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It is his duty
RULE 116 to protect the rights of the accused, even against
their wishes, when it is clear that he is not in a
Definition position to validly exercise or waive those rights.
Formal mode and manner of implementing the
constitutional right of an accused to be informed Counsel de oficio
of the nature and cause of the accusation against Members of the bar in good standing who, by
him. reason of their experience and ability, can
competently defend the accused.
Purpose
To apprise the accused why he is being Sec 7
prosecuted by the state. Where members of the bar are not available, the
court may appoint any person, resident of the
Importance of arraignment province and of good repute for probity and
Indispensable requirement of due process so ability, to defend the accused.
that he may be informed of the reason for his
indictment, the specific charges he is bound to Sec 8
face, and the corresponding penalty that could The counsel de oficio shall be given a reasonable
be possible meted against him. time to consult with the accused as to his plea
before proceeding with arraignment.
Effect of the absence of arraignment
Proceedings before the trial court will be null and Options of the accused before arraignment and
void plea
1. Bill of Particulars
Duty of the court before arraignment a. To specify the alleged defects of the
The court shall: complaint of information
1. Inform the accused of his right to b. Specify the details desired
counsel i. (failure to file this motion before
2. Ask him if he desires to have one entering his plea amounts to a waiver)
3. Must assign a counsel de oficio to defend 2. Suspension of arraignment
him (if the accused can’t afford a lawyer) a. Accused appears to be suffering from an
Unless the accused: unsound mental condition which
a. Is allowed to defend himself in person effectively renders him unable to fully
b. Has employed a counsel of his choice understand the charge against him and to
plead intelligently.
Gamas v. Oco i. The court shall order his mental
The only instance where the court can arraign examination and, if necessary, his
the accused without the benefit of counsel is if confinement.
the accused waives such right and the court, b. There exists a prejudicial question
finding the accused capable, allows him to c. There is a petition for review of the
represent himself. prosecutor’s resolution pending in DOJ or
OPP.
The insistence of the accused to be arraigned i. Suspension shall not exceed 60 days
without representation is no reason for the from the filing of the petition
d. Motion to quash – on the grounds
provided for in Rule 117 Under existing law:
e. Challenge the validity of the arrest or Within 30 days from the filing of the complaint
legality of the warrant issued or assail the or information, or from the date the accused has
regularity or question the absence of a PI. appeared before the justice, judge or court in
i. Otherwise, deemed waived which the charge is pending.
When arraignment is to be made The court ruled that his belated arraignment did
Within 30 days from the date the court acquires not prejudice him. The procedural defect was
jurisdiction over the person of the accused. cured when his counsel participated in the trial
Unless a shorter period is provided by a without raising any objection that his client had
special law or SC circular. yet to be arraigned. His counsel’s active
participation in the hearings is a clear indication guilty conditional. It remains to be an admission
that he was fully aware of the charges against of the facts alleged. He had an opportunity to
him. adduce evidence in his favor but did not do so.
He merely submitted the case for decision.
Record of arraignment
Arraignment and plea shall be made of record, People v. Magat
but failure to do so shall not affect the validity of A guilty plea on the condition that he is given a
the proceedings. (Sec 1b) lesser penalty is not a plea to a lesser offense. It
is a plea that made conditions on the penalty
Presence of the accused imposed. Equivalent to a plea of not guilty. Full-
Accused must be present at the arraignment and blown trial is required.
must personally enter his plea (Sec 1b)
The essence of a plea of guilty is that the accused
Presence of the offended party admits absolutely and unconditionally his guilt
When required: (Sec 1f) and responsibility for the offense.
1. Plea bargaining
2. Determination of civil liability People v. Albert; People v. Bello
3. Other matters requiring his presence If the accused admits some of all the allegations
in the information but interposes excuses or
If he fails to appear despite due notice, the court additional facts which, if duly established, would
may allow the accused to enter a plea of guilty to exempt or relieve him in whole or in part of
a lesser offense charged with the conformity of criminal liability, a formal plea of not guilty
the trial prosecutor alone. should be entered.
People v. Solamillo
Convictions based on an improvident plea of
guilty are set aside only if such plea is the sole
basis of the judgment
People v. Talusan
Where the trial court receives evidence to
determine precisely whether the accused erred
in admitting his guilt, the manner in which the
plea is made loses legal significance if the
conviction is, independently of the plea, based
on evidence proving the commission of the
offense.
People v. Ceredon
A conviction based on a plea of guilty to a capital
offense had been set only when such plea was
the only basis of the judgment. When the court
relied on sufficient and credible evidence to
convict the accused, the same must be
sustained.
Purpose: