September 9, 2008 October 1, 2008 EN BANC A.M. NO.

08-8-7-SC THE RULE OF PROCEDURE FOR SMALL CLAIMS CASES RESOLUTION Acting on the recommendation of the Chairperson, Technical Working Group, Committee on Revision of the Rules of Court, submitting for the consideration and approval of the Court the proposed "The Rule of Procedure for Small Claims Cases", the Court Resolved to APPROVE the same. The Rule shall take effect on October 1, 2008 following its publication in two (2) newspapers of general circulation. (SGD.) REYNATO S. PUNO Chief Justice (SGD.) LEONARDO A. QUISUMBING Associate Justice (SGD.) CONSUELO YNARES-SANTIAGO Associate Justice (on official leave) ANTONIO T. CARPIO Associate Justice (SGD.) MA. ALICIA AUSTRIA-MARTINEZ Associate Justice (SGD.) REYNATO C. CORONA Associate Justice (SGD.) CONCHITA CARPIO-MORALES Associate Justice (SGD.) ADOLFO S. AZCUNA Associate Justice (SGD.) DANTE O. TINGA Associate Justice (SGD.) MINITA V. CHICO-NAZARIO Associate Justice (SGD.) PRESBITERO J. VELASCO, JR. Associate Justice (SGD.) ANTONIO EDUARDO B. NACHURA Associate Justice (SGD.) RUBEN T. REYES Associate Justice (SGD.) TERESITA J. LEONARDO-DE CASTRO Associate Justice (SGD.) ARTURO D. BRION Associate Justice

RULE OF PROCEDURE FOR SMALL CLAIMS CASES

SECTION 1. Title. This Rule shall be known as "The Rule of Procedure for Small Claims Cases". SECTION 2. Scope. This Rule shall govern the procedure in actions before the Metropolitan Trial Courts, Municipal Trial Courts in Cities, Municipal Trial Courts and Municipal Circuit Trial Courts for payment of money where the value of the claim does not exceed One Hundred Thousand Pesos (P100,000.00) exclusive of interest and costs. SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. For purposes of this Rule: (a) Plaintiff refers to the party who initiated a small claims action. The term includes a defendant who has filed a counterclaim against plaintiff;

(b) Defendant is the party against whom the plaintiff has filed a small claims action. The term includes a plaintiff against whom a defendant has filed a claim, or a person who replies to the claim; (c) Person is an individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability partnership, association, or other juridical entity endowed with personality by law; (d) Individual is a natural person; (e) Motion means a party's request, written or oral, to the court for an order or other action. It shall include an informal written request to the court, such as a letter; (f) Good cause means circumstances sufficient to justify the requested order or other action, as determined by the judge; and (g) Affidavit means a written statement or declaration of facts that are sworn or affirmed to be true. SECTION 4. Applicability. The Metropolitan Trial Courts, Municipal Trial Courts in Cities, Municipal Trial Courts, and Municipal Circuit Trial Courts shall apply this Rule in all actions which are: (a) purely civil in nature where the claim or relief prayed for by the plaintiff is solely for payment or reimbursement of sum of money, and (b) the civil aspect of criminal actions, either filed before the institution of the criminal action, or reserved upon the filing of the criminal action in court, pursuant to Rule 111 of the Revised Rules of Criminal Procedure. These claims or demands may be: (a) For money owed under any of the following: 1. Contract of Lease; 2. Contract of Loan; 3. Contract of Services; 4. Contract of Sale; or 5. Contract of Mortgage; (b) For damages arising from any of the following: 1. Fault or negligence; 2. Quasi-contract; or 3. Contract; (c) The enforcement of a barangay amicable settlement or an arbitration award involving a money claim covered by this Rule pursuant to Sec. 417 of Republic Act 7160, otherwise known as the Local Government Code of 1991. SECTION 5. Commencement of Small Claims Action. A small claims action is commenced by filing with the court an accomplished and verified Statement of Claim (Form 1-SCC) in duplicate, accompanied by a Certification of Non-forum Shopping (Form 1-A, SCC), and two (2) duly certified photocopies of the actionable document/s subject of the claim, as well as the affidavits of witnesses and other evidence to support the claim. No evidence shall be allowed during the hearing which was not attached to or submitted together with the Claim, unless good cause is shown for the admission of additional evidence. No formal pleading, other than the Statement of Claim described in this Rule, is necessary to initiate a small claims action. SECTION 6. Joinder of Claims. Plaintiff may join in a single statement of claim one or more separate small claims against a defendant provided that the total amount claimed, exclusive of interest and costs, does not exceed P100,000.00. SECTION 7. Affidavits. The affidavits submitted under this Rule shall state only facts of direct personal knowledge of the affiants which are admissible in evidence. A violation of this requirement shall subject the party, and the counsel who assisted the party in the preparation of the affidavits, if any, to appropriate disciplinary action. The inadmissible affidavit(s) or portion(s) thereof shall be expunged from the record.

