details of the applications and the
order the prosecutor to present additional evidence results of the searches and seizures made pursuant
in case of doubt.5 to the warrants issued.11
3. In the issuance of search and seizure warrants, the For strict compliance.
judge must personally examine the complainant and February 10, 2016.
his witnesses under oath or affirmation, in the form
of searching questions and answers.6 The personal
(Sgd.) JOSE MIDAS P. MARQUEZ
examination must not be merely routinary or pro
Court Administrator
forma, but must be probing and exhaustive.7
4. The judge shall require a particular description of the
place to be searched and of the persons or things to
be seized.8 A designation or description that points OCA CIRCULAR NO. 63-2016
out the place to be searched to the exclusion of all
others, and on inquiry unerringly leads the peace
officer to it, satisfies the constitutional requirement TO: JUDGES OF BENEFICIARY COURTS ON COURT
of definiteness.9 DECONGESTION PURSUANT TO A.M. NO. 15-04-07-SC
SUBJECT: REQUIREMENT FOR DEPLOYMENT OF COURT
1
People v. Grey, G.R. No. 180109, July 26, 2010; AAA v. Hon. Carbonell, G.R. DECONGESTION OFFICERS
No. 171465, June 8, 2007; Okabe v. Gutierrez, G.R. No. 150185, May 27,
2004. Pursuant to the Resolution of the Court en banc dated April
2
Joya v. Judge Marquez, G.R. No. 162416, January 31, 2006. 21, 2015, in A.M. No. 15-04-07-SC, which approved the hiring
3
Hao v. People, G.R. No. 183345, September 17, 2014; Enriquez v. Judge of Court Decongestion Officers (CDOs), the following courts
Sarmiento, AM. No. RTJ-06-2011, August 7, 2006; Section 6, Rule 112,
Rules of Court.
have been identified as beneficiary courts to which the initial
batch of CDOs shall be deployed:
4
Mendoza v. People, G.R. No. 197293, April 21, 2014.
5
Id.; Section 6, Rule 112, Rules of Court.
6
Section 2, Article III, Constitution; People v. Tee, G.R. Nos. 140546-47,
10
Laud v. People, G.R. No. 199032, November 19, 2014; Spouses Marimla v.
January 20, 2003. People; G.R. No. 158467, October 16, 2009; Supreme Court, Re: Resolution
Clarifying the Guidelines on the Application for and Enforceability of
7
People v. Tee, G.R. Nos. 140546-47, January 20, 2003; Section 5, Rule 126, Search Warrants, Administrative Matter No. 99-10-09-SC [A.M. No. 99-
Rules of Court. 10-09-SC] (2000); Supreme Court, Re: Guidelines on the Selection and
8
Castillo v. People, G.R. No. 185128, January 30,2012; People v. Tuan y Designation of Executive Judges and Defining Their Powers, Prerogatives
Baludda, G.R. No. 176066, August 11, 2010; Nala v. Judge Barroso, Jr., G.R. and Duties, Administrative Matter No. 03-8-02-SC [A.M. No. 03-8-02-SC]
No. 153087, August 7, 2003. (2004); Office of the Court Administrator, Office of the Court Administrator
9
People v. Tee, G.R. Nos. 140546-47, January 20, 2003; People v. Tuan, y Circular No. 87-2013 [OCA Circular No. 87-2013] (2013).
Baludda, G.R. No. 176066, August 11, 2010. 11
A.M. No. 03-8-02-SC, Section 12; OCA Circular No. 87-2013.
Regional Trial Courts 42. Hon. Francisco G. Mendiola (Br. 115)

