people vs sea lion fishing corp

8/20/2019 People vs Sea Lion Fishing Corp

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Republic of the Philippines

SUPREME COURT

Manila

FIRST DIVISION

G.R. No. !"#!$ Ma%ch "&' "(

SE) *ION FIS+ING CORPOR)TION' Petitione%'

,s.

PEOP*E OF T+E P+I*IPPINES' Respon-ent.

D E C I S I O N

DE* C)STI**O' ./

0hen an inst%u1ent o% tool use- in a c%i1e is bein2 clai1e- b3 a thi%-4pa%t3 not liable to the offense'

such thi%-4pa%t3 1ust fi%st establish its o5ne%ship o,e% the sa1e.

This is a Petition fo% Re,ie5 on Ce%tio%a%i assailin2 the anua%3 (' "((# Decision of the Cou%t of

)ppeals 6C)7 in C)4G.R. SP No. 8"!( 5hich -enie- the Petition fo% Ce%tio%a%i an- Man-a1us"

9uestionin2 the t5in Sentences& both -ate- Ma3 #' "((: an- the O%-e%; -ate- )u2ust ;' "((: of the

Re2ional T%ial Cou%t 6RTC7 of Pue%to P%incesa Cit3' <%anch :" in C%i1inal Case Nos. $8#: an- 8;"".

*i=e5ise assaile- is the Ma3 :' "((# Resolution: of the C) -en3in2 the Motion fo% Reconsi-e%ation#

the%eto.

Factual )ntece-ents

In %esponse to fishe%1en>s %epo%t of poachin2 off Man2see Islan- in <alabac' Pala5an' a co1bine- tea1

of Philippine Ma%ines' Coast Gua%- an- ba%an2a3 officials con-ucte- sea%ch an- sei?u%e ope%ations

the%ein. The%e the3 foun- F@V Sea *ion ancho%e- th%ee nautical 1iles no%th5est of Man2see Islan-.

<esi-e it 5e%e fi,e boats an- a lon2 fishin2 net al%ea-3 sp%ea- o,e% the 5ate%. The tea1 boa%-e- the

,essel an- app%ehen-e- he% captain' a Filipino' an- a c%e5 co1pose- of th%ee Filipinos an- th%ee Chinese.

)lso a%%este- 5e%e ! Chinese fishe%1en aboa%- F@V Sea *ion.

Va%ious cha%2es 5e%e the%eafte% file- as follo5s/ 67 Violation of Section 8!! of Republic )ct 6R)7 No.

$::($ a2ainst all those a%%este-' -oc=ete- as I.S. No. "((;4(&"A 6"7 Violation of Section 8(8 of the sa1e

la5 a2ainst the captain of F@V Sea *ion' the Chief En2inee%' an- the P%esi-ent of the co%po%ation 5hich

o5ne- sai- ,essel' -oc=ete- as I.S. No. "((;4(#A an- 6&7 Violation of Section "!6a7 an- 6f7( of R)

8;! an- of Section $!" of R) $::( a2ainst all those a%%este- an- the P%esi-ent of the co%po%ation

5hich o5ne- the ,essel' %especti,el3 -oc=ete- as I.S. Nos. "((;4#$' "((;4#8' an- "((;4!(.

Rulin2 of the P%o,incial P%osecuto%



0hile the P%o,incial P%osecuto% of Pala5an -is1isse- I.S. Nos. "((;4#' "((;4#$ an- "((;4#8' he

ne,e%theless foun- p%obable cause fo% the %e1ainin2 cha%2es& but onl3 a2ainst the ! Chinese

fishe%1en.; This 5as afte% it 5as foun- out that the c%e5 of F@V Sea *ion -i- not assent to the ille2al

acts of sai- ! Chinese fishe%1en 5ho 5e%e %escue- b3 the c%e5 of the F@V Sea *ion f%o1 a -ist%esse-

Chinese ,essel. The p%osecuto% conclu-e- that the c%e5' una%1e-' outnu1be%e- an- ha1pe%e- b3

lan2ua2e ba%%ie%' acte- onl3 out of uncont%ollable fea% of i11inent -an2e% to thei% li,es an- p%ope%t35hich hin-e%e- the1 f%o1 asse%tin2 thei% autho%it3 o,e% these Chinese nationals. )cco%-in2l3'

co%%espon-in2 Info%1ations a2ainst the ! Chinese fishe%1en 5e%e file- in cou%t.

