TheLawphilProjectArellanoLawFoundation

Rules128134
REVISEDRULESONEVIDENCE

REVISEDRULESONEVIDENCE

(Rules128134,RulesofCourt)

ASAMENDEDPERRESOLUTION

ADOPTEDONMARCH14,1989

PARTIV

RULESOFEVIDENCE

RULE128

GeneralProvisions

Section1.Evidencedefined.Evidenceisthemeans,sanctionedbytheserules,ofascertaininginajudicialproceeding
thetruthrespectingamatteroffact.(1)

Section2.Scope.Therulesofevidenceshallbethesameinallcourtsandinalltrialsandhearings,exceptasotherwise
providedbylawortheserules.(2a)

Section3.Admissibilityofevidence.Evidenceisadmissiblewhenitisrelevanttotheissueandisnotexcludedbythelaw
oftheserules.(3a)

Section4.Relevancycollateralmatters.Evidencemusthavesucharelationtothefactinissueastoinducebeliefinits
existence or nonexistence. Evidence on collateral matters shall not be allowed, except when it tends in any reasonable
degreetoestablishtheprobabilityorimprobabilityofthefactinissue.(4a)

RULE129

WhatNeedNotBeProved

Section1.Judicialnotice,whenmandatory.Acourtshalltakejudicialnotice,withouttheintroductionofevidence,ofthe
existence and territorial extent of states, their political history, forms of government and symbols of nationality, the law of
nations,theadmiraltyandmaritimecourtsoftheworldandtheirseals,thepoliticalconstitutionandhistoryofthePhilippines,
theofficialactsoflegislative,executiveandjudicialdepartmentsofthePhilippines,thelawsofnature,themeasureoftime,
andthegeographicaldivisions.(1a)

Section2.Judicialnotice,whendiscretionary.Acourtmaytakejudicialnoticeofmatterswhichareofpublicknowledge,or
arecapabletounquestionabledemonstration,oroughttobeknowntojudgesbecauseoftheirjudicialfunctions.(1a)

Section3.Judicialnotice,whenhearingnecessary.Duringthetrial,thecourt,onitsowninitiative,oronrequestofaparty,
mayannounceitsintentiontotakejudicialnoticeofanymatterandallowthepartiestobeheardthereon.

Afterthetrial,andbeforejudgmentoronappeal,thepropercourt,onitsowninitiativeoronrequestofaparty,maytake
judicialnoticeofanymatterandallowthepartiestobeheardthereonifsuchmatterisdecisiveofamaterialissueinthecase.
(n)

Section4.Judicialadmissions.Anadmission,verbalorwritten,madebythepartyinthecourseoftheproceedingsinthe
samecase,doesnotrequireproof.Theadmissionmaybecontradictedonlybyshowingthatitwasmadethroughpalpable
mistakeorthatnosuchadmissionwasmade.(2a)

RULE130

RulesofAdmissibility

A.OBJECT(REAL)EVIDENCE

Section1.Objectasevidence.Objectsasevidencearethoseaddressedtothesensesofthecourt.Whenanobjectis
relevanttothefactinissue,itmaybeexhibitedto,examinedorviewedbythecourt.(1a)

B.DOCUMENTARYEVIDENCE

Section2.Documentaryevidence. Documents as evidence consist of writing or any material containing letters, words,
numbers,figures,symbolsorothermodesofwrittenexpressionofferedasproofoftheircontents.(n)

1.BestEvidenceRule

Section3.Originaldocumentmustbeproducedexceptions.Whenthesubjectofinquiryisthecontentsofadocument,no
evidenceshallbeadmissibleotherthantheoriginaldocumentitself,exceptinthefollowingcases:

(a)Whentheoriginalhasbeenlostordestroyed,orcannotbeproducedincourt,withoutbadfaithonthepartofthe
offeror

(b)Whentheoriginalisinthecustodyorunderthecontrolofthepartyagainstwhomtheevidenceisoffered,andthe
latterfailstoproduceitafterreasonablenotice

(c)Whentheoriginalconsistsofnumerousaccountsorotherdocumentswhichcannotbeexaminedincourtwithout
greatlossoftimeandthefactsoughttobeestablishedfromthemisonlythegeneralresultofthewholeand

(d)Whentheoriginalisapublicrecordinthecustodyofapublicofficerorisrecordedinapublicoffice.(2a)

Section4.Originalofdocument.

(a)Theoriginalofthedocumentisonethecontentsofwhicharethesubjectofinquiry.

(b)Whenadocumentisintwoormorecopiesexecutedatoraboutthesametime,withidenticalcontents,allsuch
copiesareequallyregardedasoriginals.

(c)Whenanentryisrepeatedintheregularcourseofbusiness,onebeingcopiedfromanotheratornearthetimeof
thetransaction,alltheentriesarelikewiseequallyregardedasoriginals.(3a)

2.SecondaryEvidence

Section5.Whenoriginaldocumentisunavailable.Whentheoriginaldocumenthasbeenlostordestroyed,orcannotbe
producedincourt,theofferor,uponproofofitsexecutionorexistenceandthecauseofitsunavailabilitywithoutbadfaithon
hispart,mayproveitscontentsbyacopy,orbyarecitalofitscontentsinsomeauthenticdocument,orbythetestimonyof
witnessesintheorderstated.(4a)

Section6.Whenoriginaldocumentisinadverseparty'scustodyorcontrol.Ifthedocumentisinthecustodyorunderthe
controlofadverseparty,hemusthavereasonablenoticetoproduceit.Ifaftersuchnoticeandaftersatisfactoryproofofits
existence,hefailstoproducethedocument,secondaryevidencemaybepresentedasinthecaseofitsloss.(5a)

Section 7. Evidence admissible when original document is a public record. When the original of document is in the
custodyofpublicofficerorisrecordedinapublicoffice,itscontentsmaybeprovedbyacertifiedcopyissuedbythepublic
officerincustodythereof.(2a)

Section8.Party who calls for document not bound to offer it. A party who calls for the production of a document and
inspectsthesameisnotobligedtoofferitasevidence.(6a)

3.ParolEvidenceRule

Section9.Evidenceofwrittenagreements.Whenthetermsofanagreementhavebeenreducedtowriting,itisconsidered
ascontainingallthetermsagreeduponandtherecanbe,betweenthepartiesandtheirsuccessorsininterest,noevidence
ofsuchtermsotherthanthecontentsofthewrittenagreement.
However,apartymaypresentevidencetomodify,explainoraddtothetermsofwrittenagreementifheputsinissueinhis
pleading:

(a)Anintrinsicambiguity,mistakeorimperfectioninthewrittenagreement

(b)Thefailureofthewrittenagreementtoexpressthetrueintentandagreementofthepartiesthereto

(c)Thevalidityofthewrittenagreementor

(d) The existence of other terms agreed to by the parties or their successors in interest after the execution of the
writtenagreement.

