Wednesday, June 15, 2011

LAWYERS: KEEP OUT (The Katarungang Pambarangay Law)

By Siesta-friendly

What do you call a law prohibiting lawyers from participating in a justice system? Promising?

Unfortunately, we do not have statistics on how effective and successful the informal justice system known as the “Katarungang Pambarangay” has been.  But the mere fact that lawyers are barred from the proceedings should be success enough.

Anyway, should you have any problem against someone, it is crucial to know the rules on the Katarungang Pambarangay, as you will read below.

General Rule

The general rule is that the Lupon Tagapamayapa[1] (Committee for Peace) of each barangay “shall have authority to bring together the parties actually residing in the same city or municipality for amicable settlement of all disputes”.[2]  So, provided they do not fall under the exceptions, all disputes must first be submitted for possible conciliation at the barangay level, before any court or other government body can take jurisdiction.

Exceptions[3]

Naturally, there are cases that are best handled by the courts, the Office of the Ombudsman, the National Labor Relations Commission, the Securities and Exchange Commission, etc.  So we have exceptions to the general rule above, which are:

  1. Where one party is the government, or any subdivision or instrumentality thereof;
  1. Where one party is a public officer or employee and the dispute relates to the performance of his official functions;
  1. Where the dispute involves real properties located in different cities and municipalities, unless the parties thereto agree to submit their difference to amicable settlement by an appropriate Lupon;
  1. Any complaint by or against corporations, partnerships or juridical entities, since only individuals shall be parties to Barangay conciliation proceedings either as complainants or respondents [Sec. 1, Rule VI, Katarungang Pambarangay Rules];
  1. Disputes involving parties who actually reside in barangays of different cities or municipalities, except where such barangay units adjoin each other and the parties thereto agree to submit their differences to amicable settlement by an appropriate Lupon;
  1. Offenses for which the law prescribes a maximum penalty of imprisonment exceeding 1 year or a fine of over P5,000.00;
  1. Offenses where there is no private offended party;
  1. Disputes where urgent legal action is necessary to prevent injustice from being committed or further continued, specifically the following:
a.      Criminal cases where accused is under police custody or detention;
b.      Petitions for habeas corpus by a person illegally deprived of his rightful custody over another or a person illegally deprived of or on acting in his behalf;
c.  Actions coupled with provisional remedies such as preliminary injunction, attachment, delivery of personal property and support during the pendency of the action; and
d.      Actions which may be barred by the Statute of Limitations.
    
  1. Any class of disputes which the President may determine in the interest of justice or upon the recommendation of the Secretary of Justice;
  1. Where the dispute arises from the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law (CARL) [Secs. 46 & 47, R. A. 6657];
  1. Labor disputes or controversies arising from employer-employee relations [Montoya vs. Escayo, et al., 171 SCRA 442; Art. 226, Labor Code, as amended], which grants original and exclusive jurisdiction over conciliation and mediation of disputes, grievances or problems to certain offices of the Department of Labor and Employment];
  1. Actions to annul judgment upon a compromise which may be filed directly in court [Sanchez vs. Tupaz, 158 SCRA 459];
  1. Where the dispute involves members of the same indigenous cultural community, such dispute shall be settled in accordance with the customs and traditions of that particular cultural community, or where one or more of the parties to the aforesaid dispute belong to the minority and the parties mutually agreed to submit their dispute to the indigenous system of amicable settlement [Sec. 412 [c], R.A. 7160]
A court in which non-criminal cases not falling within the authority of the Lupon are filed, at any time before trial, may motu proprio refer the case to the Lupon concerned for amicable settlement. [Sec. 408 [g], 2nd par.]

The courts are strict about these rules.  No complaint, petition, action, or proceeding involving any matter within the authority of the Lupon shall be filed or instituted directly in court or any other government office for adjudication, unless (1) there has been a confrontation between the parties before the Punong Barangay or the Pangkat, and that (2a) no conciliation or settlement has been reached as certified by the Lupon secretary or Pangkat secretary as attested to by the Lupon or Pangkat chairman or unless (2b) the settlement has been repudiated by the parties thereto.[4]

Cases filed in court without first going through barangay conciliation when required “may be dismissed upon motion of defendant/s … for failure to state a cause of action or prematurity”.[5]

Venue[6]

So exactly with which Lupon should one file a complaint?

  1. Disputes between persons actually residing in the same barangay shall be brought for amicable settlement before the Lupon of said barangay.
  1. Those involving actual residents of different barangays within the same city or municipality shall be brought in the barangay where the respondent or any of the respondents actually resides, at the election of the complaint.
  1. All disputes involving real property or any interest therein shall be brought in the barangay where the real property or the larger portion thereof is situated.
  1. Those arising at the workplace where the contending parties are employed or at the institution where such parties are enrolled for study, shall be brought in the barangay where such workplace or institution is located.
Objections to venue shall be raised in the mediation proceedings before the Punong Barangay (Lupon Chairman); otherwise, they are deemed waived.  Any legal question which may confront the punong barangay in resolving objections to venue may be submitted to the Secretary of Justice, or his duly designated representative, whose ruling shall be binding.

