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CRIMINAL PROCEDURE (THE BAR LECTURES SERIES)

Updated Edition

BY

WILLARD B. RIANO Bar Reviewer in Remedial Law, Commercial Law and Civil Law

Author: Fundamentals of Civil Procedure; Evidence, (A Restatement for the Bar);

Civil Procedure (A Restatement for the Bar); Evidence (The Bar Lectures Series)

Dean, College of Law, San Sebastian College Recoletos-Manila Member, Remedial Law and Commercial Law Committees,

U.P. Law Center Professor and Lecturer, Philippine Judicial Academy,

Supreme Court of the Philippines

2011

Philippine Copyright, 2011

by

u^lT

WILLARD B. RIANO

ISBN 978-971-23-6158-6

No portion of this book may be copied or reproduced in books, pamphlets, outlines or notes, whether printed, mimeographed, typewritten, copied in different electronic devices or in any other form, for distribution or sale, without the written permission of the author except brief passages in books, articles, reviews, legal papers, and judicial or other official proceedings with proper citation.

Any copy of this book without the corresponding number and the signature of the author on this page either proceeds from an illegitimate source or is in possession of one who has no authority to dispose of the same.

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

BY THE AUTHOR

N? 1492

ISBN 978-971-23-6158-6

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iii

PREFACE

After this work was submitted for publication on January 5, 2011, materials became available which contained court decisions worthy to be recommended for further readings. Foremost of these cases is that of Judith Yu v. Samson-Tatad (G.R. No. 170979, February 9, 2011), which ended previous speculations as to the applicability of the "fresh-period" rule to appeals in criminal cases. Hence, the need for an updated edition.

This edition required the insertion of new case citations within the main chapters as well as the discussion of more recent Court rulings under the heading, Synopsis of Selected Cases. The cases selected were those with facts not involved in those decisions treated in the original edition. The criminal procedure aspects of the Rules of Procedure in Environmental Cases were likewise added.

In the process of enhancing the current material, some paragraphs which could have possibly given rise to misunderstanding were deleted. Mere matters of opinion were likewise taken out so as not to detract from the instructional purpose of this material. Also, certain portions which are matters of purely substantive law were expunged and only those necessary to explain procedural concepts were retained. Some paragraphs were likewise reworded for greater clarity in the presentation of procedural principles. In some instances, adjustments to editorial oversights in the original edition were effected.

It is worth reiterating that this work is written primarily for the bar reviewee and the law student who need to be adequately equipped with the "core" knowledge required to hurdle the bar examinations. It is based on an empirically anchored deep-seated philosophy that passing the bar

V

examinations requires a quick recall of the law and the rules. Hence, topics in this work have been treated with emphasis on the very substance of the Rules of Court, a treatment traditionally referred to by academicians as a 'codal' approach.

While the framework of this material is mainly codal- based, it is supported by cases which mirror, not only the current position of the Supreme Court on vital issues in the criminal litigation process but also by significant foreign cases designed to aid the reader to understand a particular rule from a parallel doctrinal perspective. Cases have been judiciously selected to permit the reader to appreciate how the Supreme Court grappled with and settled a wide range of issues arising in the various stages of criminal procedure.

The scope of this book reveals its having no pretensions of being an exhaustive treatise on criminal procedure. Honest efforts have been taken to strip it of materials which veer away from what is fundamental and basic to allow a reasonably wide wiggle room for the reader to focus on procedural principles and concepts which have a fairly high probability of being utilized by the examiner in the framing of bar questions.

As he goes through the various concepts of procedural law, the student is reminded that the principles underlying criminal procedure, like those of any other procedural rule, are construed liberally to meet the demands of justice.

In our academic life we have always been beset by questions on matters involving consistency in the application of the rules. We have actually endeavored to show that there are no inconsistencies, and in order to fully appreciate the wisdom of Court decisions, the student must be aware that each case is decided in accordance with the facts and the issues raised by the parties.

While our concern for the academic needs of our law students supplied the motivation for us to start and complete this work, the invaluable participation of Atty. Ernesto C. Salao and Atty. Maria Theresa P. Cabayan in the publication of this work is sincerely acknowledged for without their tremendous encouragement, assistance, and editorial skills, this material would not have seen the light of day.

vi

Lastly, the bar candidate and the law student is asked to consider this work as a humble recognition of their perseverance and their unwavering commitment to their future in the legal profession.

WILLARD B. RIANO

Quezon City September

15, 2011

vii

CONTENTS

Chapter I PRELIMINARY CONSIDERATIONS

I. BASIC CONCEPTS

Concept of criminal procedure ........................................................................................ 1 The adversarial or accusatorial system ........................................................................... 2 Liberal interpretation of the rules.................................................................................... 3 Due process; mandatory .................................................................................................. 3 A. Requisites for the Exercise of Criminal

Jurisdiction .................................................................................................................... 4 Requisites ............................................................................................................................... 4 Jurisdiction over the subject matter versus

jurisdiction over the person of the accused ............................................................. 4 Jurisdiction over the territory; venue in criminal

cases (Bar 1997) ........................................................................................................... 5 When a court has jurisdiction to try offenses not

committed within its territorial jurisdiction ............................................................. 6 B. Criminal Jurisdiction Over the Subject Matter ................................................... 10

Jurisdiction over the subject matter ................................................................................. 10 How jurisdiction over the subject matter

is conferred ................................................................................................................. 11 How jurisdiction over the subject matter is

determined ................................................................................................................. 12 Statute applicable to a criminal action ............................................................................. 13 Use of the imposable penalty............................................................................................ 14 Principle of adherence of jurisdiction or

continuing jurisdiction ............................................................................................... 14 Dismissal on jurisdictional grounds; special

appearance ................................................................................................................. 15 Raising the issue of jurisdiction for the first

time in the Supreme Court ....................................................................................... 16 C. Criminal Jurisdiction Over the Person of The

Accused (Bar 2008) .................................................................................................... 17

ix

D. Injunction To Restrain Criminal Prosecution (Bar 1999) ................................................................................................................... 19

