RULE VI – PARTIES TO ACTIONS OR PROCEEDINGS Section 1. Proper Parties. – The parties to any case or proceeding before the Regional Hearing Office or the Commission may be natural or juridical persons and other entities authorized by law. Section 2. Real Party in Interest. – Every case must be prosecuted and defended in the name of the real party in interest who shall sue as “plaintiff” or “petitioner”. The person being sued shall be referred to as “defendant” or “respondent”. In actions involving general interest, the real party in interest shall be the ICCs/IPs or person/s authorized, through a community resolution, by majority of the ICCs/IPs in the community to represent them. A “real party in interest”, as provided in Section 2, Rule 3, of the Revised Rules of Court, and adapted herein, is the party who stands to be benefited or injured by the judgment in the suit, or the party entitled to the avails of the suit. Section 3. Class Suit. – When the issues and subject matter of the dispute or controversy involve common and general interest to many persons, one or more may sue or defend for the benefit of all. In such case, the Regional Hearing Office or the Commission shall ensure that the rights and interests of all parties are fully protected. Section 4. Indigent Party. – A party may be authorized to prosecute his/her action or defend himself/herself as an indigent litigant or party if the Commission or the Regional Hearing Officer, upon an ex parte application, is satisfied that the party is indigent. Such authority shall exempt said party from payment of docket, appeal, and other legal fees including transcripts of stenographic notes as well as injunctive bond which the Regional Hearing Officer or Commission may order to be furnished him/her. The amount of the docket and other lawful fees which the indigent was exempted from paying shall be a lien on any judgment rendered in the case favorable to the indigent, unless the Commission or Regional Hearing Officer provides otherwise. Any adverse party may contest the grant of such authority at any time before judgment is rendered by the Regional Hearing Officer. If the Regional Hearing Officer determines, after hearing, that the party declared as an indigent is in fact a person with sufficient income or property, the proper docket and other lawful fees shall be assessed and collected by the Clerk of the Regional Hearing Office. If payment is not made within the time fixed by the Regional Hearing Officer, an order of execution shall be issued for the payment thereof, without prejudice to such other sanctions as the Regional Hearing Officer may impose. Page | 6