DEAN RIANO EVIDENCE FINALS REVIEWER and LAST

MINUTE TIPS by Bimby and Klowee

DEAN RIANO EVIDENCE FINALS REVIEWER and LAST MINUTE TIPS
by Bimby and Klowee

Memorize Falsus in uno falsus in omnibus

Falsus in uno vs. Falsus in Omnibus means false in one thing, false in everything
*interpretation is not strict
*While the witnesses may differ in their recollections of an incident, it does not
necessarily follow from their disagreements that all of them should be disbelieved
as liars and their testimonies completely discarded. It is not a positive rule of law.
The witness must have a conscious and deliberate intention to falsify a material
point.

2.

Distinguish Factum Probans vs. Factum Probandum

Factum Probandum
Factum Probans
Ultimate Facts
Material evidencing the proposition
Hypothetical
Existent.

a.

Factum probandum is the fact or proposition to be established

b.
Factum Probans the facts or material evidencing the fact or proposition to be
established
*Example: If P claims to have been injured by the negligence of D who denies
having been negligent, the negligence of D and the causal connection between such
negligence, and the injuries of P taken as a whole = Factum Probandum
The evidence offered by P, whether it be object, documentary or testimonial,
constitute the materials to prove the liability of D. The totality of the evidence to
prove the liability refers to the Factum Probans

*If the defendant admits his negligence in his answer to the complaint, there is no
more need to prove negligence. Hence, negligence ceases to be a factum
probandum in this case.
*if the factum probandum signifies the fact or proposition to be established, then
matters of 1) judicial notice, 2)conclusive presumptions, 3)judicial admissions
cannot qualify as parts of the factum probandum of a particular case, because such
matters need not be established or proven.
*Factum probandum in civil case refers to the elements of a cause of action from
the point of view of the plaintiff and the elements of the defense from the point of
view of the defendant.
*In criminal cases factum probandum includes all matters that the prosecution must
prove beyond reasonable doubt in order to justify a conviction.

3.

Can Rules of Evidence be used in non-judicial proceedings?

The rules of evidence, being parts of the Rules of Court, apply only to judicial
proceedings (Sec. 1 Rule 128)
*Sec.4. In what cases not applicable. These Rules shall not apply to election cases,
land registration, cadastral, naturalization and insolvency proceeding, and other
cases not herein provided for, except by analogy or in a suppletory character and
whenever practicable and convenient.
Ex. Not applicable in Administrative bodies, CSC, Petition for naturalization, labor
cases

4.

Best Evidence Rule (Original document rule) (primary evidence rule)

a.

Concept

i.
Original of the document must be
produced; When the subject matter of the inquiry is the contents of a document , no
evidence shall be admissible other than the original document itself,
b.

Exceptions to the rule

i.
When the original has been lost, or
destroyed, or cannot be produced in court, without bad faith on the part of the
offeror;
ii.
When the original is in the custody or
under the control of the party against whom the evidence is offered, and the latter
fails to produce it after reasonable notice;
iii.
When the original consists of numerous
accounts or other documents which cannot be examined in court without great loss

of time and the fact sought to be established from them is only the general result of
the whole
iv.
When the original is a public record in
the custody of a public officer or is recorded in a public office.
*Involves only the contents of a writing. The rule cannot be invoked unless the
contents of a writing is the subject of judicial inquiry, in such case; the best
evidence is the original writing itself.
*Where the issue is the execution or existence of the document or the
circumstances surrounding its execution, the best evidence rule does not apply and
the testimonial evidence is admissible.
*Where the issue is only as to whether such document was actually executed, or
exists, or on the circumstance relevant to or surrounding its execution, the best
evidence rule does not apply and testimonial evidence is admissible.
*The best evidence rule applies only when the purpose is to establish the terms of a
writing. When the evidence introduced concerns some external facet about a writing
like its existence, execution or delivery without reference to its terms, the rule
cannot be invoked. The subject of inquiry under the best evidence rule it the
CONTENTS of a writing, NOT THE TRUTH thereof. Where the truth is in issue, the
hearsay rule will now be involved.
c.

