Chapter (1: (Preliminary (Considerations (Basic (Concepts (: Cariaga&v.&People&

CRIMINAL(PROCEDURE( LIBERAL(INTERPRETATION(OF(THE(RULES(
CHAPTER(1:(PRELIMINARY(CONSIDERATIONS( • Rules"on"Criminal"Procedure,"being"part"of"the"Rules"of"Court,"shall"be"liberally"
( construed" in" order" to" promote" their" objective" of" securing" a" just," speedy," and"
BASIC(CONCEPTS( inexpensive"disposition"of"every"action"and"proceeding"(Sec.&6,&Rule&1,&ROC)(
( (
CONCEPT(OF(CRIMINAL(PROCEDURE( Cariaga&v.&People&
• Regulates"the"steps"by"which"one"who"committed"a"crime"is"to"be"punished( • Although" her" former" counsel" erroneously" appealed" conviction" to" the" CA"
instead"of"the"Sandiganbayan,"a"relaxation"of"the"rules"was"warranted"since"the"
• Procedure" starts" with" the" initial" contact" of" the" alleged" lawbreaker" with" the"
appeal"involved"a"criminal"case"and"there"is"a"great"possibility"of"a"person"being"
justice"machinery"including"the"investigation"of"the"crime"and"concludes"either"
deprived"of"liberty"due"to"a"procedural"lapse"
with" a" judgment" exonerating" the" accused" or" the" final" imposition" of" a" penalty"
"
against"him(
DUE(PROCESS(IS(MANDATORY(
• Inescapable"theme:"how"governmental"intrusions"into"an"individual’s"zones"of"
privacy" through" the" enforcement" of" criminal" laws" can" be" reconciled" with" • Mandatory"and"indispensable"
constitutional"and"statutory"tenets"protecting"individual"rights( • Law" must" hear" before" it" condemns" and" proceed" upon" inquiry" and" render"
( judgment"only"after"trial"
"
Criminal(laws( Criminal(Procedure(
Alonte&v.&Savellano,&Jr.&
Define" crimes" and" prescribe" Lays" down" the" processes" by" which" an"
punishment"for"such"crimes" offender" is" made" to" answer" for" the" • Requirements"of"due"process"in"a"criminal"proceeding:"
violation"of"criminal"laws" 1. That" the" court" or" tribunal" trying" the" case" is" properly" clothed" with" judicial"
power"to"hear"and"determine"the"matter"before"it;"
(
2. That"jurisdiction"is"lawfully"acquired"by"it"over"the"person"of"the"accused;"
THE(ADVERSARIAL(OR(ACCUSATORIAL(SYSTEM(
3. That"the"accused"is"given"opportunity"to"be"heard;"and"
• Contemplates" 2" contending" parties" before" the" court" which" hears" them"
4. That"judgment"is"rendered"only"upon"lawful"hearing"
impartially"and"renders"judgment"only"after"trial(
"
• Starts" with" a" formal" indictment" called" a" complaint" or" information," the"
REQUISITES(FOR(THE(EXERCISE(OF(CRIMINAL(JURISDICTION(
allegations" of" which" must" be" proven" by" the" government" beyond" reasonable"
• Before"a"court"can"acquire"jurisdiction"over"criminal"cases,"there"must"be:"
doubt(
1. Jurisdiction"over"the"subject"matter;"
• Government"and"accused"present"evidence"before"the"court"which"shall"decide"
2. Jurisdiction"over"the"territory;"and"
either"on"acquittal"or"conviction(
3. Jurisdiction"over"the"person"of"the"accused"
(
"
Accusatorial(System( Inquisitorial(System(
1. Jurisdiction(over(the(subject(matter(
Court" has" a" passive" role" and" relies" Court"plays"a"very"active"role"and"is"not"
• Jurisdiction"–""power"and"authority"to"hear"and"determine"issues"of"facts"and"of"
largely"on"evidence"presented"by"both" limited" to" the" evidence" gathered"
law,"to"inquire"into"the"facts,"to"apply"the"law,"and"to"pronounce"the"judgment"
sides"in"order"to"reach"a"verdict" outside"the"court"
• It"is"a"question"of"law"
"
• Criminal( Jurisdiction" –" specifically" the" authority" to" hear" and" try" a" particular"
"
offense"and"impose"the"punishment"for"it"
In"its"decisionImaking,"it"shall"consider" Judge(s)" actively" participate" in" the"
• Jurisdiction( over( the( subject( matter"–"power"to"deal"with"the"general"subject"
no" evidence" which" has" not" been" gathering"of"facts"and"evidence"instead"
involved"in"the"action,"and"means"jurisdiction"of"the"class"of"cases"to"which"the"
formally"offered" of" a" mere" passive" receiving"
particular"case"belongs"and"not"simply"jurisdiction"over"a"particular"case"
information" or" evidence" from" the"
"
parties"
"
Counsels"have"an"active"role" Counsels"have"a"less"active"role"
"
Agunoy,(Andal,(Cervero,(Descallar,(Gaw,(Gruta,(Ignacio,(Odulio(|(C2018(|(Criminal(Procedure(|(Dean(Vallente( 1"
(
How(jurisdiction(over(the(subject(matter(is(conferred(( Use(of(the(imposable(penalty(
• Conferred"by"law" • Consider"the"penalty"which"may"be"imposed"(i.e.,"imposable"penalty)"upon"the"
• Not"conferred"by"the"rules"or"by"mere"administrative"policy"of"any"trial"court" accused" and" not" the" actual" penalty" imposed" after" the" trial" in" determining"
• Conferment"cannot"be"presumed"and"must"appear"clearly"from"the"statute"or"it" whether"or"not"the"court"has"jurisdiction"over"the"offense(
will"be"held"not"to"exist" • Facts"alleged"in"the"information"or"complaint"are"used"as"basis"
• Jurisdiction"cannot"be"fixed"by"the"will"of"the"parties"nor"can"it"be"acquired"or" "
diminished"by"any"of"their"acts" Principle(of(adherence(of(jurisdiction(or(continuing(jurisdiction(
( • General( rule( on( continuing" jurisdiction" –" once" the" court" has" acquired"
How(jurisdiction(over(the(subject(matter(is(determined(( jurisdiction,"that"jurisdiction"continues"until"the"court"has"done"all"that"it"can"in"
• While"conferred"by"law,"it"is"determined"by"the"allegations"in"the"complaint"or" the"exercise"of"that"jurisdiction"
information"" • Continues"until"the"final"determination"of"the"case"
• Complaint" or" information" must" be" examined" for" the" purposes" of" ascertaining" • Once" vested," it" cannot" be" withdrawn" or" defeated" by" a" subsequent" valid"
whether" or" not" the" facts" set" out" therein" and" the" punishment" provided" for" by" amendment"of"the"information"
the" law" for" such" acts" fall" within" the" jurisdiction" of" the" court" in" which" the" • Cannot"also"be"lost"by"a"new"law"amending"the"rules"of"jurisdiction"
criminal"action"is"filed" • Exception:(only"when"the"statute"expressly"so"provides,"or"is"construed"to"the"
• Once"shown,"the"court"may"validly"take"cognizance"of"the"case" effect"that"it"is"intended"to"operate"upon"actions"pending"before"its"enactment"
• Not"determined"by"the"evidence"presented"at"trial" • Result:"Once"a"complaint"or"information"is"filed"in"court,"any"disposition"such"as"
• If" the" evidence" adduced" during" trial" shows" that" the" offense" was" committed" the" dismissal" or" continuance" of" the" case" rests" on" the" sound" discretion" of" the"
elsewhere,"the"court"should"dismiss"the"action"for"want"of"jurisdiction"" court""
• In"cases"cognizable(by(the(Sandiganbayan,"both"the"nature"of"the"offense"and" • Even" if" the" prosecution" files" a" motion" to" withdraw" the" information,"
the" position" occupied" by" the" accused" are" conditions" sine" qua" non" before" the" the" court" may" grant" or" deny" the" same" in" the" faithful" exercise" of"
Sandiganbayan"can"validly"take"cognizance"of"the"case" judicial"prerogative"
• In" complex( crimes," jurisdiction" is" with" the" court" having" jurisdiction" to" impose" "
the"maximum"and"most"serious"penalty"imposable""" Flores&v.&Sumaljag&
( • Court" did" not" lose" jurisdiction" over" the" case" involving" a" public" official" by" the"
Statute(applicable(to(a(criminal(action( mere"fact"that"said"official"cased"to"be"in"office"during"the"pendency"of"the"case"
• Hornbook" doctrine" that" jurisdiction" is" determined" by" the" law" in" force" at( the( "
time(of(the(institution(of(the(action"and"not"at"the"time"of"the"commission"of" Dismissal(on(jurisdictional(grounds;(Special(Appearance(
the"offense"or"during"the"arraignment"of"the"accused( • An" objection" based" on" the" ground" that" the" court" lacks" jurisdiction" over" the"
• Even"if"the"imposable"penalty"at"the"time"of"its"commission"is"less"and"odes"not" subject"matter"may"be"raised"or"considered"motu"proprio"by"the"court"at( any(
fall"under"the"court’s"jurisdiction( stage(of(the(proceedings(or(on(appeal(
( • A"special"appearance"to"challenge"the"jurisdiction"of"the"court"over"the"person"
People&v.&Sandiganbayan&and&Amante& is" not" tantamount" to" estoppel" or" a" waiver" of" the" objection" and" is" not" a"
• Offense"was"allegedly"committed"in"1995"but"the"filing"of"the"information"was" voluntary"submission"to"the"jurisdiction"of"the"court(
only"in"2004" (
• Jurisdiction" of" the" Sandiganbayan" to" try" a" criminal" case" is" determined" at" the" Raising(the(issue(of(jurisdiction(for(the(first(time(in(the(Supreme(Court(
time"of"the"institution"of"the"action"and"not"at"the"time"of"the"commission"of" • Party" cannot" invoke" the" jurisdiction" of" the" court" to" secure" affirmative" relief"
the"offense" against" his" opponent" and" after" obtaining" or" failing" to" obtain" such" relief,"
" repudiate"or"question"that"same"jurisdiction(
" • After" voluntarily" submitting" a" cause" and" encountering" an" adverse" decision" on"
" the"merits,"it"is"too(late"for"the"loser"to"question"the"jurisdiction"of"the"court(
(
Tijam&v.&Sibughanoy& When(a(court(has(jurisdiction(to(try(offenses(not(committed(within(its(territorial(
• Rule"is"the"same"as"in"civil"cases( jurisdiction((Exceptions)(
• Party" may" be" estopped" from" questioning" the" jurisdiction" of" the" court" for" 1. Under"Art."2,"RPC"
reasons"of"public"policy"as"when"he"initially"invokes"the"jurisdiction"of"the"court" a. Commit"an"offense"while"on"a"Philippine"sip"or"airship;"
and"then"later"on"repudiates"the"same"( b. Forge"or"counterfeit"any"coin"or"currency"note"of"the"Philippine"Islands"or"
( obligations" and" securities" issued" by" the" Government" of" the" Philippine"
Pangilinan&v.&CA& Islands;"
• Doctrine(of(estoppel(in(Tijam(is(an(exception(and"not"the"general"rule( c. Be"liable"for"acts"connected"with"the"introduction"into"these"Islands"of"the"
• Estoppel"is"only"brought"when"not"to"do"so"will"subvert"the"ends"of"justice" obligations"and"securities"mentioned"above;"
• Courts"should"not"lightly"brush"aside"errors"in"jurisdiction"especially"when"it"is" d. While" being" public" officers" and" employees," should" commit" an" offense" in"
the"liberty"of"an"individual"which"is"at"stake" the"exercise"of"their"functions;"or"
• For" Tijam" to" be" applied" to" a" criminal" case," the" factual" circumstances" which" e. Commit"any"of"the"crimes"against"national"security"and"the"law"of"nations"
justified"the"application"of"the"bar"by"laches"must"be"present" • Crimes"against"national"security"(Arts.&114H121,&RPC):""
• Rule" still" stands" that" jurisdiction" is" vested" by" law" and" cannot" be" conferred" or" i. Treason"
waived"by"the"parties( ii. Conspiracy"and"proposal"to"commit"treason"
• Even" on" appeal," and" even" if" the" reviewing" parties" did" not" raise" the" issue" of" iii. Misprision"of"treason"
jurisdiction," the" reviewing" court" is" not" precluded" from" ruling" that" the" lower" iv. Espionage"
court"had"no"jurisdiction"over"the"case" v. Inciting"to"war"and"giving"motives"for"reprisals"
" vi. Violation"of"neutrality"
2. Jurisdiction(over(the(territory( vii. Correspondence"with"hostile"country"
• Territorial( jurisdiction" –" territory" where" the" court" has" jurisdiction" to" take" viii. Flight"to"enemy’s"country"
cognizance"or"to"try"the"offense"allegedly"committed"therein"by"the"accused" • Crimes"against"the"law"of"nations"(Arts.&122H123,&RPC):"
• Venue"is"an"essential"element"of"jurisdiction"and"jurisdiction"of"a"court"over"a" a. Piracy"
criminal"case"is"determined"by"the"facts"alleged"in"the"complaint"or"information" b. Mutiny"
as"regards"the"place"where"the"offense"charged"was"committed" • Offense"is"cognizable"before"Philippine"courts"even"if"committed"outside"of"
• Action"shall"be"instituted"and"tried"in"the"court"of"the"municipality"or"territory" the"territory"of"the"Philippines"
wherein( the( offense( was( committed( or( where( anyone( of( the( essential( • Cognizable"by"the"court"where"the"criminal"action"is"first"filed"
ingredients(took(place" 2. When"the"SC"orders"a"change"of"venue"or"place"of"trial"to"avoid"miscarriage"of"
• Purpose:" not" to" compel" the" defendant" to" move" to," and" appear" in," a" different" justice" pursuant" to" its" constitutional" powers" (Section& 5(4),& Art.& VIII,& 1987&
court" from" that" of" the" province" where" the" crime" was" committed" as" it" would" Constitition)"
cause"him"great"inconvenience"in"looking"for"his"witnesses"and"other"evidence" 3. Where" an" offense" is" committed" in" a" train," aircraft," or" other" public" or" private"
in"another"place" vehicle"in"the"course"of"its"trip,"the"criminal"action"need"not"be"instituted"in"the"
actual"place"where"the"offense"was"committed."It"may"be"instituted"and"tried"in"
• Court"cannot"take"jurisdiction"over"a"person"charged"with"an"offense"allegedly"
committed"outside"of"its"limited"territory"and"if"evidence"is"adduced"during"trial" the" court" of" any" municipality" or" territory" where" said" train," aircraft," or" vehicle"
that"the"offense"was"committed"elsewhere,"the"court"should"dismiss"the"action" passed"during"its"trip."The"crime"may"also"be"instituted"and"tried"in"the"place"of"
for"want(of(jurisdiction" departure"and"arrival"(Section&15[b],&Rule&110,&Rules&of&Court)"
" 4. Where"an"offense"is"committed"on"board"a"vessel"in"the"course"of"its"voyage,"
Sony&Computer&Entertainment&Inc.&v.&Supergreen,&Inc.& the"criminal"action"shall"be"instituted"and"tried"not"necessarily"in"the"place"of"
the" commission" of" the" crime." It" may" be" brought" and" tried" in" the" court" of" the"
• Manila"RTC"has"no"authority"to"issue"a"search"warrant"for"offenses"committed"
first" port" of" entry," or" in" the" municipality" or" territory" where" the" vessel" passed"
in"Cavite(
during"the"voyage"(Section&15[c],&Rule&110,&Rules&of&Court)"
"
"
(
5. In" cases" cognizable" by" the" Sandiganbayan," the" jurisdiction" of" which" depends" Bonifacio&v.&RTC&of&Makati&
upon"the"nature"of"the"offense"and"the"position"of"the"accused,"the"offense"is" • In"a"defamatory"material"appearing"on"a"website"on"the"internet,"place"where"
tried"where"the"court"actually"sits"in"QC"" the" material" was" first" accessed" cannot" be" equated" with" printing" and" first"
• When" the" greater" convenience" of" the" accused" and" of" the" witnesses," or" publication"
other" compelling" considerations" so" require," a" case" originating" in" one" • Spawn"the"very"ills"that"the"amendment"to"Art."360"sought"to"discourage"
geographical"region"may"be"heard"in"another"geographical"region" • Chaos" would" ensue" in" situations" where" the" website’s" author" or" writer," a"
• Presiding"justice"shall"authorize"any"divisions"of"the"court"to"hold"sessions" blogger" or" anyone" who" posts" messages" therein" could" be" sued" for" libel"
at" any" time" and" place" outside" Metro" Manila," and" where" the" interests" of" anywhere" in" the" Philippines" where" the" complainant" may" have" allegedly"
the"parties"so"requires,"outside"the"territorial"boundaries"of"the"Philippines"" accessed"the"websites"
6. BAR:"In"written"defamation,"criminal"action"need"not"be"filed"in"the"RTC"of"the" "
province" or" city" where" the" alleged" libelous" article" was" printed" and" first" Foz,&Jr.&v.&People&
published" • Merely" alleging" that" the" newspaper" is" a" daily" publication" with" a" considerable"
• If"offended"party"is"a"public"officer:"it"may"be"filed"in"the"province"or"city" circulation"in"Iloilo"City"and"throughout"the"region"did"not"establish"that"it"was"
where"the"offended"party"held"office"at"the"time"of"the"commission"of"the" first"printed"and"first"published"in"Iloilo"City"
offense" • Also," merely" alleging" that" the" offended" party" is" a" physician" and" medical"
• If" offended" party" is" a" private" individual:" in" the" province" or" city" where" he" practitioner" in" a" particular" place" does" not" clearly" and" positively" indicate" that"
actually"resied"at"the"time"of"the"commission"of"the"offense" said"person"is"residing"in"such"place"at"the"time"of"the"commission"of"the"crime"
7. Agbayani&v.&Saya"restated"written"defamation"(Art.&360,&RPC)"as"follows:& • Transacting"business"in"a"place"and"spending"a"considerable"time"thereat"does"
a. Whether" the" offended" party" is" a" public" official" or" a" private" person," the" not"render"such"person"a"resident"therein"
action" may" be" filed" in" the" RTC" of" the" province" or" city" where" the" libelous" "
article"is"printed"and"first"published" 3. Jurisdiction(over(the(person(of(the(accused(
b. If( a( private( individual:"may"also"be"filed"where"he"actually"resided"at"the" • Acquired" upon" the" arrest" or" apprehension" of" the" accused," with" or" without" a"
time"of"the"commission"of"the"offense& warrant,"or"his"voluntary"appearance"or"submission"to"the"jurisdiction"
c. If(a(public(officer(whose(office(is(in(Manila(at(the(time(of(the(commission( • General( rule:( seeking" affirmative" relief" is" deemed" to" be" a" submission" to" the"
of(the(offense:(may"be"filed"in"the"RTC"of"Manila& jurisdiction"of"the"court(
d. If(a(public(officer(holding(office(outside(Manila:"may"be"filed"in"the"RTC"of" • Voluntary"submission"may"be"effected"by:(
the"province"or"city"where"he"held"office"at"the"time"of"the"commission"of" a. Filing"a"motion"to"quash;(
the"offense& b. Appearing"for"arraignment;(
& c. Participating"in"the"trial;"or"(
• If" the" circumstances" as" to" where" the" libel" was" printed" and" first" published" is" d. Giving"bail(
used"by"the"offended"party"as"basis"for"the"venue,"the"information"must"allege" • Not" all" acts" seeking" affirmative" relief" constitute" a" voluntary" appearance" or"
with"particularity"where"the"defamatory"action"was"printed"and"first"published" submission:(
• Must" be" supported" by" evidence" such" as" the" address" of" their" editorial" or" a. Special( appearance" to" question" the" jurisdiction" of" the" court" over" the"
business"offices"in"the"case"of"newspapers,"magazines"or"serial"publications" person"of"the"accused"is"not"a"voluntary"appearance"as"when"in"a"criminal"
• Necessary"preIcondition"to"forestall"any"inclination"to"harass" case"a"motion"to"quash"is"precisely"filed"on"that"ground(
" b. Filing"a"motion"to"quash"the"warrant"of"arrest"is"not"a"submission"because"
" it" is" the" vey" legality" of" the" court" process" forcing" the" submission" of" the"
" person"of"the"accused"is"the"very"issue"
" "
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"
(
• Being(in(custody(of(the(law(is(not(necessarily(being(under(the(jurisdiction(of( Jurisdiction(over(the(subject(matter( Jurisdiction( over( the( person( of( the(
the(court( accused(
Custody"of"the"law" Under"the"jurisdiction"of"the"court" Authority" of" the" court" to" hear" and" Authority" of" the" court," not" over" the"
Signifies"restraint"on"the"person"who"is" " determine"a"particular"case" subject" matter" of" the" criminal"
deprived" of" his" own" will" and" liberty," litigation,"but"over"the"person"charged"
binding"him"to"become"obedient"to"the" Mandates" that" the" offense" is" one" Requires"that"the"person"charged"must"
will"of"the"law" which"the"court"is"by"law"authorized"to" have" been" brought" in" to" its" forum" for"
Literally" custody" over" the" body" of" the" " take"cognizance"of" trial,"forcibly"or"by"warrant"of"arrest"or"
accused" and" includes," but" is" not" upon" his" voluntary" submission" to" the"
limited"to,"detention" court"
E.g.," A" person" arrested" by" virtue" of" a" E.g.," Accused" who" escapes" custody" "
warrant" files" a" motion" before" after" his" trial" has" commenced" is" INJUNCTION(TO(RESTRAIN(CRIMINAL(PROSECUTION((BAR(1999)(
arraignment" to" quash" the" warrant" is" subject(to(the(jurisdiction(of(the(court( • General(rule:(courts"will"not"issue"writs"of"prohibition"or"injunction"preliminary"
under( custody( of( the( law" but" not" yet" over(his(person"yet"not"in"the"custody" or"final,"to"enjoin"or"restrain"criminal"prosecution(
subject" to" the" jurisdiction" of" the" court" of"the"law" • With" more" reason" when" the" case" is" still" at" the" preliminary" investigation" or"
over"his"person" reinvestigation"stage(
& • Exceptions(in(extreme(cases:(
Cojuanco,&Jr.&v.&Sandiganbayan& 1. To"afford"adequate"protection"to"the"constitutional"rights"of"the"accused"
• Because" the" accused" posted" bail," the" assertion" that" the" court" never" acquired" 2. For" the" orderly" administration" of" justice" or" to" avoid" oppression" or"
jurisdiction"over"his"person"because"the"warrant"of"arrest"issued"is"null"and"void" multiplicity"of"actions"
because" no" probable" cause" was" found" by" the" court" issuing" it" cannot" be" 3. A"prejudicial"question"which"is"subjudice"
sustained" 4. Acts"of"the"officer"are"without"or"in"excess"of"authority"
• Giving" or" posting" bail" is" tantamount" to" submission" of" his" person" to" the" 5. Prosecution"is"under"an"invalid"law,"ordinance,"or"regulation"
jurisdiction"of"the"court" 6. Double"jeopardy"is"clearly"apparent"
• Even" if" the" warrant" issued" was" void," he" waived" all" his" rights" to" object" by" 7. Court"has"no"jurisdiction"over"the"offense"
appearing"and"giving"a"bond" 8. Case"of"persecution"rather"than"prosecution"
" 9. Charges"are"manifestly"false"and"motivated"by"lust"for"vengeance"
People&v.&Rivera& 10. Clearly"no"prima"facie"case"against"the"accused"and"the"motion"to"quash"on"
• By"entering"into"a"counselIassisted"plea,"actively"participating"in"the"trial,"and" that"ground"has"been"denied"
presenting" evidence" for" the" offense," he" is" deemed" to" have" waived" his" "
constitutional"protection"against"illegal"arrest"" "
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(
MANDAMUS(TO(COMPEL(PROSEUCTION((BAR(1999)( CRIMINAL(JURISDICTION(OF(COURTS(
• Grave( abuse( of( discretion" –" exercise" of" discretion" in" an" arbitrary," capricious," (
whimsical," or" despotic" manner" by" reasons" of" passion" or" personal" hostility," CRIMINAL( JURISDICTION( OF( THE( MUNICIPAL( TRIAL( COURT,( MUNICIPAL( CIRCUIT(
patent" and" gross" enough" as" to" amount" to" an" evasion" of" a" positive" duty" or" TRIAL(COURT,(AND(METROPOLITAN(TRIAL(COURT((MTC)(
virtual"refusal"to"perform"a"duty"enjoined"by"law( 1. Exclusive"original"jurisdiction"over"all"violations"of"city"or"municipal"ordinances""
• Mandamus"–"remedial"measure"issued"when"any"tribunal,"corporation,"board," 2. Exclusive" original" jurisdiction" over" all" offenses" punishable" with" imprisonment"
officer"or"person"unlawfully"neglects"the"performance"of"an"act"which"the"law" not" exceeding" 6" years" irrespective" of" the" amount" of" fine," and" regardless" of"
specifically"enjoins"as"a"duty"resulting"from"an"office,"trust"or"station( other"imposable"or"accessory"penalties,"including"civil"liability"
• General( rule( for( prosecutor:( writ( of( mandamus" is" not" available" to" control" • Applies" when" the" offense" is" punishable" by" imprisonment" or" fine" or"
discretion" nor" to" compel" the" exercise" of" discretion" of" the" prosecutor" to" both"but"not"when"punishable"by"fine"only"
determine"which"persons"appear"responsible"for"the"commission"of"a"crime( • Qualified" by" the" phrase:" except" in" cases" falling" within" the" exclusive" original"
• The" moment" he" finds" one" to" be" so" liable," it" becomes" his" inescapable" duty" to" jurisdiction"of"the"RTC"and"Sandiganbayan""
charge"and"prosecute"him( Examples:""
• Rule"loses"its"discretionary"character"and"becomes"mandatory" • Libel" by" means" of" writing" or" similar" means" under" Art." 355," RPC" shall" be"
• Exception:"if"despite"sufficiency"of"evidence,"the"prosecutor"refuses"to"file"the" filed"simultaneously"or"separately"with"the"RTC&(Art.&360,&RPC)"
corresponding"information,"he"abuses"his"discretion"and"his"act"is"tantamount" • Some"forms"of"direct"bribery"under"Art."210,"RPC"are"within"the"exclusive"
to"a"deliberate"refusal"to"perform"a"duty"enjoined"by"law" jurisdiction"of"the"Sandiganbayan"
• General( rule( for( the( Secretary( of( Justice:( findings" of" the" Secretary" are" not" • Indirect"bribery"is"likewise"cognizable"by"the"Sandiganbayan"
subject"t"to"review( 3. Exclusive" original" jurisdiction" over" offenses" punishable" by" a" fine" only" of" not"
• Exception:( if"he"gravely"abuse"his"discretion"as"when"despite"the"existence"of" more"than"P4k"
sufficient" evidence" for" the" crime" as" acknowledged" by" the" investigating" 4. Exclusive" original" jurisdiction" over" offenses" involving" damage" to" property"
prosecutor,"he"completely"ignored"the"latter’s"finding"and"proceeded"with"the" through"criminal"negligence"
questioned" resolution" anchored" on" purely" evidentiary" matters" in" utter" 5. Violations"of"BP"22"
disregard" of" the" concept" of" probable" cause" Metropolitan& Bank& and& Trust& 6. Summary"procedure"in"the"ff"cases:"
Company&v.&Reynaldo( a. Violation"of"traffic"laws,"rental"law,"and"municipal"or"city"ordinances"
( b. All"other"criminal"cases"where"the"penalty"is"imprisonment"not"exceeding"6"
( months," or" a" fine" not" exceeding" P1k," or" both," irrespective" of" other"
( imposable"penalties"accessory"or"otherwise,"or"of"the"civil"liability"
( c. Offenses"involving"damage"to"property"through"criminal"negligence"where"
( the"fine"does"not"exceed"P10k"
( 7. Special" jurisdiction" to" decide" on" applications" for" bail" in" criminal" cases" in" the"
( absence"of"all"RTC"judges"in"a"province"or"city"
( "
( "
( "
( "
( "
( "
( "
( "
( "
( "
(
CRIMINAL(JURISDICTION(OF(THE(REGIONAL(TRIAL(COURT((RTC)( universities,"or"educational"institutions"or"foundations"
1. Exclusive" original" jurisdiction" in" all" criminal" cases" not" within" the" exclusive" b. Members"of"Congress"and"officials"classified"as"Grade"27"and"up"
jurisdiction" of" any" court," tribunal" or" body," except" those" now" under" the" c. Members" of" the" judiciary" without" prejudice" to" the" provisions" of" the"
exclusive"and"concurrent"jurisdiction"of"the"Sandiganbayan" Constitution"
2. Appellate"jurisdiction"over"all"cases"decided"by"the"MTC" d. Chairmen"and"members"of"Constitutional"Commissions,"without"prejudice"
3. Special"jurisdiction"to"handle"exclusively"criminal"cases"as"designated"by"the"SC" to"the"provisions"of"the"Constitution;"and""
4. Jurisdiction"over"criminal"cases"under"specific"laws"such"as" e. All"other"national"and"local"officials"classified"as"Grade"27"and"higher"
a. Written"defamation"(Art.&360,&RPC)& 4. Other" offenses" or" felonies" whether" simple" or" complexed" with" other" crimes"
b. Violation"of"the"Comprehensive"Dangerous"Drugs"Act"of"2002& committed"by"the"public"officials"and"employees"mentioned"in"#1"in(relation(to(
c. Violations"of"Intellectual"Property"Rights& their(office"
d. Violation"of"PD"957"(Sale"of"Subdivision"Lots"and"Condominiums)& 5. Civil"and"criminal"cases"in"connection"with"EOs"1,"2,"14"and"14IA"issued"in"1986"
5. Jurisdiction"in"Money"Laundering"Cases" (Sequestration)"
• But" those" committed" by" public" officers" and" private" persons" who" are" in" 6. AntiIMoney"Laundering"cases"committed"by"public"officers"and"private"persons"
conspiracy"with"such"officers"is"under"the"Sandiganbayan" who"are"in"conspiracy"with"such"public"officers"
6. In"areas"where"there"are"no"family"courts,"cases"shall"be"adjudicated"by"the"RTC" 7. Exclusive" appellate" jurisdiction" over" final" judgments," resolutions" or" orders" of"
" RTCs"
CRIMINAL(JURISDICTION(OF(THE(SANDIGANBAYAN( 8. Exclusive" original" jurisdiction" over" petitions" for" the" issuance" of" the" writs" of"
• Set"by"PD"1606"and"not"by"RA"3019"or"the"AntiIGraft"and"Corrupt"Practices"Act" mandamus," prohibition," certiorari," habeas" corpus," injunctions," and" other"
1. Violations"of"RA"3019"(Anti^Graft)("" ancillary" writs" and" processes" in" aid" of" its" appellate" jurisdiction" and" over"
2. Violations"of"RA"1379"(Forfeiture)" petitions" of" similar" nature," including" qou" warranto," arising" under" Eos" 1," 2," 14"
3. Violations"of"Chapter"II,"Section"2,"Title"VII,"Book"II"of"the"RPC"(Direct( Bribery,( and" 14IA" issued" in" 1986" (Presidential" Commission" on" Good" Government);"
Indirect(Bribery,(Corruption(of(Public(Officials)"" Provided,"jurisdiction"over"these"shall"not"be"exclusive"of"the"SC"
In& 1H3,& where& one& or& more& of& the& accused& are& officials& occupying& the& following& 9. In" case" private" individuals" are" charged" as" coIprincipals," accomplices" or"
positions&in&the&government,&whether&in&a&permanent,&acting&or&interim&capacity,&at& accessories" with" public" officers" or" employees," including" those" employed" in"
the&time&of&the&commission&of&the&offense:& GOCCs,"they"shall"be"tried"jointly"with"said"public"officers"and"employees"in"the"
a. Officials" of" the" executive" branch" occupying" the" positions" of" regional" proper"courts"
director" and" higher," otherwise" classified" as" Grade( 27" and" higher," • Not" all" of" the" accused" need" to" be" those" officials" mentioned" in" the" law," it"
specifically"including:"" being"sufficient"that"at"least"one"is"
i. Provincial" governors," viceIgovernors," members" of" the" sanguniang" "
panlalawigan," and" provincial" treasurers," assessors," engineers," and" other" Pactolin&v.&Sandiganbayan&
provincial"department"heads;" • Crime"of"falsification"under"Art."171"and"172,"RPC"is"not"within"the"jurisdiction"
ii. City" mayors," viceImayors," members" of" the" sanguniang" panlungsod," city" of"the"Sandiganbayan"
treasurer,"assessors,"engineers,"and"other"city"department"heads;" &
iii. Officials" of" the" diplomatic" service" occupying" the" position" of" consul" and" FORFEITURE(CASES(
higher;" • Crime"of"plunder"does"not"absorb"forfeiture"cases"as"forfeiture"arises"out"of"a"
iv. Philippine"army"and"air"force"colonels,"naval"captains,"and"all"officers"of" cause"of"action"separate"and"different"from"a"plunder"case"
higher"rank;" Plunder( Forfeiture(
v. Officers" of" the" PNP" while" occupying" the" position" of" provincial" director" What"is"sought"to"be"established"is"the" All" the" court" needs" to" determine," by"
and"those"holding"the"rank"of"senior"superintendent"or"higher;" commission" of" the" criminal" acts" in" preponderance" of" evidence," is" the"
vi. City" and" provincial" prosecutors" and" their" assistants," and" officials" and" furtherance" of" the" acquisition" of" illI disproportion" of" one’s" property" to" his"
prosecutors"in"the"Office"of"the"Ombudsman"and"special"prosecutor;" gotten"wealth" legitimate" income" not" how" such" was"
vii. Presidents," directors" or" trustees," or" managers" of" GOCCs," state" acquired"
(
OFFICIALS(AND(EMPLOYEES(WITH(A(SALARY(GRADE(OF(27(OR(HIGHER( People&v.&Sandiganbayan&
• Law" mentions" salary" grade" only" in" relation" to" specific" officials" (executive" • A" member" of" the" Sangguniang" Panglungsod" of" a" city," whose" salary" grade" was"
branch,"congress,"all"other"national"and"local"officials"as"enumerated)" below" 27," charged" for" allegedly" criminally" failing" to" liquidate" certain" cash"
• No" reference" to" provincial" governors," vice" governors" or" members" of" the" advances" in" violation" of" the" Auditing" Code" is" under" the" jurisdiction" of" the"
sangguniang" panlalawigan," sangguniang" panlungsod," directors" or" managers" of" Sandiganbayan"
GOCCs,"city"mayors,"vice"mayors,"city"treasurers,"assessors,"engineers,"trustees" "
of"state"universities,"and"other"officials"enumerated" OFFENSES(COMMITTED(IN(RELATION(TO(THE(OFFICE(
• They" are" subject" to" the" jurisdiction" of" the" Sandiganbayan" regardless" of" salary" 1. Public" office" is" a" constituent" element" of" the" crime" charged" as" provided" by"
grade,"otherwise"there"would"have"been"no"need"for"the"enumeration""" statute"
" • Offense"committed"cannot"exist"without"the"office"
SALARY( GRADE( ALONE( DOES( NOT( DETERMINE( JURISDICTION( OF( THE( Examples:"
SANDIGANBAYAN( • Malversation"of"public"funds"or"property"
• Sandiganbayan"also"has"jurisdiction"over"other"officers"enumerated"in"the"law" • Illegal"use"of"public"funds"or"property"
• Second"part"specifically"includes"other"executive"officials"whose"positions"may" • Direct"Bribery"
not"be"with"salary"grade"27"or"higher"but"who"are"by"express"provision"of"law" • Frauds"against"the"public"treasury"
placed"under"the"jurisdiction"of"the"Sandiganbayan" • Failure"of"an"accountable"officer"to"render"accounts"
" • Any"of"the"other"crimes"from"Art."204"–"245,"RPC"
Geduspan&v.&People& 2. Offense" charged" is" intimately" connected" with" the" discharge" of" the" official"
• Although"she"was"a"regional"director"of"Philhealth,"a"GOCC"organized"under"the" functions"of"the"accused"
Corporation" Code," her" appointment" papers" show" that" she" was" occupying" the" • Here,( actual" specific" factual" allegations" of" the" intimacy" between" the"
position"of"Department"Manager"A" offense" charged" and" the" discharge" of" official" duties" must" appear" in" the"
• It"is"her"appointment"paper"and"the"notice"of"salary"adjustment"that"determine" information"when"public"office"is"not"a"constituent"element"of"the"offense"
the"classification"of"her"position" charged"
• It"is"of"no"moment"that"her"position"was"merely"classified"as"salary"grade"26"as" • Not" complied" with" if" the" information" merely" alleges" that" the" accused"
the"second"part"specifically"includes"other"executive"officials"who"may"not"be"of" committed" the" crime" charged" in" relation" to" his" office" because" such" is"
grade"27"and"higher"but"who"are"by"express"provision"of"law"placed"under"the" merely"a"conclusion"of"law"
Sandiganbayan’s"jurisdiction" "
" Cunanan&v.&Arceo"
Serana&v.&Sandiganbayan& • Public"office"is"not"an"element"of"murder"since"murder"may"be"committed"by"
• A" student" regent" who" merely" represented" the" students" of" the" institution," in" any"person,"whether"a"public"officer"or"a"private"citizen""
contrast"to"other"regents"who"held"their"positions"in"an"ex"officio"capacity,"and" "
who"did"not"receive"any"salary,"is"a"public(officer(whose"position"is"covered"by" Sanchez&v.&Demetriou"
the"law"vesting"jurisdiction"over"the"Sandiganbayan" • No" direct" relation" between" rape" with" homicide" and" the" office" as" a" municipal"
• The" UP" Board" of" Regents" performs" similar" functions" to" those" of" a" board" of" mayor"because"public"office"is"not"an"essential"element"of"such""
trustees"of"a"nonIstock"corporation" "
• Compensation" is" not" an" essential" element" of" a" public" office" and" is" merely" Esteban&v.&Sandiganbayan"
incidental"to"said"office" • A"judge"committed"acts"of"lasciviousness"(imposed"the"condition"of"becoming"
" his" girlfriend" first" and" reporting" to" his" office" daily" for" a" kiss)" against" a" female"
" casual" employee" who" was" constrained" to" approach" him" because" his"
" recommendation"was"necessary"for"her"appointment"as"a"casual"employee"
" • While" public" office" is" not" an" element" of" the" crime," he" could" not" have"
(
committed" such" crime" were" it" not" for" his" being" the" judge" of" the" court" where" SUMMARY(PROCEDURE(IN(CRIMINAL(CASES(
the"victim"was"working" Cases(subject(to(summary(procedure:(
• The"crime"was"intimately"connected"with"his"office"as"the"information"alleged" 1. Violation"of"traffic"laws,"rules"and"regulations"
with"clarity"that"the"accused"used"his"position"to"commit"the"acts" 2. Violation"of"rental"law"
" 3. Violation"of"BP"22"
People&v.&Montejo" 4. Violation"of"municipal"or"city"ordinances"
• Frequently"cited"case"where"a"city"mayor,"as"a"consequence"of"his"act"as"mayor," 5. All" other" criminal" cases" where" the" penalty" is" imprisonment" not" exceeding" 6"
organized"armed"patrols"and"civilian"commandos"and"provided"them"with"arms" months,"or"a"fine"not"exceeding"P1k,"or"both,"irrespective"of"other"imposable"
and" ordered" the" arrest" and" maltreatment" of" the" victim" who" died" as" a" penalties"accessory"or"otherwise,"or"of"the"civil"liability"
consequence" 6. Offenses"involving"damage"to"property"through"criminal"negligence"where"the"
• While"public"office"is"not"an"element"of"murder,"the"offense"as"alleged"shows" fine"does"not"exceed"P10k"
its" commission" while" the" accused" was" in" the" performance" of" his" official" "
functions"and"that"the"offense"could"not"have"been"committed"had"he"not"held" Procedure:(
his"office"" 1. Metropolitan" Trial" Courts," Municipal" Trial" Courts" in" Cities," Municipal" Trial"
" Courts," and" Municipal" Circuit" Trial" Courts" have" jurisdiction" over" cases" falling"
Alarilla&v.&Sandiganbayan" under"summary"procedure"committed"within"their"jurisdiction"
• When" the" information" averred" facts" showing" that" the" municipal" mayor" took" 2. Filing" may" either" be" by" complaint" or" information." In" Metro" Manila" and" other"
advantage"of"his"official"functions"when"he"aimed"his"gun"and"threatened"to"kill" chartered" cities," the" filing" shall" be" by" information" except" when" the" offense" is"
a"councilor"during"a"public"hearing,"the"crime"is"intimately"connected"with"the" one"which"cannot"be"prosecuted"de"officio"
discharge"of"official"functions" • Complaint" or" information" shall" be" accompanied" by" the" affidavits" of" the"
" complainant" and" his" witnesses" in" such" number" of" copies" as" there" are"
Lacson&v.&Executive&Secretary" accused"plus"2"copies"for"the"court’s"files"
• Amended"information"for"murder"alleged"to"have"been"committed"“in"relation" • Requirement"has"to"be"complied"with"within"5"days"from"the"filing"of"the"
to"their"official"duties"as"police"officers”"contained"no"specific"allegations"of"the" case,"otherwise"the"case"may"be"dismissed"
facts"that"the"shooting"of"the"victim"was"intimately"related"to"their"discharge"of" 3. Should"the"court"find"no"cause"or"ground"to"hold"the"accused"for"trial,"it"shall"
the"official"functions" order"the"dismissal"of"the"case."If"there"is"ground"to"do"so,"the"court"shall"set"
• The" phrase" “in" relation" to" their" official" duties”" is" not" what" determines" the" the"case"for"arraignment"and"trial"
jurisdiction" of" the" court" as" the" phrase" is" merely" a" conclusion" of" law," not" a" 4. Before" conducting" the" trial," the" court" shall" call" the" parties" to" a" preliminary"
factual"averment"of"the"close"intimacy" conference"during"which"the"ff"may"be"done:"
• What"is"controlling"is"the"specific"factual"allegations"in"the"information" a. Entering"into"a"stipulation"of"facts;"
" b. Considering" the" propriety" of" allowing" the" accused" to" enter" a" plea" of"
Serana&v.&Snadiganbayan& guilty"to"a"lesser"offense;"or""
• Sandiganbayan" has" jurisdiction" over" felonies" committed" by" public" officials" in" c. Taking" up" such" other" matters" to" clarify" the" issues" and" to" ensure" a"
relation"to"their"office"and"estafa"is"one"of"those" speedy"disposition"of"the"case"
• But," the" mere" allegation" in" the" information" that" the" offense" charged" was" 5. If"the"accused"refuses"to"stipulate"or"fails"to"do"so,"such"shall"not"prejudice"him."
