Civil Procedure

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Chapter I FUNDAMENTAL CONCEPTS I. THE BASICS OF THE CIVIL LITIGATION PROCESS A significant element of the Philippine judicial process is its employment of the adversarial system as an indispensable tool in dispute resolution. Under this system, the contending parties present before a court their conflicting versions of an occurrence by shaping both the facts, the issues and even the evidence to suit their own perspectives, designs and strategies in accordance with a body of rules that provides the framework for the entire litigation process. This body of rules likewise not only guides the court in its determination of legal controversies but also prevents it from rendering arbitrary orders, resolutions and decisions. In this jurisdiction, these rules have been collectively called the Rules of Court. Lawsuits are inventions neither of the court nor of the judicial system because litigations inevitably arise within any social environment. The system is in reality a passive entity. A court for example, while having jurisdiction over certain subject matters, does not on its own accord call on the parties to litigate between or among themselves. Even the rules of procedure on their own are mere mishmash of letters and words, mere assortments of sentences and paragraphs, dormant and virtually lifeless. Lawsuits actually originate from an individual, from one who feels aggrieved by the acts of another. A litigation arises because someone goes to court and seeks redress from it for a perceived transgression committed against his 1

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CIVIL PROCEDURE

person or property. It is actually the individual who decides to start the litigation process and breathes life into the rules of procedure by invoking the jurisdiction of the court. When a lawsuit is commenced, the judicial machinery is activated, is infused with life and continues to grind until the dispute is resolved and the decision executed. From an initially passive entity the judicial system becomes an active machinery in the dispensation of justice. The material that follows presents the most basic aspects of the civil litigation process and does not pretend to be an exhaustive treatise of all the issues which may arise in all litigations. There are certain matters in the litigation process which suddenly occur in the course of the proceedings and which cannot be reasonably foreseen. Besides, there are topics which, due to the demands of both scope and priorities, have to be intentionally left out. This work contains only those topics deemed indispensable to the acquisition of the core knowledge required to pass the bar examinations and to start a career in trial practice. The other more complicated situations in remedial law would later on automatically present themselves to the new lawyer as he acquires experience in the field. Care has been taken to avoid the use of impenetrable legalese because emphasis has been made in bringing civil procedure to a more understandable and workable level. Topics in the Rules of Court have been rearranged to help the reader break free from an overly technical approach to the subject, release the mind from the “book mode” developed in law school and to approximate the application of procedural rules in both the bar examinations and the real world. Experience has told us fairly well that it is the ability to conceptualize the relationships among procedural rules, which enables one to respond with ease to even the most cerebrally formulated questions in the bar and even to unexpected twists in the field of litigation. Although there are aspects of the Rules, in fact a substantial number of them, which have to be committed to memory, route memory has never been the key to success in both litigation and the bar examinations in

FUNDAMENTAL CONCEPTS

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procedural law. Hence, the materials that follow have been presented to allow the reader to develop on his own a more practical approach to procedural principles. Whenever necessary, principles in substantive law have been included in the discussion of the topics found in this work so the reader may see the rules from a better perspective. Substantive law after all, constitutes the foundation of procedural law. The concepts that follow represent the most fundamental stages in the civil litigation process. The mastery of these concepts will enable the reader to grasp the most essential procedural principles, so he may later on proceed to a higher level of understanding of those principles and consequently help him demystify important aspects of remedial law, a subject traditionally but quite erroneously regarded as both abstract and difficult. I.

Complaint

Both experience and common reason have taught us that before a person learns how to walk, he should learn how to crawl and before he learns to run, he should learn how to walk. Similarly, before one could appreciate the intricacies of remedial law, one has to start with its basics. These so-called basics are actually the elementary processes of ordinary civil actions. The practitioner and the student of remedial law have to know that an overwhelming majority of Supreme Court decisions involve issues relating to fundamental procedural matters and that the most frequently tested bar concepts during the past thirty years of bar examinations, involve the operations of ordinary civil actions. As a starting point, it must be emphasized that the rules of civil procedure will come into play only with the filing of a complaint or in some actions or proceedings, a petition. Without a complaint being filed, said rules would simply be meaningless. It is the filing of a complaint that gives life to procedural rules and triggers their application.

FOREWORD Some portions of this work have been rewritten for greater clarity and to incorporate the latest decisions of the Supreme Court as well as recent amendments to certain rules. This work, as the one before it, is written primarily for the law student, the bar reviewee and the aspiring lawyer. It is a humble attempt to bring down the study of procedure to a more workable and understandable level. It is an attempt to use an approach that would hopefully strip civil procedure of the traditional and mechanical presentation of procedural principles. The topics in these materials have veered away from the original arrangement of the rules appearing in the Rules of Court. The experienced among us know fully well that a strict adherence to such presentation leads to the impression among the uninitiated that remedial law is both abstract and circuitous. While this impression is so far from the truth and is more of the mythical than the real, there still arises a need to provide a fresh look at the subject so the reader may see how the various pieces of the procedural puzzle fit into a beautiful and logical scheme. Procedural principles have been rearranged in this work for the reader to appreciate the connection among scattered and seemingly unconnected provisions of the Rules of Court and for that reason, this material is called “a restatement.” Every effort has been made to incorporate the latest doctrines of the Supreme Court in every topic found in this work for the ready reference of every reader including the practitioner. Examples of past bar examinations have been liberally used for the student and the bar examinee to see how bar exiii

aminers have applied procedural principles in the framing of specific bar questions. The overwhelming support generously given to our earlier work, the Fundamentals of Civil Procedure, by students, practitioners and even members of the bench has motivated us to expand quite substantially on the content of the original material by including other aspects of civil procedure — provisional remedies and special civil actions. We have been very fortunate enough to have friends like Atty. Ernesto C. Salao, Atty. Charm Nolasco and Ria Cabayan who encouraged us to go on with this work despite the constraints of both work and time and who helped us tremendously in its publication. It was from Atty. Salao’s suggestions that the term, “a restatement” originated, truly a fitting expression for the very purpose of this work. Again, as we did before, we wish to acknowledge our deep gratitude to our students and bar reviewees whose intense desire to become members of the legal profession has become a primary source of energy in the development of this material. We look forward to meeting them as they take their oaths as members of the bar. Quezon City, Philippines March 30, 2009

WILLARD B. RIANO

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DEDICATION Niña…Daddy…Mommy… Nonong…Neneng…

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CONTENT Chapter I Fundamental Concepts I. The Basics of the Civil Litigation Process I.

Complaint ........................................................................ A. Right of Action and Cause of Action ...................... B. Jurisdiction, Venue and Parties, Prescription and Conditions Precedent ................. C. Preparation of the Complaint ................................ D. Filing of the Complaint .......................................... E. Dismissal of the Action by the Plaintiff................. F. Amendment of the Complaint ................................ II. Summons ......................................................................... III. Answer ............................................................................. IV. Pre-Trial........................................................................... V. Trial ............................................................................... VI. Judgment ......................................................................... VII. Post Judgment Remedies ................................................ VIII. Execution .........................................................................

3 4 4 6 8 9 10 12 14 16 17 17 18 18

II. Powers of the Supreme Court Rule-Making Power of the Supreme Court ............................ Limitations on the Rule-Making Power of the Supreme Court ................................................................ Legislative Power and the Rule-Making Power of the Supreme Court........................................... Liberal Construction of the Rules of Court (Bar 1998) ........................................................................ Illustration (Bar 1998) .................................................... Suggested Answer ........................................................... Power of the Supreme Court to Suspend its Own Rules ....... Power to Amend the Rules ...................................................... Power to Stay Proceedings and Control its Processes ........... vii

19 19 19 21 21 21 24 27 28

III. The Rules of Court The Procedural Rules Under the Rules of Court Are Not Laws ................................................................... Substantive Law Distinguished from Remedial Law (Bar 2006) ................................................................ Prospective Effect of the Rules of Court ................................. Applicability to Pending Actions; Retroactivity ..................... When Procedural Rules Do Not Apply to Pending Actions.............................................................................. Applicable Actions or Proceedings .......................................... Inapplicable Actions or Proceedings ....................................... Scope of Civil Procedure ..........................................................

