Full Text Cases Rule 117-126

8/12/2019 Full Text Cases Rule 117-126

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G.R. No. 141336 June 29, 2004

RODOLFO G. VALENCIA, PEDRITO REYES, REEDIOS ARASIGAN, !AYANI ANASTACIO, R""LADO!A#ASANTA, JOSE ENRI$"E%, NELSON GA!"TERO, JOSE GENILO, JR., JOSE LEYNES &n' ALFONSO "ALI,JR., petitioners,vs.SANDIGAN!AYAN, 4T( DIVISION &n' OFFICE OF T(E O!"DSAN)SPECIAL PROSEC"TOR, respondents.

D E C I S I O N

YNARES*SANTIAGO, J.:

On April 8, 1997, petitioners Rodolfo G. Valenia, !edrito Re"es, Re#edios $arasi%an, &a"ani Anastaio, R'#'lado&a(asanta, )ose Enri*'e+, Nelson Ga'tero, )ose Genilo, )r., )ose -e"nes and Alfonso #ali (ere /ar%ed (it/Violation of Setion 0 e2 in relation to Setion 0 %2 of Rep'li At No. 0319, t/e Anti4Graft and Corr'pt !raties At, inan Infor#ation (/i/ reads5

6/at on or ao't )an'ar" 1, 199 or so#eti#e prior or s'se*'ent t/ereto, in Calapan, Oriental $indoro!/ilippines, and (it/in t/e 'risdition of t/is :onorale Co'rt, a'sed Rodolfo G. Valenia, t/en !rovinialGovernor of Oriental $indoro, !edrito A. Re"es, t/en Vie4Governor and !residin% offier of t/eSangguniangPanlalawigan of Oriental $indoro, &a"ani Anastaio, Ro#'aldo ). &a(asanta, E##an'el &. &'enavent'raCesareo $. C'eto, Violeta D. Da;is, )ose A. Enri*'e+, Nelson &. Ca'tero, )ose G. Genilo, )r., )ose C. -e"nes,Dante A. $anao, Re#edios E. $arasi%an, all #e#ers of t/e Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Oriental $indoroand Alfonso V. #ali, )r., t/en !rovinial Ad#inistrator, all of (/o# are p'li offiials of t/e provinia%overn#ent of Oriental $indoro, (/ile in t/e perfor#ane of t/eir offiial and


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In t/e #eanti#e, petitioners learned t/at in t/e ad#inistrative ase a%ainst t/e# do;eted as O$&4AD$4149@4301@,(/i/ involved t/e sa#e s'et #atter as t/e ri#inal ase, t/e O#'ds#an dis#issed t/e o#plaint a%ainst t/e# afterfindin% t/at t/e ontrat of loan (as entered into in p'rs'ane of t/e polie po(er of t/e loal /ief eFe'tive. 9Invo;in%t/is Resol'tion, petitioners filed (it/ t/e Sandi%ana"an a $otion for Reonsideration of t/e Order dated )'ne 0, 1999and


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a2 6/at t/e fats /ar%ed do not onstit'te an offense

2 6/at t/e o'rt tr"in% t/e ase /as no 'risdition over t/e offense /ar%ed

2 6/at t/e o'rt tr"in% t/e ase /as no 'risdition over t/e person of t/e a'sed

d2 6/at t/e offier (/o filed t/e infor#ation /ad no a't/orit" to do so

e2 6/at it does not onfor# s'stantiall" to t/e presried for#

f2 6/at #ore t/an one offense is /ar%ed eFept (/en a sin%le p'nis/#ent for vario's offenses is presried "la(

%2 6/at t/e ri#inal ation or liailit" /as een eFtin%'is/ed

/2 6/at it ontains aver#ents (/i/, if tr'e, (o'ld onstit'te a le%al eF'se or 'stifiation and

i2 6/at t/e a'sed /as een previo'sl" onvited or a*'itted of t/e offense /ar%ed, or t/e ase a%ainst /i#(as dis#issed or ot/er(ise ter#inated (it/o't /is eFpress onsent.1

Save (/ere t/e R'les eFpressl" per#it t/e investi%ation of fats alle%ed in a #otion to *'as/, t/e %eneral r'le is t/at int/e /earin% of s'/ #otion onl" s'/ fats as are alle%ed in t/e infor#ation, and t/ose ad#itted " t/e prose'tor, s/o'lde ta;en into ao'nt in t/e resol'tion t/ereof. $atters of defense an not e prod'ed d'rin% t/e /earin% of s'/#otions, eFept (/ere t/e r'les eFpressl" per#it, s'/ as eFtintion of ri#inal liailit", presription and for#er

eopard".Ot/er(ise p't, fats (/i/ onstit'te t/e defense of t/e a'sed a%ainst t/e /ar%e 'nder t/e infor#ation#'st e proved " t/e# d'rin% trial. S'/ fats or ir'#stanes do not onstit'te proper %ro'nds for a #otion to *'as/t/e infor#ation on t/e %ro'nd t/at t/e #aterial aver#ents do not onstit'te t/e offense.0

As a %eneral proposition, a #otion to *'as/ on t/e %ro'nd t/at t/e alle%ations of t/e infor#ation do not onstit'te t/eoffense /ar%ed, or an" offense for t/at #atter, s/o'ld e resolved on t/e asis alone of said alle%ations (/ose tr't/ andverait" are /"pot/etiall" ad#itted. 6/e infor#ations need onl" state t/e 'lti#ate fats t/e reasons t/erefor o'ld eproved d'rin% t/e trial.

6/e f'nda#ental test in refletin% on t/e viailit" of a #otion to *'as/ 'nder t/is parti'lar %ro'nd is (/et/er or not t/efats asseverated, if /"pot/etiall" ad#itted, (o'ld estalis/ t/e essential ele#ents of t/e ri#e defined in t/e la(. In t/iseFa#ination, #atters aliunde are not onsidered.=:o(ever, in*'ir" into fats o'tside t/e infor#ation #a" e allo(ed(/ere t/e prose'tion does not oet to t/e presentation t/ereof.@In t/e earl" ase of People v. Navarro,7(e /eld5

Prima facie,t/e fats /ar%ed are t/ose desried in t/e o#plaint, 't t/e" #a" e a#plified or *'alified "ot/ers appearin% to e additional ir'#stanes, 'pon ad#issions #ade " t/e peoples representative, (/i/ad#issions o'ld an"(a" e s'#itted " /i# as a#end#ents to t/e sa#e infor#ation. It (o'ld see# to e p'rete/nialit" to /old t/at in t/e onsideration of t/e #otion t/e parties and t/e 'd%e (ere prel'ded fro#onsiderin% fats (/i/ t/e fisal ad#itted to e tr'e, si#pl" ea'se t/e" (ere not desried in t/e o#plaint. Ofo'rse, it #a" e added t/at 'pon si#ilar #otions t/e o'rt and t/e fisal are not re*'ired to %o e"ond t/eaver#ents of t/e infor#ation, nor is t/e latter to e invei%led into a pre#at're and ris;" revelation of /is evidene&'t (e see no reason to pro/iit t/e fisal fro# #a;in%, in all andor, ad#issions of 'ndeniale fats, ea'set/e priniple an never e s'ffiientl" reiterated t/at s'/ offiials role is to see t/at 'stie is done5 not t/at alla'sed are onvited, 't t/at t/e %'ilt" are 'stl" p'nis/ed. -ess reason an t/ere e to pro/iit t/e o'rt fro#onsiderin% t/ose ad#issions, and deidin% aordin%l", in t/e interest of a speed" ad#inistration of 'stie.

It s/o'ld e stressed, /o(ever, t/at for a ase to fall 'nder t/e eFeption, it is essential t/at t/ere e no oetionfro# t/e prose'tion. 6/'s, t/e aove r'le does not appl" (/ere t/e prose'tion oeted to t/e presentation ofeFtraneo's fats and even opposed t/e #otion to *'as/.8

In t/e ase at ar, petitioners are /ar%ed (it/ violation of Setion 0 e2, in relation to 0 %2, of Rep'li At No. 0319 ort/e Anti4Graft and Corr'pt !raties At. 6/e pertinent provisions read5

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Se. 0. Corrupt practices of public officers. K In addition to ats or o#issions of p'li offiers alread" penali+ed" eFistin% la(, t/e follo(in% s/all onstit'te orr'pt praties of an" p'li offier and are /ere" delared to e'nla(f'l5

F F F F F F F F F.

e2 Ca'sin% an" 'nd'e in'r" to an" part", inl'din% t/e Govern#ent, or %ivin% an" private part" an"'n(arranted enefits, advanta%e or preferene in t/e dis/ar%e of /is offiial, ad#inistrative or 'diial

f'ntions t/ro'%/ #anifest partialit", evident ad fait/ or %ross ineF'sale ne%li%ene. 6/is provisions/all appl" to offiers and e#plo"ees of offiers or %overn#ent orporations /ar%ed (it/ t/e %rant oflienses or per#its or ot/er onessions.

F F F F F F F F F.

%2 Enterin%, on e/alf of t/e Govern#ent, into an" ontrat or transation #anifestl" and %rossl"disadvanta%eo's to t/e sa#e, (/et/er or not t/e p'li offier profited or (ill profit t/ere".

F F F F F F F F F.

6/e ele#ents of t/e ri#e of violation of Setion 0 e2 are t/e follo(in%5

1. 6/e a'sed is a p'li offier dis/ar%in% ad#inistrative, 'diial or offiial f'ntions

. :e #'st /ave ated (it/ #anifest partialit", evident ad fait/ or ineF'sale ne%li%ene and

0. :is ation /as a'sed 'nd'e in'r" to an" part", inl'din% t/e Govern#ent, or /as %iven an" part" an"'n(arranted enefit, advanta%e or preferene in t/e dis/ar%e of /is f'ntions.9

On t/e ot/er /and, t/e ele#ents of t/e ri#e of violation of Setion 0 %2 are5

1. 6/e offender is a p'li offier

. :e enters into a ontrat or transation on e/alf of t/e %overn#ent and

0. 6/e ontrat or transation is %rossl" and #anifestl" disadvanta%eo's to t/e %overn#ent.03

A aref'l sr'tin" of t/e Infor#ation s/o(s t/at all t/e aove ele#ents are averred t/erein. It s'ffiientl" alle%es t/atpetitioners are p'li offiials dis/ar%in% offiial or ad#inistrative f'ntions (/o, in evident ad fait/ and (it/ #anifestpartialit", entered into a %rossl" disadvanta%eo's ontrat on e/alf of t/e %overn#ent (it/ a private person (/i/ %ivest/e latter 'n(arranted enefit and advanta%e.

!etitioners invo;e t/e earlier Resol'tion of t/e O#'ds#an (/i/ reo##ended t/e dis#issal of t/e ase a%ainst t/e#6/ere, t/e Graft Investi%ation Offier opined t/at t/e ontrat of loan eFtended " petitioners to En%r. Alfredo $. Atien+afor t/e repair, #aintenane and operation of t/e latters #otor vessel (as neessar" for t/e transportation needs of t/ein/aitants of t/e !rovine of Oriental $indoro, (/i/ /ad 'st s'ffered t/ree s'essive t"p/oons. 6/e loan of provinia

f'nds (as s'pposedl" eFtended " t/e San%%'nian% !anlala(i%an of Oriental $indoro 'nder Setion @8 01of R.A. 71@36/e -oal Govern#ent Code of 19912, p'rs'ant to t/e General ?elfare provision e#odied in Setion 1@ t/ereof, (/i/states5

SEC. 1@. General Welfare.L Ever" loal %overn#ent 'nit s/all eFerise t/e po(ers eFpressl" %ranted, t/oseneessaril" i#plied t/erefro#, as (ell as po(ers neessar", appropriate, or inidental for its effiient and effetive%overnane, and t/ose (/i/ are essential to t/e pro#otion of t/e %eneral (elfare. ?it/in t/eir respetiveterritorial 'risditions, loal %overn#ent 'nits s/all ens're and s'pport, a#on% ot/er t/in%s, t/e preservation andenri/#ent of 'lt're, pro#ote /ealt/ and safet", en/ane t/e ri%/t of t/e people to a alaned eolo%"eno'ra%e and s'pport t/e develop#ent of appropriate and self4reliant sientifi and te/nolo%ial apailitiesi#prove p'li #orals, en/ane eono#i prosperit" and soial 'stie, pro#ote f'll e#plo"#ent a#on% t/eirresidents, #aintain peae and order, and preserve t/e o#fort and onveniene of t/eir in/aitants.

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As en'niated aove, /o(ever, t/e Resol'tion #'st e estalis/ed as t/eir defense d'rin% t/e trial. It (as not evenoffered and ad#itted as evidene " t/e Sandi%ana"an. It (as #erel" atta/ed to petitioners S'pple#ental !leadin% inS'pport of $otion to 'as/ Infor#ation.0B'rt/er#ore, t/e Resol'tion does not ear t/e approval of t/e O#'ds#an.00

In an" event, t/e O#'ds#an s'se*'entl" denied petitioners #otion for reinvesti%ation. 6/e fat t/at Speia!rose'tor -eonardo !. 6a#a"o and Dep't" Speial !rose'tor Roert E. allos reo##ended t/e dis#issal of t/e asea%ainst petitioners is of no #o#ent, espeiall" sine t/e sa#e Speial !rose'tor and Dep't" Speial !rose'tor si%nedt/e Co##ent filed efore t/is Co'rt (/erein t/e" eFtensivel" ar%'ed a%ainst t/e instant petition. 6/e ontin'in% oetion

and opposition of t/e prose'tion to petitioners #otion to *'as/ t/e Infor#ation re#oves t/is ase fro# t/e eFeption tot/e aove4ited r'le t/at in t/e deter#ination of (/et/er t/e fats alle%ed onstit'te an offense, onl" t/e alle%ations in t/eInfor#ation, (/ose tr't/ and verait" are /"pot/etiall" ad#itted, s/o'ld e onsidered.

