CRIMINAL PROCEDURE

INTRODUCTION:
Etymology: Krimea [Greek]: meaning, “to charge a wrongdoing”
THE ORIGIN OF THE LAW
1) HAMMURABI – THE 6TH KING OF BABYLON
CODE OF HAMMURABI – PRESERVED ON BASALT ROCK COLUMNS, IT
ESTABLISHES CRIME AND THEIR CORRECTION
1433 – CODE OF KALANTIAO (PHILIPPINES)
2) MOSAIC CODE – MOSES LAW – 2ND LAW ANCIENT LEGAL CODES
3) ROMAN LAW – CONTAIN THE TWELVE TABLES (ALSO KNOWN AS COMMON
LAW)
CREATED BY 10 NOBLE ROMAN MAN
MALA IN SE – ACT WITH INTENT (RPC) WRONG IN NATURE
IT IS AN ACT THAT ARE OUT LAW BECAUSE ITS VIOLATE THE MORAL
VALUES
MALA PROHIBITA / MALA PROHIBITUM – WRONG BY SOCIETY (SPECIAL
LAWS)

EARLY TIME, PUNISHMENT AND LAW

COMPURGATION (PLEDGE SYSTEM) – IT IS AN EARLY METHOD OF LAW
ENFORCEMENT THAT RELIED ON SELF HELP AND MUTUAL AID (12-25 OATH
HELPERS)
MEASURING CRIMES – OFFICIAL DATA – CRIMES KNOWN TO AND RECORDED
(UCR-UNIFORM CRIME REPORT)
CRIME RATE – CRIME VOLUME OVER POPULATION TIMES 100,000
INHIBITANTS
VICTIM SURVEYS – SELF SURVEY
SELF REPORT SURVEY – (SAMPLING) ADMINISTERED TO GROUP OF SUBJECTS
THROUGH A MASS DISTRIBUTION OF QUESTIONNAIRES
EXPRESSIVE CRIMES – Ex. PASSIONATE CRIMES – RAPE
AGE AND CRIME – AGE IS EVERYWHERE CORRELATED WITH CRIMES
(TRAVIS HIRSCHI AND MICHAEL GOTTFREDSON)
AGING OUT – SPONTANEOUS REMISSION
EARLY ONSET – PEOPLE WHO COMMIT CRIMES AT A VERY EARLY AGE
(CHRONIC OFFENDERS)
GENDER CRIME – MASCULINITY HYPOTHESIS – FEMALE APPEAR CLOSER TO
MEN THAN TO OTHER WOMEN
THE FEMALES CRIMINALITY WAS OFTEN MASKED BECAUSE AUTHORITIES
RELUCTANT TO TAKE ACTION AGAINST WOMEN – CHIVALRY HYPOTHESIS
LIBERAL FEMINIST THEORY – FOCUSED ATTENTION ON THE SOCIAL AND
ECONOMIC ROLE OF A WOMAN
CRIMINAL CAREERS – OFFENDERS COMMIT A SINGLE CRIMINAL ACT
Criminal Procedure
The method prescribed by law for the apprehension and prosecution of persons accused of
any criminal offense, and their punishment, in case of conviction.
It is concerned with the procedural steps through which a criminal case passes,
commencing with the initial investigation of a crime and concluding with the unconditional
release of the offender.
It is a generic term used to describe the network of laws and rules which govern the
procedural administration of criminal justice.

Criminal Jurisdiction
The authority to hear and decide a particular offense and impose punishment for it. It has
three requisites, namely:
a) Subject matter – cases of the general class where the proceedings in question belong
as determined by the nature of the offense and by the penalty imposed by law;
b) Territory – the geographical limits of the territory over which the court presides
and where the offense was committed; and
c) Person of the accused – acquired thru: a) arrest [with warrant or warrantless] or b)
voluntary surrender.
I. Prosecution of Offenses
How instituted?
By filing the: 1) Complaint, or 2) Information.
Complaint
A sworn written statement charging a person with an offense Executed and Subscribed by
the O.P.A.O. [Offended Party, Any peace officer, or Other public officer charged with the
enforcement of the law violated]. May be filed in the prosecutors office or directly to the
court Information
1.An accusation in writing
2. Subscribed by the Prosecutor
3.Filed with the court

Both are:
1. In writing
2. In the name of the People of the Philippines
3. Directed against all persons who appear to be responsible for the offense involved.
Elements of a complaint or information:
1. Formal elements, and
2. Substantive elements.

