THE RULE OF PROCEDURE FOR SMALL CLAIMS CASES 2008 Sep 9 En Banc A.M. No.

08-8-7-SC RULE OF PROCEDURE FOR SMALL CLAIMS CASES EFFECTI E OCTOBER !" 2008 MANILA, PHILIPPINES SEPTEMBER 2008 Republic of the Philippines Supre e !ourt M"nil" COMMITTEE ON THE RE ISION OF THE RULES OF COURT !h"irperson !HIE# $%STI!E RE&NAT' S( P%N' !o)!h"irperson $%STI!E MA( ALI!IA A%STRIA)MARTINE* Me bers SENI'R $%STI!E LE'NAR+' A( ,%IS%MBIN$%STI!E A+'L#' S( A*!%NA $%STI!E +ANTE '( TIN-A $%STI!E MINITA .( !HI!')NA*ARI' $%STI!E ANT'NI' E+%AR+' B( NA!H%RA !onsult"nts SENI'R $%STI!E #LERI+A R%TH P( R'MER' /RET(0 SENI'R $%STI!E $'S%E N( BELL'SILL' /RET(0 $%STI!E $'SE !( .IT%- /RET(0 $%STI!E BERNAR+' P( PAR+' /RET(0 $%STI!E R'ME' $( !ALLE$', SR( /RET(0 !A $%STI!E 'S!AR M( HERRERA /RET(0 Assiste1 b2 ATT&( THE'BEN $ER+AN !( 'R'SA Secret"r2 ATT&( +'%-LAS #( ANAMA Asst( Secret"r2 MS( LI+A A( PILAPIL

RES'L%TI'N Actin3 on the reco en1"tion of the !h"irperson, Technic"l 4or5in3 -roup, !o ittee on Re6ision of

the Rules of !ourt, sub ittin3 for the consi1er"tion "n1 "ppro6"l of the !ourt the propose1 7The Rule of Proce1ure for S "ll !l"i s !"ses,8 the !ourt Resol6e1 to APPR'.E the s" e(

The Rule sh"ll t"5e effect on 'ctober 9, 2008 follo:in3 its public"tion in t:o /20 ne:sp"pers of 3ener"l circul"tion( Septe ber ;, 2008( RE&NAT' S( P%N' !hief $ustice

Republic of the Philippines Supre e !ourt M"nil" LE'NAR+' A( ,%IS%MBIN!'NS%EL' &NARES)SANTIA-' Associ"te $ustice Associ"te $ustice /on offici"l le"6e0 ANT'NI' T( !ARPI' Associ"te $ustice RENAT' !( !'R'NA Associ"te $ustice A+'L#' S( A*!%NA Associ"te $ustice MA( ALI!IA A%STRIA)MARTINE* Associ"te $ustice !'N!HITA !ARPI' M'RALES Associ"te $ustice +ANTE '( TIN-A Associ"te $ustice

MINITA .( !HI!')NA*ARI' PRESBITER' $( .ELAS!', $R( Associ"te $ustice Associ"te $ustice ANT'NI' E+%AR+' B( NA!H%RA R%BEN T( RE&ES Associ"te $ustice Associ"te $ustice TERESITA $( LE'NAR+')+E !ASTR' ART%R' +( BRI'N Associ"te $ustice Associ"te $ustice

RULE OF PROCEDURE FOR SMALL CLAIMS CASES SE!TI'N 9( Title(<This Rule sh"ll be 5no:n "s 7The Rule of Proce1ure for S "ll !l"i s !"ses(8 SE!( 2( Scope(<This Rule sh"ll 3o6ern the proce1ure in "ctions before the Metropolit"n Tri"l !ourts, Municip"l Tri"l !ourts in !ities, Municip"l Tri"l !ourts "n1 Municip"l !ircuit Tri"l !ourts for p"2 ent of one2 :here the 6"lue of the cl"i 1oes not e=cee1 'ne Hun1re1 Thous"n1 Pesos

/P900,000(000 e=clusi6e of interest "n1 costs( SE!( >( +efinition of Ter s(<#or purposes of this Rule? /"0 Pl"intiff refers to the p"rt2 :ho initi"te1 " s "ll cl"i s "ction( The ter inclu1es " 1efen1"nt

:ho h"s file1 " countercl"i

"3"inst pl"intiff@ the pl"intiff h"s file1 " s "ll cl"i s "ction( The ter

/b0 +efen1"nt is the p"rt2 "3"inst :ho inclu1es " pl"intiff "3"inst :ho cl"i @

" 1efen1"nt h"s file1 " cl"i , or " person :ho replies to the

/c0 Person is "n in1i6i1u"l, corpor"tion, p"rtnership, li ite1 li"bilit2 p"rtnership, "ssoci"tion, or other Auri1ic"l entit2 en1o:e1 :ith person"lit2 b2 l":@ /10 In1i6i1u"l is " n"tur"l person@ /e0 Motion e"ns " p"rt2Bs reCuest, :ritten or or"l, to the court for "n or1er or other "ction( It

sh"ll inclu1e "n infor "l :ritten reCuest to the court, such "s " letter@ /f0 -oo1 c"use e"ns circu st"nces sufficient to Austif2 the reCueste1 or1er or other "ction, "s

1eter ine1 b2 the Au13e@ "n1 /30 Affi1"6it true( SE!( D( Applic"bilit2(<The Metropolit"n Tri"l !ourts, Municip"l Tri"l !ourts in !ities, Municip"l Tri"l !ourts, "n1 Municip"l !ircuit Tri"l !ourts sh"ll "ppl2 this Rule in "ll "ctions :hich "re? /"0 purel2 ci6il in n"ture :here the cl"i or rei burse ent of su of or relief pr"2e1 for b2 the pl"intiff is solel2 for p"2 ent e"ns " :ritten st"te ent or 1ecl"r"tion of f"cts th"t "re s:orn or "ffir e1 to be

one2, "n1 /b0 the ci6il "spect of cri in"l "ctions, either file1 before

the institution of the cri in"l "ction, or reser6e1 upon the filin3 of the cri in"l "ction in court, pursu"nt to Rule 999 of the Re6ise1 Rules 'f !ri in"l Proce1ure( These cl"i s or 1e "n1s "2 be?

/"0 #or one2 o:e1 un1er "n2 of the follo:in3? 9( !ontr"ct of Le"se@ 2( !ontr"ct of Lo"n@ >( !ontr"ct of Ser6ices@ D( !ontr"ct of S"le@ or E( !ontr"ct of Mort3"3e@ /b0 #or 1" "3es "risin3 fro 9( #"ult or ne3li3ence@ 2( ,u"si)contr"ct@ or >( !ontr"ct@ /c0 The enforce ent of " b"r"n3"2 " ic"ble settle ent or "n "rbitr"tion ":"r1 in6ol6in3 " one2 "n2 of the follo:in3?

cl"i

co6ere1 b2 this Rule pursu"nt to Sec( D9F of Republic Act F9G0, other:ise 5no:n "s the Loc"l

-o6ern ent !o1e of 9;;9( SE!( E( !o ence ent of S "ll !l"i s Action(<A s "ll cl"i s "ction is co /#or ence1 b2 filin3 :ith the

court "n "cco plishe1 "n1 6erifie1 St"te ent of !l"i !ertific"tion of Non)foru Shoppin3 /#or

9)S!!0 in 1uplic"te, "cco p"nie1 b2 "

9)A, S!!0, "n1 t:o /20 1ul2 certifie1 photocopies of the

"ction"ble 1ocu entHs subAect of the cl"i , "s :ell "s the "ffi1"6its of :itnesses "n1 other e6i1ence to support the cl"i ( No e6i1ence sh"ll be "llo:e1 1urin3 the he"rin3 :hich :"s not "tt"che1 to or sub itte1 to3ether :ith the !l"i , unless 3oo1 c"use is sho:n for the "1 ission of "11ition"l e6i1ence( No for "l ple"1in3, other th"n the St"te ent of !l"i initi"te " s "ll cl"i s "ction( SE!( G( $oin1er of !l"i s(<Pl"intiff "2 Aoin in " sin3le st"te ent of cl"i one or ore sep"r"te 1escribe1 in this Rule, is necess"r2 to

s "ll cl"i s "3"inst " 1efen1"nt pro6i1e1 th"t the tot"l " ount cl"i e1, e=clusi6e of interest "n1 costs, 1oes not e=cee1 P900,000(00( SE!( F( Affi1"6its(<The "ffi1"6its sub itte1 un1er this Rule sh"ll st"te onl2 f"cts of 1irect person"l 5no:le13e of the "ffi"nts :hich "re "1 issible in e6i1ence( A 6iol"tion of this reCuire ent sh"ll subAect the p"rt2, "n1 the counsel :ho "ssiste1 the p"rt2 in the prep"r"tion of the "ffi1"6its, if "n2, to "ppropri"te 1isciplin"r2 "ction( The in"1 issible "ffi1"6it/s0 or portion/s0 thereof sh"ll be e=pun3e1 fro the recor1(

SE!( 8( P"2 ent of #ilin3 #ees(<The pl"intiff sh"ll p"2 the 1oc5et "n1 other le3"l fees prescribe1 un1er Rule 9D9 of the Re6ise1 Rules of !ourt, unless "llo:e1 to liti3"te "s "n in1i3ent( A cl"i for i file1 :ith " otion to sue "s in1i3ent /#or G)S!!0 sh"ll be referre1 to the E=ecuti6e $u13e

e1i"te "ction in c"se of

ulti)s"l" courts, or to the Presi1in3 $u13e of the court he"rin3

the s "ll cl"i s c"se( If the

otion is 3r"nte1 b2 the E=ecuti6e $u13e, the c"se sh"ll be r"ffle1 otion is 1enie1, the

off or "ssi3ne1 to the court 1esi3n"te1 to he"r s "ll cl"i s c"ses( If the

pl"intiff sh"ll be 3i6en fi6e /E0 1"2s :ithin :hich to p"2 the 1oc5et fees, other:ise, the c"se sh"ll be 1is isse1 :ithout preAu1ice( In no c"se sh"ll " p"rt2, e6en if 1ecl"re1 "n in1i3ent, be e=e pt fro the p"2 ent of the P9,000(00 fee for ser6ice of su ons "n1 processes in ci6il c"ses(

SE!( ;( +is iss"l of the !l"i (<After the court 1eter ines th"t the c"se f"lls un1er this Rule, it "2, fro "n e=" in"tion of the "lle3"tions of the St"te ent of !l"i "n1 such e6i1ence "tt"che1 the !l"i for the

thereto, b2 itself, 1is iss the c"se outri3ht on "n2 of the 3roun1s "pp"rent fro 1is iss"l of " ci6il "ction( SE!( 90( Su

ons "n1 Notice of He"rin3(<If no 3roun1 for 1is iss"l is foun1, the court sh"ll ons /#or 2)S!!0 on the 1"2 of receipt of the St"te ent of !l"i , 1irectin3 the

forth:ith issue Su

1efen1"nt to sub it " 6erifie1 Response( The court sh"ll "lso issue " Notice /#or D)S!!0 to both p"rties, 1irectin3 the to "ppe"r before it

on " specific 1"te "n1 ti e for he"rin3, :ith " :"rnin3 th"t no unAustifie1 postpone ent sh"ll be "llo:e1, "s pro6i1e1 in Section 9; of this Rule( The su of !l"i ons "n1 notice to be ser6e1 on the 1efen1"nt sh"ll be "cco p"nie1 b2 " cop2 of the St"te ent "n1 1ocu ents sub itte1 b2 pl"intiff, "n1 " cop2 of the Response /#or >)S!!0 to be

"cco plishe1 b2 the 1efen1"nt( The Notice sh"ll cont"in "n e=press prohibition "3"inst the filin3 of " otion to 1is iss or "n2 other otion un1er Section 9D of this Rule(