Theterm"agreement"includeswills.(7a)

4.InterpretationOfDocuments

Section 10. Interpretation of a writing according to its legal meaning. The language of a writing is to be interpreted
accordingtothelegalmeaningitbearsintheplaceofitsexecution,unlessthepartiesintendedotherwise.(8)

Section11.Instrumentconstruedsoastogiveeffecttoallprovisions.Intheconstructionofaninstrument,wherethereare
severalprovisionsorparticulars,suchaconstructionis,ifpossible,tobeadoptedaswillgiveeffecttoall.(9)

Section12.Interpretationaccordingtointentiongeneralandparticularprovisions.Intheconstructionofaninstrument,the
intention of the parties is to be pursued and when a general and a particular provision are inconsistent, the latter is
paramounttotheformer.Soaparticularintentwillcontrolageneralonethatisinconsistentwithit.(10)

Section13.Interpretation according to circumstances. For the proper construction of an instrument, the circumstances
underwhichitwasmade,includingthesituationofthesubjectthereofandofthepartiestoit,maybeshown,sothatthejudge
maybeplacedinthepositionofthosewholanguageheistointerpret.(11)

Section14.Peculiarsignificationofterms.Thetermsofawritingarepresumedtohavebeenusedintheirprimaryand
generalacceptation,butevidenceisadmissibletoshowthattheyhavealocal,technical,orotherwisepeculiarsignification,
andweresousedandunderstoodintheparticularinstance,inwhichcasetheagreementmustbeconstruedaccordingly.
(12)

Section15.Writtenwordscontrolprinted.Whenaninstrumentconsistspartlyofwrittenwordsandpartlyofaprintedform,
andthetwoareinconsistent,theformercontrolsthelatter.(13)

Section16.Expertsandinterpreterstobeusedinexplainingcertainwritings.Whenthecharactersinwhichaninstrument
iswrittenaredifficulttobedeciphered,orthelanguageisnotunderstoodbythecourt,theevidenceofpersonsskilledin
decipheringthecharacters,orwhounderstandthelanguage,isadmissibletodeclarethecharactersorthemeaningofthe
language.(14)

Section17.OfTwoconstructions,whichpreferred. When the terms of an agreement have been intended in a different

sensebythedifferentpartiestoit,thatsenseistoprevailagainsteitherpartyinwhichhesupposedtheotherunderstoodit,
andwhendifferentconstructionsofaprovisionareotherwiseequallyproper,thatistobetakenwhichisthemostfavorableto
thepartyinwhosefavortheprovisionwasmade.(15)

Section18.Constructioninfavorofnaturalright.Whenaninstrumentisequallysusceptibleoftwointerpretations,onein
favorofnaturalrightandtheotheragainstit,theformeristobeadopted.(16)

Section19.Interpretationaccordingtousage.Aninstrumentmaybeconstruedaccordingtousage,inordertodetermine
itstruecharacter.(17)

C.TESTIMONIALEVIDENCE

1.QualificationofWitnesses

Section 20. Witnesses their qualifications. Except as provided in the next succeeding section, all persons who can
perceive,andperceiving,canmaketheirknownperceptiontoothers,maybewitnesses.

Religiousorpoliticalbelief,interestintheoutcomeofthecase,orconvictionofacrimeunlessotherwiseprovidedbylaw,
shallnotbegroundfordisqualification.(18a)

Section21.Disqualificationbyreasonofmentalincapacityorimmaturity.Thefollowingpersonscannotbewitnesses:

(a)Thosewhosementalcondition,atthetimeoftheirproductionforexamination,issuchthattheyareincapableof
intelligentlymakingknowntheirperceptiontoothers
 (b)Childrenwhosementalmaturityissuchastorenderthemincapableofperceivingthefactsrespectingwhichthey
areexaminedandofrelatingthemtruthfully.(19a)

Section22.Disqualificationbyreasonofmarriage.Duringtheirmarriage,neitherthehusbandnorthewifemaytestifyfor
oragainsttheotherwithouttheconsentoftheaffectedspouse,exceptinacivilcasebyoneagainsttheother,orinacriminal
caseforacrimecommittedbyoneagainsttheotherorthelatter'sdirectdescendantsorascendants.(20a)

Section23.Disqualificationbyreasonofdeathorinsanityofadverseparty.Partiesorassignorofpartiestoacase,or
personsinwhosebehalfacaseisprosecuted,againstanexecutororadministratororotherrepresentativeofadeceased
person,oragainstapersonofunsoundmind,uponaclaimordemandagainsttheestateofsuchdeceasedpersonoragainst
suchpersonofunsoundmind,cannottestifyastoanymatteroffactoccurringbeforethedeathofsuchdeceasedpersonor
beforesuchpersonbecameofunsoundmind.(20a)

Section24.Disqualification by reason of privileged communication. The following persons cannot testify as to matters
learnedinconfidenceinthefollowingcases:

(a)Thehusbandorthewife,duringorafterthemarriage,cannotbeexaminedwithouttheconsentoftheotherasto
anycommunicationreceivedinconfidencebyonefromtheotherduringthemarriageexceptinacivilcasebyone
againsttheother,orinacriminalcaseforacrimecommittedbyoneagainsttheotherorthelatter'sdirectdescendants
orascendants

(b)Anattorneycannot,withouttheconsentofhisclient,beexaminedastoanycommunicationmadebytheclientto
him,orhisadvicegiventhereoninthecourseof,orwithaviewto,professionalemployment,norcananattorney's
secretary,stenographer,orclerkbeexamined,withouttheconsentoftheclientandhisemployer,concerninganyfact
theknowledgeofwhichhasbeenacquiredinsuchcapacity

(c)Apersonauthorizedtopracticemedicine,surgeryorobstetricscannotinacivilcase,withouttheconsentofthe
patient,beexaminedastoanyadviceortreatmentgivenbyhimoranyinformationwhichhemayhaveacquiredin
attendingsuchpatientinaprofessionalcapacity,whichinformationwasnecessarytoenablehimtoactincapacity,
andwhichwouldblackenthereputationofthepatient

(d) A minister or priest cannot, without the consent of the person making the confession, be examined as to any
confessionmadetooranyadvicegivenbyhiminhisprofessionalcharacterinthecourseofdisciplineenjoinedby
thechurchtowhichtheministerorpriestbelongs

(e)Apublicofficercannotbeexaminedduringhistermofofficeorafterwards,astocommunicationsmadetohimin
officialconfidence,whenthecourtfindsthatthepublicinterestwouldsufferbythedisclosure.(21a)

2.TestimonialPrivilege

Section 25. Parental and filial privilege. No person may be compelled to testify against his parents, other direct
ascendants,childrenorotherdirectdescendants.(20a)

3.AdmissionsandConfessions

Section26.Admissionofaparty.Theact,declarationoromissionofapartyastoarelevantfactmaybegiveninevidence
againsthim.(22)

Section27.Offerofcompromisenotadmissible.Incivilcases,anofferofcompromiseisnotanadmissionofanyliability,
andisnotadmissibleinevidenceagainsttheofferor.

