1.

CLASS SUITS

RULE 3, Sec. 12: Class suit. — When the subject matter of the controversy is one of common or general
interest to many persons so numerous that it is impracticable to join all as parties, a number of them
which the court finds to be sufficiently numerous and representative as to fully protect the interests of
all concerned may sue or defend for the benefit of all. Any party in interest shall have the right to
intervene to protect his individual interest.

The purpose of a class suit is to obtain relief for or against a large number of persons as a group or integral
entity and not as individuals with rights and liabilities separate from each other. These are the requisites:

1.) Many persons have a general or common interest in the subject matter of the case

2.) The persons are so numerous that it's not practical to join them all as parties

3.) The parties actually appearing before the court are sufficiently numerous and represented that their
interests are fully protected

The subject matter must refer to the physical facts, property, money, etc.; it doesn't refer to the crime or
act of the defendant. It also can't be used to recover real property from several persons occupying
different portions of it (Sulo ng Bayan vs. Araneta, 72 SCRA 347.) However, it can refer to the wrongful
act, property or contract directly involved in the suit "concerning which the wrong has been done and
with respect to which the controversy has arisen." (Meralco vs. Philippine Consumers Foundation, 374
SCRA 262.) In other words, it can refer to the bad act that caused the damage.

In a class suit, there is a single right of action pertaining to numerous persons. In a permissive joinder or
persons, on the other hand, there are multiple rights that belong to several distinct persons that cam from
the same transaction/s and that there are common questions of law and fact that came out of the
transaction/s.

Some Examples:

A large group of stockholders filing suit against a corporation for an illegal act can qualify as a class suit
(Pascual vs. Orozco, 64 Phil 697.)

A suit filed on behalf of plantation laborers against sugar planters and sugar central to enforce laborer's
rights under RA 809 (the Sugar Act of 1952.)

There can be other causes, provided all 3 requisites are present.

(Retrieved from http://philcritic.blogspot.com/2012/01/class-suits.html)

2. Intervention

Rule 19, Section 1: Who may intervene. — A person who has a legal interest in the matter in litigation,
or in the success of either of the parties, or an interest against both, or is so situated as to be adversely
affected by a distribution or other disposition of property in the custody of the court or of an officer
thereof may, with leave of court, be allowed to intervene in the action. The court shall consider whether
or not the intervention will unduly delay or prejudice the adjudication of the rights of the original
parties, and whether or not the intervenor's rights may be fully protected in a separate proceeding.
Section 2. Time to intervene. — The motion to intervene may be filed at any time before rendition of
judgment by the trial court. A copy of the pleading-in-intervention shall be attached to the motion and
served on the original parties.

Intervention is a proceeding in a suit or action by which a third person is permitted by the court to make
himself a party, either joining plaintiff in claiming what is sought by the complaint, or uniting with
defendant in resisting the claims of plaintiff, or demanding something adversely to both of them; the act
or proceeding by which a third person becomes a party in a suit pending between others; the admission,
by leave of court, of a person not an original party to pending legal proceedings, by which such person
becomes a party thereto for the protection of some right of interest alleged by him to be affected by such
proceedings. (Metropolitan Bank vs. Presiding Judge, G.R. No. 89909 September 21, 1990)

Intervention is a proceeding in a suit or action by which a third person is permitted by the court to make
himself a party, either joining plaintiff in claiming what is sought by the complaint, or uniting with
defendant in resisting the claims of plaintiff, or demanding something adversely to both of them; the act
or proceeding by which a third person becomes a party in a suit pending between others; the admission,
by leave of court, of a person not an original party to pending legal proceedings, by which such person
becomes a party thereto for the protection of some right of interest alleged by him to be affected by such
proceedings. (Metropolitan Bank vs. Presiding Judge, G.R. No. 89909 September 21, 1990)

Is intervention a matter of right? No. It is settled that the right to intervene is not an absolute right; it
may only be permitted by the courts when the movant establishes facts which satisfy the requirements
of the law authorizing it. (Asia's Emerging Dragon Corporation vs. DOTC)

3. Distinctions between Pre-trial in Civil case and Pre-trial in Criminal case

Pre-trial in Civil Cases:

1. It is set when the plaintiff moves ex parte to set the case for pre-trial (Sec. 1, Rule 18).
2. The motion to set the case for pre-trial is made after the last pleading has been served and
filed (Ibid.).
3. It considers the possibility of an amicable settlement as an important objective [Sec 2(a), Rule
118].
4. Requires the proceeding during the preliminary conference to be recorded in the “minutes of
preliminary conference” to be signed by both parties and/or counsel. The rule allows either
the party or his counsel to sign the minutes (A.M. No. 03-1-09-SC).
5. Sanctions for non-appearance in a pre-trial are imposed upon the plaintiff and the defendant
in a civil case (Sec. 4, Rule 18).
6. It is specifically required to be submitted in a civil case (Sec. 6, Rule 18).

