G.R. No.

141336 June 29, 2004

RODOLFO G. VALENCIA, PEDRITO REYES, REEDIOS ARASIGAN, !AYANI ANASTACIO, R""LADO
!A#ASANTA, JOSE ENRI$"E%, NELSON GA!"TERO, JOSE GENILO, JR., JOSE LEYNES &n' ALFONSO "ALI,
JR., petitioners,
vs.
SANDIGAN!AYAN, 4T( DIVISION &n' OFFICE OF T(E O!"DSAN)SPECIAL PROSEC"TOR, respondents.
D E C I S I O N
YNARES*SANTIAGO, J.:
On April 8, 1997, petitioners Rodolfo G. Valenia, !edrito Re"es, Re#edios $arasi%an, &a"ani Anastaio, R'#'lado
&a(asanta, )ose Enri*'e+, Nelson Ga,'tero, )ose Genilo, )r., )ose -e"nes and Alfonso .#ali (ere /ar%ed (it/
Violation of Setion 0 1e2 in relation to Setion 0 1%2 of Rep',li At No. 0319, t/e Anti4Graft and Corr'pt !raties At, in
an Infor#ation (/i/ reads5
6/at on or a,o't )an'ar" 17, 1998 or so#eti#e prior or s',se*'ent t/ereto, in Calapan, Oriental $indoro,
!/ilippines, and (it/in t/e 9'risdition of t/is :onora,le Co'rt, a'sed Rodolfo G. Valenia, t/en !rovinial
Governor of Oriental $indoro, !edrito A. Re"es, t/en Vie4Governor and !residin% offier of t/eSangguniang
Panlalawigan of Oriental $indoro, &a"ani Anastaio, Ro#'aldo ). &a(asanta, E##an'el &. &'enavent'ra,
Cesareo $. C'eto, Violeta D. Da;is, )ose A. Enri*'e+, Nelson &. Ca,'tero, )ose G. Genilo, )r., )ose C. -e"nes,
Dante A. $anao, Re#edios E. $arasi%an, all #e#,ers of t/e Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Oriental $indoro,
and Alfonso V. .#ali, )r., t/en !rovinial Ad#inistrator, all of (/o# are p',li offiials of t/e provinial
%overn#ent of Oriental $indoro, (/ile in t/e perfor#ane of t/eir offiial and<or ad#inistrative f'ntions, and
atin% in evident ,ad fait/ and #anifest partialit", onspirin% and onfederatin% (it/ private a'sed En%r. Alfredo
$. Atien+a, and #'t'all" /elpin% one anot/er , did t/en and t/ere (illf'll", 'nla(f'll" and ri#inall" %ive said
a'sed Alfredo $. Atien+a 'n(arranted ,enefit, privile%e and advanta%e ," enterin% into a %rossl"
disadvanta%eo's ontrat of loan, (/ere," t/e provinial f'nds of Oriental $indoro in t/e s'# of !7,=33,333.33
(as %iven to Alfredo $. Atien+a to finane t/e ost of repair, operation and #aintenane of /is vessel, t/ere,"
a'sin% t/e provinial %overn#ent of Oriental $indoro da#a%e and 'nd'e in9'r".
CON6RAR> 6O -A?.
1
6/e Infor#ation (as filed (it/ t/e Sandi%an,a"an and do;eted as Cri#inal Case No. 70@78.
On April 11, 1997, petitioners filed a A$otion See;in% an Order to Allo( A'sed to Bile (it/ t/e O#,'ds#an $otion for
Reonsideration<Reinvesti%ation and to Defer Iss'ane of ?arrant of Arrest.A
7
6/is (as follo(ed ," a A$otion to C'as/A
filed ," petitioner Valenia on April 18, 1997.
0
6/e prose'tion #anifested t/at it /ad no o,9etion to a reinvesti%ation of t/e ase. :ene, on Oto,er 70, 1997, t/e
Sandi%an,a"an %ranted petitionersD #otion for reinvesti%ation and direted t/e Offie of t/e Speial !rose'tor to ond't
a reinvesti%ation.
8
On $ar/ 70, 1998, t/e Offie of t/e Speial !rose'tor<O#,'ds#an iss'ed a )oint Resol'tion (/erein O#,'ds#an
Aniano A. Desierto and !rose'tion &'rea' Diretor Vitorio .. 6a,an%'il approved t/e reo##endation of Speial
!rose'tion Offier II $an'el A. Corp'+ t/at t/e #otion for reinvesti%ation ,e denied ,'t t/at t/e o#plaint as a%ainst
E##an'el &. &'enavent'ra, Violeta A. Da*'is and Da#te A. $an+o ,e dis#issed for ins'ffiien" of evidene. :o(ever,
Dep't" Speial !rose'tor Ro,ert E. Eallos and Speial !rose'tor -eonardo !. 6a#a"o reo##ended t/e dis#issal of
t/e o#plaint a%ainst all a'sed on t/e %ro'nd t/at t/eir lia,ilit" is ivil in nat're.
=
Aordin%l", t/e prose'tion filed an A#ended Infor#ation.
@
!etitioners filed (it/ t/e Sandi,an%a"an a $otion for -eave to Bile $otion for Reonsideration of t/e )oint Resol'tion of
t/e Offie of t/e Speial !rose'tor<O#,'ds#an,
7
(/i/ (as denied in t/e first assailed Resol'tion dated )'ne 70,
1999.
8
1
In t/e #eanti#e, petitioners learned t/at in t/e ad#inistrative ase a%ainst t/e# do;eted as O$&4AD$4149@4301@,
(/i/ involved t/e sa#e s',9et #atter as t/e ri#inal ase, t/e O#,'ds#an dis#issed t/e o#plaint a%ainst t/e# after
findin% t/at t/e ontrat of loan (as entered into in p'rs'ane of t/e polie po(er of t/e loal /ief eFe'tive.
9
Invo;in%
t/is Resol'tion, petitioners filed (it/ t/e Sandi%an,a"an a $otion for Reonsideration of t/e Order dated )'ne 70, 1999
and<or $otion to Resolve $otion to C'as/ Infor#ation.
13
In t/e seond assailed Resol'tion dated Septe#,er 77, 1999,
t/e Sandi%an,a"an denied t/e $otion.
11
:ene, t/is petition for ertiorari 'nder R'le @= of t/e R'les of Co'rt, ,ased on t/e follo(in% %ro'nds5
Respondent Sandi%an,a"an o##itted %rave a,'se of disretion a#o'ntin% to la; of 9'risdition in not
dis#issin% t/e infor#ation or in not %rantin% t/e $otion to C'as/ infor#ation despite t/e fat t/at5
a2 Respondent o#,'ds#an /ad alread" dis#issed t/e ad#inistrative ase a%ainst t/e petitioners
re%ardin% t/e sa#e s',9et #atter of t/e ri#inal ase a%ainst t/e petitionersG
,2 6/e fats alle%ed in t/e infor#ation /ave alread" ,eo#e #oot and aade#i and no lon%er onstit'te
an offenseG
2 No satisfator" reason (as %iven ," t/e respondent O#,'ds#an in dela"in% inordinatel" 1lose to
t/ree H0I "ears2 t/e filin% of t/e infor#ation a%ainst t/e petitioners.
Si#ilarl", respondent Sandi%an,a"an o##itted %rave a,'se of disretion a#o'ntin% to la; of 9'risdition in t/e
Resol'tion dated Septe#,er 77, 1999 in /oldin% t/at t/e dis#issal of t/e ad#inistrative ase a%ainst all t/e
petitioners is not deter#inative of t/e o'to#e of t/e ri#inal ase despite t/e fats follo(in%5
a2 6/e s',9et #atter in ,ot/ ri#inal and ad#inistrative ases a%ainst t/e sa#e petitioners are one and
t/e sa#eG
,2 6/e de%ree of proof in ri#inal ase is proof ,e"ond reasona,le do',t. ?/ereas, in ad#inistrative
ase t/e proof re*'ired is onl" s',stantial evideneG and
2 6(o of t/e revie(in% prose'tors, na#el"5 Dep't" !rose'tor Ro,erto Eallos and Speial !rose'tor
-eonardo 6a#a"o /eld in t/e )oint Resol'tion dated $ar/ 70, 1999 t/at t/e ri#inal ase a%ainst t/e
petitioners s/o'ld ,e dis#issed, and t/e" ,ot/ on'rred (it/ t/e findin%s of GIO I $ed(in Di+on, Dir.
An%el $a"oral%o, )r., and :on. Assistant O#,'ds#an A,elardo Aportadera, )r., in t/eir Resol'tion dated
Oto,er 8, 199@, (/i/ reo##ended t/e dis#issal of t/e ase as t/e" fo'nd t/at t/e ontrat of loan
entered into ," t/e petitioners (it/ a ertain Alfredo Atien+a (as in p'rs'ane of t/e General ?elfare
Cla'se of Setion 1@ of t/e -oal Govern#ent Code.
17
In a $in'te Resol'tion dated )an'ar" 01, 7333, t/e petition (as dis#issed for fail're to s/o( %rave a,'se of disretion on
t/e part of t/e Sandi%an,a"an.
10
!etitioners filed a $otion for Reonsideration
18
as (ell as a S'pple#ental t/ereto.
1=
6/e respondents (ere re*'ired to
o##ent on t/e $otion for Reonsideration and t/e S'pple#ent.
1@
6/e prose'tion filed a Co##ent on t/e petition for
ertiorari.
17
6/ereafter, petitioners filed t/eir Repl".
18
In t/e #eanti#e, on $a" 79, 7333, a 6e#porar" Restrainin% Order (as iss'ed en9oinin% respondents Afro# f'rt/er
proeedin% (it/ t/e pre4trial and trial in Cri#inal Case No. 70@78 entitled J!eople of t/e !/ilippines vs. Rodolfo G.
Valenia, et al.,D s/ed'led HonI $a" 77, 70, 78 and 7=, 7333 and fro# atin% on t/e #otion to s'spend
petitionerspendente lite.A
19
On Nove#,er 77, 7333, petitionersD $otion for Reonsideration (as %ranted and t/e petition (as reinstated.
73
6/e petition la;s #erit.
6/e %ro'nds on (/i/ a o#plaint or infor#ation #a" ,e *'as/ed are5
2
1a2 6/at t/e fats /ar%ed do not onstit'te an offenseG
1,2 6/at t/e o'rt tr"in% t/e ase /as no 9'risdition over t/e offense /ar%edG
12 6/at t/e o'rt tr"in% t/e ase /as no 9'risdition over t/e person of t/e a'sedG
1d2 6/at t/e offier (/o filed t/e infor#ation /ad no a't/orit" to do soG
1e2 6/at it does not onfor# s',stantiall" to t/e presri,ed for#G
1f2 6/at #ore t/an one offense is /ar%ed eFept (/en a sin%le p'nis/#ent for vario's offenses is presri,ed ,"
la(G
1%2 6/at t/e ri#inal ation or lia,ilit" /as ,een eFtin%'is/edG
1/2 6/at it ontains aver#ents (/i/, if tr'e, (o'ld onstit'te a le%al eF'se or 9'stifiationG and
1i2 6/at t/e a'sed /as ,een previo'sl" onvited or a*'itted of t/e offense /ar%ed, or t/e ase a%ainst /i#
(as dis#issed or ot/er(ise ter#inated (it/o't /is eFpress onsent.
71
Save (/ere t/e R'les eFpressl" per#it t/e investi%ation of fats alle%ed in a #otion to *'as/, t/e %eneral r'le is t/at in
t/e /earin% of s'/ #otion onl" s'/ fats as are alle%ed in t/e infor#ation, and t/ose ad#itted ," t/e prose'tor, s/o'ld
,e ta;en into ao'nt in t/e resol'tion t/ereof. $atters of defense an not ,e prod'ed d'rin% t/e /earin% of s'/
#otions, eFept (/ere t/e r'les eFpressl" per#it, s'/ as eFtintion of ri#inal lia,ilit", presription and for#er
9eopard".
77
Ot/er(ise p't, fats (/i/ onstit'te t/e defense of t/e a'sed a%ainst t/e /ar%e 'nder t/e infor#ation
#'st ,e proved ," t/e# d'rin% trial. S'/ fats or ir'#stanes do not onstit'te proper %ro'nds for a #otion to *'as/
t/e infor#ation on t/e %ro'nd t/at t/e #aterial aver#ents do not onstit'te t/e offense.
70
As a %eneral proposition, a #otion to *'as/ on t/e %ro'nd t/at t/e alle%ations of t/e infor#ation do not onstit'te t/e
offense /ar%ed, or an" offense for t/at #atter, s/o'ld ,e resolved on t/e ,asis alone of said alle%ations (/ose tr't/ and
verait" are /"pot/etiall" ad#itted. 6/e infor#ations need onl" state t/e 'lti#ate fatsG t/e reasons t/erefor o'ld ,e
proved d'rin% t/e trial.
78
6/e f'nda#ental test in refletin% on t/e via,ilit" of a #otion to *'as/ 'nder t/is parti'lar %ro'nd is (/et/er or not t/e
fats asseverated, if /"pot/etiall" ad#itted, (o'ld esta,lis/ t/e essential ele#ents of t/e ri#e defined in t/e la(. In t/is
eFa#ination, #atters aliunde are not onsidered.
7=
:o(ever, in*'ir" into fats o'tside t/e infor#ation #a" ,e allo(ed
(/ere t/e prose'tion does not o,9et to t/e presentation t/ereof.
7@
In t/e earl" ase of People v. Navarro,
77
(e /eld5
Prima facie, t/e fats /ar%ed are t/ose desri,ed in t/e o#plaint, ,'t t/e" #a" ,e a#plified or *'alified ,"
ot/ers appearin% to ,e additional ir'#stanes, 'pon ad#issions #ade ," t/e peopleDs representative, (/i/
ad#issions o'ld an"(a" ,e s',#itted ," /i# as a#end#ents to t/e sa#e infor#ation. It (o'ld see# to ,e p're
te/nialit" to /old t/at in t/e onsideration of t/e #otion t/e parties and t/e 9'd%e (ere prel'ded fro#
onsiderin% fats (/i/ t/e fisal ad#itted to ,e tr'e, si#pl" ,ea'se t/e" (ere not desri,ed in t/e o#plaint. Of
o'rse, it #a" ,e added t/at 'pon si#ilar #otions t/e o'rt and t/e fisal are not re*'ired to %o ,e"ond t/e
aver#ents of t/e infor#ation, nor is t/e latter to ,e invei%led into a pre#at're and ris;" revelation of /is evidene.
&'t (e see no reason to pro/i,it t/e fisal fro# #a;in%, in all andor, ad#issions of 'ndenia,le fats, ,ea'se
t/e priniple an never ,e s'ffiientl" reiterated t/at s'/ offiialDs role is to see t/at 9'stie is done5 not t/at all
a'sed are onvited, ,'t t/at t/e %'ilt" are 9'stl" p'nis/ed. -ess reason an t/ere ,e to pro/i,it t/e o'rt fro#
onsiderin% t/ose ad#issions, and deidin% aordin%l", in t/e interest of a speed" ad#inistration of 9'stie.
It s/o'ld ,e stressed, /o(ever, t/at for a ase to fall 'nder t/e eFeption, it is essential t/at t/ere ,e no o,9etion
fro# t/e prose'tion. 6/'s, t/e a,ove r'le does not appl" (/ere t/e prose'tion o,9eted to t/e presentation of
eFtraneo's fats and even opposed t/e #otion to *'as/.
78
In t/e ase at ,ar, petitioners are /ar%ed (it/ violation of Setion 0 1e2, in relation to 0 1%2, of Rep',li At No. 0319 or
t/e Anti4Graft and Corr'pt !raties At. 6/e pertinent provisions read5
3
Se. 0. Corrupt practices of public officers. K In addition to ats or o#issions of p',li offiers alread" penali+ed
," eFistin% la(, t/e follo(in% s/all onstit'te orr'pt praties of an" p',li offier and are /ere," delared to ,e
'nla(f'l5
F F F F F F F F F.
1e2 Ca'sin% an" 'nd'e in9'r" to an" part", inl'din% t/e Govern#ent, or %ivin% an" private part" an"
'n(arranted ,enefits, advanta%e or preferene in t/e dis/ar%e of /is offiial, ad#inistrative or 9'diial
f'ntions t/ro'%/ #anifest partialit", evident ,ad fait/ or %ross ineF'sa,le ne%li%ene. 6/is provision
s/all appl" to offiers and e#plo"ees of offiers or %overn#ent orporations /ar%ed (it/ t/e %rant of
lienses or per#its or ot/er onessions.
F F F F F F F F F.
1%2 Enterin%, on ,e/alf of t/e Govern#ent, into an" ontrat or transation #anifestl" and %rossl"
disadvanta%eo's to t/e sa#e, (/et/er or not t/e p',li offier profited or (ill profit t/ere,".
F F F F F F F F F.
6/e ele#ents of t/e ri#e of violation of Setion 0 1e2 are t/e follo(in%5
1. 6/e a'sed is a p',li offier dis/ar%in% ad#inistrative, 9'diial or offiial f'ntionsG
7. :e #'st /ave ated (it/ #anifest partialit", evident ,ad fait/ or ineF'sa,le ne%li%eneG and
0. :is ation /as a'sed 'nd'e in9'r" to an" part", inl'din% t/e Govern#ent, or /as %iven an" part" an"
'n(arranted ,enefit, advanta%e or preferene in t/e dis/ar%e of /is f'ntions.
79
On t/e ot/er /and, t/e ele#ents of t/e ri#e of violation of Setion 0 1%2 are5
1. 6/e offender is a p',li offierG
7. :e enters into a ontrat or transation on ,e/alf of t/e %overn#entG and
0. 6/e ontrat or transation is %rossl" and #anifestl" disadvanta%eo's to t/e %overn#ent.
03
A aref'l sr'tin" of t/e Infor#ation s/o(s t/at all t/e a,ove ele#ents are averred t/erein. It s'ffiientl" alle%es t/at
petitioners are p',li offiials dis/ar%in% offiial or ad#inistrative f'ntions (/o, in evident ,ad fait/ and (it/ #anifest
partialit", entered into a %rossl" disadvanta%eo's ontrat on ,e/alf of t/e %overn#ent (it/ a private person (/i/ %ives
t/e latter 'n(arranted ,enefit and advanta%e.
!etitioners invo;e t/e earlier Resol'tion of t/e O#,'ds#an (/i/ reo##ended t/e dis#issal of t/e ase a%ainst t/e#.
6/ere, t/e Graft Investi%ation Offier opined t/at t/e ontrat of loan eFtended ," petitioners to En%r. Alfredo $. Atien+a
for t/e repair, #aintenane and operation of t/e latterDs #otor vessel (as neessar" for t/e transportation needs of t/e
in/a,itants of t/e !rovine of Oriental $indoro, (/i/ /ad 9'st s'ffered t/ree s'essive t"p/oons. 6/e loan of provinial
f'nds (as s'pposedl" eFtended ," t/e San%%'nian% !anlala(i%an of Oriental $indoro 'nder Setion 8@8
01
of R.A. 71@3
16/e -oal Govern#ent Code of 19912, p'rs'ant to t/e General ?elfare provision e#,odied in Setion 1@ t/ereof, (/i/
states5
SEC. 1@. General Welfare. L Ever" loal %overn#ent 'nit s/all eFerise t/e po(ers eFpressl" %ranted, t/ose
neessaril" i#plied t/erefro#, as (ell as po(ers neessar", appropriate, or inidental for its effiient and effetive
%overnane, and t/ose (/i/ are essential to t/e pro#otion of t/e %eneral (elfare. ?it/in t/eir respetive
territorial 9'risditions, loal %overn#ent 'nits s/all ens're and s'pport, a#on% ot/er t/in%s, t/e preservation and
enri/#ent of 'lt're, pro#ote /ealt/ and safet", en/ane t/e ri%/t of t/e people to a ,alaned eolo%",
eno'ra%e and s'pport t/e develop#ent of appropriate and self4reliant sientifi and te/nolo%ial apa,ilities,
i#prove p',li #orals, en/ane eono#i prosperit" and soial 9'stie, pro#ote f'll e#plo"#ent a#on% t/eir
residents, #aintain peae and order, and preserve t/e o#fort and onveniene of t/eir in/a,itants.
4
As en'niated a,ove, /o(ever, t/e Resol'tion #'st ,e esta,lis/ed as t/eir defense d'rin% t/e trial. It (as not even
offered and ad#itted as evidene ," t/e Sandi%an,a"an. It (as #erel" atta/ed to petitionersD AS'pple#ental !leadin% in
S'pport of $otion to C'as/ Infor#ation.A
07
B'rt/er#ore, t/e Resol'tion does not ,ear t/e approval of t/e O#,'ds#an.
00
In an" event, t/e O#,'ds#an s',se*'entl" denied petitionersD #otion for reinvesti%ation. 6/e fat t/at Speial
!rose'tor -eonardo !. 6a#a"o and Dep't" Speial !rose'tor Ro,ert E. Eallos reo##ended t/e dis#issal of t/e ase
a%ainst petitioners is of no #o#ent, espeiall" sine t/e sa#e Speial !rose'tor and Dep't" Speial !rose'tor si%ned
t/e Co##ent filed ,efore t/is Co'rt (/erein t/e" eFtensivel" ar%'ed a%ainst t/e instant petition. 6/e ontin'in% o,9etion
and opposition of t/e prose'tion to petitionersD #otion to *'as/ t/e Infor#ation re#oves t/is ase fro# t/e eFeption to
t/e a,ove4ited r'le t/at in t/e deter#ination of (/et/er t/e fats alle%ed onstit'te an offense, onl" t/e alle%ations in t/e
Infor#ation, (/ose tr't/ and verait" are /"pot/etiall" ad#itted, s/o'ld ,e onsidered.
Indeed, t/e findin%s of t/e Graft Investi%ation Offier are ontradited ," t/e follo(in% dis*'isition ," t/e O#,'ds#an in
t/e Resol'tion findin% pro,a,le a'se to /ar%e petitioners, to (it5
6/e s',9et loan does not fall (it/in t/e onteFt of t/e A%eneral (elfare la'seA 'nder Setion 1@ of t/e -oal
Govern#ent Code. 6/e loan in *'estion (as #ore inlined to pro#ote t/e personal or ,'siness interest of En%r.
Atien+a rat/er t/an to ,oost t/e o##on (elfare of t/e people in $indoro. In t/e Aredit a%ree#entA itself, (/ile
t/e pro,le# of transport s"ste# (as addressed in passin% 'nder its A(/ereas la'seA 1introd'tor" part2 of t/e
said ontrat, /o(ever, t/e sa#e (as not #entioned in t/e ,od" of t/e said a%ree#ent. 6/ere is no provision in
t/e ontrat to o,li%ate En%r. Atien+a to(ards t/e i#prove#ent of transport servie for t/e people of Oriental
$indoro. In s/ort, it is not lear in t/e said a%ree#ent t/at En%r. Atien+a is #andated to render transport servie
for t/e %eneral (elfare of t/e people in $indoro. F F F F F F F F F.
F F F F F F F F F.
As e#,odied in t/e redit a%ree#ent, t/e p'rpose of t/e loan ,ein% stated t/erein (as to finane t/e ost of t/e
repair, operation and #aintenane of Atien+aDs vessel. 6/is in essene is indeed a private affair. It s'its Atien+aDs
personal a%%randi+e#ent. In s"nt/esis, t/e s',9et loan /as t/e attri,'tes of a private interest as opposed to
p',li p'rpose. Conse*'entl" t/e s',9et loan does not r/"#e (it/ t/e re*'ire#ent t/at A%overn#ent f'nds s/all
,e 'sed<spent stritl" for p',li p'rpose.A F F F F F F F F F.
08
In t/e final anal"sis, t/e onflitin% findin%s of t/e O#,'ds#an ,oil do(n to iss'es of fat (/i/, /o(ever, are not (it/in
o'r provine to resolve. As /as ,een oft4repeated, t/is Co'rt is not a trier of fats.
0=
6/is is a #atter ,est left to t/e
Sandi%an,a"an.
!etitioners ar%'e t/at t/e dis#issal ," t/e O#,'ds#an of t/e ad#inistrative ase a%ainst t/e# ,ased on t/e sa#e
s',9et #atter s/o'ld operate to dis#iss t/e ri#inal ase ,ea'se t/e *'ant'# of proof in ri#inal ases is proof
,e"ond reasona,le do',t, (/ile t/at in ad#inistrative ases is onl" s',stantial evidene. ?/ile t/at #a" ,e tr'e, it s/o'ld
li;e(ise ,e stressed t/at t/e ,asis of ad#inistrative lia,ilit" differs fro# ri#inal lia,ilit". 6/e p'rpose of ad#inistrative
proeedin%s is #ainl" to protet t/e p',li servie, ,ased on t/e ti#e4/onored priniple t/at a p',li offie is a p',li
tr'st. On t/e ot/er /and, t/e p'rpose of t/e ri#inal prose'tion is t/e p'nis/#ent of ri#e.
0@
$oreover, one of t/e %ro'nds for t/e dis#issal of t/e ad#inistrative ase a%ainst petitioners is t/e fat t/at t/e" (ere
reeleted to offie. Indeed, a reeleted loal offiial #a" not ,e /eld ad#inistrativel" ao'nta,le for #isond't
o##itted d'rin% /is prior ter# of offie. 6/e rationale for t/is /oldin% is t/at (/en t/e eletorate p't /i# ,a; into offie,
it is pres'#ed t/at it did so (it/ f'll ;no(led%e of /is life and /arater, inl'din% /is past #isond't. If, ar#ed (it/ s'/
;no(led%e, it still reelets /i#, t/en s'/ reeletion is onsidered a ondonation of /is past #isdeeds.
07
:o(ever, t/e re4eletion of a p',li offiial eFtin%'is/es onl" t/e ad#inistrative, ,'t not t/e ri#inal, lia,ilit" in'rred ,"
/i# d'rin% /is previo's ter# of offie, t/'s5
6/e r'lin%, t/erefore, t/at K A(/en t/e people /ave eleted a #an to /is offie it #'st ,e ass'#ed t/at t/e" did
t/is (it/ ;no(led%e of /is life and /arater and t/at t/e" disre%arded or for%ave /is fa'lts or #isond't if /e
/ad ,een %'ilt" of an"A K refers onl" to an ation for re#oval fro# offie and does not appl" to a ri#inal ase,
,ea'se a ri#e is a p',li (ron% #ore atroio's in /arater t/an #ere #isfeasane or #alfeasane o##itted
," a p',li offier in t/e dis/ar%e of /is d'ties, and is in9'rio's not onl" to a person or %ro'p of persons ,'t to t/e
State as a (/ole. 6/is #'st ,e t/e reason (/" Artile 89 of t/e Revised !enal Code, (/i/ en'#erates t/e
%ro'nds for eFtintion of ri#inal lia,ilit", does not inl'de reeletion to offie as one of t/e#, at least insofar as a
5
p',li offier is onerned. Also, 'nder t/e Constit'tion, it is onl" t/e !resident (/o #a" %rant t/e pardon of a
ri#inal offense.
08
6/ere is, t/'s, no reason for t/e Sandi%an,a"an to *'as/ t/e Infor#ation a%ainst petitioners on t/e ,asis solel" of t/e
dis#issal of t/e ad#inistrative o#plaint a%ainst t/e#.
Binall", petitioners invo;e t/e r'lin% in Tatad v. Sandiganbayan,
09
(/ere t/is Co'rt dis#issed t/e ri#inal ases a%ainst
petitioner for t/e inordinate dela" of t/ree "ears in t/e ond't of preli#inar" investi%ations (/i/ violated /is ri%/t to d'e
proess and t/e onstit'tional %'arantee of speed" disposition of ases. In t/e ase at ,ar, petitioners alle%e t/at (/ile
t/e letter4o#plaint a%ainst t/e# (as dated $ar/ 13, 1998, t/e O#,'ds#an resolved to file t/e Infor#ation a%ainst
t/e# t/ree "ears later, on Be,r'ar" 18, 1997, and in fat t/e Infor#ation (as filed (it/ t/e Sandi%an,a"an on April 8,
1997.
&" (a" of eFplanation for t/e pereived dela", t/e Speial !rose'tor, in /is Co##ent to t/e petition, en'#erated t/e
/ronolo%" of events ,e%innin% fro# t/e reeipt of t/e letter4o#plaint to t/e filin% of t/e Infor#ation. It appears t/erefro#
t/at in #ost ases t/e eFtended periods of ti#e (ere devoted to verifiations and investi%ations, first ," t/e National
&'rea' of Investi%ation and t/en ," t/e O#,'ds#an. ?it/in t/e Offie of t/e O#,'ds#an, t/e o#plaint /ad to 'nder%o
separate investi%ations ," t/e Bat4Bindin% Investi%ation &'rea' and t/e Eval'ation and !reli#inar" Investi%ation &'rea'.
D'rin% t/e preli#inar" investi%ation itself, petitioners so'%/t eFtensions of ti#e ,efore t/e" filed t/eir o'nter4affidavits.
6/'s, t/e r'lin% in Tatad does not appl" /ere. In t/at ase, t/e dela" (as eFaer,ated ," t/e fat t/at t/e /ar%es a%ainst
petitioner (ere fo'nd to ,e politiall" #otivated. In t/e ase at ,ar, t/ere is no indiation t/at t/e o#plaint a%ainst
petitioners (as filed to serve politial ends. Neit/er is t/e dela" veFatio's, apriio's or oppressive. On t/e ontrar", (/at
appears is t/at t/e prose'tors eFerised eFtre#e are in verif"in%, eval'atin% and assessin% t/e /ar%es a%ainst
petitioners ,efore #a;in% a findin% of pro,a,le a'se.
Bor ertiorari to lie, it #'st ,e s/o(n t/at t/e Sandi%an,a"an ated (it/ %rave a,'se of disretion,
83
or #ore speifiall",
t/at it eFerised its po(er ar,itraril" or despotiall" ," reason of passion or personal /ostilit"G and s'/ eFerise (as so
patent and %ross as to a#o'nt to an evasion of positive d't", or to a virt'al ref'sal to perfor# it or to at in onte#plation
of la(.
81
!etitioners failed in t/is respet.
#(EREFORE, in vie( of t/e fore%oin%, t/e petition for ertiorari is DISISSED. 6/e 6e#porar" Restrainin% Order iss'ed
," t/is Co'rt on $a" 1@, 7333 is LIFTED. 6/e Sandi%an,a"an is DIRECTED to ond't proeedin%s in Cri#inal Case
No. 70@78 (it/ deli,erate dispat/.
SO ORDERED.
Davide, r., Panganiban, Carpio, and !"cuna, ., on'r.
6
G.R. No+. 14361,*41 Ju-. 30, 2002
!ENJAIN /0o1o./ RO"ALDE%, petitioner, vs.
T(E (ONORA!LE SANDIGAN!AYAN 2F34+5 D363+3on7 &n' T(E PEOPLE OF T(E P(ILIPPINES 4e84e+en5e' 9.
SPECIAL PROSEC"TION OFFICER II EVELYN TAGO!A L"CERO, respondents.
D E C I S I O N
YNARES*SANTIAGO, J.:
!revio's to t/is ase, petitioner instit'ted a petition do;eted as G.R. No. 13=788, entitled, A #en$amin %&o'oy(
)omualde", Petitioner, versus Sandiganbayan %*irst Division( and Presidential Commission on Good Government
%PCGG(, )espondents.A
1
:e assailed t/erein, a#on% ot/ers, t/e validit" of t(ent"4fo'r infor#ations (/i/ t/e !CGG filed
a%ainst /i# for violation of Setion 7 of Rep',li At No. 0319, #ore speifiall" for fail're to file /is state#ents of assets
and lia,ilities overin% t/e "ears 19@7 to 198= (/en /e (as in t/e %overn#ent servie. 6/e ases (ere filed (it/ t/e
Sandi%an,a"an as Cri#inal Cases Nos. 1083@410879. :e ar%'ed t/at !CGG Co##issioner A'%'sto E. Villarin, (/o
ond'ted t/e preli#inar" investi%ation, /ad no a't/orit" to do so.
On $a" 1@, 199=, a Deision (as rendered in said ase delarin% t/e preli#inar" investi%ation ond'ted ," t/e !CGG
invalid, ,ased on t/e follo(in% findin%s5
No(, t/e ri#es asri,ed to Ro#'alde+ 1fail're to file /is ann'al state#ents of assets and lia,ilities2 do not Arelate to
alle%ed ill4%otten (ealt/A a#assed ," /i#. No s'/ relation #a" ,e pereived in t/e indit#ents t/e#selves, (/i/ in fat
#erel" state t/at t/ere (as no $ustifiable cause for Ro#'alde+Ds ref'sal or fail're to file /is ann'al state#ents. $oreover,
t/e Sandi%an,a"an itself #ade t/e findin% t/at t/e ases a%ainst Ro#'alde+ did not refer to a*'isition of (ealt/ 'nder a
ron" stat's, ,'t Asolel" MM 1to2 /is ,are p/"sial non4o#pliane (it/ /is #e/anial d't" to file /is state#ent of assets
and lia,ilities over a period of t(ent"4fo'r 1782 "ears MMGA and t/at t/e o#issions /ave no ,earin% on Civil Case No. 330=
a%ainst Ro#'alde+ involvin% transations in (/i/ /e Aalle%edl" too; advanta%e of /is relations/ip (it/ t/e spo'ses
Berdinand and I#elda $aros.A 6/ese onsiderations also all for re9etion of t/e Soliitor GeneralDs t/eor" t/at
Ro#'alde+Ds Anon4filin% of state#ents of assets and lia,ilities MM 1(as2 a #eans of concealing MM 1/is2 assets and
fr'stratin% t/e efforts of t/e Govern#ent to deter#ine t/e at'al val'e or eFtent of MM 1/is2 (ealt/.A
T:e Cou45 5:e4e;o4e 'e<-&4e+ 3n6&-3' 5:e 84e-3=3n&4. 3n6e+53>&53on <on'u<5e' 9. 5:e PCGG over t/e 78 offenses
asri,ed to Ro#'alde+ 1of fail're to file ann'al state#ents of assets and lia,ilities2, for la; of 9'risdition of said
offenses.
7
?/ile t/e preli#inar" investi%ation (as invalid, (e r'led t/at t/e invalidit" of t/e preli#inar" investi%ation did not i#pair
t/e validit" of t/e infor#ations #'/ less did it affet t/e 9'risdition of t/e Sandi%an,a"an. :ene, (e /eld t/at t/e
Sandi%an,a"an did not o##it %rave a,'se of disretion in ref'sin% to *'as/ t/e (arrants of arrest a%ainst petitioner.
:o(ever, t/e Sandi%an,a"an (as direted to s'spend t/e proeedin%s in Cri#inal Cases Nos. 1083@410879, and to
re*'ire t/e Offie of t/e O#,'ds#an to ond't a proper preli#inar" investi%ation of t/e /ar%es a%ainst petitioner.
In o#pliane (it/ t/e said deision, t/e Sandi%an,a"an, on Nove#,er 10, 199=, iss'ed a resol'tion %ivin% petitioner
fifteen da"s fro# reeipt t/ereof (it/in (/i/ to s',#it /is o'nter4affidavit and ontrovertin% evidene, f'rnis/in% opies
t/ereof to t/e !CGG. 6/e Sandi%an,a"an also %ave t/e !CGG t/e sa#e period to file a repl" affidavit or pleadin% if it so
desired. 6/ereafter, t/e Offie of t/e Speial !rose'tor (as direted to ond't t/e reinvesti%ation.
0
At t/at ti#e, /o(ever, petitioner (as still in eFile a,road. Nat'rall", /e failed to s',#it t/e re*'ired o'nter4affidavits. :e
ret'rned to t/e !/ilippines onl" on April 77, 7333, after (/i/ /e vol'ntaril" s'rrendered to t/e Sandi%an,a"an and posted
t/e re*'ired ,ail ,ond.
On $a" 8, 7333, t/e Sandi%an,a"an %ave Speial !rose'tor Evel"n 6. -'ero ten da"s (it/in (/i/ to s',#it t/e res'lt
of an" reinvesti%ation s/e #a" /ave 'nderta;en.
8
!rose'tor -'ero infor#ed t/e Sandi%an,a"an t/at s/e /as set a
larifiator" /earin% on )'ne 7, 7333, and #oved for a t/irt"4da" eFtension to s',#it t/e res'lts of t/e reinvesti%ation.
=
!rose'tor -'ero sent notie of t/e larifiator" /earin% to Att". )es's &orro#eo, on ,e/alf of petitioner. 6/e latter
i##ediatel" (ent to !rose'tor -'eroDs offie to infor# /er t/at /e (as not t/e o'nsel for petitioner in t/ese parti'lar
7
ases, alt/o'%/ /e represented petitioner in ot/er ases pendin% ,efore different divisions of t/e Sandi%an,a"an. 6/e
s/ed'led /earin% on )'ne 7, 7333 (as anelled for non4appearane of petitioner and o'nsel.
In t/e #eanti#e, petitioner, t/ro'%/ Att". Otilia Di#a"'%a4$olo, filed (it/ t/e Sandi%an,a"an on )'ne 7, 7333 a $otion to
C'as/ t/e infor#ations in Cri#inal Cases Nos. 1083@410879.
@
:e ar%'ed t/erein t/at t/e !CGG Co##issioner (/o filed
t/e infor#ations /ad no a't/orit" to do so.
On )'ne @, 7333, petitioner reeived at /is address in 6alo,an Cit" a notie fro# !rose'tor 6a%',a of t/e larifiator"
/earin% s/ed'led on )'ne 9, 7333.
7
6/e $otion to C'as/ (as /eard ," t/e Sandi%an,a"an on )'ne 8, 7333, one da" ,efore t/e larifiator" /earin%. ?it/o't
%rantin% t/e prose'tion ti#e to oppose t/e #otion, t/e !residin% )'stie, in open o'rt, denied t/e $otion to C'as/ and
ter#inated t/e preli#inar" investi%ation ,ein% ond'ted ," !rose'tor -'ero. B'rt/er#ore, t/e !residin% )'stie set t/e
arrai%n#ent of petitioner on )'ne 7@, 7333.
On )'ne 70, 7333, petitioner (as a,le to o,tain a (ritten op" of t/e order dated )'ne 8, 7333 den"in% /is $otion to
C'as/ and settin% /is arrai%n#ent on )'ne 7@, 7333.
8
!etitioner li;e(ise reeived anot/er order dated )'ne 8, 7333,
den"in% /is oral #otion for reonsideration.
9
6/e arrai%n#ent s/ed'led on )'ne 7@, 7333 (as reset to )'l" 78, 7333.
13
On )'l" 7, 7333, petitioner filed t/e instant petition, see;in% to ann'l t/e assailed orders dated )'ne 8, 7333 and to
pro/i,it t/e Sandi%an,a"an fro# i#ple#entin% t/e sa#e. !etitioner f'rt/er pra"ed for t/e iss'ane of a (rit of preli#inar"
in9'ntion and te#porar" restrainin% order, en9oinin% /is arrai%n#ent on )'l" 78, 7333.
In a resol'tion dated )'l" 17, 7333, respondents (ere re*'ired to o##ent and t/e parties (ere direted to #aintain
t/e status +uo ante prevailin% at t/e ti#e of filin% of t/e petition.
11
6/e petition is an/ored on t/e follo(in% %ro'nds5
I. RES!ONDEN6 CO.R6 AC6ED ?I6:O.6 ).RISDIC6ION AND<OR ?I6: GRAVE A&.SE OB DISCRE6ION
A$O.N6ING 6O -ACE OB ).RISDIC6ION IN DEN>ING !E6I6IONERDS $O6ION 6O C.AS: 6:E
INBOR$A6ION BI-ED IN CRI$INA- CASES NOS. 1083@410879 NO6?I6:S6ANDING 6:E BAC6 6:A6 6:E
!CGG CO$$ISSIONER ?:O BI-ED SAID INBOR$A6IONS :AD NO A.6:ORI6> 6O DO SOG
II. 6:E RES!ONDEN6 CO.R6 AC6ED ?I6:O.6 ).RISDIC6ION AND<OR ?I6: GRAVE A&.SE OB
DISCRE6ION A$O.N6ING 6O -ACE OB ).RISDIC6ION IN NO6 CO$!->ING ?I6: 6:E DIREC6IVE OB
6:E S.!RE$E CO.R6 IN 6:E RO$.A-DEN CASE 6:A6 I6 S:O.-D ORDER 6:E O$&.DS$AN 6O
COND.C6 A !RO!ER !RE-I$INAR> INVES6IGA6IONG
III. 6:E !E6I6ION ?AS DENIED D.E !ROCESS 6:A6 S:O.-D CO$E BRO$ AN I$!AR6IA- AND CO-D->
NE.6RA- ).DGE. RES!ONDEN6 !RE).DGED 6:E ISS.ES ?:EN I6 DIC6A6ED IN O!EN CO.R6 6:E
-ENG6:> ORDER OB ).NE 8, 7333, DEN>ING O.6RIG:6 6:E $O6ION 6O C.AS: AND ISS.ING
ANO6:ER ORDER ON 6:E SA$E DA6E DEN>ING AN A--EGED ORA- $O6ION BOR
RECONSIDERA6ION.
17
Respondents o'nter t/at t/e first iss'e raised ," petitioner /as alread" ,een resolved in G.R. No. 13=788, t/'s5
6/e invalidit" or a,sene of a preli#inar" investi%ation does not /o(ever affet t/e 9'risdition of t/e 6rial Co'rt (/i/
#a" /ave ta;en o%ni+ane of t/e infor#ation. 6/e ontrollin% priniples are set o't ," a (ell ;no(n a't/orit" no( sittin%
in t/e Co'rt, in /is (or; entitled ,)emedial -aw Compendium,, as follo(s5
AMM. An" o,9etion to la; of preli#inar" investi%ation #'st ,e #ade ,efore entr" of t/e plea %People vs. .onteverde, G.).
No. /01/2, uly 33, 314/( and t/e o'rt, instead of dis#issin% t/e infor#ation, #'st re#and t/e ase for preli#inar"
investi%ation %People vs. Casiano, -536701, *eb. 3/, 31/38 People vs. *igueroa, -5292:7, !pril 70, 31/08 ;acarias vs.
Cru", -526411, Nov. 21, 31/18 People vs. !be$uela, -521:36, .ar. 73, 31:38 Sanciangco, et al. vs. People, G.). No.
32470, .ar. 29, 314:(. 6/e ref'sal of t/e o'rt to re#and t/e ase for preli#inar" investi%ation an ,e ontrolled ,"
ertiorari and pro/i,ition to prevent trial %#andiala vs. C*<, -529/62, Sept. 70, 31:0(.MM.A
8
As re%ards proeedin%s in t/e Sandi%an,a"an, parti'larl", anot/er a't/or o,serves t/at5
ASine &9+en<e o; 84e-3=3n&4. 3n6e+53>&53on 3+ no5 & >4oun' 5o ?u&+: 5:e <o=8-&3n5 o4 3n;o4=&53on 1Se. 0, R'le
117, R'les of Co'rt2, proeedin%s 'pon s'/ infor#ation in t/e Sandi%an,a"an s/o'ld ,e /eld in a,e"ane and t/e ase
re#anded to t/e O#,'ds#an, for /i# or t/e Speial !rose'tor to ond't a preli#inar" investi%ation 1-'iano vs.
$ariano, 83 SCRA 187, 731G Ila%an vs. Enrile, 109 SCRA 089G Sanian%o, )r. vs. !eople, 189 SCRA 1, 0482.
6/e priniple (as applied despite t/e fat t/at trial on t/e #erits /ad ,e%'n and t/e prose'tion /ad alread" presented
fo'r (itnesses. 6/e trial (as ordered s'spended pendin% t/e preli#inar" investi%ation 1Go vs. Co'rt of Appeals, G.R. No.
131807, Be,r'ar" 11, 19972.A
Con+3'e43n> 5:&5 5:e 3n6&-3'35. o; 5:e 84e-3=3n&4. 3n6e+53>&53on /'3' no5 3=8&34 5:e 6&-3'35. o; 5:e 3n;o4=&53on+ o4
o5:e4@3+e 4en'e4 35 'e;e<536e, MM 1#2'/ less did it affet t/e 9'risdition of t/e Co'rt MM,A t/e onl" effet, to repeat, ,ein%
t/e i#position on t/e latter of t/e o,li%ation to s'spend t/e proeedin%s and re*'ire t/e /oldin% of a proper preli#inar"
investi%ation,A it follo(s t/at all ats done ," t/e Co'rt prior t/ereto #'st ,e aorded validit" and effet, s',9et to t/e
o'to#e of t/e preli#inar" investi%ation "et to ,e ond'ted. 6/e dispositions t/'s #ade ," respondent Sandi%an,a"an,
i.e., its ref'sal to reall and *'as/ t/e (arrants of arrest or to #odif" t/e onditions laid do(n ," it for petitionerOs as/
,ondG and its onfisation of t/e as/ deposit of petitioner for violation ," t/e latter of t/e onditions t/ereof, annot ,e
re%arded as /avin% ,een #ade (it/o't or in eFess of 9'risdition, or so (/i#sial, apriio's or oppressive or so 'tterl"
(it/o't fo'ndation as to a#o'nt to %rave a,'se of disretion.
10
6/e a,ove4*'oted r'lin% is ,ased on o'r earlier deisions in t/e ited ases of -uciano v. .ariano,
18
<lagan v.
=nrile,
1=
Sanciangco, r. v. People
1@
and Go v. Court of !ppeals.
17
In t/ese ases, (/at (as assailed (as t/e la; of
proper preli#inar" investi%ation ,efore t/e filin% of t/e infor#ations. 6/e infor#ations t/erein (ere filed ," t/e proper
offier al,eit (it/o't ond'tin% t/e re*'isite preli#inar" investi%ation. 6/e ase at ,ar, on t/e ot/er /and, differs in t/at
t/e offier (/o filed t/e infor#ations a%ainst petitioner, !CGG Co##issioner Villarin, (as not a't/ori+ed to do so.
6/is defet invo;ed ," petitioner is one of t/e %ro'nds for filin% a #otion to *'as/, to (it5
Grounds. 444 6/e a'sed #a" #ove to *'as/ t/e o#plaint or infor#ation on an" of t/e follo(in% %ro'nds5
F F F F F F F F F.
1d2 6/at t/e offier (/o filed t/e infor#ation /ad no a't/orit" to do soG
F F F F F F F F F
18
?/at (as assailed in G.R. No. 13=788 (as t/e Sandi%an,a"anDs ref'sal to *'as/ t/e (arrants and #odif" t/e onditions
of t/e ,ail ,ond, as (ell as its onfisation of t/e as/ deposit. ?/ile (e r'led t/erein t/at t/e !CGG Co##issioner /ad
no a't/orit" to ond't t/e preli#inar" investi%ation, (e did not s*'arel" r'le on /is la; of a't/orit" to file t/e
infor#ations. 6/e iss'e ,efore t/e Co'rt (as t/e invalidit" of t/e preli#inar" investi%ation and its onse*'enes.
6/e Soliitor General, on ,e/alf of t/e Sandi%an,a"an, ar%'es t/at a petition for ertiorari is not t/e proper re#ed"
a%ainst t/e denial of a #otion to *'as/. :e ites t/e ases of >ui?on v. Sandiganbayan
19
and )aro v.
Sandiganbayan.
73
6/at, /o(ever, is t/e %eneral r'le, fro# (/i/ t/ere are ;no(n eFeptions. In ,ot/ ases, (e *'alified
t/e r'le ," statin% t/at AHiIt is onl" (/ere t/ere are speial ir'#stanes learl" de#onstratin% t/e inade*'a" of an
appeal t/at t/e speial ivil ation of ertiorari and pro/i,ition #a" eFeptionall" ,e allo(ed.A
71
6/ere are s'/ speial ir'#stanes in t/e ase at ,ar. Indeed, it (o'ld ,e a %ross infrin%e#ent of petitionerDs ri%/t to
d'e proess, not to #ention an 'tter (aste of ti#e and 9'diial reso'res, if trial is allo(ed to proeed onl" to ,e n'llified
," t/e /i%/er o'rts later on 'pon t/e %ro'nd t/at t/e /ar%es (ere filed ," a person (/o /ad no a't/orit" to file t/e
sa#e.
An infor#ation is defined as an a'sation in (ritin% /ar%in% a person (it/ an offense, s',sri,ed ," t/e prose'tor and
filed (it/ t/e o'rt.
77
9
As an ,e learl" %leaned, it is t/e prose'tor, not t/e !CGG, (/o s',sri,es and files t/e infor#ation. In ases ,efore
t/e Sandi%an,a"an, t/e prose'tor is t/e O#,'ds#an. As (e /ave /eld, t/e ri#es /ar%ed a%ainst petitioner do not
relate to alle%ed ill4%otten (ealt/, over (/i/ t/e !CGG /ad no 9'risdition.
All trial o'rts, t/e Sandi%an,a"an inl'ded, are re#inded t/at t/e" s/o'ld ta;e all t/e neessar" #eas'res %'aranteein%
proed'ral d'e proess fro# t/e ineption of 'stodial investi%ation 'p to rendition of 9'd%#ent.
70
6/e" are not to t'rn a
,lind e"e to proed'ral irre%'larities (/i/ transpired ,efore t/e ri#inal ase rea/ed t/e o'rt. 6/e validit" and
s'ffiien" of t/e infor#ation are i#portant.
78
In t/e ase at ,ar, t/e fla( in t/e infor#ation is not a #ere re#edia,le defet of for#, as in Pec@o v.
Sandiganbayan
7=
(/ere t/e (ordin% of t/e ertifiation in t/e infor#ation (as fo'nd inade*'ate, or in People v.
.ar+ue",
7@
(/ere t/e re*'ired ertifiation (as a,sent. :ere, t/e infor#ations (ere filed ," an 'na't/ori+ed part". 6/e
defet annot ,e 'red even ," ond'tin% anot/er preli#inar" investi%ation. An invalid infor#ation is no infor#ation at all
and annot ,e t/e ,asis for ri#inal proeedin%s.
In fat, (/ere an infor#ation does not onfor# s',stantiall" to t/e presri,ed for#, it is s',9et to *'as/al. $ore
parti'larl", t/e infor#ation #a" ,e *'as/ed (/ere t/e offier (/o filed it /ad no a't/orit" to do so.
77
At all sta%es of t/e proeedin%s leadin% to /is trial and onvition, t/e a'sed #'st ,e /ar%ed and tried aordin% to t/e
proed're presri,ed ," la( and #ar;ed ," o,servane of t/e ri%/ts %iven to /i# ," t/e Constit'tion. In t/e sa#e (a"
t/at t/e readin% of t/e infor#ation to t/e a'sed d'rin% arrai%n#ent is not a 'seless for#alit",
78
so is t/e validit" of t/e
infor#ation ,ein% read not an idle ere#on".
Cri#inal d'e proess re*'ires t/at t/e a'sed #'st ,e proeeded a%ainst 'nder t/e orderl" proesses of la(.
79
In all
ri#inal ases, t/e 9'd%e s/o'ld follo( t/e step4,"4step proed're re*'ired ," t/e R'les. 6/e reason for t/is is to ass're
t/at t/e State #a;es no #ista;e in ta;in% t/e life or li,ert" eFept t/at of t/e %'ilt".
03
6/e ase of Cru", r. v. Sandiganbayan
01
is diretl" in point5
Conse*'entl", t/e a#ended infor#ation t/at (as filed a%ainst petitioner did not fall 'nder t/e ate%or" of ri#inal ations
for reover" of ill4%otten (ealt/ filed a%ainst a #e#,er of t/e fa#il" of !resident $aros, relatives, s',ordinates or lose
assoiates (/o too; advanta%e of t/eir offie or a't/orit" as onte#plated 'nder Setion 71a2 of EFe'tive Order No. 1.
?/at t/e petitioner is at'all" /ar%ed (it/ is for a violation of Rep',li At No. 0319. !',li respondent !CGG does not
pretend t/at t/e !resident assi%ned to it t/is parti'lar ase a%ainst t/e petitioner for investi%ation and prose'tion in
aordane (it/ Setion 71,2 of EFe'tive Order No. 1.
$oreover, an eFa#ination of t/e o#plaint filed (it/ respondent !CGG, as (ell as t/e affidavits, o'nter4affidavits and
eF/i,its s',#itted at t/e preli#inar" investi%ation s/o( t/at 5:e4e 3+ no e63'en<e &5 &-- 5:&5 5:3+ &--e>e' 63o-&53on 3+
<4on.*4e-&5e', <o==355e' 9. 8e5353one4 9. 5&13n> &'6&n5&>e o; :3+ 8u9-3< o;;3<e, &n' @&+ <o==355e' 3n 4e-&53on
@35: 5:e 3--*>o55en @e&-5: 9e3n> +ou>:5 5o 9e 4e<o6e4e' &+ &;o4e+5&5e'. 6/ere is, t/erefore, no evidene in t/e /ands
of t/e respondent !CGG to 9'stif" t/e a#end#ent of t/e infor#ation.
Indeed, t/e said a#end#ent appears to ,e an aftert/o'%/t to #a;e it fall 'nder t/e t"pe of offenses respondent !CGG
#a" investi%ate and prose'te 'nder t/e la(. I5 3+ & ;un'&=en5&- 843n<38-e 5:&5 @:en on 35+ ;&<e 5:e 3n;o4=&53on 3+
nu-- &n' 6o3' ;o4 -&<1 o; &u5:o435. 5o ;3-e 5:e +&=e, 35 <&nno5 9e <u4e' no4 4e+u44e<5e' 9. &n &=en'=en5. Ano5:e4
84e-3=3n&4. 3n6e+53>&53on =u+5 9e un'e45&1en &n' 5:e4e&;5e4, 9&+e' on e63'en<e &''u<e', & ne@ 3n;o4=&53on
+:ou-' 9e ;3-e'.
Conse*'entl" &-- 5:e &<53on+ 4e+8on'en5 PCGG :&' 5&1en 3n 5:3+ <&+e 3n<-u'3n> 5:e ;3-3n> o; 5:e 3n;o4=&53on &n'
&=en'e' 3n;o4=&53on @35: 5:e 4e+8on'en5 <ou45 +:ou-' 9e +54u<1 'o@n.
07
Reentl", (e r'led t/at t/e infir#it" in t/e infor#ation a'sed ," la; of a't/orit" of t/e offier si%nin% it annot ,e 'red
," silene, a*'iesene or even ," eFpress onsent. A ne( infor#ation #'st ,e filed ," t/e proper offier. 6/'s5
FFF FFF FFF. It is a valid infor#ation si%ned ," a o#petent offier, a#on% ot/er re*'isites, (/i/ onfers 9'risdition on
t/e o'rt over t/e person of t/e a'sed 1/erein petitioner2 and t/e s',9et #atter of t/e a'sation. In onsonane (it/
10
t/is vie(, an infir#it" in t/e infor#ation, s'/ as la; of a't/orit" of t/e offier si%nin% it, annot ,e 'red ," silene,
a*'iesene, or even ," eFpress onsent.
In fine, t/ere #'st /ave ,een a valid and s'ffiient o#plaint or infor#ation in t/e for#er prose'tion. If, t/erefore, t/e
o#plaint or infor#ation (as ins'ffiient ,ea'se it (as so defetive in for# or s',stane t/at t/e onvition 'pon it o'ld
not /ave ,een s'stained, its dis#issal (it/o't t/e onsent of t/e a'sed annot ,e pleaded. As t/e fisal /ad no
a't/orit" to file t/e infor#ation, t/e dis#issal of t/e first infor#ation (o'ld not ,e a ,ar in petitionerDs s',se*'ent
prose'tion. )eopard" does not atta/ (/ere a defendant pleads %'ilt" to a defetive indit#ent t/at is vol'ntaril"
dis#issed ," t/e prose'tion.
00
6/e Sandi%an,a"an also o##itted %rave a,'se of disretion (/en it a,r'ptl" ter#inated t/e reinvesti%ation ,ein%
ond'ted ," !rose'tor -'ero. It s/o'ld ,e realled t/at o'r diretive in G.R. No. 13=788 for t/e /oldin% of a
preli#inar" investi%ation (as ,ased on o'r r'lin% t/at t/e ri%/t to a preli#inar" investi%ation is a s',stantive, rat/er t/an a
proed'ral ri%/t. !etitionerDs ri%/t (as violated (/en t/e preli#inar" investi%ation of t/e /ar%es a%ainst /i# (ere
ond'ted ," an offier (it/o't 9'risdition over t/e said ases. It ,ears stressin% t/at o'r diretive s/o'ld ,e stritl"
o#plied (it/ in order to a/ieve its o,9etive of affordin% petitioner /is ri%/t to d'e proess.
6/e Sandi%an,a"an ontends t/at petitioner (aived /is ri%/t to a proper preli#inar" investi%ation. 6/is is
'ntena,le.3Awp@i3 6/e reords s/o( t/at petitioner (as 'na,le to attend t/e larifiator" /earin%s on )'ne 7 and =, 7333
si#pl" d'e to la; of notie. !rose'tor -'ero /erself ad#its t/at Att". &orro#eo, to (/o# s/e initiall" served notie of
t/e /earin%, did not represent petitioner in Cri#inal Cases Nos. 1083@410879. Effetivel", petitioner (as onl" notified of
t/e larifiator" /earin% s/ed'led on )'ne 9, 7333. 6/at settin%, /o(ever, no lon%er #ateriali+ed ,ea'se t/e da"
,efore, t/e Sandi%an,a"an pre#at'rel" ter#inated t/e reinvesti%ation.
Binall", petitioner /ar%es t/e Sandi%an,a"an (it/ /avin% pre9'd%ed t/e ases and deprived /i# of /is ri%/t to d'e
proess. Considerin% t/e defetive nat're of t/e infor#ations in t/e ri#inal ases ,elo(, t/ere is no #ore need to pass
'pon t/is last assi%n#ent of error. 6/e Sandi%an,a"an /as o##itted %rave a,'se of disretion in ref'sin% to *'as/ t/e
infor#ations a%ainst petitioner. In t/e eFerise of t/eir disretion, all o'rts are ad#onis/ed to 'p/old t/e la( and
proed're and to do (/at is fair and 9'st.
08
6/e Sandi%an,a"an failed in t/is re%ard.
#(EREFORE, in vie( of t/e fore%oin%, t/e petition is GRAN6ED. 6/e assailed orders of t/e Sandi%an,a"an dated )'ne
8, 7333 are ANN.--ED and SE6 ASIDE.
SO ORDERED.
Davide, )r., C.)., 1C/air#an2, Vit'%, Eap'nan, and A'stria4$artine+, ))., on'r.
11
G.R. No. 1A31B6 &4<: 29, 2004
PEOPLE OF T(E P(ILIPPINES, petitioner, vs.
(ON. %EIDA A"RORA !. GARFIN, In :e4 <&8&<35. &+ P4e+3'3n> Ju'>e o; RTC, !4&n<: 19, o; 5:e C35. o; N&>& &n'
SERAFIN SA!ALLEG"E, respondents.
D E C I S I O N
P"NO, J:
Bor deter#ination in t/is petition is a *'estion in proed'ral la( 4 4 4 (/et/er an infor#ation filed ," a state prose'tor
(it/o't t/e prior (ritten a't/orit" or approval of t/e it" or provinial prose'tor or /ief state prose'tor s/o'ld ,e
dis#issed after t/e a'sed /as entered /is plea 'nder t/e infor#ation.
!etitioner o#es ,efore 's (it/ a petition for ertiorari and #anda#'s 'nder R'le @= of t/e Revised R'les of Co'rt,
see;in% to delare as n'll and void t/e Orders iss'ed ," t/e Re%ional 6rial Co'rt of Na%a Cit", &ran/ 19 dated Be,r'ar"
7@, 7337
1
and April 0, 7337
7
(/i/ dis#issed for la; of 9'risdition t/e ase of !eople vs. Serafin Sa,alle%'e, Cri#inal
Case No. R6C 733143=97, and denied petitionerDs #otion for reonsideration.
6/e anteedent fats are 'ndisp'ted.
On )'ne 77, 7331, private respondent (as /ar%ed (it/ violation of Setion 771a2 in relation to Setions 191,2 and 781e2
of Rep',li At No. 8787, ot/er(ise ;no(n as t/e ASoial Se'rit" At,A in an infor#ation (/i/ reads5
6/e 'ndersi%ned State !rose'tor of t/e Offie of t/e Re%ional State !rose'tor, -e%a+pi Cit", a'ses SERABIN
SA&A--EG.E, as proprietor of Sa,alle%'e !rintin% !ress (it/ ,'siness address at 1@ San $ateo St., !ePafrania Ave.,
Na%a Cit" for Violation of Setion 771a2 in relation to Setions 191,2 and 781e2 of R.A. 8787 ot/er(ise ;no(n as t/e Soial
Se'rit" At of 1997, o##itted as follo(s5
6/at on or a,o't Be,r'ar" 1993 and 'p to t/e present, in t/e Cit" of Na%a, !/ilippines, (it/in t/e f'ntional 9'risdition of
SSS Na%a &ran/ and t/e territorial 9'risdition of t/is :onora,le Co'rt, t/e a,ove na#ed a'sed, (/ile ,ein% t/e
proprietor of Sa,alle%'e !rintin% !ress, did t/en and t/ere (illf'll", 'nla(f'll", and ri#inall" ref'se and fail and
ontin'o'sl" ref'se and fail to re#it t/e pre#i'#s d'e for /is e#plo"ee to t/e SSS in t/e a#o'nt of SIQ 6:O.SAND
BIVE :.NDRED 6:IR6>46:REE !ESOS 1!@,=00.332, !/ilippine C'rren", representin% SSS and EC pre#i'#s for t/e
period fro# )an'ar" 1993 to Dee#,er 1999 1n.i.2, and t/e 0R penalt" per #ont/ for late re#ittane in t/e a#o'nt of
E-EVEN 6:O.SAND ONE :.NDRED BOR6>46:REE !ESOS and 78<133 1!11,180.782 o#p'ted as of 1= $ar/
7333, despite la(f'l de#ands ," letter in violation of t/e a,ove4ited provisions of t/e la(, to t/e da#a%e and pre9'die of
t/e SSS and t/e p',li in %eneral.
CON6RAR> 6O -A?.
-e%a+pi Cit" for Na%a Cit". 77 )'ne 7331.
1s%d.2 RO$.-O S). 6O-EN6INO
State !rose'tor
Speial !rose'tor on SSS Cases in Re%ion V
0
6/e infor#ation ontains a ertifiation si%ned ," State !rose'tor Ro#'lo S). 6olentino (/i/ states5
I /ere," ertif" t/at t/e re*'ired investi%ation in t/is ase /as ,een ond'ted ," t/e 'ndersi%ned Speial !rose'tor in
aordane (it/ la( and 'nder oat/ as offier of t/e o'rt, t/at t/ere is reasona,le %ro'nd to ,elieve t/at t/e offense /as
,een o##itted, t/at t/e a'sed is pro,a,l" %'ilt" t/ereof and t/at t/e filin% of t/e infor#ation is (it/ t/e prior a't/orit"
and approval of t/e Re%ional State !rose'tor.
8
6/e ase (as raffled to &ran/ 19 of t/e Re%ional 6rial Co'rt of Na%a Cit" presided ," respondent 9'd%e :on. Neida
A'rora &. Garfin. On Septe#,er 78, 7331, a'sed Serafin Sa,alle%'e pleaded not %'ilt" to t/e /ar%e and t/e ase (as
set for pre4trial.
=
6/ree da"s t/ereafter, t/e a'sed filed a #otion to dis#iss
@
on t/e %ro'nd t/at t/e infor#ation (as filed
12
(it/o't t/e prior (ritten a't/orit" or approval of t/e it" prose'tor as re*'ired 'nder Setion 8, R'le 117 of t/e Revised
R'les of Co'rt.
7
6/e !eople, t/ro'%/ State !rose'tor 6olentino, filed an opposition,
8
a%ainst (/i/ t/e a'sed filed a re9oinder.
9
6/e
!eople filed a repl" to t/e re9oinder
13
on Dee#,er 71, 7331. A re9oinder to t/e repl"
11
(as filed ," t/e a'sed on
)an'ar" 71, 7337.
