Text of the provision

Sec. 12. Hearing on return; Adjournments. — When the writ is returned before one judge, at a time when the court is in session, he may forthwith adjourn the case into the court, there to be heard and determined. The court or judge before whom the writ is returned or adjourned must immediately proceed to hear and examine the return, and such other matters as are properly submitted for consideration, unless for good cause shown the hearing is adjourned, in which event the court or judge shall make such order for the safekeeping of the person imprisoned or restrained as the nature of the case requires. If the person imprisoned or restrained is not produced because of his alleged sickness or infirmity, the court or judge must be satisfied that it is so grave that such person cannot be produced without danger, before proceeding to hear and dispose of the matter. On the hearing the court or judge shall disregard matters of form and technicalities in respect to any warrant or order of commitment of a court or officer authorized to commit by law.

Rules of Court, Rule 102, Section 12. Reproduced verbatim and verified word-for-word against four independently published renderings of the Rules of Court — only text on which at least two independent publishers agree is shown.

About this section

This is Section 12 of Rule 102 (Habeas Corpus) of the Rules of Court of the Philippines — the Special Proceedings rules (Rules 72–109), in force since January 1, 1964. The text above is reproduced verbatim.

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Note. The text above is reproduced in full from the Rules of Court (Special Proceedings), verified word-for-word against four independently published renderings of the Rules of Court — only text on which at least two independent publishers agree is shown. The framing around it is general legal information, not legal advice. How a rule applies to a particular case depends on facts that only a lawyer reviewing your matter can assess.