Rule 110-Prosecution of Offenses

Review on the 2000 Revised Rules on Criminal
Procedure (2002 Edition)

Rule 110
Prosecution of Offenses
Rule 110
PROSECUTION OF OFFENSES
Q: How are criminal cases or actions instituted?
A: Section 1, Rule 110
SECTION 1 Institution of criminal actions.! Criminal actions s"all #e instituted as $ollows%
&a' For o$$enses w"ere a (reliminar) in*esti+ation is re,uired (ursuant to section 1 o$ Rule 11-, #)
$ilin+ t"e com(laint wit" t"e (ro(er o$$icer $or t"e (ur(ose o$ conductin+ t"e re,uisite (reliminar)
in*esti+ation
&#' For all ot"er o$$enses, #) $ilin+ t"e com(laint or in$ormation directl) wit" t"e .unici(al Trial
Courts and .unici(al Circuit Trial Courts, or t"e com(laint wit" t"e o$$ice o$ t"e (rosecutor In .anila and
ot"er c"artered cities, t"e com(laints s"all #e $iled wit" t"e o$$ice o$ t"e (rosecutor unless ot"erwise
(ro*ided in t"eir c"arters
T"e institution o$ t"e criminal action s"all interru(t t"e runnin+ o$ t"e (eriod o$ (rescri(tion o$ t"e
o$$ense c"ar+ed unless ot"erwise (ro*ided in s(ecial laws &1a'
T"e lan+ua+e "as #een c"an+ed no? I$ )ou tr) to com(are it wit" t"e old Rules, meron+ ma/or c"an+es, meron man din+
(are"o T"e lan+ua+e is now sim(lier
Q: Is t"ere a di$$erence #etween commencement o$ criminal action and institution o$ criminal action?
A: 0es 1"en )ou sa) 2commencement3, +enerall) it is alread) in t"e court once it is $iled in court 4ut 2institution3 is
earlier 1"en )ou $ile a com(laint wit" t"e $iscal5s o$$ice, it is alread) an institution
Q: Is (reliminar) in*esti+ation re,uired in all criminal cases? 4ecause t"ere are some criminal cases w"ic" do not
re,uire (reliminar) in*esti+ation
A: 6enerall), all RTC cases re,uire (reliminar) in*esti+ation 4ut ri+"t now under t"e new rules, some cases tria#le #)
t"e .TC ma) also re,uire (reliminar) in*esti+ation
For e7am(le in t"e RTC, more t"an 8 )ears, 9ailan+an ma) (reliminar) in*esti+ation )an Under Section 1, $rom t"e
moment )ou $ile a com(laint wit" t"e (ro(er o$$icer $or t"e (ur(ose o$ conductin+ a (reliminar) in*esti+ation, it is alread)
institution
Q: 1"o are t"ese o$$icers re$erred to?
A: T"e) are mentioned in Section -, Rule 11-%
SEC - O$$icers aut"ori:ed to conduct (reliminar) in*esti+ations !
T"e $ollowin+ ma) conduct (reliminar) in*esti+ations%
&a' Pro*incial or Cit) Prosecutors and t"eir assistants;
&#' <ud+es o$ t"e .unici(al Trial Courts and .unici(al Circuit Trial Courts;
&c' National and Re+ional State Prosecutors; and
&d' Ot"er o$$icers as ma) #e aut"ori:ed #) law
T"eir aut"orit) to conduct (reliminar) in*esti+ations s"all include all crimes co+ni:a#le #) t"e (ro(er
court in t"eir res(ecti*e territorial /urisdictions &-a'
Q: How a#out t"ose ot"er o$$enses w"ic" =O NOT re,uire (reliminar) in*esti+ation?
A: Under t"e new rules, )un+ #elow > )ears and - mont"s an+ (enalt) ! t"e) are tria#le #) t"e .TC &I$ t"e (enalt) is >
)ears, - mont"s and 1 da), it re,uires (reliminar) in*esti+ation'
Q: How do )ou institute t"em? ?i9e sli+"t (")sical in/uries@
A: 0ou "a*e two &-' o(tions%
1 File a com(laint wit" t"e (rosecutor5s o$$ice in t"e cit) or (ro*incial w"o will now $ile t"e case in court; or
- Aun+ +usto mo, direct $ilin+ 0ou can $ile t"e com(laint directl) to t"e .TC ?i9e sa munisi()o, (olice man
an+ ma+B$ile #a
Howe*er in =a*ao Cit) we do not see t"at #ecause under t"e rules, in .etro .anila and ot"er chartered cities, t"e
com(laint s"all alwa)s #e $iled wit" t"e o$$ice o$ t"e (rosecutor unless t"e c"arter o$ t"e cit) (ro*ides ot"erwise
So a+ain, t"e com(laint can #e $iled eit"er in t"e .TC in t"e (ro*ince or o$$ice o$ t"e $iscal merel) $or (reliminar)
in*esti+ation Unli9e in c"artered cities na (uro $iscals lan+ an+ aut"ori:ed to conduct (reliminar) in*esti+ation For
example% .urder, t"e (olice can $ile a com(laint $or murder #e$ore t"e .TC o$ Sta Cru:, =a*ao del Sur T"at is not $or trial
#ut onl) $or (reliminar) in*esti+ation #ecause t"e .TC o$ Sta Cru: "as no (ower to tr) a murder case
T"e institution o$ t"e criminal action s"all interru(t t"e runnin+ o$ t"e (eriod o$ (rescri(tion o$ t"e
o$$ense c"ar+ed unless ot"erwise (ro*ided in s(ecial laws &last (ara+ra(", Section 1, Rule 110'
QUESTION: =oes t"e $ilin+ o$ t"e com(laint wit" t"e (rosecutor5s o$$ice interru(t t"e runnin+ o$ t"e (rescri(ti*e (eriod
o$ t"e crime?
Rule 110
In t"e old case o$ People vs. del osario &1C8>', SC% No 1"en a com(laint is $iled in t"e munici(al court onl) $or t"e
(ur(ose o$ (reliminar) in*esti+ation, it does not interru(t t"e runnin+ o$ t"e (rescri(ti*e (eriod 1"at interru(ts is t"e $ilin+
o$ t"e com(laint in court w"ic" "as /urisdiction to tr) t"e case
T"at is reiterated D )ears later in t"e case o$ People vs. !o"uia. T"e SC modi$ied it in t"e case o$ People vs. Olarte
w"ere a com(laint $or murder is $iled in t"e .TC $or (reliminar) in*esti+ation T"e issue is% Is t"e runnin+ o$ t"e
(rescri(ti*e (eriod interru(ted? SC% 0es, a#andonin+ t"e case o$ !o"uia and del osario 1")? 4ecause t"e Penal Code
sa)s, t"e $ilin+ o$ t"e com(laint interru(t t"e runnin+ o$ t"e (rescri(ti*e (eriod Erticle C1 o$ t"e RPC does not distin+uis"
w"et"er t"e $ilin+ is $or trial or merel) $or (reliminar) in*esti+ation Howe*er t"e SC said "ere, t"e com(laint is $iled in
court $or (reliminar) in*esti+ation I$ it is $iled in t"e $iscal5s o$$ice also $or (reliminar) in*esti+ation, Hindi Fdoes not
interru(tGHH 2Court3 not 2Fiscal3 T"at is t"e ori+inal rulin+
Howe*er in 1CID in t"e case o$ #rancisco vs. !A, t"e SC made it total na% t"e $ilin+ o$ t"e com(laint w"et"er in t"e
.TC or t"e $iscal5s o$$ice $or (reliminar) in*esti+ation is su$$icient to interru(t t"e runnin+ o$ t"e (rescri(ti*e (eriod
Howe*er, in 1CIJ w"en t"e rules were re*ised, t"e SC re/ected t"e rulin+ in t"e #rancisco case% t"e $ilin+ o$ t"e com(laint in
t"e $iscal5s o$$ice does not interru(t t"e runnin+ o$ t"e (rescri(ti*e (eriod 4ut in 1CII, inBamend na naman an+ rules% t"e
$ilin+ o$ t"e com(laint in t"e $iscal5s o$$ice is su$$icient to interru(t t"e runnin+ o$ t"e (rescri(ti*e (eriod
End "ere comes t"e 1CC- case o$ $aldivia vs. e%es Sr. &-11 SCRE -KK' w"ic" was a criminal case co*ered #) t"e
Summar) Rules
LE?=IMIE vs. RE0ES SR
-11 SCRE -KK
FECTS% It was a *iolation o$ a munici(al ordinance Arresto &enor lan+ )an e FBinBile sa $iscal5s o$$ice
T"e $iscal is rela7ed #ecause accordin+ to "im% t"e $ilin+ o$ t"e case wit" t"e $iscal5s o$$ice is su$$icient to
interru(t t"e runnin+ o$ t"e (rescri(ti*e (eriod So, rela7 si)a@ "e too9 "is time
FBinBile ni)a &$iscal' sa court a$ter D mont"s Pa+B$ile ni)a, motion to ,uas"% 'Prescri(ed)* Fiscal:
'+indee) ,hen the case is filed -ith the fiscal.s office/ the runnin0 of prescriptive period is interrupted)*
HE?=% 0ou &$iscal' are wron+ T"e $ilin+ o$ t"is case #e$ore )our o$$ice did not interru(t t"e runnin+ o$ t"e
(rescri(ti*e (eriod 0ou s"ould "a*e $iled t"at on time #e$ore t"e court
REESON% 0ou loo9 at t"e $irst (ara+ra(" o$ Section 1 &1CII Rules1: 'in cases not covered (% the ules of
Summar% Procedure2* So, t"at rule onl) a((lies in cases not co*ered #) t"e Summar) Rules 4ut t"e case at
#ar is co*ered #) t"e Summar) Rules (recisel) #ecause it is onl) arresto menor
T"ere$ore, w"en t"e case is co*ered #) t"e Rules o$ Summar) Procedure, t"e $ilin+ o$ t"e case wit" t"e $iscal5s o$$ice
does not interru(t t"e runnin+ o$ t"e (rescri(ti*e (eriod &Laldi*ia *s Re)es, <r, -11 SCRE -KK' It s"ould #e t"e $ilin+ o$ t"e
case #e$ore t"e court w"ic" will interru(t So, 9laro )an until t"e 1CCI case o$
REO=ICE vs. COURT OF EPPEE?S
-C- SCRE IK, =a*ide, <r 3 4cho%)1
FECTS% T"e c"ar+e "ere was sli+"t (")sical in/uries t"rou+" rec9less im(rudence w"ic" is actuall)
(unis"a#le #) arresto menor It was $iled wit" t"e $iscal5s o$$ice wit"in - mont"s #ut it was $iled in t"e court
#e)ond - mont"s End de$initel), it is co*ered #) t"e Summar) Procedure In $aldivia case, t"e $ilin+ in t"e
$iscal5s o$$ice interru(ts t"e runnin+ o$ t"e (rescri(ti*e (eriod
NOTE% Remem#er, t"e case o$ $aldivia in*ol*ed a *iolation o$ an ordinance
HE?=% 4ut in t"e case at #ar, t"is is a felon% under t"e Penal Code F=ean I% 6inawan (a n+ distinctionHG I$
it is a $elon), t"e $ilin+ wit" t"e $iscal5s o$$ice is su$$icient to interru(t t"e runnin+ o$ t"e (rescri(ti*e (eriod
even i$ it is co*ered #) t"e Summar) Rules 4ut, i$ it is a li+"t o$$ense (unis"ed #) a s(ecial law li9e an
ordinance and t"ere$ore co*ered #) t"e Summar) Rules, t"en t"e $ilin+ in t"e $iscal5s o$$ice does not interru(t
t"e runnin+ o$ t"e (rescri(ti*e (eriod
So I start to wonder% Saan #a nan++alin+ N)un+ distinction na N)un? T"e SC cited Ect DD-8 w"ic" is t"e law +o*ernin+
(rescri(tion o$ crimes (unis"ed #) s(ecial laws 1"ereas, Erticle C0 o$ t"e RPC re$ers to (rescri(tion o$ $elonies under t"e
Penal Code End under Ect DD-8, it is *er) clear t"at t"e (rescri(tion (eriod $or t"e crime &(unis"ed #) a s(ecial law' is
interru(ted onl) u(on /udicial (roceedin+ ! $ilin+ in t"e court
E)un (alaH E9ala 9o t"e $aldivia case settled t"e rule a$ter all .eron (a (alan+ eodica
T"e SC said% T"e re*ised rules o$ Summar) Procedure 2cannot #e ta9en to mean t"at t"e (rescri(ti*e (eriod is
interru(ted onl) #) t"e $ilin+ o$ a com(laint or in$ormation directl) wit" said courts It must #e stressed t"at (rescri(tion in
criminal cases is a matter o$ su#stanti*e law Pursuant to Section J&J', Erticle MIII o$ t"e Constitution, t"is Court, in t"e
e7ercise o$ its ruleBma9in+ (ower, is not allowed to diminis", increase or modi$) su#stanti*e ri+"ts Hence, in case o$ con$lict
Rule 110
#etween t"e Rule on Summar) Procedure (romul+ated #) t"is Court and t"e Re*ised Penal Code, t"e latter (re*ails3
&Reodica *s CE, supra'
0anH 1"en I was readin+ t"is case, I said, w"at "a((ened to $aldivia case? 1as it re*ersed? SC% NoH NoH 1e ne*er
re*ersed $aldivia 2Neit"er does $aldivia control in t"is instance It must #e recalled t"at w"at was in*ol*ed t"erein was a
*iolation o$ a munici(al ordinance; t"us, t"e a((lica#le law was not Erticle C1 o$ t"e Re*ised Penal Code, #ut Ect No DD-8,
7 7 7 7 7 Under, Section - t"ereo$, t"e (eriod o$ (rescri(tion is sus(ended onl) w"en /udicial (roceedin+s are instituted
a+ainst t"e +uilt) (art) Eccordin+l), t"is Court "eld t"at t"e (rescri(ti*e (eriod was not interru(ted #) t"e $ilin+ o$ t"e
com(laint wit" t"e O$$ice o$ t"e Pro*incial Prosecutor, as suc" did not constitute a /udicial (roceedin+; w"at could "a*e
tolled t"e (rescri(ti*e (eriod t"ere was onl) t"e $ilin+ o$ t"e in$ormation in t"e (ro(er court In t"e instant case, as t"e
o$$enses in*ol*ed are co*ered #) t"e Re*ised Penal Code, Erticle C1 t"ereo$ and t"e rulin+s in #rancisco and !uaresma
a((l) T"us, t"e (rescri(ti*e (eriod $or t"e ,uasi o$$enses in ,uestion was interru(ted #) t"e $ilin+ o$ t"e com(laint wit" t"e
$iscalOs o$$ice t"ree da)s a$ter t"e *e"icular mis"a( and remained tolled (endin+ t"e termination o$ t"is case 1e cannot,
t"ere$ore, u("old (etitionerOs de$ense o$ (rescri(tion o$ t"e o$$enses c"ar+ed in t"e in$ormation in t"is case3 &Reodica *s CE,
supra'
0anH End I t"in9 t"e eodica case is now incor(orated in t"e new rules 0ou read t"e last (ara+ra(" o$ Section J, Rule
110%
2T"e (rosecution $or *iolation o$ s(ecial laws s"all #e +o*erned #) t"e (ro*ision t"ereo$ &n'3
It is an entirel) new sentence Tama man )an #a% T"e (rosecution $or *iolation o$ s(ecial laws s"all #e +o*erned #) t"e
(ro*ision t"ereo$ I t"in9 t"at5s t"e eodica case% w"en it comes to (rosecution $or *iolations o$ s(ecial law, )ou $ollow t"e
s(ecial law
SEC - The complaint or information ! T"e com(laint or in$ormation s"all #e in writin+, in t"e name
o$ t"e Peo(le o$ t"e P"ili((ines and a+ainst all (ersons w"o a((ear to #e res(onsi#le $or t"e o$$ense
in*ol*ed &-a'
Q: How do )ou $ile a com(laint?
A: T"e com(laint s"all #e in writin+ in t"e name o$ t"e Peo(le o$ t"e P"ili((ines and a+ainst all (ersons w"o a((ear to
#e res(onsi#le $or t"e o$$ense in*ol*ed
Q: 1"at "a((ens i$ t"e criminal com(laint or in$ormation is $iled in t"e name o$ t"e (ri*ate com(lainant?
A: Eccordin+ to t"e SC, t"e com(laint is de$ecti*e It can #e ,uas"ed #ut it is onl) a formal defect In case it (roceeds to
trial, it s"ould #e corrected #ut it is not reall) a $atal mista9e It can #e cured at an) sta+e o$ t"e action #) amendin+ t"e
in$ormation or e*en i$ it is not cured, t"ere is a *alid /ud+ment, )ou are $ound +uilt), it s"all not #e *oided merel) #ecause t"e
title is de$ecti*e It will not in*alidate t"e (roceedin+s
Now t"e law sa)s, 2a+ainst all w"o a((ear to #e res(onsi#le3 .eanin+, it is t"e sworn dut) o$ a (oliceman or $iscal to
$ile a case a+ainst all w"o a((ear to #e res(onsi#le It does not sa) w"o are +uilt)