It must be:
1. Sufficient in form, and
2. Sufficient in substance

Thus, under Section 14, of Rule 110, a complaint or information may be amended, in form
and in substance .
A complaint or information is sufficient in form if it states: [N.D.A.N.A.P.]
1. The Name of the accused
2. The Designation of the offense given by the statute
3. The Acts or omissions complained of as constituting the offense
4.The Name of the offended party
5. The Approximate date of the commission of the offense
6. The Place where the offense was committed.
A complaint or information is sufficient in substance if it doesn’t contain any of the defects
which is a ground for a motion to quash. (Section 3, Rule 117)
Note: A motion to quash, once granted, is equivalent to dismissal (but not acquittal).
Remedy if a complaint or information is defective:
I. If defective in form
a) court may dismiss the complaint or information motu propio or upon motion, or
b) accused may move for a BILL OF PARTICULARS
II. If defective in substance – No obligation is imposed on the judge to point out the
duplicitousness or other defect in the indictment on which an accused is being arraigned. It
is for the accused to move for a motion to quash on the ground that the complaint or
information charges more than one offense, under sanction of waiver and loss of ground of
objection (Concurring opinion of CJ Narvasa, People v. Bartulay, 192 SCRA 632)
Note: For certain classes of Actions, it is the tribunal having jurisdiction which
automatically determines whether or not the papers are in order before giving it due
course, meaning, it satisfies itself if the complaint or information is sufficient in form and in
substance.
Examples:
Articles of Impeachment in an impeachment proceedings
Presidential Election Protest
This is not so in criminal proceedings. It is incumbent upon the accused to object on
substantive defects (People v. Bartulay, supra).
Query:
JP was charged for indiscriminate firing. He claimed that he has to fire his gun in self-
defense because there was an actual threat on his person and the firing of warning shots
was reasonably necessary in order to prevent or repel the unlawful aggression directed
against him. Despite this, the fiscal went on to file the information in court. May JP claim
that the information, though sufficient in form, is defective in substance? Why?
No. JP cannot claim that the information is defective in substance. This is so because “self-
defense” is not a ground for a motion to quash but a matter of defense. If proven, self-
defense is a basis for acquittal, not dismissal.
Any explanation or defense which the defendant may want to invoke can be properly
raised during trial (Galvez v. CA, 237 SCRA 685).
Distinction between Acquittal and Dismissal:
1. Acquittal is based on MERITS of the case (substantive) ex: accused A was found
innocent of killing B.
2. Dismissal is based on TECHNICALITY (procedural) ex: the crime has already
prescribed.
Notes:
1. There are certain classes of offenses that cannot be prosecuted de officio – 1private
offenses, i.e. adultery, concubinage, etc. and 2private libels, i.e. defamation imputing
private offenses.
2. For some offenses, there are conditions precedents before plaintiff can repair to the
courts for redress [i.e. those requiring mediation at the “lupong tagapamayapa”]. However,
non-compliance of this rule is not jurisdictional. The failure of the plaintiff to comply with
the conciliation requirement of Sec. 40 under the Local Government Code of 1991 does not
affect the Court’s jurisdiction if no timely objection is made [San Miguel Village School v.
Pundogar, 173 SCRA 704, Bejar v. CA, 169 SCRA 566].
3. All criminal actions, whether commenced by filing of complaint or information, are
under the direct control of the prosecutor.
Queries:
I. A, B, C, D were charged with homicide. Preliminary investigation was conducted by the
fiscal who found sufficient evidence against all, but, according to his determination, D was
the least guilty. So the fiscal filed the information only against A, B, and C leaving out D
whom he would utilize as state witness. Is the fiscal correct?
Under the Rules of Court, the fiscal cannot exclude D without court approval. It would be a
grave abuse of discretion on the part of the court in not including D in the information
because of the prosecutors finding that there is sufficient evidence against all. There was no
more necessity to utilize D as a state witness.
Exeption:
Under the Witness Protection Act, the prosecutor has the discretion of discharging an
accused as a state witness and no court approval is necessary.
II. Is designation of the offense an essential element of the complaint or information? Why?
Give the exception, if any.
No. Because in case of conflict between the designation of the offense and the allegations,
the allegation prevails.
The exception is when the allegation is so ambiguous that it may be interpreted to mean
either one or another offense, then the designation of the offense is controlling (Case of US
v. Dixon, where the designation is for trespassing but the allegations indicates either
trespassing or a possible attempted rape).
II. PROSECUTION OF CIVIL ACTION
Basis:

Art. 100, RPC - Every person criminally liable is also civilly liable

Generally, when a person commits a crime, he offends two entities, namely:

1) The State [whose laws he violated]; and

2) The individual [whose person, right, honor, chastity, or property was actually or directly injured or
damaged by the same acts or omissions].

Exception:

When the infraction falls under the class of offenses called victimless crimes like gambling, betting on
illegal cock fights, drug addiction, prostitution, etc. etc. under the theory that “the offender himself is his
own victim”.

Sec. 1, Rule 111 - When a criminal action is instituted, the civil action for the recovery of civil liability is
deemed instituted with the criminal action unless the offended party:

Waives the civil action;

Reserves the right to institute it separately; or

Institutes the civil action prior to the criminal action

Principle of proferrence of criminal action over civil action:

After the criminal action has been commenced, the separate civil action arising therefrom cannot be
instituted until final judgment has been entered in the criminal action.

If the criminal action is filed after the said civil action has already been instituted, the latter shall be
suspended in whatever stage it may be found before judgments on the merits xxx.

Reason for the rule:

Criminal action is based on an offense committed against the laws of the State while civil action is based
on an injury to individual rights. Public interest is superior over private one.

Exception to the rule of proferrence of criminal action over civil action

When the independent Civil Action is based on Articles 32, 33, 34 and 2176 of the Civil Code.

When there is a prejudicial question in the civil case that must be decided first before the criminal action
can proceed because the decision in the civil action is vital to the judgment of the criminal case.

Elements of Prejudicial Question:

The previously instituted civil action involves an issue similar or intimately related to the issue raised in
the subsequent criminal action, and
The resolution of such issue determines whether or not the criminal action may proceed.

Queries:

1. Nobern married Armie on 2005. On 2006, Nobern married X. On 2007, Armie filed a criminal case for
bigamy against Nobern. On 2008, X filed a civil case for annulment against Nobern on the ground that
their marriage was void ab initio for having been contracted during the subsistence of Nobern’s prior
marriage to Armie without X knowing it.

Is there a prejudicial question? Why?

2. Nobern married Armie on 2005. On 2006, Nobern married X because X threatened to kill him unless
he marries X. On 2007, Nobern filed an annulment against X on the ground of threat and intimidation.
On 2008, Armie filed a criminal case for bigamy against Nobern upon learning of Nobern’s marriage to X.

Is there a prejudicial question? Why?

Note:

Prejudicial question is subject to the principle that he who comes into court must come with clean
hands. The accused cannot be permitted to use the law in order to frustrate the ends of justice. Good
faith or bad faith is important.

III. PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION

Defined

It is an inquiry or proceeding to determine whether there is sufficient ground to engender a well-

founded belief that a crime has been committed and the respondent is probably guilty thereof, and
should be held for trial.

When required?

Before the filing of complaint or information for an offense where the penalty prescribed by law is
imprisonment of at least 4 years, 2 months and 1 day, without regard to fine.

When NOT REQUIRED:

In cases where the penalty imposed by law is NOT at least 4 years, 2 month, & 1 day

In case of a valid warantless arrest [shall proceed in inquest]

Officers authorized to conduct PI

• Provincial or City Prosecutors and their assistants;

• National and Regional State Prosecutors; and

• Other officers as may be authorized by law [COMELEC during Election Period, Ombudsman, etc.]

Note: Effective 2004, judges of the lower court canno longer conduct Preliminary Investigations.

