EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
First Regular Session )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

uced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez =
5227

House Bill No.
EXPLANATORY NOTE

It cannot be denied that there is a lot more to be desired when it comes to our justice
system. A lot more improvement is needed. The delivery of justice is delayed and the huge
number of cases results in a huge backlog

Even in the initial stages of our judicial process, there is already confusion and delay. Hence
this bill, which seeks to provide a streamlined and rationalized criminal investigation process.
It also seeks to harmonize and integrate the functions of the investigating law enforcer and
the investigating prosecutor in criminal investigations, as well as the role of the judge during
the preliminary hearing,

In view of the foregoing, immediate approval of this measure is earnestly requested

RYFUS B. RODRIGUEZ


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
First Regular Session )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

“Introduced by Representative Rufu:

House Bill No. 9227

AN ACT
INSTITUTIONALIZING A CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION SYSTEM, REPEALING FOR THE
PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 5180, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS “AN ACT
PRESCRIBING A UNIFORM SYSTEM OF PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION BY
PROVINCIAL AND CITY FISCALS AND THEIR ASSISTANTS, AND BY STATE
ATTORNEYS OR THEIR ASSISTANTS”, AND OTHER RELATED LAWS AND
ISSUANCES c,

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Republic of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Short Title. This Act shall be known as the "Criminal Investigation Act”

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy - It is hereby declared the policy of the State to ensure
the speedy, effective, efficient and economical conduct of criminal investigations by
enhancing the cooperation and coordination of law enforcement and prosecution agencies,
streamlining the process of determining which criminal complaints should proceed to trial
and eliminating bureaucratic layers which cause undue delays in the criminal justice
process.

SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. -
(a) ‘Criminal Investigation System” refers to the entire process of investigating the
commission of a crime and determining whether there is sufficient cause to file a
criminal case in court and hold a respondent for trial. It is composed of two (2)

stages: the criminal investigation stage and the preliminary hearing stage.

(b) ‘Criminal investigation” refers to the fact-finding inquiry conducted by law
enforcement officers, under the direction of the investigating prosecutor, where
evidence is gathered, with a view to determining whether a crime has been
committed and whether a criminal information should be filed in court

(©) ‘Investigating prosecutor’ refers to the Prosecutor General, Regional Prosecutors,
State Prosecutors, Provincial Prosecutors, City Prosecutors and their respective
Deputies and Assistants and Prosecution Attormeys who have the authority to
prosecute crimes within their respective jurisdictions. It shall also refer to the
Ombudsman, the Special Prosecutor, their Deputies and Assistants, Graft
Investigation and Prosecution Officers and Special Prosecutors, in cases falling
under the jurisdiction of the Office of the Ombudsman.

(d) ‘Law enforcement officer’ refers to officers and agents of the Philippine National
Police, National Bureau of Investigation, Office of the Ombudsman, Philippine Drug
Enforcement Agency, Bureau of Immigration, Bureau of Customs, Anti Money
Laundering Council, Securities and Exchange Commission, Bureau of intemal
Revenue, Philippine Coast Guard and other agencies which have the legal
authority to enforce laws or investigate the commission of crimes.

(@) ‘Preliminary hearing” refers to the proceedings conducted before the trial judge
after a criminal information has been filed in court, during which the complainant


and the respondent present their respective evidence to establish whether the case
should proceed to a full-blown criminal trial.

(f) “Trial judge” refers to the judge in whose court a criminal information is filed after the
conclusion of the criminal investigation. The trial judge will conduct the preliminary
hearing and thereafter decide whether the case will be dismissed or will proceed to.
trial.

(g) ‘Prima facie evidence” refers to evidence which, if unexplained or uncontradicted, is
sufficient to sustain the proposition it supports or to establish the facts.

(h) “Preponderance of evidence” refers to the standard of proof where the evidence of
one side is deemed by the court to be more convincing, of more probative weight,
and more worthy of belief, than that which was offered in opposition to it.

(i) "Proof beyond reasonable doubt” refers to the standard of proof which produces
moral certainty, or that which produces conviction in an unprejudiced mind.

