remedial law - rule 118 - cases

8/9/2019 Remedial Law - Rule 118 - Cases

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THIRD DIVISION

[G.R. No. 131540. December 2, 1999]

BETTY KING, petitioner, vs . PEOPLE O T!E P!ILIPPINE", respondent .

D E # I " I O N

P$NG$NIB$N, J .%

Under Batas Pambansa Blg. 22 (BP 22), the pr se!"t# n m"st pr $e n t nl% that thea!!"sed #ss"ed a !he!& that 'as s"bse "entl% d#sh n red. It m"st als establ#sh that the a!!"sed'as actually notified that the !he!& 'as d#sh n red, and that he r she a#led, '#th#n #$e

banng da%s r m re!e#pt the n t#!e, t pa% the h lder the !he!& the am "nt d"e there n r

t ma&e arrangement r #ts pa%ment. *bsent pr that the a!!"sed re!e#$ed s"!h n t#!e, a pr se!"t# n r $# lat# n the B "n!#ng +he!&s a' !ann t pr sper.

T&e #'(e

Be re th#s + "rt #s a Pet#t# n r Re$#e' n Certiorari "nder R"le - the R"les + "rtassa#l#ng the /an"ar% 01, 334 De!#s# n 5 6 the + "rt *ppeals 526 (+*) #n +*78R +R N .

922: and #ts N $ember , 334 Res l"t# n 506 den%#ng re! ns#derat# n. The +* a #rmed the/"ne -, 33- De!#s# n 5-6 the Reg# nal Tr#al + "rt (RT+) ;a&at#, ;etr ;an#la 5 6 #n+r#m#nal +ase N s. 307000 t 30700- 'h#!h ! n$#!ted pet#t# ner ! "nts $# lat# n

BP 22, ther'#se &n 'n as the B "n!#ng +he!&s a'.

On *pr#l 29, 330, Se! nd *ss#stant Pr $#n!#al Pr se!"t r /a#me *. *d ! #led aga#nst pet#t# ner ele$en separate In rmat# ns, 5:6 'h#!h are #dent#!all% ' rded, e

n a!! "nt r r $al"e the !he!& des!r#bed bel '=

AEUIT*B A B*NF

+he!& N . 12 4

In the am "nt P 1,111.11

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P stdated /"l% 2-, 332

sa#d a!!"sed 'ell &n '#ng that at the t#me #ss"e sheGhe d#d n t ha$e s" #!#ent "nds #n r!red#t '#th the dra'ee ban& r the pa%ment #n "ll the a!e am "nt s"!h !he!& "p n the#r

presentment, 'h#!h !he!& 'hen presented r pa%ment '#th#n n#net% (31) da%s r m the datethere 'ere s"bse "entl% d#sh n red b% the dra'ee ban& r the reas n *!! "nt +l sed anddesp#te re!e#pt n t#!e s"!h d#sh n r the a!!"sed a#led t pa% the a!e am "nt there rma&e arrangement r the "ll pa%ment there '#th#n #$e ( ) ' rng da%s a ter re!e#$#ngn t#!e.J 546

Khen arra#gned, pet#t# ner, ass#sted b% ! "nsel, pleaded n t g"#lt%. * ter the pr se!"t# n presented #ts e$#den!e and rested #ts !ase, pet#t# ner #led a Dem"rrer t A$#den!e '#th "t lea$e

! "rt, n the gr "nd that the pr se!"t# n a#led t pr $e her g"#lt be% nd reas nabled "bt. The tr#al ! "rt den#ed the Dem"rrer #n #ts assa#led De!#s# n, the d#sp s#t#$e p rt# n 'h#!h reads=

>KHARA ORA, prem#ses ! ns#dered, the dem"rrer t e$#den!e '#th "t pr# r lea$e ! "rt #s DANIAD r la!& mer#t.

S#n!e a!!"sed has 'a#$ed her r#ght t present e$#den!e, @"dgment #s hereb% rendered#nd#ng a!!"sed g"#lt% be% nd reas nable d "bt V# lat# n Batas Pambansa

B#lang 22 #n the ele$en ( ) ab $e7ent#tled !ases and #s rdered t =

. S" er #mpr#s nment r th#rt% (01) da%s, t pa% a #ne #n the am "nt P 1,111.11, and t pa% ! mpla#nant A#leen ernandeL the am "nt P 1,111.11 as

a!t"al damages #n +r#m#nal +ase N . 307000 M

2. S" er #mpr#s nment r th#rt% (01) da%s, t pa% a #ne #n the am "nt P 1,111.11, and t pa% ! mpla#nant A#leen ernandeL the am "nt P 1,111.11 as

a!t"al damages #n +r#m#nal +ase N . 307000:M

0. S" er #mpr#s nment r th#rt% (01) da%s, t pa% a #ne #n the am "nt P 1,111.11, and t pa% ! mpla#nant A#leen ernandeL the am "nt P 1,111.11 as

a!t"al damages #n +r#m#nal +ase N . 3070004M

-. S" er #mpr#s nment r th#rt% (01) da%s, t pa% a #ne #n the am "nt P:-,211.11, and t pa% ! mpla#nant A#leen ernandeL the am "nt P:-,211.11 as


