SMALL CLAIMS

Halagang Sakop Ng Small Claims

Dear Atty. Cuenco,

Balak kong magsampa ng small claims case laban sa taong nangutang sa akin ng halagang P350, 000 na pinaghirapan kong ipunin ng ilang taon. Nagmakaawa siya kaya’t pumayag ako. Pero hindi ako sigurado kung sakop na ba ito ng small claims court sa kasalukuyan. – Monching

Dear Monching,

Epektibo noong 01 Abril 2019, itinaas ng Supreme Court ang halagang sakop ng small claims na isinasampa sa Metropolitan Trial Courts mula P300, 000 sa P400, 000 (OCA Circular No. 45-2019). Dahil ang halagang iyong nabanggit ay pasok sa P400, 000 nararapat na ikaw ay maghain ng kaso sa ilalim ng small claims.

Gayundin, nabanggit mo na ito ay mula sa pagkakautang, na siyang saklaw ng small claims, kung saan ang aksiyon ay para sa paniningil o pagsasauli ng salaping hiniram.

Ang partikular na probisyon ng The Revised Rules of Procedure for Small Claims Cases (A. M. No. 08-8-7-SC, February 1, 2016) ay nakasaad sa ibaba:

“Section 5. Applicability. - The Metropolitan Trial Courts, Municipal Trial Courts in Cities, Municipal Trial Courts, and Municipal Circuit Trial Courts shall apply this Rule in all actions that are purely civil in nature where the claim or relief prayed for by the plaintiff is solely for payment or reimbursement of sum of money.

The claim or demand may be:

(a) For money owed under any of the following:

1. Contract of Lease;

2. Contract of Loan;

3. Contract of Services;

4. Contract of Sale; or

5. Contract of Mortgage;

(b) For liquidated damages arising from contracts;

(c) The enforcement of a barangay amicable settlement or an arbitration award involving a money claim covered by this Rule pursuant to Sec. 417 of Republic Act 7160, otherwise known as The Local Government Code of 1991.”

P307E