Rule 118 PRE-TRIAL SECTION 1. Pre-trial; mandatory in criminal cases . In all criminal cases cognizable b !

!"e San#iganba an$ Regional Trial Cour!$ %e!ro&oli!an Trial Cour!$ %unici&al Trial Cour! in Ci!ies$ %unici&al Trial Cour! an# %unici&al Circui! Trial Cour!$ !"e cour! s"all$ a'!er arraignmen! an# (i!"in !"ir! )*+, #a s 'rom !"e #a!e !"e cour! ac-uires .uris#ic!ion o/er !"e &erson o' !"e accuse#$ unless a s"or!er &erio# is &ro/i#e# 'or in s&ecial la(s or circulars o' !"e Su&reme Cour!$ or#er a &re-!rial con'erence !o consi#er !"e 'ollo(ing0 )a, &lea bargaining1 )b, s!i&ula!ion o' 'ac!s1 )c, mar2ing 'or i#en!i'ica!ion o' e/i#ence o' !"e &ar!ies1 )#, (ai/er o' ob.ec!ions !o a#missibili! o' e/i#ence1 )e, mo#i'ica!ion o' !"e or#er o' !rial i' !"e accuse# a#mi!s !"e c"arge bu! in!er&oses a la('ul #e'ense1 an# )', suc" ma!!ers as (ill &romo!e a 'air an# e3&e#i!ious !rial o' !"e criminal an# ci/il as&ec!s o' !"e case. )secs. 4 an# *$ cir. *8-58, One thing you have to remember, pre-trial in criminal cases is now MANDATORY as compared to the !"# rules$ %n the prior rules, &i' the accused and his lawyer will agree$( Ngayon parang civil case na rin ) mandatory in all cases cogni*able by the +andiganbayan, RT,, MT,, etc$ a'ter arraignment and within -. days 'rom the date the court ac/uires 0urisdiction over the person o' the accused$ That is why there was a bar /uestion be'ore ) how do you distinguish a pre-trial in a criminal case 'rom a pre-trial in a civil case1 And one o' the answers there is that pre-trial in a criminal cases is not mandatory, in civil case it is mandatory$ 2ut now, wala na yan$ 3alitan mo na yan$ That answer is obsolete because o' this amendment$ You must always see to it that the answers are valid under the new law$ Do not stic4 to answers given by the 53 6aw ,enter ) tama man yon at that time$ 2ut now they are changed$ [A] PLEA BARGAINING 3lea 2argaining$ That is +ection 7 o' Rule 8 is all about ) yung tawaran tayo, plea o' a lesser o''ense with the consent o' the prosecutor and the o''ended party$ Now, there is only one 9:,93T%ON; plea bargaining seems to be prohibited under the Dangerous Drugs Act, +ection 7.-A ) when you are charged with the violation o' the Dangerous Drugs Act and the imposable penalty is reclusion perpetua to death ) no plea bargaining< 2awal< [B] STIP LATI!N !" "A#TS ) meaning, i' we can agree on certain 'acts, so that during the trial we do not have to prove them anymore$ [#] $AR%ING "!R I&ENTI"I#ATI!N !" E'I&EN#E !" T(E PARTIES ) showing o' the evidence already so that during the trial, they can easily be identi'ied$ [&] *AI'ER !" !B+E#TI!NS T! A&$ISSIBILIT, !" E'I&EN#E ) we will agree be'orehand whether the evidence is admissible or not$ [E] $!&I"I#ATI!N !" T(E !R&ER !" TRIAL I" T(E A## SE& A&$ITS T(E #(ARGE B T INTERP!SES A LA*" L &E"ENSE

3aragraph =e> is new ) Modi'ication o' the order o' trial i' the accused admits the charge but interposes a law'ul de'ense$ Meaning, & I am accused o- .omicide/ I admit I 0illed .im 1ut I acted in sel--de-ense/2 ?anun ba1 3alitan natin, mauna 4a$ The prosecution will not present evidence ahead because anyway you admitted i4aw ang pumatay$ This is what we call trial in re3erse$ This is because in relation to +ection =e>, Rule !;