SECTION 8. Payment of Filing Fees. The plaintiff shall pay the docket and other legal fees prescribed under Rule 141 of the Revised Rules of Court, unless allowed to litigate as an indigent. A claim filed with a motion to sue as indigent (Form 6-SCC) shall be referred to the Executive Judge for immediate action in case of multi-sala courts, or to the Presiding Judge of the court hearing the small claims case. If the motion is granted by the Executive Judge, the case shall be raffled off or assigned to the court designated to hear small claims cases. If the motion is denied, the plaintiff shall be given five (5) days within which to pay the docket fees, otherwise, the case shall be dismissed without prejudice. In no case shall a party, even if declared an indigent, be exempt from the payment of the P1,000.00 fee for service of summons and processes in civil cases. SECTION 9. Dismissal of the Claim. After the court determines that the case falls under this Rule, it may, from an examination of the allegations of the Statement of Claim and such evidence attached thereto, by itself, dismiss the case outright on any of the grounds apparent from the Claim for the dismissal of a civil action. SECTION 10. Summons and Notice of Hearing. If no ground for dismissal is found, the court shall forthwith issue Summons (Form 2-SCC) on the day of receipt of the Statement of Claim, directing the defendant to submit a verified Response. The court shall also issue a Notice (Form 4-SCC) to both parties, directing them to appear before it on a specific date and time for hearing, with a warning that no unjustified postponement shall be allowed, as provided in Section 19 of this Rule. The summons and notice to be served on the defendant shall be accompanied by a copy of the Statement of Claim and documents submitted by plaintiff, and a copy of the Response (Form 3-SCC) to be accomplished by the defendant. The Notice shall contain an express prohibition against the filing of a motion to dismiss or any other motion under Section 14 of this Rule. SECTION 11. Response. The defendant shall file with the court and serve on the plaintiff a duly accomplished and verified Response within a non-extendible period of ten (10) days from receipt of summons. The Response shall be accompanied by certified photocopies of documents, as well as affidavits of witnesses and other evidence in support thereof. No evidence shall be allowed during the hearing which was not attached to or submitted together with the Response, unless good cause is shown for the admission of additional evidence. SECTION 12. Effect of Failure to File Response. Should the defendant fail to file his Response within the required period, the court by itself shall render judgment as may be warranted by the facts alleged in the Statement of Claim limited to what is prayed for. The court however, may, in its discretion, reduce the amount of damages for being excessive or unconscionable. SECTION 13. Counterclaims within the Coverage of this Rule. If at the time the action is commenced, the defendant possesses a claim against the plaintiff that (a) is within the coverage of this Rule, exclusive of interest and costs; (b) arises out of the same transaction or event that is the subject matter of the plaintiff's claim; (c) does not require for its adjudication the joinder of third parties; and (d) is not the subject of another pending action, the claim shall be filed as a counterclaim in the Response; otherwise, the defendant shall be barred from suit on the counterclaim. The defendant may also elect to file a counterclaim against the plaintiff that does not arise out of the same transaction or occurrence, provided that the amount and nature thereof are within the coverage of this Rule and the prescribed docket and other legal fees are paid. SECTION 14. Prohibited Pleadings and Motions. The following pleadings, motions, or petitions shall not be allowed in the cases covered by this Rule:

(a) Motion to dismiss the complaint except on the ground of lack of jurisdiction; (b) Motion for a bill of particulars; (c) Motion for new trial, or for reconsideration of a judgment, or for reopening of trial; (d) Petition for relief from judgment; (e) Motion for extension of time to file pleadings, affidavits, or any other paper; (f) Memoranda; (g) Petition for certiorari, mandamus, or prohibition against any interlocutory order issued by the court; (h) Motion to declare the defendant in default; (i) Dilatory motions for postponement; (j) Reply; (k) Third-party complaints; and (l) Interventions. SECTION 15. Availability of Forms; Assistance by Court Personnel. The Clerk of Court or other court personnel shall provide such assistance as may be requested by a plaintiff or a defendant regarding the availability of forms and other information about the coverage, requirements as well as procedure for small claims cases. SECTION 16. Appearance. The parties shall appear at the designated date of hearing personally or through a representative authorized under a Special Power of Attorney (Form 5SCC) to enter into an amicable settlement, to submit to Judicial Dispute Resolution (JDR) and to enter into stipulations or admissions of facts and of documentary exhibits. SECTION 17. Appearance of Attorneys Not Allowed. No attorney shall appear in behalf of or represent a party at the hearing, unless the attorney is the plaintiff or defendant. If the court determines that a party cannot properly present his/her claim or defense and needs assistance, the court may, in its discretion, allow another individual who is not an attorney to assist that party upon the latter's consent. SECTION 18. Non-appearance of Parties. Failure of the plaintiff to appear shall be cause for the dismissal of the claim without prejudice. The defendant who appears shall be entitled to judgment on a permissive counterclaim. Failure of the defendant to appear shall have the same effect as failure to file a Response under Section 12 of this Rule. This shall not apply where one of two or more defendants who are sued under a common cause of action and have pleaded a common defense appears at the hearing. Failure of both parties to appear shall cause the dismissal with prejudice of both the claim and counterclaim. SECTION 19. Postponement when Allowed. A request for postponement of a hearing may be granted only upon proof of the physical inability of the party to appear before the court on the scheduled date and time. A party may avail of only one (1) postponement. SECTION 20. Duty of the Court. At the beginning of the court session, the judge shall read aloud a short statement explaining the nature, purpose and the rule of procedure of small claims cases. SECTION 21. Judicial Dispute Resolution. At the hearing, the judge shall conduct Judicial Dispute Resolution (JDR) through mediation, conciliation, early neutral evaluation, or any other mode of JDR. Any settlement or resolution of the dispute shall be reduced into writing (Form 7SCC),signed by the parties and submitted to the court for approval.

