Garcia vs. Ferro Chemicals, Inc., (G.R. No. 172505. October 1, 2014 FACTS:
In !"l# 1$%%, &ntonio Garcia (seller an' Ferro Chemicals, Inc., thro"h Ramon Garcia (b"#er entere' into a 'ee' o) absol"te sale an' *"rchase o) shares o) stoc+s. he contract -as entere' into to *revent the shares )rom bein sol' at *"blic a"ction to *a# the o"tstan'in obliations o) r. Garcia. he shares o) stoc+s -as one class /& share in &laban Co"ntr# Cl"b, Inc., an' one *ro*rietar# membershi* in the anila olo Cl"b, Inc., "n'er the name o) &ntonio Garcia. o-ever, the sai' shares -ere sol' at *"blic a"ction "n'er the hili**ine Investment 3#stem Oraniation. Ferro Chemicals )iel' aainst &ntonio Garcia. Garcia -as chare' -ith esta)a "n'er &rticle 1% (Other 6eceits o) the Revise' enal Co'e )or allee'l# misre*resentin to Ferro Chemicals, Inc. that the shares s"bect o) the contracts entere' into -ere )ree )rom all liens an' enc"mbrances. RC ac8"itte' &ntonio Garcia )or ins"))icienc# o) evi'ence. Ferro Chemicals )ile' a motion )or reconsi'eration, -hich -as 'enie' b# the RC in !"l# 2$, 1$$7. In &""st 25, 1$$7, Ferro Chemicals, Inc. a**eale' to the C&, entitle', /Notice o) &**eal 9: Gratia &b"'antia &' Ca"telam (O) he Civil &s*ect o) the Case,; as to the civil as*ect o) the case. On October 15, 1$$7, the a+ati rosec"tor, 1$$%, the 3C 'ismisse' the *etition )or certiorari an' an entr# o) "'ement -as ma'e on 6ecember 24, 1$$%. On the other han', the C& on &""st 11, 2005, a-ar'e' Ferro Chemicals, h*1 as act"al loss -ith leal interest an' attorne#
ISSUES:
1 2
?hethe ?hetherr the the R RC ha' ha' "ris "ris'ic 'ictio tion n over over the the case case ?hether ?hether the act act o) Ferro Ferro Chemicals Chemicals,, Inc. in )ilin )ilin the the notice notice o) a**eal a**eal be)ore be)ore the C& an' the certio certiorari rari assailin the same trial co"rt 'ecision amo"nte' to )or"m sho**in ?hether ?hether Ferro Ferro Chemica Chemicals ls -as entit entitle' le' to the the a-ar's a-ar's iven iven as civil civil liabilit# liabilit# e: e: 'elicto. 'elicto.
HELD:
1
he he R RC 'i' 'i' not not have have "r "ris is'i 'ict ctio ion. n. Jurisdiction of a court over the subject matter is veste' b# la-. In criminal cases, the im*osable *enalt# o) the crime chare' in the in)ormation 'etermines the co"rt that has "ris'iction over the case. he in)ormation chare' &ntonio Garcia -ith violation o) &rticle 1% o) the Revise' enal Co'e, -hich is *"nishable b# arresto ma#or, or im*risonment )or a *erio' o) one (1 month an' one (1 'a# to si: (> months. ?hen the in)ormation -as )ile' on 3e*tember , 1$$0, the la- in )orce -as @atas ambansa @l. 12$ (!"'icial Reoraniation &ct be)ore it -as amen'e' b# Re*"blic &ct No. 7>$1. An'er 3ection 2 o) @atas ambansa @l. 12$, the etro*olitan rial Co"rt ha' "ris'iction over the case The !TC did not have jurisdiction to hear and decide the case The !e"iona# Tria# Court did not have jurisdiction to hear and decide the case . his lac+ o) "ris'iction res"lte' in voi'in all o) the trial co"rtBs *rocee'ins an' the "'ment ren'ere'. <ho"h the trial co"rtBs lac+ o) "ris'iction -as never raise' as an iss"e in an# *art o) the
*rocee'ins an' even "ntil it reache' the 3C, it -as r"le' that a**l#in the eneral r"le, jurisdiction is vested b$ #a% and cannot be conferred or %aived b$ the &arties he )ail"re o) the *arties to raise the matter o) "ris'iction also cannot be constr"e' as a -aiver o) the *arties. !"ris'iction is con)erre' b# la- an' cannot be -aive' b# the *arties. The assai#ed decision is void' considerin" that it ori"inates from a void decision of the !e"iona# Tria# Court for #ac( of jurisdiction over the subject matter 2
Des, Ferro Chemicals, Inc. committe' )or"m sho**in For"m sho**in is 'e)ine' as, the act of a litigant who 'repetitively availed of several judicial remedies in different courts, simultaneously or successively, all substantially founded on the same transactions and the same essential facts and circumstances, and all raising substantially the same issues either pending in, or already resolved adversely by some other court . . . to increase his chances of obtaining a favorable decision if not in one court, then in another'. Ferro Chemicals, Inc. committe' )or"m sho**in -hen it )ile' an a**eal be)ore the Co"rt o) &**eals an' a *etition )or certiorari be)ore the 3C assailin the same trial co"rt 'ecision. his is tr"e even i) Ferro Chemicals, Inc.Bs notice o) a**eal to the Co"rt o) &**eals -as entitle', ;Notice o) &**eal 9: Gratia &b"'antia &' Ca"telam (O) he Civil &s*ect o) the Case.; he ;civil as*ect o) the case; re)erre' to b# Ferro Chemicals, Inc. is )or the recover# o) civil liabilit# e: 'elicto. o-ever, it fai#ed to ma(e a reservation before the tria# court to institute the civi# action for the recover$ of civi# #iabi#it$ e) de#icto or institute a se&arate civi# action &rior to the fi#in" of the crimina# case. &t a lance, it ma# a**ear that Ferro Chemicals, Inc. asserte' 'i))erent rihts the a**eal be)ore the C& is *"rel# on the civil as*ect o) the trial co"rtBs 'ecision -hile the *etition )or certiorari be)ore the 3C is allee'l# onl# on the criminal as*ect o) the case. o-ever, the civil liabilit# asserte' b# Ferro Chemicals, Inc. be)ore the C& rose )rom the criminal act. It is in the nat"re o) civil liabilit# e: 'elicto. Ferro Chemicals, Inc. 