Title
Yao Lit vs. Geraldez
Case
G.R. No. L-13428
Decision Date
Nov 27, 1959
The Supreme Court ruled that a prosecuting official cannot initiate prosecution against an alien without the Commissioner's discretion.
Font Size

Case Digest (G.R. No. L-13428)

Facts:

  • The case involves Yao Lit (also known as Yao Dit) and Hon. A. M. Geraldez.
  • Incident occurred on August 15, 1957, when Yao Lit was arrested by Manila Police at Salazar and Benavides streets.
  • Police found a Chinese jueteng list in Yao Lit's possession and he failed to present his alien certificate of registration.
  • The Office of the City Fiscal filed two complaints against him: one for violating the Gambling Law and another for violating Section 7 of Republic Act 562 in the Municipal Court of Manila.
  • On September 25, 1957, Yao Lit filed a motion to quash the second complaint, claiming lack of jurisdiction and authority of the City Fiscal.
  • Judge A. M. Geraldez denied the motion to quash and a subsequent motion for reconsideration.
  • Yao Lit then sought relief from the Court of First Instance of Manila through a petition for certiorari with an injunction.

Issue:

  • (Unlock)

Ruling:

  • The Supreme Court affirmed the decision of the Court of First Instance of Manila, granting Yao Lit's petition for certiorari with injunction.
  • The Court ruled that the motion to quash should have been granted, as the City Fiscal acted beyond hi...(Unlock)

Ratio:

  • The ruling was based on the interpretation of Republic Act No. 562, particularly Section 7, as amended by Republic Act No. 751.
  • The amendment required the Commissioner of Immigration to first decide whether to impose an administrative fine or initiate criminal prosecution against an alien for registration law violations.
  • The City Fiscal could not proceed with prosecution until the Commissioner made a determina...continue reading

Jur is an AI-powered legal research platform in the Philippines for case digests, summaries, and jurisprudence. AI-generated content may contain inaccuracies; please verify independently.

© 2024 Jur.ph. All rights reserved.