SE!( 99( Response(<The 1efen1"nt sh"ll file :ith the court "n1 ser6e on the pl"intiff " 1ul2 "cco plishe1 "n1 6erifie1 Response :ithin " non)e=ten1ible perio1 of ten /900 1"2s fro su receipt of

ons( The Response sh"ll be "cco p"nie1 b2 certifie1 photocopies of 1ocu ents, "s :ell "s

"ffi1"6its of :itnesses "n1 other e6i1ence in support thereof( No e6i1ence sh"ll be "llo:e1 1urin3 the he"rin3 :hich :"s not "tt"che1 to or sub itte1 to3ether :ith the Response, unless 3oo1 c"use is sho:n for the "1 ission of "11ition"l e6i1ence( SE!( 92( Effect of #"ilure to #ile Response(<Shoul1 the 1efen1"nt f"il to file his Response :ithin the reCuire1 perio1, the court b2 itself sh"ll ren1er Au13 ent "s "lle3e1 in the St"te ent of !l"i The court ho:e6er, unconscion"ble( SE!( 9>( !ountercl"i s 4ithin the !o6er"3e of this Rule(< If "t the ti e the "ction is co ence1, the 1efen1"nt possesses " cl"i "3"inst the pl"intiff th"t li ite1 to :h"t is pr"2e1 for( "2 be :"rr"nte1 b2 the f"cts

"2, in its 1iscretion, re1uce the " ount of 1" "3es for bein3 e=cessi6e or

/"0 is :ithin the co6er"3e of this Rule, e=clusi6e of interest "n1 costs@ /b0 "rises out of the s" e

tr"ns"ction or e6ent th"t is the subAect

"tter of the pl"intiffBs cl"i @ /c0 1oes not reCuire for

its "1Au1ic"tion the Aoin1er of thir1 p"rties@ "n1 /10 is not the subAect of "nother pen1in3 "ction, the cl"i fro sh"ll be file1 "s " countercl"i in the Response@ other:ise, the 1efen1"nt sh"ll be b"rre1

suit on the countercl"i ( "2 "lso elect to file " countercl"i "3"inst the pl"intiff th"t 1oes not "rise out of

The 1efen1"nt

the s" e tr"ns"ction or occurrence, pro6i1e1 th"t the " ount "n1 n"ture thereof "re :ithin the co6er"3e of this Rule "n1 the prescribe1 1oc5et "n1 other le3"l fees "re p"i1( SE!( 9D( Prohibite1 Ple"1in3s "n1 Motions(<The follo:in3 ple"1in3s, be "llo:e1 in the c"ses co6ere1 b2 this Rule? /"0 Motion to 1is iss the co pl"int e=cept on the 3roun1 of l"c5 of Auris1iction@ /b0 Motion for " bill of p"rticul"rs@ /c0 Motion for ne: tri"l, or for reconsi1er"tion of " Au13 ent, or for reopenin3 of tri"l@ /10 Petition for relief fro Au13 ent@ /e0 Motion for e=tension of ti e to file ple"1in3s, "ffi1"6its, or "n2 other p"per@ /f0 Me or"n1"@ /30 Petition for certior"ri, "n1" us, or prohibition "3"inst "n2 interlocutor2 or1er issue1 b2 the court@ /h0 Motion to 1ecl"re the 1efen1"nt in 1ef"ult@ /i0 +il"tor2 otions for postpone ent@ /A0 Repl2@ /50 Thir1)p"rt2 co pl"ints@ "n1 /l0 Inter6entions( SE!( 9E( A6"il"bilit2 of #or s@ Assist"nce b2 !ourt Personnel(<The !ler5 of !ourt or other court personnel sh"ll pro6i1e such "ssist"nce "s "2 be reCueste1 b2 " pl"intiff or " 1efen1"nt re3"r1in3 otions, or petitions sh"ll not

the "6"il"bilit2 of for s "n1 other infor "tion "bout the co6er"3e, reCuire ents "s :ell "s proce1ure for s "ll cl"i s c"ses( SE!( 9G( Appe"r"nce(<The p"rties sh"ll "ppe"r "t the 1esi3n"te1 1"te of he"rin3 person"ll2 or throu3h " represent"ti6e "uthoriIe1 un1er " Speci"l Po:er of Attorne2 /#or E)S!!0 to enter into "n

" ic"ble settle ent, to sub it to $u1ici"l +ispute Resolution /$+R0 "n1 to enter into stipul"tions or "1 issions of f"cts "n1 of 1ocu ent"r2 e=hibits( SE!( 9F( Appe"r"nce of Attorne2s Not Allo:e1(<No "ttorne2 sh"ll "ppe"r in beh"lf of or represent " p"rt2 "t the he"rin3, unless the "ttorne2 is the pl"intiff or 1efen1"nt( If the court 1eter ines th"t " p"rt2 c"nnot properl2 present hisHher cl"i "ssist"nce, the court or 1efense "n1 nee1s

"2, in its 1iscretion, "llo: "nother in1i6i1u"l :ho is not "n "ttorne2 to

"ssist th"t p"rt2 upon the l"tterBs consent(

SE!( 98( Non)"ppe"r"nce of P"rties(<#"ilure of the pl"intiff to "ppe"r sh"ll be c"use for the 1is iss"l of the cl"i :ithout preAu1ice( The 1efen1"nt :ho "ppe"rs sh"ll be entitle1 to Au13 ent on

" per issi6e countercl"i ( #"ilure of the 1efen1"nt to "ppe"r sh"ll h"6e the s" e effect "s f"ilure to file " Response un1er Section 92 of this Rule( This sh"ll not "ppl2 :here one of t:o or " co on c"use of "ction "n1 h"6e ple"1e1 " co ore 1efen1"nts :ho "re sue1 un1er

on 1efense "ppe"rs "t the he"rin3( "n1

#"ilure of both p"rties to "ppe"r sh"ll c"use the 1is iss"l :ith preAu1ice of both the cl"i countercl"i ( SE!( 9;( Postpone ent 4hen Allo:e1(<A reCuest for postpone ent of " he"rin3 upon

"2 be 3r"nte1 onl2

proof of the ph2sic"l in"bilit2 of the p"rt2 to "ppe"r before the court on the sche1ule1 1"te "n1 ti e( A p"rt2 "2 "6"il of onl2 one /90 postpone ent(

SE!( 20( +ut2 of the !ourt(<At the be3innin3 of the court session, the Au13e sh"ll re"1 "lou1 " short st"te ent e=pl"inin3 the n"ture, purpose "n1 the rule of proce1ure of s "ll cl"i s c"ses( SE!( 29( $u1ici"l +ispute Resolution(<At the he"rin3, the Au13e sh"ll con1uct $u1ici"l +ispute Resolution /$+R0 throu3h $+R( An2 settle ent /#or e1i"tion, concili"tion, e"rl2 neutr"l e6"lu"tion, or "n2 other F)S!!0 or resolution /#or o1e of

8)S!!0 of the 1ispute sh"ll be re1uce1 into 92)S!!0( 90)S!!0 th"t the

:ritin3, si3ne1 b2 the p"rties "n1 sub itte1 to the court for "ppro6"l /#or SE!( 22( #"ilure of $+R(<If $+R f"ils "n1 the p"rties "3ree in :ritin3 /#or

he"rin3 of the c"se sh"ll be presi1e1 o6er b2 the Au13e :ho con1ucte1 the $+R, the he"rin3 sh"ll so procee1 in "n infor "l "n1 e=pe1itious Absent such "3ree ent, /"0 in c"se of " tr"ns itte1 /#or "nner "n1 ter in"te1 :ithin one /90 1"2( ulti)s"l" court, the c"se sh"ll, on the s" e 1"2, be e1i"te referr"l b2 the

99)S!!0 to the 'ffice of the !ler5 of !ourt for i

E=ecuti6e $u13e to the p"irin3 Au13e for he"rin3 "n1 1ecision :ithin fi6e /E0 :or5in3 1"2s fro referr"l@ "n1 /b0 in c"se of " sin3le s"l" court, the p"irin3 Au13e sh"ll he"r "n1 1eci1e the c"se in the court of ori3in :ithin fi6e /E0 :or5in3 1"2s fro referr"l b2 the $+R Au13e(

SE!( 2>( +ecision(<After the he"rin3, the court sh"ll ren1er its 1ecision on the s" e 1"2, b"se1 on the f"cts est"blishe1 b2 the e6i1ence /#or 9>)S!!0( The 1ecision sh"ll i e1i"tel2 be entere1 b2

the !ler5 of !ourt in the court 1oc5et for ci6il c"ses "n1 " cop2 thereof forth:ith ser6e1 on the p"rties( The 1ecision sh"ll be fin"l "n1 un"ppe"l"ble( SE!( 2D( E=ecution(<If the 1ecision is ren1ere1 in f"6or of the pl"intiff, e=ecution sh"ll issue upon otion /#or ;)S!!0(

SE!( 2E( Applic"bilit2 of the Rules of !i6il Proce1ure(<The Rules of !i6il Proce1ure sh"ll "ppl2 suppletoril2 insof"r "s the2 "re not inconsistent :ith this Rule( SE!( 2G( Effecti6it2(<This Rule sh"ll t"5e effect on 'ctober 9, 2008 for the pilot courts 1esi3n"te1 to "ppl2 the proce1ure for s "ll cl"i s c"ses follo:in3 its public"tion in t:o ne:sp"pers of 3ener"l circul"tion(

#'RM 9)S!! REP%BLI! '# THE PHILIPPINES JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ, Pl"intiff, 6s( JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ, +efen1"nt( =) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) )= STATEMENT '# !LAIM Pl"intiff respectfull2 "lle3es? 9( The person"l circu st"nces of the p"rties "re "s follo:s? NAME '# PLAINTI##HS JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ JJJ SEK A-E JJJJJJ JJJJJ !I.IL STAT%S JJJJJJJJJ !i6il !"se No( JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ #or? JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ

IN+I.I+%ALJJJ !'RP'RATI'NJJJ PARTNERSHIPJJJ S'LE PR'PRIET'RSHIP JJJ NAME '# REPRESENTATI.E?JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ A++RESS *IP !'+E JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ JJJJJJJJJ NAME '# +E#EN+ANTSHHS SEK A-E !I.IL STAT%S JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ JJJJJJ JJJJJ JJJJJ JJJJJJJ

IN+I.I+%ALJJJ !'RP'RATI'NJJ JPARTNERSHIPJJJ S'LE PR'PRIET'RSHIP JJJ NAME '# REPRESENTATI.E? JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ A++RESS *IP !'+E JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ JJJJJJJJJ 2( Pl"intiff is suin3 1efen1"nt for? !A%SE '# A!TI'N JJJJJ !ollection of Su of Mone2 JJJJJ +" "3es JJJJJ !i6il "spect of !ri in"l !"se JJJJJ Enforce ent of B"r"n3"2 A3ree ent >( Pl"intiffBs c"use of "ction "rose fro "n1 is e6i1ence1 b2?

A!TI'NABLE +'!%MENTHS A##I+A.ITHS JJJJJ Pro issor2 NoteH%n1ert"5in3 Ho: "n2? JJJJJ JJJJJ !ontr"ctHA3ree ent JJJJJ Receipt JJJJJ 'thers D( The princip"l obli3"tion of 1efen1"ntHs " ountin3 to PJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ bec" e 1ue "n1 1e "n1"ble on JJJJJJJJJJJJJJ( Interest "t the r"te of JJJJJJL per "nnu Hper onth "ccrue1 on the princip"l su 1ue fro such 1"te of 1ef"ult( E( +espite repe"te1 1e "n1s b2 pl"intiff, the l"test of :hich :"s on JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ, 1efen1"nt h"s f"ile1 to p"2 the obli3"tion( G( JJJJJ/"0 This cl"i h"s been referre1 to the "ppropri"te b"r"n3"2 "uthorities but no settle ent :"s re"che1 bet:een the p"rties( A !ertific"te to #ile Action :"s issue1 to the pl"intiff, the ori3in"l of :hich is "tt"che1 hereto( JJJJJ/b0 The p"rties "re not co6ere1 b2 the b"r"n3"2 -o6ern ent !o1e of the Philippines( Pr"2er 4HERE#'RE, pl"intiff respectfull2 pr"2s for Au13 ent to be ren1ere1 or1erin3 1efen1"nt to p"2 pl"intiff the " ount of PJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ, :ith interest "t the r"te of JJJJL per "nnu Hper onth, fro JJJJJJJJJJJ, until full2 p"i1( "n1"tor2 concili"tion process un1er the Loc"l

JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ@ JJJJJ20JJJ( PLA!E 4HERE #ILE+ PLAINTI##

#'RM 9)A)S!!

