The Lawp hil Pro je c t - Are llano Law Fo und atio n

Rule s 128 -134

REVISED RULES ON EVIDENCE

(Rule s 128-134 , Rule s o f Co urt )

AS AMENDED PER RESOLUT ION

ADOPT ED ON MARCH 14 , 19 89

PART IV

RULES OF EVIDENCE

RULE 128

Ge ne ral Pro visio ns

Se ct io n 1. Evidence defined . Evide nce is t he m e ans, sanct io ne d by t he se rule s, o f asce rt aining in a judicial pro ce e ding t he t rut h re spe ct ing a m at t e r o f f act .
(1)

Se ct io n 2. Scope. T he rule s o f e vide nce shall be t he sam e in all co urt s and in all t rials and he arings, e xce pt as o t he rwise pro vide d by law o r t he se rule s. (2a)

Se ct io n 3. Admissibility of evidence . Evide nce is adm issible whe n it is re le vant t o t he issue and is no t e xclude d by t he law o f t he se rule s. (3a)

Se ct io n 4 . Relevancy ; collateral matters . Evide nce m ust have such a re lat io n t o t he f act in issue as t o induce be lie f in it s e xist e nce o r no n-e xist e nce .
Evide nce o n co llat e ral m at t e rs shall no t be allo we d, e xce pt whe n it t e nds in any re aso nable de gre e t o e st ablish t he pro babilit y o r im pro babilit y o f t he f act in
issue . (4 a)

RULE 129

What Ne e d No t Be Pro ve d

Se ct io n 1. Judicial notice, when mandatory . A co urt shall t ake judicial no t ice , wit ho ut t he int ro duct io n o f e vide nce , o f t he e xist e nce and t e rrit o rial e xt e nt o f
st at e s, t he ir po lit ical hist o ry, f o rm s o f go ve rnm e nt and sym bo ls o f nat io nalit y, t he law o f nat io ns, t he adm iralt y and m arit im e co urt s o f t he wo rld and t he ir
se als, t he po lit ical co nst it ut io n and hist o ry o f t he Philippine s, t he o f f icial act s o f le gislat ive , e xe cut ive and judicial de part m e nt s o f t he Philippine s, t he laws
o f nat ure , t he m e asure o f t im e , and t he ge o graphical divisio ns. (1a)
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Se ct io n 2. Judicial notice, when discretionary . A co urt m ay t ake judicial no t ice o f m at t e rs which are o f public kno wle dge , o r are capable t o unque st io nable
de m o nst rat io n, o r o ught t o be kno wn t o judge s be cause o f t he ir judicial f unct io ns. (1a)

Se ct io n 3. Judicial notice, when hearing necessary . During t he t rial, t he co urt , o n it s o wn init iat ive , o r o n re que st o f a part y, m ay anno unce it s int e nt io n t o t ake
judicial no t ice o f any m at t e r and allo w t he part ie s t o be he ard t he re o n.

Af t e r t he t rial, and be f o re judgm e nt o r o n appe al, t he pro pe r co urt , o n it s o wn init iat ive o r o n re que st o f a part y, m ay t ake judicial no t ice o f any m at t e r and
allo w t he part ie s t o be he ard t he re o n if such m at t e r is de cisive o f a m at e rial issue in t he case . (n)

Se ct io n 4 . Judicial admissions . An adm issio n, ve rbal o r writ t e n, m ade by t he part y in t he co urse o f t he pro ce e dings in t he sam e case , do e s no t re quire pro o f .
T he adm issio n m ay be co nt radict e d o nly by sho wing t hat it was m ade t hro ugh palpable m ist ake o r t hat no such adm issio n was m ade . (2a)

RULE 130

Rule s o f Adm issibilit y

A. OBJ ECT (REAL) EVIDENCE

Se ct io n 1. Object as evidence . Obje ct s as e vide nce are t ho se addre sse d t o t he se nse s o f t he co urt . Whe n an o bje ct is re le vant t o t he f act in issue , it m ay be
e xhibit e d t o , e xam ine d o r vie we d by t he co urt . (1a)

B. DOCUMENTARY EVIDENCE

Se ct io n 2. Documentary evidence . Do cum e nt s as e vide nce co nsist o f writ ing o r any m at e rial co nt aining le t t e rs, wo rds, num be rs, f igure s, sym bo ls o r o t he r
m o de s o f writ t e n e xpre ssio n o f f e re d as pro o f o f t he ir co nt e nt s. (n)

1. Be st Evide nce Rule

Se ct io n 3. Original document must be produced ; exceptions. Whe n t he subje ct o f inquiry is t he co nt e nt s o f a do cum e nt , no e vide nce shall be adm issible o t he r
t han t he o riginal do cum e nt it se lf , e xce pt in t he f o llo wing case s:

(a) Whe n t he o riginal has be e n lo st o r de st ro ye d, o r canno t be pro duce d in co urt , wit ho ut bad f ait h o n t he part o f t he o f f e ro r;

(b) Whe n t he o riginal is in t he cust o dy o r unde r t he co nt ro l o f t he part y against who m t he e vide nce is o f f e re d, and t he lat t e r f ails t o pro duce it af t e r
re aso nable no t ice ;

(c) Whe n t he o riginal co nsist s o f num e ro us acco unt s o r o t he r do cum e nt s which canno t be e xam ine d in co urt wit ho ut gre at lo ss o f t im e and t he f act
so ught t o be e st ablishe d f ro m t he m is o nly t he ge ne ral re sult o f t he who le ; and

(d) Whe n t he o riginal is a public re co rd in t he cust o dy o f a public o f f ice r o r is re co rde d in a public o f f ice . (2a)

Se ct io n 4 . Original of document .

(a) T he o riginal o f t he do cum e nt is o ne t he co nt e nt s o f which are t he subje ct o f inquiry.

(b) Whe n a do cum e nt is in t wo o r m o re co pie s e xe cut e d at o r abo ut t he sam e t im e , wit h ide nt ical co nt e nt s, all such co pie s are e qually re garde d as
o riginals.

(c) Whe n an e nt ry is re pe at e d in t he re gular co urse o f busine ss, o ne be ing co pie d f ro m ano t he r at o r ne ar t he t im e o f t he t ransact io n, all t he e nt rie s
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 are like wise e qually re garde d as o riginals. (3a)

2. Se co ndary Evide nce

Se ct io n 5 . When original document is unavailable . Whe n t he o riginal do cum e nt has be e n lo st o r de st ro ye d, o r canno t be pro duce d in co urt , t he o f f e ro r, upo n
pro o f o f it s e xe cut io n o r e xist e nce and t he cause o f it s unavailabilit y wit ho ut bad f ait h o n his part , m ay pro ve it s co nt e nt s by a co py, o r by a re cit al o f it s
co nt e nt s in so m e aut he nt ic do cum e nt , o r by t he t e st im o ny o f wit ne sse s in t he o rde r st at e d. (4 a)

Se ct io n 6 . When original document is in adverse party's custody or control . If t he do cum e nt is in t he cust o dy o r unde r t he co nt ro l o f adve rse part y, he m ust have
re aso nable no t ice t o pro duce it . If af t e r such no t ice and af t e r sat isf act o ry pro o f o f it s e xist e nce , he f ails t o pro duce t he do cum e nt , se co ndary e vide nce m ay
be pre se nt e d as in t he case o f it s lo ss. (5 a)

Se ct io n 7 . Evidence admissible when original document is a public record . Whe n t he o riginal o f do cum e nt is in t he cust o dy o f public o f f ice r o r is re co rde d in a
public o f f ice , it s co nt e nt s m ay be pro ve d by a ce rt if ie d co py issue d by t he public o f f ice r in cust o dy t he re o f . (2a)

Se ct io n 8. Party who calls for document not bound to offer it . A part y who calls f o r t he pro duct io n o f a do cum e nt and inspe ct s t he sam e is no t o blige d t o o f f e r
it as e vide nce . (6 a)

3. Paro l Evide nce Rule

Se ct io n 9 . Evide nce o f writ t e n agre e m e nt s. Whe n t he t e rm s o f an agre e m e nt have be e n re duce d t o writ ing, it is co nside re d as co nt aining all t he t e rm s
agre e d upo n and t he re can be , be t we e n t he part ie s and t he ir succe sso rs in int e re st , no e vide nce o f such t e rm s o t he r t han t he co nt e nt s o f t he writ t e n
agre e m e nt .

Ho we ve r, a part y m ay pre se nt e vide nce t o m o dif y, e xplain o r add t o t he t e rm s o f writ t e n agre e m e nt if he put s in issue in his ple ading:

(a) An int rinsic am biguit y, m ist ake o r im pe rf e ct io n in t he writ t e n agre e m e nt ;

(b) T he f ailure o f t he writ t e n agre e m e nt t o e xpre ss t he t rue int e nt and agre e m e nt o f t he part ie s t he re t o ;

(c) T he validit y o f t he writ t e n agre e m e nt ; o r

(d) T he e xist e nce o f o t he r t e rm s agre e d t o by t he part ie s o r t he ir succe sso rs in int e re st af t e r t he e xe cut io n o f t he writ t e n agre e m e nt .

