Revised Guidelines On Continuous Trial

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
SUPREME COURT
BAGUIO CITY
A.M. No.15-06-10-SC
REVISED GUIDELINES FOR

CONTINUOUS TRIAL OF CRIMINAL CASES
RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, in the Resolution dated 21 February 2012 of the Court en bane

in A.M. No. 11-6-10-SC (Re: Guidelines for Litigation in Quezon City Trial
Courts), the Guidelines for Litigation in Quezon City Trial Courts (Q.C. Practice
Guidelines for brevity), were adopted to test the practicability and feasibility
thereof, and to enhance the rules of procedure and expedite the litigation process;
WHEREAS, in the 30 June 2015 Resolution of the Court en bane in A.M.

No. 15-06-10-SC (Re: Adopting the Guidelines for Continuous Trial of Criminal
Cases in Pilot Courts), the Proposed Guidelines for Continuous Trial of Criminal
Cases (Continuous Trial Guidelines for brevity) were adopted in 52 pilot courts in
both first and second levels in Metro Manila, effective 17 August 2015, clarifying
the application of existing rules on speedy trial to expedite trial and resolution of
criminal cases;
\VHEREAS, the Results Analysis of Practice Guidelines Implementation in

Quezon City, Philippine Hall of Justice (August 2015) conducted by the American
Bar Association Rule of Law Initiative (ABA-ROLI) showed that specific
procedural and case management reforms producednotable effects on reducing
case processing time;
WHEREAS, a Validation Workshop for the Guidelines on Continuous Trial

of Criminal Cases was held on 21 October 2016, where The Asia Foundation
presented its report and evaluation of the implementation of said guidelines,
showingremarkable and significant improvement in reducing the duration of
criminal proceedings and improving the trial courts' compliance with the periods
and timeframes for trial set in the Rules of Court and pertinent laws;
2
Resolution A.M. No. 15-06-10-SC
Revised Guidelines for Continuous
Trial of Criminal Cases
WHEREAS, pursuant to Memorandum Order No. 14-2015creating the

Special Committee on Speedy Trial (Special Committee), a Technical Working
Group (TWG) was created on 7 November 2016 to review the possible
consolidation of A.M. No. 15-06-10-SC (Continuous Trial Guidelines) and A.M.
No. 11-6-10-SC (Q.C. Practice Guidelines);
WHEREAS, pursuant to Memorandum Order No. 09-2017, the amended

composition of theSpecial Committee is as follows:
Chairperson: HON. DIOSDADO M. PERALTA

Associate Justice, Supreme Court
Vice-Chairperson: HON. LUCAS P. BERSAMIN

Members: HON. JOSE CATRAL MENDOZA

HON. JOSE MIDAS P. MARQUEZ

Court Administrator
HON. FERNANDA LAMPAS PERALTA

Associate Justice, Court of Appeals
HON. MAGDANGAL M. DE LEON

HON. MANUEL M. BARRIOS

HON. ALEXANDER G. GESMUNDO

Associate Justice, Sandiganbayan
HON. CAESAR A. CASANOVA

Associate Justice, Court of Tax Appeals
Secretariat: ATTY. RALPH JEROME D. SALVADOR

Office of Justice Diosdado M Peralta
ATTY. JILLIANE JOYCE DE DUMO

Office of the Chief Justice
ATTY. JO ANN FRANCES D. MADARANG

3
WHEREAS, the TWG is composed of the following:
Chairperson: HON. FERNANDA LAMPAS PERALTA

Members: HON. MAGDANGAL M. DE LEON

HON. MANUEL M. BARRIOS

HON. ALEXANDER G. GESMUNDO

Associate Justice, Sandiganbayan
HON. EMILY L. SAN GASPAR-GITO

Presiding Judge, RTC, Branch 5, Manila
HON. CARIDAD M. WALSE-LUTERO

Presiding Judge, RTC, Branch 223, Quezon City
HON. JURIS S. DILINILA-CALLANTA

Presiding Judge, RTC, Branch 85, Quezon City
HON. BARBARA ALELI C. HERNANDEZ-BRIONES

Presiding Judge, MeTC, Branch 61, Makati City
HON. JUVENAL N. BELLA,

Presiding Judge, MeTC, Branch 39, Quezon City
HON. BELEN S. CARASIG

Presiding Judge, MeTC, Branch 88, Paraiiaque City
HON. ERIZA P. PAGALING-ZAPANTA

Presiding Judge, MeTC, Branch 4, Manila
Secretariat: ATTY. JASON J. ZAPANTA

ATTY. RALPH JEROME D. SALVADOR

ATTY. JILLIANE JOYCE R. DE DUMO

ATTY. JO ANN FRANCES D. MADARANG

Office of the ChiefJustice
ATTY. CAMILLE LEELIN TING

Office of the Court Administrator
4
WHEREAS, the Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson and Members of the

Special Committee, as well as the TWG, conducted consultative meetingsto
consolidate, review and revisethe Q.C. Practice Guidelines and the Continuous
Trial Guidelines;
WHEREAS, on 2 December 2016, the TWG, together with representatives

of the Philippine Mediation Center (PMC) and the Developmental Partners (The
Asia Foundation and the American Bar Association-Rule of Law Initiative), held a
meeting to discuss the methodology of consolidation of the Q.C. Practice
Guidelines and the Continuous Trial Guidelines;
WHEREAS, on 19 January 2017, a meeting was heldwith the TWG and the
PMCwhere the Special Committee Chairperson presented the working draft of the
Revised Guidelines for Continuous Trial of Criminal Cases for discussion and
rev1s10n;
WHEREAS, on 2 February 2017, the Special Committee, together with

representatives of the PMC and the Developmental Partners,reviewed and
finalized the proposed "Revised Guidelines for Continuous Trial of Criminal
Cases," to protect and advance the constitutional right of persons to a speedy
disposition of their criminal cases, to reinforce and give teeth to the existing rules
on criminal procedure and other special rules prescribing periods for court action
and those which promote speedy disposition of said cases, and to introduce
innovations and best practices for the benefit of the parties.
NOW, THEREFORE, acting on the recommendation of the Chairperson of

the Special Committee and the TWG, submitting for consideration and approval
of the Court the proposed "Revised Guidelines for Continuous Trial of
Criminal Cases," the Court hereby resolves to APPROVE the same.
The Revised Guidelines shall take effect on 1 September 2017 following

its publication in two (2) newspapers of general circulation.
25 April2017.
5 A.M. No. 15-06-10-SC
MARIA LOURDES P.A. SERENO

Chief Justice
az::_
ANTONIO T. CARPIO PRESB J. VELASCO, JR.
Associate Justice ate Justice
Ti . -l Associate Justice
tttfft
f' r ;?
C. DEL CASTILLO
Associate Justice
7
JOSE CA L ME DOZA
Ass l e Justic Associate Justice
JJ). rLvef"
ESTELA M rERLAS-BERNABE
Associate Justice
Associate Justic
s UE'/!fffll/irmEs
Associate Justice
REVISED GUIDELINES FOR
CONTINUOUS TRIAL OF CRIMINAL CASES
I. Applicability
The Revised Guidelines for Continuous Trial of

