VOL. 379, MARCH 18, 2002 345 Merciales vs. Court o A!!eals ".R. #o. 124171.

Marc$ 18, 2002.% L&'(C(A R. M&RC(AL&), !etitio*er, vs. 'H& HO#ORA+L& CO,R' O- A..&AL), 'H& .&O.L& O- 'H& .H(L(..(#&), /O)&L('O #,A0A, .A'. &01(# MORAL, A0O#() #(&V&), &R#&)'O LO+&'&, 0OM(L "RA"&0A, a*2 RAMO# 3.OL4 -LOR&), res!o*2e*ts. Cri5i*al La67 Cri5i*al .roce2ure7 0ou8le /eo!ar297 .arties7 )olicitor "e*eral7 A !rivate co5!lai*a*t ca**ot 8ri*: a* actio* ;uestio*i*: a <u2:5e*t o ac;uittal, e=ce!t i*so ar as t$e civil as!ect o t$e cri5i*al case is co*cer*e2, a* issue t$at is re*2ere2 5oot 6$e* t$e )olicitor "e*eral, i* re!rese*tatio* o t$e .eo!le, <oi*s t$e cause o t$e !rivate !etitio*er.>(t is true t$at a !rivate co5!lai*a*t ca**ot 8ri*: a* actio* ;uestio*i*: a <u2:5e*t o ac;uittal, e=ce!t i*so ar as t$e civil as!ect o t$e cri5i*al case is co*cer*e2. (* t$e case at 8ar, 6e a:ree 6it$ !etitio*er t$at t$is issue 6as re*2ere2 5oot 6$e* t$e )olicitor "e*eral, i* re!rese*tatio* o t$e .eo!le, c$a*:e2 $is !ositio* a*2 <oi*e2 t$e cause o !etitio*er, t$us ul illi*: t$e re;uire5e*t t$at all cri5i*al actio*s s$all 8e !rosecute2 u*2er t$e 2irectio* a*2 co*trol o t$e !u8lic !rosecutor. )a5e7 )a5e7 )a5e7 )a5e7 '$e ri:$t o o e*2e2 !arties to a!!eal a* or2er o t$e trial court 6$ic$ 2e!rives t$e5 o 2ue !rocess $as al6a9s 8ee* reco:*i?e2, t$e o*l9 li5itatio* 8ei*: t$at t$e9 ca**ot a!!eal a*9 a2verse ruli*: i to 2o so 6oul2 !lace t$e accuse2 i* 2ou8le <eo!ar29.>(* a*9 eve*t, !etitio*er $as a* i*terest i* t$e 5ai*te*a*ce o t$e cri5i*al !rosecutio*, 8ei*: t$e 5ot$er o t$e 2ecease2 ra!e victi5. '$e ri:$t o o e*2e2 !arties to a!!eal a* or2er o t$e trial court 6$ic$ 2e!rives t$e5 o 2ue !rocess $as al6a9s 8ee* reco:*i?e2, t$e o*l9 li5itatio* 8ei*: t$at t$e9 ca**ot a!!eal a*9 a2verse ruli*: i to 2o so 6oul2 !lace t$e accuse2 i* 2ou8le <eo!ar29. )a5e7 )a5e7 )a5e7 '$e !u8lic !rosecutor is :uilt9 o serious *o* easa*ce 6$ere, 2es!ite $is @*o6le2:e t$at $e $a2 *ot !rese*te2 su icie*t evi2e*ce to co*vict t$e accuse2 a*2 re!eate2 5oves 89 t$e accuse2 or t$e trial court to co*ti*ue $eari*: t$e case, $e 2eli8eratel9 aile2 to !rese*t a* availa8le 6it*ess a*2 t$ere89 allo6e2 t$e court to 2eclare t$at t$e !rosecutio* $as reste2 its case.>(t is clear ro5 t$e ore:oi*: t$at t$e !u8lic !rosecutor 6as :uilt9 o serious *o* easa*ce. (t is t$e 2ut9 o t$e !u8lic !rosecutor to 8ri*: t$e cri5i*al !rocee2i*:s or t$e !u*is$5e*t o t$e AAAAAAAAAAAAAA % &# +A#C. 34B 34B ),.R&M& CO,R' R&.OR') A##O'A'&0 Merciales vs. Court o A!!eals :uilt9. Co*co5ita*t 6it$ t$is is t$e 2ut9 to !ursue t$e !rosecutio* o a cri5i*al actio* a*2 to re!rese*t t$e !u8lic i*terest. A cri5e is a* o e*se a:ai*st t$e )tate, a*2 $e*ce is !rosecute2 i* t$e *a5e o t$e .eo!le o t$e .$ili!!i*es. -or t$is reaso*, )ectio* 5 o Rule 110 !rovi2es t$at 3all cri5i*al actio*s eit$er co55e*ce2 89 co5!lai*t or 89 i* or5atio* s$all 8e !rosecute2 u*2er t$e 2irectio* a*2 co*trol o t$e iscal = = =.4 As t$e re!rese*tative o t$e )tate, t$e !u8lic !rosecutor $as t$e ri:$t a*2 t$e 2ut9 to ta@e all ste!s to !rotect t$e ri:$ts o t$e .eo!le i* t$e trial o a* accuse2. ( t$e !u8lic !rosecutor co55its a *o* easa*ce i* re usi*: to !er or5 a s!eci ic 2ut9 i5!ose2 o* $i5 89 la6, $e ca* 8e co5!elle2 89 a* actio* or 5a*2a5us. (* t$e case at 8ar, t$e !u8lic !rosecutor @*e6 t$at $e $a2 *ot !rese*te2 su icie*t evi2e*ce to co*vict t$e