Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
CASES
UY VS BUREAU OF INTERNAL REVENUE, 344 SCRA 36
Search and Seizure Requisites of a Valid Search Warrant
In Sept 1993, Rodrigo Abos, a former employee of UPC reported to the BIR that Uy Chin Ho aka Frank Uy,
manager of UPC, was selling thousands of cartons of canned cartons without issuing a report. This is a violation of
Sec 253 & 263 of the Internal Revenue Code. In Oct 1993, the BIR requested before RTC Cebu to issue a search
warrant. Judge Gozo-Dadole issued a warrant on the same day. A second warrant was issued which contains the
same substance but has only one page, the same was dated Oct 1st 2003. These warrants were issued for the
alleged violation by Uy of Sec 253. A third warrant was issued on the same day for the alleged violation of Uy of
Sec 238 in relation to sec 263. On the strength of these warrants, agents of the BIR, accompanied by members of
the PNP, on 2 Oct 1993, searched the premises of the UPC. They seized, among other things, the records and
documents of UPC. A return of said search was duly made by Labaria with the RTC of Cebu. UPC filed a motion to
quash the warrants which was denied by the RTC. They appealed before the CA via certiorari. The CA dismissed
the appeal for a certiorari is not the proper remedy.
ISSUE: Whether or not there was a valid search warrant issued.
HELD: The SC ruled in favor of UPC and Uy in a way for it ordered the return of the seized items but sustained the
validity of the warrant. The SC ruled that the search warrant issued has not met some basic requisites of validity. A
search warrant must conform strictly to the requirements of the foregoing constitutional and statutory provisions.
These requirements, in outline form, are:
(1) the warrant must be issued upon probable cause;
(2) the probable cause must be determined by the judge himself and not by the applicant or any other person;
(3) in the determination of probable cause, the judge must examine, under oath or affirmation, the complainant
and such witnesses as the latter may produce; and
(4) the warrant issued must particularly describe the place to be searched and persons or things to be seized.
The SC noted that there has been inconsistencies in the description of the place to be searched as indicated in the
said warrants. Also the thing to be seized was not clearly defined by the judge. He used generic itineraries. The
warrants were also inconsistent as to who should be searched. One warrant was directed only against Uy and the
other was against Uy and UPC. The SC however noted that the inconsistencies wered cured by the issuance of the
latter warrant as it has revoked the two others.
Section 2, Article III of the Constitution guarantees the right of the people against unreasonable searches and
seizures:
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects against unreasonable searches
and seizures of whatever nature and for any purpose shall be inviolable, and no search warrant or warrant of arrest
shall issue except upon probable cause to be determined personally by the judge after examination under oath or
affirmation of the complainant and the witnesses he may produce, and particularly describing the place to be
searched and the persons or things to be seized.
NOTES:
Rule 126 of the Rules of Court provides:
SEC. 3. Requisite for issuing search warrant. A search warrant shall not issue but upon probable cause
in connection with one specific offense to be determined personally by the judge after examination under
oath or affirmation of the complainant and the witnesses he may produce, and particularly describing the
place to be searched and the things to be seized.
SEC. 4. Examination of complainant; record. The judge must, before issuing the warrant, personally
examine in the form of searching questions and answers, in writing and under oath the complainant and
any witnesses he may produce on facts personally known to them and attach to the record their sworn
statements together with any affidavits submitted.
choosing the place to be searched, even if it not be that delineated in the warrant. It would open wide the door to
abuse of the search process, and grant to officers executing a search warrant that discretion which the Constitution
has precisely removed from them. The particularization of the description of the place to be searched may properly
be done only by the Judge, and only in the warrant itself; it cannot be left to the discretion of the police officers
conducting the search.
On 19 June 1994 at about 2pm, police officers Talingting and Clarin were informed by an asset that a drug courier
would be arriving from Baguio to Dasmarias carrying an undetermined amount of marijuana. The next day, the
informant pointed at Montilla as the courier who was waiting in a waiting shed Brgy Salitran, Dasmarias. Montilla
was then apprehended and he was caught in possession of a bag and a carton worth 28 kilos of marijuana. Montilla
denied the allegation and he said he came to Cavite from Baguio for work and he does not have any effects with
him at that time except for some pocket money. He was sentenced to death thereafter. He averred that the search
and seizure conducted was illegal for there was no warrant and that he should have been given the opportunity to
cross examine the informant. He said that if the informant has given the cops the information about his arrival as
early as the day before his apprehension, the cops should have ample time to secure a search warrant.
ISSUE: Whether or not the warrantless arrest conducted is legal.
HELD: The SC ruled that the warrantless arrest is legal and so was the warrantless search. Sec 2 Art 3 of the
Constitution has its exception when it comes to warrantless searches, they are:
(1) customs searches;
(2) searches of moving vehicles,
(3) seizure of evidence in plain view;
(4) consented searches;
(5) searches incidental to a lawful arrest;
(6) stop and frisk measures have been invariably recognized as the traditional exceptions.
In the case at bar, it should be noted that the information relayed by informant to the cops was that there would be
delivery of marijuana at Barangay Salitran by a courier coming from Baguio in the early morning of June 20, 1994.
Even assuming that the policemen were not pressed for time, this would be beside the point for, under these
circumstances; the information relayed was too sketchy and not detailed enough for the obtention of the
corresponding arrest or search warrant. While there is an indication that the informant knew the courier, the records
do not reveal that he knew him by name.
On such bare information, the police authorities could not have properly applied for a warrant, assuming that they
could readily have access to a judge or a court that was still open by the time they could make preparations for
applying therefor, and on which there is no evidence presented by the defense. In determining the opportunity for
obtaining warrants, not only the intervening time is controlling but all the coincident and ambient circumstances
should be considered, especially in rural areas.
A legitimate warrantless arrest, as above contemplated, necessarily cloaks the arresting police officer with authority
to validly search and seize from the offender
(1) dangerous weapons, and
(2) those that may be used as proof of the commission of an offense.
from the Gemini bus and was waiting for a tricycle. Appellant was not acting in any suspicious manner that would
engender a reasonable ground for the police officers to suspect and conclude that he was committing or intending
to commit a crime. Were it not for the information given by the informant, appellant would not have been
apprehended and no search would have been made, and consequently, the sachet of shabu would not have been
confiscated. Neither was the arresting officers impelled by any urgency that would allow them to do away with the
requisite warrant. As testified to by Police Officer 1 Aurelio Iniwan, a member of the arresting team, their office
received the "tipped information" on May 19, 2003. They likewise learned from the informant not only the
appellants physical description but also his name. Although it was not certain that appellant would arrive on the
same day (May 19), there was an assurance that he would be there the following day(May 20). Clearly, the police
had ample opportunity to apply for a warrant.
In the chemistry report, it was established that the objects examined were hashish. a prohibited drug which is a
derivative of marijuana. Thus, an information was filed against accused for violation of the Dangerous Drugs Act.
ACCUSEDS DEFENSE: During the arraignment, accused entered a plea of "not guilty." For his defense, he raised
the issue of illegal search of his personal effects. He also claimed that the hashish was planted by the NARCOM
officers in his pouch bag and that the two (2) travelling bags were not owned by him, but were merely entrusted to
him by an Australian couple whom he met in Sagada. He further claimed that the Australian couple intended to take
the same bus with him but because there were no more seats available in said bus, they decided to take the next
ride and asked accused to take charge of the bags, and that they would meet each other at the Dangwa Station.
The trial court found the guilt of the accused Mikael Malmstedt established beyond reasonable doubt.
Seeking the reversal of the decision of the trial court finding him guilty of the crime charged, accused argues that
the search of his personal effects was illegal because it was made without a search warrant and, therefore, the
prohibited drugs which were discovered during the illegal search are not admissible as evidence against him.
ISSUE: Whether or Not the contention of the accused is valid, and therefore the RTC ruling be reversed.
HELD: The Constitution guarantees the right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers and
effects against unreasonable searches and seizures. However, where the search is made pursuant to a lawful
arrest, there is no need to obtain a search warrant. A lawful arrest without a warrant may be made by a peace
officer or a private person under the following circumstances.
Sec. 5 Arrest without warrant; when lawful. A peace officer or a private person may, without a
warrant, arrest a person:
(a) When, in his presence, the person to be arrested has committed is actually committing, or is
attempting to commit an offense;
(b) When an offense has in fact just been committed, and he has personal knowledge of facts
indicating that the person to be arrested has committed it; and
(c) When the person to be arrested is a prisoner who has escaped from a penal establishment or
place where he is serving final judgment or temporarily confined while his case is pending, or has
escaped while being transferred from one confinement to another.
