1. Lee vs. v s. Romillo Rom illo,, Jr., Jr. , 161 SCRA 589 , May 28, 1988 WALTER ASCONA LEE, ESPIRITU TAN, BENITO CHIONGBIAN Case Title : WALTER and HENRY CHlONGBIAN, petitioners, s! HON! "ANUEL #! RO"ILLO, $R!, Presidin% $&d%e, Co&rt o' (irst Instan)e o' Ri*al, Bran)+ -. CITY SHERI(( O( PASAY CITY and LEONCIO G! "EN/IORO, respondents!Case respondents! Case Nature : PETITION 'or )ertiorari to reie0 t+e de)ision o' t+e Co&rt o' Appeals, Syllabi Class : Class : Re1edial La02A)tions2Indispensa3le Part42Seri)e o' pleadin%s and noti)es ivisio!:: THIR/ /I#ISION ivisio!
o"#et Number Number:: No! L5678$o!e!te: GUTIERRE9, $R! $o!e!te: is%ositive $ortio!: $ortio!: WHERE(ORE, PRE"ISES CONSI/ERE/, t+e &d%1ent &nder reie0 is +ere34 A((IR"E/! T+e instant petition is /IS"ISSE/ 'or la); o' 1erit! Citatio! Re& : << P+il! =>? 2 =>? 2 =7< P+il! @6> 2 @6> 2 =>7 SCRA -6< 2 -6< 2 = SCRA >=@ 2 >=@ 2 -< SCRA @? 2 @>? 2 6? SCRA @8@ 2 @8@ 2 =@ SCRA > 2 > 2 =@6 SCRA >? 2 >? 2 =@? SCRA >< 2 >< 2 =>= SCRA --- 2 --- 2 VOL. 161, MAY 28, 1988 589 Lee vs. Romillo, Jr. No. L-60937. Ma 28, 1988.! "AL#$R A%&ONA L$$, $%'(R(#) #AN, *$N(#O &+(ON*(AN a +$NR "AL#$R + $NRY Y &+lON*(AN, /eiioers, vs. +ON. MAN)$L V. ROM(LLO, ROM(LLO, JR., 'resii Je, &or o 4irs (sae o Rial, *ra 37 &(#Y %+$R(44 O4 'A%AY &(#Y a L$ON&(O . M$N(ORO, res/oes. Remeial La: Aios Real /ar i ieres, e;e.
'aries i ieres.<$ver aio ms ?e /rosee a eee i e ame o e real /ar i ieres. @ @ @. * >real /ar i ieres is mea s /ar :o :ol ?e ?ee;e or iBre ? e Bme or eile o e avails o e si C%?io v. v. &i o Maila, e al. 108 'il. D62 a %?io %?i o v. %armieo, e al., 88 'il. 150, ii ii %aloa v. "arer. "arer. *ares E &o., L., 88 'il. 125F. A real /ar i ieres/laiiG is oe :o as a leal ri :ile a real /ar i iereseea is oe :o as a orrelaive leal o?liaio :ose a or omissio violaes e leal ri o e ormer. ormer.
%ame %ame %ame (is/esa?le 'ar 'eiioer &io?ia arme a e :as o ile i e oriial om/lai a o relie :as so aais im is ea?le sie is o: osel a im/leae im ;li a moio as a iis/esa?le /ar.
