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RulesofCourtEvidence

TheLawphilProjectArellanoLawFoundation
Rules128134
REVISEDRULESONEVIDENCE

REVISEDRULESONEVIDENCE
(Rules128134,RulesofCourt)

ASAMENDEDPERRESOLUTION
ADOPTEDONMARCH14,1989

PARTIV
RULESOFEVIDENCE

RULE128
GeneralProvisions
Section1.Evidencedefined.Evidenceisthemeans,sanctionedbytheserules,ofascertaininginajudicialproceeding
thetruthrespectingamatteroffact.(1)
Section2.Scope.Therulesofevidenceshallbethesameinallcourtsandinalltrialsandhearings,exceptasotherwise
providedbylawortheserules.(2a)
Section3.Admissib ilityofevidence.Evidenceisadmissiblewhenitisrelevanttotheissueandisnotexcludedbythe
lawoftheserules.(3a)
Section4.Relevancycollateralmatters.Evidencemusthavesucharelationtothefactinissueastoinducebeliefinits
existence or nonexistence. Evidence on collateral matters shall not be allowed, except when it tends in any reasonable
degreetoestablishtheprobabilityorimprobabilityofthefactinissue.(4a)

RULE129
WhatNeedNotBeProved
Section1.Judicialnotice,whenmandatory.Acourtshalltakejudicialnotice,withouttheintroductionofevidence,ofthe
existence and territorial extent of states, their political history, forms of government and symbols of nationality, the law of
nations, the admiralty and maritime courts of the world and their seals, the political constitution and history of the
Philippines, the official acts of legislative, executive and judicial departments of the Philippines, the laws of nature, the
measureoftime,andthegeographicaldivisions.(1a)
Section2.Judicialnotice,whendiscretionary.Acourtmaytakejudicialnoticeofmatterswhichareofpublicknowledge,or
arecapabletounquestionabledemonstration,oroughttobeknowntojudgesbecauseoftheirjudicialfunctions.(1a)
Section3.Judicialnotice,whenhearingnecessary.Duringthetrial,thecourt,onitsowninitiative,oronrequestofaparty,
mayannounceitsintentiontotakejudicialnoticeofanymatterandallowthepartiestobeheardthereon.
Afterthetrial,andbeforejudgmentoronappeal,thepropercourt,onitsowninitiativeoronrequestofaparty,maytake
judicialnoticeofanymatterandallowthepartiestobeheardthereonifsuchmatterisdecisiveofamaterialissueinthe
case.(n)
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Section4.Judicialadmissions.Anadmission,verbalorwritten,madebythepartyinthecourseoftheproceedingsinthe
samecase,doesnotrequireproof.Theadmissionmaybecontradictedonlybyshowingthatitwasmadethroughpalpable
mistakeorthatnosuchadmissionwasmade.(2a)

RULE130
RulesofAdmissibility
A.OBJECT(REAL)EVIDENCE
Section1.Ob jectasevidence.Objectsasevidencearethoseaddressedtothesensesofthecourt.Whenanobjectis
relevanttothefactinissue,itmaybeexhibitedto,examinedorviewedbythecourt.(1a)
B.DOCUMENTARYEVIDENCE
Section2.Documentaryevidence.Documentsasevidenceconsistofwritingoranymaterialcontainingletters,words,
numbers,figures,symbolsorothermodesofwrittenexpressionofferedasproofoftheircontents.(n)
1.BestEvidenceRule
Section3.Originaldocumentmustb eproducedexceptions.Whenthesubjectofinquiryisthecontentsofadocument,
noevidenceshallbeadmissibleotherthantheoriginaldocumentitself,exceptinthefollowingcases:
(a)Whentheoriginalhasbeenlostordestroyed,orcannotbeproducedincourt,withoutbadfaithonthepartofthe
offeror
(b)Whentheoriginalisinthecustodyorunderthecontrolofthepartyagainstwhomtheevidenceisoffered,andthe
latterfailstoproduceitafterreasonablenotice
(c)Whentheoriginalconsistsofnumerousaccountsorotherdocumentswhichcannotbeexaminedincourtwithout
greatlossoftimeandthefactsoughttobeestablishedfromthemisonlythegeneralresultofthewholeand
(d)Whentheoriginalisapublicrecordinthecustodyofapublicofficerorisrecordedinapublicoffice.(2a)
Section4.Originalofdocument.
(a)Theoriginalofthedocumentisonethecontentsofwhicharethesubjectofinquiry.
(b)Whenadocumentisintwoormorecopiesexecutedatoraboutthesametime,withidenticalcontents,allsuch
copiesareequallyregardedasoriginals.
(c)Whenanentryisrepeatedintheregularcourseofbusiness,onebeingcopiedfromanotheratornearthetimeof
thetransaction,alltheentriesarelikewiseequallyregardedasoriginals.(3a)
2.SecondaryEvidence
Section5.Whenoriginaldocumentisunavailab le.Whentheoriginaldocumenthasbeenlostordestroyed,orcannotbe
producedincourt,theofferor,uponproofofitsexecutionorexistenceandthecauseofitsunavailabilitywithoutbadfaithon
hispart,mayproveitscontentsbyacopy,orbyarecitalofitscontentsinsomeauthenticdocument,orbythetestimonyof
witnessesintheorderstated.(4a)
Section6.Whenoriginaldocumentisinadverseparty'scustodyorcontrol.Ifthedocumentisinthecustodyorunderthe
controlofadverseparty,hemusthavereasonablenoticetoproduceit.Ifaftersuchnoticeandaftersatisfactoryproofofits
existence,hefailstoproducethedocument,secondaryevidencemaybepresentedasinthecaseofitsloss.(5a)
Section 7. Evidence admissib le when original document is a pub lic record. When the original of document is in the
custodyofpublicofficerorisrecordedinapublicoffice,itscontentsmaybeprovedbyacertifiedcopyissuedbythepublic
officerincustodythereof.(2a)
Section8.Party who calls for document not b ound to offer it. A party who calls for the production of a document and
inspectsthesameisnotobligedtoofferitasevidence.(6a)

