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RULE 1General ProvisionsSECTION 1. Title of the Rules. These Rules shall be knon an! "ite! as

the Rules of Court. #1$SECTION %. In hat "ourts a&&li"able. These Rules shall a&&l' in all the

"ourts( e)"e&t as otherise &rovi!e! b' the Su&re*e Court. #n$SECTION +. Cases ,overne!. These

Rules shall ,overn the &ro"e!ure to be observe! in a"tions( "ivil or "ri*inal( an! s&e"ial &ro"ee!in,s.#a$ - "ivil a"tion is one b' hi"h a &art' sues another for the enfor"e*ent or &rote"tion of a ri,ht( or

the &revention or re!ress of a ron,. #1a( R%$- "ivil a"tion *a' either be or!inar' or s&e"ial. oth are

,overne! b' the rules for or!inar' "ivil a"tions( sub/e"t to the s&e"ifi" rules &res"ribe! for a s&e"ial"ivil a"tion. #n$#b$ - "ri*inal a"tion is one b' hi"h the State &rose"utes a &erson for an a"t or

o*ission &unishable b' la. #n$#"$ - s&e"ial &ro"ee!in, is a re*e!' b' hi"h a &art' seeks to establish

a status( a ri,ht( or a &arti"ular fa"t. #%a( R%$SECTION 0. In hat "ases not a&&li"able. These Rulesshall not a&&l' to ele"tion "ases( lan! re,istration( "a!astral( naturaliation an! insolven"' &ro"ee!in,s(

an! other "ases not herein &rovi!e! for( e)"e&t b' analo,' or in a su&&letor' "hara"ter an! henever

&ra"ti"able an! "onvenient. #R10+a$SECTION 2. Co**en"e*ent of a"tion. - "ivil a"tion is"o**en"e! b' the filin, of the ori,inal "o*&laint in "ourt. If an a!!itional !efen!ant is i*&lea!e! in a

later &lea!in,( the a"tion is "o**en"e! ith re,ar! to hi* on the !ate of the filin, of su"h later

&lea!in,( irres&e"tive of hether the *otion for its a!*ission( if ne"essar'( is !enie! b' the "ourt.

#3a$SECTION 3. Constru"tion. These Rules shall be liberall' "onstrue! in or!er to &ro*ote theirob/e"tive of se"urin, a /ust( s&ee!'( an! ine)&ensive !is&osition of ever' a"tion an! &ro"ee!in,. #%a$

RULE %Cause of -"tionSECTION 1. Or!inar' "ivil a"tions( basis of . Ever' or!inar' "ivil a"tion

*ust be base! on a "ause of a"tion. #n$SECTION %. Cause of a"tion( !efine!. - "ause of a"tion is

the a"t or o*ission b' hi"h a &art' violates a ri,ht of another. #n$SECTION +. One suit for a sin,le"ause of a"tion. - &art' *a' not institute *ore than one suit for a sin,le "ause of a"tion.

#+a$SECTION 0. S&littin, a sin,le "ause of a"tion4 effe"t of . If to or *ore suits are institute! on

the basis of the sa*e "ause of a"tion( the filin, of one or a /u!,*ent u&on the *erits in an' one is

available as a ,roun! for the !is*issal of the others. #0a$SECTION 2. 5oin!er of "auses of a"tion. -&art' *a' in one &lea!in, assert( in the alternative or otherise( as *an' "auses of a"tion as he *a'

have a,ainst an o&&osin, &art'( sub/e"t to the folloin, "on!itions6#a$ The &art' /oinin, the "auses of

a"tion shall "o*&l' ith the rules on /oin!er of &arties4#b$ The /oin!er shall not in"lu!e s&e"ial "ivila"tions or a"tions ,overne! b' s&e"ial rules4#"$ 7here the "auses of a"tion are beteen the sa*e

&arties but &ertain to !ifferent venues or /uris!i"tions( the /oin!er *a' be alloe! in the Re,ional Trial

Court &rovi!e! one of the "auses of a"tion falls ithin the /uris!i"tion of sai! "ourt an! the venue liestherein4 an!#!$ 7here the "lai*s in all the "auses of a"tion are &rin"i&all' for re"over' of *one'( the

a,,re,ate a*ount "lai*e! shall be the test of /uris!i"tion. #2a$SECTION 3. 8is/oin!er of "auses of

a"tion. 8is/oin!er of "auses of a"tion is not a ,roun! for !is*issal of an a"tion. - *is/oine! "auseof a"tion *a'( on *otion of a &art' or on the initiative of the "ourt( be severe! an! &ro"ee!e! ith

se&aratel'. #n$

RULE +Parties to Civil -"tionsSECTION 1. 7ho *a' be &arties4 &laintiff an! !efen!ant. Onl'natural or /uri!i"al &ersons( or entities authorie! b' la *a' be &arties in a "ivil a"tion. The ter*

9&laintiff9 *a' refer to the "lai*in, &art'( the "ounter:"lai*ant( the "ross:"lai*ant( or the thir! #fourth(

et".$ &art' &laintiff. The ter* 9!efen!ant9 *a' refer to the ori,inal !efen!in, &art'( the !efen!ant ina "ounter"lai*( the "ross:!efen!ant( or the thir! #fourth( et".$ &art' !efen!ant. #1a$SECTION %.