.ERI#I!ATI'N AN+ !ERTI#I!ATI'N '# N'N)#'R%M SH'PPINI, JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ, of le3"l "3e, /N" e0 JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ, "n1 " resi1ent /citiIenship0 /ci6il st"tus0 of JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ , "fter h"6in3 been 1ul2 s:orn to in "ccor1"nce :ith l":, hereb2, 1epose "n1 s"2? 9( Th"t I " the JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ in the "bo6e)entitle1 c"se "n1 h"6e c"use1 this JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ to be prep"re1@ th"t I re"1 "n1 un1erstoo1 its contents :hich "re true "n1 correct of 2 o:n person"l 5no:le13e "n1Hor b"se1 on "uthentic recor1s@ 2( Th"t I h"6e not co ence1 "n2 "ction or procee1in3 in6ol6in3 the s" e issue in the Supre e !ourt, the !ourt of Appe"ls or "n2 other tribun"l or "3enc2@ th"t to the best of 2 5no:le13e, no such "ction or procee1in3 is pen1in3 in the Supre e !ourt, the !ourt of Appe"ls or "n2 other tribun"l or "3enc2, "n1 th"t, if I shoul1 le"rn there"fter th"t " si il"r "ction or procee1in3 h"s been file1 or is pen1in3 before these courts or tribun"l or "3enc2, I un1ert"5e to report th"t f"ct to the !ourt :ithin fi6e /E0 1"2s therefro ( IN 4ITNESS 4HERE'#, I h"6e hereunto set JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ, 20 JJ( 2 h"n1 this JJJJJJJJJJJJ 1"2 of

JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ Affi"nt S%BS!RIBE+ AN+ S4'RN to before e this JJJJJJJJJ 1"2 of JJJJJJJJJJJJJ, 20 JJJ (

N'TAR& P%BLI!

#'RM 2)S!! REP%BLI! '# THE PHILIPPINES JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ, Pl"intiff, 6s( JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ, +efen1"nt( !i6il !"se No( JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ #or? JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ

=) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) )= S%MM'NS T'? JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ -REETIN-S? &ou "re hereb2 reCuire1, :ithin ten /900 1"2s fro receipt of this Su ons, to file :ith this !ourt "n1 ser6e on pl"intiff, 2our 6erifie1 Response to the "tt"che1 St"te ent of !l"i ( The for of the reCuire1 Response is "tt"che1 hereto( &ou "re reCuire1 to sub it :ith 2our Response copies of 1ocu ents "s :ell "s "ffi1"6its of "n2 :itness to st"n1 "s 2our e6i1ence in this c"se( &ou ust present the ori3in"l 1ocu ents on the 1"2 of the he"rin3( A otion to 1is iss is prohibite1 "n1 sh"ll not be entert"ine1(

&our f"ilure to respon1 :ithin the 90)1"2 perio1 :ill "uthoriIe the !ourt to ren1er Au13 ent b"se1 solel2 on the St"te ent of !l"i ( 4itness 2 h"n1 un1er the se"l of this !ourt, this JJJJ 1"2 of JJJJJJ, 20JJJJ, "t JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ, Philippines(

BRAN!H !LERM '# !'%RT

#'RM >)S!! REP%BLI! '# THE PHILIPPINES JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ, Pl"intiff, 6s( JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ, +efen1"nt( =) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) )= RESP'NSE +efen1"ntHs respectfull2 "lle3eHs? !i6il !"se No( JJJJJJJJJJJJJJ #or? JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ

9( +efen1"nt "1 its "ll the "lle3"tions in p"r"3r"phHs JJJJJJJJ of the St"te ent of !l"i ( 2( +efen1"nt specific"ll2 1enies "ll the "lle3"tions in p"r"3r"phs JJJJJJJJ of the St"te ent of !l"i ( >( +efen1"nt opposes the 3r"nt of the pr"2er in the St"te ent of !l"i supporte1 b2 the "tt"che1 1ocu ents "n1 "ffi1"6its? /enu er"te 1efenses0 D( As the St"te ent of !l"i is b"seless, 1efen1"nt is entitle1 to the follo:in3 countercl"i s? JJJJJ Actu"l +" "3es of PJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ JJJJJ Mor"l +" "3es of PJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ JJJJJ E=e pl"r2 +" "3es of PJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ JJJJJ !osts of suit Pr"2er 4HERE#'RE, 1efen1"nt respectfull2 pr"2s for Au13 ent to be ren1ere1 1is issin3 the St"te ent of !l"i , "n1 3r"ntin3 the countercl"i s, or1erin3 pl"intiff to p"2 1efen1"nt the follo:in3 su s? JJJJJ Actu"l +" "3es of PJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ JJJJJ Mor"l +" "3es of PJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ JJJJJ E=e pl"r2 +" "3es of PJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ JJJJJ !osts of suit +E#EN+ANT /.ERI#I!ATI'N AN+ !ERTI#I!ATI'N '# N'N) #'R%M SH'PPIN-, if :ith per issi6e countercl"i 0 for the follo:in3 re"sons, "s

#'RM D)S!! REP%BLI! '# THE PHILIPPINES JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ, Pl"intiff, 6s( JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ, +efen1"nt( =) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) )= N'TI!E '# HEARIN!i6il !"se No( JJJJJJJJJJJJJJ #or? JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ

'nce issues "re Aoine1 upon the filin3 of the 1efen1"ntBs Response, this c"se :ill be c"lle1 for $u1ici"l +ispute Resolution /$+R0 "n1 he"rin3 before the Presi1in3 $u13e of this !ourt on JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ "t JJJJJJJJJJJ( #"ilure of the pl"intiff to "ppe"r "t the $+R "n1 he"rin3 sh"ll c"use the 1is iss"l of the St"te ent of !l"i , "n1 the 1efen1"nt :ho "ppe"rs sh"ll be entitle1 to " Au13 ent on his countercl"i ( 'n the other h"n1, f"ilure of the 1efen1"nt to "ppe"r "t the $+R "n1 he"rin3 sh"ll c"use the !ourt to ren1er Au13 ent b"se1 solel2 on the St"te ent of !l"i ( A p"rt2 "2 not be represente1 b2 " l":2er, but "2 "uthoriIe "n2 other represent"ti6e to "ppe"r in his beh"lf "n1 p"rticip"te in "ll the procee1in3s "s if the p"rt2 represente1 :ere present( #or this purpose, the reCuire1 "uthorit2 shoul1 be e6i1ence1 b2 "cco plishin3 the "tt"che1 #or E)S!! /Speci"l Po:er of Attorne20( 4ITNESS the H'N( JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ, Presi1in3 $u13e of this !ourt, this JJJJ 1"2 of JJJJJJJJJJJJJ, 20JJJ, "t JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ, Philippines( BRAN!H !LERM '# !'%RT

#'RM E)S!! SPE!IAL P'4ER '# ATT'RNE& MN'4 ALL MEN B& THESE PRESENTS? I, JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ, of le3"l "3e, sin3leH "rrie1, :ith resi1ence "t JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ 1o hereb2 "ppoint, n" e "n1 constitute JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ, li5e:ise of le3"l "3e, sin3eH "rrie1, :ith resi1ence "t JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ "s 2 true "n1 le3"l represent"ti6e to "ct for "n1 in 2 n" e "n1 ste"1 "n1 to represent e 1urin3 the he"rin3 of !i6il !"se No( JJJJJJJJJJ, to enter into " ic"ble settle ent, to sub it to "ltern"ti6e o1es of 1ispute resolution "n1 to "5e "1 issions or stipul"tions of f"cts "n1 1ocu ents :ithout further consult"tion fro e( I hereb2 3r"nt 2 represent"ti6e full po:er "n1 "uthorit2 to e=ecute "n1 perfor e6er2 "ct necess"r2 to ren1er effecti6e the po:er to co pro ise "s thou3h I 2self h"6e so perfor e1 it "n1 hereb2 "ppro6in3 "ll th"t he "2 1o b2 6irtue of these presents( In :itness :hereof, I hereunto set JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ( 2 h"n1 this JJJJJJ 1"2 of JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ, 20JJJJJJJ, "t JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ Princip"l JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ A3ent 4itnesses? JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ /A!MN'4LE+-MENT0

#'RM G)S!! REP%BLI! '# THE PHILIPPINES JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ, Pl"intiff, 6s( JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ, +efen1"nt( =) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) )= M'TI'N T' PLEA+ AS IN+I-ENT JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ, unto this Honor"ble !ourt, respectfull2 "lle3es th"t? 9( I " " resi1ent of JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ@ 2i e1i"te f" il2 1oes not e=cee1 JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ @ !i6il !"se No( JJJJJJJJJJJJJJ #or? JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ

2( M2 3ross inco e "n1 th"t of

>( I 1o not o:n re"l propert2 :ith "n "ssesse1 6"lue of ore th"n /" ount "s pro6i1e1 in the Re6ise1 Rules of !ourt, "s " en1e10 "s sho:n b2 the "tt"che1 !ertific"tion issue1 b2 the 'ffice of the !it2HMunicip"l Assessor "n1 the !it2HMunicip"l Tre"surerBs 'ffice@ D( +ue to fin"nci"l constr"int, I c"nnot "ffor1 to p"2 for the e=penses of " court liti3"tion "s I 1o not h"6e enou3h fun1s for foo1, shelter "n1 other b"sic necessities@ E( Shoul1 the court ren1er Au13 ent in 2 f"6or, the " ount of the 1oc5et "n1 other le3"l fees :hich I :"s e=e pte1 fro p"2in3 sh"ll be " lien on the Au13 ent, unless the court or1ers other:ise( 4HERE#'RE, pre ises consi1ere1, it is respectfull2 pr"2e1 th"t I be e=e pte1 fro the p"2 ent of 1oc5et "n1 other le3"l fees "s in1i3ent pursu"nt to Section 29, Rule > in rel"tion to Section 98, Rule 9D9 of the Re6ise1 Rules of !ourt( 'ther reliefs Aust "n1 eCuit"ble un1er the pre ises "re li5e:ise pr"2e1 for( PLAINTI##

#'RM F)S!! REP%BLI! '# THE PHILIPPINES JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ,

Pl"intiff, 6s( JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ, +efen1"nt( =) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) )= M'TI'N #'R APPR'.AL '# !'MPR'MISE A-REEMENT The p"rties respectfull2 "lle3e th"t? 9( Pl"intiff file1 this cl"i "3"inst 1efen1"nt for? !i6il !"se No( JJJJJJJJJJJJJJ #or? JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ

JJJJJJJJJJJJJ collection of su of one2 JJJJJJJJJJJJJ 1" "3es JJJJJJJJJJJJJ ci6il "spect of cri in"l c"se JJJJJJJJJJJJJ enforce ent of b"r"n3"2 "3ree ent JJJJJJJJJJJJJ reco6er2 of person"l propert2 2( The p"rties h"6e co e to "n " ic"ble settle ent "n1 h"6e e=ecute1 " co pro ise "3ree ent :ith the follo:in3 ter s "n1 con1itions( /cop2 ter s "n1 con1ition here0 >( The p"rties "3ree th"t the "ppro6"l of this "3ree ent b2 the !ourt sh"ll put "n en1 to this liti3"tion, e=cept for purposes of e=ecution in c"se of 1ef"ult( 4HERE#'RE, pre ises consi1ere1, the p"rties respectfull2 pr"2 th"t the court "ppro6e this "3ree ent "n1 ren1er Au13 ent on the b"sis thereof( JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ, 20JJJJJJJ( JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ Pl"intiff +efen1"nt

