Go v. Court of Appeals

Summary

This landmark case established important precedents on criminal procedure rights. Rolito Go was charged with murder for allegedly shooting Eldon Maguan during a traffic incident. The Supreme Court ruled that his warrantless arrest six days after the incident was invalid as it did not fall under the exceptions in Rule 113, and that he did not waive his right to preliminary investigation despite posting bail. The Court emphasized that the right to preliminary investigation is a substantive component of due process, not merely formal. The decision reinforced that accused persons retain their procedural rights even when trial has commenced, and that courts cannot benefit from their own procedural violations. Go was ordered released on bail and granted his right to preliminary investigation.