SPECIAL CIVIL ACTIONS INTRODUCTORY CONCEPTS

Special(civil(action,(nature!! of!the! e.! Forcible!entry;!

The! fact! that! an! action! is! subject! to! special! rules! other! COMELEC!and! and!
than! those! applicable! to! ordinary! civil! actions! is! what! COA;! f.! Unlawful!
makes!a!civil!action!special.!(Riano)!( c.! CPM;! detainer(
( d.! Quo!Warranto;!
Ordinary(Civil(Action(v.(Special(Civil(Action( e.! Contempt!!
An! ordinary( civil( action(is! when! a! party! sues! another! !
for! the! enforcement! or! protection! of! a! right,! or! the! !
prevention!or!redress!of!a!wrong.![Reyes)v.)Enriquez,)G.R.) Jurisdiction(and(Venue(!
No.) 162956,) April) 10,) 2008]! A! special( civil( action( The! venue! of! special! civil! actions! is! governed! by! the!
contains! special! features! not! found! in! ordinary! civil! general!rules!on!venue,!except!when!otherwise!indicated!
actions.!It!is!also!governed!by!ordinary!rules!but!subject! by! a! particular! rule! under! the! rules! on! special! civil!
to!specific!rules!prescribed.![Rule)1,)Sec.)3)(a),)Paragraph) actions.!Special!Civil!Actions!are!governed!by!the!rules!on!
2]! ordinary!civil!actions,!subject!to!specific!rules!prescribed!
! for!a!particular!civil!action.!(Sec.!3aa,!Rule!1).!
OCA( SCA( !
Cause!of!action!–!required! Not! required! in! Unlike!ordinary!civil!actions!which!is!determined!by!
in!all!! Declaratory!Relief! either!the!residences!of!the!parties!if!personal,!or!
Venue! –! residence! of! Quo! Warranto! –! if! location!of!the!property!if!real,!special!civil!actions!need!
parties/location!of!RP! commenced!in!SC!or!CA! not!be!based!on!this.!!
–!where!the!court!sits.!If! !
commenced! in! RTC,! For! instance,! for! quo) warranto,! venue! is! fixed! without!
looks! into! residence! of! regard! to! the! residences! of! the! parties.! [Riano,) Civil)
respondent! only.! If! SG! Procedure)II,)2012]!Venue!should!still!follow!the!rule!on!
commences,!in!RTC!City! venue,!except!in!instances!where!the!special!civil!action!
of!Manila.! specifies.!
MTC/RTC! –! actions! filed! FEUD!–!only!in!MTC! !
depends! on! jurisdictional! CPM!–!cannot!be!filed!in! Jurisdiction(of(the(lower(court(to(hear(interpleader((
amount!involved.! MTC! In! view! of! defendant’s! subsequent! failure! to! settle! his!
! issue!with!the!supplier,!plaintiff!instituted!an!action!for!
! interpleader! against! the! defendant! and! the! supplier,!
Special(Civil(Actions(under(the(Rules(of(Court( before!the!Court!of!First!Instance.!The!Court!held!that!the!
1.! Interpleader!(Rule!62);! Special!Civil!Action!may!be!tried!by!the!lower!court!if!it!
2.! Declaratory! relief! and! similar! remedies! (Rule! falls! within! its! jurisdiction,! here! the! amount! was! less!
63);! than! 10,000,! hence,! the! petition! was! proper.! [Makati)
3.! Review! of! judgment! and! final! orders! or! Development) v.) Tanjuatco,) G.R.) No.) LR26443,) March) 25,)
resolutions!of!the!Commission!on!Elections!and! 1969]!!
the!Commission!on!Audit!(Rule!64);! !
4.! Certiorari,! Prohibition,! and! Mandamus! (Rule! Jurisdiction(in(ejectment((
65);! Petitioners! contend! that! since! the! MTC! acted! without!
5.! Quo!Warranto!(Rule!66);! jurisdiction,!the!RTC!can!only!decide!the!case!on!appeal!
6.! Expropriation!(Rule!67);! if! it! has! original! jurisdiction.! The! SC! held! that! the! MTC!
7.! Foreclosure!of!real!estate!mortgage!(Rule!68);! had! jurisdiction! over! this! ejectment! case! even! if! the!
8.! Partition!(Rule!69);! question! of! possession! could! be! resolved! without!
9.! Forcible!entry!and!unlawful!detainer!(Rule!70);! passing! upon! the! issue! of! ownership.! [Serrano) v.)
and! Gutierrez,)G.R.)No.)162366,)November)10,)2006](
10.! Contempt!(Rule!71).! (
! Burden(of(Proof(!
How(SCAs(are(initiated(or(commenced( In! a! special! civil! action! for! certiorari,! the! petitioner!
While!ordinary!civil!actions!are!initiated!by!the!filing!of!a! carries! the! burden! of! proving! not! merely! reversible!
complaint,! some! SCAs! are! initiated! by! the! filing! of! a! error,!but!grave!abuse!of!discretion!amounting!to!lack!or!
petition.) excess! of! jurisdiction,! on! the! part! of! the! public!
! respondent!for!his!issuance!of!the!impugned!order.!
SCAs(commenced(by(a( SCAs(initiated(by(a( !
Petition( Complaint(
a.! Declaratory! a.! Interpleader;!
relief!and! b.! Expropriation;!
other!similar! c.! Foreclosure!of!
remedies;! REM;!
b.! Review!of! d.! Partition;!
adjudications!

