June 30, 2015

EN BANC

A.M. No. 15-06-10-SC

RE: ADOPTING THE GUIDELINES FOR CONTINUOUS TRIAL OF CRIMINAL
CASES IN PILOT COURTS

RESOLUTION

Acting on the recommendation of the Chairman of the Special

Committee on Speedy Trial submitting for this Court's consideration and
approval the Proposed Guidelines for Continuous Trial of Criminal Cases in
Pilot Courts, which will take effect on August 17, 2015, the Court Resolved to
APPROVE the same. The said Rule is hereto attached as an integral part of
this Resolution.

(SGD.) MARIA LOURDES P. A. SERENO

Chief Justice

(SGD.) ANTONIO T. CARPIO

Associate Justice

On leave
PRESBITERO J. VELASCO, JR.
Associate Justice

(SGD.) TERESITA J. LEONARDO-DE CASTRO

Associate Justice

On leave
ARTURO D. BRION
Associate Justice

(SGD.) DIOSDADO M. PERALTA

Associate Justice

(SGD.) LUCAS P. BERSAMIN

Associate Justice

(SGD.) MARIANO C. DEL CASTILLO

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 Associate Justice

(SGD.) MARTIN S. VILLARAMA, JR.

Associate Justice

(SGD.) JOSE PORTUGAL PEREZ

Associate Justice

(SGD.) JOSE CATRAL MENDOZA

Associate Justice

On leave
BIENVENIDO L. REYES
Associate Justice

(SGD.) ESTELA M. PERLAS-BERNABE

Associate Justice

(SGD.) MARVIC M.V.F. LEONEN

Associate Justice

(SGD.) FRANCIS H. JARDELEZA

Associate Justice

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. _____

ADOPTING THE GUIDELINES FOR CONTINUOUS TRIAL OF CRIMINAL CASES IN
PILOT COURTS
WHEREAS, about seventy-seven (77%) of cases filed and pending in
the trial courts are criminal cases; CAIHTE

WHEREAS, due to the trial court's burgeoning dockets, trial has become
"piecemeal" and spread over months and even years;
WHEREAS, with the advent of eCourts, automation has opened
possibilities for speedier processing and adjudication of cases;
NOW, THEREFORE, considering the foregoing premises, the following
guidelines are hereby adopted for the continuous trial of criminal cases in
the selected pilot courts, as follows:
Guidelines for Continuous Trial
I. Applicability
These Guidelines shall apply in all criminal cases in the First and
Second Level Courts.
II. Procedure
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 1. Once the court has acquired jurisdiction over the person of the
accused, the arraignment of the accused shall be set within the
periods provided under the Rules, which should be not more than
ten (10) days for detention prisoners, nor more than thirty (30)
days for non-detainees, unless a shorter period is provided by
special law or Supreme Court Circular.
2. The court shall issue subpoena to the accused, his counsel, the
public prosecutor and witnesses whose names appear in the
Information for purposes of plea bargaining and notification of
the pre-trial and trial dates.
3. Arraignment
3.1. Plea Bargaining Except in Drug Cases. — If the accused
desires to enter a plea of guilty to a lesser offense, plea
bargaining should immediately proceed, provided that the
private offended party in private crimes, or the arresting
officer in victimless crimes, is present to give his conformity
to the plea bargaining. Thereafter, judgment shall
immediately be rendered in the same proceedings. (see
Annexes 1 and 2)
3.2. Plea of Guilty to the Crime Charged in the Information. — If
the accused pleads guilty to the crime charged in the
Information, judgment shall immediately be rendered,
except in those cases involving capital offenses. (see Annex
3)
3.3. Where No Plea Bargaining or Plea of Guilty Takes Place. — If
the accused does not enter a plea of guilty, whether to a
lesser offense or the offense charged in the Information, the
court shall immediately proceed with the arraignment of the
accused and, thereafter, indicate the pre-trial and trial
dates in the Order.
The schedule of the pre-trial and trial dates for both the
prosecution and the defense should be within the periods
provided in the Regular Rules/Special Rules. The trial dates
may be shortened depending on the number of witnesses to
be presented. In this regard, a flowchart shall be prepared
by the court which shall serve as the final schedule of
hearings. (see Annex 4)
4. Pre-Trial
4.1. The conduct by the branch clerk of court of a preliminary
conference as part of pre-trial should only be done when
the issues are complex. The judges themselves should
conduct the pre-trial.
4.2. Proposals for stipulations shall be done by the
judgehimself/herself and shall not be left to the counsel.