Indeed, t/e findin%s of t/e Graft Investi%ation Offier are ontradited " t/e follo(in% dis*'isition " t/e O#'ds#an int/e Resol'tion findin% proale a'se to /ar%e petitioners, to (it5

6/e s'et loan does not fall (it/in t/e onteFt of t/e %eneral (elfare la'se 'nder Setion 1@ of t/e -oalGovern#ent Code. 6/e loan in *'estion (as #ore inlined to pro#ote t/e personal or 'siness interest of En%r.

Atien+a rat/er t/an to oost t/e o##on (elfare of t/e people in $indoro. In t/e redit a%ree#ent itself, (/ilet/e prole# of transport s"ste# (as addressed in passin% 'nder its (/ereas la'se introd'tor" part2 of t/esaid ontrat, /o(ever, t/e sa#e (as not #entioned in t/e od" of t/e said a%ree#ent. 6/ere is no provision int/e ontrat to oli%ate En%r. Atien+a to(ards t/e i#prove#ent of transport servie for t/e people of Orienta

$indoro. In s/ort, it is not lear in t/e said a%ree#ent t/at En%r. Atien+a is #andated to render transport serviefor t/e %eneral (elfare of t/e people in $indoro. F F F F F F F F F.

F F F F F F F F F.

As e#odied in t/e redit a%ree#ent, t/e p'rpose of t/e loan ein% stated t/erein (as to finane t/e ost of t/erepair, operation and #aintenane of Atien+as vessel. 6/is in essene is indeed a private affair. It s'its Atien+aspersonal a%%randi+e#ent. In s"nt/esis, t/e s'et loan /as t/e attri'tes of a private interest as opposed top'li p'rpose. Conse*'entl" t/e s'et loan does not r/"#e (it/ t/e re*'ire#ent t/at %overn#ent f'nds s/ale 'sed


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p'li offier is onerned. Also, 'nder t/e Constit'tion, it is onl" t/e !resident (/o #a" %rant t/e pardon of ari#inal offense.08

6/ere is, t/'s, no reason for t/e Sandi%ana"an to *'as/ t/e Infor#ation a%ainst petitioners on t/e asis solel" of t/edis#issal of t/e ad#inistrative o#plaint a%ainst t/e#.

Binall", petitioners invo;e t/e r'lin% in Tatad v. Sandiganbayan,09(/ere t/is Co'rt dis#issed t/e ri#inal ases a%ainstpetitioner for t/e inordinate dela" of t/ree "ears in t/e ond't of preli#inar" investi%ations (/i/ violated /is ri%/t to d'e

proess and t/e onstit'tional %'arantee of speed" disposition of ases. In t/e ase at ar, petitioners alle%e t/at (/ilet/e letter4o#plaint a%ainst t/e# (as dated $ar/ 13, 199, t/e O#'ds#an resolved to file t/e Infor#ation a%ainstt/e# t/ree "ears later, on Ber'ar" 1, 1997, and in fat t/e Infor#ation (as filed (it/ t/e Sandi%ana"an on April 8,1997.

&" (a" of eFplanation for t/e pereived dela", t/e Speial !rose'tor, in /is Co##ent to t/e petition, en'#erated t/e/ronolo%" of events e%innin% fro# t/e reeipt of t/e letter4o#plaint to t/e filin% of t/e Infor#ation. It appears t/erefro#t/at in #ost ases t/e eFtended periods of ti#e (ere devoted to verifiations and investi%ations, first " t/e Nationa&'rea' of Investi%ation and t/en " t/e O#'ds#an. ?it/in t/e Offie of t/e O#'ds#an, t/e o#plaint /ad to 'nder%oseparate investi%ations " t/e Bat4Bindin% Investi%ation &'rea' and t/e Eval'ation and !reli#inar" Investi%ation &'rea'D'rin% t/e preli#inar" investi%ation itself, petitioners so'%/t eFtensions of ti#e efore t/e" filed t/eir o'nter4affidavits.

6/'s, t/e r'lin% in Tatad does not appl" /ere. In t/at ase, t/e dela" (as eFaerated " t/e fat t/at t/e /ar%es a%ainst

petitioner (ere fo'nd to e politiall" #otivated. In t/e ase at ar, t/ere is no indiation t/at t/e o#plaint a%ainstpetitioners (as filed to serve politial ends. Neit/er is t/e dela" veFatio's, apriio's or oppressive. On t/e ontrar", (/atappears is t/at t/e prose'tors eFerised eFtre#e are in verif"in%, eval'atin% and assessin% t/e /ar%es a%ainstpetitioners efore #a;in% a findin% of proale a'se.

Bor ertiorari to lie, it #'st e s/o(n t/at t/e Sandi%ana"an ated (it/ %rave a'se of disretion, 3or #ore speifiall"t/at it eFerised its po(er aritraril" or despotiall" " reason of passion or personal /ostilit" and s'/ eFerise (as sopatent and %ross as to a#o'nt to an evasion of positive d't", or to a virt'al ref'sal to perfor# it or to at in onte#plationof la(.1!etitioners failed in t/is respet.

#(EREFORE,in vie( of t/e fore%oin%, t/e petition for ertiorari is DISISSED.6/e 6e#porar" Restrainin% Order iss'ed" t/is Co'rt on $a" 1@, 333 is LIFTED.6/e Sandi%ana"an is DIRECTED to ond't proeedin%s in Cri#inal CaseNo. 0@ (it/ delierate dispat/.

SO ORDERED.

Davide, r., Panganiban, Carpio,and!"cuna, .,on'r.

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G.R. No+. 14361*41 Ju- 30, 2002

!ENJAIN /oo/ RO"ALDE%,petitioner, vs.T(E (ONORA!LE SANDIGAN!AYAN F+5 D+on7 &n' T(E PEOPLE OF T(E P(ILIPPINES e8e+en5e' SPECIAL PROSEC"TION OFFICER II EVELYN TAGO!A L"CERO,respondents.

D E C I S I O N

YNARES*SANTIAGO, J.:

!revio's to t/is ase, petitioner instit'ted a petition do;eted as G.R. No. 13=8, entitled, #en$amin %&o'oy()omualde", Petitioner, versus Sandiganbayan %*irst Division( and Presidential Commission on Good Government%PCGG(, )espondents.1:e assailed t/erein, a#on% ot/ers, t/e validit" of t(ent"4fo'r infor#ations (/i/ t/e !CGG fileda%ainst /i# for violation of Setion 7 of Rep'li At No. 0319, #ore speifiall" for fail're to file /is state#ents of assetsand liailities overin% t/e "ears 19@ to 198= (/en /e (as in t/e %overn#ent servie. 6/e ases (ere filed (it/ t/eSandi%ana"an as Cri#inal Cases Nos. 103@4109. :e ar%'ed t/at !CGG Co##issioner A'%'sto E. Villarin, (/oond'ted t/e preli#inar" investi%ation, /ad no a't/orit" to do so.

On $a" 1@, 199=, a Deision (as rendered in said ase delarin% t/e preli#inar" investi%ation ond'ted " t/e !CGGinvalid, ased on t/e follo(in% findin%s5

No(, t/e ri#es asried to Ro#'alde+ fail're to file /is ann'al state#ents of assets and liailities2 do not relate toalle%ed ill4%otten (ealt/ a#assed " /i#. No s'/ relation #a" e pereived in t/e indit#ents t/e#selves, (/i/ in fat#erel" state t/at t/ere (as no $ustifiable causefor Ro#'alde+s ref'sal or fail're to file /is ann'al state#ents. $oreovert/e Sandi%ana"an itself #ade t/e findin% t/at t/e ases a%ainst Ro#'alde+ did not refer to a*'isition of (ealt/ 'nder aron" stat's, 't solel" MM to2 /is are p/"sial non4o#pliane (it/ /is #e/anial d't" to file /is state#ent of assetsand liailities over a period of t(ent"4fo'r 2 "ears MM and t/at t/e o#issions /ave no earin% on Civil Case No. 330=a%ainst Ro#'alde+ involvin% transations in (/i/ /e alle%edl" too; advanta%e of /is relations/ip (it/ t/e spo'sesBerdinand and I#elda $aros. 6/ese onsiderations also all for reetion of t/e Soliitor Generals t/eor" t/aRo#'alde+s non4filin% of state#ents of assets and liailities MM (as2 a #eans of concealing MM /is2 assets andfr'stratin% t/e efforts of t/e Govern#ent to deter#ine t/e at'al val'e or eFtent of MM /is2 (ealt/.

T:e Cou5 5:ee;oe 'e


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ases, alt/o'%/ /e represented petitioner in ot/er ases pendin% efore different divisions of t/e Sandi%ana"an. 6/es/ed'led /earin% on )'ne , 333 (as anelled for non4appearane of petitioner and o'nsel.

In t/e #eanti#e, petitioner, t/ro'%/ Att". Otilia Di#a"'%a4$olo, filed (it/ t/e Sandi%ana"an on )'ne , 333 a $otion to'as/ t/e infor#ations in Cri#inal Cases Nos. 103@4109.@:e ar%'ed t/erein t/at t/e !CGG Co##issioner (/o filedt/e infor#ations /ad no a't/orit" to do so.

On )'ne @, 333, petitioner reeived at /is address in 6aloan Cit" a notie fro# !rose'tor 6a%'a of t/e larifiator"

/earin% s/ed'led on )'ne 9, 333.7

6/e $otion to 'as/ (as /eard " t/e Sandi%ana"an on )'ne 8, 333, one da" efore t/e larifiator" /earin%. ?it/o't%rantin% t/e prose'tion ti#e to oppose t/e #otion, t/e !residin% )'stie, in open o'rt, denied t/e $otion to 'as/ andter#inated t/e preli#inar" investi%ation ein% ond'ted " !rose'tor -'ero. B'rt/er#ore, t/e !residin% )'stie set t/earrai%n#ent of petitioner on )'ne @, 333.

On )'ne 0, 333, petitioner (as ale to otain a (ritten op" of t/e order dated )'ne 8, 333 den"in% /is $otion to'as/ and settin% /is arrai%n#ent on )'ne @, 333. 8!etitioner li;e(ise reeived anot/er order dated )'ne 8, 333den"in% /is oral #otion for reonsideration.9

6/e arrai%n#ent s/ed'led on )'ne @, 333 (as reset to )'l" 8, 333.13

On )'l" 7, 333, petitioner filed t/e instant petition, see;in% to ann'l t/e assailed orders dated )'ne 8, 333 and topro/iit t/e Sandi%ana"an fro# i#ple#entin% t/e sa#e. !etitioner f'rt/er pra"ed for t/e iss'ane of a (rit of preli#inar"in'ntion and te#porar" restrainin% order, enoinin% /is arrai%n#ent on )'l" 8, 333.

In a resol'tion dated )'l" 17, 333, respondents (ere re*'ired to o##ent and t/e parties (ere direted to #aintaint/e status +uo anteprevailin% at t/e ti#e of filin% of t/e petition.11

6/e petition is an/ored on t/e follo(in% %ro'nds5

I. RES!ONDEN6 COR6 AC6ED ?I6:O6 )RISDIC6ION ANDING !E6I6IONERS $O6ION 6O AS: 6:EINBOR$A6ION BI-ED IN CRI$INA- CASES NOS. 103@4109 NO6?I6:S6ANDING 6:E BAC6 6:A6 6:E

!CGG CO$$ISSIONER ?:O BI-ED SAID INBOR$A6IONS :AD NO A6:ORI6> 6O DO SO

II. 6:E RES!ONDEN6 COR6 AC6ED ?I6:O6 )RISDIC6ION ANDING ?I6: 6:E DIREC6IVE OB6:E S!RE$E COR6 IN 6:E RO$A-DE CASE 6:A6 I6 S:O-D ORDER 6:E O$&DS$AN 6OCONDC6 A !RO!ER !RE-I$INAR> INVES6IGA6ION

III. 6:E !E6I6ION ?AS DENIED DE !ROCESS 6:A6 S:O-D CO$E BRO$ AN I$!AR6IA- AND CO-D->NE6RA- )DGE. RES!ONDEN6 !RE)DGED 6:E ISSES ?:EN I6 DIC6A6ED IN O!EN COR6 6:E-ENG6:> ORDER OB )NE 8, 333, DEN>ING O6RIG:6 6:E $O6ION 6O AS: AND ISSING

ANO6:ER ORDER ON 6:E SA$E DA6E DEN>ING AN A--EGED ORA- $O6ION BORRECONSIDERA6ION.1

Respondents o'nter t/at t/e first iss'e raised " petitioner /as alread" een resolved in G.R. No. 13=8, t/'s5

6/e invalidit" or asene of a preli#inar" investi%ation does not /o(ever affet t/e 'risdition of t/e 6rial Co'rt (/i/#a" /ave ta;en o%ni+ane of t/e infor#ation. 6/e ontrollin% priniples are set o't " a (ell ;no(n a't/orit" no( sittin%in t/e Co'rt, in /is (or; entitled )emedial -aw Compendium,as follo(s5

