PROSECUTION OF OFFENSES

Section 1. Institution of criminal actions.– Criminal actions shall be instituted as follows:

(a)  For  offenses  where  a  preliminary  investigation  is  required pursuant to section 1 of Rule 112, by filing the complaint with the proper   officer   for   the   purpose   of   conducting   the   requisite preliminary investigation.
 
(b)  For  all  other  offenses,  by  filing  the  complaint  or  information directly  with  the  Municipal  Trial  Courts  and  Municipal  Circuit  Trial Courts, or the complaint with the office of the prosecutor. In Manila
and  other  chartered  cities,  the  complaints  shall  be  filed  with  the office of the prosecutor unless otherwise provided in their charters.
 
The institution of the criminal action shall interrupt the running of the period of prescription of the offense charged unless otherwise provided in special laws.