#'RM 8)S!! /Motion for 6olunt"r2 1is iss"l of the cl"i

"n1 countercl"i 0

REP%BLI! '# THE PHILIPPINES JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ, Pl"intiff, 6s( JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ, +efen1"nt( !i6il !"se No( JJJJJJJJJJJJJJ #or? JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ

=) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) )= $'INT M'TI'N Pl"intiff "n1 1efen1"nt, unto this Honor"ble !ourt, respectfull2 "lle3e th"t? 9( Pl"intiff "n1 1efen1"nt h"6e s"tisf"ction of e"ch other@ "n1 utu"ll2 "n1 6olunt"ril2 settle1 their cl"i "n1 countercl"i to the entire

2( The p"rties no lon3er h"6e " c"use of "ction "3"inst e"ch other( 4HERE#'RE, pre ises consi1ere1, pl"intiff "n1 1efen1"nt respectfull2 pr"2 th"t the pl"intiffBs st"te ent of cl"i "n1 1efen1"ntBs countercl"i incorpor"te1 in his response be 1is isse1( 'ther reliefs Aust "n1 eCuit"ble un1er the pre ises "re li5e:ise pr"2e1 for( JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ, 20JJJJJJJ( JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ Pl"intiff +efen1"nt To the Br"nch !ler5 of !ourt? Ple"se sub it the fore3oin3 "r3u ent fro the p"rties( otion for the consi1er"tion of the !ourt :ithout he"rin3 "n1 further JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ +efen1"nt

JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ Pl"intiff

N'TI!E '# HEARINNAME '# +E#EN+ANT /I# #ILE+ B& PLAINTI##0 NAME '# PLAINTI## /I# #ILE+ B& +E#EN+ANT0 NAME '# !LERM '# !'%RT( Ple"se be notifie1 th"t the un1ersi3ne1 :ill sub it the fore3oin3 otion for the consi1er"tion "n1 "ppro6"l of the !ourt on JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ "t JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ, 20JJJJJJJ( JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ Pl"intiffH+efen1"nt

N'TI!E '# HEARINNAME '# +E#EN+ANT

/I# #ILE+ B& PLAINTI##0 NAME '# PLAINTI## /I# #ILE+ B& +E#EN+ANT0 NAME '# !LERM '# !'%RT( Ple"se be notifie1 th"t the un1ersi3ne1 :ill sub it the fore3oin3 otion for the consi1er"tion "n1 "ppro6"l of the !ourt on JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ "t JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ, 20JJJJJJJ( JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ Pl"intiffH+efen1"nt

#'RM 90)S!! REP%BLI! '# THE PHILIPPINES JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ, Pl"intiff, 6s( JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ, +efen1"nt( =) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) )= A-REEMENT H"6in3 f"ile1 to resol6e the "tter throu3h $u1ici"l +ispute Resolution, pl"intiff "n1 1efen1"nt hereb2 "3ree th"t $u13e JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ sh"ll continue :ith the he"rin3 on the inst"nt "tter "n1 hereb2 :"i6e their ri3ht to h"6e " 1ifferent Au13e he"r the c"se( JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ, 20JJJJJJJ( JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ Pl"intiff +efen1"nt !i6il !"se No( JJJJJJJJJJJJJJ #or? JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ

#'RM 99)S!! /Referr"l to p"irin3 Au13e0 REP%BLI! '# THE PHILIPPINES JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ

JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ, Pl"intiff, 6s( JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ, +efen1"nt( =) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) )= 'R+ER In 6ie: of the f"ilure of Au1ici"l 1ispute resolution "n1 there bein3 no "3ree ent fro the p"rties to let the un1ersi3ne1 continue he"rin3 the inst"nt c"se, the recor1 of this c"se is tr"ns itte1 to the 'ffice of the !ler5 of !ourt for i e1i"te referr"l b2 the E=ecuti6e $u13e to the P"irin3 $u13e for he"rin3 "n1 1ecision pursu"nt to Section 29 of the Rule of Proce1ure for S "ll !l"i s !"ses( S' 'R+ERE+( JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ, 20JJJJJJJ( JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ $%+-E !i6il !"se No( JJJJJJJJJJJJJJ #or? JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ

#'RM 92)S!! REP%BLI! '# THE PHILIPPINES JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ, Pl"intiff, 6s( JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ, +efen1"nt( =) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) )= +E!ISI'N BASE+ 'N !'MPR'MISE A-REEMENT Pl"intiff file1 this c"se "3"inst 1efen1"nt for JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ in the " ount of JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ( +efen1"nt 1enie1 pl"intiffBs cl"i on the 3roun1 of JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ "n1 set up " countercl"i for JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ( The p"rties, ho:e6er, re"che1 "n " ic"ble settle ent "n1 sub itte1 to the court " co pro ise "3ree ent, the ter s "n1 con1itions of :hich "re "s follo:s? !i6il !"se No( JJJJJJJJJJJJJJ #or? JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ

It "ppe"rin3 th"t the "3ree ent is not contr"r2 to l":, or"ls, 3oo1 custo s, public or"l "n1 public polic2, "n1 pursu"nt to Articles 2028 "n1 20>F of the !i6il !o1e of the Philippines, the s" e is hereb2 APPR'.E+ "n1 A+'PTE+ "s the +ecision of this court( The p"rties "re hereb2 or1ere1 to f"ithfull2 co pl2 :ith the ter s "n1 con1itions of the "3ree ent( JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ, 20JJJJJJJ( JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ $%+-E

#'RM 9> N S!! REP%BLI! '# THE PHILIPPINES JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ, Pl"intiff, 6s( JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ, +efen1"nt( =) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) )= +E!ISI'N This is " s "ll cl"i s "ction for /st"te :hich of the cl"i s or 1e "n1s belo: is the subAect of the "ction file10? O#or one2 o:e1 un1er "n2 of the follo:in3? 9( !ontr"ct of le"se@ 2( !ontr"ct of lo"n@ >( !ontr"ct of ser6ices@ D( !ontr"ct of s"le@ or E( !ontr"ct of ort3"3e@ !i6il !"se No( JJJJJJJJJJJJJJ #or? JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ

#or 1" "3es "risin3 fro ? 9( #"ult or ne3li3ence@ 2( ,u"si)contr"ct@ or

>( !ontr"ct@ The enforce ent of " b"r"n3"2 " ic"ble settle ent or "n "rbitr"tion ":"r1 in6ol6in3 " one2 cl"i co6ere1 b2 this Rule pursu"nt to Section D9F of Republic Act F9G0, other:ise 5no:n "s The Loc"l -o6ern ent !o1e of 9;;9P( Pl"intiff "lle3es th"t /st"te "teri"l "lle3"tions "n1 pr"2er in the St"te ent of !l"i 0( "n1 other "teri"l "lle3"tions in the

+efen1"nt "lle3es th"t /st"te re"sons for 1eni"l of the cl"i Response inclu1in3 countercl"i s, if "n20(

'n /1"te0, both p"rties "ppe"re1 1urin3 the he"rin3 con1ucte1 b2 /st"te n" e of $u13e :ho con1ucte1 the $+R( St"te :hether p"rties "ppe"re1 person"ll2 or throu3h " speci"ll2 "uthoriIe1 represent"ti6e0( !onsi1erin3 the f"ilure of the p"rties to "rri6e "t "n2 settle ent of the 1ispute, this court procee1e1 :ith the he"rin3 of the c"se :hich :"s ter in"te1 on JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ( The issue to be resol6e1 b2 this court is :hether JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ( Pl"intiffBs e6i1ence consists of? /st"te 1ocu ents of pl"intiff, "ffi1"6its sub itte1, if "n2, "n1 st"te ents "1e b2 pl"intiff "n1 :itnesses un1er o"th 1urin3 the he"rin30( +efen1"ntBs e6i1ence consists of? /st"te 1ocu ents of 1efen1"nt, "ffi1"6its sub itte1, if "n2, "n1 st"te ents "1e b2 1efen1"nt "n1 :itnesses un1er o"th 1urin3 the he"rin30( This court fin1s th"t the cl"i of pl"intiff /or 1efen1"nt in " countercl"i 0 is /st"te :hether eritorious or 1e6oi1 of erit0 un1er ArticleHSection /st"te the "pplic"ble pro6isions of l":0 or pursu"nt to est"blishe1 Aurispru1ence /cite "pplic"ble Aurispru1ence0( In this c"se, this court foun1 th"t /st"te first the f"ctu"l fin1in3s est"blishe1 b2 the e6i1ence "n1 then the le3"l conclusions0( 4herefore, the /cl"i Hcountercl"i 0 is /3r"nte1H1enie10( This court or1ers JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ to p"2 to JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ the " ount of /st"te the onet"r2 ":"r1 or 1" "3es0 :ith interest of /if "pplic"ble un1er !i6il !o1e "n1Hor settle1 Aurispru1ence0 until full2 p"i1( S' 'R+ERE+( /+"te of 1ecision(0

/Si3n"ture0 Presi1in3 $u13e /or P"irin3 $u13e in the "bsence of :ritten "3ree ent of the p"rties th"t the c"se sh"ll be he"r1 b2 the Presi1in3 $u13e :ho con1ucte1 the $+R0 !op2 furnishe1? All p"rties 'ffice of the !ler5 of !ourt of JJJJJJJJJJJJ

RATI'NALE of the Propose1 Rule of Proce1ure for S "ll !l"i s !"ses A( Intro1uction The ost si3nific"nt recurrin3 the e of e6er2 pro3r" for Au1ici"l refor of the Supre e !ourt is the pressin3 nee1 for " ore "ccessible, uch s:ifter "n1 less e=pensi6e 1eli6er2 of Austice( %n1eni"bl2, the slo: 3rin1 of the :heels of Austice is the result of " 6"riet2 of f"ctors, fore ost of :hich is the perenni"l con3estion of court 1oc5ets :hich h"s tr"nsfor e1 court liti3"tion into " protr"cte1 b"ttle, th"t in6"ri"bl2 e=h"usts the ti e, effort "n1 resources of p"rt2)liti3"nts, especi"ll2 the poor( M"n2 str"te3ies h"6e been 1e6ise1 to unclo3 he"62 court 1oc5ets, "n1 one such "ppro"ch is the use of "n1"tor2 Pre)tri"l "n1 Altern"ti6e +ispute Resolution ech"nis s such "s e1i"tion, "rbitr"tion "n1 concili"tion( Another sche e th"t h"s been :i1el2 use1 in "n2 forei3n le3"l s2ste s but :hich h"s 2et to be trie1 in the Philippines is the s "ll cl"i s c"se processin3 etho1 use1 b2 s "ll cl"i s courts, often referre1 to "s the 7PeopleBs !ourt,8 "s it co es ost 1irectl2 into cont"ct :ith the citiIenr2 of " Auris1iction( S "ll cl"i s courts "re courts of li ite1 Auris1iction th"t he"r ci6il c"ses bet:een pri6"te liti3"nts( !ourts "uthoriIe1 to tr2 s "ll cl"i s "2 "lso h"6e other Au1ici"l functions, "n1 the n" e b2 :hich such " court is 5no:n 6"ries b2 Auris1iction? it "2 be 5no:n b2 such n" es "s count2 court or "3istr"teBs court( S "ll cl"i s courts c"n be foun1 in Austr"li", !"n"1", Irel"n1, Isr"el, Ne: *e"l"n1, South Afric", Hon3 Mon3, Sin3"pore, the %nite1 Min31o "n1 the %nite1 St"tes( B( The Histor2 "n1 the Refor s of S "ll !l"i s !ourt 9( In the %nite1 St"tes9 #or "l ost " centur2 no:, s "ll cl"i s courts h"6e pro6i1e1 " for of "ltern"ti6e 1ispute resolution /A+R0 in the %nite1 St"tes(

