Evi Cases Object

7/23/2019 Evi Cases Object

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G.R. No. 185715 January 19, 2011

PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES,Appellee,vs.ERLINDA AP!NO y TISON,Appellant.

D E C I S I O N

"RION, J.:

We review the May 27, 2008 deisi!n"

!# the C!$rt !# Appeals %CA& in CA'(.). C) N!. *02"+, a##irin- with !di#iati!n the April *,200 deisi!n2!# the )e-i!nal /rial C!$rt %)/C&, ranh 7+, San Mate!, )i1al. /he )/C deisi!n #!$nd Erlinda Cap$n! y /is!n%appellant& -$ilty ey!nd reas!nale d!$t !# ille-al sale !# sha$, $nder Seti!n +, Artile II !# )ep$li At %).A.& N!. 3"+ !r theC!prehensive Dan-er!$s Dr$-s At !# 2002.

AN/ECEDEN/ 4AC/S

/he pr!se$ti!n har-ed the appellant with vi!lati!n !# Seti!n +, Artile II !# ).A. N!. 3"+ e#!re the )/C, $nder an In#!rati!n thatstates5

/hat !n !r a!$t the 2"st day !# 6$ly 2002, in the M$niipality !# )!dri-$e1, r!vine !# )i1al, hilippines, and within the $risditi!n !#this 9!n!rale C!$rt, the a!ve'naed a$sed, with!$t ein- a$th!ri1ed y law, did then and there will#$lly, $nlaw#$lly and :n!win-lysell, deliver and -ive away t! an!ther, !ne %"& heat'sealed transparent plasti sahet !# white rystalline s$stane wei-hin- 0.0; -rawhih was #!$nd p!sitive t! the test #!r Methaphetaine 9ydr!hl!ride, a dan-er!$s dr$-, and whih s$stane pr!d$es a

physi!l!-ial ati!n siilar t! aphetaine !r !ther !p!$nd there!# pr!vidin- siilar physi!l!-ial e##ets.

CON/)A)< /O =AW.*

/he appellant pleaded n!t -$ilty t! the har-e.;/he pr!se$ti!n presented !lie O##ier " %O"& 6!se (!rd!n Ant!ni! and O"4!rt$nat! 6ir! III at the trial. /he appellant and Maria Ceilia Salvad!r t!!: the witness stand #!r the de#ense.

O" Ant!ni! narrated that at ar!$nd ""5"0 a.. !# 6$ly 2", 2002, he was at the )!dri-$e1 !lie Stati!n when a ivilian in#!rantarrived and t!ld hi that a w!an was !penly sellin- dan-er!$s dr$-s !n Man--ahan Street, aran-ay $r-!s, M!ntalan, )i1al.>p!n reeivin- this in#!rati!n, he, O" 6!seph (. 4ernande1, and O" 6ir! planned an entrapent !perati!n5 he %O" Ant!ni!& wasdesi-nated as the p!se$r'$yer, while his tw! !pani!ns w!$ld at as a:'$p. e#!re leavin- the p!lie stati!n, they as:ed the des:!##ier t! re!rd their !perati!n.+/hey went t! Man--ahan Street, and when they were near this plae, the in#!rant p!inted t! thethe appellant. O" Ant!ni! ali-hted #r! the vehile, appr!ahed the appellant, and t!ld her, ?ais:!r n- hala-an- pis!?@ he thenhanded the pre'ar:ed !ne h$ndred pes! ill t! her. /he appellant p$lled !$t a plasti sahet #r! her le#t p!:et and -ave it t! O"

Ant!ni!. O" Ant!ni! iediately held the appellants ar, intr!d$ed hisel# t! her, and stated her !nstit$ti!nal ri-hts. It was at thistie that O" 4ernande1 and O" 6ir! appr!ahed the@ O" 6ir! re!vered the ar:ed !ney #r! the appellant. /hey r!$-ht theappellant t! the p!lie stati!n #!r investi-ati!n.A!rdin- t! O" Ant!ni!, the p!lie #!rwarded the sei1ed ite t! the Eastern !lieDistrit Crie =a!rat!ry #!r eBainati!n.7

O" 6ir! testi#ied that at ar!$nd ""500 a.. !# 6$ly 2", 2002, he was at the )!dri-$e1 !lie Stati!n when a !n#idential asset alledand in#!red the p!lie that he saw !ne ?alias Erlinda? sellin- ille-al dr$-s. /he p!lie planned a $y'$st !perati!n wherein theyprepared a !ne h$ndred pes! ill %"00.00& ar:ed !ney, and desi-nated O" Ant!ni! as the p!se$r $yer. A#terwards, O" 6ir!,O" Ant!ni!, O" 4ernande1, and the !n#idential asset le#t the p!lie stati!n and pr!eeded t! Manahan Street. On their arrival there,the !n#idential asset p!inted t! the the appellant.8O" Ant!ni! ali-hted #r! the vehile, appr!ahed the appellant, and tal:ed t!her. /herea#ter, O" Ant!ni! handed the ar:ed !ney t! the appellant@ the appellant t!!: ?s!ethin-? #r! her p!:et and handed itt! O" Ant!ni!.3Iediately a#ter, O" Ant!ni! arrested the appellant. 9e %O" 6ir!& and O" 4ernande1 appr!ahed the appellant@he re!vered the ar:ed !ney #r! the appellants le#t p!:et. /hey r!$-ht the appellant t! the p!lie stati!n and as:ed the d$ty!##ier t! l!tter the inident. A#terwards, they r!$-ht the appellant t! the p!lie investi-at!r@ they als! ade a re$est #!r a la!rat!ry

eBainati!n."0

On r!ss'eBainati!n, O" 6ir! stated that he was "0 eters away #r! O" Ant!ni! when the latter was transatin- with theappellant. 9e aintained that the $y'$st !perati!n t!!: plae !$tside the appellants h!$se.""9e realled that the appellant had tw!!ther !pani!ns when they arrived. When they arrested the appellant, s!e residents !# the area started a !!ti!n and tried t!-ra her."2

/he testi!ny !# !lie Inspet!r Araha /es!n, the 4!rensi Cheist, was dispensed with a#ter !th parties stip$lated !n the res$lt!# the eBainati!n !nd$ted !n the speien s$itted t! the rie la!rat!ry.

On the hearin- !# April ";, 200;, the pr!se$ti!n !##ered the #!ll!win- as eBhiits5

EBhiit ?A? the Sin$paan- Salaysay !# O" Ant!ni!, O" 6ir! and O" 4ernande1

EBhiit ?? the re$est #!r la!rat!ry eBainati!n

EBhiit ?C? Cheistry )ep!rt N!. D'"*7*'02E

EBhiit ?D? the $y'$st !ney

EBhiit ?E? Cheistry )ep!rt N!. )D'78'0*

EBhiit ?4? the speien !n#isated #r! the appellant

EBhiit ?(? !lie l!tter"*
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/he de#ense presented a di##erent versi!n !# the events.

/he appellant testi#ied that at ar!$nd ""500 a.. !# 6$ly 2", 2002, she was inside her h!$se and lyin- !n the ed, t!-ether with her "+'year !ld da$-hter, when tw! pers!ns, wh! intr!d$ed theselves as p!lie !##iers, entered her h!$se. /hey w!re a!n- pants andsand!. /hey as:ed her i# she was Erlinda Cap$n! and when she answered in the a##irative, they searhed her h!$se.";/hey invitedthe appellant and her da$-hter t! the M$niipal 9all !# M!ntalan, )i1al when they did n!t #ind anythin- in the h!$se. >p!n arrivin-there, the p!lie t!ld her t! reveal the identity !# the pers!n wh! -ave her sha$. When she answered that she had n! idea what theywere tal:in- a!$t, the p!lie p$t her in ail."+/he appellant #$rther stated that she saw the sei1ed speien !nly in !$rt."

On r!ss'eBainati!n, the appellant denied that she had een sellin- ille-al dr$-s. She eBplained that she !nsented t! the searhea$se she elieved that the tw! pers!ns wh! entered her h!$se were p!lieen."7

Maria, the appellants da$-hter, !rr!!rated her !thers testi!ny !n aterial p!ints, $t stated that the tw! p!lieen did n!tsearh their h!$se $t erely ?l!!:ed ar!$nd.?"8

/he )/C, in its deisi!n"3!# April *, 200, !nvited the appellant !# the rie har-ed, and sentened her t! s$##er the indeterinatepenalty !# ipris!nent #!r twelve %"2& years and !ne %"& day t! twelve %"2& years, ten %"0& !nths and twenty %20& days. /he )/Cli:ewise !rdered the appellant t! pay a "00,000.00 #ine.

/he appellant appealed t! the CA, d!:eted as CA'(.). C) N!. *02"+. /he CA, in its deisi!n20dated May 27, 2008, a##ired the )/Cdeisi!n with the !di#iati!n that the appellant e sentened t! li#e ipris!nent, and that the a!$nt !# #ine e inreasedt! +00,000.00.

/he CA #!$nd $nerit!ri!$s the appellants lai that the pr!se$ti!n witnesses were n!t redile d$e t! their !n#litin- stateents

re-ardin- the plae !# the $y'$st !perati!n. As the re!rds !re, O" Ant!ni! stated that they !nd$ted the entrapent !perati!n!n Man--ahan Street@ O" 6ir! testi#ied that it was held !n Manahan Street. /he CA, nevertheless, r$led that O" 6ir! ade a slip !#the t!n-$e as there was n! Manahan Street in aran-ay $r-!s, M!ntalan, )i1al.2"

/he CA added that despite the in!r in!nsistenies in the testi!nies !# O" Ant!ni! and O" 6ir!, the re!rds d! n!t sh!w that theywere ever !tivated y any $lteri!r !tive !ther than their desire t! help wipe !$t the dr$- enae. It added that the appellants denialann!t prevail !ver the p!sitive identi#iati!n ade y the pr!se$ti!n witnesses, wh!, as p!lie !##iers, per#!red their d$ties in are-$lar anner.22

4inally, the CA held that all the eleents !# ille-al sale !# dan-er!$s dr$-s had een estalished.2*

In her rie#,2;the appellant lais that the l!wer !$rts erred in !nvitin- her !# the rie har-ed despite the pr!se$ti!ns #ail$re t!pr!ve her -$ilt ey!nd reas!nale d!$t. She harps !n the #at that O" Ant!ni! and O" 6ir! -ave !n#litin- stateents !n h!w theyae t! :n!w !# her alle-ed ille-al ativities. On !ne hand, O" Ant!ni! laied that an in#!rant went t! the p!lie stati!n and t!ld

the that the appellant was !penly sellin- ille-al dr$-s@ O" 6ir!, !n the !ther hand, stated that a ivilian in#!rant alled the p!lieand in#!red the !# the appellants ille-al ativities. /he appellant als! alle-es that the testi!nies !# these tw! witnesses di##er asre-ards the at$al plae !# the entrapent !perati!n. She #$rther ar-$es that the p!lie did n!t !!rdinate with the hilippine Dr$-En#!reent A-eny %DEA& in !nd$tin- the $y'$st !perati!n.

/he appellant li:ewise !ntends that the pr!se$ti!n #ailed t! sh!w an $nr!:en hain !# $st!dy in the handlin- !# the sei1edspeien. She lais that the apprehendin- tea did n!t ar: the sei1ed ites $p!n !n#isati!n. M!re!ver, there was n! sh!win-that the p!lie invent!ried !r ph!t!-raphed the sei1ed ites in her presene !r her !$nsel, a representative !# the edia and theDepartent !# 6$stie %DO6&, and any eleted p$li !##iial.2+

4!r the State, the O##ie !# the S!liit!r (eneral %OS(& !$nters with the ar-$ent that the testi!nies !# the p!lie !##iers prevail!ver the appellants are denial, !re s! sine there was n!thin- in the re!rds t! sh!w that they were !tivated y any evil !tive!ther than their desire t! $r the vii!$s dr$- trade.2

/he OS( added that when the $y'$st !perati!n t!!: plae !n 6$ly 2", 2002, there was n! instit$ti!n yet :n!wn as the DEA, as theIpleentin- )$les !# ).A. N!. 3"+ %I))& t!!: e##et !nly !n N!veer 27, 2002.27It #$rther laied that the #ail$re t! !ply withthe Dan-er!$s Dr$-s !ard )e-$lati!ns was n!t #atal t! the pr!se$ti!n !# dr$- ases.28

/9E CO>)/S )>=IN(

A#ter d$e !nsiderati!n, we res!lve t! a$it the appellant #!r the pr!se$ti!ns #ail$re t! pr!ve her -$ilt ey!nd reas!nale d!$t.

