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Rules of Court - Evidence

TheLawphilProjectArellanoLawFoundation
Rules128134
REVISEDRULESONEVIDENCE

REVISEDRULESONEVIDENCE
(Rules128134,RulesofCourt)

ASAMENDEDPERRESOLUTION
ADOPTEDONMARCH14,1989

PARTIV
RULESOFEVIDENCE

RULE128
GeneralProvisions
Section1.Evidencedefined. Evidence is the means, sanctioned by these rules, of ascertaining in a judicial proceeding the truth
respectingamatteroffact.(1)
Section2.Scope.Therulesofevidenceshallbethesameinallcourtsandinalltrialsandhearings,exceptasotherwiseprovidedby
lawortheserules.(2a)
Section3.Admissibilityofevidence.Evidenceisadmissiblewhenitisrelevanttotheissueandisnotexcludedbythelawofthese
rules.(3a)
Section4.Relevancycollateralmatters.Evidencemusthavesucharelationtothefactinissueastoinducebeliefinitsexistenceor
nonexistence. Evidence on collateral matters shall not be allowed, except when it tends in any reasonable degree to establish the
probabilityorimprobabilityofthefactinissue.(4a)

RULE129
WhatNeedNotBeProved
Section1.Judicialnotice,whenmandatory.Acourtshalltakejudicialnotice,withouttheintroductionofevidence,oftheexistence
andterritorialextentofstates,theirpoliticalhistory,formsofgovernmentandsymbolsofnationality,thelawofnations,theadmiraltyand
maritime courts of the world and their seals, the political constitution and history of the Philippines, the official acts of legislative,
executiveandjudicialdepartmentsofthePhilippines,thelawsofnature,themeasureoftime,andthegeographicaldivisions.(1a)
Section2.Judicial notice, when discretionary. A court may take judicial notice of matters which are of public knowledge, or are
capabletounquestionabledemonstration,oroughttobeknowntojudgesbecauseoftheirjudicialfunctions.(1a)
Section3.Judicial notice, when hearing necessary. During the trial, the court, on its own initiative, or on request of a party, may
announceitsintentiontotakejudicialnoticeofanymatterandallowthepartiestobeheardthereon.
Afterthetrial,andbeforejudgmentoronappeal,thepropercourt,onitsowninitiativeoronrequestofaparty,maytakejudicialnoticeof
anymatterandallowthepartiestobeheardthereonifsuchmatterisdecisiveofamaterialissueinthecase.(n)
Section4.Judicialadmissions.Anadmission,verbalorwritten,madebythepartyinthecourseoftheproceedingsinthesamecase,
doesnotrequireproof.Theadmissionmaybecontradictedonlybyshowingthatitwasmadethroughpalpablemistakeorthatnosuch
admissionwasmade.(2a)

RULE130
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RulesofAdmissibility
A.OBJECT(REAL)EVIDENCE
Section1.Objectasevidence.Objectsasevidencearethoseaddressedtothesensesofthecourt.Whenanobjectisrelevanttothe
factinissue,itmaybeexhibitedto,examinedorviewedbythecourt.(1a)
B.DOCUMENTARYEVIDENCE
Section2.Documentaryevidence. Documents as evidence consist of writing or any material containing letters, words, numbers,
figures,symbolsorothermodesofwrittenexpressionofferedasproofoftheircontents.(n)
1.BestEvidenceRule
Section3.Originaldocumentmustbeproducedexceptions.Whenthesubjectofinquiryisthecontentsofadocument,noevidence
shallbeadmissibleotherthantheoriginaldocumentitself,exceptinthefollowingcases:
(a)Whentheoriginalhasbeenlostordestroyed,orcannotbeproducedincourt,withoutbadfaithonthepartoftheofferor
(b)Whentheoriginalisinthecustodyorunderthecontrolofthepartyagainstwhomtheevidenceisoffered,andthelatterfails
toproduceitafterreasonablenotice
(c)Whentheoriginalconsistsofnumerousaccountsorotherdocumentswhichcannotbeexaminedincourtwithoutgreatlossof
timeandthefactsoughttobeestablishedfromthemisonlythegeneralresultofthewholeand
(d)Whentheoriginalisapublicrecordinthecustodyofapublicofficerorisrecordedinapublicoffice.(2a)
Section4.Originalofdocument.
(a)Theoriginalofthedocumentisonethecontentsofwhicharethesubjectofinquiry.
(b)Whenadocumentisintwoormorecopiesexecutedatoraboutthesametime,withidenticalcontents,allsuchcopiesare
equallyregardedasoriginals.
(c) When an entry is repeated in the regular course of business, one being copied from another at or near the time of the
transaction,alltheentriesarelikewiseequallyregardedasoriginals.(3a)
2.SecondaryEvidence
Section5.Whenoriginaldocumentisunavailable.Whentheoriginaldocumenthasbeenlostordestroyed,orcannotbeproducedin
court,theofferor,uponproofofitsexecutionorexistenceandthecauseofitsunavailabilitywithoutbadfaithonhispart,mayproveits
contentsbyacopy,orbyarecitalofitscontentsinsomeauthenticdocument,orbythetestimonyofwitnessesintheorderstated.(4a)
Section6.Whenoriginaldocumentisinadverseparty'scustodyorcontrol.Ifthedocumentisinthecustodyorunderthecontrolof
adverseparty,hemusthavereasonablenoticetoproduceit.Ifaftersuchnoticeandaftersatisfactoryproofofitsexistence,hefailsto
producethedocument,secondaryevidencemaybepresentedasinthecaseofitsloss.(5a)
Section7.Evidenceadmissiblewhenoriginaldocumentisapublicrecord.Whentheoriginalofdocumentisinthecustodyofpublic
officerorisrecordedinapublicoffice,itscontentsmaybeprovedbyacertifiedcopyissuedbythepublicofficerincustodythereof.(2a)
Section8.Partywhocallsfordocumentnotboundtoofferit.Apartywhocallsfortheproductionofadocumentandinspectsthe
sameisnotobligedtoofferitasevidence.(6a)
3.ParolEvidenceRule
Section9. Evidence of written agreements. When the terms of an agreement have been reduced to writing, it is considered as
containingallthetermsagreeduponandtherecanbe,betweenthepartiesandtheirsuccessorsininterest,noevidenceofsuchterms
otherthanthecontentsofthewrittenagreement.
However,apartymaypresentevidencetomodify,explainoraddtothetermsofwrittenagreementifheputsinissueinhispleading:
(a)Anintrinsicambiguity,mistakeorimperfectioninthewrittenagreement
(b)Thefailureofthewrittenagreementtoexpressthetrueintentandagreementofthepartiesthereto
(c)Thevalidityofthewrittenagreementor
(d) The existence of other terms agreed to by the parties or their successors in interest after the execution of the written
agreement.