committed"“in"relation"to"his"office”"is"not"sufficient"as"the"phrase"is"merely"a" Also,"any"admission"made"during"the"preliminary"conference"must"be"reduced"
conclusion" of" law," not" a" factual" averment" of" the" close" intimacy" between" the" to"writing"and"signed"by"the"accused"and"his"counsel."If"not,"such"shall"not"be"
offense"charged"and"the"discharge"of"the"accused’s"official"duties" used"against"him"
" 6. During" the" trial," an" actual" direct" examination" of" witnesses" is" not" required"
" because" the" affidavits" submitted" shall" constitute" their" direct" testimonies." The"
" witnesses," however," may" be" subjected" to" a" crossIexamination," reIdirect"
" examination,"or"reIcross"examination"
(
• Should" affiant" fail" to" testify," his" affidavit" shall" not" be" considered" as" CHAPTER(2:(RULE(110((PROSEUCTION(OF(OFFENSES)(
competent" evidence" for" the" party" presenting" the" affidavit." However," (
the"adverse"party"may"utilize"the"same"for"any"admissible"purpose" SECTION(1:(INSTITUTION(OF(CRIMINAL(ACTIONS(
7. The"court"is"mandated"not"to"order"the"arrest"of"the"accused"except"where"the" Criminal(actions(shall(be(instituted(as(follows:((
ground" is" his" failure" to" appear" when" required." If" he" is" arrested," he" may" be" (a) For(offenses(where(a(preliminary(investigation(is(required(pursuant(to(section(
released"on"bail"or"on"recognizance"by"a"responsible"citizen"acceptable"to"the" 1(of(Rule(112,(by(filing(the(complaint(with(the(proper(officer(for(the(purpose(
court" of(conducting(the(requisite(preliminary(investigation.((
8. Where"a"trial"has"been"conducted,"the"court"shall"promulgate"the"judgment"not" (b) For(all(other(offenses,(by(filing(the(complaint(or(information(directly(with(the(
later"than"30"days"after"termination"of"the"trial" Municipal( Trial( Courts( and( Municipal( Circuit( Trial( Courts,( or( the( complaint(
" with( the( office( of( the( prosecutor.( In( Manila( and( other( chartered( cities,( the(
PROHIBITED( PLEADINGS,( MOTIONS( AND( PETITIONS( IN( SUMMARY( PROCEDURE;( complaints( shall( be( filed( with( the( office( of( the( prosecutor( unless( otherwise(
CIVIL(AND(CRIMINAL(CASES((BAR(2004)( provided(in(their(charters.((
1. Motion"to"quash"the"complaint"or"information"except"if"the"ground"is"lack"of" The(institution(of(the(criminal(action(shall(interrupt(the(running(of(the(period(of(
jurisdiction"over"the"subject"matter"or"failure"to"comply"with"the"barangay" prescription(of(the(offense(charged(unless(otherwise(provided(in(special(laws.((
conciliation"proceedings;" "
2. Motion"for"bill"of"particulars;"" PURPOSE(OF(A(CRIMINAL(ACTION(
3. Motion"for"new"trial,"or"for"consideration"of"a"judgment,"or"for""reopening"of" • To" determine" the" penal" liability" of" the" accused" and" if" he" is" found" guilty," to"
trial;"" punish"him"for"it"
4. Petition"for"relief"from"judgment;"" • The"parties"to"the"action"are"the"People"of"the"Philippines"and"the"accused"
5. Motion"for"extension"of"time"to"file"pleadings,"affidavits"or"any""other"paper;"" • The"offended"party"is"regarded"merely"as"a"witness"for"the"state"
6. Memoranda;"" "
7. Petition"for"certiorari,"mandamus,"or"prohibition"against"any""interlocutory" HOW(CRIMINAL(ACTIONS(ARE(INSTITUTED((BAR(1999)(
order"issued"by"the"court;"(Bar(2004)"" 1. When"preliminary"investigation"is"required,"criminal"action"is"instituted"by"filing"
8. Motion"to"declare"the"defendant"in"default;"" the" complaint" with" the" proper" officer" for" the" purpose" of" conducting" the"
9. Dilatory"motions"for"postponement;"" requisite"preliminary"investigation"
10. Reply;"" 2. When"it"is"not"required,"it"is"instituted"either:"
11. ThirdIparty"complaints;" a. By"filing"the"complaint"or"information"directly"with"the"MTC"and"MCTC;"or"
12. Interventions" b. By"filing"the"complaint"with"the"office"of"the"prosecutor"
" 3. In"Manila"and"other"chartered"cities,"a"special( rule( prevails,"and"the"complain"
SYNOPSIS(OF(THE(CRIMINAL(LITIGATION(PROCESS( shall" be" filed" with" the" office" of" the" prosecutor" unless" otherwise" provided" in"
1. INITIAL"CONTACT"WITH"THE"CRIMINAL"JUSTICE"SYSTEM" their"charters"
2. FILING"OF"THE"INFORMATION"OR"COMPLAINT"AND"OTHER"PROCESSES" "
3. IMPLIED"INSTITUTION"OF"THE"CIVIL"ACTION" NO( DIRECT( FILING( IN( THE( RTC( AND( MTC( OF( MANILA( AND( OTHER( CHARTERED(
4. AVAILMENT"OF"PROVISIONAL"REMEDIES" CITIES(
5. BAIL" In(the(RTC(
6. ARRAIGNMENT;"BILL"OF"PRATICULARS;"SUSPENSION"OF"ARRAIGNMENT" • Because"its"jurisdiction"covers"offenses"which"require"preliminary"investigation"
7. QUASHAL"OF"COMPLAINT"OR"INFOMRATION" • Preliminary(investigation"is"required"for"offenses"where"the"penalty"prescribed"
8. PREITRIAL" by"law"is"at"least"4"years,"2"months,"and"1"day"
9. TRIAL;"DEMURRER" • RTC"has"jurisdiction"over"an"offense"which"is"punishable"with"imprisonment"of"
10. JUDGMENT" more"than"6"years"
11. POSTIJUDGMENT"REMEDIES" • MTC"has"exclusive"jurisdiction"over"offenses"punishable"with"imprisonment"not"
12. ENTRY"OF"JUDGMENT"
(
exceeding"6"years" People&v.&Olarte&
" • Ruled" that" the" filing" of" the" complaint" with" the" justice" of" the" peace" for"
In(the(MTC(of(Manila(and(other(chartered(cities( preliminary"investigation"interrupted"the"running"of"the"prescriptive"period"
• Because"as"a"rule,"the&complaint&shall&be&filed&with&the&office&of&the&prosecutor,& • Justifications:"
unless&otherwise&provided&by&their&charters( 1. “Shall" be" interrupted" by" the" filing" of" the" complaint”" does" not" distinguish"
• In"case"of"conflict"between"a"city"charter"and"a"provision"of"the"ROC,"the"city" whether"the"complaint"is"filed"in"court"merely"for"preliminary"investigation"
charter,"being"substantive"law,"shall"prevail( or"for"actions"on"the"merits"
( 2. Filing"of"the"complaint"for"preliminary"investigation"already"represents"the"
EFFECT(OF(INSTITUTION(OF(THE(CRIMINAL(ACTION(ON(THE(PRESCRIPTIVE(PERIOD( initial"step"of"the"proceedings"against"the"offender"
• Institution& of& criminal& action& shall& interrupt& the& period& of& prescription& of& the& 3. It"is"unjust"to"deprive"the"injured"party"of"the"right"to"obtain"vindication"on"
offense&charged&unless(otherwise(provided(in(special(laws& account"of"delays"that"are"not"under"his"control"
• General(rule:"institution"of"criminal"action"interrupts"the"period"of"prescription& "
• Exception:(when"a"different"rule"is"provided"for"in"special"law( Francisco&v.&CA&
( • Olarte"is"the"true(doctrine"
Institution( Commencement( • Filing"of"the"complaint"for"intriguing"against"honor,"later"changed"to"grave"oral"
In" offenses" that" require" a" preliminary" Criminal" action" is" commenced" when" defamation,"even"in"the"fiscal’s"office"interrupted"the"prescriptive"period"
investigation," criminal" action" is" the"complaint"or"information"is"filed"in" • Filing"of"the"complaint"in"the"Municipal"Court,"even"if"it"be"merely"for"purposes"
instituted" by" filing" the" complaint" for" court" of"preliminary"investigation"interrupts"the"period"of"prescription"of"the"criminal"
preliminary"investigation" responsibility," even" if" the" court" where" the" complaint" or" information" is" filed"
( cannot"try"the"case"on"its"merits"
Examples:" "
People&v.&Bautista& RULE( ON( PRESCRIPTION( FOR( VIOLATIONS( OF( SPECIAL( LAWS( AND( MUNICIPAL(
• Prescriptive" period" did" not" begin" to" run" again" upon" the" City" Prosecutor’s" ORDINANCES(
approval"of"the"investigating"prosecutor’s"recommendation"for"the"filing"of"the" • Act" No." 3326( governs" the" period" for" prescription" for" violations" penalized" by"
information"in"court" special"acts"and"municipal"ordinances"
• It" is" a" wellIsettled" rule" that" the" filing" of" the" complaint" with" the" fiscal’s" office" • Sec." 2" of" the" law" provides" that" prescription" begins" from" the" day" of" the"
suspends"the"running"of"the"prescriptive"period" commission"of"the"violation"of"the"law,"and"if"the"same"may"not"be"known"at"
• Period"remains"tolled"from"the"time"the"complaint"was"filed"with"the"Office"of" the"time,"from"the"discovery"thereof"and"the"institution"of"judicial"proceedings"
the"Prosecutor"until"the"accused"is"either"convicted"or"acquitted"by"the"proper" for"its"investigation"and"punishment"
court" "
" The" prescription" shall" be" interrupted" when" proceedings" are" instituted" against"
Contending(rules( the"guilty"person,"and"shall"begin"to"run"again"if"the"proceedings"are"dismissed"
• Art." 91," RPC" partly" provides:" the& period& of& prescription& shall& commence& to& for"reasons"not"constituting"jeopardy"
run…and&shall&be&interrupted&by&the&filing&of&the&complaint&or&information" • Proceedings"are"judicial(proceedings,(not"administrative"proceedings"
" "
People&v.&Tayco& Zaldivia&v.&Reyes&
• Ruled"that"the"complaint"or"information"referred"to"in"Art."91"is"the"one"filed"in" • Offense"punishable"by"a"municipal"ordinance"
the"proper"court"and"not"the"accusation"lodged"by"the" offended"party"before" • If"there"be"a"conflict"between"Act"No."3326"and"Rule"110,"ROC,"the"latter"must"
the" fiscal’s" office" or" with" the" justice" of" the" peace" court" for" preliminary" yield" because" the" Court" is" not" allowed" to" diminish," increase" or" modify"
investigation" substantive"rights"under"the"Constitution"and"prescription"in"criminal"cases"is"a"
& substantive"right"
"
(
Recent(cases(appear(not(to(strictly(adhere(to(Zaldiva( SECTION(2:(THE(COMPLAINT(OR(INFORMATION(
" The(complaint(or(information(shall(be(in(writing,(in(the(name(of(the(People(of(the(
Sanrio&Company&Ltd.&v.&Lim& Philippines(and(against(all(persons(who(appear(to(be(responsible(for(the(offense(
• Violation"of"the"Intellectual"Property"Code,"a"special"law" involved.((
• Upon"application,"a"search"warrant"was"duly"issued"and"the"same"day,"agents" "
of"the"NBI"searched"and"seized"various"Sanrio"products" IN(WHOSE(NAME(AND(AGAINST(WHOM(FILED(
• Sanrio" filed" a" complaintIaffidavit" with" the" TAPP" of" the" DOJ" but" the" TAPP" • Not"filed"in"the"name"of"the"private"person,"natural"or"juridical"
dismissed"the"complaint"due"to"insufficiency"of"evidence" • Filed"in"the"name"of"the"People"of"the"Philippines"and"is"filed"against"all"persons"
• The"CA"ruled"that"because"no"complaint"was"filed"in"court"within"2"years"after" who"appear"to"be"responsible"for"the"offense"
the"violation,"the"offense"had"already"prescribed" • Private" offended" parties" have" limited" roles" and" are" only" witnesses" for" the"
• SC:" the" prescriptive" period" for" the" prosecution" of" the" alleged" violation" of" the" prosecution"
IPC"was"tolled"by"the"timely"filing"of"the"complaintIaffidavit"before"the"TAPP" • Thus,"a"private"offended"party"may"not"appeal"the"dismissal"of"a"criminal"case"
" or"the"acquittal"of"an"accused"
"Panaguiton,&Jr.&v.&DOJ& • However,"he"may"appeal"the"civil"aspect"of"the"case"and"may"thus"file"a"special"
• BP"22"prescribes"4"years"starting"from"the"date"the"checks"were"dishonored"" civil"action"for"certiorari"questioning"the"decision"of"the"court"on"jurisdictional"
• Assistant"City"Prosecutor"dismissed"the"complaint"as"the"filing"of"the"complaint" grounds"
before"the"QC"Prosecutor"did"not"interrupt"the"running"of"the"period"as"the"law" • In" so" doing," he" cannot" bring" the" action" in" the" name" of" the" People" but" must"
contemplates"judicial,"and"not"administrative"proceedings" prosecute"the"same"in"his"own"personal"capacity"
• SC:" While" Act" No." 3326" applies," we" cannot" uphold" the" position" that" only" the" "
filing"of"a"case"in"court"can"toll"the"running"of"the"prescriptive"period" Ong&v.&Genio&
• When" the" act" was" passed," preliminary" investigation" could" be" conducted" by" • Dismissal" made" by" the" RTC" of" the" criminal" case" can" only" be" appealed" by" the"
justices"of"the"peace,"thus,"the"phraseology"“institution"of"judicial"proceedings" OSG"and"the"private"offended"party"has"no"legal"personality"to"do"so"
for"its"investigation"and"punishment”" • General"rule"in"the"Administrative"Code"of"1987"provides"that"only"the"OSG"can"
• Filing" of" the" complaintIaffidavit" before" the" Office" of" the" City" Prosecutor" bring"and/or"defend"actions"on"behalf"of"the"Republic"or"represent"the"people"
commenced" the" proceedings" for" the" prosecution" of" the" accused" and" thus," or"the"State"in"criminal"proceedings"pending"in"the"SC"and"CA"
effectively"interrupted"the"prescriptive"period" • Note:"any"appeal"is"subject"to"the"rule"against"double"jeopardy"
" "
SEC&v.&Interport&Resources&Corporation& SECTION(3:(COMPLAINT(DEFINED((
• It" is" an" established" doctrine" that" a" preliminary" investigation" interrupts" the" A( complaint( is( a( sworn( written( statement( charging( a( person( with( an( offense,(
prescriptive"period" subscribed( by( the( offended( party,( any( peace( officer,( or( other( public( officer(
• A"criminal"charge"for"violation"of"the"Securities"Regulation"Code"is"a"specialized" charged(with(the(enforcement(of(the(law(violated."
dispute" which" must" first" be" referred" to" an" administrative" agency" of" special" (
competence,"i.e.,"the"SEC" MEANING(OF(COMPLAINT(
• Given"the"nature"and"purpose"of"the"investigation"conducted"by"the"SEC,"which" • Not"a"mere"statement"but"a"statement"charging"a"person"with"an"offense"
is"equivalent"to"the"preliminary"investigation"conducted"by"the"DOJ"in"criminal" • As"a"statement,"it"must"be"sworn"and"written"
cases,"such"investigation"surely"interrupted"the"prescriptive"period" • Subscribed"only"by"any"of"the"persons"specified"in"the"rule:"
" 1. Offended"party;"
" 2. Any"peace"officer;"or"
& 3. Other"public"officer"charged"with"the"enforcement"of"the"law"violated"
" "
" "
(
SECTION(4:(INFORMATION(DEFINED( May"1,"2002)"
An( information( is( an( accusation( in( writing( charging( a( person( with( an( offense,( (
subscribed(by(the(prosecutor(and(filed(with(the(court." Latest"Amendments:((
" All( criminal( actions( either( commenced( by( complaint( or( by( information( shall( be(
MEANING(OF(INFORMATION((BAR(1994,(1995,(1996)( prosecuted( under( the( direction( and( control( of( a( public( prosecutor.( In( case( of(
• While"an"information"is"an"accusation"in"writing,"it"is"not"required"to"be"sworn" heavy( work( schedule( of( the( public( prosecutor( or( in( the( event( of( lack( of( public(
unlike"a"complaint" prosecutors,(the(private(prosecutor(may(be(authorized(in(writing(by(the(Chief(of(
• Only" a" public" officer" described" by" the" ROC" as" a" prosecutor" is" authorized" to" the( Prosecution( Office( or( the( Regional( State( Prosecutor( to( prosecute( the( case(
subscribe"to"the"information" subject(to(the(approval(of(the(court.(Once(so(authorized(to(prosecute(the(criminal(
• Like"a"complaint,"it"is"filed"in"the"name"of"the"People"against"all"persons"who" action,( the( private( prosecutor( shall( continue( to( prosecute( the( case( up( to( end( of(
appear"to"be"responsible"for"the"offense" the( trial( even( in( the( absence( of( a( public( prosecutor,( unless( the( authority( is(
" revoked(or(otherwise(withdrawn.(((
INFIRMITY(OF(SIGNATURE(IN(THE(INFORMATION( "
• Valid" information" signed" by" a" competent" officer," among" other" requisites," The( crimes( of( adultery( and( concubinage( shall( not( be( prosecuted( except( upon( a(
confers"jurisdiction"on"the"court"over"the"person"of"the"accused"and"the"subject" complaint( filed( by( the( offended( spouse.( The( offended( party( cannot( institute(
matter"of"the"accusation" criminal(prosecution(without(including(the(guilty(parties,(if(both(are(alive,(nor,(in(
• Thus," an" infirmity" in" the" information," such" as" lack" of" authority" of" the" officer" any( case,( if( the( offended( party( has( consented( to( the( offense( or( pardoned( the(
signing"it,"cannot"be"cured"by"silence,"acquiescence,"or"even"by"express"consent" offenders.((
Cudia&v.&CA" (
" The( offenses( of( seduction,( abduction( and( acts( of( lasciviousness( shall( not( be(
DISTINCTIONS(BETWEEN(A(COMPLAINT(AND(AN(INFORMATION((BAR(1999)(( prosecuted( except( upon( a( complaint( filed( by( the( offended( party( or( her( parents,(
Complaint( Information( grandparents( or( guardian,( nor,( in( any( case,( if( the( offender( has( been( expressly(
Must"be"sworn"hence,"under"oath" Requires" no" oath" but" merely" that" the" pardoned( by( any( of( them.( If( the( offended( party( dies( or( becomes( incapacitated(
accusation" be" in" writing" since" the" before(she(can(file(the(complaint,(and(she(has(no(known(parents,(grandparents(or(
prosecutor" is" acting" under" the" oath" of" guardian,(the(State(shall(initiate(the(criminal(action(in(her(behalf.((
his"office" (
The(offended(party,(even(if(a(minor,(has(the(right(to(initiate(the(prosecution(of(the(
Complaint"is"subscribed"by:" Subscribed"by"the"prosecutor"
offenses(of(seduction,(abduction(and(acts(of(lasciviousness(independently(of(her(
a. Offended"party;"
parents,( grandparents,( or( guardian,( unless( she( is( incompetent( or( incapable( of(
b. Any"peace"officer;"or"
doing(so.(Where(the(offended(party,(who(is(a(minor,(fails(to(file(the(complaint,(her(
c. Other" public" officer" charged" with"
parents,(grandparents,(or(guardian(may(file(the(same.(The(right(to(file(the(action(
the" enforcement" of" the" law"
granted( to( parents,( grandparents,( or( guardian( shall( be( exclusive( of( all( other(
violated"
persons( and( shall( be( exercised( successively( in( the( order( herein( provided,( except(
"
as(stated(in(the(preceding(paragraph.((
SECTION(5:(WHO(MUST(PROSECUTE(CRIMINAL(ACTIONS(
(
All"criminal"actions"commenced"by"a"complaint"or"information"shall"be"prosecuted"
No(criminal(action(for(defamation(which(consists(in(the(imputation(of(any(of(the(
under" the" direction" and" control" of" the" prosecutor." However," in" Municipal" Trial"
offenses( mentioned( above( shall( be( brought( except( at( the( instance( of( and( upon(
Courts"or"Municipal"Circuit"Trial"Courts"when"the"prosecutor"assigned"thereto"or"to"
complaint(filed(by(the(offended(party.(
the" case" is" not" available," the" offended" party," any" peace" officer," or" public" officer"
(
charged" with" the" enforcement" of" the" law" violated" may" prosecute" the" case." This"
The(prosecution(for(violation(of(special(laws(shall(be(governed(by(the(provisions(
authority"shall"cease"upon"actual"intervention"of"the"prosecutor"or"upon"elevation"
thereof.(
of"the"case"to"the"Regional"Trial"Court."(Repealed"by"A.M."No."02I2I07ISC,"effective"
(
(
WHO( MUST( PROSECUTE( THE( CRIMINAL( ACTION;( WHO( CONTROLS( THE( CONSEQUENCES(OF(THE(RULE(THAT(A(CRIMINAL(ACTION(IS(PROSECUTED(UNDER(
PROSECUTION((BAR(1990;(2000)( THE(DIRECTION(AND(CONTROL(OF(THE(PUBLIC(PROSECUTOR(
• General( rule:" prosecuted" under" the" direction" and" control" of" the" public" • Public"prosecutor"has"the"power"and"discretion"to:"
prosecutor"and"commenced"either"by"a"complaint"or"an"information" 1. Determine"whether"a"prima"facie"case"exists;"
• Even" if" there" is" a" private" prosecutor," the" criminal" action" is" still" prosecuted" 2. Decide" which" of" the" conflicting" testimonies" should" be" believed" free" from"
under"the"direction"and"control"of"the"public"prosecutor" the"interference"or"control"of"the"offended"party;"and"
• Rationale:(a"representative"of"the"State"shall"direct"and"control"the"prosecution" 3. Subject" only" to" the" right" against" selfIincrimination," determine" which"
since"a"criminal"offense"is"an"outrage"against"the"sovereignty"of"the"State( witnesses"to"present"in"court"
• Exception:(( • Power"to"prosecute"includes"the"initial"discretion"to"determine"who"should"be"
1. In"case"the"public"prosecutor"has"a"heavy"work"schedule;"or"" utilized"by"the"government"as"a"state"witness"
2. In"the"event"of"lack"of"public"prosecutors," • NonIpresentation"of"a"witness"cannot"be"construed"as"suppression"of"evidence"
the" private" prosecutor" may( be( authorized( in( writing" by" (1)" the" Chief" of" the" where"the"testimony"is"merely"corroborative"
Prosecution"Office"or"(2)"the"Regional"State"Prosecutor"to"prosecute"the"case"" • The"right"to"prosecute"vests"the"prosecutor"with"a"wide"range"of"discretion"of"
• Authorization,"to"be"given"effect,"must"be"approved"by"the"court" whether,"what"and"whom"to"charge,"the"exercise"of"which"depends"on"factors"
" which"are"best"appreciated"by"prosecutors"
" • General( rule:" Not" even" the" SC" can" order" the" prosecution" of" a" person" against"
EXTENT( OF( THE( AUTHORITY( GIVEN( TO( THE( PRIVATE( PROSECUTOR( WHEN( DULY( whom" the" prosecutor" does" not" find" sufficient" evidence" to" support" at" least" a"
AUTHORIZED(TO(PROSECUTE(THE(ACTION( prima"facie"case"
• Once" authorized," private" prosecutor" shall" continue" the" case" up" to" the" end" of" • Exception:(only"possible"when"there"is"an"unmistakable"showing"of"grave"abuse"
the" trial" even" in" the" absence" of" a" public" prosecutor," unless" the" authority" is" of"discretion"on"the"part"of"the"prosecutor(
revoked"or"otherwise"withdrawn" • Public"prosecutor"may"turn"over"the"actual"prosecution"of"the"criminal"case"to"
( the"private"prosecutor,"in"the"exercise"of"his"discretion,"but"he"may"at"any"time,"
PROSECUTION(OF(A(CRIMINAL(ACTION(IN(THE(MTC(OR(MCTC( take"over"the"actual"conduct"of"the"trial"
• Also"prosecuted"under"the"direction"and"control"of"the"prosecutor( "
• However," when" the" prosecutor" assigned" is" not" available," the" action" may" be" Tan&v.&People&
prosecuted"by:( • It"is"the"DOJ,"through"its"prosecutors,"which"is"authorized"to"prosecute"criminal"
a. Offended"party;" cases"on"behalf"of"the"People"
b. Any"peace"officer;"or" • Prosecutors" control" and" direct" the" prosecution" of" criminal" offenses," including"
c. Public" officer" charged" with" the" enforcement" of" the" law" violated" (OCA& the" conduct" of" preliminary" investigation," subject" to" review" by" the" DOJ"
Circular&No.&39H2002,&August&21,&2002)" Secretary"
( • DOJ"is"best"suited"to"attest"whether"a"similar"or"related"case"has"been"filed"or"is"
PROSECUTION(FOR(VIOLATION(OF(SPECIAL(LAWS( pending"in"another"court"or"tribunal"hence,"Acting"DOJ"Sec."Gutierrez"had"the"
• Prosecuted"pursuant"to"the"provisions"of"the"said"law" authority" to" sign" the" certificate" of" nonIforum" shopping" for" the" criminal" case"
" filed"on"behalf"of"the"People"
" "
" "
" "
" "
" "
" "
" "
" "
(
People&v.&Dumlao& express"or"implied(
• While" a" conspiracy" is" in" its" nature" a" joint" offense," it" does" not" follow" that" one" (
person"cannot"be"convicted"of"conspiracy" 2. Prosecution(of(seduction,(abduction,(and(acts(of(lasciviousness(
• As"long"as"the"acquittal"or"death"of"a"coIconspirator"does"not"remove"the"basis" • Not"prosecuted"except"upon"a"complaint"filed,"in"successive"authority,"by:"
of"a"charge"of"conspiracy,"one"defendant"may"still"be"found"guilty" a. Offended"party;"
• Accused" was" not" unfairly" discriminated" against" and" his" constitutional" right" to" b. Her"parents;"
equal" protection" was" not" violated" as" the" manner" in" which" the" prosecution" of" c. Grandparents;"or"
the"case"is"handled"is"within"the"sound"discretion"of"the"prosecutor" d. Guardian"
• Mere" speculation," unsupported" by" convincing" evidence," cannot" establish" • May" not" be" instituted" if" the" offender" has" been" expressly" pardoned" by" any" of"
discrimination"on"the"part"of"the"prosecution"and"the"denial"to"the"accused"of" them"
the"equal"protection"of"laws" • Because"pardon"must"be"express,"an"implied"pardon"is"not"contemplated"under"
" this"provision"
Pinote&v.&Ayco& • If" the" offended" party" dies" or" becomes" incapacitated" before" she" can" file" the"
• Trial"judge"allowed"the"defense"to"present"evidence"consisting"of"the"testimony" complaint,"and"she"has"no"known"parents,"grandparents,"or"guardian,"the"State"
of"2"witnesses,"even"in"the"absence"of"the"prosecutor"charged"with"prosecuting" shall"initiate"the"action"on"her"behalf"
the"case" • In"the"order"of"those"who"may"file"the"complaint,"the"State"is"the"last"and"may"
• The" prosecutor," maintaining" that" the" proceedings" conducted" in" his" absence" only"do"so"in"the"absence"of"the"persons"mentioned"
were" void," refused" to" crossIexamine" the" witnesses" despite" being" ordered" by" "
the"judge" When(the(offended(party(is(a(minor(
• SC:"presence"of"a"public"prosecutor"in"the"trial"of"criminal"cases"is"necessary"to" • General( rule:" Offended" party," even" if" a" minor," has" the" right" to" initiate" the"
protect" vital" state" interests" and" the" act" of" allowing" the" presentation" of" the" prosecution" of" the" offense," independently" of" her" parents," grandparents," or"
defense"witness"in"the"absence"of"the"public"prosecutor"or"a"private"prosecutor" guardians"
designated"for"that"purpose"is"a"clear( transgression( of( the( Rules"which"could" • Exception:(if"she"is"incompetent"or"incapable"of"doing"so"
not" be" rectified" by" subsequently" giving" the" prosecution" a" chance" to" crossI • When" the" minor" fails" (i.e.," incapacitated" or" incompetent)" to" initiate" the"
examine" prosecution,"the"complaint"may"be"filed"by"the"minor’s"parents,"grandparents"
• If"the"accused"is"entitled"to"due"process,"so"is"the"State" or"guardian"
" "
PROSECUTION(OF(PRIVATE(CRIMES( EFFECT( OF( RA( 7610( (SPECIAL( PROTECTION( OF( CHILDREN( AGAINST( CHILD( ABUSE,(
1. Prosecution"of"adultery"and"concubinage" EXPLOITATION(AND(DISCRIMINATION(ACT(
2. Prosecution"of"seduction,"abduction,"and"acts"of"lasciviousness" • Complaint" on" cases" of" unlawful" acts" mentioned" in" the" law" committed" against"
3. Prosecution"of"defamation" children"may"be"filed"by"the"ff:(
( 1. Offended"party;(
1. Prosecution(of(adultery(and(concubinage( 2. Parents"or"guardians;(
• Not"prosecuted"except"upon"a"complaint"filed"by"the"offended(spouse( 3. Ascendant"or"collateral"relatives"within"the"third"degree"of"consanguinity;(
• Rule"is"clear:"prosecutor"cannot"prosecute"the"case"where"no"complaint"is"filed" 4. Officer," social" worker" or" representative" of" a" licensed" childIcaring"
by"the"offended"spouse( institution;(
• Action" cannot" be" instituted" against" one" party" alone" but" must" be" instituted" 5. Officer"or"social"worker"of"the"DSWD;(
against"both"guilty"parties,"unless"one"of"them"is"no"longer"alive( 6. Barangay"chairman;"or(
• May"not"be"instituted"if"it"is"shown"that"the"offended"party"has"consented"to" 7. At"least"3"concerned,"responsible"citizens"where"the"violation"occurred(
the"offense"or"has"pardoned"the"offenders( (
• Since" the" rule" does" not" distinguish," the" consent" or" pardon" may" either" be" (
(
(
3. Prosecution(of(defamation( Frias&v.&People&
• Defamation" under" this" rule" consists" in" the" imputation" of" the" offenses" of" • Accused" is" deemed" to" have" waived" his" right" to" assail" when" he" voluntarily"
adultery,"concubinage,"seduction,"abduction,"and"acts"of"lasciviousness( entered"a"plea"when"arraigned"and"participated"in"the"trial"
• Criminal"action"shall"be"brought"at"the"instance"of"and"upon"the"complaint"filed" "
by"the"offended"party" OBJECTIONS(AS(TO(FORM(
• Only"the"offended"party"can"initiate"the"criminal"action" • Cannot"be"made"for"the"first"time"on"appeal"
" • Accused" should" have" moved" before" arraignment" either" for" (1)" a" bill" of"
SECTION(6:(SUFFICIENCY(OF(COMPLAINT(OR(INFORMATION( particulars"or"(2)"the"quashal"of"the"information"
A(complaint(or(information(is(sufficient(if(it(states(the(name(of(the(accused;(the( • Having" failed" to" pursue" either" remedy," he" is" deemed" to" have" waived" his"
designation(of(the(offense(given(by(the(statute;(the(acts(or(omissions(complained( objection"to"any"formal"defect"in"the"information"People&v.&Teodoro"
of(as(constituting(the(offense;(the(name(of(the(offended(party;(the(approximate( "
date( of( the( commission( of( the( offense;( and( the( place( where( the( offense( was( SECTION(7:(NAME(OF(THE(ACCUSED(
committed.(( The(complaint(or(information(must(state(the(name(and(surname(of(the(accused(or(
( any( appellation( or( nickname( by( which( he( has( been( or( is( known.( If( his( name(
When( an( offense( is( committed( by( more( than( one( person,( all( of( them( shall( be( cannot( be( ascertained,( he( must( be( described( under( a( fictitious( name( with( a(
included(in(the(complaint(or(information.(( statement(that(his(true(name(is(unknown.((
" (
SUFFICIENCY(OF(THE(COMPLAINT(OR(INFORMATION((BAR(1994;(2001)( If(the(true(name(of(the(accused(is(thereafter(disclosed(by(him(or(appears(in(some(
• Deemed"sufficient"if"it"contains"the"ff:" other(manner(to(the(court,(such(true(name(shall(be(inserted(in(the(complaint(or(
1. Name" of" the" accused;" if" committed" by" more" than" 1" person," all" of" them" information(and(record.((
shall"be"included" "
2. Designation"of"the"offense"given"by"statute;" HOW(TO(STATE(THE(NAME(OF(THE(ACCUSED(
3. Acts"or"omissions"complained"of"as"constituting"the"offense;" 1. Must" state" the" name" and" surname" of" the" accused" or" any" appellation" or"
4. Name"of"the"offended"party;" nickname"by"which"he"has"been"or"is"known"
5. Approximate"date"of"the"commission"of"the"offense;"and" 2. If" his" name" cannot" be" ascertained," he" must" be" described" under" a" fictitious"
6. Place"where"the"offense"was"committed" name." A" description" of" the" accused" under" a" fictitious" name" must" be"
" accompanied"by"a"statement"that"his"true"name"is"unknown"
TEST(FOR(SUFFICIENCY( 3. If" later," his" true" name" is" disclosed" by" him" or" becomes" known" in" some" other"
• Whether"the"crime"is"described"in"intelligible"terms"with"such"particularity"as"to" manner,"his"true"name"shall"be"inserted"in"the"complaint"or"information"and"in"
apprise"the"accused"with"reasonable"certainty"of"the"offense"charged" the"records"of"the"case"
• Purpose"of"the"requirement"for"the"information’s"validity"and"sufficiency"is"to" "
enable"to"accused"to"suitably"prepare"for"his"defense"since"he"is"presumed"to" • A" mistake" in" the" name" is" not" equivalent" to" a" mistake" in" the" identity" of" the"