0ith the c%e5 of F@V Sea *ion no5 eBculpate-' petitione% Sea *ion Fishin2 Co%po%ation file- befo%e the

Office of the P%o,incial P%osecuto% an U%2ent Motion fo% Release of E,i-ence: alle2in2 that it o5ns the

,essel. Sai- Office thus issue- a Resolution# -ate- )u2ust ":' "((;' ,i?/

0+EREFORE' F@V Sea *ion is he%eb3 %eco11en-e- to be %elease- to the 1o,ant upon p%ope%

sho5in2 of e,i-ence of its o5ne%ship of the afo%esai- ,essel an- the postin2 of a bon- -ouble the ,alue of

sai- ,essel as app%aise- b3 the M)RIN)' if th%ou2h an3 cou%t acc%e-ite- co1pan3 su%et3' o% e9ual to the

afo%esai- ,alue' if b3 cash bon-. Sai- bon- shall be on the con-ition that the ,essel o5ne% shall 1a=e

the ,essel a,ailable fo% inspection -u%in2 the cou%se of the t%ial.! 6E1phasis supplie-.7

This Resolution 5as late% a1en-e- th%ou2h a Supple1ental Resolution$ -ate- Septe1be% (' "((;

%ea-in2 as follo5s/

This pe%tains to the Resolution of the un-e%si2ne- -ate- ": )u2ust "((; %eco11en-in2 the %elease of the

,essel F@V Sea *ion. In a--ition to the con-itions the%ein' the %elease of the sai- ,essel shall be 5ith the

app%o,al of the P%o,incial Co11ittee on Ille2al Ent%ants 5hich has u%is-iction o,e% all app%ehen-e-

,essels in,ol,e- in poachin2.8

Petitione%' ho5e,e%' faile- to act in acco%-ance 5ith sai- Resolutions.

Rulin2 of the Re2ional T%ial Cou%t

The case fo% Violation of Section 8! of R) $::( 5as -oc=ete- as C%i1inal Case No. $8#: 5hile that fo%

Violation of Section $! of the sa1e la5 5as -oc=ete- as C%i1inal Case No. 8;"". The Chinese nationals

ente%e- sepa%ate pleas of not 2uilt3 fo% both offenses. *ate%' ho5e,e%' in C%i1inal Case No. $8#:' the3

chan2e- thei% pleas f%o1 not 2uilt3 to 2uilt3 fo% the lesse% offense of Violation of Section $$' sub4

pa%a2%aph 6&7"( of R) $::(. +ence' the3 5e%e acco%-in2l3 -ecla%e- 2uilt3 of sai- lesse% offense in a

Sentence" issue- b3 the RTC of Pue%to P%incesa Cit3' <%anch :" on Ma3 #' "((:' the -ispositi,e

po%tion of 5hich %ea-s/

0+EREFORE' 5ith the plea of 2uilt3 of all the accuse- to the lesse% offense' the Cou%t he%eb3 fin-s the

Se,enteen 6!7 accuse- 2uilt3 be3on- %easonable -oubt as p%incipals fo% the c%i1e of Violation of Section

$$' sub4pa%. 6&7 of R.). $::( an- sentences the1 to suffe% an i1p%ison1ent of FIVE 6:7 E)RS TO SIH

6#7 E)RS' SIH 6#7 MONT+S )ND SEVEN 6!7 D)S. The Fishin2 Vessel F@V Sea *ion I as 5ell as



the fishin2 pa%aphe%nalia an- e9uip1ents use- b3 the accuse- in co11ittin2 the c%i1e a%e he%eb3

o%-e%e- confiscate- in fa,o% of the 2o,e%n1ent.