SECTION 22. Failure of JDR. If JDR fails and the parties agree in writing (Form 10SCC) that the hearing of the case shall be presided over by the judge who conducted the JDR, the hearing shall so proceed in an informal and expeditious manner and terminated within one (1) day. Absent such agreement, (a) in case of a multi-sala court, the case shall, on the same day, be transmitted (Form 11-SCC) to the Office of the Clerk of Court for immediate referral by the Executive Judge to the pairing judge for hearing and decision within five (5) working days from referral; (b) in case of a single sala court, the pairing judge shall hear and decide the case in the court of origin within five (5) working days from referral by the JDR judge. SECTION 23. Decision. After the hearing, the court shall render its decision on the same day, based on the facts established by the evidence(Form 13-SCC). The decision shall immediately be entered by the Clerk of Court in the court docket for civil cases and a copy thereof forthwith served on the parties. The decision shall be final and unappealable. SECTION 24. Execution. If the decision is rendered in favor of the plaintiff, execution shall issue upon motion (Form 9-SCC). SECTION 25. Applicability of the Rules of Civil Procedure. The Rules of Civil Procedure shall apply suppletorily insofar as they are not inconsistent with this Rule. SECTION 26. Effectivity. This Rule shall take effect on October 1, 2008 for the pilot courts designated to apply the procedure for small claims cases following its publication in two newspapers of general circulation.

February 16, 2010 EN BANC [A.M. No. 08-8-7-SC] RE: RULE OF PROCEDURE FOR SMALL CLAIMS CASES Sirs/Mesdames : Quoted hereunder, for your information, is a resolution of the Court En Banc dated February 16, 2010 "A.M. No. 08-8-7-SC (Re: Rule of Procedure for Small Claims Cases). The Court Resolved, upon the recommendation of the Technical Working Group on the Small Claims Courts Pilot Project, to APPROVE the (a)Amendment of Section 8(d), Rule 141 of the Revised Rules of Court, with the addition of the following provision as regards filing fees for frequent filers in small claims cases: For small claims cases, only those fees set forth in this Rule, as amended, shall be collected. If more than ten (10) small claims are filed by one party in the court station within the calendar year, an additional filing fee of P500.00 shall be paid for every claim filed after the tenth (10th) claim, and an additional P100.00 or a total of P600.00 for every claim filed after the twentieth (20th) claim, and another P100.00 or a total of P700.00 for every claim filed after the thirtieth (30th) claim, and another P100.00 for every tenth additional case thereafter, progressively and cumulatively, but the total filing fees shall not exceed P20,000.00. In no case shall a party pay filing fees of more than P20,000.00 per claim in a calendar year.

