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[N . L-101. Decembe 20, 1945]

HAYDEE HERRAS TEEHANKEE, e i i ne , .

LEOPOLDO ROVIRA, ANTONIO QUIRINO, and
POMPEYO DIAZ, e nden .

1. CONSTITUTIONAL LAW; BAIL; ARTICLE III,

SECTION 1(16), OF COMMONWEALTH
CONSTITUTION REFERS TO ALL PERSONS. Ar icle
III, sec ion 1(16), of he Common eal h Cons i ion
refers o all persons, no onl o persons agains hom a
complain or informa ion has alread been formall filed,
I la s do n he r le ha all persons shall before
con ic ion be bailable e cep hose charged i h capi al
offenses hen e idence of g il is s rong. In order ha a
person can in oke his cons i ional precep , i is no
necessar ha he sho ld ai n il a formal complain or
informa ion is filed agains him. From he momen he is
placed nder arres , de en ion or res rain b he

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. 75, D C B 20, 1945 635

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officers of he la , he can claim his g aran ee of he Bill

of Righ s, and his righ he re ains nless and n il he is
charged i h a capi al offense and e idence of his g il is
s rong. Indeed, if, as admi ed on all sides, he precep
pro ec s hose alread charged nder a formal complain
of informa ion, here seems o be no legal or j s reason
for den ing i s benefi s o one as agains hom he proper
a hori ies ma e en e concl de ha here e is s no
s fficien e idence of g il . To place he former in a more
fa ored posi ion han he la er o ld be, o sa he leas ,
anomalo s and abs rd. If here is a pres mp ion of
innocence in fa or of one alread formall charged i h a
criminal offense (Cons i ion, ar icle III, . sec ion 1 [17]),
a fortiori, his pres mp ion sho ld be ind lged in fa or of
one no e so charged, al ho gh alread arres ed or
de ained.

2. ID.; ID.; HEARING IN PEOPLE'S COURT ON

APPLICATION BY POLITICAL PRISONER OR
DETAINEE FOR BAIL. Upon applica ion b a poli ical
prisoner or de ainee o he People's Co r for pro isional
release nder bail, a hearing, s mmar or o her ise,
sho ld be held i h d e no ice o he Office of Special
Prosec ors, as ell as o he prisoner or de ainee. I ill

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be remembered ha sec ion 22 of he People's Co r Ac

s bjec s he prosec ion, rial, and disposal of cases before
he People's Co r o "e is ing la s and r les of co r ,"
nless o her ise e pressl pro ided in said ac .
Conseq en l , he hearing and disposal of applica ions for
bail for pro isional release before he People's Co r
sho ld be go erned b e is ing la s and r les of co r , he
hearing and disposal of s ch applica ions being a mere
par of he "prosec ion, rial, and disposal" of he
corresponding cases before said co r . If a en ion sho ld
be direc ed o he cla se " nless o her ise e pressl
pro ided herein" in said sec ion 22, in connec ion i h he
firs pro iso of sec ion 19 of he same ac , i sho ld be
borne in mind ha he pro isions of said Ac sho ld be
cons r ed in harmon i h hose of he Cons i ion,
nder he ell se led r le of s a or cons r c ion ha
legisla i e enac men s sho ld be cons r ed, here er
possible, in a manner ha o ld a oid heir conflic ing
i h he f ndamen al la .

3. ID.; ID.; ID.; PURPOSE OF HEARING. While i is r e

ha he Solici or General recommended Fif Tho sand
Pesos (P50,000) as a reasonable bail "on he s reng h of
he e idence a hand," i ma happen ha hereaf er his
office ma ha e sec red addi ional e idence hich, in
addi ion o or in connec ion i h ha

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he alread possessed, in his opinion is s fficien l s rong

o pro e pe i ioner's g il for a capi al offense, in hich
case, he ma e decide o oppose he applica ion for bail
here ofore filed b he pe i ioner a he hearing hereof. Of
co rse, i ma also happen ha , ei her beca se no s ch
f r her e idence has come in o his possession or beca se,
in his j dgmen , he p blic in eres o ld be be er ser ed
b his i hholding he e idence ha he has n il he rial
in he meri s, he o ld prefer no o oppose he
applica ion for bail. A he hearing of he applica ion he
Solici or General ill be free o adop one co rse or he
o her. If he opposes, he b rden of proof ill be on him o
sho ha pe i ioner is no en i led o bail. Pe i ioner ill
ha e he righ o offer e idence o pro e her righ here o.
In fine, he hearing is for he p rpose of enabling he
People's Co r o e ercise i s so nd discre ion as o
he her or no nder he Cons i ion and Ia s in force
pe i ioner is en i led o pro isional release nder bail.

