Internet Digest VILLAFLOR VS. SUMMERS [41 PHIL 62; G.R. NO. 16444; 8 SEP 1920] Facts: Petitioner i!!"#!or $"s %&"rge' $it& t&e %ri(e o# "')!ter*. +&e tri"!
,)'ge or'ere' t&e -etitioner to s),e%t s),e%t &erse!# into -&*si%"! e/"(in"tion to test $&et&er or not s&e $"s -regn"nt to -roe t&e 'eter(ine t&e %ri(e o# "')!ter* eing %&"rge' to &er. Herein -etitioner re#)se' to s)%& -&*si%"! e/"(in"tion inter-osing t&e 'e#ense t&"t s)%& e/"(in"tion $"s " io!"tion o# &er %onstit)tion"! rig&ts "g"inst se!#in%ri(in"tion.
Issue: &et& &et&er er or Not t&e -&*s -&*si%"! i%"! e/"( e/"(in"tio in"tionn $"s " io!" io!"tion tion o# t&e
-etitioner3s %onstit)tion"! rig&ts "g"inst se!#in%ri(in"tion.
Held: No. It is not " io!"tion o# &er %onstit)tion"! rig&ts. +&e r)!e t&"t t&e
%onstit)tion"! g)"r"nt* t&"t no -erson s&"!! e %o(-e!!e' in "n* %ri(in"! %"se to e " $itness "g"inst &i(se!# is !i(ite' to " -ro&iition "g"inst %o(-)!sor* testi(oni"! se!#in%ri(in"tion. se!#in%ri(in"tion. +&e %oro!!"r* to t&e -ro-osition is t&"t "n o%)!"r ins-e%tion o# t&e o'* o# t&e "%%)se' is -er(issi!e.
1
Re-)!i% o# t&e P&i!i--ines SUPREME COURT 5"ni!"
ri(in"! Pro%e')re $&i%& #in' t&eir origin in t&e onstit)tion o# t&e =nite' St"tes "n' -r"%ti%"!!* "!! st"te %onstit)tions "n' in t&e %o((on !"$ r)!es o# ei'en%e -roi'ing t&"t no -erson s&"!! e %o(-e!!e' in "n* %ri(in"! %"se to e " $itness "g"inst &i(se!#. >Presi'ent?s Instr)%tions to t&e P&i!i--ine o((ission; 7%t o# ongress o# :)!* 1 1902 se%tion @ -"r"gr"-& A; 7%t o# ongress o# 7)g)st 29 1916 se%tion A; -"r"gr"-& A; o'e o# ri(in"! Pro%e')re se%tion 1@ [4]; =nite' St"tes onstit)tion #i#t& "(en'(ent.B o)nse! #or -etitioner "rg)es t&"t s)%& o'i!* e/&iition is "n in#ringe(ent o# t&e %onstit)tion"! -roision; t&e re-resent"tie o# t&e %it* #is%"! %onten's t&"t it is not "n in#ringe(ent o# t&e %onstit)tion"! -roision. +&e tri"! ,)'ge in t&e inst"nt %"se &"s &e!' $it& t&e #is%"!; $&i!e it is ro)g&t to o)r noti%e t&"t " ,)'ge o# t&e s"(e %o)rt &"s &e!' on "n i'enti%"! <)estion "s %onten'e' #or * t&e "ttorne* #or t&e "%%)se' "n' -etitioner.
EN 7N G.R. No. 16
Se!te"#e$ %& 1'()
EMETERIA VILLAFLOR& -etitioner s. RICAR*O SUMMERS& s+e$,-- o- t+e C,t o- Ma/,la& res-on'ent. 7!#re'o 8"!)-it"n4 "n' Gis4 5%Dono)g& 7ssist"nt 8it* o# ;is%"! ;e!i/ #or res-on'ent. MALCOLM&
9
:o&nson
#or
-etitioner.