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 4.3. The documentary evidence of the prosecution and the
defense shall be marked.
4.4. The Pre-trial Order shall immediately be served to the parties
and counsel after the termination of the pre-trial. (see
Annexes 5 and 6)
5. Trial Proper
5.1. Presentation of Evidence for the Prosecution. —
5.1.1. As a rule, motions for postponement filed by the
prosecution are prohibited. However, if the motion
is granted based on exceptional grounds, the
prosecution shall be warned that the presentation
of its evidence must be finished on the dates
previously agreed upon and allotted to it.
5.1.2. After the presentation of its last witness, the
prosecution shall orally offer its evidence. The
accused shall orally comment or object to the
prosecution's offer of evidence. Thereafter, the
judge shall orally resolve the oral offer and the
comment or objection of the accused, if any.
5.1.3. After the prosecution rested its case, the court
shall inquire from the defense if it desires to move
for leave of court to file a demurrer to evidence,
or to proceed with the presentation of its
evidence. If the defense orally moves for leave of
court to file a demurrer to evidence, the court
shall orally resolve the same. (see Annex 7)
5.2. Presentation of Evidence for the Defense. —
5.2.1. As a rule, motions for postponement filed by the
accused are prohibited. However, if the motion is
granted based on exceptional grounds, the
defense shall be warned that the presentation of
its evidence must be finished on the dates
previously agreed upon and allotted to it.
5.2.2. After the presentation of its last witness, the
defense shall orally offer its evidence. The
prosecution shall orally comment or object to the
defense's offer of evidence. Thereafter, the judge
shall resolve the oral offer and the comment or
objection of the prosecution, if any. If rebuttal
evidence is no longer necessary, the court shall
consider the case submitted for the decision. (see
Annexes 8 and 9)
5.3. Presentation of Rebuttal and Surrebuttal Evidence. —
5.3.1. If the court grants the presentation of rebuttal
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 evidence, the prosecution shall proceed with the
presentation and orally rest its case in rebuttal
after the presentation of its last rebuttal witness.
The defense shall then present its surrebuttal
evidence and orally rest its case in surrebuttal
after the presentation of its last surrebuttal
witness. Thereafter, the court shall submit the
case for decision. (see Annexes 10 to 12)
6. Promulgation
The court shall announce in open court the date of the promulgation
of its decision which should be within the period provided under
the Regular/Special Rules. The submission of memorandum is
discretionary on the part of the court. The date of promulgation
of decision should not be more than ninety (90) days from the
date the case is submitted for decision, except for those covered
by Special Rules and other laws which provide for a shorter
period.
7. Motion Day
Trial shall be held from Monday to Thursday, at 8:30 in the morning,
and 2:00 in the afternoon. Hearing on motions, arraignment, and
promulgation of decision shall be held on Fridays.
8. Training Seminar
A training seminar consisting of lectures on the Guidelines for
Continuous Trial of Criminal Cases and skills development of
judges in the pilot courts shall immediately be conducted by the
Philippine Judicial Academy in coordination with the Committee
