Requirements for Publication of Judicial Notices
- Notices such as judicial sales, special proceedings, court orders, summonses, and auction sales must be published locally.
- Publication must be in newspapers published, edited, and circulated within the respective city or province.
- If no local newspaper exists, publication in the nearest city or province's publication is allowed.
- Only newspapers regularly published for at least one year and authorized to publish legal notices qualify.
Designation and Distribution of Notices by Executive Judge
- The executive judge of the Regional Trial Court (court of first instance) designates a weekly day and time for distribution.
- Distribution is done personally by the judge via raffle to qualified newspapers.
- The judge can reschedule by notifying publishers three days in advance if necessary.
- Raffle distribution is waived if only one newspaper exists in the city or province.
Rates for Publication
- Minimum charge for publishing legal notices: Php 10.00 per column inch.
- Maximum charge: 80% of the publication's regular commercial display advertising rates.
- If regular commercial rates are below Php 10.00, the minimum Php 10.00 still applies.
- For publications without commercial display ads, Php 10.00 applies.
- Additional charges above Php 10.00 up to 80% of commercial rates only allowed with proof.
Format and Presentation of Legal Notices
- Text size for notices: not more than 8 points.
- Heading size: not more than 10 points.
- Column width: at least 9 ems.
- Printing must be solid, without extra spacing (no slugs or leads).
Prohibition on Bribes and Commissions
- No offering or accepting money, commission, or gifts between publishers, editors, media personnel, or others and judges or court personnel regarding assignment or publication of notices.
- Such acts are strictly prohibited.
Penalties for Violations
- Violations punishable by fines between Php 5,000 and Php 20,000.
- Imprisonment for 6 months to 2 years.
- Executive judges or court personnel found guilty are permanently disqualified from public office.
Repealing Clause
- Any laws, decrees, orders, rules, or regulations inconsistent with this decree are amended or repealed.
Effectivity
- The decree takes effect immediately upon publication.