accuse2. Cet, 2es!ite re!eate2 5oves 89 t$e accuse2 or t$e trial court to co*ti*ue $eari*: t$e case, $e 2eli8eratel9 aile2 to !rese*t a* availa8le 6it*ess a*2 t$ere89 allo6e2 t$e court to 2eclare t$at t$e !rosecutio* $as reste2 its case. (* t$is se*se, $e 6as re5iss i* $is 2ut9 to !rotect t$e i*terest o t$e o e*2e2 !arties. More s!eci icall9, t$e !u8lic !rosecutor i* t$is case 6as :uilt9 o 8lata*t error a*2 a8use o 2iscretio*, t$ere89 causi*: !re<u2ice to t$e o e*2e2 !art9. (*2ee2, t$e a5il9 o t$e 2ecease2 victi5, Maritess Merciales, coul2 2o *ot$i*: 2uri*: t$e !rocee2i*:s, $avi*: e*truste2 t$e co*2uct o t$e case i* t$e $a*2s o t$e sai2 !rosecutor. All t$e9 coul2 2o 6as $el!lessl9 6atc$ as t$e !u8lic !rosecutor, 6$o 6as u*2er le:al o8li:atio* to !ursue t$e actio* o* t$eir 8e$al , re*e:e o* t$at o8li:atio* a*2 re use to !er or5 $is s6or* 2ut9. )a5e7 )a5e7 )tate 1it*esses7 '$e !rosecutio* 5ust !rese*t evi2e*ce i* su!!ort o its !ra9er or t$e 2isc$ar:e o a* accuse2 to 8e a state 6it*ess.>Rule 119, )ectio* 9 D*o6 )ectio* 17E o t$e Rules o Court e=!ressl9 re;uires t$e !rese*tatio* o evi2e*ce i* su!!ort o t$e !rosecutio*Fs !ra9er or t$e 2isc$ar:e o a* accuse2 to 8e a state 6it*ess, vi?G 1$e* t6o or 5ore !erso*s are <oi*tl9 c$ar:e2 6it$

t$e co55issio* o a*9 o e*se, u!o* 5otio* o t$e !rosecutio* 8e ore resti*: its case, t$e court 5a9 2irect o*e or 5ore o t$e accuse2 to 8e 2isc$ar:e2 6it$ t$eir co*se*t so t$at t$e9 5a9 8e 6it*esses or t$e state 6$e* a ter re;uiri*: t$e !rosecutio* to !rese*t evi2e*ce a*2 t$e s6or* state5e*t o eac$ !ro!ose2 state 6it*ess at a $eari*: i* su!!ort o t$e 2isc$ar:e, = = = = = = = = =. )a5e7 )a5e7 Courts7 /u2:es7 1$ere t$e trial court <u2:e 6as 6ell a6are o t$e *ature o t$e testi5o*ies o t$e !rosecutio* 6it*esses t$at $ave so ar 8ee* !rese*te2, a*2 t$at t$e evi2e*ce or t$e !rosecutio* 6as i*su icie*t to co*vict, $e, 5otu !ro!rio, s$oul2 $ave calle2 a22itio*al 6it*esses or t$e !rosecutio* or t$e !ur!ose o ;uestio*i*: t$e5 $i5sel i* or2er to satis 9 $is 5i*2 6it$ re ere*ce to !articular acts or issues i*volve2 i* t$e 347 VOL. 379, MARCH 18, 2002 347 Merciales vs. Court o A!!eals case.>Li@e6ise :uilt9 or serious *o* easa*ce 6as t$e trial court. #ot6it$sta*2i*: its @*o6le2:e t$at t$e evi2e*ce or t$e !rosecutio* 6as i*su icie*t to co*vict, es!eciall9 a ter t$e !u8lic !rosecutor te*aciousl9 i*siste2 o* utili?i*: #ua2a as state 6it*ess, t$e trial court !assivel9 6atc$e2 as t$e !u8lic !rosecutor 8u*:le2 t$e case. '$e trial court 6as 6ell a6are o t$e *ature o t$e testi5o*ies o t$e seve* !rosecutio* 6it*esses t$at $ave so ar 8ee* !rese*te2. "ive* t$is circu5sta*ce, t$e trial court, 5otu !ro!rio, s$oul2 $ave calle2 a22itio*al 6it*esses or t$e !ur!ose o ;uestio*i*: t$e5 $i5sel i* or2er to satis 9 $is 5i*2 6it$ re ere*ce to !articular acts or issues i*volve2 i* t$e case. )a5e7 )a5e7 0ue .rocess7 .arties7 (t is *ot o*l9 t$e )tate, 8ut 5ore so t$e o e*2e2 !art9, t$at is e*title2 to 2ue !rocess i* cri5i*al cases.>+ase2 o* t$e ore:oi*:, it is evi2e*t t$at !etitio*er 6as 2e!rive2 o $er 2a9 i* court. (*2ee2, it is *ot o*l9 t$e )tate, 8ut 5ore so t$e o e*2e2 !art9, t$at is e*title2 to 2ue !rocess i* cri5i*al cases. (*as5uc$ as t$e ac;uittal o t$e accuse2 89 t$e court a ;uo 6as 2o*e 6it$out re:ar2 to 2ue !rocess o la6, t$e sa5e is *ull a*2 voi2. (t is as i t$ere 6as *o ac;uittal at all, a*2 t$e sa5e ca**ot co*stitute a clai5 or 2ou8le <eo!ar29. )a5e7 )a5e7 )a5e7 /u2:5e*ts7 /uris2ictio*7 A 2is5issal is i*vali2 6$ere it lac@s a u*2a5e*tal !rere;uisite, t$at is, 2ue !rocess7 3/uris2ictio*4 is t$e ri:$t to $ear a*2 2eter5i*e, *ot to 2eter5i*e 6it$out $eari*:.