Accused was searched and arrested while transporting prohibited drugs (hashish). A crime was actually being
committed by the accused and he was caught in flagrante delicto. Thus, the search made upon his personal effects
falls squarely under paragraph (1) of the foregoing provisions of law, which allow a warrantless search incident to a
lawful arrest. While it is true that the NARCOM officers were not armed with a search warrant when the search was
made over the personal effects of accused, however, under the circumstances of the case, there was sufficient
probable cause for said officers to believe that accused was then and there committing a crime.
Probable cause has been defined as such facts and circumstances which could lead a reasonable, discreet and
prudent man to believe that an offense has been committed, and that the objects sought in connection with the
offense are in the place sought to be searched. Warrantless search of the personal effects of an accused has been
declared by this Court as valid, because of existence of probable cause, where the smell of marijuana emanated
from a plastic bag owned by the accused, 10 or where the accused was acting suspiciously, 11 and attempted to
flee.
The appealed judgment of conviction by the trial court is hereby affirmed. Costs against the accused-appellant.
(3) the warrants were issued to fish evidence against the aforementioned petitioners in deportation cases filed
against them;
(4) the searches and seizures were made in an illegal manner; and
(5) the documents, papers and cash money seized were not delivered to the courts that issued the warrants, to
be disposed of in accordance with law.
The prosecution counters, invoking the Moncado doctrine, that the defects of said warrants, if any, were cured by
petitioners consent; and (3) that, in any event, the effects seized are admissible in evidence against them. In short,
the criminal cannot be set free just because the government blunders.
ISSUE: Whether or not the search warrant issued is valid.
HELD: The SC ruled in favor of Stonehill et al. The SC emphasized however that Stonehill et al cannot assail the
validity of the search warrant issued against their corporation for Stonehill are not the proper party hence has no
cause of action. It should be raised by the officers or board members of the corporation. The constitution protects
the peoples right against unreasonable search and seizure. It provides; (1) that no warrant shall issue but upon
probable cause, to be determined by the judge in the manner set forth in said provision; and (2) that the warrant
shall particularly describe the things to be seized. In the case at bar, none of these are met. The warrant was
issued from mere allegation that Stonehill et al committed a violation of Central Bank Laws, Tariff and Customs
Laws, Internal Revenue (Code) and Revised Penal Code. In other words, no specific offense had been alleged in
said applications. The averments thereof with respect to the offense committed were abstract. As a consequence, it
was impossible for the judges who issued the warrants to have found the existence of probable cause, for the same
presupposes the introduction of competent proof that the party against whom it is sought has performed particular
acts, or committed specific omissions, violating a given provision of our criminal laws. As a matter of fact, the
applications involved in this case do not allege any specific acts performed by herein petitioners. It would be a legal
heresy, of the highest order, to convict anybody of a violation of Central Bank Laws, Tariff and Customs Laws,
Internal Revenue (Code) and Revised Penal Code, as alleged in the aforementioned applications without
reference to any determinate provision of said laws or codes.
The grave violation of the Constitution made in the application for the contested search warrants was compounded
by the description therein made of the effects to be searched for and seized, to wit:
Books of accounts, financial records, vouchers, journals, correspondence, receipts, ledgers, portfolios, credit
journals, typewriters, and other documents and/or papers showing all business transactions including disbursement
receipts, balance sheets and related profit and loss statements.
Thus, the warrants authorized the search for and seizure of records pertaining to all business transactions of
Stonehill et al, regardless of whether the transactions were legal or illegal. The warrants sanctioned the seizure of
all records of Stonehill et al and the aforementioned corporations, whatever their nature, thus openly contravening
the explicit command of the Bill of Rights that the things to be seized be particularly described as well as
tending to defeat its major objective: the elimination of general warrants. The Moncado doctrine is likewise
abandoned and the right of the accused against a defective search warrant is emphasized.
search warrant shall not issue but upon probable cause in connection with one specific offense. Not
satisfied with this qualification, the Court added thereto a paragraph, directing that no search warrant shall
issue for more than one specific offense.
3. The search warrant does not particularly describe the things to be seized.
The documents, papers and effects sought to be seized are described in the Search Warrant
Unregistered and private books of accounts (ledgers, journals, columnars, receipts and disbursements
books, customers ledgers); receipts for payments received; certificates of stocks and securities; contracts,
promissory notes and deeds of sale; telex and coded messages; business communications, accounting
and business records; checks and check stubs; records of bank deposits and withdrawals; and records of
foreign remittances, covering the years 1966 to 1970.
The description does not meet the requirement in Art III, Sec. 1, of the Constitution, and of Sec. 3, Rule 126 of the
Revised Rules of Court, that the warrant should particularly describe the things to be seized.
A search warrant may be said to particularly describe the things to be seized when the description therein is as
specific as the circumstances will ordinarily allow or when the description expresses a conclusion of fact not of law
by which the warrant officer may be guided in making the search and seizure or when the things described are
limited to those which bear direct relation to the offense for which the warrant is being issued.
May a judge deputize his Clerk of Court to take the deposition of the applicant for a Search Warrant subject to
clarificatory questions after his hearing in other cases?
No. As held in Bache vs. Ruiz, 37 SCRA 823, the examination of the complainant ant the witnesses he may
produce must be done personally by the judge. Otherwise, the warrant shall be void. As such, the SC held in
PENDON VS. CA, November 16, 1990 that when the questions asked to the applicant for a search warrant was
pre-typed, the same is not valid since there could have been no searching questions.
Union without specifying the particular place in the Barrio. No complete description of the goods and inquiry was
brief. Upon actual search, it turned out that it was in Barrio Ma. Cristina and not in Padasil.
ISSUE: Whether or not the search warrant is validly issued.
HELD: Search warrant issued illegal for violation of the 1935 Constitution and the Rules of Court because the two
basic requirements are not complied with: (a) no warrant shall issue but upon probable cause, (b) the warrant shall
particularly describe the things to be seized, thus, a general warrant. However, things seized cannot be returned
and shall be destroyed, except the liquors, playing cards, distilled water and five bottles of Streptomycin.
HELD: The right against unreasonable searches and seizures is a personal right which may be waived expressly or
impliedly. BUT A WAIVER BY IMPLICATION CANNOT BE PRESUMED. There must be clear and convincing
evidence of an actual intention to relinquish the right. There must be proof of the following:
a. that the right exists;
b. that the person involved had knowledge, either constructive or actual, of the existence of said right;
c. that the said person had an actual intention to relinquish the right.
Finally, the waiver must be made voluntarily, knowingly and intelligently in order that the said is to be valid.
The search was therefore held illegal and the members of the searching party held liable for damages in
accordance with the doctrine laid down in Lim vs. Ponce de Leon and MHP Garments vs. CA.
therefore should not have been used by the court in determining probable cause.-On the same day that the
Omnibus MQ was filed, the petitioners posted bail. Their bail bonds expressly provided that they do not intend to
waive their right to question the validity of their arrest. On the date of arraignment, the petitioners refused to enter
their plea, for the obvious reason that the legality of their information and their arrest was yet to be settled by the
court.-MTCCs answer (in response to Omnibus MQ filed by petitioners): They upheld the validity of the warrant of
arrest, saying that it was issued in accordance with the Rules. Besides, (according to the MTCC) petitioners could
no longer question the validity of the warrant since they already posted bail.
ISSUES:
1) WON petitioners were deprived of their right to due process of law because of the denial of their right to
preliminary investigation and to submit their counter-affidavit;
2) WON the Informations charging the petitioners were validly filed and the warrants for their arrest were
properly issued;
3) WON this Court can, itself, determine probable cause; and
4) WON the petitioners posting a bail constitutes a waiver of their right to question the validity of their arrest.
HELD: Petition granted; MTCC is ordered to dismiss criminal cases against petitioners.
For issues numbered 1 and 3:
The following sections of Rule 112 of the 1985 Rules of Criminal Procedure are relevant to the aforesaid issues:
SECTION 1. Definition. Preliminary investigation is an inquiry or proceeding for the purpose of
determining whether there is sufficient ground to engender a well-founded belief that a crime
cognizable by the Regional Trial Court has been committed and that the respondent is probably
guilty thereof, and should be held for trial.
SEC. 3. Procedure. Except as provided for in Section 7 hereof, no complaint or information for an
offense cognizable by the Regional Trial Court shall be filed without a preliminary investigation
having been first conducted in the following manner:(a) The complaint shall state the known
address of the respondent and be accompanied by affidavits of the complainant and his witnesses
as well as other supporting documents, in such number of copies as there are respondents, plus
two (2) copies of the official file. The said affidavits shall be sworn to before any fiscal, state
prosecutor or government official authorized to administer oath, or, in their absence or
unavailability, a notary public, who must certify that he personally examined the affiants and that he
is satisfied that they voluntarily executed and understood their affidavits. SEC. 9. Cases not
falling under the original jurisdiction of the Regional Trial Courts not covered by the Rule on
Summary Procedure. (a) Where filed with the fiscal. If the complaint is filed directly with the
fiscal or state prosecutor, the procedure outlined in Section 3 (a) of this Rule shall be observed. The
Fiscal shall take appropriate action based on the affidavits and other supporting documents
submitted by the complainant.
