RULE 11

When to File Responsive Pleadings

Section 1. Answer to the complaint. The defendant shall file his answer to the complaint within
fifteen (15) days after service of summons, unless a different period is fixed by the court. (la
Section 2. Answer of a defendant foreign private juridical entity. Where the defendant is a foreign
private juridical entity and service of summons is made on the government official designated by law
to receive the same, the answer shall be filed within thirty (30) days after receipt of summons by such
entity. (2a)
Section 3. Answer to amended complaint. When the plaintiff files an amended complaint as a
matter of right, the defendant shall answer the same within fifteen (15) days after being served with a
copy thereof.
Where its filing is not a matter of right, the defendant shall answer the amended complaint within ten
(l0) days from notice of the order admitting the same. An answer earlier filed may serve as the
answer to the amended complaint if no new answer is filed.
This Rule shall apply to the answer to an amended counterclaim, amended cross-claim, amended third
(fourth, etc.)party complaint, and amended complaint in intervention. (3a)
Section 4. Answer to counterclaim or cross-claim. A counterclaim or cross-claim must be answered
within ten (10) days from service.(4)
Section 5. Answer to third (fourth, etc.)-party complaint. The time to answer a third (fourth, etc.)
party complaint shall be governed by the same rule as the answer to the complaint. (5a)
Section 6. Reply. A reply may be filed within ten (10) days from service of the pleading responded
to. (6)
Section 7. Answer to supplemental complain. A supplemental complaint may be answered within
ten (10) days from notice of the order admitting the same, unless a different period is fixed by the
court. The answer to the complaint shall serve as the answer to the supplemental complaint if no new
or supplemental answer is filed. (n)
Section 8. Existing counterclaim or cross-claim. A compulsory counterclaim or a cross-claim that a
defending party has at the time he files his answer shall be contained therein. (8a, R6)
Section 9. Counterclaim or cross-claim arising after answer. A counterclaim or a cross-claim which
either matured or was acquired by a party after serving his pleading may, with the permission of the
court, be presented as a counterclaim or a cross-claim by supplemental pleading before judgment. (9,
R6)
Section 10. Omitted counterclaim or cross-claim. When a pleader fails to set up a counterclaim or
a cross-claim through oversight, inadvertence, or excusable nglect, or when justice requires, he may,
by leave of court, set up the counterclaim or cross-claim by amendment before judgment. (3, R9)
Section 11. Extension of time to plead. Upon motion and on such terms as may be just, the court
may extend the time to plead provided in these Rules

The court may also, upon like terms, allow an answer or other pleading to be filed after the time fixed
by these Rules. (7)