MM. An" oetion to la; of preli#inar" investi%ation #'st e #ade efore entr" of t/e plea %People vs. onteverde, G.).No. /01/2, uly 33, 314/( and t/e o'rt, instead of dis#issin% t/e infor#ation, #'st re#and t/e ase for preli#inar"investi%ation %People vs. Casiano, -536701, *eb. 3/, 31/38 People vs. *igueroa, -5292:7, !pril 70, 31/08 ;acarias vs.Cru", -526411, Nov. 21, 31/18 People vs. !be$uela, -521:36, ar. 73, 31:38 Sanciangco, et al. vs. People, G.). No.32470, ar. 29, 314:(. 6/e ref'sal of t/e o'rt to re#and t/e ase for preli#inar" investi%ation an e ontrolled "ertiorari and pro/iition to prevent trial %#andiala vs. C*


9/93

As re%ards proeedin%s in t/e Sandi%ana"an, parti'larl", anot/er a't/or oserves t/at5

Sine &+en&5on + no5 & >oun' 5o ?u&+: 5:e 5:&5 5:e n&-'5 o; 5:e 8e-=n& ne+5>&5on /'' no5 =8& 5:e &-'5 o; 5:e n;o=&5on+ oo5:e@+e en'e 5 'e;eui?on v. Sandiganbayan19and)aro vSandiganbayan.36/at, /o(ever, is t/e %eneral r'le, fro# (/i/ t/ere are ;no(n eFeptions. In ot/ ases, (e *'alifiedt/e r'le " statin% t/at Hit is onl" (/ere t/ere are speial ir'#stanes learl" de#onstratin% t/e inade*'a" of an

appeal t/at t/e speial ivil ation of ertiorari and pro/iition #a" eFeptionall" e allo(ed.1

6/ere are s'/ speial ir'#stanes in t/e ase at ar. Indeed, it (o'ld e a %ross infrin%e#ent of petitioners ri%/t tod'e proess, not to #ention an 'tter (aste of ti#e and 'diial reso'res, if trial is allo(ed to proeed onl" to e n'llified" t/e /i%/er o'rts later on 'pon t/e %ro'nd t/at t/e /ar%es (ere filed " a person (/o /ad no a't/orit" to file t/esa#e.

An infor#ation is defined as an a'sation in (ritin% /ar%in% a person (it/ an offense, s'sried " t/e prose'tor andfiled (it/ t/e o'rt.

9
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10/93

As an e learl" %leaned, it is t/e prose'tor, not t/e !CGG, (/o s'sries and files t/e infor#ation. In ases eforet/e Sandi%ana"an, t/e prose'tor is t/e O#'ds#an. As (e /ave /eld, t/e ri#es /ar%ed a%ainst petitioner do notrelate to alle%ed ill4%otten (ealt/, over (/i/ t/e !CGG /ad no 'risdition.

All trial o'rts, t/e Sandi%ana"an inl'ded, are re#inded t/at t/e" s/o'ld ta;e all t/e neessar" #eas'res %'aranteein%proed'ral d'e proess fro# t/e ineption of 'stodial investi%ation 'p to rendition of 'd%#ent. 06/e" are not to t'rn alind e"e to proed'ral irre%'larities (/i/ transpired efore t/e ri#inal ase rea/ed t/e o'rt. 6/e validit" ands'ffiien" of t/e infor#ation are i#portant.

In t/e ase at ar, t/e fla( in t/e infor#ation is not a #ere re#ediale defet of for#, as in Pec@o vSandiganbayan=(/ere t/e (ordin% of t/e ertifiation in t/e infor#ation (as fo'nd inade*'ate, or in People var+ue",@(/ere t/e re*'ired ertifiation (as asent. :ere, t/e infor#ations (ere filed " an 'na't/ori+ed part". 6/edefet annot e 'red even " ond'tin% anot/er preli#inar" investi%ation. An invalid infor#ation is no infor#ation at aland annot e t/e asis for ri#inal proeedin%s.

In fat, (/ere an infor#ation does not onfor# s'stantiall" to t/e presried for#, it is s'et to *'as/al. $oreparti'larl", t/e infor#ation #a" e *'as/ed (/ere t/e offier (/o filed it /ad no a't/orit" to do so.7

At all sta%es of t/e proeedin%s leadin% to /is trial and onvition, t/e a'sed #'st e /ar%ed and tried aordin% to t/eproed're presried " la( and #ar;ed " oservane of t/e ri%/ts %iven to /i# " t/e Constit'tion. In t/e sa#e (a"t/at t/e readin% of t/e infor#ation to t/e a'sed d'rin% arrai%n#ent is not a 'seless for#alit", 8so is t/e validit" of t/e

infor#ation ein% read not an idle ere#on".

Cri#inal d'e proess re*'ires t/at t/e a'sed #'st e proeeded a%ainst 'nder t/e orderl" proesses of la(.9In alri#inal ases, t/e 'd%e s/o'ld follo( t/e step4"4step proed're re*'ired " t/e R'les. 6/e reason for t/is is to ass'ret/at t/e State #a;es no #ista;e in ta;in% t/e life or liert" eFept t/at of t/e %'ilt".03

6/e ase of Cru", r. v. Sandiganbayan01is diretl" in point5

Conse*'entl", t/e a#ended infor#ation t/at (as filed a%ainst petitioner did not fall 'nder t/e ate%or" of ri#inal ationsfor reover" of ill4%otten (ealt/ filed a%ainst a #e#er of t/e fa#il" of !resident $aros, relatives, s'ordinates or loseassoiates (/o too; advanta%e of t/eir offie or a't/orit" as onte#plated 'nder Setion a2 of EFe'tive Order No. 1.

?/at t/e petitioner is at'all" /ar%ed (it/ is for a violation of Rep'li At No. 0319. !'li respondent !CGG does notpretend t/at t/e !resident assi%ned to it t/is parti'lar ase a%ainst t/e petitioner for investi%ation and prose'tion inaordane (it/ Setion 2 of EFe'tive Order No. 1.

$oreover, an eFa#ination of t/e o#plaint filed (it/ respondent !CGG, as (ell as t/e affidavits, o'nter4affidavits andeF/iits s'#itted at t/e preli#inar" investi%ation s/o( t/at 5:ee + no e'ene' o-&5on + &'&n5&>e o; :+ 8u-< o;;o55en @e&-5: en> +ou>:5 5o e e


11/93

t/is vie(, an infir#it" in t/e infor#ation, s'/ as la; of a't/orit" of t/e offier si%nin% it, annot e 'red " silene,a*'iesene, or even " eFpress onsent.

In fine, t/ere #'st /ave een a valid and s'ffiient o#plaint or infor#ation in t/e for#er prose'tion. If, t/erefore, t/eo#plaint or infor#ation (as ins'ffiient ea'se it (as so defetive in for# or s'stane t/at t/e onvition 'pon it o'ldnot /ave een s'stained, its dis#issal (it/o't t/e onsent of t/e a'sed annot e pleaded. As t/e fisal /ad noa't/orit" to file t/e infor#ation, t/e dis#issal of t/e first infor#ation (o'ld not e a ar in petitioners s'se*'entprose'tion. )eopard" does not atta/ (/ere a defendant pleads %'ilt" to a defetive indit#ent t/at is vol'ntaril"

dis#issed " t/e prose'tion.00

6/e Sandi%ana"an also o##itted %rave a'se of disretion (/en it ar'ptl" ter#inated t/e reinvesti%ation ein%ond'ted " !rose'tor -'ero. It s/o'ld e realled t/at o'r diretive in G.R. No. 13=8 for t/e /oldin% of apreli#inar" investi%ation (as ased on o'r r'lin% t/at t/e ri%/t to a preli#inar" investi%ation is a s'stantive, rat/er t/an aproed'ral ri%/t. !etitioners ri%/t (as violated (/en t/e preli#inar" investi%ation of t/e /ar%es a%ainst /i# (ereond'ted " an offier (it/o't 'risdition over t/e said ases. It ears stressin% t/at o'r diretive s/o'ld e stritl"o#plied (it/ in order to a/ieve its oetive of affordin% petitioner /is ri%/t to d'e proess.

6/e Sandi%ana"an ontends t/at petitioner (aived /is ri%/t to a proper preli#inar" investi%ation. 6/is is'ntenale.3Awp@i36/e reords s/o( t/at petitioner (as 'nale to attend t/e larifiator" /earin%s on )'ne and =, 333si#pl" d'e to la; of notie. !rose'tor -'ero /erself ad#its t/at Att". &orro#eo, to (/o# s/e initiall" served notie oft/e /earin%, did not represent petitioner in Cri#inal Cases Nos. 103@4109. Effetivel", petitioner (as onl" notified of

t/e larifiator" /earin% s/ed'led on )'ne 9, 333. 6/at settin%, /o(ever, no lon%er #ateriali+ed ea'se t/e da"efore, t/e Sandi%ana"an pre#at'rel" ter#inated t/e reinvesti%ation.

Binall", petitioner /ar%es t/e Sandi%ana"an (it/ /avin% pre'd%ed t/e ases and deprived /i# of /is ri%/t to d'eproess. Considerin% t/e defetive nat're of t/e infor#ations in t/e ri#inal ases elo(, t/ere is no #ore need to pass'pon t/is last assi%n#ent of error. 6/e Sandi%ana"an /as o##itted %rave a'se of disretion in ref'sin% to *'as/ t/einfor#ations a%ainst petitioner. In t/e eFerise of t/eir disretion, all o'rts are ad#onis/ed to 'p/old t/e la( andproed're and to do (/at is fair and 'st.06/e Sandi%ana"an failed in t/is re%ard.

#(EREFORE, in vie( of t/e fore%oin%, t/e petition is GRAN6ED. 6/e assailed orders of t/e Sandi%ana"an dated )'ne8, 333 are ANN--ED and SE6 ASIDE.

SO ORDERED.

Davide, )r., C.)., C/air#an2, Vit'%, ap'nan, and A'stria4$artine+, ))., on'r.

11
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12/93

G.R. No. 131B6 &46:REE !ESOS !@,=00.332, !/ilippine C'rren", representin% SSS and EC pre#i'#s for t/eperiod fro# )an'ar" 1993 to Dee#er 1999 n.i.2, and t/e 0 penalt" per #ont/ for late re#ittane in t/e a#o'nt ofE-EVEN 6:OSAND ONE :NDRED BOR6>46:REE !ESOS and 8


13/93

(it/o't t/e prior (ritten a't/orit" or approval of t/e it" prose'tor as re*'ired 'nder Setion , R'le 11 of t/e RevisedR'les of Co'rt.7

6/e !eople, t/ro'%/ State !rose'tor 6olentino, filed an opposition, 8a%ainst (/i/ t/e a'sed filed a reoinder. 96/e!eople filed a repl" to t/e reoinder13on Dee#er 1, 331. A reoinder to t/e repl" 11(as filed " t/e a'sed on)an'ar" 1, 33.

After onsiderin% t/e ar%'#ents raised, t/e trial o'rt %ranted t/e #otion to dis#iss in its first *'estioned Order dated

Ber'ar" @, 33, to (it5

After onsiderin% t/e respetive ar%'#ents raised " t/e parties, t/e Co'rt elieves and so resolves t/at t/e Infor#ation/as not een filed in aordane (it/ Setion , par. 0 of R'le 11 of t/e 333 R'les on Cri#inal !roed're, t/'s5

JR'le 11, Setion F F F F F F

No o#plaint or infor#ation #a" e filed or dis#issed " an investi%atin% prose'tor (it/o't t/e prior (ritten a't/orit" orapproval of t/e provinial or it" prose'tor or /ief state prose'tor or t/e O#'ds#an or /is dep't".

EFpresio 'ni's est eFl'sio alteri's.

6/e Infor#ation (ill readil" s/o( t/at it /as not o#plied (it/ t/is r'le as it /as not een approved " t/e Cit" !rose'tor.

6/is Co'rt /olds t/at t/e defendants plea to t/e Infor#ation is not a (aiver to file a #otion to dis#iss or to *'as/ on t/e%ro'nd of la; of 'risdition. &" eFpress provision of t/e r'les and " a lon% line of deisions, *'estions of (ant of

'risdition #a" e raised at an" sta%e of t/e proeedin%s !eople vs. Ed'arte, 18 SCRA 7=32.

6/e S'pre#e Co'rt in Villa vs. IaPe+ 88 !/il 32 d(elt on la; of a't/orit" of t/e offier (/o filed t/e infor#ation andon 'risdition at t/e sa#e ti#e, pertinent portions r'n as follo(s5

6/e defendant /ad pleaded to t/e infor#ation efore /e filed a #otion to *'as/, and it is ontended t/at " /is plea /e(aived all oetions to t/e infor#ation. 6/e ontention is orret as far as for#al oetions to t/e pleadin%s areonerned. &'t " lear i#pliation, if not " eFpress provision of setion 13 of R'le 110 of t/e R'les of Co'rt, and " alon% line of 'nifor# deisions, *'estions of (ant of 'risdition #a" e raised at an" sta%e of t/e proeedin%s. No(, t/e

oetion to t/e respondents at'ations %oes to t/e ver" fo'ndations of 'risdition. It is a valid infor#ation si%ned " ao#petent offier (/i/, a#on% ot/er re*'isites, onfers 'risdition on t/e o'rt over t/e person of t/e a'sed and t/es'et #atter of t/e a'sation. In onsonane (it/ t/is vie(, an infir#it" of t/e nat're noted in t/e infor#ation annot e'red " silene, a*'iesene, or even " eFpress onsent.

