474.Peoplev.

Ruelan
G.R.No.106152
April19,1994
Sec.12,Art.3Waiverofrights
Facts:ForditoRuelanwasconvictedofthecrimeofmurder,afterhavinghackedtodeaththe
victim Rosa Jardiel, which is now being appealed, contending that the sworn statement
admittinghisguiltisinadmissibleasevidence.Thefactsofthecasenarratethusthatafew
daysafterkillinghisemployerJardiel,Ruelanwasbroughttothepolicestation.However,
theycouldnotconductanyinvestigationbecausehewantedtoseekthehelpofalawyer.
Thus,hewasbroughttoCitizensLegalAssistanceOfficeinwhichtheymetAtty.Cortez
whowasassignedtoassistRuelan.Priortoandinthecourseoftheinvestigation,Ruelanwas
informedofhisrightagainstselfincriminationyetheproceededtodeliverhisaccountofthe
incident. Atty. Cortez would affirm the terms used by the typewriterpolice who was
conductingtheinvestigation,toensurethattherightwordswereused.Aftertheinvestigation,
Atty.CortezmadecleartoRuelanthatsigningthedeclarationwouldconstituteasadmission
ofguilt,yetRuelanaffirmedthisandproceededtosignthesame.Thus,hewasconvictedof
murder.Heappeals.
Issue:whetherhecanbefoundguiltybeyondreasonabledoubtofthecrimechargedbasedon
theestablishedfacts,withouttheallegedwrittenextrajudicialconfession
Held:Itisthecontentionofappellantthathisextrajudicialconfessionisinadmissiblebecause
hewasneverapprisedofhisconstitutionalrightstoremainsilent,tocounsel,andtobe
informedofsuchrights.Heclaimsthatcontentsofhisconfessionwerefabricatedandthathe
signedthedocumentontheinsistenceofpolicemanthatitwouldbebeneficialtohim.He
furtherallegesthatthetestimoniesoftheprosecutionwitnesseswerefalseandwereonly
madetocurethedefectsofhisextrajudicialconfession.
Thecontentionofappellantthathis extrajudicialconfessionisinadmissibleis untenable.
Wellsettledistherulethataconfessionispresumedtobevoluntaryuntilthecontraryis
provedandtheburdenofproofisuponthepersonmakingtheconfession. Inthiscase,the
presumption has not been overcome. Not only is the appellants confession replete with
detailsonlyhecouldhavesupplied,butthecircumstancessurroundingitsexecutionbeliehis
claim.
Thelawyerwhoassistedtheappellanttestifiedthatbeforetheinvestigationwasconducted,
sheinformedtheappellantofhisconstitutionalrightstoremainsilent,tocounselandtobe
informedofsuchrights. Infact,Atty.Cortezevenadvisedtheappellantthatanystatement
givenbyhimintheinvestigationcouldbeusedagainsthiminanyproceedingincourt.
Despitebeinginformedoftheserights,appellantexecutedtheswornstatementadmittingthat
hestruckthevictim,RosaJardiel,withanaxebehindherrightear.
Decisionwasaffirmed.