Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Let’s say you are about to be raped, Exception to the non-admissibility of HEARSAY EVIDENCE: Dying
there’s no more chance of escaping. Declaration
You’re in a dark alley and this guy is so Sec. 31, Rule 130, Dying Declaration – The declaration of a
big. Full of tattoos and probably killed you dying person, made under a consciousness of an impending
if you don’t give in. You are now cornered. death, may be received in a criminal case wherein his death is
But before he will have sex with you, you the subject of the inquiry, as evidence of the cause and
took out a condom. Please use this surrounding circumstances of such death.
condom because either you’re scared of
Admissible in spite of the fact that it is hearsay, it is made so
getting HIV or getting pregnant? Is that
consent? In the states, no that is rape. because of necessity and it is trustworthy.
Because there is no way for the woman to Physicians are frequent recipients of dying declaration in the
escape rape and she just had to protect medical clinics and emergency rooms of hospitals.
herself. To be admissible it must be shown that the –
2. Senile – those with Alzheimer’s, those who Declarant was conscious of his impending death
have problems with memory recall although not Declarant was in full possession of his mental faculties
absolute. when he made the declaration; and
3. Insane – Naniniwala ka sa buang, pareho Such evidence is presented in court in a case of
kayong buang. homicide, murder or parricide wherein the Declarant was
4. Those who committed crimes of perjury – the victim.
lying under oath
TWO KINDS OF WITNESS
Sec. 18, Rule 130, Rules of Court – Witnesses: Their qualification – A physician may be presented I court as ordinary witness
Except as provided in the next succeeding section, all persons who, and/or as an expert witness:
having organs of sense, can perceive, and perceiving, can make
known their perception to others, may be witnesses. ORDINARY EXPERT
Neither parties nor other persons interested in the WITNESS WITNESS
outcome of the case shall be excluded; nor those who Will go to court to testify He goes to court to
have been convicted of a crime; nor any person on what he just perceived and enlighten the court, to
account of his opinion on matters of religious belief. those that are of his share his expertise in
personal knowledge. matters which he may be
Exceptions to the ordinary witness rule – considered as an expert.
1. Privilege of communication (confidential) between physician Can a blind man go to
and patient court to testify? Yes He goes to court to give
Although the physician perceived something through his his opinion.
organ of sense and has the power to transmit to others A physician who testifies in A physician on account of his
what he perceived, he is not allowed to disclose those court on matters he training and experience can
information to others as regards to matters he perceived perceived from his patient in give his opinion on a set of
from his patient during the physician-patient the course of physician- medical facts.
relationship. patient relationship. He can deduce or infer
Sec. 21 (c), Rule 130, Rules of Court – Privileged something, determine the
communication – A person authorized to practice cause of death, or render
opinion pertinent to the
medicine, surgery or obstetrics cannot in a civil case,
without the consent of the patient, be examined as to issue and medical in nature.
any information which he may have acquired in
Sec. 42, Rule 130, Rules of Court – Opinion Rule – General Rule –
attending such patient in a professional capacity, which
The opinion of a witness is not admissible, except as indicated in
information was necessary to enable him to act in that
the following section.
capacity, and which would blacken the character of the
o Sec 43, Rule 130, Rules of Court – Expert Evidence – The
patient.
opinion of a witness regarding a question of science, art
2. A medical witness can only testify on matters derived by his
own perception or trade, when he is skilled therein, may be received in
evidence.
Hearsay information are as a rule not admissible in court.
o Probative value of expert medical testimony depends
o Hearsay evidences are those not proceeding from
upon –
the personal knowledge of the witness but from
Degree of learning; and
mere repetition of what he has heard others say.
Experience on the line of what the medical expert is
o It is“second hand” evidence which rest mainly on
testifying;
the veracity and competence of its source.
Basis and logic of his conclusion; and
Sec. 30, Rule 130, Rules of Court – Testimony generally
Other evidences tending to show the veracity or
confined to personal knowledge – A witness can testify
falsity of his testimony.
only to those facts which he knows of his own
knowledge; that is, which are derived from his
When a doctor goes to court, he is usually
perception, except as otherwise provided in this rule. presented both as an ordinary and expert witness.
He goes to court to testify his findings and also he goes
to court to give his opinion on medical and health
correspondence (?).
For example, Doctor Lodroňo was mauled by the wife. the testimony given by the doctor who performed
He was patient and I issued a medical certificate for him. autopsy. Kunwari ako yung witness niya –
After 3 years, I receive a subpoena to appear in court to So Dr Rebosa here is being presented purely as an
testify as witness. I am now in court and I am being expert witness to testify on the basis of the autopsy
asked these questions – report and to give his comments on the testimony given
Did I answer as by the doctor who performed the autopsy.
