Ponente: SERENO, C.J.
Decision Date: 2016-11-16
GR Number: G.R. No. 160864
Digest Team
4 months ago
Avg. Rating:
Summary:
This case involves a petition filed by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) and the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) seeking the reversal of the Sandiganbayan's resolution declaring null and void the preliminary investigation conducted by the Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG) against Eduardo M. Cojuangco, Jr. The PCGG had charged Cojuangco with violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act. The Sandiganbayan found that the PCGG's preliminary investigation was arbitrary and unjust, as the PCGG had also gathered evidence against Cojuangco and filed a civil case based on the same facts. The Sandiganbayan ruled that this violated Cojuangco's right to due process. The OSP and OSG argued that the PCGG had the authority to conduct the preliminary investigation and that the Sandiganbayan's finding of probable cause validated the investigation. The Supreme Court denied the petitions, affirming the Sandiganbayan's ruling and declaring the preliminary investigation and information null and void.
Doctrine:
The Supreme Court held that the PCGG, as the entity that had gathered evidence against Cojuangco and filed a civil case based on the same facts, could not conduct a fair and impartial preliminary investigation. This violated Cojuangco's right to due process. The Court relied on its previous decision in Cojuangco v. PCGG, which established that the PCGG cannot act as both the investigator and the prosecutor in a case. The Court emphasized that the violation of due process raises a serious jurisdictional issue and renders any decision rendered in disregard of that right void.
Facts:
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Issues Ratio:
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Dispositive:
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Other Notes:
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