28 28 29 29 30 30 30 34

IV. Nature of Philippine Courts Courts of Law and Equity........................................................ Application of Equity; Equity Jurisdiction ............................. Principle of Judicial Hierarchy ............................................... When the Doctrine of Hierarchy of Courts May Be Disregarded ........................................................ Doctrine of Non-Interference or Doctrine of Judicial Stability ............................................................. Constitutional and Statutory Courts ...................................... Civil and Criminal Courts ....................................................... Courts of Record and Courts Not of Record ............................ Superior and Inferior Courts ................................................... Courts of General and Special Jurisdiction ............................ Courts of Original and Appellate Jurisdiction ....................... Original and Exclusive Jurisdiction Distinguished ............... Concurrent Jurisdiction........................................................... Meaning of Court ..................................................................... Court Distinguished From a Judge......................................... Katarungang Pambarangay Law (Secs. 399-422, Chapter 7, Title One, Book III, R.A. 7160) .................... Initiation of Proceedings .......................................................... Personal Appearance of Parties .............................................. Parties to the Proceedings ....................................................... Subject Matters for Settlement ............................................... Referral to the Lupon by the Court......................................... Form of Settlement .................................................................. Effect of Amicable Settlement and Award.............................. Execution of Award or Settlement .......................................... Importance of Barangay Conciliation Proceedings ................ viii

35 35 36 38 39 39 40 40 41 41 41 43 43 44 45 45 46 47 47 47 48 48 48 49 49

V. Pleadings in Civil Cases Nature of Pleadings ................................................................. Necessity and Purpose of Pleadings ....................................... Construction of Pleadings........................................................ Construction of Ambiguous Allegations in Pleadings ............ System of Pleading in the Philippines .................................... Pleadings Allowed by the Rules of Court (Bar 1996) ............. Pleadings Allowed Under the Rules on Summary Procedure ......................................................................... Pleadings Not Allowed in a Petition for a Writ of Amparo or Habeas Data ................................................................ Caption of the Pleading ........................................................... Title of the Action..................................................................... Variance Between Caption and Allegations in the Pleading ..................................................................... Body of the Pleading ................................................................ Designation of Causes of Actions Joined in One Complaint................................................................. Allegations of Ultimate Facts .................................................. Relief ........................................................................................ Signature and Address ............................................................ Effect of an Unsigned Pleading ............................................... Significance of the Signature of Counsel (Bar 1996).............. When Counsel is Subject to Disciplinary Action .................... Verification in a Pleading ........................................................ How a Pleading is Verified ...................................................... Significance of a Verification ................................................... Effect of Lack of a Verification ................................................ Other Requirements ................................................................ Certification Against Forum Shopping ................................... Meaning of Forum Shopping ................................................... Rationale Against Forum Shopping ........................................ How to Determine Existence of Forum Shopping .................. Who Executes the Certification Against Forum Shopping (Bar 2000)........................................................ Liberal Interpretation of the Rules on the Signing of the Certification Against Forum Shopping ................ Signing the Certification When the Plaintiff is a Juridical Entity ............................................................... Pleadings Requiring a Certification Against Forum Shopping .............................................................. Effects of Non-Compliance with the Rule on Certification Against Forum Shopping (Bar 1996)........ ix

51 51 52 52 53 53 53 53 54 54 54 55 56 56 56 57 58 58 59 59 59 60 60 61 62 63 64 64 66 67 69 70 70

No Appeal Form an Order of Dismissal .................................. Effect of Willful and Deliberate Forum Shopping .................. Effect of Submission of a False Certification.......................... Effect of Non-Compliance with the Undertakings .................

71 71 72 72

VI. Filing and Service of Pleadings, Judgments and Other Papers in Civil Cases Meaning of Filing ..................................................................... Meaning of Service ................................................................... Upon Whom Service Shall be Made ........................................ Manner of Filing ...................................................................... How to Prove Filing ................................................................. Papers Required to be Filed and Served................................. Modes of Service ....................................................................... Personal Service ....................................................................... When Personal Service is Deemed Complete ......................... Service by Mail ......................................................................... When Service by Mail is Deemed Complete ........................... Substituted Service .................................................................. When Substituted Service is Complete................................... How to Prove Service ...............................................................

72 72 72 73 74 74 74 75 77 77 77 77 78 78

VII. Motions in Civil Cases Definition of a Motion .............................................................. Form of Motions ....................................................................... Contents of a Motion ................................................................ Hearing of the Motion .............................................................. Notice of the Motion ................................................................. Service of the Motion ............................................................... Motion Day ............................................................................... Effect of Failure to Set the Motion for Hearing, to Include a Notice of Hearing and to Serve the Motion (Secs. 4, 5, 6 of Rule 15) ............................... The Omnibus Motion Rule ......................................................

78 78 79 79 80 80 81

81 81

Chapter II Cause of Action and Actions I. Cause of Action (Rule 2) Meaning ............................................................................... Elements of a Cause of Action ................................................. x

83 83

Concept of Cause of Action as Applied to Administrative Cases ...................................................... Cause of Action in Specific Cases ............................................ Illustration (Bar 1999) ............................................................. Suggested Answer .................................................................... Illustration (Bar 2004) ............................................................. Suggested Answer .................................................................... Action Distinguished From Cause of Action (Bar 1999) ........ Failure to State a Cause of Action .......................................... Failure to State a Cause of Action and Lack of a Cause of Action ................................................................ Test of the Sufficiency of the Statement of a Cause of Action ........................................................................... Allegations of the Complaint Determine Whether or not Complaint States a Cause of Action .................... Allegations of the Complaint Also Determine the Nature of the Cause of Action .................................. How to State the Cause of Action ........................................... Conditions Precedent ............................................................... Pleading a Judgment ............................................................... Pleading an Official Document or Act..................................... Pleading to Sue or be Sued ...................................................... Pleading, Fraud, Mistake or Condition of the Mind .............. Pleading Alternative Causes of Actions or Defenses ............. Pleading Actionable Documents.............................................. How to Contest an Actionable Document ............................... When an Oath is Not Required ............................................... Illustration (Bar 1987) .................................................... Suggested Answer ........................................................... Defenses Cut-off by the Admission of Genuineness and Due Execution .......................................................... Defenses Not Cut-off by the Admission of Genuineness and Due Execution .................................... Illustration (Bar 2005) ............................................................. Suggested Answer .................................................................... Illustration (Bar 2004) ............................................................. Suggested Answer .................................................................... Illustration (Bar 1991) ............................................................. Suggested Answer .................................................................... Splitting a Single Cause of Action .......................................... Prohibition Against Splitting a Single Cause of Action ......... Illustration (Bar 1999) .................................................... Suggested Answer ........................................................... xi

84 84 85 86 87 87 88 88 89 91 92 94 96 97 97 98 98 98 99 101 102 102 103 103 103 104 104 105 105 106 106 107 107 108 110 110

Illustration (Bar 2005) .................................................... Suggested Answer ........................................................... Illustration (Bar 2005) .................................................... Suggested Answer ........................................................... Illustration (Bar 1996) .................................................... Suggested Answer ........................................................... Anticipatory Breach ................................................................. Effect of Splitting a Single Cause of Action (Bar 1998; 1999) .............................................................. Joinder of Causes of Action (Bar 1999) ................................... Illustration (Bar 2005) .................................................... Suggested Answer ........................................................... Illustration (Bar 2002) .................................................... Suggested Answer ........................................................... Illustration (Bar 2002) .................................................... Suggested Answer ........................................................... Illustration (Bar 1999) .................................................... Suggested Answer ........................................................... Illustration (Bar 1996) .................................................... Suggested Answer ........................................................... Illustration (Bar 1996) .................................................... Suggested Answer ........................................................... Remedy in Case of Misjoinder of Actions ...............................

111 111 112 112 112 113 113 114 114 117 117 118 118 118 118 119 119 119 119 120 120 120

II. Actions Definition ............................................................................... Civil Actions and Criminal Actions......................................... Actions Distinguished from Special Proceedings (Bar 1998; 1996) .............................................................. Real and Personal Actions (Bar 2006; 2004) .......................... Illustration (Adapted from Bar 1978 and 1976) ......................................................................... Suggested Answer ........................................................... Significance of the Distinction Between a Personal and Real Action ............................................................... In personam and in rem actions (Bar 1994) ........................... Quasi in rem actions ................................................................ Significance of Distinction Between Actions in rem, in personam and quasi in rem ........................... Jurisdiction over the Res ......................................................... Extraterritorial Service; Other Rules on Summons (Bar 1989) ........................................................................ Application of Principles .......................................................... xii

121 121 121 122 124 124 126 127 129 130 132 133 134

Chapter III Jurisdiction, Venue and Parties I. Jurisdiction Meaning of Jurisdiction ........................................................... Power of the Court ................................................................... Test of Jurisdiction .................................................................. Matter of Substantive Law ...................................................... Not Subject to Waiver or Stipulation ...................................... Duty of a Court to Determine its Jurisdiction........................ Jurisdiction Versus the Exercise of Jurisdiction.................... Error of Judgment and Error of Jurisdiction; Distinctions (Bar 1989) ................................................... Lack of Jurisdiction and Excess of Jurisdiction ..................... Jurisdiction and Cause of Action (Bar 1988) .......................... Jurisdiction Over the Subject Matter ..................................... How Jurisdiction Over the Subject Matter is Conferred ..................................................................... How Jurisdiction Over the Subject Matter is Determined ...................................................................... Jurisdiction is not Determined Either by the Defenses or by the Evidences in the Trial ..................... Applicability to Criminal Actions............................................ Exception to the Rule that Jurisdiction is Determined by the Allegations of the Complaint ............................... Doctrine of Primary Jurisdiction ............................................ Doctrine of Continuity of Jurisdiction (adherence of jurisdiction) .............................................. Law Which Governs Jurisdiction ............................................ Objections to Jurisdiction Over the Subject Matter .............. Illustration (Bar 2004) .................................................... Suggested Answer ........................................................... Effect of Estoppel on Objections to Jurisdiction..................... Tijam Ruling, an Exception Rather Than the Rule ............... Jurisdiction Over the Parties .................................................. Illustration (Bar 1981) .................................................... Suggested Answer ........................................................... Illustration (Bar 2005) .................................................... Suggested Answer ........................................................... Illustration (Bar 1994) .................................................... Suggested Answer ........................................................... When Jurisdiction Over the Person of the Defendant is Required .................................................... xiii

