ALVA V CA

D E C I S I O N

CH I CO - NA ZA R IO , J .:

B efo r e u s i s a p e tit io n f o r r e v ie w o n ce rt io ra r i u nd er R ul e 4 5 o f t h e R u le s o f Co urt , as

a me nd ed , a s sa il i n g t he t wi n Re so l ut io ns o f t h e Co urt o f Ap p eal s ( C A), d ated 1 8 Oc to b er

2 0 0 2 [ 1 ] a nd 1 9 Feb r u ar y 2 0 0 3 , [ 2 ] r esp ec ti ve l y, i n C A - G. R. C R No . 2 4 0 7 7 , en ti tl ed Peo p le o f

th e Ph il ip p in es v. A rn o l d Alva .

T he C A, i n t he a s sai led r eso l u tio n s, d is mi s sed p eti tio n ers ap p ea l o f t h e tri al co ur ts

j ud g me nt o f co n vic tio n fo r fai li n g to p o s t a ne w b ai l b o nd to se c ure h i s p ro v is io na l l ib er t y o n

ap p eal .

Th e Fa ct s

T he p r e se nt p e ti tio n s te m me d fro m a n I n fo r ma t io n [ 3 ] c ha r gi n g p e ti tio ne r wit h h a vi n g

co m mi tted t h e cr i m e o f es ta fa d e f i ned u nd er Art icl e 3 1 5 , P a ra grap h 2 (a) o f t h e Re v is ed P e na l

Co d e, al le g i n g a s fo llo ws:

T he u nd er s i g ned a cc u s es AR NO LD ALV A o f th e cri me o f E ST AF A ,

co m mi tted a s fo l lo ws :

T hat i n o r ab o ut a nd d ur i n g t he p erio d co ver ed b e t we e n O cto b er 1 8 , 1 9 9 3

up to De ce mb er 1 8 , 1 9 9 3 , i nc l u si ve , i n t h e C it y o f Ma n il a, P hi lip p i ne s, t he said
acc u sed , d id t he n a nd t h er e wi ll fu ll y ( s ic), u nl a wfu l l y a nd felo n io us l y d efra ud
YUM I VE R AN G A y H ER VE R A i n t he fo l lo win g ma n n er, to wi t: t h e sa id
acc u sed , b y me a n s o f f al se ma n i fe s tat io n a nd fraud u le n t rep r es e nta tio n wh ic h
he mad e to said Y UMI VE R AN G A y HE RVE R A to t h e e ffec t t hat h e co u ld
p ro ce ss t he l at ter s ap p li cat io n fo r U. S. Vi sa p ro vid ed s h e wo u ld gi ve t he a mo u n t
o f P 1 2 0 ,0 0 0 .0 0 , a nd b y me a n s o f o t h er si mi l ar d ecei t, i nd uced a nd s ucc e ed ed i n
ind u ci n g s aid YU MI VE R ANG A y HE R VE R A to g i ve a nd d e li ver , a s i n fact s he
ga v e a nd d e li v er ed to s aid acc u sed t h e a mo u nt o f P 1 2 0 ,0 0 0 .0 0 o n t he s tre n gt h
o f sa id ma n i fe s ta tio n a n d r ep r e se n tat io n sa id a cc u sed we ll k no wi n g t ha t t he s a me
we re fa l se a nd u nt r ue fo r th e rea so n t h at t h e U. S . Vi sa i s no t g e n ui ne a n d were
mad e so lel y to o b t ai n, a s i n f act he d id o b ta i n t h e a mo u n t o f P 1 2 0 ,0 0 0 .0 0 wh i c h
a mo u n t o n ce i n hi s p o s se ss io n wi t h i nt e nt to d e fr a ud , h e wi l ful l y (s ic),
u nl a wf u l l y a nd fe lo nio u sl y mi s ap p ro p r iat ed , mi sap p lied a nd co n ver ted t he sa id
a mo u n t to h is o wn p er so na l us e a nd b e ne fi t, to t he d a ma ge a n d p rej ud ic e o f t he
 said YUMI VERANG A y HERVERA in the afo resaid amo unt o f P 1 2 0 ,0 0 0 .0 0 ,
P hi lip p i ne C ur r e nc y.

CO NT R AR Y T O LAW .

T he re s ul ta nt c r i mi n al c ase wa s fi led a nd d o c k et ed as Cri mi na l Ca se No . 9 5 -1 4 3 8 0 3 a nd ra ffled

to t he Re gio n al T r i al Co ur t ( RT C) o f Ma n ila , B r an c h 5 4 , p r es id ed b y J u d ge Ma n u el T . M uro .

O n 5 Sep te mb er 1 9 9 5 , t h e RT C i s s ued a R eca ll O rd er [ 4 ] o f t he W arr a nt o f Arr es t i ss u ed

o n 1 8 J u l y 1 9 9 5 a g ai n s t p et it io ner i n vi e w o f t h e ap p ro va l o f h i s b a il b o nd b y Ho n. W il li a m

B a yho n, t he n E xec u ti v e J ud ge o f t he RT C o f M a ni la.

Up o n ar r ai g n me n t o n 7 Dece mb er 1 9 9 5 , p et it io n er, d ul y a ss i sted b y co u n se l, [ 5 ] p lead ed

no t g ui lt y to t h e cr i me c har g ed .

Afte r t he tr ia l o n t h e me r it s, i n a n Ord er [ 6 ] d ated 6 Ap r il 1 9 9 8 , t h e RT C co n s id ered t h e

cas e s ub mi tt ed fo r d e ci s io n .

On 4 Ma y 1999, p eti tio n ers co u n se l fil ed a n U rg en t Mo t io n to Ca n cel

[7]
Pro mu lg a tio n p r a yi n g fo r t he r e s ett i n g o f t he 5 Ma y 1 9 9 9 s c hed u le o f p ro mu l g atio n o f
th e RT C s d eci s io n to 1 7 J u n e 1 9 9 9 i n v ie w o f t he fac t t ha t sa id co u n s e l a lread y h ad a p rio r
co m mi t me n t o n s ub j ec t d ate. T h e RT C gra n ted t he mo tio n. T h e p ro mu l g atio n, ho we ve r , wa s
d eferred o n l y u n ti l 1 9 M a y 1 9 9 9 .

A d a y b e fo r e t h e r e sc h ed u led d ate o f p ro mu l g atio n, o r o n 1 8 M a y 1 9 9 9 , p et it io ner s

co u n se l a ga i n mo ved fo r th e d e fe r me n t o f t he p ro mu l g at io n, d ue to p rio r u nd er ta k i n gs o f s i mi la r
i mp o rt a nce. [ 8 ]

O n 1 9 M a y 1 9 9 9 , p et it i o ner a nd co u ns el b o t h fa il ed to ap p e ar i n co u rt d e sp i te d ue
no t ic e. I n h i s s tead , cl ai mi n g to b e p e ti tio ne rs r ep re se nt at i ve, a c ert ai n Jo ey Pe re z p er so nal l y
d eli v ered to t he RT C a ha nd wr it te n med i cal ce rti fica te [ 9 ] e xp re s si n g p eti tio n ers i n ab i li t y to
att e nd t h e d a ys he ar i n g d ue to h yp e r te n s io n.
 In resp o nse to the afo r estated acts o f p etitio ner and co unsel, the RT C issued an
Ord er [ 1 0 ] d ir ect i n g t h e p r o mu l ga tio n o f i ts d e ci sio n i n a b s en t ia a nd t h e is s ua nc e o f a b e nc h
wa rra n t o f ar r e st a ga i ns t p eti tio n er fo r h i s fa il ur e to ap p ear b e fo re it d e s p ite d u e no t ic e.