0.:
+&e -etitioner -r"*s t&"t " $rit o# &"e"s %or-)s iss)e to restore &er to &er !iert*. +&e #"%ts "re not 'is-)te. In " %ri(in"! %"se -en'ing e#ore t&e o)rt o# irst Inst"n%e o# t&e %it* o# 5"ni!" E(eteri" i!!"#!or "n' !orentino So)ing%o "re %&"rge' $it& t&e %ri(e o# "')!ter*. On t&is %"se %o(ing on #or tri"! e#ore t&e Hon. Pe'ro on%e-%ion :)'ge o# irst Inst"n%e )-on t&e -etitioner o# t&e "ssist"nt #is%"! #or t&e %it* o# 5"ni!" t&e %o)rt or'ere' t&e 'e#en'"nt E(eteri" i!!"#!or nor e%o(e t&e -etitioner &erein to s)(it &er o'* to t&e e/"(in"tion o# one or t$o %o(-etent 'o%tors to 'eter(ine i# s&e $"s -regn"nt or not. +&e "%%)se' re#)se' to oe* t&e or'er on t&e gro)n' t&"t s)%& e/"(in"tion o# &er -erson $"s " io!"tion o# t&e %onstit)tion"! -roision re!"ting to se!#in%ri(in"tion. +&ere)-on s&e $"s #o)n' in %onte(-t o# %o)rt "n' $"s or'ere' to e %o((itte' to i!ii' Prison )nti! s&e s&o)!' -er(it t&e (e'i%"! e/"(in"tion re<)ire' * t&e %o)rt. +&e so!e !eg"! iss)e #ro( t&e "'(itte' #"%ts is $&et&er t&e %o(-e!!ing o# " $o("n to -er(it &er o'* to e e/"(ine' * -&*si%i"ns to 'eter(ine i# s&e is -regn"nt io!"tes t&"t -ortion o# t&e P&i!i--ine i!! o# Rig&ts "n' t&"t -ortion o# o)r o'e o#
+&e ")t&orities "re ")n'"nt )t %on#!i%ting. &"t ("* e ter(e' t&e %onser"tie %o)rts e(-&"siCe gre"t!* t&e &)("nit"ri"nis( o# t&e %onstit)tion"! -roisions "n' "re -!e"se' to e/ten' t&e -rii!ege in or'er t&"t its ("nt!e ("* %oer "n* #"%t * $&i%& t&e "%%)se' is %o(-e!!e' to ("e ei'en%e "g"inst &i(se!#. >o(-"re St"te 0s . :"%os [18@8] @0 N. . 2@9 $it& St"te 0s . 7& &)e* [189] 14 Ne. 9. See #)rt&er St"te 0s . 7& Nor'stro( [189A] "s&. @06; St"te 0s . Heig&t [1902]. 11 Io$". 6@0; +&ornton 0s . St"te [190A] 11 is. AA8.B 7 %"se %on%or'"nt $it& t&is ie$ "n' "!(ost 'ire%t!* in -oint is Peo-!e 0s . 5%o* >[18A] 4@ Ho$. Pr. 216B. 7 $o("n $"s %&"rge' $it& t&e %ri(e o# in#"nti%i'e. +&e %orner 'ire%te' t$o -&*si%i"ns to go to t&e ,"i! "n' e/"(ine &er -ri"te -"rts to 'eter(ine $&et&er s&e &"' re%ent!* een 'e!iere' o# " %&i!'. S&e o,e%te' to t&e e/"(in"tion )t eing t&re"tene' $it& #or%e *ie!'e' "n' t&e e/"(in"tion $"s &"'. +&e ei'en%e o# t&ese -&*si%i"ns $"s o##ere' "t t&e tri"! "n' r)!e' o)t. +&e %o)rt s"i' t&"t t&e -ro%ee'ing $"s in io!"tion o# t&e s-irit "n' (e"ning o# t&e onstit)tion $&i%& 'e%!"res t&"t Fno -erson s&"!! e %o(-e!!e' in "n* %ri(in"! %"se to e " $itness "g"inst &i(se!