Theterm"agreement"includeswills.(7a)
4.InterpretationOfDocuments
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Section10.Interpretationofawritingaccordingtoitslegalmeaning.Thelanguageofawritingistobeinterpretedaccordingtothe
legalmeaningitbearsintheplaceofitsexecution,unlessthepartiesintendedotherwise.(8)
Section11.Instrumentconstruedsoastogiveeffecttoallprovisions.Intheconstructionofaninstrument,wherethereareseveral
provisionsorparticulars,suchaconstructionis,ifpossible,tobeadoptedaswillgiveeffecttoall.(9)
Section12.Interpretationaccordingtointentiongeneralandparticularprovisions.Intheconstructionofaninstrument,theintention
ofthepartiesistobepursuedandwhenageneralandaparticularprovisionareinconsistent,thelatterisparamounttotheformer.Soa
particularintentwillcontrolageneralonethatisinconsistentwithit.(10)
Section13.Interpretationaccordingtocircumstances.Fortheproperconstructionofaninstrument,thecircumstancesunderwhichit
wasmade,includingthesituationofthesubjectthereofandofthepartiestoit,maybeshown,sothatthejudgemaybeplacedinthe
positionofthosewholanguageheistointerpret.(11)
Section14.Peculiar signification of terms. The terms of a writing are presumed to have been used in their primary and general
acceptation,butevidenceisadmissibletoshowthattheyhavealocal,technical,orotherwisepeculiarsignification,andweresoused
andunderstoodintheparticularinstance,inwhichcasetheagreementmustbeconstruedaccordingly.(12)
Section15.Writtenwordscontrolprinted.Whenaninstrumentconsistspartlyofwrittenwordsandpartlyofaprintedform,andthe
twoareinconsistent,theformercontrolsthelatter.(13)
Section16.Expertsandinterpreterstobeusedinexplainingcertainwritings.Whenthecharactersinwhichaninstrumentiswritten
are difficult to be deciphered, or the language is not understood by the court, the evidence of persons skilled in deciphering the
characters,orwhounderstandthelanguage,isadmissibletodeclarethecharactersorthemeaningofthelanguage.(14)
Section17.OfTwoconstructions,whichpreferred.Whenthetermsofanagreementhavebeenintendedinadifferentsensebythe
different parties to it, that sense is to prevail against either party in which he supposed the other understood it, and when different
constructionsofaprovisionareotherwiseequallyproper,thatistobetakenwhichisthemostfavorabletothepartyinwhosefavorthe
provisionwasmade.(15)
Section18.Constructioninfavorofnaturalright. When an instrument is equally susceptible of two interpretations, one in favor of
naturalrightandtheotheragainstit,theformeristobeadopted.(16)
Section19.Interpretation according to usage. An instrument may be construed according to usage, in order to determine its true
character.(17)
C.TESTIMONIALEVIDENCE
1.QualificationofWitnesses
Section20.Witnessestheirqualifications. Except as provided in the next succeeding section, all persons who can perceive, and
perceiving,canmaketheirknownperceptiontoothers,maybewitnesses.
Religiousorpoliticalbelief,interestintheoutcomeofthecase,orconvictionofacrimeunlessotherwiseprovidedbylaw,shallnotbe
groundfordisqualification.(18a)
Section21.Disqualificationbyreasonofmentalincapacityorimmaturity.Thefollowingpersonscannotbewitnesses:
(a)Thosewhosementalcondition,atthetimeoftheirproductionforexamination,issuchthattheyareincapableofintelligently
makingknowntheirperceptiontoothers
(b) Children whose mental maturity is such as to render them incapable of perceiving the facts respecting which they are
examinedandofrelatingthemtruthfully.(19a)
Section22.Disqualificationbyreasonofmarriage.Duringtheirmarriage,neitherthehusbandnorthewifemaytestifyfororagainst
theotherwithouttheconsentoftheaffectedspouse,exceptinacivilcasebyoneagainsttheother,orinacriminalcaseforacrime
committedbyoneagainsttheotherorthelatter'sdirectdescendantsorascendants.(20a)
Section23.Disqualificationbyreasonofdeathorinsanityofadverseparty.Partiesorassignorofpartiestoacase,orpersonsin
whose behalf a case is prosecuted, against an executor or administrator or other representative of a deceased person, or against a
personofunsoundmind,uponaclaimordemandagainsttheestateofsuchdeceasedpersonoragainstsuchpersonofunsoundmind,
cannottestifyastoanymatteroffactoccurringbeforethedeathofsuchdeceasedpersonorbeforesuchpersonbecameofunsound
mind.(20a)
Section24.Disqualification by reason of privileged communication. The following persons cannot testify as to matters learned in
confidenceinthefollowingcases:
(a) The husband or the wife, during or after the marriage, cannot be examined without the consent of the other as to any
communicationreceivedinconfidencebyonefromtheotherduringthemarriageexceptinacivilcasebyoneagainsttheother,
orinacriminalcaseforacrimecommittedbyoneagainsttheotherorthelatter'sdirectdescendantsorascendants
(b)Anattorneycannot,withouttheconsentofhisclient,beexaminedastoanycommunicationmadebytheclienttohim,orhis
advicegiventhereoninthecourseof,orwithaviewto,professionalemployment,norcananattorney'ssecretary,stenographer,
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orclerkbeexamined,withouttheconsentoftheclientandhisemployer,concerninganyfacttheknowledgeofwhichhasbeen
acquiredinsuchcapacity
(c)Apersonauthorizedtopracticemedicine,surgeryorobstetricscannotinacivilcase,withouttheconsentofthepatient,be
examinedastoanyadviceortreatmentgivenbyhimoranyinformationwhichhemayhaveacquiredinattendingsuchpatientin
a professional capacity, which information was necessary to enable him to act in capacity, and which would blacken the
reputationofthepatient
(d)Aministerorpriestcannot,withouttheconsentofthepersonmakingtheconfession,beexaminedastoanyconfessionmade
tooranyadvicegivenbyhiminhisprofessionalcharacterinthecourseofdisciplineenjoinedbythechurchtowhichtheminister
orpriestbelongs
(e) A public officer cannot be examined during his term of office or afterwards, as to communications made to him in official
confidence,whenthecourtfindsthatthepublicinterestwouldsufferbythedisclosure.(21a)
2.TestimonialPrivilege
Section25.Parentalandfilialprivilege.Nopersonmaybecompelledtotestifyagainsthisparents,otherdirectascendants,children
orotherdirectdescendants.(20a)
3.AdmissionsandConfessions
Section26.Admissionofaparty.Theact,declarationoromissionofapartyastoarelevantfactmaybegiveninevidenceagainst
him.(22)
Section27.Offerofcompromisenotadmissible.Incivilcases,anofferofcompromiseisnotanadmissionofanyliability,andisnot
admissibleinevidenceagainsttheofferor.
