Part One: Evidence - 1st Sem, 2011-2012 Ysr

evidence | 1st sem, 2011-2012 ysr
PART ONE
I. GENERAL PROVISIONS
A. Rule128: General Provisions
Section 1. Evidence deined. ! Evidence is t"e #eans$
sanctioned %& t"ese rules$ o ascertainin' in a (udicial
)roceedin' t"e trut" res)ectin' a #atter o act. *1+
Section 2. Sco)e. ! T"e rules o evidence s"all %e t"e sa#e in
all courts and in all trials and "earin's$ e,ce)t as ot"er-ise
)rovided %& la- or t"ese rules. *2a+
.ustos v. Lucero: R128$ /1 )rovides t"e le'al deinition o
evidence 0 Evidence is t"e #ode and #anner o )rovin'
co#)etent acts in (udicial )roceedin's.
Proo: result or eect o evidence.
Proo o suc" act: -"en re1uisite 1uantu# o evidence o a
)articular act "as %een dul& ad#itted and 'iven -ei'"t
2actu# )ro%andu#: ulti#ate act3 act sou'"t to %e
esta%lis"ed. Reers to t"e )ro)osition
2actu# )ro%ans: evidentiar& act3 act %& -4c t"e actu#
)ro%andu# is to %e esta%lis"ed. Reer to t"e #aterials -"ic"
esta%lis" t"at )ro)osition
La- o evidence
unda#entall& a )rocedural la- *.ustos v. Lucero+
/5657$ Art. VIII$ 8onsti: S8 s"all )ro#ul'ate rules
concernin' )leadin's$ )ractice and )rocedure -4c s"all
%e unior# or all courts o t"e sa#e 'rade 9 s"all not
di#inis"$ increase or #odi& su%stantive ri'"ts
o ne- rules #a& %e validl& a))lied to cases )endin'
at ti#e o suc" c"an'e *Alde'uer v. :os;&n+
o .<T in cri#inal cases$ i alteration o evidence rules
-ould allo- rece)tion o lesser 1uantu# o
evidence t"an -"at t"e la- re1uired at t"e ti#e
t"e oense -as co##itted in order to convict =
retroactive a))lication is unconstitutional or %ein'
e, )ost acto
)ri#aril& ound in Ro8 *R 128>1??+
s)ecial la-s *E,. RA @2AA 6Anti>Bireta))in' La-7$ 8ode o
8o##erce$ 88+
8onsti 0 see Part ..
T"e rules o evidence are s)eciicall& a))lica%le ONLC in
(udicial )roceedin's.
Duasi>(udicial )roceedin's: t"e sa#e a))l& %& analo'&$
or in a su))letor& c"aracter and -"enever )ractica%le
and convenient *R1 /@+ EE8EPT -"ere t"e 'overnin'
la- or t"at )articular )roceedin' s)eciicall& ado)ts t"e
rules o evidence in Ro8
8lassiication o evidence accordin' to or#
1+ O%(ect *real+ evidence */1$ R1?A+
T"at -"ic" is directl& addressed to t"e senses o t"e
court and consists o tan'i%le t"in's e,"i%ited or
de#onstrated in o)en court$ in an ocular ins)ection$ or
at a )lace desi'nated %& t"e court or its vie- or
o%servation o an e,"i%ition$ e,)eri#ent or
de#onstration.
T"e ascertain#ent o t"e controverted act is #ade
t"rou'" t"e direct use o t"e dierent senses o t"e
)residin' #a'istrate or "is aut"oriFed dele'ate.
Reerred to %& Bi'#ore as evidence %& Gauto)tic
)reerence$H i.e. %& )resentin' in o)en court t"e
evidentiar& articles or t"e o%servation or ins)ection
o t"e tri%unal
2+ Iocu#entar& evidence *//2>1J$ R1?A+
Evidence su))lied %& -ritten instru#ents or derived
ro# conventional s&#%ols$ suc" as letters$ %& -"ic"
ideas are re)resented on #aterial su%stances.
S)eciic deinition ound in /2$ R1?A
?+ Testi#onial evidence
T"at -"ic" is su%#itted to t"e court t"rou'" t"e
testi#on& or de)osition o a -itness
Ot"er classiications o evidence
1+ Relevant$ #aterial$ and co#)etent evidence
a+ Relevant evidence: evidence "avin' an& value in
reason as tendin' to )rove an& #atter )rova%le in
an action
%+ Katerial evidence: evidence directed to )rove a act
in issue as deter#ined %& t"e rules o su%stantive
la- and )leadin's
c+ 8o#)etent evidence: one t"at is not e,cluded %&
t"e Rules$ a statute$ or t"e 8onstitution
Test o relevanc&
T"e lo'ical relation o t"e evidentiar& act to t"e act in
issue$ i.e. -"et"er t"e or#er tends to esta%lis" t"e
)ro%a%ilit& or i#)ro%a%ilit& o t"e latter
Katerialit& o evidence
Ieter#ined %& -"et"er t"e act it intends to )rove is in
issue or not$ -4c is in turn deter#ined %& t"e su%stantive
la-$ t"e )leadin's$ t"e )re>trial order and %& t"e
ad#issions or conessions on ile
2+ Iirect and circu#stantial evidence
a+ Iirect evidence: t"at -"ic" )roves t"e act in
dis)ute -4o t"e aid o an& inerence or
)resu#)tion
%+ 8ircu#stantial evidence: t"e )roo o *a+ act4s ro#
-"ic"$ ta;en eit"er sin'l& or collectivel&$ t"e
e,istence o t"e )articular act in dis)ute #a& %e
inerred as a necessar& or )ro%a%le conse1uence
?+ 8u#ulative and corro%orative evidence
a+ 8u#ulative evidence: evidence o t"e sa#e ;ind
and to t"e sa#e state o acts
%+ 8orro%orative evidence: additional evidence o a
dierent c"aracter to t"e sa#e )oint
@+ Pri#a acie and conclusive evidence
a+ Pri#a acie evidence: t"at -"ic"$ standin' alone$
une,)lained$ or uncontradicted$ is suicient to
#aintain t"e )ro)osition air#ed
%+ 8onclusive evidence: t"at class o evidence -"ic"
t"e la- does not allo- to %e contradicted
5+ Pri#ar& and secondar& evidence
a+ Pri#ar& evidence: t"at -"ic" t"e la- re'ards as
aordin' t"e 'reatest certaint& o t"e act in
1uestion. Reerred to in Ro8 as t"e %est evidence
%+ Secondar& evidence: t"at -"ic" is inerior to t"e
)ri#ar& evidence and is )er#itted %& la- onl&
-"en t"e %est evidence is not availa%le. Also called
su%stitutionar& evidence
L+ Positive and ne'ative evidence
1
a+ Positive evidence: -"en t"e -itness air#s t"at a
act did or did not occur
%+ Ne'ative evidence: -"en t"e -itness states "e did
not see or ;no- o t"e occurrence o a act
Positive testi#on& is entitled to 'reater -ei'"t since t"e
-itness re)resents o "is )ersonal ;no-led'e t"e
)resence or a%sence o a act. In ne'ative testi#on&$
t"ere is a total disclai#er o )ersonal ;no-led'e$ "ence
-it"out an& re)resentation or disavo-al t"at t"e act in
1uestion could or couldnMt "ave e,isted or "a))ened.
B"en a -itness declares o "is o-n ;no-led'e t"at a
act did not ta;e )lace t"at is actuall& )ositive testi#on&
since itMs an air#ation o t"e trut" o a ne'ative act.
RIANO:
Not ever& circu#stance -"ic" aords an inerence as to t"e
trut" or alsit& o a #atter alle'ed is considered evidence.
Not evidence i itMs e,cluded %& t"e la- or Ro8 even i it
)roves t"e e,istence or non>e,istence o a act in issue.
Ieinition under /1$ R128 si'niicantl& considers GevidenceH
not as an end in itsel %ut #erel& as a G#eansH o ascertainin'
t"e trut" o a #atter o act.
Pur)ose o evidence
Ascertain t"e trut" res)ectin' a #atter o act in a (udicial
)roceedin' */1$ R128+
Evidence is re1uired %ecause o t"e )resu#)tion t"at t"e
court is not a-are o t"e veracit& o t"e acts involved in a
case. It is incu#%ent u)on t"e )arties to )rove a act in issue
t"rou'" t"e )resentation o ad#issi%le evidence.
B"en evidence is re1uired3 -"en not re1uired
B"ere no actual issue e,ists in a case$ t"ere is no need
to )resent evidence %ecause -"ere t"e case )resents a
1uestion o la-$ suc" is resolved %& t"e #ere a))lication
o t"e relevant statutes or rules o t"is (urisdiction to
-"ic" no evidence is re1uired.
B"en t"e )leadin's in a civil case do not tender an issue
o act$ a trial need not %e conducted since t"ere is no
#ore reason to )resent evidence. 8ase is ri)e or (udicial
deter#ination t"rou'" a (ud'#ent on t"e )leadin's )er
R?@
Evidence #a& %e dis)ensed -it" %& a'ree#ent o t"e
)arties. T"e )arties to an& action are allo-ed %& t"e
Rules to a'ree in -ritin' u)on t"e acts involved in t"e
liti'ation and to su%#it t"e case or (ud'#ent u)on t"e
acts a'reed u)on$ -it"out t"e introduction o evidence.
Evidence is not re1uired on #atters o (udicial notice */1$
R12J+ and on #atters (udiciall& ad#itted */@$ R12J+
A))lica%ilit& o t"e rules o evidence
/@$ R1 )rovides or t"e non>a))lica%ilit& o Ro8$ includin'
necessaril& t"e rules o evidence$ to certain s)eciied
)roceedin's.
Ad#inistrative %odies are not %ound %& t"e tec"nical
niceties o t"e rules o%tainin' in a court o la-.
8S8 conducts its investi'ations or t"e )ur)ose o
ascertainin' t"e trut" -it"out necessaril& ad"erin' to
tec"nical rules o )rocedure a))lica%le in (udicial
)roceedin's.
On' 8"ia v. Re)u%lic: T"e rule on or#al oer o
evidence is not a))lica%le to a case involvin' a )etition
or naturaliFation.
Sasan$ Sr. v. NLR8: Tec"nical rules o evidence are not
%indin' in la%or cases.
.antolino v. 8oca 8ola .ottlers$ Inc.: T"e rules o
evidence are not strictl& o%served in )roceedin's %eore
ad#inistrative %odies -"ere decisions #a& %e reac"ed
on t"e %asis o )osition )a)ers onl&.
Bit"in t"e ield o ad#inistrative la-$ -"ile strict rules o
evidence are not a))lica%le to 1uasi>(udicial )roceedin's$
nevert"eless$ in adducin' evidence constitutive o su%stantial
evidence$ t"e %asic rule t"at #ere alle'ation is not evidence
cannot %e disre'arded. *Karcelo v. .un'u%un'+
A))lication o t"e Rules on Electronic Evidence
T"e )rovisions o t"e REE a))l& to all civil actions and
)roceedin's$ as -ell as 1uasi>(udicial and ad#inistrative cases.
*/2$ R1$ REE+
Sco)e o t"e rules o evidence
T"e rules o evidence in t"e Ro8 are 'uided %& t"e )rinci)le
o unior#it&. As a 'eneral )olic&$ t"e rules o evidence s"all
%e t"e sa#e in all courts and in all trials and "earin's. */2$
R128+
Evidence in civil cases v. Evidence in cri#inal cases
EVIIEN8E IN 8IVIL 8ASES EVIIEN8E IN 8RIKINAL
8ASES
T"e )art& "avin' t"e %urden
o )roo #ust )rove "is clai#
%& a )re)onderance o
evidence */1$ R1??+
Guilt o accused "as to %e
)roven %e&ond reasona%le
dou%t */2$ R1??+
Oer o co#)ro#ise is not
an ad#ission o an& lia%ilit&$
and is not ad#issi%le in
evidence a'ainst t"e oeror
*/2N$ R1?A+
An oer o co#)ro#ise %&
t"e accused #a& %e received
in evidence as an i#)lied
ad#ission o 'uilt$ EE8EPT in
cri#inal cases involvin'
1uasi>oenses *cri#inal
ne'li'ence+ or t"ose allo-ed
%& la- to %e co#)ro#ised
Generall& t"ere is no
)resu#)tion o innocence
or or a'ainst a )art& EE8EPT
in certain cases )rovided or
%& la-
T"e accused en(o&s t"e
constitutional )resu#)tion o
innocence */1@$ Art. III$
8onstitution+
Iistinction %et-een evidence and )roo
Evidence is t"e #ediu# or #eans %& -"ic" a act is
)roved or dis)roved.
Proo is not t"e evidence itsel. It is #erel& t"e )ro%ative
eect o evidence and is t"e conviction or )ersuasion o
t"e #ind resultin' ro# a consideration o t"e evidence.
o Proo is t"e eect o evidence %ecause -it"out
evidence t"ere is no )roo.
o .are alle'ations unsu%stantiated %& evidence are
not e1uivalent to )roo.
Positive and ne'ative deenses
GENERAL R<LE: Positive evidence is #ore credi%le t"an
ne'ative evidence.
Reason: t"e -itness -"o testiies to a ne'ative #a& "ave
or'otten -"at actuall& occurred$ -"ile it is i#)ossi%le to
2
re#e#%er -"at never e,isted. *Go#eF v. Go#eF>
Sa#son+
A denial evidence is t"e -ea;est deense and can never
overco#e a )ositive testi#on& )articularl& -"en it co#es
ro# t"e #out" o a credi%le -itness. *Peo)le v. KendoFa+
Evidence t"at is ne'ative is sel>servin' in nature and
cannot attain #ore credi%ilit& t"an t"e testi#onies o
-itnesses -"o testi& on clear and )ositive evidence.
*Peo)le v. Larrana'a+
Ienial$ li;e ali%i is an in"erentl& -ea; deense vis>O>vis
)ositive identiication.
2actu# )ro%ans and actu# )ro%andu#
Evidence si'niies a relations"i) %et-een t-o acts$ na#el&:
a+ t"e act or )ro)osition to %e esta%lis"ed *actu#
)ro%andu#+3 and
%+ t"e acts or #aterial evidencin' t"e act or )ro)osition to
%e esta%lis"ed *actu# )ro%ans+.
2actu# )ro%andu# : t"e act to %e )roved3 t"e act -"ic" is
in issue and to -"ic" t"e evidence is directed.
2actu# )ro%ans : t"e )ro%ative or evidentiar& act tendin' to
)rove t"e act in issue
T"e actu# )ro%andu# in a certain case #a& %e aected %&
t"e (udicial ad#issions o a )art&.
E,. I t"e deendant in a suit %ased on a cul)a a1uiliana
t"eor& ad#its "is ne'li'ence in "is ans-er to t"e
co#)laint$ t"ere is no #ore need to )rove ne'li'ence.
:ence$ ne'li'ence ceases to %e a actu# )ro%andu# in
t"e case.
I t"e actu# )ro%andu# Gsi'niies t"e act or )ro)osition to
%e esta%lis"ed$H t"en #atters o PN$ conclusive )resu#)tions
and (udicial ad#issions cannot 1uali& as )arts o t"e actu#
)ro%andu# o a )articular case$ %ecause suc" #atters need
not %e esta%lis"ed or )roven.
In )ractical ter#s$ t"e actu# )ro%andu# in a civil case reers
to t"e ele#ents o a cause o action ro# t"e )oint o vie- o
t"e )lainti and t"e ele#ents o t"e deense ro# t"e
deendantMs stand)oint.
E,a#)le: Suit or collection o a su# o #one& 0 in t"e
a%sence o an& ad#ission %& t"e deendant$
T"e actu# )ro%andu# o t"e )lainti -ould %e:
1+ T"e e,istence o t"e de%t o t"e deendant
2+ T"e #aturit& o t"e de%t
?+ T"e de#and #ade %& t"e )lainti u)on t"e
deendant to )a&
@+ 2ailure to )a& des)ite t"e de#and
T"e actu# )ro%andu# or t"e deendant: t"e act o
)a&#ent o t"e o%li'ation or t"e )rescri)tion o t"e de%t
or t"e ele#ents o an& deense "e #a& inter)ose
8orint"ian Gardens Association$ Inc. v. Tan(an'co
2or a tort case under 88 21NL$ )lainti "as to )rove:
1+ Ia#a'es suered %& t"e )lainti
2+ T"e ault or ne'li'ence o t"e deendant or so#e ot"er
)erson or -"ose act "e #ust res)ond
?+ T"e connection o cause and eect %et-een t"e ault or
ne'li'ence and t"e da#a'es incurred.
In a cri#inal case$ t"e actu# )ro%andu# includes all #atter
t"at t"e )rosecution #ust )rove %e&ond reasona%le dou%t in
order to (usti& a conviction.
Section ?. Ad#issi%ilit& o evidence. ! Evidence is ad#issi%le
-"en it is relevant to t"e issue and is not e,cluded %& t"e la-
o t"ese rules. *?a+
Section @. Relevanc&3 collateral #atters. ! Evidence #ust "ave
suc" a relation to t"e act in issue as to induce %elie in its
e,istence or non>e,istence. Evidence on collateral #atters
s"all not %e allo-ed$ e,ce)t -"en it tends in an& reasona%le
de'ree to esta%lis" t"e )ro%a%ilit& or i#)ro%a%ilit& o t"e act
in issue. *@a+
Re1uisites or ad#issi%ilit& o evidence */?+
1+ It #ust %e relevant to t"e issue sou'"t to %e )roved
/@: Evidence is relevant -"en it "as Gsuc" a relation
to t"e act in issue as to induce %elie in its e,istence
or non>e,istence.H
Relevanc& is deter#ina%le %& t"e rules o lo'ic and
"u#an e,)erience
2+ It #ust %e co#)etent
/?: Evidence is co#)etent -"en it Gis not e,cluded
%& t"e la- o t"ese rules.H
8o#)etenc& is deter#ined %& t"e )revailin'
e,clusionar& rules o evidence
Restated %& Bi'#ore 0 a,io#s o ad#issi%ilit&:
1+ T"at none %ut acts "avin' rational )ro%ative value
are ad#issi%le
2+ T"at all acts "avin' rational )ro%ative value are
ad#issi%le unless so#e s)eciic rule or%ids t"eir
ad#ission
Note: under t"is conce)t$ relevant evidence is an& class
o evidence -"ic" "as Grational )ro%ative valueH to
esta%lis" t"e issue in controvers&.
Ad#issi%ilit& o evidence is deter#ined at t"e ti#e it is oered
to t"e court */?5$ R1?2+
O%(ect or real evidence is oered to t"e court -"en t"e
sa#e is )resented or its vie- or evaluation *e,. Ocular
ins)ections or de#os+
Iocu#entar& evidence or#all& oered %& t"e
)ro)onent i##ediatel& %eore "e rests "is case
Testi#onial evidence oered %& t"e callin' o t"e -itness
to t"e stand
Ever& o%(ection to t"e ad#issi%ilit& o evidence s"all %e #ade
at t"e ti#e suc" evidence is oered$ or as soon t"ereater as
t"e o%(ection to its ad#issi%ilit& s"all %e considered -aived.
O%(ections to o%(ect or real evidence #ust %e #ade
eit"er at t"e ti#e it is )resented in an ocular ins)ection
or de#onstration or -"en it is or#all& oered.
O%(ections to docu#entar& evidence #ust %e #ade at
t"e ti#e it is or#all& oered.
In t"e case o testi#onial evidence$ o%(ection to t"e
1ualiications o t"e -itness s"ould %e #ade at t"e ti#e
"e is called to t"e stand
o I t"e -itness is ot"er-ise 1ualiied$ t"e o%(ection
s"ould %e raised -"en t"e o%(ectiona%le 1uestion
is as;ed or ater t"e ans-er is 'iven i t"e
o%(ectiona%le eatures %eca#e a))arent %& reason
o suc" ans-er.
Ioctrines or rules o ad#issi%ilit& sanctioned %& S8
8onditional ad#issi%ilit&
3
B"ere t"e evidence at t"e ti#e o its oer a))ears to %e
i##aterial or irrelevant unless it is connected -it" t"e
ot"er acts to %e su%se1uentl& )roved$ suc" evidence
#a& %e received on condition t"at t"e ot"er acts -ill %e
)roved t"ereater$ ot"er-ise t"e evidence alread& 'iven
-ill %e stric;en out.
o T"is doctrine -as a))lied %& S8 in a cri#inal case
and in a civil case su%(ect to t"e 1ualiication t"at
t"ere s"ould %e no %ad ait" on t"e )art o t"e
)ro)onent. 0 Suc" a 1ualiication a))ears necessar&
to avoid unair sur)rises to t"e ot"er )art&.
Kulti)le ad#issi%ilit&
B"ere t"e evidence is relevant and co#)etent or t-o
or #ore )ur)oses$ suc" evidence s"ould %e ad#itted or
an& or all t"e )ur)oses or -"ic" it is oered )rovided it
satisies all t"e re1uire#ents o la- or its ad#issi%ilit&
t"ereor.
RIANO:
E,. Ie)endin' u)on t"e circu#stances$ t"e declaration
o a d&in' )erson #a& %e ad#issi%le or several
)ur)oses:
o I&in' declaration */?N$ R1?A+
o Part o t"e res 'estae */@2$ R1?A+
o Ieclaration a'ainst interest */?8$ R1?A+
E,. T"e state#ent %& a %us driver i##ediatel& ater t"e
collision t"at "e doFed o -"ile drivin' #a& %e
ad#issi%le as:
o An ad#ission under /2L$ R1?A3 or
o As )art o t"e res 'estae )er /@2$ R1?A
8urative ad#issi%ilit&
Treats u)on t"e ri'"t o a )art& to introduce
inco#)etent evidence in "is %e"al -"ere t"e court "as
ad#itted t"e sa#e ;ind o evidence adduced %& t"e
adverse )art&
B"at s"ould deter#ine t"e a))lication o t"e rule o
curative ad#issi%ilit& are:
1+ B"et"er t"e inco#)etent evidence -as seasona%l&
o%(ected to$ and
2+ B"et"er$ re'ardless o t"e o%(ections vel non$ t"e
ad#ission o suc" evidence -ill cause a )lain and
unair )re(udice to t"e )art& a'ainst -"o# it -as
ad#itted.
o Lac; o o%(ection to inco#)etent evidence
constitutes -aiver %& t"e )art& a'ainst -"o# it
is introduced %ut does not de)rive t"e
o))osin' )art& o "is ri'"t to o%(ect to si#ilar
re%uttin' evidence. :o-ever$ t"is tec"nical
rule s"ould %e rela,ed i one )art& -ould suer
a )lain and unair )re(udice.
RIANO:
It is su%#itted t"at in our (urisdiction$ t"e )rinci)le o
curative ad#issi%ilit& s"ould not %e #ade to a))l& -"ere
t"e evidence -as ad#itted -it"out o%(ection %ecause
t"e ailure to o%(ect constitutes a -aiver o t"e
inad#issi%ilit& o t"e evidence. In our (urisdiction$
inad#issi%le evidence not o%(ected to %eco#es
ad#issi%le.
Stone"ill v. Iio;no: Iocu#entar& evidence$ ille'all& o%tained$
is inad#issi%le on a ti#el& #otion or action to su))ress.
Sa#e rule no- also a))lies to ille'all& o%tained
conessions.
8ollateral #atters
Katters ot"er t"an t"e acts in issue and -"ic" are oered as
a %asis or inerence as to t"e e,istence or non>e,istence o
t"e acts in issue.
Not all collateral #atters are )ro"i%ited %& t"e Rules.
B"ere t"e collateral #atters are relevant to t"e act in
issue %ecause Gt"e& tend in an& reasona%le de'ree to
esta%lis" t"e )ro%a%ilit& or i#)ro%a%ilit& o t"e act in
issue$H evidence o suc" collateral #atters is ad#issi%le.
B"at t"e Rules )ro"i%it is evidence o irrelevant
collateral acts.
8ircu#stantial evidence
Evidence o collateral acts or circu#stances ro# -"ic"
an inerence #a& %e dra-n as to t"e )ro%a%ilit& or
i#)ro%a%ilit& o t"e acts in dis)ute
8ircu#stantial evidence is le'al evidence and$ i
suicient$ can sustain a (ud'#ent.
Evidence o relevant collateral acts
Ad#issi%ilit& is an aair o lo'ic and la-$ as ad#issi%ilit& o
evidence is deter#ined %& its relevance and co#)etence. On
t"e ot"er "and$ t"e -ei'"t to %e 'iven to suc" evidence$
once ad#itted$ de)ends on (udicial evaluation -4in t"e
'uidelines )rovided in R1?? and t"e decisional rules o t"e
S8.
B"ile evidence #a& %e ad#issi%le$ it #a& %e entitled to little
or no -ei'"t at all. 8onversel&$ evidence -"ic" #a& "ave
evidentiar& -ei'"t #a& %e inad#issi%le %ecause a s)ecial rule
or%ids its rece)tion.
NOTE: S)ecial rules o evidence re'ardin' electronic
docu#ents "ave %een introduced %& t"e Electronic
8o##erce Act *RA 8NJ2+
RIANO:
Li%eral construction o t"e rules o evidence
/L$ R1
Procedural rules #ust %e li%erall& inter)reted and a))lied
so as not to rustrate su%stantial (ustice. *Duia#%ao v.
8A+ :o-ever$ to (usti& rela,ation o t"e rules$ a
satisactor& e,)lanation and a su%se1uent ulill#ent o
t"e re1uire#ents "ave al-a&s %een re1uired. *.arcenas
v. To#as+
No vested ri'"t in t"e rules o evidence
Reason: t"e rules o evidence are su%(ect to c"an'e %& t"e S8
)ursuant to its )o-ers to )ro#ul'ate rules concernin'
)leadin'$ )ractice$ and )rocedure */5657$ Art. VIII$
8onstitution+
T"e c"an'e in t"e rules o evidence is$ "o-ever$ su%(ect to
t"e constitutional li#itation on t"e enact#ent o e, )ost acto
la-s */22$ Art. III$ 8onstitution+
.. Rules o E,clusion
1. Secs. 2 9 ?$ Art. III$ 8onsti
/2. T"e ri'"t o t"e )eo)le to %e secure in t"eir )ersons$
"ouses$ )a)ers and eects a'ainst unreasona%le searc"es
4
and seiFures o -"atever nature and or an& )ur)ose s"all %e
inviola%le$ and no searc" -arrant or -arrant o arrest s"all
issue e,ce)t u)on )ro%a%le cause to %e deter#ined
)ersonall& %& t"e (ud'e ater e,a#ination under oat" or
air#ation o t"e co#)lainant and t"e -itnesses "e #a&
)roduce$ and )articularl& descri%in' t"e )lace to %e searc"ed
and t"e )ersons or t"in's to %e seiFed.
/?. *1+ T"e )rivac& o co##unication and corres)ondence
s"all %e inviola%le e,ce)t u)on la-ul order o t"e court$ or
-"en )u%lic saet& and order re1uire ot"er-ise as )rescri%ed
%& la-.
*2+ An& evidence o%tained in violation o t"is or t"e
)recedin' section s"all %e inad#issi%le or an& )ur)ose in
an& )roceedin'.
NOTE: ri'"t a'ainst sel>incri#ination canMt %e invo;ed in
situations covered %& i##unit& statutes *e,. RA 1?NJ 'rants
i##unit& to -itnesses in )roceedin's or oreiture o
unla-ull& ac1uired )ro)ert&3 PI N@J 'rants i##unit& in
%ri%er& and 'rat cases+
2. Sec. 12$ Art. III$ 8onsti
/12. *1+ An& )erson under investi'ation or t"e co##ission o
an oense s"all "ave t"e ri'"t to %e inor#ed o "is ri'"t to
re#ain silent and to "ave co#)etent and inde)endent
counsel )reera%l& o "is o-n c"oice. I t"e )erson cannot
aord t"e services o counsel$ "e #ust %e )rovided -it" one.
T"ese ri'"ts cannot %e -aived e,ce)t in -ritin' and in t"e
)resence o counsel.
*2+ No torture$ orce$ violence$ t"reat$ inti#idation$ or an&
ot"er #eans -"ic" vitiate t"e ree -ill s"all %e used a'ainst
"i#. Secret detention )laces$ solitar&$ inco##unicado$ or
ot"er si#ilar or#s o detention are )ro"i%ited.
*?+ An& conession or ad#ission o%tained in violation o t"is
or Section 1N "ereo s"all %e inad#issi%le in evidence a'ainst
"i#.
*@+ T"e la- s"all )rovide or )enal and civil sanctions or
violations o t"is section as -ell as co#)ensation to t"e
re"a%ilitation o victi#s o torture or si#ilar )ractices$ and t"eir
a#ilies.
?. Sec. 1N$ Art. III$ 8onsti
/1N. No )erson s"all %e co#)elled to %e a -itness a'ainst
"i#sel.
@. Sec. 2A1$ Ta, Reor# Act o 1JJN
/2A1. Eect o 2ailure to Sta#) Ta,a%le Iocu#ent. > An
instru#ent$ docu#ent or )a)er -"ic" is re1uired %& la- to
%e sta#)ed and -"ic" "as %een si'ned$ issued$ acce)ted or
transerred -it"out %ein' dul& sta#)ed$ s"all not %e
recorded$ nor s"all it or an& co)& t"ereo or an& record o
transer o t"e sa#e %e ad#itted or used in evidence in an&
court until t"e re1uisite sta#) or sta#)s are ai,ed t"ereto
and cancelled.
5. RA @2AA$ Anti>Bireta))in' La-
AN A8T TO PRO:I.IT ANI PENALIQE BIRE TAPPING ANI
OT:ER RELATEI VIOLATIONS O2 T:E PRIVA8C O2
8OKK<NI8ATION$ ANI 2OR OT:ER P<RPOSES.
Section 1. It s"all %e unla-ul or an& )erson$ not %ein'
aut"oriFed %& all t"e )arties to an& )rivate co##unication or
s)o;en -ord$ to ta) an& -ire or ca%le$ or %& usin' an& ot"er
device or arran'e#ent$ to secretl& over"ear$ interce)t$ or
record suc" co##unication or s)o;en -ord %& usin' a
device co##onl& ;no-n as a dicta)"one or dicta'ra)" or
dicta)"one or -al;ie>tal;ie or ta)e recorder$ or "o-ever
ot"er-ise descri%ed:
It s"all also %e unla-ul or an& )erson$ %e "e a )artici)ant or
not in t"e act or acts )enaliFed in t"e ne,t )recedin'
sentence$ to ;no-in'l& )ossess an& ta)e record$ -ire record$
disc record$ or an& ot"er suc" record$ or co)ies t"ereo$ o
an& co##unication or s)o;en -ord secured eit"er %eore or
ater t"e eective date o t"is Act in t"e #anner )ro"i%ited %&
t"is la-3 or to re)la& t"e sa#e or an& ot"er )erson or
)ersons3 or to co##unicate t"e contents t"ereo$ eit"er
ver%all& or in -ritin'$ or to urnis" transcri)tions t"ereo$
-"et"er co#)lete or )artial$ to an& ot"er )erson: Provided$
T"at t"e use o suc" record or an& co)ies t"ereo as evidence
in an& civil$ cri#inal investi'ation or trial o oenses
#entioned in section ? "ereo$ s"all not %e covered %& t"is
)ro"i%ition.
Section 2. An& )erson -"o -illull& or ;no-in'l& does or
-"o s"all aid$ )er#it$ or cause to %e done an& o t"e acts
declared to %e unla-ul in t"e )recedin' section or -"o
violates t"e )rovisions o t"e ollo-in' section or o an& order
issued t"ereunder$ or aids$ )er#its$ or causes suc" violation
s"all$ u)on conviction t"ereo$ %e )unis"ed %& i#)rison#ent
or not less t"an si, #ont"s or #ore t"an si, &ears and -it"
t"e accessor& )enalt& o )er)etual a%solute dis1ualiication
ro# )u%lic oice i t"e oender %e a )u%lic oicial at t"e ti#e
o t"e co##ission o t"e oense$ and$ i t"e oender is an
alien "e s"all %e su%(ect to de)ortation )roceedin's.
Section ?. Not"in' contained in t"is Act$ "o-ever$ s"all
render it unla-ul or )unis"a%le or an& )eace oicer$ -"o is
aut"oriFed %& a -ritten order o t"e 8ourt$ to e,ecute an& o
t"e acts declared to %e unla-ul in t"e t-o )recedin'
sections in cases involvin' t"e cri#es o treason$ es)iona'e$
)rovo;in' -ar and dislo&alt& in case o -ar$ )irac&$ #utin& in
t"e "i'" seas$ re%ellion$ cons)irac& and )ro)osal to co##it
re%ellion$ incitin' to re%ellion$ sedition$ cons)irac& to co##it
sedition$ incitin' to sedition$ ;idna))in' as deined %& t"e
Revised Penal 8ode$ and violations o 8o##on-ealt" Act
No. L1L$ )unis"in' es)iona'e and ot"er oenses a'ainst
national securit&: Provided$ T"at suc" -ritten order s"all onl&
%e issued or 'ranted u)on -ritten a))lication and t"e
e,a#ination under oat" or air#ation o t"e a))licant and
t"e -itnesses "e #a& )roduce and a s"o-in': *1+ t"at t"ere
are reasona%le 'rounds to %elieve t"at an& o t"e cri#es
enu#erated "ereina%ove "as %een co##itted or is %ein'
co##itted or is a%out to %e co##itted: Provided$ "o-ever$
T"at in cases involvin' t"e oenses o re%ellion$ cons)irac&
and )ro)osal to co##it re%ellion$ incitin' to re%ellion$
sedition$ cons)irac& to co##it sedition$ and incitin' to
sedition$ suc" aut"orit& s"all %e 'ranted onl& u)on )rior
)roo t"at a re%ellion or acts o sedition$ as t"e case #a& %e$
"ave actuall& %een or are %ein' co##itted3 *2+ t"at t"ere are
reasona%le 'rounds to %elieve t"at evidence -ill %e o%tained
essential to t"e conviction o an& )erson or$ or to t"e solution
o$ or to t"e )revention o$ an& o suc" cri#es3 and *?+ t"at
t"ere are no ot"er #eans readil& availa%le or o%tainin' suc"
evidence.
5
T"e order 'ranted or issued s"all s)eci&: *1+ t"e identit& o
t"e )erson or )ersons -"ose co##unications$ conversations$
discussions$ or s)o;en -ords are to %e over"eard$
interce)ted$ or recorded and$ in t"e case o tele'ra)"ic or
tele)"onic co##unications$ t"e tele'ra)" line or t"e
tele)"one nu#%er involved and its location3 *2+ t"e identit& o
t"e )eace oicer aut"oriFed to over"ear$ interce)t$ or record
t"e co##unications$ conversations$ discussions$ or s)o;en
-ords3 *?+ t"e oense or oenses co##itted or sou'"t to %e
)revented3 and *@+ t"e )eriod o t"e aut"oriFation. T"e
aut"oriFation s"all %e eective or t"e )eriod s)eciied in t"e
order -"ic" s"all not e,ceed si,t& *LA+ da&s ro# t"e date o
issuance o t"e order$ unless e,tended or rene-ed %& t"e
court u)on %ein' satisied t"at suc" e,tension or rene-al is
in t"e )u%lic interest.
All recordin's #ade under court aut"oriFation s"all$ -it"in
ort&>ei'"t "ours ater t"e e,)iration o t"e )eriod i,ed in t"e
order$ %e de)osited -it" t"e court in a sealed envelo)e or
sealed )ac;a'e$ and s"all %e acco#)anied %& an aidavit o
t"e )eace oicer 'ranted suc" aut"orit& statin' t"e nu#%er
o recordin's #ade$ t"e dates and ti#es covered %& eac"
recordin'$ t"e nu#%er o ta)es$ discs$ or records included in
t"e de)osit$ and certi&in' t"at no du)licates or co)ies o t"e
-"ole or an& )art t"ereo "ave %een #ade$ or i #ade$ t"at
all suc" du)licates or co)ies are included in t"e envelo)e or
)ac;a'e de)osited -it" t"e court. T"e envelo)e or )ac;a'e
so de)osited s"all not %e o)ened$ or t"e recordin's re)la&ed$
or used in evidence$ or t"eir contents revealed$ e,ce)t u)on
order o t"e court$ -"ic" s"all not %e 'ranted e,ce)t u)on
#otion$ -it" due notice and o))ortunit& to %e "eard to t"e
)erson or )ersons -"ose conversation or co##unications
"ave %een recorded.
T"e court reerred to in t"is section s"all %e understood to
#ean t"e 8ourt o 2irst Instance -it"in -"ose territorial
(urisdiction t"e acts or -"ic" aut"orit& is a))lied or are to %e
e,ecuted.
Section @. An& co##unication or s)o;en -ord$ or t"e
e,istence$ contents$ su%stance$ )ur)ort$ eect$ or #eanin' o
t"e sa#e or an& )art t"ereo$ or an& inor#ation t"erein
contained o%tained or secured %& an& )erson in violation o
t"e )recedin' sections o t"is Act s"all not %e ad#issi%le in
evidence in an& (udicial$ 1uasi>(udicial$ le'islative or
ad#inistrative "earin' or investi'ation.
Section 5. All la-s inconsistent -it" t"e )rovisions o t"is Act
are "ere%& re)ealed or accordin'l& a#ended.
Section L. T"is Act s"all ta;e eect u)on its a))roval.
RA @2AA )ro"i%its t"e ad#ission in evidence in an& (udicial$
1uasi>(udicial$ le'islative$ or ad#inistrative investi'ation o an&
co##unication or s)o;en -ord or an& inor#ation )rocured
%& -ireta))in' and related #eans s)eciied in said la-
EE8EPT in t"e cases t"erein s)eciall& )er#itted.
RIANO:
/@$ RA @2AA
T"e )rovisions o /1$ RA @2AA does not consider it unla-ul
to record o)en and )u%lic co##unications. B"at t"e la-
)rotects are )rivate conversations and co##unications. ItMs
considered unla-ul to a+ secretl& over"ear$ %+ interce)t$ or c+
record )rivate co##unication or s)o;en -ord -"en doin'
so is -4o t"e aut"orit& o all t"e )arties to suc" )rivate
co##unication. I onl& one )art& aut"oriFes t"e recordin'
and t"e ot"er does not$ t"ere is a violation o t"e la-.
L. RA 1@A5$ La- on Secrec& o .an; Ie)osits
AN A8T PRO:I.ITING IIS8LOS<RE O2 OR IND<IRC INTO$
IEPOSITS BIT: ANC .ANRING INSTIT<TION ANI
PROVIIING PENALTC T:ERE2OR.
Section 1. It is "ere%& declared to %e t"e )olic& o t"e
Govern#ent to 'ive encoura'e#ent to t"e )eo)le to de)osit
t"eir #one& in %an;in' institutions and to discoura'e )rivate
"oardin' so t"at t"e sa#e #a& %e )ro)erl& utiliFed %& %an;s
in aut"oriFed loans to assist in t"e econo#ic develo)#ent o
t"e countr&.
Section 2. All de)osits o -"atever nature -it" %an;s or
%an;in' institutions in t"e P"ili))ines includin' invest#ents in
%onds issued %& t"e Govern#ent o t"e P"ili))ines$ its
)olitical su%divisions and its instru#entalities$ are "ere%&
considered as o an a%solutel& conidential nature and #a&
not %e e,a#ined$ in1uired or loo;ed into %& an& )erson$
'overn#ent oicial$ %ureau or oice$ e,ce)t u)on -ritten
)er#ission o t"e de)ositor$ or in cases o i#)eac"#ent$ or
u)on order o a co#)etent court in cases o %ri%er& or
dereliction o dut& o )u%lic oicials$ or in cases -"ere t"e
#one& de)osited or invested is t"e su%(ect #atter o t"e
liti'ation.
Section ?. It s"all %e unla-ul or an& oicial or e#)lo&ee o a
%an;in' institution to disclose to an& )erson ot"er t"an t"ose
#entioned in Section t-o "ereo an& inor#ation concernin'
said de)osits.
Section @. All Acts or )arts o Acts$ S)ecial 8"arters$ E,ecutive
Orders$ Rules and Re'ulations -"ic" are inconsistent -it" t"e
)rovisions o t"is Act are "ere%& re)ealed.
Section 5. An& violation o t"is la- -ill su%(ect oender u)on
conviction$ to an i#)rison#ent o not #ore t"an ive &ears or
a ine o not #ore t"an t-ent& t"ousand )esos or %ot"$ in
t"e discretion o t"e court.
Section L. T"is Act s"all ta;e eect u)on its a))roval.
N. Sec. 55$ RA 8NJ1: General .an;in' Act o 2AAA
Section 55. Pro"i%ited Transactions.
55.1. No director$ oicer$ e#)lo&ee$ or a'ent o an& %an;
s"all >
*a+ Ka;e alse entries in an& %an; re)ort or state#ent or
)artici)ate in an& raudulent transaction$ t"ere%&
aectin' t"e inancial interest o$ or causin' da#a'e to$
t"e %an; or an& )erson3
*%+ Bit"out order o a court o co#)etent (urisdiction$
disclose to an& unaut"oriFed )erson an& inor#ation
relative to t"e unds or )ro)erties in t"e custod& o t"e
%an; %elon'in' to )rivate individuals$ cor)orations$ or
an& ot"er entit&: Provided$ T"at -it" res)ect to %an;
de)osits$ t"e )rovisions o e,istin' la-s s"all )revail3
*c+ Acce)t 'its$ ees$ or co##issions or an& ot"er or# o
re#uneration in connection -it" t"e a))roval o a loan
or ot"er credit acco##odation ro# said %an;3
*d+ Overvalue or aid in overvaluin' an& securit& or t"e
)ur)ose o inluencin' in an& -a& t"e actions o t"e
%an; or an& %an;3 or
*e+ Outsource in"erent %an;in' unctions.
55.2. No %orro-er o a %an; s"all >
6
*a+ 2raudulentl& overvalue )ro)ert& oered as securit& or a
loan or ot"er credit acco##odation ro# t"e %an;3
*%+ 2urnis" alse or #a;e #isre)resentation or su))ression
o #aterial acts or t"e )ur)ose o o%tainin'$ rene-in'$
or increasin' a loan or ot"er credit acco##odation or
e,tendin' t"e )eriod t"ereo3
*c+ Atte#)t to deraud t"e said %an; in t"e event o a court
action to recover a loan or ot"er credit acco##odation3
or
*d+ Oer an& director$ oicer$ e#)lo&ee or a'ent o a %an;
an& 'it$ ee$ co##ission$ or an& ot"er or# o
co#)ensation in order to inluence suc" )ersons into
a))rovin' a loan or ot"er credit acco##odation
a))lication.
55.? No e,a#iner$ oicer or e#)lo&ee o t"e .an';o Sentral
or o an& de)art#ent$ %ureau$ oice$ %ranc" or a'enc& o t"e
Govern#ent t"at is assi'ned to su)ervise$ e,a#ine$ assist or
render tec"nical assistance to an& %an; s"all co##it an& o
t"e acts enu#erated in t"is Section or aid in t"e co##ission
o t"e sa#e. *8N>Aa+
T"e #a;in' o alse re)orts or #isre)resentation or
su))ression o #aterial acts %& )ersonnel o t"e .an';o
Sental n' Pili)inas s"all %e su%(ect to t"e ad#inistrative and
cri#inal sanctions )rovided under t"e Ne- 8entral .an; Act.
55.@. 8onsistent -it" t"e )rovisions o Re)u%lic Act No. 1@A5$
ot"er-ise ;no-n as t"e .an;s Secrec& La-$ no %an; s"all
e#)lo& casual or non re'ular )ersonnel or too len't"&
)ro%ationar& )ersonnel in t"e conduct o its %usiness
involvin' %an; de)osits.
8. Secs. 1L 9 18$ PI J@L
Section 1L. Rules o Procedure. T"e 8ourts o A'rarian
Relation s"all ado)t unior# rules o )rocedure on #atters
not )rovided or in t"is Iecree in order to ac"ieve a (ust$
e,)editious and ine,)ensive deter#ination o ever& action or
)roceedin' iled %eore t"e#. T"e rules o 8ourt s"all not %e
a))lica%le to a'rarian cases$ even in a su))letor& c"aracter. It
is t"e s)irit and intention o t"is Iecree t"at t"e 8ourts o
A'rarian Relations s"all utiliFe and e#)lo& ever& and all
reasona%le #eans to ascertain t"e acts o ever& case in
accordance -it" (ustice and e1uit& and t"e #erits o t"e case$
-it"out re'ard to tec"nicalities o la- and )rocedure. To t"is
end$ eac" 8ourt o A'rarian Relations s"all "ave t"e aut"orit&
to ado)t an& a))ro)riate #easure or )rocedure in an&
situation or #atter not )rovided or or covered %& t"is Iecree
and in t"e unior# rules o )rocedure o t"e 8ourts o
A'rarian Relations. All suc" s)ecial #easures or )rocedures$
and t"e situations to -"ic" t"e& are a))lied s"all %e re)orted
to t"e Su)re#e 8ourt %& t"e individual Pud'es t"rou'" t"e
E,ecutive Pud'e -"o s"all urnis" co)ies o suc" re)orts to all
t"e ot"er Pud'es.
B"ere t"ere is dou%t in t"e a))lication o unior# rules or in
t"e construction and inter)retation o t"is Iecree or o an&
contract %et-een t"e )arties$ t"e dou%t s"all %e resolved in
avor o t"e tenant>ar#ers$ a'ricultural lessees$ settlers$
o-ner>cultivators$ a#ortiFin' o-ner>cultivators$ t"e
Sa#a"an' Na&on$ co#)act ar#s$ ar#ersS coo)eratives and
ot"er re'istered ar#ersS associations or or'aniFations.
In cri#inal and e,)ro)riation cases t"e Rules o 8ourt s"all
a))l&.
In t"e "earin'$ investi'ation and deter#ination o an&
1uestion or controvers&$ aidavits and counter>aidavits #a&
%e allo-ed and are ad#issi%le in evidence.
Iirect testi#onies o -itnesses s"all %e in narrative or#
su%(ect to cross e,a#ination.
In cases -"ere t"e tenurial status o a )erson is in issue$ t"e
8ourt o A'rarian Relations s"all not issue an order restrainin'
t"e actual tiller ro# cultivatin' t"e land$ or i#)oundin' t"e
"arvest -it"out )rovidin' "i# -it" at least it& )ercent o t"e
net "arvest.
S"ould t"e i#)oundin' o t"e "arvest %e at t"e instance o
t"e land"older$ "e s"all ile a cas" %ond to %e i,ed %& t"e
8ourt$ to ans-er or suc" da#a'es as #a& %e suered %& t"e
tiller -"o is ound to %e a la-ul tenant. In case o t"e
#alicious denial o t"e tenanc& relations"i) %& t"e
land"older$ "e s"all %e su%(ect to t"e )a&#ent o e,e#)lar&
da#a'es e1uivalent to at least t"e value o t"e "arvest
i#)ounded.
B"ere a )art& is a tenant>ar#er$ a'ricultural lessee or tiller$
settler$ or a#ortiFin' o-ner>cultivator$ "e s"all %e entitled to
t"e ri'"ts o a )au)er and4or indi'ent liti'ant and t"e
)rivile'es o an indi'ent liti'ant under Re)u%lic Act
nu#%ered si,t& "undred and t"irt&>ive -it"out urt"er )roo
t"ereo. :e s"all continue to en(o& suc" status as )au)er
and4or indi'ent liti'ant in t"e a))ellate courts and until t"e
case is inall& dis)osed o.
An a'ricultural tiller$ tenant or lessee -"o "as %een allo-ed
to liti'ate as a )au)er and4or indi'ent liti'ant s"all %e entitled
to t"e issuance o a dul& certiied co)& o t"e transcri)t o
steno'ra)"ic notes o t"e "earin'$ -"ic" s"all %e 'iven to
"i# ree o c"ar'e. An& undue dela& in t"e transcri)tion o
t"e steno'ra)"ic notes or in t"e issuance o a dul& certiied
co)& o said transcri)t in avor o said )art& and an& c"ar'in'
o ees a'ainst "i# in connection t"ere-it" s"all %e dealt
-it" ad#inistrativel&.
Section 18. A))eals. An a))eal #a& %e ta;en to t"e 8ourt o
A))eals %& 'ivin' an oral or -ritten notice o a))eal -it" t"e
trial court -it"in t"e )eriod o iteen *15+ da&s ro# notice o
order or decision. A co)& o t"e -ritten notice o a))eal s"all
%e served -it"in t"e sa#e )eriod u)on t"e adverse )art&. In
case t"e notice o a))eal is orall& #ade$ t"e cler; o court
s"all reduce t"e sa#e to -ritin'$ -"ic" s"all %e si'ned %& t"e
a))ellant and a co)& t"ereo served -it"in t"e sa#e )eriod
%& t"e cler; o court to t"e adverse )art&.
In case a #otion or reconsideration is iled -it"in t"at )eriod
o iteen *15+ da&s$ t"e notice o a))eal s"all %e iled -it"in
ten *1A+ da&s ro# notice o t"e resolution den&in' t"e
#otion or reconsideration. Onl& one #otion or
reconsideration s"all %e allo-ed a )art&.
T"e 8ourt o A))eals s"all air# t"e decision or order or t"e
)ortions t"ereo a))ealed ro# i t"e indin's o act in t"e
said decision or order are su))orted %& su%stantial evidence
as %asis t"ereo$ and t"e conclusions stated t"erein are not
clearl& a'ainst t"e la- and (uris)rudence. T"e 8ourt o
A))eals s"all not %e )recluded ro# ta;in' into consideration
an& issue$ 1uestion or incident$ even i not raised$ i resolution
t"ereo is necessar& or a co#)lete and (ust dis)osition o t"e
case.
7
T"e 8ourt o A'rarian Relations s"all or-ard to t"e 8ourt o
A))eals t"e co#)lete records o t"e case -it"in a non>
e,tendi%le )eriod o iteen *15+ da&s ro# recei)t o a notice
o a))eal$ i no #otions or reconsideration are iled. In t"e
event t"at #otions or reconsideration are iled$ t"e records
s"all %e or-arded to t"e a))ellate court -it"in a li;e )eriod
ro# recei)t %& t"e )art& concerned o denial o t"e last
#otion or reconsideration.
A))eal s"all not sta& t"e decision or order e,ce)t -"ere t"e
e(ect#ent o a tenant>ar#er$ a'ricultural lessee or tiller$
settler$ or a#ortiFin' o-ner>cultivator is directed.
<)on recei)t o t"e records o t"e case ro# t"e 8ourt o
A'rarian Relations$ t"e 8ourt o A))eals #a&$ i it dee#s
necessar&$ re1uire t"e )arties to ile si#ultaneous #e#oranda
-it"in a non>e,tendi%le )eriod o iteen *15+ da&s ro#
notice3 t"e a))ellate court s"all decide t"e case -it"in t"irt&
*?A+ da&s ro# recei)t o said records or #e#oranda.
No #otion or re"earin' or reconsideration s"all %e allo-ed
in t"e 8ourt o A))eals.
All cases o t"e 8ourts o A'rarian Relations no- )endin'
%eore t"e 8ourt o A))eals s"all re#ain in t"e Iivision to
-"ic" t"e& "ave %een assi'ned$ and s"all %e -it"in si,t& *LA+
da&s ro# t"e eectivit& o t"is Iecree: Provided$ "o-ever$
T"at i t"e decision or order %e an air#ance in toto o t"e
dis)ositive conclusion o t"e (ud'#ent a))ealed ro#$ t"en
t"e 8ourt o A))eals #a&$ instead o renderin' an e,tended
o)inion$ indicate clearl& t"e trial courtSs indin's o act and
)ronounce#ents o la- -"ic" "ave %een ado)ted as %asis
or t"e air#ance.
<)on t"e eectivit& o t"is Iecree$ t"e 8ourt o A))eals s"all
desi'nate at least t-o *2+ o its Iivisions to -"ic" all a))ealed
a'rarian cases s"all %e assi'ned$ and t"ese cases s"all "ave
)riorit& over ot"er cases.
T"e decisions or orders o t"e 8ourt o A))eals #a& %e
a))ealed to t"e Su)re#e 8ourt %& )etition or revie- on
certiorari onl& on 1uestions o la-$ -it"in a non>e,tendi%le
)eriod o t"irt& *?A+ da&s ro# recei)t %& t"e a))ellant o a
co)& o t"e decision or order.
In cases %eore t"e t"en 8ourt o A'rarian Relations$ t"e Ro8
-ere not a))lica%le even in a su))letor& c"aracter$ e,ce)t in
cri#inal and e,)ro)riation cases */1L$ PI J@L+
NOTE: suc" )rocedure "as %een S<PERSEIEI %&
)rovisions o RA LL5N
8. 8ases
RNAPP V . STATE $ NJ NE 1ANL *1JAN+
ISS<E4:ELI4RATIO: B4N evidence relevant o a )articular
ite# i it tends to su))ort -"et"er )roo o t"at evidence
-ould assist to resolve t"e central issue o a case 0 CES.
Evidence o t"e old #anMs deat" -as relevant.
B"ile it is laid do-n in t"e %oo;s t"at t"ere #ust %e an o)en
and visi%le connection %et-een t"e act under in1uir& and
t"e evidence %& -"ic" it is sou'"t to %e esta%lis"ed$ &et t"e
connection t"us re1uired is in t"e lo'ical )rocesses onl&$ or
to re1uire an actual connection %et-een t"e t-o acts -ould
%e to e,clude all )resu#)tive evidenceT Bit"in settled rules$
t"e co#)etenc& o testi#on& de)ends lar'el& u)on its
tendenc& to )ersuade t"e (ud'#entT As said in 1 B"arton$
EvidenceT / 2A: URelevanc& is t"at -"ic" conduces to t"e
)roo o a )ertinent "&)ot"esis.U In Stevenson v. Ste-art
*18@J+T it -as said: UT"e co#)etenc& o a collateral act to %e
used as t"e %asis o le'iti#ate ar'u#ent$ is not to %e
deter#ined %& t"e conclusiveness o t"e inerences it #a&
aord in reerence to t"e liti'ated act. It is enou'" i t"ese
#a& tend$ in a sli'"t de'ree$ to elucidate t"e in1uir&$ or to
assist$ t"ou'" re#otel&$ to a deter#ination )ro%a%l& ounded
in trut".UT
STATE V . .ALL $ ??J SB 2 I N8? *1JLA+
Bi'#ore: T"e #ere )ossession o a 1uantit& o #one& is
in itsel no indication t"at t"e )ossessor -as t"e ta;er o
#one& c"ar'ed as ta;en$ %ecause in 'eneral all #one&
o t"e sa#e deno#ination and #aterial is ali;e$ and t"e
"&)ot"esis t"at t"e #one& ound is t"e sa#e as t"e
#one& ta;en is too orced and e,traordinar& to %e
receiva%le.
In t"e a%sence o )roo or o a air inerence ro# t"e
record t"at t"e #one& in .allSs )ossession at t"e ti#e o
"is arrest ca#e ro# or "ad so#e connection -it" t"e
ro%%er& and in t"e a%sence o a )lain s"o-in' o "is
i#)ecuniousness %eore t"e ro%%er& and "is sudden
aluence *State v. Garrett+$ t"e evidence -as not in act
relevant and in t"e circu#stances -as o%viousl&
)re(udicial or i it did not tend to )rove t"e oense or
-"ic" t"e a))ellant -as on trial t"e (ur& #a& "ave
inerred t"at "e -as 'uilt& o anot"er ro%%er&.
KAK.A V . GAR8IA $ ?5J S8RA @2L *2AA1+
T"e Investi'atin' Pud'eSs reliance on t"e ta)e>recorded
conversation %et-een .ulatao and t"e t-o )olice oicers is
erroneous. T"e recordin' o )rivate conversations -it"out
t"e consent o t"e )arties contravenes t"e )rovisions o RA
@2AA Tand renders t"e sa#e inad#issi%le in evidence in an&
)roceedin'. T"e la- covers even t"ose recorded %& )ersons
)riv& to t"e )rivate co##unications$ as in t"is case. T"us$ t"e
contents o t"e ta)e recorder cannot %e relied u)on to
deter#ine t"e cul)a%ilit& o res)ondent (ud'e.
KARD<EQ V . IESIERTO $ ?5J S8RA NN2 *2AA1+
ISS<E4:ELI4RATIO: B4N )etitioner #a& %e cited or indirect
conte#)t or "er ailure to )roduce t"e docu#ents
re1uested %& t"e O#%uds#an > And -"et"er t"e order o
t"e O#%uds#an to "ave an in ca#era ins)ection o t"e
1uestioned account is allo-ed as an e,ce)tion to t"e la- on
secrec& o %an; de)osits *RA 1@A5+
An e,a#ination o t"e secrec& o %an; de)osits la- *RA
1@A5+ -ould reveal t"e ollo-in' e,ce)tions:
1. B"ere t"e de)ositor consents in -ritin'3
2. I#)eac"#ent case3
?. .& court order in %ri%er& or dereliction o dut& cases
a'ainst )u%lic oicials3
@. Ie)osit is su%(ect o liti'ation3
5. Sec. 8$ RA ?A1J$ in cases o une,)lained -ealt" as "eld
in t"e case o PN. vs. Ganca&co
T"e order o t"e O#%uds#an to )roduce or in ca#era
ins)ection t"e su%(ect accounts -it" t"e <nion .an; o t"e
P"ili))ines$ Pulia Var'as .ranc"$ is %ased on a )endin'
investi'ation at t"e Oice o t"e O#%uds#an a'ainst A#ado
La'da#eo$ et. al. or violation o R. A. No. ?A1J$ Sec. ? *e+ and
*'+ relative to t"e Point Venture A'ree#ent %et-een t"e
Pu%lic Estates Aut"orit& and AKARI.
8
Be rule t"at %eore an in ca#era ins)ection #a& %e allo-ed $
t"ere #ust %e a )endin' case %eore a court o co#)etent
(urisdiction. 2urt"er$ t"e account #ust %e clearl& identiied$
t"e ins)ection li#ited to t"e su%(ect #atter o t"e )endin'
case %eore t"e court o co#)etent (urisdiction. T"e %an;
)ersonnel and t"e account "older #ust %e notiied to %e
)resent durin' t"e ins)ection$ and suc" ins)ection #a& cover
onl& t"e account identiied in t"e )endin' case.
<nion .an; o t"e P"ili))ines v. 8ourt o A))eals:
Section 2 o t"e La- on Secrec& o .an; Ie)osits $ as
a#ended$ declares %an; de)osits to %e Ga%solutel&
conidentialH e,ce)t:
*1+ In an e,a#ination #ade in t"e course o a s)ecial or
'eneral e,a#ination o a %an; t"at is s)eciicall&
aut"oriFed %& t"e Konetar& .oard ater %ein' satisied
t"at t"ere is reasona%le 'round to %elieve t"at a %an;
raud or serious irre'ularit& "as %een or is %ein'
co##itted and t"at it is necessar& to loo; into t"e
de)osit to esta%lis" suc" raud or irre'ularit&$
*2+ In an e,a#ination #ade %& an inde)endent auditor
"ired %& t"e %an; to conduct its re'ular audit )rovided
t"at t"e e,a#ination is or audit )ur)oses onl& and t"e
results t"ereo s"all %e or t"e e,clusive use o t"e %an;$
*?+ <)on -ritten )er#ission o t"e de)ositor$
*@+ In cases o i#)eac"#ent$
*5+ <)on order o a co#)etent court in cases o %ri%er& or
dereliction o dut& o )u%lic oicials$ or
*L+ In cases -"ere t"e #one& de)osited or invested is t"e
su%(ect #atter o t"e liti'ation
In t"e case at %ar$ t"ere is &et no )endin' liti'ation %eore
an& court o co#)etent aut"orit&. B"at is e,istin' is an
investi'ation %& t"e oice o t"e O#%uds#an. In s"ort$ -"at
t"e Oice o t"e O#%uds#an -ould -is" to do is to is" or
additional evidence to or#all& c"ar'e A#ado La'da#eo$ et.
al.$ -it" t"e Sandi'an%a&an. 8learl&$ t"ere -as no )endin'
case in court -"ic" -ould -arrant t"e o)enin' o t"e %an;
account or ins)ection.
Qones o )rivac& are reco'niFed and )rotected in our la-s.
T"e 8ivil 8ode )rovides t"at U6e7ver& )erson s"all res)ect t"e
di'nit&$ )ersonalit&$ )rivac& and )eace o #ind o "is
nei'"%ors and ot"er )ersonsU and )unis"es as actiona%le
torts several acts or #eddlin' and )r&in' into t"e )rivac& o
anot"er. It also "olds a )u%lic oicer or e#)lo&ee or an&
)rivate individual lia%le or da#a'es or an& violation o t"e
ri'"ts and li%erties o anot"er )erson$ and reco'niFes t"e
)rivac& o letters and ot"er )rivate co##unications. T"e RP8
#a;es a cri#e o t"e violation o secrets %& an oicer$ t"e
revelation o trade and industrial secrets$ and tres)ass to
d-ellin'. Invasion o )rivac& is an oense in s)ecial la-s li;e
t"e Anti>Bireta))in' La-$ t"e Secrec& o .an; Ie)osits Act$
and t"e Intellectual Pro)ert& 8ode.