Q: How do )ou de$ine com(laint?
A: Section D, Rule 110%
SEC D !omplaint defined. ! E com(laint is a sworn written statement c"ar+in+ a (erson wit" an
o$$ense, su#scri#ed #) t"e o$$ended (art), an) (eace o$$icer, or ot"er (u#lic o$$icer c"ar+ed wit" t"e
en$orcement o$ t"e law *iolated &D'
Q: Su((oses a com(laint is $iled #ut it was not sworn to or si+ned, is it *alid?
A: T"e SC said, it is a $ormal de$ect It can #e cured 6enerall), t"e si+nature is not needed
Q: How do )ou de$ine in$ormation?
A: Section >, Rule 110%
SEC > Information defined. ! En in$ormation is an accusation in writin+ c"ar+in+ a (erson wit" an
o$$ense, su#scri#ed #) t"e (rosecutor and $iled wit" t"e court &>a'
Q: 1"o are t"e (eo(le aut"ori:ed to institute or commence criminal cases?
A: T"e $ollowin+%
1 O$$ended (art);
- Peace o$$icer;
D Prosecutor; and
> Pu#lic o$$icer c"ar+ed wit" t"e en$orcement o$ t"e law
Q: How do )ou distin+uis" a complaint $rom information?
Rule 110
A: T"e $ollowin+ are t"e distinctions%
1 Es to -ho files t"e com(laint or in$ormation
E CO.P?EINT is $iled #) t"e &a' o$$ended (art); &#' an) (eace o$$icer; &c' (rosecutor; &d' or an) (u#lic
o$$icer c"ar+ed wit" t"e en$orcement o$ t"e law
On t"e ot"er "and, an INFOR.ETION is (re(ared and si+ned #) t"e (rosecutor
- Es to purpose
E CO.P?EINT $iled in court is eit"er $or (reliminar) in*esti+ation or $or trial, #ut an INFOR.ETION
$iled in court is onl) $or trial
D Es to -here to file
E Com(laint ma) #e $iled in court or in t"e o$$ice o$ t"e (rosecutor, #ut an INFOR.ETION is alwa)s
$iled in court
> E CO.P?EINT can #e $iled in court, $or trial or $or mere (reliminar) in*esti+ation, or it can e*en #e $iled not
in court #ut in t"e (rosecutor5s o$$ice $or (reliminar) in*esti+ation 4ut w"ere an INFOR.ETION is $iled, it is
alwa)s $iled in court and alwa)s $or trial
T"e com(laint contem(lated in Section - could #e $iled in t"e .TC $or trial & e.0 (")sical in/uries', or it could #e a
com(laint $or murder in t"e .TC, not $or trial #ut $or (reliminar) in*esti+ation
T"e com(laint $iled in t"e $iscal5s o$$ice, cit) or (ro*ince, is 9nown in S(anis" as 2=ENUNCIE3 w"ic" is $iled $or
(reliminar) in*esti+ation as distin+uis"ed $rom t"e real com(laint mentioned in Section D In Section D, it is alwa)s $iled #)
t"e o$$ended (art) Elt"ou+" in some cases li9e w"en t"e o$$ended (art) died, it is t"e (olice w"o $iles t"e a$$ida*it
com(laint #e$ore t"e (rosecutor5s o$$ice $or (reliminar) in*esti+ation
EPE.P?E% Pedro was a *ictim o$ ro##er) Can "e $ile a com(laint $or ro##er)? 0ES 1"at i$ "e died #e$ore "e could
$ile?
Q: Can t"e $amil) o$ Pedro $ile a com(laint under Section D?
A: No, #ecause t"e) are not t"e o$$ended (art) T"e) s"ould $ile a com(laint in t"e $iscal I$ )ou are tal9in+ o$ a
com(laint $iled under Section D, )ou must #e t"e o$$ended (art) 4ut a com(laint $iled wit" t"e $iscal, need not #e #) t"e
o$$ended (art) &E*arle *s Sucaldito, 1J8 SCRE I0I'
T"at is t"e distinction, and t"e $iscal "as t"e aut"orit) to in*esti+ate an) crime w"et"er t"e one com(lainin+ is t"e *ictim
or not #ecause t"e o$$ended (art) is t"e Peo(le o$ t"e P"ili((ines
SEC J ,ho must prosecute criminal actions. ! Ell criminal actions commenced #) a com(laint or
in$ormation s"all #e (rosecuted under t"e direction and control o$ t"e (rosecutor Howe*er, in .unici(al
Trial Courts or .unici(al Circuit Trial Courts w"en t"e (rosecutor assi+ned t"ereto or to t"e case is not
a*aila#le, t"e o$$ended (art), an) (eace o$$icer, or (u#lic o$$icer c"ar+ed wit" t"e en$orcement o$ t"e law
*iolated ma) (rosecute t"e case T"is aut"orit) s"all cease u(on actual inter*ention o$ t"e (rosecutor or
u(on ele*ation o$ t"e case to t"e Re+ional Trial Court
T"e crimes o$ adulter) and concu#ina+e s"all not #e (rosecuted e7ce(t u(on a com(laint $iled #) t"e
o$$ended s(ouse T"e o$$ended (art) cannot institute criminal (rosecution wit"out includin+ t"e +uilt)
(arties, i$ #ot" are ali*e, nor, in an) case, i$ t"e o$$ended (art) "as consented to t"e o$$ense or (ardoned t"e
o$$enders
T"e o$$enses o$ seduction, a#duction and acts o$ lasci*iousness s"all not #e (rosecuted u(on a
com(laint $iled #) t"e o$$ended (art) o$ "er (arents, +rand(arents or +uardian, nor, in an) case, i$ t"e
o$$ender "as #een e7(ressl) (ardoned #) an) o$ t"em I$ t"e o$$ended (art) dies or #ecomes inca(acitated
#e$ore s"e can $ile t"e com(laint, and s"e "as no 9nown (arents, +rand(arents or +uardian, t"e State s"all
initiate t"e criminal action in "er #e"al$
T"e o$$ended (art), e*en i$ a minor, "as t"e ri+"t to initiate t"e (rosecution o$ t"e o$$enses o$
seduction, a#duction and acts o$ lasci*iousness inde(endentl) o$ "er (arents, +rand(arents, or +uardian,
unless s"e is incom(etent or inca(a#le o$ doin+ so 1"ere t"e o$$ended (art), w"o is a minor, $ails to $ile
t"e com(laint, "er (arents, +rand(arents, or +uardian ma) $ile t"e same T"e ri+"t to $ile t"e action +ranted
to (arents, +rand(arents, or +uardian s"all #e e7clusi*e o$ all ot"er (ersons and s"all #e e7ercised
successi*el) in t"e order "erein (ro*ided, e7ce(t as stated in t"e (recedin+ (ara+ra("
No criminal action $or de$amation w"ic" consists in t"e im(utation o$ an) o$ t"e o$$enses mentioned
a#o*e s"all #e #rou+"t e7ce(t at t"e instance o$ and u(on com(laint $iled #) t"e o$$ended (art) &Ja'
T"e (rosecution $or *iolation o$ s(ecial laws s"all #e +o*erned #) t"e (ro*ision t"ereo$ &n'
Howe*er once t"e case is in court, t"e com(laint or in$ormation $iled s"all #e (rosecuted under t"e direction and control
o$ t"e (u#lic (rosecutor T"is s"ows t"e control o$ t"e +o*ernment T"is is one $eature o$ t"e In,uisitorial S)stem o$ criminal
(rocedure T"e $iscal "as t"e a#solute control
Rule 110
Q: Can t"e o$$ended (art) "ire "is own law)er to (rosecute?
A: 0ES, t"e o$$ended (art) can "ire "is own law)er w"o is 9nown as t"e (ri*ate (rosecutor T"e (ersonalit) o$ t"e
(ri*ate (rosecutor is #ased on t"e (ro*ision in t"e RPC t"at e*er) (erson criminall) lia#le is also ci*ill) lia#le It is #ecause
o$ t"is ci*il lia#ilit) t"at t"e o$$ended (art) "as an interest in t"e criminal case
E*en i$ t"e (u#lic (rosecutor ma) turn o*er t"e acti*e conduct o$ t"e trial to t"e (ri*ate (rosecutor, "e must #e (resent
durin+ t"e (roceedin+s #ecause "e is, #) law, dut)B#ound to ta9e c"ar+e o$ t"e (rosecution o$ t"e case until its termination
I$ t"e (u#lic (rosecutor or $iscal and t"e (ri*ate (rosecutor do not a+ree on "ow to (rosecute, t"e $iscal will (re*ail
#ecause t"e (ri*ate (rosecutor is under t"e direct control o$ t"e $iscal
Q: 1"at "a((ens i$ t"ere are no $iscal in a munici(alit)?
A: Eccordin+ to Section J, Rule 110% 2Howe*er, in .unici(al Trial Courts or .unici(al Circuit Trial Courts w"en t"e
(rosecutor assi+ned t"ereto or to t"e case is not a*aila#le, t"e offended part%, an) peace officer, or pu(lic officer char0ed
-ith the enforcement of the la- *iolated ma) (rosecute t"e case3
T"is (ro*ision t"at i$ t"ere is no (rosecutor, (uwede sila, is ta9en $rom t"e rulin+ o$ t"e SC in t"e case o$ People vs.
5eriales, 1K SCRE -> Usuall), in t"e a#sence o$ t"e $iscal, it is t"e (olice aut"orities w"o act as (rosecutors Howe*er,
accordin+ to t"e SC in t"e 1CC- case o$
PEOP?E vs. RE.OS
-0K SCRE 1>>
FECTS% T"e case is tria#le #) t"e .TC o$ Ilocos Norte T"e o$$ended (art) went to t"e $iscal and $iled t"e
in$ormation =urin+ t"e trial, t"e /ud+e declared t"e $iscal in contem(t o$ court as w"en t"e case was called $or
trial, t"e $iscal was not around T"e $iscal answered in writin+ 1"en as9ed to e7(lain w") "e re$used to come
to court des(ite t"e (re*ious order, "e said "is o$$ice is undermanned or understa$$ed T"us "e could not
(ersonall) a((ear and (rosecute Et an) rate, t"e $iscal (ointed out in "is e7(lanation t"at t"e (rosecution o$ t"e
case can #e "andled #) t"e o$$ended (art) or an) (eace o$$icer
ISSUE% 1"o s"ould (rosecute t"e case? T"e (u#lic (rosecutor or an) o$ t"e (ersons mentioned in Section
J, Rule 110?
HE?=% It is t"e (u#lic (rosecutor w"o s"ould (rosecute t"e case #ecause "e alread) 9new a#out t"e case
He was t"e one w"o in*esti+ated t"e case T"ere$ore, "e s"ould continue in t"e (rosecution o$ t"e case in court
1"ile it is true t"at t"e law allow t"e o$$ended (art), an) (eace o$$icer, or ot"er (u#lic o$$icer to (rosecute a
criminal case in (laces w"ere t"ere are no $iscals a*aila#le, t"at is onl) t"e EPCEPTION
T"e 6ENERE? RU?E is t"at t"e $iscal "imsel$ s"ould "andle t"e (rosecution o$ t"e criminal case It is "is
dut) and moral o#li+ation to (rosecute t"e case a$ter "a*in+ conducted t"e in*esti+ation and, #elie*in+ t"at
t"ere is a case, $iled an in$ormation in court
2T"e Court $eels t"at in t"ose cases w"ere t"e (rosecutors t"emsel*es "a*e $iled t"e criminal c"ar+es, t"ere
is all t"e more reason $or t"em to acti*el) inter*ene in t"eir (rosecution Ha*in+ (resuma#l) made t"e
necessar) in*esti+ation o$ t"ese cases #e$ore $ilin+ t"e corres(ondin+ in$ormations, t"e) are t"e #est (osition to
"andle t"eir (rosecution on t"e #asis o$ t"eir initial $indin+s I$ t"e (rosecutor "ad not determined t"e (rima
$acie +uilt o$ t"e accused, "e s"ould not "a*e $iled t"e in$ormation in t"e $irst (lace Et an) rate, t"ere is
somet"in+ not ,uite correct in t"e (rosecutor $ilin+ t"e in$ormation "imsel$ and t"en lea*in+ t"e o$$ended (art)
in t"e lurc", as it were, #) as9in+ "im to $end $or "imsel$ in (rosecutin+ t"e case
2T"e e7ce(tion (ro*ided in Section J must #e strictl) a((lied as t"e (rosecution o$ crime is t"e
res(onsi#ilit) o$ o$$icers a((ointed and trained $or t"at (ur(ose T"e *iolation o$ t"e criminal laws is an a$$ront
to t"e Peo(le o$ t"e P"ili((ines as a w"ole and not merel) t"e (erson directl) (re/udiced, w"o is t"at t"e
(rosecution #e "andled #) (ersons s9illed in t"is $unction instead o$ #ein+ entrusted to (ri*ate (ersons or (u#lic
o$$icers wit" little or no (re(aration $or t"is res(onsi#ilit) T"e e7ce(tion s"ould #e allowed onl) w"en t"e
conditions t"ere$or as set $ort" in Section J, Rule 110 o$ t"e Rules on Criminal Procedure "a*e #een clearl)
esta#lis"ed3
Eccordin+ to Section J, t"e criminal action s"all #e under t"e control and su(er*ision o$ t"e (rosecutor T"at is onl)
a((lica#le i$ )ou are tal9in+ o$ t"e trial court 4ut i$ t"e criminal case is li$ted in t"e CE or SC on a((eal, wala 9a nan+
(a9ialam It s"ould #e t"e Solicitor 6eneral w"o must re(resent t"e Peo(le o$ t"e P"ili((ines
T"e ne7t (ara+ra("s o$ Section J are some"ow reiterated in Erticle 1>>, RPC, w"ic" is (o(ularl) 9nown as PRIMETE
CRI.ES%
T"e crimes o$ adulter% and concu(ina0e s"all not #e (rosecuted e7ce(t u(on a com(laint $iled #) t"e
o$$ended s(ouse T"e o$$ended (art) cannot institute criminal (rosecution wit"out includin+ t"e +uilt)
(arties, i$ #ot" are ali*e, nor, in an) case, i$ t"e o$$ended (art) "as consented to t"e o$$ense or (ardoned t"e
o$$enders
Rule 110
T"e o$$enses o$ seduction, a(duction and acts of lasciviousness s"all not #e (rosecuted u(on a
com(laint $iled #) t"e o$$ended (art) o$ "er (arents, +rand(arents or +uardian, nor, in an) case, i$ t"e
o$$ender "as #een e7(ressl) (ardoned #) an) o$ t"em I$ t"e o$$ended (art) dies or #ecomes inca(acitated
#e$ore s"e can $ile t"e com(laint, and s"e "as no 9nown (arents, +rand(arents or +uardian, t"e State s"all
initiate t"e criminal action in "er #e"al$
Ta9e note t"at in t"e t"ird (ara+ra(", REPE is alread) deleted It is not a (ri*ate crime an)more It is alread) a crime
a+ainst (erson #ecause o$ t"e new law ! RE IDJD, EntiBRa(e ?aw o$ 1CCK ! amendin+ t"e RPC Now, it can #e (rosecuted
wit"out t"e (ri*ate com(lainant
Q: T"e SC said in one case t"at t"ere is no suc" animal as Pri*ate Crimes #ecause e*er) crime is a+ainst t"e State 4ut
w") do we call t"ese (ri*ate crimes B adulter%/ concu(ina0e/ seduction/ a(duction/ and acts of lasciviousness?
A: It is #ecause o$ all t"ese re,uirements% t"e com(laint is dul) (re(ared, si+ned and sworn to #) t"e o$$ended (art)
Ectuall), t"e correct name o$ t"ese crimes is CRI.ES 1HICH CENNOT 4E PROSECUTE= =E OFFICIO
Q: 1"at is t"e reason $or t"e re,uirement t"at t"e) s"all #e (rosecuted u(on com(laint o$ t"e o$$ended (art)?
A: T"is re,uirement was im(osed out o$ consideration $or t"e o$$ended (art) or "er relati*es w"o mi+"t (re$er to su$$er
t"e outra+e in silence rat"er t"an +o t"rou+" wit" t"e scandal o$ a (u#lic trial &Sumilin *s CFI, JK P"il -CI; Peo(le *s
Santos, 101 P"il KCI'
In E=U?TER0 or CONCU4INE6E, t"e o$$ended (art) is onl) t"e "us#and or t"e wi$e T"e (arents "a*e not"in+ to do
wit" t"e adulter) or concu#ina+e In adulter), it is not allowed t"at t"e "us#and $iles a com(laint a+ainst "is wi$e wit"out
includin+ "er (aramour Nor is it allowed t"at t"e "us#and $iles a case $or adulter) a+ainst "is wi$e5s lo*er wit"out includin+