T he t e rm " agre e m e nt " include s wills. (7 a)

4 . Int e rpre t at io n Of Do cum e nt s

Se ct io n 10 . Interpretation of a writing according to its legal meaning . T he language o f a writ ing is t o be int e rpre t e d acco rding t o t he le gal m e aning it be ars in t he
place o f it s e xe cut io n, unle ss t he part ie s int e nde d o t he rwise . (8)

Se ct io n 11. Instrument construed so as to give effect to all provisions . In t he co nst ruct io n o f an inst rum e nt , whe re t he re are se ve ral pro visio ns o r part iculars,
such a co nst ruct io n is, if po ssible , t o be ado pt e d as will give e f f e ct t o all. (9 )

Se ct io n 12. Interpretation according to intention ; general and particular provisions . In t he co nst ruct io n o f an inst rum e nt , t he int e nt io n o f t he part ie s is t o be
pursue d; and whe n a ge ne ral and a part icular pro visio n are inco nsist e nt , t he lat t e r is param o unt t o t he f o rm e r. So a part icular int e nt will co nt ro l a ge ne ral o ne
t hat is inco nsist e nt wit h it . (10 )

Se ct io n 13. Interpretation according to circumstances . Fo r t he pro pe r co nst ruct io n o f an inst rum e nt , t he circum st ance s unde r which it was m ade , including t he
sit uat io n o f t he subje ct t he re o f and o f t he part ie s t o it , m ay be sho wn, so t hat t he judge m ay be place d in t he po sit io n o f t ho se who language he is t o
int e rpre t . (11)

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Se ct io n 14 . Peculiar signification of terms . T he t e rm s o f a writ ing are pre sum e d t o have be e n use d in t he ir prim ary and ge ne ral acce pt at io n, but e vide nce is
adm issible t o sho w t hat t he y have a lo cal, t e chnical, o r o t he rwise pe culiar signif icat io n, and we re so use d and unde rst o o d in t he part icular inst ance , in which
case t he agre e m e nt m ust be co nst rue d acco rdingly. (12)

Se ct io n 15 . Written words control printed . Whe n an inst rum e nt co nsist s part ly o f writ t e n wo rds and part ly o f a print e d f o rm , and t he t wo are inco nsist e nt , t he
f o rm e r co nt ro ls t he lat t e r. (13)

Se ct io n 16 . Experts and interpreters to be used in explaining certain writings . Whe n t he charact e rs in which an inst rum e nt is writ t e n are dif f icult t o be de ciphe re d,
o r t he language is no t unde rst o o d by t he co urt , t he e vide nce o f pe rso ns skille d in de ciphe ring t he charact e rs, o r who unde rst and t he language , is adm issible
t o de clare t he charact e rs o r t he m e aning o f t he language . (14 )

Se ct io n 17 . Of Two constructions, which preferred . Whe n t he t e rm s o f an agre e m e nt have be e n int e nde d in a dif f e re nt se nse by t he dif f e re nt part ie s t o it , t hat
se nse is t o pre vail against e it he r part y in which he suppo se d t he o t he r unde rst o o d it , and whe n dif f e re nt co nst ruct io ns o f a pro visio n are o t he rwise e qually
pro pe r, t hat is t o be t ake n which is t he m o st f avo rable t o t he part y in who se f avo r t he pro visio n was m ade . (15 )

Se ct io n 18. Construction in favor of natural right . Whe n an inst rum e nt is e qually susce pt ible o f t wo int e rpre t at io ns, o ne in f avo r o f nat ural right and t he o t he r
against it , t he f o rm e r is t o be ado pt e d. (16 )

Se ct io n 19 . Interpretation according to usage . An inst rum e nt m ay be co nst rue d acco rding t o usage , in o rde r t o de t e rm ine it s t rue charact e r. (17 )

C. T EST IMONIAL EVIDENCE

1. Qualif icat io n o f Wit ne sse s

Se ct io n 20 . Witnesses; their qualifications . Exce pt as pro vide d in t he ne xt succe e ding se ct io n, all pe rso ns who can pe rce ive , and pe rce iving, can m ake t he ir
kno wn pe rce pt io n t o o t he rs, m ay be wit ne sse s.

Re ligio us o r po lit ical be lie f , int e re st in t he o ut co m e o f t he case , o r co nvict io n o f a crim e unle ss o t he rwise pro vide d by law, shall no t be gro und f o r
disqualif icat io n. (18a)

Se ct io n 21. Disqualification by reason of mental incapacity or immaturity . T he f o llo wing pe rso ns canno t be wit ne sse s:

(a) T ho se who se m e nt al co ndit io n, at t he t im e o f t he ir pro duct io n f o r e xam inat io n, is such t hat t he y are incapable o f int e llige nt ly m aking kno wn t he ir
pe rce pt io n t o o t he rs;

(b) Childre n who se m e nt al m at urit y is such as t o re nde r t he m incapable o f pe rce iving t he f act s re spe ct ing which t he y are e xam ine d and o f re lat ing
t he m t rut hf ully. (19 a)

Se ct io n 22. Disqualification by reason of marriage . During t he ir m arriage , ne it he r t he husband no r t he wif e m ay t e st if y f o r o r against t he o t he r wit ho ut t he
co nse nt o f t he af f e ct e d spo use , e xce pt in a civil case by o ne against t he o t he r, o r in a crim inal case f o r a crim e co m m it t e d by o ne against t he o t he r o r t he
lat t e r's dire ct de sce ndant s o r asce ndant s. (20 a)

Se ct io n 23. Disqualification by reason of death or insanity of adverse party . Part ie s o r assigno r o f part ie s t o a case , o r pe rso ns in who se be half a case is
pro se cut e d, against an e xe cut o r o r adm inist rat o r o r o t he r re pre se nt at ive o f a de ce ase d pe rso n, o r against a pe rso n o f unso und m ind, upo n a claim o r
de m and against t he e st at e o f such de ce ase d pe rso n o r against such pe rso n o f unso und m ind, canno t t e st if y as t o any m at t e r o f f act o ccurring be f o re t he
de at h o f such de ce ase d pe rso n o r be f o re such pe rso n be cam e o f unso und m ind. (20 a)

Se ct io n 24 . Disqualification by reason of privileged communication . T he f o llo wing pe rso ns canno t t e st if y as t o m at t e rs le arne d in co nf ide nce in t he f o llo wing
case s:

(a) T he husband o r t he wif e , during o r af t e r t he m arriage , canno t be e xam ine d wit ho ut t he co nse nt o f t he o t he r as t o any co m m unicat io n re ce ive d in
co nf ide nce by o ne f ro m t he o t he r during t he m arriage e xce pt in a civil case by o ne against t he o t he r, o r in a crim inal case f o r a crim e co m m it t e d by o ne
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 against t he o t he r o r t he lat t e r's dire ct de sce ndant s o r asce ndant s;

(b) An at t o rne y canno t , wit ho ut t he co nse nt o f his clie nt , be e xam ine d as t o any co m m unicat io n m ade by t he clie nt t o him , o r his advice give n t he re o n
in t he co urse o f , o r wit h a vie w t o , pro f e ssio nal e m plo ym e nt , no r can an at t o rne y's se cre t ary, st e no graphe r, o r cle rk be e xam ine d, wit ho ut t he co nse nt
o f t he clie nt and his e m plo ye r, co nce rning any f act t he kno wle dge o f which has be e n acquire d in such capacit y;

(c) A pe rso n aut ho rize d t o pract ice m e dicine , surge ry o r o bst e t rics canno t in a civil case , wit ho ut t he co nse nt o f t he pat ie nt , be e xam ine d as t o any
advice o r t re at m e nt give n by him o r any inf o rm at io n which he m ay have acquire d in at t e nding such pat ie nt in a pro f e ssio nal capacit y, which inf o rm at io n
was ne ce ssary t o e nable him t o act in capacit y, and which wo uld blacke n t he re put at io n o f t he pat ie nt ;

(d) A m inist e r o r prie st canno t , wit ho ut t he co nse nt o f t he pe rso n m aking t he co nf e ssio n, be e xam ine d as t o any co nf e ssio n m ade t o o r any advice
give n by him in his pro f e ssio nal charact e r in t he co urse o f discipline e njo ine d by t he church t o which t he m inist e r o r prie st be lo ngs;

(e ) A public o f f ice r canno t be e xam ine d during his t e rm o f o f f ice o r af t e rwards, as t o co m m unicat io ns m ade t o him in o f f icial co nf ide nce , whe n t he
co urt f inds t hat t he public int e re st wo uld suf f e r by t he disclo sure . (21a)

2. Te st im o nial Privile ge

Se ct io n 25 . Parental and filial privilege . No pe rso n m ay be co m pe lle d t o t e st if y against his pare nt s, o t he r dire ct asce ndant s, childre n o r o t he r dire ct
de sce ndant s. (20 a)

3. Adm issio ns and Co nf e ssio ns

Se ct io n 26 . Admission of a party . T he act , de clarat io n o r o m issio n o f a part y as t o a re le vant f act m ay be give n in e vide nce against him . (22)

Se ct io n 27 . Offer of compromise not admissible . In civil case s, an o f f e r o f co m pro m ise is no t an adm issio n o f any liabilit y, and is no t adm issible in e vide nce
against t he o f f e ro r.

In crim inal case s, e xce pt t ho se invo lving quasi-o f f e nse s (crim inal ne glige nce ) o r t ho se allo we d by law t o be co m pro m ise d, an o f f e r o f co m pro m ise d by t he
accuse d m ay be re ce ive d in e vide nce as an im plie d adm issio n o f guilt .

A ple a o f guilt y lat e r wit hdrawn, o r an unacce pt e d o f f e r o f a ple a o f guilt y t o le sse r o f f e nse , is no t adm issible in e vide nce against t he accuse d who m ade t he
ple a o r o f f e r.

