RULE 123 - PROCEDURE IN THE MUNICIPAL TRIAL COURTS

Section  1.  Uniform  Procedure.  –  The  procedure  to  be  observed  in the Metropolitan Trial Courts, Municipal Trial Courts and Municipal Circuit  Trial  Courts  shall  be  the  same  as  in  the  Regional  Trial Courts, except where a particular provision applies only to either of said courts and in criminal cases governed by the Revised Rule on Summary Procedure. 

WHAT IS SUMMARY PROCEDURE?

     Procedure  wherein  the  court  decides  the  case  through  the evidence and affidavits presented by the parties

RESOLUTION  OF  THE  COURT  EN  BANC  DATED  OCTOBER  15,  1991 PROVIDING  FOR  THE  REVISED  RULE  ON  SUMMARY  PROCEDURE FOR METROPOLITAN TRIAL COURTS, MUNICIPAL TRIAL COURTS IN CITIES,  MUNICIPAL   TRIAL  COURTS  AND   MUNICIPAL  CIRCUIT TRIAL COURTS.
 
I. Applicability
 
Section 1.  Scope. — This rule shall govern the summary procedure in the Metropolitan Trial Courts, the Municipal Trial Courts in Cities, the Municipal Trial Courts, and the Municipal Circuit Trial Courts in
the following cases falling within their jurisdiction:
 
xxx xxx xxx
 
B.  Criminal Cases:
 
(1)  Violations of traffic laws, rules and regulations;
 
(2)  Violations of the rental law;
 
(3)  Violations of municipal or city ordinances;
 
(4)    All  other  criminal  cases  where  the  penalty  prescribed  by  law for the offense charged is imprisonment not exceeding six months, or a fine not exceeding (P1,000.00), or both, irrespective of other imposable penalties, accessory or otherwise, or of the civil liability arising  therefrom:  Provided,  however,  that  in  offenses  involving damage  to  property  through  criminal  negligence,  this  Rule  shall
govern  where  the  imposable  fine  does  not  exceed  ten  thousand pesos (P10,000.00).
 
This Rule shall not apply to a civil case where the plaintiffs cause of action  is  pleaded  in  the  same  complaint  with  another  cause  of action  subject  to  the  ordinary  procedure;  nor  to  a  criminal  case
where  the  offense   charged  is  necessarily   related  to  another criminal case subject to the ordinary procedure.

Sec. 2.  Determination of applicability. — Upon the filing of a civil or criminal action, the court shall issue an order declaring whether or not the case shall  be governed by this Rule. A  patently erroneous
determination  to  avoid  the  application  of  the  Rule  on  Summary Procedure is a ground for disciplinary action.

WHAT  ARE  THE  CRIMINAL  CASES  FALLING  UNDER  THE  RULES  OF SUMMARY PROCEDURE?

1.    Violations of traffic laws, rules and regulations
2.    Violations of the rental law
3.    Violations of municipal or city ordinances
4.    All  other  criminal  cases  where  the  penalty  prescribed  by  law  for the offense charged is imprisonment not exceeding six months, or
a  fine  not  exceeding  (P1,000.00),  or  both,  irrespective  of  other imposable penalties, accessory or otherwise, or of the civil liability arising  therefrom:  Provided,  however,  that  in  offenses  involving
damage  to  property  through  criminal  negligence,  this  Rule  shall govern  where  the  imposable  fine  does  not  exceed  ten  thousand pesos (P10,000.00). 

xxx xxx xxx
 
III. Criminal Cases
 
Sec.    11.    How  commenced.  —  The  filing  of  criminal  cases  falling within  the  scope  of  this  Rule  shall  be  either  by  complaint  or  by information: Provided, however, that in Metropolitan Manila and in
Chartered   Cities,   such   cases   shall   be   commenced   only   by information,  except  when  the  offense  cannot  be  prosecuted  de oficio. 
 
The   complaint   or   information   shall   be   accompanied   by   the affidavits of the compliant and of his witnesses in such number of copies as there are accused plus two (2) copies for the court's files. 
If this requirement is not complied with within five  (5) days from date of filing, the case may be dismissed. 

HOW   IS   A   CRIMINAL   CASE   COMMENCED   IN   A   SUMMARY PROCEDURE?

     The  filing  of  criminal  cases  falling  within  the  scope  of  this  Rule shall be either by complaint or by information: Provided, however, that  in  Metropolitan  Manila  and  in  Chartered  Cities,  such  cases shall be commenced only by information, except when the offense cannot be prosecuted de oficio. 