In it s d e ci s io n d a ted 2 5 Mar c h 1 9 9 9 , [ 1 1 ] t he RT C fo u nd p et it io ner g u il t y o f t he cri me o f

es ta fa u nd er Ar t ic le 3 1 5 , p ar a gr ap h 2 (a) o f t h e R ev i sed P e na l Co d e , t h e d ecre tal p art o f wh ic h
read s:

W HE RE FO RE, j ud g me n t i s h ereb y r e nd ered : fi nd i n g t h e a cc u sed g u il t y

b e yo nd r ea so nab le d o ub t o f t h e cr i me o f e st a fa u nd er Ar ti cle 3 1 5 , No . 2 (a) o f
th e RP C a nd s e nte n ce s h i m to a n i nd e ter mi n a te t er m o f i mp ri so n me n t o f ni n e (9 )
ye ar s a nd o ne ( 1 ) d a y a s mi n i mu m o f p r is io n m a yo r to se v e nte e n (1 7 ) y ear s a s
ma x i mu m o f r ec lu s io n t emp o ra l i n ac co rd a n ce wi t h t he p ro vi sio n s o f Art icl e
3 1 5 , f ir st, a nd t he I nd et er mi na te Se n te nc e La w, and fu rt her fo r t he acc u sed to
ret ur n t he P 1 2 0 ,0 0 0 .0 0 t o t he co mp la i na n t wi t h an i nt ere st at t he r at e o f t we l ve
p erce n t ( 1 2 % ) co mp o u n d ed a n n ua ll y fro m J a n ua r y 1 , 1 9 9 4 (t he a mo u nt h as b e e n
gi v e n to t he ac c us ed i n Octo b er a nd De ce mb er 1 9 9 3 ).

Mea n wh i le, as ap p e ar i n g i n t h e re co rd s o f t he R T C, i m me d i ate l y fo llo wi n g a n o ri g i na l

d up lic ate co p y o f t he a f o r eq uo ted d e ci sio n , a d o cu me n t e n ti tl ed Pe r so n a l Ba i l Bo n d [ 1 2 ] d ated
2 1 Ma y 1 9 9 9 i ss u ed b y Me ga P a ci f ic I n s ura n ce Co rp o ra tio n , see me d to ha v e b e e n fi led b e fo re
and ap p ro ved b y t he RT C a s e vid e n ced b y t he si g na t ure o f J ud ge M uro o n t he fa ce o f sa id b ai l
b o nd . [ 1 3 ] Fo r s uc h r ea so n, p et it io ner ap p e ared t o h a ve b ee n ad mi tt ed t o b ai l a n e w a fter h i s
co n v ic tio n.

Inco n g r uo us to t he ab o ve i n f er e nce, ho we ve r, in a n Ord e r [ 1 4 ] d ated 2 5 Ma y 1 9 9 9 ,

j ud g me nt wa s r e nd er ed a ga i n st Ea st er n I n s ura n ce and S ur et y C o rp o ra tio n, th e b o nd i n g co mp a n y
th at i ss u ed p e ti tio n er s o r i gi na l b a il b o nd , i n t he a mo u nt o f P 1 7 ,0 0 0 .0 0 , fo r fai l ure to p ro d uc e
th e p er so n o f p et it io ner wi t h i n t he 1 0 d a y p er io d earl ier p ro v id ed a nd to e xp l ai n wh y t he a mo u nt
o f it s u nd er ta k i n g s ho ul d no t b e fo r fei ted .

In t he i nter r e g n u m, P o l i ce S up eri n te nd e n t Ra mo n Flo r es De J e s u s, C h ie f o f W a rra nt a nd

S ub p o e na Se ct io n, [ 1 5 ] m an i fe st ed to t he RT C t h e ret ur n o f t he u ne x ec ut ed W arra n t o f Arr es t

is s ued o n 1 9 Ma y 1 9 9 9 f o r t he r e aso n t ha t t he ad d res s o f t h e ac c us ed (p e t itio n er) i s no t wi t h i n

o ur are a o f r e sp o n sib il it y. x x x Ne ver t he le ss , D e J e s us re as s ur ed t he RT C t ha t t he n a me o f t he

acc u sed wi l l b e i ncl ud ed i n o ur li s t o f wa n t ed p e r so n s fo r o ur fut ur e r e fer en ce. E xa mi n a tio n o f

the reco rd s o f the case r evealed that p etitio ner alread y mo ved o ut o f his ad d ress o n reco rd

wi t h o ut i n fo r mi n g t he R T C.

O n 1 5 J ul y 1 9 9 9 , h a nd d eli v er ed b y a cer ta i n Re med io s Ca ned a, p e ti tio n er wro t e [ 1 6 ] t he

RT C r eq ue st i n g fo r a ce r ti f ied p ho to co p y o f h i s ex h ib i t s s ub mi tted to it d ur i n g tr ia l.

O n 2 1 J ul y 1 9 9 9 , a Te rm in a t io n o f L eg a l S e r v ice s wa s filed b y p e tit io ner b e fo re

th e RT C i n fo r mi n g i t o f h is d ec is io n to ter mi na te t h e ser vi ce s o f h is co u n se l a nd t hat h e wa s

cur re nt l y i n t he p r o ce s s o f h ir i n g a ne w o ne .

O n 2 6 J ul y 1 9 9 9 , [ 1 7 ] p et i tio ner fi led a Mo tio n fo r Reco n sid era tio n b e fo re th e RT C.

In a n Or d er [ 1 8 ] d a ted 3 0 Au g u st 1 9 9 9 , t h e RT C d ecl i ned to g i ve d u e c o ur se to sa id

mo tio n fo r fa il ur e to se t it fo r hear i n g; t h u s, tre ati n g it a s a mere s crap o f p ap er.

O n 2 S ep te mb er 1 9 9 9 , p eti tio n er rec ei ved t he ab o v e Ord er . T he ne x t d a y, o r o n 3

Sep te mb er 1 9 9 9 , p e ti tio ner fi led a No t ice o f Ap p ea l [ 1 9 ] b e fo re t he RT C.

In a n O r d er [ 2 0 ] d a ted 2 0 Sep te mb er 1 9 9 9 , t he RT C a gai n d ec li n ed to gi ve d u e co ur se t o

th e No t ic e o f Ap p ea l , r a t io ci n at i n g t h u s :

T he No t ice o f Ap p eal fi led b y a cc u sed ca n no t b e gi v e n d u e co ur se a s it

wa s f il ed o ut o f t i me. Al t ho u g h ac c u sed fi led a M o tio n fo r Reco n s id era tio n d a ted
2 3 J u l y 1 9 9 9 , t h e Co ur t co n s id ered i t a s a mere s crap o f p ap er a nd wa s no t a cted
up o n a s t he sa me wa s no t s et fo r h eari n g , he nc e, it d id no t sto p t he re g le me n tar y
p erio d to fi le ap p ea l.

O n 2 5 No v e mb er 1 9 9 9 , p eti tio n er fi led a ne w a mo tio n p r a yi n g fo r t h e R T Cs c at e go ric al

reso l ut io n o f h is 2 3 J u l y 1 9 9 9 Mo tio n fo r Re co n s id e ra t io n .

In a n Or d er d at ed 7 De c e mb er 1 9 9 9 , t he RT C gr an ted t h e ab o ve st ated m o tio n, t h e fu ll

te xt o f wh i c h st at es :

T he Mo t io n to R e so l ve th e Mo t io n fo r R eco n si d erat io n o f t he ac c us ed ,
d ated No ve mb er 2 0 , 1 9 9 9 i s gra n ted i n t he i nt er es t o f j u st ice, co n sid eri n g t ha t
th e o ne wh o p r ep ar ed t h e Mo tio n fo r Reco n s id er atio n ap p e ars to b e t he a cc us ed
 himsel f, who may no t ap p ear to b e a lawyer and may no t b e co nversant with th e
ru le s, a mo n g o t he r s , go v er n i n g mo tio n s.

Act i n g o n t he sa id Mo t i o n fo r Reco n s id era tio n i ts el f, sa me i s d e ni ed fo r

lac k o f mer it. T h e De ci s io n h as e x a mi n ed a nd d i sc u s sed t h e e vid e n ce p re se n ted
and t he mer it s o f t he ca s e.

B eca u se o f t he p e nd e nc y o f t he Mo t io n fo r Rec o n sid erat io n, t he ap p eal

is d ee me d fi led o n ti me, an d t he ap p e al i s gi v e n d ue co ur se .