)e, 6"en !"e accuse# a#mi!s !"e ac! or omission c"arge# in !"e com&lain! or in'orma!ion bu! in!er&oses a la('ul #e'ense$ !"e or#er o' !rial ma be mo#i'ie#. ["] S #( $ATTERS AS *ILL PR!$!TE A "AIR AN& E4PE&ITI! S TRIAL !" T(E #RI$INAL AN& #I'IL ASPE#TS !" T(E #ASE/ @; ,an we discuss in a pre-trial o' a criminal case settlement or compromise1 A; Yes ) sa civil aspect lang because we 4now the rule that compromise in the criminal aspect is not allowed$ 2ut i' we tal4 about how to promote a 'air and eApeditious trial o' the criminal aspect, ah puwede yan$ Anyway it has nothing to do with areglo$ +9,$ 7$ Pre-trial a5reement. All agreemen!s or a#missions ma#e or en!ere# #uring !"e &re-!rial con'erence s"all be re#uce# in (ri!ing an# signe# b !"e accuse# an# counsel$ o!"er(ise$ !"e canno! be use# agains! !"e accuse#. T"e agreemen!s co/ering !"e ma!!ers re'erre# !o in sec!ion 1 o' !"is Rule s"all be a&&ro/e# b !"e cour!. )sec. 7 cir. *8-58, Ta4e note, pre-trial agreements or admissions made or entered into the pre-trial con'erence must be in writing and signed by the accused and his counsel, otherwise, they cannot be used against the accused$ There is no such provision in civil procedure to that e''ect$ @; Now, is this re/uirement mandatory1 A; Y9+$ 89LE 3s/ CO9RT O8 APPEALS 1:4 SCRA 77: 8ACTS; There were some stipulations made during the trial; %s this your chec41 6,es7 t.at is my c.ec0/2 Did you issue it to the complainant1 6A. yes ) admitted82 You 4new it was not 'unded1 6,es7 I 0no982 That the chec4 bounced1 6,es ) admitted82 ?anun1 OB, convicted 4a< ;EL<; The conviction is not valid because the accused did not sign his admissions$ Do not con'use the case o' "ule with the case o' PEOPLE 3s/ ;ERNAN<E= 4:+ SCRA 4>, Culy -., !!8 ISS9E; Are the agreements or stipulations made during the trial Dnot pre-trialE without being signed by the party binding on the accused1 ;EL<; Y9+ because iba ang rules sa trial compared sa pre-trial$ %' the lawyer ma4es an admissions during the trial we 'ollow the general rule ) you are bound$ The lawyer represents the client$ There is no need 'or the client to agree or sign anything$

