Practice question
An accused, represented by counsel and aware that no required preliminary investigation was held, enters a plea without objection and participates fully in trial. Only after conviction does he invoke that omission as an automatic ground to overturn the judgment. What is the proper general assessment?
- The omission automatically requires acquittal
- The court never obtained statutory jurisdiction
- The right to complain of the omitted investigation was waived on these facts
- All trial evidence becomes inadmissible automatically
- The conviction is necessarily valid even if guilt was not proved
Legal references
- https://lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2020/jun2020/gr_232192_2020.html — Miranda v. People, G.R. No. 232192, June 22, 2020, MAIN decision (absence of preliminary investigation and waiver before plea).
- https://lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2011/aug2011/gr_175289_2011.html — Villarin v. People, G.R. No. 175289, August 31, 2011, MAIN decision (timely assertion and waiver of preliminary investigation).
- https://comanialaw.com/doj-department-circular-no-015-series-of-2024/ — Reproduced DOJ D.C. No. 015, series of 2024, §§12–20 (inquest and remedies); issuance upheld in Meking.
- https://elibrary.judiciary.gov.ph/thebookshelf/showdocs/4/70233 — Meking v. Remulla, G.R. No. 280455, November 11, 2025, EN BANC MAIN decision (DOJ-NPS rules and executive charging standard).
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