!rose'tor 6olentino also ontends t/at /avin% een d'l" desi%nated to assist t/e Cit" !rose'tor in t/e investi%ation andprose'tion of all SSS ases " t/e Re%ional State prose'tor as alter e%o of t/e Seretar" of )'stie in Re%ion V, t/ent/at a't/orit" #a" e %iven to ot/er t/an t/e Cit" !rose'tor. 6/e Co'rt finds t/is ontention to e devoid of #erit. 6/eRe%ional State !rose'tor is not t/e alter e%o of t/e Seretar" of )'stie 't a #ere s'ordinate offiial and if ever t/efor#er files ases, it is " virt'e of a dele%ated a't/orit" " t/e Seretar" of )'stie. !otestas dele%ada non potestadele%are si2 K (/at /as een dele%ated annot e redele%ated.

In /is opposition, t/e state prose'tor also atta/ed a #e#orand'# dated )'ne , 331 " Re%ional State !rose'torSantia%o $. 6'rin%an addressed to !rovinial !rose'tor and Cit" !rose'tors of Re%ion V diretin% t/e# to in/iit and toappend t/e follo(in% NO6A6ION after t/e ertifiation in t/e Infor#ation for filin%.

NO6A6ION5 6/e /erein Cit"


14/93

?:EREBORE, pre#ises onsidered and for la; of 'risdition, t/e Co'rt /ere" resolves to DIS$ISS t/is ase (it/o'tprono'ne#ent as to ost.

SO ORDERED.1

A #otion for reonsideration (as filed " t/e !eople ontendin% t/at as a speial prose'tor desi%nated " t/e re%ionalstate prose'tor to /andle SSS ases (it/in Re%ion V, State !rose'tor 6olentino is a't/ori+ed to file t/e infor#ationinvolvin% violations of t/e SSS la( (it/o't need of prior approval fro# t/e it" prose'tor. 10-etters of o##endation

fro# C/ief State !rose'tor )ovenito 'Po1and Seretar" :ernando !ere+1=(ere offered as proof to s/o( t/at State!rose'tor 6olentinos a't/orit" to file t/e infor#ation (as reo%ni+ed. In response, t/e defense pointed o't in itsopposition t/at t/e #otion for reonsideration la;ed a notie of /earin%, /ene it ispro formaor a #ere srap of paper. 1@

On April 0, 33, respondent 'd%e iss'ed t/e seond *'estioned Order (/i/ reads5

Atin% 'pon t/e $otion for Reonsideration f iled " State !rose'tor Ro#'lo S). 6olentino, Speial !rose'tor on SSSases in Re%ion V, and it appearin% t/at t/e sa#e /as failed to o#pl" (it/ t/e re*'ire#ent of notie presried inSetions and =, R'le 1= of t/e R'les of Co'rt, t/e sa#e is /ere" DENIED for ein% a #ere srap of paper.

SO ORDERED.17

:ene, t/is petition " t/e !eople t/ro'%/ Re%ional State !rose'tor Santia%o 6'rin%an and State !rose'tor Ro#'loS). 6olentino. !etitioner attri'tes %rave a'se of disretion a#o'ntin% to la; or eFess of 'risdition on t/e part ofrespondent 'd%e, vi+518

1. RES!ONDEN6 )DGE DIS$ISSED 6:E INBOR$A6ION ?I6:O6 6:E REIRED S!!OR6INGBAC6A- AND -EGA- &ASES

. RES!ONDEN6 )DGE DE-I&ERA6E-> AND CA!RICIOS-> IGNORED 6:E !RES$!6ION OBREG-ARI6> IN BAVOR OB 6:E !ROSEC6ION ?I6:O6 6:E REIRED SBBICIENC> OB RE&66A-EVIDENCE. 6:E ?ORD $A> IN SEC. , R-E 11 OB 6:E R-ES OB COR6 IS NO6 $ANDA6OR>

0. RES!ONDEN6 )DGE CO$$I66ED GRAVE ERROR IN DE-I&ERA6E-> IGNORING 6:E )DICIA-->NO?N IN:I&I6ION OB 6:E CI6> !ROSEC6OR AND 6:E SE66-ED )RIS!RDENCE ON 6:E $A66ER

. RES!ONDEN6 )DGE GRAVE-> A&SED :ER DISCRE6ION IN IN6ERBERING ?I6: 6:E !RE->EQEC6IVE BNC6ION OB BI-ING AN INBOR$A6ION &> R-ING ON 6:E A6:ORI6> OB 6:E BI-INGOBBICER 6O BI-E 6:E INBOR$A6ION.

6/e Offie of t/e Soliitor General OSG2 filed its o##ent19in o#pliane (it/ t/is Co'rts Resol'tion dated Septe#e0, 33.3It opines t/at t/e dis#issal of t/e infor#ation is #andated 'nder Setion , R'le 11 of t/e R'les of Cri#inal!roed're.

!rivate respondent ontends t/at5112 t/e instant petition (as filed o't of ti#e 2 t/e speial State !rose'tor is onl"a't/ori+ed to ond't preli#inar" investi%ation and prose'tion of SSS ases and not to si%n t/e infor#ation and 02 t/eCit" !rose'tor did not eFpressl" in/iit /i#self fro# /andlin% SSS ases nor si%nin% t/e infor#ation.

?e s/all first resolve t/e proed'ral iss'es. Respondent ontends t/at t/e #otion for reonsideration filed on April 1,33 is late ea'se it (as filed ei%/teen da"s after $ar/ 1, 33, t/e date (/en petitioner reeived t/e first*'estioned order. Respondent /as overloo;ed t/at t/e 1= t/da" after $ar/ 1 is a Good Brida". :ene, petitioners lastda" to file t/e #otion for reonsideration (as on t/e neFt (or;in% da" after Good Brida", April 1.

NeFt, respondent ar%'es t/at /avin% een onsidered as a #ere srap of paper, t/e #otion for reonsideration of t/epetitioner did not toll t/e r'nnin% of t/e re%le#entar" period. Respondent, /o(ever, erroneo'sl" ass'#es t/at t/e presentase is an appeal " ertiorari 'nder R'le =. As stated at t/e o'tset, t/is is an ori%inal petition for ertiorari and#anda#'s 'nder R'le @=.

14


15/93

Se. , R'le 07 of t/e R'les of Co'rt is lear. It provides t/at a2 pro for#a #otion for ne( trial or reonsideration s/allnot toll t/e re%le#entar" period of appeal. emp@ases supplied2 :ene, t/e sa#e provision /as no appliation in t/e aseat ar.

6/e re;onin% date is t/e reeipt of t/e seond *'estioned Order and not t/e reeipt of t/e first. Setion , R'le @=, asa#ended " En &an Resol'tion A.$. No. 3344304SC, Septe#er 1, 333, provides, vi"5

Se. . ?/en and (/ere petition filed.44 6/e petition #a" e filed not later t/an siFt" @32 da"s fro# notie of t/e

'd%#ent, order or resol'tion. In ase a #otion for reonsideration or ne( trial is ti#el" filed, (/et/er s'/ #otion isre*'ired or not, t/e siFt" @324 da" period s/all e o'nted fro# notie of t/e denial of said #otion.

F F F F F F F F F

As s/o(n " t/e reords, petitioner reeived t/e first *'estioned order dated Ber'ar" @, 33 on $ar/ 1, 33. 0A#otion for reonsideration (as ti#el" filed on April 1, 33(/i/ (as dis#issed for la; of notie of /earin% in an Orderdated April 0, 33.=6/is seond *'estioned order (as reeived " petitioner on April 11, 33.@A #otion for eFtensionof ti#e to file a petition for revie( on ertiorari (as filed on April 18, 33. 7A #otion for leave to file and ad#it t/e instantpetition for ertiorari and #anda#'s (as filed on $a" 9, 33. 8:avin% een filed (it/in t/e re%le#entar" periodpetitioners #otion for leave to file t/e instant petition (as %ranted in t/is Co'rts Resol'tion dated )'l" 1=, 33.9

?e no( o#e to t/e ot/er iss'e5 (/et/er t/e prior (ritten a't/orit" and approval of t/e it" or provinial prose'tor or/ief state prose'tor is neessar" in filin% t/e infor#ation at ar.

!etitioner ta;es t/e 'nendin% vie( t/at t/e approval of t/e it" or provinial prose'tor is no lon%er re*'ired. It isontended t/at t/e Re%ional State !rose'tor /as alread" direted t/e it" or provinial prose'tor to in/iit fro# /andlin%SSS ases.03!etitioner ites t/e letter of Re%ional State !rose'tor Santia%o $. 6'rin%an to SSS Re%ional Diretor inNa%a Cit" dated )'ne @, 199701and opies of Re%ional Orders No. 97434A0and 331430000dated )'l" 1, 1997 andSepte#er 8, 331, respetivel", s/o(in% t/e desi%nation of State !rose'tor 6olentino as speial prose'tor for SSSases in Re%ion V. !etitioner relies on Galve+, et al. v. Co'rt of Appeals, et al. 0and San/e+ v. De#etrio', et al.0=to prop'p its ontention t/at %iven t/e desi%nation of State !rose'tor 6olentino, t/e it" prose'tor need not partiipate in t/efilin% and prose'tion of t/e infor#ation in t/e ase at ar.

?e disa%ree. nder !residential Deree No. 17=, t/e po(ers of a Re%ional State !rose'tor are as follo(s5

Se. 8. 6/e Re%ional State !rose'tion Offie5 B'ntions of Re%ional State !rose'tor. 4 6/e Re%ional State !rose'tors/all, 'nder t/e ontrol of t/e Seretar" of )'stie, /ave t/e follo(in% f'ntions5

a2 I#ple#ent poliies, plans, pro%ra#s, #e#oranda, orders, ir'lars and r'les and re%'lations of t/eDepart#ent of )'stie relative to t/e investi%ation and prose'tion of ri#inal ases in /is re%ion.

2 EFerise i##ediate ad#inistrative s'pervision over all provinial and it" fisals and ot/er prose'tin% offiersof provines and ities o#prised (it/in /is re%ion.

2 !rose'te an" ase arisin% (it/in t/e re%ion.

d2 ?it/ respet to /is re%ional offie and t/e offies of t/e provinial and it" fisals (it/in /is re%ion, /e s/all5

12 Appoint s'/ #e#er of s'ordinate offiers and e#plo"ees as #a" e neessar" and approvetransfers of s'ordinate personnel (it/in t/e 'risdition of t/e re%ional offie.

2 Investi%ate ad#inistrative o#plaints a%ainst fisals and ot/er prose'tin% offiers (it/in /is re%ionand s'#it /is reo##endation t/ereon to t/e Seretar" of )'stie (/o s/all, after revie( t/ereof, s'#itt/e appropriate reo##endation to t/e Offie of t/e !resident5 !rovided, t/at (/ere t/e Seretar" of)'stie finds ins'ffiient %ro'nds for t/e filin% of /ar%es, /e #a" render a deision of dis#issal t/ereof.

02 Investi%ate ad#inistrative o#plaints a%ainst s'ordinate personnel of t/e re%ion and s'#it /isreo##endations t/ereon to t/e Seretar" of )'stie (/o s/all /ave t/e a't/orit" to render deisiont/ereon. e#p/ases s'pplied2

15


16/93

6/e po(er of ad#inistrative s'pervision is li#ited to t/e a't/orit" of t/e depart#ent or its e*'ivalent to %enerall" overseet/e operations of s'/ a%enies and to ins're t/at t/e" are #ana%ed effetivel", effiientl" and eono#iall" 't (it/o'tinterferene (it/ da"4to4da" ativities or re*'ire t/e s'#ission of reports and a'se t/e ond't of #ana%e#ent a'ditperfor#ane eval'ation and inspetion to deter#ine o#pliane (it/ poliies, standards and %'idelines of t/edepart#ent to ta;e s'/ ation as #a" e neessar" for t/e proper perfor#ane of offiial f'ntions, inl'din%retifiation of violations, a'ses and ot/er for#s of #alad#inistration and to revie( and pass 'pon 'd%et proposals ofs'/ a%enies 't #a" not inrease or add to t/e#.0@6/is is distin%'is/ed fro# t/e po(er of s'pervision and ontrol(/i/ inl'des t/e a't/orit" to at diretl" (/enever a speifi f'ntion is entr'sted " la( or re%'lation to a s'ordinate

diret t/e perfor#ane of d't" restrain t/e o##ission of ats revie(, approve, reverse or #odif" ats and deisions ofs'ordinate offiials or 'nits deter#ine priorities in t/e eFe'tion of plans and pro%ra#s and presrie standards,%'idelines, plans and pro%ra#s.07

6/e Re%ional State !rose'tor is learl" vested onl" (it/ t/e po(er of ad#inistrative s'pervision. As ad#inistratives'pervisor, /e /as no po(er to diret t/e it" and provinial prose'tors to in/iit fro# /andlin% ertain ases. At #ost, /ean re*'est for t/eir in/iition. :ene, t/e said diretive of t/e re%ional state prose'tor to t/e it" and provinialprose'tors is *'estionale to sa" t/e least.