DATABRIL2017 1
 SPECIAL CIVIL ACTIONS INTERPLEADER

Rule%62:%Interpleader% the" plaintiff" in" interpleader." The" rule" requires" that" the"
% conflicting"claims"“be"made"against"a"person"who"claims"
Interpleader,%definition% no"interest"whatever"in"the"subject"matter.”"
A"remedy"whereby"a"person"who"has"property"(personal" "
or" real)" in" his" possession," or" an" obligation" to" render" Plaintiff"in"interpleader"has"interest"in"the"subject"matter"
wholly"or"partially,"without"claiming"any"right"to"either," Where"the"claims"are"against"the"plaintiff"in"interpleader"
comes"to"court"and"asks"that"the"persons"who"claim"the" who" also" has" an" interest" in" the" subject" matter" of" the"
said"property"or"demand"compliance"with"the"obligation," adverse"claims,"then"an"interpleader"will"not"lie."The"rule"
be" required" to" litigate" among" themselves" in" order" to" requires" that" the" person" against" whom" the" conflicting"
determine"finally"who"is"entitled"to"the"same." claims"are"asserted"“claims"no"interest"whatever"in"the"
" subject" matter,”" or" if" he" has" such" an" interest," it" “is" not"
When%to%file%an%Interpleader% disputed"by"the"claimants.”"
An" action" in" interpleader" should" be" filed" within" a" "
reasonable" time" after" a" dispute" has" arisen" without" Instances%when%interpleader%is%proper%"
waiting"to"be"sued"by"either"if"the"contending"claimants." 1.! Where" a" person" has" property" in" his" custody"
Otherwise"he"may"be"barred"by"laches"or"undue"delay." over" which" he" himself" asserts" no" interest," but"
" several"persons"claim"a"right"to"the"property;"
How%commenced% 2.! When"one,"who"has"an"obligation"to"perform"an"
An" interpleader" is" commenced" by" the" filing" of" a" act," is" confronted" with" conflicting" claims"
complaint." The" action" is" brought" by" the" person" against" asserting"the"right"to"be"entitled"to"the"benefits"
whom" conflicting" claims" upon" the" subject" matter" are" of"the"performance"of"the"obligation"
made."" "
" In"both"instances,"the"person"upon"whom"the"conflicting"
Requisites%for%interpleader%" claims"are"made"is"faced"with"a"legal"problem"involving"a"
It"is"indispensable"that"there"be"conflicting"claims"upon" determination" of" who" among" the" conflicting" claimants"
the"same"subject"matter"are"or"may"be"made"against"the" has"the"legal"right"to"receive"the"property"subject"of"the"
plaintiffBinBinterpleader" who" claims" no" interest" controversy" or" who" among" them" is" entitled" to" the"
whatever" in" the" subject" matter" or" an" interest" which" in" performance"of"the"obligation."
whole"or"in"part"is"not"disputed"by"the"claimants."(Rizal& "
Commercial& Banking& Corporation& v.& Metro& Container& Other%instances%
Corp.,&G.R.&No.&127913,&September&13,&2001)" 1.! When"the"lessee"does"not"know"the"person"who"
" is" entitled" to" the" payment" of" the" rentals" due"
The"requisites"are:"" because" of" conflicting" claims" on" the" property,"
a.! There" must" be" two" or" more" claimants" with" the" remedy" passes" the" legal" problem" to" the"
adverse"or"conflicting"interests"upon"a"subject" court" which" will" have" to" adjudicate" upon" the"
matter;"" adverse" claims." [Pasrischa& v.& Don& Luis& Dizon&
b.! The"conflicting"claims"involve"the"same"subject" Realty,&Inc.,&548&SCRA&273,&292]"
matter;"" "
c.! The" conflicting" claims" are" made" against" the" 2.! When" two" or" more" persons" claim" a" right" to"
same"person"(plaintiff);"" collect" from" a" debtor" who" admits" his" liability"
d.! The" plaintiff" has" no" claim" upon" the" subject" but" is" uncertain" as" to" who" among" several"
matter" of" the" adverse" claims" or" if" he" has" an" claimants"is"entitled"to"payment,"the"remedy"of"
interest"at"all,"such"interest"is"not"disputed"by" the"debtor"under"such"situation"is"an"action"for"
the"claimants."" interpleader.""
" "
Instances%when%interpleader%will%not%sustain% Court%with%jurisdiction%
Different"subject"matters" Property%and%its%value% Court%
The" provisions" of" sec." 1" of" Rule" 62" emphasize" the" Personal%property% "
existence" of" conflicting" claims" between" or" among" the" Not"more"than"P300,000" "
conflicting"claimants."It"is,"however,"clear"from"the"rule" (outside" MM)" or" not" MTC"
that"the"mere"existence"of"conflicting"claims"between"or" more" than" P400,000"
among" several" persons" is" not" sufficient" to" sustain" an" (inside"MM)"
interpleader"action"where"such"claims"do"not"refer"to"the" Real%property% "
same" subject" matter." Where" the" subject" matters" are" Assessed"value"not"more" "
different," the" claims" are" to" be" deemed" separate" and" than" P20,000" (outside" "
distinct,"and"an"interpleader"will"not"apply." MM)" or" not" more" than" "
" P50,000" (inside" MM);" MTC"
Claims"are"not"against"the"plaintiff"in"interpleader" except" actions" for"
Also,"the"conflicting"claims"over"the"same"subject"matter" forcible"entry"of"unlawful"
will"not"sustain"an"interpleader"action"if"such"claims"are" detainer"
merely"claims"against"each"other"but"not"claims"against"

DATABRIL2017 2
 SPECIAL CIVIL ACTIONS INTERPLEADER

Incapable% of% pecuniary% RTC" to"the"court."Such"direction"shall"be"made"if"the"