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3.ParolEvidenceRule
Section 9. Evidence of written agreements. When the terms of an agreement have been reduced to writing, it is
consideredascontainingallthetermsagreeduponandtherecanbe,betweenthepartiesandtheirsuccessorsininterest,
noevidenceofsuchtermsotherthanthecontentsofthewrittenagreement.
However,apartymaypresentevidencetomodify,explainoraddtothetermsofwrittenagreementifheputsinissueinhis
pleading:
(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
writtenagreement.
Theterm"agreement"includeswills.(7a)
4.InterpretationOfDocuments
Section 10. Interpretation of a writing according to its legal meaning. The language of a writing is to be interpreted
accordingtothelegalmeaningitbearsintheplaceofitsexecution,unlessthepartiesintendedotherwise.(8)
Section11.Instrumentconstruedsoastogiveeffecttoallprovisions.Intheconstructionofaninstrument,wherethere
areseveralprovisionsorparticulars,suchaconstructionis,ifpossible,tobeadoptedaswillgiveeffecttoall.(9)
Section12.Interpretationaccordingtointentiongeneralandparticularprovisions.Intheconstructionofaninstrument,
theintentionofthepartiesistobepursuedandwhenageneralandaparticularprovisionareinconsistent,thelatteris
paramounttotheformer.Soaparticularintentwillcontrolageneralonethatisinconsistentwithit.(10)
Section13.Interpretationaccordingtocircumstances.Fortheproperconstructionofaninstrument,thecircumstances
underwhichitwasmade,includingthesituationofthesubjectthereofandofthepartiestoit,maybeshown,sothatthe
judgemaybeplacedinthepositionofthosewholanguageheistointerpret.(11)
Section14.Peculiarsignificationofterms.Thetermsofawritingarepresumedtohavebeenusedintheirprimaryand
generalacceptation,butevidenceisadmissibletoshowthattheyhavealocal,technical,orotherwisepeculiarsignification,
andweresousedandunderstoodintheparticularinstance,inwhichcasetheagreementmustbeconstruedaccordingly.
(12)
Section15.Writtenwordscontrolprinted.Whenaninstrumentconsistspartlyofwrittenwordsandpartlyofaprintedform,
andthetwoareinconsistent,theformercontrolsthelatter.(13)
Section16.Expertsandinterpreterstob eusedinexplainingcertainwritings.Whenthecharactersinwhichaninstrument
iswrittenaredifficulttobedeciphered,orthelanguageisnotunderstoodbythecourt,theevidenceofpersonsskilledin
decipheringthecharacters,orwhounderstandthelanguage,isadmissibletodeclarethecharactersorthemeaningofthe
language.(14)
Section17.OfTwoconstructions,whichpreferred. When the terms of an agreement have been intended in a different
sensebythedifferentpartiestoit,thatsenseistoprevailagainsteitherpartyinwhichhesupposedtheotherunderstoodit,
andwhendifferentconstructionsofaprovisionareotherwiseequallyproper,thatistobetakenwhichisthemostfavorable
tothepartyinwhosefavortheprovisionwasmade.(15)
Section18.Constructioninfavorofnaturalright.Whenaninstrumentisequallysusceptibleoftwointerpretations,onein
favorofnaturalrightandtheotheragainstit,theformeristobeadopted.(16)
Section19.Interpretationaccordingtousage.Aninstrumentmaybeconstruedaccordingtousage,inordertodetermine
itstruecharacter.(17)
C.TESTIMONIALEVIDENCE
1.QualificationofWitnesses
Section 20. Witnesses their qualifications. Except as provided in the next succeeding section, all persons who can
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perceive,andperceiving,canmaketheirknownperceptiontoothers,maybewitnesses.
Religiousorpoliticalbelief,interestintheoutcomeofthecase,orconvictionofacrimeunlessotherwiseprovidedbylaw,
shallnotbegroundfordisqualification.(18a)
Section21.Disqualificationb yreasonofmentalincapacityorimmaturity.Thefollowingpersonscannotbewitnesses:
(a)Thosewhosementalcondition,atthetimeoftheirproductionforexamination,issuchthattheyareincapableof
intelligentlymakingknowntheirperceptiontoothers
(b)Childrenwhosementalmaturityissuchastorenderthemincapableofperceivingthefactsrespectingwhichthey
areexaminedandofrelatingthemtruthfully.(19a)
Section22.Disqualificationb yreasonofmarriage.Duringtheirmarriage,neitherthehusbandnorthewifemaytestifyfor
oragainsttheotherwithouttheconsentoftheaffectedspouse,exceptinacivilcasebyoneagainsttheother,orinacriminal
caseforacrimecommittedbyoneagainsttheotherorthelatter'sdirectdescendantsorascendants.(20a)
Section23.Disqualificationb yreasonofdeathorinsanityofadverseparty.Partiesorassignorofpartiestoacase,or
personsinwhosebehalfacaseisprosecuted,againstanexecutororadministratororotherrepresentativeofadeceased
person, or against a person of unsound mind, upon a claim or demand against the estate of such deceased person or
againstsuchpersonofunsoundmind,cannottestifyastoanymatteroffactoccurringbeforethedeathofsuchdeceased
personorbeforesuchpersonbecameofunsoundmind.(20a)
Section24.Disqualificationb yreasonofprivilegedcommunication.Thefollowingpersonscannottestifyastomatters
learnedinconfidenceinthefollowingcases:
(a)Thehusbandorthewife,duringorafterthemarriage,cannotbeexaminedwithouttheconsentoftheotherasto
anycommunicationreceivedinconfidencebyonefromtheotherduringthemarriageexceptinacivilcasebyone
against the other, or in a criminal case for a crime committed by one against the other or the latter's direct
descendantsorascendants
(b)Anattorneycannot,withouttheconsentofhisclient,beexaminedastoanycommunicationmadebytheclientto
him,orhisadvicegiventhereoninthecourseof,orwithaviewto,professionalemployment,norcananattorney's
secretary,stenographer,orclerkbeexamined,withouttheconsentoftheclientandhisemployer,concerninganyfact
theknowledgeofwhichhasbeenacquiredinsuchcapacity
(c)Apersonauthorizedtopracticemedicine,surgeryorobstetricscannotinacivilcase,withouttheconsentofthe
patient,beexaminedastoanyadviceortreatmentgivenbyhimoranyinformationwhichhemayhaveacquiredin
attendingsuchpatientinaprofessionalcapacity,whichinformationwasnecessarytoenablehimtoactincapacity,
andwhichwouldblackenthereputationofthepatient
(d) A minister or priest cannot, without the consent of the person making the confession, be examined as to any
confessionmadetooranyadvicegivenbyhiminhisprofessionalcharacterinthecourseofdisciplineenjoinedby
thechurchtowhichtheministerorpriestbelongs
(e)Apublicofficercannotbeexaminedduringhistermofofficeorafterwards,astocommunicationsmadetohimin
officialconfidence,whenthecourtfindsthatthepublicinterestwouldsufferbythedisclosure.(21a)
2.TestimonialPrivilege
Section 25. Parental and filial privilege. No person may be compelled to testify against his parents, other direct
ascendants,childrenorotherdirectdescendants.(20a)
3.AdmissionsandConfessions
Section26.Admissionofaparty.Theact,declarationoromissionofapartyastoarelevantfactmaybegiveninevidence
againsthim.(22)
Section27.Offerofcompromisenotadmissib le.Incivilcases,anofferofcompromiseisnotanadmissionofanyliability,
andisnotadmissibleinevidenceagainsttheofferor.
Incriminalcases,exceptthoseinvolvingquasioffenses(criminalnegligence)orthoseallowedbylawtobecompromised,
anofferofcompromisedbytheaccusedmaybereceivedinevidenceasanimpliedadmissionofguilt.

