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Act No. 190 — An Act Providing a Code of Procedure in Civil Actions and Special Proceedings in the Philippine Islands

Act No. 190 — An Act Providing a Code of Procedure in Civil Actions and Special Proceedings in the Philippine Islands

Act No. 190 · Act · Approved August 7, 1901 · 797 sections

Data as of July 4, 2026 · Compiled from an official source version. Later amendments or repeals may not be reflected; the official text prevails. · Read the official text ↗

This instrument has 797 sections. Only the list of sections is shown here; read the full text on each section page.

CHAPTER I
CHAPTER II

Section 15Certificates of good character required.

Section 24Institution and costs of disbarment proceedings.

Section 31Inviolability of communications of clients.

CHAPTER III

Section 40Period of prescription as to real estate.

Section 42Exceptions in favor of persons under disability.

Section 48If barred at place where cause of action arose, barred here.

CHAPTER IV

Section 57Assessors in justice courts; how Hhosen.

Section 78Papers to be delivered to clerk of Court of First Instance.

Section 80Forcible entry into and detainer of land or buildings.

Section 87Such judgment not conclusive in another action.

CHAPTER V

Section 97Effect of omission to set up counterclaim.

Section 103Actions and defenses based upon written instruments.

Section 104Plaintiff's reply to new matter contained in answer.

Section 112Proceedings in cases of appeal from justice courts.

CHAPTER VI
CHAPTER VII

Section 124Judgment in case of several plaintiffs or defendants.

Section 146Method of procedure in applications for new trial.

Section 147Effect of granting a motion for a new trial.

Section 148Relief from judgments of subordinate tribunals, obtained by fraud, accident, or mistake.

CHAPTER VIII

Section 154Rights of parties to have assessors, and manner of selecting them.

CHAPTER IX

Section 164Circumstances under which a preliminary injunction may be granted.

Section 167Proceedings in case of insufficiency of sureties.

Section 168Notice to defendant of preliminary injunction.

Section 177Obligations for damages on appointment of receiver.

Section 186When partition of more than one tract is demanded.

Section 189Action of the court upon commissioners' report.

Section 191Accounting for rent and profits in action for partition.

Section 196Paramount rights and amicable partition not affected.

Section 202What the complaint must set forth in such action; judgment therein.

Section 205Application for leave to commence action and notice to defendant.

Section 207Judgment where office, franchise, etc., found to have been usurped.

Section 208Judgment where director of a corporation found to have been illegally elected.

Section 209Rights of person adjudged to be entitled to office.

Section 212Judgment when corporation has forfeited its rights.

Section 213Appointment of receiver when corporation dissolved.

Section 229Preliminary injunctions in certiorari, mandate, and prohibition proceedings.

Section 231What contempts of court may be punished summarily.

Section 238Proceedings when party released on bail fails to appear.

Section 239Right of court who committed prisoner to release him.

Section 241How the right of eminent domain may be exercised.

Section 252Power of guardian in condemnation proceedings.

Section 253Persons not notified not affected by such proceedings.

Section 254Where action for foreclosure of real-estate mortgage must be instituted.

Section 255The complaint in an action for foreclosure of a real estate mortgage.

Section 259Disposition of proceeds in case the debt is not all due.

Section 260Judgment for balance after sale of property.

Section 262Delivery of litigated personal property to plaintiff.

Section 263Affidavit and obligation to be filed by plaintiff.

Section 266Proceedings when objection is made to the sufficiency of the obligation.

CHAPTER X

Section 274The Same rules in all cases in all Courts of the Islands.

Section 277Rights of party not prejudiced by act, declaration, or omission of another.

Section 278Exceptions where one derives title to real property from another.

Section 279Exception where declaration, act, or omission forms part of the transaction.

Section 280Where dispute relates to obligation or duty of third person; prima facie evidence.

Section 282Declaration, act, or omission of deceased person against his interests.

