This guide explains what happens after Katarungang Pambarangay (barangay justice) efforts fail, and how to proceed with police, prosecutors, and courts. It’s general information, not legal advice.

1) Barangay Mediation in a Nutshell (What You Just Went Through)

Who handles it: The Punong Barangay first (mediation), then a three-person Pangkat ng Tagapagkasundo (conciliation), under the Local Government Code’s Katarungang Pambarangay system.

Usual timeline:

Punong Barangay mediation: up to 15 days.
Pangkat conciliation: another 15 days (extendable by 15 for good cause).
Settlement: written, becomes final like a court judgment after 10 days (unless validly repudiated for fraud, violence, intimidation, or mistake).
Arbitration (optional): the parties can ask the PB or the Pangkat to decide; the award is binding.

When it “fails”: No settlement or arbitration award is reached, or a settlement is timely repudiated. The Barangay then issues a Certificate to File Action (CFA). Keep this safe—you’ll need it to file most cases that required barangay conciliation.

2) Do You Actually Need Barangay Conciliation? (Common Exemptions)

Barangay conciliation is a condition precedent for many civil disputes and minor criminal cases when the parties reside in the same city or municipality. However, it does not apply to:

Cases where one party is the government or a government instrumentality.
Cases where one party is a public officer/employee and the dispute relates to official functions.
Criminal cases punishable by more than one (1) year imprisonment or a fine exceeding ₱5,000 (threshold under the Local Government Code).
Cases with no private offended party (purely public offenses).
Different cities/municipalities: Parties who do not actually reside in the same city/municipality (unless both voluntarily agree to conciliate in an adjoining barangay).
Urgent legal actions requiring immediate court orders (e.g., habeas corpus, preliminary injunction, attachment), or where the law provides a special remedy:
- VAWC: Barangay/Court Protection Orders under the Anti-VAWC law (RA 9262) proceed immediately.
- Labor disputes under DOLE/NLRC jurisdiction.
- Small claims filed by juridical persons versus residents of other cities may fall outside barangay coverage—check residence and party status carefully.

Practical tip: If you filed at the barangay “just to be safe” and it failed, your CFA cures the condition-precedent requirement for cases that needed barangay conciliation. If your dispute was exempt all along, you can file without a CFA.

3) Your Gateway Document: The Certificate to File Action (CFA)

What it is: A barangay-issued certificate stating that mediation/conciliation failed or was not possible.
Why it matters: Courts and prosecutors can dismiss cases that needed barangay conciliation if you don’t attach a CFA—this is non-compliance with a condition precedent.
Who issues it: Typically the Lupon Secretary or authorized barangay official, signed by the Punong Barangay (or Pangkat Chair, depending on stage).
What to check: Names of parties, nature of dispute, date(s) of conferences, and the statement that no settlement was reached or a settlement was repudiated.

4) Choosing Your Next Move: Police Report, Prosecutor, or Court?

A. If it’s Criminal

Go to the police (or directly to the City/Provincial Prosecutor):
- Police blotter/report: Narrate facts; bring IDs, the CFA (if barangay conciliation was required), evidence (photos, videos, documents), and medical/legal certificates for injuries or damage.
- Police may conduct initial investigation, refer to the Prosecutor, or (for in-flagrante delicto) effect arrest when legally justified.
Filing with the Prosecutor’s Office (regular preliminary investigation):
- Submit a Complaint-Affidavit (sworn), CFA (if applicable), and Annexes (evidence, witness affidavits).
- The prosecutor may subpoena the respondent for a Counter-Affidavit, then resolve probable cause.
- If probable cause exists, an Information is filed in the proper trial court (usually the first-level courts for light offenses; RTC for more serious crimes).
- If no probable cause, the complaint is dismissed (you can move for reconsideration).
Inquest (for warrantless arrests):
- If a suspect is arrested without warrant under legally recognized grounds, an inquest may be conducted without a complaint-affidavit. The inquest prosecutor decides swiftly whether to file in court or release the person.