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. S" er #mpr#s nment r th#rt% (01) da%s, t pa% a #ne #n the am "nt P::,111.11, and t pa% ! mpla#nant A#leen ernandeL the am "nt P::,111.11 as


:. S" er #mpr#s nment r th#rt% (01) da%s, t pa% a #ne #n the am "nt P 11,111.11, and t pa% ! mpla#nant A#leen ernandeL the am "nt P 11,111.11

as a!t"al damages #n +r#m#nal +ase N . 30700-1M

4. S" er #mpr#s nment r th#rt% (01) da%s, t pa% a #ne #n the am "nt P 1,111.11, and t pa% ! mpla#nant A#leen ernandeL the am "nt P 1,111.11

as a!t"al damages #n +r#m#nal +ase N . 30700- M






as a!t"al damages #n +r#m#nal +ase N . 30700--M and,

. S" er #mpr#s nment r th#rt% (01) da%s, t pa% a #ne #n the am "nt P 01,111.11, and t pa% ! mpla#nant A#leen ernandeL the am "nt P 01,111.11 as a!t"al damages #n +r#m#nal+ase N . 30700- .J 596

*s alread% stated, the + "rt *ppeals a #rmed the RT+ #n th#s '#se= 536

>KHARA ORA, the appealed de!#s# n #s hereb% a #rmed 5I6N TOTO. + sts aga#nstappellant.J

Hen!e, th#s Pet#t# n. 5 16

T&e 'c)(

Evidence for the Prosecution

The O #!e the S l#!#t r 8eneral5 6 s"mmar#Led the a!ts, as $#e'ed b% the pr se!"t# n, #nth#s '#se=

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>On se$eral !!as# ns #n /an"ar%, 332, at as P#?as, ;etr ;an#la, pet#t# nerd#s! "nted '#th ! mpla#nant Allen ernandeL se$eral A "#table Ban& !he!&s

p stdated r m /"l% 20 t 23, 332 #n the t tal am "nt P ,141,111.11 #n e

Evidence for the Defense

*s n ted earl#er, pet#t# ner #led a Dem"rrer t A$#den!e '#th "t lea$e ! "rt. In d #ng s ,she 'a#$ed her r#ght t present e$#den!e and s"bm#tted the !ase r @"dgment n the bas#s thed !"mentar% eI

Khether r n t the tr#al ! "rt and the + "rt *ppeals gra$el% erred #n adm#tt#ng #ne$#den!e all the d !"mentar% e$#den!e the pr se!"t# n th "gh the#r d"e e


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entered d"r#ng the pre7tr#al ! n eren!e shall be "sed #n e$#den!e aga#nst the a!!"sed"nless red"!ed t 'r#t#ng and s#gned b% h#m and h#s ! "nsel, #s #nappl#!able #n the!ase at barM

>III

Khether r n t the tr#al ! "rt and the + "rt *ppeals gra$el% erred #n r"l#ng that the b"rden e$#den!e has alread% been sh# ted r m the pr se!"t# n t the de ensedesp#te the de #n#te a!t"al #ss"es #n the pre7tr#al rderM and

>IV

Khether r n t the tr#al ! "rt and the + "rt *ppeals erred #n r"l#ng that the pr se!"t# n has pr $en the g"#lt the a!!"sed be% nd reas nable d "bt albe#t the pr se!"t# n d#d n t pr d"!ean% e$#den!e.J 5 -6

In the ma#n, the res l"t# n the Pet#t# n h#nges n ( ) the adm#ss#b#l#t% and (2) thes" #!#en!% the pr se!"t# n e$#den!e.

T& ( #o*r) ( R*+ -

The Pet#t# n has mer#t #ns ar as #t ! ntends that the elements the !r#me !harged ha$e n tall been pr $en be% nd reas nable d "bt.

r() I((*e%

Admissibility of Documentary Evidence

Be!a"se the #rst, the se! nd and the th#rd #ss"es ra#sed b% pet#t# ner all re er t the samematter, the% '#ll be d#s!"ssed t gether. She ! ntends that the p#e!es d !"mentar% e$#den!e

presented b% the pr se!"t# n d"r#ng pretr#al are #nadm#ss#ble, be!a"se she d#d n t s#gn the pretr#al agreement as re "#red "nder Se!t# n - R"le 9 the R"les + "rt. 5 6 Hen!e, shearg"es that there #s n bas#s r her ! n$#!t# n.