138 138 139 139 139 139 140 140 142 142 142 143 144 145 147 148 151 152 153 154 155 155 156 157 158 158 158 159 159 160 160 160

Voluntary Appearance of the Defendant ................................ Objections to Jurisdiction Over the Person of the Defendant ........................................................................ Illustration (Bar 1990) .................................................... Suggested Answer ........................................................... Effect of Pleading Additional Defenses Aside from Lack of Jurisdiction Over the Person of the Defendant.................................................. Jurisdiction Over the Issue ..................................................... How Jurisdiction Over the Issue is Conferred and Determined ...................................................................... Distinction Between a Question of Law and a Question of Fact (Bar 2004) ............................................................ When an Issue Arises Even if Not Raised in the Pleadings.......................................................................... Illustration (Bar 2004, No. 1) ......................................... Suggested Answer ........................................................... Illustration (Bar 2004) .................................................... Suggested Answer ........................................................... Jurisdiction of Municipal Trial Courts, Metropolitan Trial Court and Municipal Circuit Trial Court (Under B.P. 129 as Amended by R.A. 7691) ........ Actions for Forcible Entry and Unlawful Detainer ................ Real Actions Other than Forcible Entry and Unlawful Detainer ................................................... Demand not Exceeding P300,000.00 or P400,000.00 ............. Illustration (Bar 2008) ................................................... Suggested Answer ........................................................... Actions Involving Personal Property ...................................... Admiralty and Maritime Cases ............................................... Probate Proceedings; Provisional Remedies ........................... Delegated Jurisdiction ............................................................. Special Jurisdiction.................................................................. Cases Subject to Summary Procedure (Bar 2004; 1995; 1993; 1991; 1989; 1988) ......................................... Determination of Jurisdictional Amount................................ Illustration (Bar 2004) .................................................... Suggested Answer ........................................................... Totality Rule............................................................................. Territorial Extent of Court Processes ..................................... Review of Judgments of the MTC ........................................... Jurisdiction Over small claims Cases ..................................... Jurisdiction of Regional Trial Courts (Under B.P. 129 as amended by R.A. 7691) ................... xiv

161 162 162 162

163 163 164 165 166 167 167 167 168

168 169 169 174 174 174 175 175 175 176 176 176 179 179 180 180 180 180 180 187

Special Jurisdiction to Try Special Cases ............................... Jurisdiction Over Intracorporate Controversies .................... The RTC is a Court of General Jurisdiction ........................... Actions Incapable of Pecuniary Estimation ........................... Illustration (Bar 2000) .................................................... Suggested Answer ........................................................... Extent of Trial Court’s Jurisdiction When Acting as a Probate Court........................................................... Jurisdiction of the Court of Appeals (Under B.P. 129 as amended by R.A. 7902) ................... Power to Try and Conduct Hearings....................................... Jurisdiction of the Supreme Court .......................................... Illustration (Bar 2005) .................................................... Suggested Answer ........................................................... The Supreme Court is not a Trier of Facts ............................. Exceptions ............................................................................... Cases Which Under the Constitution Must be Heard En Banc ................................................................ Jurisdiction of the Family Courts ...........................................

189 189 190 190 191 191 193 194 195 196 197 198 198 198 199 200

II. Venue (Rule 4) Meaning of Venue .................................................................... Venue is not a Matter of Substantive Law ............................. Dismissal Based on Improper Venue ...................................... When Court may make a Motu Proprio Dismissal based on Improper Venue ............................................... How Venue is Determined ....................................................... Illustration (Bar 2008) ................................................... Suggested Answers.......................................................... Stipulations on Venue.............................................................. Adopted Illustrations ............................................................... Denial of a Motion to Dismiss Based on Improper Venue; No Appeal ............................................................ Improper Venue is not Jurisdictional ..................................... Venue Distinguished from Jurisdiction (Bar 2006) ........................................................................

201 201 201 202 203 204 204 204 208 209 209 210

III. Parties (Rule 3) Parties to a Civil Action ........................................................... Who May be Parties ................................................................. Judicial Persons as Parties ..................................................... Entities Authorized by Law to be Parties............................... xv

210 211 211 212

Entity Without a Juridical Personality as a Defendant ........ Remedy When a Party Impleaded is not Authorized to be a Party ................................................. Averment of Capacity to Sue or Be Sued ................................ A Minor or an Incompetent as a Party ................................... Real Party in Interest .............................................................. Illustration (Bar 1989) .................................................... Suggested Answer ........................................................... Illustration (Bar 1988) .................................................... Suggested Answer ........................................................... Prosecution/Defenses of an Action in the Name of the Real Party in Interest ........................................... Failure to Include the Name of a Party in the Pleading........ Rule on Standing as Distinguished From the Concept of Real Party in Interest ................................... Indispensable Parties .............................................................. Illustration (Bar 1996) .................................................... Suggested Answer ........................................................... Compulsory Joinder of Indispensable Parties ........................ Dismissal for Failure to Implead an Indispensable Party ........................................................ Necessary Parties..................................................................... Distinction Between an Indispensable and a Necessary Party............................................................... Effect of Justified Failure to Implead a Necessary Party (Bar 1998) .............................................................. Duty to of Pleader When a Necessary Party is Not Joined ........................................................................ When Court May Order Joinder of a Necessary Party (Bar 1998) .............................................................. Effect of Failure to Comply With Order of the Court (Bar 1998) .............................................................. Unwilling Co-Plaintiff.............................................................. Alternative Defendants ........................................................... Misjoinder and Non-Joinder of Parties ................................... Unknown Defendant ................................................................ Effect of Death of a Party on the Attorney-Client Relationship ..................................................................... Duty of Counsel Upon the Death of His Client ...................... Action of Court Upon Notice of Death; Effect of Death on the Case ....................................................... When There is no Need to Procure an Executor or Administrator .............................................. xvi

212 213 214 214 214 217 218 218 218 219 219 219 220 221 222 222 222 224 224 227 227 227 227 228 228 229 229 230 230 230 231

No Requirement for Service of Summons ............................... Purpose and Importance of Substitution of the Deceased ................................................................ Examples of Actions Which Survive the Death of a Party .... Actions for the Recovery of Money on Contractual Claims ......................................................... Incompetency or Incapacity of a Party During the Pendency of the Action ............................................. Transfer of Interest .................................................................. Indigent Parties ....................................................................... Role of the Solicitor General.................................................... Suit by or Against Spouses ...................................................... Class Suit; Requisites .............................................................. Commonality of Interest in the Subject Matter ..................... No Class Suit When Interests are Conflicting ....................... No Class Suit by a Corporation to Recover Property of its Members.................................................. No Class Suit to Recover Real Property Individually Held............................................................. No Class Suit to Recover Damages for Personal Reputation ....................................................................... Common or General Interest in the Environment and Natural Resources.................................................... Illustration (Bar 2005) .................................................... Suggested Answer ........................................................... Illustration (Bar 1994) .................................................... Suggested Answer ........................................................... Illustration (Bar 1991) .................................................... Suggested Answer ...........................................................

232 232 233 234 234 234 235 235 236 236 236 238 238 239 239 239 240 240 241 241 241 242

Chapter IV Filing, Amendment and Dismissal by the Plaintiff A. Filing of the Complaint (Rules 1 & 13) Meaning of filing ...................................................................... Significance of Filing of the Complaint................................... Payment of Docket Fees and Acquisition of Jurisdiction ...... Payment of Docket Fees for Cases on Appeal ........................

