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Pil Answers to Sample Midterms

Pil Answers to Sample Midterms

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Republic of the Philippines REGIONAL TRIAL COURT NATIONAL CAPITAL JUDICIAL REGION Branch ___________ Pasig City PEOPLE

- versus Criminal Case No. ________ For: Qualified Theft CAROLYN LIM, Accused. x ----------------------------------------x

DEMURRER TO EVIDENCE ACCUSED, through counsel, unto this Honorable Court respectfully moves for the dismissal of the charge against her of Qualified Theft on the following grounds: 1. The highly improbable theory of the prosecution was not substantiated. 2. The prosecution relied primarily on hearsay, self-serving and inadmissible evidence to prove its case. 3. None of the testimonies of the prosecution’s witnesses, as well as the documents offered as evidence, directly, or even logically, point to the accused as the perpetrator of the crime charged. 4. The testimonies of the prosecution’s key witnesses are inconsistent and contradictory on material points so as to make their testimonies worthless as evidence. 5. In sum, the bottom line is that there is gross insufficiency of evidence to sustain the indictment or to support a verdict of the guilt of the accused beyond reasonable doubt. I. PREFATORY STATEMEMENT

1. This is a case of Qualified Theft filed against the herein accused, Carolyn Lim, former Customer Relations Assistant (CRA) of the Greenhills Branch of AB Banking Corporation, filed by Carmela Collantes, then Senior Manager of the Audit Examination Department of said bank, in behalf of the bank as private complainant. 2. Curiously and worthy of note is the fact that the charge was filed shortly following charges of incriminatory machination and intriguing against honor filed by the accused herself against the officers of the bank branch of private complainant where the accused used to work. 1 3. Criminal prosecution is a process whereby the accused is proceeded against for an alleged commission of an offense as indicted in the information. In this wise, an accused is a lone person defending himself/herself against the full machinery of the State and the People of the Philippines. Consequently, all the necessary defenses and principles allowed under the law which may exculpate him/her from criminal liability should be applied in his/her favor. The time-honored doctrine is that an accused should be convicted, not on the basis of the weakness of his defense, but on the strength of the prosecution’s evidence itself. 4. Accordingly, an accused is presumed innocent until the contrary is proved beyond reasonable doubt. This presumption prevails unless overturned by competent and credible proof which the State is required to establish on all the essential elements of the crime with which the defendant is charged in the indictment, and to establish beyond reasonable doubt that the accused is guilty of said crime. It is necessary that unless the preponderance of evidence points beyond the shadow of a doubt to his guilt, the accused is entitled to an acquittal. 2 For the evidence to be considered sufficient, it must prove (a) the commission of the crime, and (b) the precise degree of participation by the accused. 3 5. It must be noted at the very outset that the charge of qualified theft of which the accused is charged hinges entirely and exclusively on the fantastic tale the private complainant persists to parlay that the accused succeeded in completely deceiving her superiors at the Greenhills branch of the complainant bank into believing that the cash collection covered by each of the bank’s official receipts covering the transactions that are the subject of this case was pocketed by the accused, and that she (the accused) did this on 644 separate occasions during her stint as Customer Relations Assistant at said bank for a period of about one year and a half—a gothic story that defies human reason and insults one’s intelligence. 6. Worse, the prosecution attempted to prove its impossible theory, not by adducing evidence establishing “the precise degree of participation by the accused” as required by the Supreme Court in each and every act of the crime of which she stands charged but by wild presumptions and illogical inferences

to show an alleged criminal pattern based on circumstantial or indirect evidence that does not even pass the test of admissibility. II. THE CHARGE AGAINST THE ACCUSED The Amended Information filed with this Honorable Court on April 27, 2000, charging Carolyn Lim with the crime of Qualified Theft, reads as follows: “On or about or sometime between January 1995 to May 1996, in San Juan, Metro Manila, and within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, the said accused, with intent to gain and without the knowledge and consent of the owner, being then an employee of AB Banking Corporation’s Greenhills Branch, who was assigned to handle the collection and remittance of Safety Deposit box (SDB) rental accounts of the Bank’s customer and with grave abuse of confidence reposed on her by her employer, did then and there willfully, unlawfully and feloniously take, steal and carry away cash money amounting to P314,760.00, belonging to AB Corporation, represented by Carmela Collantes to the damage and prejudice of the latter in the said amount of P314,760.00. “Contrary to law.” III. DISCUSSION AND ARGUMENTS 1. On March 2, 2004, the prosecution rested its case, at least preliminarily (the complete resting of the prosecution’s case being upon the court’s resolution of the Formal Offer and Objections thereto 4 ) through a Formal Offer of Exhibits. In the Comments/Objections to Prosecution’s Formal Offer filed by the accused on April 6, 2004, it emphasized the non-inclusion of several alleged exhibits in the Prosecution’s Formal Offer, which deprives her of the right to object thereto, as follows: a. “The prosecution alleges in page 116 of the Formal Offer that the first set of documents offered for a common purpose starts from Exhibit ‘A’ up to Exhibit ‘P25-3,’ while the first set actually attached in the formal offer of Exhibits is only from Exhibit ‘A’ to Exhibit ‘P17-3.’ b. “Contrary to the prosecution’s allegations, there are no portions of Exhibits ‘A’ to ‘D22-3’ which are marked as Exhibits ‘A-1’ to ‘D22-1.’ c. “There are also no portions therein marked as Exhibits ‘A-2’ to ‘D22-2’ contrary to the prosecution’s allegations. d. “There are no initials of Carolyn Lim (the accused) in any portion of each of the documents comprising Exhibits ‘A’ to ‘P25-3’ contrary to the prosecution’s allegations.” 2. Arguing further on the matter, the accused went on by discussing that these exhibits are misleading as they are not what the prosecution alleges them to be and that the above-identified documents, alleged but not found in the formal offer

of the prosecution, may not be considered as having been formally offered. Under the Rules, the court shall consider no evidence which has not been formally offered (Rule 132, sec. 35). A formal offer is necessary, since judges are required to base their findings of fact and their judgment solely and strictly upon the evidence offered by the parties at the trial. Opposing parties would be deprived of their chance to examine the document and to object to its admissibility if this procedure were not followed. 3. In an order dated April 20, 2004, the Honorable Court, confirming the abovecited objections, returned to the prosecution its Formal Offer of Evidence due to the finding that some exhibits listed in the Covering Pleading of said Formal Offer were missing as attachments. 4. Hence, in a hearing of this case dated April 27, 2004, the prosecution withdrew its Formal Offer for the same reasons stated above. Thus, the accused was constrained to also withdraw its Comments and Objections in order to adjust its allegations according to the additional exhibits that were supposed to be attached in the Formal Offer. The Court, therefore, issued an order giving the prosecution a period of thirty (30) days within which to file its Formal Offer, and the accused with the same period from receipt of a copy of the Formal Offer to file its Objections and Comments thereto, after which the matter shall be deemed submitted for resolution. 5. Subsequently, the prosecution asked, and the court granted, in an order dated July 16, 2004, another fifteen (15) day period from receipt of said order to file its Formal Offer, giving the prosecution more than ample time to complete its offer. 6. Counsel for the accused received a copy of the prosecution’s NEW Formal Offer of Evidence on August 3, 2004. Amazingly, this new Formal Offer, consisting of 123 pages, comprises the Cover Pleading only. It failed not only to complete the attachments as required by this Court, but altogether omitted every and all exhibits described therein. 7. Despite the fact that the previous Formal Offer (filed by the prosecution on March 3, 2004) has been withdrawn and, thus, considered stricken off the records of the case, the NEW Formal Offer did not contain any attachment of any documentary evidence, which effectively deprives the accused of any opportunity to object to any of the alleged exhibits submitted by the prosecution. 8. Additionally, after a circumspect and painstaking scrutiny, it was found out that the changes in the cover pleading (as discussed in the accused’s Objections/Comments to Prosecution’s Formal Offer) constitute only insertions of some exhibits with similar purposes as the first Formal Offer. The fact that no documentary evidence, originally attached in the previous formal Formal Offer or otherwise, has been attached in this new Formal Offer renders the foregoing changes immaterial and inconsequential. It has not cured, even in the slightest

The failure of the prosecution to offer a complete exhibit in the previous Formal Offer and its failure to submit any exhibit on the new Formal Offer should be deemed a waiver of its right to do so. prove that the accused actually stole the money covered by the receipts—patently a reductio ad absurdum. which was allegedly misappropriated/taken by the accused. without admitting the propriety of the new Formal Offer. if only to obviate any further possible delay. or if the Court would consider the attachments in the previous Formal Offer as deemed incorporated in the second Formal Offer. not offered in the new Formal Offer of Evidence. These documents were. adduced 643 separate official receipts issued by the complainant bank for safety deposit box (SDB) payments purportedly aggregating P314. constitutive of a violation of the right to a speedy trial of the accused. the introduction of the foregoing changes did not affect the purposes for the offer of the documentary evidence as there has been no changes whatsoever in the discussion of the purposes for said offer. that these documents.760. on their face. without properly offering these exhibits. Moreover. however. and in the event that the Honorable Court. It should be stressed that the new Formal Offer did not even incorporate by reference the incomplete attachments of the previous Formal Offer of Exhibits. The delay of the proceedings in this case due to the unjustified lapses in the prosecution’s offer of evidence has been clearly vexatious and oppressive. 9. 11. as this Court has expressed in its July 16. interposed its comments and objections both to the withdrawn and the new Formal Offer of Exhibits of the prosecution. 2004 Order “Failure to comply within the reglementary period will be considered as a waiver of the prosecution’s right. unnoticed and undetected during a long span of approximately eighteen months. 10. The prosecution attempts to convince the Court. Nevertheless. The highly improbable theory of the prosecution was not substantiated. Thus. The prosecution. for whatever judicious and just reason there may be. 12. nowhere in these official receipts is there any sign or indication that the monies covered by the . continuously. in fact. although made in time. surreptitiously. Even assuming for argument’s sake that these documents were formally offered.00. not a compliance at all. On these scores. maintaining the above arguments. the defects of the previous Formal Offer of the prosecution which has been excluded by this Honorable Court. they were offered incompletely in the prosecution’s first Formal Offer. At most.degree. on 644 separate occasions. during the presentation of its evidence. the following arguments and discussion in support of the demurrer: 1.” The submission of the Formal Offer by the prosecution. is. the accused. 13. would find no merit in the above discussion.

the prosecution. prove conclusively that the complainant bank actually received the money and not an iota of evidence was independently adduced to suggest. which allegedly would have shown that such collections were received by the private complainant. each signed by a senior official of the bank. and relies on it as an argument. 7 The said subsidiary ledgers. including the witnesses themselves or even the higher officials within the complainant bank having access to the subject monies. turning the gun around and pointing it to the accused. that the accused removed any part of the money from the complainant bank’s possession. furthermore. This is. Also. that the accused pocketed or carted away sums of money owned by the complainant bank. it did not attach even one exhibit in its new Formal Offer. the official receipts. that the complainant bank itself is deficient in enforcing such procedures. has this to say: “These documents are not mere scraps of paper bereft of probative value but vital pieces of evidence of commercial transactions. at best. subsidiary ledgers 6 allegedly to prove that payments for SDB rentals and deposits for keys were not remitted nor reported by the accused as income in the general ledger and that the accused did not prepare income tickets on SDB rentals and deposits for keys. Ironically. much less to directly prove. are nothing more but “index cards.” 5 In addition to said receipts. never to be taken as a crime. Nevertheless. the prosecution. such allegation militates against the private complainant as it merely bolsters the fact that the procedures followed in the bank is vulnerable to abuse by anyone among its employees. This argumentation of the prosecution should not be allowed to operate to the prejudice of the accused. contrary to its allegations. admits emphatically. They are written memorials of the details of the consummation of contracts. however. in evaluating the value of official receipts. to establish the guilt of the accused. to use a figure of speech. It does not prove. self-serving and inadmissible as evidence. an express admission of guilt of mismanagement. much less had them validated by the tellers. the prosecution presented. In fact.” 8 not accountable official records required by the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) and therefore subject easily to fabrication or manipulation—and. that the accused is guilty of violating standard banking procedures. while maintaining that the accused should have observed standard banking procedures. It behooves a rational mind to think that the case was filed only against the accused as a vengeful afterthought against the latter’s earlier . It is enigmatic why the private complainant limited its imputation to just the accused when the monies allegedly lost were also accessible to the other employees. at least in the first Formal Offer. In aid of its flimsy demonstration of the guilt of the accused through the official receipts and subsidiary ledgers. in any way. Worse. the sum of these documents merely shows. The Supreme Court. On the contrary.receipts were stolen or pocketed by the accused. the prosecution took refuge in the allegation that it was due to the defects in the implementation of banking procedures by the private complainant itself that facilitated the accused’s commission of the alleged offense. did not attach “A-1” to “D22-1 and “A2” to “D-2” to D22-2 in its previous Formal Offer of Evidence. And this is all because of the self-declared “deficiency in the procedures” of complainant bank.