'i' not reserve the riht to instit"te the civil action )or the recover# o) civil liabilit# e: 'elicto or instit"te a se*arate civil action *rior to the )ilin o) the criminal case. h"s, it is an a'"nct o) the criminal as*ect o) the case. Eitiants cannot avail themselves o) t-o se*arate reme'ies )or the same relie) in the ho*e that in one )or"m, the relie) *ra#e' )or -ill be rante'. his is the evil so"ht to be averte' b# the 'octrine o) non=)or"m sho**in, an' this is the *roblem that has ha**ene' in this case. The SC denied the &etition for certiorari fi#ed b$ Ferro Chemica#s' Inc resu#tin" in fina#it$ of the tria# court*s decision he 'ecision )o"n' &ntonio Garcia not "ilt# o) the o))ense chare', an' no civil liabilit# -as a-ar'e' to Ferro Chemicals, Inc. Ho%ever' at &resent' there is a conf#ictin" decision from the CA a%ardin" Ferro Chemica#s' Inc civi# indemnit$ arisin" from the offense char"ed
No. he civil action cannot *rocee' in'e*en'entl# o) the criminal case. his incl"'es s"bse8"ent *rocee'ins on the criminal action s"ch as an a**eal. In an# case, Ferro Chemicals, Inc. oine' the *"blic *rosec"tor in )ilin the *etition )or certiorari be)ore the 3C. Ramon Garcia, resi'ent o) Ferro Chemicals, Inc., sine' the veri)ication an' certi)ication o) non=)or"m sho**in o) the *etition )or certiorari. o-ever, *rivate com*lainants in criminal cases are not *recl"'e' )rom )ilin a motion )or reconsi'eration an' s"bse8"entl# an a**eal on the civil as*ect o) a 'ecision ac8"ittin the acc"se'. &n e:ce*tion to the r"le that on#$ the So#icitor +enera# can brin" actions in crimina# &roceedin"s before the CA or SC is ;-hen the *rivate o))en'e' *art# 8"estions the civil as*ect o) a 'ecision o) a lo-er co"rt.; In a criminal case in -hich the o))en'e' *art# is the 3tate, the interest o) the *rivate com*lainant or the o))en'e' *art# is limite' to the civil liabilit# arisin there)rom. ence, i) a criminal case is 'ismisse' b# the trial co"rt or i) there is an ac8"ittal, a reconsi'eration o) the or'er o) 'ismissal or ac8"ittal ma# be "n'erta+en, -henever leall# )easible, inso)ar as the criminal as*ect thereo) is concerne' an' ma# be ma'e onl# b# the *"blic *rosec"tor or in the case o) an a**eal, b# the 3tate
onl#, thro"h the O3G. The &rivate comainant or offended &art$ ,A- ./T underta(e such motion for reconsideration or a&&ea# on the crimina# as&ect of the case o-ever, the offended &art$ or &rivate comainant ,A- fi#e a motion for reconsideration of such dismissa# or ac0uitta# or a&&ea# therefrom but on#$ insofar as the civi# as&ect thereof is concerned his is in consonance -ith the 'octrine that the e:tinction o) the *enal action 'oes not necessaril# carr# -ith it the e:tinction o) the civil action, -hether the latter is instit"te' -ith or se*aratel# )rom the criminal action. he o))en'e' *art# ma# still claim civil liabilit# e: 'elicto i) there is a )in'in in the )inal "'ment in the criminal action that the act or omission )rom -hich the liabilit# ma# arise e:ists. !"ris*r"'ence has en"merate' three instances -hen, not-ithstan'in the acc"se'Bs ac8"ittal, the o))en'e' *art# ma# still claim civil liabilit# e: 'elicto 1a2 i) the ac8"ittal is base' on reasonable 'o"bt as onl# *re*on'erance o) evi'ence is re8"ire' 1b2 i) the co"rt 'eclare' that the liabilit# o) the acc"se' is onl# civil an' 1c2 i) the civil liabilit# o) the acc"se' 'oes not arise )rom or is not base' "*on the crime o) -hich the acc"se' is ac8"itte'. o-ever, i) the state *"rs"es an a**eal on the criminal as*ect o) a 'ecision o) the trial co"rt ac8"ittin the acc"se' an' &rivate comainant3s FAILED T/ !ESE!4E THE !I+HT to institute a se&arate civi# action' the civil liabilit# e: 'elicto that is inherentl# attache' to the o))ense is li+e-ise a**eale'. he a**eal o) the civil liabilit# e: 'elicto is im*lie'l# instit"te' -ith the *etition )or certiorari assailin the ac8"ittal o) the acc"se'. rivate com*lainant cannot an$more *"rs"e a se*arate a**eal )rom that o) the state -itho"t violatin the 'octrine o) non=)or"m sho**in. @"t, i) *rivate com*lainant reserve' the riht to instit"te the civil action )or the recover# o) civil liabilit# e: 'elicto be)ore the RC or instit"te a se*arate civil action *rior to the )ilin o) the criminal case in accor'ance -ith R"le 111 o) the R"les o) Co"rt. In these sit"ations, the )ilin o) an a**eal as to the civil as*ect o) the case cannot be consi'ere' as )or"m sho**in. 3ince, Ferro Chemicals, Inc. 'i' not reserve it rite to instit"te a se*arate civil action *rior to the )ilin o) the criminal case in accor'ance -ith R"le 111 o) the R"le o) Co"rt, the *etition -as 'enie'. he resol"tion o) the 3C iss"e' on November 1>, 1$$% 'en#in the *etition )or certiorari -as reiterate'.