Procedure[7]

Mediation by the Punong Barangay / Lupon Chairman

  1. Upon payment of the appropriate filing fee (not less than P5.00 nor more than P20.00)[8], any individual who has a cause of action against another may complain, orally or in writing, to the Punong Barangay.
  1. Upon receipt of the complaint, the Punong Barangay shall within the next working day summon the respondent(s), with notice to the complainant(s) for them and their witnesses, to appear before him not later than 5 days from date thereof[9] for mediation of their conflicting interests.  
  1. The respondent shall answer the complaint, orally or in writing, by denying specifically the material averments of the complaint and/or alleging any lawful defense.  He may also interpose a counterclaim against complainant, a cross-claim against a co-respondent or a third-party complaint against one not yet a party to the proceedings.[10]
  1. Upon successful conclusion of his mediation effort, the Punong Barangay shall reduce to writing in a language or dialect known to the parties the terms of the settlement agreed upon by them, have them sign the same, and attest to its due execution.[11]
  1. If the Punong Barangay fails in his mediation efforts within 15 days from the first meeting of the parties before him, or where the respondent fails to appear at the mediation proceeding before the Punong Barangay[12], he shall set a date for the constitution of the Pangkat Tagapagkasundo[13] (Panel for Conciliation).
Conciliation by the Pangkat Tagapagkasundo

  1. The Pangkat shall convene not later than 3 days from its constitution, on the day and hour set by the Punong Barangay, to hear both parties and their witnesses, simplify issues, and explore all possibilities for amicable settlement.  The Pangkat may also issue summons for the personal appearance of parties and witnesses.
If a party moves to disqualify any member of the Pangkat by reason of relationship, bias, interest, or any other similar grounds, the matter shall be resolved by the affirmative vote of the majority of the Pangkat whose decision shall be final. Should disqualification be decided upon, the vacancy shall be filled by drawing lots [See Sec. 404, R.A. 7160]. 

  1. Respondent's refusal or willful failure to appear without justifiable reason before the Pangkat, as determined by the latter after notice and hearing, shall be a sufficient basis for the issuance of a certification for filing complainant's cause of action in court or with the proper government agency or office.[14]
  1. The Pangkat shall arrive at a settlement or resolution of the dispute within 15 days from the day it convenes.  This period shall, at the Pangkat’s discretion, be extendible for another period which shall not exceed 15 days, except in clearly meritorious cases.
Informal but Orderly Proceedings[15]

The Punong Barangay and the Pangkat shall proceed to hear the matter in dispute in an informal but orderly manner, without regard to technical rules of evidence, and as is best calculated to effect a fair settlement of the dispute and bring about a harmonious relationship of the parties.

Proceedings before the Punong Barangay shall be recorded by the Lupon Secretary while those before the Pangkat shall be recorded by the Pangkat Secretary. The record shall note the date and time of hearing, appearance of parties, names of witnesses and substance of their testimonies, objections and resolutions, and such other matters as will be helpful to a full understanding of the case.

Public Proceedings[16]

All proceedings for settlement shall be public and informal but the Punong Barangay or the Pangkat chairman, as the case may be, may motu proprio or upon request of a party, exclude the public from the proceedings in the interest of privacy, decency, or public morals.

Personal Appearance; No Lawyers[17]

In all proceedings, the parties must appear in person without the assistance of counsel or representative, except for minors and incompetents who may be assisted by their next-of-kin who are not lawyers. Total ban.  Sweet.

Sanctions for Failure to Appear[18]

In case a party fails to appear for mediation, the Punong Barangay / Pangkat Chairman shall set a date for the absent party/ies to appear before him to explain the reason for the failure to appear. 

If the Punong Barangay / Pangkat Chairman finds after hearing that the failure or refusal of the complainant to appear is without justifiable reason, he shall (1) dismiss the complaint; (2) direct the issuance of and attest to the certification to bar the filing of the action in court or any government office; and (3) apply with the local trial court for punishment of the recalcitrant party as for indirect contempt of court. 

In case of similar willful failure or refusal of the respondent to appear for mediation before the Punong Barangay / Pangkat Chairman (as may be applicable), the latter shall: (1) dismiss the respondent's counterclaim; (2) direct the issuance of and attest to the certification (i) to bar the filing of respondent's counterclaim in court/government office, and if already under conciliation, (ii) to file complainant's action in court/government office; (3) apply with the local trial court for punishment of the recalcitrant party as for indirect contempt of court; and (4) if still under mediation, the Punong Barangay shall set a date for the parties to appear before him for the constitution of the Pangkat.

The Punong Barangay shall apply, in similar manner, for the punishment of a recalcitrant witness who willfully fails or refuses to appear, as for indirect contempt of court.

Suspension of Prescriptive Period

While the dispute is under mediation, conciliation, or arbitration, the prescriptive periods for offenses and cause of action under existing laws shall be interrupted upon filing the complaint with the Punong Barangay.  The prescriptive periods shall resume upon receipt by the complainant of the certificate of repudiation or of the certification to file action issued by the Lupon or Pangkat Secretary.  Such interruption, however, shall not exceed 60 days from said filing of the complaint.

Repudiation of Settlement[19]

Any party to the dispute may, within 10 days from the date of the settlement, repudiate the same by filing with the Punong Barangay a statement to that effect sworn to before him, where the consent is vitiated by fraud, violence, or intimidation. Such repudiation shall be sufficient basis for the issuance of the certification for filing a complaint in court or any government office. Failure to repudiate the settlement within the aforesaid time limit shall be deemed a waiver of the right to challenge on said grounds.

Settlement as Final Judgment[20]

The amicable settlement and arbitration award shall have the force and effect of a final judgment of a court upon the expiration of 10 days from the date thereof, unless repudiation of the settlement has been made or a petition to nullify the award has been filed before the proper city or municipal court.  Except that in cases where the court motu proprio referred a non-criminal case to the Lupon which is not within the latter’s jurisdiction, the compromise settlement agreed upon shall first be submitted to the court and upon approval thereof, have the force and effect of a judgment of said court.

Execution

The amicable settlement or arbitration award may be enforced by execution by the Lupon within 6 months from the date of the settlement.  After the lapse of such time, the settlement may be enforced by action in the appropriate city or municipal court.[21]

The secretary of the Lupon shall transmit the settlement or the arbitration award to the appropriate city or municipal court within 5 days from the date of the award or from the lapse of the 10-day period repudiating the settlement and shall furnish copies thereof to each of the parties to the settlement and the Punong Barangay.[22]


The Katarungan Pambarangay law is embodied in the Local Government Code and thus comes part of the government’s hopes for decentralization and local government empowerment and the aim of providing accessible and non-adversarial dispute resolution. And in the pursuit of these hopes and aims, lawyers are deemed an obstruction.