have"no"independent"knowledge"of"the"facts"that"constitute"the"offense" accused" especially" when" sufficient" evidence" is" adduced" to" show" that" the"
" accused"is"pointed"to"as"one"of"the"perpetrators"of"the"crime"People&v.&Amodia"
QUESTIONING(THE(INSUFFICIENCY(OF(THE(COMPLAINT(OR(INFORMATION( • However,"the"identity"of"the"accused"must"be"proven"People&v.&Tumambing"
• May"be"assailed"but"the"right"to"question"the"sufficiency"is"not"absolute" "
• Accused" is" deemed" to" have" waived" this" right" if" he" fails" to" object" upon" his" "
arraignment"or"during"trial" "
• In" either" case," evidence" presented" during" trial" can" cure" the" defect" in" the" "
information" "
" "
(
SECTION(8:(DESIGNATION(OF(THE(OFFENSE( EFFECT( OF( FAILURE( TO( DESIGNATE( THE( OFFENSE( BY( STATUTE( OR( FAILURE( TO(
The(complaint(or(information(shall(state(the(designation(of(the(offense(given(by( MENTION(THE(PROVISION(VIOLATED(
the( statute,( aver( the( acts( or( omissions( constituting( the( offense,( and( specify( its( • Failure"to"designate"the"offense"by"statute,"or"to"mention"the"specific"provision,"
qualifying(and(aggravating(circumstances.(If(there(is(no(designation(of(the(offense,( or" an" erroneous" specification" of" the" law" violated" does( not" vitiate" the"
reference(shall(be(made(to(the(section(or(subsection(of(the(statute(punishing(it.( information" if" the" facts" alleged" clearly" recite" the" facts" constituting" the" crime"
( charged"Malto&v.&People"
DETERMINATION(OF(THE(NATURE(AND(CHARACTER(OF(THE(CRIME( "
• Character"of"the"crime"is"not"determined"by"the"caption"or"the"preamble"of"the" Licyayo&v.&People"
information" nor" by" the" specification" of" the" provision" of" law," they" being" mere( • That" the" information" did" not" specifically" mention" Art." 249" as" the" law" which"
conclusions(of(law" defines"and"penalizes"homicide"did"not"make"the"information"defective"
• Determined" by" the" recital" of" the" ultimate" facts" and" circumstances" in" the" • The"information"nonetheless"narrated"that"the"accused"stabbed"the"victim"with"
information" a"bladed"weapon"during"the"incident"which"caused"the"latter’s"death"
• Even"if"the"designation"is"defective,"what"is"controlling"is"the"allegation"of"the" • The" allegations" unmistakably" refer" to" homicide," the" unlawful" killing" of" any"
facts" in" the" information" that" comprises" a" crime" and" adequately" describes" the" person"other"than"murder,"parricide,"or"infanticide"
nature"and"cause"of"the"accusation"against"the"accused"People&v.&Anguac" • There" is" nothing" in" the" ROC" which" specifically" requires" that" the" information"
( must"state"the"particular"law"under"which"the"accused"is"charged"in"order"for"it"
DESIGNATION(OF(THE(OFFENSE( to"be"considered"sufficient"and"valid"
• Allegations" in" the" information" determine" the" nature" of" the" offense," not" the" • Sufficiency" of" an" information" is" not" negated" by" an" incomplete" or" defective"
technical" name" given" by" the" public" prosecutor" in" the" preamble" of" the" designation"of"the"crime"in"the"caption"or"other"parts"of"the"information"but"by"
Information" the"narration"of"facts"and"circumstances"which"adequately"depict"a"crime"and"
• The"technical"name"of"the"crime"which"he"stands"charged"is"of"no"concern"to" sufficiently" apprise" the" accused" of" the" nature" and" cause" of" the" accusation"
the"accused"as"it"in"no"way"aids"him"in"a"defense"on"the"merits" against"him"
• Real"question"is"not"did"he"commit"a"crime"given"in"the"law"some"technical"and" "
specific" name," but" did" he" perform" the" acts" alleged" in" the" body" o" the" EFFECT(OF(FAILURE(TO(SPECIFY(THE(CORRECT(CRIME(
information"in"the"manner"therein"set"forth"Matrido&v.&People" • Such"will"not"bar"conviction"of"the"accused"
• Specific" acts" do" not" have" to" be" described" in" detail" in" the" information" as" it" is" • Crime" committed" is" determined" by" the" recital" of" the" ultimate" facts" and"
enough"that"the"offense"be"described"with"sufficient"particularity"to"make"sure" circumstances"in"the"complaint"or"information"Briones&v.&People"
the"accused"fully"understands"what"he"is"being"charged"with" "
• Particularity" must" be" such" that" a" person" of" ordinary" intelligence" immediately" STATEMENT( OF( THE( QUALIFYING( AND( AGGRAVATING( CIRCUMSTANCES( (BAR(
knows"what"the"charge"is" 2001)(
• Reasonable"certainty"in"the"statement"of"the"crime"suffices"Guy&v.&People" • Required" for" the" circumstances" to" be" considered" in" the" imposition" of" the"
" penalty"People&v.&Tampus"
RULES(IN(DESIGNATING(THE(OFFENSE( "
1. Designation" requires" that" the" name" given" to" the" offense" by" statute" must" be" People&v.&Mendoza"
stated"in"the"complaint"or"information" • Informations" did" not" allege" that" the" rapes" were" committed" with" the" use" of" a"
2. If"the"statute"gives"no"designation"to"the"offense,"then"reference"must"instead" deadly"weapon"
be"made"to"the"section"or"subsection"punishing"it" • Not" having" been" alleged" and" having" been" charged" with" simple" rape" only," the"
3. To" be" included" in" the" complete" designation" is" an" averment" of" the" acts" or" accused"cannot"be"convicted"of"qualified"rape"
omissions"constituting"the"offense" • He" cannot" be" held" liable" for" an" offense" graver" than" that" for" which" he" was"
4. Must"specify"the"qualifying"and"aggravating"circumstances"of"the"offense" indicted" as" it" would" be" a" denial" of" the" right" of" the" accused" to" be" informed" of"
" the"charges"against"him,"and"consequently,"a"denial"of"due"process"
(
Buebos&v.&People" People&v.&Ubiña"
• Information" for" arson" had" no" allegation" that" the" house" was" intentionally" • Because" the" information" only" mentioned" the" accused" as" the" victim’s" uncle,"
burned"and"their"cohorts"was"inhabited" without"specifically"stating"that"he"is"a"relative"within"the"third"civil"degree,"he"
• Hence," the" accused" can" only" be" liable" for" simple" arson" and" not" arson" of" an" cannot"be"convicted"of"rape"in"its"qualified"form"even"if"such"relationship"was"
inhabited"dwelling"which"carries"a"higher"penalty" proven"during"the"trial"court"
" • Twin"circumstances"of"minority"and"relationship"under"Art."335,"RPC"are"in"the"
Award(of(exemplary(damages( nature"of"qualifying"circumstances"because"they"alter"the"nature"of"the"crime"
• Prior" to" the" effectivity" o" the" Revised" Rules" of" Criminal" Procedure," courts" of"rape"and"increase"the"penalty"
generally" awarded" exemplary" damages" in" criminal" cases" when" an" aggravating" • As" such," they" must" be" specifically" pleaded" or" alleged" with" certainty" in" the"
circumstance," whether" ordinary" or" qualifying," had" been" proven" to" have" information"
attended"the"crime,"even"if"not"alleged"in"the"information" • If" the" offender" is" merely" a" relation" –" not" a" parent," ascendant," stepIparent,"
• Now,"courts"can"no"longer"consider"the"aggravating"circumstances"not"alleged" guardian," or" common" law" spouse" of" the" mother" of" the" victim" –" the" specific"
and"proven"in"the"determination"of"the"penalty"and"in"the"award"for"damages" relationship" must" be" alleged" in" the" information," i.e.," that" he" is" a" relative" by"
" consanguinity"or"affinity"within"the"third"civil"degree,"as"the"case"may"be"
People&v.&Dalisay& "
• Even" if" the" guilt" of" the" accused" was" proven" beyond" reasonable" doubt," the" SECTION(9:(CAUSE(OF(THE(ACCUSATION(
accused" cannot" be" convicted" of" qualified" rape" but" only" with" simple" rape" The(acts(or(omissions(complained(of(as(constituting(the(offense(and(the(qualifying(
because"the"special"qualifying"circumstances"of"minority"and"relationship"were" and( aggravating( circumstances( must( be( stated( in( ordinary( and( concise( language(
not"sufficiently"alleged"in"the"information" and(not(necessarily(in(the(language(used(in(the(statute,(but(in(terms(sufficient(to(
" enable(a(person(of(common(understanding(to(know(what(offense(is(being(charged(
People&v.&Roxas" as( well( as( its( qualifying( and( aggravating( circumstances( and( for( the( court( to(
• Qualifying" circumstances" need" not" be" preceded" by" descriptive" words" such" as" pronounce(judgment."
“qualifying”"or"“qualified"by”"to"properly"qualify"an"offense" "
• It"is"not"the"use"of"such"words"that"raises"a"crime"to"a"higher"category"but"the" CAUSE(OF(ACCUSATION(
specific" allegation" of" an" attendant" circumstance" which" adds" the" essential" • Allegations" of" facts" constituting" the" offense" charged" are" substantial( matters"
element" and"an"accused’s"right"to"question"his"conviction"based"on"facts"not"alleged"in"
" the"information"cannot"be"waived"
Francisco&v.&People" • No" matter" how" conclusive" and" convincing" the" evidence" of" guilty," an" accused"
• That" the" words" “conspiracy,”" “conspired,”" or" “in" conspiracy" with”" do" not" cannot"be"convicted"of"any"offense"unless"it"is"charged"in"the"information"
appear"in"the"information"does"not"necessarily"mean"that"the"absence"of"these" • To" convict" him" of" a" ground" not" alleged" while" he" is" concentrating" his" defense"
words"would"signify"that"conspiracy"was"not"alleged" against"the"ground"alleged"would"be"plainly"unfair"and"underhanded"
• The" phrase" “participate" in" and" facilitate”" is" a" clear" and" definite" allegation" of" • Variance"between"the"allegation"in"the"information"and"proof"adduced"during"
conspiracy"sufficient"for"those"being"accused"to"competently"enter"a"plea"and" trial" shall" be" fatal" to" the" criminal" case" if" it" is" material" and" prejudicial" to" the"
to"make"a"proper"defense" accused"that"it"affects"his"substantial"rights"Matrido&v.&People"
" "
" "
" "
" "
" "
" "
" "
"
(
Rules:( People&v.&Tampus&
• It"is"not"necessary"to"employ"the"words"used"in"the"statute" • Although" the" victim’s" minority" was" alleged" and" established," her" relationship"
• Sufficient"that"the"complaint"or"information"uses"ordinary"and"concise"language" with"the"accused"as"the"daughter"was"not"properly"alleged"in"the"information,"
sufficient"enough"to"enable"the"person"of"common"understanding"to"know"the" even"though"proven"during"trial"and"not"refuted"by"the"accused"
ff:" • Since" the" information" did" not" state" that" the" accused" is" the" mother" of" the"
1. Offense"being"charged;" victim," the" circumstance" could" not" be" appreciated" as" a" special" qualifying"
2. Acts"or"omissions"complained"of"as"constituting"the"offense;"and" circumstance" and" the" mother" may" only" be" convicted" as" an" accomplice" in" the"
3. Qualifying"and"aggravating"circumstances" crime"of"simple"rape"
" "
Serapio&v.&Sandiganbayan& People&v.&Mejia&
• Acts" or" omissions" complained" of" must" be" alleged" in" such" a" form" sufficient" to" • Under"Art."266IB,"RPC,"both"circumstances"must"be"alleged"in"the"information"
enable" a" person" of" common" understanding" to" know" what" offense" is" intended" and"must"concur"to"qualify"the"crime"of"rape"but"in"this"case,"only"relationship"
to"be"charged"and"enable"the"court"to"know"the"proper"judgment" was"duly"alleged"and"proved"
• What"facts"and"circumstances"are"necessary"o"be"included"must"be"determined" • Elementary"is"the"doctrine"that"the"prosecution"bears"the"burden"of"proving"all"
by"reference"to"the"definition"and"elements"of"the"specific"crimes" the"elements"of"a"crime,"including"the"qualifying"circumstances"
• Purpose"of"the"requirement"of"alleging"all"the"elements"of"the"crime:" "
a. To"inform"the"accused"of"the"nature"of"the"accusation"against"him"so"as"to" People&v.&Begino&
enable"him"to"suitably"prepare"for"his"defense" • Where" the" qualifying" circumstance" of" relationship" was" not" properly" pleaded,"
b. To" enable" the" accused," if" found" guilty," to" plead" his" conviction" in" a" the"accused"was"not"convicted"of"rape"in"the"qualified"form"
subsequent"prosecution"for"the"same"offense" "
" Andres&v.&People&
Buebos&v.&People& • Information" did" not" allege" that" the" carnapping" was" committed" by" means" of"
• If" the" information" charges" a" violation" of" law" that" requires" an" intentional" violence"against,"or"intimidation"of,"any"person,"or"force"upon"things"
burning"of"a"house"or"dwelling"but"the"information"does"not"allege"that"there" • While" proven" during" trial," they" cannot" be" appreciated" because" they" were" not"
was" an" intentional" burning" of" such," there" can" be" no" conviction" because" of" an" alleged"in"the"information"and"the"charge"is"thus"confined"to"simple"carnapping"
insufficiency"in"the"allegations"of"the"information" "
" SECTION(10:(PLACE(OF(COMMISSION(OF(THE(OFFENSE(
People&v.&Aure& The( complaint( or( information( is( sufficient( if( it( can( be( understood( from( its(
• Victim"was"raped"by"the"accused"while"she"was"under"the"custody"of"the"PNPI allegations( that( the( offense( was( committed( or( some( of( its( essential( ingredients(
CIDG" occurred(at(some(place(within(the(jurisdiction(of(the(court,(unless(the(particular(
• While"Art."266IB,"RPC"provides"that"the"death"penalty"shall"be"imposed"if"the" place( where( it( was( committed( constitutes( an( essential( element( of( the( offense(
victim" was" raped" while" under" the" custody" of" police" authorities," or" when" the" charged(or(is(necessary(for(its(identification."
rape"is"committed"by"any"member"of"the"PNP"or"any"law"enforcement"agency," "
such" circumstance" cannot" be" appreciated" even" if" subsequently" proven" during" HOW(TO(STATE(THE(PLACE(OF(COMMISSION(OF(THE(OFFENSE(
the"trial"as"it"was"not"specifically"alleged"in"the"information" • General( rule:( statement" is" sufficient" if" it" can" be" understood" from" the"
" allegations"of"the"complaint"or"information"that"the"offense"was"committed"or"
" some"of"its"essential"elements"occurred"at"some"place"within"the"jurisdiction"of"
" the"court"
" • Exception:" Where" the" particular" place" where" the" offense" was" committed" is,"
" however," an" essential" element" of" the" offense" or" is" necessary" for" its"
" identification,"it"is"implied"that"the"description"of"the"place"must"be"specific"
"
(
SECTION(11:(DATE(OF(COMMISSION(OF(THE(OFFENSE( SECTION(12:(NAME(OF(THE(OFFENDED(PARTY(
It( is( not( necessary( to( state( in( the( complaint( or( information( the( precise( date( the( The( complaint( or( information( must( state( the( name( and( surname( of( the( person(
offense(was(committed(except(when(it(is(a(material(ingredient(of(the(offense.(The( against( whom( or( against( whose( property( the( offense( was( committed,( or( any(
offense(may(be(alleged(to(have(been(committed(on(a(date(as(near(as(possible(to( appellation(or(nickname(by(which(such(person(has(been(or(is(known.(If(there(is(no(
the(actual(date(of(its(commission." better(way(of(identifying(him,(he(must(be(described(under(a(fictitious(name.((
" (a) In(offenses(against(property,(if(the(name(of(the(offended(party(is(unknown,(
HOW(TO(STATE(THE(DATE(OF(THE(COMMISSION(OF(THE(OFFENSE( the(property(must(be(described(with(such(particularity(as(to(properly(identify(
• General(rule:(it"is"not"necessary"to"state"the"precise"date"as"the"offense"may"be" the(offense(charged.((
alleged" to" have" been" committed" on" a" date" as" near" as" possible" to" the" actual" (b) If(the(true(name(of(the(person(against(whom(or(against(whose(property(the(
date" offense(was(committed(is(thereafter(disclosed(or(ascertained,(the(court(must(
• Exception:(it"necessary"to"state"the"precise"date"when"it"is"a"material"ingredient" cause(such(true(name(to(be(inserted(in(the(complaint(or(information(and(the(
of"the"offense" record.((
• Sec."6,"Rule"110,"ROC"provides"that"the"allegation"of"the"approximate"date"of" (c) If(the(offended(party(is(a(juridical(person,(it(is(sufficient(to(state(its(name,(or(
the" commission" will" suffice," while" Sec." 11" provides" that" it" is" not" necessary" to" any( name( or( designation( by( which( it( is( known( or( by( which( it( may( be(
state" in" the" complaint" or" information" the" precise" date" the" offense" was" identified,( without( need( of( averring( that( it( is( a( juridical( person( or( that( it( is(
committed"except"when"it"is"a"material"element"of"the"crime" organized(in(accordance(with(law.(
" "
When(date(or(time(is(a(material(ingredient(of(the(offense( HOW(TO(STATE(THE(NAME(OF(THE(OFFENDED(PARTY(WHO(IS(A(NATURAL(PERSON(
1. Infanticide" 1. Must"state"the"name"and"surname"of"the"offended"party"or"any"appellation"or"
2. Violation"of"Election"Laws" nickname"by"which"such"person"has"been"or"is"known"
3. Abortion" 2. If" there" is" no" better" way" of" identifying" him," he" must" be" described" under" a"
4. Bigamy" fictitious"name"
5. Falsification" 3. If"later"on,"the"true"name"of"the"offended"party"is"disclosed"or"ascertained,"the"
6. Delivery"to"proper"judicial"authority"–"delay"in"the"delivery"of"persons" court"must"cause"such"true"name"to"be"inserted"
7. Statutory"Rape" "
" HOW( TO( STATE( THE( NAME( OF( THE( OFFENDED( PARTY( WHO( IS( A( JURIDICAL(
People&v.&Cinco& PERSON(
• In" rape" cases," the" failure" to" specify" the" exact" date" or" times" when" the" rape" 1. Sufficient"to"state"its"name"or"any"name"or"designation"by"which"it"is"known"or"
occurred"does"not"ipso"facto"make"the"information"defective"on"its"face" by" which" it" may" be" identified," without" need" of" averring" that" it" is" a" judicial"
• Date" or" time" is" not" a" material" ingredient" of" the" said" crime" because" the" person"or"that"it"is"organized"in"accordance"with"law"
gravamen" of" rape" is" the" carnal" knowledge" of" a" woman" through" force" and" "
intimidation" RULE(IF(THE(NAME(OF(THE(OFFENDED(PARTY(IS(UNKNOWN(IN(OFFENSES(AGAINST(
" PROPERTY(
" • The"property"must"be"described"with"such"particularity"as"to"properly"identify"
" the"offense"charged""
" "
" Sayson&v.&People&
" • In"offenses"against"property,"the"designation"of"the"name"of"the"offended"party"
" is" not" absolutely" indispensable" as" long" as" the" criminal" act" charged" in" the"
" complaint"or"information"can"be"properly"identified"
" "
" "
(
SECTION(13:(DUPLICITY(OF(THE(OFFENSE( SECTION(14:(AMENDMENT(OR(SUBSITUTION(
A( complaint( or( information( must( charge( only( one( offense,( except( when( the( law( A( complaint( or( information( may( be( amended,( in( form( or( in( substance,( without(
prescribes(a(single(punishment(for(various(offenses." leave(of(court,(at(any(time(before(the(accused(enters(his(plea.(After(the(plea(and(
" during(the(trial,(a(formal(amendment(may(only(be(made(with(leave(of(court(and(
DUPLICITY(OF(THE(OFFENSE((BAR(2005)( when(it(can(be(done(without(causing(prejudice(to(the(rights(of(the(accused.((
• General(rule:"a"complaint"or"information"must"charge"only"1"offense" (
• Exception:" more" than" 1" offense" may" be" charged" when" the" law" prescribes" a" However,( any( amendment( before( plea,( which( downgrades( the( nature( of( the(
single"punishment"for"various"offenses" offense( charged( in( or( excludes( any( accused( from( the( complaint( or( information,(
" can( be( made( only( upon( motion( by( the( prosecutor,( with( notice( to( the( offended(
When(the(law(prescribes(a(single(punishment(for(various(offenses( party( and( with( leave( of( court.( The( court( shall( state( its( reasons( in( resolving( the(
1. Complex"Crime:" motion( and( copies( of( its( order( shall( be( furnished( all( parties,( especially( the(
a. When"a"single"act"produces"2"or"more"grave"or"less"grave"felonies" offended(party.(
b. When" an" offense" is" necessary" for" committing" the" other" (complex" crime" (
proper)" If( it( appears( at( any( time( before( judgment( that( a( mistake( has( been( made( in(
2. Compound"Crime"–"when"a"single"act"constitutes"2"or"more"grave"or"less"grave" charging( the( proper( offense,( the( court( shall( dismiss( the( original( complaint( or(
felonies" information( upon( the( filing( of( a( new( one( charging( the( proper( offense( in(
3. 3"Modes"of"Estafa" accordance(with(section(19,(Rule(119,(provided(the(accused(shall(not(be(placed(in(
" double( jeopardy.( The( court( may( require( the( witnesses( to( give( bail( for( their(
Objection(whenever(a(complaint(or(information(charges(more(than(one(offense( appearance(at(the(trial.(
• Objection"must"be"timely"interposed"as"the"failure"to"do"so"constitutes"waiver" "
• Accused"must"object"to"such"fact"before"trial" AMENDMENT(OF(THE(INFORMATION(OR(COMPLAINT(BEFORE(PLEA;(NO(NEED(FOR(
• If"he"does"not"so"object,"the"court"may"convict"him"of"as"many"offenses"as"are" LEAVE((BAR(2001;(2002)(
charged"and"proved,"and"impose"on"him"the"penalty"for"each"offense" (Sec.&3,& "
Rule&120,&ROC;&People&v.&Chingh)" Amendment(made(before(the(plea(
" • General( rule:" complaint" or" information" may" be" amended" in" form" or" in"
People&v.&Quemeggen& substance,"without"the"need"for"leave"of"court"
• No"problem"convicting"an"accused"of"2"or"more"crimes"erroneously"charged"in" • Exception:"leave"of"court"is"still"required"if:"
1" information" or" complaint," but" later" proven" to" be" independent" crimes," as" if" 1. Amendment"downgrades"the"nature"of"the"offense"charged,"or"
they" were" made" the" subject" of" separate" complaints" or" informations" since" as" 2. Amendment"excludes"any"accused"from"the"complaint"or"information"
worded,"the"information"sufficiently"alleged"all"the"elements"of"both"felonies" • Requirements"in"such"case:"
• Accused" failed," before" their" arraignment," to" move" for" the" quashal" of" the" said" 1. Leave"of"court"
information"thus,"they"have"waived"any"objection"thereto"" 2. Motion"by"the"prosecutor"
" 3. Notice"to"the"offended"party"
" 4. Court" is" mandated" to" state" its" reasons" in" resolving" the" motion" of" the"
" prosecutor"
" 5. Court"is"also"to"furnish"all"parties,"especially"the"offended"party,"of"copies"
" of"its"order"
" "
" "
" "
" "
"
(
Amendment(made(after(the(plea( Pacoy&v.&Judge&Cajigal"
1. Formal(amendments:( • Upon" arraignment," the" accused," duly" assisted" by" counsel," plead" not" guilty" to"
• May"only"be"made"under"2"conditions:" the"charge"of"homicide"
a. Leave"of"court"must"be"secured" • Upon"the"judge’s"order,"the"prosecutor"entered"his"amendment"by"crossing"out"
b. Amendment"does"not"cause"prejudice"to"the"rights"of"the"accused" “homicide”" and" instead" writing" “murder”" in" the" caption" and" in" the" opening"
" paragraph" of" the" information," the" accusatory" portion" remaining" exactly" the"
Examples:" same""
a. New" allegations" which" relate" only" to" the" range" of" the" penalty" that" the" court" • SC:" the" change" of" the" offense" charged" to" murder" is" merely" a" formal(
might"impose"in"the"event"of"conviction;" amendment"and"not"a"substantial"amendment"or"a"substitution"
b. Not"charge"another"offense"different"from"that"charged"in"the"original"one" • There"was"no"change"in"the"recital"of"the"facts"constituting"the"offense"charged"
c. Additional" allegations" which" do" not" alter" the" prosecution’s" theory" of" the" case" or"in"the"determination"of"the"jurisdiction"of"the"court"
so"as"to"cause"surprise"to"the"accused"and"affect"the"form"of"defense"he"has" • Since"the"facts"alleged"in"the"accusatory"portion"are"identical"with"those"of"the"
d. Not"adversely"affect"any"substantial"right"of"the"accused;"and" original,"there"could"not"be"any"effect"on"the"prosecution’s"theory"of"the"case;"
e. Merely"adds"specification"to"eliminate"vagueness"in"the"information"and"not"to" neither" would" there" be" any" possible" prejudice" to" the" rights" or" defense" of" the"
introduce"new"and"material"facts" accused"
" "
2. Substantial(amendments:( SUBSTITUTION(OF(COMPLAINT(OR(INFORMATION((BAR(2002)(
• General( rule:( substantial" amendments" are" proscribed" at" this" stage" since" the" • May"be"made"if"it"appears"at"any"time"before"judgment"that"a"mistake"has"been"
rule"only"makes"reference"to"formal"amendments( made"in"charging"the"proper"offense"
• Exception:(when"the"same"is"beneficial"to"the"accused(Ricarze&v.&CA( • In"such"case,"the"court"shall"dismiss"the"original"complaint"or"information"once"
( the"new"one"charging"the"proper"offense"is"filed"provided"that"the"accused"will"
WHEN(AN(AMENDMENT(IS(FORMAL(OR(SUBSTANTIAL((BAR(1997)( not"be"placed"in"double"jeopardy"
• Test"of"whether"a"defendant"is"prejudiced"by"the"amendment:" • Dean"Vallente:"Nothing"in"the"rules"prohibit"the"prosecutor"or"the"accused"from"
1. Whether" a" defense" under" the" information" as" it" originally" stood" would" be" seeking"the"substitution"of"the"complaint"or"information"
available"after"the"amendment"is"made" "
2. Whether" any" evidence" the" defendant" might" have" would" be" equally" Double(jeopardy(
applicable"to"the"information"in"the"one"form"as"in"the"other" • The"following"must"be"proven:"
• Formal" amendment" –" does" not" change" the" nature" of" the" crime" alleged" and" 1. First"jeopardy"must"have"attached"prior"to"the"second;"
does" not" affect" the" essence" of" the" offense" or" cause" surprise" or" deprive" the" 2. First"jeopardy"must"have"been"validly"terminated"
accused"of"an"opportunity"to"meet"the"new"averment" 3. Second"jeopardy"must"be:"
" a. For"the"same"offense;""
Ricarze&v.&CA" b. Second" offense" necessarily" includes" or" is" necessarily" included" in" the"
• Substitution"of"the"private"complainant"is"not"a"substantial"amendment"where" offense"charged"in"the"first"information;""
such"did"not"alter"the"basis"of"the"charge"in"the"information"nor"result"in"any" c. There"is"an"attempt"to"commit"the"same;""
prejudice"to"the"other"party"" d. There"is"a"frustration"thereof"
• More"so"as"the"documentary"evidence"involved"remained"the"same" • Offense"necessarily( includes"another"when"some"of"the"essential"elements"of"
" the"former"constitute"the"latter"
" • Offense"is"necessarily(included"in"another"when"the"essential"ingredients"of"the"
" former"constitute"the"latter"
" "
" "
"
(
• For"the"protection"against"double"jeopardy"to"inure"in"favor"of"the"accused,"the" DISTINCTION(BETWEEN(SUBSTITUTION(AND(AMENDMENT((BAR(1994)(
following"should"be"present:" Pacoy&v.&Cajigal&
1. Valid"complaint"or"information" Amendment( Substitution(
2. Competent"court" May" be" made" before" or" after" the" May" be" made" before" or" after" the"
3. Defendant"pleaded"to"the"charge" defendant"pleads" defendant"pleads"
4. Defendant"was:" May" either" be" formal" or" substantial" Necessarily" involves" a" substantial"
a. Acquitted;" changes" change"from"the"original"charge"
b. Convicted;" Amendment" before" plea" can" be" Must" be" with" leave" of" court" as" the"
c. Case"against"him"was"dismissed;"or" effected"without"leave"of"court" original" information" has" to" be"
d. Otherwise"terminated"without"his"express"consent" dismissed"
" Formal"amendment"does"not"need:" Another" preliminary" investigation" is"
Dismissal( of( the( original( complaint( or( information( is( subject( to( the( provisions( of( (1)" another" preliminary" investigation;" entailed" and" the" accused" has" to" plead"
Sec.(19,(Rule(119( and"" anew"to"the"new"information"
( (2)"retaking"of"the"plea"of"the"accused"
Section(19,(Rule(119( Refers" to" the" same" offense" charged" in" Presuppose" that" a" new" information"
When" it" becomes" manifest" at" any" time" before" judgment" that" a" mistake" has" been" the" original" information" or" to" an" involves"a"different"offense"which"does"
made" in" charging" the" proper" offense" and" the" accused" cannot" be" convicted" of" the" offense"which"necessarily"includes"or"is" not" include" or" is" not" necessarily"
offense"charged"or"any"other"offense"necessarily"included"therein,"the"accused"shall" necessarily" included" in" the" original" included"in"the"original"charge"
not"be"discharged"if"there"appears"good"cause"to"detain"him."In"such"case,"the"court" charge"
shall"commit"the"accused"to"answer"for"the"proper"offense"and"dismiss"the"original" Hence," substantial" amendments" after" Hence," accused" cannot" claim" double"
case"upon"the"filing"of"the"proper"information." the" plea" cannot" be" made" over" the" jeopardy"
" objection" of" the" accused," for" if" the"
Rules:( original" information" would" be"
If" it" becomes" manifest" at" any" time" before" judgment" that" the" accused" cannot" be" withdrawn," the" accused" could" invoke"
convicted" of" the" offense" charged" or" of" any" other" offense" necessarily" included" double(jeopardy(
therein,"as"when"a"mistake"has"been"made"in"charging"the"proper"offense," "
1. Court"shall"nevertheless"commit"the"accused"to"answer"for"the"proper"offense" • The" first" paragraph" of" Sec." 14" provides" the" rules" for" amendment," while" the"
by"requiring"the"filing"of"the"proper"information" second"paragraph"refers"to"substitution"
2. Accused" shall" not" be" discharged" if" there" appears" to" be" good" cause" to" detain" • Amendment" is" sufficient" where" the" second" information" involves" the" same"
him" offense," or" an" offense" which" necessarily" includes" or" is" necessarily" included" in"
3. After"the"proper"information"is"filed,"it"shall"dismiss"the"original"case" the"first"information"
"
• Substitution"is"in"order"where"the"new"information"charges"an"offense"which"is"
"
distinct"and"different"from"that"initially"charged"
"
(
"
(
"
(
"
(
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(
SECTION(15:(PLACE(WHERE(ACTION(IS(TO(BE(INSTITUTED( Chavez&v.&CA&
(a) Subject(to(existing(laws,(the(criminal(action(shall(be(instituted(and(tried(in(the( • Information" filed" in" Manila" merely" alleged" that" the" defamatory" article" was"
court( of( the( municipality( or( territory( where( the( offense( was( committed( or( published" in" a" magazine" of" general" circulation" in" Manila" yet" did" not" establish"
where(any(of(its(essential(ingredients(occurred.(( the"printing"of"the"magazine"in"Manila"where"the"action"was"instituted"
