Republic of the Philippines
SUPREME COURT
Manila

EN BANC

A. M. No. 08-8-7-SC               February 16, 2010

(Re: RULE OF PROCEDURE FOR SMALL CLAIMS CASES.) - The Court Resolved, upon the recommendation of the Technical Working Group on the Small Claims Courts Pilot Project, to APPROVE the –

R E S O L U T I O N

(a) Amendment of Section 8(d), Rule 141 of the Revised Rules of Court, with the addition of the following provision as regards filing fees for frequent filers in small claims cases:

For small claims cases, only those fees set forth in this Rule, as amended, shall be collected. If more than ten (10) small claims are filed by one party in the court station within the calendar year, an additional filing fee of P500.00 shall be paid for every claim filed after the tenth (10th) claim, and an additional P100.00 or a total of P600.00 for every claim filed after the twentieth (20th) claim, and another P100.00 or a total of P700.00 for every claim filed after the thirtieth (30th) claim, and another P100.00 for every tenth additional case thereafter, progressively and cumulatively, but the total filing fees shall not exceed P20, 000.00. In no case shall a party pay filing fees of more than P20, 000.00 per claim in a calendar year.

Each party filing a claim shall declare in the Statement of Claim the number of small claims cases that party filed in the court station within the calendar year.

(b) Addition of the following statement in the Statement of Claim (Form SCC),particularly between Nos. 6 and 7 thereof:

6-A. In this court station, how many small claims cases have you filed within this year prior to this present cases? _________________
(Sa court station na ito, pang ilang kaso na itong isinampa mo sa loob ng kasalukuyang taon? _________________ )

(c) Two (2) Forms on Information for the Plaintiff (Form I-SCC-Info and Information for the Defendant (Form 3-SCC-Info), to wit:

INFORMATION FOR THE PALINTIFF
(the person filing the claim)
(Kaalaman para sa Naghahabla)

  1. "SMALL CLAIMS RULE" – is a special procedure where money claims for P100,00.00 or less are heard. The process is quick and inexpensive; the procedure is simple and informal.
    (TUNTUNIN SA PAGSINGIL NG MALILIIT NA HALAGA - ay natatanging pamamaraan sa pagdinig kung saan ang halagang salapi na sinisingil ay P100,000.00 o mas mababa. Ang proseso ay simple at hindi pormal.)

  2. You are the plaintiff. The person you are filing the case against is the defendant.
    (Ikaw ang Naghahabla. Ang taong siyang sinampahan ng kaso ang Hinabla.

  3. Before you fill up this Form, read these Instructions to know your rights. Or, you may inquire about your rights and the Small Claims Procedure with the Office of the Clerk of Court (OCC) of the place where you intend to file your claim.
    (Bago mo sagutin ang form na ito basahin muna ang mga tagubilin upang malaman ang iyong mga karapatan. Maari ka ring magtanong, tungkol sa iyong mga karapatan sa Office of the Clerk of Court [OCC] ng lugar kung saan mo nais maghain ng reklamo ukol sa pagsingil ng maliit na hlaga.)

  4. If your case falls under the Small Claims Rule, theses are the things you can do at home or in the barangay:
    (Kung ang iyong kaso ay nasasaklaw ng Tuntunin sa Pagsingil ng Maliliit ng Halaga, ang mga bagay na ito ang maaari mong gawin sa bahay o sa barangay:)

    5. a. GATHER ALL DOCUMENTS AND EVIDENCE PERTINENT TO THE CLAIM.
    (TIPUNIN ANG LAHAT NG DOKUMENTO AT MGA KATIBAYANG SSUSUPORTA SA IYONG PAGSINGIL.)