     The  complaint  or  information  shall  be  accompanied  by  the affidavits of the compliant and of his witnesses in such number of copies  as  there  are  accused  plus  two  (2)  copies  for  the  court's files.  If this requirement is not complied with within five (5) days from date of filing, the case may be dismissed

Sec.  12.  Duty of court. — 
 
(a)  If commenced by compliant. — On the  basis of  the compliant and the affidavits and other evidence accompanying the same, the court  may  dismiss  the  case  outright  for  being  patently  without
basis or merit and order the release of the accused if in custody.
 
(b)  If commenced by information. — When the case is commenced by information, or is not dismissed pursuant to the next preceding paragraph,  the  court  shall  issue  an  order  which,  together  with
copies  of  the  affidavits  and  other  evidence  submitted  by  the prosecution,  shall  require  the  accused  to  submit  his  counter-affidavit and the affidavits of his witnesses as well as any evidence
in  his  behalf,  serving   copies  thereof  on  the  complainant  or prosecutor not later than ten (10) days from receipt of said order. The prosecution may file reply affidavits within ten (10) days after receipt of the counter-affidavits of the defense. 

WHAT  SHOULD  THE  MTC  FIRST  DO  WHENEVER  INFORMATION  IS FILED?

     When the case is commenced by information, or  isn’t dismissed, the court shall issue an order which, together  with the affidavits and other evidence submitted by the prosecution, SHALL REQUIRE
THE  ACCUSED  TO  SUBMIT  HIS  COUNTER-AFFIDAVIT  AND  THE AFFIDAVITS OF HIS WITNESSES AS WELL AS ANY EVIDENCE IN HIS BEHALF
     Copies of the above shall be served thereof to the complainant or prosecutor not later than 10 days from receipt of said order

     The prosecution may also be allowed to file reply affidavits within 10 days after receipt of the counter-affidavits of the defense 

Sec.    13.    Arraignment  and  trial.  —  Should  the  court,  upon  a consideration  of  the  complaint  or  information  and  the  affidavits submitted  by  both  parties,  find  no  cause  or  ground  to  hold  the  accused for trial, it shall order the dismissal of the case; otherwise, the court shall set the case for arraignment and trial.
 
If  the  accused  is  in  custody  for  the  crime  charged,  he  shall  be immediately  arraigned  and  if  he  enters  a  plea  of  guilty,  he  shall forthwith be sentenced.
 
Sec.  14.  Preliminary conference. — Before conducting the trial, the court shall call the parties to a preliminary conference during which a  stipulation  of  facts  may  be  entered  into,  or  the  propriety  of
allowing  the  accused  to  enter  a  plea  of  guilty  to  a  lesser  offense may  be  considered,  or  such  other  matters  may  be  taken  up  to clarify  the  issues  and  to  ensure  a  speedy  disposition  of  the  case. However,  no  admission  by  the  accused  shall  be  used  against  him unless  reduced  to  writing  and  signed  by  the  accused  and  his counsel.    A  refusal  or  failure  to  stipulate  shall  not  prejudice  the accused.

 WHEN  DOES  A  PRELIMINARY  CONFERENCE  TAKE  PLACE?  WHAT HAPPENS DURING A PRELIMINARY CONFERENCE?

Before conducting the trial, the court shall call the parties to a preliminary conference during which—
1.    Stipulation of facts may be entered into
2.    The  propriety  of  allowing  the  accused  to  plead  guilty  to  a  lesser offense may be considered
3.    Other  matters  as  may  be  taken  up  to  clarify  the  issues  and  to ensure a speedy disposition of the case

Sec.  15.  Procedure of trial. — At the trial, the affidavits submitted by  the  parties  shall  constitute  the  direct  testimonies  of  the witnesses who executed the same. Witnesses who testified may be
subjected  to  cross-examination,  redirect  or  re-cross  examination. Should   the   affiant   fail   to   testify,   his   affidavit   shall   not   be considered  as  competent  evidence  for  the  party  presenting  the affidavit,  but  the  adverse  party  may  utilize  the  same  for  any admissible purpose.
 
Except  in  rebuttal  or  surrebuttal,  no  witness  shall  be  allowed  to testify unless his affidavit was previously submitted to the court in accordance with Section 12 hereof.
 
However,  should  a  party  desire  to  present  additional  affidavits  or counter-affidavits  as  part  of  his  direct  evidence,  he  shall  so manifest  during  the  preliminary  conference,  stating  the  purpose
thereof.    If  allowed  by  the  court,  the  additional  affidavits  of  the prosecution  or  the  counter-affidavits  of  the  defense  shall  be submitted  to  the  court  and  served  on  the  adverse  party  not  later than  three  (3)  days  after  the  termination  of  the  preliminary conference.  If  the  additional  affidavits  are  presented  by  the prosecution, the accused may file his  counter-affidavits  and serve
the  same  on  the  prosecution  within  three  (3)  days  from  such service.
 
