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PEOPLE vs Ricardo Bodoso

PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, plaintiff-appellee, vs. RICARDO BODOSO y BOLOR, accused-appellant.

G.R. Nos. 149382-149383 | 2003-03-05

D E C I S I O N

BELLOSILLO, J.:

TRIAL COURTS MUST TAKE HEED that in criminal cases involving capital offenses the waiver of the right to present evidence and be heard should not be considered haphazardly, perfunctorily, lightly or trivially, because the right is inherent in due process, but must at all times be scrutinized by means of a test and procedure to ascertain that the waiver was done voluntarily, knowingly and intelligently with sufficient awareness of its relevant circumstances and likely consequences.

In Crim. Cases Nos. T-3285 and T-3286 the Regional Trial Court of Tabaco City, found Ricardo Bodoso y Bolor guilty of raping...