[ OCA CIRCULAR NO. 19-2018, January 31, 2018 ]

[ OCA CIRCULAR NO. 19-2018, January 31, 2018 ]

[ OCA CIRCULAR NO. 19-2018, January 31, 2018 ]

TO: ALL JUDGES OF THE FIRST AND SECOND LEVEL COURTS

SUBJECT : APPLICATION OF TRANSITORY PROVISION OF R.A. NO. 10951

In reply to the numerous requests for further clarification, particularly on the Transitory Provision of R.A. No. 10951, otherwise known as An Act Adjusting the Amount or the Value of Property and Damage on Which a Penalty is Based and the Fines Imposed under the Revised Penal Code, Amending for the Purpose Act No. 3815, Otherwise Known as "The Revised Penal Code," as Amended, please be informed that the term "trial" in Section 101 which in part states, "where trial has already started, the courts having such cases shall not lose jurisdiction over the same" is deemed to include arraignment

Hence, effective 16 September 2017, where arraignment has already been conducted, the court presiding over the case shall continue to have jurisdiction over the same until it is resolved and terminated.

This is also consistent and in accordance with the Revised Guidelines for Continuous Trial of Criminal Cases.

Please be guided accordingly.

31 January 2018

(SGD.) JOSE MIDAS P. MARQUEZ Court Administrator