SECTION 4. Criminal Investigation System; Principles. The Criminal Investigation
System shall be governed by the following principles:

(a) The Criminal Investigation System shall be conducted in a speedy, effective,
efficient and economical manner, with a view to facilitating the resolution of criminal
cases, should they eventually reach the courts, through the systematic and proper
gathering of evidence and forensic data, and accurate determination of
perpetrators and their respective liabilities.

(b) The Criminal Investigation System shall be composed of the criminal investigation
stage and the preliminary hearing stage. During both stages, the primary aim of the
investigating prosecutor and the trial judge is to determine whether there is
sufficient evidence establishing the commission of a crime and linking the
respondent to its commission, enough to justify the conduct of a full-blown criminal
trial.

(©) All criminal investigations shall be under the direct control and supervision of an
investigating prosecutor. Law enforcers shall take guidance from and cooperate
closely with the investigating prosecutor in the process of conducting criminal
investigations, especially in matters concerning compliance with laws and rules of
procedure, evidence-gathering and case-build up and preparation

(d) Upon the conclusion of a criminal investigation, the investigating prosecutor shall
determine whether there is prima facie evidence that a crime has been committed,
of which the respondent is probably guilty and should consequently stand trial
The investigating prosecutor, in making such a determination, shall rely on the
substance of the complaint or report, and the evidence gathered during the criminal
investigation stage. The conduct of a criminal investigation is an executive function;
it is neither judicial nor quasi-judicial and is not adversarial in nature.

(€) Upon the filing of a criminal information, the trial judge to whose court it was raffled
shall conduct a preliminary hearing and exert all effort to determine, by
preponderance of evidence, whether there is sufficient cause for the respondent to
stand trial, All remedies available to either parties at the preliminary hearing stage
may be availed of, but the trial judge should not grant the same in a manner that
would result in unnecessary delays,

(f) All preliminary hearings shall be adversarial in nature, with the trial judge relying on
the submissions, arguments and counter-arguments of the complainant and the
respondent to arrive at a decision. However, the trial judge may be allowed to take
an active part in the process and direct the course of the preliminary hearing by
employing inquisitorial measures such as ordering the oral examination of
witnesses or the production of additional evidence, if the same will aid in the
weighing of the merits of both parties’ evidence.

(g) Except when there is a clear showing of grave abuse of discretion amounting to
lack or excess of jurisdiction, the Criminal Investigation System, at any stage, shall
not be restrained or enjoined by any court


SECTION 5. Criminal Investigation; Initiation. — A criminal investigation may be initiated
through the following modes:

(2) Upon a report received by a law enforcement agency - a law enforcement agency
may receive reports of a crime from private individuals and intelligence assets, or
referrals/recommendations from other government agencies. In such cases, the
law enforcement agency shall immediately coordinate with an_ investigating
prosecutor to determine the course of the criminal investigation.

(b) Upon the instance of an investigating prosecutor — an investigating prosecutor may
initiate a criminal investigation in the following instances: (1) when a report or
recommendation has been received regarding the commission of a crime, and (2)
when such investigating prosecutor initiates an investigation to gather evidence on
high incident crimes and other identified priority crimes. In such cases, the conduct
and direction of the criminal investigation shall be determined by the investigating
prosecutor, with the assistance of law enforcers.

(c) Upon the instance of an aggrieved party who files a criminal complaint — an
aggrieved party may formally file a criminal complaint in the prosecution office,
accusing another person's of committing a crime. In such cases, the conduct and
direction of the criminal investigation shall be determined by the investigating
prosecutor, with the assistance of law enforcers.

SECTION 6. Criminal Investigation; Procedure. —
(a) In cases where no criminal complaint is filed and the criminal investigation
commences upon the instance of the law enforcer or the investigating prosecutor,

as provided in Section 5(a) and (b) of this Act, the following rules shall apply:

1. All reports of a crime received by a law enforcer shall immediately be
communicated to an investigating prosecutor, who shall lead the criminal
investigation and direct its course, with the full cooperation and assistance of
law enforcers concemed

2. If a report is received by an investigating prosecutor from any other office or
agency, or if the investigating prosecutor initiates the investigation to gather
evidence on high incident crimes and other identified priority crimes,

coordination with the appropriate law enforcement agency shall be immediately
established in order to commence the criminal investigation
(b) In cases where a criminal complaint is filed and the criminal investigatign

commences upon the instance of a private offended party, as provided in Section 5

(0) of this Act, the following rules shall apply:

1. The investigating prosecutor taking cognizance of a criminal complaint shall
ensure that the same contains:

a. A statement of facts constituting the crime;

b. An allegation of the commission of a crime, with reference to the law's
allegedly violated;

c. The names of persons being accused, and their addresses

d. The affidavits of witnesses;

e. Supporting documents and other evidence relevant to the crime;

#. The signature of the complainant,

g. The complainant's certification of non-forum shopping.