! #+(R (V(%(ON. 590
590 %)'R$M$ &O)R# R$'OR#% ANNO#A#$ Lee vs. Romillo, Jr. seo isse, i is are a sie /eiioer +er &io?ia :as o ile i e oriial om/lai a o relie :as so aais im erei, oseIel, ere a ?e o vali Bme mai im Boil a severall lia?le :i is o/aries. #e arme sai ? isel a//ears so ? e reors learl so: a e /eiioersK o: osel a &io?ia im/leae as a iis/esa?le /ar a e ormall ;le a moio o a eGe. "e are i aor :i e ollo:i maiesaio :i e /rivae res/oe mae reari is isse, o :i= >* is o: a /eiioer +er &io?ia im/leae imsel a /ar osesi?l o assre im a a i or. +e :as /ro/erl smmoe a e seasoa?l ;le is as:er o e om/lai a i is as:er e ier/ose some oerlaims aais erei res/oe. ( all saes o e /roeeis ?eore e lo:er or
%ame %ame %ame %ervie o /leais a oies #e la: reaes a /resm/io o vali servie oe ere is a ailre o e /ar o e aressee o laim is reisere mail.<( e isa ase, ere is /roo a o/ies o e lo:er orKs eisio :ere maile o e /eiioersK osel a e aress o reor, e "illiam Lies *ili, 'ier 1D, Nor +ar?or, Maila o Oo?er 6,1981 a ;rs, seo a ir oies o sai reisere mail :ere elivere o 591
VOL. 161, MAY 28, 1988 591 Lee vs. Romillo, Jr. Oo?er 9. 19 a 22, 1981. res/eivel o e ar-o- a oselKs oes a a /eiioersK osel aile o laim e maile eisio a e /os oe. #ese as iiae a orre a//liaio o e aore-Ioe /rovisio :ere? e la: reaes a /resm/io o vali servie oe ere is a ailre o e /ar o e aressee o laim is mail as reIire es/ie e reei/ o e /ro/er oies. %ame %ame %ame %ame "e a /ar is re/resee ? osel, oie sol ?e mae /o e osel o reor a is ive aress a//eari i is er o a//earae.<( is a :ell-sele rle a :e a /ar is re/resee ? osel, oie sol ?e mae /o e osel o reor a is ive aress a//eari i e oselKs er o a//earae, o :i oies o all is emaai rom e or sol ?e se i e a?see o a /ro/er a aeIae oie o e or o a ae o aress C&?ar v. Meoa, 120 %&RA 768 a Lo/e v. e los Rees, 31 %&RA 21DF. #e or ao ?e e@/ee o ae Biial oie o e e: aress o a la:er :o as move or o aserai o is o: :eer or o e osel o reor as ?ee ae a :o e e: osel ol /ossi?l ?e or :ere e /ro?a?l resies or ols oe. ( is loial o assme a /roesses maile o /eiioer &io?ia a is ro/, aresse o eir la:er a e "illiam Lies *ili :ere i a reeive, i e a?see o a oie o ae o aress or osel. A. ra/ia sol ave o?serve e leal ormali reIire ?eore a osel o reor ma ?e osiere relieve o is res/osi?ili as s osel o ao o :ira:al. O eir /ar, e /eiioers emselves sol ave iorme e or o e :ira:al o eir osel aer e several remiers e mae o im ae is :ira:al a alleel ?ee iore. %ame %ame %ame 'eiioerKs arme a e eleaio o e ree/io o e eviee e@-/are i e lo:er or o is leal researer is illeal, o meriorios.#e oeio a e #rial &or ao eleae e
ree/io o eviee o is &ler o &or, ii e ase o Lim #a v. Ramolee Cs/raF is o :ell ae. %e i o sa, or /r/oses o is si, a e sai ase reerre o ree/io o eviee ? a &ler o &or aer elaraio o eeaKs eal. No eal is ivolve erei. As el i e 592
592 %)'R$M$ &O)R# R$'OR#% ANNO#A#$ Lee vs. Romillo, Jr. ase o Lala v. Maalo C65 %&RA D9D 1975F, o /rovisio o la: or /rii/le o /?li /oli /roi?is a &or rom aorii is &ler o &or o reeive e eviee o a /ar liia. '$#(#(ON or eriorari o revie: e eisio o e &or o A//eals, #e as are sae i e o/iio o e &or. )#($RR$, JR., J.=
#is /eiio or revie: o eriorari sees e reversal o e eisio o e &or o A//eals armi e orer o e res/oe Be :o rae e /rivae res/oeKs moio or a :ri o e@eio o e lo:er orKs Bme reere aais e /eiioers or eir ailre o om/l :i eir o?liaios er e arrasre ora eere io ? e /rivae res/oe :i "illiam Lies, (. O Ma 6, 1975, e /rivae res/oe ;le a om/lai or aoi :i amaes eile >Leoio &. Meioro, oi ?siess er e ame a sle PLeoio &. Meioro %erviesK v. "aler Asoa Lee. $s/iri #a a *eio &io?ia. #e &or o 4irs (sae o Rial a 'asa &i oee e ase as &ivil &ase No. D3D3-'. #e om/lai :as ?ase o a ora or arrasre servies a 'ier 1D, Nor +ar?or, Maila e@ee ?e:ee res/oe Meioro a "illiam Lies, (., re/resee ? *eio &io?ia as eviee ? e Memoram Areeme ae Jl 28, 1973. Amo e s?saial alleaios i e om/lai :ere= C1F ( e ear 1973, s/ei;all rom As 1 / o Novem?er 30, /laiiG Meioro oe arrasre o/eraios a 'ier 1D as /er arrasre ora :i "illiam Lies, (. C2F All e iome rom e arrasre o/eraios ri e sai /erio :ere reeive a el i rs or Meioro ? eeas Lee, #a a &io?ia :o :ere also ase :i e is?rseme o e sai iome or o/eraioal e@/eses C3F eeas Lee, #a a &io?ia :ere -?o o r over o /laiiG Meioro e iome e el i rs or im a CDF #e aile o o so es/ie MeioroKs re/eae emas.
