PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, PLAINTIFF-APPELLEE, VS. REYNOLD P. MONDANO, ACCUSED-APPELLANT.
GALAPATE-LAGUILLES, J:
Before this Court is the Manifestation with Motion to Withdraw Appeal[1] filed on November 6, 2013 by herein accused-appellant, REYNOLD P. MONDANO.
In a Resolution[2] dated January 8, 2014, this Court directed the Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) to personally confer with the accused-appellant to ascertain his voluntariness in withdrawing his appeal; duly apprise him of the consequences of such withdrawal; to ascertain the authenticity of the handwritten letters allegedly handed over by his mother to him; and, submit to this Court the necessary report or Manifestation within fifteen (15) days from notice.
On February 4, 2014, the PAO filed its Manifestation and Compliance[3] stating that:
“1. In compliance with the resolution of this Honorable Court dated January 8, 2014, copy of which was received on January 22, 2014, the undersigned counsel informs this Honorable Court that on January 31, 2014, counsel for the accused-appellant has visited and personally conferred with him at the RDC, National Bilibid Prison, Muntinlupa City;
2. During the said meeting, the undersigned has ascertained or endeavored to convey to the said appellant, in a language known and/or understood by him, the legal implication of foregoing withdrawal of appeal and the possible consequence thereof;
3. Further, the appellant, in his owned (sic) handwriting, reiterated his desire/decision to withdraw his appeal and that no one has prodded him or forced him to withdraw his appeal and the same is his voluntary act, a copy of his handwritten lettter is hereto attached as Annex ‘A’[4].”
The said PAO’s Manifestation and Compliance is hereby NOTED and considered as substantial compliance with the Resolution dated January 8, 2014.
WHEREFORE, premises considered, the Motion to Withdraw Appeal filed by herein accused-appellant is hereby GRANTED. Accordingly, the appeal is deemed WITHDRAWN and the instant case is declared CLOSED and TERMINATED.
SO ORDERED.
Librea-Leagogo, (Chairperson), and Diamante, JJ., concur.
[1] Rollo, pp. 8-9.
[2] Id., pp. 15-16.
[3] Id., pp. 17-18.
[4] Id., p. 20.