An o f f e r t o pay o r t he paym e nt o f m e dical, ho spit al o r o t he r e xpe nse s o ccasio ne d by an injury is no t adm issible in e vide nce as pro o f o f civil o r crim inal
liabilit y f o r t he injury. (24 a)

Se ct io n 28. Admission by third party . T he right s o f a part y canno t be pre judice d by an act , de clarat io n, o r o m issio n o f ano t he r, e xce pt as he re inaf t e r
pro vide d. (25 a)

Se ct io n 29 . Admission by co-partner or agent . T he act o r de clarat io n o f a part ne r o r age nt o f t he part y wit hin t he sco pe o f his aut ho rit y and during t he
e xist e nce o f t he part ne rship o r age ncy, m ay be give n in e vide nce against such part y af t e r t he part ne rship o r age ncy is sho wn by e vide nce o t he r t han such act
o r de clarat io n. T he sam e rule applie s t o t he act o r de clarat io n o f a jo int o wne r, jo int de bt o r, o r o t he r pe rso n jo int ly int e re st e d wit h t he part y. (26 a)

Se ct io n 30 . Admission by conspirator . T he act o r de clarat io n o f a co nspirat o r re lat ing t o t he co nspiracy and during it s e xist e nce , m ay be give n in e vide nce
against t he co -co nspirat o r af t e r t he co nspiracy is sho wn by e vide nce o t he r t han such act o f de clarat io n. (27 )

Se ct io n 31. Admission by privies . Whe re o ne de rive s t it le t o pro pe rt y f ro m ano t he r, t he act , de clarat io n, o r o m issio n o f t he lat t e r, while ho lding t he t it le , in
re lat io n t o t he pro pe rt y, is e vide nce against t he f o rm e r. (28)

Se ct io n 32. Admission by silence . An act o r de clarat io n m ade in t he pre se nce and wit hin t he he aring o r o bse rvat io n o f a part y who do e s o r says no t hing whe n
t he act o r de clarat io n is such as nat urally t o call f o r act io n o r co m m e nt if no t t rue , and whe n pro pe r and po ssible f o r him t o do so , m ay be give n in e vide nce

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against him . (23a)

Se ct io n 33. Confession. T he de clarat io n o f an accuse d ackno wle dging his guilt o f t he o f f e nse charge d, o r o f any o f f e nse ne ce ssarily include d t he re in, m ay
be give n in e vide nce against him . (29 a)

4 . Pre vio us Co nduct as Evide nce

Se ct io n 34 . Similar acts as evidence . Evide nce t hat o ne did o r did no t do a ce rt ain t hing at o ne t im e is no t adm issible t o pro ve t hat he did o r did no t do t he
sam e o r sim ilar t hing at ano t he r t im e ; but it m ay be re ce ive d t o pro ve a spe cif ic int e nt o r kno wle dge ; ide nt it y, plan, syst e m , sche m e , habit , cust o m o r usage ,
and t he like . (4 8a)

Se ct io n 35 . Unaccepted offer . An o f f e r in writ ing t o pay a part icular sum o f m o ne y o r t o de live r a writ t e n inst rum e nt o r spe cif ic pe rso nal pro pe rt y is, if
re je ct e d wit ho ut valid cause , e quivale nt t o t he act ual pro duct io n and t e nde r o f t he m o ne y, inst rum e nt , o r pro pe rt y. (4 9 a)

5 . Te st im o nial Kno wle dge

Se ct io n 36 . Testimony generally confined to personal knowledge ; hearsay excluded . A wit ne ss can t e st if y o nly t o t ho se f act s which he kno ws o f his pe rso nal
kno wle dge ; t hat is, which are de rive d f ro m his o wn pe rce pt io n, e xce pt as o t he rwise pro vide d in t he se rule s. (30 a)

6 . Exce pt io ns To T he He arsay Rule

Se ct io n 37 . Dying declaration . T he de clarat io n o f a dying pe rso n, m ade unde r

t he co nscio usne ss o f an im pe nding de at h, m ay be re ce ive d in any case whe re in his de at h is t he subje ct o f inquiry, as e vide nce o f t he cause and surro unding
circum st ance s o f such de at h. (31a)

Se ct io n 38. Declaration against interest . T he de clarat io n m ade by a pe rso n de ce ase d, o r unable t o t e st if y, against t he int e re st o f t he de clarant , if t he f act is
asse rt e d in t he de clarat io n was at t he t im e it was m ade so f ar co nt rary t o de clarant 's o wn int e re st , t hat a re aso nable m an in his po sit io n wo uld no t have m ade
t he de clarat io n unle ss he be lie ve d it t o be t rue , m ay be re ce ive d in e vide nce against him se lf o r his succe sso rs in int e re st and against t hird pe rso ns. (32a)

Se ct io n 39 . Act or declaration about pedigree . T he act o r de clarat io n o f a pe rso n de ce ase d, o r unable t o t e st if y, in re spe ct t o t he pe digre e o f ano t he r pe rso n
re lat e d t o him by birt h o r m arriage , m ay be re ce ive d in e vide nce whe re it o ccurre d be f o re t he co nt ro ve rsy, and t he re lat io nship be t we e n t he t wo pe rso ns is
sho wn by e vide nce o t he r t han such act o r de clarat io n. T he wo rd " pe digre e " include s re lat io nship, f am ily ge ne alo gy, birt h, m arriage , de at h, t he dat e s whe n and
t he place s whe re t he se f ast o ccurre d, and t he nam e s o f t he re lat ive s. It e m brace s also f act s o f f am ily hist o ry int im at e ly co nne ct e d wit h pe digre e . (33a)

Se ct io n 4 0 . Family reputation or tradition regarding pedigree . T he re put at io n o r t radit io n e xist ing in a f am ily pre vio us t o t he co nt ro ve rsy, in re spe ct t o t he
pe digre e o f any o ne o f it s m e m be rs, m ay be re ce ive d in e vide nce if t he wit ne ss t e st if ying t he re o n be also a m e m be r o f t he f am ily, e it he r by co nsanguinit y o r
af f init y. Ent rie s in f am ily bible s o r o t he r f am ily bo o ks o r chart s, e ngravings o n rings, f am ily po rt rait s and t he like , m ay be re ce ive d as e vide nce o f pe digre e .
(34 a)

Se ct io n 4 1. Common reputation . Co m m o n re put at io n e xist ing pre vio us t o t he co nt ro ve rsy, re spe ct ing f act s o f public o r ge ne ral int e re st m o re t han t hirt y
ye ars o ld, o r re spe ct ing m arriage o r m o ral charact e r, m ay be give n in e vide nce . Mo num e nt s and inscript io ns in public place s m ay be re ce ive d as e vide nce o f
co m m o n re put at io n. (35 )

Se ct io n 4 2. Part of res gestae . St at e m e nt s m ade by a pe rso n while a st art ing o ccurre nce is t aking place o r im m e diat e ly prio r o r subse que nt t he re t o wit h
re spe ct t o t he circum st ance s t he re o f , m ay be give n in e vide nce as part o f res gestae. So , also , st at e m e nt s acco m panying an e quivo cal act m at e rial t o t he
issue , and giving it a le gal signif icance , m ay be re ce ive d as part o f t he res gestae. (36 a)

Se ct io n 4 3. Entries in the course of business . Ent rie s m ade at , o r ne ar t he t im e o f t ransact io ns t o which t he y re f e r, by a pe rso n de ce ase d, o r unable t o t e st if y,
who was in a po sit io n t o kno w t he f act s t he re in st at e d, m ay be re ce ive d as prima facie e vide nce , if such pe rso n m ade t he e nt rie s in his pro f e ssio nal capacit y o r
in t he pe rf o rm ance o f dut y and in t he o rdinary o r re gular co urse o f busine ss o r dut y. (37 a)

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Se ct io n 4 4 . Entries in official records . Ent rie s in o f f icial re co rds m ade in t he pe rf o rm ance o f his dut y by a public o f f ice r o f t he Philippine s, o r by a pe rso n in
t he pe rf o rm ance o f a dut y spe cially e njo ine d by law, are prima facie e vide nce o f t he f act s t he re in st at e d. (38)

Se ct io n 4 5 . Commercial lists and the like . Evide nce o f st at e m e nt s o f m at t e rs o f int e re st t o pe rso ns e ngage d in an o ccupat io n co nt aine d in a list , re gist e r,
pe rio dical, o r o t he r publishe d co m pilat io n is adm issible as t e nding t o pro ve t he t rut h o f any re le vant m at t e r so st at e d if t hat co m pilat io n is publishe d f o r
use by pe rso ns e ngage d in t hat o ccupat io n and is ge ne rally use d and re lie d upo n by t he m t he re in. (39 )

Se ct io n 4 6 . Learned treatises . A publishe d t re at ise , pe rio dical o r pam phle t o n a subje ct o f hist o ry, law, scie nce , o r art is adm issible as t e nding t o pro ve t he
t rut h o f a m at t e r st at e d t he re in if t he co urt t ake s judicial no t ice , o r a wit ne ss e xpe rt in t he subje ct t e st if ie s, t hat t he writ e r o f t he st at e m e nt in t he t re at ise ,
pe rio dical o r pam phle t is re co gnize d in his pro f e ssio n o r calling as e xpe rt in t he subje ct . (4 0 a)

Se ct io n 4 7 . Testimony or deposition at a former proceeding . T he t e st im o ny o r de po sit io n o f a wit ne ss de ce ase d o r unable t o t e st if y, give n in a f o rm e r case o r
pro ce e ding, judicial o r adm inist rat ive , invo lving t he sam e part ie s and subje ct m at t e r, m ay be give n in e vide nce against t he adve rse part y who had t he
o ppo rt unit y t o cro ss-e xam ine him . (4 1a)

7 . Opinio n Rule

Se ct io n 4 8. General rule . T he o pinio n o f wit ne ss is no t adm issible , e xce pt as indicat e d in t he f o llo wing se ct io ns. (4 2)

Se ct io n 4 9 . Opinion of expert witness . T he o pinio n o f a wit ne ss o n a m at t e r re quiring spe cial kno wle dge , skill, e xpe rie nce o r t raining which he sho wn t o
po sse s, m ay be re ce ive d in e vide nce . (4 3a)

Se ct io n 5 0 . Opinion of ordinary witnesses . T he o pinio n o f a wit ne ss f o r which pro pe r basis is give n, m ay be re ce ive d in e vide nce re garding

(a) t he ide nt it y o f a pe rso n abo ut who m he has ade quat e kno wle dge ;

(b) A handwrit ing wit h which he has suf f icie nt f am iliarit y; and

(c) T he m e nt al sanit y o f a pe rso n wit h who m he is suf f icie nt ly acquaint e d.