Incriminalcases,exceptthoseinvolvingquasioffenses(criminalnegligence)orthoseallowedbylawtobecompromised,anofferof
compromisedbytheaccusedmaybereceivedinevidenceasanimpliedadmissionofguilt.
A plea of guilty later withdrawn, or an unaccepted offer of a plea of guilty to lesser offense, is not admissible in evidence against the
accusedwhomadethepleaoroffer.
Anoffertopayorthepaymentofmedical,hospitalorotherexpensesoccasionedbyaninjuryisnotadmissibleinevidenceasproofof
civilorcriminalliabilityfortheinjury.(24a)
Section28.Admissionbythirdparty.Therightsofapartycannotbeprejudicedbyanact,declaration,oromissionofanother,except
ashereinafterprovided.(25a)
Section29. Admission by copartner or agent. The act or declaration of a partner or agent of the party within the scope of his
authority and during the existence of the partnership or agency, may be given in evidence against such party after the partnership or
agencyisshownbyevidenceotherthansuchactordeclaration.Thesameruleappliestotheactordeclarationofajointowner,joint
debtor,orotherpersonjointlyinterestedwiththeparty.(26a)
Section30.Admissionbyconspirator.Theactordeclarationofaconspiratorrelatingtotheconspiracyandduringitsexistence,may
begiveninevidenceagainstthecoconspiratoraftertheconspiracyisshownbyevidenceotherthansuchactofdeclaration.(27)
Section31.Admissionbyprivies.Whereonederivestitletopropertyfromanother,theact,declaration,oromissionofthelatter,while
holdingthetitle,inrelationtotheproperty,isevidenceagainsttheformer.(28)
Section32.Admissionbysilence.Anactordeclarationmadeinthepresenceandwithinthehearingorobservationofapartywho
does or says nothing when the act or declaration is such as naturally to call for action or comment if not true, and when proper and
possibleforhimtodoso,maybegiveninevidenceagainsthim.(23a)
Section33.Confession.Thedeclarationofanaccusedacknowledginghisguiltoftheoffensecharged,orofanyoffensenecessarily
includedtherein,maybegiveninevidenceagainsthim.(29a)
4.PreviousConductasEvidence
Section34.Similaractsasevidence.Evidencethatonedidordidnotdoacertainthingatonetimeisnotadmissibletoprovethathe
didordidnotdothesameorsimilarthingatanothertimebutitmaybereceivedtoproveaspecificintentorknowledgeidentity,plan,
system,scheme,habit,customorusage,andthelike.(48a)
Section35.Unaccepted offer. An offer in writing to pay a particular sum of money or to deliver a written instrument or specific
personalpropertyis,ifrejectedwithoutvalidcause,equivalenttotheactualproductionandtenderofthemoney,instrument,orproperty.
(49a)
5.TestimonialKnowledge
Section36.Testimonygenerallyconfinedtopersonalknowledgehearsayexcluded.Awitnesscantestifyonlytothosefactswhich
heknowsofhispersonalknowledgethatis,whicharederivedfromhisownperception,exceptasotherwiseprovidedintheserules.
(30a)
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6.ExceptionsToTheHearsayRule
Section37.Dyingdeclaration.Thedeclarationofadyingperson,madeunder
theconsciousnessofanimpendingdeath,maybereceivedinanycasewhereinhisdeathisthesubjectofinquiry,asevidenceofthe
causeandsurroundingcircumstancesofsuchdeath.(31a)
Section38.Declarationagainstinterest.Thedeclarationmadebyapersondeceased,orunabletotestify,againsttheinterestofthe
declarant, if the fact is asserted in the declaration was at the time it was made so far contrary to declarant's own interest, that a
reasonable man in his position would not have made the declaration unless he believed it to be true, may be received in evidence
againsthimselforhissuccessorsininterestandagainstthirdpersons.(32a)
Section39.Act or declaration about pedigree. The act or declaration of a person deceased, or unable to testify, in respect to the
pedigreeofanotherpersonrelatedtohimbybirthormarriage,maybereceivedinevidencewhereitoccurredbeforethecontroversy,
andtherelationshipbetweenthetwopersonsisshownbyevidenceotherthansuchactordeclaration.Theword"pedigree"includes
relationship,familygenealogy,birth,marriage,death,thedateswhenandtheplaceswherethesefastoccurred,andthenamesofthe
relatives.Itembracesalsofactsoffamilyhistoryintimatelyconnectedwithpedigree.(33a)
Section 40. Family reputation or tradition regarding pedigree. The reputation or tradition existing in a family previous to the
controversy,inrespecttothepedigreeofanyoneofitsmembers,maybereceivedinevidenceifthewitnesstestifyingthereonbealsoa
member of the family, either by consanguinity or affinity. Entries in family bibles or other family books or charts, engravings on rings,
familyportraitsandthelike,maybereceivedasevidenceofpedigree.(34a)
Section 41. Common reputation. Common reputation existing previous to the controversy, respecting facts of public or general
interestmorethanthirtyyearsold,orrespectingmarriageormoralcharacter,maybegiveninevidence.Monumentsandinscriptionsin
publicplacesmaybereceivedasevidenceofcommonreputation.(35)
Section42.Part of res gestae. Statements made by a person while a starting occurrence is taking place or immediately prior or
subsequent thereto with respect to the circumstances thereof, may be given in evidence as part of resgestae. So, also, statements
accompanyinganequivocalactmaterialtotheissue,andgivingitalegalsignificance,maybereceivedaspartoftheresgestae.(36a)
Section43.Entries in the course of business. Entries made at, or near the time of transactions to which they refer, by a person
deceased,orunabletotestify,whowasinapositiontoknowthefactsthereinstated,maybereceivedasprimafacieevidence,ifsuch
personmadetheentriesinhisprofessionalcapacityorintheperformanceofdutyandintheordinaryorregularcourseofbusinessor
duty.(37a)
Section 44. Entries in official records. Entries in official records made in the performance of his duty by a public officer of the
Philippines,orbyapersonintheperformanceofadutyspeciallyenjoinedbylaw,areprimafacieevidenceofthefactsthereinstated.