on Speedy Trial of the Supreme Court.
9. Implementation and Monitoring
The Speedy Trial Committee of the Supreme Court shall oversee and
monitor the implementation of the continuous trial program and
may create technical working groups for this purpose.
III. Designation of Pilot Courts
The following courts shall pilot test these Guidelines:
Makati City
Metropolitan Trial Courts
1. Branch 61 — Judge Barbara-Aleli H. Briones
2. Branch 65 — Judge Henry E. Laron
Regional Trial Courts
Regular Courts
3. Branch 57 — Judge Honorio E. Guanlao, Jr.
4. Branch 145 — Judge Carlito B. Calpatura
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 Drugs Courts
5. Branch 64 — Judge Gina M. Bibat-Palamos
6. Branch 135 — Judge Josephine A. Vito Cruz
Family Courts
7. Branch 140 — Judge Cristina J. Sulit
8. Branch 144 — Judge Liza Marie P. Picardal-Tecson
Manila City
Metropolitan Trial Courts
9. Branch 30 — Judge Glenda M. Ramos
10. Branch 17 — Judge Amalia S. Gumapos-Ricablanca
Regional Trial Courts
Regular Courts
11. Branch 41 — Judge Rosalyn M. Loja
12. Branch 54 — Judge Maria Paz R. Reyes-Yson
Drugs Courts
13. Branch 35 — Judge Ma. Bernardita J. Santos
14. Branch 31 — Judge Maria Sophia T. Solidum-Taylor
Family Courts
15. Branch 5 — Judge Emily L. San Gaspar-Gito
16. Branch 29 — Judge Roberto P. Quiroz
17. Branch 38 — Judge Maria Celestina C. Mangrobang
18. Branch 4 — Judge Jose T. Lorenzo R. Dela Rosa
Quezon City
Metropolitan Trial Courts
19. Branch 42 —Judge Juris S. Dilinila-Callanta
20. Branch 32 — Judge Janet Abergos Samar
Regional Trial Courts
Regular Courts
21. Branch 224 — Judge Tita Marilyn P. Villordon
22. Branch 223 — Judge Caridad M. Walse-Lutero
Drug Courts
23. Branch 218 — Judge Luis Zenon Q. Maceren
24. Branch 79 — Judge Nadine Jessica Corazon J. Fama
Family Courts
25. Branch 94 — Judge Roslyn R. Tria
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 26. Branch 106 — Judge Angelene Mary Quimpo-Sale
Marikina City
Metropolitan Trial Courts
27. Branch 76 — Judge James T. Sy
28. Branch 93 — Judge Suzanne C. Nabaza
Regional Trial Courts
Regular Courts
29. Branch 273 — Judge Romeo D. Tagra
30. Branch 272 — Judge Felix P. Reyes
Family Courts
31. Branch 192 — Judge Geraldine Fiel-Macaraig
32. Branch 168 — Judge Lorna Francisca Chua Cheng
Pasig City
Metropolitan Trial Courts
33. Branch 68 — Judge Eduardo Ramon R. Reyes
34. Branch 69 — Judge Christian Emmanuel G. Pimentel
Regional Trial Courts
Regular Courts
35. Branch 71 — Judge Elisa R. Sarmiento-Flores
36. Branch 155 — Judge Maria Gracia A. Cadiz-Casaclang
Drug Courts
37. Branch 154 — Judge Achilles Aristotle Apolinario C. Bulauitan
38. Branch 164 — Judge Jennifer A. Pilar
Pasay City
Metropolitan Trial Courts
39. Branch 46 — Judge Restituto V. Mangalindan, Jr.
40. Branch 47 — Judge Glenn D. Santos
41. Branch 48 — Judge Allan B. Ariola
Regional Trial Courts
Regular Courts
42. Branch 111 — Judge Wilhelmina J. Wagan
43. Branch 118 — Judge Rowena Nieves Adena Tan
Parañaque City
Metropolitan Trial Courts
44. Branch 77 —Judge Donato H. De Castro
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 45. Branch 78 — Judge Ramsey Domingo G. Pichay
46. Branch 87 — Judge Leilani Marie Dacanay-Grimares
47. Branch 88 — Judge Belen S. Carasig
48. Branch 89 — Judge Harold Cesar C. Huliganga
49. Branch 90 — Judge Marisa M. Buenagua
50. Branch 91 — Judge Christian P. Castañeda
Muntinlupa City
Regional Trial Courts
Regular Court
51. Branch 276 — Judge Antonietta P. Medina
Family Court
52. Branch 207 — Judge Philip A. Aguinaldo

