REVISED RULES ON EVIDENCE RULE 130

RULE 130

Rules of Admissibility

A. OBJECT (REAL) EVIDENCE

Section 1. Object as evidence.

OBJECTS as evidence are those addressed to the senses of the

court.

When an OBJECT is RELEVANT to the fact in issue,

-it may be exhibited to, examined or viewed by the court. (1a)

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Reviewer

(c) When the original consists of numerous accounts or

B. DOCUMENTARY EVIDENCE other documents
-which CANNOT be examined in court WITHOUT
Section 2. Documentary evidence. great loss of time
-and the fact sought to be established from them is
DOCUMENTS as evidence ONLY the general result of the whole; and
-consist of writing or any material containing letters, words,
numbers, figures, symbols or other modes of written (d) When the original is a PUBLIC RECORD
expression -in the custody of a public officer OR
- OFFERED AS PROOF OF THEIR CONTENTS. (n) -is recorded in a public office. (2a)

1. BEST EVIDENCE RULE Section 4. Original of document.

Section 3. Original document must be produced; exceptions. (a) The ORIGINAL OF THE DOCUMENT
- is one the contents of which are the subject of inquiry.
When the SUBJECT OF INQUIRY is the contents of a document,
-NO evidence shall be admissible other than the (b) When a document is in two or more copies executed at
ORIGINAL DOCUMENT itself, OR about the same time,
-with identical contents,
EXCEPT in the following cases: - all such copies are equally regarded as
originals.
(a) When the original has been lost or destroyed, OR
CANNOT be produced in court, WITHOUT bad faith on the (c) When an entry is repeated in the regular course of
part of the offeror; business,
-one being copied from another at or near the time
(b) When the original is in the custody or of the transaction,
under the control of the party against whom the -all the entries are likewise equally
evidence is offered, regarded as originals. (3a)
-and the latter fails to produce it after reasonable
notice;

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2. SECONDARY EVIDENCE Section 7. Evidence admissible when original document is a public

record.
Section 5. When original document is unavailable.
When the original of document is in the custody of public
When the original document has been lost or destroyed, or officer or is recorded in a public office,
CANNOT be produced in court, -its contents may be PROVED by a certified copy
-issued by the public officer in custody thereof. (2a)
-the offeror, upon proof of its execution or existence and
-the cause of its unavailability WITHOUT bad faith on his Section 8. Party who calls for document not bound to offer it.
part,
may PROVE its contents: A party who calls for the production of a document and inspects
-by a copy, or the same
-by a recital of its contents in some authentic -is NOT obliged to offer it as evidence. (6a)
document, or
-by the testimony of witnesses in the order
stated. (4a)

Section 6. When original document is in adverse party's custody or

control.

If the document is in the custody or under the control of

adverse party,
-he must have reasonable notice to produce it.

If AFTER such notice and AFTER satisfactory proof of its

existence,
-he fails to produce the document,
-secondary evidence may be presented as in the
case of its loss. (5a)

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3. PAROL EVIDENCE RULE

Section 9. Evidence of written agreements.

When the TERMS OF AN AGREEMENT HAVE BEEN REDUCED

TO WRITING,
-it is considered as containing all the terms agreed upon
and
- there can be, between the parties and their successors in
interest,

NO EVIDENCE OF SUCH TERMS OTHER THAN THE CONTENTS

OF THE WRITTEN AGREEMENT.

However, a party may present evidence to modify, explain or

add to the terms of written agreement IF HE PUTS IN ISSUE IN
HIS PLEADING:

(a) An intrinsic ambiguity, mistake or imperfection in the

written agreement;

(b) The failure of the written agreement to express the true

intent and agreement of the parties thereto;

(c) The validity of the written agreement; or

(d) The existence of other terms agreed to by the parties

or their successors in interest
-after the execution of the written agreement.