Each party filing a claim shall declare in the Statement of Claim the number of small claims cases that party filed in the court station within the calendar year. (b)Addition of the following statement in the Statement of Claim (Form 1-SCC), particularly between Nos. 6 and 7 thereof: 6-A.In this court station, how many small claims cases have you filed within this calendar year prior to this present case? _____________ (Sa court station na ito, pang ilang kaso na itong isinampa mo sa loob ng kasalukuyang taon? ______) (c)Two (2) Forms on Information for the Plaintiff (Form I-SCC-Info) and Information for the Defendant (Form 3-SCC-Info), to wit: INFORMATION FOR THE PLAINTIFF (the person filing the claim) (Kaalaman para sa Naghahabla) 1."SMALL CLAIMS RULE" is a special procedure where money claims for P100,000.00 or less are heard. The process is quick and inexpensive; the procedure is simple and informal. (TUNTUNIN SA PAGSINGIL NG MALILIIT NA HALAGA ay natatanging pamamaraan sa pagdinig kung saan ang halagang salapi na sinisingil ay P100,000.00 o mas mababa. Ang proseso ay simple at hindi pormal.) 2.You are the plaintiff. The person you are filing the case against is the defendant. DHcESI (Ikaw ang Naghahabla. Ang taong siyang sinampahan ng kaso ang Hinahabla.) 3.Before you fill up this Form, read these Instructions to know your rights. Or, you may inquire about your rights and the Small Claims Procedure with the Office of the Clerk of Court (OCC) of the place where you intend to file your claim. (Bago mo sagutin ang form na ito basahin muna ang mga tagubilin upang malaman ang iyong mga karapatan. Maari ka ring magtanong, tungkol sa iyong mga karapatan sa Office of the Clerk of Court [OCC] ng lugar kung saan mo nais maghain ng reklamo ukol sa pagsingil ng maliit na halaga. ) 4.If your case falls under the Small Claims Rule, these are the things you can do at home or in the barangay: (Kung ang iyong kaso ay nasasaklaw ng Tuntunin sa Pagsingil ng Malilit na Halaga, ang mga bagay na ito ang maaari mong gawin sa bahay o sa barangay:) a.GATHER ALL DOCUMENTS AND EVIDENCE PERTINENT TO THE CLAIM. (TIPUNIN ANG LAHAT NG MGA DOKUMENTO AT MGA KATIBAYANG SUSUPORTA SA IYONG PAGSINGIL.) Examples are: (Mga Halimbawa nito:) Contract/Agreement (Kontrata/Kasunduan)

Promissory Note/Receipts/Affidavit of Witness/es/Other Important documents such as Check/s or Picture/s (Katibayan ng Pagkakautang/Resibo/Sinumpaang Salaysay ng mga Saksi/Testigo/iba pang dokumento tulad ng Tseke at larawan.) b.LATEST DEMAND LETTER (IF ANY), ITS PROOF OF SERVICE AND PROOF OF RECEIPT (PINAKAHULING LIHAM NG PANININGIL [KUNG MERON], KATIBAYAN NG PAGPADALA AT PAGKATANGGAP NITO.) c.CERTIFICATE TO FILE ACTION FROM THE BARANGAY, IF NECESSARY (KATUNAYAN NG PAGSASAMPA NG KASO SA HUKUMAN GALING SA BARANGAY, KUNG KINAKAILANGAN.) d.SPECIAL POWER OF ATTORNEY IN CASE PLAINTIFF CANNOT ATTEND THE HEARING. (NATATANGING GAWAD-KAPANGYARIHAN o "SPECIAL POWER OF ATTORNEY" KUNG ANG NAGHAHABLA AY HINDI MAKADALO SA PAGDINIG.) e.SECRETARY'S CERTIFICATE OR BOARD RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING YOU TO FILE THE CASE, IF YOU ARE REPRESENTING A CORPORATION, PARTNERSHIP, COOPERATIVE OR ASSOCIATION. (PATUNAY NG KALIHIM O RESOLUSYON NG LUPON NA NAGPAPAHINTULOT SA IYONG KUMATAWAN SA LUPON SA PAGSAMPA NG KASO.) ECHSDc f.If you are unable to pay the filing fees because you have no adequate financial means, you may file the case as an indigent by getting FORM 6-SCC AND ATTACHING THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTS: Affidavit of indigency Barangay Certificate of indigency City or Municipal Assessor's Certificate City or Municipal Treasurer's Office Certificate Affidavit of 2 disinterested persons (Kung hindi mo mabayaran ang filing fees dahil wala kang sapat na kakayahang pinansyal, maari kang magsampa ng kaso bilang isang taong walang sapat na kabuhayan sa pamamagitan ng pagsagot ng Form 6SCC KALAKIP ANG MGA SUMUSUNOD NA DOKUMENTO: Sinumpaang Salaysay na Walang Sapat ng Kabuhayan Patunay ng Barangay na Walang Sapat na Kabuhayan Patunay ng Panglungsod na Tagatasa (assessor)

