DOJ Circular No.050
DOJ Circular No.050
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Republika ng Pilipinas
KAGAWARAN NG KATARUNGAN
Department of Justice
Manila
LML-DC-1SH12- \f1q
15August 2012
DEPARTMENT CIRCULAR NO. 0 5 0
SUBJECT: GUIDELINES ON THE APPLICATION OF
ARTICLE 125 OF THE REVISED PENAL
CODE, ASAMENDED
In the interest of the service and pursuant to the provisions of existing
laws, this Department Circular is issued for the guidance of prosecutors, public
attorneys, law enforcers and all concerned on the application of Article 125 of
the Revised Penal Code, as amended, on the Delay in the Delivery of Detained
Persons to the Proper Judicial Authorities.
1. Article 125 provides for the criminal liability and the corresponding
penalties of public officers or employees who detain aperson arrested without a
warrant without charging that person in court after the lapse of 12, 18 or 36
hours depending on the gravity of the crime.
2. This protection accorded by the law to individuals against undue
deprivation of liberty is in line with the provision of Article III, Section 1of the
1987 Constitution which states that "no person shall be deprived of life, liberty,
or property without due process of law, nor shall any person be denied the equal
protection of the laws."
3. In order to avoid confusion among criminal justice stakeholders, the
following .guidelines on the application of Article 125 of the Revised Penal
Code, as amended, are issued:
3.1. Being apenal law, Article 125shall be construed strictly against
the State and liberally in favor of an accused. Hence, the
counting of the prescribed "12-18-36" periods shall be done by
the hour starting from the time of detention. However,
consistent with jurisprudence, the following circumstances may
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