Trial of several accused

Sec. 16. Trial of several accused. – When two or more accused are jointly  charged  with  an  offense,  they  shall  be  tried  jointly  unless the  court,  in  its  discretion  and  upon  motion  of  the  prosecutor  or any accused, orders separate trial for one or more accused.
 

IF  THERE  ARE  2  OR  MORE  ACCUSED,  SHOULD  THEY  BE  TRIED JOINTLY OR SEPARATELY?

     As  a  general  rule,  when  2  or  more  accused  are  jointly  charged with an offense, they should be tried jointly
     However,  the  court  in  its  discretion  and  upon  motion  of  the prosecutor or any accused, may order separate trial for one of the accused
 

WHAT  HAPPENS  TO  THE  EVIDENCE  PRESENTED  IN  THE  TRIAL  OF THE OTHER ACCUSED IF A SEPARATE TRIAL IS GRANTED?

     When a separate trial is demanded and granted, it is the duty of the prosecution to repeat and produce all its evidence at each and every  trial,  unless  it  has  been  agreed  by  the  parties  that  the
evidence for the prosecution wouldn’t have to be repeated at the second  trial  and  all  the  accused  had  been  present  during  the presentation of the evidence of the prosecution and their attorney
had  the  opportunity  to  cross-examine  the  witnesses  for  the prosecution
 

X IS A PUBLIC OFFICER.  HE WAS CHARGED WITH MALVERSATION OF PUBLIC FUNDS IN CONSPIRACY WITH Y, A CIVILIAN.  SHOULD THEY BOTH BE TRIED IN SANDIGANBAYAN?

     Yes

     In   case   private   individuals   are   charged   as   co-principals, accomplices, or accessories with public officers, they shall be tried jointly  with  said  public  officers  in  the  proper  courts  which  shall
exercise exclusive jurisdiction over them.