RRP NCIP Rules of Procedure
RRP NCIP Rules of Procedure
1
Series of 2014
The 2014
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customary laws and traditions of the ICCs/IPs, shall be considered and given due
regard;
c. The primacy of
customary laws shall be upheld in resolving all disputes
involving ICCs/IPs;
d. In resolving cases, the customary laws, traditions and practices of the ICCs/IPs
in the ancestral domain where the conflicts arise shall first be applied with
respect to property rights, claims of ownership, hereditary succession and
settlement of land disputes; and
e. Proceedings shall be summary in nature and non-confrontational.
A.
Section 7. Records. Each Provincial Office of the NCIP shall keep a file of all
cases referred to it by the Regional Hearing Office for referral to the council of
elders/leaders or mediators.
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Section 1. Proper Parties. The parties to any case or proceeding before the
Regional Hearing Office or the Commission may be natural or juridical persons and
other entities authorized by law.
Section 2. Real Party in Interest. Every case must be prosecuted and
defended in the name of the real party in interest who shall sue as plaintiff or
petitioner. The person being sued shall be referred to as defendant or
respondent.
In actions involving general interest, the real party in interest shall be the ICCs/IPs
or person/s authorized, through a community resolution, by majority of the
ICCs/IPs in the community to represent them.
A real party in interest, as provided in Section 2, Rule 3, of the Revised Rules of
Court, and adapted herein, is the party who stands to be benefited or injured by
the judgment in the suit, or the party entitled to the avails of the suit.
Section 3. Class Suit. When the issues and subject matter of the dispute or
controversy involve common and general interest to many persons, one or more
may sue or defend for the benefit of all. In such case, the Regional Hearing Office
or the Commission shall ensure that the rights and interests of all parties are fully
protected.
Section 4. Indigent Party. A party may be authorized to prosecute his/her
action or defend himself/herself as an indigent litigant or party if the Commission or
the Regional Hearing Officer, upon an ex parte application, is satisfied that the
party is indigent.
Such authority shall exempt said party from payment of docket, appeal, and other
legal fees including transcripts of stenographic notes as well as injunctive bond
which the Regional Hearing Officer or Commission may order to be furnished
him/her. The amount of the docket and other lawful fees which the indigent was
exempted from paying shall be a lien on any judgment rendered in the case
favorable to the indigent, unless the Commission or Regional Hearing Officer
provides otherwise.
Any adverse party may contest the grant of such authority at any time before
judgment is rendered by the Regional Hearing Officer. If the Regional Hearing
Officer determines, after hearing, that the party declared as an indigent is in fact a
person with sufficient income or property, the proper docket and other lawful fees
shall be assessed and collected by the Clerk of the Regional Hearing Office. If
payment is not made within the time fixed by the Regional Hearing Officer, an order
of execution shall be issued for the payment thereof, without prejudice to such
other sanctions as the Regional Hearing Officer may impose.
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2. ____________________________
NAME OF DEFENDANT/RESPONDENT
(pangalan ng nirereklamo)
3. __________________________
ADDRESS OF PLAINTIFF/ PETITIONER
(tirahan ng nagrereklamo)
4._________________________________
ADDRESS OF DEFENDANT/RESPONDENT
(tirahan ng nirereklamo)
evident that the applicant is entitled to the relief and the conduct of a hearing
entails additional burden and delay to the parties.
Section 6. Motion to Dismiss, Prohibited. No motion to dismiss on any ground
shall be allowed. All defenses including grounds for a motion to dismiss such as lack
of jurisdiction, prescription, res judicata, or improper venue, should be stated in the
answer. The Regional Hearing Officer may dismiss motu propio the action on any of
the following grounds:
a. Lack of jurisdiction;
b. Prescription; and
c. Res Judicata.
For this purpose, the Regional Hearing Officer, at his/her discretion, may require
the submission of memoranda/position papers to aid him/her in determining the
propriety of the ground for dismissal stated in the answer.