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Apleaofguiltylaterwithdrawn,oranunacceptedofferofapleaofguiltytolesseroffense,isnotadmissibleinevidence
againsttheaccusedwhomadethepleaoroffer.
Anoffertopayorthepaymentofmedical,hospitalorotherexpensesoccasionedbyaninjuryisnotadmissibleinevidence
asproofofcivilorcriminalliabilityfortheinjury.(24a)
Section28.Admissionb ythirdparty.Therightsofapartycannotbeprejudicedbyanact,declaration,oromissionof
another,exceptashereinafterprovided.(25a)
Section29.Admissionb ycopartneroragent.Theactordeclarationofapartneroragentofthepartywithinthescopeof
hisauthorityandduringtheexistenceofthepartnershiporagency,maybegiveninevidenceagainstsuchpartyafterthe
partnership or agency is shown by evidence other than such act or declaration. The same rule applies to the act or
declarationofajointowner,jointdebtor,orotherpersonjointlyinterestedwiththeparty.(26a)
Section30.Admissionb yconspirator.Theactordeclarationofaconspiratorrelatingtotheconspiracyandduringits
existence,maybegiveninevidenceagainstthecoconspiratoraftertheconspiracyisshownbyevidenceotherthansuchact
ofdeclaration.(27)
Section31.Admissionb yprivies.Whereonederivestitletopropertyfromanother,theact,declaration,oromissionofthe
latter,whileholdingthetitle,inrelationtotheproperty,isevidenceagainsttheformer.(28)
Section32.Admissionb ysilence.Anactordeclarationmadeinthepresenceandwithinthehearingorobservationofa
partywhodoesorsaysnothingwhentheactordeclarationissuchasnaturallytocallforactionorcommentifnottrue,and
whenproperandpossibleforhimtodoso,maybegiveninevidenceagainsthim.(23a)
Section33.Confession.Thedeclarationofanaccusedacknowledginghisguiltoftheoffensecharged,orofanyoffense
necessarilyincludedtherein,maybegiveninevidenceagainsthim.(29a)
4.PreviousConductasEvidence
Section34.Similaractsasevidence.Evidencethatonedidordidnotdoacertainthingatonetimeisnotadmissibleto
provethathedidordidnotdothesameorsimilarthingatanothertimebutitmaybereceivedtoproveaspecificintentor
knowledgeidentity,plan,system,scheme,habit,customorusage,andthelike.(48a)
Section35.Unacceptedoffer. An offer in writing to pay a particular sum of money or to deliver a written instrument or
specificpersonalpropertyis,ifrejectedwithoutvalidcause,equivalenttotheactualproductionandtenderofthemoney,
instrument,orproperty.(49a)
5.TestimonialKnowledge
Section36.Testimonygenerallyconfinedtopersonalknowledgehearsayexcluded.Awitnesscantestifyonlytothose
factswhichheknowsofhispersonalknowledgethatis,whicharederivedfromhisownperception,exceptasotherwise
providedintheserules.(30a)
6.ExceptionsToTheHearsayRule
Section37.Dyingdeclaration.Thedeclarationofadyingperson,madeunder
the consciousness of an impending death, may be received in any case wherein his death is the subject of inquiry, as
evidenceofthecauseandsurroundingcircumstancesofsuchdeath.(31a)
Section38.Declarationagainstinterest.Thedeclarationmadebyapersondeceased,orunabletotestify,againstthe
interestofthedeclarant,ifthefactisassertedinthedeclarationwasatthetimeitwasmadesofarcontrarytodeclarant's
owninterest,thatareasonablemaninhispositionwouldnothavemadethedeclarationunlesshebelievedittobetrue,
maybereceivedinevidenceagainsthimselforhissuccessorsininterestandagainstthirdpersons.(32a)
Section39.Actordeclarationab outpedigree.Theactordeclarationofapersondeceased,orunabletotestify,inrespect
tothepedigreeofanotherpersonrelatedtohimbybirthormarriage,maybereceivedinevidencewhereitoccurredbefore
thecontroversy,andtherelationshipbetweenthetwopersonsisshownbyevidenceotherthansuchactordeclaration.The
word"pedigree"includesrelationship,familygenealogy,birth,marriage,death,thedateswhenandtheplaceswherethese
fastoccurred,andthenamesoftherelatives.Itembracesalsofactsoffamilyhistoryintimatelyconnectedwithpedigree.
(33a)
Section40.Familyreputationortraditionregardingpedigree.Thereputationortraditionexistinginafamilyprevioustothe
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controversy, in respect to the pedigree of any one of its members, may be received in evidence if the witness testifying
thereonbealsoamemberofthefamily,eitherbyconsanguinityoraffinity.Entriesinfamilybiblesorotherfamilybooksor
charts,engravingsonrings,familyportraitsandthelike,maybereceivedasevidenceofpedigree.(34a)
Section41.Commonreputation.Commonreputationexistingprevioustothecontroversy,respectingfactsofpublicor
generalinterestmorethanthirtyyearsold,orrespectingmarriageormoralcharacter,maybegiveninevidence.Monuments
andinscriptionsinpublicplacesmaybereceivedasevidenceofcommonreputation.(35)
Section42.Partofresgestae.Statementsmadebyapersonwhileastartingoccurrenceistakingplaceorimmediately
priororsubsequenttheretowithrespecttothecircumstancesthereof,maybegiveninevidenceaspartofresgestae.So,
also,statementsaccompanyinganequivocalactmaterialtotheissue,andgivingitalegalsignificance,maybereceivedas
partoftheresgestae.(36a)
Section43.Entriesinthecourseofb usiness.Entriesmadeat,ornearthetimeoftransactionstowhichtheyrefer,bya
persondeceased,orunabletotestify,whowasinapositiontoknowthefactsthereinstated,maybereceivedasprimafacie
evidence,ifsuchpersonmadetheentriesinhisprofessionalcapacityorintheperformanceofdutyandintheordinaryor
regularcourseofbusinessorduty.(37a)
Section44.Entriesinofficialrecords.Entriesinofficialrecordsmadeintheperformanceofhisdutybyapublicofficerof
thePhilippines,orbyapersonintheperformanceofadutyspeciallyenjoinedbylaw,areprimafacieevidenceofthefacts
thereinstated.(38)
Section 45. Commercial lists and the like. Evidence of statements of matters of interest to persons engaged in an
occupationcontainedinalist,register,periodical,orotherpublishedcompilationisadmissibleastendingtoprovethetruth
of any relevant matter so stated if that compilation is published for use by persons engaged in that occupation and is
generallyusedandrelieduponbythemtherein.(39)
Section46.Learnedtreatises.Apublishedtreatise,periodicalorpamphletonasubjectofhistory,law,science,orartis
admissibleastendingtoprovethetruthofamatterstatedthereinifthecourttakesjudicialnotice,orawitnessexpertinthe
subject testifies, that the writer of the statement in the treatise, periodical or pamphlet is recognized in his profession or
callingasexpertinthesubject.(40a)
Section 47. Testimony or deposition at a former proceeding. The testimony or deposition of a witness deceased or
unable to testify, given in a former case or proceeding, judicial or administrative, involving the same parties and subject
matter,maybegiveninevidenceagainsttheadversepartywhohadtheopportunitytocrossexaminehim.(41a)
7.OpinionRule
Section48.Generalrule.Theopinionofwitnessisnotadmissible,exceptasindicatedinthefollowingsections.(42)
Section49.Opinionofexpertwitness.Theopinionofawitnessonamatterrequiringspecialknowledge,skill,experience
ortrainingwhichheshowntoposses,maybereceivedinevidence.(43a)
Section50.Opinionofordinarywitnesses.Theopinionofawitnessforwhichproperbasisisgiven,maybereceivedin
evidenceregarding
(a)theidentityofapersonaboutwhomhehasadequateknowledge
(b)Ahandwritingwithwhichhehassufficientfamiliarityand
(c)Thementalsanityofapersonwithwhomheissufficientlyacquainted.
Thewitnessmayalsotestifyonhisimpressionsoftheemotion,behavior,conditionorappearanceofaperson.(44a)
8.CharacterEvidence
Section51.Characterevidencenotgenerallyadmissib leexceptions:
(a)InCriminalCases:
(1) The accused may prove his good moral character which is pertinent to the moral trait involved in the
offensecharged.
(2)Unlessinrebuttal,theprosecutionmaynotprovehisbadmoralcharacterwhichispertinenttothemoral
traitinvolvedintheoffensecharged.
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(3) The good or bad moral character of the offended party may be proved if it tends to establish in any
reasonabledegreetheprobabilityorimprobabilityoftheoffensecharged.
(b)InCivilCases:
Evidenceofthemoralcharacterofapartyincivilcaseisadmissibleonlywhenpertinenttotheissueofcharacter
involvedinthecase.
(c)InthecaseprovidedforinRule132,Section14,(46a,47a)

RULE131
BurdenofProofandPresumptions
Section1.Burdenofproof.Burdenofproofisthedutyofapartytopresentevidenceonthefactsinissuenecessaryto
establishhisclaimordefensebytheamountofevidencerequiredbylaw.(1a,2a)
Section2.Conclusivepresumptions.Thefollowingareinstancesofconclusivepresumptions:
(a)Wheneverapartyhas,byhisowndeclaration,act,oromission,intentionallyanddeliberatelyledtoanotherto
believeaparticularthingtrue,andtoactuponsuchbelief,hecannot,inanylitigationarisingoutofsuchdeclaration,
actoromission,bepermittedtofalsifyit:
(b)Thetenantisnotpermittedtodenythetitleofhislandlordatthetimeofcommencementoftherelationoflandlord
andtenantbetweenthem.(3a)
Section 3. Disputab le presumptions. The following presumptions are satisfactory if uncontradicted, but may be
contradictedandovercomebyotherevidence:
(a)Thatapersonisinnocentofcrimeorwrong
(b)Thatanunlawfulactwasdonewithanunlawfulintent
(c)Thatapersonintendstheordinaryconsequencesofhisvoluntaryact
(d)Thatapersontakesordinarycareofhisconcerns
(e)Thatevidencewillfullysuppressedwouldbeadverseifproduced
(f)Thatmoneypaidbyonetoanotherwasduetothelatter
(g)Thatathingdeliveredbyonetoanotherbelongedtothelatter
(h)Thatanobligationdelivereduptothedebtorhasbeenpaid
(i)Thatpriorrentsorinstallmentshadbeenpaidwhenareceiptforthelateroneisproduced
(j)Thatapersonfoundinpossessionofathingtakeninthedoingofarecentwrongfulactisthetakerandthedoerof
thewholeactotherwise,thatthingswhichapersonpossess,orexercisesactsofownershipover,areownedby
him
(k)Thatapersoninpossessionofanorderonhimselfforthepaymentofthemoney,orthedeliveryofanything,has
paidthemoneyordeliveredthethingaccordingly
(l)Thatapersonactinginapublicofficewasregularlyappointedorelectedtoit
(m)Thatofficialdutyhasbeenregularlyperformed
(n)Thatacourt,orjudgeactingassuch,whetherinthePhilippinesorelsewhere,wasactinginthelawfulexerciseof
jurisdiction
(o)Thatallthematterswithinanissueraisedinacasewerelaidbeforethecourtandpasseduponbyitandinlike
mannerthatallmatterswithinanissueraisedinadisputesubmittedforarbitrationwerelaidbeforethearbitrators
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andpasseduponbythem
(p)Thatprivatetransactionshavebeenfairandregular
(q)Thattheordinarycourseofbusinesshasbeenfollowed
(r)Thattherewasasufficientconsiderationforacontract
(s)Thatanegotiableinstrumentwasgivenorindorsedforasufficientconsideration
(t)Thatanendorsementofnegotiableinstrumentwasmadebeforetheinstrumentwasoverdueandattheplace
wheretheinstrumentisdated
(u)Thatawritingistrulydated
(v)Thataletterdulydirectedandmailedwasreceivedintheregularcourseofthemail
(w)Thatafteranabsenceofsevenyears,itbeingunknownwhetherornottheabsenteestilllives,heisconsidered
deadforallpurposes,exceptforthoseofsuccession.
Theabsenteeshallnotbeconsidereddeadforthepurposeofopeninghissuccessiontillafteranabsenceoftenyears.If
hedisappearedaftertheageofseventyfiveyears,anabsenceoffiveyearsshallbesufficientinorderthathissuccession
maybeopened.
Thefollowingshallbeconsidereddeadforallpurposesincludingthedivisionoftheestateamongtheheirs:
(1)Apersononboardavessellostduringaseavoyage,oranaircraftwithismissing,whohasnotbeen
heardofforfouryearssincethelossofthevesseloraircraft
(2)Amemberofthearmedforceswhohastakenpartinarmedhostilities,andhasbeenmissingforfour
years
(3)Apersonwhohasbeenindangerofdeathunderothercircumstancesandwhoseexistencehasnotbeen
knownforfouryears
(4) If a married person has been absent for four consecutive years, the spouse present may contract a
subsequentmarriageifheorshehaswellfoundedbeliefthattheabsentspouseisalreadydeath.Incaseof
disappearance, where there is a danger of death the circumstances hereinabove provided, an absence of
onlytwoyearsshallbesufficientforthepurposeofcontractingasubsequentmarriage.However,inanycase,
beforemarryingagain,thespousepresentmustinstituteasummaryproceedingsasprovidedintheFamily
Codeandintherulesfordeclarationofpresumptivedeathoftheabsentee,withoutprejudicetotheeffectof
reappearanceoftheabsentspouse.
(x)Thatacquiescenceresultedfromabeliefthatthethingacquiescedinwasconformabletothelaworfact
(y)Thatthingshavehappenedaccordingtotheordinarycourseofnatureandordinarynaturehabitsoflife
(z)Thatpersonsactingascopartnershaveenteredintoacontractofcopartneship
(aa) That a man and woman deporting themselves as husband and wife have entered into a lawful contract of
marriage
(bb)Thatpropertyacquiredbyamanandawomanwhoarecapacitatedtomarryeachotherandwholiveexclusively
witheachotherashusbandandwifewithoutthebenefitofmarriageorundervoidmarriage,hasbeenobtainedby
theirjointefforts,workorindustry.
(cc)Thatincasesofcohabitationbyamanandawomanwhoarenotcapacitatedtomarryeachotherandwhohave
acquire properly through their actual joint contribution of money, property or industry, such contributions and their
correspondingsharesincludingjointdepositsofmoneyandevidencesofcreditareequal.
(dd)Thatifthemarriageisterminatedandthemothercontractedanothermarriagewithinthreehundreddaysafter
suchterminationoftheformermarriage,theserulesshallgovernintheabsenceofprooftothecontrary:
(1) A child born before one hundred eighty days after the solemnization of the subsequent marriage is
consideredtohavebeenconceivedduringsuchmarriage,eventhoughitbebornwithinthethreehundred
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daysaftertheterminationoftheformermarriage.
(2) A child born after one hundred eighty days following the celebration of the subsequent marriage is
consideredtohavebeenconceivedduringsuchmarriage,eventhoughitbebornwithinthethreehundred
daysaftertheterminationoftheformermarriage.
(ee)Thatathingonceprovedtoexistcontinuesaslongasisusualwiththingsofthenature
(ff)Thatthelawhasbeenobeyed
(gg)Thataprintedorpublishedbook,purportingtobeprintedorpublishedbypublicauthority,wassoprintedor
published
(hh)Thataprintedorpublishedbook,purportingcontainreportsofcasesadjudgedintribunalsofthecountrywhere
thebookispublished,containscorrectreportsofsuchcases
(ii) That a trustee or other person whose duty it was to convey real property to a particular person has actually
conveyed it to him when such presumption is necessary to perfect the title of such person or his successor in
interest
(jj)Thatexceptforpurposesofsuccession,whentwopersonsperishinthesamecalamity,suchaswreck,battle,or
conflagration, and it is not shown who died first, and there are no particular circumstances from which it can be
inferred,thesurvivorshipisdeterminedfromtheprobabilitiesresultingfromthestrengthandtheageofthesexes,
accordingtothefollowingrules:
1.Ifbothwereundertheageoffifteenyears,theolderisdeemedtohavesurvived
2.Ifbothwereabovetheagesixty,theyoungerisdeemedtohavesurvived
3.Ifoneisunderfifteenandtheotherabovesixty,theformerisdeemedtohavesurvived
4.Ifbothbeoverfifteenandundersixty,andthesexbedifferent,themaleisdeemedtohavesurvived,ifthe
sexbethesame,theolder
5. If one be under fifteen or over sixty, and the other between those ages, the latter is deemed to have
survived.
(kk)Thatifthereisadoubt,asbetweentwoormorepersonswhoarecalledtosucceedeachother,astowhichof
themdiedfirst,whoeverallegesthedeathofonepriortotheother,shallprovethesameintheabsenceofproof,they
shallbeconsideredtohavediedatthesametime.(5a)
Section4.Nopresumptionoflegitimacyorillegitimacy.Thereisnopresumptionoflegitimacyofachildbornafterthree
hundreddaysfollowingthedissolutionofthemarriageortheseparationofthespouses.Whoeverallegesthelegitimacyor
illegitimacyofsuchchildmustprovehisallegation.(6)