Rules:
1. The complaint must be sufficient in form [See notes in Prosecution of Offenses, supra]

2. Supported by affidavits of the complainant and his witnesses

3. Numbers of copies are proportionate to the number of respondents plus 2 official copies

1. Within 10 days after the filing, fiscal determines if there is prima facie case. If no – dismiss. If yes –
issue subpoenas.

2. Within 10 days after receipt of subpoena with the complaint and supporting affidavits and documents
– respondent submits counter affidavits.

3. In case respondent cannot be subpoenaed or does not submit counter affidavit within 10 days –
investigating officer resolves the complaint on the basis of evidence presented by complainant.

Clarificatory hearing – if there are facts and issues to be clarified from a party or witness - within 10 days
after submission of counter affidavit. No direct examinations. Questions must be addressed to the fiscal.

Resolution – within 10 days after the investigation.

Forwarding of fiscals’ resolution to superiors – within 5 days

Superiors shall act on the resolution – within 10 days

IV. ARREST

Defined:

1. [Based on Rules of Court] The taking of a person in custody in order that he may be bound to answer
for the commission of an offense (Sec. 1, RRC)

2. [Based on Jurisprudence] A restraint on person, depriving one of his own will and liberty, binding him
to become obedient to the will of the law (Larrañaga v. CA, 92 SCAD 605)

How made:

As to the manner of enforcement, by:

1) Actual restraint, or

2) Submission to the custody of the person making arrest

As to the presence or absence of judicial order:

1) By virtue of a warrant, or

2) Warrantless arrest, in cases allowed by the Rules

As to the person arresting:

1) Arrest by peace officer, or

2) Citizens arrest

When warrantless arrests allowed:

1. Inflagrante Delicto arrest – when in his presence, the person to be arrested has:

Committed

Is actually committing an offense

Is attempting to commit

Translation: In flagrante delicto [latin] – Literally, “caught in the act of wrong”.

2. Hot Pursuit arrest – when an offense has Ajust been committed and Bhe has probable cause to
believe based on personal knowledge of facts or circumstances that the person arrested has committed
it.

Tests in determining probable cause based on personal knowledge:

Must be based on the senses, i.e.

1) Sight
2) Hearing
3) Smell

Notes:

A. The arresting officer must have personal knowledge of the commission of the crime through his
senses. He cannot “fish” for evidence first and afterward make the arrest.

B. The term “personal knowledge” excludes hearsay as a basis for probable cause.

C. There must first be a lawful arrest before any search may be conducted. The process cannot be
reversed (Dissent of Chief Justice A. Narvasa, People v. Malmstedt). Exception: in case of valid
warantless searches (Majority opinion, People v. Malmstedt, 198 SCRA 401).

D. For purposes of arrest – Officer may break into any building or enclosure where the person to be
arrested is or is reasonably believed to be, if he is refused admittance thereto, after announcing his
authority and purpose (Sec. 11, RRC).

E. For purposes of search and seizure – he cannot break into any building or enclosure without violating
the right of privacy. Exceptions:

1) When there is consent (Dissent of Justice I. Cruz, People v. Evaristo, 216 SCRA 431).

2) When there is a warrant.

3. Arrest of fugitives from justice – persons who has escaped from a penal establishment, place of
confinement etc. while serving sentence, temporarily confined, or case is still pending – may be arrested
under the theory that “he is engaged in the commission of a continuing offense” (Parulan v. Director of
Prisons, 22 SCRA 639).

Methods of Arrest:

I. With warrant, by officer:

The officer shall inform the person of:

 1) the cause of the arrest

2) fact that warrant exist

Exception: 1) When he flees or forcibly resist before 1 & 2 is completed

2) When the giving of info will imperil the arrest

II. Without warrant, by an officer and by private persons:

Inform the person of

1) authority and cause of arrest [if person arresting is police officer] or

2) intent to arrest and cause [if person arresting is private person]

Unless when the person to be arrested is either:

1) Engaged in the commission of the offense

2) Is pursued immediately after its commission

3) Has escaped, flees or forcibly resist before the officer or the private person making the arrest
has the opportunity to inform him of 1 & 2, or

4) When the giving of info would imperil the arrest

Tests in determining lawfulness of USE OF LETHAL FORCE by the arresting officer:

1) Test of reasonability – conduct of the arresting officer is examined.