Caloocan RTC: 43. Hon. Eugenio G. Dela Cruz (Br. 117)
1. Hon. Aurelio R. Ralar, Jr. (Br. 120) 44. Hon. Divina Gracia L. Pelino (Br. 231)
2. Hon. Edison F. Quintin (Br. 121) Pasig RTC:
3. Hon. Glenda C. Marin (Br. 124)I 45. Hon. Danilo S. Cruz (Br. 152)
4. Hon. Raymundo G. Vallega (Br. 130) 46. Hon. Juvencio S. Gascon (Br. 68)
5. Hon. Ma. Teresa Estepa De Guzman-Alavarez (Br. 131) 47. Hon. Ma. Teresa J. Cruz-San Gabriel (Br. 151)
Las Pias RTC: 48. Hon. Achilles Aristotle C. Bulauitan (Br. 154)
6. Hon. Leopoldo E. Baraquia (Br. 200) 49. Hon. Gregorio L. Vega, Jr. (Br. 157)
50. Hon. Florian Gregory D. Abalajon (Br. 261)
Makati RTC : 51. Hon. Joy N. Casihan-Dumlao (Br. 262)
7. Hon. Eugene C. Paras (Br. 58)
8. Hon. Joselito C. Villarosa, (Br. 66) Taguig RTC:
9. Hon. Dina Pestao Teves (Br. 142) 52. Hon. Louis P. Acosta (Br. 70)
10. Hon. Maximo M. De Leon (Br. 143) 53. Hon. Mariam Guzon Bien (Br. 153)
11. Hon. Liza Marie R. Picardal-Tecson (Br. 144) 54. Hon. Toribio E. Ilao, Jr. (Br. 266)
55. Hon. Antonio M. Olivete (Br. 267)
Malabon RTC:
12. Hon. Celso Raymundo L. Magsino, Jr. (Br. 74) Quezon City RTC:
13. Hon. Jimmy Edmund G. Batara (Br. 72) 56. Hon. Maria Gilda T. Loja-Pangilinan (Br. 76)
14. Hon. Edwin G. Larida, Jr. (Br. 73) 57. Hon. Nadine Jessica Corazon J. Fama (Br. 79)
15. Hon. Emmanuel D. Laurea (Br. 169) 58. Hon. Lyn Chua Ebora Cacha (Br. 82)
16. Hon. Zaldy B. Docena (Br. 170) 59. Hon. Ralph S. Lee (Br. 83)
60. Hon. Luisito G. Cortez (Br. 84)
Mandaluyong RTC: 61. Hon. Roberto P. Buenaventura (Br. 86)
17. Hon. Monique Q. Ignacio (Br. 209) 62. Hon. Lita T. Genilo (Br. 91)
18. Hon. Esteban A. Tacla, Jr. (Br. 208) 63. Hon. Wilfredo L. Maynigo (Br. 96)
19. Hon. Maria A. Cancino-Erum (Br. 210) 64. Hon. Bernelito R. Fernandez (Br. 97)
20. Hon. Ofelia L. Calo (Br. 211) 65. Hon. Evangeline Castillo Marigomen (Br. 101)
21. Hon. Carlos A. Valenzuela (Br. 213) 66. Hon. Felino Z. Elefante (Br. 103)
Manila RTC: 67. Hon. Catherine P. Manodon (Br. 104)
22. Hon. Reynaldo A. Alhambra (Br. 53) 68. Hon. Rosa M. Samson (Br. 105)
23. Hon. Sarah Alma Mojica Lim (Br. 2) 69. Hon. Jose L. Bautista, Jr. (Br. 107)
24. Hon. Paulino Q. Gallegos (Br. 47) 70. Hon. Rafael G. Hipolito (Br. 215)
25. Hon. Emilio Rodolfo Y. Legaspi, III (Br. 13) 71. Hon. Alfonso C. Ruiz II (Br. 216)
26. Hon. Caroline Rivera Colasito (Br. 23) 72. Hon. Luis Zenon Q. Maceren (Br. 218)
27. Hon. Maria Sophia T. Solidum-Taylor (Br. 31) 73. Hon. Jose G. Paneda (Br. 220)
28. Hon. Jose P. Morallos (Br. 44) 74. Hon. Edgard D. Santos (Br. 222)
Muntinlupa RTC: 75. Hon. Caridad W. Lutero (Br. 223)
29. Hon. Juanita Tomas Guerrero (Br. 204) 76. Hon. Elvira De Castro Panganiban (Br. 227)
30. Hon. Myra B. Quiambao (Br. 203) Valenzuela RTC:
31. Hon. Myrna V. Lim-Verano (Br. 205) 77. Hon. Maria Nena Juaban Santos (Br. 171)
32. Hon. Philip A. Aguinaldo (Br. 207) 78. Hon. Lilia Mercedes A. Gepty (Br. 75)
Paraaque RTC: 79. Hon. Nancy R. Palmones (Br. 172)
33. Hon. Jaime M. Guray (Br. 260) Metropolitan Trial Courts
34. Hon. Marie Grace Javier Ibay (Br. 194)
35. Hon. Rolando G. How (Br. 257) Caloocan MeTC:
36. Hon. Danilo V. Suarez (Br. 259) 80. Hon. Michael V. Francisco (Br. 85)
37. Hon. Fortunito L. Madrona (Br. 274) 81. Hon. Maria Lorenza I. Barias-Siosana (Br. 49)
82. Hon. Dorothy Grace R. Daguna-Inciong (Br. 52)
Pasay RTC:
38. Hon. Racquelen A. Vasquez (Br. 116) Las Pias MeTC (Single Sala):
