Tabujara, III v. People

Summary

This case involves constitutional and procedural challenges to the issuance of warrants of arrest in criminal cases for grave coercion and trespass to dwelling. Petitioners, a lawyer and company officer, challenged Municipal Trial Court orders that found probable cause and issued warrants based solely on an unsworn statement of a witness who was never personally examined by the investigating judge. The Supreme Court granted the petition, ruling that the constitutional requirement for judges to personally examine complainants and witnesses under oath before issuing warrants was violated. The Court emphasized that procedural safeguards in warrant issuance are substantive rights that give flesh to constitutional guarantees against unreasonable searches and seizures and due process requirements. The criminal cases were dismissed for lack of probable cause, and the warrants were quashed for being irregularly and precipitously issued.