Patunay ng Tanggapan ng Panglungsod na Ingat-Yaman Sinumpaang Salaysay ng 2 Taong Hindi Interesado) 5.Fill up Form 1-SCC. Attach to the Form your supporting documents and affidavits of witnesses. (Punuan ang Form 1-SSC. Ilakip sa Form ang iyong mga dokumento at sinumpaang salaysay ng mga testigo/saksi.) Make copies of ALL pages of this form and your supporting documents (file the original in court, make a copy for each plaintiff or defendant named in the case and an extra copy for yourself). (Gumawa ng kopya ng lahat ng pahina ng Form na ito at ng iyong mga dokumento [ihain ang orihinal sa hukuman, gumawa ng kopya para sa bawat Naghahabla o Hinahabla sa kaso at karagdagang kopya para sa iyo.]) If the original documents consist of records that could not be separated, you can photocopy the pertinent document and have it certified by the Clerk of Court in the OCC as a faithful reproduction of the original. (Kung ang orihinal na dokumento ay di maihiwalay, maari mong ipakopya ito at ipa-certify sa Clerk of Court ng OCC na ang dokumento ay totoo at tapat na kopya ng orihinal) 6.Have the form and all your supporting documents, especially the Verification form, notarized by the Clerk of Court in the OCC. (Kailangan ang Form at lahat ng kalakip na dokumento, lalong higit ang Form ng Patotoo ay pinatunayan/ninotaryo ng Clerk of Court [OCC] o Branch Clerk of Court.) 7.Pay the filing fee. (except if your motion to sue as an indigent has been granted) (Magbayad ng bayarin sa pagtala [maliban kung ang iyong kahilingan na makapagsampa ng kaso bilang isang taong walang sapat na kabuhayan ay napagtibay na.]) 8.Get the date and time of your hearing from the court to which your case was assigned. [Alamin ang araw at oras ng pagdinig sa hukuman kung saan ang iyong kaso ay nakabinbin.] 9.GO TO THE COURT ON YOUR HEARING DATE. Bring the originals of all certified documentary evidence attached to your Form 1-SCC to prove your case. [PUMUNTA SA HUKUMAN SA PETSA AT ARAW NG PAGDINIG. Dalhin ang mga orihinal ng lahat ng dokumento ng katibayan, higit lalo yaong kalakip sa iyong Form 1-SCC para patunayan ang iyong kaso.] 10.YOU CANNOT HAVE A LAWYER AT THE HEARING. You may consult a lawyer before or after the hearing but the lawyer cannot appear for or with you at the hearing. (HUWAG KANG MAGSAMA NG ABOGADO SA PAGDINIG. Maari kang makipag-usap o kumonsulta sa abogado bago o pagkatapos ng pagdinig pero ang abogado ay hindi pinahihintulutang dumalo para sa iyo sa pagdinig.) If you are representing a corporation, partnership, cooperative or association, you must bring your original written authority to appear at the hearing and to enter into an amicable settlement, to submit to alternative modes of dispute resolution, and to enter into stipulations or admissions of facts and of documents.

(Kung iyong kinakatawan ay korporasyon, bakasan, kooperatiba o asosasyon/samahan, kinakailangang magdala ka ng orihinal na gawadkapangyarihan na dumalo sa pagdinig at para sa mapayapang pag-aayos, sumailalim sa alternatibong paraan ng pag-aayos o gumawa ng pag-amin o makipagkayari sa mga pangyayari at dokumento.) 11.You must be aware that upon the filing of this case, the judge may dismiss your claim if she or he finds legal grounds for dismissal such as lack of jurisdiction over the subject matter, improper venue, etc. as enumerated in Section 1 of Rule 16 of the 1997 Rules of Civil Procedure. (Binibigyan ka ng babala na sa pagsampa ng kaso, maaaring maipawalang-saysay ng hukuman ang iyong kaso kung nakita niya na mayroong legal na batayan para maipawalang-saysay ito, tulad ng kawalan ng kapangyarihan sa bagay ng kaso, hindi wasto ang lugar na pinagsampahan ng kaso, etc. na isinasaad sa Section 1, Rule 16, 1997 Rules of Civil Procedure.) INFORMATION FOR THE DEFENDANT (the person against whom the case is filed) (Kaalaman para sa Hinahabla) 1."SMALL CLAIMS RULE" is a special procedure where money claims for P100,000.00 or less are heard. The process is quick and inexpensive; the procedure is simple & informal. (TUNTUNIN SA PAGSINGIL NG MALILIIT NA HALAGA ay natatanging pamamaraan sa pagdinig kung saan ang halaga ng salapi na sinisingil ay P100,000.00 o mas mababa. Ang proseso ay simple at hindi pormal) 2.You are the defendant the person against whom the case is filed. The person who is filing the case is the plaintiff. (Ikaw ang Hinahabla, ang taong sinampahan ng kaso. Ang taong nagsampa ng kaso ay ang Naghahabla.) 3.Read this form & all pages attached to understand the claim against you & to protect your rights. (Basahin ang Form na ito at ang lahat ng pahina na kalakip upang maunawaan ang kaso laban sa iyo at upang mapangalagaan ang iyong mga karapatan.) 4.You must file your Response & attend the hearing on the date indicated in the Notice of Hearing. If you do not go to court, you may lose the case. (Ikaw ay kinakailangang magsumite ng iyong Sagot at pumunta sa korte sa petsa ng pagdinig na nakasulat sa Abiso sa Pagdinig. Kung hindi ka makakapunta sa korte maari kang matalo sa kaso. ) 5.Make copies of the Response & all its pages & attached documents (file the original in court & serve one copy on each plaintiff & keep an extra copy for yourself) (Gumawa ng mga kopya ng Sagot at lahat ng mga pahina nito at ilakip ang mga dokumento [ihain ang original sa hukuman at bigyan ng kopya ang Naghahabla at mag-iwan ng kopya para sa iyo]). 6.Do I need a lawyer? (Kailangan ko ba ang abogado?) You may consult a lawyer but YOU CANNOT HAVE A LAWYER WITH YOU AT THE HEARING. (Maaari kang komunsulta sa abogado pero HINDI KA MAAARING MAGSAMA NG ABOGADO SA PAGDINIG.) 7.What if I don't speak English well?