Pre-trial in Criminal Cases:

1. It is ordered by the court and no motion to set the case for pre-trial is required from either
the prosecution or the defense (Sec. 1, Rule 118).
2. The pre-trial is ordered by the court after arraignment and within 30 days from the date the
court acquires jurisdiction over the person of the accused (Ibid.).
 3. It does not include the possibility of amicable settlement of criminal liability as one of its
purposes (Ibid.).
4. All agreements or admissions made or entered during the pre-trial conference shall be
reduced in writing and signed by both the accused and counsel, otherwise, they cannot be
used against the accused (Sec. 2, Rule 18).
5. The sanctions in a criminal case are imposed upon the counsel for the accused or the
prosecutor (Sec. 3, Rule 18).
6. It is not specifically required in a criminal case.

4. When defendant dies before entry of judgment.

SEC. 20. Action on contractual money claims. – When the action is for recovery of money arising from
contract, express or implied and the defendant dies before entry of final judgment in the court in which
the action was pending at the time of such death, if shall not be dismissed but shall instead be allowed to
continue until entry of final judgment. A favorable judgment obtained by the plaintiff therein shall be
enforced in the manner especially provided in these Rules for prosecuting claims against the estate of a
deceased person. (21a)

Per Justice JOSE Y. FERIA (Ret.), RULES OF CIVIL PROCEDURE (Rules 1-71, Rules of Court, Effective July 1,
1997, New Provisions, Annotated), Philippine Legal Studies, Series No. 5, 1997, 1997 ed., page s12-13, and
14 – 16, the court shall forthwith order said legal representative to appear and be substituted for the
deceased within (30) days from notice. The legal representative may be the executor or administrator
appointed by the probate court, or, if none, the heirs of the deceased. (Lawas vs. Court of Appeals, 146
SCRA 173).

But if the claim does not arise from contract, express or implied, such as a claim for damages for an injury
to person or property, an ordinary action may be filed against the executor or administrator (Id., citing
Sec. 1 of Rule 87). An action for damages arising from tort or delict may be filed against the executor or
administrator (Id., citing Aguas vs. Llemos, 5 SCRA 959; Boar of Liquidators vs. Kalaw, 20 SCRA 987).

(retrieved from http://attylaserna.blogspot.com/2010/12/death-of-party-when-action-survives.html)

5. Forum Shopping

Forum shopping exists when, as a result of an adverse judgment in one forum, a party seeks
another and possibly favorable judgment in another forum other than by appeal or special civil action for
certiorari. There is also forum shopping when a party institutes two or more actions or proceedings
grounded on the same cause, on the gamble that one or the other court would make a favorable
disposition. (Mun. of Taguig v. CA, G.R. No. 142619, September 13, 2005, 469 SCRA 588; Fels Energy, Inc.
v. The Province of Batangas, et al., G.R. No. 168557, February 16, 2007).

Factor that determines the existence of forum shopping.

An important factor in determining the existence of forum shopping is the vexation caused to the
courts and the parties-litigants by the filing of similar cases to claim substantially the same reliefs. The
rationale against forum shopping is that a party should not be allowed to pursue simultaneous remedies
in two different fora. Filing multiple petitions or complaints constitutes abuse of court processes, which
tends to degrade the administration of justice, wreaks havoc upon orderly judicial procedure, and adds to
the congestion of the heavily burdened dockets of the courts. (Wee v. Galvez, G.R. No. 147394, August
11, 2004, 436 SCRA 96; Fels Energy Inc. v. Province of Batangas, et al., G.R. No. 168557, February 16, 2007).

There is forum shopping when there exist: (a) identity of parties, or at least such parties as
represent the same interests in both actions, (b) identity of rights asserted and relief prayed for, the relief
being founded on the same facts, and (c) the identity of the two preceding particulars is such that any
judgment rendered in the pending case, regardless of which party is successful, would amount to res
judicata in the other. (Fels Energy, Inc. v. The Province of Batangas, et al.).