RULE132
PresentationofEvidence
A.EXAMINATIONOFWITNESSES
Section1.Examinationtob edoneinopencourt.Theexaminationofwitnessespresentedinatrialorhearingshallbe
doneinopencourt,andunderoathoraffirmation.Unlessthewitnessisincapacitatedtospeak,orthequestionscallsfora
differentmodeofanswer,theanswersofthewitnessshallbegivenorally.(1a)
Section2.Proceedingstob erecorded.Theentireproceedingsofatrialorhearing,includingthequestionspropounded
toawitnessandhisanswersthereto,thestatementsmadebythejudgeoranyoftheparties,counsel,orwitnesseswith
referencetothecase,shallberecordedbymeansofshorthandorstenotypeorbyothermeansofrecordingfoundsuitable
bythecourt.
Atranscriptoftherecordoftheproceedingsmadebytheofficialstenographer,stenotypistorrecorderandcertifiedascorrect
byhimshallbedeemedprimafacieacorrectstatementofsuchproceedings.(2a)
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Section 3. Rights and ob ligations of a witness. A witness must answer questions, although his answer may tend to
establishaclaimagainsthim.However,itistherightofawitness:
(1)Tobeprotectedfromirrelevant,improper,orinsultingquestions,andfromharshorinsultingdemeanor
(2)Nottobedetainedlongerthantheinterestsofjusticerequire
(3)Nottobeexaminedexceptonlyastomatterspertinenttotheissue
(4)Nottogiveananswerwhichwilltendtosubjecthimtoapenaltyforanoffenseunlessotherwiseprovidedbylaw
or
(5)Nottogiveananswerwhichwilltendtodegradehisreputation,unlessittobetheveryfactatissueortoafact
from which the fact in issue would be presumed. But a witness must answer to the fact of his previous final
convictionforanoffense.(3a,19a)
Section4.Orderintheexaminationofanindividualwitness.Theorderinwhichtheindividualwitnessmaybeexamined
isasfollows
(a)Directexaminationbytheproponent
(b)Crossexaminationbytheopponent
(c)Redirectexaminationbytheproponent
(d)Recrossexaminationbytheopponent.(4)
Section5.Directexamination.Directexaminationistheexaminationinchiefofawitnessbythepartypresentinghimon
thefactsrelevanttotheissue.(5a)
Section6.Crossexaminationitspurposeandextent.Upontheterminationofthedirectexamination,thewitnessmaybe
crossexamined by the adverse party as to many matters stated in the direct examination, or connected therewith, with
sufficientfullnessandfreedomtotesthisaccuracyandtruthfulnessandfreedomfrominterestorbias,orthereverse,andto
elicitallimportantfactsbearingupontheissue.(8a)
Section7.Redirectexaminationitspurposeandextent.Afterthecrossexaminationofthewitnesshasbeenconcluded,
hemaybereexaminedbythepartycallinghim,toexplainorsupplementhisanswersgivenduringthecrossexamination.
Onredirectexamination,questionsonmattersnotdealtwithduringthecrossexamination,maybeallowedbythecourtin
itsdiscretion.(12)
Section 8. Recrossexamination. Upon the conclusion of the redirect examination, the adverse party may recross
examinethewitnessonmattersstatedinhisredirectexamination,andalsoonsuchothermattersasmaybeallowedby
thecourtinitsdiscretion.(13)
Section9.Recallingwitness.Aftertheexaminationofawitnessbybothsideshasbeenconcluded,thewitnesscannotbe
recalled without leave of the court. The court will grant or withhold leave in its discretion, as the interests of justice may
require.(14)
Section 10. Leading and misleading questions. A question which suggests to the witness the answer which the
examiningpartydesiresisaleadingquestion.Itisnotallowed,except:
(a)Oncrossexamination
(b)Onpreliminarymatters
(c)Whenthereisadifficultyisgettingdirectandintelligibleanswersfromawitnesswhoisignorant,orachildof
tenderyears,orisoffeeblemind,oradeafmute
(d)Ofanunwillingorhostilewitnessor
(e)Ofawitnesswhoisanadversepartyoranofficer,director,ormanagingagentofapublicorprivatecorporationor
ofapartnershiporassociationwhichisanadverseparty.
Amisleadingquestionisonewhichassumesastrueafactnotyettestifiedtobythewitness,orcontrarytothatwhichhehas
previouslystated.Itisnotallowed.(5a,6a,and8a)
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Section11.Impeachmentofadverseparty'switness.Awitnessmaybeimpeachedbythepartyagainstwhomhewas
called,bycontradictoryevidence,byevidencethathisgeneralreputationfortruth,honestly,orintegrityisbad,orbyevidence
that he has made at other times statements inconsistent with his present, testimony, but not by evidence of particular
wrongfulacts,exceptthatitmaybeshownbytheexaminationofthewitness,ortherecordofthejudgment,thathehasbeen
convictedofanoffense.(15)
Section12.Partymaynotimpeachhisownwitness.Exceptwithrespecttowitnessesreferredtoinparagraphs(d)and(e)
ofSection10,thepartyproducingawitnessisnotallowedtoimpeachhiscredibility.
Awitnessmaybeconsideredasunwillingorhostileonlyifsodeclaredbythecourtuponadequateshowingofhisadverse
interest,unjustifiedreluctancetotestify,orhishavingmisledthepartyintocallinghimtothewitnessstand.
The unwilling or hostile witness so declared, or the witness who is an adverse party, may be impeached by the party
presentinghiminallrespectsasifhehadbeencalledbytheadverseparty,exceptbyevidenceofhisbadcharacter.Hemay
also be impeached and crossexamined by the adverse party, but such crossexamination must only be on the subject
matterofhisexaminationinchief.(6a,7a)
Section13.How witness impeached b y evidence of inconsistent statements. Before a witness can be impeached by
evidence that he has made at other times statements inconsistent with his present testimony, the statements must be
relatedtohim,withthecircumstancesofthetimesandplacesandthepersonspresent,andhemustbeaskedwhetherhe
madesuchstatements,andifso,allowedtoexplainthem.Ifthestatementsbeinwritingtheymustbeshowntothewitness
beforeanyquestionisputtohimconcerningthem.(16)
Section14.Evidenceofgoodcharacterofwitness.Evidenceofthegoodcharacterofawitnessisnotadmissibleuntil
suchcharacterhasbeenimpeached.(17)
Section15.Exclusion and separation of witnesses.On any trial or hearing, the judge may exclude from the court any
witnessnotatthetimeunderexamination,sothathemaynothearthetestimonyofotherwitnesses.Thejudgemayalso
cause witnesses to be kept separate and to be prevented from conversing with one another until all shall have been
examined.(18)
Section16.Whenwitnessmayrefertomemorandum.Awitnessmaybeallowedtorefreshhismemoryrespectingafact,
byanythingwrittenorrecordedbyhimselforunderhisdirectionatthetimewhenthefactoccurred,orimmediatelythereafter,
oratanyothertimewhenthefactwasfreshinhismemoryandknewthatthesamewascorrectlywrittenorrecordedbutin
such case the writing or record must be produced and may be inspected by the adverse party, who may, if he chooses,
crossexaminethewitnessuponit,andmayreaditinevidence.So,also,awitnessmaytestifyfromsuchwritingorrecord,
thoughheretainnorecollectionoftheparticularfacts,ifheisabletoswearthatthewritingorrecordcorrectlystatedthe
transactionwhenmadebutsuchevidencemustbereceivedwithcaution.(10a)
Section17.Whenpartoftransaction,writingorrecordgiveninevidence,theremainder,theremainderadmissib le.When
partofanact,declaration,conversation,writingorrecordisgiveninevidencebyoneparty,thewholeofthesamesubject
maybeinquiredintobytheother,andwhenadetachedact,declaration,conversation,writingorrecordisgiveninevidence,
any other act, declaration, conversation, writing or record necessary to its understanding may also be given in evidence.
(11a)
Section18.Righttorespectwritingshowntowitness.Wheneverawritingisshowntoawitness,itmaybeinspectedbythe
adverseparty.(9a)
B.AUTHENTICATIONANDPROOFOFDOCUMENTS
Section19.ClassesofDocuments.Forthepurposeoftheirpresentationevidence,documentsareeitherpublicorprivate.
Publicdocumentsare:
(a)Thewrittenofficialacts,orrecordsoftheofficialactsofthesovereignauthority,officialbodiesandtribunals,and
publicofficers,whetherofthePhilippines,orofaforeigncountry