Tr"e, a pretr#al agreement n t s#gned b% a part% #s #nadm#ss#ble. H 'e$er, the ! n$#!t# n

pet#t# ner 'as based n t n that agreement b"t n the d !"ments s"bm#tted d"r#ng the tr#al, all 'h#!h 'ere adm#tted '#th "t an% b@e!t# n r m her ! "nsel. D"r#ng the hear#ng n September 4, 330, the pr se!"t# n ered as e$#den!e the d#sh n red !he!&s, the ret"rn !he!& t#!&ets

addressed t pr#$ate ! mpla#nant, the n t#!e r m ! mpla#nant addressed t pet#t# ner that the!he!&s had been d#sh n red, and the p stmaster s letter that the n t#!e had been ret"rned tsender. Pet#t# ner s ! "nsel d#d n t b@e!t t the#r adm#ss#b#l#t%. Th#s #s sh 'n b% the trans!r#pt

sten graph#! n tes ta&en d"r#ng the hear#ng n September 4, 330=

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>+OURT=

" ha$e n b@e!t# n t the adm#ss#b#l#t%, n t that the + "rt '#ll bel#e$e #t.

*TT . ;*N8AR*

N , "r H n r.

+OURT=

A


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+OURT=

*dm#tted.

*TT . ;*F* INT* =

Ke are er#ng A


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>SA+. -. Judicial Admissions . 777 *n adm#ss# n, $erbal r 'r#tten, made b% a part% #nthe ! "rse the pr !eed#ngs #n the same !ase, d es n t re "#re pr . The adm#ss# nma% be ! ntrad#!ted nl% b% sh '#ng that #t 'as made thr "gh palpable m#sta&e rthat n s"!h adm#ss# n 'as made.J

Hen!e, the tr#al ! "rt and the + "rt *ppeals d#d n t err #n tang ! gn#Lan!e the sa#dd !"mentar% e$#den!e.

"eco- I((*e%

Sufficiency of Prosecution Evidence

Pet#t# ner arg"es that the pr se!"t# n a#led t pr $e be% nd reas nable d "bt the elements the ense. * ter a !are "l ! ns#derat# n the re! rds th#s !ase, 'e bel#e$e and s r"le

that the t tal#t% the e$#den!e presented d es n t s"pp rt pet#t# ner s ! n$#!t# n r $# lat# n

BP 22.

Se!t# n BP 22 de #nes the ense as ll 's=

>Se!t# n . Checks without sufficient funds . 77 *n% pers n 'h ma&es r dra's and#ss"es an% !he!& t appl% n a!! "nt r r $al"e, &n '#ng at the t#me #ss"e that hed es n t ha$e s" #!#ent "nds #n r !red#t '#th the dra'ee ban& r the pa%ment s"!h !he!& #n "ll "p n #ts presentment, 'h#!h !he!& #s s"bse "entl% d#sh n red b%the dra'ee ban& r #ns" #!#en!% "nds r !red#t r ' "ld ha$e been d#sh n red

r the same reas n had n t the dra'er, '#th "t an% $al#d reas n, rdered the ban& tst p pa%ment, shall be p"n#shed b% #mpr#s nment n t less than th#rt% da%s b"t n tm re than ne ( ) %ear r b% a #ne n t less than b"t n t m re than d "ble theam "nt the !he!& 'h#!h #ne shall #n n !ase e

*!! rd#ngl%, th#s + "rt has held that the elements the !r#me are as ll 's= 5 96

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. The a!!"sed ma&es, dra's r #ss"es an% !he!& t appl% t a!! "nt r r $al"e.

2. The !he!& #s s"bse "entl% d#sh n red b% the dra'ee ban& r #ns" #!#en!% "nds r !red#tM r #t ' "ld ha$e been d#sh n red r the same reas n had n t the dra'er, '#th "t an%$al#d reas n, rdered the ban& t st p pa%ment.

0. The a!!"sed &n 's at the t#me the #ss"an!e that he r she d es n t ha$e s" #!#ent "nds#n, r !red#t '#th, dra'ee ban& r the pa%ment the !he!& #n "ll "p n #ts presentment.

Ke shall anal%Le the e$#den!e, p"rp rtedl% establ#sh#ng ea!h the a rement# ned elements'h#!h the tr#al and the appellate ! "rts rel#ed "p n.

Issuance of the Questioned Checks

+ ntend#ng that the pr se!"t# n a#led t pr $e the #rst element, pet#t# ner ma#nta#ns thatshe merel% s#gned the "est# ned !he!&s '#th "t #nd#!at#ng there#n the date and the am "nt

#n$ l$ed. She adds that the% 'ere #mpr perl% #lled "p b% A#leen ernandeL. Th"s, she! n!l"des, she d#d n t >#ss"eJ the d#sh n red !he!&s #n the ! nte #rst del#$er% the #nstr"ment ! mplete #n rmt a pers n 'h ta&es #t as a h lder.J 5 36