The B B B confiscate- ,essel an- all the fishin2 2a-2ets' pa%aphe%nalia an- e9uip1ent a%e he%eb3 o%-e%e-

to be place- un-e% the te1po%a%3 custo-3 of the Philippine Coast Gua%-. The latte% is he%eb3 -i%ecte- to

p%epa%e an- sub1it to this Cou%t the in,ento%3 of all confiscate- ite1s 5ithin : -a3s f%o1 %eceipt of thiso%-e%. Fu%the%' the Co11an-e% of the Philippine Coast Gua%- shoul- obse%,e the -ili2ence of a 2oo-

fathe% of the fa1il3 in the p%ese%,ation an- 1aintenance of the ent%uste- confiscate- ite1s until the final

-isposition the%eof b3 the Cou%t.

+a,in2 appea%e- that the accuse- ha,e been -etaine- since anua%3 8' "((;' the pe%io- of thei% -etention

is he%eb3 c%e-ite- in thei% fa,o%.

SO ORDERED.""

) Sentence"& in C%i1inal Case No. 8;"" 5as also issue- on e,en -ate' the -ispositi,e po%tion of 5hich

%ea-s/

0+EREFORE' 5ith the plea of 2uilt3 of all se,enteen 6!7 accuse-' the Cou%t he%eb3 fin-s the1 2uilt3

be3on- %easonable -oubt as p%incipals of the c%i1e of Violation of Section $! of R.). $::( 6Poachin27

an- sentences the1 to pa3 a fine of One +un-%e- Thousan- 6US(('(((.((7 Dolla%s to be pai- to the

Republic of the Philippines. The Fishin2 Vessel F@V Sea *ion as 5ell as the fishin2 pa%aphe%nalia an-

e9uip1ents use- b3 the accuse- in co11ittin2 the c%i1e a%e he%eb3 o%-e%e- confiscate- in the fa,o% of

the 2o,e%n1ent.

The B B B confiscate- ,essel an- all the fishin2 2a-2ets' pa%aphe%nalia an- e9uip1ent a%e he%eb3 o%-e%e-

to be place- un-e% the te1po%a%3 custo-3 of the Philippine Coast Gua%-. The latte% is he%eb3 -i%ecte- to p%epa%e an- sub1it to this Cou%t the in,ento%3 of all confiscate- ite1s 5ithin : -a3s f%o1 %eceipt of this

o%-e%. Fu%the%' the co11an-e% of the Philippine Coast Gua%- shoul- obse%,e the -ili2ence of a 2oo-

fathe% of the fa1il3 in the p%ese%,ation an- 1aintenance of the ent%uste- confiscate- ite1s until the final

-isposition the%eof b3 the Cou%t.

The P%o,incial ail 0a%-en of Pala5an is he%eb3 o%-e%e- to %elease all the abo,e4na1e- accuse- unless

hel- fo% so1e othe% la5ful cause o% causes.

SO ORDERED.";

It 5as onl3 afte% the issuance of the abo,e Sentences that petitione% a2ain 1a-e its 1o,e b3 filin2 a

Motion fo% Reconsi-e%ation": on une ";' "((:. It p%a3e- fo% the t%ial cou%t to -elete f%o1 sai- Sentences

the confiscation of F@V Sea *ion. The Office of the P%o,incial P%osecuto% file- an Opposition the%eto."#

)fte% %eceipt of petitione%>s Repl3"! to sai- Opposition' the t%ial cou%t -enie- petitione%>s Motion fo%

Reconsi-e%ation.

+ence' petitione% file- a Petition fo% Ce%tio%a%i an- Man-a1us"$ 5ith the C).



Rulin2 of the Cou%t of )ppeals

On anua%3 (' "((#' the C) p%o1ul2ate- its assaile- Decision -en3in2 the petition."8 The C) %ule- that

the%e 5as no lac= of u%is-iction' eBcess of u%is-iction o% 2%a,e abuse of -isc%etion on the pa%t of the t%ial

cou%t since it ha- u%is-iction o,e% the c%i1es as alle2e- in the Info%1ations an- the penalt3 fo% ,iolatin2the la5s state- the%ein. Necessa%il3' it ha- the autho%it3 to sei?e the F@V Sea *ion 5hich 5as 1entione- in

the sai- Info%1ations. The C) fu%the% hel- that 5hile the petitione% atte1pte- to clai1 as its o5n the

fishin2 ,essel in its Motion fo% Reconsi-e%ation -ate- une ";' "((:' its effo%t is un-ese%,in2 of 1e%it -ue

to failu%e to a--uce e,i-ence. *astl3' the C) -ecla%e- that the petitione% -i- not a,ail of the p%ope%

p%oce-u%al %e1e-3. )fte% the t%ial cou%t %eco2ni?e- its pe%sonalit3 to inte%,ene in the O%-e% -ate- )u2ust