#.F ontin)ing t&e %o)rt s"i' F+&e* (ig&t "s $e!! &"e s$orn t&e -risoner "n' %o(-e!!e' &er * t&re"ts to testi#* t&"t s&e &"' een -regn"nt "n' &"' een 'e!iere' o# " %&i!' "s to &"e %o(-e!!e' &er * t&re"ts to "!!o$ t&e( to !oo into &er -erson $it& t&e "i' o# " s-e%)!)( to "s%ert"in $&et&er s&e &"' een -regn"nt "n' een 'e!iere' o# " %&i!'. . . . H"s t&is %o)rt t&e rig&t to %o(-e! t&e -risoner no$ to s)(it to "n e/"(in"tion t&e* "re o# t&e o-inion s&e is not " irgin "n' &"s &"' " %&i!' It is not -ossi!e t&"t t&is %o)rt 2
&"s t&"t rig&t; "n' it is too %!e"r to "'(it o# "rg)(ent t&"t ei'en%e t&)s ot"ine' $o)!' e in"'(issi!e "g"inst t&e -risoner.F It ("* e ree"!ing " ,)'i%i"! se%ret )t neert&e!ess $e %"nnot re#r"in #ro( s"*ing t&"t gre"t!* i(-resse' $it& t&e $eig&t o# t&ese 'e%isions es-e%i"!!* t&e one $ritten * 5r. :)sti%e 5%!"in in St"te 0s . Heig&t s)-r" t&e inst"nt %"se $"s re-orte' * t&e $riter $it& t&e tent"tie re%o((en'"tion t&"t t&e %o)rt s&o)!' !"* 'o$n t&e gener"! r)!e t&"t " 'e#en'"nt %"n e %o(-e!!e' to 'is%!ose on!* t&ose -"rts o# t&e o'* $&i%& "re not )s)"!!* %oere'. )t& &"ing 'is")se' o)r (in's o# " too sensitie "--re%i"tion o# t&e rig&ts o# "%%)se' -ersons "n' &"ing een "!e "s $e t&in to -enetr"te t&ro)g& t&e ("Ce o# !"$ re-orts to t&e -o!i%* $&i%& !ies e&in' t&e %onstit)tion"! g)"r"nt* "n' t&e %o((on !"$ -rin%i-!e $e &"e %o(e #in"!!* to t"e o)r st"n' $it& $&"t $e e!iee to e t&e re"son o# t&e %"se. In %ontr"'istin%tion to t&e %"ses "oe(entione' "re ot&ers $&i%& see( to )s (ore -rogressie in n"t)re. 7(ong t&ese %"n e -ro(inent!* (entione' 'e%isions o# t&e =nite' St"tes S)-re(e o)rt "n' t&e S)-re(e o)rt o# t&ese Is!"n's. +&)s t&e "!$"*s #or$"r' !ooing ,)rist 5r. :)sti%e Ho!(es in t&e !"te %"se o# Ho!t 0s . =nite' St"tes >[1910] 218 =. S. 24@B in reso!ing "n o,e%tion "se' )-on $&"t &e ter(e' F"n e/tr""g"nt e/tension o# t&e i#t& 7(en'(entF s"i' F+&e -ro&iition o# %o(-e!!ing " ("n in " %ri(in"! %o)rt to e " $itness "g"inst &i(se!# is " -ro&iition o# t&e )se o# -&*si%"! or (or"! %o(-)!sion to e/tort %o(()ni%"tions #ro( &i( not "n e/%!)sion o# &is o'* "s ei'en%e $&en it ("* e ("teri"!.F > See "!so o# s"(e gener"! tenor 'e%ision o# 5r. :)sti%e D"* in 7'"(s 0s . Ne$ or [190A] 192 =. S. @
[email protected] +&e S)-re(e o)rt o# t&e P&i!i--ine Is!"n's in t$o 'e%isions &"s see(e' to !i(it t&e -rote%tion to " -ro&iition "g"inst %o(-)!sor* testi(oni"! se!#in%ri(in"tion. +&e %onstit)tion"! !i(it"tion $"s s"i' to e Fsi(-!* " -ro&iition "g"inst !eg"! -ro%ess to e/tr"%t #ro( t&e 'e#en'"nt?s o$n !i-s "g"inst &is $i!! "n "'(ission o# &is g)i!t.F >=. S. 0s . +"n +eng [1912] 2A P&i!. 14@; =. S. 0s . Ong Si) Hong [191] A6 P&i!. A@ "n' t&e 'eri"tor* -rin%i-!e "nno)n%e' in 16 or-)s :)ris @6 @68 %iting t&e =nite' St"tes S)-re(e o)rt "n' t&e S)-re(e o)rt o# t&e P&i!i--ine Is!"n's "s ")t&orit*.B 7!t&o)g& $e &"e st"te' s -ro-osition -reio)s!* "nno)n%e' * t&is %o)rt "n' * t&e &ig&est tri)n"! in t&e =nite' St"tes $e %"nnot )n%on%erne'!* !e"e t&e