&An attorney who is employed to manage a partyFs conduct o' a lawsuit has prima -acie authority to ma4e relevant admissions by pleadings, by oral or written stipulation, which unless allowed to be withdrawn are conclusive$ %n 'act, 0udicial admissions are 're/uently those o' counsel or o' the attorney o' record, who is, 'or the purpose o' the trial, the agent o' his client$ Ghen such admissions are made 'or the purpose o' dispensing with proo' o' some 'act, they bind the client, whether made during, or even a'ter, the trial$H &The 'oregoing 'ind basis in the general rule that a client bound by the acts o' his counsel who represents him$ Ior all intents and purposes, the acts o' a lawyer in the de'ense o' a case are the acts o' his client$( The last sentence is new; 6T.e a5reements co3erin5 t.e matters re-erred to in section : ot.is Rule s.all 1e appro3ed 1y t.e court/2 SEC. *. Non-appearance at pre-trial con-erence. I' !"e counsel 'or !"e accuse# or !"e &rosecu!or #oes no! a&&ear a! !"e &re-!rial con'erence an# #oes no! o''er an acce&!able e3cuse 'or "is lac2 o' coo&era!ion$ !"e cour! ma im&ose &ro&er sanc!ions or &enal!ies. )sec. >$ cir. *8-58, +ection -, bago rin ito$ Jere, it is not the party who is penali*ed, but the lawyer ) i' the counsel o' the accused or the prosecutor does not appear in the pre-trial con'erence and there is no o''er$ SEC. 7. Pre-trial order. A'!er !"e &re-!rial con'erence$ !"e cour! s"all issue an or#er reci!ing !"e ac!ions !a2en$ !"e 'ac!s s!i&ula!e#$ an# e/i#ence mar2e#. Suc" or#er s"all bin# !"e &ar!ies$ limi! !"e !rial !o ma!!ers no! #is&ose# o'$ an# con!rol !"e course ' !"e ac!ion #uring !"e !rial$ unless mo#i'ie# b !"e cour! !o &re/en! mani'es! in.us!ice. )*, +o a'ter the trial, the court will issue a pre-trial order where it will summari*e what matter had been agreed uponK what are the issuesK the elements that had been establishedK 'acts stipulatedK and eAhibits that had been mar4ed$ Now, be'ore we leave this rule, please review the provisions on Batarungang 3ambarangay 6aw on the provisions o' conciliation in the barangay o' criminal cases ) penalty not more than one year$ MANDATORY man yan ba< %n other words, that is one way o' saying indirectly, compromise in criminal cases is now allowed$ That is an instance where an o''er o' a compromise in a criminal case is not an implied admission o' guilt$ [T.e -ollo9in5 discussions on t.e %atarun5an5 Pam1aran55ay are ta0en in :;;< #riminal Procedure Transcription=] %n connection with Rule ", you must be aware o' another law which is closely related to the sub0ect matter o' 3re-Trial$ Ghat we will discuss is the Batarungang 3ambarangay 6aw which is applicable to both criminal and civil cases$ This law used to be 3D #." which was already repealed$ The new law on Batarungang 3ambaranggay is 'rom +ection -!! to +ection L77 o' the 6ocal ?overnment ,ode o' !! =R$A$ M 8.> which too4 e''ect last Canuary , !!7$ 5nder this law, you cannot 'ile the case directly in court or with the 'iscalNs o''ice without 'irst trying to settle things with the 6upong Tagapamayapa which is headed by the 2arangay ,aptain$ %' thee case is not settled at this level, that is the time the 2arangay ,aptain would say, &Ge will bring this matter to court$( The law applies only to the 'ollowing instances;

1) Ghen the case is between natural personsK Ddoes not apply to corporations and the li4eE 2) 3) Ghen the o''ended party and the accused reside in the same city or municipalityK Dnot necessarily in the same barangayE E>ample; 2 is 'rom 2unawan and he sued T who is 'rom Toril$ The barangays are 'rom one end to the other$ %s there are need 'or 2 to comply with the 2arangay 6aw1 Y9+ because they are o' the same city, and under the law, the venue is the residence o' the respondent or accused$ 3) Ghen the crime is punishable by imprisonment NOT 9:,99D%N? ON9 Y9AR or 'ine ot eAceeding 3#,...$ Dcase is cogni*able by the MT,E The Batarungang 3ambarangay does not apply to the 'ollowing cases; 1) Ghere there is no private o''ended party De/5/ illegal possession o' 'irearmsE 2) %n criminal cases where the accused is under police custody or detention DThis is the socalled in/uest, a'ter a valid warrantless arrest$E %n these two latter instances, the case can be 'iled directly in court without going through the conciliation process$ Ghere these rules apply, there must be a certi'ication that you have 'irst tried to settle matters in the barangay$ The +upreme ,ourt has issued a circular on the applicability o' the 2arangay 6aw; Administrative ,ircular No$ L-!- dated Culy #, !!- where the +, laid down all the guidelines 'or the implementation o' the Batarungang 3ambarangay 6aw$ [End o- t.e :;;< transcription/ T.e -ollo9in5 notes are ta0en -rom A Laymen?s Guide To #ourt Procedure7 A (and1oo0 !n La9suits 1y Neomi T/ !li3ares and +ustice +ose ,/ "eria7 pp/<@-<A]= ?ATAR9N@AN@ PA%AARAN@AB %atarun5an5 Pam1aran5ay is the system which promotes and implements t he amicable settlement o' disputes at the 1aran5ay level be'ore resorting to 'iling cases in court or in any other government o''ice$ %t was 'irst established by 3residential Decree #." Dsigned into law on Cune !M", now superseded by sections -!! to L77 o' R$A$ M 8., otherwise 4nown as the Local Go3ernment #ode o- :;;:/B Only individuals actually residing in the same barangay, city or municipality can be parties to the proceedings$ ,orporations, partnerships, and other 0uridical entities are not covered by R$A$ M 8.$ 9ach 1aran5ay constitutes a body 4now as L P!NG TAGAPA$A,APA Dhereina'ter re'erred to as L P!NE which administers the conciliation or arbitration process$ A Lupon is composed o' . to 7. members chosen 'rom the community and is headed by the Baran5ay ,aptain$ Disputes brought be'ore the 6upon are resolved by a conciliation panel 4nown as PANG%AT NG TAGAPAG%AS N&! Dhereina'ter re'erred to as PANG%ATE, consisting o' - members chosen by agreement between the disputing parties 'rom the list o' the membership o' the L P!N$ %n all proceedings, parties appear in person without the assistance o' counsel or representative, with the eAception o' minors and physically or mentally handicapped people who may be assisted by their nest o' 4in Dwho are not lawyersE$ Re'usal or will'ul 'ailure to appear in compliance with the barangay summons may result in 1arrin5; The complainant 'rom see4ing recourse in the courts 'or the same cause o' actionK or The respondent 'rom 'iling any counterclaim connected therewith$

