Special ADR Rules

September 1, 2009
EN BANC
[A.M. No. 07-11-08-SC]

SPECIAL RULES OF COURT ON ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION
Acting on the recommendation of the Chairperson of the Sub-Committee on the

Rules on Alternative Dispute Resolution submitting for this Court's consideration and
approval the proposed Special Rules of Court on Alternative Dispute Resolution, the
Court Resolved to APPROVE the same. TcAECH
This Rule shall take effect on October 30, 2009 following its publication in three
(3) newspapers of general circulation.
(SGD.) REYNATO S. PUNO

Chief Justice
(SGD.) LEONARDO A. QUISUMBING

Associate Justice
(SGD.) CONSUELO YNARES-SANTIAGO

Associate Justice
(SGD.) ANTONIO T. CARPIO

Associate Justice
(SGD.) RENATO C. CORONA

Associate Justice
(SGD.) CONCHITA CARPIO MORALES

Associate Justice
(SGD.) MINITA V. CHICO-NAZARIO

Associate Justice
(SGD.) PRESBITERO J. VELASCO, JR.

Associate Justice
(SGD.) ANTONIO EDUARDO B. NACHURA

CD Technologies Asia, Inc. 2019 cdasiaonline.com
Associate Justice
(SGD.) TERESITA J. LEONARDO-DE CASTRO

Associate Justice
(SGD.) ARTURO D. BRION

Associate Justice
(SGD.) DIOSDADO M. PERALTA

Associate Justice
(SGD.) LUCAS P. BERSAMIN

Associate Justice
(SGD.) MARIANO C. DEL CASTILLO

Associate Justice
(SGD.) ROBERTO A. ABAD

Associate Justice
SPECIAL RULES OF COURT ON ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION

PART I
General Provisions and Policies
RULE 1
General Provisions
RULE 1.1. Subject Matter and Governing Rules. — The Special Rules of Court
on Alternative Dispute Resolution (the "Special ADR Rules") shall apply to and govern the
following cases:
a. Relief on the issue of Existence, Validity, or Enforceability of the
Arbitration Agreement;
b. Referral to Alternative Dispute Resolution ("ADR");
c. Interim Measures of Protection;
d. Appointment of Arbitrator;
e. Challenge to Appointment of Arbitrator; cSEAHa
f. Termination of Mandate of Arbitrator;

g. Assistance in Taking Evidence;
h. Confirmation, Correction or Vacation of Award in Domestic
Arbitration;
i. Recognition and Enforcement or Setting Aside of an Award in
International Commercial Arbitration;
j. Recognition and Enforcement of a Foreign Arbitral Award;
k. Confidentiality/Protective Orders; and
l. Deposit and Enforcement of Mediated Settlement Agreements.
RULE 1.2. Nature of the Proceedings. — All proceedings under the Special
ADR Rules are special proceedings.
RULE 1.3. Summary Proceedings in Certain Cases. — The proceedings in the
following instances are summary in nature and shall be governed by this provision: CacISA
a. Judicial Relief Involving the Issue of Existence, Validity or

Enforceability of the Arbitration Agreement;
b. Referral to ADR;
c. Interim Measures of Protection;
d. Appointment of Arbitrator;
e. Challenge to Appointment of Arbitrator;
f. Termination of Mandate of Arbitrator;
g. Assistance in Taking Evidence;
h. Confidentiality/Protective Orders; and
i. Deposit and Enforcement of Mediated Settlement Agreements. CSaHDT
(A) Service and ling of petition in summary proceedings. — The petitioner

shall serve, either by personal service or courier, a copy of the petition upon the
respondent before the ling thereof. Proof of service shall be attached to the petition
filed in court.
For personal service, proof of service of the petition consists of the a davit of
the person who effected service, stating the time, place and manner of the service on
the respondent. For service by courier, proof of service consists of the signed courier
proof of delivery. If service is refused or has failed, the a davit or delivery receipt must
state the circumstances of the attempted service and refusal or failure thereof.
(B) Notice. — Except for cases involving Referral to ADR and
Con dentiality/Protective Orders made through motions, the court shall, if it nds the
petition su cient in form and substance, send notice to the parties directing them to
appear at a particular time and date for the hearing thereof which shall be set no later
than ve (5) days from the lapse of the period for ling the opposition or comment. The
notice to the respondent shall contain a statement allowing him to le a comment or
opposition to the petition within fifteen (15) days from receipt of the notice. aIcDCH
The motion led pursuant to the rules on Referral to ADR or

Con dentiality/Protective Orders shall be set for hearing by the movant and contain a
notice of hearing that complies with the requirements under Rule 15 of the Rules of
Court on motions.
(C) Summary hearing. — In all cases, as far as practicable, the summary
hearing shall be conducted in one (1) day and only for purposes of clarifying facts.
Except in cases involving Referral to ADR or Con dentiality/Protective Orders
made through motions, it shall be the court that sets the petition for hearing within ve
(5) days from the lapse of the period for filing the opposition or comment.
(D) Resolution. — The court shall resolve the matter within a period of thirty
(30) days from the day of the hearing.
RULE 1.4. Veri cation and Submissions. — Any pleading, motion, opposition,
comment, defense or claim led under the Special ADR Rules by the proper party shall
be supported by veri ed statements that the a ant has read the same and that the
factual allegations therein are true and correct of his own personal knowledge or based
on authentic records and shall contain as annexes the supporting documents.
The annexes to the pleading, motion, opposition, comment, defense or claim led
by the proper party may include a legal brief, duly veri ed by the lawyer submitting it,
stating the pertinent facts, the applicable law and jurisprudence to justify the necessity
for the court to rule upon the issue raised. aCSEcA
RULE 1.5. Certi cation Against Forum Shopping. — A Certi cation Against
Forum Shopping is one made under oath made by the petitioner or movant: (a) that he
has not theretofore commenced any action or led any claim involving the same issues
in any court, tribunal or quasi-judicial agency and, to the best of his knowledge, no such
other action or claim is pending therein; (b) if there is such other pending action or
claim, a complete statement of the present status thereof; and (c) if he should
thereafter learn that the same or similar action or claim has been led or is pending, he
shall report that fact within ve (5) days therefrom to the court wherein his
aforementioned petition or motion has been filed.
A Certi cation Against Forum Shopping shall be appended to all initiatory
pleadings except a Motion to Refer the Dispute to Alternative Dispute Resolution.
RULE 1.6. Prohibited Submissions. — The following pleadings, motions, or
petitions shall not be allowed in the cases governed by the Special ADR Rules and shall
not be accepted for filing by the Clerk of Court:
a. Motion to dismiss;
b. Motion for bill of particulars;
c. Motion for new trial or for reopening of trial;
d. Petition for relief from judgment;
e. Motion for extension, except in cases where an ex-parte temporary
order of protection has been issued;
f. Rejoinder to reply; cSHATC
g. Motion to declare a party in default; and

h. Any other pleading specifically disallowed under any provision of the
Special ADR Rules.
The court shall motu proprio order a pleading/motion that it has determined to
be dilatory in nature be expunged from the records.

RULE 1.7. Computation of Time. — In computing any period of time
prescribed or allowed by the Special ADR Rules, or by order of the court, or by any
applicable statute, the day of the act or event from which the designated period of time
begins to run is to be excluded and the date of performance included. If the last day of
the period, as thus computed, falls on a Saturday, a Sunday, or a legal holiday in the
place where the court sits, the time shall not run until the next working day. THaDEA
Should an act be done which effectively interrupts the running of the period, the
allowable period after such interruption shall start to run on the day after notice of the
cessation of the cause thereof.
The day of the act that caused the interruption shall be excluded from the
computation of the period.
RULE 1.8. Service and Filing of Pleadings, Motions and Other Papers in Non-
summary Proceedings. — The initiatory pleadings shall be led directly with the court.
The court will then cause the initiatory pleading to be served upon the respondent by
personal service or courier. Where an action is already pending, pleadings, motions and
other papers shall be led and/or served by the concerned party by personal service or
courier. Where courier services are not available, resort to registered mail is allowed.
(A) Proof of ling. — The ling of a pleading shall be proved by its
existence in the record of the case. If it is not in the record, but is
claimed to have been led personally, the ling shall be proved by the
written or stamped acknowledgment of its ling by the clerk of court
on a copy of the same; if led by courier, by the proof of delivery from
the courier company.
(B) Proof of service. — Proof of personal service shall consist of a
written admission by the party served, or the o cial return of the
server, or the a davit of the party serving, containing a full statement
of the date, place and manner of service. If the service is by courier,
proof thereof shall consist of an affidavit of the proper person, stating
facts showing that the document was deposited with the courier
company in a sealed envelope, plainly addressed to the party at his
o ce, if known, otherwise at his residence, with postage fully pre-
paid, and with instructions to the courier to immediately provide proof
of delivery.
(C) Filing and service by electronic means and proof thereof. — Filing
and service of pleadings by electronic transmission may be allowed
by agreement of the parties approved by the court. If the ling or
service of a pleading or motion was done by electronic transmission,
proof of ling and service shall be made in accordance with the Rules
on Electronic Evidence. DTEScI
RULE 1.9. No Summons. — In cases covered by the Special ADR Rules, a court
acquires authority to act on the petition or motion upon proof of jurisdictional facts, i.e.,
that the respondent was furnished a copy of the petition and the notice of hearing.
(A) Proof of service. — A proof of service of the petition and notice of
hearing upon respondent shall be made in writing by the server and
shall set forth the manner, place and date of service.
(B) Burden of proof. — The burden of showing that a copy of the petition
and the notice of hearing were served on the respondent rests on the
petitioner.
The technical rules on service of summons do not apply to the proceedings
under the Special ADR Rules. In instances where the respondent, whether a natural or a
juridical person, was not personally served with a copy of the petition and notice of
hearing in the proceedings contemplated in the rst paragraph of Rule 1.3 (B), or the
motion in proceedings contemplated in the second paragraph of Rule 1.3 (B), the
method of service resorted to must be such as to reasonably ensure receipt thereof by
the respondent to satisfy the requirement of due process.
RULE 1.10. Contents of Petition/Motion. — The initiatory pleading in the form
of a veri ed petition or motion, in the appropriate case where court proceedings have
already commenced, shall include the names of the parties, their addresses, the
necessary allegations supporting the petition and the relief(s) sought.
RULE 1.11. Definition. — The following terms shall have the following
meanings: ESITcH
a. "ADR Laws" refers to the whole body of ADR laws in the Philippines.
b. "Appointing Authority" shall mean the person or institution named in
the arbitration agreement as the appointing authority; or the regular
arbitration institution under whose rule the arbitration is agreed to be
conducted. Where the parties have agreed to submit their dispute to
institutional arbitration rules, and unless they have agreed to a
different procedure, they shall be deemed to have agreed to
procedure under such arbitration rules for the selection and
appointment of arbitrators. In ad hoc arbitration, the default
appointment of arbitrators shall be made by the National President of
the Integrated Bar of the Philippines or his duly authorized
representative.
c. "Authenticate" means to sign, execute or use a symbol, or encrypt a
record in whole or in part, intended to identify the authenticating party
and to adopt, accept or establish the authenticity of a record or term.
d. "Foreign Arbitral Award" is one made in a country other than the
Philippines.
e. "Legal Brief" is a written legal argument submitted to a court, outlining
the facts derived from the factual statements in the witness's
statements of fact and citing the legal authorities relied upon by a
party in a case submitted in connection with petitions, counter-
petitions (i.e., petitions to vacate or to set aside and/or to
correct/modify in opposition to petitions to con rm or to recognize
and enforce, or petitions to con rm or to recognize and enforce in
opposition to petitions to vacate or set aside and/or correct/modify),
motions, evidentiary issues and other matters that arise during the
course of a case. The legal brief shall state the applicable law and the
relevant jurisprudence and the legal arguments in support of a party's
position in the case.
f. "Veri cation" shall mean a certi cation under oath by a party or a
person who has authority to act for a party that he has read the
pleading/motion, and that he certi es to the truth of the facts stated
therein on the basis of his own personal knowledge or authentic
documents in his possession. When made by a lawyer, veri cation
shall mean a statement under oath by a lawyer signing a
pleading/motion for delivery to the Court or to the parties that he
personally prepared the pleading/motion, that there is su cient
factual basis for the statements of fact stated therein, that there is
su cient basis in the facts and the law to support the prayer for relief
therein, and that the pleading/motion is led in good faith and is not
interposed for delay. ISCaDH
RULE 1.12. Applicability of Part II on Speci c Court Relief. — Part II of the

Special ADR Rules on Speci c Court Relief, insofar as it refers to arbitration, shall also
be applicable to other forms of ADR.
RULE 1.13. Spirit and Intent of the Special ADR Rules. — In situations where
no speci c rule is provided under the Special ADR Rules, the court shall resolve such
matter summarily and be guided by the spirit and intent of the Special ADR Rules and
the ADR Laws.
RULE 2
Statement of Policies
RULE 2.1. General Policies. — It is the policy of the State to actively promote
the use of various modes of ADR and to respect party autonomy or the freedom of the
parties to make their own arrangements in the resolution of disputes with the greatest
cooperation of and the least intervention from the courts. To this end, the objectives of
the Special ADR Rules are to encourage and promote the use of ADR, particularly
arbitration and mediation, as an important means to achieve speedy and e cient
resolution of disputes, impartial justice, curb a litigious culture and to de-clog court
dockets.
The court shall exercise the power of judicial review as provided by these Special
ADR Rules. Courts shall intervene only in the cases allowed by law or these Special ADR
Rules.
RULE 2.2. Policy on Arbitration. — (A) Where the parties have agreed to
submit their dispute to arbitration, courts shall refer the parties to arbitration pursuant
to Republic Act No. 9285 bearing in mind that such arbitration agreement is the law
between the parties and that they are expected to abide by it in good faith. Further, the
courts shall not refuse to refer parties to arbitration for reasons including, but not
limited to, the following:
a. The referral tends to oust a court of its jurisdiction;
b. The court is in a better position to resolve the dispute subject of
arbitration;AaHTIE
c. The referral would result in multiplicity of suits;

d. The arbitration proceeding has not commenced;
e. The place of arbitration is in a foreign country;
f. One or more of the issues are legal and one or more of the arbitrators
are not lawyers;
g. One or more of the arbitrators are not Philippine nationals; or EcIaTA
h. One or more of the arbitrators are alleged not to possess the required
qualification under the arbitration agreement or law.
(B) Where court intervention is allowed under ADR Laws or the Special ADR
Rules, courts shall not refuse to grant relief, as provided herein, for any of the following
reasons:
a. Prior to the constitution of the arbitral tribunal, the court finds that the
principal action is the subject of an arbitration agreement; or
b. The principal action is already pending before an arbitral tribunal.
The Special ADR Rules recognize the principle of competence-competence,
which means that the arbitral tribunal may initially rule on its own jurisdiction, including
any objections with respect to the existence or validity of the arbitration agreement or
any condition precedent to the filing of a request for arbitration.
The Special ADR Rules recognize the principle of separability of the arbitration
clause, which means that said clause shall be treated as an agreement independent of
the other terms of the contract of which it forms part. A decision that the contract is
null and void shall not entail ipso jure the invalidity of the arbitration clause.
RULE 2.3. Rules Governing Arbitral Proceedings. — The parties are free to
agree on the procedure to be followed in the conduct of arbitral proceedings. Failing
such agreement, the arbitral tribunal may conduct arbitration in the manner it considers
appropriate. DCcSHE
RULE 2.4. Policy Implementing Competence-Competence Principle. — The

arbitral tribunal shall be accorded the rst opportunity or competence to rule on the
issue of whether or not it has the competence or jurisdiction to decide a dispute
submitted to it for decision, including any objection with respect to the existence or
validity of the arbitration agreement. When a court is asked to rule upon issue/s
affecting the competence or jurisdiction of an arbitral tribunal in a dispute brought
before it, either before or after the arbitral tribunal is constituted, the court must
exercise judicial restraint and defer to the competence or jurisdiction of the arbitral
tribunal by allowing the arbitral tribunal the first opportunity to rule upon such issues.
Where the court is asked to make a determination of whether the arbitration
agreement is null and void, inoperative or incapable of being performed, under this
policy of judicial restraint, the court must make no more than a prima facie
determination of that issue.
Unless the court, pursuant to such prima facie determination, concludes that the
arbitration agreement is null and void, inoperative or incapable of being performed, the
court must suspend the action before it and refer the parties to arbitration pursuant to
the arbitration agreement.
RULE 2.5. Policy on Mediation. — The Special ADR Rules do not apply to
Court-Annexed Mediation, which shall be governed by issuances of the Supreme Court.
Where the parties have agreed to submit their dispute to mediation, a court
before which that dispute was brought shall suspend the proceedings and direct the
parties to submit their dispute to private mediation. If the parties subsequently agree,
however, they may opt to have their dispute settled through Court-Annexed Mediation.
RULE 2.6. Policy on Arbitration-Mediation or Mediation-Arbitration. — No
arbitrator shall act as a mediator in any proceeding in which he is acting as arbitrator;
and all negotiations towards settlement of the dispute must take place without the
presence of that arbitrator. Conversely, no mediator shall act as arbitrator in any
proceeding in which he acted as mediator. HDCTAc
RULE 2.7. Conversion of a Settlement Agreement to an Arbitral Award. —