Let t h e r eco r d s o f t h e ca se, to ge t her wi t h t hre e (3 ) co p ie s o f t h e

tra n scr ip t s o f s te no gr ap hi c no t e s b e tra n s mi t ted to t he Ho n. Co u rt o f Ap p eal s.

O n ap p eal b e fo r e t h e Co ur t o f Ap p e al s, i n a Re s o lu tio n [ 2 1 ] d ated 1 6 O ct o b er 2 0 0 1 , t he

ap p el lat e co u r t r eq uir ed p et it io ner to s ho w c a u se wh y h i s ap p eal s ho ul d no t b e d i s mi s s ed it
ap p ear i n g t h at no n e w b ail b o nd fo r hi s p ro vi sio na l l ib er t y o n ap p ea l ha d b ee n p o st ed , to wi t :

Co n sid er i n g t he a r r e st wa rra n t i s s ued b y t he tria l co ur t a g ai n st t he

acc u sed wh o fa il ed to ap p ear a t t he p ro mu l g a tio n o f t he j ud g me nt, and i t
ap p ear i n g f r o m t he r e co r d th at no ne w b o nd fo r h is p ro v is io na l lib ert y o n ap p eal
ha s b ee n p o st ed , ap p e ll a nt i s O R DE RE D to S HO W C AU SE wi t hi n te n (1 0 ) d a ys
fro m n o ti ce wh y hi s ap p eal s ho u ld no t b e d i s mi s sed o u tri g h t.

O n 2 9 Oc to b er 2 0 0 1 , p e t itio n er, t hro u g h ne w co u n se l, fi led a Co mp l ia n ce [ 2 2 ] e s se nt ia ll y

st at i n g t h erei n t ha t:

x x x x

3 . Up o n l ear n i n g o f t h e co ur s e o f ac tio n ta k e n b y t he p re s id i n g j ud ge, a nd fo r

p urp o se s o f ap p e al i n g t h e d eci s io n s ub j ec t o f t he in s ta nt ca se, o n Ma y 2 1 , 1 9 9 9 ,
acc u sed i m med ia te l y p o st ed a n e w b o n d fo r h i s p ro vi s io nal l ib er t y. T he
p res id i n g j ud g e o f t he l o wer co ur t, wh i c h i s s ue d th e q u e st io ned d ec i sio n, d ul y
ap p r o v ed t he ne w b o nd . C er t i fi ed tr ue co p y o f th e b o nd i s here to at tac hed a s
An n e x 3 a nd mad e a n i n te gr a l p ar t her eo f;

x x x x.

In a Re so l u tio n [ 2 3 ] d a ted 1 8 Oc to b er 2 0 0 2 , t he C o ur t o f Ap p ea ls , no n et he le ss d i s mi s s ed
th e ap p ea l f il ed b y p e ti tio ner f o r ap p e ll a nt s fa il ure to p o st a ne w b o n d fo r h i s p ro vi sio n al
lib er t y o n ap p e al d esp it e o ur d ir e ct i ve a s co n ta i ned i n o ur Re so l u tio n d a ted O cto b e r 1 6 , 2 0 0 1 ,
and i n vie w o f t h e fac t t h at hi s p er so na l b a il b o nd p o st ed i n t h e lo wer co ur t had alre ad y e xp i red ,
x x x.
 Und aunted , p etitio ner filed a Mo tio n fo r Reco n sid era tio n [ 2 4 ] thereto seeking it s
rev er sal . Acco r d i n g to p et it io ner s co u ns el, h e wa s o f t he u nd er sta nd i n g t h at t he S h o w
Ca u se Re so l ut io n o f 1 6 Octo b er 2 0 0 1 mere l y so u g h t a n e xp la n at io n v is- - vi s t h e ab s e nce o f a
b ail b o nd g ua r a nt eei n g p eti tio n er s p r o v i sio n al l ib ert y wh i le hi s co n v ic ti o n wa s o n ap p ea l. Al l
th e sa me, p et it io ner s co u n se l ma n i f es ted t ha t M eg a P a ci fic I ns ur a nce Co rp o ratio n , h ad a lre ad y
ex te nd ed t he p er io d co ve r ed b y i t s 2 1 M a y 1 9 9 9 b ail b o n d . Att ac hed to sa i d mo tio n wa s a Bo n d
En d o r se men t [ 2 5 ] e xte nd i n g t he co v er a g e o f t h e b ail b o nd fro m 2 1 Ma y 1 9 9 9 to 2 1 M a y 2 0 0 3 .

As k ed to co m me n t on t he Mo tio n fo r R ec o n sid era tio n , re sp o nd e nt P eo p l e of

th e P hi lip p i ne s ( P eo p l e) , t hr o u g h t he O ffice o f t he So lic ito r G e ner al ( OS G), i nt erp o sed
o b j ectio n s. I n it s Co m m en t, [ 2 6 ] r e sp o nd e n t P eo p l e rai sed t wo ar g u me n t s: 1 ) th at a n ap p lic at io n
fo r b a il ca n o nl y b e a v ail ed o f b y a p erso n who i s i n t he c u sto d y o f t he l a w o r o t her wi s e
d ep ri ved o f hi s lib er t y; and 2 ) t ha t b ai l o n ap p e al i s a ma t ter o f d i scre t io n wh e n t he p e n al t y
i mp o s ed b y t he tr ia l co u r t i s i mp r i so n me n t e xce e d in g s i x (6 ) ye ar s.

On 19 Feb r ua r y 2003, t he C o urt of Ap p eal s is s u ed the se co nd a ss ai led

Re so l utio n , [ 2 7 ] d i sp o s i n g o f p et it io ner s mo tio n as fo llo ws :

Fi nd i n g n o mer i t i n a p p el l a nt s mo t io n fo r r eco ns id er at io n (ci ta tio n

o mit ted ) f il ed o n No ve mb e r 1 2 , 2 0 0 2 , t h e sa m e i s he reb y DEN IED. W e a g r ee
wi t h th e a p p el lee t ha t a p p el la nt ha s fa i led to s ub m it him s elf u nd er t he
ju ri sd ict io n o f t he co u r t o r und e r t he c u sto d y o f t he la w si nc e hi s co nvi ct io n
in 1 9 9 9 a nd t ha t t he re wa s no va lid b a il b o nd i n p la ce w he n a p p el la n t to o k h i s
a p p ea l .

W HE RE FO RE, ap p e ll a nt s mo t io n fo r re co n sid erat io n is DE NIE D .

[E mp h a si s s up p l ied .]

He nce , t h i s p e ti tio n.

Th e I s su e s

P etit io ner no w co me s to t hi s Co urt via a p e ti tio n fo r re v ie w o n ce rt io ra ri u nd er R u le

4 5 o f t he R u le s o f Co ur t all e gi n g t he fo l lo wi n g e rro rs : [ 2 8 ]

I.
 T HE HO NO R AB LE C OU RT OF AP P E ALS H AS DE CI DE D Q UE S T IONS
OF S UB ST AN C E I N A W AY NOT IN AC C O RD W IT H LAW O R W IT H
AP P LI C AB LE DE CI SI O NS O F T HIS HO N OR AB LE S UP R EME C O URT ;

II.

T HE H ON O R AB LE C O URT OF AP P E ALS AC T ED W IT H GR AV E AB USE OF

DIS C RET I O N AM OU NT I NG T O LAC K O R E X C ES S OF J U RI SD ICT IO N W HE N
IT DI SMI S SED T HE P ET I T I ON DO CK ET ED AS C A G. R. C R NO . 2 4 0 7 7 ON
T HE GR OU ND O F ALLEGE D F AI LU RE T O P OST A NEW B ON D F O R
P ET IT I ONE RS P R OV I S I ON AL LIB ERT Y AN D T HAT T HE P E R SO N AL B AI L
B OND P OST ED I N T HE LOW E R C OU RT H AD ALLE GE D LY ALRE AD Y
EXP I R ED ;

III.

