[G.R. No. 146830. April 4, 2001]

SARMIENTO, et al vs. ALFONSO FRANCISCO

FIRST DIVISION

Gentlemen:

Quoted hereunder, for your information, is a resolution of this Court dated APR 4 2001.

G.R. No. 146830 (Domingo Sarmiento, et al. vs. Alfonso Francisco.)

The instant petition was dismissed by the Court of Appeals for being procedurally flawed, as follows:

1) The certification on non-forum shopping was signed by only one of the three petitioners, (Section 2, Rule 42, 1997 Rules of Civil Procedure)

2) There is no affidavit of service of the copies of the petition to the adverse party and the Regional Trial Court (RTC) of Ilagan, Isabela, Branch 16, (Section 1, Rule 42 supra)

3) The petition is not accompanied by a copy of the motion for reconsideration of the assailed decision in violation of Section 2 (d), Rule 42, id. ¹ Rollo, p. 18.

We find no cogent reason to disturb the findings of the lower court. We agree with its ruling that strict compliance with the Rules of Court is indispensable for the prevention of needless delays and for the orderly and expeditious discharge of judicial business. ² Id., at 19.

WHEREFORE, the instant petition is hereby DENIED for failure to show that the Court of Appeals had committed any reversible error.

Very truly yours,

(Sgd.) VIRGINIA ANCHETA-SORIANO

Clerk of Court