Habeas corpus

Published by Atty. Fred September 14th, 2006 in Elections and Constitutional a! and iti"ation and abor a!. 6 Comments

#Share $he Presidential Commission on %ood %o&erment 'PC%%( yesterday )iled a petition )or habeas corpus to compel the Senate to present Camilo Sabio, PC%% Chairman, be)ore the Supreme Court and to *usti)y his arrest and detention that !as ordered by the Senate in connection !ith its on+"oin" in,uiry in aid o) le"islation. -ou probably read about the petition )or a !rit o) habeas corpus )iled by .ocelyn /01.oc+*oc/02 3olante a"ainst 4.S. Secretary o) State Condolee55a 6ice and other ran7in" 4S "o&ernment o))icials in order to "ain )reedom in the 4nited States.$he term 8!rit o) habeas corpus9 had sur)aced many times be)ore. et:s discuss this sub*ect matter. What is a writ of habeas corpus? 8;abeas corpus9 is a atin phrase !hich literally means 8you ha&e the body9. 3asically, it is a !rit directed to the person detainin" another, commandin" him to produce the body o) the prisoner at a desi"nated time and place, !ith the day and cause o) his capture and detention, to do, submit to, and recei&e !hatsoe&er the court or *ud"e a!ardin" the !rit shall consider in that behal). What is the scope of the writ of habeas corpus? $he !rit o) habeas corpus "enerally e<tends to all cases o) ille"al con)inement or detention by !hich a person is depri&ed o) liberty, or the ri"ht)ul custody o) a person is !ithheld )rom the person entitled thereto. Who may issue the writ of habeas corpus? $he !rit may be issued by the Supreme Court or by the Court o) Appeals or any member thereo), en)orceable any!here in the Philippines. =t may also be issued by the 6e"ional $rial Cout '6$C( or any *ud"e thereo), en)orceable only !ithin the *udicial district. To whom is the writ directed? =) the detention is by an o))icer, the !rit shall be directed to him, commandin" him to brin" the body o) the person restrained o) liberty be)ore the court at the time and place speci)ied. =) the detention is by a person other than an o))icer, then the !rit shall be directed to an o))icer commandin" him to the same e))ect and to summon the person restrainin". $he respondent !ill be as7ed to e<plain the cause o) the detention. When shall the subject person be released?

>hen the prisoner is unla!)ully restrained, the court or *ud"e shall order his dischar"e !hich shall not be e))ecti&e until a copy o) the order is ser&ed on the o))icer or person detainin" the prisoner. =) such o))icer or person does not desire to appeal, the prisoner shall be )orth!ith released. Source and citations? Supreme Court@ 6ule 102 o) the Rules of Court

Rule on the Writ of Amparo (A.M. No. !"#"$%"&'( full te)t*

Published by Atty. Fred September 2Ath, 200A in Elections and Constitutional a!, iti"ation and abor a! and BbiterCDe!s. 2 Comments

4#Share (The Supreme Court already approved the Rule on the Writ of Amparo [A.M. No. !" #"$%"SC& %' September % !(& )hich is a remedy available to any person )hose ri*ht to life& liberty& and security has been violated or is threatened )ith violation by an unla)ful act or omission of a public official or employee& or of a private individual or entity. +ere,s the full te-t of the Rule& )hich shall ta.e effect on %/ 0ctober % !.1 TH+ R,-+ .N TH+ WR/T .0 AM1AR. &+'T/.N $. 2etition. E $he petition )or a !rit o) amparo is a remedy a&ailable to any person !hose ri"ht to li)e, liberty and security is &iolated or threatened !ith &iolation by an unla!)ul act or omission o) a public o))icial or employee, or o) a pri&ate indi&idual or entity. $he !rit shall co&er e<trale"al 7illin"s and en)orced disappearances or threats thereo). &+'. %. Who May 3ile. /08 $he petition may be )iled by the a""rie&ed party or by any ,uali)ied person or entity in the )ollo!in" order? 'a( Any member o) the immediate )amily, namely? the spouse, children and parents o) the a""rie&ed party@ 'b( Any ascendant, descendant or collateral relati&e o) the a""rie&ed party !ithin the )ourth ci&il de"ree o) consan"uinity or a))inity, in de)ault o) those mentioned in the precedin" para"raph@ or 'c( Any concerned citi5en, or"ani5ation, association or institution, i) there is no 7no!n member o) the immediate )amily or relati&e o) the a""rie&ed party. $he )ilin" o) a petition by the a""rie&ed party suspends the ri"ht o) all other authori5ed parties to )ile similar petitions. i7e!ise, the )ilin" o) the petition by an authori5ed party on behal) o) the a""rie&ed party suspends the ri"ht o) all others, obser&in" the order established herein.