Incriminalcases,exceptthoseinvolvingquasioffenses(criminalnegligence)orthoseallowedbylawtobecompromised,an
offerofcompromisedbytheaccusedmaybereceivedinevidenceasanimpliedadmissionofguilt.

Apleaofguiltylaterwithdrawn,oranunacceptedofferofapleaofguiltytolesseroffense,isnotadmissibleinevidence
againsttheaccusedwhomadethepleaoroffer.

Anoffertopayorthepaymentofmedical,hospitalorotherexpensesoccasionedbyaninjuryisnotadmissibleinevidence
asproofofcivilorcriminalliabilityfortheinjury.(24a)

Section28.Admission by third party. The rights of a party cannot be prejudiced by an act, declaration, or omission of
another,exceptashereinafterprovided.(25a)

Section29.Admissionbycopartneroragent.Theactordeclarationofapartneroragentofthepartywithinthescopeof
hisauthorityandduringtheexistenceofthepartnershiporagency,maybegiveninevidenceagainstsuchpartyafterthe
partnership or agency is shown by evidence other than such act or declaration. The same rule applies to the act or
declarationofajointowner,jointdebtor,orotherpersonjointlyinterestedwiththeparty.(26a)
Section30.Admissionbyconspirator. The act or declaration of a conspirator relating to the conspiracy and during its
existence,maybegiveninevidenceagainstthecoconspiratoraftertheconspiracyisshownbyevidenceotherthansuchact
ofdeclaration.(27)

Section31.Admissionbyprivies.Whereonederivestitletopropertyfromanother,theact,declaration,oromissionofthe
latter,whileholdingthetitle,inrelationtotheproperty,isevidenceagainsttheformer.(28)

Section32.Admissionbysilence.Anactordeclarationmadeinthepresenceandwithinthehearingorobservationofa
partywhodoesorsaysnothingwhentheactordeclarationissuchasnaturallytocallforactionorcommentifnottrue,and
whenproperandpossibleforhimtodoso,maybegiveninevidenceagainsthim.(23a)

Section33.Confession.Thedeclarationofanaccusedacknowledginghisguiltoftheoffensecharged,orofanyoffense
necessarilyincludedtherein,maybegiveninevidenceagainsthim.(29a)

4.PreviousConductasEvidence

Section34.Similaractsasevidence.Evidencethatonedidordidnotdoacertainthingatonetimeisnotadmissibleto
provethathedidordidnotdothesameorsimilarthingatanothertimebutitmaybereceivedtoproveaspecificintentor
knowledgeidentity,plan,system,scheme,habit,customorusage,andthelike.(48a)

Section35.Unacceptedoffer. An offer in writing to pay a particular sum of money or to deliver a written instrument or
specific personal property is, if rejected without valid cause, equivalent to the actual production and tender of the money,
instrument,orproperty.(49a)

5.TestimonialKnowledge

Section36.Testimonygenerallyconfinedtopersonalknowledgehearsayexcluded.Awitnesscantestifyonlytothose
factswhichheknowsofhispersonalknowledgethatis,whicharederivedfromhisownperception,exceptasotherwise
providedintheserules.(30a)

6.ExceptionsToTheHearsayRule

Section37.Dyingdeclaration.Thedeclarationofadyingperson,madeunder

the consciousness of an impending death, may be received in any case wherein his death is the subject of inquiry, as
evidenceofthecauseandsurroundingcircumstancesofsuchdeath.(31a)

Section38.Declarationagainstinterest. The declaration made by a person deceased, or unable to testify, against the
interestofthedeclarant,ifthefactisassertedinthedeclarationwasatthetimeitwasmadesofarcontrarytodeclarant'sown
interest,thatareasonablemaninhispositionwouldnothavemadethedeclarationunlesshebelievedittobetrue,maybe
receivedinevidenceagainsthimselforhissuccessorsininterestandagainstthirdpersons.(32a)

Section39.Actordeclarationaboutpedigree.Theactordeclarationofapersondeceased,orunabletotestify,inrespect
tothepedigreeofanotherpersonrelatedtohimbybirthormarriage,maybereceivedinevidencewhereitoccurredbefore
thecontroversy,andtherelationshipbetweenthetwopersonsisshownbyevidenceotherthansuchactordeclaration.The
word"pedigree"includesrelationship,familygenealogy,birth,marriage,death,thedateswhenandtheplaceswherethese
fastoccurred,andthenamesoftherelatives.Itembracesalsofactsoffamilyhistoryintimatelyconnectedwithpedigree.(33a)

Section40.Familyreputationortraditionregardingpedigree.Thereputationortraditionexistinginafamilyprevioustothe
controversy, in respect to the pedigree of any one of its members, may be received in evidence if the witness testifying
thereonbealsoamemberofthefamily,eitherbyconsanguinityoraffinity.Entriesinfamilybiblesorotherfamilybooksor
charts,engravingsonrings,familyportraitsandthelike,maybereceivedasevidenceofpedigree.(34a)

Section41.Commonreputation. Common reputation existing previous to the controversy, respecting facts of public or
generalinterestmorethanthirtyyearsold,orrespectingmarriageormoralcharacter,maybegiveninevidence.Monuments
andinscriptionsinpublicplacesmaybereceivedasevidenceofcommonreputation.(35)

Section42.Partofresgestae.Statementsmadebyapersonwhileastartingoccurrenceistakingplaceorimmediately
priororsubsequenttheretowithrespecttothecircumstancesthereof,maybegiveninevidenceaspartofresgestae. So,
also,statementsaccompanyinganequivocalactmaterialtotheissue,andgivingitalegalsignificance,maybereceivedas
partoftheresgestae.(36a)

Section43.Entriesinthecourseofbusiness.Entriesmadeat,ornearthetimeoftransactionstowhichtheyrefer,bya
persondeceased,orunabletotestify,whowasinapositiontoknowthefactsthereinstated,maybereceivedasprimafacie
evidence,ifsuchpersonmadetheentriesinhisprofessionalcapacityorintheperformanceofdutyandintheordinaryor
regularcourseofbusinessorduty.(37a)

Section44.Entriesinofficialrecords.Entriesinofficialrecordsmadeintheperformanceofhisdutybyapublicofficerof
thePhilippines,orbyapersonintheperformanceofadutyspeciallyenjoinedbylaw,areprimafacieevidenceofthefacts
thereinstated.(38)

Section 45. Commercial lists and the like. Evidence of statements of matters of interest to persons engaged in an
occupationcontainedinalist,register,periodical,orotherpublishedcompilationisadmissibleastendingtoprovethetruthof
anyrelevantmattersostatedifthatcompilationispublishedforusebypersonsengagedinthatoccupationandisgenerally
usedandrelieduponbythemtherein.(39)

