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Double Jeopardy
Section 21. No person shall be twice put in jeopardy of punishment for the same offense. If an
act is punished by a law and an ordinance, conviction or acquittal under either shall constitute
a bar to another prosecution for the same act.
PEOPLE VS. OBSANIA [23 SCRA 1249; G.R. L-24447; 29 JUN 1968]
Facts: The accused was charged with Robbery with Rape before the Municipal Court of
Balungao, Pangasinan. He pleaded not guilty. His counsel moved for the dismissal of the charge
for failure to allege vivid designs in the info. Said motion was granted. From this order of
dismissal the prosecution appealed.
engaged in his duties, petitioners allegedly pointed their guns at him. Thus, he immediately
ordered his subordinate to call the police and block road to prevent the petitioners’ escape.
Upon the arrival of the police, petitioners put their guns down and were immediately
apprehended.
A complaint “grave threats” was filed against the petitioners (Criminal Case No. 5204). It was
dismissed by the court acting on the motion of the petitioners. Mabuyo filed a MOR thus the
dismissal was reversed. Thereafter, petitioners filed for “certiorari, prohibition, damages, with
relief of preliminary injunction and the issuance of a TRO” (CEB-9207). Petition is dismissed for
lack of merit and for being a prohibited pleading and ordered to proceed with the trial of the
case. Hence, this instant petition.

Issues: (1) Whether or Not the dismissal of 5204 was a judgment of acquittal.
Issue: Whether or Not the present appeal places the accused in Double Jeopardy.

(2) Whether or Not the judge ignored petitioner’s right against double jeopardy by dismissing
Held: In order that the accused may invoke double jeopardy, the following requisites must
CEB-9207.
have obtained in the original prosecution, a) valid complaint, b) competent court, c) the
defendant had pleaded to the charge, d) defendant was acquitted or convicted or the case
Held: For double jeopardy to attach, the dismissal of the case must be without the express
against him was dismissed or otherwise terminated without his express consent.
consent of the accused. Where the dismissal was ordered upon motion or with the express
assent of the accused, he has deemed to have waived his protection against double jeopardy.
In the case at bar, the converted dismissal was ordered by the Trial Judge upon the defendant's
In the case at bar, the dismissal was granted upon motion of the petitioners. Double jeopardy
motion to dismiss. The “doctrine of double jeopardy” as enunciated in P.vs. Salico applies to
thus did not attach.
wit when the case is dismissed with the express consent of the defendant, the dismissal will
not be a bar to another prosecution for the same offense because his action in having the case
Furthermore, such dismissal is not considered as an acquittal. The latter is always based on
is dismissed constitutes a waiver of his constitutional right/privilege for the reason that he
merit that shows that the defendant is beyond reasonable doubt not guilty. While the former,
thereby prevents the Court from proceeding to the trial on the merits and rendering a
in the case at bar, terminated the proceedings because no finding was made as to the guilt or
judgment of conviction against him.
innocence of the petitioners.

In essence, where a criminal case is dismissed provisionally not only with the express consent
The lower court did not violate the rule when it set aside the order of dismissal for the
of the accused but even upon the urging of his counsel there can be no double jeopardy under
reception of further evidence by the prosecution because it merely corrected its error when it
Sect. 9 Rule 113, if the indictment against him is revived by the fiscal.
prematurely terminated and dismissed the case without giving the prosecution the right to
complete the presentation of its evidence. The rule on summary procedure was correctly
PAULIN VS. GIMENEZ [217 SCRA 386; G.R. NO. 103323; 21 JAN 1993]
applied.
Facts: Respondent and Brgy Capt. Mabuyo, while in a jeep, were smothered with dust when
G.R. No. 95642 May 28, 1992 Lopez, AMC
they were overtaken by the vehicle owned by Petitioner Spouses. Irked by such, Mabuyo
followed the vehicle until the latter entered the gate of an establishment. He inquired the
AURELIO G. ICASIANO, JR., petitioner vs. HON. SANDIGANBAYAN and PEOPLE OF THE
nearby security guard for the identity of the owner of the vehicle. Later that day, while
PHILIPPINES, respondents

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Topic: Double Jeopardy 9. Petitioner moved to quash the information on the following grounds:

a. Double jeopardy because he was already exonerated in MTJ-87-81

Facts: b. No cause of action

1. Romana Magbago filed an administrative complaint against Judge Icasiano for grave c. No jurisdiction
abuse of authority, manifest partiality and incompetence.
10. Sandiganbayan denied motion to quash:
a. The case arose from two orders of detention issued by the Judge against
Magbago for her refusal to comply with fifth writ of execution a. MTJ-87-81 cannot serve as defense for double jeopardy as it is an admin
case and the instant case is criminal
b. However, Supreme Court dismissed this administrative case.
b. Sandiganbayan has jurisdiction for violations of Anti Graft and Corrupts
2. Meanwhile, Magabago also filed in the Ombudsman against Judge Icasiano for Practices Act.
violation of Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act (docketed as TBP 924)

3. Special Prosecutor recommended the dismissal of the case for lack of merit. Such
recommendation was approved by the Tanodbayan. The resolution was released on Issue: W/N double jeopardy applies in this case
April 1988.