"is wi$e T"e law (ro*ides, 2777 t"e o$$ended (art) cannot initiate criminal (rosecution wit"out includin+ t"e +uilt) (arties,
i$ #ot" are ali*e, 7773 T"e same rule a((lies in concu#ina+e
In eit"er case, consent or (ardon #) t"e o$$ended (art) is a #ar to criminal (rosecution Consent indicates allowance
SE=UCTION, E4=UCTION, ECTS OF ?ESCIMIOUSNESS I$ t"e *ictim is alread) o$ E6E, t"e decision o$ $ilin+ or
not $ilin+ t"e case #elon+s to "er
Q: 1"at "a((ens i$ t"e o$$ended (art) is a .INOR and does not want to $ile?
A: T"e (arents, +rand(arents, or +uardian ma) $ile t"e com(laint
Q: Su((ose t"e minor is incom(etent as in t"e case o$ insanit), w"o will $ile t"e com(laint?
A: Her (arents, +rand(arents or +uardian m) institute t"e case
Q: Su((ose t"e minor "as no 9nown (arents, +rand(arents, or +uardian?
A: T"e State s"all initiate t"e criminal action in "er #e"al$ under t"e (rinci(le o$ Parens Patriae
Q: 1"at "a((ens w"en an in$ormation $or adulter) or concu#ina+e is $iled wit"out a com(laint? Is it a /urisdictional
e$$ect?
A: Eccordin+ to some rulin+s, it is a /urisdictional de$ect T"e SC "eld t"at com(liance in Erticle D>> and counter(art &as
well as ot"er crimes a+ainst c"astit)' is /urisdictional, and not merel) a $ormal, re,uirement 1"ile in (oint o$ strict law t"e
/urisdiction o$ t"e court o*er t"e o$$ense is *ested in it #) t"e <udiciar) ?aw, t"e re,uirement $or a sworn written com(laint is
/ust as /urisdictional mandate since it is t"at com(laint w"ic" starts t"e (rosecutor) (roceedin+ and wit"out w"ic" t"e court
cannot e7ercise its /urisdiction to tr) t"e case &Peo(le *s .andea, 80 P"il DK-; Peo(le *s Sur#ano, DK SCRE J8J; Peo(le
*s 4a#asa, CK SCRE 8K-; Pila(il *s I#a)BSomera, 1K> SCRE 8JD'
4ut t"ere is a SECON= MIE1% 0ou can ,uestion t"e $ilin+ #ut it is not /urisdictional It is a condition precedent #ut not
/urisdictional #ecause i$ )ou sa) /urisdiction, t"e) are *ested #) t"e /udiciar) law T"ere is not"in+ in t"e /udiciar) law w"ic"
can s(ea9 a#out com(laint $iled in court #) t"e o$$ended (art) &Peo(le *s Estre#ella &1CI8'; Peo(le *s Sania+a &1CII';
Peo(le *s 4u+ton+ &1CIC'; Peo(le *s Tarul &1CIC'; Peo(le *s Ca#odac &1CC-'; Peo(le *s ?eo(arde &1CC-'; Peo(le *s
Hilario &1CCD'
PRO4?E.% Su((ose a *ictim o$ a (ri*ate crime in a munici(alit) (re(ared a com(laint, swore to it, and FI?E= IT IN
THE .TC FOR PRE?I.INER0 INMESTI6ETION FRemem#er t"at in (ro*inces, t"ere are two &-' (ossi#ilities i$ )ou
want to $ile a case in t"e RTC% &1' $ile a com(laint in t"e .TC $or (reliminar) in*esti+ation, or &-' $ile a com(laint wit" t"e
(ro*incial $iscal5s o$$ice also $or (reliminar) in*esti+ation Unli9e in t"e cities we onl) $ile wit" t"e $iscal #ecause onl) one
is allowed to conduct (reliminar) in*esti+ation in c"artered citiesG E$ter t"e (reliminar) in*esti+ation, t"e /ud+e said t"ere is
a (ro#a#le cause and t"ere$ore, $orwarded t"e case to t"e (ro*incial $iscal T"e $iscal $iled t"e in$ormation in t"e RTC
Q: Can t"e RTC tr) t"e case w"en t"ere is no com(laint #) t"e o$$ended (art) in t"e RTC?
A: T"e SC said 0ES T"e com(laint $iled in t"e .TC $or (reliminar) in*esti+ation will alread) ser*e t"e (ur(ose T"ere
is no need $or anot"er com(laint to #e (re(ared and si+ned #) t"e *ictim to #e $iled wit" t"e RTC
PRO4?E.% Su((ose t"e o$$ended (art) o$ a (ri*ate crime in a munici(alit), instead o$ $ilin+ t"e com(laint in t"e .TC,
s"e $iled it in t"e o$$ice o$ t"e (ro*incial $iscal or (rosecutor
Rule 110
Q: 1ill t"e case (ros(er?
A: T"e SC said NO T"e case must #e dismissed #ecause t"e com(laint contem(lated #) t"e law, si+ned and sworn to #)
t"e *ictim, is a com(laint FI?E= IN COURT, not a com(laint $iled in t"e $iscal5s o$$ice
Q: 1"at s"ould #e t"e correct (rocedure?
A: E$ter (reliminar) in*esti+ation, t"e $iscal s"ould (re(are a com(laint and s"ould (re(are an in$ormation si+ned #)
"im and t"e *ictim Unli9e w"ere t"e com(laint $iled in t"e .TC $or (reliminar) in*esti+ation, t"ere is no need $or anot"er
com(laint to #e $iled in t"e RTC 4ut i$ t"e com(laint 4denuncia1 is $iled in t"e $iscal5s o$$ice, t"e rule is% it will not ser*e as
t"e #asis $or a criminal (rosecution In connection wit" t"is (rinci(le is t"e leadin+ case o$
PEOP?E vs. I?ER=E
1-J SCRE 11
FECTS% T"is is a case $or adulter) ori+inated in t"e Cit) o$ Iloilo E man cau+"t "is wi$e in an act o$
adulter) T"e ne7t t"in+ "e did was to e7ecute an a$$ida*itBcom(laint, w"ic" "e $iled in t"e o$$ice o$ t"e Cit)
Prosecutor o$ Iloilo Cit) In "is a$$ida*it "e said, 2I5m $ormall) c"ar+in+ m) wi$e and P and would re,uest t"is
a$$ida*it #e considered as a $ormal com(laint a+ainst t"em3 1"ile t"e case was (endin+ #e$ore t"e $iscal $or
in*esti+ation, "e died So t"e Fiscal as9ed "ow "e can $ile an in$ormation in court w"en t"ere is no com(laint
#ecause t"e rule is, t"e com(laint $iled wit" t"e $iscal5s o$$ice is not t"e com(laint contem(lated #) law; t"ere
must #e a com(laint $iled si+ned #) t"e o$$ended (art) 4ut in t"is case, t"e com(lainant was alread) dead
Elt"ou+" t"ere was an a$$ida*itBcom(laint
T"e $iscal 9new t"at and so "e (re(ared an in$ormation $or adulter) c"ar+in+ t"e wi$e and "er (aramour In
t"e in$ormation "e stated% 2T"e undersi+ned Cit) Fiscal u(on sworn statement ori+inall) $iled #) t"e o$$ended
(art), 7ero7 co(ies o$ w"ic" are "ereto attac"ed as anne7es E and 4 @7773 So w"at "e did was to incor(orate
t"e a$$ida*it o$ t"e deceased o$$ended "us#and in t"e in$ormation
Now, t"e wi$e and t"e (aramour mo*ed to ,uas" t"e in$ormation alle+in+ lac9 o$ /urisdiction u(on t"e
o$$ense c"ar+ed #ecause under Erticle D>> o$ t"e RPC, t"e re,uirement $or t"e com(laint o$ adulter) was not
com(lied wit" citin+ t"e case o$ Peo(le *s Santos, 101 P"il KCI, w"ere it was "eld t"at t"e com(laint $iled in
t"e $iscal5s o$$ice $or a (ri*ate crime is not t"e com(laint contem(lated #) law On t"at #asis, RTC <ud+e Ilarde
dismissed t"e case
T"e (rosecution went to t"e SC on certiorari
HE?=% T"e res(ondent trial court is wron+ T"e order o$ dismissal is "ere#) set aside and is directed to
(roceed wit" t"e trial o$ t"e case 2It must #e #orne in mind, "owe*er, t"at t"is le+al re,uirement was im(osed
out o$ consideration $or t"e a++rie*ed (art) w"o mi+"t (re$er to su$$er t"e outra+e in silence rat"er t"an +o
t"rou+" t"e scandal o$ a (u#lic trial T"us, t"e law lea*es it to t"e o(tion o$ t"e a++rie*ed s(ouse to see9
/udicial redress $or t"e a$$ront committed #) t"e errin+ s(ouse End t"is, to Our mind, s"ould #e t"e o*erridin+
consideration in determinin+ t"e issue o$ w"et"er or not t"e condition (recedent (rescri#ed #) said Erticle D>>
"as #een com(lied wit" For needless to state, t"is Court s"ould #e +uided #) t"e s(irit, rat"er t"an t"e letter, o$
t"e law3
2In t"e case at #ar, t"e desire o$ t"e o$$ended (art) to #rin+ "is wi$e and "er alle+ed (aramour to /ustice is
onl) too e*ident Suc" determination o$ (ur(ose on "is (art is am(l) demonstrated in t"e dis(atc" Fs(eedG #)
w"ic" "e $iled "is com(laint wit" t"e $iscal5s o$$ice F#ecause "e $iled t"e com(laint t"e da) a$ter t"e crime
"a((enedG T"e stron+ and e,ui*ocal statement contained in t"e a$$ida*it $iled wit" t"e FiscalOs O$$ice t"at 2I
am $ormall) c"ar+in+ m) wi$e o$ t"e crime o$ adulter) and would re,uest t"at t"is a$$ida*it #e considered as a
$ormal com(laint a+ainst t"em3 ! is a clear s"ow o$ suc" intent3
2T"e rulin+ in People vs. Santos is not a((lica#le to t"e case at #ar In t"at case, t"e sworn statement was
not considered t"e com(laint contem(lated #) Erticle D>> o$ t"e Re*ised Penal Code #ecause it was a mere
narration o$ "ow t"e crime was committed 1"ereas, in t"e case at #ar, in t"e a$$ida*itBcom(laint su#mitted #)
t"e o$$ended "us#and, "e not onl) narrated t"e $acts and circumstances constitutin+ t"e crime o$ adulter), #ut "e
also e7(licitl) and cate+oricall) c"ar+ed (ri*ate res(ondents wit" t"e said o$$ense ! 2I5m c"ar+in+ m) wi$e and
"er (aramour wit" adulter)3
2.oreo*er, in Santos, t"e SC noted t"at t"e in$ormation $iled #) t"e $iscal commenced wit" t"e statement
Nt"e undersi+ned $iscal accuses so and so,5 t"e o$$ended (art) not "a*in+ #een mentioned at all as one o$ t"e
accusers 4ut in t"e (resent case, it is as i$ t"e "us#and $iled t"e case3
2T"e a$$ida*it o$ t"e "us#and "ere contains all t"e elements o$ a *alid com(laint under Section J, Rule I10
o$ t"e Rules o$ Court 1"at is more, said com(laintBa$$ida*it was attac"ed to t"e in$ormation as an inte+ral (art
t"ereo$, and dul) $iled wit" t"e court T"ere$ore, t"e a$$ida*it com(laint #ecame t"e #asis o$ t"e com(laint
re,uired #) Section J3
So it #ecame sort o$ an e7ce(tion to t"e +eneral rule t"at t"e a$$ida*itBcom(laint in t"e $iscal5s o$$ice is not t"e one
contem(lated #) law 1"ile I was readin+ t"is case, I noticed t"at t"e $iscal was *er) ima+inati*e on w"at "e is +oin+ to do,
9asi alam ni)a an+ rules e" T"at $iscal is now Solicitor 6eneral 6al*e: End I was sur(rised w") t"e "us#and dra$ted t"e
a$$ida*it t"at wa) .a)#e "e 9new "e was d)in+ ?ater, t"e) $ound out t"at t"e "us#and was a law)er End do not #e
s"oc9ed, t"e (aramour was also a law)erH So t"at was a *er) interestin+ case T"e rulin+ was reiterated in t"e 1CC1 case o$
PEOP6E vs. 3AO6 &<une 1C, 1CC1'.
Rule 110
6ast para0raph/ Section 7/ ule 889: No criminal action $or defamation w"ic" consists in t"e
im(utation o$ an) o$ t"e o$$enses mentioned a#o*e s"all #e #rou+"t e7ce(t at t"e instance o$ and u(on
com(laint $iled #) t"e o$$ended (art)
T"e $i$t" (ara+ra(" o$ Section J is ta9en $rom Erticle D80 o$ t"e RPC Erticle D80 re$ers to t"e crime o$ li(el or slander
Q: Is t"e crime o$ de$amation Fslander is w"en )ou de$ame some#od) orall); li(el is w"en t"e de$amation is in writin+G
a (ri*ate crime?
A: NO
Q: Can a case o$ slander #e $iled in court wit"out a com(laint si+ned and sworn to #) t"e o$$ended (art)?
A: Es a 6ENERE? RU?E, 0ES, EPCEPT w"en t"e de$amation im(utes to t"e o$$ended (art) t"e commission o$ an) o$
t"e crimes mentioned a#o*e .eanin+, it im(utes to t"e o$$ended (art) t"e commission o$ a (ri*ate o$$ense li9e adulter%/
concu(ina0e/ a(duction/ seduction/ acts of lasciviousness &ECESE' In t"is case, t"e criminal action s"all #e #rou+"t at t"e
instance o$ and u(on a com(laint $iled #) t"e o$$ended (art)
Q: Is t"e accusation 2man0:aa0a- n0 asa-a n0 ma% asa-a)3 an im(utation o$ adulter)?
A: No It is a mere im(lication o$ a *ice or de$ect, not an im(utation o$ adulter) T"e ("rase was translated as 2seducer
o$ t"e "us#ands o$ ot"er woman3 It im(lies t"at t"e (erson to w"om it is addressed is a F?IRT, a TE.PTRESS, or one w"o
indul+es in incitin+ anot"er5s "us#and &6on:ales *s Ercilla, No*em#er 1I, 1CC1'
T"e last (ara+ra(" states t"at 2T"e (rosecution $or *iolation o$ s(ecial laws s"all #e +o*erned #) t"e (ro*ision t"ereo$3
T"e #est e7am(le is t"e case o$ eodica vs. !A, w"ic" we alread) discussed, t"at (rescri(tion $or *iolation o$ a s(ecial law is
not +o*erned #) t"e RPC #ut #) s(ecial law T"e rulin+ was em("asi:ed in t"e 1CC8 case o$
??ENES vs. =IC=ICEN
<ul) D1, 1CC8
HE?=% 2T"e institution o$ t"e com(laint in t"e (rosecutor5s o$$ice s"all interru(t t"e (eriod o$ (rescri(tion
o$ t"e o$$ense c"ar+ed under Section 1, Rule 110 T"e rule, "owe*er, is entirel) di$$erent under Ect No DD-8,
as amended, w"ose Section - e7(licitl) (ro*ides t"at t"e (eriod o$ (rescri(tion s"all #e interru(ted #) t"e
institution o$ /udicial (roceedin+s, ie, t"e $ilin+ o$ t"e com(laint or in$ormation wit" t"e court3 T"ere$ore, t"e
$ilin+ o$ t"e com(laint in t"e $iscal5s o$$ice does not interru(t t"e runnin+ o$ t"e (rescri(ti*e (eriod T"at is onl)
true in $elonies under t"e RPC 4ut w"en in comes to s(ecial laws, we $ollow t"e s(ecial law
Q: 1"en is a com(laint or in$ormation su$$icient?
A: Read Section 8, Rule 110
SEC 8 Sufficienc% of complaint or information. ! E com(laint or in$ormation is su$$icient i$ it states
t"e name o$ t"e accused; t"e desi+nation o$ t"e o$$ense +i*en #) t"e statute; t"e acts or omissions
com(lained o$ as constitutin+ t"e o$$ense; t"e name o$ t"e o$$ended (art); t"e a((ro7imate date o$ t"e
commission o$ t"e o$$ense; and t"e (lace w"ere t"e o$$ense was committed
1"en an o$$ense is committed #) more t"an one (erson, all o$ t"em s"all #e included in t"e com(laint
or in$ormation &8a'
Q: Su((ose t"e in$ormation is de$ecti*e, 9ulan+B9ulan+ #a, t"ere are some essential $acts re,uired #) law w"ic" are not
stated Can it #e cured durin+ t"e trial?
A: 0ES En) de$ect in t"e com(laint or in$ormation ma) #e cured #) e*idence introduced #) t"e (rosecution, EPCEPT%
1 w"en t"e de$ect is /urisdictional &Peo(le *s E#ad Santos, K8 P"il K>>'; or
- w"en t"e com(laint or in$ormation does not c"ar+e an) o$$ense &Peo(le *s Eustria, C> P"il ICK'