Section 284Original writing must ordinarily be produced.

Section 285Written agreement presumed to contain all the terms of the agreement.

Section 286Writing to be interpreted according to legal meaning.

Section 287Construction of a statute or instrument containing several provisions.

Section 288General rule for construction of statute or instrument.

Section 289For construction of an instrument circumstances may be shown.

Section 290Terms of a writing presumed to be in their ordinary sense.

Section 291Instrument partly written and partly printed.

Section 292Experts and interpreters to be used in explaining certain writings.

Section 293Where intention of different parties to instrument not the same.

Section 297Party must prove his affirmative allegations.

Section 302Oral proof of United States or foreign unwritten law.

Section 305Proof of foreign judicial record by examined copy.

Section 307What is deemed to have been adjudged in a former judgment.

Section 308When principal bound by judgment against surety.

Section 309Effect of judicial record of a court in the United States.

Section 310Effect of judicial record of a court of admiralty for a foreign country.

Section 317Certificate attached to transcript of justice's record.

Section 318What certificate of copy of writing must state.

Section 320Historical works, books of science, and maps.

Section 321Secondary evidence of the contents of a lost writing.

Section 322Secondary evidence of writing in custody of adverse party.

Section 323Party calling for writing not bound to offer it as evidence.

Section 326When other evidence of the execution of writing need not be produced.

Section 330Original records not to be removed from office.

Section 343Impeaching of witness by inconsistent statements.

Section 345Right of opposite party to inspect writing shown to a witness.

Section 347Unaccepted offer in writing equivalent to tender.

Section 349Who may administer oath for affidavit to be used in the Islands.

Section 350Who may administer oath for affidavit taken in the United States.

Section 352Certification of affidavit taken in the United States or a foreign country.

Section 354Testimony of a witness out of the islands may be taken by deposition.

Section 355Deposition of a witness within the Philippine Islands.

Section 356How deposition of a witness out of the Philippine Islands may be taken.

Section 357Interrogatories may be annexed to the commission.

Section 359Trial not necessarily delayed pending taking of deposition.

Section 360Such deposition may be used by either party.

Section 361Taking depositions within the Philippine Islands.

Section 362Manner of taking, certifying, and transmitting depositions.

Section 363A stenographer may be employed in taking deposition.

Section 364Deposition may be read at any stage of action.

Section 365Deposition to be used outside the Philippine Islands.

Section 366Summoning witnesses to appear before commissioner.

Section 371Order of judge for perpetuation of testimony.

Section 374Papers filed prima facie evidence of regularity.

CHAPTER XI
CHAPTER XII

Section 378Special judge by agreement of parties when judge disqualified.

Section 379Proceedings when judge disqualified and special judge not agreed upon.

Section 380Proceeding where judge is physically disabled.

CHAPTER XIII
CHAPTER XIV
CHAPTER XV

Section 401Service in actions affecting the title to land.

CHAPTER XVI

Section 402Subpoena or process to procure the attendance of witness.

Section 406Witness not obliged to go outside his province to testify.

Section 408Disobedience to a subpoena, or refusal to testify.

Section 409Civil liability of witness disobeying subpoena.

CHAPTER XVII

Section 423Application by defendant for reduction of bail or vacating order of arrest.

CHAPTER XVIII

Section 427Obligation for damages in case of attachment.

Section 428Executing order of attachment as to movables.

Section 429Executing order of attachment as to real property.

Section 430Executing Order of attachment as to stocks or shares.

Section 431Executing order of attachment as to debts and credits.

Section 438Proceedings after return of execution unsatisfied.

Section 439Disposition of attached property in case of judgment for defendant.

CHAPTER XIX

Section 444Issuance, form, and requisites of execution.

Section 447Enforcement of judgment after lapse of five years.

Section 451Claims by third persons to property levied on.

Section 454Advertisement of property to be sold on execution.