>Ot$er6ise !ut, t$e 2is5issal o t$e case 8elo6 6as i*vali2 or lac@ o a u*2a5e*tal !rere;uisite, t$at is, 2ue !rocess. (* re*2eri*: t$e <u2:5e*t o 2is5issal, t$e trial <u2:e i* t$is case acte2 6it$out or i* e=cess o <uris2ictio*, or a <u2:5e*t 6$ic$ is voi2 or lac@ o 2ue !rocess is e;uivale*t to e=cess or lac@ o <uris2ictio*. (*2ee2, 3<uris2ictio*4 is t$e ri:$t to $ear a*2 2eter5i*e, *ot to 2eter5i*e 6it$out $eari*:. )a5e7 )a5e7 )a5e7 )a5e7 )a5e7 A**ul5e*t o /u2:5e*ts7 Lac@ o <uris2ictio* is o*e o t$e :rou*2s or t$e a**ul5e*t 89 t$e Court o A!!eals o <u2:5e*ts or i*al or2ers a*2 resolutio*s o Re:io*al 'rial Courts.>Lac@ o <uris2ictio* is o*e o t$e :rou*2s or t$e a**ul5e*t 89 t$e Court o A!!eals o <u2:5e*ts or i*al or2ers a*2 resolutio*s o Re:io*al 'rial Courts. He*ce, t$e re5e29 ta@e* 89 !etitio*er 8e ore t$e Court o A!!eals 6as correct. .&'('(O# or revie6 o* certiorari o a 2ecisio* o t$e Court o A!!eals. '$e acts are state2 i* t$e o!i*io* o t$e Court. Ar*ol2 V. "uerrero or !etitio*er. 348 348 ),.R&M& CO,R' R&.OR') A##O'A'&0 Merciales vs. Court o A!!eals Ro:elio 2e Leo* a*2 Oliver O. Ola98al or res!o*2e*t Ra5o* -lores. Ro5ulo Rica ort or res!o*2e*t &. Lo8ete. )olo* 0i?o* or res!o*2e*t /. #ua2a. Levi Ra5ire? or res!o*2e*t &. Moral.

)a*ter "o*?ales or res!o*2e*t 0. "ra:e2a. C#AR&)H)A#'(A"O, /.G .etitio*er see@s t$e reversal o t$e 0ecisio* o t$e Court o A!!eals1 i* CAH".R. ). #o. 37341, 2e*9i*: $er !etitio* to a**ul t$e Or2er o t$e Re:io*al 'rial Court o Le:a?!i Cit9, +ra*c$ 8,2 i* Cri5i*al Case #os. B307HB312, 6$ic$ 2is5isse2 t$e c$ar:e o ra!e 6it$ $o5ici2e 8ase2 o* a 2e5urrer to evi2e*ce ile2 89 !rivate res!o*2e*ts, accuse2 t$erei*. '$e a*tece2e*t acts as succi*ctl9 s9*t$esi?e2 89 t$e res!o*2e*t court are as ollo6sG O* Au:ust 12, 1993, Cri5i*al Case #os. B307, B308, B309, B310, B311, a*2 B312, or ra!e 6it$ $o5ici2e, i* co**ectio* 6it$ t$e 2eat$ o o*e Maritess Rica ort Merciales, 6ere ile2 a:ai*st t$e !rivate res!o*2e*ts, /oselito #ua2a, .at. &26i* Moral, A2o*is #ieves, &r*esto Lo8ete, 0o5il "ra:e2a a*2 Ra5o* 3.ol4 -lores, 8e ore t$e Re:io*al 'rial Court, -i t$ /u2icial Re:io*, Le:as!i Cit9. '$e sai2 cases 6ere co*soli2ate2 i* +ra*c$ 8, !resi2e2 over 89 t$e res!o*2e*t <u2:e. 0uri*: t$e trial, a ter !rese*ti*: seve* 6it*esses, t$e !u8lic !rosecutor ile2 a 5otio* or t$e 2isc$ar:e o accuse2 /oselito #ua2a, i* or2er t$at $e 5a9 8e utili?e2 as a state 6it*ess. Ho6ever, t$e !rosecutio* co*te*2e2 t$at it 6as *ot re;uire2 to !rese*t evi2e*ce to 6arra*t t$e 2isc$ar:e o accuse2 #ua2a, si*ce t$e latter $a2 alrea29 8ee* a25itte2 i*to t$e 1it*ess .rotectio* .ro:ra5 o t$e 0e!art5e*t o /ustice. Co*se;ue*tl9, t$e res!o*2e*t <u2:e 2e*ie2 t$e 5otio* or 2isc$ar:e, or ailure o t$e !rosecutio* to !rese*t evi2e*ce as !rovi2e2 or 89 )ectio* 9, Rule 119 o t$e 1985 Rules o* Cri5i*al .roce2ure. AAAAAAAAAAAAAA 1 )i=tee*t$ 0ivisio*, co5!ose2 o Associate /ustices Hector L. Ho ileIa D!o*e*teE, /ai*al 0. Rasul DC$air5a*E a*2 Os6al2o 0. A:caoili. 2 .resi2e2 89 /u2:e )alva2or 0. )ilerio. 