estimation%
" "
" Motion%to%dismiss%
Grounds%to%dismiss%Interpleader:%
1)! On" the" ground" of" impropriety" of" the"
interpleader"action;"or"
2)! Other"appropriate"grounds"specified"in"rule"16."
(Sec"4.)"
" in"Rule"16."
Effect% when% the% claimant% fails% to% file% w/in% the% time%
fixed%
The" court" may," on" motion," declare" him" in" default" and"
thereafter"render"judgment"barring"him"form"any"claim"
in"respect"to"the"subject"matter."(Sec."5)."
" "
Interpleader%v.%Intervention%
Interpleader% Intervention%
A" special" civil" action," Merely" ancillary" and"
independent"and"original" depends" upon" the"
existence" of" a" pending"
action"
Commenced"by"the"filing" Commenced"by"a"motion"
of"a"complaint" for" leave" to" intervene"
filed" in" a" pending" case"
(pleadingBinB
intervention)"
Filed" by" a" person" who" Filed" by" a" person" who"
has" no" interest" in" the" has"a"legal"interest"in"any"
subject" matter" of" the" of" the" following:" (a)"
action" or" if" he" has" an" subject" matter" of" the"
interest," the" same" is" not" litigation;" (b)" success" of"
disputed" by" the" either"or"both"parties;"(c)"
claimants" interest" against" both"
parties;"or"(d)"he"may"be"
adversely"affected"by"the"
disposition" or"
distribution" of" property"
in" the" custody" of" the"
court" or" of" an" officer"
thereof"
The" defendants" are" The" defendants" are"
brought" into" the" action" already" parties" to" an"
because" they" are" sued" existing"suit,"not"because"
and"impleaded"as"such"in" of" the" intervention," but"
the"complaint" because" of" the" original"
suit"
" claims," crossBclaims," TPCs," and" responsive" pleadings"
Summons;%order%to%interplead%
1.! Summons"shall"be"served"upon"the"conflicting"
claimants." Also" served" together" with" the"
summons" is" a" copy" of" the" complaint" and" the"
order."
2.! The" order" that" shall" be" served" refers" to" the"
order" requiring" the" conflicting" claimants" to"
interplead"with"one"another."This"order"shall"be"
issued"upon"the"filing"of"the"complaint."
3.! Aside"from"the"order"requiring"the"claimants"to"
interplead" with" one" another," the" court" may"
include" in" the" same" order" a" direction" that" the"
subject"matter"of"the"action"be"paid"or"delivered"
interest"of"justice"so"requires."
Within" the" time" for" filing" an" answer" (which" is" 15" days"
from" service" of" summons)," each" claimant" may" file" a"
motion"to"dismiss"on"the"ground"of:"
(a)! Impropriety"of"the"interpleader"action;"or"
(b)! Any" other" appropriate" grounds" specified"
"
Impropriety%of%an%interpleader%action%
This"is"a"special"and"separate"ground"not"found"in"Rule"
16."For"an"interpleader"to"be"proper,"the"requirements"of"
sec."1"of"Rule"62"should"be"complied"with."
Effect% of% the% filing% of% a% motion% to% dismiss% on% the%
period%to%answer%
The"period"to"file"an"answer"is"interrupted"or"tolled"by"
the"filing"of"a"motion"to"dismiss."If"the"motion"is"denied,"
the" movant" may" file" his" answer" within" the" remaining"
period"to"answer,"but"which"shall"not"be"less"than"five"(5)"
days"in"any"event."This"period"shall"be"counted"from"the"
notice"of"denial"of"the"motion."
"
Answer%
Each"claimant"shall"file"his"answer"setting"forth"his"claim"
within" fifteen" (15)" days" from" service" of" the" summons"
upon"him,"serving"a"copy"thereof"upon"each"of"the"other"
conflicting" claimants." The" rule" is" clear" as" to" what" the"
answer" should" contain." The" rule" provides" that" the"
answer" shall" set" forth" the" claim" of" the" answering"
claimant."
"
Default%
If" any" claimant" fails" to" plead" within" the" time" fixed," the"
court" may," on" motion," declare" him" in" default" and"
thereafter"render"judgment"barring"him"from"any"claim"
in"respect"to"the"subject"matter."The"court"cannot"declare"
the"defendant"in"default"motu&proprio."
"
Reply%
The"claimant"served"with"the"answer"may&file"his"reply"to"
the"same.""
"
Other%pleadings%
the" parties" to" an" interpleader" action" may" file" counterB
thereto,"as"provided"by"the"Rules."
"
PreNtrial%
A"preBtrial"is"also"conducted"in"an"interpleader"action"in"
accordance"with"the"Rules."Hence,"Rule"18"of"the"Rules"of"
Court"shall"also"apply."
"
Determination;%adjudication%
The" court" shall" determine" the" respective" rights" of" the"
claimants"and"shall"adjudicate"the"server"al"claims:"
(a)! After"the"pleadings"of"the"conflicting"claimants"
have"been"filed;"and"
(b)! The"preBtrial"has"been"conducted."