The term "agreement" includes wills. (7a)

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4. INTERPRETATION OF DOCUMENTS Section 13 . Interpretation according to circumstances. —

Section 10 . Interpretation of a writing according to its legal For the proper construction of an instrument, the CIRCUMSTANCES
meaning. — UNDER WHICH IT WAS MADE,
-including the situation of the subject thereof and of the
The LANGUAGE OF A WRITING is to be interpreted according to parties to it, may be shown,
- the legal meaning it bears in the place of its execution, -so that the judge may be placed in the position of those who
UNLESS the parties intended otherwise. (8) language he is to interpret. (11)

Section 11 . Instrument construed so as to give effect to all Section 14 . Peculiar signification of terms. —
provisions. —
The TERMS OF A WRITING are presumed to have been used in
In the CONSTRUCTION OF AN INSTRUMENT, their primary and general acceptation,
-where there are several provisions or particulars, such a -but evidence is admissible to show that they have a local,
construction is, if possible, to be adopted as will give effect to all. (9) technical, or otherwise peculiar signification,
-and were so used and understood in the particular instance,
Section 12 . Interpretation according to intention; general and -in which case the agreement must be construed
particular provisions. — accordingly. (12)

In the CONSTRUCTION OF AN INSTRUMENT, Section 15 . Written words control printed. —

-the intention of the parties is to be pursued;
-and when a general and a particular provision are When an instrument consists PARTLY OF WRITTEN WORDS AND
inconsistent, the latter is paramount to the former. PARTLY OF A PRINTED FORM,
-So a PARTICULAR INTENT WILL CONTROL A -and the two are inconsistent, the former controls the latter*printed
form controls
GENERAL ONE that is inconsistent with it. (10) . (13)

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Section 16 . Experts and interpreters to be used in explaining certain Section 19 . Interpretation according to usage. —
writings. —
An instrument may be CONSTRUED
When the CHARACTERS IN WHICH AN INSTRUMENT is written -according to usage,
are -in order to determine its true character. (17)
-difficult to be deciphered, or
-the language is not understood by the court,

the evidence of persons skilled in deciphering the characters, or

who understand the language, is admissible to declare the
characters or the meaning of the language. (14)

Section 17 . Of Two constructions, which preferred. —

When the TERMS OF AN AGREEMENT have been intended in a

different sense by the different parties to it,
-that sense is to prevail against either party in which he
supposed the other understood it,
-and when different constructions of a provision are
otherwise equally proper, that is to be taken which is the most
favorable to the party in whose favor the provision was made.
(15)

Section 18 . Construction in favor of natural right. —

When an instrument is equally susceptible of TWO

INTERPRETATIONS,
-one in favor of natural right and the other against it, the
FORMER IS TO BE ADOPTED*in favor of natural right. (16)

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C. TESTIMONIAL EVIDENCE Section 22 . Disqualification by reason of marriage. —

1. QUALIFICATION OF WITNESSES During their marriage, NEITHER THE HUSBAND NOR THE WIFE
-may testify for or against the other without the consent of
Section 20 . Witnesses; their qualifications. — the affected spouse,
-EXCEPT in:
EXCEPT as provided in the next succeeding section, -a civil case by one against the other, OR
ALL PERSONS WHO CAN PERCEIVE, AND PERCEIVING, CAN -in a criminal case for a crime committed by one
MAKE THEIR KNOWN PERCEPTION TO OTHERS, against the other or the latter's direct descendants or
-may be witnesses. ascendants. (20a)

-Religious or political belief, Section 23 . Disqualification by reason of death or insanity of

-interest in the outcome of the case, or adverse party. —
-conviction of a crime UNLESS otherwise provided by law,
-shall not be ground for disqualification. (18a) -Parties or assignor of parties to a case, or
-persons in whose behalf a case is prosecuted,
Section 21 . Disqualification by reason of mental incapacity or -AGAINST:
immaturity. — - an executor or administrator or other representative
of a deceased person, OR
The following persons CANNOT be witnesses: - against a person of unsound mind,
(a)Those whose MENTAL CONDITION, at the time of their -upon a claim or demand against the estate
production for examination, of such deceased person OR
- is such that they are incapable of intelligently making -against such person of unsound mind,
known their perception to others; cannot testify as to any matter of fact
occurring before the death of such deceased
(b)Children whose MENTAL MATURITY person OR before such person became of
-is such as to render them incapable of perceiving the unsound mind. (20a)
facts
-respecting which they are examined and of relating
them truthfully. (19a)