Records show that the prosecutor relied merely on the affidavits submitted by the complainant and did not require
the petitioners to submit their answer. He should not be faulted for doing such as this is sanctioned by the rules.
Moreover, he is not mandated to require the submission of counter-affidavits. Probable cause may then be
determined on the basis alone of the affidavits and supporting documents of the complainant, without infringing on
the constitutional rights of the petitioners.-Regarding the issuance of the warrant of arrest, petitioners contend that
the warrants were illegally issued as they were solely based on the affidavits of the complainant. Section 2 of Article
III of the Constitution underscores the exclusive and personal responsibility of the issuing judge to satisfy himself of
the existence of probable cause. But the judge is not required to personally examine the complainant and his
witnesses. Following established doctrine and procedure, he shall (1) personally evaluate the report and the
supporting documents submitted by the prosecutor regarding the existence of probable cause, and on the basis
thereof, he may already make a personal determination of the existence of probable cause; and (2) if he is not
satisfied that probable cause exists, he may disregard the prosecutors report and require the submission of
supporting affidavits of witnesses to aid him in arriving at a conclusion as to the existence of probable cause. There
is no provision or procedural rule which makes the submission of counter-affidavits mandatory before the judge
could determine probable cause.
For issue number 2:
For the issuance of a warrant of arrest, probable cause has been defined as the existence of such facts and
circumstances that would lead a reasonably discreet and prudent person to believe that an offense has been
committed by the person sought to be arrested. It is one of the requisites for a warrant of arrest to be valid.
On the basis of the above-stated documents (in the facts) and on the strength of the affidavit executed by the
respondent, the prosecutor concluded that probable cause exists. These same affidavit and documents were used
by the trial court in issuing the warrant of arrest.
The SC finds the complaint-affidavit and attachments insufficient to support the existence of probable cause. The
respondents claims of the falsity of the documents were mere assertions.
It must be emphasized that the affidavit of the complainant, or any of his witnesses, shall allege facts within their
(affiants) personal knowledge. The allegation of the respondent that the signatures were falsified does not qualify
as personal knowledge. Nowhere in said affidavit did respondent state that he was present at the time of the
execution of the documents. Neither did he claim that he was familiar with the signatures of the signatories. He
simply made a bare assertion.
A finding of probable cause need not be based on clear and convincing evidence, or on evidence beyond
reasonable doubt. It does not require that the evidence would justify conviction. Nonetheless, although the
determination of probable cause requires less than evidence which would justify conviction, it should at least be
more than mere suspicion. While probable cause should be determined in a summary manner, there is a need to
examine the evidence with care to prevent material damage to a potential accuseds constitutional right to liberty
and the guarantees of freedom and fair play, and to protect the State from the burden of unnecessary expenses in
prosecuting alleged offenses and holding trials arising from false, fraudulent or groundless charges.
1. YES, Judge Asuncion committed grave abuse of discretion in denying, on the basis of Crespo vs. Mogul,
the motions to suspend proceedings and hold in abeyance the issuance of warrants of arrest and to defer
arraignment until after the petition for review filed with the DOJ shall have been resolved.
There is nothing in Crespo vs. Mogul which bars the DOJ from taking cognizance of an appeal, by way of a
petition for review, by an accused in a criminal case from an unfavorable ruling of the investigating
prosecutor. It merely advised the DOJ to, as far as practicable, refrain from entertaining a petition for
review or appeal from the action of the fiscal, when the complaint or information has already been filed in
Court.
Whether the DOJ would affirm or reverse the challenged Joint Resolution is still a matter of guesswork.
Accordingly, it was premature for respondent Judge Asuncion to deny the motions to suspend proceedings
and to defer arraignment on the following grounds:
This case is already pending in this Court for trial. To follow whatever opinion the Secretary of Justice may
have on the matter would undermine the independence and integrity of this Court. This Court is still
capable of administering justice.
The real and ultimate test of the independence and integrity of this court is not the filing of the
aforementioned motions [to suspend proceedings and issuance of warrants of arrest and to defer
arraignment] at that stage but the filing of a motion to dismiss or to withdraw the information on the basis of
a resolution of the petition for review reversing the Joint Resolution of the investigating prosecutor.
However, once a motion to dismiss or withdraw the information is filed the trial judge may grant or deny it,
not out of subservience to the Secretary of Justice, but in faithful exercise of judicial prerogative.
2. YES, Judge Asuncion committed grave abuse of discretion in ordering the issuance of warrants of arrest
without examining the records of the preliminary investigation.
The teachings then of Soliven, Inting, Lim, Allado, and Webb reject the proposition that the investigating
prosecutors certification in an information or his resolution which is made the basis for the filing of the
information, or both, would suffice in the judicial determination of probable cause for the issuance of a
warrant of arrest. In Webb, this Court assumed that since the respondent Judges had before them not only
the 26-page resolution of the investigating panel but also the affidavits of the prosecution witnesses and
even the counter-affidavits of the respondents, they (judges) made personal evaluation of the evidence
attached to the records of the case.
In this case, nothing accompanied the information upon its filing on 12 April 1993 with the trial court. A copy
of the Joint Resolution was forwarded to, and received by, the trial court only on 22 April 1993. And as
revealed by the certification of respondent judges clerk of court, no affidavits of the witnesses, transcripts
of stenographic notes of the proceedings during the preliminary investigation, or other documents
submitted in the course thereof were found in the records of this case as of 19 May 1993. Clearly, when
respondent Judge Asuncion issued the assailed order of 17 May 1993 directing, among other things, the
issuance of warrants of arrest, he had only the information, amended information, and Joint Resolution as
bases thereof. He did not have the records or evidence supporting the prosecutor's finding of probable
cause. And strangely enough, he made no specific finding of probable cause; he merely directed the
issuance of warrants of arrest after June 21, 1993. It may, however, be argued that the directive
presupposes a finding of probable cause. But then compliance with a constitutional requirement for the
protection of individual liberty cannot be left to presupposition, conjecture, or even convincing logic.
3. NO, the Supreme Court MAY NOT determine in this [sic] proceedings the existence of probable cause
either for the issuance of warrants of arrest against the petitioners or for their prosecution for the crime of
estafa.
Ordinarily, the determination of probable cause is not lodged with this Court. Its duty in an appropriate case
is confined to the issue of whether the executive or judicial determination, as the case may be, of probable
cause was done without or in excess of jurisdiction or with grave abuse of discretion amounting to want of
jurisdiction. This is consistent with the general rule that criminal prosecutions may not be restrained or
stayed by injunction, preliminary or final.
There are, however, exceptions to the foregoing rule. But the Court refused to reevaluate the evidence to
determine if indeed there is probable cause for the issuance of warrants of arrest in this case. For the
respondent judge did not, in fact, find that probable cause exists, and if he did he did not have the basis
therefor. Moreover, the records of the preliminary investigation in this case are not with the Court. They
were forwarded by the Office of the City Prosecutor of Quezon City to the DOJ in compliance with the
latter's 1st Indorsement of 21 April 1993. The trial court and the DOJ must be required to perform their duty.
LIM VS FELIX
Warrant of arrest issued by the RTC Makati based on the Resolution and the Information filed by the Fiscal is not
valid since the record of the case with the affidavits of witnesses is still in Masbate.
Certification by the fiscal of the existence of probable cause does not bind the judge. Preliminary inquiry
determines probable cause for the issuance of a search warrant (prosecutor); Preliminary examination (judge)
investigation for the determination of a probable cause for the issuance of a warrant of arrest; preliminary
investigation proper ascertains whether the offender should be held for trial or be released.
Petitioners are suspects of the slaying of congressman Moises Espinosa, Sr. and three of his security escorts and
the wounding of another. They were initially charged, with three others, with the crime of multiple murder with
frustrated murder. After conducting a preliminary investigation, a warrant of arrest was issued on July 31, 1989. Bail
was fixed at P200,000.
On September 22, 1989, Fiscal Alfane, designated to review the case, issued a Resolution affirming the finding of a
prima facie case against the petitioners but ruled that a case of Murder for each of the killing of the four victims and
a physical injuries case for inflicting gunshot wound on the survivor be filled instead against the suspects.
Thereafter, four separate informations to that effect were filed with the RTC of Masbate with no bail recommended.
On November 21, 1989, a motion for change of venue, filed by the petitioners was granted by the SC. It ordered
that the case may be transferred from the RTC of Masbate to the RTC of Makati.
Petitioners then moved that another hearing be conducted to determine if there really exists a prima facie case
against them in the light of documents showing recantations of some witnesses in the preliminary investigation.