Illustrative applications

i.
1994 Bar At the trial of ace for the
violation of the Dangerous Drugs Act, the prosecution offers in evidence a
photocopy of the marked bills used in the buy-bust operation. Ace objects to the
introduction of the photocopy on the ground that the Best Evidence Rule prohibits
the introduction of secondary evidence in lieu of the original is the photocopy
admissible in evidence?
1.
Yes, the photocopy of the bills being object evidence is admissible in evidence
without violation of the best evidence rule. The rule applies only to documentary
evidence and not to object evidence.
*The reason for the best evidence rule is the prevention and detection of fraud.
*The best evidence rule may be waived if not raised in the trial
*If the original be presented in evidence
1) Find a legal excuse for failure 2) present secondary evidence
If secondary evidence is to be offered in evidence, like a copy, the proponent has to
lay the basis for the admission of the copy of the document.
Excuses for not presenting the original
1.
When the original has been lost or destroyed or cannot be produced in court,
without bad faith on the part of the offeror;

2.
When the original is in the custody or under the control of the party against
whom the evidence is offered and the latter fails to produce it after reasonable
notice
3.
When the original consists of numerous accounts or other documents cannot
be examined in court without great loss of time and the fact sought to be establish
is only the general result of the whole; and
4.
When the original is a public record in the custody of a public officer or is
recorded in a public office.
*How to lay the basis for presenting secondary evidence:
a) The offeror must prove the execution and existence of the original document;
b) The offeror must show the cause of its unavailability
Loss, destruction, or unavailability
c) The offeror must show that the unavailability was not due to his bad faith
Correct order of proof is as follows Existence, execution, loss, and contents.
Due execution and authenticity of the document must be proved either: a) by
anyone who saw the document executed or written, or by evidence of the genuiness
of the signature or handwriting of the maker.
When original is in the custody or control of the adverse party:
Laying the basis requires:
a.

The original exists.

b.

That the said document is under the custody or control of the adverse party;

c.
That the proponent of secondary evidence has given the adverse party
reasonable notice to produce the original document
d.
That the adverse party failed to produce the original document despite the
reasonable notice.
*Waiver: Failure to object to the parole evidence presented by the adverse party
operates as a waiver of the protection of the rule.
* The loan may be proved by the photocopy as long as A lays the basis for the
introduction of secondary evidence, to wit: a) the existence and due execution of
the original, and b) the loss of the original without bad faith on his part. (Sec. 5, Rule
130)

Distinction between Best Evidence and parol Evidence

Best Evidence Rule

Parol Evidence Rule

1.
Establishes a preference for the original document over secondary evidence
thereof.
Presupposes the original is available
2.
Precludes the admission of secondary evidence if the original document is
available.
Precludes the admission of other evidence to prove the terms of a document other
than the contents of the document itself for the purpose of varying the terms of the
writing.
3.
Can be invoked by any litigant to an action whether or not said litigant is a
party to the document involved.
Can be invoked only by the parties to the document and their successors in interest.
Applies to all forms of writing
Applies only to written contracts and wills.

5.

Define Parol Evidence

*Applies to agreements and will. Parol evidence means offering extrinsic evidence
that would modify, explain or add to the terms of the written agreement. BUT it is
allowed if any of the following are shown:
a.

An intrinsic ambiguity, mistake, or imperfection in the written agreement;

b.
The failure of the written agreement to express the true intent and agreement
of the parties;
c.

The validity of the written agreement;

d.
The existence of other terms agreed to by the parties or their successors in
interest after the execution of the written agreement.

And only if it is put in issue in the pleadings.

*The rule applies ONLY to contracts which the parties have decided to set forth in
writing. When n the terms of an agreement is merely oral, the parol evidence rule
should not be applied.
*Parol evidence does not apply in oral agreements, public writing, private writing,
express trust (although parol evidence applies to wills.

6.
Testimonial Evidence Adverse party Read Sec. 6. Loss, Destroyed, Unavailable
Originals (Sec 5)
*Showing that the original document is in the custody or under the control of the
adverse party does not ipso facto authorize the introduction of secondary evidence
to prove its contents. The party who seeks to present secondary evidence must lay
a basis for its introduction.
Laying the basis:

1)

That the original exists;

2)

That the document is under the custody or control of the adverse party;

3)
That the proponent of secondary evidence has given the adverse party
reasonable notice to produce the original document;
4)
That the adverse party failed to produce the original document despite the
reasonable notice.
How to notify: motion for the production of the original or by subpoena duces
tecum, provided that the party in custody has sufficient time to produce it.

After the foundational requirement for the introduction of secondary evidence have
been complied with, secondarily evidence may now be presented as in the case of
loss. This mean that the contents of the document may now be proven by
a copy of the document a recital of its contents in some authentic document
By testimony of a witness in the order stated (Sec. 5 Rule 130)

7.

Testimonial evidence topics not found in Rule 130

a.
132 (Sec. 3) Right of witnesses (Sec .6) Cross Exam and Sec. 11
Impeachment of witnesses

i.
Are the rights of the accused violated
in case of compulsory HIV testing? No. There is no testimonial compulsion
involved by extracting blood from the accused for testing purposes. Thus, there is
no violation of the right to privacy and the right to be presumed innocent.
ii.
Should DNA evidence be admitted?
Yes. The right against self incrimination applies only to testimonial evidence.
Extracting blood samples and cutting strands of hair do not involve testimonial
compulsion but purely mechanical acts which neither requires discretion or
reasoning. (Tijing v. Court of Appeals.

iii.
The right against self incrimination does
not apply to physical and mechanical act. It applies only to testimonial compulsion
which is not the case under the facts.
iv.
Degrading questions although
degrading a witness must answer the question if the degrading answer a) is the
very fact in issue; or b) refers to a fact from which the fact in issue would be
presumed. (Rule 132)

8.