G.R. 154557 (Febr"ar# 1, 200% eo*le o) the hili**ines, *etitioner, vs. he onorable Co"rt o) &**eals, 12th 6ivision, Rico Ei*ao, an' Ric+son Ei*ao, res*on'ents. Facts o) the Case On October 21, 1$$1, Rico Ei*ao an' Ric+son Ei*ao -ere )o"n' in *ossession o) % *ieces o) ro"n' timbers an' 1>0 b"n'les o) )ire-oo' -ith a mar+et val"e o) h* ,100.00. avin )aile' to sho- the necessar# license to trans*ort the a)orementione' )orest *ro'"cts, Rico Ei*ao an' Ric+son Ei*ao -ere acc"se' o) violatin 3ection >% o) resi'ential 6ecree No. 705 as amen'e' b# 9:ec"tive Or'er No. 9O 277. &ccor'inl#, the o))ense chare' is *"nishable b# rision Correcional in its me'i"m *erio' is im*risonment )rom 2 #ears, 4 months an' 1 'a# "* to 4 #ears an' 2 months. ?hile on its ma:im"m, rision Correcional is im*risonment )rom 4 #ears, 2 months an' 1 'a# "* to > #ears. he 3"riao Cit# RC @ranch 2 )o"n' *rivate res*on'ents "ilt# be#on' reasonable 'o"bt o) the o))ense chare'. he *rivate res*on'ents a**eale' to the Co"rt o) &**eals. he# ar"e' that *rivate res*on'ent Ric+son -as s"becte' to an illeal search an' sei"re o) the ro"n' *osts an' )ire-oo' -hich cannot be "se' as evi'ence aainst him. oreover, *rivate res*on'ents ar"e' that the *rosec"tion )aile' to *rove their lac+ o) license to *ossess timber. he# conten'e' that since *rivate res*on'ent Rico is merel# the o-ner o) the *"m*boat an' -as not *resent -hen the *osts an' )ire-oo' -ere seie', he co"l' never be hel' liable )or illeal *ossession o) timber as he -as never in *ossession o) the ro"n' *osts. &mi'st the *rocee'ins in this criminal case 'oc+ete' as Criminal Case No, 551 an' be)ore the 3"riao Cit# RC @ranch 2 ren'ere' its "'ment, R& 7>$1. his e:*an'e' the e:cl"sive oriinal "ris'iction o) Cs an' CCs in criminal cases to cover all o))enses *"nishable -ith im*risonment not e:cee'in si: #ears irres*ective o) the amo"nt )ine. his is the reason -h# on !"ne 1, 2002, the Co"rt o) &**eals rante' the a**eal o) *rivate res*on'ents an' 'ismissin the case be)ore it on the ro"n' o) lac+ o) "ris'iction o) RC 'es*ite the )act that the iss"e o) "ris'iction -as never raise' b# the *rivate res*on'ents. Iss"e ?hether or not the RC has "ris'iction over the criminal case aainst *rivate res*on'ents 'es*ite the e))ectivit# o) R& 7>$1. R"lin he *etition -as rante'. he assaile' C& 'ecision -as revise' an' set asi'e. he C& -as 'irecte' to resolve the a**eal o) *rivate res*on'ents on the merits an' -ith 'is*atch. It has been hel' as a eneral r"le that the "ris'iction o) a co"rt to tr# a criminal case is to be 'etermine' b# the la- in )orce at the time o) the instit"tion o) the action. ?here a co"rt has alrea'# obtaine' an' is e:ercisin "ris'iction over a controvers#, its "ris'iction to *rocee' to the )inal 'etermination o) the ca"se is not a))ecte' b# ne- leislation *lacin "ris'iction over s"ch *rocee'ins in another trib"nal. !"ris'iction attache' "*on the commencement o) the action co"l' not be o"ste' b# the *assae o) R.&. 7>$1 rea**ortionin the "ris'iction o) in)erior co"rts, the a**lication o) -hich to criminal cases is, to stress, *ros*ective in nat"re. h"s, -here *rivate res*on'ents ha' been chares -ith illeal loin *"nishable "n'er &rticles 0$ an' 10 o) the Revise' enal Co'e, the RC clearl# has "ris'iction at the ince*tion o) the criminal case.
