Case Law

Fernandez v. Court of Appeals

G.R. No. 233460, February 19, 2020 / Second Division / Inting, J. Remedial Law; Reglementary Periods. — The invocation of substantial justice is not a magic potion that automatically compels the Court to set aside technical rules. Procedural rules do not exist for the convenience of the litigants. The rules were established primarily to provide order to, and enhance the efficiency of, our judicial system. While procedural rules are liberally construed, the provisions on reglementary periods are strictly applied, indispensable as they are to the prevention of needless delays, and are necessary to the orderly and speedy discharge of judicial business. The timeliness of the filing of a pleading is a judicial caveat that even this Court cannot trifle with. (VOLUME 3, NUMBER 216)