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Section 24 . Disqualification by reason of privileged communication. -be examined as to any advice or treatment given by him or
— any information which he may have acquired in attending
such patient in a professional capacity,
The following persons CANNOT testify as to matters learned in -which information was necessary to enable him to
CONFIDENCE in the following cases: act in capacity, and which would blacken the
reputation of the patient;
(a)The HUSBAND OR THE WIFE, during or after the marriage,
-CANNOT be examined WITHOUT the CONSENT of the (d)A MINISTER OR PRIEST
other -CANNOT, WITHOUT the CONSENT of the person making
-as to any communication received in confidence by the confession,
one from the other during the marriage EXCEPT be examined as to any confession made to or any
-in a civil case by one against the other, or advice given by him in his professional character in
-in a criminal case for a crime committed by the course of discipline
one against the other or the latter's direct enjoined by the church to which the minister
descendants or ascendants; or priest belongs;

(b)An ATTORNEY (e)A PUBLIC OFFICER

-CANNOT, WITHOUT the CONSENT of his client, -CANNOT be examined during his term of office or
be examined as to any communication made by the afterwards,
client to him, or his advice given thereon in the -as to communications made to him in official
course of, or with a view to, professional confidence,
employment, -when the court finds that the public
nor can an attorney's secretary, stenographer, or clerk interest would suffer by the disclosure.
-be examined, without the consent of the client and his (21a)
employer, concerning any fact the knowledge of which has
been acquired in such capacity;

(c)A PERSON AUTHORIZED TO PRACTICE MEDICINE,

SURGERY OR OBSTETRICS
-CANNOT in a civil case, WITHOUT the CONSENT of the -
patient,

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2. TESTIMONIAL PRIVILEGE -an OFFER OF COMPROMISED by the ACCUSED

may be received in evidence as an IMPLIED
Section 25 . Parental and filial privilege. — ADMISSION OF GUILT.

NO person may be compelled to testify AGAINST: A PLEA OF GUILTY later withdrawn, OR an unaccepted offer of
- his parents, a plea of guilty to lesser offense,
-other direct ascendants, -is NOT admissible in evidence AGAINST the accused who
-children or made the plea or offer.
-other direct descendants. (20a)
An OFFER TO PAY OR THE PAYMENT OF MEDICAL, HOSPITAL
3. ADMISSIONS AND CONFESSIONS OR OTHER EXPENSES occasioned by an injury
- is NOT admissible in evidence
Section 26 . Admission of a party. — -as proof of civil or criminal liability for the
injury. (24a)
The ACT, DECLARATION OR OMISSION of a party
-as to a relevant fact may be given in evidence against Section 28 . Admission by third party. —
him. (22)
The rights of a party
Section 27 . Offer of compromise not admissible. — -CANNOT be PREJUDICED BY AN ACT, DECLARATION,
OR OMISSION OF ANOTHER,
In CIVIL CASES, -EXCEPT as hereinafter provided. (25a)
-an OFFER OF COMPROMISE is NOT an admission of any
liability, and
-is NOT admissible in evidence AGAINST the OFFEROR.

In CRIMINAL CASES,
-EXCEPT those involving QUASI-OFFENSES (criminal
negligence) OR those ALLOWED BY LAW TO BE
COMPROMISED,

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Section 29 . Admission by co-partner or agent. — Section 32 . Admission by silence. —

The ACT OR DECLARATION OF A PARTNER OR AGENT OF An ACT OR DECLARATION MADE IN THE PRESENCE AND
THE PARTY within the scope of his authority and during the WITHIN THE HEARING OR OBSERVATION OF A PARTY
existence of the partnership or agency, -who does or says nothing when the act or declaration is
-may be given in evidence against such party AFTER the such as naturally to call for action or comment if not
partnership or agency is shown by evidence other than such true, and
act or declaration. -when proper and possible for him to do so, may be
-The same rule applies to the act or declaration of a joint given in evidence against him. (23a)
owner, joint debtor, or other person jointly interested with the
party. (26a) Section 33 . Confession. —