Criminal Cases (Revised Guidelines) shall apply to
all newly-filed criminal cases, including those
governed by Special Laws and Rules, 1 in the First and
Second Level Courts, the Sandiganbayan and the
Court of Tax Appeals as of effectivity date. The
Revised Guidelines shall also apply to pending
criminal cases with respect to the remainder of the
proceedings.
Unless otherwise specifically provided herein,

the Revised Guidelines shall not apply to criminal
cases filed under the Rule on Summary Procedure.
II. Objectives
1. To protect and advance the constitutional right of

persons to a speedy disposition of their criminal
cases;
2. To reinforce and give teeth to the existing rules on

criminal procedure and other special rules
prescribing periods for court action and those which
promote speedy disposition of criminal cases; and
3. To introduce innovations and best practices for the

benefit of the parties.
1 Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, Cybercrime Prevention Act

of 2012, Rules of Procedure for Environmental Cases, Rules of Procedure for
Intellectual Property Rights Cases, and Criminal Cases cognizable by Family
Courts and Commercial Courts.
P<1gc Jl
III. Procedure
1. Hearing Days and Calendar Call
Trial shall be held from Monday to Thursday,

and courts shall call the cases at exactly 8:30 A.M.
and 2:00 P.M., pursuant to Administrative Circular
No. 3-99. I-Iearing on motions, arraignment and pre
trial, and promulgation of decisions shall be held in
the morning of Fridays, pursuant to Sec. 7, Rule 15
of the Rules of Court.
All courts shall ensure the posting of their court

calendars outside their courtrooms at least one (1)
day before the scheduled hearings, pursuant to OCA
Circular No. 250-2015.
2. Motions
(a) Motion for Inhibition. - Motions for

inhibition based on grounds provided for under Rule
137 shall be resolved immediately or within two (2)
calendar days from date of their filing.
(b) Prohibited Motions. - Prohibited motions shall be

denied outright before the scheduled arraignment
without need of comment and/ oropposition.
The following motions are prohibited:
i. Motion for judicial determination of probable

cause.
ii. Motion for preliminary investigation filed

beyond the five (5)-day reglementary period in
inquest proceedings under Sec. 6, Rule 112, or
when preliminary investigation is required
under Sec. 8, Rule 112, or allowed in inquest
proceedings and the accused failed to
participate in the preliminary investigation
despite due notice.
iii. Motion for reinvestigation of the prosecutor

recommending the filing of information once the
information has been filed before the court (1) if
the motion is filed without prior leave of court;
(2) when preliminary investigation is not
required under Sec. 8, Rule 112; and (3) when
the regular preliminary investigation is required
and has been actually conducted, and the
grounds relied upon in the motion are not
meritorious, such as issues of credibility,
admissibility of evidence, innocence of the
accused, or lack of due process when the
accused was actually notified, among others.
iv. Motion to quash information when the

ground is not one of those stated in Sec. 3, Rule
117.
v. Motion for bill of particulars that does not

conform to Sec. 9, Rule 116.
vi. Motion to suspend the arraignment based on

grounds not stated under Sec. 11, Rule 116.
vii. Petition to suspend the criminal action on the

ground of prejudicial question, when no civil
case has been filed, pursuant to Sec. 7, Rule 111.
(c) Meritorious Motions. - Motions that allege

plausible grounds supported by relevant documents
and/ or competent evidence, except those that are
already covered by the Revised Guidelines, are
meritorious 1notions, such as:
i. Motion to withdraw information, or to

downgrade the charge 1n the original
Page 13
information, or to exclude an accused
originally charged therein, filed by the
prosecution as a result of a reinvestigation,
reconsideration, and review;
11. Motion to quash warrant of arrest;
111.Motion to suspend arraignment on the

ground of an unsound mental condition
under Sec. ll(a), Rule 116;
iv. Motion to suspend proceedings on the

ground of a prejudicial question where a
civil case was filed prior to the criminal case
under Sec. ll(b), Rule 116;
v. Motion to quash infonnation on the

grounds that the facts charged do not
constitute an offense, lack of jurisdiction,
extinction of criminal action or liability, or
double jeopardy under Sec. 3, par. (a), (b), (g),
and (i), Rule 117;
vi. Motion to discharge accused as a state

witness under Sec. 17, Rule 119;
vu. Motion to quash search warrant under

Sec. 14, Rule 126 or motion to suppress
evidence; and
viii. Motion to dismiss on the ground that

the criminal case is a Strategic Lawsuit
Against Public Participation (SLAPP) under
Rule 6 of the Rules of Procedure for
Environmental Cases.
The comment of the adverse party shall be

filed within a non-extendible period of ten (10)
calendar days from notice/receipt of the order of the
p ;_1 g C 14
court to file the same, and the court shall resolve the
motion within a non-extendible period of ten (10)
calendar days from the expiration of the ten (10)-
day period, with or without comment. The court, at
its discretion, may set the motion for hearing within
a non-extendible period of ten (10) calendar days
from the expiration of the ten (10)-day period to file
comment, in which case the same shall be submitted
for resolution after the termination of the hearing,
and shall be resolved within a non-extendible period
of ten (10) calendar days thereafter. Reply and
memorandum need not be submitted.
In case of a motion to discharge accused as

state witness under Sec. 17, Rule 119, where the
prosecution is required to present evidence in
support thereof, such motion shall be submitted for
resolution from the termination of the hearing, and
shall be resolved within a non-extendible period of
ten (10) calendar days thereafter.
The motion for reconsideration of the

resolution of a meritorious motion shall be filed
within a non-extendible period of five (5) calendar
days from receipt of such resolution, and the adverse
party shall be given an equal period of five (5)
calendar days from receipt of the motion for
reconsideration within which to submit its comment.
Thereafter, the motion for reconsideration shall be
resolved by the court within a non-extendible period
of five (5) calendar days from the expiration of the
five (5)-day period to submit the comment.
Motions that do not conform to the

requirements stated above shall be considered
unmeritorious and shall be denied outright.
(d) Motion for postponement. - A motion for

postponement is prohibited, except if it is based on
acts of God, force niajeure or physical inability of the
witness to appear and testify. If the motion is
granted based on such exceptions, the moving party
shall be warned that the presentation of its evidence
must still be finished on the dates previously agreed
upon.
A motion for postponement, whether written

or oral, shall at all times be accompanied by the
original official receipt from the Office of the Clerk of
Court evidencing payment of the postpone1nent fee
under Sec. 21 (b), Rule 141, to be sub1nitted either at
the time of the filing of said 1notion or not later than
the next hearing date. The Clerk of Court shall not
accept the motion unless accompanied by the
original receipt.
3. Free Legal Assistance
If a party fails to qualify for the availment of the