SEC K Name of the accused. ! T"e com(laint or in$ormation must state t"e name and surname o$ t"e
accused or an) a((ellation or nic9name #) w"ic" "e "as #een or is 9nown I$ "is name cannot #e
ascertained, "e must #e descri#ed under a $ictitious name wit" a statement t"at "is true name is un9nown
I$ t"e true name o$ t"e accused is t"erea$ter disclosed #) "im or a((ears in some ot"er manner to t"e
court, suc" true name s"all #e inserted in t"e com(laint or in$ormation and record &Ka'
Q: One o$ t"e re,uirements under Section K is t"at t"e name o$ t"e accused must #e stated in t"e in$ormation E" 9un+
na+9amali 9a? Is t"at $atal? 1"at is t"e e$$ect o$ an erroneous name +i*en to t"e accused in t"e com(laint or in$ormation?
A: T"e de$ect is not $atal T"e error will not (roduce an) ad*erse e$$ect #ecause w"at is im(ortant is t"e identit) o$ t"e
(erson o$ t"e accused, not "is name &Peo(le *s Ramos, IJ P"il 8ID' Aun+ na+9amali, e" di (alitanH ;pro(lema (a %un<
+a)= T"is reminds me o$ t"e #ortun #rot"ers ! t"e >elia a?as incident durin+ t"e im(eac"ment trial
Rule 110
SEC I >esi0nation of the offense. ! T"e com(laint or in$ormation s"all state t"e desi+nation o$ t"e
o$$ense +i*en #) t"e statute, a*er t"e acts or omissions constitutin+ t"e o$$ense, and s(eci$) its ,uali$)in+
and a00ravatin0 circumstances I$ t"ere is no desi+nation o$ t"e o$$ense, re$erence s"all #e made to t"e
section or su#section o$ t"e statute (unis"in+ it &Ia'
SEC C !ause of the accusation ! T"e acts or omissions com(lained o$ as constitutin+ t"e o$$ense and
t"e ,uali$)in+ and a++ra*atin+ circumstances must #e stated in ordinar) and concise lan+ua+e and not
necessaril) in t"e lan+ua+e used in t"e statute #ut in terms su$$icient to ena#le a (erson o$ common
understandin+ to 9now w"at o$$ense is #ein+ c"ar+ed as well as its ,uali$)in+ and a++ra*atin+
circumstance and $or t"e court to (ronounce /ud+ment &Ca'
T"ere is one ma/or c"an+e "ere T"e law now s(eci$icall) em("asi:es under Section I and Section C t"at )ou do not onl)
mention t"e crime 0ou must also s(eci$) t"e a++ra*atin+ and t"e ,uali$)in+ circumstance 1"at is new "ere is t"e
'a00ravatin0.*
T"e old rule is, t"ere is no need o$ s(eci$)in+ t"e a++ra*atin+ circumstances #ecause an)wa), t"e) are not elements o$
t"e crime T"e) are onl) circumstances t"at a$$ect t"e criminal lia#ilit) and i$ t"e a++ra*atin+ circumstances are (ro*en, t"e)
can still #e a((lied a+ainst t"e accused T"e new law now sa)s )ou do not onl) s(eci$) t"e ,uali$)in+, )ou also mention t"e
a++ra*atin+ Now, "ow does it a$$ect t"e old /uris(rudence?
Q: .) ,uestion is t"is, #ased on m) own inter(retation o$ Sections I and C, Pro(lem: t"e in$ormation does not alle+e t"e
a++ra*atin+ circumstances In t"e course o$ t"e trial, t"e (rosecution starts (ro*in+ Under t"e new rule, t"e de$ense can
o#/ect to an) e*idence to (ro*e t"e a++ra*atin+ circumstance #ecause t"e same is not mentioned in t"e in$ormation 4ut I
will +o $urt"er% an a++ra*atin+ circumstance is not alle+ed in t"e in$ormation and t"e (rosecution starts (ro*in+ and t"ere was
no o#/ection on t"e (art o$ t"e de$ense Now, can t"e court in im(osin+ t"e (enalt), consider t"e a++ra*atin+ circumstance?
A: .) personal *iew is 0ES #ecause o$ t"e wai*er $or $ailure to o#/ect, in t"e same manner t"at an a++ra*atin+
circumstance not alle+ed ma) still #e considered as suc" .) onl) inter(retation o$ t"is (ro*ision is t"at i$ t"is is not alle+ed
in t"e com(laint or in$ormation and t"e (rosecution starts (ro*in+ it, t"e de$ense can o#/ect and t"at o#/ection must #e
sustained 4ut i$ t"ere is no o#/ection, t"e old rule can still #e a((lied #ecause o$ esto((el or wai*er
1ell, t"at is m) (ersonal *iew on t"at matter I do not 9now w"et"er m) *iew is correct or not 4ut I #elie*e m) *iew is
correct #ecause an)wa) e*en t"e /ud+es "ere in =a*ao are as9in+ $or m) *iew I recei*e calls $rom time to time $rom t"ese
(eo(le ;ehem)=
Q: ?et5s +o to Section C Su((ose t"e o$$ense sa)s, 2criminal case $or murder3 #ut in t"e #od) o$ t"e in$ormation t"ere is
no alle+ation o$ a ,uali$)in+ circumstance 1"at does t"e $iscal c"ar+e, .urder or Homicide?
A: HO.ICI=E T"e SC "eld t"at t"e desi+nation o$ t"e o$$ense is not an essential element o$ a com(laint or
in$ormation, #ecause, at most t"at is a mere conclusion o$ t"e $iscal 1"at is controllin+ is t"e recital o$ $acts a((earin+ in t"e
#od) o$ t"e com(laint or in$ormation &Peo(le *s E+ito, E(ril -I, 1CJI; Peo(le *s Cosare, CJ P"il 8J8'
4ut t"ere are some EPCEPTIONS li9e w"at "a((ened in t"e case o$
US vs. TICLON
-J P"il 8K
FECTS% E com(laint was $iled #) t"e woman statin+ t"at 2w"ile t"e o$$ended (art) was inside "er "ouse at
ni+"t and all t"e doors were loc9ed and all t"e windows were closed, t"e accused surre(titiousl) entered t"e
"ouse and a((roac"ed t"e o$$ended (art) w"o was aslee(, raised "er s9irt and at t"at *er) moment t"e woman
wo9e u( and resisted3 FT"is can #e an attem(ted ra(e #ut t"e element o$ t"e crime was not $ull) accom(lis"ed
#ecause o$ an act or accident ot"er t"an "er own resistanceG 4ut sa#i n+ ca(tion, 2$or tres(ass to dwellin+3 !
(wede man din
HE?=% Sa#i mo, 2tres(ass3 OA, e" di tres(assH So t"e ca(tion (re*ails 1"en t"e $acts a((earin+ in t"e
com(laint or in$ormation are so stated t"at t"e) are ca(a#le o$ two or more inter(retations, t"en t"e desi+nation
o$ t"e o$$ense in t"e ca(tion controls
Ta9e note t"at under t"e new ra(e law, RE K8JC, t"ere are some circumstances w"ic" i$ (resent call $or t"e mandator)
deat" (enalt) In t"e case o$
PEOP?E vs. .ENHU0O=, <R
.a) -0, 1CCI
HE?=% 1"en )ou c"ar+e some#od) wit" a "einous crime suc" as ra(e, t"e in$ormation must ma9e
re$erence to t"e new law I$ not, it will onl) #e translated as an ordinar) a++ra*atin+ circumstance #ecause t"e
in$ormation was c"ar+ed a$ter t"e e$$ecti*it) o$ t"e "einous crime law
2Finall), a $ew words on t"e lac9 o$ care de*oted to t"e (re(aration o$ t"e in$ormation $iled #e$ore t"e trial
Rule 110
court T"e O$$ice o$ t"e Pro*incial Prosecutor "ad in its (ossession e*idence t"at t"e crime was committed #) a
$at"er a+ainst "is 1KB)ear old dau+"ter a$ter t"e e$$ecti*it) o$ RE No K8JC, "ence t"e im(osa#le (enalt) was
deat" It was t"en necessar) to ma9e re$erence to t"e amendator) law to c"ar+e t"e (ro(er o$$ense t"at carried
t"e mandator) im(osition o$ ca(ital (unis"ment3
2Prosecutors are t"us admonis"ed to e7ercise utmost care and dili+ence in t"e (re(aration o$ com(laints or
in$ormations to a*ert le+al re(ercussions w"ic" ma) (ro*e (re/udicial to t"e interest o$ t"e State and (ri*ate
o$$ended (arties3
Q: Eccordin+ to Section C, t"e elements o$ t"e crime must #e recited in t"e com(laint or in$ormation .ust t"e e7act
lan+ua+e o$ t"e law #e used?
A: NO 0ou can use ot"er words (ro*ided it would con*e) t"e same idea or t"ou+"t
EPE.P?E% THEFT T"e in$ormation does not contain t"e alle+ation 2intent to +ain3 w"ic" is an element o$ t"e crime
o$ t"e$t T"e SC said it is not re,uired #ecause t"ose words are (resumed $rom t"e in$ormation t"at t"e accused a((ro(riated
to "imsel$ t"e t"in+s #elon+in+ to t"e o$$ended (art) &US *s Ela#ot, DI P"il 8CI'
EPE.P?E% RO44ER0 1ITH FORCE UPON THIN6S T"ere was no alle+ation t"at t"e accused entered t"e "ouse o$
t"e *ictim wit" t"e use o$ $orce u(on t"in+s #ut t"e in$ormation alle+es t"at t"e accused entered t"e "ouse o$ t"e *ictim #)
(assin+ t"rou+" a "ole in t"e ceilin+, an o(enin+ not intended $or entrance Eno )an? T"e SC said t"at is tantamount to use o$
$orce u(on t"in+s &Peo(le *s ?are:a, KD P"il 8JI'
EPE.P?E% .UR=ER T"ere was no alle+ation o$ treac"er) 4alevosia1 #ut t"e in$ormation sa)s t"at w"en t"e accused
9illed t"e *ictim, t"e latter was not in t"e (osition to de$end "imsel$ T"e SC said t"e) mean t"e same t"in+ In $act, it
#ecame clearer &Peo(le *s 6usta"an, >K P"il DK8'
Enot"er interestin+ case o$ treacher% is t"e case o$
PEOP?E vs. E4U0EN
-1D SCRE J8C &1CC-'
FECTS% T"e accused "ere 9illed two &-' c"ildren, one was a+ed 8 )ears and t"e ot"er was 1D )ears old He
sta##ed t"em T"e in$ormation c"ar+es t"e accused wit" t"e 9illin+ t"e - minors T"ere is no statement t"at
t"ere was treac"er) Ell t"at t"e in$ormation sa)s is t"at t"e accused 9illed t"e - 2minors3
ISSUE% 1as t"ere a murder?
HE?=% 0ES 1"en t"e accused 9illed t"e minors, t"at is e,ui*alent o$ 9illin+ #) treac"er) and t"ere$ore
,uali$ies t"e 9illin+ to murder
2It "as, time and a+ain, #een "eld t"at t"e 9illin+ o$ minor c"ildren w"o, #) reason o$ t"eir tender )ears,
could not #e e7(ected to (ut u( a de$ense is considered attended wit" treac"er) e*en i$ t"e manner o$ attac9 was
not s"own T"e alle+ation in t"e In$ormation t"at t"e *ictims are #ot" minors is to #e considered com(liance
wit" t"e $undamental rule t"at t"e ,uali$)in+ circumstances s"ould #e alle+ed in t"e in$ormation3
2It is commonl) understood in (ractice t"at w"en t"e *ictim in (")sical in/uries, "omicide, or murder cases
is a c"ild o$ tender )ears, "e is descri#ed in t"e in$ormation as a minor .inorit) in suc" a case s"ould not #e
e,uated wit" its statutor) meanin+ Q t"at is, #elow ei+"teen &1I' )ears old It is used not so muc" as to state t"e
a+e o$ t"e *ictim &ot"erwise, t"e c"ar+in+ $iscal would "a*e sim(l) (laced t"e e7act a+es' rat"er, it is more o$ a
descri(tion o$ t"e state o$ "el(lessness o$ t"e )oun+ *ictim3
Q: CONSPIREC0 <et and Pao are c"ar+ed $or murder (ero an+ sinasa#i sa in$ormation, it was <et w"o 9illed t"e
*ictim Now, in cons(irac), t"e act o$ one is t"e act o$ all 1ould t"at su$$icientl) c"ar+e Pao?
A: NO Aailan+an mon+ iBdescri#e an+ cons(irac) (ara matamaan si Pao Alaru"in mo )un+ cons(irac), ot"erwise i$ t"e
alle+ation o$ cons(irac) is not s"own a+ainst Pao, t"en, t"ere is no crime o$ cons(irac) T"is is t"e +uideline laid down #)
t"e SC in t"e 1CCI case o$
PEOP?E vs. RUIT?ON6
-C- SCRE -80
HE?=% 2Unli9e t"e omission o$ an ordinar) recital o$ $act w"ic", i$ not e7ce(ted $rom or o#/ected to durin+
trial, ma) #e corrected or su((lied #) com(etent (roo$, an alle+ation, "owe*er, o$ cons(irac), or one t"at would
im(ute criminal lia#ilit) to an accused $or t"e act o$ anot"er or ot"ers, is indis(ensa#le in order to "old suc"
(erson, re+ardless o$ t"e nature and e7tent o$ "is own (artici(ation, e,uall) +uilt) wit" t"e ot"er or ot"ers in t"e
commission o$ t"e crime Meril), an accused must 9now $rom t"e in$ormation w"et"er "e $aces a criminal
res(onsi#ilit) not onl) $or "is acts #ut also $or t"e acts o$ "is coBaccused as well3
.eanin+, i$ )ou are c"ar+in+ me $or w"at m) com(anion did, )ou #etter #e clear t"at t"ere is cons(irac)
(ara maBa((l) )un+ doctrine na @the act of one is the act of all..
2T"e o(inion o$ t"e trial court to t"e e$$ect t"at cons(irac) ma) #e in$erred $rom t"e alle+ation o$ a#use o$
Rule 110
su(erior stren+t" and wit" t"e aid o$ armed men is di$$icult to acce(t t"e in$ormation must state t"at t"e
accused "a*e con$ederated to commit t"e crime or t"at t"ere "as #een a communit) o$ desi+n, a unit) o$
(ur(ose or an a+reement to commit t"e $elon) amon+ t"e accused Cons(irac) must #e alle+ed, not /ust
in$erred, in t"e in$ormation on w"ic" #asis an accused can a(tl) enter "is (lea, a matter t"at is not to #e
con$used wit" or li9ened to t"e ade,uac) o$ e*idence t"at ma) #e re,uired to (ro*e it3
0ou can (ro*e cons(irac) #) direct e*idence 4ut 9a"ira( ni)an u) unless )ou were t"ere listenin+ In criminal law,
w"en two or more (ersons act to+et"er in unison to attain t"e same criminal o#/ecti*e, t"en cons(irac) can #e in$erred
.eanin+, )ou can use t"at as e*idence to con*ict a (erson #ut $or (ur(oses o$ $ilin+ t"e case, )ou must e7(ressl) alle+e it
T"ere$ore, $or (ur(oses o$ c"ar+in+ ! express For (ur(oses o$ (ro*in+ ! implied 0anH T"is is (recisel) #ecause directl)
(ro*in+ it, is di$$icult T"e manner o$ c"ar+in+ is di$$erent $rom t"e manner o$ (ro*in+ &Peo(le *s Ruitlon+, supra'
EPE.P?E% =IRECT ESSEU?T T"e SC said it is not enou+" $or t"e in$ormation to sa) t"at t"e *ictim is a (erson in
aut"orit) T"e c"ar+e $or suc" o$$ense must #e so $ramed as to clearl) alle+e t"e functions o$ t"e (erson assaulted, so as to
s"ow t"at "e comes under t"e de$inition o$ (erson in aut"orit) &Peo(le *s Car(i:o, I0 P"il -D>' O$ course, I #elie*e t"at i$
t"e (osition is o#*ious, t"e court will ta9e /udicial notice o$ t"at T"ere is no need to descri#e 4ut i$ it comes to some
(osition w"ic" are not reall) common, t"e in$ormation must recite t"e $unctions
EPE.P?E% TREESON En in$ormation $or treason is insu$$icient i$ it merel) alle+es +enerall) t"at t"e accused "ad
ad"ered to t"e enem), +i*in+ "er aid and com$ort T"e c"ar+e must #e s(eci$ic #) statin+ w"at is termed as o*ert act o$