349 VOL. 379, MARCH 18, 2002 349 Merciales vs. Court o A!!eals O* 0ece58er 22, 1993, t$e !rosecutio* ile2 a !etitio*3 or certiorari J".R. #o. 113273H78K 8e ore t$e )u!re5e Court, ;uestio*i*: t$e res!o*2e*t <u2:eFs 2e*ial o t$e 5otio* to 2isc$ar:e t$e accuse2 #ua2a. 0es!ite t$e act t$at t$e !etitio* 2i2 *ot co*tai* a !ra9er or a te5!orar9 restrai*i*: or2er, t$e trial <u2:e 2i2 *ot set t$e case or urt$er $eari*: so as to :ive t$e !rosecutio* ti5e to secure suc$ te5!orar9 restrai*i*: or2er ro5 t$e )u!re5e Court. O* /ul9 13, 1994, $erei* !rivate res!o*2e*ts ile2 a 5otio* to set t$e case or $eari*:, i*vo@i*: t$eir co*stitutio*al ri:$t to s!ee29 trial. '$e res!o*2e*t <u2:e :ra*te2 t$e 5otio*, a*2 set t$e case or $eari*: o* /ul9 29, 1994. O* t$e sai2 2ate, t$e !rosecutio* ile2 a 5otio* or reco*si2eratio*, i*stea2 o !rese*ti*: urt$er evi2e*ce. '$e res!o*2e*t /u2:e !ost!o*e2 t$e $eari*: a*2 reset t$e sa5e or Au:ust 9, 1994. O* Au:ust 9, 1994, a:ai* t$e !rosecutio* ile2 a 5otio* or reco*si2eratio*, i*vo@i*: its !e*2i*: !etitio* or certiorari 6it$ t$e )u!re5e Court. '$e !rivate res!o*2e*ts, t$ru cou*sel, o8<ecte2 to a*9 urt$er resetti*: as t$is 6oul2 co*stitute a violatio* o t$eir ri:$t to a s!ee29 trial. '$e res!o*2e*t <u2:e calle2 or a recess so as to let t$e !rosecutio* 2eci2e 6$et$er or *ot to !rese*t a* #+( a:e*t, 6$o 6as t$e* !rese*t, to !rove t$e 2ue e=ecutio* o t$e accuse2 #ua2aFs e=tra<u2icial co* essio*. Ho6ever, a ter t$e recess, t$e !u8lic !rosecutor 2ecli*e2 to !rese*t t$e #+( a:e*t, a*2 i*stea2 5a*i este2 t$at $e 6as *ot !rese*ti*: a*9 urt$er evi2e*ce. '$e 2e e*se t$e* 5ove2 t$at t$e cases 8e 2ee5e2 su85itte2 or 2ecisio*, a*2 as@e2 leave o court to ile a 2e5urrer to evi2e*ce. O* Au:ust 29, 1994, t$e )olicitor "e*eral ile2 Ji* ".R. #o. 113273H78K a 5otio* or issua*ce o a 6rit o !reli5i*ar9 i*<u*ctio* or te5!orar9 restrai*i*: or2er 6it$ t$e )u!re5e Court, to e*<oi* t$e res!o*2e*t <u2:e ro5 !rocee2i*: 6it$ t$e resolutio* o t$e case. Ho6ever, o* )e!te58er 19, 1994, t$e 5otio* 6as 2e*ie2 89 t$e )u!re5e Court. (* 2ue ti5e, t$e accuse2 ile2 t$eir 2e5urrer to evi2e*ce = = =.4 O* Octo8er 21, 1994, t$e trial court issue2 t$e assaile2 Or2er, t$e 2is!ositive !ortio* o 6$ic$ rea2sG

AAAAAAAAAAAAAA 3 0oc@ete2 as ".R. #os. 113273H78 D.eo!le v. Ho*. )alva2or 0. )ilerio, R'C /u2:e, +ra*c$ 8, Le:a?!i Cit9, et alE. '$e !etitio* 6as 2is5isse2 o* Octo8er 17, 1994, a*2 t$e 5otio* or reco*si2eratio* t$ereo 6as 2e*ie2 6it$ i*alit9 o* #ove58er 21, 1994. 4 Rollo, !!. 44H4B. 350 350 ),.R&M& CO,R' R&.OR') A##O'A'&0 Merciales vs. Court o A!!eals -or lac@ o su icie*t evi2e*ce to !rove t$e :uilt o t$e accuse2 8e9o*2 reaso*a8le 2ou8t, all t$e accuse2 i* all t$ese cases are $ere89 ACL,(''&0 a*2 t$e cases ile2 a:ai*st t$e5 are $ere89 0()M())&0. '$e accuse2 i* all t$ese cases, 8ei*: 2ete*tio* !riso*ers, are $ere89 or2ere2 R&L&A)&0 ro5 2ete*tio*, u*less t$e9 are 8ei*: 2etai*e2 or so5e ot$er le:al cause. )O OR0&R&0.5 .etitio*er Leticia Merciales, 6$o is t$e 5ot$er o t$e victi5 i* t$e sai2 cri5i*al cases, ile2 8e ore t$e res!o*2e*t Court o A!!eals a !etitio* to a**ul t$e ore:oi*: Or2er o t$e trial court. Ho6ever, t$e Court o A!!eals 2is5isse2 t$e !etitio* o* Octo8er 4, 1995. A 5otio* or reco*si2eratio* 6as 2e*ie2 o* Marc$ B, 199B. He*ce, t$e i*sta*t !etitio* 8ase2 o* t$e :rou*2 t$atG 'H& CO,R' O- A..