DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

National Prosecution Service

MANUAL
FOR
PROSECUTORS

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PAGE
FOREWORD
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
PART I. PROSECUTION OF OFFENSES
Sec. 1. Criminal Action 1
Sec. 2. How and Where Commenced 1
Sec. 3. Complaint 1
Sec. 4. Offended Party, Defined
1
Sec. 5. Information 1
Sec. 6. Sufficiency of complaint or information. 2
Sec. 7. Other Essential Matters to be alleged in
Complaint or Information 2
Sec. 8. Additional Contents of a Complaint 2
Sec. 9. Name of Accused 2
Sec. 10. Designation of Offense 2
Sec.11. Cause of Accusation 3
Sec. 12. Place of the Commission of Offense 3
Sec. 13. Time of Commission of Offense 3
Sec. 14. Title of Complaint or Information . .3
Sec. 15. Contents of Caption of an Information 3
Sec. 16. List of Prosecution Witnesses . .3
Sec. 17. Number of Offenses Charged 4
Sec. 18. Amendment of Information or Complaint . 4
Sec. 19. Mistake in Form and Substance 4
Sec. 20. How Period of Prescription Computed
 and Interrupted 4

PART II. INQUEST

Sec. 1. Concept
Sec. 2 Designation of Inquest Officer
Sec. 3. Commencement and Termination of Inquest
Sec. 4. Documents Required in Specific Cases
Sec. 5. Incomplete Documents
Sec 6. Presence of Detained Person
Sec. 7. Charges and Counter-charges
Sec. 8. Initial Duty of Inquest Officer
Sec. 9. Where Arrest Not Properly Effect
ed
Sec. 10.Where Arrest Properly Effected
Sec. 11. Inquest Proper
Sec. 12. Meaning of Probable Cause
Sec. 13. Presence of Probable Cause 12
Sec. 14. Contents of Information . 13
Sec. 15. Absence of Probable Cause 13
Sec. 16. Presetice at Crime Scene 13
Sec. 17. Sandiganbayan Cases 14
Sec. 18. Recovered Articles 14
Sec. 19. Release of Recovered Articles 14

PART III. PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION

Sec. 1. Concept of Preliminary Investigation 17
Sec. 2. Purpose of Preliminary Investigation 17
Sec. 3. Nature of Preliminary Investigation 17
Sec. 4. Effect of Amendment of Information 17
Sec. 5. Where Right of Preliminary Investigation
may be Invoked 17 Sec. 6. Officers Authorized to Conduct Preliminary
Investigation 17
Sec. 7. Commencement of Preliminary Investigation 18
Sec. 8. Complaint 18
Sec. 9. Supporting Affidavits 18
Sec. 10.Number of Copies of Affidavits 19
Sec. 11.Barangay Certification 19
Sec. 12.Lack of Barangay Certification 19

Sec. 13.Initial Action on the Complaint 19

Sec. 14. Dismissal ~f Complaint 20
Sec. 15.Personal Service of Documents by Investigating Prosecutor 20
Sec. 16 Service of Subpoena in Preliminary Investigat
ion . 20
Sec. 17. Where Respondent Cannot be Subpoenaed 21
Sec. 18. Counter-Affidavit
21
Sec. 19. Motion for Dismissal/Bill of Particulars 22
Sec. 20. Consolidation 22
Sec. 21. Extension of Time 22
Sec. 22. Suspension of Proceedings 23
~ec. 23. Concept of Prejudicial Question 23
~ec. 24. Elements of Prejudicial Question 23
Sec. 25. Issuance of Orders of Suspension of Proceedings
23
Sec. 26. Reply-Affidavits and Rejoinders 23
Sec. 27. Clarificatory Questions 24
Sec. 28. Submission of Case for Resolution 24
Sec. 29. Lack of Probable Cause 24
Sec. 30. Finding of Probable Cause 24.
Sec. 31. Reopening of Investigation 24
Sec. 32. Cases Transmitted by the Municipal Trial Judge .
25
Sec 33. Memoranda 25
Sec. 34. Period for Resolving a Case
25
Sec. 35. Form of Resolution and Number of Copies
26
Sec. 36. Contents of the Resolution 26
Sec. 37. Caption of Resolution 26
Sec. 38. Names of Parties 26

Sec. 39. Case Number

26
Sec. 40. Designation of Offense Charged . 26
Sec. 41. Contents of Body of Resolution . 27
Sec. 42. Parts of a Resolution 27
Sec. 43.How Recommended Bail is Written 28
Sec. 44.Recommended Bail 28
Sec. 45.Parties to be Furnished with a Copy of the Resolution
28
Sec. 46.Signature and Initials of Investigating Prosecutor . 28
Sec. 47.Records of the Case
28
Sec. 48.Action of the Provincial or City Prosecutor or Chief State
Prosecutor on Resolution 28
Sec. 49.Reversal by the Provincial or City Prosecutor or Chief State Prosecutor
of Resolution of Investigating Prosecutor 28
Sec. 50.Approval of Pleading by Head of Prosecution 28
Sec. 52. Confidentiality of Resolutions
29 29
Sec. 53. Information/Complaint
29 29
Sec. 54. Documents to be Attached to Informationi
Complaint
30 30
Sec. 55. Promulgation of Resolution
30 30
Sec. 56. Motion for Reconsideration
30 30
Sec. 57. Inhibition
30 30
Sec. 58. Period to Resolve Cases Under Preliminary
Investigation
31 31

PART IV. PETITION FOR REVIEW

Sec. 1. Subject of Petition for Review 34 34
Sec. 2. Period to File Petition
 34
Sec 3. Form and Contents
34 34
Sec. 4. Cases not Subject to Review; Exceptions
35 35
Sec. 5. Answer
35 Sec. 6. Withdrawal of Petition
35
Sec. 7. Motion for Reinvestigation
35 35
Sec. 8. Disposition of Petition
35
Sec. 9. Motion for Reconsideration
36
Sec. 10. Effect of Filing of Petition
36
PART V. BAIL
Sec. 1. Bail Defined 38
Sec. 2. Nature of Right to Bail
38
Sec. 3. Non-Bailable Offense
38
Sec. 4. Criteria in Recommending Amount of Bail 38
Sec. 5. Burden of Proof in Bail Application
38
Sec. 6. Recognizance
39
Sec. 7. Bail, When not Required; Reduced Bail or
Recognizance 39
Sec. 8. Notice of Application for Bail to Prosecutor 39
Sec. 9. Cancellation of Bail Bond
39
Sec. 10. Arrest of Accused Out on Bail
39
Sec. 11.No Bail After Final Judgment, Exception
39
Sec. 12.Rules in Computing the Bail to be Recommended 40
Sec. 13.Petition for Bail in a Continuous Trial
41
PART VI. ARREST
Sec. 1. Definition of Probable Cause as a Ground for an Arrest or Issuance of a
Warrant of Arrest 43
Sec. 2. Remedy if no Warrant of Arrest is Issued by
the Investigating Judge
43
Sec. 3. Request for a Copy of the Return
43

PART VII. ARRAIGNMENT AND PLEA

Sec. 1. Concept of Arraignment
45
Sec. 2. Duties of Trial Prosecutor
45
Sec. 3. Effect of Filing a Petition for Review .
45
Sec. 4. Concept of Plea
45

PART VIII. PRE-TRIAL

Sec. 1. Concept of Pre-trial 46
Sec. 2. Duties of Prosecutor Before and After the
Pre-trial Conference 46
Sec. 3. Subject Matters of Pre-trial
46
Sec. 4. Plea of Guilty to a Lesser Offense
47
Sec. 5. When Accused Pleads Guilty to a Capital Offense ...
48

PART IX. TRIAL

Sec. 1. Definition of Trial
Sec. 2. Concept of Trial
Sec. 3. Expeditious Prosecution of Criminal Cases Filed
with the Courts 50
Sec. 4. Order of Presentation of Witnesses . . . 50
Sec. 5. Preparation of Formal Offer of Exhibits 50
Sec. 6. Defense Evidence 50
Sec. 7. Discharge of Accused to be State Witness 51
Sec. 8. Witness Protection 52
Sec. 9. Other Persons Who May Avail of the Witness
Protection Program 52
Sec. 10. Motions for Postponement of Accused 53
Sec. 11. Discontinuance of Proceedings 53
Sec. 12. Presentation of Evidence 53
Sec. 13. Order of Trial 53
Sec. 14. Presentation of Witnesses 54
Sec. 15. Examination of Witness for the Prosecution 54
Sec. 16. Cross-Examination of Defense Witnesses 54
Sec. 17. Rebuttal Evidence 54
Sec. 18. Request for Subpoena 55
Sec. 19. Custody of Physical and Real Evidence
Pending Trial 55
PART X. MOTION TO QUASH
Sec. 1. Definition and Purpose of Motion to Quash
58
Sec. 2. Form of Motion to Quash
58
Sec. 3. Time to Move to Quash
58
Sec. 4. Grounds of Motion to Quash
58
Sec. 5. Amendment of Complaint or Information
59
Sec. 6. Court Action Sustaining Motion to Quash
59
Sec. 7. Nature of Court Order Granting a Motion
to Quash
59
Sec. 8. Denial of Motion to Quash
59
Sec. 9. Nature of Order Denying Motion to Quash
59
Sec.10. Meaning of "Appeal in Due Time
60
 Sec. 11. Order Sustaining the Motion to Quash not
a Bar to Another Prosecution; Exception
60

PART XI. MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS

Sec. 1. Hold Departure Orders of Accused Persons 62
Sec. 2. Cancellation of Travel Documents 62
Sec. 3. Handling of Complaints Filed Against Public
Officers and Employees 62
Sec. 4. Notification of Prosecutor of the Filing of an Application for P
robation 63
Sec. 5. Comment on Application for Probation 63
Sec. 6. Release of Applicant for Probation 63
Sec. 7. Objection to Grant of Probation 63
Sec. 8. Hearing for Revocation of Probation
64
Sec. 9. Procedure in Cases Involving Children
64
APPENDICES

Appendix 'A1,Control of Case Record

70

Appendix 'B, NPS Form 1, Order (To submit additional evidenciary documents)
71
Appendix "B-i", NPS Form 2, Release Order Of Detained Person
72
Appendix "B-2", NPS Form 3, Request for Preliminary Investigation and Waiver of
Article 125, Revised Penal Code
73
Appendix "B-3", NPS Form 4, Certification (For Information in Inquest Cases)
74
Appendix "B-4", NPS Form 5, Release Order Of Recovered Articles
75
Appendix "B-S", NPS Form 6, Request for Release Of Recovered Articles
76

FOREWORD

There is a need t~ ii~aintain the level of competence of our prosecutors to enab

le them t~ creditably perform their delicate tasks of prosecuting the guilty and
protecting the innocent.

This Manual partly answers this need.

A compilation of pertinent provisions of the Rules on Criminal Procedure, Depart

ment of Justice issuances and decisions of the Supreme Court, this work will be
a useful teaching guide for those who ~~ire to be prosecutors and a handy refere
nce book for the prosecutors in the field.
We expect this Manual to be enriched and improved through use. ()~'3rcls this en
d any suggestions for its improvement will )C highly appreciated.
Doubtless, this Manual will help elevate the quality of prosecutorial ~ and answ
er the clamor ~i; our people for fast and efficient justice.