s),e%t $it&o)t #)rt&er %onsi'er"tion. Een in t&e o-inion 5r. :)sti%e Ho!(es to $&i%& $e &"e "!!)'e' t&ere $"s inserte' t&e %"re#)! -roiso t&"t F$e nee' not %onsi'er &o$ #"r " %o)rt $o)!' go in %o(-e!!ing " ("n to e/&iit &i(se!#.F Ot&er %o)rts &"e !ie$ise "oi'e' "n* "tte(-t to 'eter(ine t&e e/"%t !o%"tion o# t&e 'ii'ing !ine et$een $&"t is -ro-er "n' $&"t is i(-ro-er in t&is er* ro"' %onstit)tion"! #ie!'. )t &ere e#ore )s is -resente' $&"t $o)!' see( to e t&e (ost e/tre(e %"se $&i%& %o)!' e i("gine'. &i!e t&e =nite' St"tes S)-re(e o)rt %o)!' non%&"!"nt!* 'e%ree t&"t testi(on* t&"t "n "%%)se' -erson -)t on " !o)se "n' it #itte' &i( is not " io!"tion o# t&e %onstit)tion"! -roision $&i!e t&e S)-re(e o)rt o# N)e"'" %o)!' go so #"r "s to re<)ire t&e 'e#en'"nt to ro!! )- &is s!eee in or'er to 'is%!ose t"ttoo ("rs "n' $&i!e t&e S)-re(e o)rt o# t&e P&i!i--ine Is!"n's %o)!' -er(it s)st"n%es t"en #ro( t&e -erson o# "n "%%)se' to e o##ere' in ei'en%e none o# t&ese een "--ro"%& in "--"rent &"rs&ness "n or'er to ("e " $o("n -ossi!* inno%ent to 'is%!ose &er o'* in "!! o# its s"n%tit* to t&e g"Ce o# str"ngers. e %"n on!* %onsistent!* %onsent to t&e retention o# " -rin%i-!e $&i%& $o)!' -er(it o# s)%& " res)!t * "'&ering ste"'#"st!* to t&e -ro-osition t&"t t&e -)r-ose o# t&e %onstit)tion"! -roision $"s "n' is (ere!* to -ro&iit testi(oni"! %o(-)!sion. So ()%& #or t&e ")t&orities. or t&e non%e $e $o)!' -re#er to #orget t&e( entire!* "n' &ere in t&e P&i!i--ines eing in t&e "grre"!e st"te o# re"ing ne$ gro)n' $o)!' r"t&er 'esire o)r 'e%ision to rest on " strong #o)n'"tion o# re"son "n' ,)sti%e t&"n on " $e" one !in' "'&eren%e to tr"'ition "n' -re%e'ent. 5oreoer $e e!iee t&"t "n )ni"se' %onsi'er"tion o# t&e &istor* o# t&e %onstit)tion"! -roisions $i!! 'is%!ose t&"t o)r %on%!)sion is in e/"%t "%%or' $it& t&e %")ses $&i%& !e' to its "'o-tion. +&e ("/i( o# t&e %o((on !"$ Ne(o tenet)r sei-s)( "%%)s"re $"s re%ogniCe' in Eng!"n' in e"r!* '"*s )t not in t&e ot&er !eg"! s*ste(s o# t&e $or!' in " reo!t "g"inst t&e t&)(s%re$ "n' t&e r"%. 7 !eg"! s&ie!' $"s r"ise' "g"inst o'io)s in<)isitori"! (et&o's o# interrog"ting "n "%%)se' -erson * $&i%& to e/tort )n$i!!ing %on#essions $it& t&e eer -resent te(-t"tion to %o((it t&e %ri(e o# -er,)r*. +&e erne! o# t&e -rii!ege "s 'is%!ose' * t&e te/t$riters $"s testi(oni"! %o(-)!sion. 7s #or%ing " ("n to e " $itness "g"inst &i(se!# $"s 'ee(e' %ontr"r* to t&e #)n'"(ent"!s o# re-)!i%"n goern(ent t&e -rin%i-!e $"s t"en into t&e 3
