This case clarifies the extent of the Secretary of Justice’s authority to review and modify resolutions of local prosecutors even after a case has been filed in court. The Supreme Court held that while the Secretary of Justice has broad supervisory powers, this authority is not absolute and must be exercised within the bounds of due process. This ruling underscores the importance of balancing executive oversight with judicial independence and the rights of the accused in criminal proceedings.

The Shifting Sands of Justice: Can the Executive Branch Reopen a Case Already in Court?

This consolidated case revolves around the kidnapping and murder of three individuals in Negros Oriental. Elizabeth Orola Vda. de Salabas, the wife of one of the victims, pursued criminal complaints against several individuals, including police officers, alleging their involvement in the crime. The initial investigations yielded conflicting results, with some respondents being indicted while others were exonerated. The Secretary of Justice intervened, modifying the resolutions of the local prosecutor and ordering the filing of an amended information to include additional individuals. This intervention triggered a legal battle, raising critical questions about the scope of the Secretary of Justice’s power to review and modify prosecutorial decisions and the point at which court jurisdiction becomes paramount.

The legal framework governing this case involves the interplay between the power of control and supervision of the Secretary of Justice over subordinate prosecutors and the principle of judicial independence. The Administrative Code of 1987 defines supervision and control as including the authority to act directly, direct the performance of duty, review, approve, reverse, or modify acts and decisions of subordinate officials. Specifically, Section 38 of the Code states:

SECTION 38. Definition of Administrative Relationships. — Unless otherwise expressly stated in the Code or in other laws defining the special relationships of particular agencies, administrative relationships shall be categorized and defined as follows:

(1) Supervision and Control. — Supervision and control shall include authority to act directly whenever a specific function is entrusted by law or regulation to a subordinate; direct the performance of duty; restrain the commission of acts; review, approve, reverse or modify acts and decisions of subordinate officials or units; determine priorities in the execution of plans and programs; and prescribe standards, guidelines, plans and programs. Unless a different meaning is explicitly provided in the specific law governing the relationship of particular agencies, the word “control” shall encompass supervision and control as defined in this paragraph.

Furthermore, Section 4, Rule 112 of the Rules of Court recognizes the Secretary of Justice’s power to review the actions of the investigating prosecutor, even motu proprio. However, this power is not without limitations. The landmark case of Crespo v. Mogul (235 Phil. 465, 476 (1987)) establishes that once a complaint or information is filed in court, any disposition of the case rests in the sound discretion of the court. This principle aims to protect the judiciary’s independence and prevent undue influence from the executive branch.

The Office of the President, in its decision, set aside the Secretary of Justice’s resolution, arguing that the DOJ’s action was premature and defied the order of the court, which had already acquired jurisdiction over the case. The Supreme Court disagreed with the petitioner’s assertion that the filing of informations in the RTC of Guihulngan City vested exclusive jurisdiction in the RTC, preventing any other entity from intervening. The Court clarified that while the court does not lose control of the proceedings due to a reinvestigation or review, such review does not handcuff the court. The court retains the discretion to grant or deny a motion to dismiss based on the reinvestigation or review.

However, the Supreme Court also noted that the doctrine of the law of the case, which dictates that an appellate court’s declaration of law should govern subsequent appeals in the same case, did not apply in this instance because G.R. No. 179287 and G.R. No. 182090 did not involve the same parties. Only some of the accused in the Secretary of Justice’s resolution were parties in the CA petition. Therefore, the Office of the President could not order the reinvestigation of charges against those individuals who did not participate in the appeal before the Office of the President, as this would violate due process.

The Court also addressed the argument that the Secretary of Justice could not exercise its power to review because there was allegedly no new resolution rendered by the local prosecutor. The Court reiterated the established jurisprudence that the Secretary of Justice has the statutory power of control and supervision over prosecutors. This includes the power to review the actions of the Provincial Fiscal during the preliminary investigation or reinvestigation. However, the Court stressed that due process requires that respondents be given notice of the review proceedings before the Secretary of Justice and be afforded an adequate opportunity to be heard.

In the present case, the Court found a lack of evidence that respondents were given notice and an opportunity to be heard before the Secretary of Justice. Consequently, the case was remanded to the Secretary of Justice for further proceedings with respect to respondents Dongail, Lorilla, Hulleza, and Cimatu, subject to the approval of the trial court. This underscores the importance of procedural fairness and the right to be heard in administrative proceedings that affect individual rights.

FAQs

What was the key issue in this case?	The central issue was determining the extent of the Secretary of Justice’s power to review and modify resolutions of local prosecutors, especially after a case has been filed in court, and how that power interacts with judicial independence and due process.
What is the doctrine of the ‘law of the case’?	The doctrine of the law of the case states that once an appellate court has declared the law in a case, that declaration continues to be the law of that case even on subsequent appeals. However, this doctrine only applies if the subsequent appeal involves the same parties and the prior pronouncement was made with a full opportunity for those parties to be heard.
Does the Secretary of Justice have the power to review actions of local prosecutors?	Yes, the Secretary of Justice has the statutory power of control and supervision over prosecutors, which includes the authority to review, approve, reverse, or modify their acts and decisions. This power extends to both preliminary investigations and reinvestigations.
What is the role of the court once a case is filed?	Once a complaint or information is filed in court, the disposition of the case, including dismissal or conviction, rests in the sound discretion of the court. While the prosecutor retains direction and control of the prosecution, the court is the final arbiter of the case’s outcome.
What is required for due process in Secretary of Justice review proceedings?	Due process requires that respondents be given notice of the review proceedings before the Secretary of Justice and be afforded an adequate opportunity to be heard. This ensures fairness and allows individuals to present their side of the story before a decision is made.
What was the outcome of this case?	The Supreme Court set aside the Office of the President’s decision and remanded the case to the Secretary of Justice for further proceedings regarding respondents Dongail, Lorilla, Hulleza, and Cimatu. This was because there was no evidence that they were given notice or an opportunity to be heard before the Secretary of Justice’s resolution.
Can the Office of the President order reinvestigation for all accused, even those who did not appeal?	No, the Office of the President cannot order the reinvestigation of charges against accused individuals who did not participate in the appeal before the Office of the President. This is because it would violate due process by affecting the rights of individuals without their participation in the proceedings.
How does reinvestigation or review by DOJ affect court jurisdiction?	The court retains jurisdiction even with a reinvestigation or review by the Department of Justice (DOJ) or the Office of the President. The court can grant or deny a motion to dismiss based on the results of such reinvestigation or review, maintaining control over the case.

In summary, this case affirms the Secretary of Justice’s power of supervision over prosecutors but emphasizes the importance of due process and judicial independence. The decision reinforces the need for fair procedures in administrative review proceedings and clarifies the interplay between executive oversight and court jurisdiction in criminal cases.

For inquiries regarding the application of this ruling to specific circumstances, please contact ASG Law through contact or via email at frontdesk@asglawpartners.com.

Disclaimer: This analysis is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific legal guidance tailored to your situation, please consult with a qualified attorney.
Source: Fortaleza v. Gonzalez, G.R. No. 179287/182090, February 01, 2016