(Retrieved from https://batasnatin.com/law-library/remedial-law/civil-procedure/171-forum-

shopping.html)

Undertakings of a party under the certification against forum shopping

1. That the party has not commenced or filed any claim involving the same issues in any court,
tribunal, or quasi-judicial agency and, to the best of his knowledge, no such other action or claim
is pending;
2. That if there is such other pending action or claim, a complete statement of the present status
thereof;
3. That if he should therefore learn that the same or similar action or claim has been filed or is
pending, he shall report that fact within five days therefrom to the court wherein his aforesaid
complaint or initiatory pleading has been filed (Sec. 5, Rule 7).

Non-compliance with the rule on certification against forum shopping

It is not curable by mere amendment and shall be a cause for the dismissal of action (Ibid.).

Willful and deliberate forum shopping of the party or his counsel shall be a ground for summary dismissal.
This dismissal is with prejudice and shall constitute direct contempt as well as cause for administrative
sanctions on the part of counsel (Ibid.).

Submission of a false certification

It shall constitute indirect contempt of court, without prejudice to the corresponding administrative and
criminal actions (Ibid.).

Non-compliance with the undertakings

It has the same effect as the submission of false certification. Hence, such failure shall constitute indirect
contempt of court without prejudice to the corresponding administrative and criminal sanctions (Sec. 5,
Rule 7).

Consequence of forum shopping

If the forum shopping is not considered willful and deliberate, the subsequent case shall be dismissed
without prejudice, on the ground of either litis pendentia or res judicata. However, if the forum shopping
is willful and deliberate, both (or all, if there are more than two) actions shall be dismissed with prejudice
(Chua v. Metropolitan Bank & Trust co. G.R. No. 182311, August 19, 2009).
General Rule: The lack of certification against forum shopping is generally not curable by the submission
thereof after the filing of the petition.

Exception: In certain exceptional circumstances, the Court has allowed the belated filing of the
certification. In Loyola v. CA, et al. (245 SCRA 477 [1995]), the Court considered the filing of the
certification one day after the filing of an election protest as substantial compliance with the requirement.
In Roadway Express, Inc. v. CA, et al. (264 SCRA 696 [1996]), the Court allowed the filing of the certification
14 days before the dismissal of the petition. In Uy v. LandBank, supra, the Court had dismissed Uy’s
petition for lack of verification and certification against non-forum shopping. However, it subsequently
reinstated the petition after Uy submitted a motion to admit verification and non-forum shopping
certification. In all these cases, there were special circumstances or compelling reasons that justified the
relaxation of the rule requiring verification and certification on non-forum shopping.

6. Default

A party may be declared in default when he fails to answer within the time allowed therefor, and upon
motion of the claiming party with notice to the defending party, and proof of such failure (Sec.3, Rule 9).

The court has no authority to motu proprio declare the defendant in default. A motion to declare the
defending party must be filed by the claiming party before a declaration of default is made by the court.
The rule is clear, Sec. 3 of Rule 9 provides “upon motion of the claiming party” (Riano, 2011).

EFFECT OF AN ORDER OF DEFAULT

1. The party declared in default loses his standing in court and prevents him from taking part in the
trial [Sec. 3(a), Rule 9];
2. While the defendant can no longer take part in the trial, he is nevertheless entitled to notices of
subsequent proceedings [Sec. 3 (a), Rule 9]. It is submitted that he may participate in the trial, not
as a party but as a witness; and
3. A declaration of default is not an admission of the truth or the validity of the plaintiff’s claims
(Monarch Insurance v. CA, G.R. No. 92735, June 8, 2000)

Pursuant to Rule 9, Section 3, a court may proceed to render judgment as the pleading may warrant should
a defendant fail to timely file his or her answer. However, a court may decline from immediately rendering
judgment and instead require the plaintiff to present evidence. Per Rule 9, Section 3(a), a party declared
to be indefault shall nevertheless be "entitled to notice of subsequent proceedings," although he or she
may no longer take part in the trial.

As explained in Spouses Delos Santos v. Carpio, "there are three requirements which must be complied
with by the claiming party before the court may declare the defending party in default:

(1) the claiming party must file a motion asking the court to declare the defending party in default;

(2) the defending party must be notified of the motion to declare him in default;

(3) the claiming party must prove that the defending party has failed to answer within the period provided
by the Rule." (Benedict vs Ong)
 7. Substituted Service

If service of pleadings, motions, notices, resolutions, orders and other papers cannot be made under the
two preceding sections, the office and place of residence of the party or his counsel being unknown,
service may be made by delivering the copy to the clerk of court, with proof of failure of both personal
service and service by mail (Sec. 8, Rule 13).