243 243 243 244

B. Amendment of Complaint (Rule 10) Amendment as a Matter of Right............................................ Applicability of Mandamus ..................................................... xvii

245 246

A Motion to Dismiss is not a Responsive Pleading (Bar 1979; 2005) .............................................................. Amendment by Leave of Court (Bar 1994; 1986) ................... Amendment to Cure a Failure to State a Cause of Action .... Amendment Where No Cause of Action Exist ........................ Illustration (Bar 2008) ................................................... Suggested Answers.......................................................... Alternative Answer ......................................................... Amendment to Correct a Jurisdictional Defect Before a Responsive Pleading is Served......................... Amendment to Correct a Jurisdictional Defect After a Responsive Pleading is Served .................................... Illustration (Bar 2005) .................................................... Suggested Answer ........................................................... Amendment to Conform to the Evidence ................................ Illustration (Bar 2004) .................................................... Suggested Answer ........................................................... Illustration (Bar 1992) .................................................... Suggested Answer ........................................................... Effect of the Amendment on the Original Pleading ............... Effect of the Amendment on Admissions Made i59 the Original Pleading ...................................................... Illustration (Bar 1993) .................................................... Suggested Answer ........................................................... When Summons not Required After Complaint is Amended ...................................................................... Illustration (Bar 1999) .................................................... Suggested Answer ........................................................... Supplemental Pleadings .......................................................... Cause of Action in Supplemental Pleadings........................... Answer To a Supplemental pleading; not Mandatory ...........

246 247 248 249 251 251 252 253 254 255 255 256 256 257 258 258 258 259 259 259 260 260 261 261 261 262

C. Dismissal by the Plaintiff (Rule 17) Dismissal by Mere Notice of Dismissal................................... Illustration (Bar 1989) .................................................... Suggested Answer ........................................................... Dismissal Without Prejudice ................................................... Two-Dismissal Rule ................................................................. Illustration (Bar 1989) .................................................... Suggested Answer ........................................................... Dismissal by Filing a Motion to Dismiss ................................ xviii

263 264 264 264 265 265 266 266

Effect of Dismissal Upon a Counterclaim Already Pleaded .............................................................. Illustration (Bar 2008) ................................................... Suggested Answer ........................................................... Dismissal Without Prejudice ................................................... Dismissal Due to the Fault of Plaintiff ................................... Effect of Dismissal on the Counterclaim Under Sec. 3 .......... Dismissal With Prejudice ........................................................

266 267 267 268 268 268 271

Chapter V Summons Nature of Summons (Rule 14) ................................................. Purpose of Summons ............................................................... To Whom Summons is Directed .............................................. Who Serves Summons ............................................................. Duty of Server Upon Completion of Service ........................... Uniformity of the Rules on Summons ..................................... Contents of the Summons........................................................ Service of Summons Without Copy of the Complaint ............ Service Upon an Entity Without a Juridical Personality ...... Service Upon a Prisoner .......................................................... Service Upon a Minor and an Incompetent ............................ Service Upon a Private Domestic Juridical Entity ................ Service Upon a Public Corporation ......................................... Service Upon a Defendant Whose Identity or Whereabouts are Unknown ............................................ Service Upon a Resident Temporarily Out of the Philippines ....................................................................... Service Upon a Foreign Private Juridical Entity ................... Acquisition of Jurisdiction Over the Person of the Defendant ........................................................................ A. Service in Person on the Defendant ............................... B. Substituted Service of Summons .................................... How Substituted Service is Made ........................................... When Defendant Prevents Service of Summons .................... Illustration (Bar 2006) .................................................... Suggested Answer ........................................................... Illustration (Bar 2004) .................................................... Suggested Answer ........................................................... C. Summons by Publication ................................................ Extraterritorial Service of Summons ...................................... xix

272 272 273 273 273 274 274 274 275 276 276 281 281 281 283 284 285 286 288 290 291 293 294 294 295 295 296

Modes of Extraterritorial Service............................................ Illustration (Bar 2008) ................................................... Summons when Complaint is Amended .................................

297 301 303

Chapter VI Proceedings After Service of Summons Preliminary Statements ..........................................................

305

A. Motion for Bill of Particulars When to File the Motion .......................................................... Purpose of the Motion .............................................................. Requirements for the Motion .................................................. Action of the Court ................................................................... Illustration (Bar 2008) ................................................... Suggested Answers.......................................................... Effect of Non-Compliance with the Order of the Court or Insufficient Compliance ............................. When the Movant Shall File his Responsive Pleading ..........

306 307 308 308 308 309 310 310

B. Motion to Dismiss A Motion to Dismiss is not a Pleading .................................... Hypothetical Admissions of a Motion to Dismiss ................... Omnibus Motion....................................................................... Contents and Form of the Motion ........................................... Time to File the Motion ........................................................... Grounds for Motion to Dismiss ............................................... Laches as a Ground for a Motion to Dismiss Under Rule 16.................................................................. Res Judicata as a Ground for Motion to Dismiss ................... Concepts of Res Judicata ......................................................... Elements of Res Judicata ........................................................ Application of Res Judicata to Quasi-Judicial Proceedings ...................................................................... No Res Judicata in Criminal Proceedings .............................. Pleading Grounds as Affirmative Defenses ............................ Remedy of the Defendant if the Motion is Denied ................. Remedies of the Plaintiff if the Motion to Dismiss is Granted ........................................................................ When Complaint Cannot be Refiled ........................................ Effect of Dismissal of Complaint on the Counterclaim .......... xx

311 311 312 313 313 314 315 315 316 317 317 317 318 318 319 321 321

Chapter VII Answer, Other Pleadings, Default, Judgment on the Pleadings, Summary Judgment A. Answer Nature of an Answer ................................................................ Defenses in the Answer ........................................................... Effect of Absence of a Specific Denial ..................................... Purpose of a Specific Denial .................................................... Kinds of Specific Denials ......................................................... Negative Pregnant ................................................................... When a Specific Denial Must be Coupled with an Oath ........ Matters Not Deemed Admitted by the Failure to Make a Specific Denial................................................ Affirmative Defenses................................................................

323 323 323 324 324 327 327 329 329

B. Counterclaim Nature of a Counterclaim (Bar 1999) ..................................... Compulsory Counterclaim ....................................................... Incompatibility between a Compulsory Counterclaim and a Motion to Dismiss ................................................. Permissive Counterclaim......................................................... Distinctions Between a Compulsory and a Permissive Counterclaim ................................................ How to Set up an Omitted Compulsory Counterclaim .......... How to Set up a Counterclaim Arising After the Filing of the Answer ........................................................ Period to Answer a Counterclaim ........................................... Effect of the Dismissal of a Complaint on the Counterclaim Already Set Up.........................................

330 331 334 334 335 338 339 339 339

C. Cross-Claim Nature of a Cross-Claim .......................................................... Distinctions Between a Counterclaim and a Cross-Claim (Bar 1999) ................................................... Period to Answer a Cross-Claim .............................................

340 341 342

D. Third (Fourth, Etc.) –Party Complaint Nature of a Third-Party Complaint ........................................ Leave of Court .......................................................................... xxi

340 344

Answer to a Third-Party Complaint .......................................

344

E. Intervention Nature of Intervention ............................................................. Requisites for Intervention (Bar 2000) ................................... Procedure for Intervention ...................................................... Meaning of Legal Interest ....................................................... Time for Intervention ..............................................................

344 345 346 346 347

F. Reply Nature of a Reply ..................................................................... Filing of Reply, not Mandatory ............................................... When Filing of Reply is Advisable ..........................................

347 347 348

G. Default Nature of Default ..................................................................... Requisites Before a Party May Be Declared in Default (Bar 1999) ........................................................... No Motu Proprio Declaration of Default................................. Failure to File an Answer Under the Rule on Summary Procedure................................................... Effect of a Declaration/Order of Default ................................. Effect of partial Default ........................................................... Action of the Court After the Declaration/Order of Default ......................................................................... Judicial Discretion to Admit Answer Filed Out of Time ....... Remedies of a Defending Party Declared in Default (Bar 1998) ........................................................... Current Judicial Trend on Default ......................................... Implied Lifting of the Order of Default .................................. Extent of Relief in a Judgment by Default ............................. Cases Where a Declaration/Order of Default Cannot be Made............................................................... Judgment by Default for Refusal to Comply with the Modes of Discovery ...........................................

348 349 351 352 352 352 353 353 354 355 355 359 359 359

H. Judgment on the Pleadings (Bar 1999; 1993; 1978) Nature of Judgment on the Pleadings .................................... Motion Required....................................................................... xxii

360 360

Cases Where Judgment on the Pleadings Will Not Apply .........................................................................

360

I. Summary Judgment (Bar 1989) Nature of Summary Judgment (Bar 1986; 1989; 1996; 1999) ....................................................................... Distinctions Between a Judgment on the Pleadings and a Summary Judgment (Bar 1989) ..................................