In !nsiderin- a riinal ase, it is ritial t! start with the laws !wn startin- perspetive !n the stat$s !# the a$sed in all riinalpr!se$ti!ns, he is pres$ed inn!ent !# the har-e laid $nless the !ntrary is pr!ven ey!nd reas!nale d!$t.23/he $rden lies !nthe pr!se$ti!n t! !ver!e s$h pres$pti!n !# inn!ene y presentin- the $ant$ !# evidene re$ired. In s! d!in-, thepr!se$ti!n $st rest !n its !wn erits and $st n!t rely !n the wea:ness !# the de#ense. And i# the pr!se$ti!n #ails t! eet there$ired a!$nt !# evidene, the de#ense ay l!-ially n!t even present evidene !n its !wn ehal#. In whih ase, the pres$pti!n

prevails and the a$sed sh!$ld neessarily e a$itted.

*0

/he re$ireents !# para-raph ", Seti!n 2"!# Artile II !# ).A. N!. 3"+

In a pr!se$ti!n #!r the ille-al sale !# a pr!hiited dr$- $nder Seti!n + !# ).A. N!. 3"+, the pr!se$ti!n $st pr!ve the #!ll!win-eleents5 %"& the identity !# the $yer and the seller, the !et, and the !nsiderati!n@ and %2& the delivery !# the thin- s!ld and thepayent there#!r. All these re$ire evidene that the sale transati!n transpired, !$pled with the presentati!n in !$rt !# the corpusdelicti, i.e.,the !dy !r s$stane !# the rie that estalishes that a rie has at$ally een !itted, as sh!wn y presentin- the!et !# the ille-al transati!n. /! re!ve any d!$t !r $nertainty !n the identity and inte-rity !# the sei1ed dr$-, evidene $stde#initely sh!w that the ille-al dr$- presented in !$rt is the sae ille-al dr$- at$ally re!vered #r! the appellant@ !therwise, thepr!se$ti!n #!r p!ssessi!n !r #!r dr$- p$shin- $nder ).A. N!. 3"+ #ails.*"
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3/18

/he re$ired pr!ed$re !n the sei1$re and $st!dy !# dr$-s is e!died in Seti!n 2", para-raph ", Artile II !# ).A. N!. 3"+, whihstates5

"& /he apprehendin- tea havin- initial $st!dy and !ntr!l !# the dr$-s #$a%%, iediately a#ter sei1$re and !n#isati!n, &$y#'(a%%y'n)*n+ory and &$o+ora&$ the sae in the presene !# the a$sed !r the pers!ns #r! wh! s$h ites were !n#isated and!rsei1ed, !r hisher representative !r !$nsel, a representative #r! the edia and the Departent !# 6$stie %DO6&, and any eletedp$li !##iial wh! shall e re$ired t! si-n the !pies !# the invent!ry and e -iven a !py there!#F.G

/his pr!ed$re, h!wever, was n!t sh!wn t! have een !plied with y the eers !# the $y'$st tea, and n!thin- !n re!rds$--ests that they had eBtended reas!nale e##!rts t! !ply with the said stat$t!ry re$ireent in handlin- the evidene. /hede#iieny is patent #r! the #!ll!win- eBhan-es at the trial5

4ISCA= )OMNIE= MACAA(A=5

H5 >p!n arrival at Man--ahan Street, what did B B B y!$r -r!$p d!

O" 6OSE (O)DON AN/ONIO5

A5 We pr!eeded t! the plae and e#!re we reahFedG that plaeF,G !$r ivilian asset p!inted t! $s the s$spet.

H5 A#ter y!$r ivilian in#!rer p!inted t! the s$spet, what did y!$r -r!$p d!

A5 I ali-hted #r! !$r private vehile at the tie and I was the !ne wh! tal:ed t! Erlinda Cap$n!.

H5

A5 I t!ld her ?ais:!r n- hala-an- pis!.?

H5 When y!$ t!ld this t! Erlinda that y!$ $y !ne 9$ndred es! !# sha$, what did he d! FsiG

A5 When I -ave her !n FsiG piee !# the ar:ed !neyF,G he FsiG p$lled !$t s!ethin- #r! her p!:et.

H5 What is the den!inati!n !# the ar:ed !ney

A5 One 9$ndred es! ill.

H5 >p!n reeivin- the plasti sahet, what did y!$ d! neBt

A5 A#ter she -ave e the s$speted sha$, I held her y the ar and y tw! !pani!ns wh! FwereG then seein- eappr!ahed e. FsiG

H5 What is the p$rp!se !# h!ldin- the hands !# Erlinda when y!$ reeived this plasti sahet

A5 When I t!!: the plasti sahet that was the tie I held her and a#ter that I intr!d$ed ysel# and eBplained t! herC!nstit$ti!nal ri-hts. FsiG

H5 A#ter arrestin- Erlinda, where did y!$ pr!eed

A5 We r!$-ht her t! the !lie Stati!n #!r investi-ati!n where she -ave her #$ll nae and als! t$rned !ver the s$speted

itesF.G

H5 Wh! re!vered the $y'$st !ney

A5 !lie O##ier 9er! FsiG, Sir.

H5

A5 A#ter I -ave the ar:ed !ney t! herF,G she pi:ed #r! her le#t p!:et the s$speted sha$ and !lie O##ier 9er!re!vered the !ney. FsiG

B B B B

H5 /he alle-ed speien y!$ -!t #r! Erlinda, where is it n!w

A5 We r!$-ht it t! the Eastern !lie Distrit Crie =a!rat!ry #!r eBainati!n.

H5 Were y!$ ale t! :n!w the res$lt !# this eBainati!n

A5


4/18

they r!$-ht her and the sei1ed ite t! the p!lie stati!n. At n! tie d$rin- O" 6ir!s testi!ny did he even intiate that theyinvent!ried !r ph!t!-raphed the !n#isated ite.

A review !# $rispr$dene, even pri!r t! the passa-e !# ).A. N!. 3"+, sh!ws that this C!$rt did n!t hesitate t! stri:e d!wn !nviti!ns#!r #ail$re t! #!ll!w the pr!per pr!ed$re #!r the $st!dy !# !n#isated dan-er!$s dr$-s. ri!r t! ).A. N!. 3"+, the C!$rt applied thepr!ed$re re$ired y Dan-er!$s Dr$-s !ard )e-$lati!n N!. *, Series !# "373, aendin- !ard )e-$lati!n N!. 7, Series !#"37;.**Seti!n " !# this )e-$lati!n re$ires the apprehendin- tea, havin- initial $st!dy and !ntr!l !# the sei1ed dr$-s, t!iediately invent!ry and ph!t!-raph the sae in the presene !# the a$sed and!r his representatives, wh! shall e re$ired t!si-n the !pies !# the invent!ry and e -iven a !py there!#.

/he C!$rt reained vi-ilant in ens$rin- that the presried pr!ed$res in the handlin- !# the sei1ed dr$-s were !served a#ter the

passa-e !# ).A. N!. 3"+. In e!ple v. =!ren1!,*;we a$itted the a$sed #!r #ail$re !# the $y'$st tea t! ph!t!-raph andinvent!ry the sei1ed ites. e!ple v. (aria*+li:ewise res$lted in an a$ittal ea$se n! physial invent!ry was ever ade, and n!ph!t!-raph !# the sei1ed ites was ta:en $nder the ir$stanes re$ired y ).A. N!. 3"+. In !ndad, 6r. v. e!ple,*we als!a$itted the a$sed #!r the #ail$re !# the p!lie t! !nd$t an invent!ry and t! ph!t!-raph the sei1ed ite, with!$t $sti#iale -r!$nds.

We had the sae r$lin-s in e!ple v. ($tierre1, *7e!ple v. Den!an,*8e!ple v. art!1a,*3e!ple v. )!les,;0and e!ple v. delaCr$1,;"where we ephasi1ed the ip!rtane !# !plyin- with the re$ired pr!ed$res $nder Seti!n 2" !# ).A. N!. 3"+.

/! e s$re, Seti!n 2"%a&, Artile II !# the I)) !##ers s!e #leBiility in !plyin- with the eBpress re$ireents $nder para-raph ",Seti!n 2", Artile II !# ).A. N!. 3"+, i.e.,"non-compliance with these requirements under justifiable grounds, as long as the integrityand the evidentiary value of the seized items are properly preserved by the apprehending officer/team, shall not render void and invalidsuch seizures of and custody over said items[.G? /his savin- la$se, h!wever, applies !nly where the pr!se$ti!n re!-ni1ed thepr!ed$ral lapses, and, therea#ter, eBplained the ited $sti#iale -r!$nds, and when the pr!se$ti!n estalished that the inte-rity andevidentiary val$e !# the evidene sei1ed had een preserved.;2

/hese !nditi!ns were n!t et in the present ase, as the pr!se$ti!n did n!t even attept t! !##er any $sti#iati!n #!r its #ail$re t!#!ll!w the presried pr!ed$res in the handlin- !# the sei1ed ites.

/he ?Chain !# C$st!dy? )e$ireent

r!!# ey!nd reas!nale d!$t deands that $nwaverin- eBatit$de e !served in estalishin- the corpus delicti' the !dy !# therie wh!se !re is the !n#isated illiit dr$-. /h$s, every #at neessary t! !nstit$te the rie $st e estalished. /he hain !#$st!dy re$ireent per#!rs this #$nti!n in $y'$st !perati!ns as it ens$res that d!$ts !nernin- the identity !# the evidene arere!ved.;*

!ard )e-$lati!n N!. ", Series !# 2002, de#ines hain !# $st!dy as ?the d$ly re!rded a$th!ri1ed !veents and $st!dy !# sei1eddr$-s !r !ntr!lled heials !r plant s!$res !# dan-er!$s dr$-s !r la!rat!ry e$ipent !# eah sta-e, #r! the tie !#

sei1$re!n#isati!n t! reeipt in the #!rensi la!rat!ry t! sa#e:eepin- t! presentati!n in !$rt #!r destr$ti!n.? As a eth!d !#a$thentiatin- evidene, the hain !# $st!dy r$le re$ires that the adissi!n !# the eBhiit e preeded y evidene s$##iient t!s$pp!rt a #indin- that the atter in $esti!n is what the pr!p!nent lais it t! e. It w!$ld, th$s, inl$de a testi!ny a!$t the everylin: in the hain, #r! the !ent the ite was sei1ed t! the tie it was !##ered in !$rt as evidene, s$h that every pers!n wh!handled the sae w!$ld adit as t! h!w and #r! wh! it was reeived, where it was and what happened t! it while in the witnessJp!ssessi!n, the !nditi!n in whih it was reeived and the !nditi!n in whih it was delivered t! the neBt lin: in the hain. /he saewitnesses w!$ld then desrie the prea$ti!ns ta:en t! ens$re that there had een n! han-e in the !nditi!n !# the ite and n!!pp!rt$nity #!r s!e!ne n!t in the hain t! have p!ssessi!n !# the sae. It is #r! the testi!ny !# every witness wh! handled theevidene #r! whih a reliale ass$rane an e derived that the evidene presented in !$rt is !ne and the sae as that sei1ed #r!the a$sed.;;

In the present ase, the pr!se$ti!ns evidene #ailed t! estalish the hain that w!$ld have sh!wn that the sha$ presented in !$rtwas the very sae speien sei1ed #r! the appellant.