&+'. 2. Where to 3ile. /08 $he petition may be )iled on any day and at any time !ith the 6e"ional $rial Court o) the place !here the threat, act or omission !as committed or any o) its elements occurred, or !ith the Sandi"anbayan, the Court o) Appeals, the Supreme Court, or any *ustice o) such courts. $he !rit shall be en)orceable any!here in the Philippines. >hen issued by a 6e"ional $rial Court or any *ud"e thereo), the !rit shall be returnable be)ore such court or *ud"e. >hen issued by the Sandi"anbayan or the Court o) Appeals or any o) their *ustices, it may be returnable be)ore such court or any *ustice thereo), or to any 6e"ional $rial Court o) the place !here the threat, act or omission !as committed or any o) its elements occurred. >hen issued by the Supreme Court or any o) its *ustices, it may be returnable be)ore such Court or any *ustice thereo), or be)ore the Sandi"anbayan or the Court o) Appeals or any o) their *ustices, or to any 6e"ional $rial Court o) the place !here the threat, act or omission !as committed or any o) its elements occurred. &+'. 3. No 4oc.et 3ees. /08 $he petitioner shall be e<empted )rom the payment o) the doc7et and other la!)ul )ees !hen )ilin" the petition. $he court, *ustice or *ud"e shall doc7et the petition and act upon it immediately. &+'. 4. Contents of 2etition. /08 $he petition shall be si"ned and &eri)ied and shall alle"e the )ollo!in"? 'a( $he personal circumstances o) the petitioner@ 'b( $he name and personal circumstances o) the respondent responsible )or the threat, act or omission, or, i) the name is un7no!n or uncertain, the respondent may be described by an assumed appellation@ 'c( $he ri"ht to li)e, liberty and security o) the a""rie&ed party &iolated or threatened !ith &iolation by an unla!)ul act or omission o) the respondent, and ho! such threat or &iolation is committed !ith the attendant circumstances detailed in supportin" a))ida&its@ 'd( $he in&esti"ation conducted, i) any, speci)yin" the names, personal circumstances, and addresses o) the in&esti"atin" authority or indi&iduals, as !ell as the manner and conduct o) the in&esti"ation, to"ether !ith any report@ 'e( $he actions and recourses ta7en by the petitioner to determine the )ate or !hereabouts o) the a""rie&ed party and the identity o) the person responsible )or the threat, act or omission@ and ')( $he relie) prayed )or the petition may include a "eneral prayer )or other *ust and e,uitable relie)s.

&+'. 5. 5ssuance of the Writ. /08 4pon the )ilin" o) the petition, the court, *ustice or *ud"e shall immediately order the issuance o) the !rit i) on its )ace it ou"ht to issue. $he cler7 o) court shall issue the !rit under the seal o) the court@ or in case o) ur"ent necessity, the *ustice or the *ud"e may issue the !rit under his or her o!n hand, and may deputi5e any o))icer or person to ser&e it. $he !rit shall also set the date and time )or summary hearin" o) the petition !hich shall not be later than se&en 'A( days )rom the date o) its issuance. &+'. !. 2enalty for Refusin* to 5ssue or Serve the Writ. /08 A cler7 o) court !ho re)uses to issue the !rit a)ter its allo!ance, or a deputi5ed person !ho re)uses to ser&e the same, shall be punished by the court, *ustice or *ud"e )or contempt !ithout pre*udice to other disciplinary actions. &+'. 6. +o) the Writ is Served. /08 $he !rit shall be ser&ed upon the respondent by a *udicial o))icer or by a person deputi5ed by the court, *ustice or *ud"e !ho shall retain a copy on !hich to ma7e a return o) ser&ice. =n case the !rit cannot be ser&ed personally on the respondent, the rules on substituted ser&ice shall apply. &+'. #. Return Contents. /08 >ithin se&enty+t!o 'A2( hours a)ter ser&ice o) the !rit, the respondent shall )ile a &eri)ied !ritten return to"ether !ith supportin" a))ida&its !hich shall, amon" other thin"s, contain the )ollo!in"? 'a( $he la!)ul de)enses to sho! that the respondent did not &iolate or threaten !ith &iolation the ri"ht to li)e, liberty and security o) the a""rie&ed party, throu"h any act or omission@ 'b( $he steps or actions ta7en by the respondent to determine the )ate or !hereabouts o) the a""rie&ed party and the person or persons responsible )or the threat, act or omission@ 'c( All rele&ant in)ormation in the possession o) the respondent pertainin" to the threat, act or omission a"ainst the a""rie&ed party@ and 'd( =) the respondent is a public o))icial or employee, the return shall )urther state the actions that ha&e been or !ill still be ta7en? 'i( to &eri)y the identity o) the a""rie&ed party@ 'ii( to reco&er and preser&e e&idence related to the death or disappearance o) the person identi)ied in the petition !hich may aid in the prosecution o) the person or persons responsible@ 'iii( to identi)y !itnesses and obtain statements )rom them concernin" the death or disappearance@ 'i&( to determine the cause, manner, location and time o) death or disappearance as !ell as any pattern or practice that may ha&e brou"ht about the death or disappearance@ '&( to identi)y and apprehend the person or persons in&ol&ed in the death