!etitioner annot lean on t/e ases of Galve+ and San/e+. In t/ose ases, t/e speial prose'tors (ere atin% 'nder t/ediretive of t/e Seretar" of )'stie. 6/e" (ere appointed in aordane (it/ la(. No(/ere in !.D. No. 17= is t/ere%ional state prose'tor %ranted t/e po(er to appoint a speial prose'tor ar#ed (it/ t/e a't/orit" to file an infor#ation(it/o't t/e prior (ritten a't/orit" or approval of t/e it" or provinial prose'tor or /ief state prose'tor. !.D. No. 17=

provides t/e #anner " (/i/ speial prose'tors are appointed, to (it5

Se. 1=. Speial Co'nsels. 4 ?/enever t/e eFi%enies of t/e servie re*'ire t/e reation of positions of additional o'nseto assist provinial and it" fisals in t/e dis/ar%e of t/eir d'ties, positions of Speial Co'nsels #a" e reated " an"provine or it", s'et to t/e approval of t/e Seretar" of )'stie, and (it/ salaries /ar%eale a%ainst provinial or it"f'nds. 6/e Seretar" of )'stie s/all appoint said Speial Co'nsels, 'pon reo##endation of t/e provinial or it" fisaland re%ional state prose'tors onerned, eit/er on per#anent or te#porar" asis.

Speial Co'nsel s/all e appointed fro# #e#ers of t/e ar and s/all e allo(ed not #ore t/an t/e salar" rate providedin t/is Deree for t/e lo(est ran; or %rade of assistant fisal in t/e provine or it" (/ere assi%ned. e#p/ases s'pplied2

nder Depart#ent Order No. 018,08Definin% t/e a't/orit", d'ties and responsiilities of re%ional state prose'tors, t/enAtin% Seretar" of )'stie Silvestre :. &ello III ordered t/e appointed re%ional state prose'tors (/i/ inl'ded

Re%ional State !rose'tor 6'rin%an for Re%ion V2 to, a#on% ot/ers, i2nvesti%ate and


17/93

:avin% settled t/at t/e prior a't/orit" and approval of t/e it", provinial or /ief state prose'tor s/o'ld /ave eenotained, (e s/all no( resolve t/e #ore i#portant iss'e5 (/et/er t/e la; of prior (ritten approval of t/e it", provinial or/ief state prose'tor in t/e filin% of an infor#ation is a defet in t/e infor#ation t/at is (aived if not raised as an oetionefore arrai%n#ent.

?e /old t/at it is not.

6/e provisions in t/e 333 Revised R'les of Cri#inal !roed're t/at de#and ill'#ination are Setions 0 and 9 of R'le

117 in relation to para%rap/ 0, Setion of R'le 11, to (it5

R'le 117, Setion 0. Gro'nds.L6/e a'sed #a" #ove to *'as/ t/e o#plaint or infor#ation on an" of t/e follo(in%%ro'nds5


2 6/at t/e o'rt tr"in% t/e ase /as no 'risdition over t/e offense /ar%ed

2 6/at t/e o'rt tr"in% t/e ase /as no 'risdition over t/e person of t/e a'sed

'7 T:&5 5:e o;;


18/93

is a valid infor#ation si%ned " a o#petent offier (/i/, a#on% ot/er re*'isites, onfers 'risdition on t/e o'rt overt/e person of t/e a'sed and t/e s'et #atter of t/e a'sation. In onsonane (it/ t/is vie(, an infir#it" in t/einfor#ation annot e 'red " silene, a*'iesene, or even " eFpress onsent.1e#p/asis s'pplied2

6/e ase of Villa is a't/orit" for t/e priniple t/at la; of a't/orit" on t/e part of t/e filin% offier prevents t/e o'rt fro#a*'irin% 'risdition over t/e ase. )'risdition over t/e s'et #atter is onferred " la( (/ile 'risdition over t/e aseis invested " t/e at of plaintiff and atta/es 'pon t/e filin% of t/e o#plaint or infor#ation. :ene, (/ile a o'rt #a"/ave 'risdition over t/e s'et #atter, li;e a violation of t/e SSS -a(, it does not a*'ire 'risdition over t/e ase itself

'ntil its 'risdition is invo;ed (it/ t/e filin% of t/e infor#ation.

In t/e nited States, an infor#ation /as een /eld as a 'risditional re*'ire#ent 'pon (/i/ a defendant stands trial.6/'s, it /as een r'led t/at in t/e asene of proale a'se, t/e o'rt la;s 'risdition to tr" t/e ri#inal offense. 0Ino'r 'risdition, (e /ave si#ilarl" /eld t/at5

?/ile t/e /oie of t/e o'rt (/ere to rin% an ation, (/ere t/ere are t(o or #ore o'rts /avin% on'rrent 'risditiont/ereon, is a #atter of proed're and not 'risdition, as s'%%ested " appellant, t/e #o#ent s'/ /oie /as eeneFerised, t/e #atter eo#es 'risditional. Su


19/93

6/e appliation of t/e 19=1 Villa r'lin% is not onfined to instanes (/ere t/e person (/o filed t/e infor#ation isdis*'alified fro# ein% a speial prose'tor 'nder Setion 1@8@ of t/e Revised Ad#inistrative Code, as a#ended, 't /aseen eFtended to vario's ases (/ere t/e infor#ation (as filed " an 'na't/ori+ed offier as in t/e ase at ar. In Cr'+,)r. v. Sandi%ana"an, et al.,@t/e Co'rt /eld t/at it is a f'nda#ental priniple t/at (/en on its fae t/e infor#ation is n'lland void for la; of a't/orit" to file t/e sa#e, it annot e 'red nor res'rreted " a#end#ent. In t/at ase, t/e!residential Co##ission on Good Govern#ent !CGG2 ond'ted an investi%ation and filed an infor#ation (it/ t/eSandi%ana"an a%ainst petitioner Ro#an Cr'+, )r. /ar%in% /i# (it/ %raft and orr'ption. 6/e petitioner so'%/t to *'as/t/e infor#ation on t/e %ro'nd t/at t/e ri#e /ar%ed did not onstit'te a $aros ron" related ri#e over (/i/ t/e

!CGG /ad a't/orit" to investi%ate and file an infor#ation. 6/e Co'rt fo'nd t/at t/e ri#e alle%ed in t/e infor#ation (asnot a#on% t/ose (/i/ !CGG (as a't/ori+ed to investi%ate 'nder EFe'tive Orders No. 1 and 1 of t/en !residentCora+on A*'ino and r'led t/at t/e infor#ation (as n'll and void. Of si#ilar i#port is Ro#'alde+ v. Sandi%ana"an, etal.7(/ere (e r'led t/at t/e infor#ation /avin% een filed " an 'na't/ori+ed part" t/e !CGG2, t/e infor#ation (asfatall" fla(ed. ?e noted t/at t/is defet is not a #ere re#ediale defet of for#, 't a defet t/at o'ld not e'[email protected]

In C'dia v. Co'rt of Appeals, et al.,8(e also reiterated t/e Villa r'lin%. 6/e a'sed in t/at ase (as appre/ended in$aalaat, !a#pan%a for ille%al possession of firear#s and (as ro'%/t to An%eles Cit" (/ere t/e /ead*'arters of t/earrestin% offiers (as loated. 6/e Cit" !rose'tor of An%eles Cit" filed an infor#ation in t/e Re%ional 6rial Co'rt of

An%eles Cit". ?e invalidated t/e infor#ation filed " t/e Cit" !rose'tor ea'se /e /ad no territorial 'risdition, as t/eoffense (as o##itted in $aalaat, !a#pan%a and /is territorial 'risdition (as onl" in An%eles Cit". ?e /eld t/at aninfor#ation, (/en re*'ired " la( to e filed " a p'li prose'tin% offier, annot e filed " anot/er. 9Ot/er(ise, t/e

o'rt does not a*'ire 'risdition.

=3

It is a valid infor#ation si%ned " a o#petent offier (/i/, a#on% ot/er re*'isites,onfers 'risdition on t/e o'rt over t/e person of t/e a'sed and t/e s'et #atter t/ereof. 6/e a'seds plea to aninfor#ation #a" e a (aiver of all for#al oetions to t/e said infor#ation 't not (/en t/ere is (ant of 'risdition'estions relatin% to la; of 'risdition #a" e raised at an" sta%e of t/e proeedin%. An infir#it" in t/e infor#ation, s'/as la; of a't/orit" of t/e offier si%nin% it, annot e 'red " silene, a*'iesene, or even " eFpress onsent.=1

Despite #odifiations of t/e provisions on 'na't/ori+ed filin% of infor#ation ontained in t/e 193 R'les of Cri#inal!roed're 'nder (/i/ Villa (as deided, t/e 19=1 Villa r'lin% ontin'es to e t/e prevailin% ase la( on t/e #atter.=

6/e 193 R'les of Co'rt provided in R'le 110, Setion 13 t/at, if t/e defendant fails to #ove to *'as/ t/e o#plaint orinfor#ation efore /e pleads t/ereto, /e s/all e ta;en to /ave (aived all oetions (/i/ are %ro'nds for a #otion to*'as/ eFept 12 (/en t/e o#plaint or infor#ation does not /ar%e an offense or 2 t/e o'rt is (it/o't 'risdition oft/e sa#e. e#p/asis o'rs2 A#on% t/e en'#erated %ro'nds for a #otion to *'as/ 'nder Setion of t/e sa#e R'le (as

t2/at t/e fisal /as no a't/orit" to file t/e infor#ation. ?it/ onl" t/e aove t(o eFeptions provided " t/e 193 R'les,t/e Co'rt nevert/eless #ade t/e Villa r'lin% t/at if t/e filin% offier la;s a't/orit" to file t/e infor#ation, 'risdition is notonferred on t/e o'rt and t/is infir#it" annot e 'red " silene or (aiver, a*'iesene, or even " eFpress onsent.

6/e 193 R'les of Co'rt (as a#ended in 19@. ?it/ onl" #ini#al /an%es introd'ed, t/e 19@ R'les of Co'rtontained provisions on 'na't/ori+ed filin% of infor#ation si#ilar to t/e aove provisions of t/e 193 R'les. =0

6/en a#e t/e 198= R'les of Cri#inal !roed're. -a; of a't/orit" of t/e offier (/o filed t/e infor#ation (as also a%ro'nd for a #otion to *'as/ 'nder t/ese r'les. 6/e 198= R'les also provided for (aiver of t/e %ro'nds for a #otion to*'as/ 'nder R'le 117, Setion 8, 't en'#erated t/e follo(in% eFeptions to t/e (aiver5 a2 t/e fats /ar%ed do notonstit'te an offense 2 t/e o'rt tr"in% t/e ase /as no 'risdition over t/e offense /ar%ed or t/e person of t/ea'sed 2 t/e ri#inal ation or liailit" /as een eFtin%'is/ed and d2 t/e a'sed /as een previo'sl" onvited or in

eopard" of ein% onvited, or a*'itted of t/e offense /ar%ed. Apparentl", t/e (ant of 'risdition 'nder t/e 198= R'les

refers to 'risdition over t/e offense and t/e person, and not over t/e ase as in Villa (/ere t/e o'rt did not a*'ire'risdition over t/e ase for la; of a't/orit" of t/e offier (/o filed t/e infor#ation. Still, despite t/e en'#eration, t/eCo'rt ontin'ed to appl" t/e Villa r'lin% as s/o(n in t/e afore4ited Cr'+ and C'dia ases.

6/e 198= R'les (as a#ended in 333. 6/e 333 Revised R'les of Cri#inal !roed're also provide for la; of a't/orit"of t/e filin% offier as a#on% t/e %ro'nds for a #otion to *'as/ and t/e (aiver of t/ese %ro'nds. Si#ilar to t/e 198=R'les, t/e Revised R'les en'#erate t/e eFeptions fro# t/e (aiver, na#el"5 a2 t/at t/e fats /ar%ed do not onstit'tean offense 2 t/at t/e o'rt tr"in% t/e ase /as no 'risdition over t/e offense /ar%ed 2 t/at t/e ri#inal ation orliailit" /as een eFtin%'is/ed and d2 t/at t/e a'sed /as een previo'sl" onvited or a*'itted of t/e offense/ar%ed, or t/e ase a%ainst /i# (as dis#issed or ot/er(ise ter#inated (it/o't /is eFpress onsent. nder t/e re%i#e oft/e 333 Revised R'les, (e reiterated t/e Villa r'lin% in t/e aove4ited Ro#'alde+ ase. ?it/ t/e en'#eration of t/efo'r eFeptions, (/i/ (as al#ost a replia of t/e en'#eration in t/e 198= R'les, t/e 333 R'les did not intend toaandon Villa. 6/e Villa r'lin% s'sisted alon%side t/e en'#erated eFeptions 'nder t/e 198= R'les, and it re#ains to do

19
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20/93

so 'nder t/e en'#erated eFeptions 'nder t/e 333 R'les. Neit/er t/e Rationale of t/e 333 Revised R'les of Cri#inal!roed're nor t/e $in'tes of t/e $eetin% of t/e Co##ittee on t/e Revision of t/e R'les of Co'rt evines an" intent toaandon t/e dotrine en'niated in Villa.

In s'#, (e /old t/at, in t/e asene of a diretive fro# t/e Seretar" of )'stie desi%natin% State !rose'tor 6olentino asSpeial !rose'tor for SSS ases or a prior (ritten approval of t/e infor#ation " t/e provinial or it" prose'tor, t/einfor#ation in Cri#inal Case No. R6C 33143=97 (as filed " an offier (it/o't a't/orit" to file t/e sa#e. As t/is infir#it"in t/e infor#ation onstit'tes a 'risditional defet t/at annot e 'red, t/e respondent 'd%e did not err in dis#issin%

t/e ase for la; of 'risdition.