'ri3in"tin3 "roun1 9;92 or 9;9>, these courts :ere est"blishe1 pri "ril2 "s " e"ns for s "ll businesses to collect one2 fro borro:ers throu3h " process th"t :"s f"ster, less for "l, "n1 less e=pensi6e th"n tr"1ition"l ci6il liti3"tion( #ollo:in3 the le"1 of the est"blish ent of the initi"l s "ll cl"i s court in M"ns"s, %SA in 9;92 or 9;9>, e6er2 st"te in the %nite1 St"tes h"s cre"te1 so e for of " s "ll cl"i s court s2ste ( Althou3h the fin"nci"l cl"i s li its, etho1s of proce1ure, "n1 o6er"ll structure 6"r2 fro st"te to st"te, the concept is essenti"ll2 the s" e, i(e(, th"t rel"ti6el2 inor 1isputes, in6ol6in3 1oll"r " ounts th"t "re insufficient to :"rr"nt processin3 the c"se throu3h the nor "l court proce1ure, Austif2 e=pe1itious "n1 si plifie1 h"n1lin3( The consu er Austice refor o6e ents of the 9;G0s "n1 9;F0s brou3ht rene:e1 rese"rch "n1 interest in the s "ll cl"i s courts( This o6e ent e ph"siIe1 the nee1 for refor of s "ll cl"i s courts to f"cilit"te the "1Au1ic"tion of consu er 3rie6"nces( Althou3h 7consu er Austice refor ers8 :ere concerne1 th"t businesses "n1 corpor"tions :ere ore li5el2 to use "ttorne2s in s "ll cl"i s courts thereb2 pl"cin3 ine=perience1 in1i6i1u"l 1efen1"nts "t " 1is"16"nt"3e, stu1ies sho:e1 th"t 1efen1"nts :ith "n "ttorne2 :ere ore li5el2 to :in "3"inst pl"intiffs th"n unrepresente1 1efen1"nts, :here"s pl"intiffs :ithout "ttorne2s 1i1 Aust "s :ell "s represente1 pl"intiffs "3"inst unrepresente1 1efen1"nts( The result :"s "n "ppr"is"l of the nee1 to b"r "ttorne2s "n1 collection "3encies fro courts( the s "ll cl"i s

S "ll cl"i s courts in the %nite1 St"tes "re often consi1ere1 courts of eCuit2 "n1 "re not necess"ril2 boun1 b2 the letter of the l":( These courts h"6e fle=ibilit2 to use ore holistic "ppro"ches to proble sol6in3 "n1 1ispute resolution th"n :h"t is t2pic"l( Most Au13es "ct "ccor1in3 to :h"t "5es sense to the , e6en if this e"ns settin3 "si1e le3"l for "lities( Moreo6er, tr"1ition"l rules of e6i1ence "n1 court processes 1o not "ppl2( The rules of s "ll cl"i s courts e ph"siIe concili"tion "n1 pr"3 "tis o6er :innin3, "n1 rules of e6i1ence "n1 ci6il proce1ure h"6e been si plifie1 to "llo: "=i u "ccess to the courts b2 in1i6i1u"ls un"ble to "ffor1 "n "ttorne2( 2( S "ll !l"i s !ourts in !"n"1"2 All pro6inces in !"n"1" h"6e proce1ures for s "ll cl"i s( In 3ener"l, there "re t:o 1ifferent o1els( In ost pro6inces, "s in British !olu bi", Albert", "n1 ne: Bruns:ic5, s "ll cl"i s courts oper"te in1epen1entl2 of the superior courts( In other Auris1ictions, the s "ll cl"i s courts "re either br"nches or 1i6isions of the superior courts The s "ll cl"i s courts "re e"nt to be "n e"sier "n1 less e=pensi6e :"2 to resol6e 1isputes th"n in the superior courts( S "ll !l"i s !ourt proce1ure is re3ul"te1 both b2 pro6inci"l le3isl"tion "n1 rules in ost pro6inces( It is si plifie1 "n1 less costl2 :ith no strict ple"1in3 reCuire ents "n1 for "l 1isco6er2 process( >( S "ll !l"i s !ourts in En3l"n1 "n1 4"les> #ro e"rl2 ti es, En3l"n1 h"1 " tr"1ition of loc"l courts :here or1in"r2 en coul1 pursue Austice in the for of ci6il cl"i s :ithout the "i1 of l":2ers( So e :ere set up b2 loc"l st"tutes, others b2 custo ( These loc"l courts coul1 not 5eep p"ce :ith the ch"n3es in societ2 brou3ht "bout b2 the In1ustri"l Re6olution( B2 the 98>0s, the 1ec"1e of 3re"t liber"l refor , there :"s " 3re"t public ":"5enin3 to the ur3ent nee1 for constitution"l refor in the "1 inistr"tion of Austice( The result :"s the !ount2 !ourts Act of 98DG, 1escribe1 in its pre" ble "s "n 7Act #or The More E"s2 Reco6er2 of S "ll +ebts "n1 +e "n1s in En3l"n1(8 It :"s initi"ll2 " poor "nBs court( An1re: A os, the first Au13e "t M"r2lebone !ount2, 1escribe1 re3ul"r liti3"nts "s bein3 7" 3re"t proportion of the poorer cl"sses, 3"inin3 their li6elihoo1s b2 bric5l"2in3, 3"r1enin3 or other out of 1oor occup"tions "n1 :ho subsist upon cre1it in the :inter onths, "n1 co pl"ints "3"inst :ho "re usu"ll2 issue1 in the su er onths(8 The count2 courtBs Auris1iction for cl"i s brou3ht in contr"ct "n1 tort 3r"1u"ll2 incre"se1 fro QE0 in 9888 to QE,000 in 9;8D( The purpose "n1 structure of the count2 court s2ste "i is still to "5e h"s in "n2 :"2s re "ine1 the s" e since 98DG( The

ci6il Austice "6"il"ble loc"ll2 N there "re no: 22> count2 courts in En3l"n1 "n1 4"les( The2 h"6e continue1 to be responsi6e to the nee1s of s "ller c"ses :hich, "lthou3h s "ll in ter s of their fin"nci"l 6"lue, "re i port"nt to the liti3"nts in6ol6e1( Ho:e6er, recent 1ec"1es h"6e seen t:o "Aor ch"n3es in rel"tion to s "ll cl"i s N first, the intro1uction of " 1e1ic"te1 s "ll cl"i s proce1ure in 9;F> "n1 secon1l2, the intro1uction of the !i6il Proce1ure Rules refor s of 9;;8 :ith e ph"sis on proportion"lit2( Since $"nu"r2 9;;G, :hen the s "ll cl"i s li it in En3l"n1 "n1 4"les :"s treble1 o6erni3ht to Q>,000, 1istrict Au13es h"6e been e=pecte1 to pl"2 the role of 7inter6entionist8 "n1 "ssist liti3"nts in presentin3 their o:n c"ses person"ll2 "t s "ll cl"i s he"rin3s( Li5e "1Au1ic"tors in other p"rts of the :orl1, 1istrict Au13es in these countries h"6e been encour"3e1 to inter6ene to "n incre"sin3 e=tent "t s "ll cl"i s he"rin3s( Such inter6entionis is, in1ee1, 6it"l "n1 "lthou3h there "2 be :i1e 6"ri"tions bet:een Auris1ictions in the etho1s th"t "re "1opte1 to 1e"l :ith s "ll cl"i s, the i1e" of the "1Au1ic"tor freel2 enterin3 the "ren" of the 1ispute to "ssist unrepresente1 liti3"nts is fun1" ent"l in "l ost "ll "tters "bout s "ll cl"i s( D( S "ll !l"i s Tribun"ls in Sin3"poreE

The S "ll !l"i s Tribun"ls in Sin3"pore h"6e been in oper"tion since 9 #ebru"r2 9;8E( The Tribun"ls h"6e fulfille1 "n inte3r"l role in pro6i1in3 the co unit2 :ith "ccessible Austice for ci6il cl"i s in6ol6in3 s "ll " ounts( ."rious fe"tures "n1 pro3r" s h"6e been put in pl"ce to enh"nce "ccess to Austice for the co unit2, b2 re o6in3 b"rriers such "s cost, 1el"2, 1ist"nce, ti e "n1 incon6enience( The Tribun"ls, constitute1 "s p"rt of the Subor1in"te !ourts of Sin3"pore, :ere est"blishe1 for the pri "r2 purpose of pro6i1in3 " Cuic5 "n1 ine=pensi6e "6enue for the resolution of s "ll cl"i s "risin3 fro 1isputes bet:een consu ers "n1 suppliers( There :"s " nee1 for " less e=pensi6e "n1 less for "l foru to 1e"l :ith such s "ll cl"i s( Hence, in 9;8E, the S "ll !l"i s Tribun"ls Act :"s p"sse1, :hich "uthoriIe1 the settin3 up of one or ore Tribun"ls to help consu ers :ho h"6e cl"i s of up to R2,000 rel"tin3 to 1isputes "risin3 fro contr"cts for the s"le of 3oo1s or the pro6ision of ser6ices( !( Intro1uction of the !oncept of S "ll !l"i s !ourt in the Philippines The i1e" of est"blishin3 S "ll !l"i s !ourts in the Philippines :"s first propose1 to the Supre e !ourt throu3h " stu12 con1ucte1 in 9;;; b2 $ustice $osue N( Bellosillo, for er Senior Associ"te $ustice of the Supre e !ourt( After obser6in3 s "ll cl"i s courts "n1 inter6ie:in3 Au13es of such courts in +"ll"s, Te="s, %nite1 St"tes in 9;;;, $ustice Bellosillo propose1 in " Report th"t courts c"n be est"blishe1 in the Philippines to h"n1le e=clusi6el2 s "ll cl"i s :ithout the p"rticip"tion of l":2ers "n1 :here or1in"r2 liti3"nts c"n prosecute "n1 1efen1 " s "ll cl"i s "ction throu3h re"12) "1e for s( He en6isione1 the s "ll cl"i s courts "s "nother positi6e "ppro"ch, in "11ition to "n1"tor2 pre)tri"l, for sol6in3 court con3estion "n1 1el"2(G The stu12 "n1 report :"s subseCuentl2 en1orse1 for le3isl"ti6e "ction to Sen"tor #r"n5lin +rilon :ho l"ter fun1e1 " proAect for this purpose( At the re3ul"r session of the #ourteenth !on3ress, House Bill No( 2;29 entitle1 7An Act Est"blishin3 S "ll !l"i s !ourts8 :"s intro1uce1 b2 !on3ress "n $ose .( &"p( There"fter, on $ul2 >, 200F, Sen"te Bill No( 800 entitle1 7Philippine S "ll !l"i s !ourt Act8 :"s file1 b2 Sen"tor R" on A( Re6ill", $r( "n1, on Septe ber >, 200F, the bill p"sse1 #irst Re"1in3 "n1 :"s referre1 to the !o ittee/s0 on $ustice "n1 Hu "n Ri3hts "n1 #in"nce( The s" e is still pen1in3 :ith these co ittees "t present( In 200F, the %nite1 St"tes A3enc2 for Intern"tion"l +e6elop ent /%SAI+0 ":"r1e1 " t:o)2e"r 3r"nt to the A eric"n B"r Associ"tion) Rule of L": Initi"ti6e /ABA)R'LI0 to pursue Au1ici"l refor "cti6ities in the Philippines for the fisc"l perio1 'ctober 200F to Septe ber >0, 200; ( In " letter to !hief $ustice Re2n"to S( Puno 1"te1 'ctober 90, 200F, ABA)R'LI propose1 the est"blish ent of s "ll cl"i s pilot courts " on3 first le6el courts in 1ifferent re3ions of the Philippines( The s "ll cl"i s pilot court proAect :"s propose1 b2 ABA to %SAI+ "fter consult"tion :ith 6"rious Supre e !ourt offici"ls in conAunction :ith the 2000 Action Pl"n for $u1ici"l Refor ( A on3 the critic"l issues bein3 "11resse1 b2 the AP$R "re c"se con3estion "n1 1el"2( The con3estion of c"se 1oc5ets is centr"l to " ultitu1e of proble s, either "s c"use or effect@ it is either the "nifest"tion or the source of other 1ifficulties( A11ressin3 this concern is thus "n i per"ti6e8 :hich is :h2 present refor s in Au1ici"l s2ste s "n1 proce1ures h"6e inclu1e1 the follo:in3? 9( stre" linin3 proce1ur"l rules to eli in"te pro6isions th"t c"use 1el"2 "n1 per it 1il"tor2 t"ctics@ 2( re)en3ineerin3 the Auris1iction"l structure of the courts to ensure e"s2 3eo3r"phic"l "ccess to the courts p"rticul"rl2 b2 the poor liti3"nts@ >( i pro6in3 the c"se "n"3e ent s2ste to:"r1 Au1ici"l process "n1 for better efficienc2@ "n1 ore tr"nsp"renc2, "ccount"bilit2 "n1 inte3rit2 of the