EPER8ITO V . SANIIGAN.ACAN $ 5AJ S8RA 1JA *2AAL+
T"e accused clai#ed t"at inor#ation a%out "is %an;
accounts i.e. trust unds$ -as o%tained in violation o t"e
Secrec& o .an; Ie)osits La- *RA 1@A5+ and #oved to "ave
t"e# %e e,cluded as evidence. :ELI: RA 1@A5 no-"ere
)rovides t"at an unla-ul e,a#ination o %an; accounts s"all
render t"e evidence t"ere ro# inad#issi%le in evidence. I
8on'ress "as %ot" esta%lis"ed a ri'"t and )rovided e,clusive
re#edies or its violation$ t"e court -ould encroac"in' u)on
t"e )rero'atives o con'ress i it aut"oriFes a re#ed& not
)rovided or %& statute. A%sent a s)eciic reerence to an
e,clusionar& rule$ it is not a))ro)riate or t"e courts to read
suc" a )rovision into t"e act.
Plunder %ein' t"us analo'ous to %ri%er&$ t"e e,ce)tion to RA
1@A5$ ot"er-ise ;no-n as t"e .an; Secrec& La-$ a))lica%le
in cases o %ri%er& #ust also a))l& to cases o )lunder. T"e
Gruit o t"e )oisonous treeH )rinci)le$ -"ic" states t"at once
t"e )ri#ar& source *t"e GtreeH+ is s"o-n to "ave %een
unla-ull& o%tained$ an& secondar& or derivative evidence
*t"e GruitH+ derived ro# it is also inad#issi%le$ does not a))l&
in cases o unla-ul e,a#ination o %an; accounts. RA 1@A5
does not )rovide or t"e a))lication o t"is rule. At all events$
t"e O#%uds#an is not %arred ro# re1uirin' t"e )roduction
o docu#ents %ased solel& on inor#ation o%tained %& it ro#
sources inde)endent o its )revious in1uir&.
ISS<E4:ELI4RATIO: B4N t"e Trust Account No. 858 and
Savin's Account No. A11L>1N?@5>J are e,ce)ted ro# t"e
)rotection o R.A. 1@A5 0 NO. Plunder is e,ce)ted ro# t"e
)rotection o RA 1@A5 ot"er-ise ;no-n as T"e Secrec& o
.an; Ie)osits La-
RA 1@A5 is %road enou'" to cover Trust Account No. 858.
:o-ever$ t"e )rotection aorded %& t"e la- is not a%solute.
T"ere %ein' reco'niFed e,ce)tions t"ereto$ as a%ove>1uoted
Section 2 )rovides. In t"e )resent case$ t-o e,ce)tions a))l&$
to -it: *1+ t"e e,a#ination o %an; accounts is u)on order o
a co#)etent court in cases o %ri%er& or dereliction o dut& o
)u%lic oicials$ and *2+ t"e #one& de)osited or invested is t"e
su%(ect #atter o t"e liti'ation.
,,,
Kellon .an;$ N.A. v. Ka'sino: GSection 2 o 6RA 1@A57 allo-s
t"e disclosure o %an; de)osits in cases -"ere t"e #one&
de)osited is t"e su%(ect #atter o t"e liti'ation. Inas#uc" as
8ivil 8ase No. 2L8JJ is ai#ed at recoverin' t"e a#ount
converted %& t"e Paviers or t"eir o-n %eneit$ necessaril&$ an
in1uir& into t"e -"erea%outs o t"e ille'all& ac1uired a#ount
e,tends to -"atever is concealed %& %ein' "eld or recorded
in t"e na#e o )ersons ot"er t"an t"e one res)onsi%le or
t"e ille'al ac1uisitionH
In li'"t t"en o t"e 8ourtMs )ronounce#ent in <nion .an;$
t"e su%(ect #atter o t"e liti'ation cannot %e li#ited to %an;
accounts under t"e na#e o President Estrada alone$ %ut
#ust include t"ose accounts to -"ic" t"e #one&
)ur)ortedl& ac1uired ille'all& or a )ortion t"ereo -as alle'ed
to "ave %een transerred. Trust Account No. 858 and Savin's
Account No. A11L>1N?@5>J in t"e na#e o E(ercito all under
t"is descri)tion and #ust t"us %e )art o t"e su%(ect #atter o
t"e liti'ation.
:ence$ t"ese accounts are no lon'er )rotected %& t"e
Secrec& o .an; Ie)osits La-$ t"ere %ein' t-o e,ce)tions to
t"e said la- a))lica%le in t"is case$ na#el&: *1+ t"e
e,a#ination o %an; accounts is u)on order o a co#)etent
court in cases o %ri%er& or dereliction o dut& o )u%lic
oicials$ and *2+ t"e #one& de)osited or invested is t"e
su%(ect #atter o t"e liti'ation. E,ce)tion *1+ a))lies since t"e
)lunder case )endin' a'ainst or#er President Estrada is
analo'ous to %ri%er& or dereliction o dut&$ -"ile e,ce)tion
*2+ a))lies %ecause t"e #one& de)osited in E(ercitoMs %an;
accounts is said to or# )art o t"e su%(ect #atter o t"e sa#e
)lunder case.
ISS<E4:ELI4RATIO: B4N t"e Gruit o t"e )oisonous treeH
doctrine or t"e e,clusionar& rule$ -"ic" states t"at once t"e
9
)ri#ar& source *t"e GtreeH+ is s"o-n to "ave %een unla-ull&
o%tained$ an& secondar& or derivative evidence *t"e GruitH+
derived ro# it is also inad#issi%le$ a))lica%le in cases o
unla-ul e,a#ination o %an; accounts 0 NO. T"e Gruit o
t"e )oisonous treeH doctrine or t"e e,clusionar& rule is
ina))lica%le in cases o unla-ul e,a#ination o %an;
accounts.
E(ercitoMs atte#)t to #a;e t"e e,clusionar& rule a))lica%le to
t"e instant case ails. R.A. 1@A5$ it %ears notin'$ no-"ere
)rovides t"at an unla-ul e,a#ination o %an; accounts s"all
render t"e evidence o%tained t"erero# inad#issi%le in
evidence. Section 5 o R.A. 1@A5 onl& states t"at G6a7n&
violation o t"is la- -ill su%(ect t"e oender u)on conviction$
to an i#)rison#ent o not #ore t"an ive &ears or a ine o
not #ore t"an t-ent& t"ousand )esos or %ot"$ in t"e
discretion o t"e court.H
Even assu#in' ar'uendo$ "o-ever$ t"at t"e e,clusionar&
rule a))lies in )rinci)le to cases involvin' R.A. 1@A5$ t"e 8ourt
inds no reason to a))l& t"e sa#e in t"is )articular case. T"e
Gruit o t"e )oisonous treeH doctrine )resu))oses a violation
o la-. I t"ere -as no violation o R.A. 1@A5 in t"e instant
case$ t"en t"ere -ould %e no G)oisonous treeH to %e'in -it"$
and$ t"us$ no reason to a))l& t"e doctrine.
:ence$ t"e Gruit o t"e )oisonous treeH )rinci)le$ -"ic" states
t"at once t"e )ri#ar& source *t"e GtreeH+ is s"o-n to "ave
%een unla-ull& o%tained$ an& secondar& or derivative
evidence *t"e GruitH+ derived ro# it is also inad#issi%le$ does
not a))l& in t"is case. In t"e irst )lace$ R.A. 1@A5 does not
)rovide or t"e a))lication o t"is rule. Koreover$ t"ere is no
%asis or a))l&in' t"e sa#e in t"is case since t"e )ri#ar&
source or t"e detailed inor#ation re'ardin' Pose)" Victor
G. E(ercitoMs %an; accounts 0 t"e investi'ation )reviousl&
conducted %& t"e O#%uds#an 0 -as la-ul.
II. B:AT NEEI NOT .E PROVEI
A. Pudicial notice *//1>?$ R12J+
Section 1. Pudicial notice$ -"en #andator&. ! A court s"all
ta;e (udicial notice$ -it"out t"e introduction o evidence$ o
t"e e,istence and territorial e,tent o states$ t"eir )olitical
"istor&$ or#s o 'overn#ent and s&#%ols o nationalit&$ t"e
la- o nations$ t"e ad#iralt& and #ariti#e courts o t"e -orld
and t"eir seals$ t"e )olitical constitution and "istor& o t"e
P"ili))ines$ t"e oicial acts o le'islative$ e,ecutive and (udicial
de)art#ents o t"e P"ili))ines$ t"e la-s o nature$ t"e
#easure o ti#e$ and t"e 'eo'ra)"ical divisions. *1a+
Section 2. Pudicial notice$ -"en discretionar&. ! A court #a&
ta;e (udicial notice o #atters -"ic" are o )u%lic ;no-led'e$
or are ca)a%le to un1uestiona%le de#onstration$ or ou'"t to
%e ;no-n to (ud'es %ecause o t"eir (udicial unctions. *1a+
Section ?. Pudicial notice$ -"en "earin' necessar&. ! Iurin'
t"e trial$ t"e court$ on its o-n initiative$ or on re1uest o a
)art&$ #a& announce its intention to ta;e (udicial notice o
an& #atter and allo- t"e )arties to %e "eard t"ereon.
Ater t"e trial$ and %eore (ud'#ent or on a))eal$ t"e )ro)er
court$ on its o-n initiative or on re1uest o a )art&$ #a& ta;e
(udicial notice o an& #atter and allo- t"e )arties to %e "eard
t"ereon i suc" #atter is decisive o a #aterial issue in t"e
case. *n+
Pudicial notice
T"e co'niFance o certain acts -"ic" (ud'es #a& )ro)erl&
ta;e and act on -it"out )roo %ecause t"e& alread& ;no-
t"e#
PN is %ased on considerations o e,)edienc& and
convenience. It dis)laces evidence since$ %ein' e1uivalent to
)roo$ it ulills t"e o%(ect -"ic" t"e evidence is intended to
ac"ieve and$ t"ereore$ #a;es suc" evidence unnecessar&.
*AlFua vs. Po"nson+
PN o a act #a& %e ta;en %& a court
a+ on its o-n #otion$ or
%+ -"en it is re1uested or invited %& t"e )arties or eit"er o
t"e# to do so.
In eit"er case$ t"e court #a& allo- t"e )arties to %e "eard on
t"e #atter in 1uestion. It "as %een "eld$ "o-ever$ t"at t"e
)o-er to ta;e PN #ust %e e,ercised -it" caution and ever&
reasona%le dou%t on t"e su%(ect #ust %e resolved in t"e
ne'ative.
Rule re'ardin' (udicial notice o ordinances
Kunici)al courts re1uired to ta;e PN o ordinances o t"e
#unici)alit& or cit& -"erein t"e& sit
RT8s #ust ta;e suc" PN onl&
a+ -"en re1uired to do so %& statute3 and
%+ in a case on a))eal %eore t"e# and -"erein t"e
inerior court too; PN o an ordinance involved in
said case
A))ellate courts #a& also ta;e PN o #unici)al or cit&
ordinances not onl& -"ere t"e lo-er courts too; PN
t"ereo %ut %ecause t"ese are acts ca)a%le o
un1uestiona%le de#onstration.
2or t"e sa#e reason$ courts #a& ta;e PN o ad#inistrative
re'ulations.
8ourts are re1uired to ta;e PN o t"e decisions o t"e
a))ellate courts %ut not o t"e decisions o coordinate trial
courts$ nor even o a decision or t"e acts involved in anot"er
case tried %& t"e sa#e court itsel$ unless t"e )arties introduce
t"e sa#e in evidence or -"ere t"e court$ as a #atter o
convenience$ #a& decide to do so.
PN court re1uired to ta;e V )ersonal ;no-led'e o (ud'e
A act #a& %e o PN and not %e o t"e (ud'eMs )ersonal
;no-led'e$ and vice versa$ as t"is rule reers to acts
-"ic" Gou'"t to %e ;no-n to (ud'es %ecause o t"eir
(udicial unctions.H
Duestion as to -"at are t"e la-s o a orei'n state is one o
act$ not o la-.
2orei'n la-s #a& not %e ta;en PN o and "ave to %e
)roved li;e an& ot"er act
o E,ce)tion: -"ere said la-s are -it"in t"e actual
;no-led'e o t"e court suc" as -"en t"e& are -ell
and 'enerall& ;no-n or t"e& "ave %een actuall&
ruled u)on in ot"er cases %eore it and none o t"e
)arties clai# ot"er-ise.
To )rove a orei'n -ritten la-$ t"e re1uire#ents o //2@
9 25$ R1?2 #ust %e co#)lied -it" *%& an oicial
)u%lication or %& a dul& attested and aut"enticated co)&
t"ereo+
o Kanuacturers :anover Trust 8o. v. Guerrero
10
S8 noted t"at -"ile certain e,ce)tions to t"e
re1uire#ents in //2@ 9 25$ R1?2 or )roo o
orei'n la- "ave %een reco'niFed$ t"e
evidence )resented or t"at )ur)ose in t"is
case is unacce)ta%le.
Instant case 0 )etitioner su%#itted aidavit o
NC attorne& -"ic" doesnMt even state t"e
s)eciic NC la- on t"e issue o da#a'es
involved$ %ut #erel& contained t"e aiantMs
inter)retation and o)inion o t"e acts o t"e
case vis>O>vis t"e alle'ed la- and (uris)rudence
t"erein. 2urt"er$ said aidavit -as ta;en e,
)arte a%road and t"e aiant never testiied in
court.
Provisions o orei'n la- #a& also %e t"e su%(ect o
(udicial ad#ission under /@$ R12J.
To )rove an un-ritten orei'n la-$ t"e )rovisions o /@L$
R1?A su))l& t"e evidential sources or re#edies.
GENERAL R<LE: A%sent an& o t"e ore'oin' evidence
or ad#ission$ t"e orei'n la- is )resu#ed to %e t"e
sa#e as t"at in t"e P"ili))ines 0 doctrine o )rocessual
)resu#)tion
RIANO:
PN is %ased on t"e #a,i#$ G-"at is ;no-n need not %e
)roved$H "ence$ -"en t"e rule is invo;ed$ t"e court #a&
dis)ense -it" t"e )resentation o evidence on (udiciall&
co'niFa%le acts.
2unction o PN
To a%%reviate liti'ation %& t"e ad#ission o #atters t"at need
no evidence %ecause PN is a su%stitute or or#al )roo o a
#atter %& evidence
B"en PN is #andator&
A #atter o PN #a& eit"er %e #andator& or discretionar&.
B"en t"e #atter is su%(ect to a #andator& PN$ no #otion or
"earin' is necessar& or t"e court to ta;e PN o a act %ecause
t"is is a #atter -"ic" a court ou'"t to ta;e PN o.
Katters su%(ect to #andator& PN
1. T"e e,istence and territorial e,tent o states
2. T"e )olitical "istor&$ or#s o 'overn#ent and s&#%ols
o nationalit& o states
3. T"e la- o nations
4. T"e ad#iralt& and #ariti#e courts o t"e -orld and t"eir
seals
5. T"e )olitical constitution and "istor& o t"e P"ili))ines
6. T"e oicial acts o le'islative$ e,ecutive and (udicial
de)art#ents o t"e P"ili))ines
7. T"e la-s o nature
8. T"e #easure o ti#e
9. T"e 'eo'ra)"ical divisions.
B"en PN is discretionar&
T"e )rinci)les o discretionar& PN -ill a))l& -"ere t"e .
re1uisites are #et:
1. T"e #atter #ust %e one o co##on ;no-led'e
2. T"e #atter #ust %e settled %e&ond reasona%le dou%t *i
t"ere is an& uncertaint& a%out t"e #atter$ t"en evidence
#ust %e adduced+
?. T"e ;no-led'e #ust e,ist -it"in t"e (urisdiction o t"e
court
8ases
.PI 2AKILC SAVINGS .ANR $ IN8 . V . 8A $ 8TA *2AAA+
As a rule$ Ucourts are not aut"oriFed to ta;e (udicial notice o
t"e contents o t"e records o ot"er cases$ even -"en suc"
cases "ave %een tried or are )endin' in t"e sa#e court$ and
not-it"standin' t"e act t"at %ot" cases #a& "ave %een
"eard or are actuall& )endin' %eore t"e sa#e (ud'e.U
.e t"at as it #a&$ Section 2$ Rule 12J )rovides t"at courts #a&
ta;e (udicial notice o #atters ou'"t to %e ;no-n to (ud'es
%ecause o t"eir (udicial unctions.
KAN<2A8T<RERS :ANOVER TR<ST V . G<ERRERO *2AA?+
T"ere can %e no su##ar& (ud'#ent -"ere 1uestions o act
are in issue or -"ere #aterial alle'ations o t"e )leadin's are
in dis)ute. T"e resolution o -"et"er a orei'n la- allo-s
onl& t"e recover& o actual da#a'es is a 1uestion o act as
ar as t"e trial court is concerned since orei'n la-s do not
)rove t"e#selves in our courts. 2orei'n la-s are not a #atter
o (udicial notice. Li;e an& ot"er act$ t"e& #ust %e alle'ed
and )roven. 8ertainl&$ t"e conlictin' alle'ations as to
-"et"er NC la- or P"ili))ine la- a))lies to GuerreroMs clai#s
)resent a clear dis)ute on #aterial alle'ations -"ic" can %e
resolved onl& %& a trial on t"e #erits.
<nder /2@ o R 1?2$ t"e record o )u%lic docu#ents o a
soverei'n aut"orit& or tri%unal #a& %e )roved %& *1+ an
oicial )u%lication t"ereo or *2+ a co)& attested %& t"e oicer
"avin' t"e le'al custod& t"ereo . Suc" oicial )u%lication or
co)& #ust %e acco#)anied$ i t"e record is not ;e)t in t"e
P"ili))ines$ -it" a certiicate t"at t"e attestin' oicer "as t"e
le'al custod& t"ereo. T"e certiicate #a& %e issued %& an& o
t"e aut"oriFed P"ili))ine e#%ass& or consular oicials
stationed in t"e orei'n countr& in -"ic" t"e record is ;e)t$
and aut"enticated %& t"e seal o "is oice. T"e attestation
#ust state$ in su%stance$ t"at t"e co)& is a correct co)& o t"e
ori'inal$ or a s)eciic )art t"ereo$ as t"e case #a& %e$ and
#ust %e under t"e oicial seal o t"e attestin' oicer.
8ERTAIN EE8EPTIONS *Asiavest Li#ited v. 8A+
Alt"ou'" it is desira%le t"at orei'n la- %e )roved in
accordance -it" t"e a%ove rule$ "o-ever$ t"e Su)re#e
8ourt "eld in t"e case o Billa#ette Iron and Steel
Bor;s v. KuFFal$ t"at Section @1$ Rule 12? *Section 25$
Rule 1?2 o t"e Revised Rules o 8ourt+ does not e,clude
t"e )resentation o ot"er co#)etent evidence to )rove
t"e e,istence o a orei'n la-. In t"at case$ t"e Su)re#e
8ourt considered t"e testi#on& under oat" o an
attorne&>at>la- o San 2rancisco$ 8aliornia$ -"o 1uoted
ver%ati# a section o 8aliornia 8ivil 8ode and -"o
stated t"at t"e sa#e -as in orce at t"e ti#e t"e
o%li'ations -ere contracted$ as suicient evidence to
esta%lis" t"e e,istence o said la-. Accordin'l&$ in line
-it" t"is vie-$ t"e Su)re#e 8ourt in t"e 8ollector o
Internal Revenue v. 2is"er et al.$ u)"eld t"e Ta, 8ourt in
considerin' t"e )ertinent la- o 8aliornia as )roved %&
t"e res)ondents -itness. In t"at case$ t"e counsel or
res)ondent testiied t"at as an active #e#%er o t"e
8aliornia .ar since 1J51$ "e is a#iliar -it" t"e revenue
and ta,ation la-s o t"e State o 8aliornia. B"en as;ed
%& t"e lo-er court to state t"e )ertinent 8aliornia la- as
re'ards e,e#)tion o intan'i%le )ersonal )ro)erties$ t"e
-itness cited Article @$ Sec. 1?851 *a+ 9 *%+ o t"e
8aliornia Internal and Revenue 8ode as )u%lis"ed in
Ierrin's 8aliornia 8ode$ a )u%lication o .ancrot>
B"itne& 8o.$ Inc. And as )art o "is testi#on&$ a ull
11
1uotation o t"e cited section -as oered in evidence %&
res)ondents. Li;e-ise$ in several naturaliFation cases$ it
-as "eld %& t"e 8ourt t"at evidence o t"e la- o a
orei'n countr& on reci)rocit& re'ardin' t"e ac1uisition
o citiFens"i)$ alt"ou'" not #eetin' t"e )rescri%ed rule
o )ractice$ #a& %e allo-ed and used as %asis or
avora%le action$ i$ in t"e li'"t o all t"e circu#stances$
t"e 8ourt is satisied o t"e aut"enticit& o t"e -ritten
)roo oered. T"us$ in a nu#%er o decisions$ #ere
aut"entication o t"e 8"inese NaturaliFation La- %& t"e
8"inese 8onsulate General o Kanila -as "eld to %e
co#)etent )roo o t"at la-. *E#)"asis su))lied+
T"e Balden aidavit states conclusions ro# t"e aiantMs
)ersonal inter)retation and o)inion o t"e acts o t"e case
vis>O>vis t"e alle'ed la-s and (uris)rudence -it"out citin' an&
lain )articular. T"e citations in t"e Balden aidavit o
various <S court decisions do not constitute )roo o t"e
oicial records or decisions o t"e <S courts. B"ile t"e .an;
attac"ed co)ies o so#e o t"e <S court decisions cited in t"e
Balden aidavit$ t"ese co)ies do not co#)l& -it" Section 2@
o Rule 1?2 on )roo o oicial records or decisions o orei'n
courts.
T"e .an;Ms intention in )resentin' t"e Balden aidavit is to
)rove NC la- and (uris)rudence. :o-ever$ %ecause o t"e
ailure to co#)l& -it" /2@ o Rule 1?2 on "o- to )rove a
orei'n la- and decisions o orei'n courts$ t"e Balden
aidavit did not )rove t"e current state o NC la- and
(uris)rudence. T"us$ t"e .an; "as onl& alle'ed$ %ut "as not
)roved$ -"at NC la- and (uris)rudence are on t"e #atters at
issue.
PEOPLE V . R<LLEPA *2AA?+
Several cases su''est t"at courts #a& ta;e G(udicial noticeH o
t"e a))earance o t"e victi# in deter#inin' "er a'e.
On t"e ot"er "and$ a "andul o cases "olds t"at courts$
-it"out t"e re1uisite "earin' )rescri%ed %& /?$ R12J o
t"e Ro8$ cannot ta;e (udicial notice o t"e victi#Ms a'e.
Pudicial notice si'niies t"at t"ere are certain Gacta
)ro%anda$H or )ro)ositions in a )art&Ms case$ as to -"ic"
"e -ill not %e re1uired to oer evidence3 t"ese -ill %e
ta;en or true %& t"e tri%unal -it"out t"e need o
evidence. Pudicial notice$ "o-ever$ is a )"rase
so#eti#es used in a loose -a& to cover so#e ot"er
(udicial action. 8ertain rules o Evidence$ usuall& ;no-n
under ot"er na#es$ are re1uentl& reerred to in ter#s o
(udicial notice.
T"e )rocess %& -"ic" t"e trier o acts (ud'es a )ersonMs
a'e ro# "is or "er a))earance cannot %e cate'oriFed
as (udicial notice. Pudicial notice is %ased u)on
convenience and e,)edienc& or it -ould certainl& %e
su)erluous$ inconvenient$ and e,)ensive %ot" to )arties
and t"e court to re1uire )roo$ in t"e ordinar& -a&$ o
acts -"ic" are alread& ;no-n to courts. As Tunda' )uts
it$ it Gis t"e co'niFance o certain acts -"ic" (ud'es #a&
)ro)erl& ta;e and act on -it"out )roo %ecause t"e&
alread& ;no- t"e#.H TB"en t"e trier o acts o%serves
t"e a))earance o a )erson to ascertain "is or "er a'e$
"e is not ta;in' (udicial notice o suc" act3 rat"er$ "e is
conductin' an e,a#ination o t"e evidence$ t"e
evidence %ein' t"e a))earance o t"e )erson. Suc" a
)rocess #ilitates a'ainst t"e ver& conce)t o (udicial
notice$ t"e o%(ect o -"ic" is to do a-a& -it" t"e
)resentation o evidence.
T"is is not to sa& t"at t"e )rocess is not sanctioned %&
t"e Rules o 8ourt3 on t"e contrar&$ it does. A )ersonMs
a))earance$ -"ere relevant$ is ad#issi%le as o%(ect
evidence$ t"e sa#e %ein' addressed to t"e senses o t"e
court. 6/1$ R1?A7
A )ersonMs a))earance$ as evidence o a'e *or e,a#)le$
o inanc&$ or o %ein' under t"e a'e o consent to
intercourse+$ is usuall& re'arded as relevant3 and$ i so$
t"e tri%unal #a& )ro)erl& o%serve t"e )erson %rou'"t
%eore it. E,)erience teac"es t"at cor)oral a))earances
are a))ro,i#atel& an inde, o t"e a'e o t"eir %earer$
)articularl& or t"e #ar;ed e,tre#es o old a'e and
&out". In ever& case suc" evidence s"ould %e acce)ted
and -ei'"ed or -"at it #a& %e in eac" case -ort". In
)articular$ t"e out-ard )"&sical a))earance o an
alle'ed #inor #a& %e considered in (ud'in' "is a'e3 a
contrar& rule -ould or suc" an inerence %e
)edanticall& over>cautious. 8onse1uentl&$ t"e (ur& or t"e
court tr&in' an issue o act #a& %e allo-ed to (ud'e t"e
a'e o )ersons in court %& o%servation o suc" )ersons.
T"e or#al oer o t"e )erson as evidence is not
necessar&. T"e e,a#ination and cross>e,a#ination o a
)art& %eore t"e (ur& are e1uivalent to e,"i%itin' "i#
%eore t"e (ur& and an oer o suc" )erson as an e,"i%it
is )ro)erl& reused.
T"ere can %e no 1uestion$ t"ereore$ as to t"e
ad#issi%ilit& o a )ersonMs a))earance in deter#inin' "is
or "er a'e. As to t"e -ei'"t to accord suc"
a))earance$ es)eciall& in ra)e cases$ Pruna laid do-n
'uideline no. ?.
<nder t"e a%ove 'uideline$ t"e testi#on& o a relative
-it" res)ect to t"e a'e o t"e victi# is suicient to
constitute )roo %e&ond reasona%le dou%t in cases *a+$
*%+ and *c+ a%ove. In suc" cases$ t"e dis)arit& %et-een
t"e alle'ation and t"e )roo o a'e is so 'reat t"at t"e
court can easil& deter#ine ro# t"e a))earance o t"e
victi# t"e veracit& o t"e testi#on&. T"e a))earance
corro%orates t"e relativeMs testi#on&.
As t"e alle'ed a'e a))roac"es t"e a'e sou'"t to %e
)roved$ t"e )ersonMs a))earance$ as o%(ect evidence o
"er a'e$ loses )ro%ative value. Iou%t as to "er true a'e
%eco#es 'reater and$ ollo-in' A'adas$ su)ra$ suc"
dou%t #ust %e resolved in avor o t"e accused.
T"is is %ecause in t"e era o #odernis# and ra)id
'ro-t"$ t"e victi#Ms #ere )"&sical a))earance is not
enou'" to 'au'e "er e,act a'e. 2or t"e e,tre#e
)enalt& o deat" to %e u)"eld$ not"in' %ut )roo
%e&ond reasona%le dou%t o ever& act necessar& to
constitute t"e cri#e #ust %e su%stantiated. Veril&$ t"e
#inorit& o t"e victi# s"ould %e not onl& alle'ed %ut
li;e-ise )roved -it" e1ual certaint& and clearness as t"e
cri#e itsel. .e it re#e#%ered t"at t"e )roo o t"e
victi#Ms a'e in t"e )resent case s)ells t"e dierence
%et-een lie and deat".
LANI.ANR V . .ANAL *2AA@+
T"e RT8$ in concludin' t"at t"e valuation o res)ondentsS
)ro)ert& is PNA?.1@R$ #erel& too; (udicial notice o t"e
avera'e )roduction i'ures in t"e Rodri'ueF case )endin'
%eore it and a))lied t"e sa#e to t"is case -it"out
conductin' a "earin' and -orse$ -it"out t"e ;no-led'e or
consent o t"e )arties.
Bell>settled is t"e rule t"at courts are not aut"oriFed to ta;e
(udicial notice o t"e contents o t"e records o ot"er cases
even -"en said cases "ave %een tried or are )endin' in t"e
12
sa#e court or %eore t"e sa#e (ud'e. T"e& #a& onl& do so
Uin t"e a%sence o o%(ectionU and U-it" t"e ;no-led'e o t"e
o))osin' )art&$U -"ic" are not o%tainin' "ere.
2urt"er#ore$ as earlier stated$ t"e Rules o 8ourt s"all a))l& to
all )roceedin's %eore t"e S)ecial A'rarian 8ourts. In t"is
re'ard$ Section ?$ Rule 12J o t"e Revised Rules on Evidence
is e,)licit on t"e necessit& o a "earin' %eore a court ta;es
(udicial notice o a certain #atter.
PIGAO V . RA.ANILLO *2AAL+
Be a'ree -it" res)ondent. Be cannot ta;e co'niFance o
t"is docu#ent 0 t"e conditional contract to sell %et-een
.erna%e and t"e P::8 alle'ed to %e t"e )ro>or#a contract
used %& P::8 -it" its a))licants > -"ic" )etitioners are
)resentin' or t"e irst ti#e. T"is docu#ent is not a#on' t"e
#atters t"e la- #andatoril& re1uires us to ta;e (udicial notice
o. Neit"er can -e consider it o )u%lic ;no-led'e nor
ca)a%le o un1uestiona%le de#onstration nor ou'"t to %e
;no-n to (ud'es %ecause o t"eir (udicial unctions. Be "ave
"eld t"at:
Katters o (udicial notice "ave t"ree #aterial re1uisites:
*1+ t"e #atter #ust %e one o co##on and 'eneral
;no-led'e3 *2+ it #ust %e -ell and aut"oritativel& settled
and not dou%tul or uncertain3 and *?+ it #ust %e ;no-n
to %e -it"in t"e li#its o (urisdiction o t"e court. T"e
)o-er o ta;in' (udicial notice is to %e e,ercised %&
courts -it" caution. 8are #ust %e ta;en t"at t"e
re1uisite notoriet& e,ists and ever& reasona%le dou%t on
t"e su%(ect s"ould %e )ro#)tl& resolved in t"e ne'ative.
8onse1uentl&$ or t"is docu#ent to %e )ro)erl& considered
%& us$ it s"ould "ave %een )resented durin' trial and or#all&
oered as evidence. Ot"er-ise$ -e -ould %e den&in' due
)rocess o la- to res)ondent:
It is settled t"at courts -ill onl& consider as evidence t"at
-"ic" "as %een or#all& oered. ,,, I 6)etitioners7 ne'lected
to oer 6an& docu#ent7 in evidence$ "o-ever vital 6it7 #a&
%e$ 6t"e&7 onl& "ave t"e#selves to %la#e$ not res)ondent
-"o -as not even 'iven a c"ance to o%(ect as t"e
docu#ents -ere never oered in evidence.
.. Pudicial ad#issions
1. /@$ R12J
Section @. Pudicial ad#issions. ! An ad#ission$ ver%al or
-ritten$ #ade %& t"e )art& in t"e course o t"e )roceedin's
in t"e sa#e case$ does not re1uire )roo. T"e ad#ission #a&
%e contradicted onl& %& s"o-in' t"at it -as #ade t"rou'"
)al)a%le #ista;e or t"at no suc" ad#ission -as #ade. *2a+
Pudicial ad#issions #a& %e #ade in:
a+ T"e )leadin's iled %& t"e )arties3
%+ In t"e course o t"e trial eit"er %& ver%al or -ritten
#aniestations or sti)ulations3 or
c+ In ot"er sta'es o t"e (udicial )roceedin'$ as in t"e )re>
trial o t"e case.
Ad#issions o%tained t"rou'" de)ositions$ -ritten
interro'atories$ or re1uests or ad#ission are also considered
(udicial ad#issions.
To %e considered as a PA$ t"e sa#e #ust %e #ade in t"e
sa#e case in -"ic" it is oered.
Pudicial ad#issions #ade in one case are ad#issi%le at t"e
trial o anot"er case )rovided t"e& are )roved and are
)ertinent to t"e issue involved in t"e latter$ unless:
a+ said ad#issions -ere #ade onl& or )ur)oses o t"e irst
case$ as in t"e rule on i#)lied ad#issions and t"eir
eects under R2L3
%+ t"e sa#e -ere -it"dra-n -it" t"e )er#ission o t"e
court t"erein3 or
c+ t"e court dee#s it )ro)er to relieve t"e )art& t"erero#.
/@$ R12J$ as a#ended$ no- includes su)erseded )leadin's
as (udicial ad#issions.
PAs cannot %e contradicted %& t"e ad#itted -"o is t"e )art&
"i#sel$ unless t"e& -ere #ade t"rou'" )al)a%le #ista;e or
no suc" ad#ission -as #ade or$ in t"e case o a )re>trial
ad#ission in civil cases$ to )revent #aniest in(ustice.
Ad#issions #ade %& t"e )arties in t"eir )leadin's$ or in t"e
course o t"e trial or ot"er )roceedin's$ do not re1uire )roo
and cannot %e contradicted %& t"e# unless )roved to "ave
%een #ade t"rou'" )al)a%le #ista;e. *Sta. Ana. v. Kali-at+
2acts su%(ect o a sti)ulation or a'ree#ent entered into %&
t"e )arties at t"e )re>trial o a case constitute (udicial
ad#issions %& t"e# -"ic"$ under t"is section$ do not re1uire
)roo and cannot %e contradicted unless )reviousl& s"o-n to
"ave %een #ade t"rou'" )al)a%le #ista;e. *Li# v. Pa%alde+
B"en t"e )arties in a case a'ree on -"at t"e orei'n la-
)rovides$ t"ese are ad#issions o act -"ic" t"e ot"er )arties
and t"e court are #ade to rel& and act u)on$ "ence t"e& are
in esto))el to su%se1uentl& ta;e a contrar& )osition. *P8I. v.
Escolin+
2. /8$ R1A
Sec 8. Eect o a#ended )leadin's. ! An a#ended )leadin'
su)ersedes t"e )leadin' t"at it a#ends. :o-ever$ ad#issions
in su)erseded )leadin's #a& %e received in evidence a'ainst
t"e )leader$ and clai#s or deenses alle'ed t"erein not
incor)orated in t"e a#ended )leadin' s"all %e dee#ed
-aived.
?. //1>@$ R2L
R2@: Ad#ission %& Adverse Part&
Sec. 1. Re1uest or ad#ission. ! At an& ti#e ater issues "ave
%een (oined$ a )art& #a& ile and serve u)on an& ot"er )art&
#a& ile and serve u)on an& ot"er )art& a -ritten re1uest or
t"e ad#ission %& t"e latter o t"e 'enuineness o an& #aterial
and relevant docu#ent descri%ed in and e,"i%ited -it" t"e
re1uest or o t"e trut" o an& #aterial and relevant #atter o
act set ort" in t"e re1uest. 8o)ies o t"e docu#ents s"all %e
delivered -it" t"e re1uest unless co)ies "ave alread& %een
urnis"ed. *1a+
Sec. 2. I#)lied ad#ission. ! Eac" o t"e #atters o -"ic" an
ad#ission is re1uested s"all %e dee#ed ad#itted unless$
-it"in a )eriod desi'nated in t"e re1uest$ -"ic" s"all not %e
less t"an iteen *15+ da&s ater service t"ereo$ or -it"in suc"
urt"er ti#e as t"e court #a& allo- on #otion$ t"e )art& to
-"o# t"e re1uest is directed iles and serves u)on t"e )art&
re1uestin' t"e ad#ission a s-orn state#ent eit"er den&in'
s)eciicall& t"e #atters o -"ic" an ad#ission is re1uested or
settin' ort" in detail t"e reasons -"& "e cannot trut"ull&
eit"er ad#it or den& t"ose #atters.
13
O%(ections to an& re1uest or ad#ission s"all %e su%#itted to
t"e court %& t"e )art& re1uested -it"in t"e )eriod or and
)rior to t"e ilin' o "is s-orn state#ent as conte#)lated in
t"e )recedin' )ara'ra)" and "is co#)liance t"ere-it" s"all
%e deerred until suc" o%(ections are resolved$ -"ic"
resolution s"all %e #ade as earl& as )ractica%le. *2a+
Sec ?. Eect o ad#ission. ! An& ad#ission #ade %& a )art&
)ursuant to suc" re1uest is or t"e )ur)ose o t"e )endin'
action onl& and s"all not constitute an ad#ission %& "i# or
an& ot"er )ur)ose nor #a& t"e sa#e %e used a'ainst "i# in
an& ot"er )roceedin'. *?+
Sec. @. Bit"dra-al. ! T"e court #a& allo- t"e )art& #a;in'
an ad#ission under t"e Rule$ -"et"er e,)ress or i#)lied$ to
-it"dra- or a#end it u)on suc" ter#s as #a& %e (ust.
@. 88 12$ 2A?5
Art. 12. A custo# #ust %e )roved as a act$ accordin' to t"e
rules o evidence.
Art. 2A?5. No co#)ro#ise u)on t"e ollo-in' 1uestions s"all
%e valid:
*1+ T"e civil status o )ersons3
*2+ T"e validit& o a #arria'e or a le'al se)aration3
*?+ An& 'round or le'al se)aration3
*@+ 2uture su))ort3
*5+ T"e (urisdiction o courts3
*L+ 2uture le'iti#e.
5. 28 @8$ LA
Art. @8. In all cases o annul#ent or declaration o a%solute
nullit& o #arria'e$ t"e 8ourt s"all order t"e )rosecutin'
attorne& or iscal assi'ned to it to a))ear on %e"al o t"e
State to ta;e ste)s to )revent collusion %et-een t"e )arties
and to ta;e care t"at evidence is not a%ricated or su))ressed.
In t"e cases reerred to in t"e )recedin' )ara'ra)"$ no
(ud'#ent s"all %e %ased u)on a sti)ulation o acts or
conession o (ud'#ent. *88a+
Art. LA. No decree o le'al se)aration s"all %e %ased u)on a
sti)ulation o acts or a conession o (ud'#ent.
In an& case$ t"e 8ourt s"all order t"e )rosecutin' attorne& or
iscal assi'ned to it to ta;e ste)s to )revent collusion %et-een
t"e )arties and to ta;e care t"at t"e evidence is not a%ricated
or su))ressed. *1A1a+
8ases
ATILLO III V . 8A *1JJN+
GEN R<LE *R12J.@+: PA is conclusive u)on t"e )art& #a;in' it
and does not re1uire )roo
EE8EPTIONS:
B"en itMs s"o-n t"at t"e ad#ission -as #ade t"rou'"
)al)a%le #ista;e
B"en itMs s"o-n t"at no suc" ad#ission -as in act
#ade
o T"is e,ce)tion allo-s one to contradict an
ad#ission %& den&in' t"at "e #ade suc" an
ad#ission
A )art&Ms testi#on& in o)en court #a& override ad#issions "e
#ade in "is ans-er.
REP<.LI8 V . SANIIGAN.ACAN *2AA?+
A -ritten state#ent is nonet"eless co#)etent as an
ad#ission even i itMs contained in a docu#ent -"ic" is
not itsel eective or t"e )ur)ose or -"ic" itMs #ade$
eit"er %& reason o ille'alit&$ or inco#)etenc& o a )art&
t"ereto$ or %& reason o not %ein' si'ned$ e,ecuted or
delivered.
Ad#issions o a )art& in "is testi#on& are receiva%le
a'ainst "i#.
I#eldaMs ailure to s)eciicall& den& t"e e,istence$ #uc"
less t"e 'enuineness and due e,ecution$ o t"e
instru#ents %earin' "er si'nature$ -as tanta#ount to a
(udicial ad#ission o t"e 'enuineness and due e,ecution
o said instru#ents.
An ad#ission #ade in t"e )leadin's cannot %e
controverted %& t"e )art& #a;in' suc" ad#ission and
%eco#es conclusive on "i#$ and t"at all )roos
su%#itted %& "i# contrar& t"ereto or inconsistent
t"ere-it" s"ould %e i'nored$ -"et"er an o%(ection is
inter)osed %& t"e adverse )art& or not.
PEOPLE V . LA8SON $ @1? S8RA 2A *2AA?+
Lacson is %ound %& t"e (udicial ad#issions "e #ade in t"e 8A
and suc" ad#issions so "old "i# in t"e )roceedin's %eore
t"e S8. 6Present case #ade %& -a& o a))eal under R@5$ as
suc"$ )resent recourse a #ere continuation o 8A
)roceedin's7
:ERRERA >2ELIE V . 8A *2AA@+
Ad#issions #ade in a #otion are (udicial ad#issions -"ic"
are %indin' on t"e )art& -"o #ade t"e#. Suc" )art& is
)recluded ro# den&in' t"e sa#e unless t"ere is )roo o
)al)a%le #ista;e or t"at no suc" ad#ission -as #ade.
:EIRS O2 PEIRO 8LEKENA V . :EIRS O2 IRENE .IEN *2AAL+
A (udicial ad#ission conclusivel& %inds t"e )art& #a;in' it. :e
cannot t"ereater contradict it. T"e e,ce)tion is ound onl& in
t"ose rare instances -"en t"e trial court$ in t"e e,ercise o its
discretion and %ecause o stron' reasons to su))ort its stand$
#a& relieve a )art& ro# t"e conse1uences o "is ad#ission.
L<8IANO TAN V . ROIIL ENTERPRISES *2AAL+
An ad#ission #ade in t"e )leadin' cannot %e controverted
%& t"e )art& #a;in' suc" ad#ission and are conclusive as to
"i#$ and t"at all )roos su%#itted %& "i# contrar& t"ereto or
inconsistent t"ere-it" s"ould %e i'nored -"et"er o%(ection
is inter)osed %& a )art& or not.
III. R<LES O2 AIKISSI.ILITC
A. O%(ect *Real+ Evidence
Sec. 1. O%(ect as evidence. ! O%(ects as evidence are t"ose
addressed to t"e senses o t"e court. B"en an o%(ect is
relevant to t"e act in issue$ it #a& %e e,"i%ited to$ e,a#ined
or vie-ed %& t"e court. *1a+
B"ere an o%(ect is relevant to a act in issue$ t"e court #a&
ac1uire ;no-led'e t"ereo %& actuall& vie-in' t"e o%(ect$ in
-"ic" case suc" o%(ect %eco#es o%(ect *real+ evidence$ or %&
receivin' testi#onial evidence t"ereon.
An ocular ins)ection conducted %& t"e (ud'e -4o notice to
or t"e )resence o t"e )arties is invalid$ as an ocular
ins)ection is )art o t"e trial. *In re :on. Raael 8. 8li#aco+
14
Instances -"en court #a& rel& solel& on testi#onial evidence
*no need or o%(ect 6real7 evidence+
1. S"o-in'4e,"i%itin' o%(ect is a'ainst )u%lic )olic&$ #orals
or decenc&
2. Re1uirin' vie-in' a#ounts to dela&$ inconvenience$
unnecessar& e,)enses dis)ro)ortionate to t"e o%(ectMs
evidentiar& value
?. Suc" o%(ect *real+ evidence -ould %e conusin' or
#isleadin'
@. T"e testi#onial or docu#entar& evidence clearl&
)ortra&s t"e o%(ect in 1uestion to render vie-in'
unnecessar&
8ourt #a& e,clude t"e )u%lic ro# t"e vie-in' o indecent
o%(ect$ i suc" vie-in' is necessar& in t"e interest o (ustice
O%(ect *real+ evidence includes an& article or o%(ect -"ic"
#a& %e ;no-n or )erceived %& t"e use o an& o t"e senses.
B"en docu#ents are o%(ect *real+ evidence
I t"e )ur)ose is to )rove
t"eir e,istence or condition$
t"e nature o t"e "and-ritin's t"ereon$
to deter#ine t"e a'e o t"e )a)er used$ or t"e
%le#is"es4alterations t"ereon$ as -"ere alsiication is
alle'ed.
Ot"er-ise$ t"e& are considered docu#entar& evidence$ i.e. i
t"e )ur)ose is to esta%lis" t"e contents or tenor t"ereo.
T"e )"&sical e,a#ination o a )erson #a& %e conducted %&
t"e court$ or under its direction$ to s"o-
t"e nature$ e,tent or location o in(uries$
"is )"&si1ue$
"is acial eatures to deter#ine "is rese#%lance and
)ossi%le relations"i) to anot"er$
"is racial ori'in$
"is )ro%a%le a'e$ or
in t"e case o a -o#an$ to esta%lis" t"e act o
)re'nanc&.
RIANO:
O%(ect or real evidence is e,actl& -"at its na#e su''ests 0
t"e real t"in' itsel li;e t"e ;nie used to slas" t"e victi#Ms
t"roat$ t"e #an'led ender o a truc; rear>ended %& a
%ulldoFer$ etc.
O%(ect evidence a))eals directl& to t"e senses o t"e court.
P"&sical evidence is a #ute %ut elo1uent #aniestation o
trut"$ and it ran;s "i'" in our "ierarc"& o trust-ort"&
evidence 0 -"ere t"e )"&sical evidence runs counter to t"e
testi#onial evidence$ t"e )"&sical evidence s"ould )revail.
*.PI v. Re&es$ 2AA8+
O%(ect evidence is not ta;en in isolation. It is -ei'"ed in
relation to t"e testi#on& o a -itness. Also$ in 'ivin' credence
to a testi#on&$ t"e court ta;es into consideration t"e )"&sical
evidence. I t"e testi#on& %ears a stri;in' si#ilarit& -it" t"e
)"&sical evidence$ t"e testi#on& %eco#es -ort"& o %elie.
*Peo)le v. LarraWa'a+
Re1uisites or ad#issi%ilit& o o%(ect evidence
1. Evidence #ust %e relevant
2. Evidence #ust %e aut"enticated
?. T"e aut"entication #ust %e #ade %& a co#)etent
-itness
T"is is to co#)l& -it" t"e ele#ent o co#)etence
as an essential in'redient o ad#issi%ilit&.
Ater its aut"entication$ t"e o%(ect needs to %e
oered in evidence at t"e a))ro)riate ti#e.
@. T"e o%(ect #ust %e or#all& oered in evidence
2or#al oer o evidence is a vital act %eore t"e
ad#ission o evidence %ecause t"e court Gs"all
consider no evidence -"ic" "as not %een or#all&
oeredH
T"e ri'"t a'ainst sel >incri#ination cannot %e invo;ed a'ainst
o%(ect evidence 0 no testi#onial co#)ulsion involved
8ate'ories o o%(ect evidence
1. <ni1ue o%(ects: o%(ects t"at "ave readil& identiia%le
#ar;s
2. O%(ects #ade uni1ue: o%(ects t"at are #ade readil&
identiia%le
?. Non>uni1ue o%(ects: o%(ects -it" no identi&in' #ar;s
and cannot %e #ar;ed
8"ain o custod&
T"e t"ird cate'or& *non>uni1ue o%(ects+ reers to t"ose
o%(ects -"ic" are not readil& identiia%le$ -ere not #ade
identiia%le or cannot %e #ade identiia%le *e,. Iro)s o
%lood or oil$ dru's in )o-der or#$ etc.+. <nder t"is situation$
t"e )ro)onent o t"e evidence #ust esta%lis" a c"ain o
custod&.
Pur)ose o esta%lis"in' c"ain o custod&: to 'uarantee
t"e inte'rit& o t"e )"&sical evidence and to )revent t"e
introduction o evidence -"ic" is not aut"entic *Lester v.
State+
o .<T -"ere t"e e,"i%it is )ositivel& identiied t"e
c"ain o custod& o )"&sical evidence is irrelevant
*State v. 8liord+
T"ere #ust %e lin;s to t"e c"ain 0 t"e )eo)le -"o
actuall& "andled or "ad custod& o t"e o%(ect
o Eac" lin; #ust s"o-:
"o- "e received t"e o%(ect3
"o- "e "andled it to )revent su%stitution3 and
"o- it -as transerred to anot"er
o Eac" o t"e "andlers o t"e evidence is a lin; in t"e
c"ain and #ust testi& to #a;e t"e oundation
co#)lete
As a #et"od o aut"enticatin' evidence$ t"e c"ain o custod&
rule re1uires t"at t"e ad#ission o an e,"i%it %e )receded %&
evidence suicient to su))ort a indin' t"at t"e #atter in
1uestion is -"at t"e )ro)onent clai#s it to %e. Tt"e e,"i%itMs
level o susce)ti%ilit& to un'i%ilit&$ alteration or ta#)erin' 0
-4o re'ard to -"et"er t"e sa#e is advertent or ot"er-ise
not 0 dictates t"e level o strictness in t"e a))lication o t"e
c"ain o custod& rule. *Lo)eF v. Peo)le$ 2AA8+
8"ain o custod& in dru' cases
Par. 1$ /21$ Art. II$ RA J1L5: T"e a))re"endin' tea#
"avin' initial custod& and control o t"e dru's s"all$
i##ediatel& ater seiFure and coniscation$ )"&sicall&
inventor& and )"oto'ra)" t"e sa#e in t"e )resence o
t"e accused or t"e )erson4s ro# -"o# suc" ite#s
-ere coniscated and4or seiFed$ or "is4"er re)resentative
or counsel$ a re)resentative ro# t"e #edia and t"e
IOP$ and an& elected )u%lic oicial -"o s"all %e
re1uired to si'n t"e co)ies o t"e inventor& and %e 'iven
a co)& t"ereo.
15
A #ere state#ent t"at t"e inte'rit& and evidentiar& value
o t"e evidence is not enou'". It #ust %e acco#)anied
%& )roo. *Peo)le v. Iela 8ruF$ 2AA8+
Ie#onstrative evidence
It re)resents or de#onstrates t"e real t"in'. 8onsider: does
t"e evidence suicientl& and accuratel& re)resent t"e o%(ect it
see;s to de#onstrate or re)resentX I it does$ t"e evidence
-ould %e ad#issi%le.
P"oto'ra)"s
<nder t"e electronic evidence rules$ )"oto'ra)"ic
evidence o events$ acts or transactions s"all %e
ad#issi%le in evidence )rovided :
a+ It s"all %e )resented$ dis)la&ed and s"o-n to t"e
court3 and
%+ It s"all %e identiied$ e,)lained or aut"enticated %&
eit"er
i+ T"e )erson -"o #ade t"e recordin'$ or %&
ii+ So#e ot"er )erson co#)etent to testi& on t"e
accurac& t"ereo
In deter#inin' -"et"er )"oto'ra)"s s"ould %e
ad#itted$ a trial (ud'e #ust deter#ine -"et"er t"e& are
relevant$ and -"et"er a )ro)er oundation "as %een
laid.
Kotion )ictures and recordin's
Rules t"at a))l& to )"oto'ra)"s 'enerall& a))l& to t"ese.
In t"e case o ta)e recordin's$ t"e -itness s"ould
identi& t"e s)ea;ers$ state "o- "e reco'niFes t"eir
voices and t"at t"e recordin' -as not ta;en in violation
o t"e Anti>Bireta))in' La- *RA @2AA+.
Ad#issi%ilit& re1uire#ents or ta)e recordin's :
1. T"e recordin' device -as ca)a%le o ta;in'
testi#on&3
2. T"e o)erator o t"e device -as co#)etent3
?. No c"an'es$ additions or deletions "ave %een
#ade3
@. T"e testi#on& -as elicited and voluntaril& #ade
-4o an& ;ind o induce#ent3
5. Esta%lis"#ent o aut"enticit& and correctness o t"e
recordin'3
L. Identit& o t"e s)ea;ers3 and
N. T"e #anner o t"e )reservation o t"e recordin'
Iia'ra#s$ #odels and #a)s
Aside ro# t"e re1uire#ent o relevance$ a dia'ra#$
#odel or #a) #ust %e identiied %& a -itness -"o is
a#iliar -it" -"at t"e evidence de)icts$ and t"at t"e
sa#e is an accurate re)resentation o t"e scene it
)ortra&sT T"e 1uestion as to t"e suicienc& o t"e
aut"entication is a #atter o (udicial discretion.
E>ra& )ictures
Ad#issi%le -"en s"o-n to "ave %een #ade under
circu#stances as to assure t"eir accurac& and -"ere
relevant to a #aterial issue in t"e case
E>ra&s )ro)erl& aut"enticated %& t"e ,>ra&
tec"nician or t"e )"&sician -"o testiies to t"e
co#)etence o t"e )erson ta;in' it$ t"e )rocedure
ta;en and t"at t"e ,>ra& )icture s"o-n is t"at o t"e
)erson$ t"e anato#ical )art or t"e o%(ect involved
in t"e case.
Scientiic tests$ de#onstrations and e,)eri#ents
Katter su%(ect to (udicial discretion. In>court reenact#ent
o #aterial events %& -itnesses "as %een "eld
)er#issi%le to "el) illustrate t"e testi#on& o a -itness.
E)"e#eral electronic co##unications
T"ese or#s o co##unications reer to tele)"one
conversations$ te,t #essa'es$ c"atroo# sessions$ strea#in'
audio$ and ot"er or#s o electronic co##unication$ t"e
evidence o -"ic" is not recorded or retained. */16;7$ REE+
S"all %e )roven %& t"e testi#on& o a )erson -"o -as a
)art& to t"e sa#e or %& one -"o "as )ersonal
;no-led'e t"ereo. In t"e a%sence or unavaila%ilit& o
suc" -itness$ ot"er co#)etent evidence #a& %e
ad#itted.
Vie- o an o%(ect or scene
An ins)ection or vie- outside t"e courtroo# s"ould %e
#ade in t"e )resence o t"e )arties or at least -it" )revious
notice to t"e#T Suc" is )art o t"e trial since evidence is
t"ere%& %ein' received.
8ases:
PEOPLE V . .ARIAPE *1J8A+
P"&sical evidence is o t"e "i'"est order and s)ea;s #ore
elo1uentl& t"an an& nu#%er o -itnesses )ut to'et"er.
SISON V . PEOPLE *1JJ5+
T"e rule in t"is (urisdiction is t"at )"oto'ra)"s$ -"en
)resented in evidence$ #ust %e identiied %& t"e
)"oto'ra)"er as to its )roduction and testiied as to t"e
circu#stances under -"ic" t"e& -ere )roduced.
T"e value o t"is ;ind o evidence lies in its %ein' a
correct re)resentation or re)roduction o t"e ori'inal$
and its ad#issi%ilit& is deter#ined %& its accurac& in
)ortra&in' t"e scene at t"e ti#e o t"e cri#e.
P"oto'ra)"s can %e identiied %& t"e )"oto'ra)"er or
%& an& ot"er co#)etent -itness -"o can testi& to its
e,actness and accurac&.
T"e use o t"e )"oto'ra)"s %& so#e o t"e accused to s"o-
t"eir alle'ed non>)artici)ation in t"e cri#e is an ad#ission o
t"e e,actness and accurac& t"ereo.
PEOPLE V . R<LLEPA *2AA?+
B"en t"e trier o acts o%serves t"e a))earance o a
)erson to ascertain "is4"er a'e$ "e is not ta;in' (udicial
notice o suc" act3 rat"er$ "e is conductin' an
e,a#ination o t"e evidence$ t"e evidence %ein' t"e
a))earance o t"e )erson. Suc" a )rocess #ilitates
a'ainst t"e ver& conce)t o (udicial notice$ t"e o%(ect o
-"ic" is to de a-a& -it" t"e )resentation o evidence.
A )ersonMs a))earance$ -"ere relevant$ is ad#issi%le as
o%(ect evidence$ t"e sa#e %ein' addressed to t"e senses
o t"e court.
PEOPLE V . CATAR *2AA@+
A )ersonMs INA is t"e sa#e in eac" cell and it does not
c"an'e t"rou'"out a )ersonMs lieti#e.
2orensic INA evidence is "el)ul in )rovin' t"ere -as
)"&sical contact %et-een an assailant and a victi#. I
)ro)erl& collected ro# t"e victi#$ cri#e scene or
assailant$ INA can %e co#)ared -it" ;no-n sa#)les to
)lace t"e sus)ect at t"e scene o t"e cri#e.
.. Iocu#entar& Evidence
16
Sec. 2. Iocu#entar& evidence. ! Iocu#ents as evidence
consist o -ritin' or an& #aterial containin' letters$ -ords$
nu#%ers$ i'ures$ s&#%ols or ot"er #odes o -ritten
e,)ression oered as )roo o t"eir contents. *n+
RIANO:
8ate'ories o docu#ents as evidence
1. Britin's
E,. Bills$ -ritten contracts
2. An& ot"er #aterial containin' #odes o -ritten
e,)ressions
E,. T"ose -"ic" are not traditionall& considered as
-ritin's %ut are actuall& o%(ects %ut -"ic" contain
#odes o -ritten e,)ressions
NOTE: or suc" -ritin's or #aterials to %e dee#ed
docu#entar& evidence$ t"e sa#e #ust %e oered as )roo o
t"eir contents.
B"en a contract is )resented in court to s"o- t"at it e,ists or
si#)l& to esta%lis" its condition$ it is not oered to )rove
its contents.
Ie)endin' u)on t"e s)eciic )ur)ose or -"ic" t"e contents
o t"e docu#ent is oered$ t"ere are certain inevita%le issues
-"ic" #a& arise in connection -it" t"e ad#issi%ilit& o t"e
docu#ent aside ro# t"e issue o relevance.
B"enever docu#entar& evidence is involved$ t"e %est
evidence rule$ )arol evidence rule$ and "earsa& rule$ or an&
one o t"ese rules #a& co#e into )la&.
8ase:
CAP V . INOPID<EQ $ PR . *2AA?+
It is a %asic rule o evidence t"at %et-een docu#entar& and
oral evidence$ t"e or#er carries #ore -ei'"t.
1. .est Evidence Rule *R1?A.?>8+
Sec. ?. Ori'inal docu#ent #ust %e )roduced3 e,ce)tions. !
B"en t"e su%(ect o in1uir& is t"e contents o a docu#ent$
no evidence s"all %e ad#issi%le ot"er t"an t"e ori'inal
docu#ent itsel$ e,ce)t in t"e ollo-in' cases:
*a+ B"en t"e ori'inal "as %een lost or destro&ed$ or cannot
%e )roduced in court$ -it"out %ad ait" on t"e )art o
t"e oeror3
*%+ B"en t"e ori'inal is in t"e custod& or under t"e control
o t"e )art& a'ainst -"o# t"e evidence is oered$ and
t"e latter ails to )roduce it ater reasona%le notice3
*c+ B"en t"e ori'inal consists o nu#erous accounts or
ot"er docu#ents -"ic" cannot %e e,a#ined in court
-it"out 'reat loss o ti#e and t"e act sou'"t to %e
esta%lis"ed ro# t"e# is onl& t"e 'eneral result o t"e
-"ole3 and
*d+ B"en t"e ori'inal is a )u%lic record in t"e custod& o a
)u%lic oicer or is recorded in a )u%lic oice. *2a+
Sec. @. Ori'inal o docu#ent. !
*a+ T"e ori'inal o t"e docu#ent is one t"e contents o
-"ic" are t"e su%(ect o in1uir&.
*%+ B"en a docu#ent is in t-o or #ore co)ies e,ecuted at
or a%out t"e sa#e ti#e$ -it" identical contents$ all suc"
co)ies are e1uall& re'arded as ori'inals.
*c+ B"en an entr& is re)eated in t"e re'ular course o
%usiness$ one %ein' co)ied ro# anot"er at or near t"e
ti#e o t"e transaction$ all t"e entries are li;e-ise e1uall&
re'arded as ori'inals. *?a+
Iocu#ent: a deed$ instru#ent$ or ot"er dul& aut"oriFed
)a)er %& -"ic" so#et"in' is )roved$ evidenced or set ort".
Iocu#entar& evidence : t"at -"ic" is urnis"ed %& -ritten
instru#ents$ inscri)tions and docu#ents o all ;inds.
.est evidence rule$ a))lied to docu#entar& evidence$
o)erates as a rule o e,clusion 0 secondar& *or
su%stitutionar&+ evidence cannot ince)tivel& %e introduced as
t"e ori'inal -ritin' #ust %e )roduced in court
EE8EPTIONS
1. Ori'inal lost4destro&ed4cannot %e )roduced in court
-4o %ad ait" on oerorMs )art
2. Ori'inal in t"e custod& or under t"e control o t"e )art&
a'ainst -"o# t"e evidence is oered$ and t"e latter ails
to )roduce it ater reasona%le notice
?. Ori'inal consists o nu#erous accounts or docu#ents
-"ic" canMt %e e,a#ined in court -it"out 'reat loss o
ti#e and t"e act sou'"t to %e esta%lis"ed ro# t"e# is
onl& t"e 'eneral result o t"e -"ole
@. Ori'inal is a )u%lic record in t"e custod& o a )u%lic
oicer or is recorded in a )u%lic oice
Non>)roduction o ori'inal docu#ent = )resu#)tion o
su))ression o evidence.
.ER a))lies onl& -"en t"e contents o suc" docu#ent is t"e
su%(ect o in1uir&.
B"en a docu#ent is )resented to )rove its e,istence or
condition$ it is oered as real$ not docu#entar&$
evidence.