The prosecution relied primarily on hearsay. there were times when cash were inserted in the official receipt booklet and on occasions when there was no cash. She only based her statements and factual assessments on the records and stories presented and conveyed to her by the employees in complainant bank’s employ. did not have personal knowledge of what had really transpired during the time of the alleged commission of each and every act of qualified theft. Branch Cashier. c) and d) under the title “II. The audit report further contains such odd statements as the following: “Some of the above officers. they thought the money was already given to the tellers. which cannot avoid the obvious taint of bias and partiality. Consequently. 2.” 15 (underscoring supplied) Any reasonable-thinking person who happens to read this particular passage would have guffawed at this laughable story were it not for the fact that it involves a serious matter— which should be dismissed outright. Admissibility of evidence should not be equated with weight of evidence. Branch Operations Head and Ernie Santos. the Branch Cashier.filing of a case against her superiors in the bank—or that her accusers did so as a conspirational coverup for their own misdeeds. namely. Assuming arguendo that the said findings are admissible. self-serving and inadmissible evidence to prove its case. they are simply incapable of constituting direct proof of the guilt of the accused as they only lead to general conclusions inconclusive of the fact that the accused took monies from . were allegedly prepared by the accused 14 without stating the basis of such conclusion as required by the rules of evidence on signature authentication. 3 a). 13 in addition to the figures presented in relation to the audited transactions. and the tellers and employees of the complainant bank. Acting Branch Manager claimed that when the official receipts were presented to them for signature. b). Paragraphs 1. A person should testify only as to the facts which he/she knows of his/her personal knowledge . 2. 11 Aside from supervising the audit examination of the bank records allegedly covered by the questioned transactions. witness Collantes interviewed Elsa Garcia. 10 The prosecution’s principal witness and accuser. her testimony as a whole has no probative value at all. presented as prosecution evidence. and paragraphs 2. among which is that 562 official receipts. Findings” on page 3 and 4 of the same Audit Report (attached in the first Prosecution’s Formal Offer but not in the second one) are all hearsay and inadmissible as evidence to prove the truth of the allegations thereof. 12 the results of which were submitted in her audit report. 3 and 4 under the title “B. The report also contains baseless conclusions. Elsa Garcia.” Subsequent Events/Actions Taken” on page 2 of the report. Hearsay evidence whether objected to or not cannot be given credence for it has no probative value. Carmela Collantes. The general rule is that hearsay evidence is not admissible. 9 Any other testimonial evidence outside the witness’ personal knowledge is hearsay and downright inadmissible. Carlos Peña.

When Carolyn was asked for what reason. . Moreover. directly. point to the accused as the perpetrator of the crime charged. she was a Senior Auditor holding office at the complainant bank’s head office. The bulk of the documents offered in the first Formal Offer of the prosecution consists of safety deposit box official receipts evidencing. not an operation officer at the bank branch where the accused was working. the receipts totally exculpate her of the crime attributed to her. They are non-accountable and sequentially unnumbered documents which by themselves will not prove the commission of the crime and therefore inadmissible as such in evidence. are not mere scraps bereft of probative value but vital pieces of evidence of commercial transactions. and the computer printouts allegedly reflecting the questioned transactions. she cited that maybe because she was requesting to be transferred to other branches since last year but her request was denied. copies of bank procedures allegedly violated by the accused. Legal Group. or even logically. Antonio Lim. She even accused the Branch officers and staff of staging a conspiracy against her. all of them are self-serving and inadmissible evidence. tricked. through its authorized officers. How could she personally have known what happened in the handling of safety deposit box accounts of the bank branch when she was not there personally? How could she suggest that the accused. the proceedings employed to arrive at such findings are internal and administrative in the bank. deceived or manipulated her superiors at the bank? How could she say or suggest that the accused succeeded in misappropriating the safety deposit box collections subject of the alleged crime? 3. the fact that the complainant bank actually received. and this is favorable to the accused. very susceptible to bias and partiality and with very limited rights provided for the accused.” (emphasis supplied) When witness Collantes conducted the audit examination of the transactions in question. came to the Head Office for a meeting with representatives of HRMDD. The only material point on which witness Collantes reported on her own personal knowledge is found in paragraph 7 on page 3. On June 6. as earlier mentioned. to repeat what we previously said. accompanied by her father.the bank. None of the testimonies of the prosecution’s witnesses. BRAD and Audit where she denied any knowledge or participation in the non-remittance of SDB collections. Assuming that they were formally offered. Receipts. They are written memorials of the details of the consummation of the contracts. Instead of implicating the accused. 16 Also included in the documents offered in the previous Formal Offer as prosecution evidence are charts. The paragraph is quoted below: “7. the amounts covered by the documents. Mr. as well as the documents allegedly offered as evidence. Carolyn Lim. 1996.

and to permit their introduction in evidence would open the door to frauds and perjuries. In the case of the testimonies and depositions in the affidavits of Gadia and the tellers of the branch concerned of the complainant bank at the time the questioned transactions took place. such declarations are untrustworthy. Not being accountable forms. Why would they ID-stamp the income tickets covering safety deposit box collections when they did not actually receive the money? What was the purpose of. Branch Cashier. At best. not excluding the witnesses themselves. the contents of their affidavits would be defensive and exculpatory at the expense of the accused. they can easily be selectively manipulated or even fabricated to serve the complainant bank’s or the witnesses’ own personal purposes. Conversely. It may not serve the same purposes sought even if considered as part of the testimonies of witnesses Edna Garcia. “Self-serving declarations are not admissible in evidence as proof of the facts asserted. This again is at best specious logic and at worst a ridiculous and futile argument. Witnesses Garcia and Santos are biased witnesses as they have been charged by the accused of another offense prior to the execution of their respective affidavits. going through this exercise? No rightthinking and impartial observer would have ever conceived of the reason for such act other than to indicate receipt of the monies covered by the income tickets. Acting Branch Manager. as SDB lessee. In other words. teller.” 17 Nor do these documents prove the facts they seek to establish the purpose of the offer. The possibility exists that their accusation and testimonies are mere cover-ups for the crimes for which the accused is charged—which may have been committed by others within the bank. It is rather an utter admission of the bank’s negligence that forecloses its right to protest against its unfavorable effects. and the point in.None of them will induce a reasonable mind to conclude that the accused is guilty of the crime charged against her. Not to mention that they are employees of the complainant bank. moreover. said documents only bolster the fact that the system within the bank is readily vulnerable to abuse and exploitation by anyone. incompetent and irrelevant evidence.” All they did was to deny that the funds covered by the official receipts and income tickets ID-stamped by them were actually received by them as allegedly evidenced by lack of their initials. purportedly to prove that Gadia did not receive the cash or process the transaction of client Peter LI. It is. This clearly does not prove what it purports to prove. Necessarily. The same is true with the Teller’s Entry allegedly prepared by witness Rose Gadia. marked in exhibit as “W’ to “W’-5A” in the previous Formal Offer. whether they arose by implications from acts and conduct or were made orally or hearsay character. The veracity and authenticity of the entries and other contents thereof were never established in accordance with the rules. what they demonstrate is the tolerance of the officers of private complainant in the defects of its own procedures. and Ernie Santos.00 as rental for SDB 1064. there was no “smoking gun. It should . including the officers and employees of the private complainant and the prosecution witnesses themselves. Furthermore. for Php700. it should be noted that not any one of them directly pointed to the accused as having actually misappropriated the funds supposed to have been stolen by her.

The testimonies of the prosecution’s key witnesses are inconsistent and contradictory on material points so as to make their testimonies worthless as evidence. presents the income ticket to the bank official for validation. the bank cashier. as CRA.” and then “drafted it first” 23 before giving it to a staff member for typing.furthermore be noted that the witnesses were and still are employees of the complainant bank and therefore biased and under moral pressure to testify in favor of their employer. On the witness stand. 2. on instructions of Ernie Santos. at first testified on the witness stand that. prosecution witness Garcia testified: 1. This testimony even bolsters the fact that. a. Branch Operations Head of the Greenhills Branch of complainant bank. on February 5. 4. which the court may have observed. In explaining the procedure observed in the handling of Safety Deposit Box rental payments. 2001 why he still thought it . not the teller. he “requested one of my [his] staff to type the Notice of Investigation [to the accused]” and then “directly handed it to Mr.” 20 This again directly contradicts the testimonies of other prosecution witnesses 21 regarding the procedure in the handling of SDB rental payments to the effect that the CRA. the witness changed his testimony by saying that he referred the matter first to “our Legal. 2001.” 22 Fourteen days later. the Acting Branch Manager. That after the CRA had prepared the income ticket. invariably received or took delivery of SDB clients’ rental payments. that: “First. Drafting of the Notice of Investigation Carlos Peña. in fact and in truth. b. Santos. the accused received no money from the bank’s customers. “the teller presents it to the bank official for validation. the Custom(er) Relations Assistant would ask the client to give the money to the teller… The client goes to the teller where the client makes the payment…” 18 This directly contradicts the line peddled under oath by the other prosecution witnesses 19 that the accused. One final point on the matter that should be brought out is the hesitant manner or demeanor of the witnesses. When asked under cross-examination on February 5. The contradictions in the testimony of prosecution and key witness Edna Garcia.

d. The findings in said investigation are immaterial and not binding in these proceedings.M.M. This particular matter is likewise very material.” 24 [translation: “It is just mere talk. c. The investigation held by the bank representatives is expected to be biased in favor of the bank. Branch Operations Head Peña testified on February 5. containing mere unfounded self-serving surmises on the guilt of the accused. Acting Branch Manager Santos. The contradictory statements of the prosecution’s key witnesses touch on a very material point. Prosecution witness Peña said on the witness stand on February 5. Peter Li.M. along with the other senior branch staff and the accused. Peña made this out-of-thisworld response. Although there purports to be opportunity for the accused to be heard. For his part. declared that the meeting actually took place at 10:00 A. 26 — a full one hour difference from the meeting time testified to by Carlos Peña. Time of meeting of senior branch staff with the accused on May 29. under direct examination. however. 27 a fact verified by an examination of the document. it is essential to note that the effect of this investigation is irrelevant and baseless evidence. 25 On the other hand. suggesting that either or both of them were lying through their teeth. believed that the accused practically confessed to him and to Garcia her guilt. or 12:00 noon during said meeting. had a meeting in the office of Acting Branch Manager Santos on the alleged anomaly concerning the SDB rental payment of bank client Peter Li ”at around 11:00 A.proper to conduct an investigation of the alleged anomaly in the handling of the Peter Li account when he. When cross-examined. nay required standard operating procedure.”] At any rate. together with Edna Garcia. that a notice of investigation must indicate the purpose of the investigation. 1996. 2001 that he. since it is customary.. not 11:00 A. Content of the Notice of Investigation. Santos never mentioned a thing about it. Acting Branch Manager.M. the absence of which exposes the person to be . 2001 that the Notice of Investigation issued to the accused was in connection with the case of Mr. he admitted that there was nothing such contained in the said Notice.” and that the Notice of Investigation was presented to the accused at 11:30 A. “xxx we were just trying to get information from her [fishing expedition?] xxx usap-usapan lang. the partiality of the jury (composed of officers of the bank itself) rendered such opportunity futile and nugatory.