/he #irst r$ial lin: in the hain !# $st!dy starts with the sei1$re !# the plasti sahet #r! the appellant. 4r! the testi!nies and!int a##idavit !# O" Ant!ni! and O" 6ir!, it is lear that the p!lie did n!t ar: the !n#isated sahet $p!n !n#isati!n. Mar:in-a#ter sei1$re is the startin- p!int in the $st!dial lin:, th$s it is vital that the sei1ed !ntraand is iediately ar:ed ea$ses$eedin- handlers !# the speien will $se the ar:in-s as re#erene. /he ar:in- !# the evidene serves t! separate the ar:edevidene #r! the !rp$s !# all !ther siilar !r related evidene #r! the tie they are sei1ed #r! the a$sed $ntil they are disp!sed!# at the end !# riinal pr!eedin-s, !viatin- swithin-, ?plantin-,? !r !ntainati!n !# evidene.;+

/he se!nd lin: in the hain !# $st!dy is its t$rn!ver #r! O" Ant!ni! t! the p!lie stati!n. !th O" Ant!ni! and O" 6ir! testi#iedthat they r!$-ht the appellant and the sei1ed ite t! the p!lie stati!n. /hey, h!wever, #ailed t! identi#y the pers!n t! wh!se $st!dythe sei1ed ite was -iven. Alth!$-h the re!rds sh!w that the re$est #!r la!rat!ry eBainati!n !# the sei1ed ite was prepared ythe Chie# !# !lie, !lie Seni!r Inspet!r Anastai! en1!n, the evidene d!es n!t sh!w that he was the !##iial wh! reeived thear:ed plasti sahet #r! O" Ant!ni!.

As #!r the s$se$ent lin:s in the hain !# $st!dy, the re!rds sh!w that the sei1ed ite was #!rwarded t! the hilippine Nati!nal

!lie Crie =a!rat!ry y a ertain O" Sanhe1. We stress, h!wever, that O" Sanhe1 #!rwarded the said speien !nly !n theneBt day, !r !n 6$ly 22, 2002. /! harp a: t! what we earlier dis$ssed, there was a issin- lin: in the $st!dy !# the sei1ed dr$-a#ter it le#t the hands !# O" Ant!ni!. We ann!t, there#!re, pres$e that O" Sanhe1 had $st!dy !# the speien in the interi. Weals! stress that the identity !# the pers!n wh! reeived the sei1ed ite at the rie la!rat!ry was n!t learly identi#ied.

D$e t! the pr!ed$ral lapses p!inted !$t a!ve, seri!$s $nertainty han-s !ver the identi#iati!n !# the sei1ed sha$ that thepr!se$ti!n intr!d$ed int! evidene. In e##et, the pr!se$ti!n #ailed t! #$lly pr!ve the eleents !# the rie har-ed, reatin- areas!nale d!$t !n the riinal liaility !# the a$sed.

Crediility !# the r!se$ti!n Witnesses

We li:ewise ann!t a$iese t! the rediility a!rded t! the pr!se$ti!n witnesses y the !$rts a $!. C!ntrary t! the l!wer !$rtsr$lin-, the in!nsistenies in the stateents !# the pr!se$ti!n witnesses are s$stantial, n!t trivial. /! reall, O" Ant!ni!, O" 6ir!
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and O" 4ernande1 stated in their ina-saan- Sin$paan- Salaysay;that a ivilian asset arrived at the p!lie stati!n !n 6$ly 2",2002, and in#!red the that !ne ?alias Erlinda? was sellin- ille-al dr$-s !n Manahan Street, aran-ay $r-!s, )!dri-$e1, )i1al. O"

Ant!ni! reiterated this #at when he testi#ied in !$rt that a ivilian in#!rant arrived at the p!lie stati!n !n 6$ly 2", 2002 and t!ld thethat a w!an was !penly sellin- dan-er!$s dr$-s !n Man--ahan Street, aran-ay $r-!s, M!ntalan, )i1al. O" 6ir!, h!wever,han-ed his st!ry in !$rt and testi#ied that the !n#idential in#!rant alled the p!lie and in#!red then that !ne ?alias Erlinda? wassellin- ille-al dr$-s.

We are at a l!ss h!w O" Ant!ni! and O" 6ir! !$ld have -iven di##erent a!$nts re-ardin- h!w the !n#idential asset in#!redthe !# the appellants ille-al ativities when !th !# the were present at the p!lie stati!n !n 6$ly 2", 2002. What a##les $s even!re is why O" 6ir!s -ave !n#litin- stateents in his !int a##idavit and in his !$rt testi!ny. /! $s, the !n#litin- stateents anddelarati!ns !# O" Ant!ni! and O" 6ir! destr!yed their rediility@ it ade their testi!nies $nreliale. Evidene t! e elieved $st

n!t !nly pr!eed #r! the !$th !# a redile witness $t it $st e redile in itsel#, s$h as the !!n eBperiene and !servati!n!# an:ind an appr!ve as pr!ale $nder the ir$stanes.;7

res$pti!n !# )e-$larity in theer#!rane !# O##iial D$ties

In s$stainin- the appellants !nviti!n, the CA als! relied !n the evidentiary pres$pti!n that !##iial d$ties have een re-$larlyper#!red. /his pres$pti!n, it $st e stressed, is n!t !nl$sive. It ann!t, y itsel#, !ver!e the !nstit$ti!nal pres$pti!n !#inn!ene. Any taint !# irre-$larity a##ets the wh!le per#!rane and sh!$ld a:e the pres$pti!n $navailale.;8/he pres$pti!n, in!ther w!rds, !tains !nly when n!thin- in the re!rds s$--ests that the law en#!rers inv!lved deviated #r! the standard !nd$t !#!##iial d$ty as pr!vided #!r in the law. $t where the !##iial at in $esti!n is irre-$lar !n its #ae, as in this ase, an adversepres$pti!n arises as a atter !# !$rse.;3As we eBplained in e!ple v. Sanhe15

While the C!$rt is ind#$l that the law en#!rers en!y the pres$pti!n !# re-$larity in the per#!rane !# their d$ties, this pres$pti!n

ann!t prevail !ver the !nstit$ti!nal ri-ht !# the a$sed t! e pres$ed inn!ent and it ann!t, y itsel# !nstit$te pr!!# !# -$iltey!nd reas!nale d!$t. /he pres$pti!n !# re-$larity in the per#!rane !# !##iial d$ty ann!t e $sed as asis #!r a##irin-a$sed'appellantJs !nviti!n ea$se ?4irst, the pres$pti!n is preisely $st that ' a ere pres$pti!n. One hallen-ed yevidene, as in this ase, BBB FitG ann!t e re-arded as indin- tr$th. Se!nd, the pres$pti!n !# re-$larity in the per#!rane !#!##iial #$nti!ns ann!t prep!nderate !ver the pres$pti!n !# inn!ene that prevails i# n!t !verthr!wn y pr!!# ey!nd reas!naled!$t.? /he pres$pti!n als! ann!t prevail !ver p!sitive averents !nernin- vi!lati!ns !# the !nstit$ti!nal ri-hts !# the a$sed. Insh!rt, the pres$pti!n !# re-$larity in the per#!rane !# !##iial d$ty ann!t y itsel# !ver!e the pres$pti!n !# inn!ene n!r!nstit$te pr!!# ey!nd reas!nale d!$t.+0

All t!ld, we #ind erit in the appellantJs lai that the pr!se$ti!n #ailed t! dishar-e its $rden !# pr!vin- her -$ilt ey!nd reas!naled!$t, d$e t! the $nreliaility !# the testi!nies !# the pr!se$ti!n witnesses and s$stantial -aps in the hain !# $st!dy, raisin-reas!nale d!$t !n the a$thentiity !# the corpus delicti.avvphi

W9E)E4O)E, preises !nsidered, we hereyRE-ERSE and SET ASIDEthe May 27, 2008 Deisi!n !# the C!$rt !# Appeals in CA'

(.). C) N!. *02"+. Appellant Erlinda Cap$n! y /is!n is herey A!ITTED#!r #ail$re !# the pr!se$ti!n t! pr!ve her -$ilt ey!ndreas!nale d!$t. She is !rdered iediately RELEASED #r! detenti!n $nless she is !n#ined #!r an!ther law#$l a$se.

=et a !py !# this Deisi!n e #$rnished the S$perintendent, C!rreti!nal Instit$ti!n #!r W!en, Mandal$y!n- City, #!r iediateipleentati!n. /he S$perintendent !# the C!rreti!nal Instit$ti!n #!r W!en is direted t! rep!rt the ati!n she has ta:en t! this C!$rtwithin #ive %+& days #r! reeipt !# this Deisi!n.

SO O)DE)ED.

G.R. No#. 108280/8 No)**r 13, 1995

RO4EO SISON, NILO PAADAR, JOEL TAN, RIHARD DE LOS SANTOS, an JOSELITO TA4A6O,petiti!ners,

vs.PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES an O!RT OF APPEALS, resp!ndents.

G.R. No#. 1191/ No)**r 13, 1995

THE PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, plainti##'appellee,vs.ANNIE FERRER, a((u#*, RO4EO SISON, NILO PAADAR, JOEL TAN, RIHARD DE LOS SANTOS, an JOSELITOTA4A6O, a$sed'appellants.

P!NO, J.:

/he ase e#!re $s !$rred at a tie !# -reat p!litial p!lari1ati!n in the a#terath !# the "38 EDSA )ev!l$ti!n. /his was the tiewhen the newly'installed -!vernent !# resident C!ra1!n C. A$in! was ein- !penly hallen-ed in rallies, de!nstrati!ns and !therp$li #!ra y ?Mar!s l!yalists,? s$pp!rters !# dep!sed resident 4erdinand E. Mar!s. /ensi!n and ani!sity etween the tw! %2&-r!$ps s!eties r!:e int! vi!lene. On 6$ly 27, "38, it res$lted in the $rder !# Stephen Saled!, a :n!wn ?C!ryista.?

4r! A$-$st t! Ot!er "38, several in#!rati!ns were #iled in !$rt a-ainst eleven pers!ns identi#ied as Mar!s l!yalists har-in-the with the $rder !# Saled!. Criinal Case N!. 8';7*22 was #iled a-ainst )a$l ill!s!s y de =e!n and (erry Nery y aa1!n@Criinal Case N!. 8';7"7 a-ainst )!e! Sis!n y Meia, Nil! aadar y Ae and 6!el /an y M!ster!@ Criinal Case N!. 8';7730a-ainst )ihard de l!s Sant!s y Ara$l!@ Criinal Case N!. 8';8+*8 a-ainst 6!selit! /aay! y Ortia@ and Criinal Case N!. 8';83*" a-ainst )!land! 4ernande1 y Mandapat. Als! #iled were Criinal Cases N!s. 8';3007 and 8';3008 a-ainst Oliver =!1an!and enain N$e-a as well as Annie 4errer har-in- the as a!plies t! the $rder !# Saled!.
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6/18

/he ases were !ns!lidated and ra##led t! the )e-i!nal /rial C!$rt, ranh K=IK, Manila. All !# the a$sed pleaded n!t -$ilty t! thehar-e and trial ens$ed a!rdin-ly. /he pr!se$ti!n presented twelve witnesses, inl$din- tw! eyewitnesses, )an$l#! S$ilan- and)enat! an$l!, and the p!lie !##iers wh! were at the =$neta at the tie !# the inident. In s$pp!rt !# their testi!nies, thepr!se$ti!n li:ewise presented d!$entary evidene !nsistin- !# newspaper a!$nts !# the inident and vari!$s ph!t!-raphs ta:end$rin- the a$lin-.