[1]  SEC. 399, R.A. 7160. Lupong Tagapamayapa. –
(a) There is hereby created in each barangay a lupong tagapamayapa, hereinafter referred to as the lupon, composed of the punong barangay as chairman and ten (10) to twenty (20) members. The lupon shall be constituted every three (3) years in the manner provided herein.
(b) Any person actually residing or working in the barangay, not otherwise expressly disqualified by law, and possessing integrity, impartiality, independence of mind, sense of fairness, and reputation for probity, may be appointed a member of the lupon.
xxx
(f) In barangays where majority of the inhabitants are members of indigenous cultural communities, local systems of es through their councils of datus or elders shall be recognized without prejudice to the applicable provisions of this Code.

[2]  Sec. 408, ibid.
[3]  Par. I, Administrative Circular No. 14-93,  “Guidelines On The Katarungang Pambarangay Conciliation Procedure To Prevent Circumvention Of The Revised Katarungang Pambarangay Law [Sections 399-422, Chapter Vii, Title I, Book Iii, R. A. 7160, Otherwise Known As The Local Government Code Of 1991]”, July 15, 1993.

[4]  Sec. 412, R.A. 7160
[5]  Par. IV, Administrative Circular No. 14-93.
[6]  Sec. 409, RA 7160.
[7]  Sec. 410, ibid.
[8]  Rule VI, Sec. 4, Katarungang Pambarangay Circular No. 1, “Katarungang Pambarangay Rules and Forms”, July 21, 1992
[9]  Rule III, Sec. 1 b (1), ibid.
[10]  Rule VI, Sec.5, ibid.
[11]  Rule III, Sec. 1 b (4), ibid.
[12]  Rule VI, Sec.8 a, 3rd par., ibid.
[13]  Sec. 404, R.A. 7160. Pangkat ng Tagapagkasundo. –
(a) There shall be constituted for each dispute brought before the Lupon a conciliation panel to be known as the Pangkat ng tagapagkasundo, hereinafter referred to as the Pangkat, consisting of three (3) members who shall be chosen by the parties to the dispute from the list of members of the Lupon.
Should the parties fail to agree on the Pangkat membership, the same shall be determined by lots drawn by the Lupon chairman.

(b) The three (3) members constituting the Pangkat shall elect from among themselves the chairman and the secretary. The secretary shall prepare the minutes of the Pangkat proceedings and submit a copy duly attested to by the chairman to the Lupon secretary and to the proper city or municipal court. He shall issue and cause to be served notices to the parties concerned.

The Lupon secretary shall issue certified true copies of any public record in his custody that is not by law otherwise declared confidential.

[14] Rule VI, Sec.8 a, 3rd par., Katarungang Pambarangay Circular No. 1.
[15]  Rule VI, Sec.5, ibid.
[16]  Sec. 414, ibid.
[17]  Sec. 415, ibid.
[18]  Rule VI, Sec. 8 b, 1, Katarungang Pambarangay Circular No. 1.
[19]  Rule VI, Sec. 14, ibid.
[20]  Sec. 416, R.A. 7160.
[21]  Sec. 417, ibid.
[22]  Sec. 419, ibid.

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62 comments:

Anonymous said...

Are Lupong Tagapamayapas required to show and give copies of minutes of meeting in case a party wants to have it?

The Legally Inclined said...

It is the barangay secretary, who serves as the secretary of the lupon, who records the results of mediation proceedings and submits a report to the proper courts (Sec. 403, RA 7160). So, it is the lupon secretary who issues certified true copies of any public record in his custody that is not by law otherwise declared confidential (Sec. 404). The minutes of the mediation proceedings are not, generally, deemed confidential.

If you are denied copies of the minutes, ask them the reason why so you can determine if their reason for denying is legitimate.

ndvlaw.com said...

This is a good development for the justice system because it is good to settle arguements first in the brgy level without a lawyer before taking it to higher courts.

Anonymous said...

are corporations running after creditors allowed in this system? if yes, who can validly represent the company? ty

The Legally Inclined said...

Anonymous,
As stated in the article, complaints by or against corporations are exempt from the law's application.
Thanks.
TLI

Anonymous said...

Good day. Is barangay conciliation required if the issue involves two government employees? Did the fiscal err in dismissing a criminal complaint by the subordinate govt employee against the superior govt employee for lack of barangay conciliation? can there be a liberal application of the barangay conciliation proceeding?

The Legally Inclined said...

Anonymous,
Hi Anonymous,
Kindly read the portion of the post re Exceptions. If the facts of your case do not fall within the exceptions, then barangay conciliation is required. Thank you.

Anonymous said...

What if the other party failed to perform his part in the amicable settlement ? Will the Lupon issue a certificate to file action?tnx

trisha said...

under the mediation process, can other officials of the barangay handle/head the meeting or only the barangay chairman allowed to do the mediation?
what if the person handling the mediation procedure is biased towards the respondent?
what if, the respondent feels his/her life is in danger, can he/she request for an assistance/protection from kagawad/s going to the venue/meeting? hoping for your response ^_^ thanks in advance.

The Legally Inclined said...

Anonymous,
You will find in the article a discussion on your possible recourses under Execution.
Thanks you.

Anonymous said...

Curious, it says in the article that a lawyer/atty. Is not allowed to be present at a barrangay hearring. My question is what would happen is a lawyer/atty. was physically present in the hearring? Also, would the barangay chairman be punish for letting the lawyer/atty. be present without the other party knowing. What law would they be breaking and would that hearring be dissmiss?

The Legally Inclined said...

Anonymous,
1. Nothing if no one knows or complains. But once its known, the other party should complain and cite the Katarungang Pambarangay provision prohibiting "assistance from counsel".
2. You may file a complaint against the barangay official/s with (1) the Governor’s Office, (2) Mayor's Office, (3) the Barangay Council (there should be one in the city hall) and (4) the National Barangay Operations Office, DILG. We are not aware of the punishment imposed by these offices regarding such an offense.
3. the purpose of the Katarungang Pambarangay provisions is to reach conciliation/settlement so the hearing does not have to be dismissed just because a lawyer was present.
Thanks.