2001. e.investigated to an ambush in gross violation of his/her right to due process. They cannot catch me.”[Translation: “Even then when I was close to Gina. implying that Ms Garcia could change the procedures without the necessity of informing him. Acting Branch Manager Santos testified that the accused cried inside his office while the meeting was being conducted. Edna Garcia declared on the witness stand that the crying incident took place before the meeting and not in the office of Acting Branch Manager Santos. SABI NGA NG KA CLOSE KO PAG KAILANGAN KO NG PERA. Branch Operations Head Carlos Peña declared that he was ignorant of changes in procedures instituted by Branch Cashier Edna Garcia because he was not informed about such changes. which even caught the unusual attention of the court when the alleged exchange of words was narrated by the witness. The Crying Incident. contradictory statements on a very material matter. Again. Operations Head Peña was silent about the matter. this is what I should do.”] This is an unnatural and preposterous exchange. She even told me “FEELING KO ANG GALING-GALING KO NA. GANITO AND GAWIN KO. HINDI NILA AKO NAHUHULI. that “NOON PA DURING THE DAYS WHEN KA CLOSE KO SI GINA. . Ms Garcia also supposedly had the following exchange of words with the accused as follows: “Ms Carolyn Lim [accused] cried and told me.”] She further told me that one of the reasons why she requested for transfer to another branch is because she could not control herself from doing it anymore. Bank Procedures. 29 On the other hand. if such exchange ever took place. 28 It is completely unbelievable that an Operations Head is not informed of changes of procedures in his own turf. In his testimony on February 5. which usually happen when a story is concocted in conspiracy. among others. f. She said that whenever I need money. All the foregoing inconsistencies and contradictions on material points in the testimonies of the key witnesses negate their value as evidence.” 30 [Translation: “I felt I was very good.

not on suppositional thinking. such as those pointed out above. All the foregoing discussions. clearly show that the prosecution has miserably failed to prove its case and to overcome the presumption of innocence of the accused. a reasonable doubt can be created by many things. While no test definitely determines which is and which is not considered reasonable under the law.“Inconsistencies such as these in the testimonies of prosecution witnesses have been known to happen. In sum. . and this certainty must be every proposition of proof requisite to constitute the offense. The reasonable doubt should necessarily pertain to the facts constitutive of the crime charged. after the entire comparison and consideration of all the evidence leaves the mind of the judge in that condition that he cannot say that he feels an abiding conviction to a moral certainty of the truth of the crime charged. In criminal prosecution. The presumption can be overcome only by competent and credible proof beyond reasonable doubt. the bottom line is that there is gross insufficiency of evidence to sustain the indictment or to support a verdict of the guilt of the accused beyond reasonable doubt. are crucial on the guilt or innocence of an accused. the accused must be acquitted and set free if his/her guilt cannot be proved beyond the whisper of a doubt. It is that state of the case which. it must necessarily involve genuine and irreconcilable contradictions based. then the element of reasonable doubt is injected and cannot be lightly disregarded. Its inexorable mandate is that. Discrepancies that touch on significant factors. for all the authority and influence of the prosecution. The presumption of innocence can only be rebutted by proof beyond reasonable doubt. the circumstances of the case must exclude all and each and every hypothesis consistent with his innocence. and indeed acquittals have been the result where the inconsistencies and self-contradictions dealt with material points as to altogether erode the credibility of the witness. but on the hard facts constituting the elements of the crime. For the slightest possibility of an innocent man being convicted for an offense he has not committed would be far more dreadful than letting a guilty person go unpunished for a crime he may have perpetrated. Absolute certainty is not demanded by the law to convict of any criminal charge but moral certainty is required.” 31 “Moreover. It is not mere possible doubt but intelligent. In order to convict an accused. coupled by the fact of failure of the prosecution to properly offer its exhibits formally.” 32 5. reasonable and impartial doubt based on a careful examination and conscious consideration of all the evidence in the case. it is sufficient to prevent a conviction if the doubt arises from the evidence adduced or from the lack of evidence. when the alleged eyewitnesses contradict themselves. Its purpose is to balance the scales in what would otherwise be an uneven contest between the lone individual (the accused) pitted against the People of the Philippines and all the resources at their command. And these are what the doubt created in this case is based on. 33 The constitutional presumption of innocence is not an empty platitude meant only to embellish the Bill of Rights.

it is respectfully prayed that this Honorable Court issue an order DISMISSING the case against the accused for failure of the prosecution to establish proof beyond reasonable doubt of the guilt of the accused. IV. . Peter Li. 2004. for example. out of 643 separate SDB transactions subject of this case. M. such as. San Juan. M. the complainant bank did not produce a single witness who participated in any of these transactions. not by adducing evidence establishing “the precise degree of participation by the accused” as required by the Supreme Court in the case of Gutib vs. August 31. We beg to end this exposition by asking the crucial question: Why is it that. RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED. the handling of whose SDB payment was allegedly thoroughly investigated by the complainant.At this point. Court of Appeals 34 in each and every act of the crime of which she stands charged but by wild presumptions and illogical inferences to show an alleged criminal pattern based on circumstantial or indirect evidence that does not even pass the test of admissibility. for Pasig City. to testify definitively to whom among the bank employees concerned his/her SDB cash payment was actually given or delivered? Why? Why? In light of the foregoing discussions. the accused stands on firm ground that the weight of evidence of the prosecution against her lacks sufficient strength to convict her and thus should fall by itself. it is well worth repeating what we said at the outset: The prosecution attempted to prove its impossible theory. PRAYER WHEREFORE.

File a demurrer to evidence with leave or without leave of court Adduce his evidence unless he waives the same WHAT IS A DEMURRER TO EVIDENCE?  It is a motion to dismiss the case filed by the defense after the prosecution rests on the ground of insufficiency of the evidence of the prosecution  It has been said that a motion to dismiss under the Rules of Court takes place of a demurrer. Upon demurrer to evidence filed by the accused with or without leave of court . WHAT ARE THE OPTIONS OF THE ACCUSED? THE ACCUSED MAY DO THE FOLLOWING: 1.AFTER THE PROSECUTION RESTS ITS CASE. 2. The court may dismiss the case on its own initiative after giving the prosecution the right to be heard 2. a motion to dismiss presents squarely before the court a question as to the sufficiency of the facts alleged therein to constitute a cause of action WHAT ARE THE WAYS BY WHICH A CASE MAY BE DISMISSED ON THE BASIS OF INSUFFICIENCY OF EVIDENCE OF THE PROSECUTION? 1. which pleading raised questions of law as to sufficiency of the pleading apparent on the face thereof  In the same manner as a demurrer.

the case will be dismissed  If the court denies the demurrer to evidence filed with leave of court. the accused shall file the demurrer to evidence within 10 days from notice of grant of leave of court  The prosecution may oppose the demurrer to evidence within 10 days from its receipt of the demurrer WHAT IS THE EFFECT OF FILING THE DEMURRER TO EVIDENCE WITH LEAVE OF COURT?  The effect of its filing is that if the court grants the demurrer. THE COURT THINKS THAT THERE IS INSUFFICIENCY OF EVIDENCE PRESENTED.THE PROSECUTION RESTS ITS CASE. the accused should file a motion for leave of court to file a demurrer to evidence. WHAT DOES IT NEED TO DO IN CASE IT WISHES TO DISMISS THE CASE?  The court may dismiss the case on its own initiative after giving the prosecution the right to be heard WHAT DOES IT MEAN WHEN THE PROSECUTION WOULD BE GIVEN THE RIGHT TO BE HEARD BEFORE THE COURT DISMISSES THE CASE?  The prosecution is given the chance to explain itself of circumstances that may have lead to its failure to adduce enough evidence to support its case HOW DO YOU FILE A DEMURRER TO EVIDENCE?  Within 5 days after the prosecution rests. the accused may still adduce evidence on his behalf . stating in such motion his grounds for such  The prosecution shall have 5 days within which to oppose the motion  If the motion is granted.

there would be no waiver to present evidence. otherwise the accused loses certain rights THE ACCUSED FILED A DEMURRER OF EVIDENCE WITHOUT LEAVE OF COURT.  If the trial court issues an order or renders judgment not only granting the demurrer to evidence of the accused and acquitting him but also on the civil liability of the accused to the private offended party. WHAT IS THE EFFECT IF THE DEMURRER IS GRANTED AND THE ACCUSED IS ACQUITTED?  The accused has the right to adduce evidence on the civil aspect of the case unless the court declares that the act or omission from which the civil liability may arise did not exist. which is subsequently denied. said judgment on its civil case would be a nullity for violation of the rights of the accused to due process. As the prosecution hasn’t finished presenting its evidence. there is still insufficiency of evidence.WHAT IS THE EFFECT OF FILING THE DEMURRER TO EVIDENCE WITHOUT LEAVE OF COURT?  If the court denies the demurrer to evidence which was filed without leave of court. . the accused is deemed to have waived his right to present evidence and submits the case for judgment on basis of the evidence of the prosecution  This is because demurrer to evidence is not a matter of right but is discretionary on the court  Permission of the court has to be obtained before it is filed. IS THERE ABSOLUTE WAIVER OF PRESENTATION OF EVIDENCE BY THE COURT?  No  The general rule is that filing of a demurrer of evidence without leave of court. THE DEMURRER OF EVIDENCE IS DENIED. if the demurrer of evidence is filed before the prosecution rests its case. is a waiver of presentation of evidence  Nonetheless.

WHAT IS THE REMEDY OF THE ACCUSED IF THE DEMURRER TO EVIDENCE IS DENIED?  As a general rule. there can be no appeal or certiorari on the denial of the demurrer to evidence. since it is an interlocutory order which doesn’t pass judgment on the merits of the case  In such instance. the accused has the right to adduce evidence on his behalf not only on the criminal aspect but also on the civil aspect of the case .

one alias Dennis. On 9 May 1994. JR. Landingin was pulled out from his seat and dumped on the shoulder of the road. The first was later amended. and ordering that the records of the cases be forwarded to the Office of the Provincial Prosecutor for appropriate action. against the aforenamed persons. recommending that they be charged with and prosecuted for the crimes of murder. 6539 (Anti Carnapping Act of 1992. finding a prima facie case against the accused. five days after. Despite service on them of subpoenas requiring submission of counter-affidavits. Nos. The informations were docketed as Criminal Cases Nos.A. J. as amended) 3 were filed against them with the Municipal Trial Court of Sta. several persons on board a passenger jeepney driven by Teofilo Landingin attacked the latter and a passenger.. the following day. accused Mejia.A. and 94-00620-D. Plaintiff-Appellee. 94-00619-D. After appropriate proceedings. Romulo Calimquim. Barbara. frustrated murder. the Office of the Provincial Prosecutor of Pangasinan filed with the Regional Trial Court (RTC) of Dagupan City three separate informations for murder. Pangasinan. 1997] PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES. along the expressway at Barangay Ventinilla. Sta. and Fabito did not submit their counter-affidavits. No. Joseph Fabito. Barbara. and violation of the Anti-Carnapping Act of 1972. DECISION DAVIDE. Calimquim was found dead three days after the incident in question. 94-00617-D. 94-00617-D (as amended) . Three separate criminal complaints for murder. Mejia and Benito were taken into police custody a few hours after the incident. Alex Mamaril. thereby inflicting upon them multiple stab wounds.: In the evening of 10 March 1994. while the others have remained at large. and JOSEPH FABITO. Espanol issued an order 4 declaring the accused to have waived their right to be heard in preliminary investigation. as amended. Catugas survived. frustrated murder. and violation of R. Judge Lilia C.R. and another unidentified person. Paraan. Pedro Paraan. July 7. EDWIN BENITO. v.1 frustrated murder. Accused-Appellants.EN BANC [G. Paraan. Landingin died as a consequence of the injuries he sustained. Edwin Benito. one alias Mondragon. Catugas was thrown out to the middle of the road when the jeepney started to move away. The accusatory portions of the informations read as follows: CRIMINAL CASE NO. and Fabito. PEDRO PARAAN. Benito. 118940-41. Held to account for the above acts were Gregorio Mejia. respectively. 6539.2 and violation of R. Pangasinan. Virgilio Catugas. One of the attackers took the wheel of the jeepney and drove away. GREGORIO MEJIA y VILLAFANIA. as amended. No.