ORIGINAL ACTION in he S eme C . Ce i a i and

Mandam .
The fac a e a ed in he ini n f he c ,
Vicen e J. F anci co f e i i ne .
Re ponden J dge in hei n behalf.
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HILADO, J.:

Pe i i ne Ha dee He a Teehankee i a li ical de ainee

deli e ed b he C n e In elligence C , Uni ed S a e
A m , he C mm n eal h G e nmen , an he
P clama i n f Gene al f he A m D gla MacA h ,
da ed Decembe 29, 1944. She a ne f he e i i ne in
ca e N , L-44, "Ra i a . B adf d," f hi c ( . 50,
an e). She i n c nfined in he C ec i nal In i i n
f W men nde he c d f he C mm n eal h
G e nmen ince Oc be , 1945, hen he a h
deli e ed he aid g e nmen .
Unde da e f Oc be 2, 1945, e i i ne , h gh he
h band, Albe Teehankee, filed i h he Pe le' C
a e i i n he ein, in king he i i n 01 E ec i e
O de N . 65, m lga ed b Hi E cellenc , he P e i-
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. 75, C B 20, 1945 637

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den f he Phili ine , da ed Se embe 3, 1945, he

a ed ha he immedia e elea e be' de ed n he
g nd ha n e idence e i n hich he c ld be
cha ged i h an ac ni hable b la , , al e na i el ,
ha he Pe le' C fi he bail f he i i nal
libe , in c nf mi i h he af e aid e ec i e de ,
and na al f ch bail, ha an de be f h i h
i ed di ec ing he ffice ha ing fficial c d f he
e n immedia el elea e he .
On Oc be 4, 1945, he H n. An ni Q i in , ne f he
A cia e J dge f he Pe le' C , n c n ide ing
he aid e i i n, e i ed he S lici Gene al " file hi
c mmen and ec mmenda i n a na ible."
On Oc be 5, 1945, he S lici Gene al filed
ec mmenda i n in c m liance i h aid de , a ing:
" ha n he eng h f he e idence a hand, he
ea nable bail ec mmended f he i i nal elea e f
he e i i ne be fi ed a Fif Th and Pe (P50,000)."
On Oc be 9, 1945, he H n. Le ld R i a, P e iding
J dge f he Pe le' C , en e ed an de efe ing he
e i i n "f i i nal elea e ab e men i ned "f
c n ide a i n b he Fif h Di i i n f aid C , b
adding he f ll ing a emen : "in m ini n, i h ld be
denied n i h anding he ec mmenda i n f he
S lici Gene al f he i i nal elea e nde a b nd
f Fif Th and Pe (P50,000)."
On he ame da e, Oc be 9, 1945, he H n. P m e
Dia , A cia e J dge f aid C , en e ed an de
di ing f aid e i i n and den ing he ame "in ie f
he g a i f he ffen e a can be ded ced f m he fac
ha he ffice 01 he S ecial P ec ec mmend a
high a Fif Th and Pe (P50,000) f he i i nal
elea e."
A m i n ha ing been filed b e i i ne i h he
Pe le' C a ing aid c ec n ide i de f

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Oc be 9, 1945, den ing he eii n f i i nal

elea e,

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he C , h gh A cia e J dge P m e Dia , denied

aid m i n.
In he e en e i i n f he i f ce i a i and
mandam iginall filed i h hi C n Oc be 19,
1945, e i i ne a e ha he ab e-men i ned J dge f
he Pe le' C , in den ing he e i i n f i i nal
libe nde bail, a ell a he m i n "f
ec n ide a i n, ac ed in e ce f j i dic i n and i h
g a e ab e f di c e i n. Pa ag a h VII f hi eii n
c n ain he allega i n in f hi cha ge.
Unde da e f Oc be 21, 1945, e nden J dge
P m e Dia filed hi an e a ing ha he de
den ing bail " a i ed nde e e manda e f he
la ", ci ing ec i n 19 f C mm n eal h Ac N . 682.
A icle III, ec i n 1 (16) f he C mm n eal h
C n i i n ide ha :

"All persons shall before con ic ion be bailable b s fficien

s re ies, e cep hose charged i h capi al offenses hen e idence
of g il is s rong. E cessi e bail shall no be req ired."

R le 110 f he R le f C ide in he f ll ing

ec i n :

"SEC. 3. Offenses less than capital before conviction b the Court

of First Instance. Af er j dgmen b a j s ice of he peace and
before con ic ion b he Co r of Firs Ins ance, he defendan
shall be admi ed o bail as of righ .
"SEC. 4. Noncapital offenses after conviction b the Court of
First Instance. After con ic ion b he Co r of Firs Ins ance,
defendan ma , pon applica ion, be bailed a he discre ion of he
co r .
"SEC. 5. Capital offenses defined. A capi al offense, as he
erm is sed in his r le, is an offense hich, nder he la
e is ing a he ime of i s commission, and a he ime of he
applica ion o be admi ed o bail, ma be p nished b dea h.
"SEC. 6. Capital offense not bailable. No person in c s od for
he commission of a capi al offense shall be admi ed o bail if he
e idence of his g il is s rong.
"SEC. 7. Capital offenses-burden of proof. On he hearing of
an applica ion for admission o bail made b an person ho is in
c s od for he commission of a capi al offense, he b rden of
sho ing ha e idence of g il is s rong is on he prosec ion.

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"SEC. 8, Notice of application to fiscal When admission o bail is

a ma er of discre ion, he co r m s req ire ha reasonable
no ice of he hearing of he applica ion for bail be gi en o he
fiscal."

Sec i n 66 f Gene al O de , N . 58 i la e :

"When admission o bail is a ma er of discre ion, he co r m s

req ire ha reasonable no ice of he hearing of he applica ion for
bail be gi en o he promotor fiscal"

Sec i n 19 f C mm n eal h Ac N . 682 c n ain he

f ll ing i :

"SEC. 19. * * *. Provided, ho ever, Tha e is ing pro isions of la

o he con rar no i hs anding, he aforesaid poli ical prisoners
ma , in he discre ion of he People's Co r , af er d e no ice o he
office of Special Prosec ors and hearing, be released on bail, e en
prior o he presen a ion of he corresponding informa ion, nless
he Co r finds ha here is s rong e idence of he commission of
a capi al offense. * * *."