TEOFISTO 1 GUINGONA, JR
Secretary

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

This manual was put together by a Committee created by Secretary of Justice Teof
isto T. Guingona, Jr. under Department of Justice Order No.153 dated 28 May 1996
. The Body is headed by Assistant Chief State Prosecutor Francisco L. Santos and
the following as members: then Assistant Chief State Prosecutor and now Chief S
tate Prosecutor Jovencito R. Zuno, Assistant Chief State Prosecutors Nib C. M
ariano and Apolinario G. Exevea, Regional State Prosecutor Claro A. Arellano, Qu
ezon City Prosecutor Candido F. Rivera, Pasig City Prosecutor Antonio L. Liorent
e,Laguna Provincial Prosecutor George C. Dee and Rizal 2nd Assistant Provincial
Fiscal Apolinario D. Brusel as, Jr.
The Committee was assisted in its work by former Rizal Provincial Prosecutor Mau
ro M. Castro and Deputy Ombudsman for Luzon Jesus F. Guerrero both of whom contr
ibuted valuable and refined insights into the work of a prosecutor.
In this regard, I wish to acknowledge the rote of Rizal Provincial Prosecutor Gr
egono A. Arizala and his team in putting the Manual in its final form and State
Prosecutor II Teresita R. Domingo for taking pains in reading the manuscript.
RAMON J. LIWAG
Undersecretary
Chairman, Committee created under
Department Order No.153, series of 1996

NOTE

THIS MANUAL IS DESIGNED TO BE REVISED AND UPDATED AS THE NEED ARISES.

WHEN CHANGES OCCUR IN THE RELEVANT LAW, ISSUANCE OR JURISPRUDENCE ,THESE CHANGES
WILL BE FORWARDED TO YOU IN THE FORM OF NEW LOOSE LEAF PAGES.
FILE THESE NEW PAGES AS SOON AS POSSIBLE TO KEEP YOUR MANUAL CURRENT AND COMPLET
E.
RULES ON PROCEDURE IN THE
INVESTIGATION, PROSECUTION
AND TRIAL OF CRIMINAL CASES

PART I. PROSECUTION OF OFFENSES

SECTION 1. Criminal action. - A criminal action is one by which the state prosec
utes a person for an act or omission punishable by law.
SEC. 2. How and where commenced. - A criminal action is commenced by the filing
of a complaint with the City/Provincial Prosecution Office or with the Municipal
Trial Court or Municipal Circuit Trial Court. However, a criminal action for an
offense committed within Metro Manila, may be commenced only by the filing of t
he complaint with the Prosecutor's Office.
SEC. 3. Complaint. - A complaint is a sworn written statement charging a person
with an offense and subscribed by the offended party, any peace officer or publi
c officer charged with the enforcement of the law violated.
To discourage the filing of harassment charges, the prosecutor shall warn the co
mplainant that any false statement in the complaint may give rise to a finding o
f a prima facie case for perjury before the same office.
SEC. 4. Offended party, defined. - The offended party is the person against whom
or against whose property the crime was committed.
SEC. 5. Information. - An information is the accusation in writing charging a pe
rson with an offense, subscribed by the prosecutor, and filed with the court. Th
e information need not be placed under oath by the prosecutor signing the same.
The prosecutor must, however, certify under oath that -
a) he has examined the complainant and his witnesses;
b) there is reasonable ground to believe that a crime has been committed an
d that the accused is probably guilty thereof;
c) the accused was informed of the complaint and of the evidence submitted
against him; and
d) the accused was given an opportunity to submit controverting evidence.

SEC. 6. Sufficiency of complaint or information. - A complaint or information t

shall be considered sufficient if it states -
a) the name of the accused;
b) the designation of the offense committed;
c) the act or omission complained of;
d) the name of the offended party;
e) the approximate time of the commission of the offense; and
f) the place where the offense was committed.
SEC. 7. Other essential matters to be alleged in complaint or information. -The
following shall also be alleged in a complaint or information:
a) every essential element O{ the offense;
b) the criminal intent of the accused and its relation to the act or omissi
on complained of;
c) all qualifying and generic aggravating circumstances which are integral
pans of the offense;
d) all matters that are essential to the constitution of the offense, such
as the ownership and/or value of the property robbed or destroyed; the particula
r knowledge to establish culpable intent; or the particular intention that chara
cterizes the offense;
e) age of the minor accused, and whenever applicable, the fact that he acte
d with discernment; and
f) age of the minor complainant, when age is material.
SEC. 8. Additional contents of a complaint - In addition to the matters listed
above, a complaint or information shall contain a certification that the recital
s therein are true and correct and not in the nature of a countercharge to avoid
conflict in the appreciation of the facts and evidence.
3EC. 9. Name of accused. - The complaint or information shall state the name and
surname of the accused, if known, or any appellation or nickname by which he -h
as been or is known. If his name is not known, the accused shall be mentioned un
der a fictitious name such as "John Doe'1 or "Jane Doe."
SEC. 10. Designation of offense. - To properly inform the accused of the nature
and cause of the accusation against him, the complaint or information shall stat
e, whenever possible, -
a) the designation given to the offense by the statute;
b) the statement of the act or omission constituting the same, and if there
is no such designation, reference shall be made to the section or subsection of
the law punishing it.
SEC. 11. Cause of accusation. - The act or omission complained of as constitutin
g the offense shall be stated in an ordinary and concise language without repeti
tion. The statement need not use the terms of the statute defining the offense s
o long as a person of common understanding is able to know what offense was inte
nded to be charged and to enable the court to pronounce proper judgment.
SEC. 12. Place of the commission of offense. - The complaint or information is s
ufficient if it states that the crime charged was committed or some of the ingre
dients thereof occurred at some place within the jurisdiction of the court, unle
ss the particular place in which the crime was committed is an essential element
of the crime e.g. in a prosecution for violation of the provision of the Electi
on Code which punishes the carrying of a deadly weapon in a t'polling place ", o
r if it is necessary to identify the offense charged e.g., the domicile in the o
ffense of "violation of domicile."
SEC. 13. Time of commission of offense. - The precise time of the commission of
the offense shall be stated in the complaint or information if time is a materia
l ingredient of the offense e.g. ,treason, infanticide. Otherwise, it is suffici
ent that it be alleged that the offense was committed at any time as near to the
actual date at which the offense was committed.
SEC. 14. Title of complaint or information. - The title of the complaint or info
rmation shall be in the name of the "People of the Philippines" as Plaintiff aga
inst all persons who appear to be responsible for the offense involved.
SEC. 15. Contents of caption of an information. - The caption of an information
shall, in addition to the name of the Plaintiff, indicate the following:
a) the complete names i.e., given name, maternal name, surname, and addre
sses, of all the accused. In the case of accused minors, their age shall be indi
cated in the caption;
b) the case number; and
c) the offense charged. The denomination of the offense and the specific
law and provision violated shall be specified.
SEC. 16. List of prosecution witnesses. - The information shall contain the comp
lete names and addresses of all identified witnesses for the prosecution. In cas
es for violation of B. P. Blg. 22 and estafa cases, the list of witnesses shall
include the complainant, the bank representative with specific reference to the
check and account numbers involved and in the proper cases, the company auditor;
and in physical injuries cases, the attending physician with specific reference
to the medical report and date of the incident.
SEC. 17. Number of offenses charged. - A complaint or information shall charge o
nly one offense so as not to confuse the accused in his defense, except in those
cases in which existing laws prescribe a single punishment for various offenses
, e.g., complex crimes under Article 48 of the Revised Penal Code.
SEC. 18. Amendment of information or complaint. - An information or complaint ma
y be amended before the accused pleads, after the accused has pleaded, and durin
g the trial.
Before plea, amendment of the information or complaint, in substance or form, is
a matter of right.
After plea and during trial, amendment may be made only with leave of court and
only as to matters of form wherein the same can be done without prejudice to the
rights of the accused.
At any time before judgment, if there has been a mistake in charging the proper
offense, the court shall dismiss the original complaint or information upon the
filing of a new one charging the proper offense in accordance with Rule 119, Sec
tion 11, provided the accused would not be placed thereby in double jeopardy. T
he court may also require the witnesses to give bail for their appearance at the
trial.
SEC. 19. Mistake inform and substance. - A mistake in form refers to clerical er
rors, matters which are not essential to the charge, and those which will not m
islead or prejudice the accused as when a defense under the original information
can be used after the amendment is made and any evidence that the accused may h
ave would be equally applicable to the one form as in the other.
A mistake in substance is any omission or misstatement which prevents an informa
tion from showing on its face that an offense has been committed, or from showin
g what offense is intended to be charged.
SEC. 20. How Period of Prescription Computed and Interrupted. - For an offense
penalized under the Revised Penal Code, the period of prescription commences to
run from the day on which the crime is discovered by the offended party, the aut
horities, or their agents, and shall be interrupted:
a) by the filing of the complaint with the Office of the City/Provincial Pr
osecutor; or wit the Office of the Ombudsman; or

b) by the filing of the complaint or information with the court even if it

is merely for purposes of preliminary examination or investigation, or even if t
he court where the complaint or information is filed cannot try the case on its
merits.
However, for an offense covered by the Rules on Summary Procedure, the period of
prescription is interrupted only by the filing of the complaint or information
in court.
The prescription of an offense filed before the Prosecutor or Ombudsman shall co
mmence to run again when such proceedings terminate; while the prescription of a
n offense filed in court starts to run again when the proceedings terminate with
out the accused being convicted or acquitted or are unjustifiably stopped for an
y reason not imputable to the accused.
For violation of a special law or ordinance, the period of prescription shall co
mmence to run from the day of the commission of the violation, and if the same i
s not known at the time, from the discovery and the institution of judicial proc
eedings for its investigation and punishment. The prescription shall be interrup
ted only by the filing of the complaint or information in court and shall begin
to run again if the proceedings are dismissed for reasons not constituting doubl
e jeopardy.
For cases falling within the jurisdiction of the Katarungang Pambarangay, the pe
riod of prescription is likewise interrupted by the filing of the complaint with
the punong barangay; but shall resume to run again upon receipt by the complain
ant of the certificate of repudiation or of the certification to file action iss
ued by the lupon or pangkat secretary; Provided, however, That such interruption
shall not exceed sixty (60) days from the filing of the complaint with the puno
ng barangay.
22
Prescription shall not run when the offender is absent from the country.
In cases where the imposable penalty is imprisonment and/or a fine, the greater
penalty shall be the basis for the computation of prescription.
PART II. INQUEST
SECTION 1. Concept. - Inquest is an informal and summary investigation conducted
by a public prosecutor in criminal cases involving persons arrested and detaine
d without the benefit of a warrant of arrest issued by the court for the purpose
of determining whether or not said persons should remain under custody and corr
espondingly be charged in court.
SEC. 2. Designation of In quest Officer. The City or Provincial Prosecutor shall
designate the Prosecutors assigned to inquest duties and shall furnish the Phil
ippine National Police (PNP) a list of their names and their schedule of assignm
ents. If, however, there is only one Prosecutor in the area, all inquest eases s
hall be referred to him for appropriate action.
Unless otherwise directed by the City or Provincial Prosecutor, those assigned t
o inquest duties shall discharge their functions during the hours of their desig
nated assignments and only at the police stations/headquarters of the PNP in ord
er to expedite and facilitate the disposition of inquest eases.
SEC. 3. Commencement and termination of inquest.- The inquest proceedings shall
be considered commenced upon receipt by the Inquest Officer from the law enforce
ment authorities of the complaint/referral documents which should include:
a) the affidavit of arrest;
b) the investigation report;
c) the statement of the complainant and witnesses; and
d) other supporting evidence gathered by the police in the course of the l
atter's investigation of the criminal incident involving the arrested or detaine
d person.
The Inquest Officer shall, as far as practicable, cause the affidavit of arrest
and statements/affidavits of the complainant and the witnesses to be subscribed
and sworn to before him by the arresting officer and the affiants.
The inquest proceedings must be terminated within the period prescribed under th
e provisions of Article 125 of the Revised Penal Code, as amended.
SEC. 4. Documents required in specific cases. - The Inquest Officer shall, as fa
r as practicable, require the submission/presentation of the documents listed be
low, to wit:

Murder, Homicide and Parricide

a) certified true/machine copy of the certificate of death of the victim; a
nd
b) necropsy report and the certificate of post-mortem examination, if readi
ly available.
Frustrated or Attempted Homicide, Murder, Parricide and Physical Injuries
a) medical certificate of the complaining witness showing the nature or ext
ent of the injury;
b) certification or statement as to duration of the treatment or medical at
tendance; and
c) certificate or statement as to duration of incapacity for work.
Violation of the Dangerous Drugs Law (R.A. No.6425, as amended)
a) chemistry report or certificate of laboratory examination duly signed by
the forensic chemist or other duly authorized officer. If the foregoing docume
nts are not available, the Inquest Officer may temporarily rely on the field tes
t results on the seized drug, as attested to by a PNP Narcotics Command operativ
e or other competent person, in which event, the Inquest Officer shall direct th
e arresting officer to immediately forward the seized drug to the crime laborato
ry for expert testing and to submit to the prosecutor's office the final forensi
c chemistry report within five (5) days from the date of the inquest;
b) machine copy or photograph of the buy-bust money; and
c) affidavit of the poseur-buyer, if any.
Theft and Robbery, Violation of the Anti-Piracy and Anti-Highway Robbery Law (P.
D. No.532) and Violation of the Anti-Fencing Law (P.D. No.1612)
a) a list/inventory of the articles and items subject of the offense; and b)
statement of their respective values.
Rape, Seduction and Forcible Abduction with Rape
a) the medico-legal report (living case report), if the victim submitted her
self for medical or physical examination.
Violation of the Anti-Carnapping Law (R.A. No.6539)
a) machine copy of the certificate of motor vehicle registration;
b) machine copy of the current official receipt of payment of theregistrati
on fees of the subject motor vehicle; and
c) other evidence of ownership.
Violation of the Anti-Cattle Rustling Law (P.D. No.533)
a) machine copy of the cattle certificate of registration; and
b) photograph of the cattle, if readily available.
Violation of Illegal Gambling Law (P.D. No.1602)
a) gambling paraphernalia; and
b) cash money, if any.
Illegal Possession of Explosives (P.D. No.1866)
a) chemistry report duly signed by the forensic chemist; and
b) photograph of the explosives, if readily available.
Violation of the Fisheries Law (P.9. No.704)
a) photograph of the confiscated fish, if readily available; and
b) certification of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources.
Violation of the Forestry Law (P.9. No.705)
a) scale sheets containing the volume and species of the forest products co
nfiscated, number of pieces and other important details such as estimated value
of the products confiscated;
b) certification of Department of Environment and Natural Resources/B
ureau of Forest Management; and
c) seizure receipt.
The submission of the foregoing documents shall not be absolutely required if th
ere are other forms of evidence submitted which will sufficiently establish the
facts sought to be proved by the foregoing documents.
SEC. 5. Incomplete documents. - When the documents presented are not complete to
establish probable cause, the Inquest Officer shall direct the law enforcement
agency to submit the required evidence within the period prescribed under the pr
ovisions of Article 125 of the Revised Penal Code, as amended. Otherwise, the I
nquest Officer shall order the release of the detained person and, where the in
quest is conducted outside of office hours, direct the law enforcement agency co
ncerned to file the case with the City or Provincial Prosecutor for appropriate
action.
SEC. 6. Presence of detained person. - The presence of the detained person who i
s under custody shall be ensured during the proceedings.
However, the production of the detained person before the Inquest Officer may be
dispensed with in the following cases:
a) if he is confined in a hospital;
b) if he is detained in a place under maximum security;
c) if production of the detained person will involve security risks; or
d) if the presence of the detained person is not feasible by reason of age,
health, sex and other similar factors.
The absence of the detained person by reason of any of the foregoing factors sha
ll be noted by the Inquest Officer and reflected in the record of the case.
SEC. 7. Charges and counter-charges.- All charges and counter-charges arising fr
om the same incident shall, as far as practicable, be consolidated and inquested
jointly to avoid contradictory or inconsistent dispositions.
SEC. 8. Initial duty of Inquest Officer. - The Inquest Officer shall first deter
mine if the arrest of the detained person was made in accordance with paragraphs
(a) and (b) of Section 5, Rule 113 of the 1985 Rules on Criminal Procedure,
as amended, which provide that arrests without a warrant may be effected:
a) when, in the presence of the arresting officer, the person to be arreste
d has committed, is actually committing, or is attempting to commit an offense;
or
b) when an offense has in fact just been committed, and the arresting offic
er has personal knowledge of facts indicating that the person to be arrested has
committed it.
For this purpose, the Inquest Officer may summarily examine the arresting office
rs on the circumstances surrounding the arrest or apprehension of the detained p
erson.
SEC. 9. where arrest not properly effected. - Should the Inquest Officer find th
at the arrest was not made in accordance with the Rules, he shall;
a) recommend the release of the person arrested or detained;
b) note down the disposition on the referral document;
c) prepare a brief memorandum indicating the reasons for the action taken;
and
d) forward the same, together with the record of the case, to the City or P
rovincial Prosecutor for appropriate action.
Where the recommendation for the release of the detained person is approved by t
he City or Provincial Prosecutor but the evidence on hand warrants the conduct o
f a regular preliminary investigation, the order of release shall be served on t
he officer having custody of said detainee and shall direct the said officer to
serve upon the detainee the subpoena or notice of preliminary investigation, tog
ether with the copies of the charge sheet or complaint, affidavits or sworn stat
ements of the complainant and his witnesses and other supporting evidence.
SEC. 10. where arrest properly effected. - Should the inquest Officer find that
the arrest was properly effected, the detained person shall be asked if he desir
es to avail himself of a preliminary investigation and, if he does, he shall be
made to execute a waiver of the provisions of Article 125 of the Revised Penal C
ode, as amended , with the assistance of a lawyer and, in case of non-availabili
ty of a lawyer, a responsible person of his choice. The preliminary investigati
on may be conducted by the Inquest Officer himself or by any other Assistant Pro
secutor to whom the case may be assigned by the City or Provincial Prosecutor, w
hich investigation shall be terminated within fifteen (15) days from its incepti
on.
9

SEC. 11. Inquest preliminary investigation Inquest Officer shall statements/affi

davits of evidence submitted to him.
proper.- Where the detained person does not opt for a or otherwise refuses to ex
ecute the required waiver, the proceed with the inquest by examining the sworn
the complainant and the witnesses and other supporting
If necessary, the Inquest Officer shall require the presence of the complaining
witnesses and subject them to an informal and summary investigation or examinati
on for purposes of determining the existence of probable cause.
SEC. 12. Meaning of probable cause.- Probable cause exists when the evidence sub
mitted to the Inquest Officer engenders a well-founded belief that a crime has b
een committed and that the arrested Or detained person is probably guilty thereo
f.
SEC. 13. Presence of probable cause.- If the Inquest Officer finds that probable
cause exists, he shall forthwith prepare the corresponding complaint/in
formation with the recommendation that the same be filed in court. The complaint
/information shall indicate the offense committed and the amount of bail recomme
nded, if bailable.
Thereafter, the record of the case, together with the prepared complain
t/information, shall be forwarded to the City or Provincial Prosecutor for appro
priate action.
The complaint/information may be filed by the Inquest Officer himself or by any
other Assistant Prosecutor to whom the case may be assigned by the City or Prov
incial Prosecutor.
SEC. 14. Contents of Information.- The information shall, among others,
contain:
a) a certification by the filing Prosecutor that he is filing the same in a
ccordance with the provisions of Section 7, Rule 112, Rules on Criminal Procedur
e, in cases cognizable by the Regional Trial Court;
b) the full name and aliases, if any, and address of the accused;
c) the place where the accused is actually detained;
d) the full names and addresses of the complainant and witnesses;
e) a detailed description of the recovered items, if any;
f) the full name and address of the evidence custodian;
g) the age and date of birth of the complainant or the accused, if eighteen
(18) years of age or below; and
h) the full names and addresses of the parents, custodians or guardians of
the minor complainant or accused, as the case may be.
SEC. 15. Absence of probable cause.- If the Inquest Officer finds no probable ca
use, he shall:
a) recommend the release of the arrested or detained person;
b) note down his disposition on the referral document;
c) prepare a brief memorandum indicating the reasons for the action taken;
and
d) forthwith forward the record of the case to the City or Provincial Prose
cutor for appropriate action.
If the recommendation of the Inquest Officer for the release of the arrested or
detained person is approved, the order of release shall be served on the officer
having custody of the said detainee.
Should the City or Provincial Prosecutor disapprove the recommendation of releas
e, the arrested or detained person shall remain under custody, and the correspon
ding complaint/information shall be filed by the City or Provincial Prosecutor o
r by any Assistant Prosecutor to whom the case may be assigned.
SEC. 16. Presence at crime scene. - Whenever a dead body is found and there is r
eason to believe that the death resulted from foul play, or from the unlawful ac
ts or omissions of other persons and such fact has been brought to his attention
, the Inquest Officer shall:
a) forthwith proceed to the crime scene or place of discovery of the dead p
erson;
b) cause an immediate autopsy to be conducted by the appropriate medico-leg
al officer in the locality or the PNP medico-legal division or the NBI medico-le
gal office, as the case may be;
c) direct the police investigator to cause the taking of photographs of the
 crime scene or place of discovery of the dead body;
d) supervise the investigation to be conducted by the police authorities as
well as the recovery of all articles and pieces of evidence found thereat and s
ee to it that the same are safeguarded and the chain of the custody thereof prop
erly recorded; and
e) submit a written report of his finding to the City or Provincial Prosecu
tor for appropriate action.
SEC. 17. Sandiganbayan cases.- Should any complaint cognizable by the Sandiganba
yan be referred to an Inquest Officer for investigation, the latter shall, after
conducting the corresponding inquest proceeding, forthwith forward the complete
record to the City or Provincial Prosecutor for appropriate action.
SEC. 18. Recovered articles.- The Inquest Officer shall see to it that all artic
les recovered by the police at the time of the arrest or apprehension of the det
ained person are physically inventoried, checked and accounted for with the issu
ance of corresponding receipts by the police officer/investigator concerned.
The said articles must be properly deposited with the police evidence custodian
and not with the police investigator.
The Inquest Officer shall ensure that the items recovered are duly safeguarded a
nd the chain of custody is properly recorded.
SEC. 19. Release of recovered articles.- The Inquest Officer shall, with the pri
or approval of the City or Provincial Prosecutor or his duly authorized represen
tative, order the release of recovered articles to their lawful owner or posses
sor, subject to the conditions that:
a) there is a written request for their release;
b) the person requesting the release of said articles is shown to be the la
wful owner or possessor thereof;
c) the requesting party undertakes under oath to produce said articles befo
re the court when so required;
d) the requesting party, if he is a material witness to the case, affirms o
r reaffirms his statement concerning the case and undertakes under oath to appea
r and testify before the court when so required;
e) the said articles are not the instruments, or tools in the commission of
the offense charged nor the proceeds thereof; and
f) photographs of said articles are first taken and duly certified to by th
e
police evidence custodian as accurately representing the evidence in his custody
.
PART III. PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION

SECTION 1. Concept of preliminary investigation - A preliminary investigation

is an inquiry or proceeding to determine whether there is sufficient ground to e
ngender a well founded belief that a crime cognizable by the Regional Trial Cour
t has been committed and that the respondent is probably guilty thereof and shou
ld be held for trial.
A preliminary investigation is essentially a judicial inquiry since there is the
opportunity to be heard, the production and weighing of evidence, and a decisio
n rendered on the basis of such evidence. In this sense, the investigating prose
cutor is a quasi-judicial officer.
SEC. 2. Purpose of preliminary investigation. - A preliminary investigation is i
ntended:
a) to secure the innocent against hasty, malicious and oppressive prosecuti
on and to protect him from an open and public accusation of a crime and from the
trouble, expense and anxiety of a public trial; and
b) to protect the State from having to conduct useless and expensive trials
.
SEC. 3. Nature of preliminary investigation. - The conduct of a preliminary inve
stigation is a substantive right which the accused may invoke prior to or at lea
st at the time of plea, the deprivation of which would be a denial of his right
to due process.
SEC. 4. Effect of amendment of information. - In case an information is amended,
a new preliminary investigation shall be conducted if the amended charge is not
related to the crime originally charged; if there is a change in the nature of
the crime charged; or if the information on its face is null and void for lack o
f authority to file the same.
SEC. 5. where right of preliminary investigation may he invoked. - The right to
a preliminary investigation may be invoked only in cases cognizable by the Regio
nal Trial Court. The right is not available in cases triable by inferior courts.
SEC. 6. Officers Authorized to Conduct Preliminary Investigation. - The followin
g may conduct a preliminary investigation;
a) Provincial or City Prosecutors and their assistants;
b) Judges of Municipal Trial Courts and Municipal Circuit Trial Courts;
c) National and Regional State Prosecutors; and
d) Other officers as may be authorized by law.
Their authority to conduct preliminary investigation shall include all crimes co
gnizable by the proper court in their respective territorial jurisdiction.
SEC. 7. Commencement of Preliminary Investigation.- A preliminary investigation
proceeding is commenced:
a) by the filing of a complaint by the offended party or any competent pers
on8 directly with the Office of the Investigating Prosecutor or Judge;
b) by referral from or upon request of the law enforcement agency that inve
stigated a criminal incident;
c) upon request of a person arrested or detained pursuant to a warrantless
arrest who executes a waiver of the provisions of Article 125 of the Revised Pen
al Code, as amended;
d) by order or upon directive of the court or other competent authority; or
e) for election offenses, upon the initiative of the Commission on Election
s, or upon written complaint by any citizen, candidate, registered political par
ty, coalition of registered parties or organizations under the party-list system
or any accredited citizen arm of the Commission on Elections.
SEC. 8. Complaint. - For purposes of preliminary investigation, the complaint fi
led with the prosecutor's office shall, as far as practicable, be accompanied or
covered by an Information Sheet and shall state, among others -
a) the full and complete names and exact home, office or postal addresses o
f the complainant and his witnesses;
b) The full and complete name and exact home, office or postal address of t
he respondent;
c) The offense charged and the place and exact date and time of its commiss
ion; and
d) Whether or not there exists a related case and, if so, the docket number
 of said case and the name of the Investigating Prosecutor thereof.
SEC. 9. Supporting affidavits.- The complaint shall be accompanied by the affida
vits of the complainant and his witnesses, as well as other supporting proofs or
documents, if any. The affidavits shall be sworn to before a Provincial, City o
r State Prosecutor, or other government official authorized to administer oaths
or, in their absence or unavailability, a notary public, who must certify that h
e personally examined the affiants and that he is satisfied that they voluntaril
y executed and understood their affidavits.
When the preliminary investigation is commenced by referral from or upon request
of the law enforcement agency that investigated the incident, the affidavits of
the complainant and his witnesses to be submitted by the said agency shall cons
ist of the original or duplicate original or certified machine copies thereof.
SEC. 10. Number of copies of affidavits. - The complaint and supporting affidavi
ts shall be in such number of copies as there are respondents, plus four (4) cop
ies for the court/official file.
Where a complaint charges multiple offenses which cannot be the subject of one i
ndictment or information, the complainant may be required to submit such additio
nal copies of the complaint and supporting affidavits as there are offenses char
ged in the complaint.
SEC. 11. Barangay certification . - If the offense charged is punishable by impr
isonment not exceeding one (1) year or a fine not exceeding Five Thousand Pesos
(5,000.00) and the parties to the case are all residents of the same city or mun
icipality, the complaint shall be accompanied by the certification required unde
r Section 412 (a) of R.A. Act No.7160, "The Local Government Code of 1991.
SEC. 12. Lack of harangay certification.- The absence of a barangay certificatio
n shall not be a ground for the dismissal of the complaint. The Investigating P
rosecutor shall, however, make the corresponding referral of the complaint to th
e proper Lupong Tagapamayapa for appropriate action pursuant to the provisions o
f Chapter 7, Book III of R.A. No.7160. In connection therewith, the complainant
may be summoned for the purpose of delivering the referral to the Chairman of th
e appropriate barangay and to secure the necessary certification within thirty (
30) days.
In any of the following cases. the Investigating Prosecutor shall proceed to tak
e cognizance of the complaint for purposes of preliminary investigation even if
there is no Barangay Certification:
a) where the respondent is under detention; or
b) where the respondent has been deprived of personal liberty calling for h
abeas corpus proceedings; or
c) where the case may be barred by the Statute of Limitations.
SEC. 13. Initial/ action on the Complaint.- Within ten (10) days after the filin
g of the complaint, the Investigating Prosecutor shall either dismiss the same i
f he finds no ground to continue with the inquiry, or issue a subpoena to the re
spondent, attaching thereto a copy of the complaint together with the affidavits
of witnesses and other supporting documents.
9
SEC. 14. Dismissal of complaint. - The following, among others, shall constitut
e sufficient basis for the outright dismissal of a complaint:
a) that the offense charged in the complaint was committed outside the terr
itorial jurisdiction of the Office of the Investigating Officer;
b) that, at the time of the filing of the complaint, the offense charged th
erein had already prescribed;
c) that the complainant is not authorized under the provisions of pertinent
laws to file the complaint;
d) that the acts and/or omissions alleged in the complaint and/or the suppo
rting affidavits do not sufficiently show that a criminal offense or violation o
f a penal law has been committed; or
e) that the complaint and the supporting affidavits are unsigned and/or hav
e not been duly subscribed and sworn to as prescribed under the Rules on Crimina
l Procedure.
SEC. 15. Personal service of documents by investigating prosecutor. -Whenever ci
rcumstances warrant and to prevent the loss of documents in the course of the se
rvice of a subpoena through ordinary modes, the Investigating Prosecutor may req
uire the respondent or other parties to appear before him on a designated date,
time and place and then and there personally furnish them with copies of the com
plaint, supporting affidavits and other documents.
At the said or any other setting, the respondent shall have the right to examine
all other evidence submitted by the complainant.
Failure on the part of the respondent or his counsel/representative to appear be
fore the Investigating Prosecutor to obtain copies of the complaint, supporting
affidavits and other documents despite receipt of notice or subpoena shall be co
nsidered a waiver or forfeiture of respondent9s right to be furnished copies of
the complaint, supporting affidavits and other documents, as well as to examine
all other evidence submitted by the complainant.
For the purposes specified in the first paragraph hereof, the Investigating Pros
ecutor shall not require the appearance before him of the respondent or other pa
rties who are residing in distant places. In such cases, the Investigating Prose
cutor shall issue and send the subpoena, together with copies of the complaint,
supporting affidavit and other documents, by registered special delivery mail wi
th return card.
SEC. 16. Service of subpoena in preliminary investigation. - To expedite the con
duct of a preliminary investigation, the following guidelines shall be observed
in the service of subpoenas-
a) Service of subpoena and all papers/documents required to be attached a
thereto shall be b'~- personal service by regular process server
s. In their
Absence, the cooperation of the Provincial City/Municipal Statio
n Commanders of the Philippine National Police (PNP) may be requested for the pu
rpose.
b) Under other circumstances, where personal service cannot be effected but
the respondent cannot be considered as incapable of being subpoenaed as when he
continues to reside at his known address but the return states that he "has lef
t his residence and his return is uncertain" or words of similar import, service
of subpoena and its attachments shall be effected by registered mail with retur
n card at respondent's known home/office address. On the face of the envelope sh
all be indicated
I. the name and return address of the sender1 and the
Typewritten/printed phrase "First Notice Made on______________",
thus instructing the postmaster/postal
employee of the necessity of informing the sender of the date the first
notice was made on the addressee; and
ii. the typewritten/printed request: "If not claimed within
five (5) days from first notice, please return to sender."
c) Upon receipt of the unclaimed/returned envelope, the Investigating Prose
cutor may then proceed to resolve the complaint on the basis of the evidence pre
sented by the complainant.
SEC. 17. where Respondent cannot he subpoenaed - If a respondent cannot be subpo
enaed, as, for instance, he transferred residence without leaving any forwarding
address, the Investigating Prosecutor shall base his resolution on the evidence
presented by the complainant.
SEC. 18. Counter-Affidavits.- In cases where the respondent is subpoenaed, he sh
all within ten (10) days from receipt of the complaint and other documents, subm
it his counter-affidavit and other supporting documents which shall be sworn to
and certified as prescribed in the second sentence of par. 1 of Section 9 this P
art, copies of which shall be furnished by the respondent to the complainant.
Only a counter-affidavit subscribed and sworn to by the respondent before the Pu
blic Prosecutor can dispute or put at issue the allegations in the complaint. A
memorandum, manifestation or motion to dismiss signed by the counsel cannot take
the place of a counter-affidavit. Thus, a respondent relying on the manifestati
on, memorandum or motion to dismiss of his counsel is deemed to have not controv
erted complainant's evidence.
However, if such memorandum, manifestation or motion to dismiss is verified by t
he respondent himself, the same may be considered a counter-affidavit.
SEC. 19. Motion for dismissal of bill of particulars.-The filing of a motion for
the dismissal of the complaint or for the submission of a bill of particulars s
hall not suspend or interrupt the running of the period for the submission of co
unter-affidavits and other supporting documents.
All the grounds for the dismissal of the complaint, as well as objections to the
sufficiency thereof, shall be alleged or incorporated in the counter-affidavit
and shall be resolved by the Investigating Prosecutor jointly on the merits of t
he case.
The Investigating Prosecutor may grant a motion to dismiss filed by a respondent
who is yet to file or has not filed his counter-affidavit if the said motion is
verified and satisfactorily establishes, among others:
a) the circumstances specified in sub-paragraphs (a), (b)9 (c) and (d) and
(e) of Section 14 of this Part;
b) the fact that the complaint, or one similar thereto or identical therewi
th, has previously been filed with the Office and has been fully adjudicated upo
n on the merits after due preliminary investigation proceedings; or
c) the extinction of respondentts criminal liability by reason of death, pa
rdon, amnesty, repeal of the law under which prosecution is sought, or other leg
al causes.
SEC. 20. Consolidation.- The following cases shall, as far as practicable, be co
nsolidated for preliminary investigation purposes and assigned to and jointly he
ard by one Investigating Officer:
a) charges and counter-charges;
b) cases arising from one and the same incident or transaction or series of
incident or transactions; and
c) cases involving common parties and founded on factual and/or legal issue
s of the same or similar character.
SEC. 21. Extension of time. - No motion or request for extension of time to subm
it counter-affidavits shall be allowed or granted by the Investigating Prosecuto
r except when the interest of justice demands that the respondent be given reaso
nable time or sufficient opportunity to:
a) engage the services of counsel to assist him in the preliminary investig
ation proceedings;
b) examine or verify the existence, authenticity or accuracy of voluminous
records, files, accounts or other papers or documents presented or submitted in
support of the complaint; or
c) undertake studies or research on novel, complicated or technical
questions or issues of law and of facts attendant to the case under investigati
on.
Extensions of time to submit a counter-affidavit for any of the reasons stated a
bove shall not exceed ten (10) days. Additional extensions may be authorized by
the Provincial/City Prosecutor concerned.
SEC. 22. Suspension of proceedings.- Upon motion of a party, or when raised in a
counter-affidavit, the Investigating Prosecutor may suspend the preliminary inv
estigation proceedings if the existence of a prejudicial question is satisfactor
ily established.
The existence of a prejudicial question shall, however, not be a ground for the
dismissal of the complaint.
SEC. 23. Concept of prejudicial question.- A prejudicial question is one the res
olution of which is a logical antecedent of the issue involved in a case and the
cognizance of which pertains to another tribunal. It is based on a fact distin
ct and separate from the crime charged but so intimately connected with it that
it determines the guilt or innocence of the accused. To suspend the criminal act
ion, it must not only appear that said case involves facts intimately related to
those upon which the criminal prosecution would be based but also that in the r
esolution of the issue or issues raised in the civil case, the guilt or innocenc
e of the accused would necessarily be determined.
SEC. 24. Elements of prejudicial question. - The essential elements of a prejudi
cial question are:
a) the civil action involves an issue similar or intimately related to the
issue raised in the criminal action;
b) the resolution of such issue determines whether or not the criminal acti
on may proceed ; and
c) the cognizance of the said issue pertains to another tribunal.
SEC. 25. Issuance of orders of suspension of proceedings.- No resolution or orde
r suspending the preliminary investigation based on the existence of a prejudici
al question shall be issued by the Investigating Prosecutor without the written
approval of the Provincial/City Prosecutor concerned or his duly designated assi
stant.
SEC. 26. Reply-affidavits and rejoinders.- The Investigating Prosecutor shall no
t require or allow the filing or submission of reply-affidavits and/or rejoinder
s, except where new issues of fact or questions of law which are material and su
bstantial in nature are raised or invoked in the counter-affidavit or subsequent
pleadings and there exists a need for said issues or questions to be controvert
ed or rebutted, clarified or explained to enable the Investigating Prosecutor to
arrive at a fair and judicious resolution of the case. In such a case, the peri
od for the submission of reply affidavits or rejoinders shall in no case exceed
five (5) days unless a longer period is authorized by the Provincial/City Prosec
utor concerned.
SEC. 27. Clanficatory questions. - The Investigating Prosecutor may set a hearin
g to propound clarificatory questions to the parties or their witnesses if he be
lieves that there are matters which need to be inquired into personally by him.
In said hearing, the parties shall be afforded the opportunity to be present but
without the right to examine or cross-examine. If they so desire, they may subm
it written questions to the Investigating Prosecutor who may propound such quest
ions to the parties or witnesses concerned.
The Investigating Prosecutor shall make a record of the questions asked and answ
ers given during the clarificatory questioning which shall be signed by the part
ies concerned and/or their respective counsel. Said notes shall form part of the
official records of the case. Parties who desire to file a petition for review
of the Investigating Officer's resolution may, at their option, cite specific po
rtions of the oral testimony by reference to the transcript of stenographic note
s. Said notes shall only be transcribed in cases of appeal and shall be obtained
at the expense of the interested party.
28. Submission of case for resolution. - The Investigating Prosecutor shall case
submitted for resolution:
a) when the respondent cannot be subpoenaed or, if subpoenaed, does not s
ubmit his counter-affidavit within the reglementary period. In such a case, the
Investigating Prosecutor shall base his resolution on the evidence presented by
the complainant; or
b) upon submission by the parties of their respective affidavits and suppor
ting proof or documents, in which event, he shall, upon the evidence thus adduce
d, determine whether or not there is sufficient ground to hold the respondent fo
r trial
SEC. 29. Lack of probable cause.- If the Investigating Prosecutor does not find
sufficient basis for the prosecution of the respondent, he shall prepare the res
olution recommending the dismissal of the complaint.
SEC. 30. Finding of probable cause. - If the Investigating Prosecutor finds that
probable cause exists, he shall prepare the resolution and the corresponding in
formation or complaint in the appropriate cases.
Where the respondent is a public officer or employee or a member of the Philippi
ne National Police (PNP), the Investigating Prosecutor shall also determine whet
her or not the offense with which he is charged was committed in relation to his
office and, if so committed, such fact should be alleged in the information to
be filed with the Sandiganbayan through the Ombudsman
SEC. 31. Reopening of investigation.- After a case under preliminary investigati
on has been submitted for resolution under the provisions of the preceding Secti
on but before promulgation of the resolution, the preliminary investigation may
be reopened for the purpose of receiving new and/or additional evidence upon the
prior authorization given by the Provincial/City Prosecutor concerned or upon m
otion of the interested party, Provided, That in the latter case, it shall be su
bject to the following conditions:
a) the motion is verified and a copy thereof furnished the opposing party;
b) the motion is accompanied with the new and/or additional evidence; and
c) the motion sufficiently and satisfactorily shows valid and justifiable r
eason for the failure of the movant to submit the new and/or additional evidence
during the preliminary investigation proceedings.
SEC. 32. Cases Transmitted by the Municipal Trial Judge. - Upon receipt of the r
ecords of the case from the Municipal Trial Court or Municipal Circuit Trial Cou
rt which conducted the Preliminary Investigation, the Prosecution Office shall r
eview the case based on the existing records, without requesting the parties to
submit memorandum of authorities, and may affirm, modify or reverse the finding
of the Municipal Trial Court judge. However, if the interest of justice so requ
ires, the prosecutor may conduct a full blown reinvestigation giving the parties
the opportunity to submit additional evidence, and thereafter, resolve the case
on the basis of the totality of the evidence thus adduced.
SEC. 33. Memoranda. - The Investigating Prosecutor shall not require nor allow t
he filing or submission by the parties of memoranda unless the case involves dif
ficult or complicated questions of law or of fact. In any event, the filing of m
emoranda by the parties shall be done simultaneously and the period therefore sh
all not exceed ten (10) days, unless a longer period is authorized by the Provin
cial/City Prosecutor concerned.
SEC. 34. Period for resolving a case. - The Investigating Prosecutor shall resol
ve the case within ten (10) days from the time the case is deemed submitted for
resolution, unless otherwise provided herein or a longer period is authorized b
y the Provincial/City Prosecutor concerned.
SEC. 35. Form of resolution and number of copies.- The resolution shall be writt
en in the official language, personally and directly prepared and signed by the
Investigating Prosecutor. It shall be prepared in as many copies as there are pa
rties, plus three (3) additional copies.
SEC. 36. Contents of the resolution. - A resolution shall contain a caption and
a body.
SEC. 37. Caption of resolution. - The caption of the resolution shall indicate t
he:
a) names of all the complainants and all of the respondents;
b) Case Number, otherwise known as the Investigation Slip Number or 1.8. No
.;
c) the offense charged;
d) the date of the filing of the complaint with the office;
e) the date of the assignment of the case to or receipt of the case record
by the Investigating Officer; and
f) the date the case was submitted for resolution.
SEC. 38. Names of parties. - The complete names of all the complainants and resp
ondents in the case shall be set out in the caption of the resolution. It is not
proper to use the phrase "et. al." to refer to other complainants and responden
ts.
The name of the victim or injured party, not their representative, shall appear
in the caption. In cases referred to the prosecution by the police where there i
s no identified victim, as in prohibited drugs cases, the complainant shall be t
he police station involved, followed by the name and designation of the police o
fficer representing the police station. In homicide or murder cases, the name of
the victim or of the complainant shall be in the caption. The heirs or relative
s of the slain victim shall be indicated as "Legal heirs of deceased (name or pe
rson killed)", represented by "(either the surviving spouse, father or mother)".
In the case of a corporation or judicial entity, its corporate name or identity
shall be indicated and written as follows. " 'X' Corporation, represented by its
(position title), (name of corporate officer)".
SEC. 39. Case number. - The number of a case shall indicate the year and month;
it was filed and its entry number in the log book of the office, e.g. 97 (year)-
A(month)-024(entry number).
SEC. 40. Designation of offense charged. - For offenses that are punishable unde
r the Revised Penal Code, the caption shall set forth the denomination of the of
fense and the specific article and paragraph of the statute violated.
Where there is another charge or countercharge in the same case having one case
number or in case of a consolidated resolution involving two or more criminal ca
ses with two or more docket numbers, the caption shall also contain said informa
tion.
SEC. 41. Contents of body of resolution. - In general, the body of resolution sh
ould contain:
a) a brief summary of the facts of the case;
b) a concise statement of the issues involved; and
c) the findings and recommendations of the Investigating Prosecutor.
All material details that should be found in the information prepared by the Inv
estigating Prosecutor shall be stated in the resolution.
SEC. 42. Parts of a resolution. - As a rule, the body of a resolution is made up
of four parts, namely:
a) Part 1 shall state the nature of the case as disclosed in the evidence p
resented by the complainant such as his affidavit-complaint, the affidavit of wi
tnesses and documentary and physical evidence. The affidavits shall be numbered
in the order of the presentation of the prosecution witnesses as disclosed in th
e list of witnesses appearing in the information. As for the documentary eviden
ce, they shall be alphabetically marked as they would be marked during the pre-t
rial and trial stages of the case.
b) Part 2 shall contain the version of complainant of the incident. The pre
sentation of the complainant's case should be concise and shall not be cluttered
with details that are not necessary to show the elements of the offense.
c) Part 3 shall allege the respondent1s version of the incident. This must
also be concise.
d) Part 4 shall contain the discussion, analysis and evaluation by the pros
ecutor of the evidence presented by the complainant and the respondent, without
relying on the weakness of the defense of the respondent. It shall also contain
the conclusion of the prosecutor. The complainant's and respondent's versions of
the incident need not be repeated in this part except to point out excerpts rel
ating to the existence or absence of the elements of the crime. Citations of pe
rtinent laws and jurisprudence should support the conclusions reached. Where num
erical values are important, the number shall be written in words and figures.
SEC. 43. How recommended hail is written. - The bail recommended in the resoluti
on shall be written in words and figures.
SEC. 44. Recommended bail. - The bail recommended in the resolution shall be sta
ted in the information, written in words and figures, and initialed by the inves
tigating prosecutor.
SEC. 45. Parties to be furnished with a copy of the resolution. - The complete n
ames and addresses of the complainant and the respondent shall be set out at the
end of the resolution after the signature of the investigating prosecutor and t
he head of the Prosecutor's Office concerned under the phrase: "Copy furnished:"
.
If the parties are represented by counsel and the latter's appearance is entered
formally in the record, the counsel, not the party, shall be given a copy of t
he resolution.
SEC. 46. Signature and initials of investigating prosecutor. - The investigating
prosecutor shall sign the resolution and if the resolution consists of two or m
ore pages, the prosecutor shall initial all of said pages, excluding the signatu
re page.
SEC. 47. Records of the case. - The investigating fiscal shall forward his resol
ution, together with the complete records of the case, to the Provincial or City
Prosecutor or Chief State Prosecutor concerned within five (5) days from the da
te of his resolution.
SEC. 48. Action of the Provincial or City Prosecutor or Chief State Prosecutor o
n resolution. - The Provincial or City Prosecutor or Chief State Prosecutor conc
erned shall act on all resolutions within ten (10) days from receipt thereof by
either approving or disapproving the resolution or returning the same to the inv
estigating prosecutor for further appropriate action.' 'immediately after approv
ing or disapproving the resolution, the Provincial or City Prosecutor or Chief S
tate Prosecutor concerned shall transmit a copy of the resolution to the parties
.
SEC. 49. Reversal by the Provincial or City Prosecutor or Chief State Prosecutor
of resolution of investigating prosecutor. - If the Provincial or City Prosecut
or or Chief State Prosecutor reverses the recommendation in the resolution of th
e investigating prosecutor, the former may, by himself, file the corresponding i
nformation or direct any other assistant prosecutor or state prosecutor, as the
case may be, to do so without need of conducting another preliminary investigati
on.
SEC. 50. Approval of pleading by head of prosecution office. - A pleading prepar
ed by the trial prosecutor, including exparte motions, shall not be filed in cou
rt without the prior written approval by the Provincial or City Prosecutor or Ch
ief State Prosecutor, as the case may be, of said pleading.