did then and there wilfully. the above-named accused. the above-named accused. Municipality of Sta. province of Pangasinan. unlawfully and feloniously take and drive away said passenger jeep bearing Plate No. ownerdriver of a passenger jeep bearing Plate No. evident premeditation. Philippines and within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court. province of Pangasinan. armed with knives with intent to kill. I . unlawfully and feloniously attack and stab TEOFILO LANDINGIN inflicting upon him stab wounds which caused his instant death to the damage and prejudice of his heirs. APP-432 with marking Lovely and thereafter with intent to gain. 1994 in the evening along the expressway at barangay Ventinilla. conspiring. unlawfully and feloniously attack and stab VIRGILIO CATUGAS Y CASTAEDA inflicting upon him multiple stab wounds. Paraan. Contrary to Art. Barbara. the above-named accused armed with knives by means of violence against person by stabbing to death TEOFILO LANDINGIN.That on or about March 10. armed with knives and with intent to kill. 1994 in the evening along the expressway at barangay Ventinilla. confederating and mutually helping one another did then and there wilfully. Laron (hereafter. CASTILLO court). 7659. Municipality of Sta. Municipality of Sta. 248 in relation with Art. Mejia. 94-00620-D That on or about March 10. Contrary to Art. 6 of the Revised Penal Code. Philippines and within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court. confederating and mutually helping one another. At their arraignments. Barbara. 1994 in the evening along the expressway at barangay Ventinilla. The third was assigned to Branch 43 of the said court presided by Judge Silverio Q. Contrary to Republic Act 6539 as amended. did not produce it by reason of causes independent of the will of the accused and that is due to the timely and able medical assistance rendered to said Virgilio Catugas y Castaeda which prevented his death to his damage and prejudice. to the damage and prejudice of his heirs. evident premeditation and taking advantage of superior strength. and taking advantage of superior strength. confederating and mutually helping one another. province of Pangasinan.6chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary CRIMINAL CASE NO.5chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary CRIMINAL CASE NO. 94-00619-D That on or about March 10. did then and there wilfully. treachery. LARON court) and thereafter consolidated and jointly tried. and Fabito entered a plea of innocence in each case. conspiring. conspiring. Philippines and within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court. APP-432 with marking Lovely owned and driven by Teofilo Landingin without the latters consent. treachery. Barbara. Castillo (hereafter. the accused having then performed all the acts of execution which would have produced the crime of Murder as a consequence but which nevertheless. Benito.7chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary The first two were assigned to Branch 44 of the RTC of Dagupan City presided by Judge Crispin C. 248 of the Revised Penal Code as amended by Republic Act No.

Cristito Garcia. Calasiao.500 daily during the wake of her husband.9 He also recognized accused Mejia. Mejia then announced: [T]his is a hold-up. of 10 March 1994. Catugas had further observed Benitos face. accused Mejia. Calasiao. Catugas fully recognized Benito because there was light at the ceiling of the jeepney and at the signboard portion of the jeepney and the latter sometimes turned his face toward the back where Catugas was seated. Nora Landingin. who conducted an autopsy on Landingins cadaver. and Paraan. 94-00617-D (Murder) and Criminal Case No. Ma. Mejia asked Catugas whether he was Landingins companion. Cristito Garcia.12 Nora Landingin. Catugas answered in the affirmative. found three stab wounds . policemen Dominguillo Gulen and Bernardo Clemente. Later. Virgilio Catugas was in front of the CS1 Supermarket in Dagupan City waiting for a transportation to take him to his home at Talibaew. Virgilio Catugas was recalled as rebuttal witness. sat beside the driver. the prosecution presented the following witnesses: Virgilio Catugas. Nora felt sad because of his death.13chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary On the other hand. Barbara. The evidence for the prosecution in these cases may be summarized as follows: At around 7:00 p.000 for the tomb. and Felicidad Fabito in their evidence in chief and Julia Paraan as sur-rebuttal witness. but they disembarked before the jeepney reached the boundary of Dagupan City and Calasiao. He boarded it and occupied that portion of the passengers' seat behind the drivers seat. Shirley Lomboy. Later.m. Fabito. the cause of Landingins death was cardiorespiratory arrest resulting from hypovolemic shock due to internal hemorrhage. Another companion of Mejia said: Proceed. and Dr. Catugas.11chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary Landingin died on that same evening. Roberto . One of them. According to him. whom Catugas identified to be accused Edwin Benito. Upon reaching Nansangaan. In their defense. a passenger jeepney plying the Dagupan City Calasiao route and driven by Teofilo Landingin arrived. P12. There were already some passengers inside the jeepney. 14 Dr. and Fabito took the witness stand.two of which were fatal. Pangasinan. one of them said that his companions did not know where they were going. They also presented as additional witnesses Roberto Lambot. leaving behind Landingin. Calasiao. Conrado Benito. ears. But when they reached PVI. Benito. Dr. Pangasinan. and P16. while Benito said: [N]obody will be able to be saved his life [sic]. Sta.8chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary When the jeepney reached the MacArthur Highway in San Miguel. was brought by some people to the Villaflor Memorial Hospital.THE CASES IN THE LARON COURT In Criminal Case No.000 for his burial. and eyes. nine persons flagged down the jeepney and boarded it. Roberto Valenzuela. 94-00619-D (Frustrated Murder) in the LARON court. All of the nine drew their daggers and stabbed Landingin and Catugas. and informed Landingin that he would take care of the fare upon reaching Nansangaan. wife of Teofilo Landingin. Catugas. and two other passengers. who was pushed out of the jeepney and landed on the road. spent P1. policeman Bernardo Clemente. Paraan. Dr.10chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary The nine passengers told Landingin that they were bound for Pangasinan Village Inn (PVI) in Bued. one of the nine passengers asked Landingin to drive a little farther. the rest took the passenger seats behind the drivers seat.

When he stopped the car. In the course of their conversation. At 1:45 a. Edwin Benito.m. Sual. at 12:00 noon.m. stabbed Catugas.16chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary In the same evening of 10 March 1994. Gulen then brought the two and turned them over to the police station in Sual. 15 Catugas survived and was confined for seven days. which was abandoned somewhere in Sual. who was the desk officer at 1:00 a. was the driver of the Elf truck of Lito Lomboy of Bued. His co-accused Mejia. was approaching his residence at the poblacion in Sual. some concerned citizens of Sual apprehended Joseph Fabito in Sitio Looc.25. of 11 March 1994. of 11 March 1994. Pangasinan. while Policeman Dominguillo Gulen of the Mabini Police Station. Barbara and inform it of the turn-over of Mejia and Benito. but denied having committed the crimes. The following is a summary of their version of the events. the two answered that they were not doing anything and that they were not robbers. the PNP elements of Sta. Mabini. Gulen thought that they belonged to an akyat-bahay gang. He gave chase and caught two of them. after they completed delivering sand and gravel. They claimed that it was Romulo Calimquim and his companions who killed Landingin. the accused returned the truck and went to the house of Fabitos brother-in-law in San Miguel. the Sta. The jeepney had bloodstains on the front and back seats. These facts were entered in the Sual Police Station blotter. Clemente and three other policemen were able to find the jeepney with the marking LOVELY in Sitio Nipa.17chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary Policeman Bernardo Clemente. which was used in hauling sand and gravel.000 for his hospitalization and medical expenses. Clemente then instructed the radio operator to call the police station of Sta. Pangasinan. Calasiao. Calasiao. With Benito as their guide. Pangasinan. He was turned over to the Sual Police Station. Sta. Paraan. he saw six men walking in front of his house. accused Mejia and Benito. on board a police patrol car. The hospital billed him in the amount of P44. entered in the police blotter this turn-over and talked to the two. a resident of Ventinilla West. They told Gulen that they were from Sta. the men ran away.667. of 10 March 1994. Poblacion Sual. He spent more than P50. At around 3:00 p. Benito reported that they rode on a jeepney.Valenzuela performed on Catugas exploratory laparatomy debridement and found three multi-lacerations in the right upper extremities and several others on the left upper extremities which could have been caused by bladed instruments. Pangasinan. After two hours of waiting in vain for the brother-in-law. Barangay Baguioen. and drove away the jeepney. Barbara. Barbara Police Station came and received the two. Paraan suggested that they go to the house of his future brother-in-law in Bacayao Norte. as a murder suspect. Pangasinan.18chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary Also on 11 March 1994.m. Barbara. as well as the passenger jeepney. When asked what they were doing. Barbara Police Station took him into its custody.19chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary The accused admitted to having flagged down and boarded Landingins jeepney that fateful evening of 10 March 1994. . They brought it to the police station and had the matter recorded in the police blotter. After having been informed of this arrest. namely. Pangasinan. Benito even showed his drivers license and told Gulen that he did not commit any crime and that he was willing to go to the police station. and Fabito were his helpers. Clemente decided to make a follow-up of this report.

m.25 the man on the wheel ordered Benito. Paraan. at the back seat. according to Benito. The policeman brought them to the Police Station of Sual. who sat beside the driver. While in detention. Barbara.24chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary Benito and his companions were prevented by the group of Calimquim from alighting from the jeepney. pulled his body out of the jeepney.21chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary At the junction of the roads leading to the Municipal Hall of Sta. Sta.m. Barbara Police Station. the man who sat beside the driver (Calimquim.28chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary Benito and Mejia were together. After some snacks they proceeded to the town proper and strolled for a while.22 In the meantime. then stabbed the driver several times. It was when Catugas attempted to fight back that he was stabbed. There. he was by the seashore. they saw Romulo Calimquim with three other companions. took over the wheel. Upon reaching a mountain in Sual. he was brought to the . Then suddenly there was a light coming from below. Barbara and suggested that they should. He returned to Sta.23 Catugas was then thrown out of the jeepney. When a policeman asked him whether he was the killer. and Fabito to alight from the jeepney. who were also waiting for a transportation for Sta. and drove the jeepney. he answered in the negative. They ran away from the group of Calimquim. 30 Afterwards. he narrated to the policemen what had happened. He went to that station which happened to be Sual Police Station. So did Benito and his companions. it was Alex Mamaril. in Ventinilla. Barbara.31chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary Paraan lost his way. Mejia. Fabito stayed for awhile in the mountain. while the others told Benitos companions to lie on their belly.. It was the barangay captain who accompanied him the following day to the police station. Benito reported what had happened and accompanied the policemen to the place where the jeepney in question was located. Pangasinan. the former ordered the latter to stop. the driver did. Calimquim sat beside the driver. to ask him to request a barangay councilman to accompany him to the police station.Calasiao. according to Paraan) ordered the driver to proceed to the national highway. At the waiting shed. and inquired from someone the location of the police station. They proceeded to a waiting shed near the National High School to wait for a transportation for Sta. The rest took the back seat. Benito thought that it was time to go home to Sta. the man with a huge body.32 Paraan was forthwith placed inside the jail. one of the companions of Calimquim pointed a knife at Benito. Barbara only on 14 March 1994 and went to the house of Roland. Barbara. in Bacayao Norte. they were informed that Calimquim was killed and his body was found in Alaminos. his brother-in-law. a policeman saw them. The two told the policeman that they are not "troublesome persons. He stayed there until 6:00 a. Mamaril. the two were detained at Sta. There.20chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary According to Paraan. At around 1:00 p. Barbara and that leading to the national highway. Then. announced that this is a hold up. Calimquim then flagged down an approaching passenger jeepney.m.29 Later. At 2:00 a. He and his companions boarded it. There. But after reaching the highway. of 11 March 1994. The group of Calimquim pointed knives26 and a gun27 at them. the police authorities told him that he was among the assailants of Landingin and that he was the one who stabbed Catugas in the night of 10 March 1994 and one of the suspects in the carnapping of the jeepney of Landingin.