services of the Public Attorney's Office, the
Integrated Bar of the Philippines Local Chapter shall
provide free legal assistance to said party. For this
purpose, the IBP Local Chapter shall submit to the
Executive Judges a list of IBP-local lawyers who may
be appointed by the courts to act as counsel de officio
in such cases. The lists shall be disseminated among
all the h"ial courts in the station.
4. Private Prosecutor
In cases where only the civil liability is being

prosecuted by a private prosecutor, the head of the
prosecution office must issue in favor of the private
prosecutor a written authority to try the case even in
the absence of the public prosecutor. The written
authority must be sub1nitted to the court prior to the
fl .,.,, ,n, ,-, I 6

presentation of evidence by the private prosecutor in
accordance with Sec. 5, Rule 110.
With this authority on record, the court may set

the trial in the case and in other cases tried by
private prosecutors with delegated authority on
separate days when the presence of the public
prosecutor may be dispensed with.
5. Consolidations
(a) Newly-filed Cases. - When newly-filed criminal

cases involving offenses based on the same facts or
forming part of a series of offenses of similar
character, are accompanied by a motion for
consolidation filed by the Office of the Prosecutor,
the Executive Judge shall cause the raffle to only one
court which shall then resolve said motion for
consolidation, preferably on the date of the
arraignment and in the presence of the accused and
counsel.
(b) Pending Cases with Multiple Accused. - In cases

involving multiple accused where a subsequent
information is filed involving an accused who has
been subjected to further investigation by the Office
of the Prosecutor over an incident which has the
same subject matter as a prior information/ s against
different accused, said subsequent case when filed
accompanied by a motion for consolidation from the
Office of the Prosecutor shall no longer be raffled.
The subsequent case shall be assigned directly by the
Executive Judge to the court where the earlier case is
pending. If the earlier case is already at the trial
stage and witnesses have been presented, the parties
may be allowed to adopt the evidence so far
presented, without prejudice to additional direct
examination questions and cross-examination
questions.
6. Archiving of Cases
The archiving of cases shall be done within the

period prescribed under the Guidelines in the
Archiving of Cases under SC Administrative
Circular No. 7-A-92, as restated in OCA Circular
No. 89-2004. A crinlinal case shall be archived only
if, after the issuance of the warrant of arrest, the
accused remains at large for six (6) months from the
delivery of the warrant to the proper peace officer.
Such case shall likewise be archived when
proceedings therein are ordered suspended for an
indefinite period because:
(a) the accused appears to be suffering fro1n an

unsound mental condition which effectively renders
him unable to fully understand the charge against
hin, and to plead intelligently, or to undergo h·ial,
and he has to be committed to a 1nental hospital;
(b) a valid prejudicial question in a civil action is

invoked during the pendency of the cri1ninal case,
unless the civil and criminal cases are consolidated;
(c) an interlocutory order or incident in the criminal

case 1s elevated to, and 1s pending
resolution/ decision for an indefinite period before a
higher court which has issued a temporary
resh·aining order or writ of preliminary injunction;
and
(d) when the accused has ju1nped bail before

arraign1nent and cannot be arrested by the
bondsman.
7. Revival of Provisionally Dismissed Cases
Revival of provisionally dismissed cases shall

conform to the requisites and the periods provided
for under Sec. 8, Rule 117. Provisional dismissal of
offenses punishable by imprisonment not exceeding
six (6) years or a fine of any amount or both shall
become permanent one (1) year after issuance of the
order without the case having been revived.
Provisional dismissal of offenses punishable by
imprisonment of more than six (6) years, shall
become permanent two (2) years after the issuance
of the order without the case having been revived.
8. Arraignment and Pre-trial
(a) Schedule of Arraignment and Pre-trial. - Once

the court has acquired jurisdiction over the person of the
accused, the arraignment of the accused and the pre trial
shall be set within ten (10) calendar days from date of
the court's receipt of the case for a detained accused, and
within thirty (30) calendar days from the date the
court acquires jurisdiction (either by arrest or voluntary
surrender) over a non-detained accused, unless a shorter
period is provided by special law or Supreme Court
circular.
The court must set the arraignment of the

accused in the commitment order, in the case of
detained accused, or in the order of approval of bail,
in any other case. For this purpose, where the
Executive Judge and Pairing Judges act on bail
applications in cases assigned to other courts, they
shall coordinate with the courts to which the cases
are actually assigned for scheduling purposes.
(b) Notice of Arraignment and Pre-Trial. - Notice of

arraignment and pre-trial shall be sent to the
accused, his/her counsel, private complainant or
complaining law enforcement agent, public
prosecutor, and witnesses whose names appear in
the infonnation for purposes of plea-bargaining,
arraignment and pre-trial.
(c) Waiver of Reading of the Inforn1ation. - In

multiple cases, the court, upon personal examination of
the accused, may allow a waiver of the reading of the
information upon the full understanding and express
consent of the accused and his/her counsel, which
consent shall be expressly stated in both the
minutes/ certificate of arraigrnnent and the order of
arraignment. The court shall explain the waiver to
the accused in the language or dialect known to
him/her, and ensure the accused's full
understanding of the consequences of the waiver
before approving the sa1ne. (See Annex 1)
(d) Arraignment Proper
i. Plea Bargaining Except in Drug Cases. - If

the accused desires to enter a plea of guilty
to a lesser offense, plea bargaining shall
immediately proceed, provided the private
offended party in private crimes, or the
arresting officer in victi1nless crimes, is
present to give his/her consent with the
conformity of the public prosecutor to
the plea bargaining. Thereafter, judgment
shall be immediately rendered in the same
proceedings. (See Annexes 2 and 3)
ii. Plea of Guilty to the Crin1e Charged in

the Inforn1ation. - If the accused pleads
guilty to the crime charged in the information,
judgment shall be immediately rendered,
except in those cases involving capital
punishment. (See Annex 4)
p il ,[,' (' 110

Where No Plea Bargaining or Plea of
111.
Guilty Takes Place. - If the accused does not

enter a plea of guilty, whether to a lesser
offense or to the offense charged in the
information, the court shall immediately
proceed with the arraignment and the pre trial,
in accordance with the succeeding provisions
on pre-trial.
The schedule of the trial dates, for both

the prosecution and the accused, shall be
continuous and within the periods
provided in the Regular Rules/Special
Rules. The trial dates may be shortened
depending on the number of witnesses to
be presented. In this regard, a flowchart
shall be prepared by the court which shall
serve as the final schedule of hearings. (See
Annexes 5 and 6)
Sample flowcharts
A. Regular Rules
' Promulgation of Decision