They likewise filed a motion to order the transmittal of initial records of the preliminary investigation conducted by
the municipal judge of Barsaga of Masbate. These motions were however denied by the court because the
prosecution had declared the existence of probable cause, informations were complete in form in substance and
there was no defect on its face. Hence it found it just and proper to rely on the prosecutors certification in each
information.
ISSUE: Whether or not a judge may issue a warrant of arrest without bail by simply relying on the prosecutions
certification and recommendation that a probable cause exists?
HELD:
1. The judge committed a grave abuse of discretion. In the case of Placer vs. Villanueva, the sc ruled that a
judge may rely upon the fiscals certification of the existence of a probable cause and on the basis thereof,
issue a warrant of arrest. However, the certification does not bind the judge to come out with the warrant of
arrest. This decision interpreted the search and seizure provision of the 1973 Constitution. Under this
provision, the judge must satisfy himself of the existence of probable cause before issuing a warrant of order
of arrest. If on the face of information, the judge finds no probable cause, he may disregard the fiscals
certification and require the submission of the affidavits of witness to aid him at arriving at a conclusion as to
the existence of a probable cause. This has been the rule since U.S vs. Ocampo and Amarga vs. Abbas.
2. In the case of Soliven vs. Makasiar, decided under the 1987 Constitution, the Court noted that the addition of
the word personally after the word determined and the deletion of the grant of authority by the 1973
Constitution to issue warrants to other respondent officers as to may be authorized by law does not require
the judge to personally examine the complainant and his witness in his determination of probable cause for
the issuance of a warrant of arrest.What the Constitution underscores is the exclusive and personal
responsibility of the issuing judge to satisfy himself of the existence of probable cause. Following established
doctrine and procedures, he shall:
(1) personally evaluate the reports and the supporting documents submitted by the fiscal regarding the
existence of probable cause and, on the basis thereof, issue a warrant of arrest;
(2) If on the basis thereof he finds no probable cause, he may disregard the fiscals report and require the
submission of supporting affidavits of witnesses to aid him in arriving at a conclusion as to the
existence of probable cause.
3. The case of People vs. Honorable Enrique B. Inting reiterates the following doctrines:
(1) The determination of probable cause is a function of the judge. It is not for the Provincial Fiscal or
Prosecutor nor for the Election Supervisor to ascertain. Only the judge alone makes this detemination.
(2) The preliminary inquiry made by the prosecutor does not bind the judge. It merely assist him to make
the determination of probable cause. The judge does not have to follow what the prosecutors present
to him. By itself, the prosecutors certification of probable cause is ineffectual. It is the report, the
affidavits, the transcripts of stenographic notes, and all other supporting documents behind the
prosecutors certification which are material in assisting the judge to make his determination.
(3) Preliminary inquiry should be distinguished from the preliminary investigation proper. While the former
seeks to determine probable cause for the issuance of warrant of arrest, the latter ascertains whether
the offender should be held for trial or be released.
4. In the case of Castillo vs. Villaluz, the court ruled that judges of RTC no longer have authority to conduct
preliminary investigations: This authority was removed from them by the 1985 Rules on Criminal Procedure,
effective on January 1, 1985.
5. In the present case, the respondent judge relies solely on the certification of the prosecutor. Considering that
all the records of the investigation are in Masbate, he has not personally determined the existence of
probable cause. The determination was made by the provincial prosecutor. The constitutional requirement
had not been satisfied.
The records of the preliminary investigation conducted by the Municipal Court of Masbate and reviewed by
the respondent Fiscal were still in Masbate when the respondent Fiscal issued the warrant of arrest against
the petitioners. There was no basis for the respondent judge to make his personal determination regarding
the existence of probable cause from the issuance of warrant of arrest as mandated by the Constitution. He
could not have possibly known what has transpired in Masbate as he had nothing but a certification. Although
the judge does not have to personally examine the complainant and his witnesses (for the prosecutor can
perform the same functions as commissioner for taking of evidence) there should be a report and necessary
documents supporting the Fiscals bare certification. All of these should be before the judge.
present case. Although the applications and warrants themselves covered certain articles of property usually found
in a video store, the Court believes that the search party should have confined themselves to articles that are
according to them, evidence constitutive of infringement of copyright laws or the piracy of intellectual property, but
not to other articles that are usually connected with, or related to, a legitimate business, not involving piracy of
intellectual property, or infringement of copyright laws. So that a television set, a rewinder, and a whiteboard listing
Betamax tapes, video cassette cleaners video cassette recorders as reflected in the Returns of Search Warrants,
are items of legitimate business engaged in the video tape industry, and which could not be the subject of seizure.
The applicant and his agents therefore exceeded their authority in seizing perfectly legitimate personal property
usually found in a video cassette store or business establishment. The search and seizure is unreasonable.
SOLIVEN & BELTRAN VS MAKASIAR, NOVEMBER 18, 1988 (Note: widely criticized)
The word personally after the word determined does not necessarily mean that the judge should examine the
complainant and his witnesses personally before issuing the search warrant or warrant of arrest but the exclusive
responsibility on the part of said judge to satisfy himself of the existence of probable cause. As such, there is no
need to examine the complainant and his witnesses face to face. It is sufficient if the judge is convinced of the
existence of probable cause upon reading the affidavits or deposition of the complainant and his witnesses.
There is no need for the judge to examine the complainant and the witnesses face to face in order to determine
probable cause. It is enough that he shall personally examine the affidavits of the complainant and the witnesses
and if he is convinced that there is probable cause, he can validly issue the warrant of arrest
In these consolidated cases, three principal issues were raised: (1) whether or not petitioners were denied due
process when informations for libel were filed against them although the finding of the existence of a prima facie
case was still under review by the Secretary of Justice and, subsequently, by the President; and (2) whether or not
the constitutional rights of Beltran were violated when respondent RTC judge issued a warrant for his arrest without
personally examining the complainant and the witnesses, if any, to determine probable cause. Subsequent events
have rendered the first issue moot and academic. On March 30, 1988, the Secretary of Justice denied petitioners'
motion for reconsideration and upheld the resolution of the Undersecretary of Justice sustaining the City Fiscal's
finding of a prima facie case against petitioners. A second motion for reconsideration filed by petitioner Beltran was
denied by the Secretary of Justice on April 7, 1988. On appeal, the President, through theExecutive Secretary,
affirmed the resolution of the Secretary of Justice on May 2, 1988. The motion for reconsideration was denied by
the Executive Secretary on May 16, 1988. With these developments, petitioners' contention that they have been
denied the administrative remedies available under the law has lost factual support.
ISSUES: (1) Whether or Not petitioners were denied due process when informations for libel were filed against
them although the finding of the existence of a prima facie case was still under review by the Secretary of Justice
and, subsequently, by the President.
(2) Whether or Not the constitutional rights of Beltran were violated when respondent RTC judge issued a warrant
for his arrest without personally examining the complainant and the witnesses, if any, to determine probable cause
HELD: With respect to petitioner Beltran, the allegation of denial of due process of law in the preliminary
investigation is negated by the fact that instead of submitting his counter- affidavits, he filed a "Motion to Declare
Proceedings Closed," in effect waiving his right to refute the complaint by filing counter-affidavits. Due process of
law does not require that the respondent in a criminal case actually file hiscounter-affidavits before the preliminary
investigation is deemed completed. All that is required is that the respondent be given theopportunity to submit
counter-affidavits if he is so minded.
The second issue, raised by petitioner Beltran, calls for an interpretation of the constitutional provision on the
issuance of warrants of arrest. The pertinent provision reads:
Art. III, Sec. 2. The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers and effects
against unreasonable searches and seizures of whatever nature and for any purpose shall be
inviolable, and no search warrant or warrant of arrest shall issue except upon probable cause to be
determined personally by the judge after examination under oath or affirmation of the complainant
and the witnesses he may produce, and particularly describing the place to be searched and the
persons or things to be seized.
The addition of the word "personally" after the word "determined" and the deletion of the grant of authority by the
1973 Constitution to issue warrants to "other responsible officers as may be authorized by law," has apparently
convinced petitioner Beltran that the Constitution now requires the judge to personally examine the complainant
and his witnesses in his determination of probable cause for the issuance of warrants of arrest. This is not an
accurate interpretation.
What the Constitution underscores is the exclusive and personal responsibility of the issuing judge to satisfy himself
of the existence of probable cause. In satisfying himself of the existence of probable cause for the issuance of a
warrant of arrest, the judge is not required to personally examine the complainant and his witnesses. Following
established doctrine and procedure, he shall: (1) personally evaluate the report and the supporting documents
submitted by the fiscal regarding the existence of probable cause and, on the basis thereof, issue a warrant of
arrest; or (2) if on the basis thereof he finds no probable cause, he may disregard the fiscal's report and require the
submission of supporting affidavits of witnesses to aid him in arriving at a conclusion as to the existence of
probable cause.