or disappearance@ and '&i( to brin" the suspected o))enders be)ore a competent court. $he return shall also state other matters rele&ant to the in&esti"ation, its resolution and the prosecution o) the case. A "eneral denial o) the alle"ations in the petition shall not be allo!ed. &+'. $ . 4efenses not 2leaded 4eemed Waived. /09 All de)enses shall be raised in the return, other!ise, they shall be deemed !ai&ed. &+'. $$. 2rohibited 2leadin*s and Motions. /08 $he )ollo!in" pleadin"s and motions are prohibited? 'a( Fotion to dismiss@ 'b( Fotion )or e<tension o) time to )ile return, opposition, a))ida&it, position paper and other pleadin"s@ 'c( Gilatory motion )or postponement@ 'd( Fotion )or a bill o) particulars@ 'e( Counterclaim or cross+claim@ ')( $hird+party complaint@ '"( 6eply@ 'h( Fotion to declare respondent in de)ault@ 'i( =nter&ention@ '*( Femorandum@ '7( Fotion )or reconsideration o) interlocutory orders or interim relie) orders@ and 'l( Petition )or certiorari, mandamus or prohibition a"ainst any interlocutory order. &+'. $%. 6ffect of 3ailure to 3ile Return. /09 =n case the respondent )ails to )ile a return, the court, *ustice or *ud"e shall proceed to hear the petition e< parte. &+'. $2. Summary +earin*. /09 $he hearin" on the petition shall be summary. ;o!e&er, the court, *ustice or *ud"e may call )or a preliminary con)erence to simpli)y the issues and determine the possibility o) obtainin" stipulations and admissions )rom the parties. $he hearin" shall be )rom day to day until completed and "i&en the same priority as petitions )or habeas corpus. &+'. $3. 5nterim Reliefs. /09 4pon )ilin" o) the petition or at anytime be)ore )inal *ud"ment, the court, *ustice or *ud"e may "rant any o) the )ollo!in" relie)s? 'a( Temporary 2rotection 0rder. /08 $he court, *ustice or *ud"e, upon motion or motu proprio, may order that the petitioner or the a""rie&ed party and any member o) the immediate )amily be protected in a "o&ernment a"ency or by an accredited person or