O Je 16, 1975, e eeas i &ivil &ase No. D3D3-' ;le a moio o ismiss e om/lai. #e moio :as eie aer :i e ;le a as:er o Jl 28, 1975. 593
VOL. 161, MAY 28, 1988 593 Lee vs. Romillo, Jr. O Jaar 28, 1977, e rial or rae e moio o ile Jose Millares, &esar Almario a +er &io?ia as iis/esa?le /aries. Millares i o ;le a as:er. Almario volaril a//eare a maiese a e :as Boii Meioro as o-/laiiG. +er &io?ia ;le is as:er :i oerlaim o A/ril 15, 1977. A e /re-rial sae o e /roeeis o eem?er 12, 1977, e /aries ;le a /arial si/laio o as :erei e sae, amo oers, a= C1F /laiiG Meioro o/erae e arrasre servies rom As 1, 1973 o Novem?er 30, 1973 a 'ier 1D er a ora :i e a :i "illiam Lies, (. C$@i?i AF C2F rom sai o/eraios, a oal ross iome o '1,620,985.D7 :as erive a realie C$@i?i *F C3F eeas Lee, #a a *eio &io?ia :ere i-are o ollei sai iome CDF aer Novem?er 30, 1973, '-1D Arrasre %ervies, (., a or/oraio reisere o As 15, 1973 o :i Meioro :as oe o is ior/oraors, oo over e o/eraios a 'ier 1D, a C5F Meioro assie is sareolis i '-1D Arrasre %ervies, (., o eea +er &io?ia o eem?er 20, 197D. ri e eari o Mar 30, 1978, :ere e osel or e /eiioers aile o so: /, Meioro :as allo:e o /rese eviee e@-/are, O Jl 20, 1978, a amee orer o e rial or rae e /eiioers a o//ori o ae eir eviee. 'rorae a le rials :ere oe il Ma 22,1981. O %e/em?er 11,1981, e rial or reere is eisio aais e /eiioers, ( a e ollo:i is/osiive /orio= >"+$R$4OR$, is &or ere? reers Bme i avor o /laiiG a aais eeas, oreri e laer, Boil a severall, o eliver o e ormer e amo o '859,981.53 re/resei e s/e amos or salaries a or reals or ali eIi/-me aer ei e aal a leiimae e@/eses or ?o iems, :i ieress a e rae o 1DQ /er am rom Ma 30, 197D il s ime as aal eliver o e same sall ave ?ee mae ? eeas o /laiiG a o /a s amos as eIivale o 20Q o e oal amo e< /rii/al a ieress a e ime o aal /ame<or aoreKs ees. #e oerlaims o eeas are ere? ismisse or la o meri. eeas are, lie:ise, orere o /a oss. C/. 277, RolloF
59D
59D %)'R$M$ &O)R# R$'OR#% ANNO#A#$ Lee vs. Romillo, Jr. O Oo?er 6,1981, o/ies o e rial orKs eisio :ere maile o e /eiioersK osel a "illiam Lies *ili, 'ier 1D, Nor +ar?or, Maila. O Oo?er 9,19 a 22,1981, e ;rs, seo a ir oies o e reisere mail :ere elivere res/eivel o e ar-o- a oselKs oes ? e maile eisio remaie laime a e /os oe es/ie e /ro/er oies. O Novem?er 26,1981, a re e@-/are moio or e@eio :as rae a e orres/oi :ri o e@eio :as isse. A oie o arisme :as rer isse o erai ?as. #e /eiioersK s?seIe moio o se asie e Bme a o Iasreall e :ri o e@eio :i /raer or a resraii orer ae eem?er 1,1981 :as eie. ( a s/eial ivil aio or eriorari a /roi?iio :i resraii orer aor /relimiar iBio ;le :i e &or o A//eals, e /eiioers Iesioe e issae ? e res/oe Be o e orer ae Novem?er 26, 1981. #e &or o A//eals ismisse e /eiio or la o meri a se asie e :ri o /relimiar iBio i a earlier isse. O Jl 10,1982, e isa /eiio :as ;le :i :e, o Oo?er D,1982, iiiall resolve o e or ?ei immeriori-os. O eem?er 20,1982, :e reosiere or resolio ae Oo?er D,1982 a ave e orse o is /eiio reIiri e /aries o s?mi simlaeos memoraa. #e isses :or o oe as /resee ? e /eiioers i eir memoraa are as ollo:s= 1. "eer or o e /aries i e ase a ?ar are e real /aries-i-ieres. 2. "eer or o /eiioer +er &io?ia a ?e aBe Boil a severall lia?le :i e oer o-/eiioers es/ie e a a i e oriial om/lai e :as o ile as a /ar-eea. 3. "eer or o e Bme aais e /eiioers :as /remare i e a?see o a ormal aoi o ?e mae ? e /eiioers. D. "eer or o e lo:er orKs eisio :as valil serve o e /eiioers, a 595
VOL. 161, MAY 28, 1988 595 Lee vs. Romillo, Jr. 5. "eer or o e eleaio o e ree/io o e evi ee e@-/are o e lo:er orKs leal researer is illeal. O e ;rs isse, e /eiioers maiai a e /aries i e ase ?eore s are o e real /aries-i-ieres osieri a o e oe a, as earl as As 15, 1973, Meioro ease o ?e a real /ar-i-ieres as e raserre a assie all asses a lia?iliies o Leoio &. Meioro %ervies o '-1D Arrasre %ervies :ile o e oer a, /eiioers Lee, #a a *eio &io?ia ae ol i re/reseaio o '-1D Arrasre %ervies :i is e real /ar-i-ieres. Rle 3, %eio 2 o e Revise Rles o &or maaes a= >'aries i ieres.<$ver aio ms ?e /rosee a eee i e ame o e real /ar i ieres. @ @ @. * >real /ar i ieres is mea s /ar :o :ol ?e ?ee;e or iBre ? e Bme or eile o e avails o e si C%?io v. &i o Maila, e al., 108 'il. D62 a %?io v. %armieo, e al., 108 'il 150, ii %aloa v. "arer, *ares E &o., L., 88 'il. 125F. A real /ar i ieres-/laiiG is oe :o as a leal ri :ile a real /ar i ieres-eea is oe :o as a orrelaive leal o?liaio :ose a or omissio violaes e leal ri o e ormer. A arel e@amiaio o e reors o e ase a ?ar so:s a /rivae res/oe Meioro is a real /ar i ieres/laiiG i &ivil &ase No. D3D3-' :i res/e o e amos aall reeive ? e /eiioers a el i rs or im i relaio o e arrasre servies e reere a 'ier 1D or "illiam Lies, (., rom As 1, 1973 / o Novem?er 30, 1973, +is ieres arose rom is o:ersi/ o e amos /ai ? /ersos a ;rms or is arrasre servies ri e si/lae /erio. Lie:ise, /eiioers Lee, #a a *eio &io?ia are real /aries i ieres-eeas iasm as ? eir a o reeivi e iome rom e arrasre o/eraios a 'ier 1D :ere Meioro orae o o arrasre servies or "illiam Lies, (., e :ere o?lie o r over e sai iome o Meioro or o ao ereor i ase erai amos :ere se or o/eraioal e@/eses. 596
596 %)'R$M$ &O)R# R$'OR#% ANNO#A#$ Lee vs. Romillo, Jr.