Section46.Learnedtreatises.Apublishedtreatise,periodicalorpamphletonasubjectofhistory,law,science,orartis
admissibleastendingtoprovethetruthofamatterstatedthereinifthecourttakesjudicialnotice,orawitnessexpertinthe
subjecttestifies,thatthewriterofthestatementinthetreatise,periodicalorpamphletisrecognizedinhisprofessionorcalling
asexpertinthesubject.(40a)

Section47.Testimonyordepositionataformerproceeding.Thetestimonyordepositionofawitnessdeceasedorunable
totestify,giveninaformercaseorproceeding,judicialoradministrative,involvingthesamepartiesandsubjectmatter,may
begiveninevidenceagainsttheadversepartywhohadtheopportunitytocrossexaminehim.(41a)

7.OpinionRule

Section48.Generalrule.Theopinionofwitnessisnotadmissible,exceptasindicatedinthefollowingsections.(42)

Section49.Opinionofexpertwitness.Theopinionofawitnessonamatterrequiringspecialknowledge,skill,experience
ortrainingwhichheshowntoposses,maybereceivedinevidence.(43a)

Section50.Opinionofordinarywitnesses.Theopinionofawitnessforwhichproperbasisisgiven,maybereceivedin
evidenceregarding

(a)theidentityofapersonaboutwhomhehasadequateknowledge

(b)Ahandwritingwithwhichhehassufficientfamiliarityand

(c)Thementalsanityofapersonwithwhomheissufficientlyacquainted.

Thewitnessmayalsotestifyonhisimpressionsoftheemotion,behavior,conditionorappearanceofaperson.(44a)

8.CharacterEvidence

Section51.Characterevidencenotgenerallyadmissibleexceptions:

(a)InCriminalCases:

(1) The accused may prove his good moral character which is pertinent to the moral trait involved in the
offensecharged.

(2)Unlessinrebuttal,theprosecutionmaynotprovehisbadmoralcharacterwhichispertinenttothemoral
traitinvolvedintheoffensecharged.

(3) The good or bad moral character of the offended party may be proved if it tends to establish in any
reasonabledegreetheprobabilityorimprobabilityoftheoffensecharged.

(b)InCivilCases:

Evidenceofthemoralcharacterofapartyincivilcaseisadmissibleonlywhenpertinenttotheissueofcharacter
involvedinthecase.

(c)InthecaseprovidedforinRule132,Section14,(46a,47a)

RULE131

BurdenofProofandPresumptions

Section1.Burdenofproof.Burdenofproofisthedutyofapartytopresentevidenceonthefactsinissuenecessaryto
establishhisclaimordefensebytheamountofevidencerequiredbylaw.(1a,2a)

Section2.Conclusivepresumptions.Thefollowingareinstancesofconclusivepresumptions:
 (a)Wheneverapartyhas,byhisowndeclaration,act,oromission,intentionallyanddeliberatelyledtoanotherto
believeaparticularthingtrue,andtoactuponsuchbelief,hecannot,inanylitigationarisingoutofsuchdeclaration,
actoromission,bepermittedtofalsifyit:

(b)Thetenantisnotpermittedtodenythetitleofhislandlordatthetimeofcommencementoftherelationoflandlord
andtenantbetweenthem.(3a)

Section 3. Disputable presumptions. The following presumptions are satisfactory if uncontradicted, but may be
contradictedandovercomebyotherevidence:

(a)Thatapersonisinnocentofcrimeorwrong

(b)Thatanunlawfulactwasdonewithanunlawfulintent

(c)Thatapersonintendstheordinaryconsequencesofhisvoluntaryact

(d)Thatapersontakesordinarycareofhisconcerns

(e)Thatevidencewillfullysuppressedwouldbeadverseifproduced

(f)Thatmoneypaidbyonetoanotherwasduetothelatter

(g)Thatathingdeliveredbyonetoanotherbelongedtothelatter

(h)Thatanobligationdelivereduptothedebtorhasbeenpaid

(i)Thatpriorrentsorinstallmentshadbeenpaidwhenareceiptforthelateroneisproduced

(j)Thatapersonfoundinpossessionofathingtakeninthedoingofarecentwrongfulactisthetakerandthedoerof
thewholeactotherwise,thatthingswhichapersonpossess,orexercisesactsofownershipover,areownedbyhim

(k)Thatapersoninpossessionofanorderonhimselfforthepaymentofthemoney,orthedeliveryofanything,has
paidthemoneyordeliveredthethingaccordingly

(l)Thatapersonactinginapublicofficewasregularlyappointedorelectedtoit

(m)Thatofficialdutyhasbeenregularlyperformed

(n)Thatacourt,orjudgeactingassuch,whetherinthePhilippinesorelsewhere,wasactinginthelawfulexerciseof
jurisdiction

(o)Thatallthematterswithinanissueraisedinacasewerelaidbeforethecourtandpasseduponbyitandinlike
mannerthatallmatterswithinanissueraisedinadisputesubmittedforarbitrationwerelaidbeforethearbitratorsand
passeduponbythem

(p)Thatprivatetransactionshavebeenfairandregular

(q)Thattheordinarycourseofbusinesshasbeenfollowed

(r)Thattherewasasufficientconsiderationforacontract

(s)Thatanegotiableinstrumentwasgivenorindorsedforasufficientconsideration

(t) That an endorsement of negotiable instrument was made before the instrument was overdue and at the place
wheretheinstrumentisdated

(u)Thatawritingistrulydated

(v)Thataletterdulydirectedandmailedwasreceivedintheregularcourseofthemail

(w)Thatafteranabsenceofsevenyears,itbeingunknownwhetherornottheabsenteestilllives,heisconsidered
deadforallpurposes,exceptforthoseofsuccession.

Theabsenteeshallnotbeconsidereddeadforthepurposeofopeninghissuccessiontillafteranabsenceoftenyears.Ifhe
disappearedaftertheageofseventyfiveyears,anabsenceoffiveyearsshallbesufficientinorderthathissuccessionmay
beopened.

Thefollowingshallbeconsidereddeadforallpurposesincludingthedivisionoftheestateamongtheheirs:
 (1)Apersononboardavessellostduringaseavoyage,oranaircraftwithismissing,whohasnotbeenheard
offorfouryearssincethelossofthevesseloraircraft

(2)Amemberofthearmedforceswhohastakenpartinarmedhostilities,andhasbeenmissingforfouryears

(3)Apersonwhohasbeenindangerofdeathunderothercircumstancesandwhoseexistencehasnotbeen
knownforfouryears

(4) If a married person has been absent for four consecutive years, the spouse present may contract a
subsequentmarriageifheorshehaswellfoundedbeliefthattheabsentspouseisalreadydeath.Incaseof
disappearance,wherethereisadangerofdeaththecircumstanceshereinaboveprovided,anabsenceofonly
two years shall be sufficient for the purpose of contracting a subsequent marriage. However, in any case,
beforemarryingagain,thespousepresentmustinstituteasummaryproceedingsasprovidedintheFamily
Codeandintherulesfordeclarationofpresumptivedeathoftheabsentee,withoutprejudicetotheeffectof
reappearanceoftheabsentspouse.

