PASSI CITY COLLEGE

City of Passi, Iloilo

SCHOOL OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE

(CDI O5) TECHNICAL ENGLISH 1

Module 1:
Introduction to Legal Forms

Module Overview: This module is designed for Criminology students familiarize the
fundamentals of report writing. It aims to help learners familiarize with how reports are written,
as it points out to the fact that report plays an important role in the success of any investigation.
Included in this unit are the points to consider in writing reports, the strategies in preparing
good reports, and the types of report writers. One of the basic works of an investigator is writing
reports, and with that the importance and purposes of police report writing is also elaborated.

Module Outcomes:
At the end of the module the students should have;

• defined legal forms

• discussed the significance of legal forms;
• identified the different types of Legal Forms
• familiarized the importance of Sworn Statement

Module Content:

o Importance of Legal Forms

o Sworn Statement

CRIZA MAEC. PADERNAL, LPT, M.Ed

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 Discussion
LEGAL FORMS

Introduction

Nowadays, the people are relaying to much from the graduates of Criminal
Justice Education in terms of delivery of services for they know for a fact that they are
well trained in terms of theory and practices and in other techniques while they are in
school. The preference now of the uniform sector is to hire graduates of Criminal Justice
Education knowing that they have already the background on how to handle their work.
A basic training of course is necessary to add on to what the agency would really want to
do and for them to be. Once they are already in the service you can see their
performances and responsibilities it is fantastic. As you all know tertiary schools,
colleges and universities are hiring faculty members coming from those in the uniform
service and those that had been retired from the service to teach in the college of
Criminology to impart their knowledge and experiences. There is a saying that goes like
this "the best teacher is the experienced teacher. Take note that the life of a person
depends upon on how well he/she can make it. But if unavoidable circumstances
appeared in your life, then. Your life now is in the hands of the Law Enforcer who is
assigned in your case. It is they who make and unmake your fortune. They are the only
person responsible in making a police report. So, if a certain investigator does not know
how to prepare a report what will happen now to the case you filed, if you are the
complainant. If you are the one being complained what now. It is really important that
the Criminology students must be required to have a subject Police Report Writing for
them to be able to write a complete report as what really is needed by the court.

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WHAT ARE LEGAL FORMS?

The legal form a firm chooses to operate under is an important decision with
implications for how a firm structures its resources and assets.

In criminal law, search means examination of a person's body, property or other

area which the person would reasonably be expected to consider as private by a law
enforcement officer for finding evidence of a crime. Ordinarily a search cannot be
conducted without probable cause as the Fourth Amendment prohibits unreasonable
searches and seizures.

A search can occur under varied circumstances. For example, Border search
(search conducted at the border of a country especially check points for excluding illegal
aliens and contraband); Emergency search (A search conducted by a police officer
without warrant as s/he believes it necessary to life or property or has some probable
cause and has no time to obtain a warrant); Private search (a search conducted by a
private person rather than a law enforcement officer), Title search (records search
performed in connection with real property to uncover information).

Legal means conforming to or permitted by law or established and Forms means a

printed or typed document with blank spaces for insertion of required or requested
information.

Legal Forms are prototypes of any documents or forms used in a legal transaction or
judicial proceedings, which contain important matters conveyed in technical
terminologies and presented in a suitable and systematic order in accordance with the
circumstances of any case.

Legal form is a prototype of an instrument to be employed in a legal transaction or a

judicial proceeding that includes the primary essential matters, the appropriate
technical phrases or terms, and any additional material required to render it officially
accurate, arranged in suitable and systematic order, and conducive to adaptation to the
circumstances of the particular case

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Importance of Legal Forms

The memory of people is short. Parties to a verbal agreement often disagree as

to what they have agreed several months or years after they have entered into a verbal
agreement. To avoid such situation and in order to have a clear guide and evidence of
the terms they have agreed, lawyers, or even the parties themselves, request a written
agreement for their contract or legal transaction. Moreover, form is important when the
law requires a document or other special form. And when the law requires that a
contract be in some form in order that it may be valid or enforceable, or that a contract
be proved in a certain way, that requirement is absolute and indispensable. In the same
way. Judicial proceedings make use of forms as documentary requirements and
evidence for these proceedings, containing therein legally binding information.