Valdepenas vs. People (G.R. No. L-20687, April 30, 1966 Doctrine! "#risdi$%ion over %&e person o' an a$$#sed is a$#ired #pon ei%&er &is appre&ension, )i%& or )i%&o#% )arran%, or &is s#*+ission %o %&e #risdi$%ion o' %&e $o#r%. Facts: Appeal * Valdepeas 'ro+ a de$ision o' /A, ar+in %&a% o' %&e / /aaan, $onvi$%in &i+ o' %&e $ri+e o' a*d#$%ion )i%& $onsen%, and sen%en$in &i+ %o an inde%er+ina%e penal% and %o inde+ni' 4s%er 5lsano. 4s%er 5lsano, 17rs old, assis%ed * &er +o%&er led 'or$i*le a*d#$%ion )i%& rape aains% Valdepenas. / 'o#nd &i+ #il% as $&ared. /A +odied %o a*d#$%ion )i%& $onsen%. Valdepenas led an R N on %&e ndin o' +inori% a% %i+e o' o$$#rren$e )&i$& )as ran%ed *#% on re%rial %&e prior /A r#lin )as ar+ed. 2nd R *ased on la$: o' #risdi$%ion o' / )as denied so &e led pe%i%ion 'or $er%iorari. Pe%i%ioner;s %&eor is %&a% no $o+plain% 'or a*d#$%ion )i%& $onsen% &as *een led and %&e lo)er $o#r% a$#ired no #risdi$%ion over &is person or over %&e $ri+e o' a*d#$%ion )i%& $onsen% and &ad, %&ere'ore, no a#%&ori% %o $onvi$% &i+. Issue: <=N /A erred in no% reversin / 'or la$: o' #risdi$%ion over %&e person o' %&e a$$#sed and %&e s#*e$% +a%%er o' %&e a$%ion 'or %&e o>ense o' a*d#$%ion )i%& $onsen%? Held: N= Jurisdiction over the person of an accused is acquired upon either his apprehension, with or without warrant, or his submission to the jurisdiction of the court. n %&e $ase a% *ar, i% is no% $lai+ed %&a% pe%i%ioner &ad no% *een appre&ended or &ad no% s#*+i%%ed &i+sel' %o %&e #risdi$%ion o' %&e $o#r%. ndeed, al%&o#& *ro#&% *e'ore %&e *ar o' #s%i$e as earl as "an#ar 2@, 19@6, rs%, *e'ore %&e %&en #s%i$e o' %&e pea$e $o#r% o' Pia%, %&en *e'ore %&e / o' /aaan, la%er *e'ore %&e /A, %&erea'%er *a$: %o /, and %&en, aain, *e'ore %&e /A, never, within the period of six !" #ears had he questioned the judicial authorit# of an# of these three $" courts over his person. e is dee+ed )aived )&a%ever o*e$%ion &e +i&% &ave &ad %o %&e #risdi$%ion over &is person, and, &en$e, %o &ave s#*+i%%ed &i+sel' %o %&e /o#r%;s #risdi$%ion. is *e&avio#r and ever sinle one o' %&e s%eps %a:en * &i+ *e'ore said $o#r%s B par%i$#larl %&e +o%ions %&erein led * &i+ B i+plied, no% +erel a s#*+ission %o %&e #risdi$%ion %&ereo', *#%, also, %&a% &e ur%ed the courts to exercise the authorit# thereof over his person. A*d#$%ion )i%& $onsen% - #risdi$%ion over a iven $ri+e, no% ves%ed * la) #pon a par%i$#lar $o#r%, +a no% *e $on'erred %&ere%o * %&e par%ies involve in %&e o>ense. n %&e $ase a% *ar, %&e o>ended )o+an and &er +o%&er &ave nea%ed s#$& pre'eren$e * lin %&e $o+plain% and oin %&ro#& %&e %rials and
%ri*#la%ions $on$o+i%an% )i%& %&e pro$eedins in %&is $ase, *e'ore several $o#r%s, 'or %&e las% %en (10 ears. Pe%i%ioner sas %&a% %&e $o+plain% )as 'or 'or$i*le a*d#$%ion, no% a*d#$%ion )i%& $onsen%C *#%, as alread adver%ed %o, %&e la%%er is in$l#ded in %&e 'or+er. &is allea%ion i+plies %&a% 4s%er is a +inor livin #nder pa%ria pro%es%as, and, &en$e, sinle, %s leadin %o %&e pres#+p%ion %&a% s&e is a virin. D&e )as %a:en * 'or$e 'ro+ %&eir d)ellin )&en &er +o%&er )as a)a and *ro#&% %o a se$l#ded area and raped. /A and / ar+ed. /os% aains% Valdepenas People v. Laon (G.R. E@81@ F 18 a 1990 N R4! e%er+ined * Allea%ions o' /o+plain% =n 7 "#l 1976, anin'or+a%ion 'or es%a'a )as led aains% a$$#sed Laon 'or alleedl iss#in a $&e$: 'or pa+en% o' oods )i%&o#% &avin s#$ien% '#nds. &e $i% $o#r% o' RoHas, &o)ever, dis+issed %&e in'or+a%ion 'or %&e ver reason %&a% %&e penal% pres$ri*ed 'or $ri+e $&ared &ad *e$o+e *eond %&e la%%er $o#r%Is a#%&ori% %o i+pose. % appears %&a% )&en %&e $ri+e )as $o++i%%ed (April 197@, %&e la) ves%ed %&e $i% $o#r% )i%& #risdi$%ion. o)ever, * %&e %i+e %&e in'or+a%ion )as led ("#l 1976, P.. 818 in$reased %&e penal% 'or %&e sa+e. e$% a% %&e %i+e o' %&e $o++en$e+en% o' a $ri+inal a$%ion, ra%&er %&an * %&e la) in e>e$% a% %&e %i+e o' %&e $o++ission o' %&e o>ense $&ared. n %&is reard, $onsiderin %&e passae o' P..818, #risdi$%ion o' %&e $ase no) per%ained %o %&e / o' RoHas and no% )i%& %&e $i% $o#r%.
Jaldivia v Rees G.R. No. 1023E2, "#l 3, 1992, 211 D/RA 277 Facts: A $o+plain% )as led *e'ore %&e s$alIs o$e $ons%i%#%in an o>ense in viola%ion o' a $i% ordinan$e. &e s$al did no% le %&e $o+plain% *e'ore %&e $o#r% i++edia%el *#% ins%ead led i% 3 +on%&s la%er. &e de'endan%Is $o#nsel led a +o%ion %o #as& on ro#nd %&a% %&e a$%ion %o le %&e $o+plain% &as pres$ri*ed. &e s$al $on%ends %&a% %&e lin o' %&e $o+plain% *e'ore &is o$e alread in%err#p%s %&e pres$rip%ion period. Issue: <&e%&er or no% %&e lin o' in'or+a%ionF$o+plain% *e'ore %&e s$al o$e $ons%i%#%in a viola%ion aains% a spe$ial la)Fordinan$e in%err#p%s pres$rip%ion. Held: &e +ere lin o' $o+plain% %o %&e s$alIs o$e does no% in%err#p% %&e r#nnin o' pres$rip%ion on o>enses p#nis&a*le * a spe$ial la). &e $o+plain% s&o#ld &ave *een led )i%&in a reasona*le %i+e *e'ore %&e $o#r%. % is onl %&en %&a% %&e r#nnin o' %&e pres$rip%ive period is in%err#p%ed.