(x)Thatacquiescenceresultedfromabeliefthatthethingacquiescedinwasconformabletothelaworfact

(y)Thatthingshavehappenedaccordingtotheordinarycourseofnatureandordinarynaturehabitsoflife

(z)Thatpersonsactingascopartnershaveenteredintoacontractofcopartneship

(aa) That a man and woman deporting themselves as husband and wife have entered into a lawful contract of
marriage

(bb)Thatpropertyacquiredbyamanandawomanwhoarecapacitatedtomarryeachotherandwholiveexclusively
witheachotherashusbandandwifewithoutthebenefitofmarriageorundervoidmarriage,hasbeenobtainedby
theirjointefforts,workorindustry.

(cc)Thatincasesofcohabitationbyamanandawomanwhoarenotcapacitatedtomarryeachotherandwhohave
acquire properly through their actual joint contribution of money, property or industry, such contributions and their
correspondingsharesincludingjointdepositsofmoneyandevidencesofcreditareequal.

(dd)Thatifthemarriageisterminatedandthemothercontractedanothermarriagewithinthreehundreddaysafter
suchterminationoftheformermarriage,theserulesshallgovernintheabsenceofprooftothecontrary:

(1) A child born before one hundred eighty days after the solemnization of the subsequent marriage is
consideredtohavebeenconceivedduringsuchmarriage,eventhoughitbebornwithinthethreehundred
daysaftertheterminationoftheformermarriage.

(2) A child born after one hundred eighty days following the celebration of the subsequent marriage is
consideredtohavebeenconceivedduringsuchmarriage,eventhoughitbebornwithinthethreehundred
daysaftertheterminationoftheformermarriage.

(ee)Thatathingonceprovedtoexistcontinuesaslongasisusualwiththingsofthenature

(ff)Thatthelawhasbeenobeyed

(gg) That a printed or published book, purporting to be printed or published by public authority, was so printed or
published

(hh)Thataprintedorpublishedbook,purportingcontainreportsofcasesadjudgedintribunalsofthecountrywhere
thebookispublished,containscorrectreportsofsuchcases

(ii) That a trustee or other person whose duty it was to convey real property to a particular person has actually
conveyedittohimwhensuchpresumptionisnecessarytoperfectthetitleofsuchpersonorhissuccessorininterest

(jj)Thatexceptforpurposesofsuccession,whentwopersonsperishinthesamecalamity,suchaswreck,battle,or
conflagration, and it is not shown who died first, and there are no particular circumstances from which it can be
inferred,thesurvivorshipisdeterminedfromtheprobabilitiesresultingfromthestrengthandtheageofthesexes,
accordingtothefollowingrules:

1.Ifbothwereundertheageoffifteenyears,theolderisdeemedtohavesurvived

2.Ifbothwereabovetheagesixty,theyoungerisdeemedtohavesurvived

3.Ifoneisunderfifteenandtheotherabovesixty,theformerisdeemedtohavesurvived
 4.Ifbothbeoverfifteenandundersixty,andthesexbedifferent,themaleisdeemedtohavesurvived,ifthe
sexbethesame,theolder

5. If one be under fifteen or over sixty, and the other between those ages, the latter is deemed to have
survived.

(kk)Thatifthereisadoubt,asbetweentwoormorepersonswhoarecalledtosucceedeachother,astowhichof
themdiedfirst,whoeverallegesthedeathofonepriortotheother,shallprovethesameintheabsenceofproof,they
shallbeconsideredtohavediedatthesametime.(5a)

Section4.Nopresumptionoflegitimacyorillegitimacy.Thereisnopresumptionoflegitimacyofachildbornafterthree
hundreddaysfollowingthedissolutionofthemarriageortheseparationofthespouses.Whoeverallegesthelegitimacyor
illegitimacyofsuchchildmustprovehisallegation.(6)

RULE132

PresentationofEvidence

A.EXAMINATIONOFWITNESSES

Section1.Examinationtobedoneinopencourt.Theexaminationofwitnessespresentedinatrialorhearingshallbe
doneinopencourt,andunderoathoraffirmation.Unlessthewitnessisincapacitatedtospeak,orthequestionscallsfora
differentmodeofanswer,theanswersofthewitnessshallbegivenorally.(1a)

Section2.Proceedingstoberecorded.Theentireproceedingsofatrialorhearing,includingthequestionspropoundedto
a witness and his answers thereto, the statements made by the judge or any of the parties, counsel, or witnesses with
referencetothecase,shallberecordedbymeansofshorthandorstenotypeorbyothermeansofrecordingfoundsuitableby
thecourt.

Atranscriptoftherecordoftheproceedingsmadebytheofficialstenographer,stenotypistorrecorderandcertifiedascorrect
byhimshallbedeemedprimafacieacorrectstatementofsuchproceedings.(2a)

Section 3. Rights and obligations of a witness. A witness must answer questions, although his answer may tend to
establishaclaimagainsthim.However,itistherightofawitness:

(1)Tobeprotectedfromirrelevant,improper,orinsultingquestions,andfromharshorinsultingdemeanor

(2)Nottobedetainedlongerthantheinterestsofjusticerequire

(3)Nottobeexaminedexceptonlyastomatterspertinenttotheissue

(4)Nottogiveananswerwhichwilltendtosubjecthimtoapenaltyforanoffenseunlessotherwiseprovidedbylaw
or

(5)Nottogiveananswerwhichwilltendtodegradehisreputation,unlessittobetheveryfactatissueortoafact
fromwhichthefactinissuewouldbepresumed.Butawitnessmustanswertothefactofhispreviousfinalconviction
foranoffense.(3a,19a)

Section4.Orderintheexaminationofanindividualwitness.Theorderinwhichtheindividualwitnessmaybeexaminedis
asfollows

(a)Directexaminationbytheproponent

(b)Crossexaminationbytheopponent

(c)Redirectexaminationbytheproponent

(d)Recrossexaminationbytheopponent.(4)

Section5.Directexamination.Directexaminationistheexaminationinchiefofawitnessbythepartypresentinghimon
thefactsrelevanttotheissue.(5a)

Section6.Crossexaminationitspurposeandextent.Upontheterminationofthedirectexamination,thewitnessmaybe
crossexamined by the adverse party as to many matters stated in the direct examination, or connected therewith, with
sufficientfullnessandfreedomtotesthisaccuracyandtruthfulnessandfreedomfrominterestorbias,orthereverse,andto
elicitallimportantfactsbearingupontheissue.(8a)

Section7.Redirectexaminationitspurposeandextent.Afterthecrossexaminationofthewitnesshasbeenconcluded,
hemaybereexaminedbythepartycallinghim,toexplainorsupplementhisanswersgivenduringthecrossexamination.
Onredirectexamination,questionsonmattersnotdealtwithduringthecrossexamination,maybeallowedbythecourtinits
discretion.(12)