(b) Where(an(offense(is(committed(in(a(train,(aircraft,(or(other(public(or(private( "
vehicle( in( the( course( of( its( trip,( the( criminal( action( shall( be( instituted( and( Agustin&v.&Pamintuan&
tried(in(the(court(of(any(municipality(or(territory(where(such(train,(aircraft,(or( • Information" merely" alleged" that" the" libelous" article" was" published" in" a"
other( vehicle( passed( during( its( trip,( including( the( place( of( its( departure( and( newspaper" of" general" circulation" in" Baguio" City" but" did" not" sufficiently" show"
arrival.(( Baguio"to"be"the"proper"venue"of"the"printing"and"first"publication"
(c) Where(an(offense(is(committed(on(board(a(vessel(in(the(course(of(its(voyage,( "
the(criminal(action(shall(be(instituted(and(tried(in(the(court(of(the(first(port(of( RULE(WHERE(OFFENSE(IS(COMMITTED(IN(A(TRAIN,(AIRCRAFT(OR(VEHICLE(
entry(or(of(any(municipality(or(territory(where(the(vessel(passed(during(such( • Action" shall" be" instituted" in" the" court" of" any" municipality" or" territory" where"
voyage,(subject(to(the(generally(accepted(principles(of(international(law.(( such"train,"aircraft,"or"other"vehicle"passed"during"its"trip,"including"the"place"of"
(d) Crimes( committed( outside( the( Philippines( but( punishable( under( Article( 2( of( its"departure"and"arrival"
the( Revised( Penal( Code( shall( be( cognizable( by( the( court( where( the( criminal( • Rule"applies"when"the"offense"is"committed"in"the"course"of"the"trip"
action(is(first(filed.( "
" RULE(WHERE(OFFENSE(IS(COMMITTED(ON(BOARD(A(VESSEL(
VENUE(OF(CRIMINAL(ACTIONS( • Criminal"action"shall"be"instituted"and"tried"in:"
• Criminal"action"shall"be"instituted"and"tried"in"the"court"of"the"municipality"or" 1. Court"of"the"first"port"of"entry;"or"
territory"where:( 2. Municipality"or"territory"where"the"vessel"passed"during"its"voyage"
1. The"offense"was"committed;"or" • Rule"applies"when"the"offense"is"committed"during"the"voyage"and"is"subject"to"
2. Any"of"its"essential"ingredients"occurred" the"generally"accepted"principles"of"international"law"
• Rule"is"subject"to"existing"laws" "
" RULE(WHEN(THE(OFFENSE(IS(COVERED(BY(ART.(2,(RPC(
In(cases(of(written(defamation&& • Cognizable"where"the"criminal"action"is"first"filed"(see"also"pp."3)"
• Rules"in"Agbayani&v.&Saya:& "
a. Whether" the" offended" party" is" a" public" official" or" a" private" person," the" "
action" may" be" filed" in" the" RTC" of" the" province" or" city" where" the" libelous" "
article"is"printed"and"first"published" "
b. If( a( private( individual:"may"also"be"filed"where"he"actually"resided"at"the" "
time"of"the"commission"of"the"offense& "
c. If(a(public(officer(whose(office(is(in(Manila(at(the(time(of(the(commission( "
of(the(offense:(may"be"filed"in"the"RTC"of"Manila& "
d. If(a(public(officer(holding(office(outside(Manila:"may"be"filed"in"the"RTC"of" "
the"province"or"city"where"he"held"office"at"the"time"of"the"commission"of" "
the"offense& "
• If" the" criminal" action" is" filed" in" the" place" where" the" defamatory" article" was" "
printed"or"first"published,"then"the"information"must"so"state"that"the"libelous" "
material"was"either"printed"or"first"published"in"the"place"of"the"filing" "
• Merely"alleging"that"the"paper"or"magazine"is"of"general"circulation"in"the"place" "
where"the"action"is"instituted"does"not"confer"territorial"jurisdiction"Foz,&Jr.&v.& "
People&(see&pp.&4)" "
(
SECTION(16:(INTERVENTION(OF(THE(OFFENDED(PARTY(IN(CRIMINAL(ACTION( APPEARANCE(OF(A(PRIVATE(PROSECUTOR(
Where( the( civil( action( for( recovery( of( civil( liability( is( instituted( in( the( criminal( • Appointment" is" done" by" the" offended" party" and" is" a" mode" by" which" he"
action(pursuant(to(Rule(111,(the(offended(party(may(intervene(by(counsel(in(the( intervenes"in"the"prosecution"of"the"offense(
prosecution(of(the(offense.( • Only" allowed" where" the" civil" action" for" the" recovery" of" the" civil" liability" is"
( instituted"in"the"criminal"action"pursuant"to"Rule"111(
INTERVENTION(OF(THE(OFFENDED(PARTY( "
• Basis:"Art."100,"RPC"provides"that"every"person"criminally"liable"for"a"felony"is" EFFECT(OF(THE(FILING(OF(AN(INDEPENDENT(CIVIL(ACTION(ON(THE(RIGHT(OF(THE(
also"civilly"liable" OFFENDED(PARTY(TO(INTERVENE(IN(THE(PROSECUTION(OF(THE(OFFENSE(
• Civil" liability" includes" restitution," reparation" of" the" damages" caused" and" • Institution"of"an"independent"civil"action"does"not"deprive"the"offended"party"
indemnification"for"consequential"damages"(Art.&104,&RPC)" of"the"right"to"intervene"in"the"civil"action"through"a"private"prosecutor"
• Except" when" the" civil" liability" is" extinguished," the" offender" shall" be" obliged" to" • Under"Sec."1,"Rule"111,"when"a"criminal"action"is"instituted,"the"civil"action"shall"
satisfy"the"civil"liability,"even"if"he"has"already"served"his"sentence"consisting"of" be"deemed"instituted"with"the"criminal"action"unless"the"offended"party"waives"
deprivation" of" liberty" or" other" rights," or" has" not" been" required" to" serve" the" the"civil"action,"reserves"the"right"to"institute"it"separately"or"institutes"the"civil"
same"by"reason"of"amnesty,"pardon,"commutation"of"sentence,"or"others"(Art.& action"prior"to"the"criminal"action"
113,&RPC)" • Only" civil" liability" arising( from( the( offense" charged" is" deemed" impliedly"
• Existence" of" civil" liability" allows" the" offended" party" to" intervene" in" the" instituted"in"a"criminal"action"
prosecution" • Those"not"arising"from"the"offense"charged"like"the"independent"civil"actions"in"
• For"the"offended"party"to"acquire"the"right(to(intervene,"the"civil"action"for"the" Arts." 32," 33," 34," and" 2176," CC" are" not" deemed" instituted" and" proceed"
recovery"of"civil"liability"must"necessarily"be"instituted"with"the"criminal"action" independently"
• If" waived," reserved," or" instituted" prior" to" the" criminal" action," there" is" no" civil" • Thus," the" 2000" Rules" of" Criminal" Procedure" deleted" the" requirement" of"
liability"which"would"supply"a"basis"for"the"intervention" reserving" independent" civil" actions" and" allowed" these" to" proceed" separately"
• Presence"of"a"private"prosecutor"in"the"criminal"action"may"be"objected"to"by" because" they" are" separate," distinct" and" independent" of" any" criminal"
the"prosecution" prosecution"even"if"based"on"the"same"act"which"also"gave"rise"to"the"criminal"
" action"
Independent(Civil(Actions(and(Quasi^delicts( "
• Cases" where" the" criminal" action" also" gives" rise" to" an" independent" civil" action" Philippine&Rabbit&Bus&Lines&v.&People&
(physical" injuries," fraud," defamation," or" when" the" act" constituting" the" crime" • One" of" the" direct" consequences" of" the" independent" character" of" actions"
also"constitutes"a"quasiIdelict)"give"rise"to"distinct(civil(liabilities:" brought" under" Arts." 32," 33," 34," and" 2176" is" that" even" if" a" civil" action" is" filed"
1. Arising"from"the"offense"charged"under"Art."100,"RPC" separately,"the"ex"delicto"civil"liability"in"the"criminal"prosecution"remains,"and"
2. Civil"liabilities"arising"from"quasiIdelicts"or"independent"civil"actions" the" offended" party" may" –" subject" to" the" control" of" the" prosecutor" –" still"
• Because" civil" liabilies" from" independent" civil" actions" and" quasiIdelicts" do" not" intervene"in"the"criminal"action,"in"order"to"protect"the"remaining"civil"interest"
arise" form" the" felony" or" crime," and" have" distinct" sources" from" the" law" or" the" therein"
CC," they" are" not" covered" by" the" provision" of" the" RPC" declaring" that" persons" "
liable"for"the"felony"are"also"civilly"liable" "
• Such"civil"actions"may"proceed"independently"of"the"criminal"proceedings" "
and"regardless"of"the"result"of"the"latter"(Art.&31,&CC)" "
• Filing" of" the" suit" based" on" a" quasiIdelict" theory" during" the" pendency" of" the" "
criminal"proceedings"should"not"prevent"the"intervention"by"the"offended"party" "
in"the"prosecution"of"the"offense"because"there"still"exists"a"civil"liability"under" "
the"RPC" "
" "
(
CHAPTER(3:(RULE(111((PROSECUTION(OF(CIVIL(ACTION)( judgment.((
( (
SECTION(1:(INSTITUTION(OF(CRIMINAL(AND(CIVIL(ACTIONS( Where(the(civil(action(has(been(filed(separately(and(trial(thereof(has(not(yet(
(a) When( a( criminal( action( is( instituted,( the( civil( action( for( the( recovery( of( civil( commenced,(it(may(be(consolidated(with(the(criminal(action(upon(application(
liability(arising(from(the(offense(charged(shall(be(deemed(instituted(with(the( with(the(court(trying(the(latter(case.(If(the(application(is(granted,(the(trial(of(
criminal(action(unless(the(offended(party(waives(the(civil(action,(reserves(the( both(actions(shall(proceed(in(accordance(with(section(2(of(this(Rule(governing(
right(to(institute(it(separately(or(institutes(the(civil(action(prior(to(the(criminal( consolidation(of(the(civil(and(criminal(actions.((
action.(( "
( IMPLIED(INSTITUTION(OF(CIVIL(ACTION(WITH(CRIMINAL(ACTION(
The( reservation( of( the( right( to( institute( separately( the( civil( action( shall( be( • When"a"criminal"action"is"instituted,"the"civil"action"for"the"recovery"of"the"civil"
made( before( the( prosecution( starts( presenting( its( evidence( and( under( liability" arising" from" the" offense" charged" shall" be" deemed" instituted" with" the"
circumstances(affording(the(offended(party(a(reasonable(opportunity(to(make( criminal"action."(Section&1(a),&Rule&111,&Rules&of&Court)(
such(reservation.(( • Criminal"case"has"two"aspects:"
( • Civil"–""based"on"the"principle"that"every"person"criminally"liable"for"a"felony"is"
When(the(offended(party(seeks(to(enforce(civil(liability(against(the(accused(by( also"civilly"liable"(Art.&100,&Revised&Penal&Code)&&
way(of(moral,(nominal,(temperate,(or(exemplary(damages(without(specifying( • Criminal""
the( amount( thereof( in( the( complaint( or( information,( the( filing( fees( therefor( "
shall(constitute(a(first(lien(on(the(judgment(awarding(such(damages.(( Cruz&v.&Mina"
( Under"Art."100"of"RPC,"every"person"criminally"liable"for"a"felony"is"also"civilly"liable"
Where( the( amount( of( damages,( other( than( actual,( is( specified( in( the( except" when" no" actual" damages" results" from" an" offense" such" as" espionage,"
complaint( or( information,( the( corresponding( filing( fees( shall( be( paid( by( the( violation" of" neutrality," flight" to" an" enemy" country," and" crime" against" popular"
offended(party(upon(the(filing(thereof(in(court.(( representation.""
( "
Except( as( otherwise( provided( in( these( Rules,( no( filing( fees( shall( be( required( Ricarze&v.&CA&
for(actual(damages.(( • A"separate"civil"action"would"only"be"costly,"burdensome"and"timeIconsuming""
( for"both"parties"and"further"delay"the"final"disposition"of"the"case.""
No( counterclaim,( cross^claim( or( third^party( complaint( may( be( filed( by( the( • The"multiplicity"of"suits"must"be"avoided.""
accused(in(the(criminal(case,(but(any(cause(of(action(which(could(have(been( • With"the"implied"institution"of"the"civil"action"in"the"criminal"action,"the"actions"
the(subject(thereof(may(be(litigated(in(a(separate(civil(action.(( are" merged" into" one" composite" proceeding," with" the" criminal" action"
( predominating"the"civil.""
(b) The(criminal(action(for(violation(of(Batas(Pambansa(Blg.(22(shall(be(deemed( "
to( include( the( corresponding( civil( action.( No( reservation( to( file( such( civil( • The" rule" on" implied" institution" of" the" civil" action" does" not" apply" before" the"
action(separately(shall(be(allowed.(( filing"of"the"criminal"action"or"information."""
( "
Upon(filing(of(the(aforesaid(joint(criminal(and(civil(actions,(the(offended(party( PURPOSES(OF(THE(CRIMINAL(AND(CIVIL(ACTIONS((
shall( pay( in( full( the( filing( fees( based( on( the( amount( of( the( check( involved,( • The"prime"purpose"of"the"criminal"action"is:(
which( shall( be( considered( as( the( actual( damages( claimed.( Where( the( • to"punish"the"offender"in"order"to"deter"him"and"others"from"committing"the"
complaint( or( information( also( seeks( to( recover( liquidated,( moral,( nominal,( same"or"similar"offense(
temperate( or( exemplary( damages,( the( offended( party( shall( pay( additional( • to"isolate"him"from"society"(
filing( fees( based( on( the( amounts( alleged( therein.( If( the( amounts( are( not( so( • to"reform"and"rehabilitate"him"(
alleged(but(any(of(these(damages(are(subsequently(awarded(by(the(court,(the( • in"general,"to"maintain"social"order"(
filing( fees( based( on( the( amount( awarded( shall( constitute( a( first( lien( on( the(
(
Ricarze&v.&CA&& Philippine&Rabbit&Bus&Lines,&Inc.&v.&People&
• The" sole" purpose" of" civil" action" is" for" the" 1)" resolution," 2)" reparation" or" 3)" • If"the"employee/driver"of"a"common"carrier,"by"his"negligent"act"causes"serious"
indemnification" of" the" private" offended" party" for" the" damage" or" injury" he" injuries" to" a" pedestrian," the" former" is" not" civilly" liable" as" a" result" of" the"
sustained"due"to"delictual"or"felonious"act"of"the"accused."( felonious"act"(reckless"imprudence"resulting"to"serious"physical"injuries)"but"is"
( likewise"liable"under"a"quasiIdelict"or"culpa&aquiliana."
Judgment(of(conviction(includes(a(judgment(on(civil(liability( • Another" possible" legal" basis" for" institution" of" a" civil" action" against" the" driver"
Hun&Hyung&Park&v.&Eun&Wong&Choi& separate" from" the" civil" action" from" the" offense" is" Art." 33" of" the" civil" Code."
• In" criminal" actions," where" a" civil" action" is" impliedly" instituted," the" trial" court" Because" the" act" of" the" driver" has" caused" physical" injuries," “a" civil" action" for"
should,"in"case"of"conviction,"state"the"civil"liability"or"damages"caused"by"the" damages"entirely"separate"and"distinct"from"the"criminal"act,"may"be"brought"
wrongful" act" or" omission" to" be" recovered" from" the" accused" by" the" offended" by"the"offended"party.“"(Art.&33,&Civil&Code)"
party,"if"there"is"any"and"if"the"filing"of"the"civil"action"has"not"been"reserved," • The" responsibility" arising" from" a" quasiIdelict" “is" entirely" separate" and" distinct"
previously"instituted"or"waived."" from" the" civil" liability" arising" from" negligence" under" the" Penal" Code.”" (Art.&
( 2177,&Civil&Code)"
Who(the(real(parties(in(interest(are(in(the(civil(aspect(of(the(case(( • When" the" civil" action" is" based" on" an" obligation" not" arising" from" the" act" or"
Hun&Hyung&Park&v.&Eun&Wong&Choi& omission"complained"of"as"felony,"such"civil"action"may"proceed"independently"
• The" real" parties" in" interest" in" the" civil" aspect" of" a" decision" are" the" offended" of"the"criminal"proceedings"and"regardless"of"the"results"of"the"latter."(Art.&31,&
party"and"the"accused."" Civil&Code)"
• Either" of" the" them" may" appeal" the" civil" aspect" of" the" judgment" despite" the" • Art."2176"arises"from"a"source"of"obligation"distinct"from"a"crime"while"Arts."32,"
acquittal"of"the"accused."" 33" and" 34" of" the" Civil" Code" are" sources" of" obligations" arising" from" direct"
• The"public"generally"has"no"interest"in"appealing"the"civil"aspect"of"a"decision" provisions"of"law.""
acquitting"the"accused." "
" Prohibition(on(double(recovery(
Rule(applicable( • The"offended"party"cannot"recover"damages"twice"for"the"same"act"or"omission"
• The" governing" law" is" the" Rules" of" Criminal" Procedure," not" the" Rules" of" Civil" charged"in"the"criminal"action"(Art.&2177,&Civil&Code;&Section&3,&Rule&111&of&Rules&
Procedure" which" pertains" to" a" civil" action" arising" from" the" initiatory" pleading" of&Court"
that"gives"rise"to"the"suit."" "
" • A"criminal"case"based"on"defamation,"fraud,"or"physical"injuries"gives"rise"to"an"
WHEN( A( CIVIL( ACTION( MAY( PROCEED( INDEPENDENTLY;( INDEPENDENT( CIVIL( independent" civil" action" arising" not" from" the" crime" charged" but" from" Art." 33"
ACTIONS(AND(QUASI^DELICTS((BAR(2005)( even"if"caused"by"the"very"same"defamatory"or"fraudulent"act.""
• Only"the"civil"liability"of"the"accused"arising(from(the(crime(charged"is"deemed" "
included"in"a"criminal"action."" "
• Civil" actions" referred" to" in" Arts." 32," 33," 34" and" 2176" of" the" Civil" Code" shall" "
remain"“separate,"distinct"and"independent”"of"any"criminal"prosecution"which" "
may"be"based"on"the"same"act."" "
" "
" "
" "
" "
" "
" "
" "
" "
(
CONSEQUENCES(OF(THE(INDEPENDENT(CHARACTER(OF(ACTIONS(UNDER(ARTS.(32,( No(reservation(of(the(civil(action(in(Batas(Pambansa(Blg.(22((BAR(2001;(2002)(
33,(34(AND(2176(OF(THE(CIVIL(CODE" • Reservation" of" right" to" institute" civil" action" separately" does" not" apply" to" a"
• The" following" are" some" of" the" consequences" of" the" separate" and" distinct" prosecution"of"a"criminal"action"for"violation"of"Batas"Pambansa"Blg."22."(
character"of"civil"actions"arising"not"from"the"offense"charged"but"from"Arts."32," • Civil"action"is"deemed"included"in"the"criminal"action"and"it"is"prohibited"to"file"
33,"34"and"2176:"" a"reservation"to"file"the"civil"action"arising"from"BP"22"separately."(
• The" right" to" bring" the" civil" action" shall" proceed" independently" of" the" criminal" • Upon"the"filing"of"the"joint"and"civil"actions,"the"offended"party"shall"pay"in"full"
action." (Section& 3,& Rule& 111& of& Rules& of& Court)& and" regardless" of" the" results" of" the"filing"fees"based"on"the"amount"of"the"check"involved."This"amount"shall"be"
the"latter"(Art.&31,&Civil&Code)&(BAR(2005)(" considered" as" the" actual" damages" claimed." (Section& 1(b),& Rule& 111,& Rules& of&
• The" quantum" of" evidence" required" is" preponderance" of" evidence" (Section& 3,& Court)&(
Rule&111&of&Rules&of&Court)" • "The" rule" does" not" prohibit" the" waiver" of" the" civil" action" or" institution" of" the"
• a)"The"right"to"bring"the"foregoing"actions"based"on"the"Civil"Code"need"not"be" civil"action"prior"to"the"criminal"action."(
reserved" in" the" criminal" prosecution," since" they" are" not" deemed" included" (
therein."" Lo&Bun&Tiong&v.&Balboa&&
b)" The" institution" or" the" waiver" of" the" right" to" file" a" separate" civil" action" A"separate"proceeding"for"the"recovery"of"the"civil"liability"in"cases"of"violation"of"BP"
arising" " from" the" crime" charged" does" not" extinguish" the" right" to" bring" an" 22"is"allowed"when"the"civil"case"is"filed"ahead"of"the"criminal"case."
independent"civil"action" &
c)"Even"if"a"civil"action"is"filed"separately,"the"ex&delicto"civil"liability"in"the" Hyatt&Industrial&Manufacturing&Corp.&v.&Asia&Dynamic&Electrix&Corp.&&
criminal"prosecution"remains,"and"the"offended"party"may"still"intervene"in" • Rule" 111" (b)" of" the" 2000" Revised" Rules" of" Criminal" Procedure" was" enacted" to"
the"criminal"action"to"protect"his"civil"interest"(Philippine&Rabbit&Bus&Lines,& help" declog" court" dockets" which" are" filled" with" B.P." 22" cases" as" creditors"
Inc.&v.&People)& actually"use"the"courts"as"collectors"
" • The" inclusion" of" the" civil" action" in" criminal" cases" is" expected:" (1)" to" lower" the"
WHEN(THERE(IS(NO(IMPLIED(INSTITUTION(OF(CIVIL(ACTION" number" of" cases" filed" before" the" courts" for" collection" and" (2)" to" expedite" the"
No"implied"institution"of"civil"action"to"recover"civil"liability"arising"from"the"offense" disposition"of"these"cases""
charged"in"any"of"the"following"instances:" • Policy" laid" down" by" the" Rules" is" to" discourage" the" separate" filing" of" the" civil"
• when"offended"party"waives"the"civil"action" action""
• when"offended"party"reserves"right"to"institute"the"civil"action"separately" • The" only( instance" when" separate" proceedings" are" allowed" is" when" the" civil"
• when"offended"party"institutes"the"civil"action"prior"to"the"criminal"action"" action"is"filed"ahead"of"the"criminal"case""
" • Where" petitioners’" rights" may" be" fully" adjudicated" in" the" proceedings" before"
Cruz&v.&Mina" the" trial" court," resort" to" a" separate" action" to" recover" civil" liability" is" clearly"
There" being" no" waiver," reservation" nor" prior" institution" of" the" civil" aspect" of" the" unwarranted"
criminal" case," the" civil" action" arising" from" grave" threats" is" deemed" instituted" with" "
the"criminal"action"and"hence,"the"private"prosecutor"may"intervene"to"prosecute."" "
" "
RESERVATION(OF(THE(CIVIL(ACTION( "
Section&1(a),&Rule&111,&Rules&of&Court&& "
• Reservation" shall" be" made" before" the" prosecution" starts" presenting" its" "
evidence." "
• Reservation"is"to"be"made"under"circumstances"that"would"afford"the"offended" "
party"a"reasonable"opportunity"to"make"such"reservation." "
" "
" "
"
(
SECTION(2:(WHEN(SEPARATE(CIVIL(ACTION(IS(SUSPENDED( Consolidation(of(the(civil(action(with(the(criminal(action((
After( the( criminal( action( has( been( commenced,( the( separate( civil( action( arising( • The" rule" regarding" court" actions" clearly" gives" precedence" to" the" resolution" of"
therefrom( cannot( be( instituted( until( final( judgment( has( been( entered( in( the( the"criminal"action"and"will"result"in"a"delay(in"the"disposition"of"the"civil"action"
criminal(action.(( • The" rule" also" affords" a" remedy" to" avoid" such" delay:" the" offended" party" may"
( move" for" " the" consolidation" of" the" civil" action" with" the" criminal" action" in" the"
If(the(criminal(action(is(filed(after(the(said(civil(action(has(already(been(instituted,( court"trying"the"criminal"action"
the(latter(shall(be(suspended(in(whatever(stage(it(may(be(found(before(judgment( • Motion" for" consolidation" by" the" offended" party" is" to" be" filed" before( " the"
on( the( merits.( The( suspension( shall( last( until( final( judgment( is( rendered( in( the( judgment"on"the"merits"is"rendered"in"the"civil"action""
criminal( action.( Nevertheless,( before( judgment( on( the( merits( is( rendered( in( the( • Thus"the"consolidated"criminal"and"civil"actions"shall"be"tried"jointly""
civil( action,( the( same( may,( upon( motion( of( the( offended( party,( be( consolidated( • If"the"civil"action"was"commenced"ahead"f"the"criminal"action"and"evidence"had"
with( the( criminal( action( in( the( court( trying( the( criminal( action.( In( case( of( already" been" adduced" in" the" civil" action" even" before" the" institution" of" the"
consolidation,( the( evidence( already( adduced( in( the( civil( action( shall( be( deemed( criminal"action:"
automatically(reproduced(in(the(criminal(action(without(prejudice(to(the(right(of( o The" evidence" adduced" shall" be" deemed" automatically" reproduced" in"
the(prosecution(to(crossêxamine(the(witnesses(presented(by(the(offended(party( the"criminal"action""
in( the( criminal( case( and( of( the( parties( to( present( additional( evidence.( The( o Without" prejudice" to" the" right" to" crossIexamine" the" witnesses"
consolidated(criminal(and(civil(actions(shall(be(tried(and(decided(jointly.(( presented"by"the"offended"party"in"the"criminal"case""
( • Consolidation"shall"not( prejudice"the"right"of"the"parties"to"present"additional"
During( the( pendency( of( the( criminal( action,( the( running( of( the( period( of( evidence""
prescription( of( the( civil( action( which( cannot( be( instituted( separately( or( whose( "
proceeding(has(been(suspended(shall(be(tolled.( Suspension(of(the(period(of(prescription((
(( • Where"there"is"no(consolidation"of"the"civil"action"with"the"criminal"action"and"
The( extinction( of( the( penal( action( does( not( carry( with( it( extinction( of( the( civil( the"civil"action"is"suspended"or"the"civil"action"cannot"be"instituted"separately"
action.(However,(the(civil(action(based(on(delict(shall(be(deemed(extinguished(if( until" after" final" judgment" is" rendered" in" the" criminal" action," the" prescriptive"
there(is(a(finding(in(a(final(judgment(in(the(criminal(action(that(the(act(or(omission( period" of" the" civil" action" shall" be" tolled( during( the( pendency" of" the" criminal"
from(which(the(civil(liability(may(arise(did(not(exist.( action""
( "
When(the(separate(civil(action(is(suspended(( "
• After" the" criminal" action" is" commenced," the" separate" civil" action" arising" "
therefrom" cannot" be" instituted" until" final" judgment" has" been" entered" in" the" "
criminal"action"" "
o Indicates" that" preference" is" given" to" the" resolution" of" the" criminal" "
action" "
• Even"if"the"right"to"institute"the"civil"action"separately"has"been"reserved,"the" "
separate"civil"action"cannot"be"instituted"until"final"judgment"has"been"entered" "
in"the"criminal"action"previously"instituted" "
• If"the"civil"action"was"commenced"before"the"institution"of"the"criminal"action," "
the" civil" action" shall" be" suspended" in" whatever( stage" it" may" be" found" before" "
judgment"on"the"merits,"once"the"criminal"action"is"filed" "
" "
• The"suspension"shall"last"until"final"judgment"is"rendered"in"the"criminal"action" "
• Rule"does"not(apply"to"independent"civil"actions"(Articles"32,"33,"34,"and"2176)" "
and"covers"only"civil"actions"arising"from"the"offense"charged" "
(
SECTION(3:(WHEN(CIVIL(ACTION(MAY(PROCEED(INDEPENDENTLY( Counterclaim,(cross^claim,(third^party(claim(in(a(criminal(action((
In( the( cases( provided( in( Articles( 32,( 33,( 34( and( 2176( of( the( Civil( Code( of( the( • A" court" cannot( entertain" counterclaims," crossIclaims," and" third" party"
Philippines,(the(independent(civil(action(may(be(brought(by(the(offended(party.(It( complaints"in"the"criminal"action"(
shall( proceed( independently( of( the( criminal( action( and( shall( require( only( a( • Any" cause" of" action" which" could" have" been" the" subject" thereof" may" however"
preponderance(of(evidence.(In(no(case,(however,(may(the(offended(party(recover( be"litigated"in"a"separate"civil"action"(
damages(twice(for(the(same(act(or(omission(charged(in(the(criminal(action.(( (
( Maccay&v.&Nobela&&
When(no(reservation(is(required;(when(civil(action(is(not(suspended( • Criminal" case" is" not( the" proper" proceeding" to" determine" the" private"
• When"the"act"constituting"a"crime"is"at&the&same&time"a"violation"of"Articles"32," complainant’s"civil"liability(
33,"34,"and"2176,"there"is"no(need"to"reserve"the"filing"of"a"separate"civil"action"" • A"court"trying"a"criminal"case"is"limited"to"determining"the"guilt"of"the"accused,"
o Because"only"the"civil"action"arising"from"the"offense"charged"shall"be" and"if"proper,"to"determine"his"civil"liability"(
deemed"instituted"with"the"criminal"action"" (
o Independent" civil" actions" (Art." 32," 33," and" 34)" and" quasiIdelicts" (Art." Rules(on(filing(fees((
2176)"are"not"instituted"with"the"filing"of"the"criminal"action"and"may" • Filing"fees"apply"when"damages"are"being"claimed"by"the"offended"party"(
proceed"independently"of"the"criminal"proceedings,"regardless"of"the" • There"are"no"filing"fees"required"for"actual"damages"claimed"unless"required"by"
latter’s"result"" the"Rules"
o Law"and"quasiIdelicts"are"sources"of"obligations"separate"and""distinct" o Examples:""
from"a"crime"(acts"or"omissions"punished"by"law)"" ! BP"Blg."22"cases:"filing"fees"shall"be"paid"based"on"the"amount"
• Article"31"of"the"Civil"Code"is"reinforced"by"the"Rules"of"Court( of"the"check"and"shall"be"paid"in"full""
o The" offended" party" may" never( recover" damages" twice" for" the" same" ! Estafa" cases:" filing" fees" shall" be" paid" based" on" the" amount"
act"or"omission"charged"in"the"criminal"action"( involved""
o This"reiterates"Sec."1"of"Rule"111"–"what"is"deemed"instituted"with"the" • Filing" fees" shall" be" paid" by" the" offended" party" upon" the" filing" of" the" criminal"
criminal" action" is" only" the" action" to" recover" civil" liability" arising" from" action"in"court"where:""
the"offense"charged"( o He" seeks" for" the" enforcement" of" the" civil" liability" of" the" accused" by"
o Actions"under"Art."32,"33,"34,"and"2176"of"the"Civil"Code"may"be"filed" way" of" moral," nominal," temperate," or" exemplary" damages" but" other"
separately" and" prosecuted" independently" even" without" any" than"actual"damages,"and""
reservation"in"the"criminal"action"( o The" amount" of" such" damages" is" specified" in" the" complaint" or"
( information""
Casupanan&v.&Laroya&& "
• The"failure"to"make"a"reservation"in"the"criminal"action"is"not( "a"waiver"of"the" • If" the" amount" is" not( specified" in" the" complaint" or" information" but" any" of" the"
right" to" file" a" separate" and" independent" civil" action" based" on" Art." 32," 33," 34," damages"is"subsequently"awarded,"the"filing"fees"assessed"in"accordance"with"
and"2176"( the"Rules,"shall"constitute"a"first"lien"on"the"judgment"awarding"such"damages""
( "
Philippine&Rabbit&Bus&Lines&v.&People& "
• What" is" deemed" instituted" in" every" criminal" prosecution" is" the" civil" liability" "
arising" from" the" crime" or" delict" per& se" (civil" liability" ex& delicto)," but( not( those" "
liabilities"arising"from"quasiIdelicts,"contracts,"or"quasiIcontracts"( "
( "
• Art.(31(of(the(CC(+(Sec.(3(of(Rule(111"="the"civil"actions"based"on"Articles"32," "
33," 34," and" 2176" of" the" CC" are" not( suspended" by" the" commencement" of" the" "
criminal" action" because" they" may" proceed" independently" of" the" criminal" "
proceedings( "
(
Independent(civil(actions(and(quasi^delicts( "
Article(32.(Any"public"officer"or"employee,"or"any"private"individual,"who"directly"or" The" indemnity" shall" include" moral" damages." Exemplary" damages" may" also" be"
indirectly" obstructs," defeats," violates" or" in" any" manner" impedes" or" impairs" any" of" adjudicated."
the"following"rights"and"liberties"of"another"person"shall"be"liable"to"the"latter"for" "
damages:" The"responsibility"herein"set"forth"is"not"demandable"from"a"judge"unless"his"act"or"
(1) Freedom"of"religion;" omission"constitutes"a"violation"of"the"Penal"Code"or"other"penal"statute."