Anonymous said...

Does the pangkat has the power to dismiss a complaint due to non appearance of the complainant? But the respondent has only sent her representative? If so, what are the other options of the complainant if he wants to pursue his case and elevate it to a municipal court?

Anonymous said...

Seeking for a little .advised here - What if during a hearing,one of the parties disrespects the LUPON CHAIRMAN and mocks the court.. what penalty should be given to that person under the law and the local government code? Thank you ☺

The Legally Inclined said...

Anonymous,
So sorry for VERY late reply. The purpose of the law is to de-clog the courts and to reach an amicable settlement. Sending a representative for a justifiable season is arguably an appearance by a party and it will be up to the Punong Barangay whether this is acceptable.
Good luck!

Unknown said...

Hi, we have a hearing in the barangay going on and we ask if we can file a counter claim. The complainants keep on saying that they don't want a settlement and they will bring this to court. The barangay keep on saying we cannot file a counter claim. Is that true?

The Legally Inclined said...

Hi Aiesa Marie Caumeran,
If you are disallowed from filing a counter claim, file a separate claim and cite the barangay's refusal to file the counter claim in the currently pending case. During mediation, all your relevant issues must be threshed out. Good luck!

Anonymous said...

what if the barangay captain unjustifiably refuses to issue a certificate to file action, what would be the remedy of the aggrieved party?

The Legally Inclined said...

You may file a complaint against the barangay official/s with (1) the Governor’s Office, (2) Mayor's Office, (3) the Barangay Council (there should be one in the city hall) and (4) the National Barangay Operations Office, DILG. And follow up! ​ You could even explore if this is covered by the Anti Graft and Corrupt Practices Act. ​
Good luck!

Anonymous said...

HI.... the defense team in a case presented a Certification to File an Action before the court but in no way related to the criminal complaint (mainly to discredit that the witness making it appear that the witness only gave testimony because she hated the accused).... will the certificate stand even though it has no DATE on when it was issued? is it a good argument on the part of the defense?

The Legally Inclined said...

Anonymous,

Lupon proceedings are not court proceedings, and the primary goals in Lupon proceedings are mediation and conciliation. There are no penalties laid down in the law regarding mocking a Lupon officer or any party. The lack of intent by any party to reach an amicable settlement will simply result in a complaint being certified for filing with the court.

The Lupon being the offended party can explore whether it has a cause of action against the offending party. Article 19 of the Civil Code does provide that : " Every person must, in the exercise of his rights and in the performance of his duties, act with justice, give everyone his due, and observe honesty and good faith."

Thanks.

The Legally Inclined said...

Anonymous,

If this is a live case, we defer to the lawyers handling it.​​ You may wish to find out the answer to this question though: Was the Certification to File Action issued in favor of the witness?

If you want said Certification to be admitted, it is best to get a copy certified true by the barangay.

A witness' motive may be questioned, ​but ​it is up to the parties to prove/disprove it.​

Thanks.

Anonymous said...

I tried to ask for a copy of the minutes during barangay hearring but they said that it is not allowed unless the court will issue a request! Is this true??

Anonymous said...

Hi, we file a case at the barangay about collection of money but we already have like 3 hearings and the defendant never showed up. One time the defendant showed up at the barangay but it is not the scheduled hearing. I knew about it because I went to the barangay on the scheduled date of hearing and they read to me what's written in the log book that the defendant promised to pay the half amount on the 15th of March and the remaining amount will be at the end of the Month. I disagree because I told them I have my reasons that's why I am complaining this matter to the barangay, so they rescheduled again another hearing but the defendant didn't show up again. The barangay secretary told us that it is also the right of the defendant not to show up becausethey cannot force people to show up at the hearing. They scheduled a lupon that's supposed to take place yesterday March 8, 2016 so when we went to the barangay hall, the barangay secretary talked to me and told me that If I am willing to wait next week(and that would be March 15, 2016) since from the statement given by the defendant before which is in the log book that he promised to pay the half amount,if still the defendant will not show up then they will schedule a lupon on the 18th of March 2016.They also said that we only needed 2 lupon hearing and if the defendant still didn't show up then they will forward the case to the higher one. I didn't totally agree to their suggestion regarding the pay, I just told them that I will still wait until the 15th of March BUT I will not accept the half amount, I wanted to receive the full amount. If the defendant can't pay the amount that I needed then we will push through with the lupon hearing. Now my question, if still the defendant will not pay the amount that I needed and he is still keep on insisting that he will follow what he has promised on the log book and this case will not be successful, do you think if this will be forwarded to the higher one(fiscal), Do I have chance in winning this case? I have proof that he signed a paper stating the amount that we give to the defendant, it's like a receipt but not really a receipt because the defendant only used a paper for that with his name and signature only. By the way, the reason we file this case because the money that we give to the defendant is supposed to be an advance payment and deposit for a house rental but we were not able to rent the house because the defendant made a lot of alibis and the moment I asked for my money back, he wasn't able to pay it right away and that's the reason why I file complaint at the barangay. Hoping for your response. Thank you

The Legally Inclined said...

Hi Gerlie Baluran,
The barangay should provide you copies of the minutes. The proceedings are public in nature.

The Legally Inclined said...

Hi Anonymous,
If you cannot agree​ and there is no settlement of the matter​
then the certificate to file should follow. As to winning your case in court, that is up to all evidence and testimonies presented. ​You should consult an attorney on this as soon as possible.​

Good luck!

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Anonymous said...

When do the proceedings during mediation become confidential?and can admissions made therein be used against the one who made it?

The Legally Inclined said...

Dear Anonymous,

Under R.A. 7160 (The Local Government Code), Chapter VII (Katarungang Pambarangay, Sec. 404 “… The secretary shall prepare the minutes of the pangkat proceedings and submit a copy duly attested to by the chairman to the lupon secretary and to the proper city or municipal court. … The lupon secretary shall issue certified true copies of any public record in his custody that is not by law otherwise declared confidential.”