After onsiderin% t/e ar%'#ents raised, t/e trial o'rt %ranted t/e #otion to dis#iss in its first *'estioned Order dated
Be,r'ar" 7@, 7337, to (it5
After onsiderin% t/e respetive ar%'#ents raised ," t/e parties, t/e Co'rt ,elieves and so resolves t/at t/e Infor#ation
/as not ,een filed in aordane (it/ Setion 8, par. 0 of R'le 117 of t/e 7333 R'les on Cri#inal !roed're, t/'s5
JR'le 117, Setion 8 F F F F F F
No o#plaint or infor#ation #a" ,e filed or dis#issed ," an investi%atin% prose'tor (it/o't t/e prior (ritten a't/orit" or
approval of t/e provinial or it" prose'tor or /ief state prose'tor or t/e O#,'ds#an or /is dep't".D
EFpresio 'ni's est eFl'sio alteri's.
6/e Infor#ation (ill readil" s/o( t/at it /as not o#plied (it/ t/is r'le as it /as not ,een approved ," t/e Cit" !rose'tor.
6/is Co'rt /olds t/at t/e defendantDs plea to t/e Infor#ation is not a (aiver to file a #otion to dis#iss or to *'as/ on t/e
%ro'nd of la; of 9'risdition. &" eFpress provision of t/e r'les and ," a lon% line of deisions, *'estions of (ant of
9'risdition #a" ,e raised at an" sta%e of t/e proeedin%s 1!eople vs. Ed'arte, 187 SCRA 7=32.
6/e S'pre#e Co'rt in Villa vs. I,aPe+ 188 !/il 8372 d(elt on la; of a't/orit" of t/e offier (/o filed t/e infor#ation and
on 9'risdition at t/e sa#e ti#e, pertinent portions r'n as follo(s5
6/e defendant /ad pleaded to t/e infor#ation ,efore /e filed a #otion to *'as/, and it is ontended t/at ," /is plea /e
(aived all o,9etions to t/e infor#ation. 6/e ontention is orret as far as for#al o,9etions to t/e pleadin%s are
onerned. &'t ," lear i#pliation, if not ," eFpress provision of setion 13 of R'le 110 of t/e R'les of Co'rt, and ," a
lon% line of 'nifor# deisions, *'estions of (ant of 9'risdition #a" ,e raised at an" sta%e of t/e proeedin%s. No(, t/e
o,9etion to t/e respondentDs at'ations %oes to t/e ver" fo'ndations of 9'risdition. It is a valid infor#ation si%ned ," a
o#petent offier (/i/, a#on% ot/er re*'isites, onfers 9'risdition on t/e o'rt over t/e person of t/e a'sed and t/e
s',9et #atter of t/e a'sation. In onsonane (it/ t/is vie(, an infir#it" of t/e nat're noted in t/e infor#ation annot ,e
'red ," silene, a*'iesene, or even ," eFpress onsent.
!rose'tor 6olentino also ontends t/at /avin% ,een d'l" desi%nated to assist t/e Cit" !rose'tor in t/e investi%ation and
prose'tion of all SSS ases ," t/e Re%ional State prose'tor as alter e%o of t/e Seretar" of )'stie in Re%ion V, t/en
t/at a't/orit" #a" ,e %iven to ot/er t/an t/e Cit" !rose'tor. 6/e Co'rt finds t/is ontention to ,e devoid of #erit. 6/e
Re%ional State !rose'tor is not t/e alter e%o of t/e Seretar" of )'stie ,'t a #ere s',ordinate offiial and if ever t/e
for#er files ases, it is ," virt'e of a dele%ated a't/orit" ," t/e Seretar" of )'stie. !otestas dele%ada non potesta
dele%are 1si2 K (/at /as ,een dele%ated annot ,e redele%ated.
In /is opposition, t/e state prose'tor also atta/ed a #e#orand'# dated )'ne 77, 7331 ," Re%ional State !rose'tor
Santia%o $. 6'rin%an addressed to !rovinial !rose'tor and Cit" !rose'tors of Re%ion V diretin% t/e# to in/i,it and to
append t/e follo(in% NO6A6ION after t/e ertifiation in t/e Infor#ation for filin%.
NO6A6ION5 6/e /erein Cit"<!rovinial !rose'tor is in/i,itin% fro# t/is ase and t/e Speial !rose'tion 6ea# on SSS
Cases in Re%ion V is a't/ori+ed to dispose of t/e ase (it/o't #" approval in vie( of t/e re*'est for in/i,ition of t/e SSS
Re%ional $ana%er as %ranted ," t/e Re%ional State !rose'tor.
A per'sal of t/e Infor#ation, /o(ever, (o'ld readil" s/o( t/at no(/ere in t/e Infor#ation /as t/e Cit" !rose'tor of
Na%a Cit" appended t/e a,ove4*'oted notation<in/i,ition. At #ost, t/e a't/orit" of t/e speial prose'tor is onl" for t/e
ond't of preli#inar" investi%ations and t/e prose'tion of ases after t/e" are filed. 6/e Co'rt, /o(ever, ,elieves t/at
t/e filin% of t/is Infor#ation #'st ,e in onfor#it" (it/ t/e R'les on Cri#inal !roed're, parti'larl" Setion 8 of R'le 117.
13
?:EREBORE, pre#ises onsidered and for la; of 9'risdition, t/e Co'rt /ere," resolves to DIS$ISS t/is ase (it/o't
prono'ne#ent as to ost.
SO ORDERED.
17
A #otion for reonsideration (as filed ," t/e !eople ontendin% t/at as a speial prose'tor desi%nated ," t/e re%ional
state prose'tor to /andle SSS ases (it/in Re%ion V, State !rose'tor 6olentino is a't/ori+ed to file t/e infor#ation
involvin% violations of t/e SSS la( (it/o't need of prior approval fro# t/e it" prose'tor.
10
-etters of o##endation
fro# C/ief State !rose'tor )ovenito N'Po
18
and Seretar" :ernando !ere+
1=
(ere offered as proof to s/o( t/at State
!rose'tor 6olentinoDs a't/orit" to file t/e infor#ation (as reo%ni+ed. In response, t/e defense pointed o't in its
opposition t/at t/e #otion for reonsideration la;ed a notie of /earin%, /ene it is pro forma or a #ere srap of paper.
1@
On April 0, 7337, respondent 9'd%e iss'ed t/e seond *'estioned Order (/i/ reads5
Atin% 'pon t/e $otion for Reonsideration filed ," State !rose'tor Ro#'lo S). 6olentino, Speial !rose'tor on SSS
ases in Re%ion V, and it appearin% t/at t/e sa#e /as failed to o#pl" (it/ t/e re*'ire#ent of notie presri,ed in
Setions 8 and =, R'le 1= of t/e R'les of Co'rt, t/e sa#e is /ere," DENIED for ,ein% a #ere srap of paper.
SO ORDERED.
17
:ene, t/is petition ," t/e !eople t/ro'%/ Re%ional State !rose'tor Santia%o 6'rin%an and State !rose'tor Ro#'lo
S). 6olentino. !etitioner attri,'tes %rave a,'se of disretion a#o'ntin% to la; or eFess of 9'risdition on t/e part of
respondent 9'd%e, vi+5
18
1. RES!ONDEN6 ).DGE DIS$ISSED 6:E INBOR$A6ION ?I6:O.6 6:E REC.IRED S.!!OR6ING
BAC6.A- AND -EGA- &ASESG
7. RES!ONDEN6 ).DGE DE-I&ERA6E-> AND CA!RICIO.S-> IGNORED 6:E !RES.$!6ION OB
REG.-ARI6> IN BAVOR OB 6:E !ROSEC.6ION ?I6:O.6 6:E REC.IRED S.BBICIENC> OB RE&.66A-
EVIDENCE. 6:E ?ORD A$A>A IN SEC. 8, R.-E 117 OB 6:E R.-ES OB CO.R6 IS NO6 $ANDA6OR>G
0. RES!ONDEN6 ).DGE CO$$I66ED GRAVE ERROR IN DE-I&ERA6E-> IGNORING 6:E ).DICIA-->
ENO?N IN:I&I6ION OB 6:E CI6> !ROSEC.6OR AND 6:E SE66-ED ).RIS!R.DENCE ON 6:E $A66ERG
8. RES!ONDEN6 ).DGE GRAVE-> A&.SED :ER DISCRE6ION IN IN6ERBERING ?I6: 6:E !.RE->
EQEC.6IVE B.NC6ION OB BI-ING AN INBOR$A6ION &> R.-ING ON 6:E A.6:ORI6> OB 6:E BI-ING
OBBICER 6O BI-E 6:E INBOR$A6ION.
6/e Offie of t/e Soliitor General 1OSG2 filed its o##ent
19
in o#pliane (it/ t/is Co'rtDs Resol'tion dated Septe#,er
70, 7337.
73
It opines t/at t/e dis#issal of t/e infor#ation is #andated 'nder Setion 8, R'le 117 of t/e R'les of Cri#inal
!roed're.
!rivate respondent ontends t/at5
71
12 t/e instant petition (as filed o't of ti#eG 72 t/e speial State !rose'tor is onl"
a't/ori+ed to ond't preli#inar" investi%ation and prose'tion of SSS ases and not to si%n t/e infor#ationG and 02 t/e
Cit" !rose'tor did not eFpressl" in/i,it /i#self fro# /andlin% SSS ases nor si%nin% t/e infor#ation.
?e s/all first resolve t/e proed'ral iss'es. Respondent ontends t/at t/e #otion for reonsideration filed on April 1,
7337 is late ,ea'se it (as filed ei%/teen da"s after $ar/ 18, 7337, t/e date (/en petitioner reeived t/e first
*'estioned order. Respondent /as overloo;ed t/at t/e 1=
t/
da" after $ar/ 18 is a Good Brida". :ene, petitionerDs last
da" to file t/e #otion for reonsideration (as on t/e neFt (or;in% da" after Good Brida", April 1.
77
NeFt, respondent ar%'es t/at /avin% ,een onsidered as a #ere srap of paper, t/e #otion for reonsideration of t/e
petitioner did not toll t/e r'nnin% of t/e re%le#entar" period. Respondent, /o(ever, erroneo'sl" ass'#es t/at t/e present
ase is an appeal ," ertiorari 'nder R'le 8=. As stated at t/e o'tset, t/is is an ori%inal petition for ertiorari and
#anda#'s 'nder R'le @=.
14
Se. 7, R'le 07 of t/e R'les of Co'rt is lear. It provides t/at A1a2 pro for#a #otion for ne( trial or reonsideration s/all
not toll t/e re%le#entar" period of appeal.A 1emp@ases supplied2 :ene, t/e sa#e provision /as no appliation in t/e ase
at ,ar.
6/e re;onin% date is t/e reeipt of t/e seond *'estioned Order and not t/e reeipt of t/e first. Setion 8, R'le @=, as
a#ended ," En &an Resol'tion A.$. No. 33474304SC, Septe#,er 1, 7333, provides, vi"5
Se. 8. ?/en and (/ere petition filed.44 6/e petition #a" ,e filed not later t/an siFt" 1@32 da"s fro# notie of t/e
9'd%#ent, order or resol'tion. In ase a #otion for reonsideration or ne( trial is ti#el" filed, (/et/er s'/ #otion is
re*'ired or not, t/e siFt" 1@324 da" period s/all ,e o'nted fro# notie of t/e denial of said #otion.
F F F F F F F F F
As s/o(n ," t/e reords, petitioner reeived t/e first *'estioned order dated Be,r'ar" 7@, 7337 on $ar/ 18, 7337.
70
A
#otion for reonsideration (as ti#el" filed on April 1, 7337
78
(/i/ (as dis#issed for la; of notie of /earin% in an Order
dated April 0, 7337.
7=
6/is seond *'estioned order (as reeived ," petitioner on April 11, 7337.
7@
A #otion for eFtension
of ti#e to file a petition for revie( on ertiorari (as filed on April 18, 7337.
77
A #otion for leave to file and ad#it t/e instant
petition for ertiorari and #anda#'s (as filed on $a" 79, 7337.
78
:avin% ,een filed (it/in t/e re%le#entar" period,
petitionerDs #otion for leave to file t/e instant petition (as %ranted in t/is Co'rtDs Resol'tion dated )'l" 1=, 7337.
79
?e no( o#e to t/e ot/er iss'e5 (/et/er t/e prior (ritten a't/orit" and approval of t/e it" or provinial prose'tor or
/ief state prose'tor is neessar" in filin% t/e infor#ation at ,ar.
!etitioner ta;es t/e 'n,endin% vie( t/at t/e approval of t/e it" or provinial prose'tor is no lon%er re*'ired. It is
ontended t/at t/e Re%ional State !rose'tor /as alread" direted t/e it" or provinial prose'tor to in/i,it fro# /andlin%
SSS ases.
03
!etitioner ites t/e letter of Re%ional State !rose'tor Santia%o $. 6'rin%an to SSS Re%ional Diretor in
Na%a Cit" dated )'ne @, 1997
01
and opies of Re%ional Orders No. 9743784A
07
and 73314300
00
dated )'l" 18, 1997 and
Septe#,er 78, 7331, respetivel", s/o(in% t/e desi%nation of State !rose'tor 6olentino as speial prose'tor for SSS
ases in Re%ion V. !etitioner relies on Galve+, et al. v. Co'rt of Appeals, et al.
08
and San/e+ v. De#etrio', et al.
0=
to prop
'p its ontention t/at %iven t/e desi%nation of State !rose'tor 6olentino, t/e it" prose'tor need not partiipate in t/e
filin% and prose'tion of t/e infor#ation in t/e ase at ,ar.
?e disa%ree. .nder !residential Deree No. 177=, t/e po(ers of a Re%ional State !rose'tor are as follo(s5
Se. 8. 6/e Re%ional State !rose'tion Offie5 B'ntions of Re%ional State !rose'tor. 4 6/e Re%ional State !rose'tor
s/all, 'nder t/e ontrol of t/e Seretar" of )'stie, /ave t/e follo(in% f'ntions5
a2 I#ple#ent poliies, plans, pro%ra#s, #e#oranda, orders, ir'lars and r'les and re%'lations of t/e
Depart#ent of )'stie relative to t/e investi%ation and prose'tion of ri#inal ases in /is re%ion.
,2 EFerise i##ediate ad#inistrative s'pervision over all provinial and it" fisals and ot/er prose'tin% offiers
of provines and ities o#prised (it/in /is re%ion.
2 !rose'te an" ase arisin% (it/in t/e re%ion.
d2 ?it/ respet to /is re%ional offie and t/e offies of t/e provinial and it" fisals (it/in /is re%ion, /e s/all5
12 Appoint s'/ #e#,er of s',ordinate offiers and e#plo"ees as #a" ,e neessar"G and approve
transfers of s',ordinate personnel (it/in t/e 9'risdition of t/e re%ional offie.
72 Investi%ate ad#inistrative o#plaints a%ainst fisals and ot/er prose'tin% offiers (it/in /is re%ion
and s',#it /is reo##endation t/ereon to t/e Seretar" of )'stie (/o s/all, after revie( t/ereof, s',#it
t/e appropriate reo##endation to t/e Offie of t/e !resident5 !rovided, t/at (/ere t/e Seretar" of
)'stie finds ins'ffiient %ro'nds for t/e filin% of /ar%es, /e #a" render a deision of dis#issal t/ereof.
02 Investi%ate ad#inistrative o#plaints a%ainst s',ordinate personnel of t/e re%ion and s',#it /is
reo##endations t/ereon to t/e Seretar" of )'stie (/o s/all /ave t/e a't/orit" to render deision
t/ereon. 1e#p/ases s'pplied2
15
6/e po(er of ad#inistrative s'pervision is li#ited to At/e a't/orit" of t/e depart#ent or its e*'ivalent to %enerall" oversee
t/e operations of s'/ a%enies and to ins're t/at t/e" are #ana%ed effetivel", effiientl" and eono#iall" ,'t (it/o't
interferene (it/ da"4to4da" ativitiesG or re*'ire t/e s',#ission of reports and a'se t/e ond't of #ana%e#ent a'dit,
perfor#ane eval'ation and inspetion to deter#ine o#pliane (it/ poliies, standards and %'idelines of t/e
depart#entG to ta;e s'/ ation as #a" ,e neessar" for t/e proper perfor#ane of offiial f'ntions, inl'din%
retifiation of violations, a,'ses and ot/er for#s of #alad#inistrationG and to revie( and pass 'pon ,'d%et proposals of
s'/ a%enies ,'t #a" not inrease or add to t/e#.A
0@
6/is is distin%'is/ed fro# t/e po(er of As'pervision and ontrolA
(/i/ inl'des t/e a't/orit" Ato at diretl" (/enever a speifi f'ntion is entr'sted ," la( or re%'lation to a s',ordinateG
diret t/e perfor#ane of d't"G restrain t/e o##ission of atsG revie(, approve, reverse or #odif" ats and deisions of
s',ordinate offiials or 'nitsG deter#ine priorities in t/e eFe'tion of plans and pro%ra#sG and presri,e standards,
%'idelines, plans and pro%ra#s.A
07
6/e Re%ional State !rose'tor is learl" vested onl" (it/ t/e po(er of ad#inistrative s'pervision. As ad#inistrative
s'pervisor, /e /as no po(er to diret t/e it" and provinial prose'tors to in/i,it fro# /andlin% ertain ases. At #ost, /e
an re*'est for t/eir in/i,ition. :ene, t/e said diretive of t/e re%ional state prose'tor to t/e it" and provinial
prose'tors is *'estiona,le to sa" t/e least.
!etitioner annot lean on t/e ases of Galve+ and San/e+. In t/ose ases, t/e speial prose'tors (ere atin% 'nder t/e
diretive of t/e Seretar" of )'stie. 6/e" (ere appointed in aordane (it/ la(. No(/ere in !.D. No. 177= is t/e
re%ional state prose'tor %ranted t/e po(er to appoint a speial prose'tor ar#ed (it/ t/e a't/orit" to file an infor#ation
(it/o't t/e prior (ritten a't/orit" or approval of t/e it" or provinial prose'tor or /ief state prose'tor. !.D. No. 177=
provides t/e #anner ," (/i/ speial prose'tors are appointed, to (it5
Se. 1=. Speial Co'nsels. 4 ?/enever t/e eFi%enies of t/e servie re*'ire t/e reation of positions of additional o'nsel
to assist provinial and it" fisals in t/e dis/ar%e of t/eir d'ties, positions of Speial Co'nsels #a" ,e reated ," an"
provine or it", s',9et to t/e approval of t/e Seretar" of )'stie, and (it/ salaries /ar%ea,le a%ainst provinial or it"
f'nds. 6/e Seretar" of )'stie s/all appoint said Speial Co'nsels, 'pon reo##endation of t/e provinial or it" fisal
and re%ional state prose'tors onerned, eit/er on per#anent or te#porar" ,asis.
Speial Co'nsel s/all ,e appointed fro# #e#,ers of t/e ,ar and s/all ,e allo(ed not #ore t/an t/e salar" rate provided
in t/is Deree for t/e lo(est ran; or %rade of assistant fisal in t/e provine or it" (/ere assi%ned. 1e#p/ases s'pplied2
.nder Depart#ent Order No. 018,
08
ADefinin% t/e a't/orit", d'ties and responsi,ilities of re%ional state prose'tors,A t/en
Atin% Seretar" of )'stie Silvestre :. &ello III ordered t/e appointed re%ional state prose'tors 1(/i/ inl'ded
Re%ional State !rose'tor 6'rin%an for Re%ion V2 to, a#on% ot/ers, A1i2nvesti%ate and<or prose'te, 'pon t/e diretive of
t/e Seretar" of )'stie, speifi ri#inal ases filed (it/in t/e re%ion.A 1e#p/asis s'pplied2
In t/e ase at ,ar, t/ere is no pretense t/at a diretive (as iss'ed ," t/e Seretar" of )'stie to Re%ional State
!rose'tor 6'rin%an to investi%ate and<or prose'te SSS ases filed (it/in /is territorial 9'risdition. A ,are readin% of t/e
alle%ed letter of o##endation ," t/en Seretar" :ernando !ere+ (o'ld s/o( t/at it does not a#o'nt to a diretive or
even a reo%nition of t/is a't/orit". In fat, (/ile t/e letter of Seretar" !ere+ o##ends t/e efforts of Re%ional State
!rose'tor 6'rin%an in s'essf'll" prose'tin% SSS ases, it also ne%ates /is a't/orit" to prose'te t/e#. Seretar"
!ere+ alled t/e Re%ional State !rose'torDs attention to DO) Cir'lar No. 77, series of 7331, (/i/ states t/at all
i#portant ases of t/e SSS s/o'ld ,e referred to t/e Offie of t/e Govern#ent Corporate Co'nsel.
09
6/'s, Re%ional State
!rose'tor 6'rin%an annot ,e onsidered a speial prose'tor (it/in t/e #eanin% of t/e la(.
!etitioner ar%'es t/at t/e (ord A#a"A is per#issive. :ene, t/ere are ases (/en prior (ritten approval is not re*'ired,
and t/is is one s'/ instane. 6/is is too si#plisti an interpretation. ?/et/er t/e (ord A#a"A is #andator" or diretor"
depends on t/e onteFt of its 'se. ?e a%ree (it/ t/e OSG t/at t/e 'se of t/e per#issive (ord A#a"A s/o'ld ,e read
to%et/er (it/ t/e ot/er provisions in t/e sa#e setion of t/e R'le. 6/e para%rap/ i##ediatel" preedin% t/e *'oted
provision s/o(s t/at t/e (ord A#a"A is #andator". It states5
Se. 8, R'le 117. K F F F
?it/in five 1=2 da"s fro# /is resol'tion, /e 1investi%atin% prose'tor2 s/all for(ard t/e reord of t/e ase to t/e provinial
or it" prose'tor or /ief state prose'tor, or to t/e O#,'ds#an or /is dep't" in ases of offenses o%ni+a,le ," t/e
Sandi%an,a"an in t/e eFerise of its ori%inal 9'risdition. 6/e" s/all at on t/e resol'tion (it/in ten 1132 da"s fro# t/eir
reeipt t/ereof and s/all i##ediatel" infor# t/e parties of s'/ ation. 1e#p/asis s'pplied2
16
:avin% settled t/at t/e prior a't/orit" and approval of t/e it", provinial or /ief state prose'tor s/o'ld /ave ,een
o,tained, (e s/all no( resolve t/e #ore i#portant iss'e5 (/et/er t/e la; of prior (ritten approval of t/e it", provinial or
/ief state prose'tor in t/e filin% of an infor#ation is a defet in t/e infor#ation t/at is (aived if not raised as an o,9etion
,efore arrai%n#ent.
?e /old t/at it is not.
6/e provisions in t/e 7333 Revised R'les of Cri#inal !roed're t/at de#and ill'#ination are Setions 0 and 9 of R'le
117 in relation to para%rap/ 0, Setion 8 of R'le 117, to (it5
R'le 117, Setion 0. Gro'nds.L6/e a'sed #a" #ove to *'as/ t/e o#plaint or infor#ation on an" of t/e follo(in%
%ro'nds5
1a2 6/at t/e fats /ar%ed do not onstit'te an offenseG
1,2 6/at t/e o'rt tr"in% t/e ase /as no 9'risdition over t/e offense /ar%edG
12 6/at t/e o'rt tr"in% t/e ase /as no 9'risdition over t/e person of t/e a'sedG
2'7 T:&5 5:e o;;3<e4 @:o ;3-e' 5:e 3n;o4=&53on :&' no &u5:o435. 5o 'o +oC
1e2 6/at it does not onfor# s',stantiall" to t/e presri,ed for#G
1f2 6/at #ore t/an one offense is /ar%ed eFept (/en a sin%le p'nis/#ent for vario's offenses is presri,ed ,"
la(G
1%2 6/at t/e ri#inal ation or lia,ilit" /as ,een eFtin%'is/edG
1/2 6/at it ontains aver#ents (/i/, if tr'e, (o'ld onstit'te a le%al eF'se or 9'stifiationG and
1i2 6/at t/e a'sed /as ,een previo'sl" onvited or a*'itted of t/e offense /ar%ed, or t/e ase a%ainst /i#
(as dis#issed or ot/er(ise ter#inated (it/o't /is eFpress onsent.
F F F F F F F F F
Setion 9. Bail're to #ove to *'as/ or to alle%e an" %ro'nd t/erefor.L6/e fail're of t/e a'sed to assert an" %ro'nd of
a #otion to *'as/ ,efore /e pleads to t/e o#plaint or infor#ation, eit/er ,ea'se /e did not file a #otion to *'as/ or
failed to alle%e t/e sa#e in said #otion, s/all ,e dee#ed a (aiver of an" o,9etions eFept t/ose ,ased on t/e %ro'nds
provided for in para%rap/s 1a2, 1,2, 1%2, and 1i2 of setion 0 of t/is R'le. 1emp@asis supplied2
R'le 117, Setion 8, para%rap/ 0 provides, vi+5
No o#plaint or infor#ation #a" ,e filed or dis#issed ," an investi%atin% prose'tor (it/o't t/e 843o4 @4355en &u5:o435.
o4 &884o6&- o; 5:e 84o63n<3&- o4 <35. 84o+e<u5o4 o4 <:3e; +5&5e 84o+e<u5o4 or t/e O#,'ds#an or /is dep't".
1emp@asis supplied2
!rivate respondent and t/e OSG ta;e t/e position t/at t/e la; of prior a't/orit" or approval ," t/e it" or provinial
prose'tor or /ief state prose'tor is an infir#it" in t/e infor#ation t/at prevented t/e o'rt fro# a*'irin% 9'risdition
over t/e ase. Sine la; of 9'risdition is a defet t/at #a" ,e raised as an o,9etion an"ti#e even after arrai%n#ent, t/e
respondent 9'd%e did not err in %rantin% t/e #otion to dis#iss ,ased on t/is %ro'nd. As ,asis, t/e" ite t/e ase of Villa v.
I,aPe+, et al.
83
(/ere (e /eld, vi"5
6/e defendant /ad pleaded to an infor#ation ,efore /e filed a #otion to *'as/, and it is ontended t/at ," /is plea /e
(aived all o,9etions to t/e infor#ations. 6/e ontention is orret as far as for#al o,9etions to t/e pleadin%s are
onerned. &'t ," lear i#pliation, if not ," eFpress provision of setion 13 of R'le 110 of t/e R'les of Co'rt 1no(
Setion 9 of R'le 1172, and ," a lon% line of 'nifor# deisions, *'estions of (ant of 9'risdition #a" ,e raised at an"
sta%e of t/e proeedin%. No(, t/e o,9etion to t/e respondentDs at'ations %oes to t/e ver" fo'ndation of t/e 9'risdition. It
17
is a valid infor#ation si%ned ," a o#petent offier (/i/, a#on% ot/er re*'isites, onfers 9'risdition on t/e o'rt over
t/e person of t/e a'sed and t/e s',9et #atter of t/e a'sation. In onsonane (it/ t/is vie(, an infir#it" in t/e
infor#ation annot ,e 'red ," silene, a*'iesene, or even ," eFpress onsent.
81
1e#p/asis s'pplied2
6/e ase of Villa is a't/orit" for t/e priniple t/at la; of a't/orit" on t/e part of t/e filin% offier prevents t/e o'rt fro#
a*'irin% 9'risdition over t/e ase. )'risdition over t/e s',9et #atter is onferred ," la( (/ile 9'risdition over t/e ase
is invested ," t/e at of plaintiff and atta/es 'pon t/e filin% of t/e o#plaint or infor#ation.
87
:ene, (/ile a o'rt #a"
/ave 9'risdition over t/e s',9et #atter, li;e a violation of t/e SSS -a(, it does not a*'ire 9'risdition over t/e ase itself
'ntil its 9'risdition is invo;ed (it/ t/e filin% of t/e infor#ation.
In t/e .nited States, an infor#ation /as ,een /eld as a 9'risditional re*'ire#ent 'pon (/i/ a defendant stands trial.
6/'s, it /as ,een r'led t/at in t/e a,sene of pro,a,le a'se, t/e o'rt la;s 9'risdition to tr" t/e ri#inal offense.
80
In
o'r 9'risdition, (e /ave si#ilarl" /eld t/at5
?/ile t/e /oie of t/e o'rt (/ere to ,rin% an ation, (/ere t/ere are t(o or #ore o'rts /avin% on'rrent 9'risdition
t/ereon, is a #atter of proed're and not 9'risdition, as s'%%ested ," appellant, t/e #o#ent s'/ /oie /as ,een
eFerised, t/e #atter ,eo#es 9'risditional. Su<: <:o3<e 3+ 'ee=e' =&'e @:en 5:e 84o8e4 <o=8-&3n5 o4
3n;o4=&53on 3+ ;3-e' @35: 5:e <ou45 :&63n> Du43+'3<53on o6e4 5:e <43=e, &n' +&3' <ou45 &<?u34e+ Du43+'3<53on o6e4 5:e
8e4+on o; 5:e 'e;en'&n5, ;4o= @:3<: 53=e 5:e 43>:5 &n' 8o@e4 o; 5:e <ou45 5o 54. 5:e &<<u+e' &55&<:e+. 1itations
o#itted2 I5 3+ no5 ;o4 5:e 'e;en'&n5 5o eEe4<3+e 5:&5 <:o3<e, @:3<: 3+ -o'>e' u8on 5:o+e @:o =&. 6&-3'-. ;3-e o4
+u9+<439e 5o 5:e <o=8-&3n5 o4 3n;o4=&53on un'e4 +e<53on+ 2 &n' 3 o; Ru-e 106 o; 5:e Ru-e+ o; Cou45.
88
1emp@asis
supplied2
A loser loo; at V3--& (o'ld ,e 'sef'l in resolvin% t/e iss'e at /and. In t/at ase, Att". A,elardo S',ido, C/ief of t/e
Division of Investi%ation in t/e Offie of t/e $a"or of $anila, (as appointed ," t/e Seretar" of )'stie as speial o'nsel
to assist t/e Cit" Bisal of $anila in t/e ases involvin% it" %overn#ent offiials or e#plo"ees. !'rs'ant to /is
appoint#ent, Att". S',ido filed an infor#ation a%ainst !edro Villa for falsifiation of a pa"roll. Att". S',idoDs a't/orit" to file
t/e infor#ation (as /allen%ed on t/e %ro'nd t/at /e (as dis*'alified for appoint#ent 'nder Setion 1@8@ of t/e Revised
Ad#inistrative Code, as a#ended ," Setion 8 of Co##on(ealt/ At No. 188, to (it5
SEC. 1@8@. Additional o'nsel to assist fisal. L 6/e Seretar" of )'stie #a" appoint an" la("er, ,ein% eit/er a
s',ordinate fro# /is offie or a o#petent person not in t/e p',li servie, te#poraril" to assist a fisal or prose'tin%
attorne" in t/e dis/ar%e of /is d'ties, and (it/ t/e sa#e a't/orit" t/erein as #i%/t ,e eFerised ," t/e Attorne" General
or Soliitor General.
8=
?e /eld, vi"5
Appoint#ents ," t/e Seretar" of )'stie in virt'e of t/e fore%oin% provisions of t/e Revised Ad#inistrative Code, as
a#ended, (ere 'p/eld in -o C/a# vs. Oa#po et al., 88 Offiial Ga+ette, 8=8, and Go Ca# et al., vs. Gat#aitan et al.,
187 Offiial Ga+ette, =3972. &'t in t/ose ases, t/e appointees (ere offiials or e#plo"ees in one or anot/er of t/e
,'rea's or offies 'nder t/e Depart#ent of )'stie, and (ere ri%/tl" onsidered s',ordinates in t/e offie of t/e Seretar"
of )'stie (it/in t/e #eanin% of setion 1@8@, ante.
6/e ase at ,ar does not o#e (it/in t/e rationale of t/e a,ove deisions. Attorne" S',ido is a re%'lar offier or
e#plo"ee in t/e Depart#ent of Interior, #ore parti'larl" in t/e Cit" $a"orDs offie. Bor t/is reason, /e ,elon%s to t/e
lass of persons dis*'alified for appoint#ent to t/e post of speial o'nsel.
6/at to ,e eli%i,le as speial o'nsel to aid a fisal t/e appointee #'st ,e eit/er an e#plo"ee or offier in t/e Depart#ent
of )'stie is so #anifest fro# a ,are readin% of setion 1@8@ of t/e Revised Ad#inistrative Code as to prel'de
onstr'tion. And t/e li#itation of t/e ran%e of /oie in t/e appoint#ent or desi%nation is not (it/o't reason.
6/e o,vio's reason is to /ave appointed onl" la("ers over (/o# t/e Seretar" of )'stie an eFerise eFl'sive and
a,sol'te po(er of s'pervision. An appointee fro# a ,ran/ of t/e %overn#ent o'tside t/e Depart#ent of )'stie (o'ld
o(e o,ediene to, and ,e s',9et to orders ,", #'t'all" independent s'periors /avin%, possi,l", anta%onisti interests.
Referrin% parti'larl" to t/e ase at /and for ill'stration, Attorne" S',ido o'ld ,e realled or /is ti#e and attention ,e
re*'ired else(/ere ," t/e Seretar" of Interior or t/e Cit" $a"or (/ile /e (as dis/ar%in% /is d'ties as p',li prose'tor,
and t/e Seretar" of )'stie (o'ld ,e /elpless to stop s'/ reall or interferene. An event'alit" or state of affairs so
'ndesira,le, not to sa" detri#ental to t/e p',li servie and speiall" t/e ad#inistration of 9'stie, t/e -e%islat're (isel"
intended to avoid.
18
6/e appliation of t/e 19=1 Villa r'lin% is not onfined to instanes (/ere t/e person (/o filed t/e infor#ation is
dis*'alified fro# ,ein% a speial prose'tor 'nder Setion 1@8@ of t/e Revised Ad#inistrative Code, as a#ended, ,'t /as
,een eFtended to vario's ases (/ere t/e infor#ation (as filed ," an 'na't/ori+ed offier as in t/e ase at ,ar. In Cr'+,
)r. v. Sandi%an,a"an, et al.,
8@
t/e Co'rt /eld t/at it is a f'nda#ental priniple t/at (/en on its fae t/e infor#ation is n'll
and void for la; of a't/orit" to file t/e sa#e, it annot ,e 'red nor res'rreted ," a#end#ent. In t/at ase, t/e
!residential Co##ission on Good Govern#ent 1!CGG2 ond'ted an investi%ation and filed an infor#ation (it/ t/e
Sandi%an,a"an a%ainst petitioner Ro#an Cr'+, )r. /ar%in% /i# (it/ %raft and orr'ption. 6/e petitioner so'%/t to *'as/
t/e infor#ation on t/e %ro'nd t/at t/e ri#e /ar%ed did not onstit'te a A$aros ron" related ri#eA over (/i/ t/e
!CGG /ad a't/orit" to investi%ate and file an infor#ation. 6/e Co'rt fo'nd t/at t/e ri#e alle%ed in t/e infor#ation (as
not a#on% t/ose (/i/ !CGG (as a't/ori+ed to investi%ate 'nder EFe'tive Orders No. 1 and 18 of t/en !resident
Cora+on A*'ino and r'led t/at t/e infor#ation (as n'll and void. Of si#ilar i#port is Ro#'alde+ v. Sandi%an,a"an, et
al.
87
(/ere (e r'led t/at t/e infor#ation /avin% ,een filed ," an 'na't/ori+ed part" 1t/e !CGG2, t/e infor#ation (as
fatall" fla(ed. ?e noted t/at t/is defet is not a #ere re#edia,le defet of for#, ,'t a defet t/at o'ld not ,e
'red.3awp@i3.net
In C'dia v. Co'rt of Appeals, et al.,
88
(e also reiterated t/e Villa r'lin%. 6/e a'sed in t/at ase (as appre/ended in
$a,alaat, !a#pan%a for ille%al possession of firear#s and (as ,ro'%/t to An%eles Cit" (/ere t/e /ead*'arters of t/e
arrestin% offiers (as loated. 6/e Cit" !rose'tor of An%eles Cit" filed an infor#ation in t/e Re%ional 6rial Co'rt of
An%eles Cit". ?e invalidated t/e infor#ation filed ," t/e Cit" !rose'tor ,ea'se /e /ad no territorial 9'risdition, as t/e
offense (as o##itted in $a,alaat, !a#pan%a and /is territorial 9'risdition (as onl" in An%eles Cit". ?e /eld t/at an
infor#ation, (/en re*'ired ," la( to ,e filed ," a p',li prose'tin% offier, annot ,e filed ," anot/er.
89
Ot/er(ise, t/e
o'rt does not a*'ire 9'risdition.
=3
It is a valid infor#ation si%ned ," a o#petent offier (/i/, a#on% ot/er re*'isites,
onfers 9'risdition on t/e o'rt over t/e person of t/e a'sed and t/e s',9et #atter t/ereof. 6/e a'sedDs plea to an
infor#ation #a" ,e a (aiver of all for#al o,9etions to t/e said infor#ation ,'t not (/en t/ere is (ant of 9'risdition.
C'estions relatin% to la; of 9'risdition #a" ,e raised at an" sta%e of t/e proeedin%. An infir#it" in t/e infor#ation, s'/
as la; of a't/orit" of t/e offier si%nin% it, annot ,e 'red ," silene, a*'iesene, or even ," eFpress onsent.
=1
Despite #odifiations of t/e provisions on 'na't/ori+ed filin% of infor#ation ontained in t/e 1983 R'les of Cri#inal
!roed're 'nder (/i/ Villa (as deided, t/e 19=1 Villa r'lin% ontin'es to ,e t/e prevailin% ase la( on t/e #atter.
=7
6/e 1983 R'les of Co'rt provided in R'le 110, Setion 13 t/at, if t/e defendant fails to #ove to *'as/ t/e o#plaint or
infor#ation ,efore /e pleads t/ereto, /e s/all ,e ta;en to /ave (aived all o,9etions (/i/ are %ro'nds for a #otion to
*'as/ eFept 112 A(/en t/e o#plaint or infor#ation does not /ar%e an offenseA or 172 At/e o'rt is (it/o't 9'risdition of
t/e sa#e.A 1e#p/asis o'rs2 A#on% t/e en'#erated %ro'nds for a #otion to *'as/ 'nder Setion 7 of t/e sa#e R'le (as
A1t2/at t/e fisal /as no a't/orit" to file t/e infor#ation.A ?it/ onl" t/e a,ove t(o eFeptions provided ," t/e 1983 R'les,
t/e Co'rt nevert/eless #ade t/e Villa r'lin% t/at if t/e filin% offier la;s a't/orit" to file t/e infor#ation, 9'risdition is not
onferred on t/e o'rt and t/is infir#it" annot ,e 'red ," silene or (aiver, a*'iesene, or even ," eFpress onsent.
6/e 1983 R'les of Co'rt (as a#ended in 19@8. ?it/ onl" #ini#al /an%es introd'ed, t/e 19@8 R'les of Co'rt
ontained provisions on 'na't/ori+ed filin% of infor#ation si#ilar to t/e a,ove provisions of t/e 1983 R'les.
=0
6/en a#e t/e 198= R'les of Cri#inal !roed're. -a; of a't/orit" of t/e offier (/o filed t/e infor#ation (as also a
%ro'nd for a #otion to *'as/ 'nder t/ese r'les. 6/e 198= R'les also provided for (aiver of t/e %ro'nds for a #otion to
*'as/ 'nder R'le 117, Setion 8, ,'t en'#erated t/e follo(in% eFeptions to t/e (aiver5 1a2 t/e fats /ar%ed do not
onstit'te an offenseG 1,2 t/e o'rt tr"in% t/e ase /as no 9'risdition over t/e offense /ar%ed or t/e person of t/e
a'sedG 12 t/e ri#inal ation or lia,ilit" /as ,een eFtin%'is/edG and 1d2 t/e a'sed /as ,een previo'sl" onvited or in
9eopard" of ,ein% onvited, or a*'itted of t/e offense /ar%ed. Apparentl", t/e (ant of 9'risdition 'nder t/e 198= R'les
refers to 9'risdition over t/e offense and t/e person, and not over t/e ase as in Villa (/ere t/e o'rt did not a*'ire
9'risdition over t/e ase for la; of a't/orit" of t/e offier (/o filed t/e infor#ation. Still, despite t/e en'#eration, t/e
Co'rt ontin'ed to appl" t/e Villa r'lin% as s/o(n in t/e afore4ited Cr'+ and C'dia ases.
6/e 198= R'les (as a#ended in 7333. 6/e 7333 Revised R'les of Cri#inal !roed're also provide for la; of a't/orit"
of t/e filin% offier as a#on% t/e %ro'nds for a #otion to *'as/ and t/e (aiver of t/ese %ro'nds. Si#ilar to t/e 198=
R'les, t/e Revised R'les en'#erate t/e eFeptions fro# t/e (aiver, na#el"5 1a2 t/at t/e fats /ar%ed do not onstit'te
an offenseG 1,2 t/at t/e o'rt tr"in% t/e ase /as no 9'risdition over t/e offense /ar%edG 12 t/at t/e ri#inal ation or
lia,ilit" /as ,een eFtin%'is/edG and 1d2 t/at t/e a'sed /as ,een previo'sl" onvited or a*'itted of t/e offense
/ar%ed, or t/e ase a%ainst /i# (as dis#issed or ot/er(ise ter#inated (it/o't /is eFpress onsent. .nder t/e re%i#e of
t/e 7333 Revised R'les, (e reiterated t/e Villa r'lin% in t/e a,ove4ited Ro#'alde+ ase. ?it/ t/e en'#eration of t/e
fo'r eFeptions, (/i/ (as al#ost a replia of t/e en'#eration in t/e 198= R'les, t/e 7333 R'les did not intend to
a,andon Villa. 6/e Villa r'lin% s',sisted alon%side t/e en'#erated eFeptions 'nder t/e 198= R'les, and it re#ains to do
19
so 'nder t/e en'#erated eFeptions 'nder t/e 7333 R'les. Neit/er t/e Rationale of t/e 7333 Revised R'les of Cri#inal
!roed're nor t/e $in'tes of t/e $eetin% of t/e Co##ittee on t/e Revision of t/e R'les of Co'rt evines an" intent to
a,andon t/e dotrine en'niated in Villa.
In s'#, (e /old t/at, in t/e a,sene of a diretive fro# t/e Seretar" of )'stie desi%natin% State !rose'tor 6olentino as
Speial !rose'tor for SSS ases or a prior (ritten approval of t/e infor#ation ," t/e provinial or it" prose'tor, t/e
infor#ation in Cri#inal Case No. R6C 733143=97 (as filed ," an offier (it/o't a't/orit" to file t/e sa#e. As t/is infir#it"
in t/e infor#ation onstit'tes a 9'risditional defet t/at annot ,e 'red, t/e respondent 9'd%e did not err in dis#issin%
t/e ase for la; of 9'risdition.
?:EREBORE, pre#ises onsidered, t/e petition is DENIED. 6/e respondent o'rtDs orders dated Be,r'ar" 7@, 7337 and
April 0, 7337 are ABBIR$ED. Cri#inal Case No. R6C 733143=97 is DIS$ISSED (it/o't pre9'die to t/e filin% of a ne(
infor#ation ," an a't/ori+ed offier.
SO ORDERED.
G.R. No. 136264 &. 2,, 2004
ATTY. REYNALDO P. DIAYACYAC, petitioner, vs.
(ON. CO"RT OF APPEALS, (ON. VICENTE $. ROFAS, IRENE AG!ADA*CR"%, SIFTO AG!ADA CR"%,
ERCEDES ARISTORENAS &n' ROEO GOE% &n' PEOPLE OF T(E P(ILIPPINES, respondents.
20
D E C I S I O N
A"STRIA*ARTINE%, J.:
&efore 's is a petition for revie( on ertiorari assailin% t/e Deision
1
of t/e Co'rt of Appeals 1CA for ,revit"2 dated
Nove#,er 10, 1998 in CA4G.R. S! No. 80888, den"in% Att". Re"naldo !. Di#a"a"aDs petition for ertiorari and r'lin%
t/at t/e Re%ional 6rial Co'rt 1&ran/ 7772 of C'e+on Cit" 1R6C for ,revit"2 (as orret in den"in% petitionerDs #otion to
*'as/ t/e infor#ation /ar%in% petitioner (it/ falsifiation of p',li do'#ents, do;eted as Cri#inal Case No. C4904
89988.
6/e anteedent fats as ,orne o't ," t/e reords of t/e ase are a'ratel" narrated in t/e CA Deision dated Nove#,er
10, 1998, t/'s5
An infor#ation for falsifiation of p',li do'#ents do;eted as Cri#inal Case No. C491418307 at t/e R6C of
C'e+on Cit" (as filed a%ainst petitioner alon% (it/ so#e ot/ers. 6/at infor#ation reads5
6/e 'ndersi%ned Assistant Cit" !rose'tor a'ses -O.RDES ANGE-ES, ES6RE--A $A!A, A66>.
!ONCIANO R. G.!I6, and A66>. RE>NA-DO !. DI$A>AC>AC of t/e ri#e of BA-SIBICA6ION OB
!.&-IC DOC.$EN6 1'nder Artile 177, first and last para%rap/ in relation to Artile 171 para%rap/ 7 of
t/e Revised !enal Code2, o##itted as follo(s5
6/at on or a,o't t/e =t/ da" of 198@, in C'e+on Cit", !/ilippines and (it/in t/e 9'risdition of t/is
:onora,le Co'rt, t/e a,ove4na#ed a'sed, all private individ'als, onspirin% to%et/er,
onfederatin% (it/ and #'t'all" /elpin% one anot/er, did t/en and t/ere (illf'll", 'nla(f'll" and
felonio'sl" o##it t/e at of falsifiation of p',li do'#ents, ," t/en and t/ere falsif"in% or
a'sin% t/e falsifiation of t/e follo(in% do'#ents, to (it5
1a2 Certifiation dated $ar/ 13, 198@ p'rportedl" si%ned ," a ertain Bernando Di+on,
Reord $ana%e#ent Anal"st of t/e &'rea' of -and, Central Offie, $anilaG
1,2 Report dated $a" =, 198@ p'rportedl" si%ned ," a ertain )ose $ariano, C/ief
Reord $ana%e#ent Division of &'rea' of -and, Central Offie, $anilaG and
12 Sales Certifiate and Deed of Assi%n#ent alle%edl" iss'ed ," t/e &'rea' of -and in
favor of -o'rdes An%elesG t/at despite t/e fat t/at said a'sed ;ne( all t/e ti#e t/at
said do'#ents are fa;e and sp'rio's 'sed t/e sa#e in t/e !etition for Reonstit'tion of
Reords of t/e te/nial desription of -ots Nos. 7==, 777, 778 and 780 of t/e !iedad
Estate overed ," 6C6 No. 18, Deree No. @@7, G-RO Reord No. =97= and t/e
iss'ane of 6itle t/ereto filed ," Estrella $apa over and involvin% t/e aforesaid lots in
-and Re%istration Case do;eted as -RC Case No. 00@9 18@2 ,efore &ran/ 99,
Re%ional 6rial Co'rt, C'e+on Cit" and t/at ," virt'e of said falsifiation and t/e 'se of t/e
sa#e as evidene in Co'rt :onora,le !residin% )'d%e Godofredo As'nion iss'ed an
order dated )'ne 03, 198@ %rantin% said petition, and p'rs'ant t/ereto t/e Re%ister of
Deeds of C'e+on Cit" iss'ed 6ransfer Certifiates of 6itles Nos. 0881=@, 088791 and
088797 in t/e na#e of Estrella $apa t/ere," e#,rain% and<or enroa/in% t/e portions
of t/e properties ,elon%in% to Ro#eo D. Go#e+, SiFto A%,ada, Irene A%,ada4Cr'+ and
$eredes Aristorenas (/ose properties (ere e#,raed and inl'ded in t/e said 6ransfer
Certifiates of 6itles and in s'/ a#o'nt as #a" ,e a(arded 'nder t/e provisions of t/e
Civil Code.
CON6RAR> 6O -A?.
&efore /is arrai%n#ent, petitioner #oved to *'as/ t/e infor#ation on t(o 172 %ro'nds. Birst, t/at t/e offier (/o
filed t/e infor#ation /ad no le%al a't/orit" to do so, and seond, t/at #ore t/an one offense (as /ar%ed in t/e
infor#ation.
!endin% resol'tion of t/e #otion to *'as/, petitioner (as arrai%ned.
21
&" Order of A'%'st 70, 1991, )'d%e &eni%no 6. Da"a( of &ran/ 83 of t/e Re%ional 6rial Co'rt of C'e+on Cit" to
(/ose sala Cri#inal Case No. C491418307 (as raffled, /oldin% t/at t/e A%rant or denial of $otion to Dis#iss
(/et/er t/e a'sed is arrai%ned or not is disretionar" on t/e part of t/e Co'rt,A it itin% !eople vs. IAC, -4
@@909481, )an'ar" 13, 1987, %ranted t/e petitionerDs #otion to *'as/ 'pon t/e seond %ro'nd. Aordin%l", t/e
infor#ation (as *'as/ed.
$ore t/an t(o 172 "ears after t/e *'as/al of t/e infor#ation in Cri#inal Case No. C491418307 or on Oto,er 19,
1990, t/e C'e+on Cit" !rose'tor filed a%ainst t/e sa#e a'sed inl'din% petitioner t(o 172 infor#ations for
falsifiation of p',li do'#ents do;eted at t/e C'e+on Cit" R6C as Cri#inal Case Nos. C490489988 and
89989. 6/e Infor#ations arose fro# t/e *'estioned ats of falsifiation s',9et of t/e earlier *'as/ed infor#ation
in Cri#inal Case No. C491418307.
!etitioner later filed (it/ &ran/ 130 of t/e R6C of C'e+on Cit" to (/i/ t/e infor#ations (ere raffled a #otion for
t/e *'as/al t/ereof on t/e %ro'nd of do',le 9eopard", itin% Setion 01/2 of R'le 117 of t/e Revised R'les of
Co'rt.
!etitioner ar%'ed at t/e o'rt a *'o t/at /e (o'ld ,e plaed in do',le 9eopard" as /e (as indited ,efore for t/e
sa#e offenses and t/e ase (as dis#issed or ot/er(ise ter#inated (it/o't /is eFpress onsent.
&" t/e assailed Order of Dee#,er 18, 199@, p',li respondent, )'d%e Viente C. RoFas of &ran/ 777 of t/e
R6C of C'e+on Cit" to (/i/ t/e t(o 172 infor#ations a%ainst petitioner, et al, (ere event'all" lod%ed, /eld t/at
t/e infor#ation in Cri#inal Case No. C490489988 involved a different do'#ent as t/at involved in Cri#inal Case
No. C491418307 (/i/ /ad alread" ,een *'as/ed. Resol'tion of t/e #otion to *'as/ t/e infor#ation in Cri#inal
Case No. C490489989 (as sta"ed pendin% t/e s',#ission ," petitioner of t/e do'#ents re*'ired ," t/e o'rt a
*'o. !',li respondent t/'s denied t/e #otion to *'as/ t/e infor#ation in Cri#inal Case No. C490489988 and
ordered petitionerDs arrai%n#ent, /e /oldin% t/at said ase did not plae petitioner in do',le 9eopard".
7
:erein petitioner t/en filed a petition for ertiorari ,efore t/e CA (/i/ denied /is petition statin% in its Deision t/at sine
t/e Infor#ation in Cri#inal Case No. C491418307, on petitionerDs #otion, (as *'as/ed on t/e %ro'nd t/at #ore t/an one
offense (as /ar%ed p'rs'ant to Se. 0 1e2 of R'le 117 of t/e Revised R'les of Co'rt,
0
/e is not plaed in do',le
9eopard" ," t/e filin% of anot/er Infor#ation for an offense inl'ded in t/e /ar%e s',9et of t/e Infor#ation in Cri#inal
Case No. C491418307.
8
:ene, /erein petition for revie( on ertiorari assi%nin% t/e follo(in% errors of t/e CA, to (it5
I. 6/at t/e :onora,le Co'rt of Appeals ERRED in disre%ardin% t/e le%al dotrine t/at 6:ERE IS DO.&-E
)EO!ARD>, in t/e ase no( pendin% ,efore Respondent )'d%e Viente C. RoFasG
II. 6/at t/e :onora,le Co'rt of Appeals ERRED in not ad/erin% to t/e deisions of t/is :onora,le S'pre#e Co'rt,
as (ell as to applia,le 9'rispr'dene on t/e #atterG
III. 6/at t/e :onora,le Co'rt of Appeals ERRED in not ta;in% into ao'nt t/at ,ased on t/e A$anifestation and
$otion 16o Grant !etition2 In -ie' of Co##entA filed ," t/e Offie of t/e Soliitor General, t/e ORDER of
dis#issal of :onora,le )'d%e &eni%no 6. Da"a( in Cri#inal Case No. C491418307 on A'%'st 70, 1991 /as
,eo#e final and eFe'tor"G and
IV. 6/at t/e :onora,le Respondent Co'rt of Appeals ERRED in onl'din% t/at an ORDER s'stainin% t/e #otion
to *'as/ is not a ,ar to anot/er prose'tion for t/e sa#e offense, as it /as no le%al ,asis.
=
On t/e ot/er /and, t/e Offie of t/e Soliitor General 1OSG2 ontends t/at petitioner, ," filin% t/e #otion to *'as/ and
ref'sin% to (it/dra( it after /e (as arrai%ned, is dee#ed to /ave (aived /is ri%/t a%ainst do',le 9eopard", as /is #otion
to *'as/ onstit'ted /is eFpress onsent for t/e dis#issal of t/e infor#ation. :o(ever, t/e OSG advanes t/e vie( t/at
t/e ri#inal ase a%ainst /erein petitioner #a" ,e dis#issed for t/e inordinate dela" in t/e ond't of preli#inar"
investi%ation for t/e p'rpose of filin% t/e proper infor#ation, (/i/ is a violation of t/e a'sedDs onstit'tional ri%/t to d'e
proess of la( and to speed" disposition of ases.
!rivate respondent o#plainant Irene A%,ada4Cr'+, in t'rn, s',#its t/at t/e Co'rt of Appeals o##itted no error sine
t/e dis#issal or *'as/al of an infor#ation is not a ,ar to anot/er prose'tion eFept (/en t/e #otion to *'as/ is ,ased
22
on t/e %ro'nd t/at 112 t/e ri#inal ation or lia,ilit" /as ,een eFtin%'is/ed or t/at 172 t/e a'sed /as previo'sl" ,een
onvited or in 9eopard" of ,ein% onvited or a*'itted of t/e offense /ar%ed, p'rs'ant to Setion @ in relation to Setion
0, R'le 117 of t/e R'les of Co'rt, to (it5
Setion @. Brder sustaining t@e motion to +uas@ not a bar to anot@er prosecution8 eCception. 4 An order s'stainin%
t/e #otion to *'as/ is not a ,ar to anot/er prose'tion for t/e sa#e offense 'nless t/e #otion (as ,ased on t/e
%ro'nds speified in Setion 0, s',4setions 1f2 and 1/2 of t/is R'le.
Setion 0. Grounds. K 6/e a'sed #a" #ove to *'as/ t/e o#plaint or infor#ation on an" of t/e follo(in%
%ro'nds5
1a2 6/at t/e fats /ar%ed do not onstit'te an offenseG
1,2 6/at t/e o'rt tr"in% t/e ase /as no 9'risdition over t/e offense /ar%ed or t/e person of t/e
a'sedG
12 6/at t/e offier (/o filed t/e infor#ation /ad no a't/orit" to do soG
1d2 6/at it does not onfor# s',stantiall" to t/e presri,ed for#G
1e2 6/at #ore t/an one offense is /ar%ed eFept in t/ose ases in (/i/ eFistin% la(s presri,e a sin%le
p'nis/#ent for vario's offensesG
2;7 T:&5 5:e <43=3n&- &<53on o4 -3&93-35. :&+ 9een eE53n>u3+:e'C
1%2 6/at it ontains aver#ents (/i/, if tr'e, (o'ld onstit'te a le%al eF'se or 9'stifiationG and
2:7 T:&5 5:e &<<u+e' :&+ 9een 84e63ou+-. <on63<5e' o4 3n Deo8&4'. o; 9e3n> <on63<5e', o4
&<?u355e' o; 5:e o;;en+e <:&4>e'. 1E#p/asis s'pplied2
6/'s, private respondent Cr'+ ar%'es t/at sine t/e previo's infor#ation (as *'as/ed on t/e %ro'nd of d'pliit" of
offenses /ar%ed, t/e s',se*'ent filin% of a proper infor#ation is, t/erefore, not ,arred.
In t/eir $e#orand'#, private respondents4o#plainants Ro#eo Go#e+ and $eredes Aristorenas ontend t/at 112
9eopard" does not atta/ (/ere t/e dis#issal of t/e infor#ation (as effeted at t/e instane of t/e a'sedG and 172 t/ere
(as no violation of petitionerDs ri%/t to a speed" disposition of /is ase sine /e never raised t/is iss'e in t/e trial o'rt
nor in t/e appellate o'rt, /ene, /is silene s/o'ld ,e interpreted as a (aiver of said ri%/t to a speed" trial.
6/e iss'es ,oil do(n to 112 (/et/er or not t/e prose'tion of petitioner 'nder t/e Infor#ation do;eted as Cri#inal Case
No. C490489988 (o'ld onstit'te do',le 9eopard", onsiderin% t/at (/en t/e Infor#ation in Cri#inal Case No. C4914
18307 (as previo'sl" *'as/ed, /e /ad alread" ,een arrai%ned, and 172 (/et/er or not petitionerDs onstit'tional ri%/t to a
speed" disposition of /is ase /as ,een violated.
?it/ re%ard to t/e first iss'e, (e are in aord (it/ t/e r'lin% of t/e CA t/at not all t/e ele#ents for do',le 9eopard" eFist
in t/e ase at ,en/. In !eople vs. 6a4An,
@
(e en'#erated t/e ele#ents t/at #'st eFist for do',le 9eopard" to ,e
invo;ed, to (it5
6/'s, apparentl", to raise t/e defense of do',le 9eopard", t/ree re*'isites #'st ,e present5 112 a first 9eopard"
#'st /ave atta/ed prior to t/e seondG 172 t/e first 9eopard" #'st /ave ,een validl" ter#inatedG and 102 t/e
seond 9eopard" #'st ,e for t/e sa#e offense as t/at in t/e first.
-e%al 9eopard" atta/es onl" 1a2 'pon a valid indit#ent, 1,2 ,efore a o#petent o'rt, 12 after arrai%n#ent, 1d2 a valid
plea /avin% ,een enteredG and 1e2 t/e ase (as dis#issed or ot/er(ise ter#inated (it/o't t/e eFpress onsent of t/e
a'sed 1!eople vs. >la%an, =8 !/il. 8=12.
?as t/e d'pliito's infor#ation a valid indit#entS ?e ans(er in t/e affir#ative. In People vs. #ugayong,
7
(e r'led t/at
(/en an appellant fails to file a #otion to *'as/ (it/in t/e ti#e presri,ed 'nder Setion 1, R'le 117 of t/e R'les of
23
Co'rt, /e is t/'s dee#ed to /ave (aived t/e defet in t/e Infor#ation. In People vs. .analili,
8
(e /eld t/at an a'sed,
(/o fails to o,9et prior to arrai%n#ent to a d'pliito's infor#ation, #a" ,e fo'nd %'ilt" of an" or all of t/e ri#es alle%ed
t/erein and d'l" proven d'rin% t/e trial, for t/e alle%ation of t/e ele#ents of s'/ o#ponent ri#es in t/e said
infor#ation /as satisfied t/e onstit'tional %'arantee t/at an a'sed ,e infor#ed of t/e nat're of t/e offense (it/ (/i/
/e or s/e is ,ein% /ar%ed. Veril", a d'pliito's infor#ation is valid sine s'/ defet #a" ,e (aived and t/e a'sed,
,ea'se of s'/ (aiver, o'ld ,e onvited of as #an" offenses as t/ose /ar%ed in t/e infor#ation and proved d'rin%
trial.
6/e validit" of t/e infor#ation /avin% ,een esta,lis/ed, (e %o on to eFa#ine (/et/er t/e ot/er re*'isites for do',le
9eopard" to atta/ are present. In t/e present ase, alt/o'%/ t/ere (as a valid indit#ent ,efore a o#petent o'rt and
petitioner, as t/e a'sed, /ad alread" ,een arrai%ned t/erein, enterin% a valid plea of not %'ilt", t/e last re*'isite t/at t/e
ase (as dis#issed or ot/er(ise ter#inated (it/o't /is eFpress onsent, is not present.
It s/o'ld ,e noted t/at t/e ter#ination of Cri#inal Case No. C491418307 (as 'pon #otion of petitioner (/o, on April 1,
1991, filed (it/ t/e o'rt an .r%ent $otion to C'as/ (/i/ (as %ranted ," Resol'tion dated A'%'st 70, 1991. In Sta. )ita
vs. Court of !ppeals,
9
(e /eld t/at t/e reinstate#ent of ri#inal ases a%ainst t/e a'sed did not violate /is ri%/t a%ainst
do',le 9eopard" sine t/e dis#issal of t/e infor#ation ," t/e trial o'rt /ad ,een effeted at /is o(n instane (/en t/e
a'sed filed a #otion to dis#iss on t/e %ro'nds t/at t/e fats /ar%ed do not onstit'te an offense and t/at t/e R6C /ad
no 9'risdition over t/e ase. In t/is ase, onsiderin% t/at sine t/e dis#issal of t/e previo's ri#inal ase a%ainst
petitioner (as ," reason of /is #otion for t/e *'as/al of t/e infor#ation, petitioner is t/'s dee#ed to /ave eFpressl"
%iven /is onsent to s'/ dis#issal. 6/ere o'ld t/en ,e no do',le 9eopard" in t/is ase sine one of t/e re*'isites
t/erefore, i.e., t/at t/e dis#issal ,e (it/o't a'sedDs eFpress onsent, is not present.
As to (/et/er t/e s',se*'ent filin% of t/e t(o infor#ations do;eted as C490489988 and C490489989 onstit'tes a
violation of petitionerDs onstit'tional ri%/t to a speed" disposition of ases,
13
(e r'le in t/e
ne%ative. ?e are not onvined ," t/e OSGDs assertion t/at t/e ases of Tatad vs. Sandiganbayan
11
or!ngc@angco, r.
vs. Bmbudsman,
17
are applia,le to t/e ase ,efore 's. ?e see differentl". 6/ere is no fat'al si#ilarit" ,et(een t/is ase
,efore 's and t/e ases of Tatad and !ngc@angco.
In t/e Tatad ase, t/ere (as a /iat's in t/e proeedin%s ,et(een t/e ter#ination of t/e proeedin%s ,efore t/e
investi%atin% fisal on Oto,er 7=, 1987 and its resol'tion on April 17, 198=. 6/e Co'rt fo'nd t/at Apolitial #otivations
pla"ed a vital role in ativatin% and propellin% t/e prose'torial proessA
10
a%ainst t/en Seretar" Braniso S. 6atad. In
t/e !ngc@angco ase, t/e ri#inal o#plaints re#ained pendin% in t/e Offie of t/e O#,'ds#an for #ore t/an siF "ears
despite t/e respondentDs n'#ero's #otions for earl" resol'tion and t/e respondent, (/o /ad ,een retired, (as ,ein%
'nreasona,l" deprived of t/e fr'its of /is retire#ent ,ea'se of t/e still 'nresolved ri#inal o#plaints a%ainst /i#. In
,ot/ ases, (e r'led t/at t/e period of ti#e t/at elapsed for t/e resol'tion of t/e ases a%ainst t/e petitioners t/erein (as
dee#ed a violation of t/e a'sedDs ri%/t to a speed" disposition of ases a%ainst t/e#.
In t/e present ase, no proof (as presented to s/o( an" perse'tion of t/e a'sed, politial or ot/er(ise, 'nli;e in
t/e Tatad ase. 6/ere is no s/o(in% t/at petitioner (as #ade to end're an" veFatio's proess d'rin% t/e t(o4"ear period
,efore t/e filin% of t/e proper infor#ations, 'nli;e in t/e !ngc@angco ase (/ere petitioner t/erein (as deprived of /is
retire#ent ,enefits for an 'nreasona,l" lon% ti#e. 6/'s, t/e ir'#stanes present in t/eTatad and !ngc@angco ases
9'stif"in% t/e Aradial reliefA %ranted ," 's in said ases are not eFistent in t/e present ase.
