Text of the provision
Sec. 16. Service upon defendant whose identity or whereabouts are unknown. — In any action where the defendant is designated as an unknown owner, or the like, or whenever his or her whereabouts are unknown and cannot be ascertained by diligent inquiry, within ninety calendar days from the commencement of the action, service may, by leave of court, be effected upon him or her by publication in a newspaper of general circulation and in such places and for such time as the court may order. Any order granting such leave shall specify a reasonable time, which shall not be less than sixty calendar days after notice, within which the defendant must answer.
2019 Rules of Civil Procedure (A.M. No. 19-10-20-SC), Rule 14, Section 16. Reproduced verbatim and verified word-for-word against the Supreme Court's official text and the ChanRobles rendering.
About this section
This is Section 16 of Rule 14 (Summons) of the 2019 Rules of Civil Procedure, the rules promulgated by the Supreme Court in A.M. No. 19-10-20-SC and in force since May 1, 2020. The text above is reproduced verbatim from the current rules.
Related provisions
- Section 15 — Service upon public corporations.
- Section 17 — Extraterritorial service.
Cases citing this section
- Authorities on this section will be added here as each is verified against primary sources.