    Examples are: (Mga Halimbawa nito:)

    - Contract/Agreement
    (kontrata/Kasunduan)

    - Promissory Note / Receipts / Affidavit of Witness/es /Other Important documents such as Check/s or Picture/s
    (Katibayan ng Pagkakautang / Resibo / Sinumpaang Salaysay ng mga Saksi / Testigo / iba pang dokumento tulad ng Tseke at larawan.)

    b. LATEST DEMAND LETTER (if ANY). ITS PROOF OF SERVICE AND PROOF OF RECEIPT
    (PINAKAHULING LIHAM NG PANININGIL [KUNG MERON], KATIBAYAN NG PAGPADALA AT PAGKATANGGAP NITO.)

    c. CERTIFICATE TO FILE ACTION FROM THE BARANGAY, IF NECESSARY
    (KATUNAYAN NG PAGSASAMPA NG KASO SA HUKUMAN GALING SA BARANGAY, KUNG KINAKAILANGAN.)

    d. SPECIAL POWER OF ATTORNEY IN CASE PALINTIFF HEARING.
    (NATATANGING GAWAD-KAPANGYARIHAN o "SPECIAL POWER OF ATTORNEY" KUNG ANG NAGHAHABLA AY HINDI MAKADALO SA PAGDINIG.)

    e. SECRETARY’S CERTIFICATE OR BOARD RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING YOU TO FILE THE CASE, IF YOU ARE REPRESENTING A CORPORATION, PARTNERSHIP, COOPERATIVE OR ASSOCIATION.
    (PATUNAY NG KALIHIM O RESOLUSYON NG LUPON NA NAGPAPAHINTULOT SA IYONG KUMATAWAN SA LUPON SA PAG SAMPA NG KASO.)

    f. if you are unable to pay the filing fees because you have no adequate financial means, you may file the case as an indigent by getting FORM 6-SCC AND ATTACHING THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTS:

    Affidavit of indigency
    Barangay Certificate of indigency
    City or Municipal Assessor’s Certificate
    City or Municipal Treasurer’s Office Certificate
    Affidavit of 2 disinterested persons

    (Kung hindi mo mabayaran ang filing fees dahil wala kang sapat na kakayahang pinansyal, maari kang magsampa ng kaso bilang isang taong walang sapat na kabuhayan sa pamamagitan ng pagsagot ng Form 6-SCC KALAKIPANG MGA SUMUSUNOD NA DOKUMENTO:

    Sinumpaang Salaysay na Walang Sapat ng Kabuhayan
    Patunay ng Barangay na Walang Sapat na Kabuhayan
    Patunay ng Panglungsod na Tagatasa (assessor)
    Patunay ng Tanggapan ng Panglungsod na Ingat-Yaman
    Sinumpaang Salaysay ng 2 Taong Hindi Interesado)

  5. Fill up Form 1-SCC. Attach to the Form your supporting documents and affidavits of witnesses.
    (Punuan ang Form 1-SCC. Ilakip sa Form ang iyong mga dokumento at sinumpaang salaysay ng mga testigo / saksi.)

    1. Make copies of ALL pages of this form and your supporting documents (file the original in court, make a copy for each plaintiff or defendant named in the case and an extra copy for yourself).
      (Gumawa nng lahat ng pahina ng Form na ito at ng iyong mga dokumento [ihain ang orihinal sa hukuman, gumawa ng kopya para sa bawat Naghahabla o Hinahabla sa kaso at karagdagang kopya para sa iyo.])

    2. If the original documents consist of records that could not be separated, you can photocopy the pertinent document and have it certified by the Clerk of Court in the OCC as a faithful reproduction of the original.
      (Kung ang orihinal na dokumento ay di maihiwalay, maari mong ipakopya ito at ipacertify sa Clerk of Court ng OCC na ang dokumento ay totoo at tapat na kopya ng orihinal)

  6. Have the form and all your supporting documents, especially the Verification form, notarized by the Clerk of Court in the OCC.
    (Kailangan ang Form at lahat ng kalakip na dokumento, lalong higit ang Form ng Patotoo ay pinatunayan / ninotaryo ng Clerk of Court [OCC] o Branch Clerk of Court.)