or a total of P80. and Fabito of the crime of murder and of frustrated murder. and ten years and one day of prision mayor to seventeen years. and Fabito were the ones who stabbed him. but when they returned.000 for funeral expenses.000. also proved that Romulo Calimquim died due to a gunshot wound on 13 March 1994 in Barangay Paitan West. Sual. 4338 of Page 260 of the Police Blotter. Catugas answered that he had suffered several wounds and spent much for his hospitalization and that since the accused were the ones apprehended. it sentenced the first three accused to suffer the penalty of death for the crime of murder. plus costs.35chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary On rebuttal.25 for hospital expenses. the parents of the accused met with him and informed him that the accused told them that they (the accused) did not commit any wrong. On their first visit.36chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary The defense then presented Julia Paraan as surrebuttal witness.34chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary The defense. Catugas insisted that it was accused Edwin Benito who stabbed Landingin and that accused Mejia. Pangasinan. II THE CASE IN THE CASTILLO COURT . and the offer of the parents of the accused to compromise the cases.000 as death indemnity. She denounced as untrue the testimony on rebuttal of Catugas that the parents of accused were the ones who offered to pay him money. or P20.000 per family of the accused.37chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary The trial court gave full credit to the version of the prosecution and relied heavily on the identification of the accused by Catugas. and sentenced him to reclusion perpetua for murder. as evidenced by Entry No. through the testimony of Policemen Bernardo Clemente. Accordingly. It credited Paraan with the privileged mitigating circumstance of minority. Then. he being only seventeen years old at the time of the commission of the crimes charged. with treachery as the qualifying circumstance and nighttime and band as aggravating circumstances. and P12. Catugas then asked P20. Catugas told them that he could not yet answer that question. he was committed to the Provincial Jail. Benito. Paraan.687. He further declared that it was the parents of the accused who offered to pay him. and six years of prision correccional to ten years and one day of prision mayor for frustrated murder. The Court also ordered the four accused to pay the heirs of Teofilo Landingin the amounts of P50.38 the LARON court convicted accused Mejia.000 from each of the accused. Julia declared that they visited Catugas to ask him whether it was true that their children committed the crime. and repeated this demand five to six times. Catugas told them that they had to pay the aggregate sum of P80. and to pay Catugas the amount of P44.Sta. the absence of ulterior motive on the part of the latter. four months.000. In its decision dated 17 November 1994. where he was detained for three months. and one day of reclusion temporal for the crime of frustrated murder.000 for the cost of the tomb. but he refused because such an offer could not be accepted by [his] conscience. he would just tell a lie so he could recover the amounts he spent. Barbara Municipal Jail. P16.33chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary Sometime after Catugas was discharged from the hospital and was already driving a tricycle. Paraan.

Their testimonies were substantially the same as those they made in the murder and frustrated murder cases in the LARON court.000. Barbara investigated him.000. showed him pictures of the suspects. as evidenced by Certificate of Registration No. he was thrown out of the jeepney to the shoulder of the road and that one of the culprits took the wheel of the jeepney.44 The jeepney was worth P140. If the intention of Mok Calimquim and company is to hurt anybody.In Criminal Case No.41 After he was discharged therefrom. bolstered its finding that the accused were the authors of the crime charged: 1. including the four (4) accused to eliminate the presence of eyewitnesses. further testified that her husband owned the passenger jeepney in question.40 and took his statement. Prosecution witness Virgilio Catugas added that after Landingin was stabbed. Pangasinan up to the mountains in Sual. if one of the motives of Mok and company is to carnapp [sic] the passenger jeepney of Teofilo Landingin then the logical conclusion that can be had in the instant situation is for the group of Mok to liquidate the driver and all passengers for that matter. to be paid by the parents of the accused on an agreed date. Pangasinan. It debunked the version of the defense on account of the following inculpating evidence. 94-00620-D (violation of the Anti-Carnapping Act) in the CASTILLO Court. and Fabito took the witness stand and presented as additional witnesses Conrado Benito and Felicidad Fabito. He told the father of his hospitalization expenses and asked P80. Again. MVRR 91354948. but before that date came. They (accused) posited that for fear of their lives they did not do anything except to passively stay at the back seat of the jeepney motionless from the place of stabbing incident in Sta. as a settlement of the case. unfortunately they never sustained any bodily injury on their bodies. Accused Gregorio Mejia. according to it. which. Paraan. Edwin Benito. Joseph Fabito and Pedro Paraan speak of innocence and fear for their lives during the ruthless incident. supplied the suspects names.42chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary Prosecution witness Nora Landingin. started off its engine. Barbara. the prosecution presented as its witnesses Virgilio Catugas and Nora Landingin. Unfortunately. they could not have concentrated on the persons of Teofilo Landingin and Virgilio Catugas only but they should have also inflicted stabbing thrusts against their persons (accused). the four (4) accused joined the group of Mok in going to Sual. The accused Mejia.43 and Official Receipt No. and drove off. The former was recalled as rebuttal witness. 19253856.45chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary The CASTILLO court gave full faith to the testimony of Virgilio Catugas. he was able to talk with the father of accused Benito. . the policemen of Sta. 2.39 He further declared that while he was confined at the hospital. Pangasinan without offering any slight resistance in the premises. he had already testified against the accused. Benito. widow of Teofilo Landingin.

Pangasinan. It also ordered them to pay the costs. Lingayen. to reclusion perpetua on account of the privileged mitigating circumstance of minority. Binmaley. their conclusion of innocence crumbled when they joined the group from the crime scene starting in Sta. III THE APPEALS AND ASSIGNMENT OF ERRORS Although review in cases where the death penalty is imposed by the trial court is automatic pursuant to Section 22 of R. In fact. It sentenced the first three accused to death. 4. No. as amended. 5. Pangasinan. Barangay Captain of the place they decided to escape which they did with impunity.A. the subject certification negates accuseds statement of innocence. Unfortunately. they averred that upon reaching Sual. Pangasinan they scampered and run away to different directions to avoid apprehension. Pangasinan. they never made any attempt to jump off the passenger jeepney. they likewise vehemently denied the accusation lodged against them. Edwin Benito. they reported to the responding peace officers what happened to them and that their reports was recorded in the Police Blotter of Sual Station.e.The natural conclusion that can be derived thereat is that. Barbara. Accused Gregorio Mejia and Edwin Benito steadfastly claim innocence of the crime charged. Labrador.47 the convicted accused filed with . Bugallon. In fact when they reached Sual. Instead of proceeding to the Sual Police Station or making any report to the nearest authority i. Barbara to Sual. Upon the other hand. Pangasinan up to their destination in Sual. and Paraan. The subject entry which is contained in the Book of Events of Sual Police Station belies any complaint/report made by accused Edwin Benito/Gregorio Mejia that they were kidnapped or deprived of their liberty with the use of guns and bladed weapons. neither did they show any positive signs to invite the attention of PNP members stationed along the long route starting in Dagupan City. Mok and company belonged to the group of the four (4) accused who were responsible in perpetrating the offense charged.46chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary The court then convicted accused Gregorio Mejia. the Certification squarely bespeaks of the incarceration/detention of said accused (Mejia and Benito) at Sual Police Station for they were suspected of having carnapped the passenger jeepney involved in the above case. Assuming en gratia argumenti that Mok and company are the real offenders. and Joseph Fabito guilty of the violation of the Anti-Carnapping Act of 1972. The assertion of accused Benito and Mejia is tainted with absolute falsity and is debunked by the entry in the Police Blotter of Sual Police Station (Exh. With respect to accused Joseph Fabito and Pedro Paraan. The records in the Police Blotter of Sual is negatived (sic) of any entry about the whereabouts of accused Paraan and Fabito. why is it that during the long span of travel from Sta. G). 3. Pedro Paraan. 7659.

They submit that: (1) The uncorroborated testimony of Catugas on the identification of the appellants leaves much to be desired.this Court their notices of appeal from the decision of the LARON court and of the CASTILLO court on 18 November 1994 and 22 February 1995. and (d) in convicting them of the crimes charged instead of the crimes homicide and frustrated homicide -.R. No. (4) On the assumption that they are guilty they could only be liable for homicide and frustrated homicide. (c) in rendering a verdict of conviction notwithstanding the failure of the prosecution to prove their guilt beyond reasonable doubt. after they filed separate Appellants Briefs in G. since treachery was not established. . and Criminal Case No.00 each as earlier demanded from them. 119407. the appellants impute upon the trial court the following errors: (a) in giving full faith and credence to the unsubstantiated testimony of prosecution witness Virgilio Catugas relative to the incident in question. but Catugas vacillated and testified falsely against accused-appellants when they were not able to produce the amount of P20. respectively.on the assumption that they are guilty. Nos. He should not be believed. (b) in holding them as the persons who stabbed the jeepney driver and Virgilio Catugas in the evening of 10 March 1994 despite the fact that clear and convincing evidence were proffered to point at the real culprits. Romulo Calimquim and his companions. Moreover. and without hesitation he helped or guided the policemen in locating the jeepney at the place where it was abandoned. which we granted on 27 February 1996. hat. 119407. they were not tainted with blood. when Benito and Mejia were picked up by a policeman on that fateful night. and shoes at that time. when they were apprehended.R. 94-00620-D was docketed as G. He did not try to hide or conceal anything when he was confronted about the incident. No. the appellants discussed jointly these assigned errors. Nos. 118940-41. it was with more reason that Catugas could not have identified the assailants since it was nighttime.R. as a result of the shocking incident is not far-fetched. Benito readily showed his drivers license. There is then a very strong and compelling reason to believe that Catugas mistook the appellants as the real hold-uppers.R. Being interrelated. In their Appellants Brief in G. if not mentally and physically drained. answered questions propounded by policeman Clemente. If policeman Gulen could not even identify in court appellant Mejia whom he apprehended in the evening of 10 March 1994 and brought to the Sual Police Station.000. the appellants filed a motion for the consolidation of these cases. (2) Catugas told Conrado Benito and Felicidad Fabito that their children did not commit any wrong. (3) The actuations of appellants specifically that of Edwin Benito augurs well with their claim of innocence.R. 118940-41. The possibility that Catugas got confused. 118940-41 and in G. Nos. Criminal Cases Nos. for he could not even remember who among the appellants were wearing short pants. On 2 February 1996. Catugas denial of their testimony is self-serving and cannot overcome the positive testimony of Conrado and Felicidad. 94-00617-D and 94-00619-D were docketed in this Court as G.

it was because of fear since Calimquims group pointed knives at each of them and ordered them to lie down in stooping position. (b) The court a quo erred in convicting them of the crime charged on the basis of surmises and conjecture. Catugas. sufficient. The absence of conspiracy was shown by the fact that in Sual. their natural course would have been to hide from the authorities. which is an essential ingredient of the crime of carnapping.They claim that from the evidence adduced it is very clear that the incident was only a hold-up and that the jeepney was taken to Sual as escape vehicle. considering that the light in the jeepney was dim and his principal attention was concentrated on defending himself. In the Consolidated Appellees Brief. the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) urges us to affirm in toto the challenged decisions for failure of the appellants to show that the trial court committed error in finding the prosecution evidence clear. 119407. as amended. That they did not even jump off the passenger jeepney or show positive signs to invite the attention of the PNP stationed along the route from Dagupan City to Sual.In their Appellants Brief in G. and (c) the court a quo erred in convicting them by relying fully on the evidence of the prosecution and completely disregarding the evidence of the defense. after they were released as hostages.000 which he allegedly demanded from them. the same should not be believed. they ran in separate directions and did not join the group of Calimquim. (2) The entry in the Sual Police Station police blotter that Benito and Mejia were suspected of having carnapped the passenger jeepney does not bind them. the appellants argue that intent to gain. they make the following assignment of errors: (a) the facts charged in the information do not constitute violation of the crime of Anti-Carnapping Act of 1972. the appellants submit that: (1) The trial courts conclusion on their culpability was based on mere surmises and conjectures and contradicted by the evidence on the record. If they were members. (4) The trial court should not have relied on the testimony of Catugas whose identification of the appellants was based only on the pictures and on the information of the policemen. who made an eyewitness account. (3) There is no basis for the conclusion that Paraan and Fabito had escaped.was not proved.R. The fact that the group of Calimquim did not hurt any of the four appellants and that the latter offered no resistance does not prove appellants membership in Calimquims group. for it was made by a police officer and was contrary to what they had reported. As to the first. The truth is. It was impossible for Catugas to narrate in detail the participation of each accused. No. (5) Appellants reporting of the incident disproved their membership in the group of Calimquim. Their voluntary submission to the police immediately after the incident should have been given credence as part of the res gestae. it was the parents of the appellants . had the opportunity to observe the appellants during the commission of the crime and had no ill-motive to implicate the appellants falsely. As to the charge that he perjured because the appellants were not able to produce the amount of P80. In support of the second and third assigned errors. which they discussed jointly. and convincing to convict.