Sec i n 22 f C mm n eal h Ac N . 682 dain :

"SEC. 22. The prosec ion, rial and disposal of cases before he
People's Co r shall be go erned b e is ing la s and r les of
co r , nless o her ise e pressl pro ided herein * * *."

Again he e i i ne he ein n inf ma i n had e been

e en ed hen he filed he e i i n da ed Oc be 2,
1945, c n aining he al e na i e a e f he fi ing f bail
f he i i nal libe . She he e in ke E ec i e
O de N . 65 f he P e iden f he Phili ine , da ed
Se embe 3, 1945. The i ab e ed f m ec i n
19 f he Pe le' C Ac (C mm n eal h Ac N . 682)
al e i ed in he a e b k a he ime.
The able a g men add ced n b h ide ha e ecei ed
he m ca ef l c n ide a i n f he C a befi he
im ance f he e i n in l ed. H e e , in he ie
e ake f he ca e, a maj i f he C a e f ini n
ha he nl e i n calling f deci i n a hi ime a e:
(1) he he A icle III, ec i n 1(16) f he C mm n eal h
C n i i n i a licable he in an

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640 A A
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ca e; (2) he he a hea ing h ld be held f he

a lica i n "f bail i h he a endance f he e i i ne
and he S lici Gene al he la e ' e e en a i e; and
(3) if , ha kind f hea ing i h ld be.
1. A he fi e i n, e h ld ha A icle III,
ec i n 1(16) f he C mm n eal h C n i i n i
a licable he in an ca e. Thi c n i i nal manda e
efe all pe on , n nl e n again h m a
c m lain inf ma i n ha al ead been f mall filed, I
la d n he le ha all e n hall bef e c n ic i n
be bailable e ce h e cha ged i h ca i al ffen e hen
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e idence 01 g il i ng. Acc ding hi i i n, he

gene al le i ha an e n, bef e being c n ic ed f
an c iminal ffen e, hall be bailable, e ce hen he i
cha ged i h a ca i al ffen e and he e idence f hi g il
i ng. Of c e, nl h e e n h ha e been
ei he a e ed, de ained he i e de i ed f hei
libe ill e e ha e cca i n eek he benefi f aid
i i n. B in de ha a e n can in ke hi
c n i i nal ece , i i n nece a ha he h ld
ai n il a f mal c m lain inf ma i n i filed again
him. F m he m men he i laced nde a e , de en i n
e ain b he ffice f he la , he can claim hi
g a an ee f he Bill f Righ , and hi igh he e ain
nle and n il he i cha ged i h a ca i al ffen e and
e idence f hi g il i ng. Indeed if, a admi ed 011 all
ide , he ece ec h e al ead cha ged nde a
f mal c m lain inf ma i n, he e eem be n legal
j ea n f den ing i benefi ne a again
h m he e a h i ie ma e en e c ncl de ha
he e e i n fficien e idence f g il . T lace he
f me in a m e fa ed i i n han he la e ld be,
a he lea , an mal and ab d. If he e i a
e m i n f inn cence in fa f ne al ead f mall
cha ged i h c iminal ffen e (C n i i n, A icle III,
ec i n 1 [17]), a fo io i, hi e m i n h ld
641

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He a Teeha kee .R i a

be ind lged in fa f ne n e cha ged, al h gh

al ead a e ed de ained.
In C le ' C n i i nal Limi a i n , 7 h edi i n,
age 436-438, e ead he f ll ing:

"Perhaps he mos impor an of he pro ec ions o personal liber

consis s in he mode of rial hich is sec red o e er person
acc sed of crime. A he common la , acc sa ions of felon ere
made in he form of an indic men b a grand j r ; and his
process is s ill re ained in man of he S a es, hile o hers ha e
s bs i ed in i s s ead an informa ion filed b he prosec ing
officer of he S a e or co n r . The mode of in es iga ing he fac s,
ho e er, is he same in all; and his is hro gh a rial b j r ,
s rro nded b cer ain safeg ards hich are a ell- nders ood
par of he s s em, and hich he go ernmen canno dispense
i h.
"Firs , e ma men ion ha he h mani of o r la al a s
pres mes an acc sed par innocen n il he is pro ed o be
g il . This is a pres mp ion hich a ends all he proceedings
agains him, from heir ini ia ion n il he res l in a erdic ,
hich ei her finds he par g il or con er s he pres mp ion of
innocence in o an adj dged fac .
"If here ere an mode shor of confinemen hich o ld,
i h reasonable cer ain , ins re he a endance of he acc sed o
ans er he acc sa ion, i o ld no be j s ifiable o inflic pon
him ha indigni , hen he effec is o s bjec him, in a grea er
or less degree, o he p nishmen of a g il person, hile as e
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i is no de ermined ha he has commi ed an crime. If he

p nishmen on con ic ion canno e ceed in se eri he forfei re
of a large s m of mone , hen i is reasonable o s ppose ha
s ch a s m of mone , or an agreemen b responsible par ies o
pa i o he go ernmen in case he acc sed sho ld fail o appear,
o ld be s fficien sec ri for his a endance; and herefore, a
he common la , i as c s omar o ake sec ri of his
charac er in all cases of misdemeanor; one or more friends of he
acc sed nder aking for his appearance for rial, and agreeing
ha a cer ain s m of mone sho ld be le ied of heir goods and
cha els, lands and enemen s, if he made defa l . B in he case
of felonies, he pri ilege of gi ing bail before rial as no a
ma er of righ ; and in his co n r , al ho gh he criminal code is
m ch more mercif l han i formerl as in England, and in some
cases he allo ance of bail is almos a ma er of co rse, here are
o hers in hich i is discre ionar i h he magis ra e o allo i
or no , and here i ill some imes be ref sed if he e idence

642

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of g il is s rong or he pres mp ion grea . Capi al offenses are

no generall regarded as bailable; a leas , af er indic men , or
hen he par is charged b he finding of a coroner's j r : * * *."