(b)Documentsacknowledgebeforeanotarypublicexceptlastwillsandtestamentsand
(c)Publicrecords,keptinthePhilippines,ofprivatedocumentsrequiredbylawtotheenteredtherein.
Allotherwritingsareprivate.(20a)
Section20.Proofofprivatedocument.Beforeanyprivatedocumentofferedasauthenticisreceivedinevidence,itsdue
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executionandauthenticitymustbeprovedeither:
(a)Byanyonewhosawthedocumentexecutedorwrittenor
(b)Byevidenceofthegenuinenessofthesignatureorhandwritingofthemaker.
Anyotherprivatedocumentneedonlybeidentifiedasthatwhichitisclaimedtobe.(21a)
Section21.Whenevidenceofauthenticityofprivatedocumentnotnecessary.Whereaprivatedocumentismorethan
thirtyyearsold,isproducedfromthecustodyinwhichitwouldnaturallybefoundifgenuine,andisunblemishedbyany
alterationsorcircumstancesofsuspicion,nootherevidenceofitsauthenticityneedbegiven.(22a)
Section22.Howgenuinenessofhandwritingproved. The handwriting of a person may be proved by any witness who
believesittobethehandwritingofsuchpersonbecausehehasseenthepersonwrite,orhasseenwritingpurportingtobe
his upon which the witness has acted or been charged, and has thus acquired knowledge of the handwriting of such
person.Evidencerespectingthehandwritingmayalsobegivenbyacomparison,madebythewitnessorthecourt,with
writingsadmittedortreatedasgenuinebythepartyagainstwhomtheevidenceisoffered,orprovedtobegenuinetothe
satisfactionofthejudge.(23a)
Section23.Pub licdocumentsasevidence.Documentsconsistingofentriesinpublicrecordsmadeintheperformance
ofadutybyapublicofficerareprimafacieevidenceofthefactsthereinstated.Allotherpublicdocumentsareevidence,even
againstathirdperson,ofthefactwhichgaverisetotheirexecutionandofthedateofthelatter.(24a)
Section24. Proof of official record. The record of public documents referred to in paragraph (a) of Section 19, when
admissibleforanypurpose,maybeevidencedbyanofficialpublicationthereoforbyacopyattestedbytheofficerhavingthe
legalcustodyoftherecord,orbyhisdeputy,andaccompanied,iftherecordisnotkeptinthePhilippines,withacertificate
thatsuchofficerhasthecustody.Iftheofficeinwhichtherecordiskeptisinforeigncountry,thecertificatemaybemadebya
secretaryoftheembassyorlegation,consulgeneral,consul,viceconsul,orconsularagentorbyanyofficerintheforeign
serviceofthePhilippinesstationedintheforeigncountryinwhichtherecordiskept,andauthenticatedbythesealofhis
office.(25a)
Section25.Whatattestationofcopymuststate.Wheneveracopyofadocumentorrecordisattestedforthepurposeof
evidence,theattestationmuststate,insubstance,thatthecopyisacorrectcopyoftheoriginal,oraspecificpartthereof,as
thecasemaybe.Theattestationmustbeundertheofficialsealoftheattestingofficer,iftherebeany,orifhebetheclerkof
acourthavingaseal,underthesealofsuchcourt.(26a)
Section26.Irremovab ilityofpub licrecord.Anypublicrecord,anofficialcopyofwhichisadmissibleinevidence,mustnot
beremovedfromtheofficeinwhichitiskept,exceptuponorderofacourtwheretheinspectionoftherecordisessentialto
thejustdeterminationofapendingcase.(27a)
Section27.Pub licrecordofaprivatedocument.Anauthorizedpublicrecordofaprivatedocumentmaybeprovedbythe
originalrecord,orbyacopythereof,attestedbythelegalcustodianoftherecord,withanappropriatecertificatethatsuch
officerhasthecustody.(28a)
Section28.Proofoflackofrecord.Awrittenstatementsignedbyanofficerhavingthecustodyofanofficialrecordorby
his deputy that after diligent search no record or entry of a specified tenor is found to exist in the records of his office,
accompaniedbyacertificateasaboveprovided,isadmissibleasevidencethattherecordsofhisofficecontainnosuch
recordorentry.(29)
Section29.Howjudicialrecordimpeached.Anyjudicialrecordmaybeimpeachedbyevidenceof:(a)wantofjurisdiction
inthecourtorjudicialofficer,(b)collusionbetweentheparties,or(c)fraudinthepartyofferingtherecord,inrespecttothe
proceedings.(30a)
Section30.Proofofnotarialdocuments.Everyinstrumentdulyacknowledgedorprovedandcertifiedasprovidedbylaw,
may be presented in evidence without further proof, the certificate of acknowledgment being prima facie evidence of the
executionoftheinstrumentordocumentinvolved.(31a)
Section31.Alterationindocument,howtoexplain.Thepartyproducingadocumentasgenuinewhichhasbeenaltered
and appears to have been altered after its execution, in a part material to the question in dispute, must account for the
alteration.Hemayshowthatthealterationwasmadebyanother,withouthisconcurrence,orwasmadewiththeconsentof
thepartiesaffectedbyit,orwasotherwiseproperlyorinnocentmade,orthatthealterationdidnotchangethemeaningor
languageoftheinstrument.Ifhefailstodothat,thedocumentshallnotbeadmissibleinevidence.(32a)
Section 32. Seal. There shall be no difference between sealed and unsealed private documents insofar as their
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admissibilityasevidenceisconcerned.(33a)
Section33.Documentaryevidenceinanunofficiallanguage.Documentswritteninanunofficiallanguageshallnotbe
admittedasevidence,unlessaccompaniedwithatranslationintoEnglishorFilipino.Toavoidinterruptionofproceedings,
partiesortheirattorneysaredirectedtohavesuchtranslationpreparedbeforetrial.(34a)
C.OFFERANDOBJECTION
Section34.Offerofevidence.Thecourtshallconsidernoevidencewhichhasnotbeenformallyoffered.Thepurposefor
whichtheevidenceisofferedmustbespecified.(35)
Section35.Whentomakeoffer.Asregardsthetestimonyofawitness,theoffermustbemadeatthetimethewitnessis
calledtotestify.
Documentaryandobjectevidenceshallbeofferedafterthepresentationofaparty'stestimonialevidence.Suchoffershallbe
doneorallyunlessallowedbythecourttobedoneinwriting.(n)
Section36.Ob jection.Objectiontoevidenceofferedorallymustbemadeimmediatelyaftertheofferismade.
Objection to a question propounded in the course of the oral examination of a witness shall be made as soon as the
groundsthereforshallbecomereasonablyapparent.
Anofferofevidenceinwritingshallbeobjectedtowithinthree(3)daysafternoticeoftheunlessadifferentperiodisallowed
bythecourt.
Inanycase,thegroundsfortheobjectionsmustbespecified.(36a)
Section 37. When repetition of ob jection unnecessary. When it becomes reasonably apparent in the course of the
examinationofawitnessthatthequestionbeingpropoundedareofthesameclassasthosetowhichobjectionhasbeen
made, whether such objection was sustained or overruled, it shall not be necessary to repeat the objection, it being
sufficientfortheadversepartytorecordhiscontinuingobjectiontosuchclassofquestions.(37a)
Section 38. Ruling. The ruling of the court must be given immediately after the objection is made, unless the court
desirestotakeareasonabletimetoinformitselfonthequestionpresentedbuttherulingshallalwaysbemadeduringthe
trialandatsuchtimeaswillgivethepartyagainstwhomitismadeanopportunitytomeetthesituationpresentedbythe
ruling.
Thereasonforsustainingoroverrulinganobjectionneednotbestated.However,iftheobjectionisbasedontwoormore
grounds,arulingsustainingtheobjectionononeorsomeofthemmustspecifythegroundorgroundsreliedupon.(38a)
Section39.Strikingoutanswer.Shouldawitnessanswerthequestionbeforetheadversepartyhadtheopportunityto
voicefullyitsobjectiontothesame,andsuchobjectionisfoundtobemeritorious,thecourtshallsustaintheobjectionand
ordertheanswergiventobestrickenofftherecord.
On proper motion, the court may also order the striking out of answers which are incompetent, irrelevant, or otherwise
improper.(n)
Section40.Tenderofexcludedevidence.Ifdocumentsorthingsofferedinevidenceareexcludedbythecourt,theofferor
may have the same attached to or made part of the record. If the evidence excluded is oral, the offeror may state for the
recordthenameandotherpersonalcircumstancesofthewitnessandthesubstanceoftheproposedtestimony.(n)