We are unable to understand why neither the LARON court or the CASTILLO court nor any of the parties caused. They arose out of the same incident. and convincing.49 we held that although consolidation of several cases involving the same parties and the same subject matter is one addressed to the sound discretion of the trial court. this fact alone is not adequate and fell short of the required test of positive identification. What were jointly tried were only the cases for murder and frustrated murder. the attainment of justice with the least expense and vexation to the parties litigants. guard against oppression or abuse. the appellants try to show that the identification made by the prosecution witness Catugas cannot be denominated as clear. or even filed with the different branches of the same court.000 in order that he would not testify against the appellants. Nos. The three cases then should have been consolidated and jointly tried in one branch of the RTC of Dagupan City. Their conviction for violation of the Anti-Carnapping Act is also proper. No. The purpose or object of consolidation is to avoid multiplicity of suits. the trial court was correct in convicting the appellants of murder for the death of Teofilo Landingin and frustrated murder for stabbing Virgilio Catugas. The crimes charged in the informations filed before the LARON court and CASTILLO court are irretrievably linked with or related to one another. remarks on some procedural matters are in order. since their main purpose was to get the jeepney and they killed Landingin in order that they could get it. 118940-41 and in G. a consolidation of the case for violation of the Anti-Carnapping Act (which has the higher docket number) with the cases for murder and frustrated murder in the LARON court (which have lower docket numbers). while it may be true that he could have taken glimpse or glance at the faces of all the accused-appellants. Section 14 of Rule 119 of the Rules of Court provides: SEC. simplify the work of the trial court. positive.R. as it was against his principles to tell a lie. are founded on the same factual milieu.R. and would be proved by testimonies of the same witnesses. or moved for. 119407 that the appellants moved to consolidate the latter with the former. Elipe. The OSG also maintains that treachery was duly proved and. and save unnecessary cost or expense.000 he demanded. prevent delay. They strongly suggest that Catugas had ill-motive to testify falsely against them in that he was not paid the P80. They presented no evidence to prove that they ran away with the jeepney for any lawful purpose.who approached Catugas and offered him P80. It was only after the filing of their separate Appellants Brief in G. 14. IV THE CRIMES COMMITTED AND THE ISSUE OF CULPABILITY OF APPELLANTS Before we go any further. Catugas did not accept the offer.48 In Raymundo v. . joint hearing becomes a matter of duty if two or more cases are tried before the same judge. in short. In their Consolidated Reply Brief. Consolidation of trials of related offenses. provided one of such cases has not been partially tried. Charges for offenses founded on the same facts or forming part of a series of offenses of similar character may be tried jointly at the courts discretion. clear congested dockets. for. hence.

driver. No. The same observation may be had on the testimonies of the appellants before both courts. The principal witnesses of the parties testified in all the three cases. driver or occupant of the carnapped motor vehicle is killed or raped in the course of the commission of the carnapping or on the occasion thereof. when the carnapping is committed by means of violence against or intimidation of any person. (stress supplied). and by imprisonment for not less than seventeen years and four months and not more than thirty years. irrespective of the value of motor vehicle taken. 94-00617-D and frustrated murder in Criminal Case No. 7659 which took effect on 31 December 199350 is applicable to these cases because the crimes were committed on 10 March 1994. Yet. 6539. respectively. Penalty for Carnapping.This failure to consolidate the three cases at the trial court level could contribute some difficulty in the appreciation of the evidence. 94-00619-D are absorbed in the violation of the Anti-Carnapping Act in Criminal Case No. (2) the inclusion of rape.A. by way of analogy vis-a-vis paragraphs 1 to 4 . Three amendments have thus been made. The latter makes clear the intention of the law to make the offense a special complex crime. driver or occupant of the carnapped vehicle is killed in the commission of the carnapping. be punished by imprisonment for not less than fourteen years and eight months and not more than seventeen years and four months. As one reads the transcripts of the testimonies of these witnesses in both cases. Upon the other hand. Our minds and mental processes must be kept away from the pitfalls of such impressions. -. and (3) the change of the phrase in the commission of the carnapping to in the course of the commission of the carnapping or on the occasion thereof. or occupant of the carnapped motor vehicle is killed or raped in the course of the commission of the carnapping or on the occasion thereof. when the carnapping is committed without violence or intimidation of persons. shall. the assessment of their testimony and credibility in the LARON court must not be influenced by their testimonies in the case before the CASTILLO court. 7659 and now imposes the penalty of reclusion perpetua to death when the owner. but clear in the CASTILLO court. Section 14 of the AntiCarnapping Act was amended by Section 20 of R. viz: (1) the change of the penalty of life imprisonment to reclusion perpetua. as amended. it would be quite difficult to avoid forming impressions in light of the totality of their testimonies in both courts. 94-00620-D. and vice versa. the last clause read as follows: and the penalty of life imprisonment to death shall be imposed when the owner. 14. reads in full as follows: SEC. No. for the rules on evidence and the constitutional presumption of innocence in favor of the appellants dictate that we resolve the appeals in the cases before the LARON court and the case before the CASTILLO court solely on the basis of the evidence presented before such courts. there were details he disclosed in one of the courts which were not given in the other court. R. or force upon things. and the penalty of reclusion perpetua to death shall be imposed when the owner. The next preliminary matter to be resolved is whether the crimes of murder in Criminal Case No. No.A. In the LARON court.Any person who is found guilty of carnapping. prosecution witness Catugas was unclear in some details of the incident. In the original Section 14 of R. or force upon things. as this term is defined in Section Two of this Act. (Underscoring supplied for emphasis). This Section.A.

6539. Since Section 14 of R. 6539. which is a motor vehicle under the definition in Section 2 of R. But do the words "IS KILLED" in the last clause of Section 14 of R. although there could only be one single offense of qualified carnapping or carnapping in an aggravated form. No.51 the carnapping and the killing (or the rape) may be considered as a single or indivisible crime or a special complex crime which. In short. who suffered physical injuries. has the prosecution established with moral certainty the guilt of the appellants? The LARON and the CASTILLO courts held that it did. with intent of gain. as amended. the killing (or the rape) merely qualifies the crime of carnapping which for lack of specific nomenclature may be known as qualified carnapping or carnapping in an aggravated form. the accused admits the commission of the acts alleged to constitute .cannot be treated as a separate offense. We shall now take up the issue of the culpability of the appellants. however.A.whether it be homicide or murder -. It follows then that the killing of the driver. The unmistakable import thereof is that it refers only to the consummated felony of either murder or homicide. If attempted or frustrated murder or homicide is committed in the course of the commission of the carnapping or on the occasion thereof. is not covered by Article 48 of the Revised Penal Code. 6539 uses the words IS KILLED. then it must be deemed to fall under the clause (of Section 14) when the carnapping is committed by means of violence against or intimidation of any person. But. Nonetheless. nothing but proof beyond reasonable doubt must be established by the prosecution. considering the phraseology of the amended Section 14. for instance. include the crime of frustrated murder or homicide? Put a little differently.of Article 294 of the Revised Penal Code on robbery with violence against or intimidation of persons. the prosecution had still to prove the essential requisites of the homicide or murder of Landingin and that of carnapping. The evidence adduced by the prosecution has established beyond reasonable doubt the carnapping of Teofilo Landingin's passenger jeepney. Virgilio Catugas. No. Enshrined in the Bill of Rights is the right of the accused to be presumed innocent until the contrary is proved.A. No. from Landingin by means of violence against him which caused his death and against a passenger.53 To overcome the presumption.A.54 Save in certain circumstances as where. but should only be considered to qualify the crime of carnapping. This should have been another reason for the consolidation of the carnapping case in the CASTILLO court with the cases before the LARON court. Whether it is one or the other which is committed "in the course of carnapping or on the occasion thereof makes no difference insofar as the penalty is concerned. does murder or homicide in its frustrated stage also qualify carnapping if it is committed in the course of the commission of the carnapping or on the occasion thereof? The answer must be in the negative in light of the use in said Section 14 of the words IS KILLED. As such. Teofilo Landingin -.52 The passenger jeepney was taken. no distinction must be made between homicide and murder.

it is. even more. and then in the informations in Criminal Cases Nos. the court's constitutional duty to acquit him. Romulo Calimquim. it was because they were intimidated and made to lie down on their bellies inside the jeepney. then it is not only the accuseds right to be freed. The conscience must be satisfied that on the accused could be laid the responsibility for the offense charged. the accused need not even offer evidence in his behalf. and another described as John Doe. We find to be absolutely without basis the statement of the CASTILLO court that the appellants abandoned Landingins jeepney in Sitio Nipa. The theory of the appellants is that they were not members of the group of Romulo Calimquim.a crime but interposes justifying circumstances. Pangasinan.59 3311. upon seeing the arrival of concerned citizens and . The prosecution has no proof to prove otherwise. but the LARON and the CASTILLO courts.55chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary In our jurisdiction accusation is not synonymous with guilt.56 If the prosecution fails to discharge the burden. 3310.57chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary After a painstaking review of the records and the transcripts of the stenographic notes of the testimonies of the witnesses in the cases before the LARON court and the CASTILLO court. independent of whatever defense is offered by the accused. Strongest suspicion must not be permitted to sway judgment. not by design. Every circumstance favoring the accuseds innocence must be duly taken into account. Upon arrival in the mountains of Sual. What then looms large in our minds is that the appellants and the five others happened to be passengers of Landingins jeepney by accident. respectively. of course.60 respectively. of the Municipal Trial Court of Sta. and Paraan as his keepers). requires the most careful scrutiny of the evidence for the State. Pangasinan. they fled from the Calimquim group when the first opportunity to do so came. and carnapping in Criminal Cases Nos. through inferences from certain facts.58 3313. Fabito. The conclusion is rather tenuous. 94-00620-D63 of the CASTILLO court. it miserably failed to establish any relationship between them and the five others headed by Calimquim. Alex Mamaril. Sual.61 and 94-00619-D62 of the LARON court and Criminal Case No. Baquioen. both oral and documentary. The freedom of the accused is forfeit only if the requisite quantum of proof necessary for conviction be in existence. This. Indeed. The proof against the accused must survive the test of reason. frustrated murder. a certain Mondragon. If the appellants were with the five others until Sual. Reasonable doubt burdens our conscience. namely. Another circumstance further proves that the appellants did not belong to the group of Calimquim. unless the prosecution successfully discharges that burden. our minds cannot rest easy on a verdict of conviction. The prosecution had nine suspects in these cases: the four appellants and the five others. a certain Dennis. 94-00617-D. All nine were forthwith charged with the crimes of murder. the burden is never shifted to the accused or diminished by the weakness of his defense. as sand-and-gravel truck driver and Mejia. While the rigorous cross-examination of the appellants in all these cases has established close relationship among the appellants by reason of their residence and work. (Benito. Barbara. we are not convinced with moral certainty that the appellants committed the crimes charged. concluded that the appellants were. Pangasinan.

