RULE 6

Kinds Of Pleadings
Section 1. Pleadings defined. Pleadings are the written statements of the respective claims and
defenses of the parties submitted to the court for appropriate judgment. (1a)
Section 2. Pleadings allowed. The claims of a party are asserted in a complaint, counterclaim,
cross-claim, third (fourth, etc.)-party complaint, or complaint-in-intervention.
The defenses of a party are alleged in the answer to the pleading asserting a claim against him.
An answer may be responded to by a reply. (n)
Section 3. Complaint. The complaint is the pleading alleging the plaintiff's cause or causes of
action. The names and residences of the plaintiff and defendant must be stated in the complaint. (3a)
Section 4. Answer. An answer is a pleading in which a defending party sets forth his defenses. (4a)
Section 5. Defenses. Defenses may either be negative or affirmative.
(a) A negative defense is the specific denial of the material fact or facts alleged in the pleading
of the claimant essential to his cause or causes of action.
(b) An affirmative defense is an allegation of a new matter which, while hypothetically
admitting the material allegations in the pleading of the claimant, would nevertheless prevent
or bar recovery by him. The affirmative defenses include fraud, statute of limitations, release,
payment, illegality, statute of frauds, estoppel, former recovery, discharge in bankruptcy, and
any other matter by way of confession and avoidance. (5a)
Section 6. Counterclaim. A counterclaim is any claim which a defending party may have against an
opposing party. (6a)
Section 7. Compulsory counterclaim. A compulsory counterclaim is one which, being cognizable by
the regular courts of justice, arises out of or is connected with the transaction or occurrence
constituting the subject matter of the opposing party's claim and does not require for its adjudication
the presence of third parties of whom the court cannot acquire jurisdiction. Such a counterclaim must
be within the jurisdiction of the court both as to the amount and the nature thereof, except that in an
original action before the Regional Trial Court, the counter-claim may be considered compulsory
regardless of the amount. (n)
Section 8. Cross-claim. A cross-claim is any claim by one party against a co-party arising out of
the transaction or occurrence that is the subject matter either of the original action or of a
counterclaim therein. Such cross-claim may include a claim that the party against whom it is asserted
is or may be liable to the cross-claimant for all or part of a claim asserted in the action against the
cross-claimant. (7)
Section 9. Counter-counterclaims and counter-crossclaims. A counter-claim may be asserted
against an original counter-claimant.
A cross-claim may also be filed against an original cross-claimant. (n)

Section 10. Reply. A reply is a pleading, the office or function of which is to deny, or allege facts in
denial or avoidance of new matters alleged by way of defense in the answer and thereby join or make
issue as to such new matters. If a party does not file such reply, all the new matters alleged in the
answer are deemed controverted.
If the plaintiff wishes to interpose any claims arising out of the new matters so alleged, such claims
shall be set forth in an amended or supplemental complaint. (11)
Section 11. Third, (fourth, etc.)party complaint. A third (fourth, etc.) party complaint is a
claim that a defending party may, with leave of court, file against a person not a party to the action,
called the third (fourth, etc.) party defendant for contribution, indemnity, subrogation or any other
relief, in respect of his opponent's claim. (12a)
Section 12. Bringing new parties. When the presence of parties other than those to the original
action is required for the granting of complete relief in the determination of a counterclaim or crossclaim, the court shall order them to be brought in as defendants, if jurisdiction over them can be
obtained. (14)
Section 13. Answer to third (fourth, etc.)party complaint. A third (fourth, etc.) party
defendant may allege in his answer his defenses, counterclaims or cross-claims, including such
defenses that the third (fourth, etc.) party plaintiff may have against the original plaintiff's claim. In
proper cases, he may also assert a counterclaim against the original plaintiff in respect of the latter's
claim against the third-party plaintiff. (n)