&AL) COMM(''&0 A R&V&R)(+L& &RROR 1H&# (' R&-,)&0 'O #,LL(-C 'H& OR0&R 0A'&0 OC'O+&R 21, 1994 O- 'H& 'R(AL CO,R' -OR +&(#" #,LL A#0 VO(0 O# 'H& "RO,#0 'HA' 'H& 'R(AL /,0"& 'OL&RA'&0 A#0MOR COMM(''&0 (#/,)'(C& +C -A(L(#" 'O R&L,(R& 'H& .RO)&C,'(O# 'O .R&)&#' ALL 'H&(R &V(0&#C& (#)'&A0 O- ),..R&))(#" 'H&M A..AR&#'LC 'O -AVOR 'H& ACC,)&0 (# V(OLA'(O# O- 'H& CO#)'(','(O#AL R("H' O- 'H& .&O.L& 'O 0,& .ROC&)), O,)'(#" 'H& 'R(AL CO,R' O- (') /,R()0(C'(O#.B '$e case 6as set or oral ar:u5e*t o* 0ece58er 11, 2001. Cou*sel or !etitio*er a*2 t$e )olicitor "e*eral a!!eare2. 0uri*: t$e oral ar:u5e*t, t$e )olicitor "e*eral 5a*i este2 t$at $e 6as <oi*i*: t$e cause o !etitio*er i* or2er to !reve*t a 5iscarria:e o <ustice. '$e Court 2irecte2 t$e !arties to su85it t$eir res!ective 5e5ora*2a i* a5!li icatio* o t$e !oi*ts raise2 2uri*: t$e oral ar:u5e*t. .etitio*er 5ai*tai*s t$at t$e reo!e*i*: o t$e cri5i*al case 6ill *ot violate t$e accuse2Fs ri:$t to 2ou8le <eo!ar29. More !articularl9, s$e ascri8es !rosecutorial a*2 <u2icial 5isco*2uct i* t$e u*2ue $aste 6$ic$ atte*2e2 t$e !rosecutio*Fs !re5ature resti*: AAAAAAAAAAAAAA 5 (8i2., !. 42. B (8i2., !!. 19H20. 351 VOL. 379, MARCH 18, 2002 351 Merciales vs. Court o A!!eals a*2 t$e trial courtFs :ra*t o t$e 2e5urrer to evi2e*ce 6$e* t$e !rese*tatio* o t$e evi2e*ce or t$e !rosecutio* $as *ot 8ee* co5!lete2. .rivate res!o*2e*t Ra5o* -lores ile2 $is Me5ora*2u5, ar:ui*: t$at !etitio*er, 8ei*: t$e !rivate co5!lai*a*t i* t$e cri5i*al case 8elo6, $as *o le:al sta*2i*: to a!!eal t$e ac;uittal o !rivate res!o*2e*ts7 t$at t$ere 6as *o e=tri*sic rau2, a8use o 2iscretio* or <uris2ictio*al 2e ect to 6arra*t eit$er a !etitio* or a**ul5e*t o <u2:5e*t or certiorari7 a*2 t$at t$e reo!e*i*: o t$e cri5i*al case 6ill violate t$e accuse2Fs ri:$t a:ai*st 2ou8le <eo!ar29.

(t is true t$at a !rivate co5!lai*a*t ca**ot 8ri*: a* actio* ;uestio*i*: a <u2:5e*t o ac;uittal, e=ce!t i*so ar as t$e civil as!ect o t$e cri5i*al case is co*cer*e2.7 (* t$e case at 8ar, 6e a:ree 6it$ !etitio*er t$at t$is issue 6as re*2ere2 5oot 6$e* t$e )olicitor "e*eral, i* re!rese*tatio* o t$e .eo!le, c$a*:e2 $is !ositio* a*2 <oi*e2 t$e cause o !etitio*er, t$us ul illi*: t$e re;uire5e*t t$at all cri5i*al actio*s s$all 8e !rosecute2 u*2er t$e 2irectio* a*2 co*trol o t$e !u8lic !rosecutor.8 (* a*9 eve*t, !etitio*er $as a* i*terest i* t$e 5ai*te*a*ce o t$e cri5i*al !rosecutio*, 8ei*: t$e 5ot$er o t$e 2ecease2 ra!e victi5. '$e ri:$t o o e*2e2 !arties to a!!eal a* or2er o t$e trial court 6$ic$ 2e!rives t$e5 o 2ue !rocess $as al6a9s 8ee* reco:*i?e2, t$e o*l9 li5itatio* 8ei*: t$at t$e9 ca**ot a!!eal a*9 a2verse ruli*: i to 2o so 6oul2 !lace t$e accuse2 i* 2ou8le <eo!ar29.9 '$e cri5i*al case 8elo6 6as or ra!e 6it$ $o5ici2e. Alt$ou:$ t$e !u8lic !rosecutor !rese*te2 seve* 6it*esses, *o*e o t$ese actuall9 sa6 t$e co55issio* o t$e cri5e. (t 6as o*l9 /oselito #ua2a, o*e o t$e accuse2, 6$o ca5e or6ar2 a*2 e=!resse2 6illi*:*ess to tur* state 6it*ess. His testi5o*9 6as vital or t$e !rosecutio*, as it 6oul2 !rovi2e t$e o*l9 e9e6it*ess accou*t o t$e accuse2Fs co5!licit9 i* t$e cri5e. '$e trial court re;uire2 t$e !u8lic !rosecutor to !rese*t evi2e*ce to <usti 9 #ua2aFs 2isc$ar:e as a state 6it*ess, 8ut t$e latter i*siste2 t$at t$ere 6as *o *ee2 or AAAAAAAAAAAAAA 7 .aluHa9 v. Court o A!!eals, et al., 293 )CRA 358, at 3B1HB2 J1998K, citi*: .eo!le v. )a*tia:o, et al., 174 )CRA 143 J1989K. 8 Revise2 Rules o Cri5i*al .roce2ure, Rule 110, )ectio* 5. 