Section 8. Recrossexamination. Upon the conclusion of the redirect examination, the adverse party may recross
examinethewitnessonmattersstatedinhisredirectexamination,andalsoonsuchothermattersasmaybeallowedbythe
courtinitsdiscretion.(13)

Section9.Recallingwitness.Aftertheexaminationofawitnessbybothsideshasbeenconcluded,thewitnesscannotbe
recalled without leave of the court. The court will grant or withhold leave in its discretion, as the interests of justice may
require.(14)

Section10.Leadingandmisleadingquestions.Aquestionwhichsuggeststothewitnesstheanswerwhichtheexamining
partydesiresisaleadingquestion.Itisnotallowed,except:

(a)Oncrossexamination

(b)Onpreliminarymatters

(c) When there is a difficulty is getting direct and intelligible answers from a witness who is ignorant, or a child of
tenderyears,orisoffeeblemind,oradeafmute

(d)Ofanunwillingorhostilewitnessor

(e)Ofawitnesswhoisanadversepartyoranofficer,director,ormanagingagentofapublicorprivatecorporationor
ofapartnershiporassociationwhichisanadverseparty.

Amisleadingquestionisonewhichassumesastrueafactnotyettestifiedtobythewitness,orcontrarytothatwhichhehas
previouslystated.Itisnotallowed.(5a,6a,and8a)

Section11.Impeachmentofadverseparty'switness.A witness may be impeached by the party against whom he was

called,bycontradictoryevidence,byevidencethathisgeneralreputationfortruth,honestly,orintegrityisbad,orbyevidence
thathehasmadeatothertimesstatementsinconsistentwithhispresent,testimony,butnotbyevidenceofparticularwrongful
acts,exceptthatitmaybeshownbytheexaminationofthewitness,ortherecordofthejudgment,thathehasbeenconvicted
ofanoffense.(15)

Section12.Partymaynotimpeachhisownwitness.Exceptwithrespecttowitnessesreferredtoinparagraphs(d)and(e)
ofSection10,thepartyproducingawitnessisnotallowedtoimpeachhiscredibility.

Awitnessmaybeconsideredasunwillingorhostileonlyifsodeclaredbythecourtuponadequateshowingofhisadverse
interest,unjustifiedreluctancetotestify,orhishavingmisledthepartyintocallinghimtothewitnessstand.

The unwilling or hostile witness so declared, or the witness who is an adverse party, may be impeached by the party
presentinghiminallrespectsasifhehadbeencalledbytheadverseparty,exceptbyevidenceofhisbadcharacter.Hemay
alsobeimpeachedandcrossexaminedbytheadverseparty,butsuchcrossexaminationmustonlybeonthesubjectmatter
ofhisexaminationinchief.(6a,7a)

Section 13. How witness impeached by evidence of inconsistent statements. Before a witness can be impeached by
evidencethathehasmadeatothertimesstatementsinconsistentwithhispresenttestimony,thestatementsmustberelated
tohim,withthecircumstancesofthetimesandplacesandthepersonspresent,andhemustbeaskedwhetherhemade
suchstatements,andifso,allowedtoexplainthem.Ifthestatementsbeinwritingtheymustbeshowntothewitnessbefore
anyquestionisputtohimconcerningthem.(16)

Section14.Evidenceofgoodcharacterofwitness.Evidence of the good character of a witness is not admissible until

suchcharacterhasbeenimpeached.(17)

Section15.Exclusionandseparationofwitnesses.On any trial or hearing, the judge may exclude from the court any
witnessnotatthetimeunderexamination,sothathemaynothearthetestimonyofotherwitnesses.Thejudgemayalso
cause witnesses to be kept separate and to be prevented from conversing with one another until all shall have been
examined.(18)

Section16.Whenwitnessmayrefertomemorandum.Awitnessmaybeallowedtorefreshhismemoryrespectingafact,
byanythingwrittenorrecordedbyhimselforunderhisdirectionatthetimewhenthefactoccurred,orimmediatelythereafter,
oratanyothertimewhenthefactwasfreshinhismemoryandknewthatthesamewascorrectlywrittenorrecordedbutin
suchcasethewritingorrecordmustbeproducedandmaybeinspectedbytheadverseparty,whomay,ifhechooses,cross
examinethewitnessuponit,andmayreaditinevidence.So,also,awitnessmaytestifyfromsuchwritingorrecord,though
heretainnorecollectionoftheparticularfacts,ifheisabletoswearthatthewritingorrecordcorrectlystatedthetransaction
whenmadebutsuchevidencemustbereceivedwithcaution.(10a)

Section17.Whenpartoftransaction,writingorrecordgiveninevidence,theremainder,theremainderadmissible.When
partofanact,declaration,conversation,writingorrecordisgiveninevidencebyoneparty,thewholeofthesamesubject
maybeinquiredintobytheother,andwhenadetachedact,declaration,conversation,writingorrecordisgiveninevidence,
any other act, declaration, conversation, writing or record necessary to its understanding may also be given in evidence.
(11a)

Section18.Righttorespectwritingshowntowitness.Wheneverawritingisshowntoawitness,itmaybeinspectedbythe
adverseparty.(9a)

B.AUTHENTICATIONANDPROOFOFDOCUMENTS

Section19.ClassesofDocuments.Forthepurposeoftheirpresentationevidence,documentsareeitherpublicorprivate.

Publicdocumentsare:

(a)Thewrittenofficialacts,orrecordsoftheofficialactsofthesovereignauthority,officialbodiesandtribunals,and
publicofficers,whetherofthePhilippines,orofaforeigncountry

(b)Documentsacknowledgebeforeanotarypublicexceptlastwillsandtestamentsand

(c)Publicrecords,keptinthePhilippines,ofprivatedocumentsrequiredbylawtotheenteredtherein.

Allotherwritingsareprivate.(20a)

Section20.Proofofprivatedocument.Beforeanyprivatedocumentofferedasauthenticisreceivedinevidence,itsdue
executionandauthenticitymustbeprovedeither:

(a)Byanyonewhosawthedocumentexecutedorwrittenor

(b)Byevidenceofthegenuinenessofthesignatureorhandwritingofthemaker.