T HE HO NO R AB LE C O URT O F AP P E ALS G R AVE LY E R R ED O R ACT ED

W IT H GR AVE AB U SE OF DIS C R ET ION W H E N IT DID N OT CO N SI DE R AS
SUB ST ANT I AL, T HE CO MP LAI N CE FI LED B Y T HE P ET IT IONER W HI CH
SH OW ED T HE F ACT TH AT INDE ED T HE RE W AS A B AI L B O ND F I LE D F O R
T HE P RO VI SI O N AL LI B ERT Y OF T HE AC C U SED D U RIN G T HE P E N DEN C Y
OF T HE AP P E AL;

IV.

T HE HO NO R AB LE C O URT O F AP P E ALS G R AVE LY E R R ED O R ACT ED

W IT H GR AVE AB U SE OF D IS C RET IO N W HE N IT IGNO RE D T HE R ECE NT
B AI L B O ND E XT ENSI ON AT T ACHE D TO T HE MOT ION F OR
RE C ON SI D E R AT I ON F I LED B Y T HE P ET IT IONE R;

V.

T HE HO NO R AB LE C O URT O F AP P E ALS G R AVE LY E R R ED O R ACT ED

W IT H G R AVE AB US E O F DI S C RET ION W HEN IT RU LED T H AT T HE
P ET IT I ONE R F AI LED T O SUB MIT T O T HE J UR IS DI CT ION O F T HE C OU RT
OR T O T HE CU ST OD Y O F LAW D ESP IT E T HE B AI L B O ND P O ST ED ON
M AY 2 1 , 1 9 9 9 ; a nd

VI.

T HE HO NO R AB LE C O URT O F AP P E ALS G R AVE LY E R R ED O R ACT ED

W IT H GR AV E AB USE OF DI S C R ET ION W H E N IT RU LED T H AT T HE RE W AS
NO V ALI D B AI L B ON D I N P LAC E W HE N THE P ET IT IONER T OO K HIS
AP P E AL.

T he b o mb ar d me n t o f er r o r s no t wi t h st a nd i n g, o n l y t wo is s u es are r ai sed i n t hi s p e ti tio n :

1 ) wi t h t he e xcep tio n o f th e fi f t h a s si g n me nt o f e rro r, al l si x c a n b e e n cap s ul ated i n o ne so li tar y
q uestio n, that is, whet her o r no t the Co urt o f Ap p eals co mmit ted reversib le erro r in d ismis s i n g
th e ap p e al i n v ie w o f p eti tio n er s al le ged fai l ure to p o s t a va lid b ai l b o nd to s ec ur e h i s
p ro v is io na l l ib er t y o n a p p eal ; a nd 2 ) wh e t her o r no t p e ti tio ne r fa iled to s ub mi t h i ms el f to t he
j uri sd i ct io n o f t he co ur t o r to t he c u sto d y o f t h e la w d esp it e t h e p o st i n g o f t h e s ub j ect b ai l
b o nd .

Th e Co u rt s Ru l in g

P etit io ner f a ul t s t h e ap p ell ate co urt fo r e xp r es s i n g x x x i n i t s q ue st io n ed re so l u tio n s

th at here i n p et it io ner d i d no t s ub mi t to t he j ur is d ict io n o f t he co ur t o r c u sto d y o f t he la w, o r

th at t h ere wa s no va lid b ail b o nd wh e n t he ap p e al wa s t a ke n wh e n t he reco rd s o f t he ca se wo uld

read i l y p ro v e t he co ntr ar y. [ 2 9 ] I n i s s ui n g s aid re s o lu tio n , p eti tio n er co nc l ud e s t ha t t he Co urt o f

Ap p ea ls ma d e x x x no car e f u l e xa mi n at io n o f th e reco rd s x x x. P et it io n er rat io na li ze s h i s

d ed u ct io n i n t he f o l lo wi n g ma n n er :

x x x [ T ] he r e co r d s o f t he c as e read il y re v eal s ( si c) t ha t se v era l p le ad i n g s wer e

filed b y t h e p e ti tio n er b efo r e t he lo we r co ur t ev e n a fter t he p ro mu l g a tio n o f
j ud g me nt wa s ma d e. Ri g ht a f ter t h e p ro mu l ga ti o n o f t he d ec i sio n i n t h e lo wer
co ur t, her ei n p e ti tio n er we n t to t he co urt a nd p o st ed a b ai l b o nd . I f t h e p o st i n g
o f t h e b o nd wh i c h wa s a p p r o ved b y t he sa me R e gio n al T r ia l Co urt wh o r end ered
th e d ec i sio n s ub j ect o f ap p eal i s no t ye t a s ub m is s io n to t h e j uri sd ic tio n o f t h e
co ur t, t h e n t he r e sp o nd en t Ho n. Co urt o f Ap p e al s mu s t h a ve b ee n t h i n ki n g o f
ano t her ma tt er b e yo nd t h e co mp r e he n sio n o f t he p eti tio n er a nd o b v io us l y o ut s id e
th e ma tt er s b e i n g co n te mp lat ed b y la w a nd t he R ul e s o f Co urt .

Eq u al l y, p e ti tio n er f ur t h er p o s it s t ha t:

x x x Alt ho u g h i t i s r esp ect f u ll y s u b mi tt ed t ha t an a cc u sed s h al l b e d e ni ed b a i l

o r h i s b a il s h al l b e ca n c ell ed i f se nt e nced to a n i mp ri so n me n t e xce ed i n g s i x (6 )
ye ar s as p r o v id ed i n S ect io n 5 , R u le 1 1 4 o f th e R u le s o f Co ur t, j u st t h e
sa me , t her e mu st be a s ho w i ng by t he p r o sec ut io n w it h no ti ce to t he
a ccu se d o f t he fa ct t hat , th e ac c us ed i s a re cid i vi st, h as p r e vio u sl y es cap e d fro m
co n f i ne me n t, e vad ed se n te nce , ha s co m mi tt ed a n o ffe ns e wh i l e u nd er p ro b atio n,
th ere a r e c ir c u ms t a nce s ind ic at i n g t he p ro b ab i li t y o f fl i g ht i f re lea sed o n b a il,
etc. B ut t h er e wa s no ne o f t h e sa id i n sta n ce s t ha t ma y b e at trib u tab l e to her ei n
p eti tio n er . [ 3 0 ]

Re sp o nd e n t P eo p le, i n co n tr a st , co u nter s t h at x x x [a] lt ho u g h a p er so na l b ai l b o nd

d ated M a y 2 1 , 1 9 9 9 wa s ex ec ut ed i n fa vo r o f p e ti tio ner b y M e ga P aci fic I n s ura n ce Co rp o rat io n

two d ays after the p r o mulgat io n o f the Decisio n, there is no thing o n reco rd whic h sho ws tha t

p eti tio n er h ad s ur r e nd e r ed , wa s a r re st ed o r o t her wi s e d ep ri v ed of hi s lib er t y a fter t he

p ro mu l ga tio n o f t he j ud g me n t o f h is co n vi ct io n i n hi s ab se n ce. x x x. T o il l us tra te it s p o i n t,

resp o nd e nt P eo p l e ci te s th e fo l lo wi n g fac t s: 1 ) th e re t ur n o f t he W arr an t o f Arr e st i s s ued

o n Ma y 1 9 , 1 9 9 9 s i g ned b y P / S up er i nt e nd e n t R a mo n F lo re s De J e s u s, C hi e f o f W ar ra nt a nd

S ub p o e na S ect io n, w h i c h st at es i n f u ll :

Re sp e ct f u ll y r et ur n ed t h is u n e xec u ted W arra n t o f Arre s t fo r t he r ea so n

th at t he ad d r e ss o f t he a cc us ed i s no t wi t hi n o ur area o f re sp o n s ib il it y. F ur t he r
req u e st t hat t he war r a nt o f Ar re st b e fo r ward ed t o t he P o l ice St at io n wh i ch h as
J uri sd ict io n o ve r t he ad d r es s o f t he acc u sed .

Ho we v er , t h e na me o f t h e acc u sed wi ll b e i n cl ud ed i n o ur l i st o f wa n ted

p erso n s fo r o u r f ut ur e r e fer e nce .