Where the precipitate action of the arresting officer resulted in the loss of a human life and there exists
no circumstances whatsoever justifying the shooting of a person who is asleep, even if he is a notorious
criminal – condemnation, and not condonation should be the rule (People v. Oanis, 74 Phil. 257).

2) Test of necessity – conduct of the person arrested is examined.

Where the arrested person attempts to flee, struck a policeman with his fists, draw a mess knife and
attacked another policeman, the arresting officer is not required to afford him a fair opportunity for
equal struggle. A police officer, in the performance of his duty, must stand his ground and cannot, like
private individual, take refuge in flight. His duty requires him to overcome the offender (US v. Mojica, 42
Phil 784).

V. BAIL

Kinds of bail bonds:

1. cash bond

2. property bond

3. surety bond

4. recognizance
Defined:The security given for the release of a person in custody of the law, furnished by him or a
bondsman, to guarantee his appearance before any court as required under the conditions of law.

Generally:The right to bail only accrues when a person is under custody. Court must have jurisdiction
over the person of the accused either thru: 1) arrest, with or without warrant, or 2) voluntary surrender.

Exception: When the person under investigation cannot personally appear because he is hospitalized
but applies for bail through his counsel, he is deemed to be under the constructive custody of the law
(Dinapol v. Baldado, 225 SCRA 110, Paderanga v. CA, 247 SCRA 741).

Where to apply?In the court where the case is pending (if not yet filed, may be filed before any court).

Conditions for bail:See Sec. 2, Rule 114

Bail, a matter of right:

1. Before or after conviction by MTC, MTCC or MCTC

2. Before conviction by RTC of an offense not punishable by death, reclusion temporal, or life
imprisonment

Bail, a matter of discretion:

1. Upon conviction of RTC of an offense not punishable by death, reclusion perpetua, or life
imprisonment.

2. Before conviction for capital offenses [punishable by death], or an offense punishable by reclusion
perpetua or life imprisonment, when evidence of guilt is not strong. (Bail is neither a matter of right nor
a matter of discretion only in cases where the evidence of guilt is strong).

Bail granted in capital offenses despite findings that evidence of guilt is strong (Cited in Cruz,
Constitutional Law, 2003 Ed.):

De la Rama v. Peoples Court, 77 Phil. 461 – accused was granted bail due to tuberculosis that requires
confinement to the hospital.

People v. Sison, GR 398, September 19, 1946 – humanitarian reasons considered by SC.

Notes:

1. The right to bail flows from the presumption of innocence. This is so because accusation is not
synonymous with guilt.

2. In deportation proceedings, bail is not a matter of right but of discretion on the part of the
Commissioner of Immigration and Deportation (Harvey v. Defensor-Santiago, 162 SCRA 398).

3. Bail is not available to military facing court martial proceedings (Commendador v. De Villa, 200 SCRA
80).

4. I extradition proceedings, bail may be granted provided the accused undertake to submit himself to
the jurisdiction of the court and provided further that he is not a flight risk (Govt. of Hong Kong v. Judge
Olalia, 2007)
VI. RIGHTS OF THE ACCUSED

Rights may be waived, unless the waiver is contrary to law, public order, public policy, morals, or good
customs or prejudicial to a third person with a right recognized by law (Art. 6, NCC).

In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall be entitled to the following rights:

Key: [PIPTEC CoSpA]

P – resumed innocent

I – nformed of the nature of the cause and accusation

P – resent in person and by counsel

T – estify in his own behalf

E – xempt from being compelled to be a witness against himself

C – onfront witnesses

C – ompulsory process to secure attendance of witnesses and production of other evidence

S – peedy, impartial and public trial

A – ppeal

1) To be presumed innocent until the contrary is proved beyond reasonable doubt.