/he pr!se$ti!n estalished that !n 6$ly 27, "38, a rally was shed$led t! e held at the =$neta y the Mar!s l!yalists. Earlier, theyapplied #!r a perit t! h!ld the rally $t their appliati!n was denied y the a$th!rities. Despite this seta:, three th!$sand !# the-athered at the )i1al M!n$ent !# the =$neta at 25*0 in the a#tern!!n !# the shed$led day. =ed y Oliver =!1an! and enainN$e-a, !th eers !# the Inte-rated ar !# the hilippines, the l!yalists started an ipr!pt$ sin-in- !ntest, reited prayers anddelivered speehes in etween. C!l!nel Ed-ar D$la /!rres, then Dep$ty S$perintendent !# the Western !lie Distrit, arrived and

as:ed the leaders #!r their perit. N! perit !$ld e pr!d$ed. C!l!nel D$la /!rres there$p!n -ave the ten in$tes t! disperse. /hel!yalist leaders as:ed #!r thirty in$tes $t this was re#$sed. Atty. =!1an! t$rned t!wards his -r!$p and said ?($lpihin niny! an- lahatn- -a C!ry in#iltrat!rs.? Atty. N$e-a added ?Si-e, si-e -$lpihin niny!!? /he p!lie then p$shed the r!wd, and $sed tear -as andtr$nhe!ns t! disperse the. /he l!yalists sapered away $t s!e !# the #!$-ht a: and threw st!nes at the p!lie. Event$ally,the r!wd #led t!wards Maria Or!sa Street and the sit$ati!n later staili1ed. 1

At a!$t ;500 p.., a sall -r!$p !# l!yalists !nver-ed at the Chinese (arden, hase III !# the =$neta. /here, they saw Annie 4errer,a p!p$lar !vie starlet and s$pp!rter !# resident Mar!s, !--in- ar!$nd the #!$ntain. /hey appr!ahed her and in#!red her !# theirdispersal and Annie 4errer an-rily !rdered the ?($lpihin niny! and -a C!ry he:lers!? /hen she !ntin$ed !--in- ar!$nd the#!$ntain hantin- ?Mar!s pa rin, Mar!s pa rin, aali:in si Mar!s, aali:in si Mar!s, $-$-in an- -a na:adilaw!? /he l!yalistsreplied ?$-$-in!? A #ew in$tes later, Annie 4errer was arrested y the p!lie. S!e!dy then sh!$ted ?Lailan-an- -$anti, tay!n-ay!n!? A !!ti!n ens$ed and )enat! an$l!, a i-arette vend!r, saw the l!yalists atta:in- pers!ns in yell!w, the !l!r !# the?C!ryistas.? )enat! t!!: !## his yell!w shirt.29e then saw a an wearin- a yell!w t'shirt ein- hased y a -r!$p !# pers!ns sh!$tin-?Iyan, ha$lin iyan. C!ry iyan!? /he an in the yell!w t'shirt was Saled! and his p$rs$ers appeared t! e Mar!s l!yalists. /heya$-ht Saled! and !Bed and :i:ed and a$led hi. Saled! tried t! eBtriate hisel# #r! the -r!$p $t they a-ain p!$ned !n

hi and p$elled hi with #ist l!ws and :i:s hittin- hi !n vari!$s parts !# his !dy. an$l! saw )an$l#! S$ilan-, an eletriianat the =$neta, r$sh t! Saled!Js aid. S$ilan- tried t! pai#y the a$lers s! he !$ld eBtriate Saled! #r! the. $t the a$lersp$rs$ed Saled! $nrelentin-ly, !Bin- hi with st!nes in their #ists. S!e!dy -ave S$ilan- a l!yalist ta- whih S$ilan- sh!wed t!Saled!Js atta:ers. /hey a:ed !## #!r a while and S$ilan- was ale t! t!w Saled! away #r! the. $t a$sed )a$l ill!s!seer-ed #r! ehind S$ilan- as an!ther an !Bed Saled! !n the head. A$sed )ihard de l!s Sant!s als! !Bed Saled! twie!n the head and :i:ed hi even as he was already #allen. Saled! tried t! stand $t a$sed 6!el /an !Bed hi !n the le#t side !#his head and ear.A$sed Nil! aadar p$nhed Saled! !n his nape, sh!$tin-5 ?Iyan, C!ry Iyan. atayin?5S$ilan- tried t! pai#yaadar $t the latter l$n-ed at the viti a-ain. A$sed 6!selit! /aay! !Bed Saled! !n the le#t aw and :i:ed hi as he !ne!re #ell. an$l! saw a$sed )!e! Sis!n trip Saled! and :i: hi !n the head, and when he tried t! stand, Sis!n repeatedly!Bed hi.3S$ilan- saw a$sed (erry Neri appr!ah the viti $t did n!t n!tie what he did.7

Saled! s!eh!w ana-ed t! -et away #r! his atta:ers and wipe !## the l!!d #r! his #ae. 9e sat !n s!e eent steps 8andthen tried t! #lee t!wards )!Bas !$levard t! the sant$ary !# the )i1al M!n$ent $t a$sed 6!el /an and Nil! aadar p$rs$edhi, a$lin- S$ilan- in the pr!ess. Saled! pleaded #!r his li#e eBlaiin- ?Maawa na :ay! sa a:in. /$l$n-an niny! a:!.? 9e ried5

?$lis, p$lis. Wala an- p$lis?9

/he a$lin- res$ed at the )i1al M!n$ent and !ntin$ed al!n- )!Bas !$levard $ntil Saled! !llapsed and l!st !nsi!$sness.S$ilan- #la--ed d!wn a van and with the help !# a tra##i !##ier, r!$-ht Saled! t! the Medial Center Manila $t he was re#$sedadissi!n. S! they t!!: hi t! the hilippine (eneral 9!spital where he died $p!n arrival.

Saled! died !# ?he!rrha-e, intraranial tra$ati.? 9e s$stained vari!$s !nt$si!ns, arasi!ns, laerated w!$nds and s:$ll #rat$resas revealed in the #!ll!win- p!st'!rte #indin-s5

Cyan!sis, lips, and naileds.

C!nt$sed'arasi!ns5 .0 B 2.+ ., and *.0 B 2.; ., #r!ntal re-i!n, ri-ht side@ .8 B ;.2 ., #r!ntal re-i!n, le#t side@+.0 B ;.0 ., ri-ht hee:@ +.0 B *.+ ., #ae, le#t side@ *.+ B 2.0 ., n!se@ ;.0 B 2." ., le#t ear, pinna@ +.0 B ;.0

. le#t s$prasap$lar re-i!n@ .0 B 2.8 ., ri-ht el!w.

Arasi!ns5 ;.0 B 2.0 ., le#t el!w@ 2.0 B ".+ ., ri-ht :nee.

=aerated w!$nds5 2.2 ., !ver the le#t eyer!w@ ".0 ., $pper lip.

9eat!a, salp@ #r!ntal re-i!n, !th sides@ le#t parietal re-i!n@ ri-ht tep!ral re-i!n@ !ipital re-i!n, ri-ht side.

4rat$res, s:$ll@ !ipital !ne, ri-ht side@ ri-ht p!steri!r ranial #!ssa@ ri-ht anteri!r ranial #!ssa.

9e!rrha-e, s$d$ral, eBtensive.

Other viseral !r-ans, !n-ested.

St!ah, a!$t "2 #illed with -rayish r!wn #!!d aterials and #l$id. 10

/he a$lin- !# Saled! was witnessed y ystanders and several press pe!ple, !th l!al and #!rei-n. /he press t!!: pit$res and avide! !# the event whih eae #r!nt'pa-e news the #!ll!win- day, apt$rin- nati!nal and internati!nal attenti!n. /his pr!ptedresident A$in! t! !rder the Capital )e-i!nal C!and and the Western !lie Distrit t! investi-ate the inident. A reward !# tenth!$sand pes!s %"0,000.00& was p$t $p y ri-adier (eneral Al#red! =i, then !lie Chie#, #!r pers!ns wh! !$ld -ive in#!rati!nleadin- t! the arrest !# the :illers.11Several pers!ns, inl$din- )an$l#! S$ilan- and )enat! an$l!, !!perated with the p!lie, and!n the asis !# their identi#iati!n, several pers!ns, inl$din- the a$sed, were apprehended and investi-ated.

4!r their de#ense, the prinipal a$sed denied their partiipati!n in the a$lin- !# the viti and !##ered their respetive aliis.A$sed 6!selit! /aay! testi#ied that he was n!t in any !# the ph!t!-raphs presented y the pr!se$ti!n12ea$se !n 6$ly 27, "38,he was in his h!$se in H$e1!n City. 1(erry Neri laied that he was at the =$neta /heater at the tie !# the


7/18

inident. 1)!e! Sis!n, a !erial ph!t!-rapher, was alle-edly at his !##ie near the =$neta waitin- #!r s!e pit$res t! edevel!ped at that tie. 159e laied t! e a##lited with hernia ipairin- his !ility@ he ann!t r$n n!rally n!r d! thin-s#!re#$lly. 13)ihard de l!s Sant!s adits he was at the =$neta at the tie !# the a$lin- $t denies hittin- Saled!. 179e said that heerely wathed the a$lin- whih eBplains why his #ae appeared in s!e !# the ph!t!-raphs.18>nli:e the !ther a$sed, Nil!aadar adits that he is a Mar!s l!yalist and a eer !# the A:!Jy ilipin! M!veent and that he attended the rally !n that #ate#$lday. A!rdin- t! hi, he saw Saled! ein- a$led and li:e )ihard de l!s Sant!s, erely viewed the inident. 199is #ae was in thepit$res ea$se he sh!$ted t! the a$lers t! st!p hittin- Saled!. 206!el /an als! testi#ied that he tried t! pai#y the a$lers ea$sehe pitied Saled!. /he a$lers h!wever i-n!red hi. 21

/he !ther a$sed, spei#ially Attys. =!1an! and N$e-a and Annie 4errer !pted n!t t! testi#y in their de#ense.

On Deeer ", "388, the trial !$rt rendered a deisi!n #indin- )!e! Sis!n, Nil! aadar, 6!el /an, )ihard de l!s Sant!s and6!selit! /aay! -$ilty as prinipals in the rie !# $rder $ali#ied y treahery and sentened the t! "; years "0 !nths and 20days !# reclusion temporal

as ini$ t! 20 years !# reclusion temporalas aBi$. Annie 4errer was li:ewise !nvited as ana!plie. /he !$rt, h!wever, #!$nd that the pr!se$ti!n #ailed t! pr!ve the -$ilt !# the !ther a$sed and th$s a$itted )a$lill!s!s, (erry Nery, )!land! 4ernande1, Oliver =!1an! and enain N$e-a. /he disp!sitive p!rti!n !# the deisi!n reads as #!ll!ws5

W9E)E4O)E, $d-eent is herey rendered in the a#!reenti!ned ases as #!ll!ws5

". #n "$eople versus %aul &illosos and 'erry (ery," )riminal )ase (o. *+-, the C!$rt #inds that the r!se$ti!n#ailed t! pr!ve the -$ilt !# the tw! %2& A$sed ey!nd reas!nale d!$t #!r the rie har-ed and herey a$itsthe !# said har-e@

2. #n "$eople versus %omeo 0ison, et al.," )riminal )ase (o. *+-+, the C!$rt #inds the A$sed )!e! Sis!n,Nil! aadar and 6!el /an, -$ilty ey!nd reas!nale d!$t, as prinipals #!r the rie !# M$rder, de#ined in Artile2;8 !# the )evised enal C!de, and, there ein- n! !ther iti-atin- !r a--ravatin- ir$stanes, herey ip!ses!n eah !# the an indeterinate penalty !# #r! 4O>)/EEN %";&


8/18

". A$sed'appellants )!e! Sis!n y Meia, Nil! aadar y Ae, 6!el /an y M!ster! and )ihard de l!s Sant!s areherey #!$nd (>I=/< ey!nd reas!nale d!$t !# M$rder and are eah herey sentened t! s$##er the penalty!# %eclusion $erpetua@

2. A$sed'appellant 6!selit! /aay! y Oria is herey #!$nd (>I=/< ey!nd reas!nale d!$t !# the rie !#9!iide with the -eneri a--ravatin- ir$stane !# a$se !# s$peri!r stren-th and, as a !nse$ene, anindeterinate penalty !# /WE=E %"2& )/ O4 AEA=S ()AE=< E))ED IN CONC=>DIN( /9A/ CONSI)AC< EKIS/ED IN/9E CASE A/ A) DIS)E(A)DIN( A=/O(E/9E) /9E SE//=ED 6>)IS)>DENCE ON /9E MA//E).