CFA rule of thumb (criminal): If the offense is within the barangay system’s coverage (minor, with private offended party, same city/municipality), attach the CFA to your complaint. If the case was exempt (e.g., serious offense), no CFA is needed.

B. If it’s Civil

Identify the right court (jurisdiction by amount or subject matter):
- First-Level Courts (MeTC/MTC/MTCC/MCTC): Most claims for sums of money and damages within the court’s jurisdictional amount; Small Claims (money claims without lawyers, up to the applicable threshold).
- Regional Trial Court (RTC): Higher amounts and special civil actions; real property cases above first-level court jurisdiction; injunctions and other provisional remedies.
Prepare your pleading:
- Ordinary civil action: A Verified (or unverified, as required) Complaint stating ultimate facts and causes of action, with CFA attached if barangay conciliation was required.
- Small Claims: Use the Statement of Claim form, attach CFA when applicable, plus evidence (contracts, receipts, messages, photos). No lawyers appear; swift resolution.
Venue:
- Personal actions (e.g., collection of sum of money): where the plaintiff or defendant resides, at plaintiff’s option.
- Real actions (e.g., property disputes): where the property is located.
Court-annexed mediation (CAM) and Judicial Dispute Resolution (JDR):
- After filing, courts often refer cases to mediation again (not the barangay one). Be ready with settlement options.
Filing fees:
- Pay based on amount in controversy, nature of action, and legal research fee. Indigent litigants may apply for fee exemptions upon showing proof of income/assets.

CFA rule of thumb (civil): If the dispute required barangay conciliation, attach the CFA. If exempt (e.g., different cities, government involved, urgent provisional relief), filing can proceed without it.

5) Evidence & Documentation: Build Your File

Core items:

CFA (if required)
Valid ID and contact details of parties
Complaint-Affidavit (criminal) or Complaint/Statement of Claim (civil)
Annexes: photos, screenshots, contracts, receipts, location maps, chat/email printouts, sworn witness statements
Medical/Forensic certificates for physical injuries or property damage
Proof of attempts to settle (barangay notices/minutes if available)

Affidavits:

Must be sworn before a prosecutor (for criminal filing) or notarized/administered by an authorized officer.
Should narrate who, what, when, where, how, identify witnesses, and explain how you know (personal knowledge).

Digital evidence:

Keep original files; printouts should show timestamps, URLs (if relevant), and metadata when available.
Avoid editing photographs/screenshots other than necessary redactions.

6) Deadlines & Practical Time Considerations

Barangay stage: observe appearance dates; if a party repeatedly fails to appear, the barangay may issue a CFA in favor of the appearing party or bar action for the non-appearing complainant (temporarily).
Criminal prescription: offenses prescribe after certain periods—don’t delay; minor offenses can prescribe relatively quickly.
Civil prescription: varies by claim (e.g., written contracts vs. quasi-delict). File as early as practical.
Protection & urgency: If you need immediate court relief (e.g., protection orders, TROs, attachments), you may bypass barangay or proceed in parallel where the law allows.

7) Step-by-Step Checklists

A) Criminal Path (after failed barangay settlement)

Get your CFA from the barangay (verify names, dates).
Gather IDs, evidence, and medical/legal certificates (if injuries/damage).
Draft a Complaint-Affidavit with annexes and witness affidavits.
Go to the Police (for blotter) or directly to the Prosecutor’s Office.
Swear to your affidavit before the prosecutor; submit CFA + evidence.
Track the subpoena process and resolution on probable cause.
If an Information is filed, monitor the trial court proceedings (arraignment, pre-trial, trial).

B) Civil Path (ordinary action)

Get your CFA (if needed).
Identify court jurisdiction (amount/subject matter) and venue.
Draft a Complaint with a clear prayer (what you want the court to order).
Attach CFA and evidence; compute filing fees (apply for indigency if eligible).
File at the Clerk of Court; get case number; arrange for summons/service.
Attend CAM/JDR; prepare proposals for settlement.
Proceed with pre-trial and trial if no settlement.