All ha J ice C le a in he f eg ing ai n

ega ding he h mani f he la in hi j i dic i n and
i e m i n ha an acc ed a i inn cen n il he
i ed be g il , i di inc l e al in he e
he c n i i nal, a , and eglemen a i i n
n he in ha e been b ed f m Ame ica. The ame
h ld be aid f ha he a ega ding he g an ing f
bail f i i nal libe bef e c n ic i n, and e en af e ,
in e ce i nal ca e , f c e, al a bjec he
limi a i n e abli hed b n C n i i n, la . and
le f c , F m he la a f he aid ai n i
f ll , fi l , ha bef e indic men cha ge b he
c ne ' j , in he j i dic i n hich. he a h
efe , he e ma be ca e in hich e en a ca i al ffen e i
bailable, and, ec ndl , ha e en af e indic men he
finding f a c ne ' j in he e j i dic i n . he e ma
be e ce i nal ca e he e a ca i al ffen e i ill bailable,
Unde C n i i n, a e ha e een. all ffen e a e
bailable bef e c n ic i n e ce ca i al ffen e hen
e idence f g il i ng. In c n nance i h hi
c n i i nal i i n, ec i n 3 f R le 110 f he R le
f C i la e ha n n-ca i al ffen e bef e
c n ic i n b he C f Fi In ance hall be bailable
a f igh ; ec i n 4 f he ame R le ide ha af e
c n ic i n b he C f Fi In ance ch ffen e ma ,
n a lica i n, be bailable a he di c e i n f he c ;
and ec i n 6, f he aid R le ide ha "n e n in
c d f he c mmi i n f a ca i al ffen e hall be
admi ed bail if he e idence f hi g il i ng."

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"B he common la , all offenses incl ding reason. m rder, and

o her felonies, ere bailable before indictment found, al ho gh he
gran ing or ref sing of s ch bail in case of capi al offenses as a

643

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ma er i hin he discre ion of he co r ." (6 C. J., 958; italics

s pplied)

2. A he ec nd e i n, e h ld ha n a lica i n
b a li ical i ne de ainee he Pe le' C f
i i nal elea e nde bail, a hea ing, mma
he i e, h ld be held i h d e n ice he Office f
S ecial P ec ,a ell a he i ne de ainee.
I ill be emembe ed ha ec i n 22 f he Pe le' C
Ac bjec he ec i n, ial, and di al f ca e
bef e he Pe le' C "e i ing la and le f
c ," nle he i e e e l ided in aid ac .
C n e en l , he hea ing and di al f a lica i n f
bail f i i nal elea e bef e he Pe le' C h ld
be g e ned b e i ing la and le f c , he hea ing
and di al f ch a lica i n being a me e a f he
" ec i n, ial, and di al" f he c e nding ca e
bef e aid c . If a en i n h ld be di ec ed he
cla e " nle he i e e e l ided he ein" in aid
ec i n 22, in c nnec i n i h he fi i f ec i n 19
f he ame ac , i h ld be b ne in mind ha he
i i n f aid ac h ld be c n ed in ha m n ih
h e f he C n i i n, nde he ell- e led le f
a c n c i n ha legi la i e enac men h ld
be c n ed, he e e ible, in a manne ha ld
a id hei c nflic ing i h he f ndamen al la .
3. A he hi d e i n. While i i e ha he
S lici Gene al n Oc be 3, 1945, ec mmended Fif
Th and Pe (P50,000) a a ea nable bail " n he
eng h f he e idence a hand," i ma ha en ha
he eaf e hi ffice ma ha e ec ed addi i nal e idence
hich, in addi i n in c nnec i n i h ha he al ead
e ed, in hi ini n i fficien l ng e
e i i ne ' g il f a ca i al ffen e, in hich ca e, he
ma e decide e he a lica i n f bail he e f e
filed b he e i i ne a he hea ing he e f he e-
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inaf e de ed. I ill be emembe ed ha e i i ne ,

hile nde he c d f he C n e In elligence C ,
Uni ed S a e A m , a cha ged i h (a) "Ac i e
c llab a i n i h he Ja ane e" and (b) "P e i
a cia i n i h he enem " (Ra i a . B adf d, . 50,
an e). Unde he defini i n f ea n in he Re i ed Penal

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C de, ac i e c llab a i n i h he Ja ane e and

a cia i n i h hem d ing he a in he Phili ine
ma c n i e ea n, a ca i al ffen e.

"ART. 114. An person ho, o ing allegiance o he Uni ed S a es

or he Go ernmen of he Philippine Islands, no being a
foreigner, * * * adheres o heir enemies, gi ing hem aid or
comfor i hin he Philippine Islands or else here, shall be
p nished b reclusi n temporal o dea h and shall pa a fine no
o e ceed 20,000 pesos." (Re ised Penal Code.)