D( stren3thenin3 of the e1i"tion ech"nis to pro ote e"rl2 1ispute resolution n"tion:i1e(This in6ol6es the institution"liI"tion of court)"nne=e1 e1i"tion, "n1 the est"blish ent of " Me1i"tion !enter to continu"ll2 onitor "n1 "ssess the perfor "nce of the s2ste "n1 pro6i1e tr"inin3 "n1 rese"rch( Not:ithst"n1in3 the "bsence of " l": "t the present ti e cre"tin3 s "ll cl"i s courts in our countr2, the Supre e !ourt throu3h " pro3r" in p"rtnership :ith ABA)R'LI "n1 %SAI+, c"n pro ul3"te "n1 i ple ent " si plifie1 rule of proce1ure e=clusi6el2 for s "ll cl"i s "n1 "ssi3n " cert"in nu ber of e=istin3 first le6el courts to t"5e co3niI"nce of s "ll cl"i s( This 1oes not nee1 le3isl"ti6e "ction "s the

!ourt c"n 1esi3n"te se6er"l first le6el courts "ll o6er the countr2 to Au p)st"rt the pilot proAect( Thus, pursu"nt to its rule) "5in3 po:er, the !ourt un1er the present !onstitution c"n "1opt " speci"l rule of proce1ure to 3o6ern s "ll cl"i s c"ses "n1 select pilot courts th"t :oul1 e po:er the people to brin3 suits before the pro se to resol6e le3"l 1isputes in6ol6in3 si ple issues of l": "n1 proce1ure :ithout the nee1 for le3"l represent"tion "n1 e=tensi6e Au1ici"l inter6ention( This s2ste :ill enh"nce "ccess to Austice especi"ll2 b2 those :ho c"nnot "ffor1 the hi3h costs of liti3"tion e6en in c"ses of rel"ti6el2 s "ll 6"lue(9> It is en6isione1 th"t b2 f"cilit"tin3 the tr"ffic of c"ses throu3h si ple "n1 e=pe1itious rules "n1 e"ns, our !ourt c"n i pro6e the perception of Austice in this countr2, thus 3i6in3 citiIens " rene:e1 7st"5e8 in preser6in3 pe"ce in the l"n1( This is " hopeful ess"3e to our people th"t 7there is no nee1 to 1esp"ir for there is 1eli6er"nce in l":@ th"t is " pro ise th"t h"s been fulfille1 b2 l": in the p"st@ it is " pro ise l": :ill "3"in fulfill in the future(89D In +ece ber 200F, the Supre e !ourt est"blishe1 " Technic"l 4or5in3 -roup co pose1 of the !ourt A1 inistr"tor, the Pro3r" M"n"3e ent 'ffice A1 inistr"tor, selecte1 Au13es "n1 other offici"ls of the Supre e !ourt "n1 the Inte3r"te1 B"r of the Philippines to un1ert"5e the follo:in3 "cti6ities? 9( The 1e6elop ent of Rules "n1 Proce1ures to I ple ent Pilot S "ll !l"i s !ourts@ 2( The est"blish ent of !riteri" to Select Appropri"te Re3ionsH$u13es for Pilot S "ll !l"i s !ourts "n1 set Peso Li its for the S "ll !l"i s !ourts@ >( Throu3h the Philippine $u1ici"l Ac"1e 2, the con1uct of tr"inin3 pro3r" s for $u13es "n1 their personnel p"rticip"tin3 in the Pilot S "ll !l"i s !ourts proAect@ "n1 D( The e plo2 ent of 7$ustice on 4heels8 buses to l"unch pilot s "ll cl"i s tribun"ls( 'n $une 2>, 2008, the Technic"l 4or5in3 -roup fin"liIe1 its 1r"ft of " Rule of Proce1ure for S "ll !l"i s !"ses( Hi3hli3hts of the Propose1 Rule "re the follo:in3? I( The Rule 3o6erns the proce1ure in "ctions before the first le6el courts, i(e(, Metropolit"n Tri"l !ourts, Municip"l Tri"l !ourts in !ities, Municip"l Tri"l !ourts "n1 Municip"l !ircuit Tri"l !ourts /e=clu1in3 Sh"riB" !ircuit !ourts0 for the p"2 ent of one2 :here the 6"lue of the cl"i 1oes not e=cee1 'ne Hun1re1 Thous"n1 Pesos /P900,000(000 e=clusi6e of interest "n1 costs( E=pl"n"tor2 Note? The purpose of " s "ll cl"i s process is to pro6i1e "n ine=pensi6e "n1 e=pe1itious e"ns to settle 1isputes o6er s "ll " ounts( #or purposes of the proAect, the " ount h"s been set for cl"i s in6ol6in3 " ounts of not ore th"n P900,000(00( The theor2 behin1 the s "ll cl"i s s2ste is th"t or1in"r2 liti3"tion f"ils to brin3 pr"ctic"l Austice to the p"rties :hen the 1ispute1 cl"i is s "ll, bec"use the ti e "n1 e=pense reCuire1 b2 the or1in"r2 liti3"tion process is so 1isproportion"te to the " ount in6ol6e1 th"t it 1iscour"3es " Aust resolution of the 1ispute( The s "ll cl"i s process is 1esi3ne1 to function Cuic5l2 "n1 infor "ll2( There "re no "ttorne2s, no for "l ple"1in3s "n1 no strict le3"l rules of e6i1ence( The s "ll cl"i s court s2ste is not " 7t2pic"l inferior court(8 P"rties "re encour"3e1 to file s "ll cl"i s court "ctions to resol6e their inor 1isputes "s oppose1 to resortin3 to self)help or forcible e"ns to see5 their re e12( /P"ce 6( Hillcrest Motor !o(, 9G9 !"l( Rptr( GG>, GGD !t( App( 9;800 II( This Rule "pplies to "ll "ctions th"t "re? /"0 purel2 ci6il in n"ture :here the cl"i or relief pr"2e1 for b2 the pl"intiff is solel2 for p"2 entHrei burse ent of " su of one2, "n1 /b0 the ci6il "spect of cri in"l "ctions, either file1 prior to the institution of the cri in"l "ction, or reser6e1 upon the filin3 of the cri in"l "ction in court, pursu"nt to Rule 999 of the Re6ise1 Rules of !ri in"l Proce1ure( These cl"i s or 1e "n1s "2 be? "( #or one2 o:e1 un1er "n2 of the follo:in3?

9( !ontr"ct of le"se@ 2( !ontr"ct of lo"n@ >( !ontr"ct of ser6ices@ D( !ontr"ct of s"le@ or E( !ontr"ct of ort3"3e@ b( #or 1" "3es "risin3 fro ? 9( #"ult or ne3li3ence@ 2( ,u"si)contr"ct@ or >( !ontr"ct@ c( Enforce ent of " b"r"n3"2 " ic"ble settle ent or "n "rbitr"tion ":"r1 in6ol6in3 one2 cl"i s co6ere1 b2 this Rule pursu"nt to Sec( D9F of Republic Act No( F9G0, other:ise 5no:n "s the 7Loc"l -o6ern ent !o1e of 9;;9(8 E=pl"n"tor2 Note? The 5in1s of c"ses th"t c"n be file1 in S "ll !l"i s !ourt 6"r2, but the c"se ust see5 one2 onl2( #or e=" ple, " suit c"nnot be brou3ht in S "ll !l"i s !ourt to force " person or business to fi= " 1" "3e1 3oo1@ or to 1e "n1 fulfill ent of " pro ise1 obli3"tion :hich is not purel2 for one2, or to see5 one2 to co pens"te for p"in "n1 sufferin3( So e of the 5in1s of c"ses :hich "re "llo:e1 "s s "ll cl"i s inclu1e the follo:in3? 9( Actu"l 1" "3e c"use1 to 6ehicles, other person"l propert2, re"l propert2 or person@ 2( P"2 ent or rei burse ent for propert2, 1eposit, or one2 lo"ne1@ issions, or for 3oo1s sol1 "n1 1eli6ere1@

>( P"2 ent for ser6ices ren1ere1, insur"nce cl"i , rent, co D( Mone2 cl"i

pursu"nt to " contr"ct, :"rr"nt2 or "3ree ent@ "n1 one2 co6ere1 b2 bounce1 or stoppe1 chec5(

E( Purel2 ci6il "ction for p"2 ent of

III( A s "ll cl"i s "ction is co ence1 b2 filin3 :ith the court "n "cco plishe1 "n1 6erifie1 St"te ent of !l"i in 1uplic"te, "cco p"nie1 b2 " !ertific"tion of Non)#oru Shoppin3, "n1 t:o /20 1ul2 certifie1 photocopies of the "ction"ble 1ocu entHs subAect of the cl"i , "s :ell "s the "ffi1"6its of :itnesses "n1 other e6i1ence to support the cl"i ( No e6i1ence sh"ll be "llo:e1 1urin3 the he"rin3 :hich :"s not "tt"che1 to or sub itte1 to3ether :ith the !l"i , unless 3oo1 c"use is sho:n for the "1 ission of "11ition"l e6i1ence( I.( Pl"intiff "2 Aoin in " sin3le St"te ent of !l"i one or ore sep"r"te s "ll cl"i s "3"inst " 1efen1"nt "s lon3 "s the tot"l " ount cl"i e1, e=clusi6e of interest "n1 costs, 1oes not e=cee1 P900,000(00( .( The pl"intiff sh"ll p"2 the prescribe1 fees upon filin3, unless "llo:e1 to liti3"te "s "n in1i3ent( .I( #or purposes of this Rule? /"0 Pl"intiff is the p"rt2 :ho h"s file1 " s "ll cl"i s "ction( The ter inclu1es " 1efen1"nt :ho h"s file1 " countercl"i "3"inst " pl"intiff@ /b0 +efen1"nt is the p"rt2 "3"inst :ho the pl"intiff h"s file1 " s "ll cl"i s "ction( The ter inclu1es " pl"intiff "3"inst :ho " 1efen1"nt h"s file1 " cl"i , or " person :ho replies to the cl"i @ /c0 Person is "n in1i6i1u"l, corpor"tion, p"rtnership, li ite1 li"bilit2 p"rtnership, "ssoci"tion, or other entit2@ /10 In1i6i1u"l is " n"tur"l person@ /e0 Motion e"ns " p"rt2Bs reCuest, :ritten or or"l, to the court for "n or1er or other "ction( It sh"ll inclu1e "n infor "l :ritten reCuest to the court, such "s " letter@ /f0 -oo1 c"use e"ns circu st"nces sufficient to Austif2 the reCueste1 or1er or other "ction, "s 1eter ine1 b2 the Au13e@ "n1 /30 Affi1"6it e"ns " :ritten st"te ent or 1ecl"r"tion of f"cts th"t "re s:orn or "ffir e1 to be true(