+i*in+ aid and com$ort to t"e enem) &6uinto *s Melu:, KK P"il KCI'
EPE.P?E% ?I4E? In c"ar+in+ li#el, t"e (rosecution must sin+le out t"e li#elous statements and ,uote ver(atim in t"e
com(laint or in$ormation &Peo(le *s 4ustos, JC P"il DKJ'
1e will +o to anot"er issue re+ardin+ HE4ITUE? =E?INRUENC0 T"e case is
PEOP?E vs. MENUS
8D P"il >DJ
FECTS% T"e Cit) Fiscal o$ .anila $ile wit" t"e CFI o$ .anila an in$ormation c"ar+in+ t"e accused wit"
t"e crime o$ ro##er) in an in"a#ited "ouse T"e in$ormation alle+es, amon+ ot"ers,3 t"at t"e accused is a
"a#itual delin,uent, "e "a*in+ #een (re*iousl) con*icted #) $inal /ud+ement rendered #) a com(etent court,
once $or t"e crime o$ attem(ted ro##er) in an in"a#ited "ouse and once $or t"e$t, t"e date o$ "is last con*iction
#ein+ No*em#er 1>, 1CD>
Note% T"ere is "a#itual delin,uenc) w"en, $or a (eriod o$ ten &10' )ears, $rom t"e date o$ "is last con*iction
or release $or a crime o$ serious or less serious (")sical in/uries, ro##er), t"e$t, esta$a and $alsi$ication, "e is
$ound +uilt) o$ an) o$ said crimes, a t"ird time or o$tener
ISSUE% 1as t"ere a su$$icient alle+ation o$ "a#itual delin,uenc)?
HE?=% NO 2Ha#itual delin,uenc), can not #e ta9en into account in t"e (resent case #ecause o$ t"e
insu$$icienc) o$ t"e alle+ation on t"is (oint in t"e cit) $iscalOs in$ormation 1"ile t"e in$ormation s(eci$ies t"e
(articular o$$ense &attem(ted ro##er) in an in"a#ited "ouse' $or w"ic" t"e de$endantBa((ellant was alle+ed to
"a*e (re*iousl) #een con*icted and also t"e date o$ t"e last con*iction $or t"e$t w"ic" occurred (rior to t"e date
o$ t"e commission o$ t"e o$$ense now c"ar+ed 4ut t"is does not ma9e t"e in$ormation su$$icient in law $or it
$ails to s(eci$) t"e date o$ t"e con*iction o$ t"e accused $or t"e crime o$ attem(ted ro##er) For all we 9now,
t"e two (re*ious con*ictions $or attem(ted ro##er) in an in"a#ited "ouse and t"e$t ma) "a*e ta9en (lace on t"e
same date &No*em#er 1>, 1CD>' or on two di$$erent dates so close to+et"er as to warrant t"e court in
considerin+ t"e two con*ictions as onl) one $or t"e (ur(oses o$ t"e a((lication o$ t"e "a#itual delin,uenc)
law3
2U(on t"e ot"er "and, it ma) "a((en t"at a (erson accused o$ ro(o, hurto, esta$a or falsificacion ma) "a*e
#een con*icted o$ an) o$ said o$$enses a$ter t"e commission o$ t"e crime wit" w"ic" "e is c"ar+ed 1e "a*e
alread) "eld t"at (re*ious con*ictions in order to #e considered $or t"e (ur(ose o$ im(osin+ t"e additional
(enalt) $or "a#itual delin,uenc), must (recede t"e commission o$ t"e crime c"ar+ed Ot"er instances ma) #e
mentioned #ut t"ose +i*en su$$ice to demonstrate t"e necessit) o$ c"ar+in+ t"e e7istence o$ "a#itual
delin,uenc) wit" su$$icient clearness and certaint) to ena#le t"e courts to (ro(erl) a((l) t"e (ro*isions o$ our
law on t"e su#/ect3
2It is t"ere$ore ur+ed u(on (rosecutin+ attorne)s t"at in t"e (rosecution o$ cases o$ t"is nature, t"e) s"ould
not content t"emsel*es wit" a +eneral a*erment o$ "a#itual delin,uenc) #ut s"ould s(eci$) t"e dates%
1 o$ t"e commission o$ t"e (re*ious crimes,
- o$ t"e last con*iction or release, and
D o$ t"e ot"er (re*ious con*ictions or release o$ t"e accused 2
2In$ormations $iled in t"ese cases s"ould #e su$$icientl) clear and s(eci$ic to a*oid t"e im(ro(er im(osition
o$ t"e additional (enalt) on a (lea o$ +uilt) to a +eneral alle+ation o$ "a#itual delin,uenc), no less t"an t"e
$re,uenc) wit" w"ic" "ardened criminals esca(e t"e im(osition o$ t"e deser*ed additional (enalt) (ro*ided $or
#) law3
Rule 110
Q: .ust e7ce(tin+ clauses #e alle+ed in a com(laint or in$ormation?
A: It =EPEN=S I$ t"e e7ce(tin+ clause $orms (art o$ t"e de$inition o$ t"e o$$ense, it must #e alle+ed; #ut i$ it is a matter
o$ de$ense, it need not #e alle+ed in a com(laint or in$ormation &US *s C"an Toco, 1- P"il -8-'
Sometimes it is "ard to distin+uis" w"at is an element o$ a crime, and w"at is a matter o$ de$ense as stated in a law T"e
e7ce(ti*e clauses suc" as 2provided further3, and 2provided furthermore3 are *er) con$usin+ Sometime )ou +et lost Eno #a
iton+ 2provided further3? Is t"is (art o$ t"e crime or is it a (art o$ t"e de$ense? Con$usin+ #aH ?i9e in t"e old case o$
US vs. PO.PE0E
D1 P"il ->J
FECTS% T"e munici(al +o*ernment (assed an ordinance w"ic" re,uires all a#leB#odied male residence o$
t"e munici(alit) #etween t"e a+es o$ 1I and DJ to assist in (eace and order cam(ai+n in t"e munici(alit) #)
renderin+ ser*ices T"e accused *iolated t"e ordinance So "e was c"ar+ed T"e in$ormation sa)s "e is a
resident o$ t"e munici(alit), "e is male, "e is a#leB#odied and "e re$uses to render ser*ice to t"e +o*ernment
Eccordin+ to t"e accused, t"e in$ormation is de$ecti*e, it does not reconcile all t"e elements #ecause it does not
state "ow old "e was 4ut accordin+ to t"e (rosecutor, 2NoH I do not "a*e to alle+e )our a+e It is $or )ou to
(ro*e t"at )ou are #elow 1I or more t"an DJH3
ISSUE% 1"et"er or not t"e clause in t"e ordinance (ertainin+ to t"e a+e ran+e o$ 1I to DJ is (art o$ t"e
crime, #ecause i$ it is (art o$ t"e crime, t"en it must #e alle+ed
HE?=% T"e SC ruled t"at t"e a+e re,uirement is an element o$ t"e crime and t"ere$ore must #e alle+ed
Failure to alle+e it is $atal #ecause "e ma) #elon+ to t"e e7em(t a+e in w"ic" case t"e (rosecution ma) not
(ros(er
?et us tr) to com(are t"at in t"e case o$
US vs. 0EO SI.
D1 P"il D01
FECTS% T"e accused was c"ar+ed wit" *iolation o$ t"e o(ium law T"e o(ium law was t"e (redecessor,
t"e +reat +rand$at"er o$ t"e =an+erous =ru+s Ect T"at was t"e old law w"ic" (ro"i#its t"e use and smo9in+ o$
o(ium wit"out t"e (rescri(tion o$ a licensed (racticin+ (")sician
T"e accused ar+ued t"at t"ere is no crime committed #ecause t"e in$ormation did not alle+e t"at t"e
accused "as no (rescri(tion $rom a dul) licensed or a (racticin+ (")sician 4ut t"e (rosecution contended t"at it
is $or t"e accused to (ro*e t"at "e "as a (rescri(tion T"e element o$ t"e crime is onl) smo9in+ o(ium
HE?=% T"e SC said, t"e (rosecution is correct It is not (art o$ t"e crime, it is a matter o$ de$ense T"e
crime is smo9in+ o(ium, (eriodH 4ut i$ )ou sa) )ou "a*e (rescri(tion, t"en )ou (ro*e it
T"at is sometimes t"e di$$icult areas in t"e law 0ou don5t 9now w"et"er it is (art o$ a crime or /ust a (art o$ )our
de$ense T"ere are t"in+s t"at we "a*e to determine T"is is (art o$ our stud) o$ Section C
Q: ?i9e $or e7am(le, )un+ I??E6E? POSSESSION OF FIREER.S =o )ou "a*e to alle+e t"at t"e $irearm is not
licensed?
A: T"e SC said 0ES, t"at is (art o$ t"e crime
Q: 4ut in =EN6EROUS =RU6S ECT, i#a man I$ )ou are in (ossession o$ o(ium, mari/uana or w"ate*er, )ou are
lia#le i$ wit"out aut"orit) o$ law Now, w"o will (ro*e t"e aut"orit) o$ law? Is t"at (art o$ t"e de$inition o$ t"e crime?
A: T"e SC said NO It is $or )ou to (ro*e t"at )ou are aut"ori:ed T"e crime is t"e (ossession or use o$ mari/uana T"at
)ou are aut"ori:ed to (ossess or smo9e is a matter o$ de$ense
Now let5s +o to t"e ne7t section 0ou must alle+e t"e (lace o$ t"e commission o$ t"e crime 0ou must also alle+e t"e
date o$ t"e commission o$ t"e crime
SEC 10 Place of commission of the offense. ! T"e com(laint or in$ormation is su$$icient i$ it can #e
understood $rom its alle+ations t"at t"e o$$ense was committed or some o$ its essential in+redients occurred
at some (lace wit"in t"e /urisdiction o$ t"e court, unless t"e (articular (lace w"ere it was committed
constitutes an essential element o$ t"e o$$ense c"ar+ed or is necessar) $or its identi$ication &10a'
Q: 1"en )ou sa) place, do )ou "a*e to #e *er) s(eci$ic as to t"e (lace w"ere t"e crime was committed? 0ou must
descri#e t"e 9alsada, t"e street?
A: NO Es a matter o$ $act, i$ )ou loo9 at t"e in$ormation, it /ust sa)s, )ou committed t"e crime in =a*ao Cit) wit"out
e*en statin+ w"at #aran+a) or #arrio So, t"e (lace o$ t"e commission o$ t"e crime ma)#e stated +enerall) 1"at is onl)
im(ortant is it is wit"in t"e territorial /urisdiction
Rule 110
EPCEPTION w"en t"e (lace o$ t"e commission o$ t"e crime constitutes an essential element o$ t"e crime c"ar+ed 0anH
0ou must #e s(eci$ic E7am(les%
EPE.P?E% TRESPESS TO =1E??IN6 0ou must s(eci$) t"at t"e crime was committed #) enterin+ into t"e
dwellin+ o$ some#od) 0ou cannot /ust sa) t"at "e committed it in =a*ao Cit) 0ou must sa) na (umaso9 si)a sa #a"a) na
ito Or
EPE.P?E RO44ER0 IN EN INHE4ITE= HOUSE, PU4?IC 4UI?=IN6 OR E=IFICE =EMOTE= TO
1ORSHIP 0ou must state t"e (articular "ouse Aailan+an s(eci$ic 9a di)an
SEC 11 >ate of commission of the offense. B It is not necessar) to state in t"e com(laint or
in$ormation t"e (recise date t"e o$$ense was committed e7ce(t w"en it is a material in+redient o$ t"e
o$$ense T"e o$$ense ma) #e alle+ed to "a*e #een committed on a date as near as possi(le to t"e actual date
o$ its commission &11a'
Q: How a#out )un+ date? Is it necessar) t"at it s"ould #e *er) accurate?
A: NO 1"at is im(ortant is t"at t"e in$ormation alle+es t"at t"e crime was committed 2on or a#out3 a certain date
Q: T"e in$ormation said t"at <ud) committed "omicide on <anuar) -0 =urin+ t"e trial, (inala#as na =ecem#er -0 (ala !
one mont" earlier Is t"at "armless or $atal?
A: It is still co*ered #) t"e ("rase 2on or a#out3 E *ariance o$ a $ew mont"s #etween t"e time set out in t"e indictment
and t"at esta#lis"ed #) t"e e*idence durin+ t"e trial "as #een "eld not to constitute an error so serious as to warrant re*ersal
o$ a con*iction solel) on t"at score alone &Roca#erte *s Peo(le, 1CD SCRE 1C-'
4ut w"en )ou sa) =ecem#er -000 and t"en t"e crime (ala was committed in 1CCJ, a) so#ra na )anH T"at is too muc"
Fi*e &J' )ears is no lon+er co*ered #) 2on or a#out3 T"at is alread) *iolati*e o$ Section 11 E *ariance o$ se*eral )ears, or
t"e statement o$ t"e time o$ t"e commission o$ t"e o$$ense w"ic" is so +eneral as to s(an a num#er o$ )ears "as #een "eld to
#e $atall) de$ecti*e &Roca#erte *s Peo(le, 1CD SCRE 1C-'
Q: End w"at is t"e remed) in t"at case?
A: T"e remed) a+ainst an indictment t"at $ails to alle+e t"e time o$ t"e commission o$ t"e o$$ense wit" su$$icient
de$initeness is a motion $or a #ill o$ (articulars &Roca#erte *s Peo(le, 1CD SCRE 1C-' =o not dismiss t"e in$ormation T"at
was commented #) t"e SC in t"e recent case o$ People vs. Aarcia, No*em#er 8, 1CCK &-I1 SCRE >8D'
I "a*e to admit t"at t"e rules now tr) to ma9e a +a( #etween t"e date o$ t"e commission o$ t"e crime as alle+ed in t"e
in$ormation and t"e actual date o$ commission to #e not so $ar 0ou loo9 at Section 11% 'xxx The offense ma%(e alle0e or
committed on a date as near as possi(le to the actual date of its commission.* T"at ("rase 'as near as possi(le* is not $ound
in t"e 1CIJ rules
T"e ON?0 EPCEPTION is /ust li9e in t"e Section 10, UN?ESS t"e date o$ t"e commission o$ t"e crime is an essential
element o$ t"e crime ?i9e $or e7am(le%
EPE.P?E% MIO?ETION OF E?ECTION CO=E, drin9in+ li,uor durin+ election da) 0ou must #e s(eci$ic 9un+
anon+ araw )un Hindi (weden+ 2on or a#out election da)3 Hindi (wede )anH I$ )ou dran9 li,uor #e$ore, wala man+ crime
I$ )ou drin9 li,uor a$ter, wala man+ crime #aH
EPE.P?E INFENTICI=E It is committed #) 9illin+ a c"ild less t"an D da)s old or less t"an K- "ours I$ t"e in$ant is
e7actl) D da)s old, it is no lon+er in$anticide So t"e in$ormation must #e *er) s(eci$ic t"at t"e c"ild was #orn on t"is da), on
t"is time and t"e 9illin+ was done on t"is da), on t"is time
SEC 1- Name of the offended part%. ! T"e com(laint or in$ormation must state t"e name and surname
o$ t"e (erson a+ainst w"om or a+ainst w"ose (ro(ert) t"e o$$ense was committed, or an) a((ellation or
nic9name #) w"ic" suc" (erson "as #een or is 9nown I$ t"ere is no #etter wa) o$ identi$)in+ "im, "e must
#e descri#ed under a $ictitious name
&a' In o$$enses a+ainst (ro(ert), i$ t"e name o$ t"e o$$ended (art) is un9nown, t"e (ro(ert) must #e
descri#ed wit" suc" (articularit) as to (ro(erl) identi$) t"e o$$ense c"ar+ed
&#' I$ t"e true name o$ t"e (erson a+ainst w"om or a+ainst w"ose (ro(ert) t"e o$$ense was committed
is t"erea$ter disclosed or ascertained, t"e court must cause suc" true name to #e inserted in t"e com(laint or
in$ormation and t"e record
&c' I$ t"e o$$ended (art) is a /uridical (erson, it is su$$icient to state its name, or an) name or
desi+nation #) w"ic" it is 9nown or #) w"ic" it ma) #e identi$ied, wit"out need o$ a*errin+ t"at it is a
/uridical (erson or t"at it is or+ani:ed in accordance wit" law &1-a'
?et5s +o to t"e ne7t rule ! name o$ t"e o$$ended (art) 0ou must alle+e also w"o is t"e *ictim 1e are tal9in+ "ere a#out
Rule 110
t"e *ictim ! t"e (ri*ate o$$ended (art)
Q: 1") is it t"at t"e name o$ t"e o$$ended (art) must #e alle+ed in t"e in$ormation?