Where the parties to mediation have agreed in the written settlement agreement that
the mediator shall become the sole arbitrator for the dispute or that the settlement
agreement shall become an arbitral award, the sole arbitrator shall issue the settlement
agreement as an arbitral award, which shall be subject to enforcement under the law.
PART II
Specific Court Relief
RULE 3:
Judicial Relief Involving the Issue of Existence, Validity and Enforceability of the
Arbitration Agreement
RULE 3.1. When Judicial Relief is Available. — The judicial relief provided in
Rule 3, whether resorted to before or after commencement of arbitration, shall apply
only when the place of arbitration is in the Philippines.
A. Judicial Relief before Commencement of Arbitration
RULE 3.2. Who May File Petition. — Any party to an arbitration agreement may
petition the appropriate court to determine any question concerning the existence,
validity and enforceability of such arbitration agreement serving a copy thereof on the
respondent in accordance with Rule 1.4 (A).
RULE 3.3. When the Petition May be Filed. — The petition for judicial
determination of the existence, validity and/or enforceability of an arbitration
agreement may be filed at any time prior to the commencement of arbitration.
Despite the pendency of the petition provided herein, arbitral proceedings may
nevertheless be commenced and continue to the rendition of an award, while the issue
is pending before the court. ACIDTE
RULE 3.4. Venue. — A petition questioning the existence, validity and

enforceability of an arbitration agreement may be led before the Regional Trial Court
of the place where any of the petitioners or respondents has his principal place of
business or residence.
RULE 3.5. Grounds. — A petition may be granted only if it is shown that the
arbitration agreement is, under the applicable law, invalid, void, unenforceable or
inexistent.
RULE 3.6. Contents of Petition. — The veri ed petition shall state the
following:
a. The facts showing that the persons named as petitioner or
respondent have legal capacity to sue or be sued;
b. The nature and substance of the dispute between the parties;
c. The grounds and the circumstances relied upon by the petitioner to
establish his position; and
d. The relief/s sought. IDCHTE
Apart from other submissions, the petitioner must attach to the petition an
authentic copy of the arbitration agreement.
RULE 3.7. Comment/Opposition. — The comment/opposition of the
respondent must be filed within fifteen (15) days from service of the petition.
RULE 3.8. Court Action. — In resolving the petition, the court must exercise
judicial restraint in accordance with the policy set forth in Rule 2.4, deferring to the
competence or jurisdiction of the arbitral tribunal to rule on its competence or
jurisdiction.
RULE 3.9. No forum shopping. — A petition for judicial relief under this Rule
may not be commenced when the existence, validity or enforceability of an arbitration
agreement has been raised as one of the issues in a prior action before the same or
another court.
RULE 3.10. Application for Interim Relief. — If the petitioner also applies for
an interim measure of protection, he must also comply with the requirements of the
Special ADR Rules for the application for an interim measure of protection.
RULE 3.11. Relief Against Court Action. — Where there is a prima facie
determination upholding the arbitration agreement. — A prima facie determination by
the court upholding the existence, validity or enforceability of an arbitration agreement
shall not be subject to a motion for reconsideration, appeal or certiorari.
Such prima facie determination will not, however, prejudice the right of any party
to raise the issue of the existence, validity and enforceability of the arbitration
agreement before the arbitral tribunal or the court in an action to vacate or set aside the
arbitral award. In the latter case, the court's review of the arbitral tribunal's ruling
upholding the existence, validity or enforceability of the arbitration agreement shall no
longer be limited to a mere prima facie determination of such issue or issues as
prescribed in this Rule, but shall be a full review of such issue or issues with due regard,
however, to the standard for review for arbitral awards prescribed in these Special ADR
Rules. DHcEAa
B. Judicial Relief after Arbitration Commences

RULE 3.12. Who May File Petition. — Any party to arbitration may petition the
appropriate court for judicial relief from the ruling of the arbitral tribunal on a
preliminary question upholding or declining its jurisdiction. Should the ruling of the
arbitral tribunal declining its jurisdiction be reversed by the court, the parties shall be
free to replace the arbitrators or any one of them in accordance with the rules that were
applicable for the appointment of arbitrator sought to be replaced.
RULE 3.13. When Petition May be Filed. — The petition may be led within
thirty (30) days after having received notice of that ruling by the arbitral tribunal.
RULE 3.14. Venue. — The petition may be led before the Regional Trial Court
of the place where arbitration is taking place, or where any of the petitioners or
respondents has his principal place of business or residence.
RULE 3.15. Grounds. — The petition may be granted when the court nds that
the arbitration agreement is invalid, inexistent or unenforceable as a result of which the
arbitral tribunal has no jurisdiction to resolve the dispute.
RULE 3.16. Contents of Petition. — The petition shall state the following:
a. The facts showing that the person named as petitioner or respondent
has legal capacity to sue or be sued;
b. The nature and substance of the dispute between the parties;
c. The grounds and the circumstances relied upon by the petitioner; and
HCaEAT
d. The relief/s sought.

In addition to the submissions, the petitioner shall attach to the petition a copy of
the request for arbitration and the ruling of the arbitral tribunal.
The arbitrators shall be impleaded as nominal parties to the case and shall be
notified of the progress of the case.
RULE 3.17. Comment/Opposition. — The comment/opposition must be led
within fifteen (15) days from service of the petition.
RULE 3.18. Court Action. — (A) Period for resolving the petition. — The court
shall render judgment on the basis of the pleadings led and the evidence, if any,
submitted by the parties, within thirty (30) days from the time the petition is submitted
for resolution.
(B) No injunction of arbitration proceedings. — The court shall not enjoin the
arbitration proceedings during the pendency of the petition.
Judicial recourse to the court shall not prevent the arbitral tribunal from
continuing the proceedings and rendering its award. EScHDA
(C) When dismissal of petition is appropriate. — The court shall dismiss the
petition if it fails to comply with Rule 3.16 above; or if upon consideration of the
grounds alleged and the legal briefs submitted by the parties, the petition does not
appear to be prima facie meritorious.
RULE 3.19. Relief Against Court Action. — The aggrieved party may le a
motion for reconsideration of the order of the court. The decision of the court shall,
however, not be subject to appeal. The ruling of the court affirming the arbitral tribunal's
jurisdiction shall not be subject to a petition for certiorari. The ruling of the court that
the arbitral tribunal has no jurisdiction may be the subject of a petition for certiorari.
RULE 3.20. Where no Petition is Allowed. — Where the arbitral tribunal defers
its ruling on preliminary question regarding its jurisdiction until its nal award, the
aggrieved party cannot seek judicial relief to question the deferral and must await the
final arbitral award before seeking appropriate judicial recourse.
A ruling by the arbitral tribunal deferring resolution on the issue of its jurisdiction
until nal award, shall not be subject to a motion for reconsideration, appeal or a
petition for certiorari.
RULE 3.21. Rendition of Arbitral Award Before Court Decision on Petition
from Arbitral Tribunal's Preliminary Ruling on Jurisdiction. — If the arbitral tribunal
renders a nal arbitral award and the Court has not rendered a decision on the petition
from the arbitral tribunal's preliminary ruling a rming its jurisdiction, that petition shall
become ipso facto moot and academic and shall be dismissed by the Regional Trial
Court. The dismissal shall be without prejudice to the right of the aggrieved party to
raise the same issue in a timely petition to vacate or set aside the award.
RULE 3.22. Arbitral Tribunal a Nominal Party. — The arbitral tribunal is only a
nominal party. The court shall not require the arbitral tribunal to submit any pleadings or
written submissions but may consider the same should the latter participate in the
proceedings, but only as nominal parties thereto. DaIAcC
RULE 4
Referral to ADR
RULE 4.1. Who Makes the Request. — A party to a pending action led in
violation of the arbitration agreement, whether contained in an arbitration clause or in a
submission agreement, may request the court to refer the parties to arbitration in
accordance with such agreement.
RULE 4.2. When to Make Request. — (A) Where the arbitration agreement
exists before the action is led. — The request for referral shall be made not later than
the pre-trial conference. After the pre-trial conference, the court will only act upon the
request for referral if it is made with the agreement of all parties to the case.
(B) Submission agreement. — If there is no existing arbitration agreement at
the time the case is led but the parties subsequently enter into an arbitration
agreement, they may request the court to refer their dispute to arbitration at any time
during the proceedings.
RULE 4.3. Contents of Request. — The request for referral shall be in the form
of a motion, which shall state that the dispute is covered by an arbitration agreement.
Apart from other submissions, the movant shall attach to his motion an authentic
copy of the arbitration agreement.
The request shall contain a notice of hearing addressed to all parties specifying
the date and time when it would be heard. The party making the request shall serve it
upon the respondent to give him the opportunity to le a comment or opposition as
provided in the immediately succeeding Rule before the hearing. EHACcT

within fteen (15) days from service of the petition. The comment/opposition should
show that: (a) there is no agreement to refer the dispute to arbitration; and/or (b) the
agreement is null and void; and/or (c) the subject-matter of the dispute is not capable
of settlement or resolution by arbitration in accordance with Section 6 of the ADR Act.
RULE 4.5. Court Action. — After hearing, the court shall stay the action and,
considering the statement of policy embodied in Rule 2.4, above, refer the parties to
arbitration if it nds prima facie, based on the pleadings and supporting documents
submitted by the parties, that there is an arbitration agreement and that the subject-
matter of the dispute is capable of settlement or resolution by arbitration in
accordance with Section 6 of the ADR Act. Otherwise, the court shall continue with the
judicial proceedings.
RULE 4.6. No Reconsideration, Appeal or Certiorari. — An order referring the
dispute to arbitration shall be immediately executory and shall not be subject to a
motion for reconsideration, appeal or petition for certiorari.
An order denying the request to refer the dispute to arbitration shall not be
subject to an appeal, but may be the subject of a motion for reconsideration and/or a
petition for certiorari.
RULE 4.7. Multiple Actions and Parties. — The court shall not decline to refer
some or all of the parties to arbitration for any of the following reasons:
a. Not all of the disputes subject of the civil action may be referred to
arbitration;
b. Not all of the parties to the civil action are bound by the arbitration
agreement and referral to arbitration would result in multiplicity of
suits;
c. The issues raised in the civil action could be speedily and e ciently
resolved in its entirety by the court rather than in arbitration;
d. Referral to arbitration does not appear to be the most prudent action;
or
e. The stay of the action would prejudice the rights of the parties to the
civil action who are not bound by the arbitration agreement. TAacHE
The court may, however, issue an order directing the inclusion in arbitration of
those parties who are not bound by the arbitration agreement but who agree to such
inclusion provided those originally bound by it do not object to their inclusion.
RULE 4.8. Arbitration to Proceed. — Despite the pendency of the action
referred to in Rule 4.1, above, arbitral proceedings may nevertheless be commenced or
continued, and an award may be made, while the action is pending before the court.
RULE 5
Interim Measures of Protection
RULE 5.1. Who May Ask for Interim Measures of Protection. — A party to an
arbitration agreement may petition the court for interim measures of protection.
RULE 5.2. When to Petition. — A petition for an interim measure of protection
may be made (a) before arbitration is commenced, (b) after arbitration is commenced,
but before the constitution of the arbitral tribunal, or (c) after the constitution of the
arbitral tribunal and at any time during arbitral proceedings but, at this stage, only to the
extent that the arbitral tribunal has no power to act or is unable to act effectively.
RULE 5.3. Venue. — A petition for an interim measure of protection may be
led with the Regional Trial Court, which has jurisdiction over any of the following
places:
a. Where the principal place of business of any of the parties to
arbitration is located;
b. Where any of the parties who are individuals resides;
c. Where any of the acts sought to be enjoined are being performed,
threatened to be performed or not being performed; or EcHIDT
d. Where the real property subject of arbitration, or a portion thereof is

situated.
RULE 5.4. Grounds. — The following grounds, while not limiting the reasons
for the court to grant an interim measure of protection, indicate the nature of the
reasons that the court shall consider in granting the relief:
a. The need to prevent irreparable loss or injury;
b. The need to provide security for the performance of any obligation;

c. The need to produce or preserve evidence; or
d. The need to compel any other appropriate act or omission.
RULE 5.5. Contents of the Petition. — The veri ed petition must state the
following:
a. The fact that there is an arbitration agreement;
b. The fact that the arbitral tribunal has not been constituted, or if
constituted, is unable to act or would be unable to act effectively;
c. A detailed description of the appropriate relief sought;
d. The grounds relied on for the allowance of the petition. DHEcCT
Apart from other submissions, the petitioner must attach to his petition an
authentic copy of the arbitration agreement.
RULE 5.6. Type of Interim Measure of Protection that a Court May Grant. —
The following, among others, are the interim measures of protection that a court may
grant:
a. Preliminary injunction directed against a party to arbitration;
b. Preliminary attachment against property or garnishment of funds in
the custody of a bank or a third person;
c. Appointment of a receiver;
d. Detention, preservation, delivery or inspection of property; or,
e. Assistance in the enforcement of an interim measure of protection
granted by the arbitral tribunal, which the latter cannot enforce
effectively.
RULE 5.7. Dispensing with Prior Notice in Certain Cases. — Prior notice to the
other party may be dispensed with when the petitioner alleges in the petition that there
is an urgent need to either (a) preserve property, (b) prevent the respondent from
disposing of, or concealing, the property, or (c) prevent the relief prayed for from
becoming illusory because of prior notice, and the court nds that the reason/s given
by the petitioner are meritorious. AIHTEa

