Practice question
An accused defends a prosecution brought by the State and raises a genuine subject-matter defect on appeal after a four-year trial. No exceptional inequity is established. Does Figueroa make those four years an automatic Tijam bar?
- Yes; every four-year prosecution creates jurisdiction by laches.
- Yes; defending a criminal charge is always a private jurisdictional grant.
- Yes; appeal is categorically too late regardless of circumstances.
- Yes; the prosecutor’s forum selection conclusively settles competence.
- No.
Legal references
- Figueroa v. People, G.R. No. 147406, July 14, 2008, main decision, law at institution and narrow estoppel doctrine: https://lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2008/jul2008/gr_147406_2008.html
- Tijam v. Sibonghanoy, G.R. No. L-21450, April 15, 1968, main decision, surety and exceptional inequitable conduct: https://lawphil.net/judjuris/juri1968/apr1968/gr_l-21450_1968.html
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