What are the elements of a dying declaration? #3 exam

*Must comply with the following foundational elements

1. That the declaration is one made by a dying person;
2. That the declaration was made by said dying person under the
consciousness
Of impending death
3. That the declaration refers to the cause and circumstances surrounding
the death of the declarant and not of anyone else;
4. That the declaration is offered in a case where the declarants death is
the subject of inquiry;
5. The declarant is competent as a witness had he survived;
6. The declarant should have died.
Note: must refer to the death of the declarant, not merely injuries.
*If the declarant survives HIS DECLARATION MAY BE ADMISSIBLE AS PART OF THE
RES GESTAE.
*The former rule embodied in Supreme Court decisions, which declared that a dying
declaration is offered in a criminal case for homicide, murder, or parricide wherein
the declarant is the victim, no longer holds true. As amended

Parts of the Res Gestae

Literally means things done. Res Gestae is the startling event of which
the spontaneous statement is only a part of.

The use of res Gestae in the Philippines is limited to two matters:

1)

Spontaneous statements

a.

That there is a startling occurrence taking place;

b.
That statements were made while the event is taking place or immediately
prior to or subsequent thereto;
c.
The statements were made before the declarant had the time to contrive or
devise a falsehood
d.
That the statement relates to the circumstances of the startling even or
occurrence, or that the statements must concern the occurrence in question and its
immediate attending circumstance.
2)
Verbal acts Statement accompanying an equivocal act material to the issue,
and giving it a legal significance a conduct that is equivocal or ambiguous, one
which in itself does not signify anything when taken separately (legal significance)
To be admissible, the following requisites must be present:
a.
The principal act to be characterized must be equivocal (clear need not be
explained);
b.

The equivocal act must be material to the issue;

c.

The statement must accompany the equivocal act;

d.

The statement gives a legal significance to the equivocal act

9.
Exceptions to the hearsay rule, are all hearsay, but are admissible Sec. 36 of
Rule 130 ex. Which of the following is hearsay?
Hearsay

vs.

Opinion
Hearsay evidence is one that is not based on ones personal knowledge of others to
prove the truth of the matter asserted in an out-or-court
An opinion evidence is based on the personal knowledge or personal conclusion of
the witness based on his skill, training, or experience.

Examples of Non-hearsay evidence

a.
A statement having probative worth simply by virtue of the fact that it was
uttered, if relevant to a material fact inissue is not hearsay and is generally
admissible. Where a statement is not offered for the truth of the contents of the
conversation, but only to show that it was made, then the statement is not hearsay.
For example, a statement that is offered to show its patent falsity, so as to suggest
the defendants consciousness of guilt, is NOT hearsay.
b.
A statement relating to the state of mind of the declarant and statement
relating to the state of mind of the listener, these are not hearsay, but merely

constitute circumstantial evidence of an assertion. Ex. To prove by inference the

testators state of mind, I am Stalin, Roosevelt, Saddam Hussein, rolled into one
c.
A threat against a witness may be offered in evidence to show its impact on
the witness and where the reasonableness of a persons conduct is an issue, and
out of court declaration may be offered to explain the person's reactions to the
declaration.
d.
Words offered to prove hearers reaction are admissible when they are offered
to show their effect on one whose conduct is at issue.

Independent relevant statement: The newspaper clipping is admissible as nonhearsay if offered for the purpose of showing that the statement of X was made to a
reporter regardless of the truth or falsityof the statement. If it is relevant, it is
admissible as an independent relevant statement (non hearsay) It would be hearsay
if offered to prove the truth that x was the robber.
Exception to the Hearsay Rule:
1.

Dying Declarations

2.

Declaration against interest

3.

Act or declaration about pedigree

4.

Family reputation or tradition regarding pedigree

5.

Common reputation

6.

Parts of the res Gestae

7.

Entries in the course of business

8.

Entries in official records

9.

Commercial lists

10. Learned treatises

11. Testimony or deposition at a former trial

Dying Declarations
*must be impending, near, and certain.

Declaration about pedigree

*The declaration about pedigree may be received in evidence if the relationship is
shown by evidence other than the declaration. The word pedigree includes
relationship, family genealogy, birth, marriage, death, the dates when and the

places where these facts occurred, and the names of the relatives. It also embraces
facts of family history intimately connected with pedigree.

Entries in the course of business.