#e laim o e /eiioers a '-1D Arrasre %ervies sol ave-?ee e real /ar i ieres-eea sie i a?sor?e e asses a lia?iliies o Leoio &. Meioro %ervies is :io meri. ( is ?ore ? e reors a ?eore As 1, 1973, "illiam Lies, (., a ree se/arae arrasre oras, oe :i Meioro a e :o oers :i oe &esar Almario. ( ?eame e /oli o e overme ereaer o ave ol oe oraor /er si//i om/a so e oraors o "illiam Lies, (., aree o mere a orm a or/oraio er e ame '-1D Arrasre %ervies, (. +o:ever, /ei e ormaio a o/eraio o e e: or/oraio, e arrasre ora :as ive o Meioro aloe ? vire o e Memoram Areeme ae Jl 28, 1973 C$@i?i AF. $ve o e Ariles o (or/oraio o '-1D Arrasre %ervies :ere l reisere o As 15, 1973 :i e %eriies a $@ae &ommissio CAe@ -1 o 'eiioersK MemoramF, sai or/oraio ommee is o/eraios ol o eem?er 1, 1973 as maiese ? /eiioersK osel ri e eari ?eore s reari is /eiio C#%N., %e/em?er 12,198D, /. 12F. #e laim o e /rivae res/oe is limie o e arrasre servies e reere rom As 1, 1973 / o Novem?er 30, 1973 er e ?siess ame Leoio &. Meioro, (. #e a a orS eem?er 20, 197D, Meioro sol all is sareolis i '-1D Arrasre %ervies o /eiioer +er &io?ia is o o mome sim/l ?ease e amo ?ei laime ? e /rivae res/oe :as alrea eare a ollee ri e or-mo /erio i 1973 er osieraio. %ie '-1D Arrasre %ervies sare is aal o/eraios ol o eem?er 1, 1973, e same amo ol o ave ?ee /ar o is asses or lia?iliies. "i more reaso ol i o ave ?ee /ar o e sares o so sol ? Meioro o /eiioer +er &io?ia. O e seo isse, i is are a sie /eiioer +er &io?ia :as o ile i e oriial om/lai a o relie :as so aais im erei, oseIel, ere a ?e o vali Bme mai im Boil a severall lia?le :i is o-/aries. #e arme sai ? isel a//ears so ? e reors learl so: a e /eiioersK o: osel a &io?ia im/leae as a iis/esa?le /ar 597
VOL. 161, MAY 28, 1988 597 Lee s, Romillo, Jr. a e ormall ;le a moio o a eGe. "e are i aor :i e ollo:i maiesaio :i e /rivae res/oe mae reari is isse, o :i= >* is o: a /eiioer +er &io?ia im/leae imsel a /ar osesi?l o assre im a a i or. +e :as /ro/erl smmoe a e seasoa?l ;le is
as:er o e om/lai a i is as:er e ier/ose some oerlaims aais erei res/oe. ( all saes o e /roeeis ?eore e lo:er or< e@e/ o :o oasios :e e a is la:er i o a//ear i s/ie o e oie<e :as al:as re/resee ? is osel. +is osel /resee ?o esimoial a omear eviee :i :ere all amie a osiere ? e lo:er or. +o:ever, e i o esi i is o: ?eal, alo ere :as oi a /revee im, o o so a e esire or ose o esi. +is o avi esi;e i is o: ?eal ?eore e lo:er or, i s/ie o all e o//oriies ive o im, amoe o a :aiver o a ri. *, erail, e /roeive male o e /roess o la: as ?ee ll aore o, a ll eBoe ?, im. +ee, e ol o valil a rill laim a e :as eie o e /roess o la:. "aever e im/ereio. i ormT.... %ie e /r/ose o ormall im/leai a /ar is o assre im a a i or, oe e /roeive male o e /roess o la: as i a ?ee aore a liia, :aever e im/ereio i orm, e real liia ma ?e el as a /ar. Jose M. Areo e;iel a is a i or, a e /roess o la: :as eBoe ? im as a maer o a as reveale ? e reors o e ase.K CAl?er v. )iversi '?lisi &o., (., 1D %&RA 285, 289F. +er &io?iaKs lia?ili /leae a /rove=
>#re, :e /eiioer +er &io?ia im/leae imsel as a iis/esa?le /ar eea<o as :illi o-/laiiG<e om/lai :as o orere o ?e amee a i :as o i a amee. Aer smmos a o/ o sai om/lai :ere valil serve /o im, e seasoa?l ;le is as:er :i oerlaims aais erei res/oe. * e ;li o is as:er, e isses :ere Boie. %?seIel. /re-rial :as a a ollo:e ? ll-?lo: rial o e meris :erei all e /eiioers volaril a reel /arii/ae. #ereore, all e alleaios o e om/lai :ere mae a//lia?le o all e /eiioers, ili +er &io?ia. >#ere :as o im/ereio i orm or s?sae i e a?ove /roere a//lie ? e lo:er or a ae/e ? e /eiioers, 598
598 %)'R$M$ &O)R# R$'OR#% ANNO#A#$ Lee s. Romillo, Jr. ili +er &io?ia. *, eve assmi or e sae o arme, a ere :as somei o or im/ere i e a?ove /roere, i :as re or osiere as :aive i vie: o /eiioersK ae/ae o e same, or e maer is merel /roere i are.