Section 7. Prohibited Pleadings and Motions. The following petitions,
motions, or pleadings shall not be allowed:
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
Section 1. Appearances. Lawyers and NCIP legal officers may appear before
the Commission en banc or the Regional Hearing Office as counsel for any of the
parties. A non-lawyer may appear in any proceedings before the Commission or the
Regional Hearing Office provided that:
a. He/she appears as a party to the case;
b. He/she represents an organization or its members conditioned upon presentment
of a written authority showing proper representation;
c. He/she is duly accredited member of any legal aid office; and
d. He/she is an accredited paralegal aide or member of an accredited Indigenous
Peoples Organization (IPO) subject to the presentation of a written authority to
represent the IPO.
Section 2. Appearance of a Non-lawyer may be Denied. When, in the
opinion or assessment of the Commission or the Regional Hearing Officer that, the
rights and interests of a party litigant may not be best served or will be
compromised due to lack of skill and experience of a non-lawyer appearing as
counsel in a case, the appearance of said non-lawyer may be denied. But where the
party litigant cannot afford the services of a lawyer, the Regional Hearing Officer or
the Commission en banc shall appoint a counsel for said party.
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b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.
such as, but not limited to, sakusak, bodong, dap-ay, tongtongan, kahimunan,
dumalungdong, etc.;
The issues to be resolved;
The evidence, oral or written, to be presented;
The date or submission of any further written material;
The date and place of hearing for the reception of evidence;
The fixing of a time and place for any inspection, if necessary; and
Such other matters which may be necessary or relevant to the case.
Section 7. Referral of the Case for Mediation and Conciliation. If during the
preliminary conference, the parties failed to reach an amicable settlement, the
Regional Hearing Officer shall refer the case for mediation and conciliation to the
concerned Provincial Officer or to any officer of the Regional Office. The said officer
designated shall initiate the process by himself/herself or invite the participation of
elders/leaders or any one from the pool of accredited mediators who could
contribute in the settlement of the case using customary practices of the ICCs/IPs
concerned. The mediation shall be for a period not to exceed sixty (60) days from
receipt of the referral order by the mediator unless extended for just cause.
In cases where both parties belong to the same ICCs/IPs, the Regional Hearing
Officer shall exert earnest efforts to settle the case using customary laws of the
concerned ICCs/IPs. The documented or validated customary laws of the concerned
ICCs/IPs may be used as reference in resolving the case.
Section 8. Judgment Based on Settlement under Customary Law. If a
settlement is reached as a result of the application of customary laws, the same
shall be submitted to the Regional Hearing Office for recording purposes and for the
rendition of judgment based on the settlement. The minutes of the settlement
proceedings, the certification signed by the elders/leaders who participated, or the
certification of the Provincial Officer, is deemed sufficient to prove that the
settlement process occurred and that a resolution was reached thereon.
Section 9. Judgment Based on a Compromise. Where the parties agreed to
settle the controversy during the preliminary conference, an order shall be issued
by the Regional Hearing Officer directing the parties and their respective counsels
to put in writing their compromise agreement within ten (10) days from the
preliminary conference or mediation conference.
Thereafter, a hearing shall be scheduled to consider the compromise agreement.
Judgment shall then be rendered based on the compromise agreement. The
judgment approving the compromise agreement shall be considered as judgment
on the merits. If no compromise was reached after the duration allotted for the
mediation conference, the mediator shall issue a certificate to that effect.
Section 10. Reception of Evidence. Evidence shall be presented during the
preliminary conference. For this purpose, a Preliminary Conference Order will be
issued indicating the stipulations made or agreement reached during said
conference, the issues to be resolved, the dates of presentation of evidence, if any,
and the evidence presented. The Preliminary Conference Order shall be signed by
the parties and their respective counsels.
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After the issues have been joined, the parties may opt to simultaneously submit
their respective position papers/memoranda within twenty (20) days from the
termination of the preliminary conference. All documents and evidence must be
attached to the position paper/memoranda. Any move to extend the twenty (20)
day period shall be filed and heard within five (5) days before the expiration of the
original period upon application and only on justifiable reasons.
The affidavits of the parties and their witnesses may serve as their direct
testimonies. For this purpose, the Regional Hearing Officer may direct the parties to
submit their judicial affidavits, in question and answer form, to expedite the
proceedings.
Section 11. Hearing Conducted Outside the Regular Hearing Office. The
Regional Hearing Officer, taking into consideration the applicability of customary
laws and practices, may conduct hearings and resolve motions or other incidents
outside of the hearing office at a specified time and date.