Of c e, i ma al ha en ha , ei he beca e n ch
f he e idence ha c me in hi e i n beca e, in
hi j dgmen , he blic in e e ld be be e e ed b
hi i hh lding he e idence ha he ha n il he ial in
he me i , he ld efe n e he a lica i n
f bail. A he hea ing f he a lica i n he S lici
Gene al ill be f ee ad ne c e he he ,- If he
e , he b den f f ill be n him h . ha
e i i ne i n en i led bail. Pe i i ne ill ha e he
igh ffe e idence e he igh he e . In fine,
he hea ing i f he e f enabling he Pe le'
C e e ci e i nd di c e i n a he he n
nde he C n i i n and la in f ce e i i ne i ;
en i led i i nal elea e nde bail.
Whe ef e, i -i he j dgmen f hi C ha : (a) he
de f he Pe le' C , da ed Oc be 9, 1945, den ing
. e i i ne ' e i i n f i i nal elea e nde bail, and
he de f aid C , da ed Oc be 13, 1945, den ing
e i i ne ' m i n f ec n ide a i n f aid de f
Oc be 9, 1945, hich e decla e ha e been en e ed
i h g a e ab e f di c e i n, be e a ide; and (b) ha f
he e a lica i n f he e inen c n i i nal,

645

. 75, C B 20, 1945 645

He a Teeha kee .R i a

a , and eglemen a i i n all ded in he

b d f hi deci i n, a hea ing f e i i ne ' a lica i n
f bail be held bef e he Pe le' C i h d e n ice
he S lici Gene al, a ell a he e i i ne , a
he einab e lined, aid hea ing, he he mma
he i e, be ch a ld enable he Pe le' C
e e ci e i nd di c e i n in he di al f he af e aid
e i i n. Wi h c .S de ed.

Mo an, C. J., and B ione , J., conc .

Ja anilla, Fe ia, Pablo, and Beng on, JJ., c nc
nl in he e l .

OZAETA, PAR S, and PERFECTO, JJ., c nc ing and

di en ing:
We c nc in he ini n e a ed b M . J ice Hilad
in fa a i h ld ha b ec i na (16) and (17), ec i n
1, A icle III f he C n i i n a e a licable he
in an ca e; and ha he R le f C , a ic la l
ec i n 3 8, f R le 110, g e n he ced e in he
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Pe le' C a a lica i n f bail nde he fi

i f ec i n 19 f C mm n eal h Ac N . 682.
B e a e c n ained di en f m aid ini n and
i di i i e a in fa a he C fail enf ce
and gi e ac ical effec he aid c n i i nal
i i n in he e en ca e, i h he lamen able e l
ha he he ein e i i ne , h ha been c nfined in i n
f ab en m n h ih an f mal cha ge ha ing
been filed again he , b h nde aid c n i i nal
i i n and he R le f C ci ed i clea l en i led
be f h i h elea ed n bail, ill ha e nde g f he
nnece a dela ec e he i i nal libe ,
We hall b iefl e e c nce i n f he f ce and
effec f he manda i i n f he C n i i n n

_______________

a S (16). "A a a a
* * *."
S (17). "I a a a a
a * * *."

646

646 A A
He a Teeha kee .R i a

he admi i n bail f all e n bef e c n ic i n a

a lied he ndi ed "f ac f hi ca e:
The main e i n in l ed he ein i he in e e a i n
f he ec nd i f ec i n 19 f C mm n eal h Ac
N . 682, hich ead a f ll ;

"Provided, ho ever, Tha e is ing pro isions of la o he

con rar 'no i hs anding, he aforesaid poli ical prisoners ma ,
in he discre ion of he People's Co r , af er d e no ice o he
Office of Special Prosec ors and hearing, be released on bail,
e en prior o he presen a ion of he corresponding informa ion,
nless he Co r finds ha here is s rong e idence of he
commission of a capi al offense."

Thi a i i n m be c n ed c ng en l
i h he i i n f he C n i i n and in ha m n ih
he e i ing la n he bjec , a b
ic la l ec i n 3
8, f R le 110 f he R le f C .

_______________

b"I a a a ,
a a a a a
C a a C a a a
a a a .**
*." (11 A . J .C . La , . 96.)
"A a a a L a
a a ,
T a a a
a , a a a a a a a
, a a a

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, a a , a
a a ." (59 C. J.,
1038.)
"N a .U
a a a ,a a ,
a .I a a
a a a a
a . E a a
a a
a a a a -
a . * * * Sa a
a a a , a
a - a a a ." (25 R. C, L., 1052.)

647

. 75, C B 20, 1945 647

He a Teeha kee .R i a

S b ec i n (16), ec i n 1 f A icle III f he C n i i n

ide a f ll :

"(16) All -persons shall before con ic ion be bailable b s fficien

s re ies, e cep hose charged i h capi al offenses hen e idence
of g il is s rong. E cessi e bail shall no be req ired."

