ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

With deep sense of gratitude, the Philippine Judicial Academy expresses its sincerest appreciation to the following who contributed to the success of the production of this Revised and Expanded Benchbook for Trial Courts. It is through their commitment that the development and publication of this Benchbook are made possible:

The Supreme Court, through the leadership of Chief Justice Renato C. Corona, for providing the raison d’être and the necessary funding for the revision of the Benchbook;

Former Chief Justice Reynato S. Puno, for his support in the noble

purpose of this project which started in 2007; PHILJA Chancellor Adolfo S. Azcuna, for his guidance,

encouragement and editorial advice on the revision of the benchbook, as well as presiding over Benchbook Revision Committee Meeting discussions and decisions;

PHILJA Chancellor Emeritus Ameurfina A. Melencio Herrera, for

her initial efforts in the conceptualization of the Benchbook Revision Project as early as 2007;

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID),

through its Mission Director, Gloria D. Steele, and Agreement Officer’s Technical Representative, Gerardo A. Porta, for its generous funding support that made this publication possible and providing the necessary funding for the training on the use of the Benchbook.

The American Bar Association Rule of Law Initiative (ABA-ROLI),

through its Country Director Scott Ciment, Esq., Deputy Country Director Renato B. Lopez, Jr., and Operations Director Atty. Jack Andrew O. Miranda, for their continued support on the publication of the Revised and Expanded Benchbook, and for believing in the continuing legal education of judges;

Professor Alfredo F. Tadiar, Project Director and Editor, for

ensuring the timely and effective implementation and completion of project; facilitating discussions during presentations by authors of assigned topics in the Benchbook Revision Committee Meetings; and painstakingly editing reports, minutes, and correspondence of the Benchbook Revision secretariat and final manuscripts of writers.

The writers, who have proven their commitment by wholeheartedly

giving their time, knowledge, experience and energy in the development of this Revised and Expanded Benchbook, namely:

Justice Diosdado M. Peralta Justice Lucas P. Bersamin Justice Magdangal M. de Leon Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo Justice Hilarion L. Aquino (Ret.) Deputy Court Administrator Nimfa C. Vilches Judge Marivic T. Daray Professor Myrna S. Feliciano Dr. Antonio G.M. La Viña and Atty. Josef Leroi L. Garcia Atty. Rita Linda V. Jimeno Justice Marina L. Buzon, Assistant Editor, for assisting in the over-

all editorial work, proofreading and editing of final manuscripts, as well as overseeing consistency in style of the Revised and Expanded Benchbook;

Atty. Emmanuel L. Caparas, IT Consultant, for providing advice

and guidance on the preparation of electronic formats and creation of hyperlinks, digital interactive features and the like that may enhance the value of the Revised and Expanded Benchbook as a professional research and instructional tool, and inclusion of related and useful information, which were not incorporated in the printed version of the Revised and Expanded Benchbook, that may similarly enhance its value;

Attys. Rodel O. Hernandez and Ria Corazon Berbano-Ablan, for

assisting the Committee in various research and formatting work by providing citation of authorities, relevant laws, circulars and jurisprudence needed by the writers and during discussions in Benchbook Revision Committee Meetings;

The Revision Committee Secretariat, composed of Ms. Joan Marie

C. Tejada, Recorder-Secretary, Ms. Suzette P. Valdez, Assistant Recorder Secretary, Mr. Raymond I. Eisma, Technical Staff, Mr. Lirio F. Balbin, Support Staff, and Mr. Quirino V. Itliong II, Service Staff, for going the extra mile in ensuring that all discussions in the Benchbook Revision Committee Meetings are documented; coordinating and following-up all efforts to make sure all deliverables were met; and

Attys. Reynaline Tan-Francisco and David L. Ballesteros, for

assisting in several Benchbook Revision Committee Meetings.