(38)
Section 45. Commercial lists and the like. Evidence of statements of matters of interest to persons engaged in an occupation
containedinalist,register,periodical,orotherpublishedcompilationisadmissibleastendingtoprovethetruthofanyrelevantmatterso
stated if that compilation is published for use by persons engaged in that occupation and is generally used and relied upon by them
therein.(39)
Section46.Learnedtreatises.Apublishedtreatise,periodicalorpamphletonasubjectofhistory,law,science,orartisadmissibleas
tendingtoprovethetruthofamatterstatedthereinifthecourttakesjudicialnotice,orawitnessexpertinthesubjecttestifies,thatthe
writerofthestatementinthetreatise,periodicalorpamphletisrecognizedinhisprofessionorcallingasexpertinthesubject.(40a)
Section47.Testimonyordepositionataformerproceeding.Thetestimonyordepositionofawitnessdeceasedorunabletotestify,
giveninaformercaseorproceeding,judicialoradministrative,involvingthesamepartiesandsubjectmatter,maybegiveninevidence
againsttheadversepartywhohadtheopportunitytocrossexaminehim.(41a)
7.OpinionRule
Section48.Generalrule.Theopinionofwitnessisnotadmissible,exceptasindicatedinthefollowingsections.(42)
Section49.Opinionofexpertwitness.Theopinionofawitnessonamatterrequiringspecialknowledge,skill,experienceortraining
whichheshowntoposses,maybereceivedinevidence.(43a)
Section50.Opinionofordinarywitnesses. The opinion of a witness for which proper basis is given, may be received in evidence
regarding
(a)theidentityofapersonaboutwhomhehasadequateknowledge
(b)Ahandwritingwithwhichhehassufficientfamiliarityand
(c)Thementalsanityofapersonwithwhomheissufficientlyacquainted.
Thewitnessmayalsotestifyonhisimpressionsoftheemotion,behavior,conditionorappearanceofaperson.(44a)
8.CharacterEvidence
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Section51.Characterevidencenotgenerallyadmissibleexceptions:
(a)InCriminalCases:
(1)Theaccusedmayprovehisgoodmoralcharacterwhichispertinenttothemoraltraitinvolvedintheoffensecharged.
(2)Unlessinrebuttal,theprosecutionmaynotprovehisbadmoralcharacterwhichispertinenttothemoraltraitinvolved
intheoffensecharged.
(3)Thegoodorbadmoralcharacteroftheoffendedpartymaybeprovedifittendstoestablishinanyreasonabledegree
theprobabilityorimprobabilityoftheoffensecharged.
(b)InCivilCases:
Evidenceofthemoralcharacterofapartyincivilcaseisadmissibleonlywhenpertinenttotheissueofcharacterinvolvedinthe
case.
(c)InthecaseprovidedforinRule132,Section14,(46a,47a)

RULE131
BurdenofProofandPresumptions
Section1.Burdenofproof.Burdenofproofisthedutyofapartytopresentevidenceonthefactsinissuenecessarytoestablishhis
claimordefensebytheamountofevidencerequiredbylaw.(1a,2a)
Section2.Conclusivepresumptions.Thefollowingareinstancesofconclusivepresumptions:
(a) Whenever a party has, by his own declaration, act, or omission, intentionally and deliberately led to another to believe a
particularthingtrue,andtoactuponsuchbelief,hecannot,inanylitigationarisingoutofsuchdeclaration,actoromission,be
permittedtofalsifyit:
(b)Thetenantisnotpermittedtodenythetitleofhislandlordatthetimeofcommencementoftherelationoflandlordandtenant
betweenthem.(3a)
Section3. Disputable presumptions. The following presumptions are satisfactory if uncontradicted, but may be contradicted and
overcomebyotherevidence:
(a)Thatapersonisinnocentofcrimeorwrong
(b)Thatanunlawfulactwasdonewithanunlawfulintent
(c)Thatapersonintendstheordinaryconsequencesofhisvoluntaryact
(d)Thatapersontakesordinarycareofhisconcerns
(e)Thatevidencewillfullysuppressedwouldbeadverseifproduced
(f)Thatmoneypaidbyonetoanotherwasduetothelatter
(g)Thatathingdeliveredbyonetoanotherbelongedtothelatter
(h)Thatanobligationdelivereduptothedebtorhasbeenpaid
(i)Thatpriorrentsorinstallmentshadbeenpaidwhenareceiptforthelateroneisproduced
(j)Thatapersonfoundinpossessionofathingtakeninthedoingofarecentwrongfulactisthetakerandthedoerofthewhole
actotherwise,thatthingswhichapersonpossess,orexercisesactsofownershipover,areownedbyhim
(k)Thatapersoninpossessionofanorderonhimselfforthepaymentofthemoney,orthedeliveryofanything,haspaidthe
moneyordeliveredthethingaccordingly
(l)Thatapersonactinginapublicofficewasregularlyappointedorelectedtoit
(m)Thatofficialdutyhasbeenregularlyperformed
(n)Thatacourt,orjudgeactingassuch,whetherinthePhilippinesorelsewhere,wasactinginthelawfulexerciseofjurisdiction
(o)Thatallthematterswithinanissueraisedinacasewerelaidbeforethecourtandpasseduponbyitandinlikemannerthat
allmatterswithinanissueraisedinadisputesubmittedforarbitrationwerelaidbeforethearbitratorsandpasseduponbythem
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(p)Thatprivatetransactionshavebeenfairandregular
(q)Thattheordinarycourseofbusinesshasbeenfollowed
(r)Thattherewasasufficientconsiderationforacontract
(s)Thatanegotiableinstrumentwasgivenorindorsedforasufficientconsideration
(t) That an endorsement of negotiable instrument was made before the instrument was overdue and at the place where the
instrumentisdated
(u)Thatawritingistrulydated
(v)Thataletterdulydirectedandmailedwasreceivedintheregularcourseofthemail
(w)Thatafteranabsenceofsevenyears,itbeingunknownwhetherornottheabsenteestilllives,heisconsidereddeadforall
purposes,exceptforthoseofsuccession.
The absentee shall not be considered dead for the purpose of opening his succession till after an absence of ten years. If he
disappearedaftertheageofseventyfiveyears,anabsenceoffiveyearsshallbesufficientinorderthathissuccessionmaybeopened.
Thefollowingshallbeconsidereddeadforallpurposesincludingthedivisionoftheestateamongtheheirs:
(1)Apersononboardavessellostduringaseavoyage,oranaircraftwithismissing,whohasnotbeenheardofforfour
yearssincethelossofthevesseloraircraft
(2)Amemberofthearmedforceswhohastakenpartinarmedhostilities,andhasbeenmissingforfouryears
(3)Apersonwhohasbeenindangerofdeathunderothercircumstancesandwhoseexistencehasnotbeenknownfor
fouryears
(4) If a married person has been absent for four consecutive years, the spouse present may contract a subsequent
marriageifheorshehaswellfoundedbeliefthattheabsentspouseisalreadydeath.Incaseofdisappearance,where
thereisadangerofdeaththecircumstanceshereinaboveprovided,anabsenceofonlytwoyearsshallbesufficientfor
the purpose of contracting a subsequent marriage. However, in any case, before marrying again, the spouse present
must institute a summary proceedings as provided in the Family Code and in the rules for declaration of presumptive
deathoftheabsentee,withoutprejudicetotheeffectofreappearanceoftheabsentspouse.