pri&ate institution capable o) 7eepin" and securin" their sa)ety. =) the petitioner is an or"ani5ation, association or institution re)erred to in Section H'c( o) this 6ule, the protection may be e<tended to the o))icers in&ol&ed. $he Supreme Court shall accredit the persons and pri&ate institutions that shall e<tend temporary protection to the petitioner or the a""rie&ed party and any member o) the immediate )amily, in accordance !ith "uidelines !hich it shall issue. $he accredited persons and pri&ate institutions shall comply !ith the rules and conditions that may be imposed by the court, *ustice or *ud"e. 'b( 5nspection 0rder. /09 $he court, *ustice or *ud"e, upon &eri)ied motion and a)ter due hearin", may order any person in possession or control o) a desi"nated land or other property, to permit entry )or the purpose o) inspectin", measurin", sur&eyin", or photo"raphin" the property or any rele&ant ob*ect or operation thereon. $he motion shall state in detail the place or places to be inspected. =t shall be supported by a))ida&its or testimonies o) !itnesses ha&in" personal 7no!led"e o) the en)orced disappearance or !hereabouts o) the a""rie&ed party. =) the motion is opposed on the "round o) national security or o) the pri&ile"ed nature o) the in)ormation, the court, *ustice or *ud"e may conduct a hearin" in chambers to determine the merit o) the opposition. $he mo&ant must sho! that the inspection order is necessary to establish the ri"ht o) the a""rie&ed party alle"ed to be threatened or &iolated. $he inspection order shall speci)y the person or persons authori5ed to ma7e the inspection and the date, time, place and manner o) ma7in" the inspection and may prescribe other conditions to protect the constitutional ri"hts o) all parties. $he order shall e<pire )i&e 'I( days a)ter the date o) its issuance, unless e<tended )or *usti)iable reasons. 'c( 2roduction 0rder. /08 $he court, *ustice or *ud"e, upon &eri)ied motion and a)ter due hearin", may order any person in possession, custody or control o) any desi"nated documents, papers, boo7s, accounts, letters, photo"raphs, ob*ects or tan"ible thin"s, or ob*ects in di"iti5ed or electronic )orm, !hich constitute or contain e&idence rele&ant to the petition or the return, to produce and permit their inspection, copyin" or photo"raphin" by or on behal) o) the mo&ant. $he motion may be opposed on the "round o) national security or o) the pri&ile"ed nature o) the in)ormation, in !hich case the court, *ustice or *ud"e may conduct a hearin" in chambers to determine the merit o) the opposition. $he court, *ustice or *ud"e shall prescribe other conditions to protect the constitutional ri"hts o) all the parties.

'd( Witness 2rotection 0rder. /08 $he court, *ustice or *ud"e, upon motion or motu proprio, may re)er the !itnesses to the Gepartment o) .ustice )or admission to the >itness Protection, Security and 3ene)it Pro"ram, pursuant to 6epublic Act Do. 6J#1. $he court, *ustice or *ud"e may also re)er the !itnesses to other "o&ernment a"encies, or to accredited persons or pri&ate institutions capable o) 7eepin" and securin" their sa)ety. &+'. $4. Availability of 5nterim Reliefs to Respondent. /08 4pon &eri)ied motion o) the respondent and a)ter due hearin", the court, *ustice or *ud"e may issue an inspection order or production order under para"raphs 'b( and 'c( o) the precedin" section. A motion )or inspection order under this section shall be supported by a))ida&its or testimonies o) !itnesses ha&in" personal 7no!led"e o) the de)enses o) the respondent. &+'. $5. Contempt. /08 $he court, *ustice or *ud"e may order the respondent !ho re)uses to ma7e a return, or !ho ma7es a )alse return, or any person !ho other!ise disobeys or resists a la!)ul process or order o) the court to be punished )or contempt. $he contemnor may be imprisoned or imposed a )ine. &+'. $!. 7urden of 2roof and Standard of 4ili*ence Re8uired. /08 $he parties shall establish their claims by substantial e&idence. $he respondent !ho is a pri&ate indi&idual or entity must pro&e that ordinary dili"ence as re,uired by applicable la!s, rules and re"ulations !as obser&ed in the per)ormance o) duty. $he respondent !ho is a public o))icial or employee must pro&e that e<traordinary dili"ence as re,uired by applicable la!s, rules and re"ulations !as obser&ed in the per)ormance o) duty. $he respondent public o))icial or employee cannot in&o7e the presumption that o))icial duty has been re"ularly per)ormed to e&ade responsibility or liability. &+'. $6. 9ud*ment. /09 $he court shall render *ud"ment !ithin ten '10( days )rom the time the petition is submitted )or decision. =) the alle"ations in the petition are pro&en by substantial e&idence, the court shall "rant the pri&ile"e o) the !rit and such relie)s as may be proper and appropriate@ other!ise, the pri&ile"e shall be denied. &+'. $#. Appeal. /08 Any party may appeal )rom the )inal *ud"ment or order to the Supreme Court under 6ule 4I. $he appeal may raise ,uestions o) )act or la! or both. $he period o) appeal shall be )i&e 'I( !or7in" days )rom the date o) notice o) the ad&erse *ud"ment. $he appeal shall be "i&en the same priority as in habeas corpus cases. &+'. % . Archivin* and Revival of Cases. /08 $he court shall not dismiss the petition, but shall archi&e it, i) upon its determination it cannot proceed )or a &alid cause such as the )ailure o) petitioner or !itnesses to appear due to threats on their li&es. A periodic re&ie! o) the archi&ed cases shall be made by the amparo court that shall, motu proprio or upon motion by any party, order their re&i&al !hen ready )or )urther proceedin"s. $he petition shall be dismissed !ith pre*udice upon )ailure to prosecute the case a)ter the lapse o) t!o '2( years )rom notice to the petitioner o) the order archi&in" the case.