In cri#inal cases -"ere t"e issue is not onl& BRT t"e
contents o t"e docu#ent %ut also as to -"et"er suc"
docu#ent actuall& e,isted -it" t"e )artici)ation t"erein
as i#)uted to t"e accused$ t"e ori'inal itsel #ust %e
)resented.
B"ere t"e transactions "ave %een recorded in -ritin'
%ut t"e contents o suc" are not t"e su%(ect o in1uir&$
.ER doesnMt a))l&.
BRT docu#ents )re)ared in several co)ies t"rou'" t"e use
o car%on s"eets$ t"e S8 "as "eld t"at eac" car%on co)& is
considered an ori'inal )rovided t"at t"e -ritin' o a contract
u)on t"e outside s"eet$ includin' t"e si'nature o t"e )art&
sou'"t to %e c"ar'ed t"ere%&$ )roduces a acsi#ile u)on t"e
s"eets %eneat"$ suc" si'nature %ein' t"us re)roduced %&
t"e sa#e stro;e o t"e )en -"ic" #ade t"e surace or
e,)osed i#)ression. *Peo)le v. Tan+
I t"e issue is t"e contents o t"e tele'ra# as received %& t"e
addressee$ t"en t"e ori'inal dis)atc" received is t"e %est
evidence. On t"e issue as to t"e tele'ra# sent %& t"e sender$
t"e ori'inal is t"e #essa'e delivered or trans#ission. I t"e
issue is t"e inaccurac& o trans#ission$ %ot" tele'ra#s as sent
and received are ori'inals.
RIANO:
.ER a.;.a. Gori'inal docu#entH or G)ri#ar& evidenceH rule
17
It co#)re"ends a situation -"ere t"e evidence oered is
su%stitutionar& in nature -"en -"at s"ould %e oered is t"e
ori'inal evidence.
GEN R<LE: t"e ori'inal o a -ritin' #ust %e )roduced.
No reason to a))l& t"e .ER -"en t"e issue does not involve
t"e contents o a -ritin'
.ER cannot %e invo;ed unless t"e contents o a
-ritin' is t"e su%(ect o (udicial in1uir&
Pur)ose o .ER: )revention o raud or #ista;e in t"e )roo o
t"e contents o a -ritin'. .asic )re#ise 0 t"e need to )resent
to t"e court t"e e,act -ords o a -ritin' -"ere a sli'"t
variation o -ords #a& #ean a 'reat dierence in ri'"ts
B"en docu#ent is #erel& collateral in issue
A docu#ent is collateral in issue -"en t"e )ur)ose o
introducin' t"e docu#ent is not to esta%lis" its ter#s %ut to
s"o- acts t"at "ave no reerence to its contents li;e its
e,istence$ condition$ e,ecution or deliver&.
Baiver o .ER
.ER #a& %e -aived i not raised in t"e trial.
B"at to do to a))l& .ER
1. Ieter#ine t"e #atter in1uired into.
Procedural co#)liance: re1uires )resentation o t"e
ori'inal docu#ent
So lon' as t"e ori'inal is availa%le$ no ot"er
evidence can %e su%stituted or t"e ori'inal
2. B"at i t"e ori'inal cannot %e )resented in evidenceX
a. 2ind an ade1uate le'al e,cuse or t"e ailure to
)resent t"e ori'inal
Instances -"en t"e ori'inal does not "ave to
%e )roduced even -"en t"e contents o t"e
doc are t"e su%(ects o in1uir& *R1?A$ /?+:
*a+ B"en t"e ori'inal "as %een lost or
destro&ed$ or cannot %e )roduced in
court$ -it"out %ad ait" on t"e )art o t"e
oeror3
*%+ B"en t"e ori'inal is in t"e custod& or
under t"e control o t"e )art& a'ainst
-"o# t"e evidence is oered$ and t"e
latter ails to )roduce it ater reasona%le
notice3
*c+ B"en t"e ori'inal consists o nu#erous
accounts or ot"er docu#ents -"ic"
cannot %e e,a#ined in court -it"out
'reat loss o ti#e and t"e act sou'"t to
%e esta%lis"ed ro# t"e# is onl& t"e
'eneral result o t"e -"ole3 and
*d+ B"en t"e ori'inal is a )u%lic record in t"e
custod& o a )u%lic oicer or is recorded in
a )u%lic oice.
%. Present a secondar& evidence sanctioned %& Ro8
Present t"e ori'inal$ e,ce)t -"en &ou can (usti& its
unavaila%ilit& in t"e #anner )rovided or %& t"e Ro8.
Sec. 5. B"en ori'inal docu#ent is unavaila%le. ! B"en t"e
ori'inal docu#ent "as %een lost or destro&ed$ or cannot %e
)roduced in court$ t"e oeror$ u)on )roo o its e,ecution or
e,istence and t"e cause o its unavaila%ilit& -it"out %ad ait"
on "is )art$ #a& )rove its contents %& a co)&$ or %& a recital o
its contents in so#e aut"entic docu#ent$ or %& t"e testi#on&
o -itnesses in t"e order stated. *@a+
Re1uire#ents or secondar& evidence to %e ad#issi%le
T"ere #ust %e )roo %& satisactor& evidence o:
1. Iue e,ecution o t"e ori'inal
Proven t"rou'" t"e testi#on& o eit"er:
a. T"e )erson4s -"o e,ecuted it3
%. Person %eore -"o# its e,ecution as
ac;no-led'ed3 or
c. An& )erson -"o -as )resent and sa- it e,ecuted
and delivered or -"o t"ereater sa- it and
reco'niFed t"e si'natures$ or one to -"o# t"e
)arties t"ereto "ad )reviousl& conessed t"e
e,ecution t"ereo
2. Loss$ destruction$ or unavaila%ilit& o all suc" ori'inals
T"is #a& %e )roved %& an&one -"o$ in t"e (ud'#ent o
t"e court$ "ad #ade a suicient e,a#ination in t"e
)laces -"ere t"e docu#ent or )a)ers o si#ilar
c"aracter are usuall& ;e)t %& t"e )erson in -"ose
custod& t"e docu#ent -as and "as %een una%le to ind
it$ or -"o "as #ade an& ot"er investi'ation suicient to
satis& t"e court t"at t"e docu#ent is indeed lost.
Intentional destruction o t"e ori'inals %& a )art& -"o$
"o-ever$ "ad acted in 'ood ait" doesnMt )reclude "is
introduction o secondar& evidence o t"e contents
t"ereo.
?. Reasona%le dili'ence and 'ood ait" in t"e searc" or or
atte#)t to )roduce t"e ori'inal
B"en t"e ori'inal is outside t"e courtMs (urisdiction$
secondar& evidence is ad#issi%le. *PN. v. Olila+
B"ere t"e la- s)eciicall& )rovides or t"e class and 1uantu#
o secondar& evidence to esta%lis" t"e contents o a
docu#ent$ or %ars secondar& evidence o a lost docu#ent$
suc" re1uire#ent is controllin'.
Reconstitution o docu#ents %& t"e court t"rou'" secondar&
evidence is 'overned %& Act No. ?11A.
RIANO:
<nder R1?A.5$ secondar& evidence #a& %e ad#itted onl& %&
la&in' t"e %asis or its )roduction. T"is re1uires co#)liance
-4 t"e .:
1. Oeror #ust )rove t"e e,ecution and e,istence o t"e
ori'inal docu#ent
2. Oeror #ust s"o- t"e cause o its unavaila%ilit&
?. Oeror #ust s"o- t"at t"e unavaila%ilit& -as not due to
"is %ad ait".
.urden o )roo in esta%lis"in' loss or destruction o t"e
ori'inal is on t"e )ro)onent o t"e secondar& evidence.
Sec. L. B"en ori'inal docu#ent is in adverse )art&Ss custod&
or control. ! I t"e docu#ent is in t"e custod& or under t"e
control o adverse )art&$ "e #ust "ave reasona%le notice to
)roduce it. I ater suc" notice and ater satisactor& )roo o
its e,istence$ "e ails to )roduce t"e docu#ent$ secondar&
evidence #a& %e )resented as in t"e case o its loss. *5a+
Sec. 8. Part& -"o calls or docu#ent not %ound to oer it. !
A )art& -"o calls or t"e )roduction o a docu#ent and
ins)ects t"e sa#e is not o%li'ed to oer it as evidence. *La+
18
No )articular or# o notice is re1uired$ as lon' as it airl&
a))rises t"e ot"er )art& as to -"at )a)ers are desired. Even
an oral de#and in o)en court or suc" )roduction at a
reasona%le ti#e t"ereater -ill suice. Suc" notice #ust$
"o-ever$ %e 'iven to t"e adverse )art&$ or "is attorne&$ even
i t"e docu#ent is in t"e actual )ossession o a t"ird )erson.
B"ere recei)t o t"e ori'inal o a letter is ac;no-led'ed on a
car%on co)& t"ereo$ t"ereMs no need or a notice to t"e ot"er
)art& to )roduce t"e ori'inal o t"e letter. *P"il Read&>Ki,
8oncrete 8o. v. Villacorta+ Note t"at t"e du)licate co)&$ i
co#)lete$ is itsel an ori'inal co)& and t"e onl& )oint in issue
is t"e recei)t o t"e %asic ori'inal co)& t"ereo.
T"e adverse )art&Ms (ustiied reusal or ailure to )roduce t"e
docu#ent doesnMt 'ive rise to t"e )resu#)tion o
su))ression o evidence$ or create an unavora%le inerence$
a'ainst "i#. It onl& aut"oriFes t"e introduction o secondar&
evidence.
B"ere suc" docu#ent is )roduced$ t"at docu#ent is not
necessaril& ad#issi%le in evidence$ <NLESS t"e re1uisites or
ad#issi%ilit& are )resent.
Rule o )roduction o
docu#ents under R1?A
Rule o )roduction o
docu#ents under R2N
Procured %& #ere notice to
t"e adverse )art& 0 re1Mts or
suc" notice #ust %e
co#)lied -4 as condition
)recedent or su%se1uent
introduction o secondar&
evidence %& t"e )ro)onent
> Presu))oses t"at
t"e doc to %e )roduced
is intended as evidence
or t"e )ro)onent -"o
is )resu#ed to "ave
;no-led'e o its
contents$ secondar&
evidence t"ereo %ein'
availa%le in case o its
non>)roduction
Situation: docu#ent is eit"er
assu#ed to %e avora%le to
t"e )art& in )ossession
t"ereo or t"at t"e )art&
see;in' its )roduction is not
suicientl& inor#ed o t"e
contents o t"e sa#e
> Production o suc"
doc is in t"e nature o a
#ode o discover& and
can %e sou'"t onl& %&
)ro)er #otion in T8$
%ut is )er#itted onl&
u)on 'ood cause
s"o-n
Re1uisites or .ER e,ce)tion ? *nu#erous accounts4docs+ to
a))l&
1. Volu#inous c"aracter o t"e records #ust %e
esta%lis"ed
2. Suc" records #ust %e #ade accessi%le to t"e adverse
)art& so t"at t"eir correctness #a& %e tested on cross>
e,a#ination
Sec. N. Evidence ad#issi%le -"en ori'inal docu#ent is a
)u%lic record. ! B"en t"e ori'inal o docu#ent is in t"e
custod& o )u%lic oicer or is recorded in a )u%lic oice$ its
contents #a& %e )roved %& a certiied co)& issued %& t"e
)u%lic oicer in custod& t"ereo. *2a+
T"is section co#)le#ents e,ce)tion @ to .ER. .& s)eciic
)rovision o R1?2$ suc" docu#ent #a& %e evidenced %& an
oicial )u%lication t"ereo or %& a co)& attested %& t"e oicer
"avin' t"e le'al custod& o t"e record */2@+$ and in t"e case
o an aut"oriFed )u%lic record o a )rivate -ritin'$ t"e sa#e
#a& also %e )roved %& a co)& t"ereo attested %& t"e le'al
;ee)er o t"e record */2N+.
8ases:
VIA . IE 8ORP<S V . .RA.ANG8O *1JL?+
ItMs not necessar&$ in order to ad#it evidence o t"e contents
o lost instru#ent$ t"at t"e -itnesses s"ould %e a%le to testi&
-it" ver%al accurac& to its contents3 it is suicient i t"e& are
a%le to state it in su%stance. ItMs enou'" i intelli'ent -itnesses
"ave read t"e )a)er and state su%stantiall& its contents and
i#)ort -it" reasona%le accurac&.
To insist on co#)lete ver%al accurac& -ould %e in eect
to )ro"i%it entirel& t"e )roo o lost docu#ents %&
recollection.
VILLA REC TRANSIT $ IN8 . V . 2ERRER *1JL8+
Re1uisites or ad#issi%ilit& o secondar& evidence -"en t"e
ori'inal is in t"e custod& o t"e adverse )art&:
1. O))onentMs )ossession o t"e ori'inal
It is enou'" t"at t"e circu#stances are suc" as to
indicate t"at t"e -ritin' is in "is )ossession or under
"is control
2. Reasona%le notice to o))onent to )roduce t"e ori'inal
ItMs not re1uired t"at t"e )art& entitled to custod& o
t"e instru#ent s"ould$ on %ein' notiied to )roduce
it$ ad#it "avin' it in "is )ossession.
Secondar& evidence is ad#issi%le -"ere "e denies
"avin' it in "is )ossession. T"e )art& callin' or suc"
evidence #a& introduce a co)& t"ereo as in t"e
case o loss.
?. Satisactor& )roo o its e,istence
@. 2ailure or reusal o o))onent to )roduce t"e ori'inal in
court
8OKPANIA KARITIKA V . A2B< *1JNN+
Ori'inal -ritin's #ust %e )roduced EE8EPT -"en ori'inal
consists o nu#erous accounts or docu#ents -"ic" cannot
%e e,a#ined in court -it"out 'reat loss o ti#e and t"e act
sou'"t to %e esta%lis"ed ro# t"e# is onl& t"e 'eneral result
o t"e -"ole. Volu#inous c"aracter o t"e records s"ould %e
esta%lis"ed. T"e records s"ould also %e #ade accessi%le to
adverse )art& so t"at t"e correctness o t"e su##ar& #a& %e
tested on cross>e,a#ination.
IE VERA V . AG<ILAR *1JJ?+
Secondar& evidence is ad#issi%le -"en t"e ori'inal
docu#ents -ere actuall& lost or destro&ed. Prior to
introduction o suc" secondar& evidence$ t"e )ro)onent
#ust esta%lis" t"e or#er e,istence o t"e instru#ent.
8orrect order o )roo: e,istence$ e,ecution$ loss$
contents.
T"e destruction o t"e instru#ent #a& %e )roved %& an&
)erson ;no-in' t"e acts.
All ori'inals *du)licates or counter)arts+ #ust %e accounted
or %eore usin' co)ies.
No e,cuse or non>)roduction o t"e -ritin' itsel can %e
re'arded as esta%lis"ed until a))ears t"at all o its )arts
are unavaila%le.
8ITI.ANR N .A . KASTER8ARI V . TEOIORO *2AA?+
.eore a )art& is allo-ed to adduce secondar& evidence
to )rove t"e contents o t"e ori'inal$ t"e oeror #ust
)rove t"e :
1. e,istence or due e,ecution o t"e ori'inal3
2. loss and destruction o t"e ori'inal or t"e reason or
its non>)roduction in court3 and
19
?. on t"e oerorMs )art$ t"e a%sence o %ad ait" to
-"ic" t"e unavaila%ilit& o t"e ori'inal can %e
attri%uted.
8orrect order o )roo: e,istence$ e,ecution$ loss$
contents. At t"e sound discretion o t"e court$ t"is order
#a& %e c"an'ed i necessar&.
B"en #ore t"an one ori'inal co)& e,ists$ it #ust a))ear
t"at all o t"e# "ave %een lost$ destro&ed$ or cannot %e
)roduced in court %eore secondar& evidence can %e
'iven o an& one. A )"otoco)& #a& not %e used
-it"out accountin' or t"e ot"er ori'inals.
TENE.RO V . 8A *2AA@+
T"ere is a%solutel& no re1uire#ent in t"e la- t"at a #arria'e
contract needs to %e su%#itted to t"e civil re'istrar as a
condition )recedent or t"e validit& o a #arria'e. T"e #ere
act t"at no record o a #arria'e e,ists does not invalidate t"e
#arria'e$ )rovided all t"e re1uisites or its validit& are )resent.
Iocu#entar& evidence as to t"e a%sence o a record is 1uite
dierent ro# docu#entar& evidence as to t"e a%sence o a
#arria'e cere#on&$ or docu#entar& evidence as to t"e
invalidit& o a #arria'e.
.PI V . 8ASA KONTESSORI INTERNATIONALE *2AA@+
2or'er& cannot %e )resu#ed. It #ust %e esta%lis"ed %& clear$
)ositive and convincin' evidence. <nder t"e .ER as a))lied
to docu#entar& evidence li;e t"e c"ec;s in 1uestion$ no
secondar& or su%stitutionar& evidence #a& ince)tivel& %e
introduced$ as t"e ori'inal -ritin' itsel #ust %e )roduced in
court. .ut -"en$ -4o %ad ait" on t"e oerorMs )art$ t"e
ori'inal c"ec;s "ave alread& %een destro&ed or cannot %e
)roduced in court$ secondar& evidence #a& %e )roduced.
Even BRT docu#entar& evidence$ t"e .ER a))lies onl& -"en
t"e contents o a docu#ent 0 suc" as t"e dra-erMs si'nature
on a c"ec; 0 is t"e su%(ect o in1uir&.
LEE V . PEOPLE *2AA@+
T"e i#)ortance o t"e )recise ter#s o -ritin's in t"e -orld
o le'al relations$ t"e alli%ilit& o t"e "u#an #e#or& as
relia%le evidence o t"e ter#s$ and t"e "aFards o inaccurate
or inco#)lete du)licate are t"e concerns addressed %& t"e
.ER. T"e rule does not a))l& to )roo o acts collateral to t"e
issues
8ONSOLIIATEI .ANR V . IEL KONTE KOTOR BORRS
T"e onl& actual rule t"e Y%est evidenceM )"rase denotes toda&
is t"e rule re1uirin' t"e )roduction o t"e ori'inal -ritin'.
*Kc8or#ic;+ In li'"t o t"e dan'ers o #istrans#ission$
acco#)an&in' t"e use o -ritten co)ies or o recollection$
lar'el& avoided t"rou'" )rovin' t"e ter#s %& )resentin' t"e
-ritin' itsel$ t"e )reerence or t"e ori'inal -ritin' is (ustiied.
2. Parol Evidence Rule *R1?A.J+
Sec. J. Evidence o -ritten a'ree#ents. ! B"en t"e ter#s o
an a'ree#ent "ave %een reduced to -ritin'$ it is considered
as containin' all t"e ter#s a'reed u)on and t"ere can %e$
%et-een t"e )arties and t"eir successors in interest$ no
evidence o suc" ter#s ot"er t"an t"e contents o t"e -ritten
a'ree#ent.
:o-ever$ a )art& #a& )resent evidence to #odi&$ e,)lain or
add to t"e ter#s o -ritten a'ree#ent i "e )uts in issue in "is
)leadin':
*a+ An intrinsic a#%i'uit&$ #ista;e or i#)erection in t"e
-ritten a'ree#ent3
*%+ T"e ailure o t"e -ritten a'ree#ent to e,)ress t"e true
intent and a'ree#ent o t"e )arties t"ereto3
*c+ T"e validit& o t"e -ritten a'ree#ent3 or
*d+ T"e e,istence o ot"er ter#s a'reed to %& t"e )arties or
t"eir successors in interest ater t"e e,ecution o t"e
-ritten a'ree#ent.
T"e ter# Ua'ree#entU includes -ills. *Na+
PER is %ased u)on t"e consideration t"at -"en t"e )arties
"ave reduced t"eir a'ree#ent on a )articular #atter into
-ritin'$ all t"eir )revious and conte#)oraneous a'ree#ents
on t"e #atter are #er'ed t"erein. *Ie GuF#an v. 8al#a+
Parol evidence : an& evidence aliunde$ -"et"er oral or
-ritten$ -"ic" is intended or tends to var& or contradict a
co#)lete and enorcea%le a'ree#ent e#%odied in a
docu#ent
PER doesnMt a))l&$ and #a& not )ro)erl& %e invo;ed %& eit"er
)art& to t"e liti'ation a'ainst t"e ot"er$ -"ere at least one
)art& to t"e suit is not a )art& or )riv& o a )art& to t"e -ritten
instru#ent in 1uestion and doesnMt %ase a clai# or assert a
ri'"t ori'inatin' in t"e instru#ent o t"e relation esta%lis"ed
t"ere%&. T"us$ i one o t"e )arties to t"e case is a co#)lete
stran'er to t"e contract involved t"erein$ "eMs not %ound %&
t"is rule and can introduce e,trinsic evidence a'ainst t"e
eicac& o t"e -ritin'. *Lec"u'as v. 8A+
Parol evidence rule .est evidence rule
Pro"i%its t"e var&in' o t"e
ter#s o a -ritten a'ree#ent
Pro"i%its introduction o
su%stitutionar& evidence in
lieu o t"e ori'inal doc$
re'ardless o B4N it varies
t"e contents o t"e ori'inal
A))lies onl& to docu#ents
contractual in nature
E,ce)tion: -ills
A))lies to all ;inds o -ritin's
Invo;ed onl& -"en t"e
controvers& is %et-een t"e
)arties to t"e -ritten
a'ree#ent$ t"eir )rivies$ or
an& )art& directl& aected
t"ere%& *e.'. cestui 1ue trust+
Invo;ed %& an& )art to an
action re'ardless o B4N
suc" )art& "as )artici)ated in
t"e -ritin' involved
2or t"e )arol evidence to %e ad#issi%le$ t"e #ista;e or
i#)erection o t"e docu#ent$ or its ailure to e,)ress t"e true
intent and a'ree#ent o t"e )arties$ or t"e validit& o t"e
a'ree#ent #ust %e )ut in issue %& t"e )leadin's.
An intrinsic a#%i'uit& in t"e -ritten a'ree#ent is no-
re1uired to %e )ut in issue in t"e )leadin' in order t"at
)arol evidence t"erein #a& %e ad#itted.
Kista;e under t"e irst e,ce)tion reers to a #ista;e o act
-"ic" is #utual to t"e )arties$ or -"ere t"e innocent )art&
-as i#)osed u)on %& unair dealin' o t"e ot"er.
I#)erection includes an inaccurate state#ent in t"e
a'ree#ent$ or inco#)leteness in t"e -ritin'$ or t"e )resence
o inconsistent )rovisions t"erein.
T"ere is latent a#%i'uit& -"en t"e -ritin' on its ace
a))ears clear and una#%i'uous %ut t"ere are collateral
#atters or circu#stances -"ic" #a;e t"e #eanin'
uncertain$ or -"ere a -ritin' ad#its o 2 constructions
%ot" o -"ic" are in "ar#on& -4 t"e lan'ua'e used.
*I'nacio v. Re#enteria+
20
Patent or e,trinsic a#%i'uit& is suc" a#%i'uit& -"ic" is
a))arent on t"e ace o t"e -ritin' itsel and re1uires
so#et"in' to %e added in order to ascertain t"e
#eanin' o t"e -ords used.
Pur)ose o second e,ce)tion: to ena%le t"e court to ascertain
t"e true intention o t"e )arties or t"e true nature o t"e
transaction %et-een t"e )arties. <nder t"e t"ird e,ce)tion
-"ic" in eect aut"oriFes an in1uir& into t"e validit& o t"e
a'ree#ent$ PE #a& %e ad#itted to s"o- t"e true
consideration o a contract *88 1?5@+$ or t"e -ant or ille'alit&
t"ereo$ or t"e inca)acit& o t"e )arties$ or t"e act t"at t"e
contract -as ictitious or a%solutel& si#ulated$ or t"at t"ere
-as raud in t"e induce#ent.
No e,)ress trust concernin' an i##ova%le or an& interest
t"erein #a& %e )roved %& )arol evidence. *88 1@@?+
Reor#ation o a contract$ as a relie$ is re'ulated %& 88 1?5J>
1?L8.
Related )rovisions
a. E,)ress trusts on i##ova%les *88 1@@?+
Art. 1@@?. No e,)ress trusts concernin' an i##ova%le or an&
interest t"erein #a& %e )roved %& )arol evidence.
%. Statute o 2rauds *88 1@A?$ 1@A5+
Art. 1@A?. T"e ollo-in' contracts are unenorcea%le$ unless
t"e& are ratiied:
*1+ T"ose entered into in t"e na#e o anot"er )erson %&
one -"o "as %een 'iven no aut"orit& or le'al
re)resentation$ or -"o "as acted %e&ond "is )o-ers3
*2+ T"ose t"at do not co#)l& -it" t"e Statute o 2rauds as
set ort" in t"is nu#%er. In t"e ollo-in' cases an
a'ree#ent "ereater #ade s"all %e unenorcea%le %&
action$ unless t"e sa#e$ or so#e note or #e#orandu#$
t"ereo$ %e in -ritin'$ and su%scri%ed %& t"e )art&
c"ar'ed$ or %& "is a'ent3 evidence$ t"ereore$ o t"e
a'ree#ent cannot %e received -it"out t"e -ritin'$ or a
secondar& evidence o its contents:
*a+ An a'ree#ent t"at %& its ter#s is not to %e
)eror#ed -it"in a &ear ro# t"e #a;in' t"ereo3
*%+ A s)ecial )ro#ise to ans-er or t"e de%t$ deault$ or
#iscarria'e o anot"er3
*c+ An a'ree#ent #ade in consideration o #arria'e$
ot"er t"an a #utual )ro#ise to #arr&3
*d+ An a'ree#ent or t"e sale o 'oods$ c"attels or
t"in's in action$ at a )rice not less t"an ive
"undred )esos$ unless t"e %u&er acce)t and receive
)art o suc" 'oods and c"attels$ or t"e evidences$
or so#e o t"e#$ o suc" t"in's in action or )a& at
t"e ti#e so#e )art o t"e )urc"ase #one&3 %ut
-"en a sale is #ade %& auction and entr& is #ade
%& t"e auctioneer in "is sales %oo;$ at t"e ti#e o
t"e sale$ o t"e a#ount and ;ind o )ro)ert& sold$
ter#s o sale$ )rice$ na#es o t"e )urc"asers and
)erson on -"ose account t"e sale is #ade$ it is a
suicient #e#orandu#3
*e+ An a'ree#ent o t"e leasin' or a lon'er )eriod
t"an one &ear$ or or t"e sale o real )ro)ert& or o
an interest t"erein3
*+ A re)resentation as to t"e credit o a t"ird )erson.
*?+ T"ose -"ere %ot" )arties are inca)a%le o 'ivin'
consent to a contract.
Art. 1@A5. 8ontracts inrin'in' t"e Statute o 2rauds$ reerred
to in No. 2 o Article 1@A?$ are ratiied %& t"e ailure to o%(ect
to t"e )resentation o oral evidence to )rove t"e sa#e$ or %&
t"e acce)tance o %eneit under t"e#.
8ases
KA<LINI V . SERRANO *1J1@+
T"e )ro"i%ition a'ainst t"e introduction o )arol evidenceT
-as desi'ned to )revent alteration$ c"an'e$ #odiication$
variation or contraction o t"e ter#s o a -ritten instru#ent
ad#ittedl& e,istin' EE8EPT in cases s)eciicall& na#ed
t"erein.
T"e )ro"i%ition does not a))l& -"ere t"e )ur)ose o t"e
)arol evidence is to s"o-:
T"at no -ritten contract ever e,isted$
T"at t"e #inds o t"e )arties never #et on t"e ter#s o
suc" a contract$
T"at t"e& never #utuall& a'reed to enter into suc" a
contract$ and
T"at t"ere never e,isted an& consideration u)on -"ic"
suc" an a'ree#ent could %e ounded.
PALAN8A V . 2REI BILSON 9 8O . *1J18+
T"e introduction o evidence to e,)lain circu#stances under
-"ic" an a'ree#ent -as #ade is )er#itted -"en it is
necessar& to e,)lain intrinsic a#%i'uit&.
Britten a'ree#ent )resu#ed to contain all t"e ter#s$
nevert"eless does not e,clude ot"er evidence o t"e
circu#stances under -"ic" t"e a'ree#ent -as #ade$
or to -"ic" it relates$ or to e,)lain an intrinsic a#%i'uit&.
RO.LES V . LIQARRAGA :ERKANOS *1J2N+
T"e rule e,cludin' )arol evidence to var& or contradict a
-ritin' does not e,tend so ar as to )reclude t"e ad#ission o
e,trinsic evidence to s"o- )rior or conte#)oraneous
collateral )arol a'ree#ents %et-een t"e )arties$ %ut suc"
evidence #a& %e received$ re'ardless o B4N t"e -ritten
a'ree#ent contains reerence to suc" collateral a'ree#ent.
BOOI:O<SE V . :ALILI *1J5?+
PlaintiMs act or state#ent -as sou'"t to %e introduced to
)rove t"e re)resentations or induce#ents$ or raud$ -4
-"ic" or %& -"ic" "e secured t"e ot"er )art&Ms consent
t"ereto. T"ese are e,)ressl& e,cluded ro# t"e PER.
B"ere )arties )ro"i%ited ro# )rovin' said
re)resentations or induce#ents$ on t"e 'round t"at t"e
a'ree#ent "ad alread& %een entered into$ it -ould %e
i#)ossi%le to )rove #isre)resentation or raud.
T"e PER e,)ressl& allo-s t"e evidence to %e introduced
-"en t"e validit& o an instru#ent is )ut in issue %& t"e
)leadin's.
LANI SETTLEKENT IEVT . V . GAR8IA PLANTATION 8O .$ IN8 .
B"en t"e o)eration o t"e contract is #ade to de)end u)on
t"e occurrence o an event$ -"ic"$ or t"at reason is a
condition )recedent$ suc" #a& %e esta%lis"ed %& )arol
evidence.
PNR V . 82I O2 AL.AC *1JN8+
B"ere t"ere is no alle'ation in t"e co#)laint t"at t"ere -as
an& #ista;e or i#)erection in t"e -ritten a'ree#ent or t"at
it ailed to e,)ress t"e true intent o t"e )arties$ )arol evidence
is inad#issi%le to var& t"e ter#s o t"e a'ree#ent.
21
:o-ever$ i t"e deendant set u) t"e air#ative deense
t"at t"e contract #entioned in t"e co#)laint does not
e,)ress t"e true a'ree#ent o t"e )arties$ t"en )arol
evidence is ad#issi%le to )rove t"e true a'ree#ent o
t"e )arties.
LE8:<GAS V . 8A *1J8L+
T"e PER does not a))l&$ and #a& not )ro)erl& %e invo;ed %&
eit"er )art& to t"e liti'ation a'ainst t"e ot"er$ -"ere at least
one o t"e )arties to t"e suit is not )art& or a )riv& o a )art&
to t"e -ritten instru#ent in 1uestion and does not %ase a
clai# on t"e instru#ent or assert a ri'"t ori'inatin' in t"e
instru#ent or t"e relation esta%lis"ed t"ere%&.
PER not a))lica%le -"ere t"e controvers& is %et-een
one o t"e )arties to t"e docu#ent and t"ird )ersons
T"us$ i one o t"e )arties to t"e case is a co#)lete
stran'er to t"e contract involved t"erein$ "eMs not %ound
%& t"is rule and can introduce e,trinsic evidence a'ainst
t"e eicac& o t"e -ritin'.
IN8IONG $ PR . V . 8A *1JJL+
T"e PER does not s)eci& t"at t"e -ritten a'ree#ent %e a
)u%lic docu#ent.
LAP<LAP< 2O<NIATION $ IN8 . V . 8A *2AA@+
B"ile )arol evidence is ad#issi%le to e,)lain t"e #eanin' o
-ritten contracts$ it cannot serve t"e )ur)ose o
incor)oratin' into t"e contract additional conte#)oraneous
conditions -"ic" are not #entioned at all in -ritin'$ unless
t"ere "as %een raud or #ista;e. No suc" alle'ation "ad
%een #ade %& )etitioners in t"is case.
.AL<COT V . PO.LETE *2AAN+
B"en t"e ter#s o an a'ree#ent are reduced to -ritin'$ it is
dee#ed to contain all t"e ter#s a'reed u)on and no
evidence o suc" ter#s can %e ad#itted ot"er t"an t"e
contents o t"e a'ree#ent itsel.
Inter)retation o Iocu#ents Znot in outline[
Sec. 1A. Inter)retation o a -ritin' accordin' to its le'al
#eanin'. ! T"e lan'ua'e o a -ritin' is to %e inter)reted
accordin' to t"e le'al #eanin' it %ears in t"e )lace o its
e,ecution$ unless t"e )arties intended ot"er-ise. *8+
Sec. 11. Instru#ent construed so as to 'ive eect to all
)rovisions. ! In t"e construction o an instru#ent$ -"ere
t"ere are several )rovisions or )articulars$ suc" a construction
is$ i )ossi%le$ to %e ado)ted as -ill 'ive eect to all. *J+
Sec. 12. Inter)retation accordin' to intention3 'eneral and
)articular )rovisions. ! In t"e construction o an instru#ent$
t"e intention o t"e )arties is to %e )ursued3 and -"en a
'eneral and a )articular )rovision are inconsistent$ t"e latter is
)ara#ount to t"e or#er. So a )articular intent -ill control a
'eneral one t"at is inconsistent -it" it. *1A+
Sec. 1?. Inter)retation accordin' to circu#stances. ! 2or t"e
)ro)er construction o an instru#ent$ t"e circu#stances
under -"ic" it -as #ade$ includin' t"e situation o t"e
su%(ect t"ereo and o t"e )arties to it$ #a& %e s"o-n$ so t"at
t"e (ud'e #a& %e )laced in t"e )osition o t"ose -"o
lan'ua'e "e is to inter)ret. *11+
Sec. 1@. Peculiar si'niication o ter#s. ! T"e ter#s o a
-ritin' are )resu#ed to "ave %een used in t"eir )ri#ar& and
'eneral acce)tation$ %ut evidence is ad#issi%le to s"o- t"at
t"e& "ave a local$ tec"nical$ or ot"er-ise )eculiar
si'niication$ and -ere so used and understood in t"e
)articular instance$ in -"ic" case t"e a'ree#ent #ust %e
construed accordin'l&. *12+
Sec. 15. Britten -ords control )rinted. ! B"en an
instru#ent consists )artl& o -ritten -ords and )artl& o a
)rinted or#$ and t"e t-o are inconsistent$ t"e or#er
controls t"e latter. *1?+
Sec. 1L. E,)erts and inter)reters to %e used in e,)lainin'
certain -ritin's. ! B"en t"e c"aracters in -"ic" an
instru#ent is -ritten are diicult to %e deci)"ered$ or t"e
lan'ua'e is not understood %& t"e court$ t"e evidence o
)ersons s;illed in deci)"erin' t"e c"aracters$ or -"o
understand t"e lan'ua'e$ is ad#issi%le to declare t"e
c"aracters or t"e #eanin' o t"e lan'ua'e. *1@+
Sec. 1N. O T-o constructions$ -"ic" )reerred. ! B"en t"e
ter#s o an a'ree#ent "ave %een intended in a dierent
sense %& t"e dierent )arties to it$ t"at sense is to )revail
a'ainst eit"er )art& in -"ic" "e su))osed t"e ot"er
understood it$ and -"en dierent constructions o a )rovision
are ot"er-ise e1uall& )ro)er$ t"at is to %e ta;en -"ic" is t"e
#ost avora%le to t"e )art& in -"ose avor t"e )rovision -as
#ade. *15+
Sec. 18. 8onstruction in avor o natural ri'"t. ! B"en an
instru#ent is e1uall& susce)ti%le o t-o inter)retations$ one in
avor o natural ri'"t and t"e ot"er a'ainst it$ t"e or#er is to
%e ado)ted. *1L+
Sec. 1J. Inter)retation accordin' to usa'e. ! An instru#ent
#a& %e construed accordin' to usa'e$ in order to deter#ine
its true c"aracter. *1N+
Rules or inter)retation o contracts are )rovided %& 88 1?NA>
1?NJ. 2or t"e rules on inter)retation or construction o -ills$
see 88 N88>NJ@.
8. Testi#onial Evidence
1. Dualiication o Bitnesses *R1?A.2A+
Sec. 2A. Bitnesses3 t"eir 1ualiications. ! E,ce)t as )rovided in
t"e ne,t succeedin' section$ all )ersons -"o can )erceive$
and )erceivin'$ can #a;e t"eir ;no-n )erce)tion to ot"ers$
#a& %e -itnesses.
Reli'ious or )olitical %elie$ interest in t"e outco#e o t"e case$
or conviction o a cri#e unless ot"er-ise )rovided %& la-$
s"all not %e 'round or dis1ualiication. *18a+
GEN R<LE: all )ersons -"o can )erceive$ and )erceivin'$ can
#a;e ;no-n t"eir )erce)tion to ot"ers$ #a& %e -itnesses
RIANO:
Testi#onial or oral evidence : Evidence elicited ro# t"e
#out" o t"e -itness as distin'uis"ed ro# real and
docu#entar& evidence
8o#)etence o a -itness reers to "is )ersonal 1ualiications
to testi&. It also includes t"e a%sence o an& actor t"at -ould
dis1uali& "i# ro# %ein' a -itness.
T"e ad#ission o an& evidence re1uires its identiication.
Identiication )recedes aut"entication. Bit"out a
-itness$ no evidence can ever %e aut"enticated.
22
Presu#)tion in avor o co#)etence o -itness
GEN R<LE: a )erson -"o ta;es t"e stand as a -itness is
)resu#ed to %e a%le to testi&.
A )art& -"o desires to 1uestion t"e co#)etence o a
-itness #ust do so %& #a;in' an o%(ection as soon as
t"e acts tendin' to s"o- inco#)etenc& are a))arent.
.asic 1ualiications o a -itness
1. :e can )erceive3 and in )erceivin'
T"e -itness #ust "ave )ersonal ;no-led'e o t"e
acts surroundin' t"e su%(ect #atter o "is
testi#on&
2. :e can #a;e ;no-n "is )erce)tion to ot"ers.
Involves 2 actors:
a. T"e a%ilit& to re#e#%er -"at "as %een
)erceived3 and
%. T"e a%ilit& to co##unicate t"e re#e#%ered
)erce)tion
B"en dea>#utes are co#)etent as -itnesses:
a. 8an understand and a))reciate t"e sanctit& o
an oat"3
%. 8an co#)re"end acts t"e& are 'oin' to testi&
to3 and
c. 8an co##unicate t"eir ideas t"rou'" a
1ualiied inter)reter
Add t"e ollo-in':
1. :e #ust ta;e eit"er an oat" or an air#ation
R1?2$ /1 re1uires t"at t"e e,a#ination o a -itness
in a trial or "earin' s"all %e done ,,, under oat" or
air#ation
2. :e #ust not )ossess t"e dis1ualiications i#)osed %& la-
or t"e rules
8redi%ilit& o a -itness reers to t"e -ei'"t and t"e
trust-ort"iness or relia%ilit& o t"e testi#on&.
A )revaricatin' -itness or one -"o "as 'iven
contradictin' testi#on& is still a co#)etent -itness. :e
#a& %e co#)etent$ %ut "is testi#on& #a& not %e 'iven
#uc" -ei'"t %& t"e court or no -ei'"t at all i t"e court
dee#s "i# not -ort"& o %elie.
Iru' a%use -ill not render a )erson inco#)etent to
testi&. It %eco#es relevant onl& i t"e -itness -as under
t"e inluence o dru's at t"e ti#e "e is testi&in' or at t"e
ti#e t"e events in 1uestion -ere o%served. T"is #a&
serve as 'round or attac;in' t"e credi%ilit& o t"e
-itness.
Duestions concernin' t"e credi%ilit& o a -itness are %est
addressed to t"e sound discretion o t"e trial court.
Related )rovisions
a. 88 821
Art. 821. T"e ollo-in' are dis1ualiied ro# %ein' -itnesses
to a -ill:
*1+ An& )erson not do#iciled in t"e P"ili))ines3
*2+ T"ose -"o "ave %een convicted o alsiication o a
docu#ent$ )er(ur& or alse testi#on&. *n+
%. /1N$ R11J$ Ro8
Sec. 1N. Iisc"ar'e o accused to %e state -itness. ! B"en
t-o or #ore )ersons are (ointl& c"ar'ed -it" t"e co##ission
o an& oense$ u)on #otion o t"e )rosecution %eore restin'
its case$ t"e court #a& direct one or #ore o t"e accused to
%e disc"ar'ed -it" t"eir consent so t"at t"e& #a& %e
-itnesses or t"e state -"en$ ater re1uirin' t"e )rosecution
to )resent evidence and t"e s-orn state#ent o eac"
)ro)osed state -itness at a "earin' in su))ort o t"e
disc"ar'e$ t"e court is satisied t"at:
*a+ T"ere is a%solute necessit& or t"e testi#on& o t"e
accused -"ose disc"ar'e is re1uested3
*%+ T"e is no ot"er direct evidence availa%le or t"e )ro)er
)rosecution o t"e oense co##itted$ e,ce)t t"e
testi#on& o said accused3
*c+ T"e testi#on& o said accused can %e su%stantiall&
corro%orated in its #aterial )oints3
*d+ Said accused does not a))ear to %e t"e #ost 'uilt&3 and
*e+ Said accused "as not at an& ti#e %een convicted o an&
oense involvin' #oral tur)itude.
8ase:
RE8TO V . REP<.LI8 *2AA@+
Re1uire#ents o a c"ildMs co#)etence as a -itness:
a. 8a)acit& o o%servation
%. 8a)acit& o recollection
c. 8a)acit& o co##unication
T"ere is no s"o-in' t"at as a c"ild$ clai#ant did not )ossess
t"e ore'oin' 1ualiications. ItMs not necessar& t"at a -itnessM
;no-led'e o t"e act to -"ic" "e testiies -as o%tained in
adult"ood.
2. Kental ca)acit& or i##aturit& */21$ R1?A+
Sec. 21. Iis1ualiication %& reason o #ental inca)acit& or
i##aturit&. ! T"e ollo-in' )ersons cannot %e -itnesses:
*a+ T"ose -"ose #ental condition$ at t"e ti#e o t"eir
)roduction or e,a#ination$ is suc" t"at t"e& are inca)a%le o
intelli'entl& #a;in' ;no-n t"eir )erce)tion to ot"ers3
*%+ 8"ildren -"ose #ental #aturit& is suc" as to render t"e#
inca)a%le o )erceivin' t"e acts res)ectin' -"ic" t"e& are
e,a#ined and o relatin' t"e# trut"ull&. *1Ja+
*Iis+1ualiications o -itnesses are deter#ined as o t"e ti#e
said -itnesses are )roduced or e,a#ination in court or at t"e
ta;in' o t"eir de)ositions.
BRT c"ildren o tender &ears$ itMs su%#itted t"at t"eir
co#)etence at t"e ti#e o t"e occurrence to %e testiied
to s"ould also %e ta;en into account$ es)eciall& i suc"
event too; )lace lon' %eore t"eir )roduction as
-itnesses.
T"e )"rase Gunsound #indH includes an& #ental a%erration$
-"et"er or'anic or unctional$ or induced %& dru's or
"&)nosis. Kental unsoundness o t"e -itness at t"e ti#e t"e
act to %e testiied to occurred aects onl& "is credi%ilit&.
Nevert"eless$ as lon' as t"e -itness can conve& ideas %&
-ords or si'ns and 'ive suicientl& intelli'ent ans-ers to
1uestions )ro)ounded$ s4"e is a co#)etent -itness even i
s4"e is ee%le>#inded$ a #ental retardate$ or a sc"iFo)"renic.
Iea>#utes are co#)etent -itnesses -"en t"e& can
understand and a))reciate t"e sanctit& o an oat"$ can
co#)re"end acts t"e&Mre 'oin' to testi& to and can
co##unicate t"eir ideas t"rou'" a 1ualiied inter)reter.
*Peo)le v. :a&a'+
8onsiderations o court in deter#inin' co#)etenc& o c"ild
-itness 0 "is4"er ca)acit&
1. At t"e ti#e t"e act to %e testiied to occurred suc" t"at
"e could receive correct i#)ressions t"ereo3
2. To co#)re"end t"e o%li'ation o an oat"3 and
23
?. To relate t"ose acts trul& at t"e ti#e "e is oered as a
-itness
NOTE: t"e court s"ould ta;e into account "is ca)acit& or
o%servation$ recollection$ and co##unication. *Re)u%lic v.
8A+
<nless a c"ildMs testi#on& is )unctured -4 serious
inconsistencies as to lead one to %elieve t"at "e -as
coac"ed$ i "e can )erceive and #a;e ;no-n "is )erce)tion$
"e is considered a co#)etent -itness. *Peo)le v. 8idro+
RIANO:
T"e #ental inca)acit& o t"e -itness at t"e ti#e o "is
)erce)tion o t"e events su%(ect o t"e testi#on& does not
aect "is co#)etenc& as lon' as "e is co#)etent at t"e ti#e
"e is )roduced or e,a#ination to #a;e ;no-n "is
)erce)tion to ot"ers.
:is inca)acit& at t"e ti#e o )erce)tion$ alt"ou'"
-it"out le'al eect on "is co#)etenc& to testi&$ -ould
concededl& "ave an adverse eect on "is credi%ilit&.
8ases:
PEOPLE V . IEA<NA *2AA2+
GEN R<LE: lunatics or )ersons aected -4 insanit& are
ad#issi%le as -itnesses$ i t"e& "ave suicient understandin'
to a))re"end t"e o%li'ation o an oat" and are ca)a%le o
'ivin' correct accounts o t"e #atters t"at t"e& "ave seen or
"eard BRT t"e 1uestions at issue.
PEOPLE V . KA8APAL $ PR . *2AA5+
Kental retardation )er se does not aect credi%ilit&. A
#entall& retarded )erson #a& %e a credi%le -itness. T"e
acce)tance o "is4"er testi#on& de)ends on t"e 1ualit& o
"is4"er )erce)tions and t"e #anner s4"e can #a;e t"e#
;no-n to t"e court.
PEOPLE V . SANTOS *2AAL+
Trend in )rocedural la- 0 'ive -ide latitude to courts in
e,ercisin' control over 1uestionin' o a c"ild -itness
8"ild -itnesses #a& testi& in narrative or# and leadin'
1uestions #a& %e allo-ed %& T8 in all sta'es o t"e
e,a#ination i t"e sa#e -ill urt"er t"e interest o (ustice.
?. Karital dis1ualiication *R1?A.22+
Sec. 22. Iis1ualiication %& reason o #arria'e. ! Iurin' t"eir
#arria'e$ neit"er t"e "us%and nor t"e -ie #a& testi& or or
a'ainst t"e ot"er -it"out t"e consent o t"e aected s)ouse$
e,ce)t in a civil case %& one a'ainst t"e ot"er$ or in a cri#inal
case or a cri#e co##itted %& one a'ainst t"e ot"er or t"e
latterSs direct descendants or ascendants. *2Aa+
In order t"at t"e #arital dis1ualiication rule -ill a))l&$ itMs
necessar& t"at: 1+ t"e #arria'e is valid and e,istin' as o t"e
ti#e o t"e oer o testi#on& *Arro&o v. AFur+$ and 2+ t"at t"e
ot"er s)ouse is a )art& to t"e action.
O%(ections to t"e co#)etenc& o t"e s)ouse )resented
to testi& a'ainst t"e ot"er #a& %e -aived as in t"e case
o ot"er -itnesses 'enerall&.
<nder R1?A.22$ t"e #arital ID in cri#inal cases is li#ited to
cri#es co##itted a'ainst t"e ot"er or t"e latterMs direct
descendant4ascendant.
RIANO:
T"is rule is %ased on societ&Ms intent to )reserve t"e #arria'e
relations and )ro#ote do#estic )eace. Pro"i%itin' a
testi#on& in avor o t"e s)ouse is intended to discoura'e t"e
co##ission o )er(ur&.
Karital ID rule under R1?A.22 or%ids t"e "us%and or -ie to
testi& or or a'ainst t"e ot"er -it"out t"e consent o t"e
aected s)ouse e,ce)t in t"ose cases aut"oriFed %& t"e rule.
T"e rule does not )ro"i%it a testi#on& or or a'ainst t"e ot"er
ater t"e #arria'e is dissolved.
I testi#on& or or a'ainst t"e ot"er s)ouse is oered durin'
t"e e,istence o t"e #arria'e$ it does not #atter i t"e acts
su%(ect o t"e testi#on& occurred or ca#e to t"e ;no-led'e
o t"e -itness>s)ouse %eore t"e #arria'e. T"e aected
s)ouse #a& still invo;e t"e rule %& o%(ectin' to t"e testi#on&
as lon' as t"e testi#on& is oered durin' t"e #arria'e.
Not"in' in t"e tenor o t"e rule allo-s a contrar& vie-.
T"e %eneit o t"e rule #a& %e -aived and it #a& %e -aived
i#)liedl& or e,)ressl&.
T"e testi#on& covered %& t"e #arital ID rule not onl&
consists o utterances %ut also t"e )roduction o docu#ents.
*State v. .ra#let+
EE8EPTIONS to t"e Karital ID Rule
A s)ouse #a& testi& or or a'ainst t"e ot"er even -it"out t"e
consent o t"e latter in t"e . instances:
1. In a civil case %& one a'ainst t"e ot"er3 or
2. In a cri#inal case or a cri#e co##itted %& one a'ainst
t"e ot"er$ or t"e latterMs direct descendants or
ascendants.
T"e rule t"at t"e in(ur& #ust a#ount to a )"&sical -ron'
u)on t"e )erson is too narro- ,,,. T"e %etter rule is t"at$
-"en an oense directl& attac;s or directl& and vitall& i#)airs
t"e con(u'al relations$ it co#es -it"in t"e e,ce)tion to t"e
statute. *OrdoWo v. Ia1ui'an$ 1uotin' 8ar'ill v. State+
B"ere t"e civil case is %et-een a s)ouse and t"e direct
descendants or ascendants o t"e ot"er$ t"e #arital ID rule
still a))lies.
8ases:
LEQAKA V . ROIRIG<EQ *1JL8+
B"ere t"e -ie is a co>deendant in a suit c"ar'in' "er and
"er "us%and -it" collusive raud$ s"e cannot %e called as an
adverse )art& -itness$ as t"is -ill violate t"e #arital ID rule.
ALVAREQ V . RAKIREQ *2AA5+
S)eciic reasons or t"e Karital ID Rule *s)ousal i##unit&+:
1. Identit& o interests %et-een "us%and and -ie
2. I one -ere to testi& or or a'ainst t"e ot"er$ t"ere is a
conse1uent dan'er o )er(ur&
?. Polic& o t"e la- = to 'uard t"e securit& and conidences
o )rivate lie$ even at t"e ris; o an occasional ailure o
(ustice$ and to )revent do#estic disunion and
un"a))iness
@. B"ere t"ere is -ant o do#estic tran1uilit& t"ere is
dan'er o )unis"in' one s)ouse t"rou'" t"e "ostile
testi#on& o t"e ot"er
NOTE: -"ere t"e #arital and do#estic relations are so
strained$ t"ese considerations no lon'er a))l&.
24
@. Iead KanMs Statute *R1?A.2?+
Sec. 2?. Iis1ualiication %& reason o deat" or insanit& o
adverse )art&. ! Parties or assi'nor o )arties to a case$ or
)ersons in -"ose %e"al a case is )rosecuted$ a'ainst an
e,ecutor or ad#inistrator or ot"er re)resentative o a
deceased )erson$ or a'ainst a )erson o unsound #ind$
u)on a clai# or de#and a'ainst t"e estate o suc" deceased
)erson or a'ainst suc" )erson o unsound #ind$ cannot
testi& as to an& #atter o act occurrin' %eore t"e deat" o
suc" deceased )erson or %eore suc" )erson %eca#e o
unsound #ind. *2Aa+
Survivors"i) ID Rule$ a.;.a. Iead KanMs Statute
8onstitutes onl& a )artial ID as t"e -itness is onl& )ro"i%ited
ro# testi&in' on t"e #atters t"erein s)eciied$ unli;e t"e
#arital ID rule -"ic" is a co#)lete and a%solute ID
Re1uisites or IKS to a))l&
1. Bitness oered or e,a#ination is a )art& )lainti$ or t"e
assi'nor o said )art&$ or a )erson in -"ose %e"al a
case is )rosecuted
Suc" )lainti #ust %e t"e real )art& in interest. As suc"$
t"e rule "as no a))lication to #ere -itnesses
2. T"e case is a'ainst t"e e,ecutor or ad#inistrator or ot"er
re)resentative o a )erson deceased or o unsound #ind
ItMs necessar& t"at t"e deendant is %ein' sued and
deends in suc" re)resentative ca)acit&$ and not in "is
individual ca)acit&. :o-ever$ even i t"e )ro)ert&
involved "as alread& %een (udiciall& ad(udicated to t"e
"eirs$ t"e& are still )rotected under t"is rule a'ainst suc"
)ro"i%ited testi#on& as t"e& are considered as t"e
re)resentatives o t"e deceased *GoWi v. 8A+
T"e rule a))lies re'ardless o -"et"er t"e deceased
died %eore or ater t"e suit a'ainst "i# is iled$
)rovided "eMs alread& dead at t"e ti#e t"e
testi#on& is sou'"t to %e 'iven *.a%ao v. PereF+
T"e )rotection o t"e rule -ould include t"e "eirs
o t"e deceased deendant -"o are su%stituted or
t"e latter under R?.1L$ and t"e 'uardians o
)ersons o unsound #ind -"o are sued in suc"
re)resentative ca)acit& under RJL.?.
?. T"e case is u)on a clai# or de#and a'ainst t"e estate o
suc" )erson -"o is deceased or o unsound #ind
T"e rule doesnMt a))l& -"ere itMs t"e ad#inistrator -"o
%rin's an action to recover )ro)ert& alle'edl& %elon'in'
to t"e estate *Ton'co v. VianFon+$ or t"e action is %& t"e
"eirs o a deceased )lainti -"o -ere su%stituted or t"e
latter *Ardina v. Ale(andro+
@. Testi#on& to %e 'iven is on a #atter o act occurrin'
%eore t"e deat" o suc" deceased )erson or %eore
suc" )erson %eca#e o unsound #ind
Includes an& #atter o act -4c %ears u)on a transaction
or co##unication %et-een t"e -itness and t"e
decedent even t"ou'" -it"out t"e )resence or
)artici)ation o t"e latter *Stuart v. Lord+
Pur)ose o IKS: discoura'e )er(ur& and )rotect t"e estate
ro# ictitious clai#s.
T"e )ro"i%ition does not a))l& -"ere t"e testi#on& is
oered to )rove a clai# less t"an -"at is esta%lis"ed
under a -ritten docu#ent *Icard v. Karasi'an+$ or is
intended to )rove a raudulent transaction o t"e
deceased *On' 8"ua v. 8arr+$ )rovided suc" raud is irst
esta%lis"ed %& evidence aliunde
B"en IKS dis1ualiication is -aived
I t"e deendant doesnMt ti#el& o%(ect to t"e ad#ission o
suc" evidence or testiies on t"e )ro"i%ited #atters *Asturias
v. 8A+ or cross>e,a#ines t"ereon *Ton'co v. VianFon+
RIANO:
T"e o%(ect o t"e rule is to 'uard a'ainst t"e te#)tation to
'ive alse testi#on& in re'ard to t"e transaction on t"e )art o
t"e survivin' )art& and t"ere%& )ut t"e )arties u)on e1ual
ter#s. *Tan v. 8A+
T"e rule -ill not a))l&:
B"ere t"e )lainti is t"e e,ecutor or ad#inistrator as
re)resentative o t"e deceased or i t"e )lainti is t"e
)erson o unsound #ind
B"en t"e action %rou'"t is not Ga'ainstH t"e estate$ or
not u)on a clai# or de#and Ga'ainstH t"e estate 0 t"e
clai#$ ro# t"e tenor o t"e rule$ is %& its nature civil
%ecause t"e estate itsel cannot %e cri#inall& lia%le
T"e rule does not )ro"i%it testi#on& %& a #ere -itness to t"e
transaction %et-een t"e )lainti and t"e deceased and -"o
"as no interest in suc" transaction. T"us$ oerin' t"e
testi#on& o a so>called Gdisinterested -itnessH is not a
trans'ression o t"e rule since t"e )ro"i%ition e,tends onl& to
t"e )art& or "is assi'nor or t"e )erson in -"ose %e"al t"e
case is )rosecuted.
T"e rule does not alto'et"er intend to ;ee) t"e -itness out
o t"e stand alto'et"er. T"e -itness is #erel& )recluded ro#
testi&in' on )articular to)ics.
T"e survivors"i) ID rule is intended to %eneit t"e estate o
t"e deceased or insane )erson. :ence$ t"is )rotection #a&
%e -aived %&:
a. 2ailin' to o%(ect to t"e testi#on&3 or
%. 8ross>e,a#inin' t"e -itness on t"e )ro"i%ited
testi#on&3 or
c. Oerin' evidence to re%ut t"e testi#on&.
8ases:
TONG8O V . VIANQON *1J2N+
T"e o%(ect and )ur)ose o 6IKS7 is to 'uard a'ainst t"e
te#)tation to 'ive alse testi#on& in re'ard to t"e transaction
in 1uestion on t"e )art o t"e survivin' )art&. T"e la- -as
desi'ned to aid in arrivin' at t"e trut" and -as not desi'ned
to su))ress t"e trut".
T"e la- does not a))l& and a -itness is co#)etent to
testi& -"en t"e actions -ere not %rou'"t Ya'ainstM t"e
estate$ or u)on clai#s Ya'ainstM t"e estate.
KENIEQONA V . VIA . IE GOITIA *1J?A+
T"e la- )ro"i%its a -itness directl& interested in a clai#
a'ainst t"e decedentMs estate ro# testi&in' u)on a #atter o
act -4c too; )lace %eore t"e deat" o t"e deceased.
<nderl&in' )rinci)le o )ro"i%ition: to )rotect t"e
intestate estate ro# ictitious clai#s
25
T"is )rotection s"ould not %e treated as an a%solute %ar
or )ro"i%ition ro# t"e ilin' o (ust clai#s a'ainst t"e
decedentMs estate.
I8ARI V . KASIGAN *1J@1+
2ROK RIANO: T"e -itness is #erel& )recluded ro# testi&in'
on )articular to)ics. A testi#on& avora%le to t"e estate or to
t"e insane )erson is not %arred since t"e rule is desi'ned to
)rotect t"e interest o t"e estate o t"e deceased or insane
)erson.
2ROK 8ASE: B"ere t"e )ur)ose o t"e oral testi#on& is
to )rove a lesser clai# t"an -"at #i'"t %e -arranted %&
clear -ritten evidence$ to avoid )re(udice to t"e estate o
t"e deceased$ t"e la- "as no reason or its a))lication.
LI8:A<8O V . AG 9 P *1J@J+
Inas#uc" as 6IKS7 dis1ualiies onl& )arties or assi'nors o
)arties$ t"e oicers and4or stoc;"olders o a cor)oration are
not dis1ualiied ro# testi&in' or or a'ainst t"e cor)oration
-"ic" is a )art& to an action u)on a clai# or de#and a'ainst
t"e estate o a deceased )erson as to an& #atter o act
occurrin' %eore t"e deat" o suc" deceased )erson.
GO 8:I G<N V . 8O 8:O *1J55+
An e,ce)tion to 6IKS7 is -"ere t"e decedent "ad %een
'uilt& o raud. T"e rule "as %een ado)ted to )ro#ote (ustice
and not to s"ield raud. In t"e case o On' 8"ua v. 8arr$
%eore t"e testi#onies o -itnesses -ere allo-ed to %e
introduced t"e raud )er)etrated %& t"e deceased "ad %een
esta%lis"ed %e&ond all dou%t$ not %& #ere )re)onderance o
t"e evidence alone.
Aside ro# t"e act t"at raud #ust %e )roved as a act
%& a clear )re)onderance o evidence %ecause raud is a
cri#inal c"ar'e$ t"ere is an added 'round in t"e case at
%ar or re1uirin' a "i'" 1uantu# o )roo o t"e raud.
AST<RIAS V . 8A *1JL?+
6IKS7 -aived -"ere no ti#el& o%(ected "as %een #ade
a'ainst t"e ad#ission o suc" evidence and one o t"e
)etitioners -as #ade to testi& on suc" )ro"i%ited #atters
covered %& t"e e,clusion rule.
G<ERRERO V . ST . 8LAIRE MS REALTC 9 8O . *1J8?+
IKS does not a))l&:
To a -itness -"o is not a )art& or assi'nor o a )art& or
a )erson in -"ose %e"al a case is )rosecuted
B"ere t"e case is not a clai# or de#and a'ainst t"e
estate o a deceased )erson
GO I V . 8A *1J8L+
Baiver 6o IKS7 occurs -"ere:
Re)resentative o estate ta;es )laintiMs de)osition$ OR
counsel or re) cross>e,a#ines )lainti as to #atters
occurrin' durin' deceasedMs lieti#e3 ANI
Re) iles a counterclai# a'ainst )lainti
IKS canMt %e invo;ed -"ere )art& testiies as to
co##unications #ade or contracts entered into -4 t"e
a'ent o t"e decedent -"ile t"e latter -as alive.
