**Facts:**
The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) submitted a complaint-affidavit against Dr. Joel C. Mendez for operating various businesses without filing income tax returns for the years 2001 to 2003. Mendez acknowledged his business operations but contended that they were not existent during the alleged period as they were only registered in 2003. The issue proceeded through the legal system, culminating in a charge for violation of Section 255 of Republic Act No. 8424 (Tax Reform Act of 1997) by the Court of Tax Appeals (CTA). The prosecution later filed a “Motion to Amend Information with Leave of Court” which included changes to the business names and locations involved. Mendez contested these amendments as substantial, arguing they altered the case’s theory and could surprise his defense strategy. The CTA granted the prosecution’s motion, leading Mendez to file a petition for certiorari and prohibition under Rule 65, challenging the CTA’s resolutions.
**Issues:**
1. The appropriateness of the remedy of certiorari in contesting the CTA resolutions.
2. Whether the amendments to the information post-arraignment are substantial in nature, warranting denial based on procedural grounds.
**Court’s Decision:**
The Supreme Court dismissed Mendez’s petition, holding that he correctly availed of the remedy of certiorari, as the amendments to the information did not constitute substantial changes that would prejudice his defense. The Court delineated between formal and substantial amendments, concluding that the changes were merely formal as they did not alter the essential nature of the offense charged nor the overall prosecutorial theory of tax evasion for the taxable year 2001.
**Doctrine:**
The Court reaffirmed principles concerning the amendment of charges in criminal proceedings. Before a plea, any amendment—substantial or formal—is permissible without court leave. After a plea, only formal amendments are permissible with leave if they don’t prejudice the accused’s rights. A substantial amendment post-plea, inherently altering the prosecution’s case theory or affecting the accused’s defense strategy, is prohibited.
**Class Notes:**
– **Formal vs. Substantial Amendments:** Formal amendments do not change the nature of the charge or prejudice the accused’s defense and can be made at any time with court leave after plea. In contrast, substantial amendments alter the essential facts or theory of the prosecutor’s case and are not permitted post-plea.
– **Right to be Informed:** An accused’s constitutional right to be informed of accusations is foundational to the preparation of their defense. Amendments that alter the charge or the facts underpinning it can infringe upon this right if made after arraignment.
– **Certiorari as a Remedy:** When a decision or order is interlocutory (not final), and no adequate remedy exists, certiorari under Rule 65 is the appropriate course to challenge potential abuses of discretion by lower courts.
**Historical Background:**
This case illustrates the evolving interpretation and application of legal standards governing the amendment of criminal charges in the Philippines. It underscores the judiciary’s balance between procedural fairness and the need for flexibility in prosecutorial amendments. The decision serves as a benchmark for understanding the limits of permissible legal modifications in criminal tax evasion cases and reinforces the primacy of the accused’s right to a fair trial.
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