394.Peoplev.

Isla
G.R.No.96176
August21,1997
Sec.12,Art.3Righttocounsel,whenpresenceofcounselisrequired
Facts:ZenaidaIslawaschargedwiththecrimeofkidnapping,afterhavingbeenaccused
of kidnapping Maritess, a sixyearold child, for the purpose of selling said child to
anotherperson.Shewas foundguiltyofsaidcrimeandwassentencedtosufferlife
imprisonment.Appealingthedecision,Islacontendsthattheextrajudicialstatementin
whichsheadmittedhavingkidnappedsaidchildwasnotlegitimateasshesigneditunder
thepromiseofthepolicethatshewouldbereleasedaftersigningit.Further,hercounsel
wasnottheretoassistherwhenhersignaturewasaffixed.
Issue/s:W/Nthestatementcanbeadmittedasevidence
Held:No.
The law does not distinguish between preliminary questions and questions during
custodial investigation, as any question asked of a person while under detention, is
consideredasaquestionaskedwhileundercustodialinvestigation.
InGamboav.Cruz,theCourtruledthatthemomentthereisamoveoftheinvestigatorto
elicitadmissionsorevenplaininformationfromthesuspectwhichmayappearinnocent
orinnocuousatthetime,thesuspectshouldbeassistedbycounsel,unlesshewaiveshis
right,butthewaivershouldbemadeinwritingandinthepresenceofcounsel.
So, in the case at bar, when the police started his investigation without providing
appellantwithcounselofherchoice,theformerviolatedherrightsasenshrinedinthe
Constitution.
ThedecisionwasreversedandaccusedIslawasacquitted.

PreparedbyJobenOdulio1C