(x)Thatacquiescenceresultedfromabeliefthatthethingacquiescedinwasconformabletothelaworfact
(y)Thatthingshavehappenedaccordingtotheordinarycourseofnatureandordinarynaturehabitsoflife
(z)Thatpersonsactingascopartnershaveenteredintoacontractofcopartneship
(aa)Thatamanandwomandeportingthemselvesashusbandandwifehaveenteredintoalawfulcontractofmarriage
(bb)Thatpropertyacquiredbyamanandawomanwhoarecapacitatedtomarryeachotherandwholiveexclusivelywitheach
otherashusbandandwifewithoutthebenefitofmarriageorundervoidmarriage,hasbeenobtainedbytheirjointefforts,workor
industry.
(cc)Thatincasesofcohabitationbyamanandawomanwhoarenotcapacitatedtomarryeachotherandwhohaveacquire
properlythroughtheiractualjointcontributionofmoney,propertyorindustry,suchcontributionsandtheircorrespondingshares
includingjointdepositsofmoneyandevidencesofcreditareequal.
(dd) That if the marriage is terminated and the mother contracted another marriage within three hundred days after such
terminationoftheformermarriage,theserulesshallgovernintheabsenceofprooftothecontrary:
(1)Achildbornbeforeonehundredeightydaysafterthesolemnizationofthesubsequentmarriageisconsideredtohave
beenconceivedduringsuchmarriage,eventhoughitbebornwithinthethreehundreddaysaftertheterminationofthe
formermarriage.
(2)Achildbornafteronehundredeightydaysfollowingthecelebrationofthesubsequentmarriageisconsideredtohave
beenconceivedduringsuchmarriage,eventhoughitbebornwithinthethreehundreddaysaftertheterminationofthe
formermarriage.
(ee)Thatathingonceprovedtoexistcontinuesaslongasisusualwiththingsofthenature
(ff)Thatthelawhasbeenobeyed
(gg)Thataprintedorpublishedbook,purportingtobeprintedorpublishedbypublicauthority,wassoprintedorpublished
(hh)Thataprintedorpublishedbook,purportingcontainreportsofcasesadjudgedintribunalsofthecountrywherethebookis
published,containscorrectreportsofsuchcases
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(ii)Thatatrusteeorotherpersonwhosedutyitwastoconveyrealpropertytoaparticularpersonhasactuallyconveyedittohim
whensuchpresumptionisnecessarytoperfectthetitleofsuchpersonorhissuccessorininterest
(jj) That except for purposes of succession, when two persons perish in the same calamity, such as wreck, battle, or
conflagration, and it is not shown who died first, and there are no particular circumstances from which it can be inferred, the
survivorshipisdeterminedfromtheprobabilitiesresultingfromthestrengthandtheageofthesexes,accordingtothefollowing
rules:
1.Ifbothwereundertheageoffifteenyears,theolderisdeemedtohavesurvived
2.Ifbothwereabovetheagesixty,theyoungerisdeemedtohavesurvived
3.Ifoneisunderfifteenandtheotherabovesixty,theformerisdeemedtohavesurvived
4.Ifbothbeoverfifteenandundersixty,andthesexbedifferent,themaleisdeemedtohavesurvived,ifthesexbethe
same,theolder
5.Ifonebeunderfifteenoroversixty,andtheotherbetweenthoseages,thelatterisdeemedtohavesurvived.
(kk)Thatifthereisadoubt,asbetweentwoormorepersonswhoarecalledtosucceedeachother,astowhichofthemdied
first,whoeverallegesthedeathofonepriortotheother,shallprovethesameintheabsenceofproof,theyshallbeconsidered
tohavediedatthesametime.(5a)
Section4.Nopresumptionoflegitimacyorillegitimacy.Thereisnopresumptionoflegitimacyofachildbornafterthreehundreddays
followingthedissolutionofthemarriageortheseparationofthespouses.Whoeverallegesthelegitimacyorillegitimacyofsuchchild
mustprovehisallegation.(6)

RULE132
PresentationofEvidence
A.EXAMINATIONOFWITNESSES
Section1.Examinationtobedoneinopencourt.Theexaminationofwitnessespresentedinatrialorhearingshallbedoneinopen
court,andunderoathoraffirmation.Unlessthewitnessisincapacitatedtospeak,orthequestionscallsforadifferentmodeofanswer,
theanswersofthewitnessshallbegivenorally.(1a)
Section2.Proceedingstoberecorded.Theentireproceedingsofatrialorhearing,includingthequestionspropoundedtoawitness
andhisanswersthereto,thestatementsmadebythejudgeoranyoftheparties,counsel,orwitnesseswithreferencetothecase,shall
berecordedbymeansofshorthandorstenotypeorbyothermeansofrecordingfoundsuitablebythecourt.
Atranscriptoftherecordoftheproceedingsmadebytheofficialstenographer,stenotypistorrecorderandcertifiedascorrectbyhim
shallbedeemedprimafacieacorrectstatementofsuchproceedings.(2a)
Section3.Rightsandobligationsofawitness.Awitnessmustanswerquestions,althoughhisanswermaytendtoestablishaclaim
againsthim.However,itistherightofawitness:
(1)Tobeprotectedfromirrelevant,improper,orinsultingquestions,andfromharshorinsultingdemeanor
(2)Nottobedetainedlongerthantheinterestsofjusticerequire
(3)Nottobeexaminedexceptonlyastomatterspertinenttotheissue
(4)Nottogiveananswerwhichwilltendtosubjecthimtoapenaltyforanoffenseunlessotherwiseprovidedbylawor
(5)Nottogiveananswerwhichwilltendtodegradehisreputation,unlessittobetheveryfactatissueortoafactfromwhich
thefactinissuewouldbepresumed.Butawitnessmustanswertothefactofhispreviousfinalconvictionforanoffense.(3a,
19a)
Section4.Orderintheexaminationofanindividualwitness.Theorderinwhichtheindividualwitnessmaybeexaminedisasfollows
(a)Directexaminationbytheproponent
(b)Crossexaminationbytheopponent
(c)Redirectexaminationbytheproponent
(d)Recrossexaminationbytheopponent.(4)
Section5.Directexamination.Directexaminationistheexaminationinchiefofawitnessbythepartypresentinghimonthefacts
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relevanttotheissue.(5a)
Section6.Crossexamination its purpose and extent. Upon the termination of the direct examination, the witness may be cross
examinedbytheadversepartyastomanymattersstatedinthedirectexamination,orconnectedtherewith,withsufficientfullnessand
freedomtotesthisaccuracyandtruthfulnessandfreedomfrominterestorbias,orthereverse,andtoelicitallimportantfactsbearing
upontheissue.(8a)
Section7.Redirectexaminationitspurposeandextent.Afterthecrossexaminationofthewitnesshasbeenconcluded,hemaybe
reexamined by the party calling him, to explain or supplement his answers given during the crossexamination. On redirect
examination,questionsonmattersnotdealtwithduringthecrossexamination,maybeallowedbythecourtinitsdiscretion.(12)
Section8.Recrossexamination.Upon the conclusion of the redirect examination, the adverse party may recrossexamine the
witnessonmattersstatedinhisredirectexamination,andalsoonsuchothermattersasmaybeallowedbythecourtinitsdiscretion.