I

/9E 9ONO)A=E CO>)/ O4 AEA=S ()AE=< E))ED IN )>=IN( /9A/ /9E C)IME COMMI//ED WASM>)DE), NO/ DEA/9 %9OMICIDE& IN />M>=/>O>S A44)A< SIDES/EIN( IN /9E )OCESS /9E4AC/>A= ()O>NDS S>))O>NDIN( /9E INCIDEN/. 23

Appellants ainly lai that the C!$rt !# Appeals erred in s$stainin- the testi!nies !# the tw! in pr!se$ti!n eyewitnesses,)an$l#! S$ilan- and )enat! an$l!, ea$se they are $nreliale, d!$t#$l and d! n!t deserve any redene. A!rdin- t!


9/18

the, the testi!nies !# these tw! witnesses are s$spet ea$se they s$r#aed !nly a#ter a reward was ann!$ned y(eneral =i. )enat! an$l! even s$itted three sw!rn stateents t! the p!lie -eared at pr!vidin- a new !r ipr!vedversi!n !# the inident. On the witness stand, he ista:enly identi#ied a detenti!n pris!ner in an!ther ase as a$sed)!land! 4ernande1. 27)an$l#! S$ilan- was evasive and $nresp!nsive pr!ptin- the trial !$rt t! repriand hi severalties. 28

/here is n! pr!!# that an$l! !r S$ilan- testi#ied ea$se !# the reward ann!$ned y (eneral =i, $h less that !th !r either !#the ever reeived s$h reward #r! the -!vernent. On the !ntrary, the evidene sh!ws that S$ilan- rep!rted the inident t! thep!lie and s$itted his sw!rn stateent iediately tw! h!$rs a#ter the a$lin-, even e#!re ann!$neent !# any reward. 299ein#!red the p!lie that he w!$ld !!perate with the and identi#y Saled!Js assailants i# he saw the a-ain. 0

/he #at that an$l! eBe$ted three sw!rn stateents d!es n!t a:e the and his testi!ny inredile. /he sw!rn stateents wereade t! identi#y !re s$spets wh! were apprehended d$rin- the investi-ati!n !# Saled!Js death. 1

/he re!rds sh!w that S$ilan- was ad!nished several ties y the trial !$rt !n the witness stand #!r ein- ar-$entative andevasive. 2/his is n!t en!$-h reas!n t! reet S$ilan-Js testi!ny #!r he did n!t eBhiit this $ndesirale !nd$t all thr!$-h!$t histesti!ny. On the wh!le, his testi!ny was !rretly -iven redene y the trial !$rt despite his evasiveness at s!e instanes.EBept #!r !pellin- reas!ns, we ann!t dist$r the way trial !$rts alirate the redene !# witnesses !nsiderin- their vis$al view!# the deean!r !# witnesses when !n the witness stand. As trial !$rts, they an est appreiate the veral and n!n'veraldiensi!ns !# a witnessJ testi!ny.

an$l!Js ista:e in identi#yin- an!ther pers!n as !ne !# the a$sed d!es n!t a:e hi an entirely $ntr$stw!rthy witness. It d!esn!t a:e his wh!le testi!ny a #alsity. An h!nest ista:e is n!t in!nsistent with a tr$th#$l testi!ny. er#et testi!nies ann!t eeBpeted #r! pers!ns with iper#et senses. In the !$rtJs disreti!n, there#!re, the testi!ny !# a witness an e elieved as t! s!e#ats $t diselieved with respet t! the !thers.

We s$stain the appellate and trial !$rtsJ #indin-s that the witnessesJ testi!nies !rr!!rate eah !ther !n all ip!rtant and relevantdetails !# the prinipal !$rrene. /heir p!sitive identi#iati!n !# all petiti!ners ie with eah !ther and their narrati!n !# the events ares$pp!rted y the edial and d!$entary evidene !n re!rd.

Dr. )!ert! (aria, the edi!'le-al !##ier !# the Nati!nal $rea$ !# Investi-ati!n, testi#ied that the viti had vari!$s w!$nds !n his!dy whih !$ld have een in#lited y press$re #r! !re than !ne hard !et. 5/he !nt$si!ns and arasi!ns #!$nd !$ld haveeen a$sed y p$nhes, :i:s and l!ws #r! r!$-h st!nes. 3/he #atal in$ry !# intraranial he!rrha-e was a res$lt !# #rat$res inSaled!Js s:$ll whih ay have een a$sed y !ntat with a hard and l$nt !et s$h as #istl!ws, :i:s and a l$nt w!!deninstr$ent. 7

Appellants d! n!t deny that Saled! was a$led, :i:ed and p$nhed. S$ilan- in #at testi#ied that Saled! was p$eled y hisassailants with st!nes in their hands. 8

Appellants als! !ntend that alth!$-h the appellate !$rt !rretly disre-arded EBhiits ?D,? ?(,? and ?,? it err!ne!$sly -aveevidentiary wei-ht t! EBhiits ?O,? ?,? ?'"? t! ?';8,? ?W,? ?W'"? t! ?W'"*.? 9EBhiit ?O? is the 6!int A##idavit !# at. 4l!res and at.a$tista, the p!lie intelli-ene'!peratives wh! witnessed the rally and s$se$ent dispersal !perati!n. at. 4l!res pr!perly identi#iedEBhiit ?O? as his sw!rn stateent and in #at -ave testi!ny !rr!!ratin- the !ntents there!#. 0esides, the 6!int A##idavit erelyreiterates what the !ther pr!se$ti!n witnesses testi#ied t!. Identi#iati!n y at. a$tista is a s$rpl$sa-e. I# appellants wanted t!ipeah the said a##idavit, they sh!$ld have plaed at. 4l!res !n the witness stand.

EBhiits ?,? ?'"? t! ?';8? are ph!t!-raphs ta:en !# the viti as he was ein- a$led at the =$neta P startin- #r! a -rassy p!rti!nt! the paveent at the )i1al M!n$ent and al!n- )!Bas !$levard, 1P as he was ein- hased y his assailants 2and as he satpleadin- with his assailants. EBhiits ?W?, ?W'"? t! ?W'"*? are ph!t!-raphs !# Saled! and the a$lin- p$lished in l!alnewspapers and a-a1ines s$h as the hilippine Star, Mr. and Ms. Ma-a1ine, 5hilippine Daily In$irer, 3and the Malaya. 7/headissiility !# these ph!t!-raphs is ein- $esti!ned y appellants #!r la: !# pr!per identi#iati!n y the pers!n !r pers!ns wh! t!!:the sae.

/he r$le in this $risditi!n is that ph!t!-raphs, when presented in evidene, $st e identi#ied y the ph!t!-rapher as t! its pr!d$ti!nand testi#ied as t! the ir$stanes $nder whih they were pr!d$ed. 8/he val$e !# this :ind !# evidene lies in its ein- a !rretrepresentati!n !r repr!d$ti!n !# the !ri-inal, 9and its adissiility is deterined y its a$ray in p!rtrayin- the sene at the tie !#the rie. 50/he ph!t!-rapher, h!wever, is n!t the !nly witness wh! an identi#y the pit$res he has ta:en. 51/he !rretness !# theph!t!-raph as a #aith#$l representati!n !# the !et p!rtrayed an epr!vedprima facie, either y the testi!ny !# the pers!n wh!ade it !r y !ther !petent witnesses, a#ter whih the !$rt an adit it s$et t! ipeahent as t! its a$ray. 52h!t!-raphs,there#!re, an e identi#ied y the ph!t!-rapher !r y any !ther !petent witness wh! an testi#y t! its eBatness and a$ray. 5

/his !$rt n!tes that when the pr!se$ti!n !##ered the ph!t!-raphs as part !# its evidene, appellants, thr!$-h !$nsel Atty. Al#red!=a1ar!, 6r. !eted t! their adissiility #!r la: !# pr!per identi#iati!n. 59!wever, when the a$sed presented their evidene, Atty.Winl!ve D$ayas, !$nsel #!r a$sed 6!selit! /aay! and (erry Neri $sed EBhiits ??, ?'"? t! ?';8? t! pr!ve that his lients weren!t in any !# the pit$res and there#!re !$ld n!t have partiipated in the a$lin- !# the viti. 55/he ph!t!-raphs were ad!pted yappellant 6!selit! /aay! and a$sed (erry Neri as part !# the de#ense eBhiits. And at this hearin-, Atty. D$ayas represented allthe !ther a$sed per $nderstandin- with their respetive !$nsels, inl$din- Atty. =a1ar!, wh! were asent. At s$se$ent hearin-s,

the pr!se$ti!n $sed the ph!t!-raphs t! r!ss'eBaine all the a$sed wh! t!!: the witness stand. 53N! !eti!n was ade y!$nsel #!r any !# the a$sed, n!t $ntil Atty. =a1ar! appeared at the third hearin- and interp!sed a !ntin$in- !eti!n t! theiradissiility.57

/he !eti!n !# Atty. =a1ar! t! the adissiility !# the ph!t!-raphs is anh!red !n the #at that the pers!n wh! t!!: the sae was n!tpresented t! identi#y the. We r$le that the $se !# these ph!t!-raphs y s!e !# the a$sed t! sh!w their alle-ed n!n'partiipati!n inthe rie is an adissi!n !# the eBatness and a$ray there!#. /hat the ph!t!-raphs are #aith#$l representati!ns !# the a$lin-inident was a##ired when appellants )ihard de l!s Sant!s, Nil! aadar and 6!el /an identi#ied theselves therein and -avereas!ns #!r their presene thereat. 58

An analysis !# the ph!t!-raphs vis-a-visthe a$sedJs testi!nies reveal that !nly three !# the appellants, naely, )ihard de l!sSant!s, Nil! aadar and 6!el /an !$ld e readily seen in vari!$s elli-erent p!ses l$n-in- !r h!verin- ehind !r !ver theviti. 59Appellant )!e! Sis!n appears !nly !ne and he, alth!$-h a##lited with hernia is sh!wn erely r$nnin- a#ter the


10/18

viti. 30Appellant 6!selit! /aay! was n!t identi#ied in any !# the pit$res. /he asene !# the tw! appellants in the ph!t!-raphs d!esn!t eB$lpate the. /he ph!t!-raphs did n!t apt$re the entire se$ene !# the :illin- !# Saled! $t !nly se-ents there!#. While thepit$res did n!t re!rd Sis!n and /aay! hittin- Saled!, they were $ne$iv!ally identi#ied y S$ilan- andan$l!31AppellantsJ denials and aliis ann!t !ver!e their eyeall identi#iati!n.

Appellants lai that the l!wer !$rts erred in #indin- the eBistene !# !nspiray a!n- the prinipal a$sed and in !nvitin- the!# $rder $ali#ied y a$se !# s$peri!r stren-th, n!t death in t$$lt$!$s a##ray.

Death in a t$$lt$!$s a##ray is de#ined in Artile 2+" !# the )evised enal !de as #!ll!ws5

Art. 2+". Death a$sed in a t$$lt$!$s a##ray. P When, while several pers!ns, n!t !p!sin- -r!$ps !r-ani1ed #!rthe !!n p$rp!se !# assa$ltin- and atta:in- eah !ther reipr!ally, $arrel and assa$lt eah !ther in a!n#$sed and t$$lt$!$s anner, and in the !$rse !# the a##ray s!e!ne is :illed, and it ann!t e asertained wh!at$ally :illed the deeased, $t the pers!n !r pers!ns wh! in#lited seri!$s physial in$ries an e identi#ied, s$hpers!n !r pers!ns shall e p$nished yprison mayor.

I# it ann!t e deterined wh! in#lited the seri!$s physial in$ries !n the deeased, the penalty !#prisioncorreccionalin its edi$ and aBi$ peri!ds shall e ip!sed $p!n all th!se wh! shall have $sed vi!lene $p!nthe pers!n !# the viti.