Section 30 . Admission by conspirator. — The DECLARATION OF AN ACCUSED

-acknowledging his guilt of the offense charged, or of any
The ACT OR DECLARATION OF A CONSPIRATOR offense necessarily included therein,
-relating to the conspiracy and during its existence, -may be given in evidence against him. (29a)
-may be given in evidence against the co-
conspirator
-AFTER the conspiracy is shown by
evidence other than such act of declaration.
(27)

Section 31 . Admission by privies. —

WHERE ONE DERIVES TITLE TO PROPERTY FROM ANOTHER,

-the act, declaration, or omission of the latter, while holding
the title, in relation to the property,
- is evidence against the former. (28)

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4. PREVIOUS CONDUCT AS EVIDENCE

Section 34 . Similar acts as evidence. —

EVIDENCE THAT ONE DID OR DID NOT DO A CERTAIN THING

AT ONE TIME
- is NOT admissible to prove that he did or did not do the
same or similar thing at another time;
-BUT it may be received to prove a:
- specific intent or knowledge;
-identity,
-plan,
- system,
- scheme,
- habit,
- custom or usage,
-and the like. (48a)

Section 35 . Unaccepted offer. —

An OFFER IN WRITING TO PAY A PARTICULAR SUM OF

MONEY OR TO DELIVER A WRITTEN INSTRUMENT OR
SPECIFIC PERSONAL PROPERTY is,
-if REJECTED WITHOUT valid cause, equivalent to the
actual production and tender of the money, instrument, or
property. (49a)

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5. TESTIMONIAL KNOWLEDGE

Section 36 . Testimony generally confined to personal

knowledge; hearsay excluded. —

A witness can testify ONLY to those facts which HE KNOWS OF

HIS PERSONAL KNOWLEDGE;
-that is, which are derived from his own perception,
EXCEPT as otherwise provided in these rules. (30a)

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6. EXCEPTIONS TO THE HEARSAY RULE Section 39 . Act or declaration about pedigree. —

Section 37 . Dying declaration. — The ACT OR DECLARATION OF A PERSON DECEASED, OR

UNABLE TO TESTIFY, IN RESPECT TO THE PEDIGREE of
The DECLARATION OF A DYING PERSON, another person related to him by birth or marriage,
-made under the consciousness of an impending death, -may be received in evidence where:
-may be received in any case wherein his death is - it occurred BEFORE the controversy, and
the subject of inquiry, as evidence of the cause -the relationship between the two persons is shown
and surrounding circumstances of such death. by evidence other than such act or declaration.
(31a)
The word "PEDIGREE" includes:
Section 38 . Declaration against interest. — - relationship,
-family genealogy,
The DECLARATION MADE BY A PERSON DECEASED, OR -birth, marriage,
UNABLE TO TESTIFY, AGAINST THE INTEREST OF THE -death,
DECLARANT, -the dates when and the places where these fast occurred,
-if the fact is asserted in the declaration was at the time it and
was made so far contrary to declarant's own interest, -the names of the relatives.
-that a reasonable man in his position would NOT
have made the declaration UNLESS It embraces also facts of family history intimately connected with
-he believed it to be true, pedigree. (33a)
-may be received in evidence
against himself or his successors in Section 40 . Family reputation or tradition regarding pedigree. —
interest and against third persons.
(32a) The REPUTATION OR TRADITION existing in a family previous to
the controversy,
-in respect to the pedigree of any one of its members,
-may be received in evidence
-if the witness testifying thereon be also a
member of the family, either by
consanguinity or affinity.