E. Mandamus to Compel Prosecution (Bar 1999) .............................................................. 20 II. CRIMINAL JURISDICTION OF COURTS

A. Criminal Jurisdiction of the Municipal Trial Court, Municipal Circuit Trial Court, and Metropolitan Trial Court (MTC) ....................................................................... 21

B. Criminal Jurisdiction of Regional Trial Court (RTC) ................................................................................................................. 23

C. Criminal Jurisdiction of the Sandiganbayan (P.D. 1606, R.A. 7975 and R.A. 8249) ...................................................................... 24

Offenses subject to the jurisdiction of the Sandiganbayan (Bar 1997) ....................................................................................... 28

Officials and employees with a salary grade of "27" or higher ........................................................................................................ 29

Officers falling below salary grade '27" .................................................................. 30 Salary grade alone does not determine

jurisdiction of the Sandiganbayan .......................................................................... 33 A student regent of a state university is a

public officer ............................................................................................................... 34 Offenses committed in relation to the office ........................................................ 34 When the actual specific allegations of the

intimacy between the offense and the official duties of the accused need not appear in the information ..................................................................................................... 38

Anti-Money Laundering cases ................................................................................. 40 Forfeiture cases .......................................................................................................... 40 Summary procedure in criminal cases ................................................................... 40 Prohibited pleadings, motions and petitions in summary procedure (Bar 2004); civil

and criminal case ............................................................................................. 42 III. SYNOPSIS OF THE CRIMINAL LITIGATION PROCESS

Initial contact with the criminal justice system ......................................................................... 43 Filing of the information or complaint and other

processes .................................................................................................................... 47 Implied institution of the civil action .......................................................................................... 48 Availment of provisional remedies ............................................................................................ 49 Bail .................................................................................................................................................. 49 Arraignment; bill of particulars; suspension of

arraignment ............................................................................................................... 50 Quashal of complaint or information......................................................................................... 51

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Pre-trial ................................................................................................................................ 51 Trial; demurrer .................................................................................................................... 52 Judgment ............................................................................................................................ 53 Post-judgment remedies ................................................................................................. 53 Entry of judgment ............................................................................................................. 54

Chapter II PROSECUTION OF OFFENSES (RULE 110)

I. INSTITUTION OF CRIMINAL ACTIONS Purpose of a criminal action .............................................................................................. 55 How criminal actions are instituted (Bar 1999) ............................................................... 55 Institution of criminal actions in Manila

and other chartered cities .................................................................................................. 56 No direct filing in the Regional Trial Court and Metropolitan Trial

Court of Manila and other chartered cities .................................................................................................................... 56

Effect of the institution of the criminal action on the prescriptive period (Bar 1993) ........................................................................................... 57

Illustration of the above rules ............................................................................................ 57 Rule on prescription for violations of special laws

and municipal ordinances .................................................................................................. 59 II. PROSECUTION OF THE CRIMINAL ACTION

Who must prosecute the criminal action; who controls the prosecution (Bar 1990; 2000) ...................................................................... 67

Appearance of a private prosecutor ................................................................................. 68 Effect of filing of an independent civil action on the right of the offended party to intervene

in the prosecution of the offense ................................................................................................. 68

Consequences of the rule that a criminal action is prosecuted under the direction and control

of the public prosecutor ..................................................................................................... 69 Prosecution of a criminal action in the Municipal

Trial Court or Municipal Circuit Trial Court ...................................................................... 74 Prosecution for violation of special laws .................................................... ..................... 74

III. INTERVENTION OF THE OFFENDED PARTY IN THE PROSECUTION OF THE CRIMINAL ACTION Intervention of the offended party................................................................................... 75

When a private prosecutor may prosecute a case even in the absence of the public prosecutor ................................................................. 76

xi

Extent of the authority given to the private prosecutor when duly authorized to prosecute the action ............................................................................................................................. 77

IV. PROSECUTION OF "PRIVATE CRIMES" Prosecution of adultery and concubinage ....................................................................... 77 Prosecution of seduction, abduction and acts

of lasciviousness .................................................................................................................. 78 Effect of R.A. 7610 (Special Protection of Children Against Child Abuse, Exploitation and

Discrimination Act) ............................................................................................................. 78 Prosecution of Defamation ................................................................................................ 79

V. THE COMPLAINT AND INFORMATION Meaning of'complaint' ..................................................................................................... 79 In whose name and against whom filed........................................................................ 80 Meaning of 'information' (Bar 1994,1995,1996) .......................................................... 80 Distinctions between a complaint and an

information (Bar 1999) ........................................................................................... 81 Infirmity in signature in the information ........................................................................ 81 Sufficiency of the complaint or information .................................................................. 81 Test for sufficiency of the complaint or information .................................................... 82 Questioning the insufficiency of the complaint

or information ......................................................................................................... 82 Objections as to form ........................................................................................................ 83 Date of the commission of the offense .......................................................................... 83 Determination of the nature and character

of the crime .................................................... ........................................................ 84 How to state the name of the accused .......................................................................... 84 How to state the name of the offended party who

is a natural person ................................................................................................... 85 How to state the name of the offended party which

is a juridical person .................................................................................................. 85 Rule if the name of the offended party is unknown

in offenses against property .................................................................................. 85 Designation of the offense ............................................................................................... 86 Effect of failure to designate the offense by the statute

or failure to mention the provision violated ...................................................... 87 Effect of failure to specify the correct crime .................................................................. 88 Statement of the qualifying and aggravating

circumstances (Bar 2001)............................................................................. 88 Cause of the accusation .................................................................................................... 92 How to state the date of the commission

of the offense ................................................................................................ 96 Duplicity of the offense (Bar 2005) ................................................................................. 97

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VI. VENUE OF CRIMINAL ACTIONS Rule where offense is committed in a train, aircraft

or vehicle .................................................................................................................. 99 Rule where offense is committed on board a vessel ................................................... 99 Rule when the offense is covered by Art. 2 of the