Pet#t# ner s ! ntent# ns are n t mer#t r# "s. The "est# ned !he!&s, mar&ed as A*Jt >F,J ! nta#ned the date #ss"e and the am "nt #n$ l$ed. In a!t, pet#t# ner e$en adm#ttedthat she s#gned th se !he!&s. On the ther hand, n pr 'as add"!ed t sh ' that pet#t# ner merel% s#gned them #n blan&, r that ! mpla#nant #lled them "p #n $# lat# n the rmer s#nstr"!t# ns r the#r pre$# "s agreement. The e$#den!e n re! rd #s !lear that pet#t# ner #ss"ed

ele$en !he!&s, all 'h#!h 'ere d"l% #lled "p and s#gned b% her.Checks Dishonored

Ne#ther are 'e pers"aded b% pet#t# ner s arg"ment that >there appears n e$#den!e n re! rdthat the s"b@e!t !he!&s 'ere "npa#d and d#sh n red.J 5216 Under Se!t# n 0 BP 22, >the#ntr d"!t# n #n e$#den!e an% "npa#d and d#sh n red !he!&, ha$#ng the dra'ee s re "sal t

pa% stamped r 'r#tten there n, r atta!hed theret , '#th the reas n there r as a resa#d, shall be prima facie e$#den!e the mang r #ss"an!e sa#d !he!&, and the d"e presentment t thedra'ee r pa%ment and the dishonor there , and that the same 'as pr perl% d#sh n red r thereas n 'r#tten, stamped, r atta!hed b% the dra'ee n s"!h d#sh n red !he!&.J

In the present !ase, the a!t that the !he!&s 'ere d#sh n red 'as s" #!#entl% sh 'n b% the!he!&s themsel$es, 'h#!h 'ere stamped '#th the ' rds >*++OUNT + OSAD.J Th#s 'as

"rther s"pp rted b% the ret"rned !he!& t#!&ets #ss"ed b% P+I Ban&, the dep s#t r% ban&, stat#ngthat the !he!&s had been d#sh n red.

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+learl%, these d !"ments ! nst#t"te prima facie e$#den!e that the dra'ee ban& d#sh n redthe !he!&s. *ga#n, n e$#den!e 'as presented t reb"t the pr se!"t# n s !la#m.

no!led"e of Insufficiency of #unds

T h ld a pers n l#able "nder BP 22, #t #s n t en "gh t establ#sh that a !he!& #ss"ed 'ass"bse "entl% d#sh n red. It m"st be sh 'n "rther that the pers n 'h #ss"ed the !he!& &ne'>at the t#me #ss"e that that he d es n t ha$e s" #!#ent "nds #n r !red#t '#th the dra'ee ban&

r the pa%ment s"!h !he!& #n "ll "p n #ts presentment.J Be!a"se th#s element #n$ l$es astate m#nd 'h#!h #s d# #!"lt t establ#sh, Se!t# n 2 the la' !reates a prima

facie pres"mpt# n s"!h &n 'ledge, as ll 's= 52 6

>Se!. 2. Evidence of knowledge of insufficient funds . 777 The mang, dra'#ng and#ss"an!e a !he!& pa%ment 'h#!h #s re "sed b% the dra'ee be!a"se #ns" #!#ent

"nds #n r !red#t '#th s"!h ban&, 'hen presented '#th#n n#net% (31) da%s r m the

date the !he!&, shall be prima facie e$#den!e &n 'ledge s"!h #ns" #!#en!% "nds r !red#t "nless s"!h ma&er r dra'er pa%s the h lder there the am "nt d"e

there n, r ma&es arrangements r pa%ment #n "ll b% the dra'ee s"!h !he!&'#th#n #$e ( ) banng da%s a ter re!e#$#ng n t#!e that s"!h !he!& has n t been pa#d

b% the dra'ee.J

In ther ' rds, the prima facie pres"mpt# n ar#ses 'hen a !he!& #s #ss"ed. B"t the la' als pr $#des that the pres"mpt# n d es n t ar#se 'hen the #ss"er pa%s the am "nt the !he!& r ma&es arrangement r #ts pa%ment >'#th#n #$e banng da%s a terreceiving n t#!e that s"!h!he!& has n t been pa#d b% the dra'ee.J Ver#l%, BP 22 g#$es the a!!"sed an pp rt"n#t% t sat#s %the am "nt #nd#!ated #n the !he!& and th"s a$ert pr se!"t# n. *s the + "rt held #n Lozano v.

Martinez , the a re!#ted pr $#s# n ser$es t >m#t#gate the harshness the la' #n #tsappl#!at# n.J 5226 Th#s pp rt"n#t%, h 'e$er, !an be "sed nl% "p n re!e#pt b% the a!!"sed an t#!e d#sh n r. Th#s p #nt 'as "nders! red b% the + "rt #n Lina Lim Lao v. Court of

Appeals 5206

>It has been bser$ed that the State, "nder th#s stat"te, a!t"all% ers the $# lat r a! mpr m#se b% all '#ng h#m t per rm s me a!t 'h#!h perates t preempt the!r#m#nal a!t# n, and # he pts t per rm #t the a!t# n #s abated. Th#s 'as als! mpared t !erta#n la's all '#ng #llegal p ssess rs #rearms a !erta#n per# d t#me t s"rrender the #llegall% p ssessed #rearms t the 8 $ernment, '#th "t#n!"rr#ng an% !r#m#nal l#ab#l#t%. In th#s l#ght, the "ll pa%ment the am "nt appear#ng#n the !he!& '#th#n #$e banng da%s r m n t#!e d#sh n r #s a ! mplete de ense.The absen!e a n t#!e d#sh n r ne!essar#l% depr#$es an a!!"sed an pp rt"n#t% t

pre!l"de a !r#m#nal pr se!"t# n. *!! rd#ngl%, pr !ed"ral d"e pr !ess !learl% en@ #nsthat a n t#!e d#sh n r be a!t"all% ser$ed n pet#t# ner. Pet#t# ner has a r#ght t

