PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, plaintiff-appellee, ISSUE/s of the CASE

vs. Whether the RTC erred in its ruling in convicting Bolanos.

RAMON BOLANOS, accused-appellant.
ACTION OF THE COURT
G.R. No. 101808 July 3, 1992 SC: The petition is GRANTED.
Ponente: Paras, J.
COURT RATIONALE ON THE ABOVE CASE

Yes. The RTC erred in its ruling.

NATURE OF CASE
Petition for Certiorari
BRIEF
This is a review of the decision of the Regional Trial Court of Malolos, Bulacan,
Branch 14, under Criminal Case No. 1831-M-90, for "Murder", wherein the
accused-appellant, Ramon Bolanos was convicted.
FACTS
Oscar Pagdalian was found dead lying on an improvised bed full of blood with
stab wounds. The patrolmen who saw the scene of the crime inquired about the
circumstances of the incident and was informed that the deceased had a drinking
spree with Ramon Bolanos and Claudio Magtibay.
Under the 1987 Constitution, any person under investigation for the commission
of an offense shall have the right to remain silent and have competent and
independent counsel, preferably of his own choice. Any confession or admission
obtained in violation of the aforesaid rights shall be inadmissible in evidence
against him.
In the case at bar, the conviction of Bolanos rests solely on his extra-judicial
admission. With no counsel on his when he confessed, his admission of the crime
was inadmissible against him, thus, warranting his acquittal.
SUPREME COURT RULING
WHEREFORE, the accused his hereby ACQUITTED.

The patrolmen then apprehended Bolanos and Magtibay. They boarded both
accused on the police vehicle and brought to the police station. En route, Bolanos
admitted that he killed the deceased because the latter was abusive.

The RTC convicted Bolanos glaring on the admissibility of the confession made
by Bolanos.

A manifestation was filed by the OSG raising that the RTC erred in admitting the
evidence of extra-judicial admission of Bolanos while on board the police vehicle.
Being already in police custody, he should have been informed of his
constitutional rights.