Revised Penal Code ................................................................................................ 100 How to state the place of the commission

of the offense ........................................................................................................... 100 VII. AMENDMENT OR SUBSITUTION OF THE

COMPLAINT OR INFORMATION Amendment of the information or complaint

before plea; no need for leave (Bar 2001; 2002) .......................................................... 100 When leave of court is required even if the amendment

is made before plea .......................................................................................................... 100 Rule as to amendment made after the plea

of the accused .................................................................................................................... 101 When an amendment is formal or substantial

(Bar 1997) ........................................................................................................................... 101 Substitution of complaint or information (Bar 2002) ............................................................. 104 Distinction between substitution and amendment

(Bar 1994) ........................................................................................................................... 104

Chapter III

PROSECUTION OF CIVIL ACTION (RULE 111)

Implied institution of the civil action with the criminal action .............................................................................................................................. 107

Purposes of the criminal and civil actions ................................................................................. 108 Judgment of conviction includes a judgment on the

civil liability .................................................................................................................................... 109 Who the real parties in interest are in the civil aspect

of the case ..................................................................................................................................... 109 Rule applicable .............................................................................................................................. 109 When a civil action may proceed independently; independent civil actions and quasi-delicts

(Bar 2005) ...................................................................................................................................... 109 Consequences of the independent character of actions

under Articles 32,33, 34 and 2176 of the Civil Code ................................................................... Ill When there is no implied institution of the civil action .......................................................... 112 Reservation of the civil action ..................................................................................................... 113 No reservation of the civil action in Batas

Pambansa Big. 22 (Bar 2001; 2002) .......................................................................................... 113

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When the separate civil action is suspended ............................................................................ 114 Consolidation of the civil action with the criminal action ........................................................ 115 Suspension of the period of prescription ................................................. ................................ 116 When no reservation is required; when civil

action is not suspended.................................................................................................... 116 Counterclaim, cross-claim, third-party claim in a

criminal action ................................................................................................................... 117 Rules on filing fees ......................................................................................................................... 118 Effect of death of the accused on the civil action ...................................................................... 118 Novation: extinguishment of criminal liability .......................................................................... 120 Effect of acquittal or the extinction of the penal

action on the civil action or civil liability .................................................................... 120 Effect of payment of the civil liability .......................................................................................... 124 Effect of judgment in the civil case absolving

the defendant .................................................................................................................... 124 Subsidiary liability of employer .................................................................................................... 125 Concept of a prejudicial question (Bar 1999) .......................................................................... 125 Reason for the principle ................................................................................................................ 126 Requisites for a prejudicial question (Bar 1999) ................................................................ ....... 126 Effect of the existence of a prejudicial question; suspension of the criminal action

(Bar 1995; 1999; 2010).............................................................................................. . 128 Suspension does not include dismissal................................................................................. 129 Where to file the petition for suspension .................................................................................. 129 Case illustrations ............................................................................................................................ 130

Chapter IV PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION Nature of preliminary investigation; purpose

(Bar 1985; 1986; 1991; 1998; 2004) ................................................................................ 143 Nature of the right to a preliminary investigation .................................................................... 145 Right to a preliminary investigation; waivable .......................................................................... 150 Preliminary investigation vs. preliminary examination

(preliminary inquiry) ......................................................................................................... 150 Probable cause in preliminary investigation.............................................................................. 150 Kinds of determination of probable cause ................................................................................ 152 Cases requiring a preliminary investigation; when not

required (Bar 2004) ........................................................................................................... 154 Procedure for cases not requiring a preliminary

investigation ....................................................................................................................... 155 Direct filing with the prosecutor .................................................................................................. 155 Direct filing with the Municipal Trial Court ................................................................................ 156

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When preliminary investigation is not required even if the offense is one which normally requires

a preliminary investigation ......................................................................................................... 157 Person arrested lawfully without a warrant may ask

for a preliminary investigation ................................................................................................... 158 Bail for a person lawfully arrested during the

preliminary investigation............................................................................................................ 159 Questioning the absence of a preliminary investigation ..................................................................... 160 Absence of preliminary investigation; effect on

jurisdiction of the court ............................................................................................................... 162 Absence of preliminary investigation; not a ground

for motion to quash .................................................................................................................... 162 Inquest proceedings.................................................................................................................................. 162 Possible options of the inquest prosecutor ........................................................................................... 163

The inquest must pertain to the offense for which the arrest was made ................................................................................................................... 164

Who may conduct preliminary investigation and determine existence of probable cause....................................................................................................... 168

The procedure for preliminary investigation must be strictly followed ...................................................................................................................... 171

Initial steps in preliminary investigation; filing of the complaint for preliminary investigation ................................................................................... 174

Dismissal of the complaint or issuance of a subpoena.... .................................................................... 175 Filing of counter-affidavit by the respondent; no motion

to dismiss ...................................................................................................................................... 176 Action to be taken if the respondent does not submit

his counter-affidavit .................................................................................................................... 176 Clarificatory hearing if necessary; no right of cross

examination .......................................................... ...................................................................... 177 Determination by the investigating officer............................................................................................ 177 Discretion of prosecutor in filing of a criminal

complaint or information (Bar 1999) ........................................................................................ 177 Resolution of investigating prosecutor; certification

of preliminary investigation ....................................................................................................... 178 Effect of the absence of the required certification

(Bar 1998) ...................................................................................................................................... 179 Forwarding of the records of the case for action; need

for approval before filing or dismissal ...................................................................................... 179 Rule when recommendation for dismissal is disapproved ................................................................ 179 Motion for reconsideration ..................................................................................................................... 180

Appeals to the Secretary of Justice; filing a petition for review ...................................................................................................................................... 180

Rules of Court provisions when resolution is reversed or modified by the Secretary of Justice .................................................................................... 183

XXV

Power of the Secretary of Justice to reverse resolutions of prosecutors .......................................................................................................... 183

Assailing the resolution of the Secretary of Justice; petition for review under Rule 43 not allowed;