Anyotherprivatedocumentneedonlybeidentifiedasthatwhichitisclaimedtobe.(21a)

Section21.Whenevidenceofauthenticityofprivatedocumentnotnecessary. Where a private document is more than

thirty years old, is produced from the custody in which it would naturally be found if genuine, and is unblemished by any
alterationsorcircumstancesofsuspicion,nootherevidenceofitsauthenticityneedbegiven.(22a)

Section22.Howgenuinenessofhandwritingproved.Thehandwritingofapersonmaybeprovedbyanywitnesswho
believesittobethehandwritingofsuchpersonbecausehehasseenthepersonwrite,orhasseenwritingpurportingtobe
hisuponwhichthewitnesshasactedorbeencharged,andhasthusacquiredknowledgeofthehandwritingofsuchperson.
Evidence respecting the handwriting may also be given by a comparison, made by the witness or the court, with writings
admittedortreatedasgenuinebythepartyagainstwhomtheevidenceisoffered,orprovedtobegenuinetothesatisfaction
ofthejudge.(23a)

Section23.Publicdocumentsasevidence.Documentsconsistingofentriesinpublicrecordsmadeintheperformanceof
adutybyapublicofficerareprimafacieevidenceofthefactsthereinstated.Allotherpublicdocumentsareevidence,even
againstathirdperson,ofthefactwhichgaverisetotheirexecutionandofthedateofthelatter.(24a)

Section 24. Proof of official record. The record of public documents referred to in paragraph (a) of Section 19, when
admissibleforanypurpose,maybeevidencedbyanofficialpublicationthereoforbyacopyattestedbytheofficerhavingthe
legalcustodyoftherecord,orbyhisdeputy,andaccompanied,iftherecordisnotkeptinthePhilippines,withacertificate
thatsuchofficerhasthecustody.Iftheofficeinwhichtherecordiskeptisinforeigncountry,thecertificatemaybemadebya
secretaryoftheembassyorlegation,consulgeneral,consul,viceconsul,orconsularagentorbyanyofficerintheforeign
serviceofthePhilippinesstationedintheforeigncountryinwhichtherecordiskept,andauthenticatedbythesealofhis
office.(25a)

Section25.Whatattestationofcopymuststate.Wheneveracopyofadocumentorrecordisattestedforthepurposeof
evidence,theattestationmuststate,insubstance,thatthecopyisacorrectcopyoftheoriginal,oraspecificpartthereof,as
thecasemaybe.Theattestationmustbeundertheofficialsealoftheattestingofficer,iftherebeany,orifhebetheclerkofa
courthavingaseal,underthesealofsuchcourt.(26a)

Section26.Irremovabilityofpublicrecord.Anypublicrecord,anofficialcopyofwhichisadmissibleinevidence,mustnot
beremovedfromtheofficeinwhichitiskept,exceptuponorderofacourtwheretheinspectionoftherecordisessentialto
thejustdeterminationofapendingcase.(27a)
Section27.Publicrecordofaprivatedocument.Anauthorizedpublicrecordofaprivatedocumentmaybeprovedbythe
originalrecord,orbyacopythereof,attestedbythelegalcustodianoftherecord,withanappropriatecertificatethatsuch
officerhasthecustody.(28a)

Section28.Proofoflackofrecord.Awrittenstatementsignedbyanofficerhavingthecustodyofanofficialrecordorbyhis
deputy that after diligent search no record or entry of a specified tenor is found to exist in the records of his office,
accompanied by a certificate as above provided, is admissible as evidence that the records of his office contain no such
recordorentry.(29)

Section29.Howjudicialrecordimpeached.Anyjudicialrecordmaybeimpeachedbyevidenceof:(a)wantofjurisdiction
inthecourtorjudicialofficer,(b)collusionbetweentheparties,or(c)fraudinthepartyofferingtherecord,inrespecttothe
proceedings.(30a)

Section30.Proofofnotarialdocuments.Everyinstrumentdulyacknowledgedorprovedandcertifiedasprovidedbylaw,
may be presented in evidence without further proof, the certificate of acknowledgment being prima facie evidence of the
executionoftheinstrumentordocumentinvolved.(31a)

Section31.Alterationindocument,howtoexplain.Thepartyproducingadocumentasgenuinewhichhasbeenaltered
and appears to have been altered after its execution, in a part material to the question in dispute, must account for the
alteration.Hemayshowthatthealterationwasmadebyanother,withouthisconcurrence,orwasmadewiththeconsentof
thepartiesaffectedbyit,orwasotherwiseproperlyorinnocentmade,orthatthealterationdidnotchangethemeaningor
languageoftheinstrument.Ifhefailstodothat,thedocumentshallnotbeadmissibleinevidence.(32a)

Section 32. Seal. There shall be no difference between sealed and unsealed private documents insofar as their
admissibilityasevidenceisconcerned.(33a)

Section33.Documentaryevidenceinanunofficiallanguage.Documentswritteninanunofficiallanguageshallnotbe
admittedasevidence,unlessaccompaniedwithatranslationintoEnglishorFilipino.Toavoidinterruptionofproceedings,
partiesortheirattorneysaredirectedtohavesuchtranslationpreparedbeforetrial.(34a)

C.OFFERANDOBJECTION

Section34.Offerofevidence.Thecourtshallconsidernoevidencewhichhasnotbeenformallyoffered.Thepurposefor
whichtheevidenceisofferedmustbespecified.(35)

Section35.Whentomakeoffer.Asregardsthetestimonyofawitness,theoffermustbemadeatthetimethewitnessis
calledtotestify.

Documentaryandobjectevidenceshallbeofferedafterthepresentationofaparty'stestimonialevidence.Suchoffershallbe
doneorallyunlessallowedbythecourttobedoneinwriting.(n)

Section36.Objection.Objectiontoevidenceofferedorallymustbemadeimmediatelyaftertheofferismade.

Objectiontoaquestionpropoundedinthecourseoftheoralexaminationofawitnessshallbemadeassoonasthegrounds
thereforshallbecomereasonablyapparent.

Anofferofevidenceinwritingshallbeobjectedtowithinthree(3)daysafternoticeoftheunlessadifferentperiodisallowed
bythecourt.

Inanycase,thegroundsfortheobjectionsmustbespecified.(36a)

Section 37. When repetition of objection unnecessary. When it becomes reasonably apparent in the course of the
examinationofawitnessthatthequestionbeingpropoundedareofthesameclassasthosetowhichobjectionhasbeen
made,whethersuchobjectionwassustainedoroverruled,itshallnotbenecessarytorepeattheobjection,itbeingsufficient
fortheadversepartytorecordhiscontinuingobjectiontosuchclassofquestions.(37a)

Section38.Ruling.Therulingofthecourtmustbegivenimmediatelyaftertheobjectionismade,unlessthecourtdesires
totakeareasonabletimetoinformitselfonthequestionpresentedbuttherulingshallalwaysbemadeduringthetrialandat
suchtimeaswillgivethepartyagainstwhomitismadeanopportunitytomeetthesituationpresentedbytheruling.

Thereasonforsustainingoroverrulinganobjectionneednotbestated.However,iftheobjectionisbasedontwoormore
grounds,arulingsustainingtheobjectionononeorsomeofthemmustspecifythegroundorgroundsreliedupon.(38a)

Section39.Strikingoutanswer.Shouldawitnessanswerthequestionbeforetheadversepartyhadtheopportunityto
voicefullyitsobjectiontothesame,andsuchobjectionisfoundtobemeritorious,thecourtshallsustaintheobjectionand
ordertheanswergiventobestrickenofftherecord.