Parties in interest. - real &art' in interest is the &art' ho stan!s to be benefite! or in/ure! b' the

/u!,*ent in the suit( or the &art' entitle! to the avails of the suit. Unless otherise authorie! b' la orthese Rules( ever' a"tion *ust be &rose"ute! or !efen!e! in the na*e of the real &art' in interest.

#%a$SECTION +. Re&resentatives as &arties. 7here the a"tion is alloe! to be &rose"ute! or

!efen!e! b' a re&resentative or so*eone a"tin, in a fi!u"iar' "a&a"it'( the benefi"iar' shall be

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in"lu!e! in the title of the "ase an! shall be !ee*e! to be the real &art' in interest. - re&resentative

*a' be a trustee of an e)&ress trust( a ,uar!ian( an e)e"utor or a!*inistrator( or a &art' authorie! b'

la or these Rules. -n a,ent a"tin, in his on na*e an! for the benefit of an un!is"lose! &rin"i&al

*a' sue or be sue! ithout /oinin, the &rin"i&al e)"e&t hen the "ontra"t involves thin,s belon,in, tothe &rin"i&al. #+a$SECTION 0. S&ouses as &arties. ;usban! an! ife shall sue or be sue! /ointl'(

e)"e&t as &rovi!e! b' la. #0a$SECTION 2. 8inor or in"o*&etent &ersons. - *inor or a &erson

alle,e! to be in"o*&etent( *a' sue or be sue!( ith the assistan"e of his father( *other( ,uar!ian( or ifhe has none( a ,uar!ian a! lite*. #2a$SECTION 3. Per*issive /oin!er of &arties. -ll &ersons in

ho* or a,ainst ho* an' ri,ht to relief in res&e"t to or arisin, out of the sa*e transa"tion or series of

transa"tions is alle,e! to e)ist( hether /ointl'( severall'( or in the alternative( *a'( e)"e&t as otherise&rovi!e! in these Rules( /oin as &laintiffs or be /oine! as !efen!ants in one "o*&laint( here an'

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na*e an! a!!ress of his le,al re&resentative or re&resentatives. Bailure of "ounsel to "o*&l' ith this

!ut' shall be a ,roun! for !is"i&linar' a"tion.The heirs of the !e"ease! *a' be alloe! to be

substitute! for the !e"ease!( ithout rea$SECTION 1>. In"o*&eten"' or in"a&a"it'. If a &art' be"o*es in"o*&etent or in"a&a"itate!(

the "ourt( u&on *otion ith noti"e( *a' allo the a"tion to be "ontinue! b' or a,ainst the in"o*&etentor in"a&a"itate! &erson assiste! b' his le,al ,uar!ian or ,uar!ian a! lite*. #1?a$SECTION 1?. Transfer

of interest. In "ase of an' transfer of interest( the a"tion *a' be "ontinue! b' or a,ainst the ori,inal

&art'( unless the "ourt u&on *otion !ire"ts the &erson to ho* the interest is transferre! to besubstitute! in the a"tion or /oine! ith the ori,inal &art'. #%@$SECTION %@. -"tion on "ontra"tual

*one' "lai*s. 7hen the a"tion is for re"over' of *one' arisin, fro* "ontra"t( e)&ress or i*&lie!(

an! the !efen!ant !ies before entr' of final /u!,*ent in the "ourt in hi"h the a"tion as &en!in, at

the ti*e of su"h !eath( it shall not be !is*isse! but shall instea! be alloe! to "ontinue until the entr'of final /u!,*ent. - favorable /u!,*ent obtaine! b' the &laintiff therein shall be enfor"e! in the

*anner es&e"iall' &rovi!e! in these Rules for &rose"utin, "lai*s a,ainst the estate of a !e"ease!

&erson. #%1a$SECTION %1. In!i,ent &art'. - &art' *a' be authorie! to liti,ate his a"tion( "lai* or!efense as an in!i,ent if the "ourt( u&on an e) &arte a&&li"ation an! hearin,( is satisfie! that the &art' is

one ho has no *one' or &ro&ert' suffi"ient an! available for foo!( shelter an! basi" ne"essities for

hi*self an! his fa*il'.Su"h authorit' shall in"lu!e an e)e*&tion fro* &a'*ent of !o"ket an! otherlaful fees( an! of trans"ri&ts of steno,ra&hi" notes hi"h the "ourt *a' or!er to be furnishe! hi*.