(Paano kung hindi ako makapagsalitang mabuti ng Ingles?) The judge will speak in Filipino or the local dialect. A court-provided interpreter shall also be available on the hearing day. (Ang hukom ay magsasalita sa Filipino o sa local na diyalekto. Ang panghukumang tagasalin ay maaaring magamit sa araw ng pagdinig.) 8.How do I get ready for court? (Paano ako makapaghahanda sa hukuman?) Fill up the form entitled "Response" and file it in court within ten (10) calendar days from your receipt of the form. If you have questions regarding the Form, you can inquire with the court that served you the summons & the Response. The telephone no. of the court is written on the Summons. CaHAcT (Punuan ang Form na "Sagot" at ihain ito sa hukuman sa loob ng sampung (10) araw simula sa pagtanggap ng Form. Kung ikaw ay mayroong mga tanong tungkol sa Form, maaari kang magtanong sa korte na nagpadala ng Patawag at ng Sagot. Ang numero ng telepono ng hukuman ay nakasulat sa Patawag.) 9.What happens if I don't file the Response and appear at the hearing? (Anong mangyayari kung hindi ako naghain ng Sagot at hindi dumalo sa pagdinig?) The court shall proceed with the hearing and, if you are absent, the court shall make a judgment as may be warranted by the facts. (Ang korte ay magpapatuloy sa pagdinig at, kung ikaw ay hindi dumalo, ay magpapasiya at magbibigay ng desisyon ayon sa nararapat.) 10.What happens at the hearing? (Anong mangyayari sa pagdinig?) If you & the plaintiff will appear at the hearing, the judge will listen to both of you. The judge shall conduct mediation and encourage you & the plaintiff to settle your case. If you don't settle, the judge shall render a decision on the day of hearing itself. You cannot appeal this decision. (Kung ikaw at ang naghahabla ay dadalo sa pagdinig, ang hukom ay makikinig sa inyong dalawa. Ang hukom ay hihikayat sa inyong magka-ayos at magkasundo at lutasin ang inyong di pagkakaunawaan. Kung hindi kayo magkakasundo, ang hukom ay gagawa ng desisyon sa araw mismo ng pagdinig. Hindi ka na maaaring magapela sa desisyon ng korte.) 11.Do I have options? (Meron ba akong pagpipilian?) Yes. If you are the defendant, you can do any of the following: (Oo. Kung ikaw ang Hinahabla, maaari mong gawin ang alinman sa mga sumusunod.) Settle your case before the hearing. If you and the plaintiff agree on how to settle the case, both of you must notify the court. Ask the OCC or Branch Clerk of Court for help. (Ayusin mo ang usapin bago pa dumating ang pagdinig. Kung ikaw at ang Naghahabla ay nagkaayos kung paano pagkasunduan ang kaso, pareho ninyong ipaalam sa hukuman. Humingi ng tulong sa Office of the Clerk of Court (OCC) o sa Branch Clerk of Court.) File the Response. Appear at the hearing. Bring the affidavits of witnesses, receipts and any evidence you need to prove your case.

(Maghain ng Sagot. Dumalo sa pagdinig. Dalhin ang mga sinumpaang salaysay ng mga testigo, mga resibo at anumang katibayang iyong kailangan upang patunayan ang iyong usapin.) Agree with the plaintiff's claim & pay the money. Or, if you can't pay the money now, go to the hearing and say you want to make payments by installment. (Sumang-ayon sa halagang sinisingil ng Naghahabla at bayaran ito. O, kung hindi mabayaran ang sinisingil ngayon, dumalo ka sa pagdinig at sabihin sa korte na gusto mong magbayad ng hulugan.) Let the case proceed without you. If you don't settle & do not go to the hearing, the judge may give the plaintiff what he or she is asking for plus court costs. If this happens, the court may order that your money or property be taken to pay the judgment. (Magpapatuloy ang kaso kahit wala ka. Kung hindi ka nakipag-ayos at hindi ka dumalo sa pagdinig, maaaring ipagkaloob ng hukom ang anumang hinihingi ng Naghahabla, pati na ang gastos sa paghain ng kasong ito. Kung ito ay mangyari, ang korte ay maaring mag-utos na ang iyong pera o ari-arian ay kuhanin para bayaran ang nakasaad sa desisyon ng korte.) (c)Administrative Guidelines for (a) Judges and (b) Executive Judges, Clerks of Courts in multi-sala stations and in single-sala stations and Branch Clerks of Court, to wit: ADMINISTRATIVE GUIDELINES To aid in achieving a uniform and systematic implementation of the Rule by all courts concerned, the TWG recommends the issuance of Administrative Guidelines specifically addressing the concerns of not only the Judges, but also of the court personnel involved in the application of the Rule on Small Claims. A.Guidelines for Judges 1.Upon receipt of a case, determine if it is a small claim. 1.1It must involve a pure money claim the principal amount of which does not exceed P100,000.00. 1.2.If the principal claim exceeds P100,000.00, there must be a waiver of the excess embodied in the Statement of Claim. 1.3.With regard to B.P. Blg. 22 cases, the court may only entertain the civil aspect as a small claim if no complaint for the offense has yet been filed before the Office of the Prosecutor. This fact must be stated under oath by the plaintiff in the Statement of Claim, and there should be an express waiver of such criminal action in the Verification and Certification of Non-Forum Shopping. 1.4.If a case is determined by a judge to be not a "small claim" within the meaning of the Rule, but it still falls within the jurisdiction of the First Level Courts, the case should not be dismissed, and the judge should instead declare it governed by the appropriate procedure (Regular Procedure or Summary Procedure). The case should then be re-docketed but no re-assignment (by raffle in a multi-sala court) is necessary. This will prevent the forfeiture of the filing fees already paid by the party, and the case can be immediately acted upon by the same court.

