Republic of the Philippines
SUPREME COURT
Manila

A.M. No. 02-8-2-SC             August 13, 2002

RE: PROPOSED RULES REQUIRING NOTARIES PULIC TO HOLD OFFICE AT A SPECIFIC AND APPROPRIATE ADDRESS/ADDRESSES

RESOLUTION

Acting on the recommendation of the Committee on Legal Education and Legal Matters, the Court resolved to APPROVE the proposed rules requiring notaries public to hold office at a specific and appropriate address / addresses.

These Rules shall take effect on September 2, 2002 following its publication in a newspaper of general circulation and shall supercede Administrative Circular No. 11-93, dated June 30, 1993.

August 13, 2002

(signed)

HILARIO G. DAVIDE, JR.
Chief Justice
JOSUE N. BELLOSILLO
Associate Justice
REYNATO S. PUNO
Associate Justice
JOSE C. VITUG
Associate Justice
VICENTE V. MENDOZA
Associate Justice
ARTEMIO V. PANGANIBAN
Associate Justice
LEONARDO A. QUISUMBING
Associate Justice
CONSUELO YNARES-SANTIAGO
Associate Justice
ANGELINA SANDOVAL-GUTIERREZ
Associate Justice
ANTONIO T. CARPIO
Associate Justice
MA. ALICIA AUSTRIA-MARTINEZ
Associate Justice
RENATO C. CORONA
Associate Justice






Republic of the Philippines
SUPREME COURT
Manila


RULES REQUIRING NOTARIES PUBLIC TO HOLD OFFICE AT A SPECIFIC AND APPROPRIATE ADDRESS / ADDRESSES

WHEREAS, there is a need to improve supervision by Executive Judges of notaries public in the exercise of their functions; and

WHEREAS, there is a need to prevent the office of the notary public from being demeaned and degraded by improper practices such as the performance of notarial services along sidewalks and in other inappropriate public places.

NOW, THEREFORE, the following rules are hereby prescribed for observance by all concerned:

1. A notary public shall render notarial services only in his office. On certain exceptional occassions or situations, notarial services may be performed in the following sites:

(a) Public offices, convention halls, and other appropriate public places for the purpose of administering oaths of office;

(b) At the request of the parties, public function areas in hotels and other appropriate places for the signing of the contracts, deeds, and other documents requiring notarization;

(c) Residence of any party of a contract, deed, or other document requiring notarization;

(d) Hospitals and other medical institutions where a party to a contract is confined for treatment;

(e) Any place where for legal reason a party to a contract, deed, or other document requiring notarization may be confined, and;

(f) Such other places as may be dictated because of emergency.

In all of the above instances, the notary public concerned shall ensure that his functions is performed with utmost solemnity and dignity.

2. Pursuant to these rules, applications for the issuance of commissions of notaries public, or renewal thereof, as well as the monthly reports required by S246 of Act No. 2657, shall also state the following:

(a) The office address / addresses of the applicant / notary public;

(b) The legal basis (whether by lease or otherwise) on which the applicant / notary public is holding office in the said address / addresses; and

(c) That the applicant / notary public will inform the Executive Judge within ten (10) days of any change in the previously given office address / addresses.

Any false statement therein or any violation thereof shall be a ground for the denial of the application or the revocation of the notarial commission as so provided in Act. No. 2657, S249, pars. (g) and (h) without prejudice to the imposition of appropriate administrative sanctions against the offender.

In the supervision of notaries public, Executive Judges may avail of themselves of the assistance of the local chapters of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines within their respective jurisdictions.lawphil.net

These Rules shall take effect on September 2, 2002 following its publication in a newspaper of general circulation and shall supercede Administrative Circular No. 11-93, dated June 30, 1993.


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