3roceedings are public and in'ormal, eAcept 'or those cases which re/uire the eAclusion o' the public in the interest o' public decency or morals$ CASES NOT S9ACECT TO A%ICAALE SETTLE%ENT AT T;E ?ATAR9N@AN@ PA%AARAN@AB0 1) Ghere one party is the government or a subdivision or instrumentality thereo'K 2) Ghere one party is a public o''icer or employee, and the dispute relates to the per'ormance o' his o''icial 'unctionK 3) O''enses punishable by imprisonment eAceeding one year or a 'ine eAceeding 3h3 #,...K 4) O''enses where there is no private o''ended party$ <ISP9TES L9PON NOT CODERE< AB T;E A9T;ORITB O8 T;E

1) Those involving parties who reside in 1aran5ays o' di''erent cities or municipalities unless their 1aran5ays are ad0oining$ 2) Those involving real property located in di''erent cities or municipalities$ %n both cases, the parties may agree to submit their di''erences 'or amicable settlement by an appropriate Lupon$ ,onciliation proceedings at the barangay level are a &re-con#i!ion to 'iling an action in court or a government o''ice$ Non-compliance with this re/uisite may result in the dismissal o' the complaint$ PARTIES %AB 8ORE@O T;E AARAN@AB CONCILIATION PROCESS AN< @O <IRECTLB TO T;E CO9RT 6;EN0 1) The accused is under detention$ 2) (a1eas corpus proceedings are called 'or$ 3) Actions are accompanied by provisional remedies such as preliminary in0unction, attachment, delivery o' personal property, etc$ 4) 6egal action is barred by the +tatute o' 6imitations Dthe law that bars the institution o' an action a'ter the lapse o' a prescribed period$E OO end OO Cul 1>$ 155* A<%INISTRATIDE CIRC9LAR NO. 17-5* Sub.ec! 0 @ui#elines on !"e ?a!arungang Pambaranga concilia!ion &roce#ure !o &re/en! circum/en!ion o' !"e Re/ise# ?a!arungang Pambaranga La( )Sec!ions *55-744$ c"a&!er DII$ Ti!le I$ Aoo2 III$ R.A. E1:+$ o!"er(ise 2no(n as !"e Local @o/ernmen! Co#e o' 1551,. To 0 All Regional Trial Cour!s$ %e!ro&oli!an Trial Cour!s$ %unici&al Trial Cour!s an# %unici&al Circui! Trial Cour!s T"e Re/ise# ?a!arungang Pambaranga La( un#er R.A. E1:+$ o!"er(ise 2no(n as !"e Local @o/ernmen! Co#e o' 1551$ e''ec!i/e on Canuar 1$ 1554$ an# ("ic" re&eale# P.<. 1>+8$ in!ro#uce# subs!an!ial c"anges no! onl in !"e au!"ori! gran!e# !o !"e Lu&on Taga&ama a&a bu!