DATABRIL2017 3
 SPECIAL CIVIL ACTIONS DECLARATORY RELIEF AND SIMILAR REMEDIES

Rule%63:%Declaratory%Relief%and%Similar%Remedies% court! is! bound! to! render! judgment,! whereas! in! actions!
! falling!under!the!first!paragraph,!the!court!may!refuse!to!
Declaratory%Relief,%definition% exercise! the! power! to! declare! rights! and! construe!
An! action! by! any! person! interested! in! a! deed,! will,! instruments.!(Sec.!5,!Rule!63)!
contracted,!or!other!written!instrument,!executive!order! %
or!resolution,!to!determine!any!question!of!construction! Subject% matters% in% a% petition% for% declaratory% relief;%
or!validity!arising!from!the!instrument,!executive!order! exclusive%
or! regulation,! or! statute;! and! for! a! declaration! of! his! a.! Deed!
rights!and!duties!thereunder.!The!only!question!that!may! b.! Will!
be!raised!in!such!petition!is!the!question!of!construction! c.! Contract!or!other!written!instrument!
or!validity!of!provisions!in!an!instrument!or!statute.! d.! Statute!
! e.! Executive!order!or!regulation!
Purpose%% f.! Ordinance!
The! purpose! is! to! ask! the! court! to! make! a! proper! g.! Any!other!governmental!regulation!
interpretation! of! a! written! instrument! (deed,! will,! %
contract,!or!any!other!written!instrument)!or!a!statute,! The!subject!matters!aboveEmentioned!are!exclusive.!Any!
executive! order,! ordinance,! or! other! governmental! other!matter!not!mentioned!therein!is!deemed!excluded.!
regulation.!It!also!adjudicates!the!legal!rights,!duties,!or! This! is! under! the! principle! of! expression& unius& est&
status!of!parties.! exclusion&alterius.!(Lerum&v.&Cruz)!
! %
Purpose!is!not!to!ask!for!injunction,!execution!or!other! Issue%in%declaratory%relief%
relief! beyond! the! adjudication! of! the! legal! rights! which! Validity!or!construction!of!the!instrument!
are!the!subject!of!controversy!between!the!parties.!The! !
relief! is! confined! to! the! actual! controversy! within! the! Requisites%for%declaratory%relief%(SANDRA)%
court’s!jurisdiction.! 1)! SUBJECT!matter!of!Controversy!must!be!a!deed,!
! will! contract! or! other! written! instrument,!
A!thirdEparty!complaint!is!improper!when!the!main!case! statute,! executive! order! or! regulation! or!
is! a! special! civil! action! for! declaratory! relief! since! the! ordinance;!
court! is! confined! merely! to! the! interpretation! of! the! 2)! There! must! be! an! ACTUAL! justiciable!
terms!of!the!contract.! controversy! or! the! “ripening! seeds”! of! one!
! between!persons!whose!interests!are!adverse;!
Cause%of%action%not%applicable%in%declaratory%relief% 3)! NO!breach!of!the!document!in!question;!
The!concept!of!a!cause!of!action!in!ordinary!civil!actions! 4)! The! terms! of! said! document! and! validity! are!
does! not! apply! to! declaratory! relief! as! this! special! civil! DOUBTFUL!and!require!judicial!construction;!
action! presupposes! that! there! has! been! no! breach! or! 5)! The! issue! involved! must! be! RIPE! for! judicial!
violation! of! the! instruments! involved.! Consequently,! determination.%
unlike! other! judgments,! the! judgment! in! an! action! for! 6)! ADEQUATE!relief!is!not!available!through!other!
declaratory! relief! does! not! essentially! entail! any! means!or!other!forms!of!action!or!proceeding.%
executional! process! as! the! only! relief! to! be! properly! !
granted!therein!is!a!declaration!of!the!rights!and!duties! Ripening%seeds%
of! the! parties! under! the! instrument,! although! some! To!be!ripe!for!judicial!determination,!or!to!constitute!the!
exceptions! have! been! recognized! under! certain! "ripening! seeds"! of! a! controversy,! it! must! appear! that,!
situations.! under!the!facts!of!the!case,!there!is!a!threatened!litigation!
! in!the!immediate!future,!which!litigation!is!imminent!and!
Two%types%of%actions%under%Rule%63% inevitable! unless! prevented! by! the! declaratory! relief!
1.! Action!for!declaratory!relief! sought!(Tolentino&v.&Board&of&Accountancy,&et&al.).!
2.! Similar!remedies! %
! When% proper% and% who% may% file% the% petition%
Similar%remedies% (Instances% which% will% give% rise% to% filing% of% an% action%
a.! Action!for!reformation!of!an!instrument!(Arts.& for%DR)%
1359+1369,&Civil&Code);! 1.! Any! person! interested! under! a! deed,! will,!
b.! Action! for! quieting! of! title! to! real! property! or! contract!or!other!written!instrument;!or!!
removal! of! clouds! therefrom! (Arts.& 476+481,& 2.! Whose! rights! are! affected! by! a! statute,!
Civil&Code);! executive!order!or!regulation,!ordinance,!or!any!
c.! Action! for! consolidation! of! ownership! (Art.& other!governmental!regulation.!
1607,&Civil&Code)! !
% Interpretation%of%the%contract%proper%for%declaratory%
Distinction% between% the% remedies% falling% in% the% 1st% relief%!
and%2nd%paragraph%of%Sec.1,%Rule%63.% Respondent!instituted!an!action!for!declaratory!relief!for!
A! procedural! distinction! between! the! two! remedies! is! purposes! of! determining! the! correct! interpretation! of!
that! in! the! actions! falling! under! the! 2nd! paragraph,! the! condition! Nos.! 6! and! 7! of! the! lease! contract! to! prevent!