E=pl"n"tor2 Note? A pl"intiff "2 co ence "n "ction in the s "ll cl"i s court b2 filin3 " St"te ent of !l"i un1er o"th :ith the !ler5 of the first le6el court in person or b2 "il( The cl"i for sh"ll be " si ple nontechnic"l for "ppro6e1 or "1opte1 b2 the Supre e !ourt( The cl"i for sh"ll set forth /90 the n" e "n1 "11ress of the 1efen1"nt, if 5no:n@ /20 the " ount "n1 the b"sis of the cl"i @ />0 th"t the pl"intiff, :here possible, h"s 1e "n1e1 p"2 ent "n1, in "pplic"ble c"ses, possession of the propert2@ /D0 th"t the 1efen1"nt h"s f"ile1 or refuse1 to p"2, "n1 :here "pplic"ble, h"s refuse1 to surren1er the propert2@ "n1 /E0 th"t the pl"intiff un1erst"n1s th"t the Au13 ent on his or her cl"i :ill be conclusi6e "n1 :ithout " ri3ht of "ppe"l( The pl"intiff shoul1 "tt"ch to the cl"i "ll 1ocu ents necess"r2 to pro6e hisHher ri3ht to reliefs pr"2e1 for( The for or "cco p"n2in3 instructions sh"ll inclu1e infor "tion th"t the pl"intiff /90 "2 not be represente1 b2 "n "ttorne2@ /20 h"s no ri3ht of "ppe"l@ "n1 />0 "2 "s5 the court to :"i6e fees for filin3 "n1 ser6in3 the cl"i on the 3roun1 th"t the pl"intiff is in1i3ent un"ble to p"2 the , usin3 the for s "ppro6e1 b2 the Supre e !ourt for th"t purpose( .II( The !ourt "2 1is iss the c"se outri3ht on "n2 of the 3roun1s for the 1is iss"l of " ci6il "ction "pp"rent fro the ple"1in3 "n1 "ffi1"6its "n1 other 1ocu ents sub itte1( E=pl"n"tor2 Note? $uris1iction "n1 6enue reCuire ents in s "ll cl"i s "ctions sh"ll be the s" e "s in other ci6il "ctions pro6i1e1 in the Rules of !i6il Proce1ure( A 1efen1"nt "2 ch"llen3e Auris1iction or 6enue or court loc"tion b2 inclu1in3 these 1efenses in his Response before "ppe"rin3 in the sche1ule1 he"rin3( In "ll c"ses, e6en if the 1efen1"nt 1oes not "s5 for 1is iss"l of the c"se in the Response or "ppe"r "t the he"rin3, the court sh"ll inCuire into the f"cts sufficientl2 to 1eter ine :hether Auris1iction "n1 "uthorit2 of the court o6er the "ction "re proper, "n1 sh"ll "5e its 1eter in"tion "ccor1in3l2( .III( No Motion to +is iss sh"ll be "llo:e1 e=cept on the 3roun1s un1er Section 9> thereof /See No( K belo:0( IK( Shoul1 the 1efen1"nt f"il to file " response :ithin the reCuire1 perio1, the court sh"ll ren1er Au13 ent "s "2 be :"rr"nte1 b2 the f"cts "lle3e1 in the St"te ent of !l"i "n1 li ite1 to :h"t is pr"2e1 for therein( The court "2, in its 1iscretion, re1uce the " ount of 1" "3es for bein3 e=cessi6e or other:ise unconscion"ble( K( If "t the ti e the "ction is co ence1, " 1efen1"nt possesses " cl"i :ithin the co6er"3e of this Rule, e=clusi6e of interest "n1 costs@ "3"inst the pl"intiff th"t /"0 is

/b0 "rises out of the s" e tr"ns"ction or e6ent th"t is the subAect "tter of the pl"intiffBs cl"i @ /c0 1oes not reCuire, for its "1Au1ic"tion, the Aoin1er of thir1 p"rties@ "n1 /10 is not the subAect of "nother pen1in3 "ction, this cl"i sh"ll be inclu1e1 "s " countercl"i in the Response, other:ise, such countercl"i sh"ll be b"rre1( The 1efen1"nt "2 "lso elect to inclu1e in the Response " countercl"i "3"inst the pl"intiff th"t 1oes not "rise out of the tr"ns"ction or occurrence pro6i1e1 th"t the " ount "n1 n"ture thereof "re :ithin the co6er"3e of this Rule "n1 the prescribe1 1oc5et fees "re p"i1( E=pl"n"tor2 Note? If " 1efen1"nt h"s " cl"i "3"inst " pl"intiff th"t e=cee1s the li its st"te1 in Section 2 of this Rule, "n1 the cl"i rel"tes to the contr"ct, tr"ns"ction, "tter, or e6ent :hich is the subAect of the pl"intiffBs cl"i , the 1efen1"nt "2 co ence "n "ction "3"inst the pl"intiff in " court of co petent Auris1iction( If s"i1 cl"i :hich is be2on1 the li it of one2 cl"i pro6i1e1 in this Rule is file1 :ith the Response before the S "ll !l"i s !ourt, the l"tter sh"ll 1is iss the countercl"i ( KI( Prohibite1 ple"1in3s "n1 otions? /"0 Motion to 1is iss the co pl"int e=cept on the 3roun1 of l"c5 of Auris1iction@ /b0 Motion for " bill of p"rticul"rs@ /c0 Motion for ne: tri"l, or for reconsi1er"tion of " Au13 ent, or for reopenin3 of tri"l@ /10 Petition for relief fro Au13 ent@ /e0 Motion for e=tension of ti e to file ple"1in3s, "ffi1"6its, or "n2 other p"per@ /f0 Me or"n1"@ /30 Petition for certior"ri, "n1" us, or prohibition "3"inst "n2 interlocutor2 or1er issue1 b2 the court@ /h0 Motion to 1ecl"re the 1efen1"nt in 1ef"ult@ /i0 +il"tor2 otions for postpone ent@ /A0 Repl2@ /50 Thir1)p"rt2 co pl"ints@ "n1

/l0 Inter6entions( KII( A6"il"bilit2 of #or s for the P"rties :ho sh"ll be "ssiste1 b2 !ler5 of !ourt( KIII( The p"rties ust person"ll2 "ppe"r "t the he"rin3@ if un"ble, then throu3h " 1esi3n"te1 represent"ti6e :ho ust be 1ul2 "uthoriIe1 to enter into "n " ic"ble settle ent( KI.( Attorne2s "re not "llo:e1 "t the he"rin3, e=cept "s pl"intiff or 1efen1"nt( Ho:e6er this 1oes not preclu1e the fro offerin3 their ser6ices in "ssistin3 the p"rt2 to " s "ll cl"i s c"se to prep"re for the he"rin3 or for other "tters outsi1e of the he"rin3( If the court 1eter ines th"t " p"rt2 c"nnot properl2 present hisHher cl"i or 1efense "n1 nee1s "ssist"nce, the court "2, in its 1iscretion, "llo: "nother in1i6i1u"l, :ho is not "n "ttorne2, to "ssist th"t p"rt2 upon the l"tterBs consent( E=pl"n"tor2 Note? E=cept "s per itte1 b2 this section, no "ttorne2 sh"ll "ppe"r in " s "ll cl"i s "ction e=cept :hen the l"tter sh"ll "int"in or 1efen1 "n "ction in "n2 of the follo:in3 c"p"cities? /90 B2 or "3"inst hi self or herself@ /20 B2 or "3"inst " p"rtnership in :hich he or she is " 3ener"l p"rtner "n1 in :hich "ll the p"rtners "re "ttorne2s@ or />0 B2 or "3"inst " profession"l corpor"tion of :hich he or she is "n officer or 1irector "n1 of :hich "ll other officers "n1 1irectors "re "ttorne2s( Nothin3 in this section sh"ll pre6ent "n "ttorne2 fro 1oin3 "n2 of the follo:in3? ence ent of the

/90 Pro6i1in3 "16ice to " p"rt2 to " s "ll cl"i s "ction, either before or "fter the co "ction@ or

/20 Sub ittin3 "n "ffi1"6it "s " :itness for " p"rt2 in or1er to st"te f"cts of :hich he or she h"s person"l 5no:le13e "n1 "bout :hich he or she is co petent to 1o so( If the court 1eter ines th"t " p"rt2 1oes not spe"5 or un1erst"n1 En3lish or #ilipino sufficientl2 to co prehen1 the procee1in3s or 3i6e testi on2, to the Cuestions of the court, if "n2, "n1 nee1s "ssist"nce in so 1oin3, the court "2 per it "nother in1i6i1u"l /other th"n "n "ttorne20 to "ssist th"t p"rt2( If the court interpreter or other co petent interpreter of the l"n3u"3e or 1i"lect 5no:n to the p"rt2 is not "6"il"ble to "i1 th"t p"rt2 in " s "ll cl"i s "ction, "t the first he"rin3 of the c"se the court sh"ll postpone the he"rin3 one ti e onl2 to "llo: the p"rt2 the opportunit2 to obt"in "nother in1i6i1u"l /other th"n "n "ttorne20 to "ssist th"t p"rt2( An2 "11ition"l continu"nces sh"ll be "t the soun1 1iscretion of the court( K.( Non)"ppe"r"nce of P"rties( #"ilure of the pl"intiff to "ppe"r sh"ll be " c"use for the 1is iss"l of the co pl"int :ithout preAu1ice( The 1efen1"nt :ho "ppe"rs sh"ll be entitle1 to Au13 ent on " per issi6e countercl"i ( 'n the other h"n1, f"ilure of the 1efen1"nt to "ppe"r sh"ll h"6e the s" e effect "s f"ilure to file " Response un1er Section 92 of this Rule( This ho:e6er sh"ll not "ppl2 :here one of t:o or ore 1efen1"nts sue1 un1er " co on c"use of "ction "n1 :ho ple"1e1 " co on 1efense sh"ll "ppe"r "t the he"rin3( #"ilure of both p"rties to "ppe"r sh"ll c"use the 1is iss"l :ith preAu1ice of both the cl"i countercl"i ( "n1

K.I( A reCuest for postpone ent of " he"rin3 "2 be 3r"nte1 onl2 upon proof of the ph2sic"l in"bilit2 of the p"rt2 to "ppe"r before the court on th"t 1"te "n1 ti e( E6er2 p"rt2 "2 "6"il of onl2 one /90 postpone ent(

E=pl"n"tor2 Note? A p"rt2 "s follo:s?