>A /ersal o e alleaios a /raers i ?o e om/lai a e as:er o /eiioer +er &io?ia a/l a learl so:s a is lia?ili or erei res/oeKs laims :as sil /leae, es/eiall :e e sai alleaios a /raers i e om/lai :ere mae a//lia?le o +er &io?ia, as alrea so: a?ove. C//. 153U155, RolloF O e ir isse, e /eiioers oe a sie e om/lai o e /rivae res/oe :as oe or aoi :i amaes, e lo:er or ol o a sol o ave reere a moe Bme :io ;rs oreri em o s?mi a ormal ome a/ioe >Aoi. #e rial or o e amo e o Meioro as '859,981.53 aer ei e aal a leiimae e@/eses or salaries a reals o ali eIi/me. ( lie o e ome reerre o ? e /eiioers, e rial or relie o e eviee /resee i or i a s/a o ree ears Crom 1978 o 1981F ri :i ime all e /aries :ere aGore e ae o ae eir eviee. #e a?see o sai ormal ome a e reliae o esimoial a omear eviee ae ri rial are e@/laie ? e rial or as ollo:s= P#is &or as oe a is aio is oe seei or /ro/er a arae aoi o e iomes erive rom /laiiG s o/eraios o e arrasre servies rom As 1 o Novem?er 30, 1973. Aer eari e esimo o eeasK :iess Nesor &alo :o aeoriall sae a e omes, voers, reei/ a oer /a/ers :i are eee o s?saiae e aoi e mae :ere o loer availa?le, o orer eeas o reer a aoi :ol ?e a e@erise i ili. Aer all, /laiiG as, as alrea o a?ove, saisaoril esa?lise e amo :i remaie s/e aer ei e aal a leiimae e@/eses. C/.. 277, RolloF "e ; o om/elli reaso a ma :arra e sei asie o e aoreIoe ;is o e rial or ssaie ? e &or o A//eals. Oe aai :e reierae a e rial orKs ;is o a are eile o rea :ei o a//eal 599
VOL. 161, MAY 28, 1988 599 Lee vs. Romillo, Jr. a sol o ?e isr?e e@e/ or sro a oe reasos CMii/ali o Viorias v. &or o A//eals, 1D9 %&RA 32 *ereel v. Re/?li, 1D6 %&RA 235 a %aos v. (ermeiae A//ellae &or, 1D5 %&RA 238F. O e or isse, e /eiioers is/e e a//liaio o Rle 13, %eio 8 o e Revise Rles o &or o eir ase allei a e /?li res/oe ravel a?se is isreio i issi e Iesioe :ri o e@eio o a mere eiali. #e rer allee a i, i a ase e lo:er orKs Bme is
vali, e ross eliee a iom/eee o eir osel e i aili o laim i e mails is laim o e eisio sol o ?e ae aais em. Rle 13, %eio 8 o e aoreie la: reas, i /ar= >&om/leeess o servie.<@ @ @ %ervie ? reisere mail is om/lee /o aal reei/ ? e aressee ? i e ails o laim is mail rom e /os oe :ii ;ve C5F as rom e ae o ;rs oie o e /osmaser, servie sall ae eGe a e e@/iraio o s. ( e isa ase, ere is /roo a o/ies o e lo:er orKs eisio :ere maile o e /eiioersK osel a e aress o reor, e "illiam Lies *ili, 'ier 1D, Nor +ar?or, Maila o Oo?er 6,1981 a ;rs, seo a ir oies o sai reisere mail :ere elivere o Oo?er 9,19 a 22, 1981, res/eivel o e ar-o- a oselKs oes a a /eiioersK osel aile o laim e maile eisio a e /os oe. #ese as