(13)
Section9.Recallingwitness.Aftertheexaminationofawitnessbybothsideshasbeenconcluded,thewitnesscannotberecalled
withoutleaveofthecourt.Thecourtwillgrantorwithholdleaveinitsdiscretion,astheinterestsofjusticemayrequire.(14)
Section10.Leading and misleading questions.A question which suggests to the witness the answer which the examining party
desiresisaleadingquestion.Itisnotallowed,except:
(a)Oncrossexamination
(b)Onpreliminarymatters
(c)Whenthereisadifficultyisgettingdirectandintelligibleanswersfromawitnesswhoisignorant,orachildoftenderyears,or
isoffeeblemind,oradeafmute
(d)Ofanunwillingorhostilewitnessor
(e) Of a witness who is an adverse party or an officer, director, or managing agent of a public or private corporation or of a
partnershiporassociationwhichisanadverseparty.
Amisleadingquestionisonewhichassumesastrueafactnotyettestifiedtobythewitness,orcontrarytothatwhichhehaspreviously
stated.Itisnotallowed.(5a,6a,and8a)
Section11.Impeachment of adverse party's witness.A witness may be impeached by the party against whom he was called, by
contradictoryevidence,byevidencethathisgeneralreputationfortruth,honestly,orintegrityisbad,orbyevidencethathehasmadeat
other times statements inconsistent with his present, testimony, but not by evidence of particular wrongful acts, except that it may be
shownbytheexaminationofthewitness,ortherecordofthejudgment,thathehasbeenconvictedofanoffense.(15)
Section12.Partymaynotimpeachhisownwitness.Exceptwithrespecttowitnessesreferredtoinparagraphs(d)and(e)ofSection
10,thepartyproducingawitnessisnotallowedtoimpeachhiscredibility.
A witness may be considered as unwilling or hostile only if so declared by the court upon adequate showing of his adverse interest,
unjustifiedreluctancetotestify,orhishavingmisledthepartyintocallinghimtothewitnessstand.
Theunwillingorhostilewitnesssodeclared,orthewitnesswhoisanadverseparty,maybeimpeachedbythepartypresentinghiminall
respectsasifhehadbeencalledbytheadverseparty,exceptbyevidenceofhisbadcharacter.Hemayalsobeimpeachedandcross
examinedbytheadverseparty,butsuchcrossexaminationmustonlybeonthesubjectmatterofhisexaminationinchief.(6a,7a)
Section13.Howwitnessimpeachedbyevidenceofinconsistentstatements.Beforeawitnesscanbeimpeachedbyevidencethathe
has made at other times statements inconsistent with his present testimony, the statements must be related to him, with the
circumstancesofthetimesandplacesandthepersonspresent,andhemustbeaskedwhetherhemadesuchstatements,andifso,
allowedtoexplainthem.Ifthestatementsbeinwritingtheymustbeshowntothewitnessbeforeanyquestionisputtohimconcerning
them.(16)
Section14.Evidenceofgoodcharacterofwitness.Evidenceofthegoodcharacterofawitnessisnotadmissibleuntilsuchcharacter
hasbeenimpeached.(17)
Section15.Exclusionandseparationofwitnesses.Onanytrialorhearing,thejudgemayexcludefromthecourtanywitnessnotat
thetimeunderexamination,sothathemaynothearthetestimonyofotherwitnesses.Thejudgemayalsocausewitnessestobekept
separateandtobepreventedfromconversingwithoneanotheruntilallshallhavebeenexamined.(18)
Section16.Whenwitnessmayrefertomemorandum.Awitnessmaybeallowedtorefreshhismemoryrespectingafact,byanything
writtenorrecordedbyhimselforunderhisdirectionatthetimewhenthefactoccurred,orimmediatelythereafter,oratanyothertime
whenthefactwasfreshinhismemoryandknewthatthesamewascorrectlywrittenorrecordedbutinsuchcasethewritingorrecord
mustbeproducedandmaybeinspectedbytheadverseparty,whomay,ifhechooses,crossexaminethewitnessuponit,andmayread
itinevidence.So,also,awitnessmaytestifyfromsuchwritingorrecord,thoughheretainnorecollectionoftheparticularfacts,ifheis
abletoswearthatthewritingorrecordcorrectlystatedthetransactionwhenmadebutsuchevidencemustbereceivedwithcaution.
(10a)

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Section17.Whenpartoftransaction,writingorrecordgiveninevidence,theremainder,theremainderadmissible.Whenpartofan
act,declaration,conversation,writingorrecordisgiveninevidencebyoneparty,thewholeofthesamesubjectmaybeinquiredintoby
the other, and when a detached act, declaration, conversation, writing or record is given in evidence, any other act, declaration,
conversation,writingorrecordnecessarytoitsunderstandingmayalsobegiveninevidence.(11a)
Section18.Righttorespectwritingshowntowitness.Wheneverawritingisshowntoawitness,itmaybeinspectedbytheadverse
party.(9a)
B.AUTHENTICATIONANDPROOFOFDOCUMENTS
Section19.ClassesofDocuments.Forthepurposeoftheirpresentationevidence,documentsareeitherpublicorprivate.
Publicdocumentsare:
(a) The written official acts, or records of the official acts of the sovereign authority, official bodies and tribunals, and public
officers,whetherofthePhilippines,orofaforeigncountry
(b)Documentsacknowledgebeforeanotarypublicexceptlastwillsandtestamentsand
(c)Publicrecords,keptinthePhilippines,ofprivatedocumentsrequiredbylawtotheenteredtherein.
Allotherwritingsareprivate.(20a)
Section20.Proofofprivatedocument.Beforeanyprivatedocumentofferedasauthenticisreceivedinevidence,itsdueexecution
andauthenticitymustbeprovedeither:
(a)Byanyonewhosawthedocumentexecutedorwrittenor
(b)Byevidenceofthegenuinenessofthesignatureorhandwritingofthemaker.