Petition for certiorari under Rule 65 .................................................................................... 184 Appeal to the Office of the President .................................................................................................... 187 Appeals under Rule 43 and Rule 45 ...................................................................................................... 189

Records supporting the information or complaint filed in court .................................................................................................................................. 189

Action of the judge upon the filing of the complaint or information .............................................................................................................................. 189

When warrant of arrest is not necessary ................................................................................ 191' Withdrawal of the information already filed in court

(Bar 1990; 2003) ........................................................................................................................... 192 Some judicial pronouncements on preliminary

investigation ................................................................................................................................. 196

Chapter V

ARREST, SEARCH AND SEIZURE

I. ARREST (RULE 113)

Arrest; how arrest made ................................................................................................... 201 Requisites for the issuance of a warrant of arrest ........................................................ 202 Preliminary inquiry (examination) versus

preliminary investigation ...................................................................................... 208 Method of arrest with a warrant; warrant need

not be in possession of the officer ....................................................................... 209 No unnecessary violence ................................................................................................. 210 Authority to summon assistance .................................................................................... 210 When person to be arrested is inside a building ........................................................... 210 When a warrantless arrest is lawful

(Bar 1988; 1989; 1996; 1997; 2000; 2004; 2010) ............................................... 211 Who may make warrantless arrest; duty of officer;

citizen's arrest.......................................................................................................... 212 The basis of the in flagrante delicto exception;

requisites ................................................................................................................. 213 Existence of an overt act of a crime in the presence

of the person making the arrest........................................................................... 214 The hot pursuit exception (Bar 1997; 2004) ................................................................. 220 Method of arrest without a warrant ............................................................................. 222 Time of making an arrest ................................................................................................. 223 Rights of a person arrested (R.A. 7438) ......................................................................... 223

xvi

Custodial investigation; expanded concept .................................................................. 224 Penalties under R.A. 7438 ................................................................................................. 224 Effect of an illegal arrest on jurisdiction

of the court .............................................................................................................. 224 Effect of admission to bail on objections to an

illegal arrest .............................................................................................................. 225 Waiver of the illegality of the arrest; effect of

illegal arrest (Bar 2000; 2001) ................................................................................ 225 Persons not subject to arrest ........................................................................................... 227

II. SEARCHES AND SEIZURES (RULE 126)

Nature of search warrant (Bar 1994).............................................................................. 228 The Constitutional provision ............................................................................................ 229 Arrest distinguished from search and seizure ............................................................... 230 Definition of a search warrant under the Rules ............................................................ 231 Application for a search warrant; where to file ............................................................. 231 Search warrants involving heinous crimes

and others ................................................................................................................ 231 Ex parte application for a search warrant .................................................................. 233 Property subject of a search warrant ............................................................................. 233 Requisites for the issuance of a search warrant ........................................................... 234 Probable cause in search warrants ................................................................................. 235 Probable cause to arrest and probable cause

to search ................................................................................................................... 238 How the examination shall be conducted by the judge... 239 Particular description of place or person ....................................................................... 241 Particular description of the items to be

seized; general warrants (Bar 2005) ..................................................................... 245 Ownership of property seized not required.................................................................. 251 Extent of the search .......................................................................................................... 252 Search of third persons not named in the warrant ...................................................... 253 Issuance and form of the search warrant ...................................................................... 253 Duration of the validity of a search warrant ................................................................. 254 Time of making the search ................................................................................................ 254 Manner of making the search ......................................................................................... 254 Rule if the officer is refused admittance; "knock

and announce rule" ................................................................................................ 255 Duties of the officer after the search and seizure;

delivery and inventory ........................................................................................... 256 Duty of the judge; return and other proceedings......................................................... 256 Duty of the custodian of the log book ............................................................................ 257 Objection to issuance or service of a warrant ............................................................... 257 Where to file a motion to quash a search warrant

or to suppress evidence ......................................................................................... 258

xvii

Who may assail the issuance of a search warrant ....................................................... 258 Petition for certiorari for unwarranted quashal

of a search warrant ................................................................................................. 259 Exceptions to the search warrant requirement

(Bar 1988; 1995; 1996; 1997; 2008)...................................................................... 260 Search incident to a lawful arrest (Bar 2003) ............................................................... 262 Parameters of a search incident to a lawful arrest;

immediate possession and control rule .............................................................. 263 Searches of moving vehicles ............................................................................................ 270 Check points ....................................................................................................................... 271 Buy bust operations; warrant not needed (Bar 2003) ................................................. 273 Entrapment and instigation ............................................................................................. 274 Applicable tests in a buy-bust operation;

adoption of the 'objective test' ............................................................................. 275 Effect of absence of prior surveillance before a

buy-bust operation ................................................................................................. 277 Effect of absence of record in police blotter .................................................................. 278 Plain view doctrine (Bar 2007; 2008) .............................................................................. 278 The 'inadvertence' requirement under the plain

view doctrine ........................................................................................................... 283 Other cases ......................................................................................................................... 284 Terry searches or stop and frisk; history of the

doctrine (Bar 1995; 2003) ...................................................................................... 290 Summary of the Terry doctrine ....................................................................................... 293 Terry search vs. a search incident to a

lawful arrest ............................................................................................................. 296 Bond to ensure the return of the seized items ............................................................. 297 Consented Searches.......................................................................................................... 298 Effect of an illegal search and seizure; fruit

of the poisonous tree doctrine (Bar 2005) .......................................................... 298 Civil damages; criminal liability ........................................................................................ 300 Authority of the Executive Judge and Vice

Executive Judge re search warrants in Manila and Quezon City ...................................................................................................... 300

Chapter VI BAIL (RULE 114)

