Below is a comprehensive CLE-style primer on Reviewing Criminal Procedure in the Philippines. It consolidates the latest rules, administrative issuances, and key Supreme Court pronouncements up to 25 April 2025. Use it as a refresher for the Bar, an update for in-house seminars, or a study aid before MCLE deadlines. (All citations are clickable in the electronic version.)

1 Constitutional & Statutory Framework

1987 Constitution. Article III’s Bill of Rights supplies the non-derogable floor—due process, presumption of innocence, right to counsel, speedy disposition, bail, double jeopardy, etc.
Rules of Court, Rules 110-127 (2000 Revised Rules on Criminal Procedure). Still the backbone, but repeatedly tweaked by later A.M.-orders and jurisprudence. citeturn0search5
Special procedural rules issued by the Court under its rule-making power (Art. VIII §5). Recent examples:
- Body-Worn Camera Rules, A.M. 21-06-08-SC (effective 1 Aug 2021). citeturn0search2turn0search7
- Revised Plea-Bargaining Guidelines in Drugs Cases, A.M. 18-03-16-SC (as clarified 26 July 2022). citeturn0search1turn0search6
- Expedited Procedures in First-Level Courts, A.M. 22-11-12-SC (2023). citeturn1search1
- Continuous Trial Guidelines (nationwide since 2017), A.M. 15-06-10-SC. citeturn0search0
- Rules on Criminal Search Warrants for Cybercrime Offences, A.M. 17-11-03-SC.

2 Pre-Filing Stage

2.1 Warrantless Arrests & Searches

Rule 113 §5 still lists the three familiar instances, but recent cases sharpen their limits:

Ridon v. People (2024)—traffic violations do not justify an in-flagrante arrest; any subsequent search is void. citeturn4search0turn4search2
People v. Manago (2023) reiterated that “hot pursuit” requires personal knowledge of facts indicating recent crime. citeturn4search9

Illegal arrests compromise admissibility of evidence (Rule 126 §3) and may warrant acquittal if evidence is derivative.

2.2 Inquest & Preliminary Investigation

Rule 112 remains in force, but in SC Resolution (May 30 2024) the Court acknowledged that forthcoming 2024 DOJ-NPS Rules on Inquest/PI will repeal overlapping portions. Practitioners must track both sets until harmonised. citeturn2search0
Filing a verified complaint with the DOJ tolls prescription—even before information is filed in court. (SC News, April 2025). citeturn0search8

3 Commencement of the Action (Rule 110)

3.1 Information or Complaint

Section 5, Rule 110, as amended (2023): only public prosecutors and authorized special prosecutors may file informations; private counsel appear only as deputized. citeturn2search8

3.2 Judicial Determination of Probable Cause

Judges must personally evaluate evidence within 10 days; otherwise, they may dismiss or recall the warrant. Flores v. People (2024) applied Rule 112 §5(a) strictly. citeturn2search5

4 Bail (Rule 114)

The constitutional right to bail remains inviolable except for offenses punishable by reclusion perpetua when evidence of guilt is strong.
Community-Service Act (RA 11362, 2019) added community service in lieu of imprisonment for penalties of arresto menor or mayor; A.C. 14-SC (2021) gives detailed procedure. citeturn1search2

5 Arraignment & Plea (Rule 116)

Plea to lesser offense allowed at arraignment or after prosecution rests, with both prosecutor and offended party’s consent. Kho v. People (2023) emphasizes written, informed consent. citeturn2search2
Plea-bargaining in drug cases follows the 2022 matrix: e.g., sale (§5) may be pleaded down to §11 possession of not more than 1 g (shabu) subject to rehab. citeturn0search1

6 Pre-Trial & Continuous Trial

Mandatory pre-trial within 30 days of arraignment; submit pre-trial briefs five days before.
Under the Continuous Trial Guidelines:
- Direct examination by judicial affidavits;
- One-day cross preferred;
- Total trial period targeted at 10 months for RTC and 6 months for first-level courts. citeturn0search0

7 Trial Proper

7.1 Presentation of Evidence

Rules on marking, offer, and objections unchanged, but body-worn camera footage is now recognized digital evidence; submit within five days of seizure with joint affidavit (A.M. 21-06-08-SC §§11-12). citeturn0search2
Chain-of-custody in drugs cases: 2024 rulings (e.g., Valencia & Antipuesto) show even minor receipt discrepancies are fatal. citeturn3search1

7.2 Demurrer to Evidence (Rule 119 §23)

Filed after prosecution rests; leave of court required if to file after oral motion.
If granted, jeopardy attaches; if denied, accused may still present evidence.

8 Judgment & Post-Judgment Remedies

Remedy	Rule	Notable 2023-2024 Clarifications
Motion for New Trial / Reconsideration	121	Newly discovered evidence must be such as would probably change the judgment.
Appeal	122	Wrong mode is fatal; electronic filing now allowed under e-Judiciary reforms (A.M. 10-3-7-SC, 2024). citeturn1search7
Petition for Review (Rule 42) vs Certiorari (Rule 65)	—	Exhaust ordinary appeal unless grave abuse is patent.
Writ of Habeas Data / Amparo	Special Rules	Used in drug-war-related custody challenges.

9 Special Procedural Rules & Recent Trends

9.1 Cybercrime Warrants

Handled by designated cyber-courts; officers must file return within 48 hours (A.M. 17-11-03-SC).

9.2 Digitalisation & E-Processes

2024 resolutions require PDF-format pleadings and official e-mail addresses of record; pilot regions certified per A.M. 10-3-7-SC. Non-compliance may mean invalid service. citeturn1search7

9.3 Expedited First-Level Procedures

Barangay-level misdemeanors, BP 22, light offenses ≤ 1 year or ₱50k fine now follow a 60-day dispositional roadmap. citeturn1search1

9.4 Human Rights & Privacy Trends

People v. Rodriguez (2024) sanctioned use of chat logs as evidence vs. expectation-of-privacy defense. citeturn0search3
SC reminds that contemptuous social-media attacks on judges are punishable (Re: Badoy, 2024). citeturn4search2

10 Practical Checklist for Practitioners

Arrest validity – secure Rule 113 or warrant basis; body-cam compliance?
Inquest/PI deadlines – observe 15-day (inquest) / 10-day (regular PI) resolutions; invoke DOJ-NPS Rules if already effective.
Information review – check proper designation of offense, venue, qualifying/aggravating circumstances.
Bail strategy – include motion for commitment credit and community service where applicable.
Pre-trial prep – craft judicial affidavits early; mark exhibits; consider plea-bargain viability.
Trial pacing – anticipate Continuous Trial time-lines; demurrer decision-tree.
Post-judgment – calendared fifteen-day reglementary periods run from notice of judgment, not promulgation if accused absent (Rule 120 §6).
E-service – maintain updated official e-mail; pleadings without valid e-address risk expunction.

11 Conclusion

Philippine criminal procedure remains in flux as the Court digitalises processes, tightens evidentiary rules, and balances law-enforcement tools with constitutional safeguards. Staying MCLE-compliant now means tracking not only the 2000 Rules but also the steady stream of A.M. -orders and yearly jurisprudence. Bookmark the SC website’s Criminal Procedure page and the LawPhil database; review the Year-Ender summaries every January, and integrate body-cam, e-filing, and chain-of-custody protocols into daily practice.

CLE Note: This article is an educational overview; always read the full text of the cited rules and decisions before relying on them in court.

Prepared 25 April 2025 | Asia/Manila