R le 110 f he R le f C c n ain he f ll ing

i i n :

"SEC. 3. Offenses less than capital before conviction of the Court of

First Instance. After j dgmen b a j s ice of he peace and
before conviction b he Co r of Firs Ins ance, he defendan
shall he admitted to bail as of right.
"SEC. 4. Noncapital offenses after conviction b the Court of
First Instance. After con ic ion b he Co r of Firs Ins ance,
defendan ma , pon applica ion, be bailed a he discre ion of he
co r .
"SEC. 5. Capital offenses defined. A capi al offense, as he
erm is sed in his r le, is an offense hich, nder he la
e is ing a he ime of i s commission, and a he ime of he
applica ion o be admi ed o bail, ma be p nished b dea h.
"SEC. 60 Capital offense not bailable. No person in c s od
for he commission of a capi al offense shall be admi ed o bail if
the evidence of his guilt is strong.
"SEC. 7. Capital offense burden of proof. On he hearing of
an applica ion for admission o bail made b an person ho is in
c s od for he commission of a capi al offense, he b rden of
sho ing ha e idence of g il is s rong is on he prosec ion.
"SEC. 8. Notice of application to fiscal. When admission o
bail is a ma er of discre ion, he co r m s req ire ha
reasonable no ice of he hearing of he applica ion for bail be
gi en o he fiscal."

In acc dance i h ec i n 2 f aid C mm n eal h Ac N .

682, he li ical i ne bjec he j i dic i n f he
Pe le' C ma be acc ed f an f he c ime again
na i nal ec i , i , (1) ea n, (2) c n i ac and
al c mmi ea n, (3) mi i i n f ea n, (4)
e i nage, (5) inci ing a gi ing m i e f
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e i al , (6) i la i n f ne ali , (7) c e ndence

i h h ile c n , and (8) fligh enem ' c n . (See
Ti le One, B k T , Re i ed Penal C de, en i led "C ime
Again Na i nal Sec i /' nde hich a e f nd a icle
114-121, enali ing he ecific c ime
64

648 A A
He a Teeha kee .R i a

j men i ned.) Of he e eigh c ime nl he fi

ea n i a ca i al ffen e; n ne f he e en he i
ni hable i h dea h.
Unde he c n i i nal i i n and he R le f
C ab e ed, admi i n bail bef e c n ic i n f
all e n n cha ged i h ca i al ffen e i manda
and n di c e i na i h he c ; he " hall be
admi ed bail a f igh ." N a e can in an manne
im ai ha c n i i nal igh . The ef e, he i in
e i n he effec ha he li ical i ne ma , in
he di c e i n f he Pe le' C , af e d e n ice he
Office f S ecial P ec and hea ing, be elea ed n
bail, e en i he e en a i n f he c e nding
inf ma i n, nle he c find ha he e i ng
e idence f he c mmi i n f a ca i al ffen e, can nl be
c n ed efe ch li ical i ne a ma be
ac all ec i el cha ged i h a ca i al ffen e;
beca e if ha a i i n be c n ed incl de
li ical i ne n cha ged cha geable i h a ca i al
ffen e, i ld be nc n i i nal, ince nde he
C n i i n ch li ical i ne bef e c n ic i n a e
en i led c
bail a f igh and n in he di c e i n f he
c .
Le ci e a c nc e e e am le, A li ical i ne i
cha ged cha geable nl i h he im le c ime f
e i nage, hich i ni hable i h p i i n co eccional He
he a lie he Pe le' C f elea e n bail. The
S lici Gene al, n being n ified f he a lica i n,
d e n e i b ec mmend a ecific am n f
he bail. Can i be cce f ll c n ended ha ch a ca e
i g e ned b he i in e i n and ha he a -

_______________

c I a a a a a a
a a a a a ,
a a a a ,
a .I
a a a a a
a C , a a ." (11 A . J .,
C . La , . 97,)

64

. 75, C B 20, 1945 649

He a Teeha kee .R i a
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lica i n f bail ha be e f hea ing, af e hich he

Pe le' C ha he di c e i n den i ? N , beca e
ch a e n nde he C n i i n " hall bef e
c n ic i n be bailable b fficien e ie ." In ch a ca e
he e i n need f an hea ing beca e he e i n
di c e i n be e e ci ed b he c n he ma e . The
hea ing men i ned in he i in e i n can nl ha e
f i e he de e mina i n f he he n " he e
i ng e idence f he c mmi i n f a ca i al ffen e."
The ef e, hen he e i n claim n he a f he
S lici Gene al ha he a lican f bail i cha ged
cha geable i h a ca i al ffen e, he e i n nece i f
an hea ing,
Unde he i i n f la hen i ma be a ked ma
he Pe le' C admi ch an a lican bail? Unde
ec i n 3 f R le 110 f he R le f C , hich ide
ha bef e c n ic i n b he C f Fi In ance ( he
Pe le' C in ch a ca e ake he lace f he C f
Fi In ance), " he defendan hall be admi ed bail a
f igh ." Sec i n 22 f he Pe le' C La ide
ha " he ec i n, ial and di al f ca e bef e he
Pe le' C hall be g e ned b e i ing la and le
f c , nle he i e e e l ided he ein." The
" he i e" d e n a l he h he ical ca e a hand
beca e, a e ha e h n, he i in e i n cann
be a lied n nca i al ffen e ih i la ing he
C n i i n.
Wha hen i he e ced e be f ll ed b he
Pe le' C in di ing f a lica i n f bail? In
acc dance i h he c n i i nal and a i i n
ab e ed, all f hich m be ha m ni ed and
a lied, he ced e h ld be a f ll :
A n a he a lica i n i filed he Pe le' C
hall n if he S lici Gene al he e f. If acc ding he
f in he e i n f he S lici Gene al he
a lican ha been ma be cha ged i h a ca i al
ffen e, he hall immedia el ei he e he a lica i n
ag ee i and ec mmend he am n f he bail b nd,
de end-