Section 12. Reception of Additional Evidence. Should the Regional Hearing
Officer determine, in the interest of justice and adhering to the primacy of
customary laws, that there is a need to clarify questions regarding customary laws,
he/she may invite amici curiae to assist him/her in resolving the matter.
Section 13. Opinions of Amicus Curiae. At any stage of the proceedings, the
Regional Hearing Officer at its own instance or upon the recommendation of the
parties may invite amicus/amici curiae whose opinion/s on any question of fact
concerning matters involving customs and tradition may be solicited. Such opinion
may not be necessarily binding on the Regional Hearing Officer but will serve as a
guide or tool in resolving the case using customary laws.
Section 14. Validated and/or Documented Customary Laws. The validated
or documented or recorded customs and traditions involving the settlement of
disputes in a certain ICCs/IPs, shall form part of the historical and anthropological
data of such ICCs/IPs concerned and can be accessed or used in similar cases
involving the same ICCs/IPs, if applicable.
Section 15. Challenge of Validated and/or Documented Customary Laws.
If any historical or anthropological data is challenged during the proceeding, the
Regional Hearing Officer may invite the participation of amicus/amici curiae to
assist him/her in the resolution of the issue concerned.
Section 16. When Case is Deemed Submitted for Resolution. The case is
deemed submitted for Resolution after the parties have finally rested their case
and/or submitted their respective memoranda, or after the lapse of period within
which to file the same.
Section 17. Period to Render Judgment. The Regional Hearing Officer shall
decide the case within ninety (90) days from the date the case was submitted or
deemed submitted for resolution.
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Section 18. Judgment. The decision, award, or order shall determine the merits
of the case stating clearly and distinctively the facts and the law on which it is
based, personally and directly prepared by the Regional Hearing Officer, signed by
him/her, and filed with the clerk of the Regional Hearing Office.
Section 19. Motion for Reconsideration. Only one motion for reconsideration
of the resolution or decision of the Regional Hearing Officer, which disposes of the
case shall be allowed. Said motion shall be filed within fifteen (15) days from
receipt of a copy of the assailed resolution or decision.
The timely filing of a Motion for Reconsideration shall interrupt the running of the
period to appeal. A party is afforded a fresh period of fifteen (15) days from receipt
of the resolution of the Motion for Reconsideration within which to file its appeal.
Section 20. Finality of Judgment. A judgment rendered by the Regional
Hearing Officer shall become final and executory upon the lapse of fifteen (15) days
from the receipt of all parties and/or their respective counsel/s of the decision,
award, or order denying the motion for reconsideration, and there is no appeal. If
the 15th day falls on a Saturday, a Sunday or a Holiday, the last day shall be the
next working day.
Section 21. Execution of Judgment, Basic Rule. Only judgments, decisions,
or final orders that finally dispose of the case shall be the subject of execution as a
matter of right.
Section 22. Effective Enforcement of Judgments, Decisions, or Final Orders
of the Regional Hearing Office. In order for the Regional Hearing Office to
effectively enforce its decisions, awards or final orders, any suitable process or
procedure may be employed and adopted, unless this does not conform with the
spirit of R.A. 8371 or this Rules, or violates customary laws and practices.
Section 23. Appeal to the Commission. Decisions, awards, or final orders of
the Regional Hearing Officer may be appealed to the Commission by filing a
Memorandum on Appeal with the Regional Hearing Office, and serving a copy
thereof upon the adverse party.
Section 24. Perfection of Appeal. The appeal shall be perfected upon payment
of the appeal fee. The appeal fee shall be paid by the appellant upon the filing of
the Memorandum of Appeal. An indigent party appealing is exempted from paying
the appeal fee but such fee shall be a lien on any judgment or award that may be
granted favorable to said indigent party.
Section 25. Transmittal of the Record. Within twenty (20) days from receipt
of the Memorandum of Appeal and the payment of the appeal fee, the Regional
Hearing Office shall transmit the entire record of the case to the Clerk of the
Commission.
The record containing a table of contents shall be accompanied by proof of payment
of the appeal fee, and other legal fees, a certified true copy of the minutes of the
proceedings, the order of the approval, the certificate of correctness, all
documentary evidence, and copies of transcripts chronologically arranged, with the
earliest document at the front and appropriately paginated.