Ordinary or Doctor Rebosa did you see the patient? No
Expert Witness? Doctor Rebosa, have you read the TSF on the testimony
Dr. Rebosa what were the injuries Ordinary witness; o the other doctor? Yes
sustained by Dr. Lodroňo? the question was Doctor Rebosa is it usual for doctors to leave foreign
He sustained multiple lacerations, what was your bodies like a cellphone during exploratory laparotomy?
punctured wounds, incised wounds, stab finding? Although Yes, that can happen anytime.
wounds, contusions, hematoma, I answered in Doctor Rebosa, if somebody leaves a cellphone is that
desquamation, fracture, burns, scalding medical term indicative of negligence? No, it can happen even to the
etc. best of them
So Dr Rebosa what were the procedures Ordinary witness Did I testify as ordinary/expert? Expert.
performed? I performed craniotomy,
exploratory laparotomy, splenectomy, WHEN WILL A DOCTOR GO TO COURT?
hemorrhoidectomy, circumcision, D&C If he receives a subpoena
How long do you think is the distance Expert witness Subpoena – an order of the court directed to a
between the victim and the assailant? particular person to appear at a specified date, time and
How long will he require medical place.
attendance? o Subpoena testificandum – subpoena for them to
What d’you think is the caliber of the gun go to court and testify.
used? o Subpoena duces tecum - For them to go to court
Which of these injuries were inflicted and read documents and the medical records or the
first? autopsy report for the stab or the bullet
Which of these injuries are important? When a doctor receives a subpoena, the decision to go
is a subpoena testificandum and duces tecum. For the
But sometimes the doctor is being presented merely doctor to go to court, bring the medical documents and
as an ordinary witness. He is just there to identify then testify.
something. Ex. Dr Rebosa I am showing to you a Why go to court especially in criminal cases? Because if
metallic fragment that was allegedly extracted from the you don’t go, you will be cited for contempt.
body of the victim, you earlier testified that you extracted
the metallic fragment. Will you please go over this Testimonial Evidence: A physician may be commanded to appear
fragment and please tell us the relation of this fragment, before a court to give his testimony. While in the witness stand, he
the fragment that should be extracted from the body of is obliged to answer questions propounded by counsel and
the victim? I am being asked to identify, ordinary / presiding officer of the court. His testimony must be given orally
expert? Ordinary witness. and under oath or affirmation (p. 13).
So what do you think is the metallic composition?
Expert witness. IN COURT ROOMS –
But sometimes also, the doctor is being presented as We do not conduct hearings in tagalong, everything
purely as an expert witness. The doctor doesn’t know is in English.
who the patient is. He never attended the patient, he just All the witnesses being presented if their testimony
goes to court to testify on the basis of the medical record is given in tagalong or the vernacular, it is translated
of the -ator. He is there to give his comments on into English.
testimony given by other doctors. In the TSF, what will appear in the Transcript of
Stenographic notes will be in English.
Example The patient dies on account of suspicion of
medical negligence. Patient undergoes autopsy, the TWO KINDS OF CONTEMPT
doctor who performed the autopsy is now in the witness 1. Direct Contempt
stand. Inside or anywhere near the court room
Ordinary/Expert? How can a Judge cite you for direct contempt?
Doctor what are your findings? Ordinary o Being disrespectful: eating, slouching, sleeping,
I found out that there was a chewing gum, an act of cellphone (kapag nag-
cellphone that was left in the ring ‘yan), you’re suppose to pay attention to
abdominal cavity. proceedings you cannot play games (on your
Doctors is that a usual occurrence Expert cellphone), you cannot read newspapers, you
after exploratory laparotomy? cannot read books
No that is not a usual occurrence. o Yung ibang court bawal naka-slouch or cross
Doctor if a doctor leaves a cellular Expert legs. Everybody must pay attention.
phone or a foreign body is that o And you must be decently dressed.
indicative of negligence? Yes o And you must address the lawyers with
The doctor there was presented both as an ordinary and respect; lawyers are considered officers of the
as an expert. So yung doctor ngayon na defendant court. You have to address them as
kailangan niya mag-present ng Expert witness to rebut Sir/Ma’am. What about judges? “Your Honor”
o The people outside are so noisy, you cannot to get medical certificates. Get doctors who will testify
hear each other and they’re interfering with the for us and besides are we forbidden to issue medical
proceedings, they can also be cited for Direct certificates for ourselves? Is there are that forbids me?
Contempt. There is none! There is nothing in the rules that we
o Penalty of a Fine of up to 200 pesos and a cannot issue medical certificates for ourselves and for
prison term of up to 10 days. There should our immediate family.
be a receipt when imposed with a fine. What is prohibited from us is issuing medical certificate
o Lawyers when we appear in court we must for the dog of our neighbor. That is illegal practice of
wear long sleeves barong or coat and tie. We veterinary medicine. You issue medical certificate for
cannot wear short sleeves, short sleeves is humans, not animals.
only for the prosecutors’ office or only for the
SKELETAL REMAINS, BLOOD
PRC? Hindi pwedeng coat without the necktie
or long sleeves with necktie without the coat.
o Lady lawyers should wear blazer and probably, SKELETAL REMAINS
hindi pwede miniskirts, up to knee siguro.
Bawal yung plunging. Lady lawyers bawal ang If you see a skeletal remain, are you sure it’s a bone?
earrings, long hair dapat naka-ponytail. Baka naman plastic lang.