also in !"e &roce#ure !o be obser/e# in !"e se!!lemen! o' #is&u!es (i!"in !"e au!"ori! o' !"e Lu&on. c# i In or#er !"a! !"e lau#able &ur&ose o' !"e la( ma no! sub/er!e# an# i!s e''ec!i/eness un#ermine# b in#iscrimina!e$ im&ro&er an#For &rema!ure issuance o' cer!i'ica!ions !o 'ile ac!ions in cour! b !"e Lu&on or Pang2a! Secre!aries$ a!!es!e# b !"e Lu&onFPang2a! C"airmen$ res&ec!i/el $ !"e 'ollo(ing gui#elines are "ereb issue# 'or !"e in'orma!ion o' !rial cour! .u#ges in cases broug"! be'ore !"em coming 'rom !"e Aaranga s0 I. All #is&u!es are sub.ec! !o Aaranga concilia!ion &ursuan! !o !"e Re/ise# ?a!arungang Pambaranga La( )'ormerl P.<. 1>+8$ re&eale# an# no( re&lace# b Secs. *55-744$ C"a&!er DII$ Ti!le I$ Aoo2 III$ an# Sec. >1>$ Ti!le I$ Aoo2 ID$ R.A. E1:+$ o!"er(ise 2no(n as !"e Local @o/ernmen! Co#e o' 1551,$ an# &rior recourse !"ere!o is a &re-con#i!ion be'ore 'iling a com&lain! in cour! or an go/ernmen! o''ices$ EGCEPT in !"e 'ollo(ing #is&u!es0 1. 2. 3. 6"ere one &ar! is !"e go/ernmen!$ or an sub#i/ision or ins!rumen!ali! !"ereo'1 6"ere one &ar! is a &ublic o''icer or em&lo ee$ an# !"e #is&u!e rela!es !o !"e &er'ormance o' "is o''icial 'unc!ions1 6"ere !"e #is&u!e in/ol/es real &ro&er!ies loca!e# in #i''eren! ci!ies an# munici&ali!ies$ unless !"e &ar!ies !"ere!o agree !o submi! !"eir #i''erence !o amicable se!!lemen! b an a&&ro&ria!e Lu&on1 An com&lain! b or agains! cor&ora!ions$ &ar!ners"i&s or .uri#ical en!i!ies$ since onl in#i/i#uals s"all be &ar!ies !o Aaranga concilia!ion &rocee#ings ei!"er as com&lainan!s or res&on#en!s )Sec. 1$ Rule DI$ ?a!arungang Pambaranga Rules,1 NOT9; Only natural persons can undergo barangay conciliation$

4.

<is&u!es in/ol/ing &ar!ies ("o ac!uall resi#e in baranga s o' #i''eren! ci!ies or munici&ali!ies$ e3ce&! ("ere suc" baranga uni!s a#.oin eac" o!"er an# !"e &ar!ies !"ere!o agree !o submi! !"eir #i''erences !o amicable se!!lemen! b an a&&ro&ria!e Lu&on1 6. O''enses 'or ("ic" !"e la( &rescribes a ma3imum &enal! o' im&risonmen! e3cee#ing one )1, ear or a 'ine o/er 'i/e !"ousan# &esos )P>$+++.++,1 7. O''enses ("ere !"ere is no &ri/a!e o''en#e# &ar! 1 8. <is&u!es ("ere urgen! legal ac!ion is necessar !o &re/en! in.us!ice 'rom being commi!!e# or 'ur!"er con!inue#$ s&eci'icall !"e 'ollo(ing0 NOT9; &5rgently$( A good eAample in civil action is where the action is coupled with a provisional remedy such as preliminary in0unction, attachment, replevin or support$ Or, actions which may be barred by the statute o' limitations$ 5. a) Criminal cases ("ere accuse# is un#er &olice cus!o# or #e!en!ion )See Sec. 714 )b,)1,$ Re/ise# ?a!arungang Pambaranga La(,1 b) Pe!i!ions 'or "abeas cor&us b a &erson illegall #e&ri/e# o' "is rig"!'ul cus!o# o/er ano!"er or a &erson illegall #e&ri/e# o' "is liber! or one ac!ing in "is be"al'1