RULE133
WeightandSufficiencyofEvidence
Section1.Preponderanceofevidence,howdetermined.Incivilcases,thepartyhavingburdenofproofmustestablishhis
case by a preponderance of evidence. In determining where the preponderance or superior weight of evidence on the
issuesinvolvedlies,thecourtmayconsiderallthefactsandcircumstancesofthecase,thewitnesses'manneroftestifying,
theirintelligence,theirmeansandopportunityofknowingthefactstowhichtherearetestifying,thenatureofthefactsto
whichtheytestify,theprobabilityorimprobabilityoftheirtestimony,theirinterestorwantofinterest,andalsotheirpersonal
credibilitysofarasthesamemaylegitimatelyappearuponthetrial.Thecourtmayalsoconsiderthenumberofwitnesses,
thoughthepreponderanceisnotnecessarilywiththegreaternumber.(1a)
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Section2.Proofb eyondreasonab ledoub t.Inacriminalcase,theaccusedisentitledtoanacquittal,unlesshisguiltis

shown beyond reasonable doubt. Proof beyond reasonable doubt does not mean such a degree of proof, excluding
possibility of error, produces absolute certainly. Moral certainly only is required, or that degree of proof which produces
convictioninanunprejudicedmind.(2a)
Section3.Extrajudicialconfession,notsufficientgroundforconviction.Anextrajudicialconfessionmadebyanaccused,
shallnotbesufficientgroundforconviction,unlesscorroboratedbyevidenceofcorpusdelicti.(3)
Section4.Circumstantialevidence,whensufficient.Circumstantialevidenceissufficientforconvictionif:
(a)Thereismorethanonecircumstances
(b)Thefactsfromwhichtheinferencesarederivedareprovenand
(c)Thecombinationofallthecircumstancesissuchastoproduceaconvictionbeyondreasonabledoubt.(5)
Section5.Sub stantial evidence. In cases filed before administrative or quasijudicial bodies, a fact may be deemed
establishedifitissupportedbysubstantialevidence,orthatamountofrelevantevidencewhichareasonablemindmight
acceptasadequatetojustifyaconclusion.(n)
Section6.Powerofthecourttostopfurtherevidence.Thecourtmaystoptheintroductionoffurthertestimonyuponany
particularpointwhentheevidenceuponitisalreadysofullthatmorewitnessestothesamepointcannotbereasonably
expectedtobeadditionallypersuasive.Butthispowershouldbeexercisedwithcaution.(6)
Section7.Evidenceonmotion.Whenamotionisbasedonfactsnotappearingofrecordthecourtmayhearthematter
onaffidavitsordepositionspresentedbytherespectiveparties,butthecourtmaydirectthatthematterbeheardwhollyor
partlyonoraltestimonyordepositions.(7)