SEC. 51. Motion for reinvestigation, where filed. - Before the arraignment of th
e accused, a motion for reinvestigation of the case may be filed with the City/P
rovincial Prosecutor, Provided, That when the case has been appealed to the Regi
onal State Prosecutor or the Department of Justice, such motion may be filed, re
spectively, with the said offices. After arraignment, said motion may only be fi
led with the judge hearing the case.
SEC. 52. Confidentiality of resolutions. - All resolutions prepared by an Invest
igating Prosecutor after preliminary investigation, whether his recommendation b
e for the filing or dismissal of the case, shall be held in strict confidence an
d shall not be made known to the parties, their counsel and/or to any unauthoriz
ed person until the same shall have been finally acted upon by the Provincial/Ci
ty Prosecutor or his duly authorized assistant and approved for promulgation and
release to the parties.
Violation of the foregoing shall subject the Investigating Prosecutor or the emp
loyee of the office concerned to severe disciplinary action.
SEC. 53. Information/Complaint.- The information/complaint shall be personally a
nd directly prepared by the Investigating Prosecutor or such other prosecutor de
signated for the purpose and signed by him or the complainant, as the case may b
e. It shall state and contain, in addition to the requirements of the Rules of C
ourt on the sufficiency of the allegations in an information or complaint, the f
ollowing:
a) the full name and aliases, if any, and address of the accused;
b) the age and date of birth of the complainant or the accused, if eighteen
(18) years of age or below;
c) the full names and addresses of the parents, custodian or guardian of th
e minor complainant or accused, as the case may be;
d) the place where the accused is actually detained;
e) the full names and addresses of the complainant and witnesses;
f) a detailed description of the recovered items, if any;
g) the full name and address of the evidence custodian; and
h) the bail recommended, if the charge is bailable.
The Investigating Prosecutor shall certify under oath that he or, as shown by th
e record, an authorized officer, had personally examined the complainant and his
witnesses; that there is reasonable ground to believe that a crime has been com
mitted and that the accused is probably guilty thereof; that the accused was inf
ormed of the complaint and of the evidence submitted against him and that he was
given an opportunity to submit controverting evidence; and that he is filing th
e complaint or information with the prior authority and approval of the Provinci
al/City Prosecutor concerned.
SEC. 54. Documents to be attached to information/complaint. - An information/com
plaint that is filed in court shall, as far as practicable, be accompanied by a
copy of the resolution of the Investigating Prosecutor, the complainant's affida
vit, the sworn statements of the prosecution's witnesses, the respondent's count
er-affidavit and the sworn statements of his witnesses and such other evidence a
s may have been taken into account in arriving at a determination of the existen
ce of probable cause.
SEC. 55. Promulgation of resolution.- The result of the preliminary investigatio
n shall be promulgated by furnishing the parties or their counsel a copy of the
resolution by:
a) personal service;
b) registered mail with return card to the complainant, and by ordinary mai
l to the respondent, if the resolution is for the dismissal of the complaint; or
c) registered mail with return card to the respondent, and by ordinary mail
to the complainant, if the resolution is for the indictment of the respondent.
SEC. 56. Motion for reconsideration. - A motion for reconsideration may be filed
within ten (10) days from receipt of the resolution. The motion shall be verifi
ed, addressed to the Provincial/City Prosecutor or the Chief State Prosecutor, a
nd accompanied by proof of service of a copy thereof on the opposing party and m
ust state clearly and distinctly the grounds relied upon in support of the motio
n.
A motion for reconsideration is still part of due process in the preliminary inv
estigation. The denial thereof is a reversible error as it constitutes a depriva
tion of the respondent's right to a full preliminary investigation preparatory t
o the filing of the information against him. The court therefore may not procee
d with the arraignment and trial pending resolution of the motion for reconsider
ation.
SEC. 57. Inhibition. - A Prosecutor shall inhibit himself from conducting a prel
iminary investigation in a case wherein -
a) he or his wife or child is interested as heir, legatee, creditor or othe
rwise; or
b) he is related to either affinity or to counsel
c) he has been named counsel. party within the 6th degree of consanguinity
or within the 4th degree; or executor, administrator, guardian, trustee or
A motion to disqualify or inhibit the Investigating Prosecutor may be filed with
the City/Provincial or Chief State Prosecutor concerned for just or valid reaso
ns
other than those mentioned above.
SEC. 58. Period to resolve cases under preliminary investigation. - The followin
g periods shall be observed in the resolution of cases under preliminary investi
gation:
a) The preliminary investigation of complaints charging a capital offense s
hall be terminated and resolved within ninety (90) days from the date of assignm
ent to the Investigating Prosecutor.
b) The preliminary investigation of all other complaints involving crimes c
ognizable by the Regional Trial Courts shall be terminated and resolved within s
ixty (60) days from the date of assignment.
c) In cases of complaints involving crimes cognizable by the Metropolitan T
rial Courts, Municipal Trial Courts and Municipal Circuit Trial Courts, the prel
iminary investigation - should the same be warranted by the circumstances - shal
l be terminated and resolved within sixty(60) days from the date of assignment
to the Investigating Prosecutor.
In all instances, the total period (from the date of assignment to the time of a
ctual resolution) that may be consumed in the conduct of the formal preliminary
investigation shall not exceed the periods prescribed herein.
PART IV. PETITION FOR REVIEW