within fteen (15) days from service of the petition. The opposition or comment should
state the reasons why the interim measure of protection should not be granted.
RULE 5.9. Court Action. — After hearing the petition, the court shall balance
the relative interests of the parties and inconveniences that may be caused, and on that
basis resolve the matter within thirty (30) days from (a) submission of the opposition,
or (b) upon lapse of the period to le the same, or (c) from termination of the hearing
that the court may set only if there is a need for clarification or further argument.
If the other parties fail to le their opposition on or before the day of the hearing,
the court shall motu proprio render judgment only on the basis of the allegations in the
petition that are substantiated by supporting documents and limited to what is prayed
for therein.
In cases where, based solely on the petition, the court nds that there is an
urgent need to either (a) preserve property, (b) prevent the respondent from disposing
of, or concealing, the property, or (c) prevent the relief prayed for from becoming
illusory because of prior notice, it shall issue an immediately executory temporary order
of protection and require the petitioner, within ve (5) days from receipt of that order,
to post a bond to answer for any damage that respondent may suffer as a result of its
order. The ex-parte temporary order of protection shall be valid only for a period of
twenty (20) days from the service on the party required to comply with the order. Within
that period, the court shall: DSAICa
a. Furnish the respondent a copy of the petition and a notice requiring

him to comment thereon on or before the day the petition will be
heard; and
b. Notify the parties that the petition shall be heard on a day speci ed in
the notice, which must not be beyond the twenty (20) day period of
the effectivity of the ex-parte order.
The respondent has the option of having the temporary order of protection lifted
by posting an appropriate counter-bond as determined by the court.
If the respondent requests the court for an extension of the period to le his
opposition or comment or to reset the hearing to a later date, and such request is
granted, the court shall extend the period of validity of the ex-parte temporary order of
protection for no more than twenty days from expiration of the original period.
After notice and hearing, the court may either grant or deny the petition for an
interim measure of protection. The order granting or denying any application for interim
measure of protection in aid of arbitration must indicate that it is issued without
prejudice to subsequent grant, modi cation, amendment, revision or revocation by an
arbitral tribunal.
RULE 5.10. Relief Against Court Action. — If respondent was given an
opportunity to be heard on a petition for an interim measure of protection, any order by
the court shall be immediately executory, but may be the subject of a motion for
reconsideration and/or appeal or, if warranted, a petition for certiorari. IaAHCE
RULE 5.11. Duty of the Court to Refer Back. — The court shall not deny an
application for assistance in implementing or enforcing an interim measure of
protection ordered by an arbitral tribunal on any or all of the following grounds:
a. The arbitral tribunal granted the interim relief ex parte; or
b. The party opposing the application found new material evidence,
which the arbitral tribunal had not considered in granting in the
application, and which, if considered, may produce a different result;
or
c. The measure of protection ordered by the arbitral tribunal amends,
revokes, modifies or is inconsistent with an earlier measure of
protection issued by the court.
If it nds that there is su cient merit in the opposition to the application based
on letter (b) above, the court shall refer the matter back to the arbitral tribunal for
appropriate determination.
RULE 5.12. Security. — The order granting an interim measure of protection
may be conditioned upon the provision of security, performance of an act, or omission
thereof, specified in the order.
The Court may not change or increase or decrease the security ordered by the
arbitral tribunal.
RULE 5.13. Modi cation, Amendment, Revision or Revocation of Court's
Previously Issued Interim Measure of Protection. — Any court order granting or denying
interim measure/s of protection is issued without prejudice to subsequent grant,
modi cation, amendment, revision or revocation by the arbitral tribunal as may be
warranted. IcEACH
An interim measure of protection issued by the arbitral tribunal shall, upon its
issuance be deemed to have ipso jure modified, amended, revised or revoked an interim
measure of protection previously issued by the court to the extent that it is inconsistent
with the subsequent interim measure of protection issued by the arbitral tribunal.
RULE 5.14. Con ict or Inconsistency Between Interim Measure of Protection
Issued by the Court and by the Arbitral Tribunal. — Any question involving a con ict or
inconsistency between an interim measure of protection issued by the court and by the
arbitral tribunal shall be immediately referred by the court to the arbitral tribunal which
shall have the authority to decide such question.
RULE 5.15. Court to Defer Action on Petition for an Interim Measure of
Protection when Informed of Constitution of the Arbitral Tribunal. — The court shall
defer action on any pending petition for an interim measure of protection led by a
party to an arbitration agreement arising from or in connection with a dispute
thereunder upon being informed that an arbitral tribunal has been constituted pursuant
to such agreement. The court may act upon such petition only if it is established by the
petitioner that the arbitral tribunal has no power to act on any such interim measure of
protection or is unable to act thereon effectively.
RULE 5.16. Court Assistance Should Arbitral Tribunal be Unable to Effectively
Enforce Interim Measure of Protection. — The court shall assist in the enforcement of
an interim measure of protection issued by the arbitral tribunal which it is unable to
effectively enforce.
RULE 6
Appointment of Arbitrators
RULE 6.1. When the Court May Act as Appointing Authority. — The court shall
act as Appointing Authority only in the following instances:
a. Where any of the parties in an institutional arbitration failed or refused
to appoint an arbitrator or when the parties have failed to reach an
agreement on the sole arbitrator (in an arbitration before a sole
arbitrator) or when the two designated arbitrators have failed to reach
an agreement on the third or presiding arbitrator (in an arbitration
before a panel of three arbitrators), and the institution under whose
rules arbitration is to be conducted fails or is unable to perform its
duty as appointing authority within a reasonable time from receipt of
the request for appointment; TDcEaH
b. In all instances where arbitration is ad hoc and the parties failed to

provide a method for appointing or replacing an arbitrator, or
substitute arbitrator, or the method agreed upon is ineffective, and
the National President of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) or
his duly authorized representative fails or refuses to act within such
period as may be allowed under the pertinent rules of the IBP or
within such period as may be agreed upon by the parties, or in the
absence thereof, within thirty (30) days from receipt of such request
for appointment;
c. Where the parties agreed that their dispute shall be resolved by three
arbitrators but no method of appointing those arbitrators has been
agreed upon, each party shall appoint one arbitrator and the two
arbitrators thus appointed shall appoint a third arbitrator. If a party
fails to appoint his arbitrator within thirty (30) days of receipt of a
request to do so from the other party, or if the two arbitrators fail to
agree on the third arbitrator within a reasonable time from their
appointment, the appointment shall be made by the Appointing
Authority. If the latter fails or refuses to act or appoint an arbitrator
within a reasonable time from receipt of the request to do so, any
party or the appointed arbitrator/s may request the court to appoint
an arbitrator or the third arbitrator as the case may be.
RULE 6.2. Who May Request for Appointment. — Any party to an arbitration
may request the court to act as an Appointing Authority in the instances speci ed in
Rule 6.1 above.
RULE 6.3. Venue. — The petition for appointment of arbitrator may be led, at
the option of the petitioner, in the Regional Trial Court (a) where the principal place of
business of any of the parties is located, (b) if any of the parties are individuals, where
those individuals reside, or (c) in the National Capital Region.
RULE 6.4. Contents of the Petition. — The petition shall state the following:
a. The general nature of the dispute; cSTHAC
b. If the parties agreed on an appointment procedure, a description of

that procedure with reference to the agreement where such may be
found;
c. The number of arbitrators agreed upon or the absence of any
agreement as to the number of arbitrators;
d. The special qualifications that the arbitrator/s must possess, if any,
that were agreed upon by the parties;
e. The fact that the Appointing Authority, without justifiable cause, has
failed or refused to act as such within the time prescribed or in the
absence thereof, within a reasonable time, from the date a request is
made; and CDcHSa
f. The petitioner is not the cause of the delay in, or failure of, the
appointment of the arbitrator.
Apart from other submissions, the petitioner must attach to the petition (a) an
authentic copy of the arbitration agreement, and (b) proof that the Appointing Authority
has been notified of the filing of the petition for appointment with the court.
RULE 6.6. Submission of List of Arbitrators. — The court may, at its option,
also require each party to submit a list of not less than three (3) proposed arbitrators
together with their curriculum vitae.
RULE 6.7. Court Action. — After hearing, if the court nds merit in the petition,
it shall appoint an arbitrator; otherwise, it shall dismiss the petition.
In making the appointment, the court shall have regard to such considerations as
are likely to secure the appointment of an independent and impartial arbitrator.
At any time after the petition is led and before the court makes an appointment,
it shall also dismiss the petition upon being informed that the Appointing Authority has
already made the appointment. SATDEI
RULE 6.8. Forum Shopping Prohibited. — When there is a pending petition in

another court to declare the arbitration agreement inexistent, invalid, unenforceable, on
account of which the respondent failed or refused to participate in the selection and
appointment of a sole arbitrator or to appoint a party-nominated arbitrator, the petition
filed under this rule shall be dismissed.
RULE 6.9. Relief Against Court Action. — If the court appoints an arbitrator,
the order appointing an arbitrator shall be immediately executory and shall not be the
subject of a motion for reconsideration, appeal or certiorari. An order of the court
denying the petition for appointment of an arbitrator may, however, be the subject of a
motion for reconsideration, appeal or certiorari.
RULE 7
Challenge to Appointment of Arbitrator
RULE 7.1. Who May Challenge. — Any of the parties to an arbitration may
challenge an arbitrator.
RULE 7.2. When Challenge May be Raised in Court. — When an arbitrator is
challenged before the arbitral tribunal under the procedure agreed upon by the parties
or under the procedure provided for in Article 13 (2) of the Model Law and the
challenge is not successful, the aggrieved party may request the Appointing Authority
to rule on the challenge, and it is only when such Appointing Authority fails or refuses to
act on the challenge within such period as may be allowed under the applicable rule or
in the absence thereof, within thirty (30) days from receipt of the request, that the
aggrieved party may renew the challenge in court.
RULE 7.3. Venue. — The challenge shall be led with the Regional Trial Court
(a) where the principal place of business of any of the parties is located, (b) if any of the
parties are individuals, where those individuals reside, or (c) in the National Capital
Region.
RULE 7.4. Grounds. — An arbitrator may be challenged on any of the grounds
for challenge provided for in Republic Act No. 9285 and its implementing rules,
Republic Act No. 876 or the Model Law. The nationality or professional quali cation of
an arbitrator is not a ground to challenge an arbitrator unless the parties have speci ed
in their arbitration agreement a nationality and/or professional quali cation for
appointment as arbitrator. CaEATI
a. The name/s of the arbitrator/s challenged and his/their address;
b. The grounds for the challenge;
c. The facts showing that the ground for the challenge has been
expressly or impliedly rejected by the challenged arbitrator/s; and
d. The facts showing that the Appointing Authority failed or refused to
act on the challenge.
The court shall dismiss the petition motu proprio unless it is clearly alleged
therein that the Appointing Authority charged with deciding the challenge, after the
resolution of the arbitral tribunal rejecting the challenge is raised or contested before
such Appointing Authority, failed or refused to act on the challenge within thirty (30)
days from receipt of the request or within such longer period as may apply or as may
have been agreed upon by the parties.
RULE 7.6. Comment/Opposition. — The challenged arbitrator or other parties

may le a comment or opposition within fteen (15) days from service of the petition.
HaAISC
RULE 7.7. Court Action. — After hearing, the court shall remove the
challenged arbitrator if it nds merit in the petition; otherwise, it shall dismiss the
petition.
The court shall allow the challenged arbitrator who subsequently agrees to
accept the challenge to withdraw as arbitrator.
The court shall accept the challenge and remove the arbitrator in the following
cases:
a. The party or parties who named and appointed the challenged
arbitrator agree to the challenge and withdraw the appointment.
b. The other arbitrators in the arbitral tribunal agree to the removal of
the challenged arbitrator; and
c. The challenged arbitrator fails or refuses to submit his comment on
the petition or the brief of legal arguments as directed by the court, or
in such comment or legal brief, he fails to object to his removal
following the challenge. SCIcTD
The court shall decide the challenge on the basis of evidence submitted by the
parties.
The court will decide the challenge on the basis of the evidence submitted by the
parties in the following instances:
a. The other arbitrators in the arbitral tribunal agree to the removal of the
challenged arbitrator; and
b. If the challenged arbitrator fails or refuses to submit his comment on
the petition or the brief of legal arguments as directed by the court, or
in such comment or brief of legal arguments, he fails to object to his
removal following the challenge.
RULE 7.8. No Motion for Reconsideration, Appeal or Certiorari. — Any order of
the court resolving the petition shall be immediately executory and shall not be the
subject of a motion for reconsideration, appeal, or certiorari. acCETD
RULE 7.9. Reimbursement of Expenses and Reasonable Compensation to

Challenged Arbitrator. — Unless the bad faith of the challenged arbitrator is established
with reasonable certainty by concealing or failing to disclose a ground for his
disquali cation, the challenged arbitrator shall be entitled to reimbursement of all
reasonable expenses he may have incurred in attending to the arbitration and to a
reasonable compensation for his work on the arbitration. Such expenses include, but
shall not be limited to, transportation and hotel expenses, if any. A reasonable
compensation shall be paid to the challenged arbitrator on the basis of the length of
time he has devoted to the arbitration and taking into consideration his stature and
reputation as an arbitrator. The request for reimbursement of expenses and for
payment of a reasonable compensation shall be led in the same case and in the court
where the petition to replace the challenged arbitrator was led. The court, in
determining the amount of the award to the challenged arbitrator, shall receive
evidence of expenses to be reimbursed, which may consist of air tickets, hotel bills and
expenses, and inland transportation. The court shall direct the challenging party to pay
the amount of the award to the court for the account of the challenged arbitrator, in
default of which the court may issue a writ of execution to enforce the award.
RULE 8
Termination of the Mandate of Arbitrator
RULE 8.1. Who May Request Termination and on what Grounds. — Any of the
parties to an arbitration may request for the termination of the mandate of an arbitrator
where an arbitrator becomes de jure or de facto unable to perform his function or for
other reasons fails to act without undue delay and that arbitrator, upon request of any
party, fails or refuses to withdraw from his office.
RULE 8.2. When to Request. — If an arbitrator refuses to withdraw from his
o ce, and subsequently, the Appointing Authority fails or refuses to decide on the
termination of the mandate of that arbitrator within such period as may be allowed
under the applicable rule or, in the absence thereof, within thirty (30) days from the time
the request is brought before him, any party may le with the court a petition to
terminate the mandate of that arbitrator.
RULE 8.3. Venue. — A petition to terminate the mandate of an arbitrator may,
at that petitioner's option, be led with the Regional Trial Court (a) where the principal
place of business of any of the parties is located, (b) where any of the parties who are
individuals resides, or (c) in the National Capital Region. SEIaHT
a. The name of the arbitrator whose mandate is sought to be
terminated;
b. The ground/s for termination;
c. The fact that one or all of the parties had requested the arbitrator to
withdraw but he failed or refused to do so;
d. The fact that one or all of the parties requested the Appointing
Authority to act on the request for the termination of the mandate of
the arbitrator and failure or inability of the Appointing Authority to act
within thirty (30) days from the request of a party or parties or within
such period as may have been agreed upon by the parties or allowed
under the applicable rule.
The petitioner shall further allege that one or all of the parties had requested the
arbitrator to withdraw but he failed or refused to do so.
within fifteen (15) days from service of the petition. IHEAcC
RULE 8.6. Court Action. — After hearing, if the court nds merit in the petition,
it shall terminate the mandate of the arbitrator who refuses to withdraw from his o ce;
otherwise, it shall dismiss the petition.
RULE 8.7. No Motion for Reconsideration or Appeal. — Any order of the court
resolving the petition shall be immediately executory and shall not be subject of a
motion for reconsideration, appeal or petition for certiorari.
RULE 8.8. Appointment of Substitute Arbitrator. — Where the mandate of an
arbitrator is terminated, or he withdraws from office for any other reason, or because of
his mandate is revoked by agreement of the parties or is terminated for any other
reason, a substitute arbitrator shall be appointed according to the rules that were
applicable to the appointment of the arbitrator being replaced.
RULE 9
Assistance in Taking Evidence
RULE 9.1. Who May Request Assistance. — Any party to an arbitration,
whether domestic or foreign, may request the court to provide assistance in taking
evidence.
RULE 9.2. When Assistance May be Sought. — Assistance may be sought at
any time during the course of the arbitral proceedings when the need arises. CAcDTI
RULE 9.3. Venue. — A petition for assistance in taking evidence may, at the
option of the petitioner, be led with Regional Trial Court where (a) arbitration
proceedings are taking place, (b) the witnesses reside or may be found, or (c) where
the evidence may be found.
RULE 9.4. Ground. — The court may grant or execute the request for
assistance in taking evidence within its competence and according to the rules of
evidence.
RULE 9.5. Type of Assistance. — A party requiring assistance in the taking of
evidence may petition the court to direct any person, including a representative of a
corporation, association, partnership or other entity (other than a party to the ADR
proceedings or its officers) found in the Philippines, for any of the following:
a. To comply with a subpoena ad testi candum and/or subpoena duces
tecum;
b. To appear as a witness before an o cer for the taking of his
deposition upon oral examination or by written interrogatories;ScaATD
c. To allow the physical examination of the condition of persons, or the