4. However, Office of Tanodbayan received another complaint from Magbago which no

Held: Yes. Sandiganbayan should continue proceedings.
was docketed as TBP 546. The date of filing is not shown but the case was among
those transmitted to the newly created Sandiganbayan; and unfortunately, these
1. Distinction between an administrative and criminal case should be upheld. One is not
records didn’t contain the records of the dismissal of TBP 924.
a bar to the other.
5. Prosecutor Cruz was assigned to investigate TBP 546 and he recommended filing of
2. An Administrative procedure need not strictly adhere to technical rules and
information in January 1990. Special Prosecution Officer adopted recommendation
substantial evidence is sufficient. A Criminal Case in the Sandiganbayan, although
may involve same acts as in the administrative case, requires proof beyond
6. Hence, an information was filed with the Sandiganbayan, docketed as Crim. Case
reasonable doubt.
14563.
3. To avail of the double jeopardy, the following requisites must concur:
7. Icasiano filed a motion for reinvestigation on the ground that he has already been
exonerated in Admin. Matter No. MTJ-87-81. Hence, the court ordered the
a. a valid complaint or information;
prosecutor to look into administrative matter
b. a competent court;
8. Special Prosecutor Querubin responded that there were no records of such
administrative matter. Hence, Sandiganbayan denied motion for reinvestigation c. a valid arraignment;
because seeing that the special prosecutor had no record, petitioner failed to present
documents regarding the administrative matter. d. the defendant had pleaded to the charge; and