Presentation of the
¢
(90 days from submission of case for decision)
Arraignment and Pre-Trial Prosecution's and
the Accused's
,
Evidence
(6 months/180 days)
B. Special Laws/Rules
1. Drug Cases
Trial Decision
(To be finished not later than 60 days from filing
(15ofdays
Information)
from submission of case for resolution)
" ,
P:igelll
2. Environmental Cases
ES>
Arraignment and Pre-Trial
30 days
Trial
(.3 months)
'----------------------------------
Memo
30 days
Decision
(60 t.hiys
from last day
tn file
memoranda)
'
Disposition period shall be within 10 months from date of arraignment
3. Intellectual Property Rights Cases
Arraignment and Pre-Trial Trial Judgment

(60 days for each party to present evidence or 120 days)
Memo (90 days from
30 days submission of case
for decision)
4. Arraignment and Pre-trial of Cases Referred to Mediation
' Judgment
'
Arraignment 30 days (6 rnonths/180 (90 clays from
.c>
Mediation
and Pre-Trial days) submission of case
Trial for decision)
'
(e) Arraign1nent
and Prelinzinary Conference of
Mediatable Cases
subject to the Rule on Sunznwry
Procedure
The arraigi,ment and preliminary conference

shall be simultaneously held, and the court shall
take up all the 1natters required under Sec. 14,
Rule on Summary Procedure during the
preliminary conference.
i. If the accused pleads guilty to the cri1ne

charged in the information, subheading
III, item no. 8, subparagraph (d) ii (Plea of
Page I 12
Guilty to the Crime Charged 1n the
Information) shall be followed.
ii. If the accused pleads guilty to a lesser

offense, subheading III, item no. 8,
subparagraph (d) 1 (Plea Bargaining
except in Drug Cases) shall be followed.
111. If the accused does not enter a plea

of guilty, whether to a lesser offense or to
the offense charged in the information, the
court shall immediately proceed with the
arraignment and the preliminary
conference, and thereafter refer the case to
mediation. (See Annex 7)
Sample flowchart
Rule on Summary Procedure of Criminal Cases referred to

Mediation
c>
/
Arraignment and 30 days Trial Judgment (30 days from termination of
Preliminary Mediation (60 days) hearing)
Conference
'-.
(f) Conduct of Pre-trial
i. Absence of parties. - The court shall

proceed with the pre-trial despite the
absence of the accused and/ or private
complainant, provided they were duly
notified of the same, and the counsel for
the accused, as well as the public
prosecutor, are present.
ii. Stipulations. - Proposals for stipulations

shall be done with the active participation
Page I 13
of the court itself and shall not be left alone
to the counsels.
iii. Marking of evidence. - The docu1nentary

evidence of the prosecution and the
accused shall be 1narked.
iv. Pre-trial Order. - The Pre-trial Order

shall i1nmediately be served upon the
parties and counsel on the same day after
the termination of the pre-trial.
v. Co1npliance with Rules. - Courts must

strictly comply with the Guidelines to be
Observed in the Conduct of Pre-Trial
under A.M. No. 03-1-09-SC.
9. Mediation
(a) The following cases shall be referred to

mediation on the civil liability unless a settlement
is reached earlier in the pre-trial/ preliminary
conference:
i. Crimes where payment may prevent

cri1ninal prosecution or 1nay extinguish
criminal liability, such as violations of:
a. B.P. Blg. 22;

b. SSS Law (R.A. No. 1161, as a1nended
by R.A No. 8282); and
c. PAG-IBIG Law (R.A. No. 9679).
ii. Crimes against property under Title 10

of the Revised Penal Code (RPC), where
the obligation may be civil in nature, such
as:
Page• I 14
a. Theft under Art. 308, RPC, cognizable
by the first level courts;
b. Estafa under Art. 315(1), RPC, except
estafa under Art. 315 (2) and (3);
c. Other forms of swindling under Art.
316, RPC;
d. Swindling of a minor under Art. 317,
RPC;
e. Other deceits under Art. 318, RPC;
and
f. Malicious mischief under Art. 327,
RPC.
111.Crimes against honor under Title 13,

RPC, where the liability may be civil in
nature, such as:
a. Libel by means of writings or

similar means under Art. 355, RPC;
b. Threatening to publish and offer to
present such publication for a
compensation under Art. 356, RPC;
c. Prohibited publication of acts
referred to in the course of official
proceedings under Art. 357, RPC;
d. Grave Slander (Grave Oral
Defamation) of serious and
insulting nature under Art. 358, par.
1, RPC;
e. Simple Slander (Oral Defamation) -
not of a serious and insulting nature
under Art. 358, par. 2, RPC;
f. Grave Slander by Deed - of a
serious nature under Art. 359, par.
1, RPC;
g. Simple Slander by Deed - not of a
serious nature under Art. 359, par.
2, RPC;
Pa g C:' I 15
h. Incriminating innocent person
under Art. 363, RPC;
1. Intriguing against honor under Art.
364, RPC;
iv. Libel under R.A. 10175 (Cybercrime

Prevention Act of 2012) where the liability
may be civil in nature;
v. Criminal negligence under Title 14,

RPC, where the liability 1nay be civil in
nature; and
vi. Intellectual property rights cases where

the liability may be civil in nature.
(b) The referral of the case for mediation to the

Philippine Mediation Center (PMC) Unit shall be
made only after the conduct of the arraignment
and the pre-trial/preliminary conference. The
court shall serve the Order of Referral to the PMC
Unit immediately after the arraignment and the
pre-trial/ preliminary conference.
The mediation shall be terminated within a

non-extendible period of thirty (30) calendar days
from the date of referral by the court to the PMC
Unit. After the lapse of the mediation period or if
mediation fails, trial shall proceed.
Except those cases mentioned above,

criminal cases subject to the Rule on Summary
Procedure shall not be referred to mediation.
10. Bail
(a) Petition for bail
f' age I 16
Petition for bail filed after the filing of the
information shall be set for summary hearing after
arraignment and pre-trial. Testimony of a witness
in petition for bail may be in the form allowed by
subheading III, item no. 11, par. b (Form of
Testimony) of the Revised Guidelines, provided
that the demeanor of the witness is not essential in
determining his/her credibility.
Petition for bail shall be heard and resolved

within a non-extendible period of thirty (30)
calendar days from date of the first hearing, except
in drug cases which shall be heard and resolved
within twenty (20) calendar days, without need of
oral argument and submission of memoranda,
consistent with the su1nmary nature of the
proceedings. (See Annexes 8-A and 8-B)
Motion for reconsideration on the resolution

of petition for bail shall be resolved within a non
extendible period of ten (10) calendar days from
date of submission of the motion.
Sample flowcharts with Petition for Bail

