You are on page 1of 1

CONSTITUTIONAL LAW II NOTES & DOCTRINES 1

SAN BEDA COLLEGE OF LAW - MANILA


CONSTITUTIONAL LAW II NOTES & DOCTRINES

ARTICLE III Bill of Rights Right of confrontations is a fundamental right


SECTION 14 The right of confrontation is one of the fundamental rights guaranteed
RIGHT OF CONFRONTATION by the Constitution to the person facing criminal prosecution who
should know, in fairness, who his accusers are and must be given a
chance to cross-examine them on their charges.
UNITED STATES vs. JAVIER
Right of Confrontation intent
Ex parte affidavits are not permitted
Justice Day said in a case of the Philippine origin (Dowdell vs. U. S.
No accusation is permitted to be made against his back or in his
[1911], 221 U. S., 325) that it "intends
absence nor is any derogatory information accepted if it is made
(a) to secure the accused in the right to be tried, so far as facts
anonymously, as in poison pen letters sent by persons who cannot
provable by witnesses are concerned, by only such witnesses
stand by their libels and must shroud their spite in secrecy.
as meet him face to face at the trial, who give their testimony
in his presence, and give to the accused an opportunity of
That is also the reason why ex parte affidavits are not permitted
cross-examination.
unless the affiant is presented in court and hearsay is barred save only
(b) It was intended to prevent the conviction of the accused
in the cases allowed by the Rules of Court, like the dying declaration.
upon deposition or ex parte affidavits,
(c) and particularly to preserve the right of the accused to test
the recollection of the witness in the exercise of the right of
cross-examination."

Essence of confrontation
In other words, confrontation is essential because cross-examination
is essential.

A second reason for the prohibition is that a tribunal may have before
it the department and appearance of the witness while testifying.

Sworn Statement of Presa was improperly received


Although we are faced with the alternative of being unable to utilize
the statements of the witness now deceased, yet if there has been no

JAMES BRYAN SUAREZ DEANG © 2017 (09265563619/jbsdeang.jbd@gmail.com)


opportunity for cross-examination and the case is not one coming
within one of the exceptions, the mere necessity alone accepting the
statement will not suffice. In fine, Exhibit B was improperly received
in evidence in the lower court.

TALINO vs. SANDIGANBAYAN


Separate Trial is allowed
It is settled that if a separate trial is allowed to one of two or more
defendants, his testimony therein imputing guilt to any of the co-
accused is not admissible against the latter who was not able to cross-
examine him.

Grant of separate trial


The grant of a separate trial rests in the sound discretion of the court
and is not a matter of right to the accused, especially where, as in this
case, it is sought after the presentation of the evidence of the
prosecution.

While it is true that Rule 119, Section 8, of the Rules of Court does
not specify when the motion for such a trial should be filed, we have
held in several cases that this should be done before the prosecution
commences presenting its evidence, although, as

an exception, the motion may be granted later, even after the


prosecution shall have rested, where there appears to be an antagonism
in the respective defenses of the accused.

In such an event, the evidence in chief of the prosecution shall remain


on record against an the accused, with right of rebuttal on the part of
the fiscal in the separate trial of the other accused

You might also like