The a*ount of the !o"ket an! other laful fees hi"h the in!i,ent as e)e*&te! fro* &a'in, shall be

a lien on an' /u!,*ent ren!ere! in the "ase favorable to the in!i,ent( unless the "ourt otherise&rovi!es.-n' a!verse &art' *a' "ontest the ,rant of su"h authorit' at an' ti*e before /u!,*ent is

ren!ere! b' the trial "ourt. If the "ourt shoul! !eter*ine after hearin, that the &art' !e"lare! as an

in!i,ent is in fa"t a &erson ith suffi"ient in"o*e or &ro&ert'( the &ro&er !o"ket an! other laful fees

shall be assesse! an! "olle"te! b' the "lerk of "ourt. If &a'*ent is not *a!e ithin the ti*e fi)e! b'the "ourt( e)e"ution shall issue or the &a'*ent thereof( ithout &re/u!i"e to su"h other san"tions as the

"ourt *a' i*&ose. #%%a$SECTION %%. Noti"e to the Soli"itor General. In an' a"tion involvin, the

vali!it' of an' treat'( la( or!inan"e( e)e"utive or!er( &resi!ential !e"ree( rules or re,ulations( the"ourt( in its !is"retion( *a' re

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entr' an! !etainer a"tions shall be "o**en"e! an! trie! in the 8uni"i&al Trial Court of the

*uni"i&alit' or "it' herein the real &ro&ert' involve!( or a &ortion thereof( is situate!. #1Da(

%Daa$SECTION %. enue of &ersonal a"tions. -ll other a"tions *a' be "o**en"e! an! trie! here

the &laintiff or an' of the &rin"i&al &laintiffs resi!es( or here the !efen!ant or an' of the &rin"i&al!efen!ants resi!es( or in the "ase of a non:resi!ent !efen!ant here he *a' be foun!( at the ele"tion of

the &laintiff. #%Dba$SECTION +. enue of a"tions a,ainst non:resi!ents. If an' of the !efen!ants

!oes not resi!e an! is not foun! in the Phili&&ines( an! the a"tion affe"ts the &ersonal status of the&laintiff( or an' &ro&ert' of sai! !efen!ant lo"ate! in the Phili&&ines( the a"tion *a' be "o**en"e!

an! trie! in the "ourt of the &la"e here the &laintiff resi!es( or here the &ro&ert' or an' &ortion

thereof is situate! or foun!. #%D"a$SECTION 0. 7hen Rule not a&&li"able. This Rule shall nota&&l' #a$ In those "ases here a s&e"ifi" rule or la &rovi!es otherise4 or#b$ 7here the &arties have

vali!l' a,ree! in ritin, before the filin, of the a"tion on the e)"lusive venue thereof. #+a( 2a$

RULE 2Unifor* Pro"e!ure in Trial CourtsSECTION 1. Unifor* &ro"e!ure. The &ro"e!ure in the

8uni"i&al Trial Courts shall be the sa*e as in the Re,ional Trial Courts( e)"e&t #a$ here a &arti"ular

&rovision e)&ressl' or i*&lie!l' a&&lies onl' to either of sai! "ourts( or #b$ in "ivil "ases ,overne! b'the Rule on Su**ar' Pro"e!ure. #n$SECTION %. 8eanin, of ter*s. The ter* 98uni"i&al Trial

Courts9 as use! in these Rules shall in"lu!e 8etro&olitan Trial Courts( 8uni"i&al Trial Courts in Cities(

8uni"i&al Trial Courts( an! 8uni"i&al Cir"uit Trial Courts. #1a$

RULE 3Fin!s of Plea!in,sSECTION 1. Plea!in,s !efine!. Plea!in,s are the ritten state*ents of

the res&e"tive "lai*s an! !efenses of the &arties sub*itte! to the "ourt for a&&ro&riate /u!,*ent.#1a$SECTION %. Plea!in,s alloe!. The "lai*s of a &art' are asserte! in a "o*&laint( "ounter"lai*(

"ross:"lai*( thir! #fourth( et".$:&art' "o*&laint( or "o*&laint:in:intervention.The !efenses of a &art'

are alle,e! in the anser to the &lea!in, assertin, a "lai* a,ainst hi*.-n anser *a' be res&on!e! to

b' a re&l'. #n$SECTION +. Co*&laint. The "o*&laint is the &lea!in, alle,in, the &laintiffs "ause or"auses of a"tion. The na*es an! resi!en"es of the &laintiff an! !efen!ant *ust be state! in the

"o*&laint. #+a$SECTION 0. -nser. -n anser is a &lea!in, in hi"h a !efen!in, &art' sets forth

his !efenses. #0a$SECTION 2. Aefenses. Aefenses *a' either be ne,ative or affir*ative.#a$ -ne,ative !efense is the s&e"ifi" !enial of the *aterial fa"t or fa"ts alle,e! in the &lea!in, of the