2 ) t he fact t hat si x d a ys a f ter t he d e ci sio n o f t h e RT C wa s p ro mu l g a ted , o r o n 2 5 Ma y 1 9 9 9 ,

sa id co ur t r e nd er ed j ud g me n t a g ai n s t t h e b ai l b o nd is s u ed b y Ea s ter n As s ura n ce a nd S u ret y

Co rp o ra tio n e xe c uted t o s ec ur e p e ti tio ne rs p ro v is io na l lib e rt y d uri n g t he tr ia l, fo r t he

b o nd s ma n s f ai l ur e to p r o d uc e p e ti tio ne r b e fo r e th e co ur t, to wi t :

In v ie w o f t he f ai l ure o f Ea st er n I n s ura n ce & S ur et y Co rp o r at io n,

b o nd s ma n o f her ei n a cc u sed , to p ro d uce t he he rei n ac c us ed wi t h i n t he p erio d
gra n ted it b y t hi s Co ur t , j ud g me n t i s her eb y re nd er ed a ga i n st sa id b o n d i n t he
a mo u n t o f Se v e nt ee n T h o u sa nd (P 1 7 ,0 0 0 .0 0 ) P es o s. [ 3 1 ]

Re sp o nd e n t P eo p le e xp l ai n s t h at t he fir s t t wo fa ct s ma k e it i mp ro b ab le t o co nc l ud e t ha t t h ere

ex i sted a v al id b a il b o nd se c ur i n g p et it io ner s p ro vi s io na l l ib er t y e v e n a ft er co n v ict io n. St at ed

in a no t her wa y, p e ti tio n er s ad mi s s io n to b a il p re s u me s t h at t h e l a tter s urr end ered , wa s arre st ed

o r h e had o t her wi se s ub mi t ted h i ms el f u nd er t he cu s to d y o f t he la w.

An d , 3 ) t ha t p et it io ner b ela ted l y a tta c hed a b o nd end o r s e me nt to hi s mo t i o n fo r re co ns id er at io n

d ated No ve mb er 7 , 2 0 0 2 s ub mi t ted b e fo re t he Co ur t o f Ap p ea ls , p urp o rted l y to e xte nd t he

exp ired p er so nal b o nd d ated Ma y 2 1 , 1 9 9 9 x x x, d id no t a uto ma t ica ll y c o n fe r o n p e tit io ner t he

b enefits o f an effectiv e b ail b o nd , [ 3 2 ] as p etitio ner mad e no extensio n o f the p revio us p erso n a l

b o nd b e fo re t he sa me e x p ir ed .

W e d i sa gr e e i n p et it io ne r s a s ser tio n s ; he nc e, t he p eti tio n mu s t fai l.

A d e f i ni ti ve d i sp o s it io n o f t he is s ue re lat i n g to t he e xi s te nce a nd va li d it y o f p et it io ner s

b ail b o nd o n ap p eal p r es up p o se s t h at t h e la tt er was a llo wed b y l a w to p o s t b ai l no t wi t hs ta nd i n g
th e RT C s j ud g me n t o f c o n v ict io n a nd t h e i mp o si tio n o f t h e p e n al t y o f i mp ri so n me n t fo r a n
ind et er mi n at e p er io d o f n i ne ( 9 ) ye ar s a nd o n e (1 ) d a y a s mi n i mu m o f p r is io n ma yo r to
se ve n te e n ( 1 7 ) ye ar s a s ma x i mu m o f r ec lu s io n t emp o ra l .

Sec tio n 5 o f R ul e 1 1 4 o f t he 1 9 9 4 R u le s o f C o ur t, as a me n d ed , i n tri n si cal l y ad d re s se s t he

fo r e go i n g p r e fato r y ma tt er vi z :

S EC. 5 . Ba il, wh en d is cr etio n a ry . Up o n co n vi ct i o n b y t he Re gio n al T ri al

Co ur t o f a n o f fe n se n o t p u n i s hab l e b y d ea t h, re cl u s io n p erp e t ua o r li fe
i mp r i so n me n t, t he co ur t, o n ap p l ica tio n, ma y ad mi t t he acc u sed to b ail .

T he co ur t, i n it s d i scr etio n, ma y al lo w t h e a cc us ed to co n ti n u e o n
p ro v is io na l l ib er t y u nd e r t he sa me b ai l b o nd d ur in g t he p erio d to ap p e al s ub j ect
to t he co n se n t o f t h e b o nd s ma n.

I f th e co u rt i mp o sed a p en a lt y o f imp r i so n men t exce ed in g six (6 ) y ea r s,

b u t n o t mo re th a n t wen t y (2 0 ) yea rs , th e a c cu s ed sh a l l b e d en ied b a il, o r h i s
b a il p re vio u sl y g ra n t ed sh a l l b e ca n c el led , u p o n a sh o w in g b y th e p ro s e cu tio n ,
wi th n o tic e to th e a ccu s ed , o f th e fo l lo win g o r o th e r si mi la r ci rcu m sta n c es :

( a) T ha t t he ac c u sed is a re cid i vi st, q ua s i - recid i vi st , o r hab it u al

d eli nq u e nt, o r ha s co m mi t ted t he c ri me a g gra va ted b y t he cir c u ms t a nc es o f
reit er a tio n ;

( b ) T hat t he ac c us ed i s fo u nd to ha ve p r e vio u sl y e sc ap ed fro m l e gal

co n f i ne me n t, e vad ed se n te nce , o r h as vio lat ed t h e co nd i tio n s o f hi s b ai l wi t h o ut
va lid j u st i fi cat io n;

( c) T ha t t he acc u sed co m mi t ted t he o ffe n se wh i le o n p ro b a tio n, p aro le,

o r u nd er co nd it io nal p ar d o n ;

( d ) T hat t he c ir c u ms t a nc es o f t he ac c u sed o r hi s c as e i nd ica te t h e

p ro b ab il it y o f fl i g ht i f r elea s ed o n b a il ; o r

( e) T ha t t h er e i s u nd u e ris k t ha t d uri n g t he p e n d en c y o f t h e ap p e al, t he

acc u sed ma y co m mi t a n o th er cr i me .

T he ap p el lat e c o ur t ma y re vi e w t he re so l u tio n o f t h e Re g io na l T ria l

Co ur t, o n mo tio n a nd wi th no t ice to t he ad v er se p art y. [ E mp ha si s s up p li ed .]
 Fro m t he p r e ced i n g q uo t ed p ro vi s io n, t he RT C i s g i ve n t he d is cre tio n to ad mi t to b ai l

an ac c us ed e ve n a f ter t h e la tt er ha s b ee n co n v ic t ed to s u ffer t h e p e na lt y o f i mp r iso n me n t fo r a

ter m o f mo re t ha n si x ( 6 ) ye ar s b ut le s s t ha n t we n t y (2 0 ) year s. Ho we v er, t he s a me al so p ro v id e s

fo r t he ca nce ll at io n o f b ail b o nd s alr e ad y gra n te d o r t he d e nia l o f a b ai l b o nd ap p li ca tio n up o n

th e co nc urr e nce o f t wo p o i nt s: 1 ) i f t he j ud g me nt o f t he Re g io nal T ria l Co urt e x ceed s si x (6 )

ye ar s b u t no t mo r e t ha n t we n t y ( 2 0 ) year s; a nd 2 ) up o n a s ho wi n g b y th e p ro s ec u tio n, wi t h

no t ic e to t he a cc u sed , o f t he p r e se n ce o f a n y o f t he fi v e c irc u ms t a nce s th ere i n e n u me rat ed o r

o th er si mi l ar c ir c u ms t a n ces .

In t h e ca se a t b ar , p et itio n er wa s co n v ic ted b y t h e RT C to s u ffer th e p e na lt y o f

i mp ri so n me n t fo r a n i nd e ter mi n at e ter m o f n i ne (9 ) ye ars a nd o ne (1 ) d a y a s mi n i mu m o f p ri s io n

ma yo r to se ve n tee n ( 1 7 ) year s a s ma x i mu m o f re clu sio n te mp o ra l . Q u it e clea rl y, t h e ap p ro val

o f p et it io ner s a p p l ica tio n fo r b ai l wa s d i scr et io n ar y up o n t h e RT C.