  7. Pay the filing fee. (except if your motion to sue as an indigent has been granted)
    (Magbayad ng bayarin sa pagtala [maliban kung ang iyong kahilingan na makapagsampa ng kaso bilang isang taong walang sapat na kabuhayan ay napagtibay na.])

  8. Get the date and time of your hearing from the court to which your case was assigned.
    [Alamin ang araw at oras ng pagdinig sa hukuman kung saan ang iyong kaso ay nakahabilin.]

  9. GO TO THE COURT ON YOUR HEARING DATE. Bring the originals of all certified documentary evidence attached to your Form 1-SCC to prove your case.
    [PUMUNTA SA HUKUMAN SA PETSA AT ARAW NG PAGDINIG. Dalhin ang mga orihinal ng lahat ng dokumento ng katibayan, higit lalo yaong kalakip sa iyong Form 1-SCC para patunayan ang iyong kaso.]

  10. YOU CANNOT HAVE A LAWYER AT THE HEARING. You may consult a lawyer before or after the hearing but the lawyer cannot appear for or with you at the hearing.
    (HUWAG KANG MAGSAMA NG ABOGADO SA PAGDINIG. Maari kang makipag-usap o kumonsulta sa abogado bago o pagkatapos ng pagdinig pero ang abogado ay hindi pinahihintulutang dumalo para sa iyo sa pagdinig.)

    1. If you are representing a corporation, partnership, cooperative or association, you must bring your original written authority to appear at the hearing and to enter into an amicable settlement, to submit to alternative modes of dispute resolution, and to enter into stipulations or admissions of facts and of documents.
      (Kung iyong kinakatawan ay korporasyon, bakasan, kooperatiba o asosayon / Samahan, kinakailangang magdala ka ng orihinal na gawad-kapangyarihan na dumalo sa pagdinig at para sa mapayapang pag-aayos, sumailalim sa alternatibong paraan ng pag-aayos o gumawa ng pag-amin o makipagyari sa mga pangyayari at dokumento.)

  11. You must be aware that upon the filing of this case, the judge may dismiss your claim if she or he finds legal grounds for dismissal such as lack of jurisdiction over the subject matter, improper venue, etc. as enumerated in Section 1 of Rule 16 of the 1997 Rules of Civil Procedure.
    (Binibigyan ka ng babala na sa pagsampa ng kaso, maaring maipawalang-saysay ng hukuman ang iyong kaso kung nakita niya na mayroong legal na batayan para maipawalang-saysay ito, tulad ng kawalan ng kapangyarihan sa bagay ng kaso, hindi wasto ang lugar na pinagsampahan ng kaso, etc. na isinasaad sa Section 1, Rule 16, 1997 Rules of Civil Procedure.)


INFORMATION FOR THE DEFENDANT
(the person against whom the case is filed)
(Kaalaman para sa Hinahabla)

  1. "SMALL CLAIMS RULE" – is a special procedure where money claims for P100,000.00 or less are heard. The process is quick and inexpensive; the procedure is simple & informal.
    (TUNTUNIN SA PAGSINGIL NG MALILIIT NA HALAGA – ay natatanging pamamaraan sa pagdinig kung saan ang halaga ng salapi na sinisingil ay P100,000.00 o mas mababa. Ang proseso ay simple at hindi pormal)

  2. You are the defendant - the person against whom the case is filed. The person who is filing the case is the plaintiff.
    (Ikaw ang Hinahabla, ang taong sinampahan ng kaso. Ang taong nagsampa ng kaso ay ang Naghahabla.)

  3. Read this form & all pages attached to understand the claim against you & to protect your rights.
    (Basahin ang Form na ito at ang lahat ng pahina na kalakip upang maunawaan ang kaso laban sa iyo at upang mapangalagaan ang iyong mga karapatan.)