RAQON V . IA8 *1JJ2+
IKS #a& not %e invo;ed -"en t"e case -as not iled a'ainst
t"e ad#inistrator o t"e estate$ nor -as it iled u)on clai#s
a'ainst t"e estate. Grantin' t"at )etitionerMs testi#on& 6as
re'ards t"e true nature o transaction -4 t"e deceased7 is
-it"in t"e )ro"i%ition o IKS$ )rivate res)ondent is dee#ed
to "ave -aived t"e rule.
S<NGA >8:AN V . 8:<A *2AA1+
IKS )rovides t"at i one )art& to t"e alle'ed transaction is
)recluded ro# testi&in' %& deat"$ insanit&$ or ot"er #ental
disa%ilities$ t"e survivin' )art& is not entitled to t"e undue
advanta'e o 'ivin' "is o-n uncontradicted and
une,)lained account o t"e transaction.
5. Privile'ed co##unication *R1?A.2@+
O%(ections under t"e ID rules can %e invo;ed onl& %& t"e
)ersons )rotected t"ereunder and #a& %e -aived %& said
)ersons in t"e sa#e #anner $ eit"er e,)ressl& or i#)liedl&.
a. Karital co##unications 6R1?A.2@*a+7
Sec. 2@. Iis1ualiication %& reason o )rivile'ed
co##unication. ! T"e ollo-in' )ersons cannot testi& as to
#atters learned in conidence in t"e ollo-in' cases:
*a+ T"e "us%and or t"e -ie$ durin' or ater t"e #arria'e$
cannot %e e,a#ined -it"out t"e consent o t"e ot"er as
to an& co##unication received in conidence %& one
ro# t"e ot"er durin' t"e #arria'e e,ce)t in a civil case
%& one a'ainst t"e ot"er$ or in a cri#inal case or a cri#e
co##itted %& one a'ainst t"e ot"er or t"e latterSs direct
descendants or ascendants3
,,,
Re1uisites or ID %& reason o #arital )rivile'e to a))l&
1. Valid #arital relation
2. Privile'e is invo;ed BRT a conidential co##unication
%et-een t"e s)ouses durin' said #arria'e
?. T"e s)ouse a'ainst -"o# suc" evidence is %ein'
oered "as not 'iven "is4"er consent to suc" testi#on&
RIANO:
Since t"e a))lication o t"e rule re1uires a conidential
inor#ation received %& one s)ouse ro# t"e ot"er durin'
t"e #arria'e$ inor#ation ac1uired %& a s)ouse %eore t"e
#arria'e even i received conidentiall& -ill not all s1uarel&
-it" R1?A$ /2@*a+ %ut divul'in' t"e sa#e #a& %e o%(ected to
under R1?A$ /22 u)on )ro)er o%(ection as lon' as t"e
inor#ation is sou'"t to %e revealed durin' t"e #arria'e
t"rou'" a testi#on& or or a'ainst t"e aected s)ouse.
8onidential inor#ation received ro# a t"ird )erson is not
covered %& t"e )rivile'e.
8o##unications in )rivate %et-een : 9 B are )resu#ed to
%e conidential.
.<T i a t"ird )erson *ot"er t"an a c"ild o t"e a#il&+ is
)resent -it" t"e ;no-led'e o t"e co##unicatin'
s)ouse$ t"is stretc"es t"e -e% o conidence %e&ond t"e
#arital )air$ and t"e co##unication is un)rivile'ed.
I c"ildren o t"e a#il& are )resent t"is li;e-ise de)rives
t"e conversation o )rotection unless t"e c"ildren are
too &oun' to understand -"at is said.
Karital ID Rule *R1?A.22+ Karital Privile'ed
8o##unication Rule
6R1?A.2@*a+7
Ioes not reer to
conidential
co##unications %et-een
t"e s)ouses.
Reers to conidential
co##unications received %&
one s)ouse ro# t"e ot"er
durin' t"e #arria'e
Includes acts$ occurrences A))lies onl& to testi#onies o a
26
or inor#ation even )rior
to t"e #arria'e 0 in t"is
sense$ it is %roader %ecause
it )revents testi#on& or or
a'ainst t"e s)ouse on an&
act and not #erel& a
disclosure o conidential
inor#ation
conidential nature received %&
one s)ouse ro# t"e ot"er
durin' t"e #arria'e 0 does not
include acts #erel& o%served
%& t"e s)ouse <NLESS suc"
acts are intended as a #eans
o conve&in' conidential
co##unication %& one to t"e
ot"er
8an no lon'er %e invo;ed
once t"e #arria'e is
dissolved
T"e )rivile'e does not cease
(ust %ecause t"e #arria'e "as
ended
T"e )ro"i%ition is a
testi#on& or or a'ainst t"e
ot"er
B"at is )ro"i%ited is t"e
e,a#ination o a s)ouse as to
#atters received in conidence
%& one ro# t"e ot"er durin'
t"e #arria'e
8ases:
<S V . ANTIPOLO *1J1L+
2or t"e inor#ation to %e conidential$ it #ust %e #ade
durin' and %& reason o t"e #arital relations and is intended
not to %e s"ared -it" ot"ers. Bit"out suc" intention$
co##on reason su''ests t"at t"e inor#ation is not
conidential.
Instant case: in a )rosecution or #urder$ t"e -ie -as
allo-ed to testi& as to "er "us%andMs d&in' declaration
re'ardin' t"e identit& o t"e assailant %ecause t"ere -as
no intent o conidentialit& in t"e inor#ation. T"e
declaration is intended to %e co##unicated ater t"e
"us%andMs deat" %ecause it -as #ade in t"e urt"erance
o (ustice.
PEOPLE V . 8ARLOS *1J25+
B"ere a )rivile'ed co##unication ro# one s)ouse to
anot"er co#es into t"e "ands o a t"ird )art&$ -4o collusion
and voluntar& disclosure on t"e )art o eit"er o t"e s)ouses$
t"e )rivile'e is e,tin'uis"ed and t"e co##unication$ i
ot"er-ise co#)etent$ %eco#es ad#issi%le.
PEOPLE V . 2RAN8IS8O *1J@N+
Reasons or )ro"i%ition:
a. Identit& o interests
%. 8onse1uent dan'er o )er(ur&
c. Polic& o la- -4c dee#s it necessar& to 'uard t"e
securit& and conidences o )rivate lie even at t"e ris; o
an occasional ailure o (ustice$ and -4c re(ects suc"
evidence %ecause its ad#ission -ould lead to do#estic
disunion and un"a))iness
d. B"ere a -ant o do#estic tran1uilit& e,ists$ t"ere is
dan'er o )unis"in' one s)ouse t"rou'" t"e ot"erMs
"ostile testi#on&
EE8EPTIONS:
In civil actions %et-een t"e s)ouses
In cri#inal cases or oenses co##itted %& one a'ainst
t"e ot"er
REASON 2OR EE8EPTIONS: B"ere #arital and do#estic
relations are so strained t"at t"ereMs no #ore "ar#on& to %e
)reserved or )eace and tran1uilit& -4c #a& %e distur%ed
LA8<ROK V . PA8O.A *2AAL+
T"e #arital )rivile'e rule$ %ein' a rule o evidence$ #a& %e
-aived %& ailure o t"e clai#ant to o%(ect ti#el& to its
)resentation or %& an& conduct t"at #a& %e construed as
i#)lied consent.
%. Attorne&>client )rivile'e 6R1?A. 2@*%+7
Section 2@. Iis1ualiication %& reason o )rivile'ed
#atters learned in conidence in t"e ollo-in' cases: ,,,
*%+ An attorne& cannot$ -it"out t"e consent o "is client$ %e
e,a#ined as to an& co##unication #ade %& t"e client
to "i#$ or "is advice 'iven t"ereon in t"e course o$ or
-it" a vie- to$ )roessional e#)lo&#ent$ nor can an
attorne&Ss secretar&$ steno'ra)"er$ or cler; %e e,a#ined$
-it"out t"e consent o t"e client and "is e#)lo&er$
concernin' an& act t"e ;no-led'e o -"ic" "as %een
ac1uired in suc" ca)acit&3
,,,
Preli#inar& co##unications #ade or t"e )ur)ose o
creatin' t"e attorne&>client relations"i) are -it"in t"e
)rivile'e
T"e co##unications covered %& t"e )rivile'e include ver%al
state#ents and docu#ents or )a)ers entrusted to t"e
attorne&$ and o acts learned %& t"e attorne& t"rou'" t"e act
or a'enc& o "is client.
Att&>client )rivile'e IOES NOT APPLC to co##unications:
1. intended to %e #ade )u%lic3
2. intended to %e co##unicated to ot"ers3
?. intended or an unla-ul )ur)ose3
@. received ro# t"ird )ersons not actin' in %e"al o or as
a'ents o t"e client3 or
5. #ade in t"e )resence o t"ird )arties -"o are stran'ers
to t"e attorne&>client relations"i)
Period to %e considered or a))lication o t"e )rivile'e = t"at
date -"en t"e )rivile'ed co##unication -as #ade %& t"e
client to t"e attorne& in relation to eit"er a cri#e co##itted
in t"e )ast or BRT a cri#e intended to %e co##itted in t"e
uture.
RIANO:
Re1uisites:
1. A co##unication #ade %& t"e client to t"e attorne& or
an advice 'iven %& t"e attorne& to "is client
2. T"e co##unication or advice #ust "ave %een 'iven in
conidence
?. T"e co##unication or advice #ustMve %een 'iven eit"er:
a. In t"e course o t"e )roessional e#)lo&#ent3 or
%. Bit" a vie- to )roessional e#)lo&#ent
Perected attorne&>client relations"i) not re1uired or t"e
)rivile'e to e,ist 0 enou'" t"at t"e co##unication or advice
%e G-it" a vie- toH )roessional e#)lo&#ent
:ence$ t"e )rivile'e is e,tended to co##unications
#ade or t"e )ur)ose o securin' t"e services o counsel
even i t"e counsel later reuses t"e )roessional
relations"i).
Insertion o t"e clause G-it" a vie- toH includes
)reli#inar& ne'otiations -it"in t"e )rivile'e
T"e )rivile'e o a client to ;ee) co##unications to "is
attorne& conidential is )redicated u)on t"e clientMs %elie t"at
"e is consultin' a la-&er in t"at ca)acit& and "as #aniested
"is intention to see; )roessional le'al advice.
27
It is enou'" i "e reasona%l& %elieves t"at t"e )erson
consulted is a la-&er$ alt"ou'" in act "e is not as in t"e
case o a detective )retendin' to %e a la-&er. *Peo)le v.
.ar;er+ 2or t"e )rivile'e to e,ist$ )a&#ent o a ee is not
essential. *<S v. Landor+
T"e )rivile'e is not conined to co##unications re'ardin'
actual )endin' cases. T"e co##unications #a& reer to
antici)ated liti'ations or #a& not reer to an& liti'ation at all.
T"e )rivile'e does not e,tend to co##unications -"ere t"e
clientMs )ur)ose is t"e urt"erance o a uture intended cri#e
or raud$ or or t"e )ur)ose o co##ittin' a cri#e or a tort or
t"ose #ade in urt"erance o illicit activit&.
<nder t"e last lin; doctrine$ non>)rivile'ed inor#ation$ suc"
as t"e identit& o t"e client$ is )rotected i t"e revelation o
suc" inor#ation -ould necessaril& reveal )rivile'ed
inor#ation.
T"e state#ents o t"e client need not "ave %een #ade to t"e
attorne& in )erson.
T"ose #ade to t"e attorne&Ms secretar&$ cler; or
steno'ra)"er or trans#ission to t"e attorne& or t"e
)ur)ose o t"e )roessional relations"i) or -it" a vie- to
suc" relations"i) or suc" ;no-led'e ac1uired %& suc"
e#)lo&ees in suc" ca)acit& are covered %& t"e )rivile'e.
.eore t"e state#ents o t"e client and t"e advice o t"e
attorne& can %e dee#ed as )rivile'ed $ t"e sa#e s"ould "ave
%een intended to %e conidential . T"ere can %e no attorne&>
client )rivile'e -"ere t"e inor#ation is 'iven -it" t"e
e,)ectation t"at it -ill %e revealed to ot"ers.
In relation to t"e attorne&$ t"e )rivile'e is o-ned %& t"e client.
I t"e client -aives t"e )rivile'e$ no one else includin' t"e
attorne& can invo;e it.
T"e )rotection o t"e )rivile'e -ill 'enerall& survive t"e
clientMs deat".
8ases:
.ARTON V . LECTE ASP:ALT *1J2@+
B"en a docu#ent$ containin' ad#issions o t"e client$
co#es to t"e "and o a t"ird )art&$ and reac"es t"e
adversar&$ it is ad#issi%le in evidence. B"ere t"e aut"enticit&
o suc" a docu#ent is ad#itted$ t"e court -ill ta;e no notice
o t"e #anner in -"ic" it -as o%tained.
ORIENT INS<RAN8E V . REVILLA *1J?A+
T"e introduction in evidence %& one )art& o )art o a -ritin'
6)rivile'ed #atter7 #a;es t"e -"ole docu#ent ad#issi%le 0
)rivile'e is -aived as to ot"er )arts o t"e sa#e -ritin'.
<PPO:N 8OKPANC V . <S *1J81+
T"e attorne&>client )rivile'e a))lies -"en t"e client is a
cor)oration.
I t"e e#)lo&ee #a;in' t"e co##unication$ o -"atever
ran; "e #a& %e$ is in a )osition to control or even to ta;e
a su%stantial )art in a decision a%out an& action -"ic"
t"e cor)oration #a& ta;e u)on t"e advice o t"e
attorne&$ Tin eect$ "e is *or )ersoniies+ t"e cor)oration
-"en "e #a;e "is disclosure to t"e la-&er$ and t"e
)rivile'e -ould a))l&.
REGALA V . SANIIGAN.ACAN *1JJL+
8lient identit& is )rivile'ed -"ere a stron' )ro%a%ilit&
e,ists t"at revealin' t"e clientMs na#e -ould i#)licate
t"at client in t"e ver& activit& or -"ic" "e sou'"t t"e
la-&erMs advice.
B"ere disclosure -ould o)en t"e client to civil lia%ilit&$
"is identit& is )rivile'ed.
T"e content o an& client co##unication to a la-&er lies
-it"in t"e )rivile'e i it is relevant to t"e su%(ect #atter o
t"e le'al )ro%le# on -"ic" t"e client see;s le'al
assistance.
T"e la-&er>client conidentialit& )rivile'e and la-&erMs
lo&alt& to "is client e,tends even ater t"e ter#ination o
t"e relations"i).
PEOPLE V . SANIIGAN.ACAN *1JJN+
T"e rule on attorne&>client )rivile'e "as al-a&s reerred to
Gan& co##unication$H -it"out distinction or 1ualiication.
T"ere is no )articular #ode %& -"ic" a conidential
co##unication s"all %e #ade %& a client to "is attorne&.
T"e )rivile'e is not conined to ver%al or -ritten
co##unications #ade %& t"e client to "is attorne&$ %ut
e,tends as -ell to inor#ation co##unicated %& t"e
client to t"e attorne& %& ot"er #eans.
2or t"e a))lication o t"e )rivile'e$ t"e )eriod to %e
considered is t"e date -"en t"e )rivile'ed co##unication
-as #ade %& t"e client to t"e attorne& in relation to eit"er a
cri#e co##itted in t"e )ast or BRT a cri#e intended to %e
co##itted in t"e uture.
I t"e client see;s la-&erMs advice BRT a cri#e t"e or#er
"as co##itted$ "e is 'iven t"e )rotection o t"e )rivile'e
-"ic" cannot %e %ro;en %& t"e attorne& -4o t"e clientMs
consent.
T"e sa#e )rivile'e does not attac" -it" re'ard to a
cri#e -"ic" a client intends to co##it t"ereater or in
t"e uture and or )ur)oses o -"ic" "e see;s t"e
la-&erMs advice.
2or la-&er>client co##unication to %e )rivile'ed$ it #ust %e
or a la-ul )ur)ose or in urt"erance o a la-ul end. T"e
e,istence o an unla-ul )ur)ose )revents t"e )rivile'e ro#
attac"in'.
KER8AIO V . VITRIOLO
T"e #ere relation o attorne& and client does not raise a
)resu#)tion o conidentialit&. T"e client #ust intend t"e
co##unication to %e conidential. T"e co##unication #ade
%& a client to "is attorne& #ust "ave %een trans#itted or t"e
)ur)ose o see;in' le'al advice.
c. P"&sician>)atient )rivile'e 6R1?A. 2@*c+7
#atters learned in conidence in t"e ollo-in' cases: ,,,
*c+ A )erson aut"oriFed to )ractice #edicine$ sur'er& or
o%stetrics cannot in a civil case$ -it"out t"e consent o
t"e )atient$ %e e,a#ined as to an& advice or treat#ent
'iven %& "i# or an& inor#ation -"ic" "e #a& "ave
ac1uired in attendin' suc" )atient in a )roessional
ca)acit&$ -"ic" inor#ation -as necessar& to ena%le
"i# to act in ca)acit&$ and -"ic" -ould %lac;en t"e
re)utation o t"e )atient3
,,,
Re1uisites:
1. T"e )"&sician is aut"oriFed to )ractice #edicine$ sur'er&
or o%stetrics3
28
2. T"e inor#ation -as ac1uired or t"e advice or treat#ent
-as 'iven %& "i# in "is )roessional ca)acit& or t"e
)ur)ose o treatin' and curin' t"e )atient3
?. T"e inor#ation$ advice or treat#ent$ i revealed$ -ould
%lac;en t"e )atientMs re)utation3 and
@. T"e )rivile'e is invo;ed in a civil case$ -"et"er t"e
)atient is a )art& t"ereto or not
T"e )rivile'e IOES NOT APPLC -"ere:
1. t"e co##unication -as not 'iven in conidence3
2. 8o##unication is irrelevant to )roessional e#)lo&#ent3
?. t"e co##unication -as #ade or an unla-ul )ur)ose3
as -"en itMs intended or t"e co##ission or
conceal#ent o a cri#e3
@. t"e inor#ation -as intended to %e #ade )u%lic3 or
5. t"ere -as a -aiver o t"e )rivile'e eit"er %& )rovisions o
contract or la-
RIANO:
T"e )rivile'e a))lies to a civil case $ -"et"er t"e )atient is a
)art& or not.
Rationale: to encoura'e t"e )atient to reel& disclose all t"e
#atters -"ic" #a& aid in t"e dia'nosis in t"e treat#ent o a
disease or an in(ur&
T"e inor#ation -"ic" cannot %e disclosed reers to:
1. an& advice 'iven to t"e client3
2. an& treat#ent 'iven to t"e client3
?. an& inor#ation ac1uired in attendin' suc" )atient
)rovided t"at t"e advice$ treat#ent or inor#ation -as
#ade or ac1uired in a )roessional ca)acit& and -as
necessar& to ena%le "i# to act in t"at ca)acit&3 and
@. t"at t"e inor#ation sou'"t to %e disclosed -ould tend
to %lac;en t"e re)utation o t"e )atient
T"e rule doesnMt re1uire t"at t"e )"&sician>)atient relations"i)
%e a result o a contractual relations"i).
ItMs necessar& or t"e o)eration o t"e )rivile'e t"at t"e
)"&sician is actin' in "is G)roessional ca)acit&H and t"at t"e
advice or treat#ent is 'iven or ac1uired in suc" ca)acit&.
T"e )rivile'e does not a))l& to s"ield t"e co##ission o a
cri#e or -"en t"e )ur)ose is an unla-ul one.
T"e )rivile'e survives t"e deat" o t"e )atient.
T"e )rivile'e #a& %e -aived %& t"e )atient. T"ere could also
%e a -aiver %& o)eration o la- or o t"e rules.
Rule 28: P"&sical and Kental E,a#ination o Persons
,,,
Sec. @. Baiver o )rivile'e. ! .& re1uestin' and o%tainin' a
re)ort o t"e e,a#ination so ordered or %& ta;in' t"e
de)osition o t"e e,a#iner$ t"e )art& e,a#ined -aives an&
)rivile'e "e #a& "ave in t"at action or an& ot"er involvin'
t"e sa#e controvers&$ re'ardin' t"e testi#on& o ever& ot"er
)erson -"o "as e,a#ined or #a& t"ereater e,a#ine "i# in
res)ect o t"e sa#e #ental or )"&sical e,a#ination. *@+
<nder R28$ t"e results o t"e )"&sical and #ental
e,a#ination o a )erson$ -"en ordered %& t"e court$ are
intended to %e #ade )u%lic$ "ence t"e& can %e divul'ed in
t"at )roceedin' and cannot %e o%(ected to on t"e 'round o
)rivile'e. Also$ results o auto)sies or )ost#orte#
e,a#inations are 'enerall& intended to %e divul'ed in court$
aside ro# t"e act t"at t"e doctorMs services -ere not or
)ur)oses o #edical treat#ent.
8ases:
LIK V . 8A *1JJ2+
T"e )rivile'e is not violated %& )er#ittin' a )"&sician to 'ive
e,)ert o)inion testi#on&. Suc" o)inion #ust e,clude ro# "is
consideration "is )ersonal ;no-led'e o t"e )atient ac1uired
t"rou'" t"e )"&sician>)atient relations"i).
RRO:N V . 8A *1JJ@+
In t"e instant case$ t"e )erson a'ainst -"o# t"e )rivile'e is
clai#ed is not one dul& aut"oriFed to )ractice #edicine$
sur'er&$ or o%stetrics. :e is si#)l& t"e )atientMs "us%and -"o
-is"es to testi& on a docu#ent e,ecuted %& #edical
)ractitioners. 8learl&$ t"is does not all -it"in t"e clai#ed
)ro"i%ition.
d. Priest4#inister>)enitent )rivile'e 6/2@*d+$ R1?A7
,,,
*d+ A #inister or )riest cannot$ -it"out t"e consent o t"e
)erson #a;in' t"e conession$ %e e,a#ined as to an&
conession #ade to or an& advice 'iven %& "i# in "is
)roessional c"aracter in t"e course o disci)line
en(oined %& t"e c"urc" to -"ic" t"e #inister or )riest
%elon's3
,,,
T"e )rivile'e re1uires t"at t"e co##unications -ere #ade
)ursuant to a reli'ious dut& en(oined in t"e course o t"e
disci)line o t"e sect or deno#ination to -"ic" t"e& %elon'
and #ust %e conidential and )enitential in c"aracter$ e.'.$
under t"e seal o t"e conessional.
RIANO:
T"e )erson #a;in' t"e conession "olds t"e )rivile'e.
T"e )riest or #inister "earin' t"e conession in "is
)roessional ca)acit& is )ro"i%ited ro# #a;in' a
disclosure o t"e conession -it"out t"e consent o t"e
)erson conessin'.
o Note: t"e )riest or #inister #ust %e dul& ordained
or consecrated %& "is sect.
T"e )rivile'e also e,tends to an& advice 'iven %& t"e #inister
or )riest. NOTE: t"e co##unication #ust %e #ade )ursuant
to conessions o sins.
B"ere t"e )enitent discussed %usiness arran'e#ents
-it" t"e )riest$ t"e )rivile'e does not a))l&.
e. State secrets 6/2@*e+$ R1?A7
,,,
*e+ A )u%lic oicer cannot %e e,a#ined durin' "is ter# o
oice or ater-ards$ as to co##unications #ade to "i#
in oicial conidence$ -"en t"e court inds t"at t"e
)u%lic interest -ould suer %& t"e disclosure. *21a+
Re1uisites:
1. T"e co##unication -as #ade to t"e )u%lic oicer in
oicial conidence3 and
29
2. T"at )u%lic interest -ould suer %& t"e disclosure o
suc" co##unication$ as in t"e case o State secrets.
B"ere no )u%lic interest -ould %e )re(udiced$ t"is rule does
not a))l&.
RIANO:
National securit& #atters and State secrets are conidential. A
court -ill #ost li;el& u)"old t"e )rivile'e.
8ases:
.AN8O 2ILIPINO V . KONETARC .OARI *1J8L+
Ta)es and transcri)ts o Konetar& .oard deli%erations on t"e
closure o .2 #a& %e conidential$ %ut t"e& are not necessaril&
a%solute and )rivile'ed. T"ereMs no s)eciic )rovision in t"e
8entral .an; Act -4c )ro"i%its a%solutel& t"e courts ro#
conductin' an in1uir& on said deli%erations -"en t"ese are
relevant or #aterial to a #atter su%(ect o a suit )endin'
%eore it.
RA NL5? *Ne- 8entral .an; Act+$ /1L. Res)onsi%ilit&. >
Ke#%ers o t"e Konetar& .oard$ oicials$ e,a#iners$ and
e#)lo&ees o t"e .an';o Sentral -"o -illull& violate t"is Act
or -"o are 'uilt& o ne'li'ence$ a%uses or acts o
#aleasance or #iseasance or ail to e,ercise e,traordinar&
dili'ence in t"e )eror#ance o "is duties s"all %e "eld lia%le
or an& loss or in(ur& suered %& t"e .an';o Sentral or ot"er
%an;in' institutions as a result o suc" violation$ ne'li'ence$
a%use$ #aleasance$ #iseasance or ailure to e,ercise
e,traordinar& dili'ence.
Si#ilar res)onsi%ilit& s"all a))l& to #e#%ers$ oicers$ and
e#)lo&ees o t"e .an';o Sentral or: *1+ t"e disclosure o an&
inor#ation o a conidential nature$ or an& inor#ation on
t"e discussions or resolutions o t"e Konetar& .oard$ or
a%out t"e conidential o)erations o t"e .an';o Sentral$
unless t"e disclosure is in connection -it" t"e )eror#ance
o oicial unctions -it" t"e .an';o Sentral$ or is -it" )rior
aut"oriFation o t"e Konetar& .oard or t"e Governor3 or *2+
t"e use o suc" inor#ation or )ersonal 'ain or to t"e
detri#ent o t"e Govern#ent$ t"e .an';o Sentral or t"ird
)arties: Provided$ "o-ever$ T"at an& data or inor#ation
re1uired to %e su%#itted to t"e President and4or t"e
8on'ress$ or to %e )u%lis"ed under t"e )rovisions o t"is Act
s"all not %e considered conidential.
Neri v. Senate: or t"e clai# o e,ecutive )rivile'e to %e
invo;ed$ t"ere #ust %e a or#al clai# o t"e )rivile'e$ lod'ed
%& t"e "ead o t"e de)art#ent -"ic" "as control o t"e
#atter$ and t"at a or#al and )ro)er clai# o t"e )rivile'e
re1uires a )recise and certain reason or )reservin'
conidentialit&$ %ut 8on'ress #ust not re1uire t"e e,ecutive
to state t"e reasons or t"e clai# -it" suc" )articularit& as to
co#)el t"e disclosure o t"e inor#ation -"ic" t"e )rivile'e
is #eant to )rotect.
SENATE V . ERKITA *2AAL+
E,ecutive )rivile'e: t"e )o-er o t"e 'overn#ent to -it""old
inor#ation ro# t"e )u%lic$ t"e courts$ and t"e 8on'ress
T"ere are certain t&)es o inor#ation -"ic" t"e 'overn#ent
#a& -it""old ro# t"e )u%lic li;e #ilitar&$ di)lo#atic and
national securit& secrets.
Secrets involvin' #ilitar&$ di)lo#atic and national securit&
#atters and inor#ation on investi'ations o cri#es %& la-
enorce#ent a'encies %eore t"e )rosecution o t"e accused
-ere e,e#)ted ro# t"e ri'"t to inor#ation. *8"aveF v.
P8GG+
Presidential co##unications all under t"e )rotection o
e,ecutive )rivile'e.
TESTIKONIAL PRIVILEGE
. Parental and ilial )rivile'e
Section 25. Parental and ilial )rivile'e. ! No )erson #a& %e
co#)elled to testi& a'ainst "is )arents$ ot"er direct
ascendants$ c"ildren or ot"er direct descendants. *2Aa+
.ot" )arental and ilial )rivile'es are 'ranted to an& )erson$
-"ic" )rivile'es a'ainst co#)ulsor& testi#on& "e can invo;e
in an& case a'ainst an& o "is )arents$ direct ascendants$
c"ildren$ or direct descendants.
Related )rovision: 88 215
Art. 215. Eac" s)ouse s"all )ro)ortionatel& %ear t"e a#il&
e,)enses.
8ase:
PEOPLE V . INVEN8ION *2AA?+
T"e rule on ilial )rivile'e reers to a )rivile'e not to testi&$
-"ic" can %e invo;ed or -aived li;e ot"er )rivile'es.
'. Ne-s#anMs Privile'e *RA No. 5?$ as a#ended
%& RA 1@NN+
<nder RA 5?$ t"e )u%lis"er$ editor or dul& accredited re)orter
o an& ne-s)a)er$ #a'aFine or )eriodical o 'eneral
circulation cannot %e co#)elled to reveal t"e source o an&
ne-s re)ort or inor#ation a))earin' in said )u%lication
-"ic" -as related in conidence to "i#$ unless t"e court or a
:ouse or co##ittee o 8on'ress inds t"at suc" revelation is
de#anded %& t"e securit& o t"e State.
8ase:
IN T:E KATTER O2 2AR.ER *1JN8+
30
PART TBO
I. AIKISSIONS ANI 8ON2ESSIONS
A. Ad#issions a'ainst Interest
1. // 2L 9 ?2$ R1?A
Section 2L. Ad#ission o a )art&. ! T"e act$ declaration or
o#ission o a )art& as to a relevant act #a& %e 'iven in
evidence a'ainst "i#. *22+
AIKISSION: an& state#ent o act #ade %& a )art& a'ainst
"is interest or unavora%le to t"e conclusion or -"ic" "e
contends or is inconsistent -it" t"e acts alle'ed %& "i#.
Re1uisites or ad#ission to %e ad#issi%le:
1. Involves #atters o act$ not o la-
2. 8ate'orical and deinite
?. Rno-in'l& and voluntaril& #ade
@. Adverse to t"e ad#itterMs interests$ ot"er-ise it -ould %e
sel>servin' and inad#issi%le
Sel>servin' declaration: one -"ic" "as %een #ade
e,tra(udiciall& %& t"e )art& to avor "is interests. It is not
ad#issi%le in evidence.
Sel>servin' testi#on&: t"e e,tra(udicial state#ent o a )art&
-"ic" is %ein' ur'ed or ad#ission in court. It does not
include "is testi#on& as a -itness in court. It "as no
a))lication to a court declaration.
B"ere t"e state#ent -as not #ade in antici)ation o a
uture liti'ation$ t"e sa#e cannot %e considered sel>
servin'.
2li'"t ro# (ustice is an ad#ission %& conduct and
circu#stantial evidence o consciousness o 'uilt. Also$
evidence o atte#)ts to su))ress evidence$ as %& destruction
o docu#entar& evidence or eloi'n#ent o -itnesses$ are
ad#issi%le under t"e sa#e rationale.
Eloi'n#ent: causin' t"e disa))earance or non>
availa%ilit& o -itnesses
Ad#ission 8onession
A state#ent o act -"ic"
does not involve an
ac;no-led'#ent o 'uilt or
lia%ilit&
A state#ent o act -"ic"
involves an ac;no-led'#ent
o 'uilt or lia%ilit&
Ka& %e e,)ress or tacit Kust %e e,)ress
Ka& %e #ade %& t"ird
)ersons and$ in certain cases$
are ad#issi%le a'ainst a )art&
Kade onl& %& t"e )art&
"i#sel and$ in so#e
instances$ are ad#issi%le
a'ainst "is co>accused
Ad#ission Ieclaration a'ainst interest
Need not %e #ade a'ainst
t"e )art&Ms )ro)rietar& or
)ecuniar& interest$ alt"ou'"
it -ill 'reatl& en"ance its
)ro%ative -ei'"t i it %e so
#ade
Kade a'ainst t"e )ro)rietar&
or )ecuniar& interest o t"e
)art&
Kade %& t"e )art& "i#sel
and is a )ri#ar& evidence
and co#)etent t"ou'" "e
%e )resent in court and
read& to testi&
Kade %& a )erson -"o is
eit"er deceased or una%le to
testi&
Kade an& ti#e Kade ante lite #ota#
Section ?2. Ad#ission %& silence. ! An act or declaration
#ade in t"e )resence and -it"in t"e "earin' or o%servation
o a )art& -"o does or sa&s not"in' -"en t"e act or
declaration is suc" as naturall& to call or action or co##ent i
not true$ and -"en )ro)er and )ossi%le or "i# to do so$
#a& %e 'iven in evidence a'ainst "i#.
Re1uisites to %e ad#issi%le a'ainst a )art& as an ad#ission %&
silence:
1. :e #ust "ave "eard or o%served t"e act or declaration
o t"e ot"er )erson
2. :e #ustMve "ad t"e o))ortunit& to den& it
?. :e #ustMve understood t"e state#ent
@. :e #ustMve "ad an interest to o%(ect$ suc" t"at "e -ould
naturall& "ave done so i t"e state#ent -as not true
5. T"e acts -ere -it"in "is ;no-led'e
L. T"e act ad#itted or t"e inerence to %e dra-n ro# "is
silence is #aterial to t"e issue
T"e rule on ad#ission %& silence a))lies -"ere a )erson -as
sur)rised in t"e act *<S v. .a&+ or even i "e is alread& in t"e
custod& o t"e )olice *Peo)le v. Anc"eta+
Voluntar& )artici)ation in a reenact#ent o t"e cri#e
conducted %& t"e )olice is considered a tacit ad#ission
o co#)licit&. *Peo)le v. Tia 2on'+
o :o-ever$ or a reenact#ent to %e 'iven an&
evidentiar& -ei'"t$ t"e validit& and eicac& o t"e
conession #ust irst %e s"o-n. *Peo)le v. Navoa+
T"e rule a))lies to adverse state#ents in -ritin' i t"e )art&
-as carr&in' on a #utual corres)ondence -it" t"e
declarant. :o-ever$ i t"ere -as no suc" #utual
corres)ondence$ t"e rule is rela,ed on t"e t"eor& t"at -"ile
t"e )art& -ouldMve i##ediatel& reacted %& a denial i t"e
state#ents -ere orall& #ade in "is )resence$ suc" )ro#)t
res)onse can 'enerall& not %e e,)ected i t"e )art& still "as to
resort to a -ritten re)l&.
T"e rule does not a))l& i t"e state#ents adverse to t"e )art&
-ere #ade in t"e course o an oicial investi'ation *<S v. de
la 8ruF+
2. /1?$ R1?2
Section 1?. :o- -itness i#)eac"ed %& evidence o
inconsistent state#ents. ! .eore a -itness can %e
i#)eac"ed %& evidence t"at "e "as #ade at ot"er ti#es
state#ents inconsistent -it" "is )resent testi#on&$ t"e
state#ents #ust %e related to "i#$ -it" t"e circu#stances o
t"e ti#es and )laces and t"e )ersons )resent$ and "e #ust
%e as;ed -"et"er "e #ade suc" state#ents$ and i so$
allo-ed to e,)lain t"e#. I t"e state#ents %e in -ritin' t"e&
#ust %e s"o-n to t"e -itness %eore an& 1uestion is )ut to
"i# concernin' t"e#. *1L+
Leadin' 1uestion: one -4c su''ests to t"e -itness t"e
ans-er desired.
Kisleadin' 1uestion: one -4c assu#es acts not in evidence
or -4o suicient %asis or -4c assu#es testi#on& or )roo -4c
"as not %een 'iven.
A leadin' 1uestion )ro)ounded to a -itness #a&$ %&
reactin' to an inerence in "is #ind$ cause "i# to testi& in
accordance -4 t"e su''estion %& t"e 1uestion3 "is ans-er
31
#a& %e Yan ec"o o t"e 1uestionM t"an a 'enuine recollection
o events. *Escoto v. Pineda+
Leadin' 1uestions #a& %e )er#itted in t"e e,a#ination o a
-itness -"o is i##ature3 a'ed 9 inir#3 in %ad )"&sical
condition3 uneducated3 i'norant o$ or unaccusto#ed to$
court )roceedin's3 ine,)erienced3 unso)"isticated3 ee%le>
#inded3 conused 9 a'itated3 terriied3 ti#id or e#%arrassed
-"ile on t"e stand3 lac;in' in co#)re"ension o 1uestions or
slo- to understand3 dea 9 du#%3 or una%le to s)ea; or
understand t"e En'lis" lan'ua'e or onl& i#)erectl& a#iliar
t"ere-it". *Peo)le v. Iela 8ruF+
Gen rule: a )art& -"o voluntaril& oers t"e testi#on& o a
-itness in t"e case is %ound %& t"e testi#on& o said -itness.
E,ce)tions:
1. :ostile -itness3
2. B"ere t"e -itness is t"e adverse )art& or t"e
re)resentative o a (uridical )erson -4c is t"e adverse
)art&3 and
?. B"en t"e -itness is not voluntaril& oered %ut is
re1uired %& la- to %e )resented %& t"e )ro)onent$ as in
t"e case o su%scri%in' -itnesses to a -ill. *2ernandeF v.
Tantoco+
A )art& can i#)eac" t"e adverse )art&Ms -itness %&:
1. 8ontradictor& evidence
2. Evidence o )rior inconsistent state#ents
?. Evidence o %ad c"aracter
@. Evidence o %ias$ interest$ )re(udice$ or inco#)etence
A )art& can )eac" "is o-n -itness onl& %&:
1. Evidence contradictor& to "is testi#on&
In t"e case o "ostile -itnesses$ adverse )art& -itnesses or
involuntar& -itnesses$ t"e& can also %e i#)eac"ed %& ot"er
#odes o i#)eac"#ent$ aside ro# contradictor& state#ents
and )rior inconsistent state#ents #ade %& t"e#.
8ontradictor& evidence: ot"er testi#on& o t"e sa#e -itness$
or ot"er evidence )resented %& "i# in t"e sa#e case$ %ut not
t"e testi#on& o anot"er -itness
Prior inconsistent state#ents: oral or docu#entar& state#ents
#ade %& t"e -itness sou'"t to %e i#)eac"ed on occasions
ot"er t"an t"e trial in -"ic" "e is testi&in'.
:o- to i#)eac" a -itness %& )rior inconsistent
state#ents: %& la&in' t"e )redicate
1. 8onront "i# -4 suc" state#ents$ -4 t"e
circu#stances under -4c t"e& -ere #ade3
2. As; "i# -"et"er "e #ade suc" state#ents3 and
?. Give "i# a c"ance to e,)lain t"e inconsistenc&.
o <nless t"e -itness is 'iven t"e o))ortunit& to
e,)lain t"e discre)ancies$ t"e i#)eac"#ent is
inco#)lete. *<S v. .alu&ot+ :o-ever$ suc"
deect in t"e i#)eac"#ent o t"e -itness is
dee#ed -aived i no o%(ection on t"at 'round
is raised -"en t"e docu#ent involved is
oered or ad#ission. *Peo)le v. Kolo+
It is %elieved t"at i t"e )rior inconsistent state#ent a))ears in
a de)osition o t"e adverse )art&$ and not a #ere -itness$
t"at adverse )art& -"o testiies #a& %e i#)eac"ed -4o
la&in' t"e )redicate$ as suc" )rior state#ents are in t"e
nature o ad#issions o said adverse )art&. T"us$ under
R2?.@*%+$ t"e de)osition o an adverse )art& #a& %e used %&
an& )art& or an& )ur)ose$ i.e. as evidence or t"e latter or to
i#)eac" or contradict said )art& de)onent t"rou'"
inconsistent state#ents t"erein.
B"ere a -itnessM )revious state#ents are oered as evidence
o an ad#ission$ and not #erel& to i#)eac" "i#$ t"e rule on
la&in' a )redicate does not a))l& *Puan Cs#ael 9 8o.$ Inc. v.
:as"i#+ and t"e sa#e -ould a))l& to li;e state#ents o a
)art& to t"e case
8ases:
P:ILIPPINE TR<ST 8O . V . ANTIG<A .OTI8A RAKIREQ *1J?2+
Ad#ission #ade in testi#on& -as adverse to "is interest 0
considered (udicial ad#ission
PEOPLE V . PARAGSA *1JN8+ 6Sir: .AI IE8ISION7
T"e rule allo-in' silence o a )erson to %e ta;en as an
i#)lied ad#ission o t"e trut" o state#ents uttered in "is
)resence is a))lica%le in cri#inal cases.
Re1uisites:
a. Kust a))ear t"at )art& "eard and understood t"e
state#ent
%. :e -as at li%ert& to inter)ose a denial
c. State#ent -as in res)ect to so#e #atter aectin'
"is ri'"ts or in -"ic" "e -as t"en interested$ and
callin'$ naturall&$ or an ans-er
d. T"e acts -ere -it"in "is ;no-led'e
e. T"e act ad#itted or t"e inerence to %e dra-n
ro# "is silence -ould %e #aterial to t"e issue
ESTRAIA V . IESIERTO *2AA1+
An ado)tive ad#ission is a )art&Ms reaction to a state#ent or
action %& anot"er )erson -"en it is reasona%le to treat t"e
)art&Ms reaction as an ad#ission o so#et"in' stated or
i#)lied %& t"e ot"er )erson.
Pones e,)lains t"at t"e G%asis or ad#issi%ilit& o
ad#issions #ade vicariousl& is t"at arisin' ro# t"e
ratiication or ado)tion %& t"e )art& o t"e state#ents
-"ic" t"e ot"er )erson "ad #ade.H
In t"e An'ara Iiar&$ t"e o)tions o t"e )etitioner started
to d-indle -"en t"e ar#ed orces -it"dre- its su))ort
ro# "i# as President and co##ander>in>c"ie. T"us$
E,ec. Sec. An'ara "ad to as; Senate President Pi#entel
to advise )etitioner to consider t"e o)tion o Gdi'niied
e,it or resi'nation.H Petitioner did not o%(ect to t"e
su''ested o)tion %ut si#)l& said "e could never leave
t"e countr&. PetitionerMs silence on t"is and ot"er related
su''estions can %e ta;en as an ad#ission %& "i#
R<2INA PATIS 2A8TORC V . AL<SITAIN *2AA@+
.ein' an ad#ission a'ainst interest$ t"e docu#ents are
t"e %est evidence -"ic" aords t"e 'reatest certaint& o
t"e acts in dis)ute. Rationale or rule 0 )resu#)tion t"at
no #an -ould declare an&t"in' a'ainst "i#sel unless
suc" declaration -as true
It does not #atter t"at t"e ad#ission -as sel>servin'
-"en it -as #ade$ so lon' as it is a'ainst t"e )art&Ms
)resent clai#.
ESTATE O2 PES<S S . C<P<I8O V . REP<.LI8 *2AAN+
A "&dro'ra)"ic #a) is not t"e %est evidence to s"o- t"e
nature and location o t"e lot su%(ect o a land re'istration
a))lication3 it is derived ro# a "&dro'ra)"ic surve& -"ic" is
32
#ainl& used or navi'ation )ur)oses. 6Ocular ins)ections
tru#) #a)7
.. 8o#)ro#ises
1. /1*+$ R11L
2. // 1 9 2$ R118
T"e a#end#ent re'ardin' t"e inad#issi%ilit& o a )lea o
'uilt& later -it"dra-n or an unacce)ted oer to )lead 'uilt&
to a lesser oense is a conse1uence o t"e )resent )rovisions
in cri#inal )rocedure on )lea %ar'ainin'. 6/1*+$ R11L3 //
192$ R1187
?. /2N$ R1?A
Section 2N. Oer o co#)ro#ise not ad#issi%le. ! In civil
cases$ an oer o co#)ro#ise is not an ad#ission o an&
lia%ilit&$ and is not ad#issi%le in evidence a'ainst t"e oeror.
In cri#inal cases$ e,ce)t t"ose involvin' 1uasi>oenses
*cri#inal ne'li'ence+ or t"ose allo-ed %& la- to %e
co#)ro#ised$ an oer o co#)ro#ised %& t"e accused #a&
%e received in evidence as an i#)lied ad#ission o 'uilt.
A )lea o 'uilt& later -it"dra-n$ or an unacce)ted oer o a
)lea o 'uilt& to lesser oense$ is not ad#issi%le in evidence
a'ainst t"e accused -"o #ade t"e )lea or oer.
An oer to )a& or t"e )a&#ent o #edical$ "os)ital or ot"er
e,)enses occasioned %& an in(ur& is not ad#issi%le in
evidence as )roo o civil or cri#inal lia%ilit& or t"e in(ur&.
8IVIL 8ASES
As a rule$ an oer o co#)ro#ise in a civil case is not a tacit
ad#ission o lia%ilit& and cannot %e )roved over t"e o%(ection
o t"e oeror$ unless suc" oer is clearl& not onl& to G%u&
)eaceH %ut a#ounts to an ad#ission o lia%ilit&$ t"e oered
co#)ro#ise %ein' directed onl& to t"e a#ount to %e )aid.
*El Varadero de Kanila vs. Insular Lu#%er+
8RIKINAL 8ASES
An oer o co#)ro#ise is an i#)lied ad#ission o 'uilt$
alt"ou'" t"e accused #a& %e )er#itted to )rove t"at suc"
oer -as not #ade under consciousness o 'uilt %ut #erel&
to avoid t"e ris;s o cri#inal action a'ainst "i#.
B"ile ra)e cases can in eect %e co#)ro#ised %& actual
#arria'e o t"e )arties since cri#inal lia%ilit& is e,tin'uis"ed$
an oer to co#)ro#ise or a #onetar& consideration$ and
not to #arr& t"e victi#$ is an i#)lied ad#ission o 'uilt.
An oer o #arria'e %& t"e accused$ durin' t"e investi'ation
o t"e ra)e case$ is also an ad#ission o 'uilt. *Peo)le v.
ValdeF+
Peo)le v. KanFano: t"e atte#)t o t"e )arents o t"e accused
to settle t"e case -it" t"e co#)lainant -as considered an
i#)lied ad#ission o 'uilt 0 X\ Note: atte#)t to settle #ade
durin' trial. Ka& all under /2J$ R1?A
8ri#inal cases involvin' cri#inal ne'li'ence$ or t"e 1uasi>
oenses conte#)lated in RP8 ?L5$ are allo-ed to %e
co#)ro#ised under t"e a#end#ent to t"is section$ "ence
an oer o settle#ent is not an i#)lied ad#ission o 'uilt.
Good Sa#aritan doctrine
An oer to )a& or t"e actual )a&#ent o t"e #edical$ "os)ital
or ot"er e,)enses %& reason o t"e victi#Ms in(uries is not
ad#issi%le to )rove civil or cri#inal lia%ilit& t"ereor.
@. /2A@$ RA 8@2@$ Ta, Reor# Act o 1JJN
In )rosecutions or violation o t"e internal revenue la-s$
suc" oers o co#)ro#ise are not ad#issi%le in evidence as
t"e la- )rovides t"at t"e )a&#ent o an& internal revenue ta,
#a& %e co#)ro#ised$ and all cri#inal violations #a& li;e-ise
%e co#)ro#ised$ e,ce)t t"ose alread& iled in court and
t"ose involvin' raud.
5. // 2$ @$ L$ 9 1A$ PI No. 15A8
A#ica%le settle#ent at %aran'a& level
8ases:
VARAIERO V . INS<LAR L<K.ER *1J2@+
GEN R<LE: oer o co#)ro#ise is inad#issi%le
EE8EPTION: -"ere a#ount na#ed in t"e oer to acce)t a
certain su# in settle#ent a))ears to "ave %een arrived at as
a air esti#ate o value$ it is relevant *t"us ad#issi%le+
PEOPLE V . GOIOC *1JJ5+
Generall&$ an oer o co#)ro#ise in a cri#inal case is
ad#issi%le as evidence a'ainst t"e )art& #a;in' it.
:o-ever$ t"e accused #a& s"o- t"at t"e oer -as
#ade #erel& to avoid t"e inconvenience o
i#)rison#ent or so#e ot"er reason (usti&in' a clai#
t"at t"e oer -as not an ad#ission o 'uilt
PEOPLE V . LAK.II *2AA?+
Plea or or'iveness is analo'ous to an atte#)t to
co#)ro#ise$ and an oer o co#)ro#ise %& accused #a& %e
received in evidence as an i#)lied ad#ission o 'uilt
.AT<LANON V . PEOPLE *2AAL+
Oer o co#)ro#ise %& accused #a& %e received in evidence
as an i#)lied ad#ission o 'uilt in cri#inal cases EE8EPT in
cases involvin' 1uasi>oenses or cri#inal ne'li'ence or t"ose
allo-ed %& la- to %e co#)ro#ised.
8. Res Inter Alios Acta *// 28 9 ?@$ R1?A+
Section 28. Ad#ission %& t"ird )art&. ! T"e ri'"ts o a )art&
cannot %e )re(udiced %& an act$ declaration$ or o#ission o
anot"er$ e,ce)t as "ereinater )rovided. *25a+
2irst %ranc" o t"e rule o Gres inter alios acta alteri nocere
non de%etH
E,ce)tions:
1. /2J: B"ere t"e t"ird )erson is a )artner$ a'ent$ (oint
o-ner$ (oint de%tor or "as a (oint interest -it" t"e )art&
2. /?A: T"ird )erson is a co>cons)irator
?. /?1: T"ird )erson is a )riv& o t"e )art&
Section ?@. Si#ilar acts as evidence. ! Evidence t"at one did
or did not do a certain t"in' at one ti#e is not ad#issi%le to
)rove t"at "e did or did not do t"e sa#e or si#ilar t"in' at
anot"er ti#e3 %ut it #a& %e received to )rove a s)eciic intent
or ;no-led'e3 identit&$ )lan$ s&ste#$ sc"e#e$ "a%it$ custo# or
usa'e$ and t"e li;e. *@8a+
33
Second %ranc" o res inter alios acta *irst %ranc" is R1?A / 28:
t"e ri'"ts o a )art& cannot %e )re(udiced %& an act$
declaration$ or o#ission o anot"er+
A))lies to %ot" civil and cri#inal cases
Strictl& enorced in all cases -"ere a))lica%le
GEN R<LE: Evidence t"at one did or did not do a certain
t"in' at one ti#e is not ad#issi%le to )rove t"at "e did or did
not do t"e sa#e or si#ilar t"in' at anot"er ti#e.
EE8EPTIONS: B"ere evidence o si#ilar acts #a& )rove
a. a s)eciic intent or ;no-led'e
%. identit&
c. a )lan4s&ste#4sc"e#e
d. a s)eciic "a%it
e. esta%lis"ed custo#s$ usa'es$ and t"e li;e
Evidence o anot"er cri#e is ad#issi%le in a )rosecution or
ro%%er& -"ere it "as t"e tendenc& to identi& t"e accused or
s"o- "is )resence at t"e scene o t"e cri#e *Peo)le v. Iran'$
Peo)le v. Liera+
Evidence o anot"er cri#e is inad#issi%le -"ere t"e
evidence is to )rove t"at t"e accused co##itted
anot"er cri#e -"oll& inde)endent o t"at or -"ic" "e
is on trial. *Peo)le v. Asinas+
RIANO:
T"e rule )ro"i%its t"e ad#ission o G)ro)ensit& evidence$H
evidence t"at tends to s"o- t"at -"at a )erson "as done at
one ti#e is )ro%ative o t"e contention t"at "e "as done a
si#ilar act at anot"er ti#e. Evidence o si#ilar acts or
occurrences co#)els t"e deendant to #eet alle'ations not
#entioned in t"e co#)laint$ conuses "i# in "is deense$
raises a variet& o relevant issues$ and diverts t"e attention o
t"e court ro# t"e issues i##ediatel& %eore it. :ence$ t"e
evidentiar& rule 'uards a'ainst t"e )ractical inconvenience o
tr&in' collateral issues and )rotractin' t"e trial and )revents
sur)rise or ot"er #isc"ie )re(udicial to liti'ants. *8ruF v. 8A+
T"e ad#issi%ilit& o si#ilar acts or )revious conduct -ould
de)end on t"e )ur)oses or -"ic" suc" conduct or acts are
oered.
8ases:
ALVIQO V . SANIIGAN.ACAN *2AA?+
Iirect )roo is not essential to s"o- cons)irac&. T"e e,istence
o t"e assent o #inds involved in a cons)irac& #a& %e$ and
ro# t"e secrec& o t"e cri#e$ usuall& #ust %e$ inerred %& t"e
court ro# )roo o acts and circu#stances -"ic"$ ta;en
to'et"er$ a))arentl& indicate t"at t"e& are #erel& )arts o
so#e co#)lete -"ole. Proo o cons)irac& #ost re1uentl&
#ade %& evidence o a c"ain o circu#stances onl&
PEOPLE V . GA<IIA *2AA@+
Alle'ed oer o co#)ro#ise %& deendantMs )arents cannot
)re(udice deendant )er res inter alios acta
t"eir actions canMt aect "i# as "e -as not a )art& to
said conversation
it -as not s"o-n t"at "e -as )riv& to t"e oer t"e&
#ade to t"e victi#Ms #ot"er
I. E,ce)tions to t"e Res Inter Alios Acta Rule
1. Ad#ission %& a co>)artner or a'ent
a. /2J$ R1?A
Section 2J. Ad#ission %& co>)artner or a'ent. ! T"e act or
declaration o a )artner or a'ent o t"e )art& -it"in t"e
sco)e o "is aut"orit& and durin' t"e e,istence o t"e
)artners"i) or a'enc&$ #a& %e 'iven in evidence a'ainst
suc" )art& ater t"e )artners"i) or a'enc& is s"o-n %&
evidence ot"er t"an suc" act or declaration. T"e sa#e rule
a))lies to t"e act or declaration o a (oint o-ner$ (oint de%tor$
or ot"er )erson (ointl& interested -it" t"e )art&.
Re1uisites or a))lication:
1. T"at t"e )artners"i)$ a'enc&$ or (oint interest is
esta%lis"ed %& evidence ot"er t"an t"e act or
declaration3
2. T"e act or declaration is -it"in t"e sco)e o t"e
)artners"i)$ a'enc&$ or (oint interest3 and
?. Suc" act or declaration #ust "ave %een #ade durin'
t"e e,istence o t"e )artners"i)$ a'enc&$ or (oint interest
Reer to 88 18A? *on )artners+$ 1J1A *a'ents+$ @8N *co>
o-ners+$ and 1222 *solidar& de%tors+.
As a rule$ state#ents #ade ater a )artners"i) "as %een
dissolved do not all -it"in t"is e,ce)tion.
B"ere t"e ad#issions are #ade in connection -4 t"e
-indin' u) o t"e )artners"i) aairs$ said ad#issions are
still ad#issi%le as t"e )artner is actin' as an a'ent o "is
co>)artners in said -indin'>u).
T"e )"rase G(oint de%torH s"ould %e understood accordin' to
its #eanin' in t"e co##on la- s&ste# ro# -"ic" t"e
)rovision -as ta;en$ t"at is$ in solidu#$ and not
#anco#unada. *Paucian v. Duerol+
%. /2?$ R1?8
Ad#issions %& counsel are ad#issi%le a'ainst t"e client as t"e
or#er acts in re)resentation and as an a'ent o t"e client$
su%(ect to t"e li#itation t"at t"e sa#e s"ould not a#ount to
a co#)ro#ise */2?$ R1?8+ or conession o (ud'#ent.
*Acenas v. Sison+
8ases:
A8ENAS V . SISON *1JL?+
Attorne& or deendants a'reed to (ud'#ent on conession
a'ainst "is clients: records do not s"o- t"at "e "ad aut"orit&
to coness (ud'#ent 0 suc" #ust %e clear. R12N.21 o t"e old
Ro8 states t"at s)ecial aut"orit& is needed to co#)ro#ise
t"eir clientMs liti'ation
P:IL . PO<RNALISTS $ IN8 . V . NLR8 *2AAL+
A (ud'#ent a))rovin' a co#)ro#ise a'ree#ent cannot
"ave t"e eect o res (udicata u)on non>si'natories since t"e
re1uire#ent o identit& o )arties is not satisied 0 t"e union
"as no aut"orit& to co#)ro#ise t"e individual clai#s o
#e#%ers -"o didnMt consent to t"e settle#ent
2. Ad#ission %& cons)irators */?A$ R1?A+
Section ?A. Ad#ission %& cons)irator. ! T"e act or declaration
o a cons)irator relatin' to t"e cons)irac& and durin' its
e,istence$ #a& %e 'iven in evidence a'ainst t"e co>
cons)irator ater t"e cons)irac& is s"o-n %& evidence ot"er
t"an suc" act o declaration. *2N+
T"is rule a))lies onl& to e,tra(udicial acts or state#ents and
not to testi#on& 'iven on t"e -itness stand at t"e trial -"ere
34
t"e )art& adversel& aected t"ere%& "as t"e o))ortunit& to
cross>e,a#ine t"e declarant. *Peo)le v. Serrano+
T"e re1uire#ent t"at t"e cons)irac& #ust )reli#inaril&
%e )roved %& evidence ot"er t"an t"e cons)iratorMs
ad#ission a))lies on to e,tra(udicial ad#issions. *Peo)le
v. Nierra+
An ad#ission %& a cons)irator is ad#issi%le a'ainst "is co>
cons)irator i:
1. Suc" cons)irac& is s"o-n %& evidence aliunde3
2. T"e ad#ission -as #ade durin' t"e e,istence o t"e
cons)irac&3 and
?. T"e ad#ission relates to t"e cons)irac& itsel.
Note: T"ese are not re1uired in ad#issions durin' t"e trial as
t"e co>accused can cross>e,a#ine t"e declarant *Peo)le v.
Serrano+ and$ %esides$ t"ese are ad#issions ater t"e
cons)irac& "as ended. *Peo)le v. ViFcarra+
E,istence o cons)irac& #a& %e inerred ro#:
T"e acts o t"e accused
T"e conessions o t"e accused
Pri#a acie )roo t"ereo
B"ere t"ere is no inde)endent evidence o t"e alle'ed
cons)irac&$ t"e e,tra(udicial conession o an accused cannot
%e used a'ainst "is co>accused as t"e res inter alios acta rule
a))lies to %ot" e,tra(udicial conessions and ad#issions.
*Peo)le v. Ale're+
E,tra(udicial ad#issions #ade %& a cons)irator ater t"e
cons)irac& "ad ter#inated and even %eore trial are not
ad#issi%le a'ainst t"e co>cons)irator$ EE8EPT:
1. i #ade in t"e )resence o t"e latter -"o e,)ressl& or
i#)liedl& a'reed t"erein as$ in t"e latter case$ it -ould %e
a tacit ad#ission under /?23
2. -"ere t"e acts in said ad#ission are conir#ed in t"e
individual e,tra(udicial conessions #ade %& t"e co>
cons)irators ater t"eir a))re"ension3
?. as a circu#stance to deter#ine a -itnessM credi%ilit&3 or
@. as circu#stantial evidence to s"o- t"e )ro%a%ilit& o t"e
latterMs )artici)ation in t"e oense.
In order t"at t"e e,tra(udicial state#ents o a co>accused #a&
%e ta;en into consideration in (ud'in' t"e testi#on& o a
-itness$ it is necessar& t"at t"e state#ents are #ade %&
several accused$ t"e sa#e are all in #aterial res)ects identical$
and t"ere could "ave %een no collusion a#on' said co>
accused in #a;in' suc" state#ents. *Peo)le v. .adilla+
8ases:
PEOPLE V . 8A.RERA *1JN@+
State#ent not #ade durin' t"e e,istence o t"e alle'ed
cons)irac&$ %ut ater said alle'ed cons)irac& "ad alread&
ceased 0 rule on ad#ission %& cons)irator canMt %e availed o
PREAGIIO V . SANIIGAN.ACAN *2AA5+
R1?A.2N a))lies onl& to e,tra(udicial acts or declarations$ not
to testi#on& 'iven on t"e -itness stand at t"e trial -"ere t"e
deendant "as t"e o))ortunit& to cross>e,a#ine t"e declarant
?. Ad#ission %& )rivies */?1$ R1?A+
Section ?1. Ad#ission %& )rivies. ! B"ere one derives title to
)ro)ert& ro# anot"er$ t"e act$ declaration$ or o#ission o t"e
latter$ -"ile "oldin' t"e title$ in relation to t"e )ro)ert&$ is
evidence a'ainst t"e or#er. *28+
Re1uire#ents to %e ad#issi%le:
1. Relation o )rivit& %et-een t"e )art& and t"e declarant
2. Ad#ission -as #ade %& t"e declarant$ as )redecessor>in>
interest$ -"ile "oldin' t"e title to t"e )ro)ert&
?. Ad#ission is in relation to said )ro)ert&
Privit& in estate #a& "ave arisen %& succession %& acts #ortis
causa or %& acts inter vivos.
RIANO:
GPriviesH: )ersons -"o are )arta;ers or "ave an interest in an&
action or t"in'$ or an& relation to anot"er
8ases:
8ITC O2 KANILA V . IEL ROSARIO *1JA5+
B"ere one derives title to real )ro)ert& ro# anot"er$ t"e
declaration4act4o#ission o t"e latter in relation to t"e
)ro)ert& is evidence a'ainst t"e or#er onl& -"en #ade
-"ile t"e latter "olds t"e title
REP<.LI8 V . SANIIGAN.ACAN *2AA?+
T"e individual and se)arate ad#issions o eac" res)ondent
%ind all o t"e# )ursuant to //2J and ?1$ R1?A o t"e Rules
o 8ourt. T"e declarations o a )erson are ad#issi%le a'ainst a
)art& -"enever a G)rivit& o estateH e,ists %et-een t"e
declarant and t"e )art&$ t"e ter# G)rivit& o estateH 'enerall&
denotin' a succession in ri'"ts. 8onse1uentl&$ an ad#ission
o one in )rivit& -it" a )art& to t"e record is co#)etent.