4!r this artile t! apply, it $st e estalished that5 %"& there e several pers!ns@ %2& that they did n!t !p!se -r!$ps!r-ani1ed #!r the !!n p$rp!se !# assa$ltin- and atta:in- eah !ther reipr!ally@ %*& these several pers!ns $arrelledand assa$lted !ne an!ther in a !n#$sed and t$$lt$!$s anner@ %;& s!e!ne was :illed in the !$rse !# the a##ray@ %+& itann!t e asertained wh! at$ally :illed the deeased@ and %& that the pers!n !r pers!ns wh! in#lited seri!$s physialin$ries !r wh! $sed vi!lene an e identi#ied.32

A t$$lt$!$s a##ray ta:es plae when a $arrel !$rs etween several pers!ns and they en-a-e in a !n#$sed and t$$lt$!$s a##ray,in the !$rse !# whih s!e pers!n is :illed !r w!$nded and the a$th!r there!# ann!t e asertained.3

/he $arrel in the instant ase, i# it an e alled a $arrel, was etween !ne distint -r!$p and !ne individ$al. C!n#$si!n ay have!$rred ea$se !# the p!lie dispersal !# the rallyists, $t this !n#$si!n s$sided event$ally a#ter the l!yalists #led t! Maria Or!saStreet. It was !nly a while later a#ter said dispersal that !ne distint -r!$p identi#ied as l!yalists pi:ed !n !ne de#enseless individ$aland atta:ed hi repeatedly, ta:in- t$rns in in#litin- p$nhes, :i:s and l!ws !n hi. /here was n! !n#$si!n and t$$lt$!$s $arrel!r a##ray, n!r was there a reipr!al a--ressi!n at this sta-e !# the inident.3

As the l!wer !$rts #!$nd, the vitiJs assailants were n$er!$s y as $h as #i#ty in n$er35and were ared with st!nes withwhih they hit the viti. /hey t!!: advanta-e !# their s$peri!r stren-th and eBessive #!re and #r$strated any attept y Saled! t!esape and #ree hisel#. /hey #!ll!wed Saled! #r! the Chinese (arden t! the )i1al M!n$ent several eters away and hit hi

erilessly even when he was already #allen !n the -r!$nd. /here was a tie when Saled! was ale t! -et $p, pr!p hisel# a-ainstthe paveent and wipe !## the l!!d #r! his #ae. $t his atta:ers !ntin$ed t! p$rs$e hi relentlessly. Saled! !$ld n!t de#endhisel# n!r !$ld he #ind eans t! de#end hisel#. S$ilan- tried t! save hi #r! his assailants $t they !ntin$ed eatin- hi,hittin- S$ilan- in the pr!ess. Saled! pleaded #!r ery $t they i-n!red his pleas $ntil he #inally l!st !nsi!$sness. /he delierateand pr!l!n-ed $se !# s$peri!r stren-th !n a de#enseless viti $ali#ies the :illin- t! $rder.

/reahery as a $ali#yin- ir$stane ann!t e appreiated in the instant ase. /here is n! pr!!# that the atta: !n Saled! wasdelierately and !nsi!$sly h!sen t! ens$re the assailantsJ sa#ety #r! any de#ense the viti !$ld have ade. /r$e, the atta: !nSaled! was s$dden and $neBpeted $t it was apparently ea$se !# the #at that he was wearin- a yell!w t'shirt !r ea$se healle-edly #lashed the ?=aan? si-n a-ainst the rallyists, ta$ntin- the int! a$lin- hi. As the appellate !$rt well #!$nd, Saled! hadthe !pp!rt$nity t! sense the teper !# the rallyists and r$n away #r! the $t he, $n#!rt$nately, was !verta:en y the. /he essene!# treahery is the s$dden and $neBpeted atta: with!$t the sli-htest pr!v!ati!n !n the part !# the pers!n ein- atta:ed. 33

/he $ali#yin- ir$stane !# evident preeditati!n was alle-ed in the in#!rati!n a-ainst 6!selit! /aay!. Evident preeditati!n

ann!t e appreiated in this ase ea$se the atta: a-ainst Saled! was s$dden and sp!ntane!$s, sp$rred y the ra-in- ani!sitya-ainst the s!'alled ?C!ryistas.? It was n!t preeded y !!l th!$-ht and re#leti!n.

We #ind h!wever the eBistene !# a !nspiray a!n- appellants. At the tie they were !ittin- the rie, their ati!ns ipliedlysh!wed a $nity !# p$rp!se a!n- the, a !nerted e##!rt t! rin- a!$t the death !# Saled!. Where a !nspiray eBisted and ispr!ved, a sh!win- as t! wh! a!n- the !nspirat!rs in#lited the #atal w!$nd is n!t re$ired t! s$stain a !nviti!n. 37Eah !# the!nspirat!rs is liale #!r all ats !# the !thers re-ardless !# the intent and harater !# their partiipati!n, ea$se the at !# !ne is theat !# all. 38

/he trial !$rt awarded the heirs !# Saled! 7;,000.00 as at$al daa-es, *0,000.00 as !ral and eBeplary daa-es, and !nehal# !# the !sts !# the s$it. At the tie he died !n 6$ly 27, "38, Saled! was twenty three years !ld and was set t! leave !n A$-$st ;,"38 #!r epl!yent in Sa$di Araia. 39/he re:less disre-ard #!r s$h a y!$n- pers!nJs li#e and the an-$ish wr!$-ht !n his wid!wand three sall hildren, 70warrant an inrease in !ral daa-es #r! *0,000.00 t! "00,000.00. /he indenity !# +0,000.00 $stals! e awarded #!r the death !# the viti.71

IN IEW W9E)EO4, the deisi!n appealed #r! is herey a##ired and !di#ied as #!ll!ws5

". A$sed'appellants )!e! Sis!n, Nil! aadar, 6!el /an and )ihard de l!s Sant!s are #!$nd (>I=/< ey!ndreas!nale d!$t !# M$rder with!$t any a--ravatin- !r iti-atin- ir$stane and are eah herey sentened t!s$##er the penalty !# reclusion perpetua@

2. A$sed'appellant 6!selit! /aay! is #!$nd (>I=/< ey!nd reas!nale d!$t !# the rie !# 9!iide with the-eneri a--ravatin- ir$stane !# a$se !# s$peri!r stren-th and, as a !nse$ene, he is sentened t! anindeterinate penalty !# /WE=E %"2&


11/18

*. All a$sed'appellants are herey !rdered t! pay !intly and severally the heirs !# Stephen Saled! the #!ll!win-a!$nts5

%a& 7;,000.00 as at$al daa-es@

%& "00,000.00 as !ral daa-es@ and

%& +0,000.00 as indenity #!r the death !# the viti.

C!sts a-ainst a$sed'appellants.

SO O)DE)ED.

G.R. No. 10910 4ar($ 8, 1995

PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, plainti##'appellee,vs.ROLAND TAIPIT, a$sed'appellant.

"IDIN, J.:

/his is an appeal #r! the deisi!n dated N!veer 2;, "332, !# the )e-i!nal /rial C!$rt !# Sanhe1 Mira, Ca-ayan, ranh "2,#indin- a$sed'appellant )!land /aipit -$ilty ey!nd reas!nale d!$t !# the rie !# rape, the disp!sitive p!rti!n !# whih reads as#!ll!ws5

W9E)E4O)E, the C!$rt herey #inds the a$sed -$ilty ey!nd reas!nale d!$t !# rape, as de#ined $nderpara-raph %"& !# Artile **+ !# the )evised enal C!de, as aended, with!$t the $se !# a deadly weap!n, andherey ip!ses !n hi the penalty !# reclusion perpetuawith all the aess!ry penalties pr!vided y law, and #$rthersentenes hi t! pay !ral daa-es t! !ne Onelia aittan in the a!$nt !# 4I4/< /9O>SAND ESOS%+0,000.00&, hilippine $rreny and t! pay the !sts. . . . %%ollo, p. *2&.

/he re!rds !# the ase disl!se that the !plainant, Onelia aittan, was a "7'year !ld hi-h sh!!l st$dent at the A$l$- Sh!!l !#4isheries in A$l$-, Ca-ayan at the tie !# he !issi!n !# the !##ense. She had a #riend, Eden M!lina, wh! st$died at the saesh!!l and lived a!$t tw! %2& :il!eters #r! the sh!!l.

In the a#tern!!n !# 6an$ary *, "33", Eden invited s!e !# her #riends, inl$din- the !plainant, !ver t! her h!$se. When the -r!$parrived at EdenJs h!$se, at a!$t ;5*0 p.., the a$sed'appellant )!land /aipit was already there with EdenJs r!ther, Eler M!lina,the latter ein- a #riend and !'w!r:er !# the a$sed. revi!$s t! this eetin-, the !plainant already :new the a$sed sine helived !nly a #ew eters #r! her h!e. She als! :new the a$sed t! e a arried an.

A#ter parta:in- !# a sna: !# tinubong%native rie a:es&, the -r!$p deided t! -! h!e. At this p!int, the versi!n -iven y thepr!se$ti!n and the de#ense di##ered. A!rdin- t! the !plainant, as she was a!$t t! leave the M!lina h!$se, the a$sedrestrained her, held her le#t hand and her n!te!!:s and t!ld her #riends t! -! ahead. Despite her ries and pleas #!r help, the !wners!# the h!$se did n!thin- t! help her. On the !ther hand, de#ense witness Eler M!lina alle-ed that the !plainant and the a$sedwere sweethearts. /hey le#t the h!$se t!-ether, with their hands !ver eah !therJs sh!$lders. At any rate, it is $ndisp$ted that the!plainant le#t the M!lina h!$seh!ld with the a$sed.

On the way, they passed thr!$-h a !!n$t plantati!n !# a ertain ($iller! A-$stin. y then, it was already -ettin- dar:. /here, thea$sed t!!: h!ld !# the wrists !# the !plainant and wrestled her d!wn t! the -r!$nd. 9e t!re !## the /'shirt and s:irt she waswearin- and pinned her hands ar!ss her st!ah. /he a$sed then re!ved her sh!rts and panty and ravished her. A#ter the arnalat, the a$sed a!panied the !plainant t! a p!int near her h!e and e#!re leavin- her, threatened t! :ill her !r her #aily i#she rep!rts the atter t! any!ne. /he !plainant, h!wever, did n!t heed the warnin- and iediately $p!n arrivin- at her h!$se,rep!rted the inident t! her $nle, Ernest! Marantan, with wh! she was residin-. Marantan l!!:ed #!r the a$sed that saeevenin-, $t a#ter #ailin- in his searh, he rep!rted the atter instead t! the aran-ay aptain.

/he #!ll!win- day, the !plainant a!panied y her !ther, a$nt and !$sin, rep!rted the inident t! the p!lie at the $niipal$ildin-. She s$itted her l!thin- #!r eBainati!n and a#ter ein- investi-ated, s$itted hersel# #!r edial eBainati!n.

On 6an$ary +, "33", the !plainant eBe$ted a sw!rn stateent narratin- the ir$stanes s$rr!$ndin- the !issi!n !# therie and #iled the !rresp!ndin- !plaint #!r rape. A#ter a th!r!$-h investi-ati!n whih res$lted in the #indin- !# pr!ale a$se, the$niipal trial !$rt iss$ed a warrant !# arrest a-ainst the a$sed.

On 4er$ary "8, "33", an in#!rati!n was #iled y the r!vinial r!se$t!r a-ainst the a$sed, as #!ll!ws5

/he $ndersi-ned, r!vinial r!se$t!r, $p!n !plaint #iled y the !##ended party, Nelia /. aittan, in theM$niipal /rial C!$rt !# A$l$-, Ca-ayan, appearin- !n pa-e ", the re!rd !# the ase, and #!rin- an inte-ral part !#this In#!rati!n, a$ses )!land /aipit y Man-lap$1 !# the rie !# )ape, de#ined and penali1ed $nder Artile **+,!# the )evised enal C!de, !itted as #!ll!ws5

/hat !n !r a!$t 6an$ary *, "33", in the $niipality !# A$l$-, pr!vine !# Ca-ayan and within the $risditi!n !# this9!n!rale C!$rt, the said a$sed )!land /aipit y Man-lap$1, with lewd desi-n, y eans !# #!re, vi!lene andintiidati!n, and with the $se !# deadly weap!n, did then and there wil#$lly, $nlaw#$lly and #el!ni!$sly have seB$alinter!$rse with the !##ended party, Onelia /. aittan, a in!r, seventeen %"7& years !# a-e, a-ainst her will and!nsent.


12/18

CON/)A)< /O =AW. %%ollo, p, 7&

>p!n arrai-nent, the a$sed pleaded n!t -$ilty.