"lai*ant essential to his "ause or "auses of a"tion.#b$ -n affir*ative !efense is an alle,ation of a ne

*atter hi"h( hile h'&otheti"all' a!*ittin, the *aterial alle,ations in the &lea!in, of the "lai*ant(oul! nevertheless &revent or bar re"over' b' hi*. The affir*ative !efenses in"lu!e frau!( statute of

li*itations( release( &a'*ent( ille,alit'( statute of frau!s( esto&&el( for*er re"over'( !is"har,e in

bankru&t"'( an! an' other *atter b' a' of "onfession an! avoi!an"e. #2a$SECTION 3. Counter"lai*. - "ounter"lai* is an' "lai* hi"h a !efen!in, &art' *a' have a,ainst an o&&osin, &art'.

#3a$SECTION =. Co*&ulsor' "ounter"lai*. - "o*&ulsor' "ounter"lai* is one hi"h( bein,

"o,niable b' the re,ular "ourts of /usti"e( arises out of or is "onne"te! ith the transa"tion or

o""urren"e "onstitutin, the sub/e"t *atter of the o&&osin, &art's "lai* an! !oes not re

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a,ainst an ori,inal "ross:"lai*ant. #n$SECTION 1@. Re&l'. - re&l' is a &lea!in,( the offi"e or

fun"tion of hi"h is to !en'( or alle,e fa"ts in !enial or avoi!an"e of ne *atters alle,e! b' a' of

!efense in the anser an! thereb' /oin or *ake issue as to su"h ne *atters. If a &art' !oes not file

su"h re&l'( all the ne *atters alle,e! in the anser are !ee*e! "ontroverte!.If the &laintiff ishes tointer&ose an' "lai*s arisin, out of the ne *atters so alle,e!( su"h "lai*s shall be set forth in an

a*en!e! or su&&le*ental "o*&laint. #11$ECTION 11. Thir!( #fourth( et".$:&art' "o*&laint. - thir!

#fourth( et".$:&art' "o*&laint is a "lai* that a !efen!in, &art' *a'( ith leave of "ourt( file a,ainst a&erson not a &art' to the a"tion( "alle! the thir! #fourth( et".$:&art' !efen!ant( for "ontribution(

in!e*nit'( subro,ation or an' other relief( in res&e"t of his o&&onents "lai*. #1%a$SECTION 1%.

rin,in, ne &arties. 7hen the &resen"e of &arties other than those to the ori,inal a"tion is re

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re"or!s.- &lea!in, re:@@( effe"tive 8a' 1( %@@@.$SECTION

2. Certifi"ation a,ainst foru* sho&&in,. The &laintiff or &rin"i&al &art' shall "ertif' un!er oath inthe "o*&laint or other initiator' &lea!in, assertin, a "lai* for relief( or in a sorn "ertifi"ation

anne)e! thereto an! si*ultaneousl' file! thereith6#a$ that he has not theretofore "o**en"e! an'

a"tion or file! an' "lai* involvin, the sa*e issues in an' "ourt( tribunal or . ;o to "ontest su"h !o"u*ents. 7hen an a"tionor !efense is foun!e! u&on a ritten instru*ent( "o&ie! in or atta"he! to the "orres&on!in, &lea!in, as

&rovi!e! in the &re"e!in, se"tion( the ,enuineness an! !ue e)e"ution of the instru*ent shall be !ee*e!

a!*itte! unless the a!verse &art'( un!er oath( s&e"ifi"all' !enies the*( an! sets forth hat he "lai*s to

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be the fa"ts4 but the re$#b$ Relief fro* or!er of !efault. - &art' !e"lare! in !efault *a' at an' ti*e after

noti"e thereof an! before /u!,*ent file a *otion un!er oath to set asi!e the or!er of !efault u&on

&ro&er shoin, that his failure to anser as !ue to frau!( a""i!ent( *istake or e)"usable ne,li,en"ean! that he has a *eritorious !efense. In su"h "ase( the or!er of !efault *a' be set asi!e on su"h ter*s

an! "on!itions as the /u!,e *a' i*&ose in the interest of /usti"e. #+a( R1>$#"$ Effe"t of &artial !efault.