inspection of things or premises and, when appropriate, to allow the
recording and/or documentation of condition of persons, things or
premises (i.e., photographs, video and other means of
recording/documentation);
d. To allow the examination and copying of documents; and
e. To perform any similar acts.
RULE 9.6. Contents of the Petition. — The petition must state the following:

a. The fact that there is an ongoing arbitration proceeding even if such
proceeding could not continue due to some legal impediments;
b. The arbitral tribunal ordered the taking of evidence or the party
desires to present evidence to the arbitral tribunal;
c. Materiality or relevance of the evidence to be taken; and
d. The names and addresses of the intended witness/es, place where
the evidence may be found, the place where the premises to be
inspected are located or the place where the acts required are to be
done. ASTIED

RULE 9.8. Court Action. — If the evidence sought is not privileged, and is
material and relevant, the court shall grant the assistance in taking evidence requested
and shall order petitioner to pay costs attendant to such assistance.
RULE 9.9. Relief Against Court Action. — The order granting assistance in
taking evidence shall be immediately executory and not subject to reconsideration or
appeal. If the court declines to grant assistance in taking evidence, the petitioner may
file a motion for reconsideration or appeal.
RULE 9.10. Perpetuation of Testimony Before the Arbitral Tribunal is
Constituted. — At anytime before arbitration is commenced or before the arbitral
tribunal is constituted, any person who desires to perpetuate his testimony or that of
another person may do so in accordance with Rule 24 of the Rules of Court.
RULE 9.11. Consequence of Disobedience. — The court may impose the
appropriate sanction on any person who disobeys its order to testify when required or
perform any act required of him.
RULE 10
Confidentiality/Protective Orders
RULE 10.1. Who May Request Con dentiality. — A party, counsel or witness
who disclosed or who was compelled to disclose information relative to the subject of
ADR under circumstances that would create a reasonable expectation, on behalf of the
source, that the information shall be kept con dential has the right to prevent such
information from being further disclosed without the express written consent of the
source or the party who made the disclosure. HSEcTC
RULE 10.2. When Request Made. — A party may request a protective order at
anytime there is a need to enforce the con dentiality of the information obtained, or to
be obtained, in ADR proceedings.
RULE 10.3. Venue. — A petition for a protective order may be led with the
Regional Trial Court where that order would be implemented.
If there is a pending court proceeding in which the information obtained in an
ADR proceeding is required to be divulged or is being divulged, the party seeking to
enforce the con dentiality of the information may le a motion with the court where the
proceedings are pending to enjoin the con dential information from being divulged or
to suppress confidential information.
RULE 10.4. Grounds. — A protective order may be granted only if it is shown
that the applicant would be materially prejudiced by an unauthorized disclosure of the
information obtained, or to be obtained, during an ADR proceeding.
RULE 10.5. Contents of the Motion or Petition. — The petition or motion must
state the following: ACIEaH
a. That the information sought to be protected was obtained, or would

be obtained, during an ADR proceeding;
b. The applicant would be materially prejudiced by the disclosure of that
information;
c. The person or persons who are being asked to divulge the
confidential information participated in an ADR proceedings; and
d. The time, date and place when the ADR proceedings took place.
Apart from the other submissions, the movant must set the motion for hearing
and contain a notice of hearing in accordance with Rule 15 of the Rules of Court.
RULE 10.6. Notice. — Notice of a request for a protective order made through
a motion shall be made to the opposing parties in accordance with Rule 15 of the Rules
of Court.
within fteen (15) days from service of the petition. The opposition or comment may
be accompanied by written proof that (a) the information is not con dential, (b) the
information was not obtained during an ADR proceeding, (c) there was a waiver of
con dentiality, or (d) the petitioner/movant is precluded from asserting con dentiality.
TASCEc
RULE 10.8. Court Action. — If the court nds the petition or motion
meritorious, it shall issue an order enjoining a person or persons from divulging
confidential information.
In resolving the petition or motion, the courts shall be guided by the following
principles applicable to all ADR proceedings: Con dential information shall not be
subject to discovery and shall be inadmissible in any adversarial proceeding, whether
judicial or quasi judicial. However, evidence or information that is otherwise admissible
or subject to discovery does not become inadmissible or protected from discovery
solely by reason of its use therein.
For mediation proceedings, the court shall be further guided by the following
principles:
a. Information obtained through mediation shall be privileged and
confidential.
b. A party, a mediator, or a nonparty participant may refuse to disclose
and may prevent any other person from disclosing a mediation
communication.
c. In such an adversarial proceeding, the following persons involved or
previously involved in a mediation may not be compelled to disclose
con dential information obtained during the mediation: (1) the parties
to the dispute; (2) the mediator or mediators; (3) the counsel for the
parties; (4) the nonparty participants; (5) any persons hired or
engaged in connection with the mediation as secretary, stenographer;
clerk or assistant; and (6) any other person who obtains or possesses
confidential information by reason of his/her profession. aEHIDT
d. The protection of the ADR Laws shall continue to apply even if a

mediator is found to have failed to act impartially.
e. A mediator may not be called to testify to provide information
gathered in mediation. A mediator who is wrongfully subpoenaed
shall be reimbursed the full cost of his attorney fees and related
expenses.
RULE 10.9. Relief Against Court Action. — The order enjoining a person or
persons from divulging con dential information shall be immediately executory and
may not be enjoined while the order is being questioned with the appellate courts.
If the court declines to enjoin a person or persons from divulging con dential
information, the petitioner may file a motion for reconsideration or appeal.
RULE 10.10. Consequence of Disobedience. — Any person who disobeys the
order of the court to cease from divulging con dential information shall be imposed
the proper sanction by the court.
RULE 11
Confirmation, Correction or Vacation of Award in Domestic Arbitration
RULE 11.1. Who May Request Con rmation, Correction or Vacation. — Any
party to a domestic arbitration may petition the court to con rm, correct or vacate a
domestic arbitral award. TSHEIc
RULE 11.2. When to Request Con rmation, Correction/Modi cation or

Vacation. —
(A) Confirmation. — At any time after the lapse of thirty (30) days from
receipt by the petitioner of the arbitral award, he may petition the
court to confirm that award.
(B) Correction/Modi cation. — Not later than thirty (30) days from
receipt of the arbitral award, a party may petition the court to
correct/modify that award.
(C) Vacation. — Not later than thirty (30) days from receipt of the arbitral
award, a party may petition the court to vacate that award.
(D) A petition to vacate the arbitral award may be filed, in opposition to a
petition to con rm the arbitral award, not later than thirty (30) days
from receipt of the award by the petitioner. A petition to vacate the
arbitral award led beyond the reglementary period shall be
dismissed.
(E) A petition to con rm the arbitral award may be led, in opposition to
a petition to vacate the arbitral award, at any time after the petition to
vacate such arbitral award is led. The dismissal of the petition to
vacate the arbitral award for having been led beyond the
reglementary period shall not result in the dismissal of the petition for
the confirmation of such arbitral award. DaTICE
(F) The ling of a petition to con rm an arbitral award shall not authorize
the ling of a belated petition to vacate or set aside such award in
opposition thereto.
(G) A petition to correct an arbitral award may be included as part of a
petition to con rm the arbitral award or as a petition to con rm that
award.
RULE 11.3. Venue. — The petition for con rmation, correction/modi cation
or vacation of a domestic arbitral award may be led with Regional Trial Court having
jurisdiction over the place in which one of the parties is doing business, where any of
the parties reside or where arbitration proceedings were conducted.
RULE 11.4. Grounds. — (A) To vacate an arbitral award. — The arbitral award
may be vacated on the following grounds:
a. The arbitral award was procured through corruption, fraud or other
undue means;
b. There was evident partiality or corruption in the arbitral tribunal or any
of its members;
c. The arbitral tribunal was guilty of misconduct or any form of
misbehavior that has materially prejudiced the rights of any party
such as refusing to postpone a hearing upon su cient cause shown
or to hear evidence pertinent and material to the controversy; CIAHDT
d. One or more of the arbitrators was disquali ed to act as such under

the law and willfully refrained from disclosing such disqualification; or
e. The arbitral tribunal exceeded its powers, or so imperfectly executed
them, such that a complete, nal and de nite award upon the subject
matter submitted to them was not made.
The award may also be vacated on any or all of the following grounds:
a. The arbitration agreement did not exist, or is invalid for any ground for
the revocation of a contract or is otherwise unenforceable; or
b. A party to arbitration is a minor or a person judicially declared to be
incompetent.
The petition to vacate an arbitral award on the ground that the party to arbitration
is a minor or a person judicially declared to be incompetent shall be led only on behalf
of the minor or incompetent and shall allege that (a) the other party to arbitration had
knowingly entered into a submission or agreement with such minor or incompetent, or
(b) the submission to arbitration was made by a guardian or guardian ad litem who was
not authorized to do so by a competent court.
In deciding the petition to vacate the arbitral award, the court shall disregard any
other ground than those enumerated above. aIcHSC
(B) To correct/modify an arbitral award. — The Court may correct/modify or

order the arbitral tribunal to correct/modify the arbitral award in the following cases:
a. Where there was an evident miscalculation of gures or an evident
mistake in the description of any person, thing or property referred to
in the award;

b. Where the arbitrators have awarded upon a matter not submitted to
them, not affecting the merits of the decision upon the matter
submitted;
c. Where the arbitrators have omitted to resolve an issue submitted to
them for resolution; or
d. Where the award is imperfect in a matter of form not affecting the
merits of the controversy, and if it had been a commissioner's report,
the defect could have been amended or disregarded by the Court.
RULE 11.5. Form of Petition. — An application to vacate an arbitral award
shall be in the form of a petition to vacate or as a petition to vacate in opposition to a
petition to confirm the same award. DTSaIc
An application to correct/modify an arbitral award may be included in a petition

to con rm an arbitral award or in a petition to vacate in opposition to con rm the same
award.
When a petition to con rm an arbitral award is pending before a court, the party
seeking to vacate or correct/modify said award may only apply for those reliefs
through a petition to vacate or correct/modify the award in opposition to the petition to
con rm the award provided that such petition to vacate or correct/modify is led
within thirty (30) days from his receipt of the award. A petition to vacate or
correct/modify an arbitral award led in another court or in a separate case before the
same court shall be dismissed, upon appropriate motion, as a violation of the rule
against forum-shopping.
When a petition to vacate or correct/modify an arbitral award is pending before a
court, the party seeking to con rm said award may only apply for that relief through a
petition to con rm the same award in opposition to the petition to vacate or
correct/modify the award. A petition to con rm or correct/modify an arbitral award
led as separate proceeding in another court or in a different case before the same
court shall be dismissed, upon appropriate motion, as a violation of the rule against
forum shopping.
As an alternative to the dismissal of a second petition for con rmation, vacation
or correction/modi cation of an arbitral award led in violation of the non-forum
shopping rule, the court or courts concerned may allow the consolidation of the two
proceedings in one court and in one case.
Where the petition to con rm the award and petition to vacate or correct/modify
were simultaneously led by the parties in the same court or in different courts in the
Philippines, upon motion of either party, the court may order the consolidation of the
two cases before either court.
In all instances, the petition must be veri ed by a person who has knowledge of
the jurisdictional facts. DacASC
RULE 11.6. Contents of Petition. — The petition must state the following:
a. The addresses of the parties and any change thereof;
b. The jurisdictional issues raised by a party during arbitration
proceedings;
c. The grounds relied upon by the parties in seeking the vacation of the
arbitral award whether the petition is a petition for the vacation or
setting aside of the arbitral award or a petition in opposition to a
petition to confirm the award; and acTDCI
d. A statement of the date of receipt of the arbitral award and the