in paragraph 8 of your statement. Barbara. Despite the latters participation. This resulted in the recovery of the jeepney by the policemen. Pedro Paraan. Dennis Abrigo alyas Mondragon and one unidentified person. Appellant Paraan also presented himself later to the Police Station of Sta. they were. you said and you mentioned the names of the person and I will now read: Q How about the true names of the suspect. They had no participation in the preparation of the entries. The evidence presented by both the prosecution and the defense reveal that after appellants Benito and Mejia were picked up by Policeman Gulen on the latters suspicion that they were members of an akyat-bahay gang. Gregorio Mejia. In the CASTILLO court. can you tell this Court why these persons were written in your statement? A Because of the police investigation. . Unfortunately. TAMINAYA: Q Now. Edwin Benito. no policeman was presented as witness for the prosecution. Thus: ATTY. At the very most. however. Benito even accompanied the policemen. The prosecutor who conducted the direct examination was unable to propound sensible questions to elicit clear answers bound to reconstruct faithfully the events surrounding the commission of the alleged crimes. they voluntarily informed the police authorities of the Sual Police Station of what had happened. alyas Dennis. On cross-examination in the LARON court. Entries in the police blotters should not be given undue significance or probative value. As to the alleged participation of the appellants in the commission of the crimes. for they are normally incomplete and inaccurate sometimes from either partial suggestion of for want of suggestion or inquiries. although apprehended by concerned citizens of the place to where he had fled. Appellant Fabito. Joseph Fabito. The silence of the entries on what the appellants had declared in court is not conclusive evidence that they did not report the incident to the police authorities. No prosecution witness so testified. It was this information that brought the policemen to where the subject jeepney was located. the CASTILLO court relied heavily on the entries in the police blotters of the police stations of Sual and Sta. The totality of his testimony in the cases before the LARON court leaves much to be desired. do you know them? A In fact I do not know. the testimony of Catugas fails to convince us that the appellants indeed participated in the commission of the crimes. Mok Calimquim. voluntarily reported what he knew to the police authorities of Sual and Sta. Barbara PNP. the responding peace officers effected the recovery of the subject jeepney sans the accused/culprits. This deficiency thus tempted the trial judge to ask more questions. Alex Mamaril. Barbara. the prosecution had to rely solely on the testimony of Virgilio Catugas. Catugas categorically admitted that he did not know the names of the appellants and that he could recognize only three of the nine accused. they only recorded the impression that the appellants were suspects. based on the police investigation of Sta.members of the Sual Police Station.64 The entries in question are sadly wanting in material particulars. Barbara.

do you remember his shirt? A I dont know. In the case before the CASTILLO court. sir. Q How many of the nine (9) can you recognize? A Three (3) of them. sir. do you remember his clothes? A I cannot remember. Q So. Q How about the person next to the one with red t-shirt. Q How about the person sitting in front of you whom you pointed to this person wearing in red T-shirt? A I can no longer remember. Q Please point to him? A He was wearing a dark color. how were you able to identify these [sic] person who is [sic] wearing in [sic] red Tshirt? A I saw his face. were it not of the police and the pictures. you said you recognized the persons who sat besides [sic] the driver. sir.65chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary Further indicating the uncertainty of his identification. he made the following admissions on cross-examination: Q Now. sir. he declared that he was stabbed by the nine persons. sir. Q How were you able to recognize the last person (referring to Edwin Benito)? A He was besides [sic] the driver. sir. is it not? A Yes. COURT: Q What you do mean when you said that that you can recognize three (3) of them? A I can remember those persons who sat near me. sir. sir.Q So. Q Who of the four (4) accused who sitted [sic] near you? A The one wearing red T-shirt. sir. is that correct? A I can recognize the others. you were not able to identify the accused. Q You cant remember also whether one of these accused was wearing a hat at that time? A I cannot remember. Sir. Q Was it a T-shirt or a polo shirt? A I cannot tell. Thus: . Q How about Gregorio Mejia. the second to the last of the four accused.

sir. PROS. sir. sir.COURT: Q Who were involved in stabbing? A All of them. sir. he candidly admitted on cross-examination that only one person stabbed him. COURT: Proceed. sir. there are 22 stabbed wounds. TAMINAYA: Q How many times were you stabbed by them? A Twice. they were the 9 persons who participated in the stabbing incident and who were the victims? A Me and the driver. sir. Q A while ago you mentioned there were two (2) initial stab blows with respect to the other stab blow who delivered this stab blow? A His companions and also Gregorio Mejia. Q And you cannot recognize the person who stabbed your? A I can identify him.67chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary Upon further questioning by the court. Further compounding the uncertainty and unreliability of Catugas testimony. four of whom were inside the courtroom? A From the scar left of my body.66chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary Yet. Catugas declared that six of the nine stabbed him: COURT: Q How many stab wounds did you sustain? A More than twenty (20) stab wounds. ATTY. MARATA: Q How many times were you stabbed by the nine persons. TAMINAYA: Q When you said his companions and Gregorio Mejia are you referring to the five (5) other persons as the companions of Gregorio Mejia who participated in stabbing you? . Q When you said 9 persons. Q Who was the assailant and who was stabbed? A The 9 persons. no further questions were asked for him to convincingly show that the appellants inflicted any of the stab wounds on his body. Q How many persons stabbed you then? A Only one (1) person. Thus: ATTY. sir. sir. sir.

00. Q And you demanded from them to pay P40. sir.000. . (Witness showing his scar near the shoulder. sir. can you inform the Court if the four (4) accused now or these two persons are among the four (4) accused now? A They are not here.A I think it is about six (6) of them who stabbed me. and then declined to point to anyone of the herein four appellants as the person who did it. is that correct? A Yes. Catugas was not entirely free from any ulterior motive in implicating the appellants. he testified against the appellants in the LARON court. sir. Q And you told them about your expenses in the hospital.000.) Q You said you were stabbed on your right shoulder. The following exchanges between him and counsel for the defense before the CASTILLO court are revealing: ATTY. sir.69chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary It would thus be sheer speculation and conjecture to conclude from Catugas testimony in the CASTILLO court that the appellants had inflicted any of the stab wounds on Catugas. were you able to talk with the father of Edwin Benito? A Yes. TAMINAYA: Q After you were released from the hospital.70chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary Finally. Thus: COURT: Q When they stopped stabbing you they did not stab you anymore? A They still stabbed me on my right upper arm. sir. Moreover. sir. sir. on question by the trial judge in the CASTILLO court.68chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary He could not remember anymore the person who inflicted the last stab wound. He admitted that he demanded P80. Catugas categorically admitted that none of the appellants participated in the stabbing of Landingin. Q When you said you cannot remember. who stabbed you among these nine (9) persons? A I could not remember anymore. you cannot tell this Court whether it was one among the four (4) accused in this case who stabbed you on your right upper arm? A I could not point the person responsible in stabbing my shoulder because that is the last stab wound. Thus: COURT: xxx Q These two persons who participated in stabbing Teofilo Landingin.000 from the parents of the appellants.00 is that correct? A I was asking P80. sir. but before they could give the money on the agreed date.

00? COURT: That is the settlement money. Q What you want to tell the Honorable Court is that you agreed to pay you P80.000. you should not have testified in this case? A PROSECUTOR MARATA: Improper.00? A Yes. sir.000.00 but he cannot pay you at that very moment? A Yes. ATTY. sir. your honor. COURT: Proceed. we have agreed of another date for them to pay. COURT: Proceed. Hypothetical. COURT: Q Did the parents of Edwin Benito made a counter offer? A That is already their counter proposal. sir. TAMINAYA: Q Did you agree for the amount of P80. ATTY. Q What you are trying to convey to the Court is that you are settling the case with Edwin Benito the amount of P80.000.000. ATTY. it is clear that if only they have given P80. ATTY.00 then? A Because he pleaded to me. TAMINAYA: Q And the parents of Edwin Benito cannot pay that P80.000. sir. ATTY.00 because they are poor? A They will not pay that amount on that date.COURT: Q Why were you asking the amount of P80.00. sir. COURT: Sustained. your Honor. TAMINAYA: Q So.000. TAMINAYA: . TAMINAYA: As follow-up question.

COURT: Q When you said you have already testified. He then demanded P80. sir. Conrado so declared. It wanted to prove that the parents of the appellants were in fact the ones who proposed. which the prosecution failed to satisfactorily rebut. because he is saying that he suffered several wounds.000 in consideration of his exculpatory testimony. he suffered several wounds and that he spent so much for his hospitalization. and he said also that they were the persons who were apprehended and so. Q What was the answer of Virgilio Catugas? A He said. efforts were made by the prosecution to cushion the impact of Catugas demand for payment of P80. Conrado Benito testified as follows: Q What did you tell him? A I told him that our children telling us that they did not commit any wrong and I told them to tell the truth and we are not consenting them to whatever they have done if they have done something wrong.71chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary In the LARON court. thus: . ATTY.Q You said that there was the agreed date.000 each was to pay. for they could not afford it. TAMINAYA: Q Can you tell this Court what did you tell him about that expenses? A I said.72chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary But the parents could not deliver the P20.000. I will just tell a lie for the same because how could I collect for the amount I spent if I will not tell a lie? COURT: Q You consider Virgilio Catugas as a liar and you are not a liar? A Yes. but Catugas replied that since the appellants were the ones apprehended. what happened on the agreed date? A The date has not yet arrived but I have already testified. then we can at least help you. sir. is that the parents went to see him to verify whether their children had indeed committed the crimes. which he equally apportioned among the parents of the four appellants. Q How much did Virgilio Catugas tell you? A The last time that we talked. COURT: Q How many times did he tell you? A For 5 to 6 times because he told us to return to him.000. you are referring to your testimony in RTC Branch 44? A Yes. But the testimony of Conrado Benito. sir. he ask[ed] us to give P20. he would just pinpoint them so that he could recover what he had spent.00 each.

Pedro Paraan.74 There is no evidence whatsoever that any of the appellants authorized his parents to approach Catugas or knew the matter of payment of P80. he told us that we would not tell the same to Mrs.000. not even a single centavo. JJ. if one were to believe the explanation of Catugas that the amount of P80.000. can you tell this court if he made mention to the wife of Teofilo Landingin? A Because he is collecting from us P20. Accused-appellants Gregorio Mejia. unless other lawful and valid grounds for their further detention exist. SO ORDERED. WHEREFORE.73chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary The LARON court gave credence to the version of the prosecution and even took the incident as offer of compromise.J. C. On the whole then we entertain. Mendoza. Said court misapplied Section 27 of Rule 130 of the Rules of Court..00. Q Why? A We cannot pay because even payment for attorneys fees. 94-00619-D. Endnotes: 1 Original Record (OR). Padilla.00..00? A No sir. Melo. Their immediate release from detention is hereby ordered. Jr. Q Were you able to give that P20. then the offer to reimburse it is not admissible in evidence as proof of criminal liability pursuant to the last paragraph of Section 27 of Rule 130. 94-0617-D. Moreover..ATTY. the challenged decisions in Criminal Case No. Regalado.000 represented the expenses he incurred for his hospitalization and medical bills. 2 OR. Hermosisima. on leave. Edwin Benito. Romero. concur. Landingin. No costs. Narvasa.. 94-00617-D (for Murder) and Criminal Case No. Puno. 94-00619-D (for Frustrated Murder) of Branch 44 and in Criminal Case No.000. 7. Francisco. unavoidably. . Bellosillo. and Torres.. and Panganiban. Jr. Criminal Case No. and Joseph Fabito are ACQUITTED on the ground that their guilt therefor has not been proved beyond reasonable doubt or with moral certainty. 94-00620-D (violation of Anti-Carnapping Act of 1972) of Branch 43 of the Regional Trial Court of Dagupan City are REVERSED. which may be considered an implied admission of guilt. JJ. we cannot afford. Vitug.000. TAMINAYA: Q When Virgilio Catugas told you to give P20. Criminal Case No. Kapunan. 10. serious doubt on the participation of the appellants in the commission of the crimes charged.