7hen a &lea!in, assertin, a "lai* states a "o**on "ause of a"tion a,ainst several !efen!in,

&arties( so*e of ho* anser an! the others fail to !o so( the "ourt shall tr' the "ase a,ainst all u&onthe ansers thus file! an! ren!er /u!,*ent u&on the evi!en"e &resente!. #0a( R1>$#!$ E)tent of relief

to be aar!e!. - /u!,*ent ren!ere! a,ainst a &art' in !efault shall not e)"ee! the a*ount or be

!ifferent in kin! fro* that &ra'e! for nor aar! unli$#e$ 7here no !efaultsalloe!. If the !efen!in, &art' in an a"tion for annul*ent or !e"laration of nullit' of *arria,e or for

le,al se&aration fails to anser( the "ourt shall or!er the &rose"utin, attorne' to investi,ate hether or

not a "ollusion beteen the &arties e)ists( an! if there is no "ollusion( to intervene for the State in or!erto see to it that the evi!en"e sub*itte! is not fabri"ate!. #3a( R1>$

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SECTION 1. -*en!*ents in ,eneral. Plea!in,s *a' be a*en!e! b' a!!in, or strikin, out an

alle,ation or the na*e of an' &art'( or b' "orre"tin, a *istake in the na*e of a &art' or a *istaken or

ina!e. Effe"t of a*en!e! &lea!in,s. -n a*en!e!&lea!in, su&erse!es the &lea!in, that it a*en!s. ;oever( a!*issions in su&erse!e! &lea!in,s *a' be

re"eive! in evi!en"e a,ainst the &lea!er4 an! "lai*s or !efenses alle,e! therein not in"or&orate! in the

a*en!e! &lea!in, shall be !ee*e! aive!. #n$

RULE 117hen to Bile Res&onsive Plea!in,sSECTION 1. -nser to the "o*&laint. The !efen!ant

shall file his anser to the "o*&laint ithin fifteen #12$ !a's after servi"e of su**ons( unless a!ifferent &erio! is fi)e! b' the "ourt. #1a$SECTION %. -nser of a !efen!ant forei,n &rivate /uri!i"al

entit'. 7here the !efen!ant is a forei,n &rivate /uri!i"al entit' an! servi"e of su**ons is *a!e on

the ,overn*ent offi"ial !esi,nate! b' la to re"eive the sa*e( the anser shall be file! ithin thirt'

#+@$ !a's after re"ei&t of su**ons b' su"h entit'. #%a$SECTION +. -nser to a*en!e! "o*&laint. 7here the &laintiff files an a*en!e! "o*&laint as a *atter of ri,ht( the !efen!ant shall anser the

sa*e ithin fifteen #12$ !a's after bein, serve! ith a "o&' thereof.7here its filin, is not a *atter of

ri,ht( the !efen!ant shall anser the a*en!e! "o*&laint ithin ten #1@$ !a's fro* noti"e of the or!erof a!*ittin, the sa*e. -n anser earlier file! *a' serve as the anser to the a*en!e! "o*&laint if no

ne anser is file!.This Rule shall a&&l' to the anser to an a*en!e! "ounter"lai*( a*en!e! "ross:

"lai*( a*en!e! thir! #fourth( et".$:&art' "o*&laint( an! a*en!e! "o*&laint:in:intervention.#+a$SECTION 0. -nser to "ounter"lai* or "ross:"lai*. - "ounter"lai* or "ross:"lai* *ust be

ansere! ithin ten #1@$ !a's fro* servi"e. #0$SECTION 2. -nser to thir! #fourth( et".$:&art'

"o*&laint. The ti*e to anser a thir! #fourth( et".$:&art' "o*&laint shall be ,overne! b' the sa*e

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rule as the anser to the "o*&laint. #2a$SECTION 3. Re&l'. - re&l' *a' be file! ithin ten #1@$

!a's fro* servi"e of the &lea!in, res&on!e! to. #3$SECTION =. -nser to su&&le*ental "o*&laint.

- su&&le*ental "o*&laint *a' be ansere! ithin ten #1@$ !a's fro* noti"e of the or!er a!*ittin, the

sa*e( unless a !ifferent &erio! is fi)e! b' the "ourt. The anser to the "o*&laint shall serve as theanser to the su&&le*ental "o*&laint if no ne or su&&le*ental anser is file!. #n$SECTION >.

E)istin, "ounter"lai* or "ross:"lai*. - "o*&ulsor' "ounter"lai* or a "ross:"lai* that a !efen!in,

&art' has at the ti*e he files his anser shall be "ontaine! therein. #>a( R3$SECTION ?. Counter"lai*or "ross:"lai* arisin, after anser. - "ounter"lai* or a "ross:"lai* hi"h either *ature! or as

a"

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&a&ers or &a'*ents or !e&osits( as shon b' the &ost offi"e sta*& on the envelo&e or the re,istr'

re"ei&t( shall be "onsi!ere! as the !ate of their filin,( &a'*ent( or !e&osit in "ourt. The envelo&e shall

be atta"he! to the re"or! of the "ase. #1a$SECTION 0. Pa&ers re$SECTION >. Substitute! servi"e. If servi"e of

&lea!in,s( *otions( noti"es( resolutions( or!ers an! other &a&ers "annot be *a!e un!er the to