C) Civil Path (Small Claims)

Confirm your claim fits small claims (purely money claim within threshold).
Fill out the Statement of Claim form.
Attach CFA (if required) and supporting documents.
Pay fees or apply as indigent.
Attend the hearing; decision is typically fast and immediately executory.

8) Common Pitfalls (and How to Avoid Them)

Missing CFA where required: Courts/prosecutors can dismiss for non-compliance with the barangay condition. Always attach it if applicable.
Wrong venue/jurisdiction: Leads to dismissal or delay. Match claim type and amount to the proper court; real actions go where the property is.
Weak affidavits: Vague timelines, hearsay, or lack of personal knowledge weaken your case. Be chronological and specific.
Illegible or altered evidence: Preserve originals; document the chain of custody when necessary.
Missing urgent remedies: If you need immediate relief (e.g., protection, freezing assets), request provisional remedies early.

9) Templates You Can Adapt

A) Complaint-Affidavit (Criminal) — Skeleton

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
CITY/PROVINCE OF _________  ) S.S.

COMPLAINT-AFFIDAVIT

I, [Full Name], Filipino, of legal age, residing at [Address], after being duly sworn, depose and state:

1. I am the complainant in this case against [Respondent’s Full Name], residing at [Address].
2. On [Date] at around [Time], at [Place], the respondent did [describe act], causing [injury/damage].
3. I personally witnessed/experienced the foregoing facts. [If witnesses: Identify them and what they saw.]
4. Attached are copies of [Annex “A” – Photos; Annex “B” – Medical Certificate; Annex “C” – Receipts; Annex “D” – CFA].
5. I executed this affidavit to support the filing of a criminal complaint for [offense] against [Respondent].

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this [Date] in [City/Municipality], Philippines.

[Signature]
[Printed Name]
Affiant

SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN to before me this [Date] by [Name], who exhibited [ID details].
[Prosecutor/Authorized Officer]

B) Civil Complaint — Skeleton

[Caption: Court, Title of Case, Docket Space]

COMPLAINT

Plaintiff, by counsel/propia persona, alleges:

1. Plaintiff and Defendant are residents of [addresses]; venue is proper.
2. On [Date], Defendant [facts constituting cause of action].
3. As a result, Plaintiff suffered [amount] in damages. [Attach computation.]
4. Conciliation at the Barangay failed; attached is the CFA.

PRAYER: Plaintiff prays that Defendant be ordered to [pay amount / perform act], plus interest, damages, and costs.

[Verification and Certification Against Forum Shopping, if required]
[Signature]
[Attachments: CFA and evidence]

C) Small Claims Statement of Claim — Notes

Identify money owed, basis (loan, unpaid service, damage), computation, demands made, and CFA if needed.
Attach documentary proof (IOUs, invoices, chats, receipts).

10) When to Get a Lawyer (and Other Help)

If the case involves complex facts, serious offenses, real property, or urgent injunctions, consult counsel.
Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) assists qualified indigent litigants.
Some LGUs, law schools, and legal aid NGOs offer free legal clinics.

11) Quick Reference — What to Bring Where

Destination	Must-Bring
Barangay Hall (to pick up CFA)	Valid ID; case reference; request for CFA
Police Station	Valid ID; CFA (if required); evidence; medical/legal certs
Prosecutor’s Office	Complaint-Affidavit (sworn); CFA; evidence; witness affidavits; IDs
Clerk of Court (Civil)	Complaint/Statement of Claim; CFA; evidence; fee or indigency papers
Small Claims	Filled-out Statement of Claim; CFA; supporting docs; fee or indigency papers

12) Final Reminders

CFA is your ticket for cases that needed barangay conciliation. Don’t lose it.
File promptly to avoid prescription.
Keep communications civil and documented; refrain from self-help or harassment.
Be open to settlement at any stage if it meets your needs.

If you want, I can turn these checklists into ready-to-print forms and fillable templates tailored to your situation.