As his de#ense, the a$sed laied that he and the !plainant were sweethearts sine Ot!er *, "330 and that the !plainantv!l$ntarily yielded hersel# t! hi. As pr!!# !# their relati!nship, the a$sed presented a rin- en-raved with the nae ?Onelia? andalle-ed that it was -iven t! hi y the !plainant as a t!:en !# her l!ve. De#ense witness Eler M!lina !rr!!rated the testi!ny !#the a$sed, statin- that he !$rted the !plainant $t was sp$rned y her ea$se she was already the a$sedJs sweetheart.

On the !ther hand, these !ntenti!ns were #irly denied y the pr!se$ti!n. /he !plainant testi#ied that she :new the a$sed t! ea arried an and he never visited her h!$se t! !$rt her. She als! denied that Eler M!lina !$rted her !r that she t!ld hi that hewas the a$sedJs -irl#riend. As #!r the rin-, the !plainant denied !wnership there!#. /r$e en!$-h, when the rin- was tried !n herhand, it was l!!se and did n!t #it her #in-er %%ollo, p. 2*&.

/he trial !$rt, a#ter !nsiderati!n !# the evidene presented, rendered the #!re$!ted $d-ent a-ainst the a$sed. 9ene, thepresent appeal wherein the #!ll!win- assi-ned err!rs are raised5

I

/9E /)IA= CO>)/ E))ED "N (IIN( WEI(9/ AND C)EDENCE /O /9E O/9E)WISE DO>/4>= /9EO)/ION AND IN DIS)E(A)DIN( /9A/ O4 /9E DE4ENSE.

II

/9E /)IA= CO>)/ E))ED IN CONIC/IN( ACC>SED'AE==AN/ O4 /9E C)IME C9A)(ED DESI/E /9E)OSEC>/IONJS 4AI=>)E /O )OE 9IS (>I=/ E/. %%ollo,p. +&.

/he de#ense ar-$es that the wei-ht !# the evidene presented y the pr!se$ti!n is -r!ssly inade$ate t! !verthr!w the pres$pti!n !#inn!ene -ranted y law t! the a$sed. It is the !ntenti!n !# the a$sed'appellant that the testi!ny !# !plainant relied $p!n ythe trial !$rt in !nvitin- hi is inredile and n!t w!rthy !# elie#. /here are in!nsistenies in said testi!ny. It is als! saddled with#laws whih sh!w her tendeny t! eBa--erate thin-s %%ollo, p. "';&.

Se!ndly, the a$sed ar-$es that the physial evidene as well as the at$ati!ns !# the parties !nerned are n!t !nsistent with thealle-ati!n !# rape $t with arnal :n!wled-e d!ne with the !nsent !# !th the a$sed and the !plainant. As pr!!#, the a$sedp!inted !$t the la: !# eBternal in$ries !n the !dy !# the !plainant. /his #at ne-ates the epl!yent !# #!re y the a$sed !nthe !plainant and r$les !$t str$--le !r any !ther #!r !# resistane !n the part !# the !plainant.

/he a$sed li:ewise p!ints t! the asene !# an !$t ry !n the part !# the !plainant whih !lsters the p!siti!n !# the a$sed thatthe seB$al inter!$rse was !nsens$al. /he rati!nale -iven y the !plainant that she had a s!re thr!at whih prevented her #r!sh!$tin- was harateri1ed y the de#ense as inredile.

4inally, the a$sed ar-$es that i# rape had indeed een !itted y hi, he w!$ld n!t have a!panied the !plainant t! a plaenear her h!$se, therey eBp!sin- hisel# t! the ris: !# ein- seen, $t w!$ld have instead #led #!r sa#ety, whih is !re !nsistent withhe !issi!n !# an !##ense.

In reviewin- the evidene !# this ase, this C!$rt was -$ided y the three%*& settled priniples in reviewin- rape ases, naely, %"& ana$sati!n #!r rape an e ade with #aility@ it is di##i$lt t! pr!ve $t !re di##i$lt #!r the pers!n a$sed, th!$-h inn!ent, t!dispr!ve it@ %2& in view !# the intrinsi nat$re !# the rie !# rape where !nly tw! pers!ns are $s$ally inv!lved, the testi!ny !# the!plainant $st e sr$tini1ed with eBtree a$ti!n@ %*& the evidene #!r the pr!se$ti!n $st stand !r #all !n its !wn erits, andann!t e all!wed t! draw stren-th #r! the wea:ness !# the evidene #!r the de#ense %e!ple vs. =i, 20 SC)A "7 F"332G&. On

these ases, the deisi!n !# the trial !$rt $st e a##ired.

/here is present in this ase lear, !nvinin- and !petent physial and testi!nial evidene t! s$pp!rt a #indin- !# -$ilt ey!ndreas!nale d!$t a-ainst the a$sed. /he testi!ny !# !plainant Onelia aittan, was #!$nd y the trial !$rt t! e replete withdetails, ne-atin- the pr!aility !# #ariati!n. Alth!$-h the trial !$rt did n!t a!rd redene t! that part !# her testi!ny relatin- t!h!w she ended $p leavin- the M!lina h!$seh!ld with the a$sed, the sae did n!t ilitate a-ainst the rediility !# the !plainant asa pr!se$ti!n witness.

As #ar as alle-ed in!nsistenies in her testi!ny are !nerned, this C!$rt has r$led tie and a-ain that a #ew disrepanies andin!nsistenies in the testi!nies !# witnesses re#errin- t! in!r details, and n!t in at$ality t!$hin- $p!n the asi aspets !# thewhys and where#!res !# the rie, d! n!t ipair their rediility %e!ple vs. C$st!di!, "37 SC)A +*8 F"33"G citinge!ple vs. M$Q!1,"* SC)A 780G. /his is espeially tr$e in the rie !# rape where the viti ann!t e eBpeted t! reeer with a$ray the details!# her h$iliatin- eBperiene. At est, this C!$rt relies $p!n the #at that the trial !$rt #!$nd the !plainant t! e a redile witness.

As !#ten repeated y this C!$rt5

. . . the atter !# assi-nin- val$es t! delarati!ns !n the witness stand is est and !st !petently per#!red ythe trial $d-e, wh!, $nli:e appellate a-istrates, an wei-h s$h testi!ny in the li-ht !# the delarantJs deean!r,!nd$t and attit$de at the trial and is therey plaed in a !re !petent p!siti!n t! disriinate etween the tr$eand the #alse. Appellate !$rts will n!t dist$r the redene, !r la: !# it, a!rded y the trial !$rt !# the testi!ny !#witnesses $nless it e learly sh!wn that the latter !$rt had !verl!!:ed !r disre-arded aritrarily the #ats andir$stanes !# si-ni#iane in the ase %e!ple vs. Si$lan, 2"; SC)A +*7 F"332G&.

/he appeal at hand presents n! !pellin- reas!n t! deviate #r! this -eneral r$le.

M!re!ver, !nsiderin- that the a$sed and the !plainant are at !st a$aintanes, there appears t! e n! !tive !n the part !#the !plainant t! testi#y a-ainst the a$sed whih !$ld render s$spet her testi!ny in !$rt. It is lear that her !nly intent was t!


13/18

see: redress #!r the in$stie !itted a-ainst her y appellant P a arried an. As held in $eople v.'uibao, %2"7 SC)A ;F"33*G&5

N! w!an w!$ld !n!t a st!ry !# de#l!rati!n, all!w an eBainati!n !# hersel# y ein- s$eted t! a p$li trial, i#she was n!t !tivated s!lely y the desire t! have the $lprit apprehended and p$nished.

Anent the !ntenti!n !# the a$sed that the seB$al at was !itted with the $t$al !nsent !# the parties, the evidene presentedy the pr!se$ti!n s$##iiently re$tted his p!int.

4!r !ne, alth!$-h there was an asene !# eBternal in$ries !n the !dy !# the !plainant, the l!thes w!rn y her at the tie !# the!##ense spea: well !# the $se !# #!re and the presene !# a str$--le. As the trial !$rt n!ted5

9er /'shirt was t!rn whih !rr!!rates her testi!ny that it was #!rily re!ved. It als! pr!ves that she !##eredresistane t! the riinal advanes !# the a$sed. 9er sh!rts, li:e her panty, had l!!d stains. 9er panty wasdetahed #r! her sh!rts. 9er ra was t!rn, als! den!tin- that it was #!rily re!ved. /hese physial evidene . . .are !nsistent !nly with the #!re and !p$lsi!n applied !n her@ they pr!ve she !##ered resistane and herde#l!rati!n was a-ainst her will. %%ollo, p. 27&

/he at$ati!ns !# the !plainant s$se$ent t! the !issi!n !# the rie are li:ewise !nsistent with her alle-ati!ns !# rape. 9eriediate revelati!n !# the inident t! her $nle $p!n arrival as well as her swi#t re!$rse t! the aran-ay Captain and the p!liea$th!rities are n!t ats !# a w!an sav!rin- an illiit tryst $t that !# a aiden see:in- retri$ti!n #!r the !$tra-e !itted a-ainsther.

/h$s, the a$sedJs reliane !n the de#ense that he and the !plainant were l!vers is $n#!$nded. $t even i# it were tr$e, s$h

relati!nship w!$ld n!t -ive the a$sed the liense t! de#l!wer the !plainant a-ainst her will, and will n!t eB!nerate hi #r! theriinal har-e #!r rape. 4$rther!re, there is n!thin- in the testi!nies !# either the !plainant !r even the a$sed hisel# whih!$ld indiate any s!rt !# speial relati!nship etween the tw!. /he alle-ed pr!!# !# s$h relati!nship, the rin- with !plainantJs naeen-raved !n it, d!es n!t even #it the #in-ers !# the !plainant. /heir at$ati!ns with respet t! eah !ther e#!re, d$rin- and evena#ter the !issi!n !# the rie were !nsistent with the !ntenti!n !# the !plainant that they are n!thin- !re thana$aintanes. /he evidene !# the pr!se$ti!n, there#!re, !pletely ne-ates the eBistene !# any relati!nship etween the a$sedand the !plainant.

4inally, the a$sedJs at !# a!panyin- the !plainant $p t! a p!int near her h!$se d!es n!t appear t! e a -est$re !# l!ve. I# thea$sed was n!t !sessed with a sense !# -$ilt, he !$ld have a!panied the !plainant t! the h!e sine it was already dar: atni-ht. )ather than a de!nstrati!n !# his #reed! #r! -$ilt, the at$ati!n !# the a$sed in the preises appears t! e n! less than aal$lated !ve t! ens$re that the !plainant will :eep her silene a!$t the s!rdid inident perpetrated a-ainst her will.

W9E)E4O)E, the deisi!n !# the )e-i!nal /rial C!$rt !# Sanhe1 Mira, Ca-ayan, ranh "2, dated N!veer 2;, "332 in Criinal

Case N!. 2"30'S #indin- the a$sed'appellant )!land /aipit -$ilty ey!nd reas!nale d!$t !# the rie !# rape, and sentenin- hit! s$##er the penalty !# reclusion perpetua, with all the aess!ry penalties, t! pay the !plainant Onelia aittan !ral daa-es inthe a!$nt !# #i#ty h!$se and pes!s %+0,000.00& and t! pay the !sts, is herey A44I)MED #( 1717.

SO O)DE)ED.

G.R. No. 17198 January 19, 2010

THE PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES,lainti##'Appellee,vs.AIDA A4AD y A4"ING,A$sed'Appellant.

D E C I S I O N

"RION, J.:

We review the deisi!n"!# the C!$rt !# Appeals2%CA& in CA'(.). C)'9.C. N!. 00+0+ whih a##ired in t!t! the deisi!n*!# the)e-i!nal /rial C!$rt %%1)&, ranh 2+3, araQa$e City;in Criinal Case N!s. 02'"2*'7 #indin- aida+Laad y Ain- %a$sed'appellant& -$ilty ey!nd reas!nale d!$t !# ille-al sale !# sha$ $nder Seti!n +, Artile II !# )ep$li At N!. 3"+ %)A 3"+& !r theC!prehensive Dan-er!$s Dr$-s At !# 2002.