A: #irst, t"e +eneral rule is t"at, aside $rom t"e Peo(le o$ t"e P"ili((ines, t"ere is a (ri*ate *ictim Second, so t"at we
will 9now to w"om t"e court will award t"e ci*il lia#ilit)
Q: Is t"ere a (ossi#ilit) #) w"ic" t"e name o$ t"e o$$ended (art) is not mentioned in t"e in$ormation #ut t"e same is still
*alid?
A: 0ES Para+ra(" FaG, in a crime a0ainst propert% I$ )ou do not 9now w"o is t"e *ictim o$ t"e$t or ro##er), it is enou+"
t"at )ou descri#e t"e (ro(ert) in t"e in$ormation
EPE.P?E% E t"ie$, na"uli and "e was $ound in (ossession o$ stolen +oods and "e admitted "e stole Aanino? 'E-an
Bo. 5asta 0i:snatch Bo man lan0 ito.* Can t"e (olice $ile a case? 0ES 0ou /ust descri#e t"e (ro(ert) in t"e in$ormation e*en
i$ we don5t 9now t"e owner #ecause )ou commit t"e$t w"en )ou ta9e (ersonal (ro(ert) #elon+in+ to anot"er wit" intent to
+ain 1"at is im(ortant is t"at, it #elon+s to anot"er
PEOP?E vs. CFI OF RUELON 4R J
-0C SCRE K0>
FECTS% T"e accused was c"ar+ed wit" tim#er smu++lin+ or ille+al cuttin+ o$ lo+s $rom (u#lic $orest under
P= No D-0 E)an, wala tala+an+ (ri*ate o$$ended (art) di)an T"e onl) o$$ended (art) is t"e +o*ernment 4ut
t"e in$ormation does not mention t"at t"e o$$ended (art) is t"e State T"e accused c"allen+ed t"e in$ormation
on t"is +round
HE?=% E*en i$ t"e State is not mentioned, t"e in$ormation is NOT de$ecti*e 1")? 0ou loo9 at t"e ca(tion
o$ t"e case ! 2Peo(le o$ t"e P"ili((ines3 T"at is actuall) t"e o$$ended (art)
Q: 1"at "a((ens i$ t"ere was an erroneous namin+ o$ t"e o$$ended (art)?
A: In t"e case o$
PEOP?E vs. U4E
CC P"il 1D>
FECTS% Mid:, on a certain date, was alle+ed to "a*e uttered (u#licl) slanderous words a+ainst <essam)n
So <essam)n is t"e *ictim o$ t"e slander Elam ni)o durin+ t"e trial, it turned out t"at t"e *ictim (ala was ?)le,
not <essam)n 4ut e*er)t"in+ is t"e same ! t"e date and (lace o$ t"e commission, t"e de$amator) words ! (areB
(are"oH Onl), t"ere was an erroneous desi+nation o$ t"e o$$ended (art)
ISSUE% Can t"e court con*ict Mid: $or t"e crime o$ slander?
HE?=% NO Elt"ou+" t"e words are t"e same, t"e slander a+ainst ?)le is a se(arate o$$ense .eanin+, )ou
are c"ar+in+ a di$$erent o$$ense $rom t"e crime (ro*en 0ou cannot con*ict a (erson o$ a crime not (ro(erl)
c"ar+ed
2E mista9e in (uttin+ in t"e in$ormation t"e name o$ t"e o$$ended (art) is a material matter w"ic"
necessaril) a$$ects t"e identi$ication o$ t"e act c"ar+ed T"e case s"ould #e dismissed $or *ariance #etween t"e
alle+ations o$ t"e in$ormation and t"e (roo$3
Howe*er, t"ere were exceptions in t"e (ast li9e w"ere t"e accused, w"o is not a doctor, was c"ar+ed o$ ille+al (ractice o$
medicine T"e in$ormation stated t"at t"e o$$ended (art) is Paul Pa+Btrial, "indi (ala si Paul Si Ina) (ala da(at an+ *ictim
T"e SC said t"e accused can #e con*icted 1")? T"e crime is ille+al (ractice o$ medicine re+ardless o$ w"et"er t"e *ictim is
Paul or Ina) &=iel *s .artine:, K8 P"il -KD' 0anH It is di$$erent $rom t"e case o$ U(a.
SEC 1D >uplicit% of the offense. ! E com(laint or in$ormation must c"ar+e onl) one o$$ense, e7ce(t
w"en t"e law (rescri#es a sin+le (unis"ment $or *arious o$$enses &1Da'
T"e com(laint or in$ormation must c"ar+e onl) one o$$ense It cannot c"ar+e - or more o$$enses I$ it does, it is called
duplicitous com(laint or in$ormation
Q: 1"at is t"e remed) t"ere?
A: Ectuall), )ou can $ile a .otion to Ruas" under Section D F$G, Rule 11K 4ut t"e de$ect is wai*a#le #ecause i$ )ou do
not $ile a .otion to Ruas", t"e trial can (roceed and i$ )ou are $ound +uilt) $or committin+ - or more crimes, t"en t"ere will
#e - or more (enalties &Section >, Rule 1-0' =a(at di)an, one in$ormation, one crime T"at is t"e 6ENERE? RU?E
T"is seems to +o a+ainst t"e rule in ci*il (rocedure a#out /oinder o$ causes o$ action In one com(laint )ou can /oin - or
more causes o$ action, alt"ou+" )ou can also $ile - or more cases Eno5n+ tawa+ di)an? <oinder o$ (arties or /oinder o$
causes o$ action T"ere is no suc" t"in+ as /oinder o$ crimes in criminal (rocedure
Rule 110
EPE.P?E% T"e Patric9 +ot a +un, went out o$ t"e street, t"en met t"ree (eo(le 4inaril ni)a% 4an+H 4an+H 4an+H
Tatlon+ tao (ata)H Now, "e commits t"ree &D' crimes o$ "omicide
Q: Can I $ile one in$ormation accusin+ Patric9 o$ D "omicide committed on t"at da)?
A: NO T"at is du(licitous T"ere must t"ree &D' in$ormations, one $or eac" *ictim
Q: 4ut t"at is trou#lesome T"e e*idence or t"e witnesses are identical 1"at is t"e remed%?
A: 0ou $ile a .otion to Consolidate )our trial ! /oint trial $or t"e D criminal cases T"at is t"e remed), #ut not 1
in$ormation c"ar+in+ D acts o$ "omicide unless t"e ot"er (art) does not ,uestion t"e du(licitous c"aracter o$ t"e in$ormation
EPCEPTION T"e rule (ro"i#itin+ du(licitous com(laints or in$ormations (ro*ides $or e7ce(tions% 2E7ce(t w"en t"e
law (rescri#es a sin+le (unis"ment $or *arious o$$enses3 1"en t"e law (ro*ides onl) one (enalt) $or - or more o$$enses
t"en Section 1D is not *iolated Examples:
EPE.P?E% CO.P?EP CRI.ES ! w"en a sin+le act (roduces - or more +ra*e or less $elonies or w"en one o$$ense is
a necessar) means to commit anot"er Ectuall), (aran+ du(licitous )un e" 9un+ tin+nan mo #ecause )ou are accusin+
some#od) o$ - "omicides #ased on 1 sin+le act 4ut t"at is onl) an e7ce(tion T"ere is one (enalt) an)wa)
EPE.P?E% SPECIE? CO.P?EP CRI.ES Ro##er) wit" "omicide or Ra(e wit" Homicide T"at is not du(licitous
T"ere is one (enalt) t"ere
EPE.P?E% =E?ITO CONTINUE=O T"e accused stole - rooster owned #) - di$$erent (eo(le Ectuall), t"ere are -
acts o$ ta9in+ #ut in t"e e)es o$ t"e law, t"ere is onl) one crime T"e accused was moti*ated #) sin+le criminal resolution
EPE.P?E% 4a#an+ was c"ar+ed o$ t"e crime o$ RE4E??ION Re#ellion ! s"e too9 u( arms a+ainst t"e +o*ernment,
9illed soldiers, #urned +o*ernment (ro(erties '>uplicitous %an) Cadami:dami n%an o)* NO T"at is not du(licitous #ecause
#ased o$ t"e a(sorption doctrine ! t"e common crimes are not to #e treated as se(arate crimes #ut are alread) a#sor#ed in t"e
re#ellion T"e SC said t"ere is no crime suc" as re#ellion com(le7ed wit" murder or "omicide 4ut w") do )ou "a*e to recite
all t"ese t"in+s? T"at is merel) a recital o$ t"e manner o$ t"e crime o$ re#ellion T"at is not a *iolation o$ Section 1D
PEOP?E vs. 4UENMIE<E
>K P"il JD8
FECTS% T"ere was a s(ecial law (enali:in+ in once section t"e crime o$ ille+al (ractice o$ medicine EN=
ille+all) ad*ertisin+ onesel$ as a doctor T"e (enalt) o$ JB)ear im(risonment s"all #e im(osed on a (erson w"o,
not #ein+ a (")sician, (ractice medicine or ad*ertise "imsel$ as a (")sician T"ere is onl) one (enalt) $or t"ese
acts T"e in$ormation alle+es% 2T"at t"e accused is c"ar+ed o$ *iolatin+ t"at law #ecause "e (racticed medicine,
or IN THE E?TERNETIME, "e ad*ertised "imsel$ as a doctor w"en in $act, "e is not3
ISSUE% Is t"e in$ormation du(licitous?
HE?=% NO 1"en t"e in$ormation merel) recites in t"e alternati*e or ot"erwise t"e di$$erent wa)s o$
committin+ t"e o$$ense li9e t"e in$ormation c"ar+es t"e accused $or ille+al (ractice o$ medicine and wit"
ille+all) ad*ertisin+ "imsel$ as a (")sician, t"ere is onl) one crime #ecause t"ese are onl) alternati*e wa)s o$
committin+ t"e crime
T"e rule is di$$erent w"en t"e accused is c"ar+ed o$ *iolatin+ - di$$erent sections o$ t"e same law wit" distinct (enalties
w"ic", i$ c"ar+ed in a sin+le in$ormation, would render it du(licitous &Peo(le *s Ferrer, 101 P"il -D>'
SEC 1> Amendment or su(stitution. ! E com(laint or in$ormation ma) #e amended, in $orm or in
su#stance, wit"out lea*e o$ court and w"en it can #e done wit"out causin+ (re/udice to t"e ri+"ts o$ t"e
accused
Howe*er, an) amendment #e$ore (lea, w"ic" down+rades t"e nature o$ t"e o$$ense c"ar+ed in or
e7cludes an) accused $rom t"e com(laint or in$ormation, can #e made onl) u(on motion #) t"e (rosecutor,
wit" notice to t"e o$$ended (art) and wit" lea*e o$ court T"e court s"all state its reasons in resol*in+ t"e
motion and co(ies o$ its order s"all #e $urnis"ed all (arties, es(eciall) t"e o$$ended (art) &n'
I$ it a((ears at an)time #e$ore /ud+ment t"at a mista9e "as #een made in c"ar+in+ t"e (ro(er o$$ense,
t"e court s"all dismiss t"e ori+inal com(laint or in$ormation u(on t"e $ilin+ o$ a new one c"ar+in+ t"e
(ro(er o$$ense in accordance wit" section 1C, Rule 11C, (ro*ided t"e accused s"all not #e (laced in dou#le
/eo(ard) T"e court ma) re,uire t"e witnesses to +i*e #ail $or t"eir a((earance at t"e trial &1>a'
In ci*il (rocedure, formal amendment ! no (ro#lem It can #e allowed at an) sta+e Su(stantial amendment, $or as lon+
as t"ere is still no res(onsi*e (leadin+, t"e (lainti$$ can amend "is com(laint an)time Once a res(onsi*e (leadin+ is $iled,
su#stantial amendment is allowed #ut wit" lea*e o$ court
In criminal (rocedure t"e rule is% $or as lon+ as t"e accused "as not )et entered "is (lea ! wala (an+ arrai+nment, t"e
accused "as not )et (leaded +uilt) or not +uilt) ! t"e in$ormation can #e amended eit"er in su#stance or in $orm
Rule 110
Q: 1"at "a((ens i$ t"e accused "as alread% entered "is (lea? Can t"e in$ormation still #e amended #) t"e (rosecution?
A: Es to FOR. ! 0es, as a matter o$ /udicial discretion Aailan+an meron+ (ermission
Es to SU4STENCE ! Ne*erH 4awalH 100S (ro"i#ited
Q: How do )ou determine w"et"er t"e amendment is $ormal or su#stantial? Sometimes madali, sometimes ma"ira(
Aun+ wron+ s(ellin+ lan+, tala+an+ $ormal )an
A: Eccordin+ to t"e SC #ased on certain cases, t"e $ollowin+ are considered su(stantial and t"ere$ore cannot #e allowed
a$ter (lea%
1 i$ t"e amendment c"an+es t"e manner o$ t"e commission o$ t"e o$$ense; &Peo(le *s Lulueta, IC P"il KJ-'
- i$ it c"an+es t"e name o$ t"e o$$ended (art); &Peo(le *s U#a, CC P"il 1D>'
D i$ it c"an+es t"e date o$ t"e commission o$ t"e o$$ense; &Peo(le *s O(emia, CI P"il 8CI'
?et5s sa), $rom t"e )ear -000 to J )ears #ac9wards Hindi (weden+ ma+in+ $ormal )an
> w"en t"e (ur(ose o$ amendment is to ma9e t"e in$ormation c"ar+e an o$$ense w"en t"e ori+inal in$ormation
does not c"ar+e an o$$ense; &1on+ *s 0atco, CC P"il KC1' or
J w"en it c"an+es t"e $act or +round o$ res(onsi#ilit) alle+ed in t"e ori+inal in$ormation &Peo(le *s ?a#atete, JK
O6 8KID'
Example% $rom accom(lice, +a+awin 9an+ (rinci(al T"e same is not $ormal
Q: How do )ou determine w"et"er t"e amendment is as to $orm or su#stance?
A: En amendment w"ic" merel) states wit" additional (recision somet"in+ w"ic" is alread) contained in t"e ori+inal
in$ormation, and w"ic", t"ere$ore, adds not"in+ essential $or con*iction $or t"e crime c"ar+ed is an amendment to $orm t"at
can #e made at an)time &Peo(le *s .ontene+ro, 1JC SCRE -D8'
Q: T"e amendment is su#stantial i$ t"e amendment will (re/udice t"e ri+"ts o$ t"e accused How do )ou determine
w"et"er t"e ri+"ts o$ t"e accused are (re/udiced?
A: T"e test as to w"en t"e ri+"ts o$ an accused are (re/udiced #) t"e amendment o$ a com(laint or in$ormation is w"en a
de$ense under t"e com(laint or in$ormation, as it ori+inall) stood, would no lon+er #e a*aila#le a$ter t"e amendment is made,
and w"en an) e*idence t"e accused mi+"t "a*e, would #e ina((lica#le to t"e com(laint or in$ormation as amended &Peo(le
*s .ontene+ro, 1JC SCRE -D8' .eanin+, e*idence w"ic" could "el( )ou in t"e $irst (lace will no lon+er "el( )ou a$ter t"e
amendment ! t"at is (re/udicial
4UHET vs. COURT OF EPPEE?S
-8J SCRE K01, =ecem#er 1K, 1CC8
FECTS% =anilo 4u"at was c"ar+ed wit" "omicide in an in$ormation w"ic" alle+ed t"at t"e accused 9illed
t"e *ictim usin+ superior stren0th F=a(at di)an murder e" #ecause o$ su(erior stren+t"G Eccused 4u"at
(leaded not +uilt) E$ter t"at t"e (rosecution sou+"t to amend t"e in$ormation #) u(+radin+ t"e crime c"ar+ed
$rom "omicide to t"e more serious crime o$ murder
ISSUE% Is t"e amendment SU4STENTIE? or FOR.E??
HE?=% It is FOR.E? #ecause t"e alle+ation o$ superior stren0th is alread) t"ere In ot"er words, $rom t"e
*er) start, it was reall) meant to #e murder .a#uti sana 9un+ dina+da+ lan+ )un+ su(erior stren+t" It is
alread) t"ere all alon+
2T"e real nature o$ t"e criminal c"ar+e is determined not $rom t"e ca(tion or (ream#le o$ t"e in$ormation
nor $rom t"e s(eci$ication o$ t"e (ro*ision o$ t"e law alle+ed to "a*e #een *iolated, t"e) #ein+ conclusions o$
law w"ic" in no wa) a$$ect t"e le+al as(ects o$ t"e in$ormation, #ut $rom t"e actual recital o$ $acts as alle+ed in
t"e #od) o$ t"e in$ormation3
2Petitioner in t"e case at #enc" maintains t"at, "a*in+ alread) (leaded 2not +uilt)3 to t"e crime o$
"omicide, t"e amendment o$ t"e crime c"ar+ed in t"e in$ormation $rom "omicide to murder is a su#stantial
amendment (re/udicial to "is ri+"t to #e in$ormed o$ t"e nature o$ t"e accusation a+ainst "im He utterl) $ails to
