Burden  Of  Proof  In  Bail  Application

Sec.  8.  Burden  of  proof  in  bail  application.  –  At  the hearing  of  an application  for  bail  filed  by  a  person  who  is  in  custody  for  the commission of an offense punishable by death, reclusion perpetua, or  life  imprisonment,  the  prosecution  has  the  burden  of  showing that evidence of guilt is strong. The evidence presented during the bail  hearing  shall  be  considered  automatically  reproduced  at  the trial  but,  upon  motion  of  either  party,  the  court  may  recall  any witness  for  additional  examination  unless  the  latter  is  dead, outside the Philippines, or otherwise unable to testify.
 
The grant or denial of bail in capital offense hinges on the strength of the evidence of guilt.  This requires that the trial court to conduct bail  hearings  wherein  both  the  prosecution  and  the  defense  are  afforded sufficient opportunity to present their respective evidence.  The burden of proof lies with the prosecution to show the evidence of guilt is strong.  But the determination of whether the evidence of guilt is strong is a matter of judicial discretion.  Though not absolute nor beyond control, the discretion of the trial court must be sound and exercised within reasonable grounds.

MUST THE DEFENSE PRESENT ANY EVIDENCE DURING THE HEARING ON THE APPLICATION FOR BAIL?

> No, the burden of proof is upon the prosecution to show that the evidence of guilt of accused is strong

WHAT ARE THE DUTIES OF THE TRIAL JUDGE IN CASE AN APPLICATION FOR BAIL IS FILED?

1.    Notify  the  prosecutor  of  the  hearing  or  require  him  to  submit  a recommendation
2.    Conduct a hearing
3.    Decide  whether  the  evidence  of  guilt  is  strong  based  on  the summary of evidence of the prosecution
4.    If  the  guilt  of  the  accused  is  not  strong,  discharge  the  accused upon the approval of the bail bond.  If evidence of guilt is strong, the petition should be denied.