c) Ac!ions cou&le# (i!" &ro/isional reme#ies suc" as &reliminar in.unc!ion$ a!!ac"men!$ #eli/er o' &ersonal &ro&er! an# su&&or! #uring !"e &en#enc o' !"e ac!ion1 an# d) Ac!ions ("ic" ma be barre# b !"e S!a!u!e o' Limi!a!ions. An class o' #is&u!es ("ic" !"e Presi#en! ma #e!ermine in !"e in!eres! o' .us!ice or u&on !"e recommen#a!ion o' !"e Secre!ar o' Cus!ice1 10. 6"ere !"e #is&u!e arises 'rom !"e Com&re"ensi/e Agrarian Re'orm La( )CARL, )Secs. 7: H 7E$ R.A. ::>E,1 11. Labor #is&u!es or con!ro/ersies arising 'rom em&lo erem&lo ee rela!ions )%on!o a /s. Esca o$ e! al.$ 1E1 SCRA 7741 Ar!. 44:$ Labor Co#e$ as amen#e#$ ("ic" gran!s original an# e3clusi/e .uris#ic!ion o/er concilia!ion an# me#ia!ion o' #is&u!es$ grie/ances or &roblems !o cer!ain o''ices o' !"e <e&ar!men! o' Labor an# Em&lo men!,1 NOT9; %n the case o' Montoya 3s$ 9scayo D M +,RA LL7E, the conciliation there is in the Department o' 6abor$ 9. 12. Ac!ions !o annul .u#gmen! u&on a com&romise$ ("ic" ma be 'ile# #irec!l in cour! )See Sanc"ez /s. Tu&az$ 1>8 SCRA 7>5,. II. 9n#er !"e &ro/isions o' R.A. E1:+ on ?a!arungang Pambaranga concilia!ion$ as im&lemen!e# b !"e ?a!arungang Pambaranga Rules an# Regula!ions &romulga!e# b !"e Secre!ar o' Cus!ice$ !"e cer!i'ica!ion 'or 'iling a com&lain! in cour! or an go/ernmen! o''ice s"all be issue# b Aaranga au!"ori!ies onl u&on com&liance (i!" !"e 'ollo(ing re-uiremen!s0 aisa #c 1) Issue# b !"e Lu&on Secre!ar an# a!!es!e# b !"e Lu&on C"airman )Punong Aaranga ,$ cer!i' ing !"a! a con'ron!a!ion o' !"e &ar!ies "as !a2en &lace an# !"a! a concilia!ion or se!!lemen! "as been reac"e#$ bu! !"e same "as been subse-uen!l re&u#ia!e# )Sec. 714$ Re/ise# ?a!arungang Pambaranga La(1 Sec. 4I"J$ Rule III$ ?a!arungang Pambaranga Rules,1 Issue# b !"e Pang2a! Secre!ar an# a!!es!e# b !"e Pang2a! C"airman$ cer!i' ing !"a!0 a. a con'ron!a!ion o' !"e &ar!ies !oo2 &lace bu! no concilia!ionFse!!lemen! "as been reac"e# )Sec. 7I'J$ Rule III$ ?a!arungang Pambaranga Rules1 or b. !"a! no &ersonal con'ron!a!ion !oo2 &lace be'ore !"e Pang2a! !"roug" no 'aul! o' !"e com&lainan! )Sec. 7I'J$ Rule III$ ?a!arungang Pambaranga Rules,. 3) Issue# b !"e Punong Aaranga $ as re-ues!e# b !"e &ro&er &ar! on !"e groun# o' 'ailure o' se!!lemen! ("ere !"e #is&u!e in/ol/es members o' !"e same in#igenous cul!ural communi! $ ("ic" s"all be se!!le# in accor#ance (i!" !"e cus!oms an# !ra#i!ions o' !"a! &ar!icular cul!ural communi! $ or ("ere one or more o' !"e &ar!ies !o !"e a'oresai# #is&u!e belong !o !"e minori! an# !"e &ar!ies mu!uall agree# !o submi! !"eir #is&u!e !o !"e in#igenous s s!em o' amicable se!!lemen!$ an#