;' "((:' petitione%>s %ecou%se shoul- ha,e been an appeal an- not ce%tio%a%i un-e% Rule #: of the Rules of

Cou%t.&(

The appellate cou%t also -enie- petitione%>s subse9uent Motion fo% Reconsi-e%ation& in its assaile-

Resolution -ate- Ma3 :' "((#.&"

Thus' petitione% file- this Petition fo% Re,ie5 on Ce%tio%a%i %aisin2 the sole issue of 5hethe% the

confiscation of F@V Sea *ion 5as ,ali-.&&

The Pa%ties> )%2u1ents

Petitione% conten-s that F@V Sea *ion shoul- be %elease- to it because it is the %e2iste%e- o5ne% of sai-

,essel an- he% captain an- c%e5 1e1be%s 5e%e not a1on2 those accuse- of an- con,icte- in C%i1inal

Case Nos. $8#: an- 8;"". To butt%ess its contention' petitione% in,o=es )%ticle ;: of the Re,ise- Penal

Co-e 5hich p%o,i-es/

)RT. ;:. Confiscation an- fo%feitu%e of the p%ocee-s o% inst%u1ents of the c%i1e. 4 E,e%3 penalt3 i1pose-

fo% the co11ission of a felon3 shall ca%%3 5ith it the fo%feitu%e of the p%ocee-s of the c%i1e an- the

inst%u1ents o% tools 5ith 5hich it 5as co11itte-.

Such p%ocee-s an- inst%u1ents o% tools shall be confiscate- an- fo%feite- in fa,o% of the Go,e%n1ent'

unless the3 be the p%ope%t3 of a thi%- pe%son not liable fo% the offense' but those a%ticles 5hich a%e not

subect of la5ful co11e%ce shall be -est%o3e-. 6E1phasis supplie-.7

Petitione% also clai1s that it 5as -enie- its %i2ht to -ue p%ocess of la5 5hen it 5as not notifie- of the

u-icial p%ocee-in2s %elati,e to the confiscation of the fishin2 ,essel. It a%2ues that such notification 5as

necessa%3 consi-e%in2 that the p%o,incial p%osecuto% 5as -ul3 info%1e- of its clai1 of o5ne%ship of the

F@V Sea *ion.

On the othe% han-' %espon-ent People of the Philippines th%ou2h the Office of the Solicito% Gene%al

6OSG7 a%2ues that since the ! Chinese nationals 5e%e cha%2e- 5ith ,iolations of the p%o,isions of R)

$::(' a special la5' )%ticle ;: of the Re,ise- Penal Co-e -oes not appl3. This is in ,ie5 of )%ticle ( of

sai- Co-e 5hich specificall3 -ecla%es that acts punishable b3 special la5s a%e not subect to the



p%o,isions of the Re,ise- Penal Co-e. The3 a%e onl3 supple1enta%3 to such la5s unless the latte% shoul-

specificall3 p%o,i-e the cont%a%3. +ence' the fo%feitu%e an- confiscation of the fishin2 ,essel un-e% R)

$::( a%e -iffe%ent f%o1 the fo%feitu%e an- confiscation un-e% the Re,ise- Penal Co-e 5hich a%e a--itional

penalties i1pose- in the e,ent of con,iction. )n-' since R) $::( p%o,i-es that the ,essel use- in

connection 5ith o% in -i%ect ,iolation of the p%o,isions of R) $::( shall be subecte- to fo%feitu%e in

fa,o% of the 2o,e%n1ent 5ithout 1ention of an3 -istinction as to 5ho o5ns the ,essel' the fo%feitu%e of F@V Sea *ion 5as p%ope%.