$he cler7s o) court shall submit to the B))ice o) the Court Administrator a consolidated list o) archi&ed cases under this 6ule not later than the )irst !ee7 o) .anuary o) e&ery year. &+'. %$. 5nstitution of Separate Actions. /09 $his 6ule shall not preclude the )ilin" o) separate criminal, ci&il or administrati&e actions. &+'. %%. 6ffect of 3ilin* of a Criminal Action. /08 >hen a criminal action has been commenced, no separate petition )or the !rit shall be )iled. $he relie)s under the !rit shall be a&ailable by motion in the criminal case. $he procedure under this 6ule shall "o&ern the disposition o) the relie)s a&ailable under the !rit o) amparo. &+'. %2. Consolidation. /08 >hen a criminal action is )iled subse,uent to the )ilin" o) a petition )or the !rit, the latter shall be consolidated !ith the criminal action. >hen a criminal action and a separate ci&il action are )iled subse,uent to a petition )or a !rit o) amparo, the latter shall be consolidated !ith the criminal action. A)ter consolidation, the procedure under this 6ule shall continue to apply to the disposition o) the relie)s in the petition. &+'. %3. Substantive Ri*hts. /09 $his 6ule shall not diminish, increase or modi)y substanti&e ri"hts reco"ni5ed and protected by the Constitution. &+'. %4. Suppletory Application of the Rules of Court. E $he 6ules o) Court shall apply suppletorily inso)ar as it is not inconsistent !ith this 6ule. &+'. %5. Applicability to 2endin* Cases. E $his 6ule shall "o&ern cases in&ol&in" e<trale"al 7illin"s and en)orced disappearances or threats thereo) pendin" in the trial and appellate courts. &+'. %!. 6ffectivity. E $his 6ule shall ta7e e))ect on Bctober 24, 200A, )ollo!in" its

Writ of Amparo7 8uestions and Answers

Published by Atty. Fred September 2Ath, 200A in Elections and Constitutional a! and iti"ation and abor a!. 1 Comment

HAShare What is the writ of amparo? =t is a remedy a&ailable to any person !hose ri"ht to li)e, liberty, and security has been &iolated or is threatened !ith &iolation by an unla!)ul act or omission o) a public o))icial or employee, or o) a pri&ate indi&idual or entity. $he !rit co&ers e<trale"al 7illin"s and en)orced disappearances or threats thereo).

What rule 9o:erns petitions for and the issuance of a writ of amparo? =t is "o&erned by The Rule on the Writ of Amparo 'A.F. Do. 0A+J+12+SC E )ull te<t(, !hich !as appro&ed by the Supreme Court on 2I September 200A. $his 6ule also "o&erns e<istin" cases in&ol&in" e<trale"al 7illin"s and en)orced disappearances or threats thereo). What is the &upreme 'ourt;s basis in issuin9 the Rule? $he 6ule !as dra)ted pursuant to the Supreme Court/0Ks constitutional po!er to promul"ate rules )or the protection and en)orcement o) constitutional ri"hts 'Constitution, Art. L===, Sec. IMIN(. When does the Rule ta<e effect? $he 6ule ta7es e))ect on 24 Bctober 200A, )ollo!in" its publication in three 'H( ne!spapers o) "eneral circulation. Who may file a petition for the issuance of a writ of amparo? $he petition may be )iled by the a""rie&ed party or by any ,uali)ied person or entity in the )ollo!in" order? 'a( Any member o) the immediate )amily, namely? the spouse, children and parents o) the a""rie&ed party@ 'b( Any ascendant, descendant or collateral relati&e o) the a""rie&ed party !ithin the )ourth ci&il de"ree o) consan"uinity or a))inity, in de)ault o) those mentioned in the precedin" para"raph@ or 'c( Any concerned citi5en, or"ani5ation, association or institution, i) there is no 7no!n member o) the immediate )amily or relati&e o) the a""rie&ed party. $he )ilin" o) a petition by the a""rie&ed party suspends the ri"ht o) all other authori5ed parties to )ile similar petitions. i7e!ise, the )ilin" o) the petition by an authori5ed party on behal) o) the a""rie&ed party suspends the ri"ht o) all others, obser&in" the order established herein. Where can the petition be filed? $he petition may be )iled on any day and at any time !ith the 6e"ional $rial Court o) the place !here the threat, act or omission !as committed or any o) its elements occurred, or !ith the Sandi"anbayan, the Court o) Appeals, the Supreme Court, or any *ustice o) such courts. $he !rit shall be en)orceable any!here in the Philippines.