39. Hon. Tingaraan U. Guiling (Br. 109) 83. Hon. Jean Susan Desuasido Gill (Br. 79)
40. Hon. Petronilo A. Sulla, Jr. (Br. 110) Makati MeTC:
41. Hon. Caridad G. Cuerdo (Br. 113) 84. Hon. Barbara-Alile Hernandez Briones (Br. 61)
Circulars
126. Hon. Josephus Joanes H. Asis (Br. 40)
85. Hon. Ma. Concepcion Arao Billones (Br. 62) 127. Hon. Analie B. Oga-Brual (Br. 41)
86. Hon. Alberto N. Azarcon, III (Br. 63) 128. Hon. Don Ace Mariano V. Alagar (Br. 43)
87. Hon. Ma. Lourdes V. Barrios-Sapalo (Br. 64)
San Juan MeTC:
88. Hon. Henry E. Laron (Br. 65)
129. Hon. Marianito C. Santos (Br. 57)
89. Hon. Nio Delvin E. Embuscado (Br. 66)
130. Hon. Ronaldo B. Reyes (Br. 58)
90. Hon. Jackie B. Crisologo-Saguisag (Br. 67)
Taguig MeTC (Single Sala):
Malabon MeTC:
131. Hon. Bernard P. Bernal (Br. 74)
91. Hon. Ma. Ofelia S. Contreras-Soriano, (Br. 55)
92. Hon. Sheryll Dolendo Tulabing (Br. 56) Valenzuela MeTC:
132. Hon. Mateo B. Altarejos (Br. 82)
Mandaluyong MeTC:
133. Hon. Teresita M. Lacandula-Rodriguez (Br. 81)
93. Hon. Flordeliza Mallorca Silao (Br. 59)
94. Hon. Norma M. Ramos (Br. 60) As a prerequisite to the deployment of the designated
95. Hon. John Benedict D. Medina (Br. 96) CDO in your respective station, you are required to submit
96. Hon. Dolly Rose R. Bolante-Prado (Br. 97) an electronic copy of your docket inventory for the period
97. Hon. Eduardo C. Solangon, Jr. (Br. 98) July to December 2015, as well as your monthly report as of
98. Hon. Ruth S. Pasion-Ramos (Br. 99) January 2016. Electronic copies of the requested files should
Marikina MeTC: be mailed by March 7, 2016 to both email addresses:
99. Hon. Shirley L. Magsipoc-Pagaliluan (Br. 95) 1. courtdecongestionofficers@sc.judiciary.gov.ph; and,
100. Hon. Nestor V. Gapuzan (Br. 75) 2. courtdecongestionofficers@gmail.com
Muntinlupa MeTC (Single Sala): or sent by personal service to Atty. Angela Antonio, the Office
101. Hon. Jacob M. Montesa, II (Br. 80) of the Court Administrator.
Navotas MeTC (Single Sala): For strict compliance.
102. Hon. Job M. Mangente (Br. 54)
March 4, 2016.
Paraaque MeTC:
103. Hon. Leilani Marie D. Grimares (Br. 87) (Sgd.) JOSE MIDAS P. MARQUEZ
104. Hon. Donato H. De Castro (Br. 77) Court Administrator
105. Hon. Ramsey Domingo G. Pichay (Br. 78)
Pasay MeTC:
106. Hon. Restituto V. Mangalindan, Jr. (Br. 46) OCA CIRCULAR NO. 65-2016
107. Hon. Kirk M. Anion (Br. 44)
108. Hon. Remiebel Unica Mondia (Br. 45)
109. Hon. Glenn D. Santos (Br. 47)
TO: JUDGES OF BENEFICIARY COURTS ON COURT
110. Hon. Allan B. Ariola (Br. 48)
DECONGESTION PURSUANT TO A.M. NO. 15-04-07-SC
Pasig MeTC:
111. Hon. Eduardo Ramon R. Reyes (Br. 68) SUBJECT: REQUIREMENT FOR DEPLOYMENT OF COURT
112. Hon. Christian Emmanuel G. Pimentel (Br. 69) DECONGESTION OFFICERS
113. Hon. Marina G. Mejorada (Br. 70) Pursuant to the Resolution of the Court en banc dated April
114. Hon. Honorio C. Ebora, Jr. (Br. 71) 21, 2015, in A.M. No. 15-04-07-SC, which approved the hiring
115. Hon. Rolando A. De Guzman, Jr. (Br. 72) of Court Decongestion Officers (CDOs), the following courts
Quezon City MeTC: have been added as beneficiary courts to which the initial
116. Hon. Juris S. Dilinila Callanta, (Br. 42) batch of CDOs shall be deployed:
117. Hon. Maria Zoraida S. Zabat-Tuazon (Br. 31)
118. Hon. Janet Abergos Samar (Br. 32) Regional Trial Court
119. Hon. Joel Socrates S. Lopena (Br. 33) Malolos, Bulacan RTC:
120. Hon. Ma. Ludmila De Pio Lim (Br. 34) 1. Hon. Sita J. Clemente (Br. 16)
121. Hon. Maria Ella D. Dumlao-Escalante (Br. 35)
122. Hon. Snooky Maria Ana B. Sagayo (Br. 36) Angeles, Pampanga RTC:
123. Hon. Augustus C. Diaz (Br. 37) 2. Hon. Gerardo Antonio P. Santos (Br. 62)
124. Hon. John Boomsri S. Rodolfo (Br. 38) Bacoor, Cavite RTC:
125. Hon. Juvenal N. Bella (Br. 39) 3. Hon. Matias M. Garcia II (Br. 19)
Tagaytay RTC:
Judge Angelene Mary W. Quimpo-Sale
4. Hon. Jaime B. Santiago (Br. 18)
RTC Br. 106, Ouezon City
Bian, Laguna RTC:
Judge Lorifel Lacap-Pahimna
5. Hon. Marlo A. Magdoza-Malagar (Br. 24)
RTC Br. 69, Pasig City
Dasmarias, Cavite RTC:
Judge Maria Theresa V. Mendoza-Arcega
6. Hon. Perla F. Faller (Br. 90)
RTC Br. 17, Malolos City, Bulacan
San Pablo, Laguna RTC :
Judge Amy A. Avellano
7. Hon. Luvina Padolina Roque (Br. 29)
RTC Br. 58, San Carlos City, Negros Occidental
Municipal Trial Court
Chief, Public Information Office
Marilao, Bulacan MTC:
Chief Justice Staff Head I
8. Hon. Vanessa F. Bernardo-Agawin
Chief, Office of the Chief Attorney
As a prerequisite to the deployment of the designated
Chief, Fiscal Management and Budget Office
CDO in your respective station, you are required to submit
an electronic copy of your docket inventory for the period Chief, Office on Halls of Justice
July to December 2015, as well as your monthly report as of Chief, Management Information Systems Office
January 2016. Electronic copies of the requested files should
Chief, Program Management Office
be mailed by March 8, 2016 to both email addresses:
Atty. Myrna S. Feliciano, Philippine Judicial Academy
1. courtdecongestionofficers@sc.judiciary.gov.ph; and,
2. courtdecongestionofficers@gmail.com Secretary
Atty. Catherina N. Manzano, Office of the Chairperson
or sent by personal service to Atty. Angela Antonio, the Office
of the Court Administrator. Assistant Secretaries
Atty. Apple Jane B. Clemente, Philippine Judicial Academy
For strict compliance.
Ms. Rouschelle G. Mercado, Philippine Judicial Academy
March 4, 2016.
Mr. Carmelo Suyo or the stenographer assigned by the
(Sgd.) JOSE MIDAS P. MARQUEZ Clerk of Court
Court Administrator The Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, Members, and
Secretariat of the CFCJC, including those who have rendered
service as part of the CFCJC prior to the issuance of this
Memorandum Order, shall receive the expense allowance
presently authorized.
Members of the CFCJC, who are stationed outside the
National Capital Judicial Region, shall also be entitled to
transportation allowance and reimbursement of plane fares
MEMORANDUM ORDER NO. 1-2016 for attendance in meetings.
This Memorandum Order shall take effect upon its
issuance this 8th day of January 2016.
REORGANIZING THE COMMITTEE ON FAMILY COURTS AND
JUVENILE CONCERNS
(Sgd.) MARIA LOURDES P. A. SERENO
In view of the recent changes in the membership of the Chief Justice
Committee on Family Courts and Juvenile Concerns (CFCJC), Chairperson, First Division
it is hereby reorganized as follows:
(Sgd.) ANTONIO T. CARPIO
Chairperson
Senior Associate Justice
Hon. Teresita J. Leonardo-De Castro
Chairperson, Second Division
Vice Chairperson
Hon. Victoria Isabel A. Paredes, Court of Appeals (Sgd.) PRESBITERO J. VELASCO, Jr.
Members Associate Justice
Court Administrator or his representative Chairperson, Third Division
Atty. Ma. Lourdes C. Perfecto