Elements:
a)

Entries were made at, or near the time of the transactions

b)

Such entries were made in the regular course of business

c)
The person making the entries was in a position to know the facts stated in
the entries.
d)
The person making the entries did so in a position to know the facts stated in
the entries
e)
The person making the entries did so in his professional capacity, or in the
performance of duty and in the regular course of business
f)

The person making the entry is now dead or unable to testify.

Declarations against Interest

Ex. A statement by the debtor before he died that he owes the creditor a sum of
money, or an oral acknowledgment by the principal that he received the money
previously entrusted to his agent, are clear declarations against the interest of the
person making it. Note that declaration against interest made by the deceased, or
by one unable to testify, is admissible even against the declarants successors in
interest or even against third person.

Common reputation
While common reputation in the community may establish a matter of public or
general interest, marriage or moral character, it CANNOT establish pedigree. This is
established by reputation in the family and not in the community.

Commercial Lists and the Like

Must be made by persons engaged in that occupation and are generally used and
relied upon by them and those lists and reports are published.

Learned Treaties.

History books, published finding of scientists fall within this exception IF the subject
testifies to the expertise of the writer of if the court takes judicial notice of such
fact.

Testimony or Deposition at a Former Proceeding.

The testimony is one given in a former case or proceeding or administrative,
involving the same parties and the same subject matter. The testimony was given
by one who is now dead or unable to testify. Said testimony may be given in
evidence against the adverse party provided the latter had the opportunity to crossexamine the witness who gave the previous testimony.

Waiver
The rules of evidence may be waived. The rules are established for the protection of
the parties. Except if the rule waived by the parties has been established by law on
grounds of public policy.

Matters need NOT be proved (ISA-JP)

1)

Immaterial allegations

2)
Facts admitted or not denied provided they have been sufficiently alleged
(Rule 8)
3)

Agreed and Admitted facts

4)

Facts subject to Judicial Notice

5)

Facts legally Presumed

Section 4. JUDICIAL ADMISSION is and admission, verbal or written, made by a party

in the course of the proceedings.
Elements
1)

The same must be made by a party to the case

2)
The admission must be made in the course of the proceedings in the same
case, and
3)

There is no particular form for an admission, it may either be written or verbal.

Judicial Admissions may be made in

1)

Pleadings filed by the parties,

2)

In the course of trial either verbal or written manifestations or stipulations

3)

In other stages of judicial proceedings as in the pre trial of the case

4)
Admissions obtained through depositions, written interrogatories or requests
for admissions.
Judicial admissions can be made by either a party or counsel.
Judicial admission may be contradicted only when it is shown that
1. It was made through palpable mistake or 2. That no such admission was made.
Remedy of a party who gave a judicial admission:
In case of written judicial admission motion to withdraw the pleadings, motion, or
other written instrument containing such admission.

Judicial admissions are always conclusive upon the admitter and do not require
formal offer as evidence, unlike in the case of extra-judicial admissions.
Rule on dismissed pleadings
Admissions made in pleadings that have been dismissed are merely extrajudicial
admission.

Admissions in civil cases

Admissions in criminal cases
Admissions in a pleading which had been withdrawn or superseded by and amended
pleading are considered extra judicial admission
Admissions during arraignment may be withdrawn at any time before the judgment
of conviction becomes final, but such plea of guilty later withdrawn is not admissible
in evidence againt the accused who made the plea.
It is not even considered an extra judicial admission

Disqualification by reason of Marriage (sec. 22)

Disqualification by reason of Marital privilege (sec. 24 (a)

Can be invoke only if one of the spouses is a party to the action

Can be claimed whether or not the other spouse is a party to the action
Applies only if the marriage is existing at the time the testimony is offered
Can be claimed even after the marriage is dissolved
Constitutes a total prohibition for or against the spouse of the witness
Applies only to confidential communications between the spouses
The objection would be raisedon the ground of marriage. The married witness would
not be allowed to take the stand at all because of the disqualification. Even if the
testimony is for or against the objecting spouse, the spouse-witness cannot testify.
The married person is on the stand but the objection of privilege is raised when
confidential marital communication is inquired into.

Disqualification by reason of marriage (spousal immunity)

Take note of the ff.

Judicial admissions vs. Extra-judicial admissions
Competence vs Relevance
Best Evidence Rule
Real Evidence definition (replica offered as evidence)
Parol evidence would not be objected if the ambiguity was put in issue in the
pleadings
Laying the basis for the offer of a photocopy of a contract. Originals

Expert testimony of a promissory note

Credibility defined refers to worthiness of belief.
Chain of custody

When may an ordinary witness testify as to his opinion?

When may parol evidence be allowed?
How do you lay the basis for introduction of secondary evidence when a) original is
lost b) ht original is in the custdy of the adverse party.

How to impeach testimony of a witness, definition