T he wit ne ss m ay also t e st if y o n his im pre ssio ns o f t he e m o t io n, be havio r, co ndit io n o r appe arance o f a pe rso n. (4 4 a)

8. Charact e r Evide nce

Se ct io n 5 1. Character evidence not generally admissible ; exceptions:

(a) In Crim inal Case s:

(1) T he accuse d m ay pro ve his go o d m o ral charact e r which is pe rt ine nt t o t he m o ral t rait invo lve d in t he o f f e nse charge d.

(2) Unle ss in re but t al, t he pro se cut io n m ay no t pro ve his bad m o ral charact e r which is pe rt ine nt t o t he m o ral t rait invo lve d in t he o f f e nse
charge d.

(3) T he go o d o r bad m o ral charact e r o f t he o f f e nde d part y m ay be pro ve d if it t e nds t o e st ablish in any re aso nable de gre e t he pro babilit y o r
im pro babilit y o f t he o f f e nse charge d.

(b) In Civil Case s:

Evide nce o f t he m o ral charact e r o f a part y in civil case is adm issible o nly whe n pe rt ine nt t o t he issue o f charact e r invo lve d in t he case .

(c) In t he case pro vide d f o r in Rule 132, Se ct io n 14 , (4 6 a, 4 7 a)

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 RULE 131

Burde n o f Pro o f and Pre sum pt io ns

Se ct io n 1. Burden of proof. Burde n o f pro o f is t he dut y o f a part y t o pre se nt e vide nce o n t he f act s in issue ne ce ssary t o e st ablish his claim o r de f e nse by
t he am o unt o f e vide nce re quire d by law. (1a, 2a)

Se ct io n 2. Conclusive presumptions. T he f o llo wing are inst ance s o f co nclusive pre sum pt io ns:

(a) Whe ne ve r a part y has, by his o wn de clarat io n, act , o r o m issio n, int e nt io nally and de libe rat e ly le d t o ano t he r t o be lie ve a part icular t hing t rue , and t o
act upo n such be lie f , he canno t , in any lit igat io n arising o ut o f such de clarat io n, act o r o m issio n, be pe rm it t e d t o f alsif y it :

(b) T he t e nant is no t pe rm it t e d t o de ny t he t it le o f his landlo rd at t he t im e o f co m m e nce m e nt o f t he re lat io n o f landlo rd and t e nant be t we e n t he m .

Se ct io n 3. Disputable presumptions. T he f o llo wing pre sum pt io ns are sat isf act o ry if unco nt radict e d, but m ay be co nt radict e d and o ve rco m e by o t he r
e vide nce :

(a) T hat a pe rso n is inno ce nt o f crim e o r wro ng;

(b) T hat an unlawf ul act was do ne wit h an unlawf ul int e nt ;

(c) T hat a pe rso n int e nds t he o rdinary co nse que nce s o f his vo lunt ary act ;

(d) T hat a pe rso n t ake s o rdinary care o f his co nce rns;

(e ) T hat e vide nce willf ully suppre sse d wo uld be adve rse if pro duce d;

(f ) T hat m o ne y paid by o ne t o ano t he r was due t o t he lat t e r;

(g) T hat a t hing de live re d by o ne t o ano t he r be lo nge d t o t he lat t e r;

(h) T hat an o bligat io n de live re d up t o t he de bt o r has be e n paid;

(i) T hat prio r re nt s o r inst allm e nt s had be e n paid whe n a re ce ipt f o r t he lat e r o ne is pro duce d;

(j) T hat a pe rso n f o und in po sse ssio n o f a t hing t ake n in t he do ing o f a re ce nt wro ngf ul act is t he t ake r and t he do e r o f t he who le act ; o t he rwise , t hat
t hings which a pe rso n po sse ss, o r e xe rcise s act s o f o wne rship o ve r, are o wne d by him ;

(k) T hat a pe rso n in po sse ssio n o f an o rde r o n him se lf f o r t he paym e nt o f t he m o ne y, o r t he de live ry o f anyt hing, has paid t he m o ne y o r de live re d t he
t hing acco rdingly;

(l) T hat a pe rso n act ing in a public o f f ice was re gularly appo int e d o r e le ct e d t o it ;

(m ) T hat o f f icial dut y has be e n re gularly pe rf o rm e d;

(n) T hat a co urt , o r judge act ing as such, whe t he r in t he Philippine s o r e lse whe re , was act ing in t he lawf ul e xe rcise o f jurisdict io n;

(o ) T hat all t he m at t e rs wit hin an issue raise d in a case we re laid be f o re t he co urt and passe d upo n by it ; and in like m anne r t hat all m at t e rs wit hin an
issue raise d in a disput e subm it t e d f o r arbit rat io n we re laid be f o re t he arbit rat o rs and passe d upo n by t he m ;

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 (p) T hat privat e t ransact io ns have be e n f air and re gular;

(q) T hat t he o rdinary co urse o f busine ss has be e n f o llo we d;

(r) T hat t he re was a suf f icie nt co nside rat io n f o r a co nt ract ;

(s) T hat a ne go t iable inst rum e nt was give n o r indo rse d f o r a suf f icie nt co nside rat io n;

(t ) T hat an e ndo rse m e nt o f ne go t iable inst rum e nt was m ade be f o re t he inst rum e nt was o ve rdue and at t he place whe re t he inst rum e nt is dat e d;

(u) T hat a writ ing is t ruly dat e d;

(v) T hat a le t t e r duly dire ct e d and m aile d was re ce ive d in t he re gular co urse o f t he m ail;

(w) T hat af t e r an abse nce o f se ve n ye ars, it be ing unkno wn whe t he r o r no t t he abse nt e e st ill live s, he is co nside re d de ad f o r all purpo se s, e xce pt f o r
t ho se o f succe ssio n.

T he abse nt e e shall no t be co nside re d de ad f o r t he purpo se o f o pe ning his succe ssio n t ill af t e r an abse nce o f t e n ye ars. If he disappe are d af t e r t he age o f
se ve nt y-f ive ye ars, an abse nce o f f ive ye ars shall be suf f icie nt in o rde r t hat his succe ssio n m ay be o pe ne d.

T he f o llo wing shall be co nside re d de ad f o r all purpo se s including t he divisio n o f t he e st at e am o ng t he he irs:

(1) A pe rso n o n bo ard a ve sse l lo st during a se a vo yage , o r an aircraf t wit h is m issing, who has no t be e n he ard o f f o r f o ur ye ars since t he lo ss o f
t he ve sse l o r aircraf t ;

(2) A m e m be r o f t he arm e d f o rce s who has t ake n part in arm e d ho st ilit ie s, and has be e n m issing f o r f o ur ye ars;

(3) A pe rso n who has be e n in dange r o f de at h unde r o t he r circum st ance s and who se e xist e nce has no t be e n kno wn f o r f o ur ye ars;

(4 ) If a m arrie d pe rso n has be e n abse nt f o r f o ur co nse cut ive ye ars, t he spo use pre se nt m ay co nt ract a subse que nt m arriage if he o r she has we ll-
f o unde d be lie f t hat t he abse nt spo use is alre ady de at h. In case o f disappe arance , whe re t he re is a dange r o f de at h t he circum st ance s
he re inabo ve pro vide d, an abse nce o f o nly t wo ye ars shall be suf f icie nt f o r t he purpo se o f co nt ract ing a subse que nt m arriage . Ho we ve r, in any
case , be f o re m arrying again, t he spo use pre se nt m ust inst it ut e a sum m ary pro ce e dings as pro vide d in t he Fam ily Co de and in t he rule s f o r
de clarat io n o f pre sum pt ive de at h o f t he abse nt e e , wit ho ut pre judice t o t he e f f e ct o f re appe arance o f t he abse nt spo use .

