REVISED RULES ON SUMMARY PROCEDURE

RESOLUTION OF THE COURT EN BANC DATED OCTOBER 15,

1991 PROVIDING FOR THE REVISED RULE ON SUMMARY
PROCEDURE FOR METROPOLITAN TRIAL COURTS, MUNICIPAL
TRIAL COURTS IN CITIES, MUNICIPAL TRIAL COURTS AND
MUNICIPAL CIRCUIT TRIAL COURTS.

Pursuant to Section 36 of the Judiciary Reorganization

Act of 1980 (B.P Blg. 129) and to achieve an
expeditious and inexpensive determination of the
cases referred to herein, the Court Resolved to
promulgate the following Revised Rule on Summary
Procedure: chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary

I.
Applicability
Section 1. Scope. This rule shall govern the
summary procedure in the Metropolitan Trial Courts,
the Municipal Trial Courts in Cities, the Municipal Trial
Courts, and the Municipal Circuit Trial Courts in the
following cases falling within their jurisdiction: chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary

A. Civil Cases: chanroblesvirtuallawlibrar y

(1) All cases of forcible entry and unlawful detainer,

irrespective of the amount of damages or unpaid
rentals sought to be recovered. Where attorney's fees
are awarded, the same shall not exceed twenty
thousand pesos (P20,000.00).
(2) All other civil cases, except probate proceedings,
where the total amount of the plaintiff's claim does
not exceed ten thousand pesos (P10,000.00),
exclusive of interest and costs. chanrobles virtual law library
chanrobles virtual law library
 B. Criminal Cases: chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary

(1) Violations of traffic laws, rules and

regulations; chanrobles virtual law library
(2) Violations of the rental law; chanrobles virtual law library
(3) Violations of municipal or city ordinances; chanrobles
virtual law library

(4) All other criminal cases where the penalty

prescribed by law for the offense charged is
imprisonment not exceeding six months, or a fine not
exceeding (P1,000.00), or both, irrespective of other
imposable penalties, accessory or otherwise, or of the
civil liability arising therefrom: Provided, however,
that in offenses involving damage to property through
criminal negligence, this Rule shall govern where the
imposable fine does not exceed ten thousand pesos
(P10,000.00).
This Rule shall not apply to a civil case where the
plaintiffs cause of action is pleaded in the same
complaint with another cause of action subject to the
ordinary procedure; nor to a criminal case where the
offense charged is necessarily related to another
criminal case subject to the ordinary procedure. chanrobles virtual law

library chanrobles virtual law library

Sec. 2. Determination of applicability. Upon the

filing of a civil or criminal action, the court shall issue
an order declaring whether or not the case shall be
governed by this Rule A patently erroneous
determination to avoid the application of the Rule on
Summary Procedure is a ground for disciplinary
action. chanrobles virtual law library
chanrobles virtual law librar y

II.
Civil Cases
Sec. 3. Pleadings.
A. Pleadings allowed. The only pleadings allowed to
be filed are the complaints, compulsory counterclaims
and cross-claims' pleaded in the answer, and the
answers thereto.
B. Verifications. All pleadings shall be verified.
Sec. 4. Duty of court. After the court determines
that the case falls under summary procedure, it may,
from an examination of the allegations therein and
such evidence as may be attached thereto, dismiss the
case outright on any of the grounds apparent
therefrom for the dismissal of a civil action. If no
ground for dismissal is found it shall forthwith issue
summons which shall state that the summary
procedure under this Rule shall apply. d-c chanrobles virtual law
library

Sec. 5. Answer. Within ten (10) days from service

of summons, the defendant shall file his answer to the
complaint and serve a copy thereof on the plaintiff.
Affirmative and negative defenses not pleaded therein
shall be deemed waived, except for lack of jurisdiction
over the subject matter. Cross-claims and compulsory
counterclaims not asserted in the answer shall be
considered barred. The answer to counterclaims or
cross-claims shall be filed and served within ten (10)
days from service of the answer in which they are
pleaded. chanrobles virtual law library
chanrobles virtual law library