Division Clerk of Court, Second Division
MEMORANDUM ORDER NO. 05-2016 Atty. Wilfredo V. Lapitan
Division Clerk of Court, Third Division
Secretary
CREATING THE SUPREME COURT TECHNICAL WORKING
GROUP ON CASE DECONGESTION AND DELAY REDUCTION Atty. Sweet Ivy G. Espejo, OCC-First Division
Assistant Secretary
WHEREAS, the Supreme Court is mandated under Article Atty. Jeniffer P. Sison, Judicial Records Office
VIII, Section 15 of the 1987 Constitution to decide or resolve
cases within 24 months from date of submission of the last The Technical Working Group shall have the following
pleading, brief, or memorandum required by the Rules of functions and duties:
Court or by the court itself;
(1) Assist the Supreme Court and the Chief Justice fulfill their
WHEREAS, the recent influx of case filings in the Supreme constitutional duties under the Constitution, specifically
Court creates the need to review and assess existing systems under Article VIII, Section 15 thereof which sets the time
and procedures in the adjudication of cases to ensure its limit for resolving cases;
responsiveness to the current situation;
(2) Reexamine current systems and procedures, propose
WHEREAS, to streamline current systems and procedures improvements thereto, and recommend mechanisms to
relative to the ajudication of cases, there is a need to create a improve the Courts caseload and reduce case backlogs;
technical working group to evaluate existing mechanisms and
(3) Cause the preparation of all relevant periodical reports;
recommend improvements thereon to improve the Courts
caseload and reduce case backlogs; (4) Propose an appropriate case management system,
using information and communication technology, that
NOW THEREFORE, the Supreme Court Technical Working
will help the Members of the Court track cases from
Group on Case Decongestion and Delay Reduction is hereby
completion stage until final disposition, including a
created and constituted as follows:
bar coding system or the like, in coordination with the
Chairperson Committee on Computerization and Library;
Atty. Anna-Li R. Papa-Gombio, Deputy Clerk of Court
(5) Recommend performance targets in the adjudication of
Vice Chairperson cases;
Deputy Clerk of Court and Chief Judicial Records Officer
(6) Oversee the inventory of all rollos and propose
Members mechanisms to ensure the preservation of its integrity;
Atty. Librada C. Buena
(7) Monitor compliance with existing rules and practices
Office of the Clerk of Court (OCC) )First Division
designed to solve unnecessary delays in the dispensation
Atty. Teresita A. Tuazon of justice, including but not limited to preparation and
Office of the Clerk of Court (OCC)Second Division approval of the minutes of Court sessions, and the
Representative of the Third Division designated by its rendition of decisions, resolutions and orders;
Division Clerk of Court (8) Develop a multi-year workplan that shall incorporate the
Atty. Czarina E. Samonte, Judicial Staff Head functions and duties herein listed and such other relevant
programs, projects and activities (PPA), to be submitted
Atty. Jilliane Joyce R. De Dumo, Office of the Chief Justice to the Chief Justice within one month from the creation
Atty. Jocelyn T. Fabian, Office of the Chief Justice of the Committee. The work plan shall include description
Mr. Edilberto A. Davis of each PPA, its expected outcome or output, budget
Management Information Systems Office (MISO) requirements, and focal persons; and
Mr. Ricardo N. Lai, Jr., MISO (9) Perform such functions as may be directed by the Chief
Justice or by the Court and those that are inherent,
Mr. Edwin Y. Mendoza, Rollo Room incidental or essential to the accomplishment of its above
Resource Persons duties and objectives.
Atty. Felipa B. Anama, Clerk of Court The Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, Members and
Atty. Edgar O. Aricheta Members of the Secretariat of the Technical Working Group
Division Clerk of Court, First Division shall receive the usual expense allowances.
This Memorandum Order shall take effect upon its Competency Enhancement Training for Judges and Court