(x) T hat acquie sce nce re sult e d f ro m a be lie f t hat t he t hing acquie sce d in was co nf o rm able t o t he law o r f act ;

(y) T hat t hings have happe ne d acco rding t o t he o rdinary co urse o f nat ure and o rdinary nat ure habit s o f lif e ;

(z) T hat pe rso ns act ing as co part ne rs have e nt e re d int o a co nt ract o f co part ne ship;

(aa) T hat a m an and wo m an de po rt ing t he m se lve s as husband and wif e have e nt e re d int o a lawf ul co nt ract o f m arriage ;

(bb) T hat pro pe rt y acquire d by a m an and a wo m an who are capacit at e d t o m arry e ach o t he r and who live e xclusive ly wit h e ach o t he r as husband and wif e
wit ho ut t he be ne f it o f m arriage o r unde r vo id m arriage , has be e n o bt aine d by t he ir jo int e f f o rt s, wo rk o r indust ry.

(cc) T hat in case s o f co habit at io n by a m an and a wo m an who are no t capacit at e d t o m arry e ach o t he r and who have acquire pro pe rly t hro ugh t he ir
act ual jo int co nt ribut io n o f m o ne y, pro pe rt y o r indust ry, such co nt ribut io ns and t he ir co rre spo nding share s including jo int de po sit s o f m o ne y and
e vide nce s o f cre dit are e qual.

(dd) T hat if t he m arriage is t e rm inat e d and t he m o t he r co nt ract e d ano t he r m arriage wit hin t hre e hundre d days af t e r such t e rm inat io n o f t he f o rm e r
m arriage , t he se rule s shall go ve rn in t he abse nce o f pro o f t o t he co nt rary:

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 (1) A child bo rn be f o re o ne hundre d e ight y days af t e r t he so le m nizat io n o f t he subse que nt m arriage is co nside re d t o have be e n co nce ive d
during such m arriage , e ve n t ho ugh it be bo rn wit hin t he t hre e hundre d days af t e r t he t e rm inat io n o f t he f o rm e r m arriage .

(2) A child bo rn af t e r o ne hundre d e ight y days f o llo wing t he ce le brat io n o f t he subse que nt m arriage is co nside re d t o have be e n co nce ive d during
such m arriage , e ve n t ho ugh it be bo rn wit hin t he t hre e hundre d days af t e r t he t e rm inat io n o f t he f o rm e r m arriage .

(e e ) T hat a t hing o nce pro ve d t o e xist co nt inue s as lo ng as is usual wit h t hings o f t he nat ure ;

(f f ) T hat t he law has be e n o be ye d;

(gg) T hat a print e d o r publishe d bo o k, purpo rt ing t o be print e d o r publishe d by public aut ho rit y, was so print e d o r publishe d;

(hh) T hat a print e d o r publishe d bo o k, purpo rt ing co nt ain re po rt s o f case s adjudge d in t ribunals o f t he co unt ry whe re t he bo o k is publishe d, co nt ains
co rre ct re po rt s o f such case s;

(ii) T hat a t rust e e o r o t he r pe rso n who se dut y it was t o co nve y re al pro pe rt y t o a part icular pe rso n has act ually co nve ye d it t o him whe n such
pre sum pt io n is ne ce ssary t o pe rf e ct t he t it le o f such pe rso n o r his succe sso r in int e re st ;

(jj) T hat e xce pt f o r purpo se s o f succe ssio n, whe n t wo pe rso ns pe rish in t he sam e calam it y, such as wre ck, bat t le , o r co nf lagrat io n, and it is no t sho wn
who die d f irst , and t he re are no part icular circum st ance s f ro m which it can be inf e rre d, t he survivo rship is de t e rm ine d f ro m t he pro babilit ie s re sult ing
f ro m t he st re ngt h and t he age o f t he se xe s, acco rding t o t he f o llo wing rule s:

1. If bo t h we re unde r t he age o f f if t e e n ye ars, t he o lde r is de e m e d t o have survive d;

2. If bo t h we re abo ve t he age sixt y, t he yo unge r is de e m e d t o have survive d;

3. If o ne is unde r f if t e e n and t he o t he r abo ve sixt y, t he f o rm e r is de e m e d t o have survive d;

4 . If bo t h be o ve r f if t e e n and unde r sixt y, and t he se x be dif f e re nt , t he m ale is de e m e d t o have survive d, if t he se x be t he sam e , t he o lde r;

5 . If o ne be unde r f if t e e n o r o ve r sixt y, and t he o t he r be t we e n t ho se age s, t he lat t e r is de e m e d t o have survive d.

(kk) T hat if t he re is a do ubt , as be t we e n t wo o r m o re pe rso ns who are calle d t o succe e d e ach o t he r, as t o which o f t he m die d f irst , who e ve r alle ge s t he
de at h o f o ne prio r t o t he o t he r, shall pro ve t he sam e ; in t he abse nce o f pro o f , t he y shall be co nside re d t o have die d at t he sam e t im e . (5 a)

Se ct io n 4 . No presumption of legitimacy or illegitimacy . T he re is no pre sum pt io n o f le git im acy o f a child bo rn af t e r t hre e hundre d days f o llo wing t he
disso lut io n o f t he m arriage o r t he se parat io n o f t he spo use s. Who e ve r alle ge s t he le git im acy o r ille git im acy o f such child m ust pro ve his alle gat io n. (6 )

RULE 132

Pre se nt at io n o f Evide nce

A. EXAMINAT ION OF WIT NESSES

Se ct io n 1. Examination to be done in open court . T he e xam inat io n o f wit ne sse s pre se nt e d in a t rial o r he aring shall be do ne in o pe n co urt , and unde r o at h o r
af f irm at io n. Unle ss t he wit ne ss is incapacit at e d t o spe ak, o r t he que st io ns calls f o r a dif f e re nt m o de o f answe r, t he answe rs o f t he wit ne ss shall be give n
o rally. (1a)

Se ct io n 2. Proceedings to be recorded . T he e nt ire pro ce e dings o f a t rial o r he aring, including t he que st io ns pro po unde d t o a wit ne ss and his answe rs t he re t o ,

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t he st at e m e nt s m ade by t he judge o r any o f t he part ie s, co unse l, o r wit ne sse s wit h re f e re nce t o t he case , shall be re co rde d by m e ans o f sho rt hand o r
st e no t ype o r by o t he r m e ans o f re co rding f o und suit able by t he co urt .

A t ranscript o f t he re co rd o f t he pro ce e dings m ade by t he o f f icial st e no graphe r, st e no t ypist o r re co rde r and ce rt if ie d as co rre ct by him shall be de e m e d
prima facie a co rre ct st at e m e nt o f such pro ce e dings. (2a)

Se ct io n 3. Rights and obligations of a witness . A wit ne ss m ust answe r que st io ns, alt ho ugh his answe r m ay t e nd t o e st ablish a claim against him . Ho we ve r, it is
t he right o f a wit ne ss:

(1) To be pro t e ct e d f ro m irre le vant , im pro pe r, o r insult ing que st io ns, and f ro m harsh o r insult ing de m e ano r;

(2) No t t o be de t aine d lo nge r t han t he int e re st s o f just ice re quire ;

(3) No t t o be e xam ine d e xce pt o nly as t o m at t e rs pe rt ine nt t o t he issue ;

(4 ) No t t o give an answe r which will t e nd t o subje ct him t o a pe nalt y f o r an o f f e nse unle ss o t he rwise pro vide d by law; o r

(5 ) No t t o give an answe r which will t e nd t o de grade his re put at io n, unle ss it t o be t he ve ry f act at issue o r t o a f act f ro m which t he f act in issue wo uld
be pre sum e d. But a wit ne ss m ust answe r t o t he f act o f his pre vio us f inal co nvict io n f o r an o f f e nse . (3a, 19 a)

Se ct io n 4 . Order in the examination of an individual witness . T he o rde r in which t he individual wit ne ss m ay be e xam ine d is as f o llo ws;

(a) Dire ct e xam inat io n by t he pro po ne nt ;

(b) Cro ss-e xam inat io n by t he o ppo ne nt ;

(c) Re -dire ct e xam inat io n by t he pro po ne nt ;

(d) Re -cro ss-e xam inat io n by t he o ppo ne nt . (4 )

Se ct io n 5 . Direct examination . Dire ct e xam inat io n is t he e xam inat io n-in-chie f o f a wit ne ss by t he part y pre se nt ing him o n t he f act s re le vant t o t he issue .
(5 a)

Se ct io n 6 . Cross-examination; its purpose and extent . Upo n t he t e rm inat io n o f t he dire ct e xam inat io n, t he wit ne ss m ay be cro ss-e xam ine d by t he adve rse
part y as t o m any m at t e rs st at e d in t he dire ct e xam inat io n, o r co nne ct e d t he re wit h, wit h suf f icie nt f ullne ss and f re e do m t o t e st his accuracy and t rut hf ulne ss
and f re e do m f ro m int e re st o r bias, o r t he re ve rse , and t o e licit all im po rt ant f act s be aring upo n t he issue . (8a)

Se ct io n 7 . Re-direct examination; its purpose and extent . Af t e r t he cro ss-e xam inat io n o f t he wit ne ss has be e n co nclude d, he m ay be re -e xam ine d by t he part y
calling him , t o e xplain o r supple m e nt his answe rs give n during t he cro ss-e xam inat io n. On re -dire ct -e xam inat io n, que st io ns o n m at t e rs no t de alt wit h during
t he cro ss-e xam inat io n, m ay be allo we d by t he co urt in it s discre t io n. (12)

Se ct io n 8. Re-cross-examination . Upo n t he co nclusio n o f t he re -dire ct e xam inat io n, t he adve rse part y m ay re -cro ss-e xam ine t he wit ne ss o n m at t e rs st at e d
in his re -dire ct e xam inat io n, and also o n such o t he r m at t e rs as m ay be allo we d by t he co urt in it s discre t io n. (13)

Se ct io n 9 . Recalling witness . Af t e r t he e xam inat io n o f a wit ne ss by bo t h side s has be e n co nclude d, t he wit ne ss canno t be re calle d wit ho ut le ave o f t he
co urt . T he co urt will grant o r wit hho ld le ave in it s discre t io n, as t he int e re st s o f just ice m ay re quire . (14 )

Se ct io n 10 . Leading and misleading questions . A que st io n which sugge st s t o t he wit ne ss t he answe r which t he e xam ining part y de sire s is a le ading que st io n. It
is no t allo we d, e xce pt :

(a) On cro ss e xam inat io n;

(b) On pre lim inary m at t e rs;

(c) Whe n t he re is a dif f icult y is ge t t ing dire ct and int e lligible answe rs f ro m a wit ne ss who is igno rant , o r a child o f t e nde r ye ars, o r is o f f e e ble m ind, o r
a de af -m ut e ;

(d) Of an unwilling o r ho st ile wit ne ss; o r

(e ) Of a wit ne ss who is an adve rse part y o r an o f f ice r, dire ct o r, o r m anaging age nt o f a public o r privat e co rpo rat io n o r o f a part ne rship o r asso ciat io n
which is an adve rse part y.