(2) Freedom"of"speech;" "
(3) Freedom"to"write"for"the"press"or"to"maintain"a"periodical"publication;" "
(4) Freedom"from"arbitrary"or"illegal"detention;" Article( 33.(In" cases" of" defamation," fraud," and" physical" injuries" a" civil" action" for"
(5) Freedom"of"suffrage;" damages,"entirely"separate"and"distinct"from"the"criminal"action,"may"be"brought"by"
(6) The"right"against"deprivation"of"property"without"due"process"of"law;" the" injured" party." Such" civil" action" shall" proceed" independently" of" the" criminal"
(7) The"right"to"a"just"compensation"when"private"property"is"taken"for"public" prosecution,"and"shall"require"only"a"preponderance"of"evidence."
use;" "
(8) The"right"to"the"equal"protection"of"the"laws;" Article( 34.(When" a" member" of" a" city" or" municipal" police" force" refuses" or" fails" to"
(9) The"right"to"be"secure"in"one's"person,"house,"papers,"and"effects"against" render" aid" or" protection" to" any" person" in" case" of" danger" to" life" or" property," such"
unreasonable"searches"and"seizures;" peace"officer"shall"be"primarily"liable"for"damages,"and"the"city"or"municipality"shall"
(10) The"liberty"of"abode"and"of"changing"the"same;" be" subsidiarily" responsible" therefor." The" civil" action" herein" recognized" shall" be"
(11) The"privacy"of"communication"and"correspondence;" independent" of" any" criminal" proceedings," and" a" preponderance" of" evidence" shall"
(12) The" right" to" become" a" member" of" associations" or" societies" for" purposes" suffice"to"support"such"action."
not"contrary"to"law;" "
(13) The"right"to"take"part"in"a"peaceable"assembly"to"petition"the"Government" Article( 2176.(Whoever" by" act" or" omission" causes" damage" to" another," there" being"
for"redress"of"grievances;" fault"or"negligence,"is"obliged"to"pay"for"the"damage"done."Such"fault"or"negligence,"
(14) The"right"to"be"a"free"from"involuntary"servitude"in"any"form;" if"there"is"no"preIexisting"contractual"relation"between"the"parties,"is"called"a"quasiI
(15) The"right"of"the"accused"against"excessive"bail;" delict"and"is"governed"by"the"provisions"of"this"Chapter."
(16) The" right" of" the" accused" to" be" heard" by" himself" and" counsel," to" be" "
informed"of"the"nature"and"cause"of"the"accusation"against"him,"to"have"a" "
speedy" and" public" trial," to" meet" the" witnesses" face" to" face," and" to" have" "
compulsory"process"to"secure"the"attendance"of"witness"in"his"behalf;" "
(17) Freedom"from"being"compelled"to"be"a"witness"against"one's"self,"or"from" "
being" forced" to" confess" guilt," or" from" being" induced" by" a" promise" of" "
immunity" or" reward" to" make" such" confession," except" when" the" person" "
confessing"becomes"a"State"witness;" "
(18) Freedom"from"excessive"fines,"or"cruel"and"unusual"punishment,"unless"the" "
same" is" imposed" or" inflicted" in" accordance" with" a" statute" which" has" not" "
been"judicially"declared"unconstitutional;"and" "
(19) Freedom"of"access"to"the"courts." "
" "
In"any"of"the"cases"referred"to"in"this"article,"whether"or"not"the"defendant's"act"or" "
omission" constitutes" a" criminal" offense," the" aggrieved" party" has" a" right" to" "
commence"an"entirely"separate"and"distinct"civil"action"for"damages,"and"for"other" "
relief."Such"civil"action"shall"proceed"independently"of"any"criminal"prosecution"(if" "
the"latter"be"instituted),"and"may"be"proved"by"a"preponderance"of"evidence." "
(
SECTION(4:(EFFECT(OF(DEATH(ON(CIVIL(ACTIONS( Effect(of(death(of(the(accused(on(the(civil(action((
The( death( of( the( accused( after( arraignment( and( during( the( pendency( of( the( When( Criminal( Civil(liability( Independent( Other(Effects(
criminal(action(shall(extinguish(the(civil(liability(arising(from(the(delict.(However,( liability( arising(from(the( Civil(liability(
the( independent( civil( action( instituted( under( section( 3( of( this( Rule( or( which( crime(
If"the"accused" EXTINGUISHED"" EXTINGUISHED"" May"be" The"heirs"of"the"
thereafter(is(instituted(to(enforce(liability(arising(from(other(sources(of(obligation( dies"after( continued" accused"may"be"
may(be(continued(against(the(estate(or(legal(representative(of(the(accused(after( arraignment( against"the" substituted"for"
proper( substitution( or( against( said( estate,( as( the( case( may( be.( The( heirs( of( the( and(during(the( estate(or"legal" the"deceased"
accused(may(be(substituted(for(the(deceased(without(requiring(the(appointment( pendency(of(the( representative"of" without"requiring"
criminal(action" the"accused"after" the"appointment"
of(an(executor(or(administrator(and(the(court(may(appoint(a(guardian(ad(litem(for( proper" of"an"executor"or"
the(minor(heirs.(( substitution"or" administrator"and"
( against"the" the"court"may"
The( court( shall( forthwith( order( said( legal( representative( or( representatives( to( estate"" appoint"a"
guardian&ad&litem"
appear(and(be(substituted(within(a(period(of(thirty((30)(days(from(notice.(( for"the"minor"
( heirs""
A(final(judgment(entered(in(favor(of(the(offended(party(shall(be(enforced(in(the( "
manner( especially( provided( in( these( rules( for( prosecuting( claims( against( the( The"court"shall"
order"the"legal"
estate(of(the(deceased.(( representative"or"
( representatives"
If( the( accused( dies( before( arraignment,( the( case( shall( be( dismissed( without( to"appear"and"be"
prejudice(to(any(civil(action(the(offended(party(may(file(against(the(estate(of(the( substituted"within"
a"period"of"30"
deceased.( days"from"notice""
( If"the"accused" CASE"DISMISSED" CASE"DISMISSED" May"be"filed"by" "
ABSHCBN&Broadcasting&Corporation&v.&Ombudsman&& dies"before( the"offended"
• The"death"of"the"accused"prior"to"final"judgment"terminates"his"criminal"liability" arraignment( party"against"the"
estate"of"the"
and"only&the"civil"liability"directly&arising"from"and"based"solely"on"the"offense" deceased""
committed,"i.e.,"civil"liability"“ex&delicto&in&senso&strictiore”( (
• But"the"claim"for"civil"liability"predicated"on"a"source"of"obligation"other"than"a" Art.(89(of(the(RPC(
delict" (law," contract," quasiIcontract," or" quasiIdelict)" survives( notwithstanding( • The"death"of"the"accused"during(the"pendency(of(his(appeal"with"the"SC"totally"
the(death(of(the(accused"(what"flowery"language"of"RIano"<3""")""( extinguished"his"criminal"liability"(
• Only"the"civil"liability"based"solely"on"the"criminal"action"is"extinguished"( • Civil" liability" ex& delicto" is" also" extinguished" because" no" final" judgment" of"
• Where" the" civil" liability" survives," an" action" for" recovery" may" be" pursued" but( conviction"was"yet"rendered"by"the"time"of"the"accused’s"death"(
only(by"way"of"filing"a"separate"civil"action( • Pending"appeal:"BOTH"civil"and"criminal"liability"based"solely"from"the"crime"is"
o Action" may" be" enforced" either" against" the" executor/administrator" or" extinguished"(
the"estate"of"the"accused"depending&on&the&source&of&obligation&upon" (
which"it"is"based"( Novation:(does(not(extinguish(criminal(liability((
( • Novation" is" not( one" of" the" grounds" prescribed" by" the" RPC" for" the"
( extinguishment"of"criminal"liability"(
(
• Does"not(affect"criminal"liability"for"estafa(
( (
( (
( (
(
(
Metropolitan&Bank&and&Trust&Company&.&Rogelio&Reynaldo&and&Jose&C.&Adrandea&& Effect(of(judgment(in(the(civil(case(absolving(the(defendant(
• In"estafa,"the"reimbursement"or"belated"payment"to"the"offended"party"of"the" • Such" will" not" serve" as" a" bar" to" criminal" action" against" the" defendant" for" the"
money" swindled" by" the" accused" does" not( extinguish" the" latter’s" criminal" same"act"or"omission"of"the"civil"action"(Sec."5,"Rule"111)"
liability""" "
• Criminal" liability" for" estafa" is" not( affected" by" compromise" or" novation" of" Subsidiary(liability"(Calang"v."People,"G.R."No."190696)"
contract,"for"it"is"a"public"offense"which"must"be"prosecuted"and"punished"by" • Provisions" of" the" RPC" are" deemed" written" into" judgments" in" the" cases" where"
the" Government" on" its" own" motion" even& though& complete" reparation" should" they"apply"
have"been"made"of"the"damage"suffered"by"the"offended"party"" o THUS," here’s" no" need" for" the" trial" court" to" pronounce" the" subsidiary"
• Reimbursement"of"or"compromise"as"to"the"misappropriated"amount"after"the" liability"of"the"employer"in"the"dispositive"portion"in"the"decision."
commission" of" the" crime" affects" only" the" civil" liability" of" the" offender," not( his" • However," the" subsidiary" liability" of" the" accused" may" be" adduced" and"
criminal"liability"" determined"in"the"same"criminal"action."
" "
SECTION(5:(JUDGMENT(IN(CIVIL(ACTION(NOT(A(BAR( SECTION(6:(SUSPENSION(BY(REASON(OF(PREJUDICIAL(QUESTION(
A( final( judgment( rendered( in( a( civil( action( absolving( the( defendant( from( civil( A( petition( for( suspension( of( the( criminal( action( based( upon( the( pendency( of( a(
liability(is(not(a(bar(to(a(criminal(action(against(the(defendant(for(the(same(act(or( prejudicial(question(in(a(civil(action(may(be(filed(in(the(office(of(the(prosecutor(or(
omission(subject(of(the(civil(action.(( the(court(conducting(the(preliminary(investigation.(When(the(criminal(action(has(
" been( filed( in( court( for( trial,( the( petition( to( suspend( shall( be( filed( in( the( same(
Effect(of(acquittal(or(the(extinction(of(the(penal(action(on(the(civil(action(or(civil( criminal(action(at(any(time(before(the(prosecution(rests.(
liability(( "
• The" extinction" of" the" penal" action" does" not" carry" with" it" the" extinction" of" the" SECTION(7:(ELEMENTS(OF(PREJUDICIAL(QUESTION(
civil"action"" The(elements(of(a(prejudicial(question(are:((
o BUT,"civil"action"based"on"delict"may"be"deemed"extinguished"if" (a) The( previously( instituted( civil( action( involves( an( issue( similar( or( intimately(
there’s"a"finding"in"final"judgment"in"the"criminal"action"that"the"act"or" related(to(the(issue(raised(in(the(subsequent(criminal(action,(and("
omission"from"which"civil"liability"may"arise"did"NOT"EXIST."(Sec."2," (b) The( resolution( of( such( issue( determines( whether( or( not( the( criminal( action(
Rule"111)" may(proceed."
• If"the"penal"action"was"extinguished"by"ACQUITTAL,"civil"action"DOES"NOT"carry" "
with"it"the"extinction"of"the"civil"action:" Concept(of(a(Prejudicial(question(
o Acquittal" was" based" on" reasonable" doubt" as" only" preponderance" of" • Definition:"“an"issue"involved"in"a"civil"case"which"is"similar"or"intimately"related"
evidence"is"required"in"civil"cases" to" the" issue" raised" in" the" criminal" action," the" resolution" of" which" determines"
o Court"declares"that"the"liability"of"the"accused"is"only"civil" whether"or"not"the"criminal"action"may"proceed.”"(Sec."7,"Rule"111)"
o The"civil"liability"of"the"accused"does"not"arise"from"or"is"not"based" • Elements"(Sec."7,"Rule"111):""
upon"the"crime"" o Previously" instituted" civil" action" involves" an" "issue" similar" or" intimately"
• Note"that"in"case"of"such"acquittal,"it’s"not"even"necessary"that"a"separate"civil" related"to"the"issue""raised"in"the"subsequent"criminal"action"
action"be"instituted." o The"resolution"of"such"issue"determines""whether"or"not"the"criminal"action"
" may""proceed"""
Effect(of(payment(of(the(civil(liability( • The"jurisdiction"to"try"and"resolve"the"prejudicial"question"is"lodged"in"another"
• Payment"of"civil"liability"doesn’t"extinguish"criminal"liability( tribunal."As"such,"the"proceedings"in"the"other"case"will"be"suspended"to"wait"
o Even"if"the"payment"was"a"result"of"compromise,"the"public"action"for" for"the"resolution"of"the"question"in"the"first"case."
imposition"of"legal"penalty"cannot"be"extinguished"( • Reason" for" the" principle:" to" avoid" confliction" decisions" in" the" civil" case" and"
( criminal"case"
( "
(
(
Requisites(for(a(prejudicial(question( Suspension(does(not(include(dismissal(
1. Case" involves" facts" intimately" related" to" those" upon" which" the" criminal" • The" rule" authorizing" the" suspension" of" the" criminal" case" does" NOT" prescribe"
prosecution"would"be"based" the"dismissal"of"the"criminal"action."
2. In"the"resolution"of"the"issue/s"raised"in"the"civil"action,"the"guilt"or"innocence" "
of"the"accused"would"necessarily"be"determined" Where(to(file(the(petition(for(suspension"
3. Jurisdiction"to"try"said"question"must"be"lodged"in"another"tribunal." • Filing" for" a" petition" for" suspension" does" not" require" that" the" criminal" case" be"
• Must" involve" a" CIVIL" and" a" CRIMINAL" case." As" such," it" cannot" be" invoked" already"filed"in"court."It"is"sufficient"that"the"case"is"in"the"stage"of"preliminary"
for"two"cases"that"are"both"criminal"or"civil"or"administrative,"etc." investigation,"as"long"as"there"has"already"been"a"previously"instated"civil"case."
o If" the" word" “prejudicial”" was" invoked" in" those" cases," it" was" • Petition" for" suspension" is" filed" NOT" IN" THE" CVIL" CASE" but" in" the" CRIMINAL(
probably"employed"as"a"mere"journalistic"device." CASE."
• CIVIL"case"must"have"been"instituted"prior"to"the"CRIMINAL"case." • Petition"for"suspension"of"the"criminal"action"may"be"filed"in"the"office"of"the"
o If"the"criminal"information"was"filed"ahead"of"the"complaint"in"the" prosecutor"conducting"the"preliminary"investigation."When"the"criminal"action"
civil"case,"no"prejudicial"question"exists" has"been"filed"in"court"for"trial,"the"petition"should"be"filed"in"the"same"criminal"
• Prejudicial" question" is" one" that" arises" in" the" civil" case" and" not" in" the" action"BEFORE"the"prosecution"rests."
criminal" case" –" it’s" the" issue" in" the" civil" case" which" needs" to" be" resolved" "
first" before" it" is" determined" whether" or" not" the" criminal" case" should" Cases(
proceed"or"render"judgment"of"acquittal"or"conviction." Pimentel&v.&Pimintel&
o But" note" that" not" every" issue" in" the" civil" action" will" result" in" a" • Private" respondent" filed" an" action" for" frustrated" parricide" against" the"
prejudicial"question."Mere"fact"of"similarity"will"not"make"an"issue" petitioner."Several"months"after,"she"also"filed"for"the"declaration"of"nullity"of"
prejudicial." Must" show" that" the" issue" in" the" civil" case" is" their"marriage.&
determinative"of"the"issue"in"the"criminal"case." • Petitioner"filed"a"motion"to"suspend"the"criminal"proceedings"on"the"ground"of"
o What"is"determinative"is"for"the"court"to"adjudge."" the"existence"of"a"prejudicial"question"(nullity"of"the"marriage)&
• There’s" no" prejudicial" question" when," by" law," the" criminal" and" civil" cases" • SC:" Nullity" of" marriage" is" not" a" prejudicial" question" because" even" if" the"
can"proceed"without"waiting"for"the"resolution"of"the"civil"case." marriage"between"them"would"be"declared"void,"it"would"be"immaterial"to"the"
" criminal" case" because" prior" to" the" declaration" of" nullity," the" alleged" acts"
Effect(of(the(existence(of(a(prejudicial(question:(suspension(of(the(criminal(action( constituting" the" crime" of" parricide" had" already" been" committed." At" the" time"
• Rule"requires"the"filing( of( a( petition"before"suspension"of"the"criminal"action." the"acts"were"committed,"the"marriage"is"still"subsisting.&
Suspension"of"the"proceedings"may"me"made"only"upon"petition"and"not"at"the" &
instance"of"the"judge"or"the"investigating"prosecutor.( Omictin&v.&CA&
• The" determination" of" the" pendency& of& a& prejudicial& action" (note:" what" is" • Operations" manager" of" a" corporation" filed" two" complaints" for" estafa" against"
determined"in"the"petition"is"the"pendency"of"a"prejudicial"question"and"not"the" private"respondent"who"refused"to"return"the"vehicles"entrusted"to"him"by"the"
prejudicial"question"itself)"should"be"made"at"the"first"instance"in"the"criminal" company"while"he"was"president.&
action"and"not"before"the"SC"in"appeal.( • Respondent"filed"a"motion"to"suspend"proceedings"on"the"basis"of"a"prejudicial"
• When"there"is"a"prejudicial"question,"the"action"to"be"suspended"is"the"criminal" question" because" of" a" pending" case" with" the" SEC," which" he" filed" for" the"
and"NOT"the"previously"instituted"CIVIL"action.( declaration"of"nullity"of"the"appointment"of"the"petitioner.&
• When" there" is" a" prejudicial" question," the" criminal" case" may" be" suspended" • SC:" Motion" granted." The" resolution" of" the" issues" raised" in" the" intra" corporate"
pending"the"final"determination"of"the"issue"in"the"civil"case.( dispute" will" determine" the" guilt" of" the" respondent" for" estafa." Since" the"
• A" prejudicial" question" accords" a" civil" case" a" preferential" treatment" and" offended"party"is"a"corporation,"the"validity"of"the"demand"for"the"delivery"of"
constitutes" an" EXCEPTION" to" the" general" rule" that" the" civil" action" shall" be" the" subject" vehicles" rest" upon" the" authority" of" the" person" making" such" a"
suspended"when"the"criminal"action"is"constituted."(Section&2,&Rule&111,&Rules& demand"on"the"company’s"behalf.&
of&Court)( &
( &
(
Magestrado&v.&People& &
• Private"respondent"filed"a"criminal"complaint"for"perjury"against"the"petitioner" Sabandal&v.&Tongco&
for"executing"an"affidavit"of"loss"of"a"certificate"of"title"despite"knowing"that"no" • The" issue" in" the" criminal" cases" for" violation" of" BP" 22" is" whether" the" accused"
loss"occurred." knowingly" issued" worthless" checks." The" issue" in" the" civil" action" for" specific"
• Petitioner"then"filed"a"motion"for"suspension"of"the"criminal"action"based"on"a" performance," overpayment," and" damages" is" whether" the" petitioner" overpaid"
prejudicial"question."He"alleged"that"a"case"filed"against"him"by"the"respondent" his"obligations"to"the"respondent."There"is"thus"no"prejudicial"question.&
for"recovery"of"a"sum"of"money"Is"pending"before"another"court." • If"after"trial,"petitioner"is"shown"to"have"overpaid"respondent,"it"doesn’t"follow"
• SC:" Said" case" does" not" constitute" a" prejudicial" question." Regardless" of" the" that" he" can’t" be" held" liable" for" the" bouncing" checks." This" is" because" mere"
outcome" of" the" civil" case," it" will" not" establish" the" innocence" or" guilt" of" the" issuance" of" worthless" checks" with" knowledge" of" insufficiency" of" funds" is" itself"
petitioner"in"the"criminal"case"for"perjury." an"offense.&
• " &
Yap&v.&Cabales&(BP&22)& MarabellaHBobis&v.&Bobis&
• Petitioner"issued"bouncing"checks"to"the"payee"which"latter"on"bounced." • The" issue" is" whether" the" subsequent" filing" of" a" civil" action" for" declaration" of"
Private"respondents"initially"filed"a"civil"case"for"collection"followed"by"a" nullity" of" a" previous" marriage" constitutes" a" prejudicial" question" to" a" criminal"
criminal"case"for"violation"of"BP"22.& case"for"bigamy."&
• Petitioner"contends"that"a"prejudicial"question"exists"because"the"civil"cases"for" • The" Court" explained" that" without" a" prior" judicial" declaration" of" nullity" of" a"
collection"earlier"filed"against"him"for"collection"of"sum"of"money"and"damages" previous"marriage"(Art."40"FC)","the"first"marriage"is"presumed"to"be"subsisting."
were"filed"ahead"of"the"criminal"cases"for"violation"of"BP"22.& Respondent" was" therefore" regarded" as" a" married" man" at" the" time" he"
• Court"ruled"that"the"resolution"raised"in"the"civil"action"is"not"determinative"of" contracted" his" second" marriage," and" so" any" decision" in" the" civil" action" for"
the"guilt"or"innocence"of"the"accused"in"the"criminal"cases"against"him,"and" nullity"would"not"erase"the"fact"that"he"entered"into"a"second"marriage"during"
there"is"no"necessity"that"the"civil"case"be"determined"first"before"taking"up"the" the"subsistence"of"a"first"marriage.&
criminal"cases.& • The"Court"therefore"ruled"that"a"decision"in"the"civil"case"was"not"essential"to"
• In"a"criminal"action"for"violation"of"BP"22,"it"is"the"mere"issuance"of"checks"with" the"determination"of"the"criminal"charge."It"is"not"a"prejudicial"question.&
knowledge"of"the"insufficiency"of"funds"to"support"the"checks"which"constitutes" "
the"offense."Even"if"the"accused"is"declared"not"liable"for"the"payment"for"the" Beltran&v.&People&
value"of"the"checks"and"damages,"he"cannot"be"adjudged" • An"action"for"a"declaration"of"nullity"of"marriage"is"not"a"prejudicial"question"to"
free"from"criminal"liability"for"violation"of"BP"22."& a"concubinage"case."&
" • For"a"civil"case"to"be"considered"prejudicial"to"a"criminal"action"as"to"cause"the"
Sps.&Jose&v.&Sps.&Suarez& suspension" of" the" latter" pending" the" final" determination" of" the" civil" case," it"
• The" prejudicial" question" theory" of" the" respondents" must" fail." The" prejudicial" must" appear" not" only" that" the" said" civil" case" involves" the" same" facts" upon"
question"posed"by"respondents"is"simply"whether"the"daily"interest"rate"of"5%" which"the"criminal"prosecution"would"be"based,"but"also"that"in"the"resolution"
is" void," such" that" the" checks" issued" by" respondents" to" cover" said" interest" are" of" the" issues" raised" in" the" civil" action," the" guilt" or" innocence" of" the" accused"
likewise"void"for"being"contra&bonos&mores,"and"thus"the"cases"for"BP"22"will"no" would"necessarily"be"determined.&
longer"prosper.& "
• The" Court" stressed" that" the" validity" or" invalidity" of" the" interest" rate" is" not" Te&v.&CA&
determinative" of" the" guilt" of" respondents" in" the" criminal" cases" because" the" • That" the" outcome" of" the" civil" case" for" annulment" of" marriage" had" no" bearing"
reason" for" the" issuance" of" a" check" is" inconsequential" in" determining" criminal" upon" the" determination" of" the" petitioner’s" innocence" or" guilt" in" the" criminal"
culpability"under"BP"22."& case"for"bigamy"because"all"that"is"required"for"the"charge"of"bigamy"to"prosper"
• What"BP"22"punishes"is"the"issuance"of"a"bouncing"check"and"not"the"purpose" is"that"the"first"marriage"be"subsisting"at"the"time"of"the"marriage."&
for"which"it"was"issued"or"the"terms"and"conditions"relating"to"its"issuance."The" • The" filing" of" a" civil" case" does" not" necessitate" the" suspension" of" the"
mere"act"of"issuing"a"worthless"check"is"malum&prohobitum.& administrative"proceedings."There"is"no"prejudicial"question"where"one"case"is"
administrative"and"the"other"civil.&
(
CHAPTER(4:(RULE(112((PRELIMINARY(INVESTIGATION)( • While"this"may"be"the"case,"it"has"become"a"component"of"due"process"in"
" criminal"proceedings."
SECTION(1:(PRELIMINARY(INVESTIGATION(DEFINED;(WHEN(REQUIRED( o This"is"because"when"so"granted"by"statute,"the"right"is"not"a"mere"
Preliminary(investigation(is(an(inquiry(or(proceeding(to(determine(whether(there( formal"or"technical"right."It"is"substantive.""Thus,"to"deprive"the"
is( sufficient( ground( to( engender( a( well^founded( belief( that( a( crime( has( been( accused"of"the"right"to"a"PI"would"be"to"deprive"him"the"full"measure"
committed(and(the(respondent(is(probably(guilty(thereof,(and(should(be(held(for( of"his"right"to"due"process."Duterte&v.&Sandiganbayan"
trial.( "
( Cruz&v.&People&(1994)&
Except(as(provided(in(Section(7(of(this(Rule,(a(preliminary(investigation(is(required( • A"preliminary"investigation"is"essentially"a"judicial"inquiry"and"that"in"a"
to( be( conducted( before( the( filing( of( a( compliant( or( information( for( an( offense( preliminary"investigation,"the"prosecutor"is"a"quasiIjudicial"officer."
where(the(penalty(prescribed(by(law(is(at(least(four((4)(years,(two((2)(months(and( • While"not"a"trial"and"not"intended"to"usurp"the"function"of"a"trial"court,"it"is"not"
one((1)(day(without(regard(to(the(fine.( a"casual"affair"as"it"is"a"realistic"judicial"appraisal"of"the"merits"of"the"case."
" • A"PI"has"been"called"a"judicial"inquiry,"a"judicial"proceeding."An"act"becomes"a"
NATURE(OF(PRELIMINARY(INVESTIGATION,(PURPOSE((BAR(1985;(1986;(1991;( judicial"proceeding"when"there"is"opportunity"to"be"heard"and"for"the"
1998;(2004)( production"of"and"weighing"of"evidence,"a"decision"is"rendered"thereon."
• A"preliminary"investigation"(PI)"is"a"mere"inquiry"or"a"proceeding."" • The"abovementioned"concepts,"which"state"that"a"PI"is"a"judicial"proceeding"
o It"is"not"a"trial"which"involves"examination"of"witnesses"nor"the"full" and"that"a"prosecutor"is"quasiIjudicial"officer,"have"been"adopted"by"the"
and"exhaustive"display"of"evidence"–"these"are"better"ventilated"in"the" Department"of"Justice"in"its"Manual"for"Prosecutors."(See"Sec."1,"Part"III"of"the"
trial"proper." Manual"for"Prosecutors)"
o Does"not"seek"to"find"out"if"the"respondent"guilty"beyond"reasonable" "
doubt"or"to"declare"innocence." Bautista&v.&CA&(2001)&
• It"is"conducted"to"determine:" • A"PI"is"not"a"quasiIjudicial"body,"and"that"“very"different”"from"other"quasiI
1. Whether"or"not"a"crime"has"been"committed" judicial"proceedings."(
2. Whether"or"not"the"respondent"is"probably"guilty"of"the"crime" • Difference"as"to"the"role"of"the"prosecutor:"The"prosecutor"does"not"determine"
• The"person"who"conducts"PI"is"the"PROSECUTOR."" the"guilt"or"innocence"of"the"accused."He"does"not"even"exercise"adjudication"
o The"prosecutor"merely"determines"if"there"is"probable"cause." nor"ruleImaking"functions."While"the"fiscal"makes"a"determination"on"the"
! Probable"cause,"to"recall"Consti"2:"implies"probability"of"guilt" probable"cause,"he"cannot"be"said"to"be"acting"as"a"quasiIcourt"for"it"is"the"
requires"more"than"bare"suspicion"but"less"than"evidence"to" courts"that"pass"judgment.(
justify"a"conviction" • Difference"as"to"procedure"for"appeals:"Decisions"of"the"prosecutor"approving"
o If"there"is"probable"cause,"then"the"prosecutor"is"to"file"the" the"filing"of"a"criminal"complaint"are"not"appealable"to"CA"under"Rule"43,"as"are"
corresponding"information." the"decisions"of"other"quasiIjudicial"bodies"enumerated"there.(
• The"purpose"behind"a"PI"is"so"that"an"innocent"person"is"secured"against"hasty," • However,"Baustisa"conceded"that"there"are"cases"which"held"that"a"prosecutor"
malicious,"and"oppressive"prosecution"and"to"protect"him"from"an"open"and" conducting"a"PI"performs"a"quasiIjudicial"function"and"the"power"to"conduct"
public"accusation"of"a"crime,"from"the"trouble,"expenses"and"anxiety"of"a"public" the"PI"is"a"quasiIjudicial"in"nature.(
trial,"and"also"to"protect"the"State"from"useless"and"expensive"prosecution." o However,"this"statement"holds"true"only"in"the"sense"that,"like"quasiI
Sales&v.&Sandiganbayan" judicial"bodies,"the"prosecutor"is"an"office"in"the"executive"department"
" exercising"powers"akin"to"those"of"a"court."But"her"is"where"the"
NATURE(OF(THE(RIGHT(TO(A(PRELIMINARY(INVESTIGATION( similarity"ends."A"closer"scrutiny"shows"that"PIs"are"very"different"from"
• PIs"are"not"required"by"the"Bill"of"Rights"under"the"Constitution."The"right"is"of"a" other"quasiIjudicial"proceedings.(
statutory"character"and"may"only"be"invoked"when"specifically"created"by" (
statute."Marinas&v.&Siochi"
(
Santos&v.&Go&(2005)& revieiwing"the"order"or"resolution."