SECTION 1. Subject of petition for review.- Only resolutions of the Chief State
Prosecutor/Regional State Prosecutor/Provincial or City Prosecutor dismissing a
criminal complaint may be the subject of a Petition for Review to the Secretary
of Justice except as otherwise provided in Section 4 hereof.
A petition from the resolution of a Provincial/City Prosecutor where the penalty
prescribed for the offense charged does not exceed prision correccional, regard
less of the imposable fine, shall be made to the Regional State Prosecutor who s
hall resolve the petitions with finality. Such petitions shall also be governed
by these rules.
The provision of the preceding paragraph on the finality of the resolution of th
e Regional State Prosecutor notwithstanding, the Secretary of Justice may, in th
e interest of justice and pursuant to his residual authority of supervision and
control over the prosecutors of the Department of Justice, order the automatic r
eview by his office of the resolution of the Regional State Prosecutors in the c
ases appealed to the latter.
SEC. 2. Period to file petition.- The petition must be filed within a period of
fifteen (15) days from receipt of the questioned resolution by the party or his
counsel. The period shall be interrupted only by the filing of a motion for reco
nsideration within ten (10) days from receipt of the resolution and shall contin
ue to run from the time the resolution denying the motion shall have been receiv
ed by the movant or his counsel.
SEC. 3. Form and contents. - The petition shall be verified by the petitioner an
d shall contain the following:
a) date of receipt of the questioned resolution; date of filing of the mot
)n for reconsideration; if any; and date of receipt of the resolution on the mot
ion for reconsideration;
b) names and addresses of the parties;
c) the Investigation Slip Number or I.S. No. and/or criminal case number an
d the title of the case;
d) the venue of the preliminary investigation;
e) a clear and concise statement of the facts, the assignment of errors, an
d the legal basis of the petition;
f) in case of a finding of probable cause, that petitioner has filed in cou
rt a motion to defer further proceedings; and
g) proof of service of a copy of the petition to the adverse party or his c
ounsel and the prosecutor either by personal delivery or registered mail evidenc
ed by the registry receipts and affidavit of mailing.
The petitioner shall append to his petition copies of the material and pertinent
affidavits/sworn statements (including their translations, if any, duly certifi
ed by the city/provincial prosecutor) and evidence submitted in the preliminary
investigation by both parties and the questioned resolution.
The prosecutor concerned shall immediately inform the Department or the Regional
State Prosecutor of the action of the court on the motion to defer further proc
eedings. If the accused is arraigned during the pendency of the petition, the pr
osecutor concerned shall likewise immediately inform the Department or the Regio
nal Stat& Prosecutor of such arraignment.
SEC. 4. Cases not subject to review; exceptions.- No petition may be allowed fro
m a resolution of the Chief State Prosecutor/Regional State Prosecutor/Provincia
l or City Prosecutor finding probable cause except upon showing of manifest erro
r or grave abuse of discretion. Either complainant/offended party or respondent/
accused may file a petition. Notwithstanding the showing of manifest error or gr
ave abuse of discretion no petition shall be entertained where the accused had
already been arraigned. Once arraigned, the petition shall be dismissed motu pro
prio by the Secretary of Justice.
SEC. 5. Answer.- Within a non-extendible period of fifteen (15) days from receip
t of a copy of the petition, the respondent may file a verified answer indicatin
g therein the date that the copy of the petition was received with proof of serv
ice of the answer to the petitioner. If no answer is filed, the case shall be re
solved on the basis of the petition.
SEC. 6. Withdrawal of petition.- The petition may be withdrawn at any time befor
e it is finally resolved, in which case the questioned resolution shall stand.
SEC. 7. Motion for reinvestigation.- At any time after the filing of the petitio
n and before its resolution, the petitioner may, with leave of court, file a mot
ion for reinvestigation on the ground that new and material evidence has been di
scovered which petitioner could not, with reasonable diligence, have discovered
during the preliminary investigation and which if produced and admitted would pr
obably change the resolution. The Department or the Regional State Prosecutor, a
s the case may be, shall then issue a resolution directing the reinvestigation o
f the case, if still legally feasible. When reinvestigation is granted, it shal
l take place in the Office of the Prosecutor from which the petition was taken.
SEC. 8. Disposition of petition.- The Secretary of Justice or the Regional State
Prosecutor may reverse, affirm or modify the questioned resolution. They may, m
otu proprio or on motion of the petitioner, dismiss outright the petition on any
of the following grounds: 9
a) that the offense has prescribed;
b) that there is no showing of any reversible error;
c) that the procedure or requirements herein prescribed have not been compl
ied with;
d) that the questioned resolution is interlocutory in nature, except when i
t suspends the proceedings based on the alleged existence of a prejudicial quest
ion; or
e) that other legal or factual grounds exist to warrant a dismissal.
SEC. 9. Motion for Reconsideration.- The aggrieved party may file a motion for r
econsideration within a non-extendible period of ten (10) days from receipt of t
he resolution on the petition, furnishing the adverse party or his counsel and t
he prosecutor with copies thereof. No second motion for reconsideration shall b
e entertained.
SEC. 10. Effect of filing of petition. - A petition for review, motion for recon
sideration/reinvestigation from a resolution finding probable cause shall not ho
ld the filing of the information in court.
Pending resolution of the Petition for review, the accused is entitled to a susp
ension of the proceedings, to the holding in abeyance of the issuance of warrant
of arrest, and deferment of the arraignment.

PART V. BAIL
9
SECTION 1. Bail defined. - Bail is the security given for the release of a perso
n in custody of the law, furnished by him or a bondsman, conditioned upon his ap
pearance before any court as required under the conditions hereinafter specified
. Bail may be given in the form of corporate surety, property bond, cash deposit
, or recognizance.
SEC. 2. Nature of right to bad.- The right to bail is guaranteed by the Constitu
tion. It is the duty of the prosecutor to recommend such amount of bail to the c
ourts of justice as, in his opinion, would ensure the appearance of an accused p
erson when so required by the court.
SEC. 3. Non-bailable offense. - No person charged with a capital offense, or an
offense punishable by reclusion perpetua or life imprisonment, when evidence of
guilt is strong, shall be admitted to bail regardless of the stage of the crimin
al prosecution.
SEC. 4 Criteria in recommending amount of bail. - In recommending the amount of
bail to be granted by the court, the prosecutor shall take into consideration t
he following standards and criteria:
a) financial ability of the respondent/accused to post bail;
b) nature and circumstances of the offense;
c) penalty for the offense charged;
d) age, state of health, character and reputation of the respondent
/accused under detention;
e) weight of the evidence against the respondent/accused under dete
ntion;
f) forfeiture of other bonds and pendency of other cases wherein th
e respondent/accused under detention is under bond;
g) the fact that respondent/accused under detention was a fugitive
from justice when apprehended; and
h) other factors affecting the probability of the accused appearing
at the trial.
SEC. 5. Burden of proof in bail application. - At the hearing of an application
for admission to bail filed by any person who is in custody for the commission o
f an offense punishable by death, reclusion perpetual or life imprisonment, the
prosecution has the burden of showing that evidence of guilt is strong. The evid
ence presented during the bail hearings shall be considered automatically reprod
uced at the trial, but upon motion of either party, the court may recall any wit
ness for additional examination unless the witness is dead, outside of the Phili
ppines or otherwise unable to testify.