dis(ute, "owe*er, t"at t"e ori+inal in$ormation did alle+e t"at (etitioner sta##ed "is *ictim 2usin+ su(erior
stren+t"3 End t"is (articular alle+ation ,uali$ies a 9illin+ to murder, re+ardless o$ "ow suc" a 9illin+ is
tec"nicall) desi+nated in t"e in$ormation $iled #) t"e (u#lic (rosecutor3
.eanin+, in t"e case o$ 5uhat t"e (rosecutor #elie*es ori+inall) t"at it is "omicide, #ut it is murder (ala all alon+ 1e
are not addin+ an)t"in+ new
Aa)a n+a w"en I read it, I t"in9 t"ere5s somet"in+ wron+ "ere wit" t"is 9ind o$ rulin+ <ust ima+ine, naBca(ital crime 9a,
ta(os $ormal amendment lan+? 0ou 9now m) (ersonal *iew in t"e case o$ 5uhat, it s"ould #e treated onl) as "omicide wit"
t"e a++ra*atin+ circumstance o$ a#use o$ su(erior stren+t" 4ut t"at was w"at t"e SC said e" 1ala ta)on+ ma+awa
Rule 110
Howe*er, an) amendment #e$ore (lea, w"ic" down+rades t"e nature o$ t"e o$$ense c"ar+ed in or
e7cludes an) accused $rom t"e com(laint or in$ormation, can #e made onl) u(on motion #) t"e (rosecutor,
wit" notice to t"e o$$ended (art) and wit" lea*e o$ court T"e court s"all state its reasons in resol*in+ t"e
motion and co(ies o$ its order s"all #e $urnis"ed all (arties, es(eciall) t"e o$$ended (art) &n' 4second
para0raph/ Section 8D/ ule 8891
T"e second (ara+ra(" o$ Section 1> is new Ta9e note in t"e case o$ 5uhat, $rom "omicide to murder Ito naman,
#ali9tad ?et5s sa) #e$ore arrai+nment, sa#i n+ Fiscal% 2Te9a muna, di (ala murder, "omicide lan+ (ala,3 So, +iBdown+rade
#aH
Now, i$ (rosecutor will do t"at, "e must noti$) t"e o$$ended (art), at least t"e $amil), so t"at "e can #e "eard #e$ore t"e
trial court allows So t"is time, t"e amendment is not a matter o$ ri+"t
E+ain, w"en )ou amend a com(laint or in$ormation to down+rade t"e nature o$ t"e o$$ense or w"en t"e amendment is to
e7clude an accused $rom t"e com(laint or in$ormation, o$ course, it can onl) #e done #) motion o$ t"e (rosecutor, notice to
t"e o$$ended (art), and decree o$ court T"at is a new (ro*ision
I$ it a((ears at an)time #e$ore /ud+ment t"at a mista9e "as #een made in c"ar+in+ t"e (ro(er o$$ense,
t"e court s"all dismiss t"e ori+inal com(laint or in$ormation u(on t"e $ilin+ o$ a new one c"ar+in+ t"e
(ro(er o$$ense in accordance wit" section 1C, Rule 11C, (ro*ided t"e accused s"all not #e (laced in dou#le
/eo(ard) T"e court ma) re,uire t"e witnesses to +i*e #ail $or t"eir a((earance at t"e trial 46ast para0raph/
Section 8D/ ule 8891
?et5s +o to #asic
Q: E$ter t"e trial, t"e crime (ro*en is di$$erent $rom t"e crime c"ar+e Howe*er, t"e $ormer is included in t"e latter 1ill
)ou dismiss t"e case?
A: NO, /ust con*ict t"e accused $or t"e crime (ro*en since t"e crime (ro*en is included in t"e crime c"ar+ed
EPE.P?E% <enn) was c"ar+ed wit" murder E$ter trial, t"e (rosecution (ro*ed "omicide 1"at will t"e court do?
=ismiss t"e com(laint $or murder? NO <enn) s"ould #e con*icted $or "omicide #ecause all t"e element o$ "omicide are also
included in t"e crime o$ murder &Rule 11C'
Howe*er, t"at is not w"at Section 1> contem(lates 1"at is contem(lated #) Section 1> is, t"e o$$ense (ro*en is
com(letel) different $rom t"e crime c"ar+ed and t"ere$ore t"e accused cannot #e con*icted $or t"e crime (ro*en #ecause t"e
crime (ro*en is not included in t"e crime c"ar+ed
Q: So w"at s"ould t"e court do?
A: T"e court s"ould dismiss t"e com(laint or in$ormation u(on t"e $ilin+ o$ a new in$ormation #) t"e (rosecution
Pro*ided, t"e (rinci(le o$ dou#le /eo(ard) is not a((lica#le
Remem#er t"e case o$ U(a, w"ere Mid: was c"ar+ed wit" oral de$amation $or utterin+ slanderous remar9s a+ainst
<essam)n on a (articular date and time 4ut durin+ t"e trial, it turned out t"at t"e slander was committed a+ainst ?)le Now,
can Mid: #e con*icted $or t"e crime o$ slander a+ainst ?)le, w"en t"e in$ormation sa)s t"e crime was a+ainst <essam)n? NO
Elt"ou+" t"e crime (ro*en is t"e same, "owe*er t"e erroneous desi+nation o$ t"e o$$ended (art) deals wit" entirel) anot"er
crime committed a+ainst a di$$erent (erson
Q: 1"at s"ould t"e court do in t"at case?
A: Followin+ Section 1>, t"e $iscal s"ould $ile a new in$ormation almost e7actl) t"e same as t"e old one, now t"e
o$$ended (art) is ?)le T"e court will now dismiss t"e ori+inal c"ar+e w"ic" is entirel) di$$erent
Q: 1"at do )ou call t"at?
A: SU4STITUTION o$ com(laint or in$ormation
Q: Now, "ow do )ou distin+uis" su(stitution o$ in$ormation $rom amendment o$ in$ormation?
E% T"e case o$
TEEHENAEE <R vs. .E=E0E6
-0K SCRE 1D>
FECTS% T"is case was a#out t"e murder o$ .aureen Hultman S"e was s"ot #ut did not die immediatel)
So t"e crime c"ar+ed was $rustrated murder 4ut w"ile t"e case was (endin+, Hultman died T"ere$ore, t"e
$iscal $iled a new in$ormation $or consummated murder
ISSUE% =istin+uis" amendment o$ in$ormation $rom su#stitution o$ in$ormation? FT"is would #e clearer
w"en we reac" Rule 11- on Preliminar) In*esti+ationG
HE?=% T"e $irst (ara+ra(" (ro*ides t"e rules $or amendment o$ t"e in$ormation or com(laint, w"ile t"e
second (ara+ra(" re$ers to t"e su#stitution o$ t"e in$ormation or com(laint
Rule 110
It ma) accordin+l) #e (osited t"at #ot" amendment and su#stitution o$ t"e in$ormation ma) #e made #e$ore
or a$ter t"e de$endant (leads, #ut t"e) di$$er in t"e $ollowin+ res(ects%
1 E.EN=.ENT ma) in*ol*e eit"er $ormal or su#stantial c"an+es, w"ile SU4STITUTION necessaril)
in*ol*es a su#stantial c"an+e $rom t"e ori+inal c"ar+e;
- E.EN=.ENT #e$ore (lea "as #een entered can #e e$$ected wit"out lea*e o$ court, #ut
SU4STITUTION o$ in$ormation must #e wit" lea*e o$ court as t"e ori+inal in$ormation "as to #e
dismissed;
D 1"ere t"e E.EN=.ENT is onl) as to $orm, t"ere is no need $or anot"er (reliminar) in*esti+ation
and t"e reta9in+ o$ t"e (lea o$ t"e accused; in SU4STITUTION o$ in$ormation, anot"er (reliminar)
in*esti+ation is entailed and t"e accused "as to (lead anew to t"e new in$ormation; and
> En E.EN=E= in$ormation re$ers to t"e same o$$ense c"ar+ed in t"e ori+inal in$ormation or to an
o$$ense w"ic" necessaril) includes or is necessaril) included in t"e ori+inal c"ar+e, "ence su#stantial
amendments to t"e in$ormation a$ter t"e (lea "as #een ta9en cannot #e made o*er t"e o#/ection o$ t"e
accused, $or i$ t"e ori+inal in$ormation would #e wit"drawn, t"e accused could, in*o9e dou#le
/eo(ard) On t"e ot"er "and, SU4STITUTION re,uires or (resu((oses t"at t"e new in$ormation
in*ol*es a di$$erent o$$ense w"ic" does not include or is not necessaril) included in t"e ori+inal
c"ar+e, "ence t"e accused cannot claim dou#le /eo(ard)
In amendment, )ou are not c"an+in+ t"e crime T"e crime is t"e same T"ere$ore, a$ter t"e accused "as (leaded, )ou
cannot c"an+e t"e in$ormation an)more T"at is w") su#stantial amendments can ne*er #e allowed a$ter t"e (lea I$ t"is rule
is *iolated, "e will #e (laced in dou#le /eo(ard) #ecause )ou are c"ar+in+ "im $or t"e same o$$ense or an o$$ense necessaril)
included in t"e ori+inal c"ar+e
On t"e ot"er "and, su(stitution (resu((oses t"at t"e new in$ormation or com(laint in*ol*es a di$$erent o$$ense w"ic" is
not necessaril) included in t"e in t"e ori+inal c"ar+e T"ere$ore, t"e accused cannot claim dou#le /eo(ard) How can )ou
in*o9e dou#le /eo(ard) in su#stitution w"en t"e new c"ar+e is com(letel) di$$erent $rom t"e ori+inal c"ar+e?
I remem#er t"is was a 1CC- decision =urin+ t"e 1CC> 4ar e7ams, t"is was one o$ t"e ,uestions t"at entered into m)
mind Na"ulaan 9o na lala#as ito e" &e"emH'% distin+uis" amendment $rom su#stitution <ust remem#er t"e case o$
TeehanBee 3r. vs. &ada%a0 I t"in9 t"at ,uestion was onl) D (oints Elri+"t
SEC 1J Place -here action is to (e instituted. &a' Su#/ect to e7istin+ laws, t"e criminal action s"all #e
instituted and tried in t"e court o$ t"e munici(alit) or territor) w"ere t"e o$$ense was committed or w"ere
an) o$ its essential in+redients occurred
&#' 1"ere an o$$ense is committed in a train, aircra$t, or ot"er (u#lic or (ri*ate *e"icle in t"e course o$
its tri(, t"e criminal action s"all #e instituted and tried int e" court o$ an) munici(alit) or territor) w"ere
suc" train, aircra$t, or ot"er *e"icle (assed durin+ its tri(, includin+ t"e (lace o$ its de(arture and arri*al
&c' 1"ere an o$$ense is committed on #oard a *essel in t"e course o$ its *o)a+e, t"e criminal action
s"all #e instituted and tried in t"e court o$ t"e $irst (ort o$ entr) or o$ an) munici(alit) or territor) w"ere
t"e *essel (assed durin+ suc" *o)a+e, su#/ect to t"e +enerall) acce(ted (rinci(les o$ international law
&d' Crimes committed outside t"e P"ili((ines #ut (unis"a#le under Erticle - o$ t"e Re*ised Penal
Code s"all #e co+ni:a#le #) t"e court w"ere t"e criminal action is $irst $iled &1Ja'
In ci*il case we call t"is venue In criminal (rocedure, *enue is also /urisdiction It re$ers to territorial /urisdiction So i$
)ou $ile a criminal case in t"e wron+ (lace, t"e accused could ,uestion t"e /urisdiction o$ t"e court o*er t"e o$$ense T"is is
one di$$erence #etween ci*il and criminal (rocedure
&a' Su#/ect to e7istin+ laws, t"e criminal action s"all #e instituted and tried in t"e court o$ t"e
munici(alit) or territor) w"ere t"e o$$ense was committed or w"ere an) o$ its essential in+redients
occurred &Section 1J, Rule 110'
T"e word municipalit% "ere includes cities #ecause it could #e a cit) .unici(alit) de$initel) re$ers to a crime tria#le #)
t"e .TC T"e word territor% re$ers to a crime tria#le #) t"e RTC #ecause o$ t"e (ro*ision o$ Section 1I, 4P 1-C t"at e*er)
RTC "as its own territor) o*er w"ic" it resides, $or (ur(oses o$ *enue in ci*il cases and /urisdiction in criminal cases w"ere
t"e o$$ense was committed or w"ere an) o$ t"e essential in+redients occurred
Q: 1") does t"e law (rescri#es t"at t"e case #e $iled or tried in t"e (lace w"ere t"e crime was committed?
A: T"e $ollowin+ are t"e reasons%
1 T"e interest o$ t"e (u#lic re,uires t"at, to secure t"e #est results and e$$ects in t"e (unis"ment o$ crimes, it is
necessar) to (rosecute and (unis" t"e criminal in t"e *er) (lace, as near as ma) #e w"ere "e committed "is
crime &.RR Co *s Ett) 6eneral, -0 P"il J-D';
- Es to t"e interest o$ t"e accused, it would cause "im +reat incon*enience in loo9in+ $or witnesses and ot"er
Rule 110
e*idence in anot"er (lace &4eltran *s Ramos, C8 P"il 1>C'
T"e law sa)s, t"e criminal case will #e tried, -here?
1 w"ere t"e o$$ense was committed; or
- w"ere an) o$ t"e essential in+redients occurred
,+EE T+E O##ENSE ,AS !O&&ITTE>
T"is re$ers to w"at )ou call local offense 1"at do )ou mean #) a local o$$ense? It is an o$$ense, w"ic" is $ull)
consummated in one (lace .eanin+, all t"e elements o$ t"e crime "a((ened in t"at (lace
,+EE ANE O# T+E ESSENTIA6 INAE>IENTS O!!UE>
T"is re$ers to w"at te7t writers call t"e continuin0 offense ! w"ere t"e elements occurred in - or more (laces ! one
element occurs "ere, t"e ot"er in anot"er (lace So eit"er one can tr) t"e case T"e *enue in t"is case is t"e c"oice o$ t"e
(rosecution
End mind )ou, t"e word 2continuin0 offense3 s"ould not #e con$used wit" t"e conce(t in criminal law ! t"e soBcalled
continuous crime under Erticle >I also 9nown as 2delicto continuado3 =alawan+ 9lasen+ continuin+ crime, e" One o$ t"e
relati*es o$ com(le7 crime is 2delicto continuado3 ! w"ere a (erson (er$orms a series o$ acts #ut all emanatin+ $rom one
criminal resolution ! #ut t"e issue to #e resol*ed is% "ow man) crimes were committed #) t"e accused? 0un an+ tanon+ dun
Ito naman+ 2continuin0 offense3, t"e ,uestion "ere is% in w"ic" court o$ w"at (lace will t"e crime #e tried? 0anH
Q: How do )ou de$ine a continuin+ o$$ense or transitor) crime?
A: It is a crime w"ere t"e elements occur in se*eral (laces
EPE.P?E% AI=NEPPIN6 or E4=UCTION T"e accused 9idna((ed Eltor in =a*ao Cit) and #rou+"t t"e Eltor in
Cota#ato and "idden t"ere Same t"in+ wit" a#duction% Aaren was a#ducted in =a*ao Cit) and #rou+"t in Cota#ato
Q: 1"ere s"ould t"e case o$ 9idna((in+ or a#duction as t"e case ma) #e, #e $iled?
A: It could #e $iled in =a*ao w"ere t"e *ictim was ta9en or a#ducted, or in Cota#ato were t"e *ictim was #rou+"t
Q: 4rod Pito too9 )our *e"icle "ere in =a*ao and #rou+"t it to Cota#ato 1"ere s"ould t"e crime o$ ,uali$ied t"e$t #e
tried? =a*ao or Cota#ato? Is t"at a continuin+ o$$ense or not?
A: =a*ao It is a local o$$ense From t"e moment t"e car was ta9en in =a*ao, t"e crime "as alread) #een consummated
It is not an indis(ensa#le re,uisite o$ t"e$t t"at t"e t"ie$ carr), more or less $ar awa), t"e t"in+ ta9en #) "im $rom its owner
&=uran *s Tan, IJ P"il >K8' T"e$t is committed #) ta9in+ (ersonal t"in+s Ta9in+ is instant From t"e moment it came to )
our (ossession, ta(os naH
?et5s +o to t"e issue o$ FENCIN6 ! )ou #u) stolen (ro(ert) I$ )ou "a*e 9nown it is stolen, )ou are lia#le 4ut ta9e