  4. You must file your Response & attend the hearing on the date indicated in the Notice of Hearing. If you do not go to court, you may lose the case.
    (Ikaw ay kinakailangang magsumite ng iyong Sagot at pumunta sa korte sa petsa ng pagdinig na nakasulat sa Abiso sa Pagdinig. Kung hindi ka makakapunta sa korte maari kang matalo sa kaso.)

  5. Make copies of the Response & all its pages & attached documents (file the original in court & serve one copy on each plaintiff & keep an extra copy for yourself)
    (Gumawa ng mga kopya ng Sagot at lahat ng mga pahina nito at ilakip ang mga dokumento [ihain ang orihinal sa hukuman at bigyan ng kopya ang Naghahabla at mag-iwan ng kopya para sa iyo]).

  6. Do I need a lawyer?
    (Kailangan ko ba ang abogado?)

    You may consult a lawyer but YOU CANNOT HAVE A LAWYER WITH YOU AT THE HEARING.
    (Maaari kang komunsulta sa abogado pero HINDI KA MAAARING MAGSAMA NG ABOGADO SA PAGDINIG.)

  7. What if I don’t speak English well?
    (Paano kung hindi ako makagsalitang mabuti ng Ingles?)

    The judge will speak in Filipino or the local dialect. A court-provided interpreter shall also be available on the hearing day.
    (Ang hukom ay magsasalita sa Filipino o sa lokal na diyalekto. Ang panghukumang tagasalin ay maaaring magamit sa araw ng pagdinig.)

  8. How do I get ready for court?
    (Paano ako makapaghahanda sa hukuman?)

    Fill up the form entitled "Response" and file it in court within ten (10) calendar days from your receipt of the form. If you have questions regarding the Form, you can inquire with the court that served you the summons & the Response. The telephone no. of the court is written on the Summons.
    (Punuan ang Form na "Sagot" at ihain ito sa hukuman sa loob ng sampung (10) araw simula sa pagtanggap ng Form. Kung ikaw ay mayroong mga tanong tungkol sa Form, maaari kang magtanong sa korte na nagpadala ng Patawag at ng Sagot. Ang numero ng telepono ng hukuman ay nakasulat sa Patawag.)

  9. What happen if I don’t file the Response and appear at the hearing?
    (Anong mangyayari kung hindi ako naghain ng Sagot at hindi dumalo sa pagdinig?)

    The court shall proceed with the hearing and, if you are absent, the court shall make a judgment as may be warranted by the facts.
    (Ang korte ay magpapatuloy sa pagdinig at, kung ikaw ay hindi dumalo, ay magpapasiya at magbibigay ng desisyon ayon sa nararapat.)

  10. What happens at the hearing?
    (Anong mangyayari sa pagdinig?)

    If you & the plaintiff will appear at the hearing, the judge will listen to both of you. The judge shall conduct mediation and encourage you & the plaintiff to settle your case. If you don’t settle, the judge shall render a decision on the day of hearing itself. You cannot appeal this decision.
    (Kung ikaw at ang naghahabla ay dadalo sa pagdinig, ang hukom ay makikinig sa inyong dalawa. Ang hukom ay hihikayat sa inyong magka-ayos at magkasundo at lutasin ang inyong di pagkakaunawaan. Kung hindi kayo magkakasundo, ang hukom ay gagawa ng desisyon sa araw mismo ng pagdinig. Hindi ka na maaaring mag-apela sa desisyon ng korte.)

  11. Do I have options?
    (Meron ba akong pagpipilian?)

    Yes. If you are the defendant, you can do any of the following:
    (Oo. Kung ikaw ang Hinahabla, maaari mong gawin ang alinman sa mga sumusunod.)

    1. Settle your case before the hearing. If you and the plaintiff agree on how to settle the case, both of you must notify the court. Ask the OCC or Branch Clerk of Court for help.
      (Ayusin mo ang usapin bago pa dumating ang pagdinig. Kung ikaw at ang Naghahabla ay nagkaayos kung paano pagkasunduan ang kaso, pareho ninyong ipaalam sa hukuman. Humingi ng tulong sa Office of the Clerk of Court (OCC) o sa Branch Clerk of Court.)