1
• The"main"issue"was"whether"a"petition"for"review"under"Rule"43 "is"a"proper" • Thus,"since"DOJ"is"NOT"A"QUASIIJUDICIAL"BODY,"Sec."14,"Art."VIII"of"the"
mode"of"appeal"from"a"resolution"of"the"Secretary"of"Justice"directing"the" Constitution"finds"no"application."
prosecutor"to"file"an"information"in"a"criminal"case.( "
• To"answer"this,"the"Court"had"to"consider"whether"the"conduct"of"a"preliminary" Metropolitan&Bank&v.&Tonda&
investigation"by"the"prosecutor"is"a"quasiIjudicial"function.( • A"PI"is"proper"whether"or"not"there"is"reasonable"ground"to"believe"that"the"
• The"Court"observed"that"Rule"43"clearly"shows"that"it"governs"appeals"to"the"CA" accused"is"guilty"of"the"offense"and"therefore,"whether"or"not"he"should"be"
from"decisions"and"final"orders"of"resolutions"of"quasiIjudicial"agencies"in"the" subjected"to"the"expense,"rigors"and"embarrassment"of"trial"I"is"the"function"of"
exercise"of"their"functions."DOJ,"however,"is"not"among"the"agencies" the"prosecutor."Preliminary"investigation"is"an"executive,"not"a"judicial"function."
enumerated."As"such,"the"statutory"principle"of"expressio&unius"(when"one"or" Such"investigation"is"not"part"of"the"trial."
more"things"of"a"class"are"expressly"mentioned"others"of"the"same"class"are" !
excluded)( RIGHT(TO(PRELIMINARY(INVESTIGATION(IS(WAIVABLE(
• The"Court"said"that"a"PI"is"not"a"quasiIjudicial"proceeding"and"that"the"DOJ"is" • May"be"waived"for"failure"to"invoke"the"right"prior"to"or"at"the"time"of"the"plea""
not"a"quasiIjudicial"agency"exercising"a"quasiIjudicial"function."As"such,"orders" "
or"resolutions"by"the"DOJ"are"not"appealable"to"the"CA"under"Rule"43."The" PRELIMINARY( INVESTIGATION( v.( PRELIMINARY( EXAMINATION( (PRELIMINARY(
resolution"of"the"Secretary"of"Justice"finding"probable"cause"to"indict"petitions" INQUIRY)(
is"not"appealable"via"a"petition"for"review.( Preliminary(investigation( Preliminary(examination(
( Conducted" by" prosecutor" to" ascertain" Conducted" by" the" judge" to" determine"
Spouses&Balanguan&v.&CA&(2008)& whether" the" alleged" offender" should" probable" cause" for" the" issuance" of" a"
• The"issue"in"this"case"is"whether"or"not"the"DOJ"is"covered"by"the"constitutional" be"held"for"trial"or"released" warrant"of"arrest"
injunction"embodied"in"Sec."14,"Art."VIII"of"the"Constitution"which"requires"that," Executive" in" nature;" part" of" the" Judicial" in" nature;" lodged" with" the"
“no&decision&shall&be&rendered&by&any&court&with&expressing&therein&clearly&and& prosecutor’s"job" judge"
distinctly&the&facts&and&the&law&on&which&it&is&based.”" &
• Drawing"on"the"Bautista"case,"Spouse"Balanguan"stressed"that"PI"is"not"a"trial"of" • Sound"policy"supports"this"distinction&
the"case"on"the"merits"and"has"no"purpose"except"that"of"determining"whether" • Otherwise," judges" would" be" unduly" laden" with" the" preliminary" investigation"
has"been"committed"and"that"if"there"is"probable"cause"to"believe"that"the" and" examination" of" criminal" complaints" instead" of" concentrating" on" hearing"
accused"is"guilty." and"deciding"cases&
• While"fiscal"makes"the"determination,"he"cannot"be"said"to"be"action"as"a"quasiI &
court"because"it"is"eventually"the"court"which"passed"judgment"on"the"accused." PROBABLE(CAUSE(IN(PRELIMINARY(INVESTIGATION(
• While"some"cases"describe"the"prosecutor’s"power"to"conduct"the"PI"as"quasiI • Probable( cause" –" existence" of" such" facts" and" circumstances" as" would" lead" a"
judicial,"this"is"only"true"to"the"extent"that"like"quasiIjudicial"bodies,"the" person" of" ordinary" caution" and" prudence" to" entertain" an" honest" and" strong"
prosecur"is"an"officer"of"the"executive"department"exercising"powers"akin"to" suspicion" that" the" person" charged" is" guilty" of" the" crime" subject" of" the"
those"of"the"court"–"and"the"similarity"ends"there." investigation"
• A"quasiIjudicial"body"is"an"organ"of"the"government,"other"than"the"court"and" • Test( in( a( malicious( prosecution( case" –" whether" sufficient" facts" exist" which"
legislature,"which"affects"the"rights"of"private"parties."Their"decisions"have"the" show"that,"in"bringing"the"criminal"action,"the"complainant"acted"with"probable"
same"effect"as"a"judgment"of"the"court." cause"LimanchHO&Hotel&and&Leasing&Corporation,&et&al.&v.&City&of&Olongapo,&et&al."
o However,"such"is"not"the"case"when"a"public"prosecutor"conducts"a"PI" • Determination" lies" within" the" discretion" of" the" prosecuting" officers" after"
to"determine"probable"cause"to"file"an"information"against"a"person" conducting"a"preliminary"investigation"upon"complaint"of"an"offended"party"
charged"with"a"criminal"offense,"or"when"the"Secretary"of"Justice"is" • Need" not" be" based" on" clear" and" convincing" evidence" of" guilt," as" the"
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! investigating"officer"acts"upon"reasonable"belief"
1
"Note"that"Rule"43"is"the"mode"of"appeal"from"awards,"judgments,"final"orders"or"resolutions" • Implies"probability"of"guilt"and"requires"more"than"bare"suspicion"but"less"than"
of"the"quasiIjudicial"agencies"enumerated"in"the"said"rule."
(
evidence"to"justify"conviction" • Other" terms" such" as" “reasonable" caution,”" “ordinary" prudent" and" cautious"
• Complainant"at"this"stage"need"not"present"proof"beyond"reasonable"doubt" man”"are"legally"synonymous"and"refer"to"the"average(man(on(the(street"who"
• Enough" that" in" the" absence" of" a" clear" showing" of" arbitrariness," credence" is" relies"on"common"sense"
given" to" the" determination" by" the" Secretary" of" Justice" in" a" preliminary" "
investigation" CASES(REQUIRING(DETERMINATION(OF(PROBABLE(CAUSE;(WHEN(NOT(REQUIRED(
• Elements"of"the"crime"charged"should"be"present"since"every"crime"is"defined" (Bar(2004)(
by"its"elements,"without"which"there"should"be,"at"most,"no"criminal"offense" • Required"before"the"filing"of"a"complaint"or"information"for"an"offense"where"
" the" law" prescribes" a" penalty" of" at" least" 4" years," 2" months" and" 1" day" without"
KINDS(OF(DETERMINATION(OF(PROBABLE(CAUSE( regard"to"the"fine"(Sec.&1,&Rule&112)"
1. Executive( • Prior"to"R.A."7691,"preliminary"investigations"were"only"conducted"for"offenses"
• Made"during"preliminary"investigation" cognizable"by"RTCs"
• Function"of"the"public"prosecutor"who"is"given"a"broad"discretion"to"determine" • After"the"jurisdiction"of"MTCs"was"expanded,"some"offenses"which"before"were"
whether"probable"cause"exists"and"to"charge"those"whom"he"believes"to"have" not" covered" by" the" required" preliminary" investigation" are" now" subject" to"
committed"a"crime" preliminary" investigation" even" if" such" offenses" are" cognizable" by" the" MTCs" as"
• Such" official" has" the" quasiIjudicial" authority" to" determine" whether" or" not" a" long" as" the" same" are" punishable" by" at" least" 4" years," 2" months" and" 1" day"
criminal"case"must"be"filed"in"court" without"regard"to"the"fine"
• Whether"or"not"that"function"has"been"correctly"discharged"is"a"matter"that"the" "
trial"court"itself"may"not"be"compelled"to"pass"on" PROCEDURE(FOR(CASES(NOT(REQUIRING(PRELIMINARY(INVESTIGATION(
" • Preliminary" investigation" is" not" required" when" the" penalty" prescribed" by" law"
2. Judicial( involves"an"imprisonment"of"less(than"4"years,"2"months"and"1"day"
• Made" by" the" judge" to" ascertain" whether" a" warrant" of" arrest" should" be" issued" • There"are"2"ways"of"initiating"a"criminal"action:"
against"the"accused" 1. Filing"the"complaint"directly"with"the"prosecutor;"or"
• Judge" must" satisfy" himself" that" based" on" the" evidence" submitted," there" is" 2. Filing"the"complaint"or"information"with"the"MTC"(Sec.&8,&Rule&112)"
necessity" for" placing" the" accused" under" custody" in" order" not" to" frustrate" the" "
ends"of"justice" WHEN( PRELIMINARY( INVESTIGATION( IS( NOT( REQUIRED( EVEN( IF( THE( OFFENSE( IS(
• If" the" judge" finds" no" probable" cause," the" judge" cannot" be" forced" to" issue" the" ONE(WHICH(NORMALLY(REQUIRES(A(PRELIMINARY(INVESTIGATION(
arrest"warrant" • If" a" person" is" arrested" lawfully" without" a" warrant" involving" an" offense" which"
• Corollary"to"such"principle"that"a"judge"cannot"be"compelled,"the"judge"in"turn" requires"a"preliminary"investigation,"i.e.,"the"penalty"is"at"least"4"years,"2"mos."
should" " not" override" the" public" prosecutor’s" determination" of" probable" cause" and"1"day,"an"information"or"complaint"may"be"filed"against"him"without"need"
on" the" ground" that" evidence" presented" to" substantiate" the" issuance" of" an" for"a"preliminary"investigation"(Sec.&6,&Rule&112,&Rules&of&Court)&
arrest"warrant"was"insufficient" • Inquest" proceedings" are" proper" only" when" the" accused" has" been" lawfully"
• Public" prosecutor" exercises" a" wide" latitude" of" discretion" in" determining" arrested"without"a"warrant."(Sec.&6,&Rule&112,&Rules&of&Court)"
whether" a" criminal" case" should" be" filed" in" court" and" courts" must" respect" the" • If"a"person"is"arrested"by"a"police"officer"in&flagrante&delicto"while"robbing"the"
exercise"of"such"discretion"" victim" through" violence" or" intimidation," the" arrest" is" a" lawful" one." (Sec.& 5[a],&
• Absent" a" finding" that" the" information" is" invalid" on" its" face" or" that" the" Rule&113,&Rules&of&Court)&"
prosecutor" committed" manifest" error" or" grave" abuse" of" discretion," a" judge’s" • And,"a"preliminary"investigation"is"not"required"even"if"the"penalty"for"robbery"
determination"of"probable"cause"is"limited"only"to"the"judicial"kind"(i.e."whether" is"more"then"4"years,"2"mos."and"1"day"(minimum"penalty"for"robbery:"prision&
arrest"warrants"should"be"issued)" correcional&in"its"maximum"period"which"is"6"years)."The"offense"is"one"which"
• Probable( cause( determined" –" facts" and" circumstances" that" would" lead" a" involves" a" penalty" higher" than" 4" years," 2" mos." and" 1" day" and" the" arrested"
reasonably" discreet" and" prudent" man" to" believe" that" an" offense" has" been" person" would" normally" be" entitled" to" a" preliminary" investigation." In" this" case"
committed"by"the"person"to"be"arrested" however," a" preliminary" investigation" does" not" apply" because" he" was" validly"
arrested.""
(
• If"he"has"been"arrested"in"a"place"where"an"inquest"prosecutor"is"available,"an" jurisdiction((A.M.&05H06H26,&SC,&August&30,&2005,&effective&Oct.&3,&2005)"
inquest"will"be"conducted"instead"of"a"preliminary"investigation."" • Judges" of" first" level" courts" are" no( longer( allowed" to" conduct" preliminary"
• In"the"absence"or"unavailability"of"an"inquest"prosecutor,"the"complaint"may"be" investigations"(Sibulo&v.&ToledoH&Mupas,&A.M.&No.&MTJH07H1686,&June&12,2008)."
filed"directly&with"the"proper"court"by"the"offended"party"or"a"peace"officer"on" "
the"basis"of"the"affidavit"of"the"offended"party"or"a"peace"officer."(Sec.&6,&Rule& Mago&v.&PefialosaHFermo&&
112,&Rules&of&Court)" • Before" the" amendments," judges" of" the" Municipal" Trial" Courts" and" Municipal"
• The" direct" filing" under" this" rule" may" be" deemed" an" additional" information" in" Circuit"Trial"Courts"were"allowed"to"conduct"preliminary"investigations"(Mago"v."
which"a"direct"filing"in"court"may"be"done."" PefialosaIFermo,"582"SCRA"1)"
( "
ABSENCE(OF(PRELIMINARY(INVESTIGATION;(EFFECT(ON(JURISDICTION( a. The"following"are"also"authorized"to"conduct"a"preliminary"investigation:"
Rodis&v.&Sandiganbayan& 1. The"Commission(on(Elections"
• The"absence"of"preliminary"investigation"does"not"affect"the"court’s"jurisdiction" ! Under" the" amendments" to" the" Omnibus" Election" Code," the"
over" the" case" nor" does" it" impair" the" validity" of" the" information," otherwise," Commission" on" Elections," through" its" duly" authorized" legal" officers,"
render"it"defective."& has" the" power," concurrent" with" the" other" prosecuting" arms" of" the"
& government," to" conduct" preliminary" investigation" of" all" election"
Budiongan,&Jr.&v.&De&la&Cruz&& offenses" punishable" under" the" Omnibus" Election" Code" and" to"
• The" denial" of" a" motion" for" reinvestigation" cannot" likewise" invalidate" the" prosecute" the" same" (Sec.& 265,& B.P.& 881,& Omnibus& Election& Code,& as&
information"or"oust"the"court"of"its"jurisdiction"over"the"case." amended&by&RA.&9369,&Sec.&43)"
( ! A" public" prosecutor" exceeded" the" authority" delegated" to" him" by" the"
ABSENCE( OF( PRELIMINARY( INVESTIGATION( IS( NOT( A( GROUND( FOR( MOTION( TO( Commission" on" Elections" (COMELEC)" to" prosecute" electionIrelated"
QUASH( cases" when" he" filed" amended" informations" in" court" against" the"
• The" absence" of" a" preliminary" investigation" is" not" a" ground" for" a" motion" to" respondent"even"after"he"had"been"directed"by"the"Legal"Department"
quash." Such" ground" is" not" provided" for" in" Sec." 3" of" Rule" 117," the" provision" of"the"COMELEC"to"suspend"the"implementation"of"his"joint"resolution"
which" enumerates" the" grounds" for" a" motion" to" quash" a" complaint" or" (which" found" that" the" respondent" should" be" indicted)" but" before" his"
information( delegated"authority"had"been"revoked"by"the"COMELEC"en"bane"
" ! Sec." 20," Article" IX" of" the" Constitution:" empowers" the" COMELEC" to"
SECTION(2:(OFFICERS(AUTHORIZED(TO(CONDUCT(PRELIMINARY(INVESTIGATIONS( investigate"and,"when"appropriate,"prosecute"election"cases"
The(following(may(conduct(preliminary(investigations:( ! Section" 265" of" the" OEC:" the" COMELEC," through" its" duly" authorized"
(a) Provincial(or(City(Prosecutors(and(their(assistants;( legal" officers," has" the" exclusive" power" to" conduct" the" preliminary"
(b) National(and(Regional(State(Prosecutors;( investigation"of"all"election"offenses"punishable"under"the"OEC"and"to"
(c) Other(officers(as(may(be(authorized(by(law.( prosecute"the"same"
Their( authority( to( conduct( preliminary( investigations( shall( include( all( crimes( • The" COMELEC" may" thus" avail" itself" of" the" assistance" of" other"
cognizable(by(the(proper(court(in(their(respective(territorial(jurisdictions.( prosecuting"arms"of"the"government"
( • Consequently," Section" 2," Rule" 34" of" the" COMELEC" Rules" of"
WHO(MAY(CONDUCT(PRELIMINARY(INVESTIGATION(AND(DETERMINE(EXISTENCE( Procedure" provides" for" the" continuing" delegation" of" authority" to"
OF(PROBABLE(CAUSE(( other" prosecuting" arms" of" the" government," which" authority,"
The"following"are"authorized"to"conduct"a"preliminary"investigation:" however," may" be" revoked" or" withdrawn" at" anytime" by" the"
1. Provincial"or"City"Prosecutors"and"their"assistants;"" COMELEC"in"the"proper"exercise"of"its"judgment"
2. National"and"Regional"State"Prosecutors;"and"" • Sec." 10" of" the" same" Rule" 34" gives" the" COMELEC" the" power" to"
3. Other"officers"as"maybe"authorized"by"law" motu" proprio" revise," modify" and" reverse" the" resolution" of" the"
• The" authority" of" the" above" to" conduct" preliminary" investigations" shall" include" Chief"State"Prosecutor"and/or"provincial/city"prosecutors"
all( crimes( cognizable( by( the( proper( court( in( their( respective( territorial( "
(
Bievenido&Difvo&and&Renato&Comparativo&v.&Pablo&Olivarez& the"issuance,"service,"validity"and"efficacy"of"subpoenas"
• The" Chief" State" Prosecutor," all" Provincial" and" City" Fiscals," and/or" their" ! Rules"of"Court:"the"issuance"of"subpoenas,"including"a"subpoena&duces&
respective"assistants"have"been"given"continuing"authority,"as"deputies"of"the" tecum," operates" under" the" requirements" of" reasonableness" and"
Commission," to" conduct" a" preliminary" investigation" of" complaints" involving" relevance"
election"offenses"under"the"election"laws"and"to"prosecute"the"same" ! For" the" production" of" documents" to" be" reasonable" and" for" the"
• However," such" authority" may" be" revoked" or" withdrawn" anytime" by" the" documents" themselves" to" be" relevant," the" matter" under" inquiry"
COMELEC"either"expressly"or"impliedly,"when"in"its"judgment,"such"revocation" should," in" the" first" place," be( one( that( the( Ombudsman( can(
or" withdrawal" is" necessary" to" protect" the" integrity" of" the" process" to" promote" legitimately(entertain,(investigate,(and(rule(upon."
the" common" good" or" where" it" believes" that" the" successful" prosecution" of" the" ! The" PCGG" with" the" assistance" of" the" OSG" and" other" government"
case"can"be"done"by"the"COMELEC" agencies" is" empowered" to" investigate," file" and" prosecute" cases"
• Moreover," being" mere" deputies" or" agents" of" the" COMELEC," provincial" or" city" investigated"by"it."
prosecutors"deputized"by"it"are"expected"to"act"in"accord"with"and"not"contrary" "
to"or"in"derogation"of"the"resolutions,"directives,"or"orders"of"the"COMELEC"in" 3. The"Commission(on(Elections"
relation" to" election" cases" where" it" had" been" deputized" to" investigate" and" ! Under" the" amendments" to" the" Omnibus" Election" Code," the"
prosecute"by"the"COMELEC" Commission" on" Elections," through" its" duly" authorized" legal" officers,"
• As" mere" deputies," provincial" and" city" prosecutors" acting" on" behalf" of" the" has" the" power," concurrent" with" the" other" prosecuting" arms" of" the"
COMELEC"must"proceed"within"the"lawful"scope"of"their"delegated"authority" government," to" conduct" preliminary" investigation" of" all" election"
• Note:"This"case"had"been"filed"in"2004"before( the( amendment"introduced"by" offenses" punishable" under" the" Omnibus" Election" Code" and" to"
R.A." 9369" in" January" 23," 2007" and" should" now" be" interpreted" in" accordance" prosecute" the" same" (Sec.& 265,& B.P.& 881,& Omnibus& Election& Code,& as&
with" the" amendment." Under" Sec." 43" thereof," the" power" of" the" COMELEC" to" amended&by&RA.&9369,&Sec.&43)"
investigate" and" prosecute" election" offenses" is" now" concurrent" with" the" other" ! A" public" prosecutor" exceeded" the" authority" delegated" to" him" by" the"
prosecuting" arms" of" the" government." The" other" prosecuting" arms" of" the" Commission" on" Elections" (COMELEC)" to" prosecute" electionIrelated"
government," it" is" humbly" submitted," no" longer" need" to" be" deputized" by" the" cases" when" he" filed" amended" informations" in" court" against" the"
COMELEC" respondent"even"after"he"had"been"directed"by"the"Legal"Department"
" of"the"COMELEC"to"suspend"the"implementation"of"his"joint"resolution"
2. The"Office(of(the(Ombudsman" (which" found" that" the" respondent" should" be" indicted)" but" before" his"
! The" Office" of" the" Ombudsman" has" the" authority" to" investigate" and" delegated"authority"had"been"revoked"by"the"COMELEC"en"bane"
prosecute" on" its" own" or" on" complaint" by" any" person," any" act" or" ! Sec." 20," Article" IX" of" the" Constitution:" empowers" the" COMELEC" to"
omission" of" any" public" officer" or" employee," office" or" agency," when" investigate"and,"when"appropriate,"prosecute"election"cases"
such" act" or" omission" appears" to" be" illegal," unjust," improper" or" ! Section" 265" of" the" OEC:" the" COMELEC," through" its" duly" authorized"
inefficient" legal" officers," has" the" exclusive" power" to" conduct" the" preliminary"
! It"has"primary"jurisdiction"over"cases"cognizable"by"the"Sandiganbayan" investigation"of"all"election"offenses"punishable"under"the"OEC"and"to"
and," in" the" exercise" of" this" primary" jurisdiction," it" may" take" over," at" prosecute"the"same"
any" stage," from" any" investigatory" agency" of" the" government," the" • The" COMELEC" may" thus" avail" itself" of" the" assistance" of" other"
investigation"of"such"cases"(Sec.&15[1],&R.A.&6770)" prosecuting"arms"of"the"government"
! In"appropriate"cases,"the"Office"of"the"Ombudsman"has"full"authority" • Consequently,"Sec."2,"Rule"34"of"the"COMELEC"Rules"of"Procedure"
to" issue" subpoenas," including" subpoena& duces& tecum," for" compulsory" provides" for" the" continuing" delegation" of" authority" to" other"
attendance" of" witnesses" and" the" production" of" documents" and" prosecuting" arms" of" the" government," which" authority," however,"
information"relating"to"matters"under"its"investigation" may"be"revoked"or"withdrawn"at"anytime"by"the"COMELEC"in"the"
! The" grant" of" this" authority," however," is( not( unlimited," as" the" proper"exercise"of"its"judgment"
Ombudsman"must"necessarily"observe"and"abide"by"the"terms"of"the" • Sec." 10" of" the" same" Rule" 34" gives" the" COMELEC" the" power" to"
Constitution," the" Rules" of" Court," and" the" applicable" jurisprudence" on" motu" proprio" revise," modify" and" reverse" the" resolution" of" the"
(
Chief"State"Prosecutor"and/or"provincial/city"prosecutors" Ombudsman"must"necessarily"observe"and"abide"by"the"terms"of"the"
" Constitution," the" Rules" of" Court," and" the" applicable" jurisprudence" on"
Bievenido&Difvo&and&Renato&Comparativo&v.&Pablo&Olivarez& the"issuance,"service,"validity"and"efficacy"of"subpoenas"
• The" Chief" State" Prosecutor," all" Provincial" and" City" Fiscals," and/or" their" ! Rules"of"Court:"the"issuance"of"subpoenas,"including"a"subpoena&duces&
respective"assistants"have"been"given"continuing"authority,"as"deputies"of"the" tecum," operates" under" the" requirements" of" reasonableness" and"
Commission," to" conduct" a" preliminary" investigation" of" complaints" involving" relevance"
election"offenses"under"the"election"laws"and"to"prosecute"the"same" ! For" the" production" of" documents" to" be" reasonable" and" for" the"
• However," such" authority" may" be" revoked" or" withdrawn" anytime" by" the" documents" themselves" to" be" relevant," the" matter" under" inquiry"
COMELEC"either"expressly"or"impliedly,"when"in"its"judgment,"such"revocation" should," in" the" first" place," be( one( that( the( Ombudsman( can(
or" withdrawal" is" necessary" to" protect" the" integrity" of" the" process" to" promote" legitimately(entertain,(investigate,(and(rule(upon."
the" common" good" or" where" it" believes" that" the" successful" prosecution" of" the" ! The" PCGG" with" the" assistance" of" the" OSG" and" other" government"
case"can"be"done"by"the"COMELEC" agencies" is" empowered" to" investigate," file" and" prosecute" cases"
• Moreover," being" mere" deputies" or" agents" of" the" COMELEC," provincial" or" city" investigated"by"it."
prosecutors"deputized"by"it"are"expected"to"act"in"accord"with"and"not"contrary" (
to"or"in"derogation"of"the"resolutions,"directives,"or"orders"of"the"COMELEC"in" (
relation" to" election" cases" where" it" had" been" deputized" to" investigate" and" (
prosecute"by"the"COMELEC" (
• As" mere" deputies," provincial" and" city" prosecutors" acting" on" behalf" of" the" (
COMELEC"must"proceed"within"the"lawful"scope"of"their"delegated"authority" (
• Note:"This"case"had"been"filed"in"2004"before( the( amendment"introduced"by" (
R.A." 9369" in" January" 23," 2007" and" should" now" be" interpreted" in" accordance" (
with" the" amendment." Under" Sec.& 43" thereof," the" power" of" the" COMELEC" to" (
investigate"and"prosecute"election"offenses"is"now"concurrent( with( the( other( (
prosecuting( arms( of( the( government." The" other" prosecuting" arms" of" the" (
government," it" is" humbly" submitted," no" longer" need" to" be" deputized" by" the" (
COMELEC" (
" (
4. The"Office(of(the(Ombudsman"" (
! The" Office" of" the" Ombudsman" has" the" authority" to" investigate" and" (
prosecute" on" its" own" or" on" complaint" by" any" person," any" act" or" (
omission" of" any" public" officer" or" employee," office" or" agency," when" (
such" act" or" omission" appears" to" be" illegal," unjust," improper" or" (
inefficient" (
! It"has"primary"jurisdiction"over"cases"cognizable"by"the"Sandiganbayan" (
and," in" the" exercise" of" this" primary" jurisdiction," it" may" take" over," at" (
any" stage," from" any" investigatory" agency" of" the" government," the" (
investigation"of"such"cases"(Sec.&15[1],&R.A.&6770)" (
! In"appropriate"cases,"the"Office"of"the"Ombudsman"has"full"authority" (
to" issue" subpoenas," including" subpoena& duces& tecum," for" compulsory" (
attendance" of" witnesses" and" the" production" of" documents" and" (
information"relating"to"matters"under"its"investigation" (
! The" grant" of" this" authority," however," is( not( unlimited," as" the" (
(
SECTION(3:(OFFICERS(AUTHORIZED(TO(CONDUCT(PRELIMINARY(INVESTIGATIONS( counterâffidavits( and( other( documents( or( from( the( expiration( of( the(
The(preliminary(investigation(shall(be(conducted(in(the(ff.(manner:( period(for(their(submission.(It(shall(be(terminated(within(five((5)(days.(
(a) The( complaint( shall( state( the( address( of( the( respondent( and( shall( be( (f) Within(ten((10)(days(after(the(investigation,(the(investigating(officer(shall(
accompanied( by( the( affidavits( of( the( complainant( and( his( witnesses,( as( determine( whether( or( not( there( is( sufficient( ground( to( hold( the(
well( as( other( supporting( documents( to( establish( probable( cause.( They( respondent(for(trial.((3a)(
shall(be(in(such(number(of(copies(as(there(are(respondents,(plus(two((2)( !
copies(for(the(official(file.(The(affidavits(shall(be(subscribed(and(sworn(to( THE( PROCEDURE( FOR( PRELIMINARY( INVESTIGATION( MUST( BE( STRICTLY(
before( any( prosecutor( or( government( official( authorized( to( administer( FOLLOWED((
oath,(or,(in(their(absence(or(unavailability,(before(a(notary(public,(each(of( Illustrative&case:&Ladlad&v.&Velasco,&Maza&v.&Gonzales&
who(must(certify(that(he(personally(examined(the(affiants(and(that(he(is( • A" preliminary" investigation" of" the" rebellion" charges" against" Ladlad" and" Maza"
satisfied(that(they(voluntarily(executed(and(understood(their(affidavits.( was"held"before"a"panel"of"DOJ"prosecutors"on"the"bases"of"the"unsubscribed"
(b) Within( ten( (10)( days( after( the( filing( of( the( complaint,( the( investigating( letter"of"CIDG"investigations"accusing"them"of"rebellion."
officer( shall( either( dismiss( it( if( he( finds( no( ground( to( continue( with( the( • During"the"preliminary"investigation,"counsel"for"CIDG"present"a"masked"man."
investigation,( or( issue( a( subpoena( to( the( respondent( attaching( to( it( a( The" masked" man" subscribed" to" his" affidavit" before" respondent" prosecutors"
copy(of(the(complaint(and(its(supporting(affidavits(and(documents.( who"then"gave"copies"of"the"affidavit"to"media"members."
The( respondent( shall( have( the( right( to( examine( the( evidence( • Court" found" that" the" prosecutors" failed" to" comply" with" Sec.& 3(a)& of& Rule& 112&
submitted( by( the( complainant( which( he( may( not( have( been( furnished( which" provides" that" the" complaint" be" accompanied" by" the" affidavits" of" the"
and( to( copy( them( at( his( expense.( If( the( evidence( is( voluminous,( the( complainant"and"his"witnesses,"subscribed"and"sworn"before"any"prosecutor"or"
complainant( may( be( required( to( specify( those( which( he( intends( to( government"official"authorized"to"administer"oath,"or"in"their"absence"before"a"
present( against( the( respondent,( and( these( shall( be( made( available( for( notary"public.""
examination(or(copying(by(the(respondent(at(his(expense.( • Respondent" prosecutors" treated" the" unsubscribed" letter" of" the" CIDG" as"
Objects(as(evidence(need(not(be(furnished(a(party(but(shall(be(made( complaints"and"accepted"affidavits"attached"to"the"letters"even"though"some"of"
available( for( examination,( copying,( or( photographing( at( the( expense( of( them"were"notarized"by"a"notary"public"without"any"showing"that"a"prosecutor"
the(requesting(party.( or"qualified"government"official"was"unavailable."
(c) Within( ten( (10)( days( from( receipt( of( the( subpoena( with( the( complaint( • Court"reiterated"that"the"right"to"a"preliminary"investigation"is"not"a"formal"or"
and(supporting(affidavits(and(documents,(the(respondent(shall(submit(his( technical"right"but"a"substantive"right"forming"a"part"of"due"process."
counterâffidavit( and( that( of( his( witnesses( and( other( supporting( (
documents( relied( upon( for( his( defense.( The( counterâffidavits( shall( be( FILING(OF(COMPLAINT(FOR(PRELIMINARY(INVESTIGATION&(Sec.&3[a],&Rule&112)(
subscribed(and(sworn(to(and(certified(as(provided(in(paragraph((a)(of(this( • It"is"the"filing"of"the"complaint"with"the"investigating"prosecutor"that"starts"the"
section,( with( copies( thereof( furnished( by( him( to( the( complainant.( The( preliminary"investigation"process."It"is"normally"instituted"through"an"affidavit"
respondent( shall( not( be( allowed( to( file( a( motion( to( dismiss( in( lieu( of( a( of"complaint.(
counterâffidavit.( • The" complaint" must" state" the" address" of" the" respondent" and" shall" be"
(d) If( the( respondent( cannot( be( subpoenaed,( or( if( subpoenaed,( does( not( accompanied"by"(the"ff."are"required"to"establish"probable"cause):(
submit(counterâffidavits(within(the(ten((10)(day(period,(the(investigating( o The"affidavits"of"the"complainant(
officer( shall( resolve( the( complaint( based( on( the( evidence( presented( by( o The"affidavits"of"his"witnesses"and(
the(complainant.( o Other"supporting"documents"(
(e) The(investigating(officer(may(set(a(hearing(if(there(are(facts(and(issues(to(
• The" complaint" filed" for" the" purpose" of" preliminary" investigation" differs" from"
be(clarified(from(a(party(or(a(witness.(The(parties(can(be(present(at(the( the"complaint"filed"for"the"purpose"of"instituting"a"criminal"prosecution.(
hearing( but( without( the( right( to( examine( or( crossêxamine.( They( may,( o The"complaint"filed"for"the"purpose"of"instituting"a"criminal"action"
however,( submit( to( the( investigating( officer( questions( which( may( be( is"that"referred"to"in"Sec.&3,&Rule&110"which"is"in"the"name"of"the"
asked(to(the(party(or(witness(concerned.( People"of"the"Philippines.(
The(hearing(shall(be(held(within(ten((10)(days(from(submission(of(the(
(
o The"complaint"referred"to"in"a"preliminary"investigation"is"not"just" REPLYIAFFIDAVIT.(
the" affidavit" of" the" complainant," because" his" affidavit" is" treated" • The"respondent"may"likewise"rebut"the"reply"affidavit"–"REJOINDER"AFFIDAVIT.(
just"as"a"component"of"the"complaint.( • So"order"will"be:(
• The"list"of"persons"before"whom"the"affidavits"may"be"subscribed"or"sworn"to" o Complaint"affidavit"(offended"party)(
should"be"followed"in"order"(HEIRARCHY):( o Counter"affidavit"(offender)(
o Any"prosecutor"and"not"necessarily"the"investigating"prosecutor( o Reply"affidavit"(offended)(
o Any"government"official"authorized"to"administer"oaths( o Rejoinder"affidavit"(offender)(
o Notary"public( "
• The" prosecutor," official" or" notary" public" is" obligated" to" conduct" a" person" ACTION( TO( BE( TAKEN( IF( THE( RESPONDENT( DOES( NOT( SUBMIT( A( COUNTER^
examination" of" the" affiants" and" corollarily," to" certify" that" he" personally" AFFIDAVIT((Sec.&3&[d],&Rule&112)&
examined" the" affiants" and" that" he" is" satisfied" that" they" voluntarily" executed" • If"despite"the"subpoena,"the"respondent"does"not"submit"his"counterIaffidavit"
and"understood"their"affidavit."( within"the"10"day"period"granted"him,"the"investigating"officer"shall"resolve"the"
( complaint" based" on" the" evidence" presented" by" the" complainant." Same" rule"
DISMISSAL( OF( THE( COMPLAINT( OR( ISSUANCE( OF( A( SUBPOENA( (Sec.& 3& [b],& Rule& applies"in"case"the"respondent"cannot"be"subpoenaed.""