&re"e!in, se"tions( the offi"e an! &la"e of resi!en"e of the &art' or his "ounsel bein, unknon( servi"e*a' be *a!e b' !eliverin, the "o&' to the "lerk of "ourt( ith &roof of failure of both &ersonal servi"e

an! servi"e b' *ail. The servi"e is "o*&lete at the ti*e of su"h !eliver'. #3a$SECTION ?. Servi"e of

/u!,*ents( final or!ers or resolutions. 5u!,*ents( final or!ers or resolutions shall be serve! either&ersonall' or b' re,istere! *ail. 7hen a &art' su**one! b' &ubli"ation has faile! to a&&ear in the

a"tion( /u!,*ents( final or!ers or resolutions a,ainst hi* shall be serve! u&on hi* also b' &ubli"ation

at the e)&ense of the &revailin, &art'. #=a$SECTION 1@. Co*&leteness of servi"e. Personal servi"e

is "o*&lete u&on a"tual !eliver'. Servi"e b' or!inar' *ail is "o*&lete u&on the e)&iration of ten #1@$!a's after *ailin,( unless the "ourt otherise &rovi!es. Servi"e b' re,istere! *ail is "o*&lete u&on

a"tual re"ei&t b' the a!!ressee( or after five #2$ !a's fro* the !ate he re"eive! the first noti"e of the

&ost*aster( hi"hever !ate is earlier. #>a$SECTION 11. Priorities in *o!es of servi"e an! filin,. 7henever &ra"ti"able( the servi"e an! filin, of &lea!in,s an! other &a&ers shall be !one &ersonall'.

E)"e&t ith res&e"t to &a&ers e*anatin, fro* the "ourt( a resort to other *o!es *ust be a""o*&anie!

b' a ritten e)&lanation h' the servi"e or filin, as not !one &ersonall'. - violation of this Rule *a'be "ause to "onsi!er the &a&er as not file!. #n$SECTION 1%. Proof of filin,. The filin, of a &lea!in,

or &a&er shall be &rove! b' its e)isten"e in the re"or! of the "ase. If it is not in the re"or!( but is

"lai*e! to have been file! &ersonall'( the filin, shall be &rove! b' the ritten or sta*&e!a"knole!,*ent of its filin, b' the "lerk of "ourt on a "o&' of the sa*e4 if file! b' re,istere! *ail( b'

the re,istr' re"ei&t an! b' the affi!avit of the &erson ho !i! the *ailin,( "ontainin, a full state*ent of

the !ate an! &la"e of !e&ositin, the *ail in the &ost offi"e in a seale! envelo&e a!!resse! to the "ourt(

ith &osta,e full' &re&ai!( an! ith instru"tions to the &ost*aster to return the *ail to the sen!er afterten #1@$ !a's if not !elivere!. #n$SECTION 1+. Proof of servi"e. Proof of &ersonal servi"e shall

"onsist of a ritten a!*ission of the &art' serve!( or the offi"ial return of the server( or the affi!avit of

the &art' servin,( "ontainin, a full state*ent of the !ate( &la"e an! *anner of servi"e. If the servi"e isb' or!inar' *ail( &roof thereof shall "onsist of an affi!avit of the &erson *ailin, of fa"ts shoin,

"o*&lian"e ith se"tion = of this Rule. If servi"e is *a!e b' re,istere! *ail( &roof shall be *a!e b'

su"h affi!avit an! the re,istr' re"ei&t issue! b' the *ailin, offi"e. The re,istr' return "ar! shall befile! i**e!iatel' u&on its re"ei&t b' the sen!er( or in lieu thereof the un"lai*e! letter to,ether ith the

"ertifie! or sorn "o&' of the noti"e ,iven b' the &ost*aster to the a!!ressee. #1@a$SECTION 10.

Noti"e of lis &en!ens. In an a"tion affe"tin, the title or the ri,ht of &ossession of real &ro&ert'( the

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&laintiff an! the !efen!ant( hen affir*ative relief is "lai*e! in his anser( *a' re"or! in the offi"e of

the re,istr' of !ee!s of the &rovin"e in hi"h the &ro&ert' is situate! a noti"e of the &en!en"' of the

a"tion. Sai! noti"e shall "ontain the na*es of the &arties an! the ob/e"t of the a"tion or !efense( an! a

!es"ri&tion of the &ro&ert' in that &rovin"e affe"te! thereb'. Onl' fro* the ti*e of filin, su"h noti"efor re"or! shall a &ur"haser( or en"u*bran"er of the &ro&ert' affe"te! thereb'( be !ee*e! to have

"onstru"tive noti"e of the &en!en"' of the a"tion( an! onl' of its &en!en"' a,ainst the &arties

!esi,nate! b' their real na*es.