    2. File the Response. Appear at the hearing. Bring the affidavits of witnesses, receipts and any evidence you need to prove your case.
      (Maghain ng Sagot. Dumalo sa pagdinig. Dalhin ang mga sinumpaang salaysay ng mga testigo, mga resibo at anumang katibayang iyong kailangan upang patunayan ang iyong usapin.)

    3. Agree with the plaintiff’s claim & pay the money. Or, if you can’t pay the money now go to the hearing and say you want to make payments by installment.
      (Sumang-ayon sa halagang sinisingil ng Naghahabla at bayaran ito. O, kung hindi mabayaran ang sinisingil ngayon, dumalo ka sa pagdinig at sabihin sa korte na gusto mong magbayad ng hulugan.)

    4. Let the case proceed without you. If you don’t settle & do not go to the hearing, the judge may give the plaintiff what he or she is asking for plus court costs. If this happens, the court may order that your money or property be taken to pay the judgment.
      (Magpapatuloy ang kaso kahit wala ka. Kung hindi ka nakipag-ayos at hindi ka dumalo sa pagdinig, maaaring ipagkaloob ng hukom ang anumang hinihingi ng Naghahabla, pati na ang gastos sa paghain ng kasong ito. Kung ito ay mangyari, ang korte ay maaaring mag-utos na ang iyong pera o ari-arian ay kuhanin para bayaran ang nakasaad sa desisyon ng korte.)

      (c) Administrative Guidelines for (a) Judges and (b) Executive Judges, Clerk of Courts in multi-sala stations and in single-sala stations and Branch Clerks of Courts, to wit:


ADMINISTRATIVE GUIDELINES

To aid in achieving a uniform and systematic implementation of the Rule by all courts concerned, the TWG recommends the issuance of Administrative Guidelines specifically addressing the concerns of not only the Judges, but also of the court personnel involved in the application of the Rule on Small Claims.

A. Guidelines for Judges

  1. Upon receipt of a case, determine if it is a small claim.

    1.1. It must involve a pure money claim the principal amount of which does not exceed P100,000.00.

    1.2. If the principal claim exceeds P100,000.00, there must be a waiver of the excess embodied in the Statement of Claim.

    1.3. With regard to B.P. Blg. 22 cases, the court may only entertain the civil aspect as a small claim if no complaint for the offense has yet been filed before the Office of the Prosecutor. This fact must be stated under oath by the plaintiff in the Statement of Claim, and there should be an express waiver of such criminal action in the Verification and Certification of Non-Forum Shopping.

    1.4. If a case is determined by a judge to be not a "small claim" within the meaning of the Rule, but it still falls within the jurisdiction of the First Level Courts, the case should not be dismissed, and the judge should instead declare it governed by the appropriate procedure (Regular Procedure or Summary Procedure). The case should then be re-docketed but no re-assignment (by raffle in a multi-sala court) is necessary. This will prevent the forfeiture of the filing fees already paid by the party, and the case can be immediately acted upon by the same court.

  2. Determine if there is a ground for outright dismissal.

    The submission of a Certificate to File Action from the barangay is a pre-requisite in Small Claims covered by the barangay justice system.

    Under Rule 16 par. (j) of the 1997 Rules of Civil Procedure, non-compliance with a condition precedent is a ground for dismissal of a complaint. Chapter VII (Section 399-422) of R.A. No. 7160, the Local Government Code, now embodies the rules for mandatory conciliation proceedings before the barangay in covered cases. Although the Rule on Small Claims Cases does not expressly refer to such requirement, it is still mandatory as it is required by law. Non-compliance, therefore, with the barangay requirement is still a ground for dismissal pursuant to Rule 16 of the regular rules, which apply suppletorily according to Section 25 of the Rule.