KKA$% 3326 is %&e overnin la) on pres$rip%ion o' $ri+es p#nis&a*le * a spe$ial la) )&i$& s%a%es %&a% pres$rip%ion is onl in%err#p%ed #pon #di$ial pro$eedin. L# . Jaldivia v. on. Andres M. Rees, "r. Facts: Pe%i%ioner Jaldivia is $&ared )i%& #arrin 'or $o++er$ial p#rposes )i%&o#% a +aor;s per+i% in %&e +#ni$ipali% o' Rodri#e, Provin$e o' Rial. D&e +oved %o #as& %&e in'or+a%ion on %&e ro#nd %&a% %&e $ri+e &ad pres$ri*ed *#% i% )as denied. D&e appealed %o %&e R/ and denial )as s#s%ained * %&e responden% #de. Pe%i%ioner led 'or a pe%i%ion 'or revie) on $er%iorari ar#in %&a% %&e $ase led aains% &er is overn * %&e provisions on %&e R#les o' D#++ar Pro$ed#re. D&e $on%ends %&a% $ri+inal $ases li:e viola%ions o' +#ni$ipal or $i% ordinan$es does no% re#ire preli+inar inves%ia%ion and s&all *e led dire$%l %o %&e $o#r% and no% in %&e Prose$#%or;s o$e. D&e also invo:ed A$% No. 3226 An A$% %o 4s%a*lis& Periods o' Pres$rip%ion 'or Viola%ions Penalied * Dpe$ial A$%s and #ni$ipal =rdinan$es and %o Provide )&en Pres$rip%ion D&all Mein %o R#nO. /on$l#din %&a% %&e $ase s&o#ld &ave *een dis+issed sin$e %&e $ase aains% &er )as *ein led in $o#r% )a *eond %&e 2 +on%& s%a%#%or period. &e prose$#%ion $on%ends %&a% )&en %&e $ase )as led on %&e Prose$#%or;s o$e i% s#spends %&e pres$rip%ive period. Issue: <&e%&er or no% %&e pres$rip%ion o' period $eased %o r#n )&en %&e $ase )as led on %&e prose$#%or;s o$e? Decision: Pe%i%ion ran%ed. /ase dis+issed on %&e ro#nd o' pres$rip%ion. &ulin%: As a eneral r#le, %&e lin o' %&e $ase in %&e prose$#%or;s o$e is s#$ien% %o in%err#p% %&e r#nnin o' %&e pres$rip%ive period eH$ep% )&en %&e $ase is $overed * %&e R#les on D#++ar Pro$ed#re. ' i% is an $ri+e, o# le i% in %&e s$al;s o$eC %&e r#nnin o' %&e pres$rip%ive period is in%err#p%ed. M#% in %&e $ase a% *ar &avin onl a penal% o' arres%o +enor i% %&ere'ore 'alls #nder %&e provisions o' %&e R#les on D#++ar Pro$ed#re. ' i% is $overed * %&e D#++ar R#les, %&e period $on%in#es. % +#s% *e %&e lin o' %&e $ase in $o#r% )&i$& )ill in%err#p% %&e period 'ro+ r#nnin.
Remedial Law; Criminal Procedure; Prescription of ffenses; !ummary Procedure; "s provided in the Revised Rules on !ummary Procedure, only the filing of an #nformation tolls the prescriptive period where the crime charged is involved in an ordinance JADE5ELL &RING 3D393 COROR&ION re*resente' b# its manaer an' a"thorie' re*resentative Norma an, *etitioner, vs. ON. !A6G9 N9E3ON F. LIDUA, 3R., resi'in !"'e o) he "nici*al rial Co"rt @ranch , @a"io Cit#, @9N96ICO @&E&!&6I&, 96?IN &NG, /!ON 6O93 an' /99R 6O93, res*on'ents. G.R. No. 1>$5%%. October 7, 201. .ATU!E: 9IION )or revie- on certiorari o) a 'ecision o) the Reional rial Co"rt o) @a"io Cit# FACTS: !a'e-ell, *"rs"ant to Cit# Or'inance 00=2000, -as a"thorie' to ren'er an# motor vehicle immobilie' b# *lacin its -heels in a clam* i) the vehicle is illeall# *ar+e'. @alaa'ia an' the other res*on'ents 'ismantle', too+ an' carrie' a-a# the clam*s attache' to the -heel o) the vehicles, -hich too+ *lace on a# 7, 200. !a'e-ell )ile' a com*laint )or robber# aainst the res*on'ents -ith the O))ice o) the Cit# rosec"tor on a# 2, 200. o-ever, the In)ormations -ere )ile' -ith the C on October 2, 200. @alaa'ia )ile' a motion to 8"ash. STATE,E.T /F THE CASE: he C rante' the motion to 8"ash an' 'ismisse' the case an' !a'e-ell, as amen'e', re)er to judicia# &roceedin"s . h"s, the 3C, in $aldivia, hel' that the )ilin o) the Com*laint -ith the O))ice o) the rovincial rosec"tor -as not a "'icial *rocee'in. he *rescri*tive *erio' commence' )rom the allee' 'ate o) the commission o) the crime on a# 7, 200 an' en'e' t-o months a)ter on !"l# 7, 200.