On proper motion, the court may also order the striking out of answers which are incompetent, irrelevant, or otherwise
improper.(n)

Section40.Tenderofexcludedevidence.Ifdocumentsorthingsofferedinevidenceareexcludedbythecourt,theofferor
mayhavethesameattachedtoormadepartoftherecord.Iftheevidenceexcludedisoral,theofferormaystatefortherecord
thenameandotherpersonalcircumstancesofthewitnessandthesubstanceoftheproposedtestimony.(n)

RULE133

WeightandSufficiencyofEvidence

Section1.Preponderanceofevidence,howdetermined.Incivilcases,thepartyhavingburdenofproofmustestablishhis
casebyapreponderanceofevidence.Indeterminingwherethepreponderanceorsuperiorweightofevidenceontheissues
involvedlies,thecourtmayconsiderallthefactsandcircumstancesofthecase,thewitnesses'manneroftestifying,their
intelligence,theirmeansandopportunityofknowingthefactstowhichtherearetestifying,thenatureofthefactstowhich
they testify, the probability or improbability of their testimony, their interest or want of interest, and also their personal
credibilitysofarasthesamemaylegitimatelyappearuponthetrial.Thecourtmayalsoconsiderthenumberofwitnesses,
thoughthepreponderanceisnotnecessarilywiththegreaternumber.(1a)

Section2.Proofbeyondreasonabledoubt.Inacriminalcase,theaccusedisentitledtoanacquittal,unlesshisguiltis
shown beyond reasonable doubt. Proof beyond reasonable doubt does not mean such a degree of proof, excluding
possibility of error, produces absolute certainly. Moral certainly only is required, or that degree of proof which produces
convictioninanunprejudicedmind.(2a)

Section3.Extrajudicialconfession,notsufficientgroundforconviction.Anextrajudicialconfessionmadebyanaccused,
shallnotbesufficientgroundforconviction,unlesscorroboratedbyevidenceofcorpusdelicti.(3)

Section4.Circumstantialevidence,whensufficient.Circumstantialevidenceissufficientforconvictionif:

(a)Thereismorethanonecircumstances

(b)Thefactsfromwhichtheinferencesarederivedareprovenand

(c)Thecombinationofallthecircumstancesissuchastoproduceaconvictionbeyondreasonabledoubt.(5)

Section 5. Substantial evidence. In cases filed before administrative or quasijudicial bodies, a fact may be deemed
establishedifitissupportedbysubstantialevidence,orthatamountofrelevantevidencewhichareasonablemindmight
acceptasadequatetojustifyaconclusion.(n)

Section6.Powerofthecourttostopfurtherevidence.Thecourtmaystoptheintroductionoffurthertestimonyuponany
particular point when the evidence upon it is already so full that more witnesses to the same point cannot be reasonably
expectedtobeadditionallypersuasive.Butthispowershouldbeexercisedwithcaution.(6)

Section7.Evidenceonmotion.Whenamotionisbasedonfactsnotappearingofrecordthecourtmayhearthematteron
affidavitsordepositionspresentedbytherespectiveparties,butthecourtmaydirectthatthematterbeheardwhollyorpartly
onoraltestimonyordepositions.(7)

RULE1341

PerpetuationofTestimony

Section1.Petition.Apersonwhodesirestoperpetuatehisowntestimonyorthatofanotherpersonregardinganymatter
thatmaybecognizableinanycourtofthePhilippines,anyfileaverifiedpetitioninthecourtoftheprovinceoftheresidence
ofanyexpectedadverseparty.

Section2.Contentsofpetition.The petition shall be entitled in the name of the petitioner and shall show: (a) that the
petitionerexpectstobeapartytoanactioninacourtofthePhilippinesbyispresentlyunabletobringitorcauseittobe
brought(b)thesubjectmatteroftheexpectedactionandhisinteresttherein(c)thefactswhichhedesirestoestablishbythe
proposedtestimonyandhisreasonsfordesiringtoperpetuateit(d)thenamesofadescriptionofthepersonsheexpectswill
beadversepartiesandtheiraddressessofarasknownand(e)thenamesandaddressesofthepersonstobeexamined
andthesubstanceofthetestimonywhichheexpectstoelicitfromeach,andshallaskforanorderauthorizingthepetitioner
totakethedepositionsofthepersonstobeexaminednamedinthepetitionforthepurposeofperpetuatingtheirtestimony.
Section3.Noticeandservice.Thepetitionershallthereafterserveanoticeuponeachpersonnamedinthepetitionasan
expectedadverseparty,togetherwithacopyofapetition,statingthatthepetitionerwillapplytothecourt,atatimeandplace
namedtherein,fortheorderdescribedinthepetition.Atleasttwenty(20)daysbeforethedateofhearingthenoticeshallbe
servedinthemannerprovidedforserviceofsummons.

Section4.Orderofexamination.Ifthecourtissatisfiedthattheperpetuationofthetestimonymaypreventafailureordelay
ofjustice,itshallmakeanorderdesignatingordescribingthepersonswhosedepositionmaybetakenandspecifyingthe
subject matter of the examination, and whether the depositions shall be taken upon oral examination or written
interrogatories.ThedepositionsmaythenbetakeninaccordancewithRule24beforethehearing.

Section 5. Reference to court. For the purpose of applying Rule 24 to depositions for perpetuating testimony, each
referencethereintothecourtinwhichtheactionispendingshallbedeemedtorefertothecourtinwhichthepetitionforsuch
depositionwasfiled.

Section6.Useofdeposition.Ifadepositiontoperpetuatetestimonyistakenunderthisrule,orif,althoughnotsotaken,it
wouldbeadmissibleinevidence,itmaybeusedinanyactioninvolvingthesamesubjectmattersubsequentlybroughtin
accordancewiththeprovisionsofSections4and5ofRule24.

Section7.Depositionspendingappeal.IfanappealhasbeentakenfromajudgmentoftheRegionalTrialCourtorbefore
thetakingofanappealifthetimethereforhasnotexpired,theRegionalTrialCourtinwhichthejudgmentwasrenderedmay
allowthetakingofdepositionsofwitnessestoperpetuatetheirtestimonyforuseintheeventoffurtherproceedingsinthe
saidcourt.InsuchcasethepartywhodesirestoperpetuatethetestimonymaymakeamotioninthesaidRegionalTrialCourt
forleavetotakethedepositions,uponthesamenoticeandservicethereofasiftheactionwaspendingtherein.Themotion
shall show (a) the name and the addresses of the persons to be examined and the substance of the testimony which he
expectstoelicitfromeachand(b)thereasonforperpetuatingtheirtestimony.Ifthecourtfindsthattheperpetuationofthe
testimony is proper to avoid a failure or delay of justice, it may make an order allowing the depositions to be taken, and
thereuponthedepositionsmaybetakenandusedinthesamemannerandunderthesameconditionsasareprescribedin
theserulesfordepositionstakeninactionspendingintheRegionalTrialCourt.(7a)

Footnote

ThisrulewillbetransposedtoPart1oftheRulesofCourtonDepositionandDiscovery.

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