It i s i nco n gr uo u s, to sa y t he le as t, t ha t t h e p o st i n g o f a b ai l p re s up p o se s t ha t t h e a cc u sed a nd /

o r acc u sed -ap p el la nt is d eta i ned o r i n t h e c us to d y o f t he la w. [ 3 3 ] I n t he cas e at b ar , t he b e n c h

wa rra n t is s ued b y t h e R T C o n 1 9 M a y 1 9 9 9 st il l re ma i n s u n ser v ed . No t hi n g i n t he reco rd s o f

th e ca se, ne it h er i n t h e RT C no r t he Co u rt o f Ap p eal s, d e mo n s trat e s t h at p et it io ner wa s e ver

arre sted , a s t h er e ha s b ee n no r e la ted Ord e r o f Rel ea se i s s ued b y a n y co ur t, o r t h at he

vo l u n tar il y s ur r e nd er ed o r at t he v er y l ea st p la c ed hi ms e l f u nd er t he c u s to d y o f t h e l a w.

B as ic i s t h e p r i n cip le t h at t h at t h e r i g h t to b a il ca n o nl y b e a vai led o f b y a p erso n wh o i s i n

cu s to d y o f t h e l a w o r o t her wi s e d ep r i ved o f h is l ib ert y a nd i t wo uld b e p r e mat ur e, x x x, to fil e

a p et it io n fo r b ai l fo r so meo n e wh o s e fre ed o m h as ye t to b e c urt ai led . [ 3 4 ]

All to ld , no b ai l s ho ul d h a ve b e e n gra n ted p e tit io ner . It i s b e yo nd d isp u te t ha t t h e

s ub j ect b a il b o nd i ss u e d b y Me ga P ac i fic I n s u ran ce Co rp o ra tio n wa s irre g ul arl y ap p r o v ed .

W o rt h no t i n g i s t he fa c t t ha t no wh ere i n t h e re co rd s o f t he ca se i s i t s ho wn t ha t p e ti tio n er

ap p li ed fo r b a il t hr o u g h a mo t io n d u l y fi led fo r s uc h p urp o s e no r i s t her e s ho wi n g t h at

th e RT C is s u ed an Or d er of Ap p ro va l or an y o t h er co urt p r o ces s a c k no wl ed gi n g
s uc h d o c u me n t. B e t h at as i t ma y, e v e n gr a nt i n g fo r t he sa k e o f ar g u m en t t ha t i t wa s i nd e ed

ap p ro v ed b y J ud ge M ur o , s uc h ap p r o va l d id no t r end er t h e s ub j ect b ai l b o nd v al id a nd b i nd i n g

fo r it h a s b ee n e stab li s h ed t ha t p e ti tio n er wa s n o t e nt it led to b a il o n ap p eal.

T hat t h e p r o se c ut io n ap p ear s no t to h a ve b ee n g iv e n t he c h a nce to o b j ec t, as e v id e n tl y

req u i red u nd er t he q uo t ed r ul e, to t he ap p l ica ti o n o r ap p ro v al o f t he s ub j ec t b a il b o nd ( wi t h

no t ic e to t h e a cc u sed ) , fo r ti f ie s t he d ecl ara tio n as to it s i n va lid it y. No wh ere i n t he o ri g i nal

reco rd s o f t he RT C d o es i t e ve n s ho w t ha t t he p ro se c ut io n wa s i n f o r med o f p et it io ner s

ap p li cat io n fo r b ai l, mu ch le s s t he ap p ro v al o f s uc h ap p l ica tio n .

No t i n g t hat t he ra i so n d 'tr e fo r s uc h req ui re m en t i s t he d i sc ret io nar y nat u re o f t he

ad mi s sio n to b ai l o f a n acc u sed a f ter co n vi ct io n , t ho u g h d i scr et io nar y, s uc h as s es s me n t mu s t

b e e xerc is ed i n a cco r d a n ce wi t h ap p lic ab l e le g al p ri ncip le s. As wh e n t h er e is a co nc urr e nce o f

th e e n u me rat ed ci r c u ms t an ce s a nd t h e ra n ge o f p en al t y i mp o sed , t he p ro s ec ut io n mu s t fir s t b e

acco rd ed a n o p p o r t u ni t y to o b j ec t a nd p re se n t e vid e n ce, i f n ece s sar y, wi t h no tic e to t h e

acc u sed . It is o n t h is b a si s t h at j ud ici al d i s cret i o n i s b al a nced i n d eter mi n i n g wh e t he r o r no t

an a cc u sed -ap p el la n t s h o ul d b e ad mi tted to b ai l p end i n g ap p ea l o f h is c o n v ict io n v i s- - v is t he

in cre as ed p o ss ib i li t y o r li ke li ho o d o f f l i g ht.

Ap p r o val o f a n ap p l ica ti o n fo r b a il o n ap p e al, ab se n t t he k no wled g e o f t h e p ro se c ut io n

o f s uc h ap p li ca tio n o r , at t h e ver y l ea st, fai li n g to al lo w it to o b j ect, is no t t he p ro d uct o f

so u nd j ud ic ia l d i s cr et i o n b u t o f i mp u ls e a nd arb i trar i ne s s, no t to me n tio n vio la ti ve o f

resp o nd e nt P eo p le s r i g h t o f p r o c ed ur a l d ue p ro c es s.

T hi s i s e sp e cia ll y tr ue i n t hi s c as e a s a clo se sc r u ti n y o f t he o r i gi n al r eco r d s o f t he c as e

at b ar r e vea l s t hat p e ti ti o ner vio la ted t he co nd it io n s o f h i s b ai l wi t ho ut va lid j u s ti fica tio n hi s

fa il ur e to ap p e ar b e fo r e th e RT C, d e sp i te d ue n o tic e, o n t he d a y o f t h e p ro mu l gat io n o f t he

lat ter s j ud g me n t, ab s e nt an y j u s ti f iab le rea so n. Hi s ab se nc e wa s a c lear co n tra ve n tio n o f t h e

co nd it io n s o f hi s b a il b o nd to sa y t he lea s t. As ev id e nc ed b y t he u nd er ta ki n g p r i nt ed o n t he

fa ce o f t he b o nd i ss u ed b y E a ster n I ns u ra nce a nd S ure t y Co rp o ra tio n and li k e wi s e req u ired

und er Sectio n 6 [ 3 5 ] o f Rule 1 2 0 o f the Rules o f Co urt, p etitio ner must p resent himsel f b efo r e

th e co urt fo r t he r ead i n g o f t he j ud g me nt o f t he R T C i n o rd er to r e nd er hi ms e l f to t he e xe c ut io n

th ereo f.

W hi le, i nd eed , a med ic al cer ti fica te wa s ha nd d eli v ered a nd fi led b y a c erta i n J o e y

P erez, al le ged l y a r ep r e s en ta ti ve o f p e ti tio n er, s t ati n g t he rei n t he rea so n fo r t he la tt ers ab se nc e,

th e RT C fo u nd i n s ub s t an ti al t h e e xp la n at io n p ro ffer ed . Ap p ro p r iat el y, i t o rd ered t he

p ro mu l ga tio n o f i t s j ud g me n t in a b s en t ia . It a l so i s s ued a b e n c h war r an t o f arre s t a ga i ns t

p eti tio n er.

Up o n e xa mi n a tio n, t he s ub j ec t med i ca l cer ti fica t e [ 3 6 ] me rel y s tat e s t ha t p eti tio n er wa s

d ia g no sed to b e s u f fer i n g fr o m h yp ert e n sio n. I t fai led to e l uc id at e fur th er a n y co nco mi t a nt

co nd it io n s ne ce s si tat i n g p et it io ner s p h ys i ca l i n cap ab i li t y to p re se nt hi ms e l f b e fo r e t he co ur t

ev e n fo r a n ho ur o r t wo ; th u s, it co n s id ered t he a b se nc e o f p et it io ner u nj u st i fi ed . W ha t 's mo re,

tho u g h no tar ized , t he s ub j ec t d o c u me n t fai led to ind ic ate e v id e nc e o f a ffia n ts [ 3 7 ] id e nt it y

ma k i n g it s d ue e xe c ut io n d o ub t f ul.