DATABRIL2017 4
 SPECIAL CIVIL ACTIONS DECLARATORY RELIEF AND SIMILAR REMEDIES

damage!and!prejudice.!The!court!took!cognizance!on!the! When%refusal%is%proper%to%grant%petition%%
case,!despite!the!fact!that!a!separate!action!was!pending! a.! The!decision!will!not!terminate!the!controversy!
in! another! court! because! in! the! instant! case! no! breach! or!uncertainty!giving!rise!to!the!action;!or!
was!committed.![Almeda&v.&Bathala&Marketing&Industries,& b.! The! declaration! is! not! necessary! and! proper!
542&SCRA&470]!! under!the!circumstances.!
! !
Declaratory%relief%not%within%the%original%jurisdiction% Principal%Functions%of%Declaratory%Relief%
of%the%Supreme%Court%! 1)! Substitution! of! a! less! technical,! speedier,!
Petitioner!is!a!radio!station!which!was!granted!to!operate! cheaper! and! more! civilized! joinder! of! issue! in!
under!R.A.!3001,!subsequently,!President!Marcos!issued! type!of!cases!heretofore!associated!with!hostile!
P.D.!576EA!which!restricted!radio!station!ownership.!The! combat,! technicalities! of! special! writs! and!
Supreme! Court! dismissed! the! petition,! ruling! that! a! broken!economic!relations.!
petition!for!declaratory!relief!is!not!among!the!petitions! 2)! Declaratory!actions!have!enabled!courts!to!pass!
within! the! original! jurisdiction! of! the! Supreme! Court! new!types!of!cases!which!heretofore!predicted!
even! if! only! questions! of! law! are! involved.! [Allied& adjudication!on!prior!violence!or!destruction!of!
Broadcasting& Corporation& v.& Republic& of& the& Philippines,& status!quo.!
G.R.& No.& 91500,& October& 18,& 1990]! Note! that! this! rule! is! 3)! The! procedure! has! enabled! ka! party! who! is!
subject!to!the!Supreme!Court’s!discretion.!! challenged,! threatened! or! endangered! in! the!
! enjoyment!of!what!he!claims!to!be!his!rights,!to!
Declaratory%relief%treated%as%mandamus%! initiate!proceedings!against!his!tormentor!and!
In! one! instance! the! court! took! cognizance! of! a! case,! remove!the!plaintiff’s!legal!right,!privilege!and!
wherein!a!12!year!old!was!raped!by!a!foreigner,!and!in! immunity! from! the! defendant’s! absence! of!
order!to!garnish!the!foreign!deposit!of!the!accused,!which! right,!and!disability.!
was! exempt! by! reason! of! a! law.! The! Supreme! Court! !
treated!the!petition!for!declaratory!relief!as!mandamus! When%conversion%to%ordinary%appeal%is%proper.%
to!require!the!banks!to!honor!the!decision!of!the!lower! If!after!filing!of!petition!for!declaratory!relief!but!before!
court,! and! added! that,! where! the! petition! has! farE the! rendition! of! judgment,! a! breach! or! violation! of! the!
reaching! implications! and! raises! questions! that! should! instrument! or! statute! occurs,! then! the! same! may! be!
be! resolved.! [Salvacion& v.& Central& Bank,& G.R.& No.& 94723& converted!into!an!action.!(Sec.!6,!Rule!63)!
August&,21,&1997]% !
% Distinguish% between% an% Ordinary% Action% and% an%
When%to%file%the%petition% action%for%Declaratory%Relief%
Before!breach!or!violation!of!a!right!under!a!deed,!will,! %
contract!or!other!written!instruments,!or!under!a!statute! Ordinary%Action% Declaratory%Relief%
or!ordinance.! %
! Writ!of!execution!is! No!writ!of!execution.!
The!concept!of!a!cause!of!actions!as!“an!act!or!omission! available! Judgment!stands!by!itself!
by! which! a! person! violates! the! right! of! another”! under! and!does!not!involve!
ordinary!civil!action!does!not!apply.!In!declaratory!relief,! executory!or!coercive!
there!must!be!NO!breach!or!violation!of!the!instrument! relief.!
or!statute!involved.! There!is!a!breach!of! No!breach!or!violation!
! violation!of!right!
When%Solicitor%General%should%be%notified?%! Motion!to!Dismiss!–! Additional!Ground:!Rule!
In! any! action! which! involves! the! validity! of! a! statute,! Rules!16!and!17! 63!Sec.!5!
executive!order!or!regulation,!or!any!other!governmental! %
regulation,!the!Solicitor!General!shall!be!notified!by!the! %
party!assailing!the!same.!! What%is%a%justiciable%question?%!
! A! justiciable! controversy! is! a! definite! and! concrete!
Who%shall%be%notified%in%case%of%an%ordinance?%! dispute!touching!on!the!legal!relations!of!parties!having!
In!any!action!involving!the!validity!of!a!local!government! adverse!legal!interests,!which!may!be!resolved!by!a!court!
ordinance,!the!corresponding!prosecutor!or!attorney!of! of! law! through! the! application! of! a! law.! Hence,! a! mere!
the! local! governmental! unit! involved! shall! be! similarly! apprehension!of!an!administrative!sanction!does!not!give!
notified!and!entitled!to!be!heard.!! rise! to! a! justiciable! controversy.! [Bayan&
! Telecommunications& v.& Republic& of& the& Philippines,& 513&
Who%may%be%parties% SCRA&560]!!
All!persons!who!have!a!claim!or!interest!which!would!be! %
affected!by!the!declaration.! Issue%of%status%prior%to%marriage%can%be%a%subject%of%
A!declaration!shall!not,!except!as!otherwise!provided!in! declaratory%relief%!
the! rules,! prejudice! the! rights! of! persons! not! parties! to! Petitioner!filed!a!case!to!clarify!her!status!prior!to!their!
the!action.!! marriage,! after! the! death! of! her! Chinese! husband.! As! a!
! consequence,! her! petition! is,! in! effect,! one! for! a!

