Practice question
A 2024 information charges a covered Grade 28 executive official with RA 3019 graft and alleges PHP 3 million government damage. A private contractor is charged as a conspiring co-principal in the same offense. No special exception applies. The contractor demands separate trial in a regular court solely because he is private. Which is correct?
- Private status always requires a separate MTC trial
- The contractor can never be criminally charged with the official
- The official’s position is irrelevant because a private contractor is involved
- The private co-principal is tried jointly with the official in the proper Sandiganbayan case under section 4’s joinder rule
- The contractor may select either court without regard to the statute
Legal references
- https://lawphil.net/statutes/repacts/ra2015/ra_10660_2015.html — sections 2 and 5, current PD 1606 section 4 jurisdiction, information-based RTC exceptions, official classifications, private co-accused and prospective jurisdiction amendment.
- https://lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2020/sep2020/gr_251177_2020.html — Non v. Office of the Ombudsman, G.R. No. 251177, September 8, 2020, no alleged government damage or bribery and RTC jurisdiction under RA 10660.
- https://lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2022/oct2022/gr_237815_2022.html — Fua, Jr. v. People, G.R. No. 237815, October 12, 2022, May 5, 2015 effectivity and prospective application of jurisdiction changes.
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