Sworn Statements / Sworn Declaration.

 This is a document that contains facts related to legal proceedings. The person
who makes the declaration affixes his/her signature in a separate endorsement
paragraph at the end of the document with a statement that the declaration is
made under oath.
 A sworn statement is a legal document that contains facts that are relevant to a
court case. Sworn statements are different from affidavits, in that sworn
statements are not usually signed or certified by a notary public. Sworn
statements are typically entered into evidence for personal injury cases and other
types of legal proceedings.
 A sworn statement is a document that contains facts that are relevant to a legal
proceeding. Sworn statements are similar to affidavits, however, unlike affidavits,
they are not required to be signed, witnessed, or sealed by a notary public.
Instead, the person making the statement signs a paragraph at the end of the
document acknowledging that the facts within the statement are true to his
knowledge, and being made under penalty of perjury.

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  A sworn statement is understood to be a form of testifying under oath. It must be
written clearly, as the person making the statement may not be present in court
when it is read. The more clearly the statement is written, the less room there is
for misinterpretation that could potentially have negative effects on the outcome
of the case.
 Sworn statements are written statements that are offered by a party in a lawsuit.
The statement is generally followed by a paragraph wherein the person attests
that the information is true. They will usually sign and date the paragraph, which
is known as an “endorsement paragraph.”
 Due to the endorsement paragraph, the statement can be considered as being
“made under penalty of perjury.” This means that the person may be found guilty
of perjury in court if the statement is relied upon during trial, but later found to
be untrue. Without the endorsement paragraph, the document is considered to
only be a “statement”, and may be considered less reliable as evidence.

Difference Between Sworn Statement and Sworn Affidavit

Sworn statements and affidavits are similar types of documents. The difference
between a sworn statement and a sworn affidavit, however, is that affidavits are signed,
witnessed, and certified by a public official, such as a notary public. A notary public is an
official who is responsible for acting as an impartial witness for the purpose of ensuring
that important documents are signed properly.

The certification granted by a notary’s jurat, or stamp and signature, makes a

document an even more acceptable piece of evidence. This is because a notary makes a
document official by ensuring that the person or persons who came before him were, in
fact, who they said they were. By verifying the identity of the person making the
statement, then any facts within that statement can be attributed to the person making
them. That person can then be punished under perjury if it turns out that one of those
“facts” is actually a lie.

Another difference between a sworn statement and a sworn affidavit is that

courts would typically rather enter an affidavit into evidence over a sworn statement.

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This is largely because of the notary jurat that declares an affidavit to be an official
document. The primary advantage of a sworn statement over a signed statement lies in
the fact that the sworn statement is made under “penalty of perjury.” This means that
the individual can be legally held to count for the contents of the statement, potentially
facing serious legal penalties if anything in the statement turns out to be untrue.

Required Elements of a Sworn Statement

There are several required elements of a sworn statement that ensure that the
statement will be accepted as a legal document. First, it is imperative that a sworn
statement be as detailed as possible, and written in the first person. Exaggerations and
opinions should be left out. All a statement should consist of is straight facts, including
events listed chronologically. The person writing the statement should use his full, legal
name, and he should date the document with the date he signs it.

One of the most important required elements of a sworn statement is the clause
at the bottom, in which the person making the statement acknowledges that the
information he has provided is true and complete to the best of his knowledge. This
shows that he is aware that he is asserting these facts under oath, and that he may be
punished under penalty of perjury if he is lying.