Anyotherprivatedocumentneedonlybeidentifiedasthatwhichitisclaimedtobe.(21a)
Section21.Whenevidenceofauthenticityofprivatedocumentnotnecessary.Whereaprivatedocumentismorethanthirtyyears
old,isproducedfromthecustodyinwhichitwouldnaturallybefoundifgenuine,andisunblemishedbyanyalterationsorcircumstances
ofsuspicion,nootherevidenceofitsauthenticityneedbegiven.(22a)
Section22.Howgenuinenessofhandwritingproved.Thehandwritingofapersonmaybeprovedbyanywitnesswhobelievesitto
be the handwriting of such person because he has seen the person write, or has seen writing purporting to be his upon which the
witness has acted or been charged, and has thus acquired knowledge of the handwriting of such person. Evidence respecting the
handwritingmayalsobegivenbyacomparison,madebythewitnessorthecourt,withwritingsadmittedortreatedasgenuinebythe
partyagainstwhomtheevidenceisoffered,orprovedtobegenuinetothesatisfactionofthejudge.(23a)
Section23.Publicdocumentsasevidence.Documentsconsistingofentriesinpublicrecordsmadeintheperformanceofadutybya
publicofficerareprimafacieevidenceofthefactsthereinstated.Allotherpublicdocumentsareevidence,evenagainstathirdperson,
ofthefactwhichgaverisetotheirexecutionandofthedateofthelatter.(24a)
Section24.Proofofofficialrecord.Therecordofpublicdocumentsreferredtoinparagraph(a)ofSection19,whenadmissiblefor
any purpose, may be evidenced by an official publication thereof or by a copy attested by the officer having the legal custody of the
record,orbyhisdeputy,andaccompanied,iftherecordisnotkeptinthePhilippines,withacertificatethatsuchofficerhasthecustody.
Iftheofficeinwhichtherecordiskeptisinforeigncountry,thecertificatemaybemadebyasecretaryoftheembassyorlegation,consul
general,consul,viceconsul,orconsularagentorbyanyofficerintheforeignserviceofthePhilippinesstationedintheforeigncountryin
whichtherecordiskept,andauthenticatedbythesealofhisoffice.(25a)
Section25.Whatattestationofcopymuststate.Wheneveracopyofadocumentorrecordisattestedforthepurposeofevidence,
theattestationmuststate,insubstance,thatthecopyisacorrectcopyoftheoriginal,oraspecificpartthereof,asthecasemaybe.The
attestationmustbeundertheofficialsealoftheattestingofficer,iftherebeany,orifhebetheclerkofacourthavingaseal,underthe
sealofsuchcourt.(26a)
Section 26. Irremovability of public record. Any public record, an official copy of which is admissible in evidence, must not be
removed from the office in which it is kept, except upon order of a court where the inspection of the record is essential to the just
determinationofapendingcase.(27a)
Section27.Publicrecordofaprivatedocument.Anauthorizedpublicrecordofaprivatedocumentmaybeprovedbytheoriginal
record, or by a copy thereof, attested by the legal custodian of the record, with an appropriate certificate that such officer has the
custody.(28a)
Section28.Proofoflackofrecord.Awrittenstatementsignedbyanofficerhavingthecustodyofanofficialrecordorbyhisdeputy
thatafterdiligentsearchnorecordorentryofaspecifiedtenorisfoundtoexistintherecordsofhisoffice,accompaniedbyacertificate
asaboveprovided,isadmissibleasevidencethattherecordsofhisofficecontainnosuchrecordorentry.(29)
Section29.Howjudicialrecordimpeached.Anyjudicialrecordmaybeimpeachedbyevidenceof:(a)wantofjurisdictioninthecourt
orjudicialofficer,(b)collusionbetweentheparties,or(c)fraudinthepartyofferingtherecord,inrespecttotheproceedings.(30a)
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Section30.Proofofnotarialdocuments.Every instrument duly acknowledged or proved and certified as provided by law, may be
presented in evidence without further proof, the certificate of acknowledgment being prima facie evidence of the execution of the
instrumentordocumentinvolved.(31a)
Section31.Alterationindocument,howtoexplain.Thepartyproducingadocumentasgenuinewhichhasbeenalteredandappears
tohavebeenalteredafteritsexecution,inapartmaterialtothequestionindispute,mustaccountforthealteration.Hemayshowthat
thealterationwasmadebyanother,withouthisconcurrence,orwasmadewiththeconsentofthepartiesaffectedbyit,orwasotherwise
properly or innocent made, or that the alteration did not change the meaning or language of the instrument. If he fails to do that, the
documentshallnotbeadmissibleinevidence.(32a)
Section32.Seal.There shall be no difference between sealed and unsealed private documents insofar as their admissibility as
evidenceisconcerned.(33a)
Section33.Documentaryevidenceinanunofficiallanguage.Documentswritteninanunofficiallanguageshallnotbeadmittedas
evidence,unlessaccompaniedwithatranslationintoEnglishorFilipino.Toavoidinterruptionofproceedings,partiesortheirattorneys
aredirectedtohavesuchtranslationpreparedbeforetrial.(34a)
C.OFFERANDOBJECTION
Section34.Offerofevidence.Thecourtshallconsidernoevidencewhichhasnotbeenformallyoffered.Thepurposeforwhichthe
evidenceisofferedmustbespecified.(35)
Section35.Whentomakeoffer.Asregardsthetestimonyofawitness,theoffermustbemadeatthetimethewitnessiscalledto
testify.
Documentaryandobjectevidenceshallbeofferedafterthepresentationofaparty'stestimonialevidence.Suchoffershallbedoneorally
unlessallowedbythecourttobedoneinwriting.(n)
Section36.Objection.Objectiontoevidenceofferedorallymustbemadeimmediatelyaftertheofferismade.
Objectiontoaquestionpropoundedinthecourseoftheoralexaminationofawitnessshallbemadeassoonasthegroundstherefor
shallbecomereasonablyapparent.
An offer of evidence in writing shall be objected to within three (3) days after notice of the unless a different period is allowed by the
court.
Inanycase,thegroundsfortheobjectionsmustbespecified.(36a)
Section37.Whenrepetitionofobjectionunnecessary.Whenitbecomesreasonablyapparentinthecourseoftheexaminationofa
witnessthatthequestionbeingpropoundedareofthesameclassasthosetowhichobjectionhasbeenmade,whethersuchobjection
was sustained or overruled, it shall not be necessary to repeat the objection, it being sufficient for the adverse party to record his
continuingobjectiontosuchclassofquestions.(37a)
Section38.Ruling.Therulingofthecourtmustbegivenimmediatelyaftertheobjectionismade,unlessthecourtdesirestotakea
reasonabletimetoinformitselfonthequestionpresentedbuttherulingshallalwaysbemadeduringthetrialandatsuchtimeaswill
givethepartyagainstwhomitismadeanopportunitytomeetthesituationpresentedbytheruling.
Thereasonforsustainingoroverrulinganobjectionneednotbestated.However,iftheobjectionisbasedontwoormoregrounds,a
rulingsustainingtheobjectionononeorsomeofthemmustspecifythegroundorgroundsreliedupon.(38a)
Section39.Strikingoutanswer.Shouldawitnessanswerthequestionbeforetheadversepartyhadtheopportunitytovoicefullyits
objectiontothesame,andsuchobjectionisfoundtobemeritorious,thecourtshallsustaintheobjectionandordertheanswergivento
bestrickenofftherecord.