A. Regular Rules
Presentation of Evidence-
in-chief of the Prosecution (60 days) and Presentation of Evidence of the Accused
/
Promulgation of
(90 days) '
Arraignment and Pre-Trial
Hearing and Resolution of Petition for Bail (30 days) Decision (90 days from submission
Q Q case for decision)
,
'
Presentation of Evidence in the Petition for Bail and Presentation of Evidence-in-chief of the Prosecution and of Evidence of the of the Accused (180 days)
Page 117
B. Drug Cases
Arraignment
Hearing ' /
and Pre-Trial 10Petition
(Within of
and Resolution days from filing of Information)
for Bail '
(20 days) and Presentation of Evidence-in-chief '
the Prosecution (5 days) Decision
Presentationof of '
'-
c:> c>
Evidence of the Accused
(25 days) c:>
(15 days from submission of case for resolution)
Trial (To be finished not lciter than 60 days from filing of

information)
(b) Evidence in petition for bail
The resolution of petition for bail shall be

based solely on the evidence presented during the
bail proceedings by the prosecution. The
prosecution shall present only pieces of evidence
that are essential in establishing that the evidence
of guilt is strong. The accused need not present
evidence to contradict or rebut the prosecution's
evidence.
(c) Non-suspension of the presentation of evidence
The court shall not suspend the presentation

of the evidence in chief while awaiting resolution
of the petition for bail or the motion for
reconsideration.
11. Form of Testimony
(a) For First Level Courts
In all criminal cases, including those covered

by the Rule on Summary Procedure, the
testi1nonies of witnesses shall consist of the duly
subscribed written statements given to law
enforcement or peace officers or the affidavits or
counter-affidavits submitted before the
investigating prosecutor, and if such are not
available, testi1nonies shall be in the form of
fl ;1 ,t; e I 1s
judicial affidavits, subject to additional direct and
cross-examination questions.
The trial prosecutor may dispense with the

sworn written statements submitted to the law
enforcement or peace officers and prepare the
judicial affidavits of the affiants or modify or
revise the said sworn statements before
presenting it as evidence.
(b) For Second Level Courts, Sandiganbayan and

Court of Tax Appeals
In criminal cases where the demeanor of the

witness is not essential in determining the
credibility of said witness, such as forensic
chemists, medico-legal officers, investigators,
auditors, accountants, engineers, custodians,
expert witnesses and other similar witnesses, who
will testify on the authenticity, due execution and
the contents of public documents and reports, and
1n criminal cases that are transactional in
character, such as falsification, malversation,
estafa, or other crimes where the culpability or
innocence of the accused can be established
through documents, the testimonies of the
witnesses shall be the duly subscribed written
statements given to law enforcement or peace
officers or the affidavits or counter-affidavits
submitted before the investigating prosecutor, and
if such are not available, testimonies shall be in
the form of judicial affidavits, subject to additional
direct and cross-examination questions.
In all other cases where the culpability or the

innocence of the accused is based on the
testimonies of the alleged eyewitnesses, the
testimonies of these witnesses shall be in oral
form.
12. Stipulations
During pre-trial/ preliminary conference, the

court shall require the parties to enter into
stipulations on the subject of both direct and cross
exaniinations of wih1esses who have no personal
knowledge of the material facts constituting the
crimes, such as forensic chemists, medico-legal
officers, investigators, auditors, accountants,
engineers, custodians, expert witnesses and other
similar wih1esses, who will testify on the
authenticity, due execution and the contents of
public documents and reports; corroborative
witnesses; and those who will testify on the civil
liability.
This rule is without prejudice to allowing

additional direct and cross-examination questions.
If stipulations cannot be had in full, where the

adverse party does not waive the right to cross
examination, the subject of the direct testimony of
these witnesses should be stipulated upon, without
prejudice to additional direct and cross
examination questions.
13. Trial
(a) The court shall encourage the accused and the

prosecution to avail of:
i. For the accused - Secs. 12 and 13, Rule

119 on the application for examination of
witness for accused before h·ial and how it
is made; and
p Jg C I zo
ii. For the prosecution - Sec. 15, Rule 119
on the conditional examination of witness
for the prosecution.
(b) Absence of counsel de parte. - In the absence of

the counsel de parte, the hearing shall proceed
upon appointment by the court of a counsel de
officio.
(c) Offer of evidence. - The offer of evidence, the

comment/ objection thereto, and the court ruling
thereto shall be made orally. A party is required
to make his/ her oral offer of evidence on the
same day after the presentation of his/her last
witness, and the opposing party is required to
immediately interpose his/her oral comment/
objection thereto. Thereafter, the court shall make
a ruling on the offer of evidence in open court.
In making the offer, the counsel shall cite the

specific page numbers of the court record where
the exhibits being offered are found, if attached
thereto. The court shall ensure that all exhibits
offered are submitted to it on the same day of the
offer.
If the exhibits are not attached to the record,

the party making the offer must submit the same
during the offer of evidence in open court.
(d) Demurrer to Evidence. - After the prosecution

has rested its case, the court shall inquire from the
accused if he/ she desires to move for leave of
court to file a demurrer to evidence, or to proceed
with the presentation of his/her evidence. (See
Annex 9)
If the accused orally moves for leave of court

to file a demurrer to evidence, the court shall
Page I 21
orally resolve the same. If the motion for leave is
denied, the court shall issue an order for the
accused to present and terminate his/her evidence
on the dates previously scheduled and agreed
upon, and to orally offer and rest his/her case on
the day his/her last witness is presented.
If despite the denial of the motion for leave,

the accused insists on filing the de1nurrer to
evidence, the previously scheduled dates for the
accused to present evidence shall be cancelled.
The demurrer to evidence shall be filed

within a non-extendible period of ten (10) calendar
days from the date leave of court is granted, and
the corresponding comment shall be filed within a
non-extendible period of ten (10) calendar days
counted from date of receipt of the de1nurrer to
evidence. The demurrer shall be resolved by the
court within a non-extendible period of thirty (30)
calendar days fron, date of the filing of the
comment or lapse of the ten (10)-day period to file
the same.
If the motion for leave of court to file

demurrer to evidence is granted, and the
subsequent demurrer to evidence is denied, the
accused shall likewise present and terminate
his/her evidence (one day apart, morning and
afternoon) and shall orally offer and rest his/her
case on the day his/her last witness is presented.
The court shall rule on the oral offer of evidence
of the accused and the comment or objection of
the prosecution on the same day of the offer. If the
court denies the 1notion to present rebuttal
evidence because it is no longer necessary, it shall
consider the case submitted for decision. (See
Annex 10).
P .1 g c [ 22
(e) Presentation of Rebuttal and Sur-rebuttal Evidence.
- If the court grants the motion to present rebuttal
evidence, the prosecution shall immediately
proceed with its presentation after the accused
had rested his/her case, and orally rest its case in
rebuttal after the presentation of its last rebuttal
witness. Thereafter, the accused shall immediately
present sur-rebuttal evidence, if there is any, and
orally rest the case in sur-rebuttal after the
presentation of its last sur-rebuttal witness.
Thereafter, the court shall submit the case for
decision. (See Annexes 11 to 13).
(f) One-day exmnination of witness rule. - The court

shall strictly adhere to the rule that a witness has
to be fully examined in one (1) day.
14. Memoranda
The submission of memoranda is