2.Determine if there is a ground for outright dismissal. The submission of a Certificate to File Action from the barangay is a pre-requisite in Small Claims covered by the barangay justice system. Under Rule 16 par. (j) of the 1997 Rules of Civil Procedure, noncompliance with a condition precedent is a ground for dismissal of a complaint. Chapter VII (Sections 399-422) of R.A. No. 7160, the Local Government Code, now embodies the rules for mandatory conciliation proceedings before the barangay in covered cases. Although the Rule on Small Claims Cases does not expressly refer to such requirement, it is still mandatory as it is required by law. Non-compliance, therefore, with the barangay requirement is still a ground for dismissal pursuant to Rule 16 of the regular rules, which apply suppletorily according to Section 25 of the Rule. 3.If there is no ground for outright dismissal, issue summons AND notice of hearing: 3.1The summons and notice of hearing, which are required to be issued "within the same day of receipt of the Statement of Claim" under Section 10, must be issued within 24 hours from such receipt, the phrase "same day" to be construed as "within one day". 3.2Do not wait for summons to be served before setting the case for hearing. 3.3The hearing should be set within thirty (30) days from receipt of the case. In case the defendant resides outside the judicial region, the hearing may be set not later than 60 days from date of receipt of the case. 3.4.Failure of the plaintiff to cause service of summons within two (2) months from receipt of Sheriff's Return shall cause the dismissal of the claim for failure to prosecute (Rule 17, Section 3, Rules of Court). This is not a ground to archive the case. 3.5.Any party who appears at any time after the Court's receipt of the case should be notified immediately of the date set for hearing. 3.6.There should be, at least, one (1) hearing day every week devoted to Small Claims, with a minimum of five (5) cases scheduled per hearing day. Cases with the same party-plaintiff may all be set on the same date for facility in the preparation of notices and judgments. The Court should post a notice of its small claims hearing day conspicuously at the Branch and at the Office of the Clerk of Court. 3.7.Judges must approve an Estimate of Expenses submitted by their Sheriff/Process Server within 24 hours from filing before any release from the STF is allowed. 4.On the date of the hearing: 4.1.Make an opening statement (Section 20; see also Form 6A-SCC) explaining to the parties the object of the Rule and the procedure for

hearing the case. Ensure that the parties understand the proceedings and actively participate therein. 4.2.Conduct settlement discussions in strict confidentiality. Try to explain to the parties why an amicable settlement will be mutually beneficial. 4.3.The drafting of a compromise agreement should be part of the hearing conducted by the judge. This will ensure that an agreement will be forged within the day of the hearing to pave the way for its approval by way of the required judgment, to be issued also within the same day. It will also reduce the incidence of inclusion of terms which are contrary to law, morals, good customs, public policy and public order. 4.4.Have a template of a Compromise Agreement ready. The parties may be referred to the Branch Clerk of Court or the Clerk-in-Charge for assistance in filling up the template, whether before or after the case is called in open court. 4.5.In all instances, review the terms of the Compromise Agreement submitted by the parties. Do not approve terms which are unconscionable and excessive, especially those relating to interest rates and surcharges. In the latter instance, in your judgment approve the agreement in part, substitute and impose a provision which is reasonable, to replace those you have disapproved for being excessive and unconscionable. 4.6.In case a non-answering defendant appears at the hearing, recognize his appearance only if he is willing to enter into discussions of settlement, but guard against coercing the defendant to enter into one. 4.7.If a non-answering defendant appears at the hearing and agrees to discuss a settlement but pleads partial payments, which the plaintiff admits, but no settlement is ultimately reached, render judgment based on the Statement of Claim. If the plaintiff waives in writing (even in the Minutes of Hearing only) the confidentiality of the settlement discussion, you may consider the admission of partial payments in rendering your decision. 4.8.If at anytime before or at the hearing, a Compromise Agreement is submitted signed by both parties but only one or neither party appears to confirm it, issue an order to the non-appearing party to confirm it within 3 days, otherwise it shall be deemed confirmed. Then issue a judgment based on the agreement. 4.9.If no settlement is reached and the parties do not wish to have another judge hear the case, proceed to the hearing proper in an informal manner and terminate and decide it within the same day. 5.Decision and execution 5.1.Whether based on an amicable settlement or on the merits, judgment must be issued on the same date of the hearing, except when there is a motion by any party under Section 22 to have another judge hear the case.