?e e#p/asi+e o'r r'lin% in Ty5Da"o vs. Sandiganbayan
18
(/ere (e /eld t/at5
6/e ri%/t to a speed" disposition of ases, li;e t/e ri%/t to a speed" trial, is dee#ed violated onl" (/en t/e
proeedin%s is attended ," veFatio's, apriio's, and oppressive dela"sG or (/en 'n9'stified postpone#ents of
t/e trial are as;ed for and se'red, or (/en (it/o't a'se or 'n9'stifia,le #otive, a lon% period of ti#e is allo(ed
to elapse (it/o't t/e part" /avin% /is ase tried. In t/e deter#ination of (/et/er or not t/at ri%/t /as ,een
violated, t/e fators t/at #a" ,e onsidered and ,alaned are5 t/e len%t/ of t/e dela" t/e reasons for s'/ dela",
t/e assertion or fail're to assert s'/ ri%/t ," t/e a'sed, and t/e pre9'die a'sed ," t/e dela".
A #ere #at/e#atial re;onin% of t/e ti#e involved, t/erefore, (o'ld not ,e s'ffiient. In t/e appliation of t/e
onstit'tional %'arantee of t/e ri%/t to speed" disposition of ases, parti'lar re%ard #'st also ,e ta;en of t/e
fats and ir'#stanes pe'liar to ea/ ase. 1E#p/asis s'pplied2
6/'s, (e s/all eFa#ine /o( s'/ afore#entioned fators affeted /erein petitionerDs ri%/t.
24
As to t/e len%t/ of dela", it is esta,lis/ed t/at t/e prose'tion did not ta;e an" ation on petitionerDs ase for t(o "ears.
Bro# t/e ti#e t/at Cri#inal Case No. C491418307 (as dis#issed on A'%'st 70, 1991, t/e prose'tion failed to effet t/e
ver" si#ple re#ed" of filin% t(o separate infor#ations a%ainst petitioner 'ntil Oto,er of 1990. Indeed, t/ere (as a dela"
in t/e refilin% of t/e proper infor#ations. :o(ever, t/e prose'tion (as never %iven t/e opport'nit" to eFplain t/e
ir'#stanes t/at #a" /ave a'sed s'/ dela" preisel" ,ea'se petitioner never raised t/e iss'e of t/e len%t/ of ti#e
it too; t/e prose'tion to revive t/e ase. 6/ere is not/in% on reord to s/o( (/at /appened d'rin% t/e t(o4"ear l'll
,efore t/e filin% of t/e proper infor#ations. :ene, it o'ld not ,e asertained t/at pe'liar sit'ations eFisted to prove t/at
t/e dela" (as veFatio's, apriio's and oppressive, and t/erefore, a violation of petitionerDs onstit'tional ri%/t to speed"
disposition of ases.
?/at t/e reords learl" s/o( is t/at petitioner never asserted /is ri%/t to a speed" disposition of /is ase. 6/e onl"
%ro'nd /e raised in assailin% t/e s',se*'ent filin% of t/e t(o infor#ations is t/at /e (ill ,e s',9eted to do',le 9eopard". It
(as onl" t/e OSG t/at ,ro'%/t to li%/t t/e iss'e on petitionerDs ri%/t to a speed" disposition of /is ase, and onl" (/en
t/e ase (as ,ro'%/t to t/e appellate o'rt on ertiorari. Even in t/is petition ,efore 's, petitioner did not raise t/e iss'e
of /is ri%/t to a speed" disposition of /is ase. A%ain, it (as onl" t/e OSG t/at presented s'/ iss'e to 's in t/e &rief for
t/e State (/i/ (as onl" t/en adopted ," petitioner t/ro'%/ a $anifestation dated A'%'st 0, 1999. ?e are not onvined
t/at t/e filin% of t/e infor#ations a%ainst petitioner after t(o "ears (as an 'nreasona,le dela". !etitioner /i#self did not
reall" ,elieve t/at t/ere (as an" violation of /is ri%/t to a speed" disposition of t/e ase a%ainst /i#.
6/e ase (/i/ is #ore in point (it/ t/e present one ,efore 's is Dela Pe?a vs. Sandiganbayan
1=
(/ere (e r'led t/at
petitioner t/erein, for failin% to assert t/eir ri%/t to a speed" disposition of t/eir ases, (as dee#ed to /ave (aived s'/
ri%/t and t/'s, not entitled to t/e Aradial reliefA %ranted ," t/e Co'rt in t/e ases of Tatad and!ngc@angco. 6/e fat'al
ir'#stanes s'rro'ndin% /erein petitionerDs ase do not de#onstrate t/at t/ere (as an" violation of petitionerDs ri%/t to
a speed" disposition of /is ase.
?:EREBORE, t/e petition is /ere," DENIED for la; of #erit. 6/e te#porar" restrainin% order iss'ed p'rs'ant to o'r
Resol'tion dated )an'ar" 17, 7333 is /ere," LIFTED and t/e Re%ional 6rial Co'rt of C'e+on Cit" 1&ran/ 7772 is
/ere," ORDERED to proeed (it/ dispat/ (it/ petitionerDs arrai%n#ent in Cri#inal Case No. C490489988.
SO ORDERED.
Puno
D
, >uisumbing
DD
, Calle$o, Sr., and Tinga, ., on'r.
G.R. No. 1,0299 J&nu&4. 31, 200,
LYNDON D. !OISER, petitioner, vs. PEOPLE OF T(E P(ILIPPINES,
1
respondent.
RESOL"TION
25
NAC("RA, J.G
&efore t/e Co'rt is a petition for revie( on certiorari
7
assailin% t/e Deision of t/e Co'rt of Appeals 1CA2, dated )'ne =,
7337 in CA4G.R. CE&4S!. No. 370@8.
0
6/e #ain iss'e in t/is ase is (/et/er t/e CA o##itted reversi,le error in affir#in% t/e deision of t/e R6C (/i/
denied petitionerOs o#ni,'s #otion to *'as/ t/e infor#ations filed a%ainst /i#.
&ased on t/e findin%s of t/e CA, t/e pertinent fats of t/e ase are as follo(s5
On )'ne 8, 7338, t/ree 102 Infor#ations (ere filed a%ainst petitioner, /ar%in% /i# (it/ ats of lasivio'sness, ot/er ats
of /ild a,'se, and rape
8
of #inor AAA ,efore t/e Re%ional 6rial Co'rt 1R6C2, &ran/ 1, 6a%,ilaran, &o/ol.
On )'ne 11, 7338, petitioner filed a $otion pra"in% t/at a /earin% ,e ond'ted to deter#ine t/e eFistene of pro,a,le
a'se and to /old in a,e"ane t/e iss'ane of a (arrant of arrest a%ainst /i#. On )'ne 1@, 7338, private respondent filed
an Opposition t/ereto.
On )'ne, 18, 7338, t/e fa#il" o'rt iss'ed t/ree 102 separate Orders in t/e t/ree 102 ri#inal ases, diretin% t/e
prose'tion to s',#it additional evidene on t/e ases alon% (it/ t/e transript of proeedin%s d'rin% t/e preli#inar"
investi%ation. On )'ne 73, 7338, t/e prose'tor filed a $anifestation sa"in% t/at t/e prose'tion /ad no additional
evidene to present and t/at d'e to t/e non4availa,ilit" of a steno%rap/er (/o o'ld ta;e do(n notes d'rin% t/e
preli#inar" investi%ation on April 78, 7338 and $a" 7, 7338, /e personall" too; do(n notes, and s',#itted ertified
p/otoopies of t/e sa#e to t/e o'rt. On )'l" 7, 7338, t/e fa#il" o'rt direted t/e Cit" !rose'tion Offie in 6a%,ilaran
Cit" to o#plete t/e preli#inar" investi%ation in a re%'lar #anner (it/ d'l" reorded proeedin%s attended ," a
steno%rap/er. On A'%'st 8, 7338, a Reinvesti%ation Report (as s',#itted ," t/e prose'tor #aintainin% t/e eFistene of
pro,a,le a'se in t/e t/ree ases.
On A'%'st 9, 7338, petitioner filed an O#ni,'s $otion for Deter#ination of !ro,a,le Ca'se. On Septe#,er 13, 7338, t/e
fa#il" o'rt iss'ed t/ree 102 separate Orders findin% pro,a,le a'se a%ainst petitioner in t/e t/ree 102 ases, iss'ed a
(arrant of arrest a%ainst /i# and fiFed t/e orrespondin% ,ail for ea/ ase. On Nove#,er 19 and 78, 7338, petitioner
filed $otions to In/i,it t/e 9'd%e of &ran/ 1 fro# /earin% t/e 0 ases. 6/e 9'd%e aeded. 6/ereafter, t/e ases (ere
raffled to &ran/ 7 of t/e sa#e o'rt. On $ar/ 1, 733=, petitioner a%ain filed a $otion to In/i,it t/e 9'd%e of &ran/ 7.
6/e sa#e (as %ranted and t/e ase (as raffled to &ran/ 8 of t/e sa#e o'rt. 6/en a%ain, petitioner filed a $otion to
In/i,it t/e )'d%e of &ran/ 8. 6/e t/ree 102 ases (ere t/en raffled to &ran/ 89 of t/e said o'rt.
On A'%'st 19, 733=, petitioner filed an O#ni,'s $otion to C'as/ t/e t/ree 102 Infor#ations to (/i/ private respondent
filed an Opposition. On )'ne 03, 733@, &ran/ 89 iss'ed a )oint Order den"in% t/e aforesaid #otion. A $otion for
Reonsideration (as filed ," petitioner itin% a,sene of pro,a,le a'se and la; of 9'risdition over /is person as
%ro'nds in s'pport of /is #otion. :o(ever, 'pon t/e re*'est of private respondentOs parents, t/e )'d%e of &ran/ 89
in/i,ited /i#self fro# /earin% t/e t/ree 102 ases. Binall", t/e ases (ere raffled to &ran/ 0 of t/e R6C of 6a%,ilaran
Cit", &o/ol, presided over ," )'d%e Venanio ). A#ila 1)'d%e A#ila2.
On Nove#,er @, 733@, t/e lo(er o'rt iss'ed an O#ni,'s Order den"in% petitionerOs o#ni,'s #otion for reonsideration
to *'as/ t/e infor#ations. On Nove#,er 77, 733@, petitioner filed ane( an .r%ent O#ni,'s $otion to C'as/. On
Nove#,er 03, 733@, t/e R6C iss'ed an Order den"in% t/e seond o#ni,'s #otion to *'as/, and set t/e arrai%n#ent on
Dee#,er 1=, 733@. A da" ,efore t/e arrai%n#ent, petitioner filed a Seond O#ni,'s $otion for Reonsideration of t/e
order den"in% /is #otion to *'as/.
On Dee#,er 1=, 733@, petitioner re#inded )'d%e A#ila of /is seond o#ni,'s #otion for reonsideration. )'d%e A#ila,
in open o'rt, denied for la; of #erit t/e seond o#ni,'s #otion for reonsideration. .pon arrai%n#ent, petitioner
ref'sed to enter a plea for t/e 0 ases. Aordin%l", a plea of not %'ilt" (as entered for petitioner for ea/ of t/e 0 ri#inal
ases.
On )an'ar" 7, 7337, petitioner filed a !etition for certiorari
=
,efore t/e CA lai#in% t/at t/e fa#il" o'rt ated (it/ %rave
a,'se of disretion in iss'in% t/e orders den"in% /is o#ni,'s #otions to *'as/ t/e infor#ations.
On )'ne =, 7337, t/e CA rendered a Deision
@
affir#in% t/e Orders of t/e R6C. In den"in% t/e petition, t/e CA
ratioinated t/at it annot reverse t/e R6C orders ,ea'se5 112 an order den"in% a #otion to *'as/ is interlo'tor" and
26
not appeala,leG and 172 t/e petitioner failed to positivel" prove %rave a,'se of disretion on t/e part of t/e R6C 9'd%e in
t/e iss'ane of t/e assailed orders. 6/e fallo of t/e Deision reads5
#(EREFORE, pre#ises onsidered, t/e petition is /ere," DENIED. 6/e assailed orders of t/e respondent 9'd%e
are /ere," AFFIRED.
Costs a%ainst t/e petitioner.
SO ORDERED.
7
A #otion for reonsideration (as filed ," petitioner (/i/ t/e CA denied in a Resol'tion
8
dated Septe#,er 19, 7337.
On Nove#,er 1@, 7337, petitioner filed t/e instant ase raisin% t/e follo(in% ar%'#ents5
6/e :onora,le Co'rt of Appeals /as deided HaI *'estion of s',stane, not t/eretofore deter#ined ," t/e
S'pre#e Co'rt, or /as deided it in a (a" not in aord (it/ la( or (it/ t/e applia,le deisions of t/e S'pre#e
Co'rt5
6/at t/e :onora,le Co'rt of Appeals /as so far departed fro# t/e aepted and 's'al o'rse of 9'diial
proeedin%s, or so far santioned s'/ depart're ," t/e lo(er o'rt.
9
?e resolve to den" t/e petition.
A petition for certiorari 'nder R'le @= is not t/e proper re#ed" a%ainst an order den"in% a #otion to *'as/. 6/e a'sed
s/o'ld instead %o to trial, (it/o't pre9'die on /is part to present t/e speial defenses /e /ad invo;ed in /is #otion and, if
after trial on t/e #erits, an adverse deision is rendered, to appeal t/erefro# in t/e #anner a't/ori+ed ," la(.
13
&ased on
t/e findin%s of t/e investi%atin% prose'tor and of t/e trial 9'd%e, pro,a,le a'se eFists to indit petitioner for t/e 0
offenses. A,sent an" s/o(in% of ar,itrariness on t/e part of t/e investi%atin% prose'tor or an" ot/er offier a't/ori+ed ,"
la( to ond't preli#inar" investi%ation, o'rts as a r'le #'st defer to said offierOs findin% and deter#ination of pro,a,le
a'se, sine t/e deter#ination of t/e eFistene of pro,a,le a'se is t/e f'ntion of t/e prose'tor.
11
It is o,vio's to t/is Co'rt t/at petitionerOs insistent filin% of n'#ero's #otions to in/i,it t/e 9'd%e /earin% t/e 0 ri#inal
ases and of #otions to *'as/ is a plo" to dela" t/e proeedin%s, a repre/ensi,le tati t/at i#pedes t/e orderl"
ad#inistration of 9'stie. If /e is tr'l" innoent, petitioner s/o'ld ,ravel" %o to trial and prove /is defense. After all, t/e
p'rpose of a preli#inar" investi%ation is #erel" to deter#ine (/et/er a ri#e /as ,een o##itted and (/et/er t/ere is
pro,a,le a'se to ,elieve t/at t/e person a'sed of t/e ri#e is pro,a,l" %'ilt" t/ereof and s/o'ld ,e /eld for trial. A
findin% of pro,a,le a'se needs onl" to rest on evidene s/o(in% t/at #ore li;el" t/an not a ri#e /as ,een o##itted
and (as o##itted ," t/e s'spet. !ro,a,le a'se need not ,e ,ased on lear and onvinin% evidene of %'ilt, neit/er
on evidene esta,lis/in% %'ilt ,e"ond reasona,le do',t, and definitel", not on evidene esta,lis/in% a,sol'te ertaint" of
%'ilt.
17
As to t/e alle%ation of petitioner t/at t/e R6C /as not a*'ired 9'risdition over /is person, t/is iss'e /as ,een rendered
#oot and aade#i (it/ petitionerOs arrai%n#ent in t/e 0 ases and /is ta;in% part in t/e proeedin%s t/erein.
#(EREFORE, in vie( of t/e fore%oin%, t/e petition is DENIED for la; of #erit. Costs a%ainst t/e petitioner.
SO ORDERED.
G.R. No. 141646 Fe94u&4. 2,, 2003
PA!LO CONDRADA, petitioner, vs.
PEOPLE OF T(E P(ILIPPINES AND (ON. ARN"LFO C. !"GTAS, P4e+3'3n> Ju'>e, Re>3on&- T43&- Cou45 o;
!o4on>&n, E&+5e4n S&=&4, !4&n<: 2, respondents.
27
D E C I S I O N
CALLEJO, SR., J.:
&efore t/e Co'rt is a petition for revie( on certiorari assailin% t/e Resol'tion
1
dated Septe#,er 79, 1999 of t/e Re%ional
6rial Co'rt 1R6C2 of &oron%an, Eastern Sa#ar, &ran/ 7, (/i/ 'p/eld t/e reinstate#ent of t/e ri#inal ase for rape
a%ainst petitioner !a,lo Condrada, and its Resol'tion
7
dated )an'ar" 18, 7333 (/i/ denied petitionerDs #otion for
reonsideration.
!etitioner (as /ar%ed (it/ rape in Cri#inal Case No. 13773 presentl" pendin% ,efore t/e R6C of &oron%an, Eastern
Sa#ar, &ran/ 7. ?/en /e (as arrai%ned on Be,r'ar" 7@, 1999, petitioner pleaded not %'ilt" to t/e /ar%e a%ainst /i#.
On $ar/ 01, 1999, t/e date set ," t/e trial o'rt for t/e initial /earin%, t/e prose'tion #oved t/at t/e sa#e ,e
postponed d'e to t/e a,sene of t/e o#plainant and /er (itnesses. 6/e /earin% (as reset on April 79, 1999.
On April 79, 1999, t/e prose'tion a%ain #oved to postpone t/e /earin% d'e to t/e a,sene of t/e o#plainant and /er
(itnesses. !etitioner o,9eted to t/e #otion on t/e %ro'nd t/at /is ri%/t to speed" trial (as ,ein% violated ," s'/
postpone#ents. 6/e trial o'rt %ranted t/e prose'tionDs #otion and reset t/e /earin% on $a" 01, 1999. It also direted
t/at t/e s',poenae to t/e o#plainant and /er (itnesses ,e o'rsed t/ro'%/ t/e National &'rea' of Investi%ation (/i/
/andled t/e investi%ation of t/e ase.
D'rin% t/e /earin% on $a" 01, 1999, t/e prose'tion re*'ested for anot/er postpone#ent. !etitioner #oved for at least a
te#porar" dis#issal of t/e ase. 6/e prose'tion #anifested t/at it (o'ld not o,9et to a te#porar" dis#issal. 6/'s, on
t/e sa#e date, t/e trial o'rt iss'ed an order te#poraril" dis#issin% t/e ase.
0
On )'ne 77, 1999, t/e prose'tion filed a $otion for Reinstate#ent and<or Revival of Cri#inal Case No. 13773.
Appended to said #otion (as t/e affidavit of private o#plainant t/at t/e s',poenae sent to /er for t/e trial of t/e ase
did not rea/ /er ,ea'se in t/e #eanti#e s/e /ad transferred /er residene.3awp@i3.nEt
6/e trial o'rt set t/e /earin% on t/e #otion for reinstate#ent on )'ne 7=, 1999. !etitioner opposed t/e #otion
ontendin% t/at t/e revival or reinstate#ent of t/e ase (ill plae /i# in do',le 9eopard". On Septe#,er 79, 1999, t/e
Co'rt iss'ed a resol'tion reinstatin% t/e said ase and reiteratin% t/e iss'ane of a (arrant of arrest for petitioner.
!etitioner filed a #otion for reonsideration of said resol'tion insistin% t/at t/e reinstate#ent of t/e ase (ill plae /i# in
do',le 9eopard".
On )an'ar" 18, 7333, t/e o'rt iss'ed a resol'tion den"in% t/e #otion for reonsideration of petitioner. Conse*'entl",
Cri#inal Case No. 13773 is still pendin% ,efore t/e trial o'rt.
A%%rieved, petitioner filed t/e instant petition on Be,r'ar" 1, 7333. :e lai#s t/at Cri#inal Case No. 13773 annot ,e
revived ,ea'se t/e dis#issal of t/e ase on $a" 01, 1999 is per#anent in /arater, /avin% ,een #ade in onsideration
of /is ri%/t to speed" trial.
8
3aFGHp@i3.net
6/e Soliitor General, on t/e ot/er /and, ontends t/at t/e ase (as dis#issed not ,ea'se petitionerDs ri%/t to speed"
trial /as ,een violated ," t/e postpone#ents of t/e trial on several instanes, ,'t ,ea'se petitioner t/ro'%/ o'nsel
#oved t/at t/e ase ,e dis#issed at least even te#poraril" to (/i/ t/e p',li prose'tor interposed no o,9etion.
=
6/e
Soliitor General points o't t/at t/e prose'tion #oved for t/e postpone#ent of t/e trial several ti#es in %ood fait/ and
for valid reasons.
@
:e li;e(ise ar%'es t/at t/e revival of t/e ase does not plae t/e petitioner t(ie in 9eopard" for t/e
sa#e offense ,ea'se t/e dis#issal of t/e ase on $a" 01, 1999 (as #ade at petitionerDs instane.
7
6/e iss'es for resol'tion are 112 ?/et/er or not t/e dis#issal of Cri#inal Case No. 13773 ," t/e trial o'rt in its Order of
)'ne 7=, 1999 is per#anent in /arater so as to operate as an a*'ittal of t/e petitioner for t/e ri#e /ar%edG and 172
?/et/er or not t/e reinstate#ent of Cri#inal Case No. 13773 plaes t/e petitioner in do',le 9eopard".
6/ere is no #erit in t/e petition.
A per#anent dis#issal of a ri#inal ase #a" refer to t/e ter#ination of t/e ase on t/e #erits, res'ltin% in eit/er t/e
onvition or a*'ittal of t/e a'sedG to t/e dis#issal of t/e ase d'e to t/e prose'tionDs fail're to prose'teG or to t/e
28
dis#issal t/ereof on t/e %ro'nd of 'nreasona,le dela" in t/e proeedin%s, in violation of t/e a'sedDs ri%/t to speed"
disposition or trial of t/e ase a%ainst /i#. In ontrast, a provisional dis#issal of a ri#inal ase is a dis#issal (it/o't
pre9'die to t/e reinstate#ent t/ereof ,efore t/e order of dis#issal ,eo#es final or to t/e s',se*'ent filin% of a ne(
infor#ation for t/e offense
8
(it/in t/e periods allo(ed 'nder t/e Revised !enal Code or t/e Revised R'les of Co'rt.
In t/e present ase, it is lear fro# t/e reords t/at t/e dis#issal ordered ," t/e trial o'rt on $a" 01, 1999 (as a
te#porar" dis#issal of t/e ase, and not a per#anent dis#issal on t/e %ro'nd t/at t/e ri%/t of t/e a'sed to speed" trial
/ad ,een violated ," t/e dela" in t/e prose'tion of t/e said ase. 6/e trial o'rt apparentl" denied petitionerDs #otion to
/ave Cri#inal Case No. 13773 dis#issed on t/e %ro'nd of /is ri%/t to speed" trial (/en despite said #otion #ade in
open o'rt on April 79, 1999, it ordered t/e resettin% of t/e /earin% of t/e ase on $a" 01, 1999. In s',se*'entl" %rantin%
petitionerDs re*'est for t/e dis#issal of Cri#inal Case No. 13773 on $a" 01, 1999, t/e trial o'rt eFpressl" stated t/at t/e
sa#e (as s',9et to reinstate#ent (it/in t/irt" da"s fro# t/e date of t/e te#porar" dis#issal. 6/e trial o'rt eFplained5
T 6/e defense, /o(ever, #oved for, at least a te#porar" dis#issal of t/e ase, to (/i/ t/e %overn#ent prose'tor
aeded provided t/e sa#e is te#porar". 6/'s, as pra"ed for ," t/e defense, t/e o'rt on $a" 01, 1999 iss'ed an order
dis#issin% t/e ase te#poraril" s',9et to its reinstate#ent and<or revival (it/in a period of t/irt" 1032 da"sG ot/er(ise, if
t/e ase is not revived (it/in t/e aforesaid period, t/e ase (o'ld ,e onsidered dis#issed per#anentl".
9
6/erefore, it annot ,e %ainsaid t/at t/e dis#issal of Cri#inal Case No. 13773 on $a" 01, 1999 (as provisional or
te#porar", (it/o't pre9'die to t/e revival t/ereof (it/in t/irt" da"s fro# t/e date of dis#issal. 6/'s, t/e Co'rt finds t/at
t/e reinstate#ent t/ereof on )'ne 7=, 1999 did not plae petitioner in do',le 9eopard".3awp@i3.nEt
6/e prosription a%ainst do',le 9eopard"
13
pres'pposes t/at an a'sed /as ,een previo'sl" /ar%ed (it/ an offense,
and t/e ase a%ainst /i# is ter#inated eit/er ," /is a*'ittal or onvition, or dis#issed in an" ot/er #anner (it/o't /is
onsent. As a %eneral r'le, t/e follo(in% re*'isites #'st ,e present for do',le 9eopard" to atta/5 112 a valid indit#ent,
172 ,efore a o'rt of o#petent 9'risdition, 102 t/e arrai%n#ent of t/e a'sed, 182 a valid plea entered ," /i#, and 1=2 t/e
a*'ittal or onvition of t/e a'sed, or t/e dis#issal or ter#ination of t/e ase a%ainst /i# (it/o't /is eFpress onsent.
:o(ever, t/ere are t(o eFeptions to t/e fore%oin% r'le, and do',le 9eopard" #a" atta/ even if t/e dis#issal of t/e ase
(as (it/ t/e onsent of t/e a'sed5 first, (/en t/ere is ins'ffiien" of evidene to s'pport t/e /ar%e a%ainst /i#G and
seond, (/ere t/ere /as ,een an 'nreasona,le dela" in t/e proeedin%s, in violation of t/e a'sedDs ri%/t to speed"
trial.
11
!etitioner is not in dan%er of ,ein% t(ie p't in 9eopard" (it/ t/e reinstate#ent of Cri#inal Case No. 13773 ,ea'se as
earlier stated, said ase (as provisionall" dis#issed ," t/e trial o'rt 'pon /is #otion. 6/'s, t/e re*'ire#ent t/at t/e
dis#issal of t/e ase #'st ,e (it/o't t/e onsent of t/e a'sed is not present in t/is ase. Neit/er does t/e ase fall
'nder an" of t/e aforeited eFeptions. 6/e prose'tion /ad not "et presented evidene at t/e ti#e t/e ase (as
dis#issed on $a" 01, 1999. $oreover, as previo'sl" eFplained, said dis#issal (as te#porar" in nat're, as t/e ase (as
s',9et to reinstate#ent (it/in t/irt" da"s fro# t/e date of dis#issal. :ene, t/e Co'rt finds no error on t/e part of t/e trial
o'rt in allo(in% t/e reinstate#ent of Cri#inal Case No. 13773.
#(EREFORE, t/e petition is DENIED for la; of #erit.
SO ORDERED.
G.R. No. 1494A3 O<5o9e4 B, 2003
PEOPLE OF T(E P(ILIPPINES, T(E SECRETARY OF J"STICE, DIRECTOR GENERAL OF T(E P(ILIPPINE
NATIONAL POLICE, C(IEF STATE PROSEC"TOR JOVENCITO %"HO, STATE PROSEC"TORS PETER L. ONG &n'
R"!EN A. %ACARIASC 2ND ASSISTANT CITY PROSEC"TOR CONRADO . JAOLIN &n' CITY PROSEC"TOR OF
$"E%ON CITY CLARO ARELLANO, petitioners, vs.
PANFILO . LACSON, respondent.
29
R E S O - . 6 I O N
CALLEJO, SR., J.:
&efore t/e Co'rt are t/e follo(in% #otions of t/e respondent, to (it5 1a2 O#ni,'s $otionG
1
1,2 $otion for
ReonsiderationG
7
12 S'pple#ent to $otion for ReonsiderationG
0
1d2 $otion 6o Set for Oral Ar%'#ents.
8
T@e Bmnibus .otion
6/e respondent see;s t/e reonsideration of t/e April 79, 7330 Resol'tion of t/is Co'rt (/i/ %ranted t/e petitionersD
#otion for reonsideration. 6/e respondent t/ereafter pra"s to allo( Assoiate )'sties Renato C. Corona, $a. Aliia
A'stria4$artine+, Con/ita C. $orales, Ro#eo ). Calle9o, Sr., and Adolfo S. A+'na to vol'ntar" in/i,it t/e#selves or,
a,sent t/eir onsent, r'le t/at s'/ in/i,ition is in order and to re'se t/e# fro# f'rt/er deli,eratin%, dis'ssin% or, in an"
#anner, partiipatin% in t/e resol'tion of t/e $otion for Reonsideration and t/e S'pple#ent to $otion for
Reonsideration. 6/e respondent points o't t/at t/e aforena#ed #e#,ers of t/e Co'rt (ere appointed ," !resident
Gloria $aapa%al4Arro"o after t/e Be,r'ar" 19, 7337 oral ar%'#ents and after t/e ase at ,ar (as s',#itted for t/e
deision of t/e Co'rt. :e asserts t/at alt/o'%/ A.$. No. 99484394SC
=
speifiall" provides t/at it applies onl" to t/e
divisions of t/e Co'rt, it s/o'ld li;e(ise appl" to t/is ase, in li%/t of t/e April 1, 7330 Resol'tion of t/is Co'rt (/i/ set
aside its Resol'tion dated $a" 78, 7337, apart fro# t/e onstit'tional iss'es raised ," t/e respondent in /is #otion for
reonsideration and its s'pple#ent. As s'/, aordin% to t/e respondent, t/e instant ase s/o'ld ,e 'nloaded ," )'stie
Calle9o, Sr. and re4raffled to an" ot/er #e#,er of t/e Co'rt.
6/e Co'rt resolves to den" t/e respondentDs #otion for la; of #erit.
6/e reords s/o( t/at as earl" as $a" 78, 7337, t/e respondent filed an 'r%ent #otion for t/e re'sation of )'sties
Renato C. Corona and $a. Aliia A'stria4$artine+ for t/e reason t/at t/e" (ere appointed to t/e Co'rt after t/e Be,r'ar"
19, 7337 oral ar%'#ents and did not partiipate in t/e inte%ral portions of t/e proeedin%s. )'sties Corona and A'stria4
$artine+ ref'sed to in/i,it t/e#selves and deided to partiipate in t/e deli,eration on t/e petition.
@
On $ar/ 18, 7330,
t/e respondent filed a #otion (it/ t/e Co'rt for t/e re'sation of )'stie Ro#eo ). Calle9o, Sr. on ao'nt of /is vol'ntar"
in/i,ition (/en t/e ase (as pendin% ,efore t/e Co'rt of Appeals.
On $ar/ 7=, 7330, t/is Co'rt iss'ed a resol'tion den"in% t/e respondentDs $otion dated $ar/ 18, 7330. 6/e
respondent t/ereafter filed /is #otion for reonsideration of t/e April 1, 7330 Resol'tion of t/e Co'rt in (/i/ /e pra"ed,
inter alia, for t/e in/i,ition of )'stie Calle9o, Sr. 'nder A.$. No. 99484394SC and t/at t/e ase ,e re4raffled to anot/er
#e#,er of t/e Co'rt (/o /ad at'all" partiipated in t/e deli,eration and t/e rendition of its $a" 78, 7337 Resol'tion.
6/e respondent li;e(ise so'%/t t/e in/i,ition of )'sties Con/ita C. $orales and Adolfo S. A+'na, a%ain for t/e reason
t/at t/e" (ere appointed to t/e Co'rt after t/e oral ar%'#ents on Be,r'ar" 19, 7337 and after t/e ase /ad alread" ,een
s',#itted for deision.
On April 79, 7330, t/is Co'rt iss'ed a resol'tion den"in% t/e aforesaid #otions of t/e respondent.
7
6/e Co'rt r'led t/at
A.$. No. 99484394SC is applia,le onl" to ases assi%ned to t/e divisions of t/e Co'rt5
6/e respondentDs reliane on S'pre#e Co'rt Cir'lar No. 9948439 is #isplaed. As ad#itted ," t/e respondent, t/e said
ir'lar is applia,le onl" to #otions for reonsideration in ases assi%ned to t/e Divisions of t/e Co'rt. Bor ases
assi%ned to t/e Co'rt En &an, t/e poli" of t/e Co'rt /ad al(a"s ,een and still is, if t/e ponente is no lon%er (it/ t/e
Co'rt, /is replae#ent (ill at 'pon t/e #otion for reonsideration of a part" and partiipate in t/e deli,erations t/ereof.
6/is is t/e reason (/" )'stie Calle9o, Sr. (/o /ad replaed retired )'stie De -eon, prepared t/e draft of t/e April 1,
7330 Resol'tion of t/e Co'rt.
8
6/e Co'rt also r'led t/at t/ere (as no need for its ne(est #e#,ers to in/i,it t/e#selves fro# partiipatin% in t/e
deli,eration of t/e respondentDs $otion for Reonsideration5
Alt/o'%/ )'sties Con/ita Carpio4$orales, Ro#eo ). Calle9o, Sr., and Adolfo S. A+'na (ere not "et #e#,ers of t/e
Co'rt d'rin% t/e Be,r'ar" 18, 7337
9
oral ar%'#ents ,efore t/e Co'rt, nonet/eless t/e" (ere not dis*'alified to partiipate
in t/e deli,erations on t/e petitionerDs #otion for reonsideration of t/e $a" 78, 7337 Resol'tion of t/e Co'rt or of t/e
instant #otion for reonsideration. Neit/er is )'stie Calle9o, Sr. dis*'alified to prepare t/e resol'tion of t/e Co'rt on t/e
#otion for reonsideration of t/e respondent. ?/en t/e Co'rt deli,erated on petitionersD #otion for reonsideration,
)'sties Con/ita Carpio4$orales, Ro#eo ). Calle9o, Sr. and Adolfo S. A+'na (ere alread" #e#,ers of t/e Co'rt.
30
It ,ears stressin% t/at transripts of steno%rap/i notes ta;en d'rin% t/e Be,r'ar" 18, 7337 /earin% and oral ar%'#ents of
t/e parties are parts of t/e reords of t/is ase. Said transripts are availa,le to t/e parties or to an" #e#,er of t/e Co'rt.
-i;e(ise, Att"s. Rene A.V. Sa%'isa% and BeliF Carao, )r. #a" not "et /ave ,een t/e o'nsel of t/e respondent on
Be,r'ar" 18, 7337 ,'t ," readin% t/e said transripts and t/e reords of t/is ase t/e" are infor#ed of (/at transpired
d'rin% t/e /earin% and oral ar%'#ents of t/e parties.
13
It is t/'s lear t/at t/e %ro'nds ited ," t/e respondent in /is o#ni,'s #otion /ad alread" ,een passed 'pon and
resolved ," t/is Co'rt. 6/e respondent did not #a;e an" ne( s',stantial ar%'#ents in /is #otion to (arrant a
reonsideration of t/e aforesaid resol'tions.
&esides, t/e respondent so'%/t t/e in/i,ition of )'sties Con/ita C. $orales and Adolfo S. A+'na onl" after t/e" /ad
alread" on'rred in t/e Co'rtDs Resol'tion dated April 1, 7330. Case la( /as it t/at a #otion for dis*'alifiation #'st ,e
denied (/en filed after a #e#,er of t/e Co'rt /as alread" %iven an opinion on t/e #erits of t/e ase, t/e rationale ,ein%
t/at a liti%ant annot ,e per#itted to spe'late 'pon t/e ation of t/e Co'rt, onl" to raise an o,9etion of t/is sort after a
deision /as ,een rendered.
11
T@e .otion to Set t@e Case for Bral !rguments
6/e Co'rt denies t/e #otion of t/e respondent. 6/e parties /ave alread" eFtensivel" dis'ssed t/e iss'es involved in t/e
ase. 6/e respondentDs #otion for reonsideration onsists of no less t/an a /'ndred pa%es, eFl'din% t/e s'pple#ent to
/is #otion for reonsideration and /is repl" to t/e petitionersD o##ent on /is #otion. 6/ere is no lon%er a need to set t/e
instant ase for oral ar%'#ents.
T@e <ssue as to t@e !pplication of t@e Time5bar under Section 4, )ule 33: of t@e )evised )ules of Criminal Procedure I
W@et@er Prospective or )etroactive
6/e respondent see;s t/e reonsideration of t/e April 1, 7330 Resol'tion of t/e Co'rt and t/ereafter reinstate its
Resol'tion of $a" 78, 7337.
:e asserts t/at p'rs'ant to a lon% line of 9'rispr'dene and a lon%4standin% 9'diial pratie in appl"in% penal la(, Setion
8, R'le 117 of t/e Revised R'les of Cri#inal !roed're 1RRC!2 s/o'ld ,e applied prospetivel" and retroativel" (it/o't
reservations, onl" and solel" on t/e ,asis of its ,ein% favora,le to t/e a'sed. :e asserts t/at ase la( on t/e
retroative appliation of penal la(s s/o'ld li;e(ise appl" to ri#inal proed're, it ,ein% a ,ran/ of ri#inal la(. 6/e
respondent insists t/at Setion 8 (as p'rposel" rafted and inl'ded as a ne( provision to reinfore t/e onstit'tional
ri%/t of t/e a'sed to a speed" disposition of /is ase. It is pri#aril" a /e; on t/e State to prose'te ri#inal ases
dili%entl" and ontin'o'sl", lest it loses its ri%/t to prose'te t/e a'sed ane(. 6/e respondent ar%'es t/at sine Setion
8 is ind',ita,l" a r'le of proed're, t/ere an ,e no ot/er onl'sion5 t/e r'le s/o'ld /ave retroative appliation, a,sent
an" provision t/erein t/at it s/o'ld ,e applied prospetivel". Aordin%l", prospetive appliation t/ereof (o'ld in effet
%ive t/e petitioners #ore t/an t(o "ears fro# $ar/ 79, 1999 (it/in (/i/ to revive t/e ri#inal ases, t/'s violatin% t/e
respondentDs ri%/t to d'e proess and e*'al protetion of t/e la(.
6/e respondent asserts t/at Setion 8 (as #eant to rea/ ,a; in ti#e to provide relief to t/e a'sed. In t/is ase, t/e
State /ad ,een %iven #ore t/an s'ffiient opport'nit" to prose'te t/e respondent ane( after t/e $ar/ 79, 1999
dis#issal of t/e ases ," t/en )'d%e ?eneslao A%nir, )r. and even ,efore t/e RRC! too; effet on Dee#,er 1, 7333.
Aordin% to t/e respondent, t/e petitioners filed t/e Infor#ations (it/ t/e R6C in Cri#inal Cases Nos. 314131137 to 314
131117 ,e"ond t/e t(o4"ear ,ar, in violation of /is ri%/t to a speed" trial, and t/at s'/ filin% (as desi%ned to derail /is ,id
for t/e Senate.
In t/eir o##ent on t/e respondentDs #otions, t/e petitioners assert t/at t/e prospetive appliation of Setion 8 is in
;eepin% (it/ Setion =1=2, Artile VIII of t/e 1987 Constit'tion, (/i/ provides in part t/at t/e r'les of proed're (/i/ t/e
Co'rt #a" pro#'l%ate s/all not di#inis/, inrease or #odif" s',stantial ri%/ts. ?/ile Setion 8 se'res t/e ri%/ts of t/e
a'sed, it does not and s/o'ld not prel'de t/e e*'all" i#portant ri%/t of t/e State to p',li 9'stie. If s'/ ri%/t to p',li
9'stie is ta;en a(a", t/en Setion 8 an no lon%er ,e said to ,e a proed'ral r'le. Aordin% to t/e petitioners, if a
proed'ral r'le i#pairs a vested ri%/t, or (o'ld (or; in9'stie, t/e said r'le #a" not ,e %iven a retroative appliation.
6/e" ontend t/at t/e ri%/t of t/e a'sed to a speed" trial or disposition of t/e ri#inal ases applies onl" to o'tstandin%
and pendin% ases and not to ases alread" dis#issed. 6/e petitioners assert t/at t/e Arefilin% of t/e asesA 'nder
Setion 8 s/o'ld ,e ta;en to #ean as t/e filin% of t/e ri#inal o#plaint (it/ t/e appropriate offie for t/e p'rpose of
ond'tin% a preli#inar" investi%ation, and not t/e at'al filin% of t/e ri#inal o#plaint or infor#ation in o'rt for trial.
B'rt/er#ore, aordin% to t/e petitioners, t/e offended parties #'st ,e %iven noties of t/e #otion for provisional
31
dis#issal of t/e ases 'nder Setion 8 sine t/e provision so eFpressl" states. 6/'s, if t/e re*'isite noties to t/e /eirs of
t/e deeased (o'ld ,e ta;en into onsideration, t/e t(o4"ear period /ad not "et even o##ened to r'n.
In /is onsolidated repl" to t/e o##ent of t/e petitioners, t/e respondent asserts t/at t/e State is prosri,ed fro# refilin%
a ri#inal ase if it an ,e s/o(n t/at t/e dela" res'lted in a violation of t/e ri%/t of t/e a'sed to d'e proess. In t/is
ase, t/ere (as an inordinate dela" in t/e revival of t/e ases, onsiderin% t/at t/e (itnesses in t/e ri#inal ases for t/e
State in $ar/ 1999 are t/e sa#e (itnesses in 7331. 6/e State /ad reasona,le opport'nit" to refile t/e ases ,efore t/e
t(o4"ear ,ar ,'t failed to do so ,ea'se of ne%li%eneG and per/aps instit'tional indolene. Contrar" to t/e petitionersD
ontention, t/e respondent posits t/at t/e revival of t/e ases onte#plated in Setion 8 refers to t/e filin% of t/e
Infor#ations or o#plaints in o'rt for trial. 6/e operational at t/en is t/e refilin% of t/e Infor#ations (it/ t/e R6C, (/i/
(as done onl" on )'ne @, 7331, learl" ,e"ond t/e t(o4"ear ,ar.
6/e Co'rt finds t/e respondentDs ontentions to ,e (it/o't #erit.
Birst. 6/e Co'rt approved t/e RRC! p'rs'ant to its po(er 'nder Artile VIII, Setion =, para%rap/ = of t/e Constit'tion
(/i/ reads5
1=2 !ro#'l%ate r'les onernin% t/e protetion and enfore#ent of onstit'tional ri%/ts, pleadin%, pratie, and proed're
in all o'rts, t/e ad#ission to t/e pratie of la(, t/e Inte%rated &ar, and le%al assistane to t/e 'nderprivile%ed. S'/
r'les s/all provide a si#plified and ineFpensive proed're for t/e speed" disposition of ases, s/all ,e 'nifor# for all
o'rts of t/e sa#e %rade, and s/all not di#inis/, inrease, or #odif" s',stantive ri%/ts. R'les of proed're of speial
o'rts and *'asi49'diial ,odies s/all re#ain effetive 'nless disapproved ," t/e S'pre#e Co'rt.
6/e Co'rt is not #andated to appl" Setion 8 retroativel" si#pl" ,ea'se it is favora,le to t/e a'sed. It #'st ,e noted
t/at t/e ne( r'le (as approved ," t/e Co'rt not onl" to reinfore t/e onstit'tional ri%/t of t/e a'sed to a speed"
disposition of t/e ase. 6/e ti#e4,ar 'nder t/e ne( r'le (as fiFed ," t/e Co'rt to eFise t/e #alaise t/at pla%'ed t/e
ad#inistration of t/e ri#inal 9'stie s"ste# for t/e ,enefit of t/e State and t/e a'sedG not for t/e a'sed onl". 6/e
Co'rt e#p/asi+ed in its assailed resol'tion t/at5
In t/e ne( r'le in *'estion, as no( onstr'ed ," t/e Co'rt, it /as fiFed a ti#e4,ar of one "ear or t(o "ears for t/e revival
of ri#inal ases provisionall" dis#issed (it/ t/e eFpress onsent of t/e a'sed and (it/ a priori notie to t/e offended
part". 6/e ti#e4,ar #a" appear, on first i#pression, 'nreasona,le o#pared to t/e periods 'nder Artile 93 of t/e
Revised !enal Code. :o(ever, in fiFin% t/e ti#e4,ar, t/e Co'rt ,alaned t/e soietal interests and t/ose of t/e a'sed
for t/e orderl" and speed" disposition of ri#inal ases (it/ #ini#'# pre9'die to t/e State and t/e a'sed. It too; into
ao'nt t/e s',stantial ri%/ts of ,ot/ t/e State and of t/e a'sed to d'e proess. 6/e Co'rt ,elieved t/at t/e ti#e li#it is
a reasona,le period for t/e State to revive provisionall" dis#issed ases (it/ t/e onsent of t/e a'sed and notie to t/e
offended parties. 6/e ti#e4,ar fiFed ," t/e Co'rt #'st ,e respeted 'nless it is s/o(n t/at t/e period is #anifestl" s/ort
or ins'ffiient t/at t/e r'le ,eo#es a denial of 9'stie.
17
In ri#inal liti%ations onernin% onstit'tional iss'e lai#s, t/e Co'rt, in t/e interest of 9'stie, #a" #a;e t/e r'le
prospetive (/ere t/e eFi%enies of t/e sit'ation #a;e t/e r'le prospetive. 6/e retroativit" or non4retroativit" of a r'le
is not a'to#atiall" deter#ined ," t/e provision of t/e Constit'tion on (/i/ t/e ditate is ,ased. Ea/ onstit'tional r'le
of ri#inal proed're /as its o(n distint f'ntions, its o(n ,a;%ro'nd or preedent, and its o(n i#pat on t/e
ad#inistration of 9'stie, and t/e (a" in (/i/ t/ese fators o#,ine #'st inevita,l" var" (it/ t/e ditate involved.
10
$atters of proed're are not neessaril" retrospetive in operation as a stat'te.
18
6o parap/rase t/e .nited States
S'pre#e Co'rt per )'stie &en9a#in Cardo+o, t/e Co'rt in definin% t/e li#its of ad/erene #a" #a;e a /oie for itself
,et(een t/e priniple of for(ard operation and t/at of relatin% for(ard.
1=
6/e Co'rt approved Setion 8 p'rs'ant to its po(er 'nder Artile VIII, Setion =, para%rap/ = of t/e Constit'tion. 6/is
onstit'tional %rant to pro#'l%ate r'les arries (it/ it t/e po(er, inter alia, to deter#ine (/et/er to %ive t/e said r'les
prospetive or retroative effet. $oreover, 'nder R'le 188 of t/e R'les of Co'rt, t/e Co'rt #a" not appl" t/e r'les to
ations pendin% ,efore it if in its opinion t/eir appliation (o'ld not ,e feasi,le or (o'ld (or; in9'stie, in (/i/ event, t/e
for#er proed're s/all appl".
1@
6/e a,sene of a provision in Setion 8 %ivin% it prospetive appliation onl" does not prosri,e t/e prospetive
appliation t/ereofG nor does it i#pl" t/at t/e Co'rt intended t/e ne( r'le to ,e %iven retroative and prospetive effet. If
t/e stat'tor" p'rpose is lear, t/e provisions of t/e la( s/o'ld ,e onstr'ed as is ond'ive to fairness and 9'stie, and in
/ar#on" (it/ t/e %eneral spirit and poli" of t/e r'le. It s/o'ld ,e onstr'ed so as not to defeat ,'t to arr" o't s'/ end
32
or p'rpose.
17
A stat'te derives its vitalit" fro# t/e p'rpose for (/i/ it is approved. 6o onstr'e it in a #anner t/at
disre%ards or defeats s'/ p'rpose is to n'llif" or destro" t/e la(.
18
In Co#eta v. Co'rt of Appeals,
19
t/is Co'rt r'led t/at
At/e spirit rat/er t/an t/e letter of t/e stat'te deter#ines its onstr'tionG /ene, a stat'te #'st ,e read aordin% to its
spirit or intent.A
73
?/ile (e #a" not read into t/e la( a p'rpose t/at is not t/ere, (e nevert/eless /ave t/e ri%/t to read
o't of it t/e reason for its enat#ent. In doin% so, (e defer not to t/e Aletter t/at ;illet/A ,'t to t/e Aspirit t/at vivifiet/, to
%ive effet to t/e la(#a;erDs (ill.A
71
In t/is ase, (/en t/e Co'rt approved Setion 8, it intended t/e ne( r'le to ,e applied prospetivel" and not retroativel",
for if t/e intention of t/e Co'rt (ere ot/er(ise, it (o'ld defeat t/e ver" p'rpose for (/i/ it (as intended, na#el", to %ive
t/e State a period of t(o "ears fro# notie of t/e provisional dis#issal of ri#inal ases (it/ t/e eFpress onsent of t/e
a'sed. It (o'ld ,e a denial of t/e StateDs ri%/t to d'e proess and a travest" of 9'stie for t/e Co'rt to appl" t/e ne(
r'le retroativel" in t/e present ase as t/e respondent insists, onsiderin% t/at t/e ri#inal ases (ere provisionall"
dis#issed ," )'d%e A%nir, )r. on $ar/ 79, 1999 ,efore t/e ne( r'le too; effet on Dee#,er 1, 7333. A retroative
appliation of t/e ti#e4,ar (ill res'lt in a,s'rd, 'n9'st and oppressive onse*'enes to t/e State and to t/e viti#s of
ri#es and t/eir /eirs.
Consider t/is senario5 t/e trial o'rt 1R6C2 provisionall" dis#issed a ri#inal ase (it/ t/e eFpress onsent of t/e
a'sed in 1997. 6/e prose'tion /ad t/e ri%/t to revive t/e ase (it/in t/e presriptive period, 'nder Artile 93 of t/e
Revised !enal Code, as a#ended. On Dee#,er 1, 7333, t/e ti#e4,ar r'le 'nder Setion 8 too; effet, t/e prose'tion
(as 'na,le to revive t/e ri#inal ase ,efore t/en.
If t/e ti#e4,ar fiFed in Setion 8 (ere to ,e applied retroativel", t/is (o'ld #ean t/at t/e State (o'ld ,e ,arred fro#
revivin% t/e ase for fail're to o#pl" (it/ t/e said ti#e4,ar, (/i/ (as "et to ,e approved ," t/e Co'rt t/ree "ears after
t/e provisional dis#issal of t/e ri#inal ase. In ontrast, if t/e sa#e ase (as dis#issed provisionall" in Dee#,er
7333, t/e State /ad t/e ri%/t to revive t/e sa#e (it/in t/e ti#e4,ar. In fine, to so /old (o'ld i#pl" t/at t/e State (as
pres'#ed to foresee and antiipate t/at t/ree "ears after 1997, t/e Co'rt (o'ld approve and a#end t/e RRC!. 6/e State
(o'ld t/'s ,e santioned for its fail're to o#pl" (it/ a r'le "et to ,e approved ," t/e Co'rt. It #'st ,e stressed t/at t/e
instit'tion and prose'tion of ri#inal ases are %overned ," eFistin% r'les and not ," r'les "et to eFist. It (o'ld ,e t/e
apeF of in9'stie to /old t/at Setion 8 /ad a platoni or ideal eFistene ,efore it (as approved ," t/e Co'rt. 6/e past
annot ,e erased ," a apriio's retroative appliation of t/e ne( r'le.
In /oldin% t/at t/e petitioners /ad 'ntil Dee#,er 1, 7337 (it/in (/i/ to revive t/e ri#inal ases provisionall" dis#issed
," )'d%e A%nir, )r. on $ar/ 79, 1999, t/is Co'rt eFplained, t/'s5
6/e Co'rt a%rees (it/ t/e petitioners t/at to appl" t/e ti#e4,ar retroativel" so t/at t/e t(o4"ear period o##ened to
r'n on $ar/ 01, 1999 (/en t/e p',li prose'tor reeived /is op" of t/e resol'tion of )'d%e A%nir, )r. dis#issin% t/e
ri#inal ases is inonsistent (it/ t/e intend#ent of t/e ne( r'le. Instead of %ivin% t/e State t(o "ears to revive
provisionall" dis#issed ases, t/e State /ad onsidera,l" less t/an t(o "ears to do so. 6/'s, )'d%e A%nir, )r. dis#issed
Cri#inal Cases Nos. C499481@79 to C499481@89 on $ar/ 79, 1999. 6/e ne( r'le too; effet on Dee#,er 1, 7333. If t/e
Co'rt applied t/e ne( ti#e4,ar retroativel", t/e State (o'ld /ave onl" one "ear and t/ree #ont/s or 'ntil $ar/ 01, 7331
(it/in (/i/ to revive t/ese ri#inal ases. 6/e period is s/ort of t/e t(o4"ear period fiFed 'nder t/e ne( r'le. On t/e
ot/er /and, if t/e ti#e li#it is applied prospetivel", t/e State (o'ld /ave t(o "ears fro# Dee#,er 1, 7333 or 'ntil
Dee#,er 1, 7337 (it/in (/i/ to revive t/e ases. 6/is is in onsonane (it/ t/e intend#ent of t/e ne( r'le in fiFin% t/e
ti#e4,ar and t/'s prevent in9'stie to t/e State and avoid a,s'rd, 'nreasona,le, oppressive, in9'rio's, and (ron%f'l
res'lts in t/e ad#inistration of 9'stie.
6/e period fro# April 1, 1999 to Nove#,er 03, 1999
77
s/o'ld ,e eFl'ded in t/e o#p'tation of t/e t(o4"ear period
,ea'se t/e r'le presri,in% it (as not "et in effet at t/e ti#e and t/e State o'ld not ,e eFpeted to o#pl" (it/ t/e
ti#e4,ar. It annot even ,e ar%'ed t/at t/e State (aived its ri%/t to revive t/e ri#inal ases a%ainst respondent or t/at it
(as ne%li%ent for not revivin% t/e# (it/in t/e t(o4"ear period 'nder t/e ne( r'le. 3aFGHp@i3.netAs t/e .nited States
S'pre#e Co'rt said, per )'stie BeliF Bran;f'rter, in Griffin v. !eople, 0=1 .S 17 119=@25
?e s/o'ld not ind'l%e in t/e fition t/at t/e la( no( anno'ned /as al(a"s ,een t/e la( and, t/erefore, t/at t/ose (/o
did not avail t/e#selves of it (aived t/eir ri%/ts T
6/e t(o4"ear period fiFed in t/e ne( r'le is for t/e ,enefit of ,ot/ t/e State and t/e a'sed. It s/o'ld not ,e
e#as'lated and red'ed ," an inordinate retroative appliation of t/e ti#e4,ar t/erein provided #erel" to ,enefit t/e
a'sed. Bor to do so (o'ld a'se an Ain9'stie of /ards/ipA to t/e State and adversel" affet t/e ad#inistration of 9'stie
in %eneral and of ri#inal la(s in parti'lar.
70
33
B'rt/er *'otin% )'stie BeliF Bran;f'rterDs opinion in Griffin v. !eople,
78
/e said, Ait is #'/ #ore ond'ive to la(Ds self4
respet to reo%ni+e andidl" t/e onsiderations t/at %ive prospetive ontent to a ne( prono'ne#ent of la(. 6/at t/is is
onsonant (it/ t/e spirit of o'r la( and 9'stified ," t/ose onsiderations of reason (/i/ s/o'ld do#inate t/e la( /as
,een l'#ino'sl" eFpo'nded ," $r. )'stie Cardo+o s/ortl" ,efore /e a#e /ere and in an opinion (/i/ /e (rote for t/e
Co'rt.A
!arent/etiall", t/e respondent /i#self ad#itted in /is #otion for reonsideration t/at )'d%e A%nir, )r. o'ld not /ave
,een eFpeted to o#pl" (it/ t/e notie re*'ire#ent 'nder t/e ne( r'le (/en it "et /ad to eFist5
99. Respondent s',#its t/at t/e reords are still in t/e sa#e state of inade*'a" and ino#pletion. 6/is /o(ever is not
stran%e onsiderin% t/at Setion 8, R'le 117 /ad not eFisted on $ar/ 79, 1999, (/en t/e ri#inal ases (ere dis#issed,
and t/en )'d%e A%nir did not /ave its teFt to %'ide /is ations. :o( o'ld t/e %ood 9'd%e /ave o#plied (it/ t/e #andate
of Setion 8, R'le 117 (/en it "et /ad to eFistS
7=
Stat'tes re%'latin% t/e proed're of t/e o'rts (ill ,e onstr'ed as applia,le to ations pendin% and 'ndeter#ined at t/e
ti#e of t/eir passa%e. In t/at sense and to t/at eFtent, proed'ral la(s are retroative.
7@
Cri#inal Cases Nos. C499481@79
to C499481@89 /ad lon% ,een dis#issed ," )'d%e A%nir, )r. ,efore t/e ne( r'le too; effet on Dee#,er 1, 7333. ?/en
t/e petitioners filed t/e Infor#ations in Cri#inal Cases Nos. 314131137 to 314131117 on )'ne @, 7331, Cri#inal Cases
Nos. C499481@79 and C499481@89 /ad lon% sine ,een ter#inated. 6/e t(o4"ear ,ar in t/e ne( r'le s/o'ld not ,e
re;oned fro# t/e $ar/ 79, 1999 dis#issal of Cri#inal Cases Nos. C499481@79 to C499481@89 ,'t fro# Dee#,er 1,
7333 (/en t/e ne( r'le too; effet. ?/ile it is tr'e t/at t/e Co'rt applied Setion 8 of R'le 113
77
of t/e RRC!
retroativel", it did so onl" to ases still pendin% (it/ t/is Co'rt and not to ases alread" ter#inated (it/ finalit".
6/e reords s/o( t/at after t/e re*'isite preli#inar" investi%ation ond'ted ," t/e petitioners in aordane (it/ eFistin%
r'les, eleven Infor#ations in Cri#inal Cases Nos. 314131137 to 314131117 (ere filed (it/ t/e R6C on )'ne @, 7331, ver"
(ell (it/in t/e ti#e4,ar t/erefor. 6/e respondent annot ar%'e t/at /is ri%/t to d'e proess and to a speed" disposition of
t/e ases as ens/rined in t/e Constit'tion /ad ,een violated.
78
6/e respondentDs plaint t/at /e (as ,ein% sin%led o't ," t/e prospetive appliation of t/e ne( r'le si#pl" ,ea'se
,efore t/e Co'rt iss'ed its April 1, 7330 Resol'tion, /e anno'ned /is andida" for t/e presiden" of t/e Rep',li for
t/e 7338 eletions /as no fat'al ,asis (/atsoever.
79
6/e ,are and irref'ta,le fat is t/at it (as in t/is ase (/ere t/e
iss'e of t/e retroative<prospetive appliation of t/e ne( r'le (as first raised ,efore t/e Co'rt. 6/e r'lin% of t/e Co'rt in
its April 1, 7330 Resol'tion and its r'lin% toda" (o'ld ,e t/e sa#e, re%ardless of (/o t/e part" or parties involved are,
(/et/er a senator of t/e Rep',li or an ordinar" iti+en.
6/e respondentDs ontention t/at t/e prospetive appliation of t/e ne( r'le (o'ld den" /i# d'e proess and (o'ld
violate t/e e*'al protetion of la(s is ,arren of #erit. It proeeds fro# an erroneo's ass'#ption t/at t/e ne( r'le (as
approved ," t/e Co'rt solel" for /is ,enefit, in dero%ation of t/e ri%/t of t/e State to d'e proess. 6/e ne( r'le (as
approved ," t/e Co'rt to en/ane t/e ri%/t of d'e proess of ,ot/ t/e State and t/e a'sed. 6/e State is entitled to d'e
proess in ri#inal ases as #'/ as t/e a'sed.
D'e proess /as never ,een and per/aps an never ,e preisel" defined. 3aFGHp@i3.net It is not a te/nial oneption
(it/ a fiFed ontent 'nrelated to ti#e, plae and ir'#stanes. 6/e p/rase eFpresses t/e re*'ire#ent of f'nda#ental
fairness, a re*'isite (/ose #eanin% an ,e as opa*'e as its i#portane is loft".
03
In deter#inin% (/at f'nda#ental
fairness onsists of in a parti'lar sit'ation, relevant preedents #'st ,e onsidered and t/e interests t/at are at sta;eG
private interests, as (ell as t/e interests of t/e %overn#ent #'st ,e assessed. In t/is ase, in /oldin% t/at t/e ne( r'le
/as prospetive and not retroative appliation, t/e Co'rt too; into onsideration not onl" t/e interests of t/e respondent
,'t all ot/er a'sed, (/atever t/eir station in life #a" ,e. 6/e interest of t/e State in t/e speed", i#partial and
ineFpensive disposition of ri#inal ases (as li;e(ise onsidered.
T@e )espondent *ailed to Comply wit@ t@e =ssential Prere+uisites of Section 4, )ule 33: of t@e )evised )ules of
Criminal Procedure
6/e respondent ar%'es t/at t/e iss'e involved in t/e Co'rt of Appeals is entirel" different fro# t/e iss'e involved in t/e
present reo'rseG /ene, an" ad#issions /e #ade in t/e o'rt ,elo( are not 9'diial ad#issions in t/is ase. :e asserts
t/at t/e iss'e involved in t/e CA (as (/et/er or not /e (as plaed in do',le 9eopard" (/en /e (as /ar%ed (it/ #'rder
in Cri#inal Cases Nos. 314131137 to 314131117 despite t/e dis#issal of Cri#inal Cases Nos. C499481@79 to C499481@89G
(/ereas t/e iss'e in t/is Co'rt is (/et/er t/e prose'tion of Cri#inal Cases Nos. 314131137 to 314131117 (as ,arred ,"
34
Setion 8, R'le 117 of t/e RRC!. 6/e respondent avers t/at t/e proeedin%s in t/e appellate o'rt are different fro#
t/ose in t/is Co'rt.
6/e respondent posits t/at t/is Co'rt erred in %ivin% onsidera,le (ei%/t to t/e ad#issions /e #ade in /is pleadin%s and
d'rin% t/e proeedin%s in t/e CA. :e stresses t/at 9'diial ad#issions #a" onl" ,e 'sed a%ainst a part" if s'/
ad#issions are 1a2 #ade in t/e o'rse of t/e proeedin%s in t/e sa#e aseG and 1,2 #ade re%ardin% a relevant fat,
p'rs'ant to Setion 8, R'le 179 and Setion 7@, R'le 103 of t/e R'les of Evidene. :e ontends t/at ontrar" to t/e
r'lin% of t/e Co'rt, (/en /e filed /is #otion for t/e 9'diial deter#ination of pro,a,le a'se in Cri#inal Cases Nos. C4994
81@79 to C499481@89, /e t/ere," pra"ed for t/e dis#issal of t/e said ases. :is #otion arried (it/ it, at t/e ver" least,
t/e pra"er for t/e dis#issal of t/e ri#inal ases. A,sent a findin% of pro,a,le a'se, )'d%e A%nir, )r. /ad no reo'rse ,'t
to dis#iss t/e ri#inal ases. $oreover, t/e respondent avers t/at /is #otion inl'ded t/e %eneral pra"er Afor s'/ ot/er
reliefs as #a" ,e e*'ita,le in t/e pre#ises.A 6/e respondent also points o't t/at t/e p',li prose'tor a%reed to t/e
aver#ents in /is #otion as t/e latter did not even file an" #otion for t/e reonsideration of )'d%e A%nir, )r.Ds order
dis#issin% t/e ases.
6/e respondent f'rt/er ontends t/at t/e Co'rt is not a trier of fats. It /as no #eans to asertain or verif" as tr'e t/e
ontrastin% lai#s of t/e parties on t/e fat'al iss'es, a f'ntion ,est left to t/e trial o'rt as t/e trier of fats. :e posits
t/at t/ere is a need for t/e ase to ,e re#anded to t/e R6C to ena,le /i# to present evidene on (/et/er or not )'d%e
A%nir, )r. o#plied (it/ t/e notie re*'ire#ents of Setion 8. E/oin% t/e $a" 78, 7337 r'lin% of t/is Co'rt, t/e
respondent ontends t/at it is not fair to eFpet t/e ele#ent of notie 'nder Setion 8 to ,e liti%ated ,efore )'d%e A%nir,
)r., for t/e said r'le (as not "et in eFistene at t/e ti#e /e filed /is #otion for a deter#ination of pro,a,le a'se.
6/e respondent avers t/at t/e re*'ire#ent for noties to t/e offended parties 'nder Setion 8 is a for#al and not an
essential re*'isite. In ri#inal ases, t/e offended part" is t/e State and t/e role of t/e private o#plainant is li#ited to
t/e deter#ination of t/e ivil lia,ilit" of t/e a'sed. Aordin% to t/e respondent, notie to t/e prose'tion provides
s'ffiient safe%'ard for t/e private o#plainant to reover on t/e ivil lia,ilit" of t/e a'sed ,ased on t/e delitsG after all,
t/e prose'tion of t/e offense is 'nder t/e ontrol and diretion of t/e p',li prose'tor.