The OSG also conten-s that e,en if )%ticle ;: of the Re,ise- Penal Co-e is applicable' still the p%esent

petition 1ust fail -ue to petitione%>s failu%e to p%esent its thi%-4pa%t3 clai1 at the ea%liest oppo%tunit3. It

li=e5ise a%2ues that petitione% 5as not -ep%i,e- its %i2ht to -ue p%ocess consi-e%in2 that it 5as 2i,en

a1ple oppo%tunit3 to be hea%- pa%ticula%l3 5hen its 1otion fo% %elease of the F@V Sea *ion 5as 2%ante- b3

the Office of the P%o,incial P%osecuto% subect to ce%tain con-itions. +o5e,e%' it opte- not to co1pl3 5ith

the con-itions i1pose- b3 the p%osecuto% an- instea- 5aite- fo% the t%ial cou%t>s final -isposition of the

case.

Ou% Rulin2

The petition has no 1e%it.

0e note' at the outset' that petitione% pu%sue- an inco%%ect %e1e-3 5hen it sou2ht %ecou%se befo%e the C).

The filin2 of a Petition fo% Ce%tio%a%i un-e% Rule #: of the Rules of Cou%t befo%e the C) is li1ite- onl3 to

the co%%ection of e%%o%s of u%is-iction o% 2%a,e abuse of -isc%etion on the pa%t of the t%ial cou%t.&; )

special ci,il action fo% ce%tio%a%i is an in-epen-ent action' %aisin2 the 9uestion of u%is-iction 5he%e the

t%ibunal' boa%- o% office% eBe%cisin2 u-icial o% 9uasi4u-icial functions has acte- 5ithout o% in eBcess of

u%is-iction' o% 5ith 2%a,e abuse of -isc%etion a1ountin2 to lac= o% eBcess of u%is-iction.&: The C) -i-

not fin- eithe% lac= o% e%%o% of u%is-iction o% 2%a,e abuse of -isc%etion. The%e 5as no u%is-ictional e%%o% because base- on the Info%1ations'&# the offenses 5e%e co11itte- 5ithin the te%%ito%ial u%is-iction of the

t%ial cou%t. The penalties i1posable un-e% the la5 5e%e also 5ithin its u%is-iction. )s a necessa%3

conse9uence' the t%ial cou%t ha- the autho%it3 to -ete%1ine ho5 the subect fishin2 ,essel shoul- be

-ispose- of. *i=e5ise' no 2%a,e abuse of -isc%etion atten-e- the issuance of the t%ial cou%t>s o%-e% to

confiscate F@V Sea *ion consi-e%in2 the absence of e,i-ence sho5in2 that sai- ,essel is o5ne- b3 a thi%-

pa%t3. E,i-entl3' the %e1e-ial %elief pu%sue- b3 the petitione% 5as infi%1 an- i1p%ope%.

0e also a2%ee 5ith the C)>s obse%,ation that the t%ial cou%t i1plie-l3 %eco2ni?e- petitione%>s %i2ht to

inte%,ene 5hen it p%onounce- that petitione% faile- to eBe%cise its %i2ht to clai1 o5ne%ship of the F@V Sea

*ion. This bein2 the case' petitione% shoul- ha,e file- an appeal instea- of a petition fo% ce%tio%a%i befo%e

the C). Un-e% Rule #: of the Rules of Cou%t' ce%tio%a%i is una,ailin2 5hen an appeal is the plain' spee-3'

an- a-e9uate %e1e-3.&! The natu%e of the 9uestions inten-e- to be %aise- on appeal is of no

conse9uence. It 1a3 5ell be that those 9uestions 5ill t%eat eBclusi,el3 of 5hethe% B B B the u-21ent o%

final o%-e% 5as %en-e%e- 5ithout o% in eBcess of u%is-iction' o% 5ith 2%a,e abuse of -isc%etion B B B. This

is i11ate%ial. The %e1e-3' to %epeat' is appeal' not ce%tio%a%i as a special ci,il action.&$ The u%is-iction

of a cou%t is not affecte- b3 its e%%oneous -ecision.&8 The o%-e%s an- %ulin2s of a cou%t on all



cont%o,e%sies pe%tainin2 to the case cannot be co%%ecte- b3 ce%tio%a%i if the cou%t has u%is-iction o,e% the

subect 1atte% an- o,e% the pe%son.;( Thus' 5e a2%ee 5ith the C)>s -is1issal of the petition.