361 363

Chapter VIII Pre-Trial and Modes of Discovery A. Pre-Trial Nature and Purpose of a Pre-Trial.......................................... Referral to the Philippine Mediation Center.......................... How Pre-Trial is Called (Bar 1999)......................................... The Meaning of Last Pleading ................................................ Notice of Pre-Trial (Bar 1977) ................................................. Appearance in the Pre-Trial (Bar 1992) ................................. Effect of Failure to Appear by the Plaintiff (Bar 1989; 1981; 1980) .................................................... Effect of Failure to Appear by the Defendant ........................ How Non-Appearance is Excused ........................................... Filing and Contents of Pre-Trial Briefs .................................. Importance of Identification and Marking of Evidence ......... Legal Effect of Representations and Statements in the Pre-trial Brief........................................................ Effect of Failure to File a Pre-Trial Brief ............................... No Termination of Pre-Trial for Failure to Settle .................. Questions to be Asked by the Judge ....................................... Pre-Trial Order ........................................................................ Pre-Trial in Civil Cases Compared to Pre-Trial in Criminal Cases (Bar 1997).............................................. Preliminary Conference Under the Revised Rules on Summary Procedure ........................................ The Enhanced Pre-Trial Proceedings .....................................

364 365 366 366 367 367 367 368 368 369 370 370 370 371 372 372 373 374 374

B. Modes of Discovery Meaning of Discovery............................................................... Purpose of Discovery ................................................................ Duty of the Court in Relation to the Modes of Discovery ...... xxiii

375 375 375

Modes of Discovery Under the Rules of Court (Bar 2000) ........................................................................ Depositions (Rules 23-24) ........................................................ When Leave of Court is Required and not Required for Taking a Deposition Pending Action ........................ Deposition of a Prisoner........................................................... Before Whom Taken (Depositions Pending Action) ............... Examination of the Deponent ................................................. Use of Depositions Pending Action ......................................... Deposition Upon Written Interrogatories .............................. Perpetuation of Testimony Before Action or Pending Appeal ...............................................................

376 376 376 378 378 379 380 380 381

Interrogatories to Parties (Rule 25) Purpose of Interrogatories to Parties...................................... Distinguished From a Bill of Particulars ............................... Distinguished From Written Interrogatories in a Deposition ........................................................................ Procedure ............................................................................... Effect of Failure to Serve Written Interrogatories.................

381 381 382 382 383

Admission by Adverse Party (Rule 26) Purpose of Admission by Adverse Party ................................. Filing of Written Request for Admission ................................ Filing and Service of a Sworn Statement of Admission or Denial; Effect of Failure to File and Serve ................ Deferment of Compliance ........................................................ Withdrawal of Admission ........................................................

383 383 384 384 384

Production or Inspection of Documents or Things (Rule 27) Purpose ............................................................................... Filing of a Motion; Order of the Court ....................................

385 388

Physical and Mental Examination of Persons (Rule 28) Applicability ............................................................................. Procedure ............................................................................... Waiver of Privilege ................................................................... Refusal to Comply with the Modes of Discovery (Rule 29) .... A. Refusal to Answer Any Question ......................... xxiv

389 389 390 390 390

B.

C. D. E.

Refusal to Answer Designated or Particular Questions or Refusal to Produce Documents or Things or to Submit to Physical or Mental Examination ................ Refusal to be Sworn .............................................. Refusal to Admit ................................................... Failure to Attend Depositions or to Serve Answers to Interrogatories ..........................

391 391 392 392

Chapter IX Trial, Demurrer to Evidence and Judgment A. Trial Nature of Trial ......................................................................... Trial and Hearing .................................................................... When Trial is Unnecessary (Bar 1996) ................................... Notice of Trial........................................................................... Calendaring of Cases ............................................................... Session Hours ........................................................................... Adjournment and Postponements ........................................... Limitation on the Authority to Adjourn ................................. Postponement on the Ground of Illness .................................. Postponement on the Ground of Absence of Evidence (Bar 1975) ........................................................ Postponement is not a Matter of Right ................................... Reception of Evidence .............................................................. Issues in the Trial .................................................................... Agreed Statement of Facts ...................................................... Consolidation or Severance .....................................................

394 394 394 395 395 395 396 396 396 397 397 397 398 398 398

B. Demurrer to Evidence Motion to Dismiss in Rule 16 Distinguished from Demurrer to Evidence ..................................................... Effect of Denial of the Demurrer to Evidence ........................ Effect of Granting of the Demurrer to Evidence .................... Demurrer in a Civil Case as Distinguished From a Demurrer in a Criminal Case ......................................

399 400 400 401

C. Judgment Meaning of a Judgment ........................................................... Judgment and Decision ........................................................... xxv

402 402

Requisites of a Valid Judgment .............................................. Orders Granting or Denying a Motion to Dismiss ................. Denials of a Petition for Review or of a Motion for Reconsideration ............................................. Conflict Between the Dispositive Portion and Body of the Decision ........................................................ Ambiguity in the Judgment; Clarificatory Judgment ............ Resolutions of the Supreme Court .......................................... Interlocutory Orders ................................................................ Memorandum Decisions .......................................................... Meaning of Rendition of Judgment ......................................... Period Within Which to Render a Decision ............................ Extension of the Period to Render a Decision ........................ Judgment Penned by a Judge who did not Hear the Evidence .................................................................... Judgment Penned by a Judge who had Ceased to be a Judge ........................................................................ Judgment Penned by a Judge who was Transferred ............. Judgments of the Supreme Court ........................................... Rule of Stare Decisis ................................................................ Obiter Dictum .......................................................................... When a Judgment Becomes Final ........................................... Conclusiveness of Judgments (Immutability of Judgments) .................................................................. Exceptions to the Rule of Immutability of Judgments ................................................................... Res Judicata Effect of a Final Judgment or Final Order .................................................................. Judgment on the Merits .......................................................... Doctrine of Law of the Case..................................................... Several Judgment .................................................................... Separate Judgment .................................................................. Conditional Judgment ............................................................. Judgment Sin Perjuicio ........................................................... Judgment Nunc Pro Tunc........................................................ Judgment Upon a Compromise (Bar 1996) ............................ Judgment Upon a Confession (Cognovit Actionem) ............... Judgment Against an Entity Without a Juridical Personality ....................................................................... Entry of Judgment; Date Thereof ........................................... Relevance of Knowing the Date of the Entry of a Judgment .................................................................. xxvi

402 404 404 404 405 405 406 406 407 408 409 409 410 411 411 412 413 413 414 415 416 418 419 419 420 420 420 421 421 423 424 424 425

Chapter X Post Judgment Remedies I. Remedies Before a Judgment Becomes Final and Executory Available Remedies to the Aggrieved Party ...........................

426

A. Motion for Reconsideration (Rule 37) Object of the Motion ................................................................. When to File ............................................................................. Effect of the Filing the Motion on the Period to Appeal ........ Grounds for a Motion for Reconsideration ............................. Pro Forma Motion .................................................................... Resolution of the Motion .......................................................... Denial of the Motion; the Fresh Period Rule .......................... Order of Denial, Not Appealable ............................................. Remedy When Motion is Denied ............................................. Effect of Granting a Motion for Reconsideration ................... Partial Reconsideration ........................................................... The Single Motion Rule ...........................................................

427 427 428 428 429 430 430 433 434 434 435 435

B. Motion for New Trial (Rule 37) When to File ............................................................................. Effect of the Filing of the Motion on the Period to Appeal .... Form of a Motion for New Trial .............................................. Grounds for a Motion for New Trial ....................................... Affidavit of Merit ...................................................................... Gross Negligence of Counsel not a Ground for New Trial.................................................................... Resolution of the Motion .......................................................... Denial of the Motion; the “fresh period” Rule ........................ Order of Denial, not Appealable.............................................. Remedy When Motion is Denied ............................................. Effect of Granting the Motion for New Trial .......................... Partial New Trial ..................................................................... Second Motion for New Trial ...................................................

435 436 436 436 437 437 438 438 438 438 439 439 439

APPEALS General Principles on Appeal .................................................. Judgments or Orders that are Not Appealable ...................... xxvii

440 441

Remedy in Case the Judgment or Final Order is Not Appealable ................................................. Issues that may be Raised on Appeal ..................................... Issues that the Appellate Court Decides on Appeal............... When Errors Not Raised on Appeal may be Considered .................................................................. Appeals in Criminal Cases ...................................................... Payment of Docket Fee ............................................................ Record on Appeal; Notice of Appeal ........................................

443 443 444 445 446 447 448

A. Appeal from Municipal Trial Courts to the Regional Trial Courts (Rule 40) Where to Appeal from a Judgment or Final Order of a Municipal Court............................................. When to Appeal ........................................................................ How to Appeal .......................................................................... Perfection of the Appeal........................................................... Duty of the Clerk of Court ....................................................... When Case is deemed Submitted for Decision ....................... Appeal from an Order Dismissing a Case for Lack of Jurisdiction ...................................................

450 450 454 451 451 452 452

B. Appeal from The Regional Trial Courts to the Court of Appeals (Rule 41) Modes of Appeal from the Decision of the Regional Trial Court ....................................................................... Application of Rule 41 .............................................................. When to Appeal ........................................................................ How to Appeal .......................................................................... Questions That may be Raised on Appeal .............................. Residual Jurisdiction ...............................................................