9 Mos;uera v. .a*:a*i8a*, 258 )CRA 473, 478 J199BK. 352 352 ),.R&M& CO,R' R&.OR') A##O'A'&0 Merciales vs. Court o A!!eals suc$ !roo si*ce #ua2a $a2 alrea29 8ee* a25itte2 i*to t$e 1it*ess .rotectio* .ro:ra5 o t$e 0e!art5e*t o /ustice. '$e !u8lic !rosecutorFs o8sti*ate re usal to !rese*t t$e re;uire2 evi2e*ce !ro5!te2 t$e trial court to 2e*9 t$e 5otio* to 2isc$ar:e #ua2a. '$e !rosecutio* elevate2 t$e 5atter to t$e )u!re5e Court o* a !etitio* or certiorari. Mea*6$ile, t$e accuse2 5ove2 to set t$e case or $eari*:, i*vo@i*: t$eir co*stitutio*al ri:$t to s!ee29 trial. '$e trial court :ra*te2 t$e 5otio*. '$e !u8lic !rosecutor 5ove2 or a co*ti*ua*ce, a*2 t$e trial court acce2e2. At t$e *e=t sc$e2ule2 $eari*:, $o6ever, t$e trial court 2e*ie2 a si5ilar 5otio* 89 t$e !rosecutio* i* vie6 o t$e o8<ectio* o t$e accuse2. '$e trial court 2irecte2 t$e !u8lic !rosecutor to !rese*t Att9. Carlos ). Caa8a9, t$e #+( A:e*t 6$o too@ #ua2aFs e=tra<u2icial co* essio*. At t$e resu5!tio* o t$e $eari*:, t$e !u8lic !rosecutor 2eclare2 t$at $e 6as resti*: t$e !rosecutio*Fs case, @*o6i*: ull9 6ell t$at t$e evi2e*ce $e $as !rese*te2 6as *ot su icie*t to co*vict t$e accuse2. Co*se;ue*tl9, t$e e*sui*: 2e5urrer to evi2e*ce ile2 89 t$e accuse2 6as :ra*te2 89 t$e trial court. (t is clear ro5 t$e ore:oi*: t$at t$e !u8lic !rosecutor 6as :uilt9 o serious *o* easa*ce. (t is t$e 2ut9 o t$e !u8lic !rosecutor to 8ri*: t$e cri5i*al !rocee2i*:s or t$e !u*is$5e*t o t$e :uilt9.10 Co*co5ita*t 6it$ t$is is t$e 2ut9 to !ursue t$e !rosecutio* o a cri5i*al actio* a*2 to re!rese*t t$e !u8lic i*terest. A cri5e is a* o e*se a:ai*st t$e )tate, a*2 $e*ce is !rosecute2 i* t$e *a5e o t$e .eo!le o t$e .$ili!!i*es. -or t$is reaso*, )ectio* 5 o Rule 110 !rovi2es t$at 3all cri5i*al actio*s eit$er co55e*ce2 89 co5!lai*t or 89 i* or5atio* s$all 8e !rosecute2 u*2er t$e 2irectio* a*2 co*trol o t$e iscal = = =.4 As t$e re!rese*tative o t$e )tate, t$e !u8lic !rosecutor $as t$e ri:$t a*2 t$e 2ut9 to ta@e all ste!s to !rotect t$e ri:$ts o t$e .eo!le i* t$e trial o a* accuse2.11 ( t$e !u8lic !rosecutor co55its a *o* easa*ce i* re usi*: to !erH AAAAAAAAAAAAAA 10 .a2ua v. /u2:e Moli*a, A.M. #o. M'/H00H1248, 34B )CRA 592 J2000K7 citi*: ,.). v. LeaIo, B .$il. 3B8. 11 .eo!le v. Arcilla, 25B 5CRA 757, 7B3H7B4 J199BK. 353 VOL. 379, MARCH 18, 2002 353

Merciales vs. Court o A!!eals or5 a s!eci ic 2ut9 i5!ose2 o* $i5 89 la6, $e ca* 8e co5!elle2 89 a* actio* or 5a*2a5us.12 (* t$e case at 8ar, t$e !u8lic !rosecutor @*e6 t$at $e $a2 *ot !rese*te2 su icie*t evi2e*ce to co*vict t$e accuse2. Cet, 2es!ite re!eate2 5oves 89 t$e accuse2 or t$e trial court to co*ti*ue $eari*: t$e case, $e 2eli8eratel9 aile2 to !rese*t a* availa8le 6it*ess a*2 t$ere89 allo6e2 t$e court to 2eclare t$at t$e !rosecutio* $as reste2 its case. (* t$is se*se, $e 6as re5iss i* $is 2ut9 to !rotect t$e i*terest o t$e o e*2e2 !arties. More s!eci icall9, t$e !u8lic !rosecutor i* t$is case 6as :uilt9 o 8lata*t error a*2 a8use o 2iscretio*, t$ere89 causi*: !re<u2ice to t$e o e*2e2 !art9. (*2ee2, t$e a5il9 o t$e 2ecease2 victi5, Maritess Merciales, coul2 2o *ot$i*: 2uri*: t$e !rocee2i*:s, $avi*: e*truste2 t$e co*2uct o t$e case i* t$e $a*2s o t$e sai2 !rosecutor. All t$e9 coul2 2o 6as $el!lessl9 6atc$ as t$e !u8lic !rosecutor, 6$o 6as u*2er le:al o8li:atio* to !ursue t$e actio* o* t$eir 8e$al , re*e:e o* t$at o8li:atio* a*2 re use to !er or5 $is