E. 8onessions
1. /??$ R1?A
Section ??. 8onession. ! T"e declaration o an accused
ac;no-led'in' "is 'uilt o t"e oense c"ar'ed$ or o an&
oense necessaril& included t"erein$ #a& %e 'iven in
evidence a'ainst "i#. *2Ja+
8onession: a cate'orical ac;no-led'#ent o 'uilt #ade %&
an accused in a cri#inal case$ -it"out an& e,cul)ator&
state#ent or e,)lanation.
Ka& %e oral or in -ritin'
I in -ritin'$ it need not %e under oat"
T"e act t"at t"e e,tra(udicial conession -as #ade -"ile t"e
accused -as under arrest does not render it inad#issi%le
-"ere t"e sa#e -as #ade and ad#itted )rior to t"e 1JN?
8onstitution.
Ka& %e (udicial or e,tra(udicial
Pudicial conession : one #ade %eore a court in -"ic"
t"e case is )endin' and in t"e course o le'al
)roceedin's t"erein and$ %& itsel$ can sustain a
conviction even in ca)ital oenses
E,tra(udicial conession : one #ade in an& ot"er )lace or
occasion and cannot sustain a conviction unless
corro%orated %& evidence o t"e cor)us delicti *R1??.?+
o An& or# o coercion renders t"e e,tra(udicial
conession inad#issi%le
o T"e e,tra(udicial conession o an accused is %indin'
onl& u)on "i#sel and is not ad#issi%le a'ainst "is
co>accused.
EE8EPTIONS:
35
a. 8o>accused i#)liedl& ac1uiesced in or
ado)ted said conession %& not
1uestionin' its trut"ulness
%. Accused )ersons voluntaril& and
inde)endentl& e,ecuted identical
conessions -it"out conclusion
*interloc;in' conessions+$ corro%orated %&
ot"er evidence and -it"out contradiction
%& t"e co>accused -"o -as )resent
c. Accused ad#itted acts stated %&
conessant ater %ein' a))rised o suc"
conession
d. T"e& are c"ar'ed as co>cons)irators o
t"e cri#e conessed %& one o t"e
accused and said conession is used onl&
as corro%oratin' evidence
e. 8onession is used as circu#stantial
evidence to s"o- t"e )ro%a%ilit& o
)artici)ation %& t"e co>cons)irator
. 8onessant testiied or "is co>deendant
'. 8o>cons)iratorMs e,tra(udicial conession is
corro%orated %& ot"er evidence o record
Re1uire#ents or conession to %e ad#issi%le:
1. 8onession #ust involve an e,)ress and cate'orical
ac;no-led'#ent o 'uilt
2. 2acts ad#itted #ust %e constitutive o a cri#inal oense
?. Given voluntaril&
8onessions are )resu#ed to %e voluntar&. T"e
onus is on t"e deense to )rove t"at it -as
involuntar& or "avin' %een o%tained %& violence$
inti#idation$ t"reat or )ro#ise o re-ard or lenienc&
B"& involuntar& conessions are inad#issi%le
o <nrelia%le
o :u#anitarian considerations
o Le'al considerations o t"eir %ein' violative o
t"e constitutional ri'"t a'ainst sel>
incri#ination
@. Intelli'entl& #ade
5. No violation o /12$ Art. III o t"e 1J8N 8onstitution
Baiver o ri'"t to counsel durin' custodial
investi'ation #ust %e #ade -it" t"e assistance o
counsel
B"en t"e accused -as #erel& told o "is
constitutional ri'"ts and as;ed i "e understood
-"at "e -as told$ %ut "e -as never as;ed -"et"er
"e -anted to e,ercise or avail "i#sel o suc" ri'"ts$
"is e,tra(udicial conession is inad#issi%le.
B"ere t"e ver%al e,tra(udicial conession -as #ade
-it"out counsel$ %ut s)ontaneousl& #ade %& t"e
accused i##ediatel& ater t"e assault$ t"e sa#e is
ad#issi%le not under t"e conession rule$ %ut as )art
o t"e res 'estae$ aside ro# t"e consideration t"at
no custodial investi'ation -as involved.
Inad#issi%le evidence ter#ed as Gruit o t"e )oisonous treeH
reers to o%(ect$ not testi#onial evidence3 it also reers to an
o%(ect seiFed in t"e course o an ille'al searc" and seiFure. It
does not reer to testi#on& or a conession o%tained t"rou'"
an ille'al arrest.
2. /?$ R1??
Section ?. E,tra(udicial conession$ not suicient 'round or
conviction. ! An e,tra(udicial conession #ade %& an
accused$ s"all not %e suicient 'round or conviction$ unless
corro%orated %& evidence o cor)us delicti. *?+
Reer to notes under )revious )art *R1?A.??+.
8or)us delicti : t"e %od& or su%stance o t"e cri#e
T"e actual co##ission %& so#eone o t"e )articular cri#e
c"ar'ed. ItMs a co##on act #ade u) o 2 t"in's: a+ t"e
e,istence o a certain act or result or#in' t"e %asis o t"e
cri#inal c"ar'e$ and %+ t"e e,istence o a cri#inal a'enc& as
t"e cause o t"e act or t"e result.
Proved -"en t"e evidence on record s"o-s t"at t"e
cri#e )rosecuted "ad %een co##itted
A #ere voluntar& e,tra(udicial conession uncorro%orated %&
inde)endent )roo o t"e cor)us delicti is insuicient to
sustain a (ud'#ent o conviction. T"ere #ust %e inde)endent
)roo o t"e cor)us delicti. T"e evidence #a& %e
circu#stantial %ut$ (ust t"e sa#e$ t"ere s"ould %e so#e
evidence su%stantiatin' t"e conession. *<S v. de la 8ruF+
?. // 12 9 1N$ Art. III$ 1J8N 8onstitution
Art. III$ Sec. 12. *1+ An& )erson under investi'ation or t"e
co##ission o an oense s"all "ave t"e ri'"t to %e inor#ed
o "is ri'"t to re#ain silent and to "ave co#)etent and
inde)endent counsel )reera%l& o "is o-n c"oice. I t"e
)erson cannot aord t"e services o counsel$ "e #ust %e
)rovided -it" one. T"ese ri'"ts cannot %e -aived e,ce)t in
-ritin' and in t"e )resence o counsel.
*2+ No torture$ orce$ violence$ t"reat$ inti#idation$ or an&
ot"er #eans -"ic" vitiate t"e ree -ill s"all %e used a'ainst
"i#. Secret detention )laces$ solitar&$ inco##unicado$ or
ot"er si#ilar or#s o detention are )ro"i%ited.
*?+ An& conession or ad#ission o%tained in violation o t"is
or Section 1N "ereo s"all %e inad#issi%le in evidence a'ainst
"i#.
*@+ T"e la- s"all )rovide or )enal and civil sanctions or
violations o t"is section as -ell as co#)ensation to t"e
re"a%ilitation o victi#s o torture or si#ilar )ractices$ and t"eir
a#ilies.
Art. III$ Sec. 1N. No )erson s"all %e co#)elled to %e a -itness
a'ainst "i#sel.
8ases:
PEOPLE V . 8OKPIL *1JJ5+
Ri'"t to counsel attac"es u)on t"e start o investi'ation
*-"en investi'atin' oicer as;s 1uestions to 'et ino etc.+. At
suc" )oint$ t"e )erson %ein' interro'ated #ust %e assisted %&
counsel. T"e %elated arrival o t"e la-&er$ even i )rior to t"e
si'nin' o t"e uncounseled 6e,tra(udicial7 conession does not
cure t"e deect.
PEOPLE V . BANG 8:<EN KING *1JJL+
Si'natures o t"e accused on t"e %o,es 6t"e& -ere #ade to
si'n -"ile at NAIA and a'ain on %a's -"en alread& ta;en in
custod&7$ -"ic" are tanta#ount to uncounseled e,tra(udicial
conessions$ are inad#issi%le as evidence or %ein'
unconstitutional.
PEOPLE V . S<AREQ *1JJN+
Ioctrine o interloc;in' conessions *EE8EPTION to RIAA and
"earsa& rule
Alt"ou'" an e,tra(udicial conession is ad#issi%le onl&
a'ainst t"e conessant$ (uris)rudence #a;es it ad#issi%le
36
as corro%orative evidence o ot"er acts t"at tend to
esta%lis" t"e 'uilt o "is co>accused.
B"ere conession is used as circu#stantial evidence to
s"o- t"e )ro%a%ilit& o )artici)ation %& an accused co>
cons)irator$ t"at conession is receiva%le as evidence
a'ainst "i#.
PEOPLE V . .ASE *2AAA+
Re1uire#ents or e,tra(udicial conession to %e ad#issi%le:
a. Voluntar&
%. Kade -it" assistance o co#)etent and inde)endent
counsel
c. E,)ress
d. In -ritin'
PEOPLE V . <LIT *2AA@+
State#ent #ade to %aran'a& c"air#an is ad#issi%le in
evidence 0 deendant -as not under arrest or under
custodial investi'ation -"en "e 'ave "is state#ent
.aran'a& c"air not a la- enorce#ent oicer or
)ur)oses o a))l&in' /12*1 9 ?+$ Art. III o 8onstitution
PEOPLE V . TOKAD<IN *2AA@+
A %aran'a& ca)tain -"o is also a la-&er cannot %e
considered inde)endent and co#)etent counsel -it"in
/12*1 9 ?+$ Art. III o 8onstitution$ as RP8152 dee#s a
%aran'a& ca)tain as a )erson in aut"orit& *t"ereore "e canMt
%e inde)endent in suc" instance+
PEOPLE V . RAPEQA *2AAN+
A conession is ad#issi%le in evidence i it is satisactoril&
s"o-n to ave %een o%tained -4in t"e li#its i#)osed %& t"e
8onstitution. T"e e,tra(udicial conession #ust also %e tested
or voluntariness *t"at is$ i it -as 'iven reel& %& t"e
conessant -4o an& or# o coercion or induce#ent+.
II. 8ONI<8T AS EVIIEN8E
A. Si#ilar acts4unacce)ted oer
1. // ?@ 9 ?5$ R1?A
Section ?@. Si#ilar acts as evidence. ! Evidence t"at one did
or did not do a certain t"in' at one ti#e is not ad#issi%le to
)rove t"at "e did or did not do t"e sa#e or si#ilar t"in' at
anot"er ti#e3 %ut it #a& %e received to )rove a s)eciic intent
or ;no-led'e3 identit&$ )lan$ s&ste#$ sc"e#e$ "a%it$ custo# or
usa'e$ and t"e li;e. *@8a+
Section ?5. <nacce)ted oer. ! An oer in -ritin' to )a& a
)articular su# o #one& or to deliver a -ritten instru#ent or
s)eciic )ersonal )ro)ert& is$ i re(ected -it"out valid cause$
e1uivalent to t"e actual )roduction and tender o t"e #one&$
instru#ent$ or )ro)ert&. *@Ja+
T"is section is #erel& an evidentiar& co#)le#ent to t"e rule
on tender o )a&#ent.
2. 88 125L
88 125L. I t"e creditor to -"o# tender o )a&#ent "as
%een #ade reuses -it"out (ust cause to acce)t it$ t"e de%tor
s"all %e released ro# res)onsi%ilit& %& t"e consi'nation o
t"e t"in' or su# due.
8onsi'nation alone s"all )roduce t"e sa#e eect in t"e
ollo-in' cases:
1+ B"en t"e creditor is a%sent or un;no-n$ or does not
a))ear at t"e )lace o )a&#ent3
2+ B"en "e is inca)acitated to receive t"e )a&#ent at t"e
ti#e it is due3
?+ B"en$ -it"out (ust cause$ "e reuses to 'ive a recei)t3
@+ B"en t-o or #ore )ersons clai# t"e sa#e ri'"t to
collect3
5+ B"en t"e title o t"e o%li'ation "as %een lost. *11NLa+
Suc" tender o )a&#ent #ust$ "o-ever$ %e ollo-ed %&
consi'nation o t"e a#ount in court in order to )roduce t"e
eects o valid )a&#ent. *KcLau'"lin v. 8A+
8ases:
<S V . PINEIA *1J18+
GEN R<LE: evidence o ot"er oenses co##itted %& a
deendant is inad#issi%le.
AN EE8EPTION: itMs )er#issi%le to ascertain deendantMs
;no-led'e and intent and to i, "is ne'li'ence.
o I deendant "as on #ore t"an one occasion
)eror#ed si#ilar acts$ accident in 'ood ait" is
)ossi%l& e,cluded$ ne'li'ence is intensiied$ and
raudulent intent #a& even %e esta%lis"ed. T"ereMs
no %etter evidence o ne'li'ence t"an t"e
re1uenc& o accidents.
PEOPLE V . ASINAS *1J2J+
GEN R<LE: evidence is not ad#issi%le -"ic" s"o-s or tends
to s"o- t"at t"e accused in a cri#inal case "as co##itted a
cri#e -"oll& inde)endent o t"e oense or -"ic" "e is on
trial.
One cri#e does not *tend to+ )rove anot"er$ <NLESS
t"ereMs suc" a relation %et-een t"e# t"at )roo o one
tends to )rove t"e ot"er.
PEOPLE V . IRANG *1J?N+
GEN R<LE: evidence o anot"er cri#e %& a deendant is
inad#issi%le in a )rosecution or ro%%er&
EE8EPTION: -"en itMs ot"er-ise relevant$ as -"ere it tends to
identi& deendant as )er)etrator o ro%%er& c"ar'ed$ or
tends to s"o- "is )resence at t"e scene or in t"e vicinit& o
t"e cri#e at t"e ti#e c"ar'ed$ or -"en itMs evidence o a
circu#stance connected -it" t"e cri#e
NI8OLAS V . ENRID<EQ *1J55+
B"ere t"e )revious se,ual relations sou'"t to %e )roved
-ere ar re#oved in )oint o ti#e ro# t"e illicit act 6o
concu%ina'e7 no- co#)lained o$ and too; )lace -"en
t"ere -as as &et no le'al i#)edi#ent to t"e sa#e$ t"e& 'ive
no rational %asis or t"e inerence t"at t"e& -ould %e
continued ater co#)lainantMs #arria'e "ad created suc"
i#)edi#ent and #ade continuance o se,ual relations
%et-een deendants a cri#e.
.OSTON .ANR V . KANALO *2AAL+
T"e act t"at ot"er lot %u&ers -ere allo-ed to )a& t"e
%alance o t"e )urc"ase )rice o lots )urc"ased %& t"e# in
12A or 18A #ont"l& install#ents does not constitute evidence
t"at EEI also a'reed to 'ive res)ondents t"e sa#e #ode and
ti#eline o )a&#ent.
III. :EARSAC R<LE
A. Testi#onial ;no-led'e *// ?L>@N$ R1?A+
37
Section ?L. Testi#on& 'enerall& conined to )ersonal
;no-led'e3 "earsa& e,cluded. ! A -itness can testi& onl& to
t"ose acts -"ic" "e ;no-s o "is )ersonal ;no-led'e3 t"at
is$ -"ic" are derived ro# "is o-n )erce)tion$ e,ce)t as
ot"er-ise )rovided in t"ese rules. *?Aa+
:EARSAC EVIIEN8E R<LE *R1?A.?L+
An& evidence$ -"et"er oral or docu#entar&$ is "earsa& i its
)ro%ative value is not %ased on t"e )ersonal ;no-led'e o
t"e -itness %ut on t"e ;no-led'e o so#e ot"er )erson not
on t"e -itness stand.
B"& "earsa& evidence is e,cluded
T"e )art& a'ainst -"o# it is )resented is de)rived o "is ri'"t
and o))ortunit& to cross>e,a#ine t"e )ersons to -"o# t"e
state#ents or -ritin's are attri%uted. 8onse1uentl&$ i a )art&
does not o%(ect to t"e "earsa& evidence$ t"e sa#e is
ad#issi%le$ as a )art& can -aive "is ri'"t to cross>e,a#ine.
*Peo)le v. Ola+
:earsa& evidence alone #a& %e insuicient to esta%lis" a
act in issue %ut -"en no o%(ection is inter)osed t"ereto$
it is$ li;e an& ot"er evidence$ to %e considered and 'iven
t"e i#)ortance it deserves. *Kanliclic v. 8alaunan+
:o-ever$ it "as also %een "eld t"at "earsa& evidence
not o%(ected to #a& %e ad#issi%le %ut$ -"et"er
o%(ected to or not$ "as no )ro%ative value and$ as
o))osed to direct )ri#ar& evidence$ t"e latter al-a&s
)revails. *Peo)le v. Valero$ Peo)le v. Billia#s+
B"ere t"e state#ents or -ritin's attri%uted to a )erson not
on t"e -itness stand are %ein' oered not to )rove t"e trut"
o t"e acts stated t"erein %ut onl& to )rove t"at t"ose
state#ents -ere actuall& #ade or t"ose -ritin's -ere
e,ecuted$ suc" evidence is not covered %& t"e "earsa&
evidence rule. T"e -itness -"o testiies t"ereto is co#)etent
%ecause "e "eard t"e sa#e or sa- t"e e,ecution o t"e
docu#ent$ as t"ese are #atters o act derived ro# "is o-n
)erce)tion and t"e )ur)ose is onl& to )rove eit"er t"at t"e
state#ent -as #ade or t"e tenor t"ereo. *Peo)le v. 8usi Pr.$
8orne(o Sr. v. Sandi'an%a&an$ Se%astian Sr. v. Garc"itorena+
T"us$ a -itness #a& testi& to t"e state#ents #ade %& a
)erson i$ or instance$ t"e act t"at suc" state#ents -ere
#ade %& t"e latter -ould indicate t"e latterMs #ental
state or )"&sical condition 0 doctrine o inde)endentl&
relevant state#ents$ t"at is$ inde)endent o -"et"er t"e
acts stated are true or not$ t"e& are relevant since t"e&
are t"e acts in issue or are circu#stantial evidence o t"e
acts in issue.
E,a#)les: t"ose #ade %& a )erson
> s"o-in' "is state o #ind *#ental condition$
;no-led'e$ %elie$ intention$ ill -ill$ and ot"er e#otion+
> -"ic" s"o- "is )"&sical condition$ as illness and t"e
li;e
> ro# -"ic" an inerence #a& %e #ade as to t"e state
o #ind o anot"er *;no-led'e$ %elie$ #otive$ 'ood or
%ad ait"$ etc. o t"e latter+
> -"ic" #a& identi& t"e date$ )lace$ and )erson in
1uestion
> s"o-in' t"e lac; o credi%ilit& o a -itness
*Estrada v. Iesierto$ Resolution on KR+
Ne-s)a)er cli))in's or acts )u%lis"ed in t"e ne-s)a)ers
are "earsa& and "ave no evidentiar& value unless
su%stantiated %& )ersons -it" )ersonal ;no-led'e o said
acts. *Peo)le v. A'uel+
RIANO:
Evidence is called "earsa& -"en its )ro%ative orce de)ends$
in -"ole or in )art$ on t"e co#)etenc& and credi%ilit& o
so#e )ersons ot"er t"an t"e -itness %& -"o# it is sou'"t to
)roduce it *Estrada v. Iesierto+.
Alt"ou'" "earsa& evidence )resu))oses lac; o )ersonal
;no-led'e o t"e trut" o t"e act asserted %& a -itness$ t"e
)ur)ose or -"ic" t"e evidence is oered is a vital ele#ent o
"earsa& evidence. It is t"e )ur)ose or -"ic" t"e evidence is
oered -"ic" -ould deter#ine -"et"er t"e sa#e is "earsa&
or not.
:earsa&$ as deined %& R8A16c7 o t"e 2ederal Rules o
Evidence: a state#ent *oral or -ritten assertion or nonver%al
conduct intended %& t"e )erson as an assertion+$ ot"er t"an
t"e one #ade %& t"e declarant -"ile testi&in' at t"e trial or
"earin'$ oered in evidence to )rove t"e trut" o t"e #atter
asserted.
Ele#ents o "earsa& evidence
1. Out>o>court state#ent
I#)lied ro# an out>o>court state#ent is t"e act
t"at t"e -itness "as no )ersonal ;no-led'e o t"e
#atter testiied to.
2. Re)eated and oered %& t"e -itness in court to )rove
t"e trut" o t"e #atters asserted %& t"e state#ent
B"ere a state#ent is not oered or t"e trut" o t"e
#atter asserted %ut is oered or an evidentiar&
)ur)ose not de)endent on t"e trut" o t"e #atters
asserted$ t"e state#ent is non>"earsa&.
:earsa& evidence O)inion evidence
One t"at is not %ased on
oneMs )ersonal )erce)tion
%ut %ased on t"e ;no-led'e
o ot"ers to )rove t"e trut"
o t"e #atter asserted in an
out>o>court declaration
*R1?A /?L+
.ased on t"e )ersonal
;no-led'e or )ersonal
conclusions o t"e -itness
%ased on "is s;ill$ trainin'$ or
e,)erience *R1?A /@J+
B"ere a state#ent is not oered or t"e trut" o t"e contents
o t"e conversation$ %ut onl& to s"o- t"at it -as #ade$ t"en
t"e state#ent is not "earsa&.
As lon' as an out>o>court state#ent is oered or a non>
"earsa& )ur)ose *a )ur)ose ot"er t"an to )rove t"e
trut" o t"e #atter asserted+$ t"e state#ent is ad#issi%le
i it "as relevance to t"e #atter in issue.
8ases:
RI8:KONI V . AN8:<ELO *1JA5+
Ieense -itness told %& deendant$ GPlainti a'reed to cure
#e or P"P 2AA$ no c"ar'e i successulH 0 t"is is "earsa& *and
as suc" inad#issi%le+$ as t"e -itness didnMt ;no- t"at )lainti
#ade suc" state#ents. All "e ;no-s is t"at deendant told
"i# t"atMs -"at )lainti said.
LEA KER INI<STRIES $ IN8 . V . KALACAN INS<RAN8E 8O .$
IN8 . *2AA5+
<nless t"e aiant is )resented as a -itness$ an aidavit is
considered "earsa&.
EE8EPTION: inde)endentl& relevant state#ents
38
A re)ort #ade %& a )erson is ad#issi%le i itMs intended to
)rove t"e tenor$ not t"e trut"$ o t"e state#ents.
Inde)endent o t"e trut" or alsit& o t"e state#ent 'iven
in t"e re)ort$ t"e act t"at it "as %een #ade is relevant.
ESTRAIA V . IESIERTO
T"e %an on "earsa& does not include state#ents -"ic" are
relevant inde)endentl& o -"et"er t"e& are true or not$ li;e
state#ents o a )erson to s"o-$ a#on' ot"ers$ "is state o
#ind$ #ental condition$ ;no-led'e$ %elie$ intention$ ill -ill$
and ot"er e#otions.
Rinds o inde)endentl& relevant state#ents:
a. T"ose state#ents -"ic" are t"e ver& acts in issue
%. T"ose state#ents -"ic" are circu#stantial evidence o
t"e act in issue
i. State#ents o a )erson s"o-in'
"is state o #ind *#ental condition$ ;no-led'e$
%elie$ intention$ ill -ill$ and ot"er e#otions+
ii. State#ents o a )erson -"ic"
s"o- "is )"&sical condition$ as illness and t"e li;e
iii. State#ents o a )erson ro#
-"ic" an inerence #a& %e #ade as to t"e state o
#ind o anot"er *;no-led'e$ %elie$ #otive$
'ood4%ad ait" etc. o t"e latter+
iv. State#ents -"ic" #a& identi&
t"e date$ )lace and )erson in 1uestion
v. State#ents s"o-in' t"e lac; o
credi%ilit& o a -itness
.. S)eciic E,ce)tions
11 E,ce)tions to :earsa& Rule *R1?A.?N>@N+
a. I&in' declarations
%. Ieclaration a'ainst interest
c. Act or declaration a'ainst )edi'ree
d. 2a#il& re)utation or tradition re'ardin' )edi'ree
e. 8o##on re)utation
. Part o t"e res 'estae
'. Entries in t"e course o %usiness
". Entries in oicial records
i. 8o##ercial lists and t"e li;e
(. Learned treatises
;. Testi#on& or de)osition at a or#er trial *Re'alado:
lo'icall&$ t"is is not an e,ce)tion to t"e "earsa& rule$ or it
re1uires or its ad#issi%ilit& t"at t"e )art& "ad eit"er
cross>e,a#ined or "ad t"e o))ortunit& to cross>e,a#ine
t"e -itness at said or#er trial+
T"ese e,ce)tions are -arranted %& t"e necessit& or suc"
evidence and4or t"e assu#)tion t"at$ in t"e ordinar& course
o events$ t"e sa#e are trust-ort"&.
NOTE: /28 o t"e Rule on E,a#ination o a 8"ild Bitness
*AK No. AA>@>AN>S8+ 0 s)ecial e,ce)tion to t"e "earsa&
rule in c"ild a%use cases
:earsa& testi#on& o a c"ild descri%in' an& act or atte#)ted
act o se,ual a%use #a& no- %e ad#itted in an& cri#inal
)roceedin'$ su%(ect to certain )rere1uisites and t"e ri'"t o
cross>e,a#ination %& t"e adverse )art&. T"e ad#issi%ilit& o
suc" "earsa& state#ents s"all %e deter#ined %& t"e court in
li'"t o s)eciied su%(ective and o%(ective considerations
-"ic" )rovide suicient indicia o relia%ilit& o t"e c"ild
-itness.
RIANO:
Re1uisites
1. T"e )ro)onent s"all #a;e ;no-n to t"e adverse )art&
t"e intention to oer suc" state#ent and its )articulars to
)rovide "i# a air o))ortunit& to o%(ect
2. I t"e c"ild is availa%le$ t"e court s"all$ u)on #otion o
t"e adverse )art&$ re1uire t"e c"ild to %e )resent at t"e
)resentation o t"e "earsa& state#ent or cross>
e,a#ination %& t"e adverse )art&
?. B"en t"e c"ild is unavaila%le *deceased$ suers ro#
)"&sical inir#it&$ #ental illness$ loss o #e#or&$ or
%ecause t"e c"ild -ill %e e,)osed to severe
)s&c"olo'ical in(ur&+$ t"e act o suc" circu#stance #ust
%e )roved %& t"e )ro)onent and t"e "earsa& testi#on&
s"all %e ad#itted onl& i corro%orated %& ot"er
ad#issi%le evidence
In t"is connection$ t"e court is allo-ed to ad#it videota)e
and audiota)e in>de)t" or disclosure intervie-s as evidence$
)rovided it is s"o-n t"at a+ t"e c"ild -itness is una%le to
testi& )er /28*c+ o t"e Rule on E,a#ination o a 8"ild
Bitness3 and %+ t"e intervie- -as conducted %& dul& trained
#e#%ers o a #ultidisci)linar& tea# or re)resentatives o la-
enorce#ent or c"ild )rotective services$ in situations -"ere
c"ild a%use is sus)ected$ so as to deter#ine -"et"er c"ild
a%use occurred.
Aside ro# t"e a%ove re1uire#ents$ t"e . oundational
#atters #ust %e esta%lis"ed:
a+ t"e )art& oerin' t"e videota)e or audiota)e$ #ust
disclose t"e identit& o all individuals )resent and at all
ti#es includes t"eir i#a'es and voices3
%+ t"at t"e state#ent -as not #ade in res)onse to
1uestionin' calculated to lead t"e c"ild to #a;e a
)articular state#ent or is clearl& s"o-n to %e t"e
state#ent o t"e c"ild and not t"e )roduct o i#)ro)er
su''estion3
c+ t"at t"e videota)e and audiota)e #ac"ine or device
-as ca)a%le o recordin' testi#on&3
d+ t"at t"e )erson o)eratin' t"e device -as co#)etent to
o)erate it3
e+ t"at t"e videota)e or audiota)e is aut"entic and correct3
and
+ t"at t"e recordin' "as %een dul& )reserved. */2J. Rule
on E,a#ination o a 8"ild Bitness+
1. I&in' declaration *R1?A.?N+
Section ?N. I&in' declaration. ! T"e declaration o a d&in'
)erson$ #ade under t"e consciousness o an i#)endin'
deat"$ #a& %e received in an& case -"erein "is deat" is t"e
su%(ect o in1uir&$ as evidence o t"e cause and surroundin'
circu#stances o suc" deat". *?1a+
1+ ICING IE8LARATIONS
a.;.a. ante #orte# state#ent or state#ent in articulo #ortis
Re1uisites
1. T"at deat" is i##inent and t"e declarant is conscious o
t"e act
A declaration -ill %e dee#ed as "avin' %een #ade
under t"e consciousness o i##inent deat"$ in
consideration o:
a+ T"e -ords or state#ents o t"e declarant on t"e sa#e
occasion3
%+ :is conduct at t"e ti#e t"e declaration -as #ade *<S
v. Virre&+3 or
39
c+ T"e serious nature o "is -ounds as -ould necessaril&
en'ender a %elie on "is )art t"at "e -ould not survive
t"erero# *Peo)le v. Avila$ Peo)le v. Sara%ia+$ es)eciall&
-"ere "e died an "our t"ereater *Peo)le v. .rioso$
Peo)le v. Garcia$ Peo)le v. Ara(a+.
T"e intervenin' ti#e ro# t"e #a;in' o t"e declaration
u) to t"e actual deat" o t"e declarant is i##aterial $ as
lon' as t"e declaration -as #ade under t"e
consciousness o i#)endin' deat" *<S v. Kallari+ -"ic"
is a 1uestion o act or t"e trial court to deter#ine
*Peo)le v. E,tra+$ and as lon' as no retraction -as #ade
%& t"e declarant until "is de#ise. B"ere t"e 'ravit& o
t"e -ound did not di#inis"$ t"e ad#issi%ilit& o t"e
d&in' declaration is not aected %& t"e act t"at t"e
declarant died "ours or da&s later *Peo)le v. Ievaras+ or
even 1@ da&s later *Peo)le v. Pacinto+. It is t"e %elie in
i#)endin' deat" at t"e ti#e t"e state#ent -as #ade $
and not t"e ra)id succession o deat" $ t"at renders t"e
d&in' declaration ad#issi%le . *Peo)le v. Sa%io+
:o-ever$ t"e ti#e interval %et-een t"e declaration and
t"e deat" o t"e declarant #a& %e ta;en into account
-"ere t"e declaration is a#%i'uous as to -"et"er t"e
declarant %elieved t"at "is deat" -as i##inent -"en
"e #ade suc" declaration. T"us$ -"ere t"e declarant
stated t"at "e -ould not die i treated$ suc" state#ent
indicates an a-areness o deat" and t"e nature o "is
-ound and "is deat" an "our later 1ualiies suc"
state#ent into a d&in' declaration$ or$ at least$ as )art o
t"e res 'estae *Peo)le v. Antonio+.
B"ere$ s"ortl& ater "e -as -ounded$ t"e victi#
-as as;ed as to -"et"er "e %elieved "e -ould die
and to -"ic" "e re)lied GI cannot ascertainH and "e
died t"e ollo-in' da&$ "is state#ent is ad#issi%le
%ot" as )art o t"e res 'estae and as a d&in'
declaration. *Peo)le v. Gueron+
B"ere t"e viction$ -"en as;ed as to -"et"er "e
t"ou'"t "e -ould die$ re)lied:
> GI donMt ;no-$H "is declaration -as not #ade
under t"e consciousness o "is i##inent deat" and
does not 1uali& as an ante #orte# state#ent$
alt"ou'" t"e sa#e -as ad#itted as )art o t"e res
'estae since it -as #ade i##ediatel& ater t"e
incident. *Peo)le v. La1uinon+
> GIt all de)ends$H and "is condition "ad
)ro'ressivel& i#)roved$ "is state#ents t"ereater
cannot %e considered as a d&in' declaration.
*Peo)le v. LanFa+
2. T"at t"e declaration reers to t"e cause and surroundin'
circu#stances o suc" deat"
State#ents reerrin' to t"e antecedents o t"e ateul
encounter *Peo)le v. .ustos+ or o)inions$ i#)ressions or
conclusions o t"e declarant *State v. :orn+ are not
ad#issi%le3 %ut all acts relatin' to t"e cause o suc"
deat" are ad#issi%le -"et"er t"e sa#e are in avor or
a'ainst t"e accused *<S v. 8le#ente$ <S v. Anti)olo$
Peo)le v. KartineF+.
?. T"at t"e declaration relates to acts -"ic" t"e victi# is
co#)etent to testi& to
@. T"at t"e declaration is oered in a case -"erein t"e
declarantMs deat" is t"e su%(ect o in1uir&
Ater a d&in' declaration is )roved and ad#itted as suc"$ its
credi%ilit& and -ei'"t s"ould %e deter#ined %& t"e courts
under t"e sa#e rules used in testin' t"e -ei'"t and
credi%ilit& o an& ot"er testi#onial evidence. *Peo)le v. Aniel$
Peo)le v. Ola+
Suc" actors as -"ere t"e acts narrated %& t"e declarant
"ave occurred under circu#stances o sur)rise$ ra)idit&$
and conusion$ s"ould not %e lost %& oversi'"t$ %ecause
t"e accurac& o "is o%servation o t"e occurrences
%eore "i# could %e %lurred %& suc" disorder and
ra)idit& o events and$ t"ereore$ "e could %e #ista;en in
"is identiication o "is assailant. Ta;in' into
consideration$ too$ t"at t"e source$ accurac& and
co#)leteness o t"e declarantMs ;no-led'e as to t"e
acts %& "i# asserted could not %e tested %& cross>
e,a#ination$ a d&in' declaration "as to %e acce)ted
-it" ut#ost care and s"ould %e considered in li'"t o all
t"e acts )roved in t"e case. *Peo)le v. Kallare+
A d&in' declaration #a& %e oral or -ritten or #ade %& si'ns
-"ic" could %e inter)reted and testiied to %& a -itness
t"ereto. T"e 6s)ouse7 o t"e declarant #a& testi& to t"e sa#e$
eit"er or t"e )rosecution or as a deense -itness$ and t"is
does not violate t"e #arital )rivile'e as a d&in' declaration is
not considered a conidential co##unication %et-een t"e
s)ouses *<S v. Anti)olo+. I t"e ante #orte# state#ent -as
#ade orall&$ t"e -itness -"o "eard it #a& testi& t"ereto$
-it"out necessaril& re)roducin' t"e e,act -ords as lon' as
"e can 'ive t"e su%stance t"ereo$ and i t"e deceased "ad
an unsi'ned d&in' declaration$ t"e sa#e #a& %e used as a
#e#orandu# %& t"e -itness -"o too; it do-n *Peo)le v.
Odencio+.
A d&in' declaration #a& %e attac;ed on t"e 'round t"at an&
o t"e re1uisites or its ad#issi%ilit& are not )resent$ and t"e
sa#e #a& %e i#)eac"ed in t"e sa#e #anner as t"e
testi#on& o an& ot"er -itness on t"e stand *<S v. 8astellon$
Peo)le v. Kalacon$ Peo)le v. Aniel+. A#erican (uris)rudence is
to t"e eect t"at d&in' declarations are on t"e sa#e ootin'
as testi#on& o a -itness on t"e stand and -"atever -ould
dis1uali& suc" -itness -ould also #a;e suc" declarations
inco#)etent evidence *Peo)le v. Sanc"eF$ Ionnell& v. State+
RIANO:
As an e,ce)tion to t"e rule a'ainst "earsa& evidence$ a d&in'
declaration is evidence o t"e "i'"est order and is entitled to
ut#ost credence since no )erson a-are o "is i#)endin'
deat" -ould #a;e a careless and alse accusation. It is t"us
ad#issi%le$ to )rovide t"e identit& o t"e accused and t"e
deceased$ to s"o- t"e cause o deat" o t"e deceased$ and
t"e circu#stances under -"ic" t"e assault -as #ade u)on
"i#. T"e reason or its ad#issi%ilit& is necessit& and
trust-ort"iness *Peo)le v. 8erilla+.
As )resentl& -order$ R1?A /?N no lon'er )laces an&
li#itation on t"e t&)e o action in -"ic" a d&in' declaration
#a& %e introduced. As lon' as t"e relevance is clear$ a d&in'
declaration #a& no- %e introduced in a cri#inal or a civil
action and t"e relevance is satisied -"ere t"e su%(ect o
in1uir& is t"e deat" o t"e declarant "i#sel.
A #ere consciousness o deat" is not enou'"T t"e declarant
#ust %e conscious t"at t"e deat" is near and certain$ and
40
-"at is said #ust "ave %een s)o;en in t"e "us" o its
i#)endin' )resence.
A)art ro# t"e state#ents o t"e declarant$ consciousness o
an i#)endin' deat" #a& %e esta%lis"ed %& ot"er
circu#stances suc" as t"e nature o t"e in(ur& and t"e
conduct o t"e declarant... t"e declarantMs %elie t"at "e is
'oin' to die soon #a& %e s"o-n circu#stantiall& %& t"e
o%vious atal 1ualit& o t"e -ound$ %& t"e state#ents #ade
to t"e victi# %& t"e )"&sician t"at "is condition is "o)eless$ or
%& so#e ot"er circu#stances *Peo)le v. Silan' 8ruF$ Peo)le v.
8"an Lin Batt+
A d&in' declaration #a& %e attac;ed in t"e sa#e #anner as
one -ould do to a testi#on& in o)en court.
8ases:
PEOPLE V . SA.IO *1J81+
It is t"e %elie in i#)endin' deat" at t"e ti#e t"e state#ent
-as #ade$ and not t"e ra)id succession o deat"$ t"at
renders t"e d&in' declaration ad#issi%le.
PEOPLE V . LAD<INON *1J85+
B"en t"e deceased -as in dou%t as to B4N "e -ould
die$ "is d&in' declaration is not ad#issi%le as an ante>
#orte# declaration.
A d&in' declaration is ad#issi%le as )art o t"e res 'estae
-"en t"e declarantMs state#ent -as #ade i##ediatel&
ater t"e incident and "e "ad no suicient ti#e to
concoct a c"ar'e a'ainst t"e accused.
PEOPLE V . IE POCA *1JJ1+
To %e ad#issi%le$ a d&in' declaration #ust %e co#)lete in
itsel 0 t"e state#ent o an& 'iven act s"ould %e a ull
e,)ression o all t"at "e intended to sa& as conve&in' "is
#eanin' in res)ect o suc" act.
PEOPLE V . 8OKILING *2AA@+
An ante>#orte# state#ent is evidence o t"e "i'"est order. It
is doctrinal t"at -"en a )erson is at t"e )oint o deat"$ ever&
#otive o alse"ood is silenced.
KART<RILLAS V . PEOPLE *2AAL+
T"e act t"at t"e victi#Ms state#ent constituted a d&in'
declaration does not )reclude it ro# %ein' ad#itted as )art
o t"e res 'estae$ i t"e ele#ents o %ot" are )resent.
2. Ieclaration a'ainst interest *R1?A.?8+
Section ?8. Ieclaration a'ainst interest. ! T"e declaration
#ade %& a )erson deceased$ or una%le to testi&$ a'ainst t"e
interest o t"e declarant$ i t"e act is asserted in t"e
declaration -as at t"e ti#e it -as #ade so ar contrar& to
declarantSs o-n interest$ t"at a reasona%le #an in "is )osition
-ould not "ave #ade t"e declaration unless "e %elieved it to
%e true$ #a& %e received in evidence a'ainst "i#sel or "is
successors in interest and a'ainst t"ird )ersons. *?2a+
2+ IE8LARATION AGAINST INTEREST
Re1uisites
1. Ieclarant is dead or una%le to testi&
2. T"e state#ent relates to a act a'ainst t"e interest o t"e
declarant
?. At t"e ti#e "e #ade said declaration t"e declarant -as
a-are t"at t"e sa#e -as contrar& to "is aoresaid
interest
@. Ieclarant "ad no #otive to alsi& and %elieved suc"
declaration to %e true
Ieclarations a'ainst interest Ad#issions a'ainst interest
T"ose #ade %& a )erson
-"o is neit"er a )art& nor in
)rivit& -it" a )art& to t"e suit.
T"e& are secondar& evidence
%ut constitute an e,ce)tion
to t"e "earsa& rule
T"ose #ade %& a )art& to a
liti'ation or %& one in )rivit&
-it" or identiied in le'al
interest -it" suc" )art&
Ad#issi%le onl& -"en t"e
declarant is unavaila%le as a
-itness
Ad#issi%le B4N t"e
declarant is availa%le as a
-itness
A declaration a'ainst interest is t"e o))osite o a sel>servin'
declaration *a state#ent avora%le to or intended to advance
t"e interests o t"e declarant+. 8onse1uentl&$ a sel>servin'
declaration is inad#issi%le as %ein' "earsa& i t"e declarant is
unavaila%le as a -itness.
A declaration ad#ittin' t"at "e -as t"e one -"o ;illed t"e
victi#$ #ade %& a declarant -"o died s"ortl& t"ereater$ is
ad#issi%le -"ere anot"er )erson -as su%se1uentl& c"ar'ed
as t"e ;iller o t"e sa#e victi#$ under t"e t"eor& t"at said
declaration -as one a'ainst t"e )enal interest o t"e
declarant *Peo)le v. Toledo and :ol'ado+. T"is -ould %e a
(ustiia%le t"eor& since under our )enal la-s a )erson
cri#inall& lia%le is also civill& lia%le$ and is sustained under t"e
)resent a#ended rule -"ic" does not deli#it or distin'uis"
as to t"e interest a'ainst -"ic" t"e declaration is #ade.
RIANO:
As a rule$ t"e interest a'ainst -"ic" t"e declaration #a& "ave
%een #ade s"ould %e eit"er a )ecuniar& or #oral interest$
%ut in our (urisdiction$ t"e declaration could %e a'ainst oneMs
)enal interest %ecause i one ad#its to a cri#e$ "e is also
civill& lia%le$ a lia%ilit& t"at is )ecuniar& *Peo)le v. Toledo+.
8ases:
VIA8R<8IS V . 8A
Previous reco'nition %& a )art& in )"&sical )ossession o t"e
)ro)ert& in dis)ute o t"e o-ners"i) in anot"er constitutes a
declaration a'ainst t"e interest o t"e or#er and #a& %e
received in evidence not onl& a'ainst suc" )art& -"o #ade
t"e declaration or "is successors in interest %ut also a'ainst
t"ird )ersons.
2<ENTES $ PR . V . 8A
Re1uisites o declaration a'ainst interest:
a. Ieclarant #ust not %e availa%le to testi&
%. Ieclaration #ust concern a act co'niFa%le %& t"e
declarant
c. 8ircu#stances #ust render it i#)ro%a%le t"at a #otive
to alsi& e,isted
PAREL V . PR<IEN8IO
T"e t"eor& under -"ic" declarations a'ainst interest are
received in evidence not-it"standin' t"e& are "earsa& is t"at
t"e necessit& o t"e occasion renders t"e rece)tion o suc"
evidence advisa%le and$ urt"er t"at t"e relia%ilit& o suc"
declaration asserts acts a'ainst "is o-n )ecuniar& or #oral
interest.
?. Pedi'ree *R1?A.?J+
Section ?J. Act or declaration a%out )edi'ree. ! T"e act or
declaration o a )erson deceased$ or una%le to testi&$ in
41
res)ect to t"e )edi'ree o anot"er )erson related to "i# %&
%irt" or #arria'e$ #a& %e received in evidence -"ere it
occurred %eore t"e controvers&$ and t"e relations"i)
%et-een t"e t-o )ersons is s"o-n %& evidence ot"er t"an
suc" act or declaration. T"e -ord U)edi'reeU includes
relations"i)$ a#il& 'enealo'&$ %irt"$ #arria'e$ deat"$ t"e
dates -"en and t"e )laces -"ere t"ese ast occurred$ and
t"e na#es o t"e relatives. It e#%races also acts o a#il&
"istor& inti#atel& connected -it" )edi'ree. *??a+
?+ A8T OR IE8LARATION A.O<T PEIIGREE
T"e )edi'ree o a )erson #a& %e )roved %& t"e act or
declaration o a relative
Re1uisites
1. T"e actor or declarant is dead or una%le to testi&
2. T"e act or declaration is #ade %& a )erson related to t"e
su%(ect %& %irt" or #arria'e
?. T"e relations"i) %et-een t"e declarant or actor and t"e
su%(ect is s"o-n %& evidence ot"er t"an suc" act or
declaration
Relations"i) #ust %e )reli#inaril& )roved %& direct or
circu#stantial evidence. T"e rules do not re1uire an&
s)eciic de'ree o relations"i)$ %ut t"e -ei'"t to -"ic"
suc" act or declaration is entitled #a& %e aected %& t"e
de'ree o relations"i).
@. T"e act or declaration -as #ade ante lite# #ota#$ or
)rior to t"e controvers&
RIANO:
T"e declaration a%out )edi'ree #a& %e received in evidence
i t"e relations"i) is s"o-n %& evidence ot"er t"an t"e
declaration.
8ases:
GRAVAIOR V . KAKIGO
Alt"ou'" a )erson can "ave no )ersonal ;no-led'e o
t"e date o "is %irt"$ "e #a& testi& as to "is a'e as "e
"ad learned it ro# "is )arents and relatives and "is
testi#on& in suc" case in an assertion o a a#il&
tradition.
Kade ante lite #ota# %& a deceased relative$
6declaration in veriied )leadin' as to )etitionerMs a'e7 is
at once a declaration re'ardin' )edi'ree -it"in t"e
intend#ent and #eanin' o 6R1?A.?J7
TISON V . 8A
GEN R<LE: -"ere t"e )art& clai#in' see;s recover& a'ainst a
relative co##on to %ot" clai#ant and declarant$ %ut not
ro# t"e declarant "i#sel or t"e declarantMs estate$ t"e
relations"i) o t"e declarant to t"e co##on relative #a& not
%e )roved %& t"e declaration itsel. T"ere #ust %e so#e
inde)endent )roo o t"is act.
EE8EPTION: re1uire#ent o ot"er )roo t"an declarantMs
state#ents as to relations"i) does not a))l& -"ere it is
sou'"t to reac" t"e estate o t"e declarant "i#sel and not
#erel& to esta%lis" a ri'"t t"rou'" "is declarations to t"e
)ro)ert& o so#e ot"er a#il& #e#%er.
@. 2a#il& tradition *R1?A.@A+
Section @A. 2a#il& re)utation or tradition re'ardin' )edi'ree.
! T"e re)utation or tradition e,istin' in a a#il& )revious to
t"e controvers&$ in res)ect to t"e )edi'ree o an& one o its
#e#%ers$ #a& %e received in evidence i t"e -itness
testi&in' t"ereon %e also a #e#%er o t"e a#il&$ eit"er %&
consan'uinit& or ainit&. Entries in a#il& %i%les or ot"er a#il&
%oo;s or c"arts$ en'ravin's on rin's$ a#il& )ortraits and t"e
li;e$ #a& %e received as evidence o )edi'ree. *?@a+
@+ 2AKILC REP<TATION OR TRAIITION REGARIING
PEIIGREE
Re1uisites
1. T"e -itness testi&in' t"ereto #ust %e a #e#%er$ %&
consan'uinit& or ainit&$ o t"e sa#e a#il& as t"e
su%(ect
2. Suc" re)utation or tradition #ust "ave e,isted in t"at
a#il& ante lite# #ota#
A )ersonMs state#ent as to "is date o %irt" and a'e$ as
"e learned o t"ese ro# "is )arents or relatives$ is an
ante lite# #ota# declaration o a a#il& tradition
*Gravador v. Ka#i'o+. Suc" state#ent )revails over t"e
#ere o)inion o t"e trial (ud'e *<S v. A'adas+ %ut
cannot 'enerall& )revail over t"e secondar& state#ent o
t"e at"er *<S v. Evan'elista+.
8ases:
2ERRER V . IE IN8:A<STI
T"e la- does not re1uire t"at t"e entries in 6deceasedMs
da&%oo;7 %e #ade at t"e sa#e ti#e as t"e occurrence o
t"ose events3 "ence$ t"e -ritten #e#orandu# in t"e sa#e is
not su%(ect to t"e deect attri%uted to it.
PEO PLE V . ALEGAIO
T"e -ord G)edi'reeH under R1?A.?J includes relations"i)$
a#il& 'enealo'&$ %irt"$ #arria'e$ deat"$ t"e dates -"en and
t"e )laces -"ere t"ese acts occurred and t"e na#es o t"e
relatives.
Re1uisites %eore evidence on )edi'ree -ill %e ad#issi%le:
a. 8ontrovers& in res)ect to t"e )edi'ree o an& o t"e
#e#%ers o a a#il&
b. T"at t"e re)utation or tradition o t"e )edi'ree o t"e
)erson concerned e,isted )revious to t"e controvers&
c. T"e -itness testi&in' to t"e re)utation or tradition
re'ardin' t"e )edi'ree o t"e )erson #ust %e a
#e#%er o t"e a#il& o said )erson
5. 8o##on re)utation *R1?A.@1+
Section @1. 8o##on re)utation. ! 8o##on re)utation
e,istin' )revious to t"e controvers&$ res)ectin' acts o )u%lic
or 'eneral interest #ore t"an t"irt& &ears old$ or res)ectin'
#arria'e or #oral c"aracter$ #a& %e 'iven in evidence.
Konu#ents and inscri)tions in )u%lic )laces #a& %e received
as evidence o co##on re)utation. *?5+
5+ 8OKKON REP<TATION
General re)utation3 t"e deinite o)inion o t"e co##unit& in
-"ic" t"e act to %e )roved is ;no-n or e,ists3 t"e 'eneral or
su%stantiall& undivided re)utation$ as distin'uis"ed ro# a
)artial or 1ualiied one$ alt"ou'" it need not %e unani#ous.
8"aracter Re)utation
T"e in"erent 1ualities o a
)erson
T"e o)inion o "i# %& ot"ers
42
<nder R1?A /@1$ t"e c"aracter o a )erson is )er#itted to %e
esta%lis"ed %& "is co##on re)utation.
Ad#issi%le to )rove t"e . cases *NOTE: In an& o t"e t"ree
cases$ it is necessar& t"at t"e co##on re)utation e,isted ante
lite# #ota#.+:
1. 2acts o )u%lic or 'eneral interest #ore t"an ?A &ears old
Katters o )u%lic interest Katters o 'eneral interest
T"ose o national interest T"ose aectin' in"a%itants o
a )articular re'ion or
co##unit&
T"e co##on re)utation o suc" #atters$ -"ic" is re1uired to
"ave e,isted ante lite# #ota#$ #ust li;e-ise %e [?A &ears
old and$ t"ereore$ can %e esta%lis"ed onl& %& )ersons -"o
"ave "ad ;no-led'e o t"at act or suc" len't" o ti#e$ or
%& #onu#ents and inscri)tions e,istin' or t"at len't" o
ti#e.
2. Karria'e
?. Koral c"aracter
8o##on re)utation #a& %e esta%lis"ed eit"er %& t"e
testi#onial evidence o co#)etent -itnesses$ %& #onu#ents
and inscri)tions in )u%lic )laces$ or %& docu#ents containin'
state#ents o re)utation.
B"ile$ as a rule$ t"e re)utation o a )erson s"ould %e t"at
e,istin' in t"e )lace o "is residence$ it #a& also %e t"at
e,istin' in t"e )lace -"ere "e is %est ;no-n. Also$ t"e
c"aracter o a )lace as an o)iu# (oint #a& %e )roved %& its
co##on re)utation in t"e co##unit&. *<S v. 8"oa 8"io;+
8o##on re)utation is "earsa& li;e an& ot"er e,ce)tion to t"e
"earsa& rule$ %ut is ad#issi%le %ecause o trust-ort"iness
*Re'. v. .edords"ire+
B"ile co##on re)utation in t"e co##unit& #a& esta%lis" a
#atter o )u%lic or 'eneral interest$ #arria'e or #oral
c"aracter$ it cannot esta%lis" )edi'ree. T"is is esta%lis"ed %&
re)utation in t"e a#il& and not in t"e co##unit&.
8ase:
8ITC O2 KANILA V . IEL ROSARIO
6VMs testi#on&$ -4c consisted o -"at "e "ad learned ro#
so#e o t"e oldest residents in t"at section o t"e cit&7 -as
introduced %& t"e 8it& o Kanila a))arentl& or t"e )ur)ose
o )rovin' t"at t"e cit& -as 'enerall& considered t"e o-ner
o t"e land$ dra-in' ro# t"is act t"e )resu#)tion o actual
o-ners"i). Suc" testi#on&$ "o-ever$ does not constitute t"e
Gco##on re)utationH reerred to. 8o##on re)utation is
e1uivalent to universal re)utation.
L. Res 'estae *R1?A.@2+
Section @2. Part o res 'estae. ! State#ents #ade %& a )erson
-"ile a startin' occurrence is ta;in' )lace or i##ediatel&
)rior or su%se1uent t"ereto -it" res)ect to t"e circu#stances
t"ereo$ #a& %e 'iven in evidence as )art o res 'estae. So$
also$ state#ents acco#)an&in' an e1uivocal act #aterial to
t"e issue$ and 'ivin' it a le'al si'niicance$ #a& %e received as
)art o t"e res 'estae. *?La+
L+ PART O2 RES GESTAE
Res 'estae: literall& #eans Gt"in's doneH
Reers to
a+ S)ontaneous state#ents in connection -it" a startlin'
occurrence relatin' to t"at act and in eect or#in' )art
t"ereo
Re1uisites
1. T"e )rinci)al act$ t"e res 'estae$ is a startlin'
occurrence
2. T"e state#ents or#in' )art t"ereo -ere #ade
%eore t"e declarant "ad t"e o))ortunit& to
contrive
?. T"e state#ents reer to t"e occurrence in 1uestion
and its attendin' circu#stances *Peo)le v. Siscar+.
2urt"er$ onl& suc" state#ents as a))ear to "ave %een
involuntaril& and si#ultaneousl& -run' ro# t"e -itness %&
t"e i#)act o t"e occurrence are ad#issi%le. *Peo)le v.
Tula'an+
Res 'estae in connection
-it" a "o#icidal act
I&in' declarations
Ka& %e t"at o t"e ;iller
"i#sel ater or durin' t"e
;illin' *Peo)le v. Re&es+ or
t"at o a t"ird )erson
8an %e #ade onl& %& t"e
victi#
T"e state#ent #a& )recede$
acco#)an&$ or %e #ade
ater t"e "o#icidal act -as
co##itted
Kade onl& ater t"e
"o#icidal attac; "as %een
co##itted
Pustiication in t"e
s)ontaneit& o t"e state#ent
Trust-ort"iness o
declaration %ased u)on its
%ein' 'iven under an
a-areness o i#)endin'
deat"
B"ile t"e victi#Ms state#ents #a& not 1uali& as a d&in'
declaration %ecause it -as not #ade under t"e
consciousness o i#)endin' deat" *Peo)le v. Pala#os+$ it #a&
still %e ad#issi%le as )art o t"e res 'estae i it -as #ade
i##ediatel& ater t"e incident *Peo)le v. Re&es$ Peo)le v.
A%%oc$ Peo)le v. Pascual$ Peo)le v. Ara(a+ or a e- "ours
t"ereater *Peo)le v. Tu#ali)$ Peo)le v. LanFa$ c. Peo)le v.
.al%as+. :o-ever$ -"ere t"e ele#ents o %ot" are )resent$
t"e state#ent #a& %e ad#itted %ot" as a d&in' declaration
and as )art o t"e res 'estae *Peo)le v. .al%as$ Peo)le v.
8orteFano+.
T"e interval o ti#e %et-een t"e startlin' occurrence and t"e
state#ent de)ends u)on t"e circu#stances3 %ut suc"
state#ent #ust "ave %een #ade -"ile t"e declarant -as
under t"e i##ediate inluence o t"e startlin' occurrence$
"ence it is 'enerall& re1uired to "ave %een #ade i##ediatel&
)rior or su%se1uent to t"e event. :o-ever$ i t"e declarant
-as rendered unconscious ater t"e startlin' occurrence$ "is
state#ents relative t"ereto u)on re'ainin' consciousness are
still )art o t"e res 'estae re'ardless o t"e ti#e t"at
intervened in %et-een.
I t"e state#ent -as #ade under t"e inluence o a startlin'
event and t"e declarant did not "ave t"e o))ortunit& to
concoct or contrive a stor&$ even i #ade J "ours ater t"e
;illin'$ t"e state#ent is ad#issi%le as )art o t"e res 'estae
*Peo)le v. .era#e+.
State#ents or outcries as )art o t"e res 'estae "ave %een
ad#itted to esta%lis" t"e identit& o t"e assailant *Peo)le v.
Al%an$ Peo)le v. Iiva+$ to )rove t"e co#)licit& o anot"er
43
)erson in t"e cri#e *<S v. Iavid+$ and to esta%lis" an
ad#ission o lia%ilit& on t"e )art o t"e accused *Peo)le v.
Re&es$ Peo)le v. Gonda&ao+.
RIANO:
T"e ad#issi%il& o a s)ontaneous state#ent is anc"ored on
t"e t"eor& t"at t"e state#ent -as uttered under
circu#stances -"ere t"e o))ortunit& to a%ricate is a%sent.
T"e state#ent is a rele, action rat"er t"an a deli%erate act$
instinctive rat"er t"an deli%erate.
%+ State#ents acco#)an&in' an e1uivocal act$ ot"er-ise
;no-n as ver%al acts$ on t"e t"eor& t"at t"e& are t"e ver%al
)arts o t"e act to %e e,)lained.
Re1uisites
1. T"e res 'estae or )rinci)al act to %e c"aracteriFed #ust
%e e1uivocal
2. Suc" act #ust %e #aterial to t"e issue
?. T"e state#ents #ust acco#)an& t"e e1uivocal act
@. T"e state#ents 'ive a le'al si'niicance to t"e e1uivocal
act
Suc" ver%al acts #ust "ave %een #ade at t"e ti#e$ and not
ater$ t"e e1uivocal act -as %ein' )eror#ed unli;e
s)ontaneous e,cla#ations -"ic" #a& "ave %een #ade
%eore$ durin' or i##ediatel& su%se1uent to t"e startlin'
occurrence.
Ter# Gver%al actH is used to denote t"at suc" state#ents
are t"e ver%al )arts o t"e e1uivocal act o -"ic" suc"
state#ents are e,)lanator&$ "ence t"e& constitute )art o
t"is or# o res 'estae.
Notes ta;en re'ardin' a transaction %& a )erson -"o is not a
)art& t"ereto and -"o "as not %een re1uested to ta;e do-n
suc" notes are not )art o t"e res 'estae. *.orro#eo v. 8A+
RIANO:
O%(ections to t"e ad#issi%ilit& o ver%al acts de)end u)on
B4N t"e )ro)onent "as esta%lis"ed t"e oundations or
ad#issi%ilit&. T"e o%(ector "as to consider t"e :
1. Is t"ere an act t"at is e1uivocal or a#%i'uousX
2. Bill t"e state#ent acco#)an&in' t"e a#%i'uous or
e1uivocal act e,)lain t"e act or 'ive le'al si'niicance to itX
?. Is t"e e1uivocal act #aterial to t"e issueX
@. Ioes t"e state#ent acco#)an& t"e e1uivocal actX
8ases:
PEOPLE V . L<NGACA N
8o#)lainantMs revelation cannot %e considered as )art o t"e
res 'estae 0 "er state#ent #ust %e s)ontaneous and #ade
at a ti#e -"en t"ere -as no o))ortunit& or "er to concoct
"er o-n stor&.
PEOPLE V . LATACAIA
T"e utterances se)aratel& #ade %& t"e victi# to eac" o t"e
-itnesses -ere correctl& a))reciated as )art o t"e res 'estae$
since t"e& "ad %een #ade i##ediatel& ater a startlin'
occurrence and "ad co#)lied -4 t"e . re1uire#ents:
a. State#ents -ere s)ontaneous3
%. Kade i##ediatel& %eore$ durin'$ and ater t"e startlin'
occurrence3 and
c. T"e& related t"e circu#stances t"ereo.
I.P POOL O2 A88REIITEI 8OKPANIES V . RKN
T"e rule in res 'estae a))lies -"en t"e declarant "i#sel did
not testi& and )rovided t"at t"e testi#on& o t"e -itness
-"o "eard t"e declarant co#)lies -4 t"e . re1uisites:
a. T"e )rinci)al act *res 'estae+ is a startlin' occurrence3
%. State#ents -ere #ade %eore t"e declarant "ad t"e
ti#e to contrive or devise a alse"ood3 and
c. T"e state#ents #ust concern t"e occurrence in
1uestion and its i##ediate attendin' circu#stances.
