In Dubio Pro Reo: When Doubt Favors the Accused

AT A GLANCE

In Intestate Estate of Carungcong v. People of the Philippines and William Sato, G.R. No. 181409, February 11, 2010, the Supreme Court held that the fundamental principle in applying and in interpreting criminal laws is to resolve all doubts in favor of the accused. In dubio pro reo. When in doubt, rule for the accused. This is in consonance with the constitutional guarantee that the accused shall be presumed innocent unless and until his guilt is established beyond reasonable doubt.

In criminal law, one of the most fundamental safeguards afforded to an accused is the principle of in dubio pro reo, which means “when in doubt, for the accused.” This doctrine reflects the constitutional guarantee that an accused is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt.

This principle is anchored on the Bill of Rights under Article III of the 1987 Constitution of the Philippines, particularly on the rights of the accused.

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