Section 456Payment of judgment and costs may be made before sale.

Section 462Certificate of sale of personal property not capable of manual delivery.

Section 463Sale of real property and certificate thereof.

Section 466Deed to be given at expiration of redemption period.

Section 468Manner of using premises pending redemption.

CHAPTER XX

Section 474Right of judgment creditor to examine debtor when execution returned unsatisfied.

Section 476Examination of debtor of judgment debtor, and so forth.

Section 482Judge may order property to be applied on execution.

Section 483Judge may appoint receiver and prohibit transfers, and so forth.

Section 486Proceedings when indebtedness denied or another claims the property.

CHAPTER XXI

Section 488When action dismissed for want of jurisdiction.

CHAPTER XXII

Section 497Hearings confined to matters of law, with certain exceptions.

Section 498Procedure on appeal from special proceedings.

Section 499Judge failing to sign exceptions, how compelled.

Section 503Judgment not to be reversed on technical grounds.

Section 506Certificate of judgment to be remitted to the Court of First Instance.

Section 507The clerk of the Court of First Instance to give notice of judgments remitted.

Section 509Excepting party not entitled to reversal as to another.

Section 511Extraordinary orders enforced by lower court, when.

CHAPTER XXIII

Section 513Procedure in cases of defaults caused by fraud, accident, or mistake.

Section 517Preliminary injunction in certiorari, mandate, and prohibition proceedings.

CHAPTER XXIV
CHAPTER XXV

Section 522Judge may act in vacation in special proceedings.

Section 523Pending proceedings to be governed by former law.

CHAPTER XXVI

Section 534Form of writ when prisoner not in custody of an officer.

Section 537When it may be returned to another judge or court.

Section 538What shall be stated in the return of the writ.

Section 542When prisoner may be committed to jail, or let to bail.

Section 544When the return is evidence, and when only a plea.

Section 545Penalty upon clerk for refusing to issue the writ.

Section 547Persons set at liberty upon the writ not to be again imprisoned.

Section 548Prisoner not to be removed from the custody of one officer, to another, unless, and so forth.

CHAPTER XXVII

Section 551Judge of First Instance may appoint guardian.

Section 552Spanish law as to power of family council in guardianship matters repealed.

Section 553Father or mother natural guardian and to be appointed guardian of estate, If competent.

Section 558Guardians ad litem not affected by this chapter.

Section 559Appointment of guardians of persons of unsound mind.

Section 566Action of guardian in partition proceedings.

Section 570Sales must be for cash or other adequate security.

Section 573Examination of person suspected of defrauding wards or concealing property.

Section 577Guardian's bond to be filed, and action thereon.

Section 579Limitations of actions for the recovery of property sold.

Section 580Orders and guardianship proceedings to be matters of record.

Section 581Pending guardianship to proceed in accordance with Spanish law, with certain exceptions.

CHAPTER XXVIII

Section 582Proceedings when trustee under will is necessary.

Section 583When trustee declines, resigns, dies, or is removed.

Section 585Trustee appointed abroad must have new appointment here.

Section 589Executor, and so forth, of former trustee not bound to accept trust.

CHAPTER XXIX

Section 596Settlement of intestate estates, without legal proceedings, in certain cases.

Section 598Such settlement not binding unless all concur.

CHAPTER XXX

Section 602The court once taking, to retain jurisdiction.

Section 605Their copies and certificates to be evidence.

Section 607Additional duties of clerk in absence of judge.

CHAPTER XXXI

Section 615Real estate acquired afterwards may pass by will.

Section 616Whole interest to pass unless, and so forth.

Section 624To be recorded in registration of land titles.

Section 625Allowance necessary, and conclusive as to execution.

Section 627Executor to present will and accept or refuse trust.

Section 633When the witness does not reside in the Philippines.

Section 637Wills proved outside islands may be allowed here.

Section 641When will proved, letters to issue to executor.

Section 645Bonds of joint executors and administrators.

Section 648Executor of executor not to administer estate.

Section 651Appointment of administrator to act with survivor.

Section 653The court may remove or accept resignation of executor or administrator.

Section 655One of coexecutors disqualified, others may act.

Section 656Estate of person unheard from for fifteen years may be administered.

CHAPTER XXXII

Section 664Executor or administrator may have access to partnership books.

Section 671Apparel, and so forth, not to be inventoried.

Section 672Account to be rendered and examination to be under oath.

Section 674Not to profit by increase or lose by decrease in value.

Section 675Accountable for proceeds of real estate sold.

Section 678Accountable if he improperly neglects to raise money.

Section 684Allowance to widow and family, and descent of estate.

CHAPTER XXXIII

Section 686Committee to be sworn and may administer oaths.

Section 691Duty of executor or administrator upon hearing before the committee.

Section 694Committee to notify certain claimants at the time of filing report.

Section 697Claim of executor or administrator against an estate.

Section 698Estate of joint debtor liable for the whole claim.

Section 700Suits pending against the estate to be discontinued.

CHAPTER XXXIV

Section 702Executor or administrator may prosecute and defend suits which survive.

CHAPTER XXXV

Section 709Proceedings for the recovery of property embezzled or fraudulently conveyed.

Section 710Persons intrusted with estate may be compelled to render account.

Section 712Estate fraudulently conveyed by deceased may be recovered.

Section 713Creditor under certain circumstances may sue.

CHAPTER XXXVI

Section 714Realty may be sold though personalty and exhausted.

Section 715If part can not be sold without injury, whole may be.

Section 718Estate may be sold when beneficial to heirs.

Section 719May be sold to pay debts and legacies in other countries.

Section 720Realty acquired on execution, and so forth, may be sold.

Section 724When administrator dies pending sale, new license to issue.

CHAPTER XXXVII

Section 728From what part of testate estate debts to be paid.

Section 729Legacy and devise liable for payment of debts.

Section 730Executor to retain possession of an estate, when.

Section 731Devisees, legatees, and heirs, in possession, must contribute.

Section 732When person liable to contribute is insolvent or dead.

CHAPTER XXXVIII

Section 734Debts to be paid in full if estate sufficient.

Section 736Dividends to be paid in proportion to claim.

Section 738Payment of claim proved outside the islands, against insolvent resident's estate.

Section 742After time fixed for payment, administrator personally liable.

Section 743Court to fix time for paying debts and legacies.

Section 745Successor of administrator dying, may have time extended.

Section 748Claim becoming absolute in two years, how allowed.

Section 749Such creditor to receive in same proportion as others.

CHAPTER XXXIX

Section 750Procedure when person dies intestate without heirs.

Section 752Right of heir, and so forth, subsequently appearing.

CHAPTER XL

Section 756Share of child or issue of child omitted from will.

Section 761Questions as to advancement to be determined by court.

Section 763Expenses of partition may be paid from the estate.

Section 764Recording the decrees of partition of estate.

CHAPTER XLI

Section 770Order as to vagrant, incorrigible, neglected, or abused child.

CHAPTER XLII

Section 773An appeal from allowance or disallowance of claim.

Section 774If administrator does not appeal, heir or creditor may.

Section 776Proceedings in Court of First Instance on such appeal.

Section 778Appeal from settlement of account of administrator, executor, trustee, or guardian.

Section 781Appeal in case of allowance or disallowance of wills.

Section 783Appeals allowed in other cases affecting settlement of estates.

CHAPTER XLIII

Section 789Governors, sheriffs, and other persons serving process.

Section 794Other fees to be fixed by general rules of the Supreme Court.

CHAPTER XLIV
CHAPTER VI

Section 116Infants, spendthrifts, and persons of unsound mind.

Source: Supreme Court E-Library, Republic of the Philippines. Philippine laws are public documents (works of the government).

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