Section 414 of the Code even provides that the proceedings are public:

SECTION 414. Proceedings Open to the Public; Exception. — All proceedings for settlement shall be public and informal: Provided, however, That the lupon chairman or the pangkat chairman, as the case may be, may motu proprio or upon request of a party, exclude the public from the proceedings in the interest of privacy, decency, or public morals.

It would appear that any statements made there, unless with an express reservation that this is confidential and which is granted by the body, would be admissible against the party making it.

Examples of confidential information under law are those covered by privilege (e.g. attorney-client, doctor-patient, information between spouses) and the Law on Secrecy of Bank Deposits.

Hope these help.

Anonymous said...

Good day Sir,

Some Lupon Tagapamayapa citing Ledesma vs CA G.R.96914 July 23, 1992 insist that they will not issue a certificate to file action if one party is not around or until both have personal confrontation with each other. Complainant was angry because he want her CFA due to non appearance of respondent. The Lupon do not want to issue CFA not until both had personal confrontation. Is this correct? I believe a CFA can be issued upon the instance of the complainant due to non appearance of the respondent or vice versa.

The Legally Inclined said...

Hi Anonymous,

Please note that Ledesma vs CA G.R.96914 July 23, 1992 involved P.D. 1508 which has been repealed by R.A. 7160. The Katarungang Pambarangay Law is now Sec. 399 – 422 of R.A. 7160).

Anyway, your concern is covered under Administrative Circular No. 14-93 II.[2][b] below -

II. Under the provisions of R. A. 7160 on Katarungang Pambarangay conciliation, as implemented by the Katarungang Pambarangay Rules and Regulations promulgated by the Secretary of Justice, the certification for filing a complaint in court or any government office shall be issued by Barangay authorities only upon compliance with the following requirements:

[1] Issued by the Lupon Secretary and attested by the Lupon Chairman (Punong Barangay), certifying that a confrontation of the parties has taken place and that a conciliation settlement has been reached, but the same has been subsequently repudiated (Sec. 412, Revised Katarungang Pambarangay Law; Sec. 2[h], Rule III, Katarungang Pambarangay Rules);

[2] Issued by the Pangkat Secretary and attested by the Pangkat Chairman certifying that:

[a] a confrontation of the parties took place but no conciliation/settlement has been reached (Sec. 4[f], Rule III, Katarungang Pambarangay Rules); or

[b] that no personal confrontation took place before the Pangkat through no fault of the complainant (Sec. 4[f], Rule III, Katarungang pambarangay Rules).

Good luck!

Anonymous said...

Good day!

I have a questions.

We have an "informal hearing" from a lupon wherein the respondent attended for three sessions (3 Thursdays). We are almost 20c omplainants for this case wherein we are "scammed" by a certain person for a sangla-utang scheme. However, for the three sessions we attended no one of us file a formal complaint to the "scammer" since we are not informed of the basic steps in filing for "certification to file action".

Are the minutes recorded can be requested to the lupon secretary without a formal complaint? We also found out that minutes recorder are taken by the lupon assigned for the 3-day hearing and bring it home as a personal file.

We are now on the process of furnishing to secure "CFA" for possible estafa case/small claim. How many hearings should we attended to get the certificate? We already attended 2 Mondays but the scammer did not attend anymore after our informal hearing. Is it right to attend 5 sessions (take a month and 1 week) before we get the CFA?

Please advise.

Thank you.

Unknown said...

Hi, good day. We are on the respondent's side. The respondent and complainant had their first hearing early March, then 2nd was scheduled supposedly by the end of March (i forgot the dates already), however, the complainant didn't show up. We were told by the people in the barangay that she was there only to sign the attendance then went off. So, the 2nd hearing was cancelled and the Lupon said they cannot schedule the next hearing without the presence of the complainant. We never heard from them again nor with the Lupon or any sort of notice from the barangay about the case. We're not even certain if the complainant showed up for explanation or whatnot. The lupon didn't also confirmed if the case has already been dismissed. Then today, July 12th, the respondent received a Subpoena. We checked documents and found out that a certificate to file action has been issued already by a different Lupon on April 12. Well, we certainly have no idea how it happened. Please advise. Thank you.

The Legally Inclined said...

Hi Anonymous,
First​ of all​,​ it is advisable that the subpoena be obeyed.
Second, check the status of the complaint with the barangay ​and both Lupons in order to find out if a Certificate to File Action​ has been issued​.​ There would be no reason to continue the proceedings if so.​

Anonymous said...

Hello po, magtatanong lng po sana ako, ano po bang pwedeng gawin ng baranggay kung hindi po sumipot ang inireklamo ng tatlong beses sa hearing nya po sa baranggay?

At applicable po ba dito 'yung indirect contempt po?

Anonymous said...

Good afternoon...we have a case way back 2011 where the complainant filed a case of ESTAFA to our constituent. The respondent accepted the case and the respondent agreed to pay the money after a period of 1 year. However, partial amount was paid and both parties were again summoned to settle their disputes. Apparently, the complainant, during their heated argument, wrote the words "END" and "ABOLOY" in the record book where I am recording. After 2 years, the complainant again returns to still continue of getting her money back and enforce their settlement. The question is, are we going to enforce their 1st settlement or we will rely on the last action of the complainant where she wrote the words END and ABOLOY that the case is already dismissed or cancelled?

Anonymous said...

Is a mere verbal message or a scribbled piece of scrap paper coming from a tanod saying that the respondent should appear before the the Barangay Captain at so-and-so date and time a valid summons? A lawyer friend said that this is improper as we were not furnished any complaint or any reason at all to comply with the demand, so we ignored it but the barangay keeps on sending somebody insisting that we should go. We do not want alienate the barangay captail since he is the one that signs the barangay permit but it is clear that somebody we are planning to bring to court has influence over the barangay, which is now harassing us to appear before the barangay chief.

Any advice? I am worried that not attending might ruin our chance to file a claim or counterclaim.

Anonymous said...

Hi!

