Pedro Consulta vs People of the Philippines

written by Howard

 G.R. No. 179462 – Political Law – Due Process – Right to Counsel

Pedro Consulta was indicted for stealing a gold necklace worth owned by a certain Silvestre. He was convicted by the lower court. Consulta raised before the CA the issue that he was not properly arraigned and that he was represented by a non lawyer.

ISSUE: Whether or not Consulta was denied of due process.

HELD: The SC ruled that Consulta’s claim of being misrepresented cannot be given due course. He was assisted by two lawyers during the proceeding. In the earlier part, though he was assisted by one Atty. Jocelyn Reyes who seemed not to be a lawyer, said “lawyer” withdrew. Even granting that Reyes indeed is not a lawyer, the defective representation was cured when Consulta was later on represented by a lawyer from the Public Attorney’s Office.

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