Transcript of Stenographic Notes
Criminal Case No. 12345
Regional Trial Court, Branch 10
Crime Charged: Bigamy (Article 349, Revised Penal Code of
the Philippines)
[Arraignment Stage]
Courtroom opens, participants seated.
CLERK OF COURT: All rise. The Regional Trial Court, Branch 10, is now in
session, the Honorable Judge presiding. Please be seated.
JUDGE: Calling the case of People of the Philippines versus [Accused]. This is for
the crime of Bigamy under Article 349 of the Revised Penal Code. Appearances?
PROSECUTOR: Good morning, Your Honor. For the People of the Philippines, I
am Atty. Prosec.
DEFENSE: Good morning, Your Honor. For the Accused, I am Atty. Defens. The
Accused is also present, Your Honor.
JUDGE: Let the Accused be arraigned.
CLERK OF COURT: [Accused], please rise. The Information reads: That on or
about January 15, 2023, in the City of Manila, the said Accused, having been
previously married to [Complainant], and without the said marriage having been
lawfully dissolved, did then and there contract a second marriage with another person,
in violation of Article 349 of the Revised Penal Code. How do you plead?
ACCUSED: Not guilty, Your Honor.
JUDGE: Let the plea of not guilty be entered into the record. Pre-trial is set for
February 15, 2023, at 9:00 AM. Notify all parties. Court is adjourned.
[Pre-Trial Stage]
Courtroom resumes session.
CLERK OF COURT: All rise. Court is now in session, the Honorable Judge
presiding.
JUDGE: Good morning. Are the parties ready for pre-trial?
PROSECUTOR: Ready, Your Honor.
DEFENSE: Ready, Your Honor.
JUDGE: Let us proceed with the marking of exhibits and the stipulations of facts.
PROSECUTOR: Your Honor, the Prosecution marks the following documents:
Exhibit A: Certified true copy of the marriage contract between the Accused and the
Complainant, dated January 10, 2010.
Exhibit B: Certified true copy of the marriage contract between the Accused and the second
spouse, dated January 15, 2023.
Exhibit C: Certificate of no annulment or declaration of nullity of marriage issued by the Civil
Registrar.
DEFENSE: No objection, Your Honor.
JUDGE: Any stipulations?
PROSECUTOR: The Defense stipulates that the first marriage between the Accused
and the Complainant was valid and subsisting at the time the second marriage was
contracted.
DEFENSE: That is correct, Your Honor. However, we reserve our right to present
evidence showing good faith on the part of the Accused.
JUDGE: Noted. Pre-trial is terminated. Trial is set for March 15, 2023, at 9:00 AM.
Court is adjourned.
[Trial Stage]
Court resumes; Prosecution presents its case.
PROSECUTOR: Your Honor, the Prosecution calls the Complainant to the stand.
CLERK OF COURT: [Complainant], please raise your right hand. Do you swear to
tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth?
COMPLAINANT: I do.
PROSECUTOR: Please state your name and address for the record.
COMPLAINANT: I am [Complainant], residing at [address].
PROSECUTOR: Can you confirm your marital status as of January 15, 2023?
COMPLAINANT: I was legally married to the Accused, Your Honor.
PROSECUTOR: Did you give your consent for the Accused to marry another
person?
COMPLAINANT: No, Your Honor. I only learned about the second marriage when
I saw their photos on social media.
DEFENSE: Objection, Your Honor. The testimony regarding social media is hearsay
unless properly authenticated.
JUDGE: Objection sustained.
PROSECUTOR: Your Honor, we now submit Exhibit A and Exhibit B to establish
the existence of two valid marriages.
JUDGE: Exhibits A and B are admitted.
PROSECUTOR: No further questions, Your Honor.
JUDGE: Cross-examination?
DEFENSE: Yes, Your Honor.
DEFENSE: [Complainant], is it true that you and the Accused have been living
separately since 2018?
COMPLAINANT: Yes, but we were never legally separated.
DEFENSE: That is all, Your Honor.
Prosecution rests, and Defense presents its case.
DEFENSE: Your Honor, the Defense calls the Accused to the stand.
CLERK OF COURT: [Accused], please raise your right hand. Do you swear to tell
the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth?
ACCUSED: I do.
DEFENSE: Please state your name and occupation for the record.
ACCUSED: I am [Accused], and I work as an engineer.
DEFENSE: Did you believe your first marriage was still valid when you contracted
the second marriage?
ACCUSED: No, Your Honor. I was informed by a lawyer that my first marriage was
void due to psychological incapacity.
DEFENSE: Do you have proof of this advice?
ACCUSED: Yes, I have a letter from my former counsel, which we submit as Exhibit
D.
PROSECUTOR: Objection, Your Honor. Exhibit D is self-serving.
JUDGE: Objection overruled. Exhibit D is admitted.
DEFENSE: No further questions, Your Honor.
JUDGE: Any rebuttal from the Prosecution?
PROSECUTOR: None, Your Honor. The Prosecution rests.
[Judgment Stage]
Court resumes for the announcement of judgment.
JUDGE: This Court has heard the arguments and reviewed the evidence presented by
both sides. The decision will be promulgated on April 15, 2023, at 10:00 AM. Court
is adjourned.
Court is adjourned.