Seeking advice on what happened today.

I came into a bike shop to put my newly bought groupset for my bike. The owner of the bikeshop told me the price overall is 250.00, So a deal has been made. I paid him 1,000 and he gave me 700php and he said that he'll return the 50php when I get back around noon.

When I came back, he told me that he was able to fix the bike however there will be some additional charges like "Adaptor" Which is part of the bike and I understand that we need some items for the bike as well and there is a charge of Wheel Alignment. I asked him that he didn't told me that onset when we are making a deal so I stopped asking questions. When I saw his quality of work, my newly bought crank (Which is part of the bike) has dents in which is a sign of poor work quality. That made me furious because I asked him earlier to take good care of the bike. So I'm upset and then asked him to test run the bike. The bike got some creeking sounds as the chain brushed thru the frame of the bike and I was able to tell him to fix it again. After he fixed it I asked for a receipt showing the breakdown of the charges. At first he was hesitant to give me a receipt as he told me he only gives receipts if you bought something in his bikeshop. I told him that I need to see the breakdown of the charges as he wasn't able to give that to me upfront. So the war of the words started, he started cursing me because I keep on pointing out the charges should be told upfront and he told me that my bike is not that expensive and I talk like I am a pro biker. I told him I am a newbie and the reason why I gave this job to him is because I trust him and he started kick the chairs and punched me aiming for my face but I was able to move and the punch got into my shoulders. If only her wife didn't stop us he will not stop. I left the premises I told her wife I got my point and I'm sorry for what happened. While going home my newly bought bike chain crashed as well.

My point is:
He could have told me the breakdown of ALL charges upfront as there are other people who have fixed budget for the services.

He could have done the job in a clean manner without making any dents or scratches on the bike frame

He told me some words, cursing and degrading words.

He punched me, and when I got home my bike chain wrecked and got a minor injury due to negligence.

What should I do on this?

Thank you Madam

The Legally Inclined said...

​It is a formal summons that should be issued and which you can request.. Verbal invitations or one that is contained on scratch paper does not suffice. You may write and inquire what the verbal and note invitations are about and request for the summons to be issued instead, with the statement that you are not waiving any of your rights. Please have a copy of this communication duly received.


The Legally Inclined said...

Anonymous (with the bike),

Sorry for the delayed reply. Did you go to the barangay or police after you were punched? Were there witnesses of this assault?

In any case, you may just file a complaint with the police re the minor injury, the money unpaid and being returned a damaged bike. If he has a website, perhaps you can post a review and state the facts. ​You may also go to the DTI as this appears to involve goods and services. ​Good luck!

The Legally Inclined said...

"Anonymous said...
Hello po, magtatanong lng po sana ako, ano po bang pwedeng gawin ng baranggay kung hindi po sumipot ang inireklamo ng tatlong beses sa hearing nya po sa baranggay?
At applicable po ba dito 'yung indirect contempt po?"

Anoymous,
1. Pagkatapos ng 3 notice at hindi pa sumipot ang inirereklamo, maari na'ng maglabas ng "Certification to File Action" ang barangay laban sa inirereklamong tao.
2. Ang indirect contempt ay contempt laban sa hukuman (sa harap ng hukuman o sa utos ng hukuman) kaya't nasa hukuman na ang pagpasya ukol sa indirect contempt.

The Legally Inclined said...

"Anonymous said...
Good afternoon...we have a case way back 2011 where the complainant filed a case of ESTAFA to our constituent. The respondent accepted the case and the respondent agreed to pay the money after a period of 1 year. However, partial amount was paid and both parties were again summoned to settle their disputes. Apparently, the complainant, during their heated argument, wrote the words "END" and "ABOLOY" in the record book where I am recording. After 2 years, the complainant again returns to still continue of getting her money back and enforce their settlement. The question is, are we going to enforce their 1st settlement or we will rely on the last action of the complainant where she wrote the words END and ABOLOY that the case is already dismissed or cancelled?"

Anonymous,
Was the 1st settlement signed by the respondent? Does the respondent have a document proving complete settlement of the debt? If not, the complainant may still have a cause of action against respondent. The words you have cited appear to be ambiguous.

Anonymous said...

I would like to ask. If a complainant failed to appear during the Lupon Hearing (summon served before there scheduled hearing) and received to the complainant's son. Complainant's son failed to inform for the said scheduled hearing. The Pangkat decided to dismissed the case due to lack of appearance of the complainant.The complainant ask to reset again this case.

Can they refile this again eventhough the Pangkat has already dismissed this case?

Anonymous said...

Hi! I would like to ask some question.
There was a case in the barangay were summon was already served for their Lupon hearing and the complainant's son who received it and he failed to informed the complainant. On the said schedule of hearing, the Pangkat and the respondent/s were present of the said hearing. The Pangkat decided to dismiss the case. This is my question:

If the complainant ask for the refile of the case again, can he refile again?

Anonymous said...

good day everyone... i just want to ask if a barangay captain can issue a summon to respondent based on a complaint he received through a mere phone call from alleged complainants??? is a complaint by phone equivalent to an oral complaint under section 410 of the LGC??

Anonymous said...

is a complaint received via phone call be the basis of the barangay captain to issue a summon to respondent??? is a complaint received by phone call falls within the ambit of complaint orally given under Sec 410 of the LGC? thanx

Anonymous said...

Hi, can you help me cite a definite case or jurisprudence which deals about the inhibition of the brgy official to attend/hear a case under Katarungang Pambarangay? I have a case na pinapa inhibit c kap because he is the one being complained of or his mediation process could be biased and I need to cite an example.

Unknown said...

