On 25 November 2024, the Supreme Court promulgated Rule 13-A or the Interim Rule on the electronic filing and service of pleadings, judgements and other papers in civil cases, which provides, among others, for the mandatory electronic filing and service of pleadings, judgements and other papers in civil cases before the first and second-level courts, except when a different mode is prescribed.
While not specified in Rule 13-A, there was a view that Rule 13-A was also applicable to special proceedings, considering that Section 2, Rule 72 of the Rules of Court provides that in the absence of special provisions, the rules provided in ordinary actions shall be, as far as practicable, applicable in special proceedings.
However, with the promulgation of A.M. No. 25-01-13-SC, the coverage of Section 1, Rule 13-A was amended to expressly provide that said rule on electronic filing and service of pleadings, judgements and other papers shall only be exclusively applicable in: (1) cases involving the declaration of nullity of marriage and annulment of marriage; and (2) civil cases before first- and second-level courts. It was further clarified that aside from cases involving the declaration of nullity of marriage and annulment of marriage, no other cases falling under the classification of special proceedings shall be covered by Rule 13-A.
The foregoing amendment to Section 1, Rule 13-A takes effect after the publication of A.M. No. 25-01-13-SC on 24 April 2025.