In relation to the foregoing, Manotoc v. Court of Appeals19 provides an exhaustive discussion on what
constitutes valid resort to substituted service of summons:

(1) Impossibility of Prompt Personal Service

The party relying on substituted service or the sheriff must show that defendant cannot be served
promptly or there is impossibility of prompt service. Section 8, Rule 14 provides that the plaintiff or the
sheriff is given a "reasonable time" to serve the summons to the defendant in person, but no specific time
frame is mentioned. "Reasonable time" is defined as "so much time as is necessary under the
circumstances for a reasonably prudent and diligent man to do, conveniently, what the contract or duty
requires that should be done, having a regard for the rights and possibility of loss, if any, to the other
party." Under the Rules, the service of summons has no set period.

However, when the court, clerk of court, or the plaintiff asks the sheriff to make the return of the
summons and the latter submits the return of summons, then the validity of the summons lapses. The
plaintiff may then ask for an alias summons if the service of summons has failed. What then is a reasonable
time for the sheriff to effect a personal service in order to demonstrate impossibility of prompt service?
To the plaintiff, "reasonable time" means no more than seven (7) days since an expeditious processing of
a complaint is what a plaintiff wants. To the sheriff, "reasonable time" means 15 to 30 days because at
the end of the month, it is a practice for the branch clerk of court to require the sheriff to submit a return
of the summons assigned to the sheriff for service. The Sheriffs Return provides data to the Clerk of Court,
which the clerk uses in the Monthly Report of Cases to be submitted to the Office of the Court
Administrator within the first ten (10) days of the succeeding month. Thus, one month from the issuance
of summons can be considered "reasonable time" with regard to personal service on the defendant.

Sheriffs are asked to discharge their duties on the service of summons with due care, utmost diligence,
and reasonable promptness and speed so as not to prejudice the expeditious dispensation of justice. Thus,
they are enjoined to try their best efforts to accomplish personal service on defendant. On the other hand,
since the defendant is expected to try to avoid and evade service of summons, the sheriff must be
resourceful, persevering, canny, and diligent in serving the process on the defendant. For substituted
service of summons to be available, there must be several attempts by the sheriff to personally serve the
summons within a reasonable period [of one month] which eventually resulted in failure to prove
impossibility of prompt service. "Several attempts" means at least three (3) tries, preferably on at least
two different dates. In addition, the sheriff must cite why such efforts were unsuccessful. It is only then
that impossibility of service can be confirmed or accepted.

(2) Specific Details in the Return

The sheriff must describe in the Return of Summons the facts and circumstances surrounding the
attempted personal service. The efforts made to find the defendant and the reasons behind the failure
must be clearly narrated in detail in the Return. The date and time of the attempts on personal service,
the inquiries made to locate the defendant, the name/s of the occupants of the alleged residence or house
of defendant and all other acts done, though futile, to serve the summons on defendant must be specified
in the Return to justify substituted service. The form on Sheriffs Return of Summons on Substituted Service
prescribed in the Handbook for Sheriffs published by the Philippine Judicial Academy requires a narration
of the efforts made to find the defendant personally and the fact of failure. Supreme Court Administrative
Circular No. 5 dated November 9, 1989 requires that "impossibility of prompt service should be shown by
stating the efforts made to find the defendant personally and the failure of such efforts," which should be
made in the proof of service.

(3) A Person of Suitable Age and Discretion

If the substituted service will be effected at defendant's house or residence, it should be left with a person
of "suitable age and discretion then residing therein." A person of suitable age and discretion is one who
has attained the age of full legal capacity (18 years old) and is considered to have enough discernment to
understand the importance of a summons. "Discretion" is defined as "the ability to make decisions which
represent a responsible choice and for which an understanding of what is lawful, right or wise may be
presupposed". Thus, to be of sufficient discretion, such person must know how to read and understand
English to comprehend the import of the summons, and fully realize the need to deliver the summons and
complaint to the defendant at the earliest possible time for the person to take appropriate action. Thus,
the person must have the "relation of confidence" to the defendant, ensuring that the latter would receive
or at least be notified of the receipt of the summons. The sheriff must therefore determine if the person
found in the alleged dwelling or residence of defendant is of legal age, what the recipient's relationship
with the defendant is, and whether said person comprehends the significance of the receipt of the
summons and his duty to immediately deliver it to the defendant or at least notify the defendant of said
receipt of summons. These matters must be clearly and specifically described in the Return of Summons.