discretionary on the part of the court, which in no
case shall exceed twenty-five (25) pages in length,
single-spaced, on legal size paper, using size 14
font. The period to submit memoranda shall be
non-extendible and shall not suspend the running
of the period of promulgation of the decision;
thus, with or without memoranda, the
promulgation shall push through as scheduled.
15. Lack of Stenographic Notes
Judges who conducted the trial and heard the

testimonies of some or all of the witnesses shall
not defer the submission of the case for decision
on the ground of incomplete or missing transcript
of stenographic notes. If the case was heard
completely by another judge, not the judge tasked
to write the decision, the latter shall direct the
stenographers concerned to submit the con,plete
transcripts within a period of thirty (30) calendar
days from date of his/her assumption to office.
16. Pro1nulgation
(a) Schedule of promulgation. - The court shall

announce in open court and include in the order
submitting the case for decision, the date of the
pro1nulgation of its decision which shall not be
more than ninety (90) calendar days fro1n the date
the case is submitted for decision,4 except when
the case is covered by Special Rules and other laws
which provide for a shorter period.5
(b) Resolution of motion for reconsideration of

judg111ent of conviction or 111otion for new trial. -
A motion for reconsideration of judgment of
conviction or motion for new trial under Rule 121
filed within the reglementary period of fifteen (15)
days from promulgation shall be resolved within a
non-extendible period of ten (10) calendar days
fro1n the submission of the comment of the
prosecution. With or without comment, the court
shall resolve the motion within the ten (10)-day
period.
2 For those covered by Regular Rules, including Sandiganbayan and Court

of Tax Appeals.
, For those covered by Special Laws and Rules:
a) Drug cases - fifteen (15) days from the date of submission for resolution of
the case;
b) Environmental cases - sixty (60) days from the last day of tlie 30-day
period to file the memoranda;
c) Intellectual Property Rights cases - 60 days from the time the case is
submitted for decision, with or without the memoranda; and
d) Others that may be provided in other Rules and Laws.
Page J 24
17. Inventory of Criminal Cases
The one (1) week of each semester devoted

for the conduct of annual and semi-annual
physical inventory of cases and preparation of the
semestral docket inventory report pursuant to
Administrative Circular No. 76-2007 shall not
suspend court hearings.
18. Posting
The Revised Guidelines shall be posted at all

floors of the covered halls of justice, the
Sandiganbayan, the Court of Tax Appeals and the
offices of their respective Clerks of Court,
including all offices of the Integrated Bar of the
Philippines and other Bar associations.
IV. Monitoring, Evaluation and Training
The application of and adherence to the

Revised Guidelines shall be subject to periodic
monitoring by the Committee and its Technical staff
by visitation and submission of data.
For this purpose, all courts covered by the

Revised Guidelines shall accomplish and submit a
periodic report of data in a form to be generated and
distributed by the Committee.
Training of judges and court personnel shall be

undertaken by the PHILJA in coordination with the
Committee and its Technical staff.
P c1 g e I zs
V. Effect of Non-Compliance
Non-compliance with the Revised Guidelines,

including failure to observe the timelines and
deadlines herein provided, 1s a ground for
disciplinary action.
VI. Repealing Clause
Existing rules and guidelines inconsistent with

the Revised Guidelines are deemed amended or
repealed.
VII. Effectivity
The Revised Guidelines shall take effect on 1

September 2017, after publication for two (2)
consecutive weeks in two (2) newspapers of general
circulation.
Page I 26
ANNEXl
Template; Waiver of Reading of Informations:
"I hereby voluntarily waive the reading of the Informations

with full comprehension of the. consequences thereof, and that I
understand the nature of the charges against me as alleged in the
Informations, as the same were read and explained to me earlier by
the court and my counsel in a language or dialect known and
understood by me.
Accused
Signed in the presence of:
Public Prosecutor Counsel de parte/de officio"

ANNEX2
Template Judgement; Plea to a Lesser Offense; Non-Detention Prisoners:
When the accused was arraigned for the lesser crime of

11
by reading the Information in a language or dialect

known and understood by the accused, assisted by his/her counsel
de officio/de parte (name of counsel), accused, entered a plea of guilty.
The private complainant (name of complainant) consented to* and
the public prosecutor (name of prosecutor) conformed with the
accused pleading guilty to a lesser offense.
WHEREFORE, judgment is hereby rendered finding the

accused (name of the accused) guilty beyond reasonable doubt of the
crime of _, defined and penalized under , and is
hereby sentenced to suffer the penalty** of _
The accused is further ordered to pay (name of private

complainant/ s or heirs of private complainant/ s) the amount/ s
of
(as civil indemnity, actual, moral, and/ or exemplary
damages) with legal interest at the rate of six percent (6%) per
annum on all damages awarded from finality of this judgment until
fully paid.***
SO ORDERED.11
* If victimless crime, the consent should be given by the arresting

officer.
** It may be a straight penalty if imposed by the First Level Court and

the penalty is one (1) year or less. But, if imposed by the Second Level
Court, the penalty must provide for a minimum period and a
maximum period, unless the applicable penalty is one (1) year or less.
*** Delete if civil liability is waived or when it is a victimless crime.

ANNEX3
Template Judgment; Plea to a Lesser Offense; Detention Prisoner:

11
When the accused was arraigned for the lesser crime
of by reading the Information in a language or dialect
_..J
known and understood by the accused, assisted by his/her counsel

de officio/de parte (name of counsel), accused entered a plea of
guilty. The private complainant (name of complainant) consented* to
and the public prosecutor (name of prosecutor) conformed with the
accused pleading guilty to a lesser offense.

crime of -- defined and penalized under --- anis
d hereby sentenced to suffer the
indeterminate penalty** of

complainant/s or heirs of private complainant/s) the amount/s of
damages), with legal interest at the rate of six (6%) per annum on all
damages awarded from finality of this judgment until fully paid.***
The period within which the accused was detained shall be

credited to him in full, as long as he abides by and follows strictly the
rules and regulations of the institution where he is detained or
confined.****
SO ORDERED."
* If victimless crime, the consent should be given by the arresting

officer.
** It may be a straight penalty if imposed by the First Level Court

and the penalty is one (1) year or less. But, if imposed by the Second
Level Court, the penalty must provide for a minimum period and a
maximum period, unless the applicable penalty is one (1) year or less.
**** Applicable to detention prisoner.