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demand Q and the bas#! p st"lates a#rness re "#re 77 that the n t#!e d#sh n r bea!t"all% sent t and re!e#$ed b% her t a rd her the pp rt"n#t% t a$ert pr se!"t# n"nder BP 22.J

Th"s, #n rder t !reate the prima facie pres"mpt# n that the #ss"er &ne' the #ns" #!#en!% "nds, #t m"st be sh 'n that he r she re!e#$ed a n t#!e d#sh n r and, '#th#n #$e banng

da%s therea ter, a#led t sat#s % the am "nt the !he!& r ma&e arrangement r #ts pa%ment.

T pr $e that pet#t# ner &ne' the #ns" #!#en!% her "nds, the pr se!"t# n presentedAEJ t >T.J Based n these d !"ments, the + "rt *ppeals ! n!l"ded that >5p6r#$ate! mpla#nant sent a demand letter t appellant t ma&e g d sa#d !he!&s < <


12/22

!ERE ORE , the assa#led De!#s# n the + "rt *ppeals #shereb% !E"E!#E$ and #E% A#&$E $ Pet#t# ner Bett% F#ng #s AC'(&%%E$ r a#l"re the

pr se!"t# n t pr $e all the elements the !r#mes !harged. N pr n "n!ement as t ! sts.

"O ORDERED.

Melo) *Chairman+) "itug) ,urisima) and -onzaga !eyes) JJ.) ! n!"r .

Re *b+ c o/ )&e P& + -e("* reme #o*r)

'- +'

T!IRD DI I"ION

6O"ELITO R$NIERO 6. D$$N, G.R. No(. 173982 88 Pet#t# ner,

Present=

*USTRI*7;*RTINAC, J.) 7 $ers"s 7 Acting Chairperson)

TIN8*, ∗

+HI+O7N*C*RIO, N*+HUR*, and RA AS, JJ.

T!E !ON. "$NDIG$NB$Y$N : o*r)& D ; ( o-


13/22

/ sel#t Ran#er /. Daan (pet#t# ner), ne the a!!"sed #n +r#m#nal +ases N s.

2- :472- 41, 2- 3 72- 3:, 5 6 "est# ns the den#al b% the #andigan/ayan h#s plea

barga#n#ng pr p sal.

The ante!edents a!ts are la#d d 'n b% #andigan/ayan #n #ts Res l"t# n

dated ;ar!h 2 , 211-, as ll 's=

Sa#d a!!"sed, 526 t gether '#th a!!"sed Bened#!t A. F"#L n, 'ere!harged be re th#s + "rt r three ! "nts mal$ersat# n p"bl#! "nds#n$ l$#ng the s"ms P0,230.11, P ,9:3.11, and P 0, 29.11, respe!t#$el%,'h#!h the% p"rp rtedl% tr#ed t ! n!eal b% als# %#ng the t#me b & and pa%r lls

r g#$en per# d mang #t appear that s me lab rers ' r&ed n the ! nstr"!t# n the ne' m"n#!#pal hall b"#ld#ng Bat , e%te and ! lle!ted the#r respe!t#$e

salar#es there n 'hen, #n tr"th and #n a!t, the% d#d n t. Th"s, #n add#t# n t the!harge r mal$ersat# n, the a!!"sed 'ere als #nd#!ted be re th#s + "rt r three ! "nts als# #!at# n p"bl#! d !"ment b% a p"bl#! #!er r empl %ee.

In the als# #!at# n !ases, the a!!"sed ered t '#thdra' the#r plea >n t g"#lt%J and s"bst#t"te the same '#th a plea >g"#lt%J, pr $#ded, the

m#t#gat#ng !#r!"mstan!es ! n ess# n r plea g"#lt and $ l"ntar% s"rrender '#ll be appre!#ated #n the#r a$ r. In the alternat#$e, # s"!h pr p sal #s n t

a!!eptable, sa#d a!!"sed pr p sed #nstead t s"bst#t"te the#r plea >n t g"#lt%Jt the !r#me als# #!at# n p"bl#! d !"ment b% a p"bl#! #!er r empl %ee'#th a plea >g"#lt%J, b"t t the lesser !r#me als# #!at# n a p"bl#!d !"ment b% a pr#$ate #nd#$#d"al. On the ther hand, #n the mal$ersat# n !ases,the a!!"sed ered t s"bst#t"te the#r plea >n t g"#lt%J theret '#th a plea >g"#lt%J, b"t t the lesser !r#me a#l"re an a!! "ntable #!er t render a!! "nts.