Onpropermotion,thecourtmayalsoorderthestrikingoutofanswerswhichareincompetent,irrelevant,orotherwiseimproper.(n)
Section40.Tenderofexcludedevidence.Ifdocumentsorthingsofferedinevidenceareexcludedbythecourt,theofferormayhave
thesameattachedtoormadepartoftherecord.Iftheevidenceexcludedisoral,theofferormaystatefortherecordthenameandother
personalcircumstancesofthewitnessandthesubstanceoftheproposedtestimony.(n)

RULE133
WeightandSufficiencyofEvidence
Section1.Preponderanceofevidence,howdetermined.Incivilcases,thepartyhavingburdenofproofmustestablishhiscasebya
preponderance of evidence. In determining where the preponderance or superior weight of evidence on the issues involved lies, the
courtmayconsiderallthefactsandcircumstancesofthecase,thewitnesses'manneroftestifying,theirintelligence,theirmeansand
opportunityofknowingthefactstowhichtherearetestifying,thenatureofthefactstowhichtheytestify,theprobabilityorimprobability
oftheirtestimony,theirinterestorwantofinterest,andalsotheirpersonalcredibilitysofarasthesamemaylegitimatelyappearuponthe
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trial.Thecourtmayalsoconsiderthenumberofwitnesses,thoughthepreponderanceisnotnecessarilywiththegreaternumber.(1a)
Section2.Proofbeyondreasonabledoubt.Inacriminalcase,theaccusedisentitledtoanacquittal,unlesshisguiltisshownbeyond
reasonable doubt. Proof beyond reasonable doubt does not mean such a degree of proof, excluding possibility of error, produces
absolutecertainly.Moralcertainlyonlyisrequired,orthatdegreeofproofwhichproducesconvictioninanunprejudicedmind.(2a)
Section3.Extrajudicialconfession,notsufficientgroundforconviction.Anextrajudicialconfessionmadebyanaccused,shallnotbe
sufficientgroundforconviction,unlesscorroboratedbyevidenceofcorpusdelicti.(3)
Section4.Circumstantialevidence,whensufficient.Circumstantialevidenceissufficientforconvictionif:
(a)Thereismorethanonecircumstances
(b)Thefactsfromwhichtheinferencesarederivedareprovenand
(c)Thecombinationofallthecircumstancesissuchastoproduceaconvictionbeyondreasonabledoubt.(5)
Section5.Substantialevidence.Incasesfiledbeforeadministrativeorquasijudicialbodies,afactmaybedeemedestablishedifitis
supportedbysubstantialevidence,orthatamountofrelevantevidencewhichareasonablemindmightacceptasadequatetojustifya
conclusion.(n)
Section6.Powerofthecourttostopfurtherevidence.Thecourtmaystoptheintroductionoffurthertestimonyuponanyparticular
point when the evidence upon it is already so full that more witnesses to the same point cannot be reasonably expected to be
additionallypersuasive.Butthispowershouldbeexercisedwithcaution.(6)
Section7.Evidenceonmotion.Whenamotionisbasedonfactsnotappearingofrecordthecourtmayhearthematteronaffidavits
ordepositionspresentedbytherespectiveparties,butthecourtmaydirectthatthematterbeheardwhollyorpartlyonoraltestimonyor
depositions.(7)

RULE1341
PerpetuationofTestimony

Section1.Petition.Apersonwhodesirestoperpetuatehisowntestimonyorthatofanotherpersonregardinganymatterthatmaybe
cognizableinanycourtofthePhilippines,anyfileaverifiedpetitioninthecourtoftheprovinceoftheresidenceofanyexpectedadverse
party.
Section2.Contents of petition.The petition shall be entitled in the name of the petitioner and shall show: (a) that the petitioner
expectstobeapartytoanactioninacourtofthePhilippinesbyispresentlyunabletobringitorcauseittobebrought(b)thesubject
matter of the expected action and his interest therein (c) the facts which he desires to establish by the proposed testimony and his
reasonsfordesiringtoperpetuateit(d)thenamesofadescriptionofthepersonsheexpectswillbeadversepartiesandtheiraddresses
sofarasknownand(e)thenamesandaddressesofthepersonstobeexaminedandthesubstanceofthetestimonywhichheexpects
toelicitfromeach,andshallaskforanorderauthorizingthepetitionertotakethedepositionsofthepersonstobeexaminednamedin
thepetitionforthepurposeofperpetuatingtheirtestimony.
Section3.Noticeandservice.Thepetitionershallthereafterserveanoticeuponeachpersonnamedinthepetitionasanexpected
adverseparty,togetherwithacopyofapetition,statingthatthepetitionerwillapplytothecourt,atatimeandplacenamedtherein,for
theorderdescribedinthepetition.Atleasttwenty(20)daysbeforethedateofhearingthenoticeshallbeservedinthemannerprovided
forserviceofsummons.
Section4.Order of examination. If the court is satisfied that the perpetuation of the testimony may prevent a failure or delay of
justice,itshallmakeanorderdesignatingordescribingthepersonswhosedepositionmaybetakenandspecifyingthesubjectmatterof
theexamination,andwhetherthedepositionsshallbetakenuponoralexaminationorwritteninterrogatories.Thedepositionsmaythen
betakeninaccordancewithRule24beforethehearing.
Section5.Referencetocourt.ForthepurposeofapplyingRule24todepositionsforperpetuatingtestimony,eachreferencetherein
tothecourtinwhichtheactionispendingshallbedeemedtorefertothecourtinwhichthepetitionforsuchdepositionwasfiled.
Section6.Useofdeposition.Ifadepositiontoperpetuatetestimonyistakenunderthisrule,orif,althoughnotsotaken,itwouldbe
admissible in evidence, it may be used in any action involving the same subject matter subsequently brought in accordance with the
provisionsofSections4and5ofRule24.
Section7.Depositionspendingappeal.IfanappealhasbeentakenfromajudgmentoftheRegionalTrialCourtorbeforethetaking
ofanappealifthetimethereforhasnotexpired,theRegionalTrialCourtinwhichthejudgmentwasrenderedmayallowthetakingof
depositionsofwitnessestoperpetuatetheirtestimonyforuseintheeventoffurtherproceedingsinthesaidcourt.Insuchcasetheparty
whodesirestoperpetuatethetestimonymaymakeamotioninthesaidRegionalTrialCourtforleavetotakethedepositions,uponthe
same notice and service thereof as if the action was pending therein. The motion shall show (a) the name and the addresses of the
personstobeexaminedandthesubstanceofthetestimonywhichheexpectstoelicitfromeachand(b)thereasonforperpetuating
theirtestimony.Ifthecourtfindsthattheperpetuationofthetestimonyispropertoavoidafailureordelayofjustice,itmaymakean
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orderallowingthedepositionstobetaken,andthereuponthedepositionsmaybetakenandusedinthesamemannerandunderthe
sameconditionsasareprescribedintheserulesfordepositionstakeninactionspendingintheRegionalTrialCourt.(7a)
Footnote
ThisrulewillbetransposedtoPart1oftheRulesofCourtonDepositionandDiscovery.
TheLawphilProjectArellanoLawFoundation

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