G.R. No. 123456, *People of the Philippines v. Juan Dela Cruz*, January 1, 2023

FACTS: Juan Dela Cruz was charged with the crime of Homicide. The prosecution presented eyewitness testimony and forensic evidence. During trial, the defense counsel failed to object to the admission of allegedly hearsay statements. The Regional Trial Court convicted Dela Cruz. On appeal, the defense raised for the first time the issue that the conviction was based on hearsay evidence, arguing it violated his right to confront witnesses.

ISSUE

Whether the constitutional right to confront witnesses may be invoked for the first time on appeal when the appellant failed to raise a timely objection during trial.

RULING

No. The right to confront witnesses is a personal right which may be waived. The failure to object to hearsay evidence during trial constitutes a waiver of the right to confront the witness. Objections to evidence must be made at the earliest opportunity, which is at the time the evidence is offered. Raising it only on appeal is a belated objection that the Court will not entertain. The rules of procedure require diligence, and the right to confrontation is not among the rights excepted from the rule on waiver. The conviction is affirmed.