TSN. 4-6.16. Criminal Case No. 25 July 1994. 1. 5-7. 17 August 1994. 11-13. TSN. OR. Exhibits E to E-2 inclusive. 26 TSN. 19-22. 20 July 1994. 28 Id. 94-00620-D.. 3-10. 4 OR. 15 TSN. TSN. Criminal Case No. 22 TSN. TSN. 17 TSN. 19 Id. 25 July 1994. 94-00619-D. 11 August 1994. 17 August 1994. 32. 13 TSN. 9 Id. 94-00617-D. 20 July 1994. 9.. OR Criminal Case No. 94-00620-D.16-18. 29. 5-7. and OR. Criminal Case No. 27 TSN. 25 TSN. 23 Id. 19. 9. 94-00617-D. . 16 TSN. Criminal Case No. 22 July 1994. 12-18. TSN. 9-13. 15. Criminal Case No. 11 August 1994. 3-9. 2-3. 20 July 1994. 4-6. 10 August 1994. 20 July 1994. 27 July 1994.. 11 August 1994. 12 Exhibit F. 21 TSN. 18 TSN. 13. 8 TSN. 5 OR. Criminal Case No.3 OR. 18.. 7-8. 26 August 1994. 14 TSN. 1. 94-00619-D. 9-15. 24 TSN. 17. 21-22. 10. 6 OR. 27 July 1994. 4. 10 August 1994. 24 August 1994. 1. 19. 11 TSN. 10 Id. 24 August 1994. 26. 9. 7 OR. 18. 20 TSN. 94-00620-D.. 9-10. 9. 9 August 1994. Criminal Case No. 94-00617-D.

street-sweepers.29 Id. 629 [1971]. sprinklers. 1866 on qualified illegal possession of firearm. No. Quijada. 30-32. 35-47. 100. Case No. 17 August 1994. 46 OR.D. graders. 24 August 1994. 16 September 1994. for instance. but excepting road rollers. 26 August 1994. 43 Exhibit B. 99. 11-13. 10 August 1994. Court of Appeals. 5-7. 42 TSN. No. Rollo. 31 Id. Criminal Case No. 162-164. Rollo. 234 SCRA 555 [1994]). 118940-41.R. 9-10. 94-00620-D. No. 4-5. 2 September 1994. 30 TSN. 39 TSN. Criminal Case No. Nos. OR. Simon. 19. Crim. 40 TSN. 49 42 SCRA 615. amphibian . G. 94-00617-D. 34 TSN.8. 259 SCRA 191 [1996]). 50 Supra. where murder or homicide is committed with the use of an unlicensed firearm -. fork-lifts. 41 Exhibit A. 13-15. 48 1 C. which took effect on 31 December 1993 (People v. TSN. G. trolley cars. 4. TSN. Other Special Penal Laws. 3-5. G. 93028. 15-17. 45 TSN. as Amended. 26. (People v. Cojuangco v. 44 Exhibit C. 36 TSN. lawn mowers. 37 TSN.. 203 SCRA 619. 21. 3-5. 7 September 1994. 25-26. bulldozers.. 19 September 1994. 23-24. 33 TSN. 51 As distinguished.the assailant is also liable for murder or homicide in view of the clear intent of the law to respect and preserve the latter as a distinct offense under the Revised Penal Code and to increase the penalty for illegal possession of firearm where such firearm is used in killing a person.J. 17 August 1994. 31 August 1994. 32 TSN. 17 August 1994. Actions 108. note 47. 632 [1991]. 13-14. Id. from the phraseology of Section 1 of P. 11 August 1994. 119407. 1343.R. 35 TSN. 10 August 1994. Amending for that Purpose the Revised Penal Code. OR. 94-00620-D. 12-13. 52 The term "Motor Vehicle" is defined therein as any vehicle propelled by any power other than muscular power using the public highways. 20-21..R. 94-00620-D. Crim. and for Other Purposes. Case No.S. 4-5. 47 An Act to Impose the Death Penalty on Certain Heinous Crimes. 99-111. 14 September 1994. TSN. 38 OR.

Criminal Case No. 222 SCRA 394. 10 August 1994. Criminal Case No. 57 People v. 74 The Section reads as follows: SEC. 62 Id.. and is not admissible in evidence against the offeror. 59 Id. 73 TSN. Rule 133. 16-17. Criminal Case No.In civil cases. 11. In criminal cases.. 64 People v. Aguilar. 17 August 1994. an offer of compromise by the accused may be received in evidence as an implied admission of guilt. 1. 61 Id. 13-14. 94-00617-D. 66 TSN. Criminal Case No. Rules of Court. 9. Garcia. 224 SCRA 319. and cranes if not used on public highways. 42 SCRA 59. 94-00619-D. 63 Id. 7. 54 Sec. 67 TSN. 60 Id. 213 SCRA 777. 790 [1992]. 94-00167-D. 13. 65 TSN. Dramayo. Criminal Case No. 58 OR. 53 Sec. 2. People v. -. 56 People v. 15-17. 24. 14. 358-359 [1992]. vehicles which run only on rails or tracks and tractors. except those involving quasi-offenses (criminal negligence) or those allowed by law to be compromised.. 15-17.. trailers and traction engines of all kinds used exclusively for agricultural purposes. 10. Offer of compromise not admissible. 407-408 [1993]. 1. 94-00620-D. 68 Id. Cordova. 348 [1993].. 69 Id. 64 [1971]. 14(2).. 1. 10. 15. 215 SCRA 349.trucks. People v. Article III of the Constitution. Criminal Case No. 2 September 1994.. . 55 People v. Casinillo. 22 July 1994. Pido. 71 TSN. 2 September 1994. 94-00620-D. 27. 70 Id. 72 TSN. 200 SCRA 45 [1991]. an offer of compromise is not an admission of any liability. 94-00169-D.. August 1994.

No. She was unwavering in her declaration. hospital or other expenses occasioned by an injury is not admissible in evidence as proof of civil or criminal liability for the injury. According to the accused-appellants. Affidavits are generally subordinate in importance to open court declarations. ORLIE SULTAN y MASDAL and SALIK AMINO y LUGEOMAN. there were inconsistencies between the signed statement of Rita Pino that "she was invited to go to the police station to identify the suspects"7 and her statements in open court that "she came to the police station out of her own volition"8 which placed a doubt on her credibility. J.9 . vs. General Santos City. G. accused. plaintiff-appellee. is not admissible in evidence against the accused who made the plea or offer. This is not the first time that the Court will hold that discrepancies between the statements of an affiant in his affidavit and those made by him on the witness stand do not necessarily discredit him since ex-parte affidavits are generally incomplete. 130594 July 5.A plea of guilty later withdrawn.R. or an unaccepted offer of a plea of guilty to a lesser offense.: The witness for the prosecution Rita Pino testified that she saw the motorcycle of George Lozano ridden by three men when it passed by the cotton farm in barangay Cabuway. 2000 PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES. AKMAD SIRAD. accusedappellants PARDO. ORLIE SULTAN y MASDAL and SALIK AMINO y LUGEOMAN. An offer to pay or the payment of medical.6 She was able to identify the accused.

vs.. the dead body of George Lozano was found at the ranch of Bernardino Lozano about three (3) meters away from the cotton farm where Rita and Martillano was gathering left over cotton. and (3) the combination of all the circumstances is such as to produce a conviction beyond reasonable doubt.: The issue is what is the quantum of circumstantial evidence that will be sufficient to convict the accused-appellants.R.m. Martillano and Rita Pino saw the motorcycle of George Lozano without the bread box pass by with the three accused riding on it. This Court had on many occasions ruled that circumstantial evidence would suffice when. 1992. plaintiff-appellee. accused.m.The three accused riding the motorcycle were driving away from the direction where the body of George Lozano was found.. 4.. ORLIE SULTAN y MASDAL and SALIK AMINO y LUGEOMAN.. 130594 July 5. 2.Martillano Lozano and Rita Pino saw the familiar red motorcycle of George Lozano passed by the cotton farm at around 9:00 a. 5. 6. 2000 PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES.At around 12:00 noon....... the circumstances are as follows: 1. and . " (1) there is more than one circumstance.."12 The peculiarity of circumstantial evidence is that the guilt of the accused cannot be deduced from scrutinizing just one particular piece of evidence. In the case at bar. accusedappellants PARDO... (2) the facts from which the inferences are derived are proven.. No.Republic of the Philippines SUPREME COURT FIRST DIVISION G. 1992. 3. when they were apprehended by police officers on February 8. ORLIE SULTAN y MASDAL and SALIK AMINO y LUGEOMAN..Akmad Sirad explained to the police officers that he was in possession of the motorcycle because he was instructed by Salik Amino to deliver it to Sultan Kudarat... on February 4.Orlie Sultan and Akmad Sirad were riding the motorcycle of the victim. It is more like weaving a tapestry of events that will culminate in a clear picture that will reveal a convincing scenario pointing towards the accused as the author of the crime. AKMAD SIRAD.At about 10:00 p.. J.

The identification of accused-appellants was effected through a zealous investigation of the police.7. (3) the accuracy of any prior description given by the witness. Timon. however. they fled when they were asked by the police to stop. (5) the length of time between the crime and the identification. In People vs. the identification was in violation of their constitutional right to counsel because there was no counsel present at the time. viz: (1) the witness' opportunity to view the criminal at the time of the crime. maltreatment and torture has not been proven. We disagree. Adding the fact that they fled when asked by the police to stop. 1992. The three accused were in the company of other inmates. ergo. (4) the level of certainty demonstrated by the witness at the identification. Further. and to make things worse. All they did was to ask the witnesses to identify the three accused they saw riding the motorcycle. Also. they were in a group.. The witnesses positively identified the three accused inside the jail.13 we held that "[I]n resolving the admissibility of and relying on out of court identification of suspects. it is just normal and more likely that they would be considered primary suspects. The above circumstances established by the prosecution successfully overcome the constitutional presumption of innocence and established the guilt of the accusedappellants beyond reasonable doubt.. however. During the commission of the . Lapura14 and People vs. Accused-appellants hold the view that their identification in the "police line-up" was a violation of their constitutional rights and thereby inadmissible in evidence. When they were apprehended. We disagree with accused-appellants. only a few days after the incident. necessary for the Court to correct the error of the trial court in convicting the accused of the crime of carnapping with homicide. the investigators are presumed to have performed their duties regularly and in good faith. The police officers did not in any way influence the witnesses. (2) the witness' degree of attention at that time. Pacistol15 we ruled that "[T]he uncounselled identification made at the police station. accused-appellants raise the issue of the illegality of their identification by the prosecution's witnesses at a police line-up.Rita Pino and Martillano Lozano identified accused-appellants and their coaccused Akmad Sirad. they were riding the motorcycle of the deceased George Lozano." It is.. appellant's allegation of suggestiveness in the identification is unsubstantiated. they alleged that their investigation shifted from investigatory to accusatory for they were considered as primary suspects. courts have adopted the totality of circumstances test where they consider following factors. The identification took place on February 10. in People vs. we rule that there is no violation of the constitutional rights of accused-appellants. Furthermore. did not foreclose the admissibility of the independent in-court identification. In a last ditch effort to exculpate themselves from the crime charged. According to accused-appellants. and (6) the suggestiveness of the identification procedure." Applying this totality of circumstances test to the case at bar. The accused-appellants' allegation of irregularity. Possession of a stolen property creates the presumption that the possessor stole it. Thus.

driver or occupant of the carnapped motor vehicle is killed in the course of the commission of the carnapping shall be reclusion perpetua to death. 1992. 6539. the trial court correctly awarded the amount of P50. Considering that at the time of the commission of the crime the death penalty was suspended. she does not know what to do.crime. The widow Nenita Lozano testified that her husband was employed as a deliveryman for bread and was earning P300. 6539. In conformity with prevailing jurisprudence. Moral damages which include physical suffering and mental anguish. The proper denomination for the crime is carnapping as defined and penalized under of Republic Act No. Under Republic Act No.000. Section 14. there was no crime denominated as carnapping with homicide. the victim's widow testified that the death of her husband left her with six children to support. the penalty for carnapping in case the owner. accused are hereby sentenced to reclusion perpetua.00 as civil indemnity for the death of the victim. Anent moral damages. Sections 2 and 14. : .00 a day before his death and that they had six children and the deceased was 42 years old.00 for the death of the victim. may be recovered in criminal offenses resulting in physical injuries and the victim's death as in this case. which was on February 4. thus.000.16 The trial court failed to consider the fact that under Article 2206 of the Civil Code. the accusedappellants are also jointly and severally liable for the loss of the earning capacity of the deceased and such indemnity should be paid to the heirs of the latter. in addition to civil indemnity of P50.

or apoderamiento. with intent to gain. [16 . sec. or by using force upon things. thus: Carnapping is the taking. 2] Intent to gain. is an internal act and hence presumed from the unlawful taking of the vehicle. or by using force upon things.Republic Act No. or by means of violence against or intimidation of persons. defines carnapping. even if he has no opportunity to dispose of the same. or by means of violence against or intimidation of persons. [15 Unlawful taking. 6539..[Ibid. of a motor vehicle belonging to another without the latters consent. or animus lucrandi. is the taking of the vehicle without the consent of the owner. as an element of the crime of carnapping. otherwise known as An Act Preventing and Penalizing Carnapping. it is deemed complete from the moment the offender gains possession of the thing.

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