In the Philippine legal system, Slight Physical Injuries is classified as a light felony under Article 266 of the Revised Penal Code (RPC). While these cases often involve interpersonal disputes, they carry criminal liability that can result in imprisonment (arresto menor) or the imposition of a fine.

When a court renders a judgment of conviction where the penalty is a fine, or when a compromise is reached through specific legal mechanisms, the following procedures govern the payment process.

1. Nature of the Penalty

Under the Revised Penal Code, Slight Physical Injuries may be penalized by:

Arresto menor (1 to 30 days of imprisonment); or
A fine not exceeding ₱40,000 (as amended by Republic Act No. 10951), and court costs.

The court has the discretion to impose either imprisonment, a fine, or both, depending on the circumstances of the case (e.g., if the offender had no intent to kill and the injuries did not require medical attendance for more than nine days).

2. Modes of Settling the Fine

A. Judicial Judgment

If the case proceeds to trial and the accused is found guilty, the judge will issue a Decision. If the Decision mandates a fine, the accused must pay the amount specified to the Clerk of Court of the Municipal Trial Court (MTC) or Metropolitan Trial Court (MeTC) where the case was heard.

B. Small Claims and Mediated Settlements

Most Slight Physical Injuries cases are subject to mandatory Katarungang Pambarangay (Barangay Justice) conciliation.

If a settlement is reached at the Barangay level, the "fine" is actually a civil settlement (damages) paid directly to the victim.
If the case reaches court, it is often referred to Court-Annexed Mediation (CAM). If the parties agree on a financial settlement here, the case is dismissed upon proof of payment.

C. Plea Bargaining

The accused may plead guilty to a lesser offense or accept the minimum penalty (the fine) to avoid a full-blown trial and potential imprisonment.

3. Step-by-Step Payment Procedure

Obtain the Order or Judgment: Secure a certified true copy of the Court Decision or Order stating the exact amount of the fine and the "Victim's Compensation" (civil liability), if any.
Assessment by the Clerk of Court: Proceed to the Office of the Clerk of Court (OCC). The personnel will compute the total amount, including the fine, legal fees, and contributions to the Judicial Development Fund (JDF) and the Special Allowance for the Judiciary (SAJ).
Issuance of Payment Instructions: The OCC will provide a payment slip or direction to the cashier.
Actual Payment:

Cashier: Payments are usually made directly to the court cashier.
Land Bank of the Philippines: In many jurisdictions, the court will require the fine to be deposited into a specific fiduciary account at Land Bank. You must present the deposit slip back to the court for recording.

Issuance of Official Receipt (OR): Ensure that an Official Receipt is issued. This is the only legal proof that the penalty has been satisfied.
Filing of Compliance: Your counsel should file a Manifestation of Compliance with the court, attaching the OR, to formally close the case records regarding the penalty.

4. Consequences of Non-Payment

Failure to pay a court-imposed fine in a criminal case for Slight Physical Injuries has serious legal ramifications:

Subsidiary Imprisonment: Under Article 39 of the Revised Penal Code, if the convict has no property with which to meet the fine, they shall be subject to subsidiary personal liability at the rate of one day for each amount equivalent to the highest minimum wage rate prevailing in the Philippines.
Civil Execution: The victim may move for a writ of execution to seize the properties of the accused to satisfy the civil indemnity portion of the judgment.

5. Important Legal Notes

Civil Liability vs. Fine: The "fine" goes to the Government (the State). The "civil indemnity" or "damages" goes to the victim. Paying the fine to the court does not automatically satisfy the debt to the victim unless specified in the judgment.
Probation: If the sentence is a fine only, the accused generally does not need to apply for probation, as there is no prison sentence to suspend. However, the record of conviction will still appear in NBI and Police clearances.
Prescription: The penalty for light offenses like Slight Physical Injuries prescribes in one year. This means the government has one year to execute the judgment from the time it becomes final.