CRIZA MAEC. PADERNAL, LPT, M.Ed

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EXAMPLE OF SWORN STATEMENT

SWORN STATEMENT OF ROMMEL YAP, 40 YEARS OLD, IN ANSWER TO THE

QUESTIONS PROPOUNDED BY PO3 MARVIN G GALLO, INVESTIGATOR-ON-CASE
OF BUENAVISTA, MUNICIPAL POLICE STATION, BRGY. NEW POBLACION,
BUENAVISTA, GUIMARAS AT ABOUT 9:00 O’CLOCK IN THE MORNING OF
NOVEMBER 21, 2017. THE STATEMENT WAS TAKEN IN HILIGAYNON AND
TRANSLATED INTO ENGLISH.

PRELIMINARY

You are here in the office of Buenavista Municipal Police Station, Investigation
section. I am PO3 Marvin G Gallo, I’am Investigator-On-Case. I am here to ask some
questions to you.

(Ari ikaw sa opisina sang Buenavista Municipal Police Station, Investigation

section. Ako si PO3 Marvin G Gallo, imbestigador sa ini nga kasu. Ari ako agud
magpamangkot sa imo.)

1. QUESTIONS: Are you willing to give your free and voluntary statement?
PAMANGKOT: (Boluntaryo ka bala nga maghatag sang imo panaysayon?)

ANSWER : Yes, ma’am.

SABAT: (Huo, mam)

2. Q. - Please state your name and other personal circumstances.

(Palihog ihatag ang imo ngalan kag iban pa nga sirkumstansya.)

A. – I am Rommel Yap, 4o years old, married, filipino, and a resident of Brgy. San
miguel, Buenavista, Guimaras. I’am the brother of the victim Roy Yap, 32 years old,
single, a construction worker and a resident of the same place.

(Ako si Rommel Yap, 40 ang edad, kasado, filipino kag residente sang Brgy. San
Miguel, buenavista, Guimaras. Ako ang utod nga lalaki sang biktima nga si Roy Yap, 32
ang edad, wala asawa isa ka construction worker kag residente sang pareha nga lugar.)

3. Q- Why are you here at the Office of Buenavista Municipal Police Station?
(Ngaa ari ikaw sa opisina sang Buenavista Municipal Police Station?)

A- I am here at your office to file a case of Murder against alias “Ketoy”.

(Ari ako diri sa inyo opisina para magpasaka sang kaso nga Murder kay alias
“Ketoy”)

CRIZA MAEC. PADERNAL, LPT, M.Ed

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4. Q- When and where did you came from when incident happened and what
happened next?
(Sang san.o kag sa diin ka sang natabo ang insidente kag anu ang sunod nga
natabo?

A. - It happened at about 7:30 o’clock in the morning of November 20, 2017 along
the road of Purok Humayan, Brgy. San Miguel, Buenavista, Guimaras when i’am going
home came from the shoreline of the sea located at the same place when I’am
approaching the road i saw alias “Ketoy” shot my brother several times and cause to fall
down.

(Natabo ato sang mga alas 7:30 sang aga sang Nobyember 20, 2017 sang sa
karsada sang Purok Humayan, Brgy. San Miguel, Buenavista, Guimaras sang ako naga
papuli halin s kilid sang dagat nga ara sa amu man nga lugar sang palapit na ako sa
karsada nakita ko si alyas “Ketoy nga nag bunot kag gin tiro ang akun utod pila ka bese
kag nag higda ini dirikta.”

5. Q- Will you please tell me the details regarding the shooting incident that
happen to your brother Roy Yap?
(Pwede mo bala ako masugiran sang detalye angut sa natabo nga paniro sa
imu nga utod nga si Roy Yap?)

A. – On Novemeber 20, 2017 at about 7:30 in the morning when by brother buying
something at the sai-sari store when suddenly alias”Ketoy” immediately take his firearm
and fired it to the victim using his motorcycle and flee right after the incident going to
Brgy getulio, Buenavista, guimaras. My brother did not resist any reaction beacuse of
the severe gunshot sustained to the suspect that causes him to lied on the ground.