ISSUE: ?hether the )ilin o) the Com*laint -ith the O))ice o) the Cit# rosec"tor on a# 2, 200 tolle' the *rescri*tion *erio' o) the co mmission o) the o))ense HELD: No. &s *rovi'e' in the Revise' R"les on 3"mmar# roce'"re, onl# the )ilin o) an In)ormation tolls the *rescri*tive *erio' -here the crime chare' is involve' in an or'inance. he res*on'ent "'e -as correct -hen he a**lie' the r"le in $aldivia v. Reyes. In $aldivia v. Reyes, 211 3CR& 277 (1$$2, the violation o) a m"nici*al or'inance in Ro'ri"e, Rial also )eat"re' similar )acts an' iss"es -ith the *resent case. In that case, the o))ense -as committe' on a# 11, 1$$0. he Com*laint -as receive' on a# 0, 1$$0, an' the In)ormation -as )ile' -ith the etro*olitan rial Co"rt o) Ro'ri"e on October 2, 1$$0. ?hen the re*resentatives o) the *etitioner )ile' the Com*laint be)ore the rovincial rosec"tor o) @a"io, the *rescri*tion *erio' -as r"nnin. It contin"e' to r"n "ntil the )ilin o) the In)ormation. he# ha' t-o months to )ile the In)ormation an' instit"te the "'icial *rocee'ins b# )ilin the In)ormation -ith the "nici*al rial Co"rt. he )ail"re o) the *rosec"tor to seasonabl# )ile the In)ormation is "n)ort"nate as it res"lte' in the 'ismissal o) the case aainst the *rivate res*on'ents. It stan's that the 'octrine o) $aldivia is a**licable to or'inances an' their *rescri*tion *erio'. It also "*hol's the necessit# o) )ilin the In)ormation in co"rt in or'er to toll the *erio'. $aldivia also has this to sa# concernin the e))ects o) its r"lin he Co"rt realies that "n'er the above inter*retation, a crime ma# *rescribe even i) the com*laint is )ile' seasonabl# -ith the *rosec"tor
People v. Pangilinan, G.R. No. 152662, March 10, 2000 Crim Pro - Rule 110
Facts:
Ma. Theresa Pangilinan, the respondent in this instant case allegedly issued chec!s "ith the aggregate a#ount o$ P,65%,62 in $avor o$ &irginia Malolos. 'ut, upon Malolos( present#ent o$ the said chec!s, they "ere dishonored. )o, on )ept. 16, 1*, Malolos $iled an a$$idavit+co#plaint $or esta$a and violation o$ 'P 22 against Pangilinan. n -ece#er 5, 1*, Pangilinan $iled a civil case $or accounting, recovery o$ co##ercial docu#ents, en$orceaility and e$$ectivity o$ contract and speci$ic per$or#ance against Malolos e$ore the RT/ o$ &alenuela /ity. ater, Pangilinan also $iled on -ece#er 10, 1*, a Petition to )uspend Proceedings on the Ground o$ Pre3udicial 4uestion. n March 2, 1%, ssistant /ity Prosecutor Ruen /atuay reco##ended Pangilinan(s petition "hich "as approved y the /ity Prosecutor o$ 4ueon /ity. Malolos, then, raised the #atter e$ore the -. n anuary 5, 1, )ec. o$ ustice )era$in /uevas reversed the resolution o$ the /ity Prosecutor and ordered the $iling o$ the in$or#ations $or violation o$ 'P 22 in connection "ith Pangilinan(s issuance o$ t"o chec!s, the charges involving the other chec!s "ere dis#issed. )o, t"o counts o$ violation $or 'P 22, oth dated Nov. 1%, 1, "ere $iled against Pangilinan on 7e. 8, 2000 e$ore the MeT/ o$ 4ueon /ity. n une 1*, 2000, Pangilinan $iled an #nius Motion to 4uash the 9n$or#ation and to -e$er the 9ssuance o$ :arrant o$ rrest; e$ore MeT/, 'ranch 81, 4ueon /ity, alleging that the cri#inal liaility has een e
Issue: :hether
or not the $iling o$ the a$$idavit+co#plaint $or esta$a and violation o$ 'P 'lg. 22 against
respondent "ith the $$ice o$ the /ity Prosecutor o$ 4ueon /ity on 16 )epte#er 1* interrupted the period o$ prescription o$ such o$$ense. Held. =es.
>nder )ection 1 o$ ct No. 8826 "hich is the la" applicale to '.P. 22 cases, ?@vAiolations
penalied y special acts shall, unless other"ise provided in such acts, prescrie in accordance "ith the $ollo"ing rulesBC a$ter $our years $or those punished y i#prison#ent $or #ore than one #onth, ut less than t"o years.; >nder )ection 2 o$ the sa#e ct, ?@tAhe prescription shall e interrupted "hen proceedings are instituted against the guilty person, and shall egin to run again i$ the proceedings are dis#issed $or reasons not constituting 3eopardy. )ince '.P. 22 is a special la" that i#poses a penalty o$ i#prison#ent o$ not less than thirty D80E days ut not #ore than one year or y a $ine $or its violation, it there$ore prescries in $our DFE years in accordance "ith the a$orecited la". The running o$ the prescriptive period, ho"ever, should e tolled upon the institution o$ proceedings against the guilty person.