6/e ontentions of t/e respondent /ave no #erit.
Birst. 6/e iss'e posed ," t/e respondent in t/e CA and in t/is Co'rt are t/e sa#e. 6o reall, in Civil Case No. 314
133900,
01
t/e respondent
07
so'%/t in9'ntive relief fro# t/e R6C of $anila on /is lai# t/at in ond'tin% a preli#inar"
investi%ation in Cri#inal Cases Nos. 314131137 to 314131117, t/e petitioners t/ere," plaed /i# in do',le 9eopard" 'nder
Setion 7, R'le 117 of t/e RRC!.
00
?/en t/e R6C denied /is plea for in9'ntive relief, t/e respondent filed /is petition for
ertiorari in t/e CA, a%ain invo;in% /is ri%/t a%ainst do',le 9eopard", pra"in% t/at5
10. Inas#'/ as t/e ase s',9et of t/e Apreli#inar" investi%ationA (as dis#issed for t/e reasons #entioned, t/ere
'rrentl" eFists no o#plaint 'pon (/i/ a valid investi%ation an ,e /ad in li%/t of t/e lear provisions of R'le 113 (/i/
re*'ires t/e eFistene of a As(orn (ritten state#ent /ar%in% a person (it/ an offenseA as ,asis for t/e o##ene#ent
of a preli#inar" investi%ation 'nder R'le 117.3awp@i3.nEt
Bor petitioner, t/e investi%ation overs eFatl" t/e sa#e offenses over (/i/ /e /ad ,een d'l" arrai%ned and a plea
validl" entered ,efore t/e Sandi%an,a"an 1in Cri#inal Cases Nos. 70387 to =72 ,efore its re#and to t/e CC R6C. :ene,
to proeed t/ere(it/ on si#ilar /ar%es (ill p't /i# in 9eopard" of ,ein% t(ie p'nis/ed t/erefor 1Artile III, U71,
Constit'tion2.
08
6/e respondent 1petitioner t/erein2 ontended t/at t/e dis#issal of Cri#inal Cases Nos. C499481@79 to C499481@89 ,"
)'d%e A%nir, )r. a#o'nted to a 9'd%#ent of a*'ittalG /ene, /e o'ld no lon%er ,e /ar%ed and prose'ted ane( for t/e
sa#e offense (it/o't violatin% /is ri%/t a%ainst do',le 9eopard". :o(ever, t/e respondent filed a seond a#ended
petition (/erein /e invo;ed for t/e first ti#e Setion 8 of R'le 117 of t/e RRC!5
1e2 t/e ne( ri#inal ases for $'rder filed ," respondents a%ainst petitioner and t/e ot/er a'sed on )'ne @, 7331
1do;eted as Cri#inal Cases Nos. 314131137 to 3141311172 and pendin% ,efore respondent )'d%e >adao 1AnneF &2 is
dis#issi,le on its fae as t/e" involve eFatl" t/e sa#e a'sed, fats, and offenses (/i/ /ad previo'sl" ,een
dis#issed ," t/e CC R6C in Cri#inal Cases Nos. C499481@79 to 89 on $ar/ 79, 1999, /ene, an no lon%er ,e revived
t(o 172 "ears after s'/ dis#issal in aordane (it/ t/e lear provisions of Setion 8, R'le 117.
0=
35
Indeed, t/e CA %ranted t/e respondentDs petition ,ased on Setion 8, R'le 117 of t/e RRC!. In t/is ase, t/e respondent
invo;ed t/e sa#e r'le and t/e Constit'tion. 6/'s, d'rin% t/e oral ar%'#ents in t/is Co'rt, t/e respondent, t/ro'%/
o'nsel, ad#itted t/at /e (as indeed invo;in% Setion 8 ane( and t/e provisions of t/e Constit'tion on do',le 9eopard"5
).S6ICE !ANGANI&AN5
>o' are sa"in% t/at Sen. -ason an no lon%er ,e prose'ted forever for t/at ri#e, for t/e ;illin% of t/e 11 in
199=S
A66>. BOR6.N5
6/at is #" s',#ission, >o'r :onor.
).S6ICE !ANGANI&AN5
-et 's see "o'r reason for itS
A66>. BOR6.N5
0@
Birst, are "o' sa"in% t/at do',le 9eopard" applies or notS
).S6ICE !ANGANI&AN5
07
Allo( #e to *'alif" t/e effets of do',le 9eopard" o'r (it/ per#anent dis#issal t/at is #" s',#ission.
A66>. BOR6.N5
08
No, no, I a# not tal;in% of t/e effets, I a# tal;in% of t/e dotrine, "o' are not invo;in% t/e dotrine of do',le
9eopard"S
A66>. BOR6.N5
>o'r :onor, do',le 9eopard" does not appl" Setion 8, 117 t/e" are 1interr'pted2
).S6ICE !ANGANI&AN5
6/at is ri%/t.
A66>. BOR6.N5
6/e" are t(o different lai#s.
).S6ICE !ANGANI&AN5
6/at is (/at I a# tr"in% to r'le o't so t/at (e do not /ave to dis'ss it.
A66>. BOR6.N5
Ver" (ell, >o'r :onor.
).S6ICE !ANGANI&AN5
>o' are not invo;in% do',le 9eopard"S
A66>. BOR6.N5
As I #entioned (e are sa"in% t/at t/e effets of a per#anent dis#issal vest t/e effets 1interr'pted2
).S6ICE !ANGANI&AN5
No, I a# not tal;in% of t/e effets, I a# as;in% a,o't t/e appliation, "o' are not as;in% t/e Co'rt to appl" t/e
dotrine of do',le 9eopard" to prevent a prose'tion of $r. -asonS
A66>. BOR6.N5
&ea'se t/e ele#ent of do',le 9eopard" annot appl" 8, 117.
).S6ICE !ANGANI&AN5
So, t/e ans(er is "esS
A66>. BOR6.N5
No, >o'r :onor, (e (ere sa"in% t/at preisel" a per#anent dis#issal vests t/e ri%/ts of do',le 9eopard" 'pon t/e
a'sed (/o invo;es it.
).S6ICE !ANGANI&AN5
?/at "o' are sa"in% is t/e effets, I a# not as;in% a,o't t/e effets, I (ill as; t/at later.
A66>. BOR6.N5
6/e" are t(o different 1interr'pted2
).S6ICE !ANGANI&AN5
-ater, I a# as;in% a,o't dotrines. Sine "o' are not invo;in% t/e dotrine of do',le 9eopard" "o' are restin% "o'r
ase (in or lose, sin; or sail on t/e appliation of 8,117S
A66>. BOR6.N5
On t/e onstit'tional ri%/t of t/e a'sed 'nder Setion 1@ of Artile 0 (/i/ is speed" disposition of ases (/i/
i#ple#ented 8,817, t/at is o'r ar%'#ents in t/is ,ar.
).S6ICE !ANGANI&AN5
Are "o' not restin% on 8,117S
A66>. BOR6.N5
6/at and t/e onstit'tional provision, >o'r :onor.
).S6ICE !ANGANI&AN5
So, "o' are restin% on 8,117S
A66>. BOR6.N5
Not eFl'sive, >o'r :onor.
).S6ICE !ANGANI&AN5
36
And t/e Constit'tionS
A66>. BOR6.N5
6/e Constit'tion (/i/ %ave life to 8,117.
).S6ICE !ANGANI&AN5
6o speed" dispositionS
A66>. BOR6.N5
>es, >o'r :onor.
).S6ICE !ANGANI&AN5
Can a Co'rt, let 's see "o'r t/eor" t/en K "o'r t/eor" rest on t(o provisions5 first, t/e R'les of Co'rt 8,117 and
Seond, t/e Constit'tion on speed" dispositionS
A66>. BOR6.N5
>es, >o'r :onor.
09
Seond. 6/e respondentDs ans(ers to t/e *'estions of $ada#e )'stie )osefina Salon%a d'rin% t/e /earin% in
t/e CA (/ere /e ad#itted, t/ro'%/ o'nsel, t/at /e %ave no eFpress onfor#it" to t/e dis#issal of t/e ases ,"
)'d%e A%nir, )r., (ere in relation to Setion 8 of R'le 117 and not to Setion 7 of R'le 117 on do',le 9eopard",
t/'s5
).S6ICE SA-ONGA5
Do (e %et it fro# "o' t/at it is "o'r stand t/at t/is is applia,le to t/e ase at ,arS
A66>. BOR6.N5
It is #" s',#ission, t/at it is, >o'r :onor. In addition, of o'rse, to #" proposition t/at $r. -ason is overed ,"
t/e r'le on do',le 9eopard" as (ell, ,ea'se /e /ad alread" ,een arrai%ned ,efore t/e Sandi%an,a"an prior to
t/e ase ,ein% re#anded to t/e R6C.
).S6ICE SA-ONGA5
>o' are referrin% to t/ose ases (/i/ (ere dis#issed ," t/e R6C of C'e+on Cit".
A66>. BOR6.N5
>es, >o'r :onor.
).S6ICE SA-ONGA5
And it is "o'r stand t/at t/e dis#issal #ade ," t/e Co'rt (as provisional in nat'reS
A66>. BOR6.N5
It (as in t/at t/e a'sed did not as; for it. ?/at t/e" (anted at t/e onset (as si#pl" a 9'diial deter#ination of
pro,a,le a'se for (arrants of arrest iss'ed. 6/en )'d%e A%nir, H)r.I 'pon t/e presentation ," t/e parties of t/eir
(itnesses, parti'larl" t/ose (/o /ad (it/dra(n t/eir affidavits, #ade one f'rt/er onl'sion t/at not onl" (as
t/is ase la;in% in pro,a,le a'se for p'rposes of t/e iss'ane of an arrest (arrant ,'t also it did not 9'stif"
proeedin% to trial.
).S6ICE SA-ONGA5
And it is eFpressl" provided 'nder Setion 8 t/at a ase s/all not ,e provisionall" dis#issed eFept HifI it is (it/
t/e eFpress onfor#it" of t/e a'sed.
A66>. BOR6.N5
6/at is orret, >o'r :onor.
).S6ICE SA-ONGA5
And (it/ notie to t/e offended part".
A66>. BOR6.N5
6/at is orret, >o'r :onor.
).S6ICE SA-ONGA5
?as t/ere an eFpress onfor#it" on t/e part of t/e a'sedS
A66>. BOR6.N5
6/ere (as none, >o'r :onor. ?e (ere not as;ed to si%n an" order, or an" state#ent (/i/ (o'ld nor#all" ,e
re*'ired ," t/e Co'rt on pre4trial or on ot/er #atters, inl'din% ot/er provisional dis#issal. $" ver" li#ited
pratie in ri#inal o'rts, >o'r :onor, /ad ta'%/t #e t/at a 9'd%e #'st ,e ver" aref'l on t/is #atter of
provisional dis#issal. In fat, t/e" as; t/e a'sed to o#e for(ard, and t/e 9'd%e /i#self or /erself eFplains t/e
i#pliations of a provisional dis#issal.
83
6/e respondent, t/ro'%/ o'nsel, even ad#itted t/at despite /is plea for e*'ita,le relief in /is #otion for a 9'diial
deter#ination of pro,a,le a'se in t/e R6C, /e did not a%ree to a provisional dis#issal of t/e ases. 6/e
respondent insisted t/at t/e onl" relief /e pra"ed for ,efore )'d%e A%nir, )r. (as t/at (arrants for /is arrest ,e
(it//eld pendin% a findin% of pro,a,le a'se. :e asserted t/at t/e 9'd%e did not even re*'ire /i# to a%ree to a
provisional dis#issal of t/e ases5
).S6ICE ROSARIO5
>o' (ere present d'rin% t/e proeedin%sS
A66>. BOR6.N5
>es, >o'r :onor.
).S6ICE ROSARIO5
37
>o' represented t/e petitioner in t/is aseS
A66>. BOR6.N5
T:&5 3+ <o44e<5, You4 (ono4. An' 5:e4e @&+ no5:3n> o; 5:&5 +o45 @:3<: 5:e >oo' Ju'>e A>n34, IJ4.J @:o 3+
=o+5 1no@-e'>e&9-e 3n <43=3n&- -&@, :&' 'one 3n 4e+8e<5 o; 84o63+3on&- '3+=3++&- o4 5:e =&55e4 o; 4.
L&<+on &>4ee3n> 5o 5:e 84o63+3on&- '3+=3++&- o; 5:e <&+e.
).S6ICE G.ERRERO5
No(, "o' filed a #otion, t/e ot/er a'sed t/en filed a #otion for a 9'diial deter#ination of pro,a,le a'seS
A66>. BOR6.N5
>es, >o'r :onor.
).S6ICE G.ERRERO5
Did "o' #a;e an" alternative pra"er in "o'r #otion t/at if t/ere is no pro,a,le a'se (/at s/o'ld t/e Co'rt doS
A66>. BOR6.N5
T:&5 5:e &44e+5 @&44&n5+ on-. 9e @35::e-'. T:&5 @&+ 5:e on-. 84&.e4 5:&5 @e &+1e'. In fat, I /ave a op" of
t/at parti'lar #otion, and if I #a" read #" pra"er ,efore t/e Co'rt, it said5 A?/erefore, it is respetf'll" pra"ed
t/at 112 a 9'diial deter#ination of pro,a,le a'se p'rs'ant to Setion 7, Artile III of t/e Constit'tion ,e
ond'ted, and for t/is p'rpose, an order ,e iss'ed diretin% t/e prose'tion to present private o#plainants and
t/eir (itnesses at t/e s/ed'led /earin% for t/at p'rposeG and 172 t/e (arrants for t/e arrest of t/e a'sed ,e
(it//eld, or, if iss'ed, realled in t/e #eanti#e 'ntil resol'tion of t/is inident.A
).S6ICE G.ERRERO5
6/ere is no %eneral pra"er for an" f'rt/er reliefS
A66>. BOR6.N5
6/ere is ,'t it si#pl" sa"s ot/er e*'ita,le reliefs are pra"ed for.
).S6ICE G.ERRERO5
DonDt "o' s'r#ise )'d%e A%nir, H)r.I no( a #e#,er of t/is Co'rt, preisel" addressed "o'r pra"er for 9'st and
e*'ita,le relief to dis#iss t/e ase ,ea'se (/at (o'ld ,e t/e net effet of a sit'ation (/ere t/ere is no (arrant
of arrest ,ein% iss'ed (it/o't dis#issin% t/e aseS
A66>. BOR6.N5
Ye+, You4 (ono4. I @3-- no5 +e<on' +&. 2sic7 .e+ 5:e Goo' Ju+53<e, 9u5 @:&5 3+ 8-&3n 3+ @e '3' no5 &>4ee 5o
5:e 84o63+3on&- '3+=3++&-, ne35:e4 @e4e @e &+1e' 5o +3>n &n. &++en5 5o 5:e 84o63+3on&- '3+=3++&-.
).S6ICE G.ERRERO5
If "o' did not a%ree to t/e provisional dis#issal, did "o' not file an" #otion for reonsideration of t/e order of
)'d%e A%nir, H)r.I t/at t/e ase s/o'ld ,e dis#issedS
A66>. BOR6.N5
I '3' no5, You4 (ono4, 9e<&u+e I 1ne@ ;u--. @e-- &5 5:&5 53=e 5:&5 =. <-3en5 :&' &-4e&'. 9een &44&3>ne', &n'
5:e &44&3>n=en5 @&+ 6&-3' &+ ;&4 &+ I @&+ <on<e4ne'. So, 5:e '3+=3++&-, You4 (ono4, 9. Ju'>e A>n34
o8e4&5e' 5o 9ene;35 =e, &n' 5:e4e;o4e I '3' no5 5&1e &n. ;u45:e4 +5e8 3n &''353on 5o 4o<13n> 5:e 9o&5 o4
<-&43;.3n> 5:e =&55e4 ;u45:e4 9e<&u+e 35 84o9&9-. <ou-' 84eDu'3<e 5:e 3n5e4e+5 o; =. <-3en5.
).S6ICE G.ERRERO5
Contin'e.
81
In /is #e#orand'#, in lie' of t/e oral ar%'#ent filed (it/ t/e Co'rt of Appeals, t/e respondent delared in no 'nertain
ter#s t/at5
Soon t/ereafter, t/e SC in earl" 1999 rendered a deision delarin% t/e Sandi%an,a"an (it/o't 9'risdition over t/e
ases. 6/e reords (ere re#anded to t/e CC R6C. .pon raffle, t/e ase (as assi%ned to &ran/ 91. !etitioner and t/e
ot/ers pro#ptl" filed a #otion for 9'diial deter#ination of pro,a,le a'se 1AnneF &2. :e as;ed t/at (arrants for /is arrest
not ,e iss'ed. :e did not #ove for t/e dis#issal of t/e Infor#ations, ontrar" to respondent OSGDs lai#.
87
Setion 8, R'le 179 of t/e Revised R'les of Co'rt reads5
Se. 8. )'diial ad#issions. K An ad#ission, ver,al or (ritten, #ade ," a part" in t/e o'rse of t/e proeedin%s in t/e
sa#e ase, does not re*'ire proof. 6/e ad#ission #a" ,e ontradited onl" ," s/o(in% t/at it (as #ade t/ro'%/
palpa,le #ista;e or t/at no s'/ ad#ission (as #ade.
A 9'diial ad#ission is a for#al state#ent #ade eit/er ," a part" or /is or /er attorne", in t/e o'rse of 9'diial proeedin%
(/i/ re#oves an ad#itted fat fro# t/e field of ontrovers". It is a vol'ntar" onession of fat ," a part" or a part"Ds
attorne" d'rin% s'/ 9'diial proeedin%s, inl'din% ad#issions in pleadin%s #ade ," a part".
80
It #a" o'r at an" point
d'rin% t/e liti%ation proess. An ad#ission in open o'rt is a 9'diial ad#ission.
88
A 9'diial ad#ission ,inds t/e lient even
if #ade ," /is o'nsel.
8=
As delared ," t/is Co'rt5
38
... HIIn fat, A9'diial ad#issions are fre*'entl" t/ose of o'nsel or of attorne" of reord, (/o is, for t/e p'rpose of t/e trial,
t/e a%ent of /is lient. ?/en s'/ ad#issions are #ade ... for t/e p'rpose of dispensin% (it/ proof of so#e fat, ... t/e"
,ind t/e lient, (/et/er #ade d'rin%, or even after t/e trial.A
8@
?/en t/e respondent ad#itted t/at /e did not #ove for t/e dis#issal of Cri#inal Cases Nos. C499481@79 to C499481@89
in /is #otion for a 9'diial deter#ination of pro,a,le a'se, and t/at /e did not %ive /is eFpress onsent to t/e provisional
dis#issal of t/e said ases, /e in fat ad#itted t/at one of t/e essential re*'isites of Setion 8, R'le 117 (as a,sent.
6/e respondentDs ontention t/at /is ad#issions #ade in /is pleadin%s and d'rin% t/e /earin% in t/e CA annot ,e 'sed
in t/e present ase as t/e" (ere #ade in t/e o'rse of a different proeedin% does not /old (ater. It s/o'ld ,e ,orne in
#ind t/at t/e proeedin%s ,efore t/e Co'rt (as ," (a" of an appeal 'nder R'le 8= of t/e R'les of Co'rt, as a#ended,
fro# t/e proeedin%s in t/e CAG as s'/, t/e present reo'rse is ,'t a #ere ontin'ation of t/e proeedin%s in t/e
appellate o'rt. 6/is is not a ne( trial, ,'t a revie( of proeedin%s (/i/ o##ened fro# t/e trial o'rt, (/i/ later
passed t/ro'%/ t/e CA. 6/e respondent is ,o'nd ," t/e 9'diial ad#issions /e #ade in t/e CA, and s'/ ad#issions so
/old /i# in t/e proeedin%s ,efore t/is Co'rt. As ate%oriall" stated in :a,e;er v. Clar; E*'ip#ent Co#pan"5
87
... H)I'diial ad#issions on iss'es of fat, inl'din% t/ose #ade ," o'nsel on ,e/alf of a lient d'rin% a trial, are ,indin%
Afor t/e p'rpose of t/e ase ... inl'din% appeals.A
?/ile it #a" ,e tr'e t/at t/e trial o'rt #a" provisionall" dis#iss a ri#inal ase if it finds no pro,a,le a'se, a,sent t/e
eFpress onsent of t/e a'sed to s'/ provisional dis#issal, t/e latter annot t/ereafter invo;e Setion 8 to ,ar a revival
t/ereof. Neit/er #a" t/e a'sed do so si#pl" ,ea'se t/e p',li prose'tor did not o,9et to a #otion of t/e a'sed for
a 9'diial deter#ination of pro,a,le a'se or file a #otion for t/e reonsideration of t/e order of dis#issal of t/e ase.
Even a 'rsor" readin% of t/e respondentDs #otion for a 9'diial deter#ination of pro,a,le a'se (ill s/o( t/at it
ontained no alle%ation t/at t/ere (as no pro,a,le a'se for t/e iss'ane of a (arrant for t/e respondentDs arrest as a
pra"er for t/e dis#issal of t/e ases. 6/e respondent (as onl" as;in% t/e o'rt to deter#ine (/et/er or not t/ere (as
pro,a,le a'se for t/e iss'ane of a (arrant for /is arrest and in t/e #eanti#e, to /old in a,e"ane t/e iss'ane of t/e
said (arrant. Case la( /as it t/at a pra"er for e*'ita,le relief is of no avail, 'nless t/e petition states fats (/i/ (ill
a't/ori+e t/e o'rt to %rant s'/ relief.
88
A o'rt annot set itself in #otion, nor /as it po(er to deide *'estions eFept as
presented ," t/e parties in t/eir pleadin%s. An"t/in% t/at is resolved or deided ,e"ond t/e# is ora# non 9'die and
void.
89
6/ird. 6/ere is no need for t/e Co'rt to re#and t/e instant ase to t/e trial o'rt to ena,le t/e respondent to add'e post
fato evidene t/at t/e re*'isite noties 'nder Setion 8 /ad ,een o#plied (it/ ," )'d%e A%nir, )r. 6/e Co'rt /as
t/oro'%/l" eFa#ined t/e vol'#ino's reords fro# t/e Sandi%an,a"an and t/e R6C
=3
and fo'nd no proof t/at t/e re*'isite
noties (ere even served on all t/e /eirs of t/e viti#s. 6/e respondent /i#self ad#itted t/at, as /eld ," t/is Co'rt, in its
$a" 78, 7337 Resol'tion, A)'d%e A%nir, )r. o'ld not /ave o#plied (it/ t/e #andate 'nder Setion 8 ,ea'se said r'le
/ad "et to eFist.A
=1
One final #atter. 6/e reords s/o( t/at Cri#inal Cases Nos. 314131137 to 314131117 (ere assi%ned, t/ro'%/ t/e
'sto#ar" raffle of ases, to &ran/ 81 of t/e R6C of C'e+on Cit", t/e sa#e ,ran/ (/i/ dis#issed Cri#inal Cases
Nos. 99481@79 to 99481@89.
=7
In t/e April 1, 7330 Resol'tion of t/e Co'rt, t/e !residin% )'d%e of &ran/ 81 of t/e R6C of
C'e+on Cit" (as direted to tr" and deide Cri#inal Cases Nos. 314131137 to 314131117 (it/ reasona,le dispat/. 6/e
Co'rt notes, /o(ever, t/at in Ad#inistrative Order No. 13849@, it desi%nated siF ,ran/es of t/e R6C of C'e+on Cit"
=0
as
speial o'rts, eFl'sivel" to tr" and deide /eino's ri#es 'nder Rep. At No. 7@=9. Sine t/e a'sed in t/e said ases
are /ar%ed (it/ #'rder, (/i/ 'nder Rep. At No. 7@=9, is lassified as a /eino's ri#e, t/e a,ove ases s/o'ld ,e
onsolidated and re4raffled ," t/e EFe'tive )'d%e of t/e R6C of C'e+on Cit" to a ,ran/ t/ereof desi%nated as a speial
o'rt, eFl'sivel" to tr" and deide /eino's ri#es.
IN LIG(T OF ALL T(E FOREGOING, respondent !anfilo $. -asonDs O#ni,'s $otion and $otion to Set for Oral
Ar%'#ents are DENIED. 6/e respondentDs $otion for Reonsideration and its S'pple#ent are DENIED ?I6: BINA-I6>.
6/e EFe'tive )'d%e of t/e Re%ional 6rial Co'rt of C'e+on Cit" is /ere," DIREC6ED to CONSO-IDA6E Cri#inal Cases
Nos. 314131137 to 314131117 and to RE4RABB-E t/e sa#e (it/ dispat/ to one of t/e ,ran/es of t/e Re%ional 6rial
Co'rt of C'e+on Cit" desi%nated as a speial o'rt, eFl'sivel" to tr" and deide /eino's ri#es.
SO ORDERED.
39
G.R. No+. 14B6A0*A2 O<5o9e4 16, 2003
PEOPLE OF T(E P(ILIPPINES, appellee, vs. RODOLFO S. PEPITO, appellant.
D E C I S I O N
PER CURIAMG
RODO-BO S. !E!I6O (as fo'nd %'ilt" ," t/e o'rt a +uo of t/ree 102 o'nts of rape perpetrated a%ainst /is o(n
da'%/ter )el"n. Bor ea/ o'nt, /e (as sentened to deat/ and ordered to inde#nif" )el"n !=3,333.33 as #oral
da#a%es and !7=,333.33 as eFe#plar" da#a%es.
1
6/is ase is no( ,efore 's on a'to#ati revie( p'rs'ant to la(.
40
6/e prose'tion ,'ilt its ase aro'nd t/e testi#onies of five 1=2 (itnesses5 private o#plainant )el"n !epito, $edial
Offier Dr. Efrai# Collado, DS?D Soial ?or;er -ili,et/ Santos4!alinis, a'sedDs #aternal /alf4,rot/er )osep/
Braniso, and a'sedDs "o'n%er sister )oel"n &'eno. C'lled fro# t/eir testi#onies, )el"nDs alvar" started (/en s/e
(as ei%/t 182 "ears old. &orn on 77 A'%'st 1983
7
)el"n is t/e eldest of seven 172 /ildren of t/e a'sed Rodolfo S.
!epito and /is (ife 6/el#a !epito. S/e lived (it/ /er parents, /er t/ree 102 ,rot/ers and t/ree 102 sisters in &aran%a"
&alani, Sen. Nino" A*'ino, S'ltan E'darat.
0
6/e" /ad a far# in Eali,'/an, !ali#,an%, S'ltan E'darat, (/i/ served as
t/eir fa#il" /o#estead.
)el"n onl" rea/ed Grade V. S/e (as not a,le to finis/ /er ele#entar" ed'ation. Sine s/e (as ei%/t 182 /er fat/er /ad
alread" ,een #olestin% /er, ;issin% /er and pla"in% (it/ /er ,reasts and private parts.
8
6/is episode in /er life (as ;no(n
to /er #ot/er (/o /ose to i%nore it o't of fear of /er fat/er. :e (o'ld t/reaten ,ot/ of t/e# (it/ a %'n.
=
It (as onl" (/en
)el"n (as nearin% /er fifteent/ 11=t/2 ,irt/da" t/at /er fat/er finall" ons'##ated /is seF'al assa'lt on /er (/i/
ontin'ed 'ntil 03 A'%'st 1997.
In /er s'pple#ental s(orn state#ent,
@
)el"n delared t/at of t/e #an" ti#es /er fat/er a,'sed /er s/e o'ld onl"
re#e#,er vividl" t/ree 102 instanes5 on 7@ )'l" 199= (/en s/e (as raped ," /er fat/er for t/e first ti#eG on 9 )'ne 199@
(/en s/e (as raped d'rin% t/e ,irt/da" of /er "o'n%est sister )e#a"deG
7
and, on 03 A'%'st 1997 ,ein% t/e last ti#e /er
fat/er raped /er.
)el"n (as onl" fo'rteen 1182 (/en /er fat/er first seF'all" a,'sed /er. It /appened in t/e evenin% of 7@ )'l" 199= (/en
/er ,rot/ers Rino, Ronillo, Ro#" and sisters )ovel"n and )onavie (ere sleepin% (it/ /er inside t/eir roo# in &aran%a"
&alani, Sen. Nino" A*'ino, S'ltan E'darat, (/ile /er "o'n%est sister )e#a"de slept (it/ t/eir #ot/er in anot/er roo#.
)el"n (as a(a;ened (/en s/e felt so#e,od", (/o# s/e later reo%ni+ed to ,e /er fat/er, to'/ed /er ,reasts and
private parts. )el"n str'%%led and tried to a(a;en /er ,rot/ers and sisters ,'t t/e a'sed p's/ed t/e# a(a" fro# /er
and (arned /er not to #ove. :e pinned do(n /er /ands and ;nees, overed /er #o't/ (it/ /is /ands and t/reatened to
;ill /er (/en s/e atte#pted to s/o't.
8
6/ere'pon, /e ordered /er to re#ove /er 'nder(ear. ?/en s/e ref'sed /e ,oFed
/er in t/e a,do#en. After re#ovin% /er 'nder(ear and s/ort pants, /e #o'nted /er and inserted /is penis ," fore into
/er va%ina. )el"n felt pain. 6/e a'sed si#'ltaneo'sl" #assa%ed and s';ed /er ,reasts and #ade a p's/ and p'll
#ove#ent a,ove /er for a,o't five 1=2 #in'tes.
9
After satisf"in% /is l'st, /e %ot 'p and (ent to t/e ot/er roo# to sleep
(it/ /er #ot/er. 6/e follo(in% #ornin% )el"n onfided to /er #ot/er (/at /appened to /er t/e ni%/t ,efore. &'t /er
#ot/er did not reat aordin%l" for fear t/at t/e a'sed #i%/t ;ill t/e#.
13
On 9 )'ne 199@, ,irt/da" of )el"nDs "o'n%er sister )e#a"de, t/e a'sed a%ain seF'all" assa'lted )el"n (/o (as t/en
sleepin% in t/e sa#e roo# (it/ /er ,rot/ers Ronillo and Ro#" and sisters )ovel"n and )onavie. So#e,od" t'rned off t/e
li%/t and entered t/e roo#. It (as /er fat/er. :e raised /er 64s/irt, re#oved /er 'nder(ear and s/ort pants, to'/ed /er
,reasts and private parts, spread /er le%s, #o'nted /er and fori,l" inserted /is penis into /er va%ina. S/e resisted ,'t
/er fat/er /eld /er on ,ot/ /ands. )el"n a%ain felt pain as /er fat/er did t/e p's/ and p'll #ove#ent on top of /er.
11
:e
(arned /er not to s/o't. ?it/ /is %'n, s/e o'ld no lon%er resist /i#.
17
After t/e a'sed (as t/ro'%/ (it/ /er, /e
ret'rned to t/e ot/er roo# (/i/ /e s/ared (it/ /er #ot/er. 6/e follo(in% #ornin% )el"n tried to tell /er #ot/er a%ain
a,o't t/e inident, ,'t ,ea'se of fear /er #ot/er o'ld onl" advise /er not to infor# an",od" a,o't (/at /appened to
/er.
10
In t/e evenin% of 03 A'%'st 1997, after o#in% fro# a fo'r 1824/o'r trip ," foot to plant orn in Eali,'/an, !ali#,an%, (it/
/er #ot/er and sister )e#a"de, anot/er inident /appened.
18
?/ile sleepin% ,eside /er sister on t/e floor of t/eir /'t and
a,o't /alf a #eter a(a" fro# /er #ot/er, /er fat/er (/o (as sleepin% (it/ /er #ot/er #oved to /er 1)el"n2 side and
(it/o't /er onsent re#oved /er lon% pants and 'nder(ear. S/e p's/ed /i# a(a" ,'t /e ,oFed /er. It (as so stron% t/at
it a'sed /er to ,'#p a post (/i/ rendered /er 'nonsio's. &'t ,efore s/e ,la;ed o't, )el"n (as a,le to (a;e
)e#a"de 'p (/o ,it and ;i;ed t/eir fat/er (/o (as in t/e at of seF'all" a,'sin% )el"n.
&efore appellant o'ld satisf" /is l'st, )el"n re%ained onsio'sness.3awp@i3.nEt 6/eir #ot/er inidentall" (o;e 'p and
sa( (/at /e (as doin% to t/eir da'%/ter. )el"nDs #ot/er atte#pted to o#e to /er side ,'t t/e a'sed t/reatened /er
(it/ /is %'n. :er #ot/er o'ld not do an"t/in%. :er sister as;ed t/e a'sed (/at /e (as doin% to )el"n and /e said t/at
/e (as ridin% 1,sa'ay5sa'ay,2 )el"n. After /is le/er", t/e a'sed la" do(n ,eside )el"n ,'t /er #ot/er p's/ed /i# and
positioned /erself ,et(een t/e#. )el"n (as not a,le to sleep d'e to ,od" pains a'sed ," /er fat/er. &'t s/e /ad to ;eep
t/e #atter to /erself ,ea'se s/e (as afraid of /er fat/er.
1=
So#eti#e in Nove#,er 1997 )el"nDs 'nle, )osep/ Braniso, #aternal /alf4,rot/er of /er fat/er and (/o fre*'entl"
visited t/e# in t/eir /o'se in &aran%a" &alani, notied t/at )el"n loo;ed pale and oftenti#es na'seated. )osep/ fo'nd
o't later on t/ro'%/ a A/ilotA s'##oned ," /is %rand#ot/er t/at )el"n (as pre%nant. :e ,ro'%/t )el"n to t/e C'i9ano
41
Clini in 6a'ron%, S'ltan E'darat, for pre%nan" test
1@
and t/e res'lt onfir#ed /er pre%nan". On @ Dee#,er 1997
)el"n onfided to /er 'nle t/e seF'al a,'ses s/e s'ffered in t/e /ands of /er o(n fat/er.
17
)osep/ ,ro'%/t )el"n ,a; to &aran%a" &alani. On 11 Dee#,er 1997 /e entr'sted /er to /er a'nt )oel"n &'eno, /is
/alf4sister. Bort/(it/ t/e" reported t/e seF'al assa'lts to t/e $'niipal !olie of Sen. Nino" A*'ino and /ad t/e# entered
in t/e polie ,lotter. )oel"n revealed to t/e polie t/at /er ,rot/er, t/e a'sed, /ad even atte#pted to seF'all" assa'lt
/er (/en s/e (as still sin%le alt/o'%/ s/e (as a,le to rep'lse /i#.
6/e a'sed (as arrested on 1@ Dee#,er 1997.
18
Event'all", t/e appropriate Infor#ation (as filed a%ainst /i# in t/e
Re%ional 6rial Co'rt of Is'lan, S'ltan E'darat, for #'ltiple rape.
19
Dr. Efrai# Collado, $edial Offier V of t/e $'niipal :ealt/ Offie of t/e $'niipalit" of 6a'ron%, testified t/at /e
eFa#ined )el"n on 9 )an'ar" 1998 and fo'nd t/at )el"n (as approFi#atel" in /er siFteent/ 11@t/2 (ee; of %estation. No
f'rt/er internal eFa#ination (as neessar" to prove t/e presene of laerations as Dr. Collado felt t/at t/is (as
i##aterial onsiderin% t/at t/e viti# (as alread" pre%nant.
73
On 1@ )an'ar" 1998 /er a'nt )oel"n &'eno ,ro'%/t )el"n to t/e DS?D ,ea'se /er #ot/er tried to onvine t/e# to
(it/dra( t/e ase and a,ort t/e pre%nan".
71
)el"n and /er a'nt (ere #et and ad#itted ," Soial ?or;er -ili,et/ Santos4
!alinis t/ro'%/ Soial ?or;er $el,a So'ri,io of 6a'ron%, S'ltan E'darat.
On 78 $ar/ 1998 (/ile 'nder t/e 'stod" of t/e DS?D, )el"n %ave ,irt/ to An%elo Ernesto !epito (/o died t/e
follo(in% da". Aordin% to Soial ?or;er Santos4!alinis, )el"nDs #ot/er (as not s'pportive of t/e ase a%ainst t/e
a'sed.
77
D'rin% t/e arrai%n#ent on 7= Septe#,er 1998, t/e trial o'rt #ade t/e o,servation t/at t/e ases to ,e filed a%ainst t/e
a'sed s/o'ld ,e as #an" as t/ere (ere inidents of rape o##itted instead si#pl" of #'ltiple rape. 6/'s, t/e
prose'tion #oved to defer t/e arrai%n#ent of t/e a'sed in order to ond't f'rt/er in*'ir" for t/e filin% of t/e proper
infor#ations. Aordin%l", t/e Infor#ation for #'ltiple rape a%ainst t/e a'sed (as a#ended to onfor# to t/e evidene.
An a#ended Infor#ation 1Cri#. Case No. 78912
70
and t(o 172 additional Infor#ations for rape 1Cri#. Case Nos. 7=78 and
7=792
78
(ere filed a%ainst t/e a'sed.
On 7 Dee#,er 1998 t/e a'sed pleaded not %'ilt" to ea/ of t/e /ar%es a%ainst /i#. On #otion of t/e prose'tion
and t/e defense, a 9oint pre4trial and trial of t/e ases (as %ranted. At t/e pre4trial, t/e defense ad#itted t/at private
o#plainant )el"n !epito (as t/e da'%/ter of t/e a'sed Rodolfo S. !epito and t/at )el"n !epito (as onl" fifteen 11=2
"ears old (/en s/e (as first raped ," /er fat/er.
Bor t/e defense, onl" t/e a'sed Rodolfo S. !epito and /is (ife 6/el#a testified. Rodolfo raised t/e defense of denial
and ali,i pl's t/e fat t/at /e o'ld not seF'all" a,'se /is o(n da'%/ter. :e averred t/at for five 1=2 "ears sine 1997 /e
lived in Sitio !'tin% &ato, Eali,'/an, !ali#,an%, S'ltan E'darat, (/ile /is fa#il" (as left ,e/ind in &aran%a" &alani. :e
visited /is fa#il" one or t(ie a "ear d'rin% t/e fiesta on 13 )an'ar" and t/e rie festival on 13 Oto,er. :e onfir#ed
t/e fat t/at it (o'ld ta;e fo'r 182 /o'rs ," (al;in% to rea/ &aran%a" &alani fro# Eali,'/an, a distane of so#e t/irteen
1102 ;ilo#eters.3Gvvp@i3.net
On t/e dates of t/e rapes /ar%ed a%ainst /i#, t/e a'sed lai#ed /e (as (or;in% in /is far#. On 7@ )'l" 199= /e (as
in Eali,'/an and (as not a,le to visit /is fa#il" in &anali d'rin% said #ont/. On 9 )'ne 199@ /e (as also in Eali,'/an
(or;in% in /is far#. On 03 A'%'st 1997 /e (as still in Eali,'/an ,'t /is (ife, to%et/er (it/ t/eir /ildren )el"n, Ronillo,
Ro#", )ovel"n and )e#a"de and so#e of /is nep/e(s and niees, (as t/ere (it/ /i# to ele,rate RonilloDs ,irt/da". 6/e
part" started at siF oDlo; in t/e evenin% and ended at #idni%/t. :e asserted t/at /e o'ld not /ave raped )el"n at t/at
ti#e for t/ere (ere #an" people (it/ t/e# and so#e of t/e# even slept in t/eir /'t. :e also #aintained t/at /is (ife (as
not afraid of /i#. On t/e ontrar", it (as s/e (/o (o'ld /ase /i# (it/ a ,olo ever" ti#e s/e %ot #ad at /i#.
B'rt/er#ore, /e lai#ed t/at /is sister )oel"n &'eno onl" onoted t/e rape tales as s/e /ar,ored a %r'd%e a%ainst
/i#. ?/en &'eno sa( /i# at t/e polie station after /is arrest, s/e ,oFed and str'; /i# on /is s/o'lders s/o'tin%
A,ea'se of #" lon% %r'd%e a%ainst "o', I /ad alread" ta;en reven%e a%ainst "o'.A
7=
6/el#a !epito, #ot/er of )el"n, testified t/at on 7@ )'l" 199= and 9 )'ne 199@ s/e and /er seven 172 /ildren (ere in
&aran%a" &alani (/ile /er /'s,and (as in Eali,'/an (or;in% in t/eir far#. 6/'s, /er /'s,and o'ld not /ave raped
)el"n. On 03 A'%'st 1997 s/e (ent to Eali,'/an (it/ )el"n, Ronillo, )ovel"n and )e#a"de to ele,rate t/e ,irt/da" of
Ronillo. 6/eir /ildren, inl'din% )el"n, slept in t/eir far#/o'se. :er /'s,and did not and o'ld not /ave seF'all" a,'sed
)el"n A,ea'se (e (ere #an" in o'r /o'se at t/at ti#e.A 6/el#a ve/e#entl" denied /avin% ,een told ," )el"n t/at /er
42
fat/er /ad raped /er or t/at s/e /ad (itnessed /er /'s,and seF'all" a,'sin% )el"n. S/e li;e(ise delared t/at s/e (as
not afraid of /er /'s,and ,ea'se it (as even s/e (/o (o'ld r'n after /i# (it/ a ,olo.
7@
On re,'ttal, t/e prose'tion presented )el"n ane(. S/e delared t/at t/e a'sed (as in t/eir /o'se in &aran%a" &alani
on 7@ )'l" 199= and sta"ed t/ere for a (ee;. On 9 )'ne 199@ t/e a'sed (as a%ain in &aran%a" &alani and re#ained
t/ere for a (ee;. B'rt/er, on 03 A'%'st 1997 s/e (as in Eali,'/an to ele,rate /er ,rot/er RonilloDs ,irt/da". It (as tr'e
t/at t/ere (ere visitors (/o attended t/e part" ,'t t/e" all (ent /o#e soon after.
77
On 1= Dee#,er 7333 t/e trial o'rt fo'nd t/e a'sed Rodolfo !epito %'ilt" ,e"ond reasona,le do',t of t/ree 102
o'nts of rape o##itted a%ainst /is #inor da'%/ter )el"n and sentened /i# to deat/ for ea/ o'nt.
Appellant !epito no( ontends t/at t/e trial o'rt erred in onvitin% /i# of t/ree 102 o'nts of rape as /ar%ed in t/ree
102 separate Infor#ations despite t/e eFistene of so#e for# of onsent on t/e part of t/e viti# (/i/ neessaril"
reated reasona,le do',t on /is %'ilt. :e li;e(ise lai#s t/at t/e trial o'rt erred in i#posin% t/e deat/
penalt".3awp@i3.nEt
In /is first assi%ned error, appellant /arps on t/e la; of resistane and str'%%le eFerted ," t/e private o#plainant d'rin%
t/e t/ree 102 oasions s/e (as s'pposedl" a,'sed. :e avers t/at /e (as a,le to s'eed in plain% /i#self on top of
)el"n onsiderin% t/at as s/o(n in t/e first and seond inidents of rape, t/ere (as no tenaio's o,9etion on /er part. :e
asseverates f'rt/er t/at )el"n o'ld /ave ;i;ed /i# or ;ept on str'%%lin% 'ntil s'/ ti#e t/at /e (o'ld desist fro# /is
seF'al assa'lt or s/e o'ld /ave s/o'ted for /elp so t/at /er ,rot/ers and sisters (o'ld ,e a(a;ened. :er o#port#ent
s/o(ed a passive rat/er t/an deter#ined resistane. B'rt/er#ore, /e states t/at t/is is ontrar" to t/e r'le t/at t/e
offended part" in rape ases #'st p't 'p so#e resistane to protet /er /astit", not onl" at t/e initial sta%e of t/e assa'lt
,'t d'rin% all t/e ti#e t/at t/e dastardl" at is ,ein% done to /er. :e %a'%es s'/ at'ation as tanta#o'nt to onsent,
t/'s #a;in% /is onvition for t/ree 102 o'nts of rape erroneo's.
?e are not pers'aded. S'/ t/eor" of appellant is 'navailin%, as it is ,elied ," t/e testi#on" of )el"n t/at s/e str'%%led
a%ainst /is seF'al advanes ," tr"in% to s/o't and atte#ptin% to a(a;en /er si,lin%s (/o (ere (it/ /er in t/e roo#.
.ndo',tedl", s'/ resistane ne%ates onsent. &esides, it is /i%/l" inoneiva,le t/at )el"n (o'ld si#pl" "ield to t/e
,estial desires of /er o(n fat/er /ad not /er resistane ,een overpo(ered. Contrar" to appellantDs ontention, fail're to
s/o't or offer tenaio's resistane does not #a;e vol'ntar" t/e viti#Ds s',#ission to /is ri#inal ats onsiderin% t/at
/e (as /er fat/er (/o /as %reat #oral asendan" over /er.
Resistane is not an ele#ent of rape and t/e a,sene t/ereof is not tanta#o'nt to onsent.
78
6/reat or inti#idation
e#plo"ed ," rapists a%ainst t/eir viti#s, espeiall" (/en t/e" are #inors 1in t/is ase t/e rapistDs o(n #inor da'%/ter2 is
s'/ as to easil" fore t/e latter into s',#ission. !/"sial resistane need not ,e esta,lis/ed in rape (/en inti#idation is
eFerised 'pon t/e viti# and t/e latter "ields /erself a%ainst /er (ill ,ea'se of fear for /er life and personal safet".
79
In t/e ase at ,ar, it is onvinin% t/at a %irl ,elo( t/e a%e of ei%/teen 1182, espeiall" one in )el"nDs ir'#stanes, (o'ld
pereive t/e t/reats on /er to ,e espeiall" inti#idatin%. Inti#idation is addressed to t/e #ind of t/e viti# and, ,ein%
s',9etive, its presene annot ,e tested ," an" /ard4and4fast r'le ,'t s/o'ld instead ,e vie(ed in li%/t of t/e viti#Ds
pereption and 9'd%#ent at t/e ti#e of t/e o##ission of t/e ri#e.
03
In an" event, it is (ort/" to note t/at appellant
eFerised #oral asendan" over /er. :e (as /er fat/er and t/e #an of t/e /o'se. 6/'s, it (as not /ard for /i# to
fri%/ten /er and for /er to easil" %ive in.
In revie( of rape ases, (e /ave ,een %'ided ," ertain preepts. *irst, an a'sation of rape an ,e #ade (it/ failit". It
#a" ,e diffi'lt to prove, ,'t it is even #ore diffi'lt for t/e a'sed, t/o'%/ innoent, to disprove.Second, t/e
o#plainantDs testi#on" #'st ,e sr'tini+ed (it/ eFtre#e a'tion. 6/is priniple finds its ,asis in t/e ver" nat're of t/e
ri#e (/ere 's'all" onl" t(o 172 persons are involved. T@ird, t/e evidene for t/e prose'tion #'st stand or fall on its
o(n #erits and annot ,e allo(ed to dra( stren%t/ fro# t/e (ea;ness of t/e evidene for t/e defense.
01
?e /ave delved t/ro'%/ t/e reords of t/e ase, espeiall" )el"nDs testi#on", and (e find no reason to do',t t/at s/e
(as tellin% t/e tr't/ (/en s/e delared t/at /er fat/er /ad raped /er. No "o'n% %irl, indeed, (o'ld onot a sordid tale of
so serio's a ri#e as rape at t/e /ands of /er o(n fat/er, 'nder%o #edial eFa#ination, t/en s',9et /erself to t/e
sti%#a and e#,arrass#ent of a p',li trial, if /er #otive (ere ot/er t/an an earnest desire to see; 9'stie.
07
6/is /olds
tr'e espeiall" (/ere t/e o#plainant is a #inor, (/ose testi#on" deserves f'll redene. And s'/ redi,ilit" is definitel"
stren%t/ened (/en t/e a'sin% fin%er is pointed at a lose relative.
00
6/e o'rt need onl" to esta,lis/ t/e redi,ilit" of t/e
viti#.
43
$oreover, it /as ,een s/o(n t/at )el"n (as tre#,lin% and in tears d'rin% /er diret and ross4eFa#inations. S'/ displa"
of ra( e#otions indiates t/e pain and /'#iliation t/at s/e felt as s/e reo'nted t/e details of /er sordid
eFperiene.
08
6/e fat t/at )el"nDs o(n #ot/er testified in t/e a'sedDs defense does not render /er tale an" less tr'e. In
fat, 'nder t/e ir'#stanes, /er #ot/er s/o'ld ,e onde#ned for ass'#in% s'/ stane to t/e pre9'die of /er o(n
innoent #inor da'%/ter. It is a sad realit" of life t/at so#e #ot/ers at'all" /oose to s'ffer in silene (it/ t/eir
da'%/ters rat/er t/an ris; e#,arrass#ent of p',li trial and, for t/ose in t/e #ar%inali+ed setor, ris; losin% t/eir #eans
of s'pport (/en t/eir ,read(inner /'s,ands land in 9ail.
0=
B'rt/er, appellantDs i#p'tation of ill #otive on /is sister )oel"n &'eno is an at of 'tter f'tilit". 6/at /is sister (/o /as a
lon% standin% ani#osit" to(ard /i# alle%edl" fa,riated t/e rape /ar%es t/'s #a;in% false )el"nDs a'sations, is /is
f'tile atte#pt at eF'lpation. 6/is s/o(s /is despair for a redi,le defense. Ba#il" resent#ent, reven%e or fe'd /as never
s(a"ed t/is Co'rt fro# %ivin% f'll redene to t/e testi#on" of a o#plainant for rape,
0@
espeiall" a #inor li;e )el"n, (/o
re#ained steadfast in /er testi#on" t/at s/e (as repeatedl" seF'all" a,'sed. All told, t/e trial o'rt o,served t/at t/e
testi#on" of )el"n (as %iven in a onvinin% #anner and d'l" orro,orated ," t/e events (/i/ follo(ed after s/e (as
raped. ?e see no reason to depart fro# t/ese findin%s.
6/at appellant o'ld not defile /is o(n seed and ravis/ /er on t/ree 102 different oasions in t/e presene of /is fa#il" is
a ref'tation (/i/ is ,ot/ d',io's and e%otisti. AppellantDs denial is 'ns',stantiated ," lear and onvinin% evidene,
/ene deserves no (ei%/t in la( and annot ,e %iven %reater evidentiar" val'e t/an t/e testi#on" of a redi,le (itness
(/o testified on affir#ative #atters.
07
Contrar" to appellantDs ontention, rape is not rendered i#possi,le si#pl" ,ea'se t/e si,lin%s of t/e viti# (/o (ere
(it/ /er in t/at s#all roo# (ere not a(a;ened d'rin% its o##ission. -'st /as no re%ard for ti#e and plae. -i;e(ise,
t/ere is no r'le t/at rape an onl" ,e o##itted in sel'sion.3Jvvp@i3.nEt In fat, rape /as ,een done even in plaes
(/ere people %at/er or (/en t/ere are ot/er o'pants in t/e sa#e roo# or (/ere ot/er #e#,ers of t/e fa#il" are also
sleepin%. $oreover, "o'n% /ildren sleep #ore so'ndl" t/an %ro(n4'ps and t/e" are not easil" a(a;ened ," ad'lt
eFertions, %"rations or s'spirations in t/e ni%/t.
08
-i;e(ise, t/e ali,i of appellant t/at /e (as far#in% in Eali,'/an and (as not a,le to visit /is fa#il" at t/e alle%ed date of
t/e first and seond inidents is p'erile. Bor /is ali,i to prosper, /e #'st not onl" prove /is presene at anot/er plae at
t/e ti#e of t/e o##ission of t/e offense, ,'t /e #'st de#onstrate t/at it (o'ld ,e p/"siall" i#possi,le for /i# to ,e at
t/e locus criminis at t/e ti#e of t/e o##ission of t/e ri#e.
09
Sine &aran%a" &anali is 9'st a fo'r 1824/o'r (al; fro#
Eali,'/an appellant (as not so far a(a" t/at /e o'ld not /ave ,een p/"siall" present at t/e ri#e sene at t/e ti#e of
its o##ission.
In /is seond assi%ned error, appellant lai#s t/at t/e trial o'rt erred in sentenin% /i# to deat/. Artile 00= of T@e
)evised Penal Code, as a#ended ," Se. 11 of RA 7@=9, provides inter alia t/at t/e deat/ penalt" s/all ,e i#posed if t/e
ri#e of rape is o##itted (/en t/e viti# is 'nder ei%/teen 1182 "ears of a%e and t/e offender is a parent, asendant,
step4parent, %'ardian, relative ," onsan%'init" or affinit" (it/in t/e t/ird ivil de%ree, or t/e o##on4la( spo'se of t/e
parent of t/e viti#. !'rs'ant t/ereto, t/e *'alif"in% ir'#stanes of relations/ip and #inorit" #'st on'r. &ot/
*'alif"in% ir'#stanes #'st ,e alle%ed in t/e infor#ation and proved d'rin% t/e trial. As t/ese ir'#stanes raise t/e
penalt" of t/e ri#e to deat/, eFtre#e are #'st ,e eFerised in t/eir eval'ation.
83
On t/is point, t/e trial o'rt is orret. 6/e Infor#ations alle%ed ,ot/ t/e #inorit" of t/e viti# and /er relations/ip (it/
appellant. 6/e pre4trial order s/o(ed t/at relations/ip (as d'l" esta,lis/ed (it/ appellant ad#ittin% ate%oriall" t/at /e
is t/e fat/er of )el"n. 6/e #inorit" of )el"n (as li;e(ise esta,lis/ed (/en t/e defense ad#itted t/e fat t/at )el"n (as
raped (/en s/e (as onl" fifteen 11=2 "ears of a%e.
.nder Se. 8, R'le 118 of T@e )evised )ules of Criminal Procedure, after t/e pre4trial onferene, t/e o'rt s/all iss'e an
order reitin% t/e ations ta;en, t/e fats stip'lated, and evidene #ar;ed. S'/ order s/all bind t/e parties, li#it t/e trial
to #atters not disposed of and ontrol t/e o'rse of t/e ation d'rin% t/e trial, 'nless #odified ," t/e o'rt to prevent
#anifest in9'stie.
!re4trial in ri#inal ases is no( #andator". 6/e p'rpose of enterin% into a stip'lation or ad#ission of fats is to eFpedite
trial and to relieve t/e parties and t/e o'rt, as (ell, of t/e osts of provin% fats (/i/ (ill not ,e disp'ted on trial and t/e
tr't/ of (/i/ an ,e asertained ," reasona,le in*'ir". 6/ese ad#issions d'rin% t/e pre4trial onferene are (ort/" of
redit. &ein% #andator" in nat're, t/e ad#issions #ade ," appellant t/erein #'st ,e %iven (ei%/t.
44
Conse*'entl", (e affir# t/e trial o'rtDs i#position of t/e deat/ penalt". 6/e relations/ip of appellant to t/e viti# and /er
#inorit" (as s'ffiientl" alle%ed and proved. ?/ile no ,irt/ ertifiate or an" offiial do'#ent (as presented to prove
)el"nDs a%e, (e 'p/old t/e trial o'rtDs appreiation of t/e *'alif"in% ir'#stane of #inorit". As previo'sl" stated, t/e
defense #ade ad#issions d'rin% t/e pre4trial t/at t/e viti# (as t/e appellantDs da'%/ter and t/at s/e (as onl" fifteen
11=2 "ears old at t/e ti#e of rape. B'rt/er, )el"nDs delaration as to /er date of ,irt/ in /er affidavit o'pled (it/ t/e
a'sedDs ad#ission d'rin% trial t/at )el"n (as ,orn on 77 A'%'st 1983 s'ffiientl" esta,lis/ed /er #inorit". :ene, a
,irt/ ertifiate or an" ot/er offiial do'#ent is no lon%er neessar" to esta,lis/ t/e #inorit" of t/e viti# sine t/e sa#e
(as ad#itted d'rin% t/e pre4trial, and never disp'ted, ," t/e a'sed.
As to da#a%es, (/ile t/e trial o'rt a(arded !=3,333.33 as #oral da#a%es and !7=,333.33 as eFe#plar" da#a%es, it
failed to %rant ivil inde#nit" (/i/ is #andator" 'pon a findin% of rape. Civil inde#nit" is distint fro# and s/o'ld not ,e
deno#inated as #oral da#a%es, (/i/ is ,ased on different 9'ral fo'ndations. Inde#nit" eC delicto in t/e a#o'nt
of !=3,333.33 is a'to#atiall" %iven to t/e offended part" (it/o't need of f'rt/er evidene ot/er t/an t/e fat of rape.
81
In
line (it/ reent 9'rispr'dene, an a(ard of !7=,333.33 is proper (/en rape is in its *'alified for#.
87
?e affir# t/e a(ard
of #oral da#a%es (/i/ is also %iven (it/o't need of proof ot/er t/an t/e o##ission of rape ,'t s/o'ld ,e inreased
to !7=,333.33.
80
?e li;e(ise affir# t/e a(ard of !7=,333.33 as eFe#plar" da#a%es ,ea'se of t/e d'l" esta,lis/ed
ir'#stane of relations/ip
88
and to deter fat/ers (it/ pervert tendenies and a,errant seF'al ,e/avior fro# pre"in%
'pon t/eir "o'n% da'%/ters.
8=
6/ree 102 #e#,ers of t/is Co'rt, alt/o'%/ #aintainin% t/eir ad/erene to t/e separate opinions eFpressed inPeople v.
=c@egaray t/at RA 7@=9, insofar as it presri,es t/e penalt" of deat/, is 'nonstit'tional, nevert/eless s',#it to t/e r'lin%
of t/e #a9orit" t/at t/e la( is onstit'tional and t/at t/e deat/ penalt" s/o'ld aordin%l" ,e i#posed.
#(EREFORE, t/e Deision of t/e o'rt a +uo findin% appellant RODO-BO S. !E!I6O %'ilt" ,e"ond reasona,le do',t of
t/ree 102 o'nts of C'alified Rape in Cri#. Cases Nos. 7=78, 7=79 and 7891 and sentened to s'ffer t/e penalt"
of deat@ in ea/ ase is ABBIR$ED. 6/e a(ard of da#a%es is ABBIR$ED (it/ $ODIBICA6ION. Bor ea/ o'nt of
*'alified rape, appellant is direted to pa" )el"n !epito !7=,333.33 as ivil inde#nit", !7=,333.33 as #oral da#a%es,
and !7=,333.33 as eFe#plar" da#a%es.
-et t/e reords of t/is ase ,e fort/(it/ for(arded to :er EFellen", t/e !resident of t/e !/ilippines, for t/e possi,le
eFerise of /er pardonin% po(er.
SO ORDERED.
Davide, )r., C.)., &ellosillo, !'no, Vit'%, !an%ani,an, C'is'#,in%, Sandoval4G'tierre+, Carpio, A'stria4$artine+, Carpio4
$orales, Calle9o, Sr., A+'na, and 6in%a, ))., on'r.
>nares4Santia%o, and Corona, ))., on leave.
G.R. No. 146B90 Au>u+5 22, 2002
T(E PEOPLE OF T(E P(ILIPPINES, plaintiff4appellee, vs. JOVITO SITAO &-3&+ /!e5o,/ a'sed4appellant.
D E C I S I O N
P"NO, J.G
6/is is an a'to#ati revie( of t/e Deision,
1
dated Oto,er 01, 7333, of t/e Re%ional 6rial Co'rt of $ala",ala", &';idnon,
&ran/ 8, in Cri#inal Case No. 9903499, findin% t/e a'sed4appellant, )ovito Sitao, %'ilt" of inest'o's rape and
sentenin% /i# to s'ffer t/e penalt" of deat/.
45
In an Infor#ation dated Septe#,er 73, 1999, a'sed4appellant )ovito Sitao alias A&etoA (as /ar%ed (it/ t/e ri#e of
rape o##itted as follo(s5
A6/at on or a,o't t/e 19t/ da" of )'l", 1999 at #idni%/t, at !'ro; 17, ,aran%a" 6on%anton%an, #'niipalit" of Valenia,
!rovine of &';idnon, !/ilippines and (it/in t/e 9'risdition of t/is :onora,le Co'rt, t/e a,ove4na#ed a'sed, pro#pted
," le(d desi%n, (it/ t/reats (it/ t/e 'se of a /and%'n and inti#idation on t/e person of )OV> SI6AO, a fo'rteen 1182
"ear4old #inor and a'sedDs da'%/ter, did t/en and t/ere (illf'll", 'nla(f'll" and ri#inall" 'ndress, ;iss and to'/ t/e
private parts of t/e latter, plae /i#self on top of )OV> SI6AO, fori,l" insert /is penis into t/e va%ina and /ave seF'al
intero'rse (it/ )OV> SI6AO, a%ainst /er (ill, to t/e da#a%e and pre9'die of )OV> SI6AO in s'/ a#o'nt as #a" ,e
allo(ed ," la(.
Contrar" to and in violation of R.A. 7@=9 as a#ended ," R.A. 80=0.
Cit" of $ala",ala", Septe#,er 73, 1999.A
7
On Oto,er 19, 1999, t/e a'sed4appellant (as arrai%ned, and pleaded not %'ilt".
0
6/ereafter, a pre4trial (as /eld, and
t/e follo(in% fats (ere stip'lated ," t/e parties, vi"5
A1. 6/at t/e private o#plainant, )ov" Sitao, is t/e da'%/ter of t/e a'sed and (as onl" fo'rteen "ears old at t/e ti#e of
t/e alle%ed o##ission of t/e offense.
7. 6/at private o#plainant, )ov" Sitao, (as #ediall" eFa#ined ," Dr. )osel"n $. &ae"ens of t/e &';idnon !rovinial
:ospital on )'l" 78, 1999, (/ose findin%s, as indiated in t/e $edial Certifiate 1/ere," #ar;ed as EF/i,it AAA2, are tr'e
and orret.A
8
)ov" Sitao (as presented as t/e lone (itness for t/e prose'tion. Aordin% to /er, s/e (as ,orn on Be,r'ar" 1=, 198=,
and t/e a'sed4appellant is /er fat/er.
=
At t/e a%e of t/ree 102, s/e (as ta;en ," /er #aternal %randparents to live in
?ao, -anao del S'r. 6/e" transferred to Ca%a"an de Oro Cit" in 1998. 6/e follo(in% "ear, )ov" (as sent ,a; ," /er
%rand#ot/er to /er parents in !'ro; 17, &aran%a" 6on%an4ton%an, Valenia, &';idnon, to st'd" at t/e &atan%an
Ele#entar" S/ool. S/e enrolled as a %rade IV st'dent in t/e said s/ool.
@
On )'l" 19, 1999, )ov"Ds #ot/er (ent to ?ao, -anao del S'r to %et a s/ool ard, leavin% )ov" and /er ei%/t 182 si,lin%s
at /o#e (it/ t/eir fat/er, t/e a'sed4appellant. At a,o't 9533 in t/e evenin%, )ov" (as ordered ," t/e a'sed4appellant
to sleep in t/e sala 1livin% roo#2 (it/ /er "o'n%er ,rot/er. Apparentl", )ov"Ds parents sleep in t/e sala (it/ /er t(o
"o'n%er ,rot/ers, (/ile t/e rest of /er si,lin%s sleep in t/e ,edroo#. ?/en )ov" eFpressed /er desire to sleep in t/e
,edroo#, t/e a'sed4appellant ,ea#e an%r", and (as a,o't to sold /er (/en /is friends s'ddenl" arrived for a
drin;in% session. ?/ile t/e a'sed4appellant (as drin;in% li*'or (it/ /is friends, )ov" (ent to t/e ,edroo# and slept.
7
After t/e drin;in% session, t/e a'sed4appellant repaired to t/e ,edroo# and an%ril" (o;e )ov" 'p. :e fired /is %'n
to(ards t/e floor and said, A?/" are "o' sleepin% t/ere (/en "o' are s'ppose to sleep in t/e salaSA
8
6errified, )ov" (ent
to sleep in t/e sala.
At a,o't #idni%/t, )ov" (as a(a;ened ," t/e a'sed4appellant, sa"in%, ANe, IDll find o't (/et/er "o' are still a vir%in or
not.A
9
6/e a'sed4appellant inserted /is fin%ers into )ov"Ds va%ina. 6/ereafter, /e 'ndressed t/e viti# and re#oved /is
o(n s/ort pants. 6/e a'sed4appellant t/en ,e%an insertin% /is penis into t/e viti#Ds va%ina. 6/e proess (as painf'l
,'t s/e ;ept silent ,ea'se t/e a'sed4appellant /ad /is %'n.