N. Entries in t"e course o %usiness *R1?A.@?+
Section @?. Entries in t"e course o %usiness. ! Entries #ade
at$ or near t"e ti#e o transactions to -"ic" t"e& reer$ %& a
)erson deceased$ or una%le to testi&$ -"o -as in a )osition
to ;no- t"e acts t"erein stated$ #a& %e received as )ri#a
acie evidence$ i suc" )erson #ade t"e entries in "is
)roessional ca)acit& or in t"e )eror#ance o dut& and in t"e
ordinar& or re'ular course o %usiness or dut&. *?Na+
N+ ENTRIES IN T:E 8O<RSE O2 .<SINESS
Re1uisites
1. T"e )erson -"o #ade t"e entr& #ust %e dead$ out o
t"e countr& or una%le to testi&
2. Entries -ere #ade at or near t"e ti#e o t"e transactions
to -"ic" t"e& reer *2i'ueras v. Serrano+
?. Entrant -as in a )osition to ;no- t"e act stated in t"e
entries
@. Entries -ere #ade in "is )roessional ca)acit& or in t"e
)eror#ance o a dut&$ -"et"er le'al$ contractual$
#oral$ or reli'ious *<S v. de Vera+
5. Entries -ere #ade in t"e ordinar& or re'ular course o
%usiness or dut& *2K Ca) Tico 9 8o.$ Ltd. v. Lo)eF Vito$
8"a)#an v. Garcia+
I t"e entrant is availa%le as a -itness$ t"e said entries -ill not
%e ad#itted as an e,ce)tion to t"e "earsa& rule$ %ut t"e&
#a& nevert"eless %e availed o %& said entrant as a
#e#orandu# to reres" "is #e#or& -"ile testi&in' on t"e
transactions relected t"erein. *R1?2 /1L3 8an' Cui v.
Gardner+
In t"e )resentation and ad#ission as evidence o entries
#ade in t"e re'ular course o %usiness$ t"ere is no overridin'
necessit& to %rin' into court all t"e cler;s or e#)lo&ees -"o
individuall& #ade t"e entries in a lon' account. It is suicient
t"at t"e )erson -"o su)ervises t"e -or; o t"e cler;s or
ot"er e#)lo&ees #a;in' t"e entries testi& t"at t"e account
-as )re)ared under "is su)ervision and t"at t"e entries -ere
re'ularl& entered in t"e ordinar& course o %usiness *Ce; Ton'
2ire 9 Karine Insurance v. GutierreF+
RIANO:
T"e e,ce)tion is co##onl& encountered in %reac" o
contract suits and suits or collection o a su# o #one&.
Rules on Electronic Evidence also e,)ressl& e,e#)t %usiness
records ro# t"e "earsa& rule *R8 /1+.
Entries in t"e )a&roll$ %ein' entries in t"e ordinar& course o
%usiness$ en(o& t"e )resu#)tion o re'ularit& under R1?A /@?
*Sa)io v. <ndaloc 8onstruction+
8ases:
8AND<E V . 8A
44
Re1uisites or cor)orate %oo;s to %e ad#itted in evidence
Zsee notes a%ove[
SAIAGNOT V . REINIER PA8I2I8 INT ML S:IPPING
T"e s"i)Ms lo'%oo; is t"e oicial record o a s"i)Ms vo&a'e -4c
its ca)tain is o%li'ated %& la- to ;ee). T"e entries #ade in
t"e s"i)Ms lo'%oo; %& a )erson )eror#in' a dut& re1uired %&
la- are )ri#a acie evidence o t"e acts stated in t"e
lo'%oo;.
8. Oicial records *R1?A.@@+
Section @@. Entries in oicial records. ! Entries in oicial
records #ade in t"e )eror#ance o "is dut& %& a )u%lic
oicer o t"e P"ili))ines$ or %& a )erson in t"e )eror#ance o
a dut& s)eciall& en(oined %& la-$ are )ri#a acie evidence o
t"e acts t"erein stated. *?8+
8+ ENTRIES IN O22I8IAL RE8ORIS
Re1uisites
1. T"e entries -ere #ade %& a )u%lic oicer in t"e
)eror#ance o "is duties or %& a )erson in t"e
)eror#ance o a dut& s)eciall& en(oined %& la- *Arica
v. 8alte,+
2. Entrant "ad )ersonal ;no-led'e o t"e acts stated %&
"i# or suc" acts -ere ac1uired %& "i# ro# re)orts
#ade %& )ersons under a le'al dut& to su%#it t"e sa#e
*Sal#on$ Ie,ter 9 8o. v Bi(an'co+
?. Suc" entries -ere dul& entered in a re'ular #anner in
t"e oicial records
An oicial record #a& %e a re'ister *<S v. Due Pin'+$ a cas"
%oo; *<S v. Asensi+$ or an oicial return or certiicate *Kanalo
v. Ro%les Trans+
Entries in oicial records Entries in t"e course o
%usiness
T"e entrant$ i a )rivate
individual$ #ust "ave acted
)ursuant to a s)eciic le'al
dut& *Gs)eciall& en(oined %&
la-H+
It is suicient t"at t"e entrant
#ade t"e entries )ursuant to
a dut&$ eit"er le'al$
contractual$ #oral$ or
reli'ious
No suc" re1uire#ent or t"e
ad#issi%ilit& o entries in
oicial records
To %e ad#issi%le$ t"e )erson
-"o #ade suc" entries #ust
%e dead or una%le to testi&
.a)tis#al certiicates or )aroc"ial records o %a)tis# are not
)u%lic or oicial records and are not )roo o relations"i) or
iliation o t"e c"ild %a)tiFed *2ortus v. Novero$ Arde v.
Anicoc"e+.
T"e entrant #ust "ave %een co#)etent -it" res)ect to
t"e acts stated in "is entries. 8onse1uentl&$ -"ile t"e
)riest -"o oiciates at a %a)tis# acts )ursuant to a le'al
dut& in recordin' t"e acts o suc" %a)tis# in a re'ister$
suc" entries in t"e re'ister are not ad#issi%le to )rove
t"e date o %irt" o t"e c"ild or its relation to )articular
)ersons *Re#i'io v. Orti'a+$ as t"e entrant )riest -as not
co#)etent to testi& -it" res)ect to t"e trut" o t"ese
latter acts.
Ater t"e )ro#ul'ation o GO No. 58 and t"e )assa'e o Act
No. 1JA$ c"urc" re'istries are no lon'er )u%lic -ritin's.
:o-ever$ t"e& are ad#issi%le as evidence o t"e acts stated
t"erein BRT #arria'es sole#niFed %& t"e )riest -it"out t"e
necessit& o callin' "i#. 88 L8 re1uires t"e sole#niFin' oicer
to ;ee) a record o suc" #arria'es. It is necessar&$ "o-ever$
t"at suc" records or certiicates s"ould %e aut"enticated as
)rivate -ritin's *<S v. de Vera+. At an& rate$ t"e co)& o t"e
certiicate trans#itted to t"e )u%lic oicer as re1uired %& la-
%eco#es a )u%lic docu#ent and a certiied co)& t"ereo is
ad#issi%le in evidence -it"out )rior aut"entication *<S v.
Evan'elista+.
8ases:
<S V . D<E PING
E,"i%its in t"e nature o entries in )u%lic records$ #ade in t"e
)eror#ance o t"eir dut& %& )u%lic oicers$ are )ri#a acie
evidence o t"e acts stated t"erein. Suc" docu#ents$
"o-ever$ are not conclusive evidence. T"eir )ro%ative value
#a& eit"er %e su%stantiated or nulliied %& ot"er co#)etent
evidence.
PEOPLE V . SAN GA.RIEL
Entries in oicial records$ as in t"e case o a )olice %lotter$ are
onl& )ri#a acie evidence o t"e acts stated t"erein. T"e& are
not conclusive.
ES8O.AR V . L<NA
8ertiications issued %& 'overn#ent oices *and certiied to %&
aut"oriFed )ersonnel -"o -ere clot"ed -it" aut"orit& and
dut& to issue suc" certiications+$ -it"out testi#on& o t"e
)erson 'ivin' t"e certiication$ is suicient and co#)etent
evidence -4c is an e,ce)tion to t"e "earsa& rule )er R1?A.@@.
T"is section s"ould %e read in con(unction -4 R1?2.28 -"ic"
allo-s t"e ad#ission o said docu#ent.
J. 8o##ercial lists *R1?A.@5+
Section @5. 8o##ercial lists and t"e li;e. ! Evidence o
state#ents o #atters o interest to )ersons en'a'ed in an
occu)ation contained in a list$ re'ister$ )eriodical$ or ot"er
)u%lis"ed co#)ilation is ad#issi%le as tendin' to )rove t"e
trut" o an& relevant #atter so stated i t"at co#)ilation is
)u%lis"ed or use %& )ersons en'a'ed in t"at occu)ation
and is 'enerall& used and relied u)on %& t"e# t"erein. *?J+
J+ 8OKKER8IAL LISTS ANI T:E LIRE
E,a#)les: #ortalit& ta%les$ acce)ted actuarial and annuit&
ta%les
8ase:
PNO8 S:IPPING V . 8A
Re1uisites or co##ercial lists:
a. ItMs a state#ent o #atters o interest to )ersons en'a'ed
in an occu)ation3
%. Suc" state#ent is contained in a list$ re'istet$ )eriodical
or ot"er )u%lis"ed co#)ilation3
c. Said co#)ilation is )u%lis"ed or t"e use o )ersons
en'a'ed in t"at occu)ation3 and
d. ItMs 'enerall& used and relied u)on %& )ersons in t"e
sa#e occu)ation.
1A. Learned treatises *R1?A.@L+
Section @L. Learned treatises. ! A )u%lis"ed treatise$
)eriodical or )a#)"let on a su%(ect o "istor&$ la-$ science$ or
art is ad#issi%le as tendin' to )rove t"e trut" o a #atter
stated t"erein i t"e court ta;es (udicial notice$ or a -itness
e,)ert in t"e su%(ect testiies$ t"at t"e -riter o t"e state#ent
in t"e treatise$ )eriodical or )a#)"let is reco'niFed in "is
)roession or callin' as e,)ert in t"e su%(ect. *@Aa+
45
1A+ LEARNEI TREATISES
Re1uisites
1. 8ourt ta;es (udicial notice t"ereo3 OR
2. T"e sa#e are testiied to %& an e,)ert -itness
Le'al treatises are no- )ro)erl& included in t"is e,ce)tion to
t"e "earsa& rule.
RIANO:
:istor& %oo;s$ )u%lis"ed indin's o scientists all -it"in t"is
e,ce)tion i an e,)ert on t"e su%(ect testiies to t"e e,)ertise
o t"e -riter or i t"e court ta;es (udicial notice o suc" act.
8ase:
ESTRAIA V . NO.LE
T"e .allantine Scale o Values$ -4c -as e#%odied in a %ill t"e
President sent to 8on'ress or enact#ent in 1J@5$ "as %een
re)eatedl& a))lied %& P"ili))ine courts in nu#erous cases. It
is$ t"ereore$ an oicial docu#ent -"ose )u%lication
constituted a leadin' event o 'eneral interest and -"ose
)rovisions are -idel& ;no-n and "ave )la&ed an i#)ortant
)art in t"e conte#)orar& )olitical "istor& o t"e countr&$ o
-"ic" courts could ta;e (udicial co'niFance.
11. Prior testi#on& *R1?A.@N+
Section @N. Testi#on& or de)osition at a or#er )roceedin'.
! T"e testi#on& or de)osition o a -itness deceased or
una%le to testi&$ 'iven in a or#er case or )roceedin'$ (udicial
or ad#inistrative$ involvin' t"e sa#e )arties and su%(ect
#atter$ #a& %e 'iven in evidence a'ainst t"e adverse )art&
-"o "ad t"e o))ortunit& to cross>e,a#ine "i#. *@1a+
11+ TESTIKONC OR IEPOSITION AT A 2ORKER
PRO8EEIING
Re1uisites
1. Bitness is dead or una%le to testi& *Guevara v. Al#ario+
2. :is testi#on& or de)osition -as 'iven in a or#er case
or )roceedin'$ (udicial or ad#inistrative$ %et-een t"e
sa#e )arties or t"ose re)resentin' t"e sa#e interests
?. T"e or#er case involved t"e sa#e su%(ect as t"at in t"e
)resent case$ alt"ou'" on dierent causes o action
@. T"e issue testiied to %& t"e -itness in t"e or#er trial is
t"e sa#e issue involved in t"e )resent case
5. T"e adverse )art& "ad an o))ortunit& to cross>e,a#ine
t"e -itness in t"e or#er case
Su%se1uent ailure or reusal to a))ear at t"e second trial$ or
"ostilit& since testi&in' at t"e irst trial$ does not a#ount to
ina%ilit& to testi&. Suc" ina%ilit& s"ould )roceed ro# a 'rave
cause$ al#ost a#ountin' to deat"$ as -"en t"e -itness is old
and "as lost t"e )o-er o s)eec". B"ere t"e -itnesses in
1uestion are availa%le$ %ut t"e& reused to testi&$ t"e& do not
co#e -it"in t"e le'al )urvie- o t"ose Guna%le to testi&H
conte#)lated in R1?A /@N *Tan v. 8A$ Toledo Pr. v. Peo)le+
T"e ad#issi%ilit& o a )rior (ud'#ent$ and not t"e )revious
testi#on&$ in a cri#inal action is 'overned %& dierent rules. A
(ud'#ent in a cri#inal )roceedin' Tcannot %e read in
evidence in a civil action a'ainst a )erson not a )art& t"ereto
to esta%lis" an& act t"erein deter#ined. T"e #atter is res inter
alios and cannot %e invo;ed as res (udicata *Al#eida
8"antan'co v. A%aroa+. Suc" (ud'#ent #a& onl& %e
ad#itted in evidence in a civil case %& -a& o induce#ent$ or
to s"o- a collateral act relevant to t"e issue in t"e civil action
*Ed. A. Reller 9 8o. 6Ltd.7 v. Eller#an 9 .uc;nall$ 8it& o Kanila
v. Kanila Electric+
Said (ud'#ent cannot$ in a civil action arisin' ro# t"e
co##ission o a cri#e$ or in -"ic" t"e co##ission o said
cri#e is collateral$ %e ad#itted to )rove )laintiMs cause o
action$ or deendantMs deense$ and -"atever indin's o act
are #ade %& t"e T8 in t"e decision are not %indin' u)on t"e
)arties to t"e civil action. T"e (ud'#ent can onl& )rove t"at a
certain deendant "as %een convicted o a cri#e and
sentenced to t"e )enalt& t"erein i#)osed *Ara#%ulo v.
Kanila Electric+. B"atever inor#al e,)ressions o vie-s -ere
#ade %& t"e court t"erein "ave no )ro%ative value. T"e&
a#ount to not"in' #ore t"an an order or (ud'#ent$ -"ic"
is not )art o t"e (ud'#ent *Re%ullida v. Estrella+
Pud'#ent in t"e cri#inal )roceedin' cannot %e read in
evidence in t"e civil action to esta%lis" an& act t"erein
deter#ined even t"ou'" %ot" actions involve t"e sa#e act
or o#ission. T"e reason or t"is rule is t"at t"e )arties are not
t"e sa#e and dierent rules o evidence are a))lica%le to
eac" case *Kanantan v. 8A$ citin' Al#eida 8"antan'co v.
A%aroa+
:o-ever$ it -as su%se1uentl& "eld t"at a (ud'#ent o
conviction$ in t"e a%sence o collusion %et-een t"e
accused and t"e oended )art&$ is %indin' and
conclusive u)on t"e )erson su%sidiaril& lia%le not onl&
-it" re'ard to "is su%sidiar& lia%ilit& %ut also -it" re'ard
to t"e a#ount t"ereo *Kiranda v. Kalate Gara'e+. Said
(ud'#ent is accordin'l& ad#issi%le in evidence in t"e
civil action %rou'"t to enorce said su%sidiar& lia%ilit& *c.
Pa(arito v. SeWeres+
8ases:
SALES V . SA.INO
As a rule$ t"e inad#issi%ilit& o testi#on& ta;en %& de)osition
is anc"ored on t"e 'round t"at suc" testi#on& is "earsa&$ i.e.$
t"e )art& a'ainst -"o# it is oered "as no o))ortunit& to
cross>e,a#ine t"e de)onent at t"e ti#e "is testi#on& is
oered.
.ut as (uris)rudence teac"es$ it #atters not t"at
o))ortunit& or cross>e,a#ination -as aorded durin'
t"e ta;in' o t"e de)osition3 or nor#all&$ t"e
o))ortunit& or cross>e,a#ination #ust %e accorded a
)art& at t"e ti#e t"e testi#onial evidence is actuall&
)resented a'ainst "i# durin' t"e trial or "earin'.
In ine$ t"e act o cross>e,a#inin' t"e de)onent durin'
t"e ta;in' o t"e de)osition cannot$ -it"out #ore$ %e
considered a -aiver o t"e ri'"t to o%(ect to its
ad#issi%ilit& as evidence in t"e trial )ro)er. In
)artici)atin'$ t"ereore$ in t"e ta;in' o t"e de)osition$
%ut o%(ectin' to its ad#issi%ilit& in court as evidence$
)etitioner did not assu#e inconsistent )ositions. :e is
not$ t"us$ esto))ed ro# c"allen'in' t"e ad#issi%ilit& o
t"e de)osition (ust %ecause "e )artici)ated in t"e ta;in'
t"ereo.
KANLI8LI8 V . 8ALA<NAN
T"ou'" R1?A.@N s)ea;s onl& o testi#on& and de)osition$ it
does not #ean t"at docu#ents ro# a or#er case or
)roceedin' cannot %e ad#itted. Said docu#ents can %e
ad#itted t"e& %ein' )art o t"e testi#onies o -itnesses t"at
"ave %een ad#itted.
IV. OPINION R<LE
46
A. R1?A.@8>5A
Section @8. General rule. ! T"e o)inion o -itness is not
ad#issi%le$ e,ce)t as indicated in t"e ollo-in' sections. *@2+
Section @J. O)inion o e,)ert -itness. ! T"e o)inion o a
-itness on a #atter re1uirin' s)ecial ;no-led'e$ s;ill$
e,)erience or trainin' -"ic" "e s"o-n to )osses$ #a& %e
received in evidence. *@?a+
Section 5A. O)inion o ordinar& -itnesses. ! T"e o)inion o a
-itness or -"ic" )ro)er %asis is 'iven$ #a& %e received in
evidence re'ardin' !
*a+ t"e identit& o a )erson a%out -"o# "e "as ade1uate
;no-led'e3
*%+ A "and-ritin' -it" -"ic" "e "as suicient a#iliarit&3
and
*c+ T"e #ental sanit& o a )erson -it" -"o# "e is
suicientl& ac1uainted.
T"e -itness #a& also testi& on "is i#)ressions o t"e
e#otion$ %e"avior$ condition or a))earance o a )erson.
GEN R<LE *R1?A.@8+: -itnessM o)inion is inad#issi%le
EE8EPTIONS
1. O)inion o e,)ert -itnesses on #atter re1uirin' s)ecial
;no-led'e$ s;ill$ e,)erience or trainin' -"ic" "e
)ossesses *R1?A.@J+
2. O)inion o ordinar& -itnesses *R1?A.5A+ re:
a. Identit& o )erson a%out -"o# "e "as ade1uate
;no-led'e
%. :and-ritin' "e is suicientl& a#iliar -4
c. Kental sanit& o )erson "eMs suicientl& ac1uainted
-4
d. E#otion$ %e"avior$ condition or a))earance o a
)erson "e "as o%served
e. Ordinar& #atters ;no-n to all #en o co##on
)erce)tion$ suc" as t"e value o ordinar& "ouse"old
articles *Galian v. State Assurance 8o.$ Ltd.+
E,)ert -itness
One -"o %elon's to t"e )roession or callin' to -"ic" t"e
su%(ect #atter o t"e in1uir& relates and -"o )ossesses
s)ecial ;no-led'e on 1uestions on -4c "e )ro)oses to
e,)ress an o)inion.
T"ereMs no deinite standard o deter#inin' t"e de'ree
o s;ill or ;no-led'e t"at a -itness #ust )ossess in order
to testi& as an e,)ert.
2ollo-in' actors #ust %e )resent:
a. Trainin' and education
%. Particular$ irst>"and a#iliarit& -it" t"e acts o t"e
case
c. Presentation o aut"orities or standards u)on -"ic"
"is o)inion is %ased
B"en e,)ert evidence is ad#issi%le
1. t"e #atter to %e testiied to is one t"at re1uires e,)ertise$
and
2. t"e -itness "as %een 1ualiied as an e,)ert.
GEN R<LE: e,)ert evidence re'arded as )urel& advisor& in
c"aracter
:&)ot"etical 1uestions #a& %e as;ed o an e,)ert to elicit "is
o)inion. 8ourts$ "o-ever$ are not necessaril& %ound %& t"e
e,)ertMs indin's.
B4N courts are %ound %& t"e testi#on& o an e,)ert
de)ends 'reatl& u)on t"e nature o t"e su%(ect o
in1uir&. ItMs onl& -"ere t"e su%(ect o in1uir& is o suc" a
tec"nical nature t"at a la&#an can )ossi%l& "ave no
;no-led'e t"ereo t"at courts #ust de)end and rel&
u)on e,)ert evidence.
T"e value o e,)ert testi#on& de)ends lar'el& on t"e e,tent
o t"e e,)erience or studies o t"e -itness.
T"e value o t"e o)inion o a "and-ritin' e,)ert de)ends
u)on t"e assistance "e #a& aord in )ointin' out
distin'uis"in' #ar;s$ c"aracteristics and discre)ancies in and
%et-een 'enuine and alse s)eci#ens o -ritin' -4c -ould
ordinaril& esca)e detection %& an untrained o%server.
T"e results o %lood 'rou)in' tests on t"e iliation o a c"ild$
co#)etentl& conducted %& 1ualiied )ersons$ are ad#issi%le
and conclusive on t"e non>)aternit& o a )erson over t"e
c"ild.
T"e testi#on& o a -itness s;illed in t"e un-ritten la- o a
orei'n countr& is not necessaril& %indin' on our courts.
.. R1?2.22
Section 22. :o- 'enuineness o "and-ritin' )roved. ! T"e
"and-ritin' o a )erson #a& %e )roved %& an& -itness -"o
%elieves it to %e t"e "and-ritin' o suc" )erson %ecause "e
"as seen t"e )erson -rite$ or "as seen -ritin' )ur)ortin' to
%e "is u)on -"ic" t"e -itness "as acted or %een c"ar'ed$
and "as t"us ac1uired ;no-led'e o t"e "and-ritin' o suc"
)erson. Evidence res)ectin' t"e "and-ritin' #a& also %e
'iven %& a co#)arison$ #ade %& t"e -itness or t"e court$
-it" -ritin's ad#itted or treated as 'enuine %& t"e )art&
a'ainst -"o# t"e evidence is oered$ or )roved to %e
'enuine to t"e satisaction o t"e (ud'e. *2?a+
T"is section #erel& enu#erates t"e #et"ods o )rovin'
"and-ritin' %ut does not 'ive )reerence or )riorit& to a
)articular #et"od.
8. Rule on INA Evidence
Peo)le v. Valle(o ado)ted t"e . 'uidelines to %e used %&
courts in assessin' t"e )ro%ative value o INA evidence:
1. "o- sa#)les -ere collected3
2. "o- t"e& -ere "andled3
?. t"e )ossi%ilit& o conta#ination o t"e sa#)les3
@. )rocedure ollo-ed in anal&Fin' t"e sa#)les3
5. -"et"er t"e )ro)er standards and )rocedure -ere
ollo-ed in conductin' t"e tests3 and
L. t"e 1ualiication o t"e anal&st -"o conducted t"e test.
T"e )resent rule reco'niFes t"e validit& o and 'ives oicial
reco'nition to INA test results arisin' ro# )ro)erl&
conducted standards and )rocedures in t"e collection$
"andlin'$ and anal&sis o t"e sa#)les %& a 1ualiied anal&st.
T8s s"ould re1uire at least JJ.J] as t"e #ini#u# nu#erical
esti#ate or t"e li;eli"ood or )ro%a%ilit& o )aternit&.
8ases:
PEOPLE V . I<RANAN
I t"e #ot"er o an oended )art& in a ra)e case ;no-s t"e
)art&Ms )"&sical and #ental condition$ "o- s"e -as %orn$
-"at s"e is suerin' ro#$ and -"at "er attain#ents are$ s"e
47
is co#)etent to testi& on t"e #atter even t"ou'" s"e is not a
)s&c"iatrist.
A non>e,)ert -itness #a& 'ive "is o)inion as to t"e
*in+sanit& o anot"er$ -"en %ased u)on conversations or
dealin's "e "as "ad -it" suc" )erson$ or u)on "is
a))earance$ or u)on an& act %earin' u)on "is #ental
condition$ -4 t"e -itnessM o-n ;no-led'e and
o%servation$ "e "avin' irst testiied to suc"
conversations$ dealin's$ a))earance or ot"er o%served
acts$ as t"e %asis or "is o)inion.
ILAO >D<IANAC V . KAPILE
8ourts are not %ound %& e,)ert testi#onies. T"e )ro%le# o
t"e evaluation o e,)ert testi#on& is let to t"e discretion o
t"e trial court -"ose rulin' t"ereu)on is not revie-a%le in
t"e a%sence o an a%use o t"at discretion.
PEOPLE V . <KANITO
INA )rint or identiication tec"nolo'& is reco'niFed as a
uni1uel& eective #eans to lin; a sus)ect to a cri#e$ or
to a%solve one erroneousl& accused$ -"ere %iolo'ical
evidence is availa%le.
T"e deter#ination o -"et"er <#anito is t"e at"er o
AAAMs c"ild$ -"ic" #a& %e acco#)lis"ed t"rou'" INA
testin'$ is #aterial to t"e air and correct ad(udication o
t"e instant a))eal. <nder /@ o t"e Ne- Rule on INA
Evidence$ t"e courts are aut"oriFed$ ater due "earin'
and notice$ #otu )ro)rio to order a INA testin'.
V. 8:ARA8TER AS EVIIEN8E
A. R1?A.51
Sec. 51. 8"aracter evidence not 'enerall&
ad#issi%le3 e,ce)tions: !
*a+ In 8ri#inal 8ases:
1+ T"e accused #a& )rove "is 'ood #oral c"aracter
-"ic" is )ertinent to t"e #oral trait involved in t"e
oense c"ar'ed.
2+ <nless in re%uttal$ t"e )rosecution #a& not )rove
"is %ad #oral c"aracter -"ic" is )ertinent to t"e
#oral trait involved in t"e oense c"ar'ed.
?+ T"e 'ood or %ad #oral c"aracter o t"e oended
)art& #a& %e )roved i it tends to esta%lis" in an&
reasona%le de'ree t"e )ro%a%ilit& or i#)ro%a%ilit&
o t"e oense c"ar'ed.
*%+ In 8ivil 8ases:
Evidence o t"e #oral c"aracter o a )art& in civil case is
ad#issi%le onl& -"en )ertinent to t"e issue o c"aracter
involved in t"e case.
*c+ In t"e case )rovided or in Rule 1?2$ Section 1@$ *@La$ @Na+
Rules on ad#issi%ilit& o c"aracter evidence
1. 8ri#inal cases
Prosecution #a& not at t"e outset )rove t"e
accusedMs %ad #oral c"aracter -4c is )ertinent to
t"e #oral trait involved in t"e oense c"ar'ed.
:o-ever$ i t"e accused in "is deense atte#)ts to
)rove "is 'ood #oral c"aracter$ )rosecution can
introduce evidence o suc" %ad #oral c"aracter at
t"e re%uttal sta'e.
T"e oended )art&Ms 'ood or %ad #oral c"aracter
#a& al-a&s %e )roved %& eit"er )art& as lon' as
suc" evidence tends to esta%lis" t"e *i#+)ro%a%ilit&
o t"e oense c"ar'ed.
2. 8ivil cases
Eit"er )art&Ms #oral c"aracter cannot %e )roved <NLESS
itMs )ertinent to t"e issue o c"aracter involved in t"e case
?. .ot" civil and cri#inal cases
A -itnessM %ad #oral c"aracter #a& al-a&s %e )roved
%& eit"er )art&$ %ut not evidence o "is 'ood c"aracter$
unless it "as %een i#)eac"ed.
BRT t"e nature or su%stance o t"e c"aracter evidence -4c
#a& %e ad#issi%le$ t"e rules re1uire t"at:
As to t"e A88<SEI$ suc" c"aracter evidence #ust %e
)ertinent to t"e #oral trait involved in t"e oense
c"ar'ed *e,. In estaa or )er(ur&$ -"ere a )ersonMs #oral
trait or "onest& or )ro%it& is involved+
As to O22ENIEI PERSON$ itMs suicient t"at suc"
c"aracter evidence #a& esta%lis" in an& reasona%le
de'ree t"e *i#+)ro%a%ilit& o t"e oense c"ar'ed
As to BITNESSES$ suc" c"aracter evidence #ust reer to
"is 'eneral re)utation or trut"$ "onest& or inte'rit&$ t"at
is$ as aectin' "is credi%ilit&
EE8EPTION: Proo o #urder victi#Ms %ad c"aracter is
inad#issi%le i t"e cri#e -as co##itted t"rou'" treac"er& or
)re#editation$ in t"e sa#e #anner t"at t"e ra)e victi#Ms %ad
#oral c"aracter is inad#issi%le i t"e cri#e -as co##itted %&
violence or inti#idation.
RIANO:
8"aracter: t"e a''re'ate o t"e #oral 1ualities -4c %elon' to
and distin'uis" an individual )erson3 t"e 'eneral results o
oneMs distin'uis"in' attri%utes.
.. R1?2.1@
Sec. 1@. Evidence o 'ood c"aracter o -itness. ! Evidence o
t"e 'ood c"aracter o a -itness is not ad#issi%le until suc"
c"aracter "as %een i#)eac"ed. *1N+
8. /L$ RA 85A5
Section L. Ra)e S"ield. > In )rosecutions or ra)e$ evidence o
co#)lainantSs )ast se,ual conduct$ o)inion t"ereo or o
"is4"er re)utation s"all not %e ad#itted unless$ and onl& to
t"e e,tent t"at t"e court inds$ t"at suc" evidence is #aterial
and relevant to t"e case.
8ases:
PEOPLE V . .A.IERA
B"ile it is true t"at -"en t"e deense o t"e accused is t"at
"e acted in sel>deense$ "e #a& )rove t"e deceased to "ave
%een o a 1uarrelso#e$ )rovo;in' and irasci%le dis)osition$
t"e )roo #ust %e o "is 'eneral re)utation in t"e co##unit&
and not o isolated and s)eciic acts.
PEOPLE V . SOLIKAN
B"ile 'ood or %ad c"aracter #a& %e availed o as an aid to
deter#ine t"e )ro%a%ilit& or i#)ro%a%ilit& o t"e co##ission
o an oense$ suc" is not necessar& in #urder$ -"ere t"e
;illin' is co##itted t"rou'" treac"er& o )re#editation. T"e
)roo o suc" c"aracter #a& onl& %e allo-ed in "o#icide
cases to s"o- Ut"at it "as )roduced a reasona%le %elie o
i##inent dan'er in t"e #ind o t"e accused and a (ustiia%le
conviction t"at a )ro#)t deensive action -as necessar&.U
PEOPLE V . 8:ENG
Loose #orals )er se is not a 'round to discredit a -itness.
T"ere #ust %e clear indications #ilitatin' a'ainst "er
credi%ilit& ot"er t"an "er %ein' a )erson o ill re)ute.
48
8S8 V . .ELAGAN
Alt"ou'" s"e is t"e oended )art&$ Ka'dalena$ %&
testi&in' in "er o-n %e"al$ o)ened "ersel to c"aracter
or re)utation attac; )ursuant to t"e )rinci)le t"at a )art&
-"o %eco#es a -itness in "is o-n %e"al )laces "i#sel
in t"e sa#e )osition as an& ot"er -itness$ and #a& %e
i#)eac"ed %& an attac; on "is c"aracter or re)utation.
Settled is t"e )rinci)le t"at evidence o oneMs c"aracter or
re)utation #ust %e conined to a ti#e not too re#ote
ro# t"e ti#e in 1uestion.62@7 In ot"er -ords$ -"at is to
%e deter#ined is t"e c"aracter or re)utation o t"e
)erson at t"e ti#e o t"e trial and )rior t"ereto$ %ut not
at a )eriod re#ote ro# t"e co##ence#ent o t"e suit.
49
PART T:REE
I. .<RIEN O2 PROO2 ANI PRES<KPTIONS
A. .urden o )roo *R1?1.1+
Section 1. .urden o )roo. ! .urden o )roo is t"e dut& o a
)art& to )resent evidence on t"e acts in issue necessar& to
esta%lis" "is clai# or deense %& t"e a#ount o evidence
re1uired %& la-. *1a$ 2a+
.urden o )roo : onus )ro%andi
O%li'ation i#)osed u)on a )art& -"o alle'es t"e e,istence
o acts necessar& or t"e )rosecution o "is action or deense
to esta%lis" t"e sa#e %& t"e re1uisite 1uantu# o evidence.
Duantu# o evidence re1uired:
8ivil cases: )re)onderance o evidence
8ri#inal cases: evidence o 'uilt %e&ond reasona%le
dou%t
ad#inistrative cases: su%stantial evidence *onl& suc"
relevant evidence as a reasona%le #ind #i'"t acce)t as
suicient to su))ort a conclusion+
.urden o )roo .urden o evidence
IoesnMt s"it 0 re#ains
t"rou'"out t"e trial -4
t"e )art& u)on -"o#
itMs i#)osed
S"its ro# )art& to )art&
de)endin' u)on t"e
e,i'encies o t"e case in t"e
course o t"e trial
Generall& deter#ined %&
)leadin's iled %& a )art&
Generall& deter#ined %&
develo)#ents at t"e trial$ or
%& t"e )rovisions o t"e
su%stantive la- or )rocedural
rules -4c #a& relieve t"e
)art& ro# )resentin'
evidence on t"e act alle'ed
*i.e. )resu#)tions$ (udicial
notice 9 ad#issions+
In %ot" civil and cri#inal cases$ t"e %urden o evidence lies
-4 t"e )art& assertin' an air#ative alle'ation. Ne'ative
alle'ations donMt "ave to %e )roved e,ce)t -"ere suc" are
essential )arts o t"e 8OA or deense in a civil case$ or are
essential in'redients o t"e oense in a cri#inal case or t"e
deenses t"ereto. *Industrial 2inance v. To%ias+
GEN R<LE: )rosecution "as %urden o )rovin' t"e cri#inal
c"ar'e i itMs )redicated on a ne'ative alle'ation or t"at a
ne'ative aver#ent is an essential ele#ent o a cri#e
B"at need not %e )roved
1. 2acts -4c are o (udicial notice *R12J+
2. 2acts -4c are (udiciall& ad#itted *R12J+
?. 2acts -4c are )resu#ed *R1?1+
Presu#)tion : an inerence o t"e e,istence or non>
e,istence o a act -"ic" courts are )er#itted to
dra- ro# t"e )roo o ot"er acts
a. Presu#)tions o act: derived -"oll& and
directl& ro# t"e circu#stances o t"e
)articular case %& #eans o t"e co##on
e,)erience o #an;ind
%. Presu#)tions o la-: reduced to i,ed rules
and or# a )art o t"e s&ste# o (uris)rudence
o 8onclusive4a%solute )resu#)tions
o Iis)uta%le4re%utta%le )resu#)tions
RIANO:
T"e %urden o )roo is i,ed %& t"e )leadin's. T"e )laintiMs
clai# -4c "e #ust )rove is s)elled out in "is co#)laint.
IeendantMs deenses -"ic" "e #ust li;e-ise )rove are
ound in "is ans-er to t"e co#)laint. T"e %urdens o )roo o
%ot" )arties do not s"it durin' t"e course o t"e trial.
E,. .urden o )roo to esta%lis" t"at deendant o-es )lainti
re#ains -4 t"e latter3 %urden o )roo to esta%lis" t"at
t"e loan "as %een )aid re#ains -4 deendant
t"rou'"out t"e liti'ation
E1ui)oise rule
Reers to a situation -"ere t"e )artiesM )ieces o evidence are
evenl& %alanced or t"ereMs dou%t on -"ic" side t"e evidence
)re)onderates. In suc" case$ t"e decision s"ould %e a'ainst
t"e )art& -4 t"e %urden o )roo.
B"ere %urden o )roo is on t"e )lainti and t"e evidence
does not su''est t"at t"e scale o (ustice s"ould -ei'"
in "is avor court s"ould render verdict or deendant.
In a cri#inal case$ t"e e1ui)oise rule )rovides t"at -"ere t"e
evidence is evenl& %alanced$ t"e constitutional
)resu#)tion o innocence tilts t"e scales in avor o t"e
accused.
NOT APPLI8A.LE -"ere t"e evidence )resented is not
e1uall& -ei'"t&$ suc" as -"ere )rosecution evidence is
over-"el#in'
8ases:
PEOPLE V . PAPENAIO
In cri#inal cases %urden o )roo as to oense c"ar'ed lies
-4 )rosecution$ and a ne'ative act #ust %e )roved i it is an
essential in'redient o t"e cri#e 0 %urden o )roo -4
)rosecution to )rove t"at t"e irear# used %& t"e accused in
co##ittin' t"e oense c"ar'ed -as not )ro)erl& licensed.
SAK.AR V . LEVI STRA<SS 9 8O .
In civil cases$ t"e %urden o )roo #a& %e on eit"er t"e
)lainti or t"e deendant. It is on t"e latter$ i in "is ans-er "e
alle'es an air#ative deense$ -"ic" is not a denial o an
essential in'redient in t"e )laintiMs cause o action$ %ut is one
-"ic"$ i esta%lis"ed$ -ill %e a 'ood deense 0 i.e.$ an
GavoidanceH o t"e clai#$ -"ic" )ri#a acie$ t"e )lainti
alread& "as %ecause o t"e deendantMs o-n ad#issions in
t"e )leadin's.
PEOPLE V . KA8ALA.A
GEN R<LE: i a cri#inal c"ar'e is )redicated on a ne'ative
alle'ation$ or t"at a ne'ative aver#ent is an essential ele#ent
o a cri#e$ t"e )rosecution "as t"e %urden o )rovin' t"e
c"ar'e.
EE8EPTION: B"ere t"e ne'ative o an issue does not )er#it
o direct )roo$ or -"ere t"e acts are #ore i##ediatel&
-it"in t"e ;no-led'e o t"e accused$ t"e onus )ro%andi
rests u)on "i#.
PEOPLE V . 2LORENIO
T"e onus )ro%andi rests u)on "i# -"o invo;es insanit& as
an e,e#)tin' circu#stance$ and "e #ust )rove it %& clear
and convincin' evidence.
R<IE8ON KGKT . 8ORP . V . 8AKA8:O
In ad#inistrative cases or dis%ar#ent or sus)ension a'ainst
la-&ers$ t"e 1uantu# o )roo re1uired is clearl&
)re)onderant evidence and t"e %urden o )roo rests u)on
t"e co#)lainant.
50
PR<IENTIAL G<ARANTEE V . TRANS >ASIA S:IPPING
In t"e course o trial in a civil case$ once )lainti #a;es out a
)ri#a acie case in "is avor$ t"e dut& or t"e %urden o
evidence s"its to deendant to controvert )laintiMs )ri#a
acie case$ ot"er-ise$ a verdict #ust %e returned in avor o
)lainti.
.. Presu#)tions *R1?1.2>@+
Sec. 2. 8onclusive )resu#)tions. ! T"e ollo-in' are
instances o conclusive )resu#)tions:
*a+ B"enever a )art& "as$ %& "is o-n declaration$ act$ or
o#ission$ intentionall& and deli%eratel& led to anot"er to
%elieve a )articular t"in' true$ and to act u)on suc"
%elie$ "e cannot$ in an& liti'ation arisin' out o suc"
declaration$ act or o#ission$ %e )er#itted to alsi& it:
*%+ T"e tenant is not )er#itted to den& t"e title o "is landlord
at t"e ti#e o co##ence#ent o t"e relation o landlord
and tenant %et-een t"e#. *?a+
Pars. a 9 %: esto))el in )ais.
<nder t"e doctrine o esto))el$ t"e )erson #a;in' t"e
re)resentation cannot clai# %eneit ro# t"e -ron' "e
"i#sel co##itted.
Sec. ?. Iis)uta%le )resu#)tions. ! T"e ollo-in'
)resu#)tions are satisactor& i uncontradicted$ %ut #a& %e
contradicted and overco#e %& ot"er evidence:
*a+ T"at a )erson is innocent o cri#e or -ron'3
*%+ T"at an unla-ul act -as done -it" an unla-ul intent3
*c+ T"at a )erson intends t"e ordinar& conse1uences o "is
voluntar& act3
*d+ T"at a )erson ta;es ordinar& care o "is concerns3
*e+ T"at evidence -illull& su))ressed -ould %e adverse i
)roduced3
No constitutional o%(ection to a la- )rovidin' t"at t"e
)resu#)tion o innocence #a& %e overco#e %& a contrar&
)resu#)tion ounded u)on t"e e,)erience o "u#an
conduct$ and declarin' -"at evidence s"all %e suicient to
overco#e suc" )resu#)tion. Le'islature #a& )rovide or
)ri#a acie evidence o 'uilt )rovided t"ere %e a rational
connection %et-een t"e acts )roved and t"e ulti#ate acts
)resu#ed. *Peo)le v. Kin'oa+
Re1uisites or a))lication o )resu#)tion t"at evidence
-illull& su))ressed -ould %e adverse i )roduced
1. T"e evidence is #aterial
2. T"e )art& "ad t"e o))ortunit& to )roduce t"e sa#e
?. Said evidence is availa%le onl& to said )art&
B"en t"is )resu#)tion doesnMt a))l&
Evidence in 1uestion is e1uall& availa%le to %ot" )arties
Evidence is #erel& corro%orative$ cu#ulative$ or
unnecessar&
Su))ression is not -illul
T"e su))ression is an e,ercise o a )rivile'e
*+ T"at #one& )aid %& one to anot"er -as due to t"e latter3
*'+ T"at a t"in' delivered %& one to anot"er %elon'ed to t"e
latter3
*"+ T"at an o%li'ation delivered u) to t"e de%tor "as %een
)aid3
*i+ T"at )rior rents or install#ents "ad %een )aid -"en a
recei)t or t"e later one is )roduced3
88 11NL also la&s do-n )resu#)tion t"at interest "as %een
)aid i t"e )rinci)al is received %& t"e creditor -it"out
reservation
*(+ T"at a )erson ound in )ossession o a t"in' ta;en in t"e
doin' o a recent -ron'ul act is t"e ta;er and t"e doer
o t"e -"ole act3 ot"er-ise$ t"at t"in's -"ic" a )erson
)ossess$ or e,ercises acts o o-ners"i) over$ are o-ned
%& "i#3
*;+ T"at a )erson in )ossession o an order on "i#sel or t"e
)a&#ent o t"e #one&$ or t"e deliver& o an&t"in'$ "as
)aid t"e #one& or delivered t"e t"in' accordin'l&3
*l+ T"at a )erson actin' in a )u%lic oice -as re'ularl&
a))ointed or elected to it3
*#+ T"at oicial dut& "as %een re'ularl& )eror#ed3
*n+ T"at a court$ or (ud'e actin' as suc"$ -"et"er in t"e
P"ili))ines or else-"ere$ -as actin' in t"e la-ul
e,ercise o (urisdiction3
*o+ T"at all t"e #atters -it"in an issue raised in a case -ere
laid %eore t"e court and )assed u)on %& it3 and in li;e
#anner t"at all #atters -it"in an issue raised in a
dis)ute su%#itted or ar%itration -ere laid %eore t"e
ar%itrators and )assed u)on %& t"e#3
*)+ T"at )rivate transactions "ave %een air and re'ular3
*1+ T"at t"e ordinar& course o %usiness "as %een ollo-ed3
*r+ T"at t"ere -as a suicient consideration or a contract3
*s+ T"at a ne'otia%le instru#ent -as 'iven or indorsed or a
suicient consideration3
*t+ T"at an endorse#ent o ne'otia%le instru#ent -as #ade
%eore t"e instru#ent -as overdue and at t"e )lace
-"ere t"e instru#ent is dated3
*u+ T"at a -ritin' is trul& dated3
*v+ T"at a letter dul& directed and #ailed -as received in t"e
re'ular course o t"e #ail3
2acts needed )roven %eore an inerence o 'uilt ro#
)ossession o recentl& stolen 'oods can %e #ade
1. T"e cri#e -as actuall& co##itted
2. It -as co##itted recentl&
?. Stolen )ro)ert& ound in t"e )ossession o t"e accused
@. Accused is una%le to satisactoril& e,)lain "is )ossession
t"ereo
Necessar& to conclusivel& )rove )ossession t"at:
1. Possession #ust %e une,)lained %& an& innocent
ori'in
2. Possession is airl& recent
?. Possession is e,clusive
Si#ilar rationale to )ar *(+: i a )erson "ad in "is )ossession a
alsiied docu#ent and "e #ade use o it$ ta;en advanta'e o
it and )roited t"ere%&$ t"e )resu#)tion is t"at "e is t"e
#aterial aut"or o t"e alsiication *Peo)le v. Senda&die'o+
2or )resu#)tion in )ar *v+ to arise$ it #ust %e )roved t"at t"e
letter -as )ro)erl& addressed -it" )osta'e )re)aid and t"at
it -as actuall& #ailed *Nava v. 8IR+$ and i said letter -asnMt
returned to t"e sender$ itMs )resu#ed t"at t"e addressee
received it *Se%astian v. B88+
R1?.1A states t"at service o )leadin's %& #ail is co#)lete
u)on t"e e,)iration o 1A da&s ater #ailin'$ unless t"e court
)rovides ot"er-ise$ -"ile service %& re'istered #ail is
co#)lete u)on actual recei)t %& t"e oice -4in 5 da&s ro#
date o irst notice$ t"e service is co#)lete at t"e e,)iration o
suc" ti#e. :o-ever$ t"ere #ust %e conclusive )roo t"at a
irst notice -as sent to t"e addressee as t"e )resu#)tion t"at
51
oicial dut& "as %een re'ularl& )eror#ed does not a))l& to
t"is situation. *.arra#eda v. 8astillo+ I$ "o-ever$ t"e
)ost#aster certiies t"at suc" notice -as sent$ suc"
)resu#)tion arises and overrides t"e addresseeMs contrar&
clai#. *2erraren v. Santos+
*-+ T"at ater an a%sence o seven &ears$ it %ein' un;no-n
-"et"er or not t"e a%sentee still lives$ "e is considered
dead or all )ur)oses$ e,ce)t or t"ose o succession.
T"e a%sentee s"all not %e considered dead or t"e
)ur)ose o o)enin' "is succession till ater an a%sence o
ten &ears. I "e disa))eared ater t"e a'e o sevent&>ive
&ears$ an a%sence o ive &ears s"all %e suicient in order
t"at "is succession #a& %e o)ened.
T"e ollo-in' s"all %e considered dead or all
)ur)oses includin' t"e division o t"e estate a#on' t"e
"eirs:
*1+ A )erson on %oard a vessel lost durin' a sea vo&a'e$
or an aircrat -it" is #issin'$ -"o "as not %een
"eard o or our &ears since t"e loss o t"e vessel or
aircrat3
*2+ A #e#%er o t"e ar#ed orces -"o "as ta;en )art in
ar#ed "ostilities$ and "as %een #issin' or our
&ears3
*?+ A )erson -"o "as %een in dan'er o deat" under
ot"er circu#stances and -"ose e,istence "as not
%een ;no-n or our &ears3
*@+ I a #arried )erson "as %een a%sent or our
consecutive &ears$ t"e s)ouse )resent #a& contract
a su%se1uent #arria'e i "e or s"e "as -ell>
ounded %elie t"at t"e a%sent s)ouse is alread&
deat". In case o disa))earance$ -"ere t"ere is a
dan'er o deat" t"e circu#stances "ereina%ove
)rovided$ an a%sence o onl& t-o &ears s"all %e
suicient or t"e )ur)ose o contractin' a
su%se1uent #arria'e. :o-ever$ in an& case$ %eore
#arr&in' a'ain$ t"e s)ouse )resent #ust institute a
su##ar& )roceedin' as )rovided in t"e 2a#il&
8ode and in t"e rules or declaration o )resu#)tive
deat" o t"e a%sentee$ -it"out )re(udice to t"e
eect o rea))earance o t"e a%sent s)ouse.
E,ce)t or su%)ar @$ t"is )ara'ra)" is ta;en ro# 88 ?JA 9
?J1. A vie- is "eld t"at BRT t"e ordinar& %ut continued
a%sence o N41A45 &ears conte#)lated in t"e irst 2
su%)ara'ra)"s$ t"e a%sentee is )resu#ed to "ave died at t"e
end o said )eriod$ %ut t"at in t"e 1ualiied a%sence -"ere
t"e a%sentee -as in dan'er o deat" under t"e
conte#)lated circu#stances t"erein$ t"e a%sentee is
)resu#ed to "ave died at t"e ti#e "e -as e,)osed to suc"
dan'er or )eril 0 at t"e start o t"e @>&ear )eriod stated
t"erein. T"e distinction assu#es si'niicance in 1uestions o
successional ri'"ts to t"e a%senteeMs estate arisin' ro# "is
)resu#)tive deat".
*,+ T"at ac1uiescence resulted ro# a %elie t"at t"e t"in'
ac1uiesced in -as conor#a%le to t"e la- or act3
*&+ T"at t"in's "ave "a))ened accordin' to t"e ordinar&
course o nature and ordinar& nature "a%its o lie3
*F+ T"at )ersons actin' as co)artners "ave entered into a
contract o co)artnes"i)3
*aa+ T"at a #an and -o#an de)ortin' t"e#selves as
"us%and and -ie "ave entered into a la-ul contract o
#arria'e3
*%%+ T"at )ro)ert& ac1uired %& a #an and a -o#an -"o are
ca)acitated to #arr& eac" ot"er and -"o live e,clusivel&
-it" eac" ot"er as "us%and and -ie -it"out t"e
%eneit o #arria'e or under void #arria'e$ "as %een
o%tained %& t"eir (oint eorts$ -or; or industr&.
*cc+ T"at in cases o co"a%itation %& a #an and a -o#an
-"o are not ca)acitated to #arr& eac" ot"er and -"o
"ave ac1uire )ro)erl& t"rou'" t"eir actual (oint
contri%ution o #one&$ )ro)ert& or industr&$ suc"
contri%utions and t"eir corres)ondin' s"ares includin'
(oint de)osits o #one& and evidences o credit are
e1ual.
*dd+ T"at i t"e #arria'e is ter#inated and t"e #ot"er
contracted anot"er #arria'e -it"in t"ree "undred da&s
ater suc" ter#ination o t"e or#er #arria'e$ t"ese rules
s"all 'overn in t"e a%sence o )roo to t"e contrar&:
*1+ A c"ild %orn %eore one "undred ei'"t& da&s ater
t"e sole#niFation o t"e su%se1uent #arria'e is
considered to "ave %een conceived durin' suc"
#arria'e$ even t"ou'" it %e %orn -it"in t"e t"ree
"undred da&s ater t"e ter#ination o t"e or#er
#arria'e.
*2+ A c"ild %orn ater one "undred ei'"t& da&s ollo-in'
t"e cele%ration o t"e su%se1uent #arria'e is
considered to "ave %een conceived durin' suc"
#arria'e$ even t"ou'" it %e %orn -it"in t"e t"ree
"undred da&s ater t"e ter#ination o t"e or#er
#arria'e.
Par *dd+ -as ta;en ro# 88 25J$ -"ic" )rovided or
)resu#)tions o )aternit&$ e,ce)t t"at t"e or#er no-
includes ter#ination o t"e )rior #arria'e or causes ot"er
t"an t"e deat" o t"e "us%and$ in line -it" 28 1L8.
*ee+ T"at a t"in' once )roved to e,ist continues as lon' as is
usual -it" t"in's o t"e nature3
*+ T"at t"e la- "as %een o%e&ed3
*''+ T"at a )rinted or )u%lis"ed %oo;$ )ur)ortin' to %e
)rinted or )u%lis"ed %& )u%lic aut"orit&$ -as so )rinted
or )u%lis"ed3
*""+ T"at a )rinted or )u%lis"ed %oo;$ )ur)ortin' contain
re)orts o cases ad(ud'ed in tri%unals o t"e countr&
-"ere t"e %oo; is )u%lis"ed$ contains correct re)orts o
suc" cases3
*ii+ T"at a trustee or ot"er )erson -"ose dut& it -as to
conve& real )ro)ert& to a )articular )erson "as actuall&
conve&ed it to "i# -"en suc" )resu#)tion is necessar&
to )erect t"e title o suc" )erson or "is successor in
interest3
*((+ T"at e,ce)t or )ur)oses o succession$ -"en t-o )ersons
)eris" in t"e sa#e cala#it&$ suc" as -rec;$ %attle$ or
conla'ration$ and it is not s"o-n -"o died irst$ and
t"ere are no )articular circu#stances ro# -"ic" it can
%e inerred$ t"e survivors"i) is deter#ined ro# t"e
)ro%a%ilities resultin' ro# t"e stren't" and t"e a'e o
t"e se,es$ accordin' to t"e ollo-in' rules:
1+ I %ot" -ere under t"e a'e o iteen &ears$ t"e older is
dee#ed to "ave survived3
2+ I %ot" -ere a%ove t"e a'e si,t&$ t"e &oun'er is
dee#ed to "ave survived3
?+ I one is under iteen and t"e ot"er a%ove si,t&$ t"e
or#er is dee#ed to "ave survived3
@+ I %ot" %e over iteen and under si,t&$ and t"e se, %e
dierent$ t"e #ale is dee#ed to "ave survived$ i t"e
se, %e t"e sa#e$ t"e older3
5+ I one %e under iteen or over si,t&$ and t"e ot"er
%et-een t"ose a'es$ t"e latter is dee#ed to "ave
survived.
52
Re1uire#ents or )resu#)tion o survivors"i) in )ar *((+ to
arise
1. T"e deat"s occurred in a cala#it&
2. T"ere are no )articular circu#stances ro# -"ic" it can
%e inerred t"at one died a"ead o t"e ot"er.
T"us$ re'ardin' t"e t"ird rule$ i one is a one>da& old c"ild
and t"e ot"er is L1 &ears old$ it canMt %e )resu#ed t"at t"e
c"ild survived$ in vie- o t"e second re1uire#ent.
*;;+ T"at i t"ere is a dou%t$ as %et-een t-o or #ore )ersons
-"o are called to succeed eac" ot"er$ as to -"ic" o
t"e# died irst$ -"oever alle'es t"e deat" o one )rior
to t"e ot"er$ s"all )rove t"e sa#e3 in t"e a%sence o
)roo$ t"e& s"all %e considered to "ave died at t"e sa#e
ti#e. *5a+
T"e )resu#)tion is t"e sa#e as t"e rule in 88 @? e,ce)t t"at
it o#its t"e last clause t"erein -4c states Gand t"ere s"all %e
no trans#ission o ri'"ts ro# one to t"e ot"er$H since said
clause is a rule o su%stantive la- as to t"e eect on t"e ri'"ts
o t"e )arties.
Par *;;+ Par *((+
Not re1uired t"at t"e )arties
)eris"ed in a cala#it&
Parties #ustMve )eris"ed in a
cala#it&
Onl& a))lies in 1uestions o
successional ri'"ts
A))lies onl& -"ere t"e
deat"s occurred durin' a
cala#it& and a))lies to cases
not involvin' successional
ri'"ts
Provides a )resu#)tion o
si#ultaneit& in t"e deat"s o
t"e )ersons called to
succeed eac" ot"er
Provides or )resu#)tions o
survivors"i)
Sec. @. No )resu#)tion o le'iti#ac& or ille'iti#ac&. ! T"ere is
no )resu#)tion o le'iti#ac& o a c"ild %orn ater t"ree
"undred da&s ollo-in' t"e dissolution o t"e #arria'e or t"e
se)aration o t"e s)ouses. B"oever alle'es t"e le'iti#ac& or
ille'iti#ac& o suc" c"ild #ust )rove "is alle'ation. *L+
E,act co)& o 88 2L1 0 s"ould )ro)erl& a))l& -"en t"e
dissolution o t"e #arria'e is %& reason o causes ot"er t"an
t"e "us%andMs deat". T"e se)aration #a& %e a le'al
se)aration or a se)aration de acto *Garcia v. Revilla+. Said
)rovision "as %een su%stantiall& re)roduced in 28 1LJ.
8ases:
PEOPLE V . KAG.AN<A
It is true t"at a 'overn#ent doctorMs )ost>#orte#
e,a#ination is )resu#ed %& la- to "ave %een re'ularl&
)eror#ed. T"is re%utta%le )resu#)tion$ "o-ever$ cannot %e
successull& invo;ed in t"e )resent case$ it a))earin' t"at t"e
e,a#inin' doctor -as re#iss in t"e )eror#ance o "is duties
as a #edico>le'al oicer.
KA.<NGA V . PEOPLE
.eore an inerence o 'uilt arisin' ro# )ossession o
recentl& stolen 'oods can %e #ade$ "o-ever$ t"e
ollo-in' %asic acts need to %e )roven %& t"e
)rosecution: 1+ t"at t"e cri#e -as co##itted3 2+ t"at
t"e cri#e -as co##itted recentl&3 ?+ t"at t"e stolen
)ro)ert& -as ound in t"e )ossession o t"e deendant3
and @+ t"at t"e deendant is una%le to e,)lain "is
)ossession satisactoril&.
2or )ur)oses #oreover o conclusivel& )rovin'
)ossession$ t"e ollo-in' considerations "ave to %e
e#)"asiFed: 1+ t"e )ossession #ust %e une,)lained %&
an& innocent ori'in3 2+ t"e )ossession #ust %e airl&
recent3 and ?+ t"e )ossession #ust %e e,clusive.
ONG V . SANIIGAN.ACAN
T"e constitutional assurance o t"e ri'"t a'ainst sel
incri#ination li;e-ise cannot %e invo;ed %& )etitioners. T"e
ri'"t is a )ro"i%ition a'ainst t"e use o )"&sical or #oral
co#)ulsion to e,tort co##unications ro# t"e accused. It is
si#)l& a )ro"i%ition a'ainst le'al )rocess to e,tract ro# t"e
accusedMs o-n li)s$ a'ainst "is -ill$ ad#ission o "is 'uilt. In
t"is case$ )etitioners are not co#)elled to )resent t"e#selves
as -itnesses in re%uttin' t"e )resu#)tion esta%lis"ed %& la-.
T"e& #a& )resent docu#ents evidencin' t"e )ur)orted %an;
loans$ #one& #ar;et )lace#ents and ot"er und sources in
t"eir deense.
PILIPINAS .ANR V . GLEE 8:EKI8AL LA.ORATORIES
T"e )resu#)tion t"at oicial dut& "as %een re'ularl&
)eror#ed is not conclusive. As )rovided under R1?1.?$ suc"
)resu#)tion is re%utta%le.
In t"is case$ t"e testi#on& o )etitionerMs o-n -itness
destro&ed t"is )resu#)tion %& ad#ittin' t"at -"en t"e
docu#ent -as notariFed$ 8.C. and K.:. did not a))ear
%eore t"e notar& )u%lic. :ence$ t"e notar& )u%lic did
not -itness 8.C. ai,in' "is si'nature on t"e docu#ent.
Suc" notariFation is useless since t"ere is no trut"
-"atsoever to t"e notar& )u%licMs state#ent or
ac;no-led'#ent t"at t"e )erson -"o e,ecuted t"e
docu#ent )ersonall& a))eared %eore "i# and t"e
sa#e -as "is ree and voluntar& act.
S<RTIIA V . R<RAL .ANR O2 KALINAO
T"e eect o a le'al )resu#)tion u)on a %urden o )roo is
to create t"e necessit& o )resentin' evidence to #eet t"e
le'al )resu#)tion or t"e )ri#a acie case created t"ere%&$
and -"ic" i no )roo to t"e contrar& is )resented and
oered$ -ill )revail. T"e %urden o )roo re#ains -"ere it is$
%ut %& t"e )resu#)tion$ t"e one -"o "as t"at %urden is
relieved or t"e ti#e %ein' ro# introducin' evidence in
su))ort o t"e aver#ent$ %ecause t"e )resu#)tion stands in
t"e )lace o evidence unless re%utted.
II. PRESENTATION O2 EVIIEN8E
A. E,a#ination o -itnesses
1. R1?2.1>2
Section 1. E,a#ination to %e done in o)en court. ! T"e
e,a#ination o -itnesses )resented in a trial or "earin' s"all
%e done in o)en court$ and under oat" or air#ation. <nless
t"e -itness is inca)acitated to s)ea;$ or t"e 1uestions calls or
a dierent #ode o ans-er$ t"e ans-ers o t"e -itness s"all
%e 'iven orall&. *1a+
Section 2. Proceedin's to %e recorded. ! T"e entire
)roceedin's o a trial or "earin'$ includin' t"e 1uestions
)ro)ounded to a -itness and "is ans-ers t"ereto$ t"e
state#ents #ade %& t"e (ud'e or an& o t"e )arties$ counsel$
or -itnesses -it" reerence to t"e case$ s"all %e recorded %&
#eans o s"ort"and or stenot&)e or %& ot"er #eans o
recordin' ound suita%le %& t"e court.
53
A transcri)t o t"e record o t"e )roceedin's #ade %& t"e
oicial steno'ra)"er$ stenot&)ist or recorder and certiied as
correct %& "i# s"all %e dee#ed )ri#a acie a correct
state#ent o suc" )roceedin's. *2a+
GEN R<LE: To %e ad#issi%le$ t"e testi#on& o t"e -itness
#ust %e 'iven in o)en court .