Sec. 6. Effect of failure to answer. Should the

defendant fail to answer the complaint within the
period above provided, the court, motu proprio, or on
motion of the plaintiff, shall render judgment as may
be warranted by the facts alleged in the complaint and
limited to what is prayed for therein: Provided,
however, that the court may in its discretion reduce
the amount of damages and attorney's fees claimed
for being excessive or otherwise unconscionable. This
is without prejudice to the applicability of Section 4,
Rule 15 of the Rules of Court, if there are two or more
defendants.
Sec. 7. Preliminary conference; appearance of
parties. Not later than thirty (30) days after the last
answer is filed, a preliminary conference shall be held.
The rules on pre-trial in ordinary cases shall be
applicable to the preliminary conference unless
inconsistent with the provisions of this Rule. chanrobles
chanrobles virtual law library

virtual law library

The failure of the plaintiff to appear in the preliminary

conference shall be a cause for the dismissal of his
complaint. The defendant who appears in the absence
of the plaintiff shall be entitled to judgment on his
counterclaim in accordance with Section 6 hereof. All
cross-claims shall be dismissed.
If a sole defendant shall fail to appear, the plaintiff
shall be entitled to judgment in accordance with
Section 6 hereof. This Rule shall not apply where one
of two or more defendants sued under a common
cause of action who had pleaded a common defense
shall appear at the preliminary conference.
Sec. 8. Record of preliminary conference. Within
five (5) days after the termination of the preliminary
conference, the court shall issue an order stating the
matters taken up therein, including but not limited
to: chanroblesvirtuall awlibrary

(a) Whether the parties have arrived at an amicable

settlement, and if so, the terms thereof;
(b) The stipulations or admissions entered into by the
parties;.
(c) Whether, on the basis of the pleadings and the
stipulations and admissions made by the parties,
judgment may be rendered without the need of
further proceedings, in which event the judgment
shall be rendered within thirty (30) days from
issuance of the order;
(d) A clear specification of material facts which
remain controverted; and chanrobles virtual law library
(e) Such other matters intended to expedite the
disposition of the case. chanrobles virtual law library
chanrobles virtual law library

Sec. 9. Submission of affidavits and position papers.

Within ten (10) days from receipt of the order
mentioned in the next preceding section, the parties
shall submit the affidavits of their witnesses and other
evidence on the factual issues defined in the order,
together with their position papers setting forth the
law and the facts relied upon by them. chanrobles virtual law library
chanrobles virtual law library

Sec. 10. Rendition of judgment. Within thirty (30)

days after receipt of the last affidavits and position
papers, or the expiration of the period for filing the
same, the court shall render judgment.
However should the court find it necessary to clarify
certain material facts, it may, during the said period,
issue an order specifying the matters to be clarified,
and require the parties to submit affidavits or other
evidence on the said matters within ten (10) days
from receipt of said order. Judgment shall be rendered
within fifteen (15) days after the receipt of the last
clarificatory affidavits, or the expiration of the period
for filing the same.
The court shall not resort to the clarificatory
procedure to gain time for the rendition of the
judgment.
III.
Criminal Cases
Sec. 11. How commenced. The filing of criminal
cases falling within the scope of this Rule shall be
either by complaint or by information: Provided,
however, that in Metropolitan Manila and in Chartered
Cities. such cases shall be commenced only by
information, except when the offense cannot be
prosecuted de oficio. chanrobles virtual law library
The complaint or information shall be accompanied by
the affidavits of the compliant and of his witnesses in
such number of copies as there are accused plus two
(2) copies for the court's files.If this requirement is
not complied with within five (5) days from date of
filing, the care may be dismissed. chanrobles virtual law library
chanrobles virtual law library

Sec. 12. Duty of court. chanrobles virtual law library

(a) If commenced by compliant. On the basis of the
compliant and the affidavits and other evidence
accompanying the same, the court may dismiss the
case outright for being patently without basis or merit
and order the release of the amused if in custody.
(b) If commenced by information. When the case is
commenced by information, or is not dismissed
pursuant to the next preceding paragraph, the court
shall issue an order which, together with copies of the
affidavits and other evidence submitted by the
prosecution, shall require the accused to submit his
counter-affidavit and the affidavits of his witnesses as
well as any evidence in his behalf, serving copies
thereof on the complainant or prosecutor not later
than ten (10) days from receipt of said order. The
prosecution may file reply affidavits within ten (10)
days after receipt of the counter-affidavits of the
defense.
Sec. 13. Arraignment and trial. Should the court,
upon a consideration of the complaint or information
and the affidavits submitted by both parties, find no
cause or ground to hold the accused for trial, it shall
order the dismissal of the case; otherwise, the court
shall set the case for arraignment and trial.
If the accused is in custody for the crime charged, he
shall be immediately arraigned and if he enters a plea
of guilty, he shall forthwith be sentenced. chanrobles virtual chanrobles virtual law library