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Section 10. Motion for Reconsideration. Only one motion for reconsideration
on the resolution or decision of the Commission en banc that finally disposes of the
case shall be allowed. Said motion shall be filed within fifteen (15) days from
receipt of a copy of the assailed resolution or decision.
The filing of a timely motion for reconsideration shall interrupt the running of the
period to appeal.
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RULE XI EVIDENCE
Section 1. Flexible Approach. The Commission en banc and the Regional
Hearing Offices shall not be bound by technical rules on evidence provided under
the Rules of Court, but shall proceed to hear and decide all cases, disputes or
controversies in the most expeditious manner, employing all reasonable means to
ascertain the facts of every case with utmost regard to the manner or mode of
presenting evidence by ICCs/IPs as their customs, traditions, and practices may
allow. In the reception of evidence, relevance shall be the controlling test.
Section 2. Precautionary Principle.
In establishing the existence or
truthfulness of customary law, the Commission/RHO shall be guided by the
precautionary principle in the appreciation and admissibility of evidence. The
following factors, among others, shall be considered:
a. Oral tradition and history as attributed by ICCs/IPs experts or anthropologists;
b. Self-ascription and ascription by others; and/or
c. Current application of such customs, beliefs, or practices.
Section 3. Unwritten Customs and Traditions, Oral History. Unwritten
customs and traditions or oral history of a certain ICCs/IPs shall be admitted in
evidence for as long as they are relevant to the issue of the case and that they can
be established as a fact by any of the expert witnesses and/or amicus/amici curiae
or under the precautionary principle.
Section 4. Test of Relevancy and Credibility. A testimony is relevant when it
has a logical connection with the issue raised and the same is given by a recognized
and credible elder/leader of the community. Likewise, there is credibility when the
person testifying is a recognized and respected elder/leader in the community and
that he/she has participated in the resolution of the dispute that is/are related to
the fact in issue.
Section 5. Perpetuation of Testimonies Other than Judicial Affidavits. If
an ICCs/IPs elder/leader is identified as a witness and is indisposed due to illness,
old age, justifiable distance, or other related causes, his/her testimony may be in
the form of a deposition or any other mode allowed by their customs, traditions or
practices.
The concerned party shall submit their questions to the Regional Hearing Officer or
the Commission en banc and the latter may direct the Provincial Officer concerned
or any officer of the NCIP to facilitate the deposition or taking of testimony. As
much as possible, the process shall be recorded by the concerned officer taking the
testimony.
Section 6. Oath or Affirmation. In accordance with the culture and tradition of
ICCs/IPs, witnesses shall be asked to take an oath or affirmation before testifying
individually or as a group. Oath or affirmation or its equivalent in accordance with
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their customs and practices shall be made by simply asking the witness or
witnesses to affirm that when asked questions in the hearing, he/she will tell the
truth.
Section 7. Members of ICCs/IPs as Expert Witnesses. Expert witnesses are
qualified as such on account of their education or training, experience, and
expertise. Education or training does not necessarily refer to formal education but
also includes non-formal education or training received from elders or experts in
the ICCs/IPs. A member of the ICCs/IPs possessing the appropriate non-formal
education or training, experience, and expertise on matters relating to their
customary laws and traditions may be considered as an expert witness. In case of
conflict between the learned opinion of an anthropologist and the ICCs/IPs expert
witness on customary law and traditions, the opinion of the latter shall prevail.
Section 8. Quantum of Evidence. Substantial evidence is necessary to
establish a claim or defense under this Rules.
RULE XII SUBPOENA AD TESTIFICANDUM AND SUBPOENA DUCES TECUM
Section 1. Power to Issue Subpoena. The Commission en banc and the
Regional Hearing Office, in the exercise of its quasi-judicial function may issue
subpoena ad testificandum and subpoena duces tecum to compel the attendance of
a witness or persons in a proceeding before it and to require the production and
presentation of documents during a hearing.
Section 2. Service of the Subpoena. The subpoena may be personally served
to the person named therein or by registered mail or by private courier.