iiae a orre a//liaio o e aore-Ioe /rovisio :ere? e la: reae a /resm/io o vali servie oe ere is a ailre o e /ar o e aressee o laim is mail as reIire es/ie e reei/ o e /ro/er oies. #e a a e /eiioersK alleel elie osel, A. A?raam ra/ia, a resie as osel o "illiam Lies, (., i e laer /ar o %e/em?er 1981 a le is oe a "illiam Lies *ili ao Bsi e /eiioersK laim o o-a//lia?ili o Rle 13, %eio 8 i eir ase, ( is a :ell-sele rle a :e a /ar is re/resee ? osel, oie sol ?e mae /o e osel o reor a is ive. aress a//eari i e oselKs er o a//earae, o :i oies o all is emaai rom e or sol 600
600 %)'R$M$ &O)R# R$'OR#% ANNO#A#$ Lee vs. Romillo, Jr. ?e se i e a?see o a /ro/er a aeIae oie o e or o a ae aress C&?ar v. Meoa, 120 %&RA 768 a Lo/e v, e los Rees, 31 %&RA 21DF. #e or ao ?e e@/ee o ae Biial oie o e e: aress o a la:er :o as move or o aserai o is o: :eer or o e osel o reor as ?ee ae a :o e e: osel ol /ossi?l ?e or :ere e /ro?a?l resies or ols oe. ( is loial o assme a /roesses maile o /eiioer &io?ia a is ro/, aresse o eir la:er a e "illiam Lies *ili :ere i a reeive, i e a?see o a oie o ae o aress or osel. A. ra/ia sol ave o?serve e leal ormali reIire ?eore a osel o reor ma ?e osiere relieve o is res/osi?ili as s osel o ao o :ira:al. O eir /ar, e /eiioers emselves sol ave iorme e or o e :ira:al o eir osel aer e several remiers e mae o im ae is :ira:al a alleel ?ee iore.
O e las isse, e /eiioers Iesio e eleaio o e ree/io o e eviee e@-/are i e lo:er or o is leal researer ivoi or rli i Lim #a v. Ramolee C66 %&RA D25F. #e are a s /raie oes o ave a ?asis i la:. #eir arme is o meriorios. ( e ase o #e Naioal +osi Aori v. &or o A//eals C121 %&RA 777, 781F, :e aeoriall sae a= #e oeio a e #rial &or ao eleae e ree/io o eviee o is &ler o &or, ii e ase o Lim #a v. Ramolee Cs/raF is o :ell ae. %e i-o sa, or /r/oses o is si, a e sai ase reerre o ree/io o eviee ? a &ler o &or aer elaraio o eeaKs eal. No eal is ivolve erei. As el i e ase o Lala v. Maalo C65 %&RA D9D 1975F, o /rovisio o la: or /rii/le o /?li /oli /roi?is a &or rom aorii is &ler o &or o reeive e eviee o a /ar liia. More im/ora, o:ever, is e a a e rial or reosiere is earlier orer a allo:e e /eiioers o /rese eir eviee. 4or almos ree ears, rom Jl 20, 1978 o Ma 22,1981, e /eiioers /arii/ae i e /rorae rials :i ollo:e. "+$R$4OR$, 'R$M(%$% &ON%($R$, e Bme er revie: is ere? A44(RM$. #e isa /eiio is 601
VOL. 161, MAY 28, 1988 601 'eo/le s. Merao (%M(%%$ or la o meri. %O OR$R$ 4eliiao, *ii a &ors, JJ., or. 4era, J,, o /ar, ormerl osel or oe o e /eiioers, Jme arme. 'eiio ismisse. Noe.
Lee vs. Romillo, Jr., 161 %&RA 589, No. L-60937 Ma 28, 1988
