customary laws and traditions of the ICCs/IPs, shall be considered and given due regard; c. The primacy of customary laws shall be upheld in resolving all disputes involving ICCs/IPs; d. In resolving cases, the customary laws, traditions and practices of the ICCs/IPs in the ancestral domain where the conflicts arise shall first be applied with respect to property rights, claims of ownership, hereditary succession and settlement of land disputes; and e. Proceedings shall be summary in nature and non-confrontational. RULE II – DEFINITION OF TERMS Section 1. Definition of Terms. – The terms and phrases defined under Section 3 (a) to (p) of R.A. 8371 shall be given the same meanings when used herein; and in addition thereto: a. CEB – Means Commission En Banc. Shall be used interchangeably with the terms NCIP and Commission for purposes of this Rules and shall mean the NCIP acting as a quasi-judicial body; b. RHO – Refers to the Regional Hearing Office tasked to adjudicate conflicting claims in accordance with this Rules; c. Regional Hearing Officer – Refers to the duly appointed or officially designated Regional Hearing Officer who heads the Regional Hearing Office authorized to hear and decide cases filed before it in accordance with this Rules; d. Special Hearing Office – Are those Offices administratively created by the Commission after the approval of this Rules with the primary purpose of aiding or furthering the quasi-judicial functions of the Commission; and e. Amicus Curiae – As used in this Rules, refers to a practitioner and/or a person knowledgeable on indigenous knowledge systems and practices (IKSP) and on customary laws, consulted on their expertise as friends of the court. RULE III – JURISDICTION Section 1. Jurisdiction of the NCIP. The NCIP shall exercise jurisdiction over all claims and disputes involving rights of the ICCs/IPs and all cases pertaining to the implementation, enforcement, and interpretation of R.A. 8371, including but not limited to the following: Page | 2