ni Atty. Persida Rueda-Acosta - @Magtanong Kay Attorney | December 2, 2022
Dear Chief Acosta,
Ang aking anak ay sinampahan ng kasong murder. Dahil sa kawalan ng pag-asa at pagod, ang aking anak ay nag-plead ng guilty para diumano matapos na ang kanyang kaso. Matapos nito, inutusan ng korte ang piskal na magpresenta ng kanilang ebidensya upang matulungan ang korte na magbigay ng kaukulang parusa. Subalit walang naipresinta ang piskal na anumang ebidensya. Sa kabila nito, sinentensyahan ang aking anak ng reclusion perpetua sa salang murder. Tama ba ito? - Flora
Dear Flora,
Ang sagot sa iyong katanungan ay sinagot ng Korte Suprema sa kasong People of the Philippines v. Brendo P. Pagal (G.R. No. 241257, September 29, 2020, Ponente: Honorable Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo), kung saan sinabi ng Korte Suprema, na kahit may pag-amin mula sa akusado sa capital offense, kinakailangan pa rin ng prosekusyon na patunayan ang pagkakasala nito. Ayon sa Korte Suprema:
“For the guidance of the bench and the bar, this Court adopts the following guidelines concerning pleas of guilty to capital offenses:
1. AT THE TRIAL STAGE. When the accused makes a plea of guilty to a capital offense, the trial court must strictly abide by the provisions of Sec. 3, Rule 116 of the 2000 Revised Rules of Criminal Procedure. In particular, it must afford the prosecution an opportunity to present evidence as to the guilt of the accused and the precise degree of his culpability. Failure to comply with these mandates constitute grave abuse of discretion.
a. In case the plea of guilty to a capital offense is supported by proof beyond reasonable doubt, the trial court shall enter a judgment of conviction.
b. In case the prosecution presents evidence but fails to prove the accused's guilt beyond reasonable doubt, the trial court shall enter a judgment of acquittal in favor of the accused.
c. In case the prosecution fails to present any evidence despite the opportunity to do so, the trial court shall enter a judgment of acquittal in favor of the accused.
In the above instance, the trial court shall require the prosecution to explain in writing within ten (10) days from receipt of its failure to present evidence. Any instance of collusion between the prosecution and the accused shall be dealt with to the full extent of the law.
2. AT THE APPEAL STAGE:
a. When the accused is convicted of a capital offense on the basis of his plea of guilty, whether improvident or not, and proof beyond reasonable doubt was established, the judgment of conviction shall be sustained.
b. When the accused is convicted of a capital offense solely on the basis of his plea of guilty, whether improvident or not, without proof beyond reasonable doubt because the prosecution was not given an opportunity to present its evidence, or was given the opportunity to present evidence but the improvident plea of guilt resulted to an undue prejudice to either the prosecution or the accused, the judgment of conviction shall be set aside and the case remanded for re-arraignment and for reception of evidence pursuant to Sec. 3, Rule 116 of the 2000 Revised Rules of Criminal Procedure.
c. When the accused is convicted of a capital offense solely on the basis of a plea of guilty, whether improvident or not, without proof beyond reasonable doubt because the prosecution failed to prove the accused’s guilt despite opportunity to do so, the judgment of conviction shall be set aside and the accused acquitted.” (Emphasis Ours)
Tulad sa kaso ng iyong anak, ang kanyang pag-amin sa kasong murder ay hindi nangangahulugang awtomatiko siyang mahahatulan. Dapat mapatunayan ng prosekusyon ang kanyang sala. Kung ang kanyang partisipasyon ay hindi malinaw na nailatag ng prosekusyon ay dapat i-acquit siya ng korte.
Sana ay nabigyan namin ng linaw ang iyong katanungan. Ang payong aming ibinigay ay base lamang sa impormasyon na iyong inilahad at maaaring magbago kung mababawasan o madaragdagan ang mga detalye ng iyong salaysay.
Maraming salamat sa iyong patuloy na pagtitiwala.