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e. the defendant was acquitted, or convicted, or the case against him was
dismissed or otherwise terminated without his express consent
WHEREFORE, the petition is DENIED. The temporary restraining order issued earlier is LIFTED;
the Sandiganbayan is ordered to proceed with Criminal Case No. 14563.
PEOPLE VS. BALISACAN [17 SCRA 1119; G.R. NO. L-26376; 31 AUG 1966]
Facts: Aurelio Balisacan was charged with homicide in the CFI of Ilocos Norte. Upon being
arraigned, he entered into a plea of guilty. In doing so, he was assisted y counsel. At his counsel
de officio, he was allowed to present evidence and consequently testified that he stabbed the
deceased in self-defense. In addition, he stated that he surrendered himself voluntarily to the
police authorities. On the basis of the testimony of the accused, he was acquitted. Thus, the
prosecution appealed.
Issue: Whether or Not the appeal placed the accused in double jeopardy.
Held: The Supreme Court held that it is settled that the existence of plea is an essential
requisite to double jeopardy. The accused had first entered a plea of guilty but however
testified that he acted in complete self-defense. Said testimony had the effect of vacating his
plea of guilty and the court a quo should have required him to plead a new charge, or at least
direct that a new plea of not guilty be entered for him. This was not done. Therefore, there has
been no standing of plea during the judgment of acquittal, so there can be no double jeopardy
with respect to the appeal herein.
PEOPLE VS. COURT OF SILAY [74 SCRA 248; G.R. NO. L-43790; 9 DEC 1976]
Facts: That sometime on January 4,1974, accused Pacifico Sensio, Romeo Millan and Wilfredo
Jochico who were then scalers at the Hawaiian-Philippine Company, weighed cane cars
No.1743,1686 and 1022 loaded with sugar canes which were placed in tarjetas (weight report
cards), Apparently, it was proven and shown that there was padding of the weight of the sugar
canes and that the information on the tarjetas were to be false making it appear to be heavier
than its actual weight. The three accused then were charged with “Falsification by private
individuals and use of falsified document”. After the prosecution had presented, the
respondent moved to dismiss the charge against them on the ground that the evidences
presented were not sufficient to establish their guilt beyond reasonable doubt. Acting on the
motion, respondent court issued its order dismissing the case on the ground that the acts
committed by the accused do not constituted the crime of falsification as strictly enumerated
in the revised penal code defining the crime of falsification which was charged earlier and that
their case be dismissed. People asserts that the plea of double jeopardy is not tenable even if
the case at bar was dismissed because according to them, it was done with the consent of the
accused therefore waiving there defense of double jeopardy. The accused on the other hand,
reiterated the fact that the dismissal was due to lack of merits of the prosecution which would
have the same effect as an acquittal which will bar the prosecution from prosecuting the
accused for it will be unjust and unconstitutional for the accused due to double jeopardy rule
thus the appeal of the plaintiff.
Issue: Whether or Not the grant of petition by the court would place the accused Sensio,
Millan and Jochico in double jeopardy
Held: Yes the revival of the case will put the accused in double jeopardy for the very reason
that the case has been dismissed earlier due to lack of merits. It is true that the criminal case of
falsification was dismissed on a motion of the accused however this was a motion filed after
the prosecution had rested its case, calling for the evidence beyond reasonable ground which
the prosecution had not been able to do which would be tantamount to acquittal therefore will
bar the prosecution of another case. As it was stated on the requirements of a valid defense of
double jeopardy it says: That there should be a valid complaint, second would be that such
complaint be filed before a competent court and to which the accused has pleaded and that
defendant was previously acquitted, convicted or dismissed or otherwise terminated without
express consent of the accused in which were all present in the case at bar. There was indeed a
valid, legitimate complaint and concern against the accused Sensio, Millan and Jochico which
was filed at a competent court with jurisdiction on the said case. It was also mentioned that
the accused pleaded not guilty and during the time of trial, it was proven that the case used
against the accused were not sufficient to prove them guilty beyond reasonable doubt
therefore dismissing the case which translates to acquittal. It explained further that there are
two instances when we can conclude that there is jeopardy when first is that the ground for
the dismissal of the case was due to insufficiency of evidence and second, when the
proceedings have been reasonably prolonged as to violate the right of the accused to a speedy
trial. In the 2 requisites given, it was the first on that is very much applicable to our case at bar
where there was dismissal of the case due to insufficiency of evidence which will bar the
approval of the petition in the case at bar for it will constitute double jeopardy on the part of
the accused which the law despises.
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ESMENA VS. POGOY [102 SCRA 861; G.R. NO. L-54110; 20 FEB 1981] in order to protect the respondents as well for their right to speedy trial which will be
equivalent to acquittal of the respondents which would be a bar to further prosecution.
Facts: Petitioners Esmeña and Alba were charged with grave coercion in the Court of Cebu City
for allegedly forcing Fr. Thomas Tibudan to withdraw a sum of money worth P5000 from the [ G.R. NO. L-44205, FEBRUARY 16, 1993 ]PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, PETITIONER, VS. HON.
bank to be given to them because the priest lost in a game of chance. During arraignment, GREGORIO G. PINEDA, BRANCH XXI, COURT OF FIRST INSTANCE OF RIZAL, AND
petitioners pleaded “Not Guilty”. No trial came in after the arraignment due to the priest’s CONSOLACION NAVAL, RESPONDENTS.
request to move it on another date. Sometime later Judge Pogoy issued an order setting the
trial Aug.16,1979 but the fiscal informed the court that it received a telegram stating that the
complainant was sick. The accused invoked their right to speedy trial. Respondent judge
dismissed the case because the trial was already dragging the accused and that the priest’s FACTS:
telegram did not have a medical certificate attached to it in order for the court to recognize the
That on or about the 17th day of August, 1971, in the municipality of Pasig, province of Rizal,
complainant’s reason to be valid in order to reschedule again another hearing. After 27 days
Philippines, the above-named accused, being then private individual did then and there
the fiscal filed a motion to revive the case and attached the medical certificate of the priest
willfully, unlawfully and feloniously falsify a public document by making untruthful statements
proving the fact that the priest was indeed sick of influenza. On Oct.24,1979, accused Esmeña
in a narration of facts, committed as follows: the said accused on August 17, 1971, executed a
and Alba filed a motion to dismiss the case on the ground of double jeopardy.
document entitled "Application For Registration" for parcels of land located at Taytay, Rizal, to
the effect that She is the exclusive owner in fee simple of a parcel of land situated in Malaking
Bundok, Barrio Dolores, Taytay, Rizal with Psu-248206 and that she "does not know of any
Issue: Whether or Not the revival of grave coercion case, which was dismissed earlier due to
mortgage or encumbrance of any kind whatsoever affecting said land or that any person has
complainant’s failure to appear at the trial, would place the accused in double jeopardy
estate or interest therein, legal or equitable, in possession remainder, reversion or
expectancy", as a result of which the Court in its Decision of March 22, 1972 declared the
herein accused the true and absolute owner of said parcel of land free from all liens and
Held: Yes, revival of the case will put the accused in double jeopardy for the very reason that
encumbrances of any nature, when in truth and in fact the herein accused has already sold and
the case has been dismissed already without the consent of the accused which would have an
encumbered to one Edilberto V. Ilano said parcel of land referred to above as can be gleaned
effect of an acquittal on the case filed. The dismissal was due to complainant’s incapability to
from a document entitled "Kasulatan Ng Bilihan Ng Lupa Na May Pasubali O Condicion" dated
present its evidence due to non appearance of the witnesses and complainant himself which
August 12, 1969 and said Edilberto V. Ilano has already paid partial amount of P130,850.00 to
would bar further prosecution of the defendant for the same offense. For double jeopardy to
the herein accused.
exist these three requisites should be present, that one, there is a valid complaint or
information filed second, that it is done before a court of competent jurisdiction and third, that
On October 28, 1975, private respondent Consolacion Naval moved to quash the information
the accused has been arraigned and has pleaded to the complaint or information. In the case
for falsification, premised, among other things, on the apprehension that she is in danger of
at bar, all three conditions were present, as the case filed was grave coercion, filed in a court of
being condemned for an identical offense. The following day, Naval pleaded not guilty to the
competent jurisdiction as to where the coercion took place and last the accused were
charge levelled against her for falsification and on December 22, 1975, the court a quo denied
arraigned and has pleaded to the complaint or the information. When these three conditions
her motion to quash.
are present then the acquittal, conviction of the accused, and the dismissal or termination of
the case without his express consent constitutes res judicata and is a bar to another ISSUE:
prosecution for the offense charged. In the case, it was evidently shown that the accused
invoked their right to a speedy trial and asked for the trial of the case and not its termination Whether or not the court may in its discretion entertain at any time before judgment a motion
which would mean that respondents had no expressed consent to the dismissal of the case to quash on the ground of jeopardy.
which would make the case filed res judicata and has been dismissed by the competent court