2. The complaint shall be sworn to by the complainant before the investigating
prosecutor, who shall certify that the same represents the complainant's
voluntary act and was fully understood by the complainant.

3. The investigating prosecutor shall immediately coordinate with the appropriate
law enforcement agency to enlist law enforcers who shall participate in the
criminal investigation. The investigating prosecutor shall lead the criminal
investigation and direct its course, with the full cooperation and assistance of law
enforcers concerned,


(©) The investigating prosecutor, as far as practicable, shall immediately proceed to the
scene of the crime in order to supervise the investigation and ensure the
compliance of all evidence-gathering techniques with applicable laws and rules,
including rules on chain of custody over evidence.

(d) During the criminal investigation, the investigating prosecutor shall exercise the
following powers:

1. Initiate, manage and supervise all incidents of the criminal investigation, in
coordination with concerned law enforcers;

2. Perform all acts necessary to ensure the integrity of the criminal investigation
process and its compliance with relevant laws and rules.

3. Take custody of and preserve all relevant evidence and ensure the integrity of
the chain of custody over evidence at all stages of the criminal investigation; +

4. Supervise intelligence-gathering, surveillance and other methods of investigation
in relation to the crime;

5. Apply for warrants of arrest, search and seizure and such other processes as
may be necessary in the course of the criminal investigation; and

6. Direct law enforcers to submit inventories, reports, findings and other documents
in connection with the criminal investigation

(e) During the criminal investigation, law enforcers shall exercise the following powers:
1. Conduct investigations, surveillance, _intelligence-gathering, forensic

examinations and other criminal investigative techniques under the authority of
the investigating prosecutor and pursuant to the criminal investigation plan;

2. Recommend to the investigating prosecutor the application for warrants of arrest,
search and seizure in the course of the criminal investigation;

3. Request for guidance and counsel from the investigating prosecutor, especially
on points of law and legal procedure;

4, Serve warrants of arrest, search and seizure as issued by the proper courts;

5. Locate and secure witnesses and procure their sworn statements in connection
with the crime being investigated;

6. Locate and secure object evidence related to the criminal investigation, and tum
over the same to the investigating prosecutor consistent with chain of custody
ules. As much as possible, photographic or video recordings of object evidence
must be taken by law enforcers, and the digital files that contain such
information must be stored in at least two separate computers; and

7. Prepare and sign reports, inventories and other papers necessary for the
documentation of the criminal investigation. The same shall not be released to
any third party except with the written clearance of the investigating prosecutor.

(f) The investigating prosecutor shall determine whether the criminal investigation
should be terminated. Upon its termination, the law enforcers concerned shall
submit a case file containing all relevant statements of fact, inventory of evidence,
affidavits, background information of persons connected with the criminal
investigation, and other relevant facts to aid in the investigating prosecutor's
determination of a prima facie case,

(9) Within thirty (30) days, the investigating prosecutor shall determine, based on the
case file, whether there is a prima facie evidence that a crime has been committed,
warranting the filing of a criminal information against the person or persons
criminally responsible.

(h) The findings of the investigating prosecutor shall be contained in a Criminal
Investigation Report. A Criminal Investigation Report finding the existence of a
prima facie evidence of a crime shall include a criminal information naming the
Person or persons to be accused and their respective crimes.

