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EN BANC
G.R. No. L-5517 March 19, 1953
DAMASO MADRID, Petitioner, vs. HON. ANATOLIO C. MA�ALAC, ETC., ET AL., Respondents.
Manuel Estipona for petitioner.
Calleja, Pe�a and Ludovice for respondents.
PARAS, C.J.: chanrobles virtual law library
In Civil Case No. 374 of the Court of First Instance of Sorsogon, between Honorata L. Rotaeche, plaintiff, and Damaso Madrid, defendant, the latter, after the former had closed her evidence and rested her case, filed a motion for dismissal, with a reservation of the right to present evidence if denied. The court turned down the motion, but continued the hearing so as to allow the defendant to present his evidence. Subsequently, however, the plaintiff filed a motion insisting that the defendant had already lost his right to adduce any evidence. Over the objection of the defendant, the court sustained the plaintiff's contention. Unsuccessful in his attempt at reconsideration, the defendant instituted the present original petition for certiorari.chanroblesvirtualawlibrary chanrobles virtual law library
The action of the respondent Judge is erroneous. The proper procedure is plainly stated in Moran, Comments on the Rules of Court, 1952 edition, Vol. I, p. 672, as follows: "However, when the motion to dismiss is denied by the trial court, the rule is different. Whether the motion is made with or without reservation, if denied, the defendant may still be allowed to introduce evidence." 1 chanrobles virtual law library
Wherefore, granting the petition for certiorari, the respondent Judge of the Court of First Instance of Sorsogon is hereby ordered to allow the petitioner to present his evidence in Civil Case No. 374. With costs against the respondent Honorata L. Rotaeche.chanroblesvirtualawlibrary chanrobles virtual law library
Feria, Pablo, Bengzon, Padilla, Tuason, Montemayor, Reyes, Jugo, Bautita Angelo and Labrador, JJ., concur.
Endnotes:
1 Guido vs. Castelo, 45 Off. Gaz. 5418, and Cotaoco vs. Dinglasan, 46 Off. Gaz. Supp. (11), p. 133, are cited.