650

650 A A
He a Teeha kee .R i a

ing n he he n hi f again he a lican

a e ng. If he e he a lica i n, he Pe le' C
hall immedia el e i f a mma hea ing i h he
e ence f b h a ie f he le e f de e mining
he he n he e i ng e idence f he c mmi i n
f a ca i al ffen e, If he e i , he c m den he
a lica i n; if he e i n , i m g an i , The ein lie he
c ' di c e i n g an den he bail in he
a ecia i n f he e idence. If he S lici Gene al d e
n e he a lica i n, ei he beca e he a lican i
n cha geable i h a ca i al ffen e beca e he i n
e in a ii n de e mine he he 01 n he a lican
i cha geable i h a ca i al ffen e 01 beca e e en if he
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a lican ha been ma be cha ged i h a ca i al ffen e

he e idence he ha a hand i n ng, he e i n
nece i f a hea ing beca e he e i n i e be
li iga ed and de e mined. In ha ca e he nl di c e i n
be e e ci ed b he c lie in he fi ing f he am n f
he bail b nd, aking in c n ide a i n he
ec mmenda i n f he S lici Gene al and he
c n i i nal manda e ha "e ce i e bail hall n be
e i ed."
In he in an ca e he S lici Gene al, n being
n ified f he e i i ne ' a lica i n f bail, did n
e aid a lica i n b ec mmended ha he bail
b nd be fi ed a P50,000. The S lici Gene al i a
e n ible high ffice f he G e nmen ha ing he ame
ank a he Unde Sec e a f J ice. Unde he Pe le'
C La he i he head f he Office f S ecial
P ec , cha ged i h he hea and delica e
e n ibili f ec ing he li ical i ne
men i ned in ec i n 2 and 19 f he Pe le' C La .
We ee n ea n j ifica i n ha e e di
and di ega d hi ec mmen-da i n. We ha e e e ea n
belie e ha he kn hi d in he emi e nde he
C n i i n and he e i ing la , and ha he ha ac ed
in acc dance he e i h. I

651

. 75, C B 20, 1945 651

He a Teeha kee .R i a

i he ef e be e med ha hen he did n e

he e i i ne ' a lica i n f bail b n he c n a
ag eed he e b ec mmending he am n f he bail
b nd, i a ei he beca e he e i i ne a n
cha geable i h a ca i al ffen e beca e he S lici
Gene al a n e in a ii n de e mine he he
n he a cha geable i h a ca i al ffen e beca e
e en if he e e cha geable he e idence he had a hand
a n ng. M e e , in failing e he
a lica i n and in ec mmending ha i be g an ed, he
S lici Gene al a nd b edl , and e l , g ided b
he c n ide a i n ha af e all, e en if he a lican h ld
be i i nall elea ed n bail, he ld ha e a e fec
igh m e f i cancella i n and f he ea e if he
h ld find la e ha he e i ng e idence again he
f he c mmi i n f a ca i al ffen e and he h ld decide
cha ge he he e i h. We find he ef e ha he
S lici Gene al ha ac ed ic l in acc dance i h la ,
e i , and j ice. I i nfai him c m el him
di cl e ha e e e idence he ma ha e in hi e i n
a hi age f he ca e b de ing a hea ing n he
a lica i n f bail in i e f hi n n i i n he e and
hi ec mmenda i n ha i be g an ed; and i i nj
he e i i ne , h ha been c nfined in i n f ab
en m n h ih an f mal cha ge ha ing been filed
again he , f he i hh ld f m he he i i nal
libe n bail hich he i f igh en i led nde he
C n i i n and he e i ing la .
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In ead f fi ml , fea le l , and in an l a l ing he

c n i i nal and a i i n , hich i admi a e
a licable, he fac f he ca e a e en ed , he
C eem a e , ec la ing n ibili ie , and
ld ha e he Pe le' C and dall i h he
de aine ' libe . The C a :

"* * * While i is r e ha he Solici or General on Oc ober 5,

1945, recommended Fif Tho sand Pesos (P50,000) as a
reasonable bail 'on he s reng h of he e idence a hand/ i ma
happen ha hereaf er his office ma ha e sec red addi ional
e idence hich,

652

652 A A D
He a Teeha ee .R a

in addi ion o or in connec ion i h ha he alread possessed, in

his opinion is s fficien l s rong o pro e pe i ioner's g il for a
capi al offense, in hich case, he ma e decide o oppose he
applica ion for bail here ofore filed b he pe i ioner a he
hearing hereof hereinaf er ordered, * * * Of co rse, i ma also
happen ha , ei her beca se no s ch f r her e idence has come
in o his possession or beca se, in his j dgmen , he p blic in eres
o ld be be er ser ed b his i hholding he e idence ha he
has n il he rial on he meri s, he o ld prefer no o oppose he
applica ion for bail. A he hearing of he applica ion he Solici or
General ill be free o adop one co rse or he o her. * * *."