s6or* 2ut9. (*2ee2, Rule 119, )ectio* 9 D*o6 )ectio* 17E o t$e Rules o Court e=!ressl9 re;uires t$e !rese*tatio* o evi2e*ce i* su!!ort o t$e !rosecutio*Fs !ra9er or t$e 2isc$ar:e o a* accuse2 to 8e a state 6it*ess, vi?G 1$e* t6o or 5ore !erso*s are <oi*tl9 c$ar:e2 6it$ t$e co55issio* o a*9 o e*se, u!o* 5otio* o t$e !rosecutio* 8e ore resti*: its case, t$e court 5a9 2irect o*e or 5ore o t$e accuse2 to 8e 2isc$ar:e2 6it$ t$eir co*se*t so t$at t$e9 5a9 8e 6it*esses or t$e state 6$e* a ter re;uiri*: t$e !rosecutio* to !rese*t evi2e*ce a*2 t$e s6or* state5e*t o eac$ !ro!ose2 state 6it*ess at a $eari*: i* su!!ort o t$e 2isc$ar:e, = = = === === +9 re usi*: to co5!l9 6it$ t$e trial courtFs or2er to !rese*t evi2e*ce, t$e !u8lic !rosecutor :rossl9 violate2 t$e a8oveH;uote2 rule. Moreover, t$e !u8lic !rosecutor violate2 $is 8ou*2e* 2ut9 to !rotect t$e i*terest o t$e o e*2e2 !art9, at least i*so ar as t$e cri5i*al as!ect is co*cer*e2. A ter t$e trial court 2e*ie2 $is 5otio* to 2isc$ar:e #ua2a as a state 6it*ess, $e s$oul2 $ave !rocee2e2 to AAAAAAAAAAAAAA 12 .eo!le v. Lui<a2a, 259 )CRA 191, 2B3 J199BK7 Co*curri*: a*2 0isse*ti*: O!i*io*, Re:ala2o, /. 354 354 ),.R&M& CO,R' R&.OR') A##O'A'&0 Merciales vs. Court o A!!eals co5!lete t$e evi2e*ce o t$e !rosecutio* 89 ot$er 5ea*s. (*stea2, $e 6ill ull9 a*2 2eli8eratel9 re use2 to !rese*t a* availa8le 6it*ess, i.e., t$e #+( A:e*t 6$o 6as !rese*t i* court o* t$at 2ate a*2 ti5e. '$e !u8lic !rosecutor 6as 2ut9H8ou*2 to e=$aust all availa8le !roo s to esta8lis$ t$e :uilt o t$e accuse2 a*2 8ri*: t$e5 to <ustice or t$eir o e*se a:ai*st t$e i*<ure2 !art9. Li@e6ise :uilt9 or serious *o* easa*ce 6as t$e trial court. #ot6it$sta*2i*: its @*o6le2:e t$at t$e evi2e*ce or t$e !rosecutio* 6as i*su icie*t to co*vict, es!eciall9 a ter t$e !u8lic !rosecutor te*aciousl9 i*siste2 o* utili?i*: #ua2a as state 6it*ess, t$e trial court !assivel9 6atc$e2 as t$e !u8lic !rosecutor 8u*:le2 t$e case. '$e trial court 6as 6ell a6are o t$e *ature o t$e testi5o*ies o t$e seve* !rosecutio* 6it*esses t$at $ave so ar 8ee* !rese*te2. "ive* t$is circu5sta*ce, t$e trial court, 5otu !ro!rio, s$oul2 $ave calle2 a22itio*al 6it*esses or t$e !ur!ose o ;uestio*i*: t$e5 $i5sel i* or2er to satis 9 $is 5i*2 6it$ re ere*ce to !articular acts or issues i*volve2 i* t$e case.13 +ase2 o* t$e ore:oi*:, it is evi2e*t t$at !etitio*er 6as 2e!rive2 o $er 2a9 i* court. (*2ee2, it is *ot o*l9 t$e )tate, 8ut 5ore so t$e o e*2e2 !art9, t$at is e*title2 to 2ue !rocess i* cri5i*al cases. (*as5uc$ as t$e ac;uittal o t$e accuse2 89 t$e court a ;uo 6as 2o*e 6it$out re:ar2 to 2ue !rocess o la6, t$e sa5e is *ull a*2 voi2. (t is as i t$ere 6as *o ac;uittal at all, a*2 t$e sa5e ca**ot co*stitute a clai5 or 2ou8le <eo!ar29.14 +9 co*te*2i*: t$at t$e c$alle*:e2 0ecisio* is voi2 or $avi*: 8ee* issue2 6it$ :rave a8use o 2iscretio* a5ou*ti*: to lac@ or e=cess o <uris2ictio*, t$e !etitio* 2oes *ot violate t$e ri:$t o t$e accuse2 a:ai*st 2ou8le <eo!ar29. (t is ele5e*tar9 t$at 2ou8le <eo!ar29 attac$es o*l9 6$e* t$e ollo6i*: ele5e*ts co*curG D1E t$e accuse2 are c$ar:e2 u*2er a co5!lai*t or i* or5atio* su icie*t i* or5 a*2 su8sta*ce to sustai* t$eir co*victio*7 D2E t$e court $as <uris2ictio*7 D3E t$e accuse2 $ave 8ee* arrai:*e2 a*2 AAAAAAAAAAAAAA 13 .eo!le v. Velasco, 307 )CRA B84, 700 J1999K, citi*: Arce, et al. v. Arce, et al., 10B .$il. B30 D1959K.

