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PEOPLE vs Sandiganbayan, et al.

PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Petitioner, versus SANDIGANBAYAN (Fourth Division), B/GEN. RAYMUNDO JARQUE, 1st LT ARTHUR TUPAZ, MAJ. AGUEDO VILCHES, MAJ. BENJAMIN MARCHAN, CAPT. RAMIRO DE JOYA, SGT. LEOPOLDO MARFIL, SGT. ALEXIS GONZALES, SGT. EDUARDO JISON, SGT. ALEXANDER TAN, SGT. RICO BONDOC, SGT. ROSENDO BERSAL, MAYOR ANTONIO SUATENGCO, EDUARDO ABAJA, NELSON ALVA?EZ, JESUS CLAVECILLA, MANUEL MALAPITAN, SR., RODOLFO TALABON, REMING JOVENES, and ATTY. ALAN ZAMORA, Respondents.

G.R. Nos. 137707-11 | 2004-12-17

D E C I S I O N

SANDOVAL-GUTIERREZ, J.:

A judgment of acquittal cannot be reopened or appealed because of the doctrine that nobody may be put twice in jeopardy for the same offense. Hence, even if seemingly erroneous, a judgment of acquittal is the final verdict. But where the court never acquired jurisdiction over the person of the accused, it would be grave abuse of discretion on the part of the court to acquit him.



Assailed in this petition for certiorari is the Decision[1] dated January 20, 1999 of the Sandiganbayan (Fourth Division) in Criminal Cases Nos. 17282-17286 granting the demurrer to evidence filed by the above-named...