>hen issued by a 6e"ional $rial Court or any *ud"e thereo), the !rit shall be returnable be)ore such court or *ud"e. >hen issued by the Sandi"anbayan or the Court o) Appeals or any o) their *ustices, it may be returnable be)ore such court or any *ustice thereo), or to any 6e"ional $rial Court o) the place !here the threat, act or omission !as committed or any o) its elements occurred. >hen issued by the Supreme Court or any o) its *ustices, it may be returnable be)ore such Court or any *ustice thereo), or be)ore the Sandi"anbayan or the Court o) Appeals or any o) their *ustices, or to any 6e"ional $rial Court o) the place !here the threat, act or omission !as committed or any o) its elements occurred. How much is the doc<et or filin9 fees for the petition? $here is DB doc7et and other la!)ul )ees )or the petition. $he court, *ustice or *ud"e shall doc7et the petition and act upon it immediately. What are the re=uired contents of the petition? $he petition shall be si"ned and &eri)ied and shall alle"e the )ollo!in"? 'a( $he personal circumstances o) the petitioner@ 'b( $he name and personal circumstances o) the respondent responsible )or the threat, act or omission, or, i) the name is un7no!n or uncertain, the respondent may be described by an assumed appellation@ 'c( $he ri"ht to li)e, liberty and security o) the a""rie&ed party &iolated or threatened !ith &iolation by an unla!)ul act or omission o) the respondent, and ho! such threat or &iolation is committed !ith the attendant circumstances detailed in supportin" a))ida&its@ 'd( $he in&esti"ation conducted, i) any, speci)yin" the names, personal circumstances, and addresses o) the in&esti"atin" authority or indi&iduals, as !ell as the manner and conduct o) the in&esti"ation, to"ether !ith any report@ 'e( $he actions and recourses ta7en by the petitioner to determine the )ate or !hereabouts o) the a""rie&ed party and the identity o) the person responsible )or the threat, act or omission@ and ')( $he relie) prayed )or the petition may include a "eneral prayer )or other *ust and e,uitable relie)s.

When is the writ of amparo issued? 4pon the )ilin" o) the petition, the court, *ustice or *ud"e shall immediately order the issuance o) the !rit i) on its )ace it ou"ht to issue. $he cler7 o) court shall issue the !rit under the seal o) the court@ or in case o) ur"ent necessity, the *ustice or the *ud"e may issue the !rit under his or her o!n hand, and may deputi5e any o))icer or person to ser&e it. $he !rit shall also set the date and time )or summary hearin" o) the petition !hich shall not be later than se&en 'A( days )rom the date o) its issuance. /s there any penalty in case of refusal to issue or ser:e the writ? -es. A cler7 o) court !ho re)uses to issue the !rit a)ter its allo!ance, or a deputi5ed person !ho re)uses to ser&e the same, shall be punished by the court, *ustice or *ud"e )or contempt !ithout pre*udice to other disciplinary actions. How is the writ of amparo ser:ed? $he !rit is ser&ed on the respondent by a *udicial o))icer or by a person deputi5ed by the court, *ustice or *ud"e !ho shall retain a copy on !hich to ma7e a return o) ser&ice. =n case the !rit cannot be ser&ed personally on the respondent, the rules on substituted ser&ice shall apply. After the writ is ser:ed> what should the respondent do? >ithin se&enty+t!o 'A2( hours a)ter ser&ice o) the !rit, the respondent shall )ile a &eri)ied !ritten return to"ether !ith supportin" a))ida&its !hich shall, amon" other thin"s, contain the )ollo!in"? 'a( $he la!)ul de)enses to sho! that the respondent did not &iolate or threaten !ith &iolation the ri"ht to li)e, liberty and security o) the a""rie&ed party, throu"h any act or omission@ 'b( $he steps or actions ta7en by the respondent to determine the )ate or !hereabouts o) the a""rie&ed party and the person or persons responsible )or the threat, act or omission@ 'c( All rele&ant in)ormation in the possession o) the respondent pertainin" to the threat, act or omission a"ainst the a""rie&ed party@ and 'd( =) the respondent is a public o))icial or employee, the return shall )urther state the actions that ha&e been or !ill still be ta7en? 'i( to &eri)y the identity o) the a""rie&ed party@ 'ii( to reco&er and preser&e e&idence related to the death or disappearance o) the person identi)ied in the petition !hich may aid in the prosecution o) the person or persons responsible@

