A Barangay Certificate to File Action (CFA) is a document issued by the Lupon Tagapamayapa / Pangkat ng Tagapagkasundo under the Katarungang Pambarangay (KP) system. It generally certifies that the barangay-level conciliation process was attempted (or was required but could not proceed) and that the complainant is now allowed to bring the dispute to court or another proper forum.

In many disputes between individuals who live in the same city/municipality, KP conciliation is a mandatory pre-condition before filing a case in court. Without the proper KP certification, a complaint may be dismissed or the proceedings suspended for failure to comply with a condition precedent (depending on the case type and how the issue is raised).

2) First check: is KP conciliation actually required for your dispute?

Before taking any next steps, confirm whether your case falls under KP coverage or an exception. This matters because:

If your case is covered and you file in court without proper KP compliance, you risk dismissal.
If your case is excluded but you still went to barangay, the CFA may be unnecessary—but it can still be useful proof that you tried to settle.

Common indicators KP is required

KP generally applies to disputes between individuals (not government agencies) where the parties reside in the same city/municipality (with additional locality rules) and the matter is not among the exceptions.

Common exceptions (meaning you may file directly without KP)

While the exact list is technical, disputes are typically excluded when they involve, for example:

The government or public officers acting in official functions (often excluded)
Urgent legal action where immediate court relief is needed (e.g., certain injunction-type reliefs)
Certain crimes, especially more serious ones, or where the law or rules exclude them from barangay settlement
Disputes involving parties who do not satisfy the residence/locality requirements
Matters already under the jurisdiction of specialized bodies that don’t require KP conciliation

Practical tip: If you are unsure, treat KP compliance as high-stakes. Many litigants lose time because they filed the wrong place or skipped a mandatory step.

3) Identify what kind of barangay document you actually have

Not all “certifications” are the same. The specific paper affects your next move.

A. Certificate to File Action (CFA)

Usually issued when:

Settlement failed after required proceedings, or
Respondent refused to appear after due notice, or
Conciliation is otherwise deemed terminated under KP rules

This is the usual “go-signal” to file a case in court/proper office.

B. Certificate of Indigency

Different document. Used for fee waivers or assistance (e.g., PAO), not the KP condition precedent.

C. Minutes/Records of Settlement (Kasunduan)

If the parties reached a settlement, the proper step is usually enforcement, not filing a fresh case on the same issue.

D. Certification for “Non-Settlement” vs “Non-Appearance”

Your CFA might indicate the reason (failed settlement vs refusal to appear). This can affect:

What you allege in your pleading
Whether you may pursue additional remedies (e.g., contempt-like consequences are not typical, but non-appearance can strengthen good-faith allegations and costs arguments)

4) What to do immediately after receiving the CFA

Step 1: Get multiple certified copies and check for defects

Before leaving the barangay:

Request certified true copies (at least 2–3).
Verify spelling of names, addresses, date issued, case number (if any), and signatures.
Confirm the CFA clearly states it’s for filing action and references the KP proceedings.

Defects can be used to challenge your filing, or cause delays if a court requires clarification.

Step 2: Determine your correct forum (where to file)

Your next step depends on case type:

Criminal complaint: usually filed with the Office of the City/Provincial Prosecutor for inquest/preliminary investigation (unless it’s a case you can file directly in court under the rules).
Civil case (money claims, damages, property issues): filed in the appropriate court (MTC/MeTC/MCTC or RTC) depending on:
- Nature of action
- Amount involved (jurisdictional thresholds)
- Location of property (for real actions)
Small Claims: certain money claims can be filed under the Small Claims procedure in first-level courts (no lawyers required for parties in many instances; simplified forms).
Labor issues: typically go to DOLE/NLRC structures, not regular courts, and KP may not be the governing gatekeeper.
Family-related matters: may go to family courts, with special rules (and often urgent relief considerations).
Administrative complaints: may go to the relevant agency (e.g., PRC, barangay/municipal administrative offices, etc.).

Rule of thumb: The CFA doesn’t tell you where to file; it only clears a potential prerequisite. Choosing the wrong forum is a common and expensive mistake.

Step 3: Check time limits (prescription / deadlines)

Getting a CFA does not automatically “reset” legal deadlines.

Criminal cases have prescriptive periods depending on the offense.
Civil actions have prescriptive periods depending on the cause of action (written contract, oral contract, quasi-delict, etc.).
Some actions have short special deadlines (e.g., certain election, administrative, or family law situations).

If you’re close to a deadline, move quickly and document dates.

Step 4: Organize evidence and witnesses now

Courts and prosecutors decide based on evidence, not just the narrative.