7(eri%"n onstit)tions "n' #ro( t&e =nite' St"tes $"s ro)g&t to t&e P&i!i--ine Is!"n's in e/"%t!* "s $i'e J )t no $i'er J " s%o-e "s it e/iste' in o!' Eng!is& '"*s. +&e -roision s&o)!' &ere e "--ro"%&e' in no !in'!* $ors&i-#)! s-irit )t $it& " ,)'i%io)s "n' " ,)'i%i"! "--re%i"tion o# ot& its ene#its "n' its ")ses. >Re"' t&e s%&o!"r!* "rti%!es o# Pro#. ig(ore in @ H"r"r' L. R. [1891] -. 1 "n' 1@ H"r"r' L. R. 1902 -. 610 #o)n' in 4 ig(ore on Ei'en%e --. A069 et se<. "n' =. S. 0s . N""rro [1904] P&i!. 14A.B Per&"-s t&e est $"* to test t&e %orre%tness o# o)r -osition is to go "% on%e (ore to e!e(ents "n' -on'er on $&"t is t&e -ri(e -)r-ose o# " %ri(in"! tri"!. 7s $e ie$ it t&e o,e%t o# &"ing %ri(in"! !"$s is to -)rg)e t&e %o(()nit* o# -ersons $&o io!"te t&e !"$s to t&e gre"t -re,)'i%e o# t&eir #e!!o$ (en. ri(in"! -ro%e')re t&e r)!es o# ei'en%e "n' %onstit)tion"! -roisions "re t&en -roi'e' not to -rote%t t&e g)i!t* )t to -rote%t t&e inno%ent. No r)!e is inte(en'e' to e so rigi' "s to e("rr"ss t&e "'(inistr"tion o# ,)sti%e in its en'e"or to "s%ert"in t&e tr)t&. No "%%)se' -erson s&o)!' e "#r"i' o# t&e )se o# "n* (et&o' $&i%& $i!! ten' to est"!is& t&e tr)t&. or inst"n%e )n'er t&e #"%ts e#ore )s to )se tort)re to ("e t&e 'e#en'"nt "'(it &er g)i!t (ig&t on!* res)!t in in%!)'ing &er to te!! " #"!se&oo'. )t no ei'en%e o# -&*si%"! #"%ts %"n #or "n* s)st"nti"! re"son e &e!' to e 'etri(ent"! to t&e "%%)se' e/%e-t in so #"r "s t&e tr)t& is to e "oi'e' in or'er to "%<)it " g)i!t* -erson. Oio)s!* " stirring -!e" %"n e ("'e s&o$ing t&"t )n'er t&e ')e -ro%ess o# !"$ %")se o# t&e onstit)tion eer* -erson &"s " n"t)r"! "n' in&erent rig&t to t&e -ossession "n' %ontro! o# &is o$n o'*. It is e/tre(e!* "&orrent to one?s sense o# 'e%en%* "n' -ro-riet* to &"e t&e 'e%i'e t&"t s)%& inio!"i!it* o# t&e -erson -"rti%)!"r!* o# " $o("n %"n e in"'e' * e/-os)re to "not&er?s g"Ce. 7s 5r. :)sti%e Gr"* in =nion P"%i#i% R"i!$"* o. 0s . ots#or' >[1891] 141 =. S. 2@0B s"i' F+o %o(-e! "n* one "n' es-e%i"!!* " $o("n to !"* "re t&e o'* or to s)(it to t&e to)%& o# " str"nger $it&o)t !"$#)! ")t&orit* is "n in'ignit* "n "ss")!t "n' " tres-"ss.F on%e'e' "n' *et "s $e!! s)ggeste' * t&e s"(e %o)rt een s)-erior to t&e %o(-!ete i(()nit* o# " -erson to e !et "!one is t&e in&erent $&i%& t&e -)!i% &"s in t&e or'er!* "'(inistr"tion o# ,)sti%e. =n#ort)n"te!* "!! too #re<)ent!* t&e (o'est* o# $itnesses is s&o%e' * #or%ing t&e( to "ns$er $it&o)t "n* (ent"! e"sion <)estions $&i%& "re -)t to t&e(; "n' s)%& " ten'en%* to 'egr"'e t&e