?:EREBORE, pre#ises onsidered, t/e petition is DENIED. 6/e respondent o'rts orders dated Ber'ar" @, 33 andApril 0, 33 are ABBIR$ED. Cri#inal Case No. R6C 33143=97 is DIS$ISSED (it/o't pre'die to t/e filin% of a ne(infor#ation " an a't/ori+ed offier.

SO ORDERED.

G.R. No. 136264 & 2, 2004

ATTY. REYNALDO P. DIAYACYAC,petitioner, vs.(ON. CO"RT OF APPEALS, (ON. VICENTE $. ROAS, IRENE AG!ADA*CR"%, SITO AG!ADA CR"%,ERCEDES ARISTORENAS &n' ROEO GOE% &n' PEOPLE OF T(E P(ILIPPINES, respondents.

20


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D E C I S I O N

A"STRIA*ARTINE%, J.:

&efore 's is a petition for revie( on ertiorari assailin% t/e Deision 1of t/e Co'rt of Appeals CA for revit"2 datedNove#er 10, 1998 in CA4G.R. S! No. 088, den"in% Att". Re"naldo !. Di#a"a"as petition for ertiorari and r'lin%t/at t/e Re%ional 6rial Co'rt &ran/ 72 of 'e+on Cit" R6C for revit"2 (as orret in den"in% petitioners #otion to*'as/ t/e infor#ation /ar%in% petitioner (it/ falsifiation of p'li do'#ents, do;eted as Cri#inal Case No. 4904

9988.

6/e anteedent fats as orne o't " t/e reords of t/e ase are a'ratel" narrated in t/e CA Deision dated Nove#er10, 1998, t/'s5

An infor#ation for falsifiation of p'li do'#ents do;eted as Cri#inal Case No. 491418307 at t/e R6C of'e+on Cit" (as filed a%ainst petitioner alon% (it/ so#e ot/ers. 6/at infor#ation reads5

6/e 'ndersi%ned Assistant Cit" !rose'tor a'ses -ORDES ANGE-ES, ES6RE--A $A!A, A66>.!ONCIANO R. G!I6, and A66>. RE>NA-DO !. DI$A>AC>AC of t/e ri#e of BA-SIBICA6ION OB!&-IC DOC$EN6 'nder Artile 17, first and last para%rap/ in relation to Artile 171 para%rap/ oft/e Revised !enal Code2, o##itted as follo(s5

6/at on or ao't t/e =t/ da" of 198@, in 'e+on Cit", !/ilippines and (it/in t/e 'risdition of t/is:onorale Co'rt, t/e aove4na#ed a'sed, all private individ'als, onspirin% to%et/eronfederatin% (it/ and #'t'all" /elpin% one anot/er, did t/en and t/ere (illf'll", 'nla(f'll" andfelonio'sl" o##it t/e at of falsifiation of p'li do'#ents, " t/en and t/ere falsif"in% ora'sin% t/e falsifiation of t/e follo(in% do'#ents, to (it5

a2 Certifiation dated $ar/ 13, 198@ p'rportedl" si%ned " a ertain Bernando Di+onReord $ana%e#ent Anal"st of t/e &'rea' of -and, Central Offie, $anila

2 Report dated $a" =, 198@ p'rportedl" si%ned " a ertain )ose $ariano, C/iefReord $ana%e#ent Division of &'rea' of -and, Central Offie, $anila and

2 Sales Certifiate and Deed of Assi%n#ent alle%edl" iss'ed " t/e &'rea' of -and infavor of -o'rdes An%eles t/at despite t/e fat t/at said a'sed ;ne( all t/e ti#e t/atsaid do'#ents are fa;e and sp'rio's 'sed t/e sa#e in t/e !etition for Reonstit'tion ofReords of t/e te/nial desription of -ots Nos. 7==, 777, 778 and 780 of t/e !iedadEstate overed " 6C6 No. 1, Deree No. @@7, G-RO Reord No. =97= and t/eiss'ane of 6itle t/ereto filed " Estrella $apa over and involvin% t/e aforesaid lots in-and Re%istration Case do;eted as -RC Case No. 00@9 8@2 efore &ran/ 99Re%ional 6rial Co'rt, 'e+on Cit" and t/at " virt'e of said falsifiation and t/e 'se of t/esa#e as evidene in Co'rt :onorale !residin% )'d%e Godofredo As'nion iss'ed anorder dated )'ne 03, 198@ %rantin% said petition, and p'rs'ant t/ereto t/e Re%ister ofDeeds of 'e+on Cit" iss'ed 6ransfer Certifiates of 6itles Nos. 081=@, 0891 and089 in t/e na#e of Estrella $apa t/ere" e#rain% and


22/93

&" Order of A'%'st 0, 1991, )'d%e &eni%no 6. Da"a( of &ran/ 83 of t/e Re%ional 6rial Co'rt of 'e+on Cit" to(/ose sala Cri#inal Case No. 491418307 (as raffled, /oldin% t/at t/e %rant or denial of $otion to Dis#iss(/et/er t/e a'sed is arrai%ned or not is disretionar" on t/e part of t/e Co'rt, it itin% !eople vs. IAC, -4@@90941, )an'ar" 13, 1987, %ranted t/e petitioners #otion to *'as/ 'pon t/e seond %ro'nd. Aordin%l", t/einfor#ation (as *'as/ed.

$ore t/an t(o 2 "ears after t/e *'as/al of t/e infor#ation in Cri#inal Case No. 491418307 or on Otoer 19,1990, t/e 'e+on Cit" !rose'tor filed a%ainst t/e sa#e a'sed inl'din% petitioner t(o 2 infor#ations for

falsifiation of p'li do'#ents do;eted at t/e 'e+on Cit" R6C as Cri#inal Case Nos. 49049988 and9989. 6/e Infor#ations arose fro# t/e *'estioned ats of falsifiation s'et of t/e earlier *'as/ed infor#ationin Cri#inal Case No. 491418307.

!etitioner later filed (it/ &ran/ 130 of t/e R6C of 'e+on Cit" to (/i/ t/e infor#ations (ere raffled a #otion fort/e *'as/al t/ereof on t/e %ro'nd of do'le eopard", itin% Setion 0/2 of R'le 117 of t/e Revised R'les ofCo'rt.

!etitioner ar%'ed at t/e o'rt a *'o t/at /e (o'ld e plaed in do'le eopard" as /e (as indited efore for t/esa#e offenses and t/e ase (as dis#issed or ot/er(ise ter#inated (it/o't /is eFpress onsent.

&" t/e assailed Order of Dee#er 18, 199@, p'li respondent, )'d%e Viente . RoFas of &ran/ 7 of t/eR6C of 'e+on Cit" to (/i/ t/e t(o 2 infor#ations a%ainst petitioner, et al, (ere event'all" lod%ed, /eld t/at

t/e infor#ation in Cri#inal Case No. 49049988 involved a different do'#ent as t/at involved in Cri#inal CaseNo. 491418307 (/i/ /ad alread" een *'as/ed. Resol'tion of t/e #otion to *'as/ t/e infor#ation in Cri#inalCase No. 49049989 (as sta"ed pendin% t/e s'#ission " petitioner of t/e do'#ents re*'ired " t/e o'rt a*'o. !'li respondent t/'s denied t/e #otion to *'as/ t/e infor#ation in Cri#inal Case No. 49049988 andordered petitioners arrai%n#ent, /e /oldin% t/at said ase did not plae petitioner in do'le eopard".

:erein petitioner t/en filed a petition for ertiorari efore t/e CA (/i/ denied /is petition statin% in its Deision t/at sinet/e Infor#ation in Cri#inal Case No. 491418307, on petitioners #otion, (as *'as/ed on t/e %ro'nd t/at #ore t/an oneoffense (as /ar%ed p'rs'ant to Se. 0 e2 of R'le 117 of t/e Revised R'les of Co'rt, 0/e is not plaed in do'le

eopard" " t/e filin% of anot/er Infor#ation for an offense inl'ded in t/e /ar%e s'et of t/e Infor#ation in Cri#inaCase No. 491418307.

:ene, /erein petition for revie( on ertiorari assi%nin% t/e follo(in% errors of t/e CA, to (it5

I. 6/at t/e :onorale Co'rt of Appeals ERRED in disre%ardin% t/e le%al dotrine t/at 6:ERE IS DO&-E)EO!ARD>, in t/e ase no( pendin% efore Respondent )'d%e Viente . RoFas

II. 6/at t/e :onorale Co'rt of Appeals ERRED in not ad/erin% to t/e deisions of t/is :onorale S'pre#e Co'rtas (ell as to appliale 'rispr'dene on t/e #atter

III. 6/at t/e :onorale Co'rt of Appeals ERRED in not ta;in% into ao'nt t/at ased on t/e $anifestation and$otion 6o Grant !etition2 In -ie' of Co##ent filed " t/e Offie of t/e Soliitor General, t/e ORDER ofdis#issal of :onorale )'d%e &eni%no 6. Da"a( in Cri#inal Case No. 491418307 on A'%'st 0, 1991 /aseo#e final and eFe'tor" and

IV. 6/at t/e :onorale Respondent Co'rt of Appeals ERRED in onl'din% t/at an ORDER s'stainin% t/e #otionto *'as/ is not a ar to anot/er prose'tion for t/e sa#e offense, as it /as no le%al asis.=

On t/e ot/er /and, t/e Offie of t/e Soliitor General OSG2 ontends t/at petitioner, " filin% t/e #otion to *'as/ andref'sin% to (it/dra( it after /e (as arrai%ned, is dee#ed to /ave (aived /is ri%/t a%ainst do'le eopard", as /is #otionto *'as/ onstit'ted /is eFpress onsent for t/e dis#issal of t/e infor#ation. :o(ever, t/e OSG advanes t/e vie( t/att/e ri#inal ase a%ainst /erein petitioner #a" e dis#issed for t/e inordinate dela" in t/e ond't of preli#inar"investi%ation for t/e p'rpose of f ilin% t/e proper infor#ation, (/i/ is a violation of t/e a'seds onstit'tional ri%/t to d'eproess of la( and to speed" disposition of ases.

!rivate respondent o#plainant Irene A%ada4Cr'+, in t'rn, s'#its t/at t/e Co'rt of Appeals o##itted no error sinet/e dis#issal or *'as/al of an infor#ation is not a ar to anot/er prose'tion eFept (/en t/e #otion to *'as/ is ased

22


23/93

on t/e %ro'nd t/at 12 t/e ri#inal ation or liailit" /as een eFtin%'is/ed or t/at 2 t/e a'sed /as previo'sl" eenonvited or in eopard" of ein% onvited or a*'itted of t/e offense /ar%ed, p'rs'ant to Setion @ in relation to Setion0, R'le 117 of t/e R'les of Co'rt, to (it5

Setion @. Brder sustaining t@e motion to +uas@ not a bar to anot@er prosecution8 eception. 4 An order s'stainin%t/e #otion to *'as/ is not a ar to anot/er prose'tion for t/e sa#e offense 'nless t/e #otion (as ased on t/e%ro'nds speified in Setion 0, s'4setions f2 and /2 of t/is R'le.

Setion 0. Grounds. K 6/e a'sed #a" #ove to *'as/ t/e o#plaint or infor#ation on an" of t/e follo(in%%ro'nds5


2 6/at t/e o'rt tr"in% t/e ase /as no 'risdition over t/e offense /ar%ed or t/e person of t/ea'sed

2 6/at t/e offier (/o filed t/e infor#ation /ad no a't/orit" to do so

d2 6/at it does not onfor# s'stantiall" to t/e presried for#

e2 6/at #ore t/an one offense is /ar%ed eFept in t/ose ases in (/i/ eFistin% la(s presrie a sin%lep'nis/#ent for vario's offenses

;7 T:&5 5:e


24/93

Co'rt, /e is t/'s dee#ed to /ave (aived t/e defet in t/e Infor#ation. In People vs. analili,8(e /eld t/at an a'sed(/o fails to oet prior to arrai%n#ent to a d'pliito's infor#ation, #a" e fo'nd %'ilt" of an" or all of t/e ri#es alle%edt/erein and d'l" proven d'rin% t/e trial, for t/e alle%ation of t/e ele#ents of s'/ o#ponent ri#es in t/e saidinfor#ation /as satisfied t/e onstit'tional %'arantee t/at an a'sed e infor#ed of t/e nat're of t/e offense (it/ (/i//e or s/e is ein% /ar%ed. Veril", a d'pliito's infor#ation is valid sine s'/ defet #a" e (aived and t/e a'sed,ea'se of s'/ (aiver, o'ld e onvited of as #an" offenses as t/ose /ar%ed in t/e infor#ation and proved d'rin%trial.

6/e validit" of t/e infor#ation /avin% een estalis/ed, (e %o on to eFa#ine (/et/er t/e ot/er re*'isites for do'leeopard" to atta/ are present. In t/e present ase, alt/o'%/ t/ere (as a valid indit#ent efore a o#petent o'rt andpetitioner, as t/e a'sed, /ad alread" een arrai%ned t/erein, enterin% a valid plea of not %'ilt", t/e last re*'isite t/at t/ease (as dis#issed or ot/er(ise ter#inated (it/o't /is eFpress onsent, is not present.