Ins ar as the als# #!at# n !ases are ! n!erned, the pr se!"t# n "ndas a!!eptable the pr p sal the a!!"sed t plead >g"#lt%J t the lesser !r#me

als# #!at# n p"bl#! d !"ment b% a pr#$ate #nd#$#d"al. The pr se!"t# neK#th respe!t t the als# #!at# n !ases earl#er ment# ned,#t appears that the a!t the a!!"sed #n plead#ng g"#lt% r a lesser

ense als# #!at# n b% a pr#$ate #nd#$#d"al de #ned and penal#Led "nder *rt#!le 42 the Re$#sed Penal ! de '#llstrengthen "r !ases aga#nst the pr#n!#pal a!!"sed, ;"n#!#pal

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;a% r Bened#!t F"#L n, 'h appears t be the master m#nd these !r#m#nal a!ts.J

Ins ar as the mal$ersat# n !ases are ! n!erned, the pr se!"t# n 'asl#&e'#se amenable t the er sa#d a!!"sed t plead >g"#lt%J t the lesser

!r#me a#l"re an a!! "ntable #!er t render a!! "nts be!a"se=>< < < /OSA ITO R*NIARO /. D**N has alread% rest#t"tedthe t tal am "nt P 9,9:1.11 as per #!#al re!e#pt #ss"ed b%the pr $#n!#al g $ernment e%te dated ebr"ar% 2:, 2112. Insh rt, the damage !a"sed t the g $ernment has alread% beenrest#t"ted < <


15/22

appr $al. It "s"all% #n$ l$es the de endant s plead#ng g"#lt% t a lesser ense r t nl%

ne r s me the ! "nts a m"lt#7! "nt #nd#!tment #n ret"rn r a l#ghter senten!e than

that r the gra$er !harge. 546

Plea barga#n#ng #s a"th r#Led "nder Se!t# n 2, R"le : the Re$#sed R"les

+r#m#nal Pr !ed"re, t '#t=

SA+. 2. ,lea of guilty to a lesser offense. *t arra#gnment, the

a!!"sed, '#th the ! nsent the ended part% and the pr se!"t r, ma% beall 'ed b% the tr#al ! "rt t plead g"#lt% t a lesser ense 'h#!h #s ne!essar#l%#n!l"ded #n the ense !harged. * ter arra#gnment b"t be re tr#al, the a!!"sedma% st#ll be all 'ed t plead g"#lt% t sa#d lesser ense a ter '#thdra'#ng h#s

plea n t g"#lt%. N amendment the ! mpla#nt r #n rmat# n #sne!essar%. (se!. -, !#r. 09739)

Ord#nar#l%, plea barga#n#ng #s made d"r#ng the pre7tr#al stage the

pr !eed#ngs. Se!t# ns and 2, R"le 9 the R"les + "rt, re "#re plea barga#n#ng t

be ! ns#dered b% the tr#al ! "rt at the pre7tr#al ! n eren!e, 596 viz =

SA+. . ,re trial Mmandatory in criminal cases. 0 In all !r#m#nal

!ases ! gn#Lable b% the #andigan/ayan , Reg# nal Tr#al + "rt, ;etr p l#tanTr#al + "rt, ;"n#!#pal Tr#al + "rt #n +#t#es, ;"n#!#pal Tr#al + "rt and;"n#!#pal +#r!"#t Tr#al + "rt, the ! "rt shall, a ter arra#gnment and '#th#n th#rt%(01) da%s r m the date the ! "rt a! "#res @"r#sd#!t# n $er the pers n thea!!"sed, "nless a sh rter per# d #s pr $#ded r #n spe!#al la's r !#r!"lars theS"preme + "rt, rder a pre7tr#al ! n eren!e t ! ns#der the ll '#ng=

(a) +e' b'r ' - - M

(b) st#p"lat# n a!tsM

(!) marng r #dent# #!at# n e$#den!e the part#esM(d) 'a#$er b@e!t# ns t adm#ss#b#l#t% e$#den!eM

(e) m d# #!at# n the rder tr#al # the a!!"sed adm#ts the !harge b"t #nterp ses a la' "l de enseM and

( ) s"!h matters as '#ll pr m te a a#r and e


16/22

SA+. 2. ,re trial agreement. Q *ll agreements r adm#ss# ns made r entered d"r#ng the pre7tr#al ! n eren!e shall be red"!ed #n 'r#t#ng and s#gned b%the a!!"sed and ! "nsel, ther'#se, the% !ann t be "sed aga#nst thea!!"sed. The agreements ! $er#ng the matters re erred t #n se!t# n th#sR"le shall be appr $ed b% the ! "rt. (Amphas#s s"ppl#ed)

B"t #t ma% als be made d"r#ng the tr#al pr per and e$en a ter the pr se!"t# n has

#n#shed present#ng #ts e$#den!e and rested #ts !ase. Th"s, the + "rt has held that #t #s