Th he nl ea n h he C d e n g an he
eii n igh i ha i ma ha en ha af e he
S lici Gene al had ec mmended he bail he Pe le'
C he migh ha e ec ed addi i nal e idence hich in
hi ini n i fficien l ng e e i i ne ' g il
f a ca i al ffen e, and he ma e decide e he
a lica i n f bail; ha i a , in ch e en he h ld
be gi en a chance e he a lica i n f bail if he
ca ed e eal hi e idence bef e he ial n he me i .
B h a e in deciding he ca e a e en ed and
ec la e n nf e een and n en ha ening hen,
af e all, he elea e n bail bef e c n ic i n i nece a il
i i nal and n final? A an ime ha he S lici
Gene al can c n ince he c ha he ha ng e idence
f he c mmi i n f a ca i al ffen e b he e i i ne , he
ma ha e he ea e ed and he b nd canceled.
The C a ha a he hea ing f he a lica i n
hich i de he Pe le' C h ld, he S lici
Gene al ill be f ee ad ne c e he he
meaning, e n e he bail. I di ec ha
he S lici Gene al h ld d if he h ld e, b
d e n indica e ha he Pe le' C h ld d if he
S lici Gene al h ld n e. In he di ii e a
he C di ec " ha f he e a lica i n f he
e inen c n i i nal, a and eglemen a
i i n all ded in he b d f hi deci i n, a hea ing
f e i i ne ' a lica i n f bail be held bef e he

653
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. 75, C B 20, 1945 653

He a Teeha kee .R i a

Pe le' C i h d e n ice he S lici Gene al, a

ell a he e i i ne , a he einab e lined, aid
hea ing, he he mma he i e, be ch a
ld enable he Pe le' C e e ci e i nd
di c e i n in he di al f he af e aid e i i n," Thi
eem indica e ha he he n he S lici Gene al
e he a lica i n a hea ing h ld be held f ha
e if he e i n i i n, e d n kn , In he
b d f he deci i n, f m hich e ha e ed ab e, i i
a ed ha he S lici Gene al ma efe n e
he a lica i n f bail ei he beca e n f he e idence
ha c me in hi e i n beca e in hi j dgmen he
blic in e e ld be be e e ed b i hh lding he
e idence he ha n il he ial n he me i , Wh de a
hea ing hen he S lici Gene al de i e i hh ld hi
e idence and efe n e he bail?
We fea ha ch a a en inc n i enc and ambig i
ill be d c i e f nnece a di e and dela in
he final di i i n f he a lica i n f bail, hich ill
babl nece i a e an he ec e hi C . In he
mean ime he de ainee, h e c n i i nal igh - ha
been di ega ded, m c n in e lang i h in jail.
On he h e h ld f e i ence a an inde enden
na i n hi C gh define i a i de ne i call
and e a defini e line f c nd c be f ll ed in deciding
ch e i n f i al im ance a hi , in l ing
e nal libe ie . O deci i n in hi and imila ca e
ill f m a ea he - ane b hich he e le can ee
he he e a e a eling n he a h f f eed m and
dem c ac a e bbling in he di ec i n f he ie
a f life. If e c nd ne, le a e, gl e nla f l
e ain i la i n f e nal libe ie and he
igh g a an eed and ec ed b he C n i i n,
fe i n f adhe ence f eed m and dem c ac ld be
a n ed a hee m cke and ndil ed h c i , and e
ld n nl di a in he g ea na i n

654

654 A A
He a Teeha kee .R i a

ha ini ia ed in he dem c a ic a f life b ld

al l e he e ec f all libe -l ing e le .
We hink ha he deci i n f he d
C in hi ca e i
an he e in he ng di ec i n. Like a man' ea il
be f ll ed b an he , and he igh f he ci i en
en me a ed in he Bill f Righ ill g ad all be hi led
a a n il he e i nl in he .
Thi di en i in ended a a a ning again ch a
calami . We deem i e inen e in hi c nnec i n
he n ble d f J ice Jack n a Uni ed S a e
P ec f a c ime in ge man :

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"We m s ne er forge ha he record on hich e j dge hese

defendan s oda is he record on hich his or ill j dge s
ommorro .
"To pass hese defendan s a poisoned chalice is o p i o o r
o n lips as ell. We m s s mmon s ch de achmen and
in ellec al in egri o o r ask ha his rial ill commend
i self o pos eri as f lfilling h mani 's aspira ion o do j s ice."

O c ncl i n i ha n he ec d f he ca e bef e
he e i i ne i en i led be elea ed n bail a f C ,
and ha , he ef e, he e i n necce i emand he
ca e f f he ceeding .

DE JOYA, J., c nc ing

I f ll c nc in he ini n e ea ed b M . J ice
Hilad . The b e ance f he ced e lined in he
deci i n hich i n hing ne (Pa a . Le aca, 63 Phil.,
210, 214; Ma c . J dge f The C f Fi In ance f
Il c N e, G. R. N . 46490), ill e en an ible
c i ici m f he fai ne and im a iali f he c ,

_______________

d T , , a
a Ra a . B a (S 13, 1945, . 50, ante),
C a a
C .

655

. 75, C B 20, 1945 655

C ce ci . Jala d i

hich a e ab l el e en ial ec e blic c nfidence,

hich ma be nde mined b a mi a ehen i n f he
e i i f he la , d e e ha im e i
ine e ience n he a f a a ic la j dge. The li ical
i ne n nde c d a e en i led he ame igh
nde he C n i i n a h e, ac all acc ed f c ime .
O de e a ide; ca e emanded i h in c ion .

____________

C gh 2020 Ce a B S , I c. A gh e e ed.

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