DATABRIL2017 5
 SPECIAL CIVIL ACTIONS DECLARATORY RELIEF AND SIMILAR REMEDIES

declaratory!relief,!which!this!Court!has!repeatedly!held!
to! be! inapplicable! to! the! political! status! of! natural!
persons.![Lim&v.&Republic,&G.R.&No.&L+29535.&February&27,&
1971]!!
% that,!although!Section!6,!Rule!63!might!allow!such!course!
Issues%in%filiation%and%hereditary%rights%not%subject%of%
declaratory%relief%!
Petitioner! filed! a! declaratory! relief! to! determine! his!
filiation! and! hereditary! rights.! The! Court! held! that,! the!
action!is!improper!because!it!is!not!based!on!a!deed,!will,!
statute!or!any!of!those!as!subject!matter!of!the!petition.!
[Edades&v.&Edades,&99&Phil.&675]!!
% parties!to!a!contract,!their!true!intention!is!not!expressed!
Action% for% reformation% of% instrument,% quieting% of%
title%and%consolidation%of%ownership%!
An!action!for!the!reformation!of!an!instrument,!to!quiet!
title!to!real!property!or!remove!clouds!therefrom,!or!to!
consolidate! ownership! under! Article! 1607! of! the! Civil!
Code,! may! be! brought! under! this! Rule.! [Rule& 63,& Sec.& 1,&
Paragraph&2]!!
% prevented! a! meeting! of! the! minds! of! the! parties,! the!
Effect%is%necessary%party%is%not%impleaded%!
The! petition! for! declaratory! relief! only! included! the!
administrator! and! trustees! under! the! will,! it! failed! to!
include! the! Roman! Catholic! Church! of! Nueva! Segovia.!
The!nonEjoinder!of!necessary!parties!would!deprive!the!
declaration! of! that! final! and! pacifying! function! it! is!
calculated!to!subserve,!as!they!would!not!be!bound!by!the!
declaration!and!may!raise!the!identical!issue.![Degala&v.&
Reyes,&G.R.&No.&L+2402,&November&29,&1950]!!
! reformation! 24! years! after! the! issue! arose,! hence! it! is!
The! nonEinclusion! of! the! squatters! mentioned! in! the!
Ordinance! in! question! as! party! defendants! in! this! case!
cannot! defeat! the! jurisdiction! of! the! Court! of! First!
Instance!of!Baguio.!The!reason!for!the!law!requiring!the!
joinder! of! all! necessary! parties! is! that! failure! to! do! so!
would!deprive!the!declaration!of!the!final!and!pacifying!
function!the!action!for!declaratory!relief!is!calculated!to!
subserve,!as!they!would!not!be!bound!by!the!declaration!
and!may!raise!the!Identical!issue.![Baguio&Citizen’s&Action&
v.&City&Council,&G.R.&No.&L+27247,&April&20,&1983]!!
% Consolidation&of&ownership&&
Conversion%to%ordinary%action%!
If!before!the!final!termination!of!the!case,!(1)!a!breach!or!
violation!of!an!instrument!or!a!statute,!executive!order!or!
regulation,! ordinance,! or! (2)! any! other! governmental!
regulation!should!take!place,!the!action!may!thereupon!
be! converted! into! an! ordinary! action,! and! the! parties!
shall! be! allowed! to! file! such! pleadings! as! may! be!
necessary!or!proper.![Rule&63,&Sec.&6]!!
% Nature&and&purpose&of&quieting&of&title&&
Prior% breach% of% law% or% contract% not% proper% for%
declaratory%relief%!
Where!the!law!or!contract!has!already!been!contravened!
prior!to!the!filing!of!an!action!for!declaratory!relief,!the!
court!can!no!longer!assume!jurisdiction!over!the!action.!
Under!such!circumstances,!inasmuch!as!a!cause!of!action!
has! already! accrued! in! favor! of! one! or! the! other! party,!
there!is!nothing!more!for!the!court!to!explain!or!clarify!
short! of! a! judgment! or! final! order.! [Tambunting,& Jr.& v.&
Sumabat,&G.R.&No.&144101,&September&16,&2005]!!
%
Failure%to%state%the%law%subject%of%petition%is%fatal%!
Petitioners!filed!a!declaratory!relief!without!stating!the!
law!which!pertained!to!the!case.!The!Supreme!Court!held!
of!action,!the!respondents!did!not!argue!the!point,!and!we!
note! petitioners’! failure! to! specify! the! ordinary! action!
they! desired.! [Martelino& v.& National& Home& Mortgage&
Finance&Corporation,&G.R.&No.&160208,&June&30,&2008]!!
Proceedings%considered%as%similar%remedies%!
Reformation&of&an&instrument&&
When,!there!having!been!a!meeting!of!the!minds!of!the!
in!the!instrument!purporting!to!embody!the!agreement,!
by! reason! of! mistake,! fraud,! inequitable! conduct! or!
accident,!one!of!the!parties!may!ask!for!the!reformation!
of!the!instrument!to!the!end!that!such!true!intention!may!
be!expressed.!
!!
If! mistake,! fraud,! inequitable! conduct,! or! accident! has!
proper!remedy!is!not!reformation!of!the!instrument!but!
annulment! of! the! contract.! [Art.! 1359,! Civil& Code& of& the&
Philippines]!!
!
Note!that!this!remedy!is!governed!by!Art.!1359E1369!of!
the!civil!code.!!
!
Prescription&bars&reformation&of&instrument&&
In!one!case,!Respondent!Corporation!filed!an!action!for!
barred! by! prescription.! The! Court! added! that! the!
purpose!of!an!action!for!declaratory!relief!is!to!secure!an!
authoritative! statement! of! the! rights! and! obligations! of!
the!parties!for!their!guidance!in!the!enforcement!thereof,!
or!compliance!therewith,!and!not!to!settle!issues!arising!
from! an! alleged! breach! thereof,! it! may! be! entertained!
only!before!the!breach!or!violation!of!the!law!or!contract!
to!which!it!refers.![Bentir&v.&Leanda,&G.R.&No.&128991,&April&
12,&2000]!!
!
In!case!of!real!property,!the!consolidation!of!ownership!
in! the! vendee! by! virtue! of! the! failure! of! the! vendor! to!
comply!with!the!provisions!of!article!1616!shall!not!be!
recorded! in! the! Registry! of! Property! without! a! judicial!
order,!after!the!vendor!has!been!duly!heard.![Art.&1607,&
Civil&Code&of&the&Philippines]i!!
%
Quieting%of%title%to%real%property%!
An!action!for!quieting!of!title!is!essentially!a!common!law!
remedy! grounded! on! equity.! The! competent! court! is!
tasked! to! determine! the! respective! rights! of! the!
complainant!and!other!claimants,!not!only!to!place!things!
in!their!proper!place,!to!make!the!one!who!has!no!rights!
to!said!immovable!respect!and!not!disturb!the!other,!but!
also!for!the!benefit!of!both,!so!that!he!who!has!the!right!
would! see! every! cloud! of! doubt! over! the! property!
dissipated,! and! he! could! afterwards! without! fear!
introduce!the!improvements!he!may!desire,!to!use,!and!

DATABRIL2017 6
 SPECIAL CIVIL ACTIONS DECLARATORY RELIEF AND SIMILAR REMEDIES

even!to!abuse!the!property!as!he!deems!best.!But!“for!an!
action! to! quiet! title! to! prosper,! two! indispensable!
requisites! must! concur,! namely:! (1)! the! plaintiff! or!
complainant!has!a!legal!or!an!equitable!title!to!or!interest!
in! the! real! property! subject! of! the! action;! and! (2)! the!
deed,! claim,! encumbrance,! or! proceeding! claimed! to! be!
casting! cloud! on! his! title! must! be! shown! to! be! in! fact!
invalid!or!inoperative!despite!its!prima!facie!appearance!
of!validity!or!legal!efficacy.”!(Dionisio&Manaquil,&et&al.&Vs.&
Roberto&Moico,&G.R.&No.&80076,&November&20,&2012)&!
%
When&is&the&remedy&of&quieting&of&title&proper?&&
Whenever!there!is!a!cloud!on!title!to!real!property!or!any!
interest! therein,! by! reason! of! any! instrument,! record,!
claim,! encumbrance! or! proceeding! which! is! apparently!
valid! or! effective! but! is! in! truth! and! in! fact! invalid,!
ineffective,! voidable,! or! unenforceable,! and! may! be!
prejudicial! to! said! title,! an! action! may! be! brought! to!
remove!such!cloud!or!to!quiet!the!title.!!
An!action!may!also!be!brought!to!prevent!a!cloud!from!
being! cast! upon! title! to! real! property! or! any! interest!
therein.![Art.&476,&Civil&Code&of&the&Philippines]!!
!
Procedure&to&be&followed&&
The!procedure!for!the!quieting!of!title!or!the!removal!of!
a! cloud! therefrom! shall! be! governed! by! such! rules! of!
court!as!the!Supreme!Court!shall!promulgated.![Art.&481,&
Civil&Code&of&the&Philippines]!!
!
Purpose&of&the&remedy&&
Quieting!of!title!is!a!common!law!remedy!for!the!removal!
of!any!cloud,!doubt!or!uncertainty!affecting!title!to!real!
property.!The!plaintiffs!must!show!not!only!that!there!is!
a! cloud! or! contrary! interest! over! the! subject! real!
property,! but! that! they! have! a! valid! title! to! it.! [Spouses&
Santiago&v.&Villamor,&G.R.&No.&168499,&November&26,&2012]!!
!
Requisites&&
In!order!that!an!action!for!quieting!of!title!may!prosper,!
two!requisites!must!concur:!!
(1)! the! plaintiff! or! complainant! has! a! legal! or!
equitable! title! or! interest! in! the! real! property!
subject!of!the!action;!and!!
(2)! the! deed,! claim,! encumbrance,! or! proceeding!
claimed!to!be!casting!cloud!on!his!title!must!be!
shown! to! be! in! fact! invalid! or! inoperative!
despite!its!prima!facie!appearance!of!validity!or!
legal! efficacy.! [Phil+Ville& Development& and&
Housing&Corporation&v.&Bonifacio,&651&SCRA&327]!
!
!
!