SEC. 6. Recognizance. - Whenever allowed pursuant to law or these Rules, the cou
rt may release a person in custody on his own recognizance or that of a responsi
ble person.
SEC. 7. Bail, when not required; reduced bail or recognizance. - No bail shall b
e required when the law or the Rules issued by the Supreme Court so provide .
When a person has been in custody for a period equal to or more than the possibl
e maximum imprisonment of the offense charged to which he may be sentenced, he s
hall be released immediately without prejudice to the continuation of the trial
thereof or the proceedings on appeal. In case the maximum penalty to which the a
ccused may be sentenced is destierro, he shall be released after thirty (30) day
s of preventive imprisonment.
A person in custody for a period equal to or more than the minimum of the princi
pal penalty prescribed for the offense charged without application of the Indete
rminate Sentence Law or any modifying circumstance, shall be released on a reduc
ed bail or on his own recognizance, at the discretion of the court.
SEC. 8. Notice of application for hail to prosecutor. - In an application for ba
il, the court shall give reasonable notice of the hearing to the prosecutor or r
equire him to submit his recommendation.
SEC. 9. Cancellation of hail bond. - Upon application filed with the court and a
fter due notice to the prosecutor, the bail bond may be canceled upon surrender
of the accused or proof of his death.
The bail bond shall be deemed automatically canceled upon acquittal of the accus
ed or dismissal of the case or execution of the final judgment of conviction.
In all instances, the cancellation shall be without prejudice to any liability o
n the bond.
SEC. 10. Arrest of accused out on hail. - For the purpose of surrendering the ac
cused, the bondsmen may arrest him, or on written authority endorsed on a certif
ied copy of the undertaking may cause him to be arrested by any police officer o
r any other person of suitable age and discretion.
An accused released on bail may be re-arrested without the necessity of a warran
t if he attempts to depart from the Philippines without prior permission of the
court where the case is pending.
SEC. 11. No had after final judgment, exception. - An accused shall not be allow
ed bail after the judgment has become final, unless he has applied for probation
before commencing to serve sentence, the penalty and the offense being within th
e purview of the Probation Law. In case the accused has applied for probation, h
e may be allowed temporary liberty under his bail bond, but if no bail was filed
or the accused is incapable of filing one, the court may allow his release on r
ecognizance under the custody of a responsible member of the community. In no ca
se shall bail be allowed after the accused has commenced to serve sentence.
SEC. 12. Rules in computing the bail to be recommended. - To achieve uniformity
in the amount of bail to be recommended, the following rules shall be observed:
a) Where the penalty is reclusion perpetua, life imprisonment, reclusion pe
rpetua to death or death, bail is not a matter of right; hence, it shall not be
recommended.
b) Where bail is a matter of right and the imposable penalty is imprisonmen
t and/or fine, the bail shall be computed on the basis of the penalty of impriso
nment applying the following rules:
1. where the penalty is reclusion temporal (regardless of period) to reclus
ion perpetua, bail shall be computed based on the maximum of reclusion temporal.
ii. where the imposable penalty is correccional or afflictive, bait shall be
based on the maximum of the penalty, multiplied by P2,000.00. A fraction of a y
ear shall be rounded-off to one year.
iii. for crimes covered by the Rules on Summary Procedure and Republic Act No
. 6036, bail is not required except when respondent/accused is under arrest, in
which case, bail shall be computed in accordance with this guideline.
iv for crimes of reckless imprudence resulting in homicide arising from vio
lation of the Land Transportation and Traffic Code, bail shall be P30,000.00 per
deceased person.
v. for violation of Batas Pambansa Blg. 22, bail shall be 50% of the amount
of check but should not be less than P2,000.O0nor more than P30,000.00.
Where the imposable penalty is only a fine, bail shall be computed as
follows:
9

1. fine not exceeding P2,000.00,bail is not required.

ii. fine of more than P2,000.00,bail shall be 50% of the fine but should not
exceed P30,000.00.
iii. in case of reckless imprudence resulting to damage to property, bail sha
ll be three-eighths (3/8) of the value of the damage but not exceeding P30,OOO.O
O except when covered by the Rules on Summary Procedure.
d) Bail based on the maximum penalty, multiplied by P1O,OOO.OO,shall be app
lied to the following offenses under the following laws:
I. Republic Act No.6425 (Dangerous Drugs Act), as amended by RA 7659;
ii. Republic Act No.6539 (Anti-Carnapping Act), as amended by RA 7659;
iii. Republic Act No.7659 (for other crimes covered by it);
iv. Presidential Decree No. 186 (Illegal Possession of Firearms, Ammunition
or Explosives), as amended by RA 8294;
v. Republic Act No. 1937 (Tariff and Customs Code), as amended; or
vi. Rebellion, insurrection or Coup d'etat as amended by Republic Act No.696
8.
SEC. 13. Petition for bail in a continuous trial. - In case a petition for bail
is filed by the accused and the court orders a continuous trial of the case, the
public prosecutor shall be prepared with his principal witnesses. Where there a
re several accused and one or two filed a petition to bail, the trial prosecutor
shall, before the presentation of his first witness, manifest in open court tha
t the evidence to be presented in the hearing of the petition for bail shall be
adopted as its evidence-inchief.

PART VI. ARREST

SECTION 1. Definition of probable cause as a ground for an arrest or issuance of

 a warrant of arrest. - Probable cause is such facts and circumstances which wou
ld lead a reasonably discreet and prudent man to believe that an offense has bee
n committed by the person sought to be arrested.
SEC. 2. Remedy if no warrant of arrest is issued by the investigating judge. -If
the investigating judge is satisfied that there is probable cause but did not i
ssue the warrant of arrest contrary to the prosecutor's belief that there is a n
eed to place the accused under custody, the speedy and adequate remedy of the pr
osecutor is to immediately file the information so that the Regional Trial Court
judge may issue the warrant for the arrest of the accused.
SEC. 3. Request for a copy of the return. - If a warrant of arrest has been issu
ed, the prosecutor may request the warrant officer that he be furnished with the
officer's return relative thereto. The prosecutor shall, as far as practicable,
coordinate with the witnesses from time to time to ascertain the whereabouts of
the accused pending the latter's arrest.
PART VII. ARRMGNMENT AND PLEA

SECTION 1. Concept of arraignment. - Arraignment is a mandatory requirement tha

t seeks to give the accused the opportunity, at the first instance, to know why
the prosecuting arm of government has been mobilized against him and to plead. A
t the arraignment, the accused may enter a plea of guilty or not guilty.
SEC. 2. Duties of trial prosecutor. -
a) Before the arraignment of the accused, the trial prosecutor shall examin
e the information vis-a-vis the resolution of the investigating prosecutor in or
der to make the necessary corrections or revisions and to ensure that the inform
ation is sufficient in form and substance.
b) After arraignment, the trial prosecutor shall prepare his witnesses for
trial. Government witnesses, e.g. medico-legal officer, chemist, forensic expert
s, examiners etc. should, as much as practicable, be presented in accordance wit
h the logical a~d chronological sequence of the technical aspects to be proved.
SEC. 3. Effect of filing a petition for review. - When an aggrieved partymanifes
ts in court that he has a pending petition for review with the Department of Jus
tice and moves for a deferment of the arraignment pending resolution of his peti
tion, the Trial Prosecutor may conform thereto once proof of said petition has b
een presented by the petitioner to his satisfaction.
SEC. 4. Concept of plea. - The plea is the reply of the accused to the charge. I
t raises the issue to be tried and on which the judgment/sentence of the court c
an be properly based.
PART VIII. PRE-TRIAL

SECTION 1. CoflcQpt ofpre-trial. - A pre-trial is a process whereby the accused

and the prosecutors in a criminal case work out, usually at the arraignment stag
e, a naturally satisfactory disposition of a case subject to court approval in o
rder to expedite the trial of the case.
The prosecutor shall enter into a pre-trial only when the accused and counsel ag
ree and upon order of the court.
SEC. 2. Duties of prosecutor before and after the pre-trial conference. -Before
the pre-trial conference, the prosecutor should know every fact and detail of th
e case. This can be accomplished by interviewing the complainant and other witn
esses and after a thorough examination of the available documentary and other ph
ysical evidence. The prosecutor should place importance ';;n the testimony of th
e expert witness. The knowledge that the prosecutor will gain from said witness
will help him determine the procedures undertaken in the examination of a subjec
t or thing; the scientific or technical terms applied, and the reason/s in arriv
ing at a certain conclusion.
During the pre-trial process, the prosecutor shall bear in mind that he has to p
rove his case beyond a reasonable doubt and that every act or incident should be
proved by the testimony of qualified and competent witnesses.
After the pre-trial conference, the prosecutor shall ensure that any agreement o
r admission made or entered therein is in writing and signed by the accused and
his counsel.
SEC. 3. Subject matters ofpre-tn.al. - The pre-trial conference shall consider t
he following:
a) Plea bargaining - This is a process where the defendants usually plead g
uilty to a lesser offense or to only one or some of the counts of a multi-count
indictment in return for a lighter sentence than that for the graver charge ;
b) Stipulation of facts- This is the agreement of the parties on some facts
admitted, some facts covered by judicial notice (Sec. 1, Rule 129), judicial ad
missions (Sec. 2 Rule 129), or on matters not otherwise disputed by them. In cas
es requiring the presentation of government witnesses or evidence, the Trial Pro
secutor should exert every effort to secure a waiver by the accused of objection
s to the admissibility of certain documentary evidence, e.g., medical or death c
enificare, necropsy report, forensic chemistry report, ballistics report, Philip
pineOverseas and Employment Administration (POEA) Certification, and the like, i
f such evidence has no relevance whatsoever to the theory of the defense, in ord
er to d~spense with the presentation and testimony in court of government witnes
ses. Whenever appropriate or necessary, the counter-affidavit of the accused sub
mitted luring the preliminary investigation may be resorted to or availed of to
denions~rate or establish the defense theory;
c) Marking of documentary evidence in advance for identification;
d) Waiver in advance of objections to admissibility of evidence;
e) List of witnesses to be presented which should be qualified by the follo
wing statement: "that other witnesses may be presented in the course of the tri
al"; and
f) Such other matters as will promote a fair and expeditious trial.
SEC. 4. Plea of guilty to a lesser offense. - The following rules shall apply to
cases where the accused pleads guilty to a lesser offense:
a) The Trial Prosecutor shall immediately move for the suspension of the pr
oceedings whenever the accused manifests his intention in court to plead guilty
to a lesser offense. This will enable the Trial Prosecutor to evaluate the impli
cations of the offer.
b) If the lesser offense to which the accused will plead guilty is not a ca
pital offense, the Trial Prosecutor may dispense with the presentation of eviden
ce unless the court directs otherwise.
c) The Trial Prosecutor, with the consent of the offended party, may motu p
ropno agree to the offer of the accused to plead guilty to a lesser offense if t
he penalty imposable therefor is prision correcional (maximum of six [61 years)
or less or a fine not exceeding P12,OOO.OO.
d) When the penalty imposable for the offense charged is prision mayor (at
least six [6] years and one [11 day or higher) or a fine exceeding ~12,OOO.OO,
the Trial Prosecutor shall first submit his comment/recommendation to the
City or Provincial Prosecutor or to the Chief State Prosecutor, as the case may
be, for approval. If the recommendation is approved in writing, the Trial Prosec
utor, may, with the consent of the offended party, agree to a plea of guilty to
a lesser offense. For this purpose, the Chief State Prosecutor or the Provincial
or City Prosecutor concerned shall act on the recommendation of the Trial Prose
cutor within forty-eight (48) hours from receipt thereof. In no case shall the s
ubject plea to a lesser offense be allowed without the written approval of the a
bove respective heads of office.
e) In all cases, the penalty for the lesser offense to which the accused ma
y be allowed to plead guilty shall not be more than two (2) degrees lower than
the imposable penalty for the crime charged, notwithstanding the presence
of mitigating circumstances. The lesser offense shall also be one that is neces
sarily related to the offense charged or the offense must belong to the same cla
ssification or title under the Revised Penal Code or therelevant special laws.
However, the plea of guilty to a lesser offense may not be allowed where it so
contravenes lo~ nd common sense as to be unconscionable, thereby resulting in
us, where the offense charged is homicide, a plea of guilty to a lesser offense
of frustrated or attempted homicide, may not be allowed, since the fact of death
cannot be reconciled with the plea of guilty to frustrated or attempted homicid
e. Homicide necessarily produces death, while frustrated or attempted homicide d
oes not.
SEC. 5. when accused pleads guilty to a capital offense. - If the accused pleads
guilty to a capital offense, the Trial Prosecutor must present evidence to prov
e the guilt of the accused and the precise degree of his culpability. This is ma
ndatory.
PART IX. TRIAL'

