1999 Bar: What is the rule against splitting a cause of action and its effect on the respective rights of the parties for failure to comply with the same? (2%)

The rule against splitting a cause of action and its effect is that if two or more suits are instituted on the basis of the same cause of action, the filing of one or a judgment on the merits in any one is available as a ground for the dismissal of the others (Sec. 4, Rule 2).
"Section 4. Splitting a single cause of action; effect of. — If two or more suits are instituted on the basis of the same cause of action, the filing of one or a judgment upon the merits in any one is available as a ground for the dismissal of the others. (Rule 2)"