(4) A Competent Person in Charge

If the substituted service will be done at defendant's office or regular place of business, then it should be
served on a competent person in charge of the place. Thus, the person on whom the substituted service
will be made must be the one managing the office or business of defendant, such as the president or
manager; and such individual must have sufficient knowledge to understand the obligation of the
defendant in the summons, its importance, and the prejudicial effects arising from inaction on the
summons. Again, these details must be contained in the Return.

The case of Robinson vs Miralles

The statutory requirements of substituted service must be followed strictly, faithfully, and fully and any
substituted service other than that authorized by the Rules is considered ineffective. However, we frown
upon an overly strict application of the Rules. It is the spirit, rather than the letter of the procedural rules,
that governs.

In his Return, Sheriff Potente declared that he was refused entry by the security guard in Alabang Hills
twice. The latter informed him that petitioner prohibits him from allowing anybody to proceed to her
residence whenever she is out. Obviously, it was impossible for the sheriff to effect personal or substituted
service of summons upon petitioner. We note that she failed to controvert the sheriff’s declaration. Nor
did she deny having received the summons through the security guard. Considering her strict instruction
to the security guard, she must bear its consequences. Thus, we agree with the trial court that summons
has been properly served upon petitioner and that it has acquired jurisdiction over her. (Remelita
Robinson vs. Celita Miralles, G.R. No. 163584, December 12, 2006)

8. Interrogatories to parties and Admission by adverse party

Purpose of interrogatories to parties

To elicit material and relevant facts from any adverse party (Sec. 1, Rule 25).

The answers may also be used as admissions of the adverse party (Feria & Noche, 2001).

Procedure in taking interrogatories

The mode of discovery is availed of by filing and serving upon the adverse party written interrogatories to
be answered by the party served. If the party is a juridical entity, it shall be answered by any of its officers
competent to testify in its behalf (Sec. 1, Rule 25). The interrogatories shall be answered fully in writing
and shall be signed and sworn to by the person making them.

No party may, without leave of court, serve more than one set of interrogatories to be answered by the
same party (Sec. 4, Rule 25).

How to answer interrogatories

The interrogatories shall be answered fully in writing and shall be signed and sworn to by the person
making them. The party upon whom the interrogatories have been served shall file and serve a copy of
the answers on the party submitting the interrogatories within 15 days after service thereof, unless the
court, on motion and for good cause shown, extends or shortens the time (Sec. 2, Rule 25).

The party against whom it is directed may make objections to the interrogatories (Sec. 2, Rule 25).

Objections to the interrogatories

Objections shall be presented to the court within 10 days after service of the interrogatories. The filing of
the objections shall have the effect of deferring the filing and service of the answer to the interrogatories
(Sec. 3, Rule 25).

Necessity of leave of court before a party may be served with written interrogatories

It is necessary before answer has been served because, at that time, the issues are not yet joined and the
disputed facts are not yet clear. However, it is not necessary after answer has been served, for the first
set of interrogatories.

Scope and use of interrogatories

Interrogatories may relate to any matters that can be inquired into under Sec. 2 of Rule 23, and the
answers may be used for the same purposes provided in Sec. 4 of the same Rule (Sec. 5, Rule 25).

A party not served with written interrogatories may not be compelled by the adverse party to give
testimony in open court, or to give a deposition pending appeal.
Exception: When allowed by the court and there is good cause shown and the same is necessary to
prevent a failure of justice (Sec. 6, Rule 25).

Admissions to be requested from the adverse party

1. Genuineness of any material and relevant document described in and exhibited with the request;
or
2. Truth of any material and relevant matter of fact set forth in the request (Sec. 1, Rule 26).

The request for admission must be served directly upon the party; otherwise, the party to whom the
request is directed cannot be deemed to have admitted the genuineness of any relevant document
described in and exhibited with the request or relevant matters of fact set forth therein on account of
failure to answer the request for admission (Briboneria v. CA, G.R. No. 101682, December 14, 1992).

The answer to a request for admission properly served which was signed and sworn to by the counsel of
the party so requested is sufficient compliance with this rule, especially in the light of counsel’s authority
under Secs. 21 and 23, Rule 138 (Nestle Philippines, Inc. v. CA, G.R. No. 102404, February 1, 2002).

When request for admission is made

At any time after issues have been joined, a party may file and serve upon any other party a written
request for the admission by the latter (Sec. 1, Rule 26).

Implied admission by adverse party

Each of the matters of which an admission is requested shall be deemed admitted.