#mmater#al that plea barga#n#ng 'as n t made d"r#ng the pre7tr#al stage r that #t 'as made

nl% a ter the pr se!"t# n alread% presented se$eral '#tnesses. 536

Se!t# n 2, R"le : the R"les + "rt presents the bas#! re "#s#tes "p n 'h#!h

plea barga#n#ng ma% be made, i.e. , that #t sh "ld be '#th the ! nsent the ended part%and the pr se!"t r, 5 16 and that the plea g"#lt sh "ld be t a lesser ense 'h#!h #s

ne!essar#l% #n!l"ded #n the ense !harged. The r"les h 'e$er "se ' rd may #n the

se! nd senten!e Se!t# n 2, den t#ng an e


17/22

< < < :$


18/22

*pparentl%, the #andigan/ayan has pr ered $al#d reas ns #n re@e!t#ng pet#t# ner s

plea er. H 'e$er, s"bse "ent e$ents and h#gher #nterests @"st#!e and a#r pla% d#!tate

that pet#t# ner s plea er sh "ld be a!!epted. The present !ase !alls r the @"d#!# "s

e


19/22

In the !ases at bar, there #s n d#sp"te that /OSA ITO R*NIARO /. D**N has

alread% rest#t"ted the t tal am "nt P 9,9:1.11 as per #!#al re!e#pt #ss"ed b% the

pr $#n!#al g $ernment e%te dated ebr"ar% 2:, 2112. In sh rt, the damage !a"sed tthe g $ernment has alread% been rest#t"ted b% the a!!"sed.

There #s als n d#sp"te that a!!"sed D**N $ l"ntar#l% s"rrendered #n the

#nstant !ases. ; re $er, the a!!"sed #s als '#ll#ng t plead g"#lt% t a lesser ense

'h#!h t "r m#nd, mer#ts ! ns#derat# n.

K#th respe!t t the als# #!at# n !ases earl#er ment# ned, #t appears that the a!t

the a!!"sed #n plead#ng g"#lt% r a lesser ense als# #!at# n b% pr#$ate #nd#$#d"al

de #ned and penal#Led "nder *rt#!le 42 the Re$#sed Penal + de '#ll strengthen "r

!ases aga#nst the pr#n!#pal a!!"sed, the ;"n#!#pal ;a% r Bened#!t F"#L n, 'h appears

t be the master m#nd these !r#m#nal a!ts. * ter all, the m $ants here#n /OSA ITO

R*NIARO /. D**N 'as merel% des#gnated as dra tsman deta#led as remanGt#me&eeper

the ;"n#!#pal#t% Bat , e%te.5226

; re $er, the lesser enses als# #!at# n b% Pr#$ate Ind#$#d"als and a#l"re

t Render *!! "nt b% an *!! "ntable O #!er are ne!essar#l% #n!l"ded #n the !r#mes

als# #!at# n P"bl#! D !"ments and ;al$ersat# n P"bl#! "nds, respe!t#$el%, '#th

'h#!h pet#t# ner 'as r#g#nall% !harged.

Under *rt#!le 4 , paragraph - the Re$#sed Penal + de, r the !r#me

als# #!at# n P"bl#! D !"ments thr "gh an "ntr"th "l narrat# n a!ts t be

establ#shed, the ll '#ng elements m"st ! n!"r= (a) the ender ma&es #n a d !"ment"ntr"th "l statements #n a narrat# n a!tsM (b) the ender has a legal bl#gat# n t

d#s!l se the tr"th the a!ts narratedM (!) the a!ts narrated b% the ender are abs l"tel%

alseM and (d) the per$ers# n tr"th #n the narrat# n a!ts 'as made '#th the 'r ng "l

#ntent #n@"r#ng a th#rd pers n.5206

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20/22

On the ther hand, als# #!at# n b% Pr#$ate Ind#$#d"als penal#Led "nder *rt#!le 42,

paragraph the Re$#sed Penal + de has the ll '#ng elements= (a) )&e o//e- er ( a

pr#$ate #nd#$#d"al r ' *b+ c o// cer or em +o?ee @&o -o) )'Ae ' ;'-)' e o/ & (o// c '+ o( ) o-M (b) the ender ! mm#tted an% the a!ts als# #!at# n en"merated

"nder *rt#!le 4 the Re$#sed Penal + deM and (!) the als# #!at# n 'as ! mm#tted #n a

p"bl#! r #!#al r ! mmer!#al d !"ment. 52-6

*s regards the !r#me ;al$ersat# n P"bl#! "nds de #ned and penal#Led "nder

*rt#!le 2 4 the Re$#sed Penal + de, '#th 'h#!h pet#t# ner 'as als !harged, the

elements are as ll 's= (a) the ender #s a p"bl#! #!erM (b) he has !"st d% r ! ntr l

