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Pro reo doctrine

Doctrine of pro reo. Rem. Law. [The doctrine that] where the evidence on an issue of fact is in question or there is doubt on which

side the evidence weighs, the doubt should be resolved in favor of the accused. [People v. Abarquez, GR 150762, 20 Jan. 2006,

479 SCRA 225, 239]. See Pro reo doctrine.

Whenever a penal law is to be construed or applied and the law admits of two interpretations one lenient to the offender and one

strict to the offenderthat interpretation which is lenient or favorable to the offender will be adopted.

This is in consonance with the fundamental rule that all doubts shall be construed in favor of the accused and consistent with

presumption of innocence of the accused. This is peculiar only to criminal law.

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