issuance this 18th day of January 2016. Personnel Handling Cases Involving Children
May 1719, Century Park Hotel, Manila
(Sgd.) MARIA LOURDES P. A. SERENO Basic Mediation Course
Chief Justice Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino & Aurora Mediation Programs
Chairperson, First Division May 1720, Governors Garden Hotel, Solano, Nueva Vizcaya
PHILJA Curriculum Review: Fifth Plenary Assembly of the
(Sgd.) ANTONIO T. CARPIO PHILJA Corps of Professors and Lecturers
Senior Associate Justice May 2, Court of Appeals, Manila
Chairperson, Second Division 31st Orientation Seminar-Workshop for Newly Appointed
Clerks of Court
(Sgd.) PRESBITERO J. VELASCO, Jr. May 2427, PHILJA Training Center, Tagaytay City
Associate Justice
Orientation of Public Prosecutors, Public Attorneys, and Law
Chairperson, Third Division Practitioners on Judicial Dispute Resolution
May 26, Queen Margarette Hotel, Lucena City
Second Quarter 2016 Training Programs and Activities June 28, Avenue Plaza Hotel, Naga City
Orientation of Clerks of Court and Branch Clerks of Court on
Judicial Dispute Resolution
La Union, Benguet, and Pangasinan Mediation Programs May 26, Queen Margarette Hotel, Lucena City
June 2122, Hotel Supreme Convention Plaza, Baguio City
June 28, Avenue Plaza Hotel, Naga City
Judicial Settlement Conference for Judges on Judicial Dispute
76th Orientation Seminar-Workshop for Newly Appointed
Resolution (Skills-based Course)
Judges
April 2629, PHILJA Training Center, Tagaytay City May 31June 9, PHILJA Training Center, Tagaytay City
June 2629, Avenue Plaza Hotel, Naga City Competency Enhancement Training for Judges and Court
PHILJA Curriculum Review: Validation Workshop with the Personnel Handling Cases Involving Children
Academic Council June 79, Quest Hotel and Conference Center, Cebu City
April 26, Court of Appeals, Manila Seminar-Workshop for Selected Judges on Financial Crimes
Training of Trainers of Competency Enhancement Training for and Money Laundering
Judges, Prosecutors, Social Workers, and Law Enforcement June 78, Diamond Hotel, Manila
Investigators Handling Online Sexual Exploitation of Children Orientation Conference with Stakeholders on
Cases Court-Annexed Mediation
May 3, Discovery Suites, Pasig City
Agusan del Norte Mediation Program
Competency Enhancement Training for Family Court June 7, Butuan City, Agusan del Norte
Judges, Prosecutors, Social Workers, and Law Enforcement
Agusan del Sur Mediation Program
Investigators on the Management of Online Sexual
June 8, Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur
Exploitation of Children Cases
May 45, Discovery Suites, Pasig City Basic Judicial Training on Cybercrime for Judges
June 1517, PHILJA Training Center, Tagaytay City
Career Development Program for Court Legal Researchers of
the Visayas 2016 PHILJA Founding Chancellor Emeritus Justice Ameurfina
May 45, PHILJA Training Center, Tagaytay City A. Melencio Herrera for the Most Oustanding Professorial
LecturerThe Millennial Judge: Judicial Education at the
Judicial Career Enhancement Program for First Level Court
Crossroads
for Judges of the Eleventh Judicial Region
May 46, PHILJA Training Center, Tagaytay City
Advanced Judicial Training on Cybercrime for Judges
Career Enhancement Program for Court Librarians
Seminar on the Financial Liquidation and Suspension of
Career Enhancement Program for Regional Trial Court Sheriffs
Payments (FLPS) Rules of Procedure for Court of Appeals
of the National Capital Judicial Region (Batch 4)
Justices (Cebu City Station), Special Commercial Court Judges
and Pairing Court Judges of Regions VI, VII and VIII
Seminar-Workshop on Dangerous Drugs Law for Judges, June 22, Marco Polo Hotel, Cebu City
Prosecutors and Law Enforcers of the Fourth Judicial Region
May 1719, Taal Vista Hotel, Tagaytay City (Continued on page 10)
48 3rd Floor, Supreme Court Centennial Building PRIVATE OR UNAUTHORIZED JanuaryMarch
USE TO AVOID 2016
Padre Faura Street corner Taft Avenue, Manila PAYMENT OF POSTAGE IS PENALIZED BY
1000 Philippines FINE OR IMPRISONMENT OR BOTH
Second Quarter 2016 Training Programs and Activities