A m isle ading que st io n is o ne which assum e s as t rue a f act no t ye t t e st if ie d t o by t he wit ne ss, o r co nt rary t o t hat which he has pre vio usly st at e d. It is no t
allo we d. (5 a, 6 a, and 8a)

Se ct io n 11. Impeachment of adverse party's witness . A wit ne ss m ay be im pe ache d by t he part y against who m he was calle d, by co nt radict o ry e vide nce , by
e vide nce t hat his ge ne ral re put at io n f o r t rut h, ho ne st ly, o r int e grit y is bad, o r by e vide nce t hat he has m ade at o t he r t im e s st at e m e nt s inco nsist e nt wit h his
pre se nt , t e st im o ny, but no t by e vide nce o f part icular wro ngf ul act s, e xce pt t hat it m ay be sho wn by t he e xam inat io n o f t he wit ne ss, o r t he re co rd o f t he
judgm e nt , t hat he has be e n co nvict e d o f an o f f e nse . (15 )

Se ct io n 12. Party may not impeach his own witness . Exce pt wit h re spe ct t o wit ne sse s re f e rre d t o in paragraphs (d) and (e ) o f Se ct io n 10 , t he part y pro ducing a
wit ne ss is no t allo we d t o im pe ach his cre dibilit y.

A wit ne ss m ay be co nside re d as unwilling o r ho st ile o nly if so de clare d by t he co urt upo n ade quat e sho wing o f his adve rse int e re st , unjust if ie d re luct ance t o
t e st if y, o r his having m isle d t he part y int o calling him t o t he wit ne ss st and.

T he unwilling o r ho st ile wit ne ss so de clare d, o r t he wit ne ss who is an adve rse part y, m ay be im pe ache d by t he part y pre se nt ing him in all re spe ct s as if he had
be e n calle d by t he adve rse part y, e xce pt by e vide nce o f his bad charact e r. He m ay also be im pe ache d and cro ss-e xam ine d by t he adve rse part y, but such cro ss-
e xam inat io n m ust o nly be o n t he subje ct m at t e r o f his e xam inat io n-in-chie f . (6 a, 7 a)

Se ct io n 13. How witness impeached by evidence of inconsistent statements . Be f o re a wit ne ss can be im pe ache d by e vide nce t hat he has m ade at o t he r t im e s
st at e m e nt s inco nsist e nt wit h his pre se nt t e st im o ny, t he st at e m e nt s m ust be re lat e d t o him , wit h t he circum st ance s o f t he t im e s and place s and t he pe rso ns
pre se nt , and he m ust be aske d whe t he r he m ade such st at e m e nt s, and if so , allo we d t o e xplain t he m . If t he st at e m e nt s be in writ ing t he y m ust be sho wn t o
t he wit ne ss be f o re any que st io n is put t o him co nce rning t he m . (16 )

Se ct io n 14 . Evidence of good character of witness . Evide nce o f t he go o d charact e r o f a wit ne ss is no t adm issible unt il such charact e r has be e n im pe ache d.
(17 )

Se ct io n 15 . Exclusion and separation of witnesses . On any t rial o r he aring, t he judge m ay e xclude f ro m t he co urt any wit ne ss no t at t he t im e unde r
e xam inat io n, so t hat he m ay no t he ar t he t e st im o ny o f o t he r wit ne sse s. T he judge m ay also cause wit ne sse s t o be ke pt se parat e and t o be pre ve nt e d f ro m
co nve rsing wit h o ne ano t he r unt il all shall have be e n e xam ine d. (18)

Se ct io n 16 . When witness may refer to memorandum . A wit ne ss m ay be allo we d t o re f re sh his m e m o ry re spe ct ing a f act , by anyt hing writ t e n o r re co rde d by
him se lf o r unde r his dire ct io n at t he t im e whe n t he f act o ccurre d, o r im m e diat e ly t he re af t e r, o r at any o t he r t im e whe n t he f act was f re sh in his m e m o ry and
kne w t hat t he sam e was co rre ct ly writ t e n o r re co rde d; but in such case t he writ ing o r re co rd m ust be pro duce d and m ay be inspe ct e d by t he adve rse part y, who
m ay, if he cho o se s, cro ss e xam ine t he wit ne ss upo n it , and m ay re ad it in e vide nce . So , also , a wit ne ss m ay t e st if y f ro m such writ ing o r re co rd, t ho ugh he
re t ain no re co lle ct io n o f t he part icular f act s, if he is able t o swe ar t hat t he writ ing o r re co rd co rre ct ly st at e d t he t ransact io n whe n m ade ; but such e vide nce
m ust be re ce ive d wit h caut io n. (10 a)

Se ct io n 17 . When part of transaction, writing or record given in evidence, the remainder, the remainder admissible . Whe n part o f an act , de clarat io n, co nve rsat io n,
writ ing o r re co rd is give n in e vide nce by o ne part y, t he who le o f t he sam e subje ct m ay be inquire d int o by t he o t he r, and whe n a de t ache d act , de clarat io n,
co nve rsat io n, writ ing o r re co rd is give n in e vide nce , any o t he r act , de clarat io n, co nve rsat io n, writ ing o r re co rd ne ce ssary t o it s unde rst anding m ay also be
give n in e vide nce . (11a)

Se ct io n 18. Right to respect writing shown to witness . Whe ne ve r a writ ing is sho wn t o a wit ne ss, it m ay be inspe ct e d by t he adve rse part y. (9 a)
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Se ct io n 18. Right to respect writing shown to witness . Whe ne ve r a writ ing is sho wn t o a wit ne ss, it m ay be inspe ct e d by t he adve rse part y. (9 a)

B. AUT HENT ICAT ION AND PROOF OF DOCUMENT S

Se ct io n 19 . Classes of Documents . Fo r t he purpo se o f t he ir pre se nt at io n e vide nce , do cum e nt s are e it he r public o r privat e .

Public do cum e nt s are :

(a) T he writ t e n o f f icial act s, o r re co rds o f t he o f f icial act s o f t he so ve re ign aut ho rit y, o f f icial bo die s and t ribunals, and public o f f ice rs, whe t he r o f t he
Philippine s, o r o f a f o re ign co unt ry;

(b) Do cum e nt s ackno wle dge be f o re a no t ary public e xce pt last wills and t e st am e nt s; and

(c) Public re co rds, ke pt in t he Philippine s, o f privat e do cum e nt s re quire d by law t o t he e nt e re d t he re in.

All o t he r writ ings are privat e . (20 a)

Se ct io n 20 . Proof of private document . Be f o re any privat e do cum e nt o f f e re d as aut he nt ic is re ce ive d in e vide nce , it s due e xe cut io n and aut he nt icit y m ust be
pro ve d e it he r:

(a) By anyo ne who saw t he do cum e nt e xe cut e d o r writ t e n; o r

(b) By e vide nce o f t he ge nuine ne ss o f t he signat ure o r handwrit ing o f t he m ake r.