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unjustified postponements which prolong trial for an unreasonable length of time. In the facts
above, there was no showing that there was an unjust delay caused by the prosecution, hence,
HELD: the respondent judge should have given the prosecution a fair opportunity to prosecute its
case.
It would now appear that prior conviction or acquittal in the first case, as long as the accused
had entered his plea therein is no longer required in order that the accused may move to
The private respondents cannot invoke their right against double jeopardy. In several cases it
quash a second prosecution for the same offense on the ground of double jeopardy."
was held that dismissal on the grounds of failure to prosecute is equivalent to an acquittal that
would bar another prosecution for the same offense, but in this case, this does not apply,
Legal jeopardy attaches only (a) upon a valid indictment, (b) before a competent court, (c) after
considering that the rights of the accused to a speedy trial was not violated by the State.
arraignment, (d) a valid plea having been entered, and (e) the case was dismissed or otherwise
Therefore, the order of dismissal is annulled and the case is remanded to the court of origin for
terminated without the express consent of the accused."
further proceedings.
PEOPLE VS. TAMPAL [244 SCRA 202; G.R. NO. 102485; 22 MAY 1995]

Facts: Luis Tampal, Domingo Padumon, Arsenio Padumon, Samuel Padumon, Pablito Suco,
Dario Suco and Galvino Cadling were charged of robbery with homicide and multiple serious
physical injuries in the Regional Trial Court of Zamboanga with Hon. Wilfredo Ochotorena as
presiding judge. However, only private respondents, Luis Tampal, Domingo Padumon, Arsenio
Padumon, and Samuel Padumon were arrested, while the others remained at large.

The case was set for hearing on July 26, 1991, but Assistant Provincial Prosecutor Wilfredo
Guantero moved for postponement due to his failure to contact the material witnesses. The
case was reset without any objection from the defense counsel. The case was called on
September 20, 1991 but the prosecutor was not present. The respondent judge considered the
absence of the prosecutor as unjustified, and dismissed the criminal case for failure to
prosecute. The prosecution filed a motion for reconsidereation, claiming that his absence was
because such date was a Muslim holiday and the office of the Provincial prosecutor was closed
on that day. The motion was denied by respondent judge.

Issues:

(1) Whether or Not the postponement is a violation of the right of the accused to a speedy
disposition of their cases.

(2) Whether or Not the dismissal serves as a bar to reinstatement of the case.

Held: In determining the right of an accused to speedy disposition of their case, courts should
do more than a mathematical computation of the number of postponements of the scheduled
hearings of the case. What are violative of the right of the accused to speedy trial are
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