$itness in -)!i% esti("tion 'oes not e/e(-t &i( #ro( t&e ')t* o# 'is%!os)re. et$een " s"%ri#i%e o# t&e "s%ert"in(ent o# tr)t& to -erson"! %onsi'er"tions et$een " 'isreg"r' o# t&e -)!i% $e!#"re #or re#ine' notions o# 'e!i%"%* !"$ "n' ,)sti%e %"nnot &esit"te. +&e -rote%tion o# "%%)se' -ersons &"s een %"rrie' to s)%& "n )n$"rr"nte' e/tent t&"t %ri(in"! tri"!s &"e so(eti(es see(e' to e !ie " g"(e o# s&)tt!e%o%s $it& t&e ,)'ge "s re#eree t&e !"$*ers "s -!"*ers t&e %ri(in"! "s g)est o# &onor "n' t&e -)!i% "s #"s%in"te' s-e%t"tors. 7g"inst s)%& " !oose e/tension o# %onstit)tion"! g)"r"nties $e "re &ere -re-"re' to oi%e o)r -rotest. )!!* %ons%io)s t&"t $e "re reso!ing " (ost e/tre(e %"se in " sense $&i%& on #irst i(-ression is " s&o% to one?s sensii!ities $e ()st neert&e!ess en#or%e t&e %onstit)tion"! -roision in t&is ,)ris'i%tion in "%%or' $it& t&e -o!i%* "n' re"son t&ereo# )n'eterre' * (ere!* senti(ent"! in#!)en%es. On%e "g"in $e !"* 'o$n t&e r)!e t&"t t&e %onstit)tion"! g)"r"nt* t&"t no -erson s&"!! e %o(-e!!e' in "n* %ri(in"! %"se to e " $itness "g"inst &i(se!# is !i(ite' to " -ro&iition "g"inst %o(-)!sor* testi(oni"! se!#in%ri(in"tion. +&e %oro!!"r* to t&e -ro-osition is t&"t "n o%)!"r ins-e%tion o# t&e o'* o# t&e "%%)se' is -er(issi!e. +&e -roiso is t&"t tort)re o# #or%e s&"!! e "oi'e'. &et&er #"%ts #"!! $it&in or $it&o)t t&e r)!e $it& its %oro!!"r* "n' -roiso ()st o# %o)rse e 'e%i'e' "s %"ses "rise. It is " re"son"!e -res)(-tion t&"t in "n e/"(in"tion * re-)t"!e "n' 'isintereste' -&*si%i"ns ')e %"re $i!! e t"en not to )se io!en%e "n' not to e("r"ss t&e -"tient "n* (ore t&"n is "so!)te!* ne%ess"r*. In'ee' no o,e%tion to t&e -&*si%"! e/"(in"tion eing ("'e * t&e #"(i!* 'o%tor o# t&e "%%)se' or * 'o%tor o# t&e s"(e se/ %"n e seen. 7!t&o)g& t&e or'er o# t&e tri"! ,)'ge "%%e'ing to t&e re<)est o# t&e "ssist"nt #is%"! #or "n e/"(in"tion o# t&e -erson o# t&e 'e#en'"nt * -&*si%i"ns $"s -&r"se' in "so!)te ter(s it s&o)!' neert&e!ess e )n'erstoo' "s s),e%t to t&e !i(it"tions &erein (entione' "n' t&ere#ore !eg"!. +&e $rit o# &"e"s %or-)s -r"*e' #or is &ere* 'enie'. +&e %osts s&"!! e t"/e' "g"inst t&e -etitioner. So or'ere'
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