Meaning, nature and purpose of bail (Bar 1998)....................................................................... 302 Constitutional basis of the right to bail ....................................................................................... 304 Bail in the military .............................. . .......................................................................................... 306 Bail in extradition proceedings .............................................................................................................. 306 Exception to the "no bail rule" in extradition proceedings ...................................................... 308

xviii

Purganan case re-examined .......................................................................................................... 309 Bail in deportation proceedings .................................................................................................... 310 Who furnishes the bail ................................................................................................................... 312 Obligation and right of the bondsman; arrest

without a warrant ............................................................................................................. 312 The applicant for bail must be in custody .................................................................................... 313 Bail to guarantee appearance of witnesses (Bar 1999) ............................................................. 315 Bail for those not yet charged ....................................................................................................... 315 Effects of failure to appear at the trial ......................................................................................... 316 Court cannot require arraignment before the

grant of bail ......................................................................................................................... 317 Forms of bail (Bar 1999) ................................................................................................................. 320 Guidelines in fixing the amount of bail (Bar 1999) .................................................................... 323 Duration of the bail ......................................................................................................................... 324 No release or transfer of person in custody; exceptions ...........................................................325 When bail is not required .............................................................................................................. 325 When bail is not allowed ............................................................................................................... 327 When bail is a matter of right (Bar 1999; 2006; 2008) ............................................................... 328 Remedy when bail is denied ........................................................................................................ 329 When bail is a matter of discretion

(Bar 1999; 2006; 2008) ...................................................................................................... 329 Where application for bail is to be filed when bail is a matter of discretion

and after conviction by the Regional Trial Court ........................................................................................................... 331

When application for bail after conviction by the RTC shall be denied ................................................................................................................... 332

Bail pending appeal where penalty imposed exceeds six years ............................................................................................................................... 333

Hearing of application for bail in offenses punishable by death, reclusion perpetua, or life imprisonment; burden of proof in bail application .................................................................................. 334

Duties of the trial judge in a petition for bail in offenses punishable by reclusion perpetua, life imprisonment

or death ............................................................................................................................... 337 Evidence in bail hearing are automatically reproduced

at the trial ............................................................................................................................ 339 Capital offenses ...............................................................................................................................339 Effect of Republic Act No. 9346 on the graduation

of penalties ......................................................................................................................... 339 Where application or petition for bail may be

filed (Bar 2002) ................................................................................................................... 341 Increase or reduction of bail ......................................................................................................... 343 Bail for accused originally released without bail ........................................................................343

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Forfeiture of bail ............................................................................................................................ 343 Cancellation of the bail; remedy ................................................................................................. 344 Application for or admission to bail not a bar to

objections on illegal arrest, lack of or irregular preliminary investigation........................... 345

Chapter VII RIGHTS OF THE ACCUSED (RULE 115) Rights of the accused at the trial

(Bar 1992; 1996; 1998; 2004) ........................................................................................... 347 Presumption of innocence (Bar 2005) ........................................................................................ 348 Prima facie presumptions of guilt ................................................................................................ 349 Proof beyond reasonable doubt .................................................................................................. 351 Prosecution must rest on its own merits .................................................................................... 354 Effect of failure to identify the perpetrator ................................................................................ 355 Failure to comply with post-seizure procedures

set by law ............................................................................................................................ 357 The equipoise rule .......................................................................................................................... 359 Right to be informed of the nature and cause of accusation.... 360 Right to counsel of the accused and of persons arrested, detained or under custodial investigation;

Republic Act No. 7438 (Bar 1990; 1991; 1998; 2002) ................................................... 368 Meaning of custodial investigation; extended meaning .......................................................... 369 Rights of persons under custodial investigation;

custodial investigation report .......................................................................................... 369 Right to choose a counsel is not plenary; right

may be waived................................................................................................................... 372 Competent and independent counsel ....................................................................................... 373 Right to counsel in administrative cases ..................................................................................... 376 Extrajudicial confessions; rights of persons under

custodial investigation (Bar 2006) ................................................................................... 377 Right to speedy trial; speedy disposition of cases

(Bar 1996; 2002; 2007) ..................................................................................................... 381 When right to speedy disposition of cases is violated .............................................................. 383 Purpose of time limits set by law or the rules;

principle of speedy trial is a relative term ...................................................................... 388 Remedy for a violation of the right to speedy trial .................................................................... 390 Factors for granting continuance ................................................................................................. 391 Guidelines to determine violation of the right to speedy trial

and speedy disposition of cases; balancing test ........................................................... 391 Approaches to speedy trial ........................................................................................................... 393

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The privilege against self-incrimination (Bar 1996; 1998; 2004; 2005) ........................................................................................... 396

The privilege applies only to natural persons ............................................................................. 399 The privilege protects a person from testimonial

compulsion or evidence of a communicative nature .................................................. 400 Force re-enactments ...................................................................................................................... 405 Meaning of compulsion ................................................................................................................. 406 Writing exemplars or samples ...................................................................................................... 406 Questions which the witness may refuse to answer ................................................................ 410 Privilege extends to lawyers advising a witness

to invoke the privilege ...................................................................................................... 411 Persons who are mere custodians of documents

cannot claim the privilege ................................................................................................ 412 Proceedings in which the privilege may be asserted ................................................................ 413 Distinctions between the claim of the privilege by an

accused and by a mere witness ...................................................................................... 414 Waiver of the privilege ................................................................................................................... 416 The privilege will not apply when witness is given

immunity from prosecution ............................................................................................ 416 Immunity statutes; examples ....................................................................................................... 418 The right to defend himself; right to be heard ........................................................................... 421 The right to testify as a witness ..................................................................................................... 422 The right to confront and cross-examine the witnesses

against him ......................................................................................................................... 423 Right to use testimony of a deceased witness ........................................................................... 425 Right to compulsory process ............................................................ ........................................... 425 Right to appeal ................................................................................................................................ 426

Chapter VIII ARRAIGNMENT AND PLEA (RULE 116) A. BASIC CONCEPTS

Meaning and importance of arraignment (Bar 2007) ................................................. 428 Duty of the court before arraignment ........................................................................... 429 Options of the accused before arraignment and plea ................................................. 429 Plea made before a court with no jurisdiction .............................................................. 432 Arraignment under an amended information;

substituted information ......................................................................................... 432

