Philippine Bar review · Question

Practice question: Compound Complex Crime

Multiple Choice Medium

Practice question

A single intentional act is established to produce one grave felony and a separate light felony. A prosecutor seeks an Article 48 compound charge combining both solely because the act is single. Which is correct?
  1. A single act eliminates every classification restriction.
  2. Every light felony automatically becomes grave.
  3. The prosecutor may change the statutory classification.
  4. The light felony is automatically lawful.
  5. The light felony cannot be brought within the compound branch merely by the single-act circumstance.

Legal references

  • Revised Penal Code, Article 48 as amended, text and current two-branch rule reproduced in People v Reyes, G.R. No. 260030, May 19, 2025: https://lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2025/may2025/gr_260030_2025.html
  • People v Nelmida, G.R. No. 184500, September 11, 2012, en banc main decision, Article 48 and limited Lawas exception: https://lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2012/sep2012/gr_184500_2012.html
  • Ivler v Modesto-San Pedro, G.R. No. 172716, November 17, 2010, main decision, Article 365 indivisible quasi-offense distinguished from Article 48: https://lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2010/nov2010/gr_172716_2010.html

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