ANNEX 1
Template Judgement; Plea to a Lesser Offense; Out on Bail:
"When the accused was arraigned for the lesser crime of
_________, by reading the Information in a language known and
understood by the accused, assisted by his/her counsel de oficio/de
parte (name of counsel), accused, entered a plea of guilty. The
private complainant (name of complainant) and the public prosecutor
(name of prosecutor) conformed with the accused pleading guilty to a
lesser offense.
WHEREFORE, judgment is hereby rendered finding the accused
(name of the accused) guilty beyond reasonable doubt for the crime
of ________, defined and penalized under ________, and is hereby
sentenced to suffer the penalty * of _______________.
SO ORDERED."
* It may be a straight penalty if imposed by the First Level Court and the
penalty is one (1) year or less. But, if imposed by the Second Level Court, the
penalty must provide for a minimum period and a maximum period, unless the
applicable penalty is one (1) year or less.

ANNEX 2
Template Judgment; Plea to a Lesser Offense; Detention Prisoner:
"When the accused was arraigned for the lesser crime of
________, by reading the Information in a language known and
understood by the accused, assisted by his/her counsel de oficio/de
parte (name of counsel), accused entered a plea of guilty. The private
complainant (name of complainant) and the public prosecutor (name
of prosecutor) conformed with the accused pleading guilty to a lesser
offense.
WHEREFORE, judgment is hereby rendered finding the accused
(name of the accused) guilty beyond reasonable doubt for the crime
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 of _______, defined and penalized under _________, and is hereby
sentenced to suffer the indeterminate penalty* of ___________.
The period within which the accused was detained shall be
credited to him in full, as long as he abides by and strictly follows the
rules and regulations of the institution where he is detained or
confined.
SO ORDERED."
* It may be a straight penalty if imposed by the First Level Court and the
penalty is one (1) year or less. But, if imposed by the Second Level Court, the
penalty must provide for a minimum period and a maximum period, unless the
applicable penalty is one (1) year or less.

ANNEX 3
Template Judgment; Plea of Guilty to the Crime Charged:
"When the accused was arraigned by reading the Information in
the language known and understood by him/her, assisted by his/her
counsel de oficio/de parte (name of counsel), the accused entered a
plea of guilty. When queried, the accused and his/her counsel
informed the court that the accused fully understands the nature and
consequence of his entering a plea of guilty to the crime charged in
the Information.
WHEREFORE, judgment is hereby rendered finding the accused
(name of the accused) guilty beyond reasonable doubt of the crime
__________, as defined and penalized under _________, and there being
one mitigating circumstance of plea of guilty as provided for in
Paragraph 7 of Article 13 of the Revised Penal Code* and is hereby
sentenced to suffer the indeterminate penalty** of ____________.
The period within which the accused was detained shall be
credited to him in full, as long as he abided by and strictly followed
the rules and regulations of the institution where he was detained or
confined.
SO ORDERED."
* Only in those crimes where plea of guilty is allowed as a mitigating
circumstance.
** It may be a straight penalty if imposed by the First Level Court and the
penalty is one (1) year or less. But, if imposed by the Second Level Court, the
penalty must provide for a minimum period and a maximum period.

ANNEX 4
Template Order When there is No Plea Bargaining or Plea of Guilty:
"When the accused (name), assisted by his/her counsel de
parte/de oficio (name), was arraigned by reading to him/her the
Information in a language known and understood by him/her, said
accused entered the plea of Not Guilty.
The pre-trial is hereby set on July 7 and 9, 2015, both at 8:30 in
the morning.*
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 Trial will proceed on July 28 and 30, August 4, 6, 11, and 13,
2015, all at 8:30 in the morning and 2:00 in the afternoon, for the
prosecution to present and terminate its evidence; and on September
1, 3, 8, 10, 15, and 17, 2015, all at 8:30 in the morning and 2:00 in
the afternoon, for the defense to present and terminate its
evidence.**
The parties are hereby ordered to be ready to take up the
matters set forth in the Rules on Pre-Trial so as not to unduly delay
the proceedings. (The parties agreed to use the affidavit of witnesses
or affidavit of witnesses submitted to the Prosecutor's Office or sworn
statement given to investigating agencies as their direct testimonies,
and to mark the same in the pre-trial)***
The pre-trial and the trial dates are final and intransferable, and
no motions for postponement that are dilatory in character shall be
entertained by the court.
The accused (name of accused), his counsel (name of counsel),
public prosecutor (name of prosecutor), and the witness (name of
witness) are hereby notified of this Order in open court. The court
shall no longer issue subpoena to the parties present today.
SO ORDERED."
*Ex: Tuesday and Thursday, should be one (1) day apart.
**This will depend on the number of witnesses listed in the information. It is
suggested that for every witness, two (2) trial dates should be allotted. The trial
dates should likewise be one (1) day apart.
***For First Level Courts only.
• If necessary, two (2) trial dates shall be allotted for the rebuttal evidence
of the prosecution, and likewise, two (2) trial dates for the surrebuttal
evidence of the accused.

