Crimpro RULE 110 Title Crespo Vs Mogul G.R. No. L-53373 Date: June 30, 1987 Ponente: GANCAYCO, J

CRIMPRO RULE 110
Title G.R. No. L-53373

CRESPO VS MOGUL Date: June 30, 1987
Ponente: GANCAYCO, J
MARIO FL. CRESPO, petitioner, HON. LEODEGARIO L. MOGUL, Presiding Judge, CIRCUIT
CRIMINAL COURT OF LUCENA CITY, 9th Judicial Dist., THE
PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, represented by the
SOLICITOR GENERAL, RICARDO BAUTISTA, ET AL.,
respondents.
The issue raised in this ease is whether the trial court acting on a motion to dismiss a criminal case filed by the Provincial
Fiscal upon instructions of the Secretary of Justice to whom the case was elevated for review, may refuse to grant the
motion and insist on the arraignment and trial on the merits
FACTS
Petitioner Mario Crespo was accused for Estafa in the Circuit Criminal Court of Lucena City. When the case was
set for arraignment, the accused filed a motion for defer arraignment on the ground that there was a pending
petition for review filed with the Secretary of Justice. However, Justice Mogul denied the motion, but the
arraignment was deferred in a much later date to afford time for the petitioner to elevate the mater to the
appellate court.
The accused filed a petition for certiorari and prohibition with prayer for a preliminary writ of injunction to the
CA. The CA ordered the trial court to refrain from proceeding with the arraignment until further orders of the
Court. Undersecretary of Justice, Hon. Catalino Macaraig Jr., resolved the petition for review reversed the
resolution of the office of the Provincial Fiscal and directed the Fiscal to move for immediate dismissal of the
information filed against the accused. Judge Mogul denied the motion for dismissal of the case ad set the
arraignment. The accused then filed a petition for Certiorari, prohibition and mandamus with petition for the
issuance of preliminary writ of prohibition and/or temporary restraining order in the CA. The CA dismissed the
order and lifted the restraining order.
ISSUE/S
Whether the trial court may refuse to grant a motion to dismiss filed by the Fiscal under orders from, the Secretary of
Justice and insist on arraignment and trial on the merits.
RATIO
It is a cardinal principle that all criminal actions either commenced by complaint or by information shall be prosecuted
under the direction and control of the fiscal. 17 The institution of a criminal action depends upon the sound discretion of
the fiscal. The reason for placing the criminal prosecution under the direction and control of the fiscal is to prevent
malicious or unfounded prosecution by private persons. 19 It cannot be controlled by the complainant.
However, the action of the fiscal or prosecutor is not without any limitation or control. The same is subject to the approval
of the provincial or city fiscal or the chief state prosecutor as the case maybe and it maybe elevated for review to the
Secretary of Justice who has the power to affirm, modify or reverse the action or opinion of the fiscal. Consequently the
Secretary of Justice may direct that a motion to dismiss the case be filed in Court or otherwise, that an information be
filed in Court.
The filing of a complaint or information in Court initiates a criminal action. The Court thereby acquires jurisdiction over
the case, which is the authority to hear and determine the case. The preliminary investigation conducted by the fiscal for
the purpose of determining whether a prima facie case exists warranting the prosecution of the accused is terminated
upon the filing of the information in the proper court.
RULING
In order therefor to avoid such a situation whereby the opinion of the Secretary of Justice who reviewed the action of
the fiscal may be disregarded by the trial court, the Secretary of Justice should, as far as practicable, refrain from
entertaining a petition for review or appeal from the action of the fiscal, when the complaint or information has already
been filed in Court. The matter should be left entirely for the determination of the Court.
WHEREFORE, the petition is DISMISSED for lack of merit without pronouncement as to costs.
SO ORDERED.
2S 2016-17 (MATABUENA)
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