Section 3. Failure to appear. The failure by any person without adequate cause
to obey a subpoena served upon him/her shall be deemed an act in contempt of the
Commission en banc or the Regional Hearing Officer who issued the subpoena.
This provision shall not apply when the non-appearance is due to restraints
imposed by customary law and/or tradition or for any other justifiable cause,
provided the same shall be immediately communicated to the Commission or the
Regional Hearing Officer prior to the date of intended appearance.
RULE XIII CONTEMPT
Section 1. Direct Contempt. The Commission en banc or the Regional Hearing
Officers may summarily pass judgment on acts of direct contempt committed in the
presence of, or so near the Chairman or any member of the Commission or its
Regional Hearing Officers, as to obstruct or interrupt the proceeding before the
same, including disrespect towards the Commissioners or the Regional Hearing
Officers, offensive behavior towards other parties, refusal to be sworn in or to
answer as a witness, or to subscribe to an affidavit or deposition when lawfully
required to do so.
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Those found to be in direct contempt shall be punished by a fine not exceeding Two
Thousand Pesos (Php 2,000.00) or imprisonment not exceeding ten (10) days, or
both, if it be committed against the Commission en banc or any of its members; or
by a fine not exceeding Two Hundred Pesos (Php 200.00) or imprisonment not
exceeding one (1) day, or both, if it be committed against the Regional Hearing
Officer. The judgment of the Commission or any of its Hearing Officers on direct
contempt shall be immediately executory and non-appealable.
Section 2. Indirect Contempt. The Commission en banc or its Regional Hearing
Officers may cite and punish any person for indirect contempt on any of the
grounds, and in the manner prescribed under Rule 71 of the Revised Rules of Court,
and for this purpose, the grounds and proceedings laid down in Sections 3, 4, 5 and
6 of Rule 71 of the Revised Rules of Court is hereby adopted.
If the respondent is adjudged guilty of indirect contempt committed against the
Commission en banc or any of its members, he/she may be punished by a fine not
exceeding Thirty Thousand Pesos (Php 30,000.00) or imprisonment not exceeding
six (6) months, or both.
If he/she is adjudged guilty of indirect contempt
committed against a Regional Hearing Officer, he/she may be punished by a fine
not exceeding Five Thousand Pesos (Php 5,000.00) or imprisonment not exceeding
one (1) month, or both.
Section 3. Appeal from Indirect Contempt. Any person found guilty of
indirect contempt by the Regional Hearing Officers may appeal the same to the
Commission en banc, within a period of five (5) days from notice of judgment, and
in which case the execution of said judgment shall be suspended pending the
resolution of the appeal upon filing by said person of a bond on the condition that
he/she will abide by, and perform the judgment should the appeal be decided
against him/her.
RULE XIV INJUNCTION
Section 1. Preliminary Injunction and Temporary Restraining Order. A writ
of preliminary injunction (WPI) or temporary restraining order (TRO) may be
granted by the Commission en banc pursuant to the provisions of Sections 59 and
69 of R.A. 8371 when it is established, on the basis of sworn allegations in a
petition, that the acts complained of involving or arising from any case, if not
restrained forthwith, may cause grave or irreparable damage or injury to any of the
parties, or seriously affect social or economic activity. This power may also be
exercised by Regional Hearing Officers in cases pending before them in order to
preserve the rights of the parties.
Section 2. Grounds for Issuance Writ of Preliminary Injunction and
Temporary Restraining Order. The following may be grounds for the issuance
of a writ of preliminary injunction and/or temporary restraining order:
a. Free and prior informed consent of concerned ICCs/IPs has not been secured as
required under Section 59 of R.A. 8371 and its implementing rules and regulations;
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b. The consent of the ICCs/IPs as required under Section 59 of R.A. 8371 was
irregularly or improperly obtained thereby rendering the FPIC void ab initio;
c. Prohibited or unlawful acts are threatened to be done or would be committed
unless restrained; and
d. Grave or irreparable injury would result if not restrained.
Section 3. Verified Petition. Preliminary injunction or temporary restraining
order may be granted only upon verified petition showing facts that would entitle
the petitioner or the applicant to the relief demanded.