453 454 454 454 456 456

C. Petition for Review from the Regional Trial Courts to the Court of Appeals (Rule 42) Application of Rule 42 .............................................................. When to Appeal ........................................................................ How to Appeal .......................................................................... Dismissal of the Appeal ........................................................... Residual Jurisdiction ............................................................... Stay of Judgment ..................................................................... xxviii

457 457 457 459 460 460

D. Appeal by Certiorari to the Supreme Court (Rule 45) Application of Rule 45 .............................................................. Provisional Remedies ............................................................... Not a Matter of Right............................................................... Questions of Law ...................................................................... Exceptions to the Rule ............................................................. Appeal from Judgment in a Petition for a Writ of Amparo Or Writ of Habeas Data ....................... Certiorari Under Rule 45 is not the Certiorari Under Rule 65 (Bar 1998; 1999) ..................................... When to Appeal ........................................................................ How to Appeal .......................................................................... Provisional Remedies in a Rule 45 Petition ........................... Appeals from Quasi-Judicial Bodies ....................................... Review of Decision of the NLRC (Bar 2006) ........................... Appeals from the Sandiganbayan ........................................... Review of the Rulings of the Ombudsman (Bar 2006) ........... Appeals from Judgments of the Court of Tax Appeals (Bar 2006)............................................... Review of Judgments of the Commission on Elections .......... Review of Judgments of the Commission on Audit ................ Appeals from Judgments of the Civil Service Commission ........................................................ Appeals from Judgments of the Office of the President ...............................................................

461 462 462 463 464 466 466 469 470 471 471 472 472 472 475 475 476 476 476

II. Remedies After a Judgment has Become Final and Executory Illustration (Bar 1995) .................................................... Suggested Answer ...........................................................

477 477

A. Petition for Relief or Relief from Judgments. Orders or Other Proceedings (Rule 38) Nature of the Petition .............................................................. Grounds for a Petition for Relief; Proper Court ..................... Petition is Available Only to the Parties ................................ Petition is Available to Proceedings after the Judgment ...... When to File ............................................................................. Form of the Petition; Affidavit of Merit .................................. Order to Answer ....................................................................... xxix

477 477 478 479 479 480 480

Hearing of the Petition ............................................................ Action of the Court ................................................................... Preliminary Injunction Pending the Petition for Relief ........ No Petition for Relief in the Supreme Court ..........................

480 480 481 482

B. Annulment of Judgments or Final Orders or Resolutions (Rule 47) Nature of the Action ................................................................ Grounds for Annulment ........................................................... Extrinsic Fraud ........................................................................ Lack of Jurisdiction ................................................................. Period for Filing the Action ..................................................... Who May File the Action ......................................................... Basic Procedure ........................................................................ Effect of a Judgment of Annulment ........................................ Application of Rule 47; Annulment of Judgments of the MTC.................................................... Annulment of Judgments of Quasi-Judicial Bodies ...............

483 484 485 485 486 486 487 487 488 488

C. Certiorari (Rule 65) Nature of the Remedy .............................................................. Motion for Reconsideration ..................................................... Material Data (Date) Rule ....................................................... Certification Against Forum Shopping ................................... Observance of Hierarchy of Courts ......................................... Amendments to Rule 65 ..........................................................

489 490 492 492 492 492

D. Collateral Attack of a Judgment Distinction Between a Direct from a Collateral Attack .........

493

Chapter XI Execution of Judgments Meaning of Execution .............................................................. Part of the Judgment to be Executed...................................... When Execution Shall Issue.................................................... How Execution Shall Issue ...................................................... Where Application for Execution Made .................................. No Appeal from an Order of Execution................................... Form and Contents of Writ of Execution ................................ Writ of Execution Must Conform with Judgment .................. xxx

494 494 494 495 496 496 497 497

Lifetime of the Writ of Execution (Bar 1995) ......................... When Execution Will be Denied.............................................. Quashal of a Writ of Execution ............................................... Duty of Sheriff .......................................................................... Modes of Execution of a Judgment (Bar 1982; 1987; 1997) .................................................... Revival of judgment (Bar 1997)............................................... Illustration (Bar 1997) .................................................... Suggested Answer ........................................................... When the Five-Year Period is Interrupted (Bar 1993) .......... When the Five and Ten-Year Periods Do Not Apply ............. Stay of Execution of a Judgment; Exceptions ........................ Judgments Not Stayed by Appeal ........................................... Discretionary Execution (Bar 1991; 1995).............................. Requisites for Discretionary Execution .................................. Discretionary Execution is to be Strictly Construed.............. Good Reasons ........................................................................... Illustration (Bar 1995) .................................................... Suggested Answer ........................................................... Frivolous Appeal as Reason for Discretiona Execution ......................................................................... Posting of Bond as Reason for Discretionary Execution (Bar 1991)....................................................... Financial Distress as Reason for Discretionary Execution ... Where to File an Application for Discretionary Execution .... Remedy Where the Judgment Subject to Discretionary Execution is Reversed or Annulled ................................ Execution in Case the Judgment Obligee Dies ...................... Execution in Case the Judgment Obligor Dies ...................... How to Execute Judgments for Money ................................... Garnishment of Debts and Credits ......................................... Execution of a Judgment for the Performance of a Specific Act................................................................ Execution for a Judgment for the Delivery or Restitution of Real Property (Bar 1995) ........................ Contempt is not a Remedy ...................................................... Removal of Improvements on the Property Subject of Execution ..................................................................... Property Exempt from Execution (Bar 1981) ......................... When the Property Mentioned is not Exempt form Execution ................................................................ Proceedings When Property Levied Upon is Claimed by Third Persons; Terceria (Bar 1982; 1984; 1993) ....... xxxi

499 499 500 501 501 502 508 508 509 510 510 510 511 512 512 512 514 514 514 515 515 516 516 516 516 517 518 519 519 520 520 521 522 522

Illustration (Bar 1993) .................................................... Suggested Answer ........................................................... Miscellaneous Principles to be Remembered in Execution Sales ............................................................... Sale and Redemption of Real Property ................................... Effect if no Redemption is Made ............................................. Rents, Income and Earnings of the Property Pending the Redemption ................................................. Remedy When the Judgment is Unsatisfied (Bar 1983; 2002) .............................................................. Effect of Final Judgments .......................................................

525 525 526 528 528 529 529 529

Chapter XII Provisional Remedies Nature of Provisional Remedies .............................................. Purpose of Provisional Remedies (Bar 1996).......................... Court Which Grants Provisional Remedies ............................ Kinds of Provisional Remedies (Bar 1999) ............................. Deposit as a Provisional Remedy ............................................ Provisional Remedies (interim Reliefs) in a Petition for a Writ of Amparo ...................................... Availability of Interim Reliefs to Respondent in a Petition for a Writ of Amparo ..................................

532 532 532 533 533 536 536

I. Preliminary Attachment (Rule 57) Nature of Preliminary Attachment ......................................... Purpose of Preliminary Attachment ....................................... Kinds of Attachments; Distinctions (Bar 1975; 1999) .............................................................. Cases in Which Preliminary Attachment is Proper ............... Illustration (Bar 1981) .................................................... Suggested Answer ........................................................... Illustration (Bar 1982) .................................................... Suggested Answer ........................................................... Illustration (Bar 1983) .................................................... Suggested Answer ........................................................... Illustration (Bar 1990) .................................................... Suggested Answer ........................................................... When to Apply for Preliminary Attachment .......................... By Whom Applied For.............................................................. Ex Parte Issuance of the Writ (Bar 2005; 2001; 1996; 1993; 1991) ............................................................. xxxii

537 539 539 540 545 546 546 546 546 547 548 548 548 548 549

Illustration (Bar 2005) .................................................... Suggested Answer ........................................................... Illustration (Bar 2001) .................................................... Suggested Answer ........................................................... Illustration (Bar 1996) .................................................... Suggested Answer ........................................................... Illustration (Bar 1993) .................................................... Suggested Answer ........................................................... Illustration (Bar 1991) .................................................... Suggested Answers.......................................................... Illustration (Bar 1978) .................................................... Suggested Answer ........................................................... Why Ex Parte Grant of the Writ is Allowed ........................... Stages in the Grant of Preliminary Attachment .................... When Contemporaneous Service is not Required .................. Requisites for the Issuance of an Order/Writ of Preliminary Attachment ............................................. Grant of Preliminary Attachment, Discretionary .................. Strict Construction of the Rule ............................................... How to Prevent the Attachment ............................................. How to Have the Attachment Discharged .............................. Damages for a Wrongful Attachment ..................................... Illustration (Bar 1999) .................................................... Suggested Answer ........................................................... Attachment of Property in Custodia Legis ............................. Illustration (Bar 1999) .................................................... Suggested Answer ........................................................... Proceedings Where Property Attached is Claimed by a Third Person ............................................................ Illustration (Bar 2000) .................................................... Suggested Answer ........................................................... No Sale of Property Covered by a Writ of Preliminary Attachment Before Entry of Judgment; Exception .......