It s/o'ld e noted t/at t/e ter#ination of Cri#inal Case No. 491418307 (as 'pon #otion of petitioner (/o, on April 1,1991, filed (it/ t/e o'rt an r%ent $otion to 'as/ (/i/ (as %ranted " Resol'tion dated A'%'st 0, 1991. In Sta. )itavs. Court of !ppeals,9(e /eld t/at t/e reinstate#ent of ri#inal ases a%ainst t/e a'sed did not violate /is ri%/t a%ainstdo'le eopard" sine t/e dis#issal of t/e infor#ation " t/e trial o'rt /ad een effeted at /is o(n instane (/en t/ea'sed filed a #otion to dis#iss on t/e %ro'nds t/at t/e fats /ar%ed do not onstit'te an offense and t/at t/e R6C /adno 'risdition over t/e ase. In t/is ase, onsiderin% t/at sine t/e dis#issal of t/e previo's ri#inal ase a%ainstpetitioner (as " reason of /is #otion for t/e *'as/al of t/e infor#ation, petitioner is t/'s dee#ed to /ave eFpressl"%iven /is onsent to s'/ dis#issal. 6/ere o'ld t/en e no do'le eopard" in t/is ase sine one of t/e re*'isites

t/erefore, i.e., t/at t/e dis#issal e (it/o't a'seds eFpress onsent, is not present.

As to (/et/er t/e s'se*'ent filin% of t/e t(o infor#ations do;eted as 49049988 and 49049989 onstit'tes aviolation of petitioners onstit'tional ri%/t to a speed" disposition of ases, 13(e r'le in t/e

ne%ative. ?e are not onvined " t/e OSGs assertion t/at t/e ases of Tatad vs. Sandiganbayan11or!ngc@angco, rvs. Bmbudsman,1are appliale to t/e ase efore 's. ?e see differentl". 6/ere is no fat'al si#ilarit" et(een t/is aseefore 's and t/e ases of Tatad and!ngc@angco.

In t/e Tatadase, t/ere (as a /iat's in t/e proeedin%s et(een t/e ter#ination of t/e proeedin%s efore t/einvesti%atin% fisal on Otoer =, 198 and its resol'tion on April 17, 198=. 6/e Co'rt fo'nd t/at politial #otivationspla"ed a vital role in ativatin% and propellin% t/e prose'torial proess10a%ainst t/en Seretar" Braniso S. 6atad. Int/e!ngc@angcoase, t/e ri#inal o#plaints re#ained pendin% in t/e Offie of t/e O#'ds#an for #ore t/an siF "ears

despite t/e respondents n'#ero's #otions for earl" resol'tion and t/e respondent, (/o /ad een retired, (as ein%'nreasonal" deprived of t/e fr'its of /is retire#ent ea'se of t/e still 'nresolved ri#inal o#plaints a%ainst /i#. Inot/ ases, (e r'led t/at t/e period of ti#e t/at elapsed for t/e resol'tion of t/e ases a%ainst t/e petitioners t/erein (asdee#ed a violation of t/e a'seds ri%/t to a speed" disposition of ases a%ainst t/e#.

In t/e present ase, no proof (as presented to s/o( an" perse'tion of t/e a'sed, politial or ot/er(ise, 'nli;e int/e Tatadase. 6/ere is no s/o(in% t/at petitioner (as #ade to end're an" veFatio's proess d'rin% t/e t(o4"ear periodefore t/e filin% of t/e proper infor#ations, 'nli;e in t/e!ngc@angcoase (/ere petitioner t/erein (as deprived of /isretire#ent enefits for an 'nreasonal" lon% ti#e. 6/'s, t/e ir'#stanes present in t/e Tatad and!ngc@angcoases

'stif"in% t/e radial relief %ranted " 's in said ases are not eFistent in t/e present ase.

?e e#p/asi+e o'r r'lin% in Ty5Da"o vs. Sandiganbayan1(/ere (e /eld t/at5

6/e ri%/t to a speed" disposition of ases, li;e t/e ri%/t to a speed" trial, is dee#ed violated onl" (/en t/eproeedin%s is attended " veFatio's, apriio's, and oppressive dela"s or (/en 'n'stified postpone#ents oft/e trial are as;ed for and se'red, or (/en (it/o't a'se or 'n'stifiale #otive, a lon% period of ti#e is allo(edto elapse (it/o't t/e part" /avin% /is ase tried. In t/e deter#ination of (/et/er or not t/at ri%/t /as eenviolated, t/e fators t/at #a" e onsidered and alaned are5 t/e len%t/ of t/e dela" t/e reasons for s'/ dela"t/e assertion or fail're to assert s'/ ri%/t " t/e a'sed, and t/e pre'die a'sed " t/e dela".

A #ere #at/e#atial re;onin% of t/e ti#e involved, t/erefore, (o'ld not e s'ffiient. In t/e appliation of t/eonstit'tional %'arantee of t/e ri%/t to speed" disposition of ases, parti'lar re%ard #'st also e ta;en of t/efats and ir'#stanes pe'liar to ea/ ase. E#p/asis s'pplied2

6/'s, (e s/all eFa#ine /o( s'/ afore#entioned fators affeted /erein petitioners ri%/t.24


25/93

As to t/e len%t/ of dela", it is estalis/ed t/at t/e prose'tion did not ta;e an" ation on petitioners ase for t(o "earsBro# t/e ti#e t/at Cri#inal Case No. 491418307 (as dis#issed on A'%'st 0, 1991, t/e prose'tion failed to effet t/ever" si#ple re#ed" of filin% t(o separate infor#ations a%ainst petitioner 'ntil Otoer of 1990. Indeed, t/ere (as a dela"in t/e refilin% of t/e proper infor#ations. :o(ever, t/e prose'tion (as never %iven t/e opport'nit" to eFplain t/eir'#stanes t/at #a" /ave a'sed s'/ dela" preisel" ea'se petitioner never raised t/e iss'e of t/e len%t/ of ti#eit too; t/e prose'tion to revive t/e ase. 6/ere is not/in% on reord to s/o( (/at /appened d'rin% t/e t(o4"ear l'lefore t/e filin% of t/e proper infor#ations. :ene, it o'ld not e asertained t/at pe'liar sit'ations eFisted to prove t/att/e dela" (as veFatio's, apriio's and oppressive, and t/erefore, a violation of petitioners onstit'tional ri%/t to speed"

disposition of ases.

?/at t/e reords learl" s/o( is t/at petitioner never asserted /is ri%/t to a speed" disposition of /is ase. 6/e onl"%ro'nd /e raised in assailin% t/e s'se*'ent filin% of t/e t(o infor#ations is t/at /e (ill e s'eted to do'le eopard". I(as onl" t/e OSG t/at ro'%/t to li%/t t/e iss'e on petitioners ri%/t to a speed" disposition of /is ase, and onl" (/ent/e ase (as ro'%/t to t/e appellate o'rt on ertiorari. Even in t/is petition efore 's, petitioner did not raise t/e iss'eof /is ri%/t to a speed" disposition of /is ase. A%ain, it (as onl" t/e OSG t/at presented s'/ iss'e to 's in t/e &rief fort/e State (/i/ (as onl" t/en adopted " petitioner t/ro'%/ a $anifestation dated A'%'st 0, 1999. ?e are not onvinedt/at t/e filin% of t/e infor#ations a%ainst petitioner after t(o "ears (as an 'nreasonale dela". !etitioner /i#self did notreall" elieve t/at t/ere (as an" violation of /is ri%/t to a speed" disposition of t/e ase a%ainst /i#.

6/e ase (/i/ is #ore in point (it/ t/e present one efore 's is Dela Pe?a vs. Sandiganbayan1=(/ere (e r'led t/apetitioner t/erein, for failin% to assert t/eir ri%/t to a speed" disposition of t/eir ases, (as dee#ed to /ave (aived s'/

ri%/t and t/'s, not entitled to t/e radial relief %ranted " t/e Co'rt in t/e ases of Tatadand!ngc@angco. 6/e fat'air'#stanes s'rro'ndin% /erein petitioners ase do not de#onstrate t/at t/ere (as an" violation of petitioners ri%/t toa speed" disposition of /is ase.

?:EREBORE, t/e petition is /ere" DENIED for la; of #erit. 6/e te#porar" restrainin% order iss'ed p'rs'ant to o'rResol'tion dated )an'ar" 17, 333 is /ere" LIFTEDand t/e Re%ional 6rial Co'rt of 'e+on Cit" &ran/ 72 is/ere" ORDEREDto proeed (it/ dispat/ (it/ petitioners arrai%n#ent in Cri#inal Case No. 49049988.

SO ORDERED.

Puno, >uisumbing, Calle$o, Sr.,and Tinga, .,on'r.

G.R. No. 10299 J&nu& 31, 200

LYNDON D. !OISER, petitioner, vs. PEOPLE OF T(E P(ILIPPINES,1respondent.

RESOL"TION

25
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26/93

NAC("RA, J.

&efore t/e Co'rt is a petition for revie( on certiorariassailin% t/e Deision of t/e Co'rt of Appeals CA2, dated )'ne =,337 in CA4G.R. CE&4S!. No. [email protected]

6/e #ain iss'e in t/is ase is (/et/er t/e CA o##itted reversile error in affir#in% t/e deision of t/e R6C (/i/denied petitioners o#ni's #otion to *'as/ t/e infor#ations filed a%ainst /i#.

&ased on t/e findin%s of t/e CA, t/e pertinent fats of t/e ase are as follo(s5

On )'ne , 33, t/ree 02 Infor#ations (ere filed a%ainst petitioner, /ar%in% /i# (it/ ats of lasivio'sness, ot/er atsof /ild a'se, and rapeof #inor AAA efore t/e Re%ional 6rial Co'rt R6C2, &ran/ 1, 6a%ilaran, &o/ol.

On )'ne 11, 33, petitioner filed a $otion pra"in% t/at a /earin% e ond'ted to deter#ine t/e eFistene of proalea'se and to /old in ae"ane t/e iss'ane of a (arrant of arrest a%ainst /i#. On )'ne 1@, 33, private respondent filedan Opposition t/ereto.

On )'ne, 18, 33, t/e fa#il" o'rt iss'ed t/ree 02 separate Orders in t/e t/ree 02 ri#inal ases, diretin% t/eprose'tion to s'#it additional evidene on t/e ases alon% (it/ t/e transript of proeedin%s d'rin% t/e preli#inar"investi%ation. On )'ne 3, 33, t/e prose'tor filed a $anifestation sa"in% t/at t/e prose'tion /ad no additional

evidene to present and t/at d'e to t/e non4availailit" of a steno%rap/er (/o o'ld ta;e do(n notes d'rin% t/epreli#inar" investi%ation on April 8, 33 and $a" 7, 33, /e personall" too; do(n notes, and s'#itted ertifiedp/otoopies of t/e sa#e to t/e o'rt. On )'l" , 33, t/e fa#il" o'rt direted t/e Cit" !rose'tion Offie in 6a%ilaranCit" to o#plete t/e preli#inar" investi%ation in a re%'lar #anner (it/ d'l" reorded proeedin%s attended " asteno%rap/er. On A'%'st , 33, a Reinvesti%ation Report (as s'#itted " t/e prose'tor #aintainin% t/e eFistene ofproale a'se in t/e t/ree ases.

On A'%'st 9, 33, petitioner filed an O#ni's $otion for Deter#ination of !roale Ca'se. On Septe#er 13, 33, t/efa#il" o'rt iss'ed t/ree 02 separate Orders findin% proale a'se a%ainst petitioner in t/e t/ree 02 ases, iss'ed a(arrant of arrest a%ainst /i# and fiFed t/e orrespondin% ail for ea/ ase. On Nove#er 19 and , 33, petitionerfiled $otions to In/iit t/e 'd%e of &ran/ 1 fro# /earin% t/e 0 ases. 6/e 'd%e aeded. 6/ereafter, t/e ases (ereraffled to &ran/ of t/e sa#e o'rt. On $ar/ 1, 33=, petitioner a%ain filed a $otion to In/iit t/e 'd%e of &ran/ .6/e sa#e (as %ranted and t/e ase (as raffled to &ran/ of t/e sa#e o'rt. 6/en a%ain, petitioner filed a $otion to

In/iit t/e )'d%e of &ran/ . 6/e t/ree 02 ases (ere t/en raffled to &ran/ 9 of t/e said o'rt.

On A'%'st 19, 33=, petitioner filed an O#ni's $otion to 'as/ t/e t/ree 02 Infor#ations to (/i/ private respondentfiled an Opposition. On )'ne 03, 33@, &ran/ 9 iss'ed a )oint Order den"in% t/e aforesaid #otion. A $otion forReonsideration (as filed " petitioner itin% asene of proale a'se and la; of 'risdition over /is person as%ro'nds in s'pport of /is #otion. :o(ever, 'pon t/e re*'est of private respondents parents, t/e )'d%e of &ran/ 9in/iited /i#self fro# /earin% t/e t/ree 02 ases. Binall", t/e ases (ere raffled to &ran/ 0 of t/e R6C of 6a%ilaranCit", &o/ol, presided over " )'d%e Venanio ). A#ila )'d%e A#ila2.

On Nove#er @, 33@, t/e lo(er o'rt iss'ed an O#ni's Order den"in% petitioners o#ni's #otion for reonsiderationto *'as/ t/e infor#ations. On Nove#er , 33@, petitioner filed ane( an r%ent O#ni's $otion to 'as/. OnNove#er 03, 33@, t/e R6C iss'ed an Order den"in% t/e seond o#ni's #otion to *'as/, and set t/e arrai%n#ent onDee#er 1=, 33@. A da" efore t/e arrai%n#ent, petitioner filed a Seond O#ni's $otion for Reonsideration of t/e

order den"in% /is #otion to *'as/.