ANNEX4
Template Judgment; Plea of Guilty to the Crime Charged; Detention

Prisoner:
When the accused was arraigned by reading the Information

11
in the language or dialect known and understood by him/her,

assisted by his/her counsel de officio/de parte (name of counsel), the
accused entered a plea of guilty. When queried, the accused and
his/her counsel informed the court that the accused fully
understands the nature and consequence of his entering a plea of
guilty to the crime charged in the Information.

crime ---- adsefined and penalized under and J
there being one (1) mitigating circumstance of plea of guilty as

provided for in Paragraph 7 of Article 13 of the Revised Penal Code,*
is hereby sentenced to suffer the indeterminate penalty** of

complainant/s or heirs of private complainant/s) the amount/s of
damages), with legal interest at the rate of six (6%) per annum on all
damages awarded from finality of this judgment until fully paid.***
The period within which the accused was detained shall be

credited to him in full, as long as he abided by and strictly followed
the rules and regulations of the institution where he was detained or
confined.****
so ORDERED. 11
* Only in those crimes where plea of guilty is allowed as a mitigating

circumstance.
** It may be a straight penalty if imposed by the First Level Court and the
penalty is one (1) year or less. But, if imposed by the Second Level Court,
the penalty must provide for a minimum period and a maximum period.
**** Delete if accused is not a detention prisoner.

ANNEXS
Template Order When there is No Plea Bargaining or Plea of Guilty but

the case is referred for mediation:
"When the accused (name of accused), assisted by his/her

counsel de parte/de officio (name of counsel), was arraigned by reading
to him/ her the Information in a language or dialect known and
understood by him/her, said accused entered the plea of Not Guilty.
Thereafter, pre-trial proceeded and the parties took up the

following matters:
(Indicate matters taken up in line with Rule 118 on Pre-Trial,

including the form of testimony as provided under subheading III, item no.
lt par. (b) of the Revised Guidelines)
Trial shall proceed on _, all at 8:30 in the morning

and 2:00 in the afternoon, for the prosecution to present and
terminate its evidence; and on , all at 8:30 in the
morning and 2:00 in the afternoon, for the defense to present and
terminate its evidence.*
The trial dates are final and intransferrable, and no motions for
postponement that are dilatory in character shall be entertained by
the court. If such motions are granted in exceptional cases, the
postponement/ s by either party shall be deducted from such party's
allotted time to present evidence.
The parties are hereby ordered to immediately proceed and

personally appear at the Philippine Mediation Center located at
(PMC Unit) today, (date today), with or without
their counsel/ s, for mediation proceedings. The assigned Mediator is
ordered to submit a report to this court on the results of the
mediation based on the factual and legal issues to be resolved within
a non-extendible period of thirty (30) calendar days from the date of
the court's referral of this case to the PMC Unit.
Should mediation fail after the lapse of the said 30-day period,
the parties are ordered to appear before the court so that the trial
shall proceed on the trial dates indicated above.
Failure of the party or his/her counsel to comply with the

aforementioned schedule of hearings and deadlines shall be a ground
for the imposition of fines and other sanctions by the court.
The accused (name of accused), his counsel (name of counsel),
public prosecutor (name of prosecutor), and the witness (name of
witness) are hereby notified of this Order in open court. The court
shall no longer issue a subpoena to the parties present today.
so ORDERED. 11
*This will depend on the number of witnesses listed in the information. It is

suggested that for every witness, two (2) trial dates should be allotted. The trial
dates should likewise be one (1) day apart.
ANNEX6
Template Order When there is No Plea Bargaining or Plea of Guilty and the
case is not referred for mediation:
"When the accused (name of accused), assisted by his/her

counsel de parte/de officio (name), was arraigned by reading to
him/her the Information in a language or dialect known and
understood by him/her, said accused entered the plea of Not Guilty.

following matters:
(Indicate matters taken up in line with Rule 118 on Pre-trial, including the
form of testimony as provided under subheading III, Item No. 11, par. (b) of
the Revised Guidelines)
Trial shall proceed on ---- all at 8:30 in the

morning and 2:00 in the afternoon, for the prosecution to present
and terminate its evidence; and on ----- all at 8:30 in the
morning and 2:00 in the afternoon, for the defense to present and
terminate its evidence.*
The trial dates are final and intransferrable, and no motions for
postponements/s by either party shall be deducted from such party's


SO ORDERED."
*This will depend on the number of witnesses listed in the information. It

is suggested that for every witness, two (2) trial dates should be allotted.
The trial dates should likewise be one (1) day apart, morning and
afternoon.
ANNEX?
Template Order; No Plea Bargaining or Plea of Guilty; Case Covered by the

Rule on Summary Procedure is referred for mediation:
"When the accused (name), assisted by his/her counsel de

parte/de officio (name), was arraigned by reading to him/her the
Information in a language or dialect known and understood by
him/her, said accused entered the plea of Not Guilty.
Thereafter, preliminary conference proceeded and the parties

took up the following matters:
(Indicate matters taken up in line with Section 14 of the Rule on

Summary Procedure)
Trial will proceed on ., all at 8:30 in the morning

and 2:00 in the afternoon, for the prosecution of present and
terminate its evidence; and on , all at 8:30 in the morning
and 2:00 in the afternoon, for the defense to present and terminate its
evidence.*
The trial dates are final and intransferable, and no motions for
postponement/ s by either party shall be deducted from such party's
The parties are hereby ordered to immediately proceed and

personally appear at the Philippine Mediation Center located at
(FMC Unit) today, (date today), with or without
their counsel/ s, for mediation proceedings. The assigned Mediator is
ordered to submit a report to this court on the results of the
mediation based on the factual and legal issues to be resolved within
a non-extendible period of thirty (30) calendar days from the date of
the court's referral of this case to the PMC Unit.
Should mediation fail after the lapse of the said 30-day period,
the parties are ordered to appear before the court so that the trial
shall proceed on the trial dates indicated above.

The accused (name), his/her counsel (name), public prosecutor
(name), and the witness (name) are hereby notified of this Order in
open court. The court shall no longer issue subpoena to the parties
present today.
SO ORDERED."
* This will depend on the number of witnesses listed in the information. It

is suggested that for every witness, two (2) trial dates should be allotted.
The trial dates should likewise be one (1) day apart.
ANNEX8-A
Template Order; Petition for Bail: Ordinary Cases


following matters:
(Indicate matters taken up in line with Rule 118 on Pre-trial,

including the form of testimony as provided under subheading III, item no.
11 (b) of the Revised Guidelines)
The petition for bail shall be heard summarily on _

(Within 30 days from conclusion of the arraignment and pre-trial, 1 day
apart each, both at 8:30 in the morning and 2:00 in the afternoon, and must
be terminated within the 30 days from the first hearing date.)
The trial for the presentation and reception of the Prosecution's

evidence-in-chief shall proceed on .(The first trial date
shall be immediately after the expiration of the 30-day period to hear and
resolve the petition for bail, and next trial dates shall be 1 day apart each,
but shall in no case exceed 60 days.)
The accused shall present and terminate its evidence on

.(Trial dates shall likewise be 1 day apart each, but not to
exceed 90 days.)
The hearing and trial dates are final and intransferrable, and no
motions for postponement that are dilatory in character shall be
entertained by the court. If such motions are granted in exceptional
cases, the postponement/ s by either party shall be deducted from
such party's allotted time to present evidence.