ANNEX 5
Template Pre-Trial Order to be issued by First Level Courts
"At the Pre-Trial, the parties agreed to stipulate on the
following:
(State Stipulations)
The parties agreed and marked the (affidavit of witnesses or
affidavit of witnesses submitted to the Prosecutor's Office or sworn
statement given to investigating agencies) as the direct testimonies
of the witnesses of the prosecution and the accused.
The prosecution and the accused marked in evidence the
following documents:
(List of Exhibits)
The prosecution and the accused will present their respective
witnesses as follows:
(List Witnesses)
The presentation of the evidence of the prosecution and the
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 accused shall be those that have been previously agreed upon during
the arraignment of the accused, as follows:
(List)
The court shall not allow the presentation of documentary
evidence or testimonial evidence not presented during the pre-trial,
except for exceptional reasons, and/or rebuttal purposes.
The contents of this pre-trial order shall control the subsequent
course of action.
SO ORDERED."

ANNEX 6
Template Pre-Trial Order to be issued by Second Level Courts
"At the Pre-Trial the parties agreed to stipulate on the following:
(State Stipulations)
The prosecution and the accused marked in evidence the
following documents:
(Marking of Exhibits)
The prosecution and the accused will present their respective
witnesses as follows:
(List Witnesses)
The presentation of the evidence of the prosecution and the
accused shall be those that have been previously agreed upon during
the arraignment of the accused, as follows:
(List)
The court shall not allow the presentation of documentary
evidence or testimonial evidence not presented during the pre-trial,
except for exceptional reasons, and/or rebuttal purposes.
The contents of this pre-trial order shall control the subsequent
course of action.
SO ORDERED."

ANNEX 7
Template Order on Resting the Case of the Prosecution:
"After the prosecution rested its case today, trial shall proceed
on _______, for the accused to present and terminate his evidence, of
which date and time, the accused, his/her counsel and the prosecutor
are already notified in open court.
SO ORDERED."

ANNEX 8
Template Order on Resting the Case of the Accused; Case is Submitted for
Decision:

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 "After the presentation of its last witness, the defense rested its
case. There being no rebuttal evidence to be presented by the
prosecution, the court considers the case submitted for decision. The
promulgation of the decision of this case is hereby set on __________ of
which date and time,* the accused, his/her counsel, and the
prosecution have been notified in open court this morning.
SO ORDERED."
*Should not be more than ninety (90) days from the submission of the case
for decision.

ANNEX 9
Template Order on Resting the Case of the Accused when Motion to File
Memoranda is Granted; Case is Submitted for Decision:
"After the accused rested his/her case today and there being no
rebuttal evidence to be presented by the prosecution, the court
considers the case submitted for decision.
As prayed for, the parties are hereby given ten 10 days from
today within which to submit their respective memoranda.*
With or without memoranda, the promulgation of the decision of
this case is hereby set on ____________ of which date and time,** the
accused, his/her counsel and the public prosecutor, are notified of this
order in open court.
SO ORDERED."
*It is discretionary upon the court to grant or deny the parties motion to
submit memoranda.
**Should not be more than ninety (90) days from the submission of the
case for decision.

ANNEX 10
Template Order on Presentation of Rebuttal Evidence of Prosecution:
"After the accused rested his/her case today, the presentation
of rebuttal evidence of the prosecution is hereby set on _________, and
the presentation of surrebuttal evidence of the accused is hereby set
on ____________, as previously scheduled.
SO ORDERED."
*If after the presentation of the rebuttal witness, the prosecution should
orally offer its evidence in rebuttal and the counsel for the accused should
immediately raise his objections or comments, the court shall resolve the offer
and respective objection or comment.

ANNEX 11
Template Order on Presentation of Surrebuttal Evidence of the Accused:
"After the prosecution offered its documentary evidence in
rebuttal, the reception of the surrebuttal evidence of the accused is
set on ________.
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 SO ORDERED."

ANNEX 12
Template Order; No Surrebuttal Evidence for the Accused:
"After the prosecution rested in rebuttal its evidence, the
accused manifested that he/she is no longer presenting his
surrebuttal evidence, the promulgation of the decision of this case is
hereby set on __________. *
SO ORDERED."
*Should not be more than ninety (90) days from the submission of the case
for decision.

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