F urt h er , i t s ho u ld b e r e ca lled as we ll, t hat as ear l y as 4 Ma y 1 9 9 9 , p e ti tio n er a nd co u n sel

had al read y b ee n no t i fie d o f t h e 1 9 Ma y 1 9 9 9 sc hed u le o f p ro mu l g at io n. T he fir st ha vi n g b ee n

p o stp o n ed i n v ie w o f t he U rg en t Mo tio n to Ca n cel P ro mu lg a tio n (o n 5 Ma y 1 9 9 9 ) fi led b y

p eti tio n ers co u n se l.

An o t her tel li n g e v id e nc e o f t h e v io la tio n o f p e t itio n er s o r i gi n al b a il b o nd i s re ve aled

b y t he Pro ce s s S e rv er s Retu rn , [ 3 8 ] i nd ica ted at t he d o r sal p o rt io n o f t h e RT C s P ro d u c e Ord er ,

ind ic at i n g p e ti tio ner s c h an g e o f ad d r e ss wi t ho u t p rio r no t ice to t he RT C , it s tat es :

P RO CE S S SE RVE R S R ET URN

T hi s cer ti f ie s t h at o n th e 1 7 t h d a y o f M a y, (s ic ) 1 9 9 9 , u nd ers i g ne d
ret ur n ( s ic ) a g ai n to Fe rs al Ap art el le lo ca ted at
1 3 0 Ka la yaa n Av e. ( si c ) Dil i ma n , Q u ezo n C it y fo r co n fir mat io n a nd i nd eed t h e
ad d r e ss ee, Ar no ld Al va , had no (s ic ) lo n ger b e e n re s id i n g no r ho ld i n g o ffice at
th e a fo r e me n tio n ed ad d r es s.
B y fa il i n g to i n f o r m t he RT C o f hi s c ha n g e o f ad d r es s, p et it io ner fail ed to ho ld h i ms el f

a me nab le to t he o r d er s a nd p r o ce s se s o f t he RT C . It wa s a n u n mi s ta k ab le arra n t b rea c h o f t h e

co nd it io n s o f hi s b ai l b o nd .

P resc i nd i n g f r o m t he ab o ve d is c us s io n, t he co n v ict io n o f p et it io ner to a p erio d b e yo nd

si x ( 6 ) year s b u t le ss t ha n t we n t y ( 2 0 ) ye ar s i n t a nd e m wi t h at te nd a n t c irc u ms t a nce s e ffec ti v el y

vio la ti n g hi s b ai l wi t ho u t va lid j u st i f ica tio n s ho u ld ha v e e ffec ti v el y p rec l ud ed hi m fro m b e i n g

ad mit ted to b a il o n ap p e al.

T he i s s ue o f t he val id i t y o f p e ti tio n ers b a il b o nd o n ap p eal ha v i n g b e e n l aid to r es t b y

Sec tio n 5 o f R u le 1 1 4 o f t he 1 9 9 4 R ul e s o f Co u rt, a s a me nd ed , p et it io n ers al le ge d fa il ur e to

p o st a b ai l b o nd o n ap p eal i s, t her e fo re, i n co ns eq u e nt ial a s, u nd er t he circ u ms t a nc es , he i s

d is al lo wed b y l a w to b e ad mi tt ed to b ai l o n ap p eal. T h us , fo r al l l e gal i nt e nt s a nd p urp o se s,

th ere c a n b e no o t her co nc l u sio n t h a n t ha t at t he ti me p e ti tio n er fi led hi s no t ice o f ap p ea l a nd

d ur i n g t h e p e nd e n c y o f hi s ap p ea l e v e n u nt il no w h e re mai n s at lar ge , p lac i n g hi ms e l f b e yo nd

th e p a le, a nd p r o tec tio n o f t he la w.

Ine xo rab l y, ha v i n g j u mp ed b ai l a nd e l ud ed arre st u n ti l t he p r es e nt, t he i s s ue o f wh e t her o r no t

p eti tio n er ha s lo s t h is r i g ht to ap p ea l hi s co n vi ct io n no w e ns u e s.

T he ma n n er o f r e v ie w o f p et it io ner s co n vi ctio n i s go ver n ed b y t he R ul e s o f Co ur t.

Ap p ro p ri ate l y, R ule 1 2 4 o f t he R u le s o f Co ur t p res e nt s t he p ro c ed ura l r eq u ire me n t s re ga rd i n g

ap p eal s ta k e n to t he Co ur t o f Ap p ea l s. Sec tio n 8 o f s aid R u le fi nd s ap p lic at io n to t he ca se a t

b ar, v iz :

SE C. 8 . D is mi s sa l o f a p p ea l fo r a b a n d o n men t o r fa ilu re to
p ro secu te . T he ap p e lla t e co ur t ma y, up o n mo t io n o f t he ap p ell ee o r it s o wn
mo tio n a nd no tic e to t h e ap p el la n t, d i s mi s s t h e ap p e al i f t he ap p el la n t fa il s to
file hi s b r ie f wi t h i n t h e t i me p r es crib ed b y t hi s R ul e, e xcep t i n c as e t h e ap p ell a n t
is rep r e se n ted b y a co u n se l d e o fi cio .

T he co ur t ma y al so , up o n mo t io n o f t h e a p p ell ee o r o n it s o wn
mo tio n, d i sm is s t he a p p ea l if t he a p p e l la n t es ca p es f ro m p ri so n o r co n fi nem en t
 o r jum p s b a il o r f lees to a f o reig n co untry d uring the p end ency o f the a p p ea l .
[E mp h a si s s up p l ied .]

B y vir t ue o f t he seco nd p ar a grap h o f t h e ab o ve q uo ted p ro vi s io n, t he a ct o f j u mp i n g

b ail, a mo n g o t her t hi n g s , wi ll r e s ul t i n t he o u tr i g ht d i s mi s sa l o f p et it io ne rs ap p eal . As p o i nt ed

o ut b y t h e Co ur t i n t he c ase o f Peo p le v. Ma p a la o , [ 3 9 ] t h e re a so n fo r sa id ru le is t ha t:

[O] nce a n a cc u sed e scap es fr o m p ri so n o r co n fi n e me nt o r j u mp s b a il o r flee s t o

a fo r e i g n co u ntr y, he lo s se s h is st a nd i n g i n co u rt a nd u nl e ss he s urre n d ers o r
s ub mi t s to t h e j ur is d ic ti o n o f t h e co ur t h e i s d ee med to ha ve wa i ved a n y ri g ht to
see k r el ie f fr o m t he co u r t.

T hu s, t he Co ur t o f Ap p eal s co m mi t ted no r e ve rsib le e rro r i n d is mi s si n g p e ti tio n ers

ap p eal . W it h i n t h e mea ni n g o f t he p r i ncip le s go ver n i n g t h e p re va il i n g cr i mi n al p ro ced ure,

p eti tio n er i mp l ied l y wi t hd r e w h i s ap p ea l b y j u mp i n g b ai l a nd t hereb y mad e t he j ud g me n t o f

th e RT C fi na l a nd e xec u to r y. [ 4 0 ]

B y p ut ti n g hi ms el f b e yo nd t h e reac h a nd ap p li ca tio n o f t he le ga l p ro ce s s es o f t he la nd ,

p eti tio n er r e vea led hi s c o nt e mp t o f t h e la w a nd p laced h i ms el f i n a p o s iti o n to sp ec u la te at h i s

p lea s ure hi s c ha nc es fo r a r e ver sa l. T h i s, we c an no t co nd o ne. O nc e m o re, b y j u mp i n g b a il,

p eti tio n er h a s wa i ved hi s r i g h t to ap p ea l. I n t he cas e o f Peo p le v. An g G io c , [ 4 1 ] we e n u nci at ed

th at :

T her e ar e cer t ai n f u nd a me n ta l ri g h ts wh i c h ca n no t b e wa i ved e ve n b y t h e

acc u sed h i ms el f , b ut t h e r ig h t o f ap p e al i s no t o n e o f t he m. T h is r i g ht is gra n ted
so l el y fo r t h e b e ne f it o f th e acc u s ed . He ma y a va il o f it o r no t, a s he p lea se s.
He ma y wai v e i t ei t her e xp r e s sl y o r b y i mp l ic at i o n. W he n t he a cc u sed fle es a fter
th e ca se ha s b ee n s ub mi t ted to t he co ur t fo r d eci s io n , h e wi ll b e d ee med t o ha ve
wa i v ed hi s r i g ht to ap p e al fr o m t he j ud g me n t r e nd er ed a g ai n st h i m x x x .