Sound policy dictates this procedure, otherwise judges would be unduly laden with the preliminary examination and
investigation of criminal complaints instead of concentrating on hearing and deciding cases filed before their courts.
It has not been shown that respondent judge has deviated from the prescribed procedure. Thus, with regard to the
issuance of the warrants of arrest, a finding of grave abuse of discretion amounting to lack or excess of jurisdiction
cannot be sustained. The petitions fail to establish that public respondents, through their separate acts, gravely
abused their discretion as to amount to lack of jurisdiction. Hence, the writs of certiorari and prohibition prayed for
cannot issue.
WHEREFORE, finding no grave abuse of discretion amounting to excess or lack of jurisdiction on the part of the
public respondents, the Court Resolved to DISMISS the petitions in G. R. Nos. 82585, 82827 and 83979. The
Order to maintain the status quo contained in the Resolution of the Court en banc dated April 7, 1988 and reiterated
in the Resolution dated April 26, 1988 is LIFTED.
stenographic notes (if any), and all other supporting documents behind the Prosecutor's certification which are
material in assisting the Judge to make his determination. Thus, Judges and Prosecutors alike should distinguish
the preliminary inquiry which determines probable cause for the issuance of a warrant of arrest from the preliminary
investigation proper which ascertains whether the offender should be held for trial or released. Even if the two
inquiries are conducted in the course of one and the same proceeding, there should be no confusion about the
objectives. The determination of probable cause for the warrant of arrest is made by the Judge. The preliminary
investigation proper - whether or not there is reasonable ground to believe that the accused is guilty of the offense
charged and, therefore, whether or not be should be subjected to the expense, rigors and embarrassment of trial
is the function of the Prosecutor.
Preliminary investigation should be distinguished as to whether it is an investigation for the determination of a
sufficient ground for the filing of the information or it is an investigation for the determination of a probable cause for
the issuance of a warrant of arrest. The first kind of preliminary investigation is executive in nature. It is part of the
prosecution's job. The second kind of preliminary investigation which is more properly called preliminary
examination is judicial in nature and is lodged with the judge. The 1987 Constitution (Article IX C, Section 2)
mandates the COMELEC not only to investigate but also to prosecute cases of violation of election laws. This
means that the COMELEC is empowered to conduct preliminary investigations in cases involving election offenses
for the purpose of helping the Judge determine probable cause and for filing an information in court. This power is
exclusive with COMELEC. It is only after a preliminary examination conducted by the COMELEC through its
officials or its deputies that section 2, Article III of the 1987 Constitution comes in. This is so, because, when the
application for a warrant of arrest is made and the information is filed with the court, the judge will then determine
whether or not a probable cause exists for the issuance of a warrant of arrest. The trial court misconstrued the
constitutional provision when it quashed the information filed by the Provincial Election Supervisor. The order to get
the approval of the Provincial Fiscal is not only superfluous but unwarranted.
warrant of arrest and the granting of bail if the offense is bailable. Obviously, the absence of a judicial warrant is no
legal impediment to arresting or capturing persons committing overt acts of violence against government forces, or
any other milder acts but equally in pursuance of the rebellious movement. The arrest or capture is thus impelled by
the exigencies of the situation that involves the very survival of society and its government and duly constituted
authorities.
false and motivated by the lust for vengeance; and (j) When there is clearly no prima facie case against the
accused and a motion to quash on that ground has been denied. A careful analysis of the circumstances obtaining
in the present case, however, will readily show that the same does not fall under any of the aforesaid exceptions.
Regional trial Court, Branch 103, Quezon City in Criminal Case No. 90-10941. The warrant was issued on an
information signed and filed earlier in the day by Senior State Prosecutor AURELIO TRAMPE charging Senator
Enrile, the spouses Rebecco and Erlinda Panlilio, and Gregorio Honasan with the crime of rebellion with murder
and multiple frustrated murder allegedly committed during the period of the failed coup attempt from November 29
to December 10, 1990. Senator Enrile was taken to and held overnight at the NBI Headquarters on Taft Ave.,
Manila, WITHOUT BAIL, NONE HAVING BEEN RECOMMENDED IN THE INFORMATION AND NONE FIXED IN
THE WARRANT OF ARREST.
On February 28, 1990, petitioner through counsel filed a petition for Habeas Corpus alleging that he was deprived
of his constitutional rights in being, or having been:
a. held to answer for a criminal offense which does not exist in the statute books;
b. charged with a criminal offense in an information for which no complaint was initially filed or preliminary
investigation was conducted, hence, he was denied due process;
c. denied the right to bail; and
d. arrested or detained on the strength of warrant issued without the judge who issued it first having
personally determined the existence of probable cause.
HELD:
The parties oral and written arguments presented the following options:
1. Abandon the Hernandez Doctrine and adopt the dissenting opinion of Justice Montemayor that rebellion
cannot absorb more serious crimes; On the first option, 11 justices voted AGAINST abandoning
Hernandez. Two members felt that the doctrine should be re-examined. In view of the majority, THE
RULING REMAINS GOOD LAW, ITS SUBSTANTIVE AND LEGAL BASES HAVE WITHSTOOD ALL
SUBSEQUENT CHALLENGES AND NO NEW ONES ARE PRESENTED HERE PERSUASIVE ENOUGH
TO WARRANT A COMPLETE REVERSAL. This is so because of the fact that the incumbent President
(exercising legislative powers under the 1986 Freedom Constitution) repealed PD No. 942 which added a
new provision of the Revised Penal Code, particularly Art. 142-A which sought to nullify if not repealed the
Hernandez Doctrine. In thus acting, the President in effect by legislative fiat reinstated the Hernandez as a
binding doctrine with the effect of law. The Court can do no less than accord it the same recognition,
absent any sufficiently powerful reason against so doing.
2. Hold Hernandez Doctrine applicable only to offenses committed in furtherance, or as necessary means for
the commission, of rebellion, BUT NOT TO ACTS COMMITTED IN THE COURSE OF A REBELLION
WHICH ALSO CONSTITUTE COMMON CRIMES OF GRAVE OR LESS GRAVE CHARACTER; On the
second option, the Supreme Court was unanimous in voting to reject the same though four justices believe
that the arguments in support thereof is not entirely devoid of merit.
3. Maintain Hernandez Doctrine as applying to make rebellion absorb all other offenses committed in its
course, whether or not necessary to its commission or in furtherance thereof. With the rejection of the first
two options, the Hernandez Doctrine remains a binding doctrine operating to prohibit the complexing of
rebellion with any other offense committed on the occasion thereof, either as a means necessary to its
commission or as unintended effect of an activity that constitutes rebellion.
On the issues raised by the petitioner:
a. By a vote of 11-3, the Court ruled that the information filed against the petitioner does in
fact charge an offense despite the objectionable phrasing that would complex rebellion
with murder and multiple frustrated murder, that indictment is to be read as charging
SIMPLE REBELLION. The petitioners contention that he was charged with a crime that
does not exist in the statute books, WHILE TECHNICALLY CORRECT SO FAR AS THE
COURT RULED THAT REBELLION MAY NOT BE COMPLEXED WITH OTHER
OFFENSES COMMITTED ON THE OCCASION THEREOF, MUST THEREFORE BE
DISMISSED AS A MERE FLIGHT OF RHETORIC. Read in the context of Hernandez, the
information does indeed charge the petitioner with a crime defined and punished by the
Revised Penal Code: SIMPLE REBELLION.
b. Was the petitioner charged without a complaint having been initially filed and/or preliminary
investigation conducted? The record shows that a complaint for simple rebellion against
petitioner was filed by the NBI Director and that based on the strength of said complaint a
preliminary investigation was conducted by the respondent prosecutors culminating in the
filing of the questioned information. THERE IS NOTHING INHERENTLY IRREGULAR OR
CONTRARY TO LAW IN FILING AGAINST A RESPONDENT AN INDUCTMENT FOR AN
OFFENSE DIFFERENT FROM WHAT IS CHARGED IN THE INITIATORY COMPLAINT,
ADDITIONAL NOTES:
Was a petition for Habeas Corpus before the Supreme Court the appropriate vehicle for asserting a
right to bail or vindicating its denial?
The Supreme Court held that the criminal case before the respondent judge is the normal venue for
invoking the petitioners right to have provisional liberty pending trial and judgment. The correct
course was for the petitioner to invoke that jurisdiction by filing a petition to be admitted to bail,
claiming a right to bail per se or by reason of the weakness of the evidence against him. ONLY
AFTER THAT REMEDY WAS DENIED BY THE TRIAL COURT SHOULD THE REVIEW
JURISDICTION OF THE SUPREME COURT BE INVOKED, AND EVEN THEN, NOT WITHOUT
FIRST APPLYING TO THE COURT OF APPEALS IF APPROPRIATE RELIEF WAS ALSO
AVAILABLE THERE.
