It is settled that the absence of a preliminary investigation does not impair the validity of the information or otherwise render the same defective; neither does it affect the jurisdiction of the court over the case, nor does it constitute a ground for quashing the information. If no preliminary investigation has been held, or if it is flawed, the trial court may, on motion of the accused, order an investigation or reinvestigation and hold the proceedings on the criminal case in abeyance. In this case, accused-appellant failed to invoke such right to preliminary investigation before or at the time he entered his plea at arraignment. He can no longer invoke that right at this late stage of the proceedings. [G.R. No. 114266. December 4, 1996]