2)

4)

!"ere "as been no se!!lemen! as cer!i'ie# b !"e #a!u or !ribal lea#er or el#er !o !"e Punong Aaranga o' !"e &lace o' se!!lemen! )Secs. 1$ 7$ H >$ Rule IG$ ?a!arungang Pambaranga Rules,1 an# I' me#ia!ion or concilia!ion e''or!s be'ore !"e Punong Aaranga &ro/e# unsuccess'ul$ !"ere "a/ing been no agreemen! !o arbi!ra!e )Sec. 71+ IbJ$ Re/ise# Rule ?a!arungang Pambaranga La 1 Sec. 1$ c$ )1,$ Rule III$ ?a!arungang Pambaranga Rules,$ or ("ere !"e res&on#en! 'ails !o a&&ear a! !"e me#ia!ion &rocee#ing be'ore !"e Punong Aaranga )*r# &ar. Sec. 8$ a$ Rule DI$ ?a!arungang Pambaranga Rules,$ !"e Punong Aaranga s"all no! cause !"e issuance o' !"is s!age o' a cer!i'ica!ion !o 'ile ac!ion$ because i! is no( man#a!or 'or "im !o cons!i!u!e !"e Pang2a! be'ore ("om me#ia!ion$ concilia!ion$ or arbi!ra!ion &rocee#ings s"all be "el#.

III. All com&lain!s an#For in'orma!ions 'ile# or ra''le# !o our salaFbranc" o' !"e Regional Trial Cour!$ %e!ro&oli!an Trial Cour! or %unici&al Trial Cour! s"all be care'ull rea# an# scru!inize# !o #e!ermine i' !"ere "as been com&liance (i!" &rior Aaranga concilia!ion &roce#ure un#er !"e Re/ise# ?a!arungang Pambaranga La( an# i!s Im&lemen!ing Rules an# Regula!ions$ as a &re-con#i!ion !o .u#icial ac!ion$ &ar!icularl ("e!"er !"e cer!i'ica!ion !o 'ile ac!ion a!!ac"e# !o !"e recor#s o' !"e case com&l (i!" !"e re-uiremen!s "ereinabo/e enumera!e# in &ar. II1 ID. A case 'ile# in cour! (i!"ou! com&liance (i!" &rior Aaranga concilia!ion ("ic" is a &re-con#i!ion 'or 'ormal a#.u#ica!ion )Sec. 714IaJ o' !"e Re/ise# ?a!arungang Pambaranga La(, 1) ma be #ismisse# u&on mo!ion o' #e'en#an!Fs$ no! 'or lac2 o' .uris#ic!ion o' !"e cour! bu! 'or 'ailure !o s!a!e a cause o' ac!ion or &rema!uri! )Ro ales /s. IAC$ 14E SCRA 7E+1 @onzales /s. CA$ 1>1 SCRA 485,$ or !"e cour! ma sus&en# &rocee#ings u&on &e!i!ion o' an &ar! un#er Sec. 1$ Rule 41 o' !"e Rules o' Cour!1 an# re'er !"e case mo!u &ro&io !o !"e a&&ro&ria!e Aaranga au!"ori! $ a&&l ing b analog Sec. 7+8IgJ$ 4n# &ar.$ o' !"e Re/ise# ?a!arungang Pambaranga La( ("ic" rea#s as 'ollo(s0 KT"e Cour! in ("ic" non-criminal cases no! 'alling (i!"in !"e au!"ori! o' !"e Lu&on un#er !"is Co#e are 'ile# ma a! an !ime be'ore !rial$ mo!u &ro&rio re'er !"e case !o !"e Lu&on concerne# 'or amicable se!!lemen!.

2)

S!ric! obser/ance o' !"ese gui#elines is en.oine#. T"is A#minis!ra!i/e Circular s"all be e''ec!i/e imme#ia!el . %anila$ P"ili&&ines. Cul 1>$ 155*. )Sg#., AN<RES NARDASA Chief Justice R.