13
After /avin% seF'al intero'rse (it/ /er, t/e a'sed4
appellant left (it/o't a (ord. )ov" o'ld onl" r".
6/e follo(in% da", )ov" revealed to /er #ot/er, (/o 9'st arrived fro# ?ao, -anao del S'r, /er violent deflo(erin%. S/e
also told /er #ot/er t/at /er "o'n%er sister, )'vel"n, (as also fored ," t/eir fat/er to /ave seF (it/ /i#. &'t )ov"Ds
#ot/er ref'sed to ,elieve /erG (orse, s/e a%ain left for ?ao, leavin% )ov" and /er si,lin%s (it/ t/e a'sed4appellant.
O't of fear, )ov" deided to leave t/eir /o'se and as; for /elp fro# a ,aran%a" ;a%a(ad. 6/e ;a%a(ad ao#panied /er
to t/e polie station of Valenia, &';idnon, (/ere t/e" reported t/e inident. -ater, )ov" (as eFa#ined at t/e &';idnon
!rovinial :ospital of $ala",ala" Cit" ," Dr. )osel"n $. &ae"ens (/o /ad t/e follo(in% findin%s, to (it5
A4 Old /"#enal laeration at 0D
3
9D
3
11D
3
oDlo;.
46
4 Ad#its 7 fin%erHsI (it/ ease.
4 Va%inal S#ear 4 Gra# Stainin%
4 No Sper#ato+oa.A
11
6/e a'sed4appellant interposed t/e defense of denial. :e ad#itted t/at )ov" is /is da'%/ter, and t/at at t/e ti#e of /is
testi#on", )ov" (as fifteen 11=2 "ears old.
17
:e denied sta"in% in t/e sa#e /o'se (it/ )ov" after s/e (as ta;en ," /er
%randparents to live (it/ t/e# in ?ao, -anao del S'r. :e last sa( /er in 1998, ,efore s/e (as ,ro'%/t ," /er
%randparents to live in Ca%a"an de Oro Cit". -ater, /e (as infor#ed ," /is ,rot/er4in4la( t/at )ov" (as (or;in% t/ere as
a /o'se/old /elper. :e denied t/at )ov" enrolled as a %rade IV st'dent at t/e &atan%an Ele#entar" S/ool.
10
After trial, t/e o'rt a +uo rendered 9'd%#ent dated Oto,er 01, 7333, t/e dispositive portion of (/i/ reads5
A?:EREBORE, 9'd%#ent is entered findin% a'sed )ovito Sitao %'ilt" ,e"ond reasona,le do',t of t/e ri#e of rape
o##itted a%ainst /er 1si2 o(n da'%/ter 'nder ei%/teen 1182 "ears of a%e in violation of t/e pertinent provision of Artile
00= of t/e Revised !enal Code, as a#ended ," Rep',li At 7@=9, and /e is t/erefore sentened to s'ffer t/e penalt" of
DEA6:. :e is f'rt/er ordered to inde#nif" /is viti# )ov" Sitao t/e s'# of !7=,333.33 and #oral da#a%es of
!=3,333.33.
SO ORDERED.A
18
:ene, t/is appeal (/ere t/e a'sed4appellant raises t/e follo(in% assi%n#ents of error5
AI.
6:E 6RIA- CO.R6 GRAVE-> ERRED IN I$!OSING 6:E DEA6: !ENA-6> .!ON ACC.SED4A!!E--AN6 DES!I6E
BAI-.RE OB 6:E !ROSEC.6ION 6O !ROVE 6:E REA- AGE OB 6:E VIC6I$.
II.
6:E 6RIA- CO.R6 GRAVE-> ERRED IN A?ARDING 6:E A$O.N6 OB !7=,333.33 AS CIVI- INDE$NI6> DES!I6E
6:E A&SENCE OB 6:E C.A-IBIED CIRC.$S6ANCE OB $INORI6> OB 6:E VIC6I$.A
1=
6/e appeal is #eritorio's.
6/e a'sed4appellant does not *'estion /is onvition of t/e ri#e of rape. :e onl" assails t/e i#position of t/e deat/
penalt" ," t/e trial o'rt in li%/t of t/e provision of R.A. No. 80=0, vi"5
AAR6. 7@@4&. !enalties.LFFF FFF FFF
6/e deat/ penalt" s/all also ,e i#posed if t/e ri#e of rape is o##itted (it/ an" of t/e follo(in% a%%ravatin%<*'alif"in%
ir'#stanes5
12 ?/en t/e viti# is 'nder ei%/teen 1182 "ears of a%e and t/e offender is a parent, asendant, step4parent, %'ardian,
relative ," onsan%'init" or affinit" (it/in t/e t/ird ivil de%ree, or t/e o##on4la( spo'se of t/e parent of t/e viti#G
F F F F F F F F FA
1@
6/e a'sed4appellant ontends t/at t/e trial o'rt erred in onsiderin% t/e *'alif"in% ir'#stane of #inorit" of t/e
viti# on t/e ,asis of t/e latterDs testi#on" alone and (it/o't an" do'#entar" or orro,oratin% testi#onial evidene. 6/e
Soliitor4General, on t/e ot/er /and, ontends t/at t/e #inorit" of t/e viti# (as proven t/ro'%/ /er testi#on" and t/e
testi#on" of t/e a'sed4appellant /i#self.
In prose'tion of ri#inal ases, espeiall" t/ose involvin% t/e eFtre#e penalt" of deat/, not/in% ,'t proof ,e"ond
reasona,le do',t of ever" fat neessar" to onstit'te t/e ri#e (it/ (/i/ an a'sed is /ar%ed #'st ,e
47
esta,lis/ed.
17
C'alif"in% ir'#stanes #'st ,e proved (it/ e*'al ertaint" and learness as t/e ri#e itself, ot/er(ise,
t/ere an ,e no onvition of t/e ri#e in its *'alified for#.
18
As a *'alif"in% ir'#stane of t/e ri#e of rape, t/e on'rrene of t/e viti#Ds #inorit" and /er relations/ip to t/e
a'sed4appellant #'st ,e ,ot/ alle%ed and proven ,e"ond reasona,le do',t.
19
!roof of a%e of t/e viti# annot onsist
#erel" of /er testi#on".
73
In t/e ase of Peo8-e 6+. T&9&n>>&.,
71
(e /eld, vi"5
ATH)I'rispr'dene ditates t/at (/en t/e la( speifies ertain ir'#stanes t/at (ill *'alif" an offense and t/'s atta/
to it a %reater de%ree of penalt", s'/ ir'#stanes #'st ,e ,ot/ alle%ed and proven in order to 9'stif" t/e i#position of
t/e %raver penalt". Re<en5 4u-3n>+ o; 5:e Cou45 4e-&536e 5o 5:e 4&8e o; =3no4+ 3n6&43&9-. +5&5e 5:&5 3n o4'e4 5o Du+53;.
5:e 3=8o+353on o; 'e&5:, 5:e4e =u+5 9e 3n'e8en'en5 e63'en<e 84o63n> 5:e &>e o; 5:e 63<53=, o5:e4 5:&n 5:e
5e+53=on3e+ o; 84o+e<u53on @35ne++e+ &n' 5:e &9+en<e o; 'en3&- o; 5:e &<<u+e'.
77
A d'l" ertified ertifiate of live
,irt/ a'ratel" s/o(in% t/e o#plainantDs a%e, or so#e ot/er offiial do'#ent or reord s'/ as a s/ool reord, /as
,een reo%ni+ed as o#petent evidene.
70
In t/e instant ase, (e find ins'ffiient t/e ,are testi#on" of private o#plainants and t/eir #ot/er as to t/eir a%es as (ell
as t/eir ;ins/ip to t/e appellant. FFF I#Je <&nno5 &>4ee @35: 5:e +o-3<35o4 >ene4&- 5:&5 &88e--&n5K+ &'=3++3on o; :3+
4e-&53on+:38 @35: :3+ 63<53=+ @ou-' +u;;3<e. E-e=en5&4. 3+ 5:e 'o<543ne 5:&5 5:e 84o+e<u53on 9e&4+ 5:e 9u4'en o;
84o63n> &-- 5:e e-e=en5+ o; & <43=e, 3n<-u'3n> 5:e ?u&-3;.3n> <34<u=+5&n<e+. In +u=, 5:e 'e&5: 8en&-5. <&nno5 9e
3=8o+e'.A
78
1emp@asis supplied23Awp@i3
In t/e ases of Peo8-e 6+. A>4&6&n5e
7=
and Peo8-e 6+. Ve-o+o,
7@
(e r'led t/at t/e testi#on" of t/e viti# as to /er
a%e, e6en 3; <o44o9o4&5e' 9. 5:&5 o; :e4 ;&5:e4, is not s'ffiient proof of /er #inorit". In t/is ase at ,ar, t/e on'rrent
testi#onies of t/e viti# and t/e a'sed4appellant as to t/e viti#Ds a%e fall s/ort of t/e re*'ired proof of t/e *'alif"in%
ir'#stane.
Neit/er an a stip'lation of t/e parties (it/ respet to t/e viti#Ds a%e ,e onsidered s'ffiient proof of #inorit".
Cir'#stanes t/at *'alif" a ri#e and inreases its penalt" to deat/ annot ,e t/e s',9et of stip'lation. An a'sed
annot ,e onde#ned to s'ffer t/e eFtre#e penalt" of deat/ on t/e ,asis of stip'lations or /is o(n ad#issions. 6/is strit
r'le is (arranted ," t/e serio'sness of t/e penalt" of deat/.
:ene, for fail're of t/e prose'tion to prove t/e ir'#stane (/i/ (o'ld *'alif" t/e ri#e of rape, t/e penalt" of deat/
i#posed 'pon t/e a'sed4appellant ," t/e trial o'rt #'st ,e red'ed to reclusion perpetua.
Aordin%l", (e red'e t/e a(ard of ivil inde#nit" fro# !7=,333.33 to !=3,333.33. 6/e a#o'nt of !7=,333.33 is
a(arded onl" (/ere t/e ri#e of rape (as effetivel" *'alified ," an" of t/e ir'#stanes 'nder (/i/ t/e deat/ penalt"
is a't/ori+ed ," t/e present la(.
77
6/e a(ard of #oral da#a%es in t/e a#o'nt of !=3,333.33 is affir#ed. In rape ases,
t/e viti# is ass'#ed to /ave s'ffered #oral in9'ries, /ene, entitlin% /er to an a(ard of #oral da#a%es even (it/o't
proof t/ereof.
78
#(EREFORE, t/e appealed Deision dated Oto,er 01, 7333, of t/e Re%ional 6rial Co'rt of $ala",ala", &';idnon,
&ran/ 8, in Cri#inal Case No. 9903499, findin% a'sed4appellant )ovito Sitao %'ilt" ,e"ond reasona,le do',t of
inest'o's rape, is ABBIR$ED (it/ t/e $ODIBICA6ION t/at t/e penalt" is red'ed toreclusion perpetua, and t/e
a'sed4appellant is ordered to pa" t/e viti# !=3,333.33 as ivil inde#nit", and !=3,333.33 as #oral da#a%es.
SO ORDERED.
G.R. No+. 1436,9*91 No6e=9e4 12, 2002
SIFTO . !AYAS &n' ERNESTO T. AT"DAY, petitioners, vs.
T(E SANDIGAN!AYAN 2FIRST DIVISION7, T(E PEOPLE OF T(E P(ILIPPINES &n' T(E OFFICE OF T(E SPECIAL
PROSEC"TOR, respondents.
D E C I S I O N
PANGANI!AN, J.:
48
$a" pretrial stip'lations d'l" si%ned ," t/e a'sed and t/eir o'nsel ,e 'nilaterall" (it/dra(n ,efore t/e
o##ene#ent of t/e trialS 6o t/is #ain iss'e, t/e ans(er is ANo.A Stip'lations freel" and vol'ntaril" #ade are valid and
,indin% and (ill not ,e set aside 'nless for %ood a'se. 6/e R'les of Co'rt #andate parties in a ri#inal ase to stip'late
fats. One t/e" /ave validl" and vol'ntaril" si%ned t/e stip'lations, t/e a'sed and t/eir o'nsel #a" not set t/ese
aside on t/e #ere preteFt t/at t/e" #a" ,e plaed at a disadvanta%e d'rin% t/e trial.
State#ent of t/e Case
&efore 's is a !etition for Certiorari 'nder R'le @= of t/e R'les of Co'rt, pra"in% for t/e settin% aside of t/e April 78,
7333H1I and t/e $a" 7@, 7333H7I Orders of t/e Sandi%an,a"anH0I 1S&N2 in Cri#inal Case Nos. 7=783487. 6/e first Order
denied petitionersD $otion to ?it/dra( t/e )oint Stip'lation of Bats and Do'#ents,H8I (/ile t/e seond denied
reonsideration.H=I
6/e Bats
On $a" @, 1999, t/ree Infor#ationsH@I (ere filed ,efore t/e S&N, /ar%in% !etitioners Ernesto 6. $at'da" and SiFto $.
&a"as (it/ violation of Setion 01e2 of RA No. 0319, as a#endedG and t(o o'nts of #alversation t/ro'%/ falsifiation
penali+ed 'nder Artile 717, in relation to Artile 171, of t/e Revised !enal Code. 6/e" (ere /ar%ed in t/eir apaities as
#'niipal #a"or and #'niipal treas'rer, respetivel", of t/e $'niipalit" of Ea,a"an, !rovine of &en%'et.
D'rin% t/eir arrai%n#ent on Septe#,er 71, 1999, petitioners pled Anot %'ilt".A 6/e pretrial onferene s/ed'led on
Oto,er 1=, 1999 (as anelled and reset to Nove#,er =, 1999, ,ea'se t/e o'nsel for t/e a'sed, Att". )ose $.
$olintas, (as not prepared.H7I On Nove#,er =, 1999, t/e pretrial (as a%ain anelled ,ea'se of t/e a,sene of Att".
$olintas, (/o (as alle%edl" As'fferin% fro# t/e fl'.A Nonet/eless, t/e Sandi%an,a"an 'r%ed t/e a'sed to dis'ss (it/
t/eir o'nsel t/e stip'lation of fats drafted ," O#,'ds#an !rose'tor II Evel"n 6. -'ero. 6/e" (ere as;ed to do so, so
t/at at t/e res'#ption of t/e pretrial on Dee#,er 13, 1999, t/e" o'ld eFpeditio'sl" pass 'pon all ot/er #atters t/at still
re#ained to ,e resolved.H8I
On Dee#,er 13, 1999, t/e parties s',#itted a A)oint Stip'lation of Bats and Do'#ents,A (/i/ /ad ,een d'l" si%ned
," t/e t(o a'sed 1/erein petitioners2, Att". $olintas and !rose'tor -'ero. It is reprod'ed /ere'nder5
A)OIN6 S6I!.-A6ION OB BAC6S AND DOC.$EN6S
ACO$E NO? t/e a'sed, o'nsel for t/e a'sed and t/e !rose'tion, ," and t/ro'%/ t/e 'ndersi%ned Speial
!rose'tion Offier, Offie of t/e Speial !rose'tor, 'nto t/e :onora,le Co'rt, #ost respetf'll" aver5 6:A6 4
A1. After a onferene t/e Defense and t/e !rose'tion ad#itted t/e follo(in% fats as follo(s5
Aa. A'sed Ernesto $at'da" (as t/en t/e $'niipal $a"or and a'sed SiFto &a"as (as and HisI still
t/e $'niipal 6reas'rer and desi%nated $'niipal Ao'ntant ,ot/ of Ea,a"an, &en%'et d'rin% t/e
period relevant to t/is aseG
A,. &ot/ of t/e a'sed ad#it t/e dis,'rse#ent of t/e a#o'nt of !=13,333.33 and !==,333.33.
A7. 6/e !rose'tion and Defense 9ointl" ad#it t/e follo(in% do'#ents as t/eir respetive do'#entar" eF/i,its F
F F 1H(it/I reservation to #ar; additional eF/i,its d'rin% t/e trial of t/e ase2 as follo(s5
JBor t/e
!rose'tion Co##on EF/i,its
EF/i,its for t/e Defense
Desription
JAD
J1D
COA Report dated Be,r'ar" 79, 199@
J&D
J7D
COA $e#orand'# Dated Septe#,er 7=, 199@
JCD
J0D
!a%e of 9o'rnal entr" of t/e Offie of t/e $'niipal Ao'ntant
JDD
J8D
Resol'tion No. 108 of t/e San%%'nian% &a"an of t/e $'niipalit" of Ea,a"an &en%'et arried on A'%'st
1=, 199@
JED
49
J=D
6ransript of t/e HSIteno%rap/i Notes ta;en d'rin% t/e losed door session of t/e San%%'nian% &a"anH,I
Ea,a"an, &en%'et on A'%'st 1=, 199@ at 15=3 !.$.
JBD
J@D
Res'lt of t/e State#ent of Investi%ation ond'ted On $ar/ 78, 1997
JBor Cri#inal Cases Nos. 7=78347=781
JGD
J7D
.ndated dis,'rse#ent Vo'/er No. 83149=3=18@ Bor t/e pa"#ent of $o,ili+ation fee for t/e vario's
!ro9ets at Ea,a"an, &en%'et Bor !=13,333.33
J:D
J8D
C/e; No. @391=S41 for !=13,333.33 dated $a" 8, 199= si%ned ," ,ot/ A'sed $a"or $at'da" and
6reas'rer &a"as
J:41D
J84aD
Dorsal portion of C/e; No. @391= S41
J:414aD
J84a41D
Si%nat're of a'sed $a"or $at'da" at t/e Dorsal portion of C/e; No. @391=4 S41
JCri#inal Cases Nos. 7=78747=783
JID
JaD
C/e; No. @39177 for !==,333.33 dated )'ne 78, 199= si%ned ," $a"or $at'da" and 6reas'rer &a"as
JI41D
J94aD
Dorsal portion of C/e; No. @39177
JI414aD
J94a41D
Si%nat're of >olanda $illanes
JI414,D
J94a47D
Si%nat're of $a"or $at'da"
J)D
J13D
.ndated Dis,'rse#ent Vo'/er for !==,333.33
A0. 6/e Defense s/all present at least fo'r (itness (/ile t/e !rose'tion opts not to present an" (itness
onsiderin% t/at Defense ad#itted all t/e do'#entar" evidene of t/e !rose'tion.
AC'e+on Cit", Dee#,er 13, 1999.
1si%ned2
A66>. )OSE $. $O-IN6AS
Co'nsel for A'sed
1si%ned2
A66>. EVE->N 6AG.&A -.CERO
O#,'ds#an !rose'tor II
1si%ned2
SIQ6O &A>AS
A'sed
1si%ned2
ERNES6O $A6.DA>
A'sedA
9
On )an'ar" 18, 7333, t/e pretrial onferene (as a%ain s'ttled d'e to t/e a,sene of Att". $olintas. 6/e /earin% (as
res/ed'led for Be,r'ar" 18, 7333. :o(ever, on Be,r'ar" 7, 7333, /e #oved to (it/dra( as o'nsel for t/e a'sed. :is
#otion (as %ranted ," t/e anti4%raft o'rt in an Order dated Be,r'ar" 18, 7333. In t/e sa#e Order, t/e pretrial (as
res/ed'led for $ar/ 01, 7333, to %ive t/e a'sed a#ple ti#e to e#plo" a ne( o'nsel.
On April 7@, 7333, t/e a'sed, represented ," t/eir ne( o'nsel, Att". Ceilia $. Cino, #oved to (it/dra( t/e )oint
Stip'lation of Bats and Do'#ents. Speifiall", t/e" so'%/t to (it/dra(, first, Stip'lation 11,2 (/i/ states t/at A&ot/ t/e
50
a'sed ad#it t/e dis,'rse#ent of t/e a#o'nt of !=13,333.33 and !==,333.33AG and seond, EF/i,its A1A to A84aA. 6/e"
invo;ed t/eir onstit'tional ri%/t to ,e pres'#ed innoent 'ntil proven %'ilt".
R'lin% of t/e Sandi%an,a"an
6/e Sandi%an,a"an 9'stified its denial of petitionersD $otion to ?it/dra( )oint Stip'lation of Bats and Do'#ents in t/is
(ise5
AF F F. HBorI t/e fat t/at t/ere H(asI eFpress state#ent fro# Att". Ro%elio A. Cortes t/is #ornin% t/at neit/er fra'd nor an"
ot/er #ista;e of a serio's /arater vitiated t/e onsent of t/e parties (/en t/e" affiFed t/eir onfor#it" to t/e
stip'lations of fats, t/e reason p't fort/ ," t/e a'sed or #ovantDs o'nsel at t/is ti#e, is t/at if t/ese stip'lations (ere
to re#ain, t/en t/e a'sed #i%/t as (ell not present an" evidene on t/e entire a'sation a%ainst /i# as t/is (ill
alread" ,e s'pported ," t/e evidene on reord. ?/ile t/e o'rt, indeed, sees t/is as a possi,ilit", t/at, ," itself, is not a
%ro'nd for (it/dra(in% an" stip'lation freel" and ;no(in%l" #ade and %iven.AH13I
In t/e seond assailed Order, t/e anti4%raft o'rt denied reonsideration and reiterated its previo's stand, as follo(s5
AF F F. 6/e fat t/at t/e stip'lation of fats leaves less or no roo# for t/e a'sed to defend /i#self is not a %ro'nd for
settin% aside a pre4trial orderG in fat, an a'sed an plead %'ilt" if /e so desires or #a;e ad#issions as /e dee#s
appropriate and tr't/f'l, even if in t/e #ind of t/e ne( o'nsel, it %ave ver" fe( opport'nities to present ontestin%
evidene.AH11I
It t/en added t/at At/e pre4trial order s/all re#ain. 6/e ad#issions t/erein ontained an ,e 'sed in t/is ase and for
(/atever p'rpose t/e R'les on Evidene (ill allo(.A
:ene, t/is !etition.H17I
6/e Iss'es
In t/eir $e#orand'#, petitioners raise t/e follo(in% iss'es for t/e Co'rtDs onsideration5
AI
?/et/er or not respondent Sandi%an,a"an o##itted %rave a,'se of disretion a#o'ntin% to la; or eFess of
9'risdition in den"in% petitionersD $otion to ?it/dra( t/e )oint Stip'lation of Bats and Do'#ents, onsiderin% t/e
relevant fats and applia,le la(s and r'les.
AII
?/et/er or not t/e denial ," respondent Sandi%an,a"an of t/e (it/dra(al of t/e )oint Stip'lation of Bats and
Do'#ents (o'ld res'lt in #anifest in9'stie and i#pair#ent of t/e onstit'tional ri%/ts of t/e petitioners.
AIII
?/et/er or not t/ere is a la( or r'le (/i/ (o'ld ,ar petitioners fro# (it/dra(in% t/eir )oint Stip'lation of Bats and
Do'#ents fro# t/e respondent Sandi%an,a"an.AH10I
!lainl" p't, t/e iss'e raised ," petitioners is (/et/er t/e" #a" ,e allo(ed to (it/dra( 'nilaterall" fro# t/e )oint
Stip'lation of Bats and Do'#ents.
6/e Co'rtDs R'lin%
6/e !etition /as no #erit.
$ain Iss'e5
51
?it/dra(al fro# t/e )oint Stip'lation
!etitioners ontend t/at pretrial stip'lations #a" ,e 'nilaterall" (it/dra(n ," t/e a'sed ,ea'se alle%edl", t/e" are not
,indin% 'ntil after t/e trial o'rt /as iss'ed a pretrial order approvin% t/e#. ?e are not pers'aded.
!etitioners fail to appreiate t/e indispensa,le role of stip'lations in t/e speed" disposition of ases. 6/e ne( R'les on
Cri#inal !roed're #andate parties to a%ree on #atters of fats, iss'es and evidene. S'/ stip'lations are %reatl"
favored ,ea'se t/e" si#plif", s/orten or settle liti%ations in a faster and #ore onvenient #anner. 6/e" save osts, ti#e
and reso'res of t/e parties and, at t/e sa#e ti#e, /elp 'nlo% o'rt do;ets.
One validl" entered into, stip'lations (ill not ,e set aside 'nless for %ood a'se.H18I 6/e" s/o'ld ,e enfored espeiall"
(/en t/e" are not false, 'nreasona,le or a%ainst %ood #orals and so'nd p',li poli".H1=I ?/en #ade ,efore t/e o'rt,
t/e" are onl'sive. And t/e part" (/o validl" #ade t/e# an ,e relieved t/erefro# onl" 'pon a s/o(in% of oll'sion,
d'ress, fra'd, #isrepresentation as to fats, and 'nd'e infl'eneGH1@I or 'pon a s/o(in% of s'ffiient a'se on s'/ ter#s
as (ill serve 9'stie in a parti'lar ase.H17I $oreover, t/e po(er to relieve a part" fro# a stip'lation validl" #ade lies in
t/e o'rtDs so'nd disretion (/i/, 'nless eFerised (it/ %rave a,'se, (ill not ,e dist'r,ed on appeal.H18I
Validit" of t/e )oint Stip'lations
?/ile petitioners (is/ to ,e relieved fro# t/e stip'lations, t/e", /o(ever, do not alle%e t/at t/ese (ere false or #isleadin%
or (ere o,tained t/ro'%/ fore or fra'd. On t/e ontrar", t/e" do not disp'te t/e findin% of t/e anti4%raft o'rt t/at no fra'd
or serio's #ista;e vitiated t/eir and t/eir o'nselDs onsent to t/e si%nin% of t/ese stip'lations. 6/e" even ad#itted, in
ans(er to its *'er", t/at t/e" /ad freel" %iven t/eir onsent.
Nonet/eless, in a desperate ,id to stren%t/en t/eir position, petitioners la" t/e ,la#e on t/e alle%ed ino#petene of t/eir
for#er o'nsel. 6/e" lai# t/at, in a%reein% to t/e )oint Stip'lation, /e failed to onsider t/eir le%al interests.
6o ,e a %ro'nd for relief a%ainst a stip'lation, a #ista;e #'st ,e one of fat 44 not, as in t/is ase, a #ere la; of f'll
;no(led%e of fat ,ea'se of fail're to eFerise d'e dili%ene in asertainin% it.H19I
$oreover, it is /orn,oo; dotrine t/at parties are ,o'nd ," t/e ation or t/e ination of t/eir o'nsel. 6o all intents and
p'rposes, t/e ats of a la("er in t/e defense or t/e prose'tion of a ase are t/e ats of t/e lient. 6/e r'le eFtends even
to t/e #ista;es and t/e si#ple ne%li%ene o##itted ," t/e o'nsel.H73I
!res'#ption of Innoene
In t/eir effort to (it/dra( fro# t/e )oint Stip'lation, petitioners ar%'e t/at t/e t(o *'estioned ite#s i#pair t/eir
onstit'tional ri%/t to ,e pres'#ed innoent, violate t/eir ri%/t a%ainst self4inri#ination, and den" t/e# d'e proess in
t/e sense t/at t/e trial (o'ld ,e a A'seless for#alit", an idle ere#on".AH71I
Ot/er t/an ," %enerali+ed ar%'#entation, petitioners /ave not onvined 's t/at t/e afore#entioned onstit'tional ri%/ts
(o'ld ,e violated. 6r'e, t/e old R'les of Co'rt fro(ned 'pon stip'lations of fats in ri#inal ases ,ea'se of a pereived
dan%er 44 t/at ," t/e #ere eFpedient of stip'latin% (it/ t/e defense o'nsel t/e ele#ents of t/e ri#e /ar%ed, t/e
prose'tion (o'ld relieve itself of its d't" to prove t/e %'ilt of t/e a'sed ,e"ond reasona,le do',t.H77I :o(ever, t/e
R'les (ere a#ended in 198=, preisel" to ena,le parties to stip'late fats. 6/e a#end#ent (as arried over to t/e 7333
Revised R'les on Cri#inal !roed're. H70I
6/e aepta,ilit" of stip'latin% fats /as lon% ,een esta,lis/ed in o'r 9'rispr'dene. In a ase involvin% ille%al possession
of firear#s,H78I t/e prose'tion and t/e defense stip'lated t/e fat t/at t/e a'sed /ad ,een fo'nd in possession of a
%'n (it/o't t/e re*'ired per#it or liense. In !eople v. &oar,H7=I t/e Co'rt onsidered as valid t/e ad#ission ," t/e
a'sed of t/e eFistene of ertain affidavits and eF/i,its, (/i/ t/e prose'tion /ad presented to dispense (it/ oral
testi#onies on t/e #atter ontained t/erein. In !eople v. :ernande+,H7@I (/i/ involved ille%al rer'it#ent, t/e Co'rt
'p/eld t/e 9oint stip'lation t/at t/e a'sed /ad not ,een liensed or a't/ori+ed ," t/e !/ilippine Overseas E#plo"#ent
A%en" to rer'it (or;ers for overseas 9o,s.
6/ere is not/in% irre%'lar or 'nla(f'l in stip'latin% fats in ri#inal ases. 6/e poli" eno'ra%in% it is onsistent (it/ t/e
dotrine of (aiver, (/i/ reo%ni+es t/at AF F F ever"one /as a ri%/t to (aive and a%ree to (aive t/e advanta%e of a la(
52
or r'le #ade solel" for t/e ,enefit and protetion of t/e individ'al in /is private apait", if it an ,e dispensed (it/ and
relin*'is/ed (it/o't infrin%in% on an" p',li ri%/t and (it/o't detri#ent to t/e o##'nit" at lar%e.AH77I
In t/e present ase, t/e )oint Stip'lation #ade ," t/e prose'tion and petitioners (as a (aiver of t/e ri%/t to present
evidene on t/e fats and t/e do'#ents freel" ad#itted ," t/e#. 6/ere o'ld /ave ,een no i#pair#ent of petitionersD
ri%/t to ,e pres'#ed innoent, ri%/t to d'e proess or ri%/t a%ainst self4inri#ination ,ea'se t/e (aiver (as vol'ntar",
#ade (it/ t/e assistane of o'nsel and is santioned ," t/e R'les on Cri#inal !roed're.
Neessit" of a !retrial Order
!etitioners f'rt/er ontend t/at t/e la( on pretrial re*'ires t/e iss'ane of a pretrial order to #a;e pretrial stip'lations
,indin%. ?e do not a%ree.
Setion 7 of R'le 118 of t/e R'les of Co'rt states5
ASe. 7. !re4trial a%ree#ent. 44 All a%ree#ents or ad#issions #ade or entered HintoI d'rin% t/e pre4trial onferene s/all
,e red'ed in (ritin% and si%ned ," t/e a'sed and o'nsel, ot/er(ise, t/e" annot ,e 'sed a%ainst t/e a'sed. 6/e
a%ree#ents overin% t/e #atters referred to in setion 1 of t/is R'le s/all ,e approved ," t/e o'rt.AH78I
&ased on t/e fore%oin% provision, for a pretrial a%ree#ent to ,e ,indin% on t/e a'sed, it #'st satisf" t/e follo(in%
onditions5 112 t/e a%ree#ent or ad#ission #'st ,e in (ritin%, and 172 it #'st ,e si%ned ," ,ot/ t/e a'sed and t/eir
o'nsel. 6/e o'rtDs approval, #entioned in t/e last sentene of t/e a,ove4*'oted Setion, is not needed to #a;e t/e
stip'lations ,indin% on t/e parties. S'/ approval is neessar" #erel" to e#p/asi+e t/e s'pervision ," t/e o'rt over t/e
ase and to ena,le it to ontrol t/e flo( of t/e proeedin%s.
One t/e stip'lations are red'ed into (ritin% and si%ned ," t/e parties and t/eir o'nsels, t/e" ,eo#e ,indin% on t/e
parties (/o #ade t/e#. 6/e" ,eo#e 9'diial ad#issions of t/e fat or fats stip'lated.H79I Even if plaed at a
disadvanta%eo's position, a part" #a" not ,e allo(ed to resind t/e# 'nilaterall"G it #'st ass'#e t/e onse*'enes of
t/e disadvanta%e.H03I If t/e a'sed are allo(ed to plead %'ilt" 'nder appropriate ir'#stanes, ," parit" of reasonin%,
t/e" s/o'ld li;e(ise ,e allo(ed to enter into a fair and tr'e pretrial a%ree#ent 'nder appropriate ir'#stanes.
6/ere is anot/er o%ent reason (/" t/e )oint Stip'lation s/o'ld ,e ,indin%. It #'st ,e noted t/at t/e S&N o'ld not f'll"
at on t/e #atter, not t/ro'%/ its fa'lt, ,'t ,ea'se of t/e ontin'ed a,sene of petitionersD o'nsel. Veril", t/e reords
reveal t/at at t/e intended o#pletion of t/e pretrial on )an'ar" 18, 7333, it o'ld not pass 'pon t/e )oint Stip'lation
,ea'se /e (as a,sent. Also, t/e pretrial onferene /ad to ,e re4s/ed'led siF ti#es, 9'st to ens're t/e attendane of
t/e parties and t/eir o'nsels and to prepare t/e# for t/e onferene.
6/erefore, 'nder t/ese ir'#stanes, t/e S&N annot ,e fa'lted for its fail're to approve eFpressl" t/e stip'lations. It
/ad t/e opport'nit" to r'le on t/e #atter onl" (/en t/e a'sed, t/ro'%/ t/eir ne( o'nsel, Att". Ceilia -. Cino, #oved
to (it/dra( t/eir stip'lations. In its first assailed Order, t/e S&N 'p/eld t/eir validit", t/ere," effetivel" approvin% t/e
s',#itted )oint Stip'lation of Bats and Do'#ents. 6/e assent of t/e o'rt to a%ree#ents of t/e parties, assisted ,"
t/eir o'nsel, is ass'#ed 'ntil t/e" indiate a dissent.H01I 6/'s, t/e stip'lations freel" #ade ," t/e latter are to ,e
respeted as t/eir tr'e (ill and intention (it/ re%ard to t/e fats and evidene of t/e ase, espeiall" if t/e anti4%raft o'rt
/as not str'; t/e# do(n for ,ein% violative of t/e la(.
Role of -a("ers in !retrials
!retrial is #eant to si#plif", if not f'll" dispose of, t/e ase at its earl" sta%e. It is t/erefore i#portant t/at t/e parties ta;e
ative roles in t/e proeedin%s. 6/e R'les on Cri#inal !roed're provide t/at if t/e o'nsel for t/e a'sed and<or t/e
prose'tor do not appear at t/e pretrial and do not offer an aepta,le eF'se for t/eir la; of ooperation, t/e o'rt #a"
i#pose proper santions or penalties.H07I
Veril", d'rin% pretrial, attorne"s #'st #a;e a f'll dislos're of t/eir positions as to (/at t/e real iss'es of t/e trial (o'ld
,e. 6/e" s/o'ld not ,e allo(ed to e#,arrass or inonveniene t/e o'rt or in9're t/e opposin% liti%ant ," t/eir areless
preparation for a aseG or ," t/eir fail're to raise relevant iss'es at t/e o'tset of a trialG or, as in t/is ase, ," t/eir
'nilateral (it/dra(al of valid stip'lations t/at t/e" si%ned and t/at t/eir lients f'll" assented to.H00I
53
6/e reords reveal t/at t/e parties (ere t/e ones (/o vol'nteered to #a;e t/e )oint Stip'lation of t/e fats of t/e ase.
6/'s, t/e anti4%raft o'rt an ri%/tf'll" eFpet t/at ,ot/ parties arrived 'pon it (it/ fairness and /onest". 6/erefore,
petitioners #a" not assail it on t/e #ere %ro'nd t/at it (o'ld alle%edl" p't t/e a'sed at a disadvanta%e. B'rt/er#ore, a
ne( o'nsel annot 9'stif" s'/ (it/dra(al ," t/e si#ple eFpedient of passin% t/e ,la#e on t/e previo's o'nsel, (/o
/ad s'pposedl" not s'ffiientl" dis/ar%ed /is d't" to t/e lient.
If (e allo( parties to rene%e on stip'lations t/e" validl" entered into d'rin% t/e o'rse of pretrial proeedin%s, t/ere (o'ld
,e no end to liti%ations.H08I -a("ers an (i%%le in and o't of a%ree#ents t/e #o#ent t/e" are disadvanta%ed. -a("ers
s/o'ld re#e#,er, /o(ever, t/at t/e" are not #erel" representatives of t/e parties ,'t, first and fore#ost, offiers of t/e
o'rt. As s'/, one of t/eir d'ties 44 assistin% in t/e speed" and effiient ad#inistration of 9'stieH0=I 44 is #ore si%nifiant
t/an t/at of a*'ittin% t/eir lient,H0@I ri%/tl" or (ron%l".
?e stress t/at andor in all dealin%s is t/e ver" essene of #e#,ers/ip in t/e le%al profession. -a("ers are o,li%ed to
o,serve r'les of proed're in %ood fait/, not to #is'se t/e# to defeat t/e ends of 9'stie.H07I 6/e" s/o'ld reali+e t/at t/e
earlier t/e" dispose of t/eir ases, espeiall" at t/e pretrial sta%e, t/e ,etter for t/e#. In doin% so, t/e" an no(
onentrate and (or; #ore effiientl" on t/eir ot/er ases.H08I
Grave A,'se of Disretion
As alread" dis'ssed, t/e po(er to relieve a part" fro# a stip'lation validl" #ade lies at t/e so'nd disretion of t/e o'rt.
.nless eFerised (it/ %rave a,'se, t/is disretion (ill not ,e dist'r,ed on appeal.H09I 6/ere is A%rave a,'se of disretionA
(/ere Aa po(er is eFerised in an ar,itrar", apriio's, (/i#sial or despoti #anner ," reason of passion or personal
/ostilit", so patent and so %ross as to a#o'nt to evasion of positive d't" or virt'al ref'sal to perfor# a d't" en9oined ,", or
in onte#plation of la(.AH83I
!etitioners in t/is ase failed to prove t/at t/e Sandi%an,a"an o##itted %rave a,'se of disretion in disallo(in% t/e# to
(it/dra( t/e stip'lations t/at t/e" /ad freel" and vol'ntaril" entered into. Also, no ,ad fait/ or #alie (as or an ,e
i#p'ted to t/e anti4%raft o'rt for failin% to i##ediatel" at 'pon t/e )oint Stip'lation. 6/e dela" (as d'e, not to its
deli,erate evasion of its d't", ,'t to t/e ontin'ed a,sene of petitionersD o'nsel.
?:EREBORE, t/e !etition is DENIED, and t/e assailed Orders ABBIR$ED. Costs a%ainst petitioners.
SO ORDERED.
IA.. No. TJ*01*136B. Se85e=9e4 A, 2002J
FREDESINDA DAYA#ON, complainant, vs. J"DGE %EIDA A"RORA !. GARFIN, TCC, !4&n<: 2, I43>&
C35., respondent.
R E S O L " T I O N
YNARES*SANTIAGO, J.G
54
In a verified letter4o#plaint dated )'ne 7=, 1999, o#plainant Bredes#inda Da"a(on /ar%ed )'d%e Neida A'rora &.
Garfin of t/e $'niipal 6rial Co'rt 1$6C2 of Iri%a Cit", &ran/ II, (it/ i%norane of t/e la( and serio's #isond't relative
to Cri#inal Case Nos. 73873, 73878, 7387@ and 73878, all entitled VPeople of t@e P@ilippines v. *redesminda Dayawon.W
)'d%e Garfin alle%edl" onvited o#plainant, (/o (as t/e a'sed in said ases for violation of &atas !a#,ansa &l%.
77, (it/o't ond'tin% a trial on t/e #erits. As a res'lt, o#plainant (as deprived of /er da" in o'rt and (as fo'nd %'ilt"
of t/e ri#e /ar%ed (it/o't d'e proess of la(.
Co#plainant averred t/at after arrai%n#ent and in t/e o'rse of proeedin%s in t/e ri#inal ases, /er o'nsel filed a
#otion to dis#iss
H1I
1or a #otion to *'as/2 t/e infor#ations on t/e %ro'nd t/at t/e a#o'nt of t/e fo'r ,o'nin% /e;s s/e
iss'ed /ave alread" ,een paid. B'rt/er#ore, no de#ands for pa"#ent /ave ,een #ade 'pon o#plainant and s/e (as
not %iven an" notie of dis/onor. 6/e #otion to dis#iss (as opposed ," t/e prose'tion on Oto,er 71, 199@.
H7I
On Dee#,er 7, 199@, )'d%e Garfin iss'ed an order settin% t/e /earin% on o#plainantDs #otion to dis#iss on )an'ar"
71, 1997. In t/e sa#e order, o#plainant (as also direted to present evidene of t/e alle%ed pa"#ent on t/e date set
," t/e trial o'rt.
H0I
!'rs'ant to t/e trial o'rtDs diretive, o#plainant presented evidene in s'pport of /er #otion to dis#iss. 6/ereafter, t/e
prose'tion presented evidene in s'pport of its opposition. On A'%'st 78, 1998, t/e #otion (as s',#itted for resol'tion.
H8I
On $ar/ 19, 1999, )'d%e Garfin rendered a 9oint 9'd%#ent in t/e ri#inal ases, t/e dispositive portion of (/i/ reads5
In vie( of t/e fore%oin%, t/e $otion to Dis#iss is /ere," denied and a'sed is /ere," fo'nd %'ilt" ,e"ond reasona,le
do',t of t/e offense /ar%ed in t/e fo'r 182 infor#ations and onfor#a,l" (it/ t/e penal provision of &atas !a#,ansa
&ilan% 77 is /ere," sentened to s'ffer t/e strai%/t penalt" of siF 1@2 #ont/s i#prison#ent for ea/ ase and to inde#nif"
t/e private o#plainin% (itness in t/e a#o'nt of !8@, @@8.@3, /er o'tstandin% ,alane as of 7@ A'%'st 1997.
SO ORDERED.
H=I
Apparentl", )'d%e Garfin si#'ltaneo'sl" resolved o#plainantDs #otion to dis#iss and t/e ri#inal ases on 5:e
=e435+ (it/o't settin% t/e ases for trial.
!etitioner appealed t/e 9'd%#ent to t/e Re%ional 6rial Co'rt 1R6C2 of Iri%a Cit", &ran/ 08, itin% as one of /er %ro'nds
t/e fat t/at no trial (as ond'ted ," t/e $6C. At t/e sa#e ti#e, petitioner filed t/e present ad#inistrative ase a%ainst
)'d%e Garfin (it/ t/e Offie of t/e Co'rt Ad#inistrator 1OCA2.
!'rs'ant to a diretive,
H@I
fro# t/en Co'rt Ad#inistrator Alfredo -. &enipa"o, )'d%e Garfin filed /er o##ent,
H7I
(/erein
s/e eFplained t/at d'rin% pre4trial of t/e ri#inal ases, o#plainant ad#itted /avin% iss'ed t/e ,o'nin% /e;s and
si%nified /er desire to enter into a o#pro#ise a%ree#ent. :o(ever, 'pon t/e instane of /er ne( o'nsel, s/e instead
filed a #otion to dis#iss and, lai#ed t/at t/e f'll o,li%ation /ad alread" ,een paid. :ene, )'d%e Garfin set t/e #otion to
dis#iss for /earin%, after (/i/ t/e prose'tion and defense filed t/eir respetive #e#oranda.
In vie( of o#plainantDs ad#ission and t/e presentation of evidene for ,ot/ parties at t/e /earin% of t/e #otion to
dis#iss, )'d%e Garfin #aintained t/at t/e proeedin%s (ere onverted into a f'll4dress /earin% on t/e #erits (it/ t/e
onsent of ,ot/ parties, (/o ativel" partiipated t/erein. )'d%e Garfin (rote5
:ad I #erel" denied t/e $otion to Dis#iss, instead of renderin% a 9'd%#ent, I (o'ld /ave set t/e ase for trial on t/e
#erits (/ere t/e prose'tion and t/ereafter t/e defense (ill /ave to present ane( t/e sa#e respetive evidene t/at t/e"
/ave alread" presented. 6/is ro'nda,o't (a" of disposin% ases is prod'tive of onsidera,le and 'nreasona,le dela"s
and is ontrar" to t/e provision of Setion 0, R'le 1 of t/e R'les of Co'rt F F F.
H8I
)'d%e Garfin f'rt/er e#p/asi+ed t/at (it/ t/e ad#ission #ade ," o#plainant t/at s/e iss'ed t/e ,ad /e;s, t/e
,'rden of provin% t/at s/e did not violate &atas !a#,ansa &l%. 77 s/ifted to /er. Sine t/ere is no speifi provision in
t/e R'les of Co'rt %overnin% s'/ a re#edial sit'ation, s/e applied Setion @, R'le 10=, to (it5
Setion @. .eans to carry $urisdiction into effect. K ?/en ," la( 9'risdition is onferred on a o'rt or 9'diial offier, all
a'Filiar" (rits, proesses and ot/er #eans neessar" to arr" it into effet #a" ,e e#plo"ed ," s'/ o'rt or offierG
and if t/e proed're to ,e follo(ed in t/e eFerise of s'/ 9'risdition is not speifiall" pointed o't ," la( or ," t/ese
55
r'les, an" s'ita,le proess or #ode of proeedin% #a" ,e adopted (/i/ appears onfor#a,le to t/e spirit of said la( or
r'les.W
On Oto,er 7, 1999, o#plainant filed /er repl",
H9I
den"in% t/at s/e onsented to t/e onversion of t/e /earin% on t/e
#otion to dis#iss into a trial on t/e #erits of t/e ri#inal ases. Aordin% to o#plainant, t/ere (as no order to t/is
effet. )'d%e Garfin #erel" adopted /er o(n r'les of proed're to t/e pre9'die of o#plainantDs onstit'tional ri%/t to
d'e proess. :ad s/e ;no(n t/at t/e proeedin%s (ere alread" on t/e #erits, o#plainant stated s/e (o'ld /ave
endeavored to present ot/er evidene in /er defense.
&" (a" of a re9oinder,
H13I
respondent 9'd%e reiterated t/at t/ere (as not/in% irre%'lar in t/e proed're s/e adopted. S/e
s',#itted t/at, in t/e re#ote event t/at s/e indeed o##itted a proed'ral error, t/is did not (arrant disiplinar" ation
,ea'se t/e sa#e (as done (it/o't #alie and in %ood fait/. &esides, if t/ere (as an" tr't/ at all to o#plainantDs
assertion t/at t/ere (ere ot/er evidene for /er eF'lpation, s/e s/o'ld /ave filed a #otion for reonsideration of t/e
9'd%#ent and not si#pl" appealed t/e sa#e to t/e R6C (/ere additional evidene #a" no lon%er ,e presented.
Co#plainant filed anot/er letter
H11I
on Oto,er 77, 1999, (/erein s/e reiterated t/at t/e evidene presented in t/e ri#inal
ases pertained onl" to t/e #otion to dis#iss. S/e ar%'ed t/at a #otion for reonsideration (o'ld not /ave ,een a
proper re#ed" a%ainst t/e 9'd%#ent of onvition.
S',se*'entl", on $a" 9, 7333, t/e R6C rendered a deision, as follo(s5
?:EREBORE, t/e )'d%#ent onvitin% t/e a'sed ,e"ond reasona,le do',t of t/e ri#es /ar%ed in t/e fo'r 182
infor#ations is /ere," vaated and set aside and t/e reords of t/is ase are ordered re#anded to t/e Co'rt of ori%in for
f'rt/er proeedin%s on t/e #erits of ea/ of t/e fo'r ases.
SO ORDERED.
H17I
After t/e parties #anifested t/eir (illin%ness to s',#it t/is ase on t/e ,asis of t/e pleadin%s filed, t/e OCA s',#itted a
report reo##endin% t/at )'d%e Garfin ,e fo'nd %'ilt" of %ross i%norane of t/e la( and %rave #isond't. 6/e OCA
li;e(ise reo##ended t/at )'d%e Garfin ,e ordered to pa" a fine of !=,333.33 and (arned sternl" t/at a repetition of t/e
sa#e or si#ilar at s/all ,e dealt (it/ #ore severel". Aordin% to t/e OCA5
It is lear fro# t/e fore%oin% t/at t/e a'sed (as indeed denied of /er ri%/t to d'e proess. All t/ro'%/o't t/e aforesaid
proeedin%s, t/e a'sed (as #ade to ,elieve t/at (/at (as ,ein% liti%ated (as /er #otion to dis#iss. Indeed, s/e /as
reason to t/in; so ,ea'se all t/e orders of respondent, i.e. t/e Nove#,er 1=, 199@ order, t/e Dee#,er 7, 199@ order
and t/e A'%'st 78, 1998 order, pertain to t/e pendin% #otion to dis#iss. In fat, t/e latter order eFpliitl" delares t/at t/e
V$O6ION 6O DIS$ISS filed ," t/e a'sed t/ro'%/ o'nsel Att". Viente A. Estela is /ere," s',#itted for resol'tion.W
:ene, (/en respondent, instead of onfinin% /er $ar/ 19 order to t/e resol'tion of t/e #otion to dis#iss, onvited t/e
a'sed of t/e ri#e /ar%ed, s/e violated t/e a'sedDs ri%/t to ,e /eard on F F F t/e #erits of t/e ase, (/i/ is distint
fro# /er ri%/t to ,e /eard on /er #otion to dis#iss.
6/e OCADs reo##endation is (ell4ta;en.
An" 9'd%e s/o'ld ;no( t/at ,efore an a'sed an ,e onvited of a ri#e /ar%ed, it is essential t/at /e ,e %iven t/e
/ane to ref'te t/e alle%ations a%ainst /i# in a proper trial on t/e #erits and not si#pl" in a /earin% on an inident of t/e
ase s'/ as a #otion to *'as/. 6/e R'les of Co'rt presri,e t/e proed're to ,e follo(ed in ri#inal ases and
respondent 9'd%e (as not at li,ert" to disre%ard t/e r'les on t/e fli#s" eF'se t/at t/e pe'liarit" of t/e ri#inal ases
re*'ired t/e appliation of an" s'ita,le proeedin% in aordane (it/ Setion @ of R'le 10=.
In t/e first plae, said provision applies onl" if t/e proed're to ,e follo(ed is not speifiall" %overned ," la( or t/e r'les.
6/is ir'#stane, /o(ever, did not o,tain in o#plainantDs ase ,ea'se, ass'#in% t/at s/e ad#itted t/e /ar%es as
respondent 9'd%e asserts, Setion 0 1e2 of R'le 119
H10I
s/o'ld /ave ,een applied, to (it5
SEC. 0. Order of 6rial. K
F F F F F F F F F
56
1e2 :o(ever, (/en t/e a'sed ad#its t/e at or o#ission /ar%ed in t/e o#plaint or infor#ation ,'t interposes a
la(f'l defense, t/e order of trial #a" ,e #odified aordin%l".
Confor#a,l", a #odified order of trial is a't/ori+ed (/enever an a'sed ad#its t/e /ar%e ,'t interposes a la(f'l
defense. 6/is does not #ean, /o(ever, t/at in s'/ a ase, trial o'ld ,e dispensed (it/ alto%et/er. A 9'd%e #'st
nonet/eless asertain (/et/er t/e defense p't 'p ," t/e a'sed o'ld (it/stand 9'diial sr'tin". In ot/er (ords, (/ile
t/e ,'rden of evidene is s/ifted to t/e a'sed to prove ," lear and onvinin% evidene t/at /e is entitled to an
eFten'atin% ir'#stane, t/e trial o'rt is still d't"4,o'nd to esta,lis/ t/at t/e a'sed, in fat, did not in'r an" lia,ilit"
relative to /is ad#ission. Needless to sa", a re%'lar trial on t/e #erits is neessar" for t/is p'rpose.
B'rt/er#ore, it (as not for respondent 9'd%e to 'nilaterall" deter#ine t/at t/e entire ase (as s',#itted for deision
(it/o't %ivin% o#plainant t/e opport'nit" to s',#it, or at t/e ver" least, #anifest if s/e /ad additional evidene to prove
/er innoene. Grantin% t/at o#plainant (as aorded t/e /ane to offer proof as to t/e alle%ed pa"#ent in s'pport of
/er #otion to dis#iss, it re#ained in'#,ent 'pon respondent 9'd%e to notif" o#plainant t/at t/e ase (ill ,e deided
on t/e #erits. An a'sed in a ri#inal ase #'st not ,e prel'ded fro# availin% of ever" option allo(ed ," t/e r'les to
add'e evidene in /is defense. In t/is ase, respondent 9'd%e deprived o#plainant of t/is opport'nit" (/en s/e
adopted proed'ral s/ort'ts and deided t/e ri#inal ases (it/o't ond'tin% a trial on t/e #erits.
A 9'd%e s/o'ld o,serve t/e 's'al and traditional #ode of ad9'diation re*'irin% t/at /e s/o'ld /ear ,ot/ sides (it/
patiene and 'nderstandin% to ;eep t/e ris; of rea/in% an 'n9'st deision at a #ini#'#.
H18I
In t/is re%ard, /e #'st neit/er
sarifie for eFpedien"Ds sa;e t/e f'nda#ental re*'ire#ents of d'e proess nor for%et t/at /e #'st onsientio'sl"
endeavor ea/ ti#e to see; t/e tr't/, to ;no( and aptl" appl" t/e la(, and to dispose of t/e ontrovers" o,9etivel" and
i#partiall".
H1=I
6/e f'nda#ental ri%/t of an a'sed to d'e proess #'st not ,e readil" sarified in favor of t/e speed"
resol'tion of ases. 6/e latter (o'ld indeed ,e #eanin%less if it (ere t/e res'lt of ar,itrar" ond't or proed're.
Contrar" to respondent 9'd%eDs lai#, t/ere is no s/o(in% t/at o#plainant onsented to s',#it t/e ases for deision
(it/o't a trial. Neit/er o'ld s'/ onsent ,e inferred fro# t/e ative partiipation of o#plainant in t/e /earin% of t/e
#otion to dis#iss ,ea'se, 'nderstanda,l", s/e partiipated t/erein 'nder t/e s'pposition t/at (/at (as ,ein% /eard at
t/at ti#e (as onl" /er #otion. 6/e r'les li;e(ise do not santion t/e Va'to#ati onversionW of a /earin% on a #otion to
dis#iss to a /earin% on t/e #erits of a ase, in t/e a,sene of an" lear (aiver ," t/e a'sed of /is ri%/t to a re%'lar
trial. Conse*'entl", respondent 9'd%e /as no valid eF'se for /er error, (/i/ res'lted in a violation of o#plainantDs ri%/t
to ,e properl" /eard on /er defenses.
?/en t/e i%norane of a 9'd%e is so %ross, /e is ad#inistrativel" lia,le even if /e ated in %ood fait/.
H1@I
In t/e ase at ,ar,
(/ile t/ere see#s to ,e no proof t/at respondent 9'd%e ated #aliio'sl" in preipitatel" deidin% t/e ri#inal ases
a%ainst o#plainant, /er lapses annot si#pl" ,e i%nored onsiderin% t/at t/e sa#e pertained to an appliation of ,asi
proed'ral r'les (/i/ s/e is ,o'nd to ;no( and o,serve. 6o o'r #ind, t/e #ista;e o##itted ," respondent 9'd%e is not
a #ere error of 9'd%#ent t/at an ,e ,r's/ed aside for ,ein% #inor or ne%li%i,le. Rat/er, it reflets an 'tter disre%ard of
esta,lis/ed r'les (/i/ a#o'nts to not/in% less t/an %ross i%norane of t/e la(.
As a %eneral poli", a 9'd%e #a" not ,e disiplined for error of 9'd%#ent, a,sent proof t/at t/e sa#e (as #ade (it/ a
onsio's or deli,erate intent to a'se an in9'stie. :o(ever, t/is does not #ean t/at a 9'd%e need not o,serve propriet",
disreteness and d'e are in t/e perfor#ane of /is offiial f'ntions,
H17I
#ost espeiall" in a ri#inal ase (/ere an
a'sed stands t/e ris; of inareration. $oreover, o,servane of t/e la(, (/i/ /e is ,o'nd to ;no( and s(orn to
'p/old, is re*'ired of ever" 9'd%e. ?/en t/e la( is s'ffiientl" ,asi, a 9'd%e o(es it to /is offie to ;no( and si#pl" appl"
it, s'/ t/at an"t/in% less (o'ld ,e onstit'tive of %ross i%norane of t/e la(.
H18I
Not(it/standin% t/e fore%oin%, /o(ever, (e find no ,asis for t/e OCADs findin% of %ross #isond't on t/e part of
respondent 9'd%e. As an ad#inistrative offense, #isond't i#plies #alie or (ron%f'l intent, not #ere error of 9'd%#ent.
H19I
6/ere is no s/o(in% /ere, and neit/er (as it alle%ed, t/at respondent 9'd%e /ad an" orr'pt #otive in errin% as s/e
did. 6/'s, s/e #'st onl" ,e disiplined for /er ineF'sa,le i%norane of t/e la(.
#(EREFORE, in vie( of t/e fore%oin%, respondent )'d%e Neida A'rora &. Garfin is fo'nd %'ilt" of %ross i%norane of t/e
la( and is ORDERED to pa" a fine in t/e a#o'nt of !13,333.33. S/e is S6ERN-> ?ARNED t/at a repetition of t/e
sa#e or si#ilar ats (ill ,e dealt (it/ #ore severel".
SO ORDERED.
Davide, r., C.., %C@airman(, Kitug, and Carpio, ., on'r.
57
G.R. No. 126029 &4<: 2B, 2003
PEOPLE OF T(E P(ILIPPINES, appellee, vs.
REY S"NGA, RAIL LANSANG, INOCENCIO PASC"A, LITO OCTAC &n' LOCIL C"I L GINALYN C"YOS,a'sed,
REY S"NGA, RAIL LANSANG &n' INOCENCIO PASC"A, appellants.
CARPIO*ORALES, J.G
6/e sole, 'norro,orated testi#on" of an a'sed (/o t'rned state (itness #a" s'ffie to onvit /is o4a'sed if it is
%iven 'n/esitatin%l" and in a strai%/tfor(ard #anner and is f'll of details (/i/ ," t/eir nat're o'ld not /ave ,een t/e
58
res'lt of deli,erate aftert/o'%/tG
1
ot/er(ise, it needs orro,oration t/e presene or la; of (/i/ #a" 'lti#atel" deide
t/e a'se of t/e prose'tion and t/e fate of t/e a'sed.
On )'l" 17, 1998, t/e #'tilated ,od" of )oel"n 6an 1)oel"n2, a #inor and a /i%/ s/ool st'dent of !ala(an Inte%rated
National S/ool, 1!INS2, (as fo'nd at a offee plantation in )aana, &aran%a" &anao4&anao in !'erto !rinesa Cit",
!ala(an.
6/e /'nt for t/e possi,le ;illers of )oel"n (as s(ift, several arrests /avin% ,een #ade in a span of da"s, follo(ed ," t/e
ond't of t/e re*'isite preli#inar" investi%ation ," t/e $'niipal 6rial Co'rt in Cities 1$6CC2 in !'erto !rinesa Cit"
(/i/ 'l#inated in t/e filin% ,efore t/e Re%ional 6rial Co'rt 1R6C2 of !'erto !rinesa Cit" of t/e infor#ation for rape (it/
/o#iide a%ainst t/e s'spets. 6/e ase (as raffled to &ran/ 88 of t/e o'rt.
A'sed in t/e Infor#ation (ere Re" S'n%a, Ra#il -ansan%, Inoenio !as'a, )r., and -ito Ota as prinipals, and
-oil C'i alias Ginal"n C'"os as ao#plie t/e a'sator" portion of t/e infor#ation dated Septe#,er @, 1998 reads as
follo(s5
F F F
6/at on or a,o't )'ne 79, 1998 in t/e afternoon, at &aran%a" Ira(an, !'erto !rinesa Cit", !/ilippines, and (it/in t/e
9'risdition of t/is :onora,le Co'rt, t/e said a'sed onspirin% and onfederatin% to%et/er and #'t'all" /elpin% one
anot/er, did t/en and t/ere (ilf'll", 'nla(f'll" and felonio'sl", ," #eans of fore, violene and inti#idation, to (it5 ,"
pinnin% do(n one )OCE->N 6AN, a #inor, fifteen 11=2 "ears of a%e, s'eeded in /avin% arnal ;no(led%e of /er a%ainst
/er (ill and (it/o't /er onsentG t/at on t/e oasion of said rape and to ena,le t/e# to oneal t/e o##ission of t/e
ri#e, t/e /erein a'sed in f'rt/erane of t/e onspira" to%et/er (it/ -OCI- C.I, a #inor, atin% (it/ disern#ent and
(/o ooperated in t/e eFe'tion of t/e offense as ACCO$!-ICE, did t/en and t/ere (ilf'll", 'nla(f'll" and felonio'sl",
ta;in% advanta%e of t/eir s'perior n'#,er and stren%t/, (it/ intent to ;ill, trea/ero'sl" atta;, assa'lt, and 'se personal
violene 'pon )OCE->N 6AN ," repeatedl" sta,,in% and s#as/in% a stone on /er /ead, t/ere," inflitin% 'pon /er
#ortal (o'nds and #'ltiple frat'res on /er s;'ll (/i/ (ere t/e diret a'se of /er deat/ s/ortl" t/ereafter.
CON6RAR> 6O -A?.
7
F F F.
6/e ase (as do;eted as Cri#inal Case No. 11988.
.pon arrai%n#ent all t/e a'sed pleaded not %'ilt".
On Septe#,er 7@, 1998, t/e a'sed t/ro'%/ o'nsel filed a petition for ,ail,
0
'ndersorin% t/e (ea;ness of t/e !eopleDs
evidene, t/ere ,ein% no diret evidene a%ainst t/e#, a fat ad#itted ," t/e Cit" !rose'tor in /is resol'tion
8
for t/eir
indit#ent. :earin%s on t/e ,ail petition (ere ond'ted in t/e o'rse of (/i/ t/e prose'tion, after presentin% several
(itnesses, filed on Oto,er 18, 1998 a #otion to dis/ar%e
=
a'sed -oil C'i 1-oil2 to ,e a state (itness, averrin%
t/erein t/at t/e le%al re*'isites for /er dis/ar%e /ad ,een o#plied (it/, and s',#ittin% /er s(orn state#ent
@
(/i/
detailed /o( /er o4a'sed arried o't t/e ri#e. 6/e respetive o'nsels for t/e ot/er a'sed opposed t/e #otion,
insistin% t/at it o'ld onl" ,e filed d'rin% trial on t/e #erits and t/at -oilDs testi#on" (as not a,sol'tel" neessar".
7
&"
Order of Oto,er 73, 1998,
8
t/e trial o'rt deferred t/e resol'tion of t/e ,ail petition 'ntil after t/e prose'tion /ad rested
its ase, ,'t it %ranted t/e #otion to dis/ar%e -oil.
6/e a'sed assailed t/e dis/ar%e of -oil via a petition for ertiorari and pro/i,ition
9
,efore t/e Co'rt of Appeals (/i/
iss'ed a te#porar" restrainin% order 16RO2 en9oinin% t/e trial o'rt fro# proeedin% (it/ t/e trial of t/e ase.
13
6/e 6RO
lapsed, /o(ever, (it/o't a preli#inar" in9'ntion ,ein% iss'ed, /ene, t/e trial of t/e ase res'#ed.
6/ro'%/ state (itness -oil, t/en 18 "ears old and an ele#entar" s/ool dropo't (/o /ad ,een livin% a(a" fro# /er
parents and 'sin% t/e alias AGinal"n C'"osA
11
to evade, ," /er o(n ao'nt,
17
/er #ot/er and a'nt (/o (ere loo;in% for
/er after s/e %ot pre%nant 1t/e pre%nan" (as later a,orted2, t/e prose'tion esta,lis/ed t/e follo(in% version5
At a,o't 7533 p. #. of )'ne 79, 1998, -oil ,oarded a tri"le ,earin% t/e #ar;in% AR"an4R"anA fro# t/e Soial Se'rit"
S"ste# 1SSS2 Offie in !'erto !rinesa Cit". Alread" on ,oard t/e tri"le (as a les,ian (/o /ad a ,irt/#ar; on t/e ri%/t
59
side of t/e fae and (/o invited -oil for a 9o" ride.
10
.pon instr'tion of t/e les,ian, t/e tri"le driver, (/o# s/e did not
;no( ,'t (/o# s/e later identified and (/o ans(ered to t/e na#e Re" S'n%a 1S'n%a2, repaired to t/e $endo+a !ar;.