'iii( to identi)y !itnesses and obtain statements )rom them concernin" the death or disappearance@ 'i&( to determine the cause, manner, location and time o) death or disappearance as !ell as any pattern or practice that may ha&e brou"ht about the death or disappearance@ '&( to identi)y and apprehend the person or persons in&ol&ed in the death or disappearance@ and '&i( to brin" the suspected o))enders be)ore a competent court. $he return shall also state other matters rele&ant to the in&esti"ation, its resolution and the prosecution o) the case. A "eneral denial o) the alle"ations in the petition shall not be allo!ed. All de)enses shall be raised in the return, other!ise, they shall be deemed !ai&ed. What happens if the respondent fails to file return? $he court, *ustice or *ud"e shall proceed to hear the petition e- parte or e&en !ithout the appearance o) the respondent. What is the nature of the hearin9 on the petition? $he hearin" on the petition shall be summary. ;o!e&er, the court, *ustice or *ud"e may call )or a preliminary con)erence to simpli)y the issues and determine the possibility o) obtainin" stipulations and admissions )rom the parties. $he hearin" shall be )rom day to day until completed and "i&en the same priority as petitions )or habeas corpus. What are the interim reliefs a:ailable to the petitioner? 4pon )ilin" o) the petition or at anytime be)ore )inal *ud"ment, the court, *ustice or *ud"e may "rant any o) the )ollo!in" relie)s? 'a( Temporary 2rotection 0rder. /08 $he court, *ustice or *ud"e, upon motion or motu proprio, may order that the petitioner or the a""rie&ed party and any member o) the immediate )amily be protected in a "o&ernment a"ency or by an accredited person or pri&ate institution capable o) 7eepin" and securin" their sa)ety. =) the petitioner is an or"ani5ation, association or institution re)erred to in Section H'c( o) the 6ule, the protection may be e<tended to the o))icers in&ol&ed. $he Supreme Court shall accredit the persons and pri&ate institutions that shall e<tend temporary protection to the petitioner or the a""rie&ed party and any member o) the immediate )amily, in accordance !ith "uidelines !hich it shall issue. $he accredited persons and pri&ate institutions shall comply !ith the rules and conditions that may be imposed by the court, *ustice or *ud"e. 'b( 5nspection 0rder. /09 $he court, *ustice or *ud"e, upon &eri)ied motion and a)ter due hearin", may order any person in possession or control o) a desi"nated land or other property, to permit entry )or the purpose o) inspectin", measurin", sur&eyin", or photo"raphin" the property or any rele&ant ob*ect or operation thereon. $he motion shall