Justice Adolfo S. Azcuna
Chancellor
Training Seminar on the 2016 Revised Batch 3
Rules of Procedure for Small Claims April 12, PHILJA Training Center
Cases for First Level Court Judges and Tagaytay City Professor Sedfrey M. Candelaria
Clerks of Court Editor in Chief
Batch 4
Eighth Judicial Region April 14, PHILJA Training Center Editorial and Research Staff
April 1, XYZ Hotel, Tacloban City Tagaytay City
Atty. Ma. Melissa Dimson-Bautista
Ninth Judicial Region Orientation Seminar for Judges and Armida M. Salazar
April 8, Top Plaza Hotel, Dipolog City Court Decongestion Officers Jocelyn D. Bondoc
12th Judicial Region and Clerks of April 1819, Harolds Hotel, Cebu City Ronald Paz Caraig
Court of the 11th Judicial Region Joseph Arvin S. Cruz
May 1213, Bayview Hotel, Manila
April 29, East Asia Royale Hotel Christine A. Ferrer
General Santos City 75th Orientation Seminar-Workshop for Joanne Narciso-Medina
Newly Appointed Judges Charmaine S. Nicolas
11th Judicial Region April 1928, PHILJA Training Center
May 6, PHILJA Training Center
Sarah Jane S. Salazar
Tagaytay City
Tagaytay City
17th National Convention and Seminar Circulation and Support Staff
Third Judicial Region of the Philippine Association of Court Romeo A. Arcullo
May 20, 2016, Xenia Hotel Employees (PACE) Judith B. Del Rosario
Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga April 2021, Easter College, Baguio City Michael Angelo P. Laude
10th Judicial Region and Work Orientation and Skills Lope R. Palermo
12th Judicial Region Enhancement Seminar for Philippine Daniel S. Talusig
(Lanao del Norte and Lanao del Sur) Mediation Center Unit Staff
June 17, VIP Hotel, Cagayan de Oro City Printing Services
April 2021, The VIP Hotel
Second Judicial Region Cagayan de Oro City Leticia G. Javier and Staff
May 27, Tuguegarao City, Cagayan
May 1819, Hotel Fortuna, Cebu City
First Judicial Region
June 23, Hotel Veniz, Baguio City Refresher/Advanced Course for
Court-Annexed Mediators
Eighth Orientation Seminar-Workshop The PHILJA Bulletin is published
(Skills Enhancement Course)
for Newly Appointed Sheriffs and quarterly by the Research,
Process Servers Misamis Oriental, Misamis Occidental, Publications and Linkages Office
April 57, PHILJA Training Center Lanao del Sur, Zamboanga del Norte, of the Philippine Judicial Academy,
Tagaytay City Zamboanga del Sur Mediation with office at the 3rd Floor of the
Programs Supreme Court Centennial Building,
Seminar on Election Laws for Judges April 2021, The VIP Hotel Padre Faura Street corner Taft
Batch 1 Cagayan de Oro City
Avenue, Manila. Tel: 552-9524; Fax:
April 5, PHILJA Training Center Lanao del Norte and Bukidnon 552-9621; Email: research_philja@
Tagaytay City Mediation Programs yahoo.com; philja@sc.judiciary.gov.
Batch 2 May 45, Haus Malibu ph; Website: http://philja.judiciary.
April 7, PHILJA Training Center Malaybalay City, Bukidnon gov.ph
Tagaytay City (Continued on page 47)