SO ORDERED."
ANNEX8-B
Template Order; Petition for Bail: Drug Cases


following matters:
(Indicate matters taken up in line with Rule 118 on Pre-trial, including the
form of testimony as provided under subheading III, item no. 11 (b) of the Revised
Guidelines)
The petition for bail shall be heard summarily on _

(The hearing and the resolution of the petition shall be within 20 days
from arraignment and pre-trial, and the hearing dates shall be 1 day
apart each, both at 8:30 in the morning and 2:00 in the afternoon.)
The trial for the presentation and reception of the Prosecution's

evidence-in-chief shall proceed on . (The first trial date
shall be immediately after the expiration of the 20-day period to hear and
resolve the petition for bail, and next trial dates shall be 1 day apart each,
but shall in no case exceed 5 days.)
The accused shall present and terminate its evidence on

.(Trial dates shall likewise be 1 day apart each, but not to
exceed 25 days.)
The hearing and trial dates are final and intransferrable, and no
motions for postponement that are dilatory in character shall be
entertained by the court. If such motions are granted in exceptional
cases, the postponement/ s by either party shall be deducted from
such party's allotted time to present evidence.


SO ORDERED."
ANNEX9
Template Order on Resting the Case of the Prosecution:
After the prosecution rested its case today, trial shall proceed
11
on. _, as previously scheduled for the accused to present and

terminate his evidence, of which dates and time, the accused, his/her
counsel and the prosecutor are already notified in open court.
so ORDERED. 11
ANNEX10
Template Order on Resting the Case of the Accused; Case is Submitted for
Decision:
"After the presentation of its last witness, the defense rested its
case. There being no rebuttal evidence to be presented by the
prosecution, the court considers the case submitted for decision. The
promulgation of the decision of this case is hereby set on------------J
of which date and time,* the accused, his/her counsel, and the
prosecution are already notified of this order in open court this
morning.
SO ORDERED."
*Should not be more than ninety (90) days from the submission of the
case for decision for regular cases; fifteen (15) days from the date of
submission of the case for resolution for drug cases; sixty (60) days
counted from the last day of the 30-day period to file the memoranda for
environmental cases; 60 days from the time the case is submitted for decision, with
or without the memoranda for intellectual property cases; and others that may be
provided in new Rules and Laws.
ANNEX11
Template Order on Resting the Case of the Accused when Motion to File
Memoranda is Granted; Case is Submitted for Decision:
11
After the accused rested his/her case today and there being no
rebuttal evidence to be presented by the prosecutionf the court
considers the case submitted for decision.
As prayed forf the parties are hereby given thirty (30) days
from today within which to submit their respective memoranda.
With or without memorandaf the promulgation of the

decision ofthis case is hereby set on ------J of which date
and time/ the accusedf his/her counsel and the public prosecutorf
are already notified of this order in open court.
SO ORDERED.11
* Should not be more than ninety (90) days from the submission of
the case for decision for regular cases
ANNEX12
Template Order on Presentation and Offer of Rebuttal Evidence of

Prosecution:
"After the accused rested his/her case today, the presentation

of rebuttal evidence of the prosecution is hereby set on---
anthdpresentation of surrebuttal evidence of the accused is
hereby set on _, as previously scheduled.
so ORDERED. 11
• After the presentation of the rebuttal witness, the prosecution

should orally offer its evidence in rebuttal and the counsel for the accused
should immediately raise his objections or comments, the court shall
resolve the offer and respective objection or comment, and thereafter, start
with the presentation of the surrebuttal witness.
ANNEX13
Template Order on Presentation and Offer of Surrebuttal Evidence of the

Accused:
"After the accused rested his/her evidence on surrebuttal, the

court considers the case submitted for decision. The promulgation is
hereby set on ,* of which date and time, accused and
his/her counsel and the prosecution are already notified of this order
in open court this morning.
SO ORDERED."
* Should not be more than ninety (90) days from the submission of
the case for decision for regular cases.

Revised Guidelines On Continuous Trial

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REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES

REVISED GUIDELINES FOR

WHEREAS, in the Resolution dated 21 February 2012 of the Court en bane

WHEREAS, in the 30 June 2015 Resolution of the Court en bane in A.M.

\VHEREAS, the Results Analysis of Practice Guidelines Implementation in

WHEREAS, a Validation Workshop for the Guidelines on Continuous Trial

WHEREAS, pursuant to Memorandum Order No. 14-2015creating the

WHEREAS, pursuant to Memorandum Order No. 09-2017, the amended

Chairperson: HON. DIOSDADO M. PERALTA

Vice-Chairperson: HON. LUCAS P. BERSAMIN

Members: HON. JOSE CATRAL MENDOZA

HON. JOSE MIDAS P. MARQUEZ

HON. FERNANDA LAMPAS PERALTA

HON. MAGDANGAL M. DE LEON

HON. MANUEL M. BARRIOS

HON. ALEXANDER G. GESMUNDO

HON. CAESAR A. CASANOVA

Secretariat: ATTY. RALPH JEROME D. SALVADOR

ATTY. JILLIANE JOYCE DE DUMO

ATTY. JO ANN FRANCES D. MADARANG

Chairperson: HON. FERNANDA LAMPAS PERALTA

Members: HON. MAGDANGAL M. DE LEON

HON. MANUEL M. BARRIOS

HON. ALEXANDER G. GESMUNDO

HON. EMILY L. SAN GASPAR-GITO

HON. CARIDAD M. WALSE-LUTERO

HON. JURIS S. DILINILA-CALLANTA

HON. BARBARA ALELI C. HERNANDEZ-BRIONES

HON. JUVENAL N. BELLA,

HON. BELEN S. CARASIG

HON. ERIZA P. PAGALING-ZAPANTA

Secretariat: ATTY. JASON J. ZAPANTA

ATTY. RALPH JEROME D. SALVADOR

ATTY. JILLIANE JOYCE R. DE DUMO

ATTY. JO ANN FRANCES D. MADARANG

ATTY. CAMILLE LEELIN TING

WHEREAS, the Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson and Members of the

WHEREAS, on 2 December 2016, the TWG, together with representatives

WHEREAS, on 2 February 2017, the Special Committee, together with

NOW, THEREFORE, acting on the recommendation of the Chairperson of

The Revised Guidelines shall take effect on 1 September 2017 following

MARIA LOURDES P.A. SERENO

The Revised Guidelines for Continuous Trial of

Unless otherwise specifically provided herein,

1. To protect and advance the constitutional right of

2. To reinforce and give teeth to the existing rules on

3. To introduce innovations and best practices for the

1 Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, Cybercrime Prevention Act

1. Hearing Days and Calendar Call

Trial shall be held from Monday to Thursday,

All courts shall ensure the posting of their court

(a) Motion for Inhibition. - Motions for

(b) Prohibited Motions. - Prohibited motions shall be

The following motions are prohibited:

i. Motion for judicial determination of probable

ii. Motion for preliminary investigation filed

iii. Motion for reinvestigation of the prosecutor

iv. Motion to quash information when the

v. Motion for bill of particulars that does not