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Ampatuan, Sr. vs. Secretary of Justice

DATU AKMAD "TATO" AMPATUAN, SR., PETITIONER, VS. HON. SECRETARY OF JUSTICE, FAMILIES OF THE MURDERED VICTIMS, ATTY. CONCEPCION BRIZUELA Y JAIME, GENALIN MANGUDADATU Y TIAMSON, EDEN MANGUDADATU Y GAGUIL, FARINAH HASSAN, SURAYDA BERNAN Y GAGUIL, MAMOTABAI MANGUDADATU, WAHIDA KALIM Y ALI, ROWENA ANTE Y MANGUDADATU, RAIDA ABDUL Y SAPALON, FARINAH SABDULLAH Y CAGUIL, PINKY BAYLMAN, MARIFE MONTANO Y CARDOVA, ROSELL MORALES Y VIVAS, EUGENE DEMILLO Y PAMANSAG, BIENVENIDO LEGARTA, MARITES CABLITAS, NORTON SEDICK EDZA Y EBUS, RAZUL DAUD Y BULILO, ANDRES M. TEODORO, ABDILLAH AYADA, WILHEM S. PALABRICA, ALEJANDRO M. REBLANDO, JOHN CANIBAN, MERCY PALABRICA, CATALINO OQUENDO, JR., CYNTHIA OQUENDO-AYON, FRANCISCO IAN SUBANG, JR., NOEL DECENA, ANTHONY A. RIDAO, RAHIMA P. PALAWAN, NAPELEON SALAYSAY, ELEONOR LEAH DALMACIO, MERIAM CALIMBOL, HANNIBAL D. CACUELA, JEPHON CADAGDAGON, MAC DELBERT (MACMAC) AREOLA, ROMEO JIMMY "PAL-AK" CABILLO, SANTOS "JUNPEE" GATCHALIAN, JR., ARTURO BETIA, REY V. MERISCO, JOEL V. PARCON, JOSE "JOY" DUHAY, RONNIE L. PERANTE, RUBELLO R. BATALUNA, BENGIE H. ADOLFO, HENRY H. ARANETA, ERNESTO "BOMBO BART" S. MARAVILLA, JR., JOLITO EVARDO, DANIEL TIAMZON, VICTOR O. NUÑEZ, EDUARDO D. LECHONSITO, CECILLE LECHONSITO, FERNANDO "RANNY" P. RAZON, LINDO LUPOGAN, AND DARYLL VINCENT DELOS REYES, RESPONDENTS.

G.R. No. 200106 | 2023-02-22

DECISION
 
LEONEN, SAJ.:
 
The finding of probable cause in a preliminary investigation is within the sole discretion of the prosecution. Courts should not interfere absent any grave abuse of discretion. The investigation, being preliminary, is not the venue for an exhaustive display of evidence. It merely seeks to determine if there is reasonable ground for respondent to have committed the crime, and to hold them for trial. It does not seek to determine respondent's guilt beyond reasonable doubt. Thus, a subsequent acquittal by the trial court will not necessarily invalidate a prior finding of probable cause.

This Court resolves...