Co mi n g no w to t he seco nd i ss u e o f wh e t her o r no t p e ti tio ne r fa il ed to s ub mi t h i ms el f

to t he j u ri sd i ct io n o f t h e co u r t o r to t he c u sto d y o f t h e la w, d e sp i te t h e p o st i n g o f t he s ub j ect

b ail b o nd , p e ti tio ne r ar g ue s t ha t hi s a ct o f fi li n g se v eral p le ad i n g s a ft er t he p ro mu l g at io n o f

th e RT C s j u d g me nt p l u s h i s fi li n g o f t he ap p l i cat io n fo r h i s ad mi s s io n to b a il s ho uld b e

co n s id ered a s ub mi s sio n to t h e co ur ts j ur isd ic tio n. He r at io na liz es t ha t:

 [T ]he r eco r d s o f t he ca se r ead il y re v eal s t h at s e v eral p l ead i n g s we r e fi led b y t he
p eti tio n er b e fo r e t h e lo we r co urt e v e n a ft er t he p ro mu l g at io n o f j ud g m en t wa s
mad e. R i g ht a f ter t h e p r o mu l ga tio n o f t he d ec i sio n i n t h e lo we r co urt, here i n
p eti tio n er we n t to t he c o ur t a nd p o st ed a b ai l b o nd . I f t he p o st i n g o f t h e b o nd
wh ic h wa s ap p r o ved b y t he s a me R e gio n al T ria l Co ur t wh o re nd er ed t he d eci sio n
s ub j ect o f ap p e al i s no t yet a s ub mi s sio n to t he j ur isd ic tio n o f t he co ur t, t he n
th e r e sp o nd e n t Ho n. Co u r t o f Ap p e al s mu s t h a ve b ee n t h i n ki n g o f a no t her ma tt er
b e yo nd t h e co mp r e h e ns i o n o f t he p e ti tio ne r a nd o b vio u sl y o u ts id e t h e ma tt er s
b ei n g co n te mp la ted b y l a w a nd t he R u le s o f Co u rt.

Fo r t h e r e so l ut io n o f t h e s eco nd is s u e, i t s ho ul d h a ve b e e n s u ffi ci e nt t o st at e t h at fo r

rea so ns s ta ted i n t he f o r ego i n g d i sc u ss io n, t h e q ue st io n p o se d ha s n o w b e co me acad e mi c.

Ho we v er, to d i mi n i s h t h e co n f u sio n b ro u g h t ab o ut b y o s te n sib l y eq uat i n g t he t er m ju r i sd ic tio n

o f th e co u rt (o v er th e p e r so n o f th e a ccu s ed ) wi t h t ha t o f cu sto d y o f th e l a w , i t i s fu nd a me n ta l

to d i ffere n tia te t he t wo . T he t er m:

C u sto d y o f t h e l a w i s acco mp li s hed ei t her b y arre st o r vo l u n tar y s u rre nd er

(cit at io n o mi tted ) ; wh i l e ( t he t er m) j ur isd ic tio n o ver t h e p er so n o f t he acc u sed
is acq u ir ed up o n h i s ar r es t o r vo l u ntar y ap p e ara nc e (c it at io n o mi tt ed ). O ne c a n
b e u nd er t h e c u sto d y o f t he l a w b u t no t ye t s u b j ect to t he j uri sd i ct io n o f t he
co ur t o ver h i s p er so n, s u ch as wh e n a p er so n arre st ed b y vir t ue o f a warr a nt fi le s
a mo t io n b e fo r e ar r a i g n me n t to q ua s h t h e wa rra nt . O n t he o t her h a nd , o ne ca n
b e s ub j e ct to t he j ur i sd i ctio n o f t h e co ur t o v er h is p er so n, a n d ye t no t b e i n t he
cu s to d y o f t he la w, s uc h as wh e n a n a cc u sed es c ap es c u sto d y a ft er hi s tr ial ha s
co m me nc ed ( c it atio n o m itt ed ). [ 4 2 ]

Mo reo ver, j ur i sd ic tio n , o nc e a cq uir ed , is no t lo s t a t t h e i ns ta nc e o f p art i es, a s wh e n a n ac c u sed

esc ap e s fro m t he c u s to d y o f t he la w, b u t co nt i n ue s u nt il t h e ca se i s te r min a ted . [ 4 3 ] E vid e nt l y,

p eti tio n er i s co r r ect i n t ha t t h er e i s no d o ub t t h at t h e RT C alr ead y a cq u ired j ur i sd ic tio n o v er

th e p erso n o f t he acc u se d p et it io ner wh e n he ap p eared at t he arr ai g n me n t and p l ead ed n o t g u il t y

to t h e cr i me c har g ed no t wi t h st a nd i n g t he fac t t ha t he j u mp ed b a il a nd i s no w co n sid e red a

fu g it i ve.

As to wh e t her o r no t p et i tio ner h as p lac ed h i ms e l f u nd er t he c u sto d y o f t h e C A, al a s, we ca n no t

sa y t he sa me f o r [ b ] e i n g i n t he c u sto d y o f t he l a w s i g ni fie s re str ai n t o n t h e p er so n, wh o i s

th ereb y d ep r i v ed o f hi s o wn wi l l a nd l ib er t y, b i n d in g hi m to b eco me o b e d ie nt to t he wi l l o f t he

la w (ci ta tio n o mi t ted ) . C u sto d y o f t he la w i s li t eral l y c u sto d y o ver t he b o d y o f t he acc u sed . It

includ es, b ut is n o t limited to , d etentio n. [ 4 4 ] In the case at b ar, p etitio ner, b eing a fugit i v e ,

u nt il a nd u n le ss he s ub m it s hi ms el f to t h e c u sto d y o f t he la w, i n t he ma n ner o f b e i n g u nd er t he

j uri sd i ct io n o f t he co ur t s, he ca n no t b e g ra nt ed an y rel ie f b y t he C A.

P aren t he ti cal l y, we c a n no t e nd t h i s p o n en cia wi t h o ut c al li n g at te nt i o n to a ver y

d is t urb i n g fa ct t ha t p et i tio ner ad mi t s o f b ei n g t he a u t ho r o f a fa ls i fi ed p ub lic d o c u me n t wa s

trea ted no n c hal a nt l y b y au t ho r i ti es .

In fi ne , t he p e ti tio ne r h as r e ma i ned at la r ge e ve n a s he ho p e s t ha t h is ap p e al, a nd

co n seq u e nt l y, t h is p e ti ti o n, wi l l s u cce ed a nd h e ca n t he n ap p e ar b e fo re t he Co ur t to cl ai m hi s

vi cto r y. H e ho p e s i n vai n.

W HE RE FO RE, t he i ns ta nt p eti tio n i s DE NI ED fo r la c k o f mer it. T he as sa il ed

Re so l utio n s o f t he Co ur t o f Ap p e al s, i n C A - G. R. C R No . 2 4 0 7 7 , wh i c h d i s mi s s ed p et it io ner s
ap p eal , are her eb y AF FI RM ED. I n t hi s co n ne ct i o n, J ud ge M a n uel M uro is D I RE CT ED to i s s ue
fo r t h wi t h a wa r r a n t o f ar r e st fo r t h e ap p re he n s io n o f P e ti tio ner Ar no l d Al va a nd fo r p ro p er
d isp o s iti o n o f t h e c as e i n li ne wi t h t he fo r e go i n g d is c u ss io n.
Co st s a g ai n s t t h e p et it io ner .

SO O RD ER ED.