B. HOW ARRAIGNMENT AND PLEA ARE MADE Where arraignment is to be made .................................................................................. 433 How arraignment is made ................................................................................................ 433 When arraignment is to be made.................................................................................... 433

xxi

Arraignment after submission of the case for decision .............................................................................................................. 434

Record of arraignment ...................................................................................................... 436 Presence of the accused ................................................................................................... 436 Presence of the offended party ....................................................................................... 436 When a plea of'not guilty' shall be entered

(Bar 1992; 1993; 1996)........................................................................................... 436 Plea of guilty is a judicial confession; effect on

aggravating circumstances ................................................................................... 439 Exception to the admission of aggravating

circumstances .................................................... ................................................... 440 Plea of guilty to a lesser offense; plea bargaining

(Bar 1995; 2002) ...................................................................................................... 440 Requisites for a plea of guilty to a lesser offense .......................................................... 441 Plea of guilty to a lesser offense after arraignment;

plea bargaining during the trial proper ............................................................... 442 No need for amendment of information/complaint................................................... 442 When plea of guilty to a lesser offense is

not mitigating ......................................................................................................... 443 Plea of guilty to a capital offense (Bar 1995) .................................................................. 443 Meaning of "searching inquiry" ...................................................................................... 445 Plea of guilty to a non-capital offense ............................................................................. 448 Improvident plea of guilty ................................................................................................ 448 Production or inspection of material evidence ............................................................. 449

Chapter IX MOTION TO QUASH (RULE 117) Time for filing the motion to quash ........................................................................................... 451 Form and contents of the motion to quash ............................................................................. 451 Motion to quash is not a demurrer to evidence;

distinctions .................................................................................................................................... 451 Court shall consider only those grounds stated

in the motion ................................................................................................................................ 453 Motion to quash; grounds for a motion to quash (Bar 1987; 1990; 1991; 1992; 1993; 1994; 1995;

1996; 1998; 1999; 2000; 2002; 2003; 2004; 2005; 2009; 2010) ................................................................................................................................... 453

Execution of an affidavit of desistance is not a ground for a motion to quash ................................................................................................................. 454

Absence of probable cause not a ground to quash an information ............................................................................................................................. 455

Matters of defense are not grounds for a motion to quash......................................................................................................................................... 455

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Absence of a preliminary investigation is not a ground to quash an information ................................................................................................... 455

Test in appreciating a motion to quash................................................................................................. 456 Effect of failure to assert any ground of a motion

to quash ........................................................................................................................................ 457 Grounds not waived ................................................................................................................................ 458 Denial of a motion to quash ................................................................................................................... 458 When court shall order the amendment of the

information or complaint ................................................................................................. 459 Order sustaining a motion to quash is not a bar

to another prosecution; exceptions (Bar 1994) ...................................................................... 459 Double jeopardy ....................................................................................................................................... 460 Effects of double jeopardy; on criminal

and civil aspects ........................................................................................................................... 462 Double jeopardy; requisites .................................................................................................................... 465 Court must have competent jurisdiction .............................................................................................. 466

Curing an erroneous acquittal; grave abuse discretion of amounting to lack jurisdiction ................................................................................................... 469

Preliminary investigation; double jeopardy not applicable ............................................................................................................................... 474

Res judicata and double jeopardy; res judicata in prison grey (Bar 2010).; ........................................................................................................... 475

Administrative cases; double jeopardy not applicable ...................................................................... 475 Valid complaint or information (Bar 2002; 2004) ................................................................... 477

Accused should have pleaded to the charge (should have been arraigned) (Bar 2002; 2003) .................................................................................... 479

The accused has been convicted or acquitted, or the case against him dismissed or terminated without

his express consent ..................................................................................................................... 482 Dismissal or termination must be without the express

consent of the accused ............................................................................................................... 485 Dismissals equivalent to acquittal even with the consent

of the accused; speedy trial; demurrer to evidence ............................................................... 487 Double jeopardy in quasi offenses ........................................................................................................ 491

When double jeopardy shall not apply despite a prior conviction (Bar 2005) .................................................................................................................. 495

Meaning of same offense; when not the same (Bar 1993; 1994) ........................................................................................................................... 496

Provisional dismissal; requisites (Bar 2003) .......................................................................................... 503 Time bar rule; when provisional dismissal becomes

permanent .................................................................................................................................... 506 Effect of People v. Lacson ............................................................................................. .......................... 507 Withdrawal of information distinguished from a

motion to dismiss ........................................................................................................................ 510

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Chapter X PRE-TRIAL, TRIAL AND DEMURRER TO EVIDENCE (RULES 118-119)

A. PRE-TRIAL (RULE 118) (Bar 1986; 1989; 2004; 2008) Courts in which pre-trial is mandatory .......................................................................... 511

Matters to be considered during the pre-trial; purposes .................................................................................................................. 511

When pre-trial shall be held ............................................................................................. 512 Non-appearance in the pre-trial conference;

consequences .......................................................................................................... 512 Duty of the Branch Clerk of Court ................................................................................... 513 Recording of the minutes ................................................................................................. 513 Duty of the judge before the pre-trial conference ....................................................... 513

Duty of the judge when plea bargaining is agreed upon; prosecution and offended party agree to the plea .................................................................................................... 513

Duty of the judge when plea bargaining fails ................................................................ 514 Asking questions during the pre-trial ............................................................................. 514 Pre-trial agreements; signing of admissions made ...................................................... 514 Pre-trial order ..................................................... . ............................................................. 515 Pre-trial in a civil case vs. pre-trial in a

criminal case ............................................................................................................ 515 Effect of pre-trial order...................................................................................................... 516 Judicial dispute resolution (JDR); purposes ................................................................... 517

Stages in the judicial proceeding with JDR; confidentiality .......................................................................................................... 517

Cases subject to mediation for JDR ................................................................................. 518 Salient features of the suggested JDR process .............................................................. 519 Court-annexed mediation guidelines ............................................................................. 521 Discovery procedures in criminal cases .......................................................................... 524