DATABRIL2017 7
 SPECIAL CIVIL ACTIONS REVIEW OF JUDGMENTS AND FINAL ORDERS OR RESOLUTIONS OF THE COMELEC AND COA

Rule%64:%Review%of%judgments%and%final%orders%or% 4.! Need! for! relief! is! extremely! urgent! and!

resolutions%of%the%COMELEC%and%COA% certiorari! is! the! only! adequate! remedy! (ABSE
! CBN+vs.+COMELEC,+GR+133486,+January+28,+2000)!
Preliminaries% %
Rule!64!is!a!relatively!new!rule!and!has!the!Constitution! Form%and%Content%of%Petition%(Similar!to!Sec.!3.,!Rule!
of!1987!as!its!basis.!This!rule!refers!to!certiorari!under! 46)%
Rule!65,!and!not!to!appeal!by!certiorari!under!Rule!45.! a)! Petition!shall!be!verified!and!filed!in!18!legible!
! copies;!
Subject%Matter%% b)! Petition! shall! name! the! aggrieved! party! as!
Judgments! and! final! orders! or! resolutions! of! only! the! petitioner! and! join! as! respondents! the!
COMELEC!and!the!COA.! Commission! concerned! and! the! person(s)!
! interested! in! sustaining! the! judgment,! final!
Mode%of%Review%(Application!of!Rule!65!under!Rule!64)% order,!or!resolution!a!quo.!
The! Petition! may! be! brought! by! the! aggrieved! party! to! c)! Petition! shall! state! the! facts! with! certainty,!
the! Supreme! Court! on! certiorari! under! Rule! 65,! except! present!the!issues!involved!clearly,!set!forth!the!
otherwise!provided.! grounds!and!brief!arguments!relied!upon,!and!
! pray! for! judgment! annulling! or! modifying! the!
The!order!to!comment!under!Sec.!6,!Rule!64!in!case!the! question!judgment,!order!or!resolution.!
Supreme!Court!finds!the!petition!sufficient!in!form!and! d)! Petition!shall!be!accompanied!by!clearly!legible!
substance,! is! equivalent! to! summons! in! ordinary! civil! duplicate!original!or!certified!true!copy!of!the!
action.! questioned! judgment,! order! or! resolution,!
! together! with! certified! true! copies! of! material!
Petition% for% review% under% Rule% 43% an% available% portions! of! the! record! as! are! referred! to!
remedy% on% the% decision% of% the% Civil% Service% therein,! and! other! relevant! and! pertinent!
Commission%! documents.!
Petitioner!is!a!school!principal!and!was!charged!of!sexual! e)! Petition! shall! state! the! specific! material! dates!
harassment,! the! remedy! of! an! aggrieved! party! from! a! showing! that! it! was! filed! within! the! period!
resolution!issued!by!the!CSC!is!to!file!a!petition!for!review! fixed.!
thereof!under!Rule!43!of!the!Rules!of!Court!within!fifteen! f)! Petition! shall! contain! a! sworn! certification! of!
days! from! notice! of! the! resolution.! However,! it! admits! non]forum!shopping!
exceptions,!like!the!instant!case,!such!as!invalid!writs,!in! g)! Petition! shall! be! accompanied! by! proof! of!
this!case!Cuanan!was!denied!of!due!process!for!failure!to! service! of! a! copy! thereon! on! the! Commission!
serve!him!a!copy!of!the!pleadings.![Cuanan+v.+DepEd,!G.R.+ concerned!and!on!the!adverse!party,!and!of!the!
No.+169013,+December+16,+2008]!! timely!payment!of!docket!and!other!lawful!fees.!
! !
Error%of%jurisdiction%is%a%subject%of%Rule%64%! Failure! of! petitioner! to! comply! with! any! of! the! above!
A!complaint!was!filed!against!petitioners!for!violation!of! shall!be!sufficient!ground!for!dismissal!of!the!petition.!
rules!of!COA!and!for!violation!of!R.A.!3019.!The!office!of! !
the!petition!for!certiorari+is!not!to!correct!simple!errors! Effect%of%Filing%
of!judgment;!any!resort!to!the!said!petition!under!Rule! Filing!a!petition!for!certiorari!shall!not!stay!the!execution!
64,! in! relation! to! Rule! 65,! of! the! 1997! Rules! of! Civil! of! judgment,! final! order! or! resolution! sought! to! be!
Procedure! is! limited! to! the! resolution! of! jurisdictional! reviewed,! unless! the! Supreme! Court! shall! direct!
issues.![Reyna+v.+COA,+642+SCRA+210]! otherwise!upon!such!terms!as!it!may!deem!just.!
! !
Time%of%Filing%Petitions% Under! this! rule,! petitioner! may! apply! for! a! restraining!
Thirty!(30)!days!from!notice!of!judgment!or!final!order! order! and! preliminary! injunction! from! the! ! ! Supreme!
or!resolution!sought!to!be!reviewed.!Filing!of!motion!for! Court!to!stay!the!execution!of!judgment!or!final!order!or!
new!trial!or!reconsideration!shall!interrupt!the!period.!If! resolution!sought!to!be!reviewed.!
the! motion! is! denied,! petition! must! be! filed! within! the! !
remaining!period!but!not!less!than!5!days!in!any!event! Order%to%comment;%outright%dismissal%
reckoned!from!notice!of!denial.! The!court!has!two!options!upon!receipt!of!the!petition:!
! a.! To!deny!the!petition!outright;!or!
A!reply!is!not!a!mandatory!requirement.! b.! To!order!the!filing!of!a!comment!
! !
Exceptions:! The! court! shall! order! the! respondents! to! file! their!
1.! To!prevent!a!miscarriage!of!justice;! comments!within!ten!(10)!days!from!notice!if!it!finds!the!
2.! When! issue! involves! the! principle! of! social! petition!sufficient!in!form!and!substance.!
justice!or!the!protection!of!labor;! !
3.! The!decision!or!resolution!is!a!nullity;! Grounds%for%dismissal%of%the%petition%
1.! Failure!to!comply!with!the!formal!requirements!
of!the!petition!