circumstances under which it was received by the petitioner.
Apart from other submissions, the petitioner must attach to the petition the
following:
a. An authentic copy of the arbitration agreement;
b. An authentic copy of the arbitral award;
c. A certi cation against forum shopping executed by the applicant in
accordance with Section 5 of Rule 7 of the Rules of Court; and
d. An authentic copy or authentic copies of the appointment of an
arbitral tribunal.
RULE 11.7. Notice. — Upon nding that the petition led under this Rule is
su cient both in form and in substance, the Court shall cause notice and a copy of the
petition to be delivered to the respondent allowing him to le a comment or opposition
thereto within fteen (15) days from receipt of the petition. In lieu of an opposition, the
respondent may file a petition in opposition to the petition.
The petitioner may within fteen (15) days from receipt of the petition in
opposition thereto file a reply. AEDcIH
RULE 11.8. Hearing. — If the Court nds from the petition or petition in
opposition thereto that there are issues of fact, it shall require the parties, within a
period of not more than fteen (15) days from receipt of the order, to simultaneously
submit the a davits of all of their witnesses and reply a davits within ten (10) days
from receipt of the a davits to be replied to. There shall be attached to the a davits
or reply a davits documents relied upon in support of the statements of fact in such
affidavits or reply affidavits.
If the petition or the petition in opposition thereto is one for vacation of an
arbitral award, the interested party in arbitration may oppose the petition or the petition
in opposition thereto for the reason that the grounds cited in the petition or the petition
in opposition thereto, assuming them to be true, do not affect the merits of the case
and may be cured or remedied. Moreover, the interested party may request the court to
suspend the proceedings for vacation for a period of time and to direct the arbitral
tribunal to reopen and conduct a new hearing and take such other action as will
eliminate the grounds for vacation of the award. The opposition shall be supported by a
brief of legal arguments to show the existence of a su cient legal basis for the
opposition.
If the ground of the petition to vacate an arbitral award is that the arbitration
agreement did not exist, is invalid or otherwise unenforceable, and an earlier petition for
judicial relief under Rule 3 had been led, a copy of such petition and of the decision or
nal order of the court shall be attached thereto. But if the ground was raised before
the arbitral tribunal in a motion to dismiss led not later than the submission of its
answer, and the arbitral tribunal ruled in favor of its own jurisdiction as a preliminary
question which was appealed by a party to the Regional Trial Court, a copy of the order,
ruling or preliminary award or decision of the arbitral tribunal, the appeal therefrom to
the Court and the order or decision of the Court shall all be attached to the petition.
If the ground of the petition is that the petitioner is an infant or a person judicially
declared to be incompetent, there shall be attached to the petition certi ed copies of
documents showing such fact. In addition, the petitioner shall show that even if the
submission or arbitration agreement was entered into by a guardian or guardian ad
litem, the latter was not authorized by a competent court to sign such the submission
or arbitration agreement.
If on the basis of the petition, the opposition, the a davits and reply a davits of
the parties, the court nds that there is a need to conduct an oral hearing, the court
shall set the case for hearing. This case shall have preference over other cases before
the court, except criminal cases. During the hearing, the a davits of witnesses shall
take the place of their direct testimonies and they shall immediately be subject to
cross-examination thereon. The Court shall have full control over the proceedings in
order to ensure that the case is heard without undue delay. ICAcaH
RULE 11.9. Court Action. — Unless a ground to vacate an arbitral award under
Rule 11.5 above is fully established, the court shall confirm the award.
An arbitral award shall enjoy the presumption that it was made and released in
due course of arbitration and is subject to confirmation by the court.
In resolving the petition or petition in opposition thereto in accordance with
these Special ADR Rules, the court shall either con rm or vacate the arbitral award. The
court shall not disturb the arbitral tribunal's determination of facts and/or interpretation
of law.
In a petition to vacate an award or in petition to vacate an award in opposition to
a petition to con rm the award, the petitioner may simultaneously apply with the Court
to refer the case back to the same arbitral tribunal for the purpose of making a new or
revised award or to direct a new hearing, or in the appropriate case, order the new
hearing before a new arbitral tribunal, the members of which shall be chosen in the
manner provided in the arbitration agreement or submission, or the law. In the latter
case, any provision limiting the time in which the arbitral tribunal may make a decision
shall be deemed applicable to the new arbitral tribunal.
In referring the case back to the arbitral tribunal or to a new arbitral tribunal
pursuant to Rule 24 of Republic Act No. 876, the court may not direct it to revise its
award in a particular way, or to revise its ndings of fact or conclusions of law or
otherwise encroach upon the independence of an arbitral tribunal in the making of a
final award.
RULE 12
Recognition and Enforcement or Setting Aside of an International Commercial
Arbitration Award
RULE 12.1. Who May Request Recognition and Enforcement or Setting Aside.
— Any party to an international commercial arbitration in the Philippines may petition
the proper court to recognize and enforce or set aside an arbitral award. TAHCEc
RULE 12.2. When to File Petition. — (A) Petition to recognize and enforce. —
The petition for enforcement and recognition of an arbitral award may be led anytime
from receipt of the award. If, however, a timely petition to set aside an arbitral award is
led, the opposing party must le therein and in opposition thereto the petition for
recognition and enforcement of the same award within the period for ling an
opposition.
(B) Petition to set aside. — The petition to set aside an arbitral award may
only be led within three (3) months from the time the petitioner receives a copy
thereof. If a timely request is made with the arbitral tribunal for correction,
interpretation or additional award, the three (3) month period shall be counted from the
time the petitioner receives the resolution by the arbitral tribunal of that request.
A petition to set aside can no longer be led after the lapse of the three (3)
month period. The dismissal of a petition to set aside an arbitral award for being time-
barred shall not automatically result in the approval of the petition led therein and in
opposition thereto for recognition and enforcement of the same award. Failure to le a
petition to set aside shall preclude a party from raising grounds to resist enforcement
of the award.
RULE 12.3. Venue. — A petition to recognize and enforce or set aside an
arbitral award may, at the option of the petitioner, be led with the Regional Trial Court:
(a) where arbitration proceedings were conducted; (b) where any of the assets to be
attached or levied upon is located; (c) where the act to be enjoined will be or is being
performed; (d) where any of the parties to arbitration resides or has its place of
business; or (e) in the National Capital Judicial Region.
RULE 12.4. Grounds to Set Aside or Resist Enforcement. — The court may set
aside or refuse the enforcement of the arbitral award only if:
a. The party making the application furnishes proof that:
(i). A party to the arbitration agreement was under some
incapacity, or the said agreement is not valid under the law to
which the parties have subjected it or, failing any indication
thereof, under Philippine law; or
cSIADH
(ii). The party making the application to set aside or resist

enforcement was not given proper notice of the appointment of
an arbitrator or of the arbitral proceedings or was otherwise
unable to present his case; or
(iii). The award deals with a dispute not contemplated by or not
falling within the terms of the submission to arbitration, or
contains decisions on matters beyond the scope of the
submission to arbitration; provided that, if the decisions on
matters submitted to arbitration can be separated from those
not so submitted, only that part of the award which contains
decisions on matters not submitted to arbitration may be set
aside or only that part of the award which contains decisions
on matters submitted to arbitration may be enforced; or
(iv). The composition of the arbitral tribunal or the arbitral
procedure was not in accordance with the agreement of the
parties, unless such agreement was in con ict with a provision
of Philippine law from which the parties cannot derogate, or,
failing such agreement, was not in accordance with Philippine
law;
b. The court finds that:
(i). The subject-matter of the dispute is not capable of settlement
by arbitration under the law of the Philippines; or
(ii). The recognition or enforcement of the award would be
contrary to public policy.
In deciding the petition, the Court shall disregard any other ground to set aside or
enforce the arbitral award other than those enumerated above.
The petition to set-aside or a pleading resisting the enforcement of an arbitral
award on the ground that a party was a minor or an incompetent shall be led only on
behalf of the minor or incompetent and shall allege that (a) the other party to arbitration
had knowingly entered into a submission or agreement with such minor or
incompetent, or (b) the submission to arbitration was made by a guardian or guardian
ad litem who was not authorized to do so by a competent court. THcEaS
RULE 12.5. Exclusive Recourse Against Arbitral Award. — Recourse to a court

against an arbitral award shall be made only through a petition to set aside the arbitral
award and on grounds prescribed by the law that governs international commercial
arbitration. Any other recourse from the arbitral award, such as by appeal or petition for
review or petition for certiorari or otherwise, shall be dismissed by the court.
RULE 12.6. Form. — The application to recognize and enforce or set aside an
arbitral award, whether made through a petition to recognize and enforce or to set
aside or as a petition to set aside the award in opposition thereto, or through a petition
to set aside or petition to recognize and enforce in opposition thereto, shall be veri ed
by a person who has personal knowledge of the facts stated therein.
When a petition to recognize and enforce an arbitral award is pending, the
application to set it aside, if not yet time-barred, shall be made through a petition to set
aside the same award in the same proceedings.
When a timely petition to set aside an arbitral award is led, the opposing party
may le a petition for recognition and enforcement of the same award in opposition
thereto.
RULE 12.7. Contents of Petition. — (A) Petition to recognize and enforce. —
The petition to recognize and enforce or petition to set aside in opposition thereto, or
petition to set aside or petition to recognize and enforce in opposition thereto, shall
state the following: caSEAH
a. The addresses of record, or any change thereof, of the parties to

arbitration;
b. A statement that the arbitration agreement or submission exists;
c. The names of the arbitrators and proof of their appointment;
d. A statement that an arbitral award was issued and when the petitioner
received it; and
e. The relief sought.
Apart from other submissions, the petitioner shall attach to the petition the
following:
a. An authentic copy of the arbitration agreement;
b. An authentic copy of the arbitral award;
c. A veri cation and certi cation against forum shopping executed by
the applicant in accordance with Sections 4 and 5 of Rule 7 of the
Rules of Court; and
HDATSI
d. An authentic copy or authentic copies of the appointment of an

arbitral tribunal.
(B) Petition to set aside. — The petition to set aside or petition to set aside in
opposition to a petition to recognize and enforce an arbitral award in international
commercial arbitration shall have the same contents as a petition to recognize and
enforce or petition to recognize and enforce in opposition to a petition to set aside an
arbitral award. In addition, the said petitions should state the grounds relied upon to set
it aside.
Further, if the ground of the petition to set aside is that the petitioner is a minor
or found incompetent by a court, there shall be attached to the petition certi ed copies
of documents showing such fact. In addition, the petitioner shall show that even if the
submission or arbitration agreement was entered into by a guardian or guardian ad
litem, the latter was not authorized by a competent court to sign such the submission
or arbitration agreement.
In either case, if another court was previously requested to resolve and/or has
resolved, on appeal, the arbitral tribunal's preliminary determination in favor of its own
jurisdiction, the petitioner shall apprise the court before which the petition to recognize
and enforce or set aside is pending of the status of the appeal or its resolution.
RULE 12.8. Notice. — Upon nding that the petition led under this Rule is
su cient both in form and in substance, the court shall cause notice and a copy of the
petition to be delivered to the respondent directing him to le an opposition thereto
within fteen (15) days from receipt of the petition. In lieu of an opposition, the
respondent may le a petition to set aside in opposition to a petition to recognize and
enforce, or a petition to recognize and enforce in opposition to a petition to set aside.
cCaIET
The petitioner may within fteen (15) days from receipt of the petition to set
aside in opposition to a petition to recognize and enforce, or from receipt of the
petition to recognize and enforce in opposition to a petition to set aside, file a reply.
RULE 12.9. Submission of Documents. — If the court nds that the issue
between the parties is mainly one of law, the parties may be required to submit briefs
of legal arguments, not more than fteen (15) days from receipt of the order,
su ciently discussing the legal issues and the legal basis for the relief prayed for by
each of them.
If the court nds from the petition or petition in opposition thereto that there are
issues of fact relating to the ground(s) relied upon for the court to set aside, it shall
require the parties within a period of not more than fteen (15) days from receipt of the
order simultaneously to submit the a davits of all of their witnesses and reply
a davits within ten (10) days from receipt of the a davits to be replied to. There shall
be attached to the a davits or reply a davits, all documents relied upon in support of
the statements of fact in such affidavits or reply affidavits.
RULE 12.10. Hearing. — If on the basis of the petition, the opposition, the
a davits and reply a davits of the parties, the court nds that there is a need to
conduct an oral hearing, the court shall set the case for hearing. This case shall have
preference over other cases before the court, except criminal cases. During the hearing,
the a davits of witnesses shall take the place of their direct testimonies and they shall
immediately be subject to cross-examination thereon. The court shall have full control
over the proceedings in order to ensure that the case is heard without undue delay. DEHcTI
RULE 12.11. Suspension of Proceedings to Set Aside. — The court when

asked to set aside an arbitral award may, where appropriate and upon request by a
party, suspend the proceedings for a period of time determined by it to give the arbitral
tribunal an opportunity to resume the arbitral proceedings or to take such other action
as in the arbitral tribunal's opinion will eliminate the grounds for setting aside. The
court, in referring the case back to the arbitral tribunal may not direct it to revise its
award in a particular way, or to revise its ndings of fact or conclusions of law or
otherwise encroach upon the independence of an arbitral tribunal in the making of a
final award.
The court when asked to set aside an arbitral award may also, when the
preliminary ruling of an arbitral tribunal a rming its jurisdiction to act on the matter
before it had been appealed by the party aggrieved by such preliminary ruling to the
court, suspend the proceedings to set aside to await the ruling of the court on such
pending appeal or, in the alternative, consolidate the proceedings to set aside with the
earlier appeal.
RULE 12.12. Presumption in Favor of Con rmation. — It is presumed that an
arbitral award was made and released in due course and is subject to enforcement by
the court, unless the adverse party is able to establish a ground for setting aside or not
enforcing an arbitral award.
RULE 12.13. Judgment of the Court. — Unless a ground to set aside an
arbitral award under Rule 12.4 above is fully established, the court shall dismiss the
petition. If, in the same proceedings, there is a petition to recognize and enforce the
arbitral award led in opposition to the petition to set aside, the court shall recognize
and enforce the award.
In resolving the petition or petition in opposition thereto in accordance with the
Special ADR Rules, the court shall either set aside or enforce the arbitral award. The
court shall not disturb the arbitral tribunal's determination of facts and/or interpretation
of law.
RULE 12.14. Costs. — Unless otherwise agreed upon by the parties in writing,
at the time the case is submitted to the court for decision, the party praying for
recognition and enforcement or setting aside of an arbitral award shall submit a
statement under oath con rming the costs he has incurred only in the proceedings for
such recognition and enforcement or setting aside. The costs shall include the
attorney's fees the party has paid or is committed to pay to his counsel of record. EIDATc
The prevailing party shall be entitled to an award of costs, which shall include
reasonable attorney's fees of the prevailing party against the unsuccessful party. The
court shall determine the reasonableness of the claim for attorney's fees.
RULE 13
Recognition and Enforcement of a Foreign Arbitral Award
RULE 13.1. Who May Request Recognition and Enforcement. — Any party to a
foreign arbitration may petition the court to recognize and enforce a foreign arbitral
award.
RULE 13.2. When to Petition. — At any time after receipt of a foreign arbitral
award, any party to arbitration may petition the proper Regional Trial Court to recognize
and enforce such award.
RULE 13.3. Venue. — The petition to recognize and enforce a foreign arbitral
award shall be led, at the option of the petitioner, with the Regional Trial Court (a)
where the assets to be attached or levied upon is located, (b) where the act to be
enjoined is being performed, (c) in the principal place of business in the Philippines of
any of the parties, (d) if any of the parties is an individual, where any of those individuals
resides, or (e) in the National Capital Judicial Region.
RULE 13.4. Governing Law and Grounds to Refuse Recognition and
Enforcement. — The recognition and enforcement of a foreign arbitral award shall be
governed by the 1958 New York Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of
Foreign Arbitral Awards (the "New York Convention") and this Rule. The court may, upon
grounds of comity and reciprocity, recognize and enforce a foreign arbitral award made
in a country that is not a signatory to the New York Convention as if it were a
Convention Award. TSacCH
A Philippine court shall not set aside a foreign arbitral award but may refuse it
recognition and enforcement on any or all of the following grounds:
a. The party making the application to refuse recognition and
enforcement of the award furnishes proof that:
(i). A party to the arbitration agreement was under some
incapacity; or the said agreement is not valid under the law to
which the parties have subjected it or, failing any indication
thereof, under the law of the country where the award was
made; or
(ii). The party making the application was not given proper notice
of the appointment of an arbitrator or of the arbitral
proceedings or was otherwise unable to present his case; or
(iii). The award deals with a dispute not contemplated by or not
falling within the terms of the submission to arbitration, or
contains decisions on matters beyond the scope of the
submission to arbitration; provided that, if the decisions on
matters submitted to arbitration can be separated from those
not so submitted, only that part of the award which contains
decisions on matters not submitted to arbitration may be set
aside; or
(iv). The composition of the arbitral tribunal or the arbitral
procedure was not in accordance with the agreement of the
parties or, failing such agreement, was not in accordance with
the law of the country where arbitration took place; or
(v). The award has not yet become binding on the parties or has
been set aside or suspended by a court of the country in which
that award was made; or SAEHaC
b. The court finds that:

(i). The subject-matter of the dispute is not capable of settlement
or resolution by arbitration under Philippine law; or
(ii). The recognition or enforcement of the award would be
contrary to public policy.
The court shall disregard any ground for opposing the recognition and
enforcement of a foreign arbitral award other than those enumerated above.
RULE 13.5. Contents of Petition. — The petition shall state the following:
a. The addresses of the parties to arbitration;
b. In the absence of any indication in the award, the country where the
arbitral award was made and whether such country is a signatory to
the New York Convention; and
c. The relief sought. HacADE
Apart from other submissions, the petition shall have attached to it the following:
a. An authentic copy of the arbitration agreement; and
b. An authentic copy of the arbitral award.
If the foreign arbitral award or agreement to arbitrate or submission is not made
in English, the petitioner shall also attach to the petition a translation of these
documents into English. The translation shall be certi ed by an o cial or sworn
translator or by a diplomatic or consular agent.
RULE 13.6. Notice and Opposition. — Upon nding that the petition led
under this Rule is su cient both in form and in substance, the court shall cause notice
and a copy of the petition to be delivered to the respondent allowing him to le an
opposition thereto within thirty (30) days from receipt of the notice and petition.
RULE 13.7. Opposition. — The opposition shall be veri ed by a person who
has personal knowledge of the facts stated therein.
RULE 13.8. Submissions. — If the court nds that the issue between the
parties is mainly one of law, the parties may be required to submit briefs of legal
arguments, not more than thirty (30) days from receipt of the order, su ciently
discussing the legal issues and the legal bases for the relief prayed for by each other.
If, from a review of the petition or opposition, there are issues of fact relating to
the ground/s relied upon for the court to refuse enforcement, the court shall, motu
proprio or upon request of any party, require the parties to simultaneously submit the
a davits of all of their witnesses within a period of not less than fteen (15) days nor
more than thirty (30) days from receipt of the order. The court may, upon the request of
any party, allow the submission of reply a davits within a period of not less than
fteen (15) days nor more than thirty (30) days from receipt of the order granting said
request. There shall be attached to the a davits or reply a davits all documents relied
upon in support of the statements of fact in such affidavits or reply affidavits.
RULE 13.9. Hearing. — The court shall set the case for hearing if on the basis
of the foregoing submissions there is a need to do so. The court shall give due priority
to hearings on petitions under this Rule. During the hearing, the a davits of witnesses
shall take the place of their direct testimonies and they shall immediately be subject to
cross-examination. The court shall have full control over the proceedings in order to
ensure that the case is heard without undue delay. EDATSI
RULE 13.10. Adjournment/Deferment of Decision on Enforcement of Award.

— The court before which a petition to recognize and enforce a foreign arbitral award is
pending, may adjourn or defer rendering a decision thereon if, in the meantime, an
application for the setting aside or suspension of the award has been made with a
competent authority in the country where the award was made. Upon application of the
petitioner, the court may also require the other party to give suitable security.
RULE 13.11. Court Action. — It is presumed that a foreign arbitral award was
made and released in due course of arbitration and is subject to enforcement by the
court.
The court shall recognize and enforce a foreign arbitral award unless a ground to
refuse recognition or enforcement of the foreign arbitral award under this rule is fully
established.
The decision of the court recognizing and enforcing a foreign arbitral award is
immediately executory.
In resolving the petition for recognition and enforcement of a foreign arbitral
award in accordance with these Special ADR Rules, the court shall either [a] recognize
and/or enforce or [b] refuse to recognize and enforce the arbitral award. The court shall
not disturb the arbitral tribunal's determination of facts and/or interpretation of law.
RULE 13.12. Recognition and Enforcement of Non-Convention Award. — The
court shall, only upon grounds provided by these Special ADR Rules, recognize and
enforce a foreign arbitral award made in a country not a signatory to the New York
Convention when such country extends comity and reciprocity to awards made in the
Philippines. If that country does not extend comity and reciprocity to awards made in
the Philippines, the court may nevertheless treat such award as a foreign judgment
enforceable as such under Rule 39, Section 48, of the Rules of Court. TaISEH
PART III
Provisions Specific to Mediation
RULE 14
General Provisions
RULE 14.1. Application of the Rules on Arbitration. — Whenever applicable
and appropriate, the pertinent rules on arbitration shall be applied in proceedings
before the court relative to a dispute subject to mediation. aAcHCT
RULE 15
Deposit and Enforcement of Mediated Settlement Agreements
RULE 15.1. Who Makes a Deposit. — Any party to a mediation that is not
court-annexed may deposit with the court the written settlement agreement, which
resulted from that mediation.
RULE 15.2. When Deposit is Made. — At any time after an agreement is
reached, the written settlement agreement may be deposited.
RULE 15.3. Venue. — The written settlement agreement may be jointly
deposited by the parties or deposited by one party with prior notice to the other
party/ies with the Clerk of Court of the Regional Trial Court (a) where the principal place
of business in the Philippines of any of the parties is located; (b) if any of the parties is
an individual, where any of those individuals resides; or (c) in the National Capital
Judicial Region.
RULE 15.4. Registry Book. — The Clerk of Court of each Regional Trial Court
shall keep a Registry Book that shall chronologically list or enroll all the mediated
settlement agreements/settlement awards that are deposited with the court as well as
the names and address of the parties thereto and the date of enrollment and shall issue
a Certificate of Deposit to the party that made the deposit. SADECI

RULE 15.5. Enforcement of Mediated Settlement Agreement. — Any of the
parties to a mediated settlement agreement, which was deposited with the Clerk of
Court of the Regional Trial Court, may, upon breach thereof, le a veri ed petition with
the same court to enforce said agreement.
RULE 15.6. Contents of Petition. — The verified petition shall:
a. Name and designate, as petitioner or respondent, all parties to the
mediated settlement agreement and those who may be affected by it;
b. State the following:
(i). The addresses of the petitioner and respondents; and CAcEaS
(ii). The ultimate facts that would show that the adverse party has
defaulted to perform its obligation under said agreement; and
c. Have attached to it the following:
(i). An authentic copy of the mediated settlement agreement; and
(ii). Certi cate of Deposit showing that the mediated settlement
agreement was deposited with the Clerk of Court.
RULE 15.7. Opposition. — The adverse party may le an opposition, within
fteen (15) days from receipt of notice or service of the petition, by submitting written
proof of compliance with the mediated settlement agreement or such other a rmative
or negative defenses it may have. STDEcA
RULE 15.8. Court Action. — After a summary hearing, if the court nds that
the agreement is a valid mediated settlement agreement, that there is no merit in any of
the a rmative or negative defenses raised, and the respondent has breached that
agreement, in whole or in part, the court shall order the enforcement thereof; otherwise,
it shall dismiss the petition.
PART IV
Provisions Specific to Construction Arbitration
RULE 16
General Provisions
RULE 16.1. Application of the Rules on Arbitration. — Whenever applicable
and appropriate, the rules on arbitration shall be applied in proceedings before the
court relative to a dispute subject to construction arbitration. DIEcHa
RULE 17
Referral to CIAC
RULE 17.1. Dismissal of Action. — A Regional Trial Court before which a
construction dispute is led shall, upon becoming aware that the parties have entered
into an arbitration agreement, motu proprio or upon motion made not later than the pre-
trial, dismiss the case and refer the parties to arbitration to be conducted by the
Construction Industry Arbitration Commission (CIAC), unless all parties to arbitration,
assisted by their respective counsel, submit to the court a written agreement making
the court, rather than the CIAC, the body that would exclusively resolve the dispute.
RULE 17.2. Form and Contents of Motion. — The request for dismissal of the
civil action and referral to arbitration shall be through a veri ed motion that shall (a)
contain a statement showing that the dispute is a construction dispute; and (b) be
accompanied by proof of the existence of the arbitration agreement.
If the arbitration agreement or other document evidencing the existence of that
agreement is already part of the record, those documents need not be submitted to the
court provided that the movant has cited in the motion particular references to the
records where those documents may be found.
The motion shall also contain a notice of hearing addressed to all parties and
shall specify the date and time when the motion will be heard, which must not be later
than fteen (15) days after the ling of the motion. The movant shall ensure receipt by
all parties of the motion at least three days before the date of the hearing. ScCDET
RULE 17.3. Opposition. — Upon receipt of the motion to refer the dispute to
arbitration by CIAC, the other party may le an opposition to the motion on or before
the day such motion is to be heard. The opposition shall clearly set forth the reasons
why the court should not dismiss the case.
RULE 17.4. Hearing. — The court shall hear the motion only once and for the
purpose of clarifying relevant factual and legal issues.
RULE 17.5. Court Action. — If the other parties fail to le their opposition on
or before the day of the hearing, the court shall motu proprio resolve the motion only on
the basis of the facts alleged in the motion.
After hearing, the court shall dismiss the civil action and refer the parties to
arbitration if it nds, based on the pleadings and supporting documents submitted by
the parties, that there is a valid and enforceable arbitration agreement involving a
construction dispute. Otherwise, the court shall proceed to hear the case.
All doubts shall be resolved in favor of the existence of a construction dispute
and the arbitration agreement.
RULE 17.6. Referral Immediately Executory. — An order dismissing the case
and referring the dispute to arbitration by CIAC shall be immediately executory. ACcaET
RULE 17.7. Multiple Actions and Parties. — The court shall not decline to
dismiss the civil action and make a referral to arbitration by CIAC for any of the
following reasons:
a. Not all of the disputes subject of the civil action may be referred to
arbitration;
b. Not all of the parties to the civil action are bound by the arbitration
agreement and referral to arbitration would result in multiplicity of
suits;
c. The issues raised in the civil action could be speedily and e ciently
resolved in its entirety by the Court rather than in arbitration;
d. Referral to arbitration does not appear to be the most prudent action;
or
e. Dismissal of the civil action would prejudice the rights of the parties
to the civil action who are not bound by the arbitration agreement. DAcaIE
The court may, however, issue an order directing the inclusion in arbitration of
those parties who are bound by the arbitration agreement directly or by reference
thereto pursuant to Section 34 of Republic Act No. 9285.
Furthermore, the court shall issue an order directing the case to proceed with
respect to the parties not bound by the arbitration agreement.
RULE 17.8. Referral. — If the parties manifest that they have agreed to submit
all or part of their dispute pending with the court to arbitration by CIAC, the court shall
refer them to CIAC for arbitration.
PART V
Provisions Specific to Other Forms of ADR
RULE 18
General Provisions
RULE 18.1. Applicability of Rules to Other Forms of ADR. — This rule governs
the procedure for matters brought before the court involving the following forms of
ADR: aAHDIc
a. Early neutral evaluation;

b. Neutral evaluation;
c. Mini-trial;
d. Mediation-arbitration;
e. A combination thereof; or DAHCaI
f. Any other ADR form.

RULE 18.2. Applicability of the Rules on Mediation. — If the other ADR
form/process is more akin to mediation (i.e., the neutral third party merely assists the
parties in reaching a voluntary agreement), the herein rules on mediation shall apply.
RULE 18.3. Applicability of Rules on Arbitration. — If the other ADR
form/process is more akin to arbitration (i.e., the neutral third party has the power to
make a binding resolution of the dispute), the herein rules on arbitration shall apply.
RULE 18.4. Referral. — If a dispute is already before a court, either party may
before and during pre-trial, le a motion for the court to refer the parties to other ADR
forms/processes. At any time during court proceedings, even after pre-trial, the parties
may jointly move for suspension of the action pursuant to Article 2030 of the Civil Code
of the Philippines where the possibility of compromise is shown.
RULE 18.5. Submission of Settlement Agreement. — Either party may submit
to the court, before which the case is pending, any settlement agreement following a
neutral or an early neutral evaluation, mini-trial or mediation-arbitration. aEcSIH
PART VI
Motion for Reconsideration, Appeal and Certiorari
RULE 19
Motion for Reconsideration, Appeal and Certiorari
A. Motion for Reconsideration
RULE 19.1. Motion for Reconsideration, when Allowed. — A party may ask the
Regional Trial to reconsider its ruling on the following:
a. That the arbitration agreement is inexistent, invalid or unenforceable
pursuant to Rule 3.10 (B);
b. Upholding or reversing the arbitral tribunal's jurisdiction pursuant to
Rule 3.19;
c. Denying a request to refer the parties to arbitration; DCcSHE
d. Granting or denying a party an interim measure of protection;

e. Denying a petition for the appointment of an arbitrator;
f. Refusing to grant assistance in taking evidence;
g. Enjoining or refusing to enjoin a person from divulging con dential
information;
h. Confirming, vacating or correcting a domestic arbitral award;
i. Suspending the proceedings to set aside an international commercial
arbitral award and referring the case back to the arbitral tribunal; AIcaDC
j. Setting aside an international commercial arbitral award;

k. Dismissing the petition to set aside an international commercial
arbitral award, even if the court does not recognize and/or enforce the
same;
l. Recognizing and/or enforcing, or dismissing a petition to recognize
and/or enforce an international commercial arbitral award;
m. Declining a request for assistance in taking evidence; IaDTES
n. Adjourning or deferring a ruling on a petition to set aside, recognize

and/or enforce an international commercial arbitral award;
o. Recognizing and/or enforcing a foreign arbitral award, or refusing
recognition and/or enforcement of the same; and
p. Granting or dismissing a petition to enforce a deposited mediated
settlement agreement.
No motion for reconsideration shall be allowed from the following rulings of the
Regional Trial Court:
a. A prima facie determination upholding the existence, validity or
enforceability of an arbitration agreement pursuant to Rule 3.1 (A);
b. An order referring the dispute to arbitration;
c. An order appointing an arbitrator;
d. Any ruling on the challenge to the appointment of an arbitrator; THDIaC
e. Any order resolving the issue of the termination of the mandate of an

arbitrator; and
f. An order granting assistance in taking evidence.
RULE 19.2. When to Move for Reconsideration. — A motion for
reconsideration may be led with the Regional Trial Court within a non-extendible
period of fifteen (15) days from receipt of the questioned ruling or order.
RULE 19.3. Contents and Notice. — The motion shall be made in writing
stating the ground or grounds therefor and shall be led with the court and served upon
the other party or parties.
RULE 19.4. Opposition or Comment. — Upon receipt of the motion for
reconsideration, the other party or parties shall have a non-extendible period of fteen
(15) days to file his opposition or comment.
RULE 19.5. Resolution of Motion. — A motion for reconsideration shall be
resolved within thirty (30) days from receipt of the opposition or comment or upon the
expiration of the period to file such opposition or comment. aSADIC
RULE 19.6. No Second Motion for Reconsideration. — No party shall be

allowed a second motion for reconsideration.
General Provisions on Appeal and Certiorari
B.
RULE 19.7. No Appeal or Certiorari on the Merits of an Arbitral Award. — An
agreement to refer a dispute to arbitration shall mean that the arbitral award shall be
final and binding.
Consequently, a party to an arbitration is precluded from ling an appeal or a
petition for certiorari questioning the merits of an arbitral award.
RULE 19.8. Subject Matter and Governing Rules. — The remedy of an appeal
through a petition for review or the remedy of a special civil action of certiorari from a
decision of the Regional Trial Court made under the Special ADR Rules shall be allowed
in the instances, and instituted only in the manner, provided under this Rule.HCITDc
RULE 19.9. Prohibited Alternative Remedies. — Where the remedies of appeal

and certiorari are speci cally made available to a party under the Special ADR Rules,
recourse to one remedy shall preclude recourse to the other.
RULE 19.10. Rule on Judicial Review on Arbitration in the Philippines. — As a
general rule, the court can only vacate or set aside the decision of an arbitral tribunal
upon a clear showing that the award suffers from any of the in rmities or grounds for
vacating an arbitral award under Section 24 of Republic Act No. 876 or under Rule 34 of
the Model Law in a domestic arbitration, or for setting aside an award in an
international arbitration under Article 34 of the Model Law, or for such other grounds
provided under these Special Rules.
If the Regional Trial Court is asked to set aside an arbitral award in a domestic or
international arbitration on any ground other than those provided in the Special ADR
Rules, the court shall entertain such ground for the setting aside or non-recognition of
the arbitral award only if the same amounts to a violation of public policy.
The court shall not set aside or vacate the award of the arbitral tribunal merely on
the ground that the arbitral tribunal committed errors of fact, or of law, or of fact and
law, as the court cannot substitute its judgment for that of the arbitral tribunal.
RULE 19.11. Rule on Judicial Review of Foreign Arbitral Award. —The court
can deny recognition and enforcement of a foreign arbitral award only upon the
grounds provided in Article V of the New York Convention, but shall have no power to
vacate or set aside a foreign arbitral award. CIETDc
C. Appeals to the Court of Appeals