SECTION 1. Definition of trial. - A trial is a judicial examination of the claim

s at issue in a case which are presented by the prosecution and defense to enabl
e the court to arrive at a judgment pronouncing either the guilt or innocence of
the accused.2
SEC. 2. Concept of trial. - The object of a trial is to mete out justice, and to
convict the guilty and protect the innocent. Thus, the trial should be a search
for the truth and not a contest over technicalities and must be conducted under
such rules as will protect the innocent.3
SEC. 3. Expeditious prosecution of criminal cases filed with the courts. -The Tr
ial Prosecutor shall always be prepared to conduct the prosecution with his witn
esses who shall be subpoenaed well in advance of the scheduled trial dates.4 No
postponement of the trial or other proceedings of a criminal case shall be initi
ated or caused by the Trial Prosecutor except in instances where the postponemen
t is occasioned by the absence of material witnesses or for other causes beyond
his control or not attributable to him.
SEC. 4. Order of presentation of witnesses. -
a) The order in the presentation of witnesses will be left to the discretio
n of the Trial Prosecutor. However, the prosecutor should take into consideratio
n the order of events as established by the evidence of the prosecution.
b) Witnesses who will testify for the first time shall be afforded the oppo
rtunity to be advised to observe criminal proceedings in court to help them over
come their anxiety, excitement and tension.
SEC. 5. Preparation of formal offer of exhibits. - The Trial Prosecutor shall sa
fely keep his documentary and other physical evidence and prepare a list thereof
in the order they have been marked as exhibits, identifying each by letter or n
umber, describing it briefly, and stating its specific purpose or purposes.
SEC. 6. Defense evidence. -
a) Before reception of evidence for the defense starts, the Trial Prosecuto
r shall ask from the adverse counsel the number of witnesses he intends to prese
nt.
b) If the names of defense witnesses are disclosed the Trial Prosec
utor shall elicit from reliable sources the whereabouts of these witnesses, thei
r moral character,, background, reasons for testifying and
relationship with the accused, among other things, to enable him to have a clear
view of the defense of the accused.
SEC. 7. Discharge of accused to he state witness. - When two or more persons are
jointly charged with the commission of any offense, upon motion of the prosecut
ion before resting its case, the court may direct one or more of the accused to
be discharged with their consent so that they may be witnesses for the state pro
vided the court, after hearing, is satisfied that:
a) There is absolute necessity for the testimony of the accused whose disch
arge is requested.5
b) There is no other direct evidence available for the proper prosecution o
f the offense committed, except the testimony of said accused,6 as when he alone
has knowledge of the crime, and not when his testimony would simply corroborate
or otherwise strengthen the evidence in the hands of the prosecution;7
c) The testimony of said accused can be substantially corroborated in its m
aterial points. This is an indispensable requirement because it is a notorious f
act in human nature that a culprit, confessing to a crime, is likely to put the
blame on others rather than himself. Thus, even though a court may get the stat
ement of a discharged accused that other particular persons were engaged in the
crime, it is unsafe to accept without corroborating evidence, his statements con
cerning the relative blame to be attached to different members of his gang;~
d) Said accused does not appear to be the most guilty.9 The mere fact that
the witness sought to be discharged had pleaded guilty In the crime charged does
not violate the rule that the discharged defendant must not "appear to be the m
ost guilty". And even if the witness should lack some of the qualifications enum
erated by Sec. 9, Rule 119, his testimony will not, for that reason alone, be
discarded or disregarded.10 The ground underlying the rule is not to let a cri
me that has been committed go unpunished; so an accused who is not the most guil
ty is allowed to testify against the most guilty, in order to achieve the g
reater purpose of securing the conviction of the more or most guilty and the gre
atest number among the accused permitted to be convicted for the offense they co
mmitted.'' However, although an accused did not commit anv of the stabbing, it
is a mistake to discharge him as a state \witness where he is bound in a conspi
racy. All the perpetrators of the offense bound in conspiracy are equally guilty
.
e) Said accused has not at anv time been convicted of any offense involving
moral turpitude.
Evidence adduced in support of the discharge sha11 automatically form part of th
e trial. If the court denies the motion for discharge of the accused as state wi
tness, his sworn statement shall be inadmissible in evidence.
SEC. 8. Witness protection. - An accused who is discharged from an information
or criminal complaint in order that he may be a state witness as provided in the
preceding section may, upon his petition, be admitted to the Witness Protection
Program under R.A. No.6981, "The Witness Protection, Security and Benefit Act"
if he complies with the other requirements of said Act.
SEC. 9. Other persons who may avail of the Witness Protection Program. -The foll
owing may also avail of the Witness Protection Program under R.A. No.
6981:
a) Any person who has witnessed or has knowledge of or information on the c
ommission of a crime and has testified or is testifying or is about to testify b
efore any judicial or quasijudicial body, or before any investigating authority,
Provided, that:
1. the offense in which his testimony will be used is a grave felony as def
ined under the Revised Penal Code or its equivalent under special laws;
ii. his testimony can be substantially corroborated on its material points;
iii. he or any member of his family within the second civil degree of consang
uinity or affinity is subjected to threats to his life or bodily injury or there
is a likelihood that he will be killed, forced, intimidated, harassed or corrup
ted to prevent him from testifying, or to testify falsely or evasively, because
or on account of his testimony; and
iv. he is not a law enforcement officer, even if he would be testifying agai
nst other law enforcement officers. In such a case, only the immediate members
of his family may avail themselves of the protection provided for under the Act.
b) Any person who has participated in the commission of a crime and desires
to be a witness for the State, whenever the following circumstances are present
:
i. . the offense in which testimony will be used is a grave felony as defined
under the Revised Penal Code or its equivalent under special laws;
ii. there is absolute necessity for his testimony;
iii. there is no other direct evidence available for the proper prosecution o
f the offense committed;
iv his testimony can be substantially corroborated on its material points;
V. he does not appear to be the most guilty; and
vi he has not at any time been convicted of any crime involving moral turpi
tude.
SEC. 10. Motions for postponement of accused. - Motions for postponement that ar
e initiated by the accused should be vigorously opposed by the Trial Prosecutor
and he should make of record his objections thereto, leaving to the court's disc
retion the disposition of the subject motions.'3
SEC. 11. Discontinuance of proceedings. - During the presentation of the prosecu
tion's evidence, the Trial Prosecutor shall not cause or allow the discontinuanc
e of the proceedings except for other similarly compelling reasons not attributa
ble to him.14
SEC. 12. Presentation of evidence. - Each party is bound to complete the present
ation of his evidence within the trial dates assigned to him. After the lapse of
said dates, the party is deemed to have completed his evidence presentation. Ho
wever, upon verified motion based on serious reasons, the judge may allow the pa
rty additional trial dates in the afternoon; provided that said extension will n
ot go beyond the three-month limit computed from the first trial date. '5
Where a Trial Prosecutor, without good cause, secures postponements of the trial
over the objections of a defendant beyond a reasonable period of time, the accu
sed is entitled to relief by a proceeding in mandamus to compel a dismissal of t
he information, or if he be restrained of his liberty, by habeas corpus to obtai
n his freedom16.
SEC. 13. Order of trial.- Upon receipt of the notice of trial, the prosecutor sh
all review the record of the case for trial and complete his preparation therefo
re bearing in mind that trial, once commenced, may continue from day to day unti
l terminated, and that trial shall proceed in the following order pursuant to Se
c. 3, Rule 119 of the Rules of Criminal Procedure:
a) The prosecution shall present evidence to prove the charge and, in the p
roper case, the civil liability.
b) The accused may present evidence to prove his defense, and damages, if a
ny, arising from the issuance of any provisional remedy in the case.
c) The parties may then respectively present rebutting evidence only, unles
s the court, in furtherance of justice, permits them to present additional evide
nce bearing upon the main issue.
d) Upon admission of the evidence, the case shall be deemed submitted for d
ecision unless the court directs the parties to argue orally or to submit memor
anda.
e) However, when the accused admits the act or omission charged in the comp
laint or information but interposes a lawful defense, the order of trial may be
modified accordingly.
SEC. 14. Presentation of witnesses.- The order in the presentation of witnesses
shall, as far as practicable, conform to he logical sequence of events obtainin
g in the case on trial in order to present a clear, organized and coherent pictu
re to the court of the prosecution's evidence.
For example, in the case of prosecution under the Dangerous Drugs Law, the Trial
Prosecutor should present the forensic chemist who examined the dangerous drug
ahead of the other witnesses in order that the court may at once have a view of
the real evidence (either the prohibited or regulated drug subject of the case)
and so that such evidence may immediately identified by the other witnesses thus
avoiding the recall of witnesses later on.
The rule of logical sequencing notwithstanding, a witness whose testimony is vit
al to the case and whose life is in danger or who may be sick/injured arid may p
ossibly die, should be made to testify as early as practicable.
SEC. 15. Examination of witnesses for the prosecution.-Where it shall satisfa
ctorily appear that the witness for the prosecution is too sick or infirm to app
ear at the trial as directed by order of the court, or has to leave the Philippi
nes with no definite date of returning thereto, he may forthwith be conditionall
y examined before the judge or the court where the case is pending. Such examina
tion in the presence of the accused, or after reasonable notice to attend the ex
amination has been served on him, will be conducted in the same manner as an exa
mination at the trial. Failure or refusal on the part of the accused to attend t
he examination after notice herein before provided, shall be considered a waiver
. The statement thus taken may be admitted on behalf of or against the accused.
SEC. 16. Cross-Examination of defense witnesses. The prosecutor shall endeav
or to secure well in advance all available information about a defense witness
in order to prepare for an effective cross-examination. Where the testimony of
a defense witness bears no effect on the evidence of the prosecution, a cross-ex
amination need not be conducted.
SEC. 17. Rebuttal evidence.- The presentation and nature of rebuttal evidence wi
ll depend on the effect which the defense evidence may have caused on the prosec
ution's evidence-in-chief. The recall of a witness who already testified during
the evidence-in-chief presentation merely to refute what a defense witness may h
ave stated during his defense testimony is not generally a rebuttal evidence. \W
here there is nothing to refute, rebuttal evidence is unnecessary.
48