The noti"e of lis &en!ens hereinabove *entione! *a' be "an"elle! onl' u&on or!er of the "ourt( after

&ro&er shoin, that the noti"e is for the &ur&ose of *olestin, the a!verse &art'( or that it is notne"essar' to &rote"t the ri,hts of the &art' ho "ause! it to be re"or!e!. #%0a( R10$

RULE 10Su**onsSECTION 1. Clerk to issue su**ons. U&on the filin, of the "o*&laint an! the&a'*ent of the re

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&ersonalit'( servi"e *a' be *a!e on the &resi!ent( *ana,in, &artner( ,eneral *ana,er( "or&orate

se"retar'( treasurer( or in:house "ounsel. #1+a$SECTION 1%. Servi"e u&on forei,n &rivate /uri!i"al

entit'. 7hen the !efen!ant is a forei,n &rivate /uri!i"al entit' hi"h has transa"te! business in the

Phili&&ines( servi"e *a' be *a!e on its resi!ent a,ent !esi,nate! in a""or!an"e ith la for that&ur&ose( or( if there be no su"h a,ent( on the ,overn*ent offi"ial !esi,nate! b' la to that effe"t( or on

an' of its offi"ers or a,ents ithin the Phili&&ines.If the forei,n &rivate /uri!i"al entit' is not re,istere!

in the Phili&&ines or has no resi!ent a,ent( servi"e *a'( ith leave of "ourt( be effe"te! out of thePhili&&ines throu,h an' of the folloin, *eans6a$ ' &ersonal servi"e "ourse! throu,h the a&&ro&riate

"ourt in the forei,n "ountr' ith the assistan"e of the Ae&art*ent of Borei,n -ffairs4b$ ' &ubli"ation

on"e in a nes&a&er of ,eneral "ir"ulation in the "ountr' here the !efen!ant *a' be foun! an! b'servin, a "o&' of the su**ons an! the "ourt or!er b' re,istere! *ail at the last knon a!!ress of the

!efen!ant4"$ ' fa"si*ile or an' re"o,nie! ele"troni" *eans that "oul! ,enerate &roof of servi"e4 or!$

' su"h other *eans as the "ourt *a' in its !is"retion !ire"t. #10a$ #-s a*en!e! b' SC Resolution(-.8. No. 11:+:3:SC( 8ar"h 12( %@@1$SECTION 1+. Servi"e u&on &ubli" "or&orations. 7hen the

!efen!ant is the Re&ubli" of the Phili&&ines( servi"e *a' be effe"te! on the Soli"itor General4 in "ase

of a &rovin"e( "it' or *uni"i&alit'( or like &ubli" "or&orations( servi"e *a' be effe"te! on its e)e"utive

hea!( or on su"h other offi"er or offi"ers as the la or the "ourt *a' !ire"t. #12$SECTION 10. Servi"eu&on !efen!ant hose i!entit' or hereabouts are unknon. In an' a"tion here the !efen!ant is

!esi,nate! as an unknon oner( or the like( or henever his hereabouts are unknon an! "annot be

as"ertaine! b' !ili,ent in

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SECTION %@. oluntar' a&&earan"e. The !efen!ants voluntar' a&&earan"e in the a"tion shall be

e

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&res"ribe! b' Rule 11 "ounte! fro* servi"e of the a*en!e! &lea!in,( unless the "ourt &rovi!es a lon,er

&erio!. #0a$SECTION 2. Effe"t of !is*issal. Sub/e"t to the ri,ht of a&&eal( an or!er ,rantin, a

*otion to !is*iss base! on &ara,ra&hs #f$( #h$ an! #i$ of Se"tion 1 hereof shall bar the refilin, of the

sa*e a"tion or "lai*. #n$SECTION 3. Plea!in, ,roun!s as affir*ative !efenses. If no *otion to!is*iss has been file!( an' of the ,roun!s for !is*issal &rovi!e! for in this Rule *a' be &lea!e! as an

affir*ative !efense in the anser an!( in the !is"retion of the "ourt( a &reli*inar' hearin, *a' be ha!

thereon as if a *otion to !is*iss ha! been file!. #2a$The !is*issal of the "o*&laint un!er this se"tionshall be ithout &re/u!i"e to the &rose"ution in the sa*e or se&arate a"tion of a "ounter"lai* &lea!e! in

the anser. #n$

RULE 1=Ais*issal of -"tionsSECTION 1. Ais*issal u&on noti"e b' &laintiff . - "o*&laint *a' be

!is*isse! b' the &laintiff b' filin, a noti"e of !is*issal at an' ti*e before servi"e of the anser or of a

*otion for su**ar' /u!,*ent. U&on su"h noti"e bein, file!( the "ourt shall issue an or!er "onfir*in,the !is*issal. Unless otherise state! in the noti"e( the !is*issal is ithout &re/u!i"e( e)"e&t that a

noti"e o&erates as an a!/u!i"ation u&on the *erits hen file! b' a &laintiff ho has on"e !is*isse! in a

"o*&etent "ourt an a"tion base! on or in"lu!in, the sa*e "lai*. #1a$SECTION %. Ais*issal u&on