5.2.Upon issuance of the decision, have copies served on all parties present to avoid mailing them. 5.3.A decision under the Rule is immediately final and executory. It must be recorded in the Book of Judgments on the same date it is rendered. 5.4.There is no appeal and, hence, no period to appeal to wait for. 5.5.On the same day the decision is rendered, the winning party may move for its execution. B.Guidelines for Executive Judges, Clerks of Courts (COCs) in multi sala stations and in single sala stations and Branch Clerks of Court (BCCs) 1.The Clerks of Court and the Branch Clerks of Court (even nonlawyers) may administer the oath to litigants for the forms to be used under the Rule. No fee shall be collected for this purpose. 2.The Clerks of Court should not accept mere photocopies of documentary annexes submitted by the parties but should monitor strict compliance with Sections 5 and 11 of the Rule. 3.The Clerks of Court should have a separate docket for Small Claims Cases with independent numbering. Should a case, originally docketed as a Small Claim, be ordered re-docketed, i.e., it is governed by the Rule on Summary Procedure or regular procedure, this should be recorded in the appropriate docket and a new number given to the case. However, the case should not be re-raffled but should immediately be sent back to the original court after re-docketing. 4.The Clerks of Court should only ask for 2 copies of the pleadings and all their annexes: 1 for the court and 1 for the defendant. If there is more than 1 defendant, that is the only time the COC may require additional copies, 1 for each additional defendant. 5.The Clerks of Court can only certify photocopies of documents if the originals are presented to them by the party who does not want to leave the same with the court. In that instance, the COC can certify that the document is a faithful reproduction of the original exhibited by the party. No fee shall be charged for this certification. 6.If, despite advice to the contrary, a litigant insists on the filing of a case as a Small Claim, the COC should reiterate the previous advice given in a respectful manner and then docket the case. 7.Even despite insistence, COCs should not accept a Statement of Claim signed by a lawyer unless the lawyer himself is the plaintiff, not even if he signs it as an attorney-in-fact of the named plaintiff. 8.Requests for advances for transportation expenses from the Sheriff's Trust Fund should be acted upon within 24 hours from receipt of the approved Statement of Estimated Expenses. 9.The Clerks of Court should ensure that the full names and addresses of the parties are indicated in the Statement of Claim, as well as alternative contact information (such as telephone numbers), when possible.

10.The Monthly Docket Inventory Report should reflect the date when a case is decided or disposed of vis-a-vis the date of filing so that the timeliness of court action may be assessed. The date when summons was issued and the date of hearing should also be indicated. Finally, the execution and satisfaction of judgments rendered under the Rule should also be part of the Monthly Report to determine the Rule's efficacy. 11.The rule on inhibition in regular cases shall apply to Small Claims Courts. 12.An additional fee of P500.00 should be assessed any litigant for the 10th small claim filed, and for every 5th additional case thereafter. The fee is justified by the service availed of which requires extra time and effort on the part of the courts. The volume of cases filed evidences the capacity of the litigant to pay the fees. 13.On the same day of filing/raffling of the Statement of Claim, the Clerk of Court shall transmit the record of the case to the branch assigned. The Branch Clerk of Court (BCOC) shall forthwith inform the plaintiff of the date of hearing of the case. 14.Upon receipt of a newly filed/raffled small claim, in case the Presiding Judge is on leave, the BCOC shall immediately refer the case to the Pairing Judge for appropriate action in accordance with existing Rules. 15.Sheriffs and Process Servers shall serve the summons and notice of hearing within 5 days from issuance, unless the distance justifies a longer period, but in no case shall service be effected beyond 30 days from date of issuance. Within 5 days from such service, the Officer's Return shall be filed with the court with a copy furnished to the plaintiff at the given address/es of record. and (d)Nationwide implementation/roll-out of the Rule on Procedure for Small Claims Cases, as amended, to all first level courts, except the Shari'a Circuit Court, effective thirty (30) days from date hereof. Let this resolution be published in a newspaper of general circulation." (adv1o2) Very truly yours, (SGD.) MA. LUISA D. VILLARAMA Clerk of Court Published in The Philippine Daily Inquirer on February 23, 2010.