E,en assu1in2 that the C) 1a3 %esol,e an e%%o% of p%oce-u%e o% u-21ent' the%e 5as none co11itte- in

this pa%ticula% case.

Petitione%>s clai1 of o5ne%ship of F@V Sea *ion is not suppo%te- b3 an3 p%oof on %eco%-. The onl3

-ocu1ent on %eco%- that is %ele,ant in this %e2a%- is a %e9uest fo% the %elease of the F@V Sea *ion base- on

petitione%>s alle2e- o5ne%ship file- 5ith the P%o,incial P%osecuto%. 0hile the latte% autho%i?e- the %elease

of sai- fishin2 ,essel' this 5as con-itione- upon petitione%>s sub1ission of a p%oof of o5ne%ship an- the

filin2 of a bon-' 5ith 5hich petitione% faile- to co1pl3. E,en 5hen u-icial p%ocee-in2s co11ence-'

nothin2 5as hea%- f%o1 the petitione%. No 1otion fo% inte%,ention o% an3 1anifestation ca1e f%o1

petitione%>s en- -u%in2 the pe%io- of a%%ai2n1ent up to the %en-ition of sentence. 0hile petitione% late%

eBplaine- befo%e the C) that its inaction 5as b%ou2ht about b3 its inabilit3 to put up the %e9ui%e- bon-

-ue to financial -ifficulties' sa1e is still not a sufficient ustification fo% it to -elibe%atel3 not act at all.

It 5as onl3 afte% the t%ial cou%t o%-e%e- the confiscation of F@V Sea *ion in its assaile- t5in Sentences that

petitione% 5as hea%- f%o1 a2ain. This ti1e' it file- a Motion fo% Reconsi-e%ation -ate- une ";' "((:; to

5hich 5as attache- a cop3 of an alle2e- Ce%tificate of Re2ist%ation issue- b3 the Ma%iti1e In-ust%3

)utho%it3 6M)RIN)7.;" +o5e,e%' as co%%ectl3 obse%,e- b3 the C)/

Si2nificantl3' the lac= of an3 factual basis fo% the thi%-4pa%t3 clai1 of o5ne%ship 5as not cu%e- at all

5hen the petitione% file- its 1otion fo% %econsi-e%ation befo%e the t%ial cou%t. )t that point' e,i-ence

shoul- ha,e been a--uce- to suppo%t the petitione%>s clai1 6so that a ne5 t%ial o% %eopenin2 of the t%ial on

the confiscation aspect shoul- ha,e been p%a3e- fo%' %athe% than a 1e%e 1otion fo% %econsi-e%ation.7 The%e

is fi%stl3 the factual issue 4 to be p%o,e- b3 p%ope% e,i-ence in o%-e% to be p%ope%l3 consi-e%e- b3 the

cou%t 4 that the ,essel is o5ne- b3 a thi%- pa%t3 othe% than the accuse-. )%ticle ;: %e9ui%e- too that p%oof be a--uce- that the thi%- pa%t3 is not liable fo% the offense. )fte% the a-1ission b3 the accuse- th%ou2h

thei% 2uilt3 plea that the ,essel ha- been use- in the co11ission of a c%i1e' 5e belie,e an- so hol- that

this a--itional )%ticle ;: %e9ui%e1ent cannot be si1pl3 infe%%e- f%o1 the 1e%e fact that the alle2e- o5ne%

is not cha%2e- in the sa1e case befo%e the cou%t.;&

)cco%-in2l3' petitione%>s %ecou%se to a 1otion fo% %econsi-e%ation 5as not p%ope%. )lthou2h it attache- a

cop3 of an alle2e- Ce%tificate of Re2ist%ation' the sa1e cannot be consi-e%e- b3 the t%ial cou%t because it

has not been fo%1all3 offe%e-' pu%suant to Section &;' Rule &" of the Rules of Cou%t. )s su22este- b3

the C)' petitione% shoul- ha,e instea- 1o,e- fo% a ne5 t%ial o% %eopenin2 of the t%ial on the confiscation

aspect' %athe% than a 1e%e 1otion fo% %econsi-e%ation.;;