RULE1341
PerpetuationofTestimony

Section1.Petition.Apersonwhodesirestoperpetuatehisowntestimonyorthatofanotherpersonregardinganymatter
thatmaybecognizableinanycourtofthePhilippines,anyfileaverifiedpetitioninthecourtoftheprovinceoftheresidenceof
anyexpectedadverseparty.
Section2.Contentsofpetition.The petition shall be entitled in the name of the petitioner and shall show: (a) that the
petitionerexpectstobeapartytoanactioninacourtofthePhilippinesbyispresentlyunabletobringitorcauseittobe
brought(b)thesubjectmatteroftheexpectedactionandhisinteresttherein(c)thefactswhichhedesirestoestablishby
the proposed testimony and his reasons for desiring to perpetuate it (d) the names of a description of the persons he
expectswillbeadversepartiesandtheiraddressessofarasknownand(e)thenamesandaddressesofthepersonsto
beexaminedandthesubstanceofthetestimonywhichheexpectstoelicitfromeach,andshallaskforanorderauthorizing
thepetitionertotakethedepositionsofthepersonstobeexaminednamedinthepetitionforthepurposeofperpetuating
theirtestimony.
Section3.Noticeandservice.Thepetitionershallthereafterserveanoticeuponeachpersonnamedinthepetitionasan
expectedadverseparty,togetherwithacopyofapetition,statingthatthepetitionerwillapplytothecourt,atatimeandplace
namedtherein,fortheorderdescribedinthepetition.Atleasttwenty(20)daysbeforethedateofhearingthenoticeshallbe
servedinthemannerprovidedforserviceofsummons.
Section4.Orderofexamination.Ifthecourtissatisfiedthattheperpetuationofthetestimonymaypreventafailureor
delayofjustice,itshallmakeanorderdesignatingordescribingthepersonswhosedepositionmaybetakenandspecifying
the subject matter of the examination, and whether the depositions shall be taken upon oral examination or written
interrogatories.ThedepositionsmaythenbetakeninaccordancewithRule24beforethehearing.
Section 5. Reference to court. For the purpose of applying Rule 24 to depositions for perpetuating testimony, each
referencethereintothecourtinwhichtheactionispendingshallbedeemedtorefertothecourtinwhichthepetitionfor
suchdepositionwasfiled.
Section6.Useofdeposition.Ifadepositiontoperpetuatetestimonyistakenunderthisrule,orif,althoughnotsotaken,it
wouldbeadmissibleinevidence,itmaybeusedinanyactioninvolvingthesamesubjectmattersubsequentlybroughtin
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accordancewiththeprovisionsofSections4and5ofRule24.
Section7.Depositionspendingappeal.IfanappealhasbeentakenfromajudgmentoftheRegionalTrialCourtorbefore
thetakingofanappealifthetimethereforhasnotexpired,theRegionalTrialCourtinwhichthejudgmentwasrenderedmay
allowthetakingofdepositionsofwitnessestoperpetuatetheirtestimonyforuseintheeventoffurtherproceedingsinthe
saidcourt.InsuchcasethepartywhodesirestoperpetuatethetestimonymaymakeamotioninthesaidRegionalTrial
Courtforleavetotakethedepositions,uponthesamenoticeandservicethereofasiftheactionwaspendingtherein.The
motion shall show (a) the name and the addresses of the persons to be examined and the substance of the testimony
which he expects to elicit from each and (b) the reason for perpetuating their testimony. If the court finds that the
perpetuationofthetestimonyispropertoavoidafailureordelayofjustice,itmaymakeanorderallowingthedepositionsto
betaken,andthereuponthedepositionsmaybetakenandusedinthesamemannerandunderthesameconditionsas
areprescribedintheserulesfordepositionstakeninactionspendingintheRegionalTrialCourt.(7a)
Footnote
ThisrulewillbetransposedtoPart1oftheRulesofCourtonDepositionandDiscovery.
TheLawphilProjectArellanoLawFoundation

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