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Paredes vs. Verano.

RODOLFO PAREDES, TITO ALAGO AND AGRIPINO BAYBAY, SR., Petitioners, versus ERNESTO VERANO and COSME HINUNANGAN, Respondent.

G.R. No. 164375 | 2006-10-12

THIRD DIVISION
 
DECISION
 
Tinga, J.
 
The central issue in this case is whether the absence of the counsel for defendants at the pre-trial, with all defendants themselves present, is a ground to declare defendants in default and to authorize plaintiffs to present evidence ex parte
 
The relevant facts are uncomplicated. 
 
The protracted legal battle between the parties began with a complaint for the establishment of a right of way filed by petitioners herein as plaintiffs against respondents as defendants.[1] The complaint, docketed as Civil Case No. 2767 of the Regional Trial Court (RTC) of...