549 550 550 550 551 551 551 552 552 553 553 554 554 554 555 555 556 557 557 557 558 560 560 560 561 561 561 563 563 564

II. Preliminary Injunction (Rule 58) Nature of Preliminary Injunction ........................................... Main Action for Injunction Distinguished from a Preliminary Injunction (Bar 2006) .............................. Purpose of Preliminary Injunction.......................................... Illustration (Bar 1978) .................................................... Suggested Answer ........................................................... Preliminary Injunction Distinguished from a Final Injunction ............................................................... xxxiii

564 567 568 568 568 569

Prohibitory and Mandatory Injunctions ................................. Prohibitory Injunction Distinguished from Prohibition ........ Mandatory Injunction Distinguished from Mandamus ......... Stage of Proceedings When Granted....................................... Court that Issues Preliminary Injunction .............................. Requisites for Issuance of a Writ of Preliminary Injunction (Bar 2006) or Temporary Restraining Order ........................................................... Quantum of Evidence Required .............................................. Notice and Hearing (Bar 2001; 1998) ..................................... Temporary Restraining Order (Bar 2006) .............................. Illustration (Bar 1993) ................................................... Suggested Answer ........................................................... Illustration (Bar 1998) .................................................... Suggested Answers.......................................................... Illustration (Bar 2001) .................................................... Suggested Answer ........................................................... Illustration (Bar 2001) .................................................... Suggested Answer ........................................................... Issuance of Temporary Restraining Order by the Court of Appeals (Bar 2006) and the Supreme Court ................................................................ Illustration (Bar 1988) ............................................................. Suggested Answer ........................................................... Nature of an Order Granting a Preliminary injunction ......................................................................... Examples of Cases Justifying the Issuance of a Writ of Preliminary Injunction ................................ Illustration (Bar 2003) .................................................... Suggested Answer ........................................................... Illustration (Bar 1984) .................................................... Suggested Answer ........................................................... Illustration (Bar 2002) .................................................... Suggested Answer ........................................................... Examples of Cases in Which Injunction/ Preliminary Injunction Will Not be Issued .................... Illustration (Bar 1999) .................................................... Suggested Answer ........................................................... Illustration (Bar 1996) .................................................... Suggested Answer ........................................................... How to Dissolve a Writ of Preliminary Injunction or Restraining Order ..................................... Duty of the Court that Issued the Writ .................................. xxxiv

569 569 570 570 570

571 573 574 574 576 576 577 577 578 578 578 578

579 579 579 579 580 581 581 581 582 582 583 583 588 588 588 588 589 589

III. Receivership (Rule 59) Nature of Receivership ............................................................ Illustration (Bar 2001) .................................................... Suggested Answer ........................................................... Illustration (Bar 1995) .................................................... Suggested Answer ........................................................... Court That Can Grant Receivership ....................................... Procedure for Appointment of a Receiver ............................... Powers of a Receiver ................................................................ Investment of Funds by Receiver ............................................ Suits Against a Receiver .......................................................... Appointment of a Party as a Receiver ....................................

590 590 591 591 591 592 592 592 593 593 593

IV. Replevin (Sec. 60) Illustration (Bar 1999) .................................................... Suggested Answer ........................................................... Procedure for the Application for Replevin ............................ Illustration (Bar 1976) .................................................... Suggested Answer ........................................................... Illustration (Bar 1996) .................................................... Suggested Answer ........................................................... Undertaking of the Replevin Bond ......................................... Order of the Court and Duty of Sheriff ................................... How Adverse Party Can Seek the Return of the Property ................................................................. Replevin Distinguished form Preliminary Attachment ......................................................................

594 594 594 595 595 595 596 596 596 597 597

V. Support Pendente Lite (Rule 61) Illustration (Bar 2001) .................................................... Suggested Answer ........................................................... Illustration (Bar 1999) .................................................... Suggested Answer ........................................................... Procedure for Application for Support Pendente Lite .................................................................. Illustration (Bar 1981) .................................................... Suggested Answer ........................................................... Enforcement of the Order ........................................................ Restitution ...............................................................................

xxxv

599 599 599 600 600 601 601 601 601

Chapter XIII Special Civil Actions Preliminaries ............................................................................

602

I. Interpleader (Rule 62) Meaning of Interpleader (Bar 1998) ....................................... Illustration (Bar 1988) .................................................... Suggested Answer ........................................................... Illustration (Bar 1996) .................................................... Suggested Answer ........................................................... Illustration (Bar 1978) .................................................... Suggested Answer ........................................................... Basic Procedure ........................................................................ Court With Jurisdiction ........................................................... Illustration (Bar 1997) .................................................... Suggested Answer ........................................................... Distinctions Between Interpleader and Intervention .....................................................................

605 606 607 607 607 607 608 608 610 611 611 611

II. Declaratory Relief and Other Similar Remedies (Rule 63) Preliminaries ............................................................................ Subject Matter in a Petition for Declaratory Relief ............... Illustration (Bar 1998) .................................................... Suggested Answer ........................................................... Court With Jurisdiction ........................................................... Purpose of the Petition ............................................................ The Petitioner and Other Parties ........................................... Filing Before Any Breach or Violation; Justifiable Controversy ................................................... Summary of Requisites for the Petition ................................. Reformation of an Instrument ................................................ Consolidation of Ownership .................................................... Quieting of Title .......................................................................

612 613 614 614 615 616 617 618 619 620 621 623

III. Review of Judgment and Final Orders or Resolutions of the Commission on Elections and the Commission on Audit (Rule 64) Preliminaries ............................................................................ Remedy of the Aggrieved Party............................................... xxxvi

623 624

Rule 64 does Not Apply to the Civil Service Commission ..... Findings of Fact; Not Reviewable ........................................... Motion for New Trial or Motion for Reconsideration ............. Basic Requirements for the Petition ....................................... Order to Comment; Outright Dismissal ................................. Filing of Petition Does not Stay Execution............................. Oral Arguments; Memoranda; Submission for Decision .......

624 624 625 625 626 627 627

IV. Certiorari; Prohibition and Mandamus (Rule 65) A. Certiorari Nature and Purpose of the Remedy ........................................ Illustration (Bar 2005) .................................................... Suggested Answer ........................................................... Correction of Errors of Jurisdiction ........................................ Certiorari Distinguished From Appeal ................................... Necessity for Writ of Injunction; Certiorari not Sufficient .... Duty of the Court When a Petition for Certiorari is Filed..... No Petition for Certiorari in a Summary Proceeding ............ Illustration (Bar 2004) .................................................... Suggested Answer ........................................................... Certiorari Not Substitute for Lost Appeal .............................. Illustration (Bar 1991) .................................................... Suggested Answers.......................................................... When Certiorari is Available Despite the Loss of Appeal ..... Essential Requisites for a Petition for Certiorari .................. Respondent Must Exercise Judicial or Quasi-Judicial Functions ................................................ Jurisdictional Issue .................................................................. Excess of Jurisdiction Distinguished From Absence of Jurisdiction ................................................... Grave Abuse of Discretion ....................................................... Necessity for a Motion for Reconsideration ............................ Exceptions to the Requirement of a Motion for Reconsideration (Bar 1989) .......................... Illustration (Bar 1989) .................................................... Suggested Answer ........................................................... Absence of Appeal or Any Plain, Speedy and Adequate Remedy (Bar 1999) ......................................... Illustration (Bar 2002) .................................................... Suggested Answer ........................................................... Illustration (Bar 1999) .................................................... Suggested Answer ........................................................... xxxvii

628 629 629 629 630 631 632 632 632 633 634 634 635 636 637 638 639 640 640 643 643 645 645 645 647 648 648 648

How to Avail of the Remedy of Certiorari .............................. When to File ............................................................................. Certification Against Forum Shopping ................................... Material Dates in the Petition; Material Date Rule .............. Court Where Petition is Filed ................................................. Observance of the Hierarchy of Courts Principle................... Parties to the Petition .............................................................. Public Respondent is Not Required to Appear or File Answer of Comment; Exception .............................. Injunctive Relief ....................................................................... Order to Comment ................................................................... Proceedings After Comment; Judgment ................................. Sanction in Case of Unmeritorious Petitions ......................... Service of Copy of Judgment to Public Respondent ............... Relief ........................................................................................ Distinctions Between Certiorari Under Rule 45 and Certiorari Under Rule 65 (Bar 1999; 1998; 1991) .................................................... Illustration (Bar 1991) .................................................... Suggested Answer ........................................................... When a Rule 45 Petition is Considered as a Rule 65 Petition ............................................................ Distinctions Between Certiorari Under Rule 64 and Certiorari Under Rule 65 ...........................