EE8EPTIONS:
1. In civil cases$ %& de)ositions )er R2? 9 2@
2. In cri#inal cases$ %& de)ositions or conditional
e,a#inations )er R11J.12>15 9 R12?.1$ or %& t"e records o
t"e )reli#inar& investi'ation$ under R115.1*+
Kere )resentation o t"e aidavits o )rosecution -itnesses
su%(ect to cross>e,a#ination is not allo-ed %& Ro8. *Peo)le v.
EstenFo+
Testi#on& o -itness s"ould %e elicited %& 1uestions o
counsel. Nevert"eless$ court itsel #a& )ro)ound 1uestions
eit"er on direct or cross>e,a#ination o t"e -itness *Peo)le v.
Koreno+$ or #a& su''est 1uestions t"at s"ould %e
)ro)ounded %& counsel *E. Kic"ael 9 8o.$ Inc. v. Enri1ueF+
8ourt s"ould %e 'iven reasona%le lee-a& to ascertain
t"e trut" 0 e,tent to -"ic" suc" e,a#ination #a& %e
conducted rests in its discretion and -onMt %e controlled
in t"e a%sence o a%use o discretion to t"e )re(udice o
eit"er )art& *Peo)le v. Kanalo+
A -itnessM testi#on& in court cannot %e considered sel>
servin' since "e can %e su%(ected to cross>e,a#ination. *8o v.
8A+
Sel>servin' evidence: one #ade out o court and is
e,cluded on t"e sa#e 'round as "earsa& evidence$ i.e.
de)rivation o t"e ri'"t o cross>e,a#ination
2. /?L$ .P 12J
Per .P 12J$ su##ar& )rocedure #a& %e aut"oriFed %& t"e S8
in s)ecial cases li;e e(ect#ent$ traic la- violation$ etc.
S8 #a& ado)t si#)liied )rocedures -"ic" #a& )rovide
t"at aidavits and counter>aidavits #a& %e ad#itted in
lieu o oral testi#on&.
?. Revised Rule on Su##ar& Procedure
Rule on E,a#ination o a 8"ild Bitness
E,a#ination o c"ild -itness
Presented in a "earin' or an& )roceedin'
Ione in o)en court
Ans-er o -itness s"all %e 'iven orall&$ unless -itness is
inca)acitated to s)ea;$ or t"e 1uestion calls or a
dierent #ode o ans-er
8ourt #a& e,clude t"e )u%lic and )ersons -"o donMt
"ave a direct interest in t"e case *includin' )ress+ -"en
t"e c"ild is testi&in'.
8ourt #a& a))oint a acilitator *c"ild )s&c"olo'ist$
)s&c"iatrist$ social -or;er$ etc.+ i it deter#ines t"at t"e
c"ild is una%le to understand or res)ond to 1uestions
as;ed
Testi#on& s"all %e recorded
@. Rule on t"e 8onduct o Pre>Trial *AK No. A?>1>AJ>
S8+
8ases:
PEOPLE V . GO
T"e #ain and essential )ur)ose o re1uirin' a -itness to
a))ear and testi& orall& at a trial is to secure or t"e
adverse )art& t"e o))ortunit& o cross>e,a#ination. It is
onl& -"en t"e -itness testiies orall& t"at t"e (ud'e #a&
"ave a true idea o "is countenance$ #anner and
e,)ression$ -"ic" #a& conir# or detract ro# t"e
-ei'"t o "is testi#on&. 8ertainl&$ t"e )"&sical condition
o t"e -itness -ill reveal "is ca)acit& or accurate
o%servation and #e#or&$ and "is de)ort#ent and
)"&sio'no#& -ill reveal clues to "is c"aracter. T"ese can
onl& %e o%served %& t"e (ud'e i t"e -itness testiies
orall& in court. Indeed$ t"e 'reat -ei'"t 'iven t"e
indin's o act o t"e trial (ud'e in t"e a))ellate court is
%ased u)on "is "avin' "ad (ust t"at o))ortunit& and t"e
assu#)tion t"at "e too; advanta'e o it to ascertain t"e
credi%ilit& o t"e -itnesses.
La)se o ti#e is a #atter t"at t"e trial court -ould
consider in -ei'"in' t"e credi%ilit& o -itnesses and
t"eir testi#onies.
PEOPLE V . .ISIA
An oat" is deined as an out-ard )led'e$ 'iven %& t"e
)erson ta;in' it t"at "is attestation or )ro#ise is #ade
under an i##ediate sense o "is res)onsi%ilit& to God.
T"e o%(ect o t"e rule is to aect t"e conscience o t"e
-itness and t"us co#)el "i# to s)ea; t"e trut"$ and
also to la& "i# o)en to )unis"#ent or )er(ur& in case
"e -illull& alsiies. A -itness #ust %e sensi%le to t"e
o%li'ation o an oat" %eore "e can %e )er#itted to
testi&.
It cannot %e ar'ued t"at si#)l& %ecause a c"ild -itness
is not e,a#ined on t"e nature o t"e oat" and t"e need
or "er to tell t"e -"ole trut"$ t"e co#)etenc& o t"e
-itness and t"e trut" o "er testi#on& are i#)airedT
I a )art& a'ainst -"o# a -itness is )resented %elieves
t"at t"e -itness is inco#)etent or is not a-are o "is
o%li'ation and res)onsi%ilit& to tell t"e trut" and t"e
conse1uence o "i# testi&in' alsel&$ suc" )art& #a&
)ra& or leave to conduct a voire dire e,a#ination on
suc" -itness to test "is co#)etenc&. An& o%(ection to
t"e ad#issi%ilit& o evidence s"ould %e #ade at t"e ti#e
suc" evidence is oered or as soon t"ereater as t"e
o%(ection to its ad#issi%ilit& %eco#es a))arent$
ot"er-ise t"e o%(ection -ill %e considered -aived and
suc" evidence -ill or# )art o t"e records o t"e case as
co#)etent and ad#issi%le evidence.
.. Ri'"ts o a -itness
1. R1?2.?
Section ?. Ri'"ts and o%li'ations o a -itness. ! A -itness
#ust ans-er 1uestions$ alt"ou'" "is ans-er #a& tend to
esta%lis" a clai# a'ainst "i#. :o-ever$ it is t"e ri'"t o a
-itness:
1+ To %e )rotected ro# irrelevant$ i#)ro)er$ or insultin'
1uestions$ and ro# "ars" or insultin' de#eanor3
2+ Not to %e detained lon'er t"an t"e interests o (ustice
re1uire3
?+ Not to %e e,a#ined e,ce)t onl& as to #atters )ertinent
to t"e issue3
@+ Not to 'ive an ans-er -"ic" -ill tend to su%(ect "i# to
a )enalt& or an oense unless ot"er-ise )rovided %&
la-3 or
54
5+ Not to 'ive an ans-er -"ic" -ill tend to de'rade "is
re)utation$ unless it to %e t"e ver& act at issue or to a
act ro# -"ic" t"e act in issue -ould %e )resu#ed.
.ut a -itness #ust ans-er to t"e act o "is )revious inal
conviction or an oense. *?a$ 1Ja+
A -itness cannot reuse to ans-er 1uestions #aterial to t"e
in1uir& even i it #a& tend to esta%lis" a clai# a'ainst "i#.
B"en "e #a& validl& reuse to ans-er:
1. <nder t"e ri'"t a'ainst sel >incri#ination $ i "is
ans-er -ill tend to su%(ect "i# to )unis"#ent or
an oense3 or
2. <nder t"e ri'"t a'ainst sel >de'radation $ i "is
ans-er -ill "ave a direct tendenc& to de'rade "is
c"aracter <NLESS
a. suc" 1uestion is directed to t"e ver& act at
issue or to a act ro# -"ic" t"e act at issue
-ould %e )resu#ed$ or
%. it reers to "is )revious inal conviction or an
oense
BRT accused in cri#inal cases$ R115.1*e+ )rovides or "is
ri'"t a'ainst sel>incri#ination 0 "e #a& reuse to ta;e t"e
stand alto'et"er$ %ut in ot"er cases or )roceedin's$ a )art&
#a& %e co#)elled to ta;e t"e stand alt"ou'" "e #a& o%(ect
to incri#inatin' 1uestions. *SuareF v. Ten'co+ T"e accused
also "as t"e ri'"t a'ainst sel>de'radation.
T"e ri'"t a'ainst sel>incri#ination is availa%le in cri#inal$ civil$
or ad#inistrative cases. *.er#udeF v. 8astillo+ It e,tends to
ad#inistrative )roceedin's -it" a cri#inal4)enal as)ect.
*Pascual$ Pr. v. .oard o Kedical E,a#iners+
T"e ri'"t a'ainst sel>incri#ination is 'ranted onl& in avor o
individuals 0 cor)orations cannot invo;e t"at )rivile'e as
1uestioned testi#on& can co#e onl& ro# a cor)orate oicer
or EE -"o "as a )ersonalit& distinct ro# t"at o t"e
cor)oration. *:ale v. :en;el+
T"e ri'"t a'ainst sel>incri#ination$ -"ic" #a& %e invo;ed %&
t"e accused$ #a& %e -it" reerence to t"e oense involved in
t"e sa#e case -"erein "e is c"ar'ed or to an oense or
-"ic" "e #a& %e c"ar'ed and tried in anot"er case3 BRT a
-itness$ t"e oense involved is one or -4c "e #a& %e tried in
anot"er case. In eit"er instance$ t"e ri'"t s"ould %e
seasona%l& invo;ed and #a& %e -aived.
See#in'l& conlictin' decisions
B"ere$ in a )rosecution or alsiication$ t"e accused too; t"e
stand and testiied den&in' "is aut"ors"i) o t"e alle'ed
alsiied si'nature$ on cross>e,a#ination "e can %e co#)elled
to 'ive a sa#)le o "is "and-ritin' and it -as not a denial o
"is ri'"t a'ainst sel>incri#ination. *.eltran v. Sa#son+
B"ere$ in a dis%ar#ent case$ t"e co#)lainant on cross>
e,a#ination denied aut"ors"i) o certain "and-ritten letters$
s"e could not %e co#)elled to 'ive sa#)les o "er
"and-ritin' as it -ould a#ount to a denial o "er ri'"t
a'ainst sel>incri#ination in a )ossi%le c"ar'e or )er(ur&.
*.er#udeF v. 8astillo+
Reconciliation o t"e t-o decisions
.eltran case: accused o)ened t"e issue on "is direct
e,a#ination. As suc"$ "e -aived "is ri'"t a'ainst sel>
incri#ination on t"e issue$ and could %e cross>e,a#ined
t"ereon li;e an& ot"er -itness.
.er#udeF case: testi#on& 'iven %& co#)lainant -"o$ unli;e
an accused )erson$ could not reuse to testi& -it"out an
unavora%le inerence %ein' dra-n a'ainst "er. S"e did
not o)en t"e issue in "er direct e,a#ination as it -as
raised durin' cross$ t"us s"e didnMt -aive t"e )rivile'e
a'ainst sel>incri#ination o "er o-n volition or %& acts
i#)uta%le to "er.
GEN R<LE: Bitness 'ranted t"e ri'"t a'ainst sel>
incri#ination.
EE8EPTION: i##unit& statutes -"erein t"e -itness is 'ranted
i##unit& ro# cri#inal )rosecution or oenses ad#itted in
"is testi#on&
8lasses o i##unit& states 0 see Gal#an v. Pa#aran ne,t
)a'e
2. /8$ RA 1?NJ
Sec. 8. Protection a'ainst sel>incri#ination. Neit"er t"e
res)ondent nor an& ot"er )erson s"all %e e,cused ro#
attendin' and testi&in' or ro# )roducin' %oo;s$ )a)ers$
corres)ondence$ #e#oranda and ot"er records on t"e
'round t"at t"e testi#on& or evidence$ docu#entar& or
ot"er-ise$ re1uired o "i# #a& tend to incri#inate "i# or
su%(ect "i# to )rosecution3 %ut no individual s"all %e
)rosecuted cri#inall& or or on account o an& transaction$
#atter or t"in' concernin' -"ic" "e is co#)elled$ ater
"avin' clai#ed "is )rivile'e a'ainst sel>incri#ination$ to
testi& or )roduce evidence$ docu#entar& or ot"er-ise$
e,ce)t t"at suc" individual so testi&in' s"all not %e e,e#)t
ro# )rosecution and conviction or )er(ur& or alse testi#on&
co##itted in so testi&in' or ro# ad#inistrative )roceedin's.
?. PI N@J
GRANTING IKK<NITC 2ROK PROSE8<TION TO GIVERS O2
.RI.ES ANI OT:ER GI2TS ANI TO T:EIR A88OKPLI8ES IN
.RI.ERC ANI OT:ER GRA2T 8ASES AGAINST P<.LI8
O22I8ERS
Sec. 1. An& )erson -"o voluntaril& 'ives inor#ation a%out
an& violation o Articles 21A$ 211$ and 212 o t"e RP83 RA
?A1J$ as a#ended3 Section ?@5 o t"e Internal Revenue 8ode
and Section ?LA@ o t"e Tari and 8usto#s 8ode and ot"er
)rovisions o t"e said 8odes )enaliFin' a%use or dis"onest&
on t"e )art o t"e )u%lic oicials concerned3 and ot"er la-s$
rules and re'ulations )unis"in' acts o 'rat$ corru)tion and
ot"er or#s o oicial a%use3 and -"o -illin'l& testiies
a'ainst an& )u%lic oicial or e#)lo&ee or suc" violation s"all
%e e,e#)t ro# )rosecution or )unis"#ent or t"e oense
-it" reerence to -"ic" "is inor#ation and testi#on& -ere
'iven$ and #a& )lead or )rove t"e 'ivin' o suc" inor#ation
and testi#on& in %ar o suc" )rosecution: Provided3 t"at t"is
i##unit& #a& %e en(o&ed even in cases -"ere t"e
inor#ation and testi#on& are 'iven a'ainst a )erson -"o is
not a )u%lic oicial %ut -"o is a )rinci)al$ or acco#)lice$ or
accessor& in t"e co##ission o an& o t"e a%ove>#entioned
violations: Provided$ urt"er$ t"at t"is i##unit& #a& %e
en(o&ed %& suc" inor#ant or -itness not-it"standin' t"at
"e oered or 'ave t"e %ri%e or 'it to t"e )u%lic oicial or "is
acco#)lice or suc" 'it or %ri%e>'ivin'3 and Provided$ inall&$
t"at t"e ollo-in' conditions concur:
1. T"e inor#ation #ust reer to consu##ated violations o
an& o t"e a%ove>#entioned )rovisions o la-$ rules and
re'ulations3
2. T"e inor#ation and testi#on& are necessar& or t"e
conviction o t"e accused )u%lic oicer3
55
?. Suc" inor#ation and testi#on& are not &et in t"e
)ossession o t"e State3
@. Suc" inor#ation and testi#on& can %e corro%orated on its
#aterial )oints3 and
5. T"e inor#ant or -itness "as not %een )reviousl&
convicted o a cri#e involvin' #oral tur)itude.
Sec. 2. T"e i##unit& 'ranted "ereunder s"all not attac"
s"ould it turn out su%se1uentl& t"at t"e inor#ation and4or
testi#on& is alse and #alicious or #ade onl& or t"e )ur)ose
o "arassin'$ #olestin' or in an& -a& )re(udicin' t"e )u%lic
oicer denounced. In suc" a case$ t"e )u%lic oicer so
denounced s"all %e entitled to an& action$ civil or cri#inal$
a'ainst said inor#ant or -itness.
,,,
8ases:
GALKAN V . PAKARAN
8lasses o i##unit& statutes
a. <se i##unit&: )ro"i%its use o -itnessM co#)elled
testi#on& and its ruits in an& #anner in connection -4
t"e cri#inal )rosecution o t"e -itness
Kerel& testi&in' and4or )roducin' evidence
doesnMt render t"e -itness i##une ro#
)rosecution des)ite "is invocation o t"e ri'"t
a'ainst sel>incri#ination. :eMs #erel& saved ro#
t"e use a'ainst "i# o suc" state#ents or evidence
-4c "e "ad %een co#)elled to )roduce
not-it"standin' "is "avin' seasona%l& invo;ed said
ri'"t a'ainst sel>incri#ination
%. Transactional i##unit&: 'rants i##unit& to -itness ro#
)rosecution or an oense to -4c "is co#)elled
testi#on& relates
PI 188L 'rants onl& use i##unit&. :ence$ dictates o air )la&
de#and t"at Generals Ver 9 Olivas s"ouldMve %een inor#ed
o t"eir ri'"ts to re#ain silent %& t"e A'rava .oard.
:ERRERA V . AL.A
O%tainin' INA sa#)les ro# an accused in a cri#inal case
or ro# t"e res)ondent in a )aternit& case$ contrar& to t"e
%elie o res)ondent in t"is action$ -ill not violate t"e ri'"t
a'ainst sel>incri#ination. T"is )rivile'e a))lies onl& to
evidence t"at is Gco##unicativeH in essence ta;en under
duress. T"e S8 "as ruled t"at t"e ri'"t a'ainst sel>
incri#ination is (ust a )ro"i%ition on t"e use o )"&sical or
#oral co#)ulsion to e,tort co##unication *testi#onial
evidence+ ro# a deendant$ not an e,clusion o evidence
ta;en ro# "is %od& -"en it #a& %e #aterial.
ROSETE V . LIK
As a rule$ onl& an accused in a cri#inal case can reuse to
ta;e t"e -itness stand. T"e ri'"t to reuse to ta;e t"e stand
does not 'enerall& a))l& to )arties in ad#inistrative cases or
)roceedin's. T"e )arties t"ereto can onl& reuse to ans-er i
incri#inatin' 1uestions are )ro)ounded. .ut t"ere is an
e,ce)tion 0 a )art& -"o is not an accused in a cri#inal case
is allo-ed not to ta;e t"e -itness stand in ad#inistrative
cases4)roceedin's t"at )artoo; o t"e nature o a cri#inal
)roceedin' or analo'ous to a cri#inal )roceedin'. It is t"e
o)inion o t"e 8ourt t"at said e,ce)tion a))lies to )arties in
civil actions -"ic" are cri#inal in nature. As lon' as t"e suit is
cri#inal in nature$ t"e )art& t"ereto can alto'et"er decline to
ta;e t"e -itness stand. It is not t"e c"aracter o t"e suit
involved %ut t"e nature o t"e )roceedin's t"at controls.
T"us$ or a )art& in a civil case to )ossess t"e ri'"t to
reuse to ta;e t"e -itness stand$ t"e civil case #ust also
)arta;e o t"e nature o a cri#inal )roceedin'
8. Order o e,a#ination
1. R1?2.@>1A
Sec. @. Order in t"e e,a#ination o an individual -itness. !
T"e order in -"ic" t"e individual -itness #a& %e e,a#ined is
as ollo-s:
*a+ Iirect e,a#ination %& t"e )ro)onent3
*%+ 8ross>e,a#ination %& t"e o))onent3
*c+ Re>direct e,a#ination %& t"e )ro)onent3
*d+ Re>cross>e,a#ination %& t"e o))onent.
Sec. 5. Iirect e,a#ination. ! Iirect e,a#ination is t"e
e,a#ination>in>c"ie o a -itness %& t"e )art& )resentin' "i#
on t"e acts relevant to t"e issue.
Sec. L. 8ross>e,a#ination3 its )ur)ose and e,tent. ! <)on t"e
ter#ination o t"e direct e,a#ination$ t"e -itness #a& %e
cross>e,a#ined %& t"e adverse )art& as to #an& #atters
stated in t"e direct e,a#ination$ or connected t"ere-it"$ -it"
suicient ullness and reedo# to test "is accurac& and
trut"ulness and reedo# ro# interest or %ias$ or t"e reverse$
and to elicit all i#)ortant acts %earin' u)on t"e issue.
Sec. N. Re>direct e,a#ination3 its )ur)ose and e,tent. ! Ater
t"e cross>e,a#ination o t"e -itness "as %een concluded$ "e
#a& %e re>e,a#ined %& t"e )art& callin' "i#$ to e,)lain or
su))le#ent "is ans-ers 'iven durin' t"e cross>e,a#ination.
On re>direct>e,a#ination$ 1uestions on #atters not dealt -it"
durin' t"e cross>e,a#ination$ #a& %e allo-ed %& t"e court in
its discretion.
Sec. 8. Re>cross>e,a#ination. ! <)on t"e conclusion o t"e re>
direct e,a#ination$ t"e adverse )art& #a& re>cross>e,a#ine
t"e -itness on #atters stated in "is re>direct e,a#ination$ and
also on suc" ot"er #atters as #a& %e allo-ed %& t"e court in
its discretion.
A -itness #a& %e cross>e,a#ined not onl& u)on #atters
testiied to %& "i# on "is direct e,a#ination$ %ut also on all
#atters relevant to t"e issue. *8u))s v. State+
B"ere t"e -itness is an un-illin' or "ostile -itness so
declared %& t"e court or is an adverse )art&$ t"e cross>
e,a#ination s"all onl& %e on t"e su%(ect #atter o "is
e,a#ination>in>c"ie. T"is is t"e sa#e as t"e li#itation o t"e
cross>e,a#ination o an accused -"o testiies as a -itness in
"is o-n %e"al.
B"en t"e 1uestion -4c assu#es acts not on record is as;ed
on cross>e,a#ination$ itMs o%(ectiona%le or %ein' #isleadin'3
i on direct e,a#ination$ itMs o%(ectiona%le or lac; o %asis.
B"en cross>e,a#ination is not and cannot %e done or
co#)leted due to causes attri%uta%le to t"e )art& -"o
oered t"e -itness$ t"e unco#)leted testi#on& is t"ere%&
rendered inco#)etent and s"ould %e stric;en ro# t"e
record. *.ac"rac" Kotor v. 8IR+
B"ere$ "o-ever$ in a cri#inal case t"e )rosecution
-itness -as e,tensivel& cross>e,a#ined on t"e essential
ele#ents o t"e cri#e and -"at re#ained or urt"er
cross>e,a#ination -as t"e #atter o )rice or re-ard -4c
-as treated t"erein as #erel& an a''ravatin'
circu#stance$ "is ailure to a))ear or urt"er cross
56
t"ereon -ill not -arrant t"e stri;in' out o "is direct
e,a#$ es)eciall& since urt"er cross could not %e
conducted due to t"e -itnessM su%se1uent deat"$ a
circu#stance not attri%uta%le to t"e )rosecution. *Peo)le
v. Seneris+ Sa#e rule ollo-ed -"ere )rosecution
-itness -as e,tensivel& cross>e,a#ined on #aterial
)oints and t"ereater ailed to a))ear and could not %e
)roduced des)ite a -arrant or "is arrest. *Peo)le v.
Goros)e+
RIANO:
.asic )ur)oses o cross>e,a#ination:
1. .rin' out acts avora%le to counselMs client not
esta%lis"ed %& t"e direct testi#on&
2. To ena%le counsel to i#)eac" or to i#)air t"e -itnessM
credi%ilit&
I -itness dies %eore "is cross>e,a#ination is over$ "is
testi#on& on t"e direct #a& %e stric;en out onl& BRT t"e
testi#on& not covered %& t"e cross>e,a#ination.
Sec. J. Recallin' -itness. ! Ater t"e e,a#ination o a -itness
%& %ot" sides "as %een concluded$ t"e -itness cannot %e
recalled -it"out leave o t"e court. T"e court -ill 'rant or
-it""old leave in its discretion$ as t"e interests o (ustice #a&
re1uire. *1@+
B"ere all sides in t"e case "ave concluded -itness
e,a#ination$ "is recall or urt"er e,a#ination is discretionar&
-4 t"e court as t"e interest o (ustice re1uires. :o-ever$
-"ere suc" e,a#ination "as not %een concluded$ or i t"e
recall o t"e -itness -as e,)ressl& reserved %& a )art& -4 t"e
a))roval o t"e court$ t"en "is recall is a #atter o ri'"t.
Sec. 1A. Leadin' and #isleadin' 1uestions. ! A 1uestion
-"ic" su''ests to t"e -itness t"e ans-er -"ic" t"e
e,a#inin' )art& desires is a leadin' 1uestion. It is not allo-ed$
e,ce)t:
*a+ On cross e,a#ination3
*%+ On )reli#inar& #atters3
*c+ B"en t"ere is a diicult& is 'ettin' direct and intelli'i%le
ans-ers ro# a -itness -"o is i'norant$ or a c"ild o tender
&ears$ or is o ee%le #ind$ or a dea>#ute3
*d+ O an un-illin' or "ostile -itness3 or
*e+ O a -itness -"o is an adverse )art& or an oicer$ director$
or #ana'in' a'ent o a )u%lic or )rivate cor)oration or o a
)artners"i) or association -"ic" is an adverse )art&.
A #isleadin' 1uestion is one -"ic" assu#es as true a act not
&et testiied to %& t"e -itness$ or contrar& to t"at -"ic" "e
"as )reviousl& stated. It is not allo-ed.
Leadin' 1uestion : one -4c su''ests to t"e -itness t"e
ans-er desired.
A leadin' 1uestion )ro)ounded to a -itness #a&$ %&
reactin' to an inerence in "is #ind$ cause "i# to testi&
in accordance -4 t"e su''estion %& t"e 1uestion3 "is
ans-er #a& %e Yan ec"o o t"e 1uestionM t"an a 'enuine
recollection o events. *Escoto v. Pineda+
Leadin' 1uestions #a& %e )er#itted in t"e e,a#ination
o a -itness -"o is i##ature3 a'ed 9 inir#3 in %ad
)"&sical condition3 uneducated3 i'norant o$ or
unaccusto#ed to$ court )roceedin's3 ine,)erienced3
unso)"isticated3 ee%le>#inded3 conused 9 a'itated3
terriied3 ti#id or e#%arrassed -"ile on t"e stand3
lac;in' in co#)re"ension o 1uestions or slo- to
understand3 dea 9 du#%3 or una%le to s)ea; or
understand t"e En'lis" lan'ua'e or onl& i#)erectl&
a#iliar t"ere-it". *Peo)le v. Iela 8ruF+
Kisleadin' 1uestion : one -4c assu#es acts not in evidence
or -4o suicient %asis or -4c assu#es testi#on& or )roo -4c
"as not %een 'iven.
RIANO:
Leadin' 1uestions are not a))ro)riate in direct and re>direct
e,a#inations )articularl& -"en t"e -itness is as;ed to testi&
a%out a #a(or ele#ent o t"e cause o action or deense.
As to a c"ild -itness$ R1?2.1A s"ould %e dee#ed %& /2A o
t"e Rule on E,a#ination o a 8"ild Bitness. <nder t"e latter
rule$ t"e court #a& allo- leadin' 1uestions in ALL sta'es o
e,a#ination o a c"ild under t"e condition t"at t"e sa#e -ill
urt"er t"e interests o (ustice.
2. R115.1*d+
Sec. 1. Ri'"ts o accused at trial. 0 In all cri#inal )rosecutions$
t"e accused s"all %e entitled to t"e ollo-in' ri'"ts: ,,,
d+ To testi& as a -itness in "is o-n %e"al %ut su%(ect to
cross>e,a#ination on #atters covered %& direct e,a#ination.
:is silence s"all not in an& #anner )re(udice "i#3
8ases:
8APITOL S<.IIVISION V . PROV . O2 NEGROS O88IIENTAL
A )art& #a& cross>e,a#ine a -itness on #atters not
e#%raced in "is direct e,a#ination. .ut t"is does not #ean
t"at a )art& %& doin' so is #a;in' t"e -itness "is o-n
accordance -it" 6la-7.
VERT<IES V . .<ENA2LOR
B"ere a )art& "as "ad t"e o))ortunit& to cross>e,a#ine a
-itness %ut ailed to avail "i#sel o it$ "e necessaril& oreits
t"e ri'"t to cross>e,a#ine and t"e testi#on& 'iven on direct
e,a#ination o t"e -itness -ill %e received or allo-ed to
re#ain in t"e record.
PEOPLE V . SANTOS
A (ud'e #a& e,a#ine or cross>e,a#ine a -itness. :e #a&
)ro)ound clariicator& 1uestions to test t"e credi%ilit& o t"e
-itness and to e,tract t"e trut". :e #a& see; to dra- out
relevant and #aterial testi#on& t"ou'" t"at testi#on& #a&
tend to su))ort or re%ut t"e )osition ta;en %& one or t"e
ot"er )art&. It cannot %e ta;en a'ainst "i# i t"e clariicator&
1uestions "e )ro)ounds "a))en to reveal certain trut"s
-"ic" tend to destro& t"e t"eor& o one )art&.
I. I#)eac"#ent o -itnesses
1. R1?2.11>15
Sec. 11. I#)eac"#ent o adverse )art&Ss -itness. ! A -itness
#a& %e i#)eac"ed %& t"e )art& a'ainst -"o# "e -as called$
%& contradictor& evidence$ %& evidence t"at "is 'eneral
re)utation or trut"$ "onestl&$ or inte'rit& is %ad$ or %&
evidence t"at "e "as #ade at ot"er ti#es state#ents
inconsistent -it" "is )resent$ testi#on&$ %ut not %& evidence
o )articular -ron'ul acts$ e,ce)t t"at it #a& %e s"o-n %&
t"e e,a#ination o t"e -itness$ or t"e record o t"e
(ud'#ent$ t"at "e "as %een convicted o an oense. *15+
Sec. 12. Part& #a& not i#)eac" "is o-n -itness. ! E,ce)t
-it" res)ect to -itnesses reerred to in )ara'ra)"s *d+ and *e+
57
o Section 1A$ t"e )art& )roducin' a -itness is not allo-ed to
i#)eac" "is credi%ilit&.
A -itness #a& %e considered as un-illin' or "ostile onl& i so
declared %& t"e court u)on ade1uate s"o-in' o "is adverse
interest$ un(ustiied reluctance to testi&$ or "is "avin' #isled
t"e )art& into callin' "i# to t"e -itness stand.
T"e un-illin' or "ostile -itness so declared$ or t"e -itness
-"o is an adverse )art&$ #a& %e i#)eac"ed %& t"e )art&
)resentin' "i# in all res)ects as i "e "ad %een called %& t"e
adverse )art&$ e,ce)t %& evidence o "is %ad c"aracter. :e
#a& also %e i#)eac"ed and cross>e,a#ined %& t"e adverse
)art&$ %ut suc" cross>e,a#ination #ust onl& %e on t"e su%(ect
#atter o "is e,a#ination>in>c"ie. *La$ Na+
Sec. 1?. :o- -itness i#)eac"ed %& evidence o inconsistent
state#ents. ! .eore a -itness can %e i#)eac"ed %&
evidence t"at "e "as #ade at ot"er ti#es state#ents
inconsistent -it" "is )resent testi#on&$ t"e state#ents #ust
%e related to "i#$ -it" t"e circu#stances o t"e ti#es and
)laces and t"e )ersons )resent$ and "e #ust %e as;ed
-"et"er "e #ade suc" state#ents$ and i so$ allo-ed to
e,)lain t"e#. I t"e state#ents %e in -ritin' t"e& #ust %e
s"o-n to t"e -itness %eore an& 1uestion is )ut to "i#
concernin' t"e#. *1L+
GEN R<LE: a )art& -"o voluntaril& oers t"e testi#on& o a
-itness in t"e case is %ound %& t"e testi#on& o said -itness.
EE8EPTIONS:
1. :ostile -itness3
2. B"ere t"e -itness is t"e adverse )art& or t"e
re)resentative o a (uridical )erson -4c is t"e adverse
)art&3 and
?. B"en t"e -itness is not voluntaril& oered %ut is
re1uired %& la- to %e )resented %& t"e )ro)onent$ as in
t"e case o su%scri%in' -itnesses to a -ill. *2ernandeF v.
Tantoco+
A )art& can i#)eac" t"e adverse )art&Ms -itness %&:
1. 8ontradictor& evidence
?. Evidence o %ad c"aracter
@. Evidence o %ias$ interest$ )re(udice$ or inco#)etence
A )art& can i#)eac" "is o-n -itness onl& %&:
1. Evidence contradictor& to "is testi#on&
In t"e case o "ostile -itnesses$ adverse )art& -itnesses or
involuntar& -itnesses$ t"e& can also %e i#)eac"ed %& ot"er
#odes o i#)eac"#ent$ aside ro# contradictor& state#ents
and )rior inconsistent state#ents #ade %& t"e#.
8ontradictor& evidence : ot"er testi#on& o t"e sa#e -itness$
or ot"er evidence )resented %& "i# in t"e sa#e case$ %ut not
t"e testi#on& o anot"er -itness
2airness de#ands t"at t"e i#)eac"in' #atter %e raised in
t"e cross>e,a#ination o t"e -itness sou'"t to %e
i#)eac"ed %& allo-in' "i# to ad#it or den& a #atter to
%e used as t"e %asis o i#)eac"#ent %& contradictor&
evidence.
Prior inconsistent state#ents
Oral or docu#entar& state#ents #ade %& t"e -itness sou'"t
to %e i#)eac"ed on occasions ot"er t"an t"e trial in -"ic"
"e is testi&in'.
:o- to i#)eac" a -itness %& )rior inconsistent
state#ents: %& la&in' t"e )redicate
1. 8onront "i# -4 suc" state#ents$ -4 t"e
circu#stances under -4c t"e& -ere #ade3
2. As; "i# -"et"er "e #ade suc" state#ents3 and
?. Give "i# a c"ance to e,)lain t"e inconsistenc&.
o <nless t"e -itness is 'iven t"e o))ortunit& to
e,)lain t"e discre)ancies$ t"e i#)eac"#ent is
inco#)lete. *<S v. .alu&ot+ :o-ever$ suc"
deect in t"e i#)eac"#ent o t"e -itness is
dee#ed -aived i no o%(ection on t"at 'round
is raised -"en t"e docu#ent involved is
oered or ad#ission. *Peo)le v. Kolo+
It is %elieved t"at i t"e )rior inconsistent state#ent a))ears in
a de)osition o t"e adverse )art&$ and not a #ere -itness$
t"at adverse )art& -"o testiies #a& %e i#)eac"ed -4o
la&in' t"e )redicate$ as suc" )rior state#ents are in t"e
nature o ad#issions o said adverse )art&. T"us$ under
R2?.@*%+$ t"e de)osition o an adverse )art& #a& %e used %&
an& )art& or an& )ur)ose$ i.e. as evidence or t"e latter or to
i#)eac" or contradict said )art& de)onent t"rou'"
inconsistent state#ents t"erein.
B"ere a -itnessM )revious state#ents are oered as evidence
o an ad#ission$ and not #erel& to i#)eac" "i#$ t"e rule on
la&in' a )redicate does not a))l& *Puan Cs#ael 9 8o.$ Inc. v.
:as"i#+ and t"e sa#e -ould a))l& to li;e state#ents o a
)art& to t"e case
Sec. 1@. Evidence o 'ood c"aracter o -itness. ! Evidence o
t"e 'ood c"aracter o a -itness is not ad#issi%le until suc"
c"aracter "as %een i#)eac"ed.
See R1?A.51
Sec. 15. E,clusion and se)aration o -itnesses. ! On an& trial
or "earin'$ t"e (ud'e #a& e,clude ro# t"e court an& -itness
not at t"e ti#e under e,a#ination$ so t"at "e #a& not "ear
t"e testi#on& o ot"er -itnesses. T"e (ud'e #a& also cause
-itnesses to %e ;e)t se)arate and to %e )revented ro#
conversin' -it" one anot"er until all s"all "ave %een
e,a#ined. *18+
T"e )o-er o e,clusion a))lies onl& to t"e -itnesses and not
to t"e )arties in a civil case. T"e sa#e ri'"t a'ainst e,clusion
also a))lies to t"e accused in a cri#inal case.
A )art& to an action "as a ri'"t to %e )resent in court
-"ile "is case is %ein' tried$ and t"e rule aut"oriFin' t"e
e,clusion o -itnesses durin' t"e trial cannot %e
understood to e,tend to "i#. *PaeF v. .eren'uer+
I t"e -itness violates t"e order o e,clusion$ t"e court #a&
%ar "i# ro# testi&in' *Peo)le v. Sandal+ or 'ive little -ei'"t
to "is testi#on&$ aside ro# "is lia%ilit& or conte#)t.
8ontraril&$ it is -it"in t"e )o-er o t"e trial (ud'e to reuse to
order t"e e,clusion o t"e )rinci)al -itness o t"e
'overn#ent durin' t"e "earin' o a cri#inal case and it #a&
not$ on t"at count alone$ %e considered as an a%use o "is
discretion. *Peo)le v. Lua 8"u+
2. R2?.@
58
Sec. @. <se o de)ositions. At t"e trial or u)on t"e "earin' o
a #otion or an interlocutor& )roceedin'$ an& )art or all o a
de)osition$ so ar as ad#issi%le under t"e rules o evidence$
#a& %e used a'ainst an& )art& -"o -as )resent or
re)resented at t"e ta;in' o t"e de)osition or -"o "ad due
notice t"ereo$ in accordance -it" an& one o t"e ollo-in'
)rovisions:
a+ An& de)osition #a& %e used %& an& )art& or t"e
)ur)ose o contradictin' or i#)eac"in' t"e testi#on& o
de)onent as a -itness3
%+ T"e de)osition o a )art& or o an& one -"o at t"e ti#e
o ta;in' t"e de)osition -as an oicer$ director$ or
#ana'in' a'ent o a )u%lic or )rivate cor)oration$
)artners"i)$ or association -"ic" is a )art& #a& %e used
%& an adverse )art& or an& )ur)ose3
c+ T"e de)osition o a -itness$ -"et"er or not a )art&$ #a&
%e used %& an& )art& or an& )ur)ose i t"e court inds:
*1+ t"at t"e -itness is dead3 or *2+ t"at t"e -itness
resides at a distance #ore t"an one "undred *1AA+
;ilo#eters ro# t"e )lace o trial or "earin'$ or is out o
t"e P"ili))ines$ unless it a))ears t"at "is a%sence -as
)rocured %& t"e )art& oerin' t"e de)osition3 or *?+ t"at
t"e -itness is una%le to attend or testi& %ecause o a'e$
sic;ness$ inir#it&$ or i#)rison#ent3 or *@+ t"at t"e )art&
oerin' t"e de)osition "as %een una%le to )rocure t"e
attendance o t"e -itness %& su%)oena3 or *5+ u)on
a))lication and notice$ t"at suc" e,ce)tional
circu#stances e,ist as to #a;e it desira%le$ in t"e interest
o (ustice and -it" due re'ard to t"e i#)ortance o
)resentin' t"e testi#on& o -itnesses orall& in o)en
court$ to allo- t"e de)osition to %e used3 and
d+ I onl& )art o a de)osition is oered in evidence %& a
)art&$ t"e adverse )art& #a& re1uire "i# to introduce all
o it -"ic" is relevant to t"e )art introduced$ and an&
)art& #a& introduce an& ot"er )arts.
8ase:
O22I8E O2 T:E 8O<RT AIKINISTRATOR V . KORANTE
<nder R1?2.1?$ a -itness #a& %e i#)eac"ed %& s"o-in'
t"at suc" t-o contradictin' state#ents are under oat". In
order to i#)eac" "is testi#on& to %e inconsistent -it" t"e
s-orn state#ent$ t"e s-orn state#ent alle'ed to %e
inconsistent -it" t"e su%se1uent one s"ould "ave %een
s"o-n and read to "i# and$ t"ereater$ "e s"ould "ave %een
as;ed to e,)lain t"e a))arent inconsistenc&.
E. Reerence to -ritin' *R1?2.1L>18+
Sec. 1L. B"en -itness #a& reer to #e#orandu#. ! A
-itness #a& %e allo-ed to reres" "is #e#or& res)ectin' a
act$ %& an&t"in' -ritten or recorded %& "i#sel or under "is
direction at t"e ti#e -"en t"e act occurred$ or i##ediatel&
t"ereater$ or at an& ot"er ti#e -"en t"e act -as res" in "is
#e#or& and ;ne- t"at t"e sa#e -as correctl& -ritten or
recorded3 %ut in suc" case t"e -ritin' or record #ust %e
)roduced and #a& %e ins)ected %& t"e adverse )art&$ -"o
#a&$ i "e c"ooses$ cross e,a#ine t"e -itness u)on it$ and
#a& read it in evidence. So$ also$ a -itness #a& testi& ro#
suc" -ritin' or record$ t"ou'" "e retain no recollection o
t"e )articular acts$ i "e is a%le to s-ear t"at t"e -ritin' or
record correctl& stated t"e transaction -"en #ade3 %ut suc"
evidence #ust %e received -it" caution. *1Aa+
2irst sentence = Grevival o )resent #e#or&.H A))lies i t"e
-itness re#e#%ers t"e acts re'ardin' "is entries and is
entitled to 'reater -ei'"t
Second sentence = Grevival o )ast recollection.H A))lies
-"ere t"e -itness does not recall t"e acts involved$ and is
entitled to lesser -ei'"t
T"is )rovision a))lies onl& -"en it is s"o-n %eore"and t"at
t"ere is a need to reres" t"e #e#or& o t"e -itness. T"e
#e#orandu# used to reres" t"e #e#or& o t"e -itness
does not constitute evidence$ and #a& not %e ad#itted as
suc"$ %ecause t"e -itness "as (ust t"e sa#e to testi& on t"e
%asis o reres"ed #e#or&.
B"ere t"e -itness "as testiied inde)endentl& o or ater
"is #e#or& "as %een reres"ed %& a #e#orandu# o
t"e events in dis)ute$ suc" #e#orandu# is not
ad#issi%le as corro%orative evidence$ since a -itness
#a& not %e corro%orated %& an& -ritten state#ent
)re)ared -"oll& %& "i#. E,ce)tion = -"en t"e )ro)er
)redicate o "is ailin' #e#or& is )riorl& laid do-n.
*.orro#eo v. 8A+
Sec. 1N. B"en )art o transaction$ -ritin' or record 'iven in
evidence$ t"e re#ainder$ t"e re#ainder ad#issi%le. ! B"en
)art o an act$ declaration$ conversation$ -ritin' or record is
'iven in evidence %& one )art&$ t"e -"ole o t"e sa#e
su%(ect #a& %e in1uired into %& t"e ot"er$ and -"en a
detac"ed act$ declaration$ conversation$ -ritin' or record is
'iven in evidence$ an& ot"er act$ declaration$ conversation$
-ritin' or record necessar& to its understandin' #a& also %e
'iven in evidence. *11a+
Si#ilar rule )rovided or in use o de)ositions 0 see R2?.@*d+
Sec. 18. Ri'"t to ins)ect -ritin' s"o-n to
-itness. ! B"enever a -ritin' is s"o-n to a -itness$ it #a&
%e ins)ected %& t"e adverse )art&. *Ja+
8ases:
8AND<E V . 8A
<nder R1?2.1A$ t"e #e#orandu# used to reres" t"e
#e#or& o t"e -itness does not constitute evidence$
and #a& not %e ad#itted as suc"$ or t"e si#)le reason
t"at t"e -itness "as (ust t"e sa#e to testi& on t"e %asis
o reres"ed #e#or&. In ot"er -ords$ -"ere t"e -itness
"as testiied inde)endentl& o or ater "is testi#on& "as
%een reres"ed %& a #e#orandu# o t"e events in
dis)ute$ suc" #e#orandu# is not ad#issi%le as
corro%orative evidence.
As t"e entries in 1uestion -ere not #ade %ased on
)ersonal ;no-led'e$ t"e& could onl& corro%orate "er
testi#on& t"at s"e #ade t"e entries as s"e received t"e
%ills.
PEOPLE V . IELA 8R<Q
T"e leadin' 1uestions -ere neit"er conclusions o acts
#erel& )ut into t"e #out" o PONALCN nor )re)ared
state#ents -"ic" s"e #erel& conir#ed as true. T"e
1uestions -ere indeed careull& )"rased and so#eti#es
%ased on "er Sinu#)aan' Sala&sa& to #a;e PONALCN
understand t"e i#)ort o t"e 1uestions. In t"e sa#e vein$ t"e
)rosecutionMs reerral to PONALCNMs Sinu#)aan' Sala&sa& to
reres" "er #e#or& -as also reasona%le. T"e )ur)ose o
reres"in' t"e recollection o a -itness is to ena%le %ot" t"e
-itness and "er )resent testi#on& to %e )ut airl& and in t"eir
)ro)er li'"t %eore t"e court.
III. A<T:ENTI8ATION ANI PROO2 O2 IO8<KENTS
59
A. Pu%lic docu#ents
1. R1?2.1J$ 2?>?A
Sec. 1J. 8lasses o Iocu#ents. ! 2or t"e )ur)ose o t"eir
)resentation evidence$ docu#ents are eit"er )u%lic or
)rivate.
Pu%lic docu#ents are:
a+ T"e -ritten oicial acts$ or records o t"e oicial acts o
t"e soverei'n aut"orit&$ oicial %odies and tri%unals$ and
)u%lic oicers$ -"et"er o t"e P"ili))ines$ or o a orei'n
countr&3
%+ Iocu#ents ac;no-led'e %eore a notar& )u%lic e,ce)t
last -ills and testa#ents3 and
c+ Pu%lic records$ ;e)t in t"e P"ili))ines$ o )rivate
docu#ents re1uired %& la- to t"e entered t"erein.
All ot"er -ritin's are )rivate. *2Aa+
<nder t"e rules o evidence$ oicial docu#ents are G)u%lic
docu#ents.H T"ose ac;no-led'ed %eore )ersons aut"oriFed
to ad#inister oat"s are )u%lic docu#ents %ut are urt"er
'overned %& Sec. ?A$ -"ile co##ercial and )rivate
docu#ents all under G)rivate docu#ents.H
Private docu#ents re1uired %& la- to %e entered in
)u%lic records are considered as )u%lic docu#ents and
are su%(ect to Sec. 2N.
GEN R<LE: Pu%lic docu#ents 'enerall& include notarial
docu#ents and are ad#issi%le in evidence -4o t"e necessit&
o )reli#inar& )roo as to its aut"enticit& and due e,ecution
*Antillon v. .arcelon+
EE8EPTION: -"ere a s)ecial rule o la- re1uires )roo
t"ereo des)ite its %ein' a docu#ent ac;no-led'ed in
accordance -4 Sec. ?A$ as in t"e case o )ro%ate o notarial
-ills -"ere t"e testi#on& o t"e attestin' -itnesses are still
re1uired or its )ro%ate *R1?2.NL 9 ?A+
Re1uisites or ad#issi%ilit& o co)& o orei'n oicial docu#ent
1. Attested %& t"e oicer "avin' le'al custod& o t"e
records or %& "is de)ut&3 and
2. Acco#)anied %& a certiicate o t"e P"ili))ine di)lo#atic
or consular re)resentative to t"e orei'n countr&
certi&in' t"at suc" attestin' oicer "as t"e custod& o
t"e docu#ent
T"is re1uire#ent is intended to (usti& t"e 'ivin' o
ull ait" and credit to t"e 'enuineness o a
docu#ent in a orei'n countr& *Valencia v. Lo)eF+
A docu#ent$ to %e )u%lic$ #ust %e an oicial -ritten act o a
)u%lic oicer.
I a )rivate -ritin' itsel is inserted oiciall& into a )u%lic
record$ its record4recordation4incor)oration into t"e )u%lic
record %eco#es a )u%lic docu#ent$ %ut t"at does not #a;e
t"e )rivate -ritin' itsel a )u%lic docu#ent so as to #a;e it
ad#issi%le -4o aut"entication. *Re)u%lic v. Borld-ide
Insurance+
A clai# or t"e enorce#ent o a orei'n (ud'#ent can %e
%rou'"t onl& %eore t"e re'ular courts and not in an
ad#inistrative a'enc&. A orei'n decision )ur)ortin' to %e
t"e -ritten record o an act o an oicial %od& or tri%unal o a
orei'n countr& is a )u%lic -ritin' under R1?2.1J*a+$ and
#ust %e )roved in accordance -4 Secs. 2@ 9 25 o t"e sa#e
Rule.
Sec. 2?. Pu%lic docu#ents as evidence. ! Iocu#ents
consistin' o entries in )u%lic records #ade in t"e
)eror#ance o a dut& %& a )u%lic oicer are )ri#a
acie evidence o t"e acts t"erein stated. All ot"er )u%lic
docu#ents are evidence$ even a'ainst a t"ird )erson$ o t"e
act -"ic" 'ave rise to t"eir e,ecution and o t"e date o t"e
latter. *2@a+
Sec. 2@. Proo o oicial record. ! T"e record o )u%lic
docu#ents reerred to in )ara'ra)" *a+ o Section 1J$ -"en
ad#issi%le or an& )ur)ose$ #a& %e evidenced %& an oicial
)u%lication t"ereo or %& a co)& attested %& t"e oicer "avin'
t"e le'al custod& o t"e record$ or %& "is de)ut&$ and
acco#)anied$ i t"e record is not ;e)t in t"e P"ili))ines$ -it"
a certiicate t"at suc" oicer "as t"e custod&. I t"e oice in
-"ic" t"e record is ;e)t is in orei'n countr&$ t"e certiicate
#a& %e #ade %& a secretar& o t"e e#%ass& or le'ation$
consul 'eneral$ consul$ vice consul$ or consular a'ent or %&
an& oicer in t"e orei'n service o t"e P"ili))ines stationed in
t"e orei'n countr& in -"ic" t"e record is ;e)t$ and
aut"enticated %& t"e seal o "is oice. *25a+
Sec. 25. B"at attestation o co)& #ust state. ! B"enever a
co)& o a docu#ent or record is attested or t"e )ur)ose o
evidence$ t"e attestation #ust state$ in su%stance$ t"at t"e
co)& is a correct co)& o t"e ori'inal$ or a s)eciic )art
t"ereo$ as t"e case #a& %e. T"e attestation #ust %e under
t"e oicial seal o t"e attestin' oicer$ i t"ere %e an&$ or i "e
%e t"e cler; o a court "avin' a seal$ under t"e seal o suc"
court. *2La+
Sec. 2L. Irre#ova%ilit& o )u%lic record. ! An& )u%lic record$
an oicial co)& o -"ic" is ad#issi%le in evidence$ #ust not
%e re#oved ro# t"e oice in -"ic" it is ;e)t$ e,ce)t u)on
order o a court -"ere t"e ins)ection o t"e record is
essential to t"e (ust deter#ination o a )endin' case. *2Na+
A )u%lic record cannot %e re#oved ro# t"e oice in -4c it is
;e)t -4o a court order$ suc" as a su%)oena duces tecu#$
and even t"e court cannot order its re#oval t"erero#.
EE8EPTION: -"en essential to t"e (ust deter#ination o
a )endin' case
NOTE t"at t"is rule reers onl& to a )u%lic record an oicial
co)& o -4c could %e #ade availa%le to t"e interested )art
and is ad#issi%le in evidence.
/2@: re1uire#ents or ad#issi%ilit& in evidence o a orei'n
)u%lic docu#ent.
A%sent t"e attestation o t"e oicer "avin' t"e le'al
custod& o t"e records and t"e certiicate to t"at eect %&
a P"ili))ine orei'n service oicer$ a #ere co)& o t"e
orei'n docu#ent is not ad#issi%le as evidence to )rove
t"e orei'n la-. *Bildvalle& S"i))in' 8o.$ Ltd. v. 8A+
Sec. 2N. Pu%lic record o a )rivate docu#ent. ! An aut"oriFed
)u%lic record o a )rivate docu#ent #a& %e )roved %& t"e
ori'inal record$ or %& a co)& t"ereo$ attested %& t"e le'al
custodian o t"e record$ -it" an a))ro)riate certiicate t"at
suc" oicer "as t"e custod&.
Sec. 28. Proo o lac; o record. ! A -ritten state#ent si'ned
%& an oicer "avin' t"e custod& o an oicial record or %& "is
de)ut& t"at ater dili'ent searc" no record or entr& o a
60
s)eciied tenor is ound to e,ist in t"e records o "is oice$
acco#)anied %& a certiicate as a%ove )rovided$ is ad#issi%le
as evidence t"at t"e records o "is oice contain no suc"
record or entr&. *2J+
Sec. 2J. :o- (udicial record i#)eac"ed. ! An& (udicial record
#a& %e i#)eac"ed %& evidence o: *a+ -ant o (urisdiction in
t"e court or (udicial oicer$ *%+ collusion %et-een t"e )arties$
or *c+ raud in t"e )art& oerin' t"e record$ in res)ect to t"e
)roceedin's. *?Aa+
RIANO:
Pudicial record : t"e record o (udicial )roceedin's. Includes
oicial entries or iles$ oicial acts o a (udicial oicer$ and
(ud'#ent o t"e court
Sec. ?A. Proo o notarial docu#ents. ! Ever& instru#ent dul&
ac;no-led'ed or )roved and certiied as )rovided %& la-$
#a& %e )resented in evidence -it"out urt"er )roo$ t"e
certiicate o ac;no-led'#ent %ein' )ri#a acie evidence o
t"e e,ecution o t"e instru#ent or docu#ent involved. *?1a+
Pu%lic docu#ents #a& %e )roved %&:
1. T"e ori'inal co)&3
2. An oicial )u%lication t"ereo3 or
?. A certiied true co)& t"ereo
B"en a 8T8 is )resented$ / 2@ 9 25 )rovide -"at s"ould
a))ear in t"e certiication or attestation o said true co)& and
-4c #ust "ave t"e docu#entar& sta#) ai,ed t"ereto in
order to %e ad#issi%le */2A1$ RA 8@2@+$ <NLESS s)eciicall&
e,e#)ted t"erero#$ as in t"e case o %a)tis#al4%irt"
certiicates o contractin' )arties to a #arria'e *28 1?+. ItMs
)resu#ed t"at t"e re1uisite sta#)s "ave %een ai,ed to t"e
ori'inal co)& o a docu#ent -"ere onl& t"e car%on co)ies
t"ereo are availa%le. *Ka"ilu# v. 8A+
B"ere t"e SPA is e,ecuted and ac;no-led'ed %eore a
notar& )u%lic or ot"er co#)etent oicer in a orei'n countr&$
it canMt %e ad#itted in evidence in P"ili))ine courts <NLESS
itMs certiied as suc" in accordance -4 R1?2.2@ %& a secretar&
o t"e e#%ass& or le'ation$ consul>'eneral4consul4vice>
consul4consular a'ent or %& an& oicer in t"e orei'n service
o t"e P"ili))ines stationed in t"e orei'n countr& in -4c t"e
record is ;e)t o said )u%lic docu#ent and aut"enticated %&
t"e seal o "is oice. *Lo)eF v. 8A+
T"e )ro%ative value o )u%lic instru#ents de)ends on t"e
;ind o docu#ent t"at is )resented in evidence. *Iu)ilas v.
8a%acun'an+
Onl& %a)tis#al certiicates issued %& t"e )riests durin' t"e
S)anis" re'i#e are considered )u%lic docu#ents. *Adriano v.
de Pesus+ :o-ever$ a %a)tis#al certiicate issued ater t"e
S)anis" re'i#e is a )rivate docu#ent and cannot even %e
considered )ri#a acie evidence o t"e act t"at 'ave rise to
its e,ecution 0 t"e act o %a)tis# and t"e date t"ereo 0 and
is t"ereore "earsa& and inad#issi%le evidence even as to t"e
date o %a)tis# unless t"e )riest -"o )eror#ed t"e
%a)tis#al rites and #ade t"e certiicate is )roduced. *Peo)le
v. .arce%al+
.a)tis#al certiicates are not suicient to )rove )aternit&
*Arde v. Anicoc"e+ or voluntar& reco'nition o a c"ild.
*.erciles v. GSIS+
NOTE: B"ile reco'niFin' t"e )ri#ac& o a %irt" certiicate as
)roo o t"e victi#Ms a'e$ S8 "eld t"at in t"e a%sence o suc"
evidence$ t"e victi#Ms #inorit& #a& %e )roved %& ot"er
docu#entar& evidence suc" as "er %a)tis#al certiicate or
ot"er aut"entic records. *Peo)le v. Llandelar+
A deat" certiicate is not )roo o t"e cause o deat"$ its
)ro%ative value %ein' conined onl& to t"e act o deat"$ and
t"e state#ent t"erein contained re'ardin' t"e duration o
illness and t"e cause o deat" are #ere "earsa&. *Sison v. Sun
Lie Assurance+
.<T it "as %een "eld t"at a deat" certiicate is ad#issi%le
to )rove t"e residence o t"e deceased at t"e ti#e o "is
deat". *Garcia 2ule v. Kalvar+
2. 88@A8
88@A?. Not-it"standin' t"e )rovisions o t"e )recedin'
article$ a dau'"ter a%ove t-ent&>one %ut %elo- t-ent&>t"ree
&ears o a'e cannot leave t"e )arental "o#e -it"out t"e
consent o t"e at"er or #ot"er in -"ose co#)an& s"e lives$
e,ce)t to %eco#e a -ie$ or -"en s"e e,ercises a )roession
or callin'$ or -"en t"e at"er or #ot"er "as contracted a
su%se1uent #arria'e. *?21a+
8. 88 @A2. Ka(orit& co##ences u)on t"e attain#ent o t"e
a'e o t-ent&>one &ears. T"e )erson -"o "as reac"ed
#a(orit& is 1ualiied or all acts o civil lie$ save t"e e,ce)tions
esta%lis"ed %& t"is 8ode in s)ecial cases.
?. /2A1$ RA 8@2@
NIR8$ Sec. 2A1. Eect o 2ailure to Sta#) Ta,a%le Iocu#ent. >
An instru#ent$ docu#ent or )a)er -"ic" is re1uired %& la-
to %e sta#)ed and -"ic" "as %een si'ned$ issued$ acce)ted
or transerred -it"out %ein' dul& sta#)ed$ s"all not %e
recorded$ nor s"all it or an& co)& t"ereo or an& record o
transer o t"e sa#e %e ad#itted or used in evidence in an&
court until t"e re1uisite sta#) or sta#)s are ai,ed t"ereto
and cancelled.
8ases:
PA8I2I8 ASIA OVERSEAS S:IPPING 8ORP . V . NLR8
T"e Iu%ai decision -as not )ro)erl& )roved %eore t"e
POEA. T"e Iu%ai decision )ur)orts to %e t"e -ritten act
or record o an act o an oicial %od& or tri%unal o a
orei'n countr&$ and t"ereore a )u%lic -ritin' under
R1?2.2A*a+
Also$ t"e Iu%ai decision is acco#)anied %& a docu#ent
-"ic" )ur)orts to %e an En'lis" translation o t"at
decision$ %ut t"at translation is le'all& deective. R1?2.?@
re1uires t"at docu#ents -ritten in a non>oicial
lan'ua'e *Ara%ic+ s"all not %e ad#itted as evidence
unless acco#)anied %& a translation into En'lis" or
S)anis" or 2ili)ino.
PEOPLE V . LAQARO
Eit"er t"e testi#on& o a re)resentative o$ or a certiication
ro#$ t"e PNP 2irear#s and E,)losive Oice attestin' t"at a
)erson is not a licensee o an& irear# -ould suice to )rove
%e&ond reasona%le dou%t t"e second ele#ent o )ossession
o ille'al irear#s. Koreover$ t"e rule on "earsa& evidence
ad#its o several e,ce)tions. One suc" e,ce)tion is t"at
)rovided or under R1?A.@@ *Entries in oicial records+.
Relative to t"is )rovision$ R1?2.28 o t"e sa#e Rules allo-s
t"e ad#ission o t"e said docu#ent.
61
KONTEVERIE V . PEOPLE
A )rivate docu#ent ac1uires t"e c"aracter o a )u%lic
docu#ent -"en it %eco#es )art o an oicial record and is
certiied %& a )u%lic oicer dul& aut"oriFed %& la-.
SORIANO V . GALIT
Pu%lic docu#ents %& t"e#selves #a& %e ade1uate to
esta%lis" t"e )resu#)tion o t"eir validit&. :o-ever$ t"eir
)ro%ative -ei'"t #ust %e evaluated not in isolation %ut in
con(unction -it" ot"er evidence adduced %& t"e )arties in
t"e controvers&$ #uc" #ore so in t"is case -"ere t"e
contents o a co)& t"ereo su%se1uentl& re'istered or
docu#entation )ur)oses is %ein' contested.
IEL2IN V . .ILLONES
Iocu#ents consistin' o entries in )u%lic records #ade in t"e
)eror#ance o a dut& %& a )u%lic oicer are )ri#a acie
evidence o t"e acts t"erein stated. Nevert"eless$ t"is
)resu#)tion is dis)uta%le and is satisactor& onl& i
uncontradicted$ and #a& %e overco#e %& ot"er evidence to
t"e contrar&.
SEVILLA V . 8ARIENAS
T"e )resu#)tion o re'ularit& o oicial acts #a& %e re%utted
%& air#ative evidence o irre'ularit& or ailure to )eror# a
dut&.
.. Private docu#ents *R1?2.2A>22$ ?2>??+
Sec. 2A. Proo o )rivate docu#ent. ! .eore an& )rivate
docu#ent oered as aut"entic is received in evidence$ its due
e,ecution and aut"enticit& #ust %e )roved eit"er:
a+ .& an&one -"o sa- t"e docu#ent e,ecuted or -ritten3
or
%+ .& evidence o t"e 'enuineness o t"e si'nature or
"and-ritin' o t"e #a;er.