Hi! I would just like to ask about a couple of things with regards to the procedures of how a dispute is being handled by the Lupon.
1. If the dispute has not been processed at the HOA level, shouldn't the Baranggay endorsed it to HOA primarily? Unless the complainant explicitly expressed that they wanted to go straight to the baranggay?
2. The Chairman of the Pangkat Tagapamayapa, shouldn't he be a fixed person from day 1, until the resolution of the case? Or they can change whenever the Lupon feels like changing? there has been 4 hearings, and 3 different lupon members sitting every time, is this proper?
3. Isn't the settlement hearing supposed to be public? Can the Lupon ask a person to step out even if the complainant expressed that the presence of that person is relevant to the dispute?
4. If I am the complainant, and I filed the complaint against another person, because of an injury made to my sibling. Can the Lupon direct the complainant that he is not supposed to be the complainant?
5. As a Lupon shouldn't they be mediating only about the dispute, is it in their jurisdiction to DICTATE how much should be paid by the accused party to the complainant? And siding with the accused?
6. For amicable settlement, should the lupon dictate what needs to be in the settlement? Specifically, should the Lupon even state that the conditions given by the complainant is unacceptable since the complainant is being "sensitive"?
7. Is it under the juridiction of the Lupon to "investigate", meaning going to the neighborhood of the parties to "investigate matters" about the case?
8. What are the grounds for terminating/removing a Lupon member?
Looking forward to your kind advise.
Thank you!

Unknown said...

Follow up to my earlier post: If the parties has a previous agreement already before the Lupon and the complainant asked the Lupon to review the agreements made before..can the Lupon refuse to review the previous case, which is similar in nature, and the same parties were involved, therefore, there was a precedent.

The Legally Inclined said...

Hi Diana Krisol Mora,
So sorry for this much delayed reply.
I hope you were able to respond to the Subpoena.
You may want to check the records of the 2nd Lupon which issued the Certificate to File Action, especially as to why you did not receive any Summons and how the Certificate was issued despite the lack of a Summons and hearing.
Good luck!

The Legally Inclined said...

Hi Anonymous re summons via "verbal message or a scribbled piece of scrap paper",
​It is a formal summons that should be issued and which you can request.. Verbal invitations or one that is contained on scratch paper does not suffice. You may write and inquire what the verbal and note invitations are about and request for the summons to be issued instead, with the statement that you are not waiving any of your rights. Please have a copy of this communication duly received.

Anonymous said...

Hi!

Let's say that a father, who is a lawyer, and his minor child moved from Mindanao to Luzon, and that they have no other relatives in Luzon. In case the child has to be represented before the Lupon, will the lawyer then be allowed to appear considering that they have no other relatives in Luzon? Will it still be necessary to ask their other non-lawyer relatives to come all the way from Mindanao? Thanks in advance!

Anonymous said...

Hi, thank you for your informative blog.

It was stated that there is no need to go through barangay conciliation when:

"Disputes involving parties who actually reside in barangays of different cities or municipalities, except where such barangay units adjoin each other and the parties thereto agree to submit their differences to amicable settlement by an appropriate Lupon;"

However, it was also stated that with regards to venue that:

"All disputes involving real property or any interest therein shall be brought in the barangay where the real property or the larger portion thereof is situated."

In an ejectment case for expiration of lease and non-payment of rentals for a commercial property (grocery store), do we have to go through barangay conciliation given that we actually reside in a different city from where the property is located and where the lessee resides?

We do not wish to go through barangay conciliation anymore because:

1. The lessee has boasted that she is "malakas" with the barangay and is prone to verbal abuse and hysterics.

2. We live far away and traffic is terrible.

3. We honestly do not think we will reach an amicable settlement.

Thank you and more power.

The Legally Inclined said...

Anonymous said -
"I would like to ask. If a complainant failed to appear during the Lupon Hearing (summon served before there scheduled hearing) and received to the complainant's son. Complainant's son failed to inform for the said scheduled hearing. The Pangkat decided to dismissed the case due to lack of appearance of the complainant.The complainant ask to reset again this case.
Can they refile this again eventhough the Pangkat has already dismissed this case?"

We do not see why complainant cannot re-file the complaint with the explanation of his/her prior non-appearance.

The Legally Inclined said...

Anonymous said...
"good day everyone... i just want to ask if a barangay captain can issue a summon to respondent based on a complaint he received through a mere phone call from alleged complainants??? is a complaint by phone equivalent to an oral complaint under section 410 of the LGC??"

Under Sec. 10 of R.A. 7160, complaints can be made orally or in writing. It is the summons, not the complaint, the the respondent needs to comply with. Once the respondent appears during the hearing, he/she will be informed of the complaint.

The Legally Inclined said...

Anonymous said...
"Hi, can you help me cite a definite case or jurisprudence which deals about the inhibition of the brgy official to attend/hear a case under Katarungang Pambarangay? I have a case na pinapa inhibit c kap because he is the one being complained of or his mediation process could be biased and I need to cite an example."

Hi, sorry we are not aware of any ​specific ​case. Kindly try researching on www.lawphil.net or sc.judiciary.gov.ph. ​But ​we believe you can cite by analogy the cases involving judges and possible bias and/of conflict of interest. In a sense, he is acting as a judge as well. Good luck!

The Legally Inclined said...

Anna Del Rosario said...
"Hi! I would just like to ask about a couple of things with regards to the procedures of how a dispute is being handled by the Lupon.
1. If the dispute has not been processed at the HOA level, shouldn't the Baranggay endorsed it to HOA primarily? Unless the complainant explicitly expressed that they wanted to go straight to the baranggay?
2. The Chairman of the Pangkat Tagapamayapa, shouldn't he be a fixed person from day 1, until the resolution of the case? Or they can change whenever the Lupon feels like changing? there has been 4 hearings, and 3 different lupon members sitting every time, is this proper?
3. Isn't the settlement hearing supposed to be public? Can the Lupon ask a person to step out even if the complainant expressed that the presence of that person is relevant to the dispute?
4. If I am the complainant, and I filed the complaint against another person, because of an injury made to my sibling. Can the Lupon direct the complainant that he is not supposed to be the complainant?
5. As a Lupon shouldn't they be mediating only about the dispute, is it in their jurisdiction to DICTATE how much should be paid by the accused party to the complainant? And siding with the accused?
6. For amicable settlement, should the lupon dictate what needs to be in the settlement? Specifically, should the Lupon even state that the conditions given by the complainant is unacceptable since the complainant is being "sensitive"?
7. Is it under the juridiction of the Lupon to "investigate", meaning going to the neighborhood of the parties to "investigate matters" about the case?
8. What are the grounds for terminating/removing a Lupon member?
Looking forward to your kind advise.
Thank you!
Follow up to my earlier post: If the parties has a previous agreement already before the Lupon and the complainant asked the Lupon to review the agreements made before..can the Lupon refuse to review the previous case, which is similar in nature, and the same parties were involved, therefore, there was a precedent."