Even if we assume that the petitioners premise that the information charges a non-existent crime,
it would not excuse or justify his improper choice of remedies. Under either hypothesis, the obvious
recourse would have been a motion to quash brought in the criminal action before the respondent
judge.
owners and peddlers along Manila sidewalks, magazines, publications and other reading materials believed to be
obscene, pornographic and indecent and later burned the seized materials in public at the University belt along
C.M. Recto Avenue, Manila, in the presence of Mayor Bagatsing and several officers and members of various
student organizations. Among the publications seized, and later burned, was "Pinoy Playboy" magazines published
and co-edited by plaintiff Leo Pita.
Plaintiff filed a case for injunction with prayer for issuance of the writ of preliminary injunction against Mayor
Bagatsing and Narcisco Cabrera, as superintendent of Western Police District of the City of Manila, seeking to
enjoin said defendants and their agents from confiscating plaintiffs magazines or from preventing the sale or
circulation thereof claiming that the magazine is a decent, artistic and educational magazine which is not per se
obscene, and that the publication is protected by the Constitutional guarantees of freedom of speech and of the
press. Plaintiff also filed an Urgent Motion for issuance of a temporary restraining order against indiscriminate
seizure, confiscation and burning of plaintiff's "Pinoy Playboy" Magazines, pending hearing on the petition for
preliminary injunction. The Court granted the temporary restraining order. The case was set for trial upon the lapse
of the TRO. RTC ruled that the seizure was valid. This was affirmed by the CA.
ISSUE: Whether or Not the seizure violative of the freedom of expression of the petitioner.
HELD: Freedom of the press is not without restraint as the state has the right to protect society from pornographic
literature that is offensive to public morals, as indeed we have laws punishing the author, publishers and sellers of
obscene publications. However, It is easier said than done to say, that if the pictures here in question were used
not exactly for art's sake but rather for commercial purposes, the pictures are not entitled to any constitutional
protection. Using the Kottinger rule: the test of obscenity is "whether the tendency of the matter charged as
obscene, is to deprave or corrupt those whose minds are open to such immoral influences and into whose hands a
publication or other article charged as being obscene may fall." Another is whether it shocks the ordinary and
common sense of men as an indecency. Ultimately "whether a picture is obscene or indecent must depend upon
the circumstances of the case and that the question is to be decided by the "judgment of the aggregate sense of
the community reached by it." The government authorities in the instant case have not shown the required proof to
justify a ban and to warrant confiscation of the literature First of all, they were not possessed of a lawful court order:
(1) finding the said materials to be pornography, and (2) authorizing them to carry out a search and seizure, by way
of a search warrant. The court provides that the authorities must apply for the issuance of a search warrant from a
judge, if in their opinion an obscenity seizure is in order and that;
1. The authorities must convince the court that the materials sought to be seized are obscene and pose a
clear and present danger of an evil substantive enough to warrant State interference and action;
2. The judge must determine whether or not the same are indeed obscene. The question is to be resolved on
a case-to-case basis and on the judges sound discretion;
the said union office is being used by the union officers for illegal activities does not justify their acts of barging into
the said office without the consent of the union officers and without a search warrant. If indeed there was
surveillance made, then they should have applied for a search warrant.
NOTE: The ruling in People vs. Andre Marti is not applicable here because in Marti, a criminal case, the
issue was whether an act of a private individual, allegedly in violation of ones constitutional rights may be
invoked against the State. In other words, the issue in Marti is whether the evidence obtained by a private
person acting in his private capacity without the participation of the State, is admissible.
and rebellion by the CSG were filed by but the fiscals office merely charged her and Nolasco with illegal
possession of subversive materials. Aguilar-Roque asked for suppression of the evidence on the ground that it was
illegally obtained and that the search warrant is void because it is a general warrant since it does not sufficiently
describe with particularity the things subject of the search and seizure, and that probable cause has not been
properly established for lack of searching questions propounded to the applicants witness.
ISSUE: WON the search warrant was valid?
HELD: No, Section 3, Article IV of the Constitution, guarantees the right of the people to be secure in their persons,
houses, papers and effects against unreasonable searches and seizures of whatever nature and for any purpose. It
also specifically provides that no Search Warrant shall issue except upon probable cause to be determined by the
Judge or such other responsible officer as may be authorized by law, after examination under oath or affirmation of
the complainant and the witnesses he may produce, and particularly describing the place to be searched and the
things to be seized.
It is at once evident that the foregoing Search Warrant authorizes the seizure of personal properties vaguely
described and not particularized. It is an all- embracing description which includes everything conceivable regarding
the Communist Party of the Philippines and the National Democratic Front. It does not specify what the subversive
books and instructions are; what the manuals not otherwise available to the public contain to make them subversive
or to enable them to be used for the crime of rebellion. There is absent a definite guideline to the searching team as
to what items might be lawfully seized thus giving the officers of the law discretion regarding what articles they
should seize as, in fact, taken also were a portable typewriter and 2 wooden boxes.
It is thus in the nature of a general warrant and infringes on the constitutional mandate requiring particular
description of the things to be seized. In the recent rulings of this Court, search warrants of similar description were
considered null and void for being too general.
introduced to Peter Lo (alias of accused/appellant Lo Ho Wing), the later turning out to be Tias intended
companion.
Appellant Lo Ho Wing and Tia left for Hong Kong on October 4, 1987. Tia telephoned Capt. Palmera that they
would return to the Philippines on October 6. From Hong Kong, the two proceeded to Guangzhou in mainland
China. There, appeallant Lo Ho Wing bought six (6) cans of tea. Tia saw these 6 bags when they were opened for
examination. That evening, they went to Lo Ho Wings room and he saw two other men with him. One was fixing
the tea bags, while the other was burning a substance on a piece of aluminum foil using a lighter. Appellant Lo Ho
Wing joined the second man and sniffed the smoke emitted by the burning substance. When Tia asked Lo Ho Wing
what cargo they would bring to Manila, the latter replied that they would be bringing Chinese drugs.
The next day en route to Manila, customs examiners inspected the bags containing the tin cans of tea. Since the
bags were not closely examined, appellant Lo Ho Wing and Tia were cleared. In Manila, They were met by Lim
Cheng Huat. Appellant Lo Ho Wing and Tia boarded a taxi from the airport and loaded their luggage in the taxis
compartment. Lim Cheng Huat followed them in another taxi.
Meanwhile, a team composed by Capt. Palmera positioned themselves in strategic areas around the airport. The
CIS men who first saw Lo Ho and Tia followed them. Along Imelda Avenue, the CIS car overtook the taxi ridden by
Lo Ho Wing and Tia , forcing the taxi driver to stop his vehicle. The CIS team asked the taxi driver to open the
baggage compartment. The CIS team asked permission to search their luggage.
A tin can of tea was taken out of the compartment. Sgt. Cayabyab of the CIS pried the lid open and pressed it in
the middle to pull out the contents. Crystalline white powder resembling crushed alum came out. Suspecting the
crystalline powder to be a dangerous drug, he had the three travelling bags opened for inspection. All the bags
threshed out a total of six tin cans. Tia and appellant were taken to the CIS headquarters for questioning.
Meanwhile, the second taxi carrying Lim Cheng Huat sped in attempt to escape. However, they were later
captured.
Samples from the bag tested positive for methamphetamine. The three suspects were indicted for violating Art. III,
sec.15 of the Dangerous Drug Act. Appellant Lo Ho Wing and Lim Cheng Huat were sentenced to suffer life
imprisonment and to pay a fine of P25,000 each. Reynaldo Tia was discharged as a state witness. The trial court
gave full credence to the testimonies of government agents since the presumption of regularity in the performance
of official duties were in their favor.
ISSUES:
1. Was the warrantless search valid?
2. Are the effects taken admissible as evidence?
HELD:
1. This is a case of search on a moving vehicle which is one of the well-known exceptions to the valid
warrantless search and seizure. To stilol get a search warrant from a judge would allow the accused go
scot-free.
2. Since the search and seizure are valid, the evidence obtained is admissible as evidence in any proceeding.
3. Seizure of goods concealed to avoid duties/taxes (Valid)
The consent given by the owner of the house to the soldiers to look for rebel soldiers does not justify them to
search for unlicensed firearm inside the house by opening cabinets therein.
If the owner of the house allowed the policemen to enter his house because they are searching for rebel soldiers
but when inside the house, they instead seized an unlicensed firearm, there is no consent to a warrantless search.
DE GARCIA VS LOCSIN, 65 PHIL 689
suspiciously and attempted to flee w/ the buri bag, there was a probable cause that he was concealing something
illegal in the bag and it was the right and duty of the police officers to inspect the same.
It is too much indeed to require the police officers to search the bag in the possession of the petitioner only after
they shall have obtained a SW for the purpose. Such an exercise may prove to be useless, futile and much too
late.
