RULES OF PROCEDURE FOR preserve, or rehabilitate the

ENVIRONMENTAL CASES environment.

(a) Involving enforcement or violations of (i) A court may convert a TEPO into
environmental and other related laws, permanent EPO or Writ of Continuing
rules, and regulations. Mandamus which shall be effective until
judgment is fully satisfied.
(b) Except the SC, no court can issues a
TRO or Writ of Preliminary Injunction (j) Strategic Lawsuit Against Public
against lawful actions of government Participation (SLAPP) refers to an action
agencies that enforce environmental against any person, institution or
laws or prevent violations thereof. government agency which has taken or
may take in the enforcement of
(c) Prohibited pleadings: environmental laws with vexation,
MTD harassment, or exert undue pressure.
Bill of Particulars
Extension except to file answer shall not (k) Writ of Kalikasan vs. Writ of Continuing
exceed 15 days Mandamus
Motion to Declare Defendant in Default
Reply, Rejoinder Writ of Kalikasan Writ of Continuing
3rd Party Complaint Mandamus
Against unlawful act or Against unlawful
(d) Allowed in highly meritorious cases: omission of a public neglect in the
Postponement, MNT, Petition for Relief official, employee, private performance of an
from Judgment individual, or entity, act or unlawful
involving damage of such exclusion of another
(e) Temporary Environmental Protection magnitude as to prejudice in the enjoyment of
Order (TEPO) is issued for extreme the life, health, or property the environment.
urgency and the applicant will suffer of inhabitants in 2 or more
grave injustice and irreparable damage. cities or provinces.
Filed by: Any person in Filed by: Only the
o TEPO may be issued ex parte by behalf of whose right to a person personally
the Executive Judge. balanced and healthful aggrieved
o TEPO is effective only for 72 hours ecology
where judge shall conduct a Respondent: Private Respondent: Only
summary hearing for its extension individual or entity government or its
or termination. officers
o Applicant is exempted from posting Venue: SC or any stations Venue: RTC, CA, SC
a bond. of the CA
No damages awarded. Allows damages for
(f) Citizen suit is a suit where any Filipino malicious neglect in
citizen in representation of others the performance of
including minors or generations yet duty.
unborn may fila an action to enforce
rights or obligations under (l) Precautionary Principle states that when
environmental law. human activities may lead to threats of
serious and irreversible damage to
(g) No damage can be awarded in a citizen environment that is scientifically
suit. plausible but uncertain, actions shall be
taken to avoid or diminish that threat.
(h) Environmental Protection Order (EPO)
is issued by the court directing or o Threats to human life or health
enjoining any person or government o Inequity to present or future
agency to perform or desist from generations
performing an act in order to protect, o Prejudice to the environment