state in detail the place or places to be inspected. =t shall be supported by a))ida&its or testimonies o) !itnesses ha&in" personal 7no!led"e o) the en)orced disappearance or !hereabouts o) the a""rie&ed party. =) the motion is opposed on the "round o) national security or o) the pri&ile"ed nature o) the in)ormation, the court, *ustice or *ud"e may conduct a hearin" in chambers to determine the merit o) the opposition. $he mo&ant must sho! that the inspection order is necessary to establish the ri"ht o) the a""rie&ed party alle"ed to be threatened or &iolated. $he inspection order shall speci)y the person or persons authori5ed to ma7e the inspection and the date, time, place and manner o) ma7in" the inspection and may prescribe other conditions to protect the constitutional ri"hts o) all parties. $he order shall e<pire )i&e 'I( days a)ter the date o) its issuance, unless e<tended )or *usti)iable reasons. 'c( 2roduction 0rder. /08 $he court, *ustice or *ud"e, upon &eri)ied motion and a)ter due hearin", may order any person in possession, custody or control o) any desi"nated documents, papers, boo7s, accounts, letters, photo"raphs, ob*ects or tan"ible thin"s, or ob*ects in di"iti5ed or electronic )orm, !hich constitute or contain e&idence rele&ant to the petition or the return, to produce and permit their inspection, copyin" or photo"raphin" by or on behal) o) the mo&ant. $he motion may be opposed on the "round o) national security or o) the pri&ile"ed nature o) the in)ormation, in !hich case the court, *ustice or *ud"e may conduct a hearin" in chambers to determine the merit o) the opposition. $he court, *ustice or *ud"e shall prescribe other conditions to protect the constitutional ri"hts o) all the parties. 'd( Witness 2rotection 0rder. /08 $he court, *ustice or *ud"e, upon motion or motu proprio, may re)er the !itnesses to the Gepartment o) .ustice )or admission to the >itness Protection, Security and 3ene)it Pro"ram, pursuant to 6epublic Act Do. 6J#1. $he court, *ustice or *ud"e may also re)er the !itnesses to other "o&ernment a"encies, or to accredited persons or pri&ate institutions capable o) 7eepin" and securin" their sa)ety. Are these interim reliefs also a:ailable to the respondent? -es, but only the interim relie)s o) 5nspection 0rder and the 2roduction 0rder. $hese interim orders may be issued only a)ter a &eri)ied motion is )iled by the respondent, supported by a))ida&its or testimonies o) !itnesses ha&in" personal 7no!led"e o) the de)enses o) the respondent, and a)ter due hearin". What is the re=uired burden of proof? $he parties shall establish their claims by substantial e&idence. $he respondent !ho is a pri&ate indi&idual or entity must pro&e that ordinary dili"ence as re,uired by applicable la!s, rules and re"ulations !as obser&ed in the per)ormance o) duty. $he respondent !ho is a public o))icial or employee must pro&e that e<traordinary dili"ence as re,uired by applicable la!s, rules and re"ulations !as obser&ed in the per)ormance o) duty. 'an the respondent in:o<e the le9al presumption (Rules of 'ourt> Rule $2$> &ec. 2?m@* that official duty has been re9ularly performed?

Do. $he respondent public o))icial or employee cannot in&o7e the presumption that o))icial duty has been re"ularly per)ormed to e&ade responsibility or liability. How lon9 does the court ha:e in decidin9 the petition? $he court shall render *ud"ment !ithin ten '10( days )rom the time the petition is submitted )or decision. =) the alle"ations in the petition are pro&en by substantial e&idence, the court shall "rant the pri&ile"e o) the !rit and such relie)s as may be proper and appropriate@ other!ise, the pri&ile"e shall be denied. What happens if the court determines that it cannot proceed for a :alid cause> such as the failure of petitioner or witnesses to appear due to threats on their li:es? $he court shall not dismiss the petition, but shall archi&e it. $he amparo court may, on its o!n or upon motion by any party, order the re&i&al o) the petition !hen ready )or )urther proceedin"s. $he petition shall be dismissed !ith pre*udice upon )ailure to prosecute the case a)ter the lapse o) t!o '2( years )rom notice to the petitioner o) the order archi&in" the case. Aoes the filin9 of the petition preclude the filin9 of separate criminal> ci:il or administrati:e actions? Do. ;o!e&er, !hen a criminal action has been commenced, no separate petition )or the !rit shall be )iled, but the relie)s under the !rit shall be a&ailable by motion in the criminal case, and the procedure under this 6ule shall "o&ern the disposition o) the relie)s a&ailable under the !rit o) amparo. >hen a criminal action is )iled subse,uent to the )ilin" o) a petition )or the !rit, the latter shall be consolidated !ith the criminal action. >hen a criminal action and a separate ci&il action are )iled subse,uent to a petition )or a !rit o) amparo, the latter shall be consolidated !ith the criminal action. A)ter consolidation, the procedure under this 6ule shall continue to apply to the disposition o) the relie)s in the petition.