(sang nobyembre 20, 2017 mga 7:30 sang aga samtang ang akun utod nagabakal
sa isa ka tyange kg wala sang madugay nga si alyas “ketoy” gulpi gin bunot ang iya
armas kag gintaya kag gin tiru ang biktima kag gamit sang iya motor dasig nagpalagyu
ang suspect pakadtu sa Brgy. Getulio, buenavista, Guimaras. Ang akun nga utod wala
nagid naka balus tungud sa grabe nga igu nga nakuha para mag handusay sa iya
ginatindugan.)

6. Q – What did you do right after?

(Anu ang sunod mu nga gin himu?)

A. – I came to the place where the incident happened and i give assistance and
deliver immediately my brother to the nearest hospital at Brgy. Mclain, Buenavista,
Guimaras for medical attendance but it was declared Dead on arrival.

CRIZA MAEC. PADERNAL, LPT, M.Ed

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 (Nag kadtu ako sa lugar sang natabu kag nag hatag sang bulig kag gin dala
dalayun sa malapit nga hospital sa Brgy. Mclain, Buenavista, Guimaras para sa
nakaigu nga medical pero gin diklarar ini nga patay na)

7. Q- As a brother of Roy Yap, what do you want to happened to alias “ketoy”

who is responsible for the shooting incident that cause of death of your brother?
(Bilang isa ka utod ni Roy Yap, anu ang gusto mu nga matabu para kay
alias “Ketoy” responsable sa pagpaniro rasun sang pangamatyan sang imu
utod?)

A. – I want him to be imprisoned for what he has done to my brother and be

punished accordingly before the law.

(Gusto ko gid nga mapriso siya sa gin-obra niya sa akon utod kag mapinahan sang
nakaigu nga penalidad sang atun nga batas.)

8. Q – At the mean time I have nothing to ask from you. Do you have anything or
something to add or retract from your statement?
(Sa subong wala na ako sang may ipamangkot pa sa imo. May ara ka pa bala
sang gusto idugang ukon paga islan sa imo ginpangsaysay?)

A - For the meantime, no more Sir.

(Sa subong, wala na Sir)

9. Q- Are you willing to sign this statement of yours freely and voluntarily?
(Nagabuluntar ka bala sa pag pirma sang imo ginsaysay nga wala ginapilit
ukon boluntaroyo?)

A - Yes, sir.
(Huo, sir.)

END OF STATEMENT…

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have set unto my hand this 22th day of November
2017 at Province of Guimaras, Philippines.

ROMMEL E YAP
Affiant

SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN to before me this 22th day of November 2017 at

Province of Guimaras, Philippines. I hereby certify that I have fully examined the affiant
and that I am fully satisfied that she voluntarily executed and understood the contents of
her affidavit.

JOHN L CAMPUS

CRIZA MAEC. PADERNAL, LPT, M.Ed

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 Provincial Prosecutor
Province of Guimaras

ATTESTATION

I hereby certify that I have conducted the foregoing examination and that the
witness is answering the questions asked of her, fully conscious that she is under oath. I
further certify that I have faithfully recorded or caused to be recorded the questions
asked and the corresponding answers given, and that neither I nor anyone else present
coached the witness regarding her answers.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I hereunto affixed my signature this 22th day of

November 2017 at the Provincial Prosecutor of the Province of Guimaras, Philippines.

PO3 Marvin G Gallo

Investigator-On-Case

SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN to before me this 22th day of November 2017 at

Province of Guimaras, Philippines.. I hereby certify that I have fully examined the affiant
and that I am fully satisfied that she voluntarily executed and understood the contents of
her affidavit.

JOHN L CAMPUS
Provincial Prosecutor
Province of Guimaras

Sample Format of Sworn Statement (Question and Answer)

MALAYA AT KUSANG LOOB NA SALAYSAY NI (Name and address of the Affiant) NA
IBINIGAY SA PAGSISIYASAT NI (Name of the Investigator), DITO SA TANGGAPAN NG
Name and address of the Office, NGAYON IKA- (Month, Date and Year), SA GANAP NA IKA-
(Time) NG UMAGA/HAPON/GABI, SA HARAP NINA (Name of Witnesses-at least 2) , SA
PAMAMAGITAN NG MGA TANONG AT SAGOT.