648 649 650 650 650 651 652 652 653 653 654 654 654 655

655 657 657 657 658

B. Prohibition (Rule 65) Nature and Purpose of the Remedy ........................................ Requisites for a Writ of Prohibition ........................................ Prohibition Distinguished From Injunction ........................... Prohibition Distinguished From Certiorari ............................ Basic Requirements of Both Certiorari and Prohibition ....... Illustration (Bar 1980) .................................................... Suggested Answer ...........................................................

658 659 660 660 661 662 662

C. Mandamus (Rule 65) Nature and Purpose of Mandamus ......................................... Ministerial Act or Duty............................................................ Discretionary Acts not Compelled by Mandamus .................. Illustration (Bar 1991) .................................................... Suggested Answer ........................................................... Contractual Duties not Compellable by Mandamus .............. Mandamus Distinguished form Injunction ............................ xxxviii

662 663 665 665 666 666 666

Mandamus Distinguished from Quo Warranto ...................... Illustration (Bar 2001) ............................................................. Suggested Answer ........................................................... Requisites for Mandamus ........................................................ Illustration (Bar 1978) .................................................... Suggested Answer ...........................................................

667 667 667 667 668 668

V. Quo Warranto (Rule 66) Nature and Purpose of the Action ........................................... The Petitioner .......................................................................... Jurisdiction and Venue ............................................................ Illustration (Bar 2001) .................................................... Suggested Answer ........................................................... Period for Filing ....................................................................... Illustration (Bar 1980) .................................................... Suggested Answer ........................................................... Right to Damages ..................................................................... Quo Warranto Under the Omnibus Election Code ................ Quo Warranto in an Elective Office Against Quo Warranto in an Appointive Office Distinguished .. Quo Warranto Proceedings and Election Protests ................. Quo Warranto Against Corporations ......................................

669 669 670 670 670 671 671 671 671 671 672 673 673

VI. Expropriation (Rule 67) Preliminaries ............................................................................ Exercise of Eminent Domain by Local Government Units ........................................................... Stages in the Expropriation Process ....................................... How Expropriation is Commenced.......................................... Court with Jurisdiction ........................................................... Answer of the Defendant ......................................................... Counter-claims, Cross-Claims or Third-party Complaints.... Waiver of Defenses or Failure to Answer; Effect ................... When an Answer is Not Required ........................................... Entry Upon the Property or Possession Thereof .................... Effect of Making the Required Deposit ................................... Purpose of the Deposit ............................................................. Sec. 2 of Rule 67 Deemed Modified by R.A. 8974 ................... Order of Expropriation ............................................................ Appeal from the Order of Expropriation ................................ Matters Not Affected by the Appeal ....................................... Rule If the Trial Court is Reversed on Appeal ....................... xxxix

674 676 677 678 679 679 680 680 681 681 682 682 683 685 685 685 686

Ascertainment of Compensation ............................................. Judgment as to Compensation ................................................ Appeal from the Judgment as to Compensation .................... Meaning of Just Compensation ............................................... Point of Determination of Just Compensation ....................... Payment of Just Compensation .............................................. Right of Plaintiff After Payment ............................................. Recording of the Judgment and its Effect .............................. Nonpayment of Just Compensation; Effect ............................

686 688 688 688 691 692 693 693 694

VII. Foreclosure of Real Estate Mortgage (Rule 68) Preliminaries ............................................................................ Alternative Remedies of a Creditor ........................................ Splitting of a Single Cause of Action ...................................... Illustration (Bar 1999) .................................................... Suggested Answer ........................................................... Modes of Foreclosure of Real Estate Mortgage ...................... Applicability of Rule 68 ........................................................... Complaint for Foreclosure ....................................................... Procedure ............................................................................... Judgment on Foreclosure ........................................................ Equity of Redemption .............................................................. Right of Redemption ................................................................ Illustration (Bar 2000) .................................................... Suggested Answer ........................................................... Sale of the Mortgaged Property .............................................. Confirmation of the Sale .......................................................... Illustration (Bar 1984) .................................................... Suggested Answer ........................................................... Effect of Confirmation of the Sale ........................................... Effect of the Finality of the Confirmation of the Sale ............ Registration of the Sale ........................................................... Disposition of the Proceeds of the Foreclosure Sale............... Deficiency Judgment ................................................................ Rule in Case There is a Surplus Instead of a Deficiency ....... Summary of Distinctions Between Judicial Foreclosure and ExtraJudicial Foreclosure of Real Estate Mortgage..................................................

694 697 698 698 699 699 699 700 700 701 701 702 703 704 704 706 706 707 707 707 708 709 709 710

710

VIII. Partition (Rule 69) Preliminaries ............................................................................ Modes of Partition .................................................................... xl

711 712

Action for Partition .................................................................. Order of Partition..................................................................... Partition by Agreement ........................................................... Partition by Court-Appointed Commissioners ....................... Report of the Commissioners .................................................. Judgment of Partition .............................................................. Rule When There are Expenses to be Paid from the Estate ................................................................

712 713 716 716 717 717 718

IX. Forcible Entry and Unlawful Detainer (Rule 70) Actions to Recover Possession of Real Property ..................... Accion Interdictal ..................................................................... Accion Publiciana and Accion Reivindicatoria ....................... Possession as the Issue ............................................................ Summary Nature of the Actions ............................................. Real and in Personam Actions ................................................ Illustration (Bar 1991) .................................................... Suggested Answer ........................................................... Jurisdiction of the MTC; Summary Procedure....................... Effect of the Pendency of an Action Involving Ownership on the Action for Forcible Entry and Unlawful Detainer......................................... Examples of Cases in the RTC Which do not Bar an Action for Forcible Entry or Unlawful Detainer........................................................... Illustration (Bar 2000) .................................................... Suggested Answer ........................................................... Distinctions Between Forcible Entry and Unlawful Detainer........................................................... When Defendant Occupies Premises by Mere Tolerance ...... Demand in Unlawful Detainer Cases ..................................... Form of Demand ...................................................................... Effect of Non-Compliance With the Demand ......................... Illustration (Bar 1990) .................................................... Suggested Answer ........................................................... When Demand is not Required in Unlawful Detainer Cases ................................................................ Illustration (Bar 1997) .................................................... Suggested Answer ........................................................... Tacita Reconduccion ................................................................ Defense of Tenancy .................................................................. Defense of Ownership .............................................................. Judgment Not Binding on Ownership .................................... xli

718 719 719 720 720 721 721 721 722

722

723 723 723 724 725 726 728 728 728 728 729 729 729 730 730 731 732

How to Obtain Possession of the Premises During the Pendency of the Action................................. Damages Recoverable .............................................................. Immediate Execution of Judgment ......................................... How to Stay Immediate Execution of the Judgment ............. Illustration (Bar 1997) .................................................... Suggested Answer ........................................................... Illustration (Bar 1990) .................................................... Suggested Answer ........................................................... Where to Appeal ....................................................................... Persons Bound by the Judgment in Ejectment Cases ...........

733 733 734 734 735 735 735 736 736 736

X. Contempt (Rule 71) Meaning of Contempt .............................................................. Functions of Contempt ............................................................ Kinds of Contempt According to Nature................................. Kinds of Contempt According to the Manner of Commission.................................................................. Direct Contempt ....................................................................... Acts Constituting Direct Contempt ........................................ No Formal Proceeding Required ............................................. Penalty ............................................................................... Remedy of a Person Adjudged in Direct Contempt ................ Indirect Contempt .................................................................... Examples of Specific Acts Constituting indirect Contempt ......................................................................... Illustration (Bar 1995) .................................................... Suggested Answer ........................................................... Illustration (Bar 1993) .................................................... Suggested Answer ........................................................... Criticism of Courts ................................................................... Court where the Charge for Indirect Contemt is to be Filed..................................................................... Contempt in Relation to Execution of Judgments ................. How a Proceeding for Indirect Contempt is Commenced .................................................................. Necessity for Hearing .............................................................. Punishment for Indirect Contempt ......................................... Imprisonment ........................................................................... Remedy of a Person Adjudged in Indirect Contempt ............. Contempt Against Quasi-Judicial Entities.............................

xlii

737 738 738 739 739 740 741 741 741 742 742 743 743 744 744 744 749 746 747 748 750 750 751 751

APPENDICES Appendix A Republic Act No. 7691 .....................................................

753

Appendix B Revised Rules on Summary Procedure ..........................

757

Appendix C A.M. No. 02-11-09-SC ......................................................

763

Appendix D A.M. No. 04-1-12-SC-PhilJa............................................ Appendix E Rule of Procedure for Small Claims Cases..................... Appendix F Amendments to Rules 41, 45, 58 and 65 of the Rules of Court .........................................

765 771

777

General Index ...........................................................................

781

Case Index ...............................................................................

802

xliii