2. Indirect Contempt
Outside of the court Human bone Animal bone
Example
There was an order of the court for you to do Male or a Female?
something, you refused to do it. Determine the sex –
There was an order of the court for you to stop By way of the Pelvis
doing whatever it is that you are doing cease With radio-
and desist order but you defy the order. What is the race?
Nakatatlong subpoena ka na to appear in court ni- Caucasian
ho ni-ha hindi mo ininform the court you’re going. European
So usually before you’re cited for Indirect contempt, Malaysian
the court will send you a love letter show cause Chinese
order contains - you are hereby ordered to How? Ako siguro, estimate
explain in writing within three days from receive? the height of the bones
and explain why you should not be cited for o > 6 feet, I don’t think
contempt for your failure to appear in today’s it’s FIlipino
hearing despite due notice thereby delaying the o Ave Height of Filipino:
speedy disposition of justice. Male – 5’6’;
Hindi ka pa din sumulat, you did not even attend the Female – 5’2”
next scheduled hearing. You are now cited with
indirect contempt which carries with it a penalty of a In the Examination of Bones, the following points can be
Fine of up to 30,000 pesos and prison term of up determined approximately:
to 6 months. 1. Whether the remains are of human origin or not
2. Whether the remains belong to a single person or not
WHAT ARE THE USUAL VALID REASONS GIVEN BY 3. Height
DOCTORS WHY THEY ARE ABSENT? 4. Sex
You have an emergency 5. Race
st
o Example, The 1 time I could not leave the hospital 6. Age
because of too many patients who are needing 7. Length of interment or length of time from date of death
medical treatment. 8. Presence or absence of ante-mortem or post-mortem bone
o Second time around your honor, I was already injuries
going to court but then I received a phone call to go 9. Congenital deformities and acquired injuries on the hard
back to the hospital. tissues causing permanent deformities.
o Third time your honor, I was already within the
premises of the court but I was called again. Suggestive of Human Remains –
o Fourth time your honor, I was sick. a. Oval or round shape of the skull
o Fifth time your honor, I died but I was revived. b. Less prominent lower jam and nasal bone
o Sixth time I was abroad.
o So yun yung mga reason.
In determination of the Sex of the Skeleton, the following bones
When lawyers or litigants are absent, they are usually
must be studied:
required by the court to present a medical certificate if
their reason for being absent is that because they are Pelvis Femur
sick. So the court would not ordinarily believe he’s sick. Skull Humerus
So they are supposed to present a notarized medical Sternum
certificate.
But how come when it’s the doctor to tell the court he
was absent because he was sick, more often than not
the court will not anymore require the doctor to submit a
medical certificate. Why? Because it’s very easy for us
With such result of examination, investigating authorities Does it belong to the person in question?
have a very strong presumption that “B” was the one The manner, degree and condition of the article which have
who committed the crime. been stained
3. Determination of the Cause of Death Age of the stain.
The amount of blood or blood stains found in the scene
of the crime or found inside the body of the deceased
FIN!
outside the blood vessels may imply that the cause of
death of the person is hemorrhage. UT IN OMNIBUS GLORIFICETUR DEUS !
4. Determination of the direction of escape of the victim or the
assailant Attempted vs Frustrated –
The shape of the blood or blood stains will give the I shot Rj in the face Attempted
investigator an idea on the direction of the source of I shot him again, grazed his ear Attempted
blood. Usually in small drops, the tapering end of the I shot him in between the eyes through Frustrated
blood spot is towards the direction of the moving source and through
of blood. In the Attempted stage even if there is no medical
5. Determination of the approximate time the crime was attendance, you will surely survive. Pero through and
through and if not for timely medical intervention
committed
independent of the will of the perpetrator, he would have
Although there are variations as to the color and soluble
surely died.
changes as to regards the age of the stain, we can only
say that when there is too much change, it is not very 2 TYPES OF CRIMES
recent. 1. Private Crimes
6. Determination of the place of commission of the crime Crimes against chastity, acts of lasciviousness,
7. Determination of the presence of certain diseases seduction, abduction, adultery, pilferage
Only the victim has the right to file the complaint
Disputed paternity may arise – with the exclusion of all others unless the victim is a
1. When the wife committed adultery and the husband denied minor and the guardian/the parents refuse to file a
to be the father of the child case then the state may file the case for his behalf.
2. When a child was born out of lawful wedlock and the mother 2. Public Crimes
claimed someone to be the father but he vehemently denied Even if the victim does not want to file the case, the
it case will prosper.
3. In a claim for support or right of succession of the alleged Like for instance, I killed my brother. Of course my
illegitimate child. parents would not want to file a case against me.
Disputed maternity may arise – The state would have to file a case against either
1. In case of allegation of interchange of children in a hospital or homicide or murder. Not parricide kasi brother ko
nursery home, either accidentally or deliberately yun. Parricide – killing the wife, ascendants and
2. In cases of wayward or stray children being claimed by two or descendants.
more women Rape used to be a private crime, now a public
crime.
3. For ownership of dead fetus or newly born child found in
street trash.