14 .eo!le v. )urti2a, 43 )CRA 29, 38H39 J1972K, citi*: .eo!le v. +alisaca*, ".R. #o. LH2B37B, Au:ust 31, 19BB, 17 )CRA 1119 a*2 .eo!le v. "o5e?, ".R. #o. LH22345, Ma9 29, 19B7, 20 )CRA 293. 355 VOL. 379, MARCH 18, 2002 355 Merciales vs. Court o A!!eals $ave !lea2e27 a*2 D4E t$e9 are co*victe2 or ac;uitte2, or t$e case is 2is5isse2 6it$out t$eir co*se*t. '$us, eve* assu5i*: t$at a 6rit o certiorari is :ra*te2, t$e accuse2 6oul2 *ot 8e !lace2 i* 2ou8le <eo!ar29 8ecause, ro5 t$e ver9 8e:i**i*:, t$e lo6er tri8u*al $a2 acte2 6it$out <uris2ictio*. .recisel9, a*9 ruli*: issue2 6it$out <uris2ictio* is, i* le:al co*te5!latio*, *ecessaril9 *ull a*2 voi2 a*2 2oes *ot e=ist.15 Ot$er6ise !ut, t$e 2is5issal o t$e case 8elo6 6as i*vali2 or lac@ o a u*2a5e*tal !rere;uisite, t$at is, 2ue !rocess.1B (* re*2eri*: t$e <u2:5e*t o 2is5issal, t$e trial <u2:e i* t$is case acte2 6it$out or i* e=cess o <uris2ictio*, or a <u2:5e*t 6$ic$ is voi2 or lac@ o 2ue !rocess is e;uivale*t to e=cess or lac@ o <uris2ictio*.17 (*2ee2, 3<uris2ictio*4 is t$e ri:$t to $ear a*2 2eter5i*e, *ot to 2eter5i*e 6it$out $eari*:.18 Lac@ o <uris2ictio* is o*e o t$e :rou*2s or t$e a**ul5e*t 89 t$e Court o A!!eals o <u2:5e*ts or i*al or2ers a*2 resolutio*s o Re:io*al 'rial Courts.19 He*ce, t$e re5e29 ta@e* 89 !etitio*er 8e ore t$e Court o A!!eals 6as correct. 1H&R&-OR&, i* vie6 o t$e ore:oi*:, t$e !etitio* is "RA#'&0. '$e 0ecisio* o t$e Court o A!!eals i* CAH".R. ). #o. 37341 is R&V&R)&0 A#0 )&' A)(0&. '$e Or2er 2is5issi*: Cri5i*al Case #os. B307HB312 is A##,LL&0, a*2 t$is case is R&MA#0&0 to t$e Re:io*al 'rial Court o Le:a?!i Cit9, +ra*c$ 8, or urt$er !rocee2i*:s. '$e !u8lic !rosecutor is OR0&R&0 to co5!lete t$e !rese*tatio* o all availa8le 6it*esses or t$e !rosecutio*. AAAAAAAAAAAAAA 15 .eo!le v. /u2:e Velasco, ".R. #o. 127B44, 340 )CRA 207, )e!te58er 13, 2000. 1B .eo!le v. #avarro, B3 )CRA 2B4, 273 J1975K. 17 (8i2., citi*: 'ri5ica, (*c. v. .olaris Mar@eti*: Cor!., et al., ".R. #o. LH29887, B0 )CRA 321, Octo8er 28, 1974. 18 (8i2., citi*: 1i*2sor v. McVei:$, 93 ,.). 274, 23 L. &2. 914, 23A 1or2s a*2 .$rases, !. 121. 19 1997 Rules o Civil .roce2ure, Rule 47, )ectio* 2. 35B 35B ),.R&M& CO,R' R&.OR') A##O'A'&0 .$ila5care Healt$ )9ste5s, (*c. vs. Court o A!!eals )O OR0&R&0. +ellosillo, .u*o, Vitu:, Na!u*a*, .a*:a*i8a* a*2 Luisu58i*:, //., co*cur. 0avi2e, /r. DC./.E, Melo a*2 Me*2o?a, //., (* t$e result. .etitio* :ra*te2, <u2:5e*t reverse2 a*2 set asi2e. #otes.>.rosecutors are 6ar*e2 o*ce 5ore t$at *ot$i*: 8ut ut5ost 2ili:e*ce i* t$e !re!aratio* o co5!lai*ts a*2 i* or5atio*s is e=!ecte2 o t$e5. D.eo!le vs. #ava, /r., 333 )CRA 749 J2000KE O*l9 6$e* a* i* or5atio*, c$ar:i*: t6o or 5ore !erso*s 6it$ a certai* o e*se, $as alrea29 8ee* ile2 i* court 6ill Rule 119, )ectio* 9 o t$e Rules o Court, co5e i*to !la9. D"ui*:o*a, /r. vs. Court o A!!eals, 292 )CRA 402 J1998KE

.art o t$e !rosecutorial 2iscretio* is t$e 2eter5i*atio* o 6$o s$oul2 8e use2 as state 6it*ess i* or2er to 8olster t$e success ul !rosecutio* o cri5i*al o e*ses. D.eo!le vs. 'i2ula, 292 )CRA 59B J1998KE >>o0o>> JMerciales vs. Court o A!!eals, 379 )CRA 345D2002EK