Sec.  16.  Arrest of accused. — The court shall not order the arrest of  the  accused  except  for  failure  to  appear  whenever  required. Release  of  the  person  arrested  shall  either  be  on  bail  or  on
recognizance by a responsible citizen acceptable to the court.

IF  AN  ACCUSED  IS  CHARGED  IN  THE  MUNICIPAL  TRIAL  COURT, CAN  THE  COURT  ISSUE  A  WARRANT  OF  ARREST  AGAINST  THE ACCUSED?

     The  court  shall  not  order  the  arrest  of  the  accused  except  for failure to appear whenever required. 
     Release  of  the  person  arrested  shall  either  be  on  bail  or  on recognizance by a responsible citizen acceptable to the court. 

Sec.  17.  Judgment. — Where a trial has been conducted, the court shall promulgate the judgment not later than thirty (30) days after the termination of trial. 

WHEN DOES THE COURT NEED TO PROMULGATE JUDGMENT?

     Where a trial has been conducted, the court shall promulgate the judgment not later than thirty (30) days after the termination of trial. 

IV. COMMON PROVISIONS
 
Sec.  18.  Referral to Lupon. — Cases requiring referral to the Lupon for  conciliation  under  the  provisions  of  Presidential  Decree  No. 1508   where   there   is   no   showing   of   compliance   with   such requirement,  shall  be  dismissed  without  prejudice  and  may  be revived only after such requirement shall have been complied with.   This provision shall not apply to criminal cases where the accused was arrested without a warrant. 

CAN THE MTC REFER THE CASE TO THE LUPON?
     Yes
     The  exception  is  when  the  accused  has  been  arrested  without
warrant.  
 

WHAT  HAPPENS  WHEN  THERE  HAS  BEEN  NO  COMPLIANCE  WITH THE REQUIREMENT THAT THERE SHOULD BE FIRST CONCILIATION PROCEEDINGS IN THE LUPON?

     The court may dismiss the case without prejudice
     It may also revive the case only after such requirement shall have been complied with
     This  provision  shall  not  apply  in  criminal  cases  wherein  the accused has been arrested lawfully without a warrant of arrest. 

Sec.    19.    Prohibited  pleadings  and  motions.  —  The  following pleadings,  motions  or  petitions  shall  not  be  allowed  in  the  cases covered by this Rule:
 
(a)  Motion to dismiss the complaint or to quash the complaint or information  except  on  the  ground  of  lack  of  jurisdiction  over  the subject matter, or failure to comply with the preceding section;
 
(b)  Motion for a bill of particulars;
 
(c)   Motion for new trial, or  for  reconsideration of a judgment, or for opening of trial;
 
(d)  Petition for relief from judgment;
 
(e)  Motion for extension of time to file pleadings, affidavits or any other paper;
 
(f)  Memoranda;
 
(g)    Petition  for  certiorari,  mandamus,  or  prohibition  against  any interlocutory order issued by the court;
 
(h)  Motion to declare the defendant in default;
 
(i)  Dilatory motions for postponement;
 
(j)  Reply;
 
(k)  Third party complaints; 

(l)  Interventions. 

Sec.    20.    Affidavits.  —  The  affidavits  required  to  be  submitted under this Rule shall state only facts of direct personal knowledge of  the  affiants  which  are  admissible  in  evidence,  and  shall  show their competence to testify to the matters stated therein.
 
A violation of this requirement may subject the party or the counsel who submits the same to disciplinary action, and shall be cause to expunge  the  inadmissible  affidavit  or  portion  thereof  from  the record. 

WHAT  IS  REQUIRED  IN  THE  SUBMISSION  OF  AFFIDAVITS  IN  A SUMMARY PROCEEDING?

     The affidavits required to be submitted under this Rule shall state only  facts  of  direct  personal  knowledge  of  the  affiants  which  are admissible in evidence, and shall show their competence to testify
to the matters stated therein. 

Sec.  21.  Appeal. — The judgment or final order shall be appealable to the appropriate Regional Trial Court which shall decide the same in  accordance  with  Section  22  of  Batas  Pambansa  Blg.  129.  The
decision of the Regional Trial Court in civil cases governed by this Rule,  including  forcible  entry  and  unlawful  detainer,  shall  be immediately executory, without prejudice to a further appeal that
may  be  taken  therefrom.    Section  10  of  Rule  70  shall  be  deemed repealed.
 
Sec.  22.  Applicability of the regular rules. — The regular procedure prescribed  in  the  Rules  of  Court  shall  apply  to  the  special  cases herein provided for in a suppletory capacity insofar as they are not
inconsistent herewith.