112)( • Effect" would" be" an" ex( parte( investigation" –" respondent" cannot" or" does" not"
• From"the"filing"of"the"complaint,"the"investigation"officer"has"10"days"to"decide" participate"in"the"proceedings."
which"of"the"ff."options"to"take:( • NOTE:" Since" the" Rules" are" to" be" liberally" construed," the" respondent" shall" be"
o DISMISS"the"complaint"if"he"finds"no"ground"to"conduct"investigation;" allowed,"through"a"proper"motion,"to"have"the"proceedings"reopened"to"allow"
OR( him"to"submit"his"counterIaffidavit"and"the"affidavits"of"his"witness"and"other"
o ISSUE( A( SUBPOENA" to" the" respondent" in" case" he" finds" the" need" to" evidences."HOWEVER,"motion"should"be"done"before"the"prosecutor"has"issued"
continue" with" the" investigation," in" which" case" the" subpoena" shall" be" a"resolution."
accompanied"with"a"copy"of"the"complaint"and"its"supporting"affidavits" o Such" motion" should" also" contain" an" explanation" for" the" failure" to"
and"documents."( timely"file"his"counterIaffidavit."
• The" respondent" to" whom" the" subpoena" was" issued" shall" have" the" right" to" (
examine"the"evidence."( CLARIFICATORY(HEARING(IF(NECESSARY;(NO(RIGHT(TO(CROSS(EXAMINATION&(Sec.&
• If" the" evidence" is" voluminous," the" complainant" may" be" required" to" specify" 3[e],&Rule&112)(
those"which"he"intends"to"present"against"the"respondent."These"need"not"be" • Within" 10" days" from" the" submission" of" the" counterIaffidavit," other" affidavits"
furnished"to"the"respondent"but"shall"be"available"for"examination"or"copying."( etc.," or" within" 10" days" from" the" expiration" of" the" period" for" submission," a"
" hearing"may"be"set"by"the"investigating"officer,"if"there"are"facts"and"issues"to"
FILING( OF( COUNTERÂFFIDAVIT( BY( THE( RESPONDENT;( NO( MOTION( TO( DISMISS( be"clarified"from"a"party"or"a"witness.&
(Sec.&3[c],&Rule&112)& • The"parties"can"be"present"at"the"hearing"but"do"NOT"have"the"right"to"examine"
• Respondent" who" receives" the" subpoena," the" complaint," affidavits" and" other" or"cross"examine"each"other"or"the"witnesses.&
supporting"documents,"is"not(allowed(to(filed(a(motion(to(dismiss(in(lieu(of(a( • If" they" have" questions," they" shall" submit" the" questions" to" the" investigation"
counterâffidavit."( officer"who"shall"then"ask"the"question"to"the"party"or"witness"concerned."&
• Instead,"he"is"required,"within"10"days"from"receipt"of"the"subpoena,"to"submit" • The"hearing"shall"be"TERMINATED"in"5"days.&
his" counterIaffidavit," the" affidavits" of" his" witnesses" and" the" supporting" • Clarificatory" hearing" may" or" may" not" be" held," based" on" the" discretion" of" the"
documents"relied"upon"for"his"defense.( investigation"officer.&
• The"counterIaffidavits"should"be"subscribed"and"sworn"to"before"(HIERARCHY):"( &
o Any"prosecutor( &
o Any"government"official"authorized"to"administer"oaths( &
o Notary"public"( &
• It" is" common" practice" to" allow" the" filing" of" a" reply" to" the" counterIaffidavit" I"
(
DETERMINATION(BY(THE(INVESTIGATING(OFFICER((Sec.&3[f],&Rule&112)& Sasot&v.&People&
• Within" 10" days" from" the" termination" of" the" investigation," the" investigation" • In"an"unfair"competition"case"where"the"accused"were"charged"with"allegedly"
prosecutor" shall" determine" whether" or" not" there" is" sufficient" ground" to" hold" manufacturing," distributing" &" selling" counterfeit" NBA" products," the" Special"
the"respondent"for"trial.& Power"of"Attorney"of"the"President"of"NBA"authorizing"the"agent"to"pursue"the"
complaint" was" notarized" by" a" notary" public" in" NYC," &" certified" by" a" clerk" of"
SOME(JUDICIAL(PRONOUNCEMENTS(ON(SEC.(3,(RULE(112( court"in"the"NY"SC."The"President’s"complaint"affidavit"was"also"notaried"in"NYC."
& The"Philippine"Consul"of"the"Consulate"General"of"the"Philippines"in"New"York"
Sierra&v.&Lopez& authenticated"the"certification."The"accused"claim"that"the"SPA"is"procedurally"
defective."
• The"complainants"raised"the"following"questions"of"law:"
1) Whether" the" parties" must" appear" together" before" the" investigation" • SC" denied" the" petition," &" held" that" a" complaint" is" substantially" sufficient" if" it"
prosecutor"during"preliminary"investigation;" states" the" known" address" of" the" respondent," accompanied" by" the"
2) Whether"the"counterIaffidavits"of"the"respondents"should"be"sworn"to"only" complainant’s" affidavit" &" his" witnesses" &" supporting" documents," &" the"
before"the"investigating"prosecutor;"&" documents" are" sworn" to" before" any" fiscal," state" prosecutor," or" government"
3) Whether"the"investigating"prosecutor"erred"in"denying"the"request"of"the" official"authorized"to"administer"an"oath,"or,"in"their"absence"or"unavailability,"a"
complainant"for"clarificatory"questioning." notary"public"who"must"certify"that"he"personally"examined"the"affiants"&"that"
he" is" satisfied" that" they" voluntarily" executed" &" understood" their" affidavits."
• SC"ruled:"
1) NO." Confrontation" between" the" parties" is" not" required," as" preliminary" These"were"satisfied"in"the"complaint"filed"by"the"prosecutor."
investigation" is" ordinarily" conducted" through" submission" of" affidavits" &" "
supporting"documents,"through"the"exchange"of"pleadings." "
2) NO."Sec.&3,&Rule&112"actually"provides"that"the"affidavits"can"be"subscribed" "
&" sworn" to" before" any" prosecutor" or" government" official" or" in" their" "
absence"or"unavailability,"before"a"notary"public." "
"
3) NO." The" conduct" of" clarificatory" questioning" is" discretionary" on" the"
prosecutor."The"decision"to"call"witnesses"for"clarificatory"questioning"is"up" "
to"the"investigator"&"no"one"else." "
& "
Bautista&v.&SB& "
"
• The" Ombudsman" received" a" letterIcomplaint" against" the" petitioner." The"
"
petitioner" submitted" a" counterIaffidavit" after" being" directed" by" the"
"
Ombudsman."Thereafter,"the"latter"filed"the"information"before"SB."Petitioner"
"
argues"that"the"procedures"provided"in"Rule"112"were"not"correctly"followed,"
"
as" the" complainant" should" have" been" asked" to" submit" an" affidavit" &" those" of"
"
his" witnesses" before" the" petitioner" would" be" made" to" submit" a" counterI
"
affidavit."
"
• SC" ruled" that" the" petitioner" was" estopped" from" protesting" the" manner" by"
"
which" the" information" against" him" was" filed," as" the" petitioner" allowed" the"
"
proceedings"to"go"on"until"the"preliminary"investigation"was"terminated"&"the"
"
information"was"filed"before"SB."Thus,"petitioner"was"deemed"to"have"waived"
"
his" right" to" assail" the" manner" by" which" the" preliminary" investigation" was"
"
conducted."
"
"
"
(
SECTION(4:(RESOLUTION(OF(INVESTIGATING(PROSECUTOR(&(ITS(REVIEW( establish"a"prima&facie"case."
If(the(investigating(prosecutor(finds(cause(to(hold(the(respondent(for(trial,(he(shall( • Since" discretion" is" involved," mandamus" under" Rule" 65" will" NOT" apply" to"
prepare( the( resolution( and( information.( He( shall( certify( under( oath( in( the( compel"the"filing"of"a"complaint"or"information."
information( that( he,( or( as( shown( by( the( record,( an( authorized( officer,( has( 2. A"prosecutor"is"under"no"compulsion"to"file"a"particular"criminal"information"if"
personally( examined( the( complainant( &( his( witnesses;( that( there( is( reasonable( he"is"convinced"there"is"not"enough"evidence"to"support"its"averments,"or"if"for"
ground(to(believe(that(a(crime(has(been(committed(&(that(the(accused(is(probably( him,"the"evidence"leads"to"a"different"conclusion."Ilusorio&v.&Ilusorio&
guilty(thereof;(that(the(accused(was(informed(of(the(complaint(&(of(the(evidence( (
submitted( against( him;( and( that( he( was( given( an( opportunity( to( submit( RESOLUTION(OF(INVESTIGATING(PROSECUTOR(|(CERTIFICATION(OF(PRELIMINARY(
controverting( evidence.( Otherwise,( he( shall( recommend( the( dismissal( of( the( INVESTIGATION(
complaint.( 1. If"the"investigating"prosecutor"finds"cause"to"hold"respondent"for"trial"#"he"
( Within( five( (5)( days( from( his( resolution,( he( shall( forward( the( record( of( the( shall"prepare"both"the"resolution"and"information."
case( to( the( provincial( or( city( prosecutor( or( chief( state( prosecutor,( or( to( the( • If"he"does"not"find"probable"cause"#"he"will"recommend"the"dismissal"
Ombudsman(or(his(deputy(in(cases(of(offenses(cognizable(by(the(Sandiganbayan( of"the"complaint."
in( the( exercise( of( its( original( jurisdiction.( They( shall( act( on( the( resolution( within( 2. The" information" shall" contain" a" certification" by" the" investigating" officer"
ten((10)(days(from(their(receipt(thereof(&(shall(immediately(inform(the(parties(of( under"oath."He"must"certify"to"the"ff.:"
such(action.( i. That" he," or" as" shown" by" the" record," an" authorized" officer," has"
( No( complaint( or( information( may( be( filed( or( dismissed( by( an( investigation( personally"examined"the"complainant"and"his"witnesses,""
prosecutor(without(the(prior(written(authority(or(approval(of(the(provincial(or(city( ii. That" there" is" reasonable" ground" to" believe" that" a" crime" has" been"
prosecutor(or(chief(state(prosecutor(or(the(Ombudsman(or(his(deputy.( committed"
( Where( the( investigating( prosecutor( recommends( the( dismissal( of( the( iii. That"the"accused"is"probably"guilty"thereof"
complaint( but( his( recommendation( is( disapproved( by( the( provincial( or( city( iv. That" the" accused" was" informed" of" the" complaint" and" of" evidence"
prosecutor( or( chief( state( prosecutor( or( the( Ombudsman( or( his( deputy( on( the( submitted"against"him""
ground( that( a( probable( cause( exists,( the( latter( may,( by( himself,( file( the( v. That"he"was"given"an"opportunity"to"submit"controverting"evidence"
information( against( the( respondent,( or( direct( another( prosecutor( or( state( "
prosecutor(to(do(so(without(conducting(another(preliminary(investigation.( EFFECT(OF(THE(ABSENCE(OF(REQUIRED(CERTIFICATION(
( If( upon( petition( by( a( proper( party( under( such( Rules( as( the( Department( of( • The" information" is" still" considered" valid" even" if" there" is" absence" in" such"
Justice(may(prescribe(or(motu(propio,(the(Secretary(of(Justice(reverses(or(modifies( information"of"a"certification"on"the"holding"of"a"preliminary"investigation.""
the( resolution( of( the( provincial( or( city( prosecutor( or( chief( state( prosecutor,( he( • This" is" because" the" certification" is" not" an" essential" part" of" the"
shall(direct(the(prosecutor(concerned(either(to(file(the(corresponding(information( information" itself" and" its" absence" cannot" vitiate" it" as" such." People& v.&
without( conducting( another( preliminary( investigation,( or( to( dismiss( or( move( for( Marquez"
the( dismissal( of( the( complaint( or( information,( with( notice( to( the( parties.( The( • What" is" NOT" allowed" is" the" filing" of" the" information" without" a"
same( Rule( shall( apply( in( preliminary( investigations( conducted( by( the( officers( of( preliminary" investigation" having" been" previously" conducted." People& v.&
the(Office(of(the(Ombudsman.( Lapura"
( (
DISCRETION( OF( PROSECUTOR( IN( FILING( OF( A( CRIMINAL( COMPLAINT( OR( (
INFORMATION(( (
1. The" determination" of" probable" cause" during" a" preliminary" investigation" or" (
reinvestigation" is" recognized" as" an" EXECUTIVE" FUNCTION" SOLELY" OF" THE" (
PROSECUTOR."" (
• Prosecutor"is"under"no"obligation"to"file"a"criminal"action"where"he"is"not" (
convinced"that"there"is"no"probable"cause"" (
• He" shall" not" prosecute" when" he" is" convinced" that" the" evidence" does" not" (
(
FORWARDING(OF(THE(RECORDS(OF(THE(CASE(FOR(ACTION(|(NEED(FOR(APPROVAL( 3. The" appeal" is" made" by" filing" a" petition" for" review" with" the" Office" of" the"
BEFORE(FILING(OR(DISMISSAL(( Secretary,"DOJ."
1. Within" 5" days" from" the" investigating" prosecutor’s" resolution," he" shall" • This"petition"must"be"verified"and"copies"of"the"same"must"be"furnished"to"
forward"the"record"of"the"case"to"the"Provincial"or"City"prosecutor"or"chief" the" adverse" party" and" the" Prosecution" Office" issuing" the" appealed"
State"prosecutor,"or"to"the"Ombudsman"or"his"Deputy"(in"cases"of"offenses" resolution."Sec.&4,&Dep.&Cir.&70"
cognizable" by" Sandiganbayan" in" exercise" of" its" original" jurisdiction)" • Petition"must"contain"the"matters"mandated"under"Sec.&5,&Dep.&Cir.&70&and"
[PCSOD]" failure" to" comply" with" the" same" shall" constitute" sufficient" ground" for" the"
• They" shall" act" on" the" resolution" within" 10" days" from" their" receipt" dismissal"of"the"petition."Sec.&6,&Dep.&Cir.&70"
thereof"and"shall"immediately"inform"the"parties"of"such"action." &
2. No"complaint"or"information"may"be"filed"or"dismissed"by"an"investigating" Sec.&5,&Dep.&Cir.&70:&Contents"of"petition."–"The"petition"shall"contain"or"
prosecutor"without"the"prior"written"authority"or"approval"of"the"PCSOD" state:""
• The" resolution" of" the" investigating" prosecutor" may" be" reversed" or" (a)"the"names"and"addresses"of"the"parties;""
affirmed"by"the"PCSOD( (b)" the" Investigation" Slip" number" (I.S." No.)" and" criminal" case"
( number,"if"any,"and"title"of"the"case,"including"the"offense"charged"
RULE(WHEN(RECOMMENDATION(FOR(DISMISSAL(IS(DISAPPROVED( in"the"complaint;""
• If" PCSOD( disapproves" the" investigating" prosecutor’s" recommendation" for" (c)"the"venue"of"the"preliminary"investigation;""
dismissal"because"PCSOD"believes"probable"cause"exists,"PCSOD"may—"( (d)"the"specific"material"dates"showing"that"it"was"filed"on"time;""
o By"himself,"file"the"information"against"the"respondent,"or"( (e)"a"clear"and"concise"statement"of"the"facts,"the"assignment"of"
o Direct" another" assistant" prosecutor" or" state" prosecutor" to" do" so" errors," and" the" reasons" or" arguments" relied" upon" for" the"
without"conducting"another"preliminary"investigation."( allowance"of"the"appeal;"and""
" (f)"proof"of"service"of"a"copy"of"the"petition"to"the"adverse"party"
MOTION(FOR(RECONSIDERATION( and"the"Prosecution"Office"concerned."
• An" aggrieved" party" can" file" a" motion" for" reconsideration" within" 15" days" from" The" petition" shall" be" accompanied" by" legible" duplicate" original" or"
receipt"of"the"assailed"resolution"of"the"investigating"prosecutor" certified" true" copy" of" the" resolution" appealed" from" together" with"
• If" the" motion" is" denied," the" aggrieved" party" may" appeal" within" 15" days" legible" true" copies" of" the" complaint," affidavits/sworn" statements" and"
from"the"denial"of"the"motion"for"reconsideration."Sec.&3,&2000&NPS&Rule&on& other" evidence" submitted" by" the" parties" during" the" " preliminary"
Appeal,&DOJ&Department&Circular&No.&70&(Dep.&Cir.&70)" investigation/reinvestigation."
" If" an" information" has" been" filed" in" court" pursuant" to" the" appealed"
APPEALS(TO(THE(SECRETARY(OF(JUSTICE(|(FILING(A(PETITION(FOR(REVIEW(( resolution," a" copy" of" the" motion" to" defer" proceedings" filed" in" court"
1. In" cases" subject" of" preliminary" investigation" or" reinvestigation," an" appeal" may" must" also" accompany" the" petition." The"
be" brought" to" the" Sec." of" Justice" from" the" resolutions" of" the" Chief" State" investigating/reviewing/approving" prosecutor" shall" not" be" impleaded"
Prosecutor,"Regional"State"Prosecutors"and"Provincial/City"Prosecutor." as"party"respondent"in"the"petition."The"party"taking"the"appeal"shall"be"
• The" Sec." of" Justice" has" the" ultimate" authority" to" decide" which" of" the" referred" to" in" the" petition" as" either" "ComplainantIAppellant"" or"
conflicting" theories" of" the" complainants" and" the" respondents" should" be" "RespondentIAppellant""
believed."Community&Rural&Bank&of&Guimba&Inc&v.&Talavera" "
2. The"appeal"shall"be"taken"within"15"days"from"receipt"of"the"assailed"resolution."" • Within"a"nonIextendible"period"of"15"days"from"receipt"of"the"copy"of"
• If" a" motion" for" reconsideration/reinvestigation" has" been" filed" within" 15" the"petition,"the"adverse"party"may"file"a"verified"comment.""
days" from" receipt" of" the" assailed" resolution," the" appeal" shall" be" taken" • Note:" The" investigating/reviewing/approving" prosecutor" need" not"
within" 15" days" from" receipt" of" the" denial" of" the" motion" for" submit"any"comment"except"when"directed"by"the"Sec"of"Justice."Sec.&8,&
reconsideration/reinvestigation."Sec&3.,&Dep.&Cir.&70"" Dep.&Cir.&&70"
• Note:" Under" the" same" provision," only" one" motion" for" reconsideration" is" • If"no"comment"is"filed"within"the"prescribed"period,"the"appeal"shall"be"
allowed." resolved"on"the"basis"of"the"petition."Sec.&8.&Dep.&Cir.&70"
(
• Note:" The" appeal" does" not" hold" or" prevent" the" filing" of" the" resolution"on"appeal."
corresponding" information" in" court" based" on" the" finding" of" probable" • Copies" of" such" motion" and" proof" of" service" thereof" shall" be" served" upon"
cause"in"the"appealed"resolution" the"adverse"party"and"the"Prosecution"Office"concerned."
• UNLESS" the" Sec." of" Justice" directs" otherwise," but" the" appellant" • No"further"or"second"motion"for"reconsideration"shall"be"entertained."Sec.&
and" prosecutor" shall" see" to" it" that" during" the" pending" resolution" 13,&Dep.&Cir.&No&70"
of"the"appeal,"the"proceedings"in"court"are"held"in"abeyance."Sec.& "
9,&Dep.&Cir.&70& RULES(OF(COURT(PROVISIONS(WHEN(RESOLUTION(IS(REVERSED(OR(MODIFIED(BY(
• The"party"filing"a"petition"for"review"is"allowed"to"file"a"motion"for"the" THE(SEC.(OF(JUSTICE(
suspension"of"the"arraignment.& • If"upon"petition"by"a"proper"party"or"motu&proprio,"the"Sec."of"Justice"reverses"or"
• Sec.& 11& c& of& Rule& 116:" Upon" motion" by" the" proper" party," modifies" the" resolution" of" the" provincial" or" city" prosecutor" or" chief" state"
arraignment" shall" be" suspended," if" a" petition" for" review" of" the" prosecutor,"he"shall"direct"the"prosecutor"concerned"either"to"—"
resolution"of"the"prosecutor"is"pending& a) file"the"corresponding"information"without"conducting"another"preliminary"
4. If" Sec." of" Justice" finds" petition" for" review" to" be" without" merit" or" intended" for" investigation,"or"
delay,"or"when"issues"raised"are"too"unsubstantial"to"require"consideration,"he" b) to"dismiss"or"move"for"dismissal"of"the"complaint"or"information"with"notice"
may"dismiss"the"petition"outright."Sec.&7,&Dep.&Cir.&70" to"the"parties."Sec.&4,&Rule&112"
• If" pursuant" to" the" appealed" resolution," an" information" has" already" been" "
filed"and"the"accused"has"already"been"arraigned"prior"to"the"filing"of"the" POWER(OF(THE(SEC.(OF(JUSTICE(TO(REVERSE(RESOLUTIONS(OF(PROSECUTORS(
petition,"the"petition"shall"not"be"given"due"course."Sec.&7,&Dep.&Cir.&No&70" 1. Sec." of" Justice" can" reverse," upon" petition" by" proper" party," his" subordinates’"
• If" the" accused" has" been" arraigned" after" the" filing" of" the" petition," any" resolutions"finding"probable"cause"against"suspects"of"crimes."
arraignment" shall" not" bar" the" Sec." of" Justice" from" exercising" his" power" of" • He"has"the"power"to"alter,"modify,"nullify"or"set"aside"what"a"subordinate"
review."Sec.&7,&Dep.&Cir.&70" officer"has"done"in"the"performance"of"said"officer’s"duties"and"substitute"
5. The"Sec."of"Justice"may"reverse,"affirm"or"modify"the"appealed"resolution." the"his"own"judgment"for"that"of"the"latter."
He"may"also"dismiss"the"petition"for"review"motu&proprio"or"upon"motion"on"any" • It"is"the"duty"of"the"fiscal"to"prosecute"persons"who,"according"to"evidence"
of"the"ff."grounds:"" received"from"complainant,"are"shown"to"be"guilty"of"a"crime."
a) That"the"petition"for"review"was"filed"beyond"the"period"prescribed;" • Sec."of"Justice"is"likewise"bound"by"his"oath"of"office"to"protect"innocent"
b) That" the" prescribed" procedure" and" requirements" provided" in" Dep.& Cir.& 70" persons"from"groundless,"false"or"serious"prosecutions.""
were"not"complied"with"" • Sec."of"Justice"commits"serious"dereliction"of"duty"if"he"orders"or"sanctions"
c) That" there" is" no" showing" of" any" reversible" error" or" that" the" accused" was" the"filing"of"charge"sheets"based"on"complaints"where"he"is"not"convinced"
already"arraigned"when"the"appeal"was"taken;" that"the"evidence"would"warrant"the"filing"of"an"action"in"court."
d) That" the" appealed" resolution" is" interlocutory" in" nature," except" when" it" • Sec." of" Justice" has" the" ultimate" power" to" decide" which" between" the"
suspends" the" proceedings" based" on" the" alleged" existence" of" a" prejudicial" conflicting"theories"of"the"parties"should"be"believed."
question" • Joaquin,& Jr.& v.& Drilon:& the" Court" affirmed" the" DOJ" Secretary’s" power" of"
e) That"the"offense"has"already"prescribed" control" over" the" authority" of" a" state" prosecutor" to" conduct" preliminary"
f) That" there" are" other" legal" and" factual" grounds" that" exist" to" warrant" a" investigations"on"criminal"actions."
dismissal."Sec.&12,&Dep.&Cir.&70" • Sec."of"Justice"can"consider"errors,"even"if"unassigned,"for"the"purpose"
*Other"option"of"Sec."Justice:"He"may"order"the"reinvestigation"of"the"case." of"determining"whether"there"is"probable"cause"for"filing"cases"in"court."
If" Sec." of" Justice" finds" it" necessary" to" investigate" the" case," the" • Sec."of"Justice"must"make"his"own"finding"of"probable"cause"and"is"not"
reinvestigation" shall" be" made" by" the" investigating" prosecutor," unless" for" confined" to" the" issues" raised" by" the" parties" during" preliminary"
compelling"reasons,"another"prosecutor"is"designated"to"conduct"it"Sec.&11,& investigation."
Dep.&Cir.&70& • Sec."of"Justice’s"findings"are"not"subject"to"review"unless"shown"to"have"
6. The" party" aggrieved" by" the" decision" of" Sec." of" Justice" may" file" a" motion" for" been"made"with"grave"abuse."
reconsideration" within" a" nonIextendible" period" of" 10" days" from" receipt" of" the"
(
2. It"is"only"where"the"decision"of"the"Sec."of"Justice"is"tainted"with"GADALEJ"that" • Exception:"The"CA"may"correct"the"acts"of"the"prosecutorial"officers"tainted"
the"Court"of"Appeals"may"take"cognizance"of"the"case"in"a"petition"for"certiorari& with"GADALEJ(notwithstanding"the"filing"of"the"informations.(
under"Rule&65&of&Revised&Rules&of&Civil&Procedure.&& (
• The"CA"decision"may"then"be"appealed"to"the"SC"by"way"of"a"petition"for" APPEAL(TO(THE(OFFICE(OF(THE(PRESIDENT(
review"on"certiorari."Asetre&v.&Asetre" 1. Judicial(appeals"are"not"allowed"to"the"CA"under"Rule"43"from"the"resolution"of"
" the"Secretary"of"Justice."
ASSAILING( THE( RESOLUTION( OF( THE( SECRETARY( OF( JUSTICE;( PETITION( FOR( 2. Administrative(appeals,"on"the"other"hand,"are"allowed."Memorandum&Circular&
REVIEW(UNDER(RULE(43(NOT(ALLOWED;(PETITION(FOR(CERTIORARI(UNDER(RULE( No.& 58" provides" that" appeals" from" or" petition" for" review" of"
65( “decisions/orders/resolutions" of" the" Secretary" of" Justice" on" preliminary"
1. The"Department"of"Justice"(DOJ)"is"not"a"quasiIjudicial"agency"exercising"a"quasiI investigations"of"criminal"cases"are"entertained"by"the"Office"of"the"President”"
judicial" function" when" reviewing" findings" of" a" public" prosecutor" regarding" the" • Offense"is"be"punishable"by"reclusion&perpetua"to"death"Angeles&v.&Gaite"
presence"of"probable"cause.( • New" and" material" issues" are" raised" which" were" not" previously" presented"
• Its"findings"are"not"reviewable"by"the"CA"in"a"petition"for"review"under"Rule" before"the"DOJ"and"hence,"were"not"ruled"upon"
43"of"the"Rules"of"Court"(Rule"43"is"an"improper"remedy)( • The" prescription" of" the" offense" is" not" due" to" lapse" within" six" (6)" months"
2. Executive"branch"of"government"has"full"discretionary"authority"in"determining" from"notice"of"the"questioned"resolution,"and"
the"probable"cause"during"the"preliminary"investigation."Alcaraz&v.&Gonzales( • The"appeal"or"petition"for"review"is"filed"within"thirty"(30)"days"from"notice"
• The"decision"whether"or"not"to"dismiss"the"criminal"complaint"against"the" Note:& 1)" Outright" dismissal" of" appeal" if" it" does" not" clearly" fall" within" the"
private"respondent"is"necessarily"dependent"on"the"sound"discretion"of"the" jurisdiction"of"the"Office"of"the"President."2)"If"the"lack"of"jurisdiction"is"not"
Investigating"Prosecutor"and"the"Secretary"of"Justice.( readily" apparent," the" appellant/petitioner" is" ordered" to" prove" the"
• Courts" are" not" empowered" to" substitute" their" own" judgment" for" that" of" necessary"jurisdictional"facts"
the"executive"branch.( • Petition"for"review"following"Rule"43"of"the"Rules"of"Court"may"be"taken"to"
• Resolution" of" the" Investigating" Prosecutor" is" subject" to" appeal" to" the" the"CA"within"fifteen"(15)"days"from"notice"of"the"final"order"of"the"Office"
Justice" Secretary" who" exercises" control" and" supervision" over" said" of"the"President"in"the"event"of"an"adverse"decision"against"the"appellant"
Prosecutor" under" the" Revised" Administration" Code." In" short," Justice" (Note:"Rule"43"will"now"be"the"remedy"if"an"appeal"was"made"to"the"Office"
Secretary"may"affirm,"nullify,"reverse,"or"modify"the"Prosecutor’s"ruling.( of"the"President"and"an"adverse"decision"against"appellant"was"issued."So"
o Resolution"of"the"Justice"Secretary"is"final( from" the" administrative" appeal" before" the" Office" of" the" President," an"
o CA"may"review"the"resolution"of"the"Justice"Secretary"but"only"through" appeal"under"Rule"43"may"now"be"filed"with"CA)"
a"petition"for"certiorari"under"Rule"65"of"the"Rules"of"Court"and"solely" • De& Ocampo& v.& Secretary& of& Justice:" Petitioner" erred" when" it" filed" an" appeal"
on"the"ground"that"the"Secretary"of"Justice"committed"GADALEJ.( under"Rule"43"before"the"Supreme"Court"instead"of"filing"it"with"the"CA."The"
o Aggrieved"party"has"no"more"remedy"of"appeal"except"to"file"a"motion" offense" involved" in" this" case" is" punishable" by" reclusion" perpetua," thus," it" is"
for" reconsideration" of" the" Justice" Secretary’s" resolution." Aggrieved" administratively" appealable" before" the" Office" of" the" President." From" the"
party"may"file"a"petition"for"certiorari"under"Rule"65"since"there"is"no" Office"of"the"President"then,"an"appeal"under"Rule"43"may"be"filed"before"the"
more"appeal"or"other"remedy"available"in"the"ordinary"course"of"law."( CA." The" Court" dismissed" the" case" for" applying" the" wrong" mode" of" appeal."