Finall3' petitione%>s contention that it 5as -ep%i,e- of its %i2ht to -ue p%ocess in the confiscation of F@V

Sea *ion has no factual basis. )s co%%ectl3 pointe- out b3 the C)/

That the t%ial cou%t conclu-e- that no -enial of -ue p%ocess occu%%e- is li=e5ise le2all3 co%%ect' pe%haps

not in the eBact 5a3 eBp%esse- in the assaile- o%-e%' but fo% 5hat the %eason a%ticulate- in the assaile-

o%-e% -i%ectl3 i1plies. )s 5e -iscusse- abo,e' the petitione% -i- not inte%,ene befo%e the t%ial cou%t to



clai1 o5ne%ship of the fishin2 ,essel' no% 5e%e the%e %eco%-s befo%e the cou%t sho5in2 a thi%-4pa%t3 clai1

of o5ne%ship of the ,esselA the fo%1al int%o-uction of e,i-ence that 5oul- ha,e fo%1all3 b%ou2ht the

thi%-4pa%t3 o5ne%ship of the ,essel to li2ht 5as p%e,ente- b3 the plea of 2uilt of the accuse-. The%e 5as

the%efo%e no thi%-4pa%t3 p%ope%t3 %i2ht sou2ht to be p%otecte- 5hen the t%ial cou%t o%-e%e- the confiscation

of the ,essel.

Si2nificantl3' the lac= of an3 factual basis fo% the thi%-4pa%t3 clai1 of o5ne%ship 5as not cu%e- at all

5hen the petitione% file- its 1otion fo% %econsi-e%ation befo%e the t%ial cou%t. )t that point' e,i-ence

shoul- ha,e been a--uce- to suppo%t the petitione%>s clai1 6so that a ne5 t%ial o% %eopenin2 of the t%ial on

the confiscation aspect shoul- ha,e been p%a3e- fo%' %athe% than a 1e%e 1otion fo% %econsi-e%ation.7 The%e

is fi%stl3 the factual issue 4 to be p%o,e- b3 p%ope% e,i-ence in o%-e% to be p%ope%l3 consi-e%e- b3 the

cou%t 4 that the ,essel is o5ne- b3 a thi%- pa%t3 othe% than the accuse-. )%ticle ;: %e9ui%e- too that p%oof

be a--uce- that the thi%- pa%t3 is not liable fo% the offense. )fte% the a-1ission b3 the accuse- th%ou2h

thei% 2uilt3 plea that the ,essel ha- been use- in the co11ission of a c%i1e' 5e belie,e an- so hol- that

this a--itional )%ticle ;: %e9ui%e1ent cannot be si1pl3 infe%%e- f%o1 the 1e%e fact that the alle2e- o5ne%

is not cha%2e- in the sa1e case befo%e the cou%t.

It 5as un-e% this le2al situation that the t%ial cou%t issue- its assaile- o%-e% that co%%ectl3 conclu-e- that

the%e ha- been no -enial of -ue p%ocess. Gi,en the absence of an3 a-1issible e,i-ence of thi%-4pa%t3

o5ne%ship an- the failu%e to co1pl3 5ith the a--itional )%ticle ;: %e9ui%e1ent' the cou%t>s o%-e% to

confiscate the F@V Sea *ion pu%suant to )%ticle $! of R.). No. $::( cannot be inco%%ect to the point of

bein2 an act in 2%a,e abuse of -isc%etion.;:

In fine' it has been establishe- be3on- %easonable -oubt that F@V Sea *ion 5as use- b3 the ! Chinese

fishe%1en in the co11ission of the c%i1es. On the othe% han-' petitione% p%esente- no e,i-ence at all to

suppo%t its clai1 of o5ne%ship of F@V Sea *ion. The%efo%e' the fo%feitu%e of F@V Sea *ion in fa,o% of the

2o,e%n1ent 5as p%ope%.

0+EREFORE' the petition is DENIED. The Decision -ate- anua%3 (' "((# an- the Resolution -ate-

Ma3 :' "((# of the Cou%t of )ppeals in C)4G.R. SP No. 8"!( a%e )FFIRMED.

SO ORDERED.

M)RI)NO C. DE* C)STI**O

)ssociate ustice

people vs sea lion fishing corp

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