"2 sub it "n or"l or :ritten reCuest to postpone " he"rin3 1"te for 3oo1 c"use, "2 be "1e either b2 letter or on " for "1opte1 or "ppro6e1 b2

/90 If the :ritten reCuest is in :ritin3, it the Supre e !ourt@

/20 The reCuest sh"ll be file1 before the he"rin3 1"te "n1 "cco p"nie1 b2 proof of ph2sic"l in"bilit2, unless the court 1eter ines th"t the reCuestin3 p"rt2 h"s 3oo1 c"use to file the reCuest on the 1"te of he"rin3 itself@ "n1 />0 If the court fin1s th"t the interests of Austice :oul1 be ser6e1 b2 postponin3 the he"rin3, the court sh"ll 1o so "n1 sh"ll notif2 "ll p"rties b2 "il on the s" e 1"2 of the ne: he"rin3 1"te, ti e "n1 pl"ce( This Section 1oes not li it the inherent po:er of the court to or1er postpone ents of he"rin3s in strictl2 "ppropri"te circu st"nces( The postpone ent fee of 'ne Hun1re1 Pesos /or "s pro6i1e1 in Rule 9D9, Re6ise1 Rules of !ourt, "s " en1e1 on Le3"l #ees0 sh"ll be ch"r3e1 "n1 collecte1 before the filin3 of " reCuest for postpone ent "n1 resche1ulin3 of " he"rin3 1"te( K.II( $u1ici"l +ispute Resolution( At the he"rin3, the court sh"ll e=ert "ll efforts to encour"3e the p"rties to resol6e their 1ispute throu3h e1i"tion, concili"tion, e"rl2 neutr"l e6"lu"tion or "n2 other o1e of $+R( An2 settle ent or resolution of the 1ispute sh"ll be re1uce1 into :ritin3, si3ne1 b2 the p"rties, "n1 sub itte1 to the court for "ppro6"l( K.III( If $+R f"ils "n1 the p"rties "3ree in :ritin3 /#or 90)S!! 0 th"t the he"rin3 of the c"se sh"ll be presi1e1 o6er b2 the Au13e :ho con1ucte1 the $+R, the he"rin3 sh"ll so procee1 in "n infor "l "n1 e=pe1itious "nner "n1 ter in"te1 :ithin one /90 1"2( Absent such "3ree ent, /"0 in c"se of " ulti)s"l" court, the c"se sh"ll, on the s" e 1"2, be tr"ns itte1 /#or 99)S!!0 to the 'ffice of the !ler5 of !ourt for i e1i"te referr"l b2 the E=ecuti6e $u13e to the p"irin3 Au13e for he"rin3 "n1 1ecision :ithin fi6e /E0 :or5in3 1"2s fro referr"l@ "n1 /b0 in c"se of " sin3le s"l" court, the p"irin3 Au13e sh"ll he"r "n1 1eci1e the c"se in the court of ori3in :ithin fi6e /E0 :or5in3 1"2s fro referr"l b2 the $+R Au13e( E=pl"n"tor2 Note? In he"rin3s before the s "ll cl"i s court, :itnesses sh"ll still be s:orn in( The Au13e sh"ll con1uct the he"rin3 in "n infor "l "nner so "s to 1o subst"nti"l Austice bet:een the p"rties( The Au13e sh"ll h"6e the 1iscretion to "1 it "ll e6i1ence :hich "2 be of prob"ti6e 6"lue "lthou3h not in "ccor1"nce :ith for "l rules of pr"ctice, proce1ure, ple"1in3 or e6i1ence pro6i1e1 in the Rules of !ourt, e=cept th"t pri6ile3e1 co unic"tions sh"ll not be "1 issible( The obAect of such he"rin3s sh"ll be to 1eter ine the ri3hts of the liti3"nts on the erits "n1 to 1ispense e=pe1itious Austice bet:een the p"rties( An inter6entionist role b2 Au13es in such he"rin3s is effecti6e in elicitin3 e6i1ence fro liti3"nts in person( It is seen b2 unrepresente1 p"rties "s " 7helpin3 h"n18 :hich the2 "ppreci"te, pro6i1e1 th"t Au13es "6oi1 the 1"n3er of "ppe"rin3 to be p"rti"l( B2 1iscussin3 the f"cts of the c"se, Au13es fin1 :h"t co on 3roun1 1oes e=ist bet:een the p"rties( This ten1s to n"rro: the 1ifferences bet:een the p"rties "n1 "5e the fin"l Au1ici"l 1ecision e"sier N :here"s tr"1ition"l open court tri"ls, :ith the presence of l":2ers "n1 the use of cross)e=" in"tion ten1 to pol"riIe the p"rties, incre"se "nt"3onis "n1 hei3hten the 1ifferences( In this re3"r1, Lor1 4oolf, -re"t Brit"inBs c"se "n"3e ent e=pert, h"s obser6e1?

7The role of the Au13e in s "ll cl"i s is not onl2 th"t of "n "1Au1ic"tor( It is " 5e2 s"fe3u"r1 of the ri3hts of both p"rties( In ost c"ses, the Au13e is effecti6el2 " substitute for " le3"l represent"ti6e( His 1ut2 is to "scert"in the "in "tters "t issue, to elicit the e6i1ence, to re"ch " 6ie: on the f"cts of the "tter "n1 to 3i6e " 1ecision(

In so e c"ses he "2 encour"3e the p"rties to settle( In 1oin3 so he shoul1 ensure th"t both p"rties h"6e presente1 the e6i1ence "n1 c"lle1 the :itnesses 3er "ne to their c"se "n1 th"t he h"s i1entifie1 "n1 consi1ere1 "n2 issue of l": :hich is pertinent to the c"se in h"n1( He ust "lso hol1 the rin3 "n1 ensure th"t e"ch p"rt2 h"s " f"ir ch"nce to present his o:n c"se "n1 to ch"llen3e th"t of his opponent(89E The 5e2 Au1ici"l s5ills in con1uctin3 such he"rin3s "re to "int"in " b"l"nce bet:een infor "lit2 "n1 f"irness, to ensure " le6el pl"2in3 fiel1 "n1 to protect the :e"5 "n1 the scrupulous( In pr"ctice, this is "chie6e1 b2 pre6entin3 interruptions "n1 p"rties t"l5in3 o6er e"ch other, "n1 "5in3 it cle"r th"t both p"rties :ill h"6e plent2 of ti e to s"2 "ll th"t the2 :ish before the en1 of the he"rin3( KIK( +ecision( After the he"rin3, the court sh"ll, on the s" e 1"2, ren1er its 1ecision usin3 the for pro6i1e1( The 1ecision sh"ll i e1i"tel2 be entere1 b2 the !ler5 of !ourt in the court 1oc5et for ci6il c"ses "n1 " cop2 thereof ser6e1 on the p"rties( The 1ecision is fin"l "n1 un"ppe"l"ble( E=pl"n"tor2 Note? +espite the rel"ti6e infor "lit2 of the proce1ure, Au13 ents "re b"se1 upon " strict "pplic"tion of the subst"nti6e l": "n1 "n obAecti6e Au1ici"l "n"l2sis of the f"cts( The Au13e is 1ut2)boun1 to 3i6e the le3"l b"sis for the fin1in3s( The prohibition "3"inst "ppe"ls "ssures i e1i"te "n1 s:ift Austice(

The ri3ht to "ppe"l is not " n"tur"l ri3ht nor " p"rt 1ue process( It is erel2 " st"tutor2 pri6ile3e "n1 " proce1ur"l re e12 of st"tutor2 ori3in, " re e12 th"t "2 be e=ercise1 onl2 in the "nner "n1 in "ccor1"nce :ith the pro6isions of the l": "uthoriIin3 such e=ercise( The "pplic"ble pro6isions of the l": "llo:in3 "ppe"ls fro 1ecisions of the first le6el courts "re Sections >G "n1 >8 of B(P( Bl3( 92;, "s " en1e1, "lso 5no:n "s 7The $u1ici"r2 Reor3"niI"tion Act of 9;80(8 The proce1ure on "ppe"l is subAect to the li it"tions "n1 restrictions pro6i1e1 b2 this Act "n1 "n2 such rules "s the Supre e !ourt "2 here"fter prescribe( Sec( >G of B(P( Bl3( 92; pro6i1es "n inst"nce :herein the Supre e !ourt "2 "1opt speci"l proce1ures, inclu1in3 c"ses :here "ppe"l "2 not be "llo:e1, to "chie6e "n e=pe1itious "n1 ine=pensi6e 1eter in"tion of p"rticul"r c"ses reCuirin3 su "r2 1isposition( KK( E=ecution( If the 1ecision is ren1ere1 in f"6or of the pl"intiff, e=ecution sh"ll issue upon ;)S!!0( En1notes? 9 7The PeopleBs !ourt E=" ine1? A Le3"l "n1 E piric"l An"l2sis of the S "ll !l"i s !ourt S2ste , b2 Bruce Tuc5er "n1 Monic" Her, S"n #r"ncisco L": Re6ie:, 4inter 200>( 2 en(:i5ipe1i"(or3H:i5iHs "llJcl"i sJcourt( > 7S "ll !l"i s He"rin3s? The Inter6entionist Role Pl"2e1 b2 +istrict $u13es8 b2 $ohn B"l1:in, !i6il $ustice ,u"rterl2, S:eet "n1 M"=:ell Li ite1 "n1 !ontributors, $"nu"r2 9F, 9;;8( D See Note 2( E 7The Sin3"pore S "ll !l"i s Tribun"ls N Accessible $ustice to the !o unit28 b2 !hon3 M"h 4ei, p"per prep"re1 for the 2n1 Annu"l AI$A Tribun"ls !onference hel1 in S21ne2, Austr"li" on 90 Septe ber 9;;;( G 7A Mor"l Ren"iss"nce #or " L"stin3 Pe"ce8, Speech 1eli6ere1 b2 Senior Associ"te $ustice $osue N( Bellosillo "s Me2note Spe"5er of the >r1 Annu"l N"tion"l Se in"r)!on6ention of the Philippine Tri"l $u13es Le"3ue, Inc( on the the e 7!h" pionin3 Pe"ce Throu3h $ustice,8 hel1 >)E 'ctober 2002 "t Prince Pl"I" Hotel, B"3uio !it2( otion /#or

F 7The Tot"lit2 of Refor s for " Tr"nsfor e1 $u1ici"r28 b2 #or er !hief $ustice Arte io .( P"n3"nib"n /ret(0, The !ourt S2ste s $ourn"l, +ece ber 200E, p( G;( 8 Action Pro3r" p( G( ; Ibi1( 90 Supple ent to AP$R, publishe1 b2 the Supre e !ourt in 2009 "t p( 2)92( 99 See Note F "t p( 92( 92 See Note ; "t p( 2)9E( 9> Me or"n1u #or the Honor"ble Re2n"to S( Puno, !hief $ustice of the Supre e !ourt, 1"te1 +ece ber 9;, 200F, fro !ourt A1 inistr"tor *en"i1" N( Elep"So, Re? Propos"l to Est"blish " Pilot ProAect on S "ll !l"i s !ourts in #irst Le6el !ourts in the Philippines( 9D 7$ustice, Pe"ce "n1 +e6elop ent? The Role "n1 Responsibilit2 of L":2ers,8 Article b2 !hief $ustice Re2n"to S( Puno, The !ourt S2ste s $ourn"l, M"rch 200G, .olu e 99 No( 9, p( 2G( 9E See Note >, 20)>D "t !h"pter 2G( for $u1ici"l Refor /AP$R0 2009)200G publishe1 b2 the Supre e !ourt in Au3ust 2009,

TE!HNI!AL 4'RMIN- -R'%P H'N( *ENAI+A N( ELEPAN' !ourt A1 inistr"tor /Ret(0 'ffice of the !ourt A1 inistr"tor !h"irperson A!A THELMA !( BAHIA 'ffice of the !ourt A1 inistr"tor .ice)!h"irperson Me bers A!A $'SE MI+AS P( MAR,%E* !hief $u1ici"l St"ff He"1, 'ffice of the !hief $ustice !hief, Public Infor "tion 'ffice $%+-E M&RA -( #ERNAN+E* RT!, Br"nch 98, M"nil" $%+-E AN-ELENE MAR& ,%IMP')SALE RT!, Br"nch 90G, ,ueIon !it2 $%+-E MARIA #IL'MENA +( SIN-H RT!, Br"nch 8E, ,ueIon !it2 $%+-E -ERMAN' #RAN!IS!' +( LE-ASPI

RT!, Br"nch >9, M"nil" $%+-E LEL% P( !'NTRERAS RT!, Br"nch D>, .ir"c, !"t"n1u"nes MR( E+ILBERT' A( +A.IS !hief, Pro3r" M"n"3e ent 'ffice ATT&( 'RLAN+' B( !ARIT' Philippine $u1ici"l Ac"1e 2 ATT&( S&-RI+ M( PR'MENTILLA Pro3r" M"n"3e ent 'ffice ATT&( ALI!IA A( RIS'S).I+AL Inte3r"te1 B"r of the Philippines