Practice question
During a Section3 inquiry, the accused reports threats during detention and says counsel never discussed the plea’s consequences. The court treats those matters as irrelevant because the accused already said guilty. Which is correct?
- Those disclosures directly bear on voluntariness and understanding and must be addressed
- Threats always make an informed plea more likely
- Counsel consultation has no bearing on comprehension
- The words guilty eliminate every further duty
- The judge may rely solely on a prosecutor’s assurance
Legal references
- Rules of Court, Rule116 Sections1,3–9: https://lawphil.net/courts/rules/rc_110-127_crim.html
- People v Pagal, GR241257, September29,2020, EN BANC MAIN opinion, searching-inquiry guidelines: https://lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2020/sep2020/gr_241257_2020.html
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