*otion of &laintiff . E)"e&t as &rovi!e! in the &re"e!in, se"tion( a "o*&laint shall not be !is*isse!at the &laintiffs instan"e save u&on a&&roval of the "ourt an! u&on su"h ter*s an! "on!itions as the

"ourt !ee*s &ro&er. If a "ounter"lai* has been &lea!e! b' a !efen!ant &rior to the servi"e u&on hi* of

the &laintiffs *otion for !is*issal( the !is*issal shall be li*ite! to the "o*&laint. The !is*issal shallbe ithout &re/u!i"e to the ri,ht of the !efen!ant to &rose"ute his "ounter"lai* in a se&arate a"tion

unless ithin fifteen #12$ !a's fro* noti"e of the *otion he *anifests his &referen"e to have his

"ounter"lai* resolve! in the sa*e a"tion. Unless otherise s&e"ifie! in the or!er( a !is*issal un!er this&ara,ra&h shall be ithout &re/u!i"e. - "lass suit shall not be !is*isse! or "o*&ro*ise! ithout the

a&&roval of the "ourt. #%a$SECTION +. Ais*issal !ue to fault of &laintiff . If( for no /ustifiable

"ause( the &laintiff fails to a&&ear on the !ate of the &resentation of his evi!en"e in "hief on the

"o*&laint( or to &rose"ute his a"tion for an unreasonable len,th of ti*e( or to "o*&l' ith these Rulesor an' or!er of the "ourt( the "o*&laint *a' be !is*isse! u&on *otion of the !efen!ant or u&on the

"ourts on *otion( ithout &re/u!i"e to the ri,ht of the !efen!ant to &rose"ute his "ounter"lai* in the

sa*e or in a se&arate a"tion. This !is*issal shall have the effe"t of an a!/u!i"ation u&on the *erits(unless otherise !e"lare! b' the "ourt. #+a$SECTION 0. Ais*issal of "ounter"lai*( "ross:"lai*( or

thir!:&art' "o*&laint. The &rovisions of this Rule shall a&&l' to the !is*issal of an' "ounter"lai*(

"ross:"lai*( or thir!:&art' "o*&laint. - voluntar' !is*issal b' the "lai*ant b' noti"e as in Se"tion 1 ofthis Rule( shall be *a!e before a res&onsive &lea!in, or a *otion for su**ar' /u!,*ent is serve! or( if

there is none( before the intro!u"tion of evi!en"e at the trial or hearin,. #0a$

RULE 1>Pre:TrialSECTION 1. 7hen "on!u"te!. -fter the last &lea!in, has been serve! an! file!(

it shall be the !ut' of the &laintiff to &ro*&tl' *ove e) &arte that the "ase be set for &re:trial. #2a(

R%@$SECTION %. Nature an! &ur&ose. The &re:trial is *an!ator'. The "ourt shall "onsi!er6#a$ The

&ossibilit' of an a*i"able settle*ent or of a sub*ission to alternative *o!es of !is&ute resolution4#b$The si*&lifi"ation of the issues4#"$ The ne"essit' or !esirabilit' of a*en!*ents to the &lea!in,s4#!$

The &ossibilit' of obtainin, sti&ulations or a!*issions of fa"ts an! of !o"u*ents to avoi! unne"essar'

&roof4#e$ The li*itation of the nu*ber of itnesses4#f$ The a!visabilit' of a &reli*inar' referen"e ofissues to a "o**issioner4#,$ The &ro&riet' of ren!erin, /u!,*ent on the &lea!in,s( or su**ar'

/u!,*ent( or of !is*issin, the a"tion shoul! a vali! ,roun! therefor be foun! to e)ist4#h$ The

a!visabilit' or ne"essit' of sus&en!in, the &ro"ee!in,s4 an!#i$ Su"h other *atters as *a' ai! in the&ro*&t !is&osition of the a"tion. #1a( R%@$SECTION +. Noti"e of &re:trial. The noti"e of &re:trial

shall be serve! on "ounsel( or on the &art' ho has no "ounsel. The "ounsel serve! ith su"h noti"e is

"har,e! ith the !ut' of notif'in, the &art' re&resente! b' hi*. #n$SECTION 0. -&&earan"e of &arties.

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It shall be the !ut' of the &arties an! their "ounsel to a&&ear at the &re:trial. The non:a&&earan"e of a

&art' *a' be e)"use! onl' if a vali! "ause is shon therefor or if a re&resentative shall a&&ear in his

behalf full' authorie! in ritin, to enter into an a*i"able settle*ent( to sub*it to alternative *o!es of

!is&ute resolution( an! to enter into sti&ulations or a!*issions of fa"ts an! of !o"u*ents. #n$SECTION2. Effe"t of failure to a&&ear. The failure of the &laintiff to a&&ear hen so re

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