At t/e $endo+a !ar;, t/e les,ian ali%/ted and spo;e to )oel"n 6an, t/e viti#, (/o (as dressed in a !INS 'nifor#. 6/e
les,ian, to%et/er (it/ )oel"n, t/en 9oined -oil a,oard t/e tri"le (/i/ (as alread" driven ," Inoenio !as'a
1!as'a2 vie S'n%a (/o /ad in t/e #eanti#e left. Still a,oard t/e tri"le, t/e fo'r of t/e# proeeded to and rea/ed
&aran%a" Ira(an, !'erto !rinesa Cit" and on rea/in% a forested area, )oel"n (as #et ," S'n%a (/o /eld /er and ,"
Ra#il -ansan% 1-ansan%2 (/o (rapped /is ar# aro'nd /er (aist as t/e" dra%%ed /er to a near," A,'/oA l'#ps. 6/ere,
)oel"n (as #ade to lie do(n. :er s;irt (as raised and /er pant" (as ta;en off ," -ansan%. As s/e la" fae 'p (it/ ,ot/
/er /ands /eld ," S'n%a and !as'a, -ansan% stripped na;ed, plaed /i#self on top of )oel"n, inserted /is penis into
/er va%ina and Asee#ed to ,e p'#pin%.A
18
After -ansan%, S'n%a too; t'rn to /ave seF'al intero'rse (it/ )oel"n as -ansan% and one (/o (as not ;no(n to -oil
and (/o# t/e latter desri,ed as one (/o /as A/in;"A or Anarro( e"es,A later identified to ,e !as'a, ;ept )oel"n
pinned do(n ," /er /ands.
1=
!as'a too s',se*'entl" /ad arnal ;no(led%e of )oel"n (/o all alon% str'%%led a%ainst /er #alefators.
1@
After !as'a satisfied /is l'st, S'n%a, (it/ a s/arp ,laded (eapon, sta,,ed t/e a,do#en of t/e #otionless )oel"n,
dra(in% /er to rise to a sittin% position and l't/ /er a,do#en. S'n%a t/en passed on t/e ,laded (eapon to -ansan%
(/o s#as/ed )oel"nDs /ead (it/ an irre%'larl" s/aped stone, a'sin% /er to fall to t/e %ro'nd lifeless. -oil, (/o
(itnessed ever"t/in%, (as t/en p'lled ," t/e les,ian and led ,a; into t/e tri"le (/ere t/e" a(aited -ansan%, S'n%a
and !as'a to ride (it/ t/e#. All five t/ereafter /eaded ,a; to !'erto !rinesa Cit" proper, leavin% )oel"nDs ,od"
,e/ind.
17
?/en t/e five rea/ed t/e $endo+a !ar; (/ere -oil ali%/ted, s/e /eard t/e voie of so#eone fro# inside t/e tri"le
(arnin% /er to ;eep #'# a,o't t/e inident, ot/er(ise so#et/in% (o'ld also /appen to /er. -oil t/en repaired to /er
,oardin% /o'se. .ntil s/e (as arrested follo(in% t/e disover" on )'l" 17, 1998 of )oel"nDs orpse, s/e did not report
t/e inident to an"one.
18
6/e ot/er prose'tion (itnesses provided testi#onies pertainin% to ir'#stanes after t@e fact.
Osar Devilleres, a %ar,a%e tr'; driver, realled t/at /e (as on /is (a" /o#e in )aana, &aran%a" &anao4&anao at
17503 a. #. of )'ne 03, 1998, a da" after t/e inident, (/en fro# a distane of a,o't 03 #eters, /e sa( -ansan% (al;in%
,a; and fort/ and appearin% restless near t/e offee plantation in )aana, &aran%a" &anao4&anao (/ere )oel"nDs
,od" (as later fo'nd on )'l" 17, 1998. Alt/o'%/ it (as t/en ni%/tti#e, Devilleres /ad a %ood loo; at -ansan% d'e to t/e
ill'#ination provided ," t/e eletri li%/t post 'nder (/i/ -ansan% (as sit'ated.
19
I%leeria Ga,inete, a resident of )aana, delared t/at s/e (as a#on% t/ose (/o sa( t/e #'tilated ,od" of )oel"n in
t/e #ornin% of )'l" 17, 1998 at a offee plantation near /er plaeG t/at in t/e afternoon of t/at date and (/ile tendin% /er
sari4sari store, a tri"le arrived (it/ t/ree #en on ,oard, one of (/o#, -ito Ota 1Ota2 ali%/ted, leavin% t/e t(o inside
t/e tri"le (/o see#ed to ,e /idin% t/eir faesG t/at one of t/ose t(o #en inside t/e tri"le in*'ired fro# /er (/et/er
t/e disovered orpse, t/at of )oel"n, (as fro# &aran%a" Carora"G t/at t/e follo(in% da", s/e reported to t/e polie
a,o't t/e t/ree s'spiio's loo;in% #en (/o (ent to /er storeG and t/at t(o da"s later, s/e (as #ade to, as s/e did,
identif" -ansan% at t/e polie station as one of t/e #en (/o (ent to /er store in t/e afternoon of )'l" 17, 1998 and
in*'ired as to )oel"nDs orpse.
73
Gala/ad 6an 16an2, )oel"nDs fat/er, reo'nted as follo(s5 D'rin% t/e (a;e of /is da'%/ter at t/e Sa#paton B'neral
!arlor, at 1503 a. #. of )'l" 18, 1998 11=t/ da" follo(in% t/e inident2, -ansan% arrived and told /i# as follo(s5 A Total tayo
ay mag'aisang barangay lang ay ayosin natin itong 'aso at magtulungan na lang, mayroon na a'ong alam na
ma'a'apagturo 'ung sino and may 'agagawan sa 'rimen. Luwag na lang nating sabi@in sa mga polis.A ?/en /e as;ed
-ansan% (/o /e (as referrin% to, -ansan% replied t/at /e (o'ld ret'rn. -ansan% did not ret'rn, /o(ever, pro#ptin% 6an
to rela" to la( enforers t/e state#ents of -ansan%, /is nei%/,or (/o (as o'rtin% )oel"n at t/e ti#e and (it/ (/ose
fa#il" /is o(n fa#il" (as in %ood ter#s.
71
6estif"in% on t/e a'tops" s/e ond'ted on )oel"n, Dr. $a. Carla Galle%o 4 Vi%onte 1Dr. Vi%onte2 affir#ed t/e follo(in%
findin%s in /er report
77
dated )'l" 17, 19985
60
!OS64$OR6E$ BINDINGS
1. 6/e adaver (as seen in advaned sta%e of deo#position.
7. Depressed frat're noted at t/e frontal ,one of t/e s;'ll a,o't 7 # anterior to t/e ,re%#a, #eas'rin% 7.= # in (idt/
and 0.= # in len%t/, (it/ a ro'nded /ole at its ri%/t side (it/ irre%'lar ed%es #eas'rin% 8 # F = # in dia#eterG (it/ a
linear frat're a,o't 7 # in len%t/ eFtendin% fro# t/e depressed frat're 'p to t/e ,re%#aG linear frat're a,o't 0 # in
len%t/ alon% t/e oronal s't're, ri%/t side, eFtendin% fro# t/e /ole to t/e ,re%#a.
0. $'ltiple linear frat're (it/ len%t/s ran%in% fro# 7 # to = #, noted at t/e la#,doid s't're, a,o't 7 # ri%/t side of
t/e la#,da, eFtendin% to t/e ri%/t side of t/e oipital and parietal ,ones of t/e s;'ll.
!RO&A&-E CA.SE OB DEA6:5 Intraranial :e#orr/a%e seondar" to #'ltiple frat'res of t/e s;'ll.
Dr. Vi%onte opined t/at a ,l'nt o,9et or instr'#ent li;e a /ard (ood or a ro; a'sed t/e in9'r" noted in post4#orte#
findin% no. 7 (/i/ (as fatal, it ,ein% a deep (o'nd in t/e s;'ll affetin% its inner or%an and laeratin% t/e tiss'es of t/e
,rain, t/'s a'sin% /e#orr/a%eG t/at for said fatal (o'nd, t/e assailant (as pro,a,l" at )oel"nDs left sideG t/at for t/e
in9'r" in post4#orte# findin% no. 0, t/e atta;er (as at t/e ,a; of )oel"nG and t/at in li%/t of t/e #'ltiple in9'ries, t/ere
(ere #ore t/an one perpetrator.
70
Dr. Vi%onte (as, /o(ever, 'na,le to deter#ine (/et/er )oel"n (as also raped.
78
6/e prose'tion add'ed do'#entar" evidene onsistin% #ainl" of t(o s'pposed eFtra9'diial onfessions #ade ,"
S'n%a.
In a s(orn state#ent 1EF/i,it AAA2
7=
dated )'l" 18, 1998 (/i/ (as eFe'ted ,efore S!O7 )ose !. )anoras 1S!O7
)anoras2, S'n%a #ade t/e follo(in% dislos'res5
At a,o't 13533 a. #. of t/e da" of t/e inident, )'ne 79, 1998, as /e (as t/en at (or; as a tri"le dispat/er, -ansan%
arrived in a tri"le ,earin% t/e #ar;in% AR"an4R"anA and invited /i# to ao#pan" /i# in fet/in% )oel"n at t/e !INS.
:e o,li%ed and 9'st ,efore rea/in% t/eir destination, -oil ,oarded t/e tri"le. At t/e %ate of t/e s/ool, -ansan% tal;ed
to )oel"n (/o (as t/en (earin% t/e s/ool 'nifor# after (/i/ t/e t(o ,oarded t/e tri"le (/i/ /e 1S'n%a2 drove to a
spot at t/e orner of Ri+al Aven'e and -aao St. in t/e !'erto !rinesa Cit" proper (/ere t/e fo'r of t/e# 1S'n%a,
-ansan%, -oil and )oel"n2 transferred to an ,ownerMs $eep, broug@t by Bctac alias ,Toto., 6/e %ro'p t/en proeeded to
and rea/ed &aran%a" Ira(an at aro'nd 13503 a. #. and at a forested area in Sitio 6a%a'd, ever"one ali%/ted eFept for
Ota. -ansan% t/en fori,l" 'ndressed )oel"n and raped /er w@ile @e %Sunga( and -ocil watc@ed. After ons'##atin%
/is arnal desire, -ansan% /it )oel"n (it/ a 7A F 7A piee of (ood on /er /ead and s'essivel" on different parts of /er
,od". ?/en )oel"n (as alread" dead, -oil also (/a;ed )oel"nDs ,od" #an" ti#es. 6/e %ro'p t/en /eaded ,a; to
t/e it" proper, leavin% )oel"nDs re#ains at t/e sene of t/e ri#e.
In aordane (it/ t/eir previo's a%ree#ent, /e 1S'n%a2, -ansan% and -oil ret'rned to &aran%a" Ira(an a,oard a 9eep
driven ," Ota four days after )'ne 79, 1998 and too; )oel"nDs ,od" for t/e p'rpose of ,rin%in% it to )aana in
&aran%a" &anao4&anao in aordane (it/ -ansan%Ds (is/. On t/eir (a" to &anao4&anao, -oil inserted a i%arette
into t/e orpseDs #o't/ K AT. pinasigarilyo ni N-ocilO ang bang'ay upang i'ubli sa maaaring ma'a'ita ang tunay na
'aanyuan ni ocelyn Tan.A
7@
At &aran%a" &anao4&anao, /e 1S'n%a2, -ansan% and -oil arried t/e viti#Ds ,od" and
left t/e sa#e at a offee plantation fift" #eters a(a" fro# )aana Road (/ile Ota served as a loo;o't ," t/e roadside.
On t/eir ret'rn to t/e it", t/e fo'r parted (a"s at t/e orner of Ri+al Aven'e and -aao Street. :e 1S'n%a2 t/en drove t/e
tri"le (it/ t/e #ar;in% AR"an4R"anA (it/ -oil a,oard (/ile -ansan% and Ota re#ained to%et/er at t/e 9eep.
77
6/e a,ove s(orn state#ent ,ears S'n%aDs si%nat're and t/at of /is assistin% o'nsel, Att". A%'stin Roa#ora 1Att".
Roa#ora2, !'erto !rinesa Cit" -e%al Offier.
6estif"in% as to t/e investi%ation /e ond'ted 'pon S'n%a, S!O7 )anoras realled t/at /e (as on d't" at t/e !'erto
!rinesa Cit" polie preint in t/e #ornin% of )'l" 18, 1998 (/en S!O8 &o" !antollano and patrol#an &olos arrived
to%et/er (it/ S'n%a. 6/e t(o ,ro'%/t S'n%a inside a roo# and as;ed /i# *'estions pertainin% to )oel"nDs deat/ and
after a,o't t/irt" #in'tes, S'n%a (as presented ,efore /i# 1S!O7 )anoras2 for investi%ation. :e initiall" as;ed S'n%a
(/et/er /e ;ne( an"t/in% a,o't )oel"nDs deat/ and S'n%a replied affir#ativel", pro#ptin% /i# to infor# /i# of /is ri%/ts
'nder 'stodial interro%ation. After S'n%a si%nified /is desire to avail of t/e servies of a la("er, S'n%a /ose Att".
Roa#ora to ,e /is o'nsel fro# a#on% t/e na#es of la("ers #entioned ," /i# 1S!O7 )anoras2. :e t/ere'pon fet/ed
Att". Roa#ora fro# /is residene. Att". Roa#ora ,riefl" onferred (it/ S'n%a, as;in% /i# if /e (anted to %ive a
61
onfession and infor#in% /i# of t/e onse*'enes t/ereof. 6/ereafter, t/e investi%ation proeeded (it/ S'n%a vol'ntaril"
%ivin% /is ans(ers to *'estions /e 1S!O7 )anoras2 propo'nded at t/e end of (/i/ investi%ation S'n%a and Att".
Roa#ora affiFed t/eir respetive si%nat'res on t/e reorded state#ent.
78
6/e eFe'tion of EF/i,it AAA (as, d'rin% t/e preli#inar" investi%ation ,efore t/e $'niipal 6rial Co'rt,
79
affir#ed ,"
S'n%a. Apart fro# a;no(led%in% its ontents, S'n%a ans(ered t/e investi%atin% 9'd%eDs ot/er *'eries as /e i#pliated
-ansan%, -oil and Ota in t/e ;illin% of )oel"n. T@is time, @owever, @e alleged t@at not only -ansang but also
Bctac raped )oel"n, adding t@at @e merely @eld ocelynMs @and.
03
S',se*'entl" or on A'%'st 0, 1998, S'n%a eFe'ted anot/er s(orn state#ent 1EF/i,it AIA2
01
,efore Speial Investi%ator
Re"naldo O. A,ordo of t/e !'erto !rinesa offie of t/e National &'rea' of Investi%ation 1N&I2. =C@ibit ,<, varied in a
number of respects from =C@ibit ,!., In EF/i,it AI,A S'n%a delared t/at in t/e #ornin% of )'ne 78, 1998 /e alread" /ad an
a%ree#ent (it/ -ansan% to fet/ )oel"n fro# /er s/ool on t/e follo(in% da"G t/at at 8533 a. #. of t/e follo(in% da", )'ne
79, 1998, /e, to%et/er (it/ -ansan%, -ito Ota 1s/o'ld ,e Ota2 and a ertain )'n left $endo+a !ar; and proeeded to
Ira(an after as;in% -oil, one &in% $anila, and a ertain )osie to fet/ )oel"n at /er s/oolG t@at un drove t@e tricycle
bac' to t@e city proper and @e transported t@eir female companions including ocelyn to <rawanG t/at at Ira(an, -ansan%
raped t/e str'%%lin% )oel"n (/ose /ands (ere t/en /eld ," )osieG t/at after -ansan% and )'n raped )oel"n, -ansan%
s#as/ed /er /ead t(ie in aordane (it/ /is plan to ;ill /er (/i/ plan (as ;no(n to /i# 1S'n%a2, -oil, Ota and
)'nG t@at at 3P70 a. m. of une 70, 3119, -ansang, Sunga, Bcta and un returned to <rawan, too' ocelynMs corpse and
d'#ped it at a offee plantation in )aana RoadG and t/at /e did not ta;e part in t/e rape or ;illin% of )oel"n ,'t #erel"
9oined t/e %ro'p d'e to -ansan%Ds pro#ise to %ive /i# !=33.33. =C@ibit ,<, embodied a waiver by Sunga of @is rig@t to
counsel.
07
6/e prose'tion evidene (it/ respet to )oel"nDs fa#il"Ds in'rrin% of t/e a#o'nt of !11,333.33 for )oel"nDs f'neral
eFpenses (as ad#itted ," t/e defense.
00
.pon t/e ot/er /and, all t/e a'sed proffered ali,i.
A'sed4appellant S'n%a, (/o /ad previo'sl" ,een onvited for ro,,er" (it/ /o#iide, denied /avin% an"t/in% to do
(it/ t/e rape and ;illin% of )oel"n. :e ,randed as false t/e testi#on" of -oil (/o# /e lai#ed is a prostit'te and a pi#p
and (as al(a"s seen loiterin% at $endo+a !ar;. ?/ile /e a;no(led%ed ;no(in% Ota and !as'a, /e denied ,ein% in
t/eir o#pan" on )'ne 79, 1998 or in -ansan%Ds.
08
Confronted (it/ /is s(orn state#ent4EF/i,it AA,A S'n%a eFplained t/e ir'#stanes ,e/ind /is eFe'tion t/ereof as
follo(s5 After /avin% ,een arrested (it/o't a (arrant ," t/e polie in t/e evenin% of )'l" 1=, 1998 at t/e orner of Ri+al
and Valenia streets (/ile Api;in% 'p passen%ers,A /e (as ,ro'%/t to t/e polie station (/ere /e (as s',9eted to
violene and inti#idation ," S!O7 !antollano and a ertain Ea Ronnie to oere /i# to Apinpoint to an",od"A, and /e
invol'ntaril" did. After ,ein% #a'led and ;i;ed, /e (as #ade to appear ,efore polie investi%ator )anoras on t/at sa#e
ni%/t of )'l" 1=, 1998 d'rin% (/i/ /e si%ned t/e seond and t/ird pa%es of a t/ree pa%ed affidavit e#,od"in% /is
*'estioned eFtra9'diial onfession (it/o't t/e assistane of o'nsel and 'nder t/reats and inti#idation fro# S!O7
!antollano. :e (as later ,ro'%/t on )'l" 18, 1998 to t/e Capitol ,'ildin% (/ere /e si%ned t/e first pa%e of /is onfession
after (/i/ Att". A%'stin Roa#ora also si%ned t/e sa#e.
0=
As to /is ot/er s(orn state#ent4EF/i,it AIA eFe'ted ,efore t/e N&I, S'n%a initiall" affir#ed /avin% %iven t/e ans(ers to
*'estions propo'nded t/erein ," t/e N&I Investi%ator and /avin% eFe'ted t/e AonfessionA for t/e p'rpose of appl"in% to
,eo#e a state (itness in t/e ase.
0@
:e s',se*'entl" retrated /is a;no(led%e#ent of EF/i,it AIA as /is o(n
onfession.
07
?/ile /e ad#itted /avin% partiipated in t/e preli#inar" investi%ation at t/e $6CC of !'erto !rinesa Cit",
/e o'ld not re#e#,er /avin% %iven #ost of t/e state#ents /e #ade t/erein.
08
6/e defense presented ot/er (itnesses.
oel =s+uela .ayo 1$a"o2, an e#plo"ee of !'erto !rinesa Cit"Ds ri#e (at/do% A&anta" !'erto,A delared t/at in t/e
#ornin% of )'l" 18, 1998 /e and a o4e#plo"ee $i%'el A,rina 1A,rina2 (ere at )aana in &aran%a" &anao4&anao 'pon
orders fro# t/eir s'perior to ,e on t/e loo;o't for t/e possi,le ret'rn t/ereto of t/e perpetrators ,e/ind )oel"nDs ;illin%G
seein% -oil 'neas" as s/e ali%/ted fro# a tri"le, t/e" approa/ed and as;ed /er /o( s/e (as related to )oel"n to
(/i/ s/e replied t/at s/e (as a friendG t/en -oil ,ro'%/t t/e t(o to t/e ver" spot (/ere )oel"nDs re#ains (ere fo'nd
and (/ile t/ere s/e ated as if s/e (as loo;in% for so#et/in%G -oil later o##ented t/at it (as t/ere t/at )oel"n and
s/e /ad a fi%/tG and -oil (as s',se*'entl" appre/ended ," t/e polie.
09
62
A,rina s',stantiall" orro,orated $a"oDs stor".
83
Anot/er (itness, Brlando -acsamana 1-asa#ana2, a detainee at t/e !'erto !rinesa Cit" 9ail, testified t/at (/ile /e (as
onversin% (it/ -oil, also a detainee, on A'%'st 1=, 1998, t/e" sa( -ansan% ,ein% ,ro'%/t inside. -asa#ana as;ed
-oil if s/e ;ne( -ansan% ,'t s/e denied /avin% ;no(n -ansan% or /avin% ,een /er o#panion.
81
Detention prisoners )o/n !'l%a 1!'l%a2 and )err" Gal%arin 1Gal%arin2 as (ell as &'rea' of )ail $ana%e#ent and
!enolo%" 1&)$!2 personnel )oel Ra,anal 1Ra,anal2 and S!O7 Conrado G'+#an Rafael 1S!O7 Rafael2 testified as to
-ocilMs failure to correctly identify -ansang on separate occasions.
6/'s detention prisoner !'l%a narrated t/at on )'l" 71, 1998, /e (as #ade to for# part of a polie line4'p to%et/er (it/
t/ree ot/er detaineesG and t/at (/en -oil (as as;ed ," t/e polie to identif" (/o a#on% t/e# (as -ansan%, s/e pointed
to /i# 1!'l%a2 (/o# s/e alled Ra#il -ansan%.
87
Corro,oratin% !'l%aDs testi#on" (as &)$! personnel Ra,anal (/o ,ro'%/t o't !'l%a and t/e t/ree ot/ers for t/e polie
line4'p, /e too alle%in% t/at -oil indeed pointed to !'l%a as -ansan%.
80
Detention prisoner Galgarin, (/o (as detained at t/e 7@0rd $o,ile !ost of t/e !/ilippine National !olie on )'l" 70,
1998, delared t/at /e sa( -oil arrive in a polie ar after (/i/ -ansan% and t/ree ot/er detainees (ere #ade to stand
in a polie line4'pG and t/at (/en -oil (as as;ed to identif" -ansan%, s/e said /e (as not t/ere.
88
SPB2 )afael testified t/at (/ile /e (as on d't" in t/e aforesaid !N! $o,ile !ost on A'%'st 70, 1998, -oil /esitated to
identif" -ansan% even after t/e polie ass'red /er not to ,e afraid.
8=
A'sed4appellant Pascua dislai#ed ;no(led%e of an"one of /is o4a'sed prior to t/e )'ne 79, 1998 inident. :e
denied /avin% an"t/in% to do (it/ t/e ;illin% or rape of )oel"n and ,randed -oilDs ao'nt as a lie. :e lai#ed t/at /e
(as sta"in% (it/ /is 'nle Vitor de Belipe at 77 E. &'r%os St., !'erto !rinesa Cit" fro# April to )'l" 18, 1998G t/at (/ile
/e (as drivin% t/e tri"le (it/ t/e #ar;in% AR"an4R"anA for a livin%, /e ret'rned it to its o(ner on )'ne 77, 1998 d'e to
en%ine tro',le and never drove it a%ainG t/at at a,o't 8533 a. #. of )'ne 79, 1998, /e, to%et/er (it/ /is 'nle Vitor De
Belipe and a arpenter, (ent to San !edro also in !'erto !rinesa Cit" (/ere /e /elped in reoverin% #aterials fro# De
BelipeDs de#olis/ed /o'se t/ereat for 'se in t/e latterDs ot/er residene at &'r%os St.G and t/at /e (as at San !edro 'ntil
8533 p. #. of t/e sa#e da".
8@
Contin'in%, !as'a delared t/at on )'l" 18, 1998, /e left for /is stepfat/erDs /o#e at &aran%a" &'rirao of t/e to(n of
Narra (/ere /e (as, on )'l" 70, 1998, arrested (it/o't a (arrant ," t/e polie on s'spiion t/at /e #i%/t /ave ,een
involved in t/e s',9et ri#e, /e /avin% driven for so#eti#e t/e tri"le ,earin% t/e #ar;in% AR"an4R"anGA t/at t/e
appre/endin% polie#en so'%/t /is ooperation so /e o'ld ,e 'tili+ed as a (itness a%ainst -ansan%, even offerin% /i# a
!133,333.33 re(ard and /is eFl'sion fro# t/e ri#inal infor#ation, ,'t /e ref'sed for /e ;ne( not/in% a,o't t/e ri#eG
t/at inside a s#all roo# at t/e polie station in t/e it", /e a%ain ref'sed to o,e" S!O8 !antollanoDs order for /i# to sa"
ertain t/in%s a,o't t/e ri#e, t/ere," inf'riatin% !antollano (/o t/reatened to i#pliate /i#G t/at (/ile still 'nder
detention on )'l" 78, 1998, /e (as ,ro'%/t ,efore -oil for identifiation p'rposes ,'t -oil denied ;no(in% /i#G and t/at
/e did not %o into /idin% after )'ne 79, 1998 for /e too; 'p a far#in% o'rse at t/e !ala(an National A%ri'lt'ral Colle%e
1!NAC2.
87
Kictor De *elipe orro,orated /is a'sed nep/e(Ds testi#on" as to /is (/erea,o'ts on )'ne 79, 1998 and /is ret'rnin%
t/e tri"le t(o da"s ,efore t/e inident.
88
BeliF $a"or, De BelipeDs arpenter, onfir#ed !as'aDs ,ein% (it/ /i# and De
Belipe t/e (/ole da" of )'ne 79, 1998 at &aran%a" San !edro to retrieve ,'ildin% #aterials fro# De BelipeDs de#olis/ed
/o'se in t/e said plae.
89
6/e testi#on" of (itness Espiridion -a,oto" (as dispensed (it/ (/en t/e prose'tion ad#itted its orro,oration of
!as'aDs alle%ation t/at t/e latter ret'rned t/e tri"le to its o(ner on )'ne 77, 1998.
=3
*ilomena Pascua5Tesorio also orro,orated /er nep/e( !as'aDs lai# t/at -oil did not identif" /i# as one of t/ose (/o
(ron%ed )oel"n. And s/e added t/at d'rin% /er visit to !as'a at t/e polie station on )'l" 78, 1998, s/e as;ed -oil if
s/e (as a*'ainted (it/ !as'a and s/e replied in t/e ne%ative, sa"in% it (as /er first ti#e to see !as'a.
=1
63
Cesar #atin 1&atin2, an instr'tor at !NAC, attested t/at !as'a (as enrolled at !NAC A,o4A,o Center in &roo;eDs point
on )'l" 18, 1998 ,'t t/at /e attended lasses for onl" a,o't a (ee; and res'#ed /is st'dies on A'%'st 1@, 1998 'ntil
Oto,er 11, 1998. &atin affir#ed t/e ertifiation /e iss'ed as to !as'aDs s/ool attendane.
=7
!as'aDs #ot/er Teodora =spa?ola testified t/at s/e ao#panied /er arrested son (/en /e (as ,ro'%/t ," t/e polie to
!'erto !rinesa Cit" on )'l" 70, 1998 and onfir#ed t/at t/e polie#en offered !as'a a re(ard in eF/an%e for /is
ad#ittin% responsi,ilit" for t/e ri#e ,'t t/at s/e re,'ffed t/e#.
=0
-ito Bctac, also lin%in% to ali,i, alle%ed t/at on t/e da" of t/e inident /e (as (or;in% at !a#,ato Bor(arder loadin%
ar%oes and piees of ,a%%a%e, in s'pport of (/i/ /e presented an entr" 1EF/i,it A9A2
=8
in /is e#plo"erDs lo%,oo;
s/o(in% t/at /e reported for (or; fro# 1533 to =533 p. #. of )'ne 79, 1998.
==
-ansang, (/o operated a p'#p ,oat t/at ferried passen%ers fro# &aran%a" Car'ra", San Viente, !ala(an (/ere /is
parents reside, to &aran%a" &a/ile, !'erto !rinesa Cit" and vie4versa, delared as follo(s5 At a,o't 8503 a. #. of )'ne
79, 1998, /e #et /is sister Gloria Ne%osa in /er offie at t/e !/ilippine !orts A't/orit" for t/e p'rpose of ,orro(in% fro#
/er !0,333.33 (/i/ /e (o'ld 'se to ,'" piees of pl"(ood and paint for /is ,oat. :is sister, /o(ever, direted /i# to %et
t/e #one" fro# /is #ot/er (/o /appened to ,e at /er offie at t/e ti#e and (/o reeived t(o !CI& /e;s ,ot/ dated
)'ne 79, 1998 pa"a,le to as/, one in t/e a#o'nt of t(o t/o'sand 1!7,333.332 pesos, and anot/er in t/e a#o'nt of Nine
6/o'sand SiF :'ndred SiFteen 1!9,@1@.332 pesos fro# Gloria. S/ortl" after, /e and /is #ot/er (ent to t/e !CI &an;
(/ere /e, instead of /is #ot/er (/o did not /ave an" identifiation ard and Co##'nit" 6aF Certifiate, did t/e enas/in%
1at 95=0 a. #.2 of t/e /e;s4 1EF/i,its A17A and A174AA2. 6/e t(o left t/e ,an; and proeeded to t/e !ala(an !o'ltr" store
fro# (/i/ t/e" p'r/ased fertili+er. 6/ereafter, t/e" ,o'%/t pl"(ood and paint at t/e .nio $er/andisin%.
=@
1An offiial
reeipt dated )'ne @, 1998 of !7,73@ representin% t/e p'r/ase prie of t/e %oods (as #ar;ed as EF/i,it A11A.2
=7
Contin'in%, -ansan% delared t/at (/ile /is #ot/er left to #a;e /er ot/er p'r/ases, /e re#ained at t/e .nio
$er/andisin% 'ntil 17533 noon (/en /e (ent to t/e /o'se of /is ,rot/ers4in4la( to pi; 'p /er #ot/erDs %oods. At t/e
said /o'se, /e ,riefl" #et a resident t/ereof na#ed Ariel &atad and t/en too; /is #ot/erDs %oods. :e loaded all t/eir
p'r/ases in a 9eep ,o'nd for &aran%a" &a/ile fro# (/i/ point t/e" (ere to ,e transported via a p'#p ,oat to /is
parentDs /o#e in &aran%a" Car'ra". As /is #ot/er no lon%er s/o(ed 'p, /e (as onstrained to ao#pan" /is ar%o
a,oard t/e 9eep (/i/ departed at 1533 p. #. and rea/ed &aran%a" &a/ile at 0533 p. #. of t/e sa#e da", )'ne 79, 1998.
At &aran%a" &a/ile, /e loaded t/e %oods into /is ,oat (it/ t/e /elp of t/e ,oat driver, Arnel 6'lon%/ari. :e t/en too;
l'n/ at t/e arinderia of a ertain )err" 1or )erio2 R'fano (/ere /e (aited in vain for t(o /o'rs for /is #ot/er to o#e to
&aran%a" &a/ile. At =533 p. #. of )'ne 79, 1998, R'fano drove /i# to &aran%a" Salvaion (/ere /e %ot a 9eepne" ride on
/is (a" /o#e to t/e it" proper, arrivin% t/ere at a,o't 8503 p. #. still of t/e sa#e da".
=8
-ansan% f'rt/er delared t/at /e /ad never ,een to &aran%a" Ira(an or to )aana in &aran%a" &anao4&anao. ?/ile /e
ad#itted t/at /e, to%et/er (it/ one )oel E%aPa, (ent to t/e Sa#paton B'neral !arlor in t/e evenin% of )'l" 10, 1998 to
ondole (it/ t/e 6ans, /e denied /avin% told 6an t/at /e 1-ansan%2 ;ne( so#e,od" (/o o'ld pinpoint t/ose responsi,le
for t/e ri#e. :e li;e(ise denied as;in% 6an to refrain fro# see;in% t/e assistane of la( enforers, /e /avin% #erel"
infor#ed 6an t/at S'n%a, (it/ (/o# 1/e2 -ansan% %ot to ,e a*'ainted earlier t/at sa#e evenin%, ;ne( )oel"n. Binall",
-ansan% dislai#ed /avin% ,een )oel"nDs s'itor for /e /ad a live4in partner na#ed $ar" Ann Dineros (/o# /e intended
to #arr" ,'t o'ld not do so d'e to /is indit#ent in t/e ase at ,ar.
=9
?itnesses erry )ufano, !rnel Tulong@ari and !riel #actad orro,orated pertinent parts of -ansan%Ds testi#on" as to /is
(/erea,o'ts and ativities on )'ne 79, 1998.
@3
oel =ga?a also affirmed @aving accompanied -ansang to Sampaton *uneral parlor on t@e nig@t of uly 37, 3119.
@1
.elisa P. .ateo, on t/e ot/er /and, testified t/at as a ,an; teller of !CI &an;, s/e reeived and proessed for
enas/#ent t/e t(o /e;s 1EF/i,it A17A2
@7
fro# -ansan% at al#ost 13533 a. #. of )'ne 79, 1998, (/i/ /e;s as (ell as
-ansan%Ds si%nat'res and /ers and ot/er insriptions t/ereon s/e identified.
@0
=dgardo Caisip delared t/at /e (as t/e driver of t/e 9eepne" (/i/ -ansan% rode on to%et/er (it/ /is ar%o for a trip
fro# t/e it" proper to &aran%a" &a/ile fro# 1533 to 0533 p. #. of )'ne 79, 1998. Caisip added t/at /e alread" ;ne(
-ansan% ,efore t/at ti#e, t/e -ansan%s /avin% ,een /is 's'al passen%ers.
@8
Binall", *reddie Gallego, a ,aran%a" o'nilor of &aran%a" Car'ra", lai#ed t/at -ansan% (as (it/ /i# in t/e afternoon
of )'l" 17, 1998 on t/e oasion of a ,irt/da" part" in t/e said ,aran%a".
@=
64
&" deision of $ar/ 7, 199@, t/e trial o'rt onvited S'n%a and -ansan% as prinipals of t/e ri#e of )ape wit@
Lomicide and sentened ea/ to s'ffer t/e penalt" of DEA6:, and !as'a as prinipal in t/e ri#e of )ape. 6/e
dispositive portion of t/e deision reads, *'oted verbatim5
?:EREBORE, pre#ises onsidered, t/e Co'rt finds a'sed RE> S.NGA and RA$I- -ANSANG G.I-6> ,e"ond
reasona,le do',t as prinipals of t/e ri#e /ar%ed and are sentened to ea/ s'ffer t/e penalt" of DEA6:. A'sed
INOCENCIO !ASC.A, )R., is also fo'nd G.I-6> as prinipal of t/e ri#e of Rape and is /ere," sentened to s'ffer t/e
penalt" of REC-.SION !ER!E6.A. A'sed RA$I- -ANSANG, RE> S.NGA and INOCENCIO !ASC.A, )R. are 9ointl"
and severall" lia,le to inde#nif" t/e /eirs of )oel"n 6an t/e s'# of !1=3,333.33 as #oral, at'al and o#pensator"
da#a%es (it/ all t/e aessor" penalties provided for t/e la( and to pa" t/e osts.
Bor fail're of t/e prose'tion to prove t/e %'ilt of a'sed -I6O OC6AC ,e"ond reasona,le do',t, /e is /ere,"
ACC.I66ED of t/e ri#e /ar%ed.
It appearin% t/at -ito Ota is detained and -oil C'i alias Ginal"n C'"os is still 'nder t/e 'stod" of t/e !N!, !'erto
!rinesa Cit" t/eir release are /ere," ordered 'nless /eld for ot/er la(f'l a'se or a'ses.
6/e Cit" )ail ?arden of !'erto !rinesa Cit" and C/ief of )i##" Car,onell of !'erto !rinesa Cit", are /ere," ordered to
transfer i##ediatel" t/e ,odies of a'sed RE> S.NGA and RA$I- -ANSANG to t/e Ne( &ili,id !rison, $'ntinl'pa,
$etro $anila pendin% revie( ," t/e S'pre#e Co'rt of t/is deision.
SO ORDERED.
@@
:ene, t/e a'to#ati revie( of t/e ase ," t/is Co'rt p'rs'ant to Artile 87 of t/e Revised !enal Code, as a#ended.
S'n%a, -ansan% and !as'a filed t/eir respetive appeal ,riefs.
In t/e AppelleeDs &rief, t/e Soliitor General pra"s for t/e affir#ane of S'n%a and -ansan%Ds onvition and t/e
#odifiation of !as'aDs onvition s'/ t/at /e ,e also onvited for rape (it/ /o#iide and sentened to s'ffer t/e
penalt" of deat/.
6/e iss'es in t/e ase ,oil do(n to5
112 ?/et/er t/e dis/ar%e ," t/e lo(er o'rt of -oil C'i as a state (itness is in aordane (it/ la(G and
172 ?/et/er t/e %'ilt of appellants /as ,een proven ,e"ond reasona,le do',t.
After eFa#inin% t/e reord of t/e proeedin%s prior to t/e trial o'rtDs *'estioned iss'ane of t/e order dis/ar%in% -oil to
,eo#e, as s/e did, a state (itness, t/is Co'rt is satisfied t/at t/ere (as not/in% irre%'lar t/ere(it/. :er dis/ar%e (as
ordered in t/e o'rse of (/at ori%inall" (ere /earin%s on t/e petition of t/e a'sed for ,ail and after t@e prosecution @ad
presented several of its witnesses and submitted -ocilMs sworn statement. Contrar" to a'sedDs o'nselsD ar%'#ent t/at
a #otion for dis/ar%e o'ld onl" ,e filed d'rin% trial on t/e #erits, it o'ld ,e done at an" sta%e of t/e proeedin%s, and
dis/ar%e an ,e effeted fro# t/e filin% of t/e infor#ation to t/e ti#e t/e defense starts to offer an" evidene.
@7
Bro# t/e reords, it appears t/at t/e follo(in% onditions for -oilDs dis/ar%e 'nder Setion 9, R'le 119 of t/e Revised
R'les of Co'rt (ere satisfied5
1. t/e dis/ar%e #'st ,e (it/ t/e onsent of t/e a'sed so'%/t to ,e a state (itnessG
7. /is testi#on" is a,sol'tel" neessar"G
0. no ot/er diret evidene is availa,le for t/e proper prose'tion of t/e offense o##itted eFept /is testi#on"G
8. /is testi#on" an ,e s',stantiall" orro,orated in its #aterial pointsG
=. /e does not appear to ,e t/e #ost %'ilt"G and
65
@. /e /as not at an" ti#e ,een onvited of an" offense involvin% #oral t'rpit'de.
It is 'ndisp'ted t/at at t/e start of t/e trial, t/e prose'tion did not /ave diret evidene, testi#onial or ot/er(ise, to
esta,lis/ t/e 'lpa,ilit" of t/e a'sed.
&ased on -oilDs s(orn state#ent, s/e (as t@e only person w@o saw (/at /appened to )oel"n. :er testi#on" (as t/'s
indispensa,le. 6/at s/e did not appear to ,e t/e #ost %'ilt" a#on% t/e a'sed and t/at s/e /ad not ,een onvited of
an offense involvin% #oral t'rpit'de (ere s/o(n, as (as t/e s'septi,ilit" of #aterial orro,oration of /er testi#on" at t/e
ti#e of /er dis/ar%e in vie( of t/e ot/er evidene in t/e /ands of t/e prose'tion.
6/at t/e trial o'rt ordered -oilDs dis/ar%e a da" ,efore t/e s/ed'led /earin% on t/e #otion for /er dis/ar%e is of no
#o#ent. 6/e re*'ire#ent of Aa /earin% in s'pport of t/e dis/ar%eA /ad ,een s',stantiall" o#plied (it/ (/en t/e trial
o'rt, d'rin% t/e /earin%s on t/e ,ail petition, already received evidence from t@e prosecutioninl'din% -oilDs s(orn
state#ent and also @eard in open court t@e defenseMs arguments in opposition t@ereto. A /earin% did ta;e plae ,'t
interspersed (it/ t/e /earin%s on t/e ,ail petition. So lon% as t/e trial o'rt (as a,le to reeive evidene for and a%ainst
t/e dis/ar%e, its s',se*'ent order %rantin% or den"in% t/e #otion for dis/ar%e is in order not(it/standin% t/e la; of
at'al /earin% on said #otion.
@8
In fine, even if -oilDs dis/ar%e failed to o#pl" (it/ all t/e re*'ire#ents e#,odied in Setion 9, R'le 119 of t/e R'les of
Co'rt, /er testi#on" (o'ld not, for t/at sole reason, ,e disarded or disre%arded for, in t/e dis/ar%e of a o4defendant,
t/e trial o'rt #a" reasona,l" ,e eFpeted to o##it error (/i/ is not reversi,le, t/e 'nderl"in% priniple ,ein% t/at it
does not affet t/e o#peten" and *'alit" of testi#on" of t/e dis/ar%ed defendant.
@9
Bro# t/e prose'tion evidene, t/e testi#on" of t/e erst(/ile a'sed4t'rned state (itness -oil is t/e #ost pivotal, for it
is an eyewitnessM ao'nt of (/at transpired ,efore and at t/e ti#e of )oel"nDs deat/. :er testi#on" is t/e onl" diret
evidene identif"in% appellants and relatin% in detail t/eir speifi overt ats.
>et li;e an" ot/er testi#on", t/is Co'rt #a" not readil" aept -oilDs state#ents /oo;, line and sin;er ,ea'se in t/e
assess#ent of t/e testi#on" of a o4a'sed4t'rned state (itness, t/e sa#e #'st ,e received wit@ great caution and
must be carefully scrutini"ed.
73
6/e r'le in t/is 9'risdition is t/at t/e testimony of a self5confessed accomplice or co5conspirator imputing t@e blame to or
implicating @is co5accused cannot, by itself and wit@out corroboration, be regarded as proof to a moral certainty t@at t@e
latter committed or participated in t@e commission of t@e crime. 6/e testi#on" #'st ,e s',stantiall" orro,orated in its
material points
71
," unimpeac@able testimony and strong circumstances and must be to suc@ an eCtent t@at its
trustwort@iness becomes manifest.
77
?as -oilDs testi#on" orro,orated in its material points ," t/e prose'tionDs ot/er evideneS If in t/e affir#ative, (as t/e
orro,orative evidene unimpeac@able testi#on" and strong ir'#stanes to s'/ an eFtent t/at -oilDstrustwort@iness
becomes manifestS
Appellant S'n%aDs t(o eFtra9'diial onfessions, (/i/ stritl" spea;in% (ere admissions for t/e" referred to state#ents of
fat (/i/ did not diretl" involve an a;no(led%e#ent of %'ilt or of t/e ri#inal intent to o##it t/e offense (it/ (/i/ /e
(as /ar%ed,
70
o'ld /ave lent orro,orative s'pport to -oilDs testi#on", /avin% li;e(ise %iven details of /o( t/e ri#e
too; plae. Contrar", /o(ever, to t/e trial o'rtDs r'lin%, t@is Court finds SungaMs admissions to be inadmissible in
evidence not only against @im but also against @is co5accused appellants.
A person 'nder investi%ation for t/e o##ission of an offense is %'aranteed t/e follo(in% ri%/ts ," t/e Constit'tion5 112
t/e ri%/t to re#ain silentG 172 t/e ri%/t to /ave o#petent and independent o'nsel of /is o(n /oie, and to ,e provided
(it/ one if /e annot afford t/e servies of o'nselG and 102 t/e ri%/t to ,e infor#ed of t/ese ri%/ts.
78
6/e ri%/t to o'nsel (as denied S'n%a d'rin% /is eFe'tion of EF/i,it AAA 4 ad#ission ,efore t/e polie on t/e %ro'nd t/at
t/e o'nsel (/o assisted /i#, Att". A%'stin Roa#ora, (as t/e Cit" -e%al Offier of !'erto !rinesa.
In People v. #andula,
7=
t/is Co'rt #ade it s'ffiientl" lear t/at t/e independent o'nsel for t/e a'sed in 'stodial
investi%ations annot ,e a speial o'nsel, p',li or private prose'tor, o'nsel of t/e polie, or a #'niipal attorne"
(/ose interest is ad#ittedl" adverse to t/e a'sed. A le%al offier of t/e it", li;e Att". Roa#ora, provides le%al aid and
s'pport to t/e #a"or and t/e it" in arr"in% o't t/e deliver" of ,asi servies to t/e people, (/i/ inl'des #aintenane
66
of peae and order and, as s'/, /is offie is a;in to t/at of a prose'tor (/o 'n*'estiona,l" annot represent t/e
a'sed d'rin% 'stodial investi%ation d'e to onflit of interest.
7@
6/at S'n%a /ose /i# to ,e /is o'nsel, even if tr'e,
did not render /is ad#ission ad#issi,le. &ein% of a ver" lo( ed'ational attain#ent,
77
S'n%a o'ld not /ave possi,l"
;no(n t/e ra#ifiations of /is /oie of a it" le%al offier to ,e /is o'nsel. 6/e d't" of la( enforers to infor# /i# of /is
Constit'tional ri%/ts d'rin% 'stodial interro%ations to t/eir f'll, proper and preise eFtent does not appear to /ave ,een
dis/ar%ed.
Notatu dignum is t/e fat t/at not@ing in t@e records s@ows t@at !tty. )ocamora eCerted efforts to safeguard SungaMs
rig@ts and interests, espeiall" t/at of /is ri%/t not to ,e a (itness a%ainst /i#self. In fat, %larin%l", !tty. )ocamora was
not even made to testify so /e o'ld /ave related t/e eFtent of le%al assistane /e eFtended to S'n%a at t/e polie
station. 6/is Co'rt is t/'s onstrained to rel" on t/e follo(in% verbatim testi#on" of S!O7 )anoras (/i/ desri,ed /o(
Att". Roa#ora assisted S'n%a d'rin% t/e investi%ation5
A66>. ENRIC.EN 1Defense Co'nsel2 4
C5 Did not Att". Roa#ora (arn "o', as t/e investi%ator, t/at si#pl" /e is invo;in% /is lientDs ri%/t to re#ain silentS
Did not Att". Roa#ora first onfer (it/ t/e a'sed Re" S'n%a prior to t/e investi%ationS
A5 6/e" onversed.
C5 >o' said a (/ile a%o t/at i##ediatel" 'pon "o'r arrival "o' alread" started t/e investi%ation. And no( "o' are
lai#in% t/at t/e" /ad a onversation first. ?/i/ is orretS
A5 6/e" conversed for a very s@ort w@ile ,ea'se ever",od" (as alread" t/ere. I (as on #" t"pe(riter and t/e"
(ere seated 9'st ver" near #e 1E#p/asis s'pplied.2
78
F F F
A66>. CR.NA6 1Defense Co'nsel2 4
C5 And "o' infor#ed Att". Roa#ora t/at alle%edl" $r. Re" S'n%a (anted to onfess /is alle%ed partiipation in t/e
o##ission of t/e offense, $r. ?itnessS
A5 >es, sir.
C5 And so 'pon arrival at t/e polie station it did not ta;e Att". Roa#ora a lon% ti#e to onfer (it/ Re" S'n%a
,efore t/e alle%ed investi%ation started, as "o' said @533 oDlo; in t/e #ornin%S
A5 >es, sir. <t did not ta'e long because t@ey were already ready 1E#p/asis s'pplied.2
79
F F F
CO.R6 4
C5 ?/o propo'nded t/e *'estions to a'sed Re" S'n%aS
A5 I (as t/e one, >o'r :onor.
C5 And (/o %ave t/e ans(ersS
A5 Re" S'n%a (as t/e one ans(erin% #e, >o'r :onor.
Contin'e.
!ROSEC.6OR GONNA-ES 4
C5 And (/at, if an", did Att". A%'stin Roa#ora do, if an", at t/e ti#e t/ese *'estions (ere ,ein% as;ed Re" S'n%aS
A5 Le instructed )ey Sunga to $ust answer t@e +uestions, sir 1E#p/asis s'pplied.2
83
F F F
Bro# t/e fore%oin% testi#on" of S!O7 )anoras, it an ,e %at/ered t/at Att". Roa#ora did not, if at all, f'll" apprise
S'n%a of /is ri%/ts and options prior to %ivin% /is 1S'n%aDs2 ad#ission. Evidentl", Att". Roa#ora, (it/o't #ore, #erel"
ated to facilitate t/e ta;in% of t/e ad#ission fro# S'n%a.
$oreover, t/at S'n%a (as first *'estioned ," S!O8 !antollano and !atrol#an &olos ,efore /e (as investi%ated ," S!O7
)anoras does not esape t/e attention of t/is Co'rt. Alt/o'%/ S'n%a failed to present evidene as to t/e #altreat#ent /e
lai#ed to /ave s'ffered in t/e /ands of S!O8 !antollano and !atrol#an &olos, /e did not /ave an" la("er ," /is side at
t@e time t@ese two policemen started as'ing @im +uestions about ocelynMs deat@. At t/at point, S'n%a (as alread" 'nder
'stodial investi%ation (it/o't t/e assistane of o'nsel.
C'stodial investi%ation is t/e sta%e A(/ere t/e polie investi%ation is no lon%er a %eneral in*'ir" into an 'nsolved ri#e
,'t @as begun to focus on a particular suspect ta'en into custody by t@e police w@o carry out a process of interrogation
t@at lends itself to elicit incriminating statements 1Italis in t/e ori%inalG E#p/asis s'pplied.2.
81
.nder s'/ ir'#stanes,
t/is Co'rt annot ,'t entertain serio's #is%ivin%s as to t/e ad#ission S'n%a s',se*'entl" %ave to S!O7 )anoras.
-i;e EF/i,it AA,A S'n%aDs seond eFtra9'diial ad#ission4EF/i,it AIA is inad#issi,le, d'e to t/e a,sene of o'nsel to assist
/i# (/en /e eFe'ted it on A'%'st 0, 1998 ,efore t/e N&I of !'erto !rinesa Cit". Alt/o'%/ S'n%a delared in open
o'rt t/at /e #ade s'/ ad#ission in connection wit@ @is desire to apply as state witness (/i/ ad#ission /e later
rep'diated, t/is does not #a;e EF/i,it AIA ad#issi,le. S'n%a (as at t/e ti#e still 'nder detention at t/e N&I offie and /ad
67
,een lan%'is/in% in 9ail sine /is arrest in #id4)'l" 1998. :is desire to re%ain /is freedo# is not diffi'lt to 'nderstand, /e
/avin% lost it one d'e to /is onvition for anot/er ri#e. :is ad#ission (/i/ (as done (it/o't t/e ,enefit of o'nsel
onsisted of ans(ers to *'estions propo'nded ," t/e investi%atin% a%ent of t/e N&I and not of a 'nilateral delaration of
/is partiipation in t/e ri#e. 6o t/is Co'rt, t/ese onditions are onstit'tive of an at#osp/ere pervadin% t/at of a
'stodial investi%ation and neessitatin% t/e assistane of a competent and independent o'nsel of SungaMs c@oice as a
#atter of ri%/t ,'t (/i/ /e /ad none.
An" infor#ation or ad#ission %iven ," a person (/ile in 'stod" (/i/ #a" appear /ar#less or inno'o's at t/e ti#e
(it/o't t/e o#petent assistane of an independent o'nsel #'st ,e str'; do(n as inad#issi,le.
87
Even if t/e
onfession ontains a %rain of tr't/ or even if it /ad ,een vol'ntaril" %iven, if it (as #ade (it/o't t/e assistane of
o'nsel, it is inad#issi,le.
80
6/e (aiver ," S'n%a of /is ri%/t to o'nsel as ontained in /is s(orn state#ent4EF/i,it AIA (as not a valid (aiver for, on
its fae, it (as eFe'ted not in t/e presene of o'nsel, ontrar" to t/e eFpress re*'ire#ent of t/e Constit'tion.
88
S'n%a /avin% /ad no o'nsel (/en /e #ade /is ad#ission ,efore t/e N&I and /is (aiver of t/e ri%/t to /ave one ,ein%
invalid, /is state#ent4 EF/i,it AIA is inad#issi,le.
6/e testi#on" of S'n%a d'rin% t/e preli#inar" investi%ation ,efore t/e $'niipal 6rial Co'rt (/ere," /e eFpressl"
a;no(led%ed /avin% eFe'ted EF/i,it AAA and affir#ed t/e ontents t/ereof did not render /is eFtra9'diial ad#ission
into a 9'diial one (/i/ o'ld ,e 'sed a%ainst /i# and /is o4appellants. Neit/er o'ld /is ot/er state#ents in s'/
proeedin% ad#ittin% /is partiipation in t/e ri#e ,e 'tili+ed to esta,lis/ /is and t/e ot/er appellantsD %'ilt. Bor in t/at
preli#inar" investi%ation, S'n%a a%ain (as effetivel" denied of /is essential ri%/t to o'nsel. Att". Roa#ora (as
appointed S'n%aDs o'nsel de officio ,'t 9'st li;e t/e assistane /e eFtended d'rin% t/e eFe'tion of EF/i,it AA,A Att".
Roa#ora 'tterl" did not/in% in defense of S'n%aDs a'se. ?/ile S'n%a (as ,ein% as;ed ," t/e 9'd%e a ,arra%e of
*'estions allin% for ans(ers (/i/ o'ld and did inri#inate /i#, Att". Roa#ora did not offer t/e sli%/test o,9etion to
s/ield /is lient fro# t/e da#nin% nat're t/ereof.
6/e ri%/t to o'nsel applies in ertain pretrial proeedin%s t/at an ,e dee#ed Aritial sta%esA in t/e ri#inal
proess.
8=
6/e preli#inar" investi%ation an ,e no different fro# t/e in4'stod" interro%ations ," t/e polie, for a s'spet
(/o ta;es part in a preli#inar" investi%ation (ill ,e s',9eted to no less t/an t/e StateDs proesses, oftenti#es
inti#idatin% and relentless, of p'rs'in% t/ose (/o #i%/t ,e lia,le for ri#inal prose'tion. In t/e ase at ,ar, S'n%a (as
t/r'st into t/e preli#inar" investi%ation and (/ile /e did /ave a o'nsel, for t/e latterDs la; of vi%ilane and o##it#ent
to S'n%aDs ri%/ts, /e (as virt'all" denied /is ri%/t to o'nsel.
6/e rig@t to counsel involves more t@an $ust t@e presence of a lawyer in t/e o'rtroo# or t/e #ere propo'ndin% of
standard *'estions and o,9etionsG rat/er it #eans an efficient and decisive legal assistance and not a si#ple perf'ntor"
representation.
8@
As in People v. !bano
87
(/ere t/e onfession ," t/e t/erein a'sed in t/e preli#inar" investi%ation (as
eFl'ded as inad#issi,le d'e to t/e a,sene of /er o'nsel, t/is Co'rt (ill not ad#it S'n%aDs. 6/is #a;es it 'nneessar"
to dis'ss and e#p/asi+e t/e onflit on #aterial points of S'n%aDs and -oilDs ao'nts of t/e inident.
As for t/e rest of t/e prose'tion evidene, it fails to orro,orate -oilDs testi#on". 6/e delarations of (itnesses 6an,
Devilleres and Ga,inete an in no (a" en/ane t/e verait" of t/e essential, #aterial aspets of -oilDs ao'nt for t/e"
relate not to t/e ri#e itself ,'t to events t/ereafter.
6anDs testi#on" t/at -ansan% infor#ed /i# t/at /e ;ne( so#eone (/o o'ld reveal t/e identit" of )oel"nDs assailants
and t/at -ansan% s'%%ested to /i# to no lon%er report to t/e polie does not at all onstit'te inri#inatin% evidene, for
t/ere (as no ad#ission, eFpress or i#plied, ," -ansan% of an" (ron%doin% or ri#inal partiipation on /is part. &esides,
(/" (o'ld -ansan% s'%%est to 6an not to report to t/e polie (/en t/e polie earl" on /ad its /ands f'll in tr"in% to solve
t/e ri#e.
Dr. Vi%onteDs affir#ation of /er findin% of a fatal in9'r" on )oel"nDs /ead is s'pportive onl" of t/e fat t/at t/e viti# (as
/it (it/ so#et/in% on /er /ead (/i/ a'sed /er deat/, ,'t t/is ," no #eans is evidene t/at appellants inflited said
fatal in9'r".
As for t/e ir'#stanes testified to ," t/e ot/er (itnesses, t/e" do not, ," and in t/e#selves, rise to t/e level of
ir'#stantial evidene (/i/ (arrant appellantsD onvition.
68
In t/e appreiation of ir'#stantial evidene, t/ere #'st ,e at least t(o proven ir'#stanes (/i/ in o#plete
se*'ene lead to no ot/er lo%ial onl'sion t/an t/at of t/e %'ilt of t/e a'sed.
88
6/e ir'#stanes t/at -ansan% (as
seen on )'ne 03, 1998, a da" after t/e inident, (al;in% ,a; and fort/ and appearin% restless near t/e plae (/ere
)oel"nDs ,od" (as event'all" fo'ndG t/at -ansan% (as in t/e o#pan" of Ota and in*'ired, t/e da" after )oel"nDs
,od" (as disovered on )'l" 17, 1998, if )oel"n (as fro# &aran%a" Car'ra"G t/at -ansan% told )oel"nDs fat/er t/at /e
;ne( so#eone (/o o'ld pinpoint t/ose responsi,le for t/e ri#eG and t/at )oel"n (as fatall" /it on t/e /ead ," a ,l'nt
o,9et are too fra%ile to lead to t/e inferene t/at -ansan% and /is o4appellants are lia,le for )oel"nDs rape and sla"in%.
6/ese ir'#stanes in t/e s/e#e of t/in%s are not ind',ita,le piees of evidene of a personDs o##ission of a ri#e
for t/e" are s'septi,le of eFplanations (/i/ do not neessaril" spea; of %'ilt or 'lpa,ilit".
Standin% alone and 'norro,orated, an -oilDs testi#on" serve as a ,asis for appellantsD onvitionS As an eFeption to
t/e %eneral r'le on t/e re*'ire#ent of orro,oration of t/e testi#on" of an ao#plie or o4onspirator4t'rned state
(itness, /er testi#on" #a", even if 'norro,orated, ,e s'ffiient as (/en it is s/o(n to ,e sinere in itself ,ea'se it
is given un@esitatingly and in a straig@tforward manner and full of details w@ic@, by t@eir nature, could not @ave been t@e
result of deliberate aftert@oug@t.
89
An eF/a'stive revie( of t/e transript of steno%rap/i notes of -oilDs testi#on" reveals,
/o(ever, t/at t/e #anner ," (/i/ s/e related it (as p'nt'ated (it/ #ar;s of tentativeness,
uncertainty and indecisiveness (/i/ t/e trial o'rt 'nfort'natel" failed to ta;e note of in its deision on revie(.
Consider t/e follo(in% portions of /er testi#on", *'oted verbatim5
CO.R65
C Do "o' ;no( t/e na#e of t/e (o#an (/o diedS
A )oel"n 6an
A66>. GACO66 H!rivate !rose'torI5
.aybe we can use t@e sound system.
A66>. GACO665
C5 $iss ?itness, "o' said t/at "o' are fo'rteen "ears old. :o( o#e t/at "o' are 18 "ears oldS
A5 1?itness /andin% a do'#ent to o'nsel.2
16o t/e Co'rt52
>o'r :onor, t/e (itness /anded to #e a ,irt/ ertifiate.
A66>. CR.NA6 1Defense Co'nsel25 We are re+uesting for t@e witness to spea' loud and not merely @and over certain
documents.
CO.R65 <nstruct t@e witness to spea' louder. 1E#p/asis s'pplied.2
93
F F F
A66>. GACO66 4
C5 $iss ?itness, /o( #an" ti#es did "o' attain "o'r Grade I s/oolin%S
A5 6/ree ti#es.
C5 ?/at a,o't "o'r Grade II s/oolin%S
A5 6(o "ears.
C5 :o( a,o't "o'r Grade III s/oolin%S
A5 One "ear.
A66>. CR.NA65 < am already tired of re+uesting t@is Lonorable Court to instruct t@e witness to spea' +uite louder. S@e
is $ust w@ispering to t@e interpreter.
CO.R65 >o' spea; lo'der 1E#p/asis s'pplied.2
91
F F F
A66>. GACO66 4
C5 No(, $iss ?itness, (/ere (ere "o' last )'ne 79, 1998 at aro'nd 7533 oDlo; in t/e afternoonS
A5 In $endo+a.
CO.R6 4
C5 ?/at is t/at $endo+aS
A5 $endo+a !ar;.
A66>. GACO66 4
C5 D'rin% t/at date, do "o' re#e#,er an" 'n's'al t/in% t/at /appened to "o'S
A5 >es, sir.
C5 Co'ld "o' please relate to t/is :onora,le Co'rt (/at /appened d'rin% t/at dateS
A5 >es, sir.
A66>. CR.NA65 < may be compelled to as' t@is Lonorable Court for a coercive aut@ority to declare @er in contempt for
repeatedly disobeying t@e instruction of t@e Court for @er to spea' louder.
CO.R65 Qou spea' louder, ot@erwise you will be cited in contempt of court.
?I6NESS5 >es, >o'r :onor.
97
69
F F F
A66>. GACO66 4
C5 >o' #ean to sa", $iss ?itness, t/at t/is Tomboy t@at you are referring to went upstairs of .endo"a Par', and
once t@ere s@e tal'ed to t@e woman sitting t@ereS
A5 >es, sir.
C5 Do you 'now t@e name of t@at womanS
A5 No, sir.
C5 After %ettin% near to t/at (o#an, (/at did t/e" do after t/atS
A5 6/e" tal;ed, sir.
C5 6/en (/at /appened neFtS
A66>. CR.NA65 T@is woman does not spea' +uite loud, Qour Lonor.
CO.R65 Qou tal' louder 1E#p/asis s'pplied.2
90
F F F
A sr'tin" of /er testi#on" li;e(ise reveals a strain of i#pro,a,ilit" in%rained t/erein. 6o reapit'late, -oil lai#ed t/at on
)'ne 79, 1998 s/e ,oarded a tri"le ,earin% a les,ian (/o invited /er for a 9o"ride, proeeded to t/e $endo+a !ar; and
pi;ed 'p )oel"n, (/o# s/e (as not a*'ainted (it/, t/en ,ro'%/t ," t/e sa#e tri"le to Ira(an (/ere t/e latter (as
raped and ,r'tall" #'rdered. In ot/er (ords, s/e (anted to onve" t/at s/e (as deli,eratel" ,ro'%/t ," appellants (it/
t/e# on )'ne 79, 1998 to t/e plae (/ere t/e" (ere to arr" o't, (/i/ t/e" did, t/eir a,o#ina,le ats a%ainst )oel"n.
6/is stri;es t/is Co'rt as i#pro,a,le if not ,i+arre. Bor it is ontrar" to /'#an nat're and eFperiene for t/ose (/o
'nderta;e t/e o##ission of a ri#e to ,rin% a spetator t/ereof. A ri#inal (o'ld ertainl" ta;e steps to evade detetion
or disover" of /is ri#inal at, to ;eep it fro# ,ein% (itnessed or ;no(n ," ot/ers (/o #i%/t later t'rn a%ainst /i#. >et,
fro# -oilDs testi#on", appellants too; t/e tro',le of ,rin%in% /er to t/e locus criminis so s/e o'ld ,ear (itness to a
/orri,le ri#e (/i/ appellants arried o't (it/ evident sere" in a re#ote, 'nin/a,ited plae in !'erto !rinesa Cit".
6/at appellants re*'ired -oilDs presene at t/e ti#e and plae of t/e ri#e onl" to t/reaten /er later a%ainst div'l%in%
(/at s/e /ad (itnessed t/'s defies o#pre/ension.
Evidene to ,e ,elieved s/o'ld not onl" proeed fro# t/e #o't/ of a redi,le (itness ,'t s/o'ld also ,e redi,le in itself
s'/ as t/e o##on eFperiene and o,servation of #an;ind an approve as pro,a,le 'nder t/e ir'#stanes.