Exception: When the party to whom the request is directed files and serves upon the party requesting the
admission a sworn statement either denying specifically the matters of which an admission is requested
or setting forth in detail the reasons why he cannot truthfully either admit or deny those matters (Sec. 2,
Rule 26).

CONSEQUENCES OF FAILURE TO ANSWER REQUEST FOR ADMISSION

The facts or documents are deemed admitted. Under the Rules, each of the matters of which an admission
is requested shall be deemed admitted unless within a period designated in the request which shall not
be less than 15 days after service thereof, or within such further time as the court may allow on motion,
the party to whom the request is directed files and serves upon the party requesting the admission a
sworn statement either denying specifically the matter of which an admission is requested or setting forth
in detail the reason why he cannot truthfully either admit or deny those matters (Sec. 2, Rule 26).

Effect of admission

Any admission made by a party pursuant to such request is for the purpose of the pending action only and
shall not constitute an admission by him for any other purpose nor may the same be used against him in
any other proceeding (Sec. 3, Rule 26).

Submission to objections to any request for admission

They shall be submitted to the court by the party requested within the period for and prior to the filing of
his sworn statement and his compliance therewith shall be deferred until such objections are resolved,
which resolution shall be made as early as practicable [Sec. 2(b), Rule 26].

Withdrawal of Admission

The court may allow the party making the admission to withdraw or amend the admission upon such
terms as may be just (Sec. 4, Rule 26).

A party who fails to file and serve a request for admission on the adverse party on material and relevant
facts at issue shall not be permitted to present evidence on such facts unless otherwise allowed by the
court for good cause shown and to prevent a failure of justice (Sec. 5, Rule 26).

9. Demurrer in Civil cases vs criminal cases

Civil case

How filed - After the plaintiff has completed the presentation of his evidence, the defendant may move
for dismissal on the ground that upon the facts and the law the plaintiff has shown no right to relief (Sec.
1, Rule 33).

Leave of court- Not required

If granted- The plaintiff may appeal from the order of dismissal of the case (Sec. 1, Rule 33)

If denied - The defendant may proceed to adduce his evidence

If the plaintiff appeals from the order of dismissal - If plaintiff appeals and judgment is reversed by the
appellate court, it will decide the case on the basis of the plaintiff’s evidence with the consequence that
the defendant already loses his right to present evidence. No res judicata in dismissal due to demurrer.

Criminal case

How filed - The court may dismiss the action on the ground of insufficiency of evidence (1) On its own
initiativeafter giving the prosecution the opportunity to be heard or (2) Upon demurrer to evidence filed
by the accused with or without leave of court(Sec. 23, Rule 119)

Leave of court- With or without

If granted- The plaintiff cannot make an appeal from the order of dismissal due to the constitutional
prohibition against double jeopardy

If denied - The defendant may adduce his evidence only if the demurrer is filed with leave of court.

If there was no leave of court, accused can no longer present his evidence and submits the case for
decision based on the prosecution’s evidence (Sec. 23, Rule 119)

If the plaintiff appeals from the order of dismissal - If the court finds the prosecution’s evidence
insufficient, it will grant the demurrer by rendering judgment acquitting the accused. Judgment of
acquittal is not appealable because double jeopardy sets in.

10. When civil action may proceed independently

Instances when civil actions may proceed independently

1. Arising from breach of contract; and

2. Independent civil actions or those based on Arts. 32, 33, 34 and Art. 2176 of the NCC or quasi-delict
(Herrera, 2007).

The failure to reserve the right to file the enumerated actions does not amount to a waiver to institute a
separate civil action (Herrera, 2007).

Recovery of civil liability under Arts. 32, 33, 34 and 2176 of the Civil Code may be prosecuted separately
even without reservation (DMPI Employees Credit Cooperative v. Velez, G.R. No. 129282, November 29,
2001).In no case, however, may the offended party recover damages twice for the same act or omission
charged in the criminal action.

Consolidation of civil action and criminal action arising from the same offense

Before judgment on the merit is rendered in the civil action, the same may, upon motion of the offended
party, be consolidated with the criminal action in the court trying the criminal action (Sec. 2, Rule 111). In
cases where the consolidation is given due course, the evidence presented and admitted in the civil case
shall be deemed automatically reproduced in the criminal action without prejudice to admission of
additional evidence and right to cross examination (Sec. 2, Rule 111).

Q: May the offended party compromise the civil aspect of a crime?

A: Yes. Provided it must be entered before or during the litigation and not after final judgment.