  3. If there is no ground for outright dismissal, issue summons AND notice hearing

    3.1. The summons and notice of hearing, which are required to be issued "within the same day of receipt of the Statement of Claim" under Section 10, must be issued within 24 hors from such receipt, the phrase "same day" to be construed as "within one day".

    3.2. Do not wait for summons to be served before setting the case for hearing.

    3.3. The hearing should be set within thirty (30) days from receipt of the case. In case the defendant resides outside the judicial region, the hearing may be set not later than 60 days from date of receipt of the case.

    3.4. Failure of the plaintiff to cause service of summons within two (2) months from receipt of Sheriff’s Return shall cause the dismissal of the claim for failure to prosecute (Rule 17, Section 3, Rules of Court). This is not a ground to archive the case.

    3.5. Any party who appears at any time after the Court’s receipt of the case should be notified immediately of the date set for hearing.

    3.6. There should be, at least, one (1) hearing day every week devoted to Small Claims, with a minimum of five (5) cases scheduled per hearing day. Cases with the same party-plaintiff may all be set on the same date for facility in the preparation of notices and judgments. The Court should post a notice of its small claims hearing day conspicuously at the Branch and at the Office of the Clerk Court.

    3.7. Judges must approve an Estimate of Expenses submitted by their Sheriff/Process Server within 24 hours from filing before any release from the STF is allowed.

  4. On the date of the hearing

    4.1. Make an opening statement (Section 20; see also Form 6A-SCC) explaining to the parties the object of the Rule and the procedure for hearing the case. Ensure that the parties understand the proceedings and actively participate therein.

    4.2. Conduct settlement discussions in strict confidentiality. Try to explain to the parties why an amicable settlement will be mutually beneficial.

    4.3. The drafting of a comprise agreement should be part of the hearing conducted by the judge. This will ensure that an agreement will be forged within the day of the hearing to pave the way for its approval by way of the required judgment, to be issued also within the same day. It will also reduce the incidence of inclusion of terms which are contrary to law, morals, good customs, public policy and public order.

    4.4. Have a template of a Compromise Agreement ready. The parties may be referred to the Branch Clerk of Court or the Clerk-in-Charge for assistance in filing up the template, whether before or after the case is called in open court.

    4.5. In all instances, review the terms of the Compromise Agreement submitted by the parties. Do not approve terms which are unconscionable and excessive, especially those relating to interest rates and surcharges. In the latter instance, in your judgment approve the agreement in part, substitute and impose a provision which is reasonable, to replace those you have disapproved for being excessive and unconscionable.

    4.6. In case a non-answering defendant appears at the hearing, recognize his appearance only if he is willing to enter into discussions of settlement, but guard against coercing the defendant to enter into one.

    4.7. If a non-answering defendant appears at the hearing and agrees to discuss a settlement but pleads partial payments, which the plaintiff admits, but no settlement is ultimately reached, render judgment based on the Statement of Claim. If the plaintiff waives in writing (even in the Minutes of Hearing only) the confidentiality of the settlement discussion, you may consider the admission of partial payments in rendering your decision.

    4.8. If at anytime before or at the hearing, a Compromise Agreement is submitted signed by both parties but only one or neither party appears to confirm it, issue an order to the non-appearing party to confirm it within 3 days, otherwise it shall be deemed confirmed. Then issue a judgment based on the agreement.

    4.9. If no settlement is reached and the parties do not wish to have another judge hear the case, proceed to the hearing proper in an informal manner and terminate and decide it within the same day.

  5. Decision and execution

    5.1. Whether based on an amicable settlement or on the merits, judgment must be issued on the same date of the hearing, except when there is a motion by any party under Section 22 to have another judge hear the case.

    5.2. Upon issuance of the decision, have copies served on all parties present to avoid mailing them.

    5.3. A decision under the Rule is immediately final and executor. It must be recorded in the Book of Judgments on the same date it is rendered.