The a$$idavit+co#plaints $or the violations "ere $iled against respondent on 16 )epte#er 1*. The cases reached the MeT/ o$ 4ueon /ity only on 18 7eruary 2000 ecause in the #ean"hile, respondent $iled a civil case $or accounting $ollo"ed y a petition e$ore the /ity Prosecutor $or suspension o$ proceedings on the ground o$ ?pre3udicial uestion;. The #atter "as raised e$ore the )ecretary o$ ustice a$ter the /ity Prosecutor approved the petition to suspend proceedings. 9t "as only a$ter the )ecretary o$ ustice so ordered that the in$or#ations $or the violation o$ 'P 'lg. 22 "ere $iled "ith the MeT/ o$ 4ueon /ity. /learly, it "as respondentHs o"n #otion $or the suspension o$ the cri#inal proceedings, "hich #otion she predicated on her civil case $or accounting, that caused the $iling in court o$ the 1* initiated proceedings only in 2000
ran$is$o vs People G.R. No. 177720 e*r#ar 18, 2009 a$%s! 4liseo R. ran$is$o is %&e A$#irin /&are*a$: D#pervisor o' Man:ard n$. Man:ard is a $redi% $ard $o+pan enaed in iss#in $redi% $ards and a$#irin $redi% $ard re$eiva*les 'ro+ $o++er$ial es%a*lis&+en%s arisin 'ro+ p# r$&ases. &e $o+pan serves as an in%er+ediar *e%)een %&e $redi% $ard &older and a *an:. Pe%i%ioner ran$is$o )as %as:ed %o $onver% %&e 4#i$o+ repor%s send %&ro#& ele$%roni$ +ail 'ro+ i%s oriinal AR" eH% or+a% %o %&e A+ipro or+a% #sed * Man:ard. ran$is$o )as %&e onl one assined %o per'or+ %&is %as:. Man:ard 'o#nd several dis$repan$ies *e%)een %&e oriinal repor%s o' 4#i$o+ )i%& %&ose $onver%ed * ran$is$o. &ere )as a reversal o' $&ares 'ro+ E di>eren% es%a*lis&+en%s %o ran$is$oIs a$$o#n%. 5pon a $loser loo:, %&ere )as no re$ord o' a$%#al %ransa$%ions or p#r$&ases. Din$e %&ere )ere no oriinal p#r$&ase %ransa$%ions $&ared aains% ran$is$oIs $redi% $ards, %&e reversal o' $&ares and %&e $redi%in o' s#+s o' +one %o ran$is$oIs $redi% $ards appeared %o *e $%i%io#s. #e %o %&is, Man:ard )a +ade %o pa %&e sa+e %o Dolid*an:, %&e a$%#al *an: o' ran$is$o, %&e a+o#n% $redi%ed %o ran$is$oIs $redi% $ard. #e %o %&ese 'ra#d#len% %ransa$%ions, Man:ard led a $ri+inal $ase o' es%a>a aains% ran$is$o. &e R/ and %&e /A all r#led in 'avor o' Man:ard. ss#e! <&e%&er or no% Man:ard is %&e o>ended par% in %&is $ase R#lin! es and even i' no%, %&e $o+plain% )o#ld s%ill *e valid. Pe%i%ioner ran$is$o '#r%&er ar#es %&a% Man:ard &ad no personali% %o le %&e $o+plain%, sin$e %&e $redi% $ard $o+panies )ere %&e ones )&i$& reall s#>ered da+ae in %&e $ase a% *ar. s, ar#ed pe%i%ioner ran$is$o, %&e %&ird ele+en% o' es%a'a #nder Ar%i$le 31@(a )as la$:in! D%a%ed o%&er)ise, %&is ele+en% spea:s o' an o>ended par% )&i$& #ndo#*%edl +a onl re'er %o Dolid*an: as%er$ard and AG Visa si+pl *e$a#se i% )as %&ese %)o $redi% $ard $o+panies %&a% eH%ended $redi% 'a$ili%ies %o &erein pe%i%ioner )&en %&e la%%er #sed &is $redi% $ards. irs%l, as dis$#ssed a*ove, i% )as d#l proven %&a% Man:ard also s#>ered da+aes * reason o' 'ra#d#len% a$%s $o++i%%ed * pe%i%ioner ran$is$o. De$ondl, even ass#+in 'or %&e sa:e o' ar#+en% %&a% Dolid*an: as%er$ard and AG Visa )ere %&e proper o>ended par%ies in %&is $ase, pe%i%ioner ran$is$o is +is%a:en in &is asser%ion %&a% i% )as essen%ial 'or ei%&er Dolid*an: as%er$ard or AG Visa %o &ave led %&e $o+plain% 'or es%a'a. 4H$ep% in $ases %&a% $anno% *e prose$#%ed de o$io,
na+el ad#l%er, $on$#*inae, sed#$%ion, a*d#$%ion and a$%s o' las$ivio#sness,10 a $o+plain% led * %&e o>ended par% is no% ne$essar 'or %&e ins%i%#%ion o' a $ri+inal a$%ion. &e n'or+a%ion led * %&e prose$#%or )i%& %&e proper $o#r% is s#$ien%. A $ri+e is an o>ense aains% %&e D%a%e, and &en$e is prose$#%ed in %&e na+e o' %&e People o' %&e P&ilippines. &e par%i$ipa%ion o' %&e priva%e o>ended par% is no% essen%ial %o %&e prose$#%ion o' $ri+es, eH$ep% in %&e $ri+es s%a%ed a*ove, or in %&e prose$#%ion o' %&e $ivil a$%ion dee+ed ins%i%#%ed )i%& %&e $ri+inal a$%ion.11 A $o+plain% 'or p#rposes o' preli+inar inves%ia%ion * %&e prose$#%or need no% *e led * %&e Qo>ended par%Q *#% +a *e led * an $o+pe%en% person.