RULE 19.12. Appeal to the Court of Appeals. — An appeal to the Court of
Appeals through a petition for review under this Special Rule shall only be allowed from
the following final orders of the Regional Trial Court:
a. Granting or denying an interim measure of protection;
b. Denying a petition for appointment of an arbitrator;
c. Denying a petition for assistance in taking evidence;
d. Enjoining or refusing to enjoin a person from divulging con dential
information;
e. Con rming, vacating or correcting/modifying a domestic arbitral
award;
f. Setting aside an international commercial arbitration award;
g. Dismissing the petition to set aside an international commercial
arbitration award even if the court does not decide to recognize or
enforce such award; ADCTac
h. Recognizing and/or enforcing an international commercial arbitration

award;
i. Dismissing a petition to enforce an international commercial
arbitration award;
j. Recognizing and/or enforcing a foreign arbitral award;
k. Refusing recognition and/or enforcement of a foreign arbitral award;
l. Granting or dismissing a petition to enforce a deposited mediated
settlement agreement; and
m. Reversing the ruling of the arbitral tribunal upholding its jurisdiction.
RULE 19.13. Where to Appeal. — An appeal under this Rule shall be taken to
the Court of Appeals within the period and in the manner herein provided.
RULE 19.14. When to Appeal. — The petition for review shall be led within
fteen (15) days from notice of the decision of the Regional Trial Court or the denial of
the petitioner's motion for reconsideration.
RULE 19.15. How Appeal Taken. — Appeal shall be taken by ling a veri ed
petition for review in seven (7) legible copies with the Court of Appeals, with proof of
service of a copy thereof on the adverse party and on the Regional Trial Court. The
original copy of the petition intended for the Court of Appeals shall be marked original
by the petitioner. ASTIED
Upon the ling of the petition and unless otherwise prescribed by the Court of
Appeals, the petitioner shall pay to the clerk of court of the Court of Appeals docketing
fees and other lawful fees of P3,500.00 and deposit the sum of P500.00 for costs.
Exemption from payment of docket and other lawful fees and the deposit for
costs may be granted by the Court of Appeals upon a veri ed motion setting forth valid
grounds therefor. If the Court of Appeals denies the motion, the petitioner shall pay the
docketing and other lawful fees and deposit for costs within fteen days from the
notice of the denial.
RULE 19.16. Contents of the Petition. — The petition for review shall (a) state
the full names of the parties to the case, without impleading the court or agencies
either as petitioners or respondent, (b) contain a concise statement of the facts and
issues involved and the grounds relied upon for the review, (c) be accompanied by a
clearly legible duplicate original or a certi ed true copy of the decision or resolution of
the Regional Trial Court appealed from, together with certi ed true copies of such
material portions of the record referred to therein and other supporting papers, and (d)
contain a sworn certi cation against forum shopping as provided in the Rules of Court.
The petition shall state the speci c material dates showing that it was led within the
period fixed herein.
RULE 19.17. Effect of Failure to Comply with Requirements. — The court shall
dismiss the petition if it fails to comply with the foregoing requirements regarding the
payment of the docket and other lawful fees, the deposit for costs, proof of service of
the petition, the contents and the documents, which should accompany the petition. aHTcDA
RULE 19.18. Action on the Petition. — The Court of Appeals may require the
respondent to le a comment on the petition, not a motion to dismiss, within ten (10)
days from notice, or dismiss the petition if it nds, upon consideration of the grounds
alleged and the legal briefs submitted by the parties, that the petition does not appear
to be prima facie meritorious.
RULE 19.19. Contents of Comment. — The comment shall be led within ten
(10) days from notice in seven (7) legible copies and accompanied by clearly legible
certi ed true copies of such material portions of the record referred to therein together
with other supporting papers. The comment shall (a) point out insu ciencies or
inaccuracies in petitioner's statement of facts and issues, and (b) state the reasons
why the petition should be denied or dismissed. A copy thereof shall be served on the
petitioner, and proof of such service shall be filed with the Court of Appeals.
RULE 19.20. Due Course. — If upon the ling of a comment or such other
pleading or documents as may be required or allowed by the Court of Appeals or upon
the expiration of the period for the ling thereof, and on the basis of the petition or the
records, the Court of Appeals nds prima facie that the Regional Trial Court has
committed an error that would warrant reversal or modi cation of the judgment, nal
order, or resolution sought to be reviewed, it may give due course to the petition;
otherwise, it shall dismiss the same.
RULE 19.21. Transmittal of Records. — Within fteen (15) days from notice
that the petition has been given due course, the Court of Appeals may require the court
or agency concerned to transmit the original or a legible certi ed true copy of the entire
record of the proceeding under review. The record to be transmitted may be abridged
by agreement of all parties to the proceeding. The Court of Appeals may require or
permit subsequent correction of or addition to the record. ATcaEH
RULE 19.22. Effect of Appeal. — The appeal shall not stay the award,
judgment, nal order or resolution sought to be reviewed unless the Court of Appeals
directs otherwise upon such terms as it may deem just.
RULE 19.23. Submission for Decision. — If the petition is given due course,
the Court of Appeals may set the case for oral argument or require the parties to
submit memoranda within a period of fteen (15) days from notice. The case shall be
deemed submitted for decision upon the ling of the last pleading or memorandum
required by the Court of Appeals.
The Court of Appeals shall render judgment within sixty (60) days from the time
the case is submitted for decision.
RULE 19.24. Subject of Appeal Restricted in Certain Instance. — If the
decision of the Regional Trial Court refusing to recognize and/or enforce, vacating
and/or setting aside an arbitral award is premised on a nding of fact, the Court of
Appeals may inquire only into such fact to determine the existence or non-existence of
the speci c ground under the arbitration laws of the Philippines relied upon by the
Regional Trial Court to refuse to recognize and/or enforce, vacate and/or set aside an
award. Any such inquiry into a question of fact shall not be resorted to for the purpose
of substituting the court's judgment for that of the arbitral tribunal as regards the
latter's ruling on the merits of the controversy.
RULE 19.25. Party Appealing Decision of Court Con rming Arbitral Award
Required to Post Bond. — The Court of Appeals shall within fteen (15) days from
receipt of the petition require the party appealing from the decision or a nal order of
the Regional Trial Court, either con rming or enforcing an arbitral award, or denying a
petition to set aside or vacate the arbitral award to post a bond executed in favor of the
prevailing party equal to the amount of the award.
Failure of the petitioner to post such bond shall be a ground for the Court of
Appeals to dismiss the petition. aITECD
Special Civil Action for Certiorari

D.
RULE 19.26. Certiorari to the Court of Appeals. — When the Regional Trial
Court, in making a ruling under the Special ADR Rules, has acted without or in excess of
its jurisdiction, or with grave abuse of discretion amounting to lack or excess of
jurisdiction, and there is no appeal or any plain, speedy, and adequate remedy in the
ordinary course of law, a party may le a special civil action for certiorari to annul or set
aside a ruling of the Regional Trial Court.
A special civil action for certiorari may be filed against the following orders of the
court.
a. Holding that the arbitration agreement is inexistent, invalid or
unenforceable;
b. Reversing the arbitral tribunal's preliminary determination upholding
its jurisdiction;
c. Denying the request to refer the dispute to arbitration;
d. Granting or refusing an interim relief;
e. Denying a petition for the appointment of an arbitrator; aIEDAC
f. Confirming, vacating or correcting a domestic arbitral award;

g. Suspending the proceedings to set aside an international commercial
arbitral award and referring the case back to the arbitral tribunal;
h. Allowing a party to enforce an international commercial arbitral award
pending appeal;
i. Adjourning or deferring a ruling on whether to set aside, recognize and
or enforce an international commercial arbitral award;
j. Allowing a party to enforce a foreign arbitral award pending appeal;
and
k. Denying a petition for assistance in taking evidence.
RULE 19.27. Form. — The petition shall be accompanied by a certi ed true
copy of the questioned judgment, order or resolution of the Regional Trial Court, copies
of all pleadings and documents relevant and pertinent thereto, and a sworn certi cation
of non-forum shopping as provided in the Rules of Court. CAIaHS
Upon the ling of the petition and unless otherwise prescribed by the Court of
Appeals, the petitioner shall pay to the clerk of court of the Court of Appeals docketing
fees and other lawful fees of P3,500.00 and deposit the sum of P500.00 for costs.
Exemption from payment of docket and other lawful fees and the deposit for costs
may be granted by the Court of Appeals upon a veri ed motion setting forth valid
grounds therefor. If the Court of Appeals denies the motion, the petitioner shall pay the
docketing and other lawful fees and deposit for costs within fteen days from the
notice of the denial.
RULE 19.28. When to File Petition. — The petition must be led with the Court
of Appeals within fteen (15) days from notice of the judgment, order or resolution
sought to be annulled or set aside. No extension of time to le the petition shall be
allowed.
RULE 19.29. Arbitral Tribunal a Nominal Party in the Petition. — The arbitral
tribunal shall only be a nominal party in the petition for certiorari. As nominal party, the
arbitral tribunal shall not be required to submit any pleadings or written submissions to
the court. The arbitral tribunal or an arbitrator may, however, submit such pleadings or
written submissions if the same serves the interest of justice.
In petitions relating to the recognition and enforcement of a foreign arbitral
award, the arbitral tribunal shall not be included even as a nominal party. However, the
tribunal may be notified of the proceedings and furnished with court processes.
RULE 19.30. Court to Dismiss Petition. — The court shall dismiss the petition
if it fails to comply with Rules 19.27 and 19.28 above, or upon consideration of the
ground alleged and the legal briefs submitted by the parties, the petition does not
appear to be prima facie meritorious.
RULE 19.31. Order to Comment. — If the petition is su cient in form and
substance to justify such process, the Court of Appeals shall immediately issue an
order requiring the respondent or respondents to comment on the petition within a non-
extendible period of fteen (15) days from receipt of a copy thereof. Such order shall
be served on the respondents in such manner as the court may direct, together with a
copy of the petition and any annexes thereto. DcITaC
RULE 19.32. Arbitration May Continue Despite Petition for Certiorari. — A

petition for certiorari to the court from the action of the appointing authority or the
arbitral tribunal allowed under this Rule shall not prevent the arbitral tribunal from
continuing the proceedings and rendering its award. Should the arbitral tribunal
continue with the proceedings, the arbitral proceedings and any award rendered therein
will be subject to the final outcome of the pending petition for certiorari.
RULE 19.33. Prohibition Against Injunctions. — The Court of Appeals shall
not, during the pendency of the proceedings before it, prohibit or enjoin the
commencement of arbitration, the constitution of the arbitral tribunal, or the
continuation of arbitration.
RULE 19.34. Proceedings After Comment is Filed. — After the comment is
led, or the time for the ling thereof has expired, the court shall render judgment
granting the relief prayed for or to which the petitioner is entitled, or denying the same,
within a non-extendible period of fifteen (15) days.
RULE 19.35. Service and Enforcement of Order or Judgment. — A certi ed
copy of the judgment rendered in accordance with the last preceding section shall be
served upon the Regional Trial Court concerned in such manner as the Court of Appeals
may direct, and disobedience thereto shall be punished as contempt.
Appeal by Certiorari to the Supreme Court
E.
RULE 19.36. Review Discretionary. — A review by the Supreme Court is not a
matter of right, but of sound judicial discretion, which will be granted only for serious
and compelling reasons resulting in grave prejudice to the aggrieved party. The
following, while neither controlling nor fully measuring the court's discretion, indicate
the serious and compelling, and necessarily, restrictive nature of the grounds that will
warrant the exercise of the Supreme Court's discretionary powers, when the Court of
Appeals:
a. Failed to apply the applicable standard or test for judicial review
prescribed in these Special ADR Rules in arriving at its decision
resulting in substantial prejudice to the aggrieved party;
b. Erred in upholding a nal order or decision despite the lack of
jurisdiction of the court that rendered such final order or decision;
c. Failed to apply any provision, principle, policy or rule contained in
these Special ADR Rules resulting in substantial prejudice to the
aggrieved party; andHcSCED
d. Committed an error so egregious and harmful to a party as to amount

to an undeniable excess of jurisdiction.
The mere fact that the petitioner disagrees with the Court of Appeals'
determination of questions of fact, of law or both questions of fact and law, shall not
warrant the exercise of the Supreme Court's discretionary power. The error imputed to
the Court of Appeals must be grounded upon any of the above prescribed grounds for
review or be closely analogous thereto.
A mere general allegation that the Court of Appeals has committed serious and
substantial error or that it has acted with grave abuse of discretion resulting in
substantial prejudice to the petitioner without indicating with speci city the nature of
such error or abuse of discretion and the serious prejudice suffered by the petitioner on
account thereof, shall constitute su cient ground for the Supreme Court to dismiss
outright the petition.
RULE 19.37. Filing of Petition with Supreme Court. — A party desiring to
appeal by certiorari from a judgment or nal order or resolution of the Court of Appeals
issued pursuant to these Special ADR Rules may le with the Supreme Court a veri ed
petition for review on certiorari. The petition shall raise only questions of law, which
must be distinctly set forth.
RULE 19.38. Time for Filing; Extension. — The petition shall be led within
fifteen (15) days from notice of the judgment or final order or resolution appealed from,
or of the denial of the petitioner's motion for new trial or reconsideration led in due
time after notice of the judgment. CcAIDa
On motion duly led and served, with full payment of the docket and other lawful
fees and the deposit for costs before the expiration of the reglementary period, the
Supreme Court may for justi able reasons grant an extension of thirty (30) days only
within which to file the petition.
RULE 19.39. Docket and Other Lawful Fees; Proof of Service of Petition. —
Unless he has theretofore done so or unless the Supreme Court orders otherwise, the
petitioner shall pay docket and other lawful fees to the clerk of court of the Supreme
Court of P3,500.00 and deposit the amount of P500.00 for costs at the time of the
ling of the petition. Proof of service of a copy thereof on the lower court concerned
and on the adverse party shall be submitted together with the petition.
RULE 19.40. Contents of Petition. — The petition shall be led in eighteen
(18) copies, with the original copy intended for the court being indicated as such by the
petitioner, and shall (a) state the full name of the appealing party as the petitioner and
the adverse party as respondent, without impleading the lower courts or judges thereof
either as petitioners or respondents; (b) indicate the material dates showing when
notice of the judgment or nal order or resolution subject thereof was received, when a
motion for new trial or reconsideration, if any, was led and when notice of the denial
thereof was received; (c) set forth concisely a statement of the matters involved, and
the reasons or arguments relied on for the allowance of the petition; (d) be
accompanied by a clearly legible duplicate original, or a certi ed true copy of the
judgment or nal order or resolution certi ed by the clerk of court of the court a quo
and the requisite number of plain copies thereof, and such material portions of the
record as would support the petition; and (e) contain a sworn certi cation against
forum shopping.
RULE 19.41. Dismissal or Denial of Petition. — The failure of the petitioner to
comply with any of the foregoing requirements regarding the payment of the docket
and other lawful fees, deposit for costs, proof of service of the petition, and the
contents of and the documents which should accompany the petition shall be su cient
ground for the dismissal thereof.
The Supreme Court may on its own initiative deny the petition on the ground that
the appeal is without merit, or is prosecuted manifestly for delay, or that the questions
raised therein are too insubstantial to require consideration.ASaTHc
RULE 19.42. Due Course; Elevation of Records. — If the petition is given due
course, the Supreme Court may require the elevation of the complete record of the case
or specified parts thereof within fifteen (15) days from notice.
PART VII
Final Provisions
RULE 20
Filing and Deposit Fees
RULE 20.1. Filing Fee in Petitions or Counter-Petitions to Con rm or Enforce,
Vacate or Set Aside Arbitral Award or for the Enforcement of a Mediated Settlement
Agreement. — The ling fee for ling a petition to con rm or enforce, vacate or set
aside an arbitral award in a domestic arbitration or in an international commercial
arbitration, or enforce a mediated settlement agreement shall be as follows:
PhP10,000.00 — if the award does not exceed PhP1,000,000.00