Waiver cannot be implied from the fact that the person consented or did not object to the search, for it many
happen that he did so only out of respect for the authorities. The waiver must be expressly made.
MANALILI VS CA, October 9, 1997
The policemen saw several suspicion-looking men at dawn and when they approached said persons, they ran but
were caught. The unlicensed firearm confiscated after the policemen search them is admissible.
Narcotics officers were doing surveillance and chanced upon the accused in a cemetery who seemed to be high on
drugs. He tried to resist the police officers and upon inquiry, found that the accused was possessing what
seemed to be crushed marijuana leaves.
HELD: A stop-and-frisk was defined as the vernacular designation of the right of a police officer to stop a citizen on
the street, interrogate him, and pat him for weapons. It has been held as one of the exceptions to the general rule
against searches without warrant.
MALACAT VS CA, 283 SCRA 159
ISSUE: Whether the search made on Malacat is valid, pursuant to the exception of stop and frisk.
HELD: The general rule regarding arrests, searches and seizures is that a warrant is needed in order to validly
effect the same. The Constitutional prohibition against unreasonable arrests, searches and seizures refers to those
effected without a validly issued warrant, subject to certain exceptions. As regards valid warrantless arrests, these
are found in Section 5, Rule 113 of the Rules of Court. A warrantless arrest under the circumstances contemplated
under Section 5(a) has been denominated as one in flagrante delicto, while that under Section 5(b) has been
described as a hot pursuit arrest. Turning to valid warrantless searches, they are limited to the following:
(1) customs searches;
(2) search of moving vehicles;
(3) seizure of evidence in plain view;
(4) consent searches;
(5) a search incidental to a lawful arrest; and
(6) a stop and frisk.
The concepts of a stop-and-frisk and of a search incidental to a lawful arrest must not be confused. These two
types of warrantless searches differ in terms of the requisite quantum of proof before they may be validly effected
and in their allowable scope. In a search incidental to a lawful arrest, as the precedent arrest determines the validity
of the incidental search. Here, there could have been no valid in flagrante delicto or hot pursuit arrest preceding the
search in light of the lack of personal knowledge on the part of Yu, the arresting officer, or an overt physical act, on
the part of Malacat, indicating that a crime had just been committed, was being committed or was going to be
committed. Plainly, the search conducted on Malacat could not have been one incidental to a lawful arrest. On the
other hand, while probable cause is not required to conduct a stop and frisk, it neverthe less holds that mere
suspicion or a hunch will not validate a stop and frisk. A genuine reason must exist, in light of the police officers
experience and surrounding conditions, to warrant the belief that the person detained has weapons concealed
about him. Finally, a stop-and-frisk serves a two-fold interest: (1) the general interest of effective crime prevention
and detection, which underlies the recognition that a police officer may, under appropriate circumstances and in an
appropriate manner, approach a person for purposes of investigating possible criminal behavior even without
probable cause; and (2) the more pressing interest of safety and self-preservation which permit the police officer to
take steps to assure himself that the person with whom he deals is not armed with a deadly weapon that could
unexpectedly and fatally be used against the police officer.
Here, there are at least three (3) reasons why the stop-and-frisk was invalid: First, there is grave doubts as to Yus
claim that Malacat was a member of the group which attempted to bomb Plaza Miranda 2 days earlier. This claim is
neither supported by any police report or record nor corroborated by any other police officer who allegedly chased
that group. Second, there was nothing in Malacats behavior or conduct which could have reasonably elicited even
mere suspicion other than that his eyes were moving very fast an observation which leaves us incredulous
since Yu and his teammates were nowhere near Malacat and it was already 6:30 p.m., thus presumably dusk.
Malacat and his companions were merely standing at the corner and were not creating any commotion or trouble.
Third, there was at all no ground, probable or otherwise, to believe that Malacat was armed with a deadly weapon.
None was visible to Yu, for as he admitted, the alleged grenade was discovered inside the front waistline of
Malacat, and from all indications as to the distance between Yu and Malacat, any telltale bulge, assuming that
Malacat was indeed hiding a grenade, could not have been visible to Yu. What is unequivocal then are blatant
violations of Malacats rights solemnly guaranteed in Sections 2 and 12(1) of Article III of the Constitution.
IN THE MATTER OF THE PETITION FOR HABEAS CORPUS OF ROBERTO VILLANUEVA, GR 81567
IF THE JUDGE FINDS THAT THERE'S PROBABLE CAUSE, MUST HE ISSUE A WARRANT OF ARREST AS A
MATTER OF COURSE?
PLACE TO SEARCH INDICATED IN THE WARRANT IS DIFFERENT FROM WHAT THE POLICE HAD IN MIND
WHEN APPLIED FOR WARRANT
PEOPLE VS COURT OF APPEALS, 291 SCRA 400
In applying for a search warrant, the police officers had in their mind the first four (4) separate apartment units at
the rear of ABIGAIL VARIETY STORE in Quezon City to be the subject of their search. The same was not,
however, what the Judge who issued the warrant had in mind, AND WAS NOT WHAT WAS ULTIMATELY
DESCRIBED IN THE SEARCH WARRANT. As such, any evidence obtained from the place searched which is
different from that indicated in the search warrant is inadmissible in evidence for any purpose and in any
proceeding.
This is so because it is neither licit nor fair to allow police officers to search a place different from that stated in the
warrant on the claim that the place actually searchedalthough not that specified in the search warrantis exactly
what they had in view when they applied for the warrant and had demarcated in their supporting evidence. WHAT
IS MATERIAL IN DETERMINING THE VALIDITY OF A SEARCH IS THE PLACE STATED IN THE WARRANT
ITSELF, NOT WHAT THE APPLICANTS HAD IN THEIR THOUGHTS, OR HAD REPRESENTED IN THE
PROOFS THEY SUBMITTED TO THE COURT ISSUING THE WARRANT. As such, it was not just a case of
obvious typographical error, but a clear case of a search of a place different from that clearly and without
ambiguity identified in the search warrant.
NOTE: Very Important: Where a search warrant is issued by one court and the criminal action base don the results
of the search is afterwards commenced in another court, IT IS NOT THE RULE THAT A MOTION TO QUASH THE
WARRANT (or to retrieve the things seized) MAY BE FILED ONLY IN THE ISSUING COURTSUCH A MOTION
MAY BE FILED FOR THE FIRST TIME IN EITHER THE ISSUING COURT OR THAT IN WHICH THE CRIMINAL
PROCEEDING IS PENDING.
SEARCHING QUESTIONS
PRUDENTE VS DAYRIT, GR 82870
Search warrant was issued because of a very reliable tip obtained by the police against Dr. Nemesio Prudente,
President of Polytechnic University of the Philippines and implemented on November 1, 1987, a Sunday and All
Saints Day despite Circular No. 19 of the SC.
This is a petition to annul and set aside the Order of respondent Judge DENYING the motion of the petitioner to
quash Search Warrant No. 87-14 as well as its Order denying the petitioners Motion for Reconsideration.
1. On October 31, 1987, P/Major Alladin Dimagmaliw, Chief of the Intelligence Special Action Division (ISAD) of
the Western Police District (WPD) filed with the Regional Trial Court of Manila, Branch 33, presided by the
respondent Judge, an application for the issuance of a Search Warrant for violation of PD 1866 against the
petitioner;
2. In his application for search warrant, P/Major Dimagmaliw alleged that:
1. That he has been informed and has good and sufficient reasons to believe that NEMESIO
PRUDENTE who may be found at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines x x x has in his
control or possession firearms, explosives, hand grenades and ammunition intended to be used as
the means of committing an offense x x x;
2. That the undersigned has verified the report and found it to be a fact x x x .
In support of said application, P/Lt. Florencio Angeles executed a Deposition of Witness dated October 31,
1987
3. On November 1, 1987, a Sunday and All Saints Day, the search warrant was enforced by some 200 WPD
operatives led by Col. Edgar Dula Torre and Major Maganto;
4. On November 2, 1987, Ricardo Abando, a member of the searching team executed an affidavit alleging that
he found in the drawer of a cabinet inside the wash room of Dr. Prudentes office a bulging brown envelope
with three live fragmentation hand grenades separately with old newspapers;
5. On November 6, 1987, the petitioner moved to quash the search warrant on the grounds that:
a. the complainants lone witness, Lt. Angeles had no personal knowledge of the facts which formed the
basis for the issuance of the search warrant;
b. the examination of said witness was not in the form of searching questions and answers;
c. the search warrant was a general warrant, for the reason that it did not particularly describe the place
to be searched and that it failed to charge one specific offense; and
d. the warrant was issued in violation of Circular No. 19 of the Supreme Court in that the complainant
failed to allege that the issuance of the search warrant on a Saturday was urgent.
6. On March 9, 1986, the respondent judge denied the motion to quash and on April 20, 1988, the same judge
denied petitioners motion for reconsideration. Hence this petition.
