VENUE IN CRIMINAL CASES:

     Venue is jurisdictional in criminal cases.  It can neither be waived nor subjected to stipulation.  The right venue must exist as a matter of law. Thus, for territorial jurisdiction to attach, the criminal action must be instituted and tried in the proper court of the municipality, city, or province where the offense was committed or where any of its essential ingredients took place (PEOPLE VS. ALEJO TAROY, G.R. NO. 192466, SEPTEMBER 7, 2011, ABAD, J.).