Hierarchy of proof [according to degree of persuasiveness]:

Absolute certainty – ultimate truth [not required in any legal proceeding]

Moral certainty – passed the test of human experience [i.e., guilt beyond reasonable doubt, conclusive
presumptions]

Relative certainty – so called because a higher degree of proof exists [i.e., preponderance of evidence,
probable cause, substantial evidence, disputable or prima facie presumptions]

Notes:

The starting point is the presumption of innocence (See: Section 3, Par. (a), Rule 131, RRC)

It is incumbent upon the prosecution to demonstrate culpability. The burden of proof lies in the
prosecution. Unless guilt beyond reasonable doubt is established, the accused need not prove his
innocence.

Burden of proof – the duty of the affirmative to prove what it alleges. (Africa, The Art of Argumentation
and Debate).

Absolute certainty is not demanded by the law to convict but only moral certainty.

2) To be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation against him.

Essential to avoid surprise and to afford him the opportunity to prepare his defense accordingly.
Arraignment serves this purpose by informing him why the prosecuting arm of the state is mobilized
against him.

An accused cannot be convicted of an offense unless it is clearly charged in the compliant or

information. Basic rule – you cannot prove what you did not allege.

3) To be present and defend in person and by counsel at every stage of the proceedings, from
arraignment to promulgation of judgment.

Express or Implied waiver is renunciation to be present on that particular date only.

Escape of the accused is waiver by implication to be present on said date and all subsequent trial dates.
[Fact of escape made his failure unjustified because he has, by escaping, placed himself beyond the pale
and protection of the law (People v. Salas 143 SCRA 163, cited in Cruz, Constitutional Law, 2003 Ed.)].

Right to counsel is right to effective counsel. It is not enough to simply appoint a counsel de officio.
Counsel must have no conflict of interest. Thus, a fiscal cannot be appointed as counsel de officio.

When an accused is represented by a fake lawyer who pretended to be a member of the bar, his right to
counsel is violated, unless the accused voluntarily chose him knowing him to be a non-lawyer.

4) To testify as a witness in his own behalf but subject to cross-examination on matters covered by direct
examination. His silence shall not in any manner prejudice him.

5) To be exempt from being compelled to be a witness against himself.

Right to testify in his own behalf:

Once exercised, the accused is subject to limited cross-examination.

If not exercised, no inference of guilt can be derived from his silence alone.

Right against self incrimination:

Intended to shield the guilty & imprudent as well as the innocent & farsighted.

Based on public policy and humanity, otherwise, the accused will be placed on the strongest temptation
to commit perjury.

Notes:

A. Prohibition covers 1testimonial compulsion and 2the production of the accused of incriminating
documents and articles demanded from him.

B. Does not include compulsion to 1submit fingerprints, 2photograph, 3blood or urine samples, and
4others requiring a mere mechanical act on the part of the accused [Villaflor v. Summers, 41 Phil. 64, US
v. Tan Teng, 23 Phil. 145, Schemerber v. California, US L.Ed. 2d 908, 89 S CT No. 658].

6) To confront and cross-examine the witnesses against him at the trial.

Reasons:

To meet the witness face to face (Bill of Rights, 1987 Constitution)

To enable the court to judge the truthfulness, deportment, and the appearance of the witness while
testifying (US v, Javier, 37 Phil 449).

Effect of absence of right to cross examine:

When there is express or implied waiver – no effect

In the absence of waiver – testimony of the witness cannot be considered as complete and therefore
cannot form part of the evidence against the accused.

Effect when witness dies:

Before he could take witness stand – inadmissible

After giving his direct testimony but before cross examination – Gen. rule: inadmissible. Exception:
where the adverse party was given adequate opportunity but failed to cross examine due to his own
fault

After the defense conducted cross examination – admissible

7) To have compulsory process issued to secure the attendance of witnesses and production of other
evidence in his behalf.

“Compulsory process” refers to the issuance of the court of:

Sub-poena – for the attendance of witnesses

Sub-poena duces tecum – for the production of documents

Notes:

A. If a sub-poena or sub-poena duces tecum is issued and the person named in the sub-poena refuses to
appear or refuses to produce the required documents without justifiable reasons – court has the power
to declare that person in contempt and may order his arrest. [People v. Montejo, 21 SCRA 722].

B. The coercive powers of the court must be employed in order to give meaning to this right.

8) To have speedy, impartial and public trial.