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Entries in family bibles or other family books or charts, engravings on Section 43 . Entries in the course of business. —
rings, family portraits and the like,
-may be received as evidence of pedigree. (34a) ENTRIES MADE AT, OR NEAR THE TIME OF TRANSACTIONS to
which they refer,
Section 41 . Common reputation. — -by a person deceased, or unable to testify,
-who was in a position to know the facts therein
COMMON REPUTATION existing previous to the controversy, stated,
-respecting facts of public or general interest -may be received as prima facie evidence,
-more than thirty years old, or -if such person made the entries in
-respecting marriage or moral character, his professional capacity or in the
-may be given in evidence. performance of duty and in the
-Monuments and inscriptions in public places ordinary or regular course of
-may be received as evidence of common business or duty. (37a)
reputation. (35)
Section 44 . Entries in official records. —
Section 42 . Part of res gestae. —
ENTRIES IN OFFICIAL RECORDS
STATEMENTS MADE BY A PERSON WHILE A STARTING -made in the performance of his duty
OCCURRENCE -by a public officer of the Philippines, or
-is taking place or immediately prior or subsequent thereto - by a person in the performance of a duty specially
with respect to the circumstances thereof, enjoined by law,
-may be given in evidence as PART OF RES -are prima facie evidence of the facts
GESTAE. therein stated. (38)

So, also, STATEMENTS ACCOMPANYING AN EQUIVOCAL ACT

MATERIAL TO THE ISSUE, and giving it a legal significance,
-may be received as PART OF THE RES GESTAE. (36a)

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Section 45 . Commercial lists and the like. — Section 47 . Testimony or deposition at a former proceeding. —

Evidence of statements of MATTERS OF INTEREST TO PERSONS The TESTIMONY OR DEPOSITION OF A WITNESS DECEASED
ENGAGED IN AN OCCUPATION CONTAINED IN: OR UNABLE TO TESTIFY,
- a list, -given in a former case or proceeding, judicial or
-register, administrative,
-periodical, or -involving the same parties and subject matter,
-other published compilation -may be given in evidence against the
-is admissible as tending to prove the truth of any relevant matter adverse party
so stated -who had the opportunity to
-if that compilation is published for use cross-examine him. (41a)
-by persons engaged in that occupation and
-is generally used and relied upon by them therein.
(39)

Section 46 . Learned treatises. —

-A published treatise,
-periodical or
- pamphlet on a subject of history, law, science, or art
- is admissible as tending to prove the truth of a matter
stated therein
-if the court takes judicial notice, or
-a witness expert in the subject testifies,
-that the writer of the statement in the
treatise, periodical or pamphlet is
recognized in his profession or calling as
expert in the subject. (40a)

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7. OPINION RULE

Section 48 . General rule. —

The OPINION OF WITNESS

-is NOT admissible,
-EXCEPT as indicated in the following sections. (42)

Section 49 . Opinion of expert witness. —

The OPINION OF A WITNESS

-on a matter requiring special knowledge, skill, experience or
training which he shown to posses,
-may be received in evidence. (43a)

Section 50 . Opinion of ordinary witnesses. —

The OPINION OF A WITNESS for which proper basis is given, may

be received in evidence regarding —

(a)the identity of a person about whom he has adequate

knowledge;

(b)A handwriting with which he has sufficient familiarity; and

(c)The mental sanity of a person with whom he is sufficiently

acquainted.

The witness may also testify on his impressions of the emotion,

behavior, condition or appearance of a person. (44a)

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8. CHARACTER EVIDENCE (b)In Civil Cases:

Section 51 . Character evidence not generally

Evidence of the moral character of a party in civil case
admissible; EXCEPTIONS:—
- is admissible ONLY when pertinent to the issue of
character involved in the case.
(a)In Criminal Cases:

(c)In the case provided for in Rule 132, Section 14, (46a, 47a)1
(1)The accused may prove his good moral character
-which is pertinent to the moral trait involved in the
offense charged.

(2)UNLESS in rebuttal,
-the prosecution may NOT prove his bad moral
character
-which is pertinent to the moral trait involved
in the offense charged.

(3)The good or bad moral character of the offended

party may be proved
-if it tends to establish in any reasonable
degree the probability or improbability of
the offense charged.

1
Rule 132 Section 14. Evidence of good character of witness. —
Evidence of the good character of a witness is NOT admissible
until such character has been impeached. (17)

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