1What are the five pillars of the Philippine Criminal Justice System?
Law enforcement, prosecution, courts, corrections, and community.
2What is the primary function of the law enforcement pillar?
Prevent and investigate crimes, apprehend suspects, and enforce the law.
3What is the primary function of the prosecution pillar?
Evaluate evidence and prosecute criminal cases on behalf of the State.
4What is the primary function of the courts pillar?
Determine criminal liability through judicial proceedings and impose lawful penalties.
5What is the primary function of the corrections pillar?
Implement lawful custodial and community-based sanctions and support rehabilitation.
6What is the role of the community pillar?
Support crime prevention, public safety, rehabilitation, and reintegration.
7Which agency is the principal national police organization of the Philippines?
The Philippine National Police (PNP).
8Which law established the Philippine National Police?
Republic Act No. 6975.
9Which law reorganized the PNP and strengthened police reform?
Republic Act No. 8551.
10Which department exercises administrative supervision over the PNP?
The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).
11Which agency is primarily responsible for investigating crimes of national significance assigned to it by law?
The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).
12Which department supervises the National Bureau of Investigation?
The Department of Justice (DOJ).
13What is the constitutional mandate of the judiciary?
Exercise judicial power, including resolving actual controversies involving legally demandable rights.
14What is judicial power under Article VIII of the Constitution?
The duty to settle actual controversies and determine grave abuse of discretion by government instrumentalities.
15What is the highest court in the Philippines?
The Supreme Court.
16Which courts generally exercise jurisdiction over criminal cases not assigned to lower or special courts?
Regional Trial Courts (RTCs), subject to applicable jurisdictional laws.
17What is criminal jurisdiction?
The legal authority of a court to hear and decide a criminal case.
18What are the three traditional requisites of criminal jurisdiction?
Jurisdiction over the offense, territory, and person of the accused.
19How is jurisdiction over the offense determined?
By the law in force when the criminal action is instituted, subject to applicable exceptions.
20How does a criminal court acquire jurisdiction over the person of the accused?
Through arrest or voluntary appearance, subject to recognized exceptions.
21What is the purpose of preliminary investigation?
Determine whether sufficient grounds exist to believe a crime was committed and the respondent is probably guilty and should be held for trial.
22What is probable cause for filing a criminal charge?
Facts and circumstances supporting a reasonable belief that a crime occurred and the respondent probably committed it.
23What is the standard of proof required for criminal conviction?
Proof beyond reasonable doubt.
24Does proof beyond reasonable doubt require absolute certainty?
No. It requires moral certainty sufficient to produce conviction in an unprejudiced mind.
25What constitutional principle presumes an accused innocent?
The presumption of innocence until guilt is proven beyond reasonable doubt.
26Which constitutional provision protects the presumption of innocence?
Article III, Section 14(2) of the 1987 Philippine Constitution.
27What is due process of law?
A constitutional guarantee against deprivation of life, liberty, or property without lawful and fair procedures.
28Which constitutional provision guarantees due process and equal protection?
Article III, Section 1 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution.
29What is equal protection of the laws?
Persons similarly situated must be treated alike unless a valid legal distinction exists.
30What is the right against self-incrimination?
The right not to be compelled to testify against oneself.
31Which constitutional provision protects against self-incrimination?
Article III, Section 17 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution.
32What is custodial investigation?
Questioning by law enforcement after a person is taken into custody or otherwise significantly deprived of freedom in connection with an offense.
33What rights are guaranteed during custodial investigation?
The rights to remain silent and to competent, independent counsel, preferably of one's choice, among other safeguards.
34Which law further protects persons under arrest, detention, or custodial investigation?
Republic Act No. 7438.
35What is the exclusionary rule for evidence obtained through unconstitutional searches or seizures?
Evidence obtained in violation of Article III, Sections 2 or 3 is inadmissible for any purpose in any proceeding.
36Which constitutional provision protects against unreasonable searches and seizures?
Article III, Section 2 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution.
37Who generally has authority to issue search warrants?
A judge who personally determines probable cause under constitutional and procedural requirements.
38What must a valid search warrant particularly describe?
The place to be searched and the persons or things to be seized.
39What is double jeopardy?
The constitutional protection against being placed twice in jeopardy of punishment for the same offense under applicable conditions.
40Which constitutional provision prohibits double jeopardy?
Article III, Section 21 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution.
41What is an ex post facto law?
A retroactive penal law that criminalizes previously innocent conduct or otherwise disadvantages an accused in a constitutionally prohibited way.
42Which constitutional provision prohibits ex post facto laws and bills of attainder?
Article III, Section 22 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution.
43What is a bill of attainder?
A legislative act imposing punishment on an identified person or group without judicial trial.
44What is the principle of legality in criminal law?
There is no crime or punishment without a law prescribing it.
45What Latin maxim expresses the principle of legality?
Nullum crimen, nulla poena sine lege.
46What is the general territorial principle of Philippine criminal law?
Philippine penal laws generally apply to offenses committed within Philippine territory, subject to statutory exceptions.
47What is the general prospective principle of criminal law?
Penal laws generally operate prospectively rather than retroactively.
48When may a favorable penal law apply retroactively?
When it benefits an accused who is not disqualified by applicable law, including the habitual-criminal exception under Article 22 of the Revised Penal Code.
49What is the generality principle of Philippine criminal law?
Philippine penal laws generally bind persons within Philippine territory, subject to recognized exceptions.
50Which law is the principal codification of Philippine general criminal law?
Act No. 3815, the Revised Penal Code, as amended.