B. TRIAL (RULE 119) When trial shall commence ...................................................................................................... 526 Summary of periods .................................................................................................................. 527 Time to prepare for trial ............................................................................................................ 527 Effect of not bringing the accused to trial within

the prescribed period ....................................................................................................... 528 Delays to be excluded from computing the period for

commencement of the trial; some examples ................................................................................................................. 528

When delay or suspension of trial is justified by reason of the absence of a witness ........................................................................... 529

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Continuous trial .................................................................................................................. 530 Trial period .......................................................................................................................... 530 Postponement or continuance ....................................................................................... 531 Factors to be considered for granting

continuances or postponements ......................................................................... 531 Prohibited grounds for a continuance ............................................................................ 531 Conditional examination of witnesses even

before trial ................................................................................................................ 531 How to secure appearance of a material witness

(Bar 1994; 1999) ...................................................................................................... 532 Discharge of accused to be a state witness;

requisites (Bar 1988; 1990; 1994; 2006)............................................................... 533 Evidence adduced during the discharge

hearing ...................................................................................................................... 534 Effect of discharge of an accused to be a

state witness; acquittal........................................................................................... 534 Mistake in charging the proper offense ......................................................................... 534 Order of trial ....................................................................................................................... 535 Modification of the order of trial; reverse trial

(Bar 2007) ................................................................................................................. 535 Reopening of the proceedings......................................................................................... 535 Trial in absentia (Bar 1998) ............................................................................................... 536 Instances when the presence of the accused

is required ................................................................................................................. 537 Some rules on witness' credibility ................................................................................... 538 Comments and questions of the judge during

the trial ...................................................................................................................... 538 Corpus delicti in criminal cases; murder

or homicide .............................................................................................................. 539 Lack of formal offer of evidence during the trial ........................................................... 540

C. DEMURRER TO EVIDENCE (RULE 119) Demurrer to evidence (Bar 1991; 1994; 1996; 2001;

2003; 2004; 2007; 2009) ................................................................................................... 540 Demurrer to evidence with leave of court

(Bar 2003) ........................................................................................................................... 541 Demurrer to evidence without leave of court ........................................................................ 542 Not every motion to dismiss is a demurrer

to evidence ......................................................................................................................... 543 Granting of demurrer is an acquittal ........................................................................................ 544 Demurrer to evidence in a civil case vs. demurrer

to evidence in a criminal case (Bar 2007)....................................................................... 545

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Chapter XI JUDGMENT, REMEDIES AFTER JUDGMENT OF CONVICTION

AND PROVISIONAL REMEDIES

I. JUDGMENT (RULE 120) Meaning of judgment ...................................................................................................... 546 Requisites of a judgment ................................................................................................. 546 Contents of a judgment of conviction; contents

of judgment of acquittal ........................................................................................ 548 Rule when there are two or more offenses in a single information or

complaint (duplicitous complaint or information) .................................................................................... 549

Judgment rendered by judge who did not hear the case ..................................................................................................................... 550

Variance doctrine; variance between the allegation and proof (Bar 1993; 2004) ................................................................................... 550

When an offense includes or is included in another.................................................... 551 Variance in the mode of the commission of the offense... 551 Promulgation of judgment (Bar 1997) ........................................................................... 552 How accused is to be notified of the promulgation ..................................................... 552 Rule if the accused fails to appear in the

promulgation of judgment .................................................................................... 553 Modification of judgment (Bar 1989) ............................................................................ 554 When judgment becomes final ...................................................................................... 554 Entry of judgment ............................................................................................ . ............... 554

II. NEW TRIAL OR RECONSIDERATION (RULE 121) Filing a motion for new trial or a motion for

reconsideration ....................................................................................................... 554 Grounds for a new trial .................................................................................................... 555 Requisites for newly discovered evidence .................................................................... 555 Grounds for reconsideration of the judgment ............................................................. 556 Form of the motions; notice ............................................................................................ 556 Notice of the motion ........................................................................................................ 556 When hearing of the motion is required ....................................................................... 557 Effects of granting a new trial or reconsideration ........................................................ 557 The Neypes rule ............................................................................................................ 557

III. APPEALS (RULES 122,124,125) (Bar 1991; 1992; 1993; 1998) Appeal not a natural right .......................................................................................................... 558 Who may appeal ......................................................................................................................... 559 Subject matter for review on appeal ....................................................................................... 560

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Change of theory on appeal ............................................................................................ 561 Factual findings; credibility of witnesses ......................................................................... 561 Where to appeal ................................................................................................................ 563 How to appeal .................................................................................................................... 564 When appeal is to be taken .............................................................................................. 565 Service of notice of appeal ................................................................................................ 566 Transmission of the papers to appellate court (RTC).................................................... 566 Withdrawal of appeal ....................................................................................................... 566 Appeal not mooted by accused's release on parole ..................................................... 567 Effect of appeal by any of several accused (Bar 1998) ................................................. 567 Appeal from the civil aspect ............................................................................................. 568 Period to apply for probation ........................................................................................... 568 Stay of execution ............................................................................................................... 569 Power of the Court of Appeals to receive evidence ..................................................... 569 Dismissal of appeal by the Court of Appeals ................................................................. 569 Ground for reversal of judgment or its modification .................................................... 570 Review of decisions of the Court of Appeals.................................................................. 570 Applicability of the rules on appeal in the

Court of Appeals to the Supreme Court .............................................................. 570 Rule if the opinion of the Supreme Court

en banc is equally divided .................................................................................. 570 When preliminary attachment is available .................................................................... 572

IV. PROVISIONAL REMEDIES IN CRIMINAL CASES

Availability of provisional remedies ................................................................................ 571

Synopsis of Selected Cases ............................................................................................................ 574

Criminal Procedure Aspect of the Rules of Procedure in Environmental Cases .................................................................................................... 600

Case Index ....................................................................................................................................... 609

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CHAPTER I

PRELIMINARY CONSIDERATIONS

I. BASIC CONCEPTS

Concept of criminal procedure

1. Criminal procedure treats of the series of processes by which the criminal laws are enforced and by which the State prosecutes persons who violate the penal laws. In the clear language of the Court, criminal procedure "regulates the steps by which one who committed a crime is to be punished" (People v. Lacson, 400 SCRA 267).

While criminal laws define crimes and prescribe punishment for such crimes, criminal procedure lays down the processes by which an offender is made to answer for the violation of the criminal laws.

2. Criminal procedure is "a generic term to describe the network of laws and rules which governs the procedural administration of justice" (Black's Law Dictionary, Fifth Edition, 1979). The procedure starts with the initial contact of the alleged lawbreaker with the justice machinery including the investigation of the crime and concludes either with a judgment exonerating the accused or the final imposition of a penalty against him.

3. The enforcement of the criminal laws of the state inevitably leads to governmental intrusions into an individual's zones of privacy and how these intrusions can be reconciled with constitutional and statutory tenets protecting individual rights is an inescapable theme tackled in criminal procedure. Thus, in the prosecution for the violation of the penal laws,

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2 CRIMINAL PROCEDURE: THE BAR LECTURES SERIES UPDATED EDITION

criminal procedure has the imposing task of balancing clashing societal interests primarily between those of the government and those of the individual. Hence, a common thread among innumerable treatises on the subject is the tendency to describe criminal procedure in relation to its ultimate goal of harmonizing the governmental functions of maintaining and promoting law and order law while at the same time protecting the constitutional rights of its citizens.

The adversarial or accusatorial system

1. The system of procedure in our jurisdiction is accusatorial or adversarial. It contemplates two contending parties before the court which hears them impartially and renders judgment only after trial (Queto v. Catolico, 31 SCRA 52).

The system has a two-sided structure consisting of the prosecution and the defense where each side tries to convince the court that its position is the correct version of the truth. In this system, the accusation starts with a formal indictment called in our jurisdiction as a complaint or an information, the allegations of which must be proven by the government beyond reasonable doubt. The government and the accused present their evidence before the court which shall decide either on acquittal or conviction of the accused. In its decision-making process, that court shall consider no evidence which has not been formally offered. The court in this system therefore, has a passive role and relies largely on the evidence presented by both sides to the action in order to reach a verdict.

2. The adversarial system should be distinguished from the inquisitorial system where the court plays a very active role and is not limited to the evidence presented before it. The court may utilize evidence gathered outside the court and a judge or a group of judges under this system actively participates in the gathering of facts and evidence instead of mere passively receiving information or evidence from the parties. The judge steers the course of the proceedings by directing and supervising the gathering of the evidence and the questioning of the witnesses to the case. The counsels in the

CHAPTER I PRELIMINARY CONSIDERATIONS

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inquisitorial system have a less active role than in the adversarial system.

Liberal interpretation of the rules

1. The rules on criminal procedure, being parts of the Rules of Court, shall be "liberally construed in order to promote their objective of securing a just, speedy and inexpensive disposition of every action and proceeding" (Sec. 6, Rule 1, Rules of Court).

2. In a case, petitioner's former counsel erroneously appealed her conviction to the Court of Appeals instead of to the Sandiganbayan. Petitioner pleaded that Section 2 of Rule 50 of the Rules of Court which mandated the dismissal of cases erroneously appealed to the Court of Appeals be relaxed and the Court 6f Appeals be directed to forward the records of the case to the Sandiganbayan. The Supreme Court, in granting petitioner's prayer held that since the appeal involved a criminal case and the possibility of a person being deprived of liberty due to a procedural lapse is great, a relaxation of the Rules was warranted. The rules of procedure must be viewed as tools to facilitate the attainment of justice, such that any rigid and strict application thereof which results in technicalities tending to frustrate substantial justice must always be avoided (Cenita M. Cariaga v. People of the Philippines, G.R. No. 180010, July 30, 2010).

Due process; mandatory

Due process in criminal proceedings is mandatory and indispensable and cannot be met without the proverbial "law which hears before it condemns and proceeds upon inquiry and renders judgment only after trial." (Quotation from Albert vs. University Publishing House, G.R. No. L-19118, January 30,1965)

Monte v. Savellano, Jr., 287 SCRA 245, enumerates the requirements of due process in a criminal proceeding, to wit:

(a) that the court or tribunal trying the case is properly clothed with judicial power to hear and determine the matter before it;

4 CRIMINAL PROCEDURE: THE BAR LECTURES SERIES UPDATED EDITION

(b) that jurisdiction is lawfully acquired by it over the person of the accused;

(c) that the accused is given opportunity to be heard; and

(d) that judgment is rendered only upon lawful hearing.

A. Requisites For The Exercise of Criminal Jurisdiction

Requisites

A reading of jurisprudence and treatises on the matter discloses the following basic requisites before a court can acquire jurisdiction over criminal cases (Cruz v. Court of Appeals, 388 SCRA 72):

(a) Jurisdiction over the subject matter; (b) Jurisdiction over the territory; and (c) Jurisdiction over the person of the accused.

Jurisdiction over the subject matter versus jurisdiction over the person of the accused

1. Jurisdiction over the subject matter refers to the authority of the court to hear and determine a particular criminal case. One case, Antiporda, Jr. v. Garchitorena, 321 SCRA 551, mandates that the offense is one which the court is by law authorized to take cognizance of.

2. Jurisdiction over the person of the accused refers to the authority of the court, not over the subject matter of the criminal litigation, but over the person charged. This kind of jurisdiction requires that "the person charged with the offense must have been brought in to its forum for trial, forcibly by warrant of arrest or upon his voluntary submission to the court" (Antiporda v. Garchitorena, 321 SCRA 551; Cruz v. Court of Appeals, 388 SCRA 72; Cojuangco v. Sandiganbayan, 300 SCRA 367).

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CHAPTER I PRELIMINARY CONSIDERATIONS

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Jurisdiction over the territory; venue in criminal