Any o t he r privat e do cum e nt ne e d o nly be ide nt if ie d as t hat which it is claim e d t o be . (21a)

Se ct io n 21. When evidence of authenticity of private document not necessary . Whe re a privat e do cum e nt is m o re t han t hirt y ye ars o ld, is pro duce d f ro m t he
cust o dy in which it wo uld nat urally be f o und if ge nuine , and is unble m ishe d by any alt e rat io ns o r circum st ance s o f suspicio n, no o t he r e vide nce o f it s
aut he nt icit y ne e d be give n. (22a)

Se ct io n 22. How genuineness of handwriting proved . T he handwrit ing o f a pe rso n m ay be pro ve d by any wit ne ss who be lie ve s it t o be t he handwrit ing o f such
pe rso n be cause he has se e n t he pe rso n writ e , o r has se e n writ ing purpo rt ing t o be his upo n which t he wit ne ss has act e d o r be e n charge d, and has t hus
acquire d kno wle dge o f t he handwrit ing o f such pe rso n. Evide nce re spe ct ing t he handwrit ing m ay also be give n by a co m pariso n, m ade by t he wit ne ss o r t he
co urt , wit h writ ings adm it t e d o r t re at e d as ge nuine by t he part y against who m t he e vide nce is o f f e re d, o r pro ve d t o be ge nuine t o t he sat isf act io n o f t he
judge . (23a)

Se ct io n 23. Public documents as evidence. Do cum e nt s co nsist ing o f e nt rie s in public re co rds m ade in t he pe rf o rm ance o f a dut y by a public o f f ice r are prima
facie e vide nce o f t he f act s t he re in st at e d. All o t he r public do cum e nt s are e vide nce , e ve n against a t hird pe rso n, o f t he f act which gave rise t o t he ir e xe cut io n
and o f t he dat e o f t he lat t e r. (24 a)

Se ct io n 24 . Proof of official record . T he re co rd o f public do cum e nt s re f e rre d t o in paragraph (a) o f Se ct io n 19 , whe n adm issible f o r any purpo se , m ay be
e vide nce d by an o f f icial publicat io n t he re o f o r by a co py at t e st e d by t he o f f ice r having t he le gal cust o dy o f t he re co rd, o r by his de put y, and acco m panie d, if
t he re co rd is no t ke pt in t he Philippine s, wit h a ce rt if icat e t hat such o f f ice r has t he cust o dy. If t he o f f ice in which t he re co rd is ke pt is in f o re ign co unt ry, t he
ce rt if icat e m ay be m ade by a se cre t ary o f t he e m bassy o r le gat io n, co nsul ge ne ral, co nsul, vice co nsul, o r co nsular age nt o r by any o f f ice r in t he f o re ign
se rvice o f t he Philippine s st at io ne d in t he f o re ign co unt ry in which t he re co rd is ke pt , and aut he nt icat e d by t he se al o f his o f f ice . (25 a)

Se ct io n 25 . What attestation of copy must state . Whe ne ve r a co py o f a do cum e nt o r re co rd is at t e st e d f o r t he purpo se o f e vide nce , t he at t e st at io n m ust
st at e , in subst ance , t hat t he co py is a co rre ct co py o f t he o riginal, o r a spe cif ic part t he re o f , as t he case m ay be . T he at t e st at io n m ust be unde r t he o f f icial
se al o f t he at t e st ing o f f ice r, if t he re be any, o r if he be t he cle rk o f a co urt having a se al, unde r t he se al o f such co urt . (26 a)

Se ct io n 26 . Irremovability of public record . Any public re co rd, an o f f icial co py o f which is adm issible in e vide nce , m ust no t be re m o ve d f ro m t he o f f ice in
which it is ke pt , e xce pt upo n o rde r o f a co urt whe re t he inspe ct io n o f t he re co rd is e sse nt ial t o t he just de t e rm inat io n o f a pe nding case . (27 a)

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Se ct io n 27 . Public record of a private document . An aut ho rize d public re co rd o f a privat e do cum e nt m ay be pro ve d by t he o riginal re co rd, o r by a co py t he re o f ,
at t e st e d by t he le gal cust o dian o f t he re co rd, wit h an appro priat e ce rt if icat e t hat such o f f ice r has t he cust o dy. (28a)

Se ct io n 28. Proof of lack of record . A writ t e n st at e m e nt signe d by an o f f ice r having t he cust o dy o f an o f f icial re co rd o r by his de put y t hat af t e r dilige nt
se arch no re co rd o r e nt ry o f a spe cif ie d t e no r is f o und t o e xist in t he re co rds o f his o f f ice , acco m panie d by a ce rt if icat e as abo ve pro vide d, is adm issible as
e vide nce t hat t he re co rds o f his o f f ice co nt ain no such re co rd o r e nt ry. (29 )

Se ct io n 29 . How judicial record impeached . Any judicial re co rd m ay be im pe ache d by e vide nce o f : (a) want o f jurisdict io n in t he co urt o r judicial o f f ice r, (b)
co llusio n be t we e n t he part ie s, o r (c) f raud in t he part y o f f e ring t he re co rd, in re spe ct t o t he pro ce e dings. (30 a)

Se ct io n 30 . Proof of notarial documents . Eve ry inst rum e nt duly ackno wle dge d o r pro ve d and ce rt if ie d as pro vide d by law, m ay be pre se nt e d in e vide nce
wit ho ut f urt he r pro o f , t he ce rt if icat e o f ackno wle dgm e nt be ing prima facie e vide nce o f t he e xe cut io n o f t he inst rum e nt o r do cum e nt invo lve d. (31a)

Se ct io n 31. Alteration in document, how to explain . T he part y pro ducing a do cum e nt as ge nuine which has be e n alt e re d and appe ars t o have be e n alt e re d af t e r
it s e xe cut io n, in a part m at e rial t o t he que st io n in disput e , m ust acco unt f o r t he alt e rat io n. He m ay sho w t hat t he alt e rat io n was m ade by ano t he r, wit ho ut his
co ncurre nce , o r was m ade wit h t he co nse nt o f t he part ie s af f e ct e d by it , o r was o t he rwise pro pe rly o r inno ce nt m ade , o r t hat t he alt e rat io n did no t change
t he m e aning o r language o f t he inst rum e nt . If he f ails t o do t hat , t he do cum e nt shall no t be adm issible in e vide nce . (32a)

Se ct io n 32. Seal. T he re shall be no dif f e re nce be t we e n se ale d and unse ale d privat e do cum e nt s inso f ar as t he ir adm issibilit y as e vide nce is co nce rne d. (33a)

Se ct io n 33. Documentary evidence in an unofficial language . Do cum e nt s writ t e n in an uno f f icial language shall no t be adm it t e d as e vide nce , unle ss
acco m panie d wit h a t ranslat io n int o English o r Filipino . To avo id int e rrupt io n o f pro ce e dings, part ie s o r t he ir at t o rne ys are dire ct e d t o have such t ranslat io n
pre pare d be f o re t rial. (34 a)

C. OFFER AND OBJ ECT ION

Se ct io n 34 . Offer of evidence . T he co urt shall co nside r no e vide nce which has no t be e n f o rm ally o f f e re d. T he purpo se f o r which t he e vide nce is o f f e re d
m ust be spe cif ie d. (35 )

Se ct io n 35 . When to make offer . As re gards t he t e st im o ny o f a wit ne ss, t he o f f e r m ust be m ade at t he t im e t he wit ne ss is calle d t o t e st if y.

Do cum e nt ary and o bje ct e vide nce shall be o f f e re d af t e r t he pre se nt at io n o f a part y's t e st im o nial e vide nce . Such o f f e r shall be do ne o rally unle ss allo we d by
t he co urt t o be do ne in writ ing. (n)

Se ct io n 36 . Objection. Obje ct io n t o e vide nce o f f e re d o rally m ust be m ade im m e diat e ly af t e r t he o f f e r is m ade .

Obje ct io n t o a que st io n pro po unde d in t he co urse o f t he o ral e xam inat io n o f a wit ne ss shall be m ade as so o n as t he gro unds t he re f o r shall be co m e
re aso nably appare nt .

An o f f e r o f e vide nce in writ ing shall be o bje ct e d t o wit hin t hre e (3) days af t e r no t ice o f t he unle ss a dif f e re nt pe rio d is allo we d by t he co urt .

In any case , t he gro unds f o r t he o bje ct io ns m ust be spe cif ie d. (36 a)

Se ct io n 37 . When repetition of objection unnecessary . Whe n it be co m e s re aso nably appare nt in t he co urse o f t he e xam inat io n o f a wit ne ss t hat t he que st io n
be ing pro po unde d are o f t he sam e class as t ho se t o which o bje ct io n has be e n m ade , whe t he r such o bje ct io n was sust aine d o r o ve rrule d, it shall no t be
ne ce ssary t o re pe at t he o bje ct io n, it be ing suf f icie nt f o r t he adve rse part y t o re co rd his co nt inuing o bje ct io n t o such class o f que st io ns. (37 a)

Se ct io n 38. Ruling. T he ruling o f t he co urt m ust be give n im m e diat e ly af t e r t he o bje ct io n is m ade , unle ss t he co urt de sire s t o t ake a re aso nable t im e t o
inf o rm it se lf o n t he que st io n pre se nt e d; but t he ruling shall always be m ade during t he t rial and at such t im e as will give t he part y against who m it is m ade an
o ppo rt unit y t o m e e t t he sit uat io n pre se nt e d by t he ruling.

T he re aso n f o r sust aining o r o ve rruling an o bje ct io n ne e d no t be st at e d. Ho we ve r, if t he o bje ct io n is base d o n t wo o r m o re gro unds, a ruling sust aining t he

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o bje ct io n o n o ne o r so m e o f t he m m ust spe cif y t he gro und o r gro unds re lie d upo n. (38a)

Se ct io n 39 . Striking out answer . Sho uld a wit ne ss answe r t he que st io n be f o re t he adve rse part y had t he o ppo rt unit y t o vo ice f ully it s o bje ct io n t o t he sam e ,
and such o bje ct io n is f o und t o be m e rit o rio us, t he co urt shall sust ain t he o bje ct io n and o rde r t he answe r give n t o be st ricke n o f f t he re co rd.