3. General( Rule:"The"court"applies"a"policy"of"nonIinterference"in"the"conduct"of" Assuming"arguendo"that"the"DOJ"committed"GADALEJ,"petition"will"still"have"
preliminary" investigation" and" leaves" to" the" investigating" prosecutor" sufficient" no"merit"since"in"the"case"of"GADALEJ,"a"petition"for"certiorari"(Rule"65)"should"
latitude" of" discretion" in" the" determination" of" what" constitutes" sufficient" be"filed"before"the"CA."
evidence"to"establish"probable"cause.( "
• Exception" on" the" policy" of" nonIinterference:" aggrieved" party" may" file" a" "
petition" for" certiorari" and" prohibition" under" Rule" 65" when" there" is" "
GADALEJ."( "
4. General(Rule:"The"Secretary"of"Justice"has"the"authority"to"review"the"decisions" "
of"the"prosecutors.( "
(
APPEALS(UNDER(RULE(43(AND(45" Section.(
1. As"stated"earlier,"from"the"Office"of"the"President,"the"aggrieved"party"may"file" (c) When( warrant( of( arrest( not( necessary( –( A( warrant( of( arrest( shall( not(
an"appeal"with"the"CA"pursuant"to"Rule"43."" issue( if( the( accused( is( already( under( detention( pursuant( to( a( warrant(
• Section" 1" of" Rule" 43:" final" orders" or" resolutions" of" the" Office" of" the" issued( by( the( Municipal( Trial( Court( in( accordance( with( par.( (b)( of( this(
President"is"appealable"to"the"Court"of"Appeals"by"filing"a"verified"petition" Section,(or(if(the(complaint(or(information(was(filed(pursuant(to(Sec.(6(of(
for"review"following"the"procedure"in"Sections"5"and"6"of"Rule"43." this(Rule(or(is(for(an(offense(penalized(by(fine(only.(The(court(shall(then(
2. If" the" party" receives" adverse" judgment," it" may" avail" of" petition" for" review" on" proceed(in(the(exercise(of(its(jurisdiction.(
certiorari"under"Rule"45"to"the"Supreme"Court." (
" MOTION(FOR(DETERMINATION(OF(PROBABLE(CAUSE(
Summary& Rule"65"(petition" Rule"43"(petition"for" Rule"45"(petition"for" • Usually"filed"the"respondent"after"the"information"is"filed"in"court"
for"certiorari)" review)" review"on"certiorari)" • It" is" often" a" delaying" tactic" used" by" the" respondent," as" the" judge" will" have" to"
When"to"apply" If" the" Secretary" If" an" administrative" If" the" party" is" determine"whether"or"not"there"is"probable"cause"before"issuing"a"warrant"of"
of" Justice" appeal" was" made" aggrieved" by" the" arrest"
committed" before" the" Office" of" judgment," final" • The" Rules" do" not" expressly" provide" for" this," nor" they" prohibit" it," especially" in"
GADALEJ" the" President" order," or" resolution" cases"where"bail"is"not"a"matter"of"right"
(administrative" of" the" CA" in" the" "
appeal" applied" for" appeal" made" under" ACTION(OF(THE(JUDGE(UPON(THE(FILING(OF(THE(COMPLAINT(OR(INFORMATION"
should"be"within"the" Rule"43" 1. Judge"shall"personally"evaluate"the"resolution"of"the"prosecutor"and"look"into"
jurisdiction" of" the" the"supporting"evidence."Sec.&5,&Rule&112"
OP)" When:"Within"ten"(10)"days"from"the"filing"of"the"complaint"or"information"
Where"to"file" CA" CA" Supreme"Court" 2. Judge"may"make"some"findings"after"personally"evaluating"the"resolution"of"the"
( prosecutor."Judge"may"find"that"the"evidence:"
SECTION(5:(WHEN(WARRANT(OF(ARREST(MAY(ISSUE( • Fails"to"establish"probable"cause"
(a) By(the(Regional(Trial(Court(–(Within(ten((10)(days(from(the(filing(of(the( Action:"DISMISSAL"
complaint( or( information,( the( judge( shall( personally( evaluate( the( • Establishes"probable"cause"
resolution( of( the( prosecutor( and( its( supporting( evidence.( He( may( Action:" Issuance" of" a" warrant( of( arrest" or" commitment( order" (if" there" is"
immediately( dismiss( the( case( if( the( evidence( on( record( clearly( fails( to( already"an"information"or"complaint"filed"pursuant"to"a"lawful"warrantless"
establish( probable( cause.( If( he( finds( probable( cause,( he( shall( issue( a( arrest" under" Sec.& 6,& Rule& 112& or" the" accused" has" already" been" previously"
warrant(of(arrest,(or(a(commitment(order(if(the(accused(has(already(been( arrested).""
arrested( pursuant( to( a( warrant( issued( by( a( judge( who( conducted( the( • Engenders"a"doubt"as"to"the"existence"of"the"probable"cause"
preliminary(investigation(or(when(the(complaint(or(information(was(filed( Action:" Order" the" prosecution" to" submit" additional" evidence" WITHIN" five"
pursuant( to( Sec.( 6( of( this( Rule.( In( case( of( doubt( on( the( existence( of( (5)" days" FROM" notice." The" issue" must" be" resolved" by" the" court" WITHIN"
probable(cause,(the(judge(may(order(the(prosecutor(to(present(additional( thirty" (30)" days" FROM" filing" of" the" complaint" or" information" Sec.& 5,& & Rule&
evidence(within(five((5)(days(from(notice(&(the(issue(must(be(resolved(by( 112&
the( court( within( thirty( (30)( days( from( the( filing( of( the( complaint( or( 3. Reiteration"of"the"rule"in"jurisprudence"(Ong&v.&Genio):"Options"of"the"RTC"upon"
information.( the"filing"of"the"information"by"the"prosecutor:"
(b) By( the( Municipal( Trial( Court(–( When( required( pursuant( to( the( 2nd( par.,( • Dismiss" the" case" if" the" evidence" on" record" clearly" failed" to" establish"
Sec.(1(of(this(Rule,(the(preliminary(investigation(of(cases(falling(under(the( probable"cause"
original(jurisdiction(of(the(Metropolitan(Trial(Court,(Municipal(Trial(Court( • Issue"warrant"of"arrest"if"there"is"probable"cause"
in( Cities,( Municipal( Trial( Court,( or( Municipal( Circuit( Trial( Court( shall( be( • Order" the" prosecutor" to" present" additional" evidence" within" 5" day" from"
conducted( by( the( prosecutor.( The( procedure( for( the( issuance( of( a( notice" when" there" is" doubt" as" to" the" existence" of" probable" cause." Issue"
warrant( of( arrest( by( the( judge( shall( be( governed( by( par.( (a)( of( this( must" be" resolved" by" the" court" within" 30" days" from" the" filing" of" the"
(
information." Hipos,&Sr.&v.&Bay&
" • The" trial" court" had" denied" the" motion" to" dismiss" the" case" filed" by" the"
WITHDRAWAL(OF(THE(INFORMATION(ALREADY(FILED(IN(COURT( prosecutor." The" accused" filed" a" petition" for" mandamus" against" the" trial" court"
Crespo&v.&Mogul:"Main"issue"is"whether"or"not"the"trial"court,"acting"upon"a"motion" judge."
to" dismiss" the" criminal" case" filed" by" the" provincial" fiscal" upon" instruction" of" the" • SC"ruled"that"the"trial"court"had"validly"rejected"the"information"as"he"was"not"
Secretary"of"Justice,"may"refuse"to"grant"the"motion"and"insist"on"the"arraignment" bound" by" the" " &" refused" by" the" resolution" of" the" prosecuting" arm" of" the"
and"trial." government"
Held:"Court"ruled"that"once( a( criminal( complaint( or( information( is( filed( in( court,( "
any"disposition"of"the"case"(dismissal,"acquittal,"or"conviction"of"the"accused)"rests" Lee&v.&KC&Bank,&N.V.&
within"the"exclusive(jurisdiction,(competence,(and(discretion(of(the(trial(court." • The" trial" court" granted" the" motion" to" dismiss" an" information" for" estafa" filed"
• Fiscal"retains"the"direction"and"control"of"the"prosecution"of"criminal"cases" against"the"respondents,"in"an"order"stating"that"it"“finds"the"contentions"of"the"
even" when" it" is" already" in" court" BUT" he" cannot" impose" his" opinion" on" the" prosecution"to"be"sufficient"&"meritorious.”"
trial"court" • SC" ruled" that" this" was" not" sufficient" &" a" proper" order" for" dismissal" must"
• A"motion"to"dismiss"the"case"filed"by"the"prosecutor"should"be"addressed"to" include—"
the"court"which"has"the"option"to"grant"or"deny"the"same" o A" discussion" of" the" merits" of" the" case" based" on" an" evaluation" or"
• It" does" not" matter" if" the" motion" was" done" before" or" after" arraignment" or" assessment"of"the"evidence"on"record"
that"it"was"filed"after"a"reinvestigation"or"upon"instructions"of"the"Secretary" o An"analysis"of"the"basis"of"the"recommendation"of"the"prosecution"
of" Justice;" the" court" has" exclusive" control" and" competence" to" deny" the" o The"reasons"for"granting"the"motion"to"withdraw"the"information"
motion"and"require"trial"on"the"merits"to"proceed."" "
" Dumlao&v.&Ponferrada&
Santos&v.&Orda,&Jr.& • While"the"Secretary"of"Justice"has"the"power"to"alter"or"modify"the"resolution"
• In"resolving"a"motion"to"dismiss"the"case"or"to"withdraw"the"information,"the" of" his" subordinate" &" thereafter" direct" the" withdrawal" of" the" case," he" cannot,"
court"should"not"rely"solely"on"the"findings"of"the"prosecutor"or"the"Secretary" however,"impose"his"will"on"the"court"
of" Justice." It" must" make" an" independent( evaluation( or( assessment( of" the" "
merits"of"the"case"and"the"evidence"on"record"of"the"prosecution." Verzano,&Jr.&v.&Paro&
• The"judge"must"assess"the"evidence"in"the"possession"of"the"prosecution,"&"any" • Despite" the" fact" that" the" trial" court" has" discretion" whether" or" not" to" grant" a"
documents"or"evidence"that"has"already"been"adduced"before"the"court"at"the" motion"to"dismiss"filed"by"the"prosecutor"as"ordered"by"the"Secretary"of"Justice,"
time"the"motion"is"filed" the"justice"secretary’s"power"of"review"may"still"be"availed"of"despite"the"filing"
• He" cannot" rely" solely" on" the" judgment" of" the" Secretary" of" Justice" or" public" of"an"information"in"court"
prosecutor" • The" action" of" the" investigating" fiscal" or" prosecutor" in" the" preliminary"
" investigation" is" subject" to" the" approval" of" the" provincial" or" city" fiscal" or" chief"
Examples:" state"prosecutor"&"thereafter"may"still"be"appealed"to"the"Secretary"of"Justice""
Ramos&v.&People& "
• When" the" trial" court" grants" a" motion" to" withdraw," he" does" not" do" so" out" of" "
compliance"to"the"Secretary"of"Justice,"but"in"the"sound"exercise"of"his"judicial" "
prerogative" "
• The" prior" determination" of" probable" cause" by" the" trial" court" does" not" in" any" "
way" bar" a" contrary" finding" upon" reassessment" of" the" evidence" presented" "
before"it" "
& "
& "
& "
(
SECTION(6:(WHEN(ACCUSED(LAWFULLY(ARRESTED(WITHOUT(WARRANT(( PERSON( ARRESTED( LAWFULLY( WITHOUT( A( WARRANT( MAY( ASK( FOR( A(
When(a(person(is(lawfully(arrested(without(a(warrant(involving(an(offense(which( PRELIMINARY(INVESTIGATION((
requires(preliminary(investigation,(the(complaint(or(information(may(be(filed(by(a( • Although" an" inquest" is" the" proceeding" which" shall" normally" apply" when& a&
prosecutor( without( need( of( such( investigation( provided( an( inquest( has( been( person& is& lawfully& arrested& without& a& warrant," such" person" may" nevertheless,"
conducted(in(accordance(with(the(existing(Rules.(In(the(absence(or(unavailability( ask"for"a"preliminary"investigation,"before"the"complaint"or"information"is"filed."
of( an( inquest( prosecutor,( the( complaint( may( be( filed( directly( by( the( offended( BUT" he" must" sign" a" waiver" of" the" provisions" of" Art." 125" of" the" Revised" Penal"
party(or(a(peace(officer(directly(with(the(proper(court(on(the(basis(of(the(affidavit( Code,"in"the"presence"of"his"counsel.&(Sec.&6,&Rule&112,&Rules&of&Court)&&
of(the(offended(party(or(arresting(officer(or(person.( • Art."125"imposes"a"penalty"upon"a"public"officer"or"an"employee"who,"although"
( having" detained" a" person" for" some" legal" ground," fails" to" deliver" the" person"
Before( the( complaint( or( information( is( filed,( the( person( arrested( may( ask( for( a( arrested" to" the" proper" judicial" authorities" within" the" periods" of" 12," 18" or" 36"
preliminary(investigation(in(accordance(with(this(Rule,(but(he(must(sign(a(waiver( hours"as"the"case"may"be.""
of( the( provisions( of( Art.( 125( of( the( Revised( Penal( Code,( as( amended,( in( the( • The" preliminary" investigation" must" be" terminated" within" 15" days" from" its"
presence( of( his( counsel.( Notwithstanding( the( waiver,( he( may( apply( for( bail( and( inception."(Sec.&6,&Rule&112)"
the(investigation(may(be(terminated(within(fifteen((15)(days(from(its(inception.( • The" fact" that" a" person" was" lawfully" arrested" without" a" warrant" does" not" bar"
( him"from"availing"of"a"preliminary"investigation."
After( the( filing( of( the( complaint( or( information( in( court( without( preliminary( • By"virtue"of"RA"7348,"any"waiver"by"the"person"arrested"or"detained"or"under"
investigation,(the(accused(may,(within(five((5)(days(from(the(time(he(learns(of(its( custodial" investigation" shall" be" in" writing," signed" by" such" person" in" the"
filing,(ask(for(a(preliminary(investigation(with(the(same(right(to(adduce(evidence( presence"of"his"counsel,"otherwise"such"waiver"shall"be"null"and"void."(Sec.&2,&
in(his(defense(as(provided(in(this(Rule.( RA&7348)&
( • The"person"lawfully"arrested"may"ask"for"a"preliminary"investigation"before"the"
WHEN(WARRANT(OF(ARREST(IS(NOT(NECESSARY" filing"of"the"information.""
1. Warrant"of"arrest"is"not"required"in"the"following"instances:" • This" does" not" mean" that" the" filing" of" the" complaint" or" information" bars" him"
• When" a" complaint" or" information" has" already" been" filed" pursuant" to" a" from"asking"for"a"preliminary"investigation.""
lawful" warrantless" arrest" Sec.& 6,& Rule& 112" (i.e.," if" the" accused" is" already" • Under"the"current"rules,"if"an"information"or"complaint"has"already"been"filed,"
under"detention"and"was"lawfully"arrested"without"warrant)"" the" person" arrested" who" is" now" an" accused," may" still" ask" for" a" preliminary"
• When"a"warrant"has"already"been"issued"by"the"MTC"judge"Sec.&5&(b),&Rule& investigation"within"5"days"from"the"time"he"learns"of"its"filing,"with"the"same"
112"and"the"accused"is"already"detained."Sec.&5&(c),&Rule&112." right"to"adduce"evidence"in"his"defense."(Sec.&6,&Rule&112)"
• When"the"accused"is"charged"for"an"offense"punishable"only"by"fine"Sec.&5& • Because"the"complaint"or"information"has"already"been"filed,"the"court"has"now"
(c),&Rule&112" assumed" jurisdiction" over" the" case." Hence," the" accused" should" address" the"
• When"the"case"is"subject"to"the"Rules"on"Summary"Procedure"Sec.&16,&1991& motion"for"the"holding"of"a"preliminary"investigation"to"the"court.""
Rule&on&Summary&Procedure" • While"lawyers"traditionally"call"the"motion"a"“motion"for"reIinvestigation,”"the"
2. It"is"within"the"judge’s"discretion"to"issue"a"warrant"of"arrest." term"seems"to"be"a"misnomer"because"it"presupposes"that"a"prior"investigation"
• Judge"is"required"to"personally"evaluate"the"resolution"and"the"supporting" had"been"held.""
evidence"submitted"by"the"prosecutor" • A"“motion"to"conduct"a"preliminary"investigation”"is"a"more"appropriate"term,"
• While" the" judge" has" the" duty" to" issue" warrant" of" arrest" upon" finding" of" although"the"title"is"of"lesser"significance"when"compared"to"the"essence"of"the"
probable"cause,"his"power"to"order"the"arrest"of"the"accused"is"LIMITED"to" motion.""
instances"in"which"there"is"a"necessity"for"placing"him"in"custody"in"order" "
not( to( frustrate( the( ends( of( justice." Pangan& v.& Ganay& citing& Concerned& "
Citizens&of&Maddela&v.&De&la&TorreHYadao" "
" "
" "
"
(
BAIL( FOR( A( PERSON( LAWFULLY( ARRESTED( DURING( THE( PRELIMINARY( • A" motion" to" quash" is" not" the" proper" remedy" because" the" absence" of" a"
INVESTIGATION(" preliminary"investigation"is"not"one"of"the"grounds"for"a"motion"to"quash"under"
• Waiver" by" the" person" lawfully" arrested" of" the" provisions" of" Art." 125" of" RPC," Sec."3,"Rule"117.""
does"not"preclude"him"from"applying"for"bail."(Sec.&6,&Rule&112,&Rules&of&Court)" &
• While" a" preliminary" investigation" is" undertaken," the" person" arrested" is" still" Larrañaga&v.&CA&
under" detention." To" effect" his" release," he" may" apply" for" bail" notwithstanding" • If" there" is" no" preliminary" investigation" and" the" accused" is" before" entering" his"
his"waiver"of"the"provisions"of"Art."125"of"RPC"and"even"if"no"information"has" plea" calls" the" attention" of" the" court" to" his" deprivation" of" the" required"
yet"been"filed"against"him.&(Sec.&6,&Rule&112,&Rules&of&Court)" preliminary" investigation," the" court" should" not" dismiss" the" information." It"
• His" right" to" bail" is" supported" not" only" by" Sec." 6" of" Rule" 112," but" also" by" Sec.& should" remand" the" case" to" the" prosecutor" so" that" the" investigation" may" be"
17(c)&of&Rule&114:" conducted.""
o “Any"person"in"custody"who"is"not"yet"charged"in"court"may"apply"for" &
bail" with" any" court" in" the" province," city" or" municipality" where" he" is" Vasquez&v.&HobiliaHAlinio&
held.”" • Where" the" accused" were" deprived" of" a" full" preliminary" investigation"
• The"bail"must"however"be"applied"for"and"issued"by"the"court"in"the"province," preparatory" to" the" filing" of" the" informations" against" them," the" Court"
city"or"municipality"where"the"person"arrested"is"held."" emphasized" that" such" fact" does" not" warrant" the" quashal" of" the" information,"
" nor"should"it"obliterate"the"proceedings"already"had.""
Ruiz&v.&Belida,&Jr.&& • Neither" is" the" court’s" jurisdiction" nor" validity" of" an" information" adversely"
• The" accused" was" arrested" lawfully" without" a" warrant" for" carnapping" and" affected" by" deficiencies" in" the" preliminary" investigation." Instead," the"
detained" at" Camp" Crame" in" Quezon" City." He" asked" for" a" preliminary" Sandiganbayan" is" to" hold" in" abeyance" any" further" proceedings" therein" and" to"
investigation"and"signed"a"waiver"of"Art."125"of"RPC."But""the"assisting"judge"of" remand" the" case" to" the" Office" of" the" Ombudsman" for" the" completion" of" the"
a"Marikina"RTC"approved"the"bail"bond"for"the"accused"who"was"being"held"in" preliminary"investigation,"the"outcome"of"which"shall"then"be"indorsed"to"the"
QC."" Sandiganbayan"for"its"appropriate"action.".""
• SC:"While"a"person"lawfully"arrested"and"detained"and"not"yet"formally"charged" (
can" apply" for" bail," the" application" must" be" filed" in" the" province," city" or" INQUEST(PROCEEDINGS(
municipality"where"the"person"arrested"is"held."In"this"case,"the"bail"application" • An"inquest"proceeding"is"conducted"when"a"person"is"lawfully"arrested"without"
should" have" been" filed" with" a" QC" court" which" has" the" authority" to" grant" bail" a" warrant" involving" even" also" an" offense" which" requires" a" preliminary"
and"not"a"Marikina"court."" investigation."(Sec.&6,&Rule&112,&Rules&of&Court)&"
( • An" inquest" is" not" a" preliminary" investigation." It" is" an" informal" and" summary"
QUESTIONING(THE(ABSENCE(OF(A(PRELIMINARY(INVESTIGATION" investigation,"which"does"not"follow"the"procedures"in"Sec.&3,&Rule&112."
• An" accused" who" wants" to" question" the" regularity" or" absence" of" a" preliminary" • An" inquest" is" an" investigation" conducted" by" a" prosecutor" in" criminal" cases"
investigation"must"do"so"before"he"enters"his"plea."The"court"shall"resolve"the" where"a"person"has"been"lawfully"arrested"and"detained"without"a"warrant"of"
matter"as"early"as"practicable"but"not"later"than"the"start"of"the"trial."" arrest."
• An" application" for" an" admission" of" the" accused" to" bail" does" not" bar" him" from" • Its"purpose"is"to"determine"whether"or"not"the"person"detained"should"remain"
raising"such"question."(Sec.&26,&Rule&114,&Rules&of&Court)& under" custody" and" then" charged" in" court." (Sec.& 1,& Part& II,& Manual& for&
" Prosecutors)"
People&v.&Gomez& • The" inquest" is" conducted" by" a" public" prosecutor," the" Inquest" Officer," who" is"
• Failure"to"invoke"the"right"before"entering"a"plea"will"amount"to"a"waiver."& assigned" inquest" duties," unless" otherwise" directed," only" at" the" police"
& stations/headquarters" of" the" PNP" to" expedite" and" facilitate" the" disposition" of"
People&v.&Monteverde& inquest"cases."(Sec.&2,&Part&II,&Manual&for&Prosecutors)"
• After" a" plea" of" not" guilty" is" made," an" accused" is" deemed" to" have" forgone" the" • The" inquest" proceedings" shall" be" deemed" commenced" from" the" time" the"
right"to"raise"the"absence"of"a"preliminary"investigation"or"any"irregularity"that" Inquest" Officer" receives" the" complaint" and" referral" documents" from" the" law"
surrounds"it."" enforcement"authorities."These"documents"include:""
(
1. affidavit"of"arrest"" • The" detainee" shall" be" furnished" copies" of" the" charge" sheet" or" complaint,"
2. investigation"report" affidavits" or" sworn" statements" of" the" complainant" and" his" witnesses" and"
3. statements"of"the"complainant"and"the"witnesses" other"supporting"evidence"(Sec.&9,&Part&II,&Manual&for&Prosecutors)"
4. other"supporting"evidence"gathered" 3. Should" it" be" found" that" the" arrest" was" properly" effected," the" inquest" shall"
• The"affidavit"of"arrest"and"the"statements"or"affidavits"of"the"complainant"and" proceed" but" the( Inquest( Officer( shall( first( ask( the( detained( person( if( he(
the" witnesses" shall" be" subscribed" and" sworn" to" before" the" Inquest" Officer" by" desires(to(avail(himself(of(a(preliminary(investigation"and"if"he"does,"he"shall"
the"affiants."(Sec.&3,&Part&II,&Manual&for&Prosecutors)" be"made"to"execute"a"waiver"of"the"provisions"of"Art."125"of"the"RPC"with"the"
• The"detained"person"should"be"present"during"the"inquest"proceedings"unless" assistance"of"a"lawyer"
reasons"exist"that"would"dispense"with"his"presence"like:" • The" preliminary" investigation" may" be" conducted" by" the" Inquest" Officer"
o "confinement"in"a"hospital" himself" or" by" any" other" Assistant" Prosecutor" to" whom" the" case" may" be"
o detention"in"a"place"requiring"maximum"security"" assigned"(Sec.10,&Part&II,&Manual&for&Prosecutors)"
o or" his" presence" is" not" feasible" by" reason" of" age," health" or" similar" • If"the"Inquest"Prosecutor"finds"that"probable"cause"exists,"he"shall"prepare"
factors"(Sec.&6,&Part&II,&Manual&for&Prosecutors)" the"corresponding"information"with"the"recommendation"that"the"same"be"
• If"necessary,"the"Inquest"Officer"shall"require"the"presence"of"the"complaining" filed"in"court"(Sec.&13,&Part&II,&Manual&for&Prosecutors)"
witnesses" and" subject" them" to" an" informal" and" summary" investigation" or" • If" no" probable" cause" is" found," he" shall" recommend" the" release" of" the"
examination"for"purpose"of"determining"the"existence"of"probable"cause"(Sec.& detained"person"(Sec.&15,&Part&II,&Manual&for&Prosecutors)"
11,&Part&II,&Manual&for&Prosecutors)" "
" The(inquest(must(pertain(to(the(offense(for(which(the(arrest(was(made(
POSSIBLE(OPTIONS(OF(THE(INQUEST(PROSECUTOR( • The" inquest" conducted" must" be" for" the" offense" for" which" the" detainee" was"
• The"Inquest"Officer"has"an"initial"duty"to"determine"if"the"detained"person"has" arrested"
been"arrested"lawfully"in"accordance"with"Sec."5(a)"&"(b)"of"Rule"113"" "
• For" this" purpose," the" Inquest" Officer" may" summarily" examine" the" arresting" Beltran&v.&People&(G.R.&No.&175013&|&June&1,&2007)&
officers" on" the" circumstances" surrounding" the" arrest" or" apprehension" of" the" • Beltran" was" arrested" without" a" warrant" following" the" issuance" by" President"
detained"person."(Sec.&8,&Part&II,&Manual&for&Prosecutors)" GMA"of"Presidential"Proclamation"No."1017"on"24"Feb."2006"declaring"a""State"
• If" it" is" found" that" the" arrest" was" not" made" in" accordance" with" the" Rules" of" of"National"Emergency"""
Court,"the"Inquest"Prosecutor"shall"not"proceed"with"the"inquest"proceedings."" • When"he"was"arrested,"Beltran"was"not"informed"of"the"crime"for"which"he"was"
Instead,"he"shall:" arrested."
1. recommend"the"release"of"the"detainee" • The"joint"affidavit"of"Beltran's"arresting"officers"stated"that"the"officers"arrested"
2. note"down"the"disposition"on"the"referral"document" Beltran,"without"a"warrant,"for"Inciting&to&Sedition."
3. prepare"a"brief"memorandum"indicating"the"reasons"for"the"action"he" • Several"days"after"the"first"inquest,"he"was"again"subjected"to"a"second"inquest,"
took" and" forward" the" same" together" with" the" record" of" the" case," to" but"this"time"for"rebellion"allegedly"committed"with"a"certain"First"Lt."Lawrence"
the" City" of" the" Provincial" Prosecutor" for" appropriate" action." (Sec.& 9,& San"Juan."
Part&II,&Manual&for&Prosecutors)" • The" inquest" was" allegedly" based" on" the" letters" of" CIDG" investigators" claiming"
• When"the"recommendation"is"approved:" that" Beltran" and" San" Juan" were" allegedly" the" leaders" and" promoters" of" an"
• The"order"of"release"shall"be"served"on"the"officer"having"custody"of"said" alleged"foiled"plot"to"overthrow"the"Arroyo"government."
detainee"so"the"latter"may"be"released"" • The"plot"was"supposed"to"be"carried"out"jointly"by"members"of"the"Communist"
• The" officer" shall" also" serve" upon" the" detainee" a" notice" of" preliminary" Party" of" the" Philippines" (CPP)" and" the" Makabayang" Kawal" ng" Pilipinas" (MKP),"
investigation" if" the" evidence" on" hand" warrants" the" conduct" of" a" regular" which"have"formed"a""tactical"alliance""
preliminary"investigation"" • The" panel" of" prosecutors" from" the" DOJ" which" conducted" the" second" inquest"
• In" such" an" event," the" detainee" shall" be" also" released& for& further& subsequently" issued" a" resolution" finding" probable" cause" to" indict" Beltran" and"
investigation&" San"Juan"as""leaders/"promoters""of"the"alleged"rebellion"
(
• SC:"The"inquest"proceedings"against"Beltran"for"rebellion"is(void." SECTION(7:(RECORDS(
• Sec.& 6,& Rule& 112:" Inquest" proceedings" are" proper" only" when" the" accused" (a) Records( supporting( information( or( complaint( –( An( information( or(
has"been"lawfully"arrested"without"a"warrant" complaint(filed(in(court(shall(be(supported(by(the(affidavits(and(counter^
• The" joint" affidavit" of" Beltran's" arresting" officers" states" that" the" officers" affidavits( of( the( parties( &( their( witnesses,( together( with( the( other(
arrested" Beltran," without" a" warrant," for" Inciting" to" Sedition," and" not" for" supporting(evidence(&(the(resolution(on(the(case.(
Rebellion" (b) Record( of( preliminary( investigation( –" The( record( of( the( preliminary(
• Thus," the" inquest" prosecutor" could" only" have" conducted" —" as" he" did" investigation,( conducted( by( a( prosecutor( or( other( officers( as( may( be(
conduct"—"an"inquest"for"Inciting"to"Sedition"and"no"other." authorized(by(law,(shall(not(form(part(of(the(record(of(the(case.(However,(
• Consequently," when" another" group" of" prosecutors" subjected" Beltran" to" a" the( court,( on( its( own( initiative( or( motion( of( any( party,( may( order( the(
second"inquest"proceeding"for"Rebellion,"they"overstepped"their"authority" production( of( the( record( or( any( of( its( parts( when( necessary( in( the(
rendering"the"second"inquest"void." resolution( of( the( case( or( any( incident( therein,( or( when( it( is( to( be(
• None"of"Beltran's"arresting"officers"saw"Beltran"commit,"in"their"presence," introduced(as(an(evidence(in(the(case(by(the(requesting(party.(
the"crime"of"Rebellion."Nor"did"they"have"personal"knowledge"of"facts"and" (
circumstances" that" Beltran" had" just" committed" Rebellion," sufficient" to" RECORDS(SUPPORTING(THE(INFORMATION(OR(COMPLAINT(FILED(IN(COURT"
form"probable"cause"to"believe"that"he"had"committed"Rebellion" 1. Information"filed"in"the"court"should"be"accompanied"by"the"affidavits,"counterI
• What"these"arresting"officers"alleged"in"their"affidavit"is"that"they"saw"and" affidavits" of" parties" and" their" witnesses," other" supporting" evidence," and" the"
heard"Beltran"make"an"allegedly"seditious"speech"on"a"certain"date"but"the" resolution"on"the"case."Sec.&7&(a),&Rule&112"
affidavits"did"not"make"reference"to"acts"constituting"rebellion" 2. General(Rule:(The"record"of"the"preliminary"investigation"shall"not"form"part"of"
• Under" DOJ& Circular& No.& 61," dated" Sept." 21," 1993:" the" initial" duty" of" the" the" case." This" rule" applies" not" only" to" the" preliminary" investigation" done" by"
inquest" officer" is" to" determine" if" the" arrest" of" the" detained" person" was" prosecutor,"but"also"to"those"done"by"other"officers"authorized"by"law."
conducted"in"accordance"with"the"provisions"of"par.&(a)&&&(b)&of&Sec.&5,&Rule& • Exception:"The"court,"on"its"own"initiative"or"on"motion"of"any"party,"may"
113" order" the" production" of" the" record" or" any" of" its" part" when" the" court"
• If"the"arrest"was"not"properly"effected,"the"inquest"officer"should"proceed" considers"it"necessary"in"the"resolution"of"the"case"(or"any"incident"therein)"
under"Sec.&9,&Circular&No.&61"which"provides"that"should"the"Inquest"Officer" or"when"it"is"introduced"as"an"evidence"in"the"case"by"the"requesting"party."
find"that"the"arrest"was"not"made"in"accordance"with"the"Rules,"he"shall:" Sec.&7&(b),&Rule&112"
a. Recommend"the"release"of"the"person"arrested"or"detained;"" (
b. Note"down"the"disposition"on"the"referral"document;"" (
c. Prepare" a" brief" memorandum" indicating" the" reasons" for" the" (
action"taken;"and"" (
d. Forward" the" same," together" with" the" record" of" the" case," to" the" (
City"or"Provincial"Prosecutor"for"appropriate"action."" (
• Where" the" recommendation" for" the" release" of" the" detained" person" is" (
approved" by" the" City" or" Provincial" Prosecutor" but" the" evidence" on" hand" (
warrant" the" conduct" of" a" regular" preliminary" investigation," the" order" of" (
release"shall"be"served"on"the"officer"having"custody"of"said"detainee"and" (
shall" direct" the" said" officer" to" serve" upon" the" detainee" the" subpoena" or" (
notice"of"preliminary"investigation,"together"with"the"copies"of"the"charge" (
sheet"or"complaint,"affidavit"or"sworn"statements"of"the"complainant"and" (
his"witnesses"and"other"supporting"evidence" (
( (
( (
(
(
SECTION( 8:( CASES( NOT( REQUIRING( A( PRELIMINARY( INVESTIGATION( NOR( supporting"documents"submitted"within"10"days"from"its"filing"Sec.&8,&Rule&112"
COVERED(BY(THE(RULE(ON(SUMMARY(PROCEDURE( • Since" only" Sec." 3(a)," Rule" 112" applies," the" respondent" need" not" be" issued" a"
(a) If( filed( with( the( prosecutor( –( If( the( complaint( is( filed( directly( with( the( subpoena"or"required"to"submit"counterIaffidavits."
prosecutor(involving(an(offense(punishable(by(imprisonment(of(less(than( "
four((4)(years,(two((2)(months(and(one((1)(day,(the(procedure(outlined(in( DIRECT(FILING(WITH(THE(MTC(
Section( 3(a)( of( this( Rule( shall( be( observed.( The( prosecutor( shall( act( on( • If" filed" directly" with" the" MTC" because" the" complaint" involves" an" offense"
the( complaint( based( on( the( affidavits( and( other( supporting( documents( punishable" by" imprisonment" of" less( than( 4" years," 2" months" and" 1" day," the"
submitted(by(the(complainant(within(ten((10)(days(from(its(filing.( procedure" in" Sec.& 3(a),& Rule& 112( and" the" requirements" therein" shall" be"
(b) If(filed(with(the(Municipal(Trial(Court(–(If(the(complaint(or(information(is( observed"Sec.&8(b),&Rule&112"
filed(with(the(Municipal(Trial(Court(or(Municipal(Circuit(Trial(Court(for(an( • Similar"to"procedure"in"direct"filing"with"the"prosecutor"
offense( covered( by( this( section,( the( procedure( in( Section( 3(a)( shall( be( • If"within"10"days"from"the"filing"of"the"complaint"or"information,"the"judge"finds"
observed.( If( within( ten( (10)( days( after( the( filing( of( the( complaint( or( no"probable"cause,"he"shall"dismiss"the"same"
information,( the( judge( finds( no( probable( cause( after( personally( • Before" the" dismissal," the" judge" shall" personally" evaluate" the" evidence" or"
examining(in(writing(&(under(oath(the(complainant(&(his(witnesses(in(the( personally" examine" in" writing" and" under" oath" the" complainant" and" his"
form( of( searching( questions( &( answers,( he( shall( dismiss( the( same.( Be( witnesses"in"the"form"of"searching"questions"and"answers"Sec.&8(b),&Rule&112"
may,( however,( require( additional( evidence,( within( ten( (10)( days( from( • Evaluation" and" examination" shall" be" done" personally" where" the" complaint" or"
notice,(to(determine(further(the(existence(of(probable(cause.(If(the(judge( information"is"directly"filed"with"the"MTC"
still( finds( no( probable( cause( despite( the( additional( evidence,( he( shall,( • If" the" judge" desires" to" further" determine" the" existence" of" probable" cause," he"
within( ten( (10)( days( from( its( submission( or( expiration( of( said( period,( may"require"the"submission"of"additional"evidence"within"10"days"from"notice"
dismiss(the(case.(When(he(finds(probable(cause,(he(shall(issue(a(warrant( Sec.&8(b),&Rule&112"
of( arrest,( or( a( commitment( order( if( the( accused( has( already( been( • If"the"judge"still"finds"no"probable"cause,"despite"additional"evidence,"the"judge"
arrested,( and( hold( him( for( trial.( However,( If( the( judge( is( satisfied( that( shall" dismiss" the" case" within" 10" days" from" the" submission" of" additional"
there(is(no(necessity(for(placing(the(accused(under(custody,(he(may(issue( evidence"or"expiration"of"said"period."(Sec.&8[b],&Rule&112,&Rules&of&Court)&
summons(instead(of(a(warrant(of(arrest.( • If"the"judge"finds"probable"cause,"he"shall"issue"a"warrant"of"arrest.""
( • If" the" accused" has" already" been" arrested," the" court" shall" instead" issue" a"
DIRECT(FILING(WITH(THE(PROSECUTOR( commitment"order."
• If"the"complaint"is"filed"with"the"prosecutor"(also"in"Manila"and"other"chartered" • "A"warrant"of"arrest"may"not"also"be"issued"if"the"judge"is"satisfied"that"there"is"
cities),"the"procedure"prescribed"in"Sec.&3(a),&Rule&112&shall"be"observed( no" necessity" for" placing" the" accused" under" custody," in" which" case," the" court"
• Complaint(shall(comply(with(the(ff.:( may"issue"summons"instead"of"a"warrant"of"arrest."(Sec.&8[b],&Rule&112,&Rules&of&
1. Address"of"the"respondent"shall"be"indicated"in"the"complaint;" Court)"
2. To"establish"probable"cause,"the"complaint"shall"be"accompanied"by:" "
a. Affidavit"of"the"complainant;" Tabujara&v.&People&
b. Affidavits"of"the"complainant’s"witnesses;"and" • A"judge"gravely"abuses"his"discretion"if"he"issues"a"warrant"based"solely"on"the"
c. Other"supporting"documents" statement" of" a" witness" who" was" not" even" in" the" form" of" searching" questions"
3. Appropriate"number"of"copies"of"the"above"as"there"are"respondents,"plus" and"answers.""
2"copies"for"the"official"file"must"be"submitted;"and" &
4. Affidavits" shall" be" subscribed" and" sworn" to" before" any" prosecutor" or" "
government"official"authorized"to"administer"oaths,"or"in"their"absence"or" "
unavailability," before" a" notary" public," each" of" whom" must" certify" that" he"
personally" examined" the" affiants" and" that" he" is" satisfied" that" they"
voluntarily"executed"and"understood"their"affidavits"
• Prosecutor" shall" act" on" the" complaint" based" on" the" affidavits" and" other"
(

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