On Dee#er 1=, 33@, petitioner re#inded )'d%e A#ila of /is seond o#ni's #otion for reonsideration. )'d%e A#ilain open o'rt, denied for la; of #erit t/e seond o#ni's #otion for reonsideration. pon arrai%n#ent, petitionerref'sed to enter a plea for t/e 0 ases. Aordin%l", a plea of not %'ilt" (as entered for petitioner for ea/ of t/e 0 ri#inaases.

On )an'ar" , 337, petitioner filed a !etition for certiorari=efore t/e CA lai#in% t/at t/e fa#il" o'rt ated (it/ %ravea'se of disretion in iss'in% t/e orders den"in% /is o#ni's #otions to *'as/ t/e infor#ations.

On )'ne =, 337, t/e CA rendered a Deision @affir#in% t/e Orders of t/e R6C. In den"in% t/e petition, t/e CAratioinated t/at it annot reverse t/e R6C orders ea'se5 12 an order den"in% a #otion to *'as/ is interlo'tor" and

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not appealale and 2 t/e petitioner failed to positivel" prove %rave a'se of disretion on t/e part of t/e R6C 'd%e int/e iss'ane of t/e assailed orders. 6/e falloof t/e Deision reads5

#(EREFORE, pre#ises onsidered, t/e petition is /ere" DENIED. 6/e assailed orders of t/e respondent 'd%eare /ere" AFFIRED.

Costs a%ainst t/e petitioner.

SO ORDERED.7

A #otion for reonsideration (as filed " petitioner (/i/ t/e CA denied in a Resol'tion8dated Septe#er 19, 337.

On Nove#er 1@, 337, petitioner filed t/e instant ase raisin% t/e follo(in% ar%'#ents5

6/e :onorale Co'rt of Appeals /as deided Ha *'estion of s'stane, not t/eretofore deter#ined " t/eS'pre#e Co'rt, or /as deided it in a (a" not in aord (it/ la( or (it/ t/e appliale deisions of t/e S'pre#eCo'rt5

6/at t/e :onorale Co'rt of Appeals /as so far departed fro# t/e aepted and 's'al o'rse of 'diiaproeedin%s, or so far santioned s'/ depart're " t/e lo(er o'rt.9

?e resolve to den" t/e petition.

A petition for certiorari'nder R'le @= is not t/e proper re#ed" a%ainst an order den"in% a #otion to *'as/. 6/e a'seds/o'ld instead %o to trial, (it/o't pre'die on /is part to present t/e speial defenses /e /ad invo;ed in /is #otion and, ifafter trial on t/e #erits, an adverse deision is rendered, to appeal t/erefro# in t/e #anner a't/ori+ed " la(.13&ased ont/e findin%s of t/e investi%atin% prose'tor and of t/e trial 'd%e, proale a'se eFists to indit petitioner for t/e 0offenses. Asent an" s/o(in% of aritrariness on t/e part of t/e investi%atin% prose'tor or an" ot/er offier a't/ori+ed "la( to ond't preli#inar" investi%ation, o'rts as a r'le #'st defer to said offiers findin% and deter#ination of proalea'se, sine t/e deter#ination of t/e eFistene of proale a'se is t/e f'ntion of t/e prose'tor.11

It is ovio's to t/is Co'rt t/at petitioners insistent filin% of n'#ero's #otions to in/iit t/e 'd%e /earin% t/e 0 ri#inalases and of #otions to *'as/ is a plo" to dela" t/e proeedin%s, a repre/ensile tati t/at i#pedes t/e orderl"

ad#inistration of 'stie. If /e is tr'l" innoent, petitioner s/o'ld ravel" %o to trial and prove /is defense. After all, t/ep'rpose of a preli#inar" investi%ation is #erel" to deter#ine (/et/er a ri#e /as een o##itted and (/et/er t/ere isproale a'se to elieve t/at t/e person a'sed of t/e ri#e is proal" %'ilt" t/ereof and s/o'ld e /eld for trial. Afindin% of proale a'se needs onl" to rest on evidene s/o(in% t/at #ore li;el" t/an not a ri#e /as een o##ittedand (as o##itted " t/e s'spet. !roale a'se need not e ased on lear and onvinin% evidene of %'ilt, neit/eron evidene estalis/in% %'ilt e"ond reasonale do't, and definitel", not on evidene estalis/in% asol'te ertaint" of%'ilt.1

As to t/e alle%ation of petitioner t/at t/e R6C /as not a*'ired 'risdition over /is person, t/is iss'e /as een rendered#oot and aade#i (it/ petitioners arrai%n#ent in t/e 0 ases and /is ta;in% part in t/e proeedin%s t/erein.

#(EREFORE, in vie( of t/e fore%oin%, t/e petition is DENIEDfor la; of #erit. Costs a%ainst t/e petitioner.

SO ORDERED.

G.R. No. 141646 Feu& 2, 2003

PA!LO CONDRADA,petitioner, vs.PEOPLE OF T(E P(ILIPPINES AND (ON. ARN"LFO C. !"GTAS, Pe+'n> Ju'>e, Re>on&- T&- Cou5 o;!oon>&n, E&+5en S&=&, !&n


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D E C I S I O N

CALLEJO, SR., J.:

&efore t/e Co'rt is a petition for revie( on certiorariassailin% t/e Resol'tion1dated Septe#er 9, 1999 of t/e Re%iona6rial Co'rt R6C2 of &oron%an, Eastern Sa#ar, &ran/ , (/i/ 'p/eld t/e reinstate#ent of t/e ri#inal ase for rapea%ainst petitioner !alo Condrada, and its Resol'tiondated )an'ar" 1, 333 (/i/ denied petitioners #otion foreonsideration.

!etitioner (as /ar%ed (it/ rape in Cri#inal Case No. 13773 presentl" pendin% efore t/e R6C of &oron%an, EasternSa#ar, &ran/ . ?/en /e (as arrai%ned on Ber'ar" @, 1999, petitioner pleaded not %'ilt" to t/e /ar%e a%ainst /i#.

On $ar/ 01, 1999, t/e date set " t/e trial o'rt for t/e initial /earin%, t/e prose'tion #oved t/at t/e sa#e epostponed d'e to t/e asene of t/e o#plainant and /er (itnesses. 6/e /earin% (as reset on April 9, 1999.

On April 9, 1999, t/e prose'tion a%ain #oved to postpone t/e /earin% d'e to t/e asene of t/e o#plainant and /er(itnesses. !etitioner oeted to t/e #otion on t/e %ro'nd t/at /is ri%/t to speed" trial (as ein% violated " s'/postpone#ents. 6/e trial o'rt %ranted t/e prose'tions #otion and reset t/e /earin% on $a" 01, 1999. It also diretedt/at t/e s'poenae to t/e o#plainant and /er (itnesses e o'rsed t/ro'%/ t/e National &'rea' of Investi%ation (/i//andled t/e investi%ation of t/e ase.

D'rin% t/e /earin% on $a" 01, 1999, t/e prose'tion re*'ested for anot/er postpone#ent. !etitioner #oved for at least ate#porar" dis#issal of t/e ase. 6/e prose'tion #anifested t/at it (o'ld not oet to a te#porar" dis#issal. 6/'s, ont/e sa#e date, t/e trial o'rt iss'ed an order te#poraril" dis#issin% t/e ase.0

On )'ne , 1999, t/e prose'tion filed a $otion for Reinstate#ent and


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dis#issal t/ereof on t/e %ro'nd of 'nreasonale dela" in t/e proeedin%s, in violation of t/e a'seds ri%/t to speed"disposition or trial of t/e ase a%ainst /i#. In ontrast, a provisional dis#issal of a ri#inal ase is a dis#issal (it/o'tpre'die to t/e reinstate#ent t/ereof efore t/e order of dis#issal eo#es final or to t/e s'se*'ent filin% of a ne(infor#ation for t/e offense8(it/in t/e periods allo(ed 'nder t/e Revised !enal Code or t/e Revised R'les of Co'rt.

In t/e present ase, it is lear fro# t/e reords t/at t/e dis#issal ordered " t/e trial o'rt on $a" 01, 1999 (as ate#porar" dis#issal of t/e ase, and not a per#anent dis#issal on t/e %ro'nd t/at t/e ri%/t of t/e a'sed to speed" tria/ad een violated " t/e dela" in t/e prose'tion of t/e said ase. 6/e trial o'rt apparentl" denied petitioners #otion to

/ave Cri#inal Case No. 13773 dis#issed on t/e %ro'nd of /is ri%/t to speed" trial (/en despite said #otion #ade inopen o'rt on April 9, 1999, it ordered t/e resettin% of t/e /earin% of t/e ase on $a" 01, 1999. In s'se*'entl" %rantin%petitioners re*'est for t/e dis#issal of Cri#inal Case No. 13773 on $a" 01, 1999, t/e trial o'rt eFpressl" stated t/at t/esa#e (as s'et to reinstate#ent (it/in t/irt" da"s fro# t/e date of t/e te#porar" dis#issal. 6/e trial o'rt eFplained5

T 6/e defense, /o(ever, #oved for, at least a te#porar" dis#issal of t/e ase, to (/i/ t/e %overn#ent prose'toraeded provided t/e sa#e is te#porar". 6/'s, as pra"ed for " t/e defense, t/e o'rt on $a" 01, 1999 iss'ed an orderdis#issin% t/e ase te#poraril" s'et to its reinstate#ent and


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R E S O - 6 I O N

CALLEJO, SR., J.:

&efore t/e Co'rt are t/e follo(in% #otions of t/e respondent, to (it5 a2 O#ni's $otion12 $otion foReonsideration2 S'pple#ent to $otion for Reonsideration0d2 $otion 6o Set for Oral Ar%'#ents.

T@e Bmnibus otion

6/e respondent see;s t/e reonsideration of t/e April 9, 330 Resol'tion of t/is Co'rt (/i/ %ranted t/e petitioners#otion for reonsideration. 6/e respondent t/ereafter pra"s to allo( Assoiate )'sties Renato C. Corona, $a. Aliia

A'stria4$artine+, Con/ita C. $orales, Ro#eo ). Calleo, Sr., and Adolfo S. A+'na to vol'ntar" in/iit t/e#selves orasent t/eir onsent, r'le t/at s'/ in/iition is in order and to re'se t/e# fro# f'rt/er delieratin%, dis'ssin% or, in an"#anner, partiipatin% in t/e resol'tion of t/e $otion for Reonsideration and t/e S'pple#ent to $otion forReonsideration. 6/e respondent points o't t/at t/e aforena#ed #e#ers of t/e Co'rt (ere appointed " !residentGloria $aapa%al4Arro"o after t/e Ber'ar" 19, 33 oral ar%'#ents and after t/e ase at ar (as s'#itted for t/edeision of t/e Co'rt. :e asserts t/at alt/o'%/ A.$. No. 99484394SC =speifiall" provides t/at it applies onl" to t/edivisions of t/e Co'rt, it s/o'ld li;e(ise appl" to t/is ase, in li%/t of t/e April 1, 330 Resol'tion of t/is Co'rt (/i/ setaside its Resol'tion dated $a" 8, 33, apart fro# t/e onstit'tional iss'es raised " t/e respondent in /is #otion forreonsideration and its s'pple#ent. As s'/, aordin% to t/e respondent, t/e instant ase s/o'ld e 'nloaded " )'stieCalleo, Sr. and re4raffled to an" ot/er #e#er of t/e Co'rt.

6/e Co'rt resolves to den" t/e respondents #otion for la; of #erit.

6/e reords s/o( t/at as earl" as $a" , 33, t/e respondent filed an 'r%ent #otion for t/e re'sation of )'stiesRenato C. Corona and $a. Aliia A'stria4$artine+ for t/e reason t/at t/e" (ere appointed to t/e Co'rt after t/e Ber'ar"19, 33 oral ar%'#ents and did not partiipate in t/e inte%ral portions of t/e proeedin%s. )'sties Corona and A'stria4$artine+ ref'sed to in/iit t/e#selves and deided to partiipate in t/e delieration on t/e petition.@On $ar/ 18, 330t/e respondent filed a #otion (it/ t/e Co'rt for t/e re'sation of )'stie Ro#eo ). Calleo, Sr. on ao'nt of /is vol'ntar"in/iition (/en t/e ase (as pendin% efore t/e Co'rt of Appeals.

On $ar/ =, 330, t/is Co'rt iss'ed a resol'tion den"in% t/e respondents $otion dated $ar/ 18, 330. 6/erespondent t/ereafter filed /is #otion for reonsideration of t/e April 1, 330 Resol'tion of t/e Co'rt in (/i/ /e pra"ed,

inter alia, for t/e in/iition of )'stie Calleo, Sr. 'nder A.$. No. 99484394SC and t/at t/e ase e re4raffled to anot/er#e#er of t/e Co'rt (/o /ad at'all" partiipated in t/e delieration and t/e rendition of its $a" 8, 33 Resol'tion.6/e respondent li;e(ise so'%/t t/e in/iition of )'sties Con/ita C. $orales and Adolfo S. A+'na, a%ain for t/e reasont/at t/e" (ere appointed to t/e Co'rt after t/e oral ar%'#ents on Ber'ar" 19, 33 and after t/e ase /ad alread" eens'#itted for deision.

On April 9, 330,

Full Text Cases Rule 117-126

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