    5.4. There is no appeal and, hence, no period to appeal to wait for.

    5.5. On the same day the decision is rendered, the winning party may move for its execution.

B. Guidelines for Executive Judges, Clerks of Courts (COCs) in multi sala stations and in single sala stations and Branch Clerks of Court (BCCs)

  1. The Clerks of Court and the Branch Clerks of Court (even non-lawyers) may administer the oath to litigants for the forms to be used under the Rule. No fee shall be collected for this purpose.

  2. The Clerks of Court should not accept mere photocopies of documentary annexes submitted by the parties but should monitor strict compliance with Sections 5 and 11 of the Rule.

  3. The Clerks of Court should have a separate docket for Small Claims Cases with independent numbering. Should a case, originally docketed as a Small Claim, be ordered re-docketed, i.e., it is governed by the Rule on Summary Procedure or regular procedure, this should be recorded in the appropriate docket and a new number given to the case. However, the case should not be re-raffled but should immediately be sent back to the original court after re-docketing.

  4. The Clerks of Court should only ask for 2 copies of the pleadings and all their annexes: 1 for the court and 1 for the defendant. If there is more than 1 defendant, that is the only time the OCC may require additional copies, 1 for each additional defendant.

  5. The Clerks of Court can only certify photocopies of documents if the originals are presented to them by the party who does not want to leave the same with the court. In that instance, the COC can certify that the document is a faithful reproduction of the original exhibited by the party. No fee shall be charged for this certification.

  6. If, despite advice to the contrary, a litigant insists on the filing of a vase as a Small Claim, the COC should reiterate the previous advice given in a respectful manner and then docket the case.

  7. Even despite insistence, COCs should not accept a Statement of Claim signed by a lawyer unless the lawyer himself is the plaintiff, not even if he signs it as an attorney-in-fact of the named plaintiff.

  8. Requests for advances for transportation expenses from the Sheriff’s Trust Fund should be acted upon within 24 hours from receipt of the approved Statement of Estimated Expenses.

  9. The Clerks of Court should ensure that the full names and addresses of the parties are indicated in the Statement of Claim, as well as alternative contact information (such as telephone numbers), when possible.

  10. The Monthly Docket Inventory Report should reflect the date when a case is decided or disposed of vis-à-vis the date of filing so that the timeless of court action may be assessed. The date when summons was issued and the date of hearing should also be indicated. Finally, the execution and satisfaction of judgments rendered under the Rule should also be part of the Monthly Report to determine the Rule’s efficacy.1

  11. The rule on inhibition in regular cases shall apply to Small Claims Courts.

  12. An additional fee of P500.00 should be assessed any litigant for the 10th small claim filed, and for every 5th additional case thereafter. The fee is justified by the service availed of which requires extra time and effort on the part of the courts. The volume of cases filed evidences the capacity of the litigant to pay the fees.

  13. On the same day of filing/raffling of the Statement of Claim, the Clerk of Court shall transmit the record of the case to the branch assigned. The Branch Clerk of Court (BCOC) shall forthwith inform the plaintiff of the date of hearing of the case.

  14. Upon receipt of a newly filed/raffled small claim, in case the Presiding Judge is on leave, the BCOC shall immediately refer the case to the Pairing Judge for appropriate action in accordance with existing Rules.

  15. Sheriffs and Process Servers shall serve the summons and notice of hearing within 5 days from issuance, unless the distance justifies a longer period, but in no case shall service be effected beyond 30 days from date of issuance. Within 5 days from such service, the Officer’s Return shall be filed with the court with a copy furnished to the plaintiff at the given address/es of record.

and

(d) Nationwide implementation/roll-out of the Rule on Procedure for Small Claims Cases, as amended, to all first level courts, except the Shari’a Circuit Court, effective thirty (30) days from date hereof.

Let this resolution be published in a newspaper of general circulation." (adv102)

Very truly yours,

(Sgd.) MA. LUISA D. VILLARAMA
Clerk of Court


Footnotes

1 Monthly Docket Inventory Report of Small Claims Cases is hereto attached as Annex "H"

 Source: PDI e-3, February 23, 2010
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