Wednesday, May 12, 2021

HOLLY ANN CABASAG...17/25

 

1.      Jose Cruz was caught carrying an unlicensed firearm in one of the checkpoints established in Sergio Osmena, while he was riding his car going to Dipolog. He was frisked and the firearm on his waistline was confiscated after he was made to disembark from his car. He was then charged for two offenses: (1) for carrying a firearm during an election gun ban (2) for carrying a firearm without a license under R. A. 10591. He was arraigned on both charges, and after that he filed a motion to dismiss the charge under R.A. 10591 as it is a violation of his right against double jeopardy. Decide, whether he is correct in his contention. Explain.

Ans. No. He is not correct in his contention. In the case at bar, there is no double jeopardy manifested. The first offense is in violation of the provisions of the Revised Penal Code which is a substantial law and other offense arose from the violation of R.A. 10591 which is a special law. Thus, both are laws and cannot jeopardize the accused. For double jeopardy to be invoked, there is termination of an offense with regards to violation of a special law with subsequent filing of a complaint or information of an another offense (e.g. violation of an ordinance). ....4

2.      Nelina Acas obtained 20 sacks of rice from the store of Juan Casis. She issued a PNB check for the sum of 40,000 pesos as payment of said rice. Eventually, the check bounced for insufficiency of funds. Juan Casis filed two cases against her: First for violating BP 22 and then another one for Estafa under the Revised Penal Code. She was arraigned on both charges, trial proceeded. She was acquitted for the Estafa charge for insufficiency of evidence. Meanwhile the trial for BP 22 continued, and while the trial was going on, she filed a motion to dismiss for the reason that her acquittal in the Estafa case for the same checks which she issued, already put her on the first jeopardy and to try her for BP 22 would necessarily put her in double jeopardy. Decide whether you grant her motion to dismiss or not.

Ans. No. Her motion cannot be granted. Double jeopardy cannot be invoked in the case at bar because both offenses are in violation of both laws. BP 22 is a special law and Estafa is a criminal offense in violation of the Revised Penal Code. Hence, both offenses arose from the same crime and cannot be a double jeopardy. Thus, her motion for reconsideration is not met in the case at bar.The Constitution provides that no person cannot be put twice in jeopardy for the same offense as punishment of the same act....5

 

3.      Juan Santos put a jumper on his electrical connection to save on electricity. When this was discovered by ZANECO, a case for Violating Dipolog Ordinance (for illegal jumpers) and another one for THEFT of electricity under the REVISED Penal CODE were filed against him. He said that this cannot be, since there is already a double jeopardy. Decide.

Ans. Yes. There is double jeopardy in the case at bar. The Constitution provides that no person cannot be put twice in jeopardy for the same offense as punishment of the same act and same offense. One arose in violation of Dipolog ordinance and the other one arose in violation of the Revised Penal Code. This provides an evidence that both offenses are independent from each other and will jeopardize the accused. For double jeopardy to be invoked, there is termination of an offense with regards to violation of a special law with subsequent filing of a complaint or information of a different offense (e.g. violation of an ordinance).  Thus, this is met in the case at bar. ....3  

 

4.      Mario Cruz was caught by the police officers cutting coconut trees without permit from the PCA. It was also learned that he is not the owner of these coconut trees as they are owned by Maria Sy. Maria Sy filed a complaint for theft of coconut trees against him. The PCA also filed a case for illegal cutting of coconut trees (without PCA permit). Will the two charges push through without violating her rights against double jeopardy? Explain.

Ans. No. There is no double jeopardy in this. Both offenses are in violation of the lawthus, he cannot invoke double jeopardy. In the case at bar, Mario was charged with theft and illegal cutting of coconut trees. Hence, there is different offenses. The Constitution provides that no person cannot be put twice in jeopardy for the same offense as punishment of the same act. Thus, there double jeopardy cannot be invoked in the case at bar.  ...5

 

5.      Luis Santos is accused of murder by the police officers. The case was filed at the Prosecutor’s office which conducted the preliminary investigation. As the witnesses did not appear, the honorable prosecutor dismissed the case. After two months the witnesses appeared before the prosecutor, and after conducting the investigation, a probable cause was found against Luis Santos. Eventually, a case for murder was filed before the Regional Trial Court in Dipolog City. The accused was arraigned and pleaded not guilty as charge. After that Luis Santos filed a motion to dismiss the case, considering that it was dismissed previously by the Hon. Prosecutor, and the refiling of the same already put him in double jeopardy. Is he correct? As judge will you dismiss the case against him? Explain your answer.

Ans. Yes. If I were the judge, I will dismiss the case against him. This is already in double jeopardy. The fact that the case was already dismissed on the ground that the witnesses did not appear during the time of prosecution. The dismissal of the same case would suffice that the accused cannot be filed with another case of murder. The following requisites for double jeopardy must concur:

1.      There is a valid complaint or information

2.      It is filed before the competent court

3.      There is a valid plea

4.      There is termination of the case

Hence, the requisites are met in the case at bar. Furthermore, the law so provides that that no person cannot be put twice in jeopardy for the same offense as punishment of the same act.....0

END OF THE QUIZ

No comments:

IN THE MATTER OF THE ALLEGATIONS CONTAINED IN THE COLUMNS OF MR. AMADO P. MACASAET PUBLISHED IN MALAYA DATED SEPTEMBER 18, 19, 20 AND 21, 2007. D E C I S I O N

  Republic of the Philippines SUPREME COURT Manila EN BANC A.M. No. 07-09-13-SC             August 8, 2008 IN THE MATTER OF THE ALLEGATIONS ...