On pro pe r m o t io n, t he co urt m ay also o rde r t he st riking o ut o f answe rs which are inco m pe t e nt , irre le vant , o r o t he rwise im pro pe r. (n)

Se ct io n 4 0 . Tender of excluded evidence . If do cum e nt s o r t hings o f f e re d in e vide nce are e xclude d by t he co urt , t he o f f e ro r m ay have t he sam e at t ache d t o
o r m ade part o f t he re co rd. If t he e vide nce e xclude d is o ral, t he o f f e ro r m ay st at e f o r t he re co rd t he nam e and o t he r pe rso nal circum st ance s o f t he wit ne ss
and t he subst ance o f t he pro po se d t e st im o ny. (n)

RULE 133

We ight and Suf f icie ncy o f Evide nce

Se ct io n 1. Preponderance of evidence, how determined . In civil case s, t he part y having burde n o f pro o f m ust e st ablish his case by a pre po nde rance o f
e vide nce . In de t e rm ining whe re t he pre po nde rance o r supe rio r we ight o f e vide nce o n t he issue s invo lve d lie s, t he co urt m ay co nside r all t he f act s and
circum st ance s o f t he case , t he wit ne sse s' m anne r o f t e st if ying, t he ir int e llige nce , t he ir m e ans and o ppo rt unit y o f kno wing t he f act s t o which t he re are
t e st if ying, t he nat ure o f t he f act s t o which t he y t e st if y, t he pro babilit y o r im pro babilit y o f t he ir t e st im o ny, t he ir int e re st o r want o f int e re st , and also t he ir
pe rso nal cre dibilit y so f ar as t he sam e m ay le git im at e ly appe ar upo n t he t rial. T he co urt m ay also co nside r t he num be r o f wit ne sse s, t ho ugh t he
pre po nde rance is no t ne ce ssarily wit h t he gre at e r num be r. (1a)

Se ct io n 2. Proof beyond reasonable doubt . In a crim inal case , t he accuse d is e nt it le d t o an acquit t al, unle ss his guilt is sho wn be yo nd re aso nable do ubt . Pro o f
be yo nd re aso nable do ubt do e s no t m e an such a de gre e o f pro o f , e xcluding po ssibilit y o f e rro r, pro duce s abso lut e ce rt ainly. Mo ral ce rt ainly o nly is re quire d,
o r t hat de gre e o f pro o f which pro duce s co nvict io n in an unpre judice d m ind. (2a)

Se ct io n 3. Extrajudicial confession, not sufficient ground for conviction . An e xt rajudicial co nf e ssio n m ade by an accuse d, shall no t be suf f icie nt gro und f o r
co nvict io n, unle ss co rro bo rat e d by e vide nce o f corpus delicti. (3)

Se ct io n 4 . Circumstantial evidence, when sufficient . Circum st ant ial e vide nce is suf f icie nt f o r co nvict io n if :

(a) T he re is m o re t han o ne circum st ance s;

(b) T he f act s f ro m which t he inf e re nce s are de rive d are pro ve n; and

(c) T he co m binat io n o f all t he circum st ance s is such as t o pro duce a co nvict io n be yo nd re aso nable do ubt . (5 )

Se ct io n 5 . Substantial evidence . In case s f ile d be f o re adm inist rat ive o r quasi-judicial bo die s, a f act m ay be de e m e d e st ablishe d if it is suppo rt e d by
subst ant ial e vide nce , o r t hat am o unt o f re le vant e vide nce which a re aso nable m ind m ight acce pt as ade quat e t o just if y a co nclusio n. (n)

Se ct io n 6 . Power of the court to stop further evidence . T he co urt m ay st o p t he int ro duct io n o f f urt he r t e st im o ny upo n any part icular po int whe n t he e vide nce
upo n it is alre ady so f ull t hat m o re wit ne sse s t o t he sam e po int canno t be re aso nably e xpe ct e d t o be addit io nally pe rsuasive . But t his po we r sho uld be
e xe rcise d wit h caut io n. (6 )

Se ct io n 7 . Evidence on motion . Whe n a m o t io n is base d o n f act s no t appe aring o f re co rd t he co urt m ay he ar t he m at t e r o n af f idavit s o r de po sit io ns
pre se nt e d by t he re spe ct ive part ie s, but t he co urt m ay dire ct t hat t he m at t e r be he ard who lly o r part ly o n o ral t e st im o ny o r de po sit io ns. (7 )

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 RULE 134 1

Pe rpe t uat io n o f Te st im o ny

Se ct io n 1. Petition. A pe rso n who de sire s t o pe rpe t uat e his o wn t e st im o ny o r t hat o f ano t he r pe rso n re garding any m at t e r t hat m ay be co gnizable in any
co urt o f t he Philippine s, any f ile a ve rif ie d pe t it io n in t he co urt o f t he pro vince o f t he re side nce o f any e xpe ct e d adve rse part y.

Se ct io n 2. Contents of petition . T he pe t it io n shall be e nt it le d in t he nam e o f t he pe t it io ne r and shall sho w: (a) t hat t he pe t it io ne r e xpe ct s t o be a part y t o an
act io n in a co urt o f t he Philippine s by is pre se nt ly unable t o bring it o r cause it t o be bro ught ; (b) t he subje ct m at t e r o f t he e xpe ct e d act io n and his int e re st
t he re in; (c) t he f act s which he de sire s t o e st ablish by t he pro po se d t e st im o ny and his re aso ns f o r de siring t o pe rpe t uat e it ; (d) t he nam e s o f a de script io n o f
t he pe rso ns he e xpe ct s will be adve rse part ie s and t he ir addre sse s so f ar as kno wn; and (e ) t he nam e s and addre sse s o f t he pe rso ns t o be e xam ine d and t he
subst ance o f t he t e st im o ny which he e xpe ct s t o e licit f ro m e ach, and shall ask f o r an o rde r aut ho rizing t he pe t it io ne r t o t ake t he de po sit io ns o f t he pe rso ns
t o be e xam ine d nam e d in t he pe t it io n f o r t he purpo se o f pe rpe t uat ing t he ir t e st im o ny.

Se ct io n 3. Notice and service . T he pe t it io ne r shall t he re af t e r se rve a no t ice upo n e ach pe rso n nam e d in t he pe t it io n as an e xpe ct e d adve rse part y, t o ge t he r
wit h a co py o f a pe t it io n, st at ing t hat t he pe t it io ne r will apply t o t he co urt , at a t im e and place nam e d t he re in, f o r t he o rde r de scribe d in t he pe t it io n. At le ast
t we nt y (20 ) days be f o re t he dat e o f he aring t he no t ice shall be se rve d in t he m anne r pro vide d f o r se rvice o f sum m o ns.

Se ct io n 4 . Order of examination . If t he co urt is sat isf ie d t hat t he pe rpe t uat io n o f t he t e st im o ny m ay pre ve nt a f ailure o r de lay o f just ice , it shall m ake an
o rde r de signat ing o r de scribing t he pe rso ns who se de po sit io n m ay be t ake n and spe cif ying t he subje ct m at t e r o f t he e xam inat io n, and whe t he r t he
de po sit io ns shall be t ake n upo n o ral e xam inat io n o r writ t e n int e rro gat o rie s. T he de po sit io ns m ay t he n be t ake n in acco rdance wit h Rule 24 be f o re t he
he aring.

Se ct io n 5 . Reference to court . Fo r t he purpo se o f applying Rule 24 t o de po sit io ns f o r pe rpe t uat ing t e st im o ny, e ach re f e re nce t he re in t o t he co urt in which
t he act io n is pe nding shall be de e m e d t o re f e r t o t he co urt in which t he pe t it io n f o r such de po sit io n was f ile d.

Se ct io n 6 . Use of deposition . If a de po sit io n t o pe rpe t uat e t e st im o ny is t ake n unde r t his rule , o r if , alt ho ugh no t so t ake n, it wo uld be adm issible in
e vide nce , it m ay be use d in any act io n invo lving t he sam e subje ct m at t e r subse que nt ly bro ught in acco rdance wit h t he pro visio ns o f Se ct io ns 4 and 5 o f Rule
24 .

Se ct io n 7 . Depositions pending appeal . If an appe al has be e n t ake n f ro m a judgm e nt o f t he Re gio nal Trial Co urt o r be f o re t he t aking o f an appe al if t he t im e
t he re f o r has no t e xpire d, t he Re gio nal Trial Co urt in which t he judgm e nt was re nde re d m ay allo w t he t aking o f de po sit io ns o f wit ne sse s t o pe rpe t uat e t he ir
t e st im o ny f o r use in t he e ve nt o f f urt he r pro ce e dings in t he said co urt . In such case t he part y who de sire s t o pe rpe t uat e t he t e st im o ny m ay m ake a m o t io n
in t he said Re gio nal Trial Co urt f o r le ave t o t ake t he de po sit io ns, upo n t he sam e no t ice and se rvice t he re o f as if t he act io n was pe nding t he re in. T he m o t io n
shall sho w (a) t he nam e and t he addre sse s o f t he pe rso ns t o be e xam ine d and t he subst ance o f t he t e st im o ny which he e xpe ct s t o e licit f ro m e ach; and (b)
t he re aso n f o r pe rpe t uat ing t he ir t e st im o ny. If t he co urt f inds t hat t he pe rpe t uat io n o f t he t e st im o ny is pro pe r t o avo id a f ailure o r de lay o f just ice , it m ay
m ake an o rde r allo wing t he de po sit io ns t o be t ake n, and t he re upo n t he de po sit io ns m ay be t ake n and use d in t he sam e m anne r and unde r t he sam e
co ndit io ns as are pre scribe d in t he se rule s f o r de po sit io ns t ake n in act io ns pe nding in t he Re gio nal Trial Co urt . (7 a)

Fo o t no t e

T his rule will be t ranspo se d t o Part 1 o f t he Rule s o f Co urt o n De po sit io n and Disco ve ry.

T he Lawphil Proje ct - Are llano Law Foundat ion

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