()) The Criminal Investigation Report of an investigating prosecutor shall be approved
or disapproved by the head of the prosecution office concemed. In case the
Criminal Investigation Report is disapproved, the head of the prosecution office.
may reverse the findings of the investigating prosecutor and (1) proceed to dismiss”


the case, or (2) direct the filing of the criminal information in court, without need of
further reinvestigation. The final decision of approval or disapproval by the head of
the prosecution office shall be embodied in a Resolution; provided, that a
disapproval of the report must contain an explanation of such disapproval by the
head of the prosecution office

() If a criminal investigation results in the dismissal of the case, the aggrieved party
May seek reconsideration within five (5) days from the promulgation of the
Resolution. No further appeals shall be available.

(k) If a criminal investigation results in the finding of prima facie evidence, the criminal
information's will be filed in court no later than five (5) days from the promulgation
of the Resolution.

SECTION 7. Preliminary Hearing: General rules. — The following general rules shall apply
to all preliminary hearings:

(a) No motion for reinvestigation shall be entertained at the stage of the preliminary
hearing, except on the ground of newly-discovered evidence

(b) During the preliminary hearing, the trial judge shall have the power to issue
compulsory processes, resolve preliminary legal issues that will not prejudice the
case, and issue Hold Departure Orders, Temporary Restraining Orders, Freeze
Orders and other ancillary remedies.

(0) The preliminary hearing shall be summary in nature and shall rely primarily on the
written submissions, arguments and counter-arguments of the parties, unless the
trial judge, upon motion of either party or motu proprio, decides to take an active
Part in the proceedings employ inquisitorial measures such as ordering the oral
examination of any of the parties or witnesses, or the production of additional
evidence, in order to clarify contentious matters.

(d) Except for meritorious circumstances, preliminary hearings shall be concluded
within a maximum of three (3) trial settings, but in no case longer than fifteen (15)
days.

SECTION 8. Preliminary Hearing; Procedure. — Upon the filing of the criminal information
in the proper court, the following procedure shall apply:

(2) The criminal information shall be raffled to a trial judge, who shall promptly issue a
subpoena to the complainant and the respondent, ordering them to appear in court
for the preliminary hearing of the case. The respondent, together with the
subpoena, shall be fumished a copy of the criminal information, criminal complaint
and its supporting documents (in cases where a criminal complaint was filed), the
Criminal Investigation Report and the Resolution.

(b) The complainant shall be represented by the investigating prosecutor, who shall
Present the case of the complainant to the trial judge with reference to the criminal
complaint and its supporting documents (in cases where a criminal complaint was
filed), the Criminal Investigation Report, the Resolution and such other relevant
documents as may assist the trial judge.

(©) The respondent shall be represented by counsel and given the opportunity to
interpose a defense. The respondent shall file a Reply which shall contain all the
substance of the defense, together with the affidavits of witnesses and such other
supporting documents as may be necessary to establish the case.

(d) If a subpoena is returned unserved or if, despite due notice, the respondent fails to
appear in court, the trial judge shall issue an order of default and proceed with the
preliminary hearing ex parte, receiving only the evidence adduced by the
Prosecution. However, even in ex parte preliminary hearings, the trial judge may
motu proprio order the prosecution to present witnesses for oral examination by the .
trial judge or produce additional documentary evidence to aid the trial judge's
determination.


(e) Upon termination of the preliminary hearing, the trial judge shall have five (5) days
to determine, using the standard of preponderance of evidence, whether there is
sufficient cause for the respondent to stand trial. If no such sufficient cause is
found, the case shall be dismissed. Otherwise, the trial judge shall order that the
case proceed to trial, and issue a warrant of arrest against the respondent, if
proper.

(f Either party may request reconsideration of the decision of the trial judge within five
(8) days from its promulgation. No further appeals shall be available

SECTION 9. Implementing Rules and Regulations — Within sixty (60) days from the
promulgation of this Act, an inter-agency committee composed of the Supreme Court,
Department of Justice and law enforcement agencies shall issue implementing rules and
regulations to govern the implementation of this Act

SECTION 10. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act shall be declared
unconstitutional, any other provision not affected thereby shall remain in full force and effect.

SECTION 11. Repealing Clause — Republic Act No. 5180, Presidential Decree No. 77 and
Presidential Decree No. 911 are hereby repealed. All other laws, decrees, orders, rules and
regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified
accordingly

SECTION 12. Effectivity — This Act shall take effect within fifteen (15) days after its
Publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation

Approved,