law library
Sec. 14. Preliminary conference. Before conducting
the trial, the court shall call the parties to a
preliminary conference during which a stipulation of
facts may be entered into, or the propriety of allowing
the accused to enter a plea of guilty to a lesser
offense may be considered, or such other matters may
be taken up to clarify the issues and to ensure a
speedy disposition of the case.However, no admission
by the accused shall be used against him unless
reduced to writing and signed by the accused and his
counsel.A refusal or failure to stipulate shall not
prejudice the accused.
Sec. 15. Procedure of trial. At the trial, the
affidavits submitted by the parties shall constitute the
direct testimonies of the witnesses who executed the
same. Witnesses who testified may be subjected to
cross-examination, redirect or re-cross examination.
Should the affiant fail to testify, his affidavit shall not
be considered as competent evidence for the party
presenting the affidavit, but the adverse party may
utilize the same for any admissible purpose.
Except in rebuttal or surrebuttal, no witness shall be
allowed to testify unless his affidavit was previously
submitted to the court in accordance with Section 12
hereof. chanrobles virtual law library
chanrobles virtual law library

However, should a party desire to present additional

affidavits or counter-affidavits as part of his direct
evidence, he shall so manifest during the preliminary
conference, stating the purpose thereof. If allowed by
the court, the additional affidavits of the prosecution
or the counter-affidavits of the defense shall be
submitted to the court and served on the adverse
party not later than three (3) days after the
termination of the preliminary conference. If the
additional affidavits are presented by the prosecution,
the accused may file his counter-affidavits and serve
the same on the prosecution within three (3) days
from such service.
Sec. 16. Arrest of accused. The court shall not
order the arrest of the accused except for failure to
appear whenever required. Release of the person
arrested shall either be on bail or on recognizance by
a responsible citizen acceptable to the court.
Sec. 17. Judgment. Where a trial has been
conducted, the court shall promulgate the judgment
not later than thirty (30) days after the termination of
trial. chanrobles virtual law library
chanrobles virtual law librar y

IV.
COMMON PROVISIONS
Sec. 18. Referral to Lupon. Cases requiring referral
to the Lupon for conciliation under the provisions of
Presidential Decree No. 1508 where there is no
showing of compliance with such requirement, shall
be dismissed without prejudice and may be revived
only after such requirement shall have been complied
with. This provision shall not apply to criminal cases
where the accused was arrested without a warrant. chanrobles virtual law

library chanrobles virtual law library

Sec. 19. Prohibited pleadings and motions. The

following pleadings, motions or petitions shall not be
allowed in the cases covered by this Rule: chanrobles virtual law
library

(a) Motion to dismiss the complaint or to quash the

complaint or information except on the ground of lack
of jurisdiction over the subject matter, or failure to
comply with the preceding section;
(b) Motion for a bill of particulars;
(c) Motion for new trial, or for reconsideration of a
judgment, or for opening of trial;
(d) Petition for relief from judgment;
(e) Motion for extension of time to file pleadings,
affidavits or any other paper; chanrobles virtual law library
(f) Memoranda;
(g) Petition for certiorari, mandamus, or prohibition
against any interlocutory order issued by the court;
(h) Motion to declare the defendant in default; chanrobles
virtual law library

(i) Dilatory motions for postponement;

(j) Reply;
(k) Third party complaints;
(l) Interventions.
Sec. 20. Affidavits. The affidavits required to be
submitted under this Rule shall state only facts of
direct personal knowledge of the affiants which are
admissible in evidence, and shall show their
competence to testify to the matters stated therein.
A violation of this requirement may subject the party
or the counsel who submits the same to disciplinary
action, and shall be cause to expunge the inadmissible
affidavit or portion thereof from the record. chanrobles
chanrobles virtual law library

virtual law library

Sec. 21. Appeal. The judgment or final order shall

be appealable to the appropriate regional trial court
which shall decide the same in accordance with
Section 22 of Batas Pambansa Blg. 129. The decision
of the regional trial court in civil cases governed by
this Rule, including forcible entry and unlawful
detainer, shall be immediately executory, without
prejudice to a further appeal that may be taken
therefrom. Section 10 of Rule 70 shall be deemed
repealed.
Sec. 22. Applicability of the regular rules. The
regular procedure prescribed in the Rules of
Court shall apply to the special cases herein provided
for in a suppletory capacity insofar as they are not
inconsistent herewith. chanrobles virtual law library
Sec. 23. Effectivity. This revised Rule on Summary
Procedure shall be effective on November 15, 1991.chanrobles virtual law

library chan robles virtual law library