An& ot"er )rivate docu#ent need onl& %e identiied as t"at
-"ic" it is clai#ed to %e. *21a+
Sec. 21. B"en evidence o aut"enticit& o )rivate docu#ent
not necessar&. ! B"ere a )rivate docu#ent is #ore t"an
t"irt& &ears old$ is )roduced ro# t"e custod& in -"ic" it
-ould naturall& %e ound i 'enuine$ and is un%le#is"ed %&
an& alterations or circu#stances o sus)icion$ no ot"er
evidence o its aut"enticit& need %e 'iven. *22a+
Sec. 22. :o- 'enuineness o "and-ritin' )roved. ! T"e
"and-ritin' o a )erson #a& %e )roved %& an& -itness -"o
%elieves it to %e t"e "and-ritin' o suc" )erson %ecause "e
"as seen t"e )erson -rite$ or "as seen -ritin' )ur)ortin' to
%e "is u)on -"ic" t"e -itness "as acted or %een c"ar'ed$
and "as t"us ac1uired ;no-led'e o t"e "and-ritin' o suc"
)erson. Evidence res)ectin' t"e "and-ritin' #a& also %e
'iven %& a co#)arison$ #ade %& t"e -itness or t"e court$
-it" -ritin's ad#itted or treated as 'enuine %& t"e )art&
a'ainst -"o# t"e evidence is oered$ or )roved to %e
'enuine to t"e satisaction o t"e (ud'e. *2?a+
R1?2.2A>22: rules on aut"entication o )rivate docu#ents
Ioctrine o sel>aut"entication
B"ere t"e acts in t"e -ritin' could onl& "ave %een ;no-n
%& t"e -riter
Rule o aut"entication o t"e adverse )art&
B"ere t"e re)l& o t"e adverse )art& reers to and air#s t"e
trans#ittal to "i# and "is recei)t o t"e letter in 1uestion$ a
co)& o -"ic" t"e )ro)onent is oerin' as evidence
Instances -"en aut"entication o a docu#ent is NOT
re1uired
1. T"e -ritin' is an ancient docu#ent$ under t"e re1uisites
o /21
2. T"e -ritin' is a )u%lic docu#ent or record )er /1J
?. ItMs a notarial docu#ent ac;no-led'ed$ )roved$ or
certiied in accordance -4 /?A
@. T"e aut"enticit& and due e,ecution o t"e docu#ent
"as %een e,)ressl& or i#)liedl& ad#itted %& a ailure to
den& t"e sa#e under oat"$ as in t"e case o actiona%le
docu#ents )er R8.8
T"e aut"enticit& and due e,ecution o a )rivate docu#ent
are )roved$ inter alia$ %& evidence o t"e 'enuineness o t"e
"and-ritin' o t"e #a;er
Genuineness o #a;erMs "and-ritin' )roved %&:
1. A -itness -"o actuall& sa- t"e )erson -ritin' t"e
instru#ent */2A6a7+
2. A -itness a#iliar -4 suc" "and-ritin' */22+ and
-"o can 'ive "is o)inion t"ereon$ suc" o)inion
%ein' an e,ce)tion to t"e o)inion rule *R.1?A.5A6%7+
?. A co#)arison %& t"e court o t"e 1uestioned
"and-ritin' and ad#itted 'enuine s)eci#ens
t"ereo */22+
@. E,)ert evidence *R.1?A.@J+
/22 #erel& enu#erates t"e #et"ods o )rovin' "and-ritin'
%ut does not 'ive )reerence or )riorit& to a )articular
#et"od *Lo)eF v. 8A+
Sec. ?2. Seal. ! T"ere s"all %e no dierence %et-een sealed
and unsealed )rivate docu#ents insoar as t"eir ad#issi%ilit&
as evidence is concerned. *??a+
Sec. ??. Iocu#entar& evidence in an unoicial
lan'ua'e. ! Iocu#ents -ritten in an unoicial lan'ua'e
s"all not %e ad#itted as evidence$ unless acco#)anied -it" a
translation into En'lis" or 2ili)ino. To avoid interru)tion o
)roceedin's$ )arties or t"eir attorne&s are directed to "ave
suc" translation )re)ared %eore trial.
PI 155 *1JN?+ )rovides t"at Gt"e S)anis" lan'ua'e s"all
continue to %e reco'niFed as an oicial lan'ua'e in t"e
P"ili))ines -"ile i#)ortant docu#ents in 'overn#ent iles
are in t"e S)anis" lan'ua'e and not translated into eit"er
En'lis" or Pili)ino lan'ua'e.H
1J8N 8onsti: t"e oicial lan'ua'es are 2ili)ino and$ until
ot"er-ise )rovided %& la-$ En'lis"$ -4 t"e re'ional
lan'ua'es as au,iliar& oicial lan'ua'es in t"e re'ion
8ases:
.ARTOLOKE V . IA8
<nder R1?2.21$ t"e due e,ecution and aut"enticit& o a
)rivate -ritin' #ust %e )roved eit"er %& an&one -"o sa-
t"e -ritin' e,ecuted$ %& evidence o t"e 'enuineness o t"e
"and-ritin' o t"e #a;er$ or %& a su%scri%in' -itness.
8ED<E^A V . .OLANTE
An ancient docu#ent is one t"at is *1+ #ore t"an ?A
&ears old$ *2+ ound in t"e )ro)er custod&$ and *?+
un%le#is"ed %& an& alteration or %& an& circu#stance o
sus)icion. It #ust on its ace a))ear to %e 'enuine.
62
Not all notariFed docu#ents are e,e#)ted ro# t"e rule
on aut"entication. T"us$ an aidavit does not
auto#aticall& %eco#e a )u%lic docu#ent (ust %ecause it
contains a notarial (urat.
.& itsel$ an aidavit is not a #ode o ac1uirin'
o-ners"i).
KALACAN INS<RAN8E V . PNB8
<nder R1?2.2A$ %eore a )rivate docu#ent is ad#itted in
evidence$ it #ust %e aut"enticated eit"er %& t"e )erson -"o
e,ecuted it$ t"e )erson %eore -"o# its e,ecution -as
ac;no-led'ed$ an& )erson -"o -as )resent and sa- it
e,ecuted$ or -"o ater its e,ecution$ sa- it and reco'niFed
t"e si'natures$ or t"e )erson to -"o# t"e )arties to t"e
instru#ents "ad )reviousl& conessed e,ecution t"ereo.
PIKENEQ V . 8OKKISSION ON E8<KENI8AL KISSION
R1?2.22 e,)licitl& aut"oriFes t"e court$ %& itsel$ to #a;e a
co#)arison o t"e dis)uted "and-ritin' U-it" -ritin's
ad#itted or treated as 'enuine %& t"e )art& a'ainst -"o#
t"e evidence is oered$ or )roved to %e 'enuine to t"e
satisaction o t"e (ud'e.U
PAN PA8I2I8 INI<STRIAL SALES V . 8A
T"e )resu#)tion o re'ularit& does not "old true -it" res)ect
to t"e 6notariFed7 Karital 8onsent -"ic" is a )rivate -ritin'. It
is su%(ect to t"e re1uire#ent o )roo under R1?2.2A -"ic"
states t"e Karital 8onsent -as #erel& a (urat$ and t"us a
)rivate docu#ent -"ose e,ecution and aut"enticit& re1uired
)roo under R1?2.2A.
8. Alteration in docu#ents *R1?2.?1+
Sec. ?1. Alteration in docu#ent$ "o- to e,)lain. ! T"e )art&
)roducin' a docu#ent as 'enuine -"ic" "as %een altered
and a))ears to "ave %een altered ater its e,ecution$ in a )art
#aterial to t"e 1uestion in dis)ute$ #ust account or t"e
alteration. :e #a& s"o- t"at t"e alteration -as #ade %&
anot"er$ -it"out "is concurrence$ or -as #ade -it" t"e
consent o t"e )arties aected %& it$ or -as ot"er-ise
)ro)erl& or innocent #ade$ or t"at t"e alteration did not
c"an'e t"e #eanin' or lan'ua'e o t"e instru#ent. I "e ails
to do t"at$ t"e docu#ent s"all not %e ad#issi%le in evidence.
8ases:
8A.OTAPE V . PAI<NAN
ZRestated t"e )rovision[
8IRELOS V . :ERNANIEQ
T"e )art& )roducin' a docu#ent as 'enuine -"ic" "as %een
altered in a )art #aterial to t"e 1uestion in dis)ute #ust
account or t"e alteration.
I. Rule on Electronic Evidence
Rule 5. Aut"entication o Electronic Iocu#ents
Sec. 1. T"e )erson see;in' to introduce an electronic
docu#ent in an& le'al )roceedin' "as t"e %urden o )rovin'
its aut"enticit&.
Sec. 2. Kanner o aut"entication. 0 .eore an& )rivate
electronic docu#ent oered as aut"entic is received in
evidence$ its aut"enticit& #ust %e )roved %& an& o t"e
ollo-in' #eans:
a+ %& evidence t"at it "ad %een di'itall& si'ned %& t"e )erson
)ur)orted to "ave si'ned t"e sa#e3
%+ %& evidence t"at ot"er a))ro)riate securit& )rocedures or
devices as #a& %e aut"oriFed %& t"e Su)re#e 8ourt or
%& la- or aut"entication o electronic docu#ents -ere
a))lied to t"e docu#ent3 or
c+ %& ot"er evidence s"o-in' its inte'rit& and relia%ilit& to t"e
satisaction o t"e (ud'e.
Sec. ?. Proo o electronicall& notariFed docu#ent. > A
docu#ent electronicall& notariFed in accordance -it" t"e
rules )ro#ul'ated %& t"e Su)re#e 8ourt s"all %e considered
as a )u%lic docu#ent and )roved as a notarial docu#ent
under t"e Rules o 8ourt.
8ases:
AS<N8ION V . NLR8
:and-ritten listin' and unsi'ned co#)uter )rintouts -"ic"
are unaut"enticated are unrelia%le. T"e S8 "as consistentl&
re1uired so#e )roo o aut"enticit& or relia%ilit& as condition
or t"e ad#ission o docu#ents.
VIIALLON >KAGTOLIS V . SAL<I
Te,t #essa'es are covered %& Section 1*;+$ Rule 2 o t"e
REE$ -"ic" )rovides: UE)"e#eral electronic
co##unication reers to tele)"one conversations$ te,t
#essa'es S and ot"er electronic or#s o co##unication
t"e evidence o -"ic" is not recorded or retained.U
<nder Section 2$ Rule 11 o REE$ GE)"e#eral electronic
co##unications s"all %e )roven %& t"e testi#on& o a
)erson -"o -as a )art& to t"e sa#e or -"o "as
)ersonal ;no-led'e t"ereo.H
IV. O22ER ANI O.PE8TION *R1?2.?@>@A+
Sec. ?@. Oer o evidence. ! T"e court s"all consider no
evidence -"ic" "as not %een or#all& oered. T"e )ur)ose
or -"ic" t"e evidence is oered #ust %e s)eciied. *?5+
Sec. ?5. B"en to #a;e oer. ! As re'ards t"e testi#on& o a
-itness$ t"e oer #ust %e #ade at t"e ti#e t"e -itness is
called to testi&.
Iocu#entar& and o%(ect evidence s"all %e oered ater t"e
)resentation o a )art&Ss testi#onial evidence. Suc" oer s"all
%e done orall& unless allo-ed %& t"e court to %e done in
-ritin'. *n+
T"e literal i#)ort o /?@ "as %een rela,ed in t"e sense t"at
evidence not or#all& oered can %e ad#itted %& t"e T8
)rovided t"e . re1uire#ents are )resent:
1. T"e sa#e #ustMve %een dul& identiied %& testi#on& dul&
recorded3 and
2. T"e sa#e #ustMve %een incor)orated in t"e records o
t"e case
T"e or#al oer o testi#onial evidence at t"e ti#e t"e
-itness is called to testi& is necessar& to ena%le t"e court to
intelli'entl& rule on an& o%(ection to t"e 1uestions as;ed. As a
rule$ t"e )ro)onent #ust s"o- its relevance$ #aterialit&$ and
co#)etence$ and t"e adverse )art& #ust )ro#)tl& raise an&
o%(ection t"ereto. *Peo)le v. Anc"eta+
RIANO:
B"en or#al oer o evidence is not re1uired
1. In a su##ar& )roceedin'$ as itMs a )roceedin' -"ere
t"ereMs no ull>%lo-n trial
63
2. Iocu#ents (udiciall& ad#itted or ta;en (udicial notice o
?. Iocu#ents$ aidavits$ and de)ositions used in renderin'
a su##ar& (ud'#ent
@. Iocu#ents or aidavits used in decidin' 1uasi>(udicial or
ad#inistrative cases
5. Lost o%(ects )reviousl& #ar;ed$ identiied$ descri%ed in
t"e record$ and testiied to %& -itnesses -"o "ad %een
su%(ects o cross>e,a#ination in res)ect to said o%(ects
Sec. ?L. O%(ection. ! O%(ection to evidence oered orall&
#ust %e #ade i##ediatel& ater t"e oer is #ade.
O%(ection to a 1uestion )ro)ounded in t"e course o t"e oral
e,a#ination o a -itness s"all %e #ade as soon as t"e
'rounds t"ereor s"all %eco#e reasona%l& a))arent.
An oer o evidence in -ritin' s"all %e o%(ected to -it"in
t"ree *?+ da&s ater notice o t"e oer unless a dierent )eriod
is allo-ed %& t"e court.
In an& case$ t"e 'rounds or t"e o%(ections #ust %e s)eciied.
Sec. ?N. B"en re)etition o o%(ection unnecessar&. ! B"en it
%eco#es reasona%l& a))arent in t"e course o t"e
e,a#ination o a -itness t"at t"e 1uestion %ein'
)ro)ounded are o t"e sa#e class as t"ose to -"ic"
o%(ection "as %een #ade$ -"et"er suc" o%(ection -as
sustained or overruled$ it s"all not %e necessar& to re)eat t"e
o%(ection$ it %ein' suicient or t"e adverse )art& to record "is
continuin' o%(ection to suc" class o 1uestions.
Sec. ?8. Rulin'. ! T"e rulin' o t"e court #ust %e 'iven
i##ediatel& ater t"e o%(ection is #ade$ unless t"e court
desires to ta;e a reasona%le ti#e to inor# itsel on t"e
1uestion )resented3 %ut t"e rulin' s"all al-a&s %e #ade
durin' t"e trial and at suc" ti#e as -ill 'ive t"e )art& a'ainst
-"o# it is #ade an o))ortunit& to #eet t"e situation
)resented %& t"e rulin'.
T"e reason or sustainin' or overrulin' an o%(ection need not
%e stated. :o-ever$ i t"e o%(ection is %ased on t-o or #ore
'rounds$ a rulin' sustainin' t"e o%(ection on one or so#e o
t"e# #ust s)eci& t"e 'round or 'rounds relied u)on. *?8a+
Sec. ?J. Stri;in' out ans-er. ! S"ould a -itness ans-er t"e
1uestion %eore t"e adverse )art& "ad t"e o))ortunit& to
voice ull& its o%(ection to t"e sa#e$ and suc" o%(ection is
ound to %e #eritorious$ t"e court s"all sustain t"e o%(ection
and order t"e ans-er 'iven to %e stric;en o t"e record.
On )ro)er #otion$ t"e court #a& also order t"e stri;in' out
o ans-ers -"ic" are inco#)etent$ irrelevant$ or ot"er-ise
i#)ro)er. *n+
Sec. @A. Tender o e,cluded evidence. ! I docu#ents or
t"in's oered in evidence are e,cluded %& t"e court$ t"e
oeror #a& "ave t"e sa#e attac"ed to or #ade )art o t"e
record. I t"e evidence e,cluded is oral$ t"e oeror #a& state
or t"e record t"e na#e and ot"er )ersonal circu#stances o
t"e -itness and t"e su%stance o t"e )ro)osed testi#on&. *n+
Parties -"o oer o%(ections to 1uestions on -"atever
'round are entitled to a rulin' at t"e ti#e t"e o%(ection is
#ade$ unless t"e& )resent a 1uestion -it" re'ard to -"ic"
t"e court desires to inor# itsel %eore #a;in' its rulin'. In
t"at event$ itMs )erectl& )ro)er or t"e court to ta;e a
reasona%le ti#e to stud& t"e 1uestions raised %& t"e
o%(ection$ %ut a rulin' s"ould al-a&s %e #ade durin' t"e
trial.
T"e courts s"ould consider t"e evidence onl& or t"e
)ur)ose or -"ic" it -as oered *Peo)le v. A%alos+
T"e trial courts s"ould )er#it all e,"i%its )resented %& t"e
)arties$ alt"ou'" not ad#itted$ to %e attac"ed to t"e records
so t"at$ in case o a))eal$ t"e a))ellate court #a& %e a%le to
e,a#ine t"e sa#e and deter#ine t"e )ro)riet& o t"eir
re(ection. *Oliveros v. Oliveros+
:o-ever$ it "as %een "eld t"at -"ere docu#entar&
evidence -as re(ected %& t"e T8 and t"e oeror did not
#ove t"at t"e sa#e %e attac"ed to t"e record$ t"e sa#e
cannot %e considered %& t"e a))ellate court *.aneF v.
8A+$ as docu#ents or#in' no )art o )roos %eore t"e
a))ellate court cannot %e considered in dis)osin' o t"e
case *Ie 8astro v. 8A+3 ot"er-ise$ t"at -ould inrin'e
u)on t"e adverse )art&Ms constitutional ri'"t to due
)rocess o la-. *Tinsa& v. Cusa&+
B"ere t"ere is no indication o %ad ait" on t"e )art o t"e
attorne& oerin' t"e evidence$ t"e court #a&$ as a rule$ sael&
acce)t t"e testi#on& u)on t"e state#ent o t"e attorne& t"at
t"e )roo oered -ill %e connected later. *Prats 9 8o. v.
P"oeni, Insurance+
T"e )ur)ose or -4c t"e evidence is oered #ust %e s)eciied
%ecause suc" evidence #a& %e ad#issi%le or several
)ur)oses under t"e doctrine o #ulti)le ad#issi%ilit&$ or #a&
%e ad#issi%le or one )ur)ose and not or anot"er$ ot"er-ise
t"e adverse )art& canMt inter)ose t"e )ro)er o%(ection.
Evidence su%#itted or one )ur)ose #a& not %e considered
or an& ot"er )ur)ose. *Peo)le v. Iiano+
A docu#ent or -ritin' -"ic" is ad#itted #erel& as )art o
t"e testi#on& o a -itness *and not as an inde)endent
evidence+ does not constitute )roo o t"e acts related
t"erein. *S"eraton>Palace :otel v. Dui(ano+
Identiication o
docu#entar& evidence
2or#al oer o docu#entar&
evidence
Kade in t"e course o t"e
trial and #ar;ed as e,"i%its.
Evidence identiied at trial
and #ar;ed as e,"i%its #a&
%e -it"dra-n %eore or#al
oer t"ereo or #a& not at all
%e oered as evidence
Onl& -"en t"e )ro)onent
rests "is case and or#all&
oers t"e evidence t"at an
o%(ection t"ereto #a& %e
#ade.
Iocu#ents -"ic" #a& "ave %een #ar;ed as e,"i%its durin'
t"e "earin' %ut -4c -ere not or#all& oered in evidence
cannot %e considered as evidence nor can t"e& %e 'iven an&
evidentiar& value. *Vda. Ie 2lores v. B88+
:o-ever$ it "as %een "eld in a cri#inal case or
;idna))in' -4 #urder t"at even i t"ere -as no or#al
oer o t"e e,"i%its %ut t"e sa#e "ave %een dul&
identiied %& testi#on& dul& recorded and t"e e,"i%its
"ave %een incor)orated in t"e records o t"e case$ said
e,"i%its are ad#issi%le a'ainst t"e accused. *Peo)le v.
Kate+
/?N )rovides t"at t"e re)etition o o%(ections to t"e sa#e
class o evidence is not re1uired. T"e )art& #a& (ust enter a
'eneral and continuin' o%(ection to t"e sa#e class o
evidence and t"e rulin' o t"e court s"all %e a))lica%le to all
suc" evidence o t"e sa#e class. It "as %een "eld t"at t"e
court itsel #a& #otu )ro)rio treat t"e o%(ection as a
64
continuin' one. *Ed. A. Reller 9 8o.$ Ltd. v. Eller#an 9
.uc;nail+
An erroneous ad#ission or re(ection o evidence %& t"e T8 is
not a 'round or a ne- trial or reversal o t"e decision i t"ere
are ot"er inde)endent evidence to sustain t"e decision$ or i
t"e re(ected evidence$ i it "ad %een ad#itted$ -ouldnMt "ave
c"an'ed t"e decision *Peo)le v. .ande+3 ot"er-ise a ne-
trial is -arranted %& reason o suc" erroneous rulin' -4c
'oes into t"e #erits o t"e case and -ouldMve aected t"e
decision *<S v. Villanueva+.
I t"e T8 erroneousl& ruled out t"e evidence and
discovered suc" error %eore t"e (ud'#ent "ad %eco#e
inal or %eore and a))eal t"erero# "ad %een
)erected$ it #a& reo)en t"e case. *Tinsa& v. Cusa&+
T"e T8 rulin's on )rocedural 1uestions and on ad#issi%ilit&
o evidence durin' t"e course o a trial are interlocutor& in
nature and #a& not %e t"e su%(ect o se)arate a))eals or
revie- on certiorari. T"ese are to %e assi'ned as errors and
revie-ed in t"e a))eal ta;en ro# t"e T8 on t"e #erits o t"e
case. *Gatdula v. Peo)le+
RIANO:
An o%(ection #ust )oint out t"e s)eciic 'round o t"e
o%(ection$ and i it does not do so$ no error is co##itted in
overrulin' it.
An o%(ector #ust %e e,)licit as to t"e le'al 'round "e
invo;es. :e cannot si#)l& #aniest t"at "e is inter)osin' an
o%(ection. :e "as to )recisel& state t"e e,clusionar& rule t"at
-ould (usti& "is o))osition to t"e )roered evidence.
T"e rule is t"at a s)eciic o%(ection is al-a&s )reerred over a
'eneral one. :o-ever$ it does not i#)ose an a%solute %an
on 'eneral o%(ections. T"ere is no co#)ellin' need to s)eci&
t"e 'round$ Gi t"e 'round or e,clusion s"ould "ave %een
o%vious to t"e (ud'e or to counsel.H *A#Pur+
O%(ections #a& %e or#al or su%stantive.
2or#al o%(ection : one directed a'ainst t"e alle'ed
deect in t"e or#ulation o t"e 1uestion *E,a#)les o
deectivel& or#ulated 1uestions: a#%i'uous$
ar'u#entative$ etc.+
Su%stantive o%(ection : o%(ections #ade and directed
a'ainst t"e ver& nature o t"e evidence$ i.e. it is
inad#issi%le eit"er %ecause it is irrelevant or inco#)etent
or %ot"
An o%(ection #ust state t"e s)eciic 'round relied u)on and
%e ti#el& *#ade at t"e earliest o))ortunit&+.
8ases:
:EIRS O2 LO<RIES SAEQ SA.ANPAN V . 8OKORPOSA
Neit"er t"e rules o )rocedure nor (uris)rudence -ould
sanction t"e ad#ission o evidence t"at "as not %een
or#all& oered durin' t"e trial. .ut t"is evidentiar& rule is
a))lica%le onl& to ordinar& trials$ not to cases covered %& t"e
rule on su##ar& )rocedure 0 cases in -"ic" no ull>%lo-n
trial is "eld.
8A.<GAO V . PEOPLE
B"ere a )art& ails to o%(ect to evidence -"en oered$ "e is
dee#ed to "ave -aived "is o%(ection t"ereto. 8onse1uentl&$
t"e evidence oered #a& %e ad#itted.
C< V . 8A
It is a))arent 6ro# R1?2.@A7 t"at %eore tender o e,cluded
evidence is #ade$ t"e evidence #ust "ave %een or#all&
oered %eore t"e court. And %eore or#al oer o evidence
is #ade$ t"e evidence #ust "ave %een identiied and
)resented %eore t"e court.
VALEN8IA V . SANIIGAN.ACAN
Ad#ission o additional evidence is addressed to t"e
sound discretion o t"e T8.
A #otion to reo)en )resu))oses t"at eit"er or %ot"
)arties "ave or#all& oered and closed t"eir evidence.
PAREL V . PR<IEN8IO
A or#al oer is necessar& %ecause it is t"e dut& o a (ud'e to
rest "is indin's o acts and "is (ud'#ent onl& and strictl&
u)on t"e evidence oered %& t"e )arties to t"e suit. It is a
settled rule t"at t"e #ere act t"at a )articular docu#ent is
identiied and #ar;ed as an e,"i%it does not #ean t"at it "as
t"ere%& alread& %een oered as )art o t"e evidence o a
)art&.
RAKOS V . IIQON
In Peo)le v. Na)at>a$ -e rela,ed 6R1?2.?@7 and allo-ed
evidence not or#all& oered to %e ad#itted and considered
%& t"e trial court )rovided t"e ollo-in' re1uire#ents are
)resent$ viF: irst$ t"e sa#e #ust "ave %een dul& identiied %&
testi#on& dul& recorded and$ second$ t"e sa#e #ust "ave
%een incor)orated in t"e records o t"e case.
TAN V . PEOPLE
S8 "as ruled t"at o%(ection to t"e ad#issi%ilit& o evidence$ i
not #ade at t"e ti#e suc" evidence is oered$ s"all %e
dee#ed -aived. :o-ever$ in all cases -"ere said rule "ad
%een a))lied$ t"e assailed testi#onial or o%(ect evidence "ad
%een dul& )resented durin' t"e course o t"e trial.
V. BEIG:T ANI S<22I8IEN8C O2 EVIIEN8E
A. 8ivil cases *R1??.1+
Section 1. Pre)onderance o evidence$ "o- deter#ined. ! In
civil cases$ t"e )art& "avin' %urden o )roo #ust esta%lis" "is
case %& a )re)onderance o evidence. In deter#inin' -"ere
t"e )re)onderance or su)erior -ei'"t o evidence on t"e
issues involved lies$ t"e court #a& consider all t"e acts and
circu#stances o t"e case$ t"e -itnessesS #anner o testi&in'$
t"eir intelli'ence$ t"eir #eans and o))ortunit& o ;no-in'
t"e acts to -"ic" t"ere are testi&in'$ t"e nature o t"e acts
to -"ic" t"e& testi&$ t"e )ro%a%ilit& or i#)ro%a%ilit& o t"eir
testi#on&$ t"eir interest or -ant o interest$ and also t"eir
)ersonal credi%ilit& so ar as t"e sa#e #a& le'iti#atel& a))ear
u)on t"e trial. T"e court #a& also consider t"e nu#%er o
-itnesses$ t"ou'" t"e )re)onderance is not necessaril& -it"
t"e 'reater nu#%er. *1a+
/1 9 2 'ive t"e rules on t"e re1uisite 1uantu# o evidence in
civil 9 cri#inal cases.
Evidence$ to %e -ort"& o credit$ #ust not onl& )roceed ro#
a credi%le source %ut #ust$ in addition$ %e credi%le in itsel.
And %& t"is is #eant t"at it s"all %e natural$ reasona%le and
)ro%a%le as to #a;e it eas& to %elieve. *Peo)le v. .a1uiran+
To %e %elieved$ evidence s"ould %e in accord -it" t"e
co##on ;no-led'e and e,)erience o #an;ind. *Peo)le v.
Acusar+
65
GEN R<LE re T8 indin's on credi%ilit& o -itnesses : T8
indin's -onMt %e distur%ed on a))eal$ as it -as in a %etter
)osition to decide t"e 1uestion$ "avin' "eard and o%served
t"e de#eanor o eac" -itness. *Peo)le v. .aao+
EE8EPTION: -"en t"e T8 "as )lainl& overloo;ed certain acts
o su%stance and value -4c$ i considered$ #i'"t aect t"e
result o t"e case. *Peo)le v. Realon+
EE8EPTION TO T:E EE8EPTION: -"ere t"e issue
revolved around t"e identiication o t"e accused or t"e
credi%ilit& o -itness and one (ud'e "eard t"e testi#on&
o t"e )rosecution -itnesses %ut a dierent (ud'e
)enned t"e decision 0 t"e latter$ not "avin' "eard t"e
testi#onial )resentation$ -ouldnMt %e in a %etter )osition
t"an t"e a))ellate courts to #a;e suc" deter#ination
*Peo)le v. 8A+
T"e #atter o assi'nin' values to declarations at t"e -itness
stand is %est and #ost co#)letel& )eror#ed %& a trial (ud'e
-"o$ unli;e a))ellate #a'istrates$ can -ei'" suc" testi#on&
in li'"t o t"e deendantMs %e"avior$ de#eanor$ conduct$ and
attitude at t"e trial. *Peo)le v. Ka'allanes+
T8 s"ouldnMt discredit a -itness %& t"e su))osed
e,)ression o lac; o sincerit& in "is ace. 2acial
e,)ressions are not necessaril& indicative o oneMs
eelin's. T8 s"ouldMve #ade it a))ear in t"e record and
allo-ed t"e -itness t"e o))ortunit& to e,)lain -"& "e
-as s"o-in' suc" an e,)ression on "is ace. *Peo)le v.
Enri1ueF+
As a 'eneral rule$ t"e nu#%er o -itnesses s"ould not in and
%& itsel deter#ine t"e -ei'"t o evidence$ %ut in case o
conlictin' testi#onies o -itnesses$ t"e nu#erical actor #a&
%e 'iven certain -ei'"t. *8aluna v. Vicente+
A )art&Ms ailure to )resent #erel& corro%orative or cu#ulative
evidence doesnMt 'ive rise to an& adverse or unavora%le
)resu#)tion. *Peo)le v. Duilino+
8redi%ilit& o a -itness: "is inte'rit&$ dis)osition$ and intention
to tell t"e trut" in t"e testi#on& "e "as 'iven as distin'uis"ed
ro# t"e credi%ilit& o "is testi#on&. *Peo)le v. Rivera+
8o#)etenc& o a -itness is one t"in'$ and it is anot"er to %e
a credi%le -itness. 8ourts allo- a )erson to testi& as a
-itness u)on a 'iven #atter %ecause "e is co#)etent %ut
#a& t"ereater decide -"et"er to %elieve or not to %elieve "is
testi#on&. *Arro&o v. El .eaterio del Santissi#o+
T"e de#eanor $ t"e e#)"asis $ 'estures $ and inlection o t"e
voice o a -itness $ -"ile testi&in' $ are )otent aids in t"e
)ro)er evaluation o "is credi%ilit& . *<S v. Kacuti+
B"en a -itness #a;es 2 s-orn state#ents 'ravel&
contradictin' eac" ot"er$ t"e court cannot acce)t eit"er
state#ent as )roo. T"e -itness %& "is o-n act o 'ivin' alse
testi#on& i#)eac"es "is o-n testi#on& and t"e court s"ould
e,clude it ro# all consideration. *<S v. Pala+ T"is is dierent
ro# t"e situation -"erein t"e testi#onies o 2 -itnesses
contradict eac" ot"er$ in -4c case t"e court s"all ado)t suc"
testi#on& -4c it %elieves to %e true. *<S v. Lasada+
T"e act t"at a )erson "as reac"ed t"e Gt-ili'"t o "is lieH is
not al-a&s a 'uarantee t"at "e -ould tell t"e trut". ItMs also
1uite co##on t"at advanced a'e #a;es a )erson #entall&
dull and co#)letel& "aF& a%out t"in's -"ic" "ave "a))ened
to "i# and$ at ti#es$ it -ea;ens "is resistance to outside
inluence. *Peo)le v. PuareF+
T"e record o a )reli#inar& investi'ation constitutes no )art
o t"e inal )roceedin's in a cause$ unless itMs )resented in
evidence. T"e acts adduced t"erein are evidence onl& or t"e
)ur)ose o testin' t"e credi%ilit& o -itnesses. *<S v. Grant+
B"en a -itness #a& %e said to %e %iased
B"en "is relation to t"e cause or to t"e )arties is suc" t"at
"e "as an incentive to e,a''erate or 'ive alse color to "is
state#ents$ or to su))ress or )ervert t"e trut"$ or to state
-"atMs alse.
.ias: t"at -4c e,cites t"e dis)osition to see and re)ort #atters
as t"e& are -is"ed or rat"er t"an as t"e& are.
B"en t"e -itnesses on %ot" sides are e1uall& interested or
ot"er-ise %iased$ es)eciall& i t"ereMs no nu#erical
)re)onderance on eit"er side$ %ias ceases to %e a
consideration in deter#inin' -"ere t"e -ei'"t o evidence
rests. 8redit s"ould %e 'iven to t"e one -"ose de#eanor
and #anner o testi&in' convinces t"e court o "is credi%ilit&.
*Peo)le v. Batin+
T"e testi#onies o interested -itnesses are not necessaril&
%iased$ incredi%le or sel>servin'$ alt"ou'" t"eir interest #a&
to so#e e,tent aect t"eir credi%ilit&. *Peo)le v. LardiFa%al+
T"e testi#on& o a co>cons)irator or acco#)lice$ -"ile
ad#issi%le$ #ust %e scrutiniFed -it" 'reat caution %ecause it
co#es ro# a )olluted source and is su%(ect to 'rave
sus)icion. *Peo)le v. A1uino+
T"e conviction o an accused #a& %e %ased on t"e testi#on&
o one -itness alone )rovided suc" testi#on& is clear and
convincin'. *Peo)le v. Olais+ T"e oended )art&Ms testi#on& is
not essential to convict an accused i t"ere are alread& ot"er
evidence to )rove t"e latterMs 'uilt. *Peo)le v. Puliada+ T"e
)rosecution is not o%li'ed to )resent eac" and ever& )erson
-"o -itnessed t"e occurrence %ut onl& a suicient nu#%er
to )rove t"e co##ission o t"e oense. *Peo)le v. Karasi'an+
Inconsistencies or contradictions on #ere details in t"e
testi#on& o a -itness donMt #ateriall& i#)air t"e credi%ilit& o
suc" -itness. *Peo)le v. Kodelo+ Inconsistencies in t"eir
testi#on& on insi'niicant details donMt aect t"eir credi%ilit& as
to t"e #aterial )oints3 rat"er$ t"e& indicate veracit& *Peo)le v.
ViWas+ and onl& tend to %olster t"e )ro%ative value o suc"
testi#on&.
T"e non>)roduction o a corro%orative -itness -it"out an&
e,)lanation 'iven -"& "e -asnMt )roduced -ea;ens t"e
testi#on& o t"e -itness -"o na#ed t"at corro%oratin'
-itness in "is testi#on&. *Peo)le v. A%onales+
Air#ative testi#on& is stron'er t"an ne'ative testi#on&.
Ne'ative testi#on& o a -itness cannot )revail over t"e
)ositive state#ents o )ersons -"o -ere e&e-itnesses o t"e
act -4c is t"e su%(ect o investi'ation. *Vda de Ra#os v. 8A+
Iela& o a -itness in revealin' to t"e aut"orities -"at "e
;no-s a%out a cri#e does not render "is testi#on& alse$ or
t"e dela& #a& %e e,)lained %& t"e natural reticence o #ost
)eo)le and t"eir a%"orrence to 'et involved in a cri#inal
case. *Peo)le v. <ntalasco Pr+ Kore t"an t"is$ t"ere is al-a&s
t"e in"erent ear o re)risal$ -"ic" is 1uite understanda%le
66
es)eciall& i t"e accused is a #an o )o-er and inluence in
t"e co##unit&. *Peo)le v. 8atao+
T"e reusal o a )erson to su%#it to investi'ation to
e,)lain t"e innocent role "e )roesses is inconsistent
-it" t"e nor#al reaction o an innocent #an. *Peo)le v.
.unsol+
T"e #ere relations"i) o t"e -itness to t"e victi# does not
i#)air "is )ositive and clear testi#on& nor render t"e sa#e
less -ort"& o credit *Peo)le v. .er'anio+$ <NLESS t"ereMs a
s"o-in' o i#)ro)er #otive on t"e )art o said -itnesses.
*Peo)le v. Pa%e'uero+
Aidavits are 'enerall& su%ordinated in i#)ortance to o)en
court declarations %ecause t"e& are otenti#es e,ecuted
-"en t"e aiant is at a "i'" )itc" o e,cite#ent and -"en
"is #ental aculties are not in suc" a state as to aord "i# a
air o))ortunit& o narratin' in ull t"e incident -"ic" "as (ust
trans)ired. An aidavit is onl& )ri#a acie evidence o -ea;
)ro%ative orce and s"ould %e received -it" caution.
*Rodri'ueF v. Red Line Trans)ortation+
T"ese rules donMt a))l& -"ere t"e o#ission in t"e
aidavit reers to a ver& i#)ortant detail suc" t"at t"e
aiant -ould not "ave ailed to #ention it *Peo)le v.
An''ot+$ or t"e sel>contradictions and inconsistencies
are on ver& #aterial and su%stantial #atters. *Peo)le v.
A#on+
T"e inir#it& o aidavits as a s)ecies o evidence is a #atter o
(udicial e,)erience. Generall&$ an aidavit is not )re)ared %&
t"e aiant "i#sel %ut %& anot"er -"o uses "is o-n
lan'ua'e in -ritin' t"e aiantMs state#ents. O#issions and
#isunderstandin's %& t"e -riter are re1uent )articularl&
under circu#stances o "urr& or i#)atience. *Peo)le v.
Kari1uina+
To )rove cons)irac&$ )rosecution need not esta%lis" t"at all
t"e )arties t"ereto a'reed on ever& detail in t"e e,ecution o
t"e cri#e or t"at t"e& -ere actuall& to'et"er at all sta'es3 it is
enou'" t"at$ ro# t"e individual acts o eac" accused$ it #a&
reasona%l& %e deduced t"at t"e& "ad a co##on )lan to
co##it t"e elon&. *Peo)le v. 8atao+ :o-ever$ t"e sa#e
de'ree o )roo re1uired or esta%lis"in' t"e cri#e is re1uired
to su))ort a indin' o cons)irac&. *Peo)le v. Tu#ali)+
T"e circu#stances 1uali&in' or a''ravatin' t"e act #ust %e
)roved in an evident and incontesta%le #anner. T"e& #ust
%e )roved as conclusivel& as t"e acts constitutin' t"e oense.
*Peo)le v. Tion'son+
T"e 1uantu# o evidence necessar& to )rove sel>deense or
deense o a relative is Gclear and convincin'H evidence. I t"e
evidence or t"e deense is o dou%tul veracit&$ conviction o
t"e accused is i#)erative. *Peo)le v. .erio+
2or ali%i to %e 'iven credence$ it #ust not onl& a))ear t"at
t"e accused inter)osin' t"e sa#e -as at so#e ot"er )lace$
%ut also t"at it -as )"&sicall& i#)ossi%le or "i# to %e at t"e
cri#e scene at t"e ti#e o its co##ission. *Peo)le v. Gerones+
Suc" deense %eco#es -ea;er i uncorro%orated3 -orse still i
it couldMve %een corro%orated %& ot"er )ersons #entioned
%& t"e accused %ut suc" corro%orative testi#on& "as not
%een )resented. *Peo)le v. .rioso+
B"ile$ as a rule$ t"e deense o ali%i deserves scant
consideration$ it #a& %e dul& entertained i )redicated
on su%stantial and relia%le evidence suicient to
en'ender reasona%le dou%t as to t"e 'uilt o t"e
accused. *Peo)le v. Gerones+
B"ere one accused -it"dra-s "is a))eal ater realiFin' t"e
utilit& o "is deense$ and t"e ot"er esca)es ro#
conine#ent t"ere%& causin' t"e dis#issal o "is a))eal$ said
acts are un#ista;a%le si'ns o 'uilt. *Peo)le v. A1uiedo+
Ta, declarations or t"e )a&#ent o real estate ta,es on t"e
land are not conclusive evidence o o-ners"i) o t"e
declarant or )a&or. *Ie GuF#an v. 8A+
Ta, recei)ts are not incontroverti%le evidence o
o-ners"i) %ut i acco#)anied %& o)en$ adverse$ and
continued )ossession in t"e conce)t o o-ner o t"e
)ro)ert&$ t"e& constitute evidence o 'reat -ei'"t in
su))ort o a clai# o o-ners"i) over said )ro)ert& %&
t"e )ossessor t"ereo or "is )rivies. *Ta%uena v. 8A+
2li'"t is evidence o 'uilt and o a 'uilt& conscience. *<S v.
Ale'ado+ T"e converse$ "o-ever$ is not true.
As a rule$ t"e #otive o t"e accused in a cri#inal case is
i##aterial and$ not %ein' an ele#ent o a cri#e$ it does not
"ave to %e )roved. *Peo)le v. Tien'o+
Instances -"en evidence o #otive is relevant or
essential
1. B"ere t"e assailantMs identit& is in 1uestion *<S v.
KcKann+
2. To deter#ine t"e voluntariness o t"e cri#inal act
*Peo)le v. Taneo+$ or t"e sanit& o t"e accused
*Peo)le v. .ascos+
?. To deter#ine ro# -"ic" side t"e unla-ul
a''ression co##enced$ as -"ere t"e accused
invo;ed sel>deense -"erein unla-ul a''ression
on t"e )art o "is o))onent is an essential ele#ent
*<S v. Laurel+
@. To deter#ine t"e s)eciic nature o t"e cri#e
co##itted
5. To deter#ine -"et"er a s"ootin' -as intentional
or accidental$ t"e act t"at t"e accused "ad
)ersonal #otives to s"oot t"e victi# %ein' a
-ei'"t& consideration *Peo)le v. KartineF GodineF+
L. B"ere t"e accused contends t"at "e acted in
deense o a stran'er$ since itMs essential$ or suc"
deense to )ros)er$ t"at t"e accused -asnMt
induced %& reven'e$ resent#ent or ot"er evil
#otive
N. B"ere t"e evidence is circu#stantial or
inconclusive and t"ereMs dou%t -"et"er a cri#e "as
%een co##itted or -"et"er t"e accused "as
co##itted it *Peo)le v. Nicolas+
In so#e cases$ #otive is necessar& not onl& or t"e )rocedural
re1uire#ent on t"e 1uantu# o )roo %ut as virtuall& an
ele#ent o t"e oense$ suc" as to )rove #alice o t"e
accused in li%el or slander *<S v. .ustos+. T"e true #otive o
t"e conduct o t"e accused e,)lains and su))lies t"e ele#ent
o #alice and$ corres)ondin'l&$ )roves "is cri#inal intent.
Peo)le v. Pineda: non>e,"austive list o dan'er si'nals t"at
t"e out>o>court identiication o sus)ects #a& %e erroneous
even t"ou'" t"e #et"od used is )ro)er
1. T"e -itness ori'inall& stated t"at "e couldnMt identi&
an&one
67
2. T"e -itness ;ne- t"e accused %eore t"e cri#e %ut
#ade no accusation a'ainst "i# -"en 1uestioned %&
t"e )olice
?. A serious discre)anc& e,ists %et-een t"e -itnessM
ori'inal descri)tion and "is actual descri)tion o t"e
accused
@. .eore identi&in' t"e accused at trial$ t"e -itness
erroneousl& identiied so#e ot"er )erson
5. Ot"er -itnesses o t"e cri#e ail to identi& t"e accused
L. .eore trial$ t"e -itness sees t"e accused %ut ails to
identi& "i#
N. .eore t"e co##ission o t"e cri#e$ t"e -itness "ad
li#ited o))ortunit& to see t"e accused
8. T"e -itness and t"e )erson identiied are o dierent
racial 'rou)s
J. Iurin' "is ori'inal o%servation o t"e oender$ t"e
-itness -as una-are t"at a cri#e -as involved
1A. A considera%le ti#e ela)sed %et-een t"e -itnessM vie-
and "is identiication o t"e accused
11. Several )ersons co##itted t"e cri#e
12. T"e -itness ailed to #a;e a )ositive trial identiication
Res i)sa lo1uitur : t"e t"in' s)ea;s or itsel
T"e act o t"e occurrence o an in(ur&$ ta;en -it" t"e
surroundin' circu#stances$ #a& )er#it an inerence or raise
a )resu#)tion o ne'li'ence$ or #a;e out a )laintiMs )ri#a
acie case$ and )resent a 1uestion o act or t"e deendant to
#eet -4 an e,)lanation. T"e doctrine is si#)l& a reco'nition
o t"e )ostulate t"at as a #atter o co##on ;no-led'e and
e,)erience$ t"e ver& nature o certain t&)es o occurrences
#a& (usti& an inerence o ne'li'ence on t"e )art o t"e
)erson -"o controls t"e instru#entalit& causin' t"e in(ur&$ in
t"e a%sence o so#e e,)lanation %& "i#.
Note t"at t"is doctrine is considered as #erel&
evidentiar& or in t"e nature o a )rocedural rule. Its
a))lication doesnMt dis)ense -it" t"e re1uire#ent o
)roo o ne'li'ence. ItMs si#)l& in t"e )rocess o suc"
)roo$ )er#ittin' t"e )lainti to )resent enou'" o t"e
attendin' circu#stances to invo;e t"e doctrine$ creatin'
an inerence or )resu#)tion o ne'li'ence and t"ere%&
)lace on t"e deendant t"e %urden o 'oin' or-ard
-it" t"e )roo to t"e contrar&. *Ra#os v. 8A+
8ases:
:A.AGAT GRILL V . IK8 ><R.AN PROPERTC IEVELOPER
GPre)onderance o evidenceH #eans t"at t"e evidence
adduced %& one side is$ as a -"ole$ su)erior to or "as 'reater
-ei'"t t"an t"at o t"e ot"er. B"ere t"e evidence )resented
%& one side is insuicient to ascertain t"e clai#$ t"ere is no
)re)onderance o evidence. In cri#inal cases in -"ic" t"e
1uantu# o evidence re1uired is 'reater t"an in civil cases$
t"e testi#on& o onl& one -itness 0 i credi%le$
strai'"tor-ard$ and -ort"& o %elie 0 is suicient to convict.
:<N :C<NG PARR V . E<NG BAN 8:OI
In case o a de#urrer to evidence iled -it" leave o court$
t"e accused #a& adduce countervailin' evidence i t"e court
denies t"e de#urrer. Suc" denial %ears no distinction as to
t"e t-o as)ects o t"e case %ecause t"ere is a dis)arit& o
evidentiar& value %et-een t"e 1uanta o evidence in suc"
as)ects o t"e case. In ot"er -ords$ a court #a& not den& t"e
de#urrer as to t"e cri#inal as)ect and at t"e sa#e ti#e 'rant
t"e de#urrer as to t"e civil as)ect$ or i t"e evidence so ar
)resented is not insuicient to )rove t"e cri#e %e&ond
reasona%le dou%t$ t"en t"e sa#e evidence is li;e-ise not
insuicient to esta%lis" civil lia%ilit& %& #ere )re)onderance o
evidence.
On t"e ot"er "and$ i t"e evidence so ar )resented is
insuicient as )roo %e&ond reasona%le dou%t$ it does not
ollo- t"at t"e sa#e evidence is insuicient to esta%lis" a
)re)onderance o evidence. 2or i t"e court 'rants t"e
de#urrer$ )roceedin's on t"e civil as)ect o t"e case
'enerall& )roceeds. T"e onl& reco'niFed instance -"en an
ac1uittal on de#urrer carries -it" it t"e dis#issal o t"e civil
as)ect is -"en t"ere is a indin' t"at t"e act or o#ission ro#
-"ic" t"e civil lia%ilit& #a& arise did not e,ist. A%sent suc"
deter#ination$ trial as to t"e civil as)ect o t"e case #ust
)erorce continue.
I de#urrer is 'ranted and t"e accused is ac1uitted %& t"e
court$ t"e accused "as t"e ri'"t to adduce evidence on t"e
civil as)ect o t"e case unless t"e court also declares t"at t"e
act or o#ission ro# -"ic" t"e civil lia%ilit& #a& arise did not
e,ist.
.. 8ri#inal cases *R1??.2>@+
Sec. 2. Proo %e&ond reasona%le dou%t. ! In a cri#inal case$
t"e accused is entitled to an ac1uittal$ unless "is 'uilt is
s"o-n %e&ond reasona%le dou%t. Proo %e&ond reasona%le
dou%t does not #ean suc" a de'ree o )roo$ e,cludin'
)ossi%ilit& o error$ )roduces a%solute certainl&. Koral certainl&
onl& is re1uired$ or t"at de'ree o )roo -"ic" )roduces
conviction in an un)re(udiced #ind. *2a+
See notes under R1??.1
Sec. ?. E,tra(udicial conession$ not suicient 'round or
conviction. ! An e,tra(udicial conession #ade %& an
accused$ s"all not %e suicient 'round or conviction$ unless
corro%orated %& evidence o cor)us delicti. *?+
Reer to notes under R1?A.??.
8or)us delicti : t"e %od& or su%stance o t"e cri#e
T"e actual co##ission %& so#eone o t"e )articular cri#e
c"ar'ed. ItMs a co##on act #ade u) o 2 t"in's: a+ t"e
e,istence o a certain act or result or#in' t"e %asis o t"e
cri#inal c"ar'e$ and %+ t"e e,istence o a cri#inal a'enc& as
t"e cause o t"e act or t"e result.
Proved -"en t"e evidence on record s"o-s t"at t"e
cri#e )rosecuted "ad %een co##itted
A #ere voluntar& e,tra(udicial conession uncorro%orated %&
inde)endent )roo o t"e cor)us delicti is insuicient to
sustain a (ud'#ent o conviction. T"ere #ust %e inde)endent
)roo o t"e cor)us delicti. T"e evidence #a& %e
circu#stantial %ut$ (ust t"e sa#e$ t"ere s"ould %e so#e
evidence su%stantiatin' t"e conession. *<S v. de la 8ruF+
Sec. @. 8ircu#stantial evidence$ -"en suicient. !
8ircu#stantial evidence is suicient or conviction i:
a+ T"ere is #ore t"an one circu#stance3
%+ T"e acts ro# -"ic" t"e inerences are derived are
)roven3 and
c+ T"e co#%ination o all t"e circu#stances is suc" as to
)roduce a conviction %e&ond reasona%le dou%t. *5+
8ircu#stantial evidence is suicient or conviction even in
ca)ital oenses$ e,ce)t -"en t"e la- s)eciies t"e s)ecies
and 1uantu# o evidence.
68
Not onl& t"e )rior and coetaneous actuations o t"e accused
in relation to t"e cri#e %ut also "is acts or conduct
su%se1uent t"ereto can %e considered as circu#stantial
evidence o 'uilt.
B"ile t"e #otive o t"e accused is 'enerall& i##aterial not
%ein' an ele#ent o t"e cri#e$ suc" #otive %eco#es
i#)ortant -"en t"e evidence o t"e cri#e is )urel&
circu#stantial.
RIANO:
A conviction %ased on circu#stantial evidence #ust e,clude
eac" and ever& "&)ot"esis consistent -4 innocence. I t"e
totalit& o t"e circu#stances eli#inates %e&ond reasona%le
dou%t t"e )ossi%ilit& o innocence$ conviction is )ro)er.
8ases:
<NGSOI V . PEOPLE
8ircu#stantial evidence: t"at -4c 'oes to )rove a act or
series o acts ot"er t"an t"e acts in issue$ -"ic"$ i
)roved$ #a& tend %& inerence to esta%lis" a act in issue.
Standard t"at courts s"ould o%serve in a))reciatin'
circu#stantial evidence$ as discussed in Peo)le v.
Kodesto:
GNo 'eneral rule can %e laid do-n as to t"e
1uantit& o circu#stantial evidence -"ic" in an& case
-ill suice. All t"e circu#stances )roved #ust %e
consistent -it" eac" ot"er$ consistent -it" t"e
"&)ot"esis t"at t"e accused is 'uilt&$ and at t"e sa#e
ti#e inconsistent -it" t"e "&)ot"esis t"at "e is innocent$
and -it" ever& ot"er rational "&)ot"esis e,ce)t t"at o
'uilt.
It "as %een said$ and -e %elieve correctl&$ t"at t"e
circu#stances )roved s"ould constitute an un%ro;en
c"ain -"ic" leads to one air and reasona%le conclusion
-"ic" )oints to t"e accused$ to t"e e,clusion o all
ot"ers$ as t"e 'uilt& )erson. 2ro# all t"e circu#stances$
t"ere s"ould %e a co#%ination o evidence -"ic" in t"e
ordinar& and natural course o t"in's leaves no roo# or
reasona%le dou%t as to "is 'uilt.H
KART<RILLAS V . PEOPLE
8onviction in a cri#inal case does not re1uire a de'ree o
)roo t"at$ e,cludin' t"e )ossi%ilit& o error$ )roduces
a%solute certaint&. Onl& #oral certaint& is re1uired or t"at
de'ree o )roo t"at )roduces conviction in an un)re(udiced
#ind.
PEOPLE V . VILLAN<EVA
To sustain a conviction under a sin'le )rosecution -itness$
suc" testi#on& needs onl& to esta%lis" suicientl&: 1+ t"e
identit& o t"e %u&er$ seller$ o%(ect and consideration3 and 2+
t"e deliver& o t"e t"in' sold and t"e )a&#ent t"ereo.
PEOPLE V . IEL K<NIO
On t"e non>)resentation o t"e inor#ant$ t"e rule is t"at "is
)resentation in an ille'al dru's case is not essential or t"e
conviction nor is it indis)ensa%le or a successul )rosecution
%ecause "is testi#on& -ould #erel& %e corro%orative and
cu#ulative. Inor#ants are 'enerall& not )resented in court
%ecause o t"e need to "ide t"eir identit& and )reserve t"eir
invalua%le service to t"e )olice. :ere$ t"e a'ents directl&
testiied re'ardin' t"e entra)#ent$ and t"e testi#on& o t"e
inor#ant -ould #erel& "ave %een corro%orative
PEOPLE V . PAI<A
8onviction %ased on circu#stantial evidence can %e u)"eld$
)rovided t"e circu#stances )roven constitute an un%ro;en
c"ain -"ic" leads to one air and reasona%le conclusion t"at
)oints to t"e accused$ to t"e e,clusion o all ot"ers$ as t"e
'uilt& )erson.
8. Ad#inistrative cases *R1??.5+
Sec. 5. Su%stantial evidence. ! In cases iled %eore
ad#inistrative or 1uasi>(udicial %odies$ a act #a& %e dee#ed
esta%lis"ed i it is su))orted %& su%stantial evidence$ or t"at
a#ount o relevant evidence -"ic" a reasona%le #ind #i'"t
acce)t as ade1uate to (usti& a conclusion. *n+
Su%stantial evidence doesnMt necessaril& #ean )re)onderant
)roo as re1uired in ordinar& civil cases$ %ut suc" ;ind o
relevant evidence as a reasona%le #ind #i'"t acce)t as
ade1uate to su))ort a conclusion *.ia;>na>%ato Kinin' 8o. v.
Tanco+$ or evidence co##onl& acce)ted %& reasona%l&
)rudent #en in t"e conduct o t"eir aairs. *EO 2J2+
8ases:
RECES V . KANGINO
It is settled t"at in ad#inistrative )roceedin's$ t"e %urden
o )roo t"at t"e res)ondent co##itted t"e acts
co#)lained o rests on t"e co#)lainant.
Even in ad#inistrative cases$ t"e Rules o 8ourt re1uires
t"at i a (ud'e s"ould %e disci)lined or 'rave
#isconduct or an& 'raver oense$ t"e evidence a'ainst
"i# s"ould %e co#)etent and derived ro# direct
;no-led'e. T"e (udiciar& to -"ic" t"e res)ondent
%elon's de#ands no less. .eore an& o its #e#%ers
could %e aulted$ co#)etent evidence s"ould %e
)resented$ since t"e c"ar'e is )enal in c"aracter. T"us$
t"e 'round or t"e re#oval o a (udicial oicer s"ould %e
esta%lis"ed %e&ond reasona%le dou%t. Suc" is t"e rule
-"ere t"e c"ar'e on -"ic" re#oval is sou'"t is
#isconduct in oice$ -illul ne'lect$ corru)tion$ or
inco#)etence. T"e 'eneral rules in re'ard to
ad#issi%ilit& o evidence in cri#inal trials a))l&.
RAKOS VIA . IE .RIGINO V . RAKOS
2indin's o act o ad#inistrative a'encies and 1uasi>(udicial
%odies$ -"ic" "ave ac1uired e,)ertise %ecause t"eir
(urisdiction is conined to s)eciic #atters$ are 'enerall&
accorded not onl& res)ect$ %ut inalit& -"en air#ed %& t"e
8ourt o A))eals. Suc" indin's deserve ull res)ect and$
-it"out (ustiia%le reason$ ou'"t not to %e altered$ #odiied
or reversed.
I. 8redi%ilit& o -itnesses
RIANO:
8redi%ilit& o t"e -itness reers to t"e %elieva%ilit& o t"e
-itness and "as not"in' to do -it" t"e la- or t"e rules. It
reers to t"e -ei'"t and trust-ort"iness or relia%ilit& o t"e
testi#on&.
Duestions concernin' t"e credi%ilit& o a -itness are %est
addressed to t"e sound discretion o t"e trial court as it is
in t"e %est )osition to o%serve "is de#eanor and %odil&
#ove#ents.
8ases:
PEOPLE V . IOKING8IL
69
T"e evaluation %& t"e trial court o t"e credi%ilit& o -itnesses
is entitled to t"e "i'"est res)ect and -ill not %e distur%ed on
a))eal unless certain acts o su%stance and value -ere
overloo;ed -"ic"$ i considered$ #i'"t aect t"e result o t"e
case.
PEOPLE V . AL8ANTARA
Be "ave ollo-ed t"e rule in accord -it" "u#an nature and
e,)erience t"at "onest inconsistencies on #inor and trivial
#atters serve to stren't"en$ rat"er t"an destro&$ t"e credi%ilit&
o a -itness$ es)eciall& o -itnesses to cri#es s"oc;in' to
conscience and nu#%in' to senses.
E. Ter#ination o )resentation o evidence *R1??.L+
Sec. L. Po-er o t"e court to sto) urt"er evidence. ! T"e
court #a& sto) t"e introduction o urt"er testi#on& u)on
an& )articular )oint -"en t"e evidence u)on it is alread& so
ull t"at #ore -itnesses to t"e sa#e )oint cannot %e
reasona%l& e,)ected to %e additionall& )ersuasive. .ut t"is
)o-er s"ould %e e,ercised -it" caution. *L+
T"e court "as t"e )o-er to sto) t"e introduction o
testi#on& -"ic" -ill #erel& %e cu#ulative. *Guinea v. Vda de
Pa#onal+
8ase:
PEOPLE V . S<.IIA
B"ile (ustice #ust %e ad#inistered -it" dis)atc"$ t"e
essential in'redient is t"at t"e )roceedin's #ust %e orderl&
e,)editious and not #erel& s)eed&. T"e (udicial conscience
certainl& cannot rest eas& on a conviction %ased solel& on
)rosecution evidence (ust %ecause t"e )resentation o t"e
deense evidence "ad %een %arred %& tec"nicalit&.
Records s"o- t"at res)ondent -as )resent durin' t"e
trial and )resu#a%l& -as read& to continue -it" t"e
)resentation o "is evidence and t"e testi#on& o "is
-itnesses. :e "ad no in;lin' -"& "is counsel did not
a))ear or trial. T"at t"e a%sence o "is counsel could
not "ave %een deli%erate is evidenced %& t"e act t"at it
-as onl& "e -"o -as a%sent.
2. Evidence on #otion *R1??.N+
Sec. N. Evidence on #otion. ! B"en a #otion is %ased on
acts not a))earin' o record t"e court #a& "ear t"e #atter
on aidavits or de)ositions )resented %& t"e res)ective
)arties$ %ut t"e court #a& direct t"at t"e #atter %e "eard
-"oll& or )artl& on oral testi#on& or de)ositions. *N+
B"ile t"e court #a& "ear and rule u)on #otions solel& on
t"e %asis o aidavits or counter>aidavits$ i t"e aidavits
contradict eac" ot"er on #atters o act$ t"e court can "ave
no %asis to #a;e its indin's o act and t"e )rudent course is
to su%(ect t"e aiants to cross>e,a#ination so t"at t"e court
can decide -"o# to %elieve. *Sa)ida v. Ie Villanueva+
8ases:
.RAVO $ PR . V . .ORPA
Evidence o )etitionerSs #inorit& -as alread& a )art o t"e
record o t"e case 6co)& o %irt" cert attac"ed in "is
#e#orandu# in su))ort o t"e #otion or %ail7. It -as
)ro)erl& iled in su))ort o a #otion. It -ould %e a needless
or#alit& to oer it in evidence. Res)ondent Pud'e t"ereore
acted -it" 'rave a%use o discretion in disre'ardin' it.
PEOPLE V . KONTEIRO
T"e trial court s"ould "ave a))lied R1??.N on evidence on
#otion. In Sa)ida v Ie Villanueva$ t"e S8 "ad ruled t"at
G-"ile t"e court #a& rule u)on #otions solel& on t"e %asis o
aidavits and counter>aidavits$ i t"e aidavits contradict
eac" ot"er on #atters o act$ t"e court can "ave no %asis to
#a;e its indin's o acts and t"e )rudent course is to su%(ect
t"e aiants to cross>e,a#ination so t"at t"e court can decide
-"o# to %elieve.H
70

Part One: Evidence - 1st Sem, 2011-2012 Ysr

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