"nds r pr pert% b% reas n the d"t#es h#s #!eM (!) the "nds r pr pert% #n$ l$ed

are p"bl#! "nds r pr pert% r 'h#!h he #s a!! "ntableM and (d) he has appr pr#ated,

ta&en r m#sappr pr#ated, r has ! nsented t , r thr "gh aband nment r negl#gen!e

perm#tted, the tang b% an ther pers n s"!h "nds r pr pert%. 52 6 *rt#!le 2 4 als

pr $#des that the a#l"re the p"bl#! #!er t ha$e d"l% rth! m#ng s"!h p"bl#! "nds

r pr pert%, "p n demand b% a d"l% a"th r#Led #!er, >shall be prima facie e$#den!e that

he has p"t s"!h m#ss#ng "nds r pr pert% t pers nal "se.J In th#s regard, #t has been r"led

that n!e s"!h pres"mpt# n #s reb"tted, then #t #s ! mpletel% destr %edM #n a!t,

thepres"mpt# n #s ne$er deemed t ha$e e


21/22

Se!t# n , R"le 21 the R"les + "rt states 'hen an ense #n!l"des r #s

#n!l"ded #n the ther, t '#t=

SA+. . 2hen an offense includes or is included in another. *nense !harged ne!essar#l% #n!l"des the ense pr $ed 'hen s me the

essent#al elements r #ngred#ents the rmer, as alleged #n the ! mpla#nt r #n rmat# n, ! nst#t"te the latter. *nd an ense !harged #s ne!essar#l% #n!l"ded#n the ense pr $ed, 'hen the essent#al #ngred#ents the rmer ! nst#t"te r

rm part th se ! nst#t"t#ng the latter.

*n ense ma% be sa#d t ne!essar#l% #n!l"de an ther 'hen (ome o/ )&e e((e-) '+

e+eme-)( or - re e-)( o/ )&e /ormer '( '++e e - )&e com +' -) or -/orm') o-

co-() )*)e )&e +'))er . *nd $#!e $ersa, an ense ma% be sa#d t be ne!essar#l% #n!l"ded #nan ther 'hen the essent#al #ngred#ents the rmer ! nst#t"te r rm part th se

! nst#t"t#ng the latter. 5296

In th#s !ase, the allegat# ns #n the In rmat# ns #led aga#nst pet#t# ner are

s" #!#ent t h ld pet#t# ner l#able r the lesser enses. Th"s, #n the !harge r

als# #!at# n P"bl#! D !"ments, pet#t# ner ma% plead g"#lt% t the lesser ense

als# #!at# n b% Pr#$ate Ind#$#d"als #nasm"!h as #t d es n t appear that pet#t# ner t &

ad$antage h#s #!#al p s#t# n #n allegedl% als# %#ng the t#meb & and pa%r ll

the ;"n#!#pal#t% Bat , e%te. In the same $e#n, '#th regard t the !r#me

;al$ersat# n P"bl#! "nds, 'h#le the In rmat# ns ! nta#n allegat# ns 'h#!h ma&e

"t a !ase r ;al$ersat# n aga#nst pet#t# ner, ne$ertheless, absent the element

! n$ers# n, the ret#!all%, pet#t# ner ma% st#ll be held l#able r a#l"re t Render *!! "nt

b% an *!! "ntable O #!er # #t #s sh 'n that the a#l"re t render a!! "nt 'as #n $# lat# n

a la' r reg"lat# n that re "#res h#m t render s"!h an a!! "nt#ng '#th#n the pres!r#bed

per# d.

8#$en, there re, that s me the essent#al elements enses !harged #n th#s

!ase l#&e'#se ! nst#t"te the lesser enses, then pet#t# ner ma% plead g"#lt% t s"!h lesser

enses.

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22/22

#nall%, as pr p "nded b% pet#t# ner, #ndeed, he #s n t an a!! "ntable #!er #n that

the nat"re h#s d"t% as remanGt#me&eeper d es n t perm#t r re "#re p ssess# n r

!"st d% l !al g $ernment "nds,5236

n t t ment# n that pet#t# ner has alread% rest#t"tedthe am "nt P 9,9:1.11 #n$ l$ed #n th#s !ase. Unl#&e Estrada 'h#!h #n$ l$es a !r#me

p"n#shable b% reclusionperpetua t death, 5016 and a 'h pp#ng P2 ,111,111.11 ta&en r m

the p"bl#! ! ers, th#s !ase tremend "sl% pales #n ! mpar#s n.

Under the pe!"l#ar !#r!"mstan!es the present !ase, 'here gr ss #ne "#t% '#ll

res"lt #n a d#s!r#m#nat r% d#spensat# n @"st#!e, the + "rt '#ll n t hes#tate t #nter$ene #n

rder t e "al#Le the #mbalan!e.

!ERE ORE , the pet#t# n #s GR$NTED. The Res l"t# ns dated ;ar!h 2 ,

211- and ;a% 0 , 211- are "ET $"IDE . The #andigan/ayan #s

hereb% ORDERED t grant pet#t# ner s ; t# n t Plea Barga#n. et re! rds th#s

!ase be RE $NDED t the #andigan/ayan r "rther pr !eed#ngs #n a!! rdan!e '#th

th#s De!#s# n.

"O ORDERED .
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