Hi Anna Del Rosario,
First of all, it is best to read R.A. 7160 (Chapter VII) as cited in our post. Based on the law, here are our simple answers -
1. The homeowners' association is not part of the katarungang pambarangay process.
2. The 3 members constituting the pangkat shall elect from among themselves the chairman and the secretary. There is no provision prohibiting changing the chairman.
3. The lupon chairman or the pangkat chairman, as the case may be, may on its own or upon request of a party, exclude the public from the proceedings in the interest of privacy, decency, or public morals.
4. Only parties to the dispute can be complainant or respondent so non-parties may be excluded.
5-6. No one can dictate but the lupon has authority to mediate and arrive at a settlement or resolution.
7. The barangay chairman has authority to promote peace and order and the general welfare of the barangay. Investigating what is going on in the neighborhood is a necessary part of his/her functions.
8. Pangkat members must have integrity, impartiality, independence of mind, sense of fairness, and reputation for probity so pangkat members may be disqualified for lack of any of these traits.
9. We cannot presume to know the facts. The lupon would be the best people to mediate any dispute within its jurisdiction regardless of despite any apparent precedent.

The Legally Inclined said...

Anonymous said...
"Hi!
Let's say that a father, who is a lawyer, and his minor child moved from Mindanao to Luzon, and that they have no other relatives in Luzon. In case the child has to be represented before the Lupon, will the lawyer then be allowed to appear considering that they have no other relatives in Luzon? Will it still be necessary to ask their other non-lawyer relatives to come all the way from Mindanao? Thanks in advance!"

Hi Anonymous,
Since your child is a minor then you (regardless of your profession) may represent him/her as his/her parent.​ You can validly say that you are there as a father.

The Legally Inclined said...

Anonymous said ...
"Hi, thank you for your informative blog.
It was stated that there is no need to go through barangay conciliation when:
"Disputes involving parties who actually reside in barangays of different cities or municipalities, except where such barangay units adjoin each other and the parties thereto agree to submit their differences to amicable settlement by an appropriate Lupon;"
However, it was also stated that with regards to venue that:
"All disputes involving real property or any interest therein shall be brought in the barangay where the real property or the larger portion thereof is situated."
In an ejectment case for expiration of lease and non-payment of rentals for a commercial property (grocery store), do we have to go through barangay conciliation given that we actually reside in a different city from where the property is located and where the lessee resides?
We do not wish to go through barangay conciliation anymore because:
1. The lessee has boasted that she is "malakas" with the barangay and is prone to verbal abuse and hysterics.
2. We live far away and traffic is terrible.
3. We honestly do not think we will reach an amicable settlement.
Thank you and more power."

Hi Anonymous,
The barangay where the grocery store is located has jurisdiction over your dispute.​ If no agreement is reached, then the case can proceed notwithstanding their claim of influence. Please be careful on what you are made to sign during the proceedings.

Need advise said...

Hi sir ganito rin ang experience ko 3 hearings namen kanina at di sumipot and nirereklamo so parang reluctant ang barangay magbigay ng CFA kase before nangyare NATO before sa ibang tao ganun din ginawa ng barangay chairman pinapatagal nya kase kameng complainant Hindi rehistrado sa barangay na yun. Ano po bang pwedeng gawin dito? Nag request pa sya ng another hearing pang apat na at pag dun daw shka sya magrelease ng CFA at tapos sabe ng secretary di daw pwede I bilang ang hearing na do sya umaten. But i insist na sa tatlong hearing pag diumaten at dapat may CFA na. Please need advise ano ba pwede gawin sa kapitan pag ganitong halatang halata na pinuprotektahan nya yung nirereklamo? Adik pa naman at dameng kasong pagnanakaw

Need advise said...

Naka tatlong hearing na kame at di umaaten ang respondent? The barangay sec. Said di daw counted ang pangatlo kase wala daw dyan ang nirereklamo kaya di daw pwede mag issue ng cfa? Tama po ba yun? At nag set ulit sila ng pang apat na hearing? Alam na namen na delaying tactics talaga kase rehistrado sa barangay ang respondent at sa mga previous na reklamo dun sa same person ganun din ginawa? Ano po ba ang magandang sabihen sa brgy. Chairman para mag issue na sya ng CFA? At ayun sa pagiintindi sa binasa ko 3 failure to attend ng hearing ay dapat mag issue na ng cfa? So pag Hindi parin ano po ang dapat gawin sa barangay chairman?

The Legally Inclined said...

Hi Need advise,
Mula sa unang hearing, may 15 araw po ang Lupon Chairman upang mapagkasundo ang complainant at respondent. Kapag matapos na ang 15 araw at wala pa ring kasunduan, ang complaint ay dapat ipasa ng Chairman sa Lupong Tagapagkasundo. Ang Lupong Tagapagsundo naman ay may 15 araw upang mapagkasundo ang mga parties. ​Pagkalipas ng panahon na ito at hindi pa magkasundo ang mga parties, dapat maglabas na ng CFA.
Mas mabuting ​mapag-aralan niyong ang R.A. 710, Chapter VII ukol sa Katarungang Pambarangay​. Sa tamang pagkakataon, maaari ninyong banggitin ito sa Chairman​ at ipahayag ang dapat mangyari ayon sa batas​.​ Ang lahat ng inyong saloobin ay dapat maitala o maisulat sa opisyal na record ng mga pangyayari doon.
Good luck!