98
6/is Co'rt is not in fat prepared to aord -oil redi,l" as a (itness. ?/o an tr'st one (/o, in /er earl" teens, %ets
pre%nant, flees /o#e and sta"s in a ,oardin% /o'se al,eit s/e /as no visi,le #eans of ino#e to pa" t/erefor, and arries
an alias na#e to evade ,ein% traed ," /er #ot/er and a'ntS
-oilDs testi#on" on /o( appellants p't /er in a position to /ave diret ;no(led%e of t/eir #alevolent ats despite ta;in%
#eas'res to oneal t/eir deeds fails to inspire ,elief and #'st, t/erefore, ,e disredited.
A serio's *'estion too a,o'nds on -oilDs identification of appellant !as'a as one of t/ose (/o raped )oel"n. S/e
desri,ed !as'a, t/e #an (/o aordin% to /er raped t/e viti# after appellants -ansan% and S'n%a did, as /avin%,
a#on% ot/er t/in%s, sing'it 1/in;"2 e"es. &'t as !as'a did not /ave sing'it e"es, even t/e trial o'rt (as pro#pted to
as; /er if s/e (as s're t/at t/e t/ird person (/o raped )oel"n /ad sing'it e"es.
9=
6/'s, (it/ t/e o'rtDs approval, t/e
defense #ade it of reord t/at !as'a did not /ave /in;" e"es, ontrar" to -oilDs desription of /i#.
9@
6/e afore#entioned o,servations pertainin% to ,ot/ t/e (ea;, ino#pre/ensi,le voie (it/ (/i/ -oil %ave /er
testi#on", t/e i#pro,a,ilit" (it/ (/i/ s/e (as preisel" #ade ," appellants to ,e a (itness to t/eir ri#e, and t/e fail're
of /er desription of !as'aDs e"es to #at/ t/e latterDs at'al p/"sial feat're annot ,'t en%ender serio's do',ts as to
t/e relia,ilit" of /er testi#on" a%ainst all appellants. 6/is Co'rt t/'s finds /er 'norro,orated ao'nt to /ave failed t/e
9'rispr'dentiall" esta,lis/ed to'/stone for its redi,ilit" and s'ffiien", t/at of strai%/tfor(ardness and deli,erateness,
as evidene to (arrant appellantsD onvition.
In li%/t of t/e (ea; evidene for t/e prose'tion, t/e defense of ali,i as (ell as of denial ," appellants is aorded
redene, for it is preisel" (/en t/e prose'tionDs ase is (ea; t/at t/e defense of ali,i ass'#es i#portane and
,eo#es r'ial in ne%atin% ri#inal lia,ilit".
97
It ,ears notin% t/at t/e ali,i proffered ," appellants, espeiall" t/at ,"
-ansan%, /ad ,een orro,orated.
In fine, re%ardless of t/e pro,ative (ei%/t of appellantsD ali,i, t/e prose'tion still /as t/e on's of provin% t/e %'ilt ,e"ond
reasona,le do',t of t/e a'sed and annot rel" on t/e (ea;ness of t/e defense evidene. 6/e prose'tion /avin% failed
to dis/ar%e its ,'rden, appellantsD pres'#ed innoene re#ains and #'st t/'s ,e a*'itted.
70
?:EREBORE, for fail're of t/e prose'tion to prove ,e"ond reasona,le do',t t/e %'ilt of appellants Re" S'n%a, Ra#il
-ansan% and Inoenio !as'a in Cri#inal Case No. 11988 t/e deision t/erein is /ere," SE6 ASIDE and REVERSED
and said appellants are /ere," ACC.I66ED of t/e ri#e /ar%ed.
6/e Diretor of t/e &'rea' of Corretions is ORDERED to a'se t/e I$$EDIA6E RE-EASE of t/e appellants fro#
'stod", 'nless t/e" are ,ein% /eld for so#e ot/er la(f'l a'se, and to INBOR$ t/is Co'rt (it/in five 1=2 da"s fro#
reeipt of t/is Deision of t/e date appellants (ere at'all" released fro# onfine#ent.
Costs de oficio.
SO ORDERED.
IA.. No. RTJ*00*1A6,. Fe94u&4. 1A, 2001J
(ON. RO!ERT %. !AR!ERS, Se<4e5&4. o; 5:e In5e43o4 &n' Lo<&- Go6e4n=en5, J"ANITO DE G"%AN &n' L"CIO
ARGALLO IV, petitioners, vs.J"DGE PERFECTO A.S. LAG"IO, JR., respondent.
D E C I S I O N
71
DE LEON, JR., J.G
&efore 's is an ad#inistrative o#plaint for alle%ed violation of Artile 738 1Eno(in%l" Renderin% .n9'st )'d%#ent2 of t/e
Revised !enal Code, setion 01e2 of Rep',li At No. 0319 and setions 81,2 and 12 of Rep',li At No. @710, filed
a%ainst respondent 9'd%e in onnetion (it/ /is a*'ittal of t/e a'sed -A?RENCE ?ANG " C:EN in Cri#inal Case
Nos. 9@4189993, 9@4189991 and 9@4189997.
On April 13, 1997, o#plainants RO&ER6 N. &AR&ERS,
H1I
).ANI6O DE G.N$AN and -.CIO $ARGA--O IV filed a 9oint
o#plaint4affidavit (it/ t/e Offie of t/e O#,'ds#an /ar%in% respondent )'d%e !ERBEC6O A.S. -AG.IO, )R., of
alle%edl" violatin% Artile 738 of t/e Revised !enal Code, setion 01e2 of Rep',li At No. 0319,
H7I
and setion 8,
s',setions 1,2 and 12 of Rep',li At No. @710.
H0I
Considerin% t/e Eval'ation Report
H8I
(it/ reo##endation of its
Eval'ation and !reli#inar" Investi%ation &'rea', t/e Offie of t/e O#,'ds#an endorsed
H=I
t/e ase to t/e Offie of t/e
Co'rt Ad#inistrator on $a" 9, 1997. It (as pointed o't in said Eval'ation Report Vt/at respondent is pri#aril" a'sed of
Eno(in%l" Renderin% .n9'st )'d%#ent.W
6/e ad#inistrative o#plaint ste##ed fro# t/e a*'ittal ," respondent 9'd%e of -a(rene ?an%, a :on% Eon% national
(/o (as appre/ended ," ele#ents of t/e !',li Assistane and Reation A%ainst Cri#e or !ARAC, DI-G, in $alate,
$anila in t/e earl" #ornin% of $a" 17, 199@, t/e parti'lars of (/i/ are desri,ed in t/e o#plainantsD )oint Co#plaint4
Affidavit
H@I
dated April 1, 1997, as follo(s5
At a,o't 7 p.#. on $a" 1@, 199@, #e#,ers of t/e !ARAC led ," !<Sr. Insp. -'io $ar%allo, IV effeted t/e arrest of
S!O1 VERGE- DE DIOS, RO&ER6O ANO&-ING and RES6I6.6O ARE--ANO d'rin% an entrap#ent operation. 6/is
trio t/en alled on t/eir o/orts to ,rin% in additional ,at/ of s/a,'. After fo'r 182 /o'rs, or at a,o't 11 p.#. of $a" 1@,
199@, !IO REDEN6OR 6EC: and )OSE!: ).NIO arrived to deliver 1=3 %ra#s of s/a,'. 6e/ and )'nio (ere li;e(ise
arrested at 11 p.#. (/ile t/e" (ere deliverin% t/e s/a,' to de Dios and o#pan". ?/en interro%ated 6e/ and )'nio
dislosed t/at a ,i% transation of s/a,' (as a,o't to ,e #ade at an apart#ent alon% $aria Orosa St., $alate,
$anila. 6/e" also ad#itted t/at t/e" (or;ed for -a(rene ?an%. Aordin%l", t/e !ARAC i##ediatel" proeeded to
said plae and ond'ted s'rveillane or sta;e4o't operations. After t/ree 102 /o'rs, or a,o't 7513 a.#. of t/e follo(in%
da", $a" 17, 199@, t/e !ARAC a%ents sa( a #an, previo'sl" desri,ed ," 6EC: as ?an% and identified ," a polie
asset, o#in% o't of t/e aforesaid apart#ent and (al;in% to(ards a par;ed &$? ar. After ?an% /ad opened t/e tr'n;
o#part#ent of t/e ar, t/e !ARAC a%ents approa/ed ?an% and onfronted /i# to asertain /is identit". !<Sr. Insp.
$ar%allo also prevented ?an% fro# losin% t/e tr'n;. 6/e" t/en sa( t/e ,a%s of s/a,' inside t/e tr'n;. A f'rt/er
sear/ "ielded as/ a#o'nt of !@=3,333.33 in s#all deno#inations, one 112 #e/anial sale and one 112 eletroni
sale and t(o 172 'nliensed firear#s, na#el"5 112 A$6 a'to#ati pistol, al. 083<9## and 172 Dae(oo a'to#ati pistol,
al. 9##. Aordin%l", t/e a'sed (as arrested. In all, t/ree 102 arrests (ere effeted, one after t/e ot/er, d'rin% t/e
late /o'rs of $a" 1@ and t/e (ee /o'rs of $a" 17, 199@, a ti#e span of onl" seven 172 /o'rs.
6/ree 102 related infor#ations
H7I
(ere t/en filed a%ainst ?an%, (/i/ (ere onsolidated in &ran/ 18 of t/e Re%ional 6rial
Co'rt 1R6C, for ,revit"2 of $anila, presided ," t/e respondent 9'd%e. 6/e /ar%es (ere do;eted as Cri#inal Case No.
9@4189993 1for violation of setion 1@, Artile III of Rep',li At No. @87=, ot/er(ise ;no(n as t/e Dan%ero's Dr'%s At,
as a#ended2, Cri#inal Case No. 9@41899911for violation of !residential Deree No. 18@@ HIlle%al !ossession of
Birear#sI2, and Cri#inal Case No. 9@4189997 1for violation of CO$E-EC Resol'tion 7878 in relation to Rep',li At No.
71@@ HCO$E-EC G'n &anI2.
!rior to /is arrai%n#ent, ?an% filed a #otion for preli#inar" investi%ation dated )'ne 11, 199@ (/i/ (as %ranted ," t/e
trial o'rt in an Order dated )'ne 77, 199@. D'rin% t/e preli#inar" investi%ation ,efore t/e prose'tor, ?an% denied t/at
ille%al dr'%s or 'nliensed firear#s (ere fo'nd in /is possession. 6/e ases (ere later re#anded to t/e trial o'rt after
Assistant Cit" !rose'tor $i/aela $. C'a s',#itted a Resol'tion dated A'%'st 77, 199@ findin% pro,a,le a'se a%ainst
?an%. Bearin% t/at /is o,9etion to /is (arrantless arrest and sear/ (o'ld ,e (aived ," /is enterin% a plea, ?an%
t/ro'%/ o'nsel filed a $anifestation on Nove#,er 7, 199@ #a;in% of reord /is ontin'in% o,9etion to /is (arrantless
arrest and pra"in% t/at t/e trial o'rt enter a plea of Vnot %'ilt"W on /is ,e/alf. Atin% on ?an%Ds $anifestation, respondent
9'd%e entered a plea of Vnot %'ilt"W for ?an% as refleted in /is Order of Nove#,er 8, 199@.
D'rin% t/e trial, t/e prose'tion presented and offered t/e testi#onies of Insp. Cielito Coronel and Re"naldo Cristo,al of
t/e !ARAC tea# (/o arrested ?an%, and Beliisi#a Braniso, forensi /e#ist of t/e National &'rea' of Investi%ation,
(/o ond'ted la,orator" tests to deter#ine if t/e onfisated s',stane (as indeed Vs/a,'W, a pro/i,ited dr'%.
D'rin% t/e /earin% on Dee#,er @, 199@, t/e prose'tion for#all" rested its ase. In t'rn, t/e defense filed a #otion for
leave of o'rt to file a De#'rrer to Evidene. 6/e trial o'rt %ranted t/e defenseDs #otion in an Order of t/e sa#e date
72
and %ave ?an% a period of t(ent"4five 17=2 da"s fro# reeipt t/ereof (it/in (/i/ to file a De#'rrer to Evidene, and t/e
prose'tion a si#ilar period to file its opposition t/ereto. An 'ndated De#'rrer to Evidene (as t/en filed ," ?an%
t/ro'%/ o'nsel on )an'ar" 9, 1997.
S',se*'entl", Assistant Cit" !rose'tor ?innie $. Edad filed a V$anifestation (it/ $otionW statin% t/at t/e prose'tion
is restin% its ase a%ainst t/e a'sed, ?an%, insofar as Cri#inal Case No. 9@4189993 onl" (as onerned ,'t eFl'din%
t/e t(o 172 re#ainin% ases for ille%al possession of firear#s and violation of t/e CO$E-EC %'n ,an, (/erein t/e
prose'tion lai#ed it /as not "et rested. Conse*'entl", in an Order dated )an'ar" 18, 1997, t/e trial o'rt set f'rt/er
/earin%s on t/e t(o 172 re#ainin% ases on )an'ar" 71, Be,r'ar" =, 11 and 17, 1997.
On $ar/ 10, 1997, respondent 9'd%e iss'ed a Resol'tion %rantin% ?an%Ds De#'rrer to Evidene and a*'ittin% ?an% in
t/e said t/ree 102 losel" related ases. Respondent 9'd%e delared t/erein and #ade t/e findin% t/at5
FFF FFF FFF
T:e 5:4e+:o-' 3++ue 4&3+e' 9. &<<u+e' 3n :3+ De=u44e4 5o E63'en<e 3+ @:e5:e4 :3+ @&44&n5-e++ &44e+5 &n' +e&4<:
@e4e -&@;u- &+ &4>ue' 9. 5:e 84o+e<u53on, o4 un-&@;u- &+ &++e45e' 9. 5:e 'e;en+e.
.nder Setion =, R'le 110 of t/e Ne( R'les of Co'rt, a peae offier #a" arrest a person (it/o't a (arrant5 1a2 (/en, in
/is presene, t/e person to ,e arrested /as o##itted, is at'all" o##ittin%, or is atte#ptin% to o##it an offenseG 1,2
(/en an offense /as in fat 9'st ,een o##itted, and /e /as personal ;no(led%e of fats indiatin% t/at t/e person to ,e
arrested /as o##itted it, and 12 (/en t/e person to ,e arrested is a prisoner (/o /as esaped fro# a penal
esta,lis/#ent or plae (/ere /e is servin% final 9'd%#ent or te#poraril" onfined (/ile ,ein% transferred fro# one
onfine#ent to anot/er. None of t/ese ir'#stanes (ere present (/en t/e a'sed (as arrested. 6/e a'sed (as
#erel" (al;in% fro# t/e $aria Orosa apart#ent and (as a,o't to enter t/e par;ed &$? ar (/en t/e polie offiers
arrested and fris;ed /i# and sear/ed /is ar. 6/e a'sed (as not o##ittin% an" visi,le offense at t/e ti#e of /is
arrest. Neit/er (as t/ere an indiation t/at /e (as a,o't to o##it a ri#e or t/at /e /ad 9'st o##itted an
offense. 6/e 'nliensed A$6 Cal. 083 9## A'to#ati &a;4'p !istol HsiI t/at t/e a'sed /ad in /is possession (as
onealed inside t/e ri%/t front po;et of /is pants. And t/e /and%'n (as ,anta# and sli# in si+e t/at it (o'ld not %ive
an o't(ard indiation of a onealed %'n if plaed inside t/e pantsD side po;et as (as done ," t/e a'sed. T:e
&44e+53n> o;;3<e4+ :&' no 3n;o4=&53on &n' 1no@-e'>e 5:&5 5:e &<<u+e' @&+ <&44.3n> &n un-3<en+e' :&n'>un, no4
'3' 5:e. +ee :3= 3n 8o++e++3on 5:e4eo; 3==e'3&5e-. 843o4 5o :3+ &44e+5.
Ditto on t/e 07 ,a%s of s/a,' and t/e ot/er 'nliensed Dae(oo Cal. 9## !istol (it/ #a%a+ine t/at (ere fo'nd and
sei+ed fro# t/e ar. T:e <on54&9&n' 35e=+ 3n 5:e <&4 @e4e no5 3n 8-&3n 63e@. T:e 32 9&>+ o; +:&9u @e4e 3n 5:e
54un1 <o=8&45=en5, &n' 5:e D&e@oo :&n'>un @&+ un'e4ne&5: 5:e '436e4K+ +e&5 o; 5:e <&4. T:e 8o-3<e o;;3<e4+
:&' no 3n;o4=&53on, o4 1no@-e'>e 5:&5 5:e 9&nne' &453<-e+ @e4e 3n+3'e 5:e <&4, o4 5:&5 5:e &<<u+e' :&' 8-&<e'
5:e= 5:e4e. T:e 8o-3<e o;;3<e4+ +e&4<:e' 5:e <&4 on =e4e +u+83<3on 5:&5 5:e4e @&+ +:&9u 5:e4e3n.
FFF FFF FFF
Respondent 9'd%e t/en iss'ed on t/e sa#e da" an Order dated $ar/ 10, 1997 settin% t/e pro#'l%ation of /is
afore*'oted Resol'tion on $ar/ 73, 1997.
On t/e da" ,efore t/e s/ed'led pro#'l%ation, S!O0 Cristo,al lai#ed t/at /e reeived a telep/one all fro# a person
lai#in% to ,e t/e ,ran/ ler; of o'rt of R6C $anila, &ran/ 18. 6/e aller, aordin% to Cristo,al, instr'ted /i# to
,rin% to o'rt t/e neFt da" t/e #one" onfisated fro# ?an%. Cristo,al o#plied.
After t/e Resol'tion of $ar/ 10, 1997 (as pro#'l%ated ," t/e trial o'rt, Cristo,al (as presented (it/ a speial po(er4
of4attorne"
H8I
dated Be,r'ar" 17, 1997 eFe'ted ," ?an% a't/ori+in% /is o'nsel, Att". Oliver -o+ano, to reeive t/e
onfisated #one". Cristo,al /anded over t/e #one" to Att". Oliver -o+ano, ,'t /e first re*'ired Att". -o+ano to
ao#plis/ a reeipt (ritten on t/e speial po(er4of4attorne" itself.
Not satisfied (it/ ?an%Ds a*'ittal, petitioners &ar,ers et. al., filed t/e said )oint Co#plaint4Affidavit a%ainst respondent
9'd%e ,efore t/e Offie of t/e O#,'ds#an. 6/e" also filed an ad#inistrative o#plaint a%ainst t/e trial prose'tor,
Assistant Cit" !rose'tor Edad, for alle%ed %ross ne%let of d't" in /is /andlin% of t/e ?an% ases. :o(ever, on
Septe#,er @, 1999, t/e Depart#ent of )'stie iss'ed its Resol'tion dis#issin% t/e ad#inistrative o#plaint a%ainst Edad
for la; of #erit.
73
After t/e said )oint Co#plaint4Affidavit of t/e o#plainants 1/erein petitioners2 a%ainst respondent 9'd%e (as endorsed ,"
t/e O#,'ds#an to t/e Offie of t/e Co'rt Ad#inistrator, t/is Co'rt re*'ired t/e respondent to o##ent t/ereon. After its
reeipt of t/e respondentDs o##ent stron%l" den"in% and disp'tin% t/e ad#inistrative /ar%es a%ainst /i# and 'pon t/e
reo##endation of OCA, t/is Co'rt referred t/e #atter to t/e t/en Co'rt of Appeals Assoiate )'stie 1no( S'pre#e
Co'rt Assoiate )'stie2 Cons'elo >nares4Santia%o for investi%ation and report. On Septe#,er 7, 1998, s/e s',#itted
/er Report reo##endin% t/at respondent 9'd%e ,e repri#anded and #eted a fine e*'ivalent to siF 1@2 #ont/s
salar". :er findin%s (ere adopted ," t/e Offie of t/e Co'rt Ad#inistrator, per its $e#orand'#
H9I
of Dee#,er 7, 1999, to
(it5
FFF FFF FFF
6/e ond't of respondent, %iven t/e pe'liar fats prevailin% in t/is ase, leaves #'/ to ,e desired vis5R5vis t/ese le%al
"ardsti;s. 6/e a,r'ptness and inordinate /aste in (/i/ /e dis#issed t/e /ar%es a%ainst t/e a'sed %ave rise to t/e
s'spiion t/at /e railroaded t/e proeedin%s to favor t/e a'sed.
6/e reords s/o( t/at t(o #e#,ers of t/e tea# (/i/ arrested -a(rene ?an%, na#el" !<Insp. Cielito Coronel and
S!O0 Re"naldo Cristo,al (ere t/e onl" (itnesses (/o testified on t/e fats re%ardin% t/e (arrantless arrest and
sei+'re. 6/e prinipal (itness and leader of t/e tea#, !<Sr. Insp. -'io $ar%allo IV, (/o #ore t/an an",od" else /as t/e
personal ;no(led%e of t/e ir'#stanes s'rro'ndin% t/e arrest of ?an% (as never presented as a (itness. It #'st ,e
pointed o't in t/is re%ard t/at $ar%allo, as leader of t/e arrestin% tea# o'ld /ave larified t/e ir'#stanes s'rro'ndin%
t/e arrest of ?an% and t/e sei+'re of t/e dr'%s, firear#s and as/ fo'nd in t/e ar espeiall" t/e /i%/l" ontentio's iss'e
of (/et/er or not t/e tr'n; of t/e ar (/i/ ontained t/e Vs/a,'W (as alread" open (it/ said pro/i,ited dr'% in plain vie(
(/en /e and /is tea# #e#,ers approa/ed. 6/e reord, /o(ever, disloses t/at after t/e prose'tor /andlin% t/e ases
onferred (it/ respondent, t/ereafter, $ar%alloDs testi#on" (as dispensed (it/ on t/e d',io's %ro'nd t/at it (o'ld
#erel" ,e orro,orative. FFF
6/e reord also reveals t/at $ar%allo reeived onl" one s',poena to appear in Cri#. Case No. 9@4189993 1Violation of
Dan%ero's Dr'%s At2 on Dee#,er @, 199@ FFF. .nfort'natel", /e (as not a,le to attend ,ea'se /e (as on leave at
t/e ti#e FFF and onl" learned a,o't t/e /earin% after Dee#,er @, 199@ FFF. C'rio'sl", no ot/er s'##ons (ere served
on /i# to testif" despite /is instr'tions to S!O0 Cristo,al to #anifest in Co'rt t/at /e ,e s',poenaed to testif" FFF. As in
Cri#. Case No. 9@4189993, /e also reeived onl" one 112 s',poena in t/e ot/er ases ,'t t/e reason t/erefor (as for t/e
Evidene C'stodian na#el", S!O0 Cristo,al (/o (as 'nder /i#, to ,rin% t/e onfisated ite#s in o'rt FFF. 6/e onl"
ot/er ti#e /e reeived a s',poena (as (/en /e (as re*'ired to attend t/e s/ed'led /earin% on $ar/ 73, 1997 and /e
(as not a(are t/at said notie re*'irin% /is presene on said date (as alread" for t/e pro#'l%ation of t/e order %rantin%
t/e de#'rrer to evidene FFF.
6/e Resol'tion %rantin% t/e de#'rrer to evidene dis#issin% all t/ree 102 ases a%ainst ?an% is li;e(ise an/ored on
infir# le%al #oorin%s.
Setion 1=, R'le 119 of t/e Revised R'les of Cri#inal !roed're provides t/at5
VSe. 1=. Demurrer to evidence. K After t/e prose'tion /as rested its ase, t/e o'rt #a" dis#iss t/e ase on t/e
%ro'nd of ins'ffiien" of evidene5 112 on its o(n initiate 1si2 after %ivin% t/e prose'tion an opport'nit" to ,e /eardG or
172 on #otion of t/e a'sed (it/ prior leave of o'rt.
If t/e o'rt denies t/e #otion for dis#issal, t/e a'sed #a" add'e evidene in /is defense. ?/en t/e a'sed files
s'/ #otion (it/o't t/e eFpress leave of o'rt, /e (aives t/e ri%/t to present evidene and s',#its t/e ase for
9'd%#ent on t/e ,asis of t/e evidene for t/e prose'tion.W
6/e r'le is not applia,le if t/e prose'tion /as not "et rested its ase FFF.
In t/is ase, despite t/e state#ent in t/e resol'tion in *'estion as (ell as respondentDs lai#s to t/e ontrar", t/ere is
a#ple evidene on reord t/at t/e prose'tion /ad not "et rested its ase in Cri#inal Cases Nos. 9@4189991 and 9@4
189997 FFF. !arti'larl" revealin% on t/is point is t/e V$anifestation ?it/ $otion to Set A,ove4Entitled Cases for B'rt/er
:earin% and Bor Iss'ane of S',poena to !rose'tion ?itnessesW FFF (/i/ avers t/at5
V6:E !EO!-E 6:R. 6:E .NDERSIGNED 6RIA- !ROSEC.6OR, to t/is :onora,le Co'rt #ost respetf'll" #anifests
t/at @e rested @is case only in so far %sic( as t@e case of ).!. /926 is concerned, and not as regards t@e c@arge for
74
violation of P.D. -4// %sic( %Crim. Case No. 1/5391113( and t@e case of CB.=-=C )esolution No. 2424 %Crim. Case No.
1/5391112(8
?:EREBORE, t/e prose'tion respetf'll" #oves t/is :onora,le Co'rt5
1. To set Crim. Case Nos. 1/5391113512, for violation of P.D. 34// and CB.=-=C )esolution 2424, respectively for
furt@er @earing to enable t@e prosecution to present its evidence8
FFF FFF FFF
A ir'#spet sr'tin" of t/e de#'rrer to evidene itself FFF (ill s/o( t/at t/e sa#e an onl" pertain to Cri#inal Case
No. 9@4189993 for violation of t/e Dan%ero's Dr'%s At considering t@at it was filed on anuary 1, 311: and t@e
prosecution @ad not yet rested in Criminal Cases Nos. 1/5391113 and 1/5391112. In fat, in an Order dated )an'ar" 18,
1997 FFF, respondent set /earin%s for t/e t(o 172 ases on )an'ar" 71, Be,r'ar" =, 11 and 17, 1997. It is interestin% to
note in t/is re%ard t/at no demurrer to evidence was filed after t@e prosecution @ad rested its case in Criminal Cases Nos.
1/5391113 and 1/5391112. Neit/er (as t/e prior de#'rrer filed on )an'ar" 9, 1997 s',se*'entl" a#ended to inl'de
t/ese t(o ases. Despite all t/ese fats, respondent 9'd%e still proeeded to dis#iss all t/ree 102 /ar%es a%ainst t/e
a'sed.
FFF FFF FFF
B'rt/er#ore, t/e fat'al events s'rro'ndin% t/e t'rnover of t/e onfisated artiles (/i/ oddl" eno'%/, (it/ t/e
eFeption of t/e firear#s, (ere not #ar;ed in evidene FFF onl" inreases t/e d',io'sness of t/e proeedin%s. As /as
,een stated earlier, o#plainants (ere 'na(are, 'pon ,ein% served (it/ notie to appear on $ar/ 73, 199@ t/at a
Resol'tion dis#issin% all t/ree 102 ases on t/e ,asis of t/e 'ndated de#'rrer to evidene (o'ld ,e pro#'l%ated
FFF. Indeed, t/e do'#ent served ," t/e proess server #ade no #ention of t/e fat t/at t/e ases (ere alread"
s',#itted for resol'tion and t/at t/e sa#e (o'ld ,e pro#'l%ated on said date FFF. In fat, S!O0 Cristo,al (/o (as
Evidene C'stodian of t/e !ARAC4DI-G (as not served a s',poena o##andin% /is presene on $ar/ 73, 1997. FFF
Instead, /e reeived a telep/one all on $ar/ 19, 1997 fro# a person (/o identified /erself as t/e &ran/ Cler; of
respondent 9'd%eDs sala instr'tin% /i# to ,rin% t/e onfisated #one" to o'rt t/e neFt da" FFF. 6/'s, 'pon appearin%
t/e neFt da", /e (as s'rprised to learn t/at t/ere (o'ld ,e a pro#'l%ation. FFF
D'rin% t/e proeedin%s /eld $ar/ 73, 1997, S!O0 Cristo,al (as /anded a Speial !o(er of Attorne" FFF dated
Be,r'ar" 17, 1997 eFe'ted ," t/e a'sed a't/ori+in% /is o'nsel to reeive t/e onfisated #one" in /is ,e/alf
FFF. As a prea'tion, Cristo,al #ade a /and(ritten reeipt on t/e said do'#ent (/i/ /e re*'ired said o'nsel to si%n
FFF. 6/e date of t/e eFe'tion of t/e Speial !o(er of Attorne" (/i/ (as #ore t/an a #ont/ prior to t/e pro#'l%ation of
t/e resol'tion onl" f'eled Cristo,alDs s'spiion t/at t/e proeedin%s (ere alread" ri%%ed in ?an%Ds favor FFF.
FFF FFF FFF
6/e fat'al findin% of respondent 9'd%e t/at t/e Vs/a,'W (as not in plain vie( (/en t/e a'sed (as arrested ,eo#es
open to *'estion in t/e li%/t of t/e evidene on reord t/at t/e o#part#ent of t/e ar ontainin% t/e Vs/a,'W (as at'all"
alread" open and t/e a'sed atte#pted to lose t/e sa#e ,'t (as prevented fro# doin% so ," t/e arrestin% offiers FFF
#'/ #ore so ta;in% into onsideration t/e fat t/at !<Sr. Insp. $ar%allo, t/e prinipal (itness for t/e prose'tion (/o
o'ld /ave s/ed li%/t on t/e ir'#stanes of t/e arrest and sei+'re, (as not %iven t/e /an%e 1si2 to
testif". Considerin% t/at t/e a'sed is a /i%/l" ontroversial /arater on ao'nt of /is notoriet" as a ,i%4ti#e dr'% lord
not to #ention t/e (idespread #edia attention attrated ," t/e ase, respondent 9'd%e s/o'ld /ave proeeded (it/ #ore
a'tion and ir'#spetion in t/e /andlin% t/ereof.
FFF FFF FFF
:o(ever, t/ere is an i#portant aspet to t/is ase (/i/ (as /eretofore not onsidered. 6/e respondent 9'd%eDs
Resol'tion in *'estion dated $ar/ 10, 1997 is one of a*'ittal. It is (ell4settled t/at a*'ittal in a ri#inal ase is
i##ediatel" final and eFe'tor" 'pon its pro#'l%ationG aordin%l", t/e State #a" not see; its revie( (it/o't plain% t/e
a'sed in do',le 9eopard".
H13I
?/en t/e Investi%atin% )'stie s',#itted /er Report dated Septe#,er 7, 1998, t/e
*'estioned Resol'tion of respondent 9'd%e a*'ittin% ?an% (as alread" t/e s',9et of a pendin% petition for revie(
on certiorari 1G.R. No. 178=872
H11I
(/i/ (as filed (it/ t/is Co'rt. It appeared t/at after t/e State reeived a op" of t/e
said Resol'tion of respondent 9'd%e on $ar/ 73, 1997, t/e Offie of t/e Soliitor General filed a V$anifestation and
75
$otionW on April 0, 1997 (it/ t/is Co'rt pra"in% for an eFtension of t/irt" 1032 da"s 1or 'ntil $a" 8, 1997, a S'nda"2 (it/in
(/i/ to file a petition for revie( on certiorari. 6/e #otion (as %ranted ," t/e Birst Division of t/is Co'rt in a Resol'tion
dated $a" 7, 1997. 6/e said petition for revie( on certiorari 1G.R. No. 178=872 (/i/ (as filed on $a" =, 1997 ," t/e
Soliitor General to%et/er (it/ t/e Depart#ent of )'stie, is still pendin% in t/is Co'rt. Bollo(in% esta,lis/ed dotrine, t/e
penden" of t/e appeal is s'ffiient a'se for t/e dis#issal of t/e instant ad#inistrative o#plaint.
H17I
It /as also ,een /eld
t/at t/e filin% of an ad#inistrative o#plaint is not t/e proper re#ed" for t/e orretion of ations of a 9'd%e pereived to
/ave %one ,e"ond t/e nor#s of propriet", (/ere a s'ffiient 9'diial re#ed" eFists.
H10I
Differentl" eFpo'nded in anot/er
ase,
As ever"one ;no(s, t/e la( provides a#ple 9'diial re#edies a%ainst errors or irre%'larities ,ein% o##itted ," a 6rial
Co'rt in t/e eFerise of its 9'risdition. 6/e ordinary remedies a%ainst errors or irre%'larities (/i/ #a" ,e re%arded as
nor#al in nat're 1i.e., error in appreiation or ad#ission of evidene, or in onstr'tion or appliation of proed'ral or
s',stantive la( or le%al priniple2 inl'de a #otion for reonsideration 1or after rendition of a 9'd%#ent or final order, a
#otion for ne( trial2, and appeal. 6/e eCtraordinary remedies a%ainst error or irre%'larities (/i/ #a" ,e dee#ed
eFtraordinar" in /arater 1i.e., (/i#sial, apriio's, despoti eFerise of po(er or ne%let of d't", et.2 are inter alia t/e
speial ivil ations of certiorari, pro/i,ition or mandamus, or a #otion for in/i,ition, a petition for /an%e of ven'e, as t/e
ase #a" ,e.
No@, 5:e e+5&9-3+:e' 'o<543ne &n' 8o-3<. 3+ 5:&5 '3+<38-3n&4. 84o<ee'3n>+ &n' <43=3n&- &<53on+ &>&3n+5 Ju'>e+ &4e
no5 <o=8-e=en5&4. o4 +u88-e5o4. o;, no4 & +u9+535u5e ;o4, 5:e+e Du'3<3&- 4e=e'3e+, @:e5:e4 o4'3n&4. o4
eE54&o4'3n&4.. Re+o45 5o &n' eE:&u+53on o; 5:e+e Du'3<3&- 4e=e'3e+, &+ @e-- &+ 5:e en54. o; Du'>=en5 3n 5:e
<o44e+8on'3n> &<53on o4 84o<ee'3n>, &4e 84e*4e?u3+35e+ ;o4 5:e 5&13n> o; o5:e4 =e&+u4e+ &>&3n+5 5:e 8e4+on+ o;
5:e Du'>e+ <on<e4ne', @:e5:e4 o; <363-, &'=3n3+54&536e, o4 <43=3n&- n&5u4e. I5 3+ on-. &;5e4 5:e &6&3-&9-e Du'3<3&-
4e=e'3e+ :&6e 9een eE:&u+5e' &n' 5:e &88e--&5e 5439un&-+ :&6e +8o1en @35: ;3n&-35., 5:&5 5:e 'oo4 5o &n 3n?u34.
3n5o :3+ <43=3n&-, <363- o4 &'=3n3+54&536e -3&93-35. =&. 9e +&3' 5o :&6e o8ene', o4 <-o+e'.
FFFF Indeed, sine 9'd%es #'st ,e free to 9'd%e, (it/o't press're or infl'ene fro# eFternal fores or fators, t/e" s/o'ld
not ,e s',9et to inti#idation, t/e fear of ivil, ri#inal or ad#inistrative santions for ats t/e" #a" do and disposition
t/e" #a" #a;e in t/e perfor#ane of t/eir d'ties and f'ntionsG and it is so'nd r'le, (/i/ #'st ,e reo%ni+ed
independentl" of stat'te, t/at 9'd%es are not %enerall" lia,le for ats done (it/in t/e sope of t/eir 9'risdition and in %ood
fait/G and t/at eFeptionall", prose'tion of a 9'd%e an ,e /ad onl" if Vt/ere ,e a final declaration by a competent court in
some appropriate proceeding of t@e manifestly un$ust c@aracter of t@e c@allenged $udgment or order, and also evidence
of malice or bad fait@, ignorance of ineCcusable negligence, on t@e part of t@e $udge in rendering said $udgment or orderW
or 'nder t/e strin%ent ir'#stanes set o't in Artile 07 of t/e Civil Code. FFFF
H18I
6/e ad#inistrative ase at ,ar involves an a*'ittal on an a'sed ," t/e respondent 9'd%e in t/ree 102 losel" related
ri#inal ases (/i/ (ere earlier onsolidated in t/e o'rt presided ," respondent 9'd%e. As a r'le, a*'ittal is
i##ediatel" final and eFe'tor". Conse*'entl", in vie( of t/e penden" in t/is Co'rt 1Birst Division2 of t/e petition for
revie( on ertiorari 1G.R. No. 178=872, supra, (e #a" not, ordinaril", revie( /ere t/e said 9'd%#ent of a*'ittal in t/ose
t/ree 102 ri#inal ases, t/e in*'ir" in t/is ad#inistrative ase ,ein% li#ited to t/e iss'e of (/et/er t/e respondent 9'd%e
is lia,le for t/e /ar%es ,ro'%/t a%ainst /i#.
H1=I
:o(ever, to resolve t/ose /ar%es in t/e ad#inistrative ase, it is
indispensa,le t/at (e onsider t/e respondent )'d%eDs s',9et Resol'tion dated $ar/ 10, 1997 %rantin% a'sed
?an%Ds De#'rrer to Evidene and a*'ittin% t/e latter in t/e losel" related Cri#inal Cases Nos. 9@4189993, 9@4189991
and 9@4189997.
In appealin% ?an%Ds a*'ittal, t/e State is rel"in% on a reo%ni+ed eFeption to t/e %eneral r'le in t/at (/ere t/e assailed
9'd%#ent is void, no do',le 9eopard" res'lts fro# t/e re4filin% of t/e ri#inal ase.
H1@I
In vie( of t/e penden" of t/e said
appeal, (e s/o'ld, ordinaril", ,e onstrained fro# resolvin% t/e /ar%e of violation of Art. 738 of t/e Revised !enal Code
for alle%edl" ;no(in%l" renderin% an 'n9'st 9'd%#ent. :o(ever, in t/is ad#inistrative ase, 9'stie de#ands t/at (e
resolve t/e ,asi iss'e relative to t/e le%alit" or ille%alit" of ?an%Ds (arrantless arrest and sear/, and t/e iss'e on t/e
ad#issi,ilit" of t/e ,a%s of Vs/a,',W sales and 'nliensed firear#s (/i/ (ere onfisated d'rin% t/e (arrantless
sear/. 6/ese are t/e ver" sa#e iss'es ,ein% liti%ated in t/e said appeal.
H17I
$ean(/ile, t/ere is as "et no definitive
prono'ne#ent ," t/is Co'rt in G.R. No. 178=87, supra, (/et/er respondentDs Resol'tion of a*'ittal of ?an% is patentl"
erroneo's. 6/e 9'rispr'dential r'le is t/at penden" of an appeal fro# a *'estioned 9'd%#ent renders t/e filing of
ad#inistrative /ar%es pre#at're.
H18I
Nevert/eless, t/e fore%oin% onsiderations do not prevent 's fro# r'lin% 'pon t/e re#ainin% /ar%es ,ro'%/t a%ainst
respondent 9'd%e. 6/e first involves an alle%ed violation of setion 01e2 of t/e Anti4Graft and Corr'pt !raties At, (/i/
provides5
76
Corr'pt praties of p',li offiers.LIn addition to ats or o#issions of p',li offiers alread" penali+ed ," eFistin% la(,
t/e follo(in% s/all onstit'te orr'pt praties of an" p',li offier and are /ere," delared to ,e 'nla(f'l5
FFF FFF FFF
1e2 Ca'sin% an" 'nd'e in9'r" to an" part", inl'din% t/e Govern#ent, or %ivin% an" private part" an" 'n(arranted ,enefits,
advanta%e or preferene in t/e dis/ar%e of /is offiial, ad#inistrative or 9'diial f'ntions t/ro'%/ #anifest partialit",
evident ,ad fait/ or %ross ineF'sa,le ne%li%ene. 6/is provision s/all appl" to offiers and e#plo"ees of offies or
%overn#ent orporations /ar%ed (it/ t/e %rant of lienses or per#its or ot/er onessions.
FFF FFF FFF
6/e ot/er /ar%e is for t/e alle%ed violation of setion 8, s',setions 1,2 and 12 of Rep',li At No. @710 ot/er(ise
;no(n as t/e Code of Cond't and Et/ial Standards for !',li Offiials and E#plo"ees, vi".5
Norms of Conduct of Public Bfficials and =mployees. 1A2 Ever" p',li offiial and e#plo"ee s/all o,serve t/e follo(in%
as standards of personal ond't in t/e dis/ar%e and eFe'tion of offiial d'ties5
FFF FFF FFF
1,2 Professionalism.L!',li offiials and e#plo"ees s/all perfor# and dis/ar%e t/eir d'ties (it/ t/e /i%/est de%ree of
eFellene, professionalis#, intelli%ene and s;ill. 6/e" s/all enter p',li servie (it/ 't#ost devotion and dediation to
d't". 6/e" s/all endeavor to diso'ra%e (ron% pereptions of t/eir roles as dispensers or peddlers of 'nd'e advanta%e.
12 ustness and sincerity.L!',li offiials and e#plo"ees s/all re#ain tr'e to t/e people at all ti#es. 6/e" #'st at (it/
9'stness and sinerit" and s/all not disri#inate a%ainst an"one, espeiall" t/e poor and t/e 'nderprivile%ed. 6/e" s/all
at all ti#es respet t/e ri%/ts of ot/ers, and s/all refrain fro# doin% ats ontrar" to la(, %ood #orals, %ood 'sto#s,
p',li poli", p',li order, p',li safet" and p',li interest. 6/e" s/all not dispense or eFtend 'nd'e favors on ao'nt of
t/eir offie to t/eir relatives (/et/er ," onsan%'init" or affinit" eFept (it/ respet to appoint#ents of s'/ relatives to
positions onsidered stritl" onfidential or as #e#,ers of t/eir personal staff (/ose ter#s are oter#ino's (it/ t/eirs.
FFF FFF FFF
Respondent 9'd%eDs alle%ed trans%ressions onsist prinipall" of5 1a2 resolvin% t/e De#'rrer to Evidene (/en t/e
prose'tion /ad not "et alle%edl" rested in all t/ree 102 ri#inal asesG 1,2 dis#issin% all t/ree 102 ri#inal ases (/en t/e
De#'rrer to Evidene alle%edl" referred onl" to Cri#inal Case No. 9@4189993 relative to t/e dr'% /ar%esG and 12
propo'ndin% *'estions d'rin% t/e larifiator" /earin% (/i/ revealed /is alle%ed partialit" in favor of t/e a'sed. After
revie(in% t/e reords, (e find sant evidene to s'pport t/e /ar%es as (ell as t/e adverse onl'sions of t/e :onora,le
Investi%ator.
A lose sr'tin" of t/e reord does not s'pport t/e onl'sion of t/e Investi%ator t/at respondent 9'd%e pre#at'rel"
resolved t/e De#'rrer to Evidene (it/o't %ivin% t/e prose'tion a#ple opport'nit" to prove its t/ree 102 ases (/i/
(ere earlier onsolidated. 6/e %overnin% r'le t/en, Setion 1=, R'le 119 of t/e 198= R'les of Cri#inal
!roed're
H19I
provides t/at5
Demurrer to evidence.LAfter t/e prose'tion /as rested its ase, t/e o'rt #a" dis#iss t/e ase on t/e %ro'nd of
ins'ffiien" of evidene 112 on its o(n initiative after %ivin% t/e prose'tion an opport'nit" to ,e /eardG or 172 on #otion of
t/e a'sed filed (it/ prior leave of o'rt.
If t/e o'rt denies t/e #otion for dis#issal, t/e a'sed #a" add'e evidene in /is defense. ?/en t/e a'sed files
s'/ #otion to dis#iss (it/o't eFpress leave of o'rt, /e (aives t/e ri%/t to present evidene and s',#its t/e ase for
9'd%#ent on t/e ,asis of t/e evidene of t/e prose'tion. 1.ndersorin% s'pplied2
D'rin% t/e /earin% /eld on Dee#,er @, 199@, Assistant Cit" !rose'tor ?innie $. Edad stated t/at /e (as restin% t/e
!eopleDs ase.
H73I
It (as at t/is ti#e t/at t/e defense as;ed for, and (as %iven, leave of o'rt to file a De#'rrer to
Evidene. !er/aps ,elatedl" reali+in% t/at it /ad rested pre#at'rel", t/e prose'tion filed a V$anifestation (it/ $otion to
Set A,ove4Entitled Cases for B'rt/er :earin% and Bor t/e Iss'ane of S',poenas to !rose'tion ?itnessesW
H71I
on
Dee#,er 19, 199@. Respondent 9'd%e, in an Order dated )an'ar" 18, 1997
H77I
%ranted t/at #otion and set t/e t(o 172
77
re#ainin% ases 1Cri#inal Case Nos. 9@4189991 and 9@41899972 for f'rt/er /earin%s. 6/is fat ,elies t/e petitionersD
lai# t/at t/e" (ere denied t/eir da" in o'rt. S3>n3;3<&n5-., 'u43n> 5:e :e&43n> :e-' on Fe94u&4. 11, 199B, 5:e
84o+e<u53on 4e+5e' 3n &-- 5:e 5:4ee 237 <&+e+ for the second time,
H70I
3n<-u'3n> C43=3n&- C&+e No+. 96*149991 &n'
96*149992. 6/e prose'tion (as even a,le to file an opposition to t/e De#'rrer to Evidene. T:e 4e<o4'
+:o@+ 5:&5 5:e 84o<ee'3n>+ @e4e &+5ene' @:en 5:e 'e;en+e ;3-e' & &n3;e+5&53on on Fe94u&4. 10, 199B 5:&5 35
@&+ &'=3553n> 5:e eE3+5en<e o; 5:e ;34e&4=+ &n' 5:e -&<1 o; -3<en+e 5:e4e;o4. (en<e, 5:e4e @&+ no5 e6en & nee' 5o
&=en' 5:e De=u44e4 5o E63'en<e 3n&+=u<: &+ 5:e De=u44e4 5o E63'en<e, &+ @o4'e', <-e&4-. 84&.e' ;o4 5:e
'3+=3++&- o; &-- 5:e 5:4ee 237 <&+e+, n&=e-., C43=3n&- C&+e No+. 96*149990, 96*149991 &n' 96*149992.
Neit/er do (e disern an" i#propriet" (/en respondent 9'd%e resolved to dis#iss all t/e t/ree 102 ri#inal ases filed
a%ainst ?an%. !etitioners lai# t/at t/e De#'rrer to Evidene o'ld appl" onl" to Cri#inal Case No. 9@4189993
inas#'/ as 112 t/e State /as rested alle%edl" onl" in t/at ase, and 172 t/e do;et n'#,er stated on t/e first pa%e of t/e
De#'rrer to Evidene referred onl" to Cri#inal Case No. 9@4189993. 6/at lai# is erroneo's. Even if t/e aption of t/e
De#'rrer to Evidene stated onl" Cri#inal Case No. 9@4189993, a plain readin% of t/e entire De#'rrer to Evidene
leaves no do',t t/at it also overed Cri#inal Case Nos. 9@4189991 and 9@4189997. 6/e prinipal ar%'#ent of t/e
defense in t/ose t/ree 102 ri#inal ases is t/at ?an% (as arrested ille%all", (it/o't a (arrant, 'nder ir'#stanes not
fallin% (it/in reo%ni+ed eFeptions.
H78I
Aordin%l", t/e ao#pan"in% sear/ and sei+'re (/i/ "ielded t/e pro/i,ited
artiles is also ille%al and invalid. !'rs'ant to onstit'tional ditates,
H7=I
said artiles are inad#issi,le in evidene for ,ein%
Vfr'its of a poisono's tree.W 6/at defense is 'ne*'ivoall" set fort/ in t/e De#'rrer to Evidene. 6/e aption of t/e
De#'rrer to Evidene (/i/ indiated onl" Cri#inal Case No. 9@4189993 is not ontrollin% ,ea'se t/e ,od" and pra"er
of t/e De#'rrer to Evidene refer to all t/e t/ree 102 losel" related ases.
Anent t/e /ar%e t/at respondent 9'd%e displa"ed ,ias and partialit" d'rin% t/e trial (/en /e as;ed n'#ero's larifiator"
*'estions, (e note t/at t/e partiipation of respondent 9'd%e in t/e ond't of t/e trial (as not ," itself onde#na,le. :e
o'ld not ,e eFpeted to re#ain an i#passive and re#ote presene d'rin% t/e proeedin%s, pro/i,ited fro# as;in%
*'estions (/en proper and neessar", "et all t/ese (ere done (it/o't neessaril" trans%ressin% t/e ,o'ndaries of
i#partialit" dereed ," 9'diial et/is. 6/e #ere fat t/at t/e presidin% 9'd%e as;ed larifiator" *'estions d'rin% t/e
trial does not #a;e /i# a ,iased 9'd%e.
H7@I
V:e #'st ,e aorded a reasona,le lee(a" in as;in% *'estions to (itnesses as
#a" ,e essential to eliit relevant fats and to ,rin% o't t/e tr't/.W
H77I
Differentl" stated, V*'estions to larif" points and to
eliit additional relevant evidene are not i#proper. 6/e 9'd%e ,ein% t/e ar,iter #a" properl" intervene in t/e presentation
of evidene to eFpedite and prevent 'nneessar" (aste of ti#e.W
H78I
6/e prono'ne#ent of t/is Co'rt in Snited States v.
Ludieres
H79I
is ill'#inatin% as (/en it (as #ade in 19185
6/e first assi%n#ent of error /as its ,asis in t/e lai# of o'nsel t/at t/e trial 9'd%e (ent to 'n9'stifia,le len%t/s in
eFa#inin% so#e of t/e (itnesses alled for t/e defense. It is ver" lear, /o(ever, fro# a revie( of t/e (/ole proeedin%s
t/at t/e onl" o,9et of t/e trial 9'd%e in propo'ndin% t/ese *'estions (as to endeavor as far as possi,le to %et at t/e tr't/
as to t/e fats (/i/ t/e (itnesses (ere testif"in%. 6/e ri%/t of a trial 9'd%e to *'estion t/e (itnesses (it/ a vie( to
satisf"in% /is #ind 'pon an" #aterial point (/i/ presents itself d'rin% t/e trial of a ase over (/i/ /e presides is too
(ell esta,lis/ed to need dis'ssion. 6/e trial 9'd%es in t/is 9'risdition are 9'd%es of ,ot/ t/e la( and t/e fats, and t/e"
(o'ld ,e ne%li%ent in t/e perfor#ane of t/eir d'ties if t/e" per#itted a #isarria%e of 9'stie as a res'lt of a fail're to
propo'nd a proper *'estion to a (itness (/i/ #i%/t develop so#e #aterial fat 'pon (/i/ t/e 9'd%#ent in t/e ase
s/o'ld t'rn. So in a ase (/ere a trial 9'd%e sees t/at t/e de%ree of redit (/i/ /e is to %ive t/e testi#on" of a %iven
(itness #a" /ave an i#portant ,earin% 'pon t/e o'to#e, t/ere an ,e no *'estion t/at in t/e eFerise of a so'nd
disretion /e #a" p't s'/ *'estions to t/e (itness as (ill ena,le /i# to for#'late a so'nd opinion as to t/e a,ilit" or t/e
(illin%ness of t/e (itness to tell t/e tr't/. 6/e *'estions as;ed ," t/e trial 9'd%e in t/e ase at ,ar (ere in o'r opinion
entirel" proper, t/eir onl" p'rpose ,ein% to larif" ertain o,s're p/ases of t/e aseG and (/ile (e are inlined to a%ree
(it/ o'nsel t/at so#e of t/e o,servations of t/e trial 9'd%e in t/e o'rse of /is eFa#ination #i%/t (ell /ave ,een
o#itted, t/ere is no reason (/atever to ,elieve t/at t/e s',stantial ri%/ts of t/e defendants (ere in an"(ise pre9'died
t/ere,".
6/e transript of t/e larifiator" /earin% /eld on Be,r'ar" 7@, 1997 is reprod'ed ,elo( to s/o( t/at t/e tenor of
respondent 9'd%eDs larifiator" *'estions, t/o'%/ n'#ero's did not reall" reate t/e i#pression t/at respondent 9'd%e
(as ,iased or t/at /e /as pratiall" ta;en t/e 'd%els for t/e defense.
FFF FFF FFF
6:E CO.R6 6O 6:E ?I6NESS5
C5 >o', S!O0 Cristo,al, (ere a #e#,er of t/e polie operatives t/at effeted t/e arrest of t/e a'sed in t/is aseS
A5 >es, sir.
78
C5 Bro# "o'r testi#on" and t/at of !olie Inspetor Cielito Coronel, t/is Co'rt /as %at/ered t/at prior to t/e arrest of
t/e a'sed t/ere (ere t/ree 02 #en t/at "o'r tea# arrested. One of (/o# is a polie offierS
A5 >es, sir.
C5 S!O7 Ver%el De Dios, Ro%elio Ano,le and a ertain ArellanoS
A5 >es, sir.
C5 ?/en (ere t/e" arrestedS
AG $a" 1@ on or a,o't 7533 1interr'pted2
C5 !.$.S
A5 !.$., "o'r :onor.
C5 And on t/e oasion of t/e arrest of t/ese t/ree #en s/a,' (ere onfisated fro# t/e#S
A5 >es, sir.
C5 And in t/e o'rse of t/e investi%ation of t/ese t/ree #en "o' (ere a,le to disover t/at Redentor 6e/ and )osep/
)'nio (ere t/e so're of t/e re%'lated dr'% t/at (ere onfisated fro# t/e t/ree #en t/at "o' /ave arrestedS
A5 >es, sir.
C5 No(, t/r' entrap#ent H,asedI in "o'r testi#on" "o' (ere a,le to appre/end also t/ese t(o #en, Redentor 6e/ and
)osep/ )'nioS
A5 >es, sir.
C5 And t/at (as on t/e evenin% of (/at dateS
A5 $a" 1@. 6/e sa#e 1interr'pted2
C5 6/e sa#e dateS 6/e sa#e evenin%S
A5 Sa#e evenin%. A,o't 11533 p.#.
C5 6/ese t(o #en, Redentor and )osep/ t/e" (ere also investi%ated ," "o'r tea#S
A5 >es, sir.
C5 >o' (ere present (/en t/e" (ere investi%atedS
A5 I (as t/e one (/o investi%ated t/e#.
C5 6/is Redentor, /e lai#ed t/at /e (as t/e talent #ana%er of Glen#ore $odellin% A%en"S
A5 >es, sir.
C5 And "o' also stated t/at t/e a%en" (as o(n 1si2 ," t/e a'sed in t/is aseS
A5 >es, sir.
C5 :o( a,o't t/e ot/er #an, )osep/S Did /e also sa" t/at /e (as an e#plo"ee of t/e a'sedS
A5 :e told #e t/at /e is a %"# instr'tor.
C5 So /e (as not (or;in% for t/e a'sedS
A5 :e is also (or;in% for t/e a'sed.
C5 As a %"# instr'torS
A5 >es.
C5 >o' #ean to sa" t/at t/e %"# is also o(n 1si2 ," t/e a'sedS
A5 :e tea/es aero,i.
C5 In (/at esta,lis/#entS
A5 In Glen#ore.
C5 In Glen#oreS
A5 >es. sir.
C5 6/ese t(o, Redentor and )osep/ at t/e ti#e of t/e arrest t/e" (ere in t/e FFF
A5 >es, sir.
C5 In fat t/e" (ere in FFF to "o' t/e t/ree #en (/i/ (ere previo'sl" arrestedS
A5 >es, sir.
C5 Did "o' as; Redentor and )osep/ t/e so're of s/a,' t/at "o' onfisated fro# t/e# at t/e ti#e of t/e arrestS
A5 >es, sir. 6/e" ref'se 1si2 to sa" t/e so're, /o(ever, t/e" told #e t/at t/e" (ere (or;in% for t/e a'sed.
C5 >o' also testified t/at Redentor infor#ed "o' t/at t/ere (as anot/er deliver" of s/a,' s/ed'led t/at #ornin% of
1stop2 (as it $a" 1@ or $a" 17S 6/e ot/er deliver" t/at is s/ed'led onS
A5 On t/e 17
t/
.
C5 So it (as on t/e follo(in% #ornin%S
A5 >es, sir.
C5 Did /e tell "o' (/ere t/e deliver" of t/e s/a,' (as to ,e #adeS
A5 No, sir.
C5 Did /e tell "o' (/o (as to #a;e t/e deliver"S
A5 No, sir.
C5 >o' said t/at "o'r tea# deided to see t/e a'sed to as; /i# to s/ed li%/t re%ardin% t/e dr'% traffi;in% ativities of
Redentor and )osep/S
A5 >es, >o'r :onor. 6/at is o'r initial p'rpose.
C5 6o as; /i# to s/ed li%/tS
A5 >es, sir.
79
C5 At t/at ti#e (/en "o' deided to loo; for t/e a'sed to as; /i# to s/ed li%/t on t/e #atter onernin% t/e arrest of
t/ese t(o e#plo"ees in possession of s/a,'. Did "o' and did "o'r tea# s'spet t/e a'sed as ,ein% involved in t/e
transation t/at led to t/e arrest of Redentor and )osep/S
A5 >es, sir. ?e s'speted t/at /e (as t/e so're of t/e s/a,'.
C5 So "o' (ere s'spetin% t/e a'sed as ,ein% involvedS
A5 >es, sir.
C5 In t/e dr'% transationS
A5 >es, sir.
C5 >o' also testified t/at "o' and "o'r tea# proeeded to $aria Orosa apart#ent so#e(/ere in Er#itaS
A5 >es, sir.
C5 And t/at apart#ent (as pinpointed to "o' ," Redentor as t/e plae (/ere t/e a'sed o'ld ,e fo'ndS
A5 >es, sir.
C5 And (/en "o' arrived at t/e apart#ent "o' did not enter t/e apart#entS
A5 ?e ond'ted a sta;e o't.
C5 >o' (aited o'tsideS
A5 >es, sir.
C5 ?/"S >o' (ere eFpetin% t/e a'sed to o#e o't fro# t/e apart#entS
A5 &ea'se of t/e par;ed &$? (/i/ (as desri,ed ," Redentor as t/e one 'sed ," t/e a'sed.
C5 So t/ere (as a &$? ar par;ed in front 1si2 of t/e apart#entS
A5 >es, sir.
C5 And t/at (as desri,ed as t/e ar ,ein% 'sed ," t/e a'sedS
A5 >es, sir.
C5 ?as 1si2 Redentor and )osep/ (it/ "o'r tea# (/en "o' proeeded to t/e apart#entS
A5 Initiall" t/e" (ere (it/ 's ,'t t/e rest of t/e #e#,ers of t/e tea# ,ro'%/t t/e# to o'r offie.
C5 So (/en t/e a'sed a#e o't fro# t/e apart#ent, Redentor and )osep/ (ere no lon%er (it/ "o'r tea#S
A5 No, sir.
C5 No(, "o' stated or testified t/at (/en t/e a'sed a#e o't fro# t/e apart#ent, /e (as identified ," "o'r
tea#. ?/o identified t/e a'sedS
A5 ?e /ave in o'r o#pan" an asset (/o ;no(s t/e a'sed.
C5 ?/en t/e a'sed (as identified to "o'r tea# as t/e e#plo"er #entioned ," Redentor "o' i##ediatel" /eld /i#
s'rro'ndedS
A5 Not i##ediatel". ?e (at/ed (/at t/e" (ere a,o't to do.
C5 And (/at (as t/e a'sed doin% (/en "o' sa( /i# o#in% o't fro# t/e apart#entS
A5 6/e" (ere t(o. One is s'pposed to ,e t/e driver.
C5 So /e /as a #ale o#panionS
A5 >es, sir.
C5 6/e a'sedS
A5 >es, sir.
C5 6/e" (ere (al;in% to%et/er (/en t/e" a#e o't fro# t/e apart#entS
A5 6/e driver, sir, is alread" ,eside t/e ar.
C5 I see. So t/e driver (as (aitin% inside t/e arS
A5 Not inside. O'tside.
C5 O'tside of t/e arS
A5 >es, sir.
C5 &'t near t/e arS
A5 >es, sir.
C5 >o' narrated to t/is o'rt (/en "o' sa( t/e a'sed o#in% o't fro# t/e apart#ent (al;in% (/ere (as t/e
,o'ndS 6o (/at diretion (as /e (al;in%S 6o(ards t/e arS
A5 6o(ards t/e ar.
C5 Alri%/t. Bro# t/e apart#ent (/ere /e a#e o't to t/e plae (/ere t/e ar (as par;ed, (/at (as t/e
distaneS :o( #an" #etersS
A5 A distane of #ore or less 1= to 73 #eters.
C5 ?/at did "o' o,serve (/ile t/e a'sed (as (al;in% fro# t/e apart#ent to /is ar (/i/ /as a distane of a,o't 1=
to 73 #etersS ?/at did "o' o,serve in t/e nat're of t/e a'sed (/ile /e (as (al;in% to(ards /is arS
A5 6/e a'sed stopped ,eside t/e ar. :e tal;ed (it/ t/e driver, s'pposed to ,e t/e driver and t/e" tal;ed for a (/ile.
C5 So /e (al;ed on t/e left side of t/e ar. ?/ere 1stop2 in (/at portion of t/e ar did /e approa/ed t/e driverS
A5 -eft side, sir.
C5 -eft sideS
A5 >es, >o'r :onor.
C5 And "o' sa( /i# tal;ed (it/ t/e driverS
A5 >es, sir.
80
C5 6/en (/at /appenedS
A5 After t/e" tal;ed, (e sa( t/e# open t/e o#part#ent of t/e ar.
C5 At t/is ti#e "o'r tea# (ere o,servin% at t/e distaneS
A5 >es, sir.
C5 ?/at (as t/e distaneS
A5 $ore or less 1= to 73 #eters. ?e (ere in a onealed plae.
C5 And "o' (ere onealed. >o' o'ld not ,e seen ," t/e a'sedS
A5 >es, sir.
C5 ?/at /appened (/en "o' sa( t/e a'sed and /is driver open t/e tr'n; of t/e arS
A5 It (as Capt. $ar%allo and !olie Inspetor Colonel approa/ed t/e# and 'pon seein% t/e# I also (ent o't of #"
/idin% plae and t/e a'sed (as aosted.
C5 So t/at (as t/e ti#e (/en "o' and "o'r tea# aosted t/e a'sed (/en t/e tr'n; of /is ar (as openS
A5 >es, sir.
C5 And after "o' aosted t/e a'sed, (/at did "o' doS
A5 It (as Capt. $ar%allo and I (/o prevented t/e# fro# losin% t/e o#part#ent.
C5 6/e tr'n;S
A5 >es, sir.
C5 ?/at transpired (/en "o' approa/ed t/e a'sed at t/at pointS ?/en "o' and "o'r 1stop2 (/at is t/e ran; of t/is
CoronelS
A Capt. $ar%allo. Sr. Inspetor -'io $ar%allo.
C5 No. No. >es. :e (as t/e one t/at approa/ed t/e a'sedS
A5 And -t. Coronel.
C5 And !olie Inspetor CoronelS
A5 >es, sir.
C5 &'t "o' (ere also near,"S
A5 >es, sir.
C5 ?/o tal;ed (it/ t/e a'sedS
A5 It (as Capt. $ar%allo.
C5 ?/at did /e tell to t/e a'sedS
A5 I (as not a,le to %et (/at t/e" are tal;in% ,ea'se I i##ediatel" told t/e# t/at t/ere (ere s/a,' at t/e
o#part#ent.
C5 ?/o #ade t/at state#entS
A5 I (as t/e one (/o told t/e# t/at t/ere (ere s/a,' in t/e o#part#ent.
C5 >o' told t/e a'sedS
A5 No. I told Capt. $ar%allo t/at t/ere (ere s/a,' inside t/e o#part#ent of t/e ar.
C5 No(, in "o'r delaration and fro# t/at of t/e Coronel t/e a'sed (as fris;edS
A5 >es, sir.
C5 And fro# t/e po;et of t/e pants of t/e a'sed (as ta;en a ,a;4'p pistolS
A5 No, sir. I ,elieve it (as a Dae(oo ali,er pistol.
C5 Dae(ooS 6/e one t/at (as ta;en fro# t/e possession of t/e a'sedS
A5 6/e A$6 ,a; 'p pistol (as /anded to #e ," Capt. $ar%allo.
C5 >es. Bro# (/o# it (as ta;enS
A5 It (as ta;en fro# t/e a'sed.
C5 Corret. So (/en t/e a'sed (as fris;ed (/at %'n (as ta;en fro# /i# and it (as disovered inside t/e
po;et of /is pantsS
A5 >es, sir.