Al!n- with her !y#riend =e! )aire1 y A!sta %=e!& wh! was har-ed #!r ille-al p!ssessi!n !# sha$, the a$sed'appellant washar-ed $nder an In#!rati!nthat reads5

/he a!ve'naed a$sed, n!t ein- law#$lly a$th!ri1ed t! p!ssess !r !therwise $se any dan-er!$s dr$- and with!$t the!rresp!ndin- liense !r presripti!n, did then and there will#$lly, $nlaw#$lly and #el!ni!$sly -ive away, distri$te and sell t! a $st!er

#!r *00.00 pes!s !ne %"& sall heat sealed transparent plasti sahet !ntainin- rystalline s$stane %sha$& wei-hin- 0.20 -ra,whih when eBained were #!$nd p!sitive #!r Methaphetaine 9ydr!hl!ride %sha$&, a dan-er!$s dr$-, in vi!lati!n !# the a!ve'ited law.

CON/)A)< /O =AW.

/he a$sed'appellant pleaded n!t -$ilty !n arrai-nent. /rial !n the erits therea#ter ens$ed.

/he pr!se$ti!ns versi!n !# events is s$ari1ed el!w.

On Ot!er ", 2002, the hilippine Nati!nal !lie %N& Dr$- En#!reent >nit !# the S!$thern !lie Distrit, 4!rt !ni#ai!, /a-$i-%/a-$i- p!lie& reeived in#!rati!n #r! an asset that a ertain ?aida? was en-a-ed in the ille-al sale !# sha$ at $r!: I, Silveri!C!p!$nd in araQa$e City. /he /a-$i- p!lie #!red a $y'$st tea !p!sed !# Insp. Ant!ni! arillas,7O* Christ!pher
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14/18

Ma$lit8%O* Ma$lit&, O" Man#!ste,3SO2 Arth$r elas!, and SO2 Ernest! Sanhe1"0%SO2 Sanhe1&, as eers. SO2Sanhe1 ated as p!se$r'$yer and reeived three %*& !ne h$ndred pes! ills #!r $se as ar:ed !ney.

A#ter s$rveillane !# the area, the $y'$st tea and their asset pr!eeded at ar!$nd "0500 p.. !# Ot!er ", 2002 t! the tar-et areawhere they iediately saw the a$sed'appellant and =e!. /he asset and SO2 Sanhe1 appr!ahed the tw! while the rest !# the$y'$st tea wathed #r! a distane. /he asset intr!d$ed SO2 Sanhe1 as a $yer !# sha$ and the a$sed'appellant as:edhi h!w $h he w!$ld $y. SO2 Sanhe1 as:ed #!r *00.00 w!rth !# sha$ and -ave the ar:ed !ney@ the a$sed'appellanttherea#ter handed hi a plasti sahet !ntainin- a s$stane s$speted t! e sha$. SO2 Sanhe1 li-hted a i-arette t! -ive thepre'arran-ed si-nal #!r the $y'$st tea t! appr!ah. SO2 Sanhe1 arrested the a$sed'appellant and re!vered #r! herthe *00.00 ar:ed !ney. /he $y'$st tea arrested =e! wh! was #!$nd in p!ssessi!n !# !ne %"& plasti sahet als! s$speted t!!ntain sha$.

/he $y'$st tea t!!: the a$sed'appellant and =e! and the re!vered plasti sahets t! their !##ie #!r investi-ati!n. /he re!veredplasti sahets, ar:ed as ?ES'"'""003? and ?ES'2'""002,? were then r!$-ht t! the N Crie =a!rat!ry #!r $alitativeeBainati!n@ the tests yielded p!sitive res$lts #!r ethaphetaine hydr!hl!ride.""

/he de#ense eBpetedly presented a di##erent versi!n !# events.

/he a$sed'appellant"2denied the har-e and laied that she and =e! were #raed'$p. At ar!$nd 25*0 p.. !# Ot!er ", 2002,the a$sed'appellant and =e! went t! =e!s !$sins h!$se. Sine =e!s !$sin was n!t yet at h!e, she and =e! waited. A#terwaitin- #!r an h!$r, #!$r %;& en wearin- ivilian l!thes and arryin- #irears entered the h!$se and intr!d$ed theselves as p!lie!##iers. /he a$sed'appellant and =e! were #ris:ed, $t n!thin- was #!$nd in their p!ssessi!n. /he p!lie !##iers as:ed the a$sed'appellant where she :ept the sha$@ she replied that she was n!t sellin- sha$. A#terwards, she and =e! were ta:en t! the p!liehead$arters where they were a-ain #ris:ed and as:ed the sae $esti!n t! whih they -ave the sae resp!nse. /he p!lie detained=e! and the a$sed'appellant #!r a!$t a day and later r!$-ht the t! the r!se$t!rs O##ie #!r in$est with!$t sh!win- the any

sha$.

/he )/C )$lin-

A#ter !nsiderati!n !# the evidene, the )/C dereed5

W9E)E4O)E, )EMISES CONSIDE)ED, #indin- !th a$sed (>I=/< ey!nd reas!nale d!$t, this C!$rt herey sentenesaida Laad t! li#e ipris!nent and t! pay a #ine !# +00,000.00 #!r i!lati!n !# Seti!n +, Art. II, )A 3"+ R

B B B B

SO O)DE)ED."*

/he a$sed'appellant appealed the )/C deisi!n t! the CA, atta:in- the )/Cs reliane !n the pres$pti!n !# re-$larity that the)/C #!$nd t! have attended the !nd$t !# the $y'$st !perati!n y the p!lie. She ar-$ed that n! pres$pti!n !# re-$larity !$ldarise !nsiderin- that the p!lie vi!lated NAO=COM r$les y $sin- an asset@ the r$les pr!hiit the dep$tati!n !# private pers!ns asN ivilian a-ents.";/he a$sed'appellant als! p!inted !$t the aterial in!nsistenies in the testi!ny !# the pr!se$ti!nwitnesses that ast d!$t !n their rediility, naely5 %a& the $nertainty !# SO2 Sanhe1 re-ardin- the tie the $y'$st tea wasdispathed t! the tar-et area@ %& the !n#$si!n !# O* Ma$lit !n the identity !# the tea leader !# the $y'$st tea@ %& the adittedista:e !# O* Ma$lit that !nly the re!vered plasti sahet was ar:ed ?ES? %standin- #!r the initials !# SO2 Sanhe1&, while thear:ed !ney was ar:ed ?M4? %standin- #!r the initials !# Insp. Marian! 4. 4e-arid! as !andin- !##ier&@ and %d& the!ntradit!ry stateents !# O* Ma$lit wh! testi#ied that it was =e! wh! s!ld the sha$ and that !# SO2 Sanhe1 wh! testi#ied that itwas the a$sed'appellant wh! s!ld hi the sha$.

/he CA )$lin-

/he CA reeted the de#ense ar-$ents and a##ired in t!t! the )/C #indin-s. /he CA r$led that the pr!se$ti!n satis#at!rily

estalished the a$sed'appellants -$ilt ased !n the p!sitive testi!ny !# SO2 Sanhe1 !n the !nd$t !# the $y'$st !perati!n@his testi!ny !re ad-es !# tr$th. A!rdin-ly, the CA #!$nd the a$sed'appellants $n!rr!!rated denial $ndeservin- !# any wei-ht./he CA r$shed aside as a in!r in!nsisteny the $nertainty in the testi!ny !# SO2 Sanhe1 !n the tie the $y'$st !perati!nt!!: plae. /he CA als! r$shed aside the vi!lati!n !# the NAO=COM r$les !n the -r!$nd that the a$sed'appellant was arrested in#la-rante delit! #!r ille-al sale !# sha$ !itted in the presene !# the pr!se$ti!n witnesses wh! were p!lie !##iers. M!re!ver,the CA held that the $se !# assets t! aid p!lie !##iers in $y'$st !perati!ns has een $diially re!-ni1ed. /he CA #!$nd that whilethe asset r!:ered the sha$ transati!n, he had n! r!le in the apprehensi!n !# the a$sed'appellant and in the searh and sei1$re !#the sha$ #r! the a$sed'appellant.

/he Iss$e

/he !nly iss$e in this ase is whether the a$sed'appellant is -$ilty ey!nd reas!nale d!$t !# vi!lati!n !# Seti!n +, Artile II !# )A3"+ #!r the ille-al sale !# 0.20 -ra !# sha$.

/he C!$rts )$lin-

We draw attenti!n at the !$tset t! the $ni$e nat$re !# an appeal in a riinal ase@ the appeal thr!ws the wh!le ase !pen #!r reviewand it is the d$ty !# the appellate !$rt t! !rret, ite and appreiate err!rs in the appealed $d-ent whether they are assi-ned !r$nassi-ned."+We #ind the present appeal erit!ri!$s !n the asis !# s$h review.

As a -eneral r$le, the trial !$rtJs #indin-s !# #at, espeially when a##ired y the CA, are entitled t! -reat wei-ht and will n!t edist$red !n appeal. /his r$le, h!wever, adits !# eBepti!ns and d!es n!t apply where #ats !# wei-ht and s$stane with diret andaterial earin- !n the #inal !$t!e !# the ase have een !verl!!:ed, isapprehended !r isapplied."A#ter d$e !nsiderati!n !#the re!rds !# this ase, the evidene add$ed, and the appliale law and $rispr$dene, we h!ld that a deviati!n #r! the -eneral r$leis warranted.
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15/18

In a pr!se$ti!n #!r ille-al sale !# dan-er!$s dr$-s, the #!ll!win- eleents $st e d$ly estalished5 %"& pr!!# that the transati!n !rsale t!!: plae@ and %2& the presentati!n in !$rt !# the !rp$s deliti !r the illiit dr$- as evidene."7r!!# !# the !rp$s deliti in a $y'$st sit$ati!n re$ires evidene, n!t !nly that the transated dr$-s at$ally eBist, $t evidene as well that the dr$-s sei1ed andeBained are the sae dr$-s presented in !$rt. /his is a !nditi!n sine $a n!n #!r !nviti!n as the dr$-s are the ain s$et !#the ille-al sale !nstit$tin- the rie and their eBistene and identi#iati!n $st e pr!ven #!r the rie t! eBist. As we dis$ss el!w,the speial harateristis !# pr!hiited dr$-s neessitate their strit identi#iati!n y the pr!se$ti!n."8

O$r eBainati!n !# the re!rds sh!ws that while the pr!se$ti!n estalished thr!$-h the testi!ny !# SO2 Sanhe1 that the sale !#the pr!hiited dr$- y the a$sed'appellant t!!: plae, we #ind that !th the )/C and the CA #ailed t! !nsider the #!ll!win- in#iritiesin the pr!se$ti!ns ase5 %"& the seri!$s lapses in the )A 3"+ pr!ed$re !itted y the $y'$st tea in handlin- the sei1edsha$@ and %2& the #ail$re !# the p!lie t! !ply with the hain !# $st!dy r$le in handlin- the sei1ed sha$, res$ltin- in the

pr!se$ti!ns #ail$re t! pr!perly identi#y the sha$ !##ered in !$rt as the sae sha$ sei1ed #r! the a$sed'appellant !n Ot!er", 2002.

N!n'!pliane with the presried pr!ed$re$nder Seti!n 2", Artile II !# )A 3"+

In e!ple v. (aria,"3we ephasi1ed the pr!se$ti!ns d$ty t! add$e evidene pr!vin- !pliane y the $y'$st tea with thepresried pr!ed$re laid d!wn $nder para-raph ", Seti!n 2", Artile II !# )A 3"+. /his pr!visi!n reads5

"& /he apprehendin- tea havin- initial $st!dy and !ntr!l !# the dr$-s #$a%%, iediately a#ter sei1$re and !n#isati!n, &$y#'(a%%y'n)*n+ory an &$o+ora&$ +$* #a* 'n +$* &r*#*n(* o: +$* a((u#* or +$* &*r#on;# :ro DOJ?, anany *%*(+* &u%'( o::'('a% nlesseB$sed y the savin- ehanis, the a$ittal !# the a$sed $st #!ll!w.

/he n!n'!pliane with thehain !# $st!dy r$le
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