Criminal Procedure; Preliminary #nvestigation; %he prosecutor&s findings on the eistence of probable cause are not subject to review by the courts, unless these are patently shown to have been made with grave abuse of discretion &3&DAI HASE+A5A, *etitioner, vs. E9IE& F. +I!/., res*on'ent. G.R. No. 1%45>. &""st 14, 201 .ATU!E: 9IION )or revie- on certiorari o) the 'ecision an' resol"tion o) the Co"rt o) &**eals. FACTS: Giron, an o))ice -or+er, claime' that she an' her )rien' -ere ta+en at "n*oint b# t-o men an' )orcibl# boar'e' into a vehicle. he# -ere 'etaine' )or more than 24=ho"rs. he# -ere ta"nte' an' re*eate'l# threatene' b# their ab'"ctors into -ith'ra-in the case aainst asea-a. asea-a claime' that he has no +no-le'e o) the crime an' 'oesn
blo-n trial on the merits, -here r"les on a'missibilit# o) testimonies an' other evi'ence strictl# a**l#. ISSUE: ?hether or not the *rosec"tor ha' overstretche' her '"ties that -o"l' amo"nt to rave ab"se o) 'iscretion -arrantin the revie- o) the co "rt HELD: Des. he 'ecision -hether or not to 'ismiss the criminal com*laint aainst the acc"se' 'e*en's on the so"n' 'iscretion o) the *rosec"tor. Co"rts -ill not inter)ere -ith the con'"ct o) *reliminar# investiations, or reinvestiations, or in the 'etermination o) -hat constit"tes s"))icient *robable ca"se )or the )ilin o) the corres*on'in in)ormation aainst an o))en'er. Co"rts are not em*o-ere' to s"bstit"te their o-n "'ment )or that o) the e:ec"tive branch. 6i))erentl# state', as the matter o) -hether to *rosec"te or not is *"rel# 'iscretionar# on his *art, co"rts cannot com*el a *"blic *rosec"tor to )ile the corres*on'in in)ormation, "*on a com*laint, -here he )in's the evi'ence be)ore him ins"))icient to -arrant the )ilin o) an action in co"rt. In s"m, the *rosec"tor
/R4DP= VD =G5L A/D! Assis%an% is$al Gala )i%& %&e approval o' %&e Provin$ial is$al led an in'or+a%ion 'or es%a'a aains% ario /respo. <&en %&e $ase )as se% 'or arrain+en%, %&e a$$#sed led a +o%ion %o de'er arrain+en% on %&e ro#nd %&a% %&ere )as a pendin pe%i%ion 'or revie) led )i%& %&e De$re%ar o' "#s%i$e. &e responden% denied %&e +o%ion. /o#r% o' Appeals res%rained %&e #de 'ro+ en'or$in &is %&rea% %o $o+pel %&e arrain+en% o' %&e a$$#sed in %&e $ase #n%il %&e epar%+en% o' "#s%i$e s&all &ave nall resolved %&e pe%i%ion 'or revie). &en, 5se$ o' "#s%i$e resolvin %&e pe%i%ion 'or revie) reversed %&e resol#%ion o' %&e =$e o' %&e Provin$ial is$al and dire$%ed %&e s$al %o +ove 'or i++edia%e dis+issal o' %&e in'or+a%ion led aains% %&e a$$#sed. A +o%ion %o dis+iss 'or ins#$ien$ o' eviden$e )as led * %&e Provin$ial is$al. o)ever, %&e "#de denied %&e +o%ion and se% %&e arrain+en% s%a%in. A +o%ion and res%rainin order )as led aain in %&e /A *#% )as dis+issed. s, %&is $ase. DD54! <&e%&er %&e %rial $o#r% a$%in on a +o%ion %o dis+iss a $ri+inal $ase led * %&e Provin$ial is$al #pon ins%r#$%ions o' %&e De$re%ar o' "#s%i$e %o )&o+ %&e $ase )as eleva%ed 'or revie), +a re'#se %o ran% %&e +o%ion and insis% on %&e arrain+en% and %rial on %&e +eri%s. R5LNG! 4D. % is a $ardinal prin$iple %&a% an $ri+inal a$%ions ei%&er $o++en$ed * $o+plain% or * in'or+a%ion s&all *e prose$#%ed #nder %&e dire$%ion and $on%rol o' %&e s$al. &e ins%i%#%ion o' a $ri+inal a$%ion depends #pon %&e so#nd dis$re%ion o' %&e s$al. &e reason 'or pla$in %&e $ri+inal prose$#%ion #nder %&e dire$%ion and $on%rol o' %&e s$al is %o preven% +ali$io#s or #n'o#nded prose$#%ion * priva%e persons. % $anno% *e $on%rolled * %&e $o+plainan%. % is %&ro#& %&e $ond#$% o' a
preli+inar inves%ia%ion %&a% %&e s$al de%er+ines %&e eHis%en$e o' a pri+a 'a$ie $ase %&a% )o#ld )arran% %&e prose$#%ion o' a $ase. &e /o#r%s $anno% in%er'ere )i%& %&e s$al;s dis$re%ion and $on%rol o' %&e $ri+inal prose$#%ion. s, a s$al )&o as:s 'or %&e dis+issal o' %&e $ase 'or ins#$ien$ o' eviden$e &as a#%&ori% %o do so, and /o#r%s %&a% ran% %&e sa+e $o++i% no error. n a $las& o' vie)s *e%)een %&e #de )&o did no% inves%ia%e and %&e s$al )&o did, or *e%)een %&e s$al and %&e o>ended par% or %&e de'endan%, %&ose o' %&e is$al;s s&o#ld nor+all prevail. &e preli+inar inves%ia%ion $ond#$%ed * %&e s$al 'or %&e p#rpose o' de%er+inin )&e%&er a pri+a 'a$ie $ase eHis%s )arran%in %&e prose$#%ion o' %&e a$$#sed is %er+ina%ed #pon %&e lin o' %&e in'or+a%ion in %&e proper $o#r%. &e lin o' said in'or+a%ion se%s in +o%ion %&e $ri+inal a$%ion aains% %&e a$$#sed in /o#r%. D&o#ld %&e s$al nd i% proper %o $ond#$% a reinves%ia%ion o' %&e $ase, a% s#$& s%ae, %&e per+ission o' %&e /o#r% +#s% *e se$#red. <&ile i% is %r#e %&a% %&e s$al &as %&e #asi #di$ial dis$re%ion %o de%er+ine )&e%&er or no% a $ri+inal $ase s&o#ld *e led in $o#r% or no%, on$e %&e $ase &ad alread *een *ro#&% %o /o#r% )&a%ever disposi%ion %&e s$al +a 'eel s&o#ld *e proper in %&e $ase %&erea'%er s&o#ld *e addressed 'or %&e $onsidera%ion o' %&e /o#r%.<&e%&er %&e a$$#sed &ad *een arrained or no% and )&e%&er i% )as d#e %o a reinves%ia%ion * %&e s$al or a revie) * %&e De$re%ar o' "#s%i$e )&ere* a +o%ion %o dis+iss )as s#*+i%%ed %o %&e /o#r%, %&e /o#r% in %&e eHer$ise o' i%s dis$re%ion +a ran% %&e +o%ion or den i% and re#ire %&a% %&e %rial on %&e +eri%s pro$eed 'or %&e proper de%er+ina%ion o' %&e $ase. &e role o' %&e s$al or prose$#%or as