Section 4. Temporary Restraining Order may be Issued Ex Parte. The
Commission en banc or the Regional Hearing Office may issue ex parte a TRO for a
period of seventy-two (72) hours from service to the party or person sought to be
enjoined upon showing that the applicant would suffer great or irreparable injury
before the matter can be heard on notice.
Thereafter, within the aforesaid seventy-two (72) hours, the Commission en banc
or the Regional Hearing Office before whom the case is pending shall conduct a
summary hearing to determine whether the TRO shall be extended until the
application for preliminary injunction can be heard. In no case shall the total period
of effectivity of the TRO exceed twenty (20) days, including the original seventytwo hours provided herein.
Notwithstanding the lack of CNR required under Section 2, Rule IV of this Rules, the
Regional Hearing Officer may issue the TRO provided that the main case shall have
to be referred back to the council of elders/leaders or mediators, if applicable, for
compliance to the aforementioned Rule IV.
The Regional Hearing Officer shall furnish the Commission en banc copies of the
TROs issued by them for the information and guidance of the Commission en banc.
Section 5. Period to Resolve the Prayer for a Writ of Preliminary
Injunction. Within the twenty (20) day period of the TRO, the Commission en
banc or the Regional Hearing Officer shall order the respondent to show cause, at a
specified time and place, why the preliminary injunction should not be granted.
Within the same period, the Commission en banc or the Regional Hearing Officer
must resolve whether or not the writ of preliminary injunction should be granted.
Section 6. Grounds for Dissolution of the Preliminary Injunction or
Temporary Restraining Order. The TRO or WPI may be dissolved on the
following grounds:
a. Upon proper showing of its insufficiency; and
b. If it appears after hearing that although the applicant is entitled to the restraining
order or the injunction, the continuance thereof would cause irreparable damage to
the party enjoined while the applicant can be fully compensated for such damages
as he/she may suffer.
Section 7. Injunctive Bond. A writ of preliminary injunction shall be issued only
upon filing of the required bond as may be determined by the Commission en banc
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or the Regional Hearing Officer, which bond shall answer for any damages that
might be suffered by the adverse party. An indigent may be exempt from payment
of the injunctive bond as provided for in Section 4, Rule VI hereof.
Section 8. Grant of Final Injunction. The Commission en banc or the Regional
Hearing Officer shall grant a permanent injunction confirming the preliminary
injunction or preliminary mandatory injunction if after hearing, the applicant is
found to be entitled to have the acts complained of permanently enjoined. An order
shall be issued ordering the respondent to perpetually refrain from the commission
or continuance of the act or acts subject of the petition.
RULE XV LEGAL FEES
Section 1. Filing Fees. The following shall be the prescribed filing fees:
a. Actions, with ICCs/IPs as complainant, involving ancestral lands or personal
actions, a filing fee of PhP 500.00 shall be required;
b. Actions involving community interest that is litigated in the name of the
community, no filing fees shall be charged;
c. Actions filed by natural or juridical persons operating within ancestral
domains/lands, a filing fee of PhP 2,500.00 shall be required;
d. If there is a prayer for a TRO and/or WPI is sought, an additional amount of PhP
2, 500.00 shall be required;
e. For claims of damages, the following schedule of filing fees shall be observed:
1. For claims of less than PhP
100,000.00;
2. For claims of PhP 100,000.00 or more
but less than PhP 150,000.00;
3. For claims of PhP 150,000.00 or more
but less
than PhP 200,000.00;
4. For claims of PhP 200,000.00 or more
but less than PhP 250,000.00;
5. For claims of PhP 250,000 or more but
less
than PhP 300,000.00;
6. For claims of PhP 300,000.00 or more
but less than PhP 350,000.00;
7. For claims of PhP 350,000.00 or more
but less than PhP 400,000.00;
8. For each PhP 1,000.00 claim in excess
of PhP 400,000.00;
Php1,000.00
PhP 1,500.00
PhP 2,000.00
PhP 2,500.00
PhP 3,000.00
PhP 3,500.00
PhP 4,000.00
PhP 20.00
Section 2. Legal Fees. The following legal fees shall be charged and collected.
a. For furnishing copies of transcript of proceedings or any part of the records, Ten
Pesos (PhP 10.00) per page; and
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Approved this 9th day of October 2014, at Quezon City, Metro Manila.
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