Prepare:

IDs and proof of identity
Contracts, receipts, screenshots, chat logs (properly preserved)
Demand letters (and proof of service)
Medical records (if injury-related)
Photos/videos with dates and source
Witness names, addresses, and short summaries

5) How to file after the CFA (by case category)

A) Filing a criminal case after CFA

1) Decide: police blotter vs prosecutor filing vs direct court filing

Many people start with a blotter, but a blotter isn’t the same as a criminal complaint. After CFA, you typically proceed to:

Prosecutor’s Office for preliminary investigation (for cases requiring it)
Inquest if there was a warrantless arrest and the accused is detained (time-sensitive)
Direct filing in court only for specific cases allowed by rules (this depends on offense and procedure)

2) Prepare a Complaint-Affidavit and supporting affidavits

Common requirements:

Complaint-affidavit (narration under oath)
Affidavits of witnesses
Attach documents/evidence (mark as annexes)
Include your CFA as proof of compliance (if required)

3) Attend the preliminary investigation process (if applicable)

Expect:

The respondent will be asked to submit a counter-affidavit
You may be asked to reply
The prosecutor issues a resolution (dismissal or filing of Information in court)

4) If the case is filed in court

Once Information is filed:

Arraignment
Pre-trial
Trial
Judgment

B) Filing a civil case after CFA

1) Identify the correct action and relief

Common civil actions after barangay conciliation include:

Collection of sum of money
Damages (quasi-delict)
Breach of contract
Ejectment (unlawful detainer / forcible entry)
Specific performance

2) Consider sending a final demand letter (if not yet done)

A demand letter can:

Strengthen your claim (especially for default, interest, attorney’s fees where allowed)
Serve as proof of good faith
Sometimes trigger settlement

3) Choose the correct procedure: Small Claims vs regular civil case

Small Claims is usually the fastest for eligible money claims:

Uses standardized forms
Summary hearing
Limited pleadings and motions

If not eligible for Small Claims, you file a regular civil case with:

Complaint
Verification/Certification against forum shopping (when required)
Attachments and affidavit of service for demand (if applicable)
Filing fees (unless exempt/indigent with proper proof)

4) Filing and service

File in the proper court
Ensure proper service of summons
Proceed to pre-trial/mediation/JDR when applicable

C) If there was a barangay settlement (Kasunduan) instead of CFA

If you actually have a settlement agreement, the proper remedy is often:

1) Enforce the settlement, don’t re-litigate the same dispute

A barangay settlement can have the force of a contract and may be enforceable, subject to rules on repudiation, execution, and court enforcement.

2) Watch the repudiation window

KP rules allow repudiation of a settlement within a limited period, typically on grounds like vitiated consent. If that window lapses, enforcement becomes the focus.

3) Execution

Enforcement may begin at barangay level within its scope; thereafter, it may be brought to court for execution depending on the rules and circumstances.

6) Common reasons cases get dismissed even with a CFA

Having a CFA helps, but it doesn’t cure these frequent problems:

Wrong forum / wrong court
Wrong cause of action (e.g., filing damages when your claim is actually contractual)
Prescription (filed too late)
Lack of essential documents (contracts, proof of obligation, affidavits)
Defective verification/certification (for civil cases where required)
Non-compliance with required prior demands (in some claim types)
KP mismatch (CFA doesn’t correspond to correct parties/addresses/issue)

7) Tactical choices right after CFA

A. Decide your goal: settlement leverage vs full litigation

Sometimes the CFA itself becomes leverage. You can:

Propose one last structured settlement (with deadlines, partial payments, collateral)
Or proceed immediately to filing to avoid delays/prescription

B. Consider interim relief if necessary

If you need urgent protection (e.g., harassment, threats, property intrusion), you may need:

Protection orders (when applicable)
Injunctive relief (where appropriate)
Police assistance for immediate threats

These are fact-specific and may fall under exceptions that allow direct court filing even without KP, but don’t assume—verify against your case.

C. Costs and practical timelines

Litigation can be slow and expensive. Small Claims and summary procedures (where applicable) reduce delay, but the correct route depends on the facts.

8) Practical checklist: what to bring when you file

For prosecutor filing (criminal)

CFA (certified copy)
Complaint-affidavit (notarized)
Witness affidavits (notarized)
Evidence attachments + index
IDs
Authorization/Special Power of Attorney if filing for someone else

For civil court filing

CFA (certified copy)
Complaint (properly formatted)
Verification/Certification against forum shopping (if required)
Annexes (contracts, demands, receipts, screenshots)
Filing fees or indigency documents
If representative: SPA/board resolution as applicable

9) Special notes for common barangay-to-court scenarios

Ejectment cases (forcible entry/unlawful detainer)

These have special rules and tight timelines. Barangay conciliation often comes up, but you must also track:

The one-year period (for certain ejectment causes)
Proper demand to vacate (especially for unlawful detainer)
Venue rules (where the property is located)

Debt collection

After CFA, Small Claims is often the practical route if qualified. Prepare:

Proof of obligation
Proof of demand
Payment history

Defamation / threats / physical injuries

These may be criminal matters. Some are not barangay-settleable depending on gravity. Ensure you classify correctly and preserve evidence.

10) Bottom line

After obtaining a Barangay Certificate to File Action, the “next steps” are essentially:

Validate the certificate (correct, complete, certified copies)
Choose the correct forum (prosecutor vs court; correct court level and venue)
Beat deadlines (prescription and special filing periods)
Prepare proper pleadings/affidavits with evidence and witness support
File correctly and follow the procedure (service, hearings, mediation, trial)

If you share what type of dispute it is (money claim, threats, property issue, injuries, etc.), you can map the exact filing path (forum, required documents, and usual timelines) more precisely.