note% t"ere can #e no $encin+ i$ t"ere is no ro##er) or t"e$t Fencin+ (resu((oses t"ere is ro##er) or t"e$t
Q: Inda) stole a (ro(ert) in =i+os It was #rou+"t "ere and .aritess #ou+"t it "ere in =a*ao .aritess is now c"ar+ed
wit" $encin+ O$ course .aritess can #e c"ar+ed "ere in =a*ao Cit) #ecause s"e #ou+"t it "ere 4ut can t"e crime o$ $encin+
#e also $iled in =i+os w"ere t"e t"e$t was committed on t"e t"eor) t"at% "ow can t"ere #e $encin+ unless t"ere was t"e$t?
T"ere$ore e*er)t"in+ can +o #ac9 to t"e (lace w"ere t"e ori+inal crime was committed Is t"at correct?
A: It is NOT correct #ecause $encin+ is not a continuin+ crime It is a local o$$ense It is di$$erent $rom t"e crime o$ t"e$t
or ro##er) 4ot" crimes are two di$$erent crime T"e law on $encin+ does not re,uire t"e accused to "a*e (artici(ated in t"e
criminal desi+n to commit, or to "a*e #een in an) wise in*ol*ed in t"e commission o$, t"e crime o$ ro##er) or t"e$t Neit"er
is t"e crime o$ ro##er) or t"e$t made to de(end on an act o$ $encin+ in order t"at it can #e consummated True, t"e o#/ect
(ro(ert) in $encin+ must "a*e #een (re*iousl) ta9en #) means o$ eit"er ro##er) o$ t"e$t #ut t"e (lace w"ere t"e ro##er) or
t"e$t occurs is inconse,uential
It ma) not #e su++ested, $or instance, t"at, in t"e crime o$ #i+am) w"ic" (resu((oses a (rior su#sistin+ marria+e o$ an
accused, t"e case s"ould t"ere#) #e tria#le li9ewise at t"e (lace w"ere t"e (rior marria+e "as #een contracted &Peo(le *s =e
6u:man, Octo#er J, 1CCD'
Q: ESTEFE or .E?MERSETION T"e com(an)5s "ead o$$ice is in .a9ati Aennet" is t"e re(resentati*e o$ t"e
com(an) assi+ned in =a*ao He collects (a)ments $rom customers in =a*ao and "e is su((osed to remit all "is collections to
.a9ati Aennet" did not remit "is collections to .a9ati 1"ere s"ould t"e case o$ esta$a #e #rou+"t? =a*ao or .a9ati?
A: Eit"er o$ t"e two T"e crime is continuin+ It s"all #e instituted in t"e (lace w"ere t"e misa((ro(riation was
committed O in t"e (lace w"ere t"e accused was to render "is accountin+ &US *s .esina, >- P"il 8K'
?et5s +o to 4OUNCIN6 CHECAS law 1"ere s"ould t"e criminal case $or *iolation o$ #ouncin+ c"ec9s law #e $iled?
Sometimes, $iscals +et con$used 0ou owe me, )ou are in .anila, t"en )ou issue a c"ec9 in .anila and sent it to =a*ao
T"en I will de(osit t"e c"ec9 in =a*ao O$ course t"e #an9 will $orward it to .anila $or clearance T"e .anila #an9
dis"onored it 9a) walan+ (ondo 1"ere is t"e *enue $or suc" crime? T"at is w"at "a((ened in t"e case o$
Rule 110
PEOP?E vs. 6OROSPE
<anuar) -0, 1CII
&reiterated in 6ee vs. !A F1CCJG'
FECTS% T"e accused is $rom 4ulacan He was a dealer o$ San .i+uel (roducts and "e is under t"e control
o$ t"e Central ?u:on Re+ional O$$ice o$ San .i+uel Cor(oration &S.C' w"ic" is in San Fernando, Pam(an+a
So a re(resentati*e o$ S.C went to 4ulucan, collected $rom "im, "e issued c"ec9s w"ic" were drawn in
4ulacan T"e c"ec9s were recei*ed #) t"e re(resentati*e o$ S.C and went to t"e Head O$$ice in Pam(an+a and
turnedBo*er it T"e Pam(an+a o$$ice o$ S.C de(osited t"e c"ec9s wit" its de(ositar) #an9 in San Fernando,
Pam(an+a T"e c"ec9s were sent to 4ulacan $or clearin+ Tal#o+H 1it" t"is, series o$ cases were $iled Some
cases were esta$a Some were $or *iolation o$ 4P --
T"e accused c"allen+ed it #ecause all t"ese cases were $iled in San Fernando, Pam(an+a e" Eccordin+ to
"im, t"e cases s"ould #e $iled in 4ulacan Remem#er, t"e c"ec9s were 4ulacan c"ec9s and it was dis"onored
also in 4ulacan He said, 2I did not deli*er it in San Fernando I +a*e it to )our re(resentati*e So t"e c"ec9 was
deli*ered to a re(resentati*e So t"e deli*er) was made in 4ulacan T"us t"e Pam(an+a court "as no
/urisdiction3
ISSUE% Is t"e contention o$ t"e accused correct?
HE?=% NOH .aliH Ectuall), t"e crime is continuin0 #ecause t"e crime continues u( to t"e deli*er) o$ t"e
c"ec9 to t"e Central ?u:on O$$ice o$ S.C in Pam(an+a Under t"e Ne+otia#le Instruments ?aw, t"e deli*er) o$
t"e c"ec9 must #e made to a (erson w"o ta9es it as a "older or #earer o$ t"e instrument T"e c"ec9s are
intended to #e deli*ered in t"e Head O$$ice #ecause it is t"e deli*er) in Pam(an+a w"ic" ma9es t"e (a)ee t"e
#earer or t"e "older ! not t"e em(lo)er w"o went to 4ulacan So tinamaan an+ Pam(an+a court In e$$ect, it is a
continuin+ crime
In res(ect o$ t"e 4ouncin+ C"ec9s case, 2it is li9ewise true t"at 9nowled+e on t"e (art o$ t"e ma9er or
drawer o$ t"e c"ec9 o$ t"e insu$$icienc) o$ "is $unds, w"ic" is an essential in+redient o$ t"e o$$ense is #) itsel$ a
continuin+ e*entualit), w"et"er t"e accused #e wit"in one territor) or anot"er Eccordin+l), /urisdiction to ta9e
co+ni:ance o$ t"e o$$ense also lies in t"e Re+ional Trial Court o$ Pam(an+a3 .eanin+, w"ere*er t"e c"ec9s +o,
t"e 9nowled+e o$ insu$$icienc) is a continuin+ element
Q: 1"ere s"all t"e criminal action $or FE?SIFICETION o$ a (ri*ate document #e $iled?
A: It s"all #e $iled in t"e (lace w"ere t"e document was $alsi$ied, re+ardless o$ w"et"er it was or was not (ut to t"e
ille+al use $or w"ic" it was intended &US *s 4arretto, D8 P"il -0>'
Q: 6enie e7ecuted a $alse a$$ida*it in .anila It was sent to =a*ao to #e used in a certain (roceedin+ or case 1"ere is
t"e *enue o$ t"e PER<UR0?
A: It s"ould #e $iled in t"e (lace w"ere t"e $alse e*idence was su#mitted and NOT in t"e (lace w"ere t"e $alse a$$ida*it
was su#scri#ed and sworn to &US *s CaTete, D0 P"il DK1'
?et5s +o to some EPCEPTIONS%
Q: Ere t"ere instances w"ere t"e crime is committed in t"is (lace #ut t"e trial can #e $iled in anot"er (lace, ot"er t"an t"e
(lace w"ere t"e crime was committed?
A: 0ES, i$ t"e law sa)s so #ecause o$ t"e o(enin+ clause o$ (ara+ra(" &a' o$ Section 1J w"ic" sa)s, 'su(?ect to existin0
la-s.* .eanin+, t"is is t"e a((lica#le rule unless ot"er e7istin+ law sa)s ot"erwise
Q: 6i*e instances w"ere t"e crime ma)#e committed in one (lace #ut t"e law (ro*ided $or a di$$erent *enue o$ trial
A: T"e $ollowin+%
1 6i(el ! under Erticle D80 o$ RPC, it is to #e $iled w"ere t"e li#elous matter was (rinted or $irst (u#lis"ed, or
w"ere t"e in/ured (art) resides or w"ere "e "olds o$$ice;
- Sandi0an(a%an 6a- ! cases $allin+ under t"e /urisdiction o$ t"e Sandi+an#a)an are tried in desi+nated (laces;
D Section 7 4D1/ Article FIII/ 8GHI !onstitution ! T"e SC ma) order a c"an+e o$ *enue or (lace o$ trial to a*oid a
miscarria+e o$ /ustice as w"at "a((ened in t"e case o$ SancheJ and .isuari
T"ose are t"e e7ce(tions Ell t"e rest co*ers ot"er cases Para+ra(" &d' re$ers to crimes committed on #oard a P"ili((ine
s"i( or air(lane a#road It is tria#le in t"e P"ili((ines 1"ere in t"e P"ili((ines? ! w"ere t"e criminal action is $irst $iled
Aun+ saan, mamili an+ (rosecution 9un+ saan iB$ile
SEC 18 Intervention of the offended part% in criminal action. ! 1"ere t"e ci*il action $or reco*er) o$
ci*il lia#ilit) is instituted in t"e criminal action (ursuant to Rule 111, t"e o$$ended (art) ma) inter*ene #)
counsel in t"e (rosecution o$ t"e o$$ense &18a'
O$ course, t"e (rosecution is under t"e control o$ t"e $iscal #ut t"e law sa)s, t"e (ri*ate o$$ended (art) can inter*ene
t"rou+" counsel T"at is w"at )ou call t"e a((earance o$ t"e (ri*ate (rosecutor
Rule 110
Q: 1"en is it allowed?
A: T"e $ollowin+ are t"e re,uirements%
1 i$ t"ere is ci*il lia#ilit) arisin+ $rom t"e crime #ecause t"e (ur(ose o$ t"e (ri*ate (rosecutor is to (rotect t"e
ci*il lia#ilit) o$ t"e o$$ended (art);
- t"ere is no wai*er T"e o$$ended (art) s"ould not wai*e t"e ci*il lia#ilit);
D t"e o$$ended (art) s"ould not "a*e reser*ed to $ile a se(arate ci*il action #ecause once )ou "a*e made a
reser*ation, wala na 0ou cannot an)more "ire a (ri*ate (rosecutor;
> t"e ci*il action "as not #een (re*iousl) instituted #ecause i$ t"e ci*il action is alread) $iled, )ou cannot
inter*ene in t"e criminal case
Q: 1"at are t"e ri+"ts o$ t"e o$$ended (art) in a criminal action?
A: T"e $ollowin+%
1 to ta9e (art in t"e (rosecution o$ t"e o$$ense;
- to reco*er ci*il lia#ilit) $rom t"e accused arisin+ $rom t"e crime; and
D to a((eal $rom an) /ud+ment or order ad*ersel) a$$ectin+ "is claim to suc" ci*il lia#ilit) &Peo(le *s Mele:, KK
P"il 10-8'
Q: 6i*e t"e limitations to t"e o$$ended (art)5s ri+"t o$ inter*ention in a criminal action
A: T"e $ollowin+%
1 suc" inter*ention s"all #e under t"e direction and control o$ t"e $iscal &Section J';
- suc" inter*ention s"all onl) #e $or t"e (ur(ose o$ en$orcin+ t"e accused5s ci*il lia#ilit) arisin+ $rom t"e crime
&Peo(le *s Mele:, supra'
One o$ t"e interestin+ case decided #ased on Section 18 is t"e 1CIK case o$
4ENE? vs. TE=EO, <R
1J8 SCRE D-J
FECTS% T"is is a case $or *iolation o$ 4P -- T"e o$$ended (art) "ired a (ri*ate (rosecutor to (rosecute
t"e case T"e accused c"allen+ed t"e a((earance o$ t"e (ri*ate (rosecutor on t"e +round t"at 4P -- does not
(ro*ide $or an) ci*il lia#ilit) and t"ere$ore t"ere is no ci*il lia#ilit)
So t"e trial court dis,uali$ied t"e (ri*ate (rosecutor T"e o$$ended (art) went to t"e SC
ISSUE% Is a (ri*ate (rosecutor allowed to inter*ene in a 4P -- case?
HE?=% 0ES E (ri*ate (rosecutor is allowed to inter*ene in a 4P -- case #ecause t"ere is a ci*il lia#ilit)
in 4P -- e*en i$ t"e law silent a#out it
Normall) law)ers would sa) t"at ci*il lia#ilit) in a criminal case arises $rom t"e crime; #ecause o$ t"e
crime, t"ere is ci*il lia#ilit) Eccordin+ to t"e SC% 1RON6HH It is not t"e crime w"ic" is t"e source o$ t"e ci*il
lia#ilit) It is t"e dama+e t"at t"e accused caused to t"e *ictimH
2T"e +enerall) acce(ted notion t"at t"e ci*il lia#ilit) actuall) arises $rom t"e crime a misconce(tion or
$allac) ;&as%adon0 malalim an0 discussion n0 S! dito= 21"ile an act or omission is $elonious #ecause it is
(unis"a#le #) law, it +i*es rise to ci*il lia#ilit) not so muc" #ecause it is a crime #ut #ecause it caused dama+e
to anot"er Miewin+ t"in+s (ra+maticall), we can readil) see t"at w"at +i*es rise to t"e ci*il lia#ilit) is reall)
t"e o#li+ation and t"e moral dut) o$ e*er)one to re(air or ma9e w"ole t"e dama+e caused to anot"er #) reason
o$ "is own act or omission, done intentionall) or ne+li+entl), w"et"er or not t"e same #e (unis"a#le #) law In
ot"er words, criminal lia#ilit) will +i*e rise to ci*il lia#ilit) onl) i$ t"e same $elonious act or omission results in
dama+e or in/ur) to anot"er and is t"e direct and (ro7imate cause t"ereo$ =ama+e or in/ur) to anot"er is
e*identl) t"e $oundation o$ t"e ci*il action Suc" is not t"e case in criminal actions $or, to #e criminall) lia#le, it
is enou+" t"at t"e act or omission com(lained o$ is (unis"a#le, re+ardless o$ w"et"er or not it also causes
material dama+e to anot"er Erticle -0 o$ t"e New Ci*il Code (ro*ides%
'Ever% person -ho/ contrar% to la-/ -illfull% or ne0li0entl% causes dama0e to another/
shall indemnif% the latter for the same.*
2Re+ardless, t"ere$ore, o$ w"et"er or not a s(ecial law so (ro*ides, indemni$ication o$ t"e o$$ended (art)
ma) #e "ad on account o$ t"e dama+e, loss or in/ur) directl) su$$ered as a conse,uence o$ t"e wron+$ul act o$
anot"er T"e indemnit) w"ic" a (erson is sentenced to (a) $orms an inte+ral (art o$ t"e (enalt) im(osed #) law
$or t"e commission o$ a crime E*er) crime +i*es rise to a (enal or criminal action $or t"e (unis"ment o$ t"e
+uilt) (art), and also to ci*il action $or t"e restitution o$ t"e t"in+, re(air o$ t"e dama+e, and indemni$ication $or
t"e losses3
T"e rulin+ in 5anal seems not to /i*e wit" Erticle 11JK o$ t"e New Ci*il Code Under Erticle 11JK, t"e $ollowin+ are t"e
sources o$ o#li+ations%
1 laws;
- contracts;
D ,uasiBcontracts;
> ,uasiBdelicts;
Rule 110
7. acts or omissions punisha(le (% la-.
Eccordin+ to Erticle 11JK, a crime (unis"a#le #) law is a source o$ o#li+ation 4ut in t"e case o$ 5anal, t"e SC sa)s
NO, it is not t"e act or omission #ut t"e dama+e or in/ur) resultin+ $rom suc" act or omission T"at is "ow to reconcile t"ese
two ideas
Q: 1e will +o #ac9 to t"e issue in 5anal ! is t"ere ci*il lia#ilit) in 4P -- cases?
A: 0ES #ecause t"e o$$ended (art) cannot +et #ac9 "is mone) I$ t"ere is dama+e, t"ere is ci*il lia#ilit) e*en i$ t"e law is
silent Huwa+ mo na lan+ "ana(in an+ (ro*ision n+ ci*il lia#ilit) For as lon+ as t"ere is dama+e, t"ere is ci*il lia#ilit)
0aaannH

Rule 110-Prosecution of Offenses

Hochgeladen von

Dokumentinformationen

Copyright

Verfügbare Formate

Dieses Dokument teilen

Dokument teilen oder einbetten

Freigabeoptionen

Stufen Sie dieses Dokument als nützlich ein?

Sind diese Inhalte unangemessen?

Copyright:

Verfügbare Formate

Rule 110-Prosecution of Offenses

Hochgeladen von

Copyright:

Verfügbare Formate

Review on the 2000 Revised Rules on Criminal

Procedure (2002 Edition)

Das könnte Ihnen auch gefallen