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People vs. Alejandro Lucero 244 SCRA 425

PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, plaintiff-appellee, vs. ALEJANDRO LUCERO y CORTEL, accused-appellant.

G.R. No. 97936 | 1995-05-29

D E C I S I O N

PUNO, J.:

If the Constitution has any value, it is because it stands up for those who cannot stand up for themselves. Thus, it protected those under custodial investigation with the all-important right to counsel. We hold that the right to counsel cannot be diluted without tampering the scales of justice. For denial of his right to counsel, we acquit accused-appellant.

Alejandro Lucero, Bienvenido Echavez, Balbino Echavez, Peter Doe, Richard Doe and John Doe were charged with the crime of robbery with homicide. The Information against them reads:

"That on or about the 7th day of May, 1988, in Quezon City, Philippines, and...