Practice question
Congress enacts a measure declaring that three named individuals committed an offense last year. It orders them imprisoned immediately and bars any court from determining guilt. Legislators say legislative hearings were enough because the allegations were widely reported. What is the strongest constitutional characterization?
- A bill of attainder because the legislature itself imposes punishment on specified persons without judicial trial.
- A valid judgment because press reports replace judicial proof.
- A permissible calendar adjustment.
- A valid prosecution because legislative hearings are always criminal trials.
- An immunity grant to the three individuals.
Legal references
- 1987 Constitution, Article III, section 22, https://lawphil.net/consti/cons1987.html
- Trillanes IV v. Medialdea, G.R. Nos. 241494, 256660 and 256078, April 3, 2024, ex post facto laws and bills of attainder discussion, https://lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2024/apr2024/gr_241494_2024.html
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