C5 ?/i/ one o'rred firstS 6/e ,odil" sear/ of t/e a'sed or t/e sear/ of t/e tr'n; or 1si2 t/e arS
A5 I o'ld sa" it (as si#'ltaneo'sl" ,ein% ond'ted 1si2.
C5 At t/e sa#e ti#eS
A5 >es, >o'r :onor ,ea'se t/e" (ere /ere (/ile I (as at t/e ,a;.
C5 So (/ile "o' and "o'r ot/er#e#,ers 1si2 of t/e tea# (ere sear/in% t/e tr'n; of t/e ar, !olie Inspetor Coronel
and anot/er offier, Capt. $ar%allo (ere s',9etin% t/e a'sed to ,odil" sear/edS
A5 >es, sir.
C5 And "o' i##ediatel" disovered t/e s/a,' inside t/e tr'n;S
A5 >es, sir.
C5 And t/ere (as anot/er %'n t/at (as ta;en fro# t/e ar and t/at is 'nderneat/ t/e driverDs seatS
A5 >es, sir.
C5 ?/en "o' sa( t/e a'sed (al;in% to(ards /is ar, did "o' ;no( (/et/er /e (as arr"in% a %'nS
A5 No, sir. It annot ,e seen.
C5 It (as onealedS
A5 >es, sir.
81
C5 So t/e onl" ti#e t/at "o' and "o'r tea# learned t/at /e (as in possession of t/e %'n is (/en /e (as ,odil"
sear/edS
A5 >es, sir. 6/at is t/e onl" ti#e t/at I a#e to ;no( a,o't (/en Capt. $ar%allo /anded to #e t/e %'n.
C5 Ot/er t/an (al;in% to(ards t/e ar, t/e a'sed (as not doin% an"t/in% elseS
A5 None, sir.
C5 6/at (o'ld invite "o'r s'spiion or %ive indiation t/at /e (as intendin% to do so#et/in% 'nla(f'l or ille%alS
A5 No, sir.
C5 ?/en "o' sear/ed t/e ar, did t/e a'sed protest or tr" to prevent "o'r tea# fro# sear/in% /is arS
A5 No, sir.
H03I
FFF FFF FFF
6/e a,ove4*'oted *'estions propo'nded ," respondent 9'd%e (ere neessar" for t/e p'rpose of deter#inin% and
larif"in% t/e ,asis for resolvin% t/e all i#portant iss'e of t/e le%alit" or ille%alit" of t/e (arrantless arrest of ?an% and t/e
(arrantless sear/ of t/e latterDs ar. :erein respondent 9'd%eDs afore*'oted *'estions ontrast favora,l" a%ainst
instanes in ot/er ases (/erein it (as learl" s/o(n t/at t/e 9'd%es t/erein displa"ed ,ias a%ainst a part" liti%ant. 6/'s,
t/ere is a ase (/ere t/e *'estions as;ed of a (itness ," t/e 9'd%e t/erein (ere adversarial, #aliio's and /ostile in
/arater.
H01I
6/ere is anot/er ase (/ere t/e s/eer vol'#e of *'estions as;ed ," t/e 9'd%e t/erein tended to ,e leadin%,
#isleadin%, if not ,aseless and /"pot/etial.
H07I
It /as also ,een /eld t/at larifiator" *'estions as;ed ," t/e trial o'rt
#'st not a#o'nt to onfrontation, pro,in% and insin'ation, (/i/ are /arateristis of a ross4eFa#ination.
H00I
In ad#inistrative proeedin%s, t/e o#plainant ,ears t/e on's of esta,lis/in%, ," s',stantial evidene, t/e aver#ents of
/is o#plaint.
H08I
All told, o#plainants /erein failed to dis/ar%e t/at ,'rden. &esides, t/e /ar%es, s',9et of t/e
ad#inistrative ase a%ainst respondent 9'd%e, (/i/ (ere indorsed ," t/e Offie of t/e O#,'ds#an to t/e OCA on $a"
9, 1997
H0=I
also appear to ,e pre#at're in vie( of t/e filin% on $a" =, 1997 and penden" in t/is Co'rt of t/e petition for
revie( on certiorari, entitled VPeople of t@e P@ilippines v. -awrence Wang y C@en and Lon. Perfecto -a%'io, )r., et.W,
do;eted as G.R. No. 178=87, supra, 1see note no. 132. It /as ,een /eld t/at t/e penden" of an appeal fro# a
*'estioned 9'd%#ent renders t/e filin% of ad#inistrative /ar%es pre#at're.
H0@I
?/ere a s'ffiient 9'diial re#ed" eFists,
t/e filin% of an ad#inistrative o#plaint is not t/e proper re#ed" to orret t/e ations of a 9'd%e.
H07I
#(EREFORE, t/e ad#inistrative o#plaint a%ainst respondent )'d%e !erfeto A.S. -a%'io, )r. is /ere," DISISSED.
SO ORDERED.
#ellosillo, %C@airman(, .endo"a, >uisumbing, and #uena, ., on'r.
G.R. No. 16,BB3 O<5o9e4 2B, 2006
ELI%A A!"AN, petitioner, vs. PEOPLE OF T(E P(ILIPPINES, respondent.
D E C I S I O N
CALLEJO, SR, J.:
&efore t/e Co'rt is a !etition for Revie( on Certiorari of t/e Deision
1
of t/e Co'rt of Appeals 1CA2 in CA4G.R. CR No.
7=77@ and Resol'tion
7
den"in% t/e #otion for reonsideration t/ereof. 6/e CA affir#ed t/e Deision
0
of t/e Re%ional 6rial
82
Co'rt 1R6C2, &ran/ 81, Da%'pan Cit" in Cri#inal Case No. 984370074D, onvitin% Eli+a 6. A,'an of violatin% Setion
1@, Artile III of Rep',li At 1R.A.2 No. @87=, as a#ended, ot/er(ise ;no(n as 6/e Dan%ero's Dr'%s At of 1977.
T:e An5e<e'en5+
A ri#inal o#plaint (as filed in t/e $'niipal 6rial Co'rt 1$6C2 of Calasiao, !an%asinan /ar%in% A,'an (it/ violatin%
R.A. No. @87=, as a#ended. On $a" 8, 1998, s/e filed a #otion to *'as/ t/e ri#inal o#plaint, pra"in% t/at pendin% t/e
resol'tion of /er #otion, s/e ,e allo(ed to post ,ail (it/o't (aivin% /er ri%/t to *'estion /er arrest and assail Sear/
?arrant No. 984@7.
8
6/e p',li prose'tor onfor#ed to t/e #otion. 6/'s, t/e #otion (as %ranted and ,ail (as fiFed
at !@3,333.33.
=
6/e $6C fo'nd pro,a,le a'se a%ainst A,'an for violation of Setion 1@, Artile III of R.A. No. @87=, as a#ended, and
reo##ended t/e filin% of an Infor#ation a%ainst /er. It ordered t/e elevation of t/e reords to t/e R6C for f'rt/er
proeedin%s.
On Nove#,er 17, 1998, an A#ended Infor#ation (as filed in t/e R6C of Da%'pan Cit", /ar%in% A,'an (it/ violatin%
Setion 1@, Artile III of R.A. No. @87=, as a#ended. 6/e in'lpator" portion of t/e Infor#ation reads5
6/at on or a,o't 858= oDlo; in t/e #ornin% of $a" @, 1998 at &r%", -asip, H$I'niipalit" of Calasiao, H!Irovine
of !an%asinan, !/ilippines, and (it/in t/e 9'risdition of t/is :onora,le Co'rt, t/e a,ove4na#ed a'sed did t/en
and t/ere, (illf'll", 'nla(f'll" and felonio'sl" /as in /er possession, 'stod" and ontrol of t/e follo(in% to (it5
Bift" seven 1=72 s#all /eat4sealed plasti sa/ets of #etH/Iap/eta#ine /"dro/loride 1s/a,'2
(ei%/in% =.@7%ra#s.
one 112 roll al'#in'# foil and assorted plasti 1l'#ino's2 sa/ets.
(it/o't a't/orit" to possess t/e sa#e.
CON6RAR> to Art. III, Setion 1@ of R.A. @87=, as a#ended.
@
D'rin% t/e arrai%n#ent on Nove#,er 17, 1998, t/e a'sed, assisted ," o'nsel, pleaded not %'ilt" to t/e
/ar%e.
7
D'rin% t/e pre4trial on Nove#,er 19, 1998, A,'an re9eted t/e prose'tionDs proposal for /er to ad#it t/e validit"
of Sear/ ?arrant No. 984@7, and t/at, in t/e enfore#ent t/ereof, =7 sa/ets of s/a,' (ere fo'nd in /er /o'se and later
onfisated ," t/e polie#en.
8
S/e #aintained t/at t/e (arrant (as invalid and t/at an" #aterial alle%edl" onfisated
fro# /er /o'se (as inad#issi,le in evidene.
6/e o'rt set t/e initial presentation of evidene ," t/e prose'tion on Dee#,er 0, 1998. :o(ever, on said date,
a'sed filed a $otion to S'ppress Evidene, alle%in% t/at t/ere (as no pro,a,le a'se for t/e iss'ane of Sear/
?arrant No. 984@7G t/e appliant, Cesar Ra#os, /ad no personal ;no(led%e of /is lai# t/at s/e /ad in /er possession
#et/a#p/eta#ine /"dro/loride 1s/a,'2 and ot/er dr'% parap/ernaliaG $arissa Gorospe (as a fititio's person, and /er
testi#on" (as fa,riated to onvine t/e EFe'tive )'d%e to #a;e a findin% of pro,a,le a'se re*'ired for t/e iss'ane
of a sear/ (arrantG and t/e EFe'tive )'d%e failed to as; sear/in% *'estions and eliit fro# AGorospeA t/e parti'larit"
of t/e alle%ed parap/ernalia in A,'anDs possession. A,'an asserted t/at sine t/e sear/ (arrant is void, (/atever
evidene (as disovered as a res'lt of t/e sear/ ond'ted ,ased on t/e (arrant (as inad#issi,le in evidene.
9
Instead of allo(in% t/e a'sed to present /er evidene in s'pport of /er #otion, t/e o'rt delared t/at an" s'/
evidene #a" ,e add'ed at t/e trial.
13
T:e C&+e ;o4 5:e P4o+e<u53on
At aro'nd 8503 a.#. on $a" =, 1998, S!O7 $arelino Ga#,oa and S!O7 &eli%'er de Vera of t/e Calasiao !olie Station
reeived infor#ation fro# a onfidential infor#ant t/at A,'an (as ond'tin% ille%al dr'% ativities in /er /o'se at
&aran%a" -asip, Calasiao, !an%asinan. Atin% on t/e said infor#ation, Ga#,oa and de Vera ond'ted s'rveillane4
#onitorin% operations on /er residene, t/ree ti#es for #ore t/an an /o'r. 6/e" sa( #ore or less 73 people (/o (ere
o#in% in and o't of A,'anDs /o'se. Aordin% to t/e infor#ant, t/ese people (ere dr'% addits,
11
and A,'an (as a
;no(n dr'% p's/er.
17
On t/e sa#e da", t/e offiers, t/ro'%/ S!O0 Cesar Ra#os, applied for a (arrant
10
(it/ EFe'tive
)'d%e E'%enio G. Ra#os of t/e R6C in -in%a"en, !an%asinan, to sear/ t/e /o'se of A,'an for violation of Setion 1@,
83
Artile III of R.A. No. @87=, as a#ended, and t/e sei+'re of #et/a#p/eta#ine /"dro/loride 1 s@abu2, (ei%/in% sale,
al'#in'# foil, and ,'rner.
6/e appliation (as do;eted as Sear/ ?arrant No. 984@7. 6o esta,lis/ pro,a,le a'se for t/e iss'ane of a sear/
(arrant, Ra#os presented t/eir infor#ant, $arissa Gorospe, (/o (as s',9eted to sear/in% *'estions ," t/e EFe'tive
)'d%e.
18
Gorospe testified t/at s/e (as a resident of #arangay Sapan%, $anaoa%, !an%asinan. S/e ;ne( A,'an ,ea'se t/e"
(ere e#plo"ed as dealers of Avon Cos#etis. A,'an (as a pro#inent personalit" in #arangay -asip.
1=
:er 'nn'#,ered
/o'se is a %reen ,'n%alo(4t"pe, e#ented and deorated (it/ orna#ental plants 'p front. S/e visited A,'an in /er
/o'se at least t/ree to fo'r ti#es a (ee;.
1@
S/e first a#e 'pon t/e dr'%s in A,'anDs /o'se (/en t/e latter invited /er to
a A9a##in%A and drin;in% session. S/e ref'sed ,ea'se s/e /ad to %o /o#e to#arangay Sapan%, $anaoa%, !an%asinan,
a plae of onsidera,le distane fro# Calasiao.
17
A,'an t/en s'%%ested t/at t/e" 'se t/e s@abu t/at s/e ;ept inside /er
,edroo# instead. A,'an ;ept a s',stantial a#o'nt of s/a,' in /er /o'se and sold it.
18
6/e infor#ant f'rt/er narrated t/at
several people, inl'din% teena%ers, arrived in t/e /o'se of A,'an and ,o'%/t t/e s',stane.
19
D'rin% /er visits, s/e
o,served t/at A,'an plaed s/a,' inside plasti ,a%s. S/e also sa( (ei%/in% sales and parap/ernalias 'sed in
sniffin% s@abu. &ein% a #ot/er /erself, s/e did not (ant teena%ers and /er /ildren to ,eo#e dr'% addits.
73
Gorospe
identified and affir#ed t/e tr't/ of t/e ontents of /er deposition.
71
6/e EFe'tive )'d%e fo'nd pro,a,le a'se and iss'ed Sear/ ?arrant No. 984@7 (/i/ reads5
6O AN> OBBICER OB 6:E -A?5
G R E E 6 I N G S 5
It appearin% to t/e satisfation of t/e 'ndersi%ned after eFa#inin% 'nder oat/ t/r' sear/in% *'estions on t/e
appliant, S!O0 Cesar A. Ra#os, !N!, and /is (itnesses t/at t/ere is pro,a,le a'se to ,elieve t/at t/e
respondent is in possession (it/o't an" a't/orit" to do so in violation of R.A. @87= of t/e follo(in%5
$etH/Ia#p/eta#ine :"dro/loride 1s/a,'2
6ooter
?ei%/in% Sale
Al'#in'# Boil
&'rner
(/i/ s/e ;eeps and oneals in /er /o'se pre#ises at &r%". -asip, Calasiao, !an%asinan, (/i/ s/o'ld ,e
sei+ed and ,ro'%/t to t/e 'ndersi%ned.
>O. ARE :ERE&> CO$$ANDED to #a;e an i##ediate sear/ at an" ti#e of t/e da" or ni%/t and ta;e
possession of t/e a,ove4desri,ed properties and ,rin% t/e# to t/e 'ndersi%ned to ,e dealt (it/ as t/e la(
direts.
6/is Sear/ ?arrant s/all ,e valid onl" for ten 1132 da"s fro# its iss'ane, t/ereafter, t/e sa#e s/all ,e void.
77
On $a" @, 1998, polie operatives o#posed of Col. Bidel !osadas, $a9or Broilan !ere+, S!O7 Ga#,oa, S!O7 $adrid,
S!O7 de Vera, !O7 6o#elden, !O7 Rosario, !O0 .,ando, !O1 $o"ano and !O0 Vallo (ent to#arangay -asip to
enfore t/e sear/ (arrant. :o(ever, ,efore proeedin% to A,'anDs residene, t/e polie#en invited #arangay Captain
&ernardo $an%alia% and Ea%a(ad $i%'el Garia of #arangay -asip to (itness t/e sear/.
.pon arrivin% at t/e pre#ises, Offiers De Vera, Ga#,oa and Garia and $an%alia% entered t/e /o'seG t/e rest of t/e
polie#en re#ained o'tside. $an%alia% introd'ed t/e polie offiers to A,'an (/o presented Sear/ ?arrant No. 984@7
to /er. A,'an read t/e (arrant and per#itted t/e offiers to ond't t/e sear/.
70
84
De Vera, $an%alia%, Ga#,oa and Garia entered t/e ,edroo# and fo'nd =7 sa/ets of s'speted s@abu, one roll of
al'#in'# foil and assorted l'#ino's plasti sa/ets in t/e dra(er 9'st ,eside A,'anDs ,ed.
78
6/e polie offiers
onfisated all t/ese and ,ro'%/t t/e#, alon% (it/ A,'an, to t/e polie station (/ere an inventor" of t/e ite#s (as #ade.
$an%alia% and Garia affiFed t/eir si%nat'res on t/e inventor"<reeipt,
7=
,'t A,'an ref'sed to si%n it.
7@
6/e polie offiers prepared a ertifiation of orderl" sear/ (/i/ Garia and $an%alia% also si%ned. A,'an li;e(ise
ref'sed to si%n t/e ertifiation.
77
6/e polie offiers re*'ested t/e !N! Cri#e -a,orator" .nit of -in%a"en, !an%asinan
to ond't a la,orator" eFa#ination on t/e onfisated s',stane.
78
Aordin% to t/e la,orator" eFa#ination ond'ted
," !<S'pt. 6/eresa Ann &'%a"on% CID, Re%ional C/ief C/e#ist, t/e =7 sa/ets of t/e s'speted s@abu (ei%/in% =.@7
%ra#s %ave positive res'lts for t/e presene of #et/a#p/eta#ine /"dro/loride, a re%'lated dr'%.
79
After presentin% its (itnesses, t/e prose'tion offered in evidene Sear/ ?arrant No. 984@7, t/e Reeipt of t/e !ropert"
Sei+ed, t/e !/"sial Siene Report and t/e artiles onfisated fro# A,'anDs /o'se.
03
:o(ever, A,'an o,9eted to t/e
ad#ission of t/e sear/ (arrant and t/e artiles onfisated ,ased t/ereon on t/e %ro'nd t/at t/e (arrant (as iss'ed
(it/o't pro,a,le a'se.
01
6/e o'rt ad#itted t/e do'#entar" evidene of t/e prose'tion s',9et to t/e o##ent or
o,9etion interposed ," a'sed and t/e event'al deter#ination of t/eir pro,ative (ei%/t.
07
T:e C&+e ;o4 5:e A<<u+e'
A,'an testified t/at s/e (as 9o,less in 1998. :er parents and /er sister Cora+on &ernadette sent /er #one" fro#
Canada one or t(ie a #ont/ to s'pport /er and /er da'%/ters. It (as /er fat/er (/o spent for t/e ed'ation of /er
da'%/ters.
00
S/e (as #arried to Crispin A,'an, a polie#an, ,'t t/e" separated in 1997.
08
S/e did not ;no( an" person
," t/e na#e of $arissa Gorospe. S/e did not (or; for Avon Cos#etis nor 'sed an" of its prod'ts.
0=
At aro'nd 8503 a.#. on $a" @, 1998, s/e (as (it/ /er t(o da'%/ters, 714"ear old Edili+a Go and 94"ear old $ae -i+a
A,'an.
0@
6/e" (ere still in ,ed inside t/eir roo#. S'ddenl", fo'r ar#ed #en ,ar%ed into t/eir /o'se and delared a
raid.
07
A,o't ei%/t to ten ot/ers (ere o'tside /er /o'se. S/e in*'ired if t/e" /ad a sear/ (arrant ,'t s/e (as not s/o(n
an".
08
6/e #en sear/ed /er /o'se for a,o't 13 to 1= #in'tes and t'rned 'p (it/ not/in%.
09
So#e of t/e #en (ent o't of
t/e /o'se and ,oarded a 9eepne". 6/e #en o'tside a%ain (ent into t/e ,edroo# and a#e o't (it/ Apo(der plaed in a
plasti.A
83
At t/is instane, #arangay Captain &ernardo $an%alia% (as ,ro'%/t to t/e sene and (as s/o(n t/e Apo(der
s',staneA reovered fro# /er ,edroo#. S/e ref'sed to si%n t/e inventor" and reeipt of t/e propert" sei+ed and t/e
ertifiation of orderl" sear/. :o(ever, $an%alia% si%ned t/e sa#e.
81
S/e delared t/at t/e sa/ets<s',stanes (/i/ t/e polie#en lai#ed to /ave fo'nd in /er /o'se (ere #erel" AplantedA
to i#pliate /er. 6/e raid as (ell as t/e /ar%e a%ainst /er (ere insti%ated ," /er ,rot/er Arsenio 6ana, (/o (as enra%ed
(/en s/e ref'sed /is de#and to entr'st t/e properties of t/e fa#il" to t/e are of /is son. It appears t/at 6ana arried o't
/is t/reat to /ave /er /o'se raided sine t/e polie#en did o#e to /er /o'se on $a" @, 1998.
87
:er ,rot/er (as ," t/e
%ate of /er /o'se at t/e ti#e of t/e raid.
A,'an also testified t/at, d'rin% t/e raid, s/e sa( 6ana tal;in% to t/e polie offiers (/o arrested /er. A,'an also delared
t/at t/e #one" ;ept inside a ,oF in /er roo# a#o'ntin% to !7=,333.33 1.SX1,133.332 %iven ," /er sister Cora+on
&ernardino /ad %one #issin% after t/e raid.
80
S/e did not file an" /ar%e for t/e loss of /er #one" ,ea'se s/e (as
sared. S/e did not ;no( (/o too; it.
#arangay Captain Ro,ert Cala/an of #arangay Sapan%, $anaoa%, !an%asinan and $eredes Carva9al, an e#plo"ee of
Avon Cos#etis in Da%'pan /oldin% t/e position of tea# leader, testified for a'sed.
Cala/an delared t/at /e (as ,orn in #arangay Sapan% and never left t/e plae. :e (as fa#iliar (it/ t/e residents of
t/e s#all ,aran%a".
88
:e iss'ed a ertifiation
8=
statin% t/at Aas per reord of t/is barangay, a ertain $arissa Gorospe is
not a resident of t/is barangay.A &efore /e si%ned t/e ertifiation, /e in*'ired fro# t/e ,aran%a" #e#,ers if t/e" ;ne( a
$arissa Gorospe, and /e (as told t/at no one ," t/at na#e (as a transient.
8@
Carva9al, for /er part, testified t/at, ,ased on t/e ertifiation dated Nove#,er 17, 1998 of Da%'pan Cit" Avon &ran/
$ana%er Gi%i dela Rosa, A$arissa Gorospe is not a re%istered dealer of Avon Da%'pan &ran/ ,ased on o'r reords.A
S/e did not ;no( an" Avon Cos#etis e#plo"ee or dealer na#ed $arissa Gorospe in !an%asinan. S/e f'rt/er testified
t/at s/e /ad ,een a tea# leader<dealer of Avon Cos#etis for 71 "ears alread", and t/at A,'an (as not s'/ a
dealer<e#plo"ee. On ross4eFa#ination, s/e delared t/at s/e (as a tea# leader of Avon Cos#etis 1Da%'pan &ran/2,
and t/'s /ad no partiipation in t/e preparation of t/e ertifiation of Gi%i dela Rosa and (as not in a position to ;no( if
t/e ertifiation (as orret.
85
On $ar/ 78, 7331, t/e trial o'rt rendered a deision findin% a'sed %'ilt" of t/e /ar%e. 6/e dispositive portion reads5
?:EREBORE, findin% a'sed %'ilt" ,e"ond reasona,le do',t of a violation of Setion 1= 1si2, Artile @87=, s/e
is /ere," sentened to s'ffer an i#prison#ent of 6?O 172 >EARS, BO.R 182 $ON6:S and ONE 112 DA> to
BO.R 182 >EARS and 6?O 172 $ON6:S of !RISION CORREC6IONA-.
6/e pro/i,ited dr'% and parap/ernalia sei+ed fro# t/e a'sed are /ere," onfisated in favor of t/e %overn#ent
and s/o'ld ,e t'rned over to t/e Dan%ero's Dr'%s &oard for disposition in aordane (it/ la(.
SO ORDERED.
87
6/e trial o'rt delared t/at t/e testi#onies of polie offiers Ga#,oa and de Vera s/o'ld ,e aorded %reat (ei%/t and
redene as t/e" testified positivel" re%ardin% (/at transpired d'rin% t/e raid. In ontrast, t/e testi#on" of a'sed (as
self4servin%, ne%ative and fee,le. S/e failed to prove t/at it (as /er ,rot/er (/o #anip'lated t/e 'nfort'nate events.
Neit/er (as s/e a,le to prove ill #otive on t/e part of t/e polie offiers (/o ond'ted a sear/ in /er /o'seG /ene, t/e
pres'#ption is t/at t/e" re%'larl" perfor#ed t/eir d'ties. 6/e fail're of t/e a'sed to present /er t(o da'%/ters as
(itnesses a#o'nted to s'ppression of evidene, %ivin% rise to t/e pres'#ption t/at if t/e" /ad ,een presented, t/eir
testi#onies (o'ld ,e adverse to /er.
On t/e iss'e of t/e validit" of t/e sear/ (arrant, t/e o'rt r'led t/at t/ere (as pro,a,le a'se for its iss'ane. 6/e
proeedin%s ond'ted ," t/e EFe'te )'d%e relative to t/e appliation of t/e polie for a sear/ (arrant, its iss'ane
and i#ple#entation (ere valid, re%'lar, and in aordane (it/ t/e re*'ire#ents of t/e la( and Constit'tion.
88
6/e trial
o'rt delared t/at Gorospe #a" /ave lied a,o't /er address and ,ein% a dealer of Avon Cos#etisG /o(ever, it does not
neessaril" #ean t/at s/e (as a fititio's person. It eFplained t/at Gorospe #a" /ave lied Aa littleA in order to oneal
/erself for /er protetion, ,'t t/e rest of /er testi#on" onstit'ted s'ffiient evidene of pro,a,le a'se.
A,'an filed /er #otion for reonsideration dated April 1@, 7331, (/i/ t/e o'rt denied in an Order
89
dated $a" 13, 7331.
S/e appealed t/e deision to t/e CA, (/ere s/e averred t/at5
I
6:E -O?ER CO.R6 GRAVE-> ERRED ?:EN I6 CONSIDERED 6:E A--EGED S:A&. AND O6:ER
!ARA!:ERNA-IA AS AD$ISSI&-E EVIDENCE AGAINS6 6:E ACC.SED 6:ERE&> DISREGARDING 6:E
CONS6I6.6IONA- !RO:O&I6ION AGAINS6 ABR.I6SA OB 6:E !OISONO.S 6REE.
II
6:E -O?ER CO.R6 ERRED AND GRAVE-> $ISA!!RECIA6ED 6:E EVIDENCE AGAINS6 6:E ACC.SED
?:EN I6 OVER-OOEED 6:E G-ARING DISCRE!ANCIES IN 6:E 6ES6I$ONIES OB 6:E S.!!OSED
E>E?I6NESSES.
A,'an insisted t/at t/e appliant failed to s/o( pro,a,le a'se for t/e iss'ane of Sear/ ?arrant No. 984@7. A$arissa
GorospeA is a fititio's person (/ose alle%ed testi#on" is fa,riated and (as 'sed ," t/e polie offiers to onvine t/e
EFe'tive )'d%e t/at t/ere (as pro,a,le a'se for t/e iss'ane of t/e sear/ (arrant (/en, in fat, t/ere (as none. 6/e
EFe'tive )'d%e failed to as; Gorospe sear/in% *'estions. Conse*'entl", Sear/ ?arrant No. 984@7 is void and t/e
s',stanes and parap/ernalia onfisated ," t/e polie#en are inad#issi,le in evidene. S/e f'rt/er lai#ed t/at t/e
testi#onies of De Vera and Ga#,oa (ere po;#ar;ed (it/ inonsistenies and as s'/, t/e trial o'rt s/o'ld not /ave
%iven t/e# pro,ative (ei%/t.
Bor its part, t/e Offie of t/e Soliitor General 1OSG2 averred t/at t/e trial o'rt #erel" onfir#ed EFe'tive )'d%e
Ra#osD findin% of pro,a,le a'se. &esides, appellant failed to file a #otion to *'as/ Sear/ ?arrant No. 984@7, /ene,
(as estopped fro# assailin% it and t/e sear/ and sei+'re ond'ted t/ereafter. 6/e OSG ited t/e r'lin% of t/is Co'rt
in Demaisip v. Court of !ppeals.
=3
It li;e(ise lai#ed t/at t/e inonsistenies adverted to ," appellant pertained #erel" to
ollateral #atters and (ere not deter#inative of /er %'ilt or innoene. As %leaned fro# t/e evidene of t/e prose'tion,
/er defenses o'ld not prevail over t/e evidene add'ed ," t/e prose'tion.
6/e CA rendered 9'd%#ent affir#in% t/e R6C deision. 6/e fallo of t/e deision reads5
86
?:EREBORE, for la; of #erit, t/e appeal is DIS$ISSED. 6/e assailed Deision dated $ar/ 78, 1331 in
Cri#inal Case No. 984370074D of t/e Re%ional 6rial Co'rt, &ran/ 81, Da%'pan Cit" onvitin% Eli+a 6. A,'an of
violation of Setion 1@, Artile III of Rep',li At No. @87=, as a#ended, is ABBIR$ED. Costs a%ainst t/e
a'sed4appellant.
SO ORDERED.
=1
6/e appellate o'rt r'led t/at t/e prose'tion add'ed proof ,e"ond reasona,le do',t of A,'anDs %'ilt for t/e ri#e
/ar%ed. 6/e alle%ed disrepanies in t/e testi#onies of Ga#,oa and de Vera (ere perip/eral #atters. $oreover,
A,'anDs fail're to assail t/e le%alit" of t/e sear/ and sei+'re ond'ted ," t/e polie#en ,efore /er arrai%n#ent (as
e*'ivalent to a (aiver of /er ri%/t to assail t/e sear/ (arrant. 6/e CA ited t/e r'lin% of t/is Co'rt in .alaloan v. Court of
!ppeals.
=7
A,'an filed a #otion for reonsideration,
=0
reiteratin% /er ar%'#ent t/at t/e sear/ (arrant is not valid. S/e also ar%'ed
t/at s/e did not (aive /er ri%/t to assail t/e validit" of t/e sear/ (arrant at /er arrai%n#ent and d'rin% t/e trial. S/e
#aintained t/at t/e CA s/o'ld not rel" on t/e eval'ation ," t/e R6C of t/e (itnessesD redi,ilit", and t/at t/e
inonsistenies in t/e testi#onies of t/e prose'tion (itnesses (ere on #aterial relevant details.
6/e appellate o'rt denied t/e #otion in a Resol'tion
=8
dated $a" 7@, 733= on its findin% t/at no ne( and s',stantial
#atter (as presented to (arrant reonsideration t/ereof.
==
In t/e instant petition, A,'an, no( petitioner, asserts t/at
I
6:E CA GRAVE-> ERRED IN BINDING 6:E SEARC: ?ARRAN6 VA-ID DES!I6E BAI-.RE 6O CO$!->
?I6: 6:E REC.IRE$EN6S $ANDA6ED &> 6:E CONS6I6.6ION.
II
6:E CA ERRED IN BINDING 6:A6 6:E ISS.E OB 6:E VA-IDI6> OB 6:E SEARC: ?ARRAN6 ?AS
DEE$ED ?AIVED AB6ER ARRAIGN$EN6.
III
6:E CA ERRED IN CONSIDERING 6:E S:A&. AND O6:ER !ARA!:ERNA-IA A--EGED-> 6AEEN BRO$
6:E !E6I6IONER AS AD$ISSI&-E IN EVIDENCE.
IV
6:E CA ERRED IN ABBIR$ING 6:E CONVIC6ION OB 6:E !E6I6IONER.
=@
!etitioner avers t/at t/e sear/ (arrant iss'ed ," t/e EFe'tive )'d%e (as void ,ea'se t/e ir'#stanes leadin% to its
iss'ane (ere not ,ased on pro,a,le a'se ,'t on #ere fa,riations. S/e points o't t/at aordin% to Gorospe, s/e
,ea#e a*'ainted (it/ petitioner and visited /er in /er /o'se ,ea'se of t/eir e#plo"#ent (it/ Avon Cos#etis.
:o(ever, onsiderin% t/at s/e and Gorospe (ere never e#plo"ed ," Avon Cos#etis and (ere not even a*'ainted,
s'/ testi#on" is false. 6/'s, t/e sear/ (arrant s/o'ld ,e delared invalid as it is ,ased on t/e testi#on" of a fititio's
person, a Aplanted (itnessA (it/ a fa,riated testi#on" and, onse*'entl", an" evidene disovered on t/e ,asis t/ereof
s/o'ld ,e s'ppressed and eFl'ded in aordane (it/ Setion 0172, Artile III of t/e Constit'tion. !etitioner points o't
t/at (it/ t/e inad#issi,ilit" of t/e s@abu and ot/er parap/ernalia, t/e appellate o'rt s/o'ld /ave a*'itted /er of t/e
/ar%es ," reason of t/e prose'tionDs fail're to prove t/e o##ission of t/e ri#e ,e"ond reasona,le do',t.
!etitioner insists t/at, ,ased on t/e reords, s/e so'%/t to s'ppress t/e sear/ (arrant t/ro'%/o't t/e entire proeedin%s
in t/e trial o'rt. S/e re9eted t/e prose'tionDs offer to ad#it t/e validit" of t/e sear/ (arrant and even filed a #otion to
s'ppress t/e sear/. S/e (as t/'s not prosri,ed fro# filin% /er #otion to s'ppress t/e sear/ (arrant even after t/e
arrai%n#ent.
87
In its Co##ent,
=7
t/e OSG #aintains t/at t/e sear/ (arrant is valid. It insists t/at t/e CA orretl" r'led t/at t/e
re*'isites of a valid sear/ (arrant (ere present, notin% t/at t/e EFe'tive )'d%e ond'ted sear/in% *'estions and
ans(ers on t/e person of $arissa Gorospe. It asserts t/at, in appl"in% for a sear/ (arrant, a polie offier need not
possess personal ;no(led%e re%ardin% an ille%al ativit"G it is t/e (itness (/o s/o'ld possess s'/ personal ;no(led%e,
and 'pon (/ose testi#on" 'nder oat/ pro,a,le a'se #a" ,e esta,lis/ed. In t/is ase, it (as Gorospe (/o narrated,
'nder oat/ and ,efore t/e 9'd%e, /er personal ;no(led%e of 1petitionerDs2 ri#inal ativities.
=8
6/e OSG #aintains t/at petitioner in effet (aived (/atever o,9etions s/e /ad re%ardin% t/e validit" of t/e sear/
(arrant. It points o't t/at s/e never *'estioned t/e (arrant ,efore t/e o'rt (/i/ iss'ed t/e sa#e, never *'estioned nor
#oved for t/e *'as/al of t/e (arrant ,efore /er arrai%n#ent. And (/ile petitioner (as allo(ed to present evidene on t/e
alle%ed invalidit" of t/e sear/ (arrant, t/is did not 're /er o#ission or ination in raisin% t/e iss'e at t/e proper ti#e.
In /er Repl",
=9
petitioner delares t/at a lose sr'tin" of t/e 9'd%eDs investi%ation of Gorospe (o'ld reveal t/at /er
personal ir'#stanes are pivotal in /er a*'isition of personal ;no(led%e re%ardin% t/e alle%ed possession of s@abu ,"
petitioner. If t/ese personal ir'#stanes are fa,riated, t/en s'/ Apersonal ;no(led%eA re%ardin% t/e possession
,ears no redit.
!etitioner li;e(ise #aintains t/at ontrar" to t/e alle%ations of t/e OSG, s/e did not (aive /er ri%/t to *'estion t/e validit"
of t/e (arrant. S/e o'ld not /ave done an" ,etter 'nder t/e ir'#stanes at t/at ti#e ,ea'se all t/e evidene a%ainst
Gorospe (as #ade ;no(n and availa,le to /er onl" after /er arrai%n#ent.
6/e Co'rt is tas;ed to resolve t/e follo(in% t/res/old iss'es5 1a2 (/et/er petitioner (aived /er ri%/t to *'estion Sear/
?arrant No. 984@7 and t/e ad#issi,ilit" of t/e s',stanes and parap/ernalia and ot/er artiles onfisated fro# /er
/o'se ,ased on said (arrantG and 1,2 (/et/er t/e prose'tion add'ed evidene to prove /er %'ilt ,e"ond reasona,le
do',t for violation of Setion 1@, Artile III of R.A. No. @87=, as a#ended.
T:e Ru-3n> o; 5:e Cou45
Petitioner Did not Waive Ler )ig@t to *ile a .otion
To >uas@ Searc@ Warrant No. 145/2 and for t@e
Suppression of t@e =vidence Sei"ed by t@e Police Bfficers
Setion 18, R'le 17@ of t/e Revised R'les of Cri#inal !roed're reads5
Se. 18. .otion to +uas@ a searc@ warrant or to suppress evidence8 w@ere to file. K A #otion to *'as/ a sear/
(arrant and<or to s'ppress evidene o,tained t/ere," #a" ,e filed in and ated 'pon onl" ," t/e o'rt (/ere t/e
ation /as ,een instit'ted. If no ri#inal ation /as ,een instit'ted, t/e #otion #a" ,e filed in and resolved ," t/e
o'rt t/at iss'ed t/e sear/ (arrant. :o(ever, if s'/ o'rt failed to resolve t/e #otion and a ri#inal ase is
s',se*'entl" filed in anot/er o'rt, t/e #otion s/all ,e resolved ," t/e latter o'rt.
6/e Co'rt r'led in t/e .alaloan ase t/at t/e #otion to *'as/ t/e sear/ (arrant (/i/ t/e a'sed #a" file s/all ,e
%overned ," t/e o#ni,'s #otion r'le, provided, /o(ever, t/at o,9etions not availa,le, eFistent or ;no(n d'rin% t/e
proeedin%s for t/e *'as/al of t/e (arrant #a" ,e raised in t/e /earin% of t/e #otion to s'ppress t/e resol'tion of t/e
o'rt not on t/e #otion to *'as/ t/e sear/ (arrant and to s'ppress evidene s/all ,e s',9et to an" proper re#ed" in
t/e appropriate /i%/er o'rt.
@3
A #otion to *'as/ a sear/ (arrant #a" ,e ,ased on %ro'nds eFtrinsi of t/e sear/
(arrant, s'/ as 112 t/e plae sear/ed or t/e propert" sei+ed are not t/ose speified or desri,ed in t/e sear/ (arrantG
and 172 t/ere is no pro,a,le a'se for t/e iss'ane of t/e sear/ (arrant.
@1
Setion 7, R'le 100 of t/e R'les of Co'rt
provides t/at t/e o'rt #a" /ear t/e #otion, as follo(s5
?/en a #otion is ,ased on fats not appearin% of reord, t/e o'rt #a" /ear t/e #atter on affidavits or
depositions presented ," t/e respetive parties, ,'t t/e o'rt #a" diret t/at t/e #atter ,e /eard (/oll" or partl"
on oral testi#on" or depositions.
In t/e present ase, petitioner reserved /er ri%/t to *'estion Sear/ ?arrant No. 984@7 (/en s/e filed /er #otion for ,ail
in t/e R6C. 6/e p',li prose'tor onfor#ed to t/e #otion. D'rin% pre4trial in t/e R6C, petitioner re9eted t/e
prose'tionDs proposal for /er to ad#it t/e validit" of Sear/ ?arrant No. 984@7, insistin% t/at it (as void. In /er #otion to
88
s'ppress, petitioner averred t/at t/e sear/ (arrant is void for t/e follo(in% reasons5 la; of pro,a,le a'seG fail're of t/e
EFe'tive )'d%e to as; sear/in% *'estions on GorospeG and t/e evidene sei+ed ," t/e polie offiers on t/e ,asis of
t/e sear/ (arrant are inad#issi,le in evidene. S/e li;e(ise pra"ed t/at t/e sear/ (arrant ,e n'llified, and t/at t/e
evidene sei+ed ," t/e polie#en on t/e ,asis of said (arrant ,e s'ppressed.
@7
!etitioner (as read" to add'e evidene in s'pport of /er #otion, ,'t t/e o'rt delared t/at t/is s/o'ld ,e done d'rin%
t/e trial. !etitioner t/'s no lon%er assailed t/e r'lin% of t/e trial o'rt and opted to add'e /er evidene at t/e trial. S/e
li;e(ise o,9eted to t/e ad#ission of t/e sear/ (arrant and t/e evidene onfisated ," t/e polie offiers after t/e
sear/ (as ond'ted. It ,ears stressin% t/at t/e trial o'rt ad#itted t/e sa#e and s/e o,9eted t/ereto. It annot,
t/erefore, ,e said t/at petitioner (aived /er ri%/t to assail t/e sear/ (arrant and o,9et to t/e ad#issi,ilit" of t/e
re%'lated dr'%s fo'nd in /er /o'se.
On t/e seond iss'e, t/e trial o'rtDs r'lin% 1(/i/ t/e appellate o'rt affir#ed2 t/at t/e prose'tion add'ed evidene to
prove petitionerDs %'ilt of ri#e /ar%ed ,e"ond reasona,le do',t is orret.
Setion 1@, Artile III of R.A. No. @87=, as a#ended ," R.A. No. 7@=9 reads5
SEC. 1@. Possession or Sse of )egulated Drugs. K 6/e penalt" of rel'sion perpet'a to deat/ and a fine ran%in%
fro# five /'ndred t/o'sand pesos to ten #illion pesos s/all ,e i#posed 'pon an" person (/o s/all possess or
'se an" re%'lated dr'% (it/o't t/e orrespondin% liense or presription, s',9et to t/e provisions of Setion 73
/ereof.
6/e ele#ents of t/e ri#e of ille%al possession of dan%ero's dr'%s are as follo(s5 1a2 t/e a'sed (as in possession of
t/e re%'lated dr'%sG 1,2 t/e a'sed (as f'll" and onsio'sl" a(are of ,ein% in possession of t/e re%'lated dr'%G and 12
t/e a'sed /ad no le%al a't/orit" to possess t/e re%'lated dr'%.
@0
!ossession #a" ,e at'al or onstr'tive. In order to
esta,lis/ onstr'tive possession, t/e !eople #'st prove t/at petitioner /ad do#inion or ontrol on eit/er t/e s',stane
or t/e pre#ises (/ere fo'nd.
@8
6/e State #'st prove ade*'ate neF's ,et(een t/e a'sed and t/e pro/i,ited
s',stane.
@=
!ossession of dan%ero's dr'%s onstit'tes prima facie evidene of ;no(led%e or aminus
possidendi s'ffiient to onvit an a'sed in t/e a,sene of an" satisfator" eFplanation of s'/ possession. 6/e ,'rden
of evidene is s/ifted to petitioner to eFplain t/e a,sene of aminus possidendi.
@@
?e a%ree (it/ t/e trial o'rtDs findin% t/at, indeed, petitioner /ad in /er possession and ontrol =7 s#all, /eat4sealed
sa/ets of s/a,' (ei%/in% =.@7 %# (/en Sear/ ?arrant No. 984@7 (as served on /er. As testified to ," t/e (itnesses of
t/e prose'tion, t/e polie offiers, in t/e presene of Garia and $an%alia%, fo'nd t/e said s',stanes in a dra(er in /er
,edroo#. !etitioner li;e(ise failed to present an" le%al a't/orit" to 9'stif" /er possession of t/e re%'lated dr'% fo'nd in
/er ,edroo#.
6/e #ere denial ," petitioner of t/e ri#e /ar%ed and /er ,are lai# of ,ein% t/e viti# of a fra#e4'p ," de Vera and
Ga#,oa annot prevail over t/e positive and steadfast testi#onies of t/e polie offiers. 6/eir testi#onies (ere
orro,orated ," t/e inventor"<reeipt of propert", statin% t/at, indeed, =7 s#all /eat4sealed plasti sa/ets ontainin%
#et/a#p/eta#ine /"dro/loride 1s@abu2 (ei%/in% =.@7 %ra#s (ere fo'nd in a dra(er in petitionerDs ,edroo#. 6/e polie
offiers are pres'#ed to /ave perfor#ed t/eir d'ties in %ood fait/, in aordane (it/ la(. A,sent an" lear and
onvinin% evidene t/at s'/ offiers /ad ill or i#proper #otive or (ere not perfor#in% t/eir d'ties, t/eir testi#onies (it/
respet to t/e s'rveillane operation, t/e i#ple#entation of sear/ (arrant, and t/e sei+'re of t/e re%'lated dr'% in t/e
/o'se of petitioner #'st ,e aorded f'll fait/ and redene.
@7
-i;e ali,i, t/e defense of denial and fra#e4'p /ad ,een
invaria,l" vie(ed ," t/e o'rts (it/ disfavor. Denial is a ne%ative of self4servin% defense, (/ile fra#e4'p is as easil"
onoted and is a o##on and standard defense plo" in #ost prose'tions for violation of R.A. No. @87=, as
a#ended.
@8
Bor t/e defense of fra#e4'p to prosper, t/e evidene #'st ,e lear and onvinin%.
@9
It ,ears stressin% t/at t/e polie#en sa( to it t/at t/e sear/ of petitionerDs /o'se (as ond'ted (it/ t/e assistane and
in t/e presene of #arangay Captain $an%alia% and &agawad Garia. 6/e" testified t/at t/e re%'lated dr'%s onfisated
," t/e polie#en (ere fo'nd in t/e sear/ed pre#ises. !etitioner failed to present lear and onvinin% evidene t/at t/e
polie#en and t/e ,aran%a" offiials /ad an" i#proper #otive to fra#e /er and falsel" asri,e to /er t/e ri#e of violatin%
R.A. No. @87=, as a#ended.
EFept for /er ,are testi#on", petitioner failed to prove t/at /er ,rot/er Arsenio 6ana insti%ated t/e polie#en to se're
Sear/ ?arrant No. 984@7, ond'ted a sear/ in /er /o'se, AplantedA t/e dr'%s in /er ,edroo# and stole #one" fro#
/er. !etitioner failed to #a;e s'/ a lai# (/en s/e (as arrested and ,ro'%/t to t/e $6C for preli#inar" investi%ation.
S/e also failed to file an" ri#inal o#plaint a%ainst t/e polie#en and /er ,rot/er Arsenio 6ana for filin% t/e fa,riated
89
/ar%e a%ainst /er and for Aplantin%A evidene in /er /o'se. It (as onl" (/en s/e testified in /er defense in t/e trial o'rt
t/at s/e alle%ed, for t/e first ti#e, t/at t/e /ar%e a%ainst /er (as insti%ated ," /er ,rot/er, in a/oots (it/ t/e polie#en.
?e *'ote (it/ approval t/e dis*'isitions of t/e OSG on t/is #atter5
SECOND5 6/e polie offiers (/o testified /ad not proven ,ad or ill #otive to testif" a%ainst a'sed.
6/e s'spiion of a'sed t/at it (as /er ,rot/er (/o #anip'lated t/e events in /er life is 'ns',stantiated and too
far4fet/ed to /appen and is, t/erefore, 'n,elieva,le.
6/e pres'#ption, t/erefore, is t/at said polie offiers perfor#ed t/eir offiial d'ties re%'larl" 1!eople v. C'a/on,
708 SCRA =832.
6:IRD5 6/e testi#on" of a'sed is too self4servin%. It is 'norro,orated.
Aordin% to /er, t/e intr'sion into /er /o'se ," t/e polie (as (itnessed ," /er t(o da'%/ter 1si2. :o(ever, s/e
did not present t/e# as (itnesses.
In t/e ase of /er da'%/ter Edili+a, s/e (as alread" t(ent" "ears old at t/e ti#e so t/at s/e (as alread" #at're
for all le%al intents and p'rposes. In t/e ase of /er da'%/ter $ae -i+a, (/o (as nine "ears old, t/ere (as no
reason (/" s/e o'ld not arti'late (/at s/e personall" sa( and eFperiened, if (/at s/e (o'ld ,e #ade to
state (as tr'e.
6/e ina,ilit" of t/e said a'sed, t/erefore, to present /er t(o da'%/ters is tanta#o'nt to a s'ppression of
evidene, t/'s raisin% t/e pres'#ption t/at if t/e" (ere presented, t/eir testi#onies (o'ld /ave ,een adverse to
/er.
B'rt/er#ore, it /as ,een Ht/eI onsistent r'lin% of t/e S'pre#e Co'rt t/at a plain denial or ne%ative testi#on", if
'ns',stantiated ," a lear and onvinin% testi#on", annot prevail over t/e positive testi#onies of prose'tion
(itnesses 1!eople v. A#a%'in, 779 SCRA 1==2.
BO.R6:5 6/e ot/er defense of a'sed is t/at it (as 'nli;el" for /er to /ave en%a%ed in p's/in% or peddlin%
dr'%s for a livin% ,ea'se s/e /ad to set a %ood eFa#ple of deent livin% for t/e sa;e of /er t(o ,ea'tif'l
da'%/ters and %ood nei%/,ors. B'rt/er#ore, s/e did not /ave finanial pro,le#s (/i/ o'ld /ave p's/ed /er
into t/e dr'% ,'siness ,ea'se /er sister Cora+on &ernardino /ad ,een re%'larl" sendin% /er #one".
6/e aforeited 'nli;eli/ood pereived ," a'sed o'ld not prevail over t/e affir#ative testi#onies of polie#en
Ga#,oa and de Vera (/o positivel" delared t/at t/e" fo'nd =7 sa/ets of s@abu in /er roo#.
73
Sear/ ?arrant No. 984@7
<s Kalid8 t@e !rticles, Parap@ernalia and )egulated
Drugs *ound in PetitionerMs #edroom and Confiscated
by t@e Police Bfficers are !dmissible in =vidence
We agree wit@ t@e ruling of t@e C! affirming, on appeal, t/e findin%s of t/e trial o'rt t/at ,ased on t/e deposition and
testi#on" of Gorospe, t/ere (as pro,a,le a'se for t/e iss'ane of Sear/ ?arrant No. 984@7 for violation of Setion 1@,
Artile III of R.A. No. @87=, as a#ended.
Setion 7, Artile III of t/e Constit'tion provides5
SEC. 7. 6/e ri%/t of t/e people to ,e se're in t/eir persons, /o'ses, papers, and effets a%ainst 'nreasona,le
sear/es and sei+'res of (/atever nat're and for an" p'rpose s/all ,e inviola,le, and no sear/ (arrant or
(arrant of arrest s/all iss'e eFept 'pon pro,a,le a'se to ,e deter#ined personall" ," t/e 9'd%e after
eFa#ination 'nder oat/ or affir#ation of t/e o#plainant and t/e (itnesses /e #a" prod'e, and parti'larl"
desri,in% t/e plae to ,e sear/ed and t/e persons or t/in%s to ,e sei+ed.
90
6/'s, an" evidene o,tained in violation of t/is provision is inad#issi,le for an" p'rpose in an" proeedin%.
71
Setions 8 and =, R'le 17@ of t/e Revised R'les on Cri#inal !roed're en'#erate t/e re*'isites for t/e iss'ane of a
sear/ (arrant, t/'s5
SEC. 8. Re*'isites for iss'in% sear/ (arrant. K A sear/ (arrant s/all not iss'e eFept 'pon pro,a,le a'se in
onnetion (it/ one speifi offense to ,e deter#ined personall" ," t/e 9'd%e after eFa#ination 'nder oat/ or
affir#ation of t/e o#plainant and t/e (itness /e #a" prod'e, and parti'larl" desri,in% t/e plae to ,e
sear/ed and t/e t/in%s to ,e sei+ed (/i/ #a" ,e an"(/ere in t/e !/ilippines.
SEC. =. EFa#ination of o#plainant, reord. K 6/e 9'd%e #'st, ,efore iss'in% t/e (arrant, personall" eFa#ine in
t/e for# of sear/in% *'estions and ans(ers, in (ritin% and 'nder oat/, t/e o#plainant and t/e (itnesses /e
#a" prod'e on fats personall" ;no(n to t/e# and atta/ to t/e reord t/eir s(orn state#ents, to%et/er (it/ t/e
affidavits s',#itted.
6/e re*'isites for t/e iss'ane of a sear/ (arrant are5 112 pro,a,le a'se is presentG 172 s'/ pro,a,le a'se #'st ,e
deter#ined personall" ," t/e 9'd%eG 102 t/e 9'd%e #'st eFa#ine, in (ritin% and 'nder oat/ or affir#ation, t/e o#plainant
and t/e (itnesses /e or s/e #a" prod'eG 182 t/e appliant and t/e (itnesses testif" on t/e fats personall" ;no(n to
t/e#G and 1=2 t/e (arrant speifiall" desri,es t/e plae to ,e sear/ed and t/e t/in%s to ,e sei+ed.
77
!ro,a,le a'se is defined as s'/ fats and ir'#stanes (/i/ (o'ld lead a reasona,l" disreet and pr'dent #an to
,elieve t/at an offense /as ,een o##itted and t/at t/e o,9ets so'%/t in onnetion (it/ t/e offense are in t/e plae
so'%/t to ,e sear/ed. Reasona,le #inds #a" differ on t/e *'estion of (/et/er a parti'lar affidavit<deposition or
testi#on" of t/e affiant<deponent esta,lis/es pro,a,le a'se. :o(ever, %reat deferene is to ,e aorded to t/e )'d%eDs
deter#ination.
70
6/e affidavit<deposition s'pportin% an appliation for a sear/ (arrant is pres'#ed to ,e valid.
78
Affidavits<depositions for sear/ (arrants #'st ,e tested and interpreted ," )'d%es in a o##on4sense and realisti
fas/ion. 6/e" are nor#all" drafted ," non4la("ers in t/e #idst and /aste of a ri#inal investi%ation. 6e/nial re*'isites
of ela,orate speifiit" /ave no plae in t/is area.
7=
6/e )'d%e in deter#inin% pro,a,le a'se is to onsider t/e totalit" of
t/e ir'#stanes #ade ;no(n to /i# and not ," a fiFed and ri%id for#'la,
7@
and #'st e#plo" a fleFi,le, totalit" of t/e
ir'#stanes standard.
77
!ro,a,le a'se eFists if a pratial, o##on4sense eval'ation of t/e fats and ir'#stanes
s/o( a fair possi,ilit" t/at dan%ero's dr'%s (ill ,e fo'nd in t/e asserted loation.
78
6/ere #'st ,e a fat'al s/o(in%
s'ffiient to o#prise pro,a,le a'se of parti'lar fats and ir'#stanes so as to allo( t/e )'d%e to #a;e an
independent eval'ation of t/e #atter. It is s'ffiient if t/e infor#ation p't fort/ in t/e affidavit<deposition or testi#on" of t/e
affiant<deponent are ,elieved or appropriatel" aepted ," t/e affiant<deponent as tr'e.
79
S'ffiient infor#ation #'st ,e
presented to allo( a )'d%e to deter#ine pro,a,le a'seG /is ation annot ,e a #ere ratifiation of t/e
,are<'ns',stantiated ontention of ot/ers.
6/e %eneral r'le is t/at t/e tas; of a revie(in% o'rt is not to ond't a de novo deter#ination of pro,a,le a'se ,'t onl"
to deter#ine (/et/er t/ere is s',stantial evidene in t/e reords s'pportin% t/e )'d%eDs deision to iss'e t/e sear/
(arrant.
83
6/e revie(in% o'rt is si#pl" to ens're t/at t/e )'d%e /ad a s',stantial ,asis for onl'din% t/at pro,a,le
a'se eFisted,
81
and one asertained t/at t/e )'d%e /ad s',stantial ,asis for onl'din% t/at a sear/ (o'ld 'neart/
evidene of a (ron%doin%, t/e deter#ination of pro,a,le a'se #'st ,e 'p/eld. In t/e a,sene of an" s/o(in% t/at t/e
)'d%e (as rereant of /is d'ties in onnetion (it/ t/e personal eFa#ination /e so ond'ted on t/e affiants<deponent
,efore /i#, t/ere is no ,asis for do',tin% t/e relia,ilit" and orretness of /is findin%s and i#pressions.
87
:o(ever, t/e findin% of pro,a,le a'se of t/e )'d%e #a" ,e set aside and t/e sear/ (arrant iss'ed ," /i# ,ased on /is
findin% #a" ,e *'as/edG t/e evidene sei+ed ," t/e polie offiers ,ased on said sear/ (arrant #a" ,e s'ppressed if
t/e a'sed presents lear and onvinin% evidene t/at t/e polie offiers and<or a %overn#ent infor#ant #ade a
deli,erate false/ood or re;less disre%ard for t/e tr't/ in said affidavit<deposition or testi#on" (/i/ is essential or
neessar" to a s/o(in% of pro,a,le a'se. S'/ evidene #'st fo's on t/e state of #ind of t/e affiants<deponents t/at
/e (as onsio's of t/e falsit" of /is assertion or representation.
80
6/e re*'ire#ent t/at a sear/ (arrant not iss'e ,'t
'pon pro,a,le a'se (o'ld ,e red'ed to a n'llit" if a polie offier and /is infor#ant are a,le to 'se deli,eratel"
false/ood alle%ations to de#onstrate pro,a,le a'se and, /avin% #isled t/e )'d%e, (as a,le to re#ain onfident t/at t/e
plo" s'eeded.
88
:o(ever, innoent and ne%li%ent o#issions or #isrepresentation of a polie offier or %overn#ent
infor#ant (ill not invalidate a sear/ (arrant. And even if t/e polie offier or %overn#ent infor#ant #a" /ave deli,eratel"
#ade a false/ood or re;less disre%ard for t/e tr't/ in /is or /er affidavit<deposition ,'t t/e re#ainin% portions t/ereof are
s'ffiient to esta,lis/ pro,a,le a'se, t/e sear/ (arrant (ill not ,e *'as/ed for la; of pro,a,le a'se.
8=
91
6/e evidene presented ," petitioner t/at Gorospe (as not a resident or transient of #arangay Sapan%, even if tr'e and
redi,le, is not at all #aterial or neessar" to t/e deter#ination of pro,a,le a'se. ?/et/er petitioner and Gorospe (ere
dealers of Avon Cos#etis as of $a" =, 1998 #a" ,e relevant to t/e iss'e of (/et/er t/ere (as fat'al ,asis for t/e
findin% of pro,a,le a'se ," t/e EFe'tive )'d%e a%ainst petitionerG /o(ever, petitionerDs evidene to prove /is lai# is
ten'o's and does not (arrant t/e *'as/al of Sear/ ?arrant No. 984@7 and t/e s'ppression of t/e evidene sei+ed after
t/e enfore#ent of t/e sear/ (arrant.
6/e evidene petitioner presented to disprove t/e testi#on" of Gorospe t/at t/e" (ere dealers of Avon Cos#etis are /er
1petitionerDs2 testi#on" and t/at of Carva9al. 6/e ertifiation p'rportedl" si%ned ," dela Rosa, t/e &ran/ $ana%er of
Avon Cos#etis Da%'pan &ran/, is /earsa" ,ea'se s/e did not testif". Carva9al ad#itted t/at s/e (as not in a position
to onfir# t/e verait" of t/e ontents of t/e ertifiation5
!ROSEC.6OR )AI$E DO)I--O
ON CROSS4EQA$INA6ION
* ?/at is "o'r position at Da%'pan Avon Cos#etisS
a 6ea# -eader, Sir.
* Do "o' /ave an" partiipation in t/e preparation of t/is ertifiationS
a None, Sir.
* So, "o' /ad not in position to ;no( t/e tr't/ of t/is ertifiation, /ene, "o' (ere not t/e one (/o prepared t/e
sa#eS
a >es, Sir.
8@
Carva9al (as #erel" one of #an" tea# leaders of Avon Cos#etis in Da%'pan Cit". S/e did not testif" nor did petitioner
add'e evidene t/at Gorospe (as not s'/ a dealer in plaes ot/er t/an Da%'pan Cit" or !an%asinan for t/at #atter. In
fine, petitioner failed to add'e o#petent and redi,le evidene t/at Gorospe (as not a dealer of Avon prod'ts in t/e
,ran/es of Avon Cos#etis ot/er t/an !an%asinan. Ot/er t/an t/e denial of petitioner and t/e testi#on" of Carva9al,
petitioner failed to present evidene t/at s/e (as not a dealer of Avon Cos#etis. On t/e ot/er /and, t/e testi#on" of
Gorospe ,efore t/e EFe'tive )'d%e (as orro,orated ," t/e testi#onies of polie offiers Ga#,oa and de Vera.
In t/e present ase, t/e EFe'tive )'d%e fo'nd pro,a,le a'se after ond'tin% t/e re*'isite sear/in% *'estions on
Gorospe for violation of Setion 1@, Artile III of R.A. No. @87=, as a#ended. 6/e trial o'rt revie(ed t/e testi#on" of
Gorospe ,efore t/e EFe'tive )'d%e
87
and onfir#ed t/at, indeed, t/ere (as pro,a,le a'se a%ainst petitioner for
violation of said ri#e. 6/e findin% of t/e EFe'tive )'d%e (as orro,orated ," t/e testi#on" of polie offiers de Vera
and Ga#,oa, (/o, in t/eir s'rveillane operation, partiall" onfir#ed GorospeDs lai# t/at, indeed, people /ad ,een
%oin% to t/e /o'se of petitioner to ,'" s/a,'. 6/e findin%s of t/e trial o'rt (ere, in t'rn, affir#ed ," t/e CA.
6/e (ell4entren/ed r'le is t/at t/e findin%s of t/e trial o'rt affir#ed ," t/e appellate o'rt are aorded /i%/ respet, if
not onl'sive effet, ," t/is Co'rt, a,sent lear and onvinin% evidene t/at t/e tri,'nals i%nored, #isonstr'ed or
#isapplied fats and ir'#stanes of s',stanes s'/ t/at, if onsidered, t/e sa#e (ill (arrant t/e #odifiation or
reversal of t/e o'to#e of t/e ase. In t/is ase, petitioner failed to esta,lis/ an" s'/ ir'#stane.
6/e trial and appellate o'rts r'led t/at petitioner possessed =.@7 %# of #et/a#p/eta#ine /"dro/loride and sentened
/er to an indeter#inate penalt" of t(o 172 "ears, fo'r 182 #ont/s and one 112 da" to fo'r 182 "ears and t(o 172 #ont/s of
prision orreional. 6/e penalt" i#posed ," t/e trial o'rt and affir#ed ," t/e CA is inorret. As t/e Co'rt r'led
in People v. Tira5
88
.nder Setion 1@, Artile III of Rep. At No. @87=, as a#ended, t/e i#posa,le penalt" of possession of a
re%'lated dr'%, less t/an 733 %ra#s, in t/is ase, s/a,', is prision correccional to reclusion perpetua. &ased on
t/e *'antit" of t/e re%'lated dr'% s',9et of t/e offense, t/e i#posa,le penalt" s/all ,e as follo(s5
92
C.AN6I6> I$!OSA&-E !ENA-6>
-ess t/an one 112 %ra# to 89.7= %ra#s prision orreional
89.7@ %ra#s to 98.=3 %ra#s prision #a"or
98.=1 %ra#s to 187.7= %ra#s rel'sion te#poral
187.7@ %ra#s to 199 %ra#s rel'sion perpet'a
Considerin% t/at t/e re%'lated dr'% fo'nd in t/e possession of t/e appellants is onl" 1.331 %ra#s, t/e i#posa,le
penalt" for t/e ri#e is prision orreional. Appl"in% t/e Indeter#inate Sentene -a(, t/e appellants are
sentened to s'ffer an indeter#inate penalt" of fro# fo'r 182 #ont/s and one 112 da" of arresto mayor in its
#edi'# period as #ini#'#, to t/ree 102 "ears of prision correccional in its #edi'# period as #aFi#'#, for
violation of Setion 1@ of Rep. At No. @87=, as a#ended.
89
6/e penalt" i#posed in t/e Tira ase is t/e orret penalt", (/i/ s/o'ld li;e(ise ,e i#posed a%ainst petitioner /erein.
IN LIG(T OF ALL T(E FOREGOING, t/e petition is DENIED. 6/e deision of t/e Co'rt of Appeals in CA4G.R. CR No.
7=77@ is AFFIRED #IT( ODIFICATION as to penalt". !etitioner is /ere," sentened to an indeter#inate penalt" of
fro# fo'r 182 #ont/s and one 112 da" of arresto mayor in its #edi'# period as #ini#'# to t/ree 102 "ears of prision
correccional in its #edi'# period as #aFi#'#.
SO ORDERED.
Panganiban, C.. %C@airperson(, Qnares5Santiago, !ustria5.artine", and C@ico5Na"ario, ., on'r
93