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PEOPLE vs Flaviano Segnar, Jr.

PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, appellee, vs. FLAVIANO R. SEGNAR, JR., appellant.

G.R. No. 133380 | 2004-02-18

D E C I S I O N

SANDOVAL-GUTIERREZ, J.:

An arraignment is not a mere formality but a substantial component of our criminal justice system wherein the constitutional right of the accused "to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation against him"[1] is protected. Thus, when he pleads guilty to a capital offense, the trial courts' duty is to ascertain with utmost diligence and circumspection whether he did so voluntarily and with full understanding of the consequences of his plea. There should be no occasion to slacken such duty so as to avert an improvident plea of guilty, especially in grave felonies which carry the supreme...