(Ang nagsasalaysay ay pinahiwatigan o pinaalalahanan ng lahat ng kanyang mga karapatan

alinsunod sa itinatadhana ng ating Bagong Saligang Batas).
MGA TANONG AT SAGOT
01. TANONG - Ginoong/Ginang __________________, ikaw ba ay magsasabi ng
buong katotohanan at pawang katotohanan lamang sa pagsisiyasat
na ito?
SAGOT -

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 02. TANONG - Ikaw ba ay handang magbigay ng iyong malaya at kusang loob na
salaysay?
SAGOT -

03. TANONG - Maaari mo bang sabihin sa pagsisiyasat na ito ang iyong tunay na
pangalan at iba pang mapagkikilanlan sa iyong tunay na pagkatao?
SAGOT -

04. T - Ano naman ang dahilan at ikaw ay naririto sa aming tanggapan at

nagbibigay ng iyong malaya at kusang loob na salaysay?
S -

05. T - Saan at kailan nangyari ang naturang insidente?

S -

06. T - Sinu-sino ang may kinalaman sa naganap na _______________?

S -

07. T - Paano naman nangyari ___________________?

S -

08. T - Kilala mo ba itong mga biktima?

S -

09. T - Sa ikaliliwanag ng pagsisiyasat na ito, maaari mo bang isalaysay o sabihin

kung ano ang tunay na nangyari sa naganap na ____________?
S -

10. T - Sa iyong pagkakaalam, ilan sa mga _____________ ang may mga dalang
baril at anu-ano ang mga kalibre nito?
S -

Pahina 2. Karugtong ng malaya at kusang loob na salaysay ni

____________________________, ngayong ika-___ ng _____, 20___.

11. T - Bukod sa iyo, may mga alam ka bang mga tao na nakakita ng naturang
________________?
S -

12. T - Ano naman ang iyong ginawa matapos mong masaksihan ang naturang
insidente?
S -

13. T - Kung muli mo silang makita at makaharap, makikilala mo ba ang mga ito?
S -

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 14. T - Pansamantala ay wala na akong itatanong sa iyo, mayroon ka bang ibang
ibig idagdag o bawasan sa salaysay mong ito?
S -

15. T - Ikaw ba ay tinakot, pinangakuan, o binigyan ng pabuya sa pagbibigay mo

ng salaysay na ito?
S -

16. T - Handa mo bang lagdaan ang salaysay mong ito na binubuo ng (Number of
Pages) pahina?
S -

WAKAS NG SALAYSAY: (Date and Time)

__________________________
Nagsalaysay

SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN TO before me this (Date) at (Place)

_________________________
Administering Officer

CERTIFICATION

I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT I have personally examined the herein affiant under oath
and that I am fully satisfied that he/she voluntarily executed and understood his/her statement.

_________________________
Administering Officer

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 Assessment:

Directions: In yellow pad paper, answer the following questions comprehensively.

(15 points each)
1. Why legal forms are important?
2. Why is familiarization of different legal forms are indispensable in the fields of Criminal
Justice System?
3. In your perspective, why is study of legal forms relevant to your life and to your future
profession? Cite specific instances of its significance.

Rubrics:
Content-5
Organization-5
Writing Convention-5

REFERENCES:
Foronda, M., (2021), Technical English 1 (legal forms)
Nano, M.C.,et al (2014), Technical Report Writing for Criminology
Nano, M.C (2014), English Basic Grammar for Criminology Students

End Of Module 1

CRIZA MAEC. PADERNAL, LPT, M.Ed

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CRIZA MAEC. PADERNAL, LPT, M.Ed
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