Speed:

Justice delayed is justice as denied

Impartiality:

Every party litigant is entitled to nothing less than the cold neutrality of an impartial court (Macalintal v.
Judge Teh, 280 SCRA 623).

Public trial:

So that the public may see that he is fairly dealt with and not unjustly condemned in case of conviction.

So the public may know of the fact or the basis of his innocence in case of acquittal.
Note: “Public trial” and “Trial by publicity” are two different things. They are not the same. There should
be a public trial, not trial by publicity.

9) To appeal in all cases allowed and in the manner prescribed by law.

The right to appeal is a statutory right but withdrawal of this right, in the absence of a valid waiver,
constitutes a denial of due process guaranteed by the Constitution (Cruz, Constitutional Law, 2003 Ed.).

It is not a natural right or inherent one. The party who seeks to avail of the said right must comply with
the requirements of the Rules. Otherwise, the right to appeal is lost (People v. Sabellano, 198 SCRA 196)

VII. ARRAIGNMENT AND PLEA

Arraignment: The initial step in a criminal prosecution whereby the defendant is brought before the
court to hear the charges and to enter a plea (Black’s Law Dictionary).

Venue for Arraignment and Plea:

Before the court where the complaint or information was filed or is assigned for trial.

Purpose of arraignment [Key: FIG] (14 Am. Jur., p. 939, GV Jacinto, Crim. Proc.)

1) To fix the identity of the accused

2) To inform him of the charge

3) To give the accused an opportunity to plead

Note:

In order for the Court to “acquire” complete jurisdiction over the person of the accused, arraignment is
essential. Unless this procedure is completed, the court cannot commence trial in absentia.

Procedure:

Arraignment must be made in open court by the judge or the clerk

Accused must be furnished with a copy of the complaint or information

Complaint or Information must be read in a language or dialect known to him

Accused must be present

Accused must personally enter his plea

I. If under preventive detention

Raffle of case and transmittal of records – within 3 days

Arraignment – within 10 days from the date of raffle

Pre trial conference – within 10 days after arraignment

II. If not under preventive detention

General rule – within 30 days from the date the court acquires jurisdiction

Exception – a shorter period is provided by special law or SC Circular

Rules in entering a plea:

If accused refuses to plead or makes a conditional plea – a plea of not guilty shall be entered

If accused enters a plea but presents exculpatory evidence – plea of guilty is withdrawn and a plea of not
guilty shall be entered for him. Burden of proof shifts.

If accused enters a plea to a capital offense – court shall conduct a searching inquiry into the
voluntariness and full comprehension of the consequences of his plea and shall require the prosecution
to prove his guilt and the precise degree of culpability.

Pre-trial Conference:

Private offended party shall be required to appear for purposes of:

1) Plea-bargaining

2) Determination of civil liability

3) Other matters requiring his presence

In case of failure of the offended party to appear despite due notice – conformity of prosecutor is
sufficient for purposes of pleading guilty to a lesser offense which is necessarily included in the offense
charged.

Bill of particulars:

The accused may, before arraignment, move for a bill of particulars to enable him properly to plead and
prepare for trial. The motion shall specify the alleged defects of the complaint or information and the
details desired.

Scope of the Bill of Particular:

Bill of Particulars is a remedy for formal defects and not substantive defects.

The remedy against an indictment that fails to allege the time of the commission of the offense with
sufficient definition is a Motion for Bill of Particulars and not a Motion to Quash (Rocaberte v. People,
192 SCRA 152).

[See discussion in: Elements of Complaint and Information, remedy in case complaint or information is
defective, supra]

Modes of discovery:

Accused has a right against the suppression of evidence favorable to an accused which is material as to
1) guilt, or 2) as to punishment (Webb v. De Leon, 247 SCRA 653).

Suppressed evidence must be of such nature as to affect the outcome of the trial (US v. Agurs, US v.
Bagley)
Notes:

1) Arraignment is important for notifying the accused of the cause he is required to meet. The accused
has the right to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation against him (Borja v. Mendoza, 77
SCRA 422).

2) The existence of a plea is an essential requisite to double jeopardy (People v. Balicas)