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 SPECIAL CIVIL ACTIONS REVIEW OF JUDGMENTS AND FINAL ORDERS OR RESOLUTIONS OF THE COMELEC AND COA

2.! When!petition!is!filed!manifestly!for!delay! No.! The! Court! has! consistently! held! that! the! phrase!
3.! Petition!is!too!unsubstantial!to!warrant!further! "decision,! order,! or! ruling"! of! constitutional!
proceedings! commissions,! the! COMELEC! included,! that! may! be!
! brought!directly!to!the!Supreme!Court!on!certiorari!is!not!
Comment% all]encompassing,! and! that! it! only! relates! to! those!
The! comments! of! the! respondents! shall! be! filed! in! 18! rendered!in!the!commissions'!exercise!of!adjudicatory!or!
legible!copies!and!the!original!shall!be!accompanied!by! quasi]judicial!powers.!In!the!case!of!the!COMELEC,!this!
certified! true! copies! of! the! material! portions! of! the! would! limit! the! provision's! coverage! to! the! decisions,!
records! referred! to! together! with! other! supporting! orders,!or!rulings!issued!pursuant!to!its!authority!to!be!
papers.!Copy!shall!be!served!to!the!petitioner.! the!sole!judge!of!generally!all!controversies!and!contests!
! relating! to! the! elections,! returns,! and! qualifications! of!
No%other%pleading%to%be%filed% elective! offices.! Consequently,! Rule! 64,! which!
General+rule:!No!other!pleading!may!be!filed!by!any!party.! complemented! the! procedural! requirement! under!
Exception:! When! the! filing! of! some! other! pleading! is! Article! IX]A,! Section! 7,! should! likewise! be! read! in! the!
required!by!the!Court! same! sense—that! of! excluding! from! its! coverage!
! decisions,!rulings,!and!orders!rendered!by!the!COMELEC!
Oral% arguments;% memoranda;% submission% for% in! the! exercise! of! its! administrative! functions.! In! such!
decision% instances,!a!Rule!65!petition!for!certiorari!is!the!proper!
The!case!shall!be!submitted!for!decision:! remedy.!
a.! When! the! comments! on! the! petition! and! the! The! instant! petition! revolves! around! the! issue! on!
required!pleadings!are!filed;!or! whether!or!not!Smartmatic!JV!is!eligible!to!participate!in!
b.! when!the!period!to!file!the!same!has!expired! the!bidding!process!for!the!COMELEC's!procurement!of!
! 23,000!units!of!optical!mark!readers.!The!case!does!not!
Except! if! the! Court! decides! to! set! the! ca! se! for! oral! stem!from!an!election!controversy!involving!the!election,!
argument!or!requires!the!parties!to!submit!memoranda.! qualification,!or!the!returns!of!an!elective!office.!Hence,!
! Rule!64!is!not!the!proper!remedy.!
Querubin%v.%COMELEC%En%Banc%(2015)% !
The+Court+has+consistently+held+that+the+phrase+"decision,+ !
order,+ or+ ruling"+ of+ constitutional+ commissions,+ the+
COMELEC+ included,+ that+ may+ be+ brought+ directly+ to+ the+
Supreme+Court+on+certiorari+is+not+allEencompassing,+and+
that+it+only+relates+to+those+rendered+in+the+commissions'+
exercise+of+adjudicatory+or+quasiEjudicial+powers.+%
%
Facts:%!
The!COMELEC!released!bidding!documents!for!the!Lease!
of!Election!Managment!System!and!Optical!Scan!System.!
to!beused!in!the!2016!election.!Smartmatic!JV!responded!
to!the!call!and!submitted!its!bid!for!the!project!as!well!as!
other! comanies.! During! the! opening! of! the! bids,!
Smartmatic! JV! informed! the! BAC! of! the! COMELEC! that!
one!of!its!partners,!SMTC,!had!a!pending!application!with!
the! SEC! to! amend! its! AOI.! Smartmatic! JV! and! another!
company,! Smartmatic! later! on! was! declared! that!
Smartmatic! was! eligible! for! their! vid.! Later! on,! at! the!
conduct! of! post]qualification,! the! BAC,! disqualified!
Smartmativ! JV! for! failure! to! submit! valid! AOI! and! the!
demo! unit! did! not! meet! the! technical! requirements.!
Smartmatic!moved!to!reconsider!this!but!ws!denied!thus!
they! filed! a! Protest! witht! he! COMELEC! en! banc.! The!
COMELEC! en! banc! ruled! in! favor! of! Smartmatic! and!
found!that!it!met!the!requirement!neede!for!the!project.!
The! petitioner! then! questioned! the! sufficiency! of! what!
Smartmatic!has!sent!with!the!Supreme!Court!via!Rule!64!
of!the!Rules!of!Court.!!
%
Issue:%!
Whether!or!not!Rule!64!is!the!proper!remedy.!!
%
Ruling:%!

DATABRIL2017 9