ISSUE: Was the Search Warrant issued by the respondent judge valid? Was there probable cause?
HELD:
a. For a valid search warrant to issue, there must be probable cause, which is to be determined by the judge,
after examination under oath or affirmation of the complainant and the witnesses he may produce, and
particularly describing the place to be searched and the persons or things to be seized. The probable cause
must be in connection with one specific offense and the judge must, before issuing the warrant, personally
examine in the form of searching questions and answers, in writing and under oath, the complainant and the
witnesses he may produce, on facts personally known to them and attach to the record their sworn
statements together with any affidavits submitted.
The probable cause for a valid search warrant, has been defined as such facts and circumstances which
would lead a reasonably discreet and prudent man to believe that an offense has been committed, and that
the objects sought in connection with the offense are in the place sought to be searched. (Quintero vs. NBI,
June 23, 1988). This probable cause must be shown to be within the personal knowledge of the complainant
or the witnesses he may produce and not based on mere hearsay. (P. VS. SY JUCO, 64 PHIL. 667;
ALVAREZ VS. CFI, 64 PHIL. 33; US VS. ADDISON, 28 PHIL. 566).
In his affidavit, Major Dimagmaliw declared that he has been informed that Nemesio Prudente has in his
control and possession the firearms and explosivees described therein, and that he has verified the report
and found it to be a fact. On the other hand, Lt. Angeles declared that as a result of continuous surveillance
for several days, they gathered informations from verified sources that the holders of said firearms and
explosives are not licensed t possess them. It is clear from the foregoing that the applicant and his witness
HAD NO PERSONAL KNOWLEDGE OF THE FACTS AND CIRCUMSTANCES which became the basis for
issuing the questioned search warrant, but acquired knowledge thereof only through information from other
sources or persons.
Despite the fact that Major Dimagmaliw stated in his affidavit that he verified the information he had earlier
received and found it to be a fact, YET THERE IS NOTHING IN THE RECORD TO SHOW OR INDICATE
HOW AND WHEN SAID APPLICANT VERIFIED THE EARLIER INFORMATION ACQUIRED BY HIM AS TO
JUSTIFY HIS CONCLUSION. He might have clarified this point if there had been searching questions and
answers, but there were none. In fact, the records yield no questions and answers, whether searching or not,
vis-a-vis the said applicant.
In ALVAREZ VS. CFI, 64 PHIL. 33, it was held that the following test must be complied with in an application
for search warrant or in a supporting deposition based on personal knowledge or notThe true test of sufficiency of a deposition or affidavit to warrant issuance of a search warrant is whether it
was drawn in a manner that perjury could be charged thereon and the affiant be held liable for damage
caused. The oath required must refer to the truth of the facts within the personal knowledge of the applicant
of a search warrant and/or his witnesses, not of the facts merely reported by a person whom one considers to
be reliable.
Tested by the above standards, the allegation of the witness, Lt. Angeles, do not come up to the level of facts
based on his personal knowledge so much so that he cannot be held liable for perjury for such allegations in
causing the issuance of the questioned search warrant.
Besides, respondent judge did not take the deposition of the applicant as required by the Rules of Court. As
held in Roan vs. Gonzales, 145 SCRA 694, mere affidavits of the complainant and his witnesses are thus
insufficient. The examining judge has to take the depositions in writing of the complainant and the witnesses
he may produce and attach them to the record.
b. There was also no searching questions asked by the respondent judge because as shown by the record, his
questions were too brief and short and did not examine the complainant and his witnesses in the form of
searching questions and answers. On the contrary, the questions asked were leading as they called for a
simple yes or no answer. As held in Quintero vs. NBI, June 23, 1988, the questions propounded are not
sufficiently searching to establish probable cause. Asking of leading questions to the deponent in an
application for search warrant and conducting of examination in a general manner would not satisfy the
requirements for the issuance of a valid search warrant.
The Court avails of this decision to reiterate the strict requirements for determination of probable cause in the
valid issuance of a search warrant as enunciated in earlier cases. True, this requirements are stringent but
the purpose is to assure that the constitutional right of the individual against unreasonable search and seizure
shall remain both meaningful and effective.
c.
The rule is, that a description of a place to be searched is sufficient if the officer with the warrant can with
reasonable effort ascertain and identify the place intended (P VS. VELOSO, 48 PHIL. 180). In the case at
bar, the warrant described the place to be searched as the premises of the PUP, more particularly the offices
of the Department of Science and Tactics as well as the Office of the President, Nemesio Prudente.
There is also no violation of the one specific offense requirement considering that the application for a
search warrant explicitly described the offense: illegal possession of firearms and ammunitions under PD
1866.
d. CIRCULAR NO. 19 OF THE SUPREME COURT merely provides for a guideline, departure from which
would not necessarily affect the validity of the search warrant provided the constitutional requirements are
complied with.
refer to the truth of the facts within the personal knowledge of the petitioner or his witnesses, because the purpose
thereof is to convince the committing magistrate, not the individual making the affidavit and seeking the issuance of
the warrant, of the existence of probable cause. The true test of sufficiency of an affidavit to warrant issuance of a
search warrant is whether it has been drawn in such a manner that perjury could be charged thereon and affiant be
held liable for damages caused. The affidavit, which served as the exclusive basis of the search warrant, is
insufficient and fatally defective by reason of the manner in which the oath was made, and therefore, the search
warrant and the subsequent seizure of the books, documents and other papers are illegal. Further, it is the practice
in this jurisdiction to attach the affidavit of at least the applicant or complainant to the application. It is admitted that
the judge who issued the search warrant in this case, relied exclusively upon the affidavit made by agent Almeda
and that he did not require nor take the deposition of any other witness. Neither the Constitution nor General
Orders 58 provides that it is of imperative necessity to take the depositions of the witnesses to be presented by the
applicant or complainant in addition to the affidavit of the latter. The purpose of both in requiring the presentation of
depositions is nothing more than to satisfy the committing magistrate of the existence of probable cause. Therefore,
if the affidavit of the applicant or complainant is sufficient, the judge may dispense with that of other witnesses.
Inasmuch as the affidavit of the agent was insufficient because his knowledge of the facts was not personal but
merely hearsay, it is the duty of the judge to require the affidavit of one or more witnesses for the purpose of
determining the existence of probable cause to warrant the issuance of the search warrant. When the affidavit of
the applicant or complainant contains sufficient facts within his personal and direct knowledge, it is sufficient if the
judge is satisfied that there exists probable cause; when the applicants knowledge of the facts is mere hearsay, the
affidavit of one or more witnesses having a personal knowledge of the facts is necessary. Thus the warrant issued
is likewise illegal because it was based only on the affidavit of the agent who had no personal knowledge of the
facts.
If the statements of the complainant and the witnesses of an applicant for a search warrant are mere generalities,
mere conclusions of law and not positive statements of particular facts, the search warrant is not valid.
PRESIDENTIAL ANTI_DOLLAR SALTING TASK FORCE VS COURT OF APPEALS, March 16, 1989
PEOPLE VS MASPIL JR., August 20, 1990 (Compare with P. vs. Aminnudin, July 6, 1988, supra)
From that moment, P/Lt.Seraspi proceeded to the area. While the police officers were at the Youth Hostel in
Maagama St. Fulgencio told Lt. Seraspi to intercept. Macabante was intercepted at Mabini and Maagama crossing
in front of Aklan Medical center. Macabante saw the police and threw a tea bag of marijuana on the ground.
Macabante admitted buying the marijuana from Sucro in front of the chapel.
The police team intercepted and arrested SUCRO at the corner of C. Quimpo and Veterans. Recovered were 19
sticks and 4 teabags of marijuana from a cart inside the chapel and another teabag from Macabante.
ISSUES:
(1) Whether or Not arrest without warrant is lawful.
(2) Whether or Not evidence from such arrest is admissible.
HELD: Search and seizures supported by a valid warrant of arrest is not an absolute rule. Rule 126, Sec 12 of
Rules of Criminal Procedure provides that a person lawfully arrested may be searched for dangerous weapons or
anything, which may be used as proff of the commission of an offense, without a search warrant.(People v.
Castiller) The failure of the police officers to secure a warrant stems from the fact that their knowledge required
from the surveillance was insufficient to fulfill requirements for its issuance. However, warantless search and
seizures are legal as long as PROBABLE CAUSE existed. The police officers have personal knowledge of the
actual commission of the crime from the surveillance of the activities of the accused. As police officers were the
ones conducting the surveillance, it is presumed that they are regularly in performance of their duties.
EFFECT POSTING BAIL OR ENTERING A PLEA DURING THE ARRAIGNMENT, IF THE ARREST WAS
ILLEGAL. (THE ALLEGED ILLEGALITY OF THE ARREST IS DEEMED WAIVED UPON POSTING OF THE BOND
BY THE ACCUSED)
SY VS PEOPLE, GR 182178