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PHILJA Bulletin NO.69

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Volume XVIII Issue No.

JanuaryMarch 2016 Volume XVIII Issue No. 69 ISSN 2244-5862

From the Chancellors Desk

First Impressions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Second Quarter Training Programs and Activities . . . 48

Children in Conflict with the Law and Court Diversion Procedure:

Judicial Views (continued)

Training Programs and Activities

PHILJA Celebrates 20th Foundation Day

In celebration of its 20th anniversary, the Philippine Judicial

Skills-Building Seminar-Workshop for Officials and Employees of the SEC

Writeshop and Roundtable Discussion on

Hon. Linda B. Gumabol

Judicial Career Enhancement Program Training of Trainers on Advanced Competency Enhancement

Advanced Competency Enhancement Training for Judges, First Judicial Region

Second Quarter 2016 Training Programs and Activities

Hon. KARL BELANDRES MIRANDA Hon. MICHAEL FREDERICK L. MUSNGI

Justice Karl Belandres Miranda Associate Justice Michael

in the determination of just compensation should not be

Determination of just compensation. In Philippine Daily Inquirer v. Magtibay, the Court

Liquidated damages, nature and purpose.

amount tendered by petitioners as partial payment for the xxxx

property, the writ of possession becomes a matter of right. xxxx

Legal Ethics Judicial Moves

4. Insertion of an additional section in Rule 2 defining

(c) When did you do this? ____________________________________________________________

FORM 1-A-SCC REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES

I, _______________(name) ______________________ of legal age, ________(citizenship) ____________, ________________________________________,

vs. Civil Case No.: __________________________

A.M. No. 08-8-7-SC (continued) RESPONSE

Defendant/s state/s: FORM 4-SCC

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES

(a) ____ Defendant does not owe plaintiff any money.

3. Do you have any proof? _____ Yes _____ No FORM 5-SCC

I, _______________________________________________, of legal age, single/married, with residence

________________________, Philippines, (date).

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES

FORM 6-SCC _______________________________

_________________________________________, JOINT MOTION

32 (terms and condition here) JanuaryMarch 2016

vs. Civil Case No.: __________________________

MOTION FOR APPROVAL OF COMPROMISE AGREEMENT

The parties respectfully allege that:

(copy terms and condition here) DECISION

The enforcement of a barangay amicable settlement or an arbitration award involving a

WHEREFORE, judgment is hereby rendered approving the Compromise Agreement and

SUPREME COURT HEALTH AND WELFARE PLAN

OCA CIRCULAR NO. 11-2016

TO: ALL PRESIDING JUDGES AND CLERKS OF COURT OF THE

liquidation under the Financial Rehabilitation and Insolvency

records period during which they shall forward

Prepared by: __________________ Verified by: ______________________

These quarterly reports are due on or before the 10th of

Regional Trial Courts 42. Hon. Francisco G. Mendiola (Br. 115)

Atty. Ma. Lourdes C. Perfecto

Second Quarter 2016 Training Programs and Activities

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Pfad - The Proxy pFad of © 2024 Garber Painting. All rights reserved.

I, _(name) of legal age, (citizenship) , ____________________________,

3. Do you have any proof? _ Yes _ No FORM 5-SCC

Prepared by: Verified by: ____