PhP50,000.00 — if the award exceeds PhP100,000,000.00
The minimal ling fee payable in "all other actions not involving property" shall be
paid by the petitioner seeking to enforce foreign arbitral awards under the New York
Convention in the Philippines. TICDSc
RULE 20.2. Filing Fee for Action to Enforce as a Counter-Petition.— A petition

to enforce an arbitral award in a domestic arbitration or in an international commercial
arbitration submitted as a petition to enforce and/or recognize an award in opposition
to a timely petition to vacate or set aside the arbitral award shall require the payment of
the filing fees prescribed in Rule 20.1 above.
RULE 20.3. Deposit Fee for Mediated Settlement Agreements. — Any party to
a mediated settlement agreement who deposits it with the clerk of court shall pay a
deposit fee of P500.00.
RULE 20.4. Filing Fee for Other Proceedings. — The ling fee for the ling of
any other proceedings, including applications for interim relief, as authorized under
these Special Rules not covered under any of the foregoing provisions, shall be
P10,000.00.
RULE 21
Costs
RULE 21.1. Costs. — The costs of the ADR proceedings shall be borne by the
parties equally unless otherwise agreed upon or directed by the arbitrator or arbitral
tribunal.
RULE 21.2. On the Dismissal of a Petition Against a Ruling of the Arbitral
Tribunal on a Preliminary Question Upholding its Jurisdiction. — If the Regional Trial
Court dismisses the petition against the ruling of the arbitral tribunal on a preliminary
question upholding its jurisdiction, it shall also order the petitioner to pay the
respondent all reasonable costs and expenses incurred in opposing the petition.
"Costs" shall include reasonable attorney's fees. The court shall award costs upon
application of the respondent after the petition is denied and the court nds, based on
proof submitted by respondent, that the amount of costs incurred is reasonable. ACcISa
RULE 21.3. On Recognition and Enforcement of a Foreign Arbitral Award. —

At the time the case is submitted to the court for decision, the party praying for
recognition and enforcement of a foreign arbitral award shall submit a statement under
oath con rming the costs he has incurred only in the proceedings in the Philippines for
such recognition and enforcement or setting-aside. The costs shall include attorney's
fees the party has paid or is committed to pay to his counsel of record.
The prevailing party shall be entitled to an award of costs which shall include the
court shall determine the reasonableness of the claim for attorney's fees.
RULE 21.4. Costs. — At the time the case is submitted to the court for
decision, the party praying for confirmation or vacation of an arbitral award shall submit
a statement under oath con rming the costs he has incurred only in the proceedings
for con rmation or vacation of an arbitral award. The costs shall include the attorney's
The prevailing party shall be entitled to an award of costs with respect to the
proceedings before the court, which shall include the reasonable attorney's fees of the
prevailing party against the unsuccessful party. The court shall determine the
reasonableness of the claim for attorney's fees.
RULE 21.5. Bill of Costs. — Unless otherwise agreed upon by the parties in
writing, at the time the case is submitted to the court for decision, the party praying for
recognition and enforcement or for setting aside an arbitral award shall submit a
statement under oath con rming the costs he has incurred only in the proceedings for
such recognition and enforcement or setting-aside. The costs shall include attorney's
The prevailing party shall be entitled to an award of costs, which shall include
court shall determine the reasonableness of the claim for attorney's fees. aSCHcA
RULE 21.6. Government's Exemption from Payment of Fees. — The Republic

of the Philippines, its agencies and instrumentalities are exempt from paying legal fees
provided in these Special ADR Rules. Local governments and government controlled
corporation with or with or without independent charters are not exempt from paying
such fees.
RULE 22
Applicability of the Rules of Court
RULE 22.1. Applicability of Rules of Court. — The provisions of the Rules of
Court that are applicable to the proceedings enumerated in Rule 1.1 of these Special
ADR Rules have either been included and incorporated in these Special ADR Rules or
specifically referred to herein.
In connection with the above proceedings, the Rules of Evidence shall be liberally
construed to achieve the objectives of the Special ADR Rules.
RULE 23
Separability
RULE 23.1. Separability Clause. — If, for any reason, any part of the Special
ADR Rules shall be held unconstitutional or invalid, other Rules or provisions hereof
which are not affected thereby, shall continue to be in full force and effect.
cASIED
RULE 24
Transitory Provisions
RULE 24.1. Transitory Provision. — Considering its procedural character, the
Special ADR Rules shall be applicable to all pending arbitration, mediation or other ADR
forms covered by the ADR Act, unless the parties agree otherwise. The Special ADR
Rules, however, may not prejudice or impair vested rights in accordance with law.
RULE 25
Online Dispute Resolution
RULE 25.1. Applicability of the Special ADR Rules to Online Dispute
Resolution. — Whenever applicable and appropriate, the Special ADR Rules shall govern
the procedure for matters brought before the court involving Online Dispute Resolution.
RULE 25.2. Scope of Online Dispute Resolution. — Online Dispute Resolution
shall refer to all electronic forms of ADR including the use of the internet and other web
or computed based technologies for facilitating ADR.
RULE 26
Effectivity
RULE 26.1. Effectivity. — The Special ADR Rules shall take effect fteen (15)
days after its complete publication in two (2) newspapers of general circulation.
RULE A
Guidelines for the Resolution of Issues Related to Arbitration of Loans Secured by
Collateral
RULE A.1. Applicability of an Arbitration Agreement in a Contract of Loan
Applies to the Accessory Contract Securing the Loan. — An arbitration agreement in a
contract of loan extends to and covers the accessory contract securing the loan such
as a pledge or a mortgage executed by the borrower in favor of the lender under that
contract of loan.
RULE A.2. Foreclosure of Pledge or Extra-Judicial Foreclosure of Mortgage
Not Precluded by Arbitration. — The commencement of the arbitral proceeding under
the contract of loan containing an arbitration agreement shall not preclude the lender
from availing himself of the right to obtain satisfaction of the loan under the accessory
contract by foreclosure of the thing pledged or by extra-judicial foreclosure of the
collateral under the real estate mortgage in accordance with Act No. 3135. ASDCaI
The lender may likewise institute foreclosure proceedings against the collateral
securing the loan prior to the commencement of the arbitral proceeding.
By agreeing to refer any dispute under the contract of loan to arbitration, the
lender who is secured by an accessory contract of real estate mortgage shall be
deemed to have waived his right to obtain satisfaction of the loan by judicial
foreclosure.
RULE A.3. Remedy of the Borrower Against an Action Taken by the Lender
Against the Collateral Before the Constitution of the Arbitral Tribunal. — The borrower
providing security for the payment of his loan who is aggrieved by the action taken by
the lender against the collateral securing the loan may, if such action against the
collateral is taken before the arbitral tribunal is constituted, apply with the appropriate
court for interim relief against any such action of the lender. Such interim relief may be
obtained only in a special proceeding for that purpose, against the action taken by the
lender against the collateral, pending the constitution of the arbitral tribunal. Any
determination made by the court in that special proceeding pertaining to the merits of
the controversy, including the right of the lender to proceed against the collateral, shall
be only provisional in nature.
After the arbitral tribunal is constituted, the court shall stay its proceedings and
defer to the jurisdiction of the arbitral tribunal over the entire controversy including any
question regarding the right of the lender to proceed against the collateral.
RULE A.4. Remedy of Borrower Against Action Taken by the Lender Against
the Collateral After the Arbitral Tribunal has Been Constituted. — After the arbitral
tribunal is constituted, the borrower providing security for the payment of his loan who
is aggrieved by the action taken by the lender against the collateral securing the loan
may apply to the arbitral tribunal for relief, including a claim for damages, against such
action of the lender. An application to the court may also be made by the borrower
against any action taken by the lender against the collateral securing the loan but only if
the arbitral tribunal cannot act effectively to prevent an irreparable injury to the rights of
such borrower during the pendency of the arbitral proceeding. ScaATD
An arbitration agreement in a contract of loan precludes the borrower therein

providing security for the loan from ling and/or proceeding with any action in court to
prevent the lender from foreclosing the pledge or extra-judicially foreclosing the
mortgage. If any such action is led in court, the lender shall have the right provided in
the Special ADR Rules to have such action stayed on account of the arbitration
agreement.
RULE A.5. Relief that May be Granted by the Arbitral Tribunal. — The arbitral
tribunal, in aid of the arbitral proceeding before it, may upon submission of adequate
security, suspend or enjoin the lender from proceeding against the collateral securing
the loan pending nal determination by the arbitral tribunal of the dispute brought to it
for decision under such contract of loan.
The arbitral tribunal shall have the authority to resolve the issue of the validity of
the foreclosure of the thing pledged or of the extrajudicial foreclosure of the collateral
under the real estate mortgage if the same has not yet been foreclosed or con rm the
validity of such foreclosure if made before the rendition of the arbitral award and had
not been enjoined.
RULE A.6. Arbitration Involving a Third-Party Provider of Security. — An
arbitration agreement contained in a contract of loan between the lender and the
borrower extends to and covers an accessory contract securing the loan, such as a
pledge, mortgage, guaranty or suretyship, executed by a person other than the
borrower only if such third-party securing the loan has agreed in the accessory
contract, either directly or by reference, to be bound by such arbitration agreement. DAaHET
Unless otherwise expressly agreed upon by the third-party securing the loan, his
agreement to be bound by the arbitration agreement in the contract of loan shall
pertain to disputes arising from or in connection with the relationship between the
lender and the borrower as well as the relationship between the lender and such third-
party including the right of the lender to proceed against the collateral securing the
loan, but shall exclude disputes pertaining to the relationship exclusively between the
borrower and the provider of security such as that involving a claim by the provider of
security for indemnification against the borrower.
In this multi-party arbitration among the lender, the borrower and the third party
securing the loan, the parties may agree to submit to arbitration before a sole arbitrator
or a panel of three arbitrators to be appointed either by an Appointing Authority
designated by the parties in the arbitration agreement or by a default Appointing
Authority under the law.
In default of an agreement on the manner of appointing arbitrators or of
constituting the arbitral tribunal in such multi-party arbitration, the dispute shall be
resolved by a panel of three arbitrators to be designated by the Appointing Authority
under the law. But even in default of an agreement on the manner of appointing an
arbitrator or constituting an arbitral tribunal in a multi-party arbitration, if the borrower
and the third party securing the loan agree to designate a common arbitrator,
arbitration shall be decided by a panel of three arbitrators: one to be designated by the
lender; the other to be designated jointly by the borrower and the provider of security
who have agreed to designate the same arbitrator; and a third arbitrator who shall
serve as the chairperson of the arbitral panel to be designated by the two party-
designated arbitrators. EaCDAT

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September 1, 2009

[A.M. No. 07-11-08-SC]

Acting on the recommendation of the Chairperson of the Sub-Committee on the

(SGD.) REYNATO S. PUNO

(SGD.) LEONARDO A. QUISUMBING

(SGD.) CONSUELO YNARES-SANTIAGO

(SGD.) ANTONIO T. CARPIO

(SGD.) RENATO C. CORONA

(SGD.) CONCHITA CARPIO MORALES

(SGD.) MINITA V. CHICO-NAZARIO

(SGD.) PRESBITERO J. VELASCO, JR.

(SGD.) ANTONIO EDUARDO B. NACHURA

(SGD.) TERESITA J. LEONARDO-DE CASTRO

(SGD.) ARTURO D. BRION

(SGD.) DIOSDADO M. PERALTA

(SGD.) LUCAS P. BERSAMIN

(SGD.) MARIANO C. DEL CASTILLO

(SGD.) ROBERTO A. ABAD

SPECIAL RULES OF COURT ON ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION

f. Termination of Mandate of Arbitrator;

a. Judicial Relief Involving the Issue of Existence, Validity or

(A) Service and ling of petition in summary proceedings. — The petitioner

The motion led pursuant to the rules on Referral to ADR or

g. Motion to declare a party in default; and

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RULE 1.12. Applicability of Part II on Speci c Court Relief. — Part II of the

c. The referral would result in multiplicity of suits;

RULE 2.4. Policy Implementing Competence-Competence Principle. — The

RULE 2.7. Conversion of a Settlement Agreement to an Arbitral Award. —

RULE 3.4. Venue. — A petition questioning the existence, validity and

B. Judicial Relief after Arbitration Commences

d. The relief/s sought.

RULE 4.4. Comment/Opposition. — The comment/opposition must be led

d. Where the real property subject of arbitration, or a portion thereof is

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RULE 5.8. Comment/Opposition. — The comment/opposition must be led

a. Furnish the respondent a copy of the petition and a notice requiring

b. In all instances where arbitration is ad hoc and the parties failed to

b. If the parties agreed on an appointment procedure, a description of

RULE 6.8. Forum Shopping Prohibited. — When there is a pending petition in

RULE 7.6. Comment/Opposition. — The challenged arbitrator or other parties

RULE 7.9. Reimbursement of Expenses and Reasonable Compensation to

c. To allow the physical examination of the condition of persons, or the

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RULE 9.7. Comment/Opposition. — The comment/opposition must be led

a. That the information sought to be protected was obtained, or would

d. The protection of the ADR Laws shall continue to apply even if a

RULE 11.2. When to Request Con rmation, Correction/Modi cation or

d. One or more of the arbitrators was disquali ed to act as such under

(B) To correct/modify an arbitral award. — The Court may correct/modify or

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An application to correct/modify an arbitral award may be included in a petition

d. A statement of the date of receipt of the arbitral award and the

(ii). The party making the application to set aside or resist

RULE 12.5. Exclusive Recourse Against Arbitral Award. — Recourse